Zhang Su's tone was calm.
Yet the meaning revealed in his words made hearts tremble.
There had originally been noisy chatter all around.
But now, everything had fallen silent.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on Zhang Su and Jiang Cheng.
Jiang Cheng's expression shifted uncertainly.
After a long while, Jiang Cheng drew a deep breath and said in a low voice, "In a sparring match, blades and swords have no eyes. Injuries are unavoidable! Brother Zhang, you may fight freely without holding back."
"Alright, then as you wish..."
Zhang Su nodded.
Clang.
Zhang Su drew his sword.
At the same moment Zhang Su drew his sword, Jiang Cheng drew his as well.
Neither of them gave any warning before unsheathing their blades.
Those standing close to them were greatly startled and hastily backed away.
"Why is it so hot?"
"It wasn't this hot just now."
"It isn't the weather. Both of their Blood Qi must have broken through the limits of the human body—their Blood Qi are like furnaces..."
There were quite a few martial artists present.
This included some of the Su Family's guards.
At a glance, they recognized the phenomenon caused by Zhang Su and Jiang Cheng unleashing their Blood Qi with all their strength.
"Blood Qi like a great furnace... They're both so young. It's truly unbelievable..."
Fang Qiao stood among the people of the Third Branch.
His face was full of envy.
Only after breaking through the limits of the human body and driving one's Blood Qi could one achieve Blood Qi like a great furnace.
In the martial world, any martial artist whose Blood Qi were like a furnace was surely a renowned expert in their region. In the future, they had a great chance of cultivating Internal Force and becoming an Internal Force martial artist.
Earlier, when Zhang Su had drawn his sword in the Council Hall and cut off a strand of Su Mulan's hair, Fang Qiao had vaguely sensed that Zhang Su was extraordinary.
Now, it seemed that his expectations had been right.
Zhang Su truly had broken through the limits of the human body.
However, Jiang Cheng was no less impressive.
The Blood Qi of the two seemed roughly equal.
Both were between one hundred and fifty and two hundred strands.
However, compared to their Blood Qi, the sword arts they displayed were as far apart as heaven and earth.
Jiang Cheng's sword art was the Jiang Family's inherited sword art.
It was a genuine top-tier sword art, called Jiangshui Flow.
Once unleashed, it resembled the surging waters of a mighty river, rolling on without end and looking immensely imposing.
Yet Zhang Su's sword art had none of that flourish.
It seemed to be nothing more than a light thrust.
But to Jiang Cheng, that single thrust seemed to contain a great terror.
Rip.
The icy sword edge swept across his neck.
An overwhelming, uncontrollable terror surged up in Jiang Cheng's heart.
There was great terror between life and death.
Now, Jiang Cheng experienced it firsthand.
His entire body stiffened.
His magnificent sword art, which had looked like an endless river, also came to an abrupt halt.
Clack.
Zhang Su returned his sword to its sheath.
His expression remained as calm as drifting clouds and a gentle breeze.
Jiang Cheng raised a hand and touched the bloody mark on his neck.
There was only a trace of blood.
Yet Jiang Cheng's hand seemed unable to stop trembling.
He knew very clearly that if the sword mark had been even slightly deeper, he would have died.
It was not that he had been lucky.
Rather, Zhang Su had shown mercy!
"What sword art is this?"
Jiang Cheng asked.
"This sword art is called Light Shadow Killing Sword!"
"You are fortunate. Today is my elder brother's joyous day. My sword may see blood, but it will not kill."
Jiang Cheng understood.
A tremendous sense of defeat welled up within him.
Among the younger generation of martial artists in Qingquan Prefecture, he had never encountered an opponent and had never suffered a defeat.
But now, he had lost, and he was utterly convinced by his defeat.
After all, Zhang Su's sword strike had passed across his neck before he could even see how it happened.
If it could cut the skin on his neck, then it could kill him.
And Zhang Su had truly used only one sword strike!
"Brother Zhang truly deserves to be a disciple of a great sect. Your sword art is peerless, and your reputation is well deserved. I have lost..."
Jiang Cheng bowed deeply to Zhang Su.
He had always been proud at heart.
But now, he was completely convinced by his loss.
Nor did he feel particularly humiliated.
Because Jiang Cheng understood that even if he trained for another ten years, he still would not be able to receive Zhang Su's sword strike.
Perhaps only after cultivating Internal Force and becoming an Internal Force martial artist could he block that sword.
As Jiang Cheng personally admitted defeat, an uproar immediately broke out all around.
Many people were still somewhat dazed.
They had been expecting a battle between dragons and tigers, an incomparably spectacular contest.
And yet, it was over already?
They had not even seen what had happened.
They had only seen Zhang Su draw his sword, and their vision blur.
Then Jiang Cheng had taken the initiative to admit defeat.
However, the bloody mark on Jiang Cheng's neck was extremely conspicuous.
"What a terrifying sword strike... Even I couldn't see it clearly. If it had been me..."
Fang Qiao was secretly alarmed.
Yesterday, he had failed to stop Zhang Su's sword strike.
Now it seemed that had been no accident.
Even if that strike had been aimed at him, he likely would not have been able to block it.
"A disciple of a great sect—this is what a true disciple of a great sect is like!"
"Though the Jiang Family is a famous martial family in Qingquan Prefecture, their martial arts still cannot compare with those of the Guiyuan Sect."
"I heard Zhang Su has only been in the Guiyuan Sect for a year? Incredible—Jiang Cheng was not even a match for one of his sword strikes..."
"And this Zhang Su does not seem to be married yet..."
Some quick-witted people's eyes lit up, and thoughts immediately began stirring in their hearts.
Zhang Su was clearly a man with boundless prospects!
"Brother Zhang, farewell."
With that, Jiang Cheng turned and left.
He was proud and arrogant, and he no longer had the face to remain here.
Only then did Su Mulan seem to awaken from a dream.
"Brother Cheng..."
She cried out loudly.
Unfortunately, Jiang Cheng did not pause in the slightest and left the Su Family directly.
Su Mulan watched Jiang Cheng's departing back, then looked at the cold-faced Zhang Su.
Especially when Zhang Su's icy gaze swept across her.
Su Mulan immediately shuddered all over.
"How could this happen..."
"Brother Cheng comes from a martial family. He defeated all of Qingquan Prefecture's younger generation without finding an equal—how could he have lost..."
No matter what, Su Mulan could not have imagined that Jiang Cheng, whom she regarded as omnipotent, would actually lose to Zhang Su.
Had she not seen it with her own eyes, she never would have believed it.
But it was the truth!
Even Su Qianhe could not help but shudder.
He immediately pulled Su Mulan over to Su Zhenzhen.
"Sister Zhenzhen, we were wrong. From now on, the First Branch will continue to manage the Su Family's business, and the Third Branch will never interfere!"
Su Zhenzhen sneered. "Not enough!"
Su Qianhe looked at Su Mulan, then gritted his teeth and said, "Someone, take Second Miss back! Without my orders, she is not to step out of her courtyard even once! This will continue until she is married..."
At once, two broad-shouldered, stout-waisted maids stepped forward and directly dragged Su Mulan toward the Third Branch's courtyard.
"No! Big Brother, how can you do this? Sister Zhenzhen, spare me..."
Su Mulan cried out loudly.
Unfortunately, no one pleaded for her.
Everyone knew that from this day onward, Su Mulan would be confined.
This high-spirited Second Miss of the Third Branch could only remain in her small courtyard from now on, unable to leave even a single step.
It was tantamount to being imprisoned until she married into the Jiang Family.
Su Qianhe was indeed decisive.
He could be ruthless even toward his own younger sister.
Just as Su Zhenzhen was about to speak, Zhang Chen took her hand and said calmly, "Alright, let this matter end here. We are family, after all. Do not let outsiders laugh at us."
Hearing her husband's words, Su Zhenzhen nodded.
"Fine, this matter ends here. Qianhe, Su Mulan disturbed my second brother. Your Third Branch must offer compensation. Three thousand taels of silver—do you have any objections?"
Su Zhenzhen opened her mouth and demanded three thousand taels of silver in compensation.
It pained Su Qianhe greatly.
But circumstances were stronger than men.
He knew that the Third Branch had suffered a crushing defeat this time.
"Fine. We'll do as Sister Zhenzhen says."
Su Qianhe agreed.
Zhang Su was somewhat surprised.
He had not expected an unexpected windfall.
His gaze immediately turned toward Su Zhenzhen.
He had quite a favorable impression of this sister-in-law.
After all, Su Zhenzhen had secured three thousand taels of silver in compensation for him.
"Thank you, Sister-in-law."
"It is nothing. We are family."
With the matter settled, the banquet continued.
However, no one dared to overlook Zhang Su again.
Everyone vaguely began to speculate.
Zhang Chen, the Su Family's live-in son-in-law, actually had such a highly skilled younger brother.
If Zhang Su could become an Inner Sect disciple of the Guiyuan Sect in the future, then Zhang Chen's position in the Su Family would likely become even more secure, impossible for anyone to shake.
Even the entire Su Family would benefit from it.
Zhang Chen, this live-in son-in-law, truly was a lucky star!
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