Firmament Sword

”The old man said at the time, ’You’re just a kid, and you don’t look like a little beggar. You must have run away from home after being wronged. When you’re hungry, you need to eat. What’s a few buns? Just take them and eat.’” As Huangfu Chongzhi spoke, a gentle smile graced his face, but a glimmer of moisture flashed in his eyes. He then chuckled, ”When I left, the old man stuffed two more buns into my hands. I was still clutching them tightly when the palace guards finally found me.”

Everyone at the table fell silent.

The five of them were brothers, and any one of them could be called a child of fortune. They came from illustrious backgrounds, so how could any of them have ever known starvation?

Even Xu Luo was moved by Huangfu Chongzhi’s story. Although he had been mocked and ostracized since childhood, his family had given him endless warmth. Whether it was the majestic and powerful Grand General Xu Ji, or his older brother Xu Su—known as the Wise General, who would instantly turn into a brute whenever he was bullied—they never allowed him to suffer the slightest grievance.

Among all the brothers, only the Eldest Prince, Huangfu Chongzhi—the one with the most noble and distinguished status, yet the most awkward position—could have possibly had such an experience.

”What happened then?” Little Fatty asked, looking at Huangfu Chongzhi.

”Later, when I took some money and went back to find that bun shop, the neighbors told me the old man had died of illness and the shop had closed.” Huangfu Chongzhi gave a sad smile. ”The old man had no descendants. I wanted to repay his kindness, but I never got the chance. So, I swore right then and there that if I ever encountered a similar situation, I would lend a hand no matter what. Perhaps to us, it’s just a simple act of kindness, but to the other person, it can feel like all the warmth in the world.”

The group was moved once again. Little Fatty’s eyes were slightly red as he raised his cup and said, ”Eldest Brother, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have doubted you. I toast you!”

Everyone else raised their cups as well. Xu Luo said, ”To the old man. Cheers!”

”To the old man. Cheers!” the group exclaimed in unison.

Unseen by anyone, a figure in white had been standing silently in the night outside the small tavern. They only drifted away when the group clinked their cups together.

Everyone has their own story, whether they are rich or poor, noble or humble.

The five brothers drank late into the night at the tavern before returning to their rooms to rest.

Xiaohai, the fearsome giant tiger, lay quietly outside Xu Luo’s door. At first, he had scared the people in the tavern quite badly, but they later discovered that Xiaohai seemed highly intelligent and couldn’t be bothered to pay them any mind as he lay there. Only then did they relax.

Xu Luo returned to his room and began to cultivate quietly.

He continuously circulated the Shadow Shaking Heart Method, a daily routine for him.

Of the Breaking Army Seven Kills, he could now unleash the fourth kill—Great Mountain Collapse. As his body was continuously reforged by the awakened Kaiyang Star Soul, Xu Luo found it increasingly easy to execute Great Mountain Collapse. With his current strength as a Tier Four Great Sword Master, even a Tier Eight or Nine Great Sword Master wouldn’t dare to face a single Great Mountain Collapse head-on!

His Shaking Light Step had also changed significantly as his power grew. Before, its advantage was purely speed, but now, when he used it, he could create five or six afterimages that looked identical to his real body!

This served to greatly confuse his enemies.

The Shaking Light Step was also Xu Luo’s greatest life-saving tool. To this day, he had yet to meet anyone who could surpass him in speed.

His most powerful killing move was, naturally, the Shaking Light Burst. This sure-kill strike, which condensed all the power in his body, had proven effective time and again, allowing him to slay his foes at the most critical moments.

Otherwise, any random Sword Venerable could have easily slain him.

Although the Kaiyang Star Soul hadn’t helped Xu Luo with any Cultivation Techniques, its effect on reforging his body was astonishing.

Xu Luo could clearly feel that his current physical toughness, and the blows he could withstand, had already reached the level of a Sword Venerable!

He had never seen any truly supreme experts. The strongest person he had ever met was Li Wenxi, the Sect Leader of Merak. However, Xu Luo had never personally seen her make a move, nor could he sense any fluctuations or pressure from her.

Therefore, Xu Luo had no idea that this change in his body was enough to astonish even someone stronger than Li Wenxi!

’I think I finally have a chance to help my father and brother now.’ After completing a full cycle of the Great Cycle Shadow Shaking Heart Method, Xu Luo slowly opened his eyes and murmured to himself, ’You two fight on the front lines, and leave the rear to me! Anyone who tries to sabotage or trap you from the shadows, I’ll make sure they suffer a crushing defeat. I’ll make them regret they were ever born into this world!’

...

「Three days later.」

Xu Luo’s party finally arrived at their destination. A vast expanse of green stretched out before them, a refreshing and pleasant sight.

The only flaw in this perfect picture was that the very spot where Xu Luo had planned to build his city was already swarming with a large group of people, bustling with construction. It seemed... they were also building something!

”Third Brother, what’s going on?” Little Fatty looked at Xu Luo in surprise. ”Is this another one of your preemptive moves, Third Brother? Hahaha, you’re amazing! We haven’t even arrived, and construction has already started!”

As he spoke, Little Fatty suddenly sensed that something was wrong, because he couldn’t see any trace of a smile on Xu Luo’s face.

Xu Luo stood there with a solemn expression, his eyes filled with doubt as he gazed at the bustling construction site not far ahead. When he had sent Tang Yong and Li Yu out to connect with the brothers Yuan Ren and Yuan Yi, his primary instruction was for them to gather evidence of the Wei Family’s crimes.

Regarding the fiefdom, he had indeed instructed them to simply keep an eye on things here, but not to take any action. They only needed to keep a close watch on the people connected to Wei Feng; they weren’t supposed to worry about anything else.

In all his time in the north, Xu Luo had never tried to contact Tang Yong and the others, precisely because he feared they would be exposed.

Although the journey had been peaceful, aside from that one assassination attempt, Xu Luo knew in his heart that countless unseen eyes were constantly monitoring their movements.

Xu Luo also didn’t believe that Tang Yong and the others would start construction here without his permission.

”Third Brother, you didn’t arrange this?” Seeing Xu Luo’s expression, Little Fatty’s brow furrowed, and he said coldly, ”Then I’d like to see who dares to seize our brothers’ territory!”

With that, Little Fatty marched directly toward the site.

Sui Yan silently followed right behind Little Fatty.

Huangfu Chongzhi looked at Xu Luo and asked, ”You don’t know what’s going on either?”

Xu Luo shook his head. ”I’m not sure. Let’s go take a look.”

Saying this, Xu Luo followed close behind, walking toward the bustling construction site with Huangfu Chongzhi, Xu Jie, and the others.

Before Little Fatty could even get close, he was stopped. A middle-aged man who looked like a steward blocked his path with an arrogant air, looking down his nose at him. ”Who are you people? This is a restricted area. No unauthorized entry. Scram!”

Little Fatty raised an eyebrow and said with a smirk, ”It’s true this is a restricted area, but... whose restricted area is it?”

”Nonsense! Of course it’s our family’s restricted area! You think it’s yours?” Seeing Little Fatty’s defiant attitude, the middle-aged man’s tone grew even more hostile. He sneered, ”Looking for trouble? You should have asked around whose territory this is first!”

”Oh? Then I’m all ears. Go on, tell me, whose territory is this?” Little Fatty asked with a cold laugh.

”Saying it might scare you to death! This place is the fiefdom of Xu Luo, the second son of the Grand General of National Guardian! We are currently building a castle for Young Master Xu!” the middle-aged man said with a smug expression. ”How about that? Scared now? Get lost, and don’t make me say it twice!”

”Heh, you’re... building a castle for Young Master Xu?” Little Fatty sneered. ”Who told you to build it? And another thing, have you even seen what Young Master Xu looks like?”

The middle-aged man’s eyes flickered. He gave Little Fatty a cold glance, then sneered, ”So what? Whether I’ve met him or not, do I need to report to you? Who the hell do you think you are? You dare to come here and meddle in other people’s business!”

As he spoke, the middle-aged man waved his hand, and several burly men immediately rushed over, vaguely surrounding Little Fatty with hostile gazes.

At that moment, Xu Luo, Huangfu Chongzhi, and Xu Jie walked over. Little Fatty called out to Xu Luo, ”Third Brother, are these your men?”

Xu Luo glanced at the arrogant middle-aged man and asked coolly, ”Are you the steward here?”

”That’s right. And who are you?” the middle-aged man grunted, his nose in the air.

”I am Xu Luo.”

”Xu Luo? Which Xu Luo? You... what did you say?” The middle-aged man’s expression was first one of disdain, but then realization dawned. He stared at Xu Luo in astonishment and said, ”You’re saying you’re the Seven-Colored Marquis, Xu Luo?”

”Is there a second Xu Luo?” Xu Luo replied calmly.

”HAHAHAHAHA.” The middle-aged man suddenly burst out laughing. He pointed at Xu Luo, roaring with mirth, ”Brothers, come look! I’ve run into someone impersonating Young Master Xu! This guy’s got some nerve, daring to pose as the second son of the Grand General of National Guardian! Hahaha, this is killing me!”

Just then, a hundred men swarmed out from the construction site. They were all dressed in dirty workers’ clothes, and they stared at Xu Luo’s group with murderous glints in their eyes.

”Not good, fall back!” Xu Luo glanced at the men and suddenly let out a low shout. His body shot forward as he threw a punch at the middle-aged man!

”Figured it out? Too late!” the middle-aged man roared. His body also shot forward as he abruptly unleashed a powerful True Essence Aura from his body—a faint, almost tangible cyan light!

BANG!

Xu Luo’s punch landed on the man’s True Essence Aura but failed to break through!

Immediately after, the hundred or so dirty-looking construction workers simultaneously pulled out exquisite hand-crossbows, aimed at Xu Luo’s group, and fired without hesitation!