340 - Made-Up Martial Arts, Have You Really Mastered Them, Disciple?

Chapter 340: Xu Yan Who Never Follows the Rules "Haha, my time has come!" Xie Lingfeng erupted into laughter as he practiced his Sword Intent. Upon hearing the steward's message, he could barely contain his excitement. "Brother Xu is looking for me!" He immediately leapt into the air, heading straight for the gate of the city lord's mansion. Xie Tianheng was taken aback. Xu Yan had arrived? Does this mean there's no need to head to the Eighteen States? "Xu Yan? Could it be the Xu Yan from the Eighteen States?" Fu Yun's face was filled with disbelief. He glared at Xie Tianheng and asked, "Do you and your son know Xu Yan?" Xie Tianheng nodded, "Feng'er's Sword Path was taught by Xu Yan, and my own Sword Path also traces back to him; Feng'er practices Xu Yan’s Way of Martial Arts." Xu Yan stood outside the Cloud Sky City Lord's mansion, deeply impressed. Xie Tianheng indeed had some skills—it was baffling how he managed to marry Xie Lingfeng's mother. The daughter of the city lord of the transcendent Ling Sect's Azure Heaven Blue Sea City was astonishingly married off to an Inner Domain martial artist. It was truly unbelievable. Not to mention the former suitors of Fu Yun, Xu Yan had arrived in Cloud Sky City and, upon inquiring about the location of the Sword King of Azure Sea, was directed to the city lord's mansion. The person who gave him the directions was full of disdain, noting that although the Sword King was the preeminent Sword Path martial artist of the Azure Sea, he lived off a woman—despised by men yet secretly envied. Upon arriving at the city lord's mansion of Cloud Sky City, Xu Yan couldn't help but be impressed by its grandeur, truly fitting for the ruling Sky-Cleaving Spirit Sect. Having clearly stated his purpose, Xu Yan began to wait. Soon enough, a familiar figure appeared—it was the long-missed Xie Lingfeng. "Brother Xu!" Xie Lingfeng's eyes were full of tears. He could finally continue his cultivation, finally lift his head high once more, and suppress those he once defeated. "Brother Xie, long time no see!" Xu Yan greeted him with a broad smile. “How many years has it been? I truly missed you.” Xie Lingfeng sighed with reminiscence. "Brother Xu, this isn't the best place to reminisce. Let's head inside!" "Sure!" Nodding, Xu Yan was about to step into the city lord's mansion with Xie Lingfeng when a mocking voice suddenly cut through the air, "Well, if it isn't the son of the Sword King, the former prodigy Xie Lingfeng. You actually dared to step out today?" Emphasis was placed on the word "former." Xie Lingfeng's face turned sour, but Xu Yan didn’t bother to turn around, casually swatting away with his palm. "I can't stand these flies buzzing around my ears." Smack! The mocking person was immediately sent flying backward, crashing to the ground with half of his face swollen. "Brother Xie, let's go!" Xu Yan chuckled, treating the matter as if he'd just swatted a fly. Xie Lingfeng paused, then smiled—this was indeed Xu Yan's style. "Please!" Leading Xu Yan into the mansion, Xie Lingfeng's face was tinged with helplessness, "I'm sorry for the scene, Brother Xu. That person has a formidable background in Cloud Sky City. He once lost to me, and now he's stronger and more arrogant." "No matter. You'll soon be able to crush him once more, Brother Xie." Xu Yan replied with a smile. As the grandson of the city lord's son-in-law, Xie Lingfeng was subjected to mockery despite his status, illustrating how far he had fallen from grace. "In Cloud Sky City, there's a rule: matters among the younger generation won’t see interference from the elders unless life and death are involved. This applies even to the main forces within the city. That's why I haven’t left the mansion for a long time, to avoid being defeated by those I once beat." Xie Lingfeng explained with a bitter smile. Being the son of the Sword King and a grandson of the city lord came with immense pressure; losing would only bring shame to the mansion, and there'd be no elder to avenge such dishonor. "Xie Lingfeng, as the city lord's grandson, you dare let someone assault me in public. You're far too arrogant. I challenge you—come out and face me!" "Hand over the assailant! Assaulting a prodigy before the city lord's mansion—what should be his punishment? I respectfully request the city lord to apprehend the offender!" Voices of anger echoed from outside the mansion. The commotion was significant. Xu Yan stopped in his tracks. "Brother Xu, pay them no mind. My mother will handle it." Xie Lingfeng said, a bit helpless. "It's a minor issue. I can handle it myself; no need to trouble anyone!" Xu Yan declared, turning back. Xie Lingfeng grimaced slightly, hastening after him. Where were his parents to break up the commotion? With Xu Yan's nature, the situation was only going to escalate. "Commander, someone has committed assault in front of the city lord's mansion, openly challenging Cloud Sky Azure Sea City. Please intervene!" "Yes, intervene, Commander!" The voices outside belonged to those Xie Lingfeng had once defeated and families with grudges against Xie Tianheng, all eager to seize their chance for leverage. "You’re looking for me?" Xu Yan emerged from the mansion. A crowd had gathered, with most drawn by the spectacle. The beaten prodigy was pointing at Xu Yan with disdain, "It's him! Assaulting someone at the city lord's mansion! Commander, please uphold justice!" Smack! Before he could finish, Xu Yan struck him again, nearly twisting his neck with the force of the blow, leaving him in shock. Everyone else was equally stunned. Who was this audacious person, unafraid to strike right in front of the commander? "You... you’re outrageous!" The prodigy clutched his face, his head feeling twice its usual size. "Anyone else have a problem? Step forward!" Xu Yan coldly surveyed the clamoring crowd. The area outside the mansion fell silent. Such audacity! When had Cloud Sky City ever seen anyone so brazen, daring to speak defiantly before the city lord's mansion? "Commander, you're responsible for maintaining order at the city lord's mansion. How can you allow this brash youth to go unpunished? Where's the respect for Cloud Sky City?" The elder of the struck prodigy voiced his anger. The commander was also puzzled by the young man's brazenness. Even assault could be overlooked, but who would be so audacious as to defy openly? Had he not noticed the young man's connection to Xie Lingfeng? He’d have long intervened to bring him down. But now, all that could be done was to address the situation, leaving any punishment to the city lord's discretion, given the familial ties involved. "Cloud Sky City has rules: no fighting, no violence, no harm at the city lord's mansion. You've broken the rules; come with me." The commander presented himself, speaking righteously. Xu Yan glanced at him with disdain, "Rules are meant to bind the weak, useless against the strong. These so-called rules don't apply to me!" The scene was once again silent. The onlookers were baffled; had the young man's arrogance reached new heights even in the commander's presence? Could he truly rely solely on his association with Xie Lingfeng? But that was a commander of the city lord's mansion, a figure maintaining the peace of Cloud Sky City. Did he dare provoke him openly? Xie Lingfeng couldn't help a twinge of apprehension, finally resorting to sound transmission, "Brother Xu, how strong are you really? Can you handle it?" Though he had faith in Xu Yan’s confidence, he nevertheless harbored some unease. "It's a minor issue. My capabilities are sufficient; pinning your grandfather to the ground wouldn’t be a problem." Xu Yan replied nonchalantly through sound transmission. "That's reassuring, then." Xie Lingfeng let out a breath of relief. The commander chuckled with exasperation, "Young man, rules are rules; just because you're strong doesn’t exempt you from following them." "Rules are set by the strong to maintain order. Whether they are followed depends on the mood of the strong. Are you saying your city lord follows these rules too?" Xu Yan retorted calmly. "Absolutely! Our city lord has always led by example in adhering to the rules!" The commander affirmed earnestly. Even though the city lord could ignore the rules, saying so openly was unthinkable. "That's your city lord, then, never faced with real provocation. Abiding by these so-called rules only means one thing." "Oh? And what would that reason be?" The commander was intrigued. "The simple reason is, your city lord is weak, too timid to defy the rules!" Xu Yan calmly explained. The commander's scalp prickled; this lad's arrogance was boundless, dismissing even the city lord—a rarity in recent generations for strength. The observers were stupefied; who was this young man? To be so reckless before the city lord's mansion, disregarding even the city lord? --- New Terms: 1. **Xu Yan (许炎)** - He is a prominent character in the novel known for his powerful abilities and disregard for rules. 2. **Cloud Sky City** (雲天城) - A city governed by a powerful sect, where significant events in this chapter unfold. 3. **Sword King of Azure Sea** (碧海剑王) - Title owned by a mighty swordsman known throughout Azure Sea for his prowess. 4. **Commander** (大统领) - The person responsible for maintaining order at the city lord's mansion, facing Xu Yan's defiance. These terms were translated to maintain the narrative consistency and context of the setting, emphasizing the power dynamics and character relationships critical to the plot. "You are insolent! The majesty of the city lord is not for you to offend!" The commander, enraged, unleashed his aura, revealing the formidable presence of one who had refined the Laws of Heaven and Earth. He originally intended to bide his time, hoping for Xie Lingfeng's mother, the cherished daughter of the city lord, Fu Yun, to mediate. Yet, not only did she not arrive, but this young man even dared to offend the city lord. Now, he had no choice but to take action. "You're too weak. I'd advise you not to make a move," Xu Yan casually remarked with a shake of his head. "Weak, am I?" The commander's face flushed with anger. Raising his hand, he gathered a strand of the Laws of Heaven and Earth, transforming it into a massive hand that lunged towards Xu Yan. "Young man, state your name and see if..." Before the commander could finish, Xu Yan raised a hand, and a burst of sword light emerged, destroying the massive hand in an instant. Following that, Xu Yan took a step forward and was suddenly right in front of the commander. Oh no! The commander's expression drastically changed. How was this youth so powerful? He appeared to be only in his twenties! With a roar of anger, the commander launched his fists in attack, momentum surging, surrounded by three profound auras. Gathering the power of the Laws of Heaven and Earth, he transformed it into a formidable assault. Yet Xu Yan remained calm, reaching out with his palm. It was as if the mountains and rivers were enveloping everything. In an instant, mountains and rivers manifested, enveloping the commander's attack entirely, then covering the commander himself. Boom! At this moment, the commander was horrified to discover that he could no longer gather the power of the Laws of Heaven and Earth. It was as if he had encountered a barrier! Unless he broke through this barrier, he couldn't gather the power of the Laws of Heaven and Earth! What kind of technique was this? Before he could strategize, a hand grasped his collar, lifting him. "I told you, you're too weak." The commander's face was flushed; his entire power was thoroughly subdued, with not a speck of resistance. Xu Yan nodded in satisfaction. His hypothesis was correct: by using the Mountain and River Sword Intent to form a barrier, he could block the domain martial artists' ability to gather the Laws of Heaven and Earth, significantly weakening their strength. Even if it could only block for a moment, that moment was enough to determine victory or defeat, life or death. Of course, Xu Yan's Mountain and River Sword Path was profoundly powerful and refined, allowing him to achieve this. It was also due to the commander's underestimation, unaware that the power of the Laws of Heaven and Earth could be blocked. From the moment the commander attacked to being captured by Xu Yan, only a breath had passed. By the time the onlookers realized, they were in utter shock. The commander had been captured? And seemingly without any resistance! Who was this young man, possessing such formidable strength? Even the prodigy clutching a swollen cheek was stunned; the pain in his face seemed to vanish. After all, if even the commander had no resistance, who was he? Merely retaining his life was a gesture of mercy on the assailant's part. "Who are you, sir?" The commander questioned, his face dark. "Sword God Xu Yan." Xu Yan replied with a light smile. Carrying the commander, Xu Yan entered the city lord's mansion with Xie Lingfeng, casually releasing him. "Let's go, Brother Xie!" Xu Yan smiled and said. "Alright!" Xie Lingfeng nodded. In his heart, he was amazed. Xu Yan was truly peerless; whether within the Inner Domain or in the Spiritual Domain, he remained unbeatable, undefeated. "Sword God Xu Yan?" The commander was momentarily stunned. Then, his scalp prickled as he remembered a certain individual. The prodigy who had once blocked the entrance to the Thousand Martial Hall, challenged it, and openly took the Cold Absolute Blade God artifact. He had arrived in Cloud Sky City? And directly assaulted people in the city lord's presence! That fit perfectly with how the person was said to behave—after all, if they dared to challenge the Thousand Martial Hall, a few years later, it was no small wonder they'd be even more terrifyingly powerful. Hitting someone in the city lord's mansion was a minor matter. Killing was no more than a trivial affair. Outside the city lord's mansion, the onlookers were all startled. "Sword God Xu Yan? Wouldn't the Sword King explode with anger if he heard that title?" Someone murmured. "You don't get it. Sword God Xu Yan is the unrivaled prodigy of the Eighteen States. Back in the day, he blocked the entrance to the Thousand Martial Hall, took their divine artifact in front of their experts, and left!" "I thought so—who else could be so arrogant? It’s no surprise it’d be Xu Yan." "I already suspected it. In the entire Spiritual Domain, who could be so audacious, if not Xu Yan?" "Xu Yan in Cloud Sky City, with a deep friendship with the once-quiet prodigy Xie Lingfeng? Things are about to get lively." "What do you think, with Xu Yan's provocation, will the city lord suppress him?" "He won't. If the city lord tried to subdue Xu Yan and succeeded, he'd be criticized for bullying. If he failed, it’d be a massive blow to his reputation. Why take the risk?" “Bold of you to question the city lord's strength!” Renowned for claiming the Sword Path supremacy, challenging the Thousand Martial Hall head-on, seizing their divine artifact under their noses, never adhering to rules—Xu Yan had arrived in Azure Heaven Blue Sea City! The news spread swiftly, circulating throughout Azure Heaven Blue Sea City. Gradually, rumors emerged that Xu Yan intended to suppress the Azure Sea's prodigy, declaring himself the mightiest prodigy of the Spiritual Domain. The news incited a storm among the prodigies of Azure Sea. Still, Xu Yan’s prowess in capturing the commander left many Azure Sea prodigies crestfallen—they couldn't hope to match him in combat, truly couldn't. Yet, some unreconciled prodigies still sought to challenge Xu Yan. --- New Terms: 1. **Sword God (劍神)** - This is a title attributed to Xu Yan, reflecting his immense prowess in the Sword Path, signifying his unrivaled status in the realm of swordsmanship. 2. **Cold Absolute Blade (冷絕刀)** - Translated as "Cold Absolute Blade," it is an artifact that Xu Yan had once taken from the Thousand Martial Hall, displaying his audacity and power. The translation of these terms aims to preserve the significance and reputation associated with Xu Yan, highlighting his notoriety and the awe he commands in the narrative.