I Truly Am The Villian

Chapter 1141: Chapter 1140 Going to Lianjian Academy, Challenge

“Third Uncle Master, that person is right above us; he’s the one who injured Senior Brother Ming.”

Footsteps and voices rose in unison from the staircase.

“Do not rush to judgment,” a magnetic voice responded.

Immediately following that, the group ascended to the second floor.

Besides the few familiar young people from before, this time there was an addition of an old man.

The old man was dressed in a blue robe, with a pattern of two crossed swords on his chest.

A beard hung down to his chest, and at his waist dangled a blue longsword.

“Seems like trouble’s brewing,” Xu Zimei said with a smile.

Xie Changliu’s gaze was fixed as he slowly stood up, looking towards the group that had come up.

“I am Liu Changlin from Lianjian Academy. May I ask who you all are?” The old man didn’t put on airs but introduced himself serenely and inquired.

Xu Zimei smiled without a word.

“Xie Changliu,” Xie Changliu replied indifferently.

“Why have you injured students from our Study Palace? Please provide a reasonable explanation,” Liu Changlin spoke.

“Does mockery and insult towards my master count?” Xie Changliu countered the question.

“I was planning to make a trip to your Study Palace, and now that you’re here, it’s your turn to give me a reasonable explanation.”

“The matter involving Li Zi is different and cannot be equated,” Liu Changlin replied.

“Now, please accompany me for a visit.”

“Fine by me, I’ve also been meaning to meet with the Palace Master of your academy,” Xie Changliu said.

Xu Zimei stood up, rolling his neck a little.

They followed Liu Changlin’s lead, leaving the inn and heading towards Lianjian Academy.

Since Li Zi was not swift on his feet, Xie Changliu supported him.

“If there’s danger later, don’t worry about me and just leave,” Li Zi reminded.

“They won’t do anything to me as long as I don’t hand over the Sword Canon.”

“Master, there’s no need to worry,” Xie Changliu explained.

“I’m just seeking justice, administering a rightful challenge, not trying to make an enemy of Great Zhou.”

Li Zi nodded slightly.

………

Walking on the bustling streets, Chang’an City is divided into the Inner and Outer City.

The Outer City is where the common people live; visitors mostly stay in the Outer City as well.

The Inner City, however, is where Lianjian Academy, some generals, and high-ranking officials reside.

It is inhabited by prestigious individuals of Great Zhou.

Stepping into the Inner City, its bustle was less than that of the Outer City, but the buildings around were all luxurious and grand.

One after another, the deep and imposing mansions stood firm, with various types of trees planted along the sides.

Underfoot were interlocking granite tiles.

“Li Zi,” Liu Changlin, leading the way, smiled.

“Are you still not planning on surrendering the Sword Canon?”

“I do not possess the Sword Canon,” Li Zi spoke placidly.

“I have the authority to make this decision; hand over the Sword Canon, and I’ll allow you all to leave safely,” Liu Changlin said.

“No wonder you brought us to Lianjian Academy, planning to use this as leverage against me,” Li Zi spoke gravely.

“Why persist in such obstinacy?” Liu Changlin shook his head slightly.

“Hand over the Sword Canon, and you’d be benefiting the entire Lianjian Academy, the entirety of Great Zhou.”

“What has Great Zhou to do with me,” Li Zi said coolly.

While they were speaking, they had already arrived in front of Lianjian Academy.

Being too close, they couldn’t make out the full extent of the academy.

Looking up from afar, the northern wall of the academy stretched nearly a kilometer, a considerably large scale.

At the entrance of the academy, students wearing the same style of clothing bustled in and out, with two giant sword lion statues standing on either side.

All around the academy were weapon shops selling swords.

“Please, after you,” said Liu Changlin.

As they entered the academy, the view broadened.

There was nothing particularly surprising to Xu Zimei; it was the usual layout of an academy.

Lofty pavilions stretched towards the sky on both sides, and apart from some trees, all that met the eye was open ground.

“Today is the day when senior students of our Lianjian Academy have their friendly exchanges in the Lianjian Valley. I’ll take you there,” replied Liu Changlin.

“Before you meet the Palace Master, you all should think it over carefully.

And you, Li Zi, you used to be a lone wolf, fearless of life and death. Now with your disciple here, do you still not care?”

The three followed the figure of Liu Changlin, heading further into the Lianjian Academy.

After passing through several tree-lined boulevards, they began to hear the buzzing sound of a bustling crowd.

The so-called Lianjian Valley was a small valley wrapped in countless broken swords.

All around the small valley were various broken swords stuck into the ground; some were new and intact, while others were rusted and damaged.

In the very front, there stood an exceptionally gigantic sword embedded upright within the valley.

And beneath the giant sword, there were fighting stages set up.

At this moment, the students had surrounded the stages, their cheers and applause incredibly loud.

Xie Changliu slightly lifted his head, he hadn’t drawn his sword but with a mere wave of his right hand, a surge of Sword Intent slashed forth.

With a “boom,” the Sword Intent struck the side of the valley, slicing through it as though it were cutting tofu.

The entire valley above collapsed thunderously, rocks and debris tumbling down from the sky.

“Everyone, take cover,” someone shouted, drawing everyone’s attention to the explosion.

……

“I am Xie Changliu. Where are the Palace Master and Vice Palace Master of Lianjian Academy?” called out Xie Changliu lightly.

“Have you gone mad, disrupting the academy’s grand exchange ceremony like this?” Liu Changlin said in shock.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than several figures approached through the air from the distance.

All of these figures exuded a sharp Sword Qi, especially the two standing at the forefront.

A man and a woman, their Sword Intents faintly intertwining and merging, imparting an impression of natural perfection.

“Li Zi,” the man asked with a slight frown.

“Who unleashed that Sword Intent just now?”

“I have heard that you two represent the strongest Sword Dao in all of Great Zhou; I have come here to challenge you,” said Xie Changliu.

“And you are?” the man asked with a frown.

“A Nameless Loose Cultivator, you wouldn’t have heard of me,” Xie Changliu replied.

Liu Changlin stepped forward and whispered something in front of the group.

The man looked up and exchanged glances with the woman next to him; they seemed to be a couple.

“Bouts are so uninteresting; how about we place a wager instead?” suggested the man.

“What would you like to bet on?” asked Xie Changliu.

“I want the Sword Canon,” the man stated plainly.

“And what is your stake?” Xie Changliu replied.

“If I lose, I’ll let your master take the position of Palace Master of Lianjian Academy. How does that sound?” the man proposed.

“The position of Palace Master is of no interest to anyone,” Xie Changliu shook his head.

“Young man, what do you know,” someone who overheard the conversation, stepped out to retort.

“Within Great Zhou, the position of Palace Master of Lianjian Academy is second only to Emperor Zhou.

Below one person and above ten thousand.”

“What does Great Zhou amount to, anyway?” Xie Changliu said calmly, without any hint of anger.

“If the Time Emperor were still here, his might would be unmatched. But without the protection of the Time Emperor, today’s Great Zhou might just fall into the same state as the former Emperor Ming Empire.”