Ye Ling let out a loud cry, like a muffled thunderclap, echoing through the sky above Cangyue City, startling countless people.
"The Cangmo Swordsman Wang Liren? Who is this divine being? Why have I never heard of him!"
"Such profound internal energy, he is definitely not an ordinary person. Perhaps he is a master from the Ling Dynasty?"
"No… we don't have any masters like that in our Ling Dynasty!"
"A few days ago, when I was drinking tea at a teahouse, I think I heard someone mention this person. He's a new star in the martial world who has appeared recently."
As Ye Ling's voice spread throughout Cangyue City, the entire city erupted in excitement, and everyone began to speculate about Ye Ling's identity.
"Bold rogue! How dare you provoke the City Lord of Cangyue! You court death!"
Around the grand sedan chair where Shi Ming was seated, many second and third-rate masters from the martial world stepped forward. Without waiting for Shi Ming's command, they swarmed forward and surrounded Ye Ling.
Shi Ming, a high-ranking official of the imperial court and a renowned master in the martial world, often had many new martial artists seeking to challenge him.
As long as they could spar with Shi Ming, regardless of the outcome, they could achieve fame in one battle!
The martial arts masters who stepped out now were the retainers Shi Ming usually kept, specifically to deal with martial artists who wanted to challenge him.
They had encountered many challengers like Ye Ling, who were ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth.
Meanwhile, inside the grand sedan chair.
Shi Ming removed the letter that was stuck into the wood, elegantly opened the envelope, and read its contents. His brow furrowed slightly, "It's actually an introduction from the Wrathful Sea Mad Monk… and he said that the Cangmo Swordsman Wang Liren is a new star in the martial world and worth paying attention to… What exactly does that old bald donkey want?"
Putting away the introduction letter from the Wrathful Sea Mad Monk, Shi Ming looked up at the scene outside the sedan chair, his eyes flashing with a sharp light. He suddenly became interested in Ye Ling.
According to the description in the introduction letter from the Wrathful Sea Mad Monk, the Cangmo Swordsman Wang Liren had boundless potential, and with a little cultivation, he could become a top master in the martial world.
Shi Ming did not believe that Fayun would suddenly be so benevolent as to send him a top retainer.
Fayun might have ulterior motives.
"Fine, let's see what kind of person this Wang Liren is. We'll test him out."
A slight smile curved Shi Ming's lips. He lifted the curtain and instructed the retainers surrounding Ye Ling in front of him, "All of you, step back. Let this City Lord personally meet this young friend."
"Yes!"
The retainers obeyed Shi Ming's words implicitly, putting away their weapons and retreating to the sides. However, they still glared fiercely at Ye Ling, ready to pounce on him without hesitation if Shi Ming gave the order.
Ye Ling and Shi Ming's gazes met. Ye Ling suddenly noticed that Shi Ming was looking at him with the gaze of someone appraising a junior. He was momentarily stunned and asked Bai Lan, "What did the introduction letter from the Wrathful Sea Mad Monk say?"
Bai Lan replied, "I was afraid that Shi Ming would back down after reading the letter, so I didn't ask Fayun to write about what happened at Tianyin Temple. Instead, I let him write whatever he wanted. However, I didn't read the specific content. What… is there a problem with the letter?"
"Alas… it's not a big problem. I just think that after so many years of cultivating his character, that monk Fayun still has a rather dirty mind." Ye Ling looked at Shi Ming's expression and chuckled, sighing.
Shi Ming was clearly misled by the letter.
Bai Lan and Wu Mei beside him hadn't quite understood what Ye Ling was saying, while Shi Ming, on the other hand, smiled at Ye Ling and said, "Young man, it's good to be young and spirited. This City Lord will not hold your rash actions against you."
"Come, this City Lord will use thirty percent of his strength to spar with you. If you can withstand my attacks, I will take you on as my advisor and grant you ample resources."
As soon as Shi Ming said this, Shi Ming's retainers on both sides of the street became envious. They all looked at Ye Ling with confusion, wondering why Shi Ming's attitude towards Ye Ling was so good.
Could it be that the City Lord simply liked this kind of arrogance?
For a moment, the retainers began to seriously consider challenging Shi Ming publicly themselves one day.
However, Wu Mei, standing behind Ye Ling, was too embarrassed to watch after hearing Shi Ming's words.
She couldn't imagine Shi Ming's expression after being beaten to the ground by Ye Ling.
"Shi Ming, you should still use your full strength. Show off in front of everyone, otherwise, once I make my move, you won't have a chance to."
As soon as Ye Ling spoke, a huge uproar erupted around them again. Everyone looked at Ye Ling with disbelief, unable to comprehend how Ye Ling could be so audacious.
After all, Shi Ming was the ninth-ranked peerless master in the "Record of Heroes of the Martial World," with unfathomable strength, far beyond that of ordinary martial artists!
If Shi Ming wished, perhaps everyone in Cangyue City combined wouldn't be a match for Shi Ming alone!
And now, Ye Ling was actually asking such a peerless master to use his full strength. The gazes of the crowd gradually turned to Ye Ling as if they were looking at a dead man.
There was no way to court death like this!
Shi Ming's eyes narrowed slightly as he sized up Ye Ling. "An interesting young man. It has been a long time since anyone in the Wu Dynasty dared to provoke this City Lord like this."
"I must say, you have successfully captured my attention."
Shi Ming's interest in Ye Ling grew, and his gaze shifted to Ye Ling's female companions. But when he saw Wu Mei, his pupils contracted slightly.
"Wu Mei? Why is she here?"
Upon seeing Wu Mei appear, Shi Ming's expression instantly changed, and his thoughts became active.
He knew that Wu Mei was the true heir designated by the late emperor. The current emperor, Wu Yue, was not considered legitimate.
In the past, Wu Mei had voluntarily given up the throne, and Shi Ming had never considered Wu Mei a threat, so he had allowed her to grow.
After the late emperor's will was leaked, many elders in the court began to secretly support Wu Mei's ascension to the throne. As long as Wu Mei wanted to take power, she would have widespread support.
If it were only those elders in the court, Shi Ming would not be too worried, because his influence in the court was greater. If he wanted to, he could find reasons to execute those elders who secretly supported Wu Mei and their entire families!
As long as one family was eliminated, others would not dare to act up.
However, Shi Ming had recently received news that the leader of the rebel Lantern Cult, Meng Hun, was actually a confidant secretly cultivated by the late emperor. The reason Meng Hun had raised the banner of rebellion was to build momentum for Wu Mei, and when the time was right, Wu Mei would pacify the rebels and then ascend the throne smoothly!
More importantly, Meng Hun had always been in contact with Huang Ke, the fourth-ranked expert in the world, and Wu Mei herself had a very good relationship with Fayun, the tenth-ranked expert in the world…
In this way, three of the top ten experts in the world were openly standing behind Wu Mei. Coupled with the army under Meng Hun's command, Wu Mei had unknowingly gained considerable power!
Once Wu Mei awakened, if she wanted to reclaim the throne, Wu Yue would not be able to sit securely on the throne!
When Shi Ming discovered Wu Mei's presence in Cangyue City, he realized that things had taken a turn. His gaze towards Ye Ling also changed.
In his eyes, the appearance of Wu Mei and Wang Liren was no longer a simple martial arts competition; there was a deeper conspiracy at play!
"Could it be… that Meng Hun and Fayun have already arrived in Cangyue City, intending to kill me while I'm sparring, to aid Wu Mei's ascension?"
Shi Ming's heart churned with immense waves as he thought of this. His eyes frantically scanned his surroundings, filled with extreme vigilance.
If he were to be ambushed by three peerless masters working together, even in Cangyue City, he would definitely not survive.
Meanwhile, Ye Ling on the street, seeing the dramatic shift in Shi Ming's expression, was also a bit bewildered. He couldn't help but ask, "Shi Ming, are you going to fight or not?"