The father and son chatted a lot on their way, which conveniently resolved most of Yan Shouyi's doubts.
He understood the whole story, but given the current situation at Longhu Mountain, it was still uncertain whether the Luó Tiān Dà Jiào would continue smoothly tomorrow.
Yan Shouyi was now also trapped in the dungeon, with all contact to the outside world severed. He didn't know how the situation below the mountain was, nor what the Old Celestial Master and Yu Lumin were up to.
As the father and son walked, Yan Chou suddenly frowned and shoved Yan Shouyi hard!
By the time Yan Shouyi realized something was wrong, he had already been pushed aside by Yan Chou, dodging a sword energy!
That sword energy, with its invincible aura, easily severed the iron bars of the dungeon Yan Shouyi was behind, and left deep sword marks on the wall further back!
Someone was lying in ambush, launching a sneak attack on them, and this person was a sword master!
Yan Shouyi had obtained Wang Qihe's sword intent from sixty years ago. Although he only had the intent and not the spirit, he could feel the power of that sword strike!
That strike had at least fifty years of sword intent, and was not weaker than Wang Qihe's!
Yan Shouyi felt a chill of fear. If he had been alone just now, he would likely have been seriously injured.
Yan Chou, however, remained indifferent. He spoke coldly to a certain corner, "You pathetic coward who only dares to attack from the shadows, you've tarnished the name of my Xuanshan with your garbage! Are you going to come out on your own, or should I cripple you and then drag you out?!"
Indeed, being a former powerhouse, Yan Chou's aura was incredibly imposing.
From the darkness ahead, a man in black robes and a mask emerged. He carried a sword on his back and held one in his hand.
Yan Chou smiled, "So, it's one of the Seven Mansions of the White Tiger, Mǎo Rì Jī!"
Mǎo Rì Jī said coldly, "How did you recognize me?"
Yan Chou's words struck Mǎo Rì Jī with fear. "Mǎo Rì Jī, born into the Laoshan Sword Sect, is the biological brother of the current sect leader. Years ago, he was discovered for his misdeeds of raping women in the villages below. He was punished by the previous Laoshan Sword Sect leader with ten years of solitary confinement. However, harboring resentment, he escaped from Laoshan that very night, killing several important disciples of Laoshan!"
Hearing Yan Chou's intimate knowledge of his past, Mǎo Rì Jī felt incredibly uneasy.
The identities and operational plans of the members of their New Xuanshan Sect were supposed to be highly confidential. But Yan Chou knew so much, this person must have eyes and ears everywhere!
Could there be a traitor among us?!
Yan Chou did not bother to ask Mǎo Rì Jī if he was correct. He stated calmly, "You once wanted to join my Xuanshan, but my Xuanshan has always only accepted righteous individuals, never scoundrels like you. I didn't expect that after so many years, you would finally get your wish! It seems our Xuanshan holds great temptation for you."
This mockery infuriated Mǎo Rì Jī to the point of losing control. He unleashed several more sword strikes, attempting to stop Yan Chou from speaking further.
But Yan Chou suddenly showed no fear. After easily evading several sword energies, he used a Golden Light Incantation to forcefully block Mǎo Rì Jī's final sword energy!
Mǎo Rì Jī stared in disbelief.
His swordsmanship was incredibly profound. No matter how powerful Yan Chou was, he shouldn't be able to disregard it so easily!
"Mǎo Rì Jī, for your fervent dedication to our Xuanshan, I will grant you an opportunity today," Yan Chou's eyes narrowed, and he said coldly, "Put down your weapon now, let me break your hands, and from this day forth, you will stay away from the martial world and worldly affairs."
Mǎo Rì Jī was enraged upon hearing this, "A scholar can be killed, but not humiliated. Yan Chou, I know you are powerful, but don't push your luck too far!"
"The opportunity is only once. Think carefully yourself."
"My mind is made up. Today, it's either you die, or I die!" Mǎo Rì Jī roared.
Yan Chou sighed.
"Since that is the case, then I shall send you on your way... Son, lend me your Soul Slayer Sword!"
Yan Shouyi quickly took the Soul Slayer Sword from his back and threw it to Yan Chou.
Yan Chou caught the sword with his left hand. Without drawing the blade, he simply walked towards Mǎo Rì Jī.
Seeing Yan Chou walking directly towards him, without any flashy or superfluous movements, Mǎo Rì Jī became extremely nervous, feeling as if he were facing a formidable enemy. Dense cold sweat began to appear on his forehead.
He tightened his grip on the sword in his hand, his eyes already bloodshot.
Soon, Yan Chou reached Mǎo Rì Jī!
A glint flashed in Mǎo Rì Jī's eyes. He instantly drew his sword, aiming to take Yan Chou's head!
But Yan Chou pressed down on Mǎo Rì Jī's right hand with his own, preventing Mǎo Rì Jī's sword from being drawn!
Mǎo Rì Jī was greatly alarmed. He quickly abandoned the sword at his waist and instead went to draw the sword on his back!
But Yan Chou had already passed by Mǎo Rì Jī. With a casual motion, his hand rose and fell with the saber!
*Puchi!*
Blood splattered onto the wall.
Mǎo Rì Jī found that his head was no longer under his control. His vision shifted horizontally, and then began to roll, finally crashing heavily onto the ground.
Immediately after, Mǎo Rì Jī saw a headless corpse lying in front of him.
This was the last image he saw in his life.
Yan Chou stood with his back to Mǎo Rì Jī's corpse, his expressionless, as if he had not killed a powerful figure, but merely a petty thug.
Yan Shouyi, standing nearby, was stunned.
That was Mǎo Rì Jī!
A powerhouse among the Seven Mansions of the White Tiger!
Someone on the same level as Chu Liang and Guan Lao San!
Recalling how arduous his own battles against Chu Liang and Guan Lao San had been, and then witnessing his father kill Mǎo Rì Jī as easily as killing a real chicken, Yan Shouyi couldn't help but lament how vast the gap between people could be!
He also noticed that at the moment Yan Chou wielded the Soul Slayer Sword, the Buddhist mantras left on the sword by Monk Miao Ji seemed to have disappeared.
This meant that in that instant, Yan Chou had fully unleashed the power of the Soul Slayer Sword!
Terrifying!
Horrifying!
As for the strike that killed Mǎo Rì Jī just now, Yan Shouyi could no longer discern how many years of sword intent his father possessed.
If he had to comment, he could only say: deep! unfathomably deep!
Yan Chou sheathed the Soul Slayer Sword and sighed with a hint of helplessness, "I spent ten years in prison and never fought anyone. Although I've been out for a while now, my muscles and bones haven't loosened up, and my body is not what it used to be."
"Dad, what you're saying is quite the humblebrag."
Yan Shouyi emerged, a wry smile on his face, and said, "I understand less and less about how strong you truly are."
Yan Chou smiled and brushed it off, not intending to reveal his true strength to his son.
He returned the Soul Slayer Sword to Yan Shouyi and patted his shoulder, saying, "You don't need to dwell on how high my strength is. Remember, a day apart feels like three years. You went from just arriving in Rongcheng to shining brightly at the Luó Tiān Dà Jiào in just half a year. And I've lived twenty years longer than you. Can you imagine what you'll be like in twenty years?"
Yan Shouyi listened, his eyes shining brightly.
Twenty years was enough for him to live his past life all over again!
In twenty years, he would definitely reach his father's level... No, he would definitely be stronger than his father!!
"Alright, just a mere Mǎo Rì Jī, nothing worth your concern," Yan Chou said casually. "It's more important that we quickly reunite with your friends."