Chapter 20: Wen Tao Appears

Before Gao Wu came to the Wanbao Pavilion, he never imagined that he would end up taking out a "sword loan" and start living as a sword slave so early on!

Moreover, according to Manager Tong, the loan he arranged for him carried the lowest interest rate and even allowed for early repayment. It was clear that the Wanbao Pavilion held great expectations for Gao Wu!

Of course, the pavilion also warned that if Gao Wu were to die before repaying the loan, they would claim the contract and retrieve the Chihuo Ice Sword, regardless of who held it at the time.

"Ah, what brings everyone here?"

As soon as Gao Wu returned to the Qingfeng Inn, he saw Li Xingyun, accompanied by Shangguan Yunque; Zhang Zifan with Qingguo Qingcheng; and the Ice Beauty Ji Ruoxue—all waiting inside.

"Young Master Gao, you're back! The Thief Saint Wen Tao has appeared outside the city, and everyone is waiting for you to go see him together!" Qingguo said eagerly upon seeing Gao Wu.

"Wen Tao?" Gao Wu frowned, deep in thought.

Before he could ponder further, Shangguan Yunque curled his fingers and chided, "Let's go quickly; everyone is waiting for you!"

The group set out in a grand procession toward the outskirts of the city. Along the way, Gao Wu began to grasp the situation.

Apparently, scouts from the Unruly Ones had spotted traces of Wen Tao outside the city. He seemed to be searching for something.

But when Li Xingyun recognized their location, he was shocked. "Isn't this the site of Qianling?"

"What? Qianling?"

Everyone else was equally surprised. Weren't they supposed to be looking for Wen Tao? How did they end up at Qianling?

Gao Wu's mind stirred. Qianling, the Longquan treasure... Was Wen Tao deliberately drawing them here?

Opening the Longquan treasure required Li Xingyun’s vital essence!

No, Gao Wu had previously deduced that the Longquan Sword was never truly lost but was a trick played by Duke Li Ye of the Tang State. So why lure them here now?

Li Xingyun led the group expertly into Qianling. Before the inner gate, they indeed spotted Wen Tao cloaked in a cape.

"Is that Wen Tao?"

"That's him!"

"Huh, he’s kind of handsome!"

"Enough talk, let's go question him!" Zhang Zifan, his hair white, stepped forward excitedly and shouted, "Wen Tao, hand over the Longyuan Map and the Longquan Sword!"

Wen Tao remained calm, as if waiting for visitors. "You’ve finally arrived! I don’t have the Longyuan Map, but I do have a Longquan Sword. Look, it’s right there!"

Everyone turned to look. A broad, magnificent sword was lodged in a mechanical slot on the door.

"The Longquan Sword!" Li Xingyun’s expression lit up. He recognized it instantly as the national treasure of the Duke of Tang’s mansion.

Zhang Zifan and Ji Ruoxue exclaimed together, "The Longquan Sword!"

Their main goal was the Longyuan Map, but recovering the Longquan Sword would be no less an achievement.

Moreover, the Longquan Sword contained secrets of the Longquan treasure, making it just as crucial as the map.

Impatient, Qingguo shouted, "Then hurry and snatch it back!"

She rushed toward the sword, but just as she reached out to touch it, someone kicked her violently, sending her flying backward.

Standing at the gate was a middle-aged man with his hair tied high, exuding vigor and sharp resolve in his stern gaze.

"Uncle Master Duan? Why are you here?" Li Xingyun was hit by one shock after another today.

This man was Duan Chengtian, one of the Thirty-Six Commanders of the Unruly Ones and the Heavenly Speed Star.

"That's Duan Chengtian! No wonder he moved so fast!" Zhang Xiaofan recognized him too and helped Qingcheng support the fallen Qingguo.

Qingguo wiped the blood from her mouth, dazed, and asked, "What just happened?"

"Big sister, that man kicked you back."

"Laughing heartily, a melodious yet somewhat effeminate voice echoed, "Weren’t you all looking for the Longyuan Map? It’s in my possession. Would you like to see it?"

Li Xingyun was struck dumb, staring at the newcomer before whispering, "Father?"

The others looked at the man numbly. Pale-faced and beardless, he appeared no older than thirty—hardly the image of Li Xingyun’s father.

"Hehe, Xingyun, ever since you started training under the Unruly Marshal, we haven’t really bonded and have grown distant."

"So this is the Duke of Tang?" Qingguo stared blankly at Li Ye. "This is the biggest figure I’ve ever seen!"

Gao Wu sensed the atmosphere had turned strange. The Duke’s words seemed off, but uncertain of the full truth, he held his tongue.

"Xingyun, to open the tomb gate of Qianling, besides needing the Longquan Sword, do you know what else is required?"

Li Xingyun replied without thinking, "What else?"

"Your blood! Your vital essence!" Duke Li Ye’s expression became excited, his hands gesturing wildly.

"Just drip your vital essence into the groove of the Longquan Sword, and the tomb gate will open. Then we can retrieve the treasure, and the Tang state will shine for centuries more!"

"No, you’re not my father. Who are you really?"

"Foolish child, if I weren’t the Duke of Tang, how could I have the Longquan Sword and the Longyuan Map?" Li Ye pointed to two men behind him and said, "Uncle Yang of the Heavenly Establishment Star and Uncle Lu of the Heavenly Loss Star—they both taught you martial arts. Don’t you recognize them?"

"The Duke of Tang wouldn’t want to open the Longquan treasure, and my real father wouldn’t want my vital essence!"

Vital essence, also called heart’s blood, was precious to any martial artist, storing the potential for advancement. Losing it meant severing the path to greater strength.

"Xingyun!" Li Ye’s tone turned impatient. "For the revival of the Duke’s mansion, you must endure some hardship and sacrifice some essence. This is nothing—you must think of the greater good!"

"Hey, I’ve never liked you! The Empress fusses, treating her son’s martial future like nothing. Are you even a father?" Qingguo’s temper flared, and she snapped back.

"Ugly wretch!" Li Ye, still weak from earlier wounds and sensitive about his masculinity, growled, "Kill her!"

Suddenly, Shangguan Yunque behind Li Xingyun struck Qingguo with a palm, sending her flying.

"Floral Palm! Sister!" Li Xingyun stared in shock at Shangguan Yunque, who twisted his waist, flicked his fingers at Qingguo and Qingcheng, and said, "I’ve long disliked you two ugly wretches. Finally, I can vent my anger!"

"Shangguan Yunque!" Li Xingyun clenched his fists tightly, veins bulging, clearly furious.

"Haha, not bad, Shangguan Yunque of the Heavenly Skill Star!" Duke Li Ye laughed warmly and pulled Shangguan Yunque into an embrace.

"Oh, Duke, I’ve missed you so much!"

Ugh...

Gao Wu, who hadn’t even vomited after his first kill, was now disgusted by the scene before him.