Chapter 109: Taking Affection and Taking Affection

Xingyun Manor, beside Lengxiang Xiaozhu.

The air was thick with murderous intent; almost everyone wore a grim expression, looking coldly at Yu Liancheng.

Even if some in their hearts agreed with Yu Liancheng's words, at least on the surface, they had to stand in shared hatred against the enemy.

Apart from Yu Liancheng himself, perhaps only Long Xiaoyun was secretly snickering in his heart. The angrier these heroes and gallants became, the more ruthless and vicious they would naturally be toward this man, and only then could he vent the hatred in his heart.

However, these heroes and gallants had always been extremely cautious and might not necessarily be willing to make a move.

"This man... this man's martial arts are very high; Xiaoyun didn't even last a single move under his hand. Xiaoyun only suffered some minor injuries, and Aunt Lin is not in Lengxiang Xiaozhu either. Since he didn't succeed, let's just let him leave."

Long Xiaoyun's eyes rolled, and he lowered his head, saying, "Otherwise... otherwise if a fight breaks out and everyone gets hurt by him, it won't be good. As long as everyone doesn't speak of this matter, outsiders won't know either."

His words appeared to be an attempt to smooth things over, but in reality, they were no different from pouring oil on fire.

"Iron-Faced Impartial" Zhao Zhengyi and "Iron-Gall Shaking the Eight Directions" Qin Xiaoyi were old hands in the Edo and could still remain calm, but You Longsheng could no longer sit still.

Lin Xian'er was his dream lover, and he himself wanted to carve out a reputation in the Edo no less than his master's; how could he just let Yu Liancheng leave like this?

Seeing this, You Longsheng stepped forward, just about to draw his sword to give this madman before him a lesson he would never forget for the rest of his life.

Yu Liancheng suddenly said, "Wait."

You Longsheng sneered, "It's too late to beg for mercy now."

Yu Liancheng said, "I heard that the Hidden Sword Villa has a 'Duoqing Sword'?"

You Longsheng said coldly, "That's right."

Yu Liancheng said, "May I borrow the sword to take a look?"

"Fine, you will see it immediately."

With a "Clang" like the roar of a dragon, You Longsheng's sword was drawn; the sword light was swift, and in the blink of an eye, he had already thrust more than ten times.

One could only hear the sound of the sword wind cutting through the air, whistling loudly, sharp and cold, as if a sky full of wind and snow had been whipped up, making one feel chilled from their feet to the top of their head.

He studied under Tianshan Xueyingzi, and once his sword technique was unleashed, it was truly like the ice and snow on Tianshan—aloof, lonely, and cold to the bone.

However, although he thrust more than ten times, Yu Liancheng seemed not to have moved at all, and this round of sword techniques had already missed.

"It seems I was indeed right; those who only rely on the prestige and reputation of their elders are mostly cowards."

Amidst the sky full of sword shadows, Yu Liancheng was still able to speak with composure.

You Longsheng was furious to the point of death, yet his sword tip could not even touch the other's sleeve.

The bystanders were completely confused, even thinking the two were putting on a double act, and only You Longsheng himself understood the trickery within.

When experts fight, they focus on observing the opponent in minute detail—before the enemy moves, I move first; as the enemy is about to move, I have already moved. You Longsheng came from a famous school and naturally understood this principle well; his eyesight was beyond that of ordinary people.

But it was precisely because of this that his round of fast attacks failed to succeed.

Because he thrust his sword toward Yu Liancheng's heart, but Yu Liancheng already had a tendency to lean to the left.

This movement was very slight, but it could not escape his eyes. Thus, his sword tip naturally followed, intending to strike first, but Yu Liancheng's body had not moved at all.

He thrust his sword again, only to see Yu Liancheng's shoulder move slightly, about to lean to the right.

Thus, You Longsheng's sword naturally followed again, but the opponent hadn't moved at all, and this move inevitably missed again.

In the blink of an eye, more than a dozen strikes had all missed.

"Hmph, you are courting death."

Swish!

Another sword thrust out, the sword light breaking through the air, cold as flying snow.

You Longsheng made up his mind that no matter what movement Yu Liancheng made, his sword would press forward without hesitation and never change its path.

Who would have thought that this time Yu Liancheng actually turned to the right, and You Longsheng's sword brushed past his chest; he had thrust into empty air again.

By the time You Longsheng wanted to change his move, Yu Liancheng flicked his finger against the spine of the sword, and immediately there was a "Clang" like a dragon's roar.

You Longsheng only felt his web between thumb and forefinger shake; he could no longer hold the long sword in his palm, and it fell from his hand to the ground. He himself could not help but stagger back several steps, and only after being supported by Long Xiaoyun did he manage to steady his figure.

Zhao Zhengyi and the others could not help but change their expressions.

They had spent some time with You Longsheng and naturally knew that he was no cowardly fop; his sword technique was exquisite and peerless, and even if they were to fight him, they might not necessarily win.

But this person opposite them seemed to have barely made a move, yet had already sent You Longsheng back in defeat, to the point where he couldn't even care about the sword in his hand.

Yu Liancheng casually stuck his own 'Duoqing Sword' into the ground and began to admire You Longsheng's 'Duoqing Sword'.

The sword light was like a pool of autumn water, emitting a piercing Sword Qi; it was indeed a good sword.

This was not only a good sword, but its fame was also quite significant; it was the divine weapon of the generation's sword hero Di Wuzi from three hundred years ago, and there was even a little-known story behind it.

It is rumored that Di Wuzi was obsessed with his sword until he fell in love with a woman in his middle age.

Who would have known that on the eve of their wedding, that woman was secretly meeting with Di Wuzi's good friend, the God Blade Peng Qiong.

Consequently, in his grief and anger, Di Wuzi used this sword to kill Peng Qiong, and from then on, he took the sword as his companion and his life, never speaking of marriage again.

Yu Liancheng looked at You Longsheng: "Your 'Duoqing Sword' is Di Wuzi taking back his own affection; I also have a sword here that happens to be called 'Duoqing' as well, but it takes the affection of others. I just don't know if taking the affection of others is more powerful, or taking one's own affection is more powerful."

He drew his own Duoqing Sword as well; the chilling Sword Qi was pressing against their brows.

The next moment, Yu Liancheng swung both hands violently.

Clang!!

The two swords collided with a crisp sound, sparks flew in all directions, and one Duoqing Sword had already snapped into two pieces.

The one that broke was, of course, You Longsheng's Duoqing Sword.

Taking the affection of others was, after all, superior to taking one's own.

"You... you..." You Longsheng watched this scene, his eyes wide, pointing his finger at Yu Liancheng, his body trembling, and suddenly he spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted.

Yu Liancheng looked at Zhao Zhengyi and smiled slightly: "You are known as 'Iron-Faced Impartial'; why don't you tell me, is my Duoqing Sword more powerful, or is his Duoqing Sword more powerful?"

Zhao Zhengyi cupped his hands and laughed sheepishly: "Naturally, the young hero's is more powerful."

Yu Liancheng couldn't help but ask curiously: "How did I become a young hero? Am I not a criminal who committed a capital offense and needs to obediently surrender?"

Zhao Zhengyi patted his chest and said: "A fair lady is a gentleman's desire; this is human nature. The young hero was merely following his natural instincts, so how can it be said that you committed a capital offense? It was this old man who spoke wrongly; the young hero must not take offense."

Qin Xiaoyi also bowed and said righteously, "Indeed, a young hero like you, young master, is exactly the type Miss Xian'er likes best. She might be overjoyed that you have come to see her; how could she possibly blame anyone?"

Yu Liancheng laughed, "As expected of a veteran of the Edo, every word is truly a pearl of wisdom."

Zhao Zhengyi said, "You flatter me, young master. May I ask if you are acquainted with Miss Xian'er? This old man could introduce you..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the three men—Long Xiaoyun, Zhao Zhengyi, and Qin Xiaoyi—suddenly dodged to the side.

And the crossbow bolts, which had been prepared long ago, shot toward Yu Liancheng from behind the three of them, like a cluster of dark clouds.