Chapter 830: Chapter 23: Tribal Turmoil (Celebrating Qidian’s 3rd Anniversary)
Yan Shi was stunned for a moment, then said, "Brother, you are indeed honest. The Miss Xuan Yue you mentioned must be that young girl dressed as a magician whom we just saw. You really have good taste! You found such a beautiful girlfriend."
Ah Dai gave a bitter smile and said, "She’s not my girlfriend, I’m just her follower."
Yan Shi was perplexed and said, "How could that be? With your skills, brother, how could you be someone’s follower?"
As Ah Dai thought about his times with Xuan Yue and, feeling helpless, shook his head and changed the subject, "Big Brother Yan Shi, why is your Pu Yan Tribe so unfriendly toward outsiders?"
A fierce light flashed in Yan Shi’s eyes, and after a long sigh, he said, "Because, our Pu Yan Tribe has suffered too much. I cannot tell you now – it’s the biggest secret of our tribe. If there’s a chance in the future, you’ll know. Let’s speed up a bit. Not far ahead is one of our small tribes, and it’s also my home. My sister-in-law is an excellent cook. Today, big brother will treat you to a few good drinks." With a whoosh, Yan Shi spurred his war horse and galloped away.
Although Ah Dai’s horsemanship was not very good, his horse seemed quite proud and automatically sped up to catch up. In his panic, Ah Dai could only crouch low and hold on to maintain his balance.
While Ah Dai and Yan Shi were heading to the Pu Yan Tribe, Feng Ping had also returned to the Tian Gang Mountain. Over the past few days, he had traveled quickly, passed through the territories of the Yajin Tribe and the Yajin Clan, and arrived dusty at his sect. As soon as he reached the mountain, he met an elder in his sixties dressed in white.
"Little Ping, why have you returned? I heard from your master that you’ve become the vice-commander of a mercenary corps!"
Upon seeing the elder in white, Feng Ping hurriedly stepped forward to greet him, "Uncle Master Lu Wen, hello. Is my grandmaster on the mountain? I have urgent news to report."
Lu Wen, the fourth disciple of the Sword Saint of the Tian Gang and now sixty-nine years old, was loyal and amiable, deeply beloved by the younger disciples of the sect. On hearing Feng Ping’s words, a look of surprise crossed his face, "What happened that requires disturbing the master? He is currently in seclusion."
Feng Ping wiped the sweat from his forehead and briefly recounted his encounter with Ah Dai. After hearing Feng Ping’s account, Lu Wen frowned and said, "Which nephew of ours is so capable that he could train a disciple under twenty years old to such an extent? Ping, I haven’t heard about any of your fellow disciples meeting with mishaps! Come, let’s go up the mountain quickly. I will discuss this matter with your uncles and grand-uncles."
Feng Ping followed Lu Wen back to the top of Tian Gang Mountain. The mountain top was very flat and the Tian Gang Sword Sect, which held a very prestigious status in the Empire of Huasheng, had been built there. It had been established decades ago. The Empire’s current overall commander was the Sword Saint’s second disciple, Feng Wen. Forty years ago, the sovereign of the Empire had officially made the Tian Gang Sword Sect the national sect. The selection process for disciples at the Tian Gang Sword Sect was stringent, focusing not just on ability but significantly on character. Over seventy years, the number of disciples added across several generations barely exceeded a hundred, but the achievements of these disciples had captivated people across the continent. Perhaps their power wasn’t unmatched, but throughout its history, the Tian Gang Sword Sect had invariably symbolized justice on the continent.
As soon as he returned to the sect, Lu Wen immediately ordered to have several of his fellow brothers, including Feng Ping’s master, the fifth-ranked second-generation disciple Shi Wen, come to the mountain. In front of his uncle masters, Feng Ping recounted his encounter with Ah Dai again. After hearing his recount, the second-generation disciples of the Tian Gang Sword Sect looked at one another, pondered for a long time, and could not figure out who Ah Dai’s master might be.
Lu Wen said, "Currently, we have accurate information about most of the third-generation disciples, and there’s no news of anyone passing away. Ping, are you sure the swordsmanship that kid used was indeed the Tian Gang Swordsmanship?"
Feng Ping nodded and replied, "Fourth Uncle Master, I’m absolutely certain. Even if someone could impersonate the Tian Gang Swordsmanship, the vibrant energy Ah Dai used when he fought against me can definitely not be faked. Although he has not reached the fifth realm, he is not far from it. It’s my fault; had I kept him then, we could have brought him back, and things would be clearer."
Xi Wen, who was sitting at the highest seat, suddenly opened his eyes, and two sharp glints shot out, landing on Feng Ping. Xi Wen, the founder’s foremost disciple, possessed the deepest skill among the brothers, having reached the eighth realm of the Vibrant Decree. Although he was over eighty, he appeared somewhat younger than Lu Wen.
Lu Wen asked, "Big Brother, do you know whose disciple this could be? Could it be that the second brother taught this student?"
Xi Wen shook his head and replied, "Unlikely. Although the second brother’s skills are not inferior to mine, he has been in the military all these years and hasn’t really had the time to train disciples. His two disciples only possess the power of the fifth realm of the Vibrant Decree, and it’s impossible for them to train such an outstanding disciple. Moreover, they have been with the second brother all this while. A few days ago, when the second brother returned, he brought them along to greet our master." Xi Wen’s eyes suddenly brightened and he turned swiftly to Feng Ping, "Ping, do you remember if there was anything particular about the Tian Gang Sword that the child used?"
