Demon Cultivator with Celestial Book

Chapter 356: Chapter 252: Heir of Zhixuan Temple, One Phoenix Quells the Twin Dragons

A fine, drizzling rain fell, shrouding the world in mist.

Merchant ships came and went on the Da Long River in an endless stream.

A heroic young man and an effeminate-looking youth, traveling companions on an excursion, sat aboard a painted pleasure boat, chatting and admiring the scenery.

Though the realm was newly pacified, unrest still simmered everywhere. Banditry and civil strife were constant, to say nothing of the rebel armies from the former dynasty who roamed the mountain forests, occupying land and building stockades.

In the less than ten years since the Liyang dynasty had entered the Pass, one could say they spent every month suppressing bandits and every year quelling rebellions.

Without formidable skills, one would never dare to venture into the pugilistic world. Many greenhorns would dive in headfirst only to vanish without a trace, their fates unknown.

Since leaving the capital and arriving in Zhenbei Province, the heroic young man and the effeminate youth had lost count of how many mountain bandits practicing Highway Robbery and plundering highwaymen they had encountered.

Yet they had remained safe and sound, completely unscathed. First, because they were tough customers themselves, with high-level Martial Arts, unafraid of those fourth or fifth transformation Mortal Realm experts from the Green Forest;

Second, they bore the noble Liyang surnames of Wanyan and Yelv. Wherever they went, local officials at the prefectural and commandery level had to greet them respectfully and await their orders.

Even if they did encounter a truly powerful master, a single command would bring a cavalry charge and a volley of crossbow bolts, which could easily take them down.

"Brother Yelv, your reputation truly precedes you. We’ve been in the provincial capital of Zhenbei for less than half a day, and the Great General’s manor has already sent an invitation. It seems I get to bask in your reflected glory."

The effeminate youth was dressed in white robes and held a folding fan, possessing the handsome, elegant air of a refined scholar.

"Wanyan, you jest. If you were to reveal your identity, I’m afraid the Great General himself would meet you and insist you stay at his manor."

The heroic young man shook his head with a wry smile. This trip was called a tour, but in reality, he was fulfilling the duty of an escort.

The nine great surnames of the Liyang were divided into civil and military factions.

When the dynasty was conquering the realm, the major Banner Masters who commanded archers and maintained armies—such as Yelv, Tuoba, Huyan, and Jin—were known as the Five Nobles of Liyang and were heavily relied upon.

However, after entering the Pass, the Yuwen, Wanyan, and Helou families rose swiftly, seizing control of court debates and the great power of direct petition to the throne from within the cabinet.

This "Brother Wanyan" was, in fact, the cherished daughter of the current Minister of State for the Southern Court, a position so noble it was scarcely less than that of a Princess.

"That’s no fun."

The effeminate youth gave a light laugh.

"I ran away from home precisely because I was bored in the capital.

Coming to this Da Long River Martial Competition to witness the ’Twin Dragons’ in person will make the trip worthwhile."

The heroic young man laughed to himself. As the Minister of State for the Southern Court, Wanyan Zong was effectively the head of all civil officials; how could he be deceived by his own daughter? Wanyan Cai had barely left the capital before Wanyan Zong arranged for a group of masters to follow and protect her, while overtly dispatching him to feign a chance encounter and travel with her.

"Tuoba Long’s fame fills the capital. Have you truly never met him, Wanyan?"

The heroic young man asked curiously.

The effeminate youth shook his head but offered no explanation.

It was common knowledge that Tuoba Long was the Crown Prince’s sworn brother, and the Crown Prince, in turn, was close to the decorated nobility of the Northern Court.

As the daughter of Wanyan Zong, how could she possibly associate with such a person?

Wanyan Cai changed the subject.

"I hear that the Great General’s adopted son, Sheng Hailong, has a third eye on his forehead. He was born extraordinary, able to perceive ghosts and gods and peer into the Netherworld.

Rumor has it that even the masters from Great Snowy Mountain are interested in taking him as a disciple. I wonder what he’s really like."

The heroic young man’s name was Yelv Hong. His father, Yelv Jing, was a military noble of the Northern Court, but he had been benched after failing to suppress bandits and eradicate the White Lotus Sect, leading to censure from the Crown Prince.

Yelv Jing, hoping to align with the Southern Court, had sent his son to escort the daughter of Wanyan Zong.

"Sheng Hailong holds the rank of General of the Flying Cavalry. Although he is one of the People Inside the Pass, the Great General bestowed upon him the name ’Darughachi’.

His Martial Arts are exceptionally high, and he has a strong chance of breaking through to the Ten Transformations realm.

This world is full of countless geniuses. It’s truly disheartening."

Yelv Hong stood with his hands behind his back. The fine threads of rain, blown by the cold wind, slanted into the boat but could not even touch the hem of his brocade robes.

He had already reached the seventh transformation of the Mortal Realm, a master of Internal Fortification. His five viscera, six bowels, muscles, bones, skin, and membranes were forged into one. With a mere gesture, he could project his internal qi over a hundred paces.

To have achieved such a level of Martial Arts at his age was enough to be called a "prodigy of his generation."

But compared to Sheng Hailong, one of the Twin Dragons of Liyang, he still paled in comparison.

"Brother Yelv, you needn’t sell yourself short. My father often says that the world’s prodigies are like serpents, Mang, and great Jiao. Until they brave the waters and transform into a dragon, it’s impossible to know who the true hero is."

Wanyan Cai said with a smile. Though dressed as a man, she would occasionally and inadvertently reveal a feminine demeanor, which held its own unique charm.

Yelv Hong did not dare to look too long. He knew his place. How could he entertain any ideas about the legitimate daughter of Wanyan Zong, the Minister of State for the Southern Court?

To put Wanyan Zong at ease and to avoid any entanglement with Wanyan Cai, he had even deliberately cultivated a reputation for being a lecherous womanizer, forcibly taking several martial heroines from Inside the Pass as his concubines.

The two continued on their pleasure boat, slowly heading toward Swallow’s Rock outside the provincial capital of Zhenbei. Eight arenas had been erected there, where any expert under the age of thirty could take the stage to compete and test their skills.

It was rumored that the Great General, Jin Wushu, would attend in person. If any exceptional talent could catch His Excellency’s eye, a brilliant future and a rapid rise through the ranks were all but guaranteed.

In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Yelv Hong and Wanyan Cai arrived at Swallow’s Rock.

On the staggered, layered crags of the promontory, which seemed to jut out into the sky, a bustling crowd of people milled about in a lively scene.

Most of them were from outside the Pass, each wearing a sword and dressed in thick leather robes with wide, long sleeves. A few masters dressed in the style of the Central Plains stood by like attendants.

"Distinguished guests, please take your seats. The Great General will arrive shortly."

A Steward from the Great General’s manor led Yelv Hong and Wanyan Cai to the seats of honor.

"This Da Long River Martial Competition has stirred winds and clouds in every direction; even Great Snowy Mountain has sent its successor... Distinguished guests, you will have a front-row seat to the grand spectacle."