“In the final move of the decisive battle, Ye Gucheng unleashed his ultimate technique, ‘Flying Immortal From Beyond the Heavens’!”
“Ximen Chuixue also put all his effort into his strongest sword strike.”
“But with affection in his heart, his sword was ultimately a split second slower than Ye Gucheng’s.”
“Before he could pierce Ye Gucheng, Ye Gucheng’s sword had already penetrated his throat.”
“At that moment, Ximen Chuixue understood that he had lost, defeated by Ye Gucheng.”
“Yet, at the last moment, Ye Gucheng shifted his sword by three inches, willingly dying by Ximen Chuixue’s sword.”
“Because he had already committed a capital crime, he could not escape death regardless of victory or defeat.”
“Rather than winning against Ximen Chuixue and then dying at the hands of Zhu Wu Shi and other Expert from the imperial guard, he preferred to die by Ximen Chuixue’s sword.”
“This is precisely what Su said earlier: in this battle, Ye Gucheng died, but Ximen Chuixue was the one who failed.”
… …
As Su Chen’s words fell, the hall immediately erupted.
So that’s it!
Everyone finally understood the true meaning of Su Chen’s words.
In the final battle, Ye Gucheng’s swordsmanship had already won, but due to circumstances, he chose to willingly die.
This outcome left many people filled with emotion, as a generation’s top sword Master finally met his end.
From then on, the Great Ming Jianghu lost another peerless sword Master.
For a time, there were many discussions:
“What a pity! Because Ye Gucheng was burdened with a serious crime and had reservations, he couldn’t fully commit to the battle.”
“I didn’t expect Ye Gucheng’s death to be his own choice in the end. If not for all that happened before, Ximen Chuixue would have been the one to die.”
“That Ximen Chuixue could contend with Ye Gucheng shows his extraordinary talent, especially since he is a full dozen years younger than Ye Gucheng.”
“Exactly! Although Ye Gucheng was slightly superior, it’s clear that their strengths were similar. With Ximen Chuixue’s talent, he might very well surpass him in a few years.”
“Indeed, women only slow down a swordsman’s strike. If not for the attachment in his heart, Ximen Chuixue might not have lost.”
“What big news! I never thought that the usually cold-blooded and ruthless Ximen Chuixue would also have someone he cared for.”
“I’ve long heard that the four beauties of the Emei Sect are all exceptionally beautiful; it seems the rumors were true.”
“The woman who could make Ximen Chuixue remember her for so long must also possess a beauty that could topple kingdoms.”
… …
In front of the railing on the third floor.
Lu Xiaofeng laughed heartily and said, “Mr. Su is indeed a Master. To know such a hidden matter so clearly, I, Lu Xiaofeng, truly admit defeat today.”
He had a deep friendship with Ximen Chuixue and naturally understood Ximen Chuixue’s thoughts, however slight.
Even if Ximen Chuixue himself was unwilling to admit it.
“But—” Suddenly, someone in the hall questioned, “Even if Ye Gucheng died willingly, he still died in the end.
Why can’t Ximen Chuixue be called the First Sword God?”
Everyone looked over at the sound, and a Jianghu person who recognized his identity blurted out, “Guo Songyang, the Songyang Iron Sword!”
At these words, the entire hall was in an uproar.
No one expected that this renowned sword Master, who had been famous for many years, would also come to Zijin Tower in Zhenbei City.
Although Guo Songyang’s name was far less prominent than Ximen Chuixue’s, in the Great Ming Wulin, he was still a highly respected Master.
Moreover, his fame preceded Ximen Chuixue’s by a long shot.
Thirteen years ago, Baixiao Sheng compiled the Weapon Rankings, listing Guo Songyang’s Songyang Iron Sword as fourth, which speaks to the excellence of his swordsmanship.
Even now, many people privately believe that Guo Songyang’s swordsmanship is not inferior to Ximen Chuixue’s.
Some people who understood Guo Songyang even knew in their hearts—
He wasn’t speaking up for Ximen Chuixue this time, but rather trying to seize the opportunity to contend for the title of “First Sword God” himself!
However, everyone present also began to ponder: In today’s Great Ming Jianghu, whose swordsmanship could possibly surpass Ximen Chuixue’s? Could it really be Guo Songyang?
With this question, everyone turned their gaze to the high platform, their eyes filled with anticipation.
On the high platform, Su Chen remained composed, a slight smile playing on his lips:
“Whether Ye Gucheng lived or died does not affect what Su said earlier.”
“In fact, the Great Ming Jianghu is full of hidden Masters, and the existing Sword Dao Grandmasters far exceed what you all know.”
“In the past decade, Ximen Chuixue has indeed been unrivaled, his brilliance unmatched.”
“Many swordsmen of the same era could not even hope to catch up to him.”
“However, the Jianghu is vast, and there are not a few who had already reached the Peak of the Sword Dao before Ximen Chuixue, but for various reasons, have not revealed themselves to the world.”
“If a sword god ranking were to be compiled for all the living swordsmen in the current Great Ming.”
“Even excluding Ye Gucheng, Ximen Chuixue would not be able to rank in the top five, let alone be the First Sword God.”
… …
What?
After hearing these words, everyone in the hall was shocked and lost their color.
Ximen Chuixue’s swordsmanship couldn’t even make it into the top five of the Great Ming Sword God Ranking?
Even those Jianghu figures who had unwavering faith in Su Chen couldn’t help but waver in their hearts at this moment.
Because these words were simply too astonishing!
That Ximen Chuixue, who was at the height of his power in the Great Ming Jianghu, sweeping across the Jianghu with a single sword for over a decade, couldn’t even squeeze into the top five?
And this was even after removing the deceased Ye Gucheng from consideration.
If there were one or two reclusive swordsmen whose swordsmanship was superior to Ximen Chuixue’s, everyone might still barely accept it.
But to say that Ximen Chuixue couldn’t even rank in the top five of Great Ming swordsmen was truly hard to believe.
Before long, the hall was abuzz with discussions, a clamor of voices…
“This is too outrageous! Ximen Chuixue can’t even make it into the top five of the Great Ming Sword God Ranking? This is the most absurd claim I’ve ever heard.”
“Mr. Su’s words really can’t convince people. Ximen Chuixue has truly dominated the Jianghu for a full decade, never losing once.”
“Hmph! I knew it, this so-called Mr. Su is just a charlatan in the Jianghu. Has he finally been exposed now?”
“Fortunately, this is in Zhenbei City. If he said such things elsewhere, he’d probably be laughed to death by the entire Martial Forest.”
“Mr. Su has the ability to foresee heavenly secrets. Since he says so, he must have his reasons. Everyone, please be patient and listen to him finish.”
“I also believe Mr. Su wouldn’t speak carelessly, but this matter is indeed too shocking. Please, Mr. Su, tell us the full story.”
… …
In the private room on the north side of the third floor.
Yaoyue and Lianxing exchanged glances, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes.
As Masters standing at the Peak in the Great Ming Jianghu, they naturally knew which truly troublesome characters existed in this world.
Even the two of them couldn’t help but find Su Chen’s remarks incredible.
Yaoyue had originally planned to find an opportunity to inquire with Su Chen about clues to the bloody case from twenty years ago, but now she decided to observe for a while longer.
“Elder Sister, Mr. Su’s expression is calm. I’m afraid what he says is not false.”
Lianxing said softly.
Yaoyue nodded and said, “Let’s listen a bit longer. If he can truly explain it, then I will believe that he indeed possesses the ability to deduce heavenly secrets.”
… …
In the main hall.
Guo Songyang was also stunned, then furiously shouted, “You storyteller, are you treating us like fools? Tell us, who exactly is qualified to rank before Ximen Chuixue!”
He himself was an excellent swordsman, and although he was unconvinced by Ximen Chuixue, he absolutely would not allow anyone to so disparage their universally recognized Sword God of Great Ming.
On the high platform.
Su Chen gently fanned himself, his expression still calm and unhurried as he said,
“Since you all are interested in listening, then Su will casually mention a few names.”
“The first Sword God stronger than Ximen Chuixue, I believe none of you Jianghu friends are unfamiliar with him.”
“It is none other than the Third Young Master of Shenjian Villa—Xie Xiaofeng.”
Xie Xiaofeng!
As these three words were uttered, the entire hall immediately erupted in an uproar.
A resounding name, famous far and wide!
There are many swordsmen in the Great Ming Jianghu, but when it comes to those who have reached the Peak of swordsmanship, one simply cannot bypass the name “Xie Xiaofeng”!
As the successor of Shenjian Villa, Xie Xiaofeng had been dazzling and the focus of everyone’s attention since childhood.
And he did not disappoint this expectation; his talent was arguably the greatest in the history of Shenjian Villa.
He seemed to be born for the Dao of the sword, destined to leave a significant mark on the Jianghu.
He began learning the sword at five, comprehended sword manuals at six, and at seven, his swordsmanship was already perfected, defeating his Master.
Hua Shaokun, a top swordsman of the Huashan Sword Sect, once had a grudge with Shenjian Villa and personally came to challenge them. The result was that Xie Xiaofeng, at only twelve years old, defeated him with a single sword strike.
From that moment on, Xie Xiaofeng’s name completely shook the Jianghu, and as the Third Young Master of Shenjian Villa, he welcomed challenges from all swordsmen under heaven.
In the decade before Ximen Chuixue rose to fame, Xie Xiaofeng was the first Sword God in the Great Ming Jianghu, shining like a blazing sun.
Indeed, his reputation as the First Sword God was even more far-reaching than Ximen Chuixue’s later fame.
Because he had once exchanged blows with Baiyun City Lord Ye Gucheng, and on the shore of the North Sea, he used the Xie Family’s divine sword to block Ye Gucheng’s “Flying Immortal From Beyond the Heavens.”
He was also the only swordsman in the Great Ming Jianghu who had directly broken Ye Gucheng’s “Flying Immortal From Beyond the Heavens.”
However!
Xie Xiaofeng had disappeared ten years ago, and Shenjian Villa eventually confirmed his death.
The Black-Haired Sword God, a brilliant talent gone too soon, left countless Martial Forest swordsmen saddened, lamenting that Heaven was jealous of such genius.
If Xie Xiaofeng had not died young, the title of the First Sword God of Great Ming would probably not have fallen to Ximen Chuixue.
“Mr. Su, didn’t you say we would only discuss contemporary Sword Dao Masters? This Xie Xiaofeng has been deceased for ten years.”
By the window on the third floor, Lu Xiaofeng voiced the question in everyone’s hearts.
Xie Xiaofeng, he was already dead!
He was the First Sword God before Ximen Chuixue, the First Sword God of the previous generation of Great Ming.
On the high platform.
Su Chen said calmly, “The Great Ming Sword God Ranking that Su has compiled only includes living individuals.”
“Mr. Su means…”
Even a meticulous person like Lu Xiaofeng was so shocked that his eyes widened, momentarily speechless.
Many Jianghu figures in the hall were already too stunned to speak.