Chapter 167
Bai Jinghong knelt there, feeling lost and, after a moment, quite embarrassed.
He instinctively wiped his hands.
Getting up now felt wrong, but staying on his knees was equally awkward...
"Xiao Bai, just yesterday you boasted about your sword skills, eager to test your mettle against the world's heroes. So why are you kneeling the moment you step outside?"
Behind him, a swordsman in green named Wu smirked, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Is this woman exceptionally strong?"
Another swordsman, named Cao, squinted, his eyes filled with fighting spirit.
"I'm not kneeling to her!"
"Oh? I thought you were bowing in respect to her impressive sword intent."
As a swordsman of the Observation Realm, they were naturally sensitive to sword intent.
Jokes aside, both Wu and Cao, true disciples of Hengyun Sword City, could sense a certain aura emanating from Ying Bing that made their hearts race.
"Her sword intent is indeed formidable, but... never mind, you wouldn't understand!"
Bai Jinghong shook his head, his mind drifting back to the image of a figure swinging a hammer in the Blood Phoenix Secret Realm, like a god or demon, smashing through the entire realm with a single blow...
He was smiling, walking toward him!
"I only helped Bai Xiong once, it was nothing."
"I always said Bai Xiong is a man of sentiment, but there's no need to bow so deeply upon first meeting."
Xiao Li, noticing Bai Jinghong's embarrassment, stepped forward to help him up.
"Ahem, that's right, I’m just a sentimental person."
"Li Ge is right," Bai Jinghong said, standing up awkwardly.
"By the way, I have a letter to deliver to you, Bai Xiong."
"It concerns the safety of Yunzhou, so please take it seriously. It’s best to hand it over to your sect's elders."
Li Mo took out a piece of letter paper from his pocket, detailing information about Xiyu Tower.
Xiyu Tower had grand ambitions.
With a few strokes of the pen, he could change many lives.
Not just for rewards; even without any investment return, he would still do such things.
"Don't worry, Li Ge!" Bai Jinghong said solemnly as he accepted the letter.
However, Cao and Wu frowned.
Qingyuan Sect was doing reasonably well in Ziyang Prefecture, but to Hengyun Sword City, it was just a small sect.
After Li Mo and the others from Qingyuan Sect bowed and left, Wu, the true disciple, finally spoke up with a frown:
"Xiao Bai, your actions earlier have tarnished our sect's reputation."
Cao, the other true disciple, nodded in agreement:
"Our sect has put in considerable effort to build our prestige."
A name carries weight, and a reputation casts a shadow.
The more prestigious a sect, the stronger its control over the local area.
Besides the older generation of masters within the sect, the reputation of the new generation of prodigies is also crucial, as it signifies the future of the sect and serves as its face.
To bolster their image, the three of them had undertaken numerous deeds to eradicate evil, even hiring storytellers to spread their tales for twelve consecutive hours.
Thus, the fame of the Hengyun Three Heroes was born.
"You guys don’t understand a thing."
Bai Jinghong sneered coldly.
Haven't you seen Li Ge pull out his hammer?
He turned and went to deliver the letter.
...
Yunzhou City was now a gathering place for heroes, with countless young talents eager to make their names every day, leaving behind their own legacies.
Storytellers had suddenly become a booming industry.
But today, the most explosive news was Bai Jinghong's kneeling.
Some said it was to thank a benefactor, others claimed it was due to an old injury acting up, but the most plausible explanation was that the three were true prodigies from a hidden sect.
Many began to investigate the identities of those three young men and women.
And at this opportune moment, a book titled "The Overbearing Empress Fell in Love with Me" burst onto the scene!
The characters' appearances could not be said to resemble Li Mo and Ying Bing; they were identical.
Who knew which commercial genius was behind this...
...
Hengyun Sword City.
Elder Zeng's residence.
A thin old man was sipping tea, his brow furrowed in displeasure.
Meanwhile, Bai Jinghong and the others were in the hall.
"Elder Zeng, I have something for you to look at..."
"Put everything else aside for now."
Elder Zeng said sternly:
"Why did you make such a scene in public today, embarrassing our sect?"
"I..."
"I don't want to hear your excuses."
Elder Zeng interrupted coldly, and from his meticulously arranged, luxurious attire, it was clear he was someone who valued face above all.
"Wu Chushu, Cao Mu, Bai Jinghong."
"At the Sword Testing Conference, the three of you must challenge those disciples from Qingyuan Sect."
Wu Chushu and Cao Mu confidently agreed.
Bai Jinghong's lips curled into a bitter smile as he quickly said:
"Then I'll... challenge that girl with the cloth band on her head..."
"The girl with the cloth band?"
At that moment, a puzzled female voice came from the doorway.
Elder Zeng quickly stood up, bowed respectfully.
"Xingzou, what brings you here?"
Entering was a pair of jade-like bare feet, the golden bells on her ankles jingling softly, with a jade plate hanging at her waist.
Her demeanor was serene, but her eyes were deep and inscrutable, as if countless lines were intertwined within.
Xingzou from Yantian Sect.
Her gaze fell on Bai Jinghong:
"What characteristics do those Qingyuan disciples you mentioned have?"
...
As the Martial Arts Summit approached, Yunzhou City grew increasingly lively.
Shen Yunfei, Xu Zhiqing, and others felt the pressure, diligently practicing their martial arts every day.
Li Mo, on the other hand, spent his days with Bing Tuozi and his nights with Xiao Jiang Gongzhu.
In his spare time, he practiced his swordplay.
At dawn, Li Mo sheathed his sword, standing still.
Having consumed a great deal of martial insights, his "Dugu Nine Swords" had reached the threshold of initial mastery.
The result of his last deduction was:
"Dugu Nine Swords, defeating all heroes. You know you can no longer shut yourself away; you must point your sword at the heroes, using others' swords as your whetstone to forge the sharp edge within your heart!"
---
Chapter 174: Isn't it Hot Wearing Mink in Summer? Hengyun Sword City
"What does it mean to elevate one's interests and hobbies?"
Xiao Li leaned back, contemplating.
A slight ripple came from the world seed.
The Panjie Meteor Hammer protested.
Recently, Li Mo had been so focused on sword practice that he neglected it, leaving the hammer feeling quite wronged, its sharp energy clamoring for attention.
"When there's a hammer-testing competition in the future, I'll make sure you shine!"
Li Mo promised earnestly.
Thus, the hammer quieted down, happily accepting the empty promise.
His conscience pricked a little.
People often take for granted what comes too easily...
As Xiao Li pondered, he changed clothes—those made by Chu Long were a bit rough but crafted with care, using excellent materials.
"Honestly, if I say I'm a swordsman, who would disagree?"
Li Mo glanced at himself in the mirror, satisfied, and pushed the door open.
As soon as he stepped outside, he saw Jiang Chulong squatting at the entrance, hugging her knees, surrounded by a few dirty stray cats munching on the leftovers she had left.
Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned and froze for a moment.
"Li Li Li... Li Dage... you’re wearing..."
"Do I look good?"
Li Mo asked with a smile as he stood before her.
"Yes... like a sunbeam."
Through the cloth band, Jiang Chulong's dreamy eyes reflected the spirited youth of the boy.
"Haha, where did you learn such a compliment?"
"I heard them praise... Father Emperor... that’s how they praised him..."
Jiang Chulong secretly observed him, unable to resist reaching out to smooth the wrinkles on Li Mo's clothes.
"Thank you."
Li Mo ruffled her hair.
"Mm..."
Jiang Chulong opened her mouth but found it hard to breathe.
Just thinking about how Li Dage would wear this outfit to make a name for himself made her head spin.
Is this what it feels like when customers get drunk in the shop?
But she clearly hadn’t had any alcohol...
"We should get you a few new outfits."
Li Mo noticed that little Jiang Gongzhu was still wearing the clothes she had when she helped out at his hotpot restaurant.
"No... no need... I’m very happy in this."
Jiang Chulong clutched the hem of her clothes, shaking her head vigorously.
"When we have time, we can go shopping together. Yunzhou City is so bustling; maybe there’s something you’d like."
"Shopping with Li Dage...?"
Jiang Chulong murmured to herself, seemingly envisioning the scene.
Li Mo couldn't help but smile.
Before long, his senior brothers and sisters also got up. Ouyang handed Li Mo a stack of silver notes, saying it was the profit from the book.
Li Mo glanced at it and found that all the denominations were a thousand taels each.
"Is 'The Overbearing Empress Fell in Love with Me' making this much money?"
"This is just the earnings from the first issue."
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