Qi Bingwen was stunned, he hadn't thought that someone here would be able to block his sword. Even more surprising was the fact that he wasn't playing around anymore, that blow was the real deal, he had put his internal energy into it with the intention to end the fight. Su Zhengsheng was not a threat to him and he could clearly see that his sword was not raised in time, someone else blocked the blow for him.
There should be no more qualified martial artists in the Su Family, his subordinates had their guards occupied and he had already cut down the two siblings who fought him, none of the other siblings were worth mentioning. He couldn't even remember them so he had no qualms with his subordinates getting rid of them.
Qi Bingwen frowned slightly as he looked up only to meet clear and tranquil eyes, there was no fear, no hesitation in them only an endless unwavering will. He was surprised once more before moving to the person's other feature, the one that had blocked his sword was quite a beauty. He had seen countless big and small beauties in his time outside but with just a glance he could tell she had an undiluted charm to her.
A beauty in the Su Fu...
He remembered now! This should be Su Liling, the little beauty of the Su Family, highly praised all over the jianghu. Many sought her hand in marriage but the Su Family protected her well, she still was not promised to anyone.
Qi Bingwen smiled, his eyebrows were raised and his appearance changed in a moment. The intense energy he had released was all retracted and he backed away from Su Liling, returning to his casual stance.
"Miss Su Liling, it's a pleasure to meet you. I never thought I would be graced with such a renowned beauty's presence. It's truly my fortune of a lifetime." His voice was gentle but obviously careless, he didn't put this little beauty in his eyes at all. His words were merely words, they didn't extend into his attitude one bit.
Lin Qiuyue could see this very clearly, she was watching his every action closely still reeling from the blow she had blocked. Her arms felt numb and her whole body ached.
This bastard put so much internal energy into his strike, was he afraid others wouldn't know he was here to murder people? Might as well add a bit more while he was at all, drain all his internal energy in one big fat strike!
Who didn't know that internal energy was limited in a fight, once you used it, it was practically gone since mediation was needed to recover it. No martial artists would replenish their internal energy while in an active fight, that was basically asking for death but who told Qi Bingwen to be such a big boss. He was extravagant in his energy usage and wasted so much energy in a simple strike.
It was lucky for her, when she entered the hall, her system relayed the information to her immediately, she was told both the trajectory and angle of Qi Bingwen's blade. So with some quick thinking and Su Liling's memories, she blocked the strike with no substantial damage. It was so simple that if she really couldn't block that strike, she should have been born a pig.
Unfortunately, simple did not mean weak, Lin Qiuyue's internal energy couldn't compare to his at all so she couldn't protect herself. Even now, it took all her focus to keep her sword from shaking but she couldn't allow even a millimeter of movement. If it moved, her character setting would collapse immediately and that would mean certain death. She couldn't die, she had to hold on, grit her teeth and bare it.
When she had complained in her heart enough she reverted back to her character settings and cleared her mind. Just wait and see how this devil will get dealt with by her!
Su Liling lowered her sword in the next moment, her movement was smooth and elegant, very beautiful to look at. She opened her mouth to speak, the voice that came out was mild and cool, "I do not think you are one to be swayed by beauty, there is no need to pretend."
"I will not be courteous then. Tonight, I have come to the Su Fu to repay the gift of fostering the Su Family has bestowed to me." Qi Bingwen's smile was brilliant as he looked at Su Liling. "I could not be disrespectful, after all, such an honor, I had to come personally to repay."
"You! You scoundrel, shameless—" The Su Patriarch couldn't keep calm after hearing his brazen words but he could only shut up after being glanced at by Qi Bingwen's cold, indifferent eyes. He coughed lightly and turned away from the terrifying gaze, he didn't say another word.
Su Liling only glanced at her father before ignoring him all together again, even though the movement was quick this small action couldn't escape Qi Bingwen's eyes. His lips curled up into another smile. This woman was only getting more and more interesting...
"We thank you for your gift. Qi Bingwen, the grievances in your past, I don't hope to fill them all but Eldest Sister, Second Brother, and Second Sister have all been killed by you." Su Liling paused to see his reaction, when his expression didn't change only watching her with a casual smile, she continued, "Please spare the rest of the fu, we will swear never to seek revenge against you. Our grudges and grievances should all end tonight."
Su Zhengsheng wanted to speak up when he heard his younger sister's words, how could they not seek revenge, this was tantamount to cutting off their own legs. They would never be able to rise in the jianghu again if they let him do as he pleased!
In just a moment his face changed quickly, becoming ugly but when he glanced at Qi Bingwen who was still nonchalant. The sword in his hand was carelessly held by him, still stained with the blood of his father and siblings. The fear that he had forgotten returned, how could he think of revenge when he couldn't even touch Qi Bingwen?
He had always thought he was talented in martial arts, he was praised by all those around him since he was young and when he entered the jianghu, he didn't face many difficulties. He became a little hero and was conceited enough to believe he would become a Dragon soon enough but that dream was shattered by one man's sword.
What talent could he speak of, Qi Bingwen was a crippled, unable to practice martial arts but here he was now, at a level Su Zhengsheng couldn't imagine.
He had never felt so ashamed of himself before, his younger sister was pleading with the enemy to save their lives but he was still thinking of useless things. His guilt only grew heavier when he thought that his younger sister, the untouchable fairy in everyone's heart was forced to bow down to this monster.
How could their Su Family be beaten to this extent? It was only a day before when they could still stand tall against the rest of the martial arts fu but now they couldn't even die with an intact body.
Su Liling frowned when she saw that Qi Bingwen wasn't responding, he seemed to be lost in his thoughts but he was still as relaxed as before. As though he hadn't heard any of her words at all.
Her eyebrows were knitted tightly and it could be seen that she was thinking hard.
Qi Bingwen wanted to laugh out loud seeing such a hard-working appearance from the little beauty, she spoke well, really well and now he was in a good mood but not good enough to spare the Su Fu. He didn't have the habit of leaving trash lying around, if he saw it he had to throw it out.
No matter how pathetic the Su Family was now, he could not forget the humiliation of the past, not a single one of them would leave this manor alive.
"I cannot do that, no matter how pretty the little beauty speaks. The Su Family will not escape the calamity tonight, but for you, I will be a little gentler. Your death will be quick." Qi Bingwen spoke gently as if he was easing her into the bad news.
"If you are not satisfied then how about we make a deal, a life for a life?" Su Liling met his indifferent eyes with her own clear ones.
Qi Bingwen raised his eyebrow, waiting for her to continue. He was interested in the little scheme she was going to come up with, in his mind, a life for a life meant trading deaths. He had already killed multiple Su Family members, she couldn't suggest that he kill one more and be done with it, right?
Su Liling spoke each word clearly, her eyes never leaving his, her tone was light and calm. As though everything she said was just natural. "The Su Family has harmed you with five years of servitude, death cannot repay that time. It's too easy of an ending for this family. Take me as your servant. Let me repay the debt of time that we have robbed from you."
For the first time, Qi Bingwen's reaction was out of his control, he couldn't stop his eyes from widening.
"For the next five years, I will be your servant and endure whatever retaliation you want to enact upon the Su Family. I will obey all your direct orders and am not allowed to reject any abuse. If you fear that I might escape, you can abolish my martial arts. If I try to seek revenge against you during that time or leave before the fives years are up, you may kill me and the rest of the Su Fu. But if you accept this exchange now, you must swear to never touch the Su Family again." Su Liling's expression showed her fierce determination, there was no uncertainty and reluctance in her eyes, what she promised she would really do.
"No! Su Liling, you can't promise that! I can still fight him, you don't need to sacrifice yourself!" Su Zhengsheng shouted as soon as he heard her words, he stepped in front of her, raising his sword once again. Qi Bingwen still didn't move at such blatant provocation, he ignored him instead, continuing to stare at Su Liling behind him. After his surprise his expression became difficult to read, his eyes devoid of emotions.
After a moment, he looked at her with an incomparably cold smile, the casual and nonchalant appearance before disappeared to reveal a chillingly beautiful darkness. "Alright...since you have begged me so, how can I refuse? I will gladly let you experience the same hell that I did."
『Ding! Target Affection Meter is at -25』