Chapter 176 – Siscon Yao Yue! Yan Nantian Appears!
Mingyu Art was pushed to its limit, yet the powerful suction force entwining her body remained unchanged. Yao Yue could only watch helplessly as she was pulled closer and closer to Chu Yang.
When they were barely a foot apart, a sudden burst of palm energy struck toward Chu Yang.
Chu Yang waved his hand to block it. As he disrupted the palm strike, the Universal Pull was also interrupted.
With her bodily autonomy restored, Yao Yue quickly stepped several times in the air to retreat from Chu Yang, looking at him with lingering fear.
Beside her now stood a stunning new figure.
The newcomer was tall and carried the same icy elegance as Yao Yue, but her eyes were soft, like a timid deer, full of sorrow. Her body leaned slightly to the left, suggesting a disability.
After rescuing Yao Yue, her gaze never left Jiang Feng.
"Lian Xing, didn't I tell you to stay put in the Palace of Shifting Flowers? Why did you come out? So disobedient!"
Yao Yue, several heads shorter than Lian Xing, chided her sternly, the scene somewhat comical—standing side by side, she looked more like the younger sister.
"Big sister, I was feeling uneasy… so I came to find you."
Lian Xing withdrew her gaze from Jiang Feng and said melancholically, "Let's go back. I don't want to be entangled in this any longer."
Yao Yue gritted her teeth. "No! I won't let that heartless man who hurt you off so easily! No matter what, he must pay today!"
Lian Xing smiled bitterly. "It was only unrequited love on my part. How can we call him heartless?"
Yao Yue snapped, indignant, "He was gravely injured by enemies and on the verge of death—you personally tended to him day and night. Without you, would he be standing here alive and well?"
"While healing, he flirted with you with every glance. He clearly loved you, yet had the gall to elope with a lowly maid!"
"Such an ungrateful bastard deserves to die!"
Lian Xing opened her mouth as if to speak, then stopped. She looked up at Jiang Feng. Truthfully, how could she have no resentment?
Knowing that he couldn't simply walk away from this unresolved, Jiang Feng cupped his fists and said, "Palace Master, I once did have feelings for the Second Palace Master, but only for a brief time. The one I truly love is Yuenu, and from now on, I will love no one but her."
Yao Yue flew into a rage at those words. She raised her hand to strike him, only for Lian Xing to grab her arm tightly. Forced to relent, she flung her hand aside with a cold snort.
"You liked me?" Lian Xing asked in delighted disbelief. "Then why… why don't you like me anymore?"
Jiang Feng hesitated before replying, "The Second Palace Master is of noble status. I dared not aim too high…"
"I want the truth," Lian Xing said firmly.
Jiang Feng sighed. "You and Palace Master Yue are like fairies untouched by mortal dust. There's no hint of worldly desire in you—like cold statues. I… I like someone alive. Someone who cries and laughs, who is flesh and blood. Yuenu is such a woman."
Lian Xing's body trembled. Sincere words cut deeper than lies. Her nature was inborn—no one had ever taught her how to live like an ordinary person.
She wanted to say she could change, but the moment she saw the child in Yuenu's arms, it was as if her mind blanked—she couldn't speak another word.
Yao Yue caught all of Lian Xing's expressions and felt her fury toward Jiang Feng rise even more. She roared, "You heartless bastard! How could you wound her again and again?!"
Yao Yue the siscon is terrifying!
Chu Yang silently muttered to himself, shaking his head. "Palace Master Yue, since Brother Jiang has made himself clear, why keep pushing him? Feelings can't be forced. Even if you make them be together, will it really make either of them happy?"
"You might not care about Jiang's feelings, but at least respect your sister's."
Yao Yue's eyes widened. "And who are you to interfere?!"
Chu Yang smiled. "I only talk reason when I'm in a good mood. You'd best be polite while I'm still talking nicely—if I'm in a bad mood, you won't even get the chance to argue."
Yao Yue sneered, "So what if you've got some freakish technique? You think you can scare me? I was just careless earlier. Let's fight again if you've got the guts!"
Just then, the Ice Mist Demon at Yao Yue's feet, not yet fully dead, absorbed the Mingyu Art's icy true essence and revived.
Catching Yao Yue distracted, it suddenly struck—if it could devour her blood and essence, not only would it fully heal, it would grow vastly stronger.
Sensing the killing intent, Yao Yue turned sharply, but it was already a moment too late.
"Sister!"
Lian Xing cried out helplessly as the Ice Mist Demon lunged at her sister.
In that moment of despair, a sword hum rang out around them. Time itself seemed to freeze as Chu Yang strolled forward like a leisurely walker in a garden.
In Yao Yue's shocked gaze, Chu Yang passed her by slowly, then formed a sword with two fingers and struck. The demon's body shattered.
Sword Twenty-Three.
After years of cultivation, Chu Yang had far surpassed the Sword Saint of the past. In his hands, Sword Twenty-Three wielded unmatched power.
When the demon was completely destroyed, time resumed. Yao Yue and the others gasped for breath—the sword energy and killing intent Chu Yang had released during that frozen moment had nearly suffocated them.
Chu Yang glanced sideways at Yao Yue. "You still want to fight me?"
"You…" Yao Yue's face turned pale. She wasn't stupid—everything she just witnessed made it clear: Chu Yang's swordsmanship was on another level.
A monster!
Lian Xing stepped between them, separating Chu Yang and her sister. She then bowed politely. "This matter began with me. I no longer wish to entangle myself with Jiang Feng. Let's just end it here."
Chu Yang nodded.
But Yao Yue yanked Lian Xing back and refused to let it go. "Who said it's over? Jiang Feng broke your heart—he can't just walk away! I'm not leaving today unless these two shameless lovers kill me!"
She glared at Chu Yang, standing firm as if daring him to strike her down.
What a brat…
Chu Yang clicked his tongue. He didn't mind a proper fight, but Yao Yue throwing this kind of tantrum was a real headache.
Jiang Feng whispered something to Hua Yuenu, then slowly walked toward Lian Xing.
As he drew closer, Lian Xing's breathing grew faster.
"What are you doing?" Yao Yue watched him warily.
"To be honest," Jiang Feng said, "I can't deny that I once had feelings for the Second Palace Master. Palace Master Yue calls me heartless—I have no defense."
"So today, I'm willing to take one palm strike from the Second Palace Master. Let this be the end of all our debts."
He spoke with the resolve of a man prepared to die.
Lian Xing's Mingyu Art was just one level beneath Yao Yue's. She was a top-tier expert in her own right. At Jiang Feng's current level, taking one palm strike from her was practically suicide.
"You've got guts at least," Yao Yue muttered, turning her head slightly—her tone softening.
If Jiang Feng had just hidden behind Chu Yang, she'd have no way to deal with him. But facing Lian Xing directly like this showed courage. No wonder her sister liked him.
"There's no need for this…" Lian Xing shook her head. Though wounded, she couldn't bear to hurt him.
"I insist," Jiang Feng replied, bowing deeply.
Tears welled in Lian Xing's eyes. With sorrowful expression, she lightly struck his shoulder. The blow still sent him flying back to land at Hua Yuenu's feet.
"Jiang-lang!"
Hua Yuenu wept as she rushed to check his injuries.
"I'm fine. The Second Palace Master held back," Jiang Feng said with a strained smile to comfort her.
"Let's go, Sister."
Lian Xing turned away, her eyes red, unwilling to see more.
"I'll let you go this time. Next time, we'll see if that punk can still protect you!" Yao Yue threatened as she prepared to leave.
Suddenly, a burst of force slammed into her backside. She cried out in pain and turned to glare at Chu Yang.
"Call me that again, and I'll tan your hide. Try me," Chu Yang warned cheerfully, not holding back in the slightest.
Yao Yue was livid—on the verge of snapping and going all out—only to be forcibly dragged away by Lian Xing.
Once they were gone, Li Gexiao finally let out a long breath. "That madwoman was relentless. If the Young Master hadn't been here, she'd have torn us apart."
Chu Yang kicked at him. Li Gexiao dodged nimbly.
"And you call yourself a seasoned veteran? Provoking her over and over, what if she really went on a killing spree?"
Li Gexiao grinned. "Wasn't the Young Master here? Normally I'd never dare say so much, but if I can win a few words from Palace Master Yue, I'll have bragging rights for life."
"Hurry up and get your strength back. If you keep being useless next time, just scram and stop mooching off me."
Chu Yang rolled his eyes.
"Don't be like that. We're brothers! Back in the day, we were the infamous Twin Trash of the Capital…"
Li Gexiao looked nostalgic.
"Yeah, keep playing the fool."
Chu Yang shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Compared to before, Li Gexiao's energy was clearly improved, indicating that he was breaking through his inner demons and would surely progress in his martial path soon.
With the demon eliminated and Yao Yue and Lian Xing gone, the temperature of the desolate village returned to normal. After a long night of chaos, everyone rested as dawn approached.
As golden clouds painted the sky and the sun began to rise, a new figure appeared outside the village.
He stood over eight feet tall. Though his face was gaunt, his frame was broad and imposing—strong shoulders and long arms. Despite the hollow cheeks, his aura was commanding.
With thick brows, wide eyes, and sharp cheekbones, his tiger-like gaze radiated intensity and awe.
This was none other than the world's number one swordsman—Yan Nantian.
He had agreed on a time and place to meet Jiang Feng, but when Jiang never showed, he worried something might've happened and rushed over.
Passing the desolate village, his senses as a sword cultivator were drawn by the intense sword aura in the area. He stopped to investigate—and to his astonishment, he found his sworn brother Jiang Feng.
The two reunited joyfully after their long separation. Yan Nantian met Hua Yuenu and the two children first, then sat down to listen as Jiang Feng recounted everything that had happened in recent days.
Upon hearing about Jiang Feng's encounters with the Twelve Zodiac Stars and Yao Yue, Yan Nantian broke out in cold sweat, feeling deeply fortunate.
"It's all my fault for arriving a step too late. I still don't know how you managed to escape…"
Yan Nantian was both remorseful and curious. The situation had been nearly a deathtrap—how exactly had Jiang Feng turned the tables?
Jiang Feng and his wife exchanged a smile.
"My brother happened to encounter a great benefactor on the road!"
Jiang Feng recounted how Chu Yang had killed the Twelve Zodiac Stars and defeated the Palace Mistress of Shifting Flowers. Yan Nantian's eyes were filled with utter shock.
He knew he could take down the Twelve Zodiac Stars alone as well, but certainly not with the effortless ease Jiang Feng described—let alone defeat Palace Mistress Yao Yue of the Shifting Flowers Palace.
Without having fully mastered the Martial Garment Divine Art, he would have to rely on his self-created Divine Sword Technique to contend with Yao Yue's level-nine Mingyu Art. And the outcome would still be uncertain.
"Such a divine figure—could I trouble you, dear brother, to introduce me?"
Yan Nantian was not only a great hero but also a martial fanatic with a deep passion for the sword. If he missed the chance to meet such a powerful master, he'd regret it for life.
"Come with me, big brother."
Jiang Feng stood and led Yan Nantian toward the thatched hut where Chu Yang was staying.
At that moment, Li Gexiao and the massive wolfdog were keeping watch outside the hut.
Yan Nantian was first startled by the size of the wolfdog from afar. Then, catching sight of Li Gexiao's face, he was again taken aback and blurted out, "Lord Li!"
Li Gexiao, who had been resting with his eyes closed, snapped them open at the sound. Upon seeing Yan Nantian, he said in surprise and delight, "Hero Yan! What are you doing here?"
"Jiang Feng is my sworn brother—I've come to bring him home!" Yan Nantian strode up to Li Gexiao, placing both hands naturally on his arms, visibly excited. "After all these years apart, I never thought we'd meet again!"
Li Gexiao was equally moved. He took a few deep breaths and laughed heartily. "I didn't expect to see you here either! We truly are bound by fate—our friendship wasn't in vain."
Seeing how elated the two were, Jiang Feng couldn't help but ask curiously, "Big brother, how do you know Hero Li?"
"We knew each other even before I became sworn brothers with you."
Yan Nantian laughed heartily. "Back when I was still inexperienced in martial arts, I was wandering the land doing good when I got trapped in a demon-infested town and nearly lost my life. At the time, Lord Li was a Qianhu [Commander of a Thousand Households], and Brother Zuo was a Baihu [Commander of a Hundred Households]. They happened to pass through the town and saved me. The three of us joined forces to slay several powerful demons. That battle was truly breathtaking!"
Li Gexiao was lost in the memory, a smile spreading across his face.
Jiang Feng asked again, "And who is Brother Zuo?"
Yan Nantian replied proudly, "Brother Zuo is known in the martial world as 'Commander Zuo'!"
Jiang Feng exclaimed, "You mean the Commander Zuo famed for slaying demons and exorcising evil?"
Li Gexiao nodded with a smile. "That's the one. He'll soon be promoted to Town Pacifier. He won't be a Qianhu for much longer."
Jiang Feng smiled. "You were already a Qianhu when you met my big brother. Now, after all these years, you must be close to becoming a Commander-in-Chief?"
Li Gexiao shook his head, his expression turning a bit complicated. "I once served as Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but I was dismissed years ago…"
Yan Nantian was shocked. He had always assumed that Li Gexiao had long become a high-ranking official. He never imagined the man had actually been dismissed.
The matter involved the Emperor himself, so few people knew the details.
"How could an upright official like Lord Li be dismissed? There must be some injustice! If you're willing to trust me, Lord Li, tell me everything—Yan Nantian will see justice done!"
Yan Nantian's tiger eyes flared with righteous fury, his killing intent barely restrained—as though ready to avenge Li Gexiao on the spot.