Chapter 141 - 105: Frenzied Stat Allocation! Birth of a Second Divine Intent, and Their Fusion

"That’s definitely Zhang Su. I heard he performed exceptionally well in Hengshan County. The disciples who returned from there are all praising him to the high heavens."

"Yeah, and I heard Zhang Su killed a top Huajin genius from the Five Elements Sect. Supposedly, that genius was even comparable to a Danjin Martial Artist. What a joke, right? An Inner Force Martial Artist killing a genius on par with someone at the Pill Force level?"

"Still, for Zhang Su to issue a Jianghu Pursuit Order is quite rare."

The disciples discussed this amongst themselves.

In fact, ever since Zhang Su returned to the Mountain Gate, news from Hengshan County had started to spread.

After all, many disciples and Inner Sect Stewards had gone to Hengshan County.

Those disciples and Inner Sect Stewards naturally spread tales of Zhang Su’s exploits.

However, the tales of Zhang Su’s accomplishments were simply too outrageous.

First, that he killed an Inner Force genius from the Five Elements Sect while he was only at the Outer Force realm.

Then, that he killed a Martial Artist from the Five Elements Sect who was comparable to the Pill Force realm while he himself was at the Inner Force realm.

Each claim was more sensational than the last.

But the more sensational they were, the fewer people believed them.

After all, it wasn’t like anyone went to the Five Elements Sect to verify the stories.

As for Zhang Su, he remained in secluded cultivation at his residence, too lazy to bother with the outside world’s gossip.

Zhang Su soon returned to his residence.

The Jianghu Pursuit Order had been issued; all that was left was to wait for the results.

Given the strength of Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui, once a Jianghu Pursuit Order was issued, their deaths were all but certain.

Zhang Su promptly put the matter out of his mind and continued his secluded cultivation.

...

Lately, there had been a lot of commotion around Hidden Sword Manor.

Many unfamiliar Jianghu Martial Artists were loitering around Hidden Sword Manor.

But with Hidden Sword Manor’s tight security, no one dared to force their way in. Still, the situation was already starting to affect the manor.

Hidden Sword Manor immediately ordered a thorough investigation to find out what was going on.

And now, the results of the investigation were in.

"Reporting to the Manor Master, those Jianghu People outside are here for Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui. A Jianghu Pursuit Order has been issued from the Guiyuan Sect, offering a bounty of forty thousand silver for their heads!"

The Manor Master of Hidden Sword Manor, Ouyang Chuan, frowned. "Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui? They just joined the manor not long ago, didn’t they? They’re the Third’s men, right?"

"Yes. The Third Young Master brought them to the manor. Jiang Kui is an Inner Force Martial Artist, and Zhou Sandao is at the Outer Force realm. They are somewhat capable."

"Go, bring the Third, Zhou Sandao, and Jiang Kui here."

"Yes, Manor Master."

Meanwhile, inside Ouyang Manor, Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui had also heard the news.

The two of them were now very nervous.

They were terrified that Hidden Sword Manor would kick them out.

Once they were kicked out of Hidden Sword Manor, that crowd of Jianghu People outside would probably chop them to mincemeat!

"Big Bro, I heard the Jianghu Pursuit Order was issued by the Guiyuan Sect. Apparently, it was issued by an Inner Sect Disciple named Zhang Su," Zhou Sandao said.

The news had already spread throughout the Jianghu; it was no longer a secret.

"Zhang Su... from the Zhang Family of Qingquan Prefecture. This is most likely related to that wench from the Gu Family. We slaughtered her entire family back then, but she alone slipped through the cracks. To think she’d come back to haunt us..."

Jiang Kui radiated killing intent, seething with hatred.

He always made a point of eradicating threats root and stem.

He never expected one to get away, leading to this mess today.

"Big Bro, what do we do now?"

"Stay calm. We’re the Third Young Master’s men, completely loyal to him. As long as he protects us, we have nothing to worry about! The Guiyuan Sect is powerful, but Hidden Sword Manor isn’t within their sphere of influence. It’s in Medicine Valley’s territory."

Zhou Sandao nodded.

A moment later, the Third Young Master, Ouyang Jing, arrived.

"Third Young Master."

The two men hurriedly bowed to Ouyang Jing.

"You’ve heard about the Jianghu Pursuit Order, I take it?"

"We have."

"My father has summoned you for questioning. Remember, tell him everything. Don’t hide anything. Otherwise, not even I will be able to protect you!"

A chill ran down their spines.

They followed Ouyang Jing to the great hall of Hidden Sword Manor, where they met the Manor Master.

"We pay our respects, Manor Master."

The two men bowed hastily.

"Speak. Do you know an Inner Sect Disciple from the Guiyuan Sect named Zhang Su?"

"We don’t know him."

"If you don’t know him, then why would Zhang Su issue a Jianghu Pursuit Order against you?"

"It might be related to the Gu Family from Qingquan Prefecture. We... killed members of the Gu Family once. A lone daughter survived, and she is close to Zhang Su..."

Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui did not, in fact, hide anything.

After all, their identities had been clearly investigated the moment they entered the manor.

Hidden Sword Manor was also a great power with a formidable reputation in the Jianghu.

How could they possibly allow two Martial Artists of unknown origin to enter the manor?

Ouyang Chuan’s eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze sweeping over Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui.

The two of them weren’t lying.

Given Hidden Sword Manor’s intelligence network, they had already investigated the matter thoroughly.

"Father, Hidden Sword Manor is not one of the Guiyuan Sect’s subordinate powers. We can simply ignore a Jianghu Pursuit Order issued by one of their Inner Sect Disciples."

"If we can’t even protect those who have pledged their loyalty to us, what’s left of Hidden Sword Manor’s prestige in the Jianghu?"

Ouyang Jing spoke up.

He had been the one to bring Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui back; they were his trusted men. Now that something like this had happened, he naturally had to protect them.

An ordinary Jianghu faction, faced with a Jianghu Pursuit Order, would probably have had to cut its losses and abandon them.

But Hidden Sword Manor was different.

Because Medicine Valley’s control over its subordinate factions was relatively relaxed, Hidden Sword Manor—with its own Embracing Pill Martial Artist holding down the fort—was considered one of the most powerful factions in the Jianghu.

Dealing with a single Jianghu Pursuit Order was no problem at all.

If not for the deterrent might of Hidden Sword Manor, would those Jianghu Martial Artists, who were eyeing Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui like hungry tigers, really just stand watch outside, too afraid to enter?

Ouyang Chuan glanced at Ouyang Jing.

Then his gaze swept over Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui, whose foreheads were pressed to the floor.

He knew his son wanted to win the complete loyalty of Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui.

The two of them certainly had potential worth cultivating.

Especially Jiang Kui. If nurtured properly, he could become a Huajin Martial Artist in the future.

As for the past deeds of Jiang Kui and Zhou Sandao, like wiping out entire families, Ouyang Chuan considered such matters barely worth mentioning.

Slaughter was a part of life for the people of the Jianghu.

Of course, to make the two men serve Hidden Sword Manor with unwavering loyalty, the manor would have to weather this Jianghu Pursuit Order.

"Do not leave Hidden Sword Manor for the time being," Ouyang Chuan said slowly.

As soon as he spoke, joy filled the hearts of Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui.

This undoubtedly meant he was going to protect them.

"Thank you, Manor Master!"

The two hurriedly kowtowed to show their thanks.

Only a major Jianghu power like Hidden Sword Manor would dare to ignore a Jianghu Pursuit Order issued by the Guiyuan Sect.

’As for hiding out in Hidden Sword Manor for a while? That was no problem at all. They’d be more than happy to hide for a few years, even.’

"Very well. You are dismissed."

Ouyang Chuan waved his hand, and Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui respectfully withdrew from the hall.

"Jing’er, send a message to all the major powers in the Jianghu. Say that Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui have turned over a new leaf and pledged their loyalty to Hidden Sword Manor. Anyone who dares to move against them is provoking Hidden Sword Manor!"

"I understand."

A smile touched Ouyang Jing’s lips upon hearing this.

’As for offending an Inner Sect Disciple of the Guiyuan Sect? Hidden Sword Manor couldn’t care less. The Guiyuan Sect has plenty of Inner Sect Disciples, but very few of them will ever become Embracing Pill Practitioners. Besides, with the backing of Medicine Valley, Hidden Sword Manor has no reason to fear the Guiyuan Sect. Kill someone under Hidden Sword Manor’s protection with a single Jianghu Pursuit Order? Impossible!’