Chapter 455
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Chapter 455: Marks the End of an Era
Western Province.
By the Sky Piercing River, there is a big city called Lone Goose City.
The city is filled with buildings, and looking at the houses lining the road, one can tell that it used to be a thriving city.
However, there are few people walking on the road, giving it a somewhat desolate feel.
Qiao Yuan strolled through Lone Goose City with a gourd hanging from his waist, casually exploring the area.
He was followed by over ten people, including an old ascetic man.
There were over a hundred survivors who escaped from the Blood Lotus Immortal Kingdom.
But when they arrived at the side of the Sky Piercing River in Lone Goose City, the group of over a hundred people dispersed, each going their own way.
"Isn’t this Qiao Yuan? It has been a year or two since we last met, why don’t you come in and have a seat?"
A plain-looking middle-aged man from an inn by the road saw Qiao Yuan and warmly approached to invite him in.
"I don’t have any money on me," Qiao Yuan said directly.
It was clear that he and the innkeeper were old acquaintances, as he spoke very straightforwardly.
He had spent his time in the Blood Lotus Immortal Kingdom and Kuafu Mountain Secret Realm recently, so how could he have any money left?
"No money? That’s fine if you have a story," the innkeeper chuckled, glancing at Qiao Yuan and the others:
"It’s been a while, and seeing you today is quite different. I can already smell the scent of stories on you."
He wiggled his nose and pretended to be intoxicated:
"This taste is too strong. You all are the same."
The old man next to him looked at the innkeeper several times.
He vaguely remembered that when he entered Lone Goose City, he had also encountered this talkative innkeeper before.
"Stop pretending." Qiao Yuan took a few steps into the inn, helped himself to a jar of wine, and prepared to pour himself a drink.
"Well, well, you sure can pick." The innkeeper’s eyes widened immediately, and he took a few steps forward, wanting to take the wine jar from Qiao Yuan’s hand.
"This is the ‘Dispel A Thousand Sorrows’ that has been aged for thirty years."
This wine, known as Dispel A Thousand Sorrows, is a famous wine produced in the Western Province, worth a thousand taels.
A thirty-year-old Dispel A Thousand Sorrows is a rare treasure and the most expensive jar of wine in this inn.
The innkeeper had just displayed the wine to attract customers, never expecting that Qiao Yuan would take a liking to it.
"Don’t worry. I have a very good story that suits this wine and will catch the attention of the Tide Listening Building storyteller," Qiao Yuan said with a slight smile, speaking slowly.
The middle-aged man moved a bit slowly.
"It seems you came prepared, have you been thinking about this wine for a while?"
"Since you came prepared, I will listen to your story." The innkeeper hesitated for a moment before saying:
"Just tell me briefly what this is about first. If I find it interesting, I will pour the wine."
However, Qiao Yuan ignored the innkeeper, filled his own glass, and slowly said, amidst the innkeeper’s anxious expression:
"The Blood Lotus Sect no longer exists, and the Blood Lotus Immortal Kingdom has fallen apart."
"There is also…"
"Martial Saint has passed away."
The innkeeper stood still for a while, looking a bit lost as he watched Qiao Yuan fill a cup with wine, then drank it all by himself, thinking it was good wine.
"How about that? Can the story I’m about to tell match your 30 years of ‘Solving Woes’?" Qiao Yuan laughed.
The innkeeper was speechless for a while, then brought out a big wine bowl and said:
"Fill mine up too."
"I got it." Qiao Yuan nodded with a smile, and poured a full bowl for the innkeeper as well:
"The taste of drinking alone is like a hero traveling a thousand miles at night to kill villains, returning unnoticed in the dark. Though it doesn’t lack the elegance of a night journey in fancy clothes, it still lacks a bit of glory."
As Qiao Yuan spoke, his eyes dimmed slightly.
It was Qiao Shuangtu who destroyed the Blood Lotus Sect and left.
But before Qiao Shuangtu, three or four Qiao family members died in the Kuafu Mountain.
But he didn’t want the hero to be unnamed, he hoped that more people in the world would remember the name of the Qiao family member.
Therefore, after coming down from Kuafu Mountain, his first stop was at the Tide Listening Building storyteller’s inn in this Lone Goose City.
After this matter was settled, he was ready to return to Kuafu Mountain.
First, as he had obtained the bone and blood, almost equivalent to the owner of the Red Sun Secret Realm, he had to take a look at the faceless Blood Flesh Divine Being.
Secondly, Qiao Mu left a flesh clone there, and he naturally used the identity of an elder from the Qiao family.
But before that…
"Come, let me tell you about the great battle between Martial Saint and the ancestors of the Qiao family…"
"……"
"Do you know, what were Martial Saint’s last words in the battle?" asked Qiao Yuan.
When this happened, he wasn’t there, but he heard about it from Wu Jing.
"Will I come back?" the innkeeper asked cautiously.
Qiao Yuan just shook his head.
"He said…. the strong survive, the weak perish."
"Finally, it’s my time to die…."
The innkeeper listened quietly for a long time, then sighed and said:
"This sage is truly near death, not speaking double standards, not just saying ‘the weak are eaten by the strong’, but when facing elimination himself, acting like a coward begging for mercy."
"That’s exactly Martial Saint’s style."
"Martial Saint always keeps his thoughts deep like the sea, who can guess what he’s thinking…." the innkeeper said slowly.
"Even at the brink of death, one cannot express their innermost thoughts and struggles…"
"Things have come to this, no need for more words," said Qiao Yuan as he raised his glass.
The innkeeper paused for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, things have come to this point, no need for more words."
He raised his glass and clinked it with Qiao Yuan’s, causing some of the drink to splash out, filling the air with a rich aroma, attracting the attention of those around.
"The Inhuman War has been going on for forty years now."
"Martial Saint has ruled over the martial arts world for thirty years…"
"And today, it just happens to be the thirtieth anniversary of this ‘Solving Worries’ brew." The innkeeper looked at Qiao Yuan and said slowly:
"It seems you have come prepared indeed."
Qiao Yuan murmured softly, "Who created this murky wine? One sip, Dispel A Thousand Sorrows."
He said in a low voice, "The martial arts world has endured storms for the past thirty years, all in this wine."
The two lifted their wine bowls and drank it all in one gulp.
Forty years ago, the martial arts world was a time when heroes gathered, with Earth Sword Immortal leading the way, followed by others like Spear Saint, Eight-armed Heavenly Dragon, and Divine Monk Dried Leaf, each with their own style.
But thirty years ago, the martial arts world was shattered by a single punch from Martial Saint.
Great martial arts sects collapsed, leaving only Martial Saint infamous across the land, with others nowhere to be found.
They knew.
From the moment Martial Saint died.
Thus, an era of the martial arts world came to an end.
……………………………..
Zhong Province.
Wu Jing and Qiao Mu moved quickly between the trees, as fast as the wind.
Wu Jing couldn’t keep up with Qiao Mu’s agility, and Qiao Mu led the way most of the time.
As they approached the headquarters of Wuji Association, Wu Jing insisted on being let down to guide the way.
"Wu Jing, besides the martial arts secrets of famous sects like Shaolin and Wudang, what other amazing techniques does your Wuji Association possess?"
Qiao Mu had always been curious about the martial arts collection of the Wuji Association.
After a moment of thought, Wu Jing replied,
"While Shaolin and Wudang are reputable sects in the martial world, the true masters of ancient martial arts are the top ten warriors from the Martial Arts Ranking List of previous generations."
"Actually, many of those powerful people come from the ancient martial arts sects."
Earth Sword Immortal, who is a disciple of Wudang Sect without a doubt, learned the sect’s most powerful skill, "Pure Yang Wuji Skill".
The fourth strongest in the world, also hails from Shaolin, known as Divine Monk Dried Leaf.
The tenth strongest in the world, "Cow Cleaver Knife", originated as a chef in the royal kitchen, receiving guidance in martial arts from Founding Emperor Yan, proving that he did not achieve greatness easily.
As for Martial Saint, he trained in the martial arts of the Great Yan Imperial Court in his early years, with a solid and traditional foundation, not through unconventional methods.
Wu Jing continued, saying:
"The top ten experts of the past were truly the strongest martial artists of their time, most of them mastering the internal energy techniques of prestigious martial arts sects, excelling in their respective fields."
"Spear Saint, reaching the pinnacle in the art of spear, his skill with the "Birds Adoring the Phoenix Spear" is renowned as the best in the world."
"Eight-armed Heavenly Dragon, known for his incredible speed, possesses the fastest punches and kicks in the world, revered for his agility and martial arts prowess."
"The skilled Divine Monk Dried Leaf excels in the top martial art, the ‘Vajra Immortal Skill’."
"There are also techniques like the ‘Cow Cleaver Knife’, which are among the pinnacle of ancient martial arts."
Qiao Mu nodded.
Even the powerful predecessors, for him today, have their merits.
For example, Earth Sword Immortal…. His ‘Heavenly Slashing Swordsmanship’ has reached the peak in techniques, unmatched in the martial arts world of Jiu Province.
However, the Earth Sword Immortal of the past was not a match for the true person of the Great Dao Sect, Qingzhuo – while Earth Sword Immortal may have lost his will and failed to use the Heavenly Slashing Swordsmanship, a loss is a loss, no need for more reasons.
The reason lies in Earth Sword Immortal’s inadequate "strength" and "force".
His martial arts have actually reached the second stage of superb rank, undergoing a qualitative change in internal strength – when Qiao Mu deduced the ‘Divine Transformation Technique’, it was to trace his memories and draw inspiration from Earth Sword Immortal.
Knowledge has precedence, and skills have specialties.
The great warriors of the past each had their own strengths and weaknesses, and they excelled in their respective fields.
Without the ancient ancestor of the Qiao family who lived for ten thousand years, who else could master martial arts perfectly?
However, Qiao Mu, who is a whopping 10,985 years old, could.
Just like how Qiao Mu has perfected most of his martial arts skills over a very long time, even meticulously studying instruction manuals, mastering them to the highest level possible.
When Earth Sword Immortal uses Heavenly Slashing Swordsmanship, it differs in power compared to 10,985-year-old Qiao Mu using the same technique.
Even though the martial arts skills of other great warriors of the past may not shine as brightly as Heavenly Slashing Swordsmanship, they surely have their own merits.
"Perhaps only the most elite parts of the ancient martial arts section in the arsenal are worthy in the eyes of Senior Qiao Shuangtu, bringing some value to him," Wu Jing spoke up.
"However, within the arsenal, there is also a new martial art created by Martial Saint and the seventy-two wise men…"
With that said.
Suddenly, a loud roar came from the front.
"Wu Jing, what are you doing? Are you a traitor?"
"Not only leading the way, but also showing the armory? Aren’t you afraid Martial Saint will punish you?"
Amidst the strong wind.
A huge man, nearly three meters tall, stood on the hill in front, looking coldly at him.
His skin was bronze-colored, and in the sunlight, his body looked as strong as steel.
"Wu Jingang?" Wu Jing’s eyes twitched slightly, immediately stopping in his tracks just four or five steps away from Wu Jingang.
Looking up, the small building belonging to the Wuji Association could already be faintly seen.
It was obvious that Wu Jingang had already sensed the approach of Qiao Mu and the others, intentionally coming early to intercept them.
Not long ago, the main headquarters of the Wuji Association was attacked by the well-informed Wu Qizheng.
Now, Wu Jing, who looks like Wu Qizheng, has come back again… How could Wu Jingang not be angry?
"Don’t be in a hurry." Facing Wu Jingang, Wu Jing also seemed somewhat apprehensive.
"Martial Saint is already dead…."
Before Wu Jing could finish speaking, Wu Jingang angrily interrupted:
"That’s nonsense!"
"Who is Martial Saint? Even if your father died, Martial Saint couldn’t possibly be dead!"
After Wu Jingang finished scolding, he suddenly realized:
"Oh, your father really is Martial Saint, then it’s okay."
Wu Jingang’s brain seems to be malfunctioning.
"Since everything is fine now, can I go over there?" Wu Jing asked cautiously.
"No! Don’t move!"
Wu Jingang got angry again.
"I don’t believe it! No one in this world can kill Martial Saint!"
"Did he fall into the hands of inhuman?"
"Before he suppresses Jiu Province with an iron fist and brings eternal peace, he won’t die!"
"Even if he is defeated, he will use all kinds of means to survive by all means!"
While Wu Jingang was speaking, he seemed visibly flushed and his face turned red.
"Because he is Martial Saint, he is the strongest person on Earth!"
Wu Jing just let out a sigh.
"It seems like you already know in your heart."
He feared Wu Jingang not only because of Wu Jingang’s strength, but also because of his temper.
This person is a single-minded martial arts fanatic, with a bad temper as tough as his skills. Whatever Martial Saint says, he believes. Martial Saint says he is working for eternal peace, and he believes him.
If he fights with Wu Jingang… it’s okay to lose.
This person, just like Martial Saint, looks down on the weak.
If he wins the fight, it will be the beginning of a nightmare… This person will rely on his natural physique and excellent skills to keep bothering you.
Lose ten times, fight eleven times; lose a hundred times, fight a hundred and one times.
So this man named Wu Jingang is an important member who guards the main headquarters of the Wuji Association in Zhong Province.
"I have no idea!" Wu Jingang’s face turned red, and his bronze skin glowed like gold under the sunlight.
"My name is Wu Jingang."
He walked towards Qiao Mu, his already towering three-meter-tall body seemed to grow larger.
"Ninth on the Tide Listening Building Power List, thirteenth among the seventy-two wise men."
"He has a body of diamond, with immense strength. He was taken in as a son by Martial Saint when he was a child, and practiced the ‘Vajra Immortal Skill’."
"Until now."
He opened his palm.
Five thick fingers, shining in the sunlight like five bronze pillars, came towards him.
"Already immune to water and fire, impervious to swords and spears, flesh tougher than steel–"
Just as he said that, he felt a long-forgotten pain in his hand.
Looking closer, he saw something piercing through the palm of his hand, with blood flowing out steadily.
The thing piercing his palm was a bone sword in Qiao Mu’s hand.
"The most powerful in the world?" Qiao Mu glanced at the bone sword in his hand.
"It seems like the bones of our Qiao family members are tougher."
