Chapter 7 - Kill You
Ghost Sword Young Master Shen Huai, it is said that in his early years, he was expelled from his sect for cultivating the treacherous path of ghost-driving and became a wandering cultivator drifting in the mortal world.
His talent was remarkable in both the treacherous path and the sword path; he cultivated both and was actually quite famous.
And importantly, not long ago, he was taken in as a guest elder by the Young Master of Shangqing Pavilion, who is currently second on the Jade Ní Ranking.
His appearance now before Luo He held a very intriguing meaning... And moreover, in such
a strange state.
Luo He's eyes were deep and profound; it seemed what he was waiting for had arrived.
"Everyone knows Brother Luo He is Young Master Luo's close attendant. Today, at this Immortal Ascension Assembly, you fought ten people consecutively; your sharp intent is unparalleled. Shen Huai is quite impressed in his heart."
As Shen Huai spoke, he flicked an object towards Luo He with his fingers. Luo He caught it; it was a top-quality Qi Gathering Pill.
"Shen Huai wishes to ask for guidance, but does not wish to be accused of taking advantage of someone's predicament... Brother Luo He, why not regulate your breath for a moment first, and then we shall fight."
"......"
This Qi Gathering Pill, at least from his perspective, seemed to have no problems.
But it was a pity, even if there really were no problems, his dantian couldn't use this thing.
Luo He put away this medicinal pill, but he did not hurry to draw his sword. He looked at Shen Huai, waiting for him to continue speaking.
Being watched by Luo He's gaze, Shen Huai felt a strange sensation rising in his heart, as if he had been completely seen through by him.
"It seems Brother Luo He doesn't quite trust me. Fair enough; after all, the timing of my entrance can't really be considered agreeable."
"I suppose more words are useless. Draw your sword, Brother Luo He."
Shen Huai waved his sleeve, and his sword emerged; every move carried a chillingly cold sensation.
But no matter how chillingly cold, how could it compare to the yin-side malevolent qi? Under Shen Huai's slightly surprised gaze, Luo He ignored the ghostly qi he emanated and charged straight towards him.
After an exchange of blows, Shen Huai, finding it difficult to deploy his ghost techniques, immediately fell into a disadvantageous position.
But Ghost Sword, it always carried the word 'sword'.
To conserve spiritual energy, Luo He had long since abandoned defense. As he attacked, another small sword appeared in Shen Huai's left hand. It pierced Luo He's sword-wielding right hand at an exquisite angle; afterwards, he immediately pulled back, creating distance.
"......"
Luo He's body paused for a moment. He pulled out the small sword with a blank expression. This small sword was stained with some black qi, tainted with ghost poison. If an ordinary cultivator were injured by this, they would probably be incapacitated for some time.
But this body of his was naturally not afraid of any ghost poison.
What made him slightly surprised was that this Ghost Sword Young Master could actually use a sword with both his left and right hands. His dominant hand was undoubtedly his right, and those who could master using swords in both hands were all individuals with powerful souls, capable of dividing their concentration.
Connecting this to that strange soul in his spiritual platform...
Luo He's eyes became inscrutable.
"Frankly speaking, my small sword carries a potent poison. Brother Luo He, that you took a strike from my sword and can still circulate your qi is truly rare... It seems you also have many secrets."
"I have come this time for Young Master Luo Hongyu. Brother Luo He, having fought to this point, has already done all that is humanly possible. How about... you make way?"
Shen Huai seemed to have no intention of concealing much. Standing to one side, he raised an eyebrow lightly and said with pointed meaning.
This is... he's no longer pretending?
Luo He thought to himself.
His attitude towards him was quite interesting; it seemed... those who knew about Luo Wenshui's affair back then were never few in number.
In that case, he understood; this shadow of his behind Luo Hongyu was actually not entirely unseen by everyone.
But it was a pity, he still couldn't step down.
Luo He slowly put away the iron sword in his hand.
However, before Shen Huai could reveal a satisfied smile, another incomparably pure sword qi blossomed from Luo He's hand.
It was a slender sword with a white jade, thin hilt, elaborately carved. At first glance, it was a woman's sword.
But the clear sword hum it emitted at this moment showed not the slightest hint of decadent weakness.
"That's... the fifth of the Tianchen Seven Swords, the Autumn Maiden Sword..."
Swept by that sword qi, as indifferent as autumn, that well-informed senior brother subconsciously spoke its name aloud.
The Tianchen Seven Swords refer to seven sentient immortal swords that have been enshrined in the Tianchen Sword Sect for tens of millions of years, arranged according to their historical order.
The immortal swords choose their masters to serve. In the long, drawn-out ages that the Tianchen Sword Sect has existed in the mortal world, every master of each sword has been a transcendent swordsman capable of shining brilliantly in the annals of history. The person dies, the sword remains.
Luo Hongyu's Lu Lan Sword is the third of the Tianchen Seven Swords.
However, this Autumn Maiden Sword has a special characteristic: every one of its masters has been female.
Seeing Luo He summon this sword, the eyes of everyone below the platform couldn't help but gain a few more degrees of strangeness...
This black-robed Luo He, like an undead creature, was actually a woman?
Could it be they weren't brother and sister, but sisters instead...
Of course, Luo He was naturally not female.
There was another reason why the Autumn Maiden Sword could be used by him, and to use it was not without a price.
Once this sword emerged, Luo He swept away his previous decline, the spiritual energy around his body surged greatly, the spiritual energy at his feet stirred, and he immediately arrived in front of Shen Huai.
The Autumn Maiden Sword's gleam brushed past Shen Huai's neck, without going any deeper.
One of Shen Huai's hands had early on reached behind Luo He, but after some thought, he withdrew his hand and smilingly sheathed his own sword.
"Against Brother Luo He holding the Autumn Maiden Sword, I am naturally no match. I admit defeat."
And Luo Hongyu, watching Luo He draw the Autumn Maiden Sword, the hidden disgust in her eyes grew even stronger. With a "crack" sound, the armrest of the chair under her hand had already been crushed to powder by her.
That sword originally did not belong to him.
What right did he have to use it with such peace of mind?
When people's attention was captivated by the elegance of the Autumn Maiden Sword on the platform, no one noticed that Luo Hongyu had already, at some unknown time, quietly left the scene.
Ghost Sword stepped down from the platform; Luo He had already achieved eleven consecutive victories.
He glanced behind him, feeling something in his heart. Then, regardless of whether anyone would continue to challenge him, dragging a body covered in dried blood clots and an aura of witheredness, he walked straight off the platform.
His steps were steady, unlike a living person.
...
That night, in Luo He's courtyard.
"Stupid fox, I only thought you were someone who wanted to be Luo Hongyu's dog, but I didn't expect you to actually be such a fool?”
"You tell me, you going and meaninglessly expending spiritual energy like this, even pulling out the Autumn Maiden Sword, what good does it do for you or your 'good master'? They just wish for your condition to be worse and worse, the more trump cards revealed, the better!"
"What is your brain thinking, or do you think standing on that platform performing a string of eleven victories like a fool is very dazzling? If your granny here hadn't given you two spear strikes to replenish your blood, you'd have long been lying on the ground as a dead fox; would you still have waited until you pulled out the Autumn Maiden Sword?"
"You block everyone for her there, believe it or not, she wouldn't even bat an eye. I don't even know who you're putting on a show for! Truly stupid!"
When this Su Huanhuan wanted to poke at someone's wounds, she truly showed no mercy.
One "stupid fox" after another, one "good master" after another, every sentence dug into Luo He's most sensitive spots.
But Luo He didn't mind these words at all. At this moment, he had taken off his black robe and was stopping his bleeding and healing his wounds.
His skin was covered with twisted, dense evil inscriptions. These were the manifested form of the Sha She Art; though manifested on his body, they were actually carved into his bones.
That black robe, besides concealing the aura of the evil art, was also to prevent others from seeing these inscriptions.
Of course, in front of Su Huanhuan, there was no need to hide them.
"Listen to me!"
Su Huanhuan, unable to contain her anger, pinched Luo He's face with both hands, pulling his gaze to face her.
She was truly furious. She, Su Huanhuan, having come all the way from the Demonic Sect, had never cared so much for anyone. Yet this stupid fox, this damn mute in front of her, didn't appreciate her kindness and acted as if she were trying to harm him.
If it were the her from before, she would have long since smiled while breaking his bones and extracting his marrow; why would she still be angry on his behalf!
"I don't know the details about that Ghost Sword Shen Huai; I haven't heard of such a person in the demonic gates either. But it's clear they've targeted Luo Hongyu, and in the process, they wouldn't mind getting rid of you too."
"You listen to me now. I'll undo the Sha She Art for you. Stay by my side."
"Ultimately, whether Luo Hongyu lives or dies, what fucking business is it of yours..."
Su Huanhuan hadn't finished speaking when she stopped.
Only because Luo He's eyes held a hint of a smile. He reached out, placed his hand on her shoulder, gave her a little push, and then waved his hand.
Saying goodbye to her.
"......"
Su Huanhuan stepped back two paces. Her red pupils returned to their usual deep, somber state; she spoke no more.
After quietly looking into Luo He's eyes for a while, she turned and left.
"If you seek death, then go ahead."
"Insufferable fool."
These two sentences were spoken without any undulation, without any warmth.
Looking again, apart from a faint, lingering girlish fragrance in this place, that red dress was already gone.
However, Luo He did not rise from his seat. Instead, he added a cup of tea to the seat opposite him.
"So that's how it is. Brother Luo He had already sensed my presence and didn't want to involve that person in the incident."
"This also suits my intentions perfectly. The faction Su Huanhuan belongs to and I don't quite get along. If she gets involved, it would be very troublesome. Brother Luo He is truly a considerate person.”
The voice heard during the day sounded again. A gust of yin wind flashed past, and Ghost Sword Shen Huai calmly sat down in front of Luo He, his upright and handsome face wearing a smile full of effeminate charm.
"Looking closely, I only just discovered that Brother Luo He's eyes are extremely beautiful, like the endless sea returning to the night... It's just a pity that you have to wear a mask."
Shen Huai sighed as if lamenting. Afterwards, he propped up his head with his hand and looked at Luo He with a beaming smile.
"It seems Brother Luo He is not surprised by my appearance here. I suppose you also know what I want to discuss with you... Everyone knows you are a mute imbecile unable to speak, yet who knows about the lover's eyes hidden beneath this mask of yours..."
"And the exquisite heart concealed beneath the black robe."
Shen Huai's finger traced a circle in the air towards Luo He's chest. Paired with Shen Huai's inexplicable expression at this moment, it actually had a somewhat androgynous, alluring posture.
Luo He remained impassive.
"Oh dear, I forgot I'm currently speaking while wearing this skin-sack... Hehe, I hope I haven't disgusted you, Brother Luo He. Well then, let's get to the main topic."
"After all, since you chose to see me, it also means you don't wish for Luo Hongyu, this person who stole your destiny, to live well, right?”