405 The Intervention (1/2)
Once Xuan Zhen agreed to take over, Meng Qi was not so concerned any more. He left for Happycloud Heights straightaway.
”I think I just did a selfless good deed without asking for a reward...” He thought about his action in a playful manner as he entered the heights.
”Knock, knock.” He heard someone knocking as he walked passed the screen wall facing the gate of the heights. As he stopped subconsciously to take a look at the gate, a familiar figure came to view as the side gate was being pulled open.
Upon recognizing the new visitor, he flashed a bright smile and walked towards the gate, saying, ”I assumed you would only arrive in two more days Who would have thought that you have reached so soon?”
The new visitor was Jiang Zhiwei. She was in her favorite light yellow dress with her long thick hair tied up casually. The image of her holding her long sword was so beautiful and radiant, free and easy.
Zhiwei had opened all nine of her Apertures since the end of their last mission. As Meng Qi saw her again after all this time, he felt that she had kept her talent in swordsmanship. Instead of looking sharp and imposing, she had become more composed and unfettered. Even though others may not be able to recognize her as a swordsman at first glance now, Meng Qi could still imagine her valiant figure and the impressive burst of energy she would give off as she used a sword.
”You know how impatient I was when I knew I could challenge Shapeless Sword!” Zhiwei smiled at Meng Qi as she continued, ”Your travels to the South also ended so quickly.”
”I guess I have been a really idle person.” Meng Qi joked.
Seeing Jiang Zhiwei's outstanding demeanor and that the two were really close friends, the gatekeeper faintly guessed their identities and rushed inside to report their arrival. The two were left alone to ca up.
”Are you also going to reside in Happycloud Heights?” Meng Qi asked.
Jiang Zhiwei shook her head in denial and said, ”Ying City is considered the Capital of Ling County, hence the Sword Pavilion here under my sect can provide me with accommodation. There is no need to trouble Shapeless Sword on this matter.”
She was not afraid of the pressure given off by He Jiu, and she simply felt no need for lodging at another's place when she had her own place to reside in.
After chatting about everything they had been through for the past few months, Meng Qi used Secret Voice-sending technique to tell Zhiwei that The Myths had set their eyes on Senior Brother Qi and himself.
He did not mention the grudge borne in the Samsara World nor the Demoness Gu, but especially emphasized Dongyang Villa, for he was afraid that the Exterior-level masters of Eastern Sea in Happycloud Heights might eavesdrop on their conversation. If the secrets of the Samsara World was known to others, Zhiwei and himself would be obliterated, hence he had to find another time to talk to Zhiwei about these things in detail.
Jiang Zhiwei sensed that Meng Qi was hiding something on purpose, for she knew it was almost impossible for Qi Zhengyan to escape solely with his own capabilities. At the same time, she also understood that there were reasons for Meng Qi to hold back certain things, so she replied in a serious manner, ”I will report this matter to my sect to see if it is possible to seek assistance from my Uncle Masters in charge of the River East. Meanwhile, please take caution when you are outside.”
”Sure.” Meng Qi nodded and continued, ”By the way, I have also come to know of Wolf King's whereabouts.”
He then told Zhiwei about his encounter with the Beggar Sect.
”Wolf King...” The desire to challenge a powerful master glinted in Zhiwei's eyes, but that eagerness was soon replaced by a sigh as she said, ”It's a shame he is injured now.”
She really wanted to have a fight with Wolf King that would push both of them to risk their lives. However, she knew that Wolf King would not fight her in the way she wanted, he would prefer to hide his presence in the dark, and wait until the perfect moment for him to land a deadly strike as his opponent arrived.
”I will ask my sectmates in this area to help us with the search. Once his whereabouts are confirmed, we will execute our attack.” Jiang Zhiwei knew about the incident where Wolf King tried to murder Meng Qi with a sneak-attack, so she did not hesitate to decide to joint in the assault on him in return. That was called an eye for an eye.
Meng Qi first nodded at her plan, then reminded her immediately, Consider the case in which there may be an ambush. It is safer to have one more person to assist us with our plan. Hmm, I think Brother Wang Zai from Zhou County would be suitable.”
”Wang Zai's father is the youngest Great Master in the Wang family. As the current Minister of Revenue, he is definitely one with authority and status. If anyone wanted to do harm to him, they must be prepared to face the potential consequences first. Moreover, with Unstoppable Strike, Unmovable Strike and Nine Saint Swordplay techniques, he should absolutely not be underestimated in his strength. If he ever encounters strong opponents, he may even be able to beat them better than I do!”
When Meng Qi did not use the Standing Still technique derived from Wuji Seal, his area of focus would be Protection, while Wang Zai's area of focus was Defense, the difference was that Wang Zai would be able to respond to the attacks while preventing himself from being harmed.
They finished the conversation quickly and moved on to casual chit-chat. After a while, the gatekeeper returned to invite Jiang Zhiwei to meet He Jiu. Meng Qi naturally decided to accompany her.
The wound on He Jiu's neck had almost fully recovered, and there was no more bandaging around it, nor did it appear to be hideous.
Meng Qi could tell with just one glance that his injury was definitely much worse than what he called a ”flesh wound”. Half of his neck could have been broken if the wound was any deeper.
However, he was certain that Wolf King's injury had to be even more serious, since his injury had affected his movements, forcing him to expose a bit about his whereabouts. On the other hand, He Jiu's behavior did not seem to be affected by his injury at all. Moreover, Wolf King had to seek help from the Beggar Sect to find the medicine for his wounds, while He Jiu's wound had healed rather quickly simply by resting.
Meng Qi also guessed that the cure Wolf King brought with him was not very effective in healing, since he was even having difficulty walking...
He Jiu was sitting in an imposing unrestrained manner as he watched Jiang Zhiwei and Meng Qi enter. When he saw Zhiwei, his eyes sparkled with admiration and his eyebrows twitched slightly. He said to her, ”Master Jiang, congratulations on enlightening your Nine Apertures.”
Instead of shock or fear, his words were filled with excitement and eagerness in learning more about the progress she had made.
Jiang Zhiwei did not purposely act humble. She said with a smile, ”The realm I have reached would still pale beside yours, young heightslord. If we would ever be engaged in a fight, I could only try to seize the tiny hope for victory with my sword.”
”You have enlightened all nine Apertures for Swordplay Sutra of Supremacy and have understood the Anatta Sword technique, hence your Sword Principles should have reached a really high standard. When it comes to pure strength, you would definitely outperform Wolf King.” He Jiu compared her with Wolf King instead of himself, because he apparently believed that Jiang Zhiwei was still not as powerful as him. Although Jiang Zhiwei's talent and hard work would have made her comparable to Su Wuming, at his best, He Jiu would still be considered on par with her in terms of talent. Both of them were disciples of main stream martial arts sects, hence the level and power of each other's Divine Skill would not differ by much. Moreover, He Jiu had reached the realm of a higher standard than Zhiwei, and was more experienced than her, that was why He Jiu believed he was still better.
”Since I have yet to fight against Wolf King, I dare not boast my capabilities.” Jiang Zhiwei did not become proud after hearing He Jiu's words.