The Steward Demonic Emperor

Chapter 1133: Toward the Sword Shack

Proofreader: Papatonks

“Pick up the pace, you two. I don’t want to get there when the fighting is over!”

A girl ran ahead of two guys, dashing through the woods and holding a wiggling worm, adjusting course based on its direction.

Long Jianshan and Xie Nianyang shared a worried look for the willful and obstinate young miss.

“Sister Sifan, let’s just stop. We’ll only burden the venerables in a Genesis Stage expert showdown.”

“Say if you don’t want to go, don’t make excuses, you chicken!” Luo Sifan huffed, speeding up, “I’ll just go by myself then. I’ve yet to see a Sword King fight. Are they as amazing as they say that not even the five of them together can handle?”

The gophers hung their heads in defeat at their headstrong boss lady.

“We’re here!”

Luo Sifan glanced at the worm raising its head and lit up. She crossed a bush and a sea of yellow entered her view, with the sun’s dazzling rays shining on her delicate features, her enchanting eyes. 

She froze on the spot. Her excitement for the fight had now drained from her face, her blood running cold.

Whoosh~

The gophers arrived as well, “Sister Sifan, wait for us, we…” 

The duo stiffened at the shocking scene.

[H-how is this possible?]

As the sand blew, they witnessed blood soaking everywhere. Five familiar figures were laying in it, unmoving.

Before them was an old man in blue, holding an azure sword and tracing its blade with a frown, “Strange, how can there be the Vaulting Sword Art? Why does this sword contain Vaulting Sword’s mysteries? The Exalted aren’t good at refining either, while their swordsmanship isn’t impressive either. Does this mean that the western lands has another Vaulting Sword inheritor? But why the Luo clan? I’ve never heard of anyone from Luo clan getting into Double Dragon Manor.”

“Grandpa Li!”

Luo Sifan cried out in tears, rushing to him before the other two could stop her, “Sifan…”

The old man paused and observed the distressed girl looking after Li Jingtian, “You’re from Luo clan?”

“Y-you’re Dragon Cleaving Sword King, Danqing Shen?” Luo Sifan’s eyes quivered, but steeled herself to meet his gaze.

Danqing Shen nodded, “I am.”

The kids shivered, their hearts tensing.

“Did you do this to them?” Luo Sifan was most definitely scared, but fought through it to ask.

Danqing Shen offered a snicker, “Yes, this is my handiwork. Missie, you’re quite brave, knowing I hurt them yet rushing over still. Aren’t you scared I’ll take your lives?”

The trio flinched and shook like leaves. Luo Sifan tightened her fists, “My clan has no cowards. Grandpa Li and the others are our venerables. I am not about to turn a blind eye to them!”

“My, what spunk!”

Danqing Shen nodded, “I can see the valor in Luo clan like they say. Even the kids are steadfast. I’d hate to go against you just on this alone, but I made a vow. Girl, you recognize this sword?” 

Luo Sifan glanced at Everblue and nodded.

“Great, let’s talk. I’ve come to western lands for only one man and I’ll kill any that stand in my way. But seeing your venerables so steadfast and righteous garnered my sympathy and I left them breathing. Now tell me where you got this sword and I’ll leave you be as well.”

Luo Sifan was silent.

[Why’s he so interested in it? Are Sword Kings after 12th grade spiritual weapons as well? Or is it maybe the blind uncle? I can’t tell on him or he’ll get hurt.]

Danqing Shen snickered, “Don’t feel like talking? Then none of you are leaving here alive, including your elders.”

Danqing Shen flexed his aura to mount the pressure. The kids were rooted on the spot, their breaths stolen and their faces red. 

Luo Sifan gnashed her teeth.

“Ha-ha-ha, just like Luo clan, tight-lipped.” Danqing Shen’s eyes shone, ramping up the pressure, “I asked the old guys as well, but they just attacked and look how they end up. But why are you kids doing the same? They could at least fight while you are all powerless before me. Do you really want to die like this?”

“Luo clan… never turns its back on anyone…” Luo Sifan squeezed through the pain and discomfort.

Danqing Shen was touched.

He was about to go easy on them when a shout came, “It’s the blind swordsmith! He gave it to us…”

Whoosh~

Danqing Shen snapped his eyes on Long Jianshan.

“Who is that?”

“He lives three miles out of Swordfall. The villagers know about him.” Long Jianshan recoiled under the piercing stare.

Danqing Shen nodded and chuckled, “Girl, you’re not bad, while he, ha-ha-ha…”

Danqing Shen vanished. Luo Sifan glared at him, “Long Jianshan, how can you sell out the blind uncle? What if he wanted to harm uncle?”

“But we were about to get killed! What was I supposed to do?” Long Jianshan looked crushed, muttering, “I was doing it for us. It’s he who will die, instead of us five, six, seven, eight.”

“All the more reason we can’t betray his goodwill after giving the sword. Are we that ungrateful that we sent trouble his way? Haven’t you ever heard of death before dishonor?”

Luo Sifan glared as she lashed at him. 

“Who is to say eight lives outweigh one life?”

Rumble~

A loud rumble aproached as a 3rd level spiritual beast drawn carriage arrived, caring a languid voice.

“Are you from the Luo clan? Get in. I want to save the blind swordsmith.”

“Y-you’re…”

“I’ve met your Alliance Leader once and told me who deserves to die and who doesn’t. Regardless of what Danqing Shen has against the Luo clan, the blind swordsmith is innocent. I will try to mediate.”

The soft voice spoke again, “Have the wounded placed in a safe spot. I’ll save them.”

Luo Sifan nodded in joy and signaled Xie Nianyang for help with the elders. Long Jianshan hesitated, shaken up hard from the encounter with the Dragon Cleaving Sword King. 

But scarier by far was Luo Sifan’s fury, and so Long Jianshan lent a hand as well.

After taking care of them, the three got in and were shocked to witness such beauty.

Rumble~

The carriage rushed through and arrived before the cabin with the sign Sword Shack written on it.

Its door was blown out and Danqing Shen sat before it. His eyes shone at the dangling spiritual swords.

Hearing the carriage stop, he looked behind to see a fair lady cupping her hands, “Dragon Cleaving Sword King, greeting.”

“Murong clan’s young miss?” Danqing Shen chuckled, “I don’t recall having met with brother Murong. It ought to be Wine Sword Immortal the closest with you. Miss Murong, why would you look for me?” 

The kids got out as well and shrank in fear, while also amazed at Murong Xue.

[The lady must be important for even Danqing Shen to show respect.] 

They had yet to grasp how vast the world was, that their Luo Alliance had only been around for just shy over a century. As for the Murong clan, it held power in the five lands for millennia, making even the central area think twice. 

This was the deterrence a Sword King level expert brought, unlike all those countless factions.