Martial Arts Overlord-Chapter 780 - 778: The Young Swordsman

「Red Valley City, Linxian Building.」

As the largest tavern in Red Valley City, Linxian Building was famed for its delicious dishes and specially brewed Moon Shadow Jade Dew Liquor. Its reputation preceded it across the Canglang Dynasty. Most martial artists visiting Red Valley City would take a moment to relax here, gradually earning the establishment the title of the city’s premier tavern.

Upon arriving in Red Valley City, Luo Feng, Ling Qingwu, and the rest of their group quickly found out the location of Linxian Building.

A short while later, they stood before the opulent tavern.

"Worthy indeed of being the premier tavern of Red Valley City..." Luo Feng could not help but marvel at the grandeur of the architecture before him.

Red Valley City was situated in the Red Ancient Wasteland. With nary a tree around, most of the buildings were built of stone. Linxian Building, by contrast, was entirely made of wood. Backed by flowing water, its structure featured intricately carved beams and painted rafters, exuding a quaint charm and a unique style.

"How many in your party, sir?"

A young woman clad in tight-fitting clothes approached, inquiring with a smile.

Luo Feng sized her up. She appeared to be in her twenties, with delicate facial features, and her eyes held a restrained brilliance. He was surprised to discover she was a Martial Artist at the seventh level of the Meridian Wheel Realm.

No wonder Linxian Building is so prestigious...

Observing the waitress’s shapely figure, Luo Feng chuckled inwardly, impressed by the Linxian Building’s shopkeeper. He took out a silver ingot and handed it to her.

"Five of us. Arrange a superior private room for us."

Upon hearing this, the waitress’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, a hint of difficulty appearing on her face. "I’m sorry, sir, but all the private rooms are booked. There are still seats available in the main hall on the second floor..."

Luo Feng was unconcerned. He nodded. "Then the main hall it is."

"Very well. This way, please..."

Gratitude flickered across the waitress’s face as she gestured with a delicate hand and led the way. Seeing Ling Qingwu and the others in the uniforms of Linglong Hall, she guessed that the young man before her must be a young master from a prominent family, possessing considerable wealth.

People like that are usually arrogant, considering dining in a public hall beneath their status, making them difficult to serve. Luo Feng’s courtesy filled her with immense gratitude.

Luo Feng glanced back at his companions, then said to Ling Qingwu and the others, "Let’s go."

The tavern was bustling, filled with bold figures from all corners of the martial world. Occasionally, graceful female figures would weave through the crowd, drawing waves of teasing laughter.

"This way."

Arriving on the second floor, the refined waitress led Luo Feng and his group to a table by the window.

The waitress, moving with a graceful bearing, brought over a pot of tea.

"This is Fog Spirit Tea. It can alleviate travel fatigue and invigorate Qi and blood circulation. Please enjoy."

Setting down the teapot, the waitress took out a menu and smiled. "What would you like to order?"

Upon hearing this, Nanxuan’s eyes immediately lit up. She began to list dishes as if reciting family treasures, "Jade Blue Jade Congee, Flying Tiger Jumping Cliff, Ice-Fire Mandarin Soup, and also..."

Her voice trailed off as she glanced at the menu.

Each dish she had just named cost tens of second-grade Yuan Stones. She didn’t have nearly enough Yuan Stones on her. However, having finally made it to Red Valley City, she didn’t want to miss this chance; her fine brows knitted slightly in frustration.

Luo Feng smiled faintly, took the menu, placed it on the table, and said to the refined waitress, "Bring us all your restaurant’s signature dishes, and also a pot of Moon Shadow Jade Dew Liquor."

Even though he was short on Yuan Stones, this amount didn’t faze him. To live life to the fullest—eating hearty meals, drinking freely, and enjoying oneself—that was the way of a Martial Artist. To haggle over every detail was to lose sight of one’s true self.

The refined waitress standing nearby felt a slight chill in her heart. It’s rare for someone to order all of Linxian Building’s signature dishes at once. Nearly twenty signature dishes, worth hundreds of second-grade Yuan Stones... Even disciples of the Golden Palace would have to deliberate carefully. This young man’s background is probably extraordinary.

This thought flashed through her mind, and the waitress smiled warmly. "Please wait a moment, your food and drinks will be here shortly."

Watching the waitress depart, Nanxuan looked at Luo Feng, patted her budding chest, and said, "Senior Brother, if you ever face any difficulties in the future, just ask."

Nanxuan’s earnest expression made Lin Yue’er giggle. Even Ling Qingwu, usually so stoic, showed a faint blush.

"Luo Feng, do you have some business to attend to in Red Valley City?" Ling Qingwu suddenly asked.

Luo Feng shook his head. "Nothing urgent. We can go after we eat."

Ling Qingwu nodded slightly and said no more.

It wasn’t long before the food and wine arrived. The dishes were all prepared using ingredients from precious Demon Beasts, perfect in color, aroma, and taste, making even Luo Feng’s mouth water.

As they were eating, an angry voice suddenly erupted from the direction of the stairs.

"What? All the private rooms are occupied! Are you kidding me? You expect us to eat out here?!"

Hearing the voice, Luo Feng glanced over. At the top of the stairs, three young swordsmen had surrounded the refined waitress from before.

These three young swordsmen had green sword emblems on their sleeves and chests. Luo Feng recognized the uniform of an Inner Sect Disciple of the Sky Sword Pavilion. These three must be Inner Sect Disciples of the Sky Sword Pavilion.

His gaze fell on the figure in the middle, and Luo Feng’s eyebrows rose slightly. He looks to be about seventeen or eighteen, handsome, and brimming with a sharp, unrestrained aura. Standing there, he resembles a drawn sword; his Sword Dao cultivation is impressive.

The young waitress looked troubled and explained, "I’m sorry, gentlemen, but the private rooms truly are all occupied. If you’re not in a hurry, perhaps you could wait a little while?"

"Make us wait? Do you know who you’re talking to?!"

A small-eyed disciple of the Sky Sword Pavilion sneered, "Believe it or not, I can have you fired immediately!"

Hearing this, the young waitress’s expression turned grim. The pay here is generous, and compared to the violent martial world, I prefer this place. I really don’t want to lose this job. But the people in the private rooms are all wealthy and influential; I can’t afford to offend any of them...

The commotion instantly drew the attention of the other diners on the second floor. All eyes turned to the top of the stairs.

"Who are these three disciples from Sky Sword Pavilion? Such arrogance!"

"Look, that young swordsman in the middle! If I’m not mistaken, he must be Duan Lin, an Inner Sect Disciple of Sky Sword Pavilion!"

"Duan Lin? Which Duan Lin?"

"Who else could it be? Duan Lin, the Little Golden Sword, ranked fifty-first on the New Dragon List!"

"Little Golden Sword Duan Lin? No wonder his presence is so strong; I can feel it even from here! During last year’s competition for the New Dragon List, his Golden Light Sword Technique really made a name for itself."

"Still, for three esteemed Golden Palace disciples to bully a defenseless young woman..."

"Shh! Loose talk spells trouble. Disciples of Sky Sword Pavilion are all proud and arrogant. If they hear you, there’ll be serious trouble."

Seeing the three at the top of the stairs, the crowd lowered their voices, discussing amongst themselves. Inwardly, they all felt sympathy for the young waitress.

"These Sky Sword Pavilion disciples are completely unreasonable!" Nanxuan exclaimed, glaring at the top of the stairs, her large eyes filled with indignation.

Luo Feng nodded, observing the three, but remained silent.

Just then, the handsome swordsman in the middle happened to look their way. Catching sight of Luo Feng, his pupils constricted slightly. He raised a hand to stop the small-eyed Martial Artist. "Forget it. We’ll make do here."

The small-eyed Martial Artist shot a glance at Luo Feng, a flicker in his eyes, then said to the young waitress, "Hmph! I’ll let you off this time!"

The three then sat down at a table in another section of the tavern.

The tavern gradually returned to its noisy state. Nanxuan pouted her red lips and huffed, saying indignantly, "When my cultivation and strength surpass his someday, I’ll definitely teach that guy a lesson! Teach them for bullying the weak!"

Lin Yue’er smiled. "But that’s Little Golden Sword Duan Lin, ranked fifty-first on the New Dragon List. Defeating him won’t be easy."

"So what if he’s fifty-first on the New Dragon List? Senior Brother Luo Feng defeated Yi Tian even when he was just an academy student. I can do it too! Right, Senior Brother?" Nanxuan turned her head, her large eyes fixed on Luo Feng.

Luo Feng took a sip of wine, smiled, and nodded.

Ling Qingwu suddenly put down her chopsticks and said to Luo Feng, "Luo Feng, those three disciples from Sky Sword Pavilion keep glancing at you, intentionally or otherwise. They seem to have ill intentions. Be careful."

Luo Feng glanced towards the other side of the tavern and smiled faintly. "I know. Pay them no mind."

When I entered Red Valley City, I noticed these three Sky Sword Pavilion disciples were following me. I’m still not sure of their intentions, which is why I haven’t bothered with them. Besides, with my current strength, even if they are plotting something, I have no reason to fear them.

However, Luo Feng was more concerned about something else than these three Sky Sword Pavilion disciples.

Putting down his wine cup, Luo Feng looked towards a tavern across the street.

When I entered this tavern earlier, I faintly sensed a chilling Sword Intent.

Taking a shallow breath, Luo Feng’s powerful Soul Power spread out, penetrating the walls and probing into a private room in the tavern across the street.

Inside the private room, a young figure sat alone, pouring wine for himself and drinking.

The figure was quite young. A crimson sword rested on the table before him. Dressed in a fiery red, tight-fitting outfit, he sat ramrod straight. His Yuan Qi was condensed and stable, and his surging Jing Qi gave him an imposing, rainbow-like aura, far surpassing Ling Qingwu’s. Though the airflow around him was calm, Luo Feng sensed an intense killing intent emanating from him.

SWISH!

Suddenly, the young swordsman turned his head. His bright eyes, like flashes of lightning, darted through the void and fixed on the wall.

RIP!

The sound of tearing cloth echoed. That gaze, filled with boundless sharpness, seemed to slice the very air in the room in two.

"An illusion?"

The young swordsman’s eyes flickered. Murmuring to himself, he set the crimson sword back on the table and withdrew his gaze.

Such powerful Sword Intent!

Luo Feng swiftly withdrew his Soul Power. Recalling that gaze, a slight chill still ran through me. This is the first time I’ve ever sensed such potent Sword Intent.

"Luo Feng, what’s wrong?" Ling Qingwu asked, noticing his expression had suddenly turned grim.

Luo Feng exhaled and shook his head. "It’s nothing."

"Alright, let’s leave as soon as we finish eating," Ling Qingwu said, glancing at the three Sky Sword Pavilion disciples on the other side of the room. Those three keep looking over here; they probably have malicious intentions. It’s best to leave quickly.

"Alright."

Luo Feng nodded, but his mind wasn’t on the conversation with Ling Qingwu.

That person is at least a seventh-level Martial Artist of the Spiritual Rotation Realm, and he’s cultivated such potent Sword Intent. I wonder who he is? 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Recalling the terrifying Sword Intent from moments ago, Luo Feng glanced towards the tavern across the street, lost in thought.

He’s not old, yet he possesses such strength. He’s likely a renowned expert on the New Dragon List. And his ranking must be very high; he could even be one of the Ten Great New Dragons!

「Meanwhile」

A conspiracy against Luo Feng was brewing.