Eternal Saber

Chapter 555 - 161: Champion of Both Rankings

"Young and impetuous, foolish!"

At the back of the crowd, a lean old man furrowed his brow slightly and said, "We just said that as long as he doesn’t step forward himself, nobody would pay attention to him, and then he just stands up himself."

Lady Peanuts rolled her eyes and said, "If the young aren’t impetuous, then they’re not really young. If everyone were like you old folks, this Jianghu would be really boring."

The old woman shook her head and said, "With unrest in the heart and impulsive actions, he’s still rather young."

The burly man laughed and said, "I quite like this kind of spirit."

"Nonsense."

The lean old man said, "Say what you will, but who doesn’t like people who are devoted and righteous."

"Grandpa Liu, Chen Tang won’t be in any trouble, right?"

The young girl slightly tilted her head, her eyes showing a hint of expectation and pleading.

The lean old man smiled gently, comforting her, "Let’s watch how things unfold and see the situation later. With us here, we won’t let anyone take his life."

When the lean old man spoke these words, it wasn’t just because of the girl’s request.

Before coming here, the Old Pavilion Master had personally visited Peach Blossom Valley and entrusted them with the task of protecting this person.

On the other side of the crowd.

Two other people were watching the commotion coming from the Ba Mountain Sword Sect side.

One of them leaned on two crutches, his face pale.

The other was plump, with a beardless white face, hugging an object covered with a black cloth, seemingly a weapon, tightly in his arms. His small eyes darted around, looking alert.

"Oh no!"

The person leaning on crutches saw Chen Tang reveal his identity and couldn’t help but change his expression, whispering, "Brother Chen seems to have murderous intent."

"Murder whom?"

The fat man didn’t react immediately, subconsciously asking.

The person with crutches whispered, "He Shiyao."

"Ah?"

The fat man looked startled, clicking his tongue, "But that person is the top of the Earth Ranking and has held that position for many years. His status is unshakeable, and Brother Chen hasn’t even stepped into the Meridian Passage Realm. The gap is quite large."

"Send the knife over then."

The person with crutches said, "With this knife in hand, there might be a higher chance of winning."

-----------------

"Turns out he’s Chen Tang."

He Susu suddenly saw Chen Tang, feeling both shocked and delighted.

She had always wanted the chance to meet this great hero who ’vanquished the three thousand bandits of Profound Celestial,’ but never got the chance.

Later, she heard that Chen Tang was buried at the bottom of the river and felt secretly heartbroken.

Unexpectedly, Chen Tang not only wasn’t dead but stood right in front of her!

He Susu stepped forward half a step, just about to speak, but suddenly remembered her identity, quickly restraining her emotions, trying not to show too much emotion.

Jian Qiuchi sighed inwardly, her expression complicated.

She finally understood that when this person previously said ’a heap of enemies,’ it wasn’t just an excuse.

Chen Tang did not join the Ba Mountain Sword Sect, and she should have been relieved.

But even though Chen Tang was a Beiqian person, he indeed saved everyone.

Among the thousands of Jianghu comrades present, each had cold eyes, wishing they could rush forward and tear Chen Tang to pieces.

If she helped Chen Tang, she might face the whole Jianghu!

The Ba Mountain Sword Sect could very likely be wiped out because of this.

Jian Qiuchi furrowed her brows tightly, her heart conflicted.

"You’re not dead?"

He Shiyao stared at Chen Tang for a long time before gradually accepting the fact.

Back then, he had witnessed Chen Tang falling into the river, his blood dyeing the river red.

At this moment, he suddenly realized why his grandfather had made him force a few people to express their stance.

His grandfather must have seen through this person’s disguise long ago.

But due to identity, he was not in a position to expose it himself.

"Not only did I not die, but my cultivation has also improved, and I have already opened the Nine Apertures."

Chen Tang smiled.

He voluntarily revealed his identity partly because he saw Ye Yushi, Shen Zhiyuan, and others were being besieged because of him and were forced to express their stance, which he couldn’t stand by idly for.

On the other hand, he suspected that his identity might have already been discovered by the Drunken Elder.

Since that’s the case, to reveal himself might give him a bit of initiative.

Another important reason.

He Shiyao was too oppressive, and he couldn’t bear it, thus developing the intent to kill.

As the saying goes, anger rises from the heart, and evil grows alongside courage!

"Nine Apertures, hah!"

He Shiyao couldn’t help but laugh, full of disdain, saying, "So what, you’re still a Fourth Grade."

Chen Tang said calmly, "Not much, but as long as I’m alive, the top of the Human Ranking won’t be for your sister."

He Shiyao’s face darkened.

An important point for promoting He Susu was for her to become the top of the Human Ranking.

"Exactly!"

Shen Zhiyuan raised his voice and said, "With Brother Chen here, the top position of the Wind and Cloud Ranking is none other than you!"

"The top of both the Wind and Cloud Ranking and the Human Ranking!"

"It seems since the Sword Pavilion established the rankings, nobody has done it before."

"Definitely, being the top of the Wind and Cloud Ranking is still normal, but being under twenty and cultivating to the peak of Opening Acupoints then becoming the top of the Human Ranking, that’s just too exaggerated!"

"Damn, the top of both rankings is actually a person from Qian Country; I refuse to accept it!"

"If you’re unconvinced, go fight him."

"Hmph, if I could defeat him, I’d definitely show him a thing or two!"

The scene was noisy, filled with clamor.

"Top of both rankings?"

He Shiyao sneered slightly, his eyes revealing a fierce glint, saying coldly, "Let’s see how you, a dead man, can be the top of both rankings!"

Before he finished speaking, He Shiyao had already moved.

His Jade Bone Fan surged with inner qi, and he moved, charging at Chen Tang!

Clang!

A Sword Qi emerged, touching He Shiyao’s Jade Bone Fan, instantly dissipating his strength.

It was Jian Qiuchi who, at the critical moment, made a decision and suddenly intervened, blocking He Shiyao.

"Sect Leader Jian, what is your intention?"

He Shiyao squinted slightly, slowly saying, "Is your Ba Mountain Sword Sect going to shelter this Beiqian spy?"

"Whether he’s a Beiqian spy has yet to be determined."

Jian Qiuchi stood holding her sword, sternly saying, "But a few days ago, he intervened and saved our group from the hands of Eastern Barbarians hermit. Anyone who wants to kill him must get past me first!"

"Sect Leader Jian, there are more people wanting to kill him than just me."

He Shiyao glanced around and said loudly, "You can block me, but can you stop the thousands of Jianghu comrades around, can you stop the Martial Arts Alliance!"

"Exactly!"

Thunder Hall Master Lei shouted, "A life for a life is the heavenly rule!"

"What, do you want to bully with numbers?"

Jian Qiuchi also got angry, saying coldly, "Disciples of Ba Mountain Sword Sect, draw swords to face the enemy!"

Clang clang clang!

Though the disciples of Ba Mountain Sword Sect were apprehensive, they still drew the swords at their waists, and for a moment, the sound of swords echoed throughout the venue.

"Sect Leader Jian, realize your mistakes and it’s not too late. I hope you turn back before it’s too late and prioritize the greater good!"

Shopkeeper He said with a somber face, "With the Martial Arts Alliance’s establishment, sects should work together and not harm our own harmony because of an outsider."

"I don’t understand what’s the greater good."

Jian Qiuchi sneered and said, "But we martial artists should be clear about gratitude and vengeance, repay kindness, avenge grievances! If you receive a life-saving favor, can you do something ungrateful?"

This question left everyone speechless for a moment.

Even if someone could do such a thing, nobody would openly admit it.

Shopkeeper He pondered and said, "If this benefactor is from Beiqian, then I need to consider whether he has ulterior motives or another agenda. This saving act might just be a show he conspired with the Eastern Barbarians."

"Exactly!"

Thunder Hall Master loudly said, "Jian Qiuchi, now you must sever ties with him and draw a clear line! Otherwise, you will be against the Martial Arts Alliance!"

Sect Leader Yan Qingwu of Huanhua Sword Sect sneered, "Hall Master Lei, the Martial Arts Alliance hasn’t even been established yet, and you’re already waving its banner, too eager!"

Amidst the various exchanges, tension seemed to mount.

Yun Yifeng frowned deeply, about to speak up to calm the situation.

Chen Tang suddenly chuckled lightly, saying, "Such a small matter, why make a fuss?"

This chuckle shifted everyone’s attention towards him.

The crowd found it hard to believe how Chen Tang could still laugh in such a situation.

Chen Tang glanced around, saying leisurely, "Everyone wants to kill me, but Chen Tang’s head is only one and clearly insufficient for everyone."

"He Shiyao, how about I give you this precious chance first?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the surroundings instantly quieted down, silent as the grave.