Concerning the Forbidden City?
Ye Qiu’s heart stirred, and he asked, “What’s the top-secret information?”
Master Longbrow countered, “Little rascal, do you know about the Sword Pavilion?”
The Sword Pavilion?
Ye Qiu looked puzzled, “What’s that?”
Tang Fei, standing nearby, explained, “The Sword Pavilion in Shu was a faction, destroyed by your father, Ye Wu Shuang, over twenty years ago.”
“I saw it in the top-secret files of Hades Hall.”
Ye Qiu asked Master Longbrow, “A faction that’s already been wiped out, why bring it up?”
Master Longbrow said, “It’s true the Sword Pavilion in Shu was destroyed, but some slipped through the net.”
“And it’s a big fish.”
“When your father annihilated the Sword Pavilion, its leader, Zhuge Yun, escaped.”
Ye Qiu’s eyes narrowed. Over twenty years ago, his father, Ye Wu Shuang, was recognised as the world’s greatest master. For Zhuge Yun to escape from his father’s grasp, this man must be extraordinary.
Master Longbrow continued, “You should know that the turmoil in the capital back then was sparked by Zhuge Qing, the Straight-Talking Prophet, who claimed you were a calamity from the heavens and rallied the major families to kill you.”
“Ye Wu Shuang fought the world for your sake.”
“That Zhuge Qing was the elder brother of Zhuge Yun, the Sword Pavilion’s leader.”
Ye Qiu was stunned. If Master Longbrow hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t have known this secret.
Master Longbrow added, “Zhuge Yun was a martial arts prodigy. He founded the Sword Pavilion in Shu at just seventeen.”
“And when he escaped from your father, he was only nineteen.”
Hiss!
Ye Qiu drew a sharp breath.
For Zhuge Yun, at just nineteen, to escape from Ye Wu Shuang, that was almost unbelievable.
“You said this concerns the Forbidden City, what’s the connection?” Ye Qiu asked.
Master Longbrow didn’t answer directly but turned to Tang Fei, “Little ingrate, you have access to the files on the world’s top masters at Hades Hall, do you know Zhuge Yun’s background?”
Tang Fei said, “The records state that Zhuge Yun’s origins and background are unknown, with his strength estimated around third on the Dragon List, though his exact power is unclear since he never competed in the Dragon List battles.”
Over twenty years ago, he was already comparable to the third on the Dragon List?
Ye Qiu was shocked. Didn’t that mean Zhuge Yun’s martial talent was on par with Champion Marquis Xiao Jiu?
Yet, Master Longbrow’s next words shocked him even more.
“This poor Taoist thought Hades Hall knew everything, but it seems that’s not the case.”
Master Longbrow mocked, then said, “Do you know why Zhuge Yun didn’t compete in the Dragon List?”
“Because he disdained it.”
“To him, the Dragon List was nothing but rubbish.”
“Over twenty years ago, Zhuge Yun’s true strength surpassed Xiao Jiu’s, I suspect he could rank in the top five on the Divine List.”
What?
Ye Qiu and Tang Fei’s faces showed astonishment.
Was Zhuge Yun that terrifying?
“Old thing, how do you know this?” Ye Qiu asked.
Master Longbrow said, “Once, when this poor Taoist went to Shu to… ahem, travel, I happened to meet Zhuge Yun.”
“I didn’t know him at the time, but seeing his extraordinary talent, a fine seedling for martial arts, I wanted to take him as a disciple.”
“Who knew, that kid was so arrogant, saying if I could defeat him, he’d take me as his master.”
“Then, this poor Taoist fought him.”
Master Longbrow’s face showed fear as he continued, “I didn’t take the kid seriously at first, but I couldn’t even block a single sword strike from him.”
“He made one strike, leaving eighteen holes in my Taoist robe.”
“Zhuge Yun is a top-tier swordsman, his sword technique defined by one word: fast!”
“So fast that even this poor Taoist couldn’t see the trajectory of his strike.”
Master Longbrow continued, “After one strike, Zhuge Yun left.”
“Later, I investigated him in secret and learned his name was Zhuge Yun.”
“I was very curious about this young man, wondering where he learned such profound sword techniques.”
“So, I kept investigating.”
“Five years later, I finally uncovered information about Zhuge Yun’s sect.”
Ye Qiu sensed something and asked, “Could it be, Zhuge Yun is from the Forbidden City?”
Master Longbrow nodded, “Zhuge Yun is the direct disciple of Dragon One from the Forbidden City.”
Ye Qiu was stunned again.
Master Longbrow continued, “Zhuge Yun is a sword-obsessed maniac. To collect sword techniques from all sects, he challenged over a dozen factions.”
“One man, one sword, forcing over a dozen factions to bow and offer up their sword techniques.”
“Though young, Zhuge Yun was ruthless, later killing many respected martial world elders while collecting sword techniques.”
“People saw him as a demon, so the martial world called him the Sword Demon.”
“When Zhuge Yun founded the Sword Pavilion in Shu, he didn’t restrain his disciples, letting them run rampant.”
“The Sword Pavilion’s disciples committed crimes everywhere, bullying others, burning, killing, and looting, doing all sorts of evil.”
“That’s why your father took action, deciding to destroy the Sword Pavilion and kill Zhuge Yun.”
“That day, aside from Zhuge Yun, everyone in the Sword Pavilion was slain.”
“Logically, though Zhuge Yun was formidable, with your father’s skills, he shouldn’t have escaped.”
“I suspect Dragon One may have intervened, saving Zhuge Yun.”
“Of course, that’s just this poor Taoist’s speculation.”
“Little rascal, I’m telling you this to warn you to be wary of Zhuge Yun.”
“Zhuge Yun has vanished without a trace, his whereabouts unknown. When you face the Forbidden City in battle, he might appear.”
“He’s Dragon One’s disciple, and your father killed his brother Zhuge Qing. If Zhuge Yun learns your identity, he won’t spare you.”
Ye Qiu’s heart grew heavy. Dragon One was already a formidable opponent, and now there was Zhuge Yun to contend with.
“If Zhuge Yun was that powerful back then, after over twenty years, what level has his strength reached? It probably isn’t much weaker than Dragon One’s,” Ye Qiu thought.
“Alright, I’ve said all I needed to, little rascal, let’s part ways here,” Master Longbrow clasped his hands and turned to leave.
“Old thing!”
Ye Qiu called out to Master Longbrow, saying, “Since you’ve got nothing to do back there, why not come with me to Jiangzhou for a while?”
“You want to treat my eyes?” Master Longbrow saw through Ye Qiu’s intentions and smiled, “No need, my blindness is due to a backlash, no matter how skilled your medicine, you can’t cure it, unless…”
“Unless what?” Ye Qiu asked urgently.
“Unless you cultivate nine streams of innate true qi, then you might be able to cure my eyes.”
Master Longbrow finished, his face showing worry, “This poor Taoist has a premonition that your battle with the Forbidden City is approaching, little rascal, you must hurry to improve your cultivation.”
“Yes,” Ye Qiu nodded slightly.
“Master, I’ll arrange for someone to send you back!” Tang Fei said.
“Nonsense, my eyes can’t see, if you don’t arrange for someone, do you expect this poor Taoist to walk back?”
Master Longbrow snapped, “Get me a private plane right now, or I’ll beat you, you little ingrate.”
