Li Muzhan sat down opposite Feng Baishan and chuckled, "Since you are a man of Xizhao, how did you come to our Dayang? }:---It seems Tenglong City is sealed off;}"

Fan Peiyao sat down and asked with a smile, "Master, you don't know?"

Li Muzhan shook his head, "Know what?"

Fan Peiyao replied, "Our Dayang and Xizhao maintain trade relations; merchant caravans can move freely in and out."

Li Muzhan paused, then shook his head with a bitter smile. He genuinely didn't know this.

Seeing the Black Hawk Cavalry and the Light Cavalry battalions of the Fierce Cavalry fighting tooth and nail, he had never considered the possibility of trade—it struck him as almost comical, utterly unbelievable. He shook his head with a wry smile.

"Master, how did you recognize Brother Feng?" Fan Peiyao asked curiously, and the other women looked over with equal interest.

Li Muzhan glanced at Feng Baishan and smiled, "We became acquainted through conflict. I went to Xizhao some time ago and crossed paths with Brother Feng; we exchanged a few moves in sparring... If I had known the two nations traded, why would I have gone to all that trouble?"

Fan Peiyao pursed her lips into a smile but didn't inquire about the victor; she could tell from their expressions.

She felt surprised. Brother Feng hailed from the Thunder Sword Peak in Xizhao, renowned for his prestige—a figure of extraordinary genius. She hadn't expected him to be defeated by the Master. In her estimation, although Li Muzhan's martial arts were formidable, there should still be a gap between him and the top master of Thunder Sword Peak.

Feng Baishan held his silver goblet, a smile on his face, but the veins on his hand were visible.

He laughed expansively, "Master Mingkong's martial arts command my profound respect! ... Having the honor of meeting you today, perhaps we could exchange a few more moves? How about it?"

His smile was brilliant and handsome, like a ray of light illuminating the room, making everyone’s eyes gleam. He firmly believed that Li Muzhan had used some secret technique that night, a method to boost potential, and he guessed that such a technique required a specific interval between uses; it couldn't be deployed frequently.

Thus, this monk Mingkong could not use his secret technique again. Without it, his own Thunder Sword style would be sufficient to suppress the monk and reclaim his lost honor.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Today is Miss Fan's treat; there's no need to fight, is there? I shall certainly accompany you another day!"

Hearing this, Feng Baishan grew more certain of his theory. He turned and smiled, "Little sister Peiyao, wouldn't you like to see us spar?"

Fan Peiyao glanced at Li Muzhan and laughed, "Brother Feng, perhaps another day. It is rare that we all have this chance to gather; let us discuss heroes over wine!"

"Little sister Peiyao, could it be that you lack faith in me, worried I might lose face?"

Fan Peiyao laughed heartily, "Victory and defeat are common occurrences in warfare; I don't place such high importance on it."

~●●●.I●■■●●●●11●●●●■●

Feng Baishan’s annoyance intensified, yet his smile grew brighter. "Making friends through martial arts is also a wonderful thing. Master Mingkong, let us exchange a few moves, stopping when we reach a natural point, how about it?"

He smiled pleasantly, the corners of his mouth subtly upturned, revealing a trace of faint mockery.

Li Muzhan, possessing 'Heart Comprehension,' understood Feng Baishan's thoughts perfectly—it was simply that he couldn't accept defeat and wanted to see the monk embarrassed.

However, he genuinely wasn't entirely confident he could win. Feng Baishan's swordsmanship was astonishing; without resorting to the Great Bright King Sutra, it would be difficult to overcome him.

Mei Ruolan suddenly spoke softly, "That is fine too."

Li Muzhan shook his head helplessly and sighed, "Since it is so, sparring a couple of moves is no trouble... How about this: Brother Feng uses his sword, and I will use my saber. Limited to ten moves, agreed?"

"Good!" Feng Baishan nodded slowly. Fan Peiyao looked at Li Muzhan, then at Mei Ruolan, a hint of confusion on her face.

Thirteenth Lady laughed, "Miss Fan, are these three ladies all Master Mingkong’s wives?"

"Wives?" Fan Peiyao's bright eyes widened, and she turned to Li Muzhan, "Master, isn't there the Edict Against Common Customs?"

Li Muzhan gave a wry smile, "Our engagement was settled before the Edict was issued. Once the Edict came down, we couldn't marry; we've been stuck like this, alas..."

This is truly—

Though their faces were veiled, they could tell they were beauties. Wives of such beauty, yet under the Edict Against Common Customs, he could only look but not marry—how could he not be frustrated?

She smiled, "Master need not worry; in a few years, the Emperor will grant a general amnesty, and you can seize the opportunity to repeal the Edict Against Common Customs."

Li Muzhan shook his head bitterly. The current Emperor was in the prime of his life, robust and energetic; he could easily live another thirty or forty years. If he remained on the throne, this Edict likely wouldn't be repealed.

His only recourse now was to accumulate military achievements; through merit, he could petition the Emperor for a personal dispensation to return to secular life. His initial acceptance of joining the army without resistance, leaving Canghai Sect readily, was based on this very idea, but military merit was not easily gained.

Although there were skirmishes and localized conflicts with the Xizhao army, the current scale was insufficient to earn major accolades. Yet, he did not wish for a large-scale war. It is better to be a peaceful dog than a person displaced by chaos; once war breaks out, it is the common people who suffer.

"Master Mingkong is truly blessed with fortune, haha..." Feng Baishan laughed heartily, sweeping his gaze across the faces of the three women, rather presumptuously.

The three women, including Mei Ruolan, felt their skin burn. His gaze seemed substantial, piercing through their veils—even their clothes—making them distinctly uncomfortable. They frowned.

Mei Ruolan's hazy eyes flashed with a murderous intent, sweeping a look toward Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan slowly shook his head.

"Brother Feng..." Fan Peiyao found the behavior improper and huffed lightly.

Feng Baishan shook his head with a smile, "Such exquisite beauty left to wither, what a pity..."

Li Muzhan's expression darkened. He hadn't harbored killing intent, but Feng Baishan was resorting to such tactics just to provoke him into action. Any man would find this unbearable. His face grew cold as he said flatly, "Young Master Feng, let us go outside; there isn't enough room here to use our skills!"

"Good idea," Feng Baishan nodded with a smile and rose. "Little sister Peiyao, let's find a spot downstairs."

"...Yes, let's go downstairs," Fan Peiyao frowned slightly, clearly displeased, but knowing further argument was futile, she stood and led the way, exiting the restaurant.

Changping Tower was situated at the intersection of the East-West and North-South avenues, leaving a wide, open space in front. Night had fallen, and the tower was brilliantly lit; the strings of lanterns outside made the area as bright as day.

However, few people were outside. Everyone knew that by this hour, Changping Tower was already full, and arriving later would be pointless—no seating available. Inside the building, it was bustling; outside, it was strangely desolate. The bright lights, coupled with the faint sounds of music and revelry drifting from upstairs, only emphasized the silence outside.

Li Muzhan and Feng Baishan stood still, facing each other. The three women, Thirteenth Lady, and Fan Peiyao stood behind them. A gentle night breeze carried wisps of fragrance—a blend of cooking and wine scents drifting from Changping Tower behind them.

The night wind stirred Li Muzhan's green robes, making his lapels flutter. He wore a high, leather cap inlaid with a piece of crown jade, lending him an air of nobility. Though his features were plain, his bearing was graceful and cultured.

Feng Baishan was clad in white robes, handsome and dashing, like a refined young master from a chaotic world, capable of captivating any maiden.

Li Muzhan secretly shook his head; in terms of appearance, he was indeed far inferior.

Lost in thought, he slowly drew the 'Severing Mountain Saber.' Immediately, cold light flashed, like a pool of still water rippling under the lamplight. His eyes narrowed sharply, fixed on Feng Baishan. He intentionally chose to use the Canghai Divine Art for this encounter, which meant he couldn't use the Lamp Lighting Technique, nor the Great Bright King Sutra; this was purely his internal energy from the army.

The Great Bright King Sutra was the most potent, the Lamp Lighting Technique second, Canghai Divine Art third, and army internal energy the weakest. This time, he was deliberately using his lesser skill.

"This is a treasured blade, Young Master Feng, be careful!" Li Muzhan inhaled slowly.

Feng Baishan smiled, "Mine is also a treasured sword!"

Li Muzhan said gravely, "Halt—"

With that, the Severing Mountain Saber transformed into a silver torrent, slicing horizontally. Feng Baishan moved his hand, his sword tip just touching the blade—"Clang..." a sharp sound rang out.

Li Muzhan's momentum did not cease, but Feng Baishan's long sword was deflected, forcing him to recoil a step in surprise; he hadn't expected Li Muzhan’s strength to be so immense. With no other choice, he swayed his body and retreated a step, cleaving away the saber's trajectory.

Li Muzhan stepped forward, pressing his advantage. The horizontal cut shifted to a flat sweep, then reversed, forcing Feng Baishan back another step as his long sword parried upward once more.

"Clang..." Li Muzhan’s saber posture remained unyielding, like a mountain, deflecting Feng Baishan’s sword again.

He dropped his smile, furrowing his brow in confusion. Although his cultivation was superior, why was the saber’s force so fierce, heavy, and steady, like a mountain?

Li Muzhan had only learned one form of the Severing Mountain Saber technique, but his insight was exceptional. Through this single form, he constantly delved deeper, digging into the core method and essence of the saber art. As a result, his swordsmanship instantly underwent a complete transformation. His saber strokes appeared ordinary, no different from before—simple and unadorned, just standard army saber techniques, unrefined, direct. But the force behind each stroke was heavy and immovable, solid as a mountain peak, nothing could shake it.

After deflecting and stepping back, Feng Baishan suddenly lunged forward, turning the passive into the active. His sword thrust out with blinding speed; one could not see the blade, only streaks of sword light, like lightning flashing across the night sky. His sword was not only incredibly fast, but its aura was even more astonishing, possessing the might to intimidate all things. The women watched, their expressions changing.

Li Muzhan stood firm as a mountain, holding his long saber high and low to block, letting the lightning-fast sword light rain down. His defenses were impenetrable, yielding not an inch, yet remaining perfectly safe.

"Ten moves are up!" Fan Peiyao called out loudly.

"Clang..." Li Muzhan's Severing Mountain Saber blocked, deflecting the incoming sword. He stepped back, sheathed his saber, cupped his hands, and nodded, "Truly worthy of being a successor of Thunder Sword Peak; magnificent swordsmanship!"

Feng Baishan’s face was grim, his eyes sharp as blades. He slowly sheathed his sword, cupped his hands with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, "Magnificent saber technique! I am impressed!"

Visually, he was at a disadvantage. As the heir to Thunder Sword Peak, the foremost young expert, to be reduced to this state left him profoundly frustrated.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly, gazed deeply at Feng Baishan, then turned, "Miss Fan, I believe we should end things for tonight. Let us gather again another day."

"Master..." Fan Peiyao was startled and quickly said, "Please stay and eat before you go:}"

Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled, "Another day, then."

Saying this, without waiting for Fan Peiyao to speak again, he cupped his hands towards Feng Baishan and strode away. The women, including Mei Ruolan, nodded and followed behind him.

Xiao Yuan caught up to Li Muzhan and tugged his arm, "Mingkong, why didn't you just finish off that fellow?"

Swoosh:: Today will be three updates. I intended to write one more yesterday, but my mind seized up, and I couldn't write anymore. M