"You wretched boy, how dare you be so arrogant!"

Taking the upper hand, Li Xian chased forward, his blade like the wind, weaving a net of strikes. At this moment, Wang Bao was unable to fend off the attack, his blade movements sluggish. Li Xian reversed the edge of his sword, intent on slicing off Wang Bao's wrist.

Just then, a booming voice suddenly echoed. A figure swiftly darted out, moving at incredible speed, reaching them in the blink of an eye.

He grabbed Wang Bao by the nape, flinging him backward, and out of danger. Then, he let out a cold snort and raised his palm to strike toward Li Xian's face.

Although he used his hand, his saber skills were undoubtedly exceptional. This palm strike cleverly bypassed all the sword paths, seemingly ordinary but possessing unmatched killing power, exquisite in technique.

Li Xian thought, "What a fine palm!" and without hesitation, mobilized his inner qi, and with his left hand, transformed it into a palm to strike back.

Their palms collided, emitting a humming sound.

A moment later, Li Xian retreated three steps, each step breaking the stone tiles beneath, sinking seven parts into the ground, his boots covered in dirt.

This was to discharge the palm force into the ground, avoiding injury. Although the person stood unwavering, his expression was peculiar.

He was none other than Xu Liefeng, the leader of the Leopard Saber Sect.

He had heard that a disciple from the sect was brawling on the streets. Among martial artists, conflicts are commonplace, so he hadn't paid it any mind.

Little did he know that the fight grew fiercer, even involving "Wang Bao." Fearing trouble, he had secretly followed them.

Seeing Wang Bao pretending to attack with bricks, stirring up dust to maneuver, Xu Liefeng nodded secretly, thinking, "Leopard is quite cautious, not being careless. Using the dust to obscure the vision. This battle is in the bag!"

Relaxed at heart, he stroked his beard with a smile.

However, just moments later, there came the sound of intense swordplay, blades weaving into a net. Xu Liefeng's heart jolted, "My Golden Leopard Swift Saber is fast, but it relies on the speed of wielding, not sheer speed. Hearing this, dozens of strikes were made in a breath; this wasn't Leopard at work!"

In the next instant... the dust was sliced apart.

Countless sword shadows suddenly appeared before his eyes, leaving Wang Bao defenseless and on the brink of death. Xu Liefeng, greatly alarmed, leapt into action, saving Wang Bao.

Seeing his disciple turned into a bloodied figure, Xu Liefeng was both sorrowful and angry. Disregarding the shame of bullying the weak, he immediately struck with his palm.

Though he used only a tenth of his strength, he reckoned it was a sure thing to capture this boy alive, publicly humiliating him to elevate the Leopard Saber Sect's fierce prestige.

Who would've thought this youngster, despite his youth, possessed remarkable inner qi cultivation.

After the confrontation, Xu Liefeng looked at his palm.

There was a bluish-purple line, and during the confrontation, although he had the upper hand, Li Xian's palm force was chilling, infiltrating without trace.

It seeped deeply into his palm, lingering within.

"Such an exquisite palm technique, it's no shame for Leopard to be defeated by him. Even if they battled ten times, he wouldn't be a match for this boy," Xu Liefeng thought.

Li Xian's whole body trembled, channeling the remaining force into the ground, the surrounding green bricks cracking with a "snap", shattering into pieces.

"Boy, try withstanding another palm from me!" Xu Liefeng, having already struck, acted without reservation.

Li Xian narrowed his eyes, switching from a knife to a sword, with the [Setting Sun Bloodsword] poised to strike.

Unafraid of the formidable enemy, he gave it his all.

[Facing a formidable opponent, sword stance brave, skill level +21]

Xu Liefeng was stunned, then his eyes filled with greed, "Superior martial arts! Boy, you possess superior martial arts!"

He initially intended to kill Li Xian with one palm. Suddenly changing tactics, he aimed to capture instead.

In the Great Wu Dynasty, martial arts were invaluable.

Mastering a formidable martial art could even change the heavens and earth. Basic martial arts could nourish inner qi, and if an ordinary person practiced and gained a little insight, nurturing a thread of inner qi, they could stand out among commoners.

Such is the case with basic martial arts...

There's no need to speak further about superior martial arts.

Xu Liefeng, forgetting his grief, grasped at Li Xian's shoulders. Li Xian responded calmly, inner qi flowing, his whole body as hot as a furnace.

At the moment of drawing his sword, a wave of heat erupted.

Bystanders retreated in fear, lest they be caught in the heatwave.

"Hold it!"

At this moment, a voice came through.

County Magistrate Lin Guolong of Qingning County arrived with county soldiers and constables, Ding Hu by his side.

Seeing the situation, Xu Liefeng reckoned this boy couldn't escape just yet, so he withdrew a few steps, furrowing his brows, "Lin Guolong, do you dare oppose me?! This boy has injured my sect members, how can I spare him!"

"It was a mutual fight between you Jianghu folks, with injuries on both sides. Fifty strokes on each side, and let it end there!" Lin Guolong declared loudly.

He was short and plump, with fair skin, exuding wealth.

Xu Liefeng sneered, "Since it's Jianghu business, what does a County Magistrate like you have to do with it, get out of the way."

"You may hold an official position, but you lack the support of fate. I may refrain from troubling you, but as for your constables, if I harm a few, what can you do?"

His chilling aura seeped out.

Many county soldiers stepped back, fear evident in their eyes. As officials, without the support of fate, they couldn't hold the ground.

Feeling belittled, Lin Guolong said angrily, "Isn't your bullying of the weak fearful of being mocked by the Jianghu folks?"

Xu Liefeng folded his hands behind him, proudly stating, "I have practiced martial arts for decades, what words haven't I heard? Let the Jianghu criticize if they wish. Today, this boy... I must capture him!"

Lin Guolong sneered, "You do have some backbone. But if..."

"Faced with Lady Zhe Jian, can you still maintain such backbone?!"

"What? Lady Zhe Jian?!" Xu Liefeng's legs went weak, his greed significantly reduced, "Don't try to scare me with her name. What does this have to do with her?"

Lin Guolong replied, "I might as well tell you, that martial artist at Yihetang Manor is Lady Zhe Jian."

"Those nursing home people you injured are all hers."

"Consider it yourself, whether you want to have your eyes gouged out and your tongue cut by Lady Zhe Jian, your limbs severed, or let it go at that."

Xu Liefeng felt like cold water had been poured over him, showing hesitation on his face. If it was truly Lady Zhe Jian, this... superior martial art, he couldn't handle it.

Lin Guolong said, "Little brother, that martial art of yours just now is quite formidable."

Li Xian cupped his hands and said, "Thanks to the lady's favor, she valued me enough to teach me such martial arts. This hero from the Leopard Saber Sect, if you want to learn, why do it sneakily?"

"Why not follow me into the manor and ask the lady for some guidance? The lady is very reasonable; if you're willing to ask, she might teach you."

Xu Liefeng's face was uncertain.

He thought, "I've been roaming the Jianghu for years, and never heard of the lady teaching anyone martial arts. Are these two deceiving me? If so, I could forcibly seize it and obtain a superior martial art."

"But if not, taking Lady Zhe Jian's martial arts would surely lead to a tragic end, with no chance of survival. This is a high-stakes gamble. No... no rush, I'll observe first, then make a move. Though martial arts are important, my life is more so."

Xu Liefeng's thoughts whirled.

Intimidated by [Lady Zhe Jian]'s reputation, he already had the intention of retreating.

He flung his sleeve and gave Li Xian a cold glance before leaving.

Li Xian couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder:

"I didn't expect the lady's name to be so effective. Just now, Xu Liefeng was full of greed, wishing to devour me whole. As soon as he heard the name [Lady Zhe Jian], his eyes instantly cleared."

"Such Jianghu fame indeed makes one envious, truly awe-inspiring. Although [Lady Zhe Jian] has many enemies, her reputation runs deep."

Li Xian laughed and said, "Many thanks to County Magistrate Lin for resolving the situation."

Lin Guolong curiously sized up Li Xian, having initially thought Li Xian to be merely a follower of some well-known figure. This meeting revealed he was quite exceptional, with appearance and demeanor not in the least inferior to his own.

His gaze fell between the eyebrows, surprised as he asked, "Have you shown the Rebirth Appearance?"

Li Xian replied, "Yes."

Lin Guolong said, "You're not bad either. Does the lady know about this?"

Li Xian responded, "The lady is in seclusion practicing alchemy, she doesn't yet know I've revealed it."

"I see." Lin Guolong sighed, "Both you and your brother have achieved something. You're young, with the lady's mentorship, soon you'll step into the rebirth path."

"Now that you've shown the appearance, just by this point... you're ahead of many others. Maybe when the lady comes out of seclusion, she'll pay even more attention to you."

He noticed Li Xian's handsome face. With a turn of his eyes, he thought: No matter how rebirth changes a person, they are ultimately mundane. Wealth, beauty, power, nothing else. Martial artists even have greater desires. An ordinary clay embryo, no matter how handsome, decorated with flowers, doesn't attract a martial artist's eye.

Because it's a clay embryo, not a true form.

But if you wash out the [Rebirth Appearance], revealing the true form, it's different in a martial artist's eyes.

Thinking of someone base-hearted imposing motives on someone noble... the lady might not be averse to beauty. And this Li Xian's "appearance" is quite exceptional.

He truly has left his original class.

"Brother Li, we do seem to have a connection."

"Since it's rare for us to meet, shall we go to that restaurant and enjoy a drink together?"

Lin Guolong tiptoed up and patted Li Xian's shoulder.

Li Xian smiled and said, "Naturally, to drink with the county magistrate is a pleasure one cannot deny."

"Good, good, good." Lin Guolong was very pleased, as neither Wen Caishang nor Xu Liefeng had ever looked at him directly. Even when they glanced, it was at his official attire.

Thusly.

The matter was settled. Li Xian instructed Ding Hu to lead the nursing home back to the manor to rest.

He then entered the restaurant together with Lin Guolong.

Red Candle Lane was bustling.

The recent bout was very loud; that tall restaurant offered many a view of it. As such, when Li Xian walked into the building, he immediately attracted an audience.

No one showed disrespect.

The men were all envious, while the women's eyes sparkled, gazing upon Li Xian's face, whispering, "A young hero, truly is so." Love budding in their hearts.

Among them were some of the county's gentry and ladies from prominent families.

Having no worries about food and clothing, holding high status.

They were people once unattainable for Li Xian. Now, however, his status had reversed completely, entirely different.

Causing people to sigh.

"Brother Li, your appearance is so handsome. This time, I wonder how many young maidens' hearts you've captured." Lin Guolong teased, "Have you thought about finding a wife and establishing a family early on?"

As they ascended the stairs, many women watched him intently, their eyes blazing. Seeing such a sight, they wished they could pounce on him immediately.

Making Lin Guolong envious, as a dignified county magistrate, he had never experienced such treatment. Was this official attire inferior to a youthful hero's appearance?

Before long...

The two entered a private room. Lin Guolong, quite indulgent, summoned a few beauties to massage and pamper him, dining in leisure, living in style.

The table was laden with delicacies, appealing in color, aroma, and taste.

"Brother Li, enjoy to your heart's content. Hehe, I gather you might not have tasted the pleasures of men and women yet. Today this county magistrate will..." Lin Guolong suddenly stiffened, then abruptly said, "But for someone practicing martial arts, it's better not to indulge too early in beauty."

In truth, martial artists don't abstain from pleasures.

But Lin Guolong thought of the lady. Who knows if this guy isn't already intended as the lady's intimate? If he leads him astray, his own end could be dire.

Li Xian recalled something and said, "By the way, County Magistrate Lin, there's something I want to mention to you first."

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