Sword Discussion

The next day, after Ye Kang and Prefect Zhou completed the handover, they decided to rush back to the Imperial City immediately.

After all, he still had to report back to Lord Leng and couldn't delay for too long.

However, fate was not on their side. Just as Ye Kang and the others were ready, Zhou Ying suddenly rushed over in a panic.

"Lord Ye, something's happened!"

"What is it?"

"A group of people have surrounded the Prefect's Mansion. They're all martial artists, and they're specifically asking to see you!"

Zhou Ying's face was pale; she was clearly terrified.

Ye Kang and He Zhi exchanged a look and immediately rushed to the entrance of the Prefect's Mansion.

They saw a large group of martial artists, armed with various weapons, menacingly surrounding the mansion gate.

The leader was a man with a full beard, a broad back, and a burly physique, looking as large as two men and appearing extremely fierce.

Beside him stood a female master in purple robes and a long-haired man carrying a broadsword, dressed like a wanderer.

Behind the three, a familiar face sneered as he looked at Ye Kang.

It was Luan Chong.

The Young Master of the Giant Wolf Gang.

That's right, after being taught a lesson by Ye Kang at the Drunken Spring House that day, Luan Chong had informed his father, the leader of the Giant Wolf Gang, Luan Xiong.

Luan Xiong didn't want his son to be beaten for no reason. Of course, he wasn't foolish either; the other party was from the Imperial Court, so he couldn't act rashly.

Therefore, he first secretly investigated Ye Kang for a few days.

Then, he joined forces with experts from the Iron Sword Sect and the Purple Haze Sect.

These three major sects happened to be in the city for a sword competition, and with their numbers, they naturally weren't afraid.

As soon as Ye Kang saw Luan Chong, he understood what was happening. He sneered and said, "My good sirs, surrounding the Prefect's Mansion with weapons, is this an act of declaring war on the Imperial Court?"

Luan Chong immediately jumped out and said, "Don't spout nonsense! We're only looking for you; it has nothing to do with anyone else!"

"Chong'er, be quiet."

The tall and strong Luan Xiong stopped Luan Chong.

He also smiled and said, "You must be Lord Ye. We martial artists don't understand many of the rules of the imperial court, so please don't try to trap us, Lord Ye."

Ye Kang placed his hand on his sword hilt and continued, "Looking for me? I don't recall having any past dealings with any of you good sirs."

Luan Xiong continued to smile, "Lord Ye is too important to remember things. A few days ago, you beat my son for no reason. Are you going to pretend this never happened?"

As his voice fell, all the martial artists drew their weapons and stared fiercely at Ye Kang.

Although He Zhi broke out in a cold sweat at the sight, he unhesitatingly drew his long saber and assumed a defensive stance.

He quietly reminded Ye Kang, "My Lord, people of the martial world don't abide by the laws of the Imperial Court."

As an old hand in the Imperial City Department, He Zhi had plenty of experience.

These martial artists, each establishing their own sects, respected their sects above all else, disdained the Imperial Court, and didn't obey the law. In their hearts, only strength mattered, and they had no respect for imperial power.

Some powerful martial artists would even arrange duels directly in the Imperial Palace.

Killing a few court officials was nothing unusual for them.

The righteous would break the law with their martial arts.

Ye Kang naturally understood this principle, but he wasn't intimidated.

These people looked menacing, but the strongest three were only at the "super-first-class" level.

If it were yesterday's him, he would indeed have to back down.

But now that he had mastered the Hundred Flowers Sword Finger, he feared crowds the least.

Without hesitation, he drew his sword and pointed it directly at Luan Xiong.

"I'll only say this once: get out of my way, or I'll charge you with treason solely for surrounding the Prefect's Mansion."

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.

He Zhi almost fainted.

What a Lord Ye! He was going to lead his brothers to their deaths!

The martial artists from the three opposing sects exchanged bewildered glances.

What was going on?

Who was surrounding whom?

Luan Xiong was also enraged by Ye Kang's words. With his hot temper, when had he ever been so disregarded?

He opened his mouth and let out a wolf's howl, clenching his fists in immense anger.

Seeing that he was about to make a move, the broadsword wielder and the female master beside him quickly stepped forward to mediate.

What a joke! They were only here to help. If the crazy Luan Xiong actually attacked the Prefect's Mansion, things would get out of hand.

They didn't want to get involved in this trouble.

Then the nun in purple said, "A misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding, Lord Ye. I am Zixuan of the Purple Haze Sect, and this is Zheng Jiantong of the Iron Sword Sect. We've come to invite Lord Ye to the Sword Discussion Platform to showcase his skills."

The great hero Zheng of the Iron Sword Sect also nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, matters of the martial world are settled within the martial world. Would you do us the honor of a fight, Lord?"

Ye Kang felt like these people had lost their minds.

Who would want to go to the Sword Discussion Platform with them for no reason?

[Ding]

[Quest Issued: Kill Luan Xiong]

[Quest Reward: 2000 Comprehension Points]

"..."

Fine, since the quest had arrived, it was a different story.

Ye Kang nodded cheerfully.

"I'd be very willing. Lord He, keep an eye on Dai Huanhuan, I'll be back soon."

"Lord... be careful!"

Ye Kang gave He Zhi a reassuring look, then walked directly towards the Sword Discussion Platform in the center of the city.

Seeing Ye Kang agree so readily, Zixuan and Zheng Jiantong breathed a sigh of relief.

"This fellow is quite straightforward. Let's settle it on the Sword Discussion Platform; life and death are of no consequence."

"Hmph, he's too confident. Although I can't be sure of his cultivation level, based on the intelligence from a few days ago, he should only be a super-class expert."

"Yes, at such a young age, such a genius. If only he were a disciple of our Purple Haze Sect. Unfortunately, Guild Leader Luan won't give him that chance."

The few exchanged glances, almost all convinced that Ye Kang was doomed to lose.

It was simple: Ye Kang was too young.

Even if he possessed heaven-defying talent, he lacked experience.

Luan Xiong, on the other hand, had become a super-class expert ten years ago and had been striving to reach the Innate realm all these years.

Furthermore, he specialized in physical cultivation. His physical strength alone was enough to defeat many experts of the same level.

The outcome of this duel was already decided before it even began.

Soon, both sides ascended the Sword Discussion Platform.

Ye Kang drew his sword with his right hand, and the scabbard flew out, embedding itself straight into the large drum behind him.

Luan Xiong held a pair of octagonal bright silver hammers, his imposing aura striking fear into everyone present.

"This is the power of a super-class expert!"

"Guild Leader Luan is divinely powerful, kill that running dog of the Imperial Court!"

"Go, Guild Leader Luan, avenge us martial artists!"

Countless cheers erupted.

On Ye Kang's side, only Zhou Ying, who had rushed over, was cheering for him.

"Lord Ye, be careful!"

On the Sword Discussion Platform.

Luan Xiong let out a sinister cold laugh.

"Kid, once you step onto the Sword Discussion Platform, life and death are irrelevant. You beat up my son. If I don't kill you today, how will the Giant Wolf Gang maintain its standing?"

Ye Kang couldn't be bothered to listen to his nonsense and said directly, "Are you done talking? Can we begin?"

Luan Xiong signaled the referee with his eyes.

As the gong signaling the start of the fight rang out, Luan Xiong let out a great roar, leaped forward, and smashed both hammers towards Ye Kang simultaneously.

"Guild Leader Luan has gone completely mad!"

"What a fierce attack! If he gets hit by this, he'll likely be crushed into a pulp!"

Everyone held their breath, utterly exhilarated.

However, Ye Kang didn't dodge at all. He simply extended his left index finger, a pink sword qi swirling around it.

"Let me witness the power of Innate Martial Arts."

Hundred Flowers Sword Finger.

Whoosh!

The Hundred Flowers Sword Qi was unleashed instantly, moving as fast as lightning. In the blink of an eye, it shot towards Luan Xiong.

Luan Xiong felt something was wrong and tried to block with his hammers. With a boom!

The twin hammers were directly cleaved into several pieces by this sword qi!

Countless dust and smoke billowed up. Luan Xiong was greatly alarmed. Before he could even react, the second, third, and fourth Hundred Flowers Sword Qi shot over simultaneously.

Although his reaction was already very fast, almost instinctively retreating.

But that strange pink sword qi was incredibly swift, instantly piercing into Luan Xiong's proud flesh.

Clatter, clatter.

Under the horrified gazes of everyone present, Luan Xiong's body, like blocks of tofu, peeled away piece by piece, scattering across the ground.