Volume One: The Young Master of the Demon God, Chapter 36: Sword Intent, Protection!

"Dare you!" the Master of the Zhen family retorted with indifference.

Chen Qingming replied, "The life-and-death duel between Qi Yu and Zhen Xingfan was a fair fight, and furthermore, it was Zhen Xingfan who initiated the challenge!"

The Zhen family master snorted, "So what? My people can kill others, but no one may kill my people. Whoever harms my kin must pay with their life!"

*Thud!*

At that moment, Qi Yu coughed up a mouthful of blood. Having endured two palm strikes from a master of the Profound Sovereign realm, his body was drenched in blood, yet he remained standing, his spirit burning with defiance.

A slow smile spread across Qi Yu's lips. "If you’ve got the guts, come and get me!"

Suddenly!

*Clang!*

Chen Qingming drew his long sword, his eyes blazing with fury. "Master Zhen, you have repeatedly shown contempt for the iron rules of the Sword Sect. Today, I shall use your blood to sanctify the majesty of my sect!"

The Zhen family master curled his lip. "Sect Master Chen, do you dare strike me? Do not forget, I am backed by the Zhen family of the Royal City!"

"Hmph! So what? Die!"

Chen Qingming’s voice was cold. Before he became Sect Master, he had roamed the world with his sword, fearing no power. Now, as the leader, he had too many concerns to act on his impulses as he once did—but that did not mean he had lost his mettle.

Just as he was about to strike, a much more overwhelming aura surged toward them at high speed.

*Smack!*

Before anyone could react, a crisp, resounding slap echoed across the courtyard!

The Zhen family master was sent flying by the blow, crashing straight into a wall. A figure flashed like lightning toward him; the wall crumbled instantly, and with another *smack*, the Zhen family master was sent airborne. Mid-air, the figure leaped up and delivered a kick to the man’s back. A massive burst of force erupted, slamming the Zhen family master into the ground and creating a deep crater.

Several of the Zhen family master's teeth were knocked out, his nasal bridge was shattered, and his face was a mask of streaming blood. He looked utterly wretched.

He struggled to stand, covering his nose with one hand as blood seeped through his fingers. He was trembling with rage, unable to even make out the face of his attacker. "Ugh, damn you!"

At that moment, a figure walked slowly toward him.

Su Kaishan stood tall, looking down at the Zhen family master with cold indifference. "Master Zhen, do you recognize me?"

The Zhen family master looked up to study him closely. Suddenly, his pupils dilated in disbelief. "You... you are the ancestor of the Su family?"

Su Kaishan nodded. "Indeed. Today's events shall serve as a lesson. Should there be a next time, I will take your life!"

The Zhen family master was stunned, his voice deepening. "Ancestor Su, are you also going to shield this brat? Are you not afraid of the Zhen family’s retaliation against yours?"

"Hmph! Arrogant fool!"

Su Kaishan snorted and raised a palm, striking out!

*Smack!*

The Zhen family master was sent flying once more, his cheek swelling up until he resembled a pig's head.

Su Kaishan said coldly, "Young friend Qi Yu is my sworn brother, a friend across generations. To disrespect him is to disrespect me. How could I spare you?"

The Zhen family master was filled with terror. "This... how is this possible!"

Su Kaishan slowly raised a hand and clenched it. Several strands of violent, predatory sword intent coiled around the Zhen family master, leaving him unable to move an inch.

"Get out!"

With a wave of Su Kaishan's hand, the Zhen family master was flung out of the small courtyard and landed heavily on the ground outside.

The waiting servants rushed to help him up. The Zhen family master glared at the courtyard, his eyes burning with hatred. He knew that if he went back in, Su Kaishan would surely kill him on the spot. But there would be other days; the sect tournament was to be held in the Royal City, and Qi Yu would be there. He would have plenty of opportunities to kill him then!

"Qi Yu, just you wait!"

With a sneer, the Zhen family master left, supported by his servants.

Inside the courtyard, Liu Rouxue held Qi Yu with a face full of concern, while Zhang Wandian immediately produced a restorative pill from his robes, channeling his spiritual energy to slowly guide the medicine into Qi Yu’s system.

Chen Qingming bowed to Su Kaishan. "My thanks to Senior Su for your intervention!"

Su Kaishan laughed heartily. "I came for young friend Qi Yu as well. You, as Sect Master, have many burdens to consider—let an old man like me handle the dirty work!"

With that, Su Kaishan laughed and departed.

At this moment, Qi Yu’s consciousness had entered the Demon God Sword Domain. Even though it was only his consciousness, he felt as if his entire body were in excruciating pain. He sat cross-legged and began circulating his spiritual energy to heal. Yao Yao and Xiao Yu’er also joined in, funneling their own energy into him.

To the outside world, Qi Yu appeared to be in a coma, but after only a single day, his injuries were fully healed—a fact that even Zhang Wandian found incredible. He had been worried that Qi Yu might miss the upcoming sect tournament.

Liu Rouxue checked his injuries repeatedly, and once she confirmed they were indeed gone, she hugged him tightly. The moment she had seen him blasted into the ruins, she had been terrified—terrified that he might truly die.

Qi Yu patted her head. "Silly girl."

Zhang Wandian said, "Qi Yu, since you are recovered, we should set out as soon as possible. There are only three months left until the tournament."

Qi Yu thought for a moment and nodded. With Zhang Wandian’s arrangements, Qi Yu and Liu Rouxue packed their belongings into Qi Yu’s storage bracelet.

The Royal City was ten thousand miles away from the Sword Sect, a journey that would take half a month by cloud ship.

On the ship, Zhang Wandian remarked, "It is said that the Cliff Academy will also be participating this time. If those with exceptional talent catch the eye of the academy’s mentors, they might be accepted to study there."

"The top disciples from every major sect will be gathered; the difficulty of this competition can be imagined."

The Cliff Academy was said to have been founded by a sage. It was one of the premier institutions of the Great Yan Dynasty, possessing vast cultivation resources that countless young practitioners would do anything to join.

Qi Yu asked with curiosity, "Is the Sword Sect willing to let us leave to join another institution?"

Zhang Wandian laughed. "Haha, our Sword Sect is not so narrow-minded. Because we cannot provide you with better resources, keeping you by force would only harm you. Letting you leave benefits us as well; when you prosper in the future, you can aid the Sword Sect in return."

Qi Yu and Liu Rouxue nodded.

Zhang Wandian continued, "Even on the cloud ship, do not slacken your cultivation!"

Thus, Qi Yu and Liu Rouxue returned to their respective cabins to practice.

Inside the Demon God Sword Domain, Qi Yu held the Cold Cicada Sword, slashing again and again. Sword shadows flickered, and the sound of the blade ringing filled the air. He was not using spiritual energy, but purely physical strength, striving to comprehend sword intent.

Sword intent was a profound realm in the way of the sword, transcending mere sword moves and momentum.

As he swung, Qi Yu pondered the intent behind his actions. Why did he wield the sword? The answer was simple: to kill! He had to kill because he wanted to live, and he had to strike down those who stood in his way.

But was there a deeper meaning beyond killing?

Qi Yu could not grasp it. He had only touched the surface, for the sword intent inherited from Sect Master Shen was centered on slaughter.

He did not know how much time had passed. His right arm grew numb, and unintentionally, he switched the sword to his left hand, swinging it idly. Several more hours passed, and his left arm grew numb as well.

Suddenly!

A flash of inspiration struck his mind. Could the act of killing an enemy also be interpreted as... protection?

His first kill had been to protect himself; later, he fought to protect his father's dignity; and when the Zhen family master came for revenge, Qi Yu had shielded Liu Rouxue behind him without a moment's hesitation.

Protection—was that not also a form of sword intent?

Qi Yu immediately sat down and began to circulate his energy, attempting to fuse this intent of "protection" into his sword momentum. Before long, a faint, crimson blood-light began to envelope his body.

Yao Yao and Xiao Yu’er exchanged glances.

Yao Yao: "Whoa, he comprehended sword intent this quickly?"

Xiao Yu’er: "That’s even faster than the Sword God did back in the day!"

This was absolutely outrageous!

Qi Yu suddenly opened his eyes, the crimson light receding into his body. Holding the sword in his left hand, he slashed out!

The first strike of the God-Slaying Sword Art!

*Hiss!*

The tip of the sword glowed with brilliant gold, but amidst the radiance, there were wisps of blood-red light!

A golden crescent wave of energy, entwined with alluring red light, tore through the resistance of the sword domain and shot toward the giant sword in the center like a bolt of lightning.

This time, the sword energy traveled further than ever before!

Qi Yu let out a long breath and looked at Yao Yao with excitement. "Yao Yao, was that sword intent?"

Yao Yao paused and nodded. "Yes."

"Hahaha!"

Qi Yu joyfully picked up Xiao Yu’er and spun her around.

However, a moment later, he realized with shock that he could only manifest this "protection" sword intent with his left hand. If he switched to his right, the intent vanished.

What... what was going on?

Qi Yu felt a headache coming on and looked at Yao Yao for answers, but she shook her head and spread her hands, signaling she did not know.

Qi Yu looked at his right hand. Could his right hand also comprehend a different kind of sword intent? But he had never heard of anyone who could master two distinct types. He tried repeatedly, but as long as he held the sword in his right hand, the crimson light of his sword intent would simply disappear.