Chapter 446: Welshing on a Debt?

"Who's there!?"

The burly man gritted his teeth angrily.

He absolutely refused to believe that the Shangguan family’s young miss could possess such formidable martial arts.

Moreover, this style was nothing like the Heavenly Eagle Manual.

So the answer was obvious.

Shangguan Jingjing must have a master backing her up:

"Who’s bold enough to mess with me? If you’ve got the guts to interfere, own up to it!"

"Ha ha ha!"

Su Mo laughed heartily. "Senior, why jump to conclusions? I’ve been right here the whole time, never leaving for even a moment. Why would I act and then hide?"

"Honestly, Senior, it’s your actions that confuse me."

"From your skills, you’re clearly a master, and you’re older than us."

"But you sneak-attack a junior? That’s beneath you."

"You—"

The burly man frowned deeply.

"And who are you?"

"Redhead, have you been hiding in the boonies lately?"

Qi Dingtian burst into laughter. "How do you not know him?"

"Hmm?"

The burly man glanced at Qi Dingtian, his brow furrowed.

"What’re you getting at, Family Head Qi?"

"Have you heard of what happened at Dragonwood Island?"

Qi Dingtian smiled faintly, stroking his beard casually.

"Dragonwood Island..."

The burly man paused for a second before suddenly raising his head.

"The Swordbreaker of Dragonwood!"

"You’re Su Mo?"

"Respects to all Seniors here."

Su Mo cupped his hands in greeting to the assembled crowd.

Hearing this, their faces changed, but no one saw him as just some junior now.

Regardless of whether the rumor was true or false, they all stood up at this moment, cupping their fists in return.

"Right, right, right..."

The burly man with red hair nodded repeatedly, "I never expected to meet such a rising star in martial arts here at the Qi family today. This time, I’ll concede."

"Master Qi... I’ll take my leave."

After saying this, he darted forward, already reaching Young Master Ximen in an instant. He made a grab for him, ready to bolt.

Yet halfway through, he was forced to stop—because Su Mo had already cut him off.

They hadn’t really fought earlier.

One was trying to snatch someone; the other just stepped in to stop him.

Even so, the burly man had got the worse end of it. Now, his fingers screamed with pain, but he refused to show weakness in front of others, playing it off like it was nothing.

He glared furiously at Su Mo:

"Don’t push your luck!"

"..."

Su Mo paused, caught off guard. "Senior, what do you mean? I’m just a nobody—how would I dare to bully you?"

"Then why get in my way?"

The burly man gnashed his teeth.

Su Mo merely smiled faintly:

"You’re free to stay or go, Senior.

"Whether you stay or go is up to Family Head Qi, not with this junior.

"However, before you leave, you’ll have to let the young master go first.

"Otherwise, though my martial arts are lacking, I’d still have to challenge you."

These words made the burly man’s red face turn purple with fury.

Su Mo was clearly the stronger one, yet he made it sound as if he were the one being bullied.

"Test my skills"...

Last "test" cost him two fingers.

If they tried again now, what was next—his whole hand?

Moreover, after the battle at Dragonwood Island, Su Mo had already made a name for himself across the South Sea. Yet here he was, playing the humble junior.

If the burly man fought him now, he’d look like a bully picking on the weak.

Worse yet, he’d lose again.

If this got around, his reputation would be ruined.

This is downright bullying!

The red-haired burly man felt a surge of anger stuck in his chest, and finally, with a fierce release, he let go:

"He's yours."

After saying this, he pushed off with his foot, his robes fluttering in the wind, and vanished without a trace.

Su Mo turned around, cupping a hand over his eyes as he gazed into the distance, shaking his head lightly:

"This Senior is quite fiery-tempered. Still injured, why rush off in such a hurry?

"Why not tend to your wounds first?"

The hall fell silent.

The rescued Young Master Ximen, however, showed little joy. Instead, he cast a puzzled glance at Su Mo and Shangguan Jingjing.

Shangguan Jingjing had already approached him:

"Brother Ximen, are you alright?"

"...I’m fine."

Young Master Ximen nodded slightly, forcing a smile: "Jingjing, you went through a lot coming here."

"It’s nothing. I was sent here by Eldest Brother Su. He was also heading to Tianqi Island and managed to secure tokens for both our families. The journey was smooth sailing all the way."

She hesitated briefly.

Because Wei Ziyi always referred to Su Mo as "Old Su," Shangguan Jingjing had also picked up the habit of calling him that in private, even spreading the nickname to others on the ship, such as Zong Ming and Lan Wangyu...

Hearing Young Master Ximen’s question, she almost blurted it out but quickly realized how out of place it’d sound in this setting.

She hastily corrected herself to "Eldest Brother Su."

Thrilled to see her sweetheart, she failed to notice how Young Master Ximen’s face clouded over at the mention of "Eldest Brother Su."

And when she added "managed to secure," he averted his gaze, his brows tightening.

But at that moment, no one noticed his reaction.

"Hero Su, I was caught up in matters today, and I didn't get to welcome you properly. Please forgive my discourtesy."

Qi Dingtian stepped forward, clasping his fists respectfully.

Su Mo smiled:

"Family Head Qi, you’re too kind. As a Senior in the martial world, I, a newcomer, meant to pay my respects but didn’t want to intrude.

"Unexpectedly, I received your invitation and came straight over at once."

"Hahaha."

Qi Dingtian laughed heartily: "No need to stand on ceremony, Hero Su. If you think highly of this old man, drop by Tianqi Island whenever for a drink.

"Come, come, please have the seat of honor."

"Hmph, since Family Head Qi has guests, we won't overstay our welcome."

Demon Ghost Sword had already risen from the ground, the ghost sword resting against the demon blade's hilt sneering coldly:

"We're leaving to rest now."

With that, he glanced at the bladesman:

"Today, you got lucky. But next time, it's hard to say if you'll have such fortune again."

"Demon Ghost Sword, all talk and no action. If not for Family Head Qi stepping in, today would've been your last."

The bladesman rolled his eyes, unconcerned about whether his phrasing was appropriate or not.

Demon Ghost Sword shot him a murderous look before turning to leave.

"Exhausted..."

The elderly woman who had been seated at the head of the left side also stood up:

"I'm turning in for the night. Old Qi... we'll discuss that matter another time."

"Very well, safe travels, Granny Tie."

Qi Dingtian's attitude toward her was noticeably different from others, with visible caution.

This made Yang Xiaoyun and the others gave Granny Tie a second look.

Yet, they found nothing particularly remarkable about the old woman.

If anything, she had a limp.

When she stood, her stature seemed even smaller, leaning on a wooden cane as she shuffled unsteadily.

She seemed utterly ordinary.

Yang Xiaoyun instinctively looked at Su Mo, wondering if he had noticed anything unusual.

But she saw Su Mo also shaking his head slightly, coming up empty.

Before long, the few people in the hall had all departed.

Only Qi Dingtian and the bladesman remained.

Qi Dingtian glared at the bladesman:

"Aren't you leaving?"

"No way, no how."

The bladesman shook his head repeatedly: "Demon Ghost Sword is definitely lying in wait outside to ambush me. If I leave now, I'm a dead man right here in your Qi Manor.

"That would only bring you a world of trouble...

"For your own good, it's better I stay here."

"..."

Qi Dingtian had no words.

"If you're scared to die, just say so, no need to dress it up... Listening to you, you'd think I was the one about to die."

With that, he hastily gestured for Su Mo and the others to take a seat.

Once everyone had settled in, Qi Dingtian introduced the swordsman to Su Mo.

"This kid’s name is Tang Feng.

"In the martial world, they call him Shadow Blade.

"They say his blade moves like a fleeting shadow—often, you don’t even see the blade—just the shadow—and by the time the shadow drops, so does the head."

After hearing this, Su Mo caught the subtle shifts in Cheng Suying and Duan Renjie’s expressions.

The Canglan Divine Blade also wielded a blade.

Their reaction to the name Shadow Blade suggested they knew something about him.

Tang Feng, though, wasn’t having it:

"Nickname? Seriously?

"This is a title earned out of respect from fellow martial artists!

"You’re getting more clueless by the day, old man..."

At this point, he glanced at Su Mo again, giving a sly wink and saying:

"So, I’ve heard the stories about Longmu Island.

"But the rumors are way out of hand.

"They say the Lord of Longmu Island was some thousand-year-old monster who just wouldn’t die, yet you cut him down with a single sword stroke?

"Others say the island itself was cursed, not the man.

"That with one look, you saw right through it all, and later shattered Longmu Island with one sword strike—

"To keep it from corrupting the world!

"So, I wonder, is any of it true?"

Su Mo couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity.

Ever since those people spread the tale, the stories about Longmu Island had spiraled into nonsense.

All sorts of wild versions were making the rounds.

Some of the crazier ones, aside from the tale of the sword shattering Longmu Island, was the claim that Su Mo was a celestial being who descended to earth, aware of the demonic presence on Longmu Island, and thus unleashed divine might to vanquish evil.

Pure nonsense, getting wilder with every retelling.

For one, Su Mo had no clue how the "shattering Longmu Island" tale got pinned on him.

That was all Shi Cheng!

After the incident, Shi Cheng had explained it to him.

Meng Feifan had tricked him into trying to stop Su Mo.

The original words of this person were as follows:

"Who would have thought that the paths within that cave would be so incredibly complex, with ghostly shadows everywhere.

"I grew wary, and I sought to uncover its mysteries.

"Yet, the further I ventured, the more I was hindered by a labyrinth, ultimately triggering the island's hidden mechanisms, which led to its total collapse."

And then came the even wilder claims...

They said that after Su Mo shattered Dragonwood Island with his sword, he simply whipped up towering waves to carry all the large ships present away from the chaotic, rock-strewn sea.

Such a clearly far-fetched tale somehow spread far and wide.

At this rate, it felt like Su Mo's ship would soon be hailed as some divine vessel.

Now, seeing that even Tang Feng, the Shadow Blade, was asking about it, Su Mo could only reply:

"Most martial world rumors are unreliable.

"They’re downright exaggerated.

"If I really had the power to shatter Dragonwood Island with a sword, wouldn’t I just stride up to heaven?"

"Hahahaha!"

Tang Feng laughed heartily. "Well put!"

"Su... Eldest Brother Su..."

Shangguan Jingjing's voice spoke up just then.

Su Mo turned to look and saw Young Master Ximen still standing there like a statue. Suddenly, it dawned on him:

"My mistake."

He walked up to Young Master Ximen, lifted two fingers, and tapped lightly.

Young Master Ximen stood frozen.

Su Mo paused, frowning, and was about to try again when Tang Feng spoke up:

"The Fire Taoist's unique pressure-point sealing technique is quite formidable. Don’t brute-force it..."

Before he could finish, Su Mo's fingers had already landed on Young Master Ximen. With two taps and a gentle palm strike, the blocked pressure points in Young Master Ximen's body unlocked at once.

Young Master Ximen drew a sharp breath.

He gave Su Mo a complicated look and said:

"Thank you."

"Young Master Ximen, no need for thanks."

Su Mo gave a slight nod, then turned to Tang Feng:

"Senior Tang, what were you saying earlier?"

"...It’s nothing."

Tang Feng's lips twitched, thinking that even if most of the rumors about Dragonwood Island were false, the fact that your martial arts skills are formidable was undoubtedly true, he thought.

Fire Taoist's pressure-point sealing technique was uniquely ingenious, specializing in blocking energy channels and locking vital points.

It didn’t target just one point but instead blocked several key areas, ultimately interlinking the entire body.

Without knowing the technique, forcing it open by strength alone would be extremely difficult.

Yet Su Mo’s method of releasing the pressure points looked effortless.

Tang Feng couldn’t help but marvel to himself, though his eyes flickered with an odd gleam, as if pondering something unknown.

Meanwhile, Young Master Ximen turned his gaze to Qi Dingtian:

"Family Head Qi, I only came here because I was abducted by Fire Taoist.

"Now that I’ve escaped that danger, I shouldn't overstay my welcome. Please allow us to take our leave."

Shangguan Jingjing blinked in surprise. "Brother Ximen..."

"Jingjing, will you come with me?"

He looked up at her, his gaze strangely tentative.

Shangguan Jingjing was thoroughly confused, wondering why the man she loved was acting so strange today.

Of course, she would leave with him—but why now?

Still, hadn't she come all this way, even breaking with her family, just to follow him from Tianqi Island?

Without hesitation, she nodded. Young Master Ximen lit up with joy, only for Shangguan Jingjing to add:

"But we must give Eldest Brother Su an explanation first."

"An... explanation?"

To Young Master Ximen, it was as if thunder had crashed in his ears.

Why would you need to explain anything to him for leaving with me?

Instinctively, he turned to Su Mo.

As their eyes met, Su Mo smiled faintly:

"Young Master Ximen, pardon my frankness.

"Though Fire Taoist has left, he may not be far.

"Departing now is hardly the best choice. I urge you to think twice about this.

"If you were to fall into his hands again... who knows what might happen."

The advice was sound, but Young Master Ximen wasn't hearing any of it.

He couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh:

"Hero Su’s unmatched skills naturally make my amateur skills unworthy of notice."

"However, one must have self-respect and self-love in life—how can one choose to degrade oneself?

"Living under someone else's protection, how can it last?"

With these words, he stepped forward and seized Shangguan Jingjing’s wrist:

"Jingjing, come with me."

"Don’t be hasty, Young Master Ximen. Of course, I’ll go with you...

"But Eldest Brother Su—"

She had intended to blurt out her arrangement with Su Mo.

Yet, how could she say such things in front of everyone?

After all, it involved the inheritance of the Ximen Family. Even if Young Master Ximen didn’t care and she herself thought little of it, speaking of it now would only invite unwanted greed.

Moreover, she couldn’t understand why Young Master Ximen was acting so crazy today.

Su Mo was just being reasonable—why such an extreme reaction?

Little did she know, that’s just how love works.

The more you care, the more you worry. The slightest misstep leads to paranoid thoughts.

What’s more, no guy can stand to see the woman he loves praise another man in his presence—especially when that man is actually better than him.

Shangguan Jingjing, clueless about this, had put her foot in her mouth today.

Having been apart for over ten days, the thought of her spending all this time with Su Mo, calling him "Eldest Brother Su" so intimately, made him sick with jealousy.

Too worked up to think straight, all he wanted was to take Shangguan Jingjing away immediately.

Now, hearing her repeatedly mention Su Mo, he snapped:

"What’s he got to do with us!?

"You’ve only known him for a few days, yet you keep calling him 'Eldest Brother Su' like that.

"So cozy! Do you... do you even care about me?"

These words were a furious outburst.

Wei Ziyi, sitting nearby sipping her tea, watched them bicker without much concern.

After all, couples fight and make up—hardly a big deal. She was just here for the drama.

But just as she was relishing the drama, this sudden outburst caught her completely off guard.

She almost sprayed tea all over Little Situ's head.

Coughing uncontrollably...

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun were completely stunned.

What the hell was all this?

Moreover, when Shangguan Jingjing was on the ship, she never addressed Su Mo like this. Why was she suddenly calling him "Eldest Brother Su" now?

They had no idea the poor girl just didn’t know what else to call him.

While Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun stared at each other in confusion, Shangguan Jingjing’s eyes flared with anger:

"Xi Menhuai!

"You... you doubt me!?"

She was hot-tempered.

For Xi Menhuai, she had abandoned her identity as Young Miss Shangguan, even disguising herself as a mere crew member on the ship. She braved Su Mo’s so-called "den of demons," all for the sake of being with him.

She never expected to be accused like this by the one she loved.

In that moment, she felt utterly heartbroken.

She yanked her hand away violently from Xi Menhuai’s grip and jabbed a finger toward the door:

"Go!"

"...You’re telling me to leave?"

"Go!!"

Shangguan Jingjing roared.

"Fine! I’ll go—just as you wish!"

Xi Menhuai threw Su Mo a hateful look, then turned and marched out.

Qi Dingtian stood there, stunned. Was this even his house anymore? Since when did guests kick each other out?

As Xi Menhuai slammed the door behind him, Shangguan Jingjing broke down sobbing.

For a moment, both Qi Dingtian and Su Mo were at a total loss.

Su Mo glanced at the weeping Shangguan Jingjing, then at the vanished Xi Menhuai, getting even more confused:

"These two... they wouldn’t be trying to ditch their debt, would they?"

Sighing to himself, he turned to look behind him.

Fu Hanyuan immediately quietly slipped away and followed, while Cheng Suying grabbed Duan Renjie’s arm, and the two of them went after Xi Menhuai as well.

No way were they getting out of paying...

Whatever spat this couple was in, it was beside the point.

After hauling Shangguan Jingjing all the way to Tianqi Island—saving her, unblocking her meridians—they better hand over that damn chart. No way around it.