I'm Already the Richest Man, Why Did My System Just Arrive?

Chapter 293: Chapter 177: Gathering

Unless...

’The National Preceptor is still alive?’

’So, assuming Dugu Xiang knows the secret of the Four Seasons Map, or at least has a partial understanding, what would I do if I were him?’

While Zheng Xiu was lost in thought over Dugu Xiang’s attitude and words, the Martial World Tournament began under the expectant gazes of the crowd.

The Sword Inquiry Platform was cleared. The younger generation of the Dugu Family drew lots to determine the match order for the Martial World Tournament, hanging wooden plaques inscribed with the names of the many heroes and champions onto the Hero Rankings board.

The Rules were simple and clear.

Competitors would face off in pairs, with the winner advancing. There would be five groups, and the last two remaining from each group would naturally become the top ten contestants, earning the right to view the Four Seasons Map.

As an elder of the Dugu Family read out the names, the first pair took the stage.

One combatant used an iron crutch, while his opponent used hidden weapons.

The lean man swung his twin Iron Crutches, creating a piercing whistle through the air.

The one using hidden weapons wore loose, long-sleeved robes. With a flick of his sleeves, a shower of Plum Blossom Darts flew out as if they were free.

Zheng Xiu watched with half his attention for a few moments.

Having experienced the bizarre duels between Miracle Masters, he lost interest after watching only a few exchanges of these Martial Heroes’ matches.

Zheng Xiu was still pondering the reason Dugu Xiang would go to such great lengths to hold this Martial World Tournament.

He subconsciously touched the two scrolls of the Four Seasons Map in his robes, a bold idea forming in his mind.

’Could Dugu Xiang have secretly hinted in the Heroic Invitations that there was a hidden mystery to the Four Seasons Map, hoping to attract the other owners to attend?’

This was a natural conclusion.

One couldn’t judge Dugu Xiang a gentleman just because he had a righteous appearance.

The human heart is hard to fathom.

As for the Four Seasons Map, besides the "Late Fall Maple Scene" which had been torn in two during a fight, there could only be three people in the world who currently possessed a scroll.

Zheng Xiu himself carried two scrolls: the "Late Fall Maple Scene" and the "Green Lotus in High Summer." Dugu Xiang possessed the "Plum Blossoms in the Snow."

And among the martial heroes gathered here, it was highly likely that one of them was hiding the last, missing scroll: the "Spring Pond Willow Swallow Map"!

It was very likely that here, at Hidden Sword Manor, on the Sword Inquiry Platform, the complete set of the Four Seasons Map was finally gathered!

’Something is definitely going to happen here.’

As Zheng Xiu figured this out, he completely understood Xie Luohe’s intentions.

Moreover, among the many people present, it wasn’t just Xie Luohe who wanted to seize them; others did too.

Dugu Xiang himself was even very likely waiting for the owners of the Four Seasons Map to deliver themselves to his doorstep.

"Young Master! Young Master! Look, quickly!"

While Zheng Xiu was deep in thought, Xiaotao gently pinched the soft flesh at his waist and whispered in his ear.

Xiaotao didn’t know what these martial artists were capable of, so she didn’t dare say much in her whisper, only urging her young master to look quickly.

It turned out several matches had already passed on the stage. Judging from the marks on the Sword Inquiry Platform, there wasn’t much blood, showing that the martial artists in this tournament were still being civil and not fighting to the death. On second thought, it made sense. Everyone was just trying to make a living, and the prestige of this Hero Rankings was an Omen, so no one was going to risk their life for it.

Xie Luohe was standing in the center of the stage, hands clasped proudly behind her back. Strapped to her back was a Longbow with a frightening design.

And standing opposite Xie Luohe was the beautiful young woman Zheng Xiu had noticed earlier. She wore a peach-colored long dress, a hint of spring in her eyes, creating a stark contrast with Xie Luohe. One was passionate as fire, the other cold as iron.

The woman in peach drew a Soft Sword from her waist with a DING, covering her mouth with a delicate laugh. "From Ruyi Square, Le Zhuzhu. I ask for your guidance, sister."

Xie Luohe nodded. Her expression was hidden by her mask. She said calmly, "Xie Luohe."

"Xie Luohe?" The name made Le Zhuzhu’s expression change slightly. "The number one villain in the world, the Village Chief of Yunhe Village, Xie Luohe? You’re such a young woman?"

Xie Luohe gave a slight smile. "Heh. Please, begin."

As she spoke, she reached for the Longbow on her back.

"Legend says that Xie Luohe’s Archery is unrivaled. On a battlefield, your strength alone is equal to a thousand soldiers. But on a narrow stage like this, I’m afraid, sister, you’ll have a hard time putting it to use."

The Jianghu’s assessment of Xie Luohe was surprisingly consistent.

Even Chu Chengfeng had the same assessment when he first met Xie Luohe.

Everyone in the world knew Xie Luohe’s Archery was peerless.

But who knew that the reason for Xie Luohe’s strength wasn’t her Archery? It was because she herself was absurdly overpowered, like a cheat character in a game—a natural-born Mystic.

But aside from the bandits of Yunhe Village and a handful of others, no one knew the truth about Xie Luohe. They only knew that she excelled at Archery.

Archers fear close combat. This was common knowledge.

So when Le Zhuzhu saw Xie Luohe preparing to draw her large bow, she breathed a sigh of relief. Tiptoeing lightly, she moved nimbly around Xie Luohe, her Soft Sword flicking out and scattering glints of light.

Her thinking was straightforward: since her opponent excelled at Archery, she just had to stop her from firing a single arrow. The moment she drew her bow would be an opening. Le Zhuzhu was waiting for that move. The stage was small; she could close the distance to Xie Luohe in the blink of an eye. In that instant, just as she planned, she would press her Soft Sword to her opponent’s neck before the bow was even fully drawn, forcing the secretive bandit girl to submit.

From his high platform, Zheng Xiu watched Xie Luohe’s figure, which was so similar to Feng Bei’s. His feelings were complex, and he couldn’t help but murmur to himself, ’Xie Luohe winning is a given. But that sweet-looking girl is about to suffer a major loss. I wonder if Xie Luohe will be ruthless and reveal her true strength, or if she’ll just stick to using her Archery honestly.’

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