Lu Zheng unleashed his blood qi to the fullest, advancing instead of retreating, directly approaching the City God.
However, he didnât engage the City God head-on, but instead used the I-cutting Blade Style and Hanging Blade Style to deflect, using force to redirect force, avoiding the edge of the opponentâs saber.
With a sidestep, he concealed himself behind the blade, lightly twisted his body to arrive at the side of the City God, then performed a Sweeping Blade Style.
"Good!"
The City God loudly applauded, took two steps forward, and avoided Lu Zhengâs strike.
Then he also turned around for a horizontal sweep.
Lu Zheng did not clash with the City Godâs saber edge at all, instead, he lowered his posture, resting his steps and stabbing straight toward the City Godâs ankle.
The City Godâs figure drifted, the saber edge turned, following the momentum downwards.
Helpless, Lu Zheng could only step back lightly, pushing his saber forward, using the blade to push the side of the City Godâs saber, then darted to the right to avoid the next strike.
The City God followed quickly, almost catching Lu Zheng before he could turn around, with just a glance from the corner of his eye, he resorted to inserting steps with a counter-rake.
"Clang!"
The blades intersected, shocking Lu Zhengâs entire body into retreat, creating distance.
"Not bad, not bad! Impressive sword technique!" The City God laughed heartily, stepping forward.
...
After exchanging moves, the City God had already gauged Lu Zhengâs skill level, afterward, he didnât strike with full force, focusing only on sword technique and mastery.
Lu Zheng, of course, fought with all his might, occasionally employing techniques from Grapple Hand and the Eighteen Mountain-Carrying Techniques amidst using sword technique.
Naturally, it had no effect.
...
After fighting for a quarter of an hour, Lu Zheng was drenched in sweat, his movements gradually unable to keep up.
The City God, having had his fill of the thrill, stopped, sheathed his long saber, and extended his hand to pull Lu Zhengâs hand over.
"Young Master Lu, your sword technique is brilliant, come on, letâs continue drinking!"
Lu Zheng only managed to return the long saber to the accompanying guard, then was pulled into the main hall by the City God.
Continue drinking!
Lu Zheng felt that the City Godâs lifestyle was truly leisurely.
Well, except for the part about being dead.
"By the way, just now it seemed you mentioned you killed one of Ye Lan Kingâs subordinates and obtained a ghost artifact?"
The City God took a sip of wine, suddenly remembering, "Perfect timing, let me help you extract the Nether Qi from it."
Lu Zheng shook his head, "No need."
"Hmm?" The City God was puzzled.
Lu Zheng took out the jade pendant, stepped forward to hand it to the City God, then sat back in place.
"Such a fine ghost artifact, Iâve heard you can use it too; extracting the Nether Qi from it would be a loss for both parties."
Lu Zheng laughed, "Itâs our first meeting, I have no gifts to offer, coincidentally acquired a Ghost Dao Dharma Artifact, hope you wonât find my sincerity lacking."
The City God was stunned, involuntarily casting another look at Lu Zheng, momentarily speechless.
The accompanying Judge Liâs eyes lit up, knowing this jade pendant Dharma Artifact was a valuable item, and used correctly could even save a life.
Lu Zheng appeared indifferent, simply raised his wine glass, and offered a toast to the City God.
"Cheers!"
The City God, eyes twinkling, put down the jade pendant, raised his wine glass.
"Cheers!"
...
With wine warming their ears, the City God revealed his name.
Xin Zhanting.
Then he recounted his past battles in the Northern Land with Heaven-covering Warrior.
Lu Zheng could only echo along, not daring to ask what kind of power Heaven-covering was, only guessing it was not on friendly terms with the Great Jing Dynasty but yet not as strong overall.
Since Xin Zhantingâs words carried respect yet seemingly didnât hold much weight.
...
Lu Zheng had arrived during the middle of the night, having drunk and dueled, now the sky was brightening, the sun was about to rise.
"This night was truly enjoyable!"
Xin Zhanting asked the guards to clean up the wine as he walked out with Lu Zheng.
"Only today did I know the county had a figure like Young Master Lu. Fortunately, knowing you now isnât too late. If youâre free, visit me more often, letâs drink and spar!"
"Sure, if youâre not busy, Iâll come and chat when I have time."
By now, they were near the main gate.
"Young Master Lu, I noticed although your sword technique is sharp and exquisite, itâs merely skill, your blood qi foundation isnât in sword technique."
"Your insight is extraordinary," Lu Zheng nodded and said, "My martial dao technique is actually a boxing technique, the âEighteen Mountain-Carrying Techniquesâ."
"With your proficiency in sword technique, itâs a pity not to practice a Martial Arts Knife Technique." Xin Zhanting took out a booklet from his chest and handed it to Lu Zheng, "This is the âTiger Roar Saberâ I practiced in my youth, perfect for your cultivation."
"No, I cannot!" Lu Zheng hurriedly declined.
"Take it if offered. This is my own unrivaled technique, permissible to pass to others."
Xin Zhanting stuffed the booklet back into Lu Zhengâs hand, "You can casually donate a Ghost Dao Dharma Artifact, how could I be stingy with merely a martial arts technique?
Besides, this is suited for living martial dao, perfect for you. Should I keep it until itâs lost forever with the annihilation of my ghost body?"
"Thank you very much!" Lu Zheng accepted the booklet, "In a few days, Iâll bring some fine wine here to drink heartily with you."
"Thatâs more like it! Letâs also drop the formalities, youâre not my subordinate, Iâll call you Younger Brother Lu, you can call me Brother Xin."
"Alright, Brother Xin!"
"Refreshing!" Xin Zhanting patted Lu Zhengâs shoulder, "Alright then, itâs nearly daybreak, hurry on now and rest during the day; by the way, remember the divide between living and spirits, maintain moderation."
Lu Zheng staggered a step, clumsily clasped his hands in salute, then stepped out of the City God Temple.
...
"My lord, how did you deduce Young Master Lu had an affair with that Tao... Madam Shen?" Judge Li asked in surprise.
"Exactly, exactly, Madam Shen has always been famous for her icy chastity like an immortal." Duan Zhong chimed in, also eager to join in.
Lu Zheng was someone he had invited, naturally needing to see him off as he left.
"That woman is trouble at first glance, icy chastity like an immortal, thatâs simply because she hasnât yet met a man to stir her passion. Have you seen a man who can stay overnight in Taohua Village?"
"Uh..."
"But, isnât that still uncertain to mean thereâs an affair?"
"Hence I tried and this indeed proved it, didnât it? Younger Brother Lu is still young!"
"..."
"Having eliminated Yan Jie, crippled Ye Lan Kingâs arm, I estimate Ye Lan King wonât have designs on us recently."
Xin Zhanting, holding the saber handle, ordered, "Relay the order for night patrols to frequent more often near the south of the city and subtly monitor Taohua Village, to prevent Ye Lan Kingâs surprise attack."
"Peach Blossom Plain belongs to Madam Shenâs realm, unless Ye Lan King takes action, there wonât be any accomplishment." Judge Li pondered, "Once Ye Lan King appears in the mortal world, my lord, you will immediately know. Given this, is there a need?"
Xin Zhanting nodded, "Itâs better to be prepared, should Ye Lan King be willing to pay a certain price, he can also evade my detection.
So, if he truly attempts a surprise attack on Madam Shen, I wish to know immediately, then rush to join forces with her.
If we could keep him in the mortal world, wouldnât that be perfect?"
"I see, your wisdom is insightful, my lord!"
Xin Zhanting was a war general back then, his defense layout was flawless, otherwise, he wouldnât have been consecrated by the Great Jing Dynastyâs Incense and Candle Divine Dao, canonized as the Tonglin County City God after death.