Today marked the ninth year of Song Honghua’s succession as the master of the Golden-Hilted Saber.
If he maintained his position for just one more year, he would surpass the record set by the previous guild master.
The guild had long adhered to an unwritten rule: anyone with the capability to slay the reigning master could claim the position and replace him.
However, ever since Song Honghua assumed control, he abolished that particular rule, replacing it with a condition stating that simply defeating the master would suffice to command the Golden-Hilted Saber to execute a single task.
Despite this modification, leveraging the supreme prestige of the premier merchant guild under heaven, challengers arrived in an endless, unceasing stream, all driven by the desire to secure fame and status.
Growing utterly exhausted by the relentless procession, Song Honghua instituted an additional stipulation: every single challenger who failed must pledge the remainder of their lifetime to serve the Golden-Hilted Saber.
Only through this harsh deterrent had he secured the profound, enduring peace of recent years.
At present, Song Honghua sat lazily upon his grand armchair, polishing his saber with leisurely indifference while complacently reviewing his past glorious achievements.
He polished the blade until its edge shone with the clarity of pristine spring water, directly reflecting his arrogant gaze. Only then did Song Honghua express satisfaction, blowing a gentle breath across the unblemished, spotless surface of the blade.
Tossing a single strand of hair before the blade, Song Honghua swung his weapon and watched as the delicate hair was cleanly sliced in two. He first offered a satisfied smile, followed immediately by a self-pitying sigh:
“Throughout the entire world, not a single soul can stand against me.”
He couldn’t help but experience a touch of affected, arrogant solitude. Yet this solitude failed to linger for long before a knock echoed against the door, and the chief steward requested permission from outside:
“Master, someone has arrived to issue a challenge today.”
“Oh?” Instantly, Song Honghua’s interest was piqued, though it remained a lazy, unhurried sort of interest. Continuing to stroke his scabbard with casual indifference, he granted permission:
“Enter.”
With a creak, the door pushed open, and footsteps paced slowly across the floor before coming to a measured halt.
Song Honghua lifted his gaze to look, and beheld a figure clad in immaculate white, possessing a waist both slender and erect, radiating an indescribable, ethereal purity.
Involuntarily, he rose from his grand armchair, his gaze sliding slowly upward toward the visitor’s face.
Regrettably, the challenger wore an utterly unremarkable Liuyun mask, concealing fully nine-tenths of his true visage.
It resembled an exquisite scroll of painting unfurled before the eyes; though its graceful bearing could be glimpsed, a layer of misty white silk obscured the details. Suppressing a flicker of disappointment, Song Honghua placed his hands behind his back and gripped his saber:
“Young man, are you the one who has come to challenge me?”
As he spoke, he tilted his chin upward slightly, narrowing his eyes in an unabashed display of unbridled conceit.
Instantly, Su Yunyu concluded that this fellow had clearly never received a proper beating from reality.
Beneath his mask, he curved his lips into a smile. To conceal his identity, he had drawn a Earth-grade sword from his spatial storage, extracting the blade with an air of absolute, unruffled ease:
“Please offer your instruction.”
“Hah,” Song Honghua let out a light scoff, taking the initiative with a nimble step. Closing the distance instantly, he lashed out with a horizontal slash.
A saber differed from a sword by featuring only a single sharpened edge, rendering its momentum ideally suited for hewing and cleaving. For instance, the blade arc he unleashed right now struck directly toward his opponent’s face with ruthless, unmitigated viciousness.
Though victory wasn’t yet secured, Song Honghua was already basking in smug triumph, assuming the youth standing before him was merely another arrogant newcomer cut from the cloth of ordinary mediocrity.
Consequently, while the opening strike was brutally fierce, it retained a subtle undertone of slack negligence. Antcipating the familiar cry of pain he had heard on countless previous occasions, he was met instead with a blinding flash of colliding steel and a resonant chime akin to ringing jade bells.
Boom! A violent shockwave rippled outward from the blade, traveling straight up his arm with such terrifying force that Song Honghua’s grip nearly faltered, almost sending his weapon flying from his hand.
Yet years of accumulated combat experience enabled him to instantly readjust his stance, leaping backward while fixing a gaze of profound shock upon his opponent.
Clutching his numb, tingling arm with one hand, Song Honghua re-evaluated Su Yunyu. Strange, this person’s strength is unfathomably deep, yet for reasons unknown, he shows zero inclination to press the offensive.
Furthermore, he appeared thoroughly distracted, constantly besieged by hesitation and doubt.
To stand amidst a fierce duel while dividing his attention in two!
This amounted to an absolute, unpardonable disrespect toward the duel itself!
Deeply incensed, Song Honghua channeled his spiritual breath and infused it into his weapon, letting out a thunderous roar as he lunged forward once more with a fierce, diagonal cleave.
Boom! Another deafening clash echoed out. Su Yunyu sidestepped to evade the blow, raising his sword to parry while his brows remained locked in an imperceptible expression of turmoil.
Xiao Shuying just said that we must fight to the death to bring the matter to a close.
Does that genuinely require me to take this man’s life?
Yet… Su Yunyu tightened his grip around the hilt of his sword, wrestling internally with fierce reluctance. That conflicted expression did not escape the notice of Song Honghua, who had retreated a few paces, driving his anger to boiling points:
“Young man, since you resolved to issue a challenge, you ought to summon your absolute, undivided focus!”
With that declaration, accompanied by a renewed flurry of saber wind that swept up the dust around them, he poured the entirety of his remaining strength into the strike, embodying a desperate momentum that cast aside all thought of survival.
As those words faded and the razor-sharp edge pressed closer by the fraction of a second, Su Yunyu tightened his fingers around the sword hilt, slowly closing his eyes before snapping them wide open with sudden resolution:
“Have a taste of my sword!”
Though he hadn’t fully resolved himself to taking the man’s life, he was thoroughly determined to bring the duel to a swift, decisive conclusion.
While the outcome was meant to be decided, given Su Yunyu’s peerless swordsmanship, there was never truly any contest to begin with. Observe:
The ringing of his blade resonated like spring streams bubbling over stones; the gleaming glare of his edge shone like the sun and moon in brilliance. His sword intent spread overwhelmingly, shifting across countless variations so dazzling and swift that the eye could barely track it, leaving the heart frozen and utterly devoid of any opening to mount a defense.
Clang.
The sound of a heavy saber striking the stone floor rang out crisp and clear.
Yet Su Yunyu remained firmly gripping his sword hilt—victory and defeat had already been decisively settled.
Even as Su Yunyu remained locked in fierce internal debate over whether he needed to fight to the death, Song Honghua froze into a literal statue for a full second. Then, recalling the terrifying sword intent he had just witnessed, an overwhelming tide of emotion welled up within him; tears streaming uncontrollably down his cheeks, he dropped heavily onto both knees and wailed aloud:
“A master, a true master!”
With his arms thrown wide open in a posture of total, unquestioning submission, his actions startled Su Yunyu into taking an involuntary step backward. Watching Song Honghua gaze upward with fanatical, unconcealed adoration, the defeated master cried out:
“If the master desires this position of guild master, please take it freely! I only ask that you impart to me a fraction of the sword technique you just displayed!”
Turns out he’s nothing more than a martial arts fanatic.
Silently taking another cautious step back, Su Yunyu replied in a calm, steady tone:
“I have no interest in becoming the guild master; I only require your assistance with a single task.”
Still utterly enthralled by the transcendent sword intent he had just experienced, Song Honghua remained planted firmly on his knees, shifting forward on his kneecaps:
“You are far too modest, Senior! Even if you asked of me ten tasks, I would gladly fulfill them all!”
With a sharp creak, the tightly sealed chamber door swung open, and the scarred chief steward, accompanied closely by Xiao Shuying, caught sight of the astonishing scene unfolding before them.
Setting aside the sheer, unadulterated shock registering in the steward’s eyes at the sight of the undefeated guild master reduced to kneeling defeat, Xiao Shuying’s gaze flicked toward Song Honghua, who remained completely unscathed. A sharp flash crossed the boy’s eyes.
Su Yunyu actually spared his life?
Why?
Had he not dropped those deliberate hints implying that a mortal struggle to the death was mandatory?
Why refuse to kill him? Could it be that his conscience had suddenly undergone a miraculous transformation into genuine benevolence?
Hh. I refuse to believe it.
The chief steward hurried forward to assist Song Honghua to his feet, while the guild master finally reined in his excessive display of emotion, though he remained somewhat sheepish as he cleared his throat:
“Might I ask what matter the Senior wishes the Golden-Hilted Saber to undertake?”
Possessing such astonishing footwork and such sublime sword mastery, the task he sought help with must undoubtedly carry monumental, world-shaking significance.
Stowing his sword away, Su Yunyu replied with tranquil composure:
“Help me post a public bounty: before twelve o’clock tomorrow noon, hunt down five hundred Nightmares. There is no upper limit, the more, the better, with a minimum threshold of five hundred.”
Song Honghua froze completely.
The chief steward froze as well.
Truth be told, while this task carried a certain degree of complexity, it hardly qualified as a monumental or perilous undertaking.
Observing the expressions flashing across the faces of the guild members, Xiao Shuying felt a subtle ripple of displeasure rising above his expectations. Stepping forward, he caught the hem of Su Yunyu’s sleeve and murmured:
“Brother, I knew you would win.”
Yet a tinge of regret lingered in his chest, the failure to eliminate Song Honghua meant an opportunity was missed.
If he could have severed the financial ties and backchannel logistics flowing between the Golden-Hilted Saber and the Xiao estate…
As the words dropped, Song Honghua’s gaze finally swept over Xiao Shuying. Hearing the boy address the master as “brother,” he instinctively assumed the two shared the same master, logically concluding that the younger companion must possess similarly monstrous, unfathomable combat prowess.
A wave of fresh curiosity igniting within his pupils, the guild master abruptly raised his saber, swinging it in a swift, unexpected arc directly toward Xiao Shuying with the intent of testing the boy’s foundational foundation.
Watch out!
While Xiao Shuying’s eyes narrowed and a sudden surge of danger flared within his mind, before he could even raise a hand to parry, an instantaneous, terrifying pressure descended upon the room!
It felt as though invisible iron spikes had been driven into every limb, pinning everyone in place. Every internal organ in their chests prickled with dull pain, and time itself seemed to freeze for a fraction of a second. The instant normal flow resumed, Su Yunyu was already standing directly before Xiao Shuying, his expression darkened to a freezing frost as he raised his sword to forcefully deflect the incoming blade, barking out an angry demand:
“What do you think you’re doing?!”
Trembling violently from head to toe, Song Honghua couldn’t tell whether the terror gripping his limbs stemmed from the shock of having his saber blocked by Su Yunyu or from the residual, suffocating pressure of that terrifying invisible aura. With weak, jelly-like limbs, he dropped his weapon and collapsed straight to the floor, babbling in sheer panic:
“Bizarre, truly bizarre.”
That single strike, though lacking any intent to inflict substantive physical harm, had cleanly shorn away a trailing lock of hair from the side of Xiao Shuying’s temples.
The strands fluttered downward like falling autumn maple leaves, landing softly against the flagstones. Xiao Shuying lowered his gaze to stare at the severed hair, lost in deep, calculating contemplation.
Strange, the fluctuations of this mysterious power are growing increasingly erratic and uncontrollable.
“My deepest apologies,” Song Honghua scrambled upright, cupping his fists and bowing deeply toward the pair:
“This humble one merely wished to verify whether the Senior’s younger brother possessed comparable divine skill. I overstepped.”
Su Yunyu’s expression remained as dark as ink, lingering in a state of genuine fright.
He was painfully aware of his own sluggish reflexes; if Song Honghua’s blade had genuinely landed an instant earlier, though Xiao Shuying wouldn’t have died, Su Yunyu would have miserably failed his protective duties as master.
Suppressing his displeasure, Xiao Shuying pulled gently at Su Yunyu’s sleeve and spoke with a soothing cadence:
“It’s alright, Brother. Business comes first.”
Yet, internally, he retrieved the severed lock of hair from the floor and carefully tucked it away deep inside his robes.
This recurring pattern had manifested far too many times.
Though the method was crude, Su Yunyu’s instinctive protectiveness remained remarkably consistent.
Whether it was genuine sincerity or elaborate theater, the line between them was steadily blurring.
“I demand an apology!” Su Yunyu, however, refused to let the matter drop so easily, turning his cold gaze back toward Song Honghua.
Song Honghua was taken aback. Though proud of his own martial prowess, he held an unbounded, fanatical reverence toward anyone capable of defeating him. Hearing the demand, he complied without the slightest hesitation:
“I am deeply sorry; it was entirely my lapse in judgment.”
“The bounty I mentioned just now.”
Anxious to secure the invitation letter before tomorrow noon’s deadline, Su Yunyu pressed for confirmation.
Song Honghua immediately pivoted to issue rapid-fire instructions to the chief steward:
“Go! Issue immediate orders telling everyone to drop whatever tasks they currently hold and execute this bounty commission right this instant!”
“Understood,” the scarred chief steward cast a profoundly complicated glance toward Su Yunyu and Xiao Shuying before turning and hurrying out of the chamber.
Meanwhile, removing a jade pendant from his waist, Song Honghua stepped forward to block Su Yunyu, who was preparing to take his leave:
“Senior, even if you choose not to assume the role of guild master, please accept this token. Should any urgent matters arise in the future, you need only command the Golden-Hilted Saber.”
Su Yunyu figured there was no harm in accepting an asset that offered unconditional utility, so he pocketed the jade pendant, brought Xiao Shuying along, and turned to depart. However, Xiao Shuying halted his steps, turning back to address Song Honghua:
“When my brother and I traveled here, we happened to follow the caravan of the Xiao estate’s elder, and inadvertently learned that they were delivering a cargo consignment to your establishment. There is a matter regarding this… though I am uncertain whether I ought to speak of it.”
Pausing midway before exiting the room, Su Yunyu turned his head back. Though bewildered by the sudden pivot, he raised no objection, allowing the boy to speak freely.
Naturally, Song Honghua held an attitude of absolute, uncritical reverence toward anything uttered by the “senior’s younger brother,” responding with immediate magnanimity:
“Please, speak quite freely.”
Standing with his back partially turned toward Su Yunyu, a dark curve touched the corners of Xiao Shuying’s lips:
“I heard that they harbor considerable dissatisfaction regarding your guild’s aggressive price-squeezing, leading to widespread slander behind your backs. Furthermore, their convoy has been moving at an uncharacteristically sluggish, laggard pace along the road. Though I am ignorant of the actual commercial interests binding your guild to the Xiao estate, out of my profound admiration for the Guild Master, I felt compelled to share the truth.”
With that, he skipped back to Su Yunyu’s side, raising his face with an innocent smile:
“Brother, don’t blame me for acting on my own initiative. Let’s head back now.”
He harbored zero expectations that these sparse, casual remarks would instantly sever the commercial ties uniting the Golden-Hilted Saber and the Xiao estate.
However, once Situ Kou succumbed to the poison and the cargo failed to arrive on schedule, coupled with the seed of suspicion he had just planted, mutual distrust and friction would inevitably erupt between the two factions.
While the Xiao estate was powerful, the Golden-Hilted Saber was no ordinary entity; rubbing them the wrong way would guarantee a thoroughly agonizing headache for the Xiao family.
Though Su Yunyu felt that Xiao Shuying’s impromptu disclosure had somehow touched upon a hidden trail of clues, his inherent laziness, coupled with the comforting belief that a mere child couldn’t possibly harbor any malicious conspiracies, prompted him to simply reach out, pat the boy’s head lightly, and withdraw his hand just as swiftly:
“No matter, let us return.”