The sword intent radiating from the Deadly Seven Kill Sword alone shattered Gu Rong's vaunted defenses!
A weapon of pure offense, the Seven Kill Sword's attack power was now arguably the strongest on the entire continent.
Even the Clear Sky Hammer had to avoid its edge.
Gu Rong's face was grim. He had lost—utterly and completely, without putting up a fight. He had been thoroughly humiliated...
How had Chen Xin become so powerful? Had he really been wrong?
He didn't know, but the naked truth was right before him. He had no choice but to face it.
Chen Xin had beaten him so badly that he couldn't even get a word out.
His pride was nothing before Chen Xin's terrifying strength.
Before, he had been able to trade blows with Chen Xin. Now, he had been utterly crushed.
And that was with Chen Xin not even using his Martial Soul. If he had, Gu Rong wouldn't have had the strength to fight back at all.
Seeing Gu Rong hang his head, Chen Xin looked at him with an expression of exasperation, as if he couldn't live up to his potential.
Chen Xin paid him no further attention. His gaze fixed on the people behind Gu Rong, and his expression shifted. The Deadly Seven Kill Sword in his hand began to hum.
In the next instant, Chen Xin moved. His long sword flashed, darting back and forth in the blink of an eye.
Bang! Bang!
One after another, bodies hit the ground.
The people behind Gu Rong were dead. Only one had been left, cowering on the ground in terror.
He stared fearfully at Chen Xin. A demon—this man was a demon who killed without batting an eye.
"Chen Xin, you!!!" Gu Rong clenched his fists and pointed at Chen Xin.
He hadn't expected Chen Xin to be so decisive, killing all the people he had brought.
Chen Xin ignored him and instead walked step by step toward the man cowering on the ground. "Go back and tell Ning Buqun."
"The Ye Family is under my Chen Family's protection. If he has a problem with that, I'll have my father pay the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect a visit."
"I'm taking Gu Rong with me. From now on, he is no longer a member of your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"Now get lost!"
Chen Xin turned his back on him and paid him no more heed. The man scrambled away, afraid Chen Xin would change his mind and cut him down.
Only after finishing all that did Chen Xin calmly walk over to Xu Xiao. He had acted decisively, without the slightest hesitation.
"Big Brother!"
"I'd like to ask you a favor. Gu Rong is an old friend of mine, and I can't bear to let him stay in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"Would it be all right if...?"
Chen Xin spoke cautiously, afraid Xu Xiao might refuse.
Xu Xiao burst into laughter. "Fifth Brother, we're family. Since he's an old friend of yours, why would I stand in the way?"
"Let him come with us. But it's up to him whether he wants to. If he doesn't, we won't force him."
"As for your Second Brother and the others, you'll have to explain it to them yourself."
Chen Xin was delighted. As long as Big Brother didn't object, there wouldn't be a problem.
As for his Second Brother and the others? At worst, they could give him a beating.
With Big Brother's approval, Chen Xin turned to Ye Shengxin's father. "Senior, could I trouble you to treat him?"
The man smiled gently and didn't refuse. The Nine Heart Begonia appeared in his hand, and white light enveloped Gu Rong. In less than a moment, Gu Rong had fully recovered.
Chen Xin turned to Gu Rong. "If you still consider me a friend, come inside today."
"If you don't, then the next time we meet, we'll be enemies. There'll be no friendship between us anymore!"
Chen Xin spoke coldly. He had already given Gu Rong every chance.
If Gu Rong chose to let it slip by, then Chen Xin couldn't be blamed.
The opportunity was right in front of him. Whether he could grasp it was up to him.
Xu Xiao didn't try to persuade him either. He simply watched Gu Rong.
Truthfully, Xu Xiao didn't have strong feelings about Gu Rong either way. He was happy to take him in if he could, and if not, that was fine too.
After all, he already had four brothers, and they were all capable. One more or one less didn't matter much.
What Xu Xiao wanted most was to bring in smaller factions and build strength bit by bit.
Just like the Ye Family.
Xu Xiao and the others entered the Ye Family estate, while Gu Rong stood alone outside the gate of Ye Mansion.
Only after everyone had gone inside did Gu Rong lift his head. He gritted his teeth and stared straight at the gate, his thoughts known to no one.
He let out a long breath, seeming to make up his mind, then stepped forward and crossed the threshold into the Ye Family estate.
In the back courtyard, Xu Xiao and the others had already taken their seats.
Xu Xiao looked at the man. "Senior, would you like to reconsider now?"
Xu Xiao extended the olive branch once more.
The man laughed. "I've already made up my mind. Sheng Xin should still go with you."
"I'll stay here."
"Your faction needs money too, doesn't it? I'll stay here and make money for Chuan Ling. How does that sound?"
Now that Chen Xin had spoken, and they had the Chen Family's protection, there was no need to worry about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Before, without a definite answer, the man had been forced to compromise.
But now that they had their protection, it was time for him to do his part.
Besides, that faction was for the children. It wouldn't be appropriate for him to join them.
He'd be better off contributing in some other way.
Hearing his answer, Xu Xiao smiled. This arrangement worked well. They'd have an informant in Heaven Dou City, one out in the open, and he could make money too. It was a good deal.
Xu Xiao didn't refuse.
This did seem like the best arrangement.
"In that case, thank you, Senior." Xu Xiao thanked him. He hadn't even considered the question of funds yet. Now, with this man on board, many things would be much easier.
Chen Xin took out a token and handed it to the man. "Senior, this is my token. If you run into trouble, you can seek my father's help."
The man accepted it without hesitation.
They had just finished speaking when Gu Rong walked in.
Seeing Gu Rong, the corners of Chen Xin's mouth lifted slightly. It seemed his old friend hadn't been foolish enough to stubbornly go his own way.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect hadn't completely brainwashed him after all. He still had a mind of his own.
Gu Rong went straight to the man and Ye Shengxin, then bowed respectfully. "Senior, I offended you earlier. I hope you'll forgive me."
"Sheng Xin, I'm sorry."
Gu Rong's apology was sincere. He bowed deeply.
Ye Shengxin was at a loss for words, but his father smiled gently. "All right, we accept your apology."
"And congratulations on leaving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
Gu Rong hadn't expected them to be so magnanimous. He realized he had been the narrow-minded one.
"Thank you, Senior. Thank you, Sheng Xin!" Gu Rong bowed again.
He could bend without breaking—a real man. It was just that he had a strong sense of pride. For him to do this meant he had made a serious decision.
Gu Rong came to stand before Chen Xin, looking embarrassed. "Chen Xin... I... I..."
He stammered for a long while, unable to get out a single complete sentence.
Once he had realized his mistake, Gu Rong felt too ashamed to face Chen Xin.
Chen Xin smiled. "Old Bone, since you came inside, that means you still consider me a friend."
"I called you Old Bone. What more do you need to understand?"
Gu Rong smiled, but the smile was bitter and uncertain.
He had overthought it. Chen Xin was still his friend.