blueteamnovel Chapter 62 This knife, at present... is not yet ownerless.
Chapter 62 This knife, at present... is not yet ownerless.
"Thump!"
Zhang Jian used his remaining left arm to push off the ground and fell heavily to his knees!
His head was bowed deeply, his voice hoarse and trembling with excitement, yet it carried an unwavering resolve.
"Zhang Jian...is willing to be your sword, young master! I dedicate my life to your command, young master, and I would die without regret!"
Beside him, Zhang Jiumei slowly knelt down, still keeping her head down and silent, but the knuckles of her fingers, which were tightly twisting the corner of her clothes, had turned white.
As dusk fell, the two figures lay prostrate before the boy, like two sharp blades about to be drawn, silently disappearing into the shadows of the courtyard.
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South of the city.
Dusk was falling.
The two heavy vermilion gates of the Wang family mansion appeared even more majestic under the light of the lanterns.
Qin Hu, the leader of the Black Tiger Gang, was no longer the domineering figure he usually was at the dock. He was slightly bowing and holding a long, narrow brocade box in his hands. Inside the box was the long knife that he had forcibly taken from Zhang Yuanyuan.
He forced a respectful smile and spoke humbly to a middle-aged butler in a silk robe with an indifferent expression inside the gatehouse:
"Please trouble Steward Wang to inform them again that Black Tiger Qin Hu has important business to discuss with the Master."
Butler Wang didn't even lift his eyelids, slowly skimming the foam from his teacup, his voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of impatience: "Chief Qin, didn't I say that the patriarch went to inspect the estate outside the city today and hasn't returned yet?"
"Please leave now, and come back another day."
Qin Hu's smile froze, a shadow of gloom flashing in his eyes, but he dared not show it, and could only force a smile and say, "Yes, yes, then... when the patriarch returns, please ask Steward Wang to convey that Qin Hu has urgent business concerning..."
"Understood." Butler Wang put down his teacup, his tone implying that he was about to see the guest out. "The master is busy with affairs, but will summon you when he has time."
Having been rebuffed, Qin Hu cursed the old fox inwardly, but dared not show it on his face. He could only dejectedly hug the brocade box and turn to walk down the steps.
Just as he stepped down the last stone step and was about to disappear into the shadows of the gate, a series of light yet steady footsteps came from the direction of the side gate.
A boy of about sixteen or seventeen years old, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe and with a jade pendant hanging from his waist, walked out, surrounded by two strong servants.
The young man had a handsome face, but his brows carried a composure and innate arrogance that were beyond his years. He walked silently, his aura restrained, and he exuded a powerful sense of pressure.
It was Wang Chengyu, the most outstanding member of the Wang family for three generations and a genius at the half-step innate realm.
Qin Hu's eyes lit up as if he had grasped a lifeline. He quickly bowed and clasped his hands in a very humble manner: "Qin Hu greets Young Master Cheng Yu!"
Wang Chengyu didn't stop walking. He just glanced at Qin Hu casually, his gaze lingering on his face for less than a moment, before nodding slightly in response.
Just as he was about to step into the main gate, his peripheral vision caught sight of the long, narrow brocade box Qin Hu was holding in his hands, and the ancient hilt of a knife peeking out from the opening of the box.
He paused and stopped.
"Hmm?" Wang Chengyu's gaze fell on the brocade box, a hint of scrutiny in his eyes. "This is the knife you got from that Zhang Qingyang brat?"
Qin Hu quickly held the brocade box high with both hands and respectfully presented it to Wang Chengyu: "Indeed! Young master has a discerning eye! This knife was indeed obtained from Zhang Yuan. Although it is not a divine weapon, it is exceptionally sharp and has a certain antiquity. Please take a look, young master!"
Without any ceremony, Wang Chengyu extended his slender, fair fingers and gently lifted the lid of the box, revealing a long sword with an antique style and a slightly worn scabbard.
He gripped the knife handle and flicked his wrist slightly.
"bass--!"
With a clear, resonant clang, half of the blade was drawn from its sheath.
Under the dim light, the blade did not show a particularly dazzling cold light, but instead presented a deep and somber color, while the edge of the blade faintly flowed with a restrained sharpness.
The blade's spine was straight, with a few fine wear marks near the guard, exuding an aura of bloodshed on the battlefield.
Wang Chengyu flicked the blade lightly with his finger, and the blade emitted a deep, long hum.
A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, then he nodded: "A fine blade! The blade is solid and sharp, it could only be made from refined steel. What's even more remarkable is... it's been stained with blood and tempered with killing intent, a weapon that has seen battle. Not bad."
Upon hearing Wang Chengyu's praise, Qin Hu's face beamed with a fawning smile, and he quickly pressed his advantage: "I'm glad you like it, young master! It's your good fortune that this sword has caught your eye! Qin Hu is willing to present this sword to you as a small token of my appreciation!"
As he spoke, he was about to stuff the brocade box into Wang Chengyu's hand.
Wang Chengyu flipped his wrist, not taking the brocade box, but instead shoving the long sword back into its sheath with a clang, casually pushing the sword and the brocade box back into Qin Hu's arms.
"I cannot accept a reward without merit." Wang Chengyu's voice was calm and even, his gaze fixed on Qin Hu's face with a hint of amusement. "Speak, you hold this sword here, requesting an audience with the patriarch, and now you wish to offer it to me. What is it you seek?"
Qin Hu's mind raced, knowing this was a rare opportunity. He quickly bowed, his face displaying just the right amount of worry and awe: "I dare not deceive you, young master! Yes, it is about that brat Zhang Qingyang."
"This kid... he's riding high right now, being both a protégé of County Magistrate Chen and a disciple of Master Zheng of the Panshi Martial Arts School. I, Qin Hu, am a worthless man, and while I'm not afraid of him, I am afraid... afraid of bringing unnecessary trouble to the Wang family. Therefore, I'd like to ask the patriarch or the young master to step in and mediate... how about this?"
He carefully observed Wang Chengyu's expression.
"Hmph!" Upon hearing this, Wang Chengyu's lips curled into a contemptuous smile, as if he had heard something utterly ridiculous. "A mere ninth-rank advisor? And a martial arts instructor who's wasted five years and hasn't even dared to cross the threshold of Grandmaster? Is this what you call a powerful backer?"
The disdain in his tone was like an ice pick, piercing Qin Hu's eardrums painfully, but Qin Hu was overjoyed!
As expected, this proud son of the Wang family didn't take Chen Wenyuan and Zheng Chaoyang seriously!
Wang Chengyu stood with his hands behind his back, his posture arrogant: "My Wang family has been based in Fengming County for hundreds of years. With such a deep foundation, why would we care about such a trivial 'trouble'? Qin Hu, you've seen the world, but you're too timid."
These words were like a reassuring pill for Qin Hu. His face instantly lit up with immense joy, and he bowed even lower, repeatedly saying, "Yes, yes, yes! Young Master is right! Qin Hu was foolish and worried unnecessarily! Qin Hu understands!"
He once again presented the brocade box to Wang Chengyu: "And this knife..."
Wang Chengyu didn't even glance at the brocade box before turning and walking towards the door, leaving behind only a detached remark that drifted away in the night wind:
"I've already said, I won't accept a reward without merit. Besides..."
He paused slightly at the threshold, but did not turn around.
"This knife, at present... is not yet ownerless."
As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Chengyu seemed to remember something. He stopped completely, turned his head slightly, and spoke in a low voice, but clearly into Qin Hu's ears.
"Oh, right. I heard... that kid also has a 'Suppressing Martial Token'?"
After saying that, Wang Chengyu didn't linger. He stepped over the high threshold and his figure quickly disappeared into the brightly lit depths of the Wang family mansion.
Qin Hu stood frozen in place, holding the brocade box, until Wang Chengyu's figure completely disappeared and the Wang family's gate slowly closed behind him with a dull thud.