Chapter 424: Chapter 20 So You Like Captain Zhou
Although Tang Xiaolian thought she disguised it well, how rich was Yan Yu’s life experience? He quickly realized that this young girl was a bit off.
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Seemingly outgoing and articulate, who would have expected her to be so conservative to the point where even a touch of the hand would make her blush… Was she some traditional woman who had traveled through time from an olden era?
“Have you learned it all?” Yan Yu asked in a deep voice after teaching the last sword technique.
“I should have,” Tang Xiaolian nervously replied, “I can try.”
She was nervous about going into battle or perhaps because of shyness.
Yan Yu sighed quietly to himself. In fact, learning a sword technique was quite simple—memorize the route for circulating Qi, the incantations, and that was basically it.
...
The real difficulty lay in knowing what sword technique to use and how to apply it in various situations… these could only be accumulated through extensive real combat experience, and there was no fast track for that.
But no matter! Tang Xiaolian, you just worry about using the Six Meridian Excalibur. As for when to strike, where, and how—leave that to me, Yan Yu, to handle!
Yet Tang Xiaolian didn’t share his confidence. It wasn’t that she worried Yan Yu would call the wrong shots, but she feared making a mistake herself, which would lead to his scorn and belittlement.
Although she had already been mocked by Captain Yan!
I may consider my swordsmanship to be poor, but even someone as slow as Guo Jing can become competent with Huang Rong’s help. With the assistance of Longcheng Flying General, how could I not get through this incomplete sword array?
She quickly gathered her thoughts, focusing her will, and said to the woman in white:
“I’m ready.”
The woman in white waved her sword, activating the incomplete sword array, summoning countless sword Qi phantoms, which enveloped Tang Xiaolian rapidly like a heavenly net falling to earth.
The reason it was called an incomplete version was not only because the sword Qi was made of harmless shadows, but also because the pattern of their emergence was completely fixed. Thus, as long as one memorized the detailed steps to counter it, even without understanding the purpose of each move, they could mimic the method and break the array.
On Yan Yu’s side, he calmly called out instructions—when to strike with the sword, when to move—all in a clear tone. If Tang Xiaolian could execute it precisely, there would be no problems breaking the array.
Of course, even if she made a mistake, it was no big deal; they could always try again.
Following the given instructions, Tang Xiaolian’s performance was surprisingly good this time, without a single error, and she maintained stable progress throughout.
Just as there was only one fifth of an incense stick’s time left, the woman in white suddenly transmitted a message to Tang Xiaolian, whispering:
“Remember, I said I had something to give you?”
Tang Xiaolian ignored her, focusing on Yan Yu’s instructions, intently executing her moves and strikes.
The woman in white continued with a smile:
“The item I want to give you is an egg of the Hundred Poison Golden Silkworm Gu left by my brother here. After refining it, it will recognize you as its master, at your command. As for its power, you’ve seen its effects outside.”
Tang Xiaolian was startled but did not falter, continuing to follow the commands to slice through the sword Qi, methodically breaking the formation.
“But what if I say that I have to choose between giving him the Liang Yi Dust Sword and giving you the Hundred Poison Golden Silkworm Gu, and you can only pick one?” the woman in white said ethereally, “If you can’t break this array, forcing him to return home, I will stealthily give you the silkworm egg before you leave the Mysterious Realm, ensuring that he won’t find out.”
These were words designed to probe her heart. Since Tang Xiaolian had no use for the Liang Yi Dust Sword, and the Hundred Poison Golden Silkworm Gu was useless to Yan Yu, if she had to choose one, the benefits were clearly conflicting.
Without responding, Tang Xiaolian heard the woman in white say:
“He wants to become the successor of the Orthodox Sword Immortal, and even if he fails to pass this test, he can come back and try again for the sword. But for your Hundred Poison Golden Silkworm Gu, if you miss this chance, there will be no next time.”
Tang Xiaolian remained silent, continuing to precisely execute the moves to break the formation. The woman in white didn’t give up and went on:
“If you’re worried about pretending to be ignorant and being discovered by him? I see he doesn’t think highly of you either; even if you make consecutive mistakes, he won’t suspect you, only thinking that you’re hopeless.”
Tang Xiaolian completely ignored her, letting the woman in white’s temptations go in one ear and out the other. She finally used up the entire incense stick’s time, stepped out of the sword array, and stood with her hands on her hips, proudly saying to Yan Yu:
“How did I do?”
“Impressive,” Yan Yu genuinely praised.
Although she was just following orders, fifteen minutes is a long time, and with his constant instructions, maintaining focus without a single mistake required a high level of concentration.
This girl… wasn’t entirely without merit. If she were to become a chief surgeon, she’d probably be quite suitable.
“Hmph,” Tang Xiaolian then turned to look at the woman in white and exclaimed, “I don’t want any Hundred Poison Golden Silkworm Gu! Bring out that Liang Yi Dust Sword now!”
Yan Yu listened, bewildered, but saw the woman in white say with a smile:
“I was just testing you. When we ascended the Heaven Stairs earlier, he endured the gravitational force meant for two, stubbornly carrying you all the way. He didn’t abandon you.”
“We Sword Immortals have always been quick to act, neither failing others nor suffering loss. If you had betrayed him just now for your own benefit, forget about that Hundred Poison Golden Silkworm Gu, this palm-sized Immortal Sword of mine would have been the first to not spare you!”
Tang Xiaolian stood with her mouth half open, stunned for quite a while, before suddenly feeling a strong surge of fear. Yan Yu, although previously unaware of the messages between the two, could now more or less guess what had happened, and immediately laughed and said:
“Don’t let her scare you. The worst that can happen in a trial is not receiving a reward—there’s no reason to kill a participant. Only the Demonic Sect would kill disciples for not meeting expectations. This white-clothed Sword Immortal looks like an upstanding person. How could she behave like the Demonic Sect?”
The white-clad female immortal snorted without denying anything and threw two items, one falling into each of their hands.
In Yan Yu’s hand was an Immortal Sword. The blade was narrow, about the length of his forearm, and immaculate white, as if made from beautiful jade.
Additionally, the first layer of the unlocking method for the Liang Yi Micron Sword was automatically transferred into his Sea of Consciousness.
Tang Xiaolian received a golden egg, the size of a quail’s, glittering and translucent. In the light, she could make out the undeveloped larva inside, like a golden beetle larva, curled up with its plump white body—it would be disgusting for those who feared insects, but she felt no aversion and even found it cute.
The method to refine and acknowledge the master was also imparted into her mind. However, according to the white-clothed female immortal, this Hundred Poison Golden Silkworm Gu, being a living creature, found it harder to withstand the test of time. Although it survived with its strong vitality, its origin had suffered greatly. Even if it hatched, it would not possess its peak ferocity.
As for how to replenish its origin, there was indeed a secret method, but whether she could find the corresponding item depended on her luck.
Before they could react, they felt the world spin around them.
When they came to, they found themselves in front of a waterfall.
Looking behind the waterfall at the cliff, it was intact, showing no signs of the earlier crack. It appeared that the white-clad female immortal loved to test one’s heart, speaking in a mix of truths and lies. Her statement about “heading home and returning next time” might also not be entirely reliable.
Yan Yu, looking at the Liang Yi Micron Sword in his hand, suddenly heard Tang Xiaolian ask from beside him:
“Captain Yan, I forgot to ask before: why didn’t you just leave me behind during the Ascending Heaven Stairs?”
“Didn’t you say you owed me a favor and exchanged it for me to take you up?” Yan Yu asked her in return.
“But…but it wasn’t worth wrecking your body like that,” Tang Xiaolian said, seeing that he was still somewhat unstable. She hurried over to support him, speaking with concern, “Even if you really couldn’t hold on and abandoned me midway, I wouldn’t blame you—after all, it’s not like I would die.”
“Hmph,” Yan Yu scoffed with a laugh, “That white-clad female immortal also deliberately tested me. The pretext was exactly the same as yours, implying it would be more advantageous to leave you behind. Knowing her, an Orthodox Sword Immortal, she despises betrayal and ingratitude the most. If I had done something of that sort, she’d surely look down on me, and it wouldn’t be impossible for her to fail me directly—I’m not an idiot!”
Tang Xiaolian paused for a moment, then suddenly asked:
“So Captain Yan, did you only choose to carry me through the stairs to align with her mindset?”
“Yeah, what else?” Yan Yu asked her, “The reward is yours, and the body is mine. Why would I exhaust myself for you to get a reward? Do I look like a fawning dog?”
“Oh,” Tang Xiaolian muttered, disheartened, continuing to support Yan Yu as they walked along, saying, “Captain Yan, with the state of your body now, don’t rush to use Sword Control to get back. Can I take you to stay at my family’s guesthouse for a few days to recover?”
“No need,” Yan Yu shook his head and said, “Don’t feel too bad about it. Me helping you through also benefited my sword retrieval. Just remember you owe me a favor, and repay it next time.”
“Humph,” Tang Xiaolian fell silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed and said, “Captain Yan keeps reminding me about the favor I owe you, and you’re afraid I might feel too guilty to repay it quickly. Could it be you have other intentions, wanting to maintain a long-term relationship? That’s fine by me. Actually, I know even if that white-clad female immortal hadn’t tested you, Captain Yan, you wouldn’t have easily abandoned me.”
“You’re too gullible,” Yan Yu immediately scoffed, “What’s so special about you that I should maintain any long-term relationship? Do you really think so?”
“Captain Yan likes Captain Zhou, right?” Tang Xiaolian said with a sweet smile, “I’ve felt for some time that there was something off about you, Captain Yan. Who else would keep sending messages to our Captain Zhou, especially when she’s so tough and prickly, and still be scolded by her?”
“Nonsense!” Yan Yu laughed, amused by her words, “Do you have any idea how many beautiful ladies we have on the Zhenhai Team? Why would I go out of my way to pursue Zhou?”
“Don’t lie to me, Captain Yan,” Tang Xiaolian said with a beaming smile, “Captain Zhou is gorgeous and strong. She seems difficult to approach, yet she’s stubborn on the outside but soft on the inside. Just like durian fruit—thorny on the outside but sweet within. People who hate durians find them abhorrent, but those who like them adore this kind. You must have a taste for this, right, Captain Yan?”
“Enough.” Yan Yu gestured with his hand for her to stop, “I’m feeling weak right now. Don’t deliberately talk nonsense or you’ll laugh me to death.”
“Hmph,” Tang Xiaolian gave him a look as if she saw right through him and deliberately said, “So, Captain Yan, you don’t need me to secretly pass along messages from Captain Zhou, right?”
“That’s not exactly it…”
“Captain Yan still says you don’t like Zhou?”
“I have other plans concerning her,” Yan Yu simply admitted, “It’s complicated to explain… but it’s not that I like her.”
Sigh, I rescue people for the country and yet end up being doubted by this young lady. My life is truly not easy!
“Alright, alright.” Tang Xiaolian didn’t continue to probe and just smiled, saying, “Remember to keep in touch with me, Captain Yan…”
Before she finished speaking, Yan Yu’s phone suddenly began to ring.
Unlocking the screen, he saw 99+ missed calls. Even Yan Yu, who remained unfazed after climbing the stairs, inhaled sharply at the sight.
Tang Xiaolian leaned in to take a look and was also a bit shocked by the number, laughing awkwardly:
“Then I won’t disturb you, Captain Yan…”
Before she could finish, Yan Yu had already grabbed her arm, his voice serious:
“Take me to stay at your family’s guesthouse for a few days.”