Chapter 34

Because of Qiu Chiyan's matter, Zhenyue Hall thoughtfully designated that courtyard to facilitate the entry and exit of people outside the hall.

Ultimately, it's about drawing a clear line and making the matter as inconspicuous as possible.

Qin Lie finally managed to get rid of those troublesome people outside and rushed over to see Qiu Chiyan.

As soon as the door was closed, the old man started hurling very harsh insults.

Qiu Chiyan knew that he couldn't stop him, so he might as well let the old man vent his emotions, preferably in a quieter way.

"Look at you! You've only taken that little bit of silver from the Six Doors, and you're getting more and more spineless. Look at Xiao Yu, she just goes for it!"

“…Grandfather.” Speaking of this, Qiu Chiyan was quite helpless. Among so many people, not a single one stopped Shen Yu from participating in the Hundred Sects Sacrifice. “Didn’t you always tell me since I was little that everyone has their own destiny and that one’s own life should not be burdened on someone else’s shoulders? How could you let her go on such a risk?”

Qin Lie did say this, and he said it many times.

He always takes responsibility for anything that happens to him, but when it actually happened to his only grandson, he realized how easy it is to say "everyone has their own destiny" but how difficult it is to live by it.

Yuan Zhenliang is a petty person; if he were to ask for it, the old man might really refuse. For now, the only option is to let Shen Yu try according to the rules.

He was willing to risk someone else's life for a chance at survival, even if it meant cowering and acting like a coward.

But at his age, he couldn't bring himself to be open and honest with Shen Yu. And Shen Yu's steadfastness only made him feel more ashamed.

"You've known Manager Shen longer than I have. If she suddenly brings up something, can anyone else persuade her otherwise?"

"...Actually, she has always been a very kind person and is willing to listen to advice."

"...You brat, he's doing this for your own good and you're sabotaging him?" Qin Lie couldn't keep a straight face and pretended to beat him up.

Qiu Chiyan still had needles in his shoulder and couldn't move, so he could only look at the four directions above him.

The poison made his limbs weak and he would fall into a deep sleep from time to time, whether from the pain or not was unknown.

He knew nothing about what was happening in the outside world and could only rely on what others said.

But everyone prioritizes his life, and even if they do things he doesn't want to do, they won't tell him the truth.

“Grandfather, it’s too dangerous for her to participate in the Hundred Sects Sword Ceremony. Although she is highly skilled in martial arts, she has never been too worldly. Among those people, who isn’t risking their life on the edge of a blade?”

"...You have to believe her too. She broke Dou Qi's sword today, such blatant provocation, so...she must be confident." Qin Lie inwardly berated himself for putting pressure on a young girl, but he had no choice but to say it.

"If she were confident, she wouldn't have done something so high-profile."

Qin Lie lowered his eyes and slapped his thigh.

His grandson isn't stupid; even if Shen Yu doesn't say anything, and no one else does, it can't be kept secret.

"Since Xiaoyu has already done so, then let her give it a try. Don't completely reject her good intentions, just think of it as doing it for yourself, okay?"

“…”

Even if he was very kind and soft-hearted, Qin Lie couldn't say it to people's faces, so he just made up a few words and left.

He has a quick temper, never minces words, and hates seeing people get hurt. He's more suited to a ruthless, decisive solution than gentle words of comfort.

Shen Yu was even more decisive. In order to prevent Qiu Chiyan from saying anything that would disturb her mind, she deliberately made him fall into a deep sleep faster and more easily when she was preparing the medicine and administering acupuncture.

On the second day of the Hundred Gates Sacrifice, Shen Yu did not have to participate in the competition, but she still found an inconspicuous spot to watch the battle.

She leaped and sat on a low tree branch, munching on a soft persimmon, her expression serene.

Without her unexpected involvement, the competition between the various factions was not entirely surprising.

But it was still quite new to Shen Yu. She had only heard of most of these moves before, and this was the first time she had seen the real thing.

"Miss Chen."

Shen Yu munched on a persimmon and looked down. Dou Qi stood silently under the tree.

Why do you walk so quietly? Shouldn't you stand with your fellow disciples?

"I..." Dou Qi paused, then said, "The young lady is so engrossed in watching that it is not because I possess profound inner strength."

"Want some?" Shen Yu handed a persimmon down to him.

"No need, thank you."

Shen Yu continued watching from the stands.

“Young lady, is there anyone curious?” Dou Qi asked her.

"There was someone from Lieyang Fortress just now, do you know his movement techniques?"

Dou Qiyuan tried to strike up a conversation, but to his surprise, she was actually willing to say a few words to him.

"Yang Wencheng? He practices the unique mental techniques and fist techniques of Lieyang Fortress, called Lieyang Gangqi and Burning Blood Fist, which are extremely hard and tough kung fu."

"Who's stronger, you or him?"

Dou Qi was taken aback by her direct question and suddenly became slightly flustered: "I have never fought Yang Wencheng, but I have heard that he once fought on par with Young Master Huo."

Young Master Huo is naturally Huo Ningyu. The name itself is almost a scale, and those who hear it will naturally have their own opinions.

Dou Qi observed Shen Yu's expression but did not detect any tension or other emotions; she seemed to be just a pure bystander.

"I heard yesterday that Miss Shen is acquainted with the Huo family, so I suppose you have also sparred with Young Master Huo."

"Ah, that was a long time ago."

"So... what was the result?"

Shen Yu gave him a strange look: "What happened when you were eleven or twelve years old doesn't mean much today, does it?"

“…What you say is true, young lady. I was being presumptuous.”

"And what about this person?" Shen Yu pointed to the person on the stage.

"Qi Guang of the Lingtai Mountain Taoist sect specializes in the Mind-Calming Technique, focusing on maintaining his center of gravity and calming his breath, and his attacks are extremely fast."

The people Shen Yu named were all skilled fighters in the martial arts world, which was probably related to her actual skill level.

But Dou Qixin had some doubts—

She can quickly learn a new move and has such profound internal strength to break the sword, is it really necessary for her to be curious about those people?

"Have you heard of Zhao Wenlan of the Water Mirror Sect, young lady?"

"I've heard of him, he seems really powerful?"

"Yes, the Water Mirror Sect cultivates the Inner Observation Method. Everyone in the sect uses their mind to control their Qi and their Qi to control their form. Miss Zhao is the best among them. Many people say that if another ten years pass, the martial arts world will probably belong to her."

"Who did she fight with?"

"At least a dozen people present were all defeated by Miss Zhao."

Shen Yu said "Oh," finished the persimmon, slowly wiped her hands, and jumped down from the tree: "Thanks."

"...Miss Chen, aren't you worried?"

“Now that I’m here, I can’t just run away,” Shen Yu replied calmly.

"Perhaps it is presumptuous, but I still want to remind you, young lady." Dou Qi disregarded etiquette and spoke frankly, "If you want to win, then you should be less kind and know when to stop on the field."

He didn't know why he would say these things to someone he had only met once.

You can often judge a person better by engaging in physical combat than by talking to them.

Shen Yu's sword strikes were restrained and clean, making him a trustworthy person, but also the kind who is easily injured.

"Miss Shen may have stayed away from the martial world in the past, believing that martial arts sparring should stop when the point is reached. But the rule of the martial world is to determine who is superior. You showed mercy, but others may not."

Shen Yu stood with her hands on her hips, her gaze still fixed on the main altar: "Thank you. I know it's not easy to say this, but I have my own considerations."

"Miss Shen is...?"

"Are you coming again tomorrow? Based on your experience, do you think it's better to defend your title first, or to attack later?"

"Of course...the later you go on stage, the less energy you need to conserve."

Shen Yu nodded: "Thank you."

Dou Qi didn't understand what she meant, but he understood the next day.

There are only two flags on the stage, but the base is made in the shape of a roly-poly toy, so that it can straighten itself no matter how it is hit.

Shen Yu leaped forward and stood on the platform to claim a spot.

Yao Liuliu and Gong Er nearly collapsed from exhaustion while sitting in the audience.

They didn't know about this.

An uproar erupted in the crowd.

As is customary, the two defending champions can be chosen voluntarily or by drawing lots, while the remaining sixteen people can choose any one of the defending champions to challenge.

With Shen Yu taking the initiative, others quickly rose to the position next to the flag.

Although Shen Yu is considered the dark horse of this competition, his opponent is the more renowned Guihetang Junhe.

In comparison, it seems that Shen Yu's side has an easier time succeeding.

Shen Yu still held the plain sword that Kai Ping had given her. She rolled the flag base back twice to make room for herself.

She had seen the first person to challenge her yesterday.

"Lei Aomen Chengbo, may I ask for your guidance, young lady?"

The man was eight feet tall and had a robust build. He wielded two hammers and his every step was like an earthquake.

Shen Yu remained silent, only making a gesture of invitation.

The double hammers whistled as they hurtled towards her.

She moved lightly, the tip of her sword trembling slightly, and blocked the attack head-on.

Shen Yu considered himself to be quite strong, but compared to this person, he was nothing.

Cheng Bo's strength was extremely fierce, and his hammer blows pressed down like a storm.

In that case, Shen Yu decided against a direct confrontation.

She took a step forward, lightly flicking the tip of her sword. Taking advantage of the opponent's unsteady center of gravity, she spun the sword, gathering her inner force, and sliced ​​off a hammerhead.

The clang of metal against metal caused Cheng Bo to stagger a few steps.

Cheng Bo roared and swung his double hammers in a fierce attack, but Shen Yu nimbly dodged them. Her sword moved like a shadow, bypassing his weapon, and she struck his shoulder lock with a backhand strike, forcing Cheng Bo to stop attacking.

Cheng Bo was defeated so quickly that the others dared not rush forward in a swarm. They also began to consider the order and observe the movements of others.

In this kind of competition, they are not only competing for themselves, so they must not only win, but also win gracefully, so as not to be judged for favoritism.

The initial skepticism and whispers about Shen Yu gradually turned into open discussion, as if being evaluated by them was a sign of great importance.

"This Miss Shen is skilled, but... is she too ruthless? She broke people's weapons twice on stage. Her temperament probably needs further refinement."

"So what if they're strong? I think you're just sour grapes." Gong Er heard someone talking about crickets several people away and retorted with his head tilted back.

"Hey, forget it, aren't you afraid of being recognized?" Yao Liuliu pulled him away and they moved to a new spot to watch the game.

But Gong Er was still not satisfied: "She's making enemies easily."

"Perhaps..." Yao Liuliu didn't know what to say, so she patiently read on.

Soon, another person flew up and arrived in front of Shen Yu.

"Guanzhong Knife Society, Chu Wen."

Chu Wen had a handsome face, but the long sword in his hand didn't match his overall demeanor. The sword was broad and thick, reflecting light slightly, and its blade was as sharp as a cold star.

Yesterday, he noticed that the strange woman used his moves during the fight. To the untrained eye, they were almost identical to his original techniques. But he knew perfectly well that it was just a facade.

She didn't truly grasp the essence of the swordsmanship; she merely cleverly imitated the movements.

Therefore, she really did learn on the spot, not as those conspiracy theories maliciously speculated.

That's interesting.

I just wonder how she will handle it if she takes the stage herself?