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

Chapter 451: Meeting an Old Acquaintance and the Might of the Heavenly God In the city of Dongyang County, all eyes were on Zi Yun. Many felt a tinge of envy, pondering how fortunate it would be to become the personal maid of the Eldest Princess and wondering why such an opportunity was refused. It was indeed considered a great fortune. Once someone becomes the personal maid of the Eldest Princess, even an Immortal Heavenly Venerable would need to show respect, as it represents the Eldest Princess. The Eldest Princess of Dayan is reputed to be the second most formidable person after the Emperor of Dayan himself. She is the youngest and most beloved daughter of the previous Dayan Emperor, and the current Emperor's sister, cherished by the current Emperor as well. Moreover, the Eldest Princess is known for her icy demeanor, decisive actions, and being extremely protective of those close to her. However, anyone who crosses her would find themselves with a grim fate. Zi Yun was seeking an opportunity to escape. However, under the gaze of numerous strong individuals in the city, escaping seemed nearly impossible with her current power level. Unless she used the jade talisman. But Zi Yun was reluctant to use the talisman for such a trivial matter. Besides, once the talisman is activated, the subsequent consequences would be unpredictable. "Hmm? Aren't you going to come forward and thank the Eldest Princess?" The old woman beside the beast carriage said with a sullen face. Her aura surged, revealing her as a powerful Immortal Realm cultivator. As Zi Yun was preparing to escape and trigger the talisman if attacked, a figure rushed over, respectfully addressing the beast carriage, "Eldest Princess, please forgive Zi Yun. She is new to Dayan, having spent long periods cultivating in seclusion, and thus does not understand much about Dayan. I apologize on her behalf!" The newcomer was the head of Dongyang Martial Academy. "Oh, I see. Well, teach her properly. I like this girl and want her by my side. Bring her to me in three days." The cold voice of the Eldest Princess Zhou Qingshuang rang out. The head of Dongyang Martial Academy, a not-so-weak Immortal Heavenly Venerable himself and an important figure within the Spiritual Domain's camp, realized that having Zi Yun stay by the Eldest Princess's side could be advantageous for their group. In her eyes, even if Zi Yun was unwilling, the pressure from the Spiritual Domain's strong individuals would make her comply. "Zi Yun, quickly thank the Eldest Princess for her favor!" The academy head felt relieved at this turn of events. The Spiritual Domain's camp was currently in a tumultuous period and couldn't afford to offend the Eldest Princess. Her presence signified whether the royal family would support them or not. Moreover, having the Eldest Princess take a liking to Zi Yun was a stroke of great fortune for the Spiritual Domain camp. Zi Yun wasn’t aware of the intricacies within the Spiritual Domain camp and had little desire to serve others. There were few people in the world she would consider serving, and the Eldest Princess of Dayan was certainly not one of them. "Headmaster, I…" Zi Yun was about to speak when her eyes lit up, seeing a stout figure moving toward the city gate from behind the princess's beast carriage. Despite not having a bald head, the broad physique, the well-defined features, the familiar aura — they were all so recognizable, someone she had been yearning for day and night. Meng Chong! Meng Chong with a wig on! Ignoring anything related to the Eldest Princess, Zi Yun’s form flickered as she turned into a purple light and darted toward him. The headmaster of Dongyang Martial Academy was taken aback, his expression shifting dramatically. Zi Yun's actions were considered highly disrespectful. Inside the carriage, a cold aura stirred for a moment. The old woman’s gaze turned frosty as she looked toward Zi Yun flying away, "Such insolence, disregarding the Eldest Princess!" She raised her hand and sent a massive claw-shaped attack toward Zi Yun, inadvertently encompassing the bold figure further down the street. While the Eldest Princess had yet to depart, someone dared to swagger in the middle of the street without a hint of reverence! ... Having traveled leisurely and taking in the sights, Meng Chong finally arrived at Dongyang County City. Currently, his reputation had spread far and wide. His tall stature and bald head were instantly recognizable, associated with him at the first glance. To avoid disturbances, Meng Chong donned a wig. Though his appearance hadn't changed, fewer people recognized him with the wig, unless they were familiar with him. Entering Dongyang County City, pedestrians parted to either side of the street, leaving the central path empty. Meng Chong, unfazed, strode directly down the middle. Even if the Dayan Emperor himself was present, Meng Chong wouldn’t yield. He would walk his own path — the privilege of a strong figure! Suddenly, a purple figure dashed toward him. "This girl’s eyes are sharp, recognizing me from so far away?" Meng Chong mused to himself. Accompanying Zi Yun’s approach was a massive palm mark descending from above. "Big guy, I've missed you dearly!" Overcome with joy, Zi Yun jumped onto Meng Chong. The old woman’s attack? With Meng Chong there, she didn’t worry. With some resignation, Meng Chong let Zi Yun hang on him, as he lifted a hand and threw a punch. "Scram!" Boom! The punch stirred a storm of wind and thunder, obliterating the massive palm mark without losing momentum, directing it straight at the old woman and the beast carriage! "Audacious!" The old woman's expression shifted drastically. Was the adversary an Immortal Heavenly Venerable? Before the attack, she had failed to notice. The head of Dongyang Martial Academy's expression changed as well, hurriedly joining forces with the old woman to withstand the storm of wind and thunder. Boom! The observing martial artists were astonished. Who would dare attack the Eldest Princess on the streets?! It was a direct challenge to the Dayan Dynasty! Boom! The old woman and the academy head staggered back a few steps before managing to block the punch. Meng Chong raised an eyebrow; these two were quite strong. Though he had thrown the punch casually, ordinary Immortal Heavenly Venerables wouldn’t have handled it so easily. In a single step, he was in front of the beast carriage. The academy head and the old woman quickly blocked the way, their gazes utmost serious, as powerful auras rushed toward them, notably the Marquis of Dongyang and scores of other Immortal Heavenly Venerables. Holding Zi Yun by the waist, Meng Chong planted a large blade into the ground, speaking coldly, "I arrive and am immediately attacked. Shouldn’t I be offered an explanation?" The blade hummed with wind and thunder, emitting an intimidating aura. The surrounding martial artists hurriedly retreated; this was a battle of the strong! Getting caught in the crossfire meant certain death! Swoosh! Swoosh! At this moment, powerful figures descended, with the Marquis of Dongyang and Dongyang County Governor standing solemnly in front of the beast carriage, while others surrounded Meng Chong tightly. The strong individuals gathered were puzzled, unsure of the situation. This robust youth was holding a beauty in his arms, exuding the aura of a ferocious demon, demanding an explanation from none other than the Dayan Eldest Princess! ... Clinging to Meng Chong, Zi Yun felt excited and thrilled — indeed, her beloved was as domineering as ever! So fearless! Meng Chong was evidently more powerful than rumored, surely having made a breakthrough with plenty of confidence! Marquis Dongyang, Xiang Zhen, the strongest present, had lightning flickering between them, ready to strike, though he seemed deeply engrossed in negotiation. "Sir..." Xiang Zhen was about to speak. "The person inside the carriage should speak. It was your people who acted first. I expect an explanation, or else this won’t end here, not even if the Dayan Emperor himself shows up!" Meng Chong coldly replied. The gathered elites were infuriated. Such disregard for the Dayan Emperor was a direct affront to the Dayan Dynasty, trampling the dignity of these powerful individuals! "If you want an explanation, should you not first report your name?" A cool voice came from inside the carriage. Then the Eldest Princess Zhou Qingshuang stepped out. Beautiful yet cold, her eyes resembled frost, untouched by emotion. "Huh?" Meng Chong lifted an eyebrow, giving the Eldest Princess a few surprised glances, seemingly deep in thought. Suddenly, Zi Yun tensed. What if Meng Chong took a liking to the Eldest Princess? Terrified, she clung tightly to Meng Chong's sleeve, appearing quite anxious. "No need for that; my name is Meng Chong!" **New Terms and Translations:** 1. **Dongyang County City (東陽郡城):** Translated as "Dongyang County City" which indicates the city’s significance as a regional center within a county. 2. **Eldest Princess Zhou Qingshuang (長公主周清霜):** The term "長公主" is translated as "Eldest Princess" to denote her royal status and authority within the Dayan dynasty. Her name suggests elegance and chilliness, fitting her cold demeanor. 3. **Dongyang Martial Academy (東陽武院):** Translated as "Dongyang Martial Academy," representing an institution of martial studies within Dongyang. 4. **Zhou Qingshuang (周清霜)**: Confirmed as the Eldest Princess's full name, reinforcing her royal stature. 5. **Xiang Zhen (項震):** Translated as "Xiang Zhen," denoting the Marquis of Dongyang and his authority and readiness for battle. 6. **Marquis of Dongyang (東陽侯):** Translated directly to "Marquis of Dongyang," a noble title indicating territorial and political control over Dongyang. 7. **Dayan Dynasty (大炎國):** Referred to as "Dayan Dynasty" to maintain the context of a grand sovereign dynasty. These translations maintain the narrative's original intent and highlight the characters’ roles and status effectively. The Eldest Princess poses a formidable presence, which is well-illustrated through specific terminology and detailed character interactions. Meng Chong glanced down at Zi Yun, his face full of helplessness. Meng Chong?! Everyone was taken aback. Weren't the strong individuals gathered in Dongyang County because of Meng Chong? "You are the Heavenly God Meng Chong?" the head of Dongyang Martial Academy exclaimed in surprise. Seeing Zi Yun clinging to Meng Chong, a ludicrous thought crossed his mind. Could Meng Chong have come to Dongyang County just to find Zi Yun? The familiarity between these two was evident! "That's right!" Meng Chong pulled off his wig, revealing his shiny bald head. The Immortal Heavenly Venerables present felt a sudden pressure. Here was a man who had slain sixteen Immortal Heavenly Venerables — a truly fearsome individual. Even if they joined forces, could they withstand against him? Although these gathered strong individuals considered themselves stronger than the sixteen defeated Venerables, what difference did it make? Zhou Qingshuang's icy expression wavered as she studied Meng Chong for a while before speaking, "The earlier attack was a misunderstanding; I apologize." The crowd of strong individuals remained silent, though they heaved a sigh of relief inwardly. As long as it didn't escalate to combat, it was a good thing. Facing Meng Chong, who was terrifying in reputation, all felt a significant weight on their consciences. "A misunderstanding?" Meng Chong raised an eyebrow. He set Zi Yun down and asked, "Tell me, what happened?" Zi Yun glanced at the Eldest Princess and murmured, "She wanted me to be a maid, which I definitely refused. I was looking for a chance to escape, and just saw you, so I ran over to you..." After hearing the whole story, Meng Chong raised his hand, the large blade falling into his grasp, "What kind of person demands a maid in the street, especially with Zi Yun here? This needs explaining." "I, Meng Chong, abide by the principle that if people don't offend me, I won't offend them. But if they do, they're enemies, and the only resolution I provide is to scatter their ashes!" He was openly threatening the Eldest Princess, yet none of the other strong individuals dared speak, fearing they might inadvertently provoke disaster. Zhou Qingshuang's expression remained cold, "Does Brother Meng believe the Dayan Dynasty's strength to be lacking? Confident enough to come and go as you please?" "Heh, never mind the Dayan Dynasty; I can come and go freely throughout the entire Divine Domain. As for the Dayan Dynasty's strength, I'm not interested in knowing. All I know is, even if your dynasty has someone beyond the Immortal Realm, they can't do a thing to me." Meng Chong carried his large sword on his shoulder, looking down at her with disdain. "What explanation would Brother Meng like then?" Zhou Qingshuang pondered for a moment before asking. Meng Chong patted his bald head and turned to Zi Yun, "What explanation do you want?" "Ah?" Zi Yun hesitated, "I don't need an explanation… you decide if you think one's necessary." She hadn’t considered this since she hadn’t truly been forced into being a maid, hence she didn’t need someone to demand an explanation for her. However, since Meng Chong brought it up, Zi Yun let him decide. Meng Chong pondered momentarily, "Forget it; I haven’t suffered any real loss, and none of you have anything I desire anyway. If I need something, I’ll head straight to the Wan Bao Alliance!" The people present twitched at the corners of their mouths. If he needed something, would he just go raid the Wan Bao Alliance? What audacity! "Thank you, Brother Meng, for your leniency. May I ask, what brings you to Dongyang? I’d be honored to offer my hospitality," Zhou Qingshuang said with a smile. However, her smile seemed just as cold as before. "It’s nothing major, no need for your hospitality," Meng Chong replied, glancing at her, before grinning, "You have your eye on my physique, don't you? Better abandon that thought. Your body issues can't be solved by merely tapping into vibrant qi and blood." His words took everyone by surprise. Zhou Qingshuang’s brows knitted tightly as she stared at Meng Chong, chuckling, "Whatever do you mean, Brother Meng? I merely admire your renown and wish to befriend you." Zi Yun glared vigilantly at Zhou Qingshuang. Was the Eldest Princess eyeing Meng Chong’s physique? She inwardly cursed, thinking how the Eldest Princess, despite her icy exterior, was surprisingly wanton on the inside — who would have thought! Meng Chong smiled, "You can't hide things from these eyes of mine. I'm too lazy to tell you more, but your methods won’t solve your problem." Being unfamiliar with Zhou, Meng Chong naturally wasn't inclined to offer guidance. Having found Zi Yun, he didn’t intend to linger further in this place. Zhou Qingshuang’s expression shifted slightly as her brows furrowed in thought. Meanwhile, Meng Chong turned and strode away, Zi Yun close at his side. "Meng Chong, did you come just to find me?" "Not exactly. I roam the Divine Domain and merely passed by Dayan." "Meng Chong, how’s your strength now?" "Not bad, Immortal Heavenly Venerables are merely large grasshoppers in my eyes now. Let’s say that none at that level stand a chance against me, only the senior brother." "Senior Brother Xu is still the strongest." Zi Yun exclaimed in awe. "Of course, Senior Brother’s strength has always been supreme. Though I’m still a bit behind, the fifth junior brother is quite strong; he’s probably not much weaker than me." "Fifth junior brother? Did the senior take on another disciple?" "Indeed!" As the two drifted farther, though their voices were hushed, all the strong individuals listened intently and were shocked at heart. Was the "Senior Brother Xu" mentioned by Zi Yun the Sword God, Xu Yan? **New Terms and Translations:** 1. **Eldest Princess Zhou Qingshuang (長公主周清霜):** Confirmed as the Eldest Princess, reinforcing her position within the Dayan Dynasty. Her interaction shows her tactical thinking and keen observation abilities. 2. **Wan Bao Alliance (萬寶盟):** Translated as "Wan Bao Alliance," indicating it may be an organization or group possessing valuable items, suggested by Meng Chong to be a target if he needed resources. 3. **Xu Yan (許炎):** Speculated as the "Senior Brother Xu" mentioned by Zi Yun, potentially indicating a skill level comparable to Meng Chong’s narrative, hinting at a profound mastery possibly associated with the "Sword God" title. The narrative strongly highlights Meng Chong’s indomitable character and his mercenary approach to conflict resolution, drawing lines between respect, power, and negotiation. The characters’ interplay emphasizes a hierarchy based on strength and influence within the story's context.