Chapter 82: Zheng Jian: It Was All... Rather Sudden
Page (1/3) Chapter 82: Zheng Jian: It’s... just so sudden
Within the city of Chang’an, at the Delightful Inn.
Zheng Jian and Lin Pingzhi entered just as the inn was at its busiest, with patrons from all walks of life discussing the affairs of the martial world, their conversations loud and lively.
“Gentlemen, please come in! Are you here for a meal or to stay the night?” The waiter hurried over, raising his voice in greeting.
Zheng Jian casually tossed a piece of silver, “Bring a pot of wine, a pot of tea, several pounds of meat, and a few dishes.”
The waiter deftly caught the silver, grinning broadly. “Certainly, sirs! Please take a seat upstairs. The food and drink will be up shortly.”
The two went upstairs and found a spot by the window overlooking the street.
Lin Pingzhi’s complexion had improved considerably. Though still somewhat pale, it was clear his injuries were no longer a concern.
When the wine arrived, Lin Pingzhi poured a cup for Zheng Jian and another for himself.
After taking a sip, Zheng Jian smiled, “Listen, a wine house is always the most vibrant place for information in the martial world. You’ll hear all sorts of news here.”
Lin Pingzhi nodded with a smile. Having avenged himself, his entire demeanor had changed, and he was gradually regaining the refined air of the gentleman he once was.
“Have you heard? That swordsman from Mount Hua, the one called the ‘Restoring Heaven Swordsman,’ defeated the head of Mount Song, Zuo Lengchan. Remarkable, isn’t it?” someone in the inn said.
Lin Pingzhi listened, smiling, “Senior brother, your reputation in the martial world is now truly unmatched.”
Zheng Jian was secretly pleased, but he feigned modesty, “Oh, it’s all just exaggerated tales.”
Ah, I am simply someone indifferent to fame and fortune.
Nearby, another patron laughed loudly, “Brother, your news is outdated! The Restoring Heaven Swordsman defeating Zuo Lengchan is nothing. Lately, there’s been even more explosive news about him!”
At this, everyone nearby turned their attention. “What news?”
Since ancient times, gossip has been human nature, especially when it concerns famous figures.
The man cleared his throat theatrically, coughing dryly. “Ahem, I’m a bit thirsty. Hard to speak without a drink.”
People muttered under their breath, but quickly called for the waiter to bring wine.
When the wine arrived, the man took a satisfying sip and said, “It’s not that I’m mooching off your drinks—this news is truly important. It’d be a waste to give it away for free!”
“Enough with the teasing, just tell us!” someone complained.
The man grinned mysteriously, “Do you know Blackwood Cliff?”
In an instant, the entire inn fell silent as though under a spell.
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The power of the Sun Moon Divine Sect could silence even a crying child at night!
After a moment, someone spoke, “We know! But you were talking about the Restoring Heaven Swordsman—what does Blackwood Cliff have to do with it?”
The man chuckled, “Of course it’s related! The Sun Moon Divine Sect’s leader at Blackwood Cliff personally challenged the Restoring Heaven Swordsman!”
Like a stone thrown into a lake, the revelation sent ripples through the inn, and the place erupted in excitement.
“You mean the one called ‘The Sun Rises in the East, Invincible Under Heaven’?”
“Of course! Who else could lead the Sun Moon Divine Sect?”
Upon hearing this, Lin Pingzhi’s expression changed dramatically. He rushed to the man, seized him by the collar, and lifted him up, demanding, “Where did you hear this? Speak, quickly!”
“Cough, cough...” The man was terrified, coughing violently and barely able to breathe, let alone speak.
Zheng Jian, seeing this, said calmly, “Brother Lin, if you don’t let him go, how can he talk?”
Lin Pingzhi realized his mistake and released the man, “Speak! Where did you get this information?”
The man, still shaken, had no time for theatrics and replied earnestly, “I just heard it in the past couple of days. It’s said to be spreading everywhere. The challenge was delivered by Tong Baixiong, the Hall Master of Thunder Hall, personally at Mount Hua.”
Lin Pingzhi was deeply shaken and looked to Zheng Jian, who said indifferently, “Let’s go. We’ll talk more when we get back.”
The two had no time for food or drink and hurried on their way.
Throughout the journey, Lin Pingzhi was restless, repeatedly on the verge of speaking, clearly nervous.
Zheng Jian himself was rather surprised. The Invincible East personally challenged him?
This was... quite sudden.
He was completely unprepared.
Why wouldn’t he stay at Blackwood Cliff, embroidering as usual, instead of suddenly issuing a challenge to me? And making it a public spectacle, known to all?
According to the original story, the Invincible East was a reclusive shut-in, more so than Feng Qingyang, staying at Blackwood Cliff for over a decade, ignoring the sect’s affairs. Why in this timeline would he suddenly issue a challenge?
Zheng Jian was puzzled. “Could it be that I’ve been too prominent lately? Or perhaps the Invincible East, after long idleness, wants some excitement?”
As they hurried along, a cry rang out ahead. Zheng Jian and Lin Pingzhi looked up in surprise to see someone rushing toward them—Yue Lingshan?
Upon seeing Zheng Jian, Yue Lingshan’s spirits lifted. She hurried over, breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling rapidly...
Zheng Jian watched, rubbing his chin, muttering, “I never realized Lingshan had grown up so much...”
Yue Lingshan, not understanding, glanced down and saw Zheng Jian’s gaze fixed on her chest. Mortified, she quickly covered herself with her hands, forgetting what she was about to say.
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Lin Pingzhi immediately pretended not to have heard, stepping aside, “Ah, the weather’s nice. I’ll go bask in the sun.”
Yue Lingshan grew even more flustered and upset, her thoughts scattered by Zheng Jian’s teasing.
Zheng Jian, unconcerned, said, “I was talking about your age. What are you thinking?”
Yue Lingshan: “…You’re bullying me!”
After a bit of banter, Zheng Jian finally smiled, “Alright, alright. Enough fooling around. Lingshan, what brings you here?”
Yue Lingshan let out a startled cry, suddenly remembering, “It’s all your fault—I almost forgot! Senior brother, you need to run!”
Zheng Jian: “???”
“No, why isn’t there any resentment value?”
Yue Lingshan anxiously pushed Zheng Jian.
He didn’t budge...
“You must leave. Don’t go back!”
Zheng Jian had already guessed the situation and smiled, “Did you eavesdrop on Master and the others again? Judging by your look, you must have snuck out.”
Yue Lingshan nodded, “It wasn’t eavesdropping! Anyway, that’s not the point. The important thing is, bad people want to kill you. My father and mother are frantic. You can’t go back—leave, go as far as you can!”
Zheng Jian was genuinely moved. He patted Yue Lingshan’s head, smiling, “Alright, I already know everything. Don’t worry. Let’s go, head home, trust me—it’ll be fine.”
Go? Where to? How? If he truly wanted to leave, Zheng Jian could simply exit this world. But then what? The Invincible East’s challenge had already reached the Mount Hua Sect. If he fled, would the Invincible East spare Mount Hua?
Don’t mention the Five Mountain Sword Sects, or Shaolin and Wudang. That’s only because the Invincible East hasn’t acted!
If he truly made a move, unless Elder Feng came out of retirement, no one could stand against him!
So what if it’s the Invincible East?
Fight, and that’s that!
...
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