Chapter 65: Shadows in Peerless City

On a swift horse, Alex galloped away from the World Alliance, carrying Xiongba's reckless challenge…

Yup, reckless—that's how Alex saw Xiongba's move.

Sure, Xiongba's martial arts were top-notch right now, but in Alex's view, he was still a cut below legends like Jiansheng.

After all, even a decade from now, Jiansheng's Twenty-Three Sword would hand Xiongba a crushing defeat—and Xiongba's skills today were nowhere near his future peak.

Still, Alex felt no loyalty to the World Alliance, so he wasn't about to risk ticking off Xiongba by trying to talk him out of it.

Leaving the World Alliance behind, Alex headed straight for Peerless City.

Thanks to Jiansheng's towering reputation, Peerless City was hands-down the martial world's mightiest force at the moment.

After days of riding, Alex finally reached Peerless City. Gazing at the city's sprawling outline, he couldn't help but feel a pang of awe. The World Alliance was a first-class faction, but it still lagged behind Peerless City's grandeur.

It made sense, though. Jiansheng's fame in the martial world was practically mythic.

Plus, the original story hinted that in a decade, the martial world would be split between Peerless City and the World Alliance. Clearly, it'd take the World Alliance at least ten years of steady growth to catch up.

Leading his horse, Alex strolled into Peerless City, mulling over his next steps.

Though Jiansheng hadn't vanished into seclusion like Wuming, he'd long stopped meddling in martial world affairs, so tracking him down wouldn't be a cakewalk.

But barely a moment after entering Peerless City, Alex's sharp senses picked up subtle glances trailing him.

Someone was watching him.

"No wonder it's the martial world's top power. This city looks calm on the surface but has sharp defenses underneath," Alex marveled inwardly, noting how quickly he'd been spotted.

The Dugu family's grip on Peerless City was like a fortress, airtight and unyielding.

Keeping his cool, Alex found an inn, booked a cozy room, and settled in.

Since he was already being watched, he decided to bide his time and let the watchers make the first move.

That night, Alex sat cross-legged on his bed, channeling the Yi Jin Jing. A steady stream of inner energy coursed through him, sharpening his mind. Every faint sound around him stood out crystal-clear.

While not quite Observation Haki, his heightened senses were razor-sharp.

As the night grew still and Peerless City quieted, Alex detected two figures creeping closer.

"You're guests, come on in," Alex called out, sensing their approach.

The figures outside froze, clearly caught off guard by his alertness.

After a brief pause, the window creaked open, and two people—one old, one young—leaped inside.

An older woman, maybe in her fifties, stood beside a girl of about ten. The girl was delicate, a budding beauty, but the short knife in her hand hinted at trouble.

"Guests? You've got it backward. We're the hosts, and you're the guest," the old woman said, her eyes locking onto Alex as she corrected him.

She paused, then added, "Am I right, Alex, head of the World Alliance's Divine Martial Hall?"

"Fair enough, I'm the guest," Alex nodded.

He'd just arrived, yet they'd already dug up his identity. The efficiency of Peerless City's network left him quietly stunned. This massive city was locked down like a vault.

After a beat, Alex countered, "So, breaking into my room in the dead of night—is that how Peerless City welcomes its guests?"

"If you were a friend, Peerless City would roll out the red carpet. But lately, your World Alliance has been flexing its muscle, and its ambitions are plain as day. We have to stay on guard. So, as the head of Divine Martial Hall, what brings you to Peerless City?" the old woman asked, her tone sharp and direct.

"If I said I mean no harm, would you believe me?" Alex replied.

The old woman didn't answer, but her skeptical expression said it all.

Slowly, she drew her sword, saying, "Looks like I'll have to take you down and get some answers the hard way."

The sword gleamed like a still lake under moonlight, clearly no ordinary blade. A sharp aura radiated from it, sending a chill through Alex.

This was a legendary weapon!

"Could that be the fabled Peerless Sword?" Alex asked, eyeing the blade with surprise.

His mind raced, recalling details from the original story. The Peerless Sword came in two parts: Yin and Yang. Most knew it as the Dugu family's treasure, but few were aware of the hidden Peerless Yin Sword in Peerless City.

When wielded by a man and woman truly in love, the paired swords could unleash the devastating Love in a Fallen City technique.

In the story, the Ming family held the Peerless Yin Sword. They'd planned for Mingyue to marry into the Dugu family, bringing the Yin Sword as her dowry.

Given the old woman wielded the Peerless Sword, her identity clicked—she was likely from the Ming family, probably the grandmother of the Mingyue from the tale.

Whoosh!

The sudden sight of the Peerless Sword jogged Alex's memory, but the old woman wasn't here for a history lesson. Her blade flashed, slicing toward him with dazzling light.

The sword's glare stung his eyes. Alex snapped to attention, drawing his White Dragon Sword and lunging forward.

Ding!

A sharp clang rang out as their blades met. A surge of force jolted through Alex, forcing him back several steps. Glancing at his White Dragon Sword, he spotted a soybean-sized nick in the blade.

"What incredible inner strength! What a razor-sharp sword!" Alex thought, stunned by the single exchange.

As expected of a guardian of the Dugu family, the old woman's martial arts were exceptional, and with the Peerless Sword, she was a force to be reckoned with.

His White Dragon Sword was a rare gem in the The Smiling, Proud Wanderer world, yet it seemed fragile against the Peerless Sword.

"Hmph! Watch me shatter your blade!" Brimming with confidence in her Peerless Sword, the old woman pressed her advantage, charging again. Her sword glowed fiercely, slashing at Alex with even greater force.

"Armament!" Alex muttered under his breath, channeling Armament Haki into his White Dragon Sword.

The blade turned jet-black, gleaming like polished obsidian. Alex raised it to meet her strike.

He knew his raw strength couldn't match hers, but in a real fight, he had no fear. His magnetic ability could sap half the strength from anyone wielding a weapon.

Sure enough, as Alex's power kicked in, the old woman felt the Peerless Sword grow heavy, as if it weighed a ton. She could barely keep her grip.

Alex's ink-black White Dragon Sword darted like a phantom, aiming for her vital points with the elusive moves of Dugu Nine Swords…