The Demon Lords

Chapter 1050: Chapter 252: Scolding Myself

Mr. Chen’s sword cultivation, though not as peerless as the Sword Saint’s, is considered quite advanced.

Thus, since Mr. Chen has said that the swordsmith is coming, it must indeed be that swordsmith.

Lord Zheng was about to get up and leave when two men ascended to the second floor.

Leading them was a man in a white robe, with an undershirt beneath, exuding true noble demeanor;

Indeed, in this era, anyone daring to wear white outdoors is basically either wealthy or noble;

Since poor families dislike wearing white clothes for fear of getting them dirty and ruining them.

Following the robed man was a gentleman with flowing long hair, handsome in appearance, possessing a kind of carefree romantic aura beloved by the Chu people.

Instinctively, Lord Zheng realized the people had arrived.

Leaving now would attract undue attention.

And Mr. Chen seemed to finally realize his misunderstanding, possibly causing an oversight.

Mr. Chen felt it wasn’t his fault since, every previous encounter with Zheng Fan had him perfectly arranged by Zheng Fan and the blind man;

Thus, when meeting Lord Zheng this time, honest Mr. Chen decided not to overthink it.

After all, they’d always plan everything clearly and arrange it well.

But this time, it seemed different.

Zheng Fan’s first impression was that the white-robed man was the swordsmith, because he walked in front, and the other person evidently half a step behind, signifying respect.

In a way,

Lord Zheng, when walking with Lord Jingnan, also adopted a similar position as the person at the back.

However,

It was only when Mr. Chen grasped his sword, stood up, and directed his greeting to the person at the back saying, "Greetings, Sir," did Lord Zheng realize the long-haired man was indeed the swordsmith from Chu State, one of the four great swordsmen.

At that moment,

Lord Zheng’s heart skipped a beat; Few can command such respect behind one of the four great swordsmen.

Li Liangshen from Yan State steps back only when the Yan Emperor or the two Marquises are present. Baili Sword in Qian State merely shows such deference to the ruler, and the Sword Saint of Jin State now seems not to care about showing deference to anyone, even walking side by side with peers;

Chu State... it seems indeed only that one person can make the swordsmith defer, because aside from his prestigious title among the four great swordsmen, the swordsmith’s origin in the Dugu Clan stands as a major noble presence in Chu State, on par with the once-flourishing Qu Clan.

So even if he weren’t a swordsmith, his lineage alone would mean he would not need to bow to many; coupled with being one of the four great swordsmen, his position becomes even more extraordinary.

It’s rumored that this swordsmith’s nature is too carefree; earlier, he assisted Chu State’s Eldest Prince by rallying banners, then oddly shifted to aid the Third Prince, and finally, conveniently positioned himself behind the Fourth Prince, the Regent.

No one knows whether he privately reached some understanding with the Fourth Prince, as it hardly needs probing. Regardless, any prince’s ascension necessitates currying his favor, thus granting him the liberty to play as he wishes.

Unlike Mr. Chen, who bypassed the "honor seat" to greet the swordsmith in the back, Lord Zheng stood up first and paid respects to the white-robed man.

He used the Qian ceremonial greeting.

Lord Zheng, being someone meticulous about details, would never commit an error in such matters.

The white-robed man smiled subtly, with much restraint;

Immediately, without exchanging pleasantries, he took a seat, the swordsmith followed right after.

A square table, fittingly occupied by four people.

The white-robed man pointed to Mr. Chen and said to the swordsmith, "This is Mr. Chen?"

Mr. Chen nodded, saying, "That’s me."

The swordsmith seemed long aware of Mr. Chen’s disposition and responded without the slightest displeasure, smiling instead, "While in Chu State, I’d heard of Mr. Chen’s reputation. Perhaps in twenty years, when Baili Sword retires, Mr. Chen might succeed him among the new four great swordsmen."

Lord Zheng thought this swordsmith certainly had a way with words; no wonder he climbed to become one of the four great swordsmen without ever having drawn his sword, elevated solely by Yu Huaping’s praises.

Subsequently, the swordsmith turned his gaze toward Zheng Fan.

His eyes were pure, truly devoid of any impurity, seeming able to penetrate one’s heart.

However, Zheng Fan wasn’t worried about being seen through, such as realizing he practiced martial arts, because last time when Xue Three extracted a piece of red meteorite that became Mo Wan’s new home, and upon Zheng Fan placing the red "Mo Wan" on himself, the blind man’s mental power couldn’t breach his defenses.

For good measure, Zheng Fan sought out the Sword Saint residing next door and found the same outcome.

This meant Mo Wan’s new form, with a new outer shell, possessed an unimaginable ability to conceal aura.

This also gave Lord Zheng the confidence to stay at Fan Mansion while only needing to focus on dealing with the princess at the royal retreat.

Real masters, even if not as high as a Sword Saint, those around Sixth Rank or even Eighth Rank with a keen sense of aura can discern whether someone is a practitioner.

Thus, sitting there, Zheng Fan could face the swordsmith’s gaze calmly.

"This gentleman must be the student Master Yao took in a few years back, Mr. Su Mingzhe?"