Chapter 46: Exceptionally Honest

"Yao Zhuo?" Liu Three-Blades scrutinized the folding fan swaying in Ji Huo's hand, then nodded in surprise. "So it really is the Flowing Wind Fan! So you’re the 'Folding Fan Gentleman' Yao Zhuo! Your reputation precedes you!"

Ji Huo was taken aback. He glanced at the abstract patterns on the folding fan, having assumed they were random scribbles, never expecting it had a name. But they didn’t recognize Yao Zhuo’s face—only the fan?

"Master Yao, may I ask what you discovered in that village? Won’t you share it with us?" Liu Three-Blades showed no fear; in fact, as he spoke, those behind him stepped forward ever so slightly.

Ji Huo gently waved the Flowing Light Fan in his hand, a light breeze brushing his cheek, stirring a few strands of hair. His lips curled into a faint smile as he replied, "Why don’t you guess?"

Liu Three-Blades paused, his eyes narrowing. With a deep voice, he declared, "Since that’s how it is, let me witness the 'Wind Commanding Hand' of the Folding Fan Gentleman!"

After Yao Zhuo was beaten in the capital, his fame didn’t diminish; instead, it soared. The reason was simple: his alias was exposed, revealing him as a disciple of General Feilian, capable of wielding the legendary Earth-level martial art. The might of that 'Wind Commanding Hand' was witnessed by everyone present—it scraped the palace floors clean. Among the younger generation, anyone who could unleash the 'Wind Commanding Hand' was a walking calamity.

As for the moves he used as the 'Folding Fan Gentleman' before? Sorry, nobody remembers—people only recall the most striking feats.

Liu Three-Blades gripped his blade with both hands, his expression grave. Suddenly, he leaped forward, slashing at Ji Huo.

Ji Huo folded his fan and casually parried. At the moment blade and fan met, Liu Three-Blades felt a surge of force rush from the blade to his wrist, nearly making him lose grip. He was startled—he hadn’t expected the Folding Fan Gentleman, so young, to possess such powerful internal strength. Truly a disciple of a grandmaster!

He borrowed the force to leap again, bringing his blade down once more. This was his second strike. His signature move, 'Three Blades,' was a succession of strikes, each stronger than the last. Few in Jiangnan could withstand all three, and it had earned him much renown. Once caught in his three-strike onslaught, escape was nearly impossible; one had to endure it.

"Interesting," Ji Huo thought, immediately seeing through the essence of the three strikes. His folding fan collided again, this time with even greater force.

Liu Three-Blades was knocked into the air once more; now the moon hung over thirty feet high. His eyes flashed with ferocity as he roared and unleashed the third strike.

Now the three blades formed—the accumulated momentum carried the force to split mountains and shatter stone, bearing down with overwhelming pressure like a tidal wave.

Ji Huo's lips curled slightly as he thrust out his folding fan. The tip struck the blade precisely, then a massive counterforce surged forth from the fan.

"Ugh!" Liu Three-Blades spat blood and was sent flying, stumbling back several steps, his face filled with shock.

"Thank you for the match," Ji Huo said, cupping his hands in respect.

Liu Three-Blades wanted to say something, but his chest heaved, blood and qi in turmoil, unable to settle. He now realized the vast gap between their strengths, that even his companions couldn’t hold Ji Huo back. In resignation, he cupped his hands and said, "You truly deserve your reputation, Folding Fan Gentleman; I am enlightened."

With a wave of his hand, those blocking the path stepped aside.

Ji Huo, with Xia Ningshang, passed through the crowd. As he left, he added, "If you’re not satisfied, Brother Liu, you’re welcome to seek me out in Liang Country anytime."

"I will," Liu Three-Blades replied, eyes full of fighting spirit.

Once they were far from the crowd, Xia Ningshang asked, unable to restrain her curiosity, "Yao Zhuo—is he?"

Ji Huo smiled, relaxed. "He’s a man of the martial world I once encountered. After I defeated him, he’s been fixated on avenging himself. I found this folding fan on him, and it happens to be useful now."

"When traveling through the martial world, it’s best to change identities, conceal ourselves, and make things easier."

Xia Ningshang gave a long, drawn-out 'oh,' her eyes glinting as she teased, "Young Master Ji appears so upright, yet who would have thought you’re so cunning?"

"Don’t say that," Ji Huo replied cheerfully, waving his folding fan. "I’m nothing if not honest."

Xia Ningshang tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, lips curving in a subtle smile.

Having obtained the information left by Qian Wu, the two headed straight for Sword Point Manor.

On the way, Ji Huo received a message from the capital, sent by Twenty-Three, containing Ji Junhong’s speculation.

"The Demon Dragon Spear..." Ji Huo’s eyes narrowed. This legendary artifact was only ever mentioned in unofficial histories; he hadn’t expected it to appear in the Central Plains.

His view matched his eldest brother’s: someone was deliberately bringing fragments of the Demon Dragon Spear here, though the purpose was unknown.

When they arrived at a small town, they found it filled with martial artists, many of significant rank.

"We only just got the news from the capital about the appearance of the demon weapon—how did they know so quickly?" Xia Ningshang asked in confusion.

The two sat atop a tavern, looking down at the bustling crowd below, the air thick with tension.

Ji Huo shook his head, voice deep. "Someone must have prepared long ago, spreading the news."

"Are they here to stop the villain, or to seize the demon weapon?" Xia Ningshang blinked.

Ji Huo sneered, "Naturally, for the demon weapon. Martial artists chase profit; even the righteous sects aren’t necessarily good. A peerless demon weapon—even a third of it—would be enough to draw them all out."

Xia Ningshang gazed calmly at the street below, her voice soft: "Such weapons aren’t for ordinary folk. Their coming is only to court death."

"In the martial world, it’s victory or defeat," Ji Huo replied. "Anyone who steps into it should be prepared."

"It seems, because of the Demon Dragon Spear, many will die. I can’t guess which side is responsible or their purpose."

Xia Ningshang took a sip of wine and mused, "Maybe they just want to use the spear fragment to stir up strife, weakening the Central Plains."

She frowned, pursing her lips. "This wine isn’t very good."

Ji Huo considered, then nodded, "That’s possible—maybe some faction has grown ambitious, wants to unify the martial world, and is starting by thinning the ranks."

He took out white porcelain wine from his spatial bag and handed it to her. "Try this."

Xia Ningshang accepted it, continuing, "Or perhaps there’s no scheme. Maybe the villain is just a pitiful woman, and someone gave her the fragment to help her avenge herself."

She first sipped, her eyes instantly brightening, then she gulped it down, praising, "Excellent! This is even better than the bellflower wine from my homeland!"

"Dragon Country’s bellflower wine is famous worldwide, but it’s so far away—I’ve never tasted it," Ji Huo replied, smiling as he watched the violet-robed woman drink heartily. For some reason, his tense mood eased greatly.

"That’s simple," Xia Ningshang wiped her lips, her beauty enhanced by the wine, her eyes filled with charm. "When I return to Dragon Country, I’ll get you two bottles. If you visit, I’ll host you—there’ll be no shortage of wine."