Xuan Jian's Gratitude

Xuan Jian immediately knelt down, respectfully saying, "Thank you, benefactor."

He never doubted that Zuzong would harm him; if Zong had wanted to do so, they wouldn't have gone to such lengths to help him rescue his wife and children.

"I don't have much time. I'll send you over directly. Miss Wei, hold the child tightly. I'll grab hold of you. Don't resist."

As he spoke, Zuzong grasped Xuan Jian's hand and Wei Qianqian's shoulder, calling out in his mind, "System, transport the four of us to Ghost Valley at Yunmeng Mountain."

[Ding, as the 'Legend Of QIn' world is a lower-level world, 1000 hatred points are needed for the teleportation of four people, consuming a total of 4000 hatred points. System teleportation in progress…]

The space around them distorted with Zuzong at the center, and the four of them disappeared from the palace.

When they reappeared, they were deep within a forested mountain, surrounded by mist. In front of them was a small straw hut. An elderly man with an air of immortality stood on the porch, and before him, two young men were sparring with swords. This was none other than Guiguzi, the legendary recluse, along with his two disciples, Wei Zhuang and Gai Nie.

The sudden appearance of the four startled Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang, who immediately raised their swords and stood guard in front of Guiguzi.

As for Guiguzi, though generally calm and composed, he couldn't help but furrow his brows. Despite his vast knowledge, he had not yet transcended the world. Ignoring the strange teleportation technique Zuzong had used, the ability of these four to travel through space exceeded his understanding.

Zuzong cupped his hands and said, "You must be the renowned Guiguzi, and these two are your famous disciples, Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang. Don't misunderstand, I'm not here to cause trouble."

Guiguzi sized up the four. One of them was injured, but his calloused hands showed he was a skilled swordsman, especially with a dual-sword technique. The spider tattoo on his hand suggested he was none other than the infamous Black and White Xuan Jian of the assassin network. And though his swords were absent, the woman standing beside him, holding a baby, seemed to be his wife and child.

As for the man in front, Guiguzi couldn't quite see through him. Though masked, his voice suggested he wasn't very old, yet his aura was unlike anything Guiguzi had ever encountered—he seemed to radiate vitality.

Guiguzi raised his hand, signaling Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang to lower their swords, then looked at Zuzong. "What business brings you to Ghost Valley?"

Zuzong nodded. "It's best not to fight. I wouldn't fare well against this old master, who's the strongest in 'Legend Of Qin'."

He continued, "I saved a couple and their child, but I fear their enemies might come after them again. After much thought, I concluded that Ghost Valley would be the safest place for them. I hope to leave them here for three or four years, and by then, I will return for them."

In three or four years, Emperor Ying Zheng would visit Han Fei, and by then, he could intervene and ask for Xuan Jian's pardon.

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhuang, known for his sharp temper, wasn't pleased. He immediately drew his shark-tooth sword and sneered, "Do you think Ghost Valley is some kind of refuge?"

Zuzong smiled wryly. What a prideful man!

"Don't worry, I'll offer compensation. I'm sure you don't care for money, so how about this?"

As he spoke, Zuzong conjured two bottles of hundred-year-old soul wine out of thin air. These were left over from a previous gathering with Flender and the others. The wine contained traces of soul power, which wasn't particularly effective for a soul master like him, but for martial artists like them, drinking it would surely enhance their skills.

With a gesture, Zuzong sent the soul wine floating towards Guiguzi. "This is hundred-year-old soul wine, containing pure energy not found in this world. If your two disciples drink it, their skills will improve significantly."

Seeing Zong manipulate objects through the air, Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang furrowed their brows, thinking, "Such impressive skill!"

Guiguzi, however, remained calm. Apart from a slight frown when the four had appeared out of nowhere, he hadn't shown any emotion.

Guiguzi reached out and absorbed the bottles into his hand. Without opening them, he could already sense the pure energy inside. He couldn't help but marvel at such a rare item.

Guiguzi said, "Gai Nie, Wei Zhuang, go to the eastern side and build a cottage for these three guests."

Wei Zhuang was displeased—this wasn't the cool image he wanted to maintain. "Master, this—"

Before he could finish, the more level-headed Gai Nie interrupted him. "Wei Zhuang, listen to the master."

"Hmph!" With a cold snort, Wei Zhuang sheathed his sword and followed Gai Nie eastward.

Zuzong conjured Xuan Jian's black and white swords and handed them to him. Guiguzi glanced at them and nodded but said nothing. As for Xuan Jian and Wei Qianqian, they were already accustomed to Zong's abilities.

Zuzong handed the swords back to Xuan Jian. "These belong to you."

Xuan Jian shook his head. "I only want to take care of Qianqian and the child now. I no longer wish to be involved in the conflicts of the martial world. The swords are useless to me."

Zuzong blushed slightly. In truth, he wanted to see Xuan Jian perform a sword technique. Since entering the 'Legend Of Qin' world, Zuzong had an idea—though his "Second Soul Skill—Blue Silver Blade" was fast and powerful, its attack pattern was too simple. If he could learn the top-tier swordsmanship of this world and incorporate it into his skill, its power would be terrifying. It might even become his primary attack method.

Clearing his throat, Zong said, "Ahem, you don't need to keep the swords, but could you show me your swordsmanship?"

Xuan Jian was momentarily stunned—so his benefactor just wanted to learn his swordsmanship!

Laughing heartily, Xuan Jian said, "Alright! My benefactor saved my family's life, and I owe you more than I could ever repay. My swordsmanship is decent enough, so if you want to learn, I'll teach you."

Xuan Jian took the black and white swords and began to demonstrate, without hiding anything from Guiguzi. After all, Guiguzi was a true master of swordsmanship and wouldn't need to steal techniques from a wandering assassin.

Zong activated his Sharingan, copying Xuan Jian's every move. The more he watched, the more entranced he became. This was true swordsmanship—precise, powerful, and majestic.

When Xuan Jian finished, Zuzong's time was almost up.

Xuan Jian sheathed his swords. "I hope my skills were satisfactory."

Zuzong couldn't help but praise him. "That's truly impressive swordsmanship."

Even Guiguzi nodded in approval. "The reputation of Black and White Xuan Jian is well deserved."

Xuan Jian bowed to Guiguzi. "My swordsmanship is nothing compared to the mastery of Mr. Guiguzi."

[Ding, three minutes remain until the host returns to Douluo Continent.]

Hearing the system's prompt in his mind, Zong cupped his hands toward Guiguzi. "It's time for me to leave. I entrust these three to your care, and I will repay you generously next time."

Guiguzi nodded without saying a word.

Hearing this, Xuan Jian immediately tried to hand his swords back to Zong.

Zong shook his head. "I'll be back."

Xuan Jian didn't insist and put the swords away, looking like he had more to say.

Zong smiled. "If you have something to say, just say it."

Xuan Jian nodded. "I don't expect to know your true identity, but I just want to understand why you've taken such care of my family."

Zong replied, "Perhaps I just wanted to learn your swordsmanship."

"No, I can tell. That was a spur-of-the-moment decision," Xuan Jian said firmly.

Zong glanced at Wei Qianqian and sighed. "Perhaps I was moved by the genuine love between you and Miss Wei. In such a dark age, it's rare to see true love. Or maybe, I just wanted to fulfill my own desire."

[Ding, time's up. Host will return to Douluo Continent in 10, 9, 8...]

"Farewell. I wish you happiness."

As soon as Zong finished speaking, the space around him distorted, and under the gaze of Guiguzi, Xuan Jian, and Wei Qianqian, he disappeared.

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