Chapter 145 — Searching the Cultivator's Residence

His brows lifted in delight. "Senior brothers, do not misunderstand. I saw nothing, and I will say nothing! " He was just about to retreat into his room when a figure suddenly appeared behind him. Wei Yong hurriedly turned and saw the Bashan Libationer standing at his back.

"Say nothing. " The Bashan Libationer said softly, "Let him fight. " Wei Yong was puzzled. "Libationer, what do you intend to do?

" The Bashan Libationer glanced at him. "I intend to choose several scholars from the Scholars' Quarters worthy of teaching, and personally pass on to them divine arts and cultivation methods.

" Wei Yong was still somewhat confused.

The Bashan Libationer said smugly, "Just now I pretended to be a loudmouth and blurted out the flaw at Scholar Shen's shoulder, to provoke these scholars and let them know his weakness.

Now that they know the flaw, they will surely strike at Scholar Shen, and Scholar Shen will strike them down.

In this way I can learn the strength of each scholar. Those who can take only one or two moves are no good, certainly; only one who can take three or five moves from Scholar Shen deserves to be taught by me in person. " Wei Yong sighed in admiration.

"What a fine idea! The Libationer is truly clever. By the way, Libationer, what about me. . . " The Bashan Libationer looked him up and down. "How many moves can you take from Scholar Shen? " Wei Yong's head ached. "I have to go out and exchange a few moves with Scholar Shen as well?

" The Bashan Libationer showed a kindly smile. Wei Yong's scalp went numb.

Bang.

A great crash came from outside.

Another scholar was struck to the ground by Shen Mu's palm, and dozens of the courtyard's blue bricks shattered.

The several menial workers repairing Shen Mu's gate and walls were startled as well, each of them frowning.

An old worker said slowly, "Young gentlemen, make a little less noise.

Do not make us repair this every day. " Shen Mu bowed.

"Thank you for your trouble. " He stepped on toward the lane's exit. Passing a scholar, he saw the man's eye twitch, but the scholar did not move. He walked on, and a scholar had just raised a hand to draw his sword when a great boom sounded and the scholar was struck straight into the ground by a single palm, leaving only his head above the surface.

"Less destruction!

" the old worker could not help shouting. Shen Mu hastily turned and made a careful apology, then went on his way out.

Another scholar could not hold back. A continuous twanging sounded, like bowstrings vibrating. The scholar's body flew up and hung upon the wall, and the force of Shen Mu's finger-flicked energy punched several holes in the wall.

The old worker was about to lose his temper; Shen Mu hastily turned and apologized again.

Whoosh— A scholar flew up into the air, then came down flailing, landing head-down on a rooftop, half his body plunged into the house.

Boom—a tremor came. Another scholar was rammed by Shen Mu into the wall. Seeing this, the workers all sighed and groaned, and gave up telling them to make less noise. "I will!

" Shen Mu suddenly felt a foul wind on his back and whirled around.

Before him were sword lights like roaming dragons, dozens of dragons wheeling and diving, dancing around him.

"Roaming Sword Style? " Shen Mu was surprised.

There were truly few scholars who could refine the Roaming Sword Style to such a degree, and to meld dragon intent into the blade with such depth of attainment—it should be Shen Yu. Shen Mu pressed two fingers together, using his yuan qi as a sword. His fingers leaped, and he executed the basic styles—Thrust, Upward, Cloud, Sweeping—striking each dragon-like sword light across the middle and breaking it.

The dragons' radiance scattered, becoming swords that nailed themselves into the wall, humming.

Shen Yu had emptied a whole sword case and showed alarm. His body moved like a dragon as he tried to retreat. Shen Mu bent his fingers and flicked in succession—five sharp reports, thunder from a flicked finger—and sent Shen Yu flying.

"Your strength is not bad.

I would like to see the swordsmanship of that black dragon's young. " Shen Mu offered praise and spoke to Shen Yu. The workers repairing the wall, seeing Shen Mu's swordsmanship, cheered one and all.

"Young master, the bearing of a grandmaster! "