Supreme Sword Exalt

On the western border of the Great Qi, in Tianwu City, at the Gu family’s estate.

Night had just fallen, and the grand hall was brightly lit. A bloodied youth, barely breathing, lay at the center of the hall. Dozens of core members of the Gu family surrounded him like wolves circling their prey, each exuding murderous intent.

“In front of us is the adopted son of the Gu family, Gu Han! He is guilty of treachery, violating the natural order, committing inhuman atrocities, harming his kin, and attempting patricide!”

A tall and slender young man stared at the boy with cruelty and delight in his eyes. His voice was slow and deliberate. “By order of the grand elder, he is to be stripped of his position as Young Lord; his cultivation shall be destroyed, his meridians severed, and he shall be expelled from the family. He shall be cast out of the city as a warning to others!”

Gu Han laid motionless, silent. His face was covered in blood and grime, but his eyes burned fiercely, like roaring flames threatening to engulf everything before them.

“Young Master!”

At that moment, a frantic voice came from outside. A young girl, about thirteen or fourteen years of age and clutching a battered black sword, rushed in. Her eyes were clear and her expression determined.

Smack!

A crisp slap resounded. The girl was struck across the face by a guard and fell to the ground. Her fair cheek swelled visibly, and blood seeped from the corner of her lips.

She seemed oblivious to the pain. She struggled to her feet and attempted to enter the hall again, only to be struck down once more.

“Interesting. You’ve fallen this low, yet this fool remains loyal to you.”

The slender young man cast a glance at the girl and laughed mockingly, “You’re nothing but a stray dog picked up by the Gu family. Yet you dare to claim the position of young lord? You think that you deserve the resources of the Gu family? That anyone should remain faithful to you? You think you deserve it?”

“You’re just jealous of me.” Gu Han’s fiery gaze intensified. Although his voice was weak, it carried a trace of scorn. “Even if you destroy me with your petty schemes, you’ll never measure up to me.”

The young man’s fingers twitched slightly, a fleeting trace of fear and murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

“Gu Han.” He crouched down suddenly, saying earnestly, “I’ve waited seventeen years for this day. How long do you think you and her can survive the demonic beasts outside the city in your current state? A day? Half a day? Or even less?”

Gu Han shut his eyes, concealing the hatred and flames in his gaze. “I will return.”

“Good.” The young man rose slowly, looking down at him. “I’ll be waiting for your return. I’ll wait for your revenge. I’ll wait for you to kill me!”

“Enough.” At the head of the hall, an elder with an eagle nose and hawk-like eyes raised his hand. His voice was indifferent. “Throw him out.”

This man was none other than Gu Chang, the grand elder of the Gu family.

“Yes!” someone responded immediately, dragging Gu Han out.

As the figures moved, the flickering light from the lamps illuminated Gu Chang’s face, casting shadows that made his already grim expression appear even more ruthless and sinister.

“No different from a dog.”

Watching Gu Han being dragged away, the young man exhaled a breath full of pent-up resentment and laughed gleefully.

“A stray dog!”

“From this day forth!” Gu Chang pointed at the young man, and his gaze swept across the room. He sternly continued, “My grandson, Gu Yang, shall be the new young lord of the Gu family.”

“Greetings, Young Lord!” The crowd bowed respectfully, their expressions filled with respect.

“Rise, everyone!”

Gu Yang laughed heartily, his mood soaring.

Outside the hall, the night was heavy and oppressive. A boy and a girl were dragged away into the dark, accompanied by the biting wind and the sound of the girl’s quiet sobs.

Inside, servants brought in more lamps, and the hall grew as bright as day. The crowd’s jubilant congratulations filled the air, igniting a fire of pride and ambition in Gu Yang’s heart.

***

Three days later, morning sunlight bathed Tianwu City, bringing a touch of vitality to this frontier town.

On a long street within the city, a frail young girl trudged forward, gritting her teeth. She carried a bloodied youth on her back. The youth, about seventeen or eighteen years old, had a tattered black sword strapped to his back with rough cloth strips. He had been unconscious for a long time, his breathing labored. He was none other then Gu Han.

The girl’s condition wasn’t much better. Her clothes were so stained that their original color was unrecognizable. Her once fair and delicate face was now covered in dust, and several bright red palm prints were still visible.

Sweat trickled down her face, causing her wounds to sting and making her wince.

Who knew how far she had walked? Her shoes were worn through, and her feet were bloody and mangled. Each step she took left a faint bloody footprint on the cobblestone road.

“Ptoo! Disgraceful beast!”

“You’re being too kind. He’s worse than a demonic beast!”

“Exactly! The Gu family raised him for seventeen years, and he repays them by committing such an unthinkable crime. He’s insane!”

The people’s mocking and disdainful remarks were like daggers, piercing into the air as they pointed and cursed at the pair.

In these three days, Gu Chang’s deliberate spreading of the patricide accusation had painted Gu Han as a monstrous criminal, turning the once-glorified young lord into a someone who committed patricide that was reviled by all.

But the girl didn’t seem to hear them, or perhaps she did, but she was too drained to argue. Her staggering steps continued, her hazy but determined gaze focused forward, her tired feet leaving a trail of bloody footprints behind her.

Her destination was the city lord’s mansion!

***

Meanwhile, in the main hall of the Gu mansion, Gu Chang and his grandson Gu Yang were deep in conversation.

Gu Yang asked, puzzled, “Grandfather, why didn’t we simply kill Gu Han that day? Wouldn’t that have resolved everything once and for all?”

“Kill him?” Gu Chang shot him a side glance.

“We ambushed and killed Gu Tian to reclaim our power in the Gu family. That was step one. Pinning the crime on Gu Han and thoroughly crippling him was step two.”

Gu Tian was Gu Han’s adoptive father and the head of the Gu family.

“In any case, he’s gravely injured now; I completely crushed his meridians. He won’t live more than three days. So why should I dirty my hands any further? Besides, the longer he clings to life, the more useful he becomes to us.”

“I see it now.”

A realization dawned on Gu Yang, and his face lit up with understanding. “You intend to use this situation to bolster our standing!”

“Precisely.”

Gu Chang nodded approvingly. “The more pitiful his end, the more it intimidates others and highlights the magnitude of our Gu family. It will also greatly benefit your upcoming entry into the Great Qi Martial Academy. And with the frequent demonic beast attacks outside the city walls, he’s likely already become their dinner!”

***

The Great Qi Martial Academy, located in the royal capital, was a haven for the elites of the younger generation. Countless young talents fought tooth and nail for admission.

Outstanding performance there could even attract the attention of powerful sects, earning one the privilege of becoming a personal disciple and skyrocketing to greatness.

However, the academy’s admission process was strict. For a small border city like Tianwu, there was only one slot every five years, leading to fierce competition among the local families.

“Enough! No need to dwell on him anymore.”

Gu Chang’s tone shifted as he said warningly, “Remember, the competition for the academy’s slot takes place in a month. You must not slack off. Missing this opportunity would be unforgivable!”

“Don’t worry, Grandfather.”

Hearing mention of the Martial Academy, Gu Yang’s confidence surged.

“Without Gu Han, those other challengers... they don’t even deserve to be called competition! This battle will mark the beginning of my rise!”

In the path of cultivation, there were countless realms. Qi Condensation, Meridian Opening, Acupoint Unsealing, Essence Gathering, Spirit Profound, Divine Connection, and more. Each realm was further divided into nine stages.

At just nineteen years old, Gu Yang had already reached the fifth stage of the Meridian Opening realm. While he was slightly inferior to Gu Han, who was at the seventh stage, his cultivation placed him firmly above the rest of Tianwu City’s younger generation.

“It’s just so unfortunate...” A trace of regret flashed in Gu Yang’s eyes. “If only I could have gotten my hands on the golden seal Gu Tian held. Then everything would have been perfect.”

Gu Chang waved dismissively. “Don’t push your luck.”

“Securing control of the Gu family and crippling that little bastard is already a triumph. As for the golden seal...”

At this point, a flicker of apprehension crossed his face.

“Initially, I thought it was some extraordinary artifact. But after witnessing how it drove Gu Tian into a murderous frenzy, making him disregard kinship and reason, I suspect it harbors some great danger. Even if you obtained it, you might not be able to use it.”

“Grandfather, do you think Gu Tian is really dead?”

“There’s no way he survived!” Gu Chang’s eyes narrowed, his expression resolute. “I drove that sword into his heart with my own hands. Even if he were the city lord himself, there’s no way he could have lived through it!”

At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed from outside.

“Grand Elder! Young Master!”

“Hm?” Gu Yang narrowed his eyes, cold light flashing in them as he stared at the panting servant. “What did you just call me?”

“Young Master...” The servant suddenly shivered, hurriedly correcting himself. “Young Lord, Gu... Gu Han has returned!”

“What did you just say!”

Gu Yang’s face instantly darkened.

“Where is he?”

“I think... he’s gone to the city lord’s mansion!”

***

In front of the city lord’s mansion.

“The audacity!”

A guard sneered coldly at a young girl standing at the entrance.

“Our young lady is of noble status! How could she possibly befriend someone who committed patricide? If you continue to spout such nonsense and tarnish my lady’s reputation, don’t blame me for taking your life!”

“But...”

The girl looked flustered, muttering softly, “Didn’t Miss Liu use to be friends with my young master? Please, I beg you, let me in! The young master... he’s dying...”

“Ah Sha...”

Suddenly, a weak voice broke through the noise, startling the girl. It was Gu Han, roused from his fainting state by the commotion.

“Why... did you come here?”

“Young Master, I came to ask Miss Liu to save you!”

“It’s no use. Let’s go...”

“But...”

“Listen to me. Let’s go!”

***

In the rear garden of the city lord’s mansion, there was a young woman clad in a light azure dress, her snow-white skin and graceful figure exuding an air of tranquility. Her demeanor was cold and elegant, otherworldly in its refinement.

This was the city lord’s daughter, Liu Ying.

“Young Lady,” her maid asked in confusion, “he’s on the brink of death. Are you really not going to help him?”

“Why should I?”

“But after all, you and him once...”

“That was before what happened three days ago.”

“Young Lady, do you really believe the rumors about Gu Han committing patricide? I don’t think he’s that kind of person...”

“Patricide?”

Liu Ying turned around, revealing a face so beautiful that even the blooming flowers in the garden seemed to pale in comparison. But in sheer contrast, her tone was cold and detached.

“It doesn’t matter whether I believe it or not. How can a soaring crane mingle with sparrows? How can the bright moon be compared to a firefly? He once stood above everyone, dazzling and proud, the number one genius of Tianwu City. But now, he’s nothing more than a dying cripple. Meanwhile, I remain who I am. Speaking of which...” Her voice shifted slightly as she continued, “Our esteemed guest should be arriving in Tianwu City today. Let us go and greet him.”

“Yes, Young Lady,” the maid replied promptly, hurrying after her.

***

In a secluded alleyway. Ah Sha trod on, carrying Gu Han on her back. Though she was at the end of her strength, she refused to let him go. Behind her, the trail of bloody footprints had long disappeared. Her feet were so worn that no blood remained to mark her steps. Every step she took brought searing pain.

Suddenly, her body tilted. Unable to endure any longer, she collapsed to the ground. Gu Han rolled off her back, hitting the ground with a dull thud.

“Cough, cough...”

The impact aggravated his wounds, causing him to cough up another mouthful of blood.

“Medicine!” Ah Sha’s usually dim-witted mind seemed to spark with sudden clarity. “Young Master, wait for me! I’ll find medicine. I won’t let you die!”

As she spoke, she staggered to her feet and stumbled toward the distance.

“Come back...”

Gu Han tried to stop her, but how could he?

“Gu Chang!!! Gu Yang!!!”

As the memories of his own suffering and the fate of his foster father surged into his mind, a blazing hatred filled Gu Han’s heart. He struggled to lift a trembling hand, fumbling in his robes.

Moments later, he opened his bloodstained palm. There lay a small golden seal, about the size of a thumb. It was densely covered with mysterious inscriptions.

“I can’t die!”

His eyes were bloodshot, and a crazed determination flickered within them.

“If I die, my foster father’s vengeance will remain unfulfilled! If I die, Ah Sha will perish as well... No, her fate would be worse than death! She’s important to me... so important! I won’t let anything happen to her! Foster Father!”

Gritting his teeth, he whispered hoarsely, “Forgive me for disobeying you!”

Ptoo!

As the words fell, he mustered all his remaining strength, spitting a mouthful of vital blood onto the golden seal. In an instant, the golden seal blazed with light!

The countless inscriptions etched upon it seemed to come alive, flowing and transforming into intricate symbols. These symbols moved as if with purpose, streaming toward Gu Han’s forehead and merging into him.

In his mind, the symbols coalesced into a massive golden book, towering at several zhang[1] in height. Its radiance was dazzling, its presence mysterious and unfathomable!

Four bold words blazed on the book’s cover: Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Scripture!

At the same time, a voice, tinged with both amusement and lament, echoed from within the golden seal.

“Gu Han? Hmm... Physical compatibility is passable, aptitude is mediocre, and as for looks... tsk tsk, not even close. You’re miles beneath me in every aspect. But alas, beggars can’t be choosers. Very well, you’ll do!”

1. Traditional Chinese unit of measurement. 1 zhang = 3.3m. ☜