I Stepped on a Bug, and the System Says I Slayed a Dragon?-Chapter 36: Sword God’s Disciple

As time went on, a week quickly passed.

On the internet, the "Li Shui Lake" tag finally fell from its throne after dominating the trending topics for six consecutive days, and the hype gradually died down.

But the buzz surrounding the "Jianghai Sword God" continued to build within Jianghai City.

Related media outlets reported on it extensively, and with the video of that one sword strike slaying the Demon Insect going viral, many young people in Jianghai City came to see the Jianghai Sword God as their idol.

Just how fanatical had it become?

In weapon shops, swords went from being unpopular, shelf-warming items to best-selling signature products. They were in high demand, orders flooded in, and they were even sold out for a time.

Some shopkeepers were even more aggressive. Seizing the business opportunity, they produced and sold "replicas" based on the appearance of the Ziwei Divine Sword, which sold out almost as soon as they were stocked.

It got to the point where if you went out in Jianghai City without a sword at your side, you’d be too embarrassed to call yourself a local...

「On this day.」

At the foot of Broken Peak Mountain.

Li Zixuan, having changed into a set of light sportswear, slowly stepped out of a taxi, ready for her daily comprehension of the Sword Dao.

She had a classic figure with a slender waist and long legs, slim Achilles tendons, and a sports headband across her forehead, giving her an extremely youthful and energetic look.

The moment she got out of the taxi, she immediately felt many eyes turn toward her.

’So many people today, too.’

Li Zixuan frowned slightly, looking at the clamor of voices before the entrance to Broken Peak Mountain. It was all people who had rushed here to comprehend the Sword Intent, and a long line had already formed.

She could understand, though.

After all, her master’s reputation had skyrocketed since the day the Flying Sword slew the Demon Insect.

Having witnessed the "Sword God’s" unparalleled grace, the younger generation of Jianghai City had taken up the sword, becoming engrossed in the Sword Dao and wanting to follow in her master’s footsteps.

And the two locations, "Broken Peak Mountain" and "Sword Valley," no longer belonged exclusively to the Jianghai Martial Arts Academy.

Instead, they were opened to Star Martial Artists from all over the country.

Anyone, regardless of status or wealth.

As long as they were dedicated to the Sword Dao, they could come to comprehend the Sword Intent and share in the blessing left behind by the Jianghai Sword God.

’To single-handedly bring peace and prosperity to the Sword Dao...’

As Li Zixuan walked, she looked at the bustling scene and couldn’t help but sigh with emotion in her heart:

’As expected of Master, he’s just amazing.’

Reaching the back of the line, she queued up with everyone else.

Just then, a strange voice came from behind her.

"Hey beautiful, are you also here to comprehend the Sword Intent?"

Li Zixuan subconsciously turned toward the voice and saw a freckle-faced young man. He was holding a cheap knock-off of the "Ziwei Divine Sword" and trying to chat her up with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes."

Li Zixuan was a woman of few words, replying coolly.

She’d seen this kind of pickup attempt many times before and didn’t want to get entangled with him.

However, seeing her response, the young man’s face lit up with delight.

"Hey, what a coincidence! Me too! Miss, we can go in together later, keep each other company."

As he spoke, he brandished the knock-off "Ziwei" in his hands and said proudly, "I’m a disciple of the Sword God. If there’s anything you don’t understand later, you can ask me."

"??????"

"Disciple?"

Li Zixuan was taken aback. Her eyes widened, her face a mask of confusion as she asked, "What disciple?"

’When did Master ever take on a new disciple?’

"Ha, you must be new to the sword, Miss. You don’t even know this."

The man laughed upon seeing her reaction, a sense of superiority suddenly appearing on his face. "Here, let me show you something."

As soon as he finished speaking, he began to draw his sword.

SHING.

The moment the sword was drawn, a wisp of Sword Intent emerged—so faint it was better than nothing, but just barely. It was like a flickering candle in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment.

"This is the Sword Intent I comprehended from Broken Peak Mountain, the genuine article! Straight from the Jianghai Sword God!"

Pfft.

Hearing this, Li Zixuan couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst out laughing.

’So that’s what he meant by ’disciple’!’

’He really gave me a scare for a second. I almost fell for it.’

In the past few days, a large number of Martial Artists had entered Broken Peak Mountain to seek comprehension, and it wasn’t surprising that some of them had gained some insight.

But now look at this.

Any Tom, Dick, or Harry who gained the slightest bit of insight dared to call themselves a disciple of the Sword God.

"What are you laughing at, Miss?"

Seeing Li Zixuan’s charming smile, the man felt he was losing face.

"Nothing. I just... remembered something happy."

Li Zixuan straightened her face, forcing herself to stop smiling by running through every sad memory she had.

’This guy is trying to show off right in front of me. It’s like teaching a fish to swim.’

’If he’s a disciple, then what does that make me?’

’The Master’s direct disciple?’

’The Senior Sister?’

’If I revealed my identity... wouldn’t he drop dead from shock on the spot?’

’No, wait...’

’With his trash-tier skills, even calling him one of the Master’s disciples would be giving him too much credit!’

Some of the surrounding Swordsmen saw the man posturing like this and couldn’t stand it anymore. They stepped forward one after another to admonish him, "Buddy, who are you trying to fool? Don’t you know whose disciple this young lady is?"

"Whose?"

The man’s expression froze.

"She’s Li Zixuan, Elder Li’s disciple! Are you just trying to look tough when you’re not!?"

"Haha, with your piddling talent in the Sword Dao and the trivial things you’ve comprehended, how could you possibly compare to her!?"

"How embarrassing. So, so embarrassing."

The jeers from the onlookers rose one after another.

The man’s face flushed red. He lowered his head and quickly tried to defend himself weakly, "How... am I not... a disciple?"

This was followed by a string of incomprehensible phrases, like "Entry Level beginner" and "a Swordsman’s heart is broad," which made the crowd roar with laughter.

An air of merriment filled the foot of Broken Peak Mountain.

...

「In the library.」

Xia Yang was also carrying a "Ziwei Divine Sword" knock-off—a Plus model, no less. He paraded it around all day with a look of vicarious pride.

Qin Yang watched him, speechless and puzzled.

This was already the sixth time the kid had strutted back and forth in front of him today, looking smug as a peacock.

"You don’t even practice the sword. What are you doing carrying one around all day?"

"Hey, Old Qin, what kind of thing is that to say! That’s harsh!"

Xia Yang lovingly caressed the knock-off "Ziwei" and said, "It’s true I don’t practice the sword, but my dad does! The old man went to Sword Valley a few days ago to comprehend the Sword Intent and received some of the Sword God’s blessings... so he counts as a disciple of the Sword God.

So as his son, that makes me a grand-disciple of the Sword God, right?"

Qin Yang: "..."

"As a grand-disciple of the Sword God, of course I have to carry a sword."

Xia Yang said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, then suddenly brandished the knock-off "Ziwei" and boasted, "Don’t you be jealous, kid. I had this Plus model custom-made. Cost me fifty thousand bucks!"

"How much? Fifty thousand?"

When Qin Yang heard the price, he was utterly speechless and simultaneously felt a pang of heartache. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

This pirated knock-off "Ziwei" cost the equivalent of several months of his salary, and the quality wasn’t even good. It was pure industrial-grade trash.

Only a "grandson of the Sword God" like Xia Yang would fall for that...

Thinking of this, Qin Yang shook his head and sighed deeply. "I never thought I’d be this young and already have a grand-disciple."