Chapter 101: Autumn Reed, Are You Afraid Now?

Chapter 101: Autumn Reed, Are You Afraid?

The four individuals, each distinct in appearance, surrounded Zheng Jian in a tight circle.

Tension filled the air, swords drawn and ready.

Murong Qiudi hesitated slightly; chiefly because she saw no trace of fear in Zheng Jian’s eyes.

The four she brought were all masters.

In the martial world, there were seven great sword sects: Wudang, Diancang, Huashan, Kunlun, Hainan, Emei, and Kongtong.

Shaolin did not specialize in swordsmanship, so it was not counted among them.

Among these, the Wudang sect stood at the pinnacle of the seven great sword sects. In the martial world today, the most renowned were the “Four Spirits Twin Jade,” with Ouyang He as the leader of the Four Spirits. Since his debut, he had lost only once—to the senior master Gu Dao—and was the new generation’s leading figure of Wudang.

Facing Zheng Jian was precisely Ouyang He.

The other three, though not as famous, were far from ordinary.

Murong Qiudi knew that Zheng Jian had defeated Xiahou Feishan with a single sword, so the four she brought combined were undoubtedly much stronger than Xiahou Feishan.

“Young Master Zheng, since you refuse my request, I have no choice but to rely on them...” Murong Qiudi said softly, her eyes gentle, her voice melodious.

“What a nuisance...” Zheng Jian muttered, drawing the Tear-Stained Sword from behind him. “Words failing, time to resort to physical means...”

In fact, this was the way of the martial world—a conflict could swiftly escalate to swordplay.

Especially in this ancient realm, killing required no reason nor excuse; it was simply a matter of mood.

“Kill!”

Ouyang He suddenly stepped forward, his solemn and steady face unchanged. His long sword traced several circles, pressing toward Zheng Jian.

Simultaneously, three other unnamed sword masters moved in from behind, left, and right—each closing in tightly.

In an instant, four long swords came at Zheng Jian, their sword qi weaving a four-sided net, forming a cage like a prison.

“This is their painstakingly trained sword formation, Young Master Zheng. You’re the first to witness it...” Murong Qiudi chuckled lightly from the side.

Zheng Jian also smiled faintly, his figure swiftly shifting and weaving. In chaotic battles, the Art of Swift Movement was invaluable.

At the same time, the Tear-Stained Sword suddenly slashed from an extremely bizarre angle, body following the blade, instantly reaching before Ouyang He and piercing into the sword circle!

With a sharp clang, the Tear-Stained Sword clashed against Ouyang He’s long sword, unleashing a tremendous force that shattered the latter’s blade aside. Ouyang He was kicked hard in the abdomen by Zheng Jian, flying backward.

Sword light flashed again as Zheng Jian swiftly spun around, the Tear-Stained Sword striking from another strange angle!

By the same method, the other three sword masters were also forced to drop their swords.

Then, Zheng Jian leapt straight into the air, spinning his body repeatedly, the Tear-Stained Sword sweeping to gather all four swords, spinning atop them endlessly—a spectacular sight.

Ouyang He and his companions’ faces drained of color.

To them, that moment was like a nightmare.

Yet, it was real.

They never dreamed Zheng Jian would be so formidable, nor that he would defeat their combined attack with such a clever tactic in an instant.

Zheng Jian glanced at the pale Murong Qiudi and flicked his wrist; the four swords flew back to their owners, thrust into the ground at an angle, their hilts still trembling.

Ouyang He’s hand trembled, blood dripping from the tiger’s mouth. For a swordsman, his sword was his life—and now, it had been easily taken and thrown back.

Ignoring the stunned four, Zheng Jian calmly approached Murong Qiudi.

She was equally stunned, her heart filled with regret. Zheng Jian’s strength far exceeded her expectations. In her mind, only Xie Xiaofeng, and perhaps Yan Shisan, possessed such power.

“Don’t... don’t come closer!” Murong Qiudi screamed. For the first time, she felt miscalculation. She could not guess Zheng Jian’s intent. Now, like an ordinary woman, she felt fear and dread.

Zheng Jian stopped before her, smirking wickedly. “I told you to be kind, but you wouldn’t listen. How about now? Regret it?”

“What... what do you want?” Murong Qiudi crossed her arms, no longer bearing the bearing of the leader of the Heavenly Venerable.

“What do I want? Guess. If you guess right, I’ll tell you.” Zheng Jian advanced step by step, while Murong Qiudi retreated until she was backed against a tree.

“If you want revenge on Xie Xiaofeng, don’t drag me into it! This is the first and last time I warn you. Next time, I’ll strip you naked and tie you up in the street. Believe it or not?”

Murong Qiudi trembled and nodded.

“Murong Qiudi’s resentment level +999.”

Satisfied, Zheng Jian turned and walked out of the forest, not sparing a glance at the four brothers who stood dumbfounded.

Outside the forest, the little nuisance Xie Xiaodi was still waiting.

Seeing Zheng Jian emerge, Xie Xiaodi hurried over. “Hey, what did my sister say to you?”

At this moment, he did not yet know he was Murong Qiudi’s son, nor that his father was the Third Young Master Xie Xiaofeng.

Zheng Jian kept walking. “Whatever she said, it’s none of your business.”

“Tell me! If you don’t, I’ll follow you!” Xie Xiaodi chased after him.

Zheng Jian snapped, “Brat! If you want to know, ask your sister. Don’t follow me, or don’t blame me for hitting you.”

Xie Xiaodi was about to continue when Murong Qiudi’s voice came from behind, “Little nuisance, stop chasing and come back!”

...

When Zheng Jian returned to town, night had fallen. A faint light flickered in the tavern, where Xue Keren was tidying up.

“Boss, you’re back.” Xue Keren’s face lit up upon seeing Zheng Jian. As long as he was here, she felt safe.

“Isn’t that obvious? If I didn’t come back, where else would I go but the Han Family Tower?” Zheng Jian teased. The Han Family Tower was the town’s most famous place—a grand brothel, a true den of indulgence.

When Zheng Jian had taken over this tavern, his intention was to encounter the most famous organization in the martial world, the “Heavenly Venerable.” Only something as fearsome as ‘Piercing the Heart with One Sword’ could scare him.

Though the journey was more complicated than expected, he had indeed made contact with the Heavenly Venerable.

However, Zheng Jian knew that Murong Qiudi and the others were unaware that he already knew; it was rather complicated...

Now, Murong Qiudi certainly dared not disturb Zheng Jian recklessly again. Zheng Jian’s brilliant sword snatching was almost on par with Xie Xiaofeng’s “Stealing Heaven and Changing Day Sword Style.” Otherwise, how could Murong Qiudi have been so terrified?

Xue Keren was accustomed to Zheng Jian’s sharp tongue and knew it was just banter. She smiled gently and went to rest.

As for Zheng Jian, he pondered where else he might rake up some resentment points.

“Murong Qiudi’s resentment level +100, +100, +100...”

...

(End of chapter)