Chapter 19: The Grandmaster Turtle

When masters cross swords, the outcome is decided in an instant.

“Breeze Sword? Hmph, you don't even dare to use your life-defining technique? Hiding in the shadows like a rat!” Fist and sword parted abruptly; Chen Xiaosheng was forced back three paces, both fists folded behind him to conceal the bleeding sword wound.

His opponent, though knocked back ten paces, remained completely unscathed.

“Heh. If I were to unleash my life-defining technique, do you think you would have any chance of survival?”

“Hahaha! Why don't you give it a try, then? If you can withstand my Heaven-Shattering Divine Fist with a mere middling martial art, you must be one of the top twenty on the Grandmaster Ranking! So tell me—which of the twenty are you? And can you withstand the Emperor’s hundred thousand Golden Blade Guards?” Chen Xiaosheng laughed brazenly, goading his opponent while secretly buying time to regulate his breath.

Never mind if the other man unleashed his ultimate move—even if he merely repeated his previous attack, it was likely more than Chen could withstand.

There was nothing to be done; age was not to be denied. Now past eighty, his vital energy had long since begun to wane, and his strength was not what it once was.

Hearing this, the man’s eyes narrowed beneath his mask, scanning the surroundings warily.

As one of the top twenty on the Grandmaster Ranking, among the rarest and most formidable individuals in the world, he had never once been threatened. Instinctively, he considered leaving no witnesses.

Of course, this was a vain hope; even the most meticulous could make a mistake, and a spur-of-the-moment act was all the more perilous—besides, even if he could silence every witness, it would be impossible to erase all traces at the scene.

At that very moment, as his thoughts wavered, a barrage of silver needles, fine as hair, shot toward him.

His expression changed instantly; sword light flashed as he leapt back, not daring to face the assault head-on.

“Storm of Pear Blossom Needles! Su Jishi, so you were hiding in the shadows all along!” The masked man barely dodged the rain of needles, his vital energy now slightly disordered. He fixed his gaze on the figure now rising slowly from behind an unremarkable stone mortar, his face beneath the mask growing even more sinister.

“Father-in-law!” Ning Haichan’s heart finally settled, and he bowed in gratitude to Su Jishi, who hovered in midair.

But Su Jishi spared him not a glance, his eyes fixed on the masked man as he spoke in a voice full and resonant: “Right and wrong, good and evil—I do not concern myself with such things. I am here only to fulfill a promise to my beloved daughter. After this, I am no longer involved.

“Though you are a leader among the grandmasters, I doubt you can prevail against the two of us together. Why not withdraw and let this matter rest?”

As he spoke, Chen Xiaosheng floated lightly to Su Jishi’s side, standing shoulder to shoulder with him.

With a swift “whoosh,” the masked man made a decisive retreat, turning without hesitation or a single wasted word.

The other masked figures, seeing this, dared not linger either, and withdrew in turn.

...

“Father-in-law...”

“Greetings, Master Chen. Greetings, Master Su...” In the military tent, both Ning Haichan and the palace envoy paid their respects.

Su Jishi waved his hand. “Enough with the formalities. Let us be on our way. Once we reach the imperial capital, we shall have nothing more to do with one another.”

“Father-in-law! My devotion to Susu is true and unwavering—must you be so harsh?” Ning Haichan protested earnestly.

“Bah!” Su Jishi spat on the ground, unwilling to waste even a word on him.

Ning Haichan looked aggrieved. “Father-in-law, I know you resent me for not giving Susu the status of principal wife. That is my failing, but—”

“I have no patience for your nonsense! Answer me one thing: why did you not give the Marrow-Cleansing Pill to Sujin?” Su Jishi interrupted impatiently.

Ning Haichan’s reply was tinged with helplessness. “Father-in-law, they are both my daughters; they are both flesh of my flesh. But Yutan’s talent is simply superior, and her mind is more keen... The results have proven this: in this year’s selection of Immortal Seedlings—”

“Nonsense! If Sujin had taken the Marrow-Cleansing Pill, she would have become an Immortal Seedling as well!”

“Yes, yes, you are right in all things, Father-in-law.” Ning Haichan ceased his explanations.

“What’s this? So perfunctory—do you think me an old fool abusing my status?” Su Jishi grew even more incensed.

The atmosphere grew awkward.

Chen Xiaosheng cleared his throat lightly. “Su, my friend, what sense is there in arguing with the young ones? Later, you and I, two old fellows, should share a drink together.”

Su Jishi’s mood eased somewhat.

“Yes, yes, Master Chen speaks wisely. But let us speculate—who could that masked man be? Who has the means to summon such a figure? If men of such stature have come to us, then Prince Yun’s side, and the Wang family, must have called forth no lesser talents.” The palace envoy hastened to change the subject.

“Hmph! What need for guessing? To summon someone from the top twenty of the Grandmaster Ranking, and for the purpose of eliminating an Immortal Seedling—who else but someone from the imperial clan itself?” Su Jishi cast a disdainful glance at the envoy.

“Could it be... that someone is growing impatient?” The envoy barely finished the thought before biting his tongue.

Ning Haichan exchanged a look with him, both nodding in silent understanding.

Indeed, where in the world is there a Crown Prince who waits fifty years?

Rumor had it that this year, an Immortal Master might descend and present His Majesty with a longevity elixir—perhaps the Emperor might outlast even the Crown Prince.

How could there not be impatience?

“Careful with your words! Who does not wish for longevity and endless years? Perhaps it is some peerless master who seeks to seize His Majesty’s immortal fate, hoping for the Immortal Master’s reward.” Ning Haichan feigned propriety.

“Yes, yes, that must be it,” the envoy eagerly agreed.

“No more talk of this. Let the Immortal Envoy report to His Majesty as is proper. For now, the critical matter is whether we can ensure flawless security for the remainder of the journey.” Ning Haichan cut short the dangerous topic, turning to look at his father-in-law and Chen Xiaosheng, seated high in their grand chairs.

Chen Xiaosheng waved his hand. “So long as our enemy does not dare reveal himself, with the two of us here, there should be no cause for concern. What do you think, Su?”

“Hmph. As long as you lead the way, I’ll be right behind with my hidden needles. If you die, I’ll be the first to beat a hasty retreat,” Su Jishi replied bluntly, without a shred of high-mindedness.

“Hahaha! ‘Grandmaster Turtle’ suits you perfectly!” Chen Xiaosheng laughed heartily.

With such a promise from his father-in-law, Ning Haichan was greatly reassured.

“Father, did the villains retreat? Did they truly come to kill me?” At that moment, the guards led Ning Yutan, Ning Sujin, and Li Jian into the tent.

“Quickly pay your respects to your Grandfather Chen and your Grandfather Su! Without their intervention today, your fate would have been dire.” Ning Haichan shot a meaningful look at Ning Yutan.

Ning Yutan immediately understood, her face blooming with joy, her eyes twinkling with starry admiration. “Grandfather Su, my mother always told me my Second Mother’s father is a peerless master. I have admired you all my life, and today my wish is finally fulfilled. I thank you for saving me—your kindness will never be forgotten.”

Her manner was poised, her warmth infectious, and her charm irresistible; even the stern Su Jishi could not help but soften.

Especially when he saw his own granddaughter, Ning Sujin, turn away to avoid his gaze, his fondness for the ever-polite Ning Yutan grew stronger.

“This foolish child—was it not for you that I sought immortal fortune all those years ago? Alas, in the end, you were not fated to receive it...” With a silent sigh, Su Jishi nodded to Ning Yutan.

After she finished thanking Chen Xiaosheng, Ning Haichan turned to Ning Sujin, “Jin’er, it’s been so long since you’ve seen your grandfather. Didn’t you always say you missed him? Go now, let him have a good look at you.”

Ning Sujin frowned, reluctant, but stepped forward nonetheless...