Chapter 64

The sixteen-year-old girl in armor, having lived to this age, had always had everything she desired, but this was the first time she encountered someone like Su Yi, who was completely unimpressed by her.

She was also well aware that from childhood, the people around her feared not her, but the power and influence of the clan behind her.

However, she never expected that when she truly met someone who was unafraid of her and dared to argue with her repeatedly, it would feel so terrible.

Especially Su Yi’s dismissive attitude towards arguing with her made her feel a blow to her self-esteem.

However, when she heard the guard’s suggestion, the girl in armor gritted her teeth and refused.

Her pride and self-respect wouldn’t allow her to seek help from others in this matter!

"From now on, no matter what danger that guy faces, don’t save him unless he comes to me and begs for help!"

Taking a deep breath, the girl in armor instructed.

She didn’t lower her voice, as if she was both disdainful and deliberately trying to let Su Yi hear.

Unfortunately, Su Yi only left her a back view, not even turning his head, as if he didn’t care at all.

This made the girl in armor so angry that her teeth itched. She took several deep breaths, fearing she might lose control and rush over to cut Su Yi’s head off with one stroke.

"Miss, don’t be angry. My son-in-law is no ordinary person."

Guo Bing, noticing the unusual atmosphere, came to the girl in armor and explained with a smile, trying to ease the tense relationship between the girl in armor and Su Yi.

"Is he that great?"

The girl in armor snorted.

Guo Bing, seemingly oblivious to the disdain in her tone, said proudly, "Of course. At the Dragon Gate Banquet the night before last, my son-in-law outshone everyone, winning first place in the Dragon Gate Competition! This caused a sensation on both banks of the Dacang River, and even in Luoyun City, people are talking about my son-in-law’s fame."

The girl in armor was taken aback, as if she suddenly understood. She stared at Su Yi’s distant figure and said, "I see, no wonder he’s been so cocky on this journey. It turns out he won first place in the Dragon Gate Competition, so he’s got his head in the clouds!"

This time, Guo Bing finally caught the sarcastic tone in her words and couldn’t help but feel displeased. How could this young girl be so ungrateful?

Does she think winning first place in the Dragon Gate Competition is a common occurrence?

Thinking about this, Guo Bing shook his head and didn’t want to argue with her anymore.

What Guo Bing didn’t know was that in the girl in armor’s eyes, winning first place in the Dragon Gate Competition in the small city of Guangling was indeed nothing special...

Boom!

A distant thunderclap shook the old temple, making the tiles tremble and dust fall from the beams.

The girl in armor was startled and looked out of the hall.

"Miss, it’s going to rain."

Uncle Yong frowned.

Warriors are most sensitive to changes in the atmosphere. As soon as the thunderclap sounded, he smelled the damp cold in the air.

Sure enough, with the thunder, a heavy rain began to pour, turning the world dark. The eaves of the old temple were filled with the sound of raindrops.

The towering white pine forest in the distance was shrouded in darkness and rain, with occasional lightning illuminating the trees standing tall in the storm, making them look like a group of monstrous ghosts.

Cold, dark, and chilling.

Guo Bing called out in panic, "Quick, light a fire! The Ghost Mother Ridge is most dangerous during the rain. We mustn’t go out, or we’ll surely die!"

His face, twisted and sinister, showed deep fear.

Uncle Yong was alarmed and ordered, "You few, light the fire. You few, deal with the bodies. Then guard the entrance to prevent intruders from sneaking in during the rain."

The guards quickly began to act.

Soon, a bonfire burned brightly, dispelling the darkness and chill in the hall.

The girl in armor and her group sat around the fire.

Some guards took out food they had brought, offering it to the girl in armor. There was wine, meat, and pastries, quite a feast.

The girl in armor took some wine and meat and handed them to Guo Bing, saying, "Eat."

Guo Bing swallowed, but his eyes were on the entrance, hesitating, "Son-in-law, it’s already noon. Why don’t you come over and have some food?"

Su Yi stood under the eaves, looking at the rain, and said casually, "Don’t worry about me."

The girl in armor snorted, "This food wasn’t prepared for you anyway!"

Time passed.

The girl in armor and her group had eaten their fill, but the rain continued to pour, showing no signs of weakening.

Su Yi had already returned to the hall, sitting alone in front of a statue with his back to the door, eyes closed in meditation.

The statue faced the people.

And he, Su Yi, faced the statue, a fitting contrast.

Pitter-patter!

Raindrops hit the eaves, mist rising in the darkness.

Outside, the storm raged, but inside the hall, the fire was warm.

Uncle Yong sat with his battle saber across his knees, facing the entrance, back straight, eyes closed in rest.

The other guards were talking in low voices.

Guo Bing huddled by the fire, worried. He could tell that with this rain, it might not stop all night.

This meant they would likely spend the night in the old temple.

The girl in armor seemed impatient, muttering, "So much time has passed, why haven’t those Yinsha Sect people come yet?"

As she spoke,

Su Yi’s closed eyes suddenly opened.

Whistling!

A fierce gust of yin energy burst through the closed door like a whirlwind, raging inside.

The bonfire was extinguished in an instant, sparks flying everywhere.

The hall plunged into darkness.

"Protect the miss!"

"Be careful, it’s a swarm of ghost corpse bugs!"

... Chaos erupted in the hall, shouts and the sound of weapons being drawn filling the dark space.

At the same time, Guo Bing felt himself being lifted by the back of his clothes.

This sudden change scared him almost to death. Just as he was about to struggle and shout, he heard Su Yi’s calm voice in his ear,

"Don’t panic, Old Guo."

Guo Bing froze, then relaxed, no longer struggling.

The hall was dark, almost impossible to see.

But Su Yi moved as if he were strolling in a courtyard, quickly carrying Guo Bing back to the statue.

His vision was affected, but he could still see vague outlines.

This didn’t hinder his actions.

Instead, in this atmosphere, his senses became incredibly sharp.

Inside the hall, the battle raged. The sound of weapons clashing, rapid footsteps, and low, heavy breathing filled the air.

There were also the sounds of rapid movement through the air.

The hall was chaotic and extremely dangerous, making everyone’s hearts race.

Clang!

Suddenly, Su Yi’s wrist flicked, and the Dust Edge Sword emerged from the bamboo staff. With a flash of cold light, the dozen ghost corpse bugs rushing at him were pierced, their bodies exploding into powder.

Guo Bing broke out in a cold sweat.

He had no idea this danger was coming!

The cold wind howled, making the doors of the hall rattle. In the icy air, countless ghost corpse bugs rushed in.

The battle continued.

Su Yi stood guard, and whenever he sensed danger, the Dust Edge Sword would strike with pinpoint accuracy, never missing, making it seem effortless.

This gave Guo Bing a great sense of security, and his fear gradually subsided.

After half an hour,

A shrill bone flute sound came from the dark rain outside the hall.

This was a signal. The raging yin wind suddenly dissipated, and the ghost corpse bugs, as if summoned, fled outside.

"Don’t chase them, light the fire!"

Uncle Yong’s voice, steady and firm, echoed in the darkness.

Soon, the bonfire was relit, and light dispelled the darkness.

When the vision cleared, the hall was in disarray. Uncle Yong and the guards surrounded the girl in armor, their faces showing shock and seriousness.

On the ground were many black insect corpses.

Su Yi looked around and said to Guo Bing, "It’s safe for now."

But at that moment, Uncle Yong’s face changed, and he rushed outside.

When he returned, his face was grim, "Miss, Hu Jiu and Zhang Tong have been killed."

These two were the guards initially stationed outside the hall.

But when Uncle Yong checked, he found their bodies on the ground, half-eaten, a tragic sight.

The girl in armor’s eyes widened, her face pale.

She had never experienced such a brutal scene before, feeling both grief and anger, and was at a loss.

"Miss, for warriors, life and death are common. Don’t be too upset," Uncle Yong said gently, "Your father agreed to bring you here to let you experience more, so you can truly grow."

The girl in armor’s mood was low, and she said dejectedly, "I never thought anyone would die on this mission."

"This is just the beginning."

Suddenly, Su Yi, standing in front of the statue, spoke, "If my guess is correct, this night will not be peaceful. The most important thing now is to prepare for battle, not to grieve."

The girl in armor angrily retorted, "What does my business have to do with you? During the battle, you didn’t show much skill, and you hid faster than anyone else!"

Uncle Yong said softly, "Miss, he’s right. We may face a fierce battle next."

His expression was serious, sensing the danger of the situation.

The girl in armor’s face changed, "Will more people die?"

Uncle Yong was silent for a moment, "I’ll do my best to prevent it."

The girl in armor’s heart sank.

If even her trusted Uncle Yong said this, how dangerous would the night be?

At that moment, Su Yi raised an eyebrow and looked outside the hall.

He saw—

A figure walking calmly through the rain and wind, as if strolling in a courtyard.

——

PS: Thanks to the generous support of Brother Guo Ke!

Tomorrow, I’ll add an extra chapter to celebrate.