[Wuxia] Embroidered Robes and Cloud-like Hair (Complete) - 4

page views:1 Publication date:2023-03-24

Chapter Six: The Matchmaking in the Arena As

the sun rose higher, Jiang Tiantao's heart sank. With Jiang Tiantao constantly craning his neck in anticipation, the long shadow of Mount Mufu finally appeared on the eastern horizon. However, the sun was high in the sky, and the hour of Chen (7-9 AM) had long passed.

Jiang Tiantao's brows were furrowed, his gaze fixed on the distant shadow of Mount Mufu. His lips were pressed into a downward curve, but his emotions were filled with frustration and anxiety, bordering on madness. Xiao Qing seemed to understand Jiang Tiantao's feelings, so it flew silently without a sound, especially when it saw the shadow of Mount Mufu, its speed suddenly increasing.

As the sun rose higher and Xiao Qing flew frantically, Mount Mufu gradually approached, finally reaching the western foot of the mountain after an hour. Jiang Tiantao's handsome face was pale, his eyes flashing with anxiety, and his forehead was covered in sweat. Xiao Qingguo, a magnificent steed, though drenched in sweat as if drenched in water, showed no sign of slowing down. With a long neigh, it charged straight towards the mountain pass.

Jiang Tiantao, seated in the saddle, was anxious. The sun was high in the sky, its golden rays shining brightly; it was nearly noon. White clouds drifted lazily over the peaks, a verdant expanse of green and blue. A gentle mountain breeze rustled the pines, and vibrant wildflowers bloomed everywhere. The scenery remained pristine and tranquil, showing no signs of anything unusual happening in the mountains. Xiao Qingguo galloped along the wide mountain path specially built by Jiugongbao, its speed like a sudden downpour, its iron hooves kicking up countless sparks of light.

Sitting on his galloping horse, Jiang Tiantao, seeing the serene mountain landscape, with only the rustling of pines and a few melodious birdsongs, couldn't hear any other sounds. He couldn't help but wonder, "Could it be that the Old Man of Xiangjiang has misremembered the date?" The thought had barely formed in his mind when a faint, melodious, soaring sound pierced the sky.

Jiang Tiantao's mind went blank, as if struck by lightning; he swayed several times, nearly falling from his horse. Based on the soaring sound, Jiang Tiantao deduced that the marriage contest had already begun, and that someone had either lost or defeated Wang Yanling. The thought of someone defeating Wang Yanling sent his anxious heart leaping into his throat; he wished he could sprout wings and fly to Xizhou Valley.

Just then, Xiaoqing reached the fork in the road leading to Fangma Cave. Jiang Tiantao shouted, spurred his horse, and galloped straight towards Xizhou Valley. Xiaoqing neighed in pain, her expression frantic, and galloped away like lightning. Through forests, over ridges, around peaks, and across streams, the two ridges outside Xizhou Valley came into view.

Jiang Tiantao stared intently, only able to see a tall arena adorned with red and green decorations in the plaza outside the valley. Countless black dots, seemingly crawling with people, covered the nearby trees. Several small humanoid figures, black, blue, white, and yellow, stood silently on the arena, seemingly not yet engaged in combat. Jiang Tiantao was burning with anxiety, hoping to catch his cousin's fight. He was certain that the yellow figure on the arena was his cousin, Wang Yanling, and the white figure might be a young martial arts expert seeking a husband through the arena.

In his mind's eye, he could already see a vast, dark mass of people in front of the arena, mostly martial arts figures from all over who had come to watch the spectacle or specifically to show off their skills—at first glance, no less than four or five thousand people. As he looked closer, Xiao Qing on the neck suddenly let out a long, angry hiss. Jiang Tiantao focused his gaze, his expression changing drastically, and he exclaimed in shock, completely stunned.

On the mountain path ahead, groups of martial arts figures, some carrying swords and knives, of varying ages and heights, walked briskly, chatting and laughing. Jiang Tiantao, judging from this, clearly understood that the marriage decision had been made and the arena battle was over. Looking again at the yellow figure on the arena outside the valley entrance, he saw it moving towards the edge.

The moment that yellow figure moved, a thunderous cheer erupted from below, shaking the mountains and reaching the heart of the valley. Jiang Tiantao's heart ached; he had already guessed that the yellow figure was his father, Lu Di Shenlong, not his cousin, Wang Yanling. As he observed, he suddenly heard a loud voice beside him laugh, "Miss Wang is not only as beautiful as Chang'e, but her swordsmanship is also quite superb..."

Jiang Tiantao looked down at the voice; a group of burly men in tight-fitting clothes had already passed by. Then a group of people turned to the left, laughing happily, "That lad is lucky to marry Miss Wang, who's as beautiful as spring flowers! He must have burned incense in his past life! Brother, his good fortune is truly a blessing, haha..."

Jiang Tiantao was turning around, his heart aching, sweat pouring down his face, almost fainting from anxiety. Then an old voice turned, peacefully saying, "Old Master of Jiugong Fortress, the Land Dragon Jiang, should be quite satisfied to have such a handsome and exceptionally talented woman as his son-in-law..."

Then a burly man with a thick beard addressed his group of companions, loudly proclaiming, "It's not that my 'Sky-Piercing Cannon' martial arts are inferior to Miss Wang's; it's just that I'm ashamed of my own appearance. On one hand, I fear that the heroes of the world will feel sorry for Miss Wang and say that a beautiful flower is stuck in cow dung like me, on the other hand..." "But I'm really afraid that Old Hero Jiang won't like a son-in-law like me..." Before he finished speaking, a group of burly men burst into a gleeful laugh.

Jiang Tiantao heard nothing but words that filled him with heartache and despair, while from both sides of the mountain path, mockery and ridicule continued to rise about his lateness. Jiang Tiantao was in immense pain, his heart burning like oil. He ignored the departing groups of martial arts figures on both sides and the whispers around him. He simply lowered his head in despair, letting Xiaoqing run wildly. Suddenly, a deafening, thunderous cheer erupted not far ahead.

Jiang Tiantao was startled and looked up to see that the crowd was already upon them. The Land Dragon Lord Jiang, his face glowing red and dressed in a yellow robe, stood on the arena, beaming with delight as he repeatedly bowed to the thousands of spectators below, seemingly having just finished a speech thanking all the heroes for their support.

A series of crisp crackling sounds followed as the ten thousand firecrackers hanging in one corner of the arena were set off... The fire was lit, and the cheers from the thousands of spectators below grew even louder. On stage, a man dressed in brand-new, close-fitting clothes, carrying a tray of bright red silk, walked out from behind the Poisonous Woman and the Upturned Nose, respectfully handing it to Old Master Jiang. Old Master Jiang accepted it with a smile, and amidst the firecrackers and cheers, walked towards a handsome young man standing on the stage, dressed in a white silk robe and wearing a yellow turban. Upon

seeing him, Jiang Tiantao went berserk, losing all reason, and roared, "Wait! I'm coming!" With a roar, he leaped off his horse, soaring over the heads of the assembled heroes, and charged straight towards the arena.

The heroes, seeing this, were thrown into chaos, all staring in astonishment at Jiang Tiantao flying through the air. A thought flashed through their minds: "Today, there's going to be a good show." The old master of Jiugong Fortress, the Land Dragon Jiang, was about to drape a bright red horse over the white-clad youth when he heard a roar from afar and stopped.

He looked in the direction of the sound, his tiger-like eyes lighting up as he saw a young man of about eighteen or nineteen years old... A handsome young man in blue robes soared through the air, flying straight over the heads of the cheering crowd below, heading directly

towards the stage. Old Master Jiang, a seasoned veteran of the martial world, immediately recognized the young man's extraordinary skill upon seeing Jiang Tiantao's aerial agility. The handsome young man in white robes standing before the old master, upon seeing Jiang Tiantao flying towards the stage, couldn't help but show surprise and delight. His delicate eyebrows arched slightly, and a hint of excited smile immediately appeared on his lips. The Poisonous Woman, dressed in black, with her alluring and captivating eyes,... Seeing yet another contender for the groom, he couldn't help but chuckle sinisterly. The slick-haired, powder-faced man in pink, with his upturned nose, froze upon seeing Jiang Tiantao soaring through the air.

On the side pavilions flanking the arena, the judges, Zhen Guai Zhen Jiuzhou Ma Yunshan, and the dozen or so other renowned masters from Jiugongbao, all rose from their chairs, staring in astonishment at Jiang Tiantao. Jiang Tiantao, his expression frenzied, displayed his extraordinary lightness skill, leaping over the heads of the shouting and commotion below, soaring into the air onto the four-zhang-high arena. This alone... His rare and terrifying lightness skill had already taken the initiative, and the crowd below erupted in a thunderous roar that shook the mountains and reached the heavens.

Jiang Tiantao flew onto the large arena, six zhang square, and faced his father, unable to call out "Father." Overwhelmed with anxiety, anger, and despair, he was overcome with grief. Due to his overwhelming emotions and filial piety, he involuntarily took several steps forward, bowed deeply, and, suppressing his grief, said respectfully in a trembling voice, "I deeply admire your high reputation in the martial arts world, and I have long admired you. I have come to pay my respects and wish you good health." Having said that, he lifted his robes and bent his knees to kneel.

The experts on the Nine Palaces Fortress's colorful tents and the heroes gathered in the plaza before the arena were all stunned. They couldn't tell whether this handsome young man, who seemed flustered, had come to challenge them or to pay his respects to Old Master Jiang. Old Master Jiang, the Land Dragon, quick-witted and nimble-fingered, caught Jiang Tiantao before he could kneel, and at the same time, laughed heartily, saying peacefully, "Young hero, there's no need for such formality. This old man is unworthy of such respect."

Jiang Tiantao's left arm was grasped by his father's broad and strong right hand, instantly feeling the warmth and intimacy of fatherly love. He forcefully suppressed the tears that were about to well up. The old man of the Jiang family, seeing Jiang Tiantao's handsome face and outstanding appearance, even more dashing than the chosen young man in white, felt a surge of joy. He raised his eyebrows, smiled amicably, and asked in a gentle voice, "Young hero, what is your esteemed name?"

Jiang Tiantao, standing before his father, was overwhelmed with grief and almost couldn't help but burst into tears before him, so he stood respectfully with his hands at his sides, not daring to raise his head. Now, upon being asked, he could only suppress his emotions and hurriedly replied respectfully, "My surname is Wei, and my given name is Ming."

Upon hearing the name Wei Ming, the old man of the Jiang family was immediately taken aback, and soft gasps of surprise came from the surrounding pavilions. Jiang Tiantao was startled and somewhat confused, deeply regretting not having chosen a different name.

Before he could finish his thought, he suddenly heard a very familiar voice, which said humbly, "Among all the living beings under heaven, there are many people with the same name and surname, which is not surprising. My surname is Wei, my given name is Ming, and my courtesy name is Zhan Shi. Wei is the Wei of Qi, Qin, Yan, Zhao, and Wei, and Ming is the Ming of motto. May I ask what your given name is, young hero?"

Jiang Tiantao looked up at the sound of the voice, and when he looked up, he exclaimed softly, and was immediately stunned. He saw a handsome young man in white, with skin as white as snow and a complexion as beautiful as a lotus flower. He had two slender eyebrows and a pair of clear eyes. He never expected that it was the beautiful and charming Sister Xue.

Old Master Jiang, with his vast experience, noticed something amiss in Jiang Tiantao's expression and asked in bewilderment, "What, do you two already know each other?"

Jiang Tiantao, regaining his composure, hurriedly replied respectfully, "No, no, this junior doesn't know this young hero Wei. I just find it strangely coincidental."

He then bowed to Xue Danfeng, who was disguised as a man, and said humbly, "My name and the name of Hero Wei are homophones, but the characters are different. My name is Wei, meaning 'defending the country,' and Ming, meaning 'upright and just'..."

Before he could finish, a man with a panicked expression, dressed in pink and sporting a high nose, rushed to Old Master Jiang's side, bowed slightly, and whispered, "Father, he is Wei Ming, the flower-watering servant who secretly escaped from the back garden of this fortress." He then gave Jiang Tiantao a disdainful look. Jiang

Tiantao was both anxious and angry, and couldn't help but glare fiercely at the man with the high nose. He felt that with the Poisonous Lady and the man with the high nose present, today's events would not end well. Standing to the side, Xue Danfeng, upon hearing Chaotianbi's words, couldn't

help but feel secretly anxious for her younger brother, Tao. The old master of the Land Dragon Fortress, Jiang, suddenly changed his expression and exclaimed in surprise. However, being worldly-wise, he knew this matter couldn't be pursued further here. So, he feigned understanding and nodded, but whispered displeasedly, "Step back."

Chaotianbi bowed respectfully and retreated, his gaze fixed on Jiang Tiantao, filled with resentment. Old Master Jiang glanced at Jiang Tiantao, who looked somewhat flustered, with a hint of displeasure. His brows furrowed, but he still asked humbly, "Young Master Wei, you've rushed here so quickly; is there some urgent matter?"

Seeing his father's knowing question and displeasure, Jiang Tiantao knew the situation was extremely unfavorable. He hurriedly cupped his hands and said respectfully, "This junior just heard that Miss Wang of your esteemed fortress is holding a martial arts contest to find a husband here, so I rushed here overnight..."

Before Jiang Tiantao could finish, Old Master Jiang suddenly threw his head back and burst into loud laughter, a sound like a tiger's roar, clearly filled with anger. The laughter immediately stirred up a murmur and commotion among the heroes below. Jiang Tiantao, already terrified, bowed deeply and remained silent.

Master Jiang, his smile fading, stroked his beard and said in a deep voice, "Our fortress sent messengers ahead of time, and heroes from all over rushed here. The fact that you, young hero, failed to arrive on time proves that you and Miss Wang are not destined for each other. Now that the marriage is settled, the arena has ended."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Tiantao became very anxious. Thinking of the relationship between Xiangjiang Elder Chu Yibiao and Ma Yunshan of Kyushu, a thought struck him, and he immediately bowed and said, "This junior has been busy with urgent business and has been traveling at full speed all day, so I did not hear of this joyous occasion until yesterday evening when I passed through Xiangyin and happened to meet Elder Chu Yibiao of Xiangjiang. Only then did I hear of it. Now, this junior is only a step late and cannot compete for the title. This junior is very dissatisfied." As he spoke, he glanced at Ma Yunshan on the judges' table and noticed that when Ma Yunshan heard the name "Xiangjiang Elder," his brows indeed twitched slightly.

Upon hearing this, Old Master Jiang laughed again, then shook his head helplessly, saying, "Although I am not convinced, Young Hero Wei has already taken the lead."

Xue Danfeng, who had been waiting for an opportunity to speak, seized the chance. She raised her eyebrows, smiled coldly, and feigned anger, saying in a deep voice, "Since Young Hero Wei is not convinced, he must be overconfident in his martial arts. I, being presumptuous, am also very willing to learn a few of his secret techniques from him. If Young Hero Wei is indeed more skilled, I will immediately step down and sincerely wish Young Hero Wei and Miss Ling well." As soon as she finished speaking, the crowd below erupted in thunderous applause.

Old Master Jiang, having heard that Jiang Tiantao had once worked as a gardener, feared he might have ulterior motives, hence his furrowed brows and hesitant expression. At the same time, he felt that although the young man in white had voluntarily given up this good deed, it did not conform to the rules announced at the beginning of the competition. The cunning and ruthless Poisonous Woman harbored a deep hatred for Wang Yanling ever since Wang Yanling openly refused to marry the man with the upturned nose. Her reason for urging Old Master Jiang to hold a martial arts contest was to have Wang Yanling marry a burly man with a fierce face and a full beard. Unexpectedly, she chose a handsome young man in white, Wei Ming, who resembled Pan An. Seeing Wei Ming accept Jiang Tiantao's challenge, a wicked plan formed in her mind. She resolved to break the rules announced by the Old Master. She knew that once the rules were broken, heroes from all walks of life, those who were dissatisfied, would flock to the stage to compete for the title.

Seeing the old man's hesitant expression and troubled look, she hurriedly said respectfully, "I dare to inform you, old man, that in my humble opinion, for Miss Wang's lifelong happiness, she should choose the most skilled martial artist among the heroes of the martial arts world as her husband, so as not to violate the original purpose of Miss Wang's challenge to find a husband."

Wang Yanling, hidden behind the scenes, was secretly pleased to see her brother Tao return in time. However, upon hearing the words of the Poisonous Lady, she immediately saw through her scheme and trembled with anger. She went backstage, secretly lifted a small slit, and peeked out. She saw thousands of heroes below the stage, all smiling, most eager to go up and try their luck. Meanwhile,

her uncle, the old man of the fort, was looking at Ma Yunshan and the others on the judging panel with a troubled expression. Ma Yunshan, the chief judge, seeing the old fortress lord looking at him with difficulty, immediately stood up and solemnly said, "According to the rules announced by the old fortress lord, the matchmaking contest has ended. Logically, the old fortress lord should politely ask Young Hero Wei to step down..."

Jiang Tiantao's heart skipped a beat, his expression changed instantly, and a cold sweat broke out on his palms. However, he greatly admired Ma Yunshan's upright character, refusing to show favoritism because of the other party's relationship with his old friend, the Old Man of Xiangjiang. As he thought this, he heard Ma Yunshan solemnly continue, "But Young Hero Wei is unwilling to be outdone and, in a moment of anger, voluntarily challenged Young Hero Wei to a contest of skill. If he lost, he would willingly withdraw from the marriage. This matter must first be approved by Miss Wang before a decision can be made..." At this point, the crowd below immediately erupted in a chorus of admiration and conviction.

Ma Yunshan paused slightly, then continued, "If Miss Wang does not agree to this marriage, it should also be rejected by the old fortress master, because Young Hero Wei Ming abandoned the proposal immediately after the ceremony, which proves that he lacked sincerity to begin with."

Xue Danfeng, disguised as a man, didn't take Ma Yunshan's words seriously, but under the watchful eyes of everyone, her jade-like cheeks flushed. Meanwhile, many among the assembled heroes felt sorry for the young man in white who had lost his beautiful wife due to a moment of impulsiveness. Ma Yunshan remained calm and solemn, saying, "If Miss Wang agrees to the duel between the two young heroes, the consequences are unpredictable. I have said all I need to say; I respectfully request the old fortress master's decision."

The old fortress master, of course, understood the implication in Ma Yunshan's words. If the two were allowed to duel, regardless of who won or lost, he couldn't refuse other interested individuals from joining the competition. His particular concern was that while there were highly skilled martial artists among the crowd, finding a handsome and exceptionally talented young man was not easy.

As Old Master Jiang hesitated, filled with anxiety, a figure flashed behind the curtain. A pretty maidservant, holding a short note, hurried out. Jiang Tiantao glanced up and saw Xiao Cuihua, a maidservant in green, standing beside his cousin Wang Yanling. He concluded that Wang Yanling was behind the curtain. Xiao Cuihua didn't even look at Jiang Tiantao, but went straight to the old master and respectfully handed him the note.

At this moment, the assembled heroes below held their breath, their eyes wide open. Although they knew the short letter was written by the young lady, they all hoped to know what it contained. Old Master Jiang frowned, immediately opened the letter, glanced at it, and his brows relaxed. Without hesitation, he loudly proclaimed, "Please choose your weapons, and let's begin!" As he spoke, he quickly retreated to a corner behind the stage. The crowd below responded with enthusiastic and frenzied cheers, like a sudden clap of thunder.

The six old men sitting with Ma Yunshan on the decorated platform were all seasoned veterans of the martial world. They felt sorry for Wang Yanling's foolishness. Jiang Tiantao was overjoyed at his unexpected and smooth turn of events, but also somewhat anxious, as he didn't know how to defeat Sister Xue flawlessly under the watchful eyes of everyone.

With these thoughts in mind, he hurriedly went to the weapon rack on the left, grabbed a gleaming three-foot-long sword, and quickly returned. Then look at Sister Xue, slender yet subtly adorned with delicate features. Her white dress swayed gently, exuding a carefree air, which only served to highlight his uneasy and restless expression. Below the stage, a sea of faces and swirling hair, all held their breath, craning their necks, their eyes fixed intently on the platform. The experts serving as judges on the side platforms also wore solemn expressions, their eyes equally unwavering.

The sharp-tongued, upturned-nose man with pointed lips and peach-blossom eyes stood respectfully behind Old Master Jiang, glaring venomously at Jiang Tiantao and muttering under his breath. The alluring "Poisonous Lady" coldly stared at Jiang Tiantao, her gaze cunning and sharp, her face expressionless, as if she were plotting another deadly scheme.

Before Jiang Tiantao could even finish watching the scene, Xue Danfeng was already opposite him, sword in hand, bowing and saying loudly, "Young Master Wei, please!"

Jiang Tiantao hurriedly returned the gesture, bowing his sword and saying humbly, "Young Master Wei, please."

Xue Danfeng exchanged a cautious glance with Jiang Tiantao, then immediately declared, "So this humble scholar has a gift!" With that, she leaped forward, her longsword flashing with a "Fairy Boy Points the Way" strike, aimed directly at Jiang Tiantao's throat.

Jiang Tiantao feigned caution, raising an eyebrow and shouting, "Well done!" He then stepped forward, his longsword flashing with a "Divine Dragon Shakes Its Head" move, transforming into a cold light that aimed directly at Xue Danfeng's sword.

Xue Danfeng sneered, her sword technique shifting, a cold light swirling around, aiming at Jiang Tiantao's dantian and shoulders. Immediately after, she swiftly switched to "Crossing Wushan," a sweeping streak of light flashing between three pear blossoms. The thousands of heroes below the stage immediately shouted "Bravo!"

Jiang Tiantao watched with amusement, naturally not to be outdone. He immediately performed "Twin Blossoms," followed by "Seclusion Against Buddhism," and finally "Wind Blows, Leaves Fall." Three consecutive sword strikes, each radiating a dazzling light, were accompanied by a whistling wind, instantly enveloping the entire arena in a curtain of sword light. The crowd below responded with enthusiastic cheers.

Amidst the rising and falling cheers, Xue Danfeng and Jiang Tiantao performed a set of the Hibiscus Sword Technique, the signature move of their master, Fairy Haitang. On the arena, cold light flashed, silver stars shimmered, and streaks of sword light rolled, their brilliance blinding. In an instant, only the sword light could be seen, not the figures. The thousands of heroes below were all stunned. At this moment, apart from the faint whistling of swords on the stage and the rustling of robes caused by the leaping figures, no other sound could be heard.

Old Master Jiang and the elders, including "Suppressing the Nine Provinces" Ma Yunshan, all looked bewildered, their brows furrowed slightly. "Upturned Nose" had never witnessed such exquisite swordsmanship in combat and was completely stunned. Poisonous Lady was also secretly alarmed; a thought struck her, and her expression changed drastically. She was horrified, convinced there was something fishy going on, perhaps closely related to Wang Yanling.

However, she still hadn't realized that the blue-robed youth amidst the sword light was none other than Jiang Tiantao, the "Young Master" she had abandoned on the moored boat eighteen years ago.

Just then, from within the forest of sword shadows, a clear, resonant dragon's roar of two swords clashing suddenly rang out. Simultaneously, two figures in blue and white robes, their garments fluttering, gracefully separated. Jiang Tiantao remained composed, a smile playing on his lips, neither out of breath nor flushed, as he floated back to his original spot. Xue Danfeng's jade-like cheeks flushed, her nostrils flared, and she appeared slightly agitated. She first drew her sword and cupped her hands, saying in a humble tone, "Young Master Wei's skill is indeed superior; I, a humble servant, am no match for him." As soon as she spoke, a thunderous cheer erupted from below the stage, shaking the mountains and valleys.

Jiang Tiantao also hurriedly cupped his hands, humbly saying, "You flatter me, you flatter me; I will be eternally grateful."

The old fortress lord Jiang, his brows furrowed, looked troubled and turned to look at Ma Yunshan and the others, who sat on the judging panel in the decorated pavilion. Ma Yunshan frowned slightly, his expression solemn, seemingly carefully considering how to announce the outcome of the sword fight. Just then, amidst the thunderous cheers, a booming voice suddenly rang out: "Wait! I, Kaishan Jingang, refuse to accept this!" With that shout, a short, sturdy figure leaped from below the stage and onto the platform.

Upon seeing this, the heroes below cheered even more enthusiastically. Upon hearing the sound, Xue Danfeng looked up and her expression changed instantly. The Vajra who had ascended the platform was a fat man with large ears, round eyes, thick eyebrows, a lion's nose, a huge mouth, a bushy chest, and a belly as big as a drum. He carried a demon-subduing pestle that looked extremely heavy, at least a hundred pounds. Judging from the agility with which he flew onto the platform, he was definitely not an ordinary expert relying solely on arm strength.

Jiang Tiantao had already seen everything clearly, but he smiled. The Vajra landed on the platform, not even glancing at Jiang Tiantao, and went directly to Old Master Jiang, who stood in a corner behind the platform. He clasped his hands in a fist salute, bowed, and said loudly, "I dare to report to Old Master Jiang, there is a trick involved."

Jiang Tiantao and Xue Danfeng felt a chill run down their spines, and both involuntarily blushed.

The old master of the land-based dragon fortress, Jiang Tiantao, and Ma Yunshan, who hesitated to announce the results, shared the same feeling. However, as the host, Ma Yunshan was reluctant to speak out due to his status.

Therefore, he frowned and humbly asked, "May I ask, brave warrior, why are you so certain that there is a trick involved?" Unexpectedly, although Kai Shan Jingang saw through the flaws, he was clumsy with words and couldn't explain his reasoning. He immediately blushed. Finally, he said in a deep voice, his face still red, "Reporting to the old master, although I know there is a trick involved, I don't know how to explain it. In short, something seems off." Upon hearing this, the crowd of heroes immediately burst into laughter.

Jiang Tiantao, who already suspected it was a trick, and having seen Kai Shan Jingang's respectful attitude towards his father, had developed a good impression of him. Hearing his clumsy but honest answer, he couldn't help but laugh as well. Xue Danfeng hadn't sparred with Jiang Tiantao for half a year. Although she had already noticed his significant improvement in movement and swordsmanship, she knew it was impossible for him to remain undefeated amidst the fierce competition among thousands of heroes below. Seeing "Mountain-Slaying Vajra" publicly point out the trickery, she was already horrified, her beautiful face paling, while her beloved junior brother remained calm and amused. Therefore, she sighed inwardly, shaking her head helplessly, thinking: He's still just a child.

As Xue Danfeng pondered this, she suddenly saw Old Master Jiang, his brows furrowed and head stroking his beard, continuing to look at Kai Shan Jingang and asking in a gentle voice, "In your opinion, sir?"

Kai Shan Jingang immediately bowed and said, "Reporting to Old Master Jiang, I, Kai Shan Jingang, want to test whether the young hero in blue, Wei, truly possesses real skill and strength. If he can withstand my Demon-Subduing Pestle, I will immediately roll off the stage. If young hero Wei cannot withstand my Demon-Subduing Pestle, I dare not think of anything else, for I know I am not fortunate enough..." The laughter from below the stage never ceased, and what Kai Shan Jingang was about to say was drowned out by even more unrestrained and joyful laughter.

Upon hearing this, Xue Danfeng's heart trembled, and her clear phoenix eyes couldn't help but glance anxiously at the massive iron pestle weighing over a hundred pounds in Kai Shan Jingang's hand. Looking at Jiang Tiantao, he remained calm and composed, a smile on his handsome face. It seemed that he not only had confidence in defeating Kai Shan Jingang but was also extremely willing to test his opponent's strength.

Upon seeing Old Master Jiang, his brows unfurled, he stroked his beard and nodded resolutely, saying, "Brave warrior, you are truly a man of few words. I greatly admire you. Please, brave warrior, display your skills and abilities. I will, of course, stand respectfully on the platform and await your arrival."

Kai Shan Jingang was overjoyed and quickly bowed, saying loudly, "Old Master, thank you." Having said this, he abruptly turned, his piercing eyes fixed on the handsome, smiling Jiang Tiantao, and shouted, "Young Hero Wei, be careful!" With that, he leaped forward, his demon-subduing pestle wielding a "Mount Tai Pressing Down" strike, accompanied by a gust of wind, fiercely smashing it against Jiang Tiantao's crown.

Jiang Tiantao knew that Kai Shan Jingang was a straightforward and honest man, and not wanting to embarrass him too much, he loudly cheered and spun around to avoid it. Kai Shan Jingang thought that Jiang Tiantao would definitely catch his pestle with his sword, but unexpectedly, Jiang Tiantao spun around and dodged. Due to the excessive force, he couldn't stop in time, and the hundred-pound pestle crashed straight into the wooden platform. With a loud bang, wood chips flew everywhere, the platform shook, and immediately made a series of creaking sounds.

Old Master Jiang frowned, and the experts on the left and right pavilions changed their expressions and stood up from their chairs. The crowd below the platform was immediately filled with surprise and commotion. Xue Danfeng, standing in a corner of the platform, stared wide-eyed in shock, her expression changing instantly. She couldn't help but secretly break out in a cold sweat for her younger brother, Tao. Wang Yanling, who was secretly watching from behind the curtain, kept her eyes glued to Tao Gege and Xue Jiejie's fight. Although she was very nervous, she knew that Xue Jiejie would pretend to be defeated and leave the stage. Just as she was feeling happy, another powerful fighter, Kai Shan Jingang, came up on stage. Seeing the amazing power of Kai Shan Jingang, her heart immediately jumped to her chest, and her beautifully adorned head unconsciously peeked out from behind the curtain.

The Vajra of the Mountain slammed his pestle onto the arena, his face flushed crimson with embarrassment. His large, bulging eyes glared at Jiang Tiantao as he demanded, "Are you afraid to take my Vajra of Subduing Demons?"

Jiang Tiantao laughed heartily, saying loudly, "You call yourself the Vajra of the Mountain, which shows your astonishing strength. But you must know that the essence of martial arts lies not in overwhelming strength or the ability to uproot mountains, but in agility, skill, and mastery. It's not that I'm afraid to take your pestle, but that with a mere flick of my sword, your pestle will fly from my grasp."

Upon hearing this, the Vajra of the Mountain flew into a rage, letting out a deafening roar: "I'll test your skills!" With a frenzied roar, his expression turned mad, and he brandished his Vajra of Subduing Demons, lunging at Jiang Tiantao with terrifying force, like a mad tiger.

Jiang Tiantao laughed again, his figure spinning, his wrist flicking as he drew his sword. To prove that his earlier exchange with Xue Danfeng was not a trick, he too unleashed ten points of cold light from his sword, creating a silver rainbow across the stage. The sword flashed and swirled, the wind surging, and only the sword light could be seen, not the man himself. Kai Shan Jingang wished he could smash Jiang Tiantao onto the stage with his pestle. His demon-subduing pestle swept left and right, struck forward and thrust backward, its movements impenetrable, the wind whistling. No matter how fast his pestle danced, he could never hit Jiang Tiantao. Instead, he saw only dazzling sword light, until he could no longer see Jiang Tiantao at all. He was furious, roaring and howling.

The crowd below cheered loudly, some applauding, others laughing heartily, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere. Jiang Tiantao dared not linger in the fight, lest he be accused of abusing his skills. So he shouted, "You too, be careful!"

The shout had barely faded when, amidst the swirling, swift movements, a flash of light appeared, followed by a terrified scream. A black shadow shot straight into the air… The Vajra's demon-subduing pestle, carrying a gust of wind, fell directly towards the heads of the crowd of heroes several dozen feet below the platform. The Vajra, regaining his composure, realized his pestle had flown away. He roared in panic and leaped into the air, chasing after the flying pestle. The crowd below

, seeing this, panicked and screamed, leaping and desperately trying to escape. With a deafening roar, sand and dust flew, and the hundred-pound pestle was completely buried in the earth. The experts standing some distance away laughed heartily, appearing extremely pleased. Those standing in one spot, however, were all ashen-faced, their eyes flashing with terror, almost scared out of their wits.

Master Jiang, the old fortress lord, stroked his beard and nodded, then glanced at Ma Yunshan, whose face showed astonishment. It seemed he was saying that this young hero Wei's martial arts skills were indeed the result of considerable hard work. Poisonous Lady was secretly alarmed, her upturned nose completely stunned. Xue Danfeng's cherry lips parted slightly, her eyes wide, her beautiful face filled with undisguised surprise.

Upon seeing this, Wang Yanling was startled and quickly retreated behind the curtain, her heart pounding with excitement. She lightly patted her breasts, closed her eyes, and silently prayed to the gods that nothing more would happen.

Just then, from the commotion of the crowd below, another powerful shout rang out: "This kind of technique, using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds, is nothing special!" With that shout, a gray figure, like a giant crane, spread its arms and flew through the crowd towards the edge of the arena.

Upon hearing this, the crowd below erupted in panicked cries: "Ah... Bao Qifei..."

"Hook and Crutch Double Strength Mountain-Lifting..."

"With this old thief on stage, the young man in blue is probably doomed..."

Jiang Tiantao, hearing this, felt a surge of anger. He looked closely and saw a thin, cloth-clad, pigeon-eyed old man with a goatee gracefully landing on the stage.

Jiang, the old fortress master, was shocked. Xue Danfeng's expression changed instantly, and the judges on the left and right pavilions were all stunned. Only Poisonous Lady was overjoyed when she saw the thin old man on stage. She was certain that with Bao Qifei's Hook and Crutch Double Strength Mountain-Lifting, Jiang Tiantao would be severely injured, if not killed.

The thin, elderly Bao Qifei stopped and steadied himself. His piercing eyes glanced briefly at Jiang Tiantao, who stood tall with his sword drawn. A haughty smile played on his thin lips as he bowed slightly to Old Master Jiang, asking with a hint of disdain, "Old Master Jiang, am I qualified to participate in this marriage contest?"

Old Master Jiang showed slight displeasure but also bowed, forcing a smile, "At the beginning of the contest, I publicly announced that this is a marriage contest. Anyone over thirty should not come up. Elder Bao, you must have just arrived and didn't hear me."

Seeing Old Master Jiang's displeasure, the thin, elderly Bao Qifei deliberately furrowed his brow, a cold smile playing on his lips. He tossed his head slightly and continued with a disdainful expression, "Since I am not qualified to participate, may I test my internal strength against this young hero Wei, who relies solely on skill and disregards true power?" "What?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Tiantao's anger flared. Before he could speak, Old Master Jiang threw his head back and burst into laughter. Then, with a hint of anger, he said in a low voice, "Old Master Bao, as the overlord of the underworld in the five provinces of the North, possesses profound skills. His palm can split a monument, and his double-edged sword can uproot mountains. Who in the martial arts world doesn't know this? With Old Master Bao's reputation and advanced age, aren't you afraid of being accused of bullying the weak by comparing your inner strength with that of a junior?"

Bao Qifei, seeing that Old Master Jiang was above the overlord and was even labeled with the word "underworld," couldn't help but blush. He threw his head back and laughed fiercely, then said, "Today, this old man is not here to compete with a junior, but to teach this ignorant brat surnamed Wei a lesson, to let him know that high martial arts skills are not entirely based on technique." As he spoke, he raised his eyebrows, glared, and pointed contemptuously at Jiang Tiantao.

Jiang Tiantao was instantly enraged. His sword-like eyebrows arched, and he glared angrily, saying, "I respected you because of your age, but I never expected you to be such a self-important, foul-mouthed, and utterly lacking in the demeanor of an elder..."

Seeing Jiang Tiantao's ignorance and open rebuke of the Hook and Crutch Double Masters' Mountain-Lifting Strength, Old Master Jiang was startled and his expression changed drastically. Just as he was about to stop him, the gaunt old man Bao Qifei, his face grim, glared and shouted, "What an arrogant brat! How dare you lecture this old man!" With that shout, he leaped forward, his right palm suddenly raised, unleashing a "Mountain-Splitting Force" strike aimed at Jiang Tiantao's head.

Upon seeing this, Old Master Jiang was both shocked and furious. The experts on both sides of the platform simultaneously rose from their chairs with a bang, and the crowd below was all stunned, their mouths agape and their hearts pounding with fear. Seeing Bao Qifei acting arrogantly out of seniority, Jiang Tiantao grew even more enraged. Intending to test his opponent's internal strength and deflate his arrogance, he coldly smiled. As Bao Qifei's right palm struck, Jiang Tiantao let out a furious snort and suddenly stepped forward, his left arm, brimming with power, swiftly blocking the attack.

Jiang Tiantao, the old fortress master, Xue Danfeng, the assembled heroes, and Ma Yunshan, seeing Jiang Tiantao neither dodge nor evade, daring to take the blow head-on, all broke out in a cold sweat. Just as everyone was panicking, Jiang Tiantao's left arm had already sealed Bao Qifei's right wrist. With a loud thud and a muffled groan, Bao Qifei, his double-edged

sword propelled by the force of a mountain being pulled up, lost his footing and staggered back five steps with a series of thuds. Jiang Tiantao's tiger-like eyes lit up, both sides of the experts were stunned, and Xue Danfeng's phoenix eyes welled with tears of joy, almost blurting out "Brother!" The pent-up frustration that had been building in the chests of the crowd erupted with a thunderous shout of "Bravo!" The sound shook the mountains and the sky, its echo lingering long afterward. Jiang Tiantao, having repelled Bao Qifei with a powerful punch, felt his confidence soar and couldn't help but smile coldly.

Bao Qifei, wielding the double-strength hooked crutch that could uproot mountains, hastily steadied himself. His pale face flushed crimson, and he regained his composure, gritting his teeth, his eyes flashing with a fierce light. His expression was stern as he stood ready, sword in hand, chuckling coldly at Jiang Tiantao. Jiang Tiantao nodded fiercely, his teeth clenched, and he snarled, "Good, good..." As he spoke, his arms slightly curved, his fingers bent like hooks, his fierce gaze fixed on Jiang Tiantao. He slowly advanced, his slightly curved arms growing larger with each step.

Upon seeing this, Old Master Jiang knew that Bao Qifei had murderous intent. His brows furrowed, and he loudly stopped him, "Master Bao, please stop!..."

Jiang Tiantao, seeing his father's loud protest, knew that the old man was afraid he couldn't withstand the full force of Bao Qifei's double-strength hooked crutch attack. However, he was full of confidence. He didn't believe that Bao Qifei's body was harder than the hundreds of kilograms of boulder on Mount Fanjing. At the same time, he realized that if he couldn't defeat the Double-Force Mountain-Pulling Hook and Cudgel, not only would his marriage with his cousin be ruined, but his true identity would also remain a mystery. And among the thousands of heroes below, someone else would inevitably have to step forward. His mind raced, and he hurriedly called out respectfully, "Senior, please don't worry, this junior is confident I can defeat you..."

Upon hearing this, the Double-Force Mountain-Pulling Hook and Cudgel's eyes turned bloodshot, their pupils almost bursting. He roared, "You're courting death, junior!" The word "death" left his lips, and he crouched down, letting out a deafening roar. His palms, now twice their normal size, thrust out with tremendous force. A fierce gust of wind, as swift as a storm, rolled straight towards Jiang Tiantao.

Jiang Tiantao laughed loudly, saying, "Try it if you don't believe me!" As soon as he finished speaking, he took three quick steps forward, his left palm, brimming with power, unleashed a devastating palm strike.

With a deafening roar, a whistling wind swept through the air, and amidst the crashing sounds, Bao Qifei, his face contorted in pain, swayed and flailed his arms as he staggered backward. Just as he was about to fall, the crowd cried out in alarm, and chaos erupted as experts from both sides leaped onto the arena. At that moment, a figure flashed, a sharp cry rang out, and Poisonous Lady leaped forward, catching him with her hooked double-edged sword.

With a gasp, Bao Qifei coughed up a mouthful of blood, cold sweat instantly pouring down his pale face. Bao Qifei clutched his chest, panting heavily, and gave Poisonous Lady a grateful look before closing his eyes and slowly sitting down, seemingly to regulate his breathing. Old Master Jiang, Ma Yunshan, Little Li Guang, and the dozen or so experts who had leaped across the arena rushed forward to check on him.

With a rustling of clothes, three more figures leaped from the chaotic crowd, all dressed in grey, close-fitting clothes and carrying weapons. They hurriedly parted the crowd and took Bao Qifei from the Poisonous Woman's arms. Two middle-aged men with swords knelt down, supporting the closed-eyed, breathing Bao Qifei, and said resentfully, "Master, let's go!"

Bao Qifei, his eyes slightly closed, gritted his teeth and glared venomously at Jiang Tiantao before slowly nodding. Another burly man glared angrily at Jiang Tiantao, who stood with his sword drawn, and demanded sharply, "You surnamed Wei, have the guts to reveal your master's sect?"

Jiang Tiantao hadn't expected his powerful palm strike to severely injure Bao Qifei, and was already somewhat regretful. The burly man's sharp question only fueled his disgust. He smiled coldly and said indifferently, "I am reluctant to reveal my master's name due to taboo. The dignity of one's sect cannot be shown to others so easily!"

As he spoke, the two men with swords helped Bao Qifei to his feet. One of the men raised an eyebrow, glared, and shouted, "Do you think you can just give up now because you're afraid of death?"

Jiang Tiantao was enraged upon hearing this, letting out a long laugh before roaring, "I will not leave Jiugong Fortress for the next hundred days, and I await your guidance at any time. I will leave my sword outside the fortress; anyone may come with their sword, and I will gladly oblige." With that word, he hurled his sword with all his might. The longsword, swift as lightning, accompanied by a chilling whistle, shot straight towards an ancient tree twenty feet away. With a soft thud, the piercing cold light vanished instantly, and a three-foot-long sword was completely embedded in the tree trunk, only the hilt and the crimson silk tassel remaining, swaying incessantly.

The crowd of heroes below paled at the sight, secretly horrified. Though numbering in the thousands, they fell into a deathly silence. Old Master Jiang and Ma Yunshan, among others, were astonished to see that Jiang Tiantao, at such a young age, possessed such astonishing skill. They frowned, stroking their beards in disbelief. The experts on both sides of the stage were speechless, standing frozen in shock, convinced that no one could possibly snatch the groom from the young man surnamed Wei.

The Poisonous Lady's face was ashen, her lips bluish, all her seductive charm gone. The man with the upturned nose remained standing in a corner behind the stage, seemingly still dazed. Wang Yanling, standing behind the stage, was utterly bewildered; she couldn't understand how her brother Tao could possess such terrifying power. Xue Danfeng, though also surprised, was certain that her younger brother Tao had already consumed the Vermilion Immortal Fruit. However, she never imagined that her brother Tao was so fortunate as to have eaten three in a row.

The three burly men, who had been stunned, regained their composure, turned and glared at Jiang Tiantao, angrily shouting "Go!" They grabbed Bao Qifei, leaped off the stage, and immediately squeezed into the crowd, hastily departing. Old Master Jiang watched Bao Qifei and the others depart, his expression grave, his brows furrowed, showing no intention of announcing the results. He seemed burdened with worries. The assembled heroes below all silently gazed up at the stage, seemingly awaiting the announcement of the groom's identity.

Just then, the Poisonous Woman, her brows furrowed and lips slightly pursed, her peach-blossom eyes flickered. As if remembering something, she hurried to the Old Master's side, almost whispering a few words in his ear. Jiang Tiantao watched coldly, certain that this vile woman was plotting something again. Although he listened intently, he still couldn't make out what she was saying. Old Master Jiang, seemingly enlightened, slowly nodded his white head, then immediately walked to the front of the stage, bowed to the assembled heroes, and humbly announced, "Young Hero Wei Ming has defeated three opponents and remains unchallenged. According to the rules of the tournament, there will be no further matches before noon. However, if any heroes below are still unconvinced, please come up to the stage in turn and join us for the fort's lunch feast. We will settle our differences after lunch." This announcement immediately stirred a murmur of discussion and commotion among the thousands of heroes below.

Old Master Jiang surveyed the entire arena, and after a short while, seeing that no one from the assembled heroes stepped forward, he announced loudly, "Although no one has come up, the marriage contest is not over. Because Young Hero Wei threw his sword into the tree, the fort will only announce the winner after a hundred days have passed and it is confirmed that no one will come to challenge him with a sword."

The heroes below were all astonished and puzzled. Jiang Tiantao was instantly enraged, knowing that his father's announcement was entirely due to the insidious schemes of that vile woman, the Poisonous Lady. Although his anger burned fiercely, he dared not retaliate, only feigning composure, humility, and a sincere smile. At the same time, he deduced that the Poisonous Lady's main pretext for attacking him must be his past as a gardener in the back garden outside the fortress.

Just then, he heard Ma Yunshan, the Zhen Guaixia Jiuzhou general standing at the front corner of the arena, facing the audience, clasp his hands above his head, and cheerfully proclaim: "This old fortress lord commands me to thank all the friends for their support. Please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality. Take care, everyone. Until we meet again. Now, let's fire the cannons to send you off." Having said this, he turned to the left-hand banner and shouted loudly, "Fire the cannons!" As

soon as the shout subsided, the ten thousand cannons that had been suspended on the banner, originally intended to announce the selection of the groom, now crackled to life again, serving as a farewell cannon for the heroes. Hidden behind the scenes, Wang Yanling was so angry that tears welled up in her eyes, her delicate body trembling. She wished she could leap out and kill the Poisonous Lady with her sword. But seeing Jiang Tiantao's calm and smiling expression, she could only shake her head helplessly, and led the four girls, including Xiao Cuihua, out of the backstage area and back into the fortress in a sedan chair.

At this time, the heroes below the stage had begun to leave, but each of them had a look of confusion and lingering reluctance on their faces. Old Master Jiang and Ma Yunshan and others all forced smiles and stood solemnly below the stage to see them off. Jiang Tiantao watched the heroes leave in silence. Some were talking amongst themselves, some were shaking their heads and sighing. The scene was worlds apart from the crazy scene he had witnessed when he rushed over. He felt both heartache and anger.

He pretended to be calm and glanced at the Poisonous Lady, noticing that she had a cold expression and a gloomy face, while the man with the upturned nose standing beside her looked very smug. Jiang Tiantao sneered inwardly, cursing them as fools. "I'll drive you all out of Jiugongbao one day," he thought.

Before he could finish his thought, he heard Ma Yunshan cheerfully say, "Young Master Wei

, please!" Jiang Tiantao snapped out of his reverie and realized the audience was empty. His father's brow furrowed with worry, yet he maintained a humble and kind demeanor. Jiang Tiantao quickly cupped his hands, faced his father, and respectfully said, "Please, senior."

After a brief display of humility, Old Master Jiang and Jiang Tiantao walked side by side down the steps towards the narrow valley entrance. Jiang Tiantao dared not walk alongside his father, so he lagged behind by half a step. The group proceeded in silence, each seemingly burdened by heavy thoughts.

Suddenly, Jiang Tiantao's eyes lit up; he immediately remembered Sister Xue, disguised as a man. Turning around, he saw no trace of her. But he discovered that Poisonous Lady was following closely behind him, coldly watching him, seemingly observing his expression and thoughts. Seeing him turn around, she immediately forced a smile.

Upon seeing Poisonous Lady, a surge of intense anger rose within Jiang Tiantao, but he had to feign cheerfulness and nod at her. At the same time, he also noticed that Zhen Guai Zhen Jiuzhou and the others were following behind. Among them were six old men, two middle-aged scholars, and Zhong Qing, the Little Li Guang famous for his twin spears. The man with the upturned nose followed at the back, silently advancing with his head down, seemingly plotting how to make things difficult for Jiang Tiantao, or even secretly harm him.

Entering the dense forest of giant trees, the light suddenly burst forth. Jiang Tiantao instinctively looked up at the sky; noon was long past, and he realized his stomach was growling with hunger. Upon reaching Jiugong Fortress, the gates were already wide open, brightly decorated with colorful lanterns and streamers, creating a festive atmosphere. Two rows of burly men in brand-new, close-fitting uniforms, each carrying a waist knife, stood on either side of the gate tower.

Jiang Tiantao looked up at the towering walls of the fortress, overwhelmed with emotion. He thought back to that night when he braved the storm to enter Jiugong Fortress and storm the Star-Picking Tower; who could have imagined this day would come?

The group walked onto the drawbridge, and the two rows of fortress guards stood at attention simultaneously. Entering the fortress, they all bowed, their hands resting on their swords. As a foreign guest, Jiang Tiantao immediately smiled broadly, nodding frequently as he slowly advanced.

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