Supreme Sword Master - Chapter 21
"Supreme Sword Master - Chapter 21: This Liu Ying, She Loves to Pretend Too Much!"
Chapter 21: This Liu Ying, She Loves to Pretend Too Much!
The small courtyard.
Inside the side room.
"Elder Xue!"
Chief Steward Li was drenched in sweat, his voice trembling slightly.
"Is there... any way you can save His Highness?"
"Difficult!"
Looking at the Seventh Prince sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, surrounded by a fiery aura, Divine Physician Xue shook his head. "I can only temporarily suppress the cold poison—it cannot be eradicated. You know as well as I do that the poison has seeped deep into his bones and merged with him. Every time we suppress it, it rebounds stronger. At this point... I'm already at my limit."
He paused for a moment, sighing deeply.
"This time, I can manage to suppress it, but the next outbreak... alas!"
"Your Highness!"
Chief Steward Li understood the implications of his words and couldn't help but shed tears.
"Poor Consort Huang—she only has His Highness as her son. If anything happens to him, this servant deserves ten thousand deaths!"
"Chief Steward Li."
At this moment,
A weak voice drifted over.
"There's no need to grieve. I know my own condition well. Without your and Elder Xue's efforts all these years, how could I have survived until now? Even if Mother were watching from beyond, she wouldn't blame you."
It was the Seventh Prince, who had just regained consciousness.
"Your Highness..."
Chief Steward Li couldn't bear to look at him anymore.
"Speaking of which,"
Having narrowly escaped death once again, the Seventh Prince seemed to have come to terms with life and death, and sighed with emotion. "Today, I met someone quite interesting. Coincidentally, Elder Xue knows him too..."
...
Outside.
"Ah, Liu..."
A Sha's expression brightened, about to greet her, but then she suddenly remembered Liu Ying's attitude toward Gu Han a month ago. Her little face fell, and she turned away with a huff.
"Gu Han."
Liu Ying's voice remained as cold and aloof as ever.
"I've heard about your affairs."
"Oh? Your information network is quite efficient."
"What are you doing here?"
"Hmph, isn't this something Miss Liu shouldn't concern herself with?"
Liu Ying's brows furrowed slightly.
She was certain now.
Gu Han's sudden appearance here must mean he had pledged allegiance to the Seventh Prince!
"Let me give you some advice."
Her tone was calm but carried an air of superiority.
"The most important thing in life is to stay within your bounds and not overstep. Your previous troubles were precisely because you were too ostentatious. If you don't learn restraint, even if you somehow survive this time, you won't survive the next."
"Acting so high and mighty!"
Gu Han sneered.
"How I conduct myself is none of your business!"
"That's all I have to say. Whether you listen or not is up to you."
With that,
She prepared to knock on the door.
"Wait!"
The people in front grew agitated again.
They didn't recognize Gu Han, nor did they know Liu Ying—how could they let them pass so easily?
"And who are you? Are you here to see Divine Physician Xue as well?"
"My father is City Lord Liu Yuan."
Liu Ying chuckled softly. "I'm here to see the Seventh Prince—we're friends."
As she spoke,
She glanced faintly at Gu Han.
The difference between being a friend and being a subordinate was glaringly obvious.
Daughter of the City Lord?
Friends with the Seventh Prince?
The group's hearts skipped a beat.
The first identity was manageable, but the second... was rather intimidating.
Though the Seventh Prince wasn't highly regarded in the capital and didn't hold much influence, he was still of royal blood—far above their station as mere managers.
"Our apologies! Our deepest apologies!"
"We were rude earlier—please forgive us, Miss Liu!"
Their attitudes shifted dramatically, becoming obsequious.
"We humbly ask Miss Liu to put in a good word for us when you go inside."
"Yes, we've been waiting here for so long and haven't even seen Divine Physician Xue yet."
Liu Ying exuded elegance and refinement, her demeanor impeccable, not to mention her stunning beauty. Naturally, they didn't doubt her words. Such a captivating woman would be rare even in the capital—it was no surprise she could befriend the Seventh Prince.
"No problem."
Liu Ying glanced indifferently at Gu Han.
"When I see the Seventh Prince later, I'll mention you."
"Thank you, Miss Liu!"
The group was overjoyed.
"Young Master."
A Sha looked indignant.
"We know that grandpa too—why don't they believe us?"
"Hmph."
Gu Han sneered.
"They're just looking down on us!"
"How dare you curse us!"
"Boy, are you tired of living?"
"People from small towns—so ignorant, yet so bold!"
"..."
The group's expressions darkened.
"What a joke!"
Gu Han snorted, clearly unimpressed by their threats.
"Just because you say we can't enter doesn't mean we can't. Today, I'm going in! Come on, A Sha!"
With that,
He took A Sha's hand and stepped forward calmly.
"Sigh!"
Chen Ping sighed deeply.
"Little brother, why won't you listen to reason?"
These people, accustomed to their status from the capital and used to ordering wandering cultivators around, were truly capable of violence.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly,
A delighted voice came from inside the courtyard.
"Little girl, what brings you here? Come in, come in—I want to take a look at you!"
It was Divine Physician Xue!
The group instinctively turned their gaze toward Liu Ying.
Could it be...
That she was also close to Divine Physician Xue?
Liu Ying was naturally surprised as well, but she maintained her composure and gracefully bowed. "Thank you, Predecessor..."
Creak!
At this moment,
The wooden door opened.
"What's all this racket!"
Chief Steward Li, already brimming with pent-up anger, saw the crowd and immediately erupted in curses.
"Bunch of wretched fools!"
"Dare to disturb His Highness and Elder Xue's rest—I'll slap you all to death!"
The group shrank back in fear, not daring to utter another word.
"Little girl!"
Chief Steward Li glared at A Sha, his face darkening further.
"Come with me!"
"Huh?"
A Sha pointed at herself.
"You're talking to me?"
"Of course!"
"But... didn't you say you weren't familiar with me?"
"..."
Chief Steward Li's face grew even darker.
"Elder Xue wants to see you!"
Though furious, he naturally couldn't disobey Divine Physician Xue's orders.
As they passed by,
Gu Han nearly burst out laughing.
For some reason, every time he saw Chief Steward Li get flustered, he felt inexplicably pleased.
The crowd exchanged uncertain glances.
Could it be... this little girl really knew Divine Physician Xue?
"Oh, right!"
A Sha suddenly remembered something and turned to Chen Ping. "Do you want to see Grandpa Xue too?"
"Mm!"
Chen Ping nodded instinctively.
"Yes, yes!"
"Then come along."
A Sha waved him over.
"You helped Young Master earlier—you're a good person!"
"Thank you, Miss! Thank you!"
Chen Ping was ecstatic, quickly following behind.
He never imagined that a simple act of kindness would bring him rewards beyond his wildest dreams!
"..."
Chief Steward Li's lips twitched.
But recalling Divine Physician Xue's inexplicable fondness for A Sha, he suppressed the urge to stop Chen Ping.
"Fine!"
Elder Xue's affairs were none of his concern!
The remaining group members' eyes nearly popped out of their heads with jealousy.
This...
They just walked right in?
Why him?!
Instinctively,
They turned hopeful gazes toward Liu Ying.
Don't panic!
There's still a chance!
"Chief Steward Li."
Feeling their gazes, Liu Ying took a deep breath and flashed what she considered a flawless smile, bowing gracefully.
"His Highness..."
"He's not seeing you!"
Chief Steward Li shot her a cold reply.
Unsatisfied, he added, "Stop pretending!"
"Phfft!"
Gu Han couldn't hold back any longer and burst out laughing.
"Boy!"
Chief Steward Li nearly lost his temper.
"Why are you laughing!"
"I think you made a very valid point!"
Gu Han gave a thumbs-up, feeling for the first time that Chief Steward Li wasn't entirely insufferable.
Bam!
Chief Steward Li flicked his sleeve and slammed the courtyard gate shut.
"Follow me inside! You—" he pointed at Chen Ping, "wait here!"
"Yes, yes!"
Chen Ping bowed repeatedly, obediently staying put.
Being allowed inside the courtyard meant he'd eventually meet Divine Physician Xue—a far better fate than those hopeless souls outside.
...
Outside.
The group was nearly driven mad with envy, their gazes toward Liu Ying turning accusatory.
Friend of the Seventh Prince?
Hmph.
How laughable!
How could she not even get past Chief Steward Li?
Beside them,
Liu Ying's face alternated between red and white, her chest rising and falling rapidly—clearly enraged.
"Mark my words!"
She spat out a hollow threat, humiliated and unable to face their scornful gazes any longer. She fled in shame.
...
Inside the side room.
Divine Physician Xue withdrew his hands.
"With my master's pills supporting her, though her soul force will still leak slightly, she'll be fine for now."
"Thank you, Predecessor!"
Gu Han let out a sigh of relief.
Now,
He had time to continue searching for a cure for A Sha.
Of course,
The prerequisite was that A Sha wouldn't use the Eye of Truth again.
"Thank you, Grandpa Xue!"
A Sha beamed and bowed respectfully.
"Good, good, good!"
Divine Physician Xue patted her head, his attitude toward her noticeably warmer than toward anyone else in the room—even the Seventh Prince.
"I've heard about your situation."
He glanced at Gu Han.
"You've done well. To remain true to yourself is rare and commendable."
Compared to before,
Gu Han no longer carried that heavy burden of resentment. The malevolence in his brows had greatly diminished—he had returned to the state and mindset of a youth.
"Indeed."
Beside them,
The Seventh Prince sighed with emotion. "Watching you earlier... cough, cough, taking revenge so freely, I envied you."
"Thank you, Your Highness, for helping me today!"
Gu Han clasped his fists in gratitude.
"Boy!"
Chief Steward Li raised an eyebrow.
"This is our Seventh Prince—show some respect!"
Gu Han remained expressionless,
Once again treating his words as empty air.
"You..."
"Enough."
The Seventh Prince chuckled bitterly.
"My title as prince can only fool those who don't know the truth. Do you really not understand the reality?"
He turned to Gu Han.
"By the way, cough, cough... the Crimson Flame Snake you gave to Elder Xue was a great help to me."
"You..."
Gu Han frowned slightly.
"You're sick too?"
"Hey! Watch your tone, boy!"
"Yes."
The Seventh Prince nodded, sighing deeply. "I am indeed ill—and terminally so..."
It turned out that during the tenth month of his mother's pregnancy, she had been attacked, and the cold energy had seeped into her body, causing him to be born with a weak constitution. If not for Divine Physician Xue's meticulous care over the years, he wouldn't have survived past the age of two—the cold energy would have claimed his life.
Of course,
Even now, suppressing the cold energy had reached its limits—something even Divine Physician Xue couldn't resolve.
"You're so pitiful."
A Sha looked at the Seventh Prince with sympathy.
"It's fine."
The Seventh Prince smiled faintly.
"Fate is unpredictable—we can't force things."
"I want to try."
Beside them,
Gu Han furrowed his brows, finally making up his mind and speaking suddenly.
Earlier, without the Seventh Prince's intervention, not only would he have lost the Martial Academy qualification, but escaping Tianwu City alive would have been questionable.
Tenfold repayment—for both kindness and vengeance.
This was his unwavering belief!
"What did you say?"
Chief Steward Li hadn't heard clearly.
"I said, I want to try."
"You? Even Elder Xue is helpless—what can a puny Spirit Enlightenment stage brat like you possibly do!"
"What if I succeed?"
Gu Han retorted sharply.
The fleeting goodwill Chief Steward Li had felt toward him vanished completely.
"Boy."
Chief Steward Li pointed to the several beast cores beside the Seventh Prince.
"Do you see these?"
"If you can actually come up with a solution, I'll eat them all in front of you!"
"Really?"
Gu Han's eyes lit up.
"Hmph, my words carry weight—I never go back on them!"
"Fine, just wait!"
With that,
Gu Han slowly closed his eyes.
"What are you doing?"
"Taking a nap. When I wake up, I'll have a solution!"
Chief Steward Li: ...