A Look at Swordsmanship, the Gift Procession Arrives

"You mean the monks are going to give me gifts?"

After a night's rest, Chu Tianshu sat in Pengcheng Tavern, looking at the beautiful scenery of the rising sun and the dawn light on the horizon, his expression somewhat languid.

"What about etiquette?"

The old scholar said, "The gifts are still on their way, but the news has already spread."

Chu Tianshu clicked his tongue. "The news travels really fast."

The old scholar nodded and said, "There's nothing in this world faster than sending a message."

After all, there was magic to transmit the message, and it was such a sensational piece of news, plus the added hype from those with ulterior motives.

The news that three Attaining the Dao skilled martial arts masters were locked in Denglai Mountain Market was already astonishing enough.

Countless people are waiting to see the reactions of Celebration of the Sage Temple and the Xiao and Hou families.

The fact that Celebration of the Sage Temple is now releasing this information—clearly indicating its intention to back down and even offer gifts—is truly astonishing.

Countless people's first reaction was that they had heard fake news. After repeatedly verifying it, they were speechless and then, as if possessed, they spread and shared this information everywhere.

That's amazing!

From the evil sect in the north in the past to the number one sect in the world today, Celebration of the Sage Temple hasn't yielded for a hundred years, has it?

After the initial shock and disbelief subsided, many people began to reflect.

If this new Attaining the Dao one can make even Celebration of the Sage Temple submit, then it's practically a foregone conclusion that he will take over Denglai Mountain Market.

With this in mind, many people are already considering befriending this new tycoon.

"Celebration of the Sage Temple gives away gifts like this, it will definitely encourage many others to do the same."

The old scholar chuckled and said, "I just don't know what excuse they'll use to celebrate. They can't really be celebrating that you killed three great Attaining the Dao in one fell swoop, can they?"

Thinking back to yesterday when I secretly watched and saw the result of that battle.

A look of shock reappeared on the old scholar's face. "One against three, a complete victory and annihilation! If someone were to congratulate you on this, it wouldn't be entirely unreasonable."

Chu Tianshu shook his head.

Even if Celebration of the Sage Temple outwardly backs down, the Xiao and Chen families have suffered considerable losses, and ordinary forces still dare not easily offend them.

If you really want to give a gift, it will probably just be polite phrases like congratulating someone on moving to a new house or congratulating them on Denglai Mountain Market.

Furthermore, there are likely some discerning individuals who will see through Celebration of the Sage Temple's deeper intentions and will not get involved.

"This is a case of flattery to kill."

Chu Tianshu tilted his head, his fingers fidgeting as he twirled a strand of hair at his temple. "Originally, killing those three would have served as both a sufficient deterrent and a genuine weakening of the enemy."

Those with grudges dare not easily retaliate, and as for others, they might be hoping to get away with it, thinking that giving me this place would be less risky than facing me directly.

"But what if I were portrayed as someone with the greatest martial prowess and the greatest ambition in the world?"

"Those people feel they'll have to face me sooner or later, so their fighting spirit might outweigh their ambition, and they might have a chance to unite."

The old scholar praised, "It's rare to see someone your age so insightful."

"I've read quite a lot of stories."

Chu Tianshu pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Since they've come to our door with such courtesy, why not accept it?"

He has already killed the nine Evil Spirit from the large group of monks he captured earlier.

The rest, he also left a palm print on their chests, intending to wait for the right opportunity to swindle them out of supplies and further inflame the anger of Celebration of the Sage Temple.

It seems the other side is trying to portray us as a public enemy, adding fuel to the fire. This situation isn't suitable for playing those tricks anymore, so let's just resolve it directly.

A bunch of villains, living any longer would be a waste of rice.

"Praise to the point of destruction is indeed a difficult problem."

The old scholar cautioned, "But there's another problem: where do you plan to receive gifts when everyone comes to celebrate?"

Chu Tianshu either wanders around or mysteriously disappears; his only relatively fixed place of appearance is the Pengcheng Tavern.

Given his current reputation, he can't possibly be expected to work in a tavern under the command of the Marquis of Pengcheng and accept gifts.

"Shen Minglai's Zhuangzi was pretty good, wasn't it? I only demolished one building back then."

"Oh, it wasn't me who aborted it; Shen Minglai destroyed it himself."

Chu Tianshu said, "Spread the word, that area will be my residence."

He wasn't ready to reveal Green Pine Valley yet.

"Come, come, sit here, brother. The gifts are moving slowly, let's talk about something else first."

Chu Tianshu pulled the old scholar down to sit and changed the subject.

"I would like to meet with your lord. Could you please send a message to inquire whether he is available at the moment?"

Among the token materials, there are currently nine Evil Spirit monk spirits, as well as two powerful Evil Spirit, Song Zixian and Fa Wendao.

The "Mountain Hermit's Sun-Boiling True Scripture" emphasizes self-cultivation. Chu Tianshu now wants to develop a set of advanced martial arts techniques for combat, and he will use these materials to deduce and optimize them.

Xiao Liang is known as the number one swordsman in the world.

It is also one of the few places in Chu Tianshu's homeland where the relationship is not bad, and it is the most likely way for him to obtain advanced combat martial arts.

"The Marquis is most likely free."

The old scholar stared at Chu Tianshu, as if he had seen through something. "You wouldn't be thinking of exchanging cultivation techniques with the Marquis, would you?"

Chu Tianshu was a little surprised. "How did you guess that?"

"I was just guessing."

The old scholar said, "Because back then, the Yellow Mountain Ancestor also considered exchanging martial arts techniques with the Marquis."

"None of you come from prominent families or sects, and you're unwilling to submit or pledge allegiance. Nor are you as ruthless as the Demonic Dao, recklessly testing people's skills. If you don't want to fall behind, you should at least have more magnanimity."

Chu Tianshu chuckled and said, "So, your Marquis won't refuse such a thing?"

Although the same technique can have different effects on a thousand people, it mainly depends on each person's understanding and application.

However, unique and secret techniques can indeed be more private than self-cultivation techniques in some situations.

Because self-cultivation skills rely on a solid foundation. Once the foundation is strong, every move you make will be powerful, and even if there is a stylistic bias, there will be no fixed weaknesses.

However, those cultivators with ordinary foundations who rely mainly on skillful techniques are vulnerable to being targeted by enemies if their methods are discovered and thoroughly studied.

From the very beginning, Chu Tianshu focused more on the internal foundation of the "Gluttonous Tongbei Fist," emphasizing the importance of the ability to eat gluttonously over the routines and techniques of Tongbei Fist in combat.

Later, although he learned many techniques, he became more adept at using them. His level of Myriad Evils Refine Forms continued to evolve. Even with several special and powerful techniques, he could adjust the signs and timing of their use at will, without any fixed pattern.

Learning new powerful techniques is like taking a bite of a new, vast question bank for him.

This gives him more options to consider when choosing a battle strategy.

However, he couldn't guarantee that everyone else followed his approach.

"Given your deeds, the Marquis might be willing to make an exchange, but..."

The old scholar was somewhat embarrassed, "Back then, when the Yellow Mountain Ancestor met with Lord Hou, they were unable to exchange their unique skills as desired."

"Because the Marquis's unique skill cannot be explained by himself; even if he demonstrates it, others cannot learn it."

"At most, he can only offer the treasure-refining techniques he learned in his early years, along with his own innovations, in exchange."

"The Yellow Mountain Ancestor knew about this beforehand, but not only did he share his expertise in refining treasures, he also left a copy of his spear technique at the Marquis's residence."

The old scholar sighed, "Therefore, in recent years, the Marquis has often felt uneasy, so he sent wine to Yellow Mountain to visit his old friend."

Chu Tianshu listened, but he was not disappointed; on the contrary, he was quite pleased.

Let's meet first and then talk.

If we really can't figure out Xiao Liang's swordsmanship.

So, given how generous the Yellow Mountain Ancestor was, exchanging his spear technique for it shouldn't be a problem.

Yesterday, Chu Tianshu had already heard the old scholar identify the three people and recount their past.

That Fa Wendao mastered all the famous Buddhist sword techniques and also had demonic skills as a foundation.

I heard that when he was being hunted down by the Yellow Mountain Ancestor, his swordsmanship was still completely suppressed, and he hasn't sought revenge for so many years.

That's quite a marksmanship.

Seeing that Chu Tianshu insisted on this, the old scholar went to find a way to send a message.

Xiao Liang replied succinctly, saying he would come soon, but two days passed and he still hadn't arrived.

On the contrary, the gift sent by Celebration of the Sage Temple arrived at Denglai Mountain Market first that morning.

Thirty carriages, all divine steeds refined with medicinal herbs, each with three drivers, their True Qi nourishing the horses' meridians.

The carriage frame and curtains, adorned with gold-painted dragons, and the flag of Celebration of the Sage Temple flying on a corner of the roof, could not conceal the weariness of the journey.

A seasoned traveler would immediately recognize that the drivers rotate every four hours, indicating a practice of traveling day and night to expedite the journey.

If one didn't know the background, just looking at the carriages and horses used to deliver the gifts, it was truly an act of unparalleled generosity and sincerity.

The first carriage had no driver; its pale purple curtain hung down, motionless.

The two chestnut horses pulling the carts ran on their own, leading the entire caravan with remarkable steadiness.

The convoy made a brief stop in front of Pengcheng Tavern.

The curtain of the first car was lifted, and an old woman about five feet tall jumped out.

This person wore a brocade purple robe, but the cuffs were slightly narrow. He had silver hair and a gold hairpin, a straight back, and was full of vigor.

Where is the shopkeeper?!

When the old man moved, his steps were firm and his voice was booming.

Countless people on the street, both openly and secretly watching the procession, couldn't help but secretly admire it.

That old lady has a really loud voice!

"I'd like a bowl of rough wine to quench my thirst, and also to ask for directions."

The old woman took out two five-zhu coins and handed them to the counter next to her.

The old scholar was rushing over from the north room when he saw the scene and his expression changed.

"Was it Grand Matriarch Gao in person?"

He quickly cupped his hands in greeting and said with a smile, "Grand Matriarch Gao has come to taste the wine; there's no need for money. Bring me a pot of the finest wine."

Grand Matriarch Gao smiled and put the five-zhu coin back into her sleeve, "If you want to treat me, then this old woman won't stand on ceremony."

Seeing her action, the old scholar couldn't help but cough softly.

How could Celebration of the Sage Temple dare to allow this person to deliver gifts?

Aren't you afraid that half the gold and eighty percent of the silver will be lost along the way, or that someone will steal it from you?

But then I thought about it again.

Among those from the Northern Dynasty who had the power and influence to deliver gifts, it seemed that Grand Matriarch Gao truly had the best reputation.

The old scholar remained calm and glanced at the carriage again.

There seemed to be another person in the carriage at the very front; their aura didn't seem to belong to the Gao Lineage.

(End of this chapter)