Chapter 86

Lin Liang carried an ancient and simple long sword, dressed in white, and leaped from branch to branch, covering dozens of meters with each bound, as if he were walking on air, like a celestial being.

In the distance, he saw a carriage on the official road ahead, with the Liu family's emblem on its body. It must be the target of this mission.

A smile appeared on his face, "It's all too easy."

He hadn't taken action for many years, and the world had probably forgotten that the Lin family still had the Shadowless Sword.

The Shadowless Sword was his title.

After reaching the First Rank, he earned such an elegant title.

For years, he had stayed in the family, rarely taking action.

It had been twenty years since he last received a mission.

The target was just a Second Rank who had recently broken through.

But it was the other identity of the target that interested him more.

Top of the Hidden Dragon List!

To personally kill the top of the Hidden Dragon List was quite exciting to think about.

As the carriage drew near, Lin Liang was about to fly over.

"Scram!"

Suddenly, a voice exploded in his ear, almost dispersing his inner true essence. His feet lost their support, and he fell, landing solidly on the ground.

A First Rank powerhouse, and he fell flat on his face.

Lin Liang's body sprang up instantly, and with a whoosh, he turned and fled from the scene at a speed several times faster than before.

...

In front of the carriage, Gu Yang and a few others were riding horses, chatting animatedly.

Suddenly, Gu Yang turned his head and looked in the direction where Lin Liang had fallen.

Chu Xiyue and Wu Xingyun naturally heard the commotion but didn't want to be distracted by unrelated matters and continued, "Brother Gu's words just now truly enlightened me."

Wu Xingyun also remarked, "I didn't expect Brother Gu to have such profound skills in swordsmanship."

"Somewhat knowledgeable."

Gu Yang said modestly.

At the same Second Rank, but in terms of martial arts cultivation, he was far superior to these two, a result of years of accumulation.

The problems Chu Xiyue and Wu Xingyun had encountered, he had also faced. A little guidance from him resolved their doubts.

This could be considered a return favor.

If it weren't for Chu Xiyue's presence, he wouldn't have such a leisurely time; he would have been chased by the Lin family's First Rank.

...

...

Half a month later, Gu Yang and his group changed to a water route, renting a boat and sailing downstream.

Since Gu Yang's arrival in this world, he had rarely had such a leisurely half month. They traveled slowly, discussing martial arts with Chu Xiyue and Wu Xingyun during the day and enjoying the scenery along the way.

At night, he practiced with Su Qingzhi.

Surrounded by three beautiful women, his days were quite pleasant.

Unfortunately, such a peaceful life was soon disrupted.

A few days later, at night.

Gu Yang was practicing with Su Qingzhi in the room.

They sat on the bed, palms touching, and his true essence circulated through Su Qingzhi's body before returning to his own.

Such dual cultivation had very little effect on him.

After reaching the Second Rank, his true essence needed years to improve.

But for Su Qingzhi, the benefits were significant.

Suddenly, her inner true essence boiled, breaking through several meridians, and she had clearly advanced to the Sixth Rank.

Gu Yang withdrew his hands, looking at her with envy.

Her talent was truly extraordinary.

Counting on his fingers, she had only been practicing for a little over a month and had already advanced from an ordinary person to the Sixth Rank.

Such speed was astonishing.

Of course, her rapid progress was largely due to him.

The higher Gu Yang's realm, the greater the benefits Su Qingzhi received during their joint cultivation.

As he was thinking, he suddenly heard shouts of battle nearby, feeling somewhat puzzled. He left the room and went to the deck.

They had rented a large pleasure boat with ample space for them to live.

Wu Xingyun had already come down and was looking at the river not far away, where a boat was on fire, and the shouts of battle were coming from there.

Gu Yang had seen that boat during the day; it seemed to be a merchant ship. What surprised him was that the commotion clearly involved three Second Ranks.

This was odd; a merchant ship had gathered three Second Ranks.

He asked, "Brother Wu, is this a robbery or a vendetta?"

Wu Xingyun's expression was serious, and he whispered, "Two of them are military experts."

Military?

Gu Yang was even more curious.

In the Great Zhou, the military was a special force that rarely got involved in martial world disputes. If the military was involved, the people on that boat must have a significant identity.

Of course, he had no intention of getting involved in other people's affairs.

Wu Xingyun had even less intention.

After leaving the martial academy, most disciples joined the military. Not to mention his father, the Duke of Jinghai, who was a major figure in the military.

At this moment, Chu Xiyue also came out, gazing at the large boat and said, "The person on that boat is likely the young miss of the Qian family."

Wu Xingyun's expression changed, "You mean the Qian family's legitimate daughter?"

The Qian family was not one of the Nine Surnames, but in terms of fame, it was no less than any of them.

This was the wealthiest family in the world, and saying they were as rich as a nation was not an exaggeration.

"Over the past few generations, the Qian family has had few descendants. In this generation, only one woman remains in the direct line. Two months ago, the Qian family's financial godfather passed away. Then, someone appeared, claiming to be the Qian family's illegitimate child, and gained the support of many, starting to take over the Four Seas Bank."

Chu Xiyue's voice was cold in the river breeze.

"The young miss of the Qian family has been in Jingzhou for the past few years. Upon hearing the news, she naturally had to return to Zhongzhou to reclaim the Four Seas Bank."

Gu Yang, hearing this, suddenly said, "I heard that the true owner of the Four Seas Bank is the royal family, and the Qian family only manages it. Is that true?"

Wu Xingyun smiled bitterly, "So, this matter must involve the royal family's struggle. Who else could mobilize military experts besides the royal family?"

Gu Yang asked again, "Why does this young miss of the Qian family only have Second Rank martial artists as guards? Doesn't the Qian family have any First Rank powerhouses?"

Wu Xingyun explained, "That's not surprising. First Rank powerhouses are too conspicuous. If she brought a First Rank powerhouse with her, it would be like telling everyone she was returning to Zhongzhou to fight for the Four Seas Bank."

"She probably wanted to act secretly, but still, her whereabouts were discovered..."

Chu Xiyue sighed, "The Four Seas Bank is the royal family's money bag. The person behind this has been plotting for a long time and wouldn't tolerate her interference."

This matter was too deep.

Gu Yang asked one last question, "Is this young miss of the Qian family very wealthy?"

Wu Xingyun replied, "Not just wealthy. In the past few years in Jingzhou, she built a fleet that specializes in long-distance voyages, earning hundreds of thousands per trip."

Gu Yang suddenly leaped away, saying, "I'll be back soon."

Chu Xiyue and the others were stunned, watching him fly toward the boat, thinking in unison, "No way, right?"