Chen Guifan, I Alone Fear Longevity

A moment later, Su Yun arrived in the main hall and saw his parents and eldest brother, Su Lin.

"Father, Mother, Big Brother, I've broken through to the Body Refining Fifth Stage."

"Also, I've cultivated a Human Grade High Tier blade technique to perfection."

"And another Human Grade High Tier body-refining technique has also improved somewhat, reaching minor accomplishment."

"With my current strength, I'm more than capable of dealing with Black Cloud Stronghold."

"Moreover, I want to personally escort a shipment and completely open up the trade route for our Su Family!"

Sweeping his gaze over everyone, Su Yun spoke directly.

"What? Yun'er, you've already reached the Body Refining Fifth Stage?"

"And you even cultivated a Human Grade High Tier blade technique to perfection?"

Mother Su was still stunned, somewhat unable to grasp how impressive it was.

Father Su and Su Lin exchanged a glance.

Their expressions were full of excitement.

Body Refining Fifth Stage in less than a month!

Su Yun's cultivation speed was truly frightening.

Yet compared to his cultivation speed, Su Yun's comprehension was even more monstrously exceptional!

He had actually cultivated a Human Grade High Tier blade technique to perfection so quickly.

Even Elder Chen, who had previously overseen the escort agency—

His blade technique had only reached that very realm.

"Yun'er, I know you want to share the family's burdens."

Father Su pondered for a moment, then spoke with a grave expression.

"But escorting shipments and opening up the trade route is still rather dangerous."

"Father, I think we can let Third Brother give it a try."

At that moment, Su Lin smiled and said:

"Third Brother has always been steady. If he did not have sufficient confidence, he definitely would not be in such a hurry to open up the trade route and deal with Black Cloud Stronghold."

"He said just now that his other body-refining technique had reached minor accomplishment. I'm afraid it is not quite that simple."

"I'd guess that Third Brother is now confident enough to fight a Body Refining Ninth Layer cultivator!"

"Big Brother truly knows me best."

Hearing this, Su Yun was somewhat surprised, then smiled.

With his current strength, ordinary Body Refining Ninth Layer cultivators truly were no match for him.

Su Lin revealed an expression of understanding.

Of course, there was one thing he had not said.

Flowers raised in a greenhouse had to see blood eventually.

Blind protection was instead a misguided kind of love.

After thinking for a moment, Su Lin continued.

"Third Brother, Elder Chen has escorted shipments for decades. He is highly experienced and knows information about certain dangerous places."

"If you wish to escort shipments, you can seek his advice. You will surely benefit greatly."

Su Yun nodded. "Big Brother, that was precisely my intention. After speaking with you all, I planned to visit Elder Chen."

"Good. Come, I'll go with you."

Su Lin nodded with a smile, then led the way ahead.

Su Yun followed closely behind.

Watching the two brothers leave, Father Su smiled in relief.

"Yun'er has truly grown up."

Cloud Lin Escort Agency had originally been a small escort agency under Su Estate. Its scale had not been large.

Moreover, it had not originally been called that name.

After adopting Su Yun, Father Su renamed the escort agency.

From then on, the agency's business grew better and better.

Gradually, it became one of the largest escort agencies in the surrounding region.

Before long, Su Lin brought Su Yun to Cloud Lin Escort Agency.

"Greetings, Young Master Su!"

Seeing Su Lin arrive, a sturdily built young man emerged from within the escort agency.

He wore a fitted black outfit, and his gaze was sharp.

His skin was somewhat dark.

His iron fists seemed as though they had been tempered in true fire, carrying a faint reddish hue.

"Chen Ying, we would like to visit Elder Chen."

Su Lin stated their purpose.

"Young Master Su, please come in."

Chen Ying nodded with a smile.

Then he glanced at Su Yun beside him, finding him somewhat familiar.

Yet for the moment, he did not recognize him.

"This is my third brother, Su Yun. He has already joined the Mystic Blade Sect."

"After cultivating, his build and appearance changed somewhat, so it is normal that you did not recognize him."

"So it is Third Young Master."

Chen Ying suddenly understood.

After chatting for a moment, they arrived at a courtyard within the escort agency.

The courtyard was very ordinary and not particularly large.

There was only a flowering tree, beneath which a Three Flower Blade leaned at an angle.

The group entered the room.

An elderly man with white hair and beard reclined in a wooden chair.

His complexion was waxy yellow, and his breath was weak.

He looked as though his days were numbered.

Seeing Su Lin enter, the old man struggled to rise and said with a cough, "Young Master Su, this old man is incompetent."

"During this period, Cloud Lin Escort Agency has escorted shipments several times and suffered grievous losses. This old man should bear responsibility."

"Yet Master Su has never reduced any of Cloud Lin Escort Agency's benefits. This old man feels deeply ashamed."

During this time, he had indeed blamed himself greatly.

Back then, he had fought life for life and, in a fit of fury, slain a Profound Mastery martial artist from Demonic Fiend Palace!

Afterward, he was severely injured and fell unconscious.

Had Father Su not been kind-hearted and spent a great deal of silver to save him—

He, Chen Guifan, would likely have perished long ago.

Su Lin smiled and said, "Elder Chen, you need not dwell on this matter."

"Now, Su Estate has found an expert and is preparing to completely open up the escort trade route, while also wiping out Black Cloud Stronghold!"

"Wipe out Black Cloud Stronghold?"

Chen Guifan's expression shifted slightly, and he could not help asking.

"Where did you find such an expert?"

"It is actually my third brother. He is now an Outer Sect disciple of the Mystic Blade Sect, and his cultivation has borne fruit. His strength is quite formidable."

"This escort mission will be led by my third brother."

"Elder Chen, what do you think?"

For a moment, everyone present turned their eyes toward Su Yun.

"Body Refining Fifth Stage?"

Sensing Su Yun's cultivation, Chen Guifan was startled!

Naturally, he knew Su Yun and knew that he had joined the Mystic Blade Sect not long ago.

It should have been less than a month, right?

This rate of cultivation breakthrough was simply too astonishing!

"For Third Young Master to break through to the Body Refining Fifth Stage in such a short time, his talent is truly astounding."

Chen Guifan praised him, then frowned.

"However, the Black Cloud Stronghold chieftain is at the Body Refining Eighth Stage, and his blade technique is profound, having at least reached the realm of major accomplishment..."

Chen Guifan's meaning was already clear.

This escort mission carried the danger of death!

"How about this, Elder Chen? Have Chen Ying spar with my third brother."

"With your discerning eyes, you should be able to see in a moment whether my third brother is truly qualified to lead an escort mission."

Su Lin offered a suggestion.

"Very well."

Chen Guifan nodded.

Chen Ying was the adopted son he had raised. His aptitude was decent, and his current cultivation was at the Body Refining Seventh Stage.

His pair of iron fists was renowned throughout the city.

He should be enough to test Su Yun's true depth.

"Third Brother, no problem?"

At that moment, Su Lin looked toward Su Yun and asked.

"No matter. Let us spar in the Practice Courtyard."

Su Yun nodded.

Afterward, the group left the room and arrived at a large courtyard.

This was the escort agency's Practice Courtyard, broad and spacious.

At this moment, several escort guards were also training here.

After learning Su Lin and the others' purpose—

They scattered aside and began watching.

Before long, Su Yun and Chen Ying walked to the center of the Practice Courtyard.

Su Lin stood beside Chen Guifan, his expression calm.

He seemed quite confident in Su Yun's strength.

"Chen Ying, blades and swords have no eyes. How about we compete with fists and kicks?"

Su Yun looked at the sturdily built Chen Ying and made the suggestion.

"Fine."

Chen Ying nodded, then moved his legs and crossed a distance of one zhang.

An iron fist came hurtling straight toward him!

This punch carried a trace of scorching heat, fierce and unmatched.

The watching escort guards all held their breath, not daring to blink.

As the other man's fist came crashing in, Su Yun neither dodged nor evaded.

He threw a punch as well, drawing upon part of his strength.

In an instant, his blood and qi surged within him, his sinews and bones chiming together like the roar of tigers and leopards, carrying an extraordinary air.

The ground beneath his feet began to crack like a spiderweb.

Bang!

In an instant, the two fists collided, and a blast of sound swept in every direction.

At that moment, Chen Ying's expression changed drastically!

He felt only a vast, overwhelming force transmitted from the other man's fist.

That momentum was like mountains collapsing and seas overturning!

He wanted to resist with all his strength, yet could not help retreating three steps.

Thus, the victor of this match was decided at once!

Moreover, he could sense that Su Yun had not used his full strength.

Otherwise, retreating three steps would have been the least of it.

"Thank you, Third Young Master, for showing mercy."

"I lost."

Chen Ying was completely convinced. He cupped his fists and offered his thanks.

He was an honest man. A loss was a loss.

There was nothing shameful about saying it aloud.

"Likewise."

Su Yun smiled and returned the gesture.

The next moment, a voice rang out in his mind.

"You have just sparred with another and exchanged fist techniques. The Bone Forging Vajra Technique has gained some insight, increasing cultivation progress by thirty percent!"

"Hmm? It can work like this too?"

Su Yun froze for a moment, then smiled.

He had not expected sparring with others to bring such a benefit.

It was truly an unexpected delight.

"Elder Chen, what do you think of my third brother?"

"Is he qualified to serve as the escort leader on a delivery?"

Su Lin asked with a smile.

"Third Young Master's strength truly surprised me."

Chen Guifan glanced at Su Yun, then stroked his beard and smiled.

"If I'm not mistaken, Third Young Master cultivates the Bone Forging Vajra Technique."

"This cultivation technique has quite an illustrious origin."

"With Third Young Master's strength, he can naturally serve as an escort leader and make an escort run."

"He also has some chance of wiping out Black Cloud Stronghold."

"Then let's do this. Chen Ying, accompany Third Young Master on an escort run tomorrow."

"You are familiar with the trade routes. When the time comes, you must assist him with all your strength."

Chen Guifan promptly made his decision.

Early the next morning, the merchant caravan had assembled.

One escort after another stood ready to depart.

Crate after crate of goods had also been loaded onto carriages.

Their total value amounted to over a hundred thousand taels!

If this escort run failed and the goods were lost, Su Estate would suffer grievous losses.

"Third Brother, if you encounter any danger—"

"Remember, preserving your life is what matters most!"

His eldest brother, Su Lin, warned him with a grave expression.

"I understand."

Su Yun nodded from atop his swift horse.

"Hyah!"

A moment later, the merchant caravan officially set out.

"Third Brother, may your journey be safe."

Watching the caravan disappear into the distance, Su Lin could only offer a silent prayer.

Cloud Lin Escort Agency, Chen Guifan's residence.

At this moment, after watching the merchant caravan leave, he withdrew his gaze.

His aged hand gently caressed an ordinary jade pendant.

The words "Miao Hualin" were engraved upon it.

It was the jade pendant of his late wife.

"I'm sorry, Lin'er. I can't move on..."

At some moment, Chen Guifan's hand trembled, and he could not help whispering through tears.

"Everyone says immortality is wonderful, yet I alone fear immortality."

In truth, given the talent and comprehension he had possessed in his younger days, he had had a great chance of breaking through to the Mystic Profound Realm, or even beyond it.

Yet after learning that a demonic cultivator of the Demonic Fiend Palace's Mystic Profound Realm had killed his wife, and after his revenge was complete—

he no longer had any heart for cultivation.

After all.

She was no longer in this world. What use was immortality?

The only reason he had lingered on until now was to repay Father Su for saving his life back then, guarding the escort agency in his stead.

Now, he was already decayed, with little time left.

It was time for him to leave as well.

"Lin'er, now that I have repaid my debt and laid my feelings to rest—"

"Once we meet again below, you can blame me all you wish."

As he tenderly stroked the jade pendant—

Chen Guifan suddenly smiled.

"Very soon, I'll be able to accompany you."

His voice was weak, and his breath gradually began to fade.

At some moment, he clenched the jade pendant, a smile lingering at the corner of his lips.

He completely closed his eyes.

He was dead.

A warm breeze drifted into the courtyard.

Like a pale hand, it plucked three flower petals.

It blew past the Three Flower Blade beneath the tree.

The flowers fell, returning to dust.