Chapter 60: The Ungentlemanly Sword

The next day.

The Sword Path Grand Competition was held as scheduled.

The Grand Competition was being held atop the tallest structure in Bright Moon Capital: the Star Observatory.

The Star Observatory, as its name suggested, was a place used to observe the paths of the stars.

It was also the place closest to the stars.

It stood far from the ground, infinitely close to the stars, with empty space on all four sides. Only that lone, lofty tower stood there, rising from the mountain peak.

The Sword Alliance had chosen the Star Observatory as the venue for the Sword Path Grand Competition, and its intention was plain to see.

Because the Star Observatory could hold only a limited number of people, and because of its special geographical position, the Sword Alliance wanted everyone in the city to be able to witness this grand Sword Path event.

So the Sword Alliance had specially erected four enormous spiritual mirrors in the central plaza of Bright Moon Capital. The spiritual mirrors were connected to the Star Observatory and could display everything happening there.

Early that morning.

Those who did not have admission passes to the Star Observatory had arrived at the city plaza early, all so they could claim good spots from which to watch this grand Sword Path event.

Lin Yuchu and Gu Chun had also gotten up early, but they were not going to the city plaza to claim spots. They were heading to the Star Observatory.

The invitation from the Sword Alliance had secured them seats on the Star Observatory.

The problem was that the Star Observatory was very high up. Their cultivation was still low at the moment, so they could not ride the wind and fly. They could only take immortal cranes up to the Star Observatory.

Lin Yuchu thought to himself that the immortal cranes at the Star Observatory would probably have an enormous workload today, so it was better to go early and spare themselves the line.

By the time Lin Yuchu and Gu Chun arrived at the crane pavilion near the Star Observatory, the disciple who raised the cranes saw them and said with a smile, “You two came pretty early.”

Because they had come early, they did not have to line up and soon rode an immortal crane to the Star Observatory.

Only later did Lin Yuchu learn that half an hour after they left, a large crowd of people, as if they had all agreed on it beforehand, arrived at the crane pavilion at exactly the same time. However, the crane pavilion had a limited number of immortal cranes, and demand far exceeded supply.

So that group of youths could only look at one another, and in the end, in order to decide who could go up first, they started fighting...

That was right. You read that correctly. They started fighting.

Everyone here was a cultivator, after all. The weak were prey to the strong, and immortal cranes were worthy only of the strong.

No one knew who first proposed this idea, but in any case, once it was suggested, absolutely everyone agreed with it. It passed by unanimous vote.

And so, before the youth division of the Sword Path Grand Competition had even begun, that group of young genius sword cultivators had already fought one round among themselves.

They became familiar with one another’s faces and secretly memorized them in their hearts.

Just you wait!

As for Lin Yuchu and Gu Chun...

One could only say that the two of them had foresight and had escaped a disaster?

…

On the Star Observatory.

By the time Lin Yuchu and Gu Chun arrived, more than half the seats on the Star Observatory were already filled.

They had not arrived particularly early, nor particularly late.

Their seats were in the sixth row directly facing the arena, an extremely good position, very close to the stage.

They could clearly see the faces of the people on the arena.

Lin Yuchu and Gu Chun found their seats and sat down. Speaking of which, it really was a coincidence: the two of them happened to have seats right next to each other.

Such a coincidence made even Gu Chun unable to help saying, “There’s actually such a coincidence?”

“Could it be that this means the two of us are fated?”

He looked at Lin Yuchu beside him as he spoke.

Hearing this, Lin Yuchu thought about it. Then he raised his head, looked at him, and said in a serious tone, “You really didn’t slip the Sword Alliance any money?”

Hearing that, Gu Chun’s mouth immediately twitched. He looked at him speechlessly and said, “Do I look like someone who has money to slip to the Sword Alliance?”

Gu Chun, who had always been poor and had never once been rich, expressed that slipping money to someone or whatever...

What was that?

He had no idea.

Lin Yuchu gave the little companion beside him a deep look. Indeed, he was so poor that the aura of poverty radiating from head to toe could not be concealed even by that handsome, cold, and extraordinary appearance. He did not look like someone who had the money to bribe the Sword Alliance. The person who had truly slipped money to the Sword Alliance... was sitting right up there!

Lin Yuchu did not need to go out of his way to search. All he had to do was raise his head, and he could see him: seated in the row reserved for the chief judges before the arena, wearing a flashy deep-red robe, handsome and unruly, with a smile that was charming and sexy. If it was not his father, who was already so old yet still refused to restrain himself in the slightest, then who else could it be?

The one seated in the row of chief judges atop the arena was none other than Lin Yunheng.

Lin Yuchu raised his head slightly. His fair and delicate face was cool and indifferent, his eyes dark and bright as he stared without blinking at Lin Yunheng on the arena ahead, who was looking all around as if searching for something. Expressionless, Lin Yuchu thought to himself that the Sword Alliance was probably doomed.

Heavens preserve us!

A talisman Dao and alchemy Dao grandmaster had infiltrated the panel of chief judges at the Sword Path Grand Competition.

Was this the annihilation of humanity or the collapse of morality? What filthy, unknown transaction was hidden behind all this?

Actually, it was not as filthy or complicated as you all imagined. Lin Yunheng had merely promised to give the Sword Alliance priority supply for one year’s worth of high-grade spiritual pills next year, at a twenty percent discount.

“...” Lin Yuchu.

Afterward, out of curiosity, he asked Lin Yunheng exactly what method he had used to persuade the Sword Alliance to let an outsider like him sit in the chief judge’s seat at the Sword Path Grand Competition.

Lin Yunheng smiled and told him about the transaction between himself and Sword Lord Nanming in an understated tone. He even said with special modesty and restraint, “My child, money can make even ghosts turn the millstone. If it cannot, then all you need is one high-grade spiritual pill. If one is not enough, then add countless zeroes after that one, and it will certainly be enough.”

“...” Lin Yuchu.

He had learned something.

…

And at this moment.

On the arena.

Lin Yunheng, who had gone to great lengths and finally achieved his wish, had at last secured a seat closest to the arena, in the very front row, where he could see his own child’s heroic bearing at first glance. He was also looking around beneath the arena, searching for his child’s figure.

The youth division of the Sword Path Grand Competition was on the third day.

But Lin Yuchu would definitely come to watch this Sword Path Grand Competition. His precious son might be sitting somewhere below right now, so Lin Yunheng had been searching around for Lin Yuchu ever since earlier.

He was preparing to give him a surprise!

Lin Yunheng thought smugly to himself, Hmph! You refused me before and stubbornly refused to let me accompany you here. Now that you see me, aren’t you very surprised, very startled, very happy?

The petty Father Lin had been planning this matter ever since Lin Yuchu rejected him.

That was why he had gone to such lengths to persuade Sword Lord Nanming to break the rules and allow an outsider like him, someone who had nothing to do with the Sword Path even if you beat eight poles together, to sit in the chief judge’s seat at the Sword Path Grand Competition.

One could say he was truly very persistent.

Amazing, my Father Lin.

Sword Lord Nanming, who was seated beside him, saw that he had been restless ever since earlier, looking around as if searching for someone.

At last, he could not help asking, “Who are you looking for?”

“No one.”

Lin Yunheng denied it swiftly.

What a joke. Who I’m looking for—could I let you know that?

Father Lin thought to himself, I still have a major plan in mind. How could I let you all learn the truth this early?

Having made up his mind not to expose Lin Yuchu’s existence, Father Lin immediately opened his eyes and lied with a completely serious expression. “I am merely observing these Sword Path talents in secret. Perhaps some incredible prodigy is hidden among them. As the saying goes, crouching tigers and hidden dragons may be anywhere. One cannot afford to be careless.”

“...” Sword Lord Nanming.

Like hell I believe you!

Hearing this, his face immediately filled with an indescribable expression as well.

Sword Lord Nanming gave Lin Yunheng beside him a deep look. Lin Yunheng was sitting upright with a solemn expression, pretending he was very serious. The corners of Sword Lord Nanming’s mouth twitched.

He thought, Lin Yunheng’s illness is becoming more and more serious.

Could it be that after returning to the Lin family to take over the family business, he had finally been overwhelmed by the burden... and gone stupid?

“Pfft.”

A young, handsome man in purple sword robes seated on Lin Yunheng’s other side let out a soft laugh, then said, “Fellow Daoist Lin, you truly are humorous.”

Hearing this, Lin Yunheng turned his head and looked at the man sitting beside him. “Sword Master Longquan, what makes you say that?”

Hearing that, Sword Master Longquan looked at him. A faint smile rested on his handsome face as he raised his hand and pointed toward the arena ahead. “Are the finest young sword cultivators of the present not all standing up there?”

“Is there still any need to search below?”

At his words, the expression on Lin Yunheng’s face paused.

Then he followed Sword Master Longquan’s gaze and looked ahead. Sure enough, at this moment—

The Sword Path Grand Competition on the arena ahead had already begun.

…

The Sword Path Grand Competition was divided into four arenas in total.

Each arena’s matches were grouped by drawing lots, and the final victor would be selected through battle.

The champions of the four arenas would then draw lots again and be divided into two groups for duels. The two winners would compete for the final top spot.

As for the two who lost, they would compete for third and fourth place.

At this moment, ahead—

The originally broad arena had been divided into four sections, and in each section stood two sword cultivators facing off.

Lu Qingyuan’s luck was not very good. He had drawn the first slot to appear.

This meant...

He had to keep winning from the very first match all the way to the end.

This truly was the worst of the worst lots...

But was that not very interesting?

Holding the wooden lot in his hand, Lu Qingyuan curled the corners of his lips. A look of interest filled with the aura of blood and killing appeared on his face.

At this moment, he could not help remembering the interesting youth from yesterday.

You bet your entire fortune on me to win?

You have that much confidence in me?

Lu Qingyuan thought to himself that this was the first time someone had placed such high hopes on him. Even if it was for that person’s sake, he could not lose.

Thinking this in his heart, he reached out and pressed a hand to the sword at his waist.

It was a long, slender, silver-white sword, the patterns on its blade simple yet beautiful.

So beautiful it looked nothing like a sword meant to kill.

And the world called it the Gentleman Sword.

Lu Qingyuan turned and strode toward the arena ahead.

He thought, for the sake of that interesting youth who had placed such high hopes on him, what would it matter if he was ungentlemanly for once?

A sword was, by nature, a killing sword.

And a gentleman, too, had times when he was not a gentleman.

Beside him, Lou Qianxue, who was likewise holding the wooden lot he had drawn, seemed to sense something and turned his head to look at him.

When he saw that Lu Qingyuan no longer had his usual gentle, faint smile, and that only icy sharpness and a fierce, pressing edge remained on his face, Lou Qianxue’s heart immediately sank.

He sensed it... danger.

The fearsome aura coming from Lu Qingyuan at that moment made people wary.

It was just like his sword.

Unsheathed.

…

Lu Qingyuan stood on the arena. He drew his sword, and the sharp silver-white longsword sliced through the air. The chilling sword light reflected his opponent’s terrified gaze.

Shhk—

One sound.

A single strike tore through his opponent’s defense and sent him flying.

“Lu Qingyuan is attacking very fiercely!”

At the chief judges’ seats ahead.

Sword Lord Nanming looked at Lu Qingyuan on the arena before them, whose sword moves were sharp and whose attacks were fast and fierce. In an astonished tone, he said, “That’s not like him.”

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