I've never felt happy to become an immortal.

Chapter 173: The Corner of the Clothes is Slightly Dirty

Chapter 173: The Corner of the Clothes is Slightly Dirty
Xi Qingqing's appearance can be said to have pushed the gathering of heroes to an even higher level.

The top ten of the Crouching Dragon List now includes five people.

And all of the top three are included.

Unlike Bai Xuan, who became famous overnight upon his debut, Xi Qingqing, this enchantress, earned her reputation through hard work and dedication. She is very similar to the Vermilion Bird Sword, but even stronger.

She rose to the top of the Crouching Dragon List in less than three years, and the way she improved her ranking was something that no one else could imitate.

The demoness from the Demonic Sect climbed her ranking by stepping on the heads of these hidden dragons, and she didn't care about her reputation in the martial arts world at all.

Anyone else wouldn't dare to do this, but the female bandit didn't care about her reputation.

In the world of martial arts, fame has both advantages and disadvantages. With fame comes social responsibility, because society has certain expectations of you. If you fail to meet or even disappoint those expectations, you will suffer the consequences of your fame.

As for bad reputations like banditry, no matter what you did, whether it was forcibly selling peach blossom tea or robbing people on the road, things that would get you imprisoned for more than ten years in modern times can be easily overlooked here.

As long as it's not the kind of heinous crime that involves murder, arson, or the extermination of an entire family, people are still willing to forgive you.

There is a saying in Buddhism: "Put down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot"—why can evil people become Buddhas by putting down their butcher's knives?

Because evil people are often more powerful and cause greater harm to society.

Anyone who has read Water Margin knows that there are actually very few true heroes in it; most of them are bandits and villains. There aren't many people who are eager to help others and uphold justice. Moreover, this group of people followed the route of first starting an uprising and then being granted amnesty.

Xi Qingqing has been a female bandit for so many years, but because she only robs wealthy families and doesn't harm ordinary people, she has no bad reputation among the people. Even if she suddenly jumps out to join the court to whitewash her image, it's normal... After all, she's a demonic witch. Whitewashing and turning her image into something good are basic operations.

"You two..." He squinted, "Are you having an affair?"

"No," Bai Xuan denied.

"Yes," Xi Qingqing said.

"Huh?" He Bi seemed thoughtful, then said to Bai Xuan, "Brother Bai, if you're being threatened, blink twice. Is this vixen trying to blackmail you?"

"Pah!" Xi Qingqing spat, "I haven't earned a single tael of silver from him. It's all hard-earned money from selling my labor!"

She pointed at the crowd, looking quite arrogant.

"Every single one of you has to pay up some money to buy my peach blossom tea today!"

"But you know the rules."

No matter how much money is in your wallet, cut it all by a percentage.

Xu Tingfeng asked, "What rules?"

"Give her half of the wallet." Yue Qianqi sighed, "This woman is robbing me again... Bai Yueguang, aren't you going to do anything about this lawless woman?"

"That's not quite right," Wang Zhiyuan said with a smile. "The peach blossom tea that Miss Xi sells is quite delicious."

Weidawei bluntly exposed his true colors: "Did you forget your wallet when you went out?"

"It's understandable that the tea brewed by the second-ranked person on the Wolong List is a bit more expensive," Ruan Changfeng said, expressing his understanding.

Choi Cheol frowned: "Neither of you brought a purse with you, did you!"

Xi Qingqing provoked, "A group of people who are at the top of the Crouching Dragon List are actually so stingy with even a little bit of money."

She concealed her expression and said defiantly, "No way, no way, there really aren't people who can't even afford this little bit of tea? A bunch of small fry, really small fry~"

You can tell she's a seasoned sissy just from her opening line.

One sentence almost triggered a sexual outburst in him.

Yue Qianqi coughed lightly: "Why can't Miss Xi find a proper job?"

"What kind of legitimate business could I possibly be looking for? I'm a demoness from the Demonic Sect, what kind of job do you expect me to do? Become a courtesan in a brothel?" Xi Qingqing retorted.

Someone seemed to mutter quietly, "It's not impossible."

Yue Qianqi hurriedly recited two lines: "Amitabha Buddha."

"A courtesan isn't just about being pretty." He Bi, as if drunk, shouted, "She also has to be proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I'm afraid she can't do it. The moment she opens her mouth, her bandit-like aura will shatter anyone's illusions."

Xi Qingqing immediately gave her a dangerous look: "You monkeys all over the mountain... I think you deserve a beating."

He hiccuped, then didn't reply.

Ruan Changfeng, however, couldn't contain himself once again: "Now everyone's here, right? It's a rare gathering of heroes. Before the sword-fighting tournament begins, why don't we have a friendly spar?"

Everyone: This guy really can't resist the urge to hit someone.

Yue Qianqi immediately voted in favor: "I think it's okay. We are at similar levels, but it's just a friendly spar. Let's not actually fight. Besides, there's not enough space here, so we can't really unleash our full potential."

Many of the people present had actually participated in a sword competition three years ago. Although the people there were not the same group, the sword competition hosted by the White Plum School did not actually offer any real opportunities for competition or even a direct confrontation.

Moreover, everyone present was a hidden dragon; even if they appeared amicable on the surface, they already had someone they wanted to test their skills against and a target they wanted to challenge.

"I agree."

"Agree."

"Winning or losing isn't important, being happy is the most important thing."

"We came with high spirits, and we leave with high spirits."

No one left the scene.

The atmosphere gradually subsided, the previous friendly atmosphere dissipated, and a fierce fervor was born, with hidden flames lurking beneath the surface.

Bai Xuan broke the silence by asking, "So... who goes first?"

It was still Ruan Changfeng at this moment. He stood up and jumped onto the ground in the center of the inn without saying a word: "Since you all have this interest, let me start by saying that I, Ruan Changfeng, am twenty-four years old this year and will be leaving the Crouching Dragon List next year."

"I thought participating in this year's Sword Debate was just a formality, but unexpectedly, all of you hidden dragons have gathered here." "I must consider whether this is the only opportunity I'll ever have!"

He looked directly at the Vermilion Bird Sword: "Vermilion Bird Sword, do you dare to fight me?"

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Zhuquejian, who had remained silent and hadn't uttered a single word, rose and left his seat.

"It's impossible."

Zhuque Sword said, "However, since it's a friendly spar, let's set it at ten moves. Any more, and I'm afraid we won't be able to control ourselves."

“Fine!” Ruan Changfeng had no intention of killing anyone; his goal was to challenge the Vermilion Bird Sword and vent his anger for Ruan Mengyu, who had become a laughingstock.

The Wolong members present all settled into their seats.

Xi Qingqing even cooperated by taking out a handful of melon seeds.

Wow, I didn't expect the first game to be so exciting.

Ruan Changfeng ranked thirteenth on the Crouching Dragon List, only two places behind Zhuquejian, and their cultivation levels were roughly equal.

It is said that the two used to be good friends, but they parted ways because of Ruan Mengyu. This is clearly a case of brotherly feud.

The onlookers were reluctant to leave by this time. The entire area outside the Red Dust Inn was surrounded by layers of people, and even more people had heard the news and were rushing over. Some clever people had already started setting up tables and chairs to watch the excitement.

Despite being under so much scrutiny, it did not affect Ruan Changfeng and Zhuquejian's performance.

Both of them are swordsmen... Weapons such as knives and swords are extremely popular in the martial arts world. Knives are easy to learn, while swordsmanship has a high skill ceiling.

"Let me offer you a toast out of consideration for our past friendship," Ruan Changfeng said, then suddenly swung his sword sheath and slammed it on the table, sending a cup of tea spinning towards the Vermilion Bird Sword.

"Hey, my tea!" Cui Che was about to curse angrily. This peach blossom tea wasn't cheap, but Wang Zhiyuan next to him stopped him, saying, "Never mind, never mind."

What appeared to be an ordinary flying device in the teacup that Ruan Changfeng threw out was actually a sophisticated concealed weapon technique.

The teacup is controlled, but the tea inside will splash out. The teacup is spinning at high speed, but the tea inside is not affected, like solidified jelly.

Everyone looked at the Vermilion Bird Sword, wondering how he would respond.

The Vermilion Bird Sword did not rush to draw its sheath. Instead, it met the teacup with its scabbard, rotating the blade at high speed to eliminate the centrifugal force of the teacup. At this moment, the teacup stopped rotating, and the tea inside began to turn into a tornado, even faintly surging out of the cup.

At this moment, the Vermilion Bird Sword took a sip, sucking the small water tornado that was gushing out into its mouth, and drank the tea in one gulp.

"Thank you for the tea."

This skillful and daring act won applause from the onlookers.

Choi Cheol clicked his tongue repeatedly: "That was clearly my tea... I didn't even have a chance to drink a sip."

“You should have had a sip just now.” Why say that? “The story of the two of you sharing a cup of tea will definitely spread far and wide… I’m sure storytellers will soon write about you and the Vermilion Bird Sword as a couple.”

Cui Che's shoulders trembled: "Are storytellers now compiling unofficial histories like this?"

"It's mainly because the audience likes it," He Bi said leisurely. "If Ruan Changfeng had just tapped Bai Yueguang's cup, it would definitely have generated even more buzz."

Inside the inn's lobby, Ruan Changfeng drew his sword and thrust it forward, raising his hand to unleash a move called "White Rainbow Piercing the Sun"... This move appears in many sword techniques, but a basic move doesn't mean it's unusable, because it can be extended into countless variations, and as a starting stance, it is extremely demanding on basic skills.

The Vermilion Bird Sword did not rush to draw its sword. Instead, it stepped forward to meet the white rainbow piercing the sun, then suddenly veered off course, avoiding the thrust. The afterimage it left behind seemed to have been pierced by the sword light, leaving behind a rather magnificent visual afterimage.

"This movement technique is the White Tiger Shaking Body from the Four Symbols Technique." The speaker was Ning Jianshuang. She said calmly, "The Four Symbols Technique is a divine skill, but currently only the White Tiger Scroll and the Vermilion Bird Scroll exist. They are incomplete, so very few people practice it."

In the arena, Zhuquejian and Ruan Changfeng had already exchanged eight blows in the blink of an eye.

Zhuque Sword was not drawn yet; he was merely using his movement skills to evade Ruan Changfeng's attacks.

Ruan Changfeng's expression hardened—Don't want to draw your sword? Then I'll make sure you do.

Silently circulating his true energy, the profound aura of the Finger Profound Realm filled the hall, and several afterimages appeared on the sword's edge.

"Sword light splits...five layers superimposed." Wang Zhiyuan's expression changed slightly: "Ruan Changfeng, this move is too much!"

The Vermilion Bird Sword also sensed the danger, frowned slightly, and then sighed softly. The next moment, it pressed down on the Blazing Feather with its right hand, and sparks flew as the crimson sword was drawn from its sheath, causing the temperature inside the inn to soar.

Everyone present realized that these two were about to get serious, and this had completely gone beyond the scope of a friendly spar.

At this moment, a figure rushed out from the crowd and shouted, "Brother, Young Hero Zhu, please stop fighting!"

Ruan Changfeng rushed into the inn upon hearing the familiar voice, but it was too late to stop.

Why throw away the gourd of wine when you have such an indifferent expression?

Xu Tingfeng pressed down on the white cane in his hand.

Yue Qianqi stood up and moved slightly away from the bench.

At this time...

A flash of white light appeared.

When——!
The crisp sound of the sword's ringing drowned out everyone's hearing, and also drowned out the flames and the sword light.

The three swords crossed in the inn's lobby, then bounced apart.

Jiang Chengzi hovered in mid-air, protecting the woman who had intruded and also repelling the two combatants.

In the silence, Jiang Chengzi flew back to the main seat.