He had arrived

"The Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect and my elder brother are friends. They met during the Yunzhou case last year. The Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect fought bravely alongside my elder brother, slaying rebels and suppressing bandits. They shared hardships and formed a deep friendship." Xu Xinnian explained while taking a sip of tea.

These words were told to him by his elder brother, and his mother had also said that this Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect had been organizing a private army to suppress bandits in Yunzhou over the past year. The reason his mother knew this was because the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect told her herself.

The Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect and Xu Yinluo formed a deep friendship. Wang Simu suddenly realized this, secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and a gentle smile spread across her face as she said:

"I heard from the guest elders in the manor that Li Miaozhen, the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect, possesses the strength of a fourth-rank cultivator, and since Chu Yuanzhen fought against her, his strength is no less impressive. Looking across the capital, there are very few people of this age with the cultivation of a fourth-rank cultivator."

Chu Yuanzhen is no longer young. Xu Xinnian nodded and said, "The two protagonists of the battle between Celestial Person and Man are indeed dragons and phoenixes among men."

Wang Simu followed up, saying, "However, in a few more years, Xu Yinluo will definitely be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with these two. After the duel, everyone in the capital was saying that Xu Yinluo's talent was no less than that of the Prince of Zhenbei."

Xu Xinnian raised his chin slightly, speaking in a nonchalant tone, "Brother's cultivation is still lacking; these rumors are all just attempts to flatter him to death."

He seemed very proud. Sure enough, flattering Xu Qi'an was very effective in Xu Cijiu. Wang Simu analyzed in his heart.

The carriage moved slowly, and at the city gate of the inner city, it encountered a group from Huaiqing and Lin'an. Two carriages made of Phoebe zhennan wood were parked at the city gate.

"Your Highness, do you think that's Miss Wang's carriage?"

The maid who was peeking through the curtains saw Wang Simu's carriage and excitedly turned to tell Lin'an.

"It really is Sister Simu's carriage," Lin'an said, beaming as he leaned closer to take a look. He then instructed, "Go and inform her to come over; I want to ride with her."

The maid immediately shouted at the top of her lungs.

On the other side, Wang Simu, inside the carriage, heard the call and, startled, lifted the curtain to see that the words "Lin'an" were embroidered on the yellow silk canopy of the opposite golden nanmu carriage.

He immediately replied with a smile, "Your Highness Lin'an."

Lin'an pushed aside the maidservant, lifted the curtain with her slender hand, and said with a smile, "Sister Simu, are you also going to the Wei River to watch the battle between Celestial Person and man?"

Wang Simu gave a sweet "Mmm".

Lin'an immediately brightened up, her peach blossom eyes curving into crescent moons. She beckoned with her small hand, "Come, come to me."

Just as Wang Simu was about to speak, he suddenly frowned, covered his mouth and nose with a handkerchief, and coughed violently a few times.

Lin'an asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

Wang Simu said helplessly, "I caught a cold a few days ago, took some medicine, and am mostly fine now. However, even though it's just embers, it wouldn't be good if it infected Your Highness."

Biao Biao looked regretful and told Miss Wang to get some rest.

Wang Simu smiled and agreed. At that moment, she saw the carriage in front of her. The carriage window suddenly rolled up, and a pair of clear, cold eyes swept over her indifferently.

In an instant, Wang Simu felt that all her little thoughts and ideas had been seen through.

She forced a smile and lowered the curtain.

After the carriage had traveled some distance, Wang Simu breathed a sigh of relief, patted his chest, and looked at Xu Xinnian, saying, "I'm most afraid of being with Princess Huaiqing; she's too clever."

Xu Xinnian smiled.

With an open mind and a firm will, one can calmly face any situation. Even if one's inner thoughts are seen through, it doesn't matter.

This is something Xu Erlang developed through experiencing several social deaths, which forged his shrewdness and composure.

Life is the best teacher.

Two carriages made of Phoebe zhennan wood waited for a long time at the inner city gate before finally arriving. Eight silver gongs, leading a dozen silver gongs and more than thirty bronze gongs, rode in an orderly procession.

The last gong-bearer was on duty at the yamen for several days and was unable to leave.

Upon seeing the Nightwatchers appear, Biao Biao suddenly realized something. She had always felt that there were too few guards, making it impossible to ensure her and Huaiqing's safety in such a chaotic environment.

Trusting Huaiqing, Biao Biao did not raise this question.

"With so many golden gongs and silver gongs accompanying us, even if there are thousands of troops on the other side, Huaiqing and I will be safe." Biao Biao felt extremely at ease.

Huaiqing lifted the carriage curtain, glanced at the Nightwatchers, and frowned, asking, "Where's Xu Ningyan?"

Jiang Luzhong shook his head, laughing and scolding, "This kid only works sporadically, most of the time you can't find him. Who knows where he's off to?"

Huaiqing nodded, lowered the curtain, and the procession started moving. After passing through the outer city and traveling on the official road for more than half an hour, the carriage slowly came to a stop.

"Your Highness, the only way forward is on foot."

"The head guard said."

Huaiqing and Lin'an each emerged from their carriages, both dressed in tight-fitting clothes. The former had a full chest and a curvaceous figure, showing off her voluptuous physique.

The latter used a cloud-patterned ribbon to accentuate her slender waist, and her movements were full of charm. Although she did not make any seductive gestures, she was more alluring and seductive than her sister Huaiqing.

Under the protection of the Nightwatchers and palace guards, Huaiqing and Lin'an left the official road and entered a wasteland overgrown with weeds. After walking for a quarter of an hour, Lin'an's trousers and cotton boots were covered with dew and grass.

"So many people!"

Lin'an suddenly stopped and sighed.

The Wei River is twenty zhang wide, and during the flood season, the river can even swell to thirty zhang. At this time, the banks of the Wei River are packed with people, including martial arts practitioners carrying swords and knives, as well as ordinary people from the capital who have come out to watch the spectacle.

There were also idle playboys in the capital, officials who took leave to watch the battle between Celestial Person and man, and nobles and other members of the aristocratic class.

Of course, there were also students from the Imperial Academy and Cloud Deer Academy, as well as wealthy young ladies like Wang Simu.

These people, accompanied by dozens of guards, rudely cleared the area and occupied a section of land for themselves.

Clear the area.

Having chosen a good spot, Huaiqing waved his hand and ordered the guards to get to work.

Another important person has arrived.

"That woman is so beautiful, and wow, she has so many golden-gong guards around her?!"

The driven-out martial arts figures seemed to have gotten used to it, cursing and swearing as they changed positions, while also gossiping about Huaiqing's identity.

"She is the eldest princess of our Great Feng, with the title Huaiqing," said a person from the capital.

"I remember now, she was sitting in the imperial tent during the magical duel that day."

"Our Great Feng princess is such a beauty, is she married? And who is her husband?"

"None of the four princesses in the royal family are married and remain unmarried. The man beside her is the Second Prince, Lin'an. I think Princess Lin'an..."

I had intended to say a few words, but considering that the Jinluo members were sharp-eared and likely overheard our discussion, I immediately shut my mouth and dared not speak ill of the princess.

Biao Biao looked around in the crowd, frowning, and said, "Where's that lackey, Huaiqing? Where's that lackey?"

Huaiqing ignored her.

"Get out of here, get out of here!"

Just then, a loud shout rang out, and Biao Biao and Huai Qing turned around to see dozens of heavily armored soldiers brandishing their scabbards to drive away the crowd.

Armored warriors surrounded a woman wearing a veiled hat. The veil hung down, revealing another veil underneath. Even the most skilled martial artist could not see the woman's true face through the two layers of protection.

"The princess is here, let's go say hello." Biao Biao looked at Huai Qing.

Huaiqing turned his face away indifferently, showing no regard for him.

The guards all turned their heads, scrutinizing the princess surrounded by the palace guards, their eyes filled with curiosity.

Princess Zhenbei is hailed as the most beautiful woman in the Great Feng, but very few people have ever seen her true face. Jinluo, who was present, had seen her before, but each time she had taken many precautions and had no chance to see her beautiful face.

"Even she came. The last battle of magic didn't even alert the Princess." Jiang Luzhong remarked.

"The battle of magic is mysterious and profound, what's so interesting about it? The Daoist School sect's battle between Celestial Person and man happens once every sixty years, and it's been brewing for over a month. Nobody isn't curious," Zhang Kaitai said.

At this moment, it was just past dawn, and in three quarters of an hour, the battle between Celestial Person and man would begin.

Hundreds and thousands of people gathered on the banks of the Wei River, eagerly anticipating the upcoming battle. The people were in high spirits, as if they were going to a market.

Outside the crowd, awnings were set up, selling tea and breakfast at prices higher than those in the inner city.

The expressions of the martial arts practitioners were full of anticipation and excitement. The battle between the celestial and the Celestial Person was held once every sixty years, and each time it was a grand occasion for the martial arts world of the Great Feng Dynasty, second only to the martial arts tournament held once every thirteen years.

"Hey, look, Liu Yun from the Double Blade Sect is here. Isn't that the sect leader Cheng Hensheng next to her?" someone exclaimed.

Following the sound, a group of martial arts practitioners dressed in tight-fitting clothes walked over. They were characterized by carrying two curved swords on their backs, having dark skin, and sharp eyes.

One of the young women, carrying two swords, was exceptionally beautiful. She had wheat-colored skin and bright, sharp eyes, resembling a lithe female leopard with a wild and agile nature.

She followed behind a middle-aged man whose aura was restrained, seemingly less assertive than the disciples behind him.

"The people from Luya Sword Pavilion have also arrived. Butterfly Sword and Blue Robe are so beautiful, truly living up to their reputation."

"What is the current cultivation level of Pavilion Master Lan Huan? I remember last year there were rumors that he broke through to become a fourth-grade martial artist."

"I saw Rongrong from the brothel, hehe, she really is a seductive little vixen."

"Are those monks from Qinglong Temple?"

As the decisive battle drew near, more and more martial arts masters from various sects arrived. Unlike Rogue Cultivator, they were "big shots" with their own territories and reputations.

Lan Huan, the master of Luya Sword Pavilion, chose a good spot with a wide view, then turned his head to examine the master of the Twin Blades Sect not far away, and clasped his hands in greeting:

"It is said that the Twin Blades Sect Master's cultivation is unfathomable, and seeing it today, I can confirm that his reputation is well-deserved."

An unremarkable opening.

The dark-skinned, stern-faced leader of the Twin Blades Sect looked over and said calmly, "Sect Leader Lan, you flatter me. I am not as good as you."

He hasn't reached the fourth rank yet.

What? The leader of the Twin Blades Sect is inferior to the leader of the Cliffside Sword Pavilion?

The surrounding underworld figures' eyes lit up, excited at the prospect of uncovering a major scoop, which they could then use to boast to friends and family and grab attention.

The sweet-looking and lively Butterfly Sword Lan Caiyi looked at the wheat-skinned Shuangmen Heroine Liu Yun. Their eyes met, and Lan Caiyi proudly puffed out her chest.

Liu Yun narrowed her eyes and glanced away disdainfully.

Lan Huan continued, "Sect Master, in the duel between the Celestial Person Sects, which side do you think has a greater chance of winning?"

"The Celestial Person and Human Sects have been fighting for thousands of years, with each side having its victories and defeats. We won't discuss who is superior or inferior. However, between Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen, I think Chu Yuanzhen has a higher chance of winning," said the leader of the Twin Blades Sect.

"Why?" Lan Huan asked with a smile.

"Six years ago, Chu Yuanzhen was praised by Wei Yuan as the number one swordsman in the capital. At that time, Li Miaozhen was not yet an adult. Just based on this foundation alone, he had already surpassed Li Miaozhen," the sect leader said.

Lan Huan, however, had a different opinion, saying, "You don't know this, but Chu Yuanzhen is Registered Disciple the Human Sect, he follows the martial arts system, and he cultivates the Human Sect's sword path."

"The approach went wrong, and Li Miaozhen is a true and upright Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect."

There were even these inside stories. The onlookers listened with great interest.

Suddenly, a resident of the capital asked loudly, "How do these two compare to our Xu Yinluo?"

Upon hearing this, Lan Huan smiled and ignored it without replying.

The leader of the Twin Blades Sect scoffed.

"Hey, you two scoundrels, what do you mean by this?"

The people of the capital were unhappy.

Butterfly Sword, Blue Robe, looked around at everyone and said in a crisp voice:

"Although Xu Yinluo is a genius with talent comparable to the Prince of Zhenbei, he is only a seventh-rank martial artist. As for Chu Yuanzhen, a disciple of the Human Sect, and Li Miaozhen, the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect, the former was able to fight to a standstill with the fourth-rank Jinluo many years ago. Although he was defeated, after so many years, his strength is probably no less than that of a fourth-rank martial artist."

"Li Miaozhen dared to come to the capital to issue a challenge, so she must be a fourth-rank official."

The people of the capital city may not understand cultivation, but they do understand the basic hierarchy of martial arts. So, the Great Feng hero Xu Yinluo in their minds was merely a seventh-rank martial artist?

The two main characters in the battle between Celestial Person and Man are indeed of the fourth rank.

"You're talking nonsense! You dare to slander Xu Yinluo? Let's all throw stones at her!"

"That pretty little wench has a foul mouth, hetui."

The common people were extremely disappointed, and then their anger rose, which they directed at Butterfly Sword Lan Caiyi.

"Hmph, that dog of a servant is clearly a sixth-rank official." The woman spat.

She was somewhat unhappy. In Lin'an's mind, her own dog servant was a great hero, single-handedly holding off thousands of rebel troops in Yunzhou and defeating Buddhist School Arhat in front of the Star-Gazing Tower.

This is something only a very important person could do.

She had always thought that the dog servant was the best, but now, being compared and analyzed, she was suddenly surprised to find that the dog servant's rank was only seventh grade.

This huge sense of disparity made her very uncomfortable.

"In the Great Feng Dafeng, there are no more than five young people with a fourth-rank cultivation level," a martial arts practitioner dressed in black said in a deep voice.

"Yes, Xu Yinluo can definitely be called a fourth-rank martial artist, but he is still too young and there is a big gap between him and Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen," another martial arts figure added.

Bang!

A stone came crashing down and shattered on the invisible air shield.

The martial arts practitioner was furious, but dared not retaliate. This was the capital city, surrounded by high-ranking officials and government experts. If he dared to harm ordinary people, he would surely incur severe punishment from the government.

"Nonsense! Xu Yinluo shattered the Golden Body with a single strike; how could he only be a seventh-rank official?"

"Exactly, that Chu Yuanzhen is so powerful, why doesn't he go and fight, why doesn't he break the little monk's golden body?"

"In my opinion, among the young masters in the capital, only Xu Yinluo is the most capable. You lowly people just can't stand to see Xu Yinluo's success."

Curses erupted, and ordinary people reacted fiercely, filled with righteous indignation.

But as they continued cursing, seeing that no one in the martial arts world spoke up for Xu Yinluo, not even the government officials or the Nightwatchers, they gradually came to believe the truth.

A huge sense of disappointment welled up inside me.

Just then, a whistling wind came from overhead, and a figure flew on a sword, hovering above the Wei River.

The man was dressed in a blue robe, with a handsome face. He was not very old, but not young either, and a strand of white hair hanging down his forehead told a story of his vicissitudes.

"Chu Yuanzhen!"

Below, cheers of surprise erupted from the crowd.

As soon as he finished speaking, another whooshing sound rang out, and a woman riding a flying sword came swiftly from afar, stopping opposite Chu Yuanzhen.

The Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect wore a simple Daoist robe, her hair tied up with an ebony hairpin. Her oval face was fair and delicate, her eyes were as black as lacquer, and her lips were thin. Just as the rumors said, she was a stunning beauty.

Upon witnessing this scene, the people of the capital, who had been furious just moments before, suddenly fell silent.

Flying on a sword and standing in mid-air—these are the divine figures that only exist in folk tales and storytellers. Compared to them, Xu Yinluo, who usually travels on horseback, certainly doesn't have the same grandeur.

"Today's battle will be fought with all our might." Li Miaozhen stared intently at the swordsman in blue robes opposite her.

"Okay." Chu Yuanzhen nodded.

The duel between the leaders of the Dao is a matter for the leaders themselves. The current conflict between the Celestial Person and humans is a matter for the two of them.

Chu Yuanzhen knew that if Luo Yuheng could not break through to the first rank, the battle between Celestial Person and Man would be extremely dangerous. If he avoided the battle, the Human Sect would still send other disciples to fight.

Rather than losing to Li Miaozhen and disgracing the sect, it's better for him to win. At least he can gain the upper hand by three moves.

This can be considered as repaying the kindness of the Human Sect in bestowing the sword upon him.

"Everyone, retreat ten zhang!" Chu Yuanzhen shouted.

On both banks of the Wei River, onlookers quickly dispersed.

The battle between the Celestial Person and the mortal was about to erupt, and countless eyes were fixed on the two people in mid-air, filled with both tension and excitement.

Suddenly, melodious music rang out, penetrating and echoing over the Wei River and through the fields bathed in the soft morning light.

The music was so discordant that it disrupted the rhythm of Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen, causing their rising momentum to falter.

Chu Yuanzhen saw Li Miaozhen's face suddenly stiffen, and couldn't help but turn around to look. Then, Chu Zhuangyuan's face also froze.

The onlookers followed the sound of the zither and saw a small boat drifting in the distance. A tall, handsome young man stood proudly at the bow, leaning on a knife, gazing at the undulating river with a profound expression.

He arrived, slowly making his way to the background music.

P. S.: Headache, chest tightness, and general weakness. Heatstroke caused electrolyte imbalance. The headache was relieved after scraping (gua sha), but I had a throbbing pain at night. If it's not better by tomorrow, I'll have to go to the hospital.

It's exceptionally hot this year, please take precautions against heatstroke.

I apologize for the recent lack of updates; I'll make up for it with frequent updates once I'm back to normal.