Chapter 194: Chapter 121: Return to Prison

In the Linji City Inner City, the Four Great Clans each occupied their own district.

The Shen Family’s main and branch lineages, along with some of its vassal families, were concentrated in a district near the southwest corner.

In a quiet courtyard at its very heart, two sword-wielding figures were sparring, their swordsmanship on full display.

One of them, clad in a purple, cloud-patterned uniform, had a cold and detached expression. It was Shen Qingshuang.

The other, dressed in a white robe in the style of a young noble, was Shen Qingyao under the alias Shen Junmo.

Shen Qingshuang’s weapon was an emerald longsword. Every strike she unleashed was wreathed in a blizzard of wind and snow, swift and fierce.

Shen Qingyao, on the other hand, wielded a short sword. Her body technique was nimble and light, her speed incredibly fast. She moved like a series of afterimages, constantly circling Shen Qingshuang.

Just then, Shen Qingshuang suddenly parried Shen Qingyao’s incoming short sword. Her sword techniques then flowed in a continuous, unending stream, merging with the softly falling snowflakes. The power of her attack increased severalfold, completely enveloping Shen Qingyao and forcing her to block.

But Shen Qingyao was using the Phantom Sword Technique learned from Gongsun Rou, and it was still a far cry from a Perfect Level Sword Skill. It lacked the necessary depth and subtlety, making it impossible for her to block Shen Qingshuang’s Perfect Level Frost Snow Sword Technique. She was immediately put on the defensive, looking as if she was on the verge of defeat.

But Shen Qingyao was not one to admit defeat. With a huff, her swordsmanship suddenly changed. SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! She executed several incredibly fast thrusts, easily breaking through Shen Qingshuang’s attack.

She then stepped in the pattern of the Seven Stars, her figure flickering rapidly. Her short sword stirred the air, creating ripples that drew the falling snowflakes to its tip. As the blade flashed through seven successive positions, it faintly formed a Sword Momentum that locked onto Shen Qingshuang before thrusting forward with lightning speed.

This was the Sword Momentum of a Superior Swordsmanship, the Seven-Star Sword Technique. It condensed the power of seven stars into its Momentum, making it irresistibly sharp and able to pierce through anything.

Shen Qingshuang snorted coldly. Her body flickered into motion as well, and she unexpectedly gathered her own Seven-Star Sword Stance, thrusting her sword forward to meet the attack.

BOOM!

The two Sword Momenta clashed, unleashing a heaven-shaking roar. A shockwave of energy billowed out, scattering the snowflakes. The recoil blasted both of them back more than ten meters before they managed to regain their footing.

At almost the same instant, they both initiated another attack. This time, however, they simultaneously unleashed both the Frost Snow Sword Stance and the Seven-Star Sword Stance. With the two Sword Momenta stacked, their power multiplied exponentially.

The snowflakes in the air slowly condensed around both of their swords, growing thicker and more solid. A tyrannical, overbearing aura built steadily, and once it reached its absolute peak, both women slashed their swords at each other from across the courtyard.

BOOM!

The two auras collided in mid-air and detonated, producing an even more violent roar. The sky full of snowflakes churned and burst apart, and a massive hole several meters across was blasted into the green flagstone ground.

Both were thrown back again by the shockwave. The power of two stacked Sword Momenta was truly terrifying!

Their duel ended in a draw.

"Shen Qingshuang, we agreed this was just a friendly spar to help each other practice, but you’re taking it so seriously! You’re no fun at all!"

Shen Qingyao rolled her eyes at Shen Qingshuang, then turned and walked into the pavilion by the garden.

Shen Qingshuang followed her into the pavilion and said coolly, "I was doing my best to go easy on you, but your Phantom Sword Technique is simply too weak. It’s nowhere near the Perfect Level. Is it my fault you can’t handle my Perfect Level Frost Snow Sword Technique?"

"I’ll have this Phantom Sword Technique at the Perfect Level in less than a month. To reach Perfection in a Superior Swordsmanship in under three months... how is that weak? How many people in this world are better than I am?"

Shen Qingyao pouted, then proudly lifted her chin. "Forget it. There’s no point talking to you. Once I cultivate Momentum for the Phantom Sword Technique, I’ll have mastered three kinds of Sword Momentum. After that, I’ll combine them with the Momentum of the Frost Snow Sword Technique and the Fundamental Diagram. It won’t be long before I comprehend a true Realm. At that point, who in Linji City’s younger generation could possibly be my match? And once my Martial Arts Realm reaches Bone Forging Realm Perfection and I join the Great Dao Sect, I’ll crush all the other Celestial Prides and become a True Disciple."

Shen Qingshuang couldn’t stand her smug attitude and shook her head, speechless.

’What’s there to be so proud of? Shen Qingyao is cultivating Martial Dao with zero distractions, and she’s only developed two types of Sword Momentum. I have to fight for the family out in the world while also cultivating, and I’ve also developed two types of Sword Momentum and am already working on a third.’

Just then, Xiaoxing hurried into the courtyard.

"Miss, there’s been trouble in Lishui District."

Shen Qingshuang asked, "What is it?"

"It’s about Chief Chen..." Xiaoxing then carefully recounted the story of Chen Cheng being ambushed and killing his attacker, Ren Fei, in turn.

The Shen Family naturally had informants in Lishui District, so Shen Qingshuang already had a general idea of what Chen Cheng had been facing at the Lishui Sub-Department recently.

"Whoa!" Before Shen Qingshuang could speak, Shen Qingyao’s eyes lit up and she blurted out, "He killed an opponent who also had a Perfect Level Saber Technique? And that opponent was a Beginner Martial Artist of the Muscle Strengthening Realm who specialized in Light Body Techniques! This Chen Cheng really has some skill. His true combat strength probably far surpasses that of Yan Jian, who’s at Small Success in the Muscle Strengthening Realm. Incredible, truly incredible! His future accomplishments might not even be that much worse than mine. Shen Qingshuang, you really got lucky recruiting a Celestial Pride like him for our Shen Family. You’ve struck gold..."

"We’re going back to the South City District." Shen Qingshuang ignored her rambling and strode out of the courtyard.

"Miss, the snow is getting heavy. Take your cloak," Xiaoxing said, quickly grabbing a cloak that was hanging on a pavilion pillar and hurrying after her.

...

"Mr. Chen!"

Just as Chen Cheng finished taking stock of his spoils in his office, he heard Li Sheng’s voice from outside. Chen Cheng quickly put everything away and opened the door.

Li Sheng and Mu Song stood outside, heads held high and chests puffed out. Their faces were flushed with excitement, as if a great weight had finally been lifted from their shoulders.