Chapter 11

The Qihai point, which had always surged with a powerful flow of energy, was now completely devoid of any trace of that mighty qi.

Strangely, however, Chingyunso's face remained calm. When a person is too shocked, they often do not show anger or tears.

...

Chingyunso stood there, staring blankly into the air. The emotion on his face was more one of doubt than anger. He was a warrior of unparalleled skill, whose martial prowess was beyond belief. In the face of that overwhelming power and immense aura, he had been rendered powerless. The sense of helplessness was indescribable.

"Are you awake?"

"...Master."

Chingyunso struggled to his feet to greet his master, Danchianyang. Danchianyang, adjusting his robe, sat down gracefully and looked at his disciple with a wistful and sad gaze.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Yes."

Chingyunso's face was stoic. His disciple could not possibly be well. The foundation of his Zixin Gong, the basis of his Reversing Heaven's Qi, had been completely destroyed. All the inner strength he had cultivated throughout his life must have vanished.

But bravely, he did not show any signs of worry, fearing that his master would be concerned.

Drip.

Tears flowed down his face, devoid of emotion, for reasons unknown.

"Ah..."

Chingyunso turned away from his master, trying to hide his own appearance. Danchianyang approached the bed and, with both hands, gently turned his disciple's face to meet his gaze.

"...There's no need to hold back."

Even his master was biting his lips, suppressing his emotions. Only then did the floodgates open, and a torrent of emotions burst forth.

"Sniff... Master..."

How could he not understand the feelings of a warrior who had lost all his inner strength?

Danchianyang comforted his disciple, patting his back and his sorrow.

"I, your master, will replenish it for you."

This single sentence was not just a mere consolation. It was a promise of trust. Chingyunso, as always, trusted his master. Wiping away his tears, he looked at his master again.

"...It wasn't Nan Gong's sword."

Danchianyang nodded silently, but his face soon became resolute.

"Do not even wonder who he is. Revenge is even more out of the question. It will be difficult, but you must forget everything."

Chingyunso's eyes were filled with doubt.

"Disciple, you must train with the intensity of cutting bone and flesh, and you must..."

Danchianyang, without a word, raised his intent.

Whoosh—

Suddenly, a single crimson light sword appeared in the air. Chingyunso, watching this, was shocked.

"Surely... Is this a Yixing Jian? Have you achieved the Heart Sword Technique?"

Danchianyang, with a calm expression, watched his disciple's amazed face.

"Yes, as you guessed."

Chingyunso, smelling the faint fragrance, was even more surprised.

"A, Dark Fragrance Plum!"

Chingyunso was marveling at the legend of Huashan, witnessing its greatness. But the words that followed from his master were even more shocking.

"I, even I, could not withstand his single sword."

Chingyunso's eyes widened in shock.

The Dark Fragrance Plum of Huashan, a legend that had lasted a thousand years. Achieving it meant surpassing the best in the world and leaving a name in the history of the martial world. How could his master, who had achieved such greatness, lack the confidence to withstand a single sword?

"He is an existence beyond human. Do not pour any special emotions into him."

Chingyunso, now frozen in place, could not say a word.

* * *

Bang!

Nangong Zhanghu slammed his fist on the table roughly.

"...Withdraw?"

Zhuge Yun, equally bewildered, kept tilting his head.

"That's right. That Huashan Xiaolong..."

The news that Huashan Xiaolong had suddenly withdrawn from the martial arts competition was spreading. Pang Jue, standing nearby, gritted his teeth.

"What a cowardly escape!"

Zhao Hui sighed deeply, observing the agitation of these people.

He had become a sword deity!

Of course, his mental state would be shattered!

Zhao Hui, with a sympathetic heart, looked at the training hall where Chingyunso was staying.

"Huh?"

Zhao Hui's eyes widened.

Chingyunso, who had collapsed in a bloody mess after receiving the formless sword qi from the sword deity just two days ago, was now walking toward the camp of the Five Great Families.

'Recovery is fast?'

Indeed, one of the Six Great Dragons!

Zhao Hui, feeling a bit less guilty, wore a relieved expression.

Nangong Zhanghu, noticing him, stood up, emitting a heavy aura.

Chingyunso, who had arrived, bowed respectfully.

"Due to personal reasons, I must withdraw from the martial arts competition. I hope for your understanding."

Nangong Zhanghu, with a penetrating gaze, asked.

"What kind of significant reason could make you withdraw from the Xiaolong Grand Assembly?"

If Nangong Zhanghu's goal was to win the competition, Chingyunso's withdrawal would be a welcome development. But his goal was not just to win the competition.

Mokong Xinbao?

He was already learning the supreme sword technique of his family, the King Sword Formation. That was not significant to him.

The only thing that drove him to intense training and gave him a purpose in life was the man standing before him.

Would Chingyunso not know this?

He knew better than anyone what it felt like to lose a worthy opponent.

Chingyunso decided to be honest. It was a matter of respect for Nangong Zhanghu.

"...There is a problem with my martial arts."

Nangong Zhanghu, who had been emitting a heavy aura, suddenly looked worried.

"Have you fallen into a demonic state?"

Chingyunso smiled bitterly.

"Not to that extent."

"Hmm. That's a relief."

Despite his intense competitive spirit, Nangong Zhanghu, as a fellow warrior, genuinely cared for Chingyunso's well-being, which was the hallmark of a noble family.

"I don't know how much I have been looking forward to today. I am not avoiding this, so please do not be angry. I will never avoid the sword of the young master of Xiaojian."

Nangong Zhanghu nodded silently.

Chingyunso seemed different somehow. His tone, which had been slightly arrogant, had become more respectful, and his demeanor was much softer.

"Then..."

Just as Chingyunso was about to leave the camp with a respectful bow, a hand fell on his shoulder.

Click.

The person who had put his arm around Chingyunso's shoulder was none other than Zhao Hui.

"Life has its ups and downs. You need to be strong."

Perhaps feeling sorry for what Chingyunso had endured from the sword deity, Zhao Hui was trying to comfort him.

Suddenly, Chingyunso shrank like a snail and collapsed.

"Get out of my way!"

His eyes darted around, showing a clear sense of unease and fear.

"Hey, I'm just trying to be nice..."

"Stay away from me!"

His master had clearly said it was an existence beyond human. If so, it must be a sage or a mountain spirit. Getting involved would surely bring no good.

If he angered him, he might be turned into a pancake again, wouldn't he?

The young disciples of the Five Great Families, watching this, all had a bewildered look on their faces.

Who is Huashan Xiaolong?

One of the Six Great Dragons, representing the young talents of the martial world, and the strongest among them. The eldest disciple of Huashan, and a recognized future sword saint.

How could a man who had been so confident in front of the sword saint now be so afraid of someone?

They all looked at Zhao Hui as if he were a fallen hero.

"What did you do? What incredible thing did you do to make Ching Xiaoye act like this?"

Zhuge Yun's expression was full of suspicion.

Zhao Hui, frightened, waved his hands.

"No, why are you saying I cause trouble every day? I really feel hurt."

His behavior, which seemed to be hiding something, made him even more suspicious.

"Is there something? I can tell there's something..."

Pang Jue, lacking in tact, chimed in.

"Looks like he dragged you to a secluded place and gave you a beating."

But who would drag Huashan Xiaolong to a secluded place and beat him up?

It was the sword deity, not me!

Was this the feeling of Fu Douzhang, who had shouted "The emperor's ears are donkey ears"?

The voice of truth was rising in his throat, but he doubted whether anyone would believe him if he spoke.

Nangong Zhanghu's gaze was complex as he looked at Zhao Hui.

He was truly a man of many mysteries.

A martial genius who could defeat the Sword Immortal of Huashan in a sword discussion.

A master of music who could make the first lady of Nan Gong Xiao Xiao marvel.

A genius in mathematics who could make even the young genius of Shen Ji Zhuge submit.

A great thinker who could win the hearts of scholars and literati with a single speech.

A master of calligraphy who could convey the emotions of the writer through mere characters.

Nangong Zhanghu could not understand what this man's true nature was.

Reaching the pinnacle of a single field was a difficult feat, even for a lifetime of dedication.

Could all these achievements be possible for one person in a lifetime?

The man standing before him might be a great genius whose name would go down in history.

Zhao Hui, giving up on explaining, sighed deeply.

He had already experienced the charm of Huashan and unexpectedly obtained the Ten Thousand Year Ice. It was time to leave.

Zhao Hui stood up and bowed respectfully.

"I will now descend the mountain."

Zhuge Yun was bewildered.

"Suddenly?"

What? The exciting martial arts competition hasn't even started, and he wants to leave?

So many people from all over the Central Plains had gathered to watch this competition, even from a distance!

Nangong Zhanghu, who had always been curious about Zhao Hui's true martial arts skills, was the most anxious.

With the match against Huashan Xiaolong out of the question, he had to hold onto Zhao Hui!

"Are you afraid of me?"

Nangong Zhanghu, with a sneer.

As a warrior and a man, he could not ignore such a provocation to his pride.

"Of course I should avoid you, the young master of the Nan Gong family. Am I crazy? Fight the young master of Xiaojian?"

Huh?

This is not the scene I expected.

Nangong Zhanghu, bewildered, spoke again. This time, he tried to persuade.

"Zhao Xiaoye, just watching the martial arts competition is a great learning experience. It's rare to see so many disciples of prestigious schools gathered in one place. Moreover, we may not be able to participate in the next Xiaolong Grand Assembly, right?"

Zhao Hui, half-listening to Nangong Zhanghu's earnest words, approached Zhang Yilong, who was sleeping with his head on the table.

Snoring loudly and drooling, Zhang Yilong was truly a bandit among bandits!

Wow!

Our employee, even when sleeping, is so manly!

He will play a crucial role in the 'business' that will rake in money from Hefei!

"Manager Zhang?"

Zhang Yilong, woken up by Zhao Hui, frowned.

"...Hmm. Brother? Manager Zhang? What is it?"

Zhao Hui put on a serious face.

"Hey! Didn't we agree to do business together? If you