Chapter 210 - 208: No Rest Until Death

Chapter 210: Chapter 208: No Rest Until Death

Qifeng Mountain, on the Youning Border. The Nine Swords Alliance.

Ever since Zuo Feiyu’s death, Zuo Tianyuan had seemingly thrown himself completely into his work. As a result, the Nine Swords Alliance was flourishing like never before.

At this moment, Zuo Tianyuan was hosting a banquet for a middle-aged man dressed in magnificent black robes.

"Brother Chu, it’s been over twenty years since we parted ways in Qin Province. Your Sword Worship Manor has made quite a name for itself in the Jianghu.

I still fondly remember the days we roamed the Central Plains Martial World, sparring and refining our swordsmanship together."

Zuo Tianyuan smiled and raised his cup in a toast.

The man in the magnificent robes was none other than Zhu Xinwu, the Manor Master of Sword Worship Manor.

Zuo Tianyuan had met Zhu Xinwu back in their youth while roaming the Central Plains Martial World.

Both had started out as Independent Martial Artists, but they were considered prodigies of exceptional talent. It was only natural that they gravitated toward each other.

However, with one in Qin Province and the other on the Youning Border, they hadn’t been in contact for a very long time, though they still heard news of one another.

Zuo Tianyuan had transformed Cyan Blade Manor into the Nine Swords Alliance, becoming a local powerhouse who dominated the region.

Zhu Xinwu had fared even better. Sword Worship Manor was incredibly famous; even many Martial Artists from other regions made a point to visit the manor and observe its techniques whenever they were in Qin Province.

"Indeed. Time flies, doesn’t it? Twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye. Before we knew it, we’d both grown old."

Zhu Xinwu clinked his cup with Zuo Tianyuan’s and chuckled. "Brother Zuo, you were so insistent on inviting me. There must be something you need, right?"

They were both sly old foxes; Zhu Xinwu couldn’t be bothered to beat around the bush with Zuo Tianyuan.

The two of them had been friends in their youth, but it was a bond with its limits.

Especially since they hadn’t been in contact for over twenty years. Zuo Tianyuan had specifically invited him, even stating in his letter that there was urgent business to discuss. This was definitely not a simple reunion to reminisce about old times.

Zuo Tianyuan let out a long breath and said gravely, "To be frank, Brother Chu, I invited you here today to ask for your help in killing someone."

"Who do you want to kill, Brother Zuo?"

"A Zhenwu Hall Inspector, eighteenth on the Hidden Dragon Rankings—Chen Jiutian!"

Zuo Tianyuan received the news as soon as Chen Yuan left Zhenwu Hall.

Since Qin Suguang had sent an urgent request for aid, Chen Yuan had rushed to Qin Province at top speed.

But the Nine Swords Alliance was on the Youning Border, after all, and there was some distance between them. By the time Zuo Tianyuan received the news, Chen Yuan had already been gone for two days.

Qin Province was located in the Central Plains, and there were too many roads leading to it. Zuo Tianyuan wasn’t sure which path Chen Yuan had taken.

Even if he set off in pursuit, he had no idea which direction to go.

Therefore, after a moment’s thought, Zuo Tianyuan abandoned the idea of tracking Chen Yuan himself. Instead, he remembered his contact, Zhu Xinwu, and immediately sent an invitation, planning to use Zhu Xinwu’s power to eliminate Chen Yuan in Qin Province.

This way, not only could he avenge his son, but his Nine Swords Alliance could also remain in the shadows, avoiding the enmity of Zhenwu Hall and continuing its steady growth.

Zhu Xinwu frowned slightly. "Brother Zuo, to be honest, if you wanted to kill anyone else, given our history, you’d only have to say the word and I’d bring you their head.

But this Chen Jiutian is a prodigy, eighteenth on the Hidden Dragon Rankings and the foremost talent of Zhenwu Hall’s younger generation.

If I kill him, won’t I earn the undying enmity of Zhenwu Hall?

And how did this Chen Jiutian offend you? Why do you want to kill him?"

Zuo Tianyuan’s cheek twitched, and a flash of grief crossed his eyes. "My son, Feiyu... he was killed by that Chen Jiutian!"

"Ah... Brother Zuo, my condolences."

Zhu Xinwu suddenly felt a pang of empathy and looked at Zuo Tianyuan with sympathy.

His own son, Zhu Zhaoxiong, was also exceptionally gifted, on par with any prodigy from the Major Sects. He doted on the boy, discussing all matters of Sword Worship Manor, large and small, with him.

Putting himself in the other’s shoes, if his own son were killed, he would certainly seek revenge at any cost.

But sympathy was just sympathy; Zhu Xinwu showed no signs of relenting.

He and Zuo Tianyuan did have some history, and the Nine Swords Alliance was doing quite well for itself.

If Zuo Tianyuan wanted to kill some insignificant person, he would have certainly helped, if only to foster some goodwill.

But the man he wanted to kill was a prodigy on the Hidden Dragon Rankings, and one from Zhenwu Hall no less. Why would he go looking for that kind of trouble?

"Brother Chu, you don’t need to overestimate Chen Jiutian’s position in Zhenwu Hall.

The upper echelons of Zhenwu Hall are only united in appearance. Grand Commandant Chao Hongtu has grown lax in his duties and hasn’t stepped out of the Zhenwu Hall headquarters in a very long time.

While Chen Jiutian is a prodigy of Zhenwu Hall’s younger generation, he’s not part of Chao Hongtu’s Direct Lineage. He was discovered by the Military Advisor, Liu Suifeng.

So if you kill him, Chao Hongtu won’t necessarily travel all the way from Ning Province to Qin Province just to cause you trouble.

Besides, Brother Chu, you’re on good terms with the Vajra Prajna Temple. With their masters to protect you, there’s nothing Chao Hongtu could do to you."

Zhu Xinwu was about to say that even so, he had no desire to offend Zhenwu Hall, one of the Seven Alliances of the World.

But Zuo Tianyuan immediately added, "I know. Even with all that, this is still a troublesome affair.

That is why I am willing to offer you the Nine Cyan Blade Swords I personally developed, along with the hundreds of Sword Dao Secret Techniques from my Nine Swords Alliance. All of it will be your reward, Brother Chu, if you will only help me avenge my son!"

Hearing this offer, Zhu Xinwu was indeed tempted.

Zuo Tianyuan’s Nine Cyan Blade Swords had once been praised by an Elder from Lifting Heaven Sword Pavilion and was considered a top-tier technique even among Earth Level Sword Techniques.

If Zuo Tianyuan were willing to join Lifting Heaven Sword Pavilion, and one of its Elders helped to refine the technique, it even had the potential to reach the Celestial Level.

Furthermore, because the Nine Swords Alliance had recruited so many Martial Artists, it had accumulated a considerable number of swordsmanship manuals and secret techniques.

’If Zuo Tianyuan is willing to hand them all over, they could serve as ’fuel’ for my Mixed Element Sword Scripture.’

But even though Zhu Xinwu was tempted, he still didn’t relent.

"Alas, it’s not that I won’t help. My Sword Worship Manor has many Guests, it’s true, but most of them joined because I share my collection of swordsmanship techniques publicly.

We are all like-minded companions of the Jianghu. If I were to try and force them to go kill this Chen Jiutian, I’m afraid some would refuse."

Hearing this, Zuo Tianyuan sneered inwardly. ’We’ve known each other since we were young. Who is he trying to fool?

I may not know exactly why he’s collecting so many swordsmanship and secret techniques, but they are clearly very useful to him.

Zhu Xinwu is already tempted. He’s just making an exorbitant demand, trying to squeeze more out of me.’

Taking a deep breath, Zuo Tianyuan said gravely, "What else do you want, Brother Chu? Just say it."

Zhu Xinwu smiled. "I heard that back in the day, Brother Zuo, you earned the admiration of Lifting Heaven Sword Pavilion and were bestowed with a Celestial Soldier—the Broken Sword, Gloom Sword.

This Celestial Soldier may be broken, but I’ve never had the chance to handle one myself. I was wondering if Brother Zuo might lend it to me for a look?"

Zuo Tianyuan’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly he cursed Zhu Xinwu’s insatiable greed.

’A broken Celestial Soldier is worthless. Because it’s broken, its celestial power is gone. The Gloom Sword is completely useless in a fight.

However, since the broken sword was a gift from Lifting Heaven Sword Pavilion, it represents a promise from them, a favor I can call in.

It was something I paid a steep price to obtain from Lifting Heaven Sword Pavilion back in the day.

Otherwise, no matter how much they admired me, why would they treat me so well if I refused to join them?

You could say that if the day ever comes when I’m at the end of my rope, I can take this broken sword to Lifting Heaven Sword Pavilion and trade it for their protection.

By asking for this broken sword, Zhu Xinwu is trying to take away my final safety net.

As for why he wants it, that’s simple enough. He wants to secure a future for his son.

Because of an old injury, his own cultivation has stagnated. He’s destined to be stuck at the Early Stage of the Primordial Pill Realm for the rest of his life.

But his son, Zhu Zhaoxiong, is a young prodigy with a much brighter future ahead of him.

Once he gets his hands on this broken sword, he can use it as a stepping stone to get his son into Lifting Heaven Sword Pavilion.

Then, with his Ancient Sword Dao Secret Technique, the *Mixed Element Sword Scripture*, Zhu Zhaoxiong could also learn the Sword Dao Secret Techniques of Lifting Heaven Sword Pavilion. His future achievements would be immeasurable!’

Zuo Tianyuan’s expression flickered, his mind in turmoil.

Zhu Xinwu, on the other hand, remained perfectly composed. After all, Zuo Tianyuan was the one asking for a favor. He was in no hurry.

Just then, a knock suddenly came from outside the door.

"Alliance Leader, an urgent report has arrived from Qin Province."

"Come in."

Zuo Tianyuan had given orders that nothing should disturb him except for news about Chen Jiutian.

’An urgent report has arrived,’ he thought. ’Could it be that Chen Jiutian has already left Qin Province?

If so, is there still time for Zhu Xinwu to act?’

As Zuo Tianyuan read the urgent report, a barely perceptible smile touched his lips.

He instantly suppressed it, however, replacing it with a look of somber lament.

"Brother Chu, take a look at this."

Zhu Xinwu took the letter in confusion and glanced at it. The next moment, his expression twisted into a savage mask.

The report detailed everything Chen Yuan had done in Qin Province.

One line, in particular, stood out: Chen Yuan had slain Zhu Zhaoxiong in the Blood Killing Realm!

CRACK!

With a tremendous noise, Zhu Xinwu shattered the entire tabletop with a single palm strike.

"Brother Chu, my condolences."

Zuo Tianyuan sighed.

Zhu Xinwu’s face was now a twisted mask of fury.

He had just been scheming to secure a future for his son, and now... the moment he left Qin Province, his son had been killed!

"CHEN JIUTIAN! THIS DOESN’T END UNTIL ONE OF US IS DEAD!"

Zhu Xinwu let out a heaven-shaking roar, then whipped his head around to stare at Zuo Tianyuan.

"I don’t want the Gloom Sword! Give me the Nine Cyan Blade Swords and your other secret swordsmanship techniques. I will kill Chen Jiutian!

And I need to use your Nine Swords Alliance’s channels to send an urgent message to Sword Worship Manor. Tell them to mobilize everyone, in full force, and intercept Chen Jiutian at the border of Qin Province!

Tell them even if they capture him, not to kill him! I want to tear him limb from limb with my own two hands!"

’This bastard,’ Zuo Tianyuan thought. ’Just a moment ago, he claimed he couldn’t command the men of Sword Worship Manor. Now that his son is dead, he can suddenly make them come out in full force.’

However, afraid of provoking the enraged Zhu Xinwu further, Zuo Tianyuan didn’t press the point or try to haggle. He simply nodded.

"No problem," he said. "But Brother Chu, I advise you to forget about taking him alive. If you get the chance to kill Chen Jiutian, you must take it immediately and slay him on the spot.

He has a proven record of slaying a Grandmaster in battle. You must be extremely careful!"