Chapter 198: Full of Style
This time, when Lu Cixian came to Kunshan, it was different from before. Back then, she was unknown, attending the discussion of laws to gain experience and establish her reputation.
But this time, countless people were secretly keeping an eye on "him," watching this newly emerged cultivator from Buping College, eager to see his abilities and his possession of the Wen Si Xing Zhu Sword, one of the famous swords of the Confucian school.
Evening came, with dark storm clouds gathering in the sky. It started raining, and the mountains reflected the colors of the sky - a faint red and grayish-blue. The strong winds blew, and a golden serpent slithered through the air, like a sword sent by the heavens to strike down the tiny lives below. It tore open a massive gap, and the rain poured down like small beans.
On this rainy night, Lu Cixian made his way up the mountain. Even before he reached the mountain gate, he was received with hospitality. Earlier in the day, Dingjiu Street, a long street at the foot of Kunshan, was bustling with activity, similar to a market. There were taverns, shops, and even inns. Many disciples gathered there to trade, as it was a necessary pathway to reach Kunshan.
Xiao Sanlang, a gloomy man, stood beneath the eaves, seeking shelter from the rain. Nearby, several Kunshan disciples, who had missed the curfew, were also huddled to escape the rain. Men and women whispered to each other in low voices.
Xiao Sanlang stood with his arms crossed, his face expressionless.
Since he was little, Xiao Sanlang had been serving and guarding Xiao Huan. Today, something strange happened. Xiao Huan, who usually preferred to lie down, suddenly decided to walk. He took Xiao Sanlang with him and they left Kunshan to go shopping on Dingjiu Street.
But unexpectedly, their young master asked Xiao Sanlang to wait there for a while and then disappeared in a blink of an eye. Xiao Sanlang had been waiting for almost two hours!
Thinking about this, Xiao Sanlang felt a bit sad and sat under the eaves, boredly flipping through the gossip on the jade scroll. For example, there was gossip about Qiao Wan, who was known as the "fickle beauty" on Yuqing Peak.
As he continued to flip through, Xiao Sanlang couldn't help but furrow his brow with disdain. Why wasn't he focusing on his training instead of gossiping about Qiao Wan? He had heard about her reputation, but there was nothing worth gossiping about anyway.
But the disciples of Kunshan around him seemed to have no thoughts of this, one by one discussing just how many good brothers Qiao Wan had.
Xiao Sanlang looked up at the sky irritably, not knowing when this rain would stop. If it did stop, he could wander around and pass the time.
Just then, he seemed to hear the sound of footsteps and instinctively put away his jade scroll, looking up to see who it was.
In this rainy night, suddenly more than ten people walked over.
All of these people were cultivators, with a young man leading the group.
The young man held a black umbrella and walked straight to the eaves, also carrying a black and gold rusty sword in his arms.
It seems he was also seeking shelter from the rain.
Meeting by chance, Xiao Sanlang had no interest in prying into other people's business.
However, the rusty sword in the young man's arms carried a faint scent of gunpowder and blood, causing him to unconsciously glance at it for a bit, then look away, continuing to gaze at the rain that showed no signs of stopping.
But as soon as he looked up, there was another commotion in this rainy night.
There was an old woman, wrapped in tattered clothes from head to toe, carrying a basket. She looked like she was freezing, and stumbled her way into the shelter of the eaves.
There were already more than ten people standing under the small eaves, and it instantly became crowded.
Xiao Sanlang frowned slightly and moved to the side.
The old woman was trembling from the cold. She tripped on the stone steps under the eaves, staggered, and bumped into the young man in front of her. Realizing that she had bumped into someone, she held onto the young man's arm and trembled as she apologized.
"Sorry... sorry, it was this old woman's fault for not looking where she was going. I've disturbed the young master, please spare me."
Her voice was rough and pitiful.
The "girl" next to the young man paused for a moment. "How come there's still an old person walking outside on a rainy day?"
And in Kunshan of all places?
Xiao Sanlang found himself at a loss.
Indeed.
How could there still be an old person walking around on a rainy day like this? And in Kunshan of all places?
To my surprise, just as the words left my mouth, the rain suddenly intensified. An old lady carrying a bamboo basket swiftly pulled back the curtain that covered the basket. Underneath the curtain, there were several dazzling flashes of light that shot towards the young boy in front of me!
The disciples of Kunshan who were under the eaves cried out in alarm, "Be careful, taoist friend!"
At this moment, there was no time to step back. But instead of retreating, the young boy stood firm.
When he looked closely, he saw that the curtain had shot out several sharp hidden weapons.
The moment the hidden weapons approached him, it was as if something was blocking them from reaching him.
The young boy calmly moved his hand and used his spiritual power. In the next second, all the hidden weapons in front of him bounced back unchanged.
The old lady, who was holding the bamboo basket, screamed and hurriedly took a few steps back. Suddenly, she stretched out her hand, and the tattered linen wrapped around her body. In the blink of an eye, she transformed into an adult man wearing a black robe.
Several sword lights, like the moonlight in a startled moment, rose and fell.
Xiao Sanlang and the young boy looked up at the roof together.
Suddenly, there were more than ten "black robes" on the roof, standing side by side, blocking the way.
These black robes were each holding umbrellas, with different colors - some black, some white, some blue, some yellow, some red. The umbrellas were lined up neatly, adding a touch of color to the dark rainy night.
Water droplets fell from the umbrellas, creating blurry mist.
"I don't know what I have done wrong, but why are you taoist friends blocking the way here?" The young boy's face remained calm, and his voice was low and stern.
Actually, there was no need to ask. They were blocking the way because of the Wen Si Xing Zhu Sword in his hand. Along the way, he had encountered similar situations.
After all, once they entered the mountain gate of Kunshan, they were within the influence of Kunshan's power. There were hidden disciples patrolling, making it difficult and dangerous to make a move.
The group of people in black robes on the roof looked at the young boy in front of them with surprise and curiosity.
Before the "old woman" could attack, the boy's sword remained in its sheath in an instant. He held the black umbrella firmly in his hand and not a single drop of rain fell on his shoulder.
The young boy stood in the midst of the raging storm, with fair skin like jade, exuding a celestial presence.
His appearance might give the impression of being a bit slender and weak, but upon closer inspection, one could see that the pinky finger on his left hand was missing a section.
Is that what was cut off back in the ghost market?
The people on the roof felt a slight shift in their hearts.
Although he was tall and slim, no one would think this young boy could be easily bullied upon laying eyes on him.
His eyes, shining in the dark and rainy night, were bright, deep, cold, and sharp like a winter wind carrying snow, concealing the edge of a hidden sword.
Carrying a mix of youthful determination and maturity, the young hero possessed a unique blend of qualities that commanded respect. Following closely behind him was a female companion.
It was a common sight in the martial arts world to see a heroic young man accompanied by a beautiful woman. However.s appearance did not fit the description of a "beautiful woman" at all. Dressed in a bright red wedding gown, her face appeared withered and gaunt. Standing in the rainy night, she resembled a haunting ghostly figure.
Sensing Wang Ruyi. preparing to take action, the young hero immediately stopped her, saying, "Ruyi, step aside."
Lu Cixian, also known as Qiao Wan, pondered silently for a moment.
At this time, Buping College had just gained some attention. It was a true representation of the college's reputation, so it couldn't back down. It even had to show some toughness and aggressiveness, or else it would be looked down upon by other sects and factions.
In this kind of rivalry between different factions, there was no room for humility.
As the head of the college, one had to be able to control their subordinates and the situation, and take the initiative in this conversation.
Just then, the person in the black robe on the rooftop spoke.
Through the heavy rain curtain, a hoarse voice with a hint of laughter came through.
"Please forgive me, Taoist Friend Lu. My brothers and I have heard of your reputation early on and admired you for a long time. We came here specifically to meet you."
The young boy replied coldly, "Now you have seen me."
The person laughed twice, "Indeed, heroes come in young ones. You have truly lived up to my expectations."
As they were talking, the other person suddenly stopped laughing and said, "But my brothers and I have a wish. We don't know if Taoist Friend Lu can agree to it."
"My brothers and I want to see for ourselves if Taoist Friend Lu's cultivation is really as great as the rumors say."
The young man calmly said, "Tell me your plan."
In the pouring rain, the leader in the black robe suddenly made a move.
"As long as Taoist Friend Lu can pass our test, my brothers and I will truly respect him as a taoist friend."
After speaking, the windows on both sides of the long street suddenly opened in perfect synchronization. Over ten figures rolled out, each holding a magical weapon, with serious and deadly expressions, like sharp blades in the dark night.
On the rooftop, the person in the black robe threw away their umbrella.
Black, white, blue, yellow, and red, they fell like blooming flowers in the rainy night. The sound of breaking through the air was like a chorus of swords, and the raindrops fell with a pattering sound.
The raindrops splashed out, and Xiao Sanlang tried to dodge, but he felt a sharp pain on his body. He looked down and saw more than ten red bloodstains.
Several beautiful umbrellas floated in the air, crowding the street and blocking the ink-drenched night.
But the young boy suddenly leaped and landed safely on the umbrella surface without a scratch.
The rain became heavier.
The lights in the corridor swayed and stayed on for a long time.
"You..." Xiao Sanlang held his arm and asked in confusion, "Who are you?"
"Lu Cixian," the boy looked up and scanned the street full of people, "Perhaps you've heard of me, Lu Cixian, the head of Buping College."
Lu Cixian?!
Xiao Sanlang and the disciples standing under the eaves trembled, speechless.
This is Lu Cixian?!
The heavy rain poured down, and distant thunder rumbled.
"Such a grand welcome?" The boy chuckled lightly, his laughter heavy and cold. "All this just to greet me?"
