“Everything is ready. Even the Dark River has joined the operation. It won't be long before Gu Luo Li, the head of the Gu Family, is assassinated. The Yan Family and the Gu Family will both suffer, and then it will be the perfect time for the King of Langya to take over the Southwest Dao.”
The Emperor of Taian: “Good. Having the frontier Southwest Dao will be good training for the King of Langya.
The most important thing is to bring the Southwest Dao under the control of the Imperial Court.”
The Emperor of Taian confidently nodded. He believed that with the Northern Li Imperial Court and the Eight Princes of the Jixia Academy working together, the Southwest Dao would surely be in Xiao Ruofeng's grasp.
..
Jixia Academy. Gu Jianmen was practicing swordsmanship in the training hall.
Suddenly, the academy steward hurried over: “Master Lingyun, an urgent letter from the Southwest Dao. You must go back immediately!”
Gu Jianmen had been feeling uneasy for the past two days. Upon receiving the letter, he quickly opened it and his expression changed drastically: “My uncle betrayed us, and my brother is gravely injured?
How is this possible? I need to go find Master. I must go home!”
Gu Jianmen couldn't care less about anything else at that moment. He quickly packed his things.
Li Changsheng looked at Gu Jianmen: “The three years are up, you should have gone back long ago. Master doesn't have much to give you. Take this bottle of wine with you for the journey!”
“Yes!”
Gu Jianmen packed his things and immediately headed for the Southwest Dao.
Li Changsheng looked at Gu Jianmen's back: “Sigh, Master Lingyun is arrogant and domineering. Without the Gu Family's restraint, who knows what kind of trouble he might cause. That one above is truly foolish!”
Xiao Ruofeng, the Elegant Prince: “Master, are you saying that this time, the third senior brother's journey will be fraught with danger?”
“Didn't you receive the news from the Hundred Knowledge Pavilion? The one above wants to reorganize the Southwest Dao!”
“Master, I want to take a leave of absence.”
Lei Mengsha was the first to stand up: “Since the Gu Family has encountered such a situation, as his senior brother, I cannot stand idly by!”
Liu Yue, Mo Xiaohui, and Luo Xuan also stepped forward: “Master, we also request a leave of absence, to go to the Southwest Dao!”
Xiao Ruofeng looked at his senior brothers who could act without hesitation, and a tinge of envy crossed his eyes. If he weren't born into royalty, he would also have rushed to the Southwest Dao without a second thought.
“Alright, go. Feng Qi, you are to meet them in Tianqi City. There needs to be some support in terms of news!”
“Yes!”
Five of the Seven Princes of Northern Li sat together. Xiao Ruofeng: “Senior brothers, my bottom line this time is to ensure the safety of the third senior brother!”
“Good!”
The Seven Princes of Northern Li quickly set off on their journey.
In an instant, countless eyes from all over the land turned towards the Southwest Dao.
All of this was of no concern to Su Sheng and Bai Li Dongjun.
The two had already reached Chaisang City.
Bai Li Dongjun was currently sitting at the entrance of the East Return Inn. Today was the third day of its opening, and still no one had come in.
On the first day, someone asked about his wine but left because it was too expensive.
On the second day, a scholar in white drank a cup and praised it highly, saying he would return tomorrow.
On the third day, the scholar did not come, and no other customers appeared on the entire street…
Bai Li Dongjun helplessly looked up to the heavens: “If this continues, how will I support Master?”
“Excuse me, do you have wine?”
Su Sheng looked up and saw a horse, a flask of wine, a spring breeze, and a carefree wanderer who had been drinking to ward off rust. At that moment, his clothes were disheveled, his hair was loose, and he held a spear, swaying as he walked down the street.
A gourd was hung from the tip of the spear, empty and swaying, as if it had already been emptied.
【Si Kong Changfeng】
【Wanderer of the Martial World】
【资质：Genius, exceptional talent, great potential for development, could become a legendary spearmaster, recommended to take on as a disciple!】
Su Sheng's eyes lit up. Here he was, the sixth disciple. Here comes the experience pack!
Si Kong Changfeng, although he was of genius level, according to Su Sheng's evaluation, he should be considered of prodigy level in the art of spear mastery.
After all, he had reached the state of effortless mastery using a single, broken spear technique.
Such talent, if nurtured by a prestigious family, would be no less than the princes of Northern Li!
“Dongjun, invite that wanderer in for a couple of drinks!”
Bai Li Dongjun, not disgusted by his unkempt appearance but rather appreciating the gourd on the tip of his spear, readily agreed: “Of course, hey, Wanderer of the Martial World, since you've passed by the East Return Inn, come in for a drink!”
Si Kong Changfeng tossed his hair back: “If that’s the case, then I shan’t be a bother!”
He stepped inside and looked around. He saw a scholar inside and then observed Bai Li Dongjun's appearance. Both of them were unarmed and yet dared to open a shop in Chaisang City. They were indeed extraordinary individuals.
Bai Li Dongjun: “Brother Su, I've brewed some new wine today: Sangluo, Xinfeng, Juyu, Songlao, Chang'an, Tusuo, Yuanzheng, Guanhua, Dukang, Songhua, Shengwen, Banruo, a total of twelve varieties.
Why don't you two try them out and write them into the wine manual?”
Su Sheng: “Hmm, hurry up and attract some customers. This can't go on. We didn’t bring much money with us!”
Soon, twelve jars of wine were placed on the table. Si Kong Changfeng couldn't help but swallow as he smelled the aroma. This wine seemed much better than anything he'd tasted before.
Su Sheng looked at Si Kong Changfeng: “Are you a spearman, sir?”
Si Kong Changfeng: “Ahem, I've been raised on the kindness of strangers since I was a child. I've slept in broken temples and lived a life without a name or family. But it's all the same, coming empty-handed and leaving empty-handed. Not bad, I suppose.
I also wish to become a long wind that never returns. So I call myself Si Kong Changfeng!”
Su Sheng observed Si Kong Changfeng, and said with a smile: “Your little words are all very eloquent. You haven't been thinking about them for quite a while, have you?”
Si Kong Changfeng's face flushed: “You've seen through it, but don't say it out loud!”
Su Sheng chuckled: “Young man, when you see something, you must speak. When you see through something, you must speak it as well, or else what is the point of being young?”
Si Kong Changfeng: “Hahaha, good. I find this Brother Su to be a kindred spirit. Today, we must drink until we forget ourselves!”
“Cheers!”
Su Sheng and Si Kong Changfeng chatted and drank together.
Suddenly, a group of thugs burst in: “Brat, I don't care where you come from, get out of Chaisang City right now!”
The group were about to rush in and overturn the table of Su Sheng and Si Kong Changfeng.
Si Kong Changfeng's spear flashed like a dragon, directly sending the thugs flying back: “Humph, this inn is under my protection, Si Kong Changfeng. If you dare come back to cause trouble, don't blame me for being merciless!”
Bai Li Dongjun's eyes widened as he watched Si Kong Changfeng: “Wow, your spear skills are amazing! What the heck, you just beat those guys up, why did you smash my inn's tables?
You're such a money-loser! You don’t have money to pay for drinks, and you broke my tables! You know, I’m broke now, I don't even have enough to support Brother Su!”
Si Kong Changfeng scratched his head: “I… how about I cover your wine in the future, and I’ll help you fight anyone who comes here? It’ll be as compensation for the table!”
“Fine, you money-loser!”
Bai Li Dongjun grumbled as he went to clean up the broken tables and chairs.
Si Kong Changfeng looked at Su Sheng, who remained motionless. A hint of curiosity flashed in his mind. It was obvious that any ordinary scholar would have already run away in fear at such a scene.
This person is indeed extraordinary, as calm as a mountain.
Su Sheng smiled at Si Kong Changfeng: “If I'm not mistaken, you're using the Lin Jiu's Chasing Ruins Spear Technique, although it's incomplete. You must have put in a lot of effort to reach your current level, right?”
Si Kong Changfeng was startled: “How did you know, sir?”
Su Sheng: “Not only do I know, I also have the complete Chasing Ruins Spear Technique! Want to try it?”
Si Kong Changfeng looked at the technique and knelt down: “Si Kong Changfeng is willing to take you as his master, please teach me!”
Su Sheng was taken aback: “I'm just a frail scholar. Are you sure you want to become my disciple?”
Si Kong Changfeng: “Sir said that young people should do what they want, if they want to do it. You have the spear technique, and I want to learn it. I have nothing but my life!
Of course I have to take you as my master. I will use this life to protect you and take care of you in the future!”
【Congratulations, host, for taking on a disciple, Bai Li Chengfeng, and receiving the technique: Prairie Fire Spear Technique】
Su Sheng's eyes lit up. Prairie Fire Spear Technique!
The most powerful and awe-inspiring spear technique in the world. It consists of "fifty stances," "thirty strikes," and "twenty needles," hence its other name, "Prairie Fire Hundred Strikes."
It has reached the realm of transcendence, its use makes the six-foot spear grow in size, creating hundreds of red spear shadows, like prairie fire, burning towards the opponent.
The "twenty needles" are a set of techniques specifically aimed at the body's acupoints, incredibly subtle and intricate, far surpassing the ordinary martial arts "acupoint strikes."
The "thirty strikes" are a complete set of moves, once unleashed, they continue in a relentless chain, ideal for fighting against multiple enemies.
The "fifty stances" are fifty individual spear stances, suitable for different situations, particularly the "no stance" - the spear is held behind the back, concealing all energy and then suddenly thrust out, catching the enemy off guard.
The spear is the king of all weapons.
Combined with such a spear technique, its power could absolutely shake the world.
If this spear technique is passed on to Si Kong Changfeng, his future achievements might even exceed that of a spearmaster!
In addition, this kid Bai Li Chengfeng, knowing his own humble origins, diligently and tirelessly cultivates his skills. Coupled with his innate talent, he'll be another experience pack for Su Sheng in the future!
Su Sheng was very satisfied with this disciple reward.
He took out a jade token from his spatial ring and gave it to Si Kong Changfeng: “Now that you are my disciple, take this.”
Si Kong Changfeng looked at the jade token and his pupils widened: “The Ghost Valley Academy? Sir, you are… a great master of the Ghost Valley Academy?”
Bai Li Dongjun quickly closed the door and put an arm around Si Kong Changfeng's shoulders: “Money-loser, you're lucky to have caught the eye of my Master.
Since this is the case, let me introduce you again. I am the chief disciple of the Ghost Valley Academy, Bai Li Chengfeng! It's just that my Master is a hidden master of the Ghost Valley Academy!
But, is the Ghost Valley Academy so famous? You even know about it?”
Si Kong Changfeng: “Actually, I originally wanted to go to the Ghost Valley Academy to become a disciple, but I heard that their selection criteria were extremely high. I thought I wasn't talented enough, so I gave up.
But, sir doesn't know martial arts. How did you teach the Swift Sword Immortal?”
Bai Li Chengfeng: “Heh, Master may not know martial arts, but he can defeat the Sword Immortal effortlessly. You'll understand in the future. Now, hurry up and drop a drop of blood on the spatial ring. I'm dying to get my hands on it!”
“This ring? It's just a normal ring?”
“Money-loser, you have no knowledge! Would my Master ever give you anything ordinary? You drop your blood on it first…”
“This…”
Bai Li Dongjun taught Si Kong Changfeng how to bind the spatial ring to his blood.
Si Kong Changfeng felt the magic of the spatial ring and his eyes were filled with astonishment.
“Is this an object of the immortals?”
Bai Li Dongjun proudly puffed out his chest: “Other senior brothers have asked the same question before. In reality, it's just a little something my Master casually gave me. My Master has countless treasures!”
Si Kong Changfeng: “Master, this is too precious, I dare not accept it…”
“Take it. Every disciple of the Ghost Valley Academy has one. From now on, you don't have to say you come and go empty-handed. No matter where you are, your home will always be the Ghost Valley Academy!”
Si Kong Changfeng's eyes turned red. As a wanderer, he envied those who had a home more than anyone else!
“Master…”
“Alright, we're outside now, call me Brother Su! I'm also a dashing young man. You're making me feel old!”
“Yes, Brother Su!”
Su Sheng handed the Chasing Ruins Spear Technique to Si Kong Changfeng: “Cultivate diligently. If you encounter any problems, come and ask me!”
“Yes!”
Si Kong Changfeng took the Chasing Ruins Spear Technique and began to practice his spear skills.
In the world of Young White Horse, a spatial ring is a treasure of the immortals, an invaluable artifact, but for Su Sheng, it's just a storage bag, no different from a backpack or a chest!
Su Sheng and Bai Li Dongjun gradually settled into a peaceful life in the East Return Inn. They drank every day, watched their empty shop, and then dealt with thugs who came to cause trouble and smash their shop.
Time flew by, and it was already the thirteenth day.
Bai Li Dongjun looked at his empty purse and wailed: “I'm out of money, how am I supposed to support Master?”
Bai Li Dongjun glanced at the butcher across the street, the old woman selling embroidered shoes next door, the oil vendor who never spoke, and the young beauty girl not far away.
Bai Li Dongjun's eyes lit up, “Brother, come in for a drink?”
The butcher looked at Bai Li Dongjun coldly, as if he were an idiot!
Bai Li Dongjun: “I won't charge you, consider it making a friend!”
This was a tactic he had used successfully in Qian Dong City. He was confident in his wine, once someone took a sip, they would want a second cup!
Then he could earn money to support Master!
The butcher replied with a sharp crack of a bone.
He then went to the oil vendor's shop, the oil vendor said with a squint: “Go away! Don't block my view of the young beauty!”
The young beauty looked at Bai Li Dongjun's embarrassing defeat and smiled lightly: “Young master, go and ask the handsome scholar in your house to invite me, and I'll go in for a drink.”
Bai Li Dongjun glared: “You wish! Humph, if this were Qian Dong City, I'd burn your shop down!”