“You should understand that Supreme Order is still giving you time to consider,” the Suspended Elder said. “They’ve grown impatient after a year. Besides, they only want the Western King Sword, the rest of the inheritance can still belong to your Hu Clan. If it really comes to a life-or-death struggle, your Clan will get nothing, maybe even be wiped out.”
“They wouldn’t dare,” Hu Yanzhuo said angrily.
“What wouldn’t they dare? This past year, my only orders have been to cause trouble for Order City. They never truly intended to destroy it,” said the Suspended Elder. “Think carefully. How could your Hu Clan resist all of Supreme Order? Or even the entire Ninelands?”
Hearing this, Hu Yanzhuo was silent for a moment. In the end, he snorted coldly and said, “Then I’ll just wait here for them to come take it.”
After saying this, Hu Yanzhuo clearly looked upset. He walked away along the valley floor of the Western King Valley without bothering with Li Changtian and the others.
“Everyone, please leave,” the Suspended Elder said with a smile.
“Let’s go,” Li Changtian glanced at Lu Ming'er, sipping from the wine gourd at his waist casually.
“What a waste of time. You’re still in the mood to drink?” Lu Ming'er said flatly.
“What else can we do? I think City Lord Hu Yan is just angry. Let him cool off for a while.
We didn’t come all this way for nothing,” Li Changtian smiled.“Brother Xu, then we’ll take our leave for now,” Li Changtian waved to Xu Zimo as he spoke.
Watching the two walk away, the Suspended Elder smiled and said, “Young master, are you still staying? I’ve told you everything I know.”
“I’m just curious, why does Supreme Order want the Western King Sword?” Xu Zimo asked.
“Is there some kind of secret?”“You don’t know the story of the Western King’s rise to fame?” the Suspended Elder gave him a strange look.
“What story?” Xu Zimo asked.
“The Western King became famous when he was young. His swordsmanship wasn’t just peerless in the Nine Provinces, it was unparalleled even in the Central Continent,” the Suspended Elder said.
“There’s a rumor that when he was young, he received guidance from a Sword God Spirit, which is what allowed him to achieve such heights. That Sword God Spirit is said to be sealed inside his sword. So in the Ninelands Region, it’s said that whoever obtains the Sword God Spirit could become as powerful as the Western King.”“If that were true, I haven’t seen Hu Yanzhuo show any amazing strength,” Xu Zimo laughed.
“When he cut down my giant python earlier, you saw that sword technique, didn’t you?” said the Suspended Elder. “He may not have grasped the full essence, but it’s getting there.”
“What’s this ‘Sword God Spirit’? Sounds pretty far-fetched,” Xu Zimo asked.
“There are many theories, but the most convincing one is that the sword soul belongs to the True God Sword,” the Suspended Elder answered.
“Once the True God Sword is complete, it can open the Ancient Celestial Court. Everything left behind by the Holy Progenitor from the Desolate Era is said to be within.”“This world’s smaller than I thought,” Xu Zimo murmured.
“Does the young master have thoughts about it too?” the Suspended Elder smiled.
“Collecting the full True God Sword is too far off. Just getting the Sword God Spirit and becoming someone like the Western King would be good enough,” Xu Zimo replied. “In return for telling me all this, I’ll let you live,” he added, waving his hand.
In truth, he had already collected the True God Sword long ago. He only lacked a few things: the Sword Soul, the Nine-Curve God Flame needed to reforge it, and the Supreme God Hammer.
“Safe travels, young master,” the Suspended Elder quickly called after Xu Zimo’s departing figure.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead, he had seemed calm earlier, but inside he had been panicking. The pressure from Xu Zimo and the two black-robed figures beside him was simply overwhelming.After everyone left, the Suspended Elder looked around. Daylight had fully broken. There was no point continuing here, so he decided to report everything to Supreme Order. He wasn’t about to miss out on his reward. Things were developing beyond his control.
……
In Order City, all the little demons had retreated.
Hu Yanzhuo’s face was grim. After returning to the city, he ignored all the praise and compliments from others.
He went straight to the City Lord’s manor and ordered it sealed off.
Once in his room, Hu Yanzhuo first ensured no one was spying. Then he pried open the floor under his bed and retrieved a black box. Opening it, a red longsword came into view.
The sword lay quietly inside the box. Its surface looked ancient and unadorned, it was clearly very old.
“Let’s talk,” Hu Yanzhuo said quietly, gripping the hilt.
Immediately, a faint red aura emanated from the sword, enveloping Hu Yanzhuo. His vision shifted, and he appeared in a pitch-black space.
“Speak,” came an ancient voice from the darkness. The void was filled only with boundless sword intent.
“You helped my ancestor back then, why won’t you help me now?” Hu Yanzhuo asked with a deep breath. “I won’t last much longer. If you agree, I’ll abandon Order City and take you far away.”
“I’ve already told you, becoming someone like the Western King isn’t up to me,” said the voice from the darkness. “You need the right comprehension and talent. Clearly, you don’t have it. Whether I fall into someone else’s hands makes no difference to me. As long as they have the talent, I can teach them.”
“You don’t want to reunite your sword body?” Hu Yanzhuo asked angrily. “If I hide you, your wish won’t come true for hundreds of years.”
“You’re threatening me,” the dark voice snapped, and a terrifying sword aura burst out. Its edge was blinding, Hu Yanzhuo could feel it could slice him to bits in a breath if it wanted.
“You promised my ancestor not to harm the Hu Clan,” Hu Yanzhuo said boldly. “Teach me, and I’ll help you find the fragments, it’s a win-win.”
“I told you, you’re just not suitable,” the voice in the darkness replied with irritation.
Then the darkness faded, and Hu Yanzhuo was back in his room. Looking at the red longsword in his hand, his expression was stormy and conflicted.
He threw the sword aside and began smashing everything in his room in frustration.
……
After leaving the Western King Valley, Xu Zimo and his two companions returned to Order City.
After the battle the night before, many soldiers were tired and resting. Xu Zimo didn’t bother with anyone and went straight to the City Lord’s manor.
“What business do you have?” asked the guards at the gate.
“We’re here to see City Lord Hu Yan,” Xu Zimo smiled and walked inside.
The two guards tried to stop him but were suppressed on the spot by Bone Demon.
“Lead the way,” Xu Zimo said to one of the guards.
The guard, clearly terrified, quickly said, “I’ll go report you right away.”