Martial Cultivator

The atmosphere inside the Myriad Spring Brothel became tense. The sword cultivators who had barged in faced the young man, hesitant to make a move. Some sword cultivators cautiously released their sword qi to probe him but got no results. After a brief silence, a flying sword finally could not stand it, and shot up from the first floor, attacking Chen Chao with its sword qi. The ordinary women in the brothel cried out in fear.

Though the flying sword was fast, Chen Chao's reaction was faster. Before the flying sword could reach him, he grabbed the hilt with one hand, and with the other hand, he clutched the blade without caring whether the sharp edge would slice his palm open. With a forceful twist, the sword immediately bent, emitting a mournful cry. It curved into a full arc before breaking into two pieces.

Chen Chao casually threw the two pieces of the broken sword, embedding them into a table and a wooden pillar on the first floor.

The sword cultivator, whose lifeblood sword had been broken, suffered a severe injury and spat out a mouthful of blood. When he looked at Chen Chao again, his eyes were filled with both shock and fear.

Chen Chao did not waste any words. He simply extended his bloodied hand and beckoned to the sword cultivators below.

The atmosphere grew strange.

"Don't be afraid, everyone. No matter how strong he is, he's just one person. If we join forces, we can surely kill him."

A sword cultivator in the crowd spoke up, staring at the saber at Chen Chao's waist with a smile, "He's just a martial artist. Everyone, don't worry. If we all attack together, we can surely kill him!"

With his encouragement, the countless sword cultivators exchanged glances, and then an awe-inspiring scene unfolded. Countless flying swords surged from the first floor like a swarm of locusts, all heading towards the second floor. The flying swords that appeared in Chen Chao's view were dense and uncountable.

Yu Chu who had been standing behind him looked worried. She was not worried about herself being pierced by these swords but was concerned that Chen Chao might die. To her, such a good person did not deserve to die like this.

Sensing her concern, Chen Chao smiled, "Just paltry tricks, what's there to worry about?"

As he spoke, all the flying swords reached within ten feet of him, filling the Myriad Spring Brothel with a dense and terrifying sword qi.

But in the next moment, the flying swords suddenly stopped when they arrived ten feet in front of Chen Chao, unable to advance further. No matter how much their masters tried, the swords could not move an inch past the barrier of qi surrounding the young martial artist.

Chen Chao narrowed his eyes at the sword cultivators, then smiled, "I'll return these to you."

As soon as he spoke, the countless flying swords instantly turned around, shooting towards the sword cultivators on the first floor with overwhelming momentum.

The sword cultivators' expressions changed drastically as they scattered in all directions. Many could not dodge in time and were struck in the hands and feet by the flying swords. The luckier ones managed to escape the Myriad Spring Brothel, avoiding injury. However, the brothel itself suffered greatly as countless flying swords rained down indiscriminately on the first floor, leaving it in utter ruin and disrepair.

After the flying swords settled, the first floor was filled with groaning sounds and cries of pain.

The madam's face turned ugly. Although she was not this brothel's true boss behind the scenes, she managed all its affairs daily. Now, faced with such extensive damage, she could not remain calm.

Even though the young martial artist had said he would compensate for the damages, given the abilities that he had demonstrated, he could easily walk away after the deed was done. Who would dare stop him?

Yu Chu who had always been composed was also greatly shocked by this scene. She stared wide-eyed at the back of the young martial artist, unable to fathom that this seemingly ordinary young man was actually such a formidable cultivator.

Having easily dealt with the sword cultivators, Chen Chao did not go on a killing spree. He just waved his hand in disgust and said, "Still not scramming?"

The sword cultivators struggled to their feet and ran out of the Myriad Spring Brothel. In a moment, the bustling Myriad Spring Brothel was now deserted. Chen Chao turned to the madam with a smile and said, "Or perhaps you could go ask them for money?"

The madam smiled bitterly. "What are you saying, Young Master? Even if you were to tear down this Myriad Spring Brothel, it would be as you wish."

Chen Chao shook his head and chuckled. "That's not what I mean. I was just joking earlier. I'll cover the losses from the Myriad Spring Brothel and the money for redeeming this Miss Yu."

The madam was astonished. "Young Master, you're not joking?"

Chen Chao asked curiously, "Am I someone who enjoys making jokes?"

After some thought, the madam shook her head. "If Young Master wishes to take Miss Yu away, then do so. The Myriad Spring Brothel will just take it as if we never had such an entertainer."

Being experienced in worldly matters, the madam understood that it was better to establish a friendly relationship with the extraordinary young martial artist before her than to demand monetary compensation. Perhaps one day, this friendship would prove very useful.

Chen Chao also knew what the madam was thinking. He smiled but said nothing, then took out a pouch of money from his pocket and tossed it to the madam. "The skygold coins inside should be enough."

Sometimes, it was better to insist on repayment than to casually owe a favor. The complexities of human relationships were never simple.

Afterward, Chen Chao walked out of the Myriad Spring Brothel with Yu Chu. There was no sign of the sword cultivators on the street.

Yu Chu thought for a moment, then thanked Chen Chao again. She hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say.

Chen Chao shook his head and said, "One should go all the way when lending a helping hand. Having a flying sword but not being able to train in the sword, what's the point of having one?"

Chen Chao had already made up his mind. If things did not work out, he would bring this woman back to the Divine Capital. He would ask Xie Nandu to help find a sect for her, or perhaps he would directly ask Xie Nandu to impart Sword Dao.

However, before Chen Chao could speak, footsteps sounded at the end of the street. Countless constables with sabers appeared at the end of the street. Then, the crowd parted, and a military official in official robes appeared at the end of Chen Chao's line of sight.

Chen Chao narrowed his eyes but did not speak.

He just looked up at a high building where a window was pushed open. A middle-aged sword cultivator stood at the window with a young sword cultivator. The middle-aged cultivator looked down at Chen Chao and smiled, "Fellow Daoist, your cultivation realm isn't low, but this flying sword was never yours. Why must you insist on getting involved in this mess? Hand over the flying sword and I will remember Fellow Daoist's favor."

Chen Chao raised his head and asked with a smile, "Fellow Daoist, with your average cultivation realm, how dare you say such things?"

The middle-aged sword cultivator smiled and said, "Although my cultivation is average, I may not necessarily be able to kill Fellow Daoist. But since Fellow Daoist is a martial artist, don't you understand the principle that civilians shouldn't oppose officials in the Great Liang Dynasty?"

Chen Chao frowned and asked curiously, "Turns out that Fellow Daoist has some connection with the local warden here?"

The middle-aged sword cultivator did not hide it and nodded. "That's why you should realize your circumstances, Fellow Daoist"

Chen Chao remained silent, but after retracting his gaze, he looked towards the local warden who was approaching mightily.

The one dressed in military official's robes was indeed the warden of Sword Proximity Commandery.

The man initially did not say a word, but after receiving a nod from the middle-aged sword cultivator, he spoke up, "What audacity! Who dares to cause chaos under this official's jurisdiction?"

Chen Chao said calmly, "Your Excellency, what grand official airs."

"You dare to commit acts of violence, why haven't you surrendered? Do you dare to disregard the laws of the Great Liang?!"

The warden's voice resonated like a bell. With a considerable cultivation level, he was considered a decent martial artist.

Suddenly, Yu Chu whispered, "Sir, civilians shouldn't oppose officials. This flying sword... I don't want it anymore."

Chen Chao did not turn his head but said, "What's yours is yours. As long as I'm here, no one can snatch it from you."

Chen Chao lowered his head to take a look at his bloodied hand, and then smiled as he asked, "Does Your Excellency know why the warden of Ancient Mountain Commandery, Xu Xuanshan, died?"

Given that it was an event that occurred in Yellow Dragon Prefecture, it would be impossible for the warden in front of him not to know about it.

The warden was taken aback, but immediately said expressionlessly, "You villain, for your heinous acts, this warden will punish you based on the laws of the Great Liang. No one can say otherwise!"

He just assumed that the young martial artist before him was attempting to intimidate him by claiming that he was colluding with foreign cultivators.

Before Chen Chao could speak further, two figures appeared in the distance, heading toward him.

They were none other than the Xu Bai couple Chen Chao had been seeking.