Eternal Saber-Chapter 346 - 67: Genius Battle

An older man, over fifty, sat at the head of the meeting hall, slightly bowing his head, gently massaging his temples with his thumbs, as he closed his eyes to rest.

However, his tightly knit brows showed he was weighed down by worries, seemingly troubled by something.

At that moment, a tall, slender man strolled in from afar, his pace neither hurried nor slow, yet in the blink of an eye, he was in the meeting hall.

The man appeared no more than fifty, handsome and scholarly.

Shen Che knew, however, that this scholarly man was already over seventy, but because he had reached the Grandmaster Realm, returned to his essence, and appeared a few years younger than him.

"Mr. Ming Yue, you’ve had a long journey, please take a seat."

Shen Che rose from his master seat, slightly bowed, showing great respect to the visitor.

This respect was not only because the other was a Grandmaster.

It was also due to the assistance of this Ming Yue Wanderer that the Shen Family could establish themselves in the Celestial Cauldron Continent, guarding one area.

Moreover, the Ming Yue Wanderer was an old friend of his father’s.

Before his father’s death, he repeatedly urged him to revere Ming Yue Wanderer as a master, to consult him on all matters before passing on the position of Military Lord to him and departing.

The other three Military Lords of the Three Nations were all Grandmasters, of the same generation as his father.

If not for Ming Yue Wanderer’s presence in Chuansi Country, to straighten the military and train a hardened army, Chuansi Country might have been devoured by the Three Nations during the chaos ten years ago.

Ming Yue Wanderer nodded with a smile, took his seat as advised, and said, "Yu’Er has returned safely."

"Thank you for your care, Master."

Shen Che thanked him again, pondered slightly, and said, "During your absence, something happened."

"I heard about it."

Ming Yue Wanderer said, "The City Lord of Prayer City, Feng Boyi, defected."

"Indeed."

Shen Che said, "Fortunately, Master reminded me before leaving to keep an eye on him, which prevented a great disaster in Prayer City. The chaos in Prayer City has settled, only the father and son escaped."

"Prayer City’s loss is not significant this time, but his son Feng Xing defecting with him makes this Old Capital Genius Battle a bit tricky."

Mentioning this matter, Shen Che’s expression turned grim, and he said angrily, "Among the younger generation, Feng Xing has a good background, and the highest martial arts talent. I held high regard for him, originally wanting to observe him for a bit longer."

"But it’s a pity that the Feng Family was too impatient and wanted to propose to me even before the Old Capital Genius Battle began!"

Ming Yue Wanderer said, "The father and son had their eyes on your family’s fortune."

Shen Che sighed lightly; how could he not know?

He once had another son, whose military and martial arts talent was no less than his, but unfortunately, he died on the battlefield over a decade ago.

Now, he only has one daughter, Shen Yu.

The Feng Family’s proposal was merely to naturally inherit the position of Military Lord of Chuansi Country after his passing.

Shen Che indeed considered recruiting a son-in-law for Shen Yu, so after their marriage, if any offspring bore the Shen surname, they would become the future Military Lord of Chuansi Country.

Feng Xing was initially someone he quite admired.

Sadly, however...

Shen Che said, "The Old Capital Genius Battle is about to start. With Feng Xing, there was a chance for a top five ranking. Now that he defected to Beihai Country, the remaining young ones in the military aren’t outstanding, afraid they’ll be wiped out."

Ming Yue Wanderer said, "Yu’Er brought back two young people from the Divine Land. The two caused trouble on Hermit Continent and, upon landing, were to go to the Old Capital to leave by ship. I took the initiative to disguise them and brought them back to the mansion."

"One of them can solve the problem of the Old Capital Genius Battle for the Military Lord."

"Oh?"

Shen Che raised his eyebrows and asked, "How old is he, and what cultivation level?"

Ming Yue Wanderer said, "He should be under twenty, Fifth Grade."

"Fifth Grade..."

Shen Che asked, "Does he have a chance to get into the top five?"

"Yes."

Ming Yue Wanderer spoke with certainty.

Shen Che said, "Originally, I didn’t plan to go to the Old Capital this time. Going would be an embarrassment, and I will surely be ridiculed by those three. If he can get into the top five, I can consider going to take a look."

After a moment of silence, Shen Che asked again, "Can this person do it?"

Ming Yue Wanderer smiled slightly and said, "This person is in the mansion. If the Military Lord is concerned, you can ask him yourself."

"Alright, I’ll take a look."

Shen Che got up and walked toward the outside.

Ming Yue Wanderer did not follow, saying, "I won’t go over."

Shen Che took a few steps, halted suddenly, turned back, and asked, "Master just mentioned they caused trouble on Hermit Continent; how big was the trouble?"

"Quite big."

Ming Yue Wanderer said.

Pausing for a while, Ming Yue Wanderer said again, "Also, when Yu’Er went to Hermit Continent, someone posted a bounty at Shadow Tower, hiring a Hermit to assassinate Yu’Er."

Shen Che squinted slightly, asking, "Do you know who it is?"

"You should guess it."

Ming Yue Wanderer didn’t respond directly, his tone calm.

Shen Che’s expression gradually darkened, his fists clenched.

After a while, he gradually released them.

...

The reception hall.

The three had been waiting here for a long time.

Chen Tang and Ye Yushi both had the patience to wait, but Shen Yu was somewhat restless, frequently running to the door to peek.

Not long after, a middle-aged man walked in with brisk, large strides.

Chen Tang raised his eyes to look.

The man’s face was determined, his skin weathered, his stature not tall but extremely robust, his fingers thick, his demeanor commanding, and he exuded a unique aura, clearly honed through battles on the battlefield.

Shen Yu was about to speak, her eyes shifted, but she remained silent, only sneaking glances at the newcomer.

Shen Che’s gaze swept over Chen Tang and the other two, finally resting on Shen Yu’s face, snorting lightly, "What’s this? After going out once, you don’t recognize your own father?"

"Father!"

Shen Yu couldn’t keep up the act, she chuckled, rushing over, and threw herself into Shen Che’s arms, looking up with a smile, "I was wearing a mask, how could you recognize me?"

"No matter how many layers of masks you wear, you can’t fool me."

Shen Che reached out and gently removed the human skin mask from Shen Yu’s ear, speaking softly, "Take it off once you’re home, no need to wear it here."

"Okay!"

Shen Yu nodded.

Shen Che turned to look at Chen Tang and Ye Yushi, saying, "I am Shen Che, the Military Lord of Chuansi Country."

"I am Chen Tang, Jade Flute, greetings to the Military Lord."

Chen Tang and Ye Yushi stood, slightly cupped their hands in salute, performing a Jianghu courtesy.

Shen Che nodded, saying, "I heard you caused some trouble on Hermit Continent and intend to sail back to the Divine Land?"

"Exactly."

Chen Tang nodded.

Shen Che said, "In fact, even if you reach the Old Capital, you might not find a ship. Traveling to the Divine Land and back takes too long and is too risky; hardly anyone wishes to go to sea."

Saying this, Shen Che changed the subject, saying, "However, I can send someone to take you out to sea and to the Divine Land."

Hear the meaning in the words.

Chen Tang and Ye Yushi exchanged glances, asking, "What conditions does the Military Lord have?"

Shen Che said in a deep voice, "I want to ask you to help me, and help Chuansi Country, in a genius battle in the Old Capital."