Chapter 89: Xuan Jian's Gratitude
Xuan Jian immediately knelt and bowed deeply. "Many thanks, benefactor."
He had never doubted that Zu Zong might harm him. If the other party had truly intended ill, he would never have gone to such lengths to save his wife and child.
"I don't have much time. I'll send you there directly. Miss Wei, hold the child tightly. I'll grab hold of you—don't resist."
As he spoke, Zu Zong took Xuan Jian's hand and placed his other hand on Wei Qianqian's shoulder. In his mind, he called out, "System, transmit the four of us to Ghost Valley in Yunmeng Mountain, where Guiguzi resides."
[Beep, as the 'Qin's Moon' world is a low-level world, transmission costs 1,000 Hatred Points. Transporting four individuals will cost 4,000 Hatred Points. Transmission in progress.]
Centered on Zu Zong, the space around them twisted. In the next instant, the four vanished from the palace hall.
When they reappeared, they were deep in the mountains, before a thatched hut surrounded by mist. An elderly man with an immortal's bearing stood on the porch, watching two youths spar with swords—Guiguzi in seclusion, and his two disciples, Wei Zhuang and Gai Nie.
The sudden appearance of Zu Zong's group startled the two disciples, who instantly raised their swords to guard their master.
Even Guiguzi, calm as he was, could not help but furrow his brow. Though well-versed in the world's mysteries, he was still bound to this realm's limits. Setting aside the fact that they had bypassed Yunmeng Mountain's intricate formations, the ability to traverse the void so casually was beyond anything in his experience.
Zu Zong cupped his hands. "You must be the famed Mister Guigu, with your two outstanding disciples, Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang. Please don't misunderstand—I've not come seeking trouble."
Guiguzi examined the group. One was injured, his calloused hands marking him as a skilled swordsman, likely a dual-blade master. The spider tattoo on the back of his hand confirmed him as the well-known Black-White Xuan Jian of the Net Trap organization. Without his swords, and with a woman cradling a child at his side, these could only be his wife and child.
As for the masked young man standing at the front, Guiguzi could not read him. Though the voice suggested youth, the aura was unlike anything he had ever encountered—brimming with vitality.
Guiguzi raised his hand, signaling Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang to lower their swords. His gaze settled on Zu Zong. "May I ask, young friend, what business brings you to Ghost Valley?"
Zu Zong nodded. Best to avoid a fight—he wasn't sure he could best the old man, one of the peak figures of Qin's Moon.
"I saved this couple and their child. But I fear their enemies will pursue them. After considering it, only Ghost Valley seemed truly safe. I hope you can shelter them for three or four years. After that, I will come to take them away."
In three or four years, Ying Zheng would visit Han Fei in Korea—Zu Zong planned to be there, and have him pardon Xuan Jian.
Hearing this, Qin's Moon's great posturer, Wei Zhuang, frowned and flicked his Shark Tooth Sword. "Hmph! What do you take Ghost Valley for, a refuge?"
Zu Zong smiled wryly. Indeed, quite the posturer.
"Don't worry, I'll offer payment. Not money—you wouldn't value that—but this."
With a wave, two bottles of century-old soul wine appeared in his hand, leftovers from a gathering with Flender and the others. Containing a trace of soul power, it was of little use to a soul master like him, but for martial wanderers like these, it could add years of cultivation.
Using Crane Control Dragon Capture, Zu Zong floated the bottles to Guiguzi. "This is century-old soul wine, infused with pure energy not found in this world. If your two disciples drink it, their strength will increase greatly."
Seeing him produce items from thin air, Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang tensed inwardly—such methods were no small feat.
Guiguzi remained outwardly calm. Since their arrival, he had shown little emotion. Taking the bottles with a light wave of his hand, he sensed the pure energy within without even opening them—truly a rarity in this world.
"Nie'er, Xiao Zhuang, go to the eastern clearing and build a hut for our three guests," Guiguzi instructed.
Wei Zhuang looked displeased. "Master, this—"
Before he could finish, the steadier Gai Nie interrupted. "Xiao Zhuang, do as Master says."
With a cold snort, Wei Zhuang sheathed his sword and followed Gai Nie eastward.
Zu Zong waved again, and the black-and-white dual swords appeared in his grasp. Guiguzi glanced at them and nodded without comment.
To Xuan Jian and Wei Qianqian, such displays were nothing new.
Zu Zong handed the swords to Xuan Jian. "Returning these to their owner."
Xuan Jian shook his head. "I only wish to care for Qianqian and the child now. I won't be drawn into the conflicts of the jianghu again. The swords are useless to me."
Zu Zong felt a touch embarrassed. In truth, he had hoped to see Xuan Jian display his swordsmanship. Since arriving in Qin's Moon, Zu Zong had thought about how his Second Soul Skill—Blue Silver Blade—while strong in speed and power, was limited in technique.
If he could learn the top sword arts of this world and combine them with Blue Silver Blade, the resulting power would be terrifying—perhaps even becoming his main method of attack in the future.
Clearing his throat, Zu Zong said, "Ahem… whether you want the swords or not is up to you, but I'd like you to perform your sword technique for me, you know, just once—"
"Eh?" Xuan Jian was momentarily stunned. So his benefactor's hesitation was simply because he wanted to learn swordsmanship.
Laughing heartily, Xuan Jian said, "Very well! You saved my entire family—such a debt cannot be repaid even if I were to be broken into pieces. My swordsmanship is passable enough. Since you wish to learn, I will teach you."
Taking back the Black-White Twin Swords, Xuan Jian began to perform his techniques openly, not concealing them from Guiguzi. After all, Guiguzi was a true grandmaster of the sword and would hardly stoop to copying the swordplay of a wandering killer.
Zu Zong's Sharingan spun at high speed, copying every move and stance. The more he watched, the more enthralled he became—this was real swordsmanship, combining precision, power, and dominance in perfect harmony.
When Xuan Jian finished, Zu Zong's allotted time in this world was nearly over.
Xuan Jian sheathed his swords and stood upright. "A poor display."
Zu Zong could not help but praise, "Truly magnificent swordsmanship."
Even Guiguzi nodded in approval. "Black-White Xuan Jian lives up to his name."
Bowing slightly to Guiguzi, Xuan Jian said, "My swordsmanship is insignificant. Mister Guigu is the true master of the sword."
[Beep, three minutes remaining until host returns to the Douluo Continent.]
Hearing the system's voice in his mind, Zu Zong cupped his fists toward Guiguzi. "It's time I took my leave. I entrust these three to your care, Mister Guigu. When I return, I will surely bring a greater gift in thanks."
Guiguzi nodded silently.
Upon hearing this, Xuan Jian immediately offered the Black-White Twin Swords to Zu Zong.
Zu Zong shook his head. "I'll be coming back."
Xuan Jian did not insist, putting the swords away, though he looked as if he had something more to say.
Zu Zong smiled. "Go ahead, speak your mind."
Xuan Jian nodded. "I don't expect to know your true identity. I only wish to understand why you have shown such care for my wife and me."
Zu Zong replied, "Perhaps I just wanted to learn your swordsmanship."
"No, I can tell—that was decided on the spur of the moment," Xuan Jian said firmly.
Zu Zong glanced at Wei Qianqian and sighed. "Perhaps I was simply moved by the true bond between you and Miss Wei. In such a dark age, to see such sincerity is remarkable. Or maybe I just wished to fulfill my own obsession."
[Beep, time is up. Preparing to return host to the Douluo Continent. Countdown: 10… 9… 8…]
"Then farewell. I wish you happiness."
As he spoke, the space around him twisted under the eyes of Guiguzi, Xuan Jian, and Wei Qianqian, and Zu Zong vanished.
(End of this chapter)
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