Supreme Sword Exalt

The imperial capital of the Great Qi was far bigger and more prosperous than a small place like Tianwu City.

At the moment, everyone was discussing the recent demonic beast riot outside the city.

“Why would the demonic beasts suddenly go on a rampage?”

“I heard it’s because a shapeshifting demon appeared in the Wild Forest!”

“Huh? Wasn’t it because a rare treasure emerged?!”

A person glanced around, acting mysterious. “No, that’s not it. You didn’t know? Not long ago, Commander Zhou and two elders delved into the Wild Forest to investigate, but they all returned injured. A peerless vicious person has appeared there!”

“Really?”

“My shopkeeper told me, so it’s probably true.”

“Tsk... Even if it’s true, so what? Don’t forget, the imperial capital’s restrictions were bestowed by the upper sect. Whether it’s a demonic beast riot or an unrivaled wretch, if they dare come, they’ll never leave alive! No need to worry about it.”

“Indeed.”

***

Gu Han and Ah Sha walked side by side on the street. After the harrowing ordeal outside, they had no mood to admire the imperial capital’s prosperity.

Ah Sha looked at Gu Han. “Young Master, are we going to the Martial Academy?”

“It’s still too early for that.” Gu Han’s face was still somewhat pale.

He was supposed to arrive in the imperial capital in ten days. Originally, he’d planned to search for spirit herbs along the way. However, after the demonic beast riot, he fled all the way, even racing against the fatty. As a result, they arrived in just three days. There were still seven days before the academy opened.

“Let’s find a place to stay first.”

The two of them had used up too much energy these past few days. He decided they needed proper rest. Thus, he took Ah Sha to an inn. However, as soon as they entered, the innkeeper approached, clasping his hands apologetically.

Gu Han was surprised. “A full house?”

The innkeeper smiled bitterly. “Yes. With the Martial Academy about to open, the imperial capital is already crowded. After the demonic beast riot, a large number of rogue cultivators have come from outside the city. Because of that, accommodations are a bit scarce.”

Gu Han had no choice but to try another inn. As expected, they were also full.

***

After trying eight or nine inns in a row, the outcome was shockingly the same. Due to the demonic beast riot, the rogue cultivators nearby had long since sought refuge in the imperial capital. Gu Han was among the last batch, so finding a place to stay was difficult.

Ah Sha looked worried. “Young Master, do we have to sleep outside?”

Gu Han was speechless. Do we really have to slum it as soon as we arrive? Isn’t this just awful? Maybe we can check if the Seventh Prince and Chief Steward Li have returned?

Just as he was thinking, someone nearby advised, “Little Brother, why not try the inner city?”

“Inner city?”

“Yes. That’s the heart of the imperial capital, where the largest shops are. If you have enough essence crystals, you might find a place to stay there.”

“Thank you!”

After asking for directions, Gu Han immediately took Ah Sha and left. He remained unaware of what was unfolding nearby. A middle-aged man with a broken sword clutched a rogue cultivator by the collar, interrogating him fiercely.

“Who killed that young man?”

The rogue cultivator trembled in fear. “I-I don’t know! It was too chaotic, I-I couldn’t see clearly!”

The middle-aged man tightened his grip, crushing the rogue cultivator’s shoulder. “Say that again?”

The rogue cultivator pleaded for mercy. “Ah... Please spare me! It was... it was a young man! And... and there was a little girl with him!”

“What did he look like?”

“I really couldn’t make him out through the riot!”

Grimly, the middle-aged man tossed him aside. “Useless piece of shit! A young man? A little girl? I don’t care who you are, if you dare kill my nephew, I’ll tear you to pieces.”

***

The inner city was much quieter compared to the outer city. Rows of buildings stood on both sides, some tall and imposing, others luxurious and grand, each with its own distinct style. Most people there were dressed in dandy clothes, their expressions haughty.

Ah Sha looked around. “Young Master, this is so overwhelming.”

“Yeah.” Gu Han sighed, finally understanding why so few rogue cultivators were seen here.

They’re too poor for this.

“Let’s go.”

Upon seeing Ah Sha’s excitement, he smiled and headed straight for the largest, most lavishly decorated building. 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

Inside, the apparent manager frowned subtly at his clothes. “Hm? What brings the two of you here?”

Ah Sha asked eagerly, “We need a room. You’re not full, right?”

“Of course not, but the second and third-class rooms are all taken. Only one first-class room remains. Well... do you still want it?”

Gu Han could sense the disdain in his tone. “What do you mean?”

The manager grinned smugly, scrutinizing him again to confirm his initial judgment, before slowly hammering it in. “Oh, nothing. It’s just that the first-class room has a spirit-gathering array and a calming effect, so cultivating inside is five times more efficient than outside. As for the cost, it’s not much, just a thousand essence crystals per day.”

Gu Han’s face darkened. No matter where he went, he always encountered this kind of snobbish behavior.

“So, have you made up your mind? Are you staying or not?”

Well, he wasn’t about to be polite either.

“No shit! I’ll take—” Hearing a conversation outside, Gu Han stopped mid-sentence.

“Junior Sister Liu, aren’t you about to break through?” a man asked in a fervorous tone.

”The first-class rooms here are the best for cultivation in the imperial capital. With the spirit source you have, you’ll surely stabilize your realm before the academy opens.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother,” a woman answered with a hint of delight. She sounded cool and melodious.

The man was enchanted. “There’s no need for formalities. Your father and my father are old friends. Now that you’re in the imperial capital, it’s only right for me to play host! Don’t worry, you can stay in the first-class room for as long as you like!”

The man and woman walked in together, smiling warmly. The man’s identity was unclear, but the woman was unmistakably Liu Ying. When she saw Gu Han and Ah Sha, she froze, quickly turning cold. As for Gu Han, he felt nothing but disgust.

Upon seeing the man, the manager’s eyes lit up, and broke into a smile. “Young Master Liu, what brings you here?”

With his gaze fixed on Liu Ying, Young Master Liu replied absentmindedly, “I’m just browsing. Do you still have first-class rooms?”

“Yes, of course!”

“Good, prepare—hm?” Mid-sentence, he noticed the shift in Liu Ying’s expression. “Junior Sister, what’s wrong? Do you know them?”

He glanced at Gu Han indifferently, his brow furrowing slightly.

Liu Ying took a deep breath, as if suppressing her anger, though the man beside her was practically drooling.

“I do. He’s also from Tianwu City.”

“Oh.” He instantly lost interest.

One was a country bumpkin from a shabby place, while the other was a mediocre-looking peasant girl nowhere near Liu Ying’s beauty. Not worth his attention, really.

He glanced at the manager. “Prepare the room. Junior Sister Liu will be staying here.”

“Of course, of course!”

The manager grinned from ear to ear, nearly bowing. He knew Young Master Liu Tong came from a prominent family and was very generous. Every time he visited, the manager received a hefty tip. Liu Tong was the true VIP, the big spender. Gu Han had long slipped off the manager’s mind.

Not letting it go, Gu Han stared coldly at the manager. “Wait. You said there’s only one first-class room left, right?”

The manager turned to Gu Han, reverting to his earlier cold and disdainful tone. “Correct.”

Gu Han said seriously, “I said I was taking it.”

The manager smirked. “Oh? I didn’t hear that.”

“Do you hear me now?”

“Sorry, but it’s no longer available!”

Ah Sha couldn’t hold back. “Hey! We were here first!”

The manager stood his ground. “So what? Have you paid? No? Then the room is unclaimed. It’s up to me who stays.”

Beside them, Liu Tong gave Gu Han a contemptuous look. “Tsk tsk tsk. Junior Sister Liu, it seems your fellow townsman doesn’t understand the rules.”

“He’s always like this, lost in his delusions and blind to reality. He’ll do anything for attention,” Liu Ying said coldly.

Liu Tong’s eyes gleamed. “I see. Someone as beautiful as you must have countless admirers, Junior Sister Liu. This brat is obviously one of them. Still, a man should know his limits. At least consider your status and whereabouts before showing off. The Great Qi imperial capital isn’t some backwater like Tianwu City.

“For Junior Sister Liu’s sake, and since you came from the same place, I’ll overlook your rudeness. However, the first-class room isn’t for the likes of you. Get lost now, or I’ll be very unhappy. Trust me, only a few can bear the consequences of displeasing me.”

Gu Han took a deep breath. “Firstly, I was here first. The first-class room is mine. Secondly, you say I admire her? Then ask her yourself. Who was it that followed me around back then, calling me ‘Big Brother Gu’ and practically throwing herself at me?”

Ah Sha chimed in. “That’s right! I saw it! She was so clingy with him!”

Liu Ying’s face twisted. “You—!”

Back then, when Gu Han was still the dazzling genius, she had been extremely affectionate toward him, flaunting her charms to the fullest. Yet, even though they met often, Gu Han always kept his distance. It became a thorn in her heart, digging deeper every time she saw him, tormenting her endlessly. That was also why she targeted Gu Han after his cultivation was restored.

With her past exposed, Liu Ying was humiliated beyond words. The moment he saw his lady friend’s expression, Liu Tong knew Gu Han wasn’t lying. The man’s revelation turned him, who’d been fawning over Liu Ying in hopes of winning her favor, into a complete joke. Furious and embarrassed, his disdain for Gu Han twisted into hatred, mixed with an inexplicable bitterness.

Gu Han ignored him, saying, “One more thing, whether I’m qualified to stay isn’t for you to decide.”

Liu Ying gritted her teeth. “Gu Han, you’ll pay dearly for your arrogance!”

He sneered. “Arrogance? No, you got it wrong. It’s just that you’re used to bullying others. Too bad for you, I’ve always been stubborn and never liked being bullied. So today, you picked the wrong target.”

“I’ve changed my mind. You’re not going anywhere.”

Liu Tong was seething with jealousy, his face twisted as he glared at Gu Han.