Supreme Sword Exalt

Noticing the instructor’s strange expression, Gu Han grew curious. “What’s wrong with him? Why does he look like that?”

Jiang Feng smiled bitterly. “I don’t think anyone will choose him.”

“Why? Is his cultivation level low?”

“Third stage of the Spirit Profound realm, the lowest among the ten instructors.”

Gu Han shook his head. “That’s not a reason to exclude him? Guiding cultivation isn’t just about level. It’s impossible that—”

Jiang Feng hesitated. “Brother Gu, do you know that he actually has a nickname...?”

“Nickname?”

Suddenly, a worn-out broom appeared before the two, accompanied by an aged voice. “The Jinx!”

The identity of the newcomer was self-evident.

Gu Han was stunned. Hm? Where did this old man come from?

The old man sighed and began explaining on his own. “His name is Mei Yun. Fifteen years ago, he came to the martial academy to serve as an instructor. When he first arrived, twenty six people chose him. By the end of the five-year term, seven had died, ten were crippled, and the remaining nine accomplished nothing in their lives. They were unworthy of being called martial academy students.”

Gu Han was speechless. Mei Yun? Who in the world would give themselves such an unlucky name?[1]

“Then what happened later?”

The old man shook his head. “Later? You could say his name has the character for ‘luck,’ but in reality, he has none of it.”

Gu Han curled his lips. Sure, his name had “luck,” but did you see his surname?

“Ten years ago, although fewer students chose him, he still had nine pupils. However, they didn’t even last until the end of the five-year term. All of them died in the jaws of demonic beasts during a training session in the Wild Forest! Five years ago, only three people chose him. This time, there were no accidents, and all three survived the five years. However, by the end of the term, all three had gone mad!”

Gu Han was dumbfounded. Mad... mad? This isn’t just a jinx! This is a full-blown Heaven’s Doomed Lone Star![2]

Jiang Feng appeared helpless. “Brother Gu, now you understand why I didn’t want you to choose him.”

Gu Han sighed deeply. “I think he should change his name... No, he should just change his surname!”

The old man nodded in agreement. “Exactly. Because of this, not only is he ostracized in the martial academy, but his reputation as the ‘Jinx’ has spread across the Ten Nations. He’s even caught the attention of the upper sects. In a way, he’s quite unique.”

Gu Han was speechless again. Against all odds, his streak of bad luck earned him recognition.

The old man glanced at Jiang Feng and changed the subject. “Of course, the concept of luck is vague and intangible. Don’t be superstitious about it. The path of cultivation is like sailing against the current. If you don’t advance, you’ll fall behind.

“So, which instructor you choose isn’t important. What matters is having the unyielding belief to contend with the heavens, the earth, and others. Otherwise, even if you’re a peerless genius, your path will be fraught with hardships, and you may never achieve anything great!”

His words made Jiang Feng flush with embarrassment.

He quickly bowed. “Elder, I’ve learned much from your words today. Your advice made me feel enlightened. I had been shortsighted.”

The old man’s wrinkles bunched up as he smiled. “Good. You’ve got a good learning attitude!”

Seeing Jiang Feng completely swayed, Gu Han couldn’t hold back. “Old man, which divine being are you exactly?”

The old man waved his hand, seemingly pleased with himself. “Hehe. No need for flattery. I’ve just been sweeping the martial academy for thirty years.”

Thirty years! Jiang Feng was filled with reverence.

Meanwhile, Gu Han was baffled. Sweeping for thirty years... and you’re still just a janitor? What’s there to be proud of?

In the distance, the deputy deans led by Commander Zhou remained silent. They watched the murmuring crowd expressionlessly, as if waiting for something.

Suddenly, Commander Zhou narrowed his eyes and looked into the distance. “He’s here!”

The crowd outside the martial academy erupted in excitement.

“Quick! Make way!”

“The eldest prince is here, everyone move aside!”

“Heavens! The last time I saw the eldest prince was years ago. I’m finally lucky enough to see him again!”

“The eldest prince’s Fire Spirit Physique must have reached advanced mastery by now! I can feel the scorching heat even from a hundred zhang away!”

Amid the chatter, the crowd instinctively cleared a path.

In Great Qi—especially in the capital—the eldest prince, Jiang Hong, was the undisputed genius in everyone’s hearts.

Jiang Feng was stunned. “Eldest Brother? Wasn’t he already accepted as a disciple by the upper sect? Why is he coming to the martial academy?”

Gu Han was stunned. “Your eldest brother? No wonder there’s such a grand spectacle. There’s so many people waiting for him!”

Jiang Feng appeared worried. “Brother Gu, even if he isn’t deliberately targeting you, you should still be careful.”

“Oh? Would the lofty eldest prince really stoop to dealing with a nobody like me?” Gu Han asked mockingly.

Jiang Feng’s expression was complicated. “You don’t understand him. He is extraordinarily talented and has a domineering personality. Since childhood, few have dared to defy him...”

Gu Han shook his head inwardly and patted his shoulder. “You don’t need to—”

Before he could finish, the old man beside him suddenly interrupted. “No need for that! Young man, his Fire Spirit Physique may be formidable, but that doesn’t mean you’re inferior to him. Right now, he’s ahead of you, but the future is uncertain. He won’t stay ahead forever. Everything depends on you.”

Jiang Feng’s spirits lifted, and he murmured, “Elder, I... still have a chance?”

The old man glanced at Gu Han. “Hehe. What do you think?”

Gu Han couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Me? What else is there to say? You’ve already said it all! Do you just love lecturing people?

He forced a smile. “Please continue. I’m listening.”

However, that was when the old man decided to stop talking. He sized up Jiang Feng a few times, a hint of appreciation flashing in his cloudy eyes.

At that moment, amid the admiring and reverent gazes of the crowd outside, three figures entered the martial academy.

At the forefront was Jiang Hong, accompanied by Liu Ying and Liu Tong.

To no one’s surprise, Jiang Hong and Liu Ying were simply too eye-catching. One was noble-born, exuding extraordinary presence. The other was enchanting, with peerless beauty.

In comparison, Liu Tong seemed ordinary. However, that wasn’t what he was concerned about right now. His eyes darted around, as if searching for something. Since the martial academy wasn’t crowded, he quickly spotted Gu Han.

He strode over, smirking coldly. “Brother Gu.”

Jiang Feng’s heart sank. “He’s coming!”

Before he could finish, Liu Tong had reached them.

He glanced at Jiang Feng, his tone devoid of respect. “Your Highness, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Jiang Feng took a deep breath. “Liu Tong, you—”

Liu Tong didn’t even give him face. “Your Highness, I hope you won’t interfere in the grudge between him and me. Otherwise... hehe...”

His rudeness made Jiang Feng clench his fists instantly.

Liu Tong stared at Gu Han. “We meet again. Are you surprised?”

Gu Han wasn’t intimidated. “Not really. Just a bit disgusted.”

Liu Tong’s face darkened immediately. “Hmph! I still remember the humiliation from that day as if it were yesterday!”

Gu Han remained expressionless. “Well, good! Consider it a lesson!”

A trace of venom flashed in Liu Tong’s eyes. “Keep talking tough! Later, we’ll see...”

At that moment, a calm voice interrupted. “Liu Tong, come back!”

It was Jiang Hong.

Liu Tong didn’t dare disobey. “Yes! This is the martial academy, not the Murong family! Let’s see who can protect you now.”

With that, he returned to Jiang Hong’s side.

The old man shook his head. “That little bastard is hopeless!”

Gu Han egged him on. “Elder, you’ve been sweeping here for thirty years. Surely you have some connections, right? Since that bastard is hopeless, why not use your influence to eliminate this scourge once and for all? I’m sure many would be grateful!”

The old man chuckled awkwardly and quickly scurried off with his broom. “Well... Ahem... we’ll talk later. See ya!”

Jiang Feng’s expression was grim. “Brother Gu, Liu Tong is vicious and petty. Now that the eldest prince is here, I’m afraid—”

Gu Han understood perfectly. “We’ll see.”

Given Liu Tong’s relationship with Jiang Hong, his days at the martial academy wouldn’t be easy.

Instinctively, he touched the storage ring at his waist. Worse comes to worst, he could always ask Murong Chuan to step in.

By that point, Jiang Hong and his group had reached the front, standing alongside the deputy deans and instructors. No one dared to put on airs in his presence. Even Commander Zhou wore a rare smile. Among them, Liu Tong and Yu Hua huddled together. They whispered incessantly, occasionally shooting glances at Gu Han.

A moment later, Commander Zhou asked calmly, “How’s the situation?”

The instructor behind him smiled. “Aside from the thirteen who died in the beast riot, all one hundred thirty five students from the various cities are present.”

Commander Zhou nodded, his gaze sweeping over the excited young faces. “Good. You all know the rules.”

“I won’t waste time. Let’s begin!”

Everyone understood that it was time to choose their instructors. Almost simultaneously, a full third of the students gathered before Han Fu. The rest either lacked the confidence to catch Han Fu’s eye or simply didn’t bother trying, choosing other instructors instead.

In no time, every instructor had at least a few students before them, except for Mei Yun. Other than Gu Han, the others knew his history all too well.

Are you kidding? Who would dare choose him? That’d be asking for death!

Mei Yun’s face grew even more despondent. If he failed to recruit even a single student this year, he’d have no face left to remain as an instructor.

Jiang Feng suppressed his unease. “Brother Gu, let’s go choose Instructor Han.”

As a prince, he could select any instructor without rejection. Bringing Gu Han along was purely for his sake.

Just then, a voice gently called from afar, “Seventh Brother, what’s this? You see your eldest brother and don’t even greet him?”

It was Jiang Hong, who stared at Jiang Feng.

1. Mei Yun sounds like “bad luck” in Chinese, making it an ironically unlucky name. ☜

2. It basically means someone who’s born with really bad luck and ends up bringing it to themselves and the people around them ☜