Chapter 172

Gu Xingjian looked deeply troubled.

Jiang Chen frowned, feeling greatly displeased.

Your adopted son and daughter couldn't defeat us, so now you're thinking of recruiting us?

At this moment, Jiang Yan's expression differed from everyone else's.

After learning from his master just how formidable his own clan chief was, he had no reservations whatsoever and immediately pointed his finger at Pei Qingfeng, barking:

"Recruit us? Hahaha, truly the most absurd joke in all of heaven and earth! Your two adopted children are so arrogant, looking down on everyone else—clearly, the Dahe Jiangong that raised them can't be any better!"

"This den of filth! Hmph! Not even if you offered me your palace lord's seat and begged me to take it would I deign to sit!"

How could Jiang Yan, who viewed his clan as his honor, endure these people constantly speaking of "small families" with such contempt?

In the blaze of his rage, he decided to speak his mind fully!

As soon as he spoke, Jiang Chen was taken completely by surprise.

Given Jiang Yan's usual demeanor, he would never speak out so boldly without absolute certainty.

Why, this time, was he so reckless—even rushing ahead of me to curse this Moon Wheel cultivator to his face?

Meanwhile, Pei Bu and Pei Shan instantly trembled, their gazes at Jiang Yan like those fixed upon a dead man.

How exalted is our righteous father's status—even the Tiandou Prefecture governor must grant him some face! How dare you, a mere youth, mock him so freely?

They could already foresee the brutal scene that would soon befall this fool.

Then, they stole a glance at their righteous father from the corner of their eyes.

But they found their righteous father's face as cold as frost, as still as ice that had never melted in ten thousand years!

Pei Qingfeng slowly spoke: "At first, seeing his talent, I thought him a promising cultivator—but now I see he's this foolish, unable to even discern the situation. Truly, no surprise a small family from some backwater village can't even teach basic manners, letting their young ones grow up so arrogant, so unaware of how vast heaven truly is..."

As he spoke, Pei Qingfeng scanned the surroundings, his gaze finally settling on Jiang Chen and Jiang Yan.

He couldn't help letting out a sigh of regret: "Such a fine steed I've encountered, yet I cannot claim him—then let him be destroyed."

He knew full well that today, he had irrevocably angered the Jiang family.

If he let the Jiang family live, and allowed these two young prodigies to grow, they might one day overthrow the Dahe Jiangong.

Throughout history, how many dominant powers have brought ruin upon themselves by failing to eliminate a genius while he was still weak?

Thus, to avoid being toppled in a ditch, he had already decided to kill them.

At that moment, as Pei Qingfeng's words fell.

Jiang Chen's temple veins bulged; he clenched his Yaguan, glared furiously at Pei Qingfeng, and in his pupils, killing intent surged.

To fail in recruitment and then seek to annihilate a family—such tyrannical conduct was truly infuriating!

Pei Bu and Pei Shan exchanged glances, both filled with delight.

If the Jiang family perished, it would be a good thing for them.

After all, as True Disciples of the Jiangong and the palace lord's adopted children, they had great pride.

If they spared the Jiang family, news of their defeat would spread quickly, all the way back to the Dahe Jiangong.

At that point, their loss to this small family would become everyone's gossip, a laughingstock!

How could they endure such a disgrace?

But if the Jiang family perished, then only their righteous father would know of their humiliation!

Thinking of this, Pei Bu and Pei Shan's eyes grew brighter.

Internally, they eagerly hoped their righteous father would act swiftly and obliterate this damned Jiang family!

At this moment, Gu Xingjian also sensed danger—he had not expected Jiang Yan to be so foolish.

Yet he recalled how, over these past months, the Jiang family had treated him with care, how their clan chief had trusted him, and how the younger Jiang members had revered him like an elder.

Humans are not grass or trees—how can one remain unmoved?

Gu Xingjian sighed, made no further hesitation, and stepped forward, standing before Jiang Yan.

His face was stern; his left hand drew his waist sword, holding it before his chest, aimed at Pei Qingfeng, his voice cold: "Palace Lord Pei, if you truly intend to use your cultivation base to annihilate the Jiang family, then you must first step over my corpse!"

As soon as he spoke, even Jiang Daoxuan was taken aback.

He had not expected that this quiet, cold-giving Gu Gongfeng would, at this moment, display the courage to stand up!

After all, no one in the Jiang family yet knew he had broken through to Star Wheel, let alone awakened the Sword Heart.

Thus, for Gu Xingjian to step forward now meant he had already prepared to risk his life!

Clearly, this Gu Gongfeng was worth nurturing.

Jiang Daoxuan's gaze flickered; he immediately formed a few thoughts in his mind.

If this man was willing to sacrifice his life for the Jiang family, how could Jiang Daoxuan ignore him? How could he let this man feel cold?

Just as Jiang Daoxuan was deep in thought.

Pei Qingfeng stood with his hands behind his back, his expression cold and proud, naturally commanding.

Seeing Gu Xingjian draw his sword toward him, he suddenly roared: "Gu Xingjian! Years have passed, and I never imagined you'd become like this—a sword-obsessed swordsman who would throw away his life for these weak outsiders? How utterly foolish! What kind of poison have these Jiang people fed you?!"

His words exploded like a muffled thunderclap, deafening all who heard.

Pei Bu and Pei Shan paled—they knew their righteous father's nature well, and understood this was true fury!

At this moment, Gu Xingjian felt immense pressure.

For within that voice lay the overwhelming might of a Sword Heart cultivator!

This pressure had not been felt by outsiders—it was focused entirely upon his body!

The terrifying, trembling aura made Gu Xingjian's eyes bloodshot, his Yaguan clenched so tight it cracked audibly!

His entire body shook uncontrollably—yet he did not retreat a single step!!

Bearing the pressure, Gu Xingjian silently glanced at the surrounding Jiang clan members.

He gazed at those young faces, recalling how often they had begged him to teach them sword techniques.

At this moment, his once-lonely heart was gradually filled.

This wondrous feeling was something he had never experienced in over twenty years of solitary wandering.

As his thoughts surged, Gu Xingjian looked toward Jiang Daoxuan.

In this life, he kept a clear ledger of gratitude and grievance — one might say he repaid every grudge and returned every kindness twofold!

The Clan Chief treated me with a sincere heart, did not restrict my freedom, and even granted me the Return-to-Origin Sword Art, along with all manner of benefits — he even let me use the spiritual energy here to break through to the Star Wheel realm at least ten years ahead of schedule!

And all of this required only that I stay on Cangwu Mountain for three years!