Chen Mingyue's expression turned grim.
Before coming, she had confidently stated that Liu Sheng Yuanzhong owed their Chen family ancestor a favor, and she could arrange for Ning Beichen to meet Liu Sheng Zhongyuan.
Now, however, not only was he not giving her grandfather face, but it seemed he didn't even know about the Su Hang Ma family.
Chen Mingyue didn't believe Liu Sheng Zhongyuan would act this way. But as the saying goes, it's easy to appease the king but hard to deal with the underlings. Just because Liu Sheng Yuanzhong recognized the Ma family's token didn't mean his subordinates would.
"Miss Chen, there's no need for you to be troubled. Just tell Liu Sheng Yuanzhong that I am here to challenge him."
Ning Beichen said to the two guards.
The best way to deal with difficult subordinates was not to argue. If reason could prevail, then reason; if not, then fists.
"You want to challenge our master? You are not qualified!"
The two guards placed their hands on the hilts of their swords, their eyes filled with disdain, and arrogantly addressed Ning Beichen.
These two weren't even carrying swords, yet they claimed to be here to challenge their master. It was as if they took them for fools.
"You'd best comply. I have a short temper."
Ning Beichen's gaze flickered over their sword scabbards before he calmly said to them.
"Bold outlaw, draw your sword!"
One of them, enraged, pressed his thumb against the hilt of his sword.
With a *clang!*
A long sword was unsheathed, turning into a blur as it lunged at Ning Beichen.
With a *ding!*
The sword was flicked away by Ning Beichen's finger. The wielder felt his arm go numb as if struck by electricity, and the sword flew out of his hand.
"Baka!"
The other guard was about to draw his sword, but Ning Beichen tapped his arm, preventing him from even unsheathing it.
He attempted to draw his sword three times, and each time Ning Beichen deflected it.
"Stubborn fool!"
Seeing that he was still trying to draw his sword, Ning Beichen let out a cold snort and sent him flying with a single palm strike.
"Go inform him!"
Ning Beichen didn't intend to kill them. After all, he was here to retrieve something, not to rob it.
However, if Liu Sheng Yuanzhong proved unreasonable, Ning Beichen wouldn't mind taking it by force. He had no good feelings towards the people of Sakura Country, and if he dared to rob the Divine Sect Court, why would he fear a mere Sakura Island Sword King?
These two men were incapable of even putting up a fight against Ning Beichen. Even if they were foolish pigs, they knew they had encountered a formidable opponent. They rushed in to report.
Soon, several people emerged from the courtyard, all disciples of Liu Sheng Yuanzhong.
"You want to challenge my master? You'll have to defeat me first."
A man in a black kimono, wearing wooden clogs and holding a sword, questioned Ning Beichen with fierce killing intent.
"Pa!"
Ning Beichen, too lazy to waste words, placed his hand on the man's chest and flicked him away. The man didn't even get a chance to make a move.
Challenge?
You're overthinking it.
"Go ahead and attack me together."
Ning Beichen, not wanting to waste any more time, beckoned to them.
The few men exchanged glances and simultaneously drew their swords towards Ning Beichen. However, their skills were no match for Ning Beichen, a Grandmaster.
Before their swords could even reach him, Ning Beichen had already struck the blades with his palms. With a series of *bang, bang, bang* sounds, their swords flew out of their hands simultaneously.
Ning Beichen wondered how much of Liu Sheng Yuanzhong's skill they had inherited. If the disciples of the Sword King were this weak, he would be greatly disappointed.
The disciples of Liu Sheng Yuanzhong stared at their empty hands, looking at Ning Beichen in shock. While their swordsmanship wasn't as formidable as their master's, they were considered experts in Sakura Island.
Yet, even when attacking together, they couldn't do anything to Ning Beichen.
Before they could devise a plan, a hoarse voice echoed from within the courtyard.
"Please invite the guests in."
"Yes, Master."
The disciples dared not defy any further and respectfully invited Ning Beichen and Chen Mingyue inside.
In any place, at any time, it was the same: the strong were respected. Only with strength would others treat you with deference.
This was particularly evident in the people of Sakura Country.
Ning Beichen swaggered in, with Chen Mingyue quickly following beside him.
She had been utterly shocked by Ning Beichen's earlier actions. He gave her the feeling of being even more inscrutable than when she had last seen him.
"Could it be... Ning Beichen has already reached the Master realm?"
Although her grandfather had told her before that Ning Beichen possessed Master-level cultivation, Chen Mingyue still held some skepticism, primarily because Ning Beichen was so young.
Soon, Ning Beichen and Chen Mingyue were led into an indoor dojo. Inside, an elderly man with white hair was present, along with a young girl kneeling on the floor, preparing tea for him.
"Please, sit."
The old man gestured for them to sit.
Ning Beichen walked over with confidence. However, he was not accustomed to or fond of kneeling, so he sat cross-legged. Chen Mingyue, not as bold as Ning Beichen, obediently knelt.
Kneeling here was not a sign of subservience, but a custom in Sakura Country, not something to be ashamed of.
"Are you a descendant of the Su Hang Chen family?"
The old man asked, looking at Chen Mingyue.
Chen Mingyue took out the Chen family's token and respectfully replied.
"My grandfather sends his regards."
"Indeed, it is the Chen family's token. Is your grandfather in good health?"
The old man glanced at the token and smiled at Chen Mingyue. To an observer, he might seem like a kindly old man, not a ruthless Sword King who had taken countless lives.
"My grandfather is in excellent health."
Chen Mingyue answered in a deep voice.
Despite the old man's seemingly gentle demeanor, Chen Mingyue had felt an extremely terrifying pressure emanating from him since entering.
This invisible aura made her heart tremble. If she were to oppose this old man, she feared she wouldn't need to fight; his mere presence would be enough to paralyze her.
In contrast, Ning Beichen appeared calm and at ease, seemingly unaffected by the pressure.
"Young man, you were able to easily defeat my disciples. You must not be an ordinary person. You wish to challenge me?"
Liu Sheng Yuanzhong's gaze fixed on Ning Beichen. Though he didn't say it aloud, he was inwardly very surprised by Ning Beichen.
Chen Mingyue's grandfather's guess was correct. Liu Sheng Yuanzhong was already a Sword Grandmaster, and up until now, no one had ever appeared so composed under his oppressive aura.
"Yes and no."
Ning Beichen replied calmly and composedly.
"Oh? Explain."
Liu Sheng Yuanzhong asked with curiosity.
"I have come today primarily to ask for something. This item is called the Jiugong Ce, a book. I believe you should know of it."
Ning Beichen said.