Chapter 6: Killing with a Borrowed Knife

Yuwen Xing was clearly astonished by Ding Shenzhao's actions, furrowing his brow and asking, "What is the relationship between this young brother and that person? Why are you shielding a thief?"

Xi Chunyu trembled with anger; she had never experienced such humiliation. Ding Shenzhao not only dared to look at her with that kind of gaze, but now he also spoke to her in a commanding tone.

Where can I find a weapon that suits me like this one

An expression of wanting to refuse yet not knowing how to do so

Xi Chunyu gritted his teeth and said: "Alright! We shall meet again in the future"

The sudden sharp voice interrupted the conversation between the two. Jun Tianxie did not need to look back to know that the newcomer was undoubtedly "Shuang Fei Jian" Xi Chunyu. This girl had arrived even faster than he had anticipated.

In "Xinghua Lou," each elegantly decorated private room is designed for the enjoyment of guests, totaling seventy-two rooms, all named after flowers, reflecting the owner's ingenuity

Ding Shenzhao nodded silently, yet he was puzzled in his heart. It seemed that Jun Tianxie had known in advance that the old man would encounter trouble. Could it be that he possessed the ability of foresight?

The short-haired youth gazed at Jun Tianxie’s ghastly eating manner, a peculiar glint appearing in his eyes

Ding Shenzhao did not respond, he merely nodded.

He is actually not good with words. In the past, when he was practicing in the deep mountains, he had no one to converse with. What he said today is already the sum of what he has spoken over the past month

Without waiting for his companion to greet him, he boldly sat down opposite the short-haired youth, slapping the table and shouting: "Waiter! Bring the best food and wine!"

The four characters "Wen Xiang Xia Ma" catch the eye as they flutter on a large flag in the wind. Such resting stations set up by the roadside often feature similar signs to attract passing pedestrians.

Although you are already unmatched in the martial world with just your "Sword in Hand," if you truly wish to be compared with the top masters such as the Third of the World, Long Bu Fei, or even Jun Ni Tian, you must possess a weapon that can fully unleash your own expertise to its limits

At this moment, Jun Tianxie had roughly grasped the temperament of his new brother and did not take it to heart. He continued to ask, "Brother Ding, do you wish to become famous?"

Although it is unclear what scheme Jun Tianxie is concocting, Ding Shen, unable to think of a better method, has no choice but to continue following the seemingly unreliable words of his companion and track the old man down

Ding Shenzhao nodded again

Indeed, the short-haired boy, caught in the crossfire of the aroma of the dishes and his appetite, finally let his guard down. He picked up a pair of chopsticks and said, "Then I shall humbly obey your command."

The short-haired youth cast a glance at Jun Tianxie, seemingly encountering someone like him for the first time. For a moment, he did not know how to react and could only turn his head away in silence.

Ding Shenzhao gazed silently at Jun Tianxie, his eyes reflecting not only surprise but also admiration

Jun Tianxie smiled lightly and said: "Ding Shen Zhao? What a heroic name. I am called Jun Tianxie, with 'Jun' meaning gentleman, 'Tian' meaning the world, and 'Xie' meaning evil. Now that we both know each other's names, it will be more convenient when we become sworn brothers later."

Alas! Poor little Cui...

Why is it a pair

He has truly struck gold this time

Ding Shenzhao shook his head and said: "Even if I do not take action, those two individuals will not be able to harm you"

The short-haired youth finally reacted to the picture, raising his head to look at him, his eyes gleaming like a pair of unsheathed swords, sharp and chilling

An arrow, like one shot from an imaginary distance, whistled through the air with a powerful sound, landing precisely at the old man's feet, nearly piercing a large hole through his sole.

After the two had disappeared from sight, Jun Tianxie turned to Ding Shenzhao with a grateful smile and said, "Good brother, I truly owe you for your help this time; otherwise, that fierce woman would have surely skinned me alive."

Jun Tianxie displayed what he believed to be his most amiable and approachable smile at the short-haired youth

Jun Tianxie looked up at the sky and laughed, saying: "Is there a need for a reason to be good to others? As long as I like it, what is there that cannot be done?"

Xi Chunyu shot a murderous glare at Jun Tianxie, whose face was brimming with pride, before shifting her gaze to Ding Shenzhao.

Yuwen Xing suddenly changed his expression with a "swish". Just as he found himself in a difficult position, Xi Chunyu, who was behind him, unexpectedly spoke up: "Alright! This debt will be noted, let's go."

Jun Tianxie resolutely decided that he could not let this extraordinary raw gem slip away from his grasp. He shook his head and diverted the topic, saying: "From what I just heard from Brother Ding, it seems this is only your first day venturing into the martial world?"

What? It's him... Last time he 'visited' Xiao Cui, it left her unable to take clients for three days, and now he has come again

Those who possess this will not become a Sword Saint, yet will still be a Blade Demon

Immediately following was a bout of voracious eating

Ding Shenzhao's tone is colder than his gaze

In the face of this sudden arrow, the old man's composure can be described as "unmoved like a mountain before its collapse". He merely raised his snow-white eyebrows slightly and asked in a low voice, "Which rat dares to provoke your family's ancestor?"

He did not make a mistake in his calculations

This impassioned speech immediately struck a chord with Ding Shenzhao, significantly narrowing the distance between the two.

At this moment, the dishes ordered by Jun Tianxie had also been successively delivered. The table of the short-haired youth, which originally had only a pot of tea, was now filled to the brim with the dishes that had been called for.

Thus, the sumptuous dishes on the table were quickly devoured by the two famished souls, as if they were reincarnated from starvation. After satisfying their hunger and thirst, Jun Tianxie patted his belly contentedly and said with a smile: "I am truly full. By the way, may I ask your esteemed name?"

Yuwen Xing was unaware of the truth and still believed that Jun Tianxie had indeed stolen the pearl from Xi Chunyu. He assisted by saying: "This young brother, ill-gotten gains are not worth coveting. You should return what you took from Miss Xi. I can also plead for you, so that Miss Xi won't report you to the authorities"

The evidently inexperienced youth Ding Shenzhao was thus dragged headlong into the tumultuous world of the Jianghu by Jun Tianxie, emerging with a body stained by its complexities

Jun Tian smiled as he poured a glass of wine for himself and the other party, saying: "Indeed! Brother Ding and I hit it off at first sight, and I wish we could be together day and night. If we could become sworn brothers of different sexes, wouldn’t that mean we would have each other’s support from then on?"

Is that old man really the swordsmith you mentioned

The sword energy emanating from Ding Shenzhao's palm overshadowed the brilliance of the "Phoenix Wing Twin Swords." The "Palm Sword" struck first, forcing Xi Chunyu to retreat and defend with her own sword. With each strike from Ding Shenzhao, Xi Chunyu had to step back several paces. After receiving a total of five strikes, she realized that she had retreated all the way to the entrance of the shop.

Jun Tian smiled mischievously and spoke six words

In Jun Tian's wicked heart, there is a chill; his "Evil Path Nirvana" is most adept at concealing its true strength. Even if Jun reverses the heavens and comes in person, it is impossible to determine his martial prowess solely from his appearance. Ding Shenzhao's insight cannot surpass that of the foremost Evil Sovereign of the Demon Sect. The reason for such a statement should stem from an extraordinary sixth sense judgment.

Observing Ding Shen's repeated nods, Jun Tianxie felt a sense of joy at having hooked the fish, while also inquiring, "Brother Ding, do you have any plans on how to become famous in the shortest time possible?"

Yuwen Xing knew that if he did not step forward now, he would never have the chance to be Xi Chunyu's protector again in this lifetime. He moved his body to block the space between Ding Shenzhao and Xi Chunyu, fixing his gaze on the former and saying: "This young brother, do you realize how great an enemy you have made for yourself? Is it worth it, just for a thief?"

Jun Tianxie smiled inwardly, his discerning eye was infallible, and Ding Shen Zhao was indeed a master who concealed his true abilities.

Until the old man walked out of the city, the situation finally changed

However, Ding Shenzhao completely disregarded the changes in his opponent's swordsmanship; he simply countered the moves in the most straightforward and direct manner

"Fragrant City" has become a place burdened with excessive disputes, and it is not advisable to linger there for long

Yu Wenxing turned around, looking at Xi Chunyu with a face full of astonishment, clearly not expecting the other party to voluntarily give up, while Jun Tianxie showed no signs of surprise at all

Jun Tianxie left "Xiangyi City" and walked along the official road to a destination known only to him

He had long known that the other party was a penniless person with nothing to his name, otherwise he would not have only ordered a pot of tea and sat for so long

My name is Ding Shenzhao. You do not need to deliberately remember this name, as from today onward, it will spread throughout the martial arts world

For Jun Tianxie, fame means having to deal with the various troubles and challenges that come with it, where every move is exposed to the scrutiny of the public. Such "foolishness" is something that a wise person like Jun Tianxie would never engage in

Jun Tianxie regarded the sword that could very likely sever half of his head as if it were nothing. He believed that someone would surely step in to block this strike for him

Such hard words are not enough to penetrate Jun Tianxie's thick skin. The latter laughed heartily and said, "No worries, practice makes perfect. From now on, you can get used to the experience of sharing a table with others."

Not far away, Jun Tianxie whispered to Ding Shenzhao: "When those men in black make their move, it will be your moment to heroically save the 'old' man."

What is there to discuss with you, a practitioner of such unorthodox ways?

Fortunately, he now has an additional "bodyguard" beside him. Xi Chunyu, wearing a fierce expression, approached the table where Jun Tianxie and the others were seated, accompanied by a protector of flowers, namely Yu Wenxing, who had represented "Breaking the Prison" during their previous encounter.

Jun Tianxie shrugged and said, "People often say this about me"

However, he certainly would not express the thoughts in his heart, and pretended to be excitedly in sync with Ding Shen Zhao, saying: "No wonder I felt an instant rapport with Brother Ding; it turns out that on the path to fame, we share the same aspirations. As men in this world, we must aim to achieve a grand and remarkable career. If we do not succeed in making a name for ourselves, how can we claim to have accomplished anything!"

The short-haired boy was taken aback and said, "This..."

Eleven figures in black descended from the sky, surrounding the old man like an iron barrel, creating an airtight enclosure around him

I like your position

Although I can easily find a dozen so-called treasured swords and divine blades in the martial world, they may not necessarily be suitable for you, Brother Ding. A true swordsman or blade master uses weapons that embody the passion of their forger and the soul of the user. Only in this way can a person and their weapon become one, achieving invincibility in every endeavor.

What particularly piqued Jun Tianxie’s interest was the pair of hands of the short-haired youth

The old man let out a slow sigh and said, "I truly wish I could say that you have mistaken the person, but unfortunately, there is only one Master Turtle in the world, and that person happens to be me"

The man in black coldly said: "Then you are forcing us to use force. Please return to where you came from."

Mr. Xiong's son! I have finally found you!

Xi Chunyu understood that the current situation could not be resolved today, and a temporary retreat did not mean that he would simply give up.

Leave

Since the old man stepped out of the "Apricot Blossom Pavilion," he has been followed by two young figures. The former seemed completely unaware, dragging his heavy steps toward the outskirts of the city. After a period of this tedious following, one of the companions could no longer contain his curiosity and raised a question.

"Zhang Jian" is a representation of the highest attainment in swordsmanship, signifying that the practitioner has entered the realm of "having no sword is better than having a sword." It is said that to achieve "Zhang Jian," one must possess at least thirty years of internal martial arts cultivation. However, Ding Shenzhao is no more than twenty years old; how did he achieve this mastery?

Suddenly, Ding Shenzhao's right wrist moved. Except for the ring finger, the other three fingers first rested on the thumb and then swiftly flicked out, releasing three streams of finger wind that accurately struck the surface of Xi Chunyu's sword. The latter's body shook, nearly causing him to lose grip of the sword, and in shock, he could only retreat.

Ding Shenzhao was taken aback and said, "Brotherhood?"

One of the men in black spoke: "Are you the Master Turtle of 'Doushuai Palace'?"

Could it be that these individuals were brought here by Jun Tianxie

First of all, I need to find a pair of divine weapons for you, my brother

The old man shook his head and said, "I am afraid I cannot comply."

In response to the second question, Jun Tianxie merely replied nonchalantly, "Rest assured, I have my own clever plan."

With a movement of his right palm, a sword qi unexpectedly shot forth, piercing through the air directly towards Xi Chunyu

Because of your pair of hands, the extraordinary phenomenon of "sword and blade in harmony" can only unleash its maximum power when both sword and blade are wielded together

The explanation of Jun Tianxie is deemed unconvincing due to the heavy involvement of the subjective consciousness of the parties involved

Yo ... ...

This move even caused Jun Tianxie to be shaken, exclaiming: "Sword in hand?"

Today's defeat is due to my inferior skills, and I have nothing to say. If you have the courage, leave your name so that I may seek revenge for this grievance in the future

However, such an attitude only serves to further inflame the anger of the parties involved, which is also a development that Jun Tianxie is pleased to see. Xi Chunyu, having made no progress, became even more enraged and drew his sword again, saying: "Why bother saying so much to these two little brats! In any case, none of them will leave alive today... Mingzhu, not a single one of them can think of surviving!"

Jun Tianxie clasped his hands together and smiled, saying: "It has begun."

This sizable brothel, of course, has an extraordinary background, being funded by one of the three major forces of the demonic sect, known as "Tian Gong". It is lamentable that societal morals are declining, and the power of evil is on the rise, to the extent that even local authorities must act according to the whims of those from the evil sect.

Jun Tianxie knew that to befriend this seemingly indifferent short-haired boy, he had to start from the other party's heart.

In the moment when the divine light flickered in his eyes, he murmured: "As long as I like it, what is there that cannot be..."

In this world, it is feared that only a person like Jun Tianxie would insist on forming a brotherhood with a stranger after just one meal together. However, Ding Shenzhao, whether truly unaware of worldly affairs or genuinely captivated by Jun Tianxie's words, gazed at the latter with a warmth akin to melting snow, and smiled, saying: "You are a very interesting person"

One should not judge a person by their appearance. Just as I may seem so innocent and naive, that fierce woman, Xi Chunyu, insists on treating me as a villain, beating and trying to kill me.

The left hand has short, thick, and sturdy fingers, while the right hand has slender and elongated fingers, forming a stark contrast between the two extremes. This is a natural anomaly recorded in the "Feng Shen Jing," which describes the "dual wielding of swords."

Jun Tianxie smiled and said, "Rest assured, this meal will certainly be on me"

Xi Chunyu believed that Ding Shenzhao's ability to withstand her previous sword strike was largely due to her own carelessness. Therefore, for her second strike, she used eighty percent of her strength. What appeared to be a direct thrust actually contained a concealed, curved trajectory, allowing for both offensive and defensive maneuvers, truly embodying the style of a master.

The man in black said: "We hope you will accompany us to a certain place. As long as you behave and comply, you will not come to any harm"

For the past one hundred and fifty years, the remarkable phenomenon of "dual wielding swords and blades" has not been seen in the martial world for a long time

The "Apricot Blossom Pavilion" is the largest red-light establishment within "Qing Tian City". The young women here come in all shapes and sizes, catering to every preference. As long as the visiting guests can afford the price, there are various astonishing offerings that will keep you lost in the pleasures of the flesh, oblivious to the passage of time

As soon as he spoke these words, the already tense situation became even more strained to its utmost point

Jun Tianxie was not hungry, nor had he been riding a horse, yet he still walked into the shop, driven by his interest in the people seated at one of the tables

Doushuai Palace, Master Gui

Ding Shenzhao showed no reaction; his response remained those two words

Whoosh

In Ding Shenzhao's eyes, a kind of light suddenly appeared, resembling both fervor and desolation.

Having spoken, he turned and left, and naturally, Yuwen Xing could only follow closely behind

The short-haired youth hesitated for a moment and said, "My surname is Ding, and my given name is Shen Zhao"

Xi Chunyu's eyes seemed ready to shoot fire, and with her brows raised in anger, she said: "You little brat! Quickly return the name... the pearl you stole from me, otherwise I will not let you off today!"

Jun Tian is eloquent in his discourse, and his mature demeanor raises questions about just how much knowledge he possesses in his mind

The two individuals played the roles of the white-faced and black-faced characters, but unexpectedly, Jun Tianxie did not even glance at them, instead focusing on Ding Shenzhao with a smile, saying: "Brother Ding, I seem to have heard two wild dogs barking. Did I hear incorrectly?"

If you are determined to go against the heavens, then that would be the best. Displaying a demeanor reminiscent of Zhuge Liang, he patted his chest and said: "Then leave everything to me. I guarantee that within a few months, Brother Ding's name will be known throughout the world."

Although surrounded by a group of menacing individuals, the old man remained unfazed, slowly saying: "Isn't it a bit excessive to use such a grand display against an old man like me?"

Is there any way? I heard that the old man is a VIP of the landlord; can his business be turned down?

Jun Tianxie furrowed his brow and said, "Why does everyone want to be famous? What is so good about being famous?"

A short-haired youth, dressed even more simply than Jun Tianxie, possesses sharp features that seem to have been prematurely weathered by trials, giving him a slightly mature appearance. His dark skin subtly reveals a compelling vigor, and his gaze is exceptionally steady and calm. Overall, he does not give the impression of a sixteen-year-old boy, but rather resembles a cheetah on the grasslands

Jun Tianxie shook his head and said, "Look! Is this what is called a 'prestigious sect'?"

Ding Shenzhao coldly gazed at her, his eyes reflecting a demeanor that regarded Xi Chunyu not as a woman, but rather as a stone or a tree, or something of that nature; in any case, it was certainly not as a person.

Ding Shenzhao said lightly: "You and I are not related by blood, so why are you being so kind to me?"

Ding Shenzhao displayed a bewildered expression, shaking his head. It was evident that although he desired fame, he had not yet considered the practical issues involved in its realization

This is a placeholder text.

I just passed by the Peony Room and heard Xiao Cui's voice today; why is it particularly loud?

She almost blurted out the words "list," but fortunately remembered that Yu Wenxing was right beside her, so she hurriedly spoke up

The short-haired boy said coldly: "There are still empty seats at other tables"

However, it has not been clarified whether this renowned "name" belongs to a good reputation or a bad reputation

Leave

Jun Tianxiexin smiled and said, "Still not hooked?"

Putting down the bowl and chopsticks, he smiled at the short-haired youth and said: "Eating alone is dull; would you be willing to share this meal with me, my friend?"

Such an extraordinary appearance appeared before the eyes of this young man, who was of the same age as Jun Tianxie. The latter could further confirm that this short-haired youth had just stepped into the martial world for the first time. How could he possibly miss such an interesting character?

The only record in "Feng Shen Jing" of a person possessing the extraordinary ability of "Dual Swords" is the remarkable figure "Tian Jian Jue Dao" Ding Chen Yi, who lived one hundred and fifty years ago. In his time, he was renowned in the martial world for his mastery of "Wind Blade and Frost Sword," traversing both the sword and blade realms without encountering defeat. Unfortunately, his unparalleled swordsmanship ultimately vanished from the world with his passing

The short-haired boy seemed ungrateful as he said: "I am not used to dining at the same table with others"

Ding Shenzhao was completely captivated by Jun Tianxie’s words, his eyes shining with eager light

Ding Shenzhao first remained silent, and after a while, he spoke in a stiff tone: "He is my friend, you cannot harm him"

Ding Shenzhao's strength is clearly above that of the combined forces of Xi Chunyu and Yuwen Xing, a fact that is evident to anyone with discernment

A more absurd thought emerged in Ding Shenzhao's mind; after all, although he was inexperienced in the ways of the world, he was not foolish

At this point, not only Xi Chunyu but even Yu Wenxing changed their expressions. The former could no longer endure it and drew his sword with a "clang," thrusting it towards Jun Tianxie.

You little brat! I will cut off your tongue first

Alas! You are not aware of this; it is that lecherous old man who has come to visit Xiaocui again

Even if he is as good as you say, do you think he would forge swords and blades for a novice like me

Xi Chunyu is merely spoiled, but not foolish; a foolish person could never become one of the "Three Heroes and Four Talents" and use strategy to drive away the "Demon Wolf" Yuan Tianfang.