The two are evenly matched.
Chapter Nineteen
"Damn, are you sure you're a Foundation Establishment cultivator?" Jiang Zanghua used his staff to block the boy's sword and spoke with difficulty, "Your Foundation Establishment is pretty strong, brother. No wonder you share the same name as my idol."
"However, it still lacks a bit of refinement."
Jiang Zanghua licked his bloodied lips, looking excited. "I wonder if you can successfully break through the next move?"
Gu Ling: "They were fighting very seriously."
Zhou Yulin: "Shouldn't we try to persuade them? If the fighting continues, the inn will be gone."
Chen Muyao, you're already so amazing, so don't hold back when you fight!
Thinking that the money to compensate the inn would be attributed to the Zhou family, Zhou Yulin risked her life to get the money, shouting, "Stop fighting!"
Wait, why does this dialogue sound so familiar?
Oh no, I actually miss June a little.
“I know you are all excellent, but this inn is too expensive to lose money on. Why don’t you find another place to fight?” Jiang Zanghua didn’t move, while Chen Muyao stood still, lowered his eyes and moved his wrists.
"Actually, we're all good friends, it's not good to get physical." Zhou Yulin, standing in the middle, also noticed the tense atmosphere.
My brain started racing: what exactly did they just talk about?
"Or you can wait a bit, I'll help you find a place to play."
Zhou Yulin pulled Gu Ling away in a flurry, still not understanding what had happened.
It wasn't until a moment later, when Chen Muyao stood on the fighting platform and looked at Zhou Yulin, who was setting up a scheme amidst the uproar of the crowd below, that she finally understood what Zhou Yulin was planning.
So you're using the two of them to make money off compensation, huh?
"Oh."
Meanwhile, Jiang Zanghua smiled broadly, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Thank you all for coming from so far away to support me, my fellow villagers! I love you all."
Meanwhile, Gu Ling was directing people to hang up banners.
The banner reads:
[Shocking! Foundation Establishment disciple bravely challenges Golden Core cultivator!]
[Two incredibly handsome men got into a fight, and it turned out to be for...]
[No way, there can't be anyone in the mortal realm who doesn't know that a Foundation Establishment cultivator can defeat a Golden Core cultivator.]
“Come on, those who placed bets on the gentleman on the right, stand to my right; those who placed bets on the gentleman on the left, stand to my left.”
"Asking me which corresponds to which level of spiritual power? Well, this time, let everyone guess for themselves?" The girl stood in the middle of the crowd, strategizing and chatting with ease, seemingly at home.
Chen Mu shook his head, his heart pounding; he was really asking for trouble.
"To fight or not to fight?"
He looked at Jiang Zanghua defiantly, expressionless, and said, "If you're not going to hit me, I'm leaving."
The people on the side,
"Hey, I think this young man looks a bit weak, like the kind who's all bark and no bite, you know?"
"You don't understand, the more handsome a person is, the stronger they are."
"Didn't you see the other person on the other side? He's spitting blood."
Someone else chimed in, disagreeing, "I think that might be the trendy 'spitting blood makeup' thing lately? That young master over there looks kind; he's signing autographs for his fans right now."
"Exactly, isn't this gentle and considerate young master much better than that icy handsome guy on the other side?"
"I think they're both quite handsome."
"No, no, no, I still think the one with the cold face is more handsome. His temperament and appearance are both exceptional, and he looks quite young. I wonder if he's engaged?"
"He looks like the kind of young master who's hard to pursue. You're dreaming."
The focus shifted from who was stronger between the two, to their makeup, and then to who was more handsome.
Chen Muyao, standing on the stage, looked at her opponent, who had turned the stage into a book signing event. "I'm the main character here, but I have no part in the story," she thought.
Chen Mu turned to leave, but Zhou Yulin called out to him, "Don't go."
He turned around, and the girl smiled and said, "Let's finish fighting before you leave."
The boy couldn't help but sneer, "So what if I don't finish? Zhou Yulin, don't think too highly of yourself."
Zhou Yulin jumped onto the competition stage, kicked Jiang Zanghua, who was busy signing autographs for fans while biting a pen cap, and said, "I'll fight you."
He stopped, turned around, and without any intention of drawing his sword, simply replied coldly, "I never fight with women."
Zhou Yulin laughed in exasperation.
I never fight with women, so I'm not a woman, right?
"Enough talk, draw your sword." The girl's eyes shone brightly, radiating a burning arrogance. Zhou Yulin casually picked up a sword from a roadside shop, intending to use this opportunity to test the effectiveness of her private practice over the past few months.
Chen Muyao shouldn't have taken the moves, which didn't involve any spiritual power, seriously. She barely used her strength and defended with her scabbard the entire time.
But the girl's sword strike took him by surprise.
"Master, my fellow disciples can learn the inner techniques, why can't I?"
"Yu Lin, the Heart Sutra is not suitable for you. Your master can teach you something else, such as the Moon-Covering Sword Technique. Would you like to learn it?"
"The first move of the Moon-Covering Sword Technique: One sword breaks through the dust."
Her swordsmanship is excellent, as if she has practiced for many years.
The sword strike wasn't very powerful, but it was fast and clean.
If one strike fails, they will immediately change direction and look for Chen Muyao's weakness.
Therefore, it wouldn't be a problem to spar with her a few times.
Chen Muyao's expression gradually became serious. Holding the sword sheath, he was not at a disadvantage at all. On the contrary, he was quite at ease. The sword sheath and the sword seemed to be no different to the boy.
In less than half an hour, Zhou Yulin realized that she was running out of energy. Sweat dripped from her forehead, but her hand holding the sword became even more determined.
Chen Muyao naturally noticed this. He held the sword sheath but still showed no intention of attacking. He only focused on defense and didn't use any spiritual power.
If she were to use it, Zhou Yulin would likely be unable to withstand even a single move from Chen Muyao.
The audience below watched with the same fervor as always.
Gu Ling thoughtfully replaced all the banners.
[Shocking! The result of an ordinary woman's battle against a Foundation Establishment disciple is...]
[The sword fight between the men and women was actually for him?]
[No way, no way, there can't be anyone who doesn't know that ordinary people can defeat Foundation Establishment cultivators.]
However, even without using spiritual power, the difference in physical strength between men and women was ultimately insurmountable. As soon as he discovered the opening, he quickly placed his sword sheath against her neck, his eyes calm, and his tone steady and resolute as he uttered, "You lost."
After speaking, Zhou Yulin took a few steps back and gave Chen Muyao a simple bow, saying, "Thank you for your kind offer." Meanwhile, Jiang Zanghua, who had already finished signing autographs for fans, immediately jumped onto the stage, shouting, "You dare hit my woman? You're tired of living!"
The crowd collectively exclaimed "Wow!"
Gu Ling sighed as he looked at the banner that had just been put up.
I decided not to change it, so I simply picked up the pen and changed a few words.
become:
[Shocking! The outcome of the battle between the two disciples against the Foundation Establishment disciple was...]
[The two men's sword fight was actually for her?]
[No way, no way, there can't be anyone who doesn't know that humans can defeat Foundation Establishment cultivators.]
After finishing writing, Gu Ling smiled with satisfaction at his calligraphy.
Zhou Yulin squatted below the stage, watching Chen Mu shake for a long time before returning to the gambling table to call on people to place bets.
"Then let's do it." The young man's eyes flashed, his tone quite provocative.
"Very well, man, you've successfully caught my attention. Since you started this fire, it's your turn to put it out."
"Ice Frost Technique".
"Thirteenth move, Frost and Snow Cover the Wilderness!"
Jiang Zanghua's green eyes ignited with fighting spirit. In the middle of the ice and snow, he raised his staff and unleashed a move from the Golden Core stage, aimed directly at Chen Muyao.
The snowflakes swayed and landed on Jiang Zanghua's eyelashes. His face was pale as he looked at the frost opposite him, a slight smile appearing on his face. The next second, it turned into a "Damn it." Chen Mu's sword pierced through the ice and stopped directly between Jiang Zanghua's brows. His voice, like frost falling, rang in his ears, "You lost."
With a single move, the outcome was decided.
Jiang Zanghua, panting heavily, wiped the blood from the corner of his lips—blood caused by using a move beyond his level—and laughed, "As expected of the person I chose. Good luck."
Good luck will certainly come, but it won't befall Zhou Yulin.
"Chen Muyao's swordsmanship is excellent; you should learn from him more."
"Oh." After hearing her master's words, Zhou Yulin would often carry a sword and challenge Chen Muyao to battle anytime, anywhere without saying a word.
The first time, Chen Muyao broke her sword.
The second time, Chen Muyao knocked her to the ground.
The third time...
Later, after losing many times, she stopped caring.
On the contrary, I feel that I can learn something from Chen Muyao through each battle.
Today's sword match was unexpected for Chen Muyao. Although it was his first time sparring with Zhou Yulin, he saw his own reflection in her swordsmanship.
How could this be?
Before he could figure it out, he was urged to get into the carriage and set off.
"We need to hurry, or what if we miss the deadline?" That's what they said, but it's only been a month, and the enrollment period is at least a month ahead of schedule.
Chen Muyao didn't ask any more questions until the carriage stopped halfway through the journey. Only then did he realize that this was all a play, and he... was the clown who had been kept in the dark.
Everywhere you look, there are only grass, trees, and barren forests.
Jiang Zanghua, acting as the coachman, lifted the carriage curtain and called out to the three people inside, "We've arrived. You can get off now."
Zhou Yulin jumped out of the car, and for some reason, felt a chill run through her body, sensing a pair of eyes watching her from the shadows not far away. She glanced at the composed Chen Muyao and the solemn-faced Gu Ling, then touched her sachet.
Okay, let me set a small goal: I need to protect myself.
The scenery in the wilderness is pretty much the same, and it's easy to get lost in the forest.
“We’ll mark the path by carving words on the wood with our swords. If we walk this route, we’ll naturally see the marks, and then we can try again from a different direction. How about that?”
Chen Muyao pondered for a moment, then said thoughtfully, "It's possible. Compared to easily damaged ropes, engraving is a better option."
For some reason, Gu Ling looked at Jiang Zanghua and said, "I heard that there is a group of people living on a remote snow mountain, and wherever they go, ice forms."
Zhou Yulin: "You mean you want Jiang Zanghua to use ice magic to mark the places we've been?"
Gu Ling nodded, "The carved words might be hard to see, but the ice on the ground will be easier to spot in this green forest."
"Can."
With Jiang Zanghua's tacit approval, the group rested briefly before preparing to enter the forest.
Gu Ling, a talkative person, asked, "Sister Yu Lin, do you know what Jinling's third treasure is?"
Zhou Yulin recalled hearing from nearby vendors that "it seemed to be a biography."
"Is there anything different about that biography?"
When Gu Ling started talking about topics he was good at, it was like he had opened a floodgate. “Of course it’s different. The biographies outside are all fictional stories, but the biographies of Jinling are all the real thing.”
"The turn that impressed me the most was 'Wu Wang'." When she mentioned this name, Zhou Yulin couldn't help but look at Jiang Zanghua, who was walking in front of her.
The other person picked up the conversation, "Yes, it's the story I want to adapt into a screenplay."
Zhou Yulin: "What was that story about?"
Gu Ling recalled, "The protagonist of the story is named Xie Wuwang, a shy and introverted person. Because he was too delicate, he was bullied by the bandits in the village and had no choice but to be driven down the mountain."
In the town at the foot of the mountain lived the Liu family, a wealthy cloth seller. Unfortunately, the Liu family's daughter was sickly; the doctor said she was destined not to live past eighteen. But a strange man came claiming to be a witch doctor, saying he had a way to keep the Liu family alive.
The master, deeply devoted to his daughter, agreed to let the witch doctor perform a spell on Miss Liu. After the spell was cast, Miss Liu fell into a deep sleep. The witch doctor left with a message: "Only a kiss of true love can awaken the sleeping Miss Liu."
Zhou Yulin: ...This story sounds familiar.
"And Xie Wuwang was the one who kissed Miss Liu awake. After waking up, Miss Liu and Xie Wuwang got married three months later and lived a life of mutual respect."
However, the master disapproved of the two being together, so he secretly arranged for Xie Wuwang, who was on a delivery mission, to be drowned.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yulin couldn't help but ask, "And then?"
Gu Ling shrugged helplessly and said, "The story ends here."
"It's so short."
Zhou Yulin made a comment.
At this moment, Jiang Zanghua, who was walking at the front, suddenly stopped and shouted at the crowd, "Don't go any further!"
A purplish-black mist filled the distance, and it would soon reach everyone.
Jiang Zanghua frowned, immediately erecting a protective shield. He glanced back and saw, well, Gu Ling was squatting on the ground drinking water, Chen Muyao was leaning against a tree, looking indifferent and calm. And Zhou Yulin was taking something out of her sachet. Wasn't anyone worried at all...?
Gu Ling saw Jiang Zanghua turn his head and waved with a smile, saying, "It's all up to you, Brother Jiang. If you can't handle it, I'll step in."
Jiang Zanghua: "Don't you guys have any fighting spirit at all?"
Gu Ling turned to look at Zhou Yulin, then at Chen Muyao, and pointed to both sides with great seriousness, saying, "Yes. This pampered young lady can call for help, and I can hold your hand and help you escape. As for this young master, he can carry all of us and escape together."
Jiang Zanghua: What a tacit division of labor, huh...
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