On the Sword Discussion Platform

The next day, after completing the handover with Prefect Zhou, Ye Kang decided to return to the Imperial City immediately.

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

But things didn't go as planned. Just as Ye Kang and the others were getting ready, Zhou Ying suddenly came rushing over in a flurry.

"Lord Ye, something's happened!"

"What is it?"

"A crowd of people has surrounded the Prefect's Mansion. They're all martial artists, and they're demanding to see you!"

Zhou Ying's face was pale. She was clearly badly frightened.

Ye Kang exchanged a glance with He Zhi, then hurried to the entrance of the Prefect's Mansion.

A huge crowd of martial artists stood outside, weapons in hand, surrounding the gates with menacing air.

At their head was a burly man with a thick beard, broad-backed and powerfully built. He was nearly as big as two ordinary men put together and looked ferocious.

Beside him stood a purple-robed nun and a long-haired man dressed like a wandering swordsman, a broad sword strapped to his back.

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

It was Luan Chong.

The young master of the Giant Wolf Gang.

That's right. After Ye Kang had taught him a lesson at Drunken Spring House, Luan Chong had told his father, Luan Xiong, the leader of the Giant Wolf Gang.

Luan Xiong didn't want to let his son get beaten for nothing. Of course, he wasn't a fool, either. His opponent was a member of the Imperial Court, so he couldn't act recklessly.

So he secretly investigated Ye Kang for several days.

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

The three great sects happened to be holding a sword discussion in the city. With so many people on their side, they had nothing to fear.

As soon as Ye Kang saw Luan Chong, he understood what was going on. He sneered. "Honored heroes, you've surrounded the Prefect's Mansion with weapons in hand. Are you declaring war on the Imperial Court?"

Luan Chong immediately stepped forward. "Don't spout nonsense! We're only here for you. This has nothing to do with anyone else!"

"Chong'er, be quiet."

The towering Luan Xiong stopped him.

He smiled, too. "You must be Lord Ye. We people of the Jianghu don't know all those rules of the Imperial Court. Please don't try to pin a crime on us."

Ye Kang rested his hand on his saber's hilt and continued, "You're looking for me? I don't recall having any quarrel with any of you, honored heroes."

Luan Xiong kept smiling. "Lord Ye, you have a lot on your mind. The other day, you beat my son for no reason. Surely you don't expect us to pretend it never happened?"

As soon as he finished speaking, every martial artist drew their weapon and fixed a menacing stare on Ye Kang.

Though He Zhi was sweating buckets at the sight, he still drew his saber without hesitation and took a defensive stance.

He quietly warned Ye Kang, "My lord, people of the Jianghu don't care about the laws of the Imperial Court."

As a seasoned veteran of the Imperial City Department, He Zhi had seen it all.

These Jianghu martial artists operated independently, revered their sects above all else, looked down on the Imperial Court, and ignored the law. They believed only in their fists and had no respect for imperial authority.

Powerful martial artists even challenged people to duels right outside the imperial palace.

Killing a few Imperial Court officials was nothing unusual to them.

Heroes who wielded martial might defied the law.

Ye Kang understood that perfectly well, but he wasn't scared.

These people looked aggressive, but even the strongest three among them were only at Peak Master Level.

If this had happened yesterday, he really would have had to back down.

But now he had grasped the Hundred Flowers Sword Finger. The last thing he feared was being outnumbered.

Without the slightest hesitation, he drew his saber and pointed it straight at Luan Xiong.

"I'll say this only once. Get out of my way. If nothing else, surrounding the Prefect's Mansion is enough for me to charge you with treason."

Everyone was stunned.

He Zhi nearly fainted.

What a Lord Ye! He was about to drag his brothers along to their deaths!

The martial artists from the three sects exchanged bewildered looks.

What was going on?

Who had surrounded whom?

Luan Xiong was furious at Ye Kang's words. With his short temper, when had anyone ever dared to show him such contempt?

He let out a wolfish howl and clenched his fists, seething with rage.

Seeing that he was about to attack, the broad-sword-wielding man and the purple-robed nun hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over.

What nonsense! They were only here to help. If a madman like Luan Xiong really attacked the Prefect's Mansion, things would get out of hand.

They didn't want to get dragged into that mess.

The purple-robed nun spoke. "It's a misunderstanding! All a misunderstanding. Lord Ye, I'm Zixuan of the Purple Haze Sect. This is Zheng Jiantong, the great hero of the Iron Sword Sect. We've come to invite you to show your skill at the Sword Discussion Platform."

Zheng Jiantong of the Iron Sword Sect nodded in agreement.

"Indeed. Jianghu disputes should be settled in the Jianghu. Would you honor us with a duel against Gang Leader Luan?"

Ye Kang thought these people had gone mad.

Who in their right mind would go to some Sword Discussion Platform to fight them?

[ Ding ]

[Mission issued: Kill Luan Xiong]

[Mission Reward: 2,000 Comprehension points]

"..."

Fine. Since a mission had appeared, that changed things.

Ye Kang readily nodded.

"I'd be delighted. Lord He, keep an eye on Dai Huanhuan. I'll be back shortly."

"My lord... be careful!"

Ye Kang gave He Zhi a reassuring look, then headed straight for the Sword Discussion Platform in the center of the city.

Seeing how readily Ye Kang had agreed, Zixuan and Zheng Jiantong both breathed a sigh of relief.

"He's certainly straightforward. They can settle it on the Sword Discussion Platform. Life and death are up to them."

"Hmph. He's far too confident. I can't tell what level he's at, but based on the intelligence from a few days ago, he should only be at Peak Master Level."

"Indeed. At his age, with such talent, it's a pity Gang Leader Luan won't give him a chance to join my Purple Haze Sect."

They exchanged glances, nearly all certain that Ye Kang would lose.

It was simple: Ye Kang was too young.

Even a heaven-gifted talent needed time to build a solid foundation.

Luan Xiong, on the other hand, had become a Super-class expert ten years ago. For years, he had been striving to break through to the Xiantian Realm.

What's more, he focused on cultivating his body. His sheer physical strength could probably defeat many opponents of the same level.

The result of this fight had been decided before it even began.

Soon, the two sides stepped onto the Sword Discussion Platform.

Ye Kang drew his saber with his right hand, and the scabbard flew from him, embedding itself straight into the great drum behind him.

Luan Xiong wielded a pair of octagonal silver hammers. His fierce aura made everyone present shudder.

"So this is the power of a Super First-Class expert!"

"Gang Leader Luan's Divine Might is unmatched! Kill that lackey of the Imperial Court!"

"Keep it up, Gang Leader Luan! Avenge us martial artists!"

Cheers erupted from all around.

On Ye Kang's side, the only person cheering him on was Zhou Ying, who had hurried over.

"Be careful, Lord Ye!"

On the Sword Discussion Platform.

Luan Xiong let out a cackling laugh.

"Boy, once you step onto the Sword Discussion Platform, life and death are decided by fate. You beat my son, so if I don't kill you today, how can the Giant Wolf Gang ever hold its place?"

Ye Kang couldn't be bothered to listen to his nonsense. "Have you said enough? Can we start?"

Luan Xiong gave the referee a look.

As the gong rang to signal the start of the fight, Luan Xiong roared and leaped high into the air, bringing both hammers crashing down at Ye Kang.

"Gang Leader Luan's gone completely berserk!"

"What a brutal strike! If that hits, he'll be smashed into a pulp!"

Everyone held their breath, thrilled beyond measure.

Ye Kang, however, didn't dodge at all. He simply raised his left index finger. A streak of pink sword qi curled around it.

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

Hundred Flowers Sword Finger.

Whoosh!

The Hundred Flowers Sword Qi shot out in an instant, as fast as lightning. In the blink of an eye, it streaked toward Luan Xiong.

Sensing danger, Luan Xiong tried to swing his hammers up to block it. With a crash, the sword qi smashed them into pieces!

Smoke and dust billowed into the air. Luan Xiong was shocked, but before he could react, a second, third, and fourth streak of Hundred Flowers Sword Qi shot toward him all at once.

He reacted quickly, retreating almost on instinct.

But the strange pink sword qi was even faster. In an instant, it pierced the body he had always been so proud of.

Splatter, splatter.

As the entire crowd watched in horror, Luan Xiong's body fell apart like chunks of tofu, scattering across the ground.