Rise of the Sword Son-in-Law

"Elder Ge?" The three Inner Sect Disciples who had not yet made a move showed a look of surprise upon seeing the newcomer. Xu Ping'an also looked towards the newcomer. This was a middle-aged man dressed in a green robe, with a clear-cut face and a stern and resolute demeanor. Among the nine elders of the Inner Sect, this Elder Ge, Ge Lie, was one of them. It was said that his strength had reached the Sixth Layer of the Fourth Rank, placing him fourth among the nine great elders. Xu Ping'an had not expected the other to appear at this time. "This place belongs to the Beichen Sword Sect, and private fights are forbidden," Ge Lie said, not looking at the Third Rank Cultivator who had been sent flying but addressing Chen Tianqing and the others. "Yes, Elder Ge," the three disciples responded in unison. Zhou Mengyue also paid her respects. As for Chen Tianqing, his fists were clenched tight, his eyes full of anger, "Elder Ge, this man has killed my Sword Servant, injured me, and stolen my treasures. I request that Elder Ge strike down this thief." "Chen Tianqing, don't spout nonsense. Chen Qinglong was indeed killed by me, but he was not a disciple of our Beichen Sword Sect. He attacked a disciple of our Beichen Sword Sect on our territory, showing no regard for us. His death by my hand was deserved," Xu Ping'an retorted with a cold snort. "Chen Qinglong was my Sword Servant, acting on my orders," Chen Tianqing furiously countered. "Acting on your orders to kill me? Despite being of the same sect, you wish to kill me?" Xu Ping'an asked with a cold laugh. Upon hearing this, Chen Tianqing was at a loss for words, "...you..." "As for you accusing me of stealing your treasures, you've searched my residence, which I've tolerated, but you have no evidence. Yet you continue to slander me. Is this how you regard the Beichen Sword Sect, as a place where you can act recklessly, just like in your Prince's Mansion in Tianlong County?" Xu Ping'an said with a cold sneer. Hearing this, Chen Tianqing was even more furious. This guy had just thrown such a huge accusation at him. "Elder Ge, this man is talking nonsense. Please, Elder Ge, suppress him," Chen Tianqing immediately pleaded with Ge Lie. "Chen Tianqing, are you ordering me?" Ge Lie finally spoke, his cold voice directed at Chen Tianqing. Chen Tianqing's face changed, and he hurriedly said, "Elder Ge, I'm not ordering you; it's just that this man is too arrogant and must be severely punished." "Hmph, I think the arrogant one is you," Ge Lie snorted coldly. "In the dead of night, you bring so many people to break into someone's residence and then order a Sword Servant to directly strike at an Inner Sect disciple. Do you think I'm not aware of it?" The color drained from Chen Tianqing's face. Was Ge Lie actually siding with Xu Ping'an? "And you letting outsiders enter the Beichen Sword Sect without permission, isn't that showing no regard for us?" Ge Lie coldly snorted again. "Elder Ge, we are here under the Commandery Prince's orders to protect His Highness," the Third Rank Cultivator also stood up and said. "Hmph, this is the Beichen Sword Sect, not your Tianlong County Prince's Mansion. If you want to protect, go back to your Prince's Mansion in Tianlong County," Ge Lie shouted furiously. The Third Rank Cultivator's complexion changed in an instant, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. He had been injured by the force emitted by Ge Lie. Chen Tianqing's face turned ashen to the extreme. "Elder Ge, are you saying that the theft of my treasures should just be left at that?" Chen Tianqing said, biting his lip, unwilling to let it go. "Do you have any evidence? If you don't have evidence, then get out!" Ge Lie shouted furiously. Upon hearing this, Chen Tianqing's face darkened to the extreme. "Let's go!" Chen Tianqing glared fiercely at Xu Ping'an, then turned and left. His gaze was filled with venomous resentment. Xu Ping'an was unfazed. Zhou Mengyue's expression was extremely solemn as she looked at Xu Ping'an, lost in thought. In the end, she still followed Chen Tianqing and left. The three disciples did not linger either, taking Chen Qinglong's body with them as they left. Thus, in Xu Ping'an's residence, only Xu Ping'an and Ge Lie remained. Xu Ping'an turned his gaze to Ge Lie, a hint of confusion in his eyes. Ge Lie had obviously favored him just before. But he had never met the man before, so why had he helped him? "Your strength is quite impressive. The Sect Master has said before that we should pay more attention to you. I didn't expect you to be able to slay someone from the Sixth Layer with Fourth Layer Cultivation, and even defeat Chen Tianqing from the Eighth Layer," Ge Lie said to Xu Ping'an. "The elder flatters me. I was just lucky," Xu Ping'an replied with a smile. "Lucky? And to break through to the Third Layer of the Extreme Realm and enter the Sea-Splitting Realm with four meridians connected, is that also luck?" Ge Lie said with a laugh. Xu Ping'an was slightly startled. This fellow actually knew he had reached the Third Layer of the Extreme Realm? Four meridians connected? "You don't need to look at me like that. The Sect Master once said that without reaching the Third Layer of the Extreme Realm and connecting four meridians, it is impossible to cultivate the Sky-breaking Sword Decision. Yet you have managed it. Is that also luck?" Ge Lie continued with a smile. "It seems the elder knows everything. Since that's the case, I won't hide it. I have indeed reached the Third Layer of the Extreme Realm and entered the Sea-Splitting Realm with four meridians connected," Xu Ping'an responded. He hadn't expected these elders of the Sect to be observing him. "You don't need to worry too much. We observe you because we think you have great potential. With the Extreme Realm Third Layer and four meridians connected, the Beichen Sword Sect hasn't seen such a genius in hundreds of years. As long as you work hard, the Sect will definitely not treat you unfairly," said Ge Lie. "Thank you, elder," replied Xu Ping'an. "Also, since you've offended Chen Tianqing, you should still be careful. Even though this is the Beichen Sword Sect and he has reservations, after all, he is the son of the Commandery Prince of Tianlong County. We can suppress those he brings with him, but if some Sect Disciples strike against you, it's difficult for us to interfere too much," Ge Lie said. "Within the Inner Sect, I fear there are few who can rival me," Xu Ping'an said with a smile. "Not just the Inner Sect, but also a few elite disciples are close to him. These people are all of the Ninth Layer Realm, with formidable strength. They might be difficult to handle," Ge Lie said. "Thank you for the warning, elder. But even if they are elite disciples, I am not afraid," Xu Ping'an said indifferently. "Good, since that's the case, I'll say no more. Be careful," Great Elder Ge let out these words before disappearing within Xu Ping'an's residence. Xu Ping'an watched the direction in which Elder Ge vanished, his mind stirring. Could he be that person from the Sword Mansion of Western Chu? But the matters Ge Lie mentioned were worth noting. Chen Tianqing would not easily let him go from now on. "Chen Tianqing, Zhou Mengyue, if you dare to strike again, I will be sure to slay you," Xu Ping'an thought coldly. This time he refrained from killing outright, hence he spared Chen Tianqing. But next time might not be the same!