My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

The cold gleam of blades and swords flickered outside the door, making the swordsman named Chu Hunan's face appear even paler.

A group of bandits dressed in coarse garments with red bands tied to their arms charged out. The leader, with a malevolent face, first turned his head to observe both sides, then carried his sword and stepped slowly into the earth temple.

"Chu Hunan, you dare steal my Sword Manual. Such audacity! Do not blame me for disregarding brotherly ties."

He looked at Chu Hunan lying on the ground, then stared at Chen Yi and his companions, and asked:

"Are the three of you accomplices to this man?"

Before any of the three could respond...

Chu Hunan suddenly shouted:

"They are merely passersby. This matter has nothing to do with them. Do not drag innocent people into it."

At these words, the sword-bearer's gaze grew warier, as he cast a sharp glance at the trio of Chen Yi and his companions.

Chu Hunan continued:

"Cui Heng, you can slander me, you can keep accusing me of stealing your Sword Manual, you can even chase me down—that's fine! But in the Jianghu, you may disregard everything, but the one thing you cannot ignore is the principle of 'righteousness.' If you involve innocent people now, whether or not someone seeks revenge against you later, rest assured, the Jianghu will mock you. The so-called Eight Directions Divine Sword—Cui Heng—will be known as nothing more than a bully preying on the weak!"

Hearing this, Cui Heng's expression shifted slightly—first wary, then immediately furious. He sneered and glanced at Chen Yi and his companions, saying:

"The three of you, I trust you are merely travelers. But who can say for sure that Chu Hunan hasn't entrusted the Sword Manual to you? Please stay where you are so we can search you."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi narrowed his eyes. Min Ning's hand rested on her blade hilt, while Li Wenhu placed his hand on the long spear slung behind him.

"We meet by chance, and you think you can search us just like that?" Chen Yi asked flatly.

"We cannot let any loose ends escape," Cui Heng replied.

Li Wenhu chuckled mockingly: "Eight Directions Divine Sword—such an imposing title."

None of the trio would allow themselves to be searched. Aside from questioning the basis of Cui Heng's demand, surrendering their weapons during a search would leave them at his mercy.

"Very well, then don't blame me for being discourteous."

Cui Heng spoke lightly, as the group outside drew their blades and revealed their encirclement.

Swords glinted coldly, and a dangerous gleam flashed in Cui Heng's eyes.

Cui Heng hailed from the renowned Sword-Casting Villa, having been personally trained as an Inner Sect Disciple by the vice villa-master. His Martial Arts were already at the Sixth Rank, fully capable of assuming an elder's position, though he had yet to achieve any major victories to warrant promotion.

When Chu Hunan went out for training, he stumbled upon an ancient Sword Manual within the cave of a Taoist who had passed away during self-dissolution. Chu Hunan sincerely approached Cui Heng to borrow the manual, only to be refused. When peaceful means proved fruitless, it left him no choice but to resort to force.

Chasing Chu Hunan to this dilapidated temple, Cui Heng initially believed the three had little connection to Chu Hunan. But hearing Chu Hunan speak in their defense, Cui Heng suspected they shared some ties. Should Chu Hunan have entrusted the Sword Manual to them, even if he killed Chu Hunan, all that would remain would be a corpse without the manual. Cui Heng did not wish to gamble or allow misplaced compassion to cost him the manual.

Li Wenhu chuckled coldly:

"I didn't expect that people in the capital region have yet to learn the principle of mercy."

"Enough talk!"

Cui Heng raised his sword, his stance poised to strike.

Li Wenhu, as a senior figure in the Jianghu, would not let Chen Yi and Min Ning face the brunt of the attack. He detached the spear bound to his back, unraveled the cloth wrap, revealing a large red-fringed spear glittering coldly.

Gripping the spear in both hands, he bent his body slightly, his aura resembling a tiger descending a mountain.

Cui Heng suddenly launched forward, his sword gleaming frost-like. Its brilliance illuminated the entire earth temple, tearing through the air with a sharp sound of piercing wind.

Li Wenhu thrust both feet downward, crouching further.

In that brief instant, Cui Heng calculated dozens of countermeasures: If Li Wenhu thrust forward, he would lean sideways and aim his sword at Li Wenhu's throat; if Li Wenhu swept with his spear, he would leap and slash downward; or if Li Wenhu switched his thrust to a sweep, then…

As his figure charged halfway forward, a fist suddenly appeared before him, catching him completely off guard.

Cui Heng's eyes widened slightly, incredulous as he stared at the owner of the fist—a man clad in dark attire, bearing both a sword and blade.

BAM!

The enormous, overwhelming force of the punch smashed squarely into Cui Heng's face. Amidst the terrifying impact, the sound of bones breaking rang out. An eyeball burst out of its socket, fell to the ground, rolled about, and finally spun to a dusty halt.

"Senior Brother!"

Cui Heng's body slammed into the ground, shattering a tile on the earth temple floor, leaving behind a long crack.

His knuckles dripping with blood, Chen Yi casually waved his hand to shake off some of it, casting a cold glance around.

The group of Sword-Casting Villa disciples outside froze with terror. They had collectively shouted "Senior Brother" moments ago, but now, the rest of their words remained stuck in their throats.

Even Li Wenhu, witnessing this scene, widened his eyes in shock.

Having just prepared his posture to confront Cui Heng's strike, he had not anticipated Chen Yi to suddenly launch forward, breaking all conventions with such an unorthodox and forceful punch.

But more startling than this was Chen Yi's technique. He muttered to himself:

"Mountain Spirit Flash? Cangshan Fist?"

Min Ning, hearing this, turned her head to glance at Li Wenhu.

Judging by his tone, this old gentleman seemed to know her grandfather?

The one behind the devastating punch, Chen Yi, stood quietly, saying nothing further. He glanced at Cui Heng, then coldly scanned Chu Hunan lying on the ground.

Chu Hunan showed a fleeting expression of joy.

Chen Yi sneered and looked back at Cui Heng sprawled on the floor.

Cui Heng truly lived up to his moniker as the Eight Directions Divine Sword. Taking such an overly lofty nickname proved that this man's intellect only reached a certain level—allowing Chu Hunan to lead him into a trap.

Chu Hunan was no saint, either. Knowing that the trio had no ties to the matter, he intentionally made loud declarations to muddy the waters, attempting to shift the perilous situation and claw out a chance at survival.

Cui Heng managed to prop himself halfway up, his face entirely mangled. His lips let out incoherent whimpering, his mind rendered unclear by the brutal punch.

The Sword-Casting Villa disciples outside hesitated, not daring to approach.

Chen Yi began pondering how best to resolve the matter when the sound of wind cutting through the woods pierced his ears.

The newcomer possessed excellent Qinggong, arriving swiftly with but a sound, then stepping forward. He carried a sword, wore a tied cap, and exuded an aura of a scholar-warrior.

The Sword-Casting Villa disciples immediately parted to make way.

"What happened here? Pursuing Chu Hunan, how did it turn into this?" Staring at the earth temple's grim scene, he spoke gravely.

A Sword-Casting Villa disciple stepped forward and reported: "Reporting to Brother Wu, Senior Brother Cui was… struck down by Chu Hunan's accomplice."

The man advanced two steps. Chu Hunan's face grew even paler, while Cui Heng seemed to recover some clarity, speaking weakly:

"Brother Wu, this man suddenly attacked. Having sworn brotherhood, I plead with you... avenge me."

"Rest assured, Brother Cui. The vice villa-master is already on his way."

Upon finishing, Wu Qingyan drew his sword and stepped forward, signaling the disciples to enter and protect Cui Heng.

The man before him wasted no words either, taking a step forward.

Wu Qingyan focused on Chen Yi's steps, then noticed the waist badge swaying at his side.

His heart birthed a certain suspicion, prompting him to inquire:

"May I ask who you are?"

Chen Yi offered no reply.

The closer he advanced, the more Wu Qingyan felt an inexplicable pressure. He asked again:

"May I inquire about your Martial Arts rank?"

Unwilling to utter idle nonsense, Chen Yi advanced another step.

CLANG!

Wu Qingyan fixed his gaze on the waist badge. Watching Chen Yi continue forward, he steeled himself and made a swift decision—discarding his sword without hesitation, resolutely addressing:

"I, Wu Qingyan, admit defeat! Skills inferior to yours, I concede!"