99: Chapter 99 A Room of Enchanting Beauty

Departing from Linhuang City, they headed south.

The three of them on three horses did not choose to march day and night; instead, they deliberately slowed their pace, like true traveling Martial Artists, observing the local customs and human sentiments.

In just three days of travel, the surrounding scenery had undergone a heaven-defying change.

On the official road, ragged and gaunt refugees were visible everywhere; their eyes were numb, like walking corpses, unable to see a glimmer of hope.

The villages and towns along the way were desolate, with fields left largely barren; occasionally, a few commoners huddled in corners looked at Gao Feng and his group with eyes full of fear and wariness, as if they were wild beasts ready to pounce and devour them at any moment.

They even witnessed a squad of soldiers wearing Great Qian official uniforms rush into a village in broad daylight, looting the already scarce food supplies, and cutting down anyone who resisted with their blades.

That scene formed a stark, heaven-and-earth contrast with the scene in Panshi Land, where everyone lived and worked in peace and contentment, full of vitality.

"Lord," Wulu's weather-beaten face showed deep confusion for the first time, "Is this the scene near the prefecture capital? Why... does it feel even worse than those small tribes in our Southern Wild Hundred Barbarians?"

In his understanding, under the governance of a prefecture capital, it should be a prosperous and wealthy place.

Gao Feng remained silent along the way, simply keeping all of this in his eyes and heart.

This decaying Dynasty was rotten not just at the roots, but even its branches were thoroughly decayed.

Such a scene only strengthened a certain thought in his heart.

On the afternoon of the fourth day, a magnificent city finally appeared at the end of the horizon.

That was the capital of Hanyang Prefecture, and also the largest and most prosperous city in the entire northern territory of Great Qian—Hanyang City!

The city wall was ten zhang high, built entirely of huge, dark blue-black stone strips, solid and thick, like a giant beast crouching on the earth, exuding a majestic and vicissitudinous Aura.

Above the city walls, flags stood like a forest, armored soldiers were like ants, and the stern arrow towers and huge siege defense weapons shimmered with a cold metallic luster under the sun.

The wide moat, sparkling with waves, circled the entire majestic city like a green jade belt.

Gao Feng reined in his horse, squinting as he gazed at this massive prefecture city.

He could feel that hovering above this city was a vast and complex "Qi" that ordinary people could not perceive at all.

There was the official Qi inherited by the government for hundreds of years, the noble Qi accumulated by great aristocratic families, the soaring Killing Intent of Martial Artists, and even more, the countless resentment and Death Qi hidden beneath the prosperity.

This was the center of Hanyang Prefecture, a vortex of power, and also... a place where dragons and tigers were hidden.

"Let's go," Gao Feng smiled faintly, a long-lost flame called challenge igniting in his eyes.

The three of them successfully entered Hanyang City, and the prosperity inside the city opened their eyes even further.

The wide main road was paved with smooth blue stone slabs, wide enough to accommodate six carriages side by side.

On both sides of the street were rows of shops and restaurants, with flying eaves and carved beams, hanging all kinds of dazzling signs.

The streets were crowded with people, from wealthy merchants in silk and satin to Jianghu heroes with long swords at their waists, from golden-haired and blue-eyed barbarians from foreign lands to the children of officials riding in luxurious carriages, surrounded by guards.

The calls of vendors, shouts, and the noise of carriages and horses converged into a torrent full of the atmosphere of human life, rushing towards them.

"Tanghulu! Fragrant and sweet tanghulu!"

"Fine Western wine! If it's not good, don't pay!"

"Come and watch! Breaking a large stone on the chest!"

Big Fool's eyes were completely overwhelmed; he was like a child who had just entered the city, finding everything novel and wanting to taste everything he smelled.

Gao Feng let him buy a large pile of miscellaneous snacks while taking the other two, walking unhurriedly towards the east of the city.

That was where the headquarters of the Four Seas Merchant Guild in Hanyang Prefecture was located.

Unlike the frontier branch established at Three-Forked Crossing, the Four Seas Merchant Guild in Hanyang City occupied an entire street.

Building after building stood with imposing momentum, and the guards at the entrance all had bulging temples and steady breathing; they were all experts of the Second Rank or above.

What was displayed here was the true foundation and strength of this business giant within a prefecture.

Gao Feng did not enter from the main entrance but led the two of them around to the back street, stopping in front of a seemingly unremarkable small building with a plaque that read "Su's Embroidery Workshop".

He followed the secret code Su Meiniang had agreed upon in her letter and knocked on the door knocker three times.

One long, two short.

A moment later, with a "creak," the side door of the small building opened a crack.

A shrewd and capable-looking maid poked her head out, looked them over vigilantly, and asked in a low voice: "Three guests, what would you like to buy?"

Gao Feng said indifferently: "An old acquaintance entrusted me to bring a message to Chief Leader Su."

"Panshi blossoms, the north wind is due south."

The maid's pupils shrank violently!

She took another deep look at Gao Feng, and her expression instantly became extremely respectful.

"Distinguished guests, please come in; my master has been waiting for a long time."

The maid led them into the small building, passed through several secret doors and corridors, and finally arrived at an elegant courtyard, which was completely different from the noise outside and full of the charm of Jiangnan gardens.

In the courtyard, there were rockeries and flowing water, exotic flowers and plants, and an exquisite pavilion sat by the lotus pond.

And inside the pavilion, a peerless, beautiful figure in a fiery red dress was standing with her back to them, leaning against the railing, quietly admiring the koi playing in the pond.

Just her back was enough to make one's heart flutter.

"You two, wait here first," the maid said respectfully to Big Fool and Wulu.

Then, she made a "please" gesture to Gao Feng.

Gao Feng nodded, signaling Big Fool and Wulu to stay calm, and walked alone towards the pavilion.

As his footsteps sounded, the fiery red figure trembled slightly.

She turned around slowly.

It was still that stunning face, naturally charming, enough to make any man in the world go crazy for it.

But compared to before, Su Meiniang now had less of the caution of walking on thin ice between her brows and more of the calmness and majesty that only those in high positions possess.

Her phoenix eyes looked quietly at the man who was walking towards her, wearing ordinary Martial Artist clothes, yet still unable to hide that imposing manner like an abyss or a mountain.

Their eyes met.

Time seemed to stand still at this moment.

A thousand words were transformed into that complex emotion of reunion after a long separation in each other's eyes.

"You... came."

In the end, it was Su Meiniang who broke the silence first.

Her voice carried a slight tremor that even she herself had not noticed.

Gao Feng walked to her, stopped, and a familiar, slightly teasing smile appeared on his face.

"Chief Leader Su, now that you are in charge of the Four Seas Merchant Guild's Hanyang Prefecture headquarters, you are truly impressive. It really isn't easy for a poor Martial Artist from the north like me to see you."

Hearing this, Su Meiniang's soul-stirring phoenix eyes instantly curved into a pair of beautiful crescent moons.

The majesty on her body melted away like ice in spring, replaced by that extreme charm and amorousness that had long been deep in her bones.

"Yo, look, who is speaking so sourly?"

She extended a finger as delicate as a scallion and gently poked Gao Feng's solid chest, her breath as fragrant as an orchid.

"Who doesn't know now that a formidable 'Guardian Deity' has emerged in the northern territory? With your own strength, you have conquered the Southern Wild Hundred Barbarians, sitting on a force of one hundred thousand, with a territory of eight hundred miles."

"Compared to you, the Lord of the North who holds the power of life and death, what are my little assets worth?"

Gao Feng laughed, grabbed her mischievous jade hand, and pulled her into his arms.

"In front of me, you don't need to be that impressive Chief Leader Su." He lowered his head, looked at her phoenix eyes, which were misting over due to the sudden intimate contact, and said softly, "You are just Su Meiniang."

Feeling that familiar and powerful embrace, and smelling the scent of masculinity that belonged only to him.

Su Meiniang's heart, which had long been hardened like iron in the vortex of power, completely melted at this moment.

"Bad guy..."

She buried her face deeply in his arms, her voice carrying a trace of grievance, a trace of longing, and a trace of reliance that even she herself could not distinguish.

These past few years, she had not had it easy.

Although Gao Feng's trade support in the north had allowed her to make a fortune and her position to become increasingly stable.

But the power struggle within the Four Seas Merchant Guild was no less dangerous than a real war.

She was calculating every day, guarding every day, like dancing on a tightrope.

Only in the dead of night would she occasionally think of the man who had broken into her life with the most domineering and aggressive posture.

Now, this man had finally appeared in front of her again.

The two of them just hugged each other quietly, enjoying this hard-won warmth.

After a long time, Gao Feng gently patted her back.

"Alright, let's get down to business first. Is there any problem with the identity documents and the Martial Examination registration?"

Only then did Su Meiniang reluctantly raise her head from his arms, her face having already returned to that shrewd and capable appearance, but the corners of her eyes and brows still carried a hint of lingering tenderness.

"Underestimating me, aren't you?" She gave him a sidelong glance, full of amorousness, "Follow me."

She took Gao Feng's hand and walked into a study deep in the courtyard.

In the study, everything had already been prepared.

Two well-made identity documents that were enough to pass for real, and which could be found in the government's archives, were ready.

One was for Gao Feng, under the alias "Gao Pan," a traveling Martial Artist from Luoyun Prefecture in the north.

The other was prepared for Big Fool and Wulu, with the status of his guards.

"As for the Martial Examination registration," Su Meiniang took a pure gold token engraved with a fierce tiger totem from a sandalwood box and handed it to Gao Feng, "This is a recommendation token from the Wang Family, one of the four great families in Hanyang City."

"This Martial Examination is divided into the 'Official Exam' and the 'Civilian Exam'. The Civilian Exam requires one to start from the lowest level of the preliminary selection and fight their way up step by step. It is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and it will expose your strength too early."

"With this recommendation token, you can skip the preliminary selection and directly participate in the main competition of the Provincial Exam in three days under the name of a 'Guest Elder' of the Wang Family."

"The Wang Family?" Gao Pan's brows raised slightly.

"Yes," Su Meiniang explained, "The Wang Family is a long-established martial aristocracy in Hanyang City. They have had business dealings with our Four Seas Merchant Guild for many years. Their legitimate son is a good-for-nothing playboy who also signed up for the Martial Examination, but that's just to gain some reputation. I spent some resources to have him recommend one more person; it was a simple matter."

Looking at the heavy gold token in his hand, Gao Pan couldn't help but sigh; having money and power truly makes things easier.

If he had to go through the process himself, he probably wouldn't be able to get it done in less than one or two months.

"Thanks," he said sincerely.

"Do you need to say that word to me?" A hint of resentment flashed in Su Meiniang's eyes. "Stay tonight. I... have some private words I want to say to you."

She paused, then added, "Also, I'd like to have a good talk with you about a few real opponents you might encounter during this Provincial Exam."

The night was like water.

Inside Su Meiniang's boudoir, red candles flickered, and the scent of incense curled in the air.

After a sumptuous banquet, Big Fool and Wulu had already been arranged to rest in the guest rooms of the side courtyard.

Gao Pan sat opposite Su Meiniang, who had changed into a thin silk nightgown.

The hazy candlelight illuminated Su Meiniang's curvaceous body and her face, which looked even more enchanting and moving from the slight amount of fine wine she had consumed, forming a beautiful picture that would make any man's blood boil.

"Although Hanyang City is located in the Northern Territory, because it is the seat of the provincial government, the waters are far deeper than you imagine."

Su Meiniang personally poured a glass of wine for Gao Pan, her expression becoming extremely serious.

"Here, what determines the upper limit of a Martial Artist, besides talent and effort, is more importantly, one's background."

"Cultivation Techniques, Medicinal Pills, divine weapons, famous teachers... these are resources that ordinary Martial Artists cannot reach in their entire lives. Yet for those true descendants of aristocratic families and successors of great Sects, they are easily obtained."

She picked up a more detailed intelligence scroll that had been prepared on the table and slowly unfolded it.

"According to the information I have received, this Hanyang Provincial Exam, although it is only the first stage of the Martial Examination, will be very intense because too many people want to make a name for themselves here."

"Among them, there are three people you must be especially careful of."

"The first is the 'Sea-Overturning Flood Dragon', Jiang Bietao."

Su Meiniang's fingertip tapped on the first name on the scroll.

"This person is the Young Lord of the Raging Waves Gang, the largest Gang in Hanyang City. The Raging Waves Gang controls all waterways leading to the south and is as wealthy as a nation. Jiang Bietao is a rare Genius of the Raging Waves Gang, not seen in a hundred years."

"He Cultivates the Raging Waves Gang's signature technique, the 'Sea-Overturning Art'. It is said that when the technique reaches Major Achievement, his Qi and blood surge, allowing him to stir up water vapor and form the momentum of raging waves, with infinite power. Three years ago, he had already stepped into the Fourth Rank Great Perfection, and his current strength is unfathomable."

"The weapon in his hand is a heavy halberd named 'River-Splitting', weighing one hundred and eighty catties. It is rumored that his father slew a Fourth Rank Peak 'One-Horned Water Dragon', took its spine, and spent a great deal of money to forge it."

A hint of solemnity flashed in Gao Pan's eyes.

A Gang Young Lord; his Cultivation Technique and resources were indeed top-tier.

"The second is the 'Thunder-Galloping Sword', Qin Yu."

Su Meiniang's finger slid down further.

"This person is the Chief Disciple of the Qingcheng Sword School, the number one sword School in Hanyang City. Although the Qingcheng Sword School is a Jianghu School, its Legacy is long-standing, and its strength is so great that it can even rival the four major Families. Qin Yu is even hailed as the 'Number One Sword of Hanyang City's younger generation'."

"He started practicing sword at three, reached Minor Achievement at ten, and at fifteen, his sword technique reached Major Achievement, defeating all the Elders in the School. He Cultivates the Qingcheng Sword School's secret sword technique, the 'Thirty-Six Thunder-Galloping Swords'. His sword strikes like thunder, swift and incomparable."

"His sword is named 'Awakening of Insects', a High Grade Sharp Weapon that cuts through iron like mud. What is even more terrifying is that his sword technique has already grasped a trace of the 'Thunder' Concept. Once unleashed, the sword light is mixed with wisps of electric arcs, which is not only extremely fast but can also paralyze opponents, making it impossible to guard against."

"Interesting." The corners of Gao Pan's mouth raised slightly.

One is a domineering and fierce heavy halberd, the other is a thunderous sword pursuing extreme speed.

"The third..." A look of fear and disgust, which even she felt, appeared on Su Meiniang's face.

"The 'blood hand butcher', General Zhao Wuji."

"This person's origin is unknown; he suddenly appeared in Hanyang City half a year ago. He belongs to neither any Gang nor any Family, like a lone, crazy person."

"He seems to Cultivate an extremely evil Body Refining technique. Every time he attacks, his blood Qi is monstrous, and his fighting style is extremely cruel and tyrannical. Anyone who fights him either dies or is crippled; his methods are heinous."

"What is most heart-stopping is that he seems to be able to draw strength from his opponent's blood. The longer the battle lasts, the stronger and crazier he becomes."

"Once, an Elder of the Wang Family, one of the four major Families, a long-renowned Fourth Rank Peak expert, couldn't stand his style of conduct and attacked him to teach him a lesson. As a result, the two fought for three hundred rounds, and that Wang Family Elder was actually drained of his blood Qi by him and torn in half on the spot!"

"This person is recognized as the most dangerous and cruel opponent in this Provincial Exam. Many people suspect that he is not a human at all, but a bloodthirsty demon wearing human skin!"

After listening to Su Meiniang's introduction, Gao Pan fell into a long silence.

The provincial capital is indeed a place where hidden talents reside.

A wealthy and powerful Gang Young Lord, a Sect Genius with divine sword techniques, and a bloodthirsty madman with mysterious, evil, and cruel methods.

Any one of these three people would be enough to stir up a storm of blood in the remote areas of the Northern Territory.

And they are merely the tip of the iceberg of this Martial Examination Provincial Exam.

"Afraid?" Su Meiniang looked at him and asked softly.

Gao Pan raised his head, met her gaze, and a bright smile full of endless heroism and Battle Intent bloomed on his face.

"Afraid?"

"No, I just feel... my blood boiling!"

"I came to this Hanyang City for exactly this!"

Looking at the Battle Intent burning like fire in his eyes, Su Meiniang was mesmerized.

She knew that this lion from the Northern Territory, once free from its shackles, would enter this vast arena called the "Provincial Capital".

It would surely roar to the Nine Heavens and shock the world!

She said no more, just slowly stood up, walked to his side, and breathed like an orchid.

"The night... is deep..."

The red candles were gently blown out by a fragrant breeze.

The room was filled with romance.

Several days later.

The entire Hanyang City was like a giant beast waking from its slumber, instantly completely drowned out by the boisterous human voices.

The triennial Martial Examination Provincial Exam officially kicked off today!

The giant martial arts arena in the center of the city, which could accommodate one hundred thousand people, was already packed with people.

Countless commoners, merchants, and Jianghu people flocked from all directions, wanting to witness this Peak event that determined the fate of Hanyang City's younger generation of Martial Artists.

They crowded the stands, stretching their necks, discussing excitedly and guessing who this year's Top Scholar of the Martial Examination would be.

To the north of the martial arts arena was a tall reviewing platform built of white marble, where the chief judges of this Provincial Exam were seated.

In the first seat was the Hanyang City Commandant, Lin Zhennan, known as "Iron-Blooded".

On both sides of him were the heads of the four major Families of Hanyang City, as well as the Raging Waves Gang Leader Jiang Hailong, Qingcheng Sword School Sect Head Qin Cangsong, and other regional overlords.

These people were all top experts and dignitaries who could make the entire Hanyang City tremble with just a stomp of their feet.

Their gazes were scanning with great interest the thousands of young Martial Artists below who had passed the initial qualification review and were about to participate in the first round of testing, as if they were examining the fruits waiting to be picked in their own backyard.

In the candidate area below the martial arts arena, several camps had already been clearly divided.

The most eye-catching was undoubtedly the core circle where the three favorites to win were located.

Raging Waves Gang Young Lord Jiang Bietao, dressed in a blue dragon-patterned brocade robe and holding that infamous River-Splitting heavy halberd, was surrounded by dozens of elite Raging Waves Gang members in the center.

His expression was arrogant, his eyes looking down on others, like a beast patrolling its own territory, unscrupulously enjoying the awe and flattery coming from all around.

Not far away, in the Qingcheng Sword School camp, Thunder-Galloping Sword Qin Yu was still dressed in snow-white clothes, holding his 'Awakening of Insects' treasure sword wrapped in brocade cloth, eyes closed to rest.

His posture was as straight as a pine, his temperament outstanding, like a sword immortal independent of the world, attracting many love-struck young ladies of the aristocratic families in the stands to glance at him frequently and cast flirtatious glances.

And in a dark corner far from the crowd, the blood hand butcher General Zhao Wuji covered most of his face with his signature tattered hood, revealing only a pair of eyes flashing with bloodthirsty and crazy light, scanning every "prey" present like a poisonous snake, the corners of his mouth curling into a silent and cruel grin.

These three were the most dazzling stars of this Provincial Exam, like three scorching suns, attracting ninety-nine percent of the gazes present.

They were recognized by everyone as the most powerful contenders for the position of Top Scholar of the Martial Examination.

However, the trio led by Gao Pan, who were recommended by the Wang Family, also became a focus that could not be ignored by the whole audience in a completely different way.

They were not wearing gorgeous clothes embroidered with prominent Family crests, nor did they have entourages to show off their status. The three were just dressed in the simplest gray Martial Artist outfits, standing quietly at the end of the candidate line.

However, the powerful Aura on them that was out of place with the surrounding environment was like an invisible giant rock thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples.