Chapter 47 Si Gu Jian!
Night time, the palace.

In the deep palace, the glazed tiles on the eaves were bathed in the dim light, emitting a faint milky white color. In contrast, the high walls stood tall, giving people a sense of loneliness and oppression.

Inside the imperial study, Emperor Qing was facing the star-like lights, reading memorials and handling a large number of government affairs.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

Eunuch Hou looked panicked and trotted into the imperial study.

The palace guards in charge of guarding the palace all looked over with surprised expressions. Even Gong Dian, who was standing by, was no exception. It was rare to see the eunuch so flustered. Except in front of His Majesty, no one could make him look so anxious.

"Just tell me if you have any news. Why are you so impatient?" Emperor Qing raised his eyelids slightly and saw that Eunuch Hou came to him without stopping for a moment. He opened his mouth and blamed him, "How can you be so rude?"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me." Eunuch Hou wiped the sweat off his forehead and adjusted his tone, saying, "News came from outside the palace that Si Gu Jian, one of the four great masters in the world, is now outside Kyoto and will enter the city tomorrow."

"Oh?" Emperor Qing was leaning on the couch, wearing a silk gown, with his head down, writing something. Even the expression on his face could not be seen, but his tone was very calm: "Who are the people accompanying you?"

Eunuch Hou coughed lightly and responded respectfully: "According to the spies' report, he is now five miles outside the city, with several carriages. It should be his disciples who are following him. But there is no news from other cities, and no one knows how he got here."

Emperor Qing glanced at Eunuch Hou's expression and said quietly, "It's not so easy to find out the whereabouts of this great master. I don't blame you."

After hearing this, Eunuch Hou let out a long breath and his muscles relaxed.

"Since he was able to get out of Kyoto without making any noise, why would he release the news tonight?" Emperor Qing raised his eyebrows and said, "What other news do you have? Tell me all at once!"

“Yes, yes.” Eunuch Hou hastily added, “Si Gu Jian said that he will go into the city tomorrow to ask Li An to solve his doubts!”

Emperor Qing smiled slightly, with a hint of sarcasm on his face: "This master is so particular. He came to the capital of another country and was so upright and aboveboard that no one could find fault with him."

Eunuch Hou did not respond, but lowered his head and stood silently by the side.

The atmosphere suddenly became cold and severe. After a moment, Emperor Qing said coldly: "Send someone to keep an eye on them."

"Yes, I'll do it right away." Eunuch Hou put on a smile, left the imperial study, and went to make arrangements.

·····
On the next morning, the lord of Dongyi City, Si Gu Jian, one of the four great sword masters who lived in Jianlu, came to Kyoto in person to ask for advice from Li An in Wanshizhai in the city. Then the news spread in Kyoto.

Overnight, countless martial arts masters and strong men gathered on the road from the East City Gate to Wanshizhai, waiting for Si Gu Jian's carriage to enter the city, wanting to catch a glimpse of the master.

Ordinary people may never have the chance to see a master nowadays in their entire lifetime.

Apart from Ye Liuyun who left Beijing and the Northern Qi's National Master Ku He, the only remaining mysterious master in the Imperial Palace was in Kyoto. But what kind of place was that Imperial Palace? How could ordinary people go there?
Therefore, the arrival of Si Gu Jian is the only chance for ordinary warriors to meet the master!

"It's really above board!"

After Li An learned about this, on the one hand he was impressed by Si Gu Jian's confidence, and on the other hand he was full of curiosity.

How powerful is this Si Gu Jian?

Unfortunately, if you want to know the answer, you can only try it yourself. But that would mean death. Except for the master, all those who have seen Si Gu Jian use his sword are dead.

And a master would not be so bored as to come out and tell everyone about the other person's abilities.

"Open the door and welcome guests." Li An tilted his head and looked at the disciples who were studying: "Tong'er, your ears are all perked up, how can you concentrate on studying? Go, make some tea, the most expensive or the best."

Li An was preparing, and the carriages had already entered the East City Gate. The pedestrians on both sides of the street hid on both sides. Si Gu Jian did not call his disciples to act like this. It was people's spontaneous behavior. Not only the group of warriors, but even ordinary people could sense the unusual aura and automatically made way.

Outside the gate of Wanshizhai, carriages were parked, and at the end of the alley, there were countless masters.

The Crown Prince and Gong Dian, the Second Prince and his eight generals, Ye Zhong's son Ye Wan, and everyone from the Supervisory Council were all clearly distinguished among the crowd.

On the roof not far away, Hong Sixiang and Yan Xiaoyi were standing in the breeze.

People in the carriage got out one after another: Yun Zhilan, Wang Shisanlang, and the other ten of Si Gu Jian's thirteen disciples had all gotten off the carriage and stood on the ground.

Twelve swordsmen at the ninth level!

Everyone present was shocked when they saw this. There were twelve of them!

As for the ninth-rank warriors from the Qing Kingdom, there were only five of them present, apart from the masters in the army! Not to mention the Grandmaster Si Gu Jian!

Wang Shisanlang came to the front of the carriage and helped his master down. Among the crowd, those with good eyesight were able to see the great master clearly!

Is this old man with scars all over his face the legendary Sword Saint of Dongyi City who has unparalleled swordsmanship and killed countless people?
Everyone's eyes were filled with disbelief, and they surrounded this group of top warriors.

As if they were not used to being watched like this, Si Gu Jian snorted coldly, and everyone felt as if their hearts were hit by a war hammer, and they kept feeling nauseous. Especially a few of them, when they met Si Gu Jian's eyes, they were shocked and the feeling of fear could not stop rising!
Wang Shisanlang stepped forward to open the door and lead the way, and a group of people entered the courtyard one after another.

squeak~
The courtyard door slowly closed, and the inside and outside of the door became two different worlds. The people outside did not leave, but waited silently. Perhaps they themselves did not know what they were waiting for.

"The distinguished guest has come to our house, and our humble courtyard is so bright and glorious!"

A hearty laugh came from inside, and everyone entered the front yard reception room in a mighty procession.

Even though Li An already knew Si Gu Jian's image, he was still stunned when he saw him at this moment.

Beneath this miserable appearance were a pair of sharp and unyielding eyes. Li Ang stood up and bowed, fearing that he would be impolite and neglect his important client!

Si Gu Jian smiled and said, "Didn't you expect that Si Gu Jian, one of the four great masters, would be such a short and elderly man?"

"I admire you! I admire you!" Li An shook his head and said sincerely, "I already knew what you looked like. I just respect the strong. But with all the injuries on your body, I think anyone else would have died long ago."

"How dare you be so rude to the master!" one of Si Gu Jian's disciples in the crowd shouted harshly.

Li An remained silent and ignored the other party.

"You asked me to come, and now I am here!" Si Gu Jian sneered, his voice hoarse: "You asked me to make a big fuss, and now I am being watched by people all over the city. Is this your respect?"

As soon as Si Gu Jian opened his mouth, an invisible pressure suddenly rose in the field. Li Ang's breathing became rapid, and his internal skills began to circulate. Only then did he feel a little better.

Li An's heart tightened, and he said, "Of course I have my own intentions for this action. As for whether it is respectful or not, that is what I think in my heart. As for how others feel about it, it is none of my business."

Si Gu Jian nodded and asked, "Can you please answer my question now, sir?"

"Master Sword Saint, have you brought the money?"

"Of course I brought money. But as you said, half of the wealth of Dongyi City, even if I want to give it to you, I'm afraid you won't be able to take it!" Si Gu Jian frowned, wondering where the man in front of him got the confidence to call out such a sky-high price.

(End of this chapter)