Chapter 86

The innkeeper of Shenglong Tower was now in a difficult position.

He had entrusted the entire Shenglong Tower to Su Xin for a private event today, originally intending to form a good relationship with Su Xin.

Now that Su Xin was about to leave, if he allowed others to enter, wouldn't his previous actions, which broke the rules, be in vain?

Therefore, the innkeeper of Shenglong Tower could only smile bitterly and say, "Everyone, it's not that I'm deliberately driving you away, but the entire place is booked today. Could you please wait a moment? I won't charge you for this meal; consider it my apology."

The innkeeper's words only made the young man angrier. He pointed at the innkeeper and scolded, "What do you mean? Do you think we can't afford this meal?"

The innkeeper quickly waved his hands, "No, no, of course not."

"Alright, Xiao Qi, stop causing trouble. We'll just go to another place," the woman in yellow, who carried a sword on her back, said softly.

This woman had great prestige among the young men and women. Hearing her words, Xiao Qi, though resentful, could only huff and give up.

"Mr. Liu, you should hurry and prepare the dishes for these distinguished guests. If the owner of Shenglong Tower finds out that you drove these guests away, I'm afraid you'll be in big trouble," Su Xin said as he descended, bowing to the woman in yellow. "This must be Xie Zhiyan, the 'Heavenly Maiden' of Yijian Sect? And the other young talents of Yijian Sect, please sit down. Mr. Liu didn't mean to offend you; he just didn't know your identities."

Xie Zhiyan smiled faintly, "I don't deserve the title of 'Heavenly Maiden.' You can just call me by my name."

The innkeeper of Shenglong Tower broke out in a cold sweat. Although he wasn't a martial artist, as the innkeeper, he had to be observant and not offend anyone. He was well-informed about the major sects in the martial world.

Although the innkeeper had guessed that these people were extraordinary, he never thought they were from Yijian Sect. Shenglong Tower, though famous in Changning Prefecture, wasn't like Tie Wuqing or Su Xin, who could quickly learn about outsiders coming to Changning Prefecture.

If the owner of Shenglong Tower found out that he had driven away disciples of Yijian Sect, one of the Five Sword Sects, he would be in serious trouble.

Thinking of this, the innkeeper looked at Su Xin with gratitude. If not for his reminder, he would have been in a dire situation.

"Please come upstairs, I'll arrange the food right away," the innkeeper hurriedly said.

Xiao Qi huffed, "We've walked so far, we're already exhausted. Who has the energy to climb up? We'll just stay on the first floor."

After saying this, Xiao Qi glanced coldly at Su Xin, "You're the one who booked the entire inn? Just a few people eating, and you booked all seven floors. Afraid others don't know you're rich?"

"Xiao Qi, be respectful," Xie Zhiyan scolded, then apologized to Su Xin, "Xiao Qi is just a child, don't take it to heart."

Su Xin laughed, "No problem, Miss Xie, you all enjoy your meal. I'll be leaving."

"Wait, Chief Su, please stay a moment," Xie Zhiyan suddenly called out.

Su Xin was taken aback, "You know me?"

Xie Zhiyan smiled, "You know me, why shouldn't I know you?"

Her smile was clear and elegant, even Su Xin was momentarily captivated.

Su Xin's subordinates had reported to him, and Xie Zhiyan and her group, upon arriving in Changning Prefecture, would certainly inquire about the major gangs in the area.

Among the leaders of the five major gangs, Su Xin was the easiest to recognize, being the youngest.

Xie Zhiyan said in a clear voice, "Chief Su, I believe you know why we're here. I hope you can help me find clues about the treasure of Mad Lion Du Yuansheng during this time."

"Really? What will I get in return?" Su Xin asked.

Xiao Qi huffed, "Greed is insatiable! We from Yijian Sect asking for your help is already giving you face, and you still want something?"

"Smack!"

Xie Zhiyan pulled out her sword and hit Xiao Qi on the head, making him tear up.

"Senior Sister, why did you hit me?" Xiao Qi asked, looking aggrieved.

Xie Zhiyan said sternly, "Xiao Qi, remember, the sect is the sect, and you are you. Using the name of Yijian Sect to pressure others means they respect the sect, not you.

Moreover, Chief Su is right. There's no gain without effort. Why should they help us wholeheartedly if we don't offer anything? Not secretly hindering us is already being considerate.

There's no gain without giving. If you can't understand this, you won't be allowed to go down the mountain for training. When you understand, you'll be qualified to venture into the world."

"I understand, Senior Sister," Xiao Qi said, deflating.

Su Xin watched with interest. Yijian Sect, one of the Five Sword Sects, truly had an interesting way of educating their disciples.

Xie Zhiyan, though about the same age as him, wasn't a novice. Her demeanor and actions were very pleasant.

Xiao Qi, though a bit arrogant, was young and obedient. With proper guidance, he wouldn't grow up to be someone who relies on his sect to act recklessly.

Xie Zhiyan turned to Su Xin apologetically, "Xiao Qi is still young and doesn't know better. I apologize, Chief Su."

Su Xin shook his head, "No problem, but Miss Xie, please don't call me Chief Su. In front of Yijian Sect's disciples, my title as Chief is a joke.

I am Su Xin. If you don't mind, you can call me by my name."

Xie Zhiyan didn't fuss. She took out a bottle of pills, "This is a secret formula from Yijian Sect, the Sword Heart Nourishing Pill, which benefits both the Later Heaven and the Innate realms.

During this time, I only need you to help me gather information about Mad Lion Du Yuansheng in Changning Prefecture. You are the local expert, so this shouldn't be a problem."

Su Xin took the pills. The system rated them as two and a half stars, which was quite good, so he agreed immediately.

"No problem, deal."

While Su Xin and Xie Zhiyan were talking, Xiao Qi, bored, wanted to chat with his fellow disciples.

But seeing Xiao Qi had just been scolded by his senior sister, they kept their distance, fearing they might be implicated, which made Xiao Qi feel frustrated.

Turning around, Xiao Qi saw Xing'er sitting obediently, holding the slender sword given by Li Huaie, listening to Su Xin. Finding it interesting, he went to tease Xing'er.

"Little girl, this weapon isn't a toy. You might get hurt if you're not careful.

Is Su Xin your brother? He's really irresponsible, letting a little girl like you play with weapons."

Xing'er pouted, "Hmph, I've never been hurt since I started learning swordsmanship."

Hearing this, Xiao Qi burst out laughing.

If an adult martial artist said this, it wouldn't be strange, but a seven or eight-year-old, cute little girl saying "since I started learning swordsmanship" was just too amusing.

"Do you know swordsmanship?"

Xing'er proudly lifted her face, "Of course, my swordsmanship is very good."

Xiao Qi took a chopstick from the table and grinned, "Let's have a match. I'll use a chopstick, and you use your sword. If I can knock your sword away in ten moves, I win.

If I can't, you win. If you win, I'll give you a gift. What do you think?"

Hearing about the gift, Xing'er perked up, "Okay, okay, but be careful. This sword was given to me by Uncle Li, and it's very sharp."

Xiao Qi smiled inwardly. Though young, he was already at the mid-stage of the Later Heaven realm. If he could be injured by a little girl, his years of training would be for nothing.

Holding the chopstick, Xiao Qi waved it in front of Xing'er, "Ready? I'm starting."

Xing'er nodded, "Ready."

Xiao Qi used the basic sword technique of Yijian Sect and aimed at the hilt of Xing'er's sword.

But Xing'er's slender sword flipped, and the Great Sumi Sword Technique was unleashed, making the small sword dance so densely that it almost cut Xiao Qi's chopstick in half.

Xiao Qi was completely stunned.

The Great Sumi Sword Technique was famous for its defense. Even if he attacked, he couldn't break through Xing'er's defense in ten moves, let alone a hundred.

Xing'er had practiced this technique for several months, even more proficiently than Su Xin, who had abandoned it.

Xiao Qi could have used his internal energy to knock away Xing'er's sword, but he couldn't bring himself to win by relying on his internal energy against a little girl.

Before he could react, the ten moves were over. Xing'er put away her sword and shouted excitedly, "Oh! I won!"

Xiao Qi's face turned red with embarrassment, feeling humiliated. But at that moment, Xie Zhiyan suddenly stood up, looking at Xing'er in surprise.

Initially, Xie Zhiyan hadn't paid much attention to Xiao Qi and Xing'er playing. But seeing Xing'er use the sword technique, she was thoroughly shocked.

"Natural Sword Heart! It's actually a Natural Sword Heart!"

Xie Zhiyan murmured, then turned to Su Xin, "Is she your sister?"

Su Xin nodded, "Yes, my younger sister."

"Would you consider letting your sister join Yijian Sect? I'll report to the sect and make her a direct disciple of Yijian Sect."

Su Xin looked at Xie Zhiyan, confirming she wasn't joking. He was puzzled, "Miss Xie, are you serious? Does Yijian Sect recruit disciples so casually?"

"Of course not!"

Xie Zhiyan looked at Xing'er with shining eyes, as if she had seen a rare treasure, "Your sister is a once-in-a-century Natural Sword Heart, making rapid progress in any sword technique.

The sword technique you taught her, though requiring low skill, is complex and hard to learn. Even adult martial artists with a foundation find it difficult, but your sister learned it easily.

This is the power of a Natural Sword Heart. She is born to learn swordsmanship!"