Hearing this, Qin Wanwan relaxed. She opened her arms and fell backward, sprawling on the arena. Before Jian Xingzhi and the others could rush onto the stage, a group of frenzied sword cultivators had already charged up, grabbing Qin Wanwan’s hands and feet to lift her, cheering as they tossed her up, then cheering as she came down.
Jian Xingzhi watched Qin Wanwan from afar, his eyes revealing the gratified glow of an old father. Cuilu was somewhat anxious. “Why aren’t you hurrying to get her back and apply medicine?!”
“It’s fine.”
Jian Xingzhi’s eyes were full of appreciation. “Let her enjoy this moment’s happiness a bit longer.”
This kind of joy that belonged solely to victors—Qin Wanwan absolutely had to experience it.
As he spoke, he used his peripheral vision to monitor the injured cultivator not far away. Many people surrounded that cultivator. They seemed to be from the same sect. This cultivator, as if about to die, raised his hand and tightly grabbed a young man’s sleeve.
“For me…” he rasped, speaking unclearly, “take revenge…”
With that, the man’s head twisted to the side and he closed his eyes.
“This is bad!!” A young boy beside the young man shrieked sharply. “Second Senior Brother is dead!”
“Shut up!” The young man whose sleeve was grabbed scolded the boy. “He only fainted!”
With that, the young man turned his head, looking at the cultivator whose face had been beaten swollen, his eyes full of grief. “Second Junior Brother, you can faint in peace. Senior Brother will definitely avenge you.”
“Senior Brother…” Hearing the young man speak, the young boy hesitated. “He didn’t even die. What revenge?”
“Shut up!” The young man shouted. “How can you be so inarticulate? Does he have to die for revenge? How can the people of my Giant Sword Manor be bullied like this? As your senior disciple, I won’t let anyone harm our sect’s disciples without paying any price! I, Yan Wushuang, will definitely show them my power!”
As he spoke, a trace of viciousness appeared in the young man’s eyes. He turned his head to glance at Qin Wanwan being tossed about.
Jian Xingzhi, Cuilu, and the others beside them had extraordinary hearing and heard these words clearly. The three exchanged glances and simultaneously sneered mockingly. “Heh.”
A bunch of scum.
“Let’s get her back to tend her injuries first.” Cuilu glanced imperceptibly at Yan Wushuang and the others, instructing Nanfeng, “Go get a wheelchair.”
Nanfeng quickly went to rent a wheelchair from the side. After Xie Gutang stepped forward to make everyone stop, Jian Xingzhi helped the person down from the arena and placed her in the wheelchair. He looked at Qin Wanwan’s face full of exhaustion, his hands braced on the wheelchair’s edge. “How do you feel?”
Qin Wanwan looked up at him, her weathered eyes carrying some certainty. “Very satisfying.”
Before Jian Xingzhi could say any other encouraging words, he heard Qin Wanwan speak. “Anyone who dares step on my face, I won’t let them off.”
Hearing this, Jian Xingzhi felt inexplicably guilty, remembering how he used to fight without considering these things. He swallowed. “Actually, stepping on faces isn’t such a big deal.”
Qin Wanwan looked at him with cold eyes. Jian Xingzhi quickly remedied. “But starting today, your master no longer thinks this way. Seeing someone step on your face, your master feels—this person deserves a beating.”
“That’s right.” Qin Wanwan nodded. “Deserves a beating!”
“Let’s go back.” Seeing the master and disciple chatting, Xie Gutang glanced at Yan Wushuang and reminded them, “Still need to apply medicine.”
Jian Xingzhi nodded, yielded his position, and instructed Xie Gutang. “You push the wheelchair.”
Xie Gutang didn’t say much. Knowing Jian Xingzhi was giving him this position to have him closely protect Qin Wanwan, he said nothing more and pushed the wheelchair to follow Cuilu ahead. The group left together.
As soon as Qin Wanwan led the group away, Yan Wushuang immediately exchanged glances with those around him. Yan Wushuang jerked his chin, and disciples immediately followed Jian Xingzhi and the others.
Jian Xingzhi noticed people following them. He said nothing. Several people pushed Qin Wanwan, walking leisurely along the road. They even deliberately took alleys when they could, took remote paths when available, went wherever it was dangerous—completely looking like they were waiting for people to come find them.
Qin Wanwan found their route selection somewhat strange, but before she could ask, she heard someone not far away quietly ask, “Senior Brother, everyone’s got their weapons ready. Should we attack directly?”
Qin Wanwan’s movements paused. This voice was detected by her divine sense—ordinary cultivators definitely couldn’t hear it, but she and Jian Xingzhi and the others obviously could.
She glanced at Jian Xingzhi beside her. Jian Xingzhi jerked his chin toward the direction of the voice source. Qin Wanwan immediately understood—Jian Xingzhi was luring them into a trap, waiting for them.
She said nothing, pretending not to hear this group of weak chickens conversing nearby.
She heard a slightly hoarse female voice speak up, seemingly confident and extremely calculating. “No, we need to take revenge at the lowest cost. Don’t all attack together. Focus on one person. They injured one of us—your Second Senior Brother—so we’ll make one of them pay the price!”
She spoke with great confidence, as if they could win if they all attacked together.
“Then,” a young boy’s voice sounded, “who should we target?”
With this question out, Qin Wanwan and the others immediately pricked up their ears, waiting for their selection.
Yan Wushuang thought for a moment and spoke. “Xie Gutang…”
Hearing this voice, everyone looked at Xie Gutang. Then they heard Yan Wushuang speak. “No good. Half-step Divine Transformation, hard to capture.”
“Senior Brother’s analysis is extremely correct.” Hearing Yan Wushuang still had some rationality, the Giant Sword Manor members all nodded together. “Xie Gutang won’t work.”
With Xie Gutang passed over, everyone began focusing on themselves. Then they heard the young boy ask, “What about that old woman with the bird feathers?”
“Men can’t bully women,” Yan Wushuang’s thinking was bizarre. “Moreover, she’s clearly either rich or noble, with extraordinary bearing. Long, narrow eyes showing fierce light—obviously short-tempered and difficult to provoke. Forget it.”
Hearing this, Qin Wanwan lowered her head to glance at Cuilu’s clenched fist. While mourning for Yan Wushuang, she couldn’t help feeling the assessment was quite accurate.
“Then… let’s just go for that one in the wheelchair. She’s the one who beat Second Senior Brother. We’ll take revenge on her!”
After thinking it over, the young boy proposed this plan. Yan Wushuang continued refusing. “No good. Her sword intent is extraordinary. Since we want low cost, we must find the weakest one.”
“The weakest?”
The young boy was puzzled.
Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi and the others all looked at Nanfeng together.
With Xie Gutang, Cuilu, and Qin Wanwan all eliminated, only Jian Xingzhi and Nanfeng remained. As for who was stronger and who was weaker, at a glance…
“That good-looking one.” Yan Wushuang spoke with certainty. Cuilu stumbled. Everyone restrained their inner shock and sympathy, listening to Yan Wushuang analyze seriously. “Look at him—clearly a Nascent Soul cultivator, yet he had to cheat to participate in the competition. Why do you think that is?”
“Why?”
Everyone wanted to ask.
Yan Wushuang spoke with extreme logic. “This proves his cultivation was all piled up with medicinal pills. He’s completely unable to withstand a single blow.”
The crowd suddenly understood, finding it extremely reasonable.
“Furthermore, he’s good-looking.” Yan Wushuang continued analyzing. “He follows that Qin Wanwan around every day. Look—Qin Wanwan’s sword intent is extraordinary, and the sword in her hand is even a divine weapon. Such a person must come from a great sect. By her side follows a beautiful but useless man. What do you think this man’s identity is?”
“What identity?”
The young boy inquired. Yan Wushuang glanced at Jian Xingzhi, confirming word by word. “Male concubine.”
He even emphasized, “Qin Wanwan’s beloved male concubine.”
Jian Xingzhi and the others: “…”
Yan Wushuang felt increasingly that his reasoning made sense. “He’s Qin Wanwan’s person, so humiliating this man equals humiliating Qin Wanwan. He’s both weak and beautiful—definitely hasn’t experienced any hardship. Capture him, scare him a bit, and he’ll immediately beg for mercy, letting me do as I please!”
“Senior Brother speaks extremely correctly.” The Giant Sword Manor members had already imagined the scene of Jian Xingzhi crying and begging his master to save him, beginning to praise Yan Wushuang frantically. “Truly worthy of being our senior disciple!”
“Now there’s just one problem.”
The young boy spoke coldly. “They’re all walking together. How do you kidnap him?”
Hearing this, Jian Xingzhi immediately spoke. “Ah, I just remembered I need to buy some things. You all go ahead.”
Hearing this, everyone knew Jian Xingzhi wanted to stay behind alone. After nodding, Qin Wanwan waved. “Then we’ll head back first.”
With that, everyone turned and left. Jian Xingzhi pretended to go back to buy things, walking alone in the alley.
“He’s alone!”
Seeing Jian Xingzhi alone, the disciple beside them immediately got excited. “Let’s hurry and grab him.”
“No,” Yan Wushuang raised his hand to stop them. “Let’s observe a bit more to see if he’s really weak.”
“Quite cautious.”
Hearing Yan Wushuang’s words, 666 immediately told Jian Xingzhi, “Master, come on, show them the power of a green tea act.”
Hearing this, Jian Xingzhi understood 666’s meaning. He kicked a stone, then with an “ouch” collapsed, pinching his voice to call out, “Ah, it hurts so much.”
The crowd fell quiet for a moment. The young boy spoke doubtfully. “That rabbit-sized stone just now—didn’t he kick it to pieces?”
“Strong legs.” Yan Wushuang sighed. “Truly worthy of being a male concubine.”
“Is now the time to discuss this?”
The young boy spoke coldly. “Are we capturing him or not?”
Yan Wushuang thought about it and decided. “Capture!”
Hearing this, Jian Xingzhi was especially excited. He prepared himself, waiting for Yan Wushuang to come so he could beat him properly. But just as he was full of anticipation, he heard a sweet childish voice behind him. “Big Brother.”
Jian Xingzhi turned around in surprise to see a seven or eight-year-old boy standing there, sweetly calling to him. “I’m lost. Can you take me home?”
Judging by the voice, this boy was the one who had just been conversing with Yan Wushuang.
They were capturing him using such a roundabout method—clearly, they truly cherished keeping costs down.
“Sure.”
To capture Yan Wushuang and beat him up properly, Jian Xingzhi decided to accept the boy. He walked over, arms crossed on his chest. “Let’s go. Where’s your home?”
Hearing this, the boy quickly gave Jian Xingzhi directions.
The two came together to a tavern. This tavern didn’t have many people—just a few scattered about. Yan Wushuang sat in the most secluded position. Seeing Jian Xingzhi from afar, he raised his hand with quite the big brother demeanor. “Bring him over.”
With that, someone stepped forward to lead Jian Xingzhi and the boy inside together.
The boy still thought Jian Xingzhi knew nothing, introducing as they went. “These are my family’s servants. Big Brother, meet my older brother and have a meal with him.”
Jian Xingzhi nodded, coldly following the boy inside. Walking to the corner, he looked down at Yan Wushuang from his superior height.
To escape the oppression brought by this height difference, Yan Wushuang raised his hand to lean back against his chair, speaking with great presence. “What’s your name?”
“Jian Xingzhi.”
Jian Xingzhi answered coldly. Yan Wushuang nodded. “Good name. Unfortunately, after today, this name probably won’t exist anymore.”
Jian Xingzhi said nothing. Yan Wushuang laughed heartily. “You didn’t guess it, did you? This boy beside you is called Golden Sword Boy. He’s over three hundred years old—he doesn’t need you to escort him at all.”
“Oh.”
Jian Xingzhi nodded. Yan Wushuang stood up, face cold, approaching Jian Xingzhi. “Scared? This tavern is now full of our people. At my command, everyone taking one bite would be enough to eat you up.”
“So what do you want to do?”
“Coming here, I want you to do one thing.” Yan Wushuang spoke, raising his head. “Apologize to my junior brother on behalf of your master.”
“Your master was so cruel to my junior brother on the arena. I will definitely make you pay the price!”
Yan Wushuang spoke arrogantly. Jian Xingzhi secretly condensed his sword.
“Then come on.”
With that, Jian Xingzhi sneered. “Let me see your ability.”
“Good.” Yan Wushuang scoffed. “Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit. I’ll let you see the power of my Giant Sword Manor right now. Remember this—anyone who bullies Giant Sword Manor, not a single one can escape unscathed without paying any price.”
“Oh,” Jian Xingzhi nodded. “Then I won’t try to escape.”
As his words fell, Jian Xingzhi raised his hand to slash with his sword. Seeing Jian Xingzhi’s sword coming, Yan Wushuang immediately pulled back and leaped away.
However, though his movements were fast, Jian Xingzhi’s movements were faster. Even before he leaped, Jian Xingzhi’s second light sword was already waiting at Yan Wushuang’s landing point. The instant he landed, light suddenly burst forth, shocking him flying backward!
“Senior Brother!”
Seeing Yan Wushuang sent flying, everyone rushed over, surrounding Jian Xingzhi in a circle, going to pull up Yan Wushuang.
Jian Xingzhi held his sword, surveying his surroundings. “You remember this—anyone who has designs on my disciple, not a single one can escape unscathed without paying a price. Use whatever tricks you have. Let’s see if I can break them all with one sword!”
Hearing this, Yan Wushuang coughed up a mouthful of blood. Helped up by others, he gasped, staring at Jian Xingzhi.
“Good, very good. Since we’ve already come to this point, I have no choice but to show you my true strength.”
“Please.”
Jian Xingzhi raised his hand, inviting him to strike.
Yan Wushuang laughed loudly, raising his hand to point to the side. “Do you know what place is across from this tavern?”
“What place?” Before Jian Xingzhi could understand, his words just falling, a group of sword cultivators suddenly rushed into the tavern. Yan Wushuang smiled triumphantly and immediately lay down on the ground.
The Giant Sword Manor people suddenly all changed their expressions. Some lay down and poured blood on themselves, some knelt on the ground and began wailing loudly.
“Senior Brother! You were beaten so miserably, Senior Brother!” The young boy crawled over, sobbing bitterly, heart-wrenchingly. “Just because he looked at him once more in the crowd, you were beaten until you vomited blood with your whole body fractured. Is there still justice in this world? Is there still law?!”
Jian Xingzhi listened to these words, face full of bewilderment. Before he could speak, he heard a loud shout. The sword cultivators who rushed in raised their badges.
“City patrol handling a case. Everyone stand back.”
With that, the sword cultivator turned to look at Jian Xingzhi. “Someone reported that someone in the city was bullying the weak and causing trouble. That’s you, right?”
“What?!”
Jian Xingzhi was dumbfounded. He turned to look at Yan Wushuang, only to see Yan Wushuang in the shadows raising one finger.
“100 spirit stones,” a voice fell into Jian Xingzhi’s ears. “I’ll stand up right now.”