Chapter 375 - 369: Meeting of the Two Dragons

Chapter 375: Chapter 369: Meeting of the Two Dragons

There was always some fresh gossip in the Capital City.

A burst of urgent hoofbeats rang out.

"Which Government Office is that? How arrogant!"

"Shh! Keep your voice down. You got a death wish? That’s the Imperial Inspection Office."

Hearing the name of the Imperial Inspection Office, everyone on the street obediently shut their mouths.

Ever since the new Left Deputy Chief Imperial Censor took office, everyone in the Capital City knew the Imperial Inspection Office was the most prominent Government Office around.

In the past few months, they had arrested more officials than in the previous three years combined.

Rumor had it the Black Prison was already filled to bursting.

If you provoked those Yamas from the Imperial Inspection Office now, you might find yourself in the Black Prison by the next day.

Bai Yuan’s reputation in official circles was in shambles, but among the common people of the Capital City, it was excellent. He was practically hailed as a paragon of justice.

「In the Bai Mansion.」

"Xiaoyu’Er, are you two preparing to leave?"

Bai Yuan looked at the couple, Lu Yu and his wife, sitting in the hall.

Lu Yu nodded. "The waters in the Capital City run too deep. It’s best for my wife and I to leave sooner rather than later."

If they made enemies in the Capital City, not even the Fang Family could guarantee their safety.

If it hadn’t been for Fanghua, they never would have come to the Capital City so rashly.

Bai Yuan understood Lu Yu’s concerns.

Fang Wan then spoke up, "Brother Bai, I have an immodest request. I would like to take Fang E to Lu State. I promise I will nurture her talents with the utmost care."

"That is something Fang E must agree to herself."

"Of course."

A few moments later, the young girl, Fang E, arrived in the main hall.

When she heard about going to Lu State, she looked at Bai Yuan, a little lost.

Ever since leaving Dan Mountain, she had come to see her master, Bai Yuan, as her only support. Going to Lu State meant she wouldn’t be able to see him anymore.

Bai Yuan smiled. "Your Aunt Fang and Uncle Lu are trustworthy people. Just follow your heart."

Fang E’s small face grew uncharacteristically serious. "Master, I want to stay here and take care of you and Mistress."

"Children say the darndest things. Sister Fang, just take her with you."

"...Master, you lied! You said I should follow my heart."

"The ancients said, ’A master’s command cannot be disobeyed.’"

"Master is a big liar!"

"Hey, you rebellious disciple."

...

Their playful bickering dispelled much of the somber atmosphere of departure.

As the little girl Fang E left with Fang Wan, her eyes were rimmed with red, and she was still muttering that her master was a big liar as she went.

Bai Yuan escorted the three of them out of the city before returning with Sister Qiao.

Outside the Capital City, weeping willows swayed gracefully. The verdant scenery was breathtakingly beautiful.

Bai Yuan and Sister Qiao sat in the carriage, the curtain drawn open.

They had the air of a wealthy lord and his lady.

Sister Qiao couldn’t help but feel a little emotional.

Back when they were in Baisha Town, how could she ever have imagined a day like this?

Just as the two were nestled together, chatting idly, the groom’s voice came from outside the carriage.

"Master, there seems to be someone ahead."

Bai Yuan lifted the carriage curtain.

He saw a man dressed all in white standing on the Official Road not far ahead.

This area was remote, so he was the only one on the road.

The groom had given the warning because the man was wearing a sword—and it was already drawn.

Bai Yuan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’He’s strong.’

A sight that terrified the groom to his core unfolded: the man in white, who had been a hundred meters from the carriage, suddenly appeared right in front of him in the time it took to blink.

Bai Yuan’s expression didn’t change in the slightest.

Because he recognized the man.

Grand Scholar of the Wenyuan Pavilion, Situ Nan.

The third peerless genius from the Xuan Yang Dynasty to enter the Hidden Dragon Ranking.

Situ Nan spoke coolly, "Someone asked me to remind you not to take things too far. It’s time to back down."

Bai Yuan was unfazed. "And what if I refuse?"

Situ Nan: "Situ Nan. Taiyuan Sword. I ask for your guidance."

Bai Yuan sneered.

’Some people in the Xuan Yang Court really are getting restless,’ he thought. ’That’s why they sent Situ Nan to be their "persuader."’

’Why Situ Nan?’

’Because he’s the most suitable choice. As a fellow prodigy on the Hidden Dragon Ranking, if Bai Yuan refused, he could use force to make him comply.’

The Xuan Yang Dynasty was founded on martial prowess, and duels between ministers were a common occurrence.

There was even a famous story of two Ministers who fought to the death on a dueling stage, an event later celebrated by posterity.

This was a clear testament to the abundant martial virtue of the Xuan Yang Dynasty.

Situ Nan wasted no more words.

His Long Sword thrust forward.

It was a very standard sword. Standard, because by any measure, it was an absolutely superb blade—not unconventional in its design, but flawless in every respect.

Bai Yuan lifted his right leg and, with a bold and powerful kick, struck at the Taiyuan Sword without a hint of flourish.

He met Situ Nan’s sword with a kick, his domineering aura on full display.

Situ Nan’s seemingly unstoppable thrust was kicked aside by Bai Yuan.

A flash of astonishment crossed his eyes.

’Such powerful body conditioning!’

’To think my sword strike was so easily blocked by him.’

One must understand that although they were both on the Hidden Dragon Ranking, there was a full twenty-year age gap between them.

While the path of the Martial Dao had never been about age, for prodigies of their caliber, being older naturally meant being stronger.

Yet, his last strike had only resulted in a draw against Bai Yuan!

Situ Nan did not strike again.

The sneer on Bai Yuan’s face deepened. "What’s the matter? Done fighting?"

He had just used White Ape Mountain-Shatterer, enhanced by his Dragon and Tiger Strength, which was how he had managed to stun Situ Nan with a single kick.

Situ Nan remained impassive.

He slowly sheathed his Taiyuan Sword and turned to leave without another word.

He understood that his objective today would likely not be achieved.

Duels between masters were never drawn out. From that single exchange, he knew that defeating Bai Yuan would be anything but easy.

Even if he could win by going all out, it would be an inglorious victory.

There was no need to continue the fight.

He had been entrusted with a task, not hired to die for someone.

Bai Yuan had no intention of pursuing him, either. He just watched quietly as Situ Nan departed.

Only after Situ Nan’s figure had completely vanished did he step back into the carriage and say to the groom, "Let’s go."

The groom had never witnessed such a scene before. Startled back to his senses by Bai Yuan’s words, he stammered, "Oh, oh, yes, Master."

With a melodic cry of "Giddy-up," the carriage began to move again.

"Brother Yuan, are you hurt?"

Sister Qiao, having just witnessed the exchange between Bai Yuan and Situ Nan, asked with concern.

Bai Yuan chuckled. "You still don’t know how capable your husband is?"

The double entendre made Sister Qiao’s cheeks flush red.

But then she thought, ’We’re an old married couple,’ and felt she had to regain some face.

The two began to fool around playfully in the carriage.

...

Secrets never stayed hidden for long in the Capital City.

News of the clash between Bai Yuan and Situ Nan quickly spread throughout the city.

A duel between two geniuses from the Hidden Dragon Ranking—it was more than enough to create a buzz.

Bai Yuan and Situ Nan had exchanged a single move and were evenly matched.

On the surface, the news suggested a draw. But when Bai Yuan’s age was taken into account, there was no doubt that Situ Nan had come out looking inferior.

Some gossips even boldly proclaimed that Bai Yuan possessed the greatest talent on the Hidden Dragon Ranking.

For a time, opinions were varied and widespread, but Bai Yuan’s fame rose yet another notch.

One could only wonder how the people who had tried to use Situ Nan to suppress Bai Yuan felt upon hearing all this.