Firmament Sword

As for Wei Ziting and his group, they had already slipped away quietly. How could they possibly be willing to stay and witness Xu Luo’s glory?

They all hated Xu Luo to the bone; it would have been a miracle if they’d remained.

At that moment, a Maid came over, slowly pushing the Seventh Princess’s wheelchair. The crowd tactfully parted to make way, then backed off even further.

But everyone’s gaze was completely fixed on the two of them.

”My father is urgently summoning me. Hehe, it seems they’re even more anxious than I am.”

The Seventh Princess looked at Xu Luo. After her first remark, her tone shifted. ”Xu Luo, today is my coming-of-age ceremony. Traditionally, I’m supposed to find a partner for a dance, but I can’t stand right now. When the day comes that I can stand again, will you be my partner, dance with me, and make up for this regret?”

Huangfu Shishi’s eyes shimmered as she gazed intently at Xu Luo.

Xu Luo nodded emphatically. ”Of course!”

”It’s a promise, then!” Huangfu Shishi gave a radiant smile, waved at Xu Luo, and was then slowly pushed away by two Maids.

After watching the Princess leave, Xu Luo gave some brief pleasantries to the young masters and ladies who had gathered around him, said goodbye to Xu Jie and his other brothers, and went straight to Lianyi.

From beginning to end, the low-key Princess of Vulture had only displayed her overwhelming might before Xu Luo’s arrival, knocking Leng Ping from his high horse. But once Xu Luo appeared, Lianyi became so unassuming that she was almost instantly forgotten.

Xu Luo had just learned from the fast-talking Little Fatty Liu Feng what had happened earlier that evening. He understood why Leng Ping had come to apologize, and more importantly, he understood just how much pressure Lianyi had been under before he arrived.

”Sister, I’m sorry I’m late.” Xu Luo came to Lianyi, took her hand, and said, ”Let’s go home.”

”Mm, let’s go home!” Lianyi stood up, beaming. There wasn’t the slightest hint of disappointment on her face. She was just like an older sister seeing her younger brother come home, perfectly at ease.

The Seventh Princess’s coming-of-age ceremony. For many, it was a sleepless night.

One person’s reputation plummeted after a momentary loss of composure.

Another, who thought victory was in his grasp, discovered he had gained nothing at all.

And one person, who had endured sixteen years of ridicule and mockery, burdened by many a nickname, used this one night to make a successful comeback!

It was a magnificent night.

A night of rising and falling tides.

And so, the one and only Princess of Vulture was led by the hand by the one and only Seven-Colored Marquis, quietly leaving the state banquet hall, leaving the Imperial Palace.

An entire family bathed in glory, their radiance soaring to the heavens!

This night belonged to the Xu Family!

It was a night that belonged to Lianyi, and also to Xu Luo!

”I came back late. You were wronged because of me.” Outside the Imperial Palace, the night wind was cool. Having sent the family carriage away, Xu Luo held Lianyi’s hand, just as they had as children, and they strolled through the streets of the Imperial Capital at night.

”I wasn’t wronged. Everything I did, I should have done.” Lianyi chuckled, looking at Xu Luo with contentment. ”As long as you are well, I’m willing to do anything!”

”Where’s my mother? Why didn’t she come? She should have been here for an occasion like this.” Xu Luo’s voice was calm.

But Lianyi, who knew him extremely well, could hear the anxiety in her young master’s heart.

”The madam... ah, Mother... she returned to her sect.” Lianyi hesitated for a moment but decided to tell the truth. It was impossible to hide this from Xu Luo; he would find out sooner or later.

After speaking, Lianyi watched Xu Luo nervously, afraid he would do something drastic.

Xu Luo was silent for a long while. He squeezed Lianyi’s hand slightly, but he didn’t have the outburst she had expected.

”It was the price for that Seven-Turn Foundation Establishment Pill, wasn’t it?” Xu Luo asked.

Lianyi nodded. ”When the madam returned to her sect to ask for the medicine, the price was... if your constitution changed because of it, she would return to the sect to serve as an Instructor for five years. The madam grew up in her sect and is very familiar with everything there, so you don’t need to worry. It’s only five years. Soon... she’ll be back.”

HAAAAH!

Xu Luo let out a long breath. Then he suddenly burst into tears, his face streaming with them.

This young man, who hadn’t cried when he was mocked for his weak constitution since childhood, who hadn’t cried when he was beaten, who hadn’t cried when he was humiliated in a hundred different ways and called the Civil Servant’s Rice Bowl... this boy was now crying so heartbrokenly.

Lianyi said nothing, only stood by his side, silently weeping with him.

”Am I... pathetic?” Xu Luo asked.

”No, you’re outstanding! You’re brilliant! You obtained the Seven-Colored Light Flower, something even the Royal Family couldn’t get.”

”You’re the youngest Marquis! You’re the Seven-Colored Marquis!”

”You are the most outstanding young man in this world, bar none!”

”Heh.” After a bitter laugh, Xu Luo finally said softly, ”But I couldn’t even protect my own mother. I let her be wronged.”

”No. If Mother saw how magnificent you were today, there’s no telling how happy she’d be. She’ll find out sooner or later, and she’ll be happy for you. It’s not like she’s never coming back. Don’t be so sad, and don’t blame yourself like this. If you’re sad, I’ll be even sadder...” Lianyi said gently, resting her head lightly on Xu Luo’s shoulder.

”We’ve both grown up. We’re not children anymore. So, when it comes to the General’s Mansion, I’ll handle things on the inside, and you must shoulder the responsibility for the outside!”

Lianyi spoke, turning her head to gaze at Xu Luo. ”Okay?”

”Okay!” Xu Luo nodded firmly. ’Five years without seeing Mother? No way. My power is too weak right now. When I get stronger, I’ll definitely go to that sect and bring her back!’

”If Father and Big Brother knew what you accomplished today, they would be very happy too,” Lianyi said with a smile, taking Xu Luo’s arm.

”Not necessarily. Dad would probably give me a beating...” Xu Luo pursed his lips. ”He’d definitely think I’m being too ostentatious. If he were here, he would never have agreed to Your Majesty making me a Marquis.”

”That’s true. Dad has always been a man of integrity; he definitely wouldn’t approve of you obtaining the rank of Marquis this way. Besides, with the Xu Family now bathed in such soaring glory, it will surely attract a lot of jealousy. We’ll have to be more low-key from now on.”

”Yeah. I’ll head back to the academy and lay low for a while.”

”It’s good that you think that way. At the academy, you can receive a systematic education. But... can’t you wait until after the New Year to go?”

A long night, a quiet street.

Two figures, huddled close, slowly faded into the distance.

His mother’s departure was a far more severe blow to Xu Luo than Lianyi realized.

His childhood experiences had forced him to mature early, and his family’s love had made him value his home above all else.

To say his gains from this training expedition were ”plentiful” would be a massive understatement.

He longed to share this happiness with his mother, to let the mother who loved him know that her son had made something of himself, that he had grown up!

However, what greeted him was the news that his mother, in order to obtain the medicine, had made a promise—and now that his constitution had truly changed, she had fulfilled that promise by returning to her sect to serve as an Instructor for five years.

Xu Luo couldn’t bring himself to resent his mother’s sect, but he still took issue with their methods.

’They know full well whether that Seven-Turn Foundation Establishment Pill is truly that miraculous!’ Xu Luo thought, his eyes glinting. He knew this was a secret that could not be spoken aloud.

”By the way, while you were gone, the Phoenix Pavilion Master sent people over with gifts a few times. They were all local specialties from various places. Nothing expensive, but you can tell she put a lot of thought into them,” Lianyi said suddenly.

”Oh? What is that woman up to?” Xu Luo was puzzled by the Phoenix’s actions.

”Maybe she’s really taken a liking to you,” Lianyi teased, then her brow furrowed slightly as she looked into the darkness at the end of the long street.

Even before Lianyi’s brow had furrowed, Xu Luo had already stopped. He pulled her hand, drawing her behind him. ”Hide behind me.”

”But...” Lianyi started to say something, but a thought occurred to her, and she immediately closed her mouth, obediently hiding behind Xu Luo.

”A bunch of scumbags!”

Xu Luo cursed under his breath. He was already furious about his mother being forced to leave, and now someone wanted to ambush and kill him. This only served to ignite the rage in his heart.

He didn’t care who sent them. Right now, all Xu Luo wanted was to slaughter these blind sons of bitches!

”Protect yourself!” Xu Luo said softly. Immediately after, he drew Shuilan, activated Shaking Light Step, and took one step... two steps... then shot forward like a bolt of lightning. His figure, like a phantom, vanished into the night.

By the time the ambushers hiding in the shadows realized they had been discovered, Xu Luo had already vanished completely!

PFFT!

When Xu Luo’s sword sliced off the assassin’s head, the man hadn’t even had time to react!

”Dammit, he found us!”

”Kill him!”

”Get him together!”

A few shouts echoed far into the silent night sky.

Xu Luo thrust his sword backhanded into the chest of another charging assassin. Before the man could even cry out in pain, Xu Luo stabbed him again in the throat.

BANG!

Xu Luo spun around like lightning, channeled Breaking Army Seven Kills, and smashed his fist into the head of an assassin trying to ambush him from behind.

”Broken Tendons and Bones!”

Following Xu Luo’s low roar, his punch shattered the man’s skull, killing him instantly!

”Severed Meridians!”

With another low shout from Xu Luo, he pointed a finger at an approaching assassin. The man froze abruptly, and Xu Luo slit his throat with his sword!

”The target’s tough. Use the crossbows!” a sinister voice called out.

Xu Luo stopped abruptly. In that instant, he felt as if he were being watched by a venomous snake, and goosebumps erupted all over his skin.

Without the slightest hesitation, Xu Luo shot into the air like a great bird.

SWOOSH SWOOSH SWOOSH SWOOSH!

Several ear-piercing whooshes suddenly tore through the night sky, whistling as they arrived.

Several of the assassins who had been closing in to surround and kill Xu Luo were indiscriminately shot and killed on the spot by heavy crossbow bolts as thick as a child’s arm. They didn’t even have a chance to make a sound.

”You bastards! Military Heavy Crossbows... How dare you!” Xu Luo suddenly roared, breaking out in a cold sweat!

His figure looked incredibly bizarre in the night sky. With his Shaking Light Step active, the enemy was completely unable to track his movements!

At his roar, Lianyi immediately reacted, shouting sharply, ”You dare use Military Heavy Crossbows to assassinate the Seven-Colored Marquis? The General’s Mansion will never let you go!”

”Go!” The sinister voice sounded again. Seeing that their mission was impossible, the order to retreat was given decisively!

”Trying to run? It won’t be that easy!” Xu Luo seethed. ’The Military Heavy Crossbow is a strategic weapon of the state; most common people have never even heard of it.’

’Getting your hands on one is harder than ascending to the heavens!’

’Even for someone of my father Xu Ji’s status, requisitioning a Military Heavy Crossbow requires filing a report with the Military Department!’

’So how did these people, who are ambushing me under the cover of night, get their hands on them?’