Firmament Sword

Xu Luo shook his head. "What's done is done. What's the use of saying sorry? Besides, can your family really solve this problem?"

Xie Yurou thought about it seriously and said, "If they were to go all out, yes, they could."

"Sigh... How many Heritage Clans would truly go all out... for something like this?"

Zhao Hongzhang sighed softly from the side, then looked at Xu Luo and said, "Unless the Sect Leader intervenes, this matter... might have a chance to turn around."

"Is it really that serious?" The color drained from Xie Yurou's face. She bit her lower lip and looked at Xu Luo apologetically.

"Just how serious it is will depend on Young Master Huyan's attitude. Both sides are being so unyielding. Although this old man managed to defuse the immediate conflict, I couldn't resolve the underlying friction." Zhao Hongzhang let out a deep sigh, feeling utterly helpless about the situation.

"Heritage Clans... have always rarely participated in the sect's affairs, and they certainly wouldn't interfere in matters between the younger generation. So, this situation isn't entirely without hope. The key... still lies in the attitudes of both parties," Zhao Hongzhang continued.

Xu Luo glanced at Zhao Hongzhang. 'You mean it depends on my attitude, don't you?' he thought. 'Perhaps in your eyes, as long as I bow my head and admit I'm wrong to that Young Master Huyan, this whole thing will blow over.'

'But how could it be that simple? That Huyan Qingshan is clearly an arrogant and petty man. He would have hated me even if I did nothing today, to say nothing of the fact that I utterly humiliated him in front of everyone.'

With these thoughts in mind, Xu Luo said, "Since Heritage Clans don't interfere in the affairs of the younger generation, then it's simple. As long as that Young Master Huyan doesn't come looking for trouble with me, we can consider this matter over."

When Xu Luo said this, both Zhao Hongzhang and Xie Yurou were left speechless. 'How can he still not understand what he's up against?' they thought.

At that moment, a new table of food and wine was served. Among the dishes were the Deep-Sea Thousand-Year Squid and Blue Crystal Abalone that Zhao Hongzhang had just mentioned—all top-quality ingredients that made Xu Luo's mouth water.

The other two wore worried expressions, but Xu Luo paid them no mind and started eating.

Although she felt deeply apologetic, Xie Yurou was still rendered speechless by Xu Luo's thick-skinned nerve. 'How can you still be in the mood to eat at a time like this?' she wondered.

Zhao Hongzhang also watched Xu Luo with a look of admiration, at a loss for how to appraise this New Medicine King.

Like a whirlwind sweeping through clouds, Xu Luo devoured the entire table of food almost by himself until his belly was round. Only then did he look at Zhao Hongzhang and Xie Yurou and ask, "Why aren't you eating?"

"..." The two of them stared at him, speechless.

Xu Luo smiled. "Nothing is more important than a good meal. Since it's already happened, what's the point of worrying? Besides, he's just a good-for-nothing rich kid. What's there to be afraid of? If his family is really willing to step in over something like this, then... that kind of family... has my utmost contempt!"

With that, Xu Luo stood up and said to Xie Yurou, "Now that we've eaten and drunk our fill, care for a walk outside?"

A look of determination flashed across Xie Yurou's lovely face. She said softly, "If you're not afraid, then what do I have to be afraid of?"

"You two... This..." Zhao Hongzhang looked troubled. He had come from the Medicine Garden and held a special reverence for the Medicine King Ancestor. He truly didn't want anything to happen to this New Medicine King, who had single-handedly supported the Medicine Garden and restored its glory after so many years of decline.

"Don't worry, it'll be fine," Xu Luo reassured him.

Just then, someone rushed in from outside, looking nervous. "Shopkeeper... It's bad! Someone has surrounded the Ancient Dao Pavilion..."

"It's over..." Zhao Hongzhang sighed. Immediately after, a resolute glint appeared in his eyes. He looked at Xu Luo and said, "My lord, you don't need to go out. Leave this matter... for this old man to resolve!"

"No... I'll handle it myself." Xu Luo stopped Zhao Hongzhang and said meaningfully, "Elder Zhao, it wasn't easy for you to maintain your current standing in Celestial Brilliance. It's best... not to play your trump cards so readily."

Zhao Hongzhang looked at Xu Luo in surprise, not expecting him to have seen through his intentions. He was a little touched, but mostly, he was still worried about Xu Luo and Xie Yurou.

"Let's go take a look." Xu Luo said no more and took the lead, walking outside.

He wasn't one to stir up trouble, but if trouble came knocking, Xu Luo would absolutely not back down!

As if having made a decision, Xie Yurou took a Sound Transmission Stone from her robes. Using her Divine Thought to send a message, she said something unknown before quickly catching up to Xu Luo.

Zhao Hongzhang stomped his foot lightly, gritted his teeth, and followed behind them as well.

Outside the Ancient Dao Pavilion, a large crowd had gathered. Every one of them had a vicious look in their eyes, their qi and blood flourishing intensely.

In the distance, many onlookers had gathered to watch the spectacle, chattering amongst themselves.

"Isn't that Young Master Huyan Qingshan of the Huyan Family? What's going on? He's actually surrounded the Ancient Dao Pavilion."

"The Ancient Dao Pavilion has a powerful backer too. Isn't Young Master Huyan afraid of bringing trouble to his own family by doing this?"

"Now this is a show worth watching. Young Master Huyan versus the Ancient Dao Pavilion..."

"I don't think he's targeting the Ancient Dao Pavilion itself. He's probably after a guest inside!"

"That's very likely!"

Huyan Qingshan stood outside the Ancient Dao Pavilion with a grim expression, his gaze icy. He turned a deaf ear to the various discussions from the crowd nearby.

A group of men and women stood by his side. Most of their faces were calm and unreadable.

"Young Master, if that person doesn't come out... what do we do?" a person who looked like an attendant asked softly beside Huyan Qingshan.

"Then we'll fight our way in!" Huyan Qingshan said coldly, his face impassive.

Just then, the doors to the Ancient Dao Pavilion opened, and several people walked out.

The distant onlookers instantly grew excited, their eyes widening as they watched intently. But they were soon disappointed, as the people who came out didn't get into any sort of dispute with the group Huyan Qingshan had brought.

"Young Master Huyan, what's going on? Why the big commotion?" one of the people who came out, who was acquainted with Huyan Qingshan, asked.

"It's nothing, just a personal grudge," Huyan Qingshan replied curtly, unwilling to say more.

It was indeed an embarrassing matter to discuss. He, Huyan Qingshan, had set his sights on a woman and had even had his family propose marriage. Although her family hadn't fully agreed, saying they needed to consider the child's wishes, they hadn't directly refused either, which was as good as a yes.

The Heritage Clans of Celestial Brilliance often intermarried. While the alliances formed from their unions weren't as heavily driven by profit as those in the outside world, such considerations were not entirely absent.

Although the Xie Family was also a Heritage Clan, it was a good deal weaker than the Huyan Family. Therefore, with the Huyan Family taking the initiative to propose marriage, and with Huyan Qingshan being so handsome and talented, the match was practically a sure thing.

Therefore, in Huyan Qingshan's eyes, Xie Yurou... was his woman!

The incident today where Xie Yurou was pursued through the city by Wang Xu of the Wang Family had already enraged Huyan Qingshan. Before coming to the Ancient Dao Pavilion, he had taken his men to brutally threaten Wang Xu, warning him not to drag a young woman into his family's affairs.

"Because Xie Yurou is *my* woman!" Huyan Qingshan had said at the time, staring coldly at the stiff-faced Wang Xu.

But then he turned around only to hear that Xie Yurou had entered the Ancient Dao Pavilion with another man.

The fury in Huyan Qingshan's chest instantly ignited. He nearly exploded with rage!

'I'm over here solving your problems, cleaning up your mess, and you're out gallivanting with another man... What is the meaning of this?'

What Huyan Qingshan expected even less was that the man with Xie Yurou was none other than Luo Tian, the Senior Brother Medicine Garden who was currently the talk of Celestial Brilliance—a tough nut to crack!

In a strange twist, the Shopkeeper of the Ancient Dao Pavilion was not only a hidden master but, for some unknown reason, had also sided with Luo Tian.

Not only had Huyan Qingshan himself suffered a hidden loss, but a friend beside him had both his wrists crushed. How could he possibly not avenge such a grievance?

Running to his elders for backing after suffering a loss... That was not Huyan Qingshan's style!

He would settle this score with his own two hands!

He would make that damn Senior Brother Medicine Garden kneel and beg for mercy, plead for him to let him go!

He would make that round, cunning Shopkeeper of the Ancient Dao Pavilion cut off his own two hands... and forbid them from regenerating for a full year!

Most importantly, he would make Xie Yurou, that "unchaste" woman, receive the punishment she deserved!

Everyone... would pay the price!

Huyan Qingshan stared at the doors of the Ancient Dao Pavilion with a dark, sinister gaze. He believed they must have gotten the news by now. He decided to wait for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. If they still didn't come out, there would be nothing left to say... he would kill his way inside!

At that point, even if the power behind the Ancient Dao Pavilion came forward to question him, he would have plenty to say in his own defense!

How could the young masters and noble ladies who had just left the Ancient Dao Pavilion not have heard anything about what had just happened inside?

Seeing that Huyan Qingshan was unwilling to talk, they didn't press the issue and simply stood aside, watching with composed expressions.

Although they felt no envy or jealousy toward Luo Tian, the recently famous Senior Brother Medicine Garden of Celestial Brilliance, deep down... they also wanted to see if this Luo Tian really had the guts to go up against a scion of a Heritage Clan.

And then, they saw.

Xu Luo walked out of the Ancient Dao Pavilion, holding Xie Yurou's hand!

BOOM!

The crowd outside was stunned, and an uproar erupted!

"Heavens... what am I seeing? The noble lady of the Xie Family, Miss Xie Yurou, is actually with Luo Tian, the Senior Brother of the Medicine Garden!"

"So that's what this is about... I get it now. I heard before that the Huyan Family and the Xie Family were planning a marriage alliance. I figured it was between Young Master Huyan and Xie Yurou, but now..."

"Huyan is willing... but Lady Xie is not!"

"Fights over jealousy are the best to watch!"

"This Senior Brother Medicine Garden has been making too many waves lately, defeating one expert after another in the annual competition. To think he's now facing off against a scion of a Heritage Clan. Now this is going to be a good show!"

Xie Yurou lowered her head slightly, her cheeks flushed crimson. She looked shy as she leaned against the tall and handsome Xu Luo, presenting a perfect picture of a talented man and a beautiful woman.

Xu Luo's gaze was calm. Looking at Huyan Qingshan and his group blocking the way outside, he spoke, "You see this king before you, yet you do not step forward to pay your respects? You ill-mannered fools!"

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