Chapter 344: Qianxi and Ningsheng

Chapter 344: Qianxi and Ningsheng

After retrieving the Weapon Ranking List from Situ Fengwu, Ning Xiaochao returned to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. The moment he stepped through the gates, he immediately sensed an unusual tension in the air.

"Brother, you’re finally back!" Ning Xin'er, who had been waiting at the entrance, let out a sigh of relief upon seeing him.

Ning Xiaochao asked, "What happened? I noticed many unfamiliar faces in the manor, and the guards are on high alert."

Ning Xin'er lowered her voice. "Princess Qianxi is here."

"Yu Watermelon!" Ning Xiaochao chuckled. "She’s well-informed. Where is she now?"

"She went to Jinxiu Garden, where Miss Yu is staying, claiming she wanted to discuss poetry and songs with her," Ning Xin'er replied.

Yu Watermelon and Yu Ningsheng weren’t particularly close—why would she visit her?

Ning Xiaochao’s heart skipped a beat, and he immediately rushed toward Jinxiu Garden.

"Young Marquis, you’ve finally arrived! I believe Her Highness is truly furious this time. Only you can stop her," Yu Qianqian’s maidservant said anxiously.

Outside Jinxiu Garden, a crowd of maidservants and martial artists had gathered.

They all waited outside—Yu Qianqian had given strict orders that no one was to enter, no matter what happened inside. Anyone who dared to barge in would be executed without mercy!

Ning Xiaochao’s expression turned grave. Has Yu Watermelon’s jealousy flared up again?

Yu Qianqian had been pampered since childhood, the center of countless affections. Naturally, she harbored feelings for Ning Xiaochao and couldn’t tolerate other women by his side. It was only expected that she would seek trouble with Yu Ningsheng.

However, Ning Xiaochao wasn’t worried about Yu Ningsheng—he was worried for Yu Qianqian.

From behind the white stone courtyard walls, the harmonious sounds of a guqin and gusheng intertwined into a beautiful melody.

Yu Qianqian sat by the pond, a Purple Wood Guqin resting on her knees. Her jade fingers danced swiftly across the strings, each sound wave condensing into a Profound Qi Sword, forming the spectacle of Ten Thousand Swords Paying Homage as they surged toward Yu Ningsheng.

Her gaze was icy, her aura rising relentlessly. The plants, stones, and rockeries around her were shredded by sword qi, reduced to dust and splinters.

Meanwhile, Yu Ningsheng sat atop the pavilion, leaning against the railing with a White Jade Gusheng in her hands. She played an enchanting melody, forming a misty barrier around the pavilion that effortlessly dissolved Yu Qianqian’s sound waves.

No matter how fierce Yu Qianqian’s attacks were, they couldn’t so much as graze a single hair on Yu Ningsheng’s head.

"You wretched girl, your cultivation is unexpectedly strong. You must have ulterior motives for entering the Jian Pavilion Marquis House," Yu Qianqian spat.

Yu Ningsheng’s mental energy stirred, and her sound waves coalesced into an ethereal voice. "This humble woman bears no grudge against Your Highness. Why must you persist in this hostility?"

"Hmph!"

Yu Qianqian’s delicate arms were entirely enveloped in profound qi as she prepared to infuse her Martial Arts Divine Ability into the sound waves, amplifying their destructive force to drive Yu Ningsheng out of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House.

"Roar!"

The Small Red Dragon suddenly charged in, leaping onto Yu Qianqian’s guqin stand. Its claws snapped the strings, and it let out a deafening roar.

The music came to an abrupt halt.

Yu Qianqian's forehead darkened with anger as she slapped the Small Red Dragon on the head, sending it spinning dizzily with stars in its eyes!

"Ning Xiaochuan, I know you're back! What kind of skill is it to send a stupid dragon to cause trouble? If you have the guts, come destroy my guqin yourself!" Yu Qianqian stood up abruptly, visibly furious.

Creak!

Ning Xiaochuan pushed the door open and entered, scolding, "Small Red Dragon, you're absolutely out of line! How dare you ruin the Princess's guqin? Even if we sold you, you wouldn't be worth enough to compensate for it. Heh! Princess, it’s been a long time. I was planning to visit your manor tomorrow to deliver a gift I’ve prepared for you, but I didn’t expect you to come here first."

Yu Qianqian bit her lip and said indignantly, "Ning Xiaochuan, I came here this time to save you—to prevent you from straying onto the wrong path, indulging in frivolities, and ruining your own future."

Ning Xiaochuan nodded. "The Princess speaks wisely."

"If you already know, why do you keep making mistakes?" Yu Qianqian retorted.

Ning Xiaochuan replied, "Please enlighten me, Princess. Where exactly have I gone wrong?"

"You... you know it yourself!" Yu Qianqian gritted her teeth, feeling more and more infuriated the longer she looked at him.

Ning Xiaochuan chuckled. "I truly don’t know."

Yu Qianqian stepped on his foot, pressing down with her boot, and whispered, "Yu Ningsheng is the daughter of a disgraced official. The Emperor himself decreed that she be reduced to a prostitute slave for life. And you—you’re the heir to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. Spending all your time with her is nothing but self-destruction, indulging in frivolities, and straying onto the wrong path!"

Ning Xiaochuan winced slightly. "Princess, your foot isn’t in the right place."

Yu Qianqian pressed harder. "My foot is exactly where it should be. Xiaochuan, listen to me—stop associating with Yu Ningsheng. She’ll be your ruin."

Yu Ningsheng descended the stairs, her long hair flowing, her skin as translucent as jade, and her eyes like two dazzling stars. Her voice was soft and melodious as she said, "The Princess is overstepping her bounds. This humble one and the Minor Marquis are close friends, kindred spirits who understand each other. How could I ever harm him? Isn’t that right, Minor Marquis?"

Ning Xiaochuan smiled and nodded. "Lady Ningsheng is indeed my red-destined confidante. Princess, you’re overthinking this."

Yu Qianqian was so angry she could barely speak. "I think she’s nothing but a fox spirit, seducing men to climb the social ladder by latching onto the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. This is infuriating! Guards! Drag this wretch out and beat her to death!"

A group of soldiers rushed in, glaring at Yu Ningsheng as they drew their short swords in unison, the cold glint of steel filling the room.

Ning Xiaochuan’s expression darkened. "Princess, this is the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. You have no right to lay hands on my guests here. Xin’er, escort Her Highness out."

"You’re actually scolding me? You dare to kick me out?"

Yu Qianqian stared at Ning Xiaochuan, her eyes shimmering with tears, and said furiously, "Ning Xiaochuan, I won’t meddle in your affairs anymore! Not ever! Let this fox spirit be your red-destined confidante!"

With that, she turned and stormed out, fists clenched tightly, leaving the Jian Pavilion Marquis House behind.

Ning Xin'er escorted her out of the Marquis House's gate.

"Princess Qianxi, the truth is, my brother's favorite person is still you. He's just bewitched by that brothel woman right now," Ning Xin'er said.

Yu Qianqian stopped in her tracks, her eyes lighting up with joy. "Xin'er, you also think your brother has been enchanted by that vixen? But your brother is an Advanced Heart Nurturer! Couldn’t he just brew an antidote for himself?"

Ning Xin'er shook her head. "I don’t know. Princess Qianxi, are you really planning to leave just like this?"

Yu Qianqian nodded, as if making a firm decision. "I’m going to set the Jade Viewing Tower on fire right now. What do you think?"

"I... I don’t know," Ning Xin'er replied.

"It’s settled then."

With those words, she boarded the Eight Dragon Elephant Carriage and prepared to lead the Golden Roc Prince's Manor's men to burn down the Jade Viewing Tower. However, halfway there, she reconsidered—if she burned down the Jade Viewing Tower, wouldn’t Yu Ningsheng have even more reason to stay at the Jian Pavilion Marquis House?

No, she couldn’t do that.

Yu Qianqian decided to return to the manor for now and strategize slowly. After all, she was the princess of the Golden Roc Prince's Manor—how could she not outmaneuver a mere brothel seductress?

---

Jinxiu Garden

Ning Xiaochuan frowned deeply as he gazed at the broken qin on the ground, sighing heavily.

Yu Ningsheng seemed to read his thoughts. "Regretting it?"

"No."

Ning Xiaochuan shook his head. "Actually, Princess Qianxi is usually gentle, generous, calm, and wise. I don’t know why she acted so out of character today."

Yu Ningsheng smiled. "Because she likes you. She thinks I’ve stolen you away. When a woman faces a rival in love, even a docile kitten can turn into a tigress."

"Let’s not talk about her," Ning Xiaochuan said with a light chuckle, shaking his head. He then took out a scroll made of Mystic Beast hide and spread it flat on the stone table. "This is the 'Weapon Ranking List,' compiled by the Divine Sword Palace after extensive research and rigorous analysis. Take a look."

Ning Xiaochuan knew Yu Ningsheng was erudite and, as the Demon Sect's Saintess, must be well-versed in the strengths of many martial artists. He intended to discuss it with her to ensure the 'Weapon Ranking List' carried greater authority.

Weapon Ranking List, First Place: Blood Devouring Pearl. (Holder: Demon Emperor, Duanmu Han.)

Weapon Ranking List, Second Place: Tai Chi Diagram. (Holder: First-Rank State Preceptor, Tai Chu Wen Hua.)

Weapon Ranking List, Third Place: Heavenly Mystery Xuanhuang Sword. (Holder: Sword Saint, Yu Wenluo.)

……

…………

The scroll, made of Mystic Beast hide, recorded the names of hundreds of Mystic Artifacts, ranked from highest to lowest.

Behind each artifact was the name of its holder, accompanied by lengthy accounts of their legendary deeds. The embellished narratives practically mythologized every figure mentioned.

After the dramatic retellings, the reasons for their rankings were explained to bolster the list’s credibility.

For example:

Weapon Ranking List, Forty-Seventh Place: Ghost Demonic Sword. (Holder: Manor Lord of the Ghost Manor, "Young Master Chuan.")

There was a brief introduction about Young Master Chuan:

Identity: Mysterious.

Gender: Mysterious.

Age: Mysterious.

The world only knows that Young Master Chuan is the Manor Lord of the Ghost Manor, yet no one has ever seen his true face, making him one of the most enigmatic and mysterious top-tier martial artists of the present era.

Young Master Chuan's most dazzling battle dates back to "Jade Green Year 31."

By the moat outside the Imperial City, the Crown Prince, Cloud Marquis, and Lingyi State Preceptor joined forces to besiege Young Master Chuan. The battle caused the moat to burst, flooding the Lotus Market and resulting in the deaths of over 360 people.

Despite facing three formidable opponents, Young Master Chuan emerged victorious, injuring the Crown Prince and Lingyi State Preceptor before calmly escaping unscathed.

Thus, with his martial prowess, Young Master Chuan undoubtedly ranks within the top 50.

After reading this passage, Ning Xiaochuan could only laugh at himself mockingly. Even with his current cultivation, he might not make it into the top 50, let alone in the past.

The reason the "Weapon Ranking List" included this was merely to bolster the Ghost Manor's reputation.

If the Manor Lord of the Ghost Manor couldn't even rank within the top 50, the manor's influence would significantly weaken, which would be detrimental to its development.

Yu Ningsheng stared at the "Weapon Ranking List," analyzing it carefully, and said, "The Demon Emperor cannot be ranked first. Someone else must take that position."

"The Demon Emperor has already mastered the ninth level of the Blood Devouring Demon Art. After the Master of the Martial Palace departs, there will likely be no one in the Yulan Empire capable of opposing him. Could there truly be someone stronger than the Demon Emperor?" Ning Xiaochuan replied.

...

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