Chapter 19: Evil Path Mobilizes

"Is he really that impressive?" Gu Chudong was somewhat skeptical. "Could it be a psychological effect on your part? Because he's a famous swordsman, do you feel an overwhelming awe, essentially scaring yourself?"

"Absolutely not," Tang Buyi replied. "I've met many important figures with my father before, even those more renowned than Swordsman Shen, but I've never felt this way. It's real. My father asked me to greet Swordsman Shen, and when he looked at me, I instantly felt a prickle down my spine."

"Then I'll have to take a good look later," Gu Chudong said. "Is he really that impressive?"

"You'll know once you see him."

The Sword Forge was not far from the Tang family estate. The carriage arrived in about half an incense stick's time, at a small manor. As soon as they reached the entrance, they felt intense heat radiating from within. Inside a tall building stood a colossal sword-casting furnace, roaring with fierce flames. Dozens of smiths were busy at work.

Outside the forge, many people had gathered at this moment. All the Tang family experts who could return were present, over a hundred individuals standing by in full readiness, meticulously guarding the small manor.

Many senior members of the Tang family were seated in a large hall. At the head table were two young men and women, both dressed in white, possessing an extraordinary aura. Tang Tianhao and Tang Tianqi were accompanying them.

Tang Buyi led Gu Mo and Gu Chudong into the hall, where they sat in a back corner.

Tang Buyi whispered, "Brother Gu, Sister Chudong, please don't take offense. It's not that my family disrespects you. It's mainly because today is about the divine sword being unveiled and presented to Swordsman Shen. Some of our Tang family elders will also be arriving soon, and it wouldn't be appropriate for us young people to be up front. You know how those old-fashioned folks are; their incessant chatter can be annoying. We're perfectly fine here; we can enjoy the excitement without our ears getting sore."

Gu Mo smiled, indicating his understanding. He didn't find anything amiss with the arrangement. The Tang family had mobilized extensively today specifically to welcome guests from the Canglan Sword Sect, and given the sect's established reputation in the martial arts world, there was no point in placing an unknown person like him at the forefront.

"Sister Chudong," Tang Buyi murmured, "the person in white next to my father is Swordsman Shen Bai. The one beside him is Swordsman Shen's junior sister, but he didn't introduce her, so I don't know her name."

Gu Chudong glanced over and remarked, "He doesn't seem like much. He's not even as handsome as my brother!"

Tang Buyi said, "It's too far from here, so you don't get that feeling. If you were closer, you'd be able to sense Swordsman Shen's... I don't even know how to describe it!"

Gu Mo also grew curious from Tang Buyi's description, but being blind, he couldn't see, which was quite a pity.

Time passed quickly. The hall grew increasingly lively as more Tang family elders arrived one after another. However, their presence had nothing to do with Gu Mo and Gu Chudong, as the guest of honor for today's gathering was Shen Bai. The siblings were merely there to enjoy the food, drinks, and festivities.

However, as the eldest young master of the Tang family, Tang Buyi naturally couldn't remain hidden in the corner forever. Initially, he had been chatting with Gu Mo and Gu Chudong, but as the elders arrived, he was called over and spent the entire time sitting there, head bowed, not daring to speak. Still, the Tang family elders wouldn't let him slip away. After all, it was a rare opportunity to make an appearance before Shen Bai.

"Dong!"

At one point, a loud gong suddenly sounded from outside. The hall immediately fell silent. Then, Tang Tianhao invited Shen Bai out, and everyone else promptly followed.

At this moment, the fierce flames of the sword forge had ceased. A white-haired old swordsmith, unable to conceal his excitement, loudly declared, "The auspicious moment has arrived! Bring forth the divine weapon!" From within the forge, a massive iron casket slid out. Everyone watched in complete silence, utterly absorbed.

Suddenly, just at that moment, a Tang family guard, covered in blood, stumbled into the manor from outside and collapsed, shouting, "Patriarch... Patriarch... This is bad... A group of bandits has stormed the manor and is targeting the Madam..."

Tang Tianhao's expression drastically changed. He quickly rushed over to help the guard up and asked, "Who is it?"

"Feilong!"

A commotion erupted in the courtyard.

Before anyone could fully grasp the situation, shouts and battle cries suddenly echoed from outside the courtyard. A large group of people surged in from various directions: some burst through the gates, others vaulted over the walls, and some even landed directly on the rooftops. The Tang family guards stationed outside were instantly scattered.

"I hear the Tang family has produced a divine weapon. I, Guo Quan, am very interested. Patriarch Tang, would you consider bestowing it upon me?"

"The divine weapon is over there! Grab it! Whoever gets it keeps it!"

"..."

The intruders, numbering no less than a hundred, were all highly skilled individuals. They immediately engaged in a fierce battle with the Tang family members present. Shouts of battle filled the manor, and the glint of blades and swords flashed, resembling venomous dragons and rampant pythons coiling and biting each other. Blood gushed, forming crimson streams.

Amidst the chaos, Tang Tianqi, casting aside his usual despondent demeanor, wielded his longsword and engaged the enemies, quickly cutting down several. He rushed to the distraught Tang Tianhao and said, "Brother, hurry and save sister-in-law! Swordsman Shen and I will handle things here. These evil cultists won't get away with the Immaculate Sword!"

"Second Brother, I'll leave this to you!"

In the confusion, Tang Tianhao couldn't afford to hesitate. While the divine weapon was important, he valued his wife more. He immediately turned and ran.

On the other side, Gu Mo quickly felled two masked figures with two swift slashes, then protected Gu Chudong and Tang Buyi as they moved towards the exit, whispering, "Let's go to the Tang family estate, capture Feilong, and rescue Madam Tang!"

"Thank you, Brother Gu!"

Tang Buyi no longer cared about the divine weapon. He followed Gu Mo out the door.

The situation was critical. Gu Mo didn't take a carriage. Instead, he shared a horse with Tang Buyi, while Gu Chudong rode a separate horse, heading towards the Tang family estate.

As soon as they reached the Tang family residence, they saw Tang Tianhao leaping across the rooftops, while Madam Tang was being held captive by several individuals who were quickly escaping outwards.

"Brother, it's Feilong!"

Gu Chudong instantly spotted a bald man among those fighting Tang Tianhao. He was their target for this trip to Zhushan County, the wanted criminal, Baldy. Those individuals fought as they retreated, quickly fleeing from the Tang family residence.

"Chase them!"

Gu Mo and the others quickly gave chase. Although Gu Mo's profound internal energy made his ability to discern positions by sound very strong, his movement skills were generally mediocre. Furthermore, because he couldn't see, his speed wasn't much faster than Gu Chudong's and Tang Buyi's; he could only barely keep up from a distance.

Fortunately, Tang Tianhao occasionally sent signals, preventing them from losing track. The group ran for a long time, eventually reaching the city outskirts.

Feilong and his group suddenly stopped at a civilian house. Watching Tang Tianhao pursue them, and as Tang Tianhao descended from above, Feilong suddenly chuckled lightly, "Patriarch Tang, are you feeling your qi and blood surge?"