Chapter 15: I Have Come to Kill

The vast Martial Arts Garden had fallen into absolute silence. Not a single sound could be heard. Everyone stared in stunned silence at the severed head rolling on the ground and the fallen body beside it. The shock in their eyes was indescribable.

That was Zhao Ling.

And he had just broken through to the Sea Transformation Realm, even unleashing the Frenzied Demon Blade technique, his strength soaring dramatically. Yet, in the end, he was still slain by a single sword strike from Su Xin.

Zhao Ling was dead?

After a brief moment of silence, the crowd erupted into a frenzy.

“Su Xin! Su Xin!!”

“Young Master!”

The strong young members of the Su family went wild with celebration, especially the younger generation. For the past three years, Zhao Ling had been a towering mountain crushing them, leaving them powerless. But now, that mountain had been swept away by Su Xin’s single sword.

And then there were Su Xin’s final words:

“A traitorous retainer!”

“Daring to covet the master’s authority!”

“Such a person deserves death!”

Indeed.

Over the past three years, the retainer faction had grown fiercely, seizing the Su family’s internal resources and influence. The young retainers, backed by Zhao Ling’s overwhelming presence, had long dominated the Su family’s own heirs. Because no one among the Su family’s younger generation could stand against Zhao Ling, they had been forced to swallow their resentment in silence.

But now, Zhao Ling was finally dead.

“Well done!”

“That Zhao Ling deserved to die!”

The Su family’s young heirs glared at Zhao Ling’s corpse, gritting their teeth in fury.

At that moment—

“Impudent!”

A furious shout rang out as Long Yuan appeared on the battlefield, his murderous intent soaring as he charged directly toward Su Xin.

“Stop!”

Elder Su Baihu, also on the battlefield, immediately intercepted Long Yuan.

“Long Yuan, what are you doing?” Su Baihu’s eyes flashed like lightning as he fixed his gaze on Long Yuan.

“Su Baihu, you dare block me?” Long Yuan’s killing intent surged wildly.

When Zhao Ling unleashed the Frenzied Demon Blade, Long Yuan had not intervened immediately, hoping Zhao Ling could defeat Su Xin with it. But he had never expected Su Xin to kill Zhao Ling with a single stroke during that frenzied attack.

When he sensed the deadly aura erupting from Su Xin, he acted at once, yet it was too late to save Zhao Ling.

“This is the Su family’s grand competition. A direct fight between the two carries the risk of death or injury. Moreover, Zhao Ling had already unleashed the Frenzied Demon Blade, a fight-to-the-death technique. Under such circumstances, Su Xin naturally could not hold back. You should understand this,” Su Baihu said sternly.

Long Yuan was furious but could not argue. The Frenzied Demon Blade was indeed a desperate technique, once unleashed, it was a battle to the death.

Since Zhao Ling had resorted to this, it meant he was ready to die. Su Xin naturally could not hesitate.

“Su Baihu, you must understand, this is Zhao Ling! Son of Zhao Tianlei,” Long Yuan growled through clenched teeth.

“Su Xin is the Young Master of our Su family, the only son of my elder brother,” Su Baihu replied coldly.

Long Yuan ground his teeth in rage.

At that moment, Su Bai Chen, who had been seated in the stands, finally stood. An imposing aura befitting a Void-Breaking Realm cultivator swept across the entire arena, instantly silencing everyone.

“That’s enough,” Su Bai Chen said coldly, scanning the crowd. “This competition is concluded. Su Xin is the victor. From this day forward, the Su family’s Young Generation Sword Order shall be held by Su Xin.”

“Su Xin’s strike was too harsh, resulting in Zhao Ling’s death. Though justified, he shall be punished with ten days of confinement as a reprimand.”

Having said this, Su Bai Chen ignored the crowd’s reactions, exchanged a salute with Yuan Qing, and left with a wave of his sleeve.

Long Yuan and the retainer faction’s leaders were full of resentment at this verdict but dared not openly defy Su Bai Chen.

Su Xin accepted the Sword Order from Su Baihu and prepared to leave.

“Brother! Brother!!”

Zhao Qing, clutching Zhao Ling’s corpse, cried out hysterically, roaring, “Su Xin, you killed my brother! My father will never let you go!”

“He will kill you! My father will kill you!”

“I’m waiting,” Su Xin said coldly, casting a glance at Zhao Qing before turning away.

As he passed through the crowd, many Su family disciples looked at him with burning admiration.

Three years ago, the Su family fell into decline because of him.

But today, he had preserved the family’s dignity and pride.

His status as the Su family’s Young Master was once again respected within the clan.

In the stands, Yuan Qing, head of the Red Dragon Tower, also watched Su Xin with a trace of undisguised astonishment.

“That last sword strike…”

“Could it be? It must be the Phantom Style from the ‘Northern Azure’ Sword Technique.”

Yuan Qing recalled Su Xin’s breathtaking final strike.

“It seems my earlier suspicions were correct. He has indeed taken that step, comprehending a hint of the sword’s profound realm,” Yuan Qing mused.

Martial arts value form, but even more so the spirit.

No matter what weapon or secret manual one practices, beginners are restrained by formal moves, but the true soul lies in the realm of understanding.

For example, a swordsman with understanding no longer clings to rigid sword forms but wields the sword with intent and thought.

Reaching this stage marks a qualitative leap—a completely new level in swordsmanship.

When Yuan Qing saw Su Xin pass the 14th floor of the True Martial Pavilion, he suspected Su Xin had already crossed this threshold.

Now, seeing Su Xin perform the Phantom Style of the Northern Azure Sword Technique, he was certain.

The Northern Azure Sword Technique is recognized as the top sword art in the Tianyan Empire.

Its origins are grand, though copies of its manual are not rare; many noble families and factions within the empire possess it, including the Su family.

However, its cultivation threshold is extremely high.

To grasp even a hint of its realm is the minimum requirement.

Su Xin performing the Phantom Style meant he had indeed achieved this insight.

“In the Tianyan Empire, even cultivators at the Sea Transformation Realm, including those at its peak, are considered prodigies if they comprehend a hint of the realm. With such talent, they can easily pass the first floor of the Dragon-Seeking Tower. Slightly higher understanding or other skills could even help them pass the second floor,” Yuan Qing explained.

“But Su Xin is only at the True Martial Realm, yet he has grasped a hint of the realm and can perform the Phantom Style. It’s simply… unbelievable!” Yuan Qing marveled.

“Not only is his talent and strength terrifying, but also his temperament…”

As head of the Red Dragon Tower, Yuan Qing had observed the battle closely. From the start, Su Xin’s intent was clear—he meant to kill Zhao Ling.

Yet he did not strike immediately but gradually revealed his skills, provoking Zhao Ling step by step, pushing him to desperation until Zhao Ling unleashed the Frenzied Demon Blade.

Only then did Su Xin strike decisively.

“He planned to kill from the beginning but left no room for argument. Quite a formidable young man,” Yuan Qing smiled faintly. “It’s a pity he’s still only at the True Martial Realm and hasn’t broken through to Sea Transformation. Otherwise, he could join this year’s Imperial City Hunt.”

“Too bad. Missing this year means he might have to wait five more years to participate.”

***

Upon returning to his courtyard, Su Xin was met by a guard sent on Su Bai Chen’s orders, requesting an audience.

The dim study, despite daylight, was shrouded in faint, scattered rays.

“Father.”

Su Xin stood respectfully, a flicker of excitement in his eyes.

Half a month had passed since his release from the Forbidden Magic Prison, and only today had his father agreed to see him.

Su Bai Chen faced away, brush in hand, painting a scroll, ignoring Su Xin.

Su Xin quietly watched, not interrupting.

Since childhood, Su Xin knew his father loved painting, often watching him create. In his memory, his father’s paintings were wild, free, and unrestrained.

But today’s painting depicted a lone eagle soaring the sky, eyes fixed fiercely on prey below. The work carried a sense of wildness mingled with loneliness and ruthless focus.

After a long while, Su Bai Chen put down his brush and turned to look at Su Xin.

“You’ve endured three years of hardship and seem much more mature,” Su Bai Chen said, his gaze lingering before a faint smile appeared.

That smile carried unmistakable affection, easing Su Xin’s heart and bringing a smile to his own lips.

“Sit down,” Su Bai Chen gestured.

Su Xin took a seat.

“You didn’t speak of what happened three years ago, and I did not ask. But today, tell me—why did you have to kill Zhao Ling?” Su Bai Chen asked calmly.

Su Xin was not surprised. Everyone knew Zhao Ling had mastered the Frenzied Demon Blade, and today’s battle clearly showed Su Xin had deliberately forced Zhao Ling to the brink, provoking him to unleash the technique before striking him down.

A little thought made it clear Su Xin had planned to kill Zhao Ling from the start.

“Zhao Ling was a mere retainer, attempting to seize the Su family’s authority. He deserved death,” Su Xin said.

“And then?”

Su Bai Chen asked.

“Three years ago, the family bore great prejudice and resentment against me. As Young Master, I was disregarded. Killing Zhao Ling not only preserved the Su family’s dignity but was also a show of strength, helping me regain respect and position within the clan,” Su Xin explained.

“Anything else?”

Su Bai Chen remained calm.

“I heard that Zhao Tianlei went to Tianshui City to compete with the Grand Elder over the Su family’s assets there, and the conflict was at a critical stage. If Zhao Ling’s death enrages Zhao Tianlei into rushing back for revenge, then those assets can be secured,” Su Xin added.

Hearing this, Su Bai Chen finally smiled.

“Thinking of that third point is not bad. However, you’ve underestimated Zhao Tianlei.”

“From what I know of him, while Zhao Ling’s death will anger him, it will also fuel his determination to seize our assets. If he hears the news, he will likely bide his time, enduring quietly until he fully secures those assets. Only then will he return to the family to seek revenge on you.”

“Zhao Tianlei can choose to endure his son’s death without immediate retaliation?”

Su Xin frowned, then said solemnly, “Father, with Zhao Tianlei leading the retainer faction, they are no longer an asset but a poison within our family. If left to fester, it will be too late to save the Su family.”

“I know what you say,” Su Bai Chen nodded slightly, sighing softly. “Our Su family has long declined. The retainer faction, led by Zhao Tianlei, is powerful and entrenched. Eradicating this ‘tumor’ is difficult. The first step is to eliminate Zhao Tianlei.”

“But Zhao Tianlei broke through to mid-Void Breaking Realm a year ago. The only one in the Su family capable of killing him is me.”

“Unfortunately, I’m not in a position to act now.”

“Not in a position?” Su Xin’s heart stirred.

He had long wondered why his father had not acted to eliminate Zhao Tianlei’s faction, suspecting concerns about external powers or weakening the family’s overall strength.

But now it seemed his father wanted to kill Zhao Tianlei, just not personally.

Understanding this, Su Xin rose immediately.

“Father, I will kill Zhao Tianlei!”

***