stonecrandall Chapter 1157 Visiting Gu Jian!
Chapter 1157 Visiting Gu Jian!
The mornings in Dongyi City always begin at the dock.
As the first rays of sunlight pierce the thin mist over the sea, this most prosperous trading city on the eastern coast of the continent awakens. The shouts of cargo ships, the cries of merchants, and the clatter of carts and horses intertwine to create a unique symphony of daily life. On both sides of the street, three- or four-story wooden buildings stand side by side, displaying various signs—silk shops, spice shops, money exchanges, restaurants, and even a few shops displaying strange glassware, the latest products introduced by the Gao Clan Merchant Guild.
Amidst the clamor, a black carriage slowly traversed the cobblestone path. The carriage itself was unassuming, but those in the know could discern that the wood was South China Sea rosewood, and the wheels were covered in a special soft rubber—a technology reportedly mastered only by the Gao Clan Chamber of Commerce, greatly reducing bumps and jolting. The driver was an ordinary-looking man with large knuckles and slightly protruding temples; he was clearly an eighth-rank master.
Inside the carriage, Gao Yao closed his eyes to rest.
Gao Yao understood that in this world where martial arts reign supreme, no matter how large a business is, without the protection of military force, it is ultimately just a castle in the air.
Therefore, while developing his business, he was also secretly cultivating his power. Today's trip to Jianlu is a crucial step in this grand scheme.
"Master, we've arrived at Sword Pavilion." The coachman's voice came through the curtain.
Gao Yao opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing within them. He lifted the carriage curtain, revealing an ancient wooden door with a plaque above it bearing the words "Sword Lodge." The characters were vigorous, each stroke like a sharp sword aura.
Interestingly, the Sword Pavilion wasn't located in some remote mountain valley, but rather on the edge of the bustling East Market of Dongyi City. Outside the gates were bustling streets, where the shouts of vendors and peddlers could be clearly heard. This style of living in seclusion amidst the city perfectly suited Si Gu Jian's character—the world's greatest swordsman, yet one who never kept himself confined to a high pedestal.
As soon as Gao Yao alighted from the carriage, the gate of Jianlu opened.
A young man in his early twenties stepped forward, dressed in blue robes and carrying a sword. He had clear, bright features and was none other than Wang Xi, the closed-door disciple of Si Gu Jian. In his hand was a visiting card, which Gao Yao had sent yesterday.
“Mr. Gao?” Wang Xi sized up the middle-aged man before him. He had an ordinary appearance and a medium build, wearing a plain black robe, and there was no trace of a martial artist in his body. But the more ordinary he was, the more wary Wang Xi became—to be able to conceal one's aura to such an extent, one must either be an ordinary person with no martial arts skills or a top-level master who had reached the pinnacle of skill.
The person who could become the mastermind behind the Gao Clan Chamber of Commerce and specifically request to see the master could not possibly be the former.
“Exactly.” Gao Yao nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the sword at Wang Xi’s waist. “Young brother, the way you wear your sword is quite unique. The hilt is tilted forward by three inches. Is that the ‘starting stance’ created by Si Gu Jian?”
Wang Xi's heart skipped a beat. The secret of the sword's angle was something that even many of his fellow disciples in the Sword Pavilion hadn't noticed, yet this person had seen through it at a glance.
"Please wait a moment, sir, while I inform my master." Wang Xi suppressed his shock and turned to go inside.
Gao Yao wasn't in a hurry, his hands behind his back as he surveyed the outer wall of the Sword Pavilion. The wall was covered in green vines, but several sections were bare—not because the vines couldn't grow, but because they had been sheared away by invisible sword energy. These marks varied in age; the oldest had faded, indicating it was at least ten years old. Ten years of sword energy lingering—Si Gu Jian's cultivation was indeed unfathomable.
About an incense stick later, Wang Xi reappeared, his expression more respectful: "Master invites you in, sir. However..." He glanced at the four guards beside the carriage, "According to the rules of the Sword Pavilion, only you, sir, are invited."
Gao Yao waved his hand, and the four guards immediately retreated to the other side of the street, standing motionless like four stone statues. Wang Xi noticed that the position of these four men subtly formed a certain formation, meaning that no matter which angle an attack came from, at least two of them would intercept it.
"Lead the way." Gao Yao's voice pulled Wang Xi back to reality.
Passing through the front yard and around a bamboo grove, the view suddenly opened up. It was a simple courtyard with bluestone paving and an old locust tree in the center, under which sat an elderly man with white hair and beard.
The old man held a willow twig in his hand, slowly weaving something. He wore a faded gray cloth robe and straw sandals, looking like an ordinary old farmer from the countryside. But the moment Gao Yao stepped into the courtyard, the old man's movements paused slightly.
It wasn't a pause, but more like a swordsman gathering his strength before drawing his sword.
There was no wind in the courtyard, yet Gao Yao's robes fluttered without any breeze. He sensed countless invisible "lines" filling the entire space—these were sword energies, sword energies condensed to their extreme. These sword energies did not harm anyone; they simply existed, covering every inch of land like a spider web. Every movement of anyone who stepped into this place was monitored by these sword energies.
Gao Yao smiled.
He deliberately slowed his pace, each step landing precisely on the point where the sword energy was most concentrated. This wasn't a provocation, but a dialogue—using the manner of a martial artist to tell the other party: I saw it, and I'm not afraid.
Si Gu Jian finally raised his head.
What kind of eyes were those? Cloudy and aged, yet deep within them shone a starlight-like light. When those eyes looked at Gao Yao, the sword energy in the courtyard suddenly came to life, surging towards Gao Yao like a tide.
pressure.
Immense pressure.
Gao Yao felt as if he were in the deep sea, surrounded by an endless sense of oppression. But he didn't move an inch, only slowly inhaling. This breath was extremely long, his chest visibly expanding, and then—
"laugh!"
An invisible current of energy burst forth from Gao Yao's pores, dispersing all the incoming sword energy. It wasn't a confrontation, but rather an act of dissolving, like hot water poured onto snow.
Si Gu Jian's eyes lit up.
"That Grandmaster in the capital of Qing Kingdom must be you." His voice was hoarse, but every word was clear, each word like a sword slicing through the air.
Gao Yao cupped his hands in greeting: "I dare not accept such praise. I have come here simply to see the number one swordsman in the world."
These words were spoken politely, but Si Gu Jian understood the unspoken meaning—it wasn't "pay my respects," but "come and see." It was a tone of addressing someone as an equal.
Wang Xi's expression changed. What was his master's status? Even the Emperor of Qing would treat him with the utmost respect. This Gao Yao, though a Grandmaster, was far too arrogant…
“Master, this person…” Wang Xi couldn’t help but ask.
Before he finished speaking, something strange happened.
Gao Yao's figure suddenly blurred.
It wasn't lightness skill; it was more like space itself distorted. In the next instant, he appeared in front of Wang Xi, less than three feet away. Wang Xi didn't even see how he moved; she only felt a blur before her eyes, and the man was there.
Even more terrifying, Wang Xi discovered that she couldn't move.
It wasn't an acupuncture point strike, but rather a pure, overwhelming aura that locked him in place. Like a rabbit encountering a tiger, that primal fear, stemming from the depths of his being, completely paralyzed his body. He tried to draw his sword, but his fingers wouldn't obey; he tried to retreat, but his feet were rooted to the ground.
Then he saw Gao Yao raise his right hand.