The sword moved before the sound arrived.
Simplifying and removing complexities.
No soaring into the sky, no utilization of spiritual energy.
A straightforward horizontal slash that was impossible to defend against.
Sometimes, it's not about the greater power but the perfect timing.
This move was derived from the basic knife technique known as the 'waist strike.'
It utilized the curve of the blade to generate explosive force.
Since regular chopping motions follow a straight trajectory, while drawing the blade creates an arc, the principle is similar to the ancient saying, 'give me a long enough lever, and I can move the world.' Both the strength and speed reach their peak instantly, making it ideal for a lethal strike.
In common parlance, it's referred to as the 'sword drawing technique.'
It was believed to have originated from a small island in the remote northeast.
Little did people know that
it was simply the most basic move in traditional blade techniques, but those on the island revered it as a divine skill, thus spreading its popularity.
Or perhaps that small island was just a remnant left behind by the ancestors of the mainland, seeking immortality.
Returning to the present, the compatibility of this 'waist strike' with a sword wasn't particularly high.
But it was sufficient to deal with the current situation.
It was originally an ambush technique.
Coupled with Huang Quan's deliberately careless demeanor.
Not daring to claim absolute certainty, but ensuring a high success rate.
The elders present were still immersed in the tragedy of Liang Fei Fan's death, or gazing at the sky with unrelieved sorrow.
Jiang Wan Yu was preparing to speak with resentment in her eyes, completely unaware of the impending crisis.
This sword strike completely exceeded everyone's expectations.
Of course, half of the credit should be attributed to Huang Quan's carefully maintained 'persona' since he entered.
Consistently a 'polite rogue.'
He never underestimated the Jiang family, always using the word 'please.'
Even when he lost his temper, he still remembered to say, "Jiang Clan Master, please step aside."
Even when intending to exterminate them, he left three days for contemplation.
Finally, he even presented the extremely rare Nirvana Fruit as an 'apology.'
Subconsciously, everyone found it difficult to associate an ambush with such a person.
...
Within arm's reach, the enemy lies close to the nation.
The distance between Huang Quan and Jiang Wan Yu was absolutely fatal.
Five feet...
Three feet...
One foot...
The anger on her face subsided.
In its place, there was astonishment and a sense of helplessness.
She realized it.
Life and death were merely a distance away from the opponent's blade.
The mortal body was so pale and powerless.
Her physical movements couldn't keep up with her sharp thinking.
She could only watch helplessly as the sword swept towards her neck.
Perhaps in the next second...
No need for "perhaps," it would definitely be a spray of blood!
Faced with the man's brutal action before her, she was utterly powerless to resist...
She closed her eyes, silently waiting for everything to unfold.
Splurt
It was the sound of the blade cutting through flesh.
Warm blood splattered onto her face in large droplets.
...It was over.
The expected pain did not come.
Was the man too fast, causing her body's protective mechanisms to numb her senses?
Well, she was afraid.
If he had suddenly stabbed her, she feared she wouldn't be able to bear the pain.
"Family Master!"
"Family Master!"
"Wuque Brother!"
Exclamations pulled Jiang Wan Yu back to reality.
A broken figure stood between the two of them.
Her face instantly turned incredibly pale, her eyes fixed on the severed arm on the ground, unable to move or think. With a thud, her limbs turned cold, and she sat on the ground, directly kneeling.
After a while, she choked out a word through sobs, "Father!"
An indescribable emotion was brewing, fermenting, and blooming in her heart.
Her breathing synchronized with the shimmering light on the ring.
Jiang Wuque's body was cold and stiff, but his eyes were moist.
"Father is fine, don't worry." More wrinkles seemed to appear around his eyes, and he spat out a mouthful of blood foam. "I promised you that even if it's that brat from the Demonic Sect who hurt you, he would have to step over my corpse. Jiang Clan elders, assemble!"
The smooth and flattering demeanor on his face had disappeared, replaced by a sense of solemn killing intent beneath the scar.
The white-haired elder took a step back.
The chubby elder quickly retreated two steps and hid behind the white-haired elder.
Only the female elder bit her lip, mustering her courage to step forward, then hesitated and shrank back, wavering.
Despite being heavily injured, every word she spoke was resolute and forceful, "What are you waiting for? Can there be any survivors in a fallen nest? Where is justice under the rule of power? Today, when I ask you to stand up, you remain silent. Let's see if anyone dares to stand by your side tomorrow."
At this moment, a tall middle-aged man hurriedly arrived, his beard extending to his ear, standing ominously.
"Well said, Jiang Clan descendants, form a battle formation!"
Behind him were hundreds of young men.
"You old geezer..."
"What? Surprised? I still understand the bigger picture. How could my Jiang Clan, with a history of eight hundred years, produce nothing but weaklings who only know infighting? But now that things have come to this, even if you don't want to, you'll have to give up the position of Family Master!"
The person who arrived was Jiang Wan Yu's second uncle, the one she referred to as "ambitious."
"Take them and flee... The Jiang Clan can't be destroyed by the two of us brothers. How can I face the twenty-fourth generation ancestors of the Jiang Clan without any dignity? Don't make it so I die with unresolved grievances."
"Do I need to teach you these things? After fighting for so many years, when have I ever lost to you in terms of wit? Everything is arranged. Three males and one female, they've been sent away!"
At the same time, he apologized in his heart.
The ones who were sent away were clearly seven males and three females.
These so-called three males and one female were sacrificial pawns used for cover. If the Demonic Sect had any intention of wiping them out completely, these four would "self-destruct."
The two of them gazed at each other affectionately, their brotherly bond intensifying rapidly as they prepared to face the survival or extinction of the Jiang Clan together.
"No more fighting."
The cold light on the Yellow Springs Sword flickered, yet no blood was spilled.
He sheathed his sword.
"Remember, disasters arise from loose talk. I'll reluctantly make an exception for you this time. Three years from now, I'll be waiting for you at the Demonic Sect." He shifted his stance, crossing in front of Jiang Wuque, and gently lifted Jiang Wan Yu's chin. "Being a slave or servant is unnecessary. After all, I don't like things to be too smooth. But if you insist on having this preference, it's not impossible. Let me teach you a phrase: immense shame."
Huang Quan's gaze lingered for a moment on the ring on Jiang Wan Yu's hand before he stood up and glanced at Gu Qici's chest.
However, Gu Qici had been absent-minded recently.
Especially when she heard the words "immense shame," her gaze drifted, and her thoughts seemed to be elsewhere.
Huang Quan attempted to call Anran, but there was no response. She was probably still struggling in the long river.
Feeling the fully restored energy within the ring, he understood that it was time to withdraw.
"But I like that look in your eyes, living on with resentment. My foolish Miss Jiang."
Jiang Wan Yu suddenly restrained her inner emotions, and her red eyes regained their vigor.
She stared fixedly at the young man in front of her, determined to engrave his appearance in her heart.
"Thirty years in the eastern river, thirty years in the western river, don't underestimate a young girl today..."
"Don't underestimate a young girl."
Huang Quan sneered and turned to leave.