Gu Hongchen's Heart Knot

Gongsun Sheng's expression turned extremely grim upon hearing this.

How many two-year periods are there in a lifetime? He was in the prime of his youth, at a crucial juncture for breaking through to the Vajra Realm. If he wasted these two years...

It was possible that those ranked below him on the Human Ranking might have already broken through to the Vajra Realm.

No.

He had to find a way to get his family to rescue him; a direct assault was likely impossible.

Great Chu, though now a wounded dragon, still possessed deep foundations. Leading a group of powerful individuals to storm the county yamen's prison would be tantamount to rebellion.

"Lord Chu... if I perform meritorious deeds, will my sentence be reduced?" Gongsun Sheng gritted his teeth, his face flushing red, trying his best to lower his status to avoid angering Chu Jiang.

"Naturally!"

"My family is quite wealthy, we can help renovate your county yamen." Gongsun Sheng didn't state his intentions clearly, he couldn't just say "I want to bribe you, so please release me."

"Oh?"

Chu Jiang naturally understood Gongsun Sheng's meaning – he wanted to offer some benefits in exchange for his freedom.

"Then I'll await your good news. Our Baishi County's yamen does indeed need some repairs. I'm very pleased you have this intention."

The others, understanding Chu Jiang's hint, all excitedly chimed in, "My lord, I'm also willing to contribute to the yamen's renovation work."

"My lord, I can too."

"..."

Chu Jiang remained silent.

He ordered all the Xiantian martial artists who had committed offenses to have their meridians sealed to prevent them from causing trouble in the prison.

"Take them back to the prison!"

More than a dozen Demon Hunters, each escorting one prisoner, headed towards the Baishi County prison.

The large procession instantly attracted the attention of the common folk.

The crowd began to discuss and point fingers, offering their opinions.

Gongsun Sheng felt utterly humiliated, he had never experienced such misery since his birth.

Being seen in such a pathetic state by a group of low-class commoners, his mind was about to explode.

He hoped his family would come to rescue him soon.

"Brother Chu, you truly are a hidden dragon," the Mad Saber boomed with laughter, his voice echoing like a great bell.

Chu Jiang's strength had surprised him.

After all, Gongsun Sheng was no ordinary person, but an eleventh-ranked expert on the Human Ranking.

"Let's spar!" The Mad Saber pointed towards the direction outside the city, his face filled with excitement.

If he and Chu Jiang unleashed their full power within the city, they would damage many houses, and he couldn't afford the compensation.

"Let's go!"

Chu Jiang didn't refuse. He could feel the fighting spirit emanating from the Mad Saber's bones, and he also wanted to find someone to test himself against. This Mad Saber was perfect.

Second on the Human Ranking, with the combat power to defeat a Vajra Realm expert.

"Interesting!"

The Bewitching Heart Demoness watched the two figures depart, then followed them out of the city.

The three arrived outside the city gates, a wide-open space devoid of buildings, allowing them to unleash their abilities freely.

"Please."

Chu Jiang drew his Blood Sun Saber. Although the Demon Suppression Division had issued him a Demon Suppressing Blade, and the material was very hard, it wasn't as smooth to wield.

The Mad Saber grinned, "Brother Chu, I'm going all out, so be careful."

With that, the Mad Saber's aura erupted, his presence rapidly ascending until it reached its peak in an instant.

The long saber in his hand also began to glow, its blade becoming sharper, as if capable of cleaving anything.

"Good saber!"

Chu Jiang's eyes lit up. He could feel a powerful force emanating from this saber.

With just this aura, the Mad Saber was already comparable to someone who had just entered the Vajra Realm.

"Brother Chu, take this!"

The Mad Saber shouted, his figure flashing like lightning as he charged towards Chu Jiang.

The long saber in his hand slashed down fiercely, carrying a sharp momentum, as if intending to split Chu Jiang in two.

Chu Jiang's gaze sharpened, and he met the attack with his Blood Sun Saber.

The two blades clashed, producing a crisp ringing sound.

Chu Jiang's strength was terrifying; it actually made the Mad Saber's arm go slightly numb.

"So strong!"

The Mad Saber was inwardly surprised, but he didn't retreat. Instead, it ignited the fighting spirit within him.

He unleashed the Overlord Saber and engaged Chu Jiang in a fierce battle.

The figures of the two men crisscrossed in the air, saber light flashing. Every collision generated immense energy fluctuations.

The Bewitching Heart Demoness stood to the side, watching their fight, a hint of shock in her eyes.

She hadn't expected Chu Jiang to be so formidable, able to fight the Mad Saber to a standstill.

The Mad Saber grew more excited as he fought, realizing he couldn't suppress Chu Jiang. This filled him with exhilaration.

He used all his skills, pushing his saber techniques to their limits, trying to find an opening.

However, Chu Jiang's saber techniques were equally exquisite, even more so than his own. His defense was flawless, easily neutralizing every one of the Mad Saber's offensive maneuvers. The battle dragged on for a long time. Finally, the Mad Saber understood that Chu Jiang wasn't using his full strength at all; he was just playing around with him.

In the end, both men retreated a few steps and stopped.

The Mad Saber, panting and with a face full of smiles, said, "Brother Chu, it's been a long time since I've had such a satisfying battle."

"You're very strong. Let's fight again next time. I'll definitely surpass you!"

Chu Jiang smiled slightly, not refusing.

The Mad Saber's strength was already formidable, his saber techniques cultivated to the point of mastery.

Fighting him could also deepen his own understanding of saber techniques.

However, he had already broken through to the Vajra Realm. He was holding back against the Mad Saber; otherwise, the fight would have ended in two or three moves.

"Let's go, come to my mansion for a few drinks!"

Chu Jiang said with a smile, extending the invitation. If he had the chance to recruit these two into the Demon Suppression Division, it would be a great help. He was a lone commander right now.

"I couldn't ask for anything more!"

Several days later.

Dahe Commandery, Sword King Sect.

"Father, that battle was so long ago, why can't you let it go?"

A young man in a white sword robe, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, and an extraordinary aura, asked the middle-aged man seated at the head of the table.

The two were none other than Gu Jian, the current number one on the Human Ranking, and Gu Hongchen, who had been number one on the Human Ranking over a decade ago.

"Is it that difficult for me to ask you to send him a challenge?" Gu Hongchen's face was livid, like a volcano about to erupt.

"Chu Jiang is no match for me. Isn't it bullying if I challenge him?"

"Besides, he just obtained the Blood Saber Legacy and hasn't had time to digest it. Even if I win, it won't be a righteous victory."

"If we fight, let it be a fair and square battle!"

"A peak battle!"

"Not a one-sided crushing!"

Gu Jian's eyes were sharp, his entire being transforming into a heavenly sword energy, his aura soaring like a rainbow, as if to pierce the heavens.

The number one on the Human Ranking sending a challenge to the eleventh on the Human Ranking would be looked down upon, regardless of the outcome.

A sword, though it may bend, will not break.

Gu Hongchen knew his son's character well; otherwise, he wouldn't have achieved such results.

But in that battle against the Blood Saber years ago, he had won through an ambush by a powerful individual from outside the arena, successfully defending the Sword King Sect's dignity.

Afterward, he had successfully entered the Vajra Realm.

However, after reaching the Vajra Realm Peak, he could no longer advance further.

He had tried countless methods, taken all sorts of rare treasures. But every time he tried to break through, he would recall that battle from years ago.

He had risen to prominence through an ambush.

He was inferior to the Blood Saber.

This thought, like a curse, lingered in his heart, making it impossible for him to break through.