"Hahaha, Iâve found it!" A Jianghu Martial Artist looked at the grand hall named âTreasure Storageâ within the Princeâs Mansion, overjoyed.
"I suppose all the treasures of this mansion are here!"
His heart was eager as he looked at the group of guards outside the Treasure Storage, disdainfully saying, "If you want to live, get out of my way! Donât block this great masterâs path!"
The imperial Guards exchanged glances, drew their swords, and charged at this Jianghu Martial Artist.
A moment later, the bodies of these imperial Guards lay scattered, the Jianghu Martial Artistâs hands stained with blood. Though he was also injured, it wasnât serious. He impatiently pushed open the doors of the Treasure Storage.
Inside the hall, as expected, it was a glitter of pearls and treasure artifacts.
What was stored here were the Second Princeâs collection pieces. Not to mention each piece, most at a glance were rare items worth a fortune.
Selling just a few of them would allow this Jianghu Martial Artist to eat well for a long time.
"Truly, fortune lies in danger!" The Jianghu Martial Artist was ecstatic, dragging out a few large boxes containing calligraphy and paintings from the wall.
Casually discarding those calligraphy and paintings whose value he didnât understand, he carefully placed the displayed treasures on the shelves into the boxes one by one.
After a busy session, he managed to collect most of the Second Princeâs treasures in the Treasure Storage into the boxes.
A full five large boxes.
As for the rest, he thought they werenât valuable enough and was too lazy to pick them up.
The only thing that left him somewhat dissatisfied was that there was no money or silver to be found in the Treasure Storage.
Perhaps the Second Princeâs treasury was really emptied by the war, or maybe the money and silver were placed elsewhere.
Just as he tightly bound the five boxes with iron chains and ropes to carry them away,
suddenly a voice came from the window above the pavilion.
"Tough work."
The Jianghu Martial Artistâs expression drastically changed.
"Who!"
He saw a man dressed in brocade clothing descending from the high window and approaching.
"Youâre a guest of the Second Prince!" The Jianghu Martial Artist immediately recognized the identity of the other party.
"If you want to live, put the stuff down and leave." The man, holding a rapier, said nonchalantly.
"Never!" The Jianghu Martial Artist was furious.
He had packed everything up nicely, how could he just hand over this immense fortune at this point!
"Think it through." The man flicked the rapier lightly with his fingertip.
Buzz!
A Sword Qi shot over, causing the Jianghu Martial Artist to be greatly alarmed.
This person was actually a Qi Refining Powerhouse!
Only having time to avoid a critical spot, the Sword Qi instantly pierced through the side of his abdomen, bleeding profusely.
After suffering this blow of Sword Qi, his gaze cleared up.
For an Extreme Realm Martial Artist like him, he was almost no match in front of a Qi Refining Powerhouse, only to be easily manipulated.
The Second Princeâs treasures werenât something he could covet.
Once he realized this, he immediately broke through the window and escaped, not daring to linger for a moment.
"Hmph, at least you have a sense of propriety." The man lightly chuckled as he held the rapier.
"I wonder if you are as sensible."
Another deep voice floated over, causing the manâs smile to fade.
"Lord Tian, weâve been fighting all day, why be so aggressive? You want the Second Princeâs head, go ahead, I wonât stop you." The man squinted his eyes and said.
His name was Huali, once serving under the Second Prince, considered one of the strongest among the guests.
Second only to Duan Fangshuo among the imperial Guards.
But now, it seemed he no longer intended to serve the Second Prince.
"I want the Second Princeâs head, and the things in those boxes too." Lord Tian said indifferently.
He carried a long saber on his back, dressed in cloth, exuding the harshness of a Jianghu Swordsman from head to toe.
On the contrary, Huali, true to his name, though a man, had a delicate appearance, a high-pitched voice, and could rival women in beauty.
"Now thatâs too much, ah!" Huali raised his brows, playfully said.
"This is my reward for serving the Second Prince diligently for years, and you, a Jianghu wanderer, what right do you have to ask for it?"
Lord Tian remained indifferent, his steps unceasing, as if he hadnât heard, not intending to waste words further.
"Hahaha, Iâm about to take that damn princeâs head, and you still ask what right!"
At this moment, a third Qi Refining Powerhouse appeared, causing Huali to roll his eyes.
"Cao Long, youâre fighting fervently at the Guard Palace, how come youâre here as well?"
"The Second Prince was chased off by those five coal balls, so I naturally came to gather some benefits during that time." Cao Long grinned broadly.
"Hmph, didnât expect you, with those thick eyebrows and big eyes, to be so cunning and sly." Huali spat.
"Say what you will, Lord Tian, letâs cut down this man-woman first. How about splitting the treasure here fifty-fifty between us? If we delay, Iâm afraid others will come and it wonât be easy to divide then."
Cao Long looked at his companion, nominally in the same camp, and discussed.
"Alright." Lord Tian thought briefly and nodded in agreement.
"You big brute, who are you calling a man-woman!" Hualiâs face was full of anger, and his voice grew sharper.
The three were all brimming with inner qi, seemingly about to fight.
Suddenly, footsteps approached from afar, slightly interrupting the impending confrontation.
"Number thirty-three on the Earth List, Ba Dao Cao Long; number twenty-five, Zhanqing Saber Lord Tian; number twenty-two, Pear Blossom Sword Huali."
A calm voice leisurely transmitted.
"Pleasure to meet you." Song Changming approached the group.
He subscribed to every issue of the Secret Chronicles from Zhuji Pavilion and was an avid reader.
Thus, he knew the names on the Earth List and could match them to their rankings.
The three in front of him ranked at least thirty-third, with the most feminine man as high as twenty-second.
Undoubtedly, these were the highest-ranked Earth List experts he had encountered.
Higher even than Guan Weijing from Wangyue Pavilion.
"Who might you be? Quite the handsome face." Huali glanced at him and scoffed.
"Compared to you three, Iâm not worth mentioning." Song Changming said slowly.
"Not worth mentioning, but youâre still an Earth List figure, the bottom-ranked Donglai Dragon Blade Guest. I know you." Cao Long revealed Song Changmingâs identity effortlessly.
Clearly, Song Changming wasnât the only loyal reader of the Secret Chronicles.
"Previously, the guy who caused a ruckus in Taiqing County City..."
"So, are you here for a share of the loot?" Hualiâs fingertips lightly glided over the rapierâs edge, he asked.
"No, donât misunderstand." Song Changmingâs face showed a hint of a smile.
"Iâm not here for a share, I want it all!"
Upon hearing this, Cao Long smirked more condescendingly, "Another kid who canât see his own worth. Just because you did two seemingly impressive deeds, donât think youâre really remarkable.
In my eyes, youâre nothing! If you want to court death, Iâll oblige!"
Cao Long first glanced at Pear Blossom Sword Huali, seeing no reaction, he strode toward Song Changming.
Evidently, all three had agreed to eliminate Song Changming, the outsider, before fighting.
Cao Long carried a ring-headed saber on his shoulder, appearing much heavier than Song Changmingâs Dragon Pattern Saber.
With each step, his inner qi surged upward, growing increasingly intense.
Song Changming estimated that the opponent had refined at least three qi vortexes, otherwise, he couldnât unleash such intense inner qi energy.
This was the source of Cao Longâs confidence against Song Changming, his Qi Refining Cultivation definitely surpassed Song Changming!
However, he didnât know Song Changmingâs true power was never in Qi Refining Cultivation.
Cao Long dropped the ring-headed saber on his shoulder, advancing toward Song Changming, without hesitation, swinging it roundly from top to bottom.
The Sword Intent was overpowering!
Song Changming seemed to face an earth-shattering giant swinging a saber at him.
The name Ba Dao was well-deserved!
If a martial artist lacked a firm will, they might have been terrified under Cao Longâs intimidation.
But when Cao Longâs ring-headed saber chopped down, Song Changmingâs expression didnât change, remaining calm as if unconcerned about his own safety.
This situation also puzzled Cao Long.
"Putting on airs!"
At this, Song Changmingâs long saber was drawn.
Without apparent effort, he effortlessly blocked Cao Longâs forceful swing.
The violent Sword Qi rampaged but didnât harm Song Changming at all.
Cao Longâs eyes widened, sweat began to appear on his forehead.
No one had ever taken his strike with such ease.
Ba Dao emphasizes an unparalleled realm of opening heavens and splitting earth, once the saberâs edge is stopped, its Sword Intent is halved.
"You!" Cao Long was shocked by Song Changmingâs unimaginable composure.
Song Changming raised an eyebrow, looking at Cao Long.
"Is this Ba Dao?"
His arm suddenly exerted force, the saber shivered, Cao Longâs ring-headed saber was easily flicked aside.
Then, Song Changmingâs long saber stirred up a storm, two Wind Dragons appeared in the storm, both lunging at Cao Long in front.
...