themonasnovels Chapter 103 A Crushing Blow
Chapter 103 A Crushing Blow
Upon hearing this, Si Gu Jian's perpetually cold and unchanging expression suddenly trembled! His sharp, sword-like eyes instantly flashed with disbelief as he stared intently at Ye Tian, as if trying to see right through him!
"How...how do you know all this?!" His voice trembled slightly with excitement.
Ye Tian smiled but remained silent.
Si Gu Jian's chest heaved violently. In his mind, Ye Qingmei's few words, tinged with a sly smile yet pointing directly to the core of his swordsmanship, resurfaced clearly once more! Those words were like a sudden awakening, dispelling the fog that had troubled him for years, allowing his swordsmanship to advance by leaps and bounds, ultimately leading him to the Grandmaster realm! This kindness was higher than the sky and deeper than the sea!
He always believed that no one else knew about this past except him, the woman who had long since passed away, and his mentally challenged younger brother (Shadow)!
Hearing this story, which had been buried deep in his heart, from Ye Qingmei's son again, Si Gujian felt an indescribable surge of excitement and guilt welling up in his heart.
He recalled Ye Qingmei's former elegance and the guidance she had given him. Then he looked at the young man before him, whose features bore a resemblance to hers, yet who exuded even more domineering presence and mystery.
"Thump!"
Under the horrified gazes of everyone, including Li Yunrui and Fan Ruoruo, the renowned swordsman of Dongyi City, known for his decisive and ruthless actions, whom even Emperor Qing feared, looked around and, surprisingly, knelt down before Ye Tian with both knees buckling!
He touched his head to the ground, his voice hoarse yet filled with boundless gratitude and devotion:
"Si Gu Jian of Dongyi City greets Young Master! Miss Ye's guidance back then was like that of a second parent! If it weren't for her words that awakened me from my dream, I, Si Gu Jian, would long ago be a pile of withered bones in the Sword Tomb, or a cripple tormented by inner demons, and I would never have achieved what I have today! I will never forget this kindness! Today, seeing Young Master, whose demeanor surpasses even that of the past, I, I have failed in my duty!"
His kowtow was genuine and sincere, without the slightest hint of falsehood!
Li Yunrui and Fan Ruoruo were completely stunned by the sudden scene before them, speechless!
That's Si Gu Jian! One of the Four Grandmasters! A ruthless sword saint who kills without blinking an eye! He actually... actually bowed so deeply to Ye Tian?! And even addressed him as "Young Master"?!
They had always known that Ye Qingmei was powerful, and Ye Tian was also powerful, but they never imagined that Ye Qingmei's influence back then, and the "favors" that Ye Tian could now bear, would reach such a terrifying level! Even someone like Si Gu Jian had to kneel down and express his gratitude!
This completely overturned their understanding!
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Si Gu Jian's earth-shattering kneeling and his heartfelt "Greetings, Young Master" froze the atmosphere in the main hall of the Qin Prince's mansion. Li Yunrui and Fan Ruoruo were completely blank-minded. They never imagined that Ye Qingmei's influence back then could make a swordsman like Si Gu Jian, who was arrogant, aloof, and ruthless, perform such a profound prostration!
Ye Tian reached out to support Si Gu Jian, and a gentle yet irresistible force lifted him up: "Senior Si Gu Jian, there's no need for such formalities. If my mother were alive, she would surely be very pleased to know of your current achievements and your gratitude for the past kindness."
Si Gu Jian slowly rose, his sharp, sword-like eyes now carrying a complex emotion as he looked at Ye Tian: "Young Master, Miss Ye was once peerless in her beauty and talent, with a heart for the world. She should have shone like the sun and moon for eternity, yet... she met such a tragic end!"
As he spoke, his voice involuntarily crackled with barely suppressed rage and murderous intent, and the temperature in the entire hall seemed to drop several degrees.
"Emperor Qing!" Si Gu Jian practically spat out these two words through gritted teeth. "Back then, he was able to stand out from the princes and secure his throne with Miss Ye's strong support. Why! Why, after Miss Ye achieved great success and brought endless prosperity and change to Qing, did he fail to protect her?! Furthermore, rumors circulate that he was one of the masterminds behind the massacre at Taiping Villa! This matter has always been a thorn in my side, a constant source of unease! Young Master, do you know the details? And what is Emperor Qing's attitude now?"
His questions were filled with anguish, clearly revealing his boundless indignation and resentment over Ye Qingmei's death.
Ye Tian's eyes turned slightly cold as he said calmly, "Senior Si Gu Jian, my mother's death is indeed inextricably linked to Emperor Qing; he is the culprit. I, Ye Tian, have begun to settle this blood debt with him, one stroke at a time. As for his current attitude, heh heh, he's nothing but a cowardly clown who's forced to temporarily endure out of fear. What he owes my mother, what he owes the world, I will make him repay a hundredfold, a thousandfold!"
"Excellent!" Upon hearing this, Si Gu Jian's eyes flashed with astonishing light, and his sword intent soared into the sky. "With the young master's words, I am relieved! Miss Ye has a worthy successor; I can rest in peace even in the afterlife!"
His tone shifted abruptly, and his sharp sword intent, far from diminishing, intensified, pointing directly at Ye Tian: "However, I have devoted my life to the sword. Today, I am fortunate to witness such a rare and extraordinary talent as Young Master. If I cannot personally experience Young Master's martial arts, it would be the greatest regret of my life! I wonder if Young Master could bestow some guidance upon me? Let me also see just how earth-shattering the power of Miss Ye's bloodline truly is!"
He's going to challenge Ye Tian!
Li Yunrui and Fan Ruoruo were shocked once again! They had just witnessed Si Gu Jian's respect for Ye Tian, and in the blink of an eye, he was about to draw his sword against them.
Ye Tian, however, seemed to have expected this, a knowing smile appearing on his face: "If Senior wishes to spar, this junior will gladly oblige. Please!"
The two figures blurred and appeared in the courtyard of the Prince's mansion. Si Gu Jian slowly drew the seemingly simple and unadorned longsword from his bosom. As soon as the sword was drawn, a cold and sharp sword intent that seemed capable of cutting through everything spread out, causing the surrounding air to freeze.
"Young master, be careful! This sword of mine is called 'Four Gazes.' Once it is used, there will be no turning back!" Four Gazes Sword said in a deep voice, his entire spirit and energy merging with the long sword in his hand, transforming into a peerless weapon about to drink blood.
"Senior, please feel free to make your move." Ye Tian stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm, yet he possessed the imposing and dignified air of a grandmaster.
"kill!"
Si Gu Jian said no more, let out a low shout, and transformed into a streak of light that was difficult to see with the naked eye. His sword light was like a bolt of lightning, piercing straight for Ye Tian's brow! His swordsmanship was without any frills. Every move was filled with the ultimate killing intent, simple, direct, and deadly! Wherever the sword light passed, the air was torn apart, emitting a piercing shriek.
However, facing this earth-shattering sword strike, Ye Tian merely shifted his body slightly, narrowly avoiding it. At the same time, he pointed his right hand like a sword, swiftly striking Si Gu Jian's wrist.
"Ding!"
With a soft sound, Si Gu Jian felt a numbness in his wrist; his sword move had been interrupted by Ye Tian's seemingly casual finger strike! Terrified, he retreated hastily, his sword technique changing again, transforming into a storm of sword shadows that enveloped all of Ye Tian's vital points like a tempestuous storm. Each sword shadow contained terrifying power capable of shattering stone tablets.
Ye Tian remained calm and composed. He moved with unorthodox steps, his figure weaving through the countless sword shadows as if strolling in a garden. Occasionally, he would flick a finger or strike with a palm, always managing to perfectly thwart Si Gu Jian's fierce attacks.
To outsiders, their battle was nothing short of a clash of gods! Sword energy crisscrossed, and powerful winds swept through the air. The artificial hills, flowers, trees, stone tables, and benches in the courtyard were all reduced to dust by the aftershocks of their fight! Li Yunrui and Fan Ruoruo were already so terrified by the sight that they retreated repeatedly, their faces filled with horror.
Si Gu Jian grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed, realizing that Ye Tian's strength was far more terrifying than he had imagined!
No matter how exquisite or swift his sword moves were, Ye Tian could always easily deflect them with ease, as if he hadn't used his full strength at all!
"This, this is Miss Ye's bloodline? At such a young age, she already possesses such unfathomable cultivation," Si Gu Jian was utterly shocked.
Unable to break through after a prolonged attack, a resolute glint flashed in Si Gu Jian's eyes. He took a deep breath, and the murderous sword intent emanating from his body rose to its peak!
"Looking around, there's no one to be seen; with a single sword, I cleave the heavens!"
He poured all his power into this sword strike, causing the sword light to surge and transform into a white sword rainbow that reached the heavens and the earth, carrying a terrifying power that could cut through and destroy everything, and slashed down at Ye Tian!
Exclusive! An exclusive interview with Pu Nan Shusheng and behind-the-scenes information on the creation of "Joy of Life: Ye Qingmei, the birth mother, and Li Yunrui, the child's father," available only on Kele Novels.