Chapter 178: Murong Xuan’s Strange Behavior, The Sword In Lan Yu’s Arms
Outside the Sword Gauntlet, Chu Kuangren crossed swords, through time, with the unknown swordsman who had carved the words “Sword Gauntlet” on the plaque. As the Daoist Rhyme from the duel spread through the whole Hidden Sword Canyon, it made everyone who had witnessed the situation incredibly shocked.
After pondering for a while, some of the sword cultivators went up to greet him.
“Rumors say that the Black Heaven Sect’s Lead Disciple is an extraordinary person, and being able to witness such a remarkable sight today, I must say that you are indeed extraordinary. Greetings, I’m the wielder of the Moon Seeker’s Sword, ranked number sixty-one on the Hundred Sword Spectrum.”
“Haha, greetings Black Heaven Sect’s Lead Disciple, my name is Li Zhen.”
“Hello again, Black Heaven Sect’s Lead Disciple. We’ve met before in the Sword Prayer City. ”
“How’s it going, Brother Chu?”
All the sword cultivators outside the Sword Gauntlet went to greet Chu Kuangren one by one with friendliness, unwilling to miss an opportunity to make friends with him.
Chu Kuangren just smiled and greeted them politely in return.
Naturally, he was long familiar with situations like these.
At that moment, a figure joined the crowd.
He was a middle-aged man who was wearing a lavish long robe, unlike the other sword cultivators. There was also an air of gentleness about him that was similar to merchants.
That man gave Chu Kuangren a flattering smile and said, “Brother Chu, based on my previous experience, the Sword Gauntlet is only going to open in the next few days. If you don’t mind, why don’t you come to my place for a stay then.”
“Sir, you are…”
“My name is Qian Fugui. I’m the owner of the Famed Blades Hotel in the Hidden Sword Canyon, which specially provides food, clothing, housing, and transportation for every fellow sword cultivator.”
“I see.”
Chu Kuangren was slightly surprised. “Then I shall go with you then, Brother Qian.”
“Please follow me, fellow brothers and sisters of the Black Heaven, I shall show you the way.”
Qian Fugui shouted as he led the way at the front.
Upon seeing this, the onlooking sword cultivators could not help but gossip again.
“Tsk, this Qian Fugui really acts fast huh. No doubt he’s a businessman alright, having built up a connection with Chu Kuangren so quickly.”
“B*llshit, who do you think Chu Kuangren is? He’s ranked first in the Hundred Sword Spectrum. Having a good relationship with a person like that will only bring no harm but benefits.”
…
Along the way, Qian Fugui showed Chu Kuangren and the others the various interesting places in Hidden Sword Canyon. Especially the locations of the most mysterious sword marks, the locations of the ones that were the easiest to gain insight on, and more. He seemed very well-versed with the area.
“Brother Qian, do you currently live in Hidden Sword Canyon?”
“Not really, I just opened a hotel there and hired some people to manage it. However, since business is always booming the most during the period when the Sword Gauntlet is about to open, I’ve decided to come to take a look and join in on the fun.”
“As time passed, I’ve started to get more familiar with the area too.”
It was only then that Chu Kuangren understood. “So that’s how it is.”
When they arrived at the hotel that was owned by Qian Fugui, the group could not help but be surprised.
‘Is this really a hotel?’
‘This is clearly a huge palace!’
Multiple towers and pavilions stood upright from the ground, forming rows upon rows of buildings that made up the whole palace structure. The entire area it took was comparable to the White Jade Hotel that Chu Kuangren had visited in the past.
Being able to open such a large hotel would require tonnes of resources and manpower to manage. It would be an even harder task to defend these hotel buildings, seeing that a slight mistake made would easily lead to death for any perpetrator.
That Qian Fugui was not some simple person it seemed.
Taking a look at him, Chu Kuangren activated the Eye of Revelation.
“Qian Fugui, owner of the Fugui Firm, owns and controls over ten percent of the total soulstone reserves in the Firmament Star, his businesses span all over the four domains in the Firmament Star…”
Chu Kuangren’s mouth twitched upon seeing the information that was provided by the Eye of Revelation. He could not believe that man was the owner of the Fugui Firm…
The Fugui Firm was the largest merchant firm in the whole Firmament Star. They were present in every business, every venture, or any matter that required soulstones. Despite that, no one ever knew who the owner of that large merchant firm was.
Yet now such a person was standing in front of him right now?
Undoubtedly, it was too much of a coincidence.
After Qian Fugui arranged a few rooms for Chu Kuangren and his group, all that was left for them to do was to wait for the Sword Gauntlet to open.
…
“Chu Kuangren, my name is Murong Feiyu and I’ve come to have a duel with you to gain some experiences!”
A voice could be heard from outside the Famed Blades Hotel.
A man clad in black robes and holding a long sword was seen standing outside the Famed Blades Hotel, and his voice rang throughout the restaurant.
Every sword cultivator who had noticed the commotion hurriedly looked towards him.
Everyone was incredibly surprised when they heard the name of that person.
“It’s him, Murong Feiyu!”
“Oh, that’s a very familiar name I think. He seems to be an Honorable Swordsman who’s ranked number seventy-one on the Hundred Sword Spectrum. He’s one of the people of the Murong clan.”
“The Murong clan of the Black Warrior Domain, one of the clans of the famed One Sword, One Mountain, and Two Families huh. I guess things are going to get interesting soon.”
Every sword cultivator watched attentively to how the situation was developing.
When Nangong Huang and the others heard his voice, they all looked at Muring Feiyu outside and an unpleasant expression was plastered all over their faces.
“Who the hell is he? Is he even worthy to face our Elder Senior Brother?”
“Ranked number seventy-one on the Hundred Sword Spectrum huh? My god, with a low ranking like this, how does he still have the courage to challenge our Elder Senior Brother who’s ranked first.”
“Not everyone knows what our Elder Senior Brother can do, you know. Besides, most people think that our Elder Senior Brother is ranked first in the Hundred Sword Spectrum only because the Descendant Self Sword he owns is fused with a Sword Soul which helped him gain an upper hand. That’s why a large number of people are dissatisfied with our Elder Senior Brother. I suppose this person must be one of those people then.”
Nangong Huang explained patiently.
Meanwhile, a strange look flashed across Murong Xuan’s eyes as he looked at Murong Feiyu. His expression was unnatural.
“What’s up with you?”
Nangong Huang could not help but be surprised when he noticed that something was not right with Murong Xuan.
“No, it’s nothing.” Shaking his head, Murong Xuan then said, “This Murong Feiyu’s strength is quite extraordinary. Having reached the level of an Honorable many years ago, he cultivates the Murong Clan’s Flame Splitting Sword Art, a technique that is powerful enough to scorch rivers and boil the very oceans. He’s undoubtedly an expert even in the Murong Clan.”
“Then again, these people are not the trickiest ones to deal with. The ones that will prove to be trouble will no doubt be the Young Emperor of the Murong Clan, Murong Yu…”
Murong Xuan was just about to continue when he noticed Nangong Huang and the others giving him a weird look. He promptly stopped and asked, “What’s up with you guys?”
“Murong Xuan, how do you know so much about the people from the Murong Clan? Hold up, your first name is Murong as well, can it be that…”
“I have nothing to do with the Murong Clan!”
Murong Xuan said decisively.
“Oh.”
Everyone let out a slight mumble and no longer pursued the subject.
Having come back to his senses as well, Murong Xuan realized that his denying behavior earlier made him feel very suspicious.
He said, “These are all matters in the world of swordsmanship. Shouldn’t we learn more about things like this since we’re swordsmen ourselves?”
“We’re located in the Azure Dragon Domain, while the Murong Clan is located in the Black Warrior Domain. Who will even know this given that our group is so far apart from theirs.”
Jun Yi murmured.
“Look, it’s Lady Lan Yu,” Nangong Huang said.
Lan Yu slowly walked out of the hotel with a sword in her arms. When she was before Murong Feiyu, she said indifferently, “So you’re the one challenging my Master?”
Murong Feiyu stared at the sword in Lan Yu’s arms as a fiery look appeared in his eyes. “I’m the one challenging Chu Kuangren now. Lady, I see that the sword in your arms is no ordinary blade, can you let me take a look?”
Lan Yu shook her head and replied, “No can do, this is my Master’s sword.”
“I see, so where’s Chu Kuangren now?”
“My Master is still recuperating inside. However, because you’ve caused such a big ruckus here, he has allowed me to take his sword out. He said that he’ll show himself if you can hold yourself against a single attack.”
“How can he possibly attack without showing up? Is he messing with me!” Murong Feiyu said coldly.
“There’s no problem for the sword to attack right now.”
Lan Yu said casually.
At that, the Descendant Self Sword in her arms trembled lightly before it revealed half of its jade-like body, emitting an incredibly horrifying Sword-based Daoist Rhyme.