Be a proper Taoist priest in The Condor Heroes

Chapter 73 The Blank Paper Young Master

Morning light streamed through the inn's windows, casting dappled patterns of light onto the mottled floor. The stench of blood from the night before had been diluted by the morning breeze, leaving only a faint, sweet, metallic scent lingering in the guest rooms.

Su Yan sat upright on the wooden chair, maintaining a state of light sleep and vigilance.

His top-tier perception constantly enveloped the entire guest room and the corridor outside, and no matter how slight the movement, it would not escape his notice. Su Ye, who was on the bed, had already woken up to practice his skills.

Seeing that it was already bright outside and there was nothing unusual, Su Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief, and the tense aura around him eased slightly.

Just then, the unconscious man on the floor suddenly let out a weak groan, his fingers trembled slightly, and he slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze first swept blankly across the room, finally settling on Su Yan. A flicker of wariness flashed in his cloudy eyes, quickly replaced by deep gratitude and sorrow. The memory of being saved from the brink of death last night gradually became clear. He knew that it was this composed young man before him who had saved his life from the black-clad assassins.

He struggled to sit up, but his body felt like it was falling apart, and the slightest exertion brought excruciating pain, causing him to gasp in shock.

Seeing this, Su Yan stepped forward slowly, placed her fingertips lightly on his wrist, and gently channeled a wisp of internal energy into him to help stabilize his turbulent blood and qi. She then spoke first, asking him in a gentle voice.

"Your injuries are severe; please rest and recuperate. May I ask your name and why you have suffered such a misfortune, being hunted by men in black?"

Feeling the warm internal energy within him, the man's tense body gradually relaxed, and he completely let down his guard. He caught his breath, his chapped lips moved slightly, and his voice was hoarse like sandpaper scraping as he bowed and thanked him.

"My name is Liu Jingyuan. I am deeply grateful for your help, young master. I will never forget your kindness."

Su Yan nodded slightly and introduced himself.

"My name is Su Yan. I was just passing through Gucheng and stayed here temporarily. It was just a chance encounter. Now that Brother Liu is out of danger, please tell me slowly. You are a local of Gucheng. How did you end up disfigured and hunted down?"

Liu Jingyuan closed his eyes, suppressing the grief and bitterness in his throat, and slowly revealed his family background, word by word.

"I was originally the son of a constable in Gucheng County. My grandfather was a censor in the previous dynasty. He was demoted to Gucheng because he offended powerful people by speaking frankly."

Su Yan unconsciously stroked the hilt of the sword at his waist, his expression calm and composed, but he silently memorized these key pieces of information.

Liu Jingyuan's gaze drifted to the window, as if piercing through the wall and seeing their first meeting five years ago. A complex, gentle light flickered in his eyes, only to be overwhelmed by endless regret.

"Five years ago, I met Chai Xiu by chance on the street. At that time, she made a living by telling stories with her father. She was dressed in thin clothes, but she had delicate features and spoke eloquently. I fell in love with her at first sight and could never let her go."

His voice was low and filled with endless melancholy.

"For the past five years, I have treated her with all my heart and soul, and done everything I could. I bought her a house, gave her gold and silver, and when I learned that she longed for martial arts, I searched everywhere for basic manuals for her and spent a lot of money to hire martial arts masters to teach her. Half of my family's savings were spent on her."

"I thought that sincerity could be reciprocated, and that as long as I treated her well enough, she would stay with me for life. I never had any reservations."

Su Yan sighed inwardly upon hearing these words.

In matters of love, the worst thing is for one party to give their all without reservation. Such heartfelt devotion not only fails to win genuine affection but also incites endless greed in others, ultimately leading to one's own downfall. Liu Jingyuan, seemingly devoted, was actually foolish, giving all his tenderness to a heartless and treacherous person. His tragic end was foreshadowed long ago.

Liu Jingyuan's tone suddenly became agitated, his chest heaving violently, which aggravated his wounds, causing him to turn pale with pain, but he still gritted his teeth and continued speaking.

"When my grandfather was alive, he left behind a family martial arts manual called the 'Zhenyue Saber Technique.' This technique was created by a general who guarded the border in the previous dynasty. Although it was incomplete due to war, it was still incredibly powerful and was a truly profound martial arts technique."

"My father knew that this sword technique involved secrets of the former dynasty's old subordinates, and that if it were revealed, it would surely bring disaster. Therefore, he strictly ordered the family not to mention a word about it to outsiders. But at that time, I was blinded by love and bewitched, and I told Chai Xiu everything about the origin, power, and even some of the incantations of the sword technique."

At this point, he clenched his fist tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms, drawing blood, his eyes filled with boundless hatred.

"I originally wanted her to know how precious this technique was, and I promised to pass on the complete formula to her after we got married. But I never expected that she would turn around and leak this information to some unknown force!"

I still remember that night—

Liu Jingyuan's voice suddenly choked up, tears mixed with the scars on his face, making him look particularly ferocious and tragic.

"In the dead of night, a large group of masked men dressed in black broke into my house, killing indiscriminately with ruthless methods. My grandfather, father, mother, and the entire family perished without exception!"

"I was forced into this situation. To survive, I had no choice but to disfigure myself and escape through a secret passage in my house. Now, the authorities are after me throughout the city. Like a stray dog, I can only hide in dark corners, barely clinging to life, unable even to collect my family's bodies..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Jingyuan could no longer suppress his grief. He lay on the bed and wept bitterly. His cries were hoarse and mournful, making people's hearts sink.

Su Yan stood quietly to the side, offering no words of comfort, but her heart was filled with mixed emotions.

Su Ye stood to the side, listening to Liu Jingyuan's plight, her eyes filled with sympathy and indignation. She couldn't help but whisper, "That Chai Xiu is too wicked!"

Su Yan raised his hand and gently pressed Su Ye's shoulder, signaling her to calm down. His gaze fell on Liu Jingyuan, who was crying uncontrollably, and he said in a deep voice.

"I am aware of what happened to you. However, I have important matters to attend to and cannot stay in Gucheng any longer. I will depart today."

Liu Jingyuan suddenly raised his head, his face full of tears and despair, staring intently at Su Yan.

"Young master, please save me! Please avenge my Liu family! I have nothing left but this wretched life. If you can kill Chai Xiu and avenge my family, I am willing to serve you like a slave to repay your great kindness!"

Upon hearing this, Su Yan was slightly taken aback, and then secretly grumbled to himself.

This Liu Jingyuan is truly ignorant of human relationships. He and Liu Jingyuan are complete strangers, with no kinship whatsoever. Liu Jingyuan has already done more than enough by saving him, yet he asks Liu Jingyuan to avenge him and risk his life for him. What kind of logic is this?

Su Ye, who was listening nearby, felt a surge of anger and couldn't help but speak up, her tone cold and hard.

"Young Master Liu, my brother Yan risked trouble to save you. We're not related, so why should I kill Chai Xiu and avenge my family for you?"

Liu Jingyuan froze, his face still wet with tears, and instead showed a somewhat bewildered and innocent expression as he spoke foolishly.

"But...aren't you chivalrous heroes? Shouldn't heroes eliminate evil and uphold justice for the good? Chai Xiu is a vicious snake who harmed my whole family; you should punish her!"

These words are so naive as to be almost laughable, completely lacking in understanding of the ways of the world.

Upon hearing this, Su Ye became even more furious and laughed coldly.

"A knight-errant is not born to go through fire and water for others. My brother Yan has important matters to attend to with his sect and is bound by countless responsibilities. He has no time to concern himself with your personal grudges."

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Liu Jingyuan blushed deeply, feeling both anxious and ashamed. His chest heaved violently as he struggled to move his body, trembling as he slowly pulled a roll of yellowed, wrinkled silk from his bosom.

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