My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

Before facing the Broken Swordsman, Chen Yi thought of nearly a hundred ways to survive. Yet at this very moment, all those methods were shattered by a single thought of killing intent from the Broken Swordsman. Chen Yi realized there was only one way left.

That was...

"Master, save me."

In order to maintain his composure in front of the little fox, Chen Yi gathered his True Qi and sent a secret transmission.

The one-armed woman behind him remained unmoved.

Chen Yi turned sharply around and said vehemently, "Do I really have to shout it aloud myself?"

Little Yin was utterly confused, while Zhou Yitang sneered: "With your limited skills, this is the only move left."

Chen Yi took a deep breath. Though reluctant, he nodded slightly.

After nodding, he caught the unwillingness in himself and couldn't help but laugh bitterly. He realized how alike he and Zhou Yitang were in certain ways.

The one-armed woman stepped forward and softly uttered the word "Rise." The Hou Kang Sword on Chen Yi's back slid out and instantly transformed into six sword shadows, resembling six flying swords, which hovered around Chen Yi.

She paid no mind to Chen Yi's astonishment and spoke as if to herself:

"These are the six swords conjured at the peak of Yin Sword Mountain's Living Sword technique. The Sword Intent is refined, reaching its zenith, achieving utter clarity that transforms into swords. These theories, you've read in books but never truly understood their essence. Teaching one to fish is better than giving one the fish. Now, I am demonstrating for you what makes up supreme Sword Intent."

Zhou Yitang, usually a woman of few words, spoke more this time, likely to impart teachings. Once finished, the six swords merged into one and pierced through Chen Yi's back.

Watching as the sword pierced through his chest like being eviscerated, Chen Yi, surprisingly, felt no pain of being impaled.

Instead, he felt as though his very soul had been shaken by the sword, directly comprehending the essence of Yin Sword Mountain's Living Sword.

The Hou Kang Sword moved forward ever so slowly, and before it was even fully drawn, the Broken Swordsman's figure had leapt backward.

By the time the Broken Swordsman landed, he was ten zhang away.

Little Yin couldn't understand what had happened—why the Broken Swordsman inexplicably retreated even though the Hou Kang Sword had not yet reached him.

But Chen Yi, sensing the sword through his soul, seemed to grasp this:

The killing intent of the Broken Swordsman's killer sword had already been dissolved almost completely by the Living Sword.

Without killing intent, how could a sword be drawn?

Zhou Yitang slowly withdrew her hand, pulling the Hou Kang Sword out from Chen Yi, then returned it to its sheath.

Chen Yi gasped for breath. Somewhere in the depths of his mind, he felt he had realized something profound, but it passed like a flash of lightning—elusive and undefined.

The one-armed woman, seeing this, shook her head slightly, looking somewhat disappointed.

He still didn't seem to have the aptitude for it.

Zhou Yitang no longer paid him any mind. Instead, she turned her gaze toward the Broken Swordsman and said, "Thank you."

The Broken Swordsman merely nodded slightly without further words. He slowly returned to where Chen Yi stood.

He seemed to sigh softly and said, "You have a good master. I, however, did not. Years ago, my master had a grudge with my wife. I saw with my own eyes how he drove his sword through her heart, and I was powerless to stop him. So, I abandoned the sword for the blade, but failed to master it. I then returned to the sword, creating my own swordsmanship, standing undefeated in Jianghu for twenty years."

In his lamentations lay countless tales of Jianghu. The legends of the Broken Swordsman before his renown had always been various and conflicting. Having experienced one lifetime, Chen Yi naturally knew what was true and what was false.

But truth and lies had all washed away like flowing water. As the Broken Swordsman spoke of them now, there was no guilt or hatred, only sorrow.

Chen Yi was just about to release a sigh of relief.

Suddenly, the Broken Swordsman turned his head abruptly and said in a deep voice:

"You killed three people I sought to save. By right, I should kill you. But the mastermind behind it takes priority, and you come second. Thus, out of respect for your master, you must abandon the killer sword and exclusively train in the Living Sword. By the rules of Jianghu, you will hide your name for ten years, and the past shall be forgiven."

Chen Yi froze for a moment, glancing sideways at Zhou Yitang with the corner of his eye.

Was this the reason she brought the Broken Swordsman to see him?

The one-armed woman seemed oblivious to his gaze, her eyes slightly lowered.

She first acted on his behalf, then borrowed the killing intent of the Broken Swordsman's killer sword to inform him about the origins of the Prince of Annan in the Buddhist Tower. With so much help, it was enough for him to feel grateful.

Finally, she brought the Broken Swordsman to see him, leveraging the latter's force to compel him to abandon the killer sword entirely.

By this point, her earlier assistance was sufficient to offset any dissatisfaction.

Piecing everything together, Chen Yi couldn't help but laugh bitterly.

Zhou Yitang wouldn't spell it out because she knew he would figure it out and, most of the time, wouldn't want to disappoint her efforts.

But this time...

Chen Yi turned his head, his tone cold, and said: "The killer sword isn't something that can be abandoned just like that. Besides, I have no affinity for the Living Sword. If that's the case, you might as well just kill me now."

Not to mention that he vaguely understood his sword was not solely for killing and couldn't be abandoned halfway—and further, the killer sword still had its uses later.

At this moment, Zhou Yitang finally raised her eyes, gazing deeply at Chen Yi.

The Broken Swordsman squinted and said, "You have truly betrayed your master's efforts."

Chen Yi retorted, "And haven't you?"

"..."

The Broken Swordsman was momentarily stunned upon hearing this.

Then, his expression shifted, his eyes flashing with killing intent as his hand rested on the hilt of his sword.

This time, Zhou Yitang placed a hand on Chen Yi's shoulder, as if ready to pull her disciple back at any time.

After a long silence, the Broken Swordsman took a breath and said:

"Killing you now would be a hollow victory. I'll give you three more years to repent. Three years later, I'll come to kill you."

Hearing this, if it were anyone else, Chen Yi might have breathed a sigh of relief.

Three years later—such words were often a way to give both sides an exit without losing face. But to the Broken Swordsman, the meaning was entirely different.

At this moment, Dong Gong Ruoshu stepped forward cautiously. Seeing them talking, the innocent girl kept a safe distance—not too far, not too near.

Chen Yi took a deep breath and asked, "Why three years?"

"Because I can only live for three more years."

"What a coincidence."

This time, the Broken Swordsman was intrigued: "What coincidence?"

"I can only live for three more years too." Without resolving the elixir of flesh and bone, Chen Yi's lifespan was also limited.

The Broken Swordsman laughed, a hearty and resounding laughter:

"So it seems a sword meant for killing truly cannot endure for long.

I have always admired the Living Sword. If you hadn't said this, I might not necessarily have killed you in three years—at most, cripple your meridians."

"What do you mean?"

"You should have lived to a ripe old age."

"So you'll still kill me in three years?" Having caught a glimmer of hope, Chen Yi now felt his mood sink once more upon hearing these words.

"Exactly."

"Why?"

"Because you won't live long and are naturally suited for the killer sword."

The Broken Swordsman said coldly:

"And as I've said before, a sword meant for killing cannot endure for long."