Chapter 118 - 112: If you reach out, leave your hand behind.

"Zhang Family?" "May I ask if it is Miss Zhang Niangmeng or Miss Zhang Ruxuan?" Qu Zhanyun frowned slightly. He turned his head and looked sternly at Yuan Yong. Then, he took two steps back and spoke to Zhang Ruo. His tone held a note of yielding, but it was mostly probing. The woman claimed to be from the Zhang Family. But within the Zhang Family, the young ladies were also ranked differently. For instance, the most famous was Miss Zhang Yunsu, a true genius of the main lineage, who had reached the Refining Internal Realm before even turning twenty! Even ten of him combined couldn’t match her status. Of course, this woman in front of them couldn’t possibly be Zhang Yunsu. The two young ladies he had just mentioned were also relatively favored within the main lineage. They possessed decent Talent and were still in the Bone Forging Realm. If the woman in front of them was indeed one of them, then this time, he and his four brothers had truly picked the wrong fight. They would have to apologize profusely and hope the young lady of the Zhang Family would be magnanimous enough to forgive them. "I can’t compare to sisters Niangmeng and Ruxuan," Zhang Ruo said, feigning calm. She was also aware of her own situation. She had come from the county town to the main family, gaining entry into the Zhang Family due to her Talent.Yet, lacking any firm foundation, her status was even lower than that of a typical illegitimate daughter. Most Bone Forging Realm Martial Artists could certainly be intimidated by her identity as a young lady of the Zhang Family.However, the Gold Medal Holders of a great clan were, without exception, the true backbone of their clan. If such a retainer showed interest, the clan might even marry off an unimportant illegitimate daughter to win them over. Now, she hoped this Gold Medal Holder in front of her would be wise enough to back down. "Since she is a Miss of the Zhang Family, then we brothers have indeed been presumptuous. Yuan Yong, apologize. We’re leaving." Qu Zhanyun’s brow smoothed, and he chuckled softly. He then turned to Jiang Shu and asked, "I wonder where this brother might be employed? The saber in your hand is quite impressive; would you consider parting with it?" "Silver Taels or Mutant Beast flesh, both are negotiable. Even Elixirs, I can offer some for trade." Upon assessing that Zhang Ruo was just an ordinary young lady of the Zhang Family, Qu Zhanyun no longer paid her much mind. His eyes stared fixedly at the alloy saber in Jiang Shu’s hand. Having crossed blades just once, he had felt that the young man’s treasured saber was definitely better than his own! If he could possess that saber, his combat power would surely receive a significant boost! "So it’s Miss Zhang of the Zhang Family, no wonder you are so lovely. I, Yuan Yong, offer my apologies here. If Miss Zhang feels so inclined, I can host a private banquet today to apologize." Seeing his elder brother acting indifferent, Yuan Yong also felt a stone lift from his heart. Although he said he was apologizing, his tone held no respect whatsoever. While speaking, his gaze couldn’t help but drift to Jiang Shu. That saber strike, he remembered it clearly! If his elder brother hadn’t intervened, he would have been defeated today for sure! However, he figured this young man probably relied solely on the sharpness of his treasured saber. His true strength surely couldn’t compare to his elder brother’s! "Regarding Elixirs, I can currently offer ten Leopard Strength Tiger Bone Pills and one Small Rejuvenation Elixir," Qu Zhanyun added, his eyes darting between the alloy saber and Jiang Shu’s expression. Mentioning the Elixirs was also a way of probing, to gauge the young man’s true background. He figured that someone dining so simply in the inn with an unimportant, illegitimate young lady from the Zhang Family couldn’t possibly hold a high status. This saber, he was determined to obtain! "Brother Shang, let’s go!" Zhang Ruo tugged at Jiang Shu’s sleeve, not wanting to escalate the situation. In her eyes, Jiang Shu was undoubtedly strong, but he was still the same age as her.Moreover, coming from a small county town, his combat prowess surely couldn’t surpass that of a Gold Medal Holder from the Yao Family. It was best to avoid conflict if it could be avoided.Using her status as a young lady of the Zhang Family while it still held some sway was the best strategy.The two of them should leave immediately.That was the best option. However, even after she tugged twice, Jiang Shu showed no reaction at all. At that moment, Jiang Shu’s expression was cold. He hadn’t expected that by merely making one move, someone would covet his alloy saber. Zhang Ruo was thinking too simply—could they just walk away now? Those who became Gold Medal Holders of a great clan were all individuals who had licked blood from the knife’s edge. If he left now, he would be continuously targeted in the days to come. Indeed, an innocent man bears no guilt, but possessing a treasure invites trouble. Such is a universally applicable truth! However, this man named Qu had made one miscalculation.He, Qu Zhanyun, was no grand figure.And he, Jiang Shu, was no powerless commoner! "Have you five always been this confident?" Clutching his alloy saber, Jiang Shu snorted coldly and swung his blade abruptly! Want it?Then we’ll fight for it! Black Tiger Heart-picking! Jiang Shu’s opening move was ferocious, the light of his saber chilling, bursting with power! Qu Zhanyun could never have anticipated that Jiang Shu would dare to draw his saber at this moment! He hurriedly unsheathed his own saber to meet the attack. But every swing of Jiang Shu’s saber was heavy with killing intent! His saber technique was honed amidst battles with Mutant Beasts.Its foundation was the Thirteen Saber Forms.But every form was a chilling killing strike! SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH! Flashes and shadows of sabers danced across the restaurant’s second floor. Jiang Shu, employing the Lesser Beidou Steps, moved agilely, firmly gaining the upper hand! He forced Qu Zhanyun to continuously block, retreating step by step! On the second floor, several Martial Artists still eating dodged anxiously to the side, fearing to be caught by the flashes of the sabers. Zhang Ruo was completely astounded; only at this moment did she truly perceive Jiang Shu’s combat strength!He was clearly overpowering a Gold Medal Holder!The ferocity of his saber techniques!In the Bone Forging Realm, a true powerhouse! If she could recruit him into the Zhang Family, perhaps in a few years, he could become a Jade Token Retainer! Her eyes sparkled.She felt that venturing out today was the most correct decision she had ever made. She was shocked and delighted. But the four men beside Qu Zhanyun were struck with terror and shock! Especially Yuan Yong; he knew well his elder brother’s strength. Among Bone Forging Realm Martial Artists, even compared to the geniuses of the great clans, he dared to say his elder brother was not their inferior.After all, his elder brother’s saber technique was exceptionally strong among low-grade saber arts. Moreover, the five of them had constantly honed their skills in the mountain forests, killing men and beasts alike; their rich experience was not something ordinary youngsters could match. But now, Jiang Shu’s saber techniques surpassed his comprehension.The basic Thirteen Saber Forms, in Jiang Shu’s hands, were already like a low-grade saber art, and the occasional variations he executed were even more exquisitely brilliant. If he were facing Jiang Shu, he feared he would die within three saber strikes! "Alright, stop!" Suddenly, Qu Zhanyun’s figure canted to the side. Using a strange footwork technique, he explosively retreated to a safe distance, panting slightly. "You say stop, so I stop? Who do you think you are?!" "And you flirted with her twice right in front of me, acting as if I don’t exist?" "You reached out your hand, so now you’ll leave it behind!" Jiang Shu retorted, but the saber in his hand never paused! With a diagonal step of the Lesser Beidou Steps, his saber aimed directly at Yuan Yong! Yuan Yong never anticipated Jiang Shu would suddenly change targets. He tried to retreat explosively, but it was too late. This saber strike from Jiang Shu. Swift as lightning! The saber’s light chilling! Blood splashed everywhere! A severed hand suddenly flew into the air!