Chapter 177: Catching Pigs?

"Master?"

Seeing the usually composed Steward Sun lose his composure, everyone immediately understood that Master Yang had returned. They all turned to look, and sure enough, they saw a sallow-faced middle-aged man looking back with a puzzled expression, wondering what was going on.

"This is the master so many people are waiting for?" Zhang Liao and Zhang Mo, standing to one side, felt dizzy.This man didn't have three heads or six arms, so how could he make a king and renowned master willingly wait at his door?They hadn't returned to Tianxuan City in half a year and were unaware of "Master Yang Xuan," who had been stirring up a storm in the region.

"Xiaoqiang, what's going on?"While others were dizzy, Zhang Xuan was utterly bewildered. Seeing the crowd, he quickly understood it was probably all the people who had accumulated over the past few days, seeking his help. But... "Sun Qiang, why are you tearing up? You look like a puppy seeing its owner. What on earth is wrong with you? We've only been apart for a few days. Is there any need to be this emotional and excited?"

"Master, you're finally here! These people are all looking for you..." Sun Qiang excitedly began to explain, but he was interrupted before he could finish.

"Master Yang..." Emperor Shen Zhui cupped his fist and began, "I am...""Did I ask you to speak?"Zhang Xuan frowned, annoyed at being interrupted by this person just as he was about to get an explanation from Sun Qiang."Where did you come from? Can't you see I'm busy? You have no sense of timing at all. It's a good thing my temper is mild. If it were another master, someone as clueless as you would have been beaten to death by now..."

Thud! Thud!Zhang Liao and Zhang Mo stumbled and nearly fell."My God, this is amazing! That's His Majesty, the King of Tianxuan Kingdom... and he just spoke to him like that..."Sun Qiang was also dumbfounded."As expected of my master, he's truly formidable... He doesn't even care about the King..."

"I..." Emperor Shen Zhui's face flushed."You may continue," Zhang Xuan said, turning back to the steward after scolding the interrupter.

"Oh!" Sun Qiang exclaimed, gathering himself, and quickly explained, "You've been away for the past few days, and all these people have come to visit you. There's His Majesty Emperor Shen Zhui, and also...""The King is here too?" Zhang Xuan was startled.He was just about to accumulate enough money to return the mansion and revert to being Zhang Xuan before making his escape, but he hadn't expected to alarm the King.He couldn't help but ask, "Where is he?"Hearing this, everyone wore a strange expression, and even Sun Qiang staggered slightly...After all this fuss, it turned out his master didn't even recognize the King! And here he was, admiring him all this time...

"Ahem, that would be me!" Emperor Shen Zhui coughed."You?" Zhang Xuan felt so mortified he nearly coughed up blood. He had just returned from the man's library, and he had already given him a dressing-down...

"I am Shen Zhui, it is an honor to meet Master Yang. Allow me to introduce you. These three are Master Liu, Master Zheng, and Master Zhuang..."Emperor Shen Zhui quickly explained."Master Liu... what? Renowned Masters?" Zhang Xuan was taken aback.Hadn't he been told there were no Renowned Masters in Tianxuan Kingdom?When did three suddenly appear? What had happened in the few days he was away?

"Liu Ling (Zhuang Xian, Zheng Fei) greets Master Yang!"Master Liu and the others stepped forward, cupped their fists, and simultaneously scrutinized the middle-aged man before them.With just a glance, all three frowned.

"Please, come inside with me!"Unaware that the three seemed to have discerned something, Zhang Xuan rubbed his temples and gestured with a wave of his hand, seeing so many people gathered at the entrance, making conversation difficult.He couldn't possibly let the esteemed King and three Renowned Masters continue to wait at the door.

"Brother Liu, did you notice anything?"As they followed him into the courtyard, Zhuang Xian couldn't help but whisper."He's disguised; this isn't his true appearance. Judging by his skin and mannerisms, he should be quite young, definitely no older than thirty, perhaps even... under twenty-five!" Liu Ling said, frowning.If even Du Miaoxuan could see through Zhang Xuan's disguise, how could Renowned Masters not?

"Under twenty-five? How could someone that young be a Renowned Master? He's probably a fake..." Zhuang Xian scoffed.Like venerable scholars, Renowned Masters were more esteemed with age. It was one thing for him to hide his true appearance, but to be under twenty-five... how could he possibly be a Renowned Master?To become a Renowned Master, one had to pass multiple assessments, each requiring immense effort and study. Given the limitations of age and knowledge, it was impossible to succeed in these assessments in one's early twenties!

"He's likely a fake. We'll find a way to expose him later," Master Zheng agreed, nodding.They had already harbored doubts after hearing Liu Tianyu and the others' introductions. Now, seeing Zhang Xuan's crude disguise with their own eyes, they immediately understood: he was definitely a fraud.If he wasn't a fake, why would he be disguised?If he wasn't a fake, how could someone in their twenties possess a level of skill that even they couldn't discern?

"Furthermore, did you notice the bloodshot eyes and weary expression? If he were truly a Renowned Master, how could he be in such a state?" Liu Ling continued.Not only did he see through Zhang Xuan's disguise, but he also noticed his lack of energy.He observed for a while longer, growing angrier with each passing moment, because from every angle, this person did not seem genuine.Any person would be furious to have been led to visit a fraud for five consecutive days, let alone a Renowned Master.

Unaware that his disguise had been mostly seen through, Zhang Xuan entered the reception hall and took the main seat. He looked up at the three individuals before him and asked, "May I ask what brings the three Renowned Masters to see me, Yang?"

"Ah, we've heard that Master Yang is highly skilled in medicine and adept at helping people achieve breakthroughs in cultivation. We have ventured to come here today to seek your guidance on a matter..."Liu Ling spoke after exchanging a glance with the other two.They knew a direct confrontation wouldn't work. Since they intended to expose him, they had to strip him bare of all pretense.

"What is it? Speak."All Zhang Xuan wanted to do now was earn another two million, quickly get his hands on the medicinal herbs he'd purchased, and then find somewhere to sleep. He was utterly exhausted, so he skipped the pleasantries and waved his hand dismissively.

"Pretend, keep pretending!"Seeing his dismissive attitude, the three masters' faces turned green with anger, and their eyes narrowed."His psychological fortitude is quite good.But no matter how well he pretends, it's useless. We won't leave today until we expose you."

"I have some issues with my cultivation that I'd like to seek guidance on!"At the subtle prompting of the other two, Zhuang Xian stood up and cupped his fists, saying, "I have now reached the peak of the Tongxuan realm, just one step away from the Half-Step Grandmaster realm. However, I distinctly feel that the speed at which my true qi condenses within my body has slowed. No matter what I do, I cannot take that final step. I have exhausted all methods, and I don't know why. I hope you can provide some guidance."

"Peak of the Tongxuan realm?" Zhang Xuan was disheartened.His current strength was only at the peak of the Acupoint Opening realm. He had no idea how to cultivate to the Tongxuan realm, what it entailed, or what its advantages were. How could he possibly offer guidance?

"Alright then... punch twice and let me see!"Knowing that he couldn't outdo the other party purely with theoretical knowledge, Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

"Punch twice? Very well!"Zhuang Xian knew that performing a martial skill would reveal the issue, so without hesitation, he stood up and unleashed a punch.Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!The fist wind whistled, its power like a blade.Indeed, he was a strong practitioner of the Tongxuan realm. True qi circulated within his body like a swimming dragon, and the powerful punch caused the surrounding air to roar and produce sonic booms.The series of punches quickly ended.

Zhuang Xian, Liu Ling, and Zheng Fei all looked at "Master Yang," eager to hear his commentary. Instead, they saw him with a blank, wooden expression, seemingly lost in thought.

"Please give your assessment!"Seeing his demeanor, Zhuang Xian's face darkened and became very unpleasant. He couldn't even bother to address him as "Master Yang" anymore.No matter what, he was a Renowned Master himself. If this man were truly many levels above them, it would be one thing, but for a disguised faker, what was he putting on airs for?He asked me to punch, and now he's just staring blankly... Has he gone dumb, unable to say anything?

"You want me to assess?"Ignoring the other's displeasure, Zhang Xuan lifted his eyes and looked over."Precisely!" Zhuang Xian snorted.He had already decided: the moment the other man spoke, he would find a flaw, expose him publicly, and humiliate the fraud.Although they hadn't yet confirmed if this person was genuine, a crowd of people was already queuing outside. Logically, they should have discouraged them, but they had their own reasons for not doing so.If he were genuine, dissuading these people would undoubtedly offend him, making it a loss rather than a gain. If he were a fake, they could expose him in front of everyone, ruin his reputation, and simultaneously declare to the world that Renowned Masters must not be blasphemed or impersonated.

"The assessment is simple, but I fear you might not believe me..." Zhang Xuan shook his head.He had no choice but to push through now; otherwise, if his disguise were discovered, he wouldn't be able to escape. However, after so many days of impersonation, he was quite adept at it.With an impassive expression, he waved his hand and said, "Alright, then, do you want to break through the peak of the Tongxuan realm and reach the Half-Step Grandmaster realm?"

"Of course!" Zheng Yang replied.It was a foolish question; what cultivator didn't want to achieve breakthroughs?Who didn't aspire to reach a higher realm?A physician cannot treat himself, nor can a Renowned Master guide himself. Though he desperately wanted to break through, he had been stagnant for years, unable to succeed.Meanwhile, his two old friends, Liu Ling and Zheng Fei, had long since broken through, leaving him to watch with growing anxiety.

"I can help you break through within ten minutes, however..." Zhang Xuan paused."Ten minutes... breakthrough?" Zhuang Xian was stunned.Even Liu Ling and Zheng Fei, standing to the side, looked incredibly skeptical.As his friends, they had tried to help him before and knew a breakthrough in such a short time was impossible. Yet, this charlatan was claiming... success in just ten minutes?

"The opportunity has been presented to you. The choice is yours."Zhang Xuan picked up the teacup from the table and slowly sipped, his expression calm.Normally, this gesture would have been incredibly cool, inspiring awe like a towering mountain. But now, with his bloodshot eyes, drooping eye bags, and dry, purplish lips, he lacked any semblance of a wise master. Instead, he looked inexplicably odd and out of place, as if he'd just spent a night on a 'health' retreat.

"I... alright, I want to break through. Please guide me!"After a moment of hesitation, Zhuang Xian gritted his teeth.If what he said was true, and he could help him break through, then he was genuinely impressive. But if he couldn't... then he was a fraud, a charlatan!

"Are you sure?" Zhang Xuan's eyelids twitched slightly."Yes!" Zhuang Xian waved his hand."Excellent. Xiaoqiang, go get a burlap sack, then call a few guards, and have them bring wooden sticks..."Zhang Xuan began to issue instructions.

The three Renowned Masters and Emperor Shen Zhui exchanged glances, their faces filled with peculiar expressions.A burlap sack?Guards?Wooden sticks?Weren't they supposed to be helping him achieve a breakthrough? What was... what was he planning?Was he going to catch a pig?