Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Cyan Shirt Blood Sword Cui Shengshu (Second Update)
At noon, the radiant sun hung high in the sky. Xu Nian and his team officially entered the territory of the Nine Heavens Alliance. After inquiring along the street about its headquarters, they headed straight for it. In about an hour, the group arrived at the entrance.
The Nine Heavens Alliance occupied a hundred-acre manor, its disciples numbering in the tens of thousands. Their clothing and weapons all bore their exclusive Nine Heavens Cloud-Soaring emblem. The manor gates stood wide open, with two disciples at the entrance on high alert. Disciples patrolled both inside and outside the manor in teams of ten, moving in staggered formations. The entire manor was thoroughly guarded, ensuring that anyone attempting to force entry or sneak in would be immediately discovered.
Xu Nian and his companions dismounted, walked up, and cupped their fists in greeting. "Gentlemen, please announce that Sect Leader Xu Nian of the Profound Yellow Sect from Fengxiang Prefecture has come to meet Alliance Leader Cui, the Cyan Shirt Blood Sword!"
The two gatekeepers exchanged glances, their expressions laced with surprise. They had heard about the Profound Yellow Sect yesterday. To withstand the Blood Demon Sect’s attack single-handedly and even use Celestial Punishment to repel them in one fell swoop... Never mind the Profound Yellow Sect’s current state. Indeed, anyone who could fight the Blood Demon Sect to the death already deserved the respect of all righteous factions in the Jianghu.
"Sect Leader Xu, please wait a moment. I will go and report immediately," the slender guard said hurriedly, then turned and ran towards the manor.
The other guard sized up Xu Nian and his companions. Six people, each radiating a potent aura. They’re much stronger than us disciples who patrol daily. No wonder they could drive back the Blood Demon Sect. It seems this Profound Yellow Sect is a considerable force in Fengxiang Prefecture. And this Sect Leader is so young!
「Lakeside of the manor.」
Cui Shengshu was also somewhat surprised upon receiving the message. Sect Leader Xu Nian of the Profound Yellow Sect has arrived? With only five people? Interesting, very interesting!
"Have someone prepare a banquet here at the pavilion. Tell Yuan’er and Wenzheng to join us as well," Cui Shengshu said with a smile, putting down his fishing rod. "This is a good opportunity for those two to learn that there are always people better than themselves."
"Yes!" the steward responded, quickly rising to make the arrangements.
Meanwhile, Cui Shengshu personally followed the guard who delivered the message to the manor entrance to welcome them. There was no other reason for this; the Profound Yellow Sect had earned a personal reception from him. After all, not everyone had the courage to lead their disciples in a desperate fight against the Blood Demon Sect. This Jianghu is corrupt; it’s time for those with true spirit to stand up.
Of course, his personal greeting was also to verify if the visitors were indeed from the Profound Yellow Sect. Since the Jianghu people in Celestial Origin Mansion had never seen Xu Nian and his team, it was necessary to confirm they weren’t impostors. As members of the righteous path of Jianghu, they couldn’t allow the Profound Yellow Sect’s reputation to be sullied by outsiders. This was Cui Shengshu’s nature: a refined swordsman with his own vision of Jianghu.
「At the entrance.」
Xu Nian sensed a terrifying aura approaching from afar, as imposing as a tiger descending a mountain. Based purely on this aura, Xu Nian knew this was the most formidable presence he had ever encountered. Even Zhou Yuntong, a Grandmaster Realm expert, would seem incredibly weak before this presence. Is this the Eleventh in the World?
As he stood momentarily stunned, a hearty laugh echoed from within the manor.
"HAHAHA! I was just wondering why the magpies were chirping today. Little did I expect it to be the grand arrival of the Profound Yellow Sect! This is truly a great occasion!"
Cui Shengshu emerged from the manor. Xu Nian and his companions sized up the middle-aged man dressed in a cyan scholar’s robe, a sword with a crimson hilt at his waist.
"Alliance Leader Cui, the Cyan Shirt Blood Sword? Your fame precedes you, but meeting you in person surpasses all reputation. Truly as magnanimous as the rumors say. I am deeply impressed."
Xu Nian clasped his fists in salute. Although the Profound Yellow Sect was currently somewhat weak, he was, after all, a Sect Leader. His status was considered equal to that of the Alliance Leader of the Nine Heavens Alliance. Thus, his demeanor was neither servile nor overbearing.
This attitude naturally impressed Cui Shengshu, whose eyes lit up. He exclaimed in surprise, "You are Sect Leader Xu of the Profound Yellow Sect? I didn’t expect you to be so young! Truly, each generation brings forth new talent!"
He was clearly taken aback by Xu Nian’s youth. Xu Nian merely smiled faintly, not taking the opportunity to curry favor or boast, and simply nodded lightly. Everything was understood without words. This demeanor further confirmed Xu Nian’s identity in Cui Shengshu’s eyes. Common impostors, when facing him, the Eleventh in the World, would never exhibit such confidence.
"Sect Leader Xu, please come in! I have already arranged for drinks. Let’s talk over them."
Cui Shengshu grabbed Xu Nian’s wrist, pulling him along as he said, "I’ve heard about the Profound Yellow Sect’s deeds, and I admire you greatly. If it weren’t for my duties preventing me from leaving the Nine Heavens Alliance, I would have taken up my sword and gone to slay demons with you!"
The moment he grabbed Xu Nian’s wrist, Cui Shengshu sensed the terrifying Internal Energy surging within him.
Such terrifying Internal Energy at such a young age? No wonder he could lead his disciples to resist the Blood Demon Sect. Look at what Xu Nian has achieved at his age, and then look at my own good-for-nothing son and daughter... Forget it! Better not even mention it! Xu Nian is already a First-Grade Martial Artist at this age. And my son and daughter? They’re not even as good as his disciples. It’s embarrassing to even say it. I, Cui Shengshu, the majestic Eleventh in the World, have such mediocre offspring. It’s truly a disgrace!
Junlin and his team followed Xu Nian and Cui Shengshu into the manor, curiously observing their surroundings.
"Hey, shouldn’t we make our Sect look like this? Now *this* is what a true Jianghu faction looks like."
"That task should be left to Daytime Alms. That kid could probably pull it off."
"That Steal-Sword Weirdo? During this resistance against the Blood Demon Sect, he stole swords and got hacked by our own people three times!"
"A leopard can’t change its spots. Hasn’t Daytime Alms already joined up with Flourishing Flowers? I reckon we’ll have to let Flourishing Flowers sort him out."
Though envious, Junlin and his team didn’t voice these thoughts in a way that would embarrass their Sect Leader. It’s not like the Profound Yellow Sect couldn’t have such a place. If we tidied up the Back Mountain and incorporated the Black Wind Stronghold, after a good renovation, it wouldn’t be inferior to the Nine Heavens Alliance at all.
「Lakeside Pavilion.」
The banquet was already prepared. A young man and a young woman were seated there. Upon seeing Cui Shengshu arrive with guests, they immediately stood up to offer their greetings.
"Come, come, come, Sect Leader Xu, let me introduce you. This is my son, Cui Wenzheng, and my daughter, Cui Yuan’er. They’ve caused me quite a bit of worry. I specifically asked them to meet you today so they can understand that there’s always someone better out there."
Cui Shengshu’s exceptional affability surprisingly left Xu Nian somewhat at a loss.
Looking at the young man and woman standing together, Xu Nian merely nodded lightly. I can offer a clasped-fist salute out of respect, but that courtesy is reserved for certain individuals. Not just anyone can receive such regard from me, the Sect Leader of the Profound Yellow Sect. Cui Shengshu has earned that right, but his children certainly haven’t. They are merely at the Sixth-Grade Martial Artist Realm, weaker than even the least skilled disciple of the Profound Yellow Sect! Is this it? Cui Shengshu, the Eleventh in the World, has children of such poor caliber?