Xiao Yu was silently sweeping the leaves outside the wooden shack, while nearby, a few disciples huddled, poin…
Xiao Yu was silently sweeping the leaves outside the wooden shack, while nearby, a few disciples huddled, pointing and snickering without the slightest pretense of privacy.
"So this is the 'top blade' of our sect? Look at him now, reduced to a woodshed servant."
"Haven't you heard? He dabbled in some dark arts and backfired his Qi. Now? He's nothing but a spent husk!"
"I knew it. A low-born stray like him reaching those heights? Must be some crooked trickery. Bah! A total disgrace to the Fierce Blade name."
Xiao Yu shot them a cold glance, and even now, the weight of his former name was enough to shut them up. Just as he bent down to keep sweeping, a voice cut in from behind.
"Hmph. A toothless cur, still barking to scare the juniors?"
It was Song Baishu, the senior disciple. The spineless lot rushed to Song's side, showering him with sycophantic praise. Xiao Yu ignored them all and kept sweeping.
Song Baishu sneered. "Your Senior Brother is here. Where is your salute?"
Xiao Yu replied flatly, without even looking up. "We are both disciples, and I've been struck from the scrolls. Why should I bow to you?"
In the blink of an eye, Song Baishu blurred forward like a bolt of lightning. He clamped a hand over Xiao's face and slammed his head into the dirt. Xiao Yu, already too weak to fight back, hit the dirt hard. Blood seeped from every orifice. A brutal sight.
"You think you're in any position to lecture me? You pathetic cripple!"
Song pulled back, wiping his fingers with a white handkerchief in feigned disgust. Then he ground his boot into Xiao's head as if he were nothing but a stray dog.
Xiao was barely holding on. His breath grew even shallower. His lips quivered as if struggling to force out a final word. Curious, Song leaned in closer. Bad move. Xiao spat a mouthful of blood right in his face, followed by a roar of defiant laughter.
Song lost it. He was about to end Xiao right then and there when a girl rushed into the courtyard and threw herself in front of him. It was Wang Xun'er, the Sect Master's daughter. She'd just gotten medicine for Xiao.
"Junior Sister, the man is a renegade. Why shield him?"
Wang helped Xiao to his feet, fury burning in her eyes. "Xiao Yu and I are betrothed. And this is how you treat my fiancé, Senior Brother? Leave now, or do not blame me if my blade shows no mercy!"
Song's face darkened. "The Master has annulled that marriage pact! Why cling to this shell of a man? I shall petition Master to grant your hand to me instead!"
He was about to keep pushing when he noticed Wang's hand moving toward the sword at her waist, and the killing intent suddenly locked onto him. Forced to yield, he feigned retreat, only to whirl around with a sudden strike, aiming to knock Xun'er senseless. Though his powers are gone, Xiao Yu's eyes remain keen. He shouted a warning just in time, and Wang barely managed to dodge.
Song stopped holding back. "Xun'er, enough! This traitor corrupted our sacred styles and leaked them to outsiders. His execution is Master's direct command!"
Xiao furrowed his brow. When had he ever committed such a crime? But Wang didn't care. She grabbed his hand and bolted toward the back mountain. The Sect's intent was now bared for all to see. A tide of pursuers swarmed the mountain paths. Outnumbered and overwhelmed, Xun'er fought a desperate retreat toward the edge of a cliff.
The pursuers didn't want to risk hurting the Sect Master's daughter, so they held back, but blades had no eyes. Xun'er was soon trailing blood from several shallow gashes. A fierce wind whipped around them, Xiao's blood-soaked robes snapping in the gusts. He looked at Wang, guilt and anguish written all over his face.
"This is far enough."
Before she could utter a word, Xiao flung himself into the abyss. In that final moment, everything clicked into place. His shattered meridians were no accident; it was the Master's design. His honesty in pointing out the flaws of their style had been his own death warrant.
The Fierce Blade Sect was never worthy of him. If fate granted him another life, he would show that stagnant old Master the meaning of true mastery!
To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the next episode.