Chapter 172 - 113: The Rudimentary Form of True Intent is Hard to Break, Zhang Su Slays an Embracing Pill with One Sword

The sole drawback of the Extreme Sword Form was its one-strike limit. If that strike missed, he would be left at his enemy’s mercy, all his Inner Strength completely consumed.

But this time, Ouyang Yin had been alone, so Zhang Su had been free to use the Extreme Sword Form without reservation.

He had no other worries.

After a while, Zhang Su felt the emptiness inside his body recede slightly.

A trace of Inner Strength slowly began to well up inside him again.

He glanced at the broken sword on the ground.

It was no longer usable.

Zhang Su crouched down and picked up Ouyang Yin’s sword.

Ouyang Yin’s body lay on the ground, his sword having fallen beside him.

Zhang Su picked up the sword and held it in his hand.

The scabbard was black, devoid of any decoration, with only a ring of dark red silk thread wrapped around the hilt.

The thread was worn shiny, a mark left by years of being held.

This was a Treasure Sword.

Much better than the Cold Frost Sword.

After all, Hidden Sword Manor specialized in sword casting and was renowned throughout the Jianghu.

A sword forged by Hidden Sword Manor was something countless people in the Jianghu dreamed of owning.

And Ouyang Yin’s sword was considered a top-tier Treasure Sword, even among those from Hidden Sword Manor.

Never mind someone wielding Pill Force; even a warrior with Gang Force or a Postnatal Realm expert would likely find it difficult to easily shatter Ouyang Yin’s sword.

Zhang Su examined the sword carefully.

The blade was as silver-white as snow, its edge incomparably sharp, glinting coldly in the sunlight.

There wasn’t a single flaw on the blade.

Zhang Su lightly flicked the blade with his finger. It let out a clear, melodious hum that lingered.

’A fine sword.’

Zhang Su saw a name engraved in small characters on the longsword.

"Shadow-Stealing... Like a fleeting shadow, fast as lightning. A good name indeed."

He murmured the words aloud.

The sword was indeed fast.

When Ouyang Yin had drawn it, the flash of the blade had been like a bolt of lightning.

Too bad it ran into the even faster Extreme Sword Form.

"You’ll be with me from now on..."

Zhang Su picked up the Shadow-Stealing Sword.

The hilt felt warm and smooth in his hand, not cold like the Cold Frost Sword’s.

The dark red silk thread was wrapped just right—not too loose, not too tight—making for a comfortable grip.

Zhang Su tucked the Shadow-Stealing Sword into his sash, then looked down at the broken sword on the ground.

The fragments of the Cold Frost Sword were scattered all over.

He glanced at Ouyang Yin’s corpse on the ground.

The expression on his face was frozen from the moment of his death.

A mixture of shock and indignation.

’But this is the Jianghu!’

"Wang Hu, Zhou Yong, throw Ouyang Yin’s body off the precipice."

"Yes, Young Hero Zhang."

The two men hurried over to Ouyang Yin’s body.

Wang Hu bent down and grabbed Ouyang Yin’s collar while Zhou Yong took his feet. Heaving together, they lifted the corpse.

The two walked to the edge of the precipice and gave a powerful heave.

The body flew out over the edge. A long moment passed before a dull thud echoed from below.

It was the sound of the body hitting the rocks.

A magnificent Danjin Strongman, now left to rot in this nameless canyon.

With no one to even collect his body.

"Miss Gu, you should take Wang Hu and Zhou Yong back to Qingquan Prefecture first," Zhang Su said suddenly.

"Hm?"

Gu Ying was taken aback.

"Young Master Zhang, aren’t you coming back with us?"

Zhang Su shook his head.

"I have some things to take care of."

He gazed into the bottomless canyon and said grimly, "For some actions, once taken, a price must be paid!"

Wang Hu and Zhou Yong exchanged a look.

As Martial Artists who had struggled to survive in the Jianghu, how could they not understand the meaning behind Zhang Su’s words?

They immediately cupped their fists toward Zhang Su and said, "Rest assured, Young Hero Zhang. We will escort Miss Gu safely back to Qingquan Prefecture."

Zhang Su nodded.

"Miss Gu, let’s go," Wang Hu said.

Gu Ying looked at Wang Hu and Zhou Yong, then glanced back at Zhang Su.

Suddenly, she understood.

’Jianghu matters are settled in the Jianghu.’

’Ouyang Yin’s ambush wasn’t just his own affair; it was the affair of the entire Hidden Sword Manor.’

’How could the death of Ouyang Yin alone possibly settle this feud?’

’So, Zhang Su was going off to kill...’

"Young Master Zhang, take care!"

Gu Ying didn’t try to dissuade Zhang Su.

She immediately vaulted onto her horse and rode off quickly, escorted by the two guards.

Watching the trio’s figures disappear, Zhang Su patted Little Red Horse.

"Let’s head back!"

Zhang Su turned around and started back the way he came.