Chapter 312: Madman

Cao Hanyan's expression didn't change; he raised his saber and blocked the long sword, pulling the other party's force aside, turned the hilt, and knocked against the sword body, forcing the other party back.

"Eh?"

That person said in surprise.

"Good saber technique! Who is your excellency?"

Laymen watch the excitement, experts watch the doorway. Although this move of Cao Hanyan's in the square inch was ordinary, the moves were harmonious, the force was stable, and the true energy was solid, clearly having the demeanor of a master.

Cao Hanyan, as the first person to be forcibly taken under Li Miao's command, how could he be as ordinary as he appeared on the surface? Let's put it this way, he was the same type of person as the genius who created the "Horizontal-Vertical Fist," step by step, each step solid and incomparable.

Such a person might progress slowly, become famous late, and not be able to achieve the feat of winning against a superior. But as long as he wins against you once, you will never be able to win back in this lifetime.

Of course, this person didn't really intend to confront Cao Hanyan; seeing him not reply, he sheathed his sword and flashed behind Shu Qingyi.

*Bang! *

The sword hilt knocked against the back of the head, Shu Qingyi's eyes went black, and he instantly fainted.

By this time, the few people chasing Shu Qingyi also arrived, shouting from far away.

"Friend, did you capture that thief for my Kongming Sect? Thank you!"

While speaking, they arrived, dismounted, and walked over while speaking.

"This thief has done many evils; my Kongming Sect spent a lot of effort to lure him out, senior and junior brothers of more than ten people ambushed and injured him, and chased him for dozens of miles before forcing him to this place; it was truly not easy."

"Currently, only the three of us have chased here; my sect's masters will arrive later and will thank your excellency in person!"

One opening of the mouth and one knew they were old Jianghu hands.

This remark both stated their hard work, put the other party on a moral barbecue grill, and pointed out that their own people were about to arrive. On the surface, they were still polite and didn't lose face for the other party, which could be said to be very proper.

The Kongming Sect was covering the sky with one hand in the Jianghu of Guangxin Prefecture; this person felt a bit of "I am very disciplined" self-satisfaction after speaking, feeling that the other party would definitely give this face, and reached out to take the person.

But heard a *slap*, that person actually raised his sword scabbard and swept away the reaching arm! Not giving any face at all!

And sneered in his mouth.

"Evil thieves, everyone gets to kill them, why distinguish first come, first served? Your sect is also a major sect with a face, why come up and want to grab credit?"

"Now the heads of these thieves can all be exchanged for real gold and silver at the Imperial Guard, and you want to take them away with a touch of your upper and lower lips?"

The three's expressions instantly became unkind.

"Your excellency, this is not giving face, right?"

That person sneered.

"Face is worth a few dollars, and your thanks can be worth a few dollars?"

"Why don't I say a word of thanks to you, and you let the head to me, how about that?"

Once the words reached this point, it was the end. This person didn't mean to reason at all, clearly not giving face.

Jianghu people, not giving face, means drawing knives.

*Clang-clang-clang*, weapons were drawn, and the three disciples of the Kongming Sect surrounded this person. The leading person said in a low voice.

"Since this is the case, your excellency, please report your name. If I accidentally hurt you later, we will also have a name to send some medicine to your door, so that the Jianghu won't say my Kongming Sect—is not particular."

"Easy to say."

That person drew his sword, and the moment the sword edge was revealed, the three of the Kongming Sect were stunned.

What this person drew was not so much a sword as a pitch-black iron ruler. Horizontal and vertical, the lines had no ups and downs, no sword spine, no sword edge, no sword tip, the whole thing was rectangular, yet it seemed to have flowing moonlight flowing on it.

He naturally swirled a sword flower and reported his name.

"Jianghu wanderer, 'No-Edge,' Gao Anyu."

"When you see me in the future, remember to walk around!"

Before the words faded, a shrill sound rose!

That pitch-black iron bar made a shrill sword sound again!

*Bang! *

Metal fragments shot out; in just an instant, the weapon in the hand of the leading disciple of the Kongming Sect was directly smashed by Gao Anyu with one ruler! The tiger's mouth cracked, and fresh blood instantly gushed out!

The other two attacked Gao Anyu's shoulders and lower body, but heard him sneer, the iron ruler rolled in the air, actually "rolling" the broken weapon fragments into the sword flower, and fiercely threw them at the two's faces!

The two's expressions changed, and they dodged back.

*Shua-shua-shua*—

Metal fragments like raindrops inserted into the ground and disappeared.

Gao Anyu sheathed his "sword" with a *shua*.

The leading disciple looked at Gao Anyu with a dark face, biting his teeth.

Although the other party only used one move, he had already revealed the strength of a top-tier first-class level, and that strange weapon was also very weird; even if the masters of the sect came later, they might not be able to take advantage.

And Gao Anyu also held back just now; after smashing the weapon, if that ruler had gone down a little more, he would have been a result of brain matter splashing and dying on the spot.

"Good, good!"

"Your excellency has good Kung Fu! Since we are inferior in skill, we will leave this head to your excellency!"

"Let's go!"

This person was also a character, knowing that since he couldn't beat him, saying a few more harsh words would only be asking for humiliation. Remembering Gao Anyu's face, he took his two junior brothers and turned to leave on horseback.

From Shu Qingyi escaping to the dust settling, it was only a stick of incense.

After the three had completely disappeared from sight, Gao Anyu slowly turned around and greeted Cao Hanyan with a smile.

"Brother, let you see a joke."

"I was in a rush just now and caused much offense; I truly hope you can forgive me."

This maneuver of his left Cao Hanyan completely bewildered, thinking to himself, what kind of character is this guy?

Not to mention his martial arts and weapon; he drew his sword the moment he saw me, showed no respect at all to a disciple of a major sect, and now that the fight is over, he's smiling and apologizing to me.

He's changed his face three times in less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea.

Turning against someone this fast—is he a dog?

But Cao Hanyan was not Li Miao after all; he was a decent, mild-mannered, good-natured person. He couldn't bring himself to say these things, so he just gave a dry laugh and accepted the other party's salute.

"Brother Gao, right?"

"I am Cao Hanyan."

He was just being polite, but he didn't expect Gao Anyu to immediately climb up the pole, reaching out to grab Cao Hanyan's hand the moment he came up.

"Oh my, Brother Cao, it feels like we've known each other for years, truly like old friends."

"That blade you used just now was truly excellent—fast and steady. You spotted the peculiarity of my weapon in an instant and dispersed my force. It was fantastic! In all my time wandering the Jianghu, your sword technique is the most satisfying I've ever seen! Not a single flashy trick, all hard-earned skill!"

"To be able to meet Brother Cao today, I am thrice blessed!"

Having said this, Gao Anyu reached into his robes as if to pull something out, but came up empty. He patted his waist in a circle, clicked his tongue, and looked around. Seeing Shu Qingyi still unconscious on the ground, his face lit up with joy.

He stepped forward, hoisted him up, and shoved him into Cao Hanyan's arms.

"I didn't bring anything with me before coming, and I didn't know I would be able to make Brother Cao's acquaintance."

"This guy is a real piece of work. Killing him wasn't as satisfying as fighting an expert, but it was still quite a thrill—I'll just give him to Brother Cao as a greeting gift!"

A vague, ominous premonition stirred in the depths of Cao Hanyan's heart as he reached out to take Shu Qingyi.

Then he heard Gao Anyu say excitedly.

"Brother Cao has accepted my gift, so we are friends now!"

"Since we are friends, can you do me a favor—have a fight with me!"

"I beg you!"

Cao Hanyan looked at Gao Anyu's excited gaze and realized with a start.

This guy is a lunatic.

(End of chapter)