Son-in-law Heaven Emperor Xiao Yi

The Sword God Guard Brigade, numbering a hundred men, each rode a white steed, the Python Blood Horses with python blood lineage.

Each one was priceless.

To build the Sword God Guard, Mingjian Manor had spared no expense.

Their equipment alone was comparable to the royal guards.

The person leading them was none other than Jian San, the third elder of the Mingjian Manor.

Jian San's gaze was icy as he looked at the Fire Qilin Sword in Xiao Yi's hand, a fiery greed flickered deep in his eyes. The Fire Qilin Sword, housed in the Sword Tomb, was the treasured heirloom of the clan, but even Mingjian Manor had never been able to bond with it despite years of effort. Yet now, Xiao Yi, a youth from the First Layer of the Shentong Realm, had claimed the Fire Qilin Sword.

As the saying goes, "The innocent man who carries a jade will be blamed for it."

The corners of Jian San's mouth curled upwards as he coldly said, "Boy, I personally led the Sword God Guard to chase you here, aren't you going to surrender without a fight?"

Niu Dali's forehead was covered in cold sweat, which rolled off like large beans and had already soaked his back. He said in a deep voice, "Big, big brother, why don't we surrender? This is the Sword God Guard we're dealing with, the three of us are no match for them..."

Fang Qingzhu remained silent, simply standing by Xiao Yi's side.

Xiao Yi gently patted Fang Qingzhu's hand, squinted at Jian San, and said, "So, you're the third elder? May I ask what crime have I committed?"

Jian San replied coldly, "Stealing the treasured Fire Qilin Sword of our Mingjian Manor, isn't that a crime?"

"The Fire Qilin Sword was obtained from within the Sword Tomb, and your Mingjian Manor has explicitly stated that whoever can make a sword from the Sword Tomb recognize them as master can become its owner. Mingjian Manor won't obstruct this, will it?" Xiao Yi said solemnly, his hand gripping the Fire Qilin Sword tightly, ready to execute his sword moves.

The shamelessness of Mingjian Manor was clearly displayed by Jian San.

They would never talk rules with you.

As Jian San said, expecting to take a high-grade famous sword from the Sword Tomb without any backing was nothing less than a fool's dream!

Xiao Yi believed that Jian San was no different.

His previous words were merely a delaying tactic.

Indeed...

After hearing Xiao Yi's words, Jian San burst into laughter, his face filled with mockery. He leaned on his horse's back and said with a sneer, "Kid, you're truly naïve. Haven't I told you before that not just anyone can take a famous sword from our Mingjian Manor? If that were so, our Mingjian Manor, no matter how powerful our sword forging capability, would still be overwhelmed and ruined!"

"Enough of your blathering, hand over the Fire Qilin Sword, and I might leave you a whole corpse..." Jian San said coldly.

Xiao Yi sighed and said, "Well, it seems like the Fire Qilin Sword is not fated to be mine. Then I'll give it back to you!"

"Hmm?"

Jian San was startled, then he laughed out loud, saying, "Not bad, not bad, you are quite sensible." He turned to the two Sword God Guard powerhouses beside him, "You, go get the Fire Qilin Sword, and tie them up while you're at it!"

"Yes!"

The two powerhouses of the Sword God Guard rode forward, looking down on Xiao Yi from their high horses, and with a swish, threw down a rope, "Hand over the Fire Qilin Sword and tie yourselves up!"

However...

The-face-that-had-been-creased-in-woe Xiao Yi now showed a trace of icy coldness. With a flourish of his arm, a flash of sword light cut down the two Sword God Guard powerhouses from their horses. Grabbing Fang Qingzhu, he mounted a horse and shouted to the stunned Niu Dali, "What are you waiting for? Mount up, and run!"

"Ah? Oh..."

Niu Dali quickly mounted as well.

Whipping their horses...

The trio fled on two horses.

Jian San: "..."

The entire Sword God Guard: "..."

Looking at the two cold corpses on the ground, Jian San's face twisted with ferocious rage as he roared, "Damn it, chase after them! That brat dares to play me for a fool, I'll have him torn to pieces!"

Thud, thud, thud!

Xiao Yi and his two companions were fleeing madly ahead, with the Sword God Guard Brigade hot on their heels.

During their frantic escape,

a merchant caravan appeared up ahead, with several horse-drawn wagons and about several dozen guards accompanying them. Sensing the sound of approaching hoofbeats from behind, the head guard, Chen Jie, changed expression, drew his longsword, and roared, "Ambush! Defend!"

Clang, clang!

The guards unsheathed their weapons in unison, watching Xiao Yi and his party warily.

"Make way, people ahead!" Xiao Yi shouted loudly.

From behind, Jian San, seeing Xiao Yi getting further away, shouted, "Listen, people up front, we are from the Sword God Guard Brigade of Mingjian Manor, in pursuit of criminals. Please help us stop them, and Mingjian Manor will repay you handsomely!"

Chen Jie's face underwent a slight change as he glanced at the middle wagon.

His mission was simply to escort the person and goods within the wagon and he didn't wish to court trouble.

However...

Just as Chen Jie was about to step aside, a sprightly voice came from inside the wagon, "Mingjian Manor? This young lady has had the pleasure of meeting young master Huang Zijian from Mingjian Manor. Chen Jie, take your men and stop those three! If we can owe Mingjian Manor a favor, it will be more convenient to cooperate with them in the future!"

"Chen Di, it's better we don't get involved in this mess..." another voice from the wagon cautioned.

"Shut up!"

The owner of the previous voice, Chen Di, spoke impatiently, "You spineless coward, always afraid of this and that, how can you ever achieve anything great? Chen Jie, what are you waiting for? Don't just stand there, attack!"

"Yes!"

Chen Jie let out a helpless sigh and bellowed, "Stop them!"

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The group of guards acted in unison, forming a line across the official road, blocking Xiao Yi's path.

Whoa!

Xiao Yi pulled hard on the reins. The Sword God Guard Brigade was gaining from behind, while Chen Jie and his men blocked the road ahead. Xiao Yi spoke in a deep voice, "Brother, I bear you no grudge, and this is a personal grievance between myself and Mingjian Manor. Please step aside and let us pass!"
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Chen Jie did not speak.

Chen Di's cold laugh emerged from within the wagon, "This young lady has had the pleasure of encountering young master Huang Zijian from Mingjian Manor, and I know well that Mingjian Manor has always cherished its reputation, acting with justice and integrity. If the Sword God Guard Brigade is pursuing you, you must be extremely vile criminals. As martial artists, we have the duty to act chivalrously and uphold justice on behalf of the heavens!"

Xiao Yi: "..."

Fang Qingzhu: "..."

Niu Dali, fuming with nostrils flaring, bellowed, "To hell with upholding justice on behalf of the heavens, you prattle without knowing the actual truth. If you have the guts, come out here, and I, old Niu, will punch your head into pieces!"

Whoosh!

Chen Di emerged from the wagon with a sullen face, her venomous gaze fixed on Xiao Yi and his company, "Hmph, this young lady is standing right here. Let's see you try to smash my head!"

"You..."

Niu Dali's face turned shades of red and white.

Thud, thud, thud!

The sound of approaching hoofbeats grew louder, accompanied by Jian San's triumphant voice, "Hahaha, friends up ahead, thanks for your assistance. Three little runts, your end is sealed..."

Xiao Yi's expression darkened as if it could drip water, and he said in a grave tone, "I'm asking one last time, step aside!"

"Hmph, what if I don't?" Chen Di retorted confidently.

Xiao Yi exhaled a long breath of turbid air, and said coldly, "Since you won't move, then prepare to die!"