Martial Arts Crossover: Me, the Immortal Venerable, Opens a Pawnshop in the Martial Arts World

The next moment, however, the news appeared that "Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng have agreed to a duel at the Forbidden City."

He couldn't help but throw his head back and burst into laughter.

"Hahaha!"

"Although the Ming Dynasty often feigns weakness to the outside world, this is the first time in the entire land that someone has directly challenged us to a duel on the rooftop of our own palace!"

"I wonder if Zhu Houzhao's face is already green with envy by now?"

Yuan Tiangang, sitting opposite him, also chuckled and shook his head:

"The summit of the Bauhinia Mountain, the residence of an emperor, was chosen as the site of a duel. For the Song Dynasty, it was a display of courage; for the Ming Dynasty, it was a disgrace."

"Such behavior is almost equivalent to slapping an emperor in public."

A hint of mockery flashed in Li Shimin's eyes as he gloated:

"I bet Zhu Houzhao was overjoyed when he first saw that Ximen Chuixue came from the Song Dynasty, thinking that such a talented person had won his heart."

"Then I heard they were going to have a sword fight on his rooftop..."

"What a pity, I can't see him in his furious state."

In a secluded valley during the Song Dynasty.

A middle-aged man dressed in coarse white cloth, with an ordinary appearance, suddenly had a glint of light in his eyes!

That gaze was like a sword drawn from its sheath, its sharpness fully revealed, transforming into an invisible sword aura that instantly shredded a patch of weeds in front of it into dust.

"Sword God?"

"On the fifteenth of September, when the moon is full, shall we have our final battle atop the Forbidden City?"

"She does have some guts..."

"A decisive battle at the summit of the Forbidden City?!"

Outside the Yong'an Pawnshop in Beiliang, Lü Xiucai suddenly stood up, his expression changing instantly, his eyes filled with shock.

"Isn't that where the Ming Dynasty's imperial palace is located?"

"Ximen Chuixue is one thing, but that Ye Gucheng, has he gone mad?"

"There are countless famous mountains and rivers in the world, why choose this place, the emperor's residence, to compete?"

Xu Nian took a large gulp of strong liquor to calm his emotions before slowly speaking:

"These experts on the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking are not only becoming increasingly renowned, but their actions are also shocking and unconventional!"

Those around him nodded in agreement.

A sword duel to the death in the Ming Dynasty palace—this was more than just a sensation in the martial arts world.

It was truly earth-shattering!

Within the territory of the Great Qin, like a sleeping black beast, it lay prostrate on the earth, in front of the Zhangtai Palace, the central city of Xianyang.

Ying Zheng stood with his hands behind his back, his black robe fluttering, his eyes gleaming with a cold light, making no attempt to conceal his contempt.

"Two outlaws from the martial world dare to challenge each other to a duel atop the imperial palace..."

"Emperor Zhu Houzhao of the Ming Dynasty was indeed an incompetent ruler, occupying the throne without any real power!"

In Ying Zheng's mind, below the celestial beings, only the emperor was supreme.

The imperial palace is the seat of imperial authority and dignity.

If anyone dares to provoke him in the Qin royal palace, he will make sure that no one is left alive, and not a blade of grass grows there!

The Imperial Palace of the Ming Dynasty.

A master of the Six Doors scaled the wall and ridge, swiftly approaching, kneeling before Zhu Houzhao, and whispering his report:

"Your Majesty, Lord Guo has been away from the capital for several days due to the trouble caused by a cult, and has not yet returned."

Zhu Houzhao's body trembled, as if his soul had been ripped away, and he slumped onto the dragon throne, his voice trembling slightly:

"Guo Bujing...is not in the capital?"

The expert lowered his head, not daring to look directly at him, his tone filled with fear:

"Your Majesty, we have indeed left the capital."

"well……"

Zhu Houzhao waved his hand and sighed deeply:

"It seems even the heavens are not on my side!"

"Such a loyal and brave person is unparalleled in the Ming Dynasty."

"But when I needed him most, he was thousands of miles away."

The expert from the Six Doors felt a chill run down his spine, instantly understanding who His Majesty was thinking of.

Upon receiving the summons, he rushed into the palace, keeping an eye on the changes in the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking along the way.

He knew that without a master-level combatant in charge, even if the emperor himself came, it would be difficult to subdue someone like Ximen Chuixue.

After a moment of silence, Zhu Houzhao took a deep breath, mustered his strength, and said in a low voice:

"That's enough, that's enough!"

"Although the Grandmaster is extraordinary, I have laid down numerous restrictions. I do not believe he can truly break through this inescapable net!"

"As for Ye Gucheng, he's nothing more than a swordsman at the Innate Realm. I should capture him quickly and then join forces to surround Ximen Chuixue!"

At this moment, the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking shimmered with golden light, and the rankings were updated.

[Ximen Chuixue, ranked twenty-seventh on the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking. He dedicated his life to the sword, his obsession reaching divine heights. He spared no effort in pursuing the ultimate swordsmanship, truly a saint among swordsmen. His swordsmanship is unwavering, and his talent exceptional; he has been specially bestowed with a seed of sword intent.]

"Hoo... the seed of sword intent."

"It seems that Ximen Chuixue's strength will not improve by leaps and bounds in the short term."

Inside the Ming Dynasty palace, Zhu Houzhao felt somewhat relieved upon seeing this reward.

Previously, he was worried that Ximen Chuixue would obtain a heaven-defying opportunity, leaving the Imperial Guards helpless.

however--

Before he could fully relax, the Heavenly Ranking changed again. The moment the new ranking appeared, Zhu Houzhao's pupils shrank, his body stiffened, and his mind was shaken!

[Ranked twenty-sixth on the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking, Lord of Baiyun City overseas of the Great Ming Dynasty—Ye Gucheng!]

"Ye Gucheng, the Lord of Baiyun City?"

"Is that the swordsman who challenged the Sword God Ximen Chuixue to a duel atop the Forbidden City?"

"Absurd! This person was never on the list before; everyone thought he was a master of the Innate Realm. Who knew... he would be ranked above Ximen Chuixue!"

"That's right! Ye Gucheng is actually a Grandmaster, and ranked even higher, his strength surpasses even that of others..."

"So, this duel isn't a one-man challenge against the Sword God, but a battle between two grandmasters at their peak?"

"A golden age is dawning! When has the martial world ever witnessed such a grand spectacle?"

"Grandmasters always live in seclusion, yet two of them have openly challenged each other to a duel atop the Forbidden City—no! I must rush to the Forbidden City of the Ming Dynasty to witness this battle with my own eyes!"

"Hahaha, I have studied swordsmanship for decades, and have been stuck at this level for a full ten years. If I could witness the ultimate duel between two sword masters, I would surely break through the shackles and take another step forward!"

When Ye Gucheng's name appeared on the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking in the heavens above, the world was shaken once again!

The situation was particularly intense in the martial arts world surrounding the Ming capital, where countless martial artists and chivalrous figures rushed towards the capital upon hearing the news.

They originally thought it was just a contest between a grandmaster and a master of innate level, but who knew...

It was actually a decisive battle between two true masters!

This……

It was a once-in-a-lifetime event!

In the imperial city of the Han Dynasty, Liu Bang reclined leisurely in the imperial garden, his eyes slightly shifting.

"Two grandmasters?"

"Only five people have appeared on the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking so far, and three of them are from the Ming Dynasty..."

Fortunately... Ye Gucheng and Ximen Chuixue are not as unruly as Guo Bujing.

"Judging from their challenge to a duel at the summit of Zijing, they probably won't submit to the Ming Dynasty, will they?"

"It's more than just surrendering."

Zhang Liang held a fan and gently waved it, a smile playing on his lips:

"At this moment, even Emperor Ming must be having a splitting headache..."

Deep in the secluded valley of the Great Song Dynasty.

A middle-aged man, dressed in coarse cloth, slightly raised his lips, gazed towards the direction of the Ming Dynasty, and sighed softly:

"Although they are just juniors, it is unprecedented in history for swordsmen at the Grandmaster level to clash head-on..."

"It's a pity that this place is too far from the Forbidden City, so I will never have the chance to witness this battle."

A courtyard in the Imperial City of the Ming Dynasty.

Just as Ximen Chuixue finished refining all the sword intent bestowed upon him by the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking, he looked up and saw Ye Gucheng's name hanging high on the list.

His expression remained unchanged, but his right hand slowly tightened, gripping the hilt of the black-sheathed longsword, and a rare hint of anticipation appeared on his cold face.

"Ye Gucheng...you've already gotten ahead of me?"

"I wonder what kind of spectacle your 'celestial being descending from heaven' truly possesses!"

Inside Yong'an Pawnshop.

Lu Xiucai gasped, his face filled with astonishment:

"My God..."

"When did our Great Ming Dynasty produce so many grandmasters?"

"I always thought Guo Jing was the number one martial arts master in the Ming Dynasty..."

"What do you think? Who doesn't?" Xu Nian rolled her eyes and glanced at Bai Zhantang.

Before the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking was revealed

He also firmly believed that Guo Juxia was the only grandmaster in the Ming Dynasty, and there were very few like him in the world!

But now...

Grandmasters are appearing one after another, like bamboo shoots after a spring rain—

His understanding had already been shattered.

Inside the Forbidden City of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Houzhao, who had been beaming with pride, suddenly turned ashen-faced.

Grandmaster?

Damn it!

Is Ye Gucheng also a grandmaster?

And its ranking is even above Ximen Chuixue?

This means that tonight, two master swordsmen will fight to the death atop his palace.

If the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking hadn't revealed this matter in advance, he probably would have been terrified out of his wits by the sudden decisive battle tonight!

anger!

Thinking of this, Zhu Houzhao's anger surged.

However, after the anger came a deep sense of powerlessness.

The power of a Grandmaster... is terrifying!

Even if one cannot slaughter an entire army, one can move freely among ten thousand horses!

The only Grandmaster Guo Bujing who is currently loyal to the royal family is not in the capital. Ordinary members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Six Doors are simply unable to stop the two of them!

In other words-

Even though the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking made this duel public, the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty was still helpless and could only watch helplessly!

If this matter were to spread throughout the land...wouldn't Zhu Houzhao lose all face?

Wouldn't the people of the world say that my Great Ming Dynasty has many skilled people, but no one can win their hearts?

Wrong!

Thinking of this, Zhu Houzhao slammed his fist on the table in anger and began to curse, completely disregarding his imperial dignity:

"They are all unparalleled masters of our Great Ming Dynasty!"

"Instead of serving their country, they dare to fight to the death in my palace!"

"If these two grandmasters were to return to the court, what dynasty could rival the might of our Great Ming?"

The Yellow River flows far up to the white clouds, a lone city stands amidst ten thousand mountains. Why should the Qiang flute lament the willows, for the spring breeze does not reach Yumen Pass.

Ye Gucheng, the Lord of Baiyun City, has lived his entire life for the sword, and has been a pure and devoted swordsman since childhood!

With a heart as cold as frost, he devoted his life to the ultimate swordsmanship, slaying over a hundred renowned swordsmen along the way, ultimately reaching the realm of Sword Saint. Looking across the entire martial world of the Ming Dynasty, there was only one person he truly respected—Ximen Chuixue!

Ye Gucheng was like a celestial being in the clouds, ethereal and otherworldly, yet beneath that transcendent aura lay an extremely sharp killing intent. His heart was as desolate as a cold night; in this life, only white clouds kept him company, and the azure sea was his neighbor, as he alone sought the true meaning of the sword in a desolate place.

[His self-created ultimate technique, "Celestial Ascension," pushes swordplay to its peak. With a single strike, it's as if a celestial being descends to earth, unmatched!]

[In order to further improve his swordsmanship, he made a pact with Ximen Chuixue on the fifteenth of September to have a duel atop the Forbidden City!]

[He has now entered the early stage of the Grandmaster realm!]

[Ye Gucheng, Lord of Baiyun City, has risen to twenty-sixth place on the Nine Provinces Heavenly Ranking. Reward: Innate Sword Bone Seed!]

"I see... September 15th, the full moon, at the summit of the Forbidden City..."

"This Ye Gucheng is none other than Ye Gucheng, the one who vowed to fight Ximen Chuixue to the death!"

"Two master swordsmen are actually going to duel at the highest point of the Ming Dynasty Imperial Palace. This battle will likely cause His Majesty to lose face completely..."

"Isn't it said that the Ming Dynasty still has Guo Juxia, a master of unparalleled righteousness? Could it be that even he couldn't stop this?"

"Swordsmen, especially those as pure and unadulterated as Ye Gucheng and Ximen Chuixue, their duels are about conviction and the Dao; how can outsiders interfere?"