The Face of the Shangli People

Bai Li followed the two Blood's Delight Sect followers disguised as noodle vendors, turning left and right through Tu Province City, and finally arrived at a small boat moored in the middle of the river outside Tu Province City.

Here, he was forced by the two noodle-selling brothers to wear a White Mask with strange symbols to conceal his face. Then, inside the cabin, he successfully met dozens of the Blood's Delight Sect members who were involved in the operation—all of them wearing masks, of course.

However, this method of merely concealing their faces could not fool Bai Li. His almost invincible Spiritual Sense spread out and quickly saw through the faces of these Cultists.

While a group of Cultist crowded into the boat, listening to the Cult Leader explain the key points of the operation, Bai Li multitasked, noting down the information while also memorizing the aura and faces of everyone present.

After saying all this, the person who seemed to be the Cult Leader dismissed the Cultist present and then used his lightness skill to walk on the waves and disappear on the other side of the river.

This posture is somewhat similar to the lightness skill that Mo Chen once described to me about my master...

Bai Li stood by the river, watching the Cult Leader and the rest of his followers disappear, silently thinking to himself.

"Let's go back too."

The two noodle sellers who had brought him there earlier asked Bai Li, "Young man, why don't you come and work with us from now on?"

"Of course, brothers."

Bai Li smiled at them upon hearing this.

"Since we have this opportunity, how about we chat when we go back together? Actually, I have so much more to say about our God and our doctrines that I'd like to have a good talk with you two brothers."

Time flew by and it was already Mid-May.

During this period, Bai Qiuran and his group worked hard to expand the faith of the Foundation Establishment Heavenly Venerable among the local Jianghu community. Li Jinyao specifically targeted those chivalrous Chivalrous Warrior were mutually attracted but were hindered by face, shyness, or sectarian prejudice.

With her superb observation skills and extremely keen gossip sense, the Little Demoness was almost always right when it came to finding someone to target. In just over ten days, she not only gained a dozen or so followers but also brought together more than a dozen couples, earning her much gratitude from people in the Jianghu.

Tang Ruowei would target female warriors who seemed aloof, insecure, and, most importantly, had rather small breasts. In recent days, she had swallowed her pride and successfully lured several Aircraft Carrier into her Steel Plate.

Bai Qiuran even more arrogant. He specifically targeted those who lost in private duels, and if he succeeded, he would teach them how to retaliate. Over the past ten days, although those he had fooled had not lost their minds and retaliated on the spot, they were all holding their breath and thought that the number of people who signed up for the Sword Discussion Assembly would exceed the organizer's expectations.

Besides these three guys, there was also Li Xianjing, the Upper Beauty Sword God. This honest man went out, but he didn't manage to fool a single person. Instead, he was sold a lot of dubious goods by some suspicious merchants in Tu Province. After that incident, Bai Qiuran and the others simply told this old Sword God not to go out on his own and to stay obediently in the Inn to adjust his mindset and cultivate his Sword Qi.

As for Comrade Bai Li, who had infiltrated the enemy ranks, they hadn't met each other in recent days. Only at night, Bai Qiuran and Bai Li would communicate through their Spiritual Sense. During these communications, Bai Qiuran learned that Bai Li's work of sowing discord and turning people against his cause was progressing very smoothly.

Everything proceeded smoothly, and finally the day of the Sword Discussion Assembly arrived.

The location for the Sword Discussion Assembly was chosen by the Emperor of Great Xia to be Primordial Azure Mountain on the outskirts of Tu Province. With the help of the Imperial Court, this Barren Mountain has now been completely developed, and several Arena and plazas have been built on the gentle mountaintop, specifically for martial arts competitions.

On the day of the event, countless Jianghu practitioners flocked to Primordial Azure Mountain. Every mountain path was bustling with activity, and vendors and laborers came and went in an endless stream, which also demonstrated the current national strength of the Great Xia.

Just then, a group of strange foreigners also walked from the foot of the mountain to the registration point for the Sword Discussion Assembly.

Their behavior was strange. Despite being dressed smartly and having an arrogant expression, they couldn't help but look at the prosperous scene and novelties on Primordial Azure Mountain. Their arrogance seemed to be deliberately put on. Whenever a Great Xia person looked at them, they would raise their heads and talk in a language that the Great Xia people couldn't understand.

This is a group of Shangli People; they are martial arts competitors from the Upper Beauty Kingdom.

"I never imagined that after such a chaotic era, the Great Xia would be in such a state again."

The middle-aged man at the head of the group, waving his fan, said to his cronies in Shangli dialect, "It's a pity, though. In terms of prosperity, Shangli is still superior. Don't you all agree?"

"Yes, yes, although the Great Xia is vast, it still can't compare to our Shangli. After all, Shangli is the world's number one superpower."

"If we're talking about abundant resources and outstanding people, then Shangli is far superior to Shangli."

The confidants around the middle-aged man quickly echoed his sentiments.

After a pause, some of the more astute confidants began to flatter him again.

"Moreover, with the Sword God abdicating and passing the throne to a more worthy successor, we believe that the new Sword God will undoubtedly be Your Highness. How can the Great Xia Kingdom find a swordsman who can rival you?"

"Haha, that's right."

If this Prince were a citizen of Great Xia, even if his subordinates were flattering him to their heart's content, he would at least show some humility by now. Unfortunately, he is a Shangli People and has no idea what the word "humility" means.

He then burst into laughter and Shangli: "That's right, without Li Xianjing this time, I actually feel we can fight more freely. Everyone, do your best, and this time, let's try to take back all the first places in this Sword Discussion Assembly."

His laughter displeased some people. A group of people dressed Evil Horse Kingdom walked past him. Among them, a little girl frowned and whispered in Evil Horse Language, "So noisy..."

The newly crowned Sword God of the Upper Beauty Kingdom, Prince Wang You Imperial Family, naturally understood this complaint. He immediately turned and, in fluent Great Xia language, shouted at the Evil Horse Kingdom warriors, "What are you looking at? Japanese Bandits!"

"What did you say?"

The warriors were immediately enraged, drawing their swords and shouting at Wang You in broken Great Xia language, "Kill... kill you!"

"Fool! This isn't a person from Great Xia!"

However, the leading samurai was clearly experienced. He stopped his men and then, Shangli language, sneered at Wang You and his men, "Shameless Shangli Pigs, you don't even dare to use your own mother tongue, you trash."

After saying this, the samurai smeared his own neck with his thumb in a defiant gesture.

"What did you say?!"

Now it Shangli's turn to be agitated, and it seemed like a conflict was about to break out between the two sides. Suddenly, several Great Xia walked over and shouted with unfriendly expressions, "What are you doing?"

The warriors of Shangli and Evil Horse calmed down.

"Warning: Private fights are strictly prohibited during the registration period. Violators will be disqualified from the competition."

Several soldiers from the Great Xia shouted, "If you want to fight, wait until you've registered! Go fight on the Arena of the Sword Discussion Assembly!"

"Snort."

After the soldiers from the Great Xia left, the warriors from Evil Horse also made some harsh remarks.

"See you in the Arena, Shangli People! I'll cut off your head and make you pay for your rudeness!"

After saying that, they left and went to the other side to register, out of sight, out of mind.

"Hmph."

As the figures of the Evil Horse Kingdom disappeared, Wang You stood there, sneering to himself.

"Idiots, my men will have taken care of you before you even step onto the Arena."

He waved his hand, and his trusted subordinates immediately understood. Two of them left to prepare a dirty trick.

"Let's go."

Wang You high spirits after thinking about how to deal with the Evil Horse Kingdom. He led his confidants and continued towards the registration point for the Sword Discussion Assembly.

Shangli People arrived, a long queue of people had already formed to register, stretching as far as the eye could see.

"There are just too many people in this Great Xia!"

Wang You frowned and said, "It really can give birth?"

"Prince Your Highness, would you like me to cut in line?"

One of his subordinates immediately offered a fawning greeting.

"Hmm, what are you doing cutting in line? This Prince represents the face of Shangli."

Wang You reprimanded, "If you want to cut in line, that's your own business. If you want to sign someone up, that's also your own business."

His subordinates understood and immediately left, running ahead to cut in line.

Wang You his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping around, looking at the group of Great Xia Chivalrous Warrior who were signing up with what he thought was a "kingly demeanor." Suddenly, he saw a familiar figure in the crowd, which startled him.

With his half-white hair, lean yet upright back, and the simple yet clean sword on his back, he was none other than Li Xianjing, the former God of Upper Beauty Sword God.