Chapter 110

The Martial World Alliance wasn’t like the major sects with their own mountains, nor did it possess a city of its own. To be precise, it was merely a table around which the various sects could coordinate and discuss, an exchange of letters. Without it, the Underworld might still have churned with unseen currents and frequent upheaval. But if the Alliance ever lost its channels for communication and interaction with these sects, it would become a hollow shell, stripped entirely of weight and purpose.

Therefore, these duties weren’t centrally located. The so-called “Martial World Alliance” headquarters weren’t concentrated in one place but scattered across various sects in different locales.

Adjacent to the major sects, small two-courtyard compounds had been erected. Resembling tiny government outposts, these served as the sites where Alliance matters were discussed within each sect.

Precisely how, or even when, the Alliance Leader was chosen remained murky to most ordinary figures within the martial world. They only knew that when the Leader finally ascended to his position, the explicit approval of several major sects was always required for it to be considered valid.

Therefore, concerning this Bride’s Blade Challenge set by the Martial World Alliance’s Leader – had it not been widely announced and stirred up such a fervent commotion – the three companions would have had no way to discover in advance where this challenge would take place or how it would be conducted.

This was doubly true now that the martial world figures in Fangcheng had long departed, vanishing like the cooled tea leaves left behind. With no significant figures remaining in Fangcheng, not only were there no methods for them to investigate, but there wasn’t even a chance left to rely on guesswork or sheer luck.

Fortunately, their participation in the Sword Discussion Tournament hadn’t yielded nothing.

Right when the trio felt stumped and hopeless, a new small courtyard was designated in Fangcheng. This courtyard residence was even smaller than the Alliance discussion sites within the grand sects. It could barely accommodate one or two permanent residents. Essentially, it was nothing more than an utterly ordinary neighboring house. In fact, the courtyard itself was only made available because a local farmer, planning to move his entire family back to Mijiang Slope, kindly offered it to the Martial World Alliance.

And the Alliance official living in this small courtyard was none other than Meng Xu – the very same Meng Xu who had likewise participated in the Sword Discussion Tournament… and even been defeated by Chen Shu!

It was precisely his fortune that he not only recognized Chen Shu but, having traveled alongside He Yu and Yun Shen before after the flooding receded to complete some tasks, knew them all. This shared past meant they had connections; they understood each other’s roots and circumstances. Therefore, when they stumbled upon this courtyard seeking information, Meng Xu, though he stammered and hesitated silently for a long while, ultimately revealed the truth about the Bride’s Blade Challenge location.

Apparently, this Alliance Leader Xu Yuan did indeed have a permanent residence – aptly dubbed Leader’s Manor – located in Xian City, adjacent to the Diancang Pass. Logically, the Bride’s Blade Challenge should indeed be taking place within this Xu Manor. After all, he commanded some stature as the Leader. Even if the trio had inquired diligently for a few more days within Fangcheng, they would eventually have discovered his abode.

Yet Xu Yuan’s scheme was carefully crafted to lure his target, the ‘Strategist’, into exposing himself. Returning to his original, well-known Leader’s Manor would afford less conspicuous maneuverability. Should he miss even a single chance to spot his quarry, the whole intricate design risked becoming utterly fruitless.

Therefore, it was only because they had located Meng Xu, and only because Meng Xu was well-acquainted with them, that they learned…

This round of combat was held not at Diancang Pass, the usual site of the Sword Discussion Tournament, nor at Xian City where the Xu residence stood, but at Ping Chao Kou—even further north beyond Liangyu Mountain, more distant and increasingly prosperous!

Ping Chao Kou was precisely the seat of Yongzhou, the most prosperous region in the Central Plains.

Just uttering the three words “Ping Chao Kou,” and Xu Yuan’s calculations became crystal clear.

First, just tens of li north of Ping Chao Kou lay the coastal cliffs—exactly where Qin Xin Bluff was situated. Thus, even if Qin Xin Bluff people joined this bridal selection tournament that was, in reality, a trap, aiming for caution, it wouldn’t seem out of place.

Second, Ping Chao Kou also bordered water naturally. Though different from the inland, for here it faced the boundless ocean, the city relied upon Yushui River and the nearby sea—making it the ideal hub connecting the Central Plains to the ocean. Rumor held that the city’s small and large docks never rested even until the late watches of the night, proving its bustling prosperity.

Third, this reason could only be surmised by those privy to insider knowledge. Yun Shen had come to Fangcheng via Mijiang Slope, situated east and west from Diancang Pass. Since the folks who brought him failed to conceal the news, Xu Yuan, scheming his trap, must have anticipated him fleeing eastward.

Mijiang Slope was once one of the Valley of Villains’ bases, but with only two or three underlings left behind, government troops had long taken control. Thus, Ping Chao Kou north of this Mijiang Slope became the sole gap in this vast snares laid across the sky.

The three traveled light, carrying little. That very day, they set off, blending into a crowd of common folk journeying north alongside merchants who’d already visited Fangcheng upon hearing the news, sold a wave of goods, and pocketed huge profits.

Perhaps flush with their ample gains, these merchants all beamed joyfully. Generous-hearted and not sweating the small stuff—like common folk seeking a night’s rest near their carriages or even the few who doled out rations to hungry, impoverished peasants nearing Ping Chao Kou out of pure generosity—the group drifted languidly into the city.

Compared to other towns, this Ping Chao Kou lacked impressive city walls.

They could hardly be called “walls”! The authorities had long opened plenty of “gates” within, segmenting the already low ramparts solely to ease merchant passage.

Ocean winds swept in from the south, slipping unimpeded through the narrow gaps of this small city.

Therefore, precisely due to ample entry flow and lax defenses, stringent scrutiny became imperative.

Having journeyed down many a mountain, Chen Shu, for the very first time, encountered guards this meticulous. They demanded more than just purpose; they required name, origin, address, and profession.

Chen Shu was ready to stride forth and proclaim lofty Tianyu Mountain’s name when Yun Shen drew her back with an extended hand. Thus, blinking wide-eyed, she watched Yun Shen—unfazed yet spinning outright lies—casually converse with the guard.

He claimed Chen Shu was a young lady sent by her family for toughening, citing Shen Jie’s lineage unhesitatingly to paint a vivid picture for the guard.

The guard, jotting points while listening, likely deemed Yun Shen articulate, decided to shirk duty, and didn’t bother peeking at the stunned Chen and He nearby. So, he transcribed Yun Shen’s words: “Lady Shen, from the capital,” alongside “He Yu, cousin accompanying Lady Shen on leisure travels.”

But at the end, when reaching Yun Shen, the latter abruptly shifted his tone with humble reverence and said:

“I am but a servant attending little Little Shu. The mere name my master granted me matters naught.”

Hearing this, the guard was more delighted to slack off, his face barely containing glee as he rightfully skipped over Yun Shen.

Hence, the trio smoothly entered Ping Chao Kou without hitches.

But within ten paces, while Chen Shu thrilled at role-playing “Lady Shen,” He Yu broke character first. Leaning close, he whispered to Yun Shen the question: Why?

Yun Shen’s eyes briefly swept Chen Shu ambling ahead, absorbed in her own world.

Evidently, she’d never played such games in childhood. Now, not content with only false names, Yun Shen had woven an elaborate tale. Hence, playing the wealthy maiden—her first attempt—felt exhilarating. Such novelty still held her so spellbound she paid no heed to the whispers trailing her.

“…Since we’re journeying for The Bride’s Blade Challenge, we cannot use Chen Shu’s identity entering the city,” Yun Shen whispered. “You—He Yu—may, I—Yun Shen—may, yet Chen Shu? Victor of Sword Discussion Tournament? That fame alone already echoes far and wide jianghu-wide. Xu Yuan awaits turtle trapping! The entry rolls—though he skims—specialists check. Should she say ‘Chen Shu’—our three whereabouts lay bare!”

“We seek nothing guilty even if exposed. What barrier?” He Yu scratched his head, perplexed.

Yun Shen glanced at him lightly. “Entry poses little barrier, but recall: Xu Yuan is capturing people this round. His Martial World Alliance lacks manpower. Chen Shu arriving presents a smooth-going, unwittingly useful weapon—how won’t he wield her? Later, Xu Yuan asks our aid supervising his arena… How then to seek your sword?”

Only then did He Yu comprehend. Staring at Yun Shen as though about to speak—yet words choked—before a crisp voice behind cried:

“—Who says I’m dense?!” Chen Shu stood behind him, her gentle-demeanor mask dropping. Only vivid pique lingered—she gazed wide-eyed with glowing anger fixing Yun Shen.

“I speak of little Little Shu,” Yun Shen replied unshaken. He offered a gentle smile, neatly cutting off further retort: “But it matters nothing to Lady Shen—doesn’t it?”

Chen Shu whirled about instantly.

Ten paces from gate. Peak hours, midday.

Merchants, craftsmen, commoners visiting kin—all rushed orderly into the city.

Their squabble—neither fierce nor trivial—had drawn curious gazes from several passersby already staring toward them.

Those gazes met hers. Remembering the larger goal—she hadn’t heard Yun Shen’s explanation—she nevertheless sensed its gravity. Thus, against prying eyes, she mustered a hollow grin.

Then, turning back, she flashed Yun Shen a covert glare, pursed her lips tight, and trudged onward.

The crowd poured like streams that converged and parted, especially at that first fork after entering the city. It nearly recalled the sea of people on the two days of the Sword Discussion Tournament, except that back then they had stood atop the Sword Discussion Platform, while now, they were amidst the flowing crowd.

So annoyed, Chen Shu strode ahead, nearly swept into the tide of people due to distraction.

She stared blankly at the dense rows of shadows, when suddenly a thought struck her mind. A coolness touched her hand as slender fingers gently slipped into her grasp, holding her, then deepening the clasp until their hands were tightly entwined.

Chen Shu whirled around and bumped squarely against Yun Shen’s chest.

She hadn’t noticed before that Yun Shen, such a frail scholar, had such a firm chest—rare enough to actually hurt. “Oof!” she exclaimed, raising her hand to rub it just as Yun Shen’s gentle touch landed on her forehead to soothe her.

Nearby, a kind-hearted person from Fangcheng asked, “Is the young lady alright?” Yun Shen’s cool gaze watched her with concern, but Chen Shu tugged his sleeve, her playful mood vanishing as she lowered her voice and asked solemnly:

“That remark earlier—‘so what now?’—does that mean you already have a plan in mind to find the sword?”