“Since the Mu family has already given their answer, there’s no need to wait any longer, right?” The burly man sitting on the tiger-skin lounge chair yawned and said lazily, “Wen Ze?”
Wen Ze bowed his head slightly, and after a moment of hesitation, he sighed softly, “Don’t go too far.”
“I know, I promise you, at the very least the boat won’t be smashed; we still have to make it ashore,” said the burly man as he rose from the lounge chair, grabbing the large cleaver with a golden hilt beside him, “Let’s go.”
“Yes,” the nineteen disciples of the Courtyard of Clear Sky responded in unison from behind him. The group marched out of the room with grandeur, the last two disciples carrying the tiger-skin lounge chair. Once outside the cabin, they set the chair down, and the burly man lay back on it, yawning, “Let the Mu family come out. Since they have admitted to this matter, they have to come out and bear the responsibility.”
“Mu has been waiting for quite some time,” a figure leapt down from the mast, having been seated atop it all this while, admiring the view. Mu Nianhua was dressed in white, with a golden belt around his waist and an elegant long sword in his hand. He looked at the Courtyard of Clear Sky assassins in front of him with an indifferent expression and an extraordinary demeanor.
However, there was no one behind him.
“You, alone?” The burly man propped his chin with his hand, eyeing Mu Nianhua with keen interest.
“Since I took on this matter, it is naturally up to me to handle it.” Mu Nianhua stated calmly. “Is there a problem?”
Inside the cabin, the members of the Mu family had already gathered, initially planning to rush out and support their young master. However, they were stopped by the manager Yan. Mu Nianhua had previously instructed that not a single Mu family member could be allowed to die innocently because of this matter.
“Go to the heavenly room and invite those two gentlemen over!” manager Yan said to Nailuo.
Nailuo nodded hurriedly and dashed towards the heavenly room.
The burly man looked at Mu Nianhua and laughed heartily, “You’re quite interesting. I wonder if your swordsmanship is as strong as your spirit. Viper, you go.”
“Yes,” a thin man stepped out from the crowd. His eyes were cold, and he did indeed look somewhat like a snake.
Mu Nianhua nodded with a smile and said, “Mu Nianhua at your service, please enlighten me.”
Viper sneered. A rich young master is still a rich young master. Even when he is on the verge of life and death, he still thinks it is just a martial arts competition. Without returning the courtesy, he placed his hand directly on the hilt of his blade.
Then he felt a gust of wind blowing in his face.
And the faint, distinct sound of a sharp blade slicing through flesh.
The burly man, who had been reclining, suddenly sat up, his eyes narrowing not in anger but with a hint of delight. After sitting on the boat for so long, he finally encountered something interesting. If his opponent was someone who could be killed with just one sword strike, then it would be too boring.
The young man named Viper widened his eyes in disbelief at the unfolding events. Mu Nianhua, who had just been before him, had vanished into thin air. He looked down at his own right hand.
Blood was dripping, and his tendons were cleanly severed by a single sword strike. He would probably be unable to hold a sword for at least a year.
Mu Nianhua stood behind Viper, his white robe billowing, pointing his sword directly at the burly man, “You’re next.”
“Good! Good swordsmanship!” The burly man slapped his thigh vigorously, cheering for Mu Nianhua, “Did any of you see that clearly?”
The mustachioed swordsman standing beside the burly man spoke, “It’s the Shengjing sword technique of Xiling Sword Hero Gong Yuluo, and that sword is Gong Yuluo’s White Jade Sword. He made his move the moment Viper reached out to grasp the handle of his knife.
“Gong Yuluo, huh…” The burly man nodded. “That’s a famous name. Kid, are you his disciple?”
“So what if I am?” Mu Nianhua raised his sword slightly.
“Even Gong Yuluo himself wouldn’t dare to point his sword at me like this,” the burly man said as he picked up the hefty blade.
“My master said that there are only four kinds of people he would never raise his sword against: first, righteous heroes who uphold justice, second, benevolent officials who love the people as their own children, third, soldiers who defend their country, and fourth, ordinary people. I don’t think you belong to any of these categories, so what you said is wrong. My master would dare to draw his sword against you, and so would I.” Mu Nianhua’s tone was calm.
“It’s a pity. I thought that since the Mu family is so rich, the child they raised would probably be a good-for-nothing. But you’re not bad. Your swordsmanship and demeanor are commendable, and you would have been a remarkable person in the future. Unfortunately, there will be no future for you,” the burly man said, about to stand up, but the mustachioed swordsman stopped him, “Boss, you’re too impatient. It’s just a White Jade Sword. Even if Gong Yuluo himself was here, he wouldn’t be worth your effort.”
The burly man lay back down with a hint of frustration, muttering, “Being cooped up on this damn ship for so long has really made me itch for some action.”
“Da Feng, Jin Hou, you two go,” called the mustachioed swordsman. Two masked swordsmen emerged from behind, unlike the others, they were covered from head to toe, revealing only a pair of eyes that carried a fierce glint.
“How boring.” The burly man muttered.
“Interesting things come at a great price.” The mustachioed swordsman said lightly.
The swordsmanship of Mu Nianhua was indeed commendable, certainly surpassing most of the disciples from the Courtyard of Clear Sky. While Da Feng and Jin Hou’s swordsmanship is only considered average among these people, they are special and particularly suited to fighting Mu Nianhua.
Although Mu Nianhua’s swordsmanship is high, it is clear that he rarely participates in real battles. Da Feng and Jin Hou, on the other hand, use poisoned swords. If Mu Nianhua is not careful, he will fall for their tricks.
As expected, Da Feng and Jin Hou attacked simultaneously. Mu Nianhua raised his sword to meet them, but he saw a black mist swirling around their blades and rushing towards him. He quickly stepped back and swung his sword vigorously, trying to disperse the mist. However, after a few swings, he realized that the mist was getting thicker and thicker. It was about to engulf him completely.
“Petty tricks.” A figure in a golden robe suddenly appeared beside Mu Nianhua. The man waved his long sleeves and dispersed the black mist in an instant.
The burly man gripped his hilt tightly, his expression instantly turning grave. He gritted his teeth and said, “Sleeves concealing the universe!”
The mustachioed swordsman quickly shook his head. “It’s not the sleeves concealing the universe. If it were, the Mu family wouldn’t fear us on this Golden Wind.”
“What is it?” the burly man asked in confusion.
The rich man in the golden robe hitched up his belt and shook his long sleeves. He smiled kindly and said, “My sleeves are utterly empty, you see.”
The burly man was surprised at first, but then he seemed to relax. He lay back down and laughed. “So it’s the Thousand-Faced Wealth God. It’s been a while.”
Thank you.