Chapter 114: Willow Leaf Swordsman

While others couldn’t see the wandering spirits, Gu Ning’an could see them clearly.

Beneath nearly every locust tree stood a restless soul.

These spirits retained the appearances they had at the time of their deaths, with pairs of emerald-green eyes glowing eerily.

However, the spirits seemed to be trapped by the locust trees. They could only move aimlessly within a small area.

The sudden arrival of so many living people—particularly sword-wielding warriors brimming with yang energy—agitated the spirits, who let out long, eerie hissing sounds.

Judging by the countless spirits bound to the locust trees, it was evident that the Heavenly Sword Villa had committed grave atrocities.

Not only did this method of confinement disrupt the balance of heaven and earth, but the countless skeletons buried beneath the trees revealed that Heavenly Sword Villa had become a scourge upon the world.

…

By midday, Gu Ning’an and his group finally reached the gates of Heavenly Sword Villa.

The villa’s buildings were designed to resemble pavilions, and from a distance, they looked like sharp swords piercing the sky.

Once past the gate, they stepped onto flat ground. A massive plaza sprawled before them, crowded with people from all walks of life.

It wasn’t until they overheard the conversations of those around them that Gu Ning’an and his companions learned why they had been stuck on the mountain path earlier. Two groups had broken into a fight ahead of them.

On the narrow mountain road, such brawls often caused accidental injuries, so most of the travelers nearby had stepped aside to let the fight run its course before continuing up the mountain.

Clang!

A sharp sword cry suddenly rang out, silencing the noisy crowd.

Everyone turned toward the source of the sound: a middle-aged man clad in tight-fitting clothing.

The man’s hair was tied high, his sword-like eyebrows framed piercing eyes, and his very presence radiated an indescribable sharpness.

The moment he appeared, Liu Feixue’s expression grew noticeably animated.

“Is that your father?” Ying Du noticed her reaction and asked in a low voice.

Liu Feixue nodded slightly, her gaze fixed firmly on the man.

“Those who fought on the mountain path earlier, step forward,” Liu Zhi commanded. His low voice carried a sharp edge as his eyes swept over the crowd.

A mocking voice soon broke the silence.

“Well, well, I wondered who it was coming out so aggressively. Turns out it’s the Willow Leaf Swordsman, Liu Zhi!”

“What’s this? Have you gotten so used to being a guard dog that you even want to meddle in the fights of us wandering swordsmen?”

The speaker was a man with two long swords strapped to his waist. His narrow, beady eyes resembled a snake’s—cold, venomous, and filled with malice.

“That’s the Snake Swordsman,” Lu Ming whispered to Gu Ning’an and the others.

“His swordsmanship is known for being both cunning and lightning-fast. The two swords he carries are permanently coated in poison. They’re like a viper’s fangs—just the slightest scratch, and you’re dead.”

Ying Du chimed in, “Mr. Gu, do you think they’ll fight?”

“You’re hoping to bet on whether they’ll fight, aren’t you?” Gu Ning’an immediately saw through Ying Du’s intentions.

Ying Du froze for a moment, then rubbed his hands awkwardly.

“Just a friendly wager—no stakes involved, just for fun. What do you say?”

Gu Ning’an waved his hand dismissively.

“Not interested.”

Rejected, Ying Du said no more and turned his attention back to Liu Zhi.

Nearby, Liu Feixue rested her hand on the hilt of her sword, her eyes locked onto the Snake Swordsman. She was clearly ready to leap into action at the slightest provocation.

“Anyone else stepping forward?” Liu Zhi paid no heed to the Snake Swordsman’s taunts and continued scanning the crowd.

Seeing this, the Snake Swordsman smirked and began walking toward him.

“Stop calling out. Your reputation as the Willow Leaf Swordsman still carries some weight in the martial world. Aside from someone like me, who isn’t afraid of you, who else would dare step forward?”

Shing!

Two flashes of light shot out from the Snake Swordsman’s waist, aiming straight for Liu Zhi’s side and chest!

Clamor!

The crowd erupted into chaos.

No one had expected the Snake Swordsman to launch a sneak attack against Liu Zhi right here in Heavenly Sword Villa!

In the crowd, Liu Feixue had already drawn her sword halfway out of its sheath. She cried out, “Watch out!” and prepared to charge forward.

Clack!

Gu Ning’an raised a hand and gently pushed her sword back into its sheath.

“Mr. Gu!” Liu Feixue was furious. She never expected Mr. Gu, who was standing beside her, to stop her from helping.

“Snake Swordsman is already dead,” Gu Ning’an said calmly.

Just as his words fell, the Snake Swordsman collapsed with a heavy thud. A faint trace of blood appeared on his forehead, with tiny droplets seeping out.

Seeing her father unharmed, Liu Feixue finally breathed a sigh of relief. However, she still turned to Gu Ning’an with a serious expression.

“Mr. Gu, why did you stop me?”

“If you had rushed in, your father would’ve killed you as well,” Gu Ning’an replied indifferently, his tone unchanging despite her questioning.

“Impossible!” Liu Feixue retorted without hesitation. “My father would never strike me down without a word!”

Gu Ning’an didn’t bother to explain further.

“If you don’t believe me, next time, I won’t stop you.”

“You—!” Liu Feixue’s eyes narrowed, but after a long pause, she stepped away without saying more.

Seeing the tension between the two, Ying Du quickly tried to mediate.

“Miss Liu, Mr. Gu stopped you for your own good… Besides, didn’t your father take care of that lousy Snake Swordsman with a single move?”

But Liu Feixue, still upset, ignored Ying Du completely. Hugging her sword, she stared silently at Liu Zhi ahead.

Embarrassed, Ying Du chuckled awkwardly before turning to Gu Ning’an.

“Didn’t expect you to be so skilled, Mr. Gu. I couldn’t even react when Miss Liu was about to rush forward, but you not only stopped her effortlessly, you also predicted that the Willow Leaf Swordsman would win before he even struck!”

“I’m genuinely impressed!”

Gu Ning’an replied simply, “I just happened to stop her.”

“Ah, Mr. Gu, no need to be so modest!” Seeing that Gu Ning’an wasn’t inclined to talk further, Ying Du wisely refrained from pressing him.

Though Ying Du lacked martial skills, his keen observation had kept him alive under his master, the Nine-Fingered Old Demon, for many years.

Stopping Liu Feixue might only require quick reflexes, but predicting that the Snake Swordsman would die? That wasn’t an ordinary skill.

Ying Du was certain of one thing: when Gu Ning’an declared, “Snake Swordsman is already dead,” Liu Zhi’s sword was still several inches away from the Snake Swordsman’s forehead!

At that distance, if the Snake Swordsman had reacted quickly enough, he could have dodged.

After all, Liu Zhi had dodged the Snake Swordsman’s two earlier strikes at a similar range!