Chapter Twenty-Four: Interception

The current head of the Chu family in Yuan'an City, Huming Province, may not have been much of a cultivator himself, but his offspring were certainly impressive. His eldest son, by a stroke of fortune, married the daughter of a top-tier sect in Huming Province and is highly likely to become its heir. His second son also possesses respectable talent and has already been named the successor of a minor sect.

It was thought that the Chu family’s glory would continue for a long time, and that they would eventually dominate Yuan'an City. However, less than two years later, the family head had a daughter. From the moment she was born, she shook the world, entering a prestigious sect that truly earned the title of "Grand Sect." There, she gradually rose to prominence, poised to become the sect's Holy Maiden.

Countless cultivators would gladly brave fire and water for her, and upon learning she was betrothed, many wished they could slay her fiancé on the spot. It seemed that aside from having a fiancé, she had no flaws whatsoever. Moreover, the Holy Son of her sect was among her admirers; in everyone's eyes, they were a match made in heaven. No one believed that Chu Linghe would ever marry some nobody hiding away in Huming Province. Perhaps even she had never considered such a thing.

Suddenly, a young man blocked the path. His eyes flickered, and his voice was cold. "My name is Chan Mingqi. I am here today for only one reason: hand over the marriage contract."

Passersby, hearing this, cleared the way, delighted to witness such a scene. Chu Xianlv blinked, shoved a sword into Xie Peiling's hand, and whispered, "This is the son of one of my aunts. He has decent talent and has been in love with my sister for a long time. Go on, defeat him and pass the first hurdle to marrying my sister!"

After saying this, she gave him a firm shove, pushing Xie Peiling forward a few steps. The young girl then retreated to the sidelines, cheering loudly for him, "Go! You’re the best!"

When the townspeople saw that it was Chan Mingqi blocking the way, they gasped and shook their heads at Xie Peiling. Among the Chu family’s four children—excluding the family head—seventeen have embarked on the path of cultivation. While the man before them might not be the strongest among them, he was still considered top-tier in Yuan'an City. Behind Chan Mingqi followed several of his fellow disciples, who began critiquing how many moves Xie Peiling might last against him.

Chan Mingqi stood tall, composed and confident. He looked at the young man before him and smiled. "Why are you wearing a bamboo hat?"

"I don't wish to show my face," Xie Peiling replied casually.

Chan Mingqi nodded and asked, "Why not just hand over the marriage contract? We could shake hands, share a meal, and call it a day. Wouldn't that be better?"

"I am not Qionglin Yan."

"Then why is the marriage contract in your hands?"

"He gave it to me for safekeeping before he left."

The crowd burst into laughter, finding the man pathetic for wanting the contract but refusing to fight.

Chan Mingqi was enraged. "No one could ever take that contract away, so why would he give it to you? It was his first day in Yuan'an City; surely he wouldn't hand over such a sacred object upon first meeting you?"

Xie Peiling said with complete sincerity, "Believe it or not, I am not him, but the contract is indeed in my hands. I promised him I would not give it to anyone else."

Chan Mingqi laughed in anger. "Fine, fine, fine... I don't care who you are. I am getting that contract today."

With that, Chan Mingqi stopped talking. He stood with his hands behind his back, making no move to draw his sword. Illusionary river water began to ripple around him, refracting the sunlight into blinding glimmers. Within those phantom waves, the shadows of countless swords circled him.

"This sword is named 'Mingji,'" Chan Mingqi said coldly. "It was a gift from the family head when I came of age. The elders always tell me to understand my own nature so that I may extinguish all things, but what do they know of what lies in my heart?"

"Are you not going to draw your sword?"

Xie Peiling replied, "This isn't my sword. I don't know how to introduce it."

Thinking he was being looked down upon, Chan Mingqi let out a muffled snort and stopped speaking. As soon as he finished, a phantom image struck out. Xie Peiling leaped lightly, dodging to the side.

Chan Mingqi missed his strike. Before his feet touched the ground, the sword shadows around him intensified, the sword energy swirling violently like a dragon diving down. The onlookers applauded at the sight.

Still in mid-air, Chan Mingqi gave him no room to breathe. He ascended again, stepping on swords, his figure tearing through the sky. Countless shadows manifested beneath his feet, and each sword he stepped on was kicked toward Xie Peiling like a shooting star.

To Xie Peiling, these attacks felt soft. Though they might appear impenetrable to others, he saw flaws everywhere. He held his long sword in front of him, parrying each strike perfectly, a series of clashing sounds ringing out.

After blocking the final waves of sword energy, he looked up to see Chan Mingqi hovering high above, having gathered his strength for a long time. A junior sister behind him exclaimed, "Senior Brother Chan has perfected the 'True Explanation of the Hua Path'! His sword energy is incredibly sharp. When we return, he will surely break through and become a direct disciple of the sect!"

"The outcome is decided." The crowd stared, eager to see how this powerful strike would defeat Xie Peiling.

Chu Xianlv waved her hands and shouted, "It’s okay! I believe in you. He's just a little Chan Mingqi; you can do it!"

Xie Peiling sighed inwardly, feeling annoyed as the rain of sword light aimed from above. He acted as he had before, his long sword moving fluidly. Each incoming beam was deflected, and the booming echoes filled the street with dust.

Suddenly, a sword glare of unknown origin—extraordinarily powerful and resembling a bolt of lightning—engulfed the street in silver light. Everyone squeezed their eyes shut.

The fighting ceased. It had only been a few minutes, and everyone assumed the glare had come from Chan Mingqi, as Xie Peiling had been "forced to defend" the entire time. Simultaneously, a figure slowly emerged from the dust. It was Chan Mingqi. Everyone let out a sigh of relief, smiling in expectation. But after stumbling forward two steps, he collapsed. He tried to force himself up, but couldn't help it; he spat out a mouthful of blood as he hit the ground, a gruesome blood-hole visible on his back.

His figure was swallowed by the dust, while the figure in the bamboo hat remained as he had been from the start: holding his sword in his right hand, dealing with every incoming strike with effortless ease.