Chapter 132
Chapter 132: Duel
On the town’s long street paved with blue-gray stones, people bustled about. Pack mules jingled with golden bells, and peddlers’ carrying poles creaked rhythmically.
Wu Shang and another Millenary Commander named Cheng Zhong sat upright on their tall horses. They rode ahead, guiding the carriage forward while discreetly scanning the street with sidelong glances.
Shops lined both sides of the road, close-packed and lively. Beneath the partly cloudy sky, the pawnshop’s copper-coated sign clanged softly in the breeze, and the blacksmith’s forge sprayed brilliant sparks into the air. Merchants shouted their wares, voices rising and falling continuously.
Situated near an official road, the small town frequently welcomed passing merchants and travelers. Thus, when Li Mu Sheng’s group entered the town, their arrival did not attract much attention.
Their carriage stopped at the largest inn in town. As they stepped down, an attendant hurried forward to help with the horses. Millenary Commander Cheng Zhong and coachman Cao Gao Shan followed the attendant to stable the horses and carriage. Meanwhile, Hu Rui An arranged for a private table upstairs by a window and ordered a meal with wine.
Li Mu Sheng, Hu Rui An, and Murong Xiao Ya sat down at the table in turn, while Wu Shang stood by, waiting.
During their journey, the three who shared the carriage rarely spoke. The young lady Murong Xiao Ya seemed socially anxious, always curled up in a corner of the carriage, either meditating quietly or napping, hardly ever speaking. The deputy commander Hu Rui An spent most of the time resting with eyes closed, speaking only if Li Mu Sheng initiated conversation. As for Li Mu Sheng, he was aware Murong Xiao Ya might carry secrets, but he felt no urge to investigate further.
Instead, Li Mu Sheng’s mind was preoccupied with the Azure Dragon Cang Ming Scripture, the technique he obtained from the Azure Dragon Elder. Due to his remarkable talent, the martial arts he practiced were always self-created from common and widely known techniques.
Thus, whenever he studied the Azure Dragon Cang Ming Scripture, Li Mu Sheng felt restless, eager to modify and enhance this coveted martial art that countless warriors desired.
In his view, no supreme martial technique in this world was without flaws; only those methods he created himself could truly reach perfection. After studying for half a day, he already discovered numerous shortcomings and felt the scripture had immense potential for improvement.
[Good. At least this journey won’t be boring.]
Li Mu Sheng nodded to himself. After all, he would need to cultivate this scripture to absorb Azure Dragon Qi. Naturally, he felt safest using techniques he personally refined and trusted.
Just as Li Mu Sheng was deep in thought, a frantic clanging of copper gongs suddenly echoed through the bustling street. Instantly, merchants and townspeople panicked. Passersby scattered hurriedly, and vendors hastily packed away their goods.
Soon, the previously lively street turned deserted. Only the blacksmith’s forge continued spraying sparks, banners fluttered gently in the wind, and brass bells chimed faintly. Upstairs, curious guests gathered at windows, peering cautiously down onto the street.
Yet, some clearly knew what was happening. With grim expressions, they urgently closed windows and stopped others from peering outside. Some patrons grew annoyed until someone explained in a hushed voice:
“I’ve heard this is an old custom of our town. Whenever martial experts from the Martial World arrange a duel, someone sounds the gong to warn everyone to clear away, avoiding harm to innocent bystanders.”
“Martial duels are fierce and unpredictable. It’s safer to neither watch nor listen. If angered masters unleash their wrath, we’d be in danger.”
Hearing this, many chose caution and quickly shut their windows, returning quietly to their seats. Still, some insisted on leaving their windows slightly ajar, secretly observing the street below through the gap.
Li Mu Sheng’s group sat beside an open window. Wu Shang, overhearing this explanation, frowned slightly and prepared to ask Li Mu Sheng’s opinion.
At that moment, a young man leisurely ascended the stairs. About twenty-seven or twenty-eight, he wore white robes and held a sword with a bronze sheath cradled against his chest. His face was cold and stern. Glancing casually around, his gaze settled on Li Mu Sheng’s group—the only table near an open window.
“Don’t you dare close this window. I’ll watch the upcoming duel from here,” he remarked arrogantly to Hu Rui An and the others as he approached.
He had narrow eyes that briefly examined everyone at the table, and without further ado, he took a seat nearby.
Murong Xiao Ya immediately dropped her gaze nervously, hiding her unease by sipping tea. Hu Rui An, his round face slightly creased with annoyance, glanced briefly at the intruder but chose not to speak, believing it best to avoid trouble.
However, Li Mu Sheng raised his eyebrows slightly and turned calmly to Wu Shang, saying plainly, “What are you waiting for? Throw him out for me.”
Wu Shang, who assumed Hu Rui An’s non-confrontational stance would prevail, froze momentarily in surprise. Murong Xiao Ya looked up, startled, casting a quiet glance at Li Mu Sheng.
Even the arrogant young man in white seemed stunned. Initially pleased by Hu Rui An and Murong Xiao Ya’s obedient silence, he’d thought they understood their limits. He never expected the youngest of the group to act so brazenly.
His eyes turned cold, narrowing sharply toward Li Mu Sheng. “Young man, be careful when traveling the Martial World. I’m someone you can’t afford to provoke—”
But before finishing his threat, Wu Shang moved swiftly. In a blink, he grabbed the young man by his collar, lifting him effortlessly like a piece of trash and flinging him directly out through the open window.
Wu Shang moved too quickly and decisively for the young man to react. Powerless, the intruder flew several yards out, crashing onto the stone street below. He rolled several times before finally stopping, his pride shattered as completely as his fall.