Martial Arts Showdown: My Wife Asked Me to Be the Champion

Chapter 2 The Supreme Martial Arts Master, the Dragon-Slaying Saber

There is a two-story building on the side of the street.

The building has an elegant design, reminiscent of the charm of gardens in Jiangnan, and the sign on the door reads "Listening to Snow".

The carved wooden window facing the street was gently pushed open by a slender, pale hand with well-proportioned joints, revealing a stunningly beautiful face.

The beautiful woman wore a white dress with blue flowers and wide sleeves, over which she wore a matching sheer long gown. A simple jade hairpin was tucked into her hair, and she wore no other jewelry.

Her eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, her nose was delicate and her lips were cherry-red. Every feature was exquisitely perfect. She had both the heroic spirit of the North and the gentle grace of a woman from the South who was a virtuous wife and loving mother.

However, beneath her meticulously drawn, distant mountain-like eyebrows, a layer of melancholy, like a hazy, misty rain, lingered in her clear, autumn-water-like eyes.

The woman's name is Yang Yan. Her public identity is the owner of a cloth shop who has been cooperating with the Xue family of the Divine Needle for many years. Her real identity is the head of "Linglong Pavilion", one of the three major powers in the capital.

Because of her superb lightness skills, her every move seemed to be surrounded by clouds and mist, earning her the nickname "Fairy of the Startling Swan".

Six months ago, Zhuge Zhengwo, the spear master, withdrew from the martial arts world due to "old age and physical weakness," and hundreds of martial arts masters competed for the title of "spear master."

Yang Miaozhen, the aunt of Yang Yan, who was the martial arts master of Linglong Pavilion, thought she had it in the bag, but an unexpected incident occurred during the final battle.

A young man named Li Ruohai suddenly rose to prominence, defeating Yang Miaozhen with his "raging fire, everlasting" spear technique and becoming the new spear master.

Yang Miaozhen was seriously injured and disappeared without a trace.

The title of Fairy Jinghong is enough to establish a sect in an ordinary prefecture, but it is far from enough to secure a foothold among the three major powers in the capital city, where hidden talents abound.

In recent months, the underworld in Beijing has been provoking her and testing her repeatedly. If she cannot respond in time, she will be devoured by her enemies, skin and bones.

In terms of shrewdness and strategic brilliance, Yang Yan surpasses even the most formidable figures in the martial arts world, such as Su Mengzhen and Lei Sun. However, her martial arts skills are truly lacking.

At this moment, Linglong Pavilion was like a dilapidated ship that kept leaking water, with pirates and bloodthirsty sharks eyeing it, ready to swarm it at any moment.

Yang Yan was overwhelmed by the affairs of the martial arts world. She wanted to find a powerful leader to stabilize the situation, but she was also worried that someone would take over her place and tear her to pieces.

Just then, Yang Yan heard the news that a young man had captured Tian Boguang alive. She subconsciously pushed open the window to take a look, and after just one glimpse, she couldn't take her eyes off him.

His steps were deliberate and steady, leaving no trace on the ground. His breathing and the rhythm of his steps were subtly in harmony, and his inner energy was contained and not revealed. He had mastered at least 80% of the internal martial arts.

That ugly horse, swaying with every step, was the legendary horse known as "One-Character Ink Carved Rib Qilin," which rivaled Red Hare in its prowess. It could traverse mountains and rivers as if walking on flat ground.

Linglong Pavilion mainly deals in intelligence on the black market. Yang Yan recognized Xu Qingya's knife at a glance as a magpie knife, and it was a magpie knife custom-made according to his height and arm span.

—Ximen Changhai's last disciple!

—The golden scales of the Heavenly Pool, a dragon lurking in the abyss!

—Could this be the blessing Master spoke of?

Thinking of this, Yang Yan could no longer contain her excitement. She waved her hand and threw the bamboo pole supporting the window toward Xu Qingya's feet to prevent someone from getting there first.

Xu Qingya picked up the bamboo pole and bowed respectfully.

"My name is Xu Qingya. May I ask your name, young lady?"

"My name is Yang Yan! Young Master Xu, do you have a place to stay in the capital? If you haven't found a place yet, you can stay at Tingxuelou temporarily. We can be considered family!"

"A family?"

Xu Qingya subconsciously rubbed his face. Although I am very handsome, I am not handsome enough to make a rich woman like Yang Yan want to throw herself into my arms as soon as we meet.

Yang Yan said with a smile, "Young Master Xu, did your master ever say that when traveling the martial world, if you encounter disciples of Guantao Pavilion who are the same age as you, you are all your fellow disciples?"

"Uh...that's true!"

Xu Qingya remembered that Ximen Changhai had said that he was originally an elder of Guantao Pavilion, but he disagreed with his senior brother, the sect leader, so he left the sect and established the Que Dao Sect in Liaodong.

Although he established his own business, Ximen Changhai maintained a harmonious relationship with Guantao Pavilion, and the two sides had frequent interactions.

"Since we're fellow disciples, why be so formal! Everyone says people from Liaodong are straightforward and generous, why are you being so fussy, junior brother?"

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Sister, but before I set off, Master instructed me to take care of a few things as soon as possible. Once I've settled in, I will definitely visit you at your residence!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xu Qingya led his horse away.

Yang Yan did not try to stop him, and quietly watched Xu Qingya's figure disappear at the street corner. As dusk fell, the maid Qin Nanqin lit a candle and brought over a pot of hot tea.

Qin Nanqin was a few years younger than Yang Yan. She had a pretty and delicate appearance, and her eyes were bright and lively. A falcon with fiery red feathers perched on her shoulder.

Qin Nanqin was from Yongzhou. Her family was poor when she was young, and she made a living by catching snakes. Later, she was bullied by the local bullies, but was rescued by Yang Yan and became Yang Yan's maid.

Nominally a maid, but in reality a secretary and assistant.

Qin Nanqin took care of all the affairs, big and small, of Yang Yan, including her food, clothing, and housing. When Yang Yan was unsure about something, she would consult Qin Nanqin.

Qin Nanqin knew about the situation at Linglong Pavilion, Yang Yan's worries, and Yang Yan's plans for the future.

Qin Nanqin gently advised, "Miss, this young master Xu... he's really... really..."

"Really what?"

"He's too young and too handsome! Can he handle the perilous situation in the capital?"

"Youth brings vigor and limitless possibilities, making it less likely for you to be bound by the entrenched old rules and regulations of Beijing. As for being good-looking..."

Yang Yan's gaze shifted, turning once more to the open window, as if she could see through the sunset to the figure leading the horse, disappearing at the end of the long street.

"Nanqin, you've been with me for quite some time now, so you should understand that in the treacherous world of fame and fortune, an outstanding appearance is itself a powerful weapon."

Linglong Pavilion is in a very dangerous situation!

What we need is either a powerful dragon that can overturn rivers and seas and intimidate the small fry, or a hidden dragon that has not yet taken off but has the potential to take off.

Before the hidden dragon is noticed by others, we bring him into our harbor, give him what he needs, accompany him as he grows, and wait for him... to soar into the sky!

One more thing!

Nanqin, did you notice the long sword behind Xu Qingya? That sword is a newly forged magpie sword!

Three months ago, the "Three Birds of Changbai" accidentally found the Dragon Slaying Saber while digging for ginseng deep in the Changbai Mountains, which sparked countless battles, resulting in rivers of blood flowing in Liaodong.

According to the survivors' confessions, the Dragon-Slaying Saber was stolen by a mysterious swordsman. I suspect that mysterious swordsman is the great hero Ximen, who wanted to use this to quell the conflict!

Qin Nanqin exclaimed in surprise, "Does Miss mean that Master Ximen melted down the Dragon-Slaying Saber and used the material to forge this Magpie Saber specifically for Young Master Xu?"

Yang Yan sneered: "Hmph! The supreme weapon of the martial world, the Dragon-Slaying Saber, commands the world and none dare disobey. As long as the Dragon-Slaying Saber exists, the strife will never cease."

Instead of spending your life trying to understand the so-called secret of commanding the world by holding onto a piece of iron that will bring countless disasters, why not just melt it down!

The chivalrous Ximen was fond of upholding justice, and countless people throughout the world had benefited from his kindness. If he wanted to find a blacksmith to help him forge a sword, it would only take a few words.

Someone had already made a move in this game!

"Miss, isn't this too risky? The Dragon-Slaying Saber is too complicated. Linglong Pavilion is already struggling to survive. If we get dragged into this mess, I'm afraid..."

"I'm afraid we'll die even faster?" Yang Yan's lips curled into a bitter yet resolute smile. "Nan Qin, do you think we'll be safe just because we don't get involved?"

Yang Yan placed the now-cold teacup back on the table, letting out a barely audible sigh: "The dragon lies hidden in the sea, the divine blade concealed; this round, I accept!"

Qin Nanqin teased, "Miss, you've said so much, what will you do if Young Master Xu is unwilling? Are you going to force him?"

Yang Yan stretched, her curvaceous figure even more alluring under the light: "It's okay! I'll find an opportunity to talk to him; I'm sure I can soften him up!"

Qin Nanqin covered her mouth and chuckled, "Miss, I have a good idea. Why don't you have a matchmaker arrange a marriage for you with Young Master Xu? Then we'll be family!"

Yang Yan was taken aback at first, then blushed, and then flew into a rage: "You little brat, are you asking for it?!"

Qin Nanqin's gaze suddenly turned serious: "I'm not joking, Miss. You must be decisive. You need to speed things up. You might not know this..."

"Don't know what?"

"Young Master Xu is new to the capital and not very familiar with it, so he asked Old Master Cui where to rent a room."

"What's the big deal?"

"Old Cui recommended it..."

"Could it be a brothel or a theater?"

"I recommend that Young Master Xu visit Granny Cai!"

"Hiss~~"

Yang Yan gasped in shock.

"Nanqin, give the order: from now on, whenever Cui Laosan comes to our house to buy wine, he'll get a 13% discount! No! A 12% discount! I'll beep beep beep..."

"Achoo~~ Achoo~~"

Zhuiming, who had just finished get off work, was planning to have a couple of drinks with someone when he suddenly felt a chill down his spine and sneezed seven or eight times in a row. He then tightened his clothes around his neck.

On this chilly night of late spring, only the clothes I was wearing offered a sliver of warmth.

"When will I be able to find a wife?!"

Zhuiming drank the cold wine and silently questioned the heavens!

Granny Cai suddenly appeared out of nowhere: "Third Master, thank you for helping me introduce business. As a token of my gratitude, I'll introduce you to a few girls. I promise..."

"Um... Granny Cai, Old Cui... Old Cui has official business to attend to, I have to go catch the thief!"

It is said that on that night, petty thieves in the capital city cried out in despair all night long, wondering if there was any justice left!

—You stole two sesame seed cakes on the street and got chased and beaten by the Four Great Constables! Are you that bored?!