Supreme Alchemist-Chapter 2403 - 2393: The Story of Jian Wuchen

"Got it."

Jian Wuchen hastily responded and caught up with the maiden ahead, his gaze flickering as if no one could guess what exactly was on his mind.

However, when he saw the maiden walking beside him, Jian Wuchen felt that maybe everything wasn’t all that important after all. Even if he didn’t have the sword techniques for cultivation, the girl beside him was still here—and that was something no amount of cultivation base could ever replace.

"Perhaps this isn’t so bad."

Jian Wuchen snuck a glance at the side of the girl’s face and wished he could stay like this forever.

"We’re here!"

The girl pointed toward a plain bookstall ahead and pulled Jian Wuchen from his daze, reaching out to pick up a sword art secrets book that was practically a staple for everyone across the continent.

In this martial-oriented world, basic sword techniques like these were hardly purchased; anyone with a bit of money would seek apprenticeship from major sects instead. Only the poor, like scavengers, turned to books like this one—but whether practicing them yielded results was anyone’s guess.

After all, in such chaotic times, being able to cling to such dreams was, in its own way, a kind of warmth, wasn’t it?

Jian Wuchen gazed with mixed feelings at the book in the girl’s hands. He’d already memorized this thing practically by heart. Even though countless events had unfolded since then, this one book remained the only thing he’d continued to revisit daily.

Returning to this moment now, Jian Wuchen felt a bit out of sorts.

"What’s wrong? Say something, will you."

Noticing Jian Wuchen’s distraction, the girl urged him repeatedly. However, as Jian Wuchen stared fixedly at her, the maiden’s cheeks flushed red.

"Honestly! We see each other every day—what’s with staring at me like that?"

Of course, the maiden had no idea that this body now housed a far more mature soul. Meanwhile, the shopkeeper beside them grinned as he looked at the pair—clearly amused by the sight of these "little lovebirds."

"Here you go, Shopkeeper!"

The girl shot Jian Wuchen an angry side-eye, chiding him silently for staring at her even after buying the book.

Blushing furiously, the maiden paid for the book, only to turn and see the boy still gazing fixedly at her—a sight that stirred her ire.

"Stop staring! Once you’ve mastered it, you’d better help me daily, you hear?"

The maiden’s family were simple herders—a profession hardly favored in an era plagued by banditry. Buying this book had cost the girl nearly half a year’s savings, but for the sake of supporting Jian Wuchen’s dream of becoming a hero, it was but a trifling matter.

"Of course."

Jian Wuchen’s smile met the maiden’s clear, watery gaze, leaving her blushing as she turned her head away in a huff, refusing to acknowledge the boy before her.

Seeing the maiden grumpily turn her head, Jian Wuchen’s smile faded. If his predictions were correct, it was this very moment—when the two of them bought the book—that they encounter those people.

His nails dug deep into his palm. In a spot unnoticed by the maiden, Jian Wuchen’s expression darkened until it seemed he might squeeze water out of it.

"Oi, oi! Why are the two of you wandering around Chang’an City? Where’s your Sir?"

A grating voice rang out, one that Jian Wuchen detested to the core. That voice was all too familiar—so familiar that hearing it alone made a surge of bone-deep killing intent rise within him.

As Jian Wuchen turned his head, naturally, it was them—those vermin. Jian Wuchen would never forget: it was this very group before him that obliterated his and the maiden’s future.

The gang wore pale blue training clothes that accentuated their robust muscles glistening under the sunlight, but in Jian Wuchen’s eyes, there was no fondness to be found.

"Well then, little sister, want to come have some fun with us?"

The leading man stepped before the pair. At this moment, Jian Wuchen recognized him far too well. Though he’d lacked the power to protect the maiden back then, this time, things were different.

"Scram!"

A single icy word escaped Jian Wuchen’s lips. The Sword Intent slumbering within his body stirred to life. Though unable to summon his internal strength, his foundation in swordsmanship remained intact—and these few were certainly no match for him.

"Oh?"

A cold glint flashed in the leader’s eyes. He had just lost a challenge to the Daoist temple earlier today and was already in a sour mood—and now this brat dared come looking for trouble. It seemed there were still some people in Chang’an who didn’t know his name.

"Kid, do you know who I am?"

The man before Jian Wuchen shouted, attempting to mask his lack of confidence. Though ranked among the lowest at the Daoist temple, his father happened to be the City Lord of Chang’an—powerful connections were his shield.

"I don’t care who you are. Get lost."

Jian Wuchen purposefully released his killing intent. After all, as the Young Sword Saint, his title hadn’t been earned in mediocrity—it was forged amidst a sea of blood and mountains of corpses.

"Is that so?"

No one had ever dared speak to Ming Wu this way before. His temper bubbled like a bomb on the brink of explosion as he threw a malicious glare toward Jian Wuchen.

"Cripple this kid’s legs for me."

Ming Wu’s voice carried a chilly menace. With his father’s influence, even if they maimed the boy, who could possibly have the audacity to challenge him? Ming Wu’s henchmen, eager to curry favor, surged forward to attack Jian Wuchen.

"Hide behind me!"

Jian Wuchen muttered casually, sparking enormous protest from the maiden.

"These are people from the Daoist temple! You... you can’t beat them. Why don’t we run away?"

The maiden’s voice quivered, revealing her terror.

Jian Wuchen soothed her by gently patting her head. This time, he would no longer retreat.

Swiftly, he grabbed a wooden stick used to support the bookstall. Though different from the long sword he was accustomed to, it would suffice against these unruly brutes.

With a single hand, he spun the stick into an elegant sword flower and thrust it toward the nearest assailant, though the damage dealt proved negligible.

"It seems this body’s strength is still far too weak. Looks like I’ll have to rely on swordsmanship."

The swordsmanship Jian Wuchen practiced was, of course, of the immortal martial arts variety. But this body lacked spiritual energy, making it impossible to deploy his Sword Intent. He was left with no choice but to employ cruder methods.

"You useless fools! Finish him off already!"

Encircled by attackers, Jian Wuchen flitted between them like a fish swimming through water. Every strike seemed as though preordained, effortlessly evading harm even under coordinated assault. Though surrounded by five or six men, Jian Wuchen retaliated sharply, landing a stick-bash on every opponent within moments.

"At this rate, we’re doomed."

Ming Wu realized the situation: before Jian Wuchen’s stamina ran out, he feared his own men would first succumb to the boy’s stick strikes. Spotting the little girl staring at Jian Wuchen with dazed awe nearby, a sinister plan formed in Ming Wu’s mind.

"Is this really Wuchen? How does he suddenly have such incredible skills?"

Jian Wuchen’s combat prowess bewildered not only Ming Wu but also the maiden beside him. She couldn’t fathom how Jian Wuchen had acquired such remarkable abilities in secret.

As the girl pondered this, she suddenly felt a massive hand clamp tightly around her neck.

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