Cohabitation with Sword Spirit

Chapter 371 - 108: Zhao Jincheng—One Point

March 8, 2018

For Zhao Jincheng, the development of this battle could be described as full of twists and turns, thrilling and heart-pounding.

In the early morning, he left Shen City full of ambition, leading his team into the mountains spanning thousands of miles, the Chaos Battlefield. However, shortly after entering the mountains, they encountered a once-in-a-century subterranean storm, causing four teammates to disappear one after another, leaving him completely alone.

Then, Zhao Jincheng used the Golden Jade Secret Technique to pierce through the mist, discovering that everything was being manipulated by a hidden hand. Just as he was preparing to sweep away everything with unstoppable force, he was surprised to see a familiar face.

It was the one who had rescued him and brought him back to Shen City when he was lost in the mountains... Of course, that identity didn’t matter; what mattered was.

He was Shen Qingming’s elder brother.

Although the information showed that Mr. Wang Jiu, as an Honored Guest Elder of the Li Family, lived in Shen Garden in Cyan Cloud City — which was Qingming’s home — closely guiding Qingming’s cultivation. But according to other gossip, the two were extremely close, far surpassing the typical master-disciple relationship. In daily life, Shen Qingming showed a strong dependence on Wang Jiu, yet displayed no respect in behavior and speech. However, Mr. Wang Jiu, given his status and position, never minded Shen Qingming’s casual behavior; instead, he showed strong indulgence. Moreover, there were no further intimate gestures between them as would be expected between a couple.

Combining these characteristics, Zhao Jincheng easily concluded that their relationship was likely the legendary one of being as close as siblings.

Only a mischievous younger sister would treat her brother with both reliance and unruliness, and only an older brother would guide her sternly yet pamper her helplessly. No other relationship could satisfy these conditions.

Although they had different surnames and no blood relation, this intimate relationship was already enough.

Enough for Zhao Jincheng to regard Wang Jiu as his brother-in-law and treat him with respect.

In Zhao Jincheng’s view, this brother-in-law Wang Jiu should be considered second only to grandfather Shen Ruoshi, as the most worthwhile individual to befriend or even curry favor with.

Because undoubtedly, he was the person who influenced Shen Qingming the most.

Many people hold the misconception during love and marriage that currying favor with the father and mother-in-law will resolve all problems, but this is a fallacy. Indeed, the biggest influence on a marriage is usually the woman’s parents, but the one who influences the woman the most is often her peers. Most people experience a generation gap when communicating with elders, merely following orders, but the behavior and speech of peers can genuinely shape a person’s worldview.

If the father and mother-in-law speak ill of him to Qingming, she might just think it’s due to the elders’ dislike. But if the brother-in-law badmouths him, the future married life could become dramatically colorful...

So from any angle, Zhao Jincheng felt he had to appease the brother-in-law.

Even in a situation like this.

The roulette in his hand, ready to unleash, was crushed by himself, and the subsequent thirteen transformation moves vanished from his mind. In an instant, Zhao Jincheng put on a bright and sunny smile.

"Brother-in-law, is that you? What a coincidence, meeting you here. Are you here to hunt Demon Essence too? That subterranean storm just now was so dangerous."

At this moment, Zhao Jincheng’s smile was so radiant and sunny that a group of Li Family members plotting an ambush found it difficult to face his openness directly.

Despite being a shameless pervert with an eye for 14-year-old girls, Zhao Jincheng was truly a gentleman in every other aspect.

"But in the end, he’s a shameless pervert, no matter how well he pretends." Li Chaolu was the first to express her attitude in the team channel with whispered words.

"Exactly, exactly. Even in our circle, a pedophile is the lowest of the low." Li Xinyu hurriedly expressed disdain, as if his long-standing low status in the team could be elevated.

"But it’s hard to strike someone who wears a smile. His attitude really makes it difficult to act." As Li Chaolu spoke, she gripped the Flying Sword in her hand, finding the situation problematic.

"If it’s hard to strike, then kick instead! What’s there to hesitate about?"

Li Wanqing also felt resigned to the naivety of these few companions. On the battlefield, there’s no room for such soft-heartedness! Moreover, that brick face showed killing intent just a moment ago, and now it’s all sunny and bright. Doesn’t that seem terrifying to you all?

This is the perfect template for domestic violence! If Qingming ended up with someone like that, it would be a ghost if she found happiness! She would surely cry every day, only to show a relieved smile on festive occasions when returning to her parents’ home. Do you really want to watch that miserable life turn into reality?

So, while the others were hesitating, Li Wanqing was already acting first.

She fully transformed Yuqing Taoist Armor into attack mode; the dark armor flowed like liquid, gathering at her feet. Just as Zhao Jincheng beamed with a smile, the power beneath her feet erupted, and the armor speared toward Zhao Jincheng’s abdomen suddenly.

To launch an ambush on a Rain Cover Realm master with a Cloud Surge Realm peak cultivation is akin to suicide in most situations. The opponent’s reaction speed and protective Magical Treasure would easily nullify the Cloud Surge Realm’s ambush.

Thus, Li Wanqing carried out this move decisively, without any reservation.

In a blink, the dark spear reached Zhao Jincheng, but the sharp tip was abruptly halted an inch before his abdomen, unable to advance further.

A semi-transparent golden film enveloped the spear tip, as if time and space had frozen, leaving Yuqing Taoist Armor unable to advance or retreat. Li Wanqing attempted a few times, but the life-bound Magical Treasure couldn’t be freely manipulated.

Meanwhile, Zhao Jincheng subdued the Yuqing Taoist Armor with a Secret Art and was about to use a spell to erode the Magical Treasure, causing it to backfire on its master. Only before acting did he hesitate for a moment.

"Why?"

Zhao Jincheng looked up and asked with some confusion.

"Why are you targeting me?"

On the other side, Wang Jiu regretfully released the sword array he had formed in his hands.

If Zhao Jincheng could have been a bit more decisive and continued using the family’s secret techniques, activating his curse power, his Evil-Breaking Sword Array could immediately have caused a backlash on Zhao Jincheng’s curse power.

Unfortunately, he stopped again, preserving his life at a critical moment, but also wasting the energy Wang Jiu had painstakingly gathered.

Twice in a row, Wang Jiu’s counterattacks fell into the void. For the already weakened Celestial Divine Sword, this was nothing short of a severe blow. By comparison, although Zhao Jincheng equally suffered from the backlash of interrupted techniques, with his foundation at the Rain Cover Realm, it was almost negligible.

Taking all this into account, despite the Celestial Divine Sword’s rich combat experience, it seemed subtly at a disadvantage in the first two confrontations with Zhao Jincheng.

This experience was exceedingly novel for Wang Jiu; throughout his life, it was only during the final battle with the Great Demon God Emperor that he felt such tactical suppression.

Although he knew it was an unwitting mistake on Zhao Jincheng’s part, on the battlefield, luck is also part of one’s strength.

Initially, Wang Jiu targeted Zhao Jincheng just to rescue his own steed. Now, however, the Celestial Divine Sword was sincerely ignited with the spirit of battle.

Zhao Jincheng immediately sensed the rising fighting spirit from Wang Jiu, causing his brow to furrow even tighter.

"Brother-in-law, why?"

Wang Jiu did not rush to attack, instead examining Zhao Jincheng. Through the aura surrounding him, he identified each magical treasure while constructing a combat model within the Sword World, deducing every forthcoming detail.

The remaining energy was scarce; both the Spirit Gathering Array and Wind Gathering Array had been pushed to their limits and were no longer usable, necessitating utmost caution in every move thereafter.

To Zhao Jincheng’s question, he calmly replied, "Only by killing you can I stop Shen Qingming’s marriage."

Zhao Jincheng shook his head with a bitter smile, "So it really is because of the marriage... but why?"

"How dare you ask why!?"

At this point, Li Chaolu couldn’t hold back any longer.

Despite her shallow cultivation in this battle, reducing her to assistances from behind, she couldn’t help but speak up at Zhao Jincheng’s shameless question, drawing attention.

"Shen Qingming doesn’t like you at all, yet you still force her to marry you, and you ask why!?"

Zhao Jincheng knitted his thick brows together, "What’s the issue with that? How many couples in the world start off being mutually attracted and in love? Don’t they all begin from one-sided affection? There’s even a fair share of scenarios where one party resists or hates the other at first, but as long as the final outcome is good, isn’t that enough? Currently, Qingming may not fancy me, but as long as I work hard enough in the future, I can eventually make her love me."

"You’ve got some nerve!"

Zhao Jincheng touched his squarish face and said, "Grandpa said I’m quite handsome..."

"Have you never looked in a mirror!?"

Zhao Jincheng continued, "Perhaps my appearance doesn’t attract Qingming, but I can undergo cosmetic surgery, and moreover, I can win her with my inner beauty. I think that’s not where the problem lies at all!"

"You..." For a moment, Li Chaolu was at a loss for words.

Zhao Jincheng went on, "People often say, when it comes to love, rather than finding someone you love, it’s better to find someone who loves you. Although biased, it’s not without reason. Qingming may not love me now, but I love her dearly. I’m willing to defy my sister’s will if needed."

As he spoke, Zhao Jincheng’s tone grew more impassioned.

"If it’s just about the love for Qingming, I am confident I won’t lose to any man under the sky!"

Before he finished speaking, Li Wanqing coldly laughed and said, "High-sounding words, isn’t it just that you want to get with her?"

Zhao Jincheng turned back earnestly, "I can endure, I’ll wait for her to change her mind. Until then, I won’t lay a finger on her! Even regarding the so-called first and second-born plans arranged by Grandpa, as long as Qingming is unwilling, I won’t execute them. Even if Grandpa blames me, I can explain that I practiced a secret art that sidetracked my True Essence, hampering my reproductive capability."

"...Do you think Shen Ruoshi can’t tell you’re lying?"

Zhao Jincheng frowned slightly, "What lie? I am serious, how else can I show my sincerity?"

"..."

Confronted with Zhao Jincheng’s fervent sincerity, even Li Wanqing was momentarily left astounded, speechless.

Someone so extreme to such a degree truly renders argument ineffective.