Chapter 50: Unbreakable Bond, Love Deep in the Heart

When a person has nothing left to rely on, they often become stronger. (Gu Long)
……
The Great Sword King calculated the time—he had held on for twenty minutes already. Shui’er must have escaped this dangerous area by now. Finally, he could hold on no longer. His body went limp as he knelt down, covered in blood, his hair standing on end like that of a blood demon from hell. But he no longer had any strength; in fact, he was utterly exhausted, for the last belief that sustained him had vanished……
The “Scorching Sun” sword was the only thing holding him up, preventing him from falling despite being on his knees. This once-iron-strong man now had neither will nor strength, waiting only for death to come……
The six assassins had known from the start that the Great Sword King would eventually collapse from exhaustion and die…… But what they didn’t understand was why this giant would do such a thing, why he would rather die than let them take a single step forward.
Perhaps they would never know or understand, but it no longer mattered, because…… the swords were cold, and the assassins were heartless. In the name of death, they approached his barely recognizable form.
Six swords pierced at once. If they struck through, his body would be riddled with wounds, and even the ancient gods would be powerless to save him.
“Clang……” The sound of weapons colliding. With his eyes closed, the Great Sword King couldn’t believe what he heard. He opened his eyes sharply—it was her…… Shui’er.
He tried to rise, but his body was not only in excruciating pain but also devoid of any strength. It seemed only his eyes could move……
“The Sky-Sweeping Silk” fluttered around Shui’er, her beautiful figure illuminated by the moonlight. If not for the circumstances, the Great Sword King would have thought he was seeing a fairy descending from heaven.
Shui’er slowly backed away warily, then leaned toward him and crouched down, supporting him. The Great Sword King tried to speak but couldn’t open his mouth, for he had no strength left……
It was tears—tears of sorrow, Shui’er’s tears. She shook her head desperately and said, “I know. You told me to keep running forward, never to look back. But…… I tried. I just can’t do it, really.”
The Great Sword King struggled to speak, saying, “You…… are so foolish. You could have left.”
The six assassins were stunned as well. They didn’t understand why this woman had left and then returned. Did she really not fear death?
Shui’er was in tears, saying through her sobs, “I won’t give up. If this is truly fate, then we’ll die together. Although I didn’t follow your advice, I know I did the right thing.”
One of the assassins finally spoke, pointing his long sword at the two of them and saying viciously, “You’re talking so much. Blame it on your meddling.”
Suddenly, somehow finding strength, the Great Sword King shouted, “Nonsense!” The word, along with his blood, sprayed onto the face of the assassin across from him.

Just as the assassin was about to strike, a thunderous voice rang out in the air: “Nonsense… Brilliant, truly brilliant. Let the jianghu handle its own affairs—that’s what real men and heroes are like. Just because of what you said today, Wolf King won’t let you die.” As soon as the words faded, a gust of wind swept through the group. When the wind stopped, a middle-aged man dressed like a scholar—wearing a gray robe, a leisurely headband, and holding a folding fan—appeared among them.

Great Sword King looked up at Wolf King, straining to speak: “Do… you know? At this moment, seeing you… is the only time… the only time I’m not disgusted by you.”

Wolf King snapped open his folding fan with a sound and smiled at him, saying, “It really is true that people meet everywhere in life. Great Sword King, you’ve really impressed me. In just a few months, you’ve got beautiful women around you, a famous sword, and even a stylish haircut. By the way, where did you get it? Tell me so I can get a trendy haircut too.”

Shui’er rushed over anxiously, “Who are you? He’s about to die, and you’re still joking around!”

The six assassins were also shocked by this sudden appearance and stared at the man…

Wolf King glanced at Shui’er and asked, “Are you so concerned about his life? Looking at him, he should have fainted by now… Oh, right! I remember now. Does Great Sword King want to watch me kill these people?”

Great Sword King didn’t say anything, only nodding weakly. It turned out that what kept him going until the end was hatred…

At that moment, one of the assassins asked, “Who are you, daring to interfere in the affairs of the Hidden Gate?”

Suddenly, Wolf King’s right eye turned a dark green. The green light flashed briefly, and at a speed beyond belief, Wolf King raised his left hand. With a sharp sound, a white curved blade over two feet long appeared in his middle finger—it resembled more of a claw than a curved sword.

A white light flashed before the six men’s eyes. Wolf King lowered his left hand and leisurely fanned himself, saying, “You’re not worthy of speaking to me, because you’re just tools.”

The six assassins stared at Wolf King in disbelief, unable to speak again, for the white light had already severed their throats.

Watching the six dead assassins, Great Sword King finally closed his eyes and collapsed…

Shui’er couldn’t believe it. Rubbing her eyes, she asked urgently, “Who are you? There’s no one like you among the top six swordsmen today.”

Wolf King looked at Shui’er and said, “I’m just an idle person, just like Great Sword King—someone who loves to meddle in others’ affairs. If you don’t want Great Sword King to die, then carry him on your back and come with me… Don’t ask so many questions.” With that, he turned and walked forward. But at the moment he turned, Wolf King looked at Shui’er as she struggled to lift the heavy man on her back and smiled knowingly…

Sweat dripped down, but Shui’er wasn’t tired. Her back gradually bent, but she told herself she must persevere. Finally, Wolf King stopped at an abandoned temple and said, “Put him down first. Let’s rest. I’ll heal him.”

Shui’er entered the ruined temple and set down the Great Sword King. Eventually, she could no longer stand and fainted along with him… Shui’er herself was also severely injured, but it was the Great Sword King’s inspiration that kept her going—that belief telling her not to give up. Now that they had reached a safe place, she could no longer hold on…

The Wolf King waved his folding fan and said, “Poor girl…”

He slowly walked over, placing the two of them on opposite sides, then took out a white bag and a yellow bag from his clothes. Opening one while muttering to himself, he said, “As for this Great Sword King, it’s fortunate he encountered my golden needles; otherwise, even the gods couldn’t save him. And as for that silly girl, let the silver needles save her.”

The Wolf King quickly inserted the golden and silver needles into their bodies. Shui’er showed no reaction, but for the Great Sword King, with each golden needle inserted, his body emitted a stronger yellow light. By the end, his body radiated golden light, illuminating the ruined temple like a sacred Buddhist site.

The Wolf King clapped his hands and said, “This ‘Light of the Buddhist Sea’ technique was learned on the Holy Mountain years ago. It seems it’s finally come in handy this time. It’s a shame I still need to practice my golden needles—what a loss…”