Naked Sword Art

294  Yu An's Message

Xiao Fang traveled to the Divine Sword sect as fast as he could, but after burning through all his energy, he put Xiao Hei down then rode on her back for the rest of the way.

Although Xiao Hei wasn't as fast as him, she could run for much longer without getting tired. At the pace they were going at now he knew they would still make it back to the sect early in the morning.

.

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Exiting the province, it didn't take long for them to find the infamous road that led directly to the Divine Sword sect.

Xiao Fang finally got off Xiao Hei, then she collapsed on the ground after turning back into a human girl. Seeing that she was exhausted, Xiao Fang let her climb onto his back before continuing down the dirt road.

The road was quiet for a while, but the further down they went the more Divine Sword sect disciples they began to see.

...

"Hey, isn't that..."

"It's him, he's really back!"

"Xiao Fang has returned!"

...

The voices of those that recognized him only attracted more eyes the further down he went. Luckily, there weren't many people out at this time, so he didn't create too much of a commotion.

Once Xiao Fang was only a few hundred meters away from the outer gates of the Divine Sword sect, he suddenly sensed an Elder secretly watching the disciples coming in from the main road. However, he wasn't an ordinary Elder, this Elder came from the Core Court.

Every Inner Court Elder was required to create their own sword technique. However, one of the requirements to becoming a Core Court Elder was to master their technique to the Divine realm or to master another unique technique passed down by another Core Court Elder. For that reason alone, every Core Court Elder was highly respected in the sect.

'Beast Blade Han...' Xiao Fang thought to himself when he identified the man.

The bald 7-foot-tall bulky Core Court Elder wearing tiger hide around his waist, and 2 swords around his belt was nicknamed Beast Blade Han for his uniquely ferocious attack. Those in the same stage and realm as him describe receiving his blade like being an infant trying to stop a charging boar.

As far as he knew, Elder Han's unique technique made his body too hard to cut and his sword Qi incredibly dense. No other Elder has ever been able to block it, so Xiao Fang had never seen him bleed. However, that didn't stop Xiao Fang from wanting to try.

Even though he could increase his battle-power higher than Elder Han's, Xiao Fang knew he'd still lose because his techniques and experience was still considerably lacking compared to his.

To avoid confrontation, Xiao Fang created a [ Solid Clone ] then hid himself with [ Stealth ]. When his clone got close enough for Elder Han to see, he immediately stopped him from getting any closer. As expected, Elder Han was there for him.

...

"No further," Elder Han said.

"Why are you stopping me?" Xiao Fang asked.

"Forgive me, but the Patriarch had ordered me not to let you in."

...

Standing so close to him, Xiao Fang couldn't help but be amazed by his physique. He always thought Elder Han's muscles were too big when he was younger, but even now when Xiao Fang was 187cm tall, he still felt like he was nothing but an ant to him.

Such an intimidating presence, the only man that could make Xiao Fang feel this way just by standing in front of him was his father, Xiao Jianhong. However, after a bit of thought, Xiao Fang shook his head inwardly thinking that his father was still much more intimidating than Elder Han.

...

Since Xiao Fang had been disowned, he knew getting back into the sect wouldn't be that simple, so he wasn't too surprised that his father had ordered Elder Han to stop him.

"I see. In that case, will you let him know that I'm here? There's something I wish to speak to him about," Xiao Fang replied.

Elder Han thought about it for a moment then called for his direct disciple. However, before he could even say his name, the disciple quickly jumped down from the wall then landed right beside Xiao Fang with his arms crossed and a smirk on his face.

"Long time no see, Xiao Fang. I still haven't paid you back for sleeping with my sister," the burly Core Court disciple said.

"Who would've guessed that you'd want to sleep with your own biological sister. If I had known, perhaps I wouldn't have taken her anal virginity as well," Xiao Fang replied.

Feeling like his secret was exposed, Dong Qiang's eyes began to twitch in annoyance.

"Without the Patriarch backing you, do you think I won't cut you up into a thousand pieces!?" he exclaimed.

"Good, good, good. Come! But if you lose, I'll be paying your sister another visit," Xiao Fang smirked.

Without a moment of hesitation, Dong Qiang immediately took out his swords. Elder Han couldn't help but sigh at how quickly his disciple lost his cool, but he knew it had gone on for long enough.

"Dong Qiang, enough! Go tell the Patriarch that Xiao Fang is here," Elder Han said.

Xiao Fang was like a succulent steak in front of a starving dog to Dong Qiang, but he didn't dare to go against his master's words. Dong Qiang eventually sheathed his swords then scoffed at Xiao Fang before bowing to his master.

"I'll relay the message," Dong Qiang said. In the next moment, he left.

After Dong Qiang was gone, Elder Han turned to Xiao Fang then eventually asked,

"You didn't really-" before he could finish asking his question he saw Xiao Fang shake his head calmly as if to say he didn't really do it.

"It seems your disciple still has some growing up to do," Xiao Fang replied as if he was merely testing Dong Qiang's temperament.

Understanding his words, Elder Han nodded as he said,

"Mn, I will educate him properly."

Seeing the way Xiao Fang stood now, Elder Han could tell that Xiao Fang had matured considerably since he had been kicked out of the sect only a year ago. Sizing him up, he eventually realized that his body didn't seem as weak as it used to be either. Considering how tall Xiao Fang was now, Elder Han could tell it was a good indicator that he had progressed his body cultivation pretty well.

"You've grown quite a bit since the last time I saw you. Your father... erm... Patriarch Jianhong would be proud," the Elder corrected his words awkwardly.

Confidence in his own abilities was never something Xiao Fang lacked, but hearing the Elder's words made him wonder if he was as good of a son as he was a cultivator. However, Xiao Fang didn't care too much about being praised. The only thing he wanted was to keep his girls safe, and to get revenge on his grandfather. Nothing else really mattered to him.

"Proud... perhaps," Xiao Fang replied melancholically.

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As Xiao Fang was speaking to the Elder through his [ Solid Clone ], his real body was in the woods, circled around the back.

Since Xiao Fang was a kid, he had been digging a path underground so that one day he could help Yu An escape the Divine Sword sect. However, when Yu An caught him working on the tunnel, she immediately stopped him, and told him to never do it again.

Once Xiao Fang started digging from this side of the sect, it wouldn't be long till the patrol eventually found it. Luckily, the tunnel was already nearly complete, so with the strength he had now, he knew it wouldn't take more than a few seconds to finish what he started all those years ago.

11:10

Xiao Fang couldn't hear very deep underground, but he knew the tunnel must've been close. When he finally found it, he put Xiao Hei down then said,

"Xiao Hei, are you ready to do a bit of digging?"

"Hmph~ Do I look like a dog to you?"

Xiao Fang smirked as he was a bit amused by her reaction. He knew she was still tired from being woken up so early, and exhausted after carrying Xiao Fang on her back half the journey here from the Black Paradise sect.

"Alright, just stay here and keep watch then. Let me know if anyone approaches," Xiao Fang said before he started digging.

The tunnel was only 3 meters below them, so it didn't take long to reach it.

Seeing that the hole was finished, Xiao Hei collected some leaves and branches to cover it up before going in with him. When they finally reached the end of the tunnel, Xiao Fang wasted no time in searching the house.

When Xiao Hei exited the tunnel, she saw Xiao Fang standing still, so she knew he was listening for Yu An. However, the longer he stood, the more worried Xiao Hei became. Eventually, Xiao Fang finally started walking away.

"Ah... is she here? What about Chun Hua?" Xiao Hei asked.

Xiao Fang didn't reply, but before he could reach the front door he suddenly stopped when he felt illusory Qi suddenly form right in front of him. Taking off his blindfold, Xiao Fang became stunned by what he saw. The person standing in front of him was an illusion of Yu An.

"Xiao Fang, I'm sorry," Yu An said.

Before Xiao Fang could find the words to reply, Yu An suddenly spoke again.

"Fang, I am merely a projection. I don't know when you'll find this, but I want you to know that I'm safe, Chun Hua is also safe, and your unborn child is safe too. For now, don't worry about us, and forget what you heard. We'll meet again soon. Please stay safe. I love you."

With those few words, the image of Yu An's illusory projection suddenly began to fade. What remained was nothing but the sound of Xiao Fang's rapidly beating heart.

Xiao Hei didn't know what to say, or if she should say anything at all, but when she finally opened her mouth Xiao Fang suddenly spoke.

"Xiao Hei... wait here."

"Ah..." Xiao Hei watched speechlessly as he opened the door and left.

Although she was a bit disappointed that he was leaving without her, she didn't complain. Instead she found a spot to get comfortable and tried to catch up on the sleep she missed.