Chapter 98: Jin Laogui

Under Da Bao’s lead, the group soon tracked down an abandoned, dilapidated temple.

“Come to think of it, are there this many abandoned temples in Taichang? We’ve only walked a short while and already found two.” Chu Danqing found it strange.

Zhao Mingqian, hearing Chu Danqing’s remark, was also taken aback—he realized it was true.

Xiong Zhigang spoke up to explain: “It’s not that there are so many abandoned temples; it’s that these places are empty, so they prefer to hide in ruins.”

“Otherwise, if Jin Baiyan took Miss Shanhu to stay at an inn in town, it would only invite trouble.”

It wasn’t that they kept stumbling upon ruined temples—it was that every place they encountered was occupied by lawless outlaws who committed crimes and couldn’t stay anywhere decent.

“That makes sense.” Chu Danqing’s eyes lit up. “I’ll send the Heart Demon ahead to scout.”

“Rescue the person first.”

Saying this, Chu Danqing summoned the Heart Demon, gave it instructions, and the Heart Demon immediately slipped inside.

Yuan Chong, seeing this for the first time, showed a flicker of surprise.

“By the way, who does this Heavenly Wolf Sword Art belong to?” Chu Danqing asked.

Let’s hope we’re not the ones actually doing the evil.

“Though I’ve never read the Heavenly Wolf Sword Manual, I’ve fought Jin Baiyan before—I know he learned the Nine Peaks Linked Sword, passed down from the Nine Peaks Hermit.”

“He’s one of the Hermit’s true disciples, but after the Nine Peaks Hermit died, he grew increasingly heretical.”

“Rumors say he’s insatiably greedy and will stop at nothing.”

“That’s why he earned the nickname Jin Laogui.”

“If anyone owns the Heavenly Wolf Sword Manual, it should be that Wei fellow,” Yuan Chong said hesitantly.

He only cared about training and dueling, not the other’s character, but when asking around, he couldn’t help but hear things.

No sooner had Yuan Chong finished speaking than sounds came from the ruined temple.

“You scoundrel! Daring to snatch someone right under my nose? You want to die!” A roar echoed from within the temple.

Then a dark shadow leapt from the roof, carrying someone on his back.

The Heart Demon had rescued the person.

Given the Heart Demon’s innate talents and skills—perfect for assassination and ambush—rescuing someone from inside was child’s play.

Especially in a trial world where natives rely on skills rather than attributes.

“Attack!” Chu Danqing ordered. Da Bao charged out first, then Chu Danqing summoned Zhanji Hu, Dujiao Jiao, and the Crossbowmen simultaneously.

Yuan Chong moved even faster, Lakaijuli in three or five steps.

“Jin Laogui, you’ve kidnapped my daughter—you’ve truly grown tired of living!” As Yuan Chong passed the Heart Demon, he thrust both palms forward, blocking Jin Baiyan’s pursuit.

Seeing this, Chu Danqing grabbed Zhao Mingqian and Xiong Zhigang, holding them back.

“You two protect me—why go over there?” Chu Danqing said, then cast a Scan Spell at Jin Baiyan.

【Jin Laogui】

【Attributes】

【HP: 100%】

【Inner Qi: 480】

【Strength: 9】

【Agility: 9】

【Constitution: 9】

【Spirit: 9】

【Perception: 9】

【Skills】

【Taiyue True Art LV.39】

【Nine Peaks Linked Sword LV.38】

【Green Hills Seventy-Two Steps LV.37】

【Melee Basics LV.MAX】

【Sword Art Basics LV.MAX】

Jin Baiyan was startled by Yuan Chong’s sudden attack, then sensed the probing gaze of the Scan Spell—he retreated several steps with footwork, barely evading Yuan Chong’s assault.

He drew his sword, Sanshan Sword, and slashed with a move like a glint of frost aimed straight at Yuan Chong’s throat.

Yuan Chong’s attributes and skills far surpassed Jin Baiyan’s—he not only deflected the sword strike but closed in like a coiling dragon.

Yet he hesitated, wary of the Sanshan Sword, and made no decisive move.

Zhanji Hu, arriving now, didn’t care—he lunged forward, with Da Bao following close behind to attack.

DuJiao Jiao and the Crossbowmen coordinated, delivering combined physical and magical ranged damage.

Had the Heart Demon been present, Jin Baiyan would already be dead.

Watching Jin Baiyan being driven back by Da Bao and the summoned creatures, Chu Danqing realized Yuan Chong must be among the top experts in this trial world.

Seeing this, Yuan Chong halted his attack.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to help—he simply couldn’t get in.

This was exactly what Chu Danqing wanted.

“Your methods are truly dishonorable,” Yuan Chong remarked upon returning.

“I’m a wandering sorcerer—I don’t practice martial arts. What do I care about honor?” Chu Danqing felt his excuse was perfectly reasonable.

Overwhelming an enemy with summons is one of a summoner’s advantages—why shouldn’t he use it?

“Let’s spare his life for now—question him thoroughly first,” Yuan Chong said, still wanting to confront him face to face.

With their numbers, once they seized Jin Baiyan’s Sanshan Sword, Yuan Chong could kill him easily.

Chu Danqing agreed—he ordered Da Bao and Zhanji Hu to hold back, first confiscate Jin Baiyan’s Sanshan Sword, then beat him senseless.

Afterward, Da Bao immediately ran over and proudly handed the Sanshan Sword to Chu Danqing.

This was an Excellent-grade item recognized by the Paradise—he didn’t care who it belonged to; he just took it.

Zhanji Hu dragged Jin Baiyan over by his collar.

Only thanks to their restraint was he still alive.

“Yuan Chong, you ungrateful bastard!” Jin Baiyan spat as soon as he was brought forward. “I rid your household of its filth, and now you turn on me? How vile!”

“Wait,” Chu Danqing interrupted. “You kidnapped the girl first—don’t try to change the subject.”

This guy had bad intentions—he started with underhanded tricks to stir trouble.

“If you want the Heavenly Wolf Sword Manual, go get it from that Wei fellow—why drag my daughter into this?” Yuan Chong didn’t directly ask who owned it—he laid a trap in his words.

Otherwise, Jin Baiyan would’ve claimed it was his own.

“Hmph, I didn’t have it—the Wei fellow said he gave it to your mistress, so I acted.”

“Besides, your daughter learned it too—what’s wrong with kidnapping her to help me?” Jin Baiyan sneered. “I know your name—I’d never mistreat her.”

“After I take the manual, I’ll personally visit you to apologize—what’s wrong with that?”

Stealing another’s martial art is a grave taboo.

It would bring shame upon one’s name if it got out.

But stealing it? That’s acceptable.

Chu Danqing didn’t understand why this logic held, but since bandits could rise to power, he didn’t press further.

“Yes, there’s another one inside,” the Heart Demon added, confirming the Wei fellow had also been kidnapped.

Chu Danqing gave the Heart Demon a glance—tell it to go rescue the other too.

He hadn’t known there was another person inside; the Heart Demon wouldn’t have gone beyond its orders to save only Yuan Shanhu.

But from Jin Baiyan’s words, it was clear the Heavenly Wolf Sword Art wasn’t his.

“Dead,” the Heart Demon returned, dragging a corpse so mangled it was unrecognizable.

Chu Danqing glanced at it once—horrible beyond words, fury surged within him.

(End of Chapter)