Chapter 288 - 175: The Iron Fan Beast?

Chapter 288: Chapter 175: The Iron Fan Beast?

The sword, long hailed as the emperor of weapons, has always been cherished by the people of the Martial World. Thus, most Knights carry longswords on their backs. Some carry a pair, others three. The most extreme among them even carry an entire Sword Box, the densely packed hilts hinting at a fearsome killing intent long before a single blade is drawn.

Some carried hammers on their backs, some had Soft Swords concealed at their waists, some held long spears, and others wielded a pair of iron hooks. Such a motley collection. Forget the eighteen traditional weapons of war; Zheng Xiu counted no fewer than thirty different kinds just on the way up the mountain. Many were weapons that would fall into obscurity in later eras. It was a real eye-opener for him.

This Martial World Assembly, hosted by Dugu Xiang—the Manor Master of Hidden Sword Manor, renowned as the "World’s Number One Sword"—was the most magnificent gathering of masters in nearly two decades. For every member of the younger generation eager to make a name for themselves in the Jianghu, this was a once-in-twenty-years chance at fame. The competition had already begun in secret long before they reached the mountain’s summit.

"Hahaha—Brother Gu, I’ll be going on ahead!"

With a hearty laugh, a Knight in flowing White Clothes sped up the mountain, hands clasped behind his back, moving as if on flat ground. In the blink of an eye, he was gone, leaving only a faint afterimage.

"No need to rush, Brother Ximen! I’ll go with you, lest you find yourself bored and lonely up on the mountain!"

Another figure appeared, slightly out of breath. He was a middle-aged man in a gray robe, his sleeves pumping rapidly to generate force, creating a sharp WHAP-WHAP sound. His footwork was remarkably profound.

As more Knights crowded the path up the mountain, acquaintances began to run into one another, and the competition started.

First, it was a contest of attire, then of prestige, then of seniority. Soon enough, they were comparing their Qinggong.

No one wanted to be outdone.

With increasing frequency, people with wind at their heels zipped past Zheng Xiu and Xiaotao.

Many of them, gritting their teeth and dripping with sweat as they raced past using their Qinggong, noticed the plainly dressed, poor-looking Scholar with a bamboo basket on his back.

This Scholar was carrying a bamboo basket filled with rows of painting scrolls, and he was leading a beautiful young maiden by his side. His whole demeanor seemed utterly out of place among the other Knights.

He looked less like someone attending the Martial World Assembly and more like a man on a scenic trip with his companion.

Many who passed by cast curious and probing glances toward Zheng Xiu and Xiaotao.

Despite this, no one went out of their way to provoke them. At a grand event like this, while there were plenty of people with undeserved reputations, there were even more experts who deliberately concealed their strength. They preferred to believe Zheng Xiu was one of the latter. They weren’t about to stir up some cliché drama just because Xiaotao was a young beauty.

Why would they want to make a fool of themselves in front of the entire Martial World?

"Young Master, are we..." Xiaotao was walking one step at a time, and by the time they reached the halfway point, she was glistening with sweat. She panted softly, "...going a bit too slow?"

"No rush. We’ll take our time." Zheng Xiu gave a faint smile and elegantly flicked open his fan.

SWISH.

Written on the fan’s surface in four bold, elegant words was: "Carefree in the World".

HISS!

Whether they were passing by, following behind, or walking up ahead, many of the Knights who had been secretly observing turned at the sound of Zheng Xiu’s fan. A few of them covertly sucked in a sharp breath.

"So it’s him!"

"It’s that beast!"

"Jianghu legends say that fiend has no interest in virgins—he preys exclusively on married women!"

"That Iron Fan, and the girl at his side... it has to be the Iron Fan Beast, Xiao Buping! There’s no mistake!"

"But the Jianghu rumors all say he’s only interested in married women. Yet the girl beside him is clearly..."

"What do you know! That beast Xiao Buping, is there anything he wouldn’t do? Besides, if a maiden is abducted on her wedding night, she’s both a virgin and a wife. Wouldn’t that be all the more...?"

"Brother Tian, brilliant deduction!"

"Not at all, not at all!"

The passing Knights whispered amongst themselves, and their gazes toward the Scholar now held an extra measure of contempt.