I Can See Your Combat Power-Chapter 1353 - 645: He Xi’s Single Sword

He had thought that, as a Xu Clan disciple without the blessings of ancestors, reaching this point was already the perfect realm of his dreams.

But after that outing in the greenery, his heart was completely in chaos.

The satisfaction he once felt became tasteless after seeing a bigger world.

Even the recommendation letter he had longed for now seemed superfluous.

Xu Chengyuan, sitting at his desk, had only thoughts of becoming famous in one battle, establishing a Sword Sect, having disciples from all directions come to join, and setting up a powerful presence in Longzhou!

Compared to joining the Divine Sword Army, where he could see his path for the next several decades, Xu Chengyuan preferred the challenging road pointed out by Tang Luo.

Perhaps he was inherently an ambitious man, unwilling to be subordinate to others simply because he had had enough of poverty at the bottom, so he only wanted to climb up with all his might.

He did not wish for his future children to be sent to a Sword Sect for foster care simply because they lacked resources.

Therefore, he had to lay a foundation for his descendants, at least to spare them the worry of cultivation resources!

"Give it my all for a try over two years!"

As Xu Chengyuan muttered to himself, he refolded the white paper and slid it back into the specially made envelope beside him.

"If I can reach the Integration realm within two years, then I will participate in the Twenty-Second Longzhou Youth Martial Arts Conference and take this challenging path!"

"If not..."

Xu Chengyuan placed the tied-up envelope back into the box, murmuring in a voice only he could hear, "At least I still have this path to fall back on."

A child who has experienced misfortune naturally understands the importance of a way out, and this letter was his backup plan in case of failure.

"Chengyuan, Brother, it’s time to eat!"

Tang Nuannuan’s crisp voice sounded from outside; Xu Chengyuan chuckled self-deprecatingly, stood up, and walked out the door.

...

Longzhou Calendar 1788

The ninth day of the third month

Triumph Tower in Dongshan City

For a tavern, the name "Triumph" was considered too spirited and was not favored by literati and poets, but it was deeply cherished by the military leaders and martial artists of the Xu Clan.

In business, the most important thing is to cater to the customer’s preferences, and after realizing that their tavern was frequented by military and swordsman types,

The owner decided to forsake the literati and poets’ market, offering hefty portions of meat, the strongest liquor, and even the singers exuded a unique and hearty demeanor.

The servers were all burly with powerful voices, announcing the dishes as if they were relaying military orders, as though they were attending to generals.

It was with such a business philosophy that Triumph Tower became a unique attraction of Dongshan City.

Warriors felt this was how a tavern should be, and while the cultured might verbally express disdain for its rudeness and vulgarity, they too harbored a certain longing.

After all, Triumph Tower was the Xu Clan military leaders’ favorite haunt, and if one could catch the eye of a commander to be taken in as a staff officer, it would be a meteoric rise.

Amidst such an atmosphere, Triumph Tower, with its unique positioning, was bustling with customers every day, its three towering levels were fully packed, at least the first and second.

The third floor, however, remained unoccupied year-round; regular patrons of Triumph Tower knew that this was a space reserved by the owner for the military leaders of the three battalions.

Yet today, for some unknown reason, the commanders of the Divine Sword Army, usually unseen, made consecutive appearances.

And each one of them went straight to the third floor with a grave expression; the attendant counted - thirteen had gone up in total.

Thirteen commanders of the Divine Sword Army gathering in Triumph Tower, could it be the prelude to war?!

Unintentionally sensing this atmosphere, the customers couldn’t help but lower their voices, straining their ears to catch any noise from upstairs.

"Many thanks to all of you for coming, this cup is raised to you by Xu Lai first!"

"Let’s dispense with these formalities!"

The eldest among the thirteen, Xu Feihu, spoke in a deep voice, "Ah Lai, you said that Divine Sword’s death might be shrouded in mystery. Is that true?"

Merely on Xu Lai’s account, there was not enough face to summon the thirteen leaders of the Divine Sword Army, but as long as it concerned Xu Xiao, these powerful figures in high positions would never refuse.

Nevertheless, the number of attendees was less than what Xu Lai had anticipated, but thirteen was already sufficient!

Draining the cup in one gulp, Xu Lai took out his speculation and some "evidence" to show to the commanders.

After reviewing the evidence presented by Xu Lai, the atmosphere in the private room became even heavier.

Most of those invited to this banquet were already harboring doubts; if they hadn’t believed Xu Xiao could have been set up, they wouldn’t have come at all.

Thus, after they looked at the evidence Xu Lai provided, they were naturally ensnared by his train of thought.

Xu Feihu set down the scroll, his eyes flaming with a bloodthirsty rage, yet still he managed to ask another commander sitting at the table with restrained logic, "Were you not at Hanging Sky City that day? Could you not discern Yun Xiu’s cultivation level?"

The one questioned was Xu Jingliang, who harbored a grave grudge against Xu Xiao. He was the first to respond to Xu Lai’s summons.

He even utilized his influence, constantly lobbying in front of the various commanders of the Divine Sword Army.

One could say that the attendance of the thirteen commanders today was seventy percent due to Xu Xiao’s prestige and thirty percent due to Xu Jingliang’s persuasion.

What they failed to understand, however, was why a previously determined cultivation level would change now.

Following Xu Feihu’s questioning, all eyes at the table turned towards Xu Jingliang’s face.

"The commander walked out with Yun Xiu from the Dutian Sky Mirror, spoke a few words, then suddenly extinguished her divine soul and took her own life. I was greatly shocked, how could I probe Yun Xiu’s cultivation level then?"

After describing the scene at the time, Xu Jingliang continued, "But I distinctly remember, after Yun Xiu left the mirror, she was desperately trying to conceal her aura. Why go to such lengths if not to hide her true cultivation?"

"These are just conjectures."

Xu Feihu furrowed his brows, "Is there any solid evidence?"

Xu Jingliang wanted to speak further but was cut off by Xu Lai, "I have already sent people to Longxi Jiejiang City to gather evidence."

"Then let’s wait for the evidence to arrive before discussing secrets," Xu Feihu said as he stood up, ready to leave.

"If evidence is found, I fear Yun Xiu will no longer be found."

Xu Lai spoke indifferently, "If my suspicions prove true, does Commander Feihu think Yun Xiu would dare to come to Yuanzhou? And with the Yun Clan’s art of disguise, where shall we find this demoness to avenge our father?"

"Then what do you propose?"

"I have requested a Sword Mark."

Pausing for a moment, Xu Lai then said, "If concrete evidence is found, my men will activate the Sword Mark and imprint it on Yun Xiu. I have asked you all here to inquire whether, should that time come, you would be willing to help Xu Lai deliver one sword strike?"

This one sword was the Primordial Sword Command, the greatest achievement of Xu Xiao; to avenge his father with this move would comfort the spirit of Divine Sword in the heavens.

"If that day truly comes, Xu Jingliang will certainly be the first to respond!"

Upon hearing Xu Lai’s proposal, Xu Jingliang slammed the table and stood up, loudly replying.

And the remaining twelve commanders looked at each other, reaching a certain consensus as well.

"If the evidence is incontrovertible, why spare a single sword strike?"

"Xu Lai here expresses gratitude to you all in advance. Should there be any consequences afterward, I will report to the Sword Master and take full responsibility!"