Unrestricted Dao Lord

As dusk fell, in the courtyard of the Su Family’s First Branch.

Zhang Su and his older brother, Zhang Chen, sat under a tree in the courtyard.

It was quiet all around.

The servants all kept their distance, not daring to disturb the two.

Zhang Chen picked up the wine cup on the table and downed it in one go.

"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH..."

The wine was strong.

It made Zhang Chen cough uncontrollably.

Zhang Su looked at his older brother.

In his memory, his brother had been a gentle, refined, and frail scholar who did nothing but bury his head in his books.

But now, though his brother was still gentle and refined, he had matured a great deal.

"Brother, stop drinking. You’re not well."

Zhang Su stopped Zhang Chen.

"Hahaha, it’s fine. I’m happy today. Seeing that you’ve made a name for yourself in the Guiyuan Sect, I can rest easy. Our parents in the afterlife will surely be very happy too."

Zhang Chen was truly happy.

He had been talking with Zhang Su all afternoon.

It seemed he still hadn’t had his fill.

But Zhang Chen’s conversation revolved entirely around how promising Zhang Su had become.

It brought him great comfort.

He never once spoke of his own hardships.

But Zhang Su knew his brother had endured a lot.

His brother was once a frail scholar who only studied books, oblivious to the world outside.

Now, his brother had to be a shrewd calculator in the world of business, clashing with deceitful merchants. It was mentally and emotionally draining.

Besides, the Su Family was not a peaceful place.

"Brother, it’s been hard on you..."

Zhang Su didn’t know what else to say.

A thousand words could only be condensed into that one sentence.

"Hard... Hahaha, little brother, just knowing that you understand my difficulties makes me very happy."

"Actually, the hardest part is over. Though I married into the Su Family, Zhenzhen treats me very well, and my father-in-law trusts me, placing all of the First Branch’s business in my hands."

"Tell me, what other man who married into his wife’s family is trusted so completely?"

"Now, Zhenzhen and I have Hutou, you’ve established yourself in the Guiyuan Sect, and our little sister is of marriageable age... I’m truly happy. In a few days, the three of us should go visit our parents’ graves..."

As Zhang Chen spoke, he fell asleep.

He had drunk a lot of wine earlier.

Zhang Chen was never a good drinker to begin with.

It was only natural for him to get drunk.

Just then, his sister-in-law, Su Zhenzhen, arrived with servants. Seeing Zhang Chen in this state, she didn’t scold him. Instead, her eyes filled with heartache.

"Little brother, please don’t mind me for being nosy, but your older brother... he carries too much on his mind and bears too many burdens. He is genuinely happy that you could come back this time. I haven’t seen him this happy in a long, long time..."

Su Zhenzhen waved her hand, and the servants carefully helped the young master up and carried him back to his room.

Zhang Su was not drunk.

He had been a little anxious before.

He hadn’t known what would happen when he saw his brother.

But now, his heart was completely at peace.

Returning to his room, Zhang Su took out a Blood Replenishing Pill.

No matter where he was, his Cultivation could not stop.

The night passed peacefully.

In the morning, Zhang Su woke up very early.

In fact, he hadn’t slept at all.

After a full night of Cultivation, he was full of vigor, without the slightest feeling of fatigue.

He sensed the Qi Blood within his body.

’One hundred sixty-eight threads of Qi Blood...’

He was getting closer and closer to two hundred threads of Qi Blood.

"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK."

"Second Young Master, it’s time for breakfast."

Zhang Su opened the door to find Elder Guan outside.

So, Zhang Su followed Elder Guan to the dining hall.

His older brother, sister-in-law, and little sister were basically all there.

His brother looked full of energy as well.

The family finished their breakfast in pleasant harmony, then got up to greet the distinguished guests.

Today was the full moon banquet for Hutou.

The Su Family had invited many distinguished guests, and as the one in charge of the First Branch, Zhang Chen naturally had to go and greet them early.

’Right, I forgot to tell my brother about the Zhenyuan Escort Agency yesterday...’

It wasn’t that Zhang Su had actually forgotten to mention it.

It was just that his brother had been so enthusiastic yesterday.

He had pulled Zhang Su along, seemingly with endless things to say, giving Zhang Su no chance to bring up the Zhenyuan Escort Agency.

However, the people from the Zhenyuan Escort Agency should be returning today.

His brother would find out then, so there was no need to rush.

Soon, guests began to arrive at the Su Family residence one after another.

Zhang Su sat off to the side.

His status was somewhat special.

He was considered a guest.

Therefore, he naturally didn’t need to help with the greetings.

The guests were also divided into several categories.

Ordinary guests were naturally greeted by other members of the Su Family.

Only the most distinguished guests of high status were greeted by Zhang Chen himself.

This showed Zhang Chen’s position in the Su Family; he was indeed the "one in charge."

It was no exaggeration.

’Aside from matters concerning the Su Family’s Third Branch, my brother’s situation in the Su Family is actually very good...’

Just as Zhang Su thought of the Third Branch, he saw people from the Third Branch arrive.

Su Qianhe had arrived.

Following behind him was Su Mulan.

However, beside Su Mulan was a tall, handsome young man with a striking posture.

He exuded a sharp aura.

His temperament was completely different from those around him.

He stood out like a crane among chickens.

A Martial Artist!

The other party was a Martial Artist, and one whose Qi Blood was abundant—a Martial Artist who had broken through the limits of the human body!

It seemed the other party was intentionally releasing some of his Qi Blood aura, which was how Zhang Su was able to sense that he was a Martial Artist who had broken through the limits of the human body.

Such a Martial Artist would be considered one of the best even in the Outer Sect of the Guiyuan Sect, to say nothing of his presence among this crowd of ordinary people. His bearing towered above everyone else.

He was like a bright moon in the night sky, impossible to miss.

"Young Master, that is Jiang Cheng, the one engaged to the Third Branch’s Second Young Miss!"

Elder Guan seemed to have noticed Zhang Su’s gaze and whispered.

’The Qilin’Er of the Jiang Martial Arts Family...’

Zhang Su nodded.

Since arriving in the Prefecture City, he had heard the name "Jiang Cheng" more than once.

Su Mulan and the others walked in.

When Su Mulan saw Zhang Su, her expression changed slightly.

However, it seemed yesterday’s lesson had been too profound. Even with Jiang Cheng by her side, Su Mulan didn’t dare to be too insolent.

She merely whispered to Jiang Cheng, "Brother Cheng, that is Zhang Chen’s younger brother. He joined the Guiyuan Sect a year ago, and his Martial Arts are not weak. Even Uncle Qiao praised him, saying he shouldn’t be underestimated."

Jiang Cheng’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’An Outer Disciple of the Guiyuan Sect? It’s not like I’ve never seen one before. Most Outer Disciples of the Guiyuan Sect are nothing special. They can’t even break through the limits of the human body.’

Jiang Cheng came from a Martial Arts Family, so he knew very well that only a Martial Artist who had broken through the limits of the human body could be considered a genius.

Although he had not joined any Sect, he had broken through the limits of the human body. With over one hundred and fifty threads of Qi Blood, he was an undeniable genius!

’An Outer Disciple who only joined the Guiyuan Sect a year ago? How strong could he possibly be? As for that Su Family guard, Fang Qiao, he’s just someone who’s wandered the Jianghu for a few more years. Not worth mentioning. Su Mulan comes from a merchant family. How could she possibly understand the difference between Martial Artists? The very words "Martial Arts Family" put us far beyond what those common Jianghu Martial Artists can compare to.’

"You must be Zhang Su?"

Jiang Cheng asked, his gaze fixed directly on Zhang Su.

"That’s right. And you are Jiang Cheng?"

"I am. I heard from Lanlan that you cut a lock of her hair with one sword strike yesterday?"

"That did happen. What, do you want revenge?"

Jiang Cheng shook his head and said in a calm tone, "The Su Family’s internal affairs are not for an outsider like me to interfere with. However, since we are both men of arms and of similar age, let us communicate in the way of warriors."

"I have a sword technique that has met no match in Qingquan Prefecture. You are a Major Sect Disciple, so your Swordsmanship must be impressive. I wonder, do you dare to receive a single strike from my sword?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the surroundings fell silent.

At this moment, many eyes fell upon Zhang Su and Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng, they naturally knew of.

The Qilin’Er of the Jiang Family.

He was said to be extremely talented in the Martial Dao.

His fame resounded throughout Qingquan Prefecture.

As for Zhang Su, who stood opposite him...

Many people had never even seen him before.

Upon asking around, they learned he was Zhang Chen’s younger brother.

He had supposedly spent a year at the Guiyuan Sect.

"It seems the conflict between the First and Third Branches can no longer be contained."

"Even though Zhang Su is a Major Sect Disciple, he’s only been in the Guiyuan Sect for a year. And I heard the Su Family had to use silver to buy his spot. How can he possibly compare to Jiang Cheng?"

"Today is a joyous occasion for the Su Family’s First Branch, yet the Third Branch has brought the Jiang Family here to cause trouble. They’re completely tearing off all pretense of civility..."

Those who could attend an event at the Su Family residence were all people of some fame and status in Qingquan Prefecture.

They were naturally aware of some of the Su Family’s circumstances.

Seeing this now, it was clearly an internal conflict within the Su Family.

If this wasn’t handled well, the First Branch’s banquet today would become a laughingstock.

At this moment, Su Zhenzhen and Zhang Chen also walked over.

Su Zhenzhen shouted sternly, "Su Mulan, what do you think you’re doing?"

Su Mulan replied coolly, "Brother Cheng just wants to spar and exchange pointers on Martial Arts with Zhang Su. This is a matter between Martial Artists. What can I do?"

Su Zhenzhen’s brow furrowed.

’Jiang Cheng?’

She had heard of Jiang Cheng’s reputation as well.

He was very famous among the Martial Artists of Qingquan Prefecture.

A true genius of the Martial Dao.

For such a genius to single out Zhang Su for a sparring match?

Clearly, this was the Third Branch making their move!

"Little Brother, you are a guest of my Su Family, and the Su Family will protect you."

Su Zhenzhen then said coldly, "Jiang Cheng, today is the joyous occasion of my son’s full moon celebration. It is not a day for crossing blades..."

However, Jiang Cheng didn’t even spare Su Zhenzhen a glance.

His eyes remained fixed on Zhang Su.

His meaning was clearly simple.

This was a matter between Martial Artists and had nothing to do with anyone else.

He only needed Zhang Su’s nod.

"What, are you scared?"

Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow.

"Little Brother, don’t be rash..."

Zhang Chen also came to Zhang Su’s side, grabbing him and preparing to pull him away.

Suddenly, Zhang Su looked up.

"I was just considering a problem. When my sword is drawn, it draws blood! Can you bear the consequences?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Jiang Cheng’s expression instantly changed.