Chapter 146 - 107: Hidden Sword Manor, Zhang Su Is Here

Over the past five days, they had crossed through three towns, crested two mountains, and traveled countless roads, both large and small.

They traveled by day and rested at roadside inns or posthouses at night.

To avoid attracting attention on the road, Gu Ying had even disguised herself as a man.

She changed into a long, gray cloth robe, tied her hair up and tucked it into a hat, and used a charcoal pencil to thicken her eyebrows.

Though her feminine features were still visible upon close inspection, from a distance she could pass for a handsome youth.

And she certainly hadn’t slowed them down over the past few days.

The journey was arduous. They rose before dawn each day and could only rest after nightfall.

The ride was jarring, but as Martial Artists, Zhang Su, Wang Hu, and Zhou Yong were naturally unfazed.

Yet Gu Ying, a delicate woman with no training in Martial Arts, had gritted her teeth and persevered without a single complaint.

Zhang Su noticed that blisters had formed on her legs, causing her to limp when she walked during their nightly rests.

Yet the next morning, she would be the first to mount her horse, never once complaining.

This resilience, however, earned her a measure of Zhang Su’s approval.

On the morning of the fifth day, the four of them stood on a hillside, gazing at Hidden Sword Manor from a distance.

Hidden Sword Manor was built into the side of a mountain, its grounds sprawling.

From afar, pavilions and towers were scattered in a picturesque arrangement, their white walls and black tiles peeking through the cover of green trees.

A tall stone archway marked the manor’s main entrance. Carved upon it were the three words "Hidden Sword Manor," their calligraphy sharp and fierce, like a blade.

A ring of high walls encircled the manor, with a watchtower at each of the four corners providing a commanding view of the area.

The entire manor was majestic and imposing; a single glance revealed that no ordinary family could have afforded to build it.

Gu Ying’s eyes, in particular, were filled with hatred.

The hatred was so palpable it seemed to shoot from her eyes, which were fixed upon the distant manor.

She knew that the people who had murdered her entire family were hiding inside.

Living peaceful lives right behind those high walls.

Whenever she thought of this, Gu Ying’s heart found it hard to remain calm.

Zhang Su glanced at Gu Ying’s two guards. Both were Jianghu Martial Artists; one was named Wang Hu, the other Zhou Yong.

Both were in their early thirties and sturdily built. A single glance was enough to tell they were veterans who had struggled and survived in the Jianghu for many years.

Zhang Su asked the two men, "Wang Hu, Zhou Yong, you’ve been in the Jianghu a long time. Have you heard of Hidden Sword Manor?"

The two exchanged a look, their expressions grave as they nodded.

Wang Hu was the first to speak. "Of course we know of the renowned Hidden Sword Manor. It has an ancient history and is considered one of the old-guard powers in the Jianghu. They specialize in Sword Casting; many valuable Treasure Swords are forged by their hands."

Zhou Yong added, "It is said that Hidden Sword Manor has close ties to Medicine Valley. Many disciples from Medicine Valley often go to Hidden Sword Manor to request swords. Their Sword Casting methods are considered among the best in the entire Jianghu."

"And what about Danjin Martial Artists?"

Zhang Su asked the most critical question.

Wang Hu shook his head and said in a low voice, "It is said that Hidden Sword Manor has always had an Embracing Pill Strongman watching over it, but as for the specifics, no one really knows. After all, Danjin Strongmen are not on a level we can interact with."

"However..."

Zhou Yong added, "For Hidden Sword Manor to have stood firm in the Jianghu for so many years, they must have plenty of trump cards. Without a Danjin Strongman watching over it, they likely would have been swallowed up by other powers long ago."

Zhang Su asked no more questions.

After all, Wang Hu and Zhou Yong were only Outer Force Martial Artists.

’How much could they possibly know about Hidden Sword Manor?’

’They only knew the most superficial information, at best.’

"Go. Take my calling card and present it at their gate."

Zhang Su produced a red calling card from his robes and handed it to Wang Hu.

’He would still follow the rules of the Jianghu: courtesy before combat.’

’If Hidden Sword Manor could be made to hand over Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui without a fight, that would naturally be best.’

’If Hidden Sword Manor refused, it wouldn’t be too late to act then.’

"Yes."

Wang Hu accepted the calling card with both hands, his expression solemn.

He knew that this thin calling card represented the status of an Inner Sect Disciple from the Guiyuan Sect.

In the Jianghu, that status carried significant weight.

Wang Hu immediately took Zhang Su’s calling card, turned, and walked toward the main gate of Hidden Sword Manor.

His steps were firm, but his retreating figure betrayed a hint of nervousness.

After all, he was about to set foot in Hidden Sword Manor.

A place that paid no heed even to a Jianghu Pursuit Order.

Zhang Su stood his ground, watching as Wang Hu walked away.

His expression was placid, betraying no hint of emotion.

Gu Ying stood behind him, her expression quite tense.

The closer the moment came, the more difficult she found it to remain calm.

She had been waiting for this day for too long.

And now, the time was near. Her enemies were in Hidden Sword Manor.

All her scores would soon be settled.

...

Inside Hidden Sword Manor, it was especially lively today.

The Second Miss, Ouyang Zhi, had returned from Medicine Valley.

She had also brought with her some Inner Sect Disciples from Medicine Valley, all of them Ouyang Zhi’s friends.

Manor Master Ouyang Chuan was very happy.

He was very pleased with his second daughter, Ouyang Zhi.

Ouyang Zhi had shown her talent at a young age, catching the eye of a Medicine Valley Elder who accepted her as a disciple.

She was now an Inner Sect Disciple of Medicine Valley, her own Martial Arts were formidable, and she had cultivated to the Peak of Inner Force.

She was just one step away from reaching Huajin.

To have reached such a level of Cultivation at her age was considered outstanding, even within the Medicine Valley’s Inner Sect.

Ouyang Zhi had brought three of her Fellow Disciples to Hidden Sword Manor—two men and a woman—and all of them were Huajin Martial Artists.

This was a pleasant surprise for Ouyang Chuan.

Three Huajin Martial Artists, in the context of the Jianghu, were already a considerable force.