68: Chapter 68 Are you Lin Shuang?

"None of you are allowed to go."

You turned around and looked at the few youths, including Shitou, standing at the entrance of the cellar; everyone was holding a weapon in their hands. A short blade was tucked into Shitou's waistband, which you had forged for him half a year ago—made of hundred-refined steel, it could cut through iron like mud.

Shitou gritted his teeth and stepped forward, "Big Sister, we are already Acquired Martial Artists! We can protect you, and we can protect the younger brothers and sisters below!"

"Right! We aren't afraid of death!" Zhuzi and Xiaoyu chimed in together.

You looked at the stubbornness burning in their eyes and were silent for half a breath.

"Fine." You nodded, not stopping them again, "Then stand behind me and watch clearly how I do it."

Footsteps could already be heard on the street outside—many, messy, with the occasional sound of metal clashing. A scream came from the tailor Li's shop next door, followed immediately by the loud crash of things being overturned.

The footsteps drew closer.

With a loud "bang," the main gate of the Lin family courtyard was rudely kicked open.

Amidst flying wood splinters, five or six soldier ruffians wearing leather armor and holding bloodstained waist sabers swaggered in. The leader was a scarred-faced man with a fleshy face; his turbid eyes swept across the courtyard, and his gaze instantly locked onto you, who were standing on the steps.

You were wearing a plain cyan cloth dress today, without any makeup, but that cold temperament precipitated by years of martial arts practice, along with the peerless beauty nourished imperceptibly by the Great Grandmaster Realm, was simply like a bright pearl in the dark night amidst this dilapidated, chaotic world.

The scarred-faced man licked his cracked lips, and an undisguised lecherous light erupted in his eyes.

"Yo, in this godforsaken place, there's actually such a top-tier little lady hiding?" The scarred-faced man chuckled lecherously, approaching step by step while holding his saber.

The few soldier ruffians behind him also joined in the jeering, with filthy words spilling from their mouths.

"Little lady, it's chaotic outside with the war; come with us, and we guarantee you'll have good food and drink!"

"Look at that figure, tsk tsk, the brothers are in for a treat tonight!"

You stood in place, your expression without a ripple. You extended your slender finger and pointed at the plaque that had just been hung above the main gate not long ago.

"Can you not read?" Your voice was cold.

The three large characters "Cangyun Sect" were written on the plaque.

The few soldier ruffians were stunned for a moment, looked up at the plaque, and exchanged glances with each other.

"Big Brother, what is written on this?" A soldier ruffian who looked like a skinny monkey scratched his head.

The scarred-faced man spat, "Who cares what it says! I can't even write my own name, let alone recognize these damn characters!"

The corners of your mouth twitched slightly.

So this is what it feels like when a scholar meets a soldier.

You sighed inwardly; the rumors were indeed correct. Although the Zhenluan Army held up the banner of "pacifying chaos," the scattered soldiers and ruffians they incorporated underneath were still bandits at heart.

Senior Brother Gu Changfeng really "leads" his troops well.

"Little lady, don't try to scare people with a piece of broken wood. Be good and come over here to let me touch you, so you don't have to suffer physical pain!" The scarred-faced man lost his patience and reached out to grab your collar.

Your eyes turned completely cold.

Without using True Qi, and without even drawing your sword, you just slightly turned your body, avoided that dirty hand, and backhanded a slap out.

"Slap!"

A crisp, explosive sound. The scarred-faced man was like a broken sack swept up by a gale; he flew into the air, spun three times, and slammed heavily against the courtyard wall. His entire mouth of teeth, mixed with blood, sprayed out wildly, and he passed out on the spot.

The lecherous smiles on the faces of the remaining few soldier ruffians froze instantly.

You clapped your hands, as if brushing off dust, your tone still flat: "Go back, tell your officer to call Senior Brother Gu Changfeng over."

"You... you dare to address Senior Brother Gu Changfeng by his name?!" The skinny monkey was so scared that his voice cracked, and his hand holding the saber shook like a sieve.

"Scram." You spat out one word.

An invisible wave of Qi exploded outwards with you at the center. The few soldier ruffians felt as if their chests had been hit by a heavy hammer; they scrambled and crawled out of the courtyard, not even bothering to drag away the unconscious scarred-faced man.

The courtyard became quiet again; Shitou and the others gripped their wooden sticks, watching in a daze.

In less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick, dense sounds of armor friction and orderly footsteps came from outside the gate.

At least a hundred people.

A large group of fully armed soldiers poured into the courtyard, surrounding you tightly; crossbows were drawn, long spears stood like a forest, and cold Killing Intent permeated the air.

The crowd parted, and a deputy general wearing fine iron armor with a sword hanging at his waist stepped forward. He glanced at the unconscious scarred-faced man on the ground and then looked up at the plaque on the gate.

He could read.

The deputy general's brows were locked tight, looking you up and down: "You are from the Cangyun Sect? I have followed Commander Gu Changfeng on many campaigns and have seen many Cangyun Sect Disciples, but it seems I haven't seen you in the army, miss. You even know our Commander Gu Changfeng?"

You looked him straight in the eyes: "I said, just call Senior Brother Gu Changfeng over."

The deputy general's face darkened: "The commander is busy with military affairs; is he someone a mere woman can see whenever she wants? State your name!"

You sighed lightly and slowly spat out three words: "Lin Shuangwan."

The deputy general was stunned. He felt the name was somewhat familiar, but for a moment, he couldn't recall it.

"Or perhaps you are more familiar with my other name." You looked at him, "Senior Sister Lin Shuang."

The deputy general's pupils suddenly contracted.

Senior Sister Lin Shuang! The "Righteous and Valiant Sword Immortal" Senior Sister Lin Shuang, a once-in-a-century Genius of the Cangyun Sect, a legendary figure who killed the Black Tiger Gang leader Wei Feisen at the Great Grandmaster Realm and perished together with the enemy. Although the posthumous titles later were mostly products of various sects gilding their own faces, the weight of this name within the Cangyun Sect was far beyond what outsiders could imagine!

The closing Disciple of Grand Elder Supreme Elder Su Chenyuan.

The Junior Sister of the current Sect Head, Senior Brother Gu Changfeng.

A person who was theoretically "dead" for several years.

"Watch her! Without my order, no one is allowed to act rashly!" The deputy general sternly ordered the surrounding soldiers, then took a deep look at you, "I will go and ask the commander for instructions now. Miss had better pray that you are not impersonating someone."

The deputy general left in a hurry; although the soldiers surrounding you were still holding their weapons, their Aura was obviously three points weaker.

Just at this moment, a faint sound of crying came from the cellar.

You frowned; it was a three-year-old little girl named Yaya. She was naturally afraid of the dark and would usually cry after staying in the cellar for a little while. Having hidden down there for so long today, she must have been terrified.

Since the deputy general had already gone to report to Senior Brother Gu Changfeng, the situation was basically stabilized. As for whether Senior Brother Gu Changfeng would turn hostile and attack you? You felt the possibility was extremely low.

You turned and walked towards the entrance of the cellar. Under the nervous gaze of the soldiers, you carried out Yaya, who was crying with a face full of tears.

Besides, you had no choice now.

You gently patted her back and coaxed her softly, completely ignoring the circle of gleaming blades and spears around you.

Not long after, an extremely heavy and orderly sound of footsteps came from outside the gate.

These were not the footsteps of ordinary soldiers, but the resonance created by the flow of True Qi from internal martial arts experts.

The soldiers surrounding the courtyard parted to the sides like a tide, making way for a wide passage.

A squad of personal guards clad in silver armor with an imposing Aura strode in. The man walking in the very front had a figure as straight as a sword, a handsome face, and the majesty of one who had long been in a high position between his brows.