“Shangguan Haitang, the master of the number one manor in the world?”

Although it’s a question, the answer is actually confirmed when the name is called out.

Having her identity exposed, Shangguan Haitang naturally didn’t deny it. She generously clasped her hands in greeting to Zhang Weihai, who was three years younger than her but could already unleash thirty meters of sword energy, and said, “Young Master Lingyu, I have long admired your name. Please give my regards to Elder Zhang.”

“Speak, why are you waiting for us here? Others may not know your relationship with Iron-Blooded Marquis, but I know it all. There are very few things in this martial world that I, Zhang Lingyu, don’t know.”

Shangguan Haitang was taken aback at first, then nodded thoughtfully, her eyes instantly focusing on the area behind Zhang Weihao.

I didn’t see that person. Could the news be false, or is it that such a person really willing to stay by Zhang Weihao’s side as a stable boy?

Originally, Shangguan Haitang planned to join forces with other secret agents, such as Guihai Yidao, who had just broken through to the third rank. However, her adoptive father stopped her and told Shangguan Haitang that Sword Emperor Xie Xiaofeng was hiding next to Zhang Weihao and was now using the alias Aji.

Sword Emperor Xie Xiaofeng is among the top ten in the martial arts rankings. He has never been defeated since his debut and is considered the emperor of swordsmanship.

If it were her godfather who took action, there might be a chance to determine a winner, but with just the few of them, what’s the difference between this and sending them to their deaths?

Even without a sword, he is at least a top-tier expert on the level of Cao Zhengchun, the head of the Eastern Depot.

Therefore, Shangguan Haitang traveled light this time, going alone, mainly to test the waters.

There was no way around it; the intrusion of the Evil-Slaying Sword Manual had completely thrown the martial arts world into chaos. As the Protectorate Manor, which was under the supervision of the imperial court, they were under immense pressure, with impeachment memorials piling up in the court.

The mastermind behind this has been under investigation, but unfortunately, nothing can be found. It was done by a very mysterious and powerful force that distributed more than 100,000 copies of the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual to various parts of the Ming Dynasty’s martial arts world almost simultaneously, without anyone’s knowledge. By the time the Dragon Guard Manor discovered it, it was already too late.

Although Shangguan Haitang took action early on, having spies from the Number One Manor spread false information throughout the land to confuse the public and secretly retrieve the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual that had been lost, the effect was still minimal.

When Chu Yunfei, the Evil-Repelling Prince, began to distinguish himself and the authenticity of the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual was confirmed, it was as if the building was about to collapse and there was no way to save it.

Zhang Weihai knew why Shangguan Haitang had come, so he wasn’t surprised. He replied directly to Shangguan Haitang, “The Lin family father and son are here. You can ask them questions, but I must take them back to Mount Hua. If you want to take them away, you can have Iron-Blooded Marquis come to Mount Hua to pick them up yourself.”

“Isn’t Young Master Lingyu being a bit too disrespectful…” Before Shangguan Haitang could finish speaking, she suddenly saw the red-clad young man beside Zhang Weihai appear in front of her. Before she could react, a silver needle was pressed against her throat.

“What did you say?”

“It’s nothing, I think Young Master Lingyu is right. I just don’t know this lady’s name?” Shangguan Haitang’s bottom line is very flexible, otherwise she wouldn’t have been chosen to preside over the number one manor in the world.

The most distinctive feature of the Sunflower Manual is its speed; it is a martial art that takes speed to the extreme, emphasizing that speed is the only way to overcome all martial arts challenges.

In terms of pure agility and lightness skill, even Qi-powered horses couldn’t catch up with Zhang Weihao. After all, he doesn’t plan to cultivate other techniques for the time being, intending to wait until he breaks through to the Innate Realm.

“Xue Qianxun is just an ordinary maidservant by the young master’s side. You are not bad either, little sister. You are about to enter the fourth rank at such a young age. However, hidden weapons are always a minor skill. Don’t use them to embarrass yourself in front of real masters.” Xue Qianxun naturally recognized Shangguan Haitang’s true gender and noticed the hidden weapon she was holding tightly. She was giving her a friendly reminder.

Shangguan Haitang, who was holding the shower of petals and ready to launch a sneak attack at any moment, suddenly changed her expression. This was her biggest secret, which she never expected to be exposed by this woman in red disguised as a man.

Xue Qianxun is different from Shangguan Haitang. Her cross-dressing is not very sincere. She didn’t even wrap her chest properly, and her voice is soft and gentle. You can tell that she is a fake just by listening to her or glancing at her. It’s just that men’s clothing is more convenient and has more taste and aesthetics, somewhat like the uniform temptation of ancient times.

But Shangguan Haitang is different. She wears a chest binder, has even had her sideburns trimmed, and has an Adam’s apple, which suggests she has some kind of special martial arts technique. Her movements and mannerisms are also very masculine.

Although some men are very handsome with feminine features, there are quite a few such elegant gentlemen in the martial arts world. Zhang Weihao and Lin Pingzhi are both of this type. They even have some matching outfits, both dressed in white, looking dashing and debonair.

It was precisely because Shangguan Haitang was so professional that she was suddenly exposed and almost broke down.

“Sister, you’re joking. I just have a feminine appearance and a gentle temperament, but I’m not actually a woman. I do have an Adam’s apple.”

“Alright, I just needed to use the restroom, how about we go together? Let’s see whose is bigger.” Zhang Weihao deliberately teased Shangguan Haitang, making the well-informed and talented head of the number one manor in the world blush and be speechless. He could only bury his head in the sand and stop pursuing the topic of whether it was male or female.

However, Shangguan Haitang was still surprised by the luxurious entourage surrounding Zhang Weihai. It was too extravagant. She knew about the Four Sword Attendants, but she didn’t know they also had their own exclusive sword formation.

Even just the apparent configuration is terrifying.

Four fifth-rank sword attendants, one second-rank sword emperor, plus Zhang Weihai himself with at least third-rank strength, and Xue Qianxun whose strength is unfathomable, this would be considered a royal crew in One Piece, and a top-tier force in the Ming Dynasty’s martial arts world. The high-end combat power of the Dragon Guard Manor on the surface seems to be no match for Zhang Weihai’s side.

Even though Shangguan Haitang was very confident in her adoptive father, she didn’t think he could easily defeat Xie Xiaofeng. Moreover, her two adoptive brothers, Guihai Yidao and Duan Tianya, might not be able to defeat Xue Qianxun and Zhang Weihai working together. There must be some shocking conspiracy behind this.