Chapter 99: Repayment

“You bastard, you deserve to die a thousand deaths,” Zhao Ming interrupted before Chu Danqing could speak, cursing Jin Baiyan.

Killing someone is one thing, but this corpse has not an inch of good flesh left on it.

Clearly, he suffered terribly.

These wounds weren’t just inflicted before death—they came after.

“Pfft, who asked him to be so stubborn?” Jin Baiyan sneered. “If he’d handed over the sword manual willingly, I’d have given him a quick death long ago.”

“No problem—I’ll give you a quick death,” Chu Danqing said, then signaled Dabao to end Jin Baiyan’s life.

Jin Baiyan showed no fear, only sneered: “Kill me if you will—no need for this false show of mercy!”

His words were bold, but it didn’t matter—Chu Danqing wasn’t swayed by such posturing.

Dabao acted without hesitation and killed him outright.

No one had reason to stop Chu Danqing.

Yuan Chong might be odd, but he wouldn’t blindly defend someone who kidnapped his daughter to extort him.

After Jin Baiyan died, a Superior-grade treasure chest appeared on his corpse.

In Chu Danqing’s eyes, its quality was average.

They buried both bodies, then returned.

“So what do we do with the sword manual?” Chu Danqing asked on the way back.

Yuan Chong thought briefly: “We can only inquire and return it.”

He wasn’t the type to covet others’ martial arts.

Besides, he didn’t need this so-called Wolf Howl Sword Art—he didn’t believe his own martial skills were inferior to any other.

Only those who failed to master their craft would flit from one art to another, greedy for more.

Chu Danqing was genuinely surprised: “Where do we return it? The man’s dead.”

They didn’t even know the dead man’s full name—only that he was surnamed Wei.

Cui Niang might know more, but if nothing changed, she’d already vanished by now.

The first time Chu Danqing saved her life, he gave her a chance to flee.

If she didn’t value it, he wouldn’t save her a second time.

“I’ll visit Canluo Sect—maybe I’ll find clues.”

“I’ll also mention the children’s betrothal, and casually spar with Master Zi Yu,” Yuan Chong said.

Chu Danqing had reason to suspect the first two were just cover—the real purpose was to find someone to fight.

He’d had no excuse before, but now he had one.

He was about to voice his skepticism when a voice came from the darkness.

“Master, Master—is that you?” Cui Niang’s voice trembled with tears.

Yuan Chong’s expression darkened.

Not only did she not run—she chased after them. Chu Danqing couldn’t fathom her mindset.

Seeing them, Cui Niang’s face lit up with relief: “Wei Lang is gone—he must have been taken by that Jin Baiyan!”

“Master, please save Wei Lang—I’m willing—”

Chu Danqing didn’t know what to say. He’d seen people throw their lives away, but never anyone as reckless as Cui Niang.

“Dead,” Yuan Chong said bluntly. “His body is about one hundred and twenty paces north of the old banyan tree on Songshan Cliff.”

Yuan Shanhu, his daughter, sensed something was wrong and clutched Yuan Chong’s sleeve tightly.

Though she inherited her father’s nature, Cui Niang had raised her for years—they had feelings.

“Also, I’ve divorced you. Get out of Yuan Family Manor and never return.”

“If you dare set foot in Yuan Family Manor again, I’ll twist off your head and hang it on your precious Wei Lang’s grave,” Yuan Chong finally said, unable to bring himself to strike her—only to drive her away.

Cui Niang burst into tears, knelt on the ground, and bowed three times: “Master, take care.”

Then she turned and headed toward Songshan Cliff.

“What a mess,” Chu Danqing muttered, then suddenly remembered: “I’ll ask about the Wolf Howl Sword Manual for you.”

Yuan Chong couldn’t go himself, Xiong Zhigang didn’t want to, Yuan Shanhu was too restrained by her father’s presence, and Zhao Mingyi was now being stared down by Yuan Shanhu until his scalp prickled.

No one objected—Chu Danqing quickly caught up with her.

“Young Master, is there something Master wants to tell me?” Cui Niang assumed, upon seeing Chu Danqing, that Yuan Chong had something too delicate to say face-to-face.

“No,” Chu Danqing answered truthfully. “I’m here to ask about the Wolf Howl Sword Manual and the man surnamed Wei.”

“Ah—it’s because Master wants to return the manual, so he sent you to ask,” Cui Niang immediately realized.

“Something like that,” Chu Danqing didn’t deny this time.

“This story takes time. The Wolf Howl Sword Manual was compiled by Master Bai Lang of the Western Snow Mountains and his wife, gathering sword techniques from across the land.”

“Later, disaster struck—only their only son, Wei Lang, escaped with his life.”

“Alas, fate was cruel—Wei Lang also—” Here, Cui Niang’s tears fell like pearls.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Chu Danqing said, feeling the Wei family’s misfortune deeply, then handed her some silver. “Living alone won’t be easy—take this for your living expenses.”

It wasn’t much—couldn’t make her rich—but with frugality, it would last a month.

If she still couldn’t find a way after a month, that was her own problem.

Chu Danqing couldn’t support her for life.

“Farewell,” Chu Danqing said, then left.

“Thank you, Young Master—if I ever have the chance, I’ll repay your kindness,” Cui Niang called after him, then turned away too.

When Chu Danqing returned and told Yuan Chong what he’d learned, Yuan Chong fell silent.

The sword manual was shelved.

Everyone returned to Yuan Family Manor; after a night of travel, they each went to rest.

Chu Danqing wasn’t in a hurry—he took out the Three Mountains Sword to check its stats.

【Three Mountains Sword】

【Type: Equipment · Longsword】

【Quality: Superior】

【Durability: 100/100】

【Attack: 20~25】

【Black Iron Steel (Passive): Sharpness +20】

【Equipment Requirement: Strength 5, Constitution 5】

“No wonder even Yuan Chong avoided it—high attack, high sharpness.”

“Many sword users exist—it could fetch a good price.”

Most importantly, the requirements were low. The drawback? No True Spirit.

He had no intention of using it himself—using a sword was less cost-effective than swinging a spell orb.

After stowing it in his storage space, Chu Danqing opened Jin Baiyan’s treasure chest.

【You opened: Superior Treasure Chest. Obtained: Wolf Howl Cold Sword, Paradise Points ×2200】

“Another sword?” Chu Danqing stared at the blade in his hand—translucent as moonlight, glowing white—and thought: “There are too many swords in this trial world.”

【Wolf Howl Cold Sword】

【Type: Equipment · Twin Swords】

【Quality: Superior】

【Durability: 100/100】

【Attack: 10~15】

【Mutual Devotion (Passive): Wolf Howl Sword Art Quality +1】

【Equipment Requirement: Strength 5, Constitution 10】

Seeing the effect, Chu Danqing understood—this sword was almost certainly the legacy of Master Bai Lang and his wife.

Why it appeared in Jin Baiyan’s chest? Perhaps he was involved in their deaths.

“Pity—I don’t have the Wolf Howl Sword Manual. Its value plummets,” Chu Danqing had never considered stealing the manual.

As soon as the Wolf Howl Cold Sword was drawn, a chill surged into Chu Danqing’s hand—but his spiritual energy blocked it.

He sheathed it and tossed it straight into his storage space.

“I can give it away as a favor later,” Chu Danqing muttered.

Without the Wolf Howl Sword Manual, this sword was unsellable.

Low attack was bad enough—but the effect was bound.

If sold together with the manual, it would fetch a high price easily.

After opening the chest, Chu Danqing checked the time and told Dabao, who was about to watch an animated film, to go to sleep.

He still had a few hours left—tomorrow morning, they’d resume their journey to the capital.

He woke at the alarm’s ring, leaping up like a leaping carp.

His stats and spiritual energy were still too low—if they weren’t, he could replace sleep with cultivation.

He estimated that once he reached Stage One and maxed out the Five Elemental Beast Scripture, he could do it.

After rising, he first burned incense and replaced the offerings for the Snake Soul, then stepped outside.

He immediately encountered Yuan Chong practicing his morning routine—the Tiger Smash Stone Fist roared with power; Chu Danqing watched with interest.

When Yuan Chong finished his set, he said: “Watching others practice martial arts is taboo.”

"I was impolite," Chu Danqing said—he didn’t know this: "But don’t worry, I can’t read it."

"By the way," Chu Danqing said, pulling out the Heavenly Wolf Cold Sword and tossing it to him. "I acquired this sword by chance—it pairs with the Heavenly Wolf Sword Manual."

"It might be Master White Wolf’s relic. When you find a successor for the Heavenly Wolf Sword Art, give it to him as well."

Chu Danqing also translated the effects of the Heavenly Wolf Cold Sword for him.

Yuan Chong reached out and caught it, thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, I understand."

"Pity my daughter took a fancy to Zhao Mingqian—otherwise I’d have chosen you as my son-in-law," Yuan Chong said, and in return, pulled a scroll from his robe and tossed it to Chu Danqing.

【Iron Palm Flying Dragon Hand Manual】

【Type: Knowledge Item】

【Quality: Excellent】

【Durability: 100/100】

【Effect: Reading enhances basic close-combat skills and palm technique level】

"Holy shit???" Chu Danqing looked at it the moment he caught it—truly unexpected.

"Don’t worry, I’ve memorized it all. Writing it out again isn’t hard," Yuan Chong said, then added softly, "Consider it my thanks for last night."

Chu Danqing knew this gift wasn’t just for helping rescue Yuan Shanhu, but also for saving Cuiniang and giving her travel funds.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have given away his own palm technique insights.

Cuiniang betrayed him, but he had forced her into marriage and failed to take responsibility first.

"Fine, I’ll take it," Chu Danqing said without refusal—he was truly tempted.

Yuan Chong was pleased Chu Danqing didn’t pretend modesty; he liked people who were straightforward.

"Let’s go. The morning meal at the manor is about ready. A bowl of hot porridge will wake you up."

(End of Chapter)