LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 13:
Chapter 13: Xiao Yu’er, You’re Still So Impatient!:
Lu Chen was in no rush to travel. He walked leisurely, taking in the scenery around him.
Three hundred years ago, this place was barren land. But as the Mystic Spirit Sect transformed into the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect, the surrounding mountains became bustling with activity.
All things happen for a reason, and fate cannot be forced.
After centuries, Lu Chen had gained a much clearer perspective on life. The same applied to rare treasures. If one had not encountered them, it simply meant the time was not right.
After walking for some time, he finally set a direction.
It had been three hundred years since he last set foot in that town. He wondered how much it had changed.
Those he once cared about had long returned to dust, yet Lu Chen still wished to see it one more time.
The longing for one’s homeland could not be conveyed in mere words.
Blacksmith Town.
Named after the many blacksmiths living there, it was Lu Chen’s hometown—the place he often revisited in his dreams.
His deepest impression was of the phoenix tree at the village entrance, thick and sturdy, so massive that even several people holding hands could not wrap around it.
In the evenings of his childhood, smoke curled from chimneys as adults called out for their children. The kids playing under the tree would scatter and run home.
Simple meals, the warmth of an ordinary life.
Back then, Lu Chen never imagined he would one day join the Mystic Spirit Sect.
Nor did he expect that once he began guarding the Demonic Cave, he would never return.
He had no regrets about the decisions he had made.
Leaving the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect was no different.
Now that life had given him another chance, he wanted to make up for past regrets.
“A life of freedom, like drifting clouds and wild cranes, might be the better choice after all.”
Lu Chen murmured to himself, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
From inside his sleeve, Xuan Mo shifted slightly, as if agreeing with Lu Chen’s words.
“If you had met me earlier, you could have tasted my mother’s phoenix cakes.”
“But unfortunately, you won’t get that chance now.”
There was a hint of sadness in Lu Chen’s voice.
Xuan Mo let out a soft whimper from inside his sleeve, clearly protesting.
“It’s not the season for phoenix blossoms now.”
“But I can try making something else for you.”
“Hopefully, you’ll like it.”
Hearing that, Xuan Mo finally quieted down.
It was midday in early autumn, and the sun blazed fiercely. The morning’s cool breeze had long since faded.
Lu Chen walked at a relaxed pace, unbothered by the heat.
Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks, his expression turning serious.
“Buzz!”
A chorus of sword cries echoed, and the sky changed color!
In an instant, a group of black-clad swordsmen appeared before Lu Chen, their blades gleaming with a chilling light.
They wore tight-fitting black robes, their faces concealed by masks. Their steps were uniform, their discipline evident.
Eight people stood at precise positions, yet their gazes all locked onto one person—Lu Chen.
Lu Chen sneered.
Did they really think that forming a battle stance could intimidate him?
Straightening his posture, he glanced at the bamboo staff in his hand.
Just this small movement made several black-clad swordsmen tense up.
The group exchanged glances.
At the same moment, they attacked!
Their hands gripped their swords tightly, their blades pointing skyward!
A sharp gleam flickered in Lu Chen’s eyes.
These weren’t ordinary swordsmen. Their swordsmanship… was extremely strange!
Their formation was uncommon, their techniques unfamiliar. Coupled with their black attire and masked faces…
In an instant, Lu Chen realized who they were!
They were imperial assassins.
More precisely, royal covert agents from the imperial court.
These assassins only appeared when the throne or power struggles were involved.
Their methods were ruthless, their skills deadly. They killed without leaving a trace.
And now, they had been sent after him.
The imperial court’s hidden forces, just to deal with one man.
They had truly gone to great lengths.
Before they could execute their next move, Lu Chen spoke calmly.
“You really didn’t need such a grand display.”
“Hahaha…”
A burst of laughter erupted. The eight assassins halted their movements simultaneously.
“You’ve got guts! As expected of the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect’s pillar of strength!”
“Lu Chen, even with your cultivation crippled, you still have such confidence. Admirable!”
“But no matter how bold you are, today will be your grave!”
Lu Chen narrowed his eyes and looked up.
“That’s not necessarily true.”
“What, do you think you can scare us off even though your cultivation is gone, and your spiritual root is destroyed?”
“That depends on how much courage you have.”
“You… dare to speak such madness! I’d like to see how you plan to drive us away!”
A man in luxurious robes suddenly stepped forward, his furious eyes locked onto Lu Chen.
Lu Chen’s expression remained indifferent.
“You and I are strangers. We have no deep grudge.”
“You’re only in such a hurry because you want credit from Qi Ze.”
“In truth, you don’t need to bother.”
Lu Chen’s words made the man’s face change drastically.
“You… What nonsense are you spouting?! We have nothing to do with Young Master Qi!”
The moment he finished speaking, the man regretted it.
In his panic, he misspoke!
If they were truly unrelated, he should have referred to Qi Ze by name.
But instead, he had said Young Master Qi.
Lu Chen chuckled.
“Your lies are only making it worse.”
He didn’t need to say more.
Qi Ze was truly in a rush.
His letter must have reached the imperial court the moment Lu Chen left the sect.
That was why these assassins had arrived so quickly.
Clearly, Qi Ze had studied him thoroughly and calculated that he would return home.
Not going to Jade Spirit Mountain, but setting up an ambush on the road home—it was a perfect trap.
Qi Ze had read him well.
“Enough talking. The moon is brightest in one’s homeland, but unfortunately, you won’t live to see it!”
Now that his identity was exposed, the robed man was furious.
He was determined to kill Lu Chen.
Earlier, he had spoken freely because he thought Lu Chen was a dead man walking.
But now, he had to complete the mission.
He raised his hand, middle and index fingers pressed together.
With a slight tremble—
The eight masked swordsmen charged at Lu Chen!
In an instant, sword energy filled the air!
“Lu Chen, Lu Chen… Even though you’re a legendary figure, this is how it ends for you!”
“I admire your courage, so I’ll let you die with clarity.”
“To be slain by the Imperial Shadow Guards of the Northern Li Empire—you should consider it an honor!”
Lu Chen’s smile turned icy.
The Imperial Shadow Guards… so they finally admitted it?
He slowly raised his hand.
The bamboo staff in his grip was instantly enveloped in white light.
“Stop! Who dares to harm my Senior Brother?!”
At the critical moment, a clear and angry voice rang out.
A masked assassin at the northwest position collapsed instantly!
The robed man’s face darkened. He drew his sword immediately.
Whoever this person was—
To kill an assassin in one strike and see through their formation at a glance—
They were a formidable opponent!
“You villains, if you dare harm my Senior Brother, I’ll make sure none of you leave here alive!”
A woman in blue robes, sword in hand, stepped in front of Lu Chen.
“Heh, another one rushing to die!”
“The whole world knows that Lu Chen has no ties to the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect anymore. Do you want to betray your sect?”
The robed man’s voice was ice-cold, his eyes filled with killing intent.
The woman stood firm, glancing back at Lu Chen with joy.
“Senior Brother! I finally found you!”
“Don’t worry, with Meng Yu here, I won’t let them harm you!”
“If they want to touch you, they’ll have to step over my dead body first!”
Her expression was resolute, as if prepared to die.
Lu Chen’s voice was warm, as though he had never considered their current predicament serious.
“Xiao Yu’er, you’re still so impatient.”