Chapter 5, The Sword God of Tianshan

Lu Keren exclaimed in surprise, "Could it be that you are an old acquaintance of the leader of the Zhuang gang"

Today, he made such a promise, leaving a considerable margin. In fact, Peng Wuwang's chances of success are pitifully small

Although Gu Tianya had experienced countless extraordinary skills and techniques from around the world, the pair of unique flying twin knives created by Peng Wuwang was unprecedented, bringing him immense joy. As the twin knives flew back, Gu Tianya could have used a willow branch to block them, effectively cutting them down. However, on one hand, this would have counted as a defensive move, meaning he would have lost the duel; on the other hand, he was filled with excitement and anticipation for Peng Wuwang's next move. It was akin to a connoisseur who had tasted all the delicacies in the world suddenly encountering an unheard-of dish prepared by someone, naturally hoping to see if the next course would also be a masterpiece. Gu Tianya's feelings in this moment surpassed that of the connoisseur towards food; he began to feel anxious, fearing that Peng Wuwang's next move might disappoint him, leaving him with nothing but empty joy.

Peng Wuju was filled with trepidation, yet for the sake of the reputation of the Flying Tiger Escort Agency, he had no choice but to utter the words he least wanted to say: "In the Flying Tiger Escort Agency, the escort is always tied to the person; if the escort fails, the person perishes."

Peng Wuwang suddenly retracted the mandarin duck knife and thrust it fiercely into the ground Gu Tianya was taken aback and said, "Brother Peng, why have you stopped fighting?"

Peng Wuwang spat out another mouthful of blood and said in a trembling voice, "Fourth brother, take out the number one record in the world, we have lost"

Gu Tianya could not have imagined that someone would dare to challenge him, and he could not help but scrutinize Peng Wuwang, who was brandishing a knife.

Gu Tianya was moved upon hearing Peng Wuwang's words: what this young man said was indeed reasonable. Although I am one of the few masters in the world, how could my act of intercepting a convoy be any different from others? Being classified as a bandit can be said to be a consequence of my own actions

The thunderous wilderness behind him, he had already tended to his wounds while running, gritting his teeth and shouting as he ran: "Stop, you little brat, today we must determine the victor."

At this moment, Peng Wuwang was already exhausted, lying on the deck, while Xia Biao and Liu Jinsong were applying medicine to him, rendering him temporarily unable to respond. On the other hand, Peng Wuju was already terrified to the point of losing his senses. He could never have imagined that even the renowned master Gu Tianya, known throughout the martial world, wanted to take a look at the world's number one record. This escort mission had truly turned out to be a stroke of bad luck.

At that moment, the swordsman who had been watching from the sidelines suddenly let out a long howl, his body lightly leaping up, crossing over a distance of seven or eight zhang of water, and landing on the dragon boat

As everyone focused their gaze, they saw a man whose face resembled a jade crown, with three strands of long beard, phoenix-like eyes and an eagle-like nose. His gaze was profound and contained, exuding a sense of vitality and tranquility. He stood seven feet tall, with long sleeves billowing in the wind, wearing a tall crown atop his head, and a dark green long sword slung diagonally at his waist, embodying the demeanor of an ethereal and transcendent scholar.

Peng Wuju, upon seeing him, felt his heart shatter in fear and hurriedly stammered, "Third Brother, do not act recklessly! ... That person, no, this esteemed senior is the Sword God Gu Tianya, not just anyone. We simply ..."

At the Qingfeng Ferry, a ferry prepared by the Flying Tiger Escort Agency was prominently docked. The escort members hurriedly boarded the ferry, with those carrying crossbows standing in a row on the deck, drawing their bows and readying their arrows, forming a strict defensive line. Several skilled escort masters gathered around Peng Wuju, ready to assist Peng Wuwang at any moment. "Fourth Young Master, will Third Young Master be able to return alive?" Xia Biao inquired. Several skilled escort masters gathered around Peng Wuju, ready to assist Peng Wuwang at any moment. "Fourth Young Master, will Third Young Master be able to return alive?" Xia Biao inquired.

"Dragon God Gang!" The members of the escort agency exclaimed in unison

Peng Wuju and the members of the escort agency cheered with joy. Liu Jinsong said, "Long Lei actually lost to our Fourth Young Master. From now on, the Fourth Young Master will be renowned throughout the world. In the future, who would dare to touch our escort!"

Gu Tianya felt a sense of tranquility and joy, so much so that he forgot to launch an attack. His enchanting sword technique was renowned as the most formidable offensive swordsmanship in the world. Without an attack, he naturally lost his advantage, and in that moment, he unexpectedly encountered a perilous situation.

This man is none other than Liu Xing Zhenyue Lu Keren, the recently prominent leader of the Yellow River branch of the Dragon God Gang. His skill with the meteor hammer is unparalleled in the world. The lightest meteor hammers weigh at least 40 to 50 pounds, and it is already an impressive achievement for an ordinary martial artist to wield a meteor hammer continuously. To wield the meteor hammer with skillful techniques requires a top-tier expert. To handle the heavy meteor hammer with ease is even more indicative of a master.

Lu Keren himself had once admired Gu Tianya in his early years. Today, as he revisits old dreams, he finds that he can hardly muster a shred of fighting spirit. He said: "If you are indeed the esteemed hero Gu, how could I dare to act recklessly? Everything shall be decided by you, senior. However, words alone are not enough; how can I believe that you are Senior Gu?"

Gu Tianya let out a long laugh and said with slight anger, "I have already settled for a compromise, how can Brother Peng be so resolute? Do you really want to force me to take action?"

Gu Tianya said: "I seek the world's number one record, merely hoping to find a rival who can match me, aiming to advance further in the swordsmanship. Today, upon witnessing Brother Peng Xiao's sword technique, I realized that there are heavens beyond the heavens, and people beyond the people. I have never submitted to anyone in my life, but regarding Brother Peng Xiao's master, I, Gu, must concede a word of submission."

"Leave behind the record of the world's number one, and allow you all to escape; otherwise, there will be no mercy," Lu Keren shouted loudly. His tone carried a chilling and intimidating aura, making one shudder involuntarily.

"Peng Xiaoxiong, you have fought against Lei Ye all night and are utterly exhausted. If I were to use my blood to illuminate my heart and challenge you, that would be unfair. I have a willow branch here; let us only compare our techniques. You may use any weapon you wish. If you can break the willow branch in my hand or force me to defend against one of your moves, I will concede defeat. What do you think?" I have a willow branch here; let us only compare our techniques. You may use any weapon you wish. If you can break the willow branch in my hand or force me to defend against one of your moves, I will concede defeat. What do you think?"

Peng Wuwang took another breath, wielding the paired knives with a force like a tidal wave. He unleashed a series of twenty to thirty strikes, many of which were techniques he had created on the spot. Some incorporated elements of the Yunlong Changfeng knife into the techniques of the detached knife. It could be said that his knife techniques were masterpieces, continuously emerging with brilliance, and an ordinary expert would struggle to block even a single strike. If he were to face Lei Yechang for an extended period, he would likely be able to draw these paired knives, which would probably leave Lei Yechang in a state of confusion.

Gu Tianya coldly laughed and said: "If the number one record in the world were to fall into the rivers and lakes, it would immediately bring about a storm of blood and gore, and there would be no peace left. How can you even say such a thing? Get as far away from me as you can right now."

After a long while, the Peng brothers finally came to their senses. Peng Wuwang sighed, "I never expected that we would actually be able to pass the test of the Sword God, Senior Gu. We are truly fortunate beyond measure"

Although Gu Tianya felt some regret for his actions at this moment, he had long devoted himself to the swordsmanship, always hoping to reach the supreme realm of being invincible in the world. After more than thirty years of experience, he found it difficult to encounter a rival, yet he was unaware whether he had truly become invincible or if he simply had not had the fortune to meet a genuine master. Thus, he resolved to read the "Number One Record in the World" to see who exactly was the foremost expert and who could spar with him in swordplay. He was not one who sought fame; rather, he was obsessed with martial arts. If he were not listed in the "Number One Record in the World," he would not only not be unhappy but would be exceedingly excited, for there would be many opponents, allowing him further breakthroughs. This passion for martial arts only grew stronger with age, and the older he became, the more fervent his heart. Therefore, this time he was determined to succeed and would not stop under any circumstances.

Peng Wuwang was trapped in the arena by him, unarmed and empty-handed, and was on the verge of defeat

Gu Tianya felt a tightness in his heart and thought to himself: "Gu Tianya, oh Gu Tianya, you only know to observe the extraordinary techniques and clever moves more closely. For your own selfish desires, you have exhausted this young man to such a state, which is truly unforgivable"

Gu Tianya turned around and said, "Well said. Brother Peng's achievements are already remarkable; he will surely become a great talent in the future. When you have time, please come to the Sword Washing Pool in Tianshan for a meeting." After speaking, a flash of white light appeared, and his ethereal figure had already moved several dozen feet away.

Gu Tianya then asked, "Brother Lei seems to have come for the number one recording in the world as well"

"Are you the bodyguard Peng Wuwang that Lei Ye just mentioned?"

"The azure blood illuminates the crimson heart!" Startled, Lei Ye quickly asked, "Are you perhaps the esteemed Gu Tianya from Tianshan?"

Elder Lei Ye replied earnestly, "Indeed, I am curious and wish to see who truly is the number one staff in the world"

These key matters, Peng Wuwang was naturally unaware of

Suddenly, he recalled something and quickly reached into his bosom, seizing two items, which he then hurled towards Gu Tianya. Those two items were the pair of mandarin duck twin daggers gifted to him by Qi Xiaoyun. The twin daggers transformed into two beams of brilliance, descending upon Gu Tianya like lightning.

"Wait a moment," Gu Tianya, who had been silent, suddenly said, "I no longer wish to see this so-called 'Number One Record in the World,' nor do I need to see it." After speaking, he looked up to the sky and laughed heartily, expressing utmost joy.

To wield this set of sword techniques, one must not only possess exceptional talent and extraordinary comprehension but also cultivate advanced internal martial arts principles to barely utilize three to four parts of the subtleties of this sword technique. To fully unleash the power of this sword, one must also have a thorough understanding of the martial arts techniques of the world. This ultimately depends on the swordsman's experience in the martial world and their study of the texts from other schools.

Peng Wuwang listened intently, his spirit jolted, and he said: "If my master were here and heard these words, he would surely be delighted"

The members of the escort agency immediately responded, and in a flurry of movement, dozens of sword and shield bearers, as well as spear wielders, had surrounded Gu Tianya. Behind them, the archers had drawn their bows and nocked their arrows, ready to strike at any moment

Gu Tianya glanced at him and said: "I dare not, your esteemed self is indeed the Thunder Rod of the Universe."

Gu Tianya observed everything keenly and laughed heartily, saying: "The number one treasure in the world is indeed a remarkable gem. Since you have the courage to protect it, you should also be prepared for the possibility of failure. However, you need not be too disheartened. This escort mission has been intercepted by me, Gu Tianya, and I assure you that I will not let you lose face. As for the compensation for the escort silver, I will personally deliver it to Qingzhou on another day. Now, let us proceed."

The willow branch transformed into a green shadow, darting towards Peng Wuwang's right hand at the Qu Chi acupoint like a bolt of lightning. Peng Wuwang let out a fierce shout, drawing his saber from beneath his wrist, and struck towards Gu Tianya's wrist with a force akin to thunder, both fierce and ruthless. This single move had already made Gu Tianya regard him with newfound respect, for it was a display of power that surged like the heavens, combining strength with gentleness, steady and composed, truly a rare masterpiece. However, Gu Tianya's keen eyesight was astonishing; in an instant, he had discerned three flaws in this move. His willow branch quivered in his hand, suddenly changing direction, and shot towards three vital acupoints on Peng Wuwang's left waist.

Lu Keren should have been seething with anger, yet the name of the Longqing Sword God, Gu Tianya, was simply too resounding. In today's martial world, there was a saying: "Fist from Shaolin, sword from Tianshan." The Tianshan Sword Technique is profound and extensive, with legends of seventy-two sword techniques, corresponding intriguingly with the seventy-two unique skills of Shaolin. The disciples of the Tianshan Sword Sect rarely traverse the martial world, but each disciple is an exceptionally rare sword master. Moreover, the Sword God Gu Tianya is an elder of the Tianshan Sword Sect, having already made a name for himself in the martial world thirty years ago. With his self-created sword techniques, he tested the world with his sword, accomplishing countless heroic deeds of chivalry, and became an idol admired by those who study swordsmanship in the martial realm. Ten years ago, very few could even counter a single move under his sword, let alone defeat him.

Having created this unique sword technique, Gu Tianya's swordsmanship advanced significantly, making him unmatched in the martial world, with very few experts able to withstand even ten of his moves. In his middle age, Gu Tianya's internal power reached the innate stage of the Tianshan internal skill, rendering his innate true energy invincible. Wherever his true energy reached, grass and trees became as sharp as blades, indistinguishable from divine weapons. The experts in the martial world became increasingly fearful, and no one dared to confront him. In his middle age, Gu Tianya's internal power reached the innate stage of the Tianshan internal skill, rendering his innate true energy invincible. Wherever his true energy reached, grass and trees became as sharp as blades, indistinguishable from divine weapons. The experts in the martial world became increasingly fearful, and no one dared to confront him

Gu Tianya looked up to the sky and laughed heartily: "I dare not, I dare not. The swordsmanship of He Shen Qi Xiaoyun is indeed astonishing and extraordinary, and the title of the first person beyond the heavens is well-deserved." It turned out that Gu Tianya had discerned traces of the Yunlong Changfeng Sword from Peng Wuwang's swordsmanship. Years ago, Qi Xiaoyun had competed with the heroes of the world using this set of sword techniques, which had been widely praised in the martial arts community. Although this was an old story from many years ago, Gu Tianya, with his rich experience, certainly knew better.

The person smiled faintly and said, "Ten years ago, at Qijue Ridge, I once spared his life. After all this time, he may have already forgotten our past friendship." After speaking, the person burst into a long laugh.

"Another one has come!" Peng Wuju exclaimed in astonishment

Let’s fight him!" Xia Biao said sternly

However, Gu Tianya was mistaken in one regard; he believed that Peng Wuwang's knife technique was also created by Qi Xiaoyun, which is entirely incorrect. This set of knife techniques can be said to be entirely the original creation of Peng Wuwang.

Peng Wuju looked at the scattered pieces of the single-edged sword on the ground, his heart racing as he said: "Gu Tianya's martial arts are truly formidable; with his true energy, even a blade forged from a hundred refinements of steel has been shattered into fragments"

Peng Wuwang, witnessing such marvelous lightness of skill, realized that ordinary people could not surround him at all, and quickly shouted: "All of you step back, let me go first"

Lu Ke let out a long howl. Countless archers on the dragon boat lit their fire arrows, preparing to set the ship ablaze. Meanwhile, the members of the Dragon God Gang, who were engaged in fierce combat on the ship, suddenly surrounded Peng Wuju, seemingly intent on capturing him.

Peng Wuwang said, "Just using a willow branch has such power; it is hard to imagine what kind of might would be displayed if Senior Gu wielded a long sword and swung it with all his might." There was a strong sense of admiration in his words.

Gu Tianya smiled and said: "Brother Lei, please forgive my frankness. The staff techniques of the Shaolin staff monks are rigorous and profound. Although they do not roam the martial world, each of them has reached an extraordinary level of martial arts. The head of the staff monks, Master Ti Gun Jingang Wuliang, has achieved a state of being neither angry nor indifferent, handling heavy weights with ease, and returning to simplicity. While your staff techniques are outstanding and astonishing to the martial world, I fear there is still a considerable gap between you and Master Wuliang."

"Fire!" Peng Wuju, with his extensive experience in bodyguarding, immediately ordered a counterattack

Peng, feeling helpless, cast a glance at Third Brother, then slammed his fist down onto the ground and reached into his bosom to retrieve the "Record of the World's Greatest".

Lu Ke was taken aback: This extraordinary lightness skill of soaring through the air is something I could never achieve. A sense of vigilance arose within him, and he shouted, "Where did this expert come from to oppose the Dragon God Gang?"

"The sword and shield bearers are at the front, while the spear bearers are at the back." Peng Wuju led the charge, standing at the forefront with dual swords, engaging fiercely with the skilled members of the Dragon God Gang. Other sword and shield bearers closely protected Peng Wuju on both sides, with round shields guarding their chests and long swords poised against the enemy, while the spear bearers took cover behind the sword and shield bearers, facing no defensive concerns, relentlessly thrusting at the enemy.

Gu Tianya nodded again, gazing up at the sky in contemplation for a moment, and said: "Since that is the case, I truly do not wish to impose on anyone. I will read the world's foremost record here, and I will return it immediately after finishing. How does that sound?"

Like a tide, the blue-clad members of the Dragon God Gang leaped off the ferry of the Flying Tiger Escort Agency, swimming back to their dragon boat. Peng Wuju quickly ordered the uninjured escorts to tend to the wounded, while he stood at the bow of the boat, facing Gu Tianya.

At this point, the Flying Tiger Escort Agency has reached a dead end and can no longer hold on. Peng Wuju said dejectedly, "Since Senior Gu has inquired, how can we, the Flying Tiger Escort Agency, dare to refuse?" After saying this, he took out the number one record from his bosom. The escorts of the Flying Tiger Agency, seeing the cargo they had worked so hard to protect through countless hardships finally slip away, each wore a look of indignation and sorrow on their faces

Peng Wuwang said sternly: "No matter how high your martial arts skills are, Senior Gu, at this moment you are merely a bandit intercepting a convoy. Although my martial arts may be lacking, I am currently a protector of the convoy. Senior Gu, you roam the world with your sword, yet you cannot act as you please. We, the convoy protectors, may have limited abilities, but we are not sycophants. The title of the world's number one is renowned, and many wish to witness it firsthand. However, if one were to act impulsively and intercept a convoy to rob it, even if they are a top expert, they would still be classified as a bandit. We, who escort the convoy, have always been enemies of thieves and bandits. Although we know we are bound to fail today, we vow to fight to the death."

Standing at the ferry terminal, Lei Ye shouted angrily: "You bastard, who said I lost? I was just tricked by you. Come down and let us fight again."

This move appeared unremarkable, yet it struck at Peng Wuwang's vital point. He hurriedly retracted his already missed saber, executing a move called "Ten Thousand Horizontal Grinds," with his long saber drooping down, slashing horizontally at the willow branch. With a sound of "ding," Peng Wuwang's saber broke into two sections, while the willow branch continued its unimpeded advance. In great shock, Peng Wuwang inhaled sharply and twisted his body, turning his upper body at a right angle, just as Gu Tianya's willow branch barely grazed past him. Peng Wuwang forcefully pushed off with his left foot, retreating over a zhang, intending to grab another saber from the hands of the attendant behind him. However, when he looked up, he found that Gu Tianya had followed him like a shadow, raising the willow branch, which came crashing down like a great axe.

"I never expected that among the younger generation of heroes in the martial world, there would be a first-rate figure like Brother Peng, who possesses such boldness and spirit. Truly rare and commendable," Gu Tianya nodded in approval.

The archers of the Flying Tiger Escort immediately unleashed a volley of arrows, sending several blue-clad warriors back into the water. However, the Dragon God Gang had many skilled fighters; these individuals nimbly dodged the flying arrows and, in the blink of an eye, had already charged forward.

Peng Wuwang desperately climbed up from the ground and said, "Thank you for your mercy, senior."

In this move, Peng Wuwang fully utilized the Dragon Capture Technique, remotely controlling the Mandarin Duck Blade with his true energy, executing a subtle and profound knife technique from the Cloud Dragon Long Wind Blade known as "Double Dragons Play with the Phoenix." This technique consists of twenty-three paths, requiring the wielder to possess extremely swift knife skills, allowing the blade in hand to transform into two, attacking from both above and below, rendering the enemy unable to defend against both. The Double Dragons Play with the Phoenix simulates the two blades as two flying dragons, while the enemy becomes the phoenix. The two dragons compete to reach the phoenix, eager to showcase their prowess, illustrating how fantastical and splendid this knife technique is, captivating and engaging. At this moment, Peng Wuwang executed this technique with the detached Mandarin Duck Blade, embodying both lightness and weight, simultaneously present in the forefront and elusive in the background. This technique, simulating the two blades as two flying dragons while the enemy becomes the phoenix, showcases the dragons' eagerness to approach the phoenix, highlighting the enchanting and mesmerizing nature of this knife technique. At this moment, Peng Wuwang executed this technique with the detached Mandarin Duck Blade, truly embodying both lightness and weight, simultaneously present in the forefront and elusive in the background, appearing on the left and elusive on the right.

Lei Ye was pleasantly surprised, not expecting Gu Tianya to actually know his name

Gu Tianya felt a jolt in his heart, secretly thinking: "What kind of technique is this, so peculiar?" Just as he pondered, the two short blades had already reached him. Even the formidable Lei Yang had once been defeated by this technique of throwing knives, so Gu Tianya did not dare to be negligent. He swiftly turned around like a whirlwind, evading this attack. His curiosity was unbearable, and he could only think: "What will the next move be?" Even the formidable Lei Yang had once been defeated by this technique of throwing knives, so Gu Tianya did not dare to be negligent. He swiftly turned around like a whirlwind, evading this attack. His curiosity was unbearable, and he could only think: "What will the next move be?"

If this set of sword techniques is executed with full force, the offensive is like a tide, specifically targeting the openings in the opponent's moves to launch attacks. Often, it can defeat the enemy and secure victory in a single strike, truly formidable and fearsome

At this moment, Peng Wuwang was unaware of Gu Tianya's feelings. However, in the midst of battle, where life and death could be decided in an instant, how could one not give their all? At this time, it could be said that Peng Wuwang was exerting all his strength. He swiftly caught the returning pair of butterfly knives with his hand, flicked his left hand upward and swung his right hand downward, causing the two butterfly knives to emit two streaks of blade light like flowing silk, shooting towards Gu Tianya from above and below. As the butterfly knives approached, they suddenly began to spin, one leaning forward and the other lagging behind, slashing towards Gu Tianya's chest and lower abdomen.

At this moment, although Lei Yechang was furious, he remained alert and immediately noticed Gu Tianya, who was also at the ferry. Having roamed the martial world for many years, his keen eyes quickly spotted the long sword that Gu Tianya was equipped with

On the ship stood a formidable man dressed in dark red samurai armor, with his left eye as large as a copper bell, while his right eye was covered by a black patch, clearly indicating that it had been rendered useless by someone. His right cheek bore a scar approximately four inches long, and the corners of his mouth curled up coldly, revealing his inevitable ruthlessness and cruelty in battle.

"Forget it, that's something I wouldn't even dare to think about. It's more important to keep moving!" Peng Wuju said repeatedly

The crowd surrounding him gasped in unison, looking around in all directions. After a short while, Gu Tianya reappeared in the midst of the group, holding a willow branch over three feet long.

Today I have come to realize that the path of martial arts is indeed unfathomable. Over the years, I, Gu Tianya, have not encountered any rivals, yet I have underestimated the great talents and recluses of the world. Let this battle today be considered concluded. From now on, I will travel extensively to famous mountains and roam the world, seeking to meet those transcendent beings who are weary of the mundane. If possible, I must meet with Elder Qi and engage in a thorough exchange of skills.

Lei Ye's face was filled with shame as he embraced He Tushu and said: "Senior, your insight is truly remarkable. My staff technique is impulsive and uncontrolled. Last night, despite having an absolute advantage, I was unexpectedly injured by the little-known escort master Peng Wuwang from the Flying Tiger Escort Agency. I am deeply ashamed. From today onwards, I shall diligently practice and hope to achieve something in the future." After saying this, he held the long staff upside down and turned to leave.

It turned out that Peng Wuwang had just recovered from his injuries when he heard that Peng Wujue had yielded to Gu Tianya and handed over the number one recording in the world. In order to protect this escort mission, Peng Wuwang had exerted tremendous effort, and his battle with Lei Ye was nothing short of a life-and-death struggle. How could he allow others to say they could take it away just like that? Thus, he erupted in anger.

Peng Wuwang shouted sternly: "Shut up, we have not yet engaged in battle, how can we easily speak of defeat? This escort mission is soaked with the sweat and blood of my escort agency's people, how can we easily give it up?" After saying this, he suddenly drew a long knife from his waist, twirled it three times, and held it in front of him. Although the members of the escort agency did not dare to cheer loudly, they secretly applauded, after all, no one wanted to easily abandon this perilous escort mission.

The mandarin duck knives flew past his body, suddenly spinning rapidly, and then shot back in reverse. It turned out that at this moment, Peng Wuwang had activated the Shaolin ultimate skill of the Dragon Seizing Technique, taught by Qi Xiaoyun. The essence of this Dragon Seizing Technique lies in the clever use of true energy, allowing the palms to generate a powerful suction force, capable of seizing an enemy's weapon from several zhang away. At this moment, Peng Wuwang applied this divine skill to control the thrown knives, which could truly be described as extraordinary and unfathomable.

Lu Keren hurriedly said: "Senior Gu, we only wish to intercept the 'First Record of the World', print it in large quantities, and distribute it throughout the realm, allowing the martial arts community to be informed of the latest news in the world of martial arts. This is truly out of goodwill. If you do not obstruct us, our sect will certainly deliver the 'First Record of the World' to you free of charge."

At this moment, the master swordsman let out a cold laugh and said, "I never expected that the Dragon God Gang, which dominates the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, would actually pay a visit to such a small river today"

In fact, Gu Tianya's swordsmanship is one of the most remarkable and supreme sword techniques in the martial world. This sword technique was created by Gu Tianya himself, and later his disciples incorporated it into the Seventy-Two Sword Techniques of the Tianshan Sect, which later generations referred to as the "Qingcheng Sword Technique." This sword technique is divided into eighteen forms, countering the eighteen types of weapons in the martial world, making it the nemesis of all weapons.

The members of the escort agency immediately began to jeer and scold, as if they were no longer afraid of him

"Very well, then prepare to receive my challenge!" Gu Tianya shouted. As soon as the words left his mouth, the willow branch in his hand pointed directly at Peng Wuwang's face

"Fall in, we are leaving," commanded Lu Ke, who was terrified to the core by Gu Tianya's unparalleled swordsmanship.

The bodyguards around looked anxious, and many of the knife-wielding men shouted, "Third Young Master, catch the knife!" as they threw their single-edged blades towards Peng Wuwang.

Only the sound of "zheng zheng" could be heard as the bowstrings of over a hundred archers on the dragon boat were all shattered by the invisible sword energy. At this moment, Gu Tianya had already sheathed his sword, leaped off the dragon boat, and returned to the ferry.

The crowd responded in unison, drawing their bows, unsheathing their swords, taking their stances, and preparing for battle

Peng Wuwang listened with great joy, secretly thinking to himself: This old man is truly outrageous. Not to mention you, even my master would find it difficult to prevent me from counterattacking at least once before being defeated. With this, my chances of victory are extremely high

Lu Keren's body trembled slightly as he asked, "Are you the Sword God of Eternal Affection from Tianshan, Senior Gu Tianya?"

Only then did Gu Tianya smile faintly, and suddenly his body transformed into a phantom, disappearing in the blink of an eye

In front was Peng Wuwang, who shouted while running, "Fourth brother, weigh anchor, quickly weigh anchor, Lei Yechang is coming."

Peng Wuwang let out a cold laugh and said, "Senior Gu, when the number one record in the world was underwritten, it was clearly stated that it could only fall into the hands of the elder Ouyang Xizhao of the Guanzhong Sword Sect, and no one else is allowed to peruse it. Even the people in my escort agency do not dare to take a glance, let alone outsiders"

In a short period, many members of the Dragon God Gang have been injured or killed, but the Dragon God Gang's darts are launched once again, causing the Flying Tiger Darts to retreat step by step

Gu Tianya turned his head to face the ferry of the Flying Tiger Escort Agency and said in a loud voice: "I am Gu Tianya, here to view the world's number one record. I kindly ask everyone to facilitate this request."

At this moment, the group of bodyguards had surrounded Peng Wuwang, and upon hearing his command, they charged towards Gu Tianya with all their might

"This is your own doing; you have no one to blame but yourselves," Lu Ke said coldly. After speaking, he raised his left hand high and shot out a dark red rocket. In an instant, countless individuals dressed in blue, wearing white hats from the Dragon God Gang, suddenly emerged from the left and right of the ferry belonging to the Flying Tiger Escort Agency. As soon as these people appeared, they immediately unleashed a barrage of flying darts, causing many of the escort's guards to fall to the ground, crying out in agony. It turned out that the darts were coated with a potent poison that could cause the wounds to fester, resulting in excruciating pain.

Peng Wuwang arrived at the ferry in just a few steps, and with a lift of his foot, he had already leaped onto the boat. Peng Wujun hurriedly approached and asked, "Third Brother, how is the battle situation?"

Gu Tianya intended to establish his authority, hoping to make everyone retreat in fear. He executed a move called "Sword Turns Seven Stars," and instantly, a myriad of green shadows filled the sky. All the single blades thrown at Peng Wuwang from all directions were sent flying into the air, shattering into powder and scattering in all directions

Gu Tianya sighed, his left hand swiftly extended, and a beam of snow-white sword light shot up into the sky. Lu Keni was greatly alarmed, retreating more than ten steps in succession, gripping his hammer with both hands, his left eye wide open, yet he could not see where the sword light had gone.

This defensive formation, known as the Bodyguard Formation, was created by the foremost expert of the Pengmen, Peng Wuji. When faced with a large group of enemies, this formation strikes a balance between offense and defense. Coupled with the fact that each individual has practiced diligently, a coordinated effort of several dozen people can withstand the assault of around ten martial arts masters, demonstrating remarkable skill

The members of the escort agency looked at each other in confusion

Everyone became aware of Gu Tianya's formidable prowess and quickly stepped aside to avoid being caught off guard and meeting their demise on the spot

Peng Wuwang glanced at him, shook his head, and suddenly knelt on the ground, violently spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood. It turned out that he had fought continuously, and his vital energy had been severely depleted. Controlling the Mandarin Duck Blade also required a significant amount of internal power, and at this moment, he had reached a state of utter exhaustion.

"Fourth Young Master, what shall we do?" Liu Jinsong said anxiously

"It is I. Since you, Senior Gu, wish to seize the dart, I have no choice but to experience your swordsmanship here," Peng Wuwang said resolutely.

"Bastard, what nonsense are you talking? My third brother is unparalleled in martial arts and will definitely come back alive" said Peng Wuju fiercely

Peng Wuwang hurriedly said, "I thought Lei Yechang was uninjured, but it turns out he is hurt worse than I am, with blood flowing down to his heels. The moment I saw him, I knew he was incapable of keeping me here, so I ran back."

The words were delivered with great righteousness, stirring the blood of everyone in the escort agency, who erupted in applause. Peng Wuju felt even more ashamed, tears streaming down his face, as he raised his twin blades and declared loudly: "Third Brother is right; if it comes to it, we will fight him. Everyone, take your positions."

Holding a saber, the master laughed heartily towards the sky and casually said, "You are not yet qualified to ask this question. Bring Zhuang Xingba here."

Peng Wuwang suddenly took a deep breath, unexpectedly reversing the flow of this breath for a full cycle. His body, taking advantage of this reverse current, unexpectedly shifted more than a foot to the side, evading Gu Tianya's direct strike. As the willow branch came down, a massive crack immediately split open on the ground, measuring ten feet in length and two feet in width, truly astonishing.

Lu Keren's twin meteor hammers each weigh eighty pounds, and his ultimate skill, the Flying Star Shooting Sun Hammer Technique, allows him to wield these dual hammers as if they were willow catkins dancing in the wind. The martial arts masters from both upstream and downstream of the river are all silent in the face of the nickname "Meteor Zhenyue," and no gang dares to compete with the Longshen Gang's Yellow River Hall for supremacy.

Xia Biao was so frightened that he did not dare to speak. Another bodyguard named Liu Jinsong immediately echoed Peng Wuju: "Exactly, the Third Young Master is not afraid of the best knife in Hebei, let alone..." Before he could finish his sentence, a white figure flashed from afar and, in the blink of an eye, had already arrived at the ferry.

He declared loudly: "It's settled with a word. If I cannot return a move, this escort will be considered a failure, and there will be no hope left."

"What boldness and audacity! I, Peng Wuwang, do not claim to possess great courage; I merely act out of duty and dare not be negligent in the slightest," Peng Wuwang said sternly

Gu Tianya smiled faintly, just about to speak, when suddenly two figures, one gray and one black, rushed toward him like the wind and lightning from a distance

Peng Wuwang held a distinct advantage, and the members of the escort agency were filled with joyous cheers. Meanwhile, Gu Tianya, having encountered a brilliant strategy, was also exceptionally delighted. At this moment, everyone was smiling broadly, creating an extraordinarily wonderful atmosphere.

Meanwhile, at the bend of the river bay, a massive ship emerged, structured in three tiers, with the bow shaped like a dragon's head, its long horns pointing straight ahead. From the lowest tier extended seventy giant oars on each side, rhythmically and harmoniously stirring the water's surface. A side sail was raised on the ship, and its speed immediately surged, swiftly arriving in front of the ferry of the Flying Tiger Escort Agency

Gu Tianya let out a light sigh: "Sword God, hum, Sword God"

As everyone exchanged glances in confusion, Peng Wuju wore a pained expression, tightly clutching the world's foremost record in his hand, and walked towards Gu Tianya

Gu Tianya, with sword in hand, gazes proudly at the rivers and lakes, always acting according to his own desires and whims. However, today, upon seeing Peng Wuwang's resolute and courageous expression, he felt a newfound admiration for talent. Moreover, his act of intercepting the cargo was indeed unjustifiable, which is why he expressed these conciliatory words.

He glanced at Peng Wuwang again and pondered: All along, I have relied on my exceptional martial skills and have done many impulsive things. In the martial world, although there are more praises than slanders, how can I know that those are not insincere words spoken out of fear of my abilities? And how can I claim to be guiltless in my own heart

However, Gu Tianya not only casually accepted each one, but also offered additional comments and suggestions. Yet, looking at his face, which was as red as purple, it seemed as if he had consumed seventeen or eighteen jars of fine wine, completely intoxicated in both body and spirit, dancing with abandon.

"Hold on!" A loud shout suddenly rang out from behind Peng Wuju. In a flash of gray shadow, the "World's Number One Record" in Peng Wuju's hand was snatched away by Peng Wuwang.

"It can only be this way!" Peng Wuju thought helplessly, and then he said loudly, "Everyone, the success or failure of the Flying Tiger Escort Agency hinges on this one move today, so everyone must bravely move forward."