Supreme Sword Exalt

Perhaps out of disbelief, or simply because he hadn’t heard clearly, Chief Steward Li stuttered, “Wh-what?”

“I said, I have a technique,” Gu Han repeated.

The Seventh Prince stood up abruptly, trembling with excitement.

Beside him, Chief Steward Li’s face flushed red. “Then... can you give...”

Gu Han knew his gamble had paid off. Although Chief Steward Li was sharp-tongued and had a tendency to throw his weight around, deep down, he wasn’t a bad person. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have reacted this way.

Since Gu Han remained silent, Chief Steward Li gritted his teeth, and rolled his sleeves. “I understand!”

He gathered the beast cores beside the Seventh Prince and swallowed them whole. In an instant, his face turned deathly pale.

His technique leaned toward the yin and soft aspects, while the beast cores were brimming with fiery energy. Consuming them recklessly naturally placed a significant burden on his body.

The Seventh Prince sighed. “Chief Steward Li, you don’t have to—Ah!”

“Your Highness, no need to say anything.” Chief Steward Li looked at Gu Han. “Back then, I was humiliated like a dog. Had it not for the consort’s rescue, I wouldn’t be alive today. His Highness is the consort’s only flesh and blood. If it means I can save him, I would not only swallow beast cores, I would kneel and offer you my very life! I will not hesitate!”

As he spoke, his knees weakened, and he actually began to kneel. Divine Physician Xue couldn’t bear to watch. However, since the technique belonged to Gu Han, he felt he had no right to speak, and thus refrained from intervening.

Feeling a headache coming on, Gu Han quickly stopped him. “Actually, I wanted to say that I would’ve handed over the technique even if you hadn’t swallowed the beast cores.”

Chief Steward Li froze. “You... Why didn’t you say so earlier?!”

“You didn’t let me say anything.”

Chief Steward Li felt so embarrassed that he wished the earth would swallow him whole. Ah Sha didn’t help either—she laughed at him, completely unconcerned with his face.

Just as Gu Han was about to speak, Divine Physician Xue stood up. “That’s enough. The person outside came to see me, right? It wouldn’t be right to keep him waiting too long.”

Gu Han hurriedly said, “Elder Xue, there’s no need for you to—”

Divine Physician Xue waved his hand. “It’s fine. Being able to fully resolve the Seventh Prince’s problem also settles a long-standing concern of mine.”

A technique like this was incredibly precious. To avoid any suspicion, he found an excuse to leave.

“Alright.”

Gu Han shook his head helplessly and, without further hesitation, recited the contents of the technique word for word to the Seventh Prince. Its name was the Nine Nether Ice Soul Art, and it was a mid-grade Heaven-tier technique.

As they listened to his explanation, both the Seventh Prince and Chief Steward Li were entranced.

After a long while, Chief Steward Li looked at Gu Han with shock and disbelief. “I have lived for so many years, but I have never seen such a... such a miraculous technique. What...”

“Of course you haven’t. This is a Heaven-tier technique.” Gu Han dropped another bombshell.

Heaven tier! Instinctively, the two of them sucked in a cold breath and froze in place.

Forget Heaven tier, in the entire Great Qi, the most precious technique was only high-grade Black tier. Moreover, it was something the dynasty’s founding emperor had stumbled upon by chance! The imperial family treated it as a treasure, passing it down through generations, rarely showing it to outsiders. As for Heaven tier, it was beyond their wildest imagination—something they never thought they’d witness.

At this moment, Gu Han’s image in their eyes suddenly became profound and unfathomable.

The Seventh Prince suppressed the excitement in his heart. “Brother Gu, this technique is so precious. Why would you...”

Gu Han smiled. “It’s simple. You helped me when I needed it, so it’s only right that I help you as well. Right, Ah Sha?”

Ah Sha’s petite face was full of seriousness. “Mhm! Young Master said kindness should be repaid tenfold, and so should grudges!”

The Seventh Prince fell silent. He understood perfectly that by revealing this technique, Gu Han had not only exposed his own secrets, but also taken an enormous risk. If even a hint of this got out, it would spell unimaginable disaster. Yet, Gu Han didn’t even hesitate to help him, all to repay the small kindness the Seventh Prince had shown him earlier.

Kindness, repaid tenfold. Grudges, repaid tenfold. Savoring these words, the Seventh Prince suddenly bowed deeply at the waist with utmost respect.

“Words alone cannot repay such great kindness! Brother Gu, rest assured. What happened today will not be revealed to anyone. You saved my life. I’d never betray you by doing something so vile and ungrateful. If I break this vow, may the heavens strike me down!”

“Your Highness—”

“Call me Jiang Feng!”

The Seventh Prince suddenly felt that his status as a prince was completely insignificant in front of Gu Han.

Gu Han took Ah Sha’s hand, signaling his intent to leave. “Brother Jiang, no need to thank me. I’ve already given you the technique. The sooner you use it, the sooner you can free yourself from the suffering of the cold poison. We’ll meet again in the imperial capital!”

Suddenly, Chief Steward Li bowed deeply and called out to him, “W-wait! I was rude earlier. Please don’t take it to heart! You’ve saved the Seventh Prince, and I owe you a life! In the future, if you ever need anything, I will not refuse.”

Gu Han sighed. “Chief Steward Li, actually, I have to admit... Aside from being sharp-tongued, petty, narrow-minded, and fond of throwing your weight around, you don’t have many flaws.”

Chief Steward Li’s lips twitched uncontrollably. This... counts as ‘not many flaws’?

Beside them, the Seventh Prince shook his head and smiled wryly, before carefully recalling the contents of the technique. His heart was once again surging with waves of emotion.

From this day onward, the sick young prince who had lived each day uncertain of the next was no more. His fate would be completely changed because of Gu Han.

***

Meanwhile, Divine Physician Xue had been chatting with Chen Ping, and the latter’s honest nature had naturally made Divine Physician Xue fond of him.

“Thank you, Elder Xue! Thank you!”

Having received some pills personally refined by Divine Physician Xue, he repeatedly expressed his gratitude, bowing deeply before leaving in high spirits.

The elder was highly renowned in the Great Qi. The pills he refined would undoubtedly elevate Chen Ping’s contribution ranking in the Treasure Pavilion to the top three.

In the alley, several people watched Chen Ping’s departing figure, jealousy burning in their eyes.“To think this guy got lucky!”

“Tch! Why didn’t we think of it?! That shabbily dressed kid actually knew Elder Xue!”

“What bullshit about the city lord’s daughter! She’s so full of herself!”

One person said hatefully, “Enough complaining! We need to think of a plan. We can’t let Gu Han walk away with such a huge reward!”

Another’s eyes flashed coldly. “How about... We just...”

“But... what if the Treasure Pavilion finds out?”

“Gather more people and keep it quiet. This place is far from the imperial capital. They won’t find out shit!”

“Alright, let’s do it! But there are too many eyes here. Let’s wait until he leaves the city!”

***

In the courtyard.

After sending Chen Ping away, Divine Physician Xue sat quietly on a stone stool, gently rubbing a worn, ancient-looking jade fragment in his hand.

As Gu Han left the building, he saw him sitting there and was puzzled. “Elder Xue, is everything alright?”

“Hm?” Divine Physician Xue snapped out of it and put away the jade fragment. “Ah, yes, yes. I was lost in thought, recalling some past matters. How is the Seventh Prince...”

“He’s fine now.”

Divine Physician Xue let out a long sigh of relief. “That’s great! In that case, I can leave with a peace of mind.”

“Grandpa Xue, are you leaving?” Ah Sha’s face was full of reluctance.

Divine Physician Xue patted her head affectionately. “Yes. Twenty years ago, I fled to the Great Qi due to a calamity, and was saved by the Seventh Prince’s mother. I stayed to treat his Extreme Cold Disease, but I never expected it would be for two decades. Now that his condition is no longer a threat, it’s time for me to do what I must.”

Gu Han hesitated to speak. From the attention he’d been paying to that old jade fragment earlier, it was clear Divine Physician Xue had his own secrets. However, since the old man didn’t wish to elaborate, Gu Han didn’t press further.

Divine Physician Xue thought for a moment, then removed a storage ring and gently placed it in Ah Sha’s hand. “Little girl, be careful. Don’t hurt yourself again.”

Ah Sha nodded. “Mhm. I’ll remember!”

Divine Physician Xue’s heart ached at her expression.

If she hadn’t died... She would’ve been a few years older than this kid.

Suppressing his emotions, he turned to Gu Han. “Are you heading to the Martial Academy?”

Gu Han nodded. “Yes. The path of cultivation is endless. Tianwu City is too small. I want to see other parts of the world. Besides, it’ll be easier to find spirit herbs that can replenish soul power in the imperial capital.”

Divine Physician Xue smiled. “Good. Tianwu City is indeed too small for you. But the imperial capital’s relationships are complex, and the Martial Academy is rife with factions. You must tread carefully.”

“Thank you for the advice, Elder Xue!” Gu Han expressed his gratitude solemnly before leaving with Ah Sha, who was still reluctant to part.

Divine Physician Xue watched Gu Han’s retreating figure. “The imperial capital, huh. But even the entire Great Qi might still be too small for you...”

***

Gu Han stayed for a few days at an inn to recover from his injuries before setting off for the imperial capital.

Along the way, the way people looked at him had completely changed.

A month ago, he was the Gu family’s traitor, reviled by all for the crime of killing his father. Now, he was Tianwu City’s top genius, hailed as the one who avenged his father and earned the favor of a noble from the imperial capital. He was destined for the Martial Academy.

Gu Han remained unfazed. After all his experiences, he had matured rapidly.

***

At the city gates.

Gu Han happened to run into Liu Yan. The latter had just escorted Liu Ying out of the city and was returning with his guards. However, the two didn’t exchange so much as a glance.

Glancing at Gu Han’s retreating figure, the guard captain whispered, “City Lord, that kid is too cocky. Should I...”

Liu Yan shot him a cold look. “Do you have a death wish? Do you think Chief Steward Li’s words the other day were a joke? A small place like Tianwu City can’t afford to offend him!”

A few days earlier, after Liu Ying returned and recounted her experience, Liu Yan became even more certain that Gu Han’s relationship with the Seventh Prince was far deeper than it appeared. Even if he harbored resentment, he didn’t dare to act against Gu Han.

“Understood! I was out of line. Punish me as you see fit, City Lord!”

“It’s okay. He thinks going to the Martial Academy means that his life is set? Haha! The imperial capital’s dangers are beyond his imagination!” Liu Yan sneered.

***

“Young Master, will we ever come back?” Ah Sha glanced back at the darkened city walls.

“No.”

Gu Han didn’t turn around. With Gu Tian gone, there was no one left in Tianwu City worth missing. What would he come back for?

“Let’s go.”

After checking the Great Qi map in his hand, he gently hoisted Ah Sha onto his back and strode forward.

Soon, the city walls vanished from sight.

Suddenly, he stopped.

“Hm?”

Ahead of him, there were several people loitering around. Upon spotting Gu Han, they quickly approached, as if they’d been waiting for him.