Ugly Hero - Chapter 6

When Lu Nanzhu’s group successfully went up the mountain, one of the important forces attending this “Demon-Slaying Assembly” also arrived at Tianqiong Mountain.

Although Huaxia Manor had only sent two elders this time, accompanying them was Xia Qinyi, the next manor master of Huaxia Manor. That was more than enough weight.

As a force in the jianghu that could not be underestimated, Huaxia Manor’s hero invitation was naturally different from others. One invitation could bring twenty people up the mountain.

Ever since Xia Qinyi had received a carrier-pigeon message a few days ago, her mood had darkened. She had not expected that lecherous thief to actually steal her jade hairpin and pawn it—and pawn it for only twenty taels!

This was simply an insult to her. Since when had anything belonging to her ever been so cheap?

Fortunately, the letter said that ugly freak seemed to intend to redeem it. Only then did Xia Qinyi suppress her thoughts and immediately send some capable people to Mosu City to lie in ambush.

A man actually loved women’s belongings so much. Thinking of this, Xia Qinyi shuddered, and her impression of the Ugly Hero became even worse.

“Young Miss!”

“Mm? Uncle Quan.”

Seeing Xia Qinyi’s mind wandering, Xia Quan felt somewhat helpless. He swept his gaze around, walked to Xia Qinyi’s side, and lowered his voice. “Young Miss, this assembly is a good opportunity for you to establish your authority. If this old man’s expectations are correct, there will certainly be a martial arts sparring segment. Young Miss has lived in seclusion these years and has yet to make a name for yourself in the jianghu. Now that Young Miss has grown up, in the future, you will have to shoulder all the great and small affairs of the manor. You must be prepared.”

“Mm.” Xia Qinyi nodded. How could she not know what Elder Xia Quan was saying?

Her parents had died early. Back then, it had been thanks to her Third Grandfather overcoming all objections that her status as the next manor master had been settled. Although she had carried the title of Young Miss all these years, many people in the manor—especially those of the second and fourth branches—were dissatisfied.

Xia Qinyi glanced at Xia Qinze, who was following in the group. He was the eldest grandson of the second branch and one of her strongest competitors for the position of family head. This time, the fourth branch had not sent anyone from the younger generation.

Xia Qinyi was born from the eldest son of Huaxia Manor’s main branch. Unfortunately, her biological grandfather had died early. After her father became manor master, there were still three elders above him, and he had been restricted in many ways.

Her mother had passed away after giving birth to her. As her father’s only legitimate daughter, she had been dearly loved since childhood. Unfortunately, when she was eight years old, her father encountered members of the Demon Cult who tried to seize the Phoenix Blood Saber. In the end, although her father prevented the Phoenix Blood Saber from falling into the Demon Cult’s hands, he suffered serious injuries himself and passed away not long after.

Only Xia Qinyi remained of Huaxia Manor’s main branch. It was thanks to her Third Grandfather’s care and protection over the years that her position as heir had been preserved.

Although Xia Qinyi had been spoiled and had a bit of a young miss’s temper, she had grown up in such a huge and complicated family. Her mind and experience were far more mature than her actual age.

She understood the principle that the tallest tree in the forest would be destroyed by the wind. For many years, she had kept a low profile and hidden her strength. Now that she was sixteen, it was time to bare her fangs.

She could not fail Third Grandfather’s expectations, nor could she disgrace the prestige of her ancestors. Moreover, her father had died because of the Demon Cult. At this Demon-Slaying Assembly, she naturally would not yield her responsibility to anyone else!

Xia Quan took in every change in Xia Qinyi’s expression. In the past, he had always followed beside Xia Qinyi’s father. Now, seeing that Xia Qinyi could also take charge on her own, he felt extremely gratified.

The twenty of them went up the mountain in a grand procession. After entering the Tianqiong Sword Sect, they received the warmest welcome.

Not only did the sect master personally come to greet them, he even arranged a separate courtyard for Huaxia Manor.

Compared with Huaxia Manor’s “special honor,” Lu Nanzhu and the other three did not receive such good treatment.

They were led to the rooms used by the sword sect’s disciples. The rooms were not large, but fortunately, each person had one room to themselves.

Lu Nanzhu sat peacefully in her room and did not go out. Meanwhile, in a room two doors away…

After receiving permission, the two black-clothed men entered Gongsun Qing’s room. Before they had even sat firmly, one of them asked, “Miss, this subordinate does not understand. Why did you bring that person along?”

At this time, Gongsun Qing had already removed her bamboo hat, revealing her true appearance.

Hearing the question, Gongsun Qing smiled slightly. A flash of sharp light passed through her long, narrow fox-like eyes. “Huanghuo, your temper is a little too impatient. That person is young, yet his skills are far above the two of you…”

Hearing Gongsun Qing’s words, the other man revealed a shocked expression. He opened his mouth, but when he saw Gongsun Qing’s gaze sweep over, he immediately closed it.

Gongsun Qing let out a cold laugh and continued, “I know you two do not believe it. Forget the two of you—even I may not be able to determine victory or defeat against him within three hundred moves.”

“This subordinate would not dare!” The two of them hurriedly apologized.

Gongsun Qing’s expression eased slightly, and she continued, “Such outstanding talent, yet dressed so poorly, and even forced to pawn stolen goods in exchange for travel money. This shows that he has no foundation in the jianghu. If we can use this chance to draw him into the Holy Cult, would that not be wonderful?”

“Miss is wise!”

Gongsun Qing curved the corner of her lips. She had not finished speaking. Through that jade hairpin and their interactions on the way up the mountain, she already knew that Lu Nanzhu was not someone easy to win over. However, that did not matter. She had her own methods to make him submit.

Lu Nanzhu still did not know that she had already been plotted against. She had always lived beneath the secluded Tianshan and knew very little about this jianghu.

Trusting in her ability to protect herself, she had agreed to Gongsun Qing’s proposal and gone up the mountain with her. But she had not seen through the possible events hidden beneath that invitation. She lived purely and did not understand the depths of human hearts.

When night fell, Tianqiong Mountain, which had been lively all day, returned to calm.

Lu Nanzhu flipped up from her bed and came to the window. She gently poked a hole in one of the small window panes.

Looking outside, she saw that it was already close to midnight, yet there were still disciples patrolling the courtyard.

Lu Nanzhu sighed helplessly. Experts were gathered on the mountain, and she did not dare act rashly. It seemed she could only wait until daytime…

Lu Nanzhu returned to the bed, held the cloth-wrapped Canglong Sword in her arms, removed the wooden mask and placed it to the side. The ugly human-skin mask still remained on her face as she entered dreamland.

The next day, after everyone had eaten breakfast, the bell on the martial training ground rang.

Lu Nanzhu left her room. She had not wanted to travel with the white-clothed woman again, but as soon as she stepped out of the door, she saw the white-clothed woman standing outside.

Beneath the mask, her elegant brows furrowed slightly. Before she could speak, the woman said, “The four of us came up the mountain together. If we do not appear together, would that not arouse suspicion?”

Lu Nanzhu had no choice but to follow behind the woman.

Gongsun Qing walked in front, the corner of her lips curving in satisfaction. Sure enough, she had guessed correctly. This person’s experience in the jianghu was very shallow. He did not even think about it: with so many people here, who would pay attention to nameless nobodies like them?

The martial training ground on Tianqiong Mountain was very large. Tall platforms had already been built around the field, and in the center stood an arena.

It was rare for the various sects of the jianghu to gather together. Meeting friends through martial arts was always unavoidable. Through sparring, they could see the strength of the new generation from each sect. It was also a very good way for the major sects to display their power without damaging harmony.

At one glance, Lu Nanzhu saw Xia Qinyi seated on a high platform. Among the many older people, whether it was Xia Qinyi’s fiery red outfit or her flower-like age, she was very eye-catching.

Lu Nanzhu had a deep impression of Xia Qinyi. After all, the setting of their first meeting had been very special.

Lu Nanzhu felt somewhat guilty. Thinking of how righteous and indignant that young girl had looked that day, she hoped Xia Qinyi would not recognize her…

Lu Nanzhu edged a little closer to the white-clothed woman and followed the flow of people to the bottom of the arena.

As she walked, she looked at the banners of the various sects hanging around the martial training ground. She did not see the pattern she had been searching for.

Lu Nanzhu could not help feeling disappointed. At the same time, the doubt troubling her heart deepened. Could the pattern on her father’s chest have some other special meaning?

“Dong, dong, dong…”

With a dense roll of drums, Lu Nanzhu sharply looked to the right. The young man who had been standing behind the sect master of the Tianqiong Sword Sect lightly tapped his foot and leaped up from the high platform. The platform was several zhang away from the arena; it was impossible to reach it in one breath.

Sure enough, just as the man was about to land, he happened to step on the shoulder of another Tianqiong Sword Sect disciple, borrowed force, and leaped up again. Repeating this three times, he landed safely in the very center of the arena.

“Good!” As soon as the man landed, the crowd immediately burst into cheers.

“What beautiful Three Skims of the Flying Eagle! Young Hero Su truly has excellent skill!”

“That’s right. Young Hero Su is only a little over thirty, isn’t he? His qinggong has already reached great mastery. The Tianqiong Sword Sect truly has many talented people.”

Lu Nanzhu listened to the many praises from the jianghu wanderers beside her and felt a little surprised. To be fair, she did not think this qinggong was particularly outstanding. If it were her, she would only need to borrow force once.

“Hmph…” Lu Nanzhu heard a cold laugh. She turned her head and looked at the white-clothed woman beside her, then once again cast her gaze toward the arena.

Hearing the cheers below the stage, Su Mubai did not show any pride. He stepped forward, placed his left hand over his right in a salute, and bowed once in each direction. “Heroes, I am Su Mubai, thirty-eighth-generation disciple of the Tianqiong Sword Sect. I greet all you heroes!”

Su Mubai’s saluting gesture and humble attitude immediately won everyone’s goodwill, and cheers rose again.

Even the sect master of the Tianqiong Sword Sect, seated in the main position, nodded in satisfaction at this scene and stroked the long beard hanging down to his abdomen.

“Thank you, heroes, for coming from afar to discuss the great cause of demon-slaying and benefit the martial world and its people. Today, our sect has specially set up this arena for all you heroes to meet friends through martial arts. For the victor, our sect has also prepared a modest prize as encouragement for their bravery. The rules of the competition are very simple. Anyone who falls out of the arena or voluntarily admits defeat will lose. Blades and swords have no eyes, so we ask all heroes to stop at an appropriate point. Our sect will first send out one arena holder. The arena holder who fights until the end will be the winner!”

“Good!”

“Mingyuan!” Su Mubai called.

A man of around twenty leaped onto the stage from below.

“This is my junior brother, Lu Mingyuan. He will humbly serve as the first-round arena holder. The martial sparring officially begins.”

After Su Mubai finished speaking, he gave the arena to Lu Mingyuan and withdrew to the side, serving as the referee.