The commotion drew everyone's attention as they turned to look towards the arched gate of the east courtyard.
A tall, slender elder, dressed in a grey linen shirt and wooden clogs, holding a dark brown longsword, gracefully entered through the archway.
The courtyard fell into a terrifying silence, broken only by the crisp *tap-tap* of the elder's wooden clogs on the floor.
Buddha turned to face him and said in a deep voice, "Ma Baomin, you've finally come."
The sword-wielding, clog-wearing elder, Ma Baomin, let out a cold laugh. "What, should I not have come?"
Buddha sighed, "What happened back then was merely a normal power struggle for territory. As they say, winners take all. It's been over twenty years, and we're both approaching fifty. Isn't there anything that can't be let go?"
"Let go? You say it so easily. You killed my entire family of seventeen. If it were you, could you let it go?" Ma Baomin sneered mockingly.
"We were young and impetuous back then. I can promise you now, if you can let go of your hatred, I am willing to give you half of what I possess. How about it?" Buddha said.
Ma Baomin laughed, but it was a cold laugh. "Give me half? That's not necessary. After I kill you, won't everything you have be mine? I know you've already transferred your family away, but it doesn't matter. After you die, I guarantee I'll find them all. Not a single one will be spared!"
Buddha's eye twitched. "Is there no room for reconciliation between us?"
Ma Baomin burst into laughter again, releasing a powerful aura that caused the entire courtyard to surge without wind, rustling the surrounding flowers and trees.
"Reconciliation? Do you know how I've lived all these years? I was chased like a stray dog by your men. Fortunately, heaven protected me, and I managed to escape, eventually fleeing to Fusang."
Ma Baomin roared coldly, his sinister face contorted as he cackled, "However, I was lucky. In Fusang, I met a martial arts master who taught me a formidable sword technique. I've been practicing diligently all these years, preparing for the day I return for revenge!"
Buddha shook his head upon hearing this and said no more, turning to step aside.
Master Mo suddenly slapped the table and snorted, "Your name is Ma Baomin, right? Let me tell you, with this master present, you won't be allowed to act so presumptuously!"
Ma Baomin turned his head sharply, his sword-like gaze fixed on the other man. "You're here to help, aren't you? Get lost now, and I won't kill you!"
Master Mo let out a cold laugh and slowly stood up. "Who do you think you are, trying to threaten me? I advise you, if you break an arm now and leave without ever returning to Sucheng, I'll spare your dog's life today. Otherwise, don't blame this master for being impolite."
"Haha... you truly are a fool who doesn't know when to quit!"
Ma Baomin roared with laughter. Suddenly, with a clang, his dark brown longsword was drawn, its blade flashing with a chilling aura, causing the temperature in the entire courtyard to drop noticeably.
Throughout this entire exchange, Xiao Yunlong sat motionless. After the initial glance at Ma Baomin, he paid no further attention, merely picking up his chopsticks to eat delicate side dishes and occasionally lifting his small cup for a sip of fine wine.
"Do you really think you've become a master after learning swordplay in Fusang for a few years? Today, I'll show you the true essence of our Dragon Country's martial arts!"
Master Mo's face was filled with disdain. He tapped his foot, and his entire body lunged towards the opponent like a tiger or a leopard.
Master Mo, hailing from the Jiangdong Pavilion, indeed possessed some skill. His formidable aura indicated he was also a master of Hua Jin.
However, although Master Mo's internal energy was fierce, it lacked perfect refinement. It seemed he had only recently entered the realm of Grandmaster Hua Jin.
"Seeking death!" Ma Baomin roared fiercely, leaping into the air.
At this moment, Ma Baomin seemed to merge with the sword in his hand. Suddenly, the sword light flashed, incredibly swift like lightning.
Apart from Xiao Yunlong, no one else present could discern Ma Baomin's movements; his speed was unbelievably fast.
The next moment, with a *pu chi* sound, Master Mo's right arm was severed and flew through the air, cut off by the sword.
Accompanied by a pained cry, Master Mo collapsed to the ground, his face ashen, trembling uncontrollably from the pain.
Another flash of sword light in the darkness, and Ma Baomin, holding his sword, pressed the tip against Master Mo's throat.
At this moment, Master Mo had lost all his previous arrogance. His wide eyes revealed deep terror.
"This..." Buddha, standing nearby, was stunned into petrification. He had never imagined the opponent had become so powerful and terrifying, to the point where even Master Mo couldn't withstand a single move.
As for Xiao Yunlong, he remained seated with an unperturbed expression, still not even glancing at the opponent.
Although dozens of bodyguards had gathered in the courtyard, none dared to make a move, clearly intimidated by the sword strike.
Ma Baomin looked down at Master Mo and sneered, "Is that all? With such meager ability, you still want to help others? What kind of so-called Dragon Country martial arts is this? I see nothing but flashy moves. I warned you earlier, but you didn't listen. So don't blame me. Go down and meet the King of Hell, but don't say I didn't give you a chance!"
With that, Ma Baomin's wrist holding the sword suddenly exerted force, and it was about to pierce Master Mo's throat.
Master Mo was clearly terrified, and with his right arm severed, he had no means of resistance.
Feeling the chilling cold from the sword tip, Master Mo closed his eyes in despair.
However, at that very moment, with a *swoosh*, a chopstick flew through the night air.
With a *clang*, the chopstick struck the sword accurately, deflecting its path. The sword grazed the edge of Master Mo's neck as it passed.
Master Mo, who had thought he was destined to die, was unexpectedly saved by a hidden expert at the critical moment. However, the chopstick had come too fast for him to know who had intervened.
Ma Baomin's sword was not knocked away, but the tiger's mouth of his right hand went numb from the impact, and the sword in his hand trembled uncontrollably.
Looking at the chopstick broken in two on the ground, Ma Baomin suddenly looked up, glaring at Xiao Yunlong sitting in the pavilion, and gritted his teeth, "I underestimated you. It turns out you are the true master."
Upon hearing this, Ma Baomin abruptly turned his head to look at Xiao Yunlong, his expression a mixture of shock and confusion.
He was shocked that this short-haired youth was indeed a master, and moreover, a super master. After all, sending a chopstick from a distance to deflect Ma Baomin's sword indicated that this young man was at least a Grandmaster Hua Jin, and a super grandmaster with profound attainments.
He was confused as to why, after he had looked down on him and even verbally insulted and humiliated him, this short-haired youth still intervened to save him. At this moment, his heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Fat Buddha also secretly breathed a sigh of relief, suddenly realizing that Mr. Xiao was present. Mr. Xiao was a super master, and with him here, Ma Baomin should be manageable.
Xiao Yunlong remained seated, but one chopstick was missing from his hand. He said, "Fat Buddha, what are you waiting for? Hurry and get me another pair of chopsticks!"
Fat Buddha blinked in surprise, then reacted quickly. He hurriedly turned and walked out, personally going to fetch the chopsticks.
Ma Baomin narrowed his eyes, his gaze shifting uncertainly. He seemed to be intimidated by the composure Xiao Yunlong displayed. He did not act rashly, partly because he couldn't fathom the short-haired youth's true capabilities, and partly because the tiger's mouth of his right hand still ached, requiring time to recover.
Xiao Yunlong suddenly looked up at Master Mo and asked calmly, "Do you know why I saved you?"
Master Mo was taken aback. He had already sealed his acupoints and was gritting his teeth to endure the intense pain. "I do not know, but I still thank Mr. Xiao for saving me."
Xiao Yunlong smiled faintly. "I saved you because you represented our Dragon Country's martial arts just now, while he represents Fusang's sword art. You were right about one thing: the essence of martial arts is in our Dragon Country, not in Fusang!"
"Our Dragon Country's martial arts are by no means the flashy moves some people talk about!"
Master Mo looked ashamed and sighed, "I understand. Mr. Xiao is vindicating our Dragon Country's martial arts. Regardless, I am still grateful for your intervention just now."
Ma Baomin had recovered by this time and snorted, "Young man, to possess such martial arts attainments at such a tender age, you must be no ordinary person. May I ask who your master is?"
Xiao Yunlong, however, was too lazy to answer. He said, "Listen, if you break both your arms and leave now, I will kill you!"
Ma Baomin suddenly burst into laughter and grunted, "Kid, your skills are good, but you're still wet behind the ears. Even if you have some attainments, they won't be too great. Do you really think I'm afraid of you?"
"If you're not afraid, then try me!" Xiao Yunlong said with a cold smile.
Just then, Fat Buddha returned with a new pair of chopsticks, handed them to Xiao Yunlong, and then hastily retreated to the side.
"You brat, do you really think I wouldn't dare? Since you're ungrateful, I'll kill you first!"
Ma Baomin roared, leaping into the air once more, entering the state of man and sword as one.
A fierce gust of wind swept through the courtyard again. In the darkness, a flash of silver sword light instantly reached Xiao Yunlong.
However, Xiao Yunlong remained seated, not even lifting an eyelid. He simply raised his chopsticks and pinched upwards.
In an instant, all motion froze. The lightning-fast sword was firmly caught between his two chopsticks.
At this moment, a look of profound shock appeared on Ma Baomin's face.
Even Buddha and Master Mo on the side were stunned, frozen in place.
The dozens of bodyguards around them stood motionless, their eyes wide and mouths agape.
A deathly silence suddenly fell upon the courtyard, so quiet that even the sound of their breathing could be heard.
"This... this is too powerful. How did he catch that sword with just one chopstick?"
Suddenly, someone exclaimed, breaking the tense, suppressed silence of the courtyard.
Xiao Yunlong's expression remained unchanged. He slightly curved his lips and said, "Is this what they call Fusang sword art?"
"Escape!" The thought flashed through Ma Baomin's mind. Then, abandoning his sword, he leaped away to flee.
He moved with incredible speed, darting like a nimble monkey in the darkness, leaping onto a large tree by the lake, about to escape.
"Xiao, you wait! I will definitely return with Fusang experts!" Ma Baomin roared into the night.
"Only thinking of escaping now, do you think you can get away?"
Xiao Yunlong sneered, flicked his wrist, and the chopstick in his hand shot out like a projectile, with incredible speed.
Though launched later, it arrived first. Everyone heard a *chi* sound as the chopstick embedded itself directly into Ma Baomin's back.
With a scream, Ma Baomin fell like a broken kite, crashing into the lake with a *plop*.
The onlookers were utterly shocked by this scene.
Throughout it all, Xiao Yunlong had remained seated, never even lifting his posterior from the chair.