Chapter Nineteen: Who Told You There Was Only One Sword?

As the old man disappeared into the distance, after a moment, Chen Yi heard the sound of two sets of footsteps approaching. One was higher, the other lower, but their rhythm was almost perfectly synchronized. Two martial artists? Chen Yi couldn’t gauge their strength, but the only certainty was that these two were nowhere near as powerful as the old man who had just abducted them.

With that thought, he remained still, quietly heightening his alertness.

“Third Master, what now?” one of them asked with a bitter laugh.

“A son of a Marquis of Martial Peace is already enough to have us die hundreds of times. If we sell the daughter of the Duke, then I fear…”

“Why panic?” the other, an older voice, interrupted. “Since one death is certain, two deaths are no different. Might as well make it worthwhile!”

“Besides, that man promised us that as long as the Marquis’s son never returns to the capital, he would guarantee our safety.”

“That may be so, Third Master, but I worry he’s all talk and lacks the strength to back it up.”

“Enough. This place isn’t safe; take them aboard the ship immediately.”

At that moment, Chen Yi felt himself suddenly lifted off the ground. He and Lin Xueru were carried away. Perhaps sensing that the two children clung tightly to each other, the captors did not separate them.

“The crazy old man wasn’t wrong; the little girl is indeed quite a beauty.”

“Put away your thoughts. No matter how beautiful, she cannot remain in our hands. Have you forgotten the rules of the guild?”

“Heh heh, Third Master, don’t blame me, I was just indulging my tongue.”

“Move quickly,” the one called Third Master whispered sharply. “The crazy old man has the strength to shake off pursuers; we do not!”

The two carrying Chen Yi and Lin Xueru muttered in agreement, whispering among themselves.

“A fourth-rank martial artist, and yet we two seventh-rank juniors can handle him easily?”

Seventh rank? Chen Yi relaxed slightly. While he couldn’t contend with the crazy old man in the Lingqiao realm, two Huayuan realm martial artists were manageable. Still, he decided to wait—wait until they were farther away before making a move, just in case the crazy old man returned.

...

Meanwhile, the crazy old man who had just left showed no sign of worry for having abducted two noble youths from the heavily guarded capital. He hummed a tune, tossing a pouch of money in his hand, rocking his head in carefree delight.

“I want to buy wine to drink; with wine and meat, life is joyful.”

“What does it matter if tomorrow brings death or life? Grandpa here…”

Suddenly, his footsteps halted. His eyelids drooped, and his triangular-shaped eyes sparkled faintly in the night.

“Are you here to see me off?”

“Ahem…”

A hoarse cough came from behind a nearby tree as a figure dressed in black night attire slowly emerged. Tall yet stooped, only a pair of murky eyes were visible beneath the black mask.

“Has the person been sent off?”

“The old man takes action; naturally, he won’t fail.” The crazy old man pointed to himself, boasting.

“Master, having a disciple like you in the Divine Movement Sect is truly valuable,” the black-clad figure coughed.

“Heh heh ha ha…” The crazy old man grinned, his wrinkled face appearing grim and sinister amid the dim forest.

Then, his smile vanished, and expressionless, he said, “If you have no further instructions, I shall take my leave.”

“Ahem… go. If you get caught, you know what to do.” The black-cloaked man covered his mouth and nose with his hand, speaking with some difficulty.

“Understood, completely understood. Rest assured.” The crazy old man stared deeply at the black figure, then slowly retreated.

Only after backing a hundred meters away did he employ his ghost-like footwork to escape.

“Terrifying, terrifying—a Grand Cultivator of the Heavenly Harmony Realm, so terrifying, heh heh ha ha…”

Hearing the retreating voice, the stooped old man withdrew his gaze and turned back toward the capital.

But after just a few steps, he stopped and doubled back, pursuing Chen Yi and the others. He wasn’t convinced without confirming for himself!

...

Elsewhere, Chen Yi had no idea the crazy old man was fleeing in haste. After silently calculating for a while, realizing he could wait no longer, Chen Yi intended to act.

But the little girl in his arms woke up first.

“Brother Yi, where are we?”

“Y-you, who are you?” The two escorts halted, astonished by Lin Xueru’s voice.

“She’s awake? Wasn’t the knockout drug supposed to be strong enough to keep them asleep for two days?”

“Probably didn’t get enough dosage.”

“Forget it, knock her out again.”

At that, Chen Yi’s eyes snapped open, and the small jade sword he had been holding ready suddenly flew out.

“Be careful!”

The elder’s face changed drastically as he warned and retreated.

But it was too late.

In an instant, a gleam of sword light flashed!

The man carrying them touched his neck, eyes wide as he pointed at Chen Yi. “Y-you, y-you…”

Before he could finish, he fell dead, his head tumbling far away.

Chen Yi exhaled deeply, pulling Lin Xueru behind him and looking at the elder. He felt no discomfort from his first kill. Having already reached a modest level in swordsmanship and gained experience fighting demons, he was no stranger to life and death.

“Brother Yi…”

Lin Xueru, frightened by the corpse, clung to his back without daring to raise her head.

“Hide behind me, this will be over soon,” Chen Yi whispered comforting words.

She nodded silently, holding him tightly.

The elder’s shock faded to a sullen expression as he stared at Chen Yi’s small figure.

“How is it possible for you to have such strength after just Foundation Establishment?”

“Of course, it’s because of this,” Chen Yi lifted his hand to reveal the small jade sword, smiling. “The descendants of the Marquis of Martial Peace are protected by their ancestors.”

“Although now there’s only one sword’s worth of power left, it’s enough to kill you.”

The elder’s face darkened as he coldly watched him, gripping two daggers reversed in his hands. His stance was rooted like an ancient pine, unmoving.

“What’s the matter? Afraid?”

Chen Yi’s expression remained light as he smiled, tilting his head back. “If you’re scared, go ahead and leave. I guarantee the Marquis of Martial Peace’s estate won’t hunt you down.”

“Really?” The elder’s eyes narrowed, studying him seriously. “Can the young Marquis really decide that?”

“You’re already calling me ‘young Marquis’. How could that not be true?” Chen Yi shrugged.

“Then I’ll believe you this once and leave...”

Before he could finish, the elder suddenly threw a dagger aimed straight at Chen Yi’s face.

At the same time, he surged forward, aura erupting, his heavy footsteps thundering on the ground.

“Hah!”

Chen Yi was not surprised. He sneered and flicked his finger on the jade sword.

Ding!

A sword qi shot out, directly deflecting the dagger.

“Die!”

The elder’s eyes lit with joy as he swung another dagger, releasing a sharp air blade.

But a jade-like glow pierced the night sky, illuminating the shock on his face.

Pfft.

The elder’s body froze.

“You… you said you only had one sword left…”

Before he could finish, his pupils blurred, and he collapsed, kneeling on the ground.

Chen Yi looked at the elder’s unwilling expression, touched the wound on his face caused by the air blade, and sneered:

“Who told you I only have one sword left?”

He then released the jade sword, letting it spin happily on his wrist.

If not for the fact that he had no true energy in his body, he could still unleash several more swords.

At that moment, Lin Xueru peeked out from behind him and softly reminded, “Brother Yi, that’s what you just said.”

Chen Yi: “…”

The little girl was so innocent, honest, and never lied.