Chu Yao, ever the obedient attendant, swiftly unloaded the cart and relieved the burdens from the white ox’s back. Then, leaning against the creature, they together ascended the sword stairs.

Jiang Wang and Ning Shuang Rong led the way, conversing as they climbed. Chu Yao and the white ox followed behind, also engaged in their own silent conversation.

Wen Jian Gorge, from a distance, appeared impossibly high. Yet, it was only by treading upon the sword stairs themselves that one could truly grasp its immense scale. By the latter half of the ascent, Chu Yao’s legs were entirely numb, forcing him to resort to pulling on the white ox’s tail to make further progress. Upon reaching the end of the sword stairs, they stepped onto the swaying Heaven Gate plank road.

Though seemingly precarious, the plank road remained unfazed by the white ox’s considerable weight. As they transitioned, the sword stairs behind them dissolved into a flurry of whistling blades, scattering like swallows returning to their nests before vanishing from sight.

Standing now at the midway point of the Heaven Gate plank road, the distant cliff top seemed not so far, as if a single leap could bridge the distance. However, swirling clouds and mist obscured a clear view. Looking ahead and behind, one suddenly felt that the gorge path itself resembled a sword, with the Heaven Gate plank road positioned precisely at the sword’s “guard.” The ascent from the “guard” to the “sword pavilion” was an ingeniously conceived design.

The Heaven Gate plank road linked two fortresses carved into the cliff faces, serving as the two mountain gates of Sword Pavilion. The name “Heaven Gate” was derived from this very purpose. The one to the northwest was called Zang Feng Heaven Gate (Concealed Edge Heaven Gate), and the one to the southeast, Wang Ji Heaven Gate (Limitless Heaven Gate).

“Are there any particular significances to these two mountain gates?” Jiang Wang inquired after Ning Shuang Rong’s introduction.

Ning Shuang Rong paused, allowing the guests to choose their path first. “There is no particular significance. It is entirely up to one’s mood. Entering from either side leads to Sword Pavilion just the same. Perhaps entering through Zang Feng Heaven Gate carries a slightly gentler meaning.” Jiang Wang lifted a foot, preparing to proceed.

Suddenly, a handsome man with his hair neatly tied stepped out from the Wang Ji Heaven Gate and called out in a clear voice, “Enter the northwest gate to conceal your light, as if visiting friends. Enter the southeast gate without limit, for all comers are welcomed!”

This declaration, imbued with lofty ambition, revealed the extraordinary foundation of Sword Pavilion. However, when spoken by this particular individual, it carried a distinctly provocative undertone. His expression was one of pure flippancy. He possessed a pair of sharp eyes, and these eyes were openly scrutinizing Jiang Wang. “Which side does Marquis Wu An wish to enter? Enter whichever you please. My Sword Pavilion refuses no one.”

Ning Shuang Rong had stated there was no significance to the gates precisely to avoid forcing Jiang Wang into an early declaration of his stance. This man, by deliberately highlighting the supposed significance, was clearly attempting to force Jiang Wang’s hand. Jiang Wang’s sword-like eyebrows lifted slightly. “Oh?”

Ning Shuang Rong opened her mouth to speak, but the man had already interjected, “I am Si Kong Jing Xiao, the humble chief disciple of Sword Pavilion’s current generation. I can represent Sword Pavilion’s attitude.” Jiang Wang, having specifically come to visit Sword Pavilion, was naturally not entirely ignorant of its affairs. This Bai Kong Kui was twenty-six this year, and had reached the Shen Lin realm seven years ago. Strictly speaking, he belonged to the same generation of prodigious talents as Tian An Ping and others. His strength was undeniably formidable, hence his confidence. He also had sufficient reason to openly display Sword Pavilion’s attitude. Jiang Wang smiled faintly. “Then I shall enter this side.” Saying this, he walked directly towards Wang Ji Heaven Gate. Since you say “without limit,” then let it be without limit.

Chu Yao, leading the white ox, naturally followed closely behind his master.

Si Kong Jing Xiao gave him a deep look but merely stepped aside and said, “Please,” then led the way forward. Ning Shuang Rong, at this point, said nothing further and simply followed them inside. The gate of Wang Ji Fort was remarkably unremarkable, a simple stone archway.

Upon entering, they found themselves in a complex structure. On either side of the main passage were more than ten different openings, leading to various rooms. This hinted at the intricate layout of Wang Ji Fort itself. A subtle pressure permeated the air, suggesting that this fort possessed capabilities for warfare. However, there was no opportunity to examine it closely. Under Si Kong Jing Xiao’s guidance, they only traversed the main passage. After walking through a long tunnel, their surroundings suddenly opened up.

They had been moving within the mountain’s interior, yet upon emerging from the tunnel, the group found themselves at the foot of a majestic high mountain. This mountain reached straight to the heavens, its upper reaches hidden in the clouds, its summit unknown. Before them lay only a winding mountain path, like a dragon or serpent coiling upwards.

Si Kong Jing Xiao led the ascent, his tone filled with pride. “This mountain is named Tian Mu. Ascending to its summit is like being in a heaven beyond heaven, overlooking the world’s smallness, hence the name. From the time our founding ancestor master built a hut here, the world’s mountains and rivers have turned, but our Sword Pavilion’s inheritance has not extinguished. It has now endured for over thirty thousand years!”

Jiang Wang praised sincerely, “Truly impressive.”

Dao Li had only just begun its ascent, and the national system was still in its nascent stages of prosperity. Among the world’s pillar states, the longest-standing, Jing Country, did not even possess four thousand years of history. For Sword Pavilion to have maintained its inheritance for thirty thousand years was, of course, an incredibly impressive feat. Si Kong Jing Xiao had every right to be proud.

However, if one were to speak plainly, which of the great sects in the current world that could still hold a seat did not possess an extraordinary history? Sword Pavilion’s two thousand years of history, when compared to the Dao Sheng Di, was not truly significant.

Ascending the high mountain was like traversing the spine of a dragon. The two men walking in front each possessed their own distinct demeanor. Behind them followed the child-like Chu Yao, the white ox, and the green-clad beauty Ning Shuang Rong. For a time, they resembled a moving painting.

Their footsteps were exceptionally fast. Chu Yao, who was not accustomed to such pace, was aided by the white ox’s carrying capabilities.

After walking for less than half an hour, a massive platform appeared before them, stretched horizontally. Carving a mountain into a platform itself possessed an extraordinary wonder not found elsewhere.

At the forefront stood an archway constructed of sword weapons, its shape unique and visually striking. On the archway’s plaque were four characters written with vigorous sword intent, reading “Crowd Born Sword Que.” Beyond this archway lay a landscape of pavilions, terraces, and buildings, houses like a forest. Many Sword Pavilion disciples were present in the area, some practicing their swordsmanship, others engaged in casual conversation, all seemingly quite at ease.

Si Kong Jing Xiao once again took on the role of explainer. “If you were to compare Tian Mu Mountain to a massive staircase, Sword Pavilion truly only possesses three levels. We are now at the first level. As you have seen, its name is ‘Crowd Born Sword Que.’ The swords of the crowd, all enter this gate. Sword Pavilion welcomes all sword guests from the world over, to hold their swords and pay respects to the mountain here.”

This name was remarkably ambitious.

Jiang Wang casually inquired, “May I ask at which level the Heaven Earth Sword Box is located?”

Si Kong Jing Xiao chuckled. “It is on the next level. However, it is not easily opened to outsiders.”

Jiang Wang did not press for what constituted “not easily,” merely saying, “Further up must be the location of Sword Pavilion’s true hall?”

“Yes, its name is ‘Years Sword Pavilion.'” Every word that left Si Kong Jing Xiao’s mouth carried a particular intonation, a sense of immense honor. Sword Pavilion was indeed worthy of its disciples’ pride.

Yet, while it boasted thirty thousand years of continuous history, who was the true protagonist of the current world, or more specifically, within this Nan Xia Jin An Fu, whose voice carried more weight? Ning Shuang Rong at this moment inquired, “What are your thoughts, Brother Jiang?”

Jiang Wang sighed. “The foundation of a great sect is truly captivating. ‘Crowd Born Sword Que,’ ‘Heaven Earth Sword Box,’ ‘Years Sword Pavilion’ – within these names lies profound meaning. I am already speechless!”

Si Kong Jing Xiao laughed heartily. “Marquis Wu An himself possesses first-class qualifications in the world, with spiritual awareness surpassing others. When you cast off the dust of this mortal coil and come to my Tian Mu Mountain to seek the Dao with a pure heart, it is not impossible that you could become the contemporary sword kui!”

These words were truly somewhat absurd. He did not know if Jiang Wang’s mild demeanor had given him this illusion. What was your identity, Si Kong Jing Xiao, to actually represent Sword Pavilion and recruit a duke from Qi Country? Ning Shuang Rong stepped forward two steps. “Brother Jiang, come this way!”

Jiang Wang made no comment, simply lifting his foot and following, stepping over the archway of Crowd Born Sword Que.

Si Kong Jing Xiao followed, speaking as they walked. “Speaking of which, your Qi Country previously had someone named Liu Shen Tong. Does Marquis Wu An know of him?” Jiang Wang’s footsteps slowed.

Just beyond the archway, not far into the mountain platform square, one could see the first building – presumably a reception pavilion. Beside this pavilion, a horizontal pole was abruptly suspended, and from it hung two individuals, inverted.

“Liu Shen Tong… what about him?” Jiang Wang looked at one of the inverted figures, saying, “I have only heard his name.”

Si Kong Jing Xiao, not doubting him, continued self-indulgently, “He was also a top-tier heaven’s pride from Qi Country. We met overseas that time and joined forces to kill some sea clan. He admired me greatly and even said he wanted to worship me and learn swordsmanship. What a pity…”

This feigned pity was merely a boastful statement and did not elicit any reaction from Jiang Wang. How could Liu Shen Tong, a direct descendant of a prominent family, possibly want to hang Si Kong Jing’s back and learn swordsmanship? When Liu Shen Tong was still alive, the Fu Feng Liu clan had not yet completely declined, and he himself possessed extreme talent. Failing to find a true master within his own family, one might even think that if the two had genuinely interacted at first, Liu Shen Tong would at most have been polite, perhaps saying a few courteous words about seeking advice and so on.

This Si Kong Jing Xiao was entirely relying on the fact that Liu Shen Tong had been dead for many years and could not retort, boasting and praising himself here. His original intention was still to suppress Qi Country. Yet, to display his might, he still chose to pick on a deceased person, not daring to mention Tian An Ping who had killed Liu Shen Tong, nor daring to mention Chen Ze Qing or Ji Zhao Nan. Putting aside the fact that Si Kong Jing Xiao’s words were unbelievable, even if they were true, what could he suppress?

A dignified contemporary chief disciple of a great sect, everywhere revealing a petty disposition! Seeing Jiang Wang’s bland reaction, Si Kong Jing Xiao said again, “It is normal for Marquis Wu An not to know much about Liu Shen Tong. After all, by the time you went to Qi Country, he was no longer there. To think that year, Fu Feng Liu Shen Tong was…”

“Allow me to inquire,” Jiang Wang, having already reached the pavilion’s front, interrupted him. “Why are these people hanging here?” Si Kong Jing Xiao’s speaking interest was interrupted, and he was somewhat displeased, stiffly saying, “I hung them. These two ruffians were very rude.” “Oh,” Jiang Wang nodded, walked two steps, and asked again, “May I ask how rude?”

“I’ve forgotten. It was nothing more than shouting at the mountain gate and the like,” Si Kong Jing Xiao waved a hand. “There’s no need to concern yourself with these trifles. Marquis Wu An, please come this way. I will arrange the sword discussion for you today. Many of my junior brothers and sisters in the pavilion have long been curious about Marquis Wu An’s sword art.”

Jiang Wang did not move his feet. “How long are you planning to hang them?”

“Perhaps three months, perhaps five months,” Si Kong Jing Xiao caught his meaning. “Do you know them?”

The two individuals hanging inverted on the horizontal pole were both extremely weak at this moment, their eyelids drooping. They showed no reaction even when others approached and discussed them. One, though wretched, still could not conceal his appearance as clean as white jade, a truly beautiful man, pleasing to the eye in any situation. The other… seemed very suited to this wretched state; indeed, wretchedness was inherent to him. Disheveled hair, ragged beard stubble, his entire being weak, actually achieving a strange harmony with this inverted, shameful posture.

Though wretched, they were not in any immediate danger to their lives. However, if, as Si Kong Jing Xiao said, they were to be hung for another three to five months, it might be difficult to say. Jiang Wang stepped forward and squatted down with interest, facing the face of the ragged-bearded man.

He lightly blew a breath. This was a wisp of the Eastern Ming Shu wind, simulated using the eight winds of the dragon and tiger. Of course, it was merely a Dao art wind, not a divine ability, but it was more than enough to handle a scene like this. As this wind blew across their faces, the two inverted individuals both awoke, opening their eyes in unison.

Seeing Jiang Wang, both showed expressions of surprise. However, their reactions differed. The handsome one, after his initial surprise, felt a great sense of shame, wishing to hide but having nowhere to do so. His body curled slightly, radiating a palpable sense of embarrassment. The one with the wasted face, after his surprise, lazily closed his eyes again, seeming to feel he was dreaming. But soon, he opened them again, and those lifeless, dead-fish eyes suddenly burst forth with a strong spirit!

“Yo!” Jiang Wang, looking at this familiar, inverted dead-fish face before him, spoke in a frivolous tone. “Long time no see! The legendary three绝 of flying sword, the disease, unexpectedly collapsed into this appearance?” He then turned his head to look at the handsome man beside him. “Brother Bai, why are you here too, neighbors with this lazy fellow?” He, of course, knew both of these individuals. One was Bai Yu Xia, the heaven’s pride from Yue Country whom he had met on Guan He Tai. This person possessed a clean ambition and a proud spirit, earning his admiration. The other was Xiang Qian, a good friend he hadn’t seen in a long time, the only contemporary successor of his Sword Dao, who would absolutely lie down if he could avoid sitting.

Bai Yu Xia strongly endured his weakness and shame, barely managing to voice, “In such a state, I am ashamed to see an old friend. May I trouble Brother Jiang to inform the Bai family in Yue Country? Bai will surely offer a generous reward later.” Xiang Qian, on the other hand, said impatiently, “Stop wasting words! Quickly put this old man down! These grandsons, the small ones couldn’t beat us, so the big ones came! They just said a few words and then hung people! They’ve almost tormented this old man to death!”

Jiang Wang still laughed happily. While reaching out to untie them both, he said to Xiang Qian, “Do you still remember what you told me last time we parted… how imposing the East Come Sword was, cleaving through the gate of life and death… tsk tsk tsk, to see you again already an inverted person!” “Marquis Wu An’s eyes are sharp!” Si Kong Jing Xiao reached out and blocked him. “We do things with reason. You have come to pay respects to the mountain. That is that. How these two trifles are dealt with is a matter for my Sword Pavilion. It may not be convenient for outsiders to interfere. By casually untying them this time, where do you place the rules of my Sword Pavilion?”

“Si Kong Jing Xiao!” Jiang Wang stood up, casually pushed the untied Xiang Qian behind him, and then faced Si Kong Jing Xiao directly, his eyes bursting forth like sword light. “I have tolerated you for a long time! Now you will shut your mouth! Whatever you intend to ask about swords, don’t arrange it with others, arrange it with me!”

His finger almost poked Si Kong Jing Xiao’s face. “You didn’t hear wrong, just you!”

Si Kong Jing Xiao, conversely, displayed a demeanor of remaining unfazed even as a mountain collapsed before him. He merely narrowed his eyes. “Is Marquis Wu An of Qi Country truly so domineering?”

*Clang!* Long Xiang Si was already unsheathed, its violent surge of sword qi directly carving a deep gully in the ground. Jiang Wang held the snow-bright sharp blade in his hand, a surge of killing intent reaching towards the heavens. “Now! Immediately! This Marquis wants to discuss swords with you! If you don’t choose a venue, then right here! Today, I will let you see what it means to be domineering!”