Chapter 818: The Ruffian's Charge, The Sword Maiden's Dance
Zhong Lingyin's eyes widened in utter shock.
Aside from playing female assassins in movies, she had never even killed a chicken, let alone a person.
"Yes," Shen Anyu nodded slightly, his voice calm and steady. "Your strength has reached the peak of the Grandmaster realm, but you have no actual combat experience. These men bullied your Third Senior Sister, Murong Jieyu. This is a perfect opportunity to act against them and get some practice."
As a Destined Heroine with a martial arts affinity, Zhong Lingyin's talent was exceptional. She cultivated the Martial God Art, and with the elixirs and the hundred-year zhu fruit provided by Shen Anyu—not to mention his personal guidance—she had soared to the peak of the Grandmaster realm in a remarkably short time.
The hundred-year zhu fruit, in particular, was a treasure whose medicinal power was almost too immense to comprehend, potent enough to be useful even to experts in the Heaven and Man Realm. A large portion of that power still lay dormant within Zhong Lingyin's body, waiting for Shen Anyu to help her draw it out.
However, all this power was untested. Zhong Lingyin had never once faced a true life-or-death battle. Shen Anyu's original plan had been to simply eliminate Tieshan and his followers himself—a trivial matter for him. But allowing Zhong Lingyin to gain some experience was a valuable alternative.
Even the greatest hero needs capable allies. Shen Anyu needed assistants he could trust, and who was more trustworthy or more worthy of cultivation than his own women? They possessed unwavering loyalty, overflowing with talent, and held immense potential.
Of course, if Zhong Lingyin truly didn't have the stomach for it, Shen Anyu wouldn't force her. But if she refused, she would be relegated to the role of a beautiful vase, a pampered canary. The cultivation resources he provided would naturally diminish, redirected to those with greater ambition.
"Lingyin has never killed anyone... Let me do it," Liu Ruyan offered, her heart aching as she saw the slight furrow in Zhong Lingyin's brow.
Since Tieshan and his men had injured Murong Jieyu, they deserved to die. Liu Ruyan would not be merciful. She was no soft-hearted saint.
Shen Anyu, however, did not reply. Instead, his burning gaze remained fixed on Zhong Lingyin, a silent question hanging in the air.
Zhong Lingyin looked up, her eyes meeting his intense stare. Her soft, pink lips pressed into a thin line. After a moment of hesitation that felt like an eternity, she gave a firm nod, not wanting to disappoint him.
"Brother Shen," she said, her voice gaining strength, "Lingyin won't let you down!"
She knew this was a test. She understood that the man who had given her the legendary Martial God Art, priceless elixirs, and the hundred-year zhu fruit wasn't raising a mere ornament. If she failed to show her value, she wouldn't be abandoned, but his favor would inevitably wane.
More than that, Zhong Lingyin knew Shen Anyu was a cultivator of immortality, destined to live for hundreds, perhaps even thousands of years. She, too, wanted her cultivation to advance so she could remain by his side forever.
The thought of roaming the world with Shen Anyu, a sword in hand, just like the heroines in the wuxia novels she adored... it was a wonderful, intoxicating dream.
Besides, Tieshan and his followers were clearly not good people. They had harmed her Third Senior Sister. Killing them wouldn't burden her conscience with the death of an innocent.
With her resolve solidified, Zhong Lingyin accepted the Qing Shuang Sword from Shen Anyu's hand and walked toward Tieshan and his men.
Her beauty was exquisite, her temperament cool and pure. After being nurtured and guided by Shen Anyu, her ascent to the peak of the Grandmaster realm had triggered a complete transformation. She now seemed carved from ice and jade, a celestial being untouched by worldly dust.
At this moment, holding the treasured sword, Zhong Lingyin looked like a Female Sword Immortal stepping out of an ancient drama, her very presence captivating the world.
"Husband, Lingyin is only at the peak of the Grandmaster realm. Can she truly be a match for Tieshan?" Liu Ruyan asked, a thread of concern woven into her voice.
Tieshan was a genuine peak Grandmaster, a whole major realm above her. And he wasn't alone; the other experts from the Tieshan Martial Arts School would surely rush to his aid.
"The gap between one Grandmaster and another isn't as vast as the chasm between a Grandmaster and a Heaven and Man expert. The difference lies mainly in the accumulation of one's cultivation," Shen Anyu explained with a faint smile, his gaze locked on the unfolding scene. "Lingyin has cultivated the Martial God Art and refined countless elixirs, including a portion of the hundred-year zhu fruit. Her foundation is far stronger than Tieshan's. I believe she can do it."
There were indeed tiers among Grandmasters. Tieshan was old, his body frail and riddled with hidden injuries. He was clearly not among the strongest.
As long as Zhong Lingyin didn't shrink from the fight, she would not lose.
And with Shen Anyu himself overseeing the battle, it was impossible for Zhong Lingyin to suffer even the slightest injury. Not a single strand of her hair would be harmed.
Watching Chen Yuhua guide Lin Qingqing's battle had given Shen Anyu this inspiration. Simply imparting techniques and providing resources wasn't enough. Cultivation without the mentality and experience for actual combat was useless. If one was timid before the first blow was even struck, they would be lucky to unleash even a third of their true strength.
...
"Good, good, good! To look down on this old man so much!"
Seeing Zhong Lingyin approach with a sword, Tieshan laughed, but his eyes burned with fury. To send a young, beautiful celebrity to face him? What a monumental joke!
But in the next instant, his mockery vanished. Without a shred of hesitation, he pounced, launching himself toward Zhong Lingyin like a hawk diving for a rabbit.
A cruel sneer twisted Tieshan's face. Shen Anyu was an enigma, his depth utterly unfathomable, but this young starlet? She was at most a peak Grandmaster. She was no match for him.
'Can she, a mere actress, block a pounce backed by my seventy years of cultivation?'he thought.'First, I'll capture this woman. With a hostage in hand, I can advance or retreat as I please!'
As he lunged, his wariness was focused entirely on Shen Anyu, completely disregarding the woman he was attacking.
Seeing Tieshan's ferocious charge, a spike of panic shot through Zhong Lingyin. On pure instinct, her body reacted, executing a sword technique from the Martial God Art—the Martial God Sword.
With a flick of her wrist, the Qing Shuang Sword in her hand became a streak of azure lightning, illuminating the dark mountain forest. It shot forward, swift and deadly, aimed directly at Tieshan's heart.
Tieshan's expression changed dramatically. His mind went blank as pure survival instinct took over. Mid-air, his body twisted impossibly, shifting several meters to the side. He landed heavily, staring at Zhong Lingyin, a trace of fear lingering in his eyes.
He hadn't expected it. This beautiful celebrity not only possessed a Grandmaster's cultivation but also commanded such a blindingly fast sword technique. If he hadn't been a veteran of countless battles, if he hadn't held back a defensive maneuver, that single strike would have pierced his heart.
"Lingyin, well done!" A wave of relief and pride washed over Liu Ruyan. She looked at her Fifth Junior Sister with newfound respect and cheered her on.
A brilliant smile bloomed on Zhong Lingyin's face. She glanced toward Shen Anyu and saw him give her a small, approving nod. A sweet warmth spread through her chest.
'Zhong Lingyin, you can do this!' she told herself.
Letting out a sharp cry, she gripped her sword and charged at Tieshan.
To an outsider, her lunge might have seemed like the reckless, desperate assault of a cornered beast. But Tieshan, who bore the full brunt of her attack, knew just how lethally dangerous it was.
After dodging several more strikes, Tieshan knew he couldn't continue like this. His aging body couldn't sustain a prolonged battle. Zhong Lingyin was one problem, but Shen Anyu was another, watching from the sidelines like a tiger stalking its prey.
He couldn't afford to drag this out.
His peripheral vision swept toward Shen Anyu's position. Then, deliberately widening the distance between himself and Zhong Lingyin, Tieshan's right foot stomped down, digging into the soft earth and creating a shallow depression in the leaf-strewn ground. With a guttural roar, he spun, unleashing a low, sweeping kick.
In an instant, a blinding spray of soil and dead leaves erupted, while Tieshan, concealed within the chaos, shot his hand forward like an eagle's claw, aiming for Zhong Lingyin's throat.
Whoosh!
The wall of mud and withered leaves rushed toward her, completely obscuring her vision.
Liu Ruyan's heart leaped into her throat. 'Not good!' Lingyin had no real combat experience; she was bound to fall for such a dirty trick.
Shen Anyu's brow furrowed, his body tensing as he prepared to intervene. But just as he was about to move, a faint smile spread across his handsome face...
[Akarin's Note:
Enjoying the story? Dropping a quick review, comment, or Power Stone means the world to me!
Want to read ahead on our official home, or unlock 50 advanced chapters to feed your addiction? Help keep this shameless translator alive here:
🌐 Read on our site: Search for Elysian Reads on Google or Check the link in my Webnovel Profile bio!
✨ Patreon (50 Advanced Chapters & Ad-Free): Search AkarinTL on Patreon
Thank you so much for reading and keeping this project alive!]