Chapter 113: Military Might on the Training Ground (4)

Striding boldly into the courtyard, Gu Yun swiftly entered the very room she had once left behind. The pristine sword, pure as jade, still hung upon the wall, exuding a chilling silver radiance. Rising onto the tips of her toes, Gu Yun reached for Binglian—when a cold flash of light streaked past. Startled, she swiftly twisted her body to evade. With a loud crack, the solid wooden chair beside her was split clean in two.

Lifting her eyes, she beheld a towering figure, nearly two meters tall, his massive frame reminiscent of a mountain. In his grasp, a double-edged halberd danced with a fierce and thunderous aura. Gu Yun stole a glance at the shattered remains of the chair, inwardly astonished—what staggering strength! That blow had obliterated such heavy wood with ease. If the halberd had struck her, her bones would have shattered beyond repair.

"Brazen thief! How dare you trespass into the General's chambers to steal his sword!" Han Shu's voice boomed like thunder, causing her eardrums to hum in protest.

Gu Yun took a step back and calmly explained, "I'm not here to steal the sword."

Upon hearing her voice, the man frowned deeply. Earlier, he had been preparing to observe Deputy Commander Su's new formation at the parade grounds, when he unexpectedly noticed a suspicious figure in dark attire slipping into the General's courtyard. Following silently, he arrived just in time to witness this thief attempting to steal the prized weapon. He had not expected the trespasser to be a woman.

Pointing at Gu Yun, he roared, "Still denying it? Since you are a woman, surrender now and I might spare your life!"

Gu Yun scoffed disdainfully. "What a joke!"

Without so much as verifying the facts, he had struck first and spoken later—and now had the audacity to utter such arrogance! Her words only served to further enrage the man. His expression darkened, and without another word, he raised the halberd and launched another attack.

Anticipating his move, Gu Yun had already shifted her position mid-conversation. She now leapt lightly, one hand gripping the sheath of Binglian, the other drawing the blade. With a soft, dragon-like chime, the dazzling white sword flashed into the air.

She had long admired this sword. Though it could never truly be hers, to wield it just once in battle would suffice! Her heart soared, and the sword seemed to sense her excitement. Raising her arm, she met the halberd's strike with the gleaming blade. A crisp, sharp clang resounded as the weapons collided.

Her arm sank from the force—but only momentarily. The pressure faded as quickly as it had come. This man's strength rivaled that of Su Yu, but Gu Yun felt no pain or numbness in her arm at all!

The man staggered back several steps, a surge of icy force rushing through his halberd toward his chest. Was it merely his imagination?

Unwilling to concede defeat, he charged once more, aiming straight for her chest.

But Gu Yun was ready. With a steady breath, she raised the sword before her and swept it horizontally—turning defense into offense. Wherever the sword passed, a fierce wave of frost surged forward.

What powerful sword energy!

Alarmed, the man hastily retreated in a fluster, barely evading the strike. Who would have thought such a young woman could wield the blade with such mastery?

Even Gu Yun was momentarily stunned. The sword moved in her hands like a stream flowing freely, smooth and effortless. She could even feel its exhilaration.

What was happening?

A tranquil pool, a clear spring. By its edge stood a modest wooden pavilion. Inside, on a simple stone table, wine jars of varying sizes lay scattered.

Two men sat across from each other. The one in blue bore a cold, expressionless face, his focus solely on the wine cup in his hand.

Opposite him, the man in red was fair as snow, his black hair glossy as lacquer. He turned his cup gently in hand, wearing a soft smile, like a man lost in the love of mountains and rivers.

They drank in silence, as though strangers.

Until the crimson sword beside the man in blue suddenly emitted a radiant white light, its body trembling incessantly.

The man in red glanced at the restless sword and chuckled, "Chixue seems a bit unruly. It's protesting your neglect—it's been far too long since you've taken it to the battlefield."

Su Ling narrowed his hawk-like eyes and replied quietly, "It's Binglian."

Chixue only glowed red in danger or excitement. For it to shine white—there was only one reason: Binglian, its counterpart, had stirred.

Binglian?

The fox-like eyes of the man in red glittered with mischief. Mu Yi's lips curled into a teasing smile. "Isn't it hanging in your room? If even Binglian has been disturbed, you'd best hurry back! A mere ransacking of the general's manor is trivial, but if Binglian is lost—that's no small matter. How will you explain it to those old men at home?"

The Su family clung to a rather amusing tradition. Legend had it that Chixue and Binglian were a pair of ancient divine swords—one of pure yang, the other of pure yin. The yang blade, Chixue, had remained at Su Ling's side since his birth as the eldest son.

To the Su elders, only the person acknowledged by Binglian—the sword of yin—could be deemed worthy of becoming the family's future matron.

Such was Binglian's importance. If it were lost, Su Ling might never find his destined bride!

Draining his cup in one go, Su Ling sneered, "Let it be stolen, then!"

He would choose his own woman. Since when did a sword get to decide for him?

Mu Yi gave a low whistle and asked knowingly, "So you're not planning to go back?"

Of course he would. Binglian was not something just anyone could touch. If it was reacting this strongly, trouble had undoubtedly struck the manor.

His tall frame shot up in an instant. Mu Yi had anticipated this and casually poured himself another cup of wine from a newly opened jar.

It seemed he would be drinking alone tonight.

Just as he set the wine down, a large hand swiftly snatched the jar away and sealed it with a cork.

"What are you doing?" Mu Yi suddenly had a bad feeling.

Sure enough, Su Ling picked up Chixue, cradled the wine jar, and strode out of the pavilion. With a graceful leap, he stepped onto the water's surface and placed the jar in a hollow beneath a spring.

"I'll drink it when I return."

With that, he vanished.

Mu Yi laughed helplessly. That rascal knew he wouldn't ruin his robes for a jar of wine, so he'd hidden it in the water!

So sly. So domineering. After all these years, his nature had only grown more extreme.

Mu Yi mused with a smile—he was curious to see what sort of woman could tame that man.

Outside the residence, Su Ren had already heard the clamor within. He rushed in, eyes widening in disbelief at the chaos before him.

What shocked him wasn't the wreckage, nor the clashing fighters—but the fact that Binglian was in Qingmo's hands!

Though her swordsmanship was far from masterful, Binglian moved as if it were an extension of her body. Man and sword, perfectly in sync, unleashing their full potential.

Han Shu was clearly no match, fleeing in disarray.

Could she truly be the one chosen by Binglian?

Was it really her?

Su Ren's deep gaze lingered on the petite yet fierce young woman. If it were her... that might not be so bad.

A burst of frigid sword aura suddenly swept his way, snapping him out of his thoughts.

With a low chuckle, he said, "If you don't stop now, this room will be rubble."

Han Shu had long since been defeated. Gu Yun had merely been enamored with Binglian's brilliance. Now that Su Ren had spoken, she sheathed the sword without protest.

Surveying the ravaged room, Gu Yun felt a touch of embarrassment. But Su Ren appeared utterly unconcerned. His eyes fixed on the sword in her hand, he asked with a smile, "What do you think of the sword?"

Gu Yun praised with satisfaction, "It's formidable."

"And?" he pressed.

She admired the sword's radiant white blade and smiled. "It's beautiful."

"Don't you find it cold?"

Even standing nearby, Su Ren felt a piercing chill. Could she truly feel nothing?

Cold?

Gu Yun gently caressed the blade. The coolness was rather pleasant.

Shaking her head, she laughed, "That's an exaggeration! At most, it's a bit chilly. Perfect for summer."

She only thought it a bit chilly?!

Su Ren sighed inwardly...