"Phew..." Huang Xiao suddenly braced both hands against the table. His chest felt somewhat tight, and he panted heavily.
"Lord Huang, are you all right?" You Lian'er's expression changed, and she hurried forward to steady him.
Huang Xiao caught his breath, then stood up and smiled at You Lian'er. "I'm fine, I'm fine."
"Lord Huang, with your cultivation, surely you shouldn't have reacted like that?" You Lian'er asked with a puzzled frown.
She had seen this painting before and knew what was extraordinary about it. At the very least, experts with some internal power should be able to discern its secrets. However, most people in the Jianghu who could discern those secrets would probably struggle to withstand the strand of sword intent within it.
By contrast, those who knew nothing of martial arts faced no danger. They were simply appreciating the painting and could not sense that fierce sword intent at all.
But that danger only applied to ordinary experts. With Huang Xiao's strength, he should at most have been affected a little. Surely he should not have ended up in such a sorry state?
Even she had merely felt that the sword intent was indeed fierce. After viewing it, she had suffered no ill effects.
"Miss, were you all right after viewing it?" Huang Xiao asked.
"I was somewhat surprised, but nothing like you, my lord. Could it be that you failed to withstand that strand of sword intent?" You Lian'er asked. "That doesn't make sense. With your cultivation, it should have been no problem at all."
"Miss Zhang, are you saying you only discovered that one strand of sword intent?" Huang Xiao asked.
"Oh?" You Lian'er's expression shifted slightly, and she asked in surprise, "Could there be several strands of sword intent?"
Hearing her question, Huang Xiao understood.