### Chapter 98: A Heavy Gift

### Chapter 98: A Heavy Gift

The night passed quietly, and before long, dawn broke.

Early in the morning, Su Mo was awakened by Guo Chong's voice outside the door.

"Has Chief Escort Su Mo risen yet? I've brought your breakfast."

Su Mo opened his eyes to see Yang Xiaoyun opening the door and taking the tray from Guo Chong. He immediately got up.

"Why go to the trouble of having Master Guo deliver it personally?"

"No trouble at all," Guo Chong quickly replied. "Everyone says that Chief Escort Su Mo has been working tirelessly these days. Yesterday, you spent over two hours transferring qi to Lord Liu. This life-saving grace is something we can't repay easily. Doing small things like this is the least we can do, so please don't refuse."

As he spoke, he swiftly arranged the breakfast items from the tray. "Now, eat while I step out. Call me when you're done, and I'll come back to clean up."

"Thank you, but would Master Guo like to join us?"

"I've already eaten."

Guo Chong waved his hands as he turned to leave.

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun exchanged a glance, both feeling a bit amused and exasperated.

This Guo Chong was the one who, despite knowing it was futile, had tried to fight dozens of Youquan Cult members with Black Heart Palm under Pinjian Tower that day. Since then, he had held Su Mo in high regard.

"This Master Guo is quite a character," Yang Xiaoyun said as she poured Su Mo a cup of tea.

Su Mo shook his head. "He's just too polite."

"Although the world of martial arts is full of intrigue, human kindness and brotherhood have never been lacking."

Yang Xiaoyun served Su Mo some porridge and placed it in front of him, then served herself a bowl. "No matter what, you saved their lives, so they owe you a great debt. From now on, traveling through the martial world will be much easier. What Miss Wei said last night, I agree with completely."

"What did she say?"

"That this battle will make you famous, and Ziyang Escort Agency will surely flourish."

Yang Xiaoyun looked at Su Mo, her eyes sparkling.

Flourish...

Su Mo let out a soft breath and shook his head. "We still need to take it step by step. In such turbulent times, we must be cautious."

"You're right."

Yang Xiaoyun nodded. "I was worried about how to advise you, but now I see that my concerns were unfounded. By the time we return to Sunset City, news of this will likely have spread far and wide. Then, some will admire and respect you, others will fear you, but there will also be those who will hate you...

"The swordsman yesterday was right; there are many mediocre people in the martial world. If others remain mediocre, they will befriend them. But if someone stands out, some will develop resentment.

"Sigh... It's a complicated situation. Human hearts are never simply black or white."

She paused, glanced at Su Mo, and smiled. "Throughout our journey, your martial arts skills have been extraordinary. Whether it was the Ghost King of Yin Mountain, the Sword Leader of Qijue Hall, or even the three Commanders of Youquan Cult working together, none could defeat you.

"But your exceptional martial arts skills only earn half my admiration.

"Having such skills and still being cautious, avoiding any mistakes, is what I truly admire about you."

"Xiaoyun, you're starting to admire me now?"

Su Mo smiled. "I'm flattered."

"Behave..."

Yang Xiaoyun rolled her eyes, but for some reason, if Su Mo had said this in the past, she might have been annoyed by his flippancy. Now, however, she felt relaxed, almost as if enjoying a fine wine, pleasantly intoxicated without actually drinking.

Just as she was feeling this way, footsteps approached the door. It was Guo Chong returning.

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun looked up at him. Guo Chong hurriedly said, "Chief Escort Su Mo, Lord Liu has woken up and wants to see you."

...

...

Liu Suifeng had indeed woken up, but he still looked very weak, his face pale.

When Su Mo arrived, Liu Suifeng was holding a bowl of medicine, looking at it with a serious expression.

"What's wrong?"

Su Mo glanced at Xu Xian beside him.

Xu Xian shook his head. "I don't understand either. The medicine I prepared for Lord Liu should be just right, but I don't know why he hesitates to drink it... It shouldn't be too hot."

"Lord Liu?"

Su Mo glanced at Liu Suifeng.

Liu Suifeng nodded and said to Xu Xian, "Doctor Xu... could you wait outside for a moment?"

"Sure."

Xu Xian did not say more, turned around, and left, closing the door behind him.

Liu Suifeng looked at the bowl of medicine in his hand, feeling a slight sense of relief. He set it aside and said to Su Mo:

"Commander Su, please don't laugh. Over these past few days, you've been running around tirelessly to remove the three demonic arts from my body and have even transferred your vital energy to me... I, Liu Suifeng, have never received such great kindness from anyone before, and I truly do not know how to thank you."

With that, he took out a book from his robe and handed it to Su Mo. "This is my collection of swordsmanship insights and the manual for the Heavenly Rainbow Heart-Quest Sword Technique that I have refined over the years. I offer it to Commander Su as a token of gratitude."

"This... this cannot be accepted."

Su Mo quickly waved his hand. "The Heavenly Rainbow Heart-Quest Sword Technique is the family secret art of the Jade Willow Villa, and I've never heard of it being passed on to outsiders."

"There has been."

Liu Suifeng smiled. "In the past, our ancestors taught many non-family members, but... the eighty-one forms of the Heavenly Rainbow Heart-Quest Sword Technique failed to bring them fame in the martial world. Over time, no one came seeking it. After so many years of wandering, no one knew that the technique could actually be passed on to outsiders.

"However, there were two reasons: first, there was no suitable successor, and second, even if it were passed on, it would not be done so completely.

"Commander Su, with your noble character, you are not an ordinary person. This martial art is merely an enhancement for you, not a lifeline. It is a small gesture to repay the kindness you and the Jade Willow Villa have shown me."

"..."

Su Mo looked at the sword manual in Liu Suifeng's hand, unsure whether to accept it.

After a moment's hesitation, Su Mo said solemnly, "Lord Liu, such a generous gift makes me hesitant to accept it."

"Commander Su, don't overthink it."

Liu Suifeng smiled gently. "I know you worry that I might use this to pressure you into... that matter. But rest assured, that issue is settled. This manual is purely a token of my gratitude. Please do not refuse it."