I walked up to the stage, not knowing where to go from there. The loud voice next to me shouted: "Jump up, everyone jumps up!" I took a leap of faith and Wan Yong saw me, slightly taken aback.

  Long time no see.

  Wan Yong said: I heard you've been traveling between various cities.

  I said: This is really unavoidable. Last time I was forced to experience it, this time I am willing to come and experience it again, what's the difference?

  Wan Yong said: Sword.

  I said: Okay.

  Wan Yong was about to draw his sword when I pressed down on him and said: "Far away, far away, I'm afraid the sword energy will hurt me."

  Wan Yong looked at me deeply and retreated to the corner.

  Wan Yong drew out his sword, and I suddenly realized that was the spirit of Ji Le and me when we were in the store.

  I think I'd better be careful about hidden weapons from now on.

  Wan Yong slowly approached me and said: Draw your sword.

  I said: Wait. My sword is still in its scabbard.

  At this time, someone in the audience recognized Wan Yong's sword, and it quickly spread. The spirit that had been lost for a long time reappeared, still with an overwhelming aura.

  Wan Yong said: Don't blame me.

  He came at me with a sword. I stood still, using the scabbard to deflect that sword, and surprisingly, neither of our weapons made a loud noise, only producing a burst of sparks when they collided.

  All I can think about is why the stolen spirit would end up in Wan Yong's hands. Although this sword has lost its sacred meaning to me, I really don't want people to think that the dynasty has moved forward and the godless heavenly artifact of the past has become outdated. This will make people feel like an entire dynasty has passed. And this indeed makes one feel a sense of impermanence.

  I dodged Wan Yong's sword with ease, to be honest, his swordsmanship was quite ordinary. Last time I lost because there were too many people and I got distracted for a moment, it was an accident. I think if I had known it was like this back then, he wouldn't have saved me at that time. I've been outside for quite some time now, but somehow I never thought of getting to know various Jianghu people. It seems like a very troublesome thing to do, and judging whether someone is good or bad takes many years, not to mention in these times, it also takes many years to figure out what's good and what's bad.

  I absent-mindedly parried Wan Yong's sword, never drawing my own. To onlookers, this should have been a terrifying sight. I recalled a sparring match from years ago that my master had mentioned. It wasn't about any alliance leader, just a group of ordinary martial artists wanting to see who was superior, so they set up an arena. The first one to step up and defend the arena was a famous swordsman known as the Invincible Sword. Due to the passage of time, it's unclear whether this was a self-proclaimed title or one given by others - often, those who are called something are the ones who secretly gave themselves the name. This person was indeed brave and skilled in battle, defeating over thirty opponents in a row without anyone being able to beat him. Unfortunately, he ultimately died from exhaustion.

  I think it's really unclear where so many invincibles come from in the rivers and lakes. This is one thing. But what makes people most suspicious is how they all died.

  Wan Yong seemed to have lost interest in the fight, and said to the people below, "This way, our sword fight is not fair. Your sword hasn't left its scabbard, and I haven't used my full strength. If I win, it won't be glorious. How can we make the Jianghu believe? Why don't we do it this way: I'll also keep my sword in its scabbard and use my full strength to compete with you."

  After finishing speaking, Wan Yong slowly sheathed his sword and held it up to his chest, gesturing to the people below.

  I think this is how it should end. Having no choice but to defeat it.

  When Wan Yong brought the sword in front of me, a thought suddenly flashed through my mind. Indeed, I saw what the old man said, an extremely fast poisonous needle shot out from the scabbard, so fast that it could only be seen coming out, and then it was as if nothing had happened. I didn't expect this kid to be so vicious.

  I hastily dodged to the side, using too much force, and fell to the ground.

  The audience below was in an uproar again.

  It should be the same reaction when I came to Taiwan. Wan Yong just pointed that sword at me, and I fell to the ground, looking like a monster exposed by a magic mirror in legend. Moreover, I don't even know if I've been hit by a hidden weapon.

  Wan Yong smiled and said: Just now, the great heroes were sweating like rain, and the arena was inevitably slippery. Please be careful.

  I suddenly felt indignant in my heart, wanting to get up and imitate him, then say: Look, I can do it too.

  But I think it's unlikely that we'll be able to find that old man again, and using it here seems like a waste, since it's not yet a matter of life and death. I angrily drew my sword and said: Come on!

  Suddenly, Wan Yong's soul was cut in two and fell onto the red carpet.

  The crows and sparrows under the platform are silent.

  Wan Yong stared at me with wide eyes, or rather, at the sword in my hand. He then looked down at the sword on the ground and again at the dagger in his own hand, shaking his head as he walked off the stage.

  For me, it's just wanting to draw out the sword and start a duel, but I don't want to have just drawn it out and already be done, having to put it back in immediately.

  The drumming master came to ask questions from below the stage multiple times, and has already made progress in a short period of time. When it was announced that I won, he hid to one side. I deeply feel that all the masters are fake, because they can't even beat a swordsmith. Moreover, I think the atmosphere around here is also a bit off.

  I glanced around, and it was clear that I had won more hearts this time. There were only over thirty hidden weapons shot at me from all directions. I drew my sword without looking and swung it behind me. Suddenly, many small objects fell to the ground with a clinking sound.

  I think this sword is too evil.

  The sword should belong to the leader of the alliance.

  Then it was time to change clothes, and the idle people dispersed. I gathered with the leaders of various factions in a secret room at the Snow Mountain Post House. There were more than 30 people, including Hui Yin and my master. I went forward and asked my master: "Where is Xi Le?"

  Master said: Don't worry, Xile and Xiao Ma are together, waiting for us outside.

  I said: She doesn't know martial arts, is she safe by herself?

  Master said: I have called a few Shaolin disciples to follow you, don't worry.