Chapter 543: Snow Drink, Yan Ying, and the Panic of Terror

The small storage room was dilapidated and simple, piled with farm tools and various household items, no different from those in an ordinary farmer's home.

Yet, in such an ordinary storage room, a saber hung.

A saber that was by no means ordinary.

The saber was three feet seven inches long, its blade flawless and radiating a cold aura of its own; placed in the room, it gave one a feeling of icy chill, as if this saber were condensed from ice that had not melted for ten thousand years.

However, such a peerless, fine saber, which should have stirred up storms of blood in the Edo and been worshipped as a divine saber by all the world's swordsmen,

was now left idle. The blade was covered in dust, its cold, sharp edge long gone, its past glory obscured by cobwebs and grime.

Standing in the storage room was also a small Wawa, handsome and cute in appearance, especially the spiritual energy hidden between his brows, which could not be concealed no matter what.

On that round face, there was a look of curiosity and eagerness to try.

He was curious about what it would feel like to hold the saber, and he was also curious about how heavy this saber was.

He had watched his father hold the saber to chop wood and fell trees; it was very different from ordinary farmers. It was light, agile, and destructive, full of power and grace.

"Little Nie Feng, can you hear the saber's sigh?"

Just at this moment, a soft voice rang out.

The child named Nie Feng was startled.

Nie Feng turned his head and saw that, at some unknown time, a person had appeared in the storage room, dressed in black, standing with hands behind his back, his whole body seemingly surrounded by an extraordinary and refined aura.

"Uncle, who, who are you?" Nie Feng blinked, yet he did not feel afraid of this person who had suddenly appeared.

"Me? I am just 'me'." The man in black smiled, speaking a Zen riddle that a child could not understand.

Nie Feng asked curiously: "Uncle, why did you say the saber is sighing?"

The young man in black said calmly: "Do you know the name of this saber?"

Nie Feng shook his head.

The man in black said: "The saber is named Snow Drink, the coldest object in the world. It was forged from 'White Dew', the material left over from when Nüwa mended the heavens. When the saber is drawn, snow must be seen; it kills without seeing blood, only because the blood has not yet splashed out before it is already frozen by the saber's cold! A precious saber like this, yet it cannot feast on the blood of the world's heroes; it is a pearl covered in dust. If the saber has a spirit, how could it not sigh?"

Nie Feng was just a child and did not understand the meaning behind the visitor's words.

But the moment the man in black's words fell, he felt a sorrowful aura of self-pity from the Snow Drink Saber,

and this aura was not unfamiliar to Nie Feng; his mother Yan Ying often revealed it when her moth-like eyebrows were slightly furrowed.

"Feng'er, who are you talking to?"

Just at this moment, a gentle voice rang out.

As the words finished, a graceful and slender figure stepped into the storage room.

Like the Snow Drink Saber, this woman before them should not have appeared in a farmhouse.

Because she was too beautiful, beautiful as if in a dream or illusion; that face was beautiful beyond compare, her brows and eyes flowing with charm. Her skin put frost and snow to shame, smooth as jade, yet whiter and softer than jade. Her nose, her mouth, her eyes... every part was beautiful, every part full of temptation.

Could there really be such a beauty in the world?

Coarse cloth and hempen garments could not hide her icy skin and jade bones; the sparse cooking smoke could not mask her peerless beauty.

If one were to say she was the number one beauty in the world, it is feared that very few would object.

And she was indeed the former number one beauty of the Edo—Yan Ying.

This beautiful woman, like the Snow Drink, also belonged to one man.

A once-mighty number one saber-wielder of the world—the North Drink Mad Saber, "Nie Renwang".

"Who, who are you?" Yan Ying covered her small mouth with a slender hand, revealing a look of surprise.

But those beautiful eyes suddenly brightened. As the number one beauty, the reason she had chosen to marry Nie Renwang back then was because she loved Nie Renwang's martial prowess and admired his prestige as the leader of all blades. Who would have thought that after marrying Nie Renwang, he would choose to seal his saber and return to the fields, leaving her secretly heartbroken.

And she, who was once the number one beauty of the Edo, who never lifted a finger, had now become an unknown farm wife who washed clothes and cooked all day.

Without a doubt, Yan Ying was tired of such an ordinary life.

And the person before her, at a glance, was clearly no ordinary person.

In any case, he could bring a little excitement and comfort to this lonely life.

Yu Liancheng did not speak, but merely patted Nie Feng's little head and smiled: "Go find your father; I have something to discuss with him."

"Oh."

Nie Feng did not know why he listened to this person's words; after vaguely greeting Yan Ying, he ran out the door.

Only then did Yu Liancheng turn to Yan Ying with a slight smile and say: "Mistress Nie, a guest has arrived, yet there is no tea to offer? This is not the way to treat a guest."

It was noon, the scorching sun was in the sky, and the earth radiated a stifling heat.

Farmers were working in the fields, their backs soaked with sweat.

A middle-aged man was also farming, but he seemed out of place among the farmers.

One could see this man had a full beard and long, disheveled hair. His appearance seemed like that of an ordinary farmhand, but between his brows, he radiated an upright aura.

When facing this person directly, one would actually get the feeling of encountering a fierce tiger.

And a tiger among tigers at that.

This man was none other than Nie Feng's father—the "North Drink Mad Saber", Nie Renwang.

Nie Renwang's clothes were soaked, his forehead covered in sweat, yet he had no complaints.

Ever since he united with Yan Ying, he had retired to the fields and no longer stepped into the Edo. Because he believed that only by returning to the ordinary could one find true happiness. And if he continued to drift in the Edo, being the mighty Nie Renwang, it would sooner or later bring disaster upon Yan Ying. It was just that he did not know why he felt Yan Ying did not seem happy.

And she was becoming less and less happy.

But Nie Renwang believed that one day, Yan Ying would realize the happiness of a peaceful life.

And today, Nie Renwang's peaceful life would be broken.

Because of the appearance of one person.

This was a neatly groomed middle-aged man in red, so red he seemed like another scorching sun on the ground.

In his hand, he held a long sword. Although this long sword was not yet unsheathed, it gave off a fiery aura, as if what was hidden in the scabbard was not a sword, but a ball of flame.

"Southern Qilin Sword Head, Northern Drinker Mad Saber. One saber and one sword, one south and one north, I wonder how many people in the Edo want to know if you and I were to meet, who would win and who would lose?!" The middle-aged man slowly paced to a position in front of Nie Renwang and said calmly, "Nie Renwang, you are a worthy opponent I have sought my whole life; surely you would not wish to let the Snow Drink Saber grow lonely, just as I cannot bear to let the Fire Qilin Sword grow lonely."

The person who had arrived was none other than the "Southern Qilin Sword Head" Duan Shuai, who was equally famous as Nie Renwang.

However, Nie Renwang did not pay him any heed at all, simply continuing to plow and farm.

"Nie Renwang, as a saber wielder, do you not have any pride of your own? Pick up the Snow Drink Saber and decide the outcome with me." Duan Shuai coldly snorted, releasing his aura; his entire person radiated a high temperature like a furnace, actually causing the surrounding temperature to rise sharply, as if one had stepped into a desert.

Yet Nie Renwang still ignored him.

Duan Shuai's brow furrowed even tighter.

He had spent a great deal of effort to find the current Nie Renwang, but he had not expected the other party to have become like this, completely devoid of fighting spirit.

Just as Duan Shuai intended to further mock the other party to ignite his fighting spirit, he saw a young child dart over with light, nimble steps.

Even Duan Shuai felt a slight shock; this child was only five or six years old, yet he had already mastered such impressive light-body technique. Given time, who in the world could surpass him in light-body technique?

"Father, Father." Before the child had even arrived, his voice had already reached them.

"Feng'er, what is it?" Nie Renwang looked up and asked.

"Someone came to the house and asked me to find you, saying they have something to discuss with you," little Nie Feng said, panting slightly.

Nie Renwang's brow furrowed slightly: "Who is that person?"

"He is a black-clothed uncle who looks very handsome; Feng'er doesn't know him. That black-clothed uncle looked at the Snow Drink Saber hanging on the wall and said some things Feng'er couldn't understand. He is still at home waiting for you," Nie Feng said.

"Looking at the saber, the Snow Drink Saber." Nie Renwang's brow furrowed even tighter; Nie Feng did not know the name of the Snow Drink Saber, so it seemed that uninvited guest had told him.

And anyone who knew that name was likely looking for trouble again. Upon hearing that the other party was still at home, Nie Renwang's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly thought of Yan Ying.

"Ying, wait for me."

Nie Renwang undoubtedly placed Yan Ying in the most important position in his heart. Anxious, he did not care about exposing his identity; he scooped up Nie Feng, unleashed the Nie family footwork, and transformed into a swift, incomparable tornado as he rushed toward home.

"Heh, interesting."

Duan Shuai's eyes lit up, and he unfolded his movement technique, following closely behind.

Duan Shuai's movement technique was a notch inferior to Nie Renwang's, but because Nie Renwang was carrying Nie Feng, the two arrived at the Nie residence almost simultaneously.

Upon reaching the Nie residence, the first thing Nie Renwang heard was a string of laughter that sounded like heavenly music, soul-stirring and captivating.

Nie Renwang could naturally tell that this was the delicate laughter of Yan Ying.

But ever since they went into seclusion, other than forcing a somewhat strained smile in front of Nie Feng, Yan Ying had almost never shown a hint of a smile, let alone emitted such joyful laughter.

Nie Renwang's heart calmed slightly; at least his wife was in no danger.

Then, he pushed open the main gate and saw his beloved wife Yan Ying sitting opposite a handsome young man in black.

The black-clothed youth carried an air of ethereal unpredictability, which immediately made Nie Renwang, who had spent decades licking blood from the edge of a blade, realize that the other party was a supreme master.

At this moment, the black-clothed youth was holding Yan Ying's slender hand, and having said something, he had actually teased the latter into giggling, her shoulders trembling.

Nie Renwang's heart turned slightly cold; he hurriedly unfolded his movement technique, pulled Yan Ying up, and shielded her behind him, only then fixing his gaze on Yu Liancheng: "I do not know who you are, sir? What business do you have seeking Nie Renwang?"

"Brother Nie, there is no need to worry. I was merely reading Madam Nie's palm earlier."

Yu Liancheng smiled slightly and slowly stood up, his sleeves hanging down like dark clouds: "As for why I came to find you, it is naturally for the Snow Drink Saber. You were once the Northern Drinker Mad Saber who shook the world; you should understand the principle that holding a treasure is a crime. The Snow Drink Saber is a divine weapon of this age; if you are determined to live in seclusion, keeping it will only invite trouble—it would be better to give it to me."

Nie Renwang said: "The Snow Drink Saber was passed down by my ancestors; I dare not give it away lightly."

Yu Liancheng's gaze shifted to Nie Feng, and he smiled: "I have long heard of the Nie family's hereditary Mad Blood. Once the Mad Blood erupts, although one's strength will surge, one's temperament will change drastically, filled with violent, malevolent Qi, as if having entered the path of the Demon. How about we make a deal? I will help you dissolve the demonic nature of the Mad Blood in Nie Feng's body while preserving the power within the Mad Blood, and in return, you give the Snow Drink Saber to me. What do you think?"

Nie Renwang's brow furrowed slightly, his tiger-like eyes staring intently at Yu Liancheng. After a long while, he slowly spat out six words: "How can I believe you!?"

Many years ago, the Fire Qilin ravaged the land, bringing disaster to the common people.

The Nie family ancestor fought the Fire Qilin for six days and six nights, finally wounding it, but accidentally swallowed its blood. Afterward, while his internal energy surged, a terrifying, intense murderous intent welled up within his body.

This was the origin of the Nie family's Mad Blood.

The Nie family had suffered from the Mad Blood for generations and had tried countless methods to deal with it; even the Ice Heart Formula could only barely resist the madness of the Mad Blood.

Yet this person claimed he could expel the demonic nature from the Mad Blood—how could Nie Renwang be willing to believe him?

Yu Liancheng smiled slightly, his gaze shifting to Duan Shuai standing before the door: "Southern Qilin Sword Head, Duan Shuai?"

Duan Shuai's expression turned slightly stern: "It is I."

Yu Liancheng's eyes gradually moved downward, looking at the long sword with the green hilt: "I suppose this is the legendary Fire Qilin Sword; might I borrow it for a look?"

"Fine, come and take it." A cold smile flickered at the corner of Duan Shuai's mouth as he held the long sword in his hand level, a wisp of killing intent emerging. For a swordsman, the sword in one's hand is never something to be lent out for others to view at will.

If one wishes to see it, one must pay a price.

—The price of one's life!

"Fine, I shall take it."

The next moment, Yu Liancheng appeared in front of Duan Shuai.

Not expecting the other party to be this fast, Duan Shuai's expression changed slightly; with a 'clang', he unleashed the strongest move of the "Sun-Eroding Sword Art", Fire Scales Eroding the Sun.

This sword strike was indeed impressive; the sword net was as dense as dark clouds covering the sky, impenetrable to light, just like the sun being eroded. Moreover, every strand of Sword Qi was filled with a scorching aura, as if they were waves of fire.

Beside them, Nie Renwang's expression was grave; this Duan Shuai was truly worthy of being the Southern Qilin Sword Head who shared his fame, and his strength was indeed extraordinary.

And as for himself, having spent these years farming all day and indulging in farm work, he might not necessarily be this person's match.

Yu Liancheng sighed leisurely.

Amidst the sigh, a slender, lustrous hand pressed against the sword net; instantly, the sword net that had descended like dark clouds was torn apart, and the hand went straight for Duan Shuai.

The next moment, Duan Shuai felt an incomparable, massive force strike him, and the weapon in his hand was knocked away.

"The Fire Qilin Sword, it is not bad."

Yu Liancheng grasped the hilt in one hand and toyed with it casually.

And the moment his hand touched the hilt, he faintly felt a fierce, malevolent aura surge from the sword body, launching an assault on his mind. The Fire Qilin Sword was inlaid with the scales of the Fire Qilin and could spontaneously generate an incredible power, helping the wielder increase their internal energy, but the longer one held the sword, the more it would cause the sword to control the person's heart, causing demonic thoughts to sprout and making it difficult to extricate oneself.

Of course, for Yu Liancheng, these few demonic thoughts could only be described as a mayfly trying to topple a tree.

"You, who are you..."

Duan Shuai's face turned pale; to snatch the Fire Qilin Sword in a single move—even Xiongba, who shook the region, would likely be unable to do it.

"You are asking me?" Yu Liancheng chuckled, speaking as if in a riddle: "I am simply 'myself'."

Duan Shuai was stunned at first, then, as if recalling something, his figure trembled: "You come from Wushuang City?"

Yu Liancheng smiled and nodded.

"So it is you!" Duan Shuai could not help but take two steps back, his pupils dilating, and his tone began to tremble: "Fourteenth Jinghuang, the 'Terror' of the Fourteen Terrors!"