Chapter 320 – Deeply Worried About Trouble from Beihuan

Northern Huan was divided into seven residential districts, each inhabited by increasingly prominent figures—either high-ranking officials or business magnates.

Early this morning, shocking news had spread like wildfire, causing an uproar as seismic as an earthquake.

Someone actually dared to provoke the Seven Kings’ Disciples?

Who possessed such audacity!

“Are you truly unaware? This matter is absolutely confirmed. The perpetrator even brazenly declared they would pay a visit someday.”

“Really or not…”

“Of course it’s true. By now, even the Seven Kings must be restless. Moreover, I’ve heard through the grapevine that the Seven Kings’ Disciples are uniting against the outsider, all vowing to track down those provocateurs and exact revenge!”

It could be said that, regardless of how Northern Huan viewed this incident, it was merely the tip of the iceberg.

Beneath the surface, unknown to the public, storms were already gathering and undercurrents swirling.

Elsewhere, in a courtyard house, Ye Kuang suddenly sneezed and grinned shamelessly. “Ah, this irresistible charm of mine—wherever I go, it attracts countless attacks. Let me guess which Young Miss is secretly hanging my portrait and drooling over it.”

“Ew…” His words were inevitably met with scornful glares.

“Your shamelessness is truly appalling. You’ve always been like this, and what’s worse, you’ve corrupted the rest of us. You’re utterly despicable,” Pang Hu said in disgust.

Gao Qing, hearing this, chimed in indignantly, “If you ask me, this guy is downright scum, trash, a parasite. Yet everywhere he goes, people fall for his charm. I seriously think someone might be plotting to send you to the heavens.”

Ling Yun: “…”

In contrast, Zheng Xiucai delivered a startling remark: “Well, only the shameless can be invincible. Tell me, gentlemen, whose face is thicker than a certain someone’s?”

As he spoke, Zheng Xiucai’s gaze was pointedly insinuating, then he openly fixed his eyes squarely on Ye Kuang.

Seeing this, Ye Kuang could barely contain his anger.

It was just a casual lament, yet it had drawn contempt from a bunch of scoundrels.

Clearly, they were belittling him to elevate their own status as fellow degenerates.

“You’re all framing me! Sour grapes, that’s what this is,” Ye Kuang thought, and he outright said it.

Ling Yun, hearing this, could hardly bear it any longer and finally brought the discussion back to the main issue.

It was a case of preparing for trouble before it arose!

“Enough, all of you. I’m getting calluses on my ears from listening. Let’s talk about how to deal with the Seven Kings’ Disciples.”

“What else can we do? Meet force with force. I’ve been wanting to test whether my Myriad Tribulations Undying technique has improved anyway.”

“Pang Hu is just Pang Hu. If there’s anyone with a one-track mind, it’s you. You’re all brawn and no brains,” Gao Qing said, unable to hide his concern.

Seeing this, Ye Kuang finally realized that the “Seven Kings” might not be so simple after all.

But he refused to ask, instead digging at his ear and feigning indifference.

This left Pang Hu and the other three baffled: This isn’t right—since when did this guy become so shrewd?As if sensing someone’s inner struggle between wanting to ask and resisting the urge, Ling Yun couldn’t help but inquire: “Why don’t you ask why we hold such fear toward the Seven Kings?”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang flicked a speck of dust off his fingers nonchalantly and replied: “What needs to be said will be said. Why should I bother with unnecessary questions?”

Pang Hu: “…”

Gao Qing: “…”

Zheng Xiucai: “…”

Ling Yun sighed inexplicably: “Seems you’ve got us all figured out.”

As his words faded, Ling Yun’s entire demeanor visibly grew heavy.

Observing this, Ye Kuang spread his hands and said: “Alright then, since you’re not volunteering information, I suppose I’ll have to ask.”

Adopting an exaggeratedly puzzled expression, he continued: “Tell me then, what exactly is the origin of these Seven Kings? Why do they make you pale at the mere mention?”

Pang Hu, hearing this without suspicion, had no choice but to explain: “It appears you truly don’t know. Let me clarify.”

Ye Kuang leaned back in an armchair upon hearing this, assuming a posture of attentive listening.

Clearly, he had developed some interest in these so-called Seven Kings.

Noting this, Pang Hu began reciting clearly:

“The Plough hangs high; Geshu’s sword gleams cold.

Our foemen dread his far-famed sword;

They dare not spill our cattle’s blood.”

As he chanted, Pang Hu inevitably fell into a state of reverence before explaining: “Ancient western frontier folk composed this battle ode to glorify Geshu Han’s heroic deeds. Using the Plough as metaphorical imagery, the poem compares Geshu’s monumental achievements to the constellation, while the nomads’ enduring fear of crossing the border subtly signifies the lasting impact of his legacy.”

“But what connection does this have with the so-called Seven Kings?” Ye Kuang questioned, his own doubts multiplying.

Pang Hu observed Ye Kuang’s expression – identical to the one he himself had worn when first hearing this account years prior.

“Precisely because the Plough’s radiance casts such profound influence,” Pang Hu explained with undisguised admiration, “Though no direct correlation exists, during the chaotic times eighty years ago, seven reclusive masters emerged in the martial world. Each was a top-tier expert, honored with the names of the seven stars of the Plough!”

“Oh…” Ye Kuang asked: “Who were they?”

The moment the question left his lips, the hall fell so silent one could hear a pin drop, as if plunged into deathly stillness.

Ling Yun recited: “Dubhe Greed Wolf, Merak Giant Gate, Phecda Prosperity Star, Megrez Literary Star, Alioth Chaste Star, Mizar Martial Star, Alkaid Shattering Army…”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but sit upright in respect. Changing his sitting posture, he finally sighed: “This… is truly unexpected.”

Gao Qing, hearing this, felt compelled to add: “But if you think fame alone could shake the martial world, you’re being naive.”

Before his words fully faded, Gao Qing exchanged a glance with Zheng Xiucai before jointly revealing the terror of the Seven Kings.

Zheng Xiucai declared: “If one phrase could describe them, it would be: Fists shatter meteors and slay winds; against millions of elite troops, taking heads is as easy as reaching into a bag. Whether with blades, spears, staffs, or any of the eighteen martial arts, each weapon becomes an extension of their will. With single swords or paired halberds, later generations named them the Seven Kings, while outsiders call them the Seven Divine Arms.”

Gao Qing continued: “Each of them has slaughtered countless invaders, defeating more masters than can be counted. Rumors spread that every one of them was forged into an iron-willed warrior through mountains of corpses and seas of blood.”Pang Hu: “Their most renowned feat was joining forces to battle the demons and monsters from all directions, establishing who truly stood unrivaled.”

“That battle, if not turning the sun and moon dark and heaven and earth upside down, firmly cemented their mystique as the rising stars of our era… If the Seven Great Regions were merely constructs by later generations to glorify them, these seemingly honorable symbols are in reality…”

Ling Yun then summarized with seven solemn words: “Fortresses encircling layers upon layers, deeply fearing Northern Huan would stir trouble.”