Chapter 29 - 14: Sword Cultivators Value Promises Over Life and Death

Chapter 29: Chapter 14: Sword Cultivators Value Promises Over Life and Death

"Huh?!"

Such a straightforward agreement took Dong Hao by surprise, stirring up a few doubts in his heart.

"He didn’t hold back at all? Why? Did I misjudge his character, or... does he think he can win, which is why he agreed so readily?" he wondered.

These two thoughts swirled in his mind, leaving him momentarily uncertain. He didn’t think his judgment was so poor that he couldn’t see Jiang Xuan’s true nature. Yet, he wasn’t even thirty percent confident that Jiang Xuan could win this bet.

Admittedly, in his eyes, Jiang Xuan’s Talent in the Sword Dao was outstanding. It had only been a day, and he had already comprehended the Unity of Man and Sword. However, it was common knowledge that a Sword Master specialized in slaughter and was incomparably sharp. This enhanced combat ability, not Cultivation speed.

As for Guo Shaoshang, although Dong Hao somewhat looked down on him and certainly didn’t view him as a threat, he was a Noble Family’s Descendant after all, possessing an Earth Level Lower Grade Spirit Root. By his estimation, Guo Shaoshang would successfully advance much faster than Jiang Xuan.

By establishing this bet under such unfavorable circumstances, Dong Hao intended to make Jiang Xuan feel guilty, thereby making him owe a favor. He was cultivating a Death Warrior.

Jiang Xuan could somewhat guess Dong Hao’s thoughts. Instead of being angry, he heaved a massive sigh of relief.

He had no ties of kinship or prior friendship with Dong Hao. If the other party truly asked for nothing in return and was solely thinking of him, that would genuinely make him wary—unable to see through or grasp the situation. Now that he could see the general outline of Dong Hao’s motives, Jiang Xuan felt at ease.

At the same time, Dong Hao had guessed one thing right—Jiang Xuan accepted the resources so readily because he believed his chances of winning were extremely high. Since he could help Dong Hao earn back hundreds of Spirit Stones in the blink of an eye, drawing on some Cultivation assistance in advance was naturally no big deal.

"Once this bet is settled, the favor I owe him will be mostly repaid," he thought.

Having found a way to repay his debt of gratitude, Jiang Xuan chatted casually with Dong Hao for a few more moments before picking up his bowl and chopsticks again to eat the Three Elements Rejuvenating Soup.

Just as Dong Hao had said, this Three Elements Rejuvenating Soup was a treasure for nourishing Vitality. Simmered slowly with three Supreme Yang Spiritual Materials—Silkie Chicken, Old Ginseng, and Purple Reishi—the Yang Qi and pure Vitality contained within the broth were extremely rich.

As a mouthful of hot soup entered his stomach, Jiang Xuan felt a warm current flow down his throat and instantly spread through his limbs and bones. The qi and blood that had been largely depleted by his burning Heart Fire were unexpectedly restored by nearly half in an instant.

With the second mouthful, this warm Vitality coursed through his entire body, soothing every damaged meridian. By the time he took the third sip, he even faintly felt a dry heat, as if he had been over-nourished.

In just a short moment, relying on this bowl of Three Elements Rejuvenating Soup, the deficits and hidden injuries Jiang Xuan had sustained during Cultivation were almost completely healed. This effect brought joy to Jiang Xuan’s heart, but it also evoked a strong sense of crisis.

"The effects of Elixir Pills and Spiritual Cuisine are too strong. With these delicacies available every day, how fast must the Cultivation speed of a Noble Family’s Descendant be?" he thought.

Indeed, the Cultivation speed of the Noble Families’ Descendants was astonishingly fast. Yesterday, only Qin Feng and Xie Hanyan had opened thirty-six acupoints and been graded as excellent. Today, by the noon break, that number had already grown to eleven.

"Compared to these Noble Families’ Descendants, my disadvantages are truly too obvious," Jiang Xuan mused. "But fortunately, having taken on the roles of Daoist Acolyte and Clear Heart Swordsman, I now at least have the qualifications to compete with them."

After eating and drinking his fill and recovering his body, Jiang Xuan immediately bid Dong Hao farewell and returned to his corner in the back row.

This time, Dong Hao did not stop him.

However, after he left, Dong Hao’s Maid, Nan Zhi, hesitated for a moment before speaking up to the master she had spent over a decade with day and night.

"Young Master, you’ve expended so much Heart Power to recruit Jiang Xuan, and even gotten into disputes with Zeng Jun and Guo Shaoshang. Is it worth it?"

"It is," Dong Hao replied. He glanced at Xie Hanyan, who wasn’t far away, and said quietly, "Even without Jiang Xuan, things wouldn’t be peaceful between Zeng Jun and me.

"This dispute wasn’t caused by Jiang Xuan’s arrival; rather, he was implicated in the conflict between Zeng Jun and me.

"Furthermore, Jiang Xuan’s Talent in the Sword Dao is outstanding. As you know, a Sword Cultivator always values righteousness over life and death. As long as I make Jiang Xuan owe me enough, should we ever face a life-or-death crisis or other major troubles, others might flee, but he will inevitably stay by my side. Buying a life with a few Spirit Stones is very much worth it!"

Hearing these words, Nan Zhi found herself unable to retort. A Sword Cultivator valued promises heavily. For the sake of a benefactor, a Sword Cultivator would draw their sword against a stronger opponent even knowing it meant certain death—such occurrences were far from rare in this world.

She bowed her head. "I understand. Tomorrow, I will continue to prepare Spiritual Cuisine for Young Master Jiang."

While the master and servant conversed at the front of the dojo, Jiang Xuan felt helpless to find that he couldn’t get a moment of Purity even after returning to his seat.

No sooner had he sat down than a group of Lower Classes’s Sons swarmed around him, their faces plastered with flattering smiles.

Someone took the lead, speaking in a fawning tone, "Brother Jiang, how exactly did you catch Young Master Dong’s eye? An extra friend means an extra path; how about revealing a little to your brothers?"

"Exactly! As long as Brother Jiang is willing to offer a pointer or two, I’ll remember your kindness for the rest of my life!"

The encirclement of this crowd and their sycophantic words caused Jiang Xuan’s gaze to instantly turn cold.

But before he could speak, a cold snort suddenly echoed from the side, dripping with undisguised disdain.

"An extra friend means an extra path? Remember for the rest of your life? Bah!"