In the Kunlun Sword Trial, once one stepped into the Ten Thousand Swords Formation, the flow of time was no longer the same as outside.
The elders changed shifts every three days, and once anything unusual was discovered, their reaction was especially swift.
Chao Zhaoyue held them off for a period of time. During that time, he knocked the Grand Elder unconscious with a brick countless times. Seeing that Chao Taichu had also appeared and that more and more people were gathering, he could no longer delay and only then came in to warn her.
Outside the forbidden grounds, at some unknown time, layers upon layers of disciples had already surrounded the place so tightly that not even a drop of water could pass through.
All three elders had arrived—the Grand Elder, with a large bump on his head, was glaring furiously at Chao Zhaoyue, his gaze as if it could spit fire.
Chao Taichu sneered, “Trespassing into the forbidden grounds, knocking out an elder—lawless and unrestrained. Truly, truly a pair of fine children of mine!”
Chao Jinsui’s long hair was loosely pinned up, her features delicate, expressionless; Chao Zhaoyue wore a high ponytail, his brows and eyes flamboyant. The two walked out together, like a matched pair of fine jade, neither speaking.
However, unexpectedly, trespassing into the forbidden grounds was a grave crime, yet Chao Taichu did not immediately order their arrest.
He only looked at them coldly for a while, then flicked his sleeve and said, “Rebellious children, the matter of trespassing into the forbidden grounds—I will not settle accounts with you for the time being.”
Chao Taichu said, “You still do not know—the Su family has already arrived in Kunlun City.”
Chao Jinsui and Chao Zhaoyue exchanged a glance. Both of them realized something was wrong.
In the middle of the crowd, Chao Xiaotu was looking toward her, a smile appearing on her pale face.
Chao Jinsui could almost be certain that what would happen next would surely delight Chao Xiaotu immensely.
Chao Xiaotu indeed spoke: “Heh, Chao Jinsui, so what if you imitated that sword qi flawlessly? You wouldn’t think that merely a Su Baiyin could make Uncle Su and Father turn against each other, would you?”
Chao Jinsui glanced at her.
Who knew that this single glance would completely enrage Chao Xiaotu. A flush of anger spread across her pale face,
“Chao Jinsui, I knew it was you who did it—it was you who made Senior Brother Su vanish without a trace, neither alive nor dead! Don’t even think about denying it! Uncle Su has come, I want to see what you’ll do now!”
Chao Taichu reached out and patted Chao Xiaotu:
“Xiaotu, don’t be so impatient. Now that the Su family has come knocking, our Kunlun must naturally stand united.”
Sure enough, Chao Taichu slowly said, “Your Uncle Su has come to the door—at the root of it all, he merely wants to find out where your Senior Brother Liuyun has gone.”
A broad smile spread across Chao Xiaotu’s face. Indeed, Chao Taichu’s next words—
“However, you don’t need to worry too much. The Su family can still be considered reasonable. Today, as long as you go to the Su family, cooperate with the investigation, and properly explain the situation to the head of the Su family, then when the time comes, Father will help smooth things over for you.”
During these three days, the Su family had swiftly brought people with them and arrived. The matter had grown bigger and bigger, and it was on the verge of becoming a laughingstock of the cultivation world.
Chao Taichu was overwhelmed and anxious, and he had indeed thought of a compromise.
Although Chao Taichu was suspected of killing Su Baiyin, a single Su Baiyin was still not enough to bring the two sects to the point of irreconcilable conflict.
The Su family’s ultimate objective was still Su Liuyun. After all, the eldest young master had vanished without a trace, neither alive nor dead, and the Su family refused to believe he had simply died, searching for Su Liuyun like mad.
They brought three hundred cultivators and stormed up to Kunlun, forcing Chao Taichu to hand over Su Liuyun.
However, how would Chao Taichu know where Su Liuyun had gone? Yet the Su family refused to let the matter rest without an explanation!
They could not break into the sect-protecting grand formation, and the people of Kunlun could not get out either—the situation remained locked in a stalemate.
This matter spread far and wide, and it was on the verge of becoming known throughout the cultivation world. In his urgency, Chao Taichu finally came up with a compromise.
They wanted an explanation, wanted someone to answer for it—so he would hand one person over.
Chao Zhaoyue had originally been listening with a frown, but upon hearing this, his heart gradually sank.
—What cooperating with an investigation, explaining the situation?
No. Kunlun needed to push out a scapegoat for the Su family!
With Chao Jinsui under heavy suspicion, Chao Taichu wanted her to go alone to the Su family.
If she went, could she still return alive?
Chao Zhaoyue’s eyes split with fury, and the Lanyue Sword let out a buzzing hum.
Chao Jinsui said softly, “You see, brother, they don’t want me to live at all.”
Chao Zhaoyue stepped forward, standing in front of her:
“It’s alright. If they want to hand you over, they’ll have to step over my corpse first!”
Chao Xiaotu smiled sweetly. “Elder Sister and Brother Zhaoyue, what are you saying? As long as you cooperate obediently, Father has said that at most three months, he will bring you back.”
Chao Taichu said, “Three months. I will bring you back. If you don’t believe me, I can swear an oath.”
Clearly, several of the elders present had also participated in this discussion. After all, the Su family demanded an explanation, which they could not provide, and they were unwilling to truly go to war with the Su family—this was indeed the best solution.
Moreover, Chao Taichu was willing to swear to bring her back, which meant he was promising to preserve her life. That was already a great concession.
Chao Jinsui smiled faintly. “What if I am unwilling?”
Chao Taichu raised a hand. The surrounding disciples hesitated, but with a single command from the Sect Master, none dared disobey. With a sharp shing, swords were drawn in unison, countless gleaming sword tips pointing at her—
The Kunlun disciples were also unwilling to draw their swords against her, and they all urged:
“Young Sect Master, if you are upright, you need not fear slander. As long as you clear your suspicion, the Su family is not unreasonable.”
“Young Sect Master, the Sect Master has sworn an oath. You need not worry. Just go once to the Su family and explain the whole matter clearly, it will be fine!”
She smiled.
“That oath? Yes, bringing back a corpse would still count as bringing me back, wouldn’t it?”
Silence fell all around.
What?
Countless Kunlun disciples holding swords all looked in shock toward Chao Taichu.
Even the elders looked over.
Because Chao Taichu had been willing to swear, repeatedly declaring he would not let Chao Jinsui lose her life, the elders had unanimously agreed. They had truly believed that Chao Taichu wanted Chao Jinsui to go cooperate with the investigation!
Chao Taichu’s expression suddenly darkened—clearly, that had indeed been his plan, but he absolutely did not want it exposed to his face. He cut her off:
“Jinsui, you are thinking too much. I am your father!”
But Chao Jinsui pressed step by step:
“Father, do you dare swear an oath, saying you will ensure I return intact and whole, otherwise may you be struck by heavenly lightning and forever denied rebirth?”
Oaths sworn to Heaven and Earth in the cultivation world were extremely binding.
Chao Taichu indeed fell silent.
She sneered. “You don’t dare, do you.”
She then looked toward the other Kunlun disciples.
“Advising me to go to the Su family?”
Facing countless gleaming sword tips, she stepped forward with the tip of her foot—and the Kunlun disciples behind them all stepped back in unison.
“Advising me to go die?”
Her gaze swept across the row of disciples before her. Several familiar faces could not help but avert their eyes when she looked at them.
Wuya even unconsciously stepped back, and several of the Ling-generation stood at the very back, not daring to look at her:
“We didn’t…”
Her voice was very soft,
“Then what are you doing?”
“Using the sword I taught you, pointing it at me?”
Some disciples with wavering resolve were shaken by her words—their swords clattered to the ground with a loud clang.
—Just as everyone’s attention was focused on Chao Jinsui, Chao Zhaoyue moved!
In a flash, Chao Zhaoyue’s Lanyue Sword let out a clear ringing cry, like a long rainbow. Sword qi swept across, sending the row of Foundation Establishment disciples in front flying!
Immediately after, Chao Jinsui lightly tapped the tip of her foot, stepping onto the tip of the Lanyue Sword and soaring up, heading straight for Chao Xiaotu!
Chao Taichu’s expression changed as he moved to pull Chao Xiaotu, who stood beside him!
But he was still a step too slow!
The next moment, Chao Jinsui had already arrived before them. She suddenly seized Chao Xiaotu, spun once on the ground, and the broken sword in her hand flashed across, pressing horizontally against Chao Xiaotu’s neck!
Accompanied by Chao Xiaotu’s terrified scream, a line of blood appeared on her neck.
Chao Jinsui’s long hair fell loose, her almond eyes cold:
“Father, you can try—whose sword is faster, yours, or her dying?”
As her words fell, blood began to flow from Chao Xiaotu’s neck.
Chao Taichu’s eyes split with fury. “Let her go! You unfilial child!”
Chao Xiaotu felt the broken sword against her cheek, sending chills down her spine. Frightened, tears streamed from her eyes. “Father! Father! Save me! She’s going to kill me!”
Chao Jinsui said coldly, “Step back!”
Chao Taichu’s face turned pale, and he had no choice but to raise his hand. “Retreat!”
Chao Jinsui: “Not enough! Keep retreating!”
Chao Taichu was furious beyond measure. “All of you, withdraw!”
Chao Zhaoyue descended lightly and unhurriedly, standing behind Chao Jinsui.
Chao Taichu’s bloodshot eyes glared at him. “Chao Zhaoyue! I have not treated you poorly. I have always strictly guided you, valued you as my eldest son. Will you also, like this unfilial child, betray me and use your own younger sister to threaten me?”
Chao Zhaoyue replied lightly, “Don’t you only have one daughter, Chao Xiaotu?”
His eyes were full of mockery:
“Perhaps you don’t remember—this lifetime, the first time you ever called yourself Father in front of us was just now, when you forced Suisui to go to the Su family to die.”
What young person does not admire their father?
Yet at this moment, for the first time, he realized that the monument he had once revered now appeared so despicable, so repulsive.
Chao Jinsui did not act rashly and fell into a standoff with those opposite.
After forcing Chao Taichu back, everyone withdrew beyond the forbidden grounds.
And Chao Xiaotu was the one who suffered.
Chao Xiaotu could not understand why things had turned out this way. Not only had Senior Brother Su, who was destined to be the final winner, vanished without a trace, neither alive nor dead—Chao Jinsui had not been injured, had not sworn a Heaven and Earth oath, and in the end, even intended to defy Father!
She had grown used to ordering Chao Jinsui around in her previous life. Now, with a blade pressed across her neck, she was so frightened that her three souls and seven spirits were nearly flying out of her body.
Chao Jinsui was truly about to cut her throat. She trembled in terror, and could only desperately think of a way to save herself.
Chao Xiaotu cried, “Do you think Father wanted to do that? He had no choice!”
“The Su family brought three hundred cultivators up here—have you already abandoned Kunlun? Don’t forget, your disciple Wuya, and all those junior brothers and sisters who adore you!”
Chao Jinsui ignored Chao Xiaotu.
She asked Chao Zhaoyue on her own: “After leaving the Kunlun Sword Sect, what do you want to do?”
Chao Zhaoyue thought for a moment. “Establish a sect, set up our own mountain stronghold. When the time comes, you’ll be the Sect Master, I’ll be the Grand Elder—idle clouds and wild cranes, roaming the world.”
“But before that, I’ll probably go see Mother first and offer her a stick of incense.”
It was rather ironic. The two siblings had always wanted to pay respects to their mother, but Chao Taichu had issued a prohibition, forbidding them from going to the mortal world. When they were young, she and her brother had sneaked out once, and Chao Taichu locked them in the Siguo Cliff for three months.
Later, only during Qingming could they secretly burn incense and offer prayers on Mingyue Mountain.
Seeing that they had no intention of paying attention to her, Chao Xiaotu felt extremely unwilling. What she understood even less was that they did not even have a chance of leaving alive, yet they were still talking about the future?
Her eyes suddenly lit up—of course, they probably did not yet understand the might of the Su family, which was why they dared to kidnap her.
“Chao Jinsui, you may be powerful, but I know that this time the Su family’s Golden Core cultivators have all come out in full force. Even three Nascent Soul cultivators have arrived! Uncle Su is a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, and there is even an old ancestor! With your bare hands, you’re only dragging Brother Zhaoyue down!”
“Brother Zhaoyue, don’t make trouble together with her. Father has never been dissatisfied with you! Hasn’t he always taken good care of you?”
Chao Zhaoyue finally turned his head and glanced at her:
“Xiaotu, how many times have I told you—don’t call me Brother Zhaoyue. You are one hundred and three years old this year, not three.”
Chao Xiaotu: …
Her face flushed green and pale by turns, and she said resentfully, “Do you think the two of you can just fight your way out? Aren’t you afraid you won’t even be enough to fill the gap between someone’s teeth?”
Chao Jinsui glanced at her, still in that gentle tone: “Good little sister, don’t be afraid. When the time comes, you’ll be the first to block the sword. Just close your eyes and you’ll be dead, it’ll be quick.”
Chao Xiaotu nearly fainted from anger.
She wanted to curse back, but Chao Jinsui’s sword had already returned to rest against her neck.
—Like playing an erhu, she was terribly afraid her neck would be snapped by a single careless pull.
This time Chao Xiaotu finally did not dare make a sound.
—However, Chao Xiaotu was not wrong. There were too many people.
Originally, they only needed to break out beyond the range of the Kunlun Sword Sect’s sect-protecting grand formation, and then the sky would be high and the birds free to fly. Yet who would have thought Chao Taichu was so useless that the Su family had actually fought their way right to the gate.
Now those several hundred people of the Su family below the mountain were watching like tigers eyeing their prey! They would not buy Chao Xiaotu’s worth—holding hostage a hundred of her would be useless.
Thinking this, she cast Chao Xiaotu a somewhat dissatisfied glance.
Inside the forbidden grounds, the brother and sister both fell silent.
—They could not possibly be trapped here to die.
She pondered for a moment, then lowered her head and poked Xiao Yanjing on her wrist:
“Tell him—if he isn’t dead yet, come meet me and provide support. Not the heart demon, not you—I want his true body to come in person.”
Xiao Yanjing hissed twice, poked its head out, and that somewhat silly aura suddenly changed, taking on the presence of a giant serpent, a vicious Jiao.
It was the Demon Lord.
She heard his voice, lazy and drawling: “You want me to help you? What’s in it for me?”
She thought for a moment and answered honestly, “Nothing much. If you come a little later, you can make it in time to collect my corpse.”
The little snake glared at her viciously and turned to leave.
She reached out and hooked its tail. “I’ll owe you one.”
The little snake shook off her hand and glared at her:
Pulling and tugging, what kind of propriety is that?
She lowered her head and asked, “A gentleman’s promise?”
She reached to touch the snake’s tail, but the little snake, finding her childish, swept her hand away with a flick of its tail.
The Demon Lord reluctantly said, “A team of four horses could not pull back my word.”
She could not help but smile: “Yan Xueyi, after this, we count as comrades who have faced life and death together, don’t we?”
The little snake looked at her coldly, then vanished with a whoosh.
The Demon Lord sneered:
—To hell with comrades through life and death, who the hell is comrades through life and death with you!
In the end, the little snake left only one sentence: “The old ancestor the Su family brought has already reached half a step into the Transformation stage. Do not act rashly.”
Chao Jinsui frowned. Sure enough, among these great family clans, the most daunting were the old ancestors hidden within their families who rarely ever came out.
Chao Zhaoyue only heard Chao Jinsui and a little snake hissing back and forth at each other for quite a while.
After the little snake left, he asked, “You found someone to provide support?”
She had been the Young Sect Master for many years and often went out to socialize, but because of her cold temperament, no one had ever heard of her having any close friends—that was also why Chao Zhaoyue had strongly opposed things back then; the two of them had no external support at all.
