Zheng Qiurong dipped into a slight, graceful curtsy. The gentleness in the dip of her head was like a March spring breeze caressing a lake’s surface.
For anyone else, that single sentence and gesture would have been enough to soothe most of their displeasure.
Zheng Qiurong was not surprised by Zhou Jin’s expression. She had her own reasons for offering the Top-grade Swordsmanship.
"Mist Rain Swordsmanship, a Top-grade Cultivation Method."
Top-grade Cultivation Methods were exceedingly precious to any family and would never be casually shared, let alone used as a stake in a duel between juniors.
Zhou Jin sneered. "Finally decided to show your face? I thought you were going to keep hiding in your shell. Everyone on the list of the Ten Great Rising Stars earned their spot through countless real battles. Don’t you have any self-awareness about how you got on that list?"
"Young Master Lin, this matter started because of me, and I truly don’t wish to see things escalate like this. How about this... I am willing to offer a Top-grade Swordsmanship from my Zheng Family, *Fireflies Illuminating the Night*. Whoever wins may study this Swordsmanship, but they must swear an oath not to pass it on."
’Good thing I haven’t returned these two booklets to my master yet.’
Lin Yan gave Zheng Qiurong a deep look. ’This woman is truly a deep schemer.’
’If Lin Yan wins, I can use the opportunity of delivering the Swordsmanship to get closer to him. With my charm, I’m confident I can win him over.’
No one questioned the authenticity of the two techniques. If Lin Yan were to present fakes and be exposed, the entire Lin Family would lose face.
As soon as Zheng Qiurong finished speaking, a look of profound gratitude appeared on Zhou Jin’s face. In his eyes, Qiurong was helping him out of a tight spot.
’Either way, I won’t lose anything. As for letting an outsider learn a family Swordsmanship, given the potential of both Lin Yan and Zhou Jin, the family would be willing to form a good relationship with whoever emerges victorious.’
"It’s no trouble," Lin Yan replied coolly, then turned his gaze back to Zhou Jin and Zhou Shaoheng, awaiting their response.
The atmosphere grew tense and stagnant until Zheng Qiurong spoke up.
Lin Yan ignored Zhou Jin’s taunt and nodded. "And?"
Zhou Jin’s face paled and flushed in turns. Although he was a Direct Disciple of the Feihong Sword Sect, those three Swordsmanship techniques were the Sect’s most guarded secrets. He had absolutely no authority to wager them.
The Four Great Clans had been entrenched in Qing State for many years and had long since established methods for handling disputes among themselves. Both he and Lin Yan had broken through to the Blood Exchange Realm less than three years ago. As long as their clashes didn’t result in death, they wouldn’t trigger a conflict between their two great families.
And?
Zhou Shaoheng also frowned and remained silent. His situation was similar to Zhou Jin’s; the Cultivation Technique belonged to his family, not something a junior like him could gamble away.
’Lin Yan is just a branch member of the Lin Family, yet he has two Top-grade Cultivation Methods on him?’
It took Lin Yan a moment to grasp their intention. He then said, "But I don’t care for pointless spars. If you want to fight me, fine, but you’ll have to put up a stake that I find worthwhile."
"Pine Wind Swordsmanship, a Top-grade Cultivation Method."
"And now, we want to see if you, Lin Yan, are truly qualified to be mentioned in the same breath as us."
"I understand what you mean. You want to spar with me."
Zhou Jin hadn’t expected Lin Yan to say that. ’Shouldn’t he be refuting me?’
Zhou Shaoheng chimed in. Like Lin Yan, he was a member of the Four Great Clans, so he didn’t need to be too cautious with his words.
Seeing Lin Yan actually produce two Top-grade Cultivation Methods, Zhou Jin and Zhou Shaoheng were both struck silent.
For the Zheng Family, it would just mean an outsider learned one of their Swordsmanship techniques, and that person would even owe them a favor.
’If Zhou Jin wins, it means Lin Yan’s potential is just average, and I won’t need to waste any more energy on him. Meanwhile, Zhou Jin will become even more devoted and loyal to me.’
"That’s right. Don’t tell me you, Lin Yan, can just whip out a Top-grade Cultivation Method?" Zhou Shaoheng added.
All Martial Artists in Shandong Dao held their ancestors in high regard, especially the scions of great families. If someone swore an oath on their ancestors and broke it, their own clan elders would be the first to punish them.
With that, Lin Yan’s gaze fell on Zhou Jin. "I hear the Feihong Sword Sect has three Top-grade Swordsmanship techniques. If you lose, you’ll give me one."
On the deck, Lin Yan’s words were met with instantaneous silence.
’She’s not as charming as Bai Ruo, not as graceful as Madam Lin, and lacks the noble air of Miss Tang.’
Not having a Cultivation Technique on one’s person was also a form of protection for the younger generation.
This wasn’t a rule unique to the Lin Family; most major powers had similar regulations. It was to prevent disciples from carrying techniques outside, where they might be ambushed and have the techniques stolen.
Lin Yan didn’t respond to them. Instead, he reached into his robes and pulled out two booklets.
He had only demanded a Top-grade Swordsmanship on the spur of the moment after learning Zhou Jin’s identity. He had already condensed a Sword Pill from four Swordsmanship techniques, including his Rain-Covering Swordsmanship and Flowing Cloud Thirteen Techniques. However, the Sword Intent from techniques like his Jinghong Sword Technique was not yet part of a Sword Pill. Furthermore, the Jinghong Sword Technique, Shadowless Swordsmanship, and Spirit Snake Swordsmanship all belonged to the same category. ’If I can get just one more Swordsmanship,’ he mused, ’can I condense another Sword Pill?’
’Don’t the Lin Clan Rules forbid disciples from taking Cultivation Techniques out of the Lin Family’s estate?’
But Lin Yan’s gaze merely swept over her, lingering for just a moment. ’Her figure certainly fits her name,’ he thought, ’but that’s about it.’
A vein throbbed on Zhou Jin’s forehead. "Lin Yan, if you don’t dare to accept the challenge, just say so! Why make such an absurd demand? A Top-grade Swordsmanship is a treasure that guards the Feihong Sword Sect itself. How could I possibly wager it?"
’How is that possible?’
The three Swordsmanship techniques of the Feihong Sword Sect were the *Shadow-Stealing Swordsmanship*, the *Cloud Concealment Swordsmanship*, and the *Feihong Swordsmanship*. All three of these techniques should belong to the same category as the Jinghong Sword Technique.

Comments

Loading...