Chapter 97

"Scrap!"

In a luxurious mansion, a plump middle-aged man squeezed out two words from his teeth, his expression as dark as could be.

A First Rank, actually killed on the spot by a Second Rank brat.

It was simply a disgrace to the Inner Guard.

In the shadows behind him, a cold voice spoke, "They are almost at Yan Dong Lake. Should we have the other two leaders intercept them?"

This time, three leaders of the Inner Guard came, and Xing Kun was dead. The other two were still alive, and if they acted together, they could certainly stop them.

Eunuch Zhuang’s eyelids drooped as he pondered for a moment, suppressing his anger, and slowly shook his head. "This young man is no ordinary person; it’s not wise to make such a powerful enemy for the Empress. Let’s observe for now and gauge his attitude before making a move."

A Second Rank, capable of killing a First Rank on the spot—what an incredible feat.

Eunuch Zhuang was well aware of Xing Kun’s strength, and precisely because of this, he knew just how terrifying the young man named Gu Yang was.

Anyone would be wary of such a terrifying genius warrior. Where did he come from?

A glint of sharpness flashed in his half-closed eyes. "Mobilize all available resources to investigate this person. I want to know everything about him."

"Yes."

The voice in the shadows responded and then fell silent.

...

Yan Dong Lake was a scenic spot in Zhongzhou City, but for some reason, it had become a forbidden area, and no one was allowed to approach it casually.

Everyone in Zhongzhou knew that a Sword Saint, a supreme expert in the Divine Realm, lived here.

At this moment, Gu Yang, led by Qian Xiyun, arrived at Yan Dong Lake. They did not encounter any enemies along the way.

Gu Yang finally understood where Qian Xiyun’s confidence came from to challenge the unknown Qian family bastard for the Four Seas Money House.

It turned out she knew a Sword Saint.

The Asura Sword Saint, a notorious killer from over two hundred years ago, was said to draw blood with every sword strike and often wiped out entire families. This earned her the name Asura.

It was said that she once killed an important figure from the Shen family and was pursued by a Divine Realm expert from the Shen family.

Later, when she reached the Divine Realm, she fought several battles with the Shen family’s Divine Realm expert. After the Shen family suffered some losses, they stopped bothering her.

After becoming a Divine Realm expert, the Asura Sword Saint went into seclusion, and her deeds gradually became legend.

Gu Yang never expected that the Qian family’s Divine Realm expert would be this famous killer.

He wondered how the Qian family had connected with her.

However, Gu Yang thought that Qian Xiyun’s attempt to seek help from the Asura Sword Saint might be in vain.

If the Asura Sword Saint were truly reliable, how could the Qian family have fallen to such a state?

Qian Xiyun came to the lakeside, knelt down with a thud, and held up an ancient jade pendant with both hands, raising it high and shouting, "Descendant of the Qian family, seeking an audience with the Sword Saint!"

A moment later, a figure in white flew across the lake, as if walking on air, and in an instant, crossed several dozen meters to land on the shore.

It was a young woman in white, with a cold and icy demeanor, radiating an aura that warned others to stay away.

Her gaze fell on the jade pendant in Qian Xiyun’s hand, and she said indifferently, "In the past, my master was gravely injured and was saved by the ancestor of the Qian family. My master gave this jade pendant to the savior and said that in the future, three requests could be made. Now, only the last one remains. State your request."

Only then did Gu Yang realize that there was such a past between the Qian family and the Asura Sword Saint.

He never expected that this notorious killer would be a person who repaid kindness.

Qian Xiyun said, "I wish to request the Sword Saint’s help in reclaiming the Qian family’s legacy."

The young woman’s expression did not change. "Even my master cannot help with this."

Qian Xiyun’s face turned pale, and she changed her request. "Then I humbly request the Sword Saint’s assistance."

The young woman stared at her for a moment and said, "For one year, I can protect you for one year."

"Thank you."

Qian Xiyun gritted her teeth and agreed.

She did not dare to hope for too much.

Although a year was short, it was enough to accomplish many things.

Next, the young woman turned to Gu Yang, her icy eyes revealing a glint of curiosity. "You are very strong."

Gu Yang humbly replied, "Miss, you flatter me."

This woman was the Asura Sword Saint’s disciple, and just standing there gave him a sense of extreme danger.

Her strength far exceeded that of the First Rank expert he had just faced.

The young woman said, "My master wants to see you."

Gu Yang was taken aback; he never expected the Asura Sword Saint to want to see him.

"Please."

The young woman said and leaped forward, lightly touching the lake surface and gracefully gliding to a small island in the center of the lake.

Gu Yang did not hesitate and followed her.

If it were a blessing, it would not be a curse; if it were a curse, it could not be avoided.

A Divine Realm expert, if truly intent on harming him, would not let him escape.

...

On the island in the center of the lake, there was an estate that looked quite old.

Gu Yang followed the young woman to the largest building, feeling somewhat nervous. This was his first time meeting a Divine Realm expert in reality.

In simulations, every encounter with a Divine Realm expert ended badly, usually with him not even seeing the other’s true face before dying.

The young woman stopped at a door and respectfully reported, "Master, the person has been brought."

"Let him in."

An old voice came from inside.

The door creaked open, and the young woman said, "Please."

The room was pitch black.

As Gu Yang entered, he felt a cold and eerie aura.

Finally, he saw the person in the room: an old woman with white hair, a frail body, cloudy eyes, and a decaying aura, all indicating that her life was nearing its end.

No matter how hard he tried, Gu Yang could not associate this old woman on the verge of death with the famous Asura Sword Saint.

This gave him a great shock, and a sense of indescribable awe welled up inside him.

Even a once invincible Divine Realm expert, a Sword Saint who made the world bow to her, could not resist the ravages of time.

The old woman noticed his shock and said indifferently, "A Divine Realm expert is still a mortal. Even at the Divine Realm, one only has a lifespan of three hundred years."

Gu Yang finally recovered from his shock and bowed. "Junior Gu Yang, paying respects to the senior."

Even if this old woman was on the verge of death, she was still a Divine Realm expert. He did not dare to be disrespectful.

At this moment, he finally understood many things.

Why had the Qian family fallen to such a state? Because the Asura Sword Saint was about to die and could no longer protect the Qian family.

"Are you not a member of the Shen family?"

Gu Yang’s heart skipped a beat. "Junior’s surname is Gu, so I am not a member of the Shen family."

"I was just curious about what kind of person could cultivate the 'Phoenix Dance of Nine Heavens' to the peak of the Second Rank."

The old woman said with a hint of sarcasm, "The Shen family treats this cultivation method as a treasure. Each generation, they select the most outstanding disciple to cultivate it, but none have reached the First Rank."

"If the old man of the Shen family knew of your existence, he would be so angry that he would spit blood."

Gu Yang had long expected that his cultivation method would eventually be discovered.

Fortunately, this Sword Saint had a grudge against the Shen family; otherwise, it would have been troublesome.

He clasped his hands and said, "I humbly request that the senior keep my secret."

The old woman suddenly asked, "Do you know why I want to see you?"

"Please enlighten me."

"I want to make a deal with you."

The old woman did not wait for him to ask and continued, "I am about to die, and the only thing I am worried about is a young disciple. I want her to follow you and be protected for a few years. In exchange, I can teach you a powerful secret technique."

Gu Yang found this strange. "The senior’s disciple outside is much stronger than I am. Why not entrust her to her?"

"She is about to get involved in the Qian family’s affairs, which will be extremely dangerous. It would be even more unsafe to be with her."

That might not be the case.

Gu Yang’s troubles were no less than Qian Xiyun’s.

He asked another question, "Why choose me?"

The old woman said, "You were willing to kill Inner Guard members for Qian Xiyun’s sake, showing that you are a person of your word."

Indeed, the Sword Saint had keen insight.

Gu Yang admired her in his heart.

The old woman continued, "As long as you agree, you can ask for anything you want, as long as I have it."

Gu Yang’s heart stirred, and he blurted out, "I want money!"

PS: Continuing to ask for monthly votes, still 300 votes short.