Supreme Sword Exalt

The crowd froze once more. Who dares speak to City Lord Liu in such a manner?

Liu Yan’s expression shifted dramatically. The heads of the various families also grew restless. Others were not aware of this, but they knew very well that a distinguished guest sat in the quiet room behind them. Who would have thought he’d intervene in this matter?

“Chief Steward Li, I apologize for the disturbance. Is everything alright?”

Upon seeing Chief Steward Li’s appearance and Liu Yan’s deferential demeanor, the crowd’s hearts skipped a beat. Chief Steward? By the heavens, could this person be...

While others tread carefully, Ah Sha alone waved cheerfully. “Hey, it’s you! Good to see you again!”

Liu Yan’s heart jumped into his throat. No way... Does she know Chief Steward Li?

Chief Steward Li gave Ah Sha a smile, but this smile did not reach his eyes. In fact, he looked anything but pleased.

“Little Girl, I don’t even know who you are. Don’t act as if we’re friends or something.”

Ah Sha’s face fell. “Oh...”

On the opposite side of the stage, Liu Yan sighed in relief. “Chief Steward Li, may I ask what the lord’s instructions are?”

He understood perfectly that Chief Steward Li’s appearance could only mean one thing: the Seventh Prince had given him an order.

Chief Steward Li shot him a glance. “City Lord Liu, has the Martial Academy qualification battle concluded?”

“It has.”

“Who won?”

Very, very reluctantly, Liu Yan pointed at Gu Han. “Well... Technically, I suppose it’s him....”

“Well, that clarifies things. The matter ends here.”

Everybody’s jaw dropped. Wait, what?!

With these simple words, Gu Han’s Martial Academy qualification was secured. Naturally, Liu Yan couldn’t suppress his resentment.

“Chief Steward Li, he repeatedly committed violence, disregarding the rules of Tianwu City—”

“I said, this matter ends here. Do you understand?” Chief Steward Li’s tone sharpened.

“Y-yes!”

Chief Steward Li shot Gu Han a glance, and his face darkened even more.

Brat! He’s stumbled into luck again!

Just as he turned to leave, Gu Han suddenly said, “Wait a moment!”

“What do you want now?”

“Could you tell me where I can find Elder Xue? I wish to pay him a visit.”

Now that his vengeance was fulfilled, Gu Han’s priority was finding a cure for Ah Sha’s soul deficiency. Naturally, Divine Physician Xue, with his mastery of pills and medicines, remained the best choice.

Grudgingly, Chief Steward Li provided an address before turning on his heel. The longer he looked at Gu Han, the worse his mood became.

***

Even after returning to the quiet room, Chief Steward Li was still seething, but he had to be on his best behavior in front of the prince.

“Your Highness, your orders have been carried out.”

The Seventh Prince shook his head in amusement. “You—cough!”

He was just about to tease Chief Steward Li when a violent coughing fit seized him.

Simultaneously, a visible cold qi emanated from him. It was so cold, in fact, that it quickly coated him in a thin layer of frost. Chief Steward Li rushed forward, channeling his spirit power to stabilize the prince’s vitality.

“Your Highness, hold on! I will take you to Elder Xue at once! “

***

Meanwhile, Liu Yan’s mood was foul. The Seventh Prince’s word was absolute, impossible for a mere border city lord like him to defy. No matter how much he hated Gu Han, he couldn’t do anything about it unless he had a death wish.

“Hmph!”

Ignoring the crowd, he prepared to leave with the city guards.

Of course, Gu Han was not going to let him leave just like that. He said, “Excuse me, City Lord. Haven’t you forgotten something? What about my Martial Academy qualification?!”

Liu Yan glared at him. “Will you die if you wait a little?! Someone will deliver it to you!”

He then turned away and left, huffing and puffing in annoyance.

Once he left, the square erupted in chatter.

“That person earlier... could it be...”

“Idiot! Didn’t you hear the city lord call him Chief Steward Li? He must be from the royal capital!”

“Tsk tsk, a true dignitary! How many years has it been since someone of that stature visited Tianwu City?”

“Don’t even dream of currying favor. You’re not worthy!”

The crowd buzzed with excitement. Today’s events had been quite thrilling, with plenty of twists, turns, and heart-stopping moments, making the Martial Academy qualification battle seem trivial in comparison. In a remote border town like this, such drama would fuel gossip for years to come.

Gu Han ignored them, however. He put away Gu Tian’s spirit tablet and the Firecloud Spear, then exhaled deeply. Finally, his revenge was complete, and with that, the hatred he’d carried in his heart slowly dissipated. There was no point in holding grudges against dead people.

Ah Sha asked softly, “Young Master, where do we go next?”

“We’re going to find Elder Xue to treat your condition.” Gu Han patted her head.

”Young Master, is my illness incurable?” Ah Sha’s eyes dimmed.

Gu Han’s expression softened. “Nonsense. I’ll find a way to save you. All you need to do is stay by my side and help me hunt for treasures.”

Ah Sha lit up at the mention of treasure hunting. After all, it was the only way she could help Gu Han.

As they chatted, they walked further into the distance.

The crowd watched Gu Han’s departing figure, brimming with envy. In spite of Chief Steward Li’s visibly disgusted attitude, it was obvious that he had appeared in order to aid Gu Han. With such a powerful backing, Gu Han’s future was undoubtedly boundless.

While others buzzed with excitement, the Gu family members wore expressions of despair and desolation. Not only had their family’s reputation been ruined, but their leaders were also dead. Within days, the Gu family’s vast assets would be carved up by the other families. As for those who had once swaggered through Tianwu City, riding on their coattails, their fates were predictable.

***

At the city lord’s mansion.

In the main hall, Liu Yan’s face twisted with rage. “That bastard! That damned bastard!”

The commotion drew Liu Ying’s attention.

“Father, what happened?”

Liu Yan gnashed his teeth. “It’s Gu Han! That detestable wretch!”

Liu Ying was stunned. ”Gu Han? Wasn’t he in the Wild Forest, wanted by the Gu family?”

Liu Yan sneered.“Wanted? Because of him, I’ve been humiliated today!”

He then proceeded to recount the day’s events to his daughter.

As Liu Ying listened, her heart dropped. Although she’d heard that Gu Han had regained his cultivation through some fortuitous encounter, she could never have imagined that he would grow strong enough to single-handedly destroy the Gu family. Of course, the Gu family’s downfall was ultimately the result of their own deeds, but even so, Gu Han’s combat prowess was undeniable.

“By the way, how are things with the Seventh Prince? Why didn’t you accompany him today?” Liu Ying’s expression soured.

Over the past few days, she’d carefully nurtured the Seventh Prince’s favor. However, ever since Chief Steward Li’s return, the steward had treated her with cold disdain. His words were laced with sarcasm. In fact, she’d skipped today’s qualification battle after another round of his barbs.

For some reason, the thought of Gu Han reclaiming his genius status unsettled her.

“Father, you said the Seventh Prince intervened on Gu Han’s behalf?”

“Yes. But now that I think of it, it’s actually rather odd. Although Chief Steward Li was obviously there to help Gu Han, he seemed particularly cold toward him.” Liu Yan frowned.

Liu Ying inexplicably relaxed, forming a hypothesis.

He seemed cold toward Gu Han? Could it be that Gu Han pledged himself to the Seventh Prince?

Suddenly, an idea struck her.

“Father, I’ll visit the Seventh Prince. Perhaps I can glean some useful information.”

Liu Yan nodded. “Good. You’ll soon enter the Martial Academy. Even if the Seventh Prince isn’t highly regarded, he’s still royalty, and his favor will serve you well.”

Although only one official slot existed, as the city lord, Liu Yan had ways to secure Liu Ying’s admission.

***

In a secluded alley in Southern Tianwu City.

“Young Master, are we meeting Grandpa Xue?”

Gu Han smiled. “Yes. Last time, Elder Xue helped us greatly. We never properly thanked—hm?”

He paused mid-sentence. Five or six people stood respectfully outside a small courtyard at the alley’s end. They were eagerly awaiting an audience with its occupant. Their attire marked them as stewards from various capital-based merchant guilds.

The Wild Forest teemed with resources, and these guilds dispatched agents annually to border towns like Tianwu City. They purchased spirit herbs, beast cores, and other cultivation materials from rogue cultivators.

The last steward in line was stunned upon noticing Gu Han.

“Eh? Little kid, are you also here to see Divine Physician Xue?”

“Yes.” Gu Han stepped forward to knock.

The lead steward blocked him. “Hey, hey! Kid, don’t you know the rules?”

“Rules?”

The others came from the capital and looked down on Tianwu City’s residents. So, they wasted no time mocking Gu Han.

“Obviously! If Divine Physician Xue hasn’t summoned you, barging in will only anger him! Can you bear that responsibility?”

“Look at you—dressed in rags, empty-handed. And you expect an audience?”

“Even if he sees you, we were here first! Get in line!”

“Tch. Backwater folks have no manners!”

Gu Han’s face darkened.

Ah Sha balled her fists. “Don’t look down on people! I know that grandpa!”

“Oh? You know Divine Physician Xue?”

“Little girl, boasting will get you nowhere!”

“Exactly! A brat like you is acquainted with someone of his stature? Please! Even our guild leaders treat him with utmost respect!”

Their jeers stoked Ah Sha’s anger.

Gu Han’s eyes flashed with cold intent. “Go to he—”

The last person at the line tugged his sleeve. “Young friend, endure it. They’re from the capital, and they’re all at the Acupoint Unsealing realm. Please don’t provoke them. Just wait patiently, and we’ll get our turn.”

“Tsk tsk, Chen Ping, always the goody two-shoes.”

“No wonder you’ve been at the bottom of the barrel for two years straight at the Treasure Pavilion. You’re about to be thrown out!”

“No one keeps deadweight around!”

Chen Ping flushed red out of embarrassment.

Gu Han’s fury surged. “You—”

Just then, a graceful figure appeared at the alley’s end. It was a girl in a pale-yellow dress. Her face was covered, and her bearing was ethereal. Her attire and demeanor made her appear like a celestial maiden.

“Liu Ying?”

“Gu Han?”

Their eyes met, but in their gaze, there was none of the tenderness one would have expected of two people who’d once cared for each other. There was only frost.