“Ha! Hahahahaha…” Before Brother Jue could finish, Gu Jiaolong burst out laughing. “I thought you had some brilliant insight… but you just spouted such nonsense.”

As he spoke, he stepped forward, looking at Feng Bujue, his finger pointing at the middle-aged man in front. “According to you, those three paltry individuals think they can stand against the entire Central Plains martial world?”

“Not just three,” the middle-aged man interjected. “Originally… there were five.”

“Heh…” Feng Bujue chuckled, a malicious smile on his face. “Now, there are still five.”

“Oh?” The middle-aged man discerned something from his words, his expression changing slightly.

“I think you should also know that ‘Mirror’ is dead,” Feng Bujue said.

“I know,” the middle-aged man replied.

“But what you don’t know is… ‘Flower’s’ mission also failed,” Feng Bujue revealed.

This news caused the middle-aged man’s expression to become more somber than ever.

“That’s impossible…” he retorted.

“Believe it or not…” Feng Bujue said, “Anyway, you’re destined to die here today, so I doubt you have the leisure to care about anyone else.”

The middle-aged man fell silent, but not for long.

“Since you could see through my plan…” When he spoke again, his voice was icy, and killing intent emanated from his entire being. “…you should understand that even with just me, I still have a ninety percent chance of success today.”

“What your original chances were have nothing to do with me.” Feng Bujue, however, looked completely fearless, reciting casually, “You just need to remember… now that I’m here, you don’t even have a one percent chance.”

Those words were rather arrogant.

At least, that’s how the middle-aged man heard them, considering them an overestimation of his abilities.

But the surrounding players didn’t feel that way because… the person who said those words was Feng Bujue.

You never knew if he was bluffing or stating the truth; for him, the line between “impossible” and “possible” was very blurred.

“Are you two done chatting?” Gu Jiaolong, who hadn’t understood a word of what they were saying, spoke up again. This leader of the Sea Dragon Gate really hated being ignored. “What five people, ten people? You…”

The instant that “you” left his lips, he reached behind his back to his waist, swiftly drawing his blade, the tip aimed straight at the middle-aged man’s nose.

Faced with this sudden attack, the middle-aged man didn’t budge an inch. And indeed… the blade didn’t touch him.

Gu Jiaolong’s arm span, plus the length of the blade, brought the tip just two centimeters away from the middle-aged man’s face.

“I don’t care who you are, or what you’re planning,” Gu Jiaolong said loudly, pointing his blade at the other man. “This young master is a reasonable man… I have no old grudges or new hatred with you. As long as you hand over the *Jian Wu Cao Ji* (Sword Dance Manuscript), I’ll spare you…”

He didn’t say the last word.

Not because he didn’t want to, but because he couldn’t.

Leng Yuqiu’s sword was fast, as fast as lightning.

By the time his sword pierced Gu Jiaolong’s throat, the latter didn’t even have time to react.

“Some people’s weapons, even when drawn, are no different from lying on the ground.” Leng Yuqiu sheathed his sword amid the stunned gazes of the crowd, saying as he did so, “And some people’s eyes…” He looked at Luo Can, Feng Meiyu, and those of the Three Gangs. “…although open, are no different from being blind.”

“Leng Yuqiu…” Feng Meiyu glared at Leng Yuqiu with icy eyes and said sharply, “What do you mean by this? Are you trying to steal food from our mouths?”

Her expression looked extremely fierce at that moment, not so much because she hated the other party, but more… a kind of instinct.

Just now, Feng Meiyu and Luo Can hadn’t been able to see where Leng Yuqiu had come from, or how he had drawn his sword. In other words, if Leng Yuqiu’s target had been her or Luo Can, their fate would have been much the same as Gu Jiaolong’s.

Therefore, Feng Meiyu’s current reaction was like that of a weak wild animal encountering a predator stronger than itself—only by baring its fangs and claws, hoping to overwhelm the other party with its aura, could it gain some advantage.

“Steal food? Hehe…” Leng Yuqiu smiled. “Don’t put me in the same category as you people… I’ve never said I came to Linlu Town to steal the *Jian Wu Cao Ji*.” As he spoke, he glanced at the fallen Gu Jiaolong. “I killed Gu Jiaolong, just because…” He took half a step back and turned to look at the middle-aged man beside him. “…he offended my shifu (master).”

“What?”

Not only Luo Can and Feng Meiyu, but all the martial artists in the open and in the shadows, as well as several players who were still unaware of the situation, were startled by these words.

Although they didn’t know the strength of the middle-aged man, they still knew a thing or two about Leng Yuqiu’s strength.

Even if this man’s martial arts were only slightly better than Leng Yuqiu’s, the outcome of today’s battle would be very difficult to predict.

“Everyone, leaders of the Central Plains martial world, chivalrous warriors, martial artists…” After a moment, the middle-aged man suddenly used his internal energy to transmit his voice. “Since things have come to this, I’ll be frank…”

He only said half a sentence, and many people were already breaking out in cold sweats. Most of these nervous, frightened, and shocked people were top-notch experts in the martial world… because their martial arts cultivation had reached a certain level, they could appreciate how terrifying the internal energy of the person supporting this voice transmission was.

“My name is… He Yang Xinci.” When the middle-aged man said his name, people understood that Brother Jue wasn’t lying—this really was a Japanese man. “In your Central Plains terms… I am the master of the Shinsenden Kyoken-ryu (God-transmitted Ultimate Sword Style) school.”

This wasn’t his first time in the Central Plains. His mastery of the Chinese language and his understanding of Chinese culture were probably deeper than those of many Central Plains people.

“Today, I set up this situation and lured you all here for one thing…” After introducing himself, He Yang Xinci continued, “I’ve long heard that the Central Plains martial world is blessed with outstanding talents, a place where crouching tigers and hidden dragons dwell… I, He Yang Xinci, would like to use my self-created *Shinsenden Kyoken-ryu* swordsmanship to seek guidance from the heroes of the world.” He paused for half a second. “Everyone… there’s no need to be polite with me. Whether it’s swarming me or stabbing me in the back… I can accept it. As long as you can kill me…”

At this point, he took out the item that all the martial artists had been dreaming of from his arms.

“…Then this *Jian Wu Cao Ji*, written by the ‘Sword Saint’ Pei Min, will naturally belong to you.” Although what He Yang Xinci said was extremely unfavorable to him, his tone was still very calm, so calm that it made the listeners’ scalps tingle. “But… if no one can surpass me today…” He put the manual back into his arms. “Then… from today onward, the Central Plains martial world will be led by me, He Yang Xinci. Anyone who doesn’t obey… within seven days, I will make his sect disappear from the world.”

“What a joke!” Hearing this, Luo Can couldn’t help but interrupt. “Leaving aside whether you can leave this place alive today… even if your martial arts really are the best in the world, do you think you can wipe out other people’s sects with just a few of you?”

“What you said… does make some sense.” He Yang Xinci stopped transmitting his voice and said to Luo Can in a normal voice, “Places like the Jiang Family Fort, with dozens of people, can be killed very quickly. But sects like your Beggars’ Sect, with members all over the world… even the imperial court couldn’t kill them all back then, so I certainly can’t do it either.”

“Hmph…” Luo Can snorted when he heard this, and a hint of smugness flashed across his face.

However, in the next second, He Yang Xinci changed his tone. “But… that doesn’t matter. I can just kill the sect leader.”

Luo Can’s face froze, and his body instinctively began to circulate his inner energy.

“If killing one sect leader isn’t enough, I’ll kill two. Whoever becomes the sect leader, I’ll kill them… and anyone around him when I kill him, I’ll kill them as well.” He Yang Xinci continued, “I think it won’t be long before no one in this sect will be willing to be the sect leader anymore… like a snake without a head, it will soon be a dead snake.”

“Outrageous!” Luo Can couldn’t wait any longer. He roared and immediately took a stance, wanting to strike first.

At this moment, it wasn’t so much that Luo Can was eager to attack, but that He Yang Xinci and Leng Yuqiu were almost crushing everyone with their aura just by standing there… If Sect Leader Luo didn’t attack again, he was afraid that the members behind him would scatter and run away.

“Yuqiu.” On He Yang Xinci’s side, he didn’t take Luo Can’s actions seriously, calmly calling out to Leng Yuqiu.

“Shifu, what are your orders?” In front of his shifu, Leng Yuqiu could speak normally.

He Yang Xinci then turned to look at Feng Bujue and said, “Alive.”

“Understood.” Leng Yuqiu replied, and in a flash, he leaped more than ten meters from the spot, rushing straight at Feng Bujue on the roof of the roadside house.

Brother Jue was also extremely vigilant. Seeing this scene… he turned around and ran, leaping away in a flash.

Seeing this, Leng Yuqiu couldn’t help but be secretly shocked by Brother Jue’s “lightness skill,” but since he had accepted his master’s order, he had to do his best, so he used all his leg strength and desperately chased after him.

At the same time, Luo Can attacked.

The *Jiang Long Shi Ba Zhang* (Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms) was the pinnacle of external martial arts, unparalleled in the world. Even though Luo Can’s talent wasn’t the best, he had managed to recreate this lost martial art and master it, so his martial arts skills could be seen.

Now, Luo Can unleashed his full power, and the palm force he unleashed was extremely terrifying… Not to mention eighteen palms, among the martial artists watching the battle, very few were confident that they could withstand two or three of his moves.

However…

“This palm technique is indeed not bad.” He Yang Xinci lowered his head, looking at the right arm in his hand that was dripping with blood, and commented calmly, “It’s a pity… your skill is too poor.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Luo Can staggered back two steps, his eyes bulging, and slowly turned his head, looking blankly at his right shoulder.

He couldn’t believe it… Not only had he not seen the other party attack, but he hadn’t even realized that his arm had been cut off…

Not only him, but the leaders and disciples of various gangs who were watching this scene… none of them had seen what He Yang Xinci had done.

When did he move? When did he attack? How did he cut off Luo Can’s right arm? And when did he return to his original position?

These questions were like terrifying nightmares, rapidly spreading in people’s hearts…

“Too many unnecessary movements, and too slow. The speed of internal energy circulation is also as slow as still… and the internal energy isn’t that strong either.” As He Yang Xinci spoke, he casually threw Luo Can’s arm on the ground. “A person like you can also be the leader of a gang… the standard of the Central Plains martial world is worrying…”

He was undoubtedly mocking them, but for a moment, no one came out to refute him.

The only thing that followed was Luo Can’s painful groan as he fell to the ground…

“Ah… ah—” After a breath, a member of the Sea Dragon Gate was the first to scream and began to run away, rolling and crawling.

His actions instantly triggered a chain reaction. Almost all the members of the Sea Dragon Gate ran away in the blink of an eye, not even wanting their young gang leader’s body.

The members of the Beggars’ Sect were a little better than them. Someone in the crowd shouted, “Quick, protect the sect leader!” Then, several Beggars’ Sect disciples who were nearby rushed up to drag the unconscious Luo Can back and retreated with everyone else…

With these two sects running away, there was no need for the White Plum Sect to stay. Everyone wasn’t stupid. Everyone could see that He Yang Xinci’s martial arts were so high that they couldn’t be filled with “numbers.” No matter how many shrimps and crabs there were, they wouldn’t work against him.

Unexpectedly…

“Members of the White Plum Sect, listen to my orders!” Feng Meiyu’s demeanor was surprisingly calm.

“Ye… yes!” The disciples behind her also came back to their senses after being shouted at by her.

“You will immediately split into two groups and retreat out of town. If you don’t see me come out by *Shen Shi* (3-5 pm), you will retreat to the main altar on your own and discuss the matter later.” Feng Meiyu issued the order with a very firm attitude.

And her followers… after a slight hesitation, quickly carried out the order.

Unlike many film and television works, they didn’t say lines like “Sect Leader, we won’t leave!” or “We’ll leave together.”

In the real martial world, real people, at the moment of life and death, are often fickle and ungrateful. There aren’t that many people who can put life and death aside and be loyal… In fact, there are very few.

Before long, all the members of the White Plum Sect had run away. In the middle of the street, there were only four people, a corpse, and an arm left.

“Looking at this posture… you’re planning to fight to the death.” He Yang Xinci wasn’t in a hurry to attack. He knew that in order to plant fear in those people’s hearts, he couldn’t be too fast.

Sometimes, fear comes not only from the “unknown,” but also from “understanding.”

He needed to slow down the pace of the killing so that people could realize what was happening.

“I’m not afraid of death.” What Feng Meiyu said was true. Her life was already a tragedy. After revenge, all she got was endless emptiness and double torment in her body and mind, so she didn’t care much about her life. “But I don’t plan to die in vain either.”

“You’re planning to die with me?” He Yang Xinci asked again.

“That’s not necessarily the case,” Feng Meiyu said.

“Oh?” He Yang Xinci had already noticed the threat that was quietly approaching, but he still calmly signaled the other party to continue.

“Because… there are many others who aren’t afraid of death like me,” Feng Meiyu continued.

When she said this, there were a few more people on the street.

To be precise, five people.

These five people were men and women, of different ages, and from different sects, but they all had one thing in common—all five of them used swords.

“Confucian Swordsman Xie Xiuwen, Purple Bamboo Hermit Meng He, Heavenly Talent Swordsman Qiu Baqi, Poisonous Spider Sword Tang Ling, Southern Sea Camel Immortal Ma Tayun…” He Yang Xinci’s gaze swept over the faces of these people one by one, and he recited their names one by one. “Hmm… that’s about it.”

“What’s about it?” Qiu Baqi was a thin man in his forties, who looked refined and cultured, but his personality was quite impulsive and belligerent. “Your lifespan?”

“Heh…” He Yang Xinci chuckled, not taking this provocation seriously. “I mean… with you few standing here, almost all of the Central Plains martial world’s famous swordsmen have arrived.”

What he said wasn’t wrong. Apart from Duan Keyi and Mian Daoren, who were already dead, and Leng Yuqiu, the successor of the *Shinsenden Kyoken-ryu*, these five swordsmen were the most famous in the martial world.

“It’s good that you know.” Tang Ling’s hand was already on her sword.

“I’ll show you that the Central Plains martial world isn’t empty!” Qiu Baqi was obviously the kind of person who would give up his life for the sake of pride.

“First, I want the *Jian Wu Cao Ji*. Second, I don’t want to take orders from you, so… I think… it’s better to kill you.” Purple Bamboo Hermit had a habit of speaking in an orderly manner, prioritizing things, and… he didn’t like to lie.

“Hmph… I don’t have any other intentions, anyway, I’ll kill any Japanese pirates I see!” Ma Tayun’s son, daughter-in-law, and grandson… all died at the hands of Japanese pirates, so he had a deep hatred. Therefore, he didn’t care whether the people from Japan were good or bad, he just wanted to kill them.

“You Japanese barbarian… today I will make you pay for your blood debt!” It wasn’t surprising that Xie Xiuwen would stand up either.

This Xie Family Master, who was in a semi-retired state in his mansion, had specially disguised himself and secretly come to Linlu Town, just to protect his grandson at a critical moment.

He had thought that with Liu Bo accompanying his grandson, there was no need to worry too much. He would only need to take action in the evening and on New Year’s Eve.

He didn’t expect… Xie Wuhua to die in the inn in broad daylight.

After learning of his grandson’s death, Xie Xiuwen had been looking for Leng Yuqiu, but at that time, the latter had left the inn and disappeared, only to appear here today.

Therefore, whether as a member of the Central Plains martial world or out of personal grudges, Xie Xiuwen would definitely come out and fight him.

“Good… good…” He Yang Xinci still wasn’t afraid in the face of the five great swordsmen plus a White Plum Sect Master.

On the contrary, his face showed excitement.

“You don’t have to be polite… all six of you, come at me together.” At this moment, He Yang Xinci… untied the ribbon on the weapon beside him and tore off the layer of wrapping cloth.

Then, a *katana* (Japanese sword) with a total length of about one and a half meters, without a scabbard, and with an extremely blunt blade… appeared in front of everyone.

When He Yang Xinci picked up the weapon, he finally adopted a true “stance” and said, “Your words… should allow me to enjoy myself a little.”