CHAPTER 492: CHAPTER 412: FAMOUS IN THE CAPITAL CITY

"Brother Tie, how are you?"

Gao Xuan supported the slumped Tie Yuan up, asking with concern.

Tie Yuan looked quite miserable, covered in blood on his face and body. Because the weather was too cold, the blood had frozen into strands and patches.

Tie Yuan’s originally ruddy and honest face had turned a shade of steel blue, though it was unclear whether from the cold or from losing too much blood.

"I won’t die."

Tie Yuan asked anxiously, "Brother, what about my master uncle?"

Gao Xuan smiled, "We’re good friends. For Brother Tie’s sake, I wouldn’t strike a deadly blow. Your master uncle is hurt similarly to how you are, but he’s fine."

Chen Siping was a powerhouse of the Mountain Character Sect, and killing him would result in a lot of trouble. Although Gao Xuan wasn’t afraid, he didn’t want to waste energy dealing with it.

On the other hand, killing Chen Siping brought no benefits. He couldn’t even take the East Mountain Spear. Severely injuring Chen Siping saved trouble and allowed for a favor to Tie Yuan, which was the best choice.

Of course, Tie Yuan’s active intervention to stop Chen Siping was also a major reason why Gao Xuan held back.

"That’s good, that’s good."

Although Tie Yuan didn’t think much of Chen Siping, even feeling a bit disgusted by his overbearing nature, Chen Siping was a Martial Arts Grandmaster of the Mountain Character Sect and Tie Yuan’s master uncle. If Gao Xuan had killed him, it would have been a big problem.

As long as no one died, everything could be discussed.

Tie Yuan also breathed a sigh of relief and, moved, said, "What a good brother."

He sighed, "You’re already a Martial Arts Grandmaster, calling you brother is beyond my reach."

"Our friendship is about mutual affection and character, not anything else."

Gao Xuan helped Tie Yuan up, "I first arrived at the Capital City, rough and ignorant, and Brother Wan and Brother Tie both regarded me as a friend. I’ve always remembered this value. This time, Brother Tie even fought against your mentors for me, and this friendship moves me even more..."

"Ashamed, ashamed, I couldn’t help and instead caused trouble..."

Despite his words, Tie Yuan showed a look of pride. Facing off against mentors and even making a move for a friend, his sense of loyalty was impeccable.

The main hall of the inn had already been half-destroyed, the roof on the verge of collapse. A group of people had come to help, carrying out the injured from inside.

Gao Xuan assisted Tie Yuan to his room, accompanied by Ye Jinxiu and Ye Mingxia. The two of them helped by pouring hot water and bringing a hot towel, making Tie Yuan a bit embarrassed, quickly taking it to wipe his face.

After cleaning up, Tie Yuan felt much better. He had vomited a lot of blood, but his internal organs weren’t severely injured. After a short rest, he quickly recovered a bit of spirit.

Tie Yuan was still concerned about Chen Siping and asked about his condition, to which Ye Mingxia replied that Chen Siping had already left on his own.

Chen Siping was actually more seriously injured, but as a Martial Arts Grandmaster, his life force was extremely tenacious. Even with ruptured organs, he wouldn’t die.

Tie Yuan was seriously injured, and with Gao Xuan having guests, he felt too embarrassed to stay longer.

Seeing Tie Yuan’s condition and with Ye Mingxia present, Gao Xuan found it inconvenient to see him off personally. He had to call a waiter and hire a cart to send Tie Yuan back to the main hall of the Mountain Character Sect.

After Tie Yuan left, Ye Mingxia finally had time to speak with Gao Xuan.

This time, Ye Mingxia’s attitude was entirely different.

The world is indeed realistic. As the Divine Maiden of the Path of Non-Birth, Ye Mingxia understood the power of a Martial Arts Grandmaster even more.

Though the world was vast, how many Martial Arts Grandmasters could there be? Moreover, Gao Xuan had defeated East Mountain Spear Chen Siping while remaining unscathed.

Chen Siping was an arrogant man with almost no friends, but his ability was widely acknowledged. Among the numerous Martial Arts Grandmasters in the Capital City, Chen Siping could easily rank in the top ten.

Subtract a few Martial Saints, and Chen Siping could even rank among the top ten nationwide without much issue.

Such a formidable Martial Arts Grandmaster had just been defeated by the little-over-twenty-year-old Gao Xuan. It was evident what level Gao Xuan belonged to.

A figure like this had to be received solemnly even by the Daoist Master of Non-Birth, let alone someone like her, a mere Divine Maiden. How could she dare put on airs in front of Gao Xuan?

Ye Mingxia regretted her arrogance and rudeness when they first met, fearing she had left a poor impression in Gao Xuan’s mind.

Thankfully, there was Ye Jinxiu’s connection, which could still remedy the situation.

With her niece by her side, Ye Mingxia couldn’t come across as too sycophantic. She could only try to act more enthusiastically.

"You, a Martial Arts Grandmaster, killing Feng Zhengchun is but a minor affair. The Sect Leader of Wind Sect, Feng Yang, is amiable and reasonable. In this matter, we hold the moral high ground; Feng Yang could hardly seek vengeance on you for an inner sect disciple."

Though Ye Mingxia held no power in the Path of Non-Birth, her status wasn’t low. Spending all her time at the main altar, she heard a lot of information from all sides.

She was also quite familiar with the situation of the Six Paths and Eight Sects.

Ye Mingxia analyzed the situation with the Wind Sect, further adding, "Just now, I saw disciples from the Wind Sect in the main hall. They’re likely here for Feng Zhengchun’s matter. Their silence actually indicates their stance..."

The Feng Zhengyuan Ye Mingxia mentioned hadn’t left yet. Seeing Chen Siping and Tie Yuan leave one after the other, two experts from the Mountain Character Sect, he dared not have any presumptions.

When Gao Xuan also returned to the room with his people, Feng Zhengyuan and his two friends found Housekeeper Wan. Unfortunately injured, his face was bruised. Luckily with some martial arts skills, he didn’t end up with broken bones.

Gao Xuan and Chen Siping, two Martial Arts Grandmasters, engaged, but it was Chen Siping’s Martial Arts Divine Intent that had suppressed everyone’s senses. Housekeeper Wan only knew that Gao Xuan and Chen Siping had fought, oblivious of any developments.

Housekeeper Wan was a clever man. Seeing Feng Zhengyuan’s extremely dark expression, he felt a bit uncertain. This whistle-blowing seemed to have backfired.

He was reluctant to leave with Feng Zhengyuan, hesitantly saying, "Hero Feng, my arm is hurt, I can’t ride a horse, you should go ahead."

"No problem, we’ll take you with us."

Feng Zhengyuan said indifferently, "Since we’ve come all this way, we must take you back with us."

Housekeeper Wan had no choice but to grit his teeth and get on the horse.

The East Camp is more than thirty miles away from the Capital City, and in this cold winter, the roads are mostly filled with caravans.

However, as they continued, Feng Zhengyuan and the two others took a small path with the horses. Seeing the dark pine forest ahead, Housekeeper Wan became scared.

Housekeeper Wan said, "Hero Feng, we’ve taken the wrong path."

"No mistake, this is the road that leads to your death," Feng Zhengyuan said coldly.

Housekeeper Wan was terrified, his small eyes darting around, wanting to cry but unable to. "Hero Feng, Hero Feng, I was only trying to be kind, I didn’t know Gao Xuan was so formidable..."

"Thank you for your kindness."

Feng Zhengyuan sneered, grabbing Housekeeper Wan by the collar and pulling him close, "You almost got me killed, you know that? You fool!"

Housekeeper Wan was terrified beyond belief, just as he was about to shout for mercy, Feng Zhengyuan struck him on the head with his palm. Housekeeper Wan’s sly old face was instantly crushed.

Feng Zhengyuan casually tossed Housekeeper Wan’s body into a snow pit in the woods. Although this is the Capital City, there are many wild beasts in the mountains. The body would soon be gnawed down to just bones.

As for the people of Wanfu, they didn’t have the guts to cause trouble over a shopkeeper.

Feng Zhengyuan and the other two rode away, taking Housekeeper Wan’s horse with them. Horses are very valuable these days and couldn’t be wasted.

Not long after, two hunters coming down from the mountain passed by and spotted Housekeeper Wan’s body.

The two initially jumped in fright, but seeing no one around, they summoned up the courage to go over.

Housekeeper Wan’s cotton robe and fur hat were top-grade goods. The two hunters’ eyes instantly turned red upon seeing them. Without hesitation, they stripped the clothes off and even found a leather pouch with money inside the garments.

This made the two even more excited. To avoid being discovered, they carried the body deeper into the woods. To attract wild beasts, they even bled the corpse...

Housekeeper Wan, who had always been clever in life, lay naked in the depths of the snowy woods, ultimately becoming food for wild beasts, eventually turning into unrecognizable withered bones.

Nobody cared about this small-time character, Housekeeper Wan; even Wan Nan, upon hearing of his disappearance, simply nodded without a word, feeling it saved him some trouble.

As the news of Gao Xuan’s victory over Chen Siping spread, Gao Xuan’s reputation grew increasingly prominent in the Capital City. Many people were particularly curious about this young Martial Arts Grandmaster.

Major sects like the Wind Sect and Mountain Character Sect were secretly investigating Gao Xuan’s background.

People from various factions were also trying to find ways to connect with Gao Xuan.

As Gao Xuan’s old friend, Wan Nan has also been riding this wave, with even the high-levels of the Water Sect inquiring about Gao Xuan’s situation through Wan Nan.

It’s incredibly shocking for someone in their early twenties to be a Martial Arts Grandmaster. Furthermore, Gao Xuan defeated Chen Siping, making it even more shocking.

Such a young Martial Arts Grandmaster without an established sect is seen as very valuable. If they can recruit Gao Xuan, the sect would instantly gain a Martial Arts Grandmaster with limitless potential.

Given Gao Xuan’s displayed talent, it wouldn’t be surprising if he achieved the level of a Martial Saint in the future.

Currently, the major sects are hesitant to make contact with Gao Xuan, mainly for fear there might be issues with his background.

A Martial Arts Grandmaster from an unknown origin sounds almost unbelievable.

Copper City is located in the southwest, thousands of miles away from the Capital City. Gathering reliable information will take some time.

So, during this period, the major sects haven’t rushed to approach Gao Xuan.

Tie Yuan was injured, giving Wan Nan an opportunity. As long as there’s no issue with Gao Xuan’s background, he has limitless potential.

No matter which organization or sect Gao Xuan joins in the future, becoming good friends with him can’t be wrong.

Even if Gao Xuan turned out to be a spy from another country, what loss could he possibly suffer?

Wan Nan felt this possibility was exceptionally low. Foreign spies would never act so high-profile. Moreover, a Martial Arts Grandmaster with such potential would never be sent as a spy!

Tonight, Wan Nan booked a private room at Jinsheng Tower to entertain Gao Xuan.

This time, Wan Nan went to the main entrance to welcome Gao Xuan. Gao Xuan is a Martial Arts Grandmaster, and although they are friends, the proper decorum must still be observed.

Of course, Wan Nan wouldn’t behave too humbly, as humility could hinder friendship. He struck the balance perfectly, being enthusiastic and approachable without losing distance.

"Brother Gao, this time I specially invited a guest. He has long heard of your great name."

Wan Nan led Gao Xuan and Ye Jinxiu inside and introduced, "This is Su Ce, an expert in the Horizontal Training from the Celestial Soldier Mansion. You both practice Horizontal Training, so there’s an opportunity to exchange skills..."

In inviting Su Ce, Wan Nan had put in quite some effort. Though Su Ce isn’t a Martial Arts Grandmaster, he has trained in the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Cross Training Method to a highly advanced level.

Upon reaching the private room’s door, Su Ce was already waiting there. Gao Xuan is a Martial Arts Grandmaster, and Su Ce wouldn’t dare act presumptuously.

Su Ce is half a foot shorter than Gao Xuan, with thick eyebrows and a wide mouth, a bronze complexion, and an extremely robust physique. Particularly, his eyes were shining brightly and full of spirit.

Su Ce was the first to bow and salute, and Gao Xuan courteously returned the gesture.

Wan Nan was eloquent and very good at setting the atmosphere. Gao Xuan was also quite chatty. Su Ce didn’t speak much but had a lot of insight and was very courteous and respectful to Gao Xuan.

After a few drinks, the atmosphere at the table quickly became convivial.

"Speaking of the Celestial Soldier Mansion’s three great skills, the first is the Thirty-Six Celestial Soldier Strategies, the second is the Xingtian Sword, and the third is the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Cross Training Method."

Su Ce said, "Inside the White Tiger Hall of the Celestial Soldier Mansion, there are the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Indestructible Golden Bodies. If Mr. Gao has the chance to see these Golden Bodies, he will understand just how advanced the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Cross Training Method is..."