Supreme Sword Exalt

Liu Yan’s face turned ashen. “Bastard! All of you, stop this!”

On normal days, no matter how these families quarreled or fought in private, he couldn’t be bothered to intervene. Sometimes, he even secretly fanned the flames. However, today was different. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, if he let Gu Han continue to stir up trouble right in front of him, and during such a critical moment like the Great Qi Martial Academy’s qualification battle, his dignity as Tianwu’s city lord would be utterly ruined.

However, Gu Han and Gu Chang were already consumed by rage, and each wished for nothing more than to kill the other. They could not possibly listen to his words. In the blink of an eye, the two figures were about to collide.

“Such audacity!”

A cold glint flashed in Liu Yan’s eyes as his aura surged violently, revealing his full cultivation at the third stage of the Essence Gathering realm.

With a light step, he appeared beside the two in an instant. His spirit power erupted, and he forcefully separated them.

Gu Chang roared furiously. “You little bastard! My greatest regret is not killing you with my own hands the other day!”

Gu Han glared at him fiercely. “Old dog! Today, you’ll pay for my father’s life!”

A three-cun sword light gathered at the tip of his broken blade, and he lunged at Gu Chang again. The hatred in his heart far surpassed Gu Chang’s.

“Insolence!” Liu Yan narrowed his eyes and struck out his palm with full force.

The gap in their cultivation was too big. Gu Han, who was already heavily injured, couldn’t withstand the blow. A mouthful of blood sprayed out as he staggered backward.

By now, Gu Chang had regained some rationality and hastily bowed to Liu Yan. “Thank you, City Lord!”

Liu Yan shot him a cold glance. “There’s no need for that! I didn’t do this for you!”

“Yes! After today, I will personally visit the city lord’s mansion to apologize and accept any punishment you deem fit. I dare not utter a single word of complaint!” Gu Chang bowed again.

Cunning old fox! The family heads’ expressions darkened as they silently cursed Gu Chang’s shrewdness.

After today, the Gu family would no longer have a foothold in Tianwu City. They would face opposition from everyone, and their vast wealth would inevitably be lost. It was better to offer up most of their assets and fully align themselves with Liu Yan. This way, the other families would think twice before moving against the Gu family.

Liu Yan understood his meaning and his tone softened slightly, “Very well. But before that, clean up this mess.”

“Yes!” Gu Chang let out a relieved sigh.

He glanced at Gu Cheng’s severed head and the crippled Gu Yang, his teeth grinding in hatred. Even if it cost him everything, he would ensure Gu Han was completely destroyed.

The crowd looked at Gu Han, who was now crouching down in exhaustion, and sighed inwardly. With the city lord’s protection, his revenge was likely impossible. In contrast, the Gu family members wore expressions of relief. They were silently praising Gu Chang’s cunningness.

Ah Sha ran over with tears streaming down her face. “Young Master, we...”

At this moment, she was the only one who truly understood Gu Han’s feelings.

“I must have my revenge,” Gu Han murmured.

What?!Has Gu Han lost his mind? With the city lord present, how can he possibly seek revenge? What can he possibly do? The crowd was stunned.

Liu Yan’s face darkened once more at these words.

Gu Chang seized the opportunity, his heart swelling with glee. “City Lord, this boy is unruly and defiant. He is not showing any respect for your authority. If he’s allowed to live, he will surely become a—”

Before he could finish, a brilliant light suddenly flashed. It was so fast that even Liu Yan couldn’t intercept it in time. A soft sound echoed as a bloody hole appeared in Gu Chang’s chest.

In the distance, Gu Han slowly lowered his sword. With the speed of the Great Evolution Sword Qi, the ten-zhang-wide stage was crossed in an instant. Gu Chang could not have dodged it at all.

***

Inside the quiet room, the Seventh Prince’s face flushed with excitement as he stood up abruptly.

“Hahaha, now that was a satisfying end—cough!”

Before he could finish, a fit of violent coughing overtook him.

“Your Highness, didn’t Elder Xue warn you to avoid extreme emotions? Haih... Why won’t you listen?” Chief Steward Li’s heart ached.

“Cough... He’s remarkable!”

“Remarkable? He’s nothing but a brute acting on impulse!!” Chief Steward Li fumed.

The Seventh Prince shook his head. “A brute? With his father’s killer right before him, how could he not strike? The pain of holding back would be unbearable. Haih... If only I had half his courage, then...”

As if recalling something, Chief Steward Li’s eyes reddened. “Your Highness, I’m the useless one!”

The Seventh Prince smiled bitterly. “That’s enough. It’s not your fault. I’m just clinging to life. Surviving this long is already a blessing. Why dwell on such thoughts? It’s just... Seeing him, I couldn’t help but reflect. In a way, he and I share a bond.”

“Your Highness, you...”

“Let’s keep watching.”

***

Outside, silence reigned.

The crowd was dumbfounded. Gu Han... actually struck? He really dared to strike? Also, he is only at the Meridian Opening realm, so how could he kill Gu Chang, who is at the Acupoint Unsealing realm? And what was that light just now?

On the stage, Gu Chang swayed unsteadily as he stared at the fist-sized hole in his chest.

At this moment, he finally understood how Gu Han had managed to deal with the six Acupoint Unsealing experts. Unfortunately, that understanding came too late. As his strength and vitality rapidly drained away, he fixed his gaze on Gu Han. His face was twisted with resentment, and he seemed to want to strike back. But after staggering forward a few steps, he finally collapsed, right before Gu Tian’s spirit tablet.

“Grandfather... How... Impossible...” Gu Yang’s face was a mask of terror and despair.

Father, your revenge is fulfilled.

As Gu Han exhaled softly, his body swayed slightly. Days of exhaustion and relentless battles, compounded by his injuries, had taken a toll on him. Even with his solid foundation, he was nearing his limit.

Ah Sha rushed to support him. “Young Master, are you alright?”

Suddenly, a roar filled with fury erupted.

“Gu Han, how dare you defy my orders!”

Liu Yan was livid as he glared at Gu Han. Gu Chang had been killed right under his watch. Not only would he lose the benefits he could have gotten from the Gu family, but from this day onward, his authority as the city lord would be severely undermined.

Here it comes! The crowd tensed.

In Tianwu City, Liu Yan was the law. His words had never been defied. Now, Gu Han was the first.

The family heads could only hide their glee. They could see Liu Yan’s murderous intent. Now, it wasn’t just about whether Gu Han could retain his Martial Academy qualification, it was about whether he would survive the day. In the end, they were the true winners of this ordeal.

Unexpectedly, before Gu Han could speak, Ah Sha stepped forward. “You’re so unfair!”

“What did you say?!”

Ah Sha repeated firmly. “You’re so unfair! Those people framed the young master and tried to kill him. Then, why shouldn’t he kill them? By protecting those villains, you’re being unfair!”

The crowd collectively gasped. Good heavens! Isn’t this Gu Han’s dumb servant girl? Since when did she become so sharp?

“Fair? I am the Tianwu City Lord! My word is law! You’ve broken the law, yet you dare speak to me of fairness?” Liu Yan sneered coldly.

Gu Yang suddenly spoke up as his eyes brimmed with venom. “City Lord, please kill Gu Han. Avenge my father and grandfather. I’ll surrender everything the Gu family owns to—”

Before he could finish, a sword pierced through his chest.

At the peak of his rage, Liu Yan’s voice turned eerily calm. “This is just great. Gu Han, you’ve repeatedly committed violence in my presence. It seems that you truly hold no regard for my authority as the city lord!”

As he spoke, dozens of city guards swiftly moved through the crowd, surrounding the stage.

Gu Han gently took Ah Sha’s hand. “Ah Sha is right! You’re unjust. I owe you no respect, no obedience, and I won’t abide by your rules!”

With that, he retreated a few steps and started channeling his dwindling spirit power, preparing to break through the encirclement.

Liu Yan’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Seize him! Now!”

The crowd’s emotions were mixed. The Gu family was finished, yes, but with this, so was Gu Han. Was it worth it to sacrifice himself for revenge?

Just as Gu Han braced for his final stand, a shrill, mocking voice rang out.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk! City Lord Liu, what impressive authority you wield. Your word is law, eh? Well, I have no intention of following this law either. Will you have me seized as well?”