Chapter 454 - 243: Master or Thrall?
Inside the cave, flames flickered.
You Su and He Kongyue were taken aback on the spot, Huo Yuandi’s roars continuously echoed within the cave.
Suddenly, a loud explosion drew the attention of all three.
It turned out that the bonfire You Su set up had collapsed, the sparks crackling as they rose into the air before extinguishing in an instant.
He Kongyue’s expression immediately turned severe, and he kicked Huo Yuandi on the shoulder, causing him to roll over twice.
"Speak clearly!"
Huo Yuandi curled up in pain, whimpering for relief, glaring angrily at the noble son of the He Family with eyes full of resentment.
"Can’t you hear him speak?"
You Su also fiercely questioned, dousing the little courage Huo Yuandi had summoned.
"Yes, yes, yes..."
Huo Yuandi quickly agreed, calming down after the commotion.
He wasn’t a fool; the person who saved him was no less handsome than this He Family gentleman, though unfamiliar, he could guess this was the fierce burly man who defeated him.
"That day, my benefactor forced me to the cliff’s edge. With no way out, I jumped off the cliff. Using the last bit of strength, I cushioned the fall with Qi Manipulation, which prevented my death, but I inadvertently crawled into a cave. In that cave, I saw an Immortal Sword I had long desired in my dreams, and realized I had mistakenly entered Mr. Chengying’s tomb mansion ahead of time."
Huo Yuandi had only regained some strength, but to prove his worth to You Su, he forced himself to say more.
"Continue," You Su commanded coldly.
"I used all my strength to touch the Immortal Sword. Just when I thought I would make a comeback... a skeleton stepped on my foot."
"Was that Mr. Chengying?" He Kongyue asked.
"That’s right. Not a trace of flesh on her, only a skeleton adorned with black patterns. I was terrified, but she said to me, if I wanted to live, I must take her as my master. She would let her best disciple inherit the Shadow-Bearing Sword."
Huo Yuandi showed a helpless expression, "I had no choice but to agree. But after performing the apprentice ceremony, Mr. Chengying suddenly changed her mind, saying I wasn’t worthy to be her disciple. Not only that, I felt my entire strength being stripped away. Then I watched as flesh grew on that skeleton... as if..."
"As if what?" He Kongyue asked with furrowed brows.
"As if the flesh from my body was growing onto hers..."
Huo Yuandi’s voice trembled slightly, still shaken to the core at this point:
"Just when I was about to die, the tomb’s Restriction Technique began to collapse, she had no time for me, saying ’The Sect’s revival is today,’ then took my sword and flew out. How could I dare stay there... I desperately crawled out, fainting several times along the way, finally meeting my benefactor!"
This fierce swordsman at this moment wished to cry in gratitude to You Su.
"Are you saying... this place leads to Mr. Chengying’s tomb?"
You Su hadn’t forgotten the task of investigating the mystery behind Mr. Chengying’s sudden change in behavior.
Huo Yuandi trembled as he pointed behind him.
"It should be this direction... I groped my way in the dark, unsure if I took a wrong turn."
You Su ignored him, falling into deep thought, and after a moment, asked:
"She took your sword when she left, what about the Shadow-Bearing Immortal Sword?"
"It’s certainly still in the cave."
Huo Yuandi knew You Su would ask, and eagerly volunteered, "I can take my benefactor there! You’re handsome and graceful, with extraordinary swordsmanship, this Immortal Sword is simply tailor-made for you! If you take me along, you’ll be like a parent to me! If you tell me to go east, I wouldn’t dare go west!"
You Su just looked at him indifferently, his eyes void of joy or sorrow.
"You want You Su to get the sword, hoping he ends up dead at Mr. Chengying’s hands just like you?" He Kongyue sneered coldly.
"No, no! I wouldn’t dare! That Mr. Chengying lost her mind and is determined to find a disciple, she’s certainly gone out to recruit now! We can take advantage of this and grab the Immortal Sword, wouldn’t that be wonderful?!"
Huo Yuandi struggled to crawl on the ground, yearningly trying to reach You Su’s feet.
You Su had already stepped around him and walked behind Huo Yuandi.
"Mr. He, let’s go."
As You Su spoke, he took out the Wind Weasel Array Disc. As long as this path is open, he wouldn’t need Huo Yuandi’s help with this treasure in hand.
He Kongyue glanced at the shocked Huo Yuandi and followed in You Su’s footsteps.
"Benefactor! Benefactor! I am willing to atone for my sins! I have done wrong, but I know my mistakes now! Please take me with you, benefactor!"
Huo Yuandi only had one hand left, even if he regained some strength, he could not possibly catch up with the walking speed of the two.
He could only continuously plead in a pitiful voice, hoping the young man would reconsider, his despairing voice echoing endlessly through the cave.
"Mr. You, this person has remarkable talent, if he becomes your subordinate, he could be quite a help. Are you really... going to just let him be?"
He Kongyue, holding the Luminous Pearl, softly asked You Su.
You Su shook his head:
"A person like him isn’t worth saving and certainly unworthy to serve me. He knew the skeleton was tainted with evil, and the apprentice ceremony was nonsense, yet he sacrificed himself just to survive. Falling to such a state is his own doing."
He Kongyue nodded in agreement, a glint of appreciation in his eyes.
His words were merely testing You Su; Huo Yuandi had committed many misdeeds, and if You Su put in the effort, he wouldn’t lack a Lower Feather Transformation Realm henchman like this, so why tarnish himself for such meager benefits.