On the official road outside the western gate of Anyuan County, two fine horses walked forward in small, clopping steps under their riders' control. Behind them, ten broad-shouldered, thick-waisted Giant Bear Gang members in brown clothes strode along.
"Boss Xiong, this is my first time in Anyuan. I don't know what local customs there are or where the fun places might be. When the time comes, you'll have to show me around."
A young man in a purple silk robe sat atop the black horse, speaking to the burly middle-aged man beside him. His looks were ordinary, his features unremarkable, but his long hair hung loose around his shoulders, lending him a somewhat carefree and unrestrained air.
Xiong Da laughed heartily. His eyes were round, his beard thick, and he too possessed something of a bold hero's bearing. He nodded repeatedly.
"Rest assured, Young Hero Liu. Anyuan is my territory. Food, drink, and entertainment—nothing will be lacking. Just wait and enjoy yourself."
Though he said this, Xiong Da's eyes kept drifting toward the longsword in the purple-robed young man's left hand. It was merely an ordinary sword, yet its owner could unleash seven strikes with a single sword.
What did seven strikes with a single sword mean? Put plainly, it meant attaining the swordsmanship level to slash out seven strokes within two seconds. Remember, this was a level of swordsmanship, not a sword technique.
"Feather Sword Liu Cheng, an independent sword cultivator from Kunding County and a bona fide internal martial artist. His master is unknown. His Feather Sword technique is light, nimble, and swift. He once slew a court-wanted criminal who had fled to Kunding County, and had repeatedly refused recruitment by the authorities."
To the vast martial world, Liu Cheng was no more than a humble, insignificant martial