Chapter 103 - 102: Divine Weapon and News
“Brother Pei, you are now quite famous. Your name is recognized throughout the Great Ming territory. Any formidable martial artist is likely to have heard of you. The saying ‘Who in the world does not know you’ seems quite fitting for you.” Lin Qingyi said, brimming with joy.
By then, over three months had passed since Pei Xuanjing had slain the Infernal Realm’s Southern Ghost Emperor atop the Nameless Mountain Summit and severely wounded the Black and White Impermanence.
During these two months, Pei Xuanjing and his team had been staying in Xuanfu. After that battle, Pei Xuanjing used the excuse of recuperating to remain secluded, admitting only a few close acquaintances.
However, his self-imposed isolation didn’t prevent his fame from spreading far and wide.
Just as Lin Qingyi said, as a Second-Class martial artist, Pei Xuanjing had successively killed two First-Class martial artists. This news created a stir in the previously dormant Da Ming Jianghu.
The name Pei Xuanjing resonated in the ears of countless individuals, reaching an extent where virtually everyone knew him.
For some elite martial artists, they recognized that an exceptional powerhouse had emerged in the world.
Yet for some, they perceived Pei Xuanjing as merely a fortunate fluke, a puppet, a facade created by the imperial court of the Great Ming.
Even so, some people wanted to challenge Pei Xuanjing, either to debunk this alleged lie or to gain fame themselves.
Seated at the host’s position, Pei Xuanjing chuckled. He didn’t pay much heed to Lin Qingyi’s words.
He interrupted Lin Qingyi from going on, asking, “Brother Lin, did you come to see me today just to talk about these things?”
Lin Qingyi, reminded by Pei Xuanjing’s question, recalled the purpose of his visit. He sheepishly replied, “I got carried away and almost forgot about the main issue.”
After saying this, he clapped his hands and shouted out to the courtyard, “Bring it in.”
Following his command, a Brocade Guard walked in, carrying a five-feet-long brocade box.
Lin Qingyi smilingly said, “Brother Pei, would you like to guess what’s inside this box?” Pei Xuanjing, having some idea, asked, “Has the item I requested been forged?” “Correct!” Lin Qingyi arose, lifted the lid off the brocade box, “Brother Pei, please have a look.” Pei Xuanjing also stood up and walked over, seeing a long sword in the brocade box.
Lin Qingyi introduced, “This divine weapon has been crafted, a process that took two months, under the direct royal decree, by the divine craftsmen of the Ministry of Works, all according to Brother Pei’s specifications. Although it wasn’t forged ten thousand times, it is the best amongst the Thousand Refinement Divine Weapons. If durability is the only consideration, it could easily rival many of the Ten Thousand-Forged Divine Weapons. It could be deemed a quasi Ten Thousand-Forged Divine Weapon.”
Pei Xuanjing picked up the divine sword from the brocade box, unsheathed the sword, ran his left index finger along the blade, then flicked the blade lightly, causing a gentle vibration.
He walked out of the house, swung the sword, slicing through the air and making a sizzling sound.
“Not bad, it’s indeed the top-class amongst the Thousand Refinement Divine Weapons. It can certainly withstand my power.” Pei Xuanjing nodded approvingly.
Towards Lin Qingyi, who had also stepped outside, he asked, “What is the name of this sword?”
Lin Qingyi shook his head, “The sword has not been named yet. His Majesty said you should be the one to name it.”
Seeing the patterns etched on the blade, Pei Xuanjing suddenly thought of a name, “How about we call it ‘Divine Sky’?”
Upon hearing this name, Lin Qingyi’s heart skipped a beat, and he said with a strange expression, “Brother Pei, perhaps you should consider another name.”
“Is there something inappropriate?” Pei Xuanjing asked, puzzled.
Lin Qingyi hesitated for a moment, then sighed, “Perhaps it would be better if we choose a different name.”
Pei Xuanjing shook his head dismissively, “Since I’ve already decided, there’s no need to change it.” This divine sword was not a royal reward; rather, it was exchanged for the Thousand Refining Divine Weapon Steel Whip that he had seized from Prince Ping, the Thousand Refinement Divine Blade he had seized from the Southern Ghost Emperor, and the divine weapon that the Emperor had originally promised him.
Seeing that his persuasion had been fruitless, Lin Qingyi gave up.
He instructed the Brocade Guard who had delivered the sword to leave and joined Pei Xuanjing back in the house.
“In addition to delivering this divine sword, the commanding officer also asked me to relay a message to Brother Pei.” Lin Qingyi said in a low voice.
The commanding officer Lin Qingyi referred to was Jiang Bin.
“Hmm?” As Pei Xuanjing sheathed the sword, he turned to look at Lin Qingyi.
Lin Qingyi glanced around before saying, “Brother Pei, do you know who brought this divine sword here?”
Pei Xuanjing shook his head. Lin Qingyi said, “It was the commanding officer who personally brought it from Tiandu.”
Huff!
Lin Qingyi perceived an immediate change in Pei Xuanjing’s expression. An intimidating murderous intent flitted across, leaving Lin Qingyi in shock, even though it wasn’t directed at him. The utter potency unintentionally released by Pei Xuanjing took him aback.
This truly was a powerhouse capable of defeating a First-Class martial artist while being Second-Class.
After the attack by the Mire Sect, he had fortuitously comprehended the true essence of martial arts and had recently ascended to Third-grade mastery, with the help of the Brocade Guards’ resources.
He had initially thought the gap between the two of them had been closed. However, he had not expected that he would barely be able to withstand Pei Xuanjing’s unintentionally released aura.
Fortunately, Pei Xuanjing’s murderous intent, as fast as it had appeared, quickly dissipated.
In the blink of an eye, he had resumed his usual cheerful demeanor, “Isn’t he supposed to be confined and reflecting upon his actions in Tiandu?”
Given the circumstances, he should have been in Tiandu, reflecting on his actions. So, how come he was currently in Xuanfu?
Lin Qingyi shook his head, “I’m not sure, but the commanding officer did ask me to remind Brother Pei to be extra cautious.”
“Okay. I understand,” Pei Xuanjing responded, nodding his head.
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Lin Qingyi excused himself, “In that case, I won’t stay any longer.”
Understanding that Lin Qingyi was quite busy, Pei Xuanjing gave him permission.
After seeing Lin Qingyi out, Pei Xuanjing returned to his seat in solitude and began to ponder.
Pei Xuanjing had taken highly into account the claim Jiang Bin had made about Qian Ning’s connection with his past assassination attempt.
Though not entirely trusting Jiang Bin’s statement, having hints and a name was good enough for him to verify the truth through other means.
During this period, Pei Xuanjing several times visited the safe-houses of Bai Xiaosheng’s organization in Xuanfu. He spent a substantial amount of silver taels to verify the information.
The conclusion drawn from the investigation was indeed that Qian Ning had an undeniable connection with the assassination attempt against him.
Since Qian Ning was in league with the Infernal Realm and was implicated in that assassination incident…
Was he also involved in the assassination attempt that occurred three months ago?
Having confirmed Qian Ning’s involvement, Pei Xuanjing naturally would not let this matter go and kept an eye out for an opportune moment. Unfortunately, such an opportunity had yet to present itself.
If Qian Ning had remained in Tiandu, Pei Xuanjing wouldn’t have been able to do much in the near future.
But now that Qian Ning had come to Xuanfu, Pei Xuanjing might have some room to maneuver.
“Qian Ning.” Pei Xuanjing ran his fingers over the sword, his eyes cold and unyielding..