Chapter 9 (1/2)
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Cough…”
At this instant, this lad was overwhelmed with traumatizing fear that dug deep within him. He knew that if the sword pierced him an inch closer, he would have been dead in an instant!
That was not the worst of it. If the edge of the blade had been a hairline sharper than it was, or perhaps if the blade was whole and not broken, this young lad would have been dead right where he stood!
His mind was bombarded with questions, mystified by how Zhou Yan managed to unleash such an attack. However, the bitter truth was his untimely defeat!
The lad was unable to satiate his growing dissatisfaction of his defeat, since he could not bear being humiliated in the presence of Zhou Lingyi.
“You ambushed me! Such shameless trash you are, and yet you dare to strike first without honoring or even understanding the basic rule of a duel! Perhaps your parents met their demise far too early before they could teach you the basic rules of a duel!”
As Zhou Cheng spoke, his face contorted into a malicious expression.
“Do you have a death wish?”
Zhou Yan could not be bothered to argue with the likes of him. Thus, the young lad simply responded with an odd question. At this moment, Zhou Cheng noticed the overwhelming menace in his gaze. It was akin to a wolf’s menace as he feared that if he had spoken another word, he was sure that despite being in Zhou Lingyi’s presence, he would have been dead.
“Hmph, it seems I’ve underestimated your abilities. You’ve managed to master the fourth form of the Sword Art of Clear Waters Heaven’s Blade? You’ve even managed to bring out the depths and intricacy of this sword art. It is without a doubt that if you hadn’t pushed your body beyond its physical limits, you would be a useless piece of trash.
“However, if you assume that this little showcase of your might earlier would give you any sort of leniency to do anything you please such as to harm anyone in our family, then I will never show you mercy!
“Since your father contributed greatly to the cause of our family in the past, if you can bend your knee, repent for your action and give yourself a tight slap across your face, I shall forget about this violation you’ve done.”
Zhou Lingyi’s arrogant voice echoed loudly in the air.
“My Lady!” exclaimed Zhou Shuangshuang.
She was extremely dissatisfied with Zhou Lingyi’s response.
Since her own brother was wounded to such a great degree, she was unwilling to leave the trash, Zhou Yan, unpunished for his wrongdoing.
“Speak no more of this. I know what I’m doing.”
Thus, Zhou Lingyi stopped Zhou Shuangshuang from speaking further with a wave of her hand. With a gentle and compassionate tone, she spoke, “Be a common-folk now, there would be no need for any sort of training. This would be a good thing for you, so know your place.”
“Hahaha. How comical!”
Zhou Yan burst into uncontrollable waves of laughter; it was unhinged madness!
These maniacal waves of laughter seemingly shrouded the deafening silence of the City of Cang Lan with a cloud of a mysterious aura.
“Is there anyone left in the face of the Zhou family who could stand against me? What sort of tricks do they have up their sleeves to face me? There is never a need for them to send a group of trash like you for me. Do you happen to know the truth behind the hand-carved effigy my father left for me? This is because it is capable of destroying everything the Zhou family built! This happens to be a secret artifact!
“So, tell me, are you lot trying to force my hand in destroying everything along with myself?” yelled Zhou Yan with a thundering roar!
At this moment, this young lad could not allow his impulsive nature to destroy everything in the wake of his fury!
Judging from his current state, his raw power would be no match for Zhou Lingyi. However, he did not wish to unleash his full potential at this moment.
He could now very clearly see through all their façade. These lot had indeed gone mad! There were no lengths these people would never go to in the name of achieving their goals!
Perhaps, everything that transpired was a carefully orchestrated illusion from the elders. However, with a little extra thought, he knew that it was solely the doing of these fools and had absolutely no connection with the elders.
Worse still, these people had so delicately orchestrated the illusion of false encouragement to motivate him to do better. This was done for the sole purpose of guilting him into submission.
If not, why else had the lad felt that his natural gifts were ultimately held back, shackled down even? These mental shackles felt similar… to sealing his gifts completely.
At this very moment, Zhou Yan truly snapped as he lost himself within the realms of his mind. He had finally gone ‘mad.’
Yelling his lungs out, with a single swing of his broken blade, Zhou Yan shaved off half of Zhou Xian’s face along with his ear. Zhou Xian screamed out loud in agonizing pain.
This scene alone shook every single person to the core.
At this moment, Zhou Yan was extremely reckless with his unhinged power. Others present had grown increasingly cautious at the same time.
“Argh…”
Zhou Xian let out a blood-curdling shriek of pure agony, it was a haunting scene indeed.
Covered in blood, this poor lad gripped the side of his bloodied face tightly as both his hands were trembling in fear. His piercing shrieks of agony paired alongside his tormented agonizing look clearly shocked everyone present.
It was notably more frightening for Ping’er. It was the very first time in her life ever witnessing her master go to such lengths to defend her honor!
As a lowly handmaiden of no status, she had no idea how she was worthy of her master’s grace until this moment. She now knew that it was worth everything her life had to offer to serve a master of such great compassion for several lifetimes, for an eternity, and even if for countless lifetimes did she reincarnate as a lowly handmaiden, she knew it was worth everything!
Ping’er’s heart was moved by her master’s grace, and by impulse, she made the most determined choice of her life… She decided to serve her master exceptionally well for eternity. It did not matter if it cost her life or even the disintegration of her soul. This young lass cared not for her own life anymore, for she had sworn a lifetime of servitude to her master alone!
…
“Zhou Yan, so bold of you to act with such reckless impunity. Did you know that your ruthlessness had started your path of evil? You are beyond salvation!”
Zhou Lingyi frowned as her expression was clear with extreme killer intent.
“You piece of trash. How bold of you to show Lady Zhou such disrespect. Who in the world gave you such courage? You need to know your…”