Chapter 27 (1/2)

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“Throughout my life, since that incident, the only one that earned my respect besides your father, Zhou Wangchen, was the young lad.

“However, even though he was exiled, he was still part of the Yang family! The Yang family had always been on horrible terms with each other, and to have someone like that in their family, my bloodlust and intent to kill awoke on several occasions. Nonetheless, it was a shame that I was unable to pull through.

“It was because every time I was about to attack, I would picture his determined gaze.

“Whenever tragic moments plague a man’s life, one’s memories would significantly improve, as the more the effort goes into forgetting something, the harder it would be.

“Hence, as the young lad grew older, the only value worth admiring was that he never actually caused trouble for our Gu family. There were even several times in the past that this young lad helped out our Gu family.

“This time, however, there was a test of might between our family and the Yang family. He unleashed his attack and managed to strike me down with a single swing of his blade. However, he never took my life. I was instead harmed by someone else.”

As Gu Yan explained the tales of his past, he indirectly told Zhou Yan the history of a man who shared similar experiences with him.

“This… Yang Qingtan… I never expected this seemingly silent and complacent young lad to have this much power in him. This explains why his Sword’s Way of Indomitable Steel was this fast! However, based on his experience and everything this young lad had gone through, it seemed very similar to brother Zhou Yan’s personal experience. It was only after brother Zhou Yan continuously suppressed his own potential did, he awaken his natural gifts,” lamented Gu Xi.

As the young lass spoke, she glanced over at Zhou Yan. She felt her emotions toward this young lad just deepened.

“Huh? Little Yan, you are doing so as well… that means all these years, you were tortured by the Zhou family?”

As Gu Yan listened to his daughter’s statement, his expression grew increasingly furious.

He initially thought that it was only Zhou Yan’s life that was sorrow-filled. However, he never expected the Zhou family to force Zhou Yan in suppressing his own body’s potential, to the extent of actually harming himself!

This was nothing the lad, Gu Yan, could bear to hear, as a malicious intent slowly boiled within his heart. It no longer mattered if the Zhou family belonged to Zhou Wangchen nor the fact that he had become literal useless trash. He was tempted to unleash his fury on Zhou Yan’s behalf to get back what was rightfully his!

“Uncle Gu, about that, I will explain to you later in greater detail. You see, my current state isn’t as dire and unfortunate as you think.

“As of now, whoever attacked you is still a mystery. Hence, I reckon we lay this matter to rest at the moment, and we shall stop our conversation for now. Regarding your injuries, I happen to know a way to heal you, so go on and sit down cross-legged, uncle, and let go of any resistance you might have. Allow me to infuse my blade’s essence in your body’s meridians.”

After a brief moment of contemplation, Zhou Yan decided exactly what to do.

The young lad knew… that Yang Qingtan had shaken his uncle’s soul, scarring it deeply. If his uncle could not overcome this mental trauma of this young lad… he would be haunted by Yang Qingtan for the rest of his life.

If Gu Yan had unleashed his bloodlust, Zhou Yan could feel the sudden constriction of his eyebrows, morphing his expression into a bitter look.

Thus, it was obvious that each time this lad had mustered any sort of strong emotions, Zhou Yan was worried it might trigger some old wounds to hurt again.

Initially, the young lad had only intended to heal Gu Yan. However, since they had been apart for so many years, the instant they were reunited, the young lad had plenty to say to Gu Yan. He wanted to share his joy and sadness with the people he cared about. That was how the young lad felt, and Gu Yan was no exception, as Gu Yan told Zhou Yan his darkest secrets.

It was at this very moment that Gu Yan’s injuries started hurting again. Hence, without any delay, Zhou Yan began healing him.

“Yes, I shall leave my life in your hands. I have lived this long, and it has been worth it. It’s only a matter of time that I too will die, so don’t hesitate. Do what you have to do!” said Gu Yan with pride.

This scene was exactly the same as how Gu Xi trusted Zhou Yan before.

Zhou Yan was slightly touched as Gu Xi was truly a chip off the old block and had inherited her father’s pride.

…

Once again, nightfall approached. A cool fall’s breeze blew as the sky was illuminated by a pale moon.

Zhou Yan, Gu Yan, and Gu Xi were sitting in a shed. They were drinking and admiring the beauty of the twin moons in the night sky. They chatted about their past, present, and the progression of things with the current state of everything that occurred.

A full day and night were spent on healing Gu Yan’s wounds. Finally, after all that effort, Zhou Yan exhausted thirty mid-tier spirit crystals to fully heal his injuries.

In addition to that, Zhou Yan had drunk two full jugs of the Burning Blade’s Soul Ale. With that, he felt that based on his current progression, he was extremely close to finally ascending into the realm of the Blade’s Essence.

However, it seemed that he still lacked some power to break through his current realm.

Zhou Yan had actually thought about infusing the spirit crystals to ascend and break through the current realm he was in. However, he also thought about the benefits it would bring if he awoke his Blade’s Menace in a lower realm. Hence, he held back his progress.

If he was able to awake his Blade’s Menace in the realm of the Blade’s Cardinal, the benefits it would reap for his future would be unimaginable!

This was stated in the ‘Manuscripts of Clear Waters Heaven’s Blade.’

In the manuscript, it was not purely inscribed with the teachings of the sword skill. Instead, Zhou Yan was able to grasp a series of common knowledge and everything in between, such as the different standards of a scholar of the Sword’s Way, the Blade’s Core of Pure Frost, Pure Yang, Indomitable Steel, Ancient Arts, Chaos and many more.

Between the time Zhou Yan was done healing Gu Yan, and the time Gu Yan spent on self-recovery, he managed to read through the manuscript once more, and coincidentally, he saw the page.

Hence, the young lad willed himself to hold back his tempting feelings to progress further.