Chapter 110: Immortal Sword Manual

Sensing Liu Feixue’s gaze, Gu Ning’an lifted his eyes to meet hers. Their gazes crossed, and her delicate face flushed red as she pretended to casually look away.

Ying Du, seeing this, couldn’t help but click his tongue. “Does Miss Liu think that Mr. Gu and the immortal my master spoke of are a match?”

Liu Feixue shot him a glance but did not respond.

A bit awkward, Ying Du spoke to himself, “When I first entered the ruined temple, I thought the same thing.”

“In such a desolate place, Mr. Gu in a green robe, calmly roasting sweet potatoes in this ruined temple, completely unmoved by the strange outside world…”

“His temperament really does resemble the immortal my master encountered.”

Liu Feixue suddenly understood. “So, that’s why you dragged Mr. Gu into a bet with you.”

“Miss Liu, you’re astute. That’s exactly what I thought, but unfortunately, Mr. Gu wouldn’t give me that opportunity.” As he spoke, Ying Du’s gaze intentionally or unintentionally landed on Gu Ning’an.

The latter’s expression was indifferent, his eyes distant, seemingly lost in thought.

As if recalling something, Liu Feixue paused before speaking, “For the sake of your filial piety, I’ll offer you a piece of advice: don’t go to the Heavenly Sword Villa… If you insist on going, your life may be in danger.”

“Eh?” Ying Du raised an eyebrow. “Miss Liu, you’re implying something here… Isn’t this swordsmanship competition something that has been done before? Aren’t the matches usually just light sparring?”

“Moreover, I’m not even participating in the sword fight. I’m just going to seek an immortal.”

“If I’m not fighting, why would my life be at risk?”

Upon hearing this, a cold expression flickered on Liu Feixue’s face. “My father’s name is Liu Zhi…”

“Known in the martial world as the Liu Ye (Willow Leaf) Swordsman, Liu Zhi!”

Ying Du suddenly stood up, his face brimming with excitement. “Your father is the one who used the Flying Leaf Sword to defeat over thirty bandits, right? I admire him greatly!”

“What is he doing now? We haven’t heard of him in the martial world for a long time.”

Liu Feixue replied coolly, “Three years ago, the master of Heavenly Sword Villa, Qiu Qiangen, invited him to witness the so-called Immortal Sword Manual, but he never returned after going.”

“Was he killed?” Ying Du furrowed his brow, his tone somber. “Does Heavenly Sword Villa have the strength to do that?”

“He’s still alive, but it’s as if he’s dead,” Liu Feixue said, her eyes growing sharper with a chilling coldness.

Ying Du waved his hand. “Ah, Miss Liu, don’t leave me hanging! Hurry up and tell me. When I spoke just now, I didn’t hold anything back!”

“You’re telling half of it, pausing for a breath—it’s driving me mad with curiosity!”

Liu Feixue glanced at him, sighed, and then continued.

Three years ago, the “Willow Leaf Swordsman” went to Heavenly Sword Villa to witness the Immortal Sword Manual, staying there for several days without any news!

If he had been so immersed in the sword manual that he lost track of time and forgot to send word, it would have been understandable. But the issue was that he didn’t go alone—he brought several dozen disciples and attendants with him.

If he couldn’t send word, surely his disciples and attendants should have sent messages regularly.

Impatient, the Liu family went to search for him, and they found “Willow Leaf Swordsman” at the gates.

Upon questioning, they learned that the martial world’s famed swordsman had actually willingly become a gatekeeper for Heavenly Sword Villa and declared that he would remain as the gatekeeper from now on, severing all ties with the Liu family!

Right then and there, he severed ties with the Liu family. No matter how Madam Liu and Liu Feixue tried to persuade him, he remained unmoved.

When asked about the fate of the disciples and servants who had accompanied him, the Willow Leaf Swordsman shockingly replied, “I killed them!”

As for the reason?

He didn’t say. He only left one final remark: “If anyone comes looking for me again, they’ll end up like those disciples—whether they are blood relatives or not.”

Ying Du drew in a sharp breath and, after a pause, said, “This is even more terrifying than death!”

“Death could come from treachery, an ambush, or a trap… But for a swordsman to willingly agree to such a… uh, willingly agree to become a mere gatekeeper—what sort of method could make someone renounce all ties to their kin?”

Liu Feixue shook her head. “I don’t know. But the problem might lie in that so-called Immortal Sword Manual… So, I advise you not to go. If something goes wrong, it could cost you your life.”

“But… I have to go. After all, the world is vast—where else am I supposed to seek immortals?”

“Now that there’s an Immortal Sword Manual, whether it’s real or not, it has at least some connection to immortals.”

“I have to give it a try!”

At this point, perhaps feeling that the topic had become too heavy, Ying Du smacked his forehead, pulled a funny face, and sighed. “At least it’s better than me chasing after anyone in a green robe who looks like an immortal and trying to make bets with them, right?”

Liu Feixue didn’t respond to this. The fact that she had shared her own story to warn Ying Du against going was already as much as she could do.

If he had a reason that compelled him to go, she had no right to stop him—and she didn’t want to.

After all, her own journey here had been undertaken in defiance of her grief-stricken mother, who spent her days in tears.

“Mr. Gu, I see you have a sword as well. You’re not planning to join the swordsmanship competition at Heavenly Sword Villa, are you?” Ying Du naturally shifted the conversation to Gu Ning’an.

Gu Ning’an shook his head. “That wasn’t my original intention, but hearing you talk about it, I do feel like going to take a look.”

“With a wooden sword?” Ying Du smirked. “Mr. Gu, no offense, but if you entered the competition with that wooden sword, it’d probably be broken within a single round…”

Gu Ning’an smiled. “Like you, I’m not going to compete. I just want to see the place. What sword I bring doesn’t matter.”

“Besides, this sword of mine might not be so easily broken by ordinary weapons.”

This wooden sword… I could snap it with my hands… Ying Du gave an awkward laugh, then found a spot sheltered from the rain and lay down. “Who would’ve thought, in the end, we’re all headed to the same place. Might as well get some sleep now.”

“Tomorrow morning, once the rain stops, we’ve got to get moving again!”

As soon as Ying Du finished speaking, the sound of his snores filled the air.

“Young people do fall asleep quickly,” Gu Ning’an quipped. Just as he was about to close his eyes and rest, Liu Feixue lowered her voice and said to him, “Mr. Gu, if you really intend to go, make sure to cover your sword with something.”

“The rules at Heavenly Sword Villa are strict: anyone carrying a sword must step onto the stage and compete.”

Hearing this, Gu Ning’an cupped his hands in thanks. “Thank you for the warning, Miss.”

“No thanks needed.” After replying, Liu Feixue stood up, walked to a corner, took the sword from her back, held it in her arms, and finally allowed herself to relax before closing her eyes to rest.