Chapter 492: Sword Qi
Su Li slowly walked up to Zhao Dong and sneered, "I don't care if you're some damn elder. If I'm in a bad mood, even the Sect Leader would have to take a couple of slaps from me!"
Arrogance! Utter arrogance!
The man instantly flew into a rage. "Su Li! Do you still think you're the Sword Immortal you used to be?"
"You're nothing but trash now, yet you dare to so brazenly insult the Sect Leader. Are you looking to die?"
Su Li sneered, "Heh, even if I'm not the Sword Immortal of old and even if I'm no match for the Sect Leader, in my eyes, you're still nothing but an ant!"
"I could kill you with a single thought. Understand?"
"Hahahaha! 'Kill me,' you say? I am an elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, a representative of the Qingyun Sect. If you dare to lay a hand on me, are you planning to betray the sect?" the man sneered. "I said you were a traitor back then, and it seems I was right!"
Traitor?
Those words immediately sparked a flash of murderous intent in Su Li's eyes. The murderous aura was so bone-chilling that its pressure alone forced the Law Enforcement Hall elder to his knees, trembling uncontrollably.
He panicked. The threat of death enveloped his heart, and he knew Su Li truly intended to kill him.
Fortunately, Su Li ultimately restrained his murderous impulse. He sneered, "Whether I'm a traitor or not is hardly your place to judge."
"I think highly of this kid, Zhao Dong, and I'm protecting him. You? You're not taking him anywhere."
"If you insist on taking Zhao Dong, have the other elders come speak with me."
"Now, get lost!"
Su Li retracted his murderous aura. The backs of the three men were already drenched in cold sweat. Though their hearts were filled with unwillingness, they didn't dare push Su Li any further. Glaring fiercely at him one last time, the trio fled in disgrace.
"Are you all right?" Watching their figures disappear into the distance, Su Li sighed and turned to look at Zhao Dong on the ground.
Zhao Dong wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, staggered to his feet, and forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just some superficial wounds."
With that, he swallowed a few Healing Pills.
Once his breathing stabilized, Zhao Dong bowed to Su Li. "Thank you for stepping in, Senior. Otherwise, I'm afraid I would have been left to die in that sunless dungeon again."
Su Li waved his hand and laughed. "Don't worry about it. It's been a long time since I've had such an open, heart-to-heart chat with someone. I get a good feeling from you."
"What was that four-character phrase again?" Su Li rubbed his head, then suddenly burst out laughing. "Birds of a feather!"
Birds of a feather? That description... is truly irrefutable!
Zhao Dong laughed heartily. "Senior, you truly are straightforward, and your choice of words is certainly unconventional. 'Birds of a feather?' I like that term!"
"Hahahaha! Well, what are we waiting for? Let's keep drinking!"
"All right!" Zhao Dong followed Su Li back into the small courtyard, and the two began drinking again.
Su Li's tolerance for alcohol was like a bottomless pit. Just as Zhao Dong was starting to get tipsy again, Su Li suddenly slapped the table, exclaiming in a moment of inspiration, "Zhao Dong! Since we're such birds of a feather, why don't we become sworn brothers?!"
"Ah? Sworn brothers?" Zhao Dong was stunned for a moment, then said excitedly, "That would be great!"
"Hahahaha! Fantastic! From now on, you're my little brother. Call me Big Brother!"
"Big Brother!" Zhao Dong replied excitedly, then asked, "Big Brother, should we have some kind of ceremony?"
"No, no, no!" Su Li shook his head. "Ceremonies are for the righteous types. We're birds of a feather, a couple of villains! What do we need a ceremony for? As long as you know you're my little brother and I know I'm your big brother, isn't that enough?"
Zhao Dong was once again astonished by Su Li's unconventional approach, and his heart filled with ecstasy.
This is the Sword Immortal, Su Li! Having a big brother like him is the kind of incredible fortune that would make you wake up laughing from a dream!
At that moment, Su Li suddenly stood up and sized up Zhao Dong. "You look too disheveled. Going out like this, won't you embarrass me, your big brother?"
"Here, wait. Big Brother is going to give you a little something." With that, Su Li walked into the house.
Shortly after, he emerged holding a black longsword. He casually tossed it to Zhao Dong and said nonchalantly, "This is a sword I used years ago. It's called Black Feather. It's yours."
What!? This is the sword Su Li used years ago?
Zhao Dong asked excitedly, "Big Brother, could this be the very sword you used to defeat the masters of the Eastern Provinces?"
"Eh, let's not talk about the past," Su Li said, waving his hand nonchalantly.
However, this very attitude confirmed Zhao Dong's suspicions. This was, without a doubt, the sword Su Li had used to cut down the masters of the Eastern Provinces. Zhao Dong had heard the legends about Su Li. It was said that while his personal power was formidable, the Magic Artifact longsword he wielded played an equally indispensable role.
Although Zhao Dong couldn't yet see what was so special about the Black Feather Sword, he knew it was only because his own strength was insufficient. This sword was definitely no ordinary item.
But after the initial shock wore off, Zhao Dong hurriedly tried to return the longsword. "Big Brother, I can't accept this," he said awkwardly. "A gentleman shouldn't take what another holds dear. I know you think highly of me, but this longsword is your treasure. It's far too precious, both in value and significance. I cannot accept it."
Hearing this, Su Li patted Zhao Dong's shoulder and smiled. "I'm very pleased you think that way. But I have no use for this sword anymore. To me, it's just a memento."
As he spoke, he stroked the blade of the Black Feather Sword, his eyes full of affection.
"I believe that if it had a spirit, it would want to see action again in the hands of someone who could truly wield it."
Su Li offered the longsword to Zhao Dong once again. "Take it. As long as you don't disgrace the name of the Black Feather Sword, that will be the best way to thank me."
Zhao Dong was moved beyond words. He could see that Su Li truly cared for him. Not only had Su Li saved him, but he was also gifting him the Black Feather Sword, a weapon of such personal importance. Su Li genuinely saw him as a brother.
Zhao Dong bowed deeply, his voice thick with emotion. "Your little brother, Zhao Dong, thanks you, Big Brother!"
However, before Zhao Dong's excitement could fade, Su Li's next words sent him into another wave of ecstasy.
"It's too early for thanks," Su Li said. "A sword is useless if you don't know how to wield it. You might as well be carrying a brick."
"Since you're my little brother, you must know swordsmanship."
"Come on. Let's go outside, and I'll teach you a few moves."
At these words, Zhao Dong's hands began to shake with excitement.
Swordsmanship taught by the Sword Immortal himself! Is this really happening? Has such an absurd windfall truly fallen into my lap?
Zhao Dong quickly got up and followed Su Li out of the small courtyard. The area was still a mess, the traces of the recent fight yet to fade.
However, Su Li simply waved his hand, and a blast of Sword Qi erupted from his palm. A massive, thirty-yard-long wave of Crescent Moon Sword Energy swept over the hilltop, instantly leveling the rugged ground.
HISS!
Zhao Dong gasped, crying out in astonishment, "You can unleash Sword Qi without even holding a sword?"