84: Chapter 84 Martial Arts Holy Land

Yanzhou and Jian Prefecture are separated by a thousand miles.

On the official road, the sound of horses' hooves clattered.

A group of more than a dozen people, all experts from the Longxing Sect, were galloping southward under the leadership of Uncle Song.

Chen Fan was among them.

The wind brushed against his cheeks, carrying a humid scent completely different from that of Yanzhou.

It had been ten days since he left home.

Along the way, experiencing the local customs and practices had smoothed away the ripples in his heart.

After another three days of travel, a magnificent city finally appeared at the end of the horizon.

Jian Prefecture City.

Unlike the heavy atmosphere of Yanzhou City, the first impression Jian Prefecture City gave people was one of sharpness.

The city walls were built from dark cyan boulders, with straight lines resembling sword edges pointing directly at the sky.

Even the upturned eaves on the city gate tower exuded a sharp Sword Intent.

Before even entering the city, a fierce aura belonging to the Jianghu, mixed with the scent of iron and blood, rushed toward them.

Uncle Song pulled on the horse's reins, and the group slowly came to a halt.

"After entering the city, everyone keep a low profile," he said, his voice not loud but clearly reaching everyone's ears. "This is not Yanzhou; it is a place where hidden tigers and crouching dragons reside. Do not easily invite trouble."

The group replied in unison.

Upon entering the city, that Jianghu atmosphere became even more intense.

The streets were wide enough to accommodate eight horses riding side by side, but at this moment, they appeared somewhat crowded.

Everywhere one looked, there were people of the Jianghu.

Chen Fan followed at the end of the group, observing calmly.

By the side of the street, a man performing for money was shirtless, his bronze-colored muscles knotted.

He was not performing the act of breaking a boulder on his chest; instead, he was wielding a heavy sword taller than a person with great force.

The wind from the sword whistled, kicking up dust, and the surrounding onlookers cheered and applauded.

That man was, shockingly, a Ninth-grade Martial Artist.

In Yanzhou City, a Ninth-grade Martial Artist would be enough to serve as a deacon in some small School.

But here, he could only perform on the street to earn some hard-earned money.

Not far away at a restaurant, the second-floor windows were wide open.

Two young men were drinking competitively, and the table was already covered in empty wine jars.

One of them, face flushed red, suddenly laughed loudly, drew the long saber at his waist, and slashed at the air.

A crescent-shaped Saber Qi whistled out, cutting the banner of the teahouse opposite them in half.

"Good!"

Cheers erupted instantly inside the restaurant.

From the teahouse whose banner had been cut, a man carrying a long spear walked out.

He merely looked up and shouted in a booming voice: "Li Si, you're drunk again! Put this banner on your tab!"

The youth wielding the saber laughed heartily and casually tossed down an ingot of silver.

"Li Si, get a new one!"

The whole process lacked any anger, instead exuding the heroic and uninhibited spirit of the people of the Jianghu.

Pedestrians on the street were long accustomed to this.

Chen Fan's gaze swept over the various Martial Artists.

The weapons they carried were varied and strange.

There were the common sabers, spears, swords, and halberds, as well as the rare judge's pens and iron-ribbed fans.

Some even carried a huge gourd on their backs, and it was unclear whether it contained wine or something else.

The auras of these people were also distinct.

Some were flamboyant and overbearing, walking with the stride of a dragon and a tiger, wishing for everyone to know they were experts.

Others were introverted and calm, blending into the crowd without attracting attention, yet a casual glance from them could make one feel a hint of trepidation.

This was Jian Prefecture.

A paradise for Martial Artists, and also a slaughterhouse where, with the slightest carelessness, one would end up with no remains.

Uncle Song had already booked an Inn in the city, and the group settled in.

There were still ten days until the Sword Testing Conference.

These ten days were for the various Martial Artists to adjust their state and also to gather information.

Just after settling down, several fellow Disciples came to Chen Fan's room.

"Senior Brother Chen, let's go, let's go. Why stay cooped up in the room? Let's go have some fun." A young Disciple named Li He winked at him.

Chen Fan originally wanted to refuse.

"Senior Brother Chen, don't be like that." Another Disciple, Wang Kai, advised, "We are new here. Going to a place where many people gather is a good way to hear news and know ourselves and our enemies."

This reason made it impossible for Chen Fan to refuse.

Indeed, the brothels and entertainment districts were places where all kinds of people mixed, and they were the places with the most well-informed news.

"Alright."

The group agreed immediately, changed into casual clothes, and familiar with the path, headed toward the most famous den of pleasure in the city.

Inn.

What an elegant name.

However, when Chen Fan stepped inside, he realized that this place had nothing to do with elegance.

A thick scent of rouge and powder rushed to his face, mixed with the smell of wine and sweat, forming an odor that made one feel dizzy.

Inside the main hall, the noise was deafening, almost enough to lift the roof off.

Looking around, it was full of people.

Moreover, more than ninety percent were Jianghu men carrying sabers and swords.

The girls were wearing revealing gauze dresses, weaving through the crowd, giggling continuously, and were occasionally pulled into the arms of some rude man, drawing laughter and whistles.

This was no brothel; it was clearly a branch venue for the Martial Forest assembly.

"Gentlemen, please come in!" A sharp-eyed pimp immediately welcomed them.

Li He was clearly an old hand at this and skillfully shoved a piece of broken silver over. "Find us a quiet spot."

"Alright!"

The pimp led them to a private seat by the window on the second floor, which had an excellent view, allowing them to take in the entire scene of the main hall.

They ordered wine and food and called for a few girls to accompany them.

Chen Fan just sat quietly, pouring himself a cup of wine, but his ears were perked up, carefully listening to the movements around him.

"Have you heard? 'Soul-Severing Sword' Nie Shu killed 'Iron Palm' Liu Xiong with one sword yesterday outside the city!"

"Hiss! Liu Xiong was a long-famous Seventh-grade expert, and he just died like that?"

"Isn't that so! That Nie Shu is said to be not even twenty-five years old, his fast sword technique is unfathomable. In this hero ranking list, he will definitely have a spot!"

"What is Nie Shu? 'Little Overlord' Little Overlord, have you heard of him? Born with Divine Power, his Overlord Spear technique is said to have reached seven-tenths of the skill of his father, the 'Western Chu Overlord' Xiang Tiange!"

"And there's Tang Nian of the Tang Sect, her Rain of Pear Blossom Needles is impossible to guard against. Who doesn't get a headache seeing it?"

One unfamiliar name after another, accompanied by astonishing battle records, reached Chen Fan's ears.

Soul-Severing Sword, Nie Shu.

Little Overlord, Little Overlord.

Tang Sect, Tang Nian.

He kept these names in his mind one by one.

These people were probably his potential opponents this time.

"Tch, everything you're talking about is just on the surface." A drunk swordsman at the next table suddenly sneered.

"Oh? Brother, what is your high opinion?"

The swordsman hiccuped, lowered his voice, and said mysteriously, "If we're talking about the biggest variable in this hero ranking list, it has to be that person... 'Jade-Faced Asura'!"

Jade-Faced Asura?

This name made even Chen Fan unable to help but glance over.

"And who is that?"

"Hehe, you don't even know him?" The swordsman looked smug. "It is said that this person has a mysterious background, and no one knows his master. When he attacks, he only uses one sword, and what's more, the sword never leaves its scabbard."

"The sword never leaves its scabbard?" Everyone was shocked.

"That's right!" The swordsman slapped the table. "All his opponents are beaten to death by him using the scabbard! His methods are cruel, yet he happens to have a handsome face, which is why he got this nickname."

"It is said that if it weren't for his age, this time he wouldn't be aiming for the hero ranking list, but competing for the Dragon and Tiger Ranking!"

The Dragon and Tiger Ranking requires one to be under twenty-five, while the hero ranking list is for those under thirty.

Killing with a scabbard?

Chen Fan's heart tightened.

How great must the power gap and how strong the Internal Energy be to achieve this.

This person is definitely a formidable opponent.

While he was thinking, Li He beside him was already holding a girl, groping her, and speaking lewd words.

"Little beauty, give me a kiss."

The girl giggled and dodged, but accidentally bumped into someone passing by behind her.

"Ouch!"

The girl exclaimed.

Li He, emboldened by the alcohol, didn't even look up as he cursed: "Are you blind! If you bump into my beauty, can you afford to pay for it?"

The entire second floor instantly went quiet.

Everyone's gaze focused over here.

Chen Fan also looked up.

He saw a young man dressed in white, with a long sword on his back, standing there.

He said nothing, just quietly looking at the flushed Li He.