34: Chapter 34 Placement

In a courtyard within Xuzhou City, Lian Xiong was reporting today's events to a middle-aged man.

"Father, that Su Jiuchuan is vicious and cruel. He hacked the Lu Family father and son to death and is even selling off their assets. It's truly detestable! We absolutely cannot let him have his way, nor can we allow a mere Third-Rank to walk all over Xuzhou City." Lian Xiong could not help but say as he recalled the humiliation he had suffered at the Lu Family today.

This middle-aged man was none other than Lian Qi, the head of the Lian Family. He shook his head instead and said, "If Su Jiuchuan had seized the Lu Family's assets, that would indeed be a problem. It would mean having to share Xuzhou City's interests with him in the future. However, he has now sold the Lu Family's assets to several of our families, which shows he has no intention of settling down in Xuzhou."

"Then it doesn't matter. He can be sent away with just tens of thousands of taels of silver. After all, he is a High Grade Martial Artist."

Tens of thousands of taels of silver sounded like a lot, but to these great, influential families, it was nothing. Besides, to a Martial Artist, money was ultimately an external possession; as long as it was enough to maintain the Family's expenses, it was sufficient.

What truly established a Family's Foundation was martial power. Why had the Lian Family always been the strongest among the families in Xuzhou? Was it not because they had two Third-Rank Martial Artists, and an Old Ancestor cultivating in seclusion who was of the First Grade?

"But..." Lian Xiong was still unwilling to give up.

"Say no more, let this matter rest!" Lian Qi waved his hand impatiently.

Emerging from the courtyard, Lian Xiong was still indignant. Suddenly, his eyes darted around as an idea struck him. He hurriedly went out and called for a servant to prepare a carriage.

The carriage departed from the Lian Family estate and traveled rapidly for dozens of kilometers, arriving at a cave in the outskirts.

Lian Xiong stepped out of the carriage, tidied his clothes, and then walked into the cave alone.

The cave was not spacious, measuring barely thirty-odd meters from front to back, and a single person sat cross-legged in the center with closed eyes.

This person looked to be in his thirties, with long hair covering his face and a messy beard, clearly having spent years cultivating here.

"Second Uncle!" Lian Xiong called out, respectfully cupping his hands.

This was Lian Song, the other Third-Rank Martial Artist of the Lian Family besides Lian Qi. He was the most talented disciple of the Lian Family; not only had he broken through to the Third Rank, but he had also gained a Breakthrough from comprehending the Lian Family's "Hengyue Sword Technique", condensing his Sword Intent.

Sword Intent was the manifestation of martial will in Martial Skills, and it was of great help in breaking through to the Xiantian Realm.

Therefore, the Lian Family did not let him interfere in worldly affairs, allowing him to focus on cultivating in hopes of breaking through to the Xiantian Realm. If the Lian Family truly had a Xiantian expert one day, they would be able to become a world-renowned influential Family.

"What is it?" Lian Song asked, his eyes remaining closed.

"Second Uncle, recently a young man named Su Jiuchuan has appeared in Xuzhou City. I heard that half a month ago, when he was in Hechuan City, he was merely a Martial Artist who had just broken through to the Ninth Rank. But yesterday, he killed the head of the Lu Family at their residence, and is already a Third-Rank Martial Artist."

"Oh?" Lian Song suddenly opened his eyes. In the pitch-black cave, they seemed like a sharp sword, piercing through the darkness and striking fear into Lian Xiong's heart.

"I'm afraid he has some secret on him," Lian Xiong said hurriedly. "I was thinking that if Second Uncle could obtain the secret of his rapid Breakthrough, it might help you advance to the Xiantian Realm."

Seeing that his father was unwilling to take action against Su Jiuchuan, Lian Xiong thought of this second uncle.

If it were for any other reason, his second uncle would certainly not be interested, but he would definitely not let slip any secret that could elevate his martial path.

"Go, find out everything about his situation. I will take action personally." Having said that, he closed his eyes once more.

"Yes!" After replying, Lian Xiong slowly backed out of the cave.

...

On the other side, Su Jiuchuan called Su Yunxia, Su Yuanjiang, and Zheng Xinyue over.

"We are going to Xuande Temple tomorrow." Su Jiuchuan had thought about this for a long time. He was currently encountering danger frequently, and in many of his simulations, Su Yuanjiang and Su Yunxia had both become liabilities.

However, he currently had no one he could trust, or rather, no absolutely safe place where he could settle the two of them.

"Jiuchuan, we are still a drag on you." Su Yuanjiang blamed himself inwardly at this moment. Although they had survived a near-death experience at the Lu Family this time, they were indeed a liability.

For a long time, Su Yuanjiang had been the pillar of the Su Family. Whenever he went out on an escort mission, Su Jiuchuan and Su Yunxia would worry for ages. Yet, without realizing it, he had actually become a burden, which made him feel quite miserable.

"Actually, it doesn't matter for me," Su Yunxia also said, gritting her teeth. "I can stay anywhere. I cannot be a drag on you guys."

Su Jiuchuan felt a bit apologetic. His second sister and eldest brother were still the same as always, constantly thinking of him.

"In the past, you protected me, but now I can protect you. It's just that for now, we are indeed in danger. I want to temporarily settle you in a safe place, and once I am strong enough, I will come and get you."

The place Su Jiuchuan was considering for their settlement was indeed Xuande Temple.

In countless simulated lives, Xuande Temple had sheltered him for many years, until Xue Mingcai appeared and he was killed by her Senior Brother.

"We will do as you say!" Su Yuanjiang secretly vowed in his heart to work hard to become a Martial Artist so he could share his younger brother's burdens. For now, however, he would still follow his arrangements.

Seeing that he had persuaded his second sister and eldest brother, Su Jiuchuan then said to Zheng Xinyue, "Could you please arrange a carriage? I want to escort them to Xuande Temple."

...

As dusk gradually fell, a carriage drove out from the Fuyuan Escort Agency.

The carriage traveled through the night. As it passed by a small grove of trees, Su Jiuchuan suddenly stopped the driver and said, "Stop for a moment, we have a guest."

"Quite sharp!" A masked man slowly walked out of the pitch-black woods.

Su Jiuchuan had seen this masked man in countless simulations, and he was also rather curious, not knowing who this was.

"Who are you? Why are you waiting for me here?"

"I heard that in just a few months, you advanced directly from a Ninth-Rank Martial Artist to the Third Rank. Let's see what you're made of!"

Hearing this, Su Jiuchuan was startled. His identity was simply too easy to investigate. Clearly, such a rapid advancement had indeed attracted the attention of interested parties.

From his simulated lives, he knew this person was a formidable enemy. He slowly drew his long saber, his body exuding an Aura as immovable as a mountain.

"Not bad, you have some style!"

The masked man also slowly drew a long sword. With the sword in hand, his entire Aura became completely different.

Su Jiuchuan instantly felt as if a massive mountain peak were hovering in the air, locking onto him and ready to crash down at any moment.

Is this the Sword Intent of the mountain?

The sense of oppression from this person far exceeded that of the Lu Family head; this was a true High-Rank Martial Artist.

Battle Intent erupted from Su Jiuchuan, and a faint white Blade Qi condensed on his long saber, completely wrapping the blade in a thin layer.

This was the true strength of the "Blade Qi Secret Record". Only with the enhancement of Saber Intent could the Blade Qi manifest.