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Transnational organisations like the Hundred Schools of Thought almost always appealed to self-interest.

They could even be seen as political organisations. This made Fang Yuan extremely worried.

"From the looks of the tribal energy...the Shang Dynasty is not stable...it is surrounded by over 800 feudal states, which greatly limits its potential for expansion. Less than thirty per cent of the world’s land is under the direct control of the Shang King."

In Fang Yuan’s opinion, the reality in this Shang Dynasty was more similar to the Warring States era.

"Jie...our King appreciates talented people and will definitely reward you handsomely. Shall we head over to Sir Cao’s school of swordsmanship after we meet with the King?"

Meng Kuo had a kind smile on his face.

"No thanks...please tell Senior Fang that I am a happy-go-lucky person and couldn’t care less for wealth and glory!"

Fang Yuan smiled back and waved goodbye.

"This is where we shall part!"

Fang Yuan was a carefree soul and had no wish to prostrate himself before the King. Besides, he was only going to be given the lowly rank of ’yeoman’.

It was only worth a second thought if he was going to be enfeoffed as a noble lord.

"Hei Zhong, let’s go!"

Fang Yuan turned around to leave.

Hei Zhong hurried after him with the two white foxes.

"What?"

"How insolent! He dares to slight the King!"

"Treason! Treason!"

Meng Kuo was about to persuade Fang Yuan to reconsider when the other officials raged and tried to detain Fang Yuan.

When the officials approached Fang Yuan, a mist appeared and obscured their vision.

When the mist finally cleared, Fang Yuan and Hei Zhong were gone.

"Carefreeness over glory?" Meng Kuo stared into the distance quietly before he heaved a long sigh.

"What a strange man!"

Meng Kuo decided to give up all hope of bringing Fang Yuan out of the mountains.

"Master...where shall we go now?"

Fang Yuan walked along the streets jauntily while Hei Zhong called after him hesitantly.

Although Hei Zhong was a simple man, he was not a fool.

Fang Yuan’s refusal to meet with the Shang King was a major affront. Someone was bound to complain and Hei Zhong expected them to get arrested any moment now.

Even if they managed to evade arrest, they would no longer be welcome in the Shang capital.

"Why worry about these things?"

Fang Yuan narrowed his eyes.

"How much progress have you made with the Great Yin Technique that I have imparted to you recently?"

The so-called Great Yin Technique was, in fact, the same technique used by the fox sisters to absorb moon essence. Fang Yuan had revised it slightly by adding in parts of the white mist technique practised by Hei Zhong. There was no risk in cultivating this technique, albeit only in theory.

"Cough cough..."

Hei Zhong pulled a long face at the mention of this.

"That technique is so difficult to learn! I get the deep chills every time I practise it in front of the moon..."

"This is normal. You’ll just have to get over it!"

Fang Yuan replied with a wide grin that Hei Zhong found unsettling.

Both of them walked on and arrived at a busy part of the city before long.

At the centre of the crowd was a school of swordsmanship. In front of the building was a raised platform on which two people were duelling with swords.

One of the swordsmen was a black-robed young fellow with his hair tied into a bun and he wielded his sword steadily. The other fighter was a big man of about thirty years old. Although his technique was unorthodox, he was very strong and quick on his feet, making his swordplay very lethal indeed!

"Uncle, what’s going on over here?"

Hei Zhong approached a passing old man after Fang Yuan gestured for him to make enquiries about the event.

"The Sword Sage Sir Cao has opened a school of swordsmanship in Shangyi and is accepting new students. This is his youngest disciple, Can. Anyone who can defeat him will receive a hundred pieces of gold!"

The old man pointed to the pile of shining gold pieces lying in a corner of the stage. He grew more excited as he talked on.

"Since yesterday, Can has beaten 18 contenders in a row and is unmatched at the moment. The current challenger is Tiger, a famous warrior in Shangyi. "

"Ding!"

At this point, a winner had emerged.

Can, who had been forced to the corner, thrust his sword forward with lightning speed. His sword looked as though as it was crackling with electricity.

"Poof!"

Tiger the warrior shouted out in pain as the sword cut into his arm. His grip turned bloody and he was forced to let his long sword fall to the ground.

"Thank you!"

Can inverted his sword and bowed to his opponent. He exuded all the suaveness of a gentleman.

"The youngest disciple of the Sword Sage Sir Cao?"

Fang Yuan yawned as he suddenly remembered the purple energy rays and the blazing sword that he had seen.

"Could one of the three purple energy rays be Cao Qiu?"

The full name of Sir Cao was Cao Qiu!

Fang Yuan smirked.

"Hei Zhong...go win a hundred pieces of gold for us. It will help to settle our expenses as we travel around the world. Remember to use a sword!"

"Yes, master!"

Fang Yuan had never told him anything about travelling the world. Nevertheless, he hid his surprise and leapt onto the stage with a sword on Fang Yuan’s orders.

"Hei Zhong, a son of Dongyi, will take up your challenge!"

Hei Zhong looked so brutish that no one dared to object.

"After you!"

Can had regained his energy by taking a short break. He ascended the stage once more.

"Hmph!"

Hei Zhong exhaled. A cloud of white mist emanated from his nostrils and swept towards Can.

Hei Zhong was a boor but he paid attention to the details. He knew that he would lose if he had to compete with Can purely in swordplay. He had to think of another way!

Besides, he was brought up as a barbarian and was taught to achieve his goals through all means possible, unorthodox or not.

"Hmm? A strange technique?"

Can retreated immediately when he saw the white mist and held his sword in front of himself defensively.

Can had been momentarily stunned by the white mist. Hei Zhong took the opportunity to rush forward and took a swipe at Can with his sword. It was a massive effort.

"Snap!"

Can’s sword snapped into two with a ring and he fell off the stage.

"Ah!"

There was a moment of silence among the spectators before mayhem ensued.

"A special technique! This is a man with special talents!"

"The swordsman Can has been defeated!"

"What a warrior!"

"A pity that his methods were..."

...

As the spectators dithered away, Hei Zhong walked towards the gold pieces and proceeded to pick them up.

He was thick-skinned and did not care about criticism. No one would remember who he was once they had left the Shang capital.

"Bah! You hurt him through the use of underhand tactics. How shameless!"

Another man leapt onto the stage. He was dressed in a similar manner to Can and had an angry look on his face.

"Do you dare to take me, Ang, on?"

"Hmph, wasn’t it said before that I could leave with the gold pieces after defeating Can? Are you going to disregard the deal?"

Hei Zhong shouted out as he cast a sweeping glance at the spectators.

"The deal mentioned that only swordplay could be used!"

The swordsman Ang retorted.

"Did I not use a sword to duel?"

Hei Zhong rolled his eyes and argued some more.

"You!"’

Ang’s anger had turned his face into a dark shade of red and he looked like he was about to rush at Hei Zhong with his sword.

In the Shang era, people lived and died by the sword. People valued their dignity more than anything else and would defend it with their lives.

"Wait!"

A clear voice rang out.

"The warrior Hei Zhong makes sense. Ang, present the hundred pieces of gold to him before challenging him to a duel!"

"Yes, master!"

Ang cooled down immediately after hearing the voice and bowed to a man who had just walked out from the school building.

This middle-aged man was small in stature and wearing a hemp robe. He had large hands and piercing eyes. His intense gaze distinguished him from the common man.

"It’s Sir Cao!"

"The Sword Sage!"

The crowd went nuts.

Fang Yuan chuckled silently. Hei Zhong had ruined their plans and Cao Qiu had to step out in order to salvage the pride of his school.

Fang Yuan’s eyes gleamed. He would not miss this opportunity.

"Hmm, the energy rays I’d seen rushing up towards the skies corresponds to the energy he exudes. It’s him alright! What is his motive in opening a school in Shangyi and recruiting students?"

As Fang Yuan pondered, Hei Zhong and Ang had begun to duel.

Ang’s swordplay technique was more impressive than Can’s and before long, he had forced Hei Zhong to the corner of the stage.

"Hmph!"

Hei Zhong unleashed his special technique again.

Ang was prepared for it. In one swift motion, he crouched down and rolled away from the white mist quickly.

"Poof!"

Little did he know that the white mist would flip around in the air like a snake and descend upon his face.

"Ah!"

Ang screamed before he fell down unconscious onto the stage.

"Ha...you are but a mortal man. How could you expect to resist my divine technique?"

Hei Zhong laughed with glee as he savoured his victory.

His white mist used to be a simple technique that could be avoided easily. However, after practising the Great Yin Technique taught to him by Fang Yuan, he now had a high degree of control over his white mist and could steer it in any direction he wanted. His training had paid off.

"Ang has been defeated as well..."

The surrounding crowd continued to chatter while the other disciples of the Sword Sage observed the proceedings glumly.

However, most of them were about as skilful as Ang and knew that they were no match for Hei Zhong. They turned to look at their teacher.

In their opinions, only their seniors were powerful enough to deal with this Hei Zhong fellow. Be that as it may, their seniors were busy travelling the world and making a name for themselves. They had no other choice but to trouble their master to handle this matter personally.

"Whoosh!"

Cao Qiu picked an ancient-looking sword and ascended the stage.

"I, Cao Qiu, look forward to learning from you!"

Cao Qiu’s disciples had been humiliated and it was up to him to salvage the reputation of his school.

"If I were to win again..."

Hei Zhong was in the midst of throwing out a boastful reply when his expression suddenly changed. He reversed his position.

"The Sword Sage’s skill with the sword is legendary. I am far beneath your level and will admit defeat!"

Hei Zhong had no choice but to throw in the towel. His master had spoken and he did not dare to disobey his master’s orders.

Hei Zhong looked around and scratched his head. Was he the only one who had heard his master speak?