Chapter 72

Chapter 72: Old Man Feng’s Fear

Old Man Feng continuously poured wine into his mouth, as if hoping the alcohol could banish the terror within him. Yet, even after the final drop from the jug had trickled down his throat, he still hadn’t fully regained his composure.

Xia Guanqiu shifted restlessly beside him, feeling torn. He yearned to learn what could frighten Old Man Feng so deeply, yet he dreaded hearing the truth, certain his own courage paled in comparison to the old man’s.

After a prolonged silence, Old Man Feng finally spoke: “Guanqiu, I’ve thought long and hard about this. What I’ve discovered was considered mere legend by everyone. But when paired with the ancient precept in my martial sister’s clan… this legend is real. I won’t elaborate on the specifics—just hear these two statements!”

He drew a deep, fortifying breath and said slowly: “The history of Spirit Weapon Star isn’t anything any of us knows… anything any of us ever imagined! As for the true masters on Spirit Weapon Star—we’ve met none of them. Because… they are all within the Nine Clans!”

Like a bolt of thunder striking overhead, Old Man Feng’s words detonated in Xia Guanqiu’s mind, leaving him paralyzed, body numb as if his soul had fled.

Spirit Weapon Star’s history isn’t what anyone knows or imagines. Its true masters… all reside among the Nine Clans!

These two statements alone felt like ice water splashed onto Xia Guanqiu’s already freezing back, chilling him to the marrow!

Old Man Feng’s voice rasped again: “If the Nine Clans exist… if their ancient precept is real… then the moment they hear Lou Yun’s name… they’ll dispatch killers immediately. Not just him—his whole lineage! And by then… countless innocents may pay the price!”

Xia Guanqiu’s soul snapped back into his body. He swallowed hard and asked, “What… what can we even do?”

“Both you and I know that stubborn boy Lou Yun—once he decides something, no one can stop him. Sigh I don’t know either. Come on… let’s find him!”

…Upon returning to his room, before Lou Yun could even settle onto his chair, the door crashed open. Two figures marched inside, one clearly fuming.

Seeing Xia Guanqiu and Old Man Feng stunned him, making him scramble to his feet. He never expected them to seek him out now.

“Dean Xia? Old Man Feng? Is something wrong?”

Old Man Feng jabbed an accusatory finger at Lou Yun, snarling, “Lad… is your reputation NOT big enough?! How dare you open that blasted common weapon shop, plastering your name everywhere?! Do you have any idea what the Ni—”

He’d barely begun when Xia Guanqiu discreetly tugged his sleeve, forcing the words back down his throat.

“Lou Yun, Old Man Feng is right—you really shouldn’t run that shop,” Xia Guanqiu interjected uneasily.

The abrupt scolding baffled Lou Yun. He’d predicted some teachers or students might object, but never these two. And that subtle sleeve-pull? He’d noticed… yet he couldn’t grasp why.

About the Nine Clans… Lou Yun remained completely ignorant.

Witnessing Lou Yun’s utterly bewildered expression, Old Man Feng stamped his foot in frustration. Without another word, he whirled around and stormed out of the room.

Xia Guanqiu released a heavy sigh, offering Lou Yun a strained smile. “Just… drop the shop project. There’s more happening here… things you’re unaware of.”

“What things?!” Lou Yun pressed, confused.

“It’s…”

Xia Guanqiu dared not utter it aloud. Though their interactions were limited, Lou Yun’s infamous stubbornness was well known. If he revealed the terrifying truth—that the Nine Clans existed to slaughter everyone named Lou—Lou Yun wouldn’t flee… he’d dare them to come! That would ignite a disaster.

If Lou Yun met an untimely end… Xia Zhilan would… Xia Guanqiu could only shake his head mournfully and withdraw.

Lou Yun just stood there, stunned, as both men swept in like a windstorm and left equally precipitously. However brilliant he was… he’d never guess the reason.

Although Chang Xiang knows the truth… Chang Xiang won’t tell Lou Yun just yet.

Lou Yun resolved to put the matter aside. But late that night, the door thrust open once more. Another two visitors entered—neither Old Man Feng nor Xia Guanqiu this time. Instead, Han Tianxiao and Fang Yue stood before him.

“Lou Yun, gather your belongings immediately. We leave at once—urgent assignment!”

Normally, a wait of at least a week would follow a completed C-level assignment before receiving a new one. Yet, barely days later… another task had arrived.

Orders demanded obedience. Lou Yun wasted no time packing, briefly inquiring: “Teacher Han… What requires such haste?”

"B-level first-class task: Escort the Princess to Cang Lan Nation!"

Even as he sat on Xia Guanqiu’s magical weapon, a flying sword, soaring towards Yuyang City, the capital of Gu Feng Nation, Lou Yun’s mind remained in a state of confusion.

A B-level first-class task! That was the kind of mission only students of A-level or above from the Elite Division of the Ancient Weapon Academy had the strength to undertake. Lou Yun had just barely managed to complete a C-level third-class task a few days ago by overstepping his rank, and now today, he was being dragged into a B-level first-class mission.

Looking at the six people currently seated on the flying sword – besides Xia Guanqiu responsible for transporting them via his magical weapon – the teachers were Han Tianxiao and Fang Yue. Notably absent were his usual teammates, Xia Zhilan and Nie Jiu. In their place were Liu Ruyan and an Elite Division student named Cun Yan!

This couldn’t help but leave Lou Yun feeling utterly bewildered.

Han Tianxiao observed Lou Yun’s expression and naturally knew the confusion in his heart. He couldn’t help but smile inwardly. Silly boy, all these people are making such a fuss precisely for your sake, and you’re still kept completely in the dark, completely unaware!

Actually, Han Tianxiao himself wasn’t fully informed either. Earlier, when Xia Guanqiu found him and instructed him to leave the Ancient Weapon Academy immediately with Lou Yun, the reason given was that several individuals sent by that evil weapons master had arrived near the Ancient Weapon Academy, intending to find an opportunity to target Lou Yun. To protect Lou Yun’s safety, he had to leave. He could return only after those individuals were dealt with.

All of this, however, was actually a method devised by Old Man Feng to protect Lou Yun and, simultaneously, protect everyone. As long as the Nine Clans didn’t come looking for Lou Yun, no one would suffer an undeserved calamity, which naturally included the teachers and students of the Ancient Weapon Academy!

Xia Guanqiu believed that although the Nine Clans were formidable and powerful, it was unlikely they would hear of Lou Yun’s name and come knocking within such a short period. There was plenty of time to think of a better, more reliable solution.

Old Man Feng, however, didn’t see it that way. He had personally witnessed Lou Yun’s weapon forging process. He believed that if they did nothing now and allowed Lou Yun to operate that common weapon shop, it wouldn’t be long before Lou Yun’s fame spread throughout the entire Gu Feng Nation, and even further.

Moreover, who knew where members of the Nine Clans were hiding? There might even be some in Tianrang City. So, to be safe, a solution had to be devised immediately!

Since they couldn’t forcibly shut down Lou Yun’s common weapon shop, the next best thing was to stall for time, preventing Lou Yun from forging weapons. Any shop would naturally close down before long if its owner disappeared right after opening.

Although Xia Guanqiu somewhat disapproved of this approach, he knew he didn’t fully grasp the true threat of the Nine Clans. Remembering Old Man Feng’s fear, he ultimately agreed. He selected a relatively difficult task and arranged for Lou Yun to undertake it.

Because this mission was indeed challenging, they didn’t bring Xia Zhilan and Nie Jiu this time. Instead, they brought Liu Ruyan, who possessed strength roughly equivalent to Lou Yun’s (at least, in their view), along with the strongest student from the Elite Division, the intermediate five-star magical weapons master, Cun Yan!

Additionally, teachers Han Tianxiao and Fang Yue would accompany them, with Old Man Feng following secretly, all to ensure Lou Yun and the others’ safety.

Furthermore, bringing Liu Ruyan wasn’t just because of her strength. Another reason, naturally, was her surname – Liu. Old Man Feng also wanted to seize this opportunity to see if he could uncover any clues about the relationship between the Liu family and the Nine Clans.

Taking advantage of the flight time, Han Tianxiao briefed Lou Yun and the others on the mission details.

The task was to escort Gu Feng Nation’s Princess Huier to Cang Lan Nation, where she was to marry a prince of that nation.

Logically, such missions escorting royal family members were usually handled by the royal court itself, assigning suitable guards. The reason this task was given to the Ancient Weapon Academy was mainly because Princess Huier’s father, the sixth brother of the current King of Gu Feng Nation, was the most down-and-out member within the royal family. Otherwise, his daughter wouldn’t have been chosen for marriage to Cang Lan Nation. The royal court simply didn’t value Princess Huier or her father.

As for Princess Huier going to Cang Lan Nation, while it sounded pleasant to say she was getting married, in reality, she was being treated as a sacrificial offering, handed over to Cang Lan Nation.

Gu Feng Nation wished to alter its hostile relationship with Cang Lan Nation, ally with them, eliminate several small countries situated between the two nations, and then jointly divide the resources and territory of those small nations.

Naturally, these matters were affairs of state, something the people from the Ancient Weapon Academy didn’t need to consider at all. Their job was solely to ensure Princess Huier arrived safely in Cang Lan Nation.

Although the small countries between the two nations weren’t large, they were still sovereign states, and among them were certainly no shortage of skilled individuals. Moreover, since this was a political marriage alliance, Gu Feng Nation naturally provided a dowry of considerable value, which would undoubtedly attract the attention of bandits and thieves.

In short, this mission presented a significant challenge for Lou Yun and the others. Fortunately, they had teachers Han Tianxiao and Fang Yue. This time, they weren’t just there to protect the safety of Lou Yun and the two students; they were also active participants in the mission execution.

After finishing the mission briefing, Han Tianxiao pointed at Lou Yun and said, "Our temporary five-person team needs a captain. I believe Lou Yun is suitable for the role. What do you all think?"

Lou Yun thought this was absurd. How could he possibly be captain for such a dangerous task? He hastily waved his hands. "I couldn’t possibly! Teacher Han, this mission is too difficult. You and Teacher Fang, being teachers, are naturally the captains."

Fang Yue smiled slightly. "I wholeheartedly agree that Lou Yun should be captain! Ruyan, what’s your opinion?"

Liu Ruyan still wore her usual frosty expression. However, when she saw that Lou Yun was also part of this mission, a flicker of delight stirred inside her. Faced with Fang Yue’s question now, she remained silent for a moment before nodding.

That left only Cun Yan who hadn’t expressed his view. This boy with sharp features and a crew cut was also one of the elite students of the Ancient Weapon Academy. Having just turned nineteen, he was already an intermediate five-star magical weapons master and on the verge of stepping into the ranks of high-level magical weapons masters.

True to his name, Cun Yan was extremely taciturn, to the point of cherishing words like gold. He stared at Lou Yun for a while, then squeezed out a single word from between his teeth: "Okay!"

Han Tianxiao clapped his hands. "Good! Four votes in favor. Lou Yun, you are the captain for this mission. Until the task is completed, all four of us will follow your orders and arrangements!"