"What?"
Shen Lang's sword strike was incredibly fast, surpassing human perception of speed.
Equally, Shen Lang's sword strike was immensely powerful, its ferocity beyond description.
With lightning speed, the sword severed Feng Yijian's long sword and then pressed the tip against Feng Yijian's throat.
Seeing drops of blood fall from Feng Yijian's throat with a steady *drip, drip* sound, Ye Shishi and Gu Qinghan's eyes widened, speechless.
Chu Fei also hadn't expected Feng Yijian to lose to Shen Lang, to be subdued by Shen Lang's sword, and to be instantly stunned.
This scoundrel, at such a young age, how could his martial arts and swordsmanship be so terrifying?
Even an old monster like Feng Yijian lost to Shen Lang. Chu Fei knew that his chances of leaving alive today were becoming increasingly slim.
"A fearsome sword strike. I have lost."
Feng Yijian's face was ashen. The broken half of his sword fell to the ground. He looked at Shen Lang and said, "To possess such fearsome swordsmanship and profound martial arts cultivation at such a young age, in time, you will surely be another Shen Tianjun."
"I have lost. Kill me or flay me as you see fit. I only hope you will spare Young Master Chu's life."
After speaking, Feng Yijian knelt before Shen Lang.
Shen Lang's sword strike had not only severed Feng Yijian's sword but also shattered his lifelong confidence, forcing Feng Yijian, who had never bowed his head, to learn to kneel.
"How was that sword strike just now?"
Looking at Feng Yijian kneeling before him, Shen Lang sighed and asked.
"That strike was the most fearsome I have ever seen, comparable to any single move in Dugu Jian's Dugu Nine Swords."
"However, while that strike was astonishing, its full power was not unleashed. Otherwise, you could have not only severed my sword but also cut me in half."
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Feng Yijian thought for a moment and replied.
If anyone else had asked such a question, they would have been perceived as being sarcastic, but Feng Yijian knew Shen Lang was genuinely seeking guidance.
The previous sword strike from Shen Lang had been imbued with immense power, its sword intent like a continuous, surging river.
Feng Yijian understood swords, and he understood people. A person who could comprehend such swordsmanship could never be a petty individual.
Feng Yijian revealed all he knew: "Your strike just now had form, but lacked momentum. You made the motion of drawing a sword, but did not truly draw and store energy. Because you were using a sword without a scabbard, you couldn't draw and store energy."
"To unleash the full potential of this strike, you must find a sword, a heavy sword with a scabbard. In the instant of drawing, store immense power, like rolling thunder, and in that moment, annihilate everything in your path."
"So that's how it is..."
Hearing Feng Yijian's words, Shen Lang looked enlightened and said, "No wonder I always felt this strike was imperfect. The root of the problem was here. Old Feng, you truly are a swordsmanship expert. I have learned much."
Shen Lang looked at Feng Yijian with admiration and asked, "Tell me honestly, if you had another chance, could you block my strike?"
"If it were the same strike as before, I would have absolute confidence in blocking it because you lacked the action of drawing and storing energy – form without spirit."
"However, if you were to use a heavy sword with a scabbard, I would absolutely be unable to block it, even if I gathered all my lifelong cultivation."
Feng Yijian looked at Shen Lang and sighed, "I am ultimately an old man, and my innate qi is insufficient. If you truly used a heavy sword, I would not be your opponent."
"Old Feng, you are an honest man. It's a pity you followed the wrong person."
Shen Lang looked at Feng Yijian, put away the black sword in his hand, and returned it to his pocket. He then said, "I don't understand why someone like you would choose to be a dog for others. What a waste."
"Old Feng, I'll give you a chance. Don't be a dog for others. Live as a human with dignity. Are you willing?"
What?
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Feng Yijian was startled and asked, "What do you mean?"
"My meaning is simple: work for me from now on."
Shen Lang stated, "Your martial arts cultivation, combined with your swordsmanship, should not be spent as a dog for others your entire life. Occasionally, one must choose to be a human."
"Work for you?"
Hearing this, Feng Yijian asked, "What do you want me to do?"
"I haven't decided yet, but it will certainly be something earth-shattering."
Shen Lang looked at Feng Yijian and said, "I haven't figured out what I want you to do yet. You can go find Yang Ce and settle down at the White Horse Club for now. Your treatment will be no less than what you received from the Chu family."
"Of course, the most important thing is that I will never treat you like a dog."
Shen Lang walked up to Feng Yijian and patted him heavily on the back. "I know you already have an idea in your heart, so leave now. I will handle Chu Fei's matters."
"I..."
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Feng Yijian looked conflicted.
Clearly, Shen Lang's words had struck a nerve deep within him.
However, Feng Yijian did not stand up and leave. Instead, he looked at Shen Lang and sighed, "Having been a dog for others for so many years, to suddenly hear of an opportunity to be human is truly a little unsettling."
"I, Feng Yijian, am willing to work for Young Master Shen and live with my head held high from now on. However, I hope Young Master Shen will give me a chance to repay what I owe others from my time as a dog."
Feng Yijian stood before Shen Lang and said respectfully, "I hope Young Master Shen will spare Chu Fei's life. This can be considered my repayment for the Chu family's many years of sustenance."
"Alright, I promise you."
Hearing Feng Yijian's words, Shen Lang smiled and agreed.
"What?"
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Feng Yijian was overjoyed. At this moment, Ye Shishi became displeased. She walked up to Shen Lang and said angrily, "Lang Lang, Chu Fei and Liang Zidan, those two beasts, drugged us and nearly assaulted us. You want to let him go?"
"Besides, you said he has killed people, taken more than one life. How can we let him go, without betraying those who have died?"
Hearing Ye Shishi's words, Gu Qinghan, though silent, did not express any dissent.
Given Gu Qinghan's character, her lack of dissent meant she agreed with Ye Shishi's statement.
However, she did not know Shen Lang's plan, so she remained silent.
"Shishi, sometimes, death is not the greatest pain. Not dying is the greatest torment."
Shen Lang looked at Ye Shishi and smiled, "If you can think of it, can't I?"
After speaking, Shen Lang looked at Chu Fei, a cruel smile appearing on his face, and said, "Chu Fei, you have harmed so many people, and you even attempted to violate my sister Gu Qinghan. I'll spare your life, but I'll break your limbs, so you can never harm others again in this lifetime. Is that too much to ask?"