Alchemist Lu Was Actually the Sword Lord's Illegitimate Son

[Though you live a secluded life, your legend lives on in Black Moon Gorge.]

[But when you killed the Cloaked Sha General, the entire arena was captivated by "I’ll Make Three Points," and almost no one missed the specific details.]

[Most Sword Cultivators only saw a blinding burst of crimson-gold flame before the Sha General reduced to ashes.]

[This led to the legends surrounding you becoming increasingly outlandish.]

One night, the wind howled as it swept across the rocky cliffs of Black Moon Gorge.

A Crow landed on a withered tree trunk not far away, tilting its head to look down.

Several Sword Cultivator who had just been relieved of their duties were gathered around the campfire, taking turns passing a leather pouch around.

[A newly recruited soldier didn't accept the bag; his face was full of disbelief.]

"I admit that the Pills from our Black Moon Gorge Alchemy Chamber are indeed the best in the White Tiger Hall. But you've exaggerated Commandant Lu far too much."

"I've also heard that Commandant Lu is a formidable figure who, even at the Foundation Establishment Realm, can tear apart Transformation Great Demon and fight a Demon Emperor head-on. The rumors are getting more and more outrageous."

"Tsk, you don't know anything."

[The old soldier with the scarred face snatched the leather pouch, tilted his head back, and gulped down a mouthful of the fiery liquor, wincing from the spiciness.]

"You weren't there, you have no idea how eerie it was!"

"How vicious was that Sha General? Even Boss Lei was stabbed right through!"

"As a result, when Commandant Lu stood in mid-air, the Sha General was frozen in place as if under a spell!"

Scarface lowered his voice and leaned forward.

"I heard from the old man at the quartermaster's office that Commandant Lu is not an ordinary Alchemist at all."

"He's the reincarnation of a great Dao of Alchemy from ten thousand years ago! He doesn't even need a sword to kill enemies; his Storage Ring is full of top-grade Poison Pills. He can just scatter a handful, and not only can he destroy Sha General, he could even flatten the Lifeless Plain!"

"Bullshit, you're going way off track."

[Another veteran who was wiping his sword nearby stopped.]

He raised his head, his eyes filled with unwavering determination.

"What kind of Dao of Alchemy master are you? Do you even have brains? What kind of Pills can produce that kind of golden flame? I was in the front row, I saw it clearly!"

The veteran swallowed hard, lowering his voice even further, causing those around him to instinctively hold their breath.

"Commandant Lu, he's not even human."

["What?!"]

The veteran pointed to his nose.

"He was the reincarnation of the High Antiquity fire god! He didn't even raise a hand; he just stood there, snorted coldly, and spewed two streams of golden true fire from his nostrils! The Sha General, touched by the fire, didn't even have time to scream before being instantly burned to ashes!"

["Cough... cough cough!"]

The recruit listened intently, unconsciously taking the leather pouch. He had just taken a sip of the spirit wine when he choked on it, coughing until his face turned red.

"Flames coming out of his nostrils? Do you think he's some kind of fire-breathing sorcerer?"

"You'd better believe me!"

The veteran, in a fit of anger, slammed his sword to the ground.

"Otherwise, how do you explain where the fire came from? I saw with my own eyes that he didn't even form a hand seal!"

"Alright, alright, shut up, you bunch of brainless idiots."

[A group of people who had been sitting on the outermost edge of the fire, resting with their eyes closed, finally opened their eyes.]

"A reincarnation of the God of Fire? A master of Dao of Alchemy? That's all you've got."

The team leader sneered, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"Don't you guys even think about what kind of temper Boss Lei has? If we make a small mistake, he'll give us a thorough dressing-down."

"But the day Commandant Lu arrived, Boss Lei treated him with more respect than if he were an ancestor, directly giving him the position of Steward of the Alchemy Chamber. Why?"

Everyone looked at each other, even the new recruit pricked up his ears.

[An old soldier recalled a previous rumor and was about to chime in, but then forcibly held back.]

[The team leader snorted coldly.]

"Because they have incredibly powerful connections! I have a brother who works at West-Suppressing Sword Pass, and he revealed all this."

"Our Commandant Lu is actually the Sword Master's illegitimate son!"

["Hiss--"]

A collective gasp of astonishment arose around the fire.

[The team leader was very satisfied with the result and continued to drop bombshells.]

"He came to our Black Moon Gorge just to gain experience! Why don't you think the Sha General makes a move?"

"That was suppressed by the protective magic Law Treasure of the Body Integration Realm that Commandant Lu was carrying!"

"Law Treasure at the Body Integration Realm, do you understand? Forget about breathing fire, even if he just spat on that Sha General 'd be dead!"

"Goodness..."

[Scarface froze, the leather bag in his hand tilting, not noticing the spilled liquor on the floor.]

"No wonder... no wonder Commandant Lu is so handsome, he's the Sword Master's son..."

["Laugh!"]

[Upon hearing this, another long-faced veteran burst into a sneer without any restraint.]

"What does being handsome have to do with the Sword Master? Have you even seen what the Sword Master looks like?"

The long-faced veteran rolled his eyes.

"Ever since the Sword Master took over the White Tiger Hall, that White Tiger mask has been welded onto his face!"

"Who the hell knows if there's a pockmarked face or a scarred face under that mask? Maybe they wear it because they're ugly!"

"Bullshit!"

The scarred man who had just spoken suddenly became agitated, as if someone had stepped on his tail; he abruptly stood up, the veins on his neck bulging.

"What an extraordinary talent the Sword Master is! He is the lifelong idol of all Sword Cultivators! How dare you, you old scoundrel, insult the Sword Master?!"

[The scarred man's face flushed red, his voice rose, spittle flew everywhere, and his tone was extremely firm.]

"To unleash such unparalleled White Tiger Sword Qi, one must possess a majestic figure and striking features!"

"Sword Master, you are absolutely the most handsome and dashing man in our cultivation world!"

"Commandant Lu's divine appearance is a perfect match!"

"This is absolutely a perfect inheritance of our Sword Master's unparalleled beauty! Case solved, the illegitimate child is definitely here!"

"What are you all gossiping about!"

A low shout suddenly came from the shadows.

He Zhantao emerged from the darkness, his face ashen.

[The veterans jumped up in fright and scrambled to their feet to attention.]

"Commandant He!"

He Zhantao glanced at them coldly, his gaze lingering on the faces of the veterans who were spreading rumors for a couple of seconds.

He initially wanted to give those bastards a good scolding, but then he remembered the bizarre scene from before.

He Zhantao's Adam's apple bobbed, and the words that were about to come out remained unspoken.

"Those on night patrol, go on your patrols! Those resting, get back to your tents! If I hear you gossiping about Commandant Lu again, I'll cut your tongues out and feed them to the Wandering Sha!"

[The crowd, as if granted a pardon, scattered like birds and beasts.]

[He Zhantao stood there, looking at the tightly closed cave abode halfway up the mountain, his expression extremely complex.]

"Illegitimate child? Vulcan?..."

[At this moment, the Crows on the branches flapped their wings and flew into the air.]

He Zhantao's expression shifted as he watched the Crow away, a feeling of déjà vu Crow over him.