https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-445-So-Heaven-s-Venerate-is-Not-That-Formidable-After-All/12536685/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-447-Inferring-the-Deadly-Fourteenth-Sword/12536687/
Chapter 446: Establishing Dominance with a Single Sword Strike, Celestial Immortal Descends
Chapter 446: Establishing Dominance with a Single Sword Strike, Celestial Immortal Descends
"Now that I've exposed your true identity, I wonder when Master Xiahou will arrive." Tie Kaicheng said with a smile, "Of course, you could gamble and hope that none of the people present here will snitch."
Not only Tie Kaicheng, but even Xue Keren didn't believe that. There was no way she could have bought everyone present, and even if she had, she wouldn't dare assume they wouldn't go running to the authorities.
The Xiahou family, one of the four great aristocratic families of Jiangnan, still held considerable influence and was a golden opportunity.
"The key point is that you've now caught the attention of the Heavenly Venerable." Tie Kaicheng continued with a smile, "I wonder, do you think you'll be able to shake her off?"
Xue Keren's heart skipped a beat. "What are you trying to say?"
"I'm saying that perhaps only one person in this world can save you now." Tie Kaicheng replied calmly.
Xue Keren's eyes flickered, and she asked, "Who?"
"Of course, it's that person who made you constantly try to escape Planet Xiahou and refuse to marry him." Tie Kaicheng fixed his gaze on Xue Keren as he asked tentatively.
As expected, Xue Keren's pupils contracted sharply. She couldn't fathom how Tie Kaicheng had found out about this.
Xue Keren's reaction caused Tie Kaicheng to nod inwardly, confirming his guess.
"But he's already dead." Xue Keren blurted out, "He died several years ago."
Tie Kaicheng smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying. Instead, he turned to Tie Yi, who was standing by the door, and asked in a harmonious tone, "Have we come to an agreement with the Wang family regarding the escort mission?"
"Yes, yes, we have." Tie Yi nodded hastily, feeling his heart leap into his throat as he looked at Tie Kaicheng's calm expression.
Not only Tie Yi, but the dozen or so escorts practicing in the martial arts field outside the main hall also felt like they didn't recognize the head escort standing before them. They never imagined that after becoming the head escort, he would undergo such a drastic change.
Those who had been bought by Xue Keren were trembling, and those who hadn't were filled with confusion and uncertainty.
"That's good. Now we can talk about what happened that night." Tie Kaicheng nodded and continued to smile pleasantly, "I recall that you were guarding my father's door that night, weren't you?"
Tie Yi's face changed instantly.
"Xue Keren has only known my father for half a year, so it's understandable if their relationship isn't that deep. But you, you've been with my father for almost two decades, haven't you?"
Tie Kaicheng shook his head and laughed, "Even if you're ungrateful and treacherous, you shouldn't be so foolish. Xue Keren has the backing of the Xiahou family from Flaming Cloud Valley in Mount Flame, but what about you?"
"Young Master Escort…"
Tie Yi involuntarily took a step back and glanced at the few escorts in the training ground, who had been on guard duty with him the night before last.
"Heartless and greedy, yet stupid and without any backing. If I don't kill you, who should I kill?"
As Tie Kaicheng's words landed, his figure suddenly shot forward, and he drew the precious sword displayed on the case in the main hall—the same green steel sword that Tie Zhongqi had once used.
"Clang!"
A clear and crisp sword cry rang out. Tie Yi took a step back, intending to flee at full speed.
He was self-aware enough to know that he was no match for Tie Kaicheng, so he prepared to call for help from the others in the square.
However, just as he was about to take a step, his vision was filled with sword light.
Glorious, magnificent, dazzling, grand…
Tie Yi felt as if he were facing an immortal descending from the heavens. He was enveloped in awe, and even the sense of impending death was diminished. He didn't dare to blink, not wanting to miss a single moment of the beauty encapsulated in that sword light.
The next moment, a spray of bright red blood burst from Tie Yi's throat like a fountain, dazzling and stunning in the sunlight.
Tie Yi fell heavily to the ground. The not-so-loud thud of his fall seemed like the strike of a heavy hammer on the hearts of those present.
Everyone stared at Tie Kaicheng in shock. Though they hadn't faced his sword directly, the feeling of that single strike was deeply imprinted in their minds. They could guarantee that they would never forget that sword strike for as long as they lived.
To die in awe and admiration was unforgettable, but it was an experience none of them ever wanted to have again.
"My father trusted you as his confidant," Tie Kaicheng said casually. "Now that he's passed away, you can go and join him." He then turned his gaze toward the martial arts field outside the main hall.
The numerous escorts snapped back to their senses, their hearts pounding wildly as they instinctively surrounded the other four escorts who had been on guard duty that fateful night.
"Liu Tie, your father must be in his seventies now, right? I saw him just a few days ago, strolling with his pet bird in the back alley. He seems to be enjoying his retirement."
"Huang Youzhi, I believe your older brother and Er Ni from the neighboring alley are in a loving relationship and are planning to get married soon?"
"Li Biao, if I'm not mistaken, you and your wife got married just last year, and it was my father who went to propose on your behalf."
"Yan Laosan, well, you're the type who eats his fill while his family goes hungry…"
The previous Tie Kaicheng had indeed been a qualified chief escort, knowing the escorts under him very well. Thus, Tie Kaicheng effortlessly exposed the personal matters of these four escorts.
"An escort's monthly salary is twenty taels, and there's a reward every time we complete an escort mission. Though it may not make us immensely wealthy, it's enough to ensure a comfortable life without worries. Even when we grow old and our bodies weaken, as long as the escort agency stands, we will continue to receive our salary."
Tie Kaicheng shook his head and said, "How much did Tian Zun offer you to make you betray the escort agency without any hesitation? The jianghu is treacherous, and even if you get this money, can you be sure you'll live to spend it?"
"Young Master Escort…"
"When one's virtue does not match their position, disaster will strike. It's important to know your self-worth. Don't you have any idea of your own value?" Tie Kaicheng waved his hand dismissively. "Rest assured, the escort agency is more humane than you. Not only will we not involve your wives and children, but we will also continue to take care of them. So, you can go in peace."
As his words landed, over ten weapons, including a longsword, a pair of double blades, a tiger-head hook, a nine-section whip, a chain spear, and a bronze staff, were simultaneously handed over. Among the four escorts, only Yan Laosan attempted to resist, but they were all swiftly killed without any mercy.
Tie Kaicheng looked at the remaining crowd, noticing some of them breathing heavily with obvious disorder in their breathing.
"I don't know if there are any more traitors among you, and to be honest, I'm too lazy to investigate. Since you haven't taken any actions yet, I won't pursue this matter further." Tie Kaicheng said indifferently, "As for what you plan to do next, I don't care. Just make sure you can accept the consequences of your betrayal."
"Who dares to betray the escort agency? If I, Lao Li, find out, I'll chop off their heads!" One of the escorts pledged his loyalty, and the rest quickly followed suit, expressing their hatred for the traitors.
(End of Chapter)
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