Severing Gold and Breaking Jade

Tianyu tried hard to search her memory, but to no avail.

Unable to recall why the name sounded familiar, she did not dwell on it. Instead, she lowered her head to gaze at the Deer-Cutter Blade, sighing, "It is indeed a precious sword."

"I had originally intended to give it to you in a few years," the Proprietor said calmly. "But since you have already made plans for your revenge, there is no harm in handing it to you early."

Tianyu gripped the hilt, weighing the blade in her hand, and asked, "I remember you saying that many in the martial arts world covet this sword."

The Proprietor glanced at her, his brows twitching slightly. "What? Are you afraid?"

Tianyu thought for a moment and replied truthfully, "Now that I have mastered the Northern Profound Divine Art, I am not afraid of being targeted because of this blade, but I do not wish to bring trouble upon you."

"Though we lack the formal title of master and apprentice, our bond is real, and you have saved my life. I fear that if I go to seek my revenge with this sword and am recognized, it might disturb your peaceful life."

"That is unlikely," he chuckled. "While it is the finest blade in the world, most people in the martial arts community only know its name; they have never laid eyes upon it."

"In this Guandong region, as long as you do not announce its name, others will not know that this is the once-legendary Deer-Cutter Blade."

Having heard his assurance, Tianyu felt at ease. She sheathed the sword and hung it at her waist.

Seeing this, the Proprietor looked somewhat surprised. "Will you not test the blade?"

Tianyu narrowed her eyes and said, "A test is certainly necessary, but not here."

According to the information Tianyong had gathered yesterday, the young master of the Kang Family Fortress had left his stronghold primarily to hunt. When he visited Zhou Village yesterday, he had already captured his desired prey and was preparing to return to the Kang Family Fortress.

The Guandong region is vast, and the great clans have always governed their own territories. This area belonged to the former Bai family lands and was far from the northernmost Kang Family Fortress; even at a gallop, it would take over ten days to reach.

Since the young master of the Kang Family Fortress was capable of the vile act of abducting a woman, he likely lacked the endurance for such a grueling ride. Since he had left Zhou Village yesterday, Tianyu could certainly catch up to him if she set out today.

Once she caught up, she could test the blade on him. It would also be the perfect opportunity to reclaim the sword he held.

The Proprietor had not initially known about the young master of the Kang Family Fortress, but upon hearing her explanation, he finally understood. "So, it was because of this that you decided to seek your revenge immediately."

"Yes," she nodded.

"When you strike, remember to be careful," he cautioned.

Tianyu was puzzled. "Have you met the young master of the Kang Family Fortress?"

He shook his head, saying he had not.

Tianyu was even more confused. She frowned and asked, "Then why tell me to be careful?" Surely such a warning implied that the opponent was difficult and required cautious handling?

"Did you not say that your family’s heirloom blade is likely in his possession?" his tone remained indifferent, as if they were merely discussing what to have for dinner. "When you catch up to him, he will surely use that blade to fight you."

"And?" She knew he had more to say.

"So be careful not to break your family’s heirloom." His gaze lingered on her waist, flickering as if in reminiscence. "The Deer-Cutter Blade can slice through iron like mud and cut through gold and jade; it is the sharpest weapon in the world. It will shatter any other famous blade it encounters."

Tianyu’s eyes widened. She had truly not expected this blade to possess such power, and she was deeply grateful for his warning.

"Thank you, Proprietor. I understand." She pressed her lips together.

The Proprietor waved a hand, signaling that she could go. Tianyu was a decisive person; having settled everything with him, she wasted no time. She led her horse out and departed immediately.

As for horse riding, it was a skill she had learned in her past life, and one she had quite enjoyed. In that past life, however, she had learned it for acting, and once mastered, she only used it for filming; she never had the time to truly enjoy the activity itself.

In this life, having embarked on a different path, she could finally sit in the saddle and gallop to her heart's content.

Setting out from the town, she headed north, passed Zhou Village, and entered the mountain path. After galloping for a hundred miles, she spotted a group of people from afar, proceeding northward with great fanfare.

On the winding mountain path, the winter snow had yet to fully melt, and the scent of dampness crept into her nose with the wind. She tightened her legs around the horse’s belly and flicked the reins. Before she had even closed the distance, she recognized that familiar black blade. Just as Tianyong had said, it was truly unique.

The young master of the Kang Family Fortress and his entourage had not noticed her at first, assuming she was merely a passerby in a hurry. But as the sound of hoofbeats drew closer, the accompanying guards suddenly realized that she seemed to be staring directly at them.

The guards reacted swiftly, exchanging glances before rushing in front of their young master to form a defensive line.

"The newcomer is hostile! Protect the young master!" the lead guard shouted.

As he finished speaking, the mounted guards drew arrows in unison from their quivers, aiming at Tianyu, who was now close by.

Hidden behind them, the young master of the Kang Family Fortress looked on with keen interest at the woman approaching them, looking composed and oblivious to the impending danger.

Tianyu was still riding at full speed, but she had quietly loosened her legs. The moment the guards drew their bows and fired, she leaped into the air, kicking the horse’s rump as she did!

Startled, the horse neighed and bolted forward amidst the whistling of arrows, vanishing in an instant. She, meanwhile, stepped on an incoming arrow and drew her blade, swinging it casually toward the lead guard.

It was high noon, and the sun was brilliant. As the Deer-Cutter Blade left its scabbard, a rainbow-like flash of light flickered, and the guard who had stepped forward to engage her was knocked right off his horse!

A gasp went through the crowd. The guards were struck with terror, but the young master of the Kang Family Fortress’s eyes lit up, and he shouted, "What a fine blade!"

Entranced, he clapped his hands and ordered, "Quick! Quickly seize that blade for me!"

The remaining guards, hearing his command, scrambled to spur their horses forward, surrounding Tianyu. But before they could nock a second arrow, Tianyu struck again. Her footwork was incredibly swift, and her blade was faster still!

The two guards nearest to her had not even reacted before she knocked them off their mounts with a single sweep, leaving them clutching their waists on the ground. Turning after dispatching the two, she raised her hand and blocked an arrow fired at her with her blade.

With a sharp *ding*, the iron arrow hit the blade and instantly lost its momentum, falling to the ground. Yet, the crystalline surface of the sword did not bear a single scratch.

The guard who had fired the arrow could not believe that a shot with such a tricky angle and timing had not only failed to harm her but had not even shaken her blade in the slightest. He intended to draw his bow again, but Tianyu’s next strike was already upon him.

The brilliant, icy light of the blade obscured the sky. By the time the pain registered, he had already fallen beneath his horse, with no strength left to draw his bow!

She moved with effortless grace, wounding her opponents as if walking through an empty field. Before long, the look of excitement on the face of the young master of the Kang Family Fortress turned to shock.

Yet, he did not seize the opportunity to escape. Instead, he narrowed his eyes and asked, "Your martial arts are extraordinary. May I ask what business you have with me?"

Tianyu glanced at him and asked pointedly, "What, you don't want my blade anymore?" As she spoke, she knocked another guard off his horse.

The young master of the Kang Family Fortress laughed and replied, "A precious blade belongs with a hero. With your swordsmanship, I would not dare to take what you love."

"I only wish to know, since you and I are strangers, why have you pursued me to this place and attacked my men? There must be some misunderstanding. Why don't we—"

Before he could finish, his hand moved first. In the next instant, the jet-black blade at his hip was unsheathed, slashing toward Tianyu!

Tianyu had intended to meet his strike directly, but remembering the Proprietor’s warning, she changed her mind at the last second, sidestepping instead of using the Deer-Cutter Blade to block.

The young master of the Kang Family Fortress misinterpreted her move, thinking she was inferior, and pressed his attack, hoping to capture both her and her blade.

On the mountain path, all his guards had fallen; only he, the young master, remained to fight. Tianyu’s repeated evasion of his blade gave him the illusion that she was weaker than him. After a few exchanges, he became emboldened, his mind returning to the idea of seizing her Deer-Cutter Blade.

Tianyu realized this, and since she was hesitant to damage his weapon, she decided to feign defeat, exposing a vulnerability to lure him in.

The familiar black blade came whistling through the wind. She dodged to the side, momentarily exposing her back. He sneered and raised his other hand, striking a palm toward her—

But the moment his palm touched her shoulder, he felt his internal energy draining away rapidly! He was struck with absolute terror and instinctively tried to pull back, only to find the blade he coveted so much already resting against his neck.

"Young Master Kang," she said coldly, pushing the blade an inch forward. "Your taste is truly excellent."

The young master of the Kang Family Fortress was confused. "What?"

But as the words left her lips, he felt a sting at his throat. Looking down, he saw that the exceptionally beautiful blade had sliced through the skin of his neck.

Bright red blood welled up and trickled down his neck, yet not a single drop clung to the blade. The sword that had so captivated him remained brilliant and crystalline.

"Look, what a sharp blade," she sighed.

Terrified, he let out a cry, his legs turning to jelly, yet he gritted his teeth and said, "You... since you know who I am, you must understand that if you truly kill me, you will not have a good ending!"

Tianyu smiled at him. "Don't worry, I have no intention of killing you."

He breathed a sigh of relief, beginning to plot how to negotiate with her and uncover her true purpose. After all, this was the Guandong region; he reasoned that no matter what, she would not dare to actually kill him. He had nothing to fear.

Yes, he had nothing to fear.

But the next moment, he heard her continue: "I need to keep you alive so that you can return to the Kang Family Fortress and deliver a message."

"Who... who exactly are you?" he asked nervously.

Tianyu looked at him, her gaze slowly dropping to his right hand, her breath hitching. Her silence lasted only a moment, but to him, it felt like an eternity.

After a long while, amidst the sound of his own accelerating heartbeat, he heard her speak again.

"My surname is Bai," she said.

Her voice was clear and cold, like a mountain spring hitting stone. But hearing it made his entire body go cold. He knew, deep down, that he was finished.