Chapter 145 - 107: Hidden Sword Manor, Zhang Su is Here

"Hidden Sword Manor is guarded by a Pill Force master. I can’t find a Pill Force master willing to descend the mountain, so I’ll go myself to deal with Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui once and for all."

Zhang Su’s tone was still calm, as if he were discussing a trivial matter.

’And that was indeed what he thought.’

The Jianghu Pursuit Order had been active for two months. The bounty wasn’t low, yet no one dared to go to Hidden Sword Manor to kill the men.

The reason was simple: Hidden Sword Manor had a Danjin Strongman watching over it. While the Jianghu Martial Artists were greedy, they valued their lives even more.

With the protection of Hidden Sword Manor, Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui would be safe even if the Jianghu Pursuit Order remained active for another year.

But Gu Ying was just a woman from an ordinary merchant family. Though she didn’t lack silver, the Martial Artists she could hire were merely unaffiliated Jianghu wanderers with Outer Force Cultivation at best.

Sending such people to Hidden Sword Manor to demand the men would be no different than sending them to their deaths.

However, Zhang Su was different.

’He might not even need to make a move himself.’

’If he just went to Hidden Sword Manor, they might hand over Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui simply due to the pressure of his identity as an Inner Sect Disciple of the Guiyuan Sect.’

’After all, the Guiyuan Sect stood behind him.’

"Thank you, Young Master Zhang!"

Gu Ying bowed deeply to Zhang Su.

She had been waiting for this day for a long, long time.

Ever since the day her entire Gu Family was wiped out, she had been waiting.

Waiting for someone who could avenge her.

Now, she had finally found him.

"Young Master Zhang, I... can I go with you to Hidden Sword Manor? I want to see Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui die with my own eyes..."

Gu Ying looked up, her eyes filled with pleading.

"You..."

Zhang Su frowned.

’Gu Ying is just a woman, and she doesn’t know any Martial Arts.’

’Traveling with her would cause significant delays.’

’Besides, he would have to divert his attention to look after her on the road.’

He was about to refuse.

’Taking a woman with no Martial Arts skills on a mission was a definite liability.’

But Gu Ying quickly said, "Young Master Zhang, I can ride a horse. I definitely won’t slow you down. And I’ve hired two Outer Force Martial Artists from the Jianghu as guards, so you won’t need to be distracted looking after me."

Gu Ying waved a hand, and two Martial Artists immediately walked over from a distance.

Both were bladesmen, burly in build with long sabers at their waists. Their steps were steady and powerful.

Dressed in black combat attire, one look told you they were hardened Jianghu Martial Artists who lived on the edge.

Upon seeing Zhang Su, the two men hurriedly cupped their fists in salute and said respectfully, "Greetings, Young Hero Zhang."

They knew of Zhang Su’s status as well.

He was an Inner Sect Disciple of the Guiyuan Sect—an existence far beyond their reach.

Before the Guiyuan Sect, two Outer Force Martial Artists like them weren’t even worthy to carry his shoes.

Zhang Su glanced at the two men, his gaze sweeping over them.

’Steady steps, callused palms, long and even breaths—they were indeed Outer Force Martial Artists.’

’The strength of Outer Force Martial Artists in the Jianghu was generally average.’

’In the Guiyuan Sect, they probably wouldn’t even measure up to the most average Inner Sect Disciple.’

’However, they were more than capable of ensuring Gu Ying’s safety.’

Since Gu Ying had prepared so thoroughly, Zhang Su no longer objected.

After all, the Gu Family had suffered the horrific tragedy of being completely annihilated.

Only Gu Ying had survived.

Although Zhang Su had not personally experienced it, he could imagine the hatred and pain she felt.

Dozens of family members—the old, the young, women, and children—not a single one was spared.

Such a deep-seated, bloody feud was something no one could ever let go of.

It was already a testament to her strength that Gu Ying, a lone woman, had managed to endure for so long.

Her desire to witness the deaths of Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui with her own eyes was only natural.

"Alright, let’s go together. I’ll go back and pack. We’ll set out in an hour."

"Thank you, Young Master Zhang!"

Gu Ying’s face was filled with gratitude, and a glimmer of light finally returned to her eyes.

It was the light of hope.

And so, Zhang Su returned to the Inner Sect.

He, too, had preparations to make.

After all, he didn’t know how long he would be away from the mountain.

He had to bring some Moonlight Pills.

This type of elixir wasn’t particularly rare, but it was highly practical, and his Three Yin Divine Techniques couldn’t do without it.

He also had to bring the Centennial Cold Jade.

’One can never slack off in their Cultivation.’

Zhang Su knew very well that Huajin was just the beginning. The Embracing Pill stage was the true threshold.

There were quite a few Huajin Martial Artists among the Inner Sect Disciples, but fewer than one in ten succeeded in reaching the Embracing Pill stage.

’He couldn’t afford to become complacent over a single breakthrough.’

Zhang Su returned to his quarters and packed everything he needed.

A few bottles of Moonlight Pills, three pieces of Centennial Cold Jade, and some silver taels and dry rations.

He packed these items into a cloth sack and slung it over his back.

Then, he sat in his room for a while, regulating his breath for a moment to completely calm the Yin Yang Mixture Strength within his body.

About an hour later, Zhang Su arrived outside the Mountain Gate.

The sun was bright, casting a faint halo of light on the square paved with bluestone slabs.

He was still leading his Little Red Horse.

The horse had been with him for some time. Although it wasn’t a prized breed, it was obedient and had good stamina.

Gu Ying and her two companions were also ready and mounted their horses.

Gu Ying was still dressed in plain clothes, a conical hat on her head obscuring most of her face.

Her two guards, Wang Hu and Zhou Yong, each rode a maroon horse with long sabers at their waists, looking quite imposing.

"Let’s go!"

Without another word, Zhang Su led the three of them down the mountain.

The crisp sound of hooves on the bluestone slabs echoed through the valley outside the Mountain Gate.

The journey from the Guiyuan Sect’s Mountain Gate to Hidden Sword Manor was a long one.

Zhang Su’s party traveled for a full five days before finally reaching the region of Hidden Sword Manor.