The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 212 - 24: Demonstrating Strength

Chapter 212: Chapter 24: Demonstrating Strength

Qing Yu’s words piqued Meng Yunfei’s interest.

However, he suddenly changed the topic and looked towards the other patrons who were drinking and chatting, "What do you think they are discussing?"

"What else could it be? It’s about Qingxu from the Zhenwu Sect advancing to the Divine Origin Realm. In my opinion, there’s really nothing to talk about. The top five on the Dragon and Phoenix List have been capable of attempting to reach the Divine Origin Realm for a long time. They’ve only delayed it because they want to accumulate more, or because they refuse to be outdone and want to compete for the top spot before breaking through. These ordinary worldly society folks just lack insight."

"But 90% of the people in the worldly society are like that, so now Qingxu has become quite prominent, the number one among the younger generation."

Meng Yunfei casually responded.

"So, is taking the top five on the Dragon and Phoenix List as proof of strength sufficient?" Qing Yu asked.

As he spoke, Qing Yu reached out and grabbed the long sword leaning against the table, placing it horizontally on the table, "Do you recognize this sword?"

This long sword had an ancient design and looked somewhat unremarkable; Meng Yunfei could only tell through its appearance that it should be an ancient sword from the Taoist School.

However, something about it felt familiar to Meng Yunfei.

"Clang—"

A sound of the sword rang out as Qing Yu drew part of the ancient sword, and the bright sword light almost flashed into Meng Yunfei’s eyes. After Meng Yunfei blinked twice to adjust, he saw the exposed part of the blade inscribed with the ancient characters "Taiming."

"The Taiming Sword—" Meng Yunfei almost cried out in shock.

"This is Qingxu’s personal sword!"

With a smile, Qing Yu pushed the blade back into its scabbard, "You guessed it right. More than twenty days ago, Gong Ziyu fought Qingxu alone in Xixian City. Being the superior fighter, he took this sword. If someone hadn’t risked their life to protect Qingxu, who knows what the worldly society might be discussing now!"

"No wonder, no wonder..." Meng Yunfei murmured, "No wonder the Zhenwu Sect is making such a big fuss about Qingxu breaking through the Divine Origin Realm. Although it’s a matter of glory, it seems a bit excessive in the eyes of other Sects and forces at the same level. So it turns out to be a cover-up."

Meng Yunfei had no doubts about Qing Yu’s words, as the actions of the Zhenwu Sect were already a bit unusual. Now, knowing this news, he could naturally discern where the peculiarity stemmed from.

Besides, Qingxu, when he left the mountain, had not expected to be defeated by Gong Ziyu. It wouldn’t be difficult to trace his journey.

"I’ll go back and report to the Shadow King," Meng Yunfei was eager. Gong Ziyu had proved he had strength surpassing Qingxu before the breakthrough, naturally, he could secure more favorable cooperation terms.

And Meng Yunfei, who uncovered this partner, would also gain greater importance from the Shadow King alongside Gong Ziyu’s rising influence. It was a win-win situation.

"Hey, hold on," Qing Yu raised his hand to stop Meng Yunfei’s motion.

"What else is there?" Meng Yunfei looked at Qing Yu, puzzled.

Qing Yu tapped the Taiming Sword, "This matter, you don’t think Gong Ziyu gave me such a valuable and famous sword, do you? The Taiming Sword is too conspicuous, being too famous as an assassin is not a good thing, hence, we need to find an Artifact Refining Master to modify it. With the influence of the Shadow Pavilion reaching across the world, it shouldn’t be hard to find an Artifact Refining Master."

Is Gong Ziyu not famous enough?

Meng Yunfei was somewhat speechless. Recently, the Azure Dragon Association had stirred up quite a sensation in the worldly society, with Gong Ziyu emerging out of nowhere and jumping directly to the eighth place on the Dragon and Phoenix List, drawing great attention.

Such a person, if not famous then who would be?

Wait a moment, a glint flashed in Meng Yunfei’s eyes. This sword, it might not necessarily be used by "Gong Ziyu"; more likely, it was used by the person behind the bronze mask.

With this thought, Gong Ziyu’s true identity must not be that of an unknown person.

"I’ll do my best to help," Meng Yunfei readily agreed. Finding an Artifact Refining Master was quite simple after all. As for what Gong Ziyu could offer to sway the Artifact Refining Master, that was up to him.

Having said that, Meng Yunfei stood up and left.

His distinct figure, moving among the patrons, still didn’t attract any notice.

’Meng Yunfei, not simple at all.’ Qing Yu watched the figure leave the small tavern and mused inwardly.

Such a conspicuous figure, and in this tavern, only the two of them at this small table in the corner, yet not a single person in the entire tavern noticed them.

It was Meng Yunfei’s Divine Origin interfering, the patrons with insufficient cultivation, under the effect of spiritual power, subconsciously ignored Meng Yunfei and Qing Yu nearby. The seemingly affable Meng Yunfei was actually also an expert in the Divine Origin Realm.

’Indeed, appearances are deceiving, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call Meng Yunfei a top-notch assassin based on his stature.’

··················

"Boom—"

Ten miles outside Xixian City, at the Azure Dragon Association’s hideout, the giant rock blocking the cave entrance was moved aside by several people dressed as Taoists.

"Uncle Master Xuan Wen, is it here?" Outside the cave, Qingxu’s eyes, deep and distant, looked at the pitch-black cave and asked.

"Based on the mysterious message we received, this cave should indeed be the Azure Dragon Association hideout mentioned in the message, where Gong Ziyu has been hiding recently," Xuan Wen replied beside Qingxu.

"However, nephew, this might be some trick by Gong Ziyu, we still need to be cautious," Xuan Wen advised, looking worried.

"Whether it’s a trick doesn’t matter, as long as I can encounter Gong Ziyu, I don’t mind the minor details."

Qingxu lightly brushed his bangs, which now covered his forehead unlike before when he always tied them back. Now, with the bangs, he looked somewhat more dashing.

Under the bangs on his forehead was a shallow sword scar, a souvenir left by Gong Ziyu from their last encounter in Xixian City at the Mei Family.

"I hope this time, Gong Ziyu will give me an even bigger surprise," Qingxu said indifferently, leading the way into the cave.

Inside the dim cave, only the torches held by Qingxu and his group provided a faint light.

As Qingxiu and his group walked deeper, they encountered no one, and the cave was silent.

This made the following Zhenwu Sect disciples tread more cautiously, fearing an ambush. From the division of the various chambers inside the cave, it was evident that people had stayed here long-term; the message had probably been accurate. But the absence of anyone implied that the mysterious message might have been released by Gong Ziyu, and that there must be traps here.

However, as Ren Qingxu and the others searched each chamber, they found no one and encountered no ambush.

Finally, they arrived at a chamber that appeared to be a prison cell, inside which lay a person on the brink of death.

"Senior Brother, it’s Junior Brother Chen Qinglin," a disciple reported.