Chapter 36: Yan Zhen: Your Sword is Mine Now
There were no fancy moves or techniques, just a simple swing of the massive Extreme Flame Sword.
However, Kenzaburo felt immense pressure.
The intense heat emanating from the sword made the approaching wind feel scorching, as if even his Mystic Power barrier couldn’t protect him from being burned.
If he blocked it head-on, his sword, upon contact with the Extreme Flame Sword, might melt instantly.
He had to use his Sword Intent, unleash it once more, to cleave through the flame-forged blade! That was his only chance!
As he contemplated this, the Extreme Flame Sword grew even larger, the pressure intensifying.
In that moment, he realized:
He couldn’t block this attack. It was impossible. A direct confrontation would result in defeat, if not death, then severe injury. He had to dodge, he had to!!!
But was he as fast as Yan Zhen?
He froze.
The giant sword descended.
“—Spare him!”
A figure leaped onto the arena, intercepting the attack. His hands, clamping onto the blade, stopped its descent.
It was Kenzaburo’s protector, the elderly man.
His Seven Star Mystic King cultivation completely suppressed the Extreme Flame Sword’s power. With a push, he sent Yan Zhen stumbling backwards, nearly losing his grip on the sword.
“The duel is over. Please show some restraint, young man.”
Yan Zhen regained his footing, his gaze cold as he looked at the elderly man in his kimono and sandals.
So he intervened. Shameless old man.
“Your Dream God Palace interfered in the duel. Doesn’t that mean I win?”
The protector nodded.
“Naturally, you are the victor, Master Yan Zhen. We will take our leave now. Farewell.”
“Wait!” Yan Zhen shouted. “You can leave, but according to our agreement, Young Sect Master Ranzaki must forfeit his sword.”
Kenzaburo’s face paled, his grip tightening on his sword’s hilt.
Losing his sword meant losing his meticulously cultivated Sword Intent, severely hindering his future swordsmanship training.
He shouldn’t have wagered such a valuable sword, but he had been so confident in his ability to kill Yan Zhen that he had agreed to anything. He never expected…
However, going back on his word in public violated his upbringing.
He had been eloquent before, but now, his lips were sealed, unable to speak.
His protector, unwilling to see his young master’s cultivation suffer, stepped forward, his voice calm.
“Master Yan Zhen, it’s normal for young men to spar and compete, but… being too greedy, wanting everything… that’s not good… Some things… aren’t yours just because you possess them.”
“You’re refusing to pay up?” Yan Zhen chuckled coldly. “So the Dream God Palace can’t accept defeat?”
“Insulting the Dream God Palace in my presence… Aren’t you being a bit too disrespectful, Master Yan Zhen?”
The protector stroked his beard, his tone warning, his gaze piercing.
This was a Mystic King’s “Glare Technique,” capable of intimidating those below that realm. However, with his Emperor Flame Technique and Ancestral Talisman Scripture, Yan Zhen was immune to such pressure.
“That’s it? Do you think everyone here is blind like you? Your Dream God Palace is clearly refusing to honor its agreement!” He was fearless, his defiance part of the acting requirement. “You should rename yourselves the ‘Sore Loser Palace’! Can’t win, so you cheat!”
“You’ve gone too far, Master Yan Zhen.”
The protector’s face darkened, his Mystic Power surging. He was about to attack.
However, at that moment, a sharp black dagger silently pressed against his back, making him freeze.
“You’re the one who’s gone too far, Old Man Ju.”
Aunt Mu emerged from the protector’s shadow, her figure materializing like a phantom, resembling a legendary black fairy.
“Interfering in a duel between juniors… Have you no shame? Or do you think our Gold and Jade Chamber of Commerce is easy to bully?”
He frowned, feeling the pressure emanating from her, knowing that any movement would result in a devastating attack.
Although he was confident in his ability to defeat any Mystic King in a direct confrontation, this woman, the personal bodyguard of two generations of Gold and Jade Chamber of Commerce Head Shopkeepers, specialized in stealth and assassination. She could move through shadows, making her incredibly difficult to defend against.
“Is this the Gold and Jade Chamber of Commerce’s final decision?”
“A bet is a bet.”
“Fine! I’ll report this to the Sect Master. Don’t regret this later.”
Kenzaburo, gritting his teeth, reluctantly sheathed his sword, then untied the cord, tossing the sword to Yan Zhen.
“Please… treat her well, Master Yan Zhen.”
Yan Zhen caught the tachi, drawing the blade. He saw the inscription, “Arashigir” (Storm Cutter), his sharp Spiritual Power sensing the lingering Sword Intent within it.
It wasn’t Kenzaburo’s Sword Intent, but the sword’s own inherent intent, a feeling of being able to cut through even the wind. No wonder it was called “Arashigir.”
“Arashigir, huh? I’ll take good care of you.”
Kenzaburo’s face paled further.
Yan Zhen felt no guilt. If he wanted to kill him, he should be prepared for retaliation.
He had merely broken Kenzaburo’s unwavering swordsmanship spirit. He wasn’t even satisfied. If not for the protector’s intervention, Kenzaburo would have also lost an arm, just like Han Feng.
…
Aunt Mu sheathed her dagger, melting back into the shadows beside Yan Zhen.
The protector snorted, then grabbed the dejected Kenzaburo, soaring into the air.
Sayoko hurriedly followed them, fearing retribution from the Gold and Jade Chamber of Commerce.
No one actually cared about her.
…
Yan Zhen stored the sword in his storage ring, then said sincerely, “Thank you for your help, Aunt Mu.”
She glanced at his injured right hand. “Go apply some medicine.”
Then she vanished.
Truly a ghost.
Shadow Mystic Power seems pretty cool. My Fire Mystic Power is so ordinary.
He sighed, jumping off the arena, returning to Ji Ya and Yi Xian’er.
Seeing his hand covered in cuts and burns from the Extreme Flame, they quickly led him to her office to apply medicine.
…
As they tended to his injuries, he claimed his reward.
[Special Trump Card: Forty-Meter Greatsword. Upon activation, summons a forty-meter greatsword using the power of heaven and earth, instantly killing all hostile targets within range who are lower realm than Host.]
Oh? A rare direct attack card, perfect for clearing out trash mobs. He wouldn’t be needing it anytime soon. The “one man army” plot points hadn’t started yet.
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door. Ji Ya gestured for Jin Tong and Yu Nu to open it. It was the Second and Third Shopkeepers.
“What are you doing here?”
They ignored her, their gazes fixed on Yan Zhen, their voices cold.
“Boy, return that tachi to the Dream God Palace. It’s not something you can possess.”
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