Chapter 97: The Lawless One of the Heavenly Horse Sect (1)

The Third Young Master of the Heavenly Horse Sect.

The impact of that name was truly significant.

"Wow!"

"Th, Third Young Master?!"

"This is the first time I've seen you in person!"

"Indeed...! Just as the rumors say, you have an imposing presence!"

Xuliang unconsciously stroked his face.

This face is imposing? Sure, he was quite handsome, but wasn't it just plain water?

On the other hand, the demon swordsmen of the Ma Jian Clan, including Ji Yunhui, were shocked for a different reason.

'The Third Young Master? That young man?'

Ji Yunhui examined Xuliang's face again.

'Now that I think about it...'

At some point in the past, he had seen Xuliang.

It was when his upper lip was just beginning to darken, shortly after he was appointed as the Third Young Master.

However, no matter how much time had passed, the difference between the Xuliang of that time and the Xuliang of now was too great. Who would have thought the Third Young Master had changed so much?

Xuliang smiled.

"Why? Is there something on my face?"

"..."

"Then, greetings?"

Ji Yunhui, who had been quietly observing Xuliang, slowly made a fist salute.

"I, Ji Yunhui, the head of the Ma Jian Clan, greet the Third Young Master."

It was a short and simple greeting. He did not intend to belittle the other party, but it was a subtle greeting that did not show much respect.

At the same time, the two young men and the swordsmen of the Sword Fragrance Hall, who were lined up behind him, bowed their heads.

"We greet the Third Young Master."

When they emitted their aura, it seemed as if they could crush a mountain, but now their greetings were quiet.

Ji Yunhui said,

"I did not know you were the Third Young Master."

"Is that so?"

"Even if I didn't know, rudeness is still rudeness. I admit my mistake. However, as a candidate for the successor of the Heavenly Horse Sect, you also showed behavior that deviated from propriety. How about we consider this matter as if it never happened?"

It was a clean way of handling the situation. Though he was flustered, he quickly regained his composure and swiftly defused the situation.

Indeed, it was the demeanor of the head of a clan that vied for the top position in the demon world.

Xuliang spoke bluntly.

"Agreed. I didn't come here to start a quarrel."

It was not a particularly trustworthy statement. Of course, there was no one in this place who could hold him accountable.

"Thank you. Then, I will take my leave..."

"Before that."

"..."

"You didn't answer my question. I really want to know, so please give me an answer before you go."

"...If you could remind me of the question, I would be grateful."

"I can repeat it anytime. I asked this: as a father, if you witnessed your child committing a heinous crime, how would you act?"

Ji Yunhui's eyes deepened. He could not guess the intention behind the other party's words.

But it was a situation where everyone was watching. It didn't seem wise to have a long conversation with that high-ranking but troublesome young man.

"Of course, I would handle it according to the law."

"Handle it according to the law?"

"Yes."

"That 'law' is a rather ambiguous term. Do you mean the law of the clan?"

Ji Yunhui's eyebrows twitched. What was the reason for asking such an obvious question?

But he could not say it was obvious. Xuliang's face was more serious than he had expected.

A moment of silence.

At the end of that heavy silence, Ji Yunhui answered.

"The law of our main house is stricter than any other clan. If such a moment were to come, I would firmly hold my child accountable for their crime."

"Would you be even more firm because it's your child?"

A subtle exaggeration.

But it was a difficult position to deny.

The main hall was filled with demon swordsmen from the outer hall and those who had come from outside. Some of the experts from the inner hall were also watching the situation.

"Yes. How can someone who cannot properly manage their own child lead a clan as the head?"

"Understood."

"But I believe that my children and any demon swordsman of the main house will never commit such heinous acts."

It was a statement that revealed his pride as the head of the Ma Jian Clan. At least in this statement, Ji Yunhui's sincerity was evident.

Xuliang, who had been observing him, bowed his head.

"I apologize for detaining you. I welcome you to the Heavenly Horse Sect."

"It's nothing."

Xuliang stepped aside. Then, Ma Dongfil sheathed his Mowang Sword and followed behind him.

The advancing forces of the Ma Jian Clan.

Xuliang, who had stepped aside, looked at the two young men following Ji Yunhui.

One was a young man who seemed to be around Xuliang's age. His complexion was somewhat pale, but his fierce eyes and the sword-like aura surrounding his body were impressive.

The other was a young man who appeared to be in his late teens. He had a gentle appearance and a soft demeanor, but he also emitted a striking aura.

'They must be the eldest son and the third son of the head of the Ma Jian Clan.'

The eldest son, Ji Gangxian, and the third son, Ji Yongxian.

Ma Dongfil's eyes sparkled.

"Master."

"Yes."

"His aura is much more formidable than expected. The eldest son, Ji Gangxian... he is not someone to be taken lightly."

"You're right. But..."

Xuliang frowned.

'What is it?'

From Ji Gangxian's eyes, which emitted a sword-like aura, a clear killing intent could be felt.

But that level of killing intent was common among swordsmen in the martial world. Those who had killed before had experienced the weight of murder. It was natural for their eyes to carry a killing intent.

However, Xuliang could read something more.

'He kills at least once a day, or at least once every two days. Otherwise, his killing intent wouldn't be so vivid and wouldn't overlap.'

Having delved deeper into the realm of death than anyone in the martial world, he could tell from the flowing killing intent what kind of asura field the other had experienced.

'An asura field? That can't be.'

Xuliang's eyes deepened.

'This is not the killing intent one would get from a battlefield where swords fly.'

At first glance, it seemed similar to the killing intent of any other swordsman, but it was more vicious and more malevolent.

'The killing intent of someone who has unilaterally murdered others.'

Literally, the eyes of a murderer, a killer.

'If the eldest son, Ji Gangxian, is the culprit... and he really kills someone every two days, it's quite astonishing.'

In a year, that would be at least 180 people. At this level, he could be called a demon (魔头) without any exaggeration.

Xuliang had also carried out several assassinations in a day, but the people he had assassinated were all martial artists.

It was a fierce battle of wits and extreme concentration, akin to a battle.

Ji Gangxian was different.

Based on his guess, the people he had killed were likely ordinary civilians who had not learned any martial arts.

'Well, being the eldest son of a demon clan, he might even be proud of being called a demon.'

In any case, he was undoubtedly a vicious person.

'And the head of the Ma Jian Clan seemed completely unaware.'

A person with the level of subtlety that even his father, who was known as a sword king of the demon world, did not notice.

Moreover, as the eldest son, he must have had to handle the tasks assigned to him every day.

His vicious nature, subtlety, and the ability to manage himself so well that no one suspected him.

'Not an easy opponent.'

At that moment, Ji Gangxian subtly turned his head.

When their eyes met, his eyes narrowed. But only for a moment, then he turned his head back to look forward.

'This guy is hard to like, isn't he?'

I would feel the same way.

Xuliang patted Ma Dongfil's shoulder.

"Dongfil, let's go back..."

Suddenly, Xuliang felt a chill run up his back.

In his quick glance, he saw one of the young men.

"Master?"

"..."

"Master!"

"Huh? Oh."

"Let's go now."

"Sure, let's go. Where is Commander Wei?"

"Commander Wei is here..."

At that moment, Wei Honglian suddenly appeared between the two.

"Did you need me?"

"Surprised me. When did you learn stealth techniques?"

"Rather, I'm surprised. I've been calling you from over there, but you didn't hear me?"

Ma Dongfil nodded.

"That's right."

"Tsk, I must have been thinking about something. Anyway, are you done with the outer hall?"

"Ah, come on!"

"Ha ha! Got it. Hey, we've seen enough of the outer hall. Let's go to the inner hall. I'm bored, let's drink."

"Ah? Is that okay?"

"Why not? We have nothing to do, and we can't stay in the outer hall forever. It seems you guys are also bored."

"He he, you noticed."

"You're so honest, I like that..."

Thus, the three of them chatted and headed for the inner hall.

Xuliang, walking in step with the two, but his mind was focused on a young man he had seen earlier.

It was not Ji Gangxian, but the third son, Ji Yongxian.

'That guy...'

Xuliang's eyes deepened.

'He's hiding an unbelievable amount of power.'

Without the senses of the Gouyou Magic Power, perfected with the help of Yichang, it would have been difficult to detect such a subtle fragment of power.

Ji Yongxian had at least a level of inner strength that rivaled or even surpassed Xuliang's.

"...This is getting more and more interesting."

* * *

After an hour, Xuliang left his quarters, having made Wei Honglian pass out from drinking. Ma Dongfil and Jinhu followed behind him.

"Didn't you get drunk?"

"I dispelled the alcohol."

"Why did you dispel it? If you were going to do that, you shouldn't have drunk in the first place."

"..."

"Well, I did tell you to drink, but..."

"I am Master's close guard. I must protect Master at any time."

Xuliang chuckled.

At that moment, Jinhu made an "ang!" sound and looked up at him. Even as she quickened her pace to match his, she looked up at Xuliang.

"You brat, are you following me too?"

When she was held in his arms, Jinhu burrowed into his chest. She seemed to want to follow but was too lazy to walk.

"By the way, Master, where are we going?"

"To see the Head of the Bliss Hall."

"I see."

Xuliang glanced at his waist.

"By the way, you were quite impressive earlier. You drew your sword with a 'thud!' and knelt with a 'thud!'"

"Ah..."

"When I see that, I know you can read the situation. Well done."

Ma Dongfil scratched his head, embarrassed.

"I just couldn't stand the arrogance of the head of the Ma Jian Clan."

"Arrogance? You even gave a polite nod."

"Did you see that?"

"I did."

"I'm sorry."

Xuliang chuckled.

"I've never met anyone who says 'I'm sorry' as much as you do. You're like the world's greatest sinner. Why are you so sorry?"

"..."

"Anyway, you're too stiff. Right, Jinhu?"

"Ang!"

"See?"

Ma Dongfil's face turned uncomfortable.

It didn't matter what Master said, but he didn't like being looked down upon by that demon. It felt like he was being underestimated by a fox no bigger than his arm.

Xuliang chuckled.

"You, in the future, be nice to Jinhu. She will be the one to scold you for your mistakes and be a beautiful mentor to you..."

Suddenly, his eyes sparkled.

Ma Dongfil pouted unusually.

"I will try my best not to make mistakes..."

"Shut up!"

Whoosh!

A blade of grass cut through the air.