Chapter 247: Worthy—No Need for Words!

Liu Sheng Piaoxu, wrapped in a small cotton quilt, lay alone on the floor, listening to the soft, bone-melting whispers from the other side of the door; unable to resist, she kicked the quilt hard—but the cold air seeped in, forcing her to pull it back tightly, her face puffed up in frustration.

Liu Sheng Piaoxu had no objection to her sister, but she couldn't help thinking: wasn't she the one who initiated this bride-snatching?

Sleep!

Liu Sheng Piaoxu rolled over, and inside, Xueji let out a cry, so loud it made her want to cover her ears.

As dawn broke, Liu Sheng Piaoxu helped with their toilette; once she had finished grooming Gu Qing and Liu Sheng Xueji, she opened the inn's door to find Liu Sheng Jūbei and Duan Tianya and others having stood guard all night, and she let them all in.

Duan Tianya sighed silently—he hadn't wanted to come out yesterday precisely because he didn't want to do Dian Wei's job.

Having stood guard all night left Duan Tianya haggard; back at the inn, seeing Liu Sheng Xueji had plucked her eyebrows, changed her hairpin, and dressed as a married woman, he felt a heavy gloom settle in his chest.

Liu Sheng Piaoxu invited everyone to sit, then whispered to Liu Sheng Jūbei about Gu Qing and how Gu Qing intended to visit the Liu Sheng family.

"I think Gu Qing's martial skill is formidable—if he came directly to our family to propose, I believe Father would agree!"

Liu Sheng Jūbei said, displeased.

Gu Qing stormed into the Liu Sheng family—that was stomping on their honor.

Liu Sheng Piaoxu's cheeks flushed slightly: "My husband said, if he proposes, he can only propose for one; if he snatches a bride, he can snatch two."

Originally, Liu Sheng Piaoxu held great resentment toward Gu Qing, but after hearing what he said to her this morning, she immediately dropped her prejudice—he has me in his heart!

"Damn it!"

Hearing this, Liu Sheng Jūbei grew even angrier, fixing his gaze on Gu Qing: "You ran off last night—how about we face off today and see whose skill is greater?"

Gu Qing slowly extended his hand, fingers turning—then came a series of "clink-clink-clink-clink-clink" sounds; beyond several zhang away, porcelain shattered, walls pierced, leaving six irregular holes.

Stunningly powerful sword qi, exquisitely agile sword qi, majestically imposing sword qi, crude and ancient sword qi, light and nimble sword qi, subtly intricate sword qi…

All six bursts of sword qi came from Gu Qing's single hand; Liu Sheng Jūbei studied the holes in the wall—the resentment from his sister's abduction, the sleepless night on guard, the wounded honor of the Liu Sheng family—all dissolved.

"Gu-san, remarkable skill!"

Liu Sheng Jūbei praised: "Jūbei humbly admits defeat."

"…"

Perhaps because he had spent too much time surfing the internet before his transmigration, hearing "Gu-san" now made Gu Qing's skin prickle.

"Gu-san, this way, please!"

Liu Sheng Jūbei led the way, guiding Gu Qing and the others toward the Liu Sheng residence.

If Gu Qing were weak, it would be a disgrace to the Liu Sheng family; but if he were strong, it might become a point of pride—thus, Liu Sheng Jūbei escorted Gu Qing through the streets of Edo toward the Liu Sheng estate.

In Japan, there are many customs on the second day of marriage; since Gu Qing snatched the bride, he was an exception, and upon returning home, Liu Sheng Piaoxu pulled Liu Sheng Xueji aside, saying she wanted to cook and demonstrate her household skills, leaving Liu Sheng Tōmamori with a dark face.

Liu Sheng Xueji was of marriageable age, so Liu Sheng Tōmamori had accepted it; but Liu Sheng Piaoxu's initiative was something he never expected.

"Worthy son-in-law."

As Liu Sheng Tōmamori spoke the title, his mouth tasted bitter—he didn't know where Gu Qing's "worthiness" lay, but after uttering it, he got to the point: asking about Gu Qing's origins, intending to remove Liu Sheng Xueji and Liu Sheng Piaoxu from the family. In this world of the supreme martial artist, Gu Qing's identities as head of the Quanxing Sect, leader of the Beggar's Sect, chief of the Invisible Ones, and master of the Yihua Palace were useless; seeing Liu Sheng Tōmamori's eager expression, he simply said: "I intend to win the title of Japan's Number One, and help your Liu Sheng family become the supreme martial leader of Japan."

Gu Qing came to Japan precisely for battle.

This world of the supreme martial artist holds many extraordinary techniques—Gu Qing naturally intended to experience them all.

"Japan's Number One is not easy to claim."

Liu Sheng Tōmamori said: "The current Number One of Japan is Mian Kuang Silang; his Illusion Sword is truly formidable."

Mian Kuang Silang is one of Duan Tianya's future masters; the Illusion Sword originated in Central Plains, and after being transmitted to Japan, Mian Kuang Silang sought to re-teach it to Han people—this is one reason Duan Tianya learned it.

"Deliver him a challenge."

Gu Qing said calmly: "I'm eager to experience his Illusion Sword!"

Since entering the Realm of No Sword, Gu Qing had rarely dueled with swords—but Mian Kuang Silang's Illusion Sword was worth his blade.

Hearing Gu Qing's confidence, Liu Sheng Tōmamori asked: "What are your odds of defeating Mian Kuang Silang?"

Yesterday, Liu Sheng Tōmamori had already used the God-Slaying One-Cut—Gu Qing should now understand Japanese martial arts well.

Gu Qing thought for a moment: "Against Mian Kuang Silang, I have roughly an eighty percent chance of victory."

!

Eighty percent?

That's a sure win?

Liu Sheng Tōmamori's spirits soared—he felt becoming Japan's supreme martial leader was within reach; he was about to speak, then suddenly remembered Gu Qing had judged this based on his God-Slaying One-Cut—and fell silent.

"Gu-san."

At this moment, Liu Sheng Jūbei asked excitedly: "How do you plan to help our Liu Sheng family become the supreme martial leader?"

In Japan, there are still Iga's upper ninjas, various factions, and now, in this chaotic age, struggles are fiercest; becoming Japan's supreme martial leader isn't just about defeating Mian Kuang Silang—it requires genuine submission from all schools.

Gu Qing knew Liu Sheng Jūbei was cruel—he killed anyone who blocked his path; if the Liu Sheng family truly became supreme martial leader, Liu Sheng Jūbei's arrogance would multiply his cruelty manyfold… the people of Japan were in for a treat.

"I have a set of Life-and-Death Talismans."

Gu Qing said.

Liu Sheng Tōmamori summoned a disciple, ordering him to kneel; Gu Qing reached out, dipped a finger, and tapped once—the Life-and-Death Talisman entered the disciple's body.

The disciple was resolute, training relentlessly through heat and cold; Liu Sheng Tōmamori greatly admired his perseverance and endurance—but now the disciple could no longer bear it; he rolled on the ground, tearing at his own flesh, unable to live, unable to die.

"Snap!"

Gu Qing used the Heavenly Mountain Six Yang Palm to temporarily relieve him, then asked Liu Sheng Tōmamori: "With this ability, combined with our sword techniques, can you become Japan's supreme martial leader?"

Liu Sheng Tōmamori raised his cup, drained it, stared at Gu Qing, and shouted: "Worthy son-in-law!"

Worthy—no need for words!

This time, Liu Sheng Tōmamori finally understood where Gu Qing's "worthiness" lay.

(End of Chapter)