Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang rushed outside. Unsurprisingly, a large crowd had gathered to watch the commotion. However, since this was essentially a mass brawl between highly skilled fighters, the onlookers kept their distance, leaving an open space in the middle where the fight raged on.

Yao Ziling was battling three elite fighters from the Blade Alliance all by himself, while Dao Xingfeng stood nearby, squinting slightly as he observed the battle.

Zhan Zhao glanced over and gestured to Bai Yutang, “Yao Ziling seems to be handling them just fine.”

Bai Yutang stopped in his tracks and turned his head, noticing a group of more than ten men dressed in black standing not far from the fight, watching anxiously.

He frowned slightly and casually beckoned one of them with a finger.

One of the black-clad men immediately ran over submissively. “Fifth Master.”

“What’s this fight about?” Bai Yutang asked.

At this time, Zhao Pu and the others, who had also come out to watch, arrived from the yamen.

“Fifth Master, Young Master ran into the Blade Alliance members during breakfast. When he overheard Wei Hong badmouthing you, he started a fight.”

Bai Yutang frowned in puzzlement. “That doesn’t seem like his style.”

The black-clad man also appeared confused. “I don’t know. Young Master wouldn’t let us intervene.”

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang exchanged glances—what was going on?

Although Yao Ziling wasn’t as famous as Bai Yutang, as the saying goes, the disciples of the Tianshan Sect were no pushovers. Even the weakest among them would still be considered top-tier experts in the martial world. Let alone Yao Ziling.

The three so-called elite fighters from the Blade Alliance were clearly no match for him and were soon dispatched.

After kicking Wei Hong to the ground, Yao Ziling raised an eyebrow at Dao Xingfeng, the meaning clear—Your turn!

Zhan Zhao, cradling his sword Juque, curiously asked Bai Yutang, “Is he provoking Dao Xingfeng?”

Bai Yutang nodded. “At this point, if Dao Xingfeng doesn’t accept the challenge, he’ll be utterly humiliated.”

“In terms of seniority, Dao Xingfeng is about a generation older than Yao Ziling. How skilled is he?” Zhan Zhao asked. “Do you have any idea?”

Bai Yutang shook his head. “I’ve never fought him before.”

Zhan Zhao stroked his chin—this was getting interesting.

Behind them, Zhao Pu and Ouyang exchanged glances—Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang really got along well. Their conversation was flowing so naturally that there was no space to butt in.

Meanwhile, Zi Ying and Zhe Ying stood with Hei Ying, who had just arrived and still looked a little bewildered by the situation.

Hei Ying glanced at the young child in Gongsun’s arms, Xiao Sizi. Xiao Sizi also looked back at him.

The two locked eyes for a moment before both turned away to continue watching the fight. Then, at the same time, they turned back to glance at each other again.

Gongsun noticed how restless Xiao Sizi was. Holding him for so long was tiring.

At that moment, Hei Ying stepped forward at just the right time. “Is he heavy? I can hold him for you.”

“Oh…” Gongsun looked at Xiao Sizi, who didn’t seem to mind, so he handed the child over. “Thanks.”

Hei Ying took Xiao Sizi in his arms and continued their silent staring contest.

Gongsun, finding their interaction a bit odd, quietly asked Zi Ying, “Hey, does Hei Ying know how to read faces?”

Zi Ying paused, then understood what Gongsun was getting at. With a chuckle, he winked at him, signaling him to wait and see.

Curious, Gongsun waited. Suddenly, he saw Hei Ying and Xiao Sizi begin a conversation.

“What’s your name?”

“Hei Ying.”

“Little Hei?”

“Yes.”

…

Gongsun was astonished. It wasn’t just that the conversation sounded childish—it was that Hei Ying perfectly mimicked Xiao Sizi’s speech, tone, expression, and even gestures.

Even Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang, who had been engrossed in watching the duel, turned their heads in surprise.

Zi Ying grinned at Gongsun. “Hei Ying has a nickname—Black Turtledove. He’s a master of mimicry.”

“Wow…” Xiao Sizi clapped his hands in delight. “That’s amazing!”

Hei Ying grinned and offered him some candy.

The crowd turned their attention back to the fight.

Yao Ziling’s provocation had worked. Dao Xingfeng, as the leader of the Blade Alliance, couldn’t back down without becoming a laughingstock.

With a flick of his wrist, he unsheathed his blade, and a cold gleam flashed.

Yao Ziling raised his golden blade to meet him.

Unlike the previous three fighters, Dao Xingfeng was significantly more formidable. Meanwhile, Yao Ziling clearly hadn’t been going all out before. As soon as the two clashed, the force of their battle sent dust and sand flying everywhere.

The spectators barely had time to dodge. Some stumbled, while others were nearly trampled.

Seeing how intense the battle was becoming, Zhan Zhao turned to Bai Yutang and murmured, “Dao Xingfeng’s inner power surpasses Yao Ziling’s.”

Bai Yutang’s expression turned serious as he responded in a low voice, “His swordsmanship…”

“You think it’s strange too?” Zhan Zhao asked.

Bai Yutang nodded.

Behind them, someone else also nodded. “Very strange!”

Gongsun turned to see Zhao Pu and Ouyang also nodding in agreement.

Bai Yutang and Zhan Zhao looked at them. “What’s strange about it?”

Instead of answering, Zhao Pu and Ouyang countered with a question, “What do you think?”

“Hmm…” Zhan Zhao stroked his chin. “He’s using a straight blade, but his technique resembles that of a curved blade. Doesn’t that seem awkward to you?”

Bai Yutang nodded slightly.

Zhao Pu and Ouyang exchanged glances.

Zhe Ying chimed in, “We find it strange because Dao Xingfeng’s technique looks very familiar.”

Zhao Pu turned back and added, “If you hadn’t mentioned it, I might not have noticed. But his swordsmanship is very similar to Sutulu’s.”

“Oh?” Zhan Zhao was mildly surprised and began to ponder.

Bai Yutang, however, frowned. Yao Ziling was now at a disadvantage, and he still couldn’t fully grasp the extent of Dao Xingfeng’s abilities. The man was not only powerful but also had an unpredictable fighting style…

Not wanting Yao Ziling to get injured, Bai Yutang prepared to step in.

But just as he moved, a gentle hand stopped him.

Turning, he saw Zhan Zhao. “Let me do it.”

Bai Yutang raised an eyebrow as if to ask—Why should you save someone from Tianshan Sect?

Zhao Pu cut in, “Blade techniques rely on speed. If you go in and kill him, what’s the point? We still won’t understand his full skill set. Zhan Zhao’s lightness skill is superior—he can engage him for a few hundred moves and figure out what we need to know.”

Zhan Zhao smiled slightly and nodded at Bai Yutang—Leave it to me!

Bai Yutang nodded in agreement.

With a single leap, Zhan Zhao dashed into the battle. His movement was so fast that Hei Ying squinted in surprise.

Yao Ziling, seeing someone join the fight, stepped aside to catch his breath. He had exhausted himself battling multiple opponents earlier, and his intention was only to test Dao Xingfeng’s skills. He had assumed Bai Yutang would come to assist, but to his shock…

As Yao Ziling steadied himself and took a closer look, he realized it was Zhan Zhao stepping in. He frowned slightly and glanced at Bai Yutang. However, Bai Yutang was fully focused on the ongoing battle.

Zhao Pu, however, noticed Yao Ziling’s expression. Their eyes met, filled with subtle complexity.