Chapter 82: Taking Action

Jiang Fan drew his long sword and walked toward the front courtyard. Along the way, Xiao Qing kept chattering, recounting all the major events that had happened in the county city over the past few months.

He already understood who his cousin was. She was Nangong Rou, the daughter of his uncle’s family, two years older than him—a true prodigy. She had come to visit after hearing about the troubles in the Jiang family and had stayed for several months.

“By the way, young master, two months ago, an earth-shattering battle broke out above the county city. The divine might was so terrifying, it seemed as if the city would be destroyed, but luckily, nothing happened in the end!”

“The master said that the Xuantian Mirror has been restored to its rightful place. The city will be much safer from now on!”

“And since that battle, many powerful figures have arrived in the county city. Duels happen often!”

“Just yesterday, the lady was strolling through the streets and encountered an arrogant youth. She injured him, and today someone has come to challenge her. Perhaps it’s because of yesterday’s incident.”

Xiao Qing briefly summarized the events of the past months.

As for the battle above the city, Jiang Fan guessed it must have been Ji Changkong chasing down the watcher.

The Xuantian Mirror restored? Clearly, the imperial court had reissued it to guard the county city.

“My cousin’s cultivation must at least be at the Innate Realm. Who would dare challenge her?” Jiang Fan asked.

“You’re mistaken, young master. The lady is formidable! Madam said she’s already a Dao-entry expert and even has a place on the Human Ranking!” Xiao Qing replied. “Young master, do you know what the Human Ranking is?”

“The Human Ranking?” Jiang Fan pondered and explained, “The Dao-entry realm is a threshold—the first step toward true power. So the ranking was created, listing the top hundred Dao-entry experts. It’s called the Human Ranking. To be on it, one must be under thirty years old. Throughout the empire, those who make it onto the Human Ranking are remarkable talents, each with immense potential for further advancement. I didn’t expect my cousin to be so extraordinary!”

Extraordinary, indeed.

The Song Dynasty had a population of billions. To be ranked among the Human Ranking at the age of twenty was already the mark of an unparalleled genius.

As he stepped outside the mansion, a large crowd had gathered.

The area outside the Jiang residence was usually tranquil. Across the street, a long river flowed, willows drooping on both banks, the scenery picturesque.

But today, it was bustling.

On the river’s surface stood two figures, rising and falling with the waves.

Those at the Dao-entry realm could briefly hover in the air, let alone walk upon waves.

“Master, Madam, look who’s back!” Xiao Qing said joyfully.

“Xiao Fan!” Jiang Zheng’an was observing the river when he heard the voice. He turned, paused for a moment, then burst into delighted laughter, hurried over, grabbed Jiang Fan by both arms, and shook him. “You’re finally back. I thought, I thought… It’s good you’re home, so good!”

“You heartless child! Was it easy to raise you? You leave without a word!” Nangong Yue’s eyes reddened. She took Jiang Fan’s hand, looked him over carefully, and finally asked anxiously, “You didn’t get into any trouble, did you?”

“No! See, I’m perfectly fine!” Jiang Fan replied with a smile.

He glanced at Jiang Zheng’an and knew his father had already told his mother about his situation. He added, “This time, I had a great opportunity. Don’t worry!”

“Worry? Of course I worry!” Nangong Yue huffed. “You don’t care about your mother at all. Your father and I have decided: if you don’t come back in two or three months, we’ll give you a little brother!”

“Ah!” Jiang Zheng’an cast a sidelong glance at his wife, making Nangong Yue pout.

Jiang Fan quickly asked, “Father, who is the person facing off against my cousin? He has quite a presence!”

“Of course he does. That is Yuan Kun from the Hidden God Sect. He just emerged this year and has already defeated Xiao Ran, ranked eighty-nine on the Human Ranking; Grasshopper, ranked sixty-two; and Ma Hao, ranked fifty-one. Your cousin is ranked forty-eight,” Jiang Zheng’an said gravely. “I suspect your cousin may not be his match!”

“My cousin can’t be that easy to defeat, right?”

“Certainly not! She’s a core disciple of Hundred Flowers Valley—her skills are exceptional. But compared to the Hidden God Sect, her foundation is still lacking!” Jiang Zheng’an shook his head. “It’s not promising! Xiao Fan, things are unsettled in the city lately. Be careful. Don’t draw attention to yourself!”

“Don’t worry!” Jiang Fan nodded. “Yuan Kun’s challenge—is he trying to use my cousin as a stepping stone?”

There were only a handful of top sects in the Song Dynasty: Supreme Sword Sect, Primordial Sect, Hidden God Sect, and Star God Pavilion. Slightly lesser ones included Hundred Flowers Valley, Skeleton Temple, and others.

“That’s exactly his intention!” Jiang Zheng’an said. “Yesterday, a disciple from the Hidden God Sect tried to provoke your cousin, but ended up injured. Today, Yuan Kun appeared—he wants to regain face and step on your cousin to climb higher on the Human Ranking! I suspect yesterday’s incident was deliberate.”

The Human Ranking was straightforward: defeat someone and you take their place.

On the river, Yuan Kun spoke, “Nangong Rou, I’ll give you a chance—apologize to my junior and say three times that you are inferior to me. If you do, I’ll let this matter go!”

He was tall and slender, dressed in blue robes, neat and clean.

His fair face had a hint of effeminacy, especially his narrow, gleaming eyes.

“You really think highly of yourself!” Nangong Rou replied, glancing at the shore and spotting Jiang Fan. Her eyes brightened, her gaze flickered.

“That’s confidence!” Yuan Kun raised his head proudly. “Since my debut, all my opponents have been on the Human Ranking, and I have not lost once. When I strike, it’s either death or maiming. Xiao Ran lost an arm; Grasshopper was buried in the desert; Ma Hao had his dantian shattered. Though you are a woman, I will show no mercy. If I strike, at best you’ll be crippled, at worst, you’ll become food for the fish!”

“That’s not confidence, it’s arrogance!” Nangong Rou smiled. “When I learned you’d come to the city, I knew you would challenge me sooner or later. Enough talk—let’s fight!”

“Straightforward. I’ll grant you death!” Yuan Kun said, raising his hand. Eight water dragons appeared around Nangong Rou, vivid and lifelike.

With a squeeze of his palm, the dragons attacked.

“A petty trick!” Nangong Rou raised her brows, exhaled a mist, which instantly enveloped the eight water dragons.

In a flash, the dragons transformed into eight dragon maiden flowers, falling into the river.

“The Hundred Flowers Valley’s techniques are truly exquisite!” Yuan Kun exclaimed. A flash of light appeared in his hand—a long spear—which he thrust forward.

The speed was like lightning; the spearpoint was already upon her.

Nangong Rou retreated. Light flowed from her fingertips, forming a purple rose.

The rose immediately bloomed, emitting layers of light to block the spear.

At the same time, a fragrant aura attacked.

“A paltry skill!” Yuan Kun snorted. His spear trembled, stabbing eighteen times, shattering the rose’s defenses and piercing Nangong Rou’s figure.

The scene drew gasps from the crowd on the shore.

Yet, in the next moment, Nangong Rou appeared behind Yuan Kun, holding a purple rose, aiming it at the back of his head.

“Hundred Flowers Valley has a unique art called Flower Shift Mirage. As a core disciple, how could you not have learned it?” Yuan Kun had anticipated this. He spun, his spear gathering a sharp edge, piercing the void.

Crack!

The figure shattered once more.

“This isn’t good!” Yuan Kun was shocked. “You’ve cultivated Flower Shift Mirage to the formless, shapeless level—I truly underestimated you!”

He didn’t turn around. Instead, a mirror flew from his body, its light flashing, blocking Nangong Rou’s attack from the left.

Then, the mirror rotated, emitting a beam that struck Nangong Rou, causing her to freeze, as if trapped in a swamp.

“You are remarkable, but it’s unfortunate you met me!” Yuan Kun turned, his expression cold. “When I strike, it’s either death or crippled!”

“Your confidence comes only from your treasure,” Nangong Rou replied with scorn.

She struggled fiercely, but could not escape the mirror’s light.

“That’s a skill in itself, isn’t it?” Yuan Kun said, thrusting his spear.

Nangong Rou urged her purple rose, barely fending off the attack, while retreating toward the shore.

But the mirror’s constraint left her in imminent peril.

Her gaze shifted to the shore, a look of sorrow in her eyes. “Aunt, uncle, your niece’s skills are lacking—she’s about to die here. Please don’t seek revenge for me. And cousin, to see you once before dying makes my death worthwhile. I only ask that you preserve my body and bring it home for burial.”

Her expression was mournful, her eyes filled with despair, yet she stared intently at Jiang Fan.

“Rou’er!” Nangong Yue cried in alarm, about to rush forward, but Jiang Zheng’an grabbed her. “Let me go!”

“I’ll go instead!” Jiang Fan said, dashing forward, thinking to himself: this cousin of mine, oh!