Chapter 7

The *Piyu Sword Technique* is not a particularly sophisticated sword technique. Its power lies in one word: speed. However, no matter how much Su Zhong practiced, he could never catch up to the original *Piyu Sword Technique* in a short time. This was a technique that dominated the world with its speed.

Su Zhong thoroughly mastered the *Piyu Sword Technique* and combined it with various sword techniques he had gathered. He began to simplify this sword technique. With the powerful effects of the Boundary-Breaking Pearl, his brain's development deepened as he grew older. His comprehension was terrifying.

The *Piyu Sword Technique* was simplified from seventy-two moves to thirty-six, and finally to twelve. Throughout this process, he incorporated many of his thoughts on swordsmanship.

By this point, the *Piyu Sword Technique* in Su Zhong's hands had long lost its original form. Even if Lin Yuanfu were to come back to life, he would never recognize this as the *Piyu Sword Technique*. These changes were all the result of Su Zhong's repeated thinking and experimentation, improving the sword technique.

Although the moves had changed significantly, the core sword intent remained unchanged. Both versions of the sword technique had a very clear core essence: killing. Every move was a lethal killing move. To distinguish it, Su Zhong simply named his sword technique the *Twelve Deadly Swords*. In his heart, he had a competitive spirit, wanting to measure himself against Yan Shisan, the legendary swordsman from Gu Long's works.

After secluding himself in the valley, Su Zhong devoted all his thoughts to martial arts. In the first couple of years, he would still return home occasionally, but later, he completely treated the valley as his home. Every day, as soon as he opened his eyes, Su Zhong began to think about martial arts.

Madam Lin, who loved her eldest son, would come to live in the valley for several months each year. Su Zhong truly cared only for Madam Lin. Her frequent visits to the secluded valley made Su Zhong care less and less about the Fuyi Escort Agency. His long absence led many people at the Fuyi Escort Agency to be unaware of his existence. Only some of the older people knew that Lin Zhenan had an eldest son living in seclusion outside Fuzhou City.

The threat of a family massacre forced him to practice martial arts diligently. Madam Lin tried to persuade him multiple times but to no avail. Seeing her eldest son suffer from practicing martial arts, she felt distressed. Unable to persuade Su Zhong, she could only take better care of his daily life, ensuring he had no worries about food and clothing.

In this free yet urgent environment, Su Zhong did only three things every day: practice, rest, and normal physiological activities.

He had many creative ideas, some of which he applied to himself, and some to Xiao Sheng. Over the years, Xiao Sheng focused on the twelve basic boxing moves. Under Su Zhong's guidance, the *Shaoyang Heart Method* became increasingly profound.

Due to frequently using bandits as practice targets, he even earned the title of "Hundred Steps Divine Fist." However, no one knew that this newly rising boxing genius in the martial world was from the Fuyi Escort Agency. This was Su Zhong's deliberate arrangement. He didn't want to scare away those secretly coveting the *Piyu Sword Technique*. Su Zhong wanted to lure them all out and kill them all at once!

Xiao Sheng obeyed Su Zhong, who only instructed him to protect Madam Lin's safety, leaving everything else to him. Lin Zhenan had no way to control Xiao Sheng because he couldn't even defeat him!

In the ten years of Su Zhong's continuous practice, time flew by.

...

Dagreenshan, Langya Fort.

Langya Fort was occupied by a group of bandits led by three skilled martial artists. Their subordinates were ruthless and cruel, causing widespread suffering in the surrounding villages. But today, the arrogant and domineering Langya Fort faced a massive crisis.

The gate of Langya Fort opened, and dead bodies could be seen lying on the ground everywhere from the entrance.

Some had been stabbed in the neck, some in the heart, and some in the armpit, all with sword wounds. But the most bizarre thing was the expressions on their faces. They did not have the usual look of despair and unwillingness seen on ordinary dead people. Instead, they had expressions of bravery in battle or fear while fleeing. But none of these expressions showed any despair at the approach of death.

It was as if they were still fighting, fleeing, or cursing, and then suddenly died.

Instant death!

Such a bizarre method of death was entirely due to the speed of the opponent's sword and the sharpness of the blade. Those who were stabbed did not even realize they were dead until the end!

"Who are you? What grudge do you have against my brothers?" Lu Guanshan, the leader of Langya Fort, was a skilled knife fighter. He had never encountered an opponent since he started his career. This was partly because his knife skills were indeed good, and partly because he was very smart. He always chose targets he could handle. He never went after people like the Five Mountains Sword Sect, Shaolin, or Wudang.

But today, two young men entered the fort. One held a sword, and the other was unarmed. They killed everyone they saw, and the most terrifying thing was that the young man with the sword never used a second strike to kill anyone! Lu Guanshan had seen many skilled swordsmen, but none were as cold, decisive, and bizarre as this young man.

"Is this Lu Guanshan, the leader of Langya Fort?" The young man with the sword asked the unarmed young man beside him. His voice was calm, without praise or ridicule, just a simple confirmation.

"It's him." The unarmed young man seemed to be poor at speaking and did not say anything more.

These two were naturally Su Zhong and Xiao Sheng.

He came to Langya Fort to kill, not to uphold justice, but to test his sword. In the past ten years, he had done this more than once.

Su Zhong and Xiao Sheng's indifference and the brutal deaths of their subordinates finally enraged Lu Guanshan.

"Whoever you are, if you want me dead, you'll have to show your true skills!" Lu Guanshan roared, leading his long knife. He used a move called "Cleaving Mount Hua," which was both fast and fierce, like a sudden storm.

Such a ruthless and decisive strike made no sound. The heavy knife was wielded with a touch of agility. Su Zhong nodded inwardly; Lu Guanshan's knife skills were indeed good.

Su Zhong stood still, and as the knife blade was about to reach his head, he suddenly drew his sword with his right hand. A pale green light flashed. The long sword, like a graceful swallow, turned sharply in the wind, swift and elegant.

Su Zhong's feet slid, and his figure blurred as he passed by Lu Guanshan. The sword returned to its sheath, and Su Zhong stood tall in the wind, dressed in black, as if he had never drawn his sword.

Lu Guanshan screamed as he passed by Su Zhong. Turning to continue his attack, he felt his strength drained, and blood gushed from his body. He collapsed, eyes wide open, with a look of disbelief on his face.

He muttered, "Deadly sword, deadly sword..."

"Let's go." Su Zhong turned and left. In the past month, he had already destroyed thirty-nine such forts. This meant that sometimes he would destroy one or two forts in a day. Excluding time for eating and resting, he sometimes had to destroy three or four forts in a day.

So he was indifferent to Lu Guanshan's death. His eyes showed no other emotion, only a coldness like ten-thousand-year-old ice.

Xiao Sheng picked up a wooden stake, grabbed both ends, and twisted it like wringing a towel. With a loud crack, the stake shattered into splinters. He repeated this with several stakes, piled them up, and tossed a fire starter on top. The two turned and left.

The mountain wind howled, and the two young men moved quickly, leaving a trail of blurs. Behind them, the fort was engulfed in flames, black smoke billowing, visible from ten miles away.

"Hey, did you hear? Langya Fort was destroyed." In a bustling tavern, a group of people were drinking and talking loudly.

"Who did it?"

"Who else, the Deadly Sword."

"Again the Deadly Sword? He's already destroyed nearly forty forts this month."

"Exactly forty. I wonder what this hero looks like."

"The Deadly Sword has been active for five years, destroying many forts over the years. It's said his sword skills are sharp, and every strike is lethal. That's why he's called the Deadly Sword. But no one has ever seen him. Could he be a great master from the Five Mountains Sword Sect?"

"Hard to say. There are many skilled swordsmen in the world, not all of them from the Five Mountains Sword Sect."

They talked enthusiastically, unaware that the subject of their conversation was riding past the tavern.

"Is the information reliable? Did Qingcheng Sect's Songfeng Temple really accept Lin Zhenan's gift?" Su Zhong asked calmly from his horse.

"Yes. The chief sent someone to Sichuan last month to smooth the way. According to Chief Cui, Songfeng Temple did accept the gift," Xiao Sheng answered truthfully.

"Finally, after sixteen years." Su Zhong muttered to himself.

Xiao Sheng remained silent, having been with Su Zhong for a long time. He knew what to ask and what not to ask.

"Let's go. It's time to return to Fuzhou City."

They spurred their horses and rode away, leaving a trail of dust. After years of hiding, the Deadly Sword was finally about to shine brightly.

...

Outside Fuzhou City, at Old Cai's Tavern. After the sound of hooves, two young men entered.

"Welcome, sir. What would you like?" An old man with white hair bowed and asked politely.

Su Zhong glanced at this deeply hidden spy, not interested in playing mind games or asking about his identity. He simply said, "A pound of bamboo leaf green, two pounds of beef, and two bowls of boiled cabbage."

"Sure thing, sir." Laodenuo shouted and went into the kitchen to prepare the food.

Yue Lingshan, disguised as a young tavern girl, began to work. She clumsily poured a pound of wine and placed it on Su Zhong's table, clearly a novice. Su Zhong didn't mind, drank the wine, and ate the cooked beef. He was strong and fit, and this low-alcohol ancient wine was like a sweet drink to him.

Soon, Laodenuo also cooked the cabbage. This was not the famous Sichuan dish "boiled cabbage," but truly boiled cabbage with just a bit of salt. Since practicing swordsmanship, Su Zhong's lifestyle had changed significantly.

His daily meals must include half vegetables and the other half grains and meat. This was all to maintain a top-tier physical condition, allowing him to fully unleash his sword skills. Ten years of sword practice meant that every word and action, every habit, was for the sake of his sword skills.

Soon, the sound of hooves was heard again. Su Zhong knew his step-brother had arrived. *Smiling, Proud Wanderer* was finally beginning.

The corner of Su Zhong's mouth curled into a cold smile, scaring Yue Lingshan, who was secretly observing him, making her shudder.

The wheels of history rolled on, but Su Zhong was ready for everything, unafraid of any storm.

---

---

Outside Fuzhou City, at Old Cai's Tavern. After the sound of hooves, two young men entered.

"Welcome, sir. What would you like?" An old man with white hair bowed and asked politely.

Su Zhong glanced at this deeply hidden spy, not interested in playing mind games or asking about his identity. He simply said, "A pound of bamboo leaf green, two pounds of beef, and two bowls of boiled cabbage."

"Sure-thing, sir." Laodenuo shouted and went into the kitchen to prepare the food.

Yue Lingshan, disguised as a young tavern girl, began to work. She clumsily poured a pound of wine and placed it on Su Zhong's table, clearly a novice. Su Zhong didn't mind, drank the wine, and ate the cooked beef. He was strong and fit, and this low-alcohol ancient wine was like a sweet drink to him.

Soon, Laodenuo also cooked the cabbage. This was not the famous Sichuan dish "boiled cabbage," but truly boiled cabbage with just a bit of salt. Since practicing swordsmanship, Su Zhong's lifestyle had changed significantly.

His daily meals must include half vegetables and the other half grains and meat. This was all to maintain a top-tier physical condition, allowing him to fully unleash his sword skills. Ten years of sword practice meant that every word and action, every habit, was for the sake of his sword skills.

Soon, the sound of hooves was heard again. Su Zhong knew his step-brother had arrived. *Smiling, Proud Wanderer* was finally beginning.

The corner of Su Zhong's mouth curled into a cold smile, scaring Yue Lingshan, who was secretly observing him, making her shudder.

The wheels of history rolled on, but Su Zhong was ready for everything, unafraid of any storm.