Zhenbei City.
This place is located on the northernmost frontier of the Eastern Li Dynasty and is the city bestowed upon Bei Liang King Xu Xiao.
It is also a crucial strategic point at the border between various nations and Eastern Li.
Because of this, Zhenbei City is considered the most prosperous city in the world, with Jianghu Martial Artists from various countries constantly coming and going in its streets and alleys.
It was noon, and the East Market Street, which should have been bustling, was empty.
All the city's residents had gathered at the Zijin Tower, the most famous establishment in Northern Liang.
In the past, the Zijin Tower earned the reputation of "The First Pavilion" because Yu Youwei, the courtesan known as the "First Beauty of Northern Liang," was its top attraction.
But now, everyone gathered at the Zijin Tower, all because of a storyteller—Su Chen!
It turned out that today was Su Chen's monthly storytelling session, and countless Martial Forest heroes had come from far and wide, eagerly awaiting it.
At this moment, the Zijin Tower was packed, and the noise was deafening.
The ten-tael silver admission ticket could not deter the Jianghu people who came from all directions.
Everyone's gaze was focused on the white jade platform in the center.
Su Chen, dressed in white, sat upon it, his calm expression carrying a touch of refined smile, while also exuding an unfathomable Qi.
Beside him was Yu Youwei, the First Beauty of Northern Liang.
She served tea and water like a maid.
Light gauze sleeves, a faint fragrance wafted.
Although the storytelling had not yet begun, the atmosphere was already extremely lively, and the faces of the spectators were filled with excitement and anticipation.
...
At this moment,
Inside a private room on the east side of the third floor.
Two men sat facing each other, drinking; one was dashing and unrestrained, the other gentle and refined.
These two were Lu Xiaofeng and Hua Manlou, who had traveled all the way from the Great Ming Jianghu.
"Brother Hua, I, Lu Xiaofeng, have traveled extensively and seen a bit of the world; I've never truly admired anyone in my life."
"But today, you've truly made me admire you greatly."
Lu Xiaofeng said with sincere tone.
Hua Manlou, opposite him, raised his eyebrows slightly and asked curiously:
"What have I done to make the esteemed Lu Xiaofeng so convinced?"
Lu Xiaofeng picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and said with a smile:
"That case of forged Great Tong Bao banknotes not only affected the Hua family's Foundation but also concerned the court's financial lifeline."
"If the case isn't solved soon, the Hua family might face annihilation."
"However, at this critical juncture, you invited me to the Zijin Tower to drink wine, admire flowers, listen to stories, and watch courtesans."
"Such a calm and composed state of mind in the face of danger is rare for me, Lu Xiaofeng; how can I not admire it?"
Hua Manlou smiled indifferently: "I came here precisely to solve this case."
"Oh? What brilliant plan do you have?" Hearing Hua Manlou's words, Lu Xiaofeng immediately became interested.
Hua Manlou slowly replied: "The person who forged the banknotes is very meticulous. If even you, old friend, cannot track down clues, then I can only seek a solution from an Immortal."
Lu Xiaofeng asked: "Immortal? Where is this Immortal?"
Hua Manlou looked up at the stage: "Far in the sky, yet close at hand, it is Mr. Su, who is telling stories on that high platform."
"It is rumored that Mr. Su knows everything in the world; this matter will naturally not be difficult for him."
"I have specially prepared a generous gift of five million taels of silver this time, just to ask Mr. Su for some guidance."
Upon hearing this, Lu Xiaofeng sighed softly: "Five million taels of silver? Tsk tsk, it really is the wealthy Hua family."
"But I don't think this Mr. Su is as divine as the legends say. Aren't you afraid your five million taels of silver will go to waste?"
Lu Xiaofeng shook his head as he spoke.
Hua Manlou sighed lightly, saying: "Alas~ At this point, I can only hope that Mr. Su truly possesses the heaven-reaching abilities rumored."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Lu Xiaofeng's eyes flashed, and he smiled, saying: "Then why don't we test this Mr. Su's abilities first?"
"How do we test him?" Hua Manlou asked with a puzzled expression.
"It's simple, lend me the jade pendant on your waist."
Before he finished speaking, Lu Xiaofeng casually took the mutton-fat white jade pendant from Hua Manlou's waist and gently tossed it towards the high platform.
His technique was extremely skilled; the jade pendant landed steadily on the tabletop, completely unharmed.
On the high platform.
Yu Youwei spotted the jade pendant at a glance, her eyes immediately brightening a bit, and she turned her gaze to Lu Xiaofeng's private room, speaking softly:
"This jade is carved from top-grade Hetian mutton-fat white jade, its texture as warm and smooth as grease, truly a rare treasure."
"If it were to enter the market, its value would certainly not be less than two million taels of silver."
"This Young Master is quite grand."
As soon as she spoke, the entire venue immediately burst into an uproar.
Worth two million taels of silver!
This was not something an ordinary wealthy person could afford to squander.
On the other side, in an elegant seat on the west side of the third floor.
A young man, dressed ostentatiously and acting frivolous, snorted coldly, seemingly quite displeased by this.
An old servant beside him, missing half a tooth, chuckled: "Throwing out two million taels in one go, this Young Master is certainly generous."
"Hmph! I think this act is clearly provoking me."
"Old Huang, immediately send someone to investigate this person's background."
The hot-tempered Young Master spoke indignantly; he was none other than the current Beiliang King's heir—Xu Fengnian.
Although Xu Fengnian's words were frivolous, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
His profligate demeanor was merely his disguise.
...
At this moment, in Hua Manlou's private room.
Lu Xiaofeng was also startled, not expecting that a piece of jade Hua Manlou carried could be worth so much silver.
Two million taels of silver... and he just casually threw it out?
Hua Manlou, however, did not care at all, merely waving his hand at Lu Xiaofeng, signaling that he didn't need to worry.
For Hua Manlou, this little bit of stuff was far from reaching the point of making him feel distressed.
Lu Xiaofeng then relaxed, cleared his throat, and said loudly: "I've long heard that Mr. Su knows all the secrets of the world. I have a request."
"A few days ago, on my way here, I learned of a major event that shook the four seas in the Jianghu."
"Ximen Chuixue, known as the 'Great Ming Sword God,' and Baiyun City Lord Ye Gucheng, the Nanhai Sword Immortal, engaged in a life-and-death duel at the Forbidden City."
"Ultimately, Ximen Chuixue emerged victorious, firmly securing his title as the 'Foremost Swordsman Under Heaven.'"
"I have always loved swordsmanship and am extremely interested in this peerless battle. I wonder if Mr. Su could explain this duel to us?"
Hua Manlou, beside him, immediately understood Lu Xiaofeng's intention upon hearing this.
The Forbidden City duel!
This Peak battle that shook the Martial Forest had long been widely rumored in the Great Ming Jianghu.
But the truth of this battle was far more complex than common rumors, and the most secret parts were known only to a very few people.
Lu Xiaofeng was one of those few who knew the truth.
If Su Chen made even a slight omission in his narration, Lu Xiaofeng would immediately notice.
However, if Su Chen could eloquently recount all the hidden details of this duel, it would be enough to prove that he was indeed, as rumored, a master who "knows all things in the world."
Thinking of this, Hua Manlou couldn't help but hold his breath, silently waiting for Su Chen's answer.
As expected,
Lu Xiaofeng's words instantly ignited the entire venue, and everyone voiced their agreement.
In this world, Jianghu interactions between various Imperial Dynasties were not frequent, but there were always some exceptionally talented individuals whose reputations spread throughout the Nine Provinces, known to all.
Ximen Chuixue in the Great Ming Wulin was one such renowned swordsman.
Whether in the Jianghu of Great Qin, Great Sui, or Great Tang, hardly anyone had not heard of Ximen Chuixue's great name.
This person could be called a Prodigy of his generation; at only sixteen, he had already shocked the Martial Forest, and with a single sword, he swept through the Great Ming Jianghu for a full ten years!
Now, at only twenty-six, Ximen Chuixue had long been revered as the Foremost Sword God of the Great Ming Jianghu.
He could be said to be the most dazzling legendary figure in the entire Great Ming Wulin.
The only one with hope of contending with Ximen Chuixue was Baiyun City Lord Ye Gucheng, who lived far away on Feixian Island in the Nanhai.
Compared to Ximen Chuixue, Ye Gucheng became famous earlier, belonging to the previous generation of masters, and was known as the "Nanhai Sword Immortal."
But because Ye Gucheng lived in the Nanhai for a long time and had never fought Ximen Chuixue, this matter had always been a source of regret for countless swordsmen.
Now, knowing that the two had finally dueled and a victor had been decided, how could everyone not be extremely excited?
At the same time, they were all eager to understand the full truth of this battle.
...
On this side.
Xu Fengnian also became interested and said softly: "Ximen Chuixue? Old Huang, we heard this name during our travels, didn't we?"
The old servant with the missing tooth beside him chuckled: "This Ximen Chuixue is an amazing swordsman. He achieved success at a young age, and for a full ten years, no one could surpass him in the Dao of the sword. Those Martial Artists from Great Ming almost idolized him as a Sword Immortal."
"A single sword suppressing the Jianghu for ten years, truly formidable."
"Among Great Ming swordsmen, there's often talk that Nanhai Sword Immortal Ye Gucheng might not lose to him."
"I didn't expect the two to actually fight, and Ximen Chuixue proved to be superior."
"Now, no one should dare to question his identity as the Foremost Sword Immortal anymore."
Xu Fengnian commented enthusiastically while savoring the fine wine.
Old Huang, however, snorted coldly: "This Ximen Chuixue is indeed formidable, but to say he is the Foremost Sword Immortal of Great Ming, that's not necessarily true. When I was young, I once met someone even stronger in the Great Ming Jianghu..."
Mid-sentence, he suddenly seemed to remember something and immediately stopped talking.
Xu Fengnian narrowed his eyes: "Old Huang, what were you about to say? Did you perhaps see a swordsman stronger than him in Great Ming? I knew it, you definitely understand Kung Fu."
Old Huang, seeing that he couldn't hide it, could only force a dry laugh: "Just a little."
Xu Fengnian, however, looked unconvinced.
How could this Old Huang, who had personally seen a master whose swordplay was even more formidable than Ximen Chuixue's, only "know a little"?
...
At the same time, on the high platform.
Yu Youwei listened to the clamor of the crowd below, her brows furrowing slightly.
Ximen Chuixue's reputation was indeed high; almost everyone in the audience was looking forward to the explanation of the "Forbidden City" duel.
But this decisive battle had just happened recently, and it was in the Forbidden City of Great Ming, thousands of miles away.
Yu Youwei was unsure if Su Chen truly had mastered all the details of that great battle.
What if Su Chen knew nothing about it? Wouldn't he be embarrassed?
Just as Yu Youwei was worried, Su Chen showed a hint of a smile. Not only did he not panic because of the sudden challenge, but he even seemed a little pleased.
Others would surely think he was happy because he had received a rare treasure worth two million taels of silver.
But no one knew that gold and silver jewelry meant nothing to Su Chen.
What he cared about was only—popularity!