When Fangzheng arrived at Qi's capital, Lin Zi, it was the start of Jixia College's annual Sword Meet. Five hundred Qixia College swordsmen were performing the opening sword salute ceremony in the public square of Jixia College. Other than Lin Zi's high officials, nobles, and ministers, there were also thousands of warriors and commoners who came to watch the show. From this, one can see that their natural instinct to watch a good show has never changed since ancient times.
After the 'sword salute' ceremony ended, it was the Prince of Qi's turn to speak to the leaders on behalf of the King of Qi. Hmm, this was also a tradition since ancient times.
Following this, it was time for the Qixia College swordsmen to take part in the examinations. Fangzheng was not interested in any of this. After a few silent glances, he walked out of the crowd and towards the center of the public square.
At that moment, everyone also saw the strange figure that stood out from the crowd. Soon, someone attempted to stop him, but Fangzheng didn't even move a muscle. The people immediately retreated to the sides. It was only when Fangzheng reached the center of Jixia College's public square that he stopped. By now, almost everyone had noticed the situation and stopped cheering, looking in his direction.
Soon, a man with several swordsmen appeared in front of Fangzheng, glaring at him.
"Who are you? Why are you barging into my Jixia College Sword Meet?"
"I am Fangzheng of Xiao Yao Palace."
Faced with the other party's question, Fangzheng smiled faintly.
"I have long heard of Sword Saint Cao Cuidao's name and am here to pay a visit. I heard that Cao Cuidao's swordsmanship is superb and I would like to see if he is worthy of my challenge."
The moment Fangzheng said this, the entire public square burst into an uproar. Following that, angry scolding erupted. One must know that Sword Saint Cao Cuidao was the hero of the people of Qi and was known as a stabilizing force. Yet, this young man actually dared to insult Cao Cuidao. It was as if he had ignited a barrel of dynamite.
Despite the angry scolding from the crowd, Fangzheng continued to smile as if he did not hear anything. He lifted his head and raised his voice.
"Where is Cao Cuidao? Come out and let this Fang see if you have the qualifications to challenge this Fang. If you can draw your sword in front of me, then you are qualified to be my opponent. "
With that said, Fangzheng chuckled and looked around.
"The same goes for all of you. If any of you are unconvinced and want to fight me, feel free to step forward. As long as you can draw your sword in front of me, you will be qualified to fight me."
Fangzheng's voice wasn't loud, but it was clearly transmitted to everyone's ears. This immediately caused the spectators in the square to boil up again. Those Qixia Swordsmen were even more indignant, all of them eager to try. Soon, a burly man roared and jumped out from the crowd, glaring fiercely at Fangzheng.
"I'm Ma Chengjia, and I'm here to learn from you!"
As he spoke, Ma Chengjia raised the sword in his hand and was about to pull it out — — Suddenly, he was shocked and stood there as if he was frozen.
As for Fangzheng, he didn't even look at him. He only placed his hands behind his back and looked ahead as if he was admiring the scenery of Jixia Academy.
At this moment, the others also noticed Ma Chengjia's strange behavior and looked at him curiously. One must know that this person was a famous swordsman in Jixia Academy. Now that he was about to draw his sword, he couldn't do so. What was going on?
Sensing the puzzled gazes around him, Ma Chengjia knew that he was in trouble. He originally thought that it wouldn't be a problem if he just drew his sword. However, what Ma Chengjia didn't expect was that when he was about to draw his sword with Fangzheng as the target, his entire body froze. That wasn't the effect of some drug, but a pure instinctive warning.
He must never become enemies with this person before him!
This was the instinctive fear that humans had towards a terrifying power that was higher than them. Ma Chengjia was no exception. Although he was extremely angry at Fangzheng for insulting Cao Cuidao, he couldn't overcome his instinctive fear.
This was similar to a human committing suicide by jumping off a building. Even if one wanted to die, when one stood at the edge and looked down at the ground, the survival instinct would be stronger than anything else and would resist one's will. Right now, Fangzheng was a threat that was hundreds or thousands of times more terrifying than committing suicide by jumping off a building. As such, the rationality and anger of an ordinary person couldn't overcome this instinctive fear.
At the same time, a few other swordsmen from Jixia Academy also joined the fight. However, their outcome was the same as Ma Chengjia's. They couldn't draw their swords at all. To these people, they felt as if they were trapped in a roaring torrent and couldn't move as they pleased. Even maintaining their balance was exhausting. It was impossible for them to draw their swords at all.
At this moment, the others could tell that something was wrong. Ma Chengjia's problem could be explained as him being bribed by the other party. However, it was impossible for the other party to bribe so many swordsmen from Jixia Academy to put on an act. Their flushed faces and necks weren't faked. However, no one knew what exactly was going on.
"It's too much of a waste of time to fight one by one. It doesn't matter if we all attack together. The outcome will be the same anyway."
Fangzheng swept his gaze across the swordsmen from Jixia Academy and spoke in an indifferent tone.
His words enraged the swordsmen and they all charged forward … unfortunately, their outcome was no different from the others.
At this point, the expression of the man who berated Fang Zhengzhi earlier finally changed. He raised his hand and signaled for the others to not act blindly without thinking. Then, he took two steps forward, stared at Fangzheng and bowed respectfully.
"I am Zongsun Xuanhua. Please give me some pointers, Young Master Fang."
After saying that, Zongsun Xuanhua reached out his hand to grab the accessory hanging on his waist and was about to draw it out.
At this moment, Zongsun Xuanhua finally experienced what the other swordsmen from Jixia Academy were feeling and was instantly shocked. Nevertheless, he was after all Cao Cuidao's eldest disciple. He immediately calmed himself down and tried to resist this unparalleled pressure.
Unfortunately, Zongsun Xuanhua was ultimately a mortal. What he had to face was a mixture of dragon's might and god's might. Even though Fangzheng did not display his full strength, even in the main world, those who had not reached the legendary realm would find it hard to fight against Fangzheng, not to mention these ordinary swordsmen.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Zongsun Xuanhua's eyes widened and the corners of his eyes turned bloodshot. Following that, his body started to tremble and sway left and right. Following which, Zongsun Xuanhua let out a groan and spat out a mouthful of blood before collapsing to the ground.
This was the result of a mortal overestimating his own strength and going against god's might.
At this point, a commotion broke out and everyone was dumbfounded. Zongsun Xuanhua was Cao Cuidao's eldest disciple and a teacher of Jixia Academy. Others could say that he was just putting on an act, but not him. Immediately, someone rushed forward and helped him up.
"Brother Zongsun, are you alright?"
"I'm, I'm fine …"
Zongsun Xuanhua wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and waved his hands. With a grave expression, he stared at Fangzheng and replied in a low voice.
"This man is extremely terrifying and we are no match for him. Only Master has a chance of fighting him."
Although that was what he said, Zongsun Xuanhua was well aware of his own capabilities. Indeed, Cao Cuidao was a master swordsman and ordinary people would not dare to challenge him. However, that was mainly due to Cao Cuidao's accumulated might and spirit. Yet, this man's aura was more than a thousand times stronger than Cao Cuidao's. Even without a sword in his hand, he exuded an aura that told others not to attack him at all costs.
Zongsun Xuanhua pondered and felt that even if his Master was here, he would not have a good ending.
At this thought, Zongsun Xuanhua got up, straightened his body and bowed to Fangzheng.
"Our Jixia Academy has never had any dealings with Young Master Fang. Why must Young Master Fang make things difficult for us? If there are any misunderstandings, I hope Young Master Fang can discuss this in private. "
At this point in time, everyone knew that Jixia Academy was afraid and many of them cast dissatisfied glances at Zongsun Xuanhua. Zongsun Xuanhua knew that it would be best if he could settle this matter here. At most, he would lose face for Zongsun Xuanhua. However, if Cao Cuidao were to be defeated in front of everyone, the entire Qi Kingdom would collapse.
The people of Qi loved empty talk and were the best at bragging and dreaming. Therefore, after the emergence of a Sword Saint like Cao Cuidao, the people of Qi became even more arrogant. The Qixia Sword Meet this time not only included the nobles of the Qi Kingdom, but there were also envoys from other countries participating. If Cao Cuidao was beaten up like a grandson by this young man who wasn't even half his age, the Qi Kingdom would truly be finished.
In comparison, losing face was not a big deal.
"Oh, there are no misunderstandings."
With his hands behind his back, Fangzheng sighed softly.
"It's just that when I was roaming the various countries, I once had a one-night stand with a girl. That girl said that Cao Cuidao of the Qi Kingdom, who calls himself a Sword Saint, is incomparably arrogant and never shows mercy. She hopes that I can teach him a lesson. Therefore, I am here. "
"… … …"
After hearing Fangzheng's reply, everyone was stunned. Zongsun Xuanhua looked like he was about to vomit a few hundred milliliters of blood.
"… … Just because of this?"
"That's right. After all, it was just a one-night stand. Moreover, to me, it was just a matter of convenience. Besides, I am also curious to see how capable the self-proclaimed Sword Saint, Cao Cuidao, is."
At this point, everyone was infuriated. The faces of the nobles of Qi turned ashen. Cao Cuidao was the supreme deity in the hearts of the people of Qi. Yet, Fangzheng's explanation was that he did it because he had a one-night stand with a girl and it was just a matter of convenience?
This was an utter disregard for the Qi Kingdom!!
"Insolence!!"
The King of Qi slammed his chair in anger and stood up.
"Men, take down this madman!!"
Following the King of Qi's furious bellow, the Imperial Guards immediately moved out. However, just like the rest of the crowd, they instinctively stopped within a hundred steps of Fangzheng, not daring to take another step forward.
"So, is Cao Cuidao going to come out or not?"
With his hands still behind his back, Fangzheng frowned slightly and displayed an impatient expression.
"If Cao Cuidao refuses to come out, then don't blame me for going in to look for him."
At this moment, a voice suddenly sounded.
"There's no need to trouble Young Master Fang. I am already here!"
Following this voice, a muscular man dressed in a grey swordsman's attire strode out from Jixia Academy. His long hair draped over his shoulders and his bright eyes stared intently at Fangzheng.
This was none other than the renowned swordsman of the Warring States Period, Cao Cuidao, also known as the 'Sword Saint'.
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