Chapter Fifty-Five: Narrow Victory

Defeated by Su Fantian, Xu Xuan’s face was full of dejection and unwillingness, yet he knew his own strength was far inferior to Su Fantian’s. He also understood that had Taiyi not called a halt when he did, he would have become a soul lost beneath Su Fantian’s sword. Xu Xuan lowered his head and slowly ascended the steps. Facing Taiyi, he felt only gratitude and guilt—gratitude for Taiyi's life-saving intervention, and guilt for failing to defeat Su Fantian. Seeing Xu Xuan’s expression, Taiyi smiled, patted his shoulder, and comforted him, “What’s the matter? In competition, there are wins and losses; you needn’t dwell on it.”

“But… but I lost, and the young mistress…”

Taiyi placed one hand on Xu Xuan’s shoulder, drawing him close and speaking softly, “Don’t worry. Isn’t there still me? Just watch closely.”

As no one stepped forward to challenge, Su Fantian laughed triumphantly, “I suppose there’s no one left in Liu Fort. No need to drag this out for three hours—let’s declare the results now and save everyone’s time.”

Taiyi stamped his foot and soared into the air, landing at the center of the training ground. He walked toward Su Fantian with a mocking smile, “Do you not see your grandfather here? I am here to fight you.”

“Good, so you’re the last one. If I defeat you, will you agree to my marriage with the young mistress of the Liu family?”

“Hahaha, that depends on whether you have the fortune for it.”

No sooner had the words left Taiyi’s mouth than Su Fantian launched his attack. Taiyi drew his Killing Wall Sword, which gleamed with a golden light. Taiyi had previously observed Su Fantian’s sword techniques closely, and in this first exchange, he immediately gained the upper hand, striking repeatedly so that Su Fantian could only dodge and defend.

Taiyi began with a set of Three Qi Moves. Su Fantian, already fatigued and facing such powerful and dominating swordplay, found himself retreating two steps for every blow he blocked. Taiyi pressed his advantage, seeing Su Fantian unable to respond, and pursued relentlessly, giving him no respite.

After completing the Three Qi Moves, Taiyi had not injured Su Fantian, but he had extinguished his opponent’s fighting spirit. The confidence Su Fantian displayed earlier, thinking victory easy, proved misplaced—he had underestimated Taiyi. Suddenly confronted by this technique, Su Fantian was forced into a desperate retreat, utterly disheveled, but Taiyi allowed him no chance to regain his composure. He followed up with the Liu Family’s Seventy-two Sword Technique, sword shadows raining down like a storm, and Su Fantian could only defend.

Yet, despite Taiyi’s dominance, he could not inflict any real injury; Su Fantian’s martial foundation was exceptionally solid, and no matter what sword moves Taiyi used, Su Fantian managed to fend them all off. Fortunately, the Seventy-two Sword Technique was inexhaustible; otherwise, Su Fantian would have soon deciphered its secrets.

After a burning incense’s time of battle, Su Fantian finally seized an opportunity. With a rapid step, he broke free of Taiyi’s suppression, seeking to circle behind him for a surprise attack. However, when it came to footwork, Su Fantian’s cultivation was lacking. The Blazing Feather Grip’s seventy-two steps, renowned as the second greatest movement technique in the world, could hardly be surpassed.

Once Taiyi unleashed the Blazing Feather Grip, the outcome seemed determined. Su Fantian looked around and saw only Taiyi’s afterimages. He knew that a reckless attack would only invite swift defeat, so he crouched slightly, gripping his sword tightly, waiting for his chance.

Taiyi, however, grew impatient and took the initiative, attacking with one, two, three strikes—all blocked. It seemed that even exquisite footwork could not compensate for slower swordplay. If Su Fantian continued defending, Taiyi would not be able to harm him; once Su Fantian recovered his strength, the tide of battle might turn.

“World Lock!” In recent days, Taiyi had practiced this immortal art to some degree. Though he could not, like Brother Sansi, trap his opponent for three hours, it was enough to create a winning opportunity. To Taiyi’s surprise, whether due to his lack of mastery or Su Fantian’s formidable cultivation, the World Lock held Su Fantian for only a single breath. Yet in this life-and-death moment, it was sufficient.

Taiyi moved in close; Su Fantian broke free, but to block with his sword was already too late. If he tried to dodge, Taiyi would seize the opportunity to deliver a fatal blow. Thus, Su Fantian abandoned his sword and struck with his palm, turning defense into offense. Taiyi, caught off guard by Su Fantian’s sudden palm strike, was unable to evade and took the powerful blow, stumbling backward and clutching his chest, clearly wounded.

Taiyi used his sword to support himself, kneeling on one knee. His injury was grave, and what he had thought would be a decisive opportunity ended with his own lack of skill, allowing Su Fantian to counter with a palm and inflict serious harm. If he didn’t finish the fight quickly, he would be in trouble.

Ling Shuang, following Liu Zhen’s instructions, stayed inside the reception hall, forbidden to come out. But hearing the disciples’ shouts, she learned Taiyi was injured and couldn’t resist stepping outside, standing at the hall entrance and gazing from afar toward the training ground, where Taiyi clutched his chest, struggling even to stand.

Taiyi sneered, muttering quietly to himself, “Su Fantian, today you’ve encountered me—it’s your misfortune. When you reach the underworld, don’t blame me for taking your life; I’ll try to make it quick for you.”

Taiyi’s voice was low, and Su Fantian didn’t hear clearly, nor did he care. He picked up his sword and gripped it tightly, thinking Taiyi’s injury made him easy prey, and rushed forward.

“Command the World! World Lock! Nirvana Flame Hand! Sword strike!” Su Fantian never expected Taiyi to unleash a deadly combination. On charging Taiyi, he was struck by Command the World—a surge of oppression flooded his mind, rendering him powerless and inducing a sense of submission. Such was Command the World’s might.

With the added restraint of World Lock, Su Fantian became a sitting target. In an instant, Taiyi hurled his sword with the power of Nirvana Flame Hand, straight at Su Fantian’s chest. Su Xing, seeing danger, tried to intervene but was too late; he managed only to send a powerful palm strike, hurling Su Fantian aside.

Yet the sword flew so swiftly that, as Su Xing’s palm struck Su Fantian, the blade was only a step away. Su Fantian was knocked aside, but the sword still severed his left arm, though his life was spared.

Already half-dead from Su Xing’s palm, Su Fantian now lost an arm and fell into unconsciousness. Taiyi smiled and said, “Senior Su, your son has lost. You should honor your promise and not trouble Liu Fort any longer.”

“You… weren’t you injured? How can you still stand unharmed?”

Qi Fei laughed, “Did your son’s palm strike really hope to injure Taiyi? Ridiculous. Even if seriously wounded, the Command the World technique heals all injuries instantly, restoring normalcy. This is the brilliance of my Qi Family martial arts—you could study for centuries and never catch up.”

“If my elder brother says Taiyi is fine, may I have a bout with him?” The voice belonged to Sansi, who had returned riding a gourd.

Ling Shuang, seeing Sansi, could not hold back her tears, covering her mouth to stifle her sobs. With Sansi came three elders of Liu Fort. Sansi landed with the gourd and stored it in his Jade Bracelet.

Su Xing had his men carry Su Fantian away to Lingzhou City for medical treatment, while he remained in the training hall. Though his plans had failed, he still wished to cause trouble.

Sansi cupped his hands, “Young hero Taiyi, please instruct me.”

Taiyi smiled, scratched his head, and replied with a cupped-hand salute, “Young hero Sansi, please.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Sansi rushed at Taiyi and struck him squarely in the chest. Taiyi was stunned, then reacted, retreating more than ten steps, crying loudly, “Ah, so painful! That palm is truly astonishing, as if my meridians are shattered. I… I… I cannot hold out, ah!” With that, he collapsed to the ground.

Liu Zhen leaned over to Qi Fei and whispered, “Taiyi’s acting… I must admire him; not a trace of holding back.”

Qi Fei replied with a cupped-hand salute and a laugh, “Just like me, just like me. Ah, it’s your turn—go speak.”

Liu Zhen took up the long staff and announced, “The martial contest for marriage is concluded. Ye Sansi is the final victor and should be the Liu family’s son-in-law…”

Su Xing stood and interrupted, “I do not agree.”

Taiyi rose from the ground, angrily retorting, “The rules are clear. You cannot disagree. Since your son has lost, this is the Liu family’s affair. How can an outsider interfere?”

The crowd echoed Taiyi, “Indeed, Master Su—since your son lost, Ye Sansi is the winner. How can you object?”

Su Xing snorted and laughed contemptuously, “I heard Liu Fort has high standards for its son-in-law. If it were Li Taiyi, I would have no objection, but this Ye Sansi—who is he? Not from any illustrious family or renowned talent. How can he be the Liu family’s son-in-law? Elder Liu Jin, do you not agree?”

Liu Jin was momentarily confounded by this. Indeed, the Liu family had such rules. Though he was not keen on Sansi as the son-in-law, the contest had been held, skills measured; to retract now would be dishonorable, yet agreeing would violate ancestral teachings. As the eldest elder of Liu Fort, Liu Jin could only nod, admitting Su Xing’s words were factual.

The crowd murmured, finding Su Xing’s argument reasonable. Su Xing, hands behind his back, was clearly pleased.

Qi Fei stood and declared, “Ye Sansi is my sworn brother. Is that qualification enough?”

A Sword God Sect elder whispered to Du Manor’s master, who then stood, “Ye Sansi is the vice-master of our Divine Sword Manor, my chosen successor. Is that qualification enough?”

Su Xing had not known Sansi held such positions and was both embarrassed and angry, feeling the Liu family had played him. Su Fantian was gravely injured, crippled, his cherished son defeated by Taiyi. Yet within Liu Fort, there were several whose martial prowess surpassed his own. If he acted now—even if he killed Taiyi and Sansi—he would not leave alive. So he could only give up.

Su Xing cupped his hands, “Given the circumstances, Brother Liu, I will no longer meddle in this marriage. Once Fantian’s wounds are dressed and he rests for a night, I will leave the city tomorrow. Farewell.” With that, he strode off, his anger obvious in every step.

As the villain departed, the disciples cheered, swarming around Sansi and Taiyi, lifting them overhead in celebration.

Liu Zhen arranged for guests to dine in the east hall, but the Sword God Sect elder saluted the crowd, “Now that the contest is over, Du Manor’s master and I will take our leave. Our sect is reclusive, and we only came due to word of Ling Shuang’s great event. We cannot stay longer; please consider us unseen. And regarding Ye Sansi’s position as vice-master of Divine Sword Manor, I hope all colleagues will keep this secret for Sansi’s safety.”

All masters and elders saluted in agreement, “Since the Sword God Sect elder asks, how could we speak of it? Rest assured.”

Satisfied, the elder nodded and departed with Du Manor’s master. Ye Sansi caught up with them in a secluded spot and asked, “Elders, what’s this? When did I become vice-master of Divine Sword Manor?”

Du Manor’s master smiled, “Young hero Sansi, no need to take it seriously. Elder Wu asked us to help you out. The vice-master’s position has long been vacant, so we filled it for you. It’s an honorary post; don’t worry.”

Ye Sansi saluted, “Thank you, elders, for resolving my predicament.”

The elder turned away, waving with a smile, “Young hero Sansi, you will always be a friend to our Sword God Sect.” With that, he left together with Du Manor’s master…

Within Liu Fort, the disciples gathered in the west hall, the guests in the east. Yet before the reception hall, Ling Shuang still gazed in the direction where Sansi had departed. Taiyi and Nian’er knew not to disturb her and joined the disciples for dinner, leaving the courtyard empty save for Ling Shuang.

“Ling Shuang, I have returned. Were you waiting for me?”