Chen Ping's Sword

"The only thing I didn’t expect was that since you had already laid false impressions and hidden yourself beside Princess Mingyue, how could she still manage to relieve herself?"

At this moment, Jiangh Yudie was bleeding from below, feeling internally torn.

Dizziness clouded his mind, yet he remained puzzled.

He had long been mingling among flowers, indulging in various pleasures.

Even if he couldn’t see the commotion in the grass, how could he not discern the intermittent, pitter-patter sounds?

He could even conjure a myriad of images in his mind, imagining the opponent’s every action.

Thus, Jiangh Yudie never suspected that Chen Ping would be by Hua Lian’er’s side.

This was illogical.

It was also the final piece that eradicated his doubts, leading him to plunge fearlessly, intent on capturing.

"Guess."

Chen Ping chuckled.

His figure surged again, merging into the wind.

A sharp breeze had already reached Jiangh Yudie’s brow.

’I could tell you that during those days reliant on each other, I even helped her bathe. At night, we shared the same bed.’

When someone becomes a constant presence, it becomes habitual.

It would no longer give rise to disarrayed, untimely thoughts.

Everything seemed as it should...

Of course, Chen Ping wouldn’t speak these words; the exceedingly swift sword technique subjected Jiangh Yudie to intense despair and helplessness.

Just like those past days, the hopeless mood of those women.

Swoosh...

Sword light flashed.

Jiangh Yudie sensed his intricate and elaborate Furong Swordsmanship had fully blocked the opponent’s swift blade, yet he still felt his right arm cool...

As his body moved sideways, he suddenly felt his right hand empty.

No, his right shoulder was sinking, yet he wasn’t aware of it.

The severe pain transmitted from his right shoulder to his brain, prompting a scream from his mouth, realizing his right arm had been severed by the opponent’s blade.

With the hand crushed and sword lost.

Jiangh Yudie had no remaining will to fight.

He understood at this moment.

The rankings on the Hidden Dragon List were surprisingly unreliable.

Even though he ranked two hundred fifty-sixth, facing someone at three hundred and fifth, he was easily defeated.

Once he lost the life-saving speed of his body technique, in direct confrontation, he couldn’t withstand more than three moves.

Frightened, Jiangh Yudie soared into the air, attempting to escape.

A wave of severe pain surged across his groin.

The opponent’s previous ascent from the grass had not only wounded his vitals but also severed a tendon on his thigh.

Even if his Inner Qi flowed quickly and his body technique was profound.

Anything involving the legs’ movement would encounter numerous hindrances.

If facing someone else, it might be bearable.

Yet, the opponent was treacherously sinister, with an extraordinarily powerful stepping technique.

Completely unable to shake him off.

Jiangh Yudie bellowed, as his form dodged, his left arm chilled again.

The sole remaining arm detached from him once more.

He knew he was doomed.

Resolutely halting, he said bitterly, "Even if you kill me, you won’t escape. That fat woman, the Hundred Flowers Valley Lord, is exceptionally possessive...

Her own man can only be slain by her own hands; dying by someone else’s hand is absolutely impossible."

"So, you want me to spare your life and let you return to the side of the Hundred Flowers Valley Lord?"

Chen Ping’s eyes flashed with disdain.

Though not appealing in appearance, his thoughts were rather extravagant.

If he spared this person, many souls below would be displeased.

Ordinary families enduring daily tears and helplessness would also be unhappy.

Without another word, he executed a sword ring slash as Jiangh Yudie leaped, severing his legs while a palm struck the adversary’s Dantian.

Bang...

Blood Essence Power surged through, reverberating fiercely.

Jiangh Yudie’s face marred by agony became listless, his gaze dim and void.

This palm scattered his Inner Qi.

With severed limbs...

Even if spared, tossed into the woods, survival was impossible.

Even if he lived, unable to care for himself, existing as a cripple, reliant on others for eating and excreting, he couldn’t endure a single day.

"Don’t think you can learn the Swallow Returning Butterfly Dance stepping technique."

Feeling utterly hopeless, he resolved to stay silent.

"You’re overthinking it."

Chen Ping laughed.

He merely thoroughly searched his belongings, took his treasured sword, then hung him atop a tree branch before turning away without hesitation.

No doubt, previous speculations were utterly accurate.

Though Jiangh Yudie was a Flower Thief, he was an exceptionally wealthy one.

He carried silver notes worth several thousand taels.

Judging from his tone, it was unclear what captivated the Hundred Flowers Valley Lord’s interest... not only imparting profound martial arts but also bestowing numerous potent medicines.

Chen Ping drew out the medicine bottles, noticing that some were familiar, such as Jade Ginseng Pills, Essence Replenishing Pill, Qi Blood Powder... everything was in order.

All were tonics, thankfully devoid of poison.

It was likely this Flower Thief knew his indulgence could hinder his cultivation.

Some expensive medicines were prepared early, ready to be consumed at any time.

Apart from the restorative medicines and silver notes, the precious sword left behind by Jiang Yudie is also a fine item.

With a gentle flick, the sound of the sword resonates like a dragon’s roar, its quality immediately apparent.

Looking by the firelight, the sword is as cold as frost and snow, chilling to the eyes.

At three-fifths of the sword guard, the two seal characters "Frost Condensation" are engraved, lending an ancient elegance.

The edge is straight and sharp, without a single nick.

Previously, after colliding several times with my Cyan Snake Short Sword, it didn’t even slightly fall short in the clashes.

"Good sword."

Using a short sword to perform the Clear Wind Shadowless Sword is indeed somewhat unwieldy.

This sword is just right, both sturdy and sharp.

Hua Lian’er leaned forward, rummaging through the medicine bottles, sniffing here and there, then looked at the precious sword with a smile as radiant as a flower, "It doesn’t even need a name; it truly is a fine sword."

"Indeed."

Chen Ping nodded and chuckled softly.

This fellow really is a Treasure-Bringing Boy.

Now with enough medicine, even if I were to level up several times and enhance all my cultivation and martial skills, it would be more than sufficient.

Never underestimate a Flower Thief’s pursuit of essence-replenishing medicines.

Looking at these medicines and then at the Tribulation Points in his attribute column, Chen Ping felt somewhat impatient.

However, now is not the time yet.

Jiang Yudie managed to follow and left many markers; he must have skilled fighters following him.

Otherwise, there’s no reason for him to pursue so boldly without pause.

Neither attacking nor leaving, it’s as if he’s stuffed and restless.

To temporarily settle down, the Divine Eagle in the sky is a hidden danger, and Jiang Yudie’s body technique is yet another threat.

Moreover, those who followed, hoping to perform meritoriously among the Jianghu scoundrels.

The Hu People aren’t as quick in their pursuit as these individuals...

These people, of vicious demeanors, care not even for ancestors for the sake of profit, lacking any reverence, bite as mad dogs do.

Therefore, it’s necessary to make these people understand.

Sometimes, the silver obtained with their life cannot be spent with it.

......

"There."

In the heavy night, the moon was obscured by dark clouds, revealing only strands of dim light.

The forest appeared even more eerie, with the night breeze sweeping through, making one involuntarily feel cold.

However, it couldn’t dampen the fervor in Evil Monk Yuan Shen and Blood Shadow Saber Fengping’s hearts.

They, with profound inner qi, already spotted Jiang Yudie in his hallmark moon-white robe.

Visible very distinctly under the faint moonlight.

They had pledged allegiance to the Beizhou Royal Court for a long time and had made quite some achievements.

In those days, they rode fine horses and held high positions, with countless beauties and riches...

In terms of enjoyment, compared to the previous life in the Jianghu of hardship and wandering, it was naturally much better.

However, as more and more competitors appeared around them, they discovered that although reaching the realm of Opening the Extraordinary Meridians, considered top-ranking Jianghu masters, they lacked much advantage.

As Beizhou’s advantages on the frontal battlefield became increasingly apparent.

More Jianghu people turned to Yuwen Family.

Initially, only the Evil Demon Sect and the Jianghu underworld came to pledge allegiance.

Now, even Renowned Sects and Noble Families began sending disciples and direct descendants...

These individuals with their astonishing inheritances go without saying.

Yet they disregard their status, snatching merits everywhere, which seems unreasonable.

Yuan Ping, once a disciple of one of the Three Sects of Buddhism, the Pure Land Sect, was originally from a prestigious background...

However, years ago, unable to endure the monastic austerity of sect life, gave in to base desires, committing misdeeds at the foot of the mountain...

After defecting from the sect, was hunted, never obtaining the subsequent inheritance of the Bright King Vajra Body.

It’s a lifelong regret of his.

Now he desires not just the finer things in life... but hopes someday the Beizhou armies could raze the Pure Land Sect, acquiring its inherited cultivation techniques.

Otherwise, his life would be eternally stuck at a certain stage, with no further progress.

Given this, upon discovering that the Thirteenth Prince of Beizhou, Yuwen Ying, personally led Jianghu masters to Xingqing Prefecture with grand ambitions, he saw the opportunity arise.

Rushing into every front line, contributing efforts before others, he aimed to seize a top merit.

Jiang Yudie, a person of disrepute, yet with a top-tier lightweight skill in Jianghu. This is something Yuan Ping was aware of.

Once trailed by that lecher, no matter Mingyue Commandery Princess’s attempts to flee, they wouldn’t escape.

Rushing through the night following the markers, hoping to catch up, with combined forces to besiege, this merit would surely be his.

Not only does the Pure Land Sect’s defector Yuan Ping think this way, Blood Shadow Saber Fengping does even more so.

Fengping has no such worldly desires; he merely revels in slaughter and bloodshed.

His greatest passion in life is massacre and bloodsucking.

He believes in the world’s most potent power residing in blood.

Compared to other Blood Shadow Sect disciples, Fengping executes endeavors even more insanely...

Often senselessly committing village massacres and bloodsucking, purely for the bizarre gratification.

He acts with no definitive goals, making enemies everywhere, pursued closely by disciples of the Three Sects of Buddhism and Four Daoist Sects, not even welcomed by his own Blood Shadow Sect, losing eligibility for further Secret Technique cultivation in the sect.

After all, even the Demon Path sects emphasize a survival environment.

To achieve a goal, engaging in endeavors that bring suffering is understandable.

But, acting like a lunatic, disregarding others’ concerns, that’s certainly not acceptable.

No matter how formidable Blood Shadow Sect is, how can it withstand other sects’ joint attacks?

Fengping sought refuge under the Beizhou Yuwen Family for one reason: they possess the Blood Spirit Scripture, the supreme secret technique of the Blood Shadow Sect.

Rumors are that it was obtained from ancient relics.

This notion made him yearn intensely, propelling him to work with greater effort.