113: A fearsome reputation spread throughout the land

"Hmph, a profligate prince? It seems now that we have all been deceived by him. That profligate prince persona was merely what he wanted us to see," Zhang Sanfeng said with a grim expression.

"Could it be that this Duan Long is actually Duan Zhengchun?" Eldest Martial Brother said in surprise.

"From this old Taoist's perspective, that is likely the case."

"I just didn't expect the Duan Clan to have a connection with that high expert."

"Sigh... it looks like the Martial Forest is about to Face another period of strife," Zhang Sanfeng said helplessly.

It had been so many years. Ever since Abbess Fengling passed the position of Sect Head to Nickname, he had received no further news of Guo Xiang.

The last news he received was that she intended to enter Death Seclusion to attempt a Breakthrough to the Heavenly Human Realm; if she failed, they would never have the chance to meet again.

Now, over twenty years had passed, and there was still no word from Guo Xiang.

"Master, what should we do now?"

"Nickname has offended many people over these years. If the Emei Sect doesn't have a powerful figure overseeing it, I'm afraid it won't be long before it truly falls apart," Eldest Martial Brother said.

He said this because he understood the nature of the relationship between the Sect and the Emei Sect.

It was all because of some indescribable events between the Emei Sect's Founding Ancestral Master and his own Master.

She was the Emei Sect's Founding Ancestral Master, Guo Xiang.

He knew that his Master had once pursued Guo Xiang, but because she already had someone else in her heart, it eventually came to nothing.

Ever since the Emei Sect was placed in Nickname's hands, given Abbess Miejue's personality, she had offended many and caused much bloodshed.

Now that Nickname was dead, those people would surely take the opportunity to seek revenge on the Emei Sect.

If the Sect did not intervene, the destruction of the Emei Sect would only be a matter of time.

"Sigh... it seems this old Taoist will have to make the trip personally."

"I also want to see what kind of Genius this Duan Long is, to have achieved such accomplishments at such a young age," Zhang Sanfeng said.

"Master, is it really necessary for you to act personally?"

"We only need to spread the word; I believe those people should give the Sect some Face," Eldest Martial Brother said.

"Sigh... if it were only about this matter, there would naturally be no need for me to go. I also want to see what Duan Long's true identity is."

"If it's just a minor conflict between him and Zhang Wuji, perhaps there's still room for maneuver." A trace of guilt flashed in Zhang Sanfeng's eyes.

This was guilt toward his Fifth Disciple, who had died before his eyes because of his own hesitation.

He hadn't been able to take good care of the child left behind, and seeing how things had turned out now, his guilt toward his Fifth Disciple deepened.

Therefore, he still wanted to bring Zhang Wuji back.

To teach him well would be a way to give his Fifth Disciple an explanation.

"In that case, Master, please go ahead. I will keep a close watch on the Sect," Eldest Martial Brother said, taking a deep breath.

This time, Zhang Sanfeng did not choose to leave quietly but instead left the Sect with great fanfare.

The news of Zhang Sanfeng leaving the Sect instantly spread throughout the entire Jianghu.

After all, Zhang Sanfeng was the stabilizing pillar of the Martial World, and his every move affected the stability of the entire Martial World.

Leaving the Sect with such fanfare was bound to cause a sensation.

Everyone was guessing the purpose of Zhang Sanfeng's descent from the mountain.

In the First Villa Under Heaven, Shangguan Haitang looked at the secret letter in her hand, her heart filled with shock.

"What's going on? How many years has it been since the one on Mount Wudang descended? Why today of all days?"

"Could it be because of Zhang Wuji's matter? Or perhaps because of Abbess Miejue's matter?"

"Villa Master, latest news: Abbess Miejue of the Emei Sect died at Bright Summit, and Abbess Fengling died at the foot of Mount Emei."

"Both were killed by the same person, a man named Duan Long. However, according to our scouts' reports, this person is likely the Prince of Zhennan of Dali, Duan Zhengchun."

"Oh? That useless profligate prince in the eyes of the world?" Shangguan Haitang raised an eyebrow.

"Exactly him. However, this Duan Zhengchun is very different from the rumors; his strength is also vastly inconsistent with the reports."

"Based on his recent battle records, we deduce that Duan Zhengchun is at least a Great Grandmaster."

Hearing her subordinate's report, Shangguan Haitang stood up abruptly, shock written all over her Face.

A Great Grandmaster? How could that be? In the intelligence, Duan Zhengchun was just a profligate prince who spent his days chasing women.

His strength wasn't even at the Innate level, let alone Great Grandmaster.

How could he have reached the Grandmaster Realm in such a short time?

Could it be that everything before was just a facade, and Duan Zhengchun did it to mislead the world while he was secretly working hard to Cultivate?

Although this explanation was barely plausible, who would believe a twenty-year-old Great Grandmaster?

Even her foster father, the Iron-fisted Divine Marquis, was only in the Grandmaster Realm on the surface. (In reality, he was in the Late Heaven-Man Realm.)

But how old was her foster father? He was already over forty.

And that was only because her foster father, as a prince, had access to many cultivation resources from the Imperial Palace to achieve what he has today.

Although Duan Zhengchun was also a prince, the Kingdom was just a small border nation. What kind of foundation could it have to stack a profligate prince like Duan Zhengchun up to the Great Grandmaster level?

Emperor Baoding Emperor is currently only at the Innate Peak; relying on the power of the One Yang Finger, he can fight against a Grandmaster.

How could a profligate like Duan Zhengchun have the strength of a Great Grandmaster?

But if he didn't, how did Abbess Fengling die?

They were well aware of Abbess Fengling's strength; she was already at the Initial Grandmaster Realm.

You're saying such a Master was killed by a profligate prince who wasn't even at the Innate level?

She would rather believe a rooster could lay eggs than believe something so absurd.

Therefore, there was only one explanation: Duan Zhengchun really was a Great Grandmaster.

If that were the case, then Zhang Sanfeng's sudden descent from the mountain made sense.

The ambiguous relationship between the Sect and the Emei Sect was no secret in the Martial World.

However, what she was curious about now was: what was Duan Zhengchun's purpose for such forbearance?

Could it really be just to keep a low profile?

She suspected that the Dali Duan Clan might have some ulterior secrets, perhaps planning to cause trouble behind the scenes.

She had to inform her foster father of this as soon as possible, if for no other reason than because the Kingdom bordered the Great Ming.

It was also a nation founded on martial arts; if they were to stir up trouble, the Great Ming would find itself attacked from both sides.

Opening another letter, Shangguan Haitang's expression changed completely.

Duan Zhengchun had actually killed Shen Guyan and Wang Lianhua in the Tang Clan, and the Great Hero Shen Lang had even declared he would avenge his brothers.

Was this guy a walking explosive? Exploding wherever he went?

This matter had already caused a sensation in the Martial World; if not handled carefully, it could easily lead to a major disaster.

Immediately, Shangguan Haitang headed to the Dragon Guard Manor at the fastest possible speed to report her findings.

In Jiangnan, at the Misty Rain Tower, three figures were clinking glasses and drinking; these three were quite distinctive.

One of them had a cold expression, his entire body exuding a chilling Sword Intent.

Sitting across from him was a handsome Young Master, but the only regret was that this Young Master was blind.