Chapter 367: The Plan

"Lord Shen!"

Standing beside Shen Yu, the two hesitated for a moment, but finally, one of them couldn't help but ask, "Lord Shen, is it true that anyone with strong enough cultivation can tell that Yu Renqing is not the Sword Master?"

"No. My situation is somewhat unique, which is why I can see through it. If nothing goes wrong, others shouldn't be able to tell."

"However, do you still wish to continue with this plan?"

"Yes, this plan must certainly continue!" Taking a deep breath, the two exchanged a glance; the determination in their eyes was as steadfast as it had always been, never once wavering.

"The Sword Master left this Sword Intent behind to protect the world, and we at Cangjian Villa also hope it can serve its greatest purpose."

If not for the Sword Intent left by the Sword Master, they might have had no choice but to await their doom when the ancient monsters descended. But with the Sword Intent left by the Sword Master, they had the ability to put up a fight.

As they spoke, the two also looked at Yu Renqing beside them, sensing the terrifying Sword Intent held in check within his body, vaguely feeling as if they were seeing the Sword Master of years past once more.

It was just that at this moment, Yu Renqing's gaze was dull, and he had not yet recovered from his shock.

It made sense; all the information he had been told for so long had suddenly been overturned, so he needed time to process it.

"Lord Shen, although our strength is insufficient, we do not fear death. The Sword Master once dominated the world, yet he was able to abandon all wealth and power to enter the Forbidden Land alone to suppress the evil for a hundred years."

"We are unworthy, and while we lack the ability of the Sword Master, we have the resolve to face death. To die for the sake of the world is our honor."

"Besides, to die in a blaze of glory is better than being like those wild grasses on the roadside, plucked and cut at will."

"Spirit Qi is constantly increasing, and those ancient monsters that have awakened will only grow in number. The common people of the world are about to suffer endless slaughter. If we can kill many of the monsters wreaking havoc on the world at the cost of a few lives, our deaths will be glorious!"

Having said this, the two looked at Shen Yu imploringly, "It is only regarding the secret of the Sword Intent left by the Sword Master that we hope Lord Shen can help us keep it confidential. Everyone at Cangjian Villa would be eternally grateful!"

"That goes without saying!" Nodding at the two, Shen Yu's expression was slightly heavy.

He had originally intended to speak up and persuade them to reconsider, but upon seeing their resolute expressions, he withdrew the words he was about to utter.

In times of danger and despair, some choose to do everything possible to survive, while others choose to die in a blaze of glory. Strong winds reveal the sturdy grass, and chaotic times reveal the hero; this is exactly that.

"I can keep this secret, but can you really keep this secret now?"

As he spoke, Shen Yu looked at Yu Renqing. These two people from Cangjian Villa before him had a resolve to die, and had even prepared to sacrifice themselves to cover for Yu Renqing.

They did this only to make those ancient monsters believe that the one being protected at the cost of their lives must be the not-yet-recovered Mu Zishan, thereby making them believe it without doubt.

But this matter was already known to Yu Renqing; he was too green and would easily give the game away, becoming the biggest flaw.

Just like now, the youth's emotions were constantly fluctuating, clearly having not yet accepted all of this.

"Lord Shen, rest assured, we have a way to extract the Sword Master's Sword Intent again and transfer it to another person. As for Yu Renqing, we will send him to Cangjian Villa."

"There is an Array left by the Sword Master in his early years that can ensure Cangjian Villa is not discovered by those ancient monsters."

"So that's how it is!" So the people of Cangjian Villa had long since gone into hiding, and the two before him had been specifically sent out to die, and they clearly knew they had come to die.

Yet from beginning to end, they had not a single word of complaint; there was only unprecedented determination.

These two were heroes, the kind who truly did not fear death.

"The two of you, if there is anything you need from me, you can come find me at any time!"

"Then many thanks, Lord Shen!" After exchanging polite words with Shen Yu, the two then said, "Lord Shen, time is of the essence, so we must take Yu Renqing back now to extract the Sword Intent from his body."

"Very well, then we shall meet again!"

After bidding them farewell, Shen Yu turned and left. The two from Cangjian Villa, meanwhile, took Yu Renqing and left at high speed, using a secret technique to conceal the Sword Intent radiating from within Yu Renqing.

They had to reach Cangjian Villa as quickly as possible to extract the Sword Intent from Yu Renqing's body and then select a new candidate.

However, there were not many who could adapt to and contain the Sword Master's Sword Intent; Cangjian Villa had none, so they had no choice but to look outside.

If not for that, there were many in this world willing to face death just like them, so why would they have to choose this youth, Yu Renqing?

"Pfft!" Just as they left Da'an City and were galloping on horseback along the official road, the two suddenly spat out blood and then tumbled off their horses in a sorry state.

Yu Renqing pulled on the reins, scrambled off his horse in a panic, and supported them with a face full of anxiety, "What's wrong? What happened to you?"

"We've been poisoned, such a fierce poison!" In just a short moment, a dark blue-black color spread across their faces.

The more they tried to circulate their Qi to force out the poison, the faster it invaded; in no time at all, it had destroyed their internal organs and seeped into their bones.

In the end, not only did they fail to detoxify, but they actually accelerated the eruption of the poison. This poison was so fierce and violent that it left no time to react.

In just a short moment, they were beyond saving, feeling their life force fading rapidly as if it could dissipate at any time.

"Yu Renqing!" One of them grabbed Yu Renqing's arm, while the other took out a token.

"We're afraid we won't make it. You must go to the peak of Luoxiao Peak on Baizang Mountain; Cangjian Villa is hidden there."

"This is the token of Cangjian Villa. Only with this, plus the special footwork and the route of circulating Qi, can you enter it!"

"I will pass it to you now; you must keep it firmly in your heart, do you understand!"

As he spoke, the grip on Yu Renqing's arm grew heavier and heavier, until finally, after saying everything, the man said anxiously, "Quick, don't worry about us, go!"

"Go? Why should I go?" At some point, the sword in Yu Renqing's hand had already been drawn from its scabbard and thrust into the other person's body.

The man didn't even struggle, collapsing directly into a pool of blood. Before he died, his eyes were wide open, as if he couldn't believe Yu Renqing would strike at them.

"You, you!" The other one watched this scene, looking at Yu Renqing in disbelief. They had never imagined that Yu Renqing would strike at them, to the point that they had no defenses prepared beforehand.

They had been benefactors to Yu Renqing; not only did they save him, but they had also been helping him take his revenge, and now they were even going to take him to hide in Cangjian Villa. How could he strike at them!

"What, feeling surprised?" Pulling out the blade and wiping the blood off it, Yu Renqing then walked toward the remaining person.

"In fact, when you just told me that I wasn't Mu Zishan, but only had a strand of Mu Zishan's Sword Intent in my body, I was still a bit dazed and found it hard to accept."

"But along the way after leaving with you, I suddenly realized a few things. Why did I have to leave with you? Why did I have to go to Cangjian Villa?"

As he spoke, Yu Renqing's sword stabbed down. The man tried desperately to dodge, but the lethal poison had already robbed him of most of his ability to stand. Even as he dodged, he only barely managed to avoid a fatal blow.

The blade still pierced his body, though it did not kill him on the spot.

"Yu Renqing!" Grabbing the blade with both hands, blood flowing continuously along the edge, the man glared fiercely at Yu Renqing, as if he wished he could eat his flesh raw.

"You ungrateful wretch, biting the hand that feeds you!"

"Don't look at me with those eyes. I know you saved me, and I am very grateful to you. But there's no help for it; a person must look out for themselves!"

"Before, I had no choice, thinking that once the Sword Intent entered my body, I could only wait for death. I had already accepted that result, but now I know I don't have to die."

"Since I don't have to die, why shouldn't I choose to live better? Why shouldn't I choose to be someone above others?"

"I choose to live for myself, what is wrong with that!"