Sword Among Us

Boom!

A huge wooden bridge controlled by a mechanism connected to the head of the bridge on the other side of the moat led to the city gate. Happy and his group followed behind Huang Rong down it in astonishment and excitement. While they recorded all that they saw and heard, they arrived at the foot of the majestic fort.

Hero’s Mountain Villa!

Three large words written in flourish were branded on the sturdy stones. Upon seeing them, a strong and tough presence came charging at their faces. Happy stopped to cast the words a glance, and he came to an understanding.

The examination and defensive tasks near Hero’s Mountain Villa were led by a group of middle-aged men with square faces and cold gazes. They had heavy, black swords strapped to their backs, and when they noticed where Happy’s gaze was directed, their sharp gazes turned slightly gentle.

“Young brother, did you manage to see anything in those words?”

They did not ask for Happy’s name, but they were interested in Happy’s expression. It caused the other nine people by his side to gasp in surprise.

“What the heck?!” a few of them exclaimed. Happy had managed to trigger a quest just by casting a glance at the sign above Hero’s Mountain Villa, which stirred up the affection of an NPC!

Eleventh Crane and the others could only smile wryly.

While the other four sects stared over strangely, their expressions grew attentive. They wondered what sort of astonishing words Happy would say!

Happy did not seem to have noticed that the person who spoke was an NPC in charge of the fort’s defenses. He stared at the calligraphy on the wall and thought of how the three words—Hero’s Mountain Villa—exuded a powerful and sharp presence.

“Was the person who wrote these words someone who was formerly in the army?”

“Hero’s Mountain Villa is the sacred ground of the martial artists who walk down the righteous path. There are no lapdogs of the imperial court here.” The speaker’s expression instantly turned dark

Faint mocking smiles showed up on Purpose of Unrequited Love Valley and Lu Jing of Peach Blossom Island faces when they saw that. They thought, ‘No matter how great you are, Happy, you shouldn’t have tried to show off through calligraphy.

‘Who are you trying to fool. If you don’t understand it, then let it be. If you spew nonsense, it’s your fault.

‘This is a martial arts tournament, so the genii from all over the world will come here. This isn’t organized by the imperial court. How could you link this to the army and war? It’s way too much of an exaggeration, don’t you think?’

“That’s strange.” Happy cast the person who spoke a glance. “The strokes are bold, forceful, and powerful. Each one gives off the air of charging into the frontlines of a battlefield with an indomitable spirit and the murderous intent of the fighting there.

“But the last stroke is completely different. It restrained its ferocity, and it gives off the air that it has already stopped fighting and brought peace to the world.

“If you say that the person who carved these three words is not a soldier, then I find it a little strange. Who exactly could bring out such a powerful presence on the battlefield?”

The certainty in his words caused the expressions of the people who had originally enjoyed his misfortune to change slightly. They thought, ‘Could it be that Happy truly has some knowledge in calligraphy as well?’

There was simply no way for them to know that Happy had only sensed a familiar sword will from the strokes. It had a familiar presence from his previous life, so it was only natural that he wanted to clarify the feeling in his heart and voiced his thoughts.

Even though the other denied it, Happy was fully confident that the sword wills of the two were the same.

As expected, the speaker’s expression changed. “It seems like I’ve underestimated you, young brother. I didn’t expect that your understanding toward sword will would be so deep. You’re right, before my master built Hero’s Mountain Villa, he was indeed a general of the previous dynasty.”

When he said those words, the few people who had mocking looks on their faces while they enjoyed Happy’s misfortune went stiff, and their expressions turned very dark. When they looked at Happy, their eyes became wary.

‘Sword will, what the heck is that?’

“I thought what I sensed was wrong, but since I didn’t make a wrong guess, I wonder if I will be fortunate enough to know of your master’s name.” When Happy saw that the other’s expression had changed, his own tone also changed. “I admire heroes who can leave behind such a bold sword will. If it’s not convenient for you, then it’s fine if you don’t.”

“You’ll know later.” The person laughed boisterously. “Before that, tell me your name. I’ll bring you into the manor and explain the detailed procedure of the martial arts tournament.”

“It is our honor that you will personally lead the way, Great Swordsman Gui.” Huang Rong was delighted, and she quickly said to Happy, “Great Swordsman Gui is very busy, since he is in charge of organizing this tournament. If Great Swordsman Gui will provide us with the explanations, it will save us a lot of trouble.”

“My name is Happy.”

“I see, you’re Young Swordsman Happy, the one responsible of saving the six great sects.” The eyes of Great Swordsman Gui lit up, and he said in great surprise, “It’s no wonder then why you have such a deep understanding toward sword wills. Perhaps your understanding will not lose to that of the other young hero who entered Hero’s Mountain Villa earlier.”

Happy said nothing, but when he heard Great Swordsman Gui’s words, a thought appeared in his head. “Did that person have a black sword with him?”

He suspected that One Emperor had already entered Hero’s Mountain Villa.

“I don’t know about that. But that person is very young and cold. He is like an unsheathed sword. Even I felt a little bit of pressure when I faced him.”

Great Swordsman Gui’s words shocked the others, and they looked at each other at a loss.

Even though they did not know Great Swordsman Gui’s specific qi realm, but based on Huang Rong and the other people’s attitude, Great Swordsman Gui, who was not well-known, was someone who kept a low profile. With that being the case, it was only natural that he would be in Inaction Realm.

Just how great was that player if he could make an Inaction Realm martial artist feel pressure?

“There’s someone so powerful here?”

“Who is it?”

“I don’t know…”

The group discussed fervently among itself.

Only Happy was certain that the person who occupied Great Swordsman Gui’s mind was One Emperor.

He scowled, and a rather solemn expression appeared on his face for a brief moment.

Only around three months had passed since Happy had made a promise with One Emperor. He had not obtained Nine Yang Divine Skill as of then, and he had only understood three moves of Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palm. It was unfortunate that he would have to fight against One Emperor ahead of their agreed time.

As expected, the things in the world always changed and preconceived plans fell behind the changes.

But Happy was no longer as nervous as he was when he first met One Emperor. The improvement of his Ten True Dragon Styles allowed him some confidence when he’ll have to face One Emperor head-on!

Since it had come, he might as well enjoy the ride!

Great Swordsman Gui had been paying attention to Happy’s reaction all that while, and when he saw how he reacted, he nodded.

“I look forward to the moment you face that person. It will surely be the most intense fight among the younger generation, and it will be so exciting that it might not lose to the fight among the elites.”

“Great Swordsman Gui, you praise me too much.”

Happy schooled his expression, and soon, it returned to normal.

At that moment, their examination had long since ended. When the conversation between Happy and Great Swordsman Gui was over as well, Great Swordsman Gui gave the order to open the city gate, lift up the suspension bridge, and led the group into Hero’s Mountain Villa.

The inside and outside the villa were two completely different worlds.

The area outside the villa was as quiet as paradise on earth, but the area inside the villa bustled with activity. The streets were very wide, and countless elites with extraordinary presences gathered around various stages while cheering!

Boom!

Right when they walked into the villa that looked like a fort, they felt a surging hot wave crash into their faces, and the clear sounds of weapons clashing against each other rose nonstop.

The group was stunned on the spot.

Then, they swept their gazes over the area, and the shock in their eyes became even stronger!

That included Happy, who was stunned by the sight in front of him for so long that he could not say anything for a long time.

He had thought that the martial arts tournament would be organized in a large and wide space, which was why he was shocked to see that it would be held in a noisy and chaotic fort. There were arenas set up everywhere, and martial artists as well as players mingled together to look for fights. Shouts and sounds of fighting rose and fell in every direction.

“Are we… really organizing the martial arts tournament here?”

The group was dumbfounded.