Published: March 7, 2025
Chapter 287: Timely Escape
On the blade of this sword, there was a sun emblem. For Chu Yang, this was crystal clear: because he had personally engraved it.
However, at this moment, Chu Yang seemed to have discovered a new continent, gazing at the emblem with fondness, his eyes deep and thoughtful for a long time.
After a while, he finally returned the sword and said, “Thank you for your trust, Brother Ao!”
Ao Xieyun replied, “Why be so polite, Brother Chu? This sword was merely seized; if you like it, feel free to take it and study it for a few days.”
Chu Yang laughed heartily, repeatedly declining, thinking to himself, if I really ran off with it, you would surely fight me to the death!
Only then did Ao Xieyun take the sword back, smiling as he said, “Regarding the secrets of this sword, I’ve just done a round of study, but still found nothing; I wonder if Brother Chu has any insights?”
“Honestly, I have none,” Chu Yang sincerely replied. “However, it seems I’ve heard that the Flame Sun Blade needs to be paired with the Nether Moon Sword to unlock its full potential. But…after so many years, it’s hard to say how true that is.”
A strange light flashed in Ao Xieyun's eyes, and he replied meaningfully, “Brother Chu is correct.”
Thus, the three of them returned side by side.
On the way back, they encountered a display of banners; it was the arrival of the Fifth Minister.
This was a moment of pause, as the Fifth Minister surely came to have a look.
With a command, the approaching troops halted, and the cavalry split aside, revealing a carriage in the center.
As the curtains were lifted, they saw the Fifth Minister sitting calmly inside, her expression serene.
Upon seeing Ao Xieyun and Chu Yang standing together, both tall and with inscrutable expressions, the Fifth Minister furrowed her brows deeply.
“Ah, it’s Young Master Ao and the two Young Masters Chu,” the Fifth Minister said, remaining still in her carriage, her tone indifferent.
A chill ran through Chu Yang's heart.
The order of her words was reversed. If she truly acknowledged his identity, she should have said: “Ah, it’s the two Young Masters Chu and Young Master Ao.”
But now she had placed Ao Xieyun before herself.
What did this imply?
Chu Yang's face remained impassive, but he quickly made a decision in his heart: there was no need to wait for the conflict over the Nether Moon Sword to erupt. As long as they left the Fifth Minister's sight today, the two Young Masters Chu must—immediately disappear!
Otherwise, it would be too late!
“Fifth Minister,” the three of them smiled and bowed simultaneously.
“It seems that the Flame Sun Blade has been obtained by the Ao Family,” the Fifth Minister said with a smile. “Congratulations, Young Master Ao.”
“Just a stroke of luck,” Ao Xieyun humbly replied. “We need to see if we can unlock its secrets… as the Minister knows, this is not a simple task.”
“Ha, I believe Young Master Ao has that capability,” the Fifth Minister said with a laugh, her eyes fixed on the sword in Ao Xieyun's hand.
For this sword that had stirred up such a storm, the Fifth Minister both despised and was curious about it.
“Minister, please take a look,” Ao Xieyun smiled generously as he handed over the sword. Yin Wutian stepped forward, took the sword, and passed it to the Fifth Minister.
With a casual wave, the Fifth Minister nearly silently cut a knight’s large blade beside the carriage into two.
“It truly is a fine sword!” the Fifth Minister exclaimed, then gazed at the sun emblem on the sword, deep in thought. After a while, Yin Wutian returned the sword.
“The three Young Masters should take their leave. I intended to head to the palace to clean up the aftermath. It’s unavoidable that I will need to visit Young Master Ao,” the Fifth Minister said with a slight smile. “May I ask when the two Young Masters Chu plan to return?”
“When it’s time to leave, we must go,” Chu Yang said with a subtle smile. “For now, we still need to trouble the Minister for a while longer.”