Volume One, Chapter 29: The Stakes Grow Higher

"Autumn Burial!"

Everyone present knew the Ranking of Divine Weapons by heart. How could they fail to recognize the blade ranked thirty-second? News had long since spread throughout the martial arts world that Zhao Qianqiu had been killed, though the identity of his slayer remained a mystery. Seeing the Autumn Burial now, an incredulous thought took root in their minds: Could Zhao Qianqiu have died at the hands of this Li Hanzhou?

That was impossible, surely? Li Hanzhou showed no trace of internal energy; he appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary man. How could he have killed Zhao Qianqiu?

"May I ask, Temple Master Li, where did you obtain this blade?" Liang Sheng stared intently at the Autumn Burial, his mouth nearly watering. His sect, the Tyrant Blade Sect, consisted entirely of blade users, and as an expert himself, he found the weapon utterly irresistible. He longed to rush forward and snatch it away, but with so many people present—and the Holy Master of Taixuan watching—he dared not make such a move.

"I found it. Why?" Li Hanzhou observed their expressions, assuming they were unimpressed by its appearance. "Don't let its looks fool you. It’s actually extremely sharp—a truly fine weapon."

"Found it?" Zhao Wuxing and the others rolled their eyes. *You’re quite the finder, aren't you? Where did you find it? Tell me, so I can go find one too.*

"Yes, found it," Li Hanzhou insisted. *As if I’d tell you I killed a man and took it from him. You old fogies don't look like good people; what if you report me to the authorities?*

"We accept the wager!" How could they refuse such an opportunity? All three sects agreed immediately. To hesitate would be an insult to the Autumn Burial itself.

"Then let us begin without delay!" Liang Sheng was impatient. To him, this divine weapon was more alluring than any woman; he imagined himself sleeping with it in his arms every night. Even the Holy Master of Taixuan was surprised to see Li Hanzhou put the Autumn Burial on the line, feeling a sudden urge to join the wager himself. It was, after all, the Autumn Burial.

The Grand Elder stood to the side, stunned. Zhao Qianqiu’s blade was in Li Hanzhou’s hands? Could he have really just "found" it?

There was no time for deeper reflection. The three sect leaders, eager to begin, rose and led their disciples outside to prepare for the so-called sparring match.

The Changsheng Temple possessed a massive arena. Long abandoned as the disciples dwindled, it had been cleaned up over the past few days by the Shenji Chamber of Commerce, and it now looked quite impressive. Everyone gathered around the perimeter.

Liu Dongyue stepped onto the platform, looking reluctant. As he appeared, the disciples of the three sects glared at him with intense malice. Liu Dongyue shivered; he felt the weight of their hatred, their gnashing teeth, and their murderous intent. If looks could kill, he would have been riddled with holes already.

"Senior Brother, go for it!"
"Senior Brother, crush them!"

Yun Qianzhu and Shi Ming, who had also arrived, watched the stage with excitement. It had been years since the Changsheng Temple had seen such a lively event, and they were eager to watch their Second Senior Brother display his prowess.

"Shh!" Liu Dongyue quickly motioned for them to be quiet, hoping not to provoke any more enemies.

"Senior Brother is invincible!"
"Senior Brother is invincible!"

Seeing his reaction, the two were even more excited, convinced their Senior Brother was just being humble. Liu Dongyue had once inadvertently let slip that he had finished first in the Taixuan Holy Land’s disciple assessment. In the eyes of the two youngsters, he was the definition of invincible. Any so-called "heavenly prodigy" had to stand aside for him. Liu Dongyue was left speechless.

"Since the people from the Taixuan Holy Land are here, might I ask you to bear witness to this match?" Li Hanzhou stepped forward, cupping his hands toward the Holy Master and the Grand Elder. "You heard the wagers, and with you here to witness them, I needn't worry about anyone backing out."

The three sect leaders were speechless. *We’re the ones worried about you backing out!*

"Our disciples will take turns sparring with yours," Liang Sheng declared. "If we lose, the wagers we agreed upon are yours. How about that?"

"Wait," Li Hanzhou waved a hand. "Your disciples will take turns against mine?" He scoffed. "You have some nerve. My temple only has one disciple, Liu Dongyue. If you take turns, he’ll be exhausted before he can win."

"Rest assured," Zhao Wuxing said with a smile. "Our disciples will show restraint. After each match, my Zhao family will provide a Vitality Pill to help your disciple recover. Once he is recovered, we shall begin the next round. How is that?"

"That seems fair," Li Hanzhou said, reaching out a hand. "Hand them over."

Zhao Wuxing was stunned, not expecting a demand for payment so soon. But thinking of the Autumn Burial, he retrieved a bottle of Vitality Pills and handed them to Li Hanzhou.

"Great!" Li Hanzhou turned to Liu Dongyue on the stage. "Do your best!"

Liu Dongyue felt like crying. *Uncle-Master, you sold me out for a bottle of pills?*

"Wait."

An unexpected voice interrupted. Everyone looked over to see the Grand Elder of the Taixuan Holy Land. He stepped forward, looking slightly embarrassed. "May the Taixuan Holy Land also participate in this sparring session?"

"The Taixuan Holy Land wants in?" The others changed expression. *If Lu Tianxing joins, is there any suspense left? The Autumn Burial will surely end up in the hands of the Taixuan Holy Land. Who would dare challenge them?*

"Sure," Li Hanzhou said, indifferent.

"However!" The Grand Elder, noticing the shift in the others' moods, added, "The Taixuan Holy Land doesn't want your blade. We want an axe—the one your disciple brought back last time!"

"Phew." The three sects breathed a sigh of relief. It was only the Prajna Axe; they could live with that.

"An axe?" Li Hanzhou thought for a long moment before remembering that Liu Dongyue had indeed brought one back. *Wasn't that just a souvenir? Do people actually ask for souvenirs back?* But he didn't mind; it was only being used to chop wood in the temple anyway.

Jiang Yixuan had originally wanted to stop this to avoid offending Li Hanzhou, but upon remembering the Prajna Axe, he decided it would be good to reclaim it. "Since that is the case," Jiang Yixuan stated, "the Taixuan Holy Land will add to the pot. If we lose, our sect’s 'Taixuan Heart Scripture' shall be gifted to the Changsheng Temple."