I'm Already the Richest Man, Why Did My System Just Arrive?

Chapter 292: Chapter 177: The Gathering

Zheng Xiu was now getting a firsthand taste of what it meant to love watching a good train wreck.

He had infiltrated the event under the identity of ”Xiao Buping,” just waiting for Xie Luohe to make his move. Idle and bored, he sipped on premium tea that was worth its weight in gold, eagerly anticipating some excitement in the Jianghu.

Zheng Xiu had even deliberately positioned himself and Xiaotao within ”Xie Luohe’s firing range”—perfectly safe.

The ones raising objections were a few burly, bearded men. Dressed in animal-skin coats and straw sandals, they had the look of rustic mountain folk.

The so-called Martial World was no tranquil lake.

To Zheng Xiu, the Martial World felt more like a giant dyeing vat, filled with all sorts of characters, both righteous and evil, who did as they pleased and set their own rules. In the end, it was an unruly circle, impossible to restrain.

Dugu Xiang laughed heartily from the high platform. ”If these friends do not wish to participate, you are free to leave. I certainly wouldn’t dare presume to call myself the Martial Arts Venerable. With so many heroes in the world, who would dare claim such a title? I have set up this banquet on the Sword Inquiry Platform today for two reasons. First, to spar with the great heroes of the world and witness your splendor. Second, I happened to come into possession of a masterpiece by the Gongsun Painting Saint of old. I find myself unable to fully comprehend it, and I simply wish to select a few like-minded individuals from among you to appreciate the painting with me!”

Dugu Xiang’s words left the objectors with uncertain expressions.

Their intentions were plain; their scheme was out in the open. They wanted to force the title of ”Martial Arts Venerable” onto Dugu Xiang, stir the fury of the other heroes, and cause some trouble. As for what they hoped to achieve by making a scene, perhaps only they themselves knew.

However, most of those invited by Dugu Xiang held some standing or fame in the Jianghu; they wouldn’t be so easily used as pawns. Aside from the few who had started the shouting—clearly part of a premeditated plan—the rest of the heroes remained in their seats, calmly watching things unfold, their expressions unruffled.

”Hmph! The rankings of the Weapon Manual have always been decided by Jianghu Bai Xiaosheng. Dugu Xiang, you are the World’s Number One Sword, and I respect that! But for the Dugu Family to decide who is number one in the world? I, for one, refuse to accept it! The tea is good tea, I’ll give you that! But at this martial arts assembly, you couldn’t even invite the recognized top three. Do you really think anyone will accept this new Weapon Manual ranking?”

”Well said!” To everyone’s surprise, Dugu Xiang wasn’t angered. Instead, he laughed and clapped, the crisp sound unnerving the man who had just spoken. The man felt a chill, fearing Dugu Xiang would hold a grudge and retaliate harshly. Just as he was thinking of leaving, Dugu Xiang clapped his hands behind his back. His disciples, understanding the signal, pulled away the red cloth that concealed something from view.

When the object under the red cloth was revealed, the crowd erupted in an uproar. It was a large board, a list, divided into five groups: A, B, C, D, and E. Below each group, a web of crisscrossing lines was drawn, with nails hammered in at the intersections. It bore a striking resemblance to the way the Court selected its Martial Champion. But what truly caused the uproar was the title on the board. It wasn’t the ”Weapon Manual” they had expected, but two words written in a magnificent, flamboyant script—”Hero Rankings”!

Dugu Xiang’s powerful voice boomed like thunder across the Sword Inquiry Platform:

”There are far too many weapons in this world for me to be qualified to judge them or rank them! But as they say, true judgment resides in the hearts of the people! You are all here today, under the vast Heavens and the Scorching Sun, with Heaven as our witness! We can talk about heroes and debate who is a hero, but the final judgment is up to you! Since Jianghu Bai Xiaosheng can create a ’Weapon Manual,’ and I, to my great unease, have been favored by Bai Xiaosheng with the title ’World’s Number One Sword,’ I am deeply humbled! I know there are countless hermits in the world, that there is always someone better, a heaven beyond the heavens, a taller mountain beyond the one you see! But when it comes to who is a hero in this world, I dare to personally enter the fray and contend with all of you! Let our skill in combat reveal the truth of who is a true hero!”

Zheng Xiu frowned.

”Young Master, what is it?”

Xiaotao, who was pouring his tea, noticed the subtle shift in his expression and couldn’t help but lean in to whisper secretively in his ear.

’In truth, she was growing to like this feeling of secrecy. It was becoming addictive.’

’Her Ladyship is watching from a distance. This is so nerve-wracking!’

With so many eyes and ears around, Zheng Xiu didn’t dare mutter carelessly. ’Xie Luohe might be Sharp-Eared, but who’s to say others aren’t too? I can’t just underestimate everyone; that would be a rookie mistake.’ So he put on the air of a carefree rake, taking a lock of Xiaotao’s dangling hair in his hand and twirling it, making a soft RUSTLING sound. He grinned and said, ”Some fresh fruit would be perfect right about now. Grapes and melons from the Western Regions, chilled in an ice cellar, peeled and sliced... now that would be truly splendid.”

Xiaotao looked astonished at his words. Even she felt her young master’s request was... excessive. She lowered her head and said nothing.

Zheng Xiu frowned, patting the inside of his robe without a word.

A thought suddenly struck him.

The Gongsun Painting Saint’s Four Seasons Map had been circulating for nearly a century. It had passed through countless hands, collected by who knows how many buyers.

But before the Former Imperial Tutor was captured by the Court, no one knew of the connection between the Four Seasons Map and Nie Gong’s Treasure Vault.

From his words, Dugu Xiang seemed certain that old Gongsun’s Four Seasons Map held an enormous secret, even using the word ”comprehend” to describe it.

On the night the National Preceptor died, Zheng Xiu had seen him breathe his last with his own eyes.

’Could it be that the National Preceptor left behind the truth of the Four Seasons Map before he died?’

’Or perhaps... he never died at all?’

The ”black hole” he’d glimpsed that night, the terrifying void in Gongsun Mo’s memory, had made Zheng Xiu realize something. The ”National Preceptor” was less a person and more the embodiment of ”fear” within Gongsun Mo’s mind. He couldn’t face the terror named ”National Preceptor,” which was why that strange incident had occurred. ’But the National Preceptor died so suddenly. How could he leave behind such ”fear”?’