Chapter 1799 - 661: Early May 5_3

"Well then, since the auspicious time has not yet arrived, I have prepared a modest spread of wine. Please, everyone, drink and chat for a while."

"Since the auspicious time has not yet come, I happen to have some matters I’d like to take this opportunity to settle with Sikong Sect Master. I wonder what everyone thinks?"

The moment ’Zhuge Qianqiu’ finished speaking, a voice drifted down from the second floor.

Everyone turned toward the sound.

They saw Bo Yan, no one knew when he’d appeared, sitting right on the second-floor railing.

"Bo Yan!?"

"He’s here again!"

"If it hadn’t been for the Baisui Sword Emperor helping him that day, he would likely have been dead long ago."

"Today is the coming-of-age ceremony for the young hall master. Although Bo Yan is one of the San Qi and Five Elders, with an extraordinary status in the Jianghu,

"isn’t it somewhat improper for him to appear at such an occasion?"

The instant Bo Yan appeared on stage,

everyone present burst into an uproar.

The battle before Weiyang Palace a few days ago had kept them talking with relish for days.

They had thought that matter would have to wait until after the Jinglong Hall young hall master’s coming-of-age ceremony to be settled.

After all, who would dare stir up trouble in front of the Jinglong Hall Master?

Who could have guessed this Bo Yan would actually have the guts to this extent.

Several Jianghu people exchanged glances, then suddenly leapt up, shouting loudly:

"Bo Yan, you’ve gone too far.

"Today is the young hall master’s coming-of-age ceremony. How can we allow you to act presumptuously here?"

As they spoke, their longswords came out of their sheaths as they moved to flank Bo Yan on both sides.

The buzzing sword cries shot into the sky, yet Bo Yan merely drew a small object from his breast.

The thing was bulging and plain-looking, with six small holes on it.

It was a clay ocarina.

Holding the ocarina, Bo Yan pressed his fingers over the holes, lifted it to his mouth and blew; as his fingertips lifted,

a deep, mournful tone suddenly rang out.

The two Jianghu men’s longswords were halfway in, when that sound struck them; they felt as though their blades had plunged into a swamp.

A force they could not even begin to describe was churning through the swords, making their palms tremble uncontrollably, impossible to steady.

As they circulated Inner Strength, there came a humming boom, followed by several sharp cracking sounds in quick succession; the longswords in their hands shattered inch by inch.

The broken blades flew in all directions.

Some nailed into the beams, some into the walls, and some shot straight toward the crowd.

Someone immediately stretched out a hand to catch one, another rose to dodge, and others knocked them aside with their weapons, sending them flying.

By sheer coincidence, one fragment flew straight toward Su Mo.

Su Mo lifted his eyes and was just about to blow a breath, when a long whip swept across the air. With a sharp crack, it struck the broken blade and sent it flying.

With a flick of her wrist the whip coiled back, and Hua Shiyi gave Su Mo a smug smile:

"Well? Aren’t you going to thank your elder sister?"

"...Many thanks, Big Sister Hua."

"Call me Shiyiniang."

Hua Shiyi couldn’t help glaring at Su Mo, then her brows knit tight:

"I knew today would be fraught with danger. Fortunately I anticipated the enemy and came to guard you.

"Otherwise your little life would have just ended right there."

Su Mo thought to himself that his little life wasn’t quite that fragile.

At the same time he quietly waved his hand, signaling Xiao He and the others who were about to come over to stand down.

Just then there came two dull cracking sounds, followed closely by two muffled groans.

It was those two Jianghu men; once they’d lost their longswords, they could no longer withstand Bo Yan’s ocarina tones.

Each was blasted away by the waves of sound and hurled to the ground.

They smashed two tables.

The Jianghu folk at those two tables shot up like rabbits blown up by firecrackers, scrambling in all directions, not one of them had any intention of catching the falling men.

The two Jianghu men shook all over with pain and couldn’t help turning to look at ’Zhuge Qianqiu’.

They heard ’Zhuge Qianqiu’ laugh and say:

"So it’s Bo Yan. I have heard of your fine reputation, sir.

"Seeing you make a move today, your control is indeed most measured.

"Today is my son’s coming-of-age; if possible, let’s avoid bloodshed.

"But if you have something to say, you may as well speak frankly."

"Very well."

Bo Yan laughed heartily:

"As expected of Master Zhuge; your breadth of mind is far beyond that of ordinary men.

"Since that’s the case, I shall ask Sikong Sect Master this:

"Practicing this Heavenly Seizing God Transformation Great Technique that wrecks human lives—are you aware that it offends Heaven’s order?"

"Nonsense..."

’Sikong Hua Ji’ let out a cold laugh:

"You keep insisting I cultivate the Heavenly Seizing God Transformation Great Technique—do you have any real proof?"

"I have no material proof, but I do have a witness."

Bo Yan said this, then looked toward someone in the hall and spoke softly:

"Little friend, in this venue today, do you dare stand up and confront him face to face?"

At this, everyone couldn’t help searching the crowd.

They wanted to see which person this so-called little friend might be.

But after a moment, no one appeared.

Just as they thought the person didn’t dare stand up, there was a sudden rustling sound as someone leapt up and landed standing on a table.

Everyone looked up—only to see a young man they did not recognize.

Then this man suddenly reached up and peeled off the Human Skin Mask on his face.

Everyone focused their eyes, and someone immediately recognized him:

"It’s Xin Xiaoqi!!"

"Mad Blade Xin Wuji’s son?"

"He’s actually still alive?"

"Years ago Xin Wuji visited Tianjing Sect; after he returned, he died a strange and violent death.

"Since then Xin Xiaoqi also vanished from the Jianghu.

"Everyone thought he had died along with his father, but who would have thought he’s still alive!?"

"That day, Sikong Sect Master fought Bo Yan and used the Wind and Thunder Divine Blade—the signature technique of Mad Blade Xin Wuji.

"Now Xin Xiaoqi has come knocking; could it be that Xin Wuji’s death truly has something to do with this Sikong Sect Master?"

The hall buzzed with discussion for a while.

Su Mo suddenly felt someone approach; he turned his head to see a plain-looking Cook with a patch of burn scar on her face.

She was carrying a tray; she came up to Su Mo and quietly replaced his wine cup.

Hua Shiyi recognized her at once.

It was the same woman who had come that night together with that black-clad senior.

She had used Disguise to turn herself into this appearance in order to infiltrate Weiyang Palace and probe for information.

Why would she appear here now?