Chapter 41 : Offense

Chapter 41: Offense?

“Are these two the disciples of the Sword Saint of Cangshan?”

Li Yunqing’s gaze fell upon the two figures beside Hall Master Liu.

One man and one woman, both around thirty years old, dressed entirely in spotless white, their figures upright, faintly exuding sharpness.

It subtly echoed the long swords in their hands from afar.

The woman’s features were delicate, her bearing heroic; the man’s appearance was handsome, his expression solemn. Both radiated competence and decisiveness.

Especially their eyes—bright as if sunlight had been captured within them—seemed capable of reflecting one’s heart, yet also like pure sword energy converging, piercing straight into the soul.

While Li Yunqing was observing them, they were likewise observing her.

“What a beautiful woman!”

“What an ethereal aura!”

Such thoughts arose in both their minds.

Especially the man—upon seeing Li Yunqing’s exquisitely delicate and charming face, he visibly froze.

Though his eyes remained clear and bright, they did not blink, fixed directly upon her.

Even the woman slightly bit her lip at this moment, remaining silent.

“Ah…”

Seeing their reactions, Hall Master Liu let out an almost imperceptible sigh.

His gaze swept over Li Yunqing, a trace of helplessness flashing through his eyes.

When he had first met Li Yunqing, her appearance and figure had indeed been outstanding, but still within reason.

Yet in less than twenty days, this little girl had blossomed. Clearly only fifteen, yet her figure had become alluring and captivating.

Her skin was fairer than snow, her delicate and charming face more radiant than a hundred flowers.

Even the disciples of the Sword Saint of Cangshan had been drawn in.

At such close distance, he could even hear the heartbeat of the male disciple of the Sword Saint—it had become disordered.

“This must be a charm-bearing physique!”

Thinking of how the disciples in the Martial Hall fought daily just for a chance to come to the Medical Hall to collect medicinal soup, Hall Master Liu’s lips twitched.

Martial practitioners, nourished by medicine, indeed experienced rapid bodily changes.

But he had never expected that in less than twenty days, Li Yunqing’s figure would become so full and shapely, her waist slender as a willow.

Even her legs were straight and long—every movement revealing the allure of a woman’s form.

She exuded a mesmerizing charm, the kind that naturally arose when beauty reached a certain degree.

Charm itself came in two forms—of flesh and of bone.

Like Li Yunqing, whose fleshly form was flawless and whose bone structure was enchanting—this was undoubtedly a charm-bearing physique.

Fortunately, Li Yunqing’s temperament was quiet, her aura ethereal, giving others a sense of cold distance.

If she were like ordinary girls—lively and sociable, mingling freely with the Martial Hall disciples—

then every disciple in the hall would likely revolve around her, unable to focus on martial practice.

“I am Lu Xingzhou. Greetings, Miss Yunqing!”

“I am Xun Fei. Greetings, Miss Yunqing!”

After regaining their senses, the two quickly cupped their fists and spoke, their expressions calm and composed—as if being captivated by beauty moments ago had never happened.

Yet their gazes still lingered on Li Yunqing.

Beautiful things in the world always made people pause.

Let alone a girl who resembled an immortal maiden.

Even without a word from her, both of them felt goodwill and a sense of closeness arise in their hearts.

“Yunqing greets you both!”

Li Yunqing returned the courtesy calmly, her eyes turning toward Hall Master Liu, a faint doubt arising in her heart.

She rarely went out and had almost no interaction with people of the martial world.

The Sword Saint of Cangshan was a legendary figure, a senior in the martial world, and the founder of the Cangshan Sword Sect.

Rumor had it that even supreme grandmasters would treat him seriously, not daring to withstand a single strike from him.

For such a figure to seek out someone as unknown as her—what could it be for?

“They came to visit to ask you to detoxify the Sword Saint of Cangshan.”

After speaking, Hall Master Liu looked toward Lu Xingzhou.

This man was the Sword Saint’s eldest disciple. Though his cultivation had only just entered the Qi Realm, his swordsmanship was astonishing.

It was even rumored that he had already condensed a Sword Heart—destined to become a powerhouse of the sword path.

Sensing Hall Master Liu’s gaze, Lu Xingzhou stepped forward several paces. Just as he was about to speak, both the sword in his hand and the heart in his chest suddenly trembled simultaneously.

A trace of shock flashed through his eyes as he lightly tapped his toes.

“Whoosh!”

In almost an instant, Lu Xingzhou arrived before Li Yunqing, only one step away.

He could even clearly smell the faint, elegant fragrance emanating from her.

“Senior Brother?” Xun Fei was startled, not understanding.

Getting this close to a young woman was far too improper.

At this moment, even Hall Master Liu grew puzzled—had this proud disciple of the Sword Saint really just rushed forward upon seeing a beautiful girl?

Was it really this direct?

Li Yunqing frowned slightly and was just about to step back when Lu Xingzhou’s right hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.

“You!”

Li Yunqing was startled. With a sweep of her left hand at her waist, three highly toxic silver needles instantly appeared between her fingers. Just as she was about to flick them out, Lu Xingzhou suddenly spoke.

“You actually possess Innate Sword Bones!”

The moment these words fell, Hall Master Liu froze, his eyes flashing with brilliance, his expression filled with astonishment.

He had never thought Li Yunqing’s aptitude was particularly outstanding. Coupled with Ghost Granny having already taken her as a disciple, he had not paid much attention.

Yet unexpectedly, this young girl possessed Innate Sword Bones—a genius of the sword path.

“Innate Sword Bones!”

Xun Fei paused, her eyes instantly lighting up.

If they could bring her back to Great Cangshan, their master would definitely accept her as a personal disciple.

“Let go!”

Li Yunqing shouted coldly, her brows filled with frost. The silver needles in her left hand flickered, less than an inch away from Lu Xingzhou’s neck.

Talking was one thing—why resort to touching?

If she had sensed even the slightest malicious intent, Lu Xingzhou would already be dead.

“My apologies, Miss Yunqing. I was momentarily excited—please forgive me!”

Feeling the sharpness at his neck, Lu Xingzhou quickly released her, apologizing sincerely. “Innate Sword Bones signify a sword path genius. I meant no offense.”

He stepped back and bowed.

Li Yunqing retreated two steps, rubbing her wrist, recalling her own innate sword bone trait.

Yet she had not expected that others could actually sense it.

She lowered her head and looked—five reddish finger marks were clearly visible on her wrist.

“I didn’t use force… such delicate skin!”

Seeing the marks, Lu Xingzhou instantly recalled the sensation from earlier—the softness and smoothness, like grasping a piece of warm, moist jade.

A strange sense of loss arose in his heart, but he still spoke again, “My apologies, Miss Yunqing. I truly only sensed the Innate Sword Bones—I meant no offense.”

“Miss Yunqing, would you be willing to cultivate swordsmanship?”

“Innate Sword Bones are born for the sword path. Whether in cultivation speed or the power of sword techniques, you would surpass ordinary people by fifty percent.”

“No need! Please leave!”

Li Yunqing’s tone was completely unceremonious. She had almost no goodwill toward someone who behaved so handsy.

Especially when they had just met, and he had stared at her so intently.

Though she knew it was a man’s instinct—and normally she wouldn’t care—once it involved physical contact, it was a different matter.

Or rather, no matter how harsh someone’s words were—even if they killed her—she could ignore it.

But touching her body was absolutely unacceptable.

Women were one thing—men absolutely not.

Sensing the tension and hearing the coldness in Li Yunqing’s voice, Lu Xingzhou cursed himself inwardly for acting so impulsively.

Even if he had sensed Innate Sword Bones, he should not have behaved like that—especially toward a woman.

“Miss Yunqing, we truly meant no offense!” Xun Fei quickly stepped forward and said gently, “We came today to ask you to detoxify our master.”

“Have you ever heard of the Poison of Nine Infants?”

Li Yunqing felt speechless. Coming to seek medical help yet daring to behave so improperly—did they not know how to write the word ‘death’?

With the Medicine King Scripture in her possession, there was no poison or illness in this world she had not heard of or could not treat.

The Poison of Nine Infants was merely a type of snake venom, rumored to originate from the blood of the ancient ferocious beast Nine Infants, containing eighty-one variations.

Miss even one variation, and the poison remained essentially untreated.

But at this moment, she did not hesitate in the slightest. Without even thinking, she spoke.

Her voice remained clear and pleasant, carrying an ethereal calm.

“Never heard of it!”

“Can’t treat it!”

“Please leave!”