Chapter 157 - 109: Driven to Desperation, Zhang Su Kills Two with One Sword

Jiang Kui and Zhou Sandao’s hearts leaped in alarm.

’That’s right. What did kidnapping Ouyang Jing have to do with Zhang Su?’

’Zhang Su just killed Ouyang Pu, the Third Manor Master of Hidden Sword Manor. Why would he care if Ouyang Jing lived or died?’

’Zhang Su was here to kill *them*.’

’Whether Ouyang Jing died or not was completely irrelevant to Zhang Su.’

Hesitation flickered in their hearts.

But in that moment of hesitation, Zhang Su drew his sword.

SHING.

The ring of the blade was crisp and sharp.

A blinding flash of sword light blazed through the air.

The faint roar of wind and thunder seemed to emanate from the flash.

Jiang Kui reacted quickly.

He sensed the danger and instinctively tried to raise his saber to block.

But no matter how fast he was, he was no match for Zhang Su’s sword.

SHLICK.

Zhang Su had only made a single strike, yet two phantoms of his blade streaked across the necks of Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui.

The phantoms vanished in an instant, too fast for almost anyone to see clearly.

Only the afterimage of the sword light remained, slowly fading in the air.

Jiang Kui felt a sudden cold on his neck.

His saber slipped from his grasp as he instinctively clapped both hands to his throat.

"You..."

Blood gushed from between his fingers, dripping down to the ground.

His eyes were wide with shock. His lips moved, but no sound came out.

But no matter how hard he pressed, he couldn’t stop the bleeding.

Zhou Sandao was in no better shape.

A deep gash had been torn across his neck. Blood poured out like a fountain, instantly staining the front of his robes crimson.

He opened his mouth, trying to speak, but only a gurgling sound escaped.

THUD.

Both men collapsed to the ground.

Their bodies convulsed a few times and then fell still.

Ouyang Jing glanced at the corpses of Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui on the ground.

He was unharmed.

Aside from a shallow, bloody cut on his neck, it was nothing life-threatening.

He reached up to touch his neck. Seeing the blood on his fingertips, his heart pounded with lingering fear.

He couldn’t resist viciously kicking their corpses a few times.

THUMP. THUMP.

The bodies rolled over from the force of the kicks, spattering blood on his boots.

’How dare those two kidnap me?’

Just moments ago, he had truly walked the line between life and death.

’If Jiang Kui had reacted just a little bit faster...’

Ouyang Jing didn’t dare to think about what might have happened.

CLICK.

Zhang Su sheathed his sword.

He glanced at Ouyang Jing, then turned to Ouyang Chuan. "Manor Master Ouyang, I just saved your third son’s life. That is a fact, is it not?"

The corner of Ouyang Chuan’s mouth twitched.

’Zhang Su saved Ouyang Jing?’

’On the surface, it certainly seemed that way.’

’But Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui had only been trying to escape with their lives.’

’If Hidden Sword Manor had just let them escape, Ouyang Jing would have been fine.’

’Besides, wasn’t it Zhang Su who forced them into a corner in the first place, making them act so desperately?’

Ouyang Chuan knew this perfectly well.

However, regardless of the reason, Zhang Su *had* indeed saved Ouyang Jing. It had happened in front of everyone, and Ouyang Chuan couldn’t pretend otherwise.

Everyone around them was watching.

The guards of Hidden Sword Manor, the disciples of Medicine Valley, as well as Wang Hu, Zhou Yong, and the others.

With so many eyes on him, denial was impossible.

"Thank you, Young Hero Zhang, for saving my son’s life."

Ouyang Chuan said through gritted teeth.

Every word seemed to be forced from between his clenched teeth.

His heart was bleeding.

Zhang Su had just killed Ouyang Pu, and now he was forced to thank the man.

The feeling was worse than swallowing a fly.

"The debt for saving a life is immeasurable. I don’t want gold, silver, or any Treasure Sword. I only wish to have a look at your manor’s Sword Nurturing Skill. If you agree, the score between myself and your esteemed manor will be settled, and we will have no further dealings with one another. What do you say, Manor Master Ouyang?"

The moment Zhang Su finished speaking, Ouyang Chuan exploded with rage.

"Impossible! The Sword Nurturing Skill is a secret passed down within my Hidden Sword Manor. It can never be shown to an outsider! Do not speak of this again."

Ouyang Chuan refused instantly, without a moment’s hesitation.

His face was beet red, and his eyes practically shot flames.

The Sword Nurturing Skill was Hidden Sword Manor’s most treasured secret.

This Swordsmanship was so secret that, even within Hidden Sword Manor, only core clan members were allowed to cultivate it.

’Teach it to an outsider?’

’Absolutely not!’

Zhang Su, however, didn’t seem surprised. He said calmly, "Since Manor Master Ouyang is unwilling to settle the score, then let’s set aside the favor I did you... and settle our grudge instead."

His voice was light, as if he were discussing some trivial matter.

But his words were a blatant threat.

How dare Zhang Su threaten them right here in Hidden Sword Manor?

Ouyang Chuan was so furious he trembled all over.

But with Ouyang Pu dead, who could possibly be a match for Zhang Su?

Ouyang Chuan’s gaze swept over the crowd.

He couldn’t count on Shen Mufeng and his two companions.

The other Huajin Martial Artists of Hidden Sword Manor were even weaker than Ouyang Pu; sending them up would be a death sentence.

’Must I really disturb the Clan Elders?’

"Young man, you should be merciful when you can. Your edge is too sharp. You should know the principle that what is too rigid is easily broken!"

Just then, an ancient voice reached Zhang Su’s ears.