deltrittennovels Chapter 273 - 168: Silk Cave
Chapter 273 - 168: Silk Cave
The teacup whistled, spinning at an incredible speed.
However, not a drop of tea fell, and it was wrapped with strong Sword Qi.
The Sword Qi spun, seemingly a cup of tea, yet flying like a Sword Wheel.
Hua Jinnian’s face changed; this technique was truly formidable. Unable to catch it bare-handed, he decided to use his fan as a sword to knock down the teacup.
But seeing a flash of silhouette, Chu Qing had already stepped forward:
"A gentleman does not steal what others favor..."
At this point, his toe landed, and an invisible force burst out along the ground in front of the teacup.
Then a swoosh sounded, and the teacup spun in mid-air, returning as it had come.
Chen Zhengnan raised his eyebrows and stretched out his hand, catching the teacup.
This move seemed ordinary but was indeed profound.
When Chen Zhengnan made his move, Sword Qi was attached to the teacup. Chu Qing channeling force through the ground was beyond everyone’s expectations.
But after a change, the Sword Qi contained in the teacup not only showed no sign of slowing down but became more fierce.
Although the Sword Qi started with Chen Zhengnan, it had long since escaped his control.
Yet he could grab the teacup without being harmed by the Sword Qi.
The teacup continued to spin rapidly in mid-air for an extended time.
By now, the tea inside had long turned into a chaotic mess.
And at the moment Chen Zhengnan grabbed the teacup, the tea inside was calm as the force dissipated completely, and even the Sword Qi vanished into thin air.
Thus, it was evident that this person’s martial arts were far beyond the ordinary.
Chu Qing laughed and said:
"Chief Chen has drunk half of this cup of tea. How is it right to offer it to another? Please enjoy it yourself, Chief Chen."
Chen Zhengnan casually opened the lid, scraped off the floating tea leaves, but didn’t drink. He simply put it down and glanced at Chu Qing:
"In this world, talents emerge, each dominating for hundreds of years.
"I heard that your senior brother taught you the Seven Extremes Seven Transitions Seven Injuries Sword before he died?
"Is this true?"
"Indeed, it was gifted by the predecessor, for which I am immensely grateful."
Chu Qing clasped his fists.
"Gifted? Did you truly learn it?"
Chen Zhengnan looked at Chu Qing coldly.
Chu Qing smiled:
"I’ve gained some understanding."
Chen Zhengnan, silent for a moment, then chose not to speak further.
Hua Jinnian, on the other hand, glared at him twice and then led Chu Qing to sit down.
Seeing Chen Zhengnan seemed willing to let things rest, Chu Qing also said nothing more and turned to look at Cao Qiupu beside him:
"Why are you all here?"
Cao Qiupu glanced at Miss Ling Fei, who turned away silently.
Only then did he speak:
"Staying at one place too long gets dull, so I wandered around..."
Then he lowered his voice:
"This place is not a friendly one; the three of you must be careful."
Knowing his words were untruthful, Chu Qing understood there must be hidden affairs involved and stopped pressing, merely nodding.
If this place were friendly, I wouldn’t have come here.
Then he looked at Hua Jinnian:
"And you?"
"...My story is quite long.
Hua Jinnian sighed:
"There’s much you don’t know. Since departing from Luochun Manor, my encounters have been indescribable.
"I originally intended to attend the Yijian Sect’s Sword tournament.
"It is held every three years, sending invitations all over the South Ridge for young experts to attend.
"Regardless of family or sect, if one can take the top spot, they can gain a Secret Technique.
"Heading north unexpectedly acquainted me with Xu Family disciples, invited to be their guests..."
"Xu Family?"
Chu Qing pondered:
"Are you talking about the ’Golden Hook’ Xu Family?"
"Exactly."
Hua Jinnian nodded.
Chu Qing considered the Xu Family, which was quite unique.
Their family was known for Mechanical Art and Martial Arts, not a powerful clan but noteworthy nonetheless.
Their most famous trait was that the patriarch must cut off their left hand upon succession.
Leaving the hand adorned with the ancestral treasure, the Golden Hook, which appeared as a mere ordinary hook but was a weapon left by their ancestor.
It concealed mechanics within, could be used both near and far, long or short, combined with their ancestor’s self-created Golden Hook Thirteen Techniques, boasting considerable power.
This was the Xu Family’s foundation.
However, to wield this item, one had to sever the left hand.
This was the price every Xu Family patriarch had to pay.
Though the Xu Family was reputed for their chivalry.
Yet why did Hua Jinnian look so grief-stricken?
Then Hua Jinnian said:
"At that time, I thought, since the Sword tournament wasn’t soon, it wouldn’t hurt to gain more experiences and meet some heroes of the Martial World.
"So I went along... but unexpectedly, during a banquet, I witnessed quite a show.
"The contemporary matriarch of the Xu Family was actually secretly meeting her brother-in-law in the backyard.
"I was merely going to relieve myself when I heard the brother-in-law knocking on the sister-in-law’s door, shouting ’Open the door, sis, it’s me, your brother.’
"My drunkenness was almost gone.
"I couldn’t resist eavesdropping to listen... but before I could understand anything, the Xu Family patriarch arrived with his people to catch them.
"Quite a spectacle that made quite a stir."
"...And then?"
Chu Qing blinked; such things weren’t unheard of but were rare.
As Hua Jinnian spoke, several pairs of eyes from around the hall glanced over, and even the black-clothed person fiddling with his fingers pricked up his ears to listen.
Who would have thought, though small, the Xu Family’s tale was large in intrigue.
"Afterwards..."
Hua Jinnian gritted his teeth at this point:
"The Xu Family patriarch’s brother, seeing the bad situation, escaped through the window.
"When the Xu Family patriarch entered to search, the room was already empty...