SWNOVELXO Chapter 15:
Chapter 15: The Half-Step Martial Arts Master Who Killed Xiao Fan:
Qin Zhan grabbed Qin Yan and retreated swiftly, putting as much distance as possible between themselves and Gao Wei.
Yun Lang and the other seasoned warriors reacted just as quickly, scattering far from Gao Wei to avoid the impending danger.
Despite the precautions, Qin Zhan’s expression remained tense.
The self-destruction of a Half-Step Martial Saint carried unimaginable power, capable of obliterating an entire city.
If not handled carefully, the blast could extend to the capital, resulting in catastrophic casualties.
After ensuring Qin Yan’s safety and setting up more than ten protective barriers around him, Qin Zhan dashed back toward Gao Wei, determined to minimize the damage.
Gao Wei, seeing everyone retreat, glanced at Xiao Fan one last time.
With a solemn expression, he took out a small, palm-sized crystal. It shimmered like a diamond, clear and dreamlike. Gao Wei crushed the crystal, creating a web of cracks across its surface, then hurled it at Xiao Fan.
The crystal shattered on contact with Xiao Fan’s forehead. In an instant, a dark spatial portal appeared behind him, gradually enveloping his body.
Qin Yan’s eyes narrowed dangerously as he muttered, “Space Yuan Crystal.”
The Space Yuan Crystal was an incredibly rare artifact, the core of a creature known as the Dragon of the Void. These crystals contained spatial power, which warriors could absorb to gain extraordinary abilities related to space. Additionally, the crystals served as life-saving tools, capable of creating a spatial channel to transport someone thousands of miles away upon being crushed.
It became clear that Gao Wei intended to sacrifice himself to save Xiao Fan.
Watching Xiao Fan’s body vanish into the spatial portal, a faint smile of relief spread across Gao Wei’s face. “Xiao Fan, work hard and live up to my expectations,” he said softly.
Xiao Fan, realizing what was happening, shouted, “No, Master! No! We’ll leave together!”
Gao Wei’s expression grew gentle. “Silly boy,” he said with a calm smile. “It’s enough that you have such a heart for your teacher.”
As he spoke, memories surfaced in his mind—a young figure full of life, energy, and determination. That disciple, a once-in-a-generation genius, had been under Gao Wei’s guidance ten years ago. Tragically, the disciple had been killed by foreign races. Gao Wei had watched the event unfold from a distance, paralyzed with fear. His cowardice had stopped him from intervening, and the guilt of that moment had haunted him for a decade.
He had sworn never to take another disciple—until Xiao Fan appeared. In Xiao Fan, he saw the same qualities that his former disciple had possessed. It was this resemblance that convinced him to take Xiao Fan under his wing.
Now, with a bittersweet smile, Gao Wei thought, “Last time, I was too afraid to act. This time, I won’t make the same mistake. I’ll protect my disciple, even if it costs me my life.”
Gao Wei’s expression hardened with resolve. He turned, his eyes fierce, and roared as he charged toward Qin Zhan, his body swelling with destructive energy. His intention was clear: to take Qin Zhan down with him and weaken the Qin family’s dominance.
As he rushed forward, Gao Wei murmured to himself, “I’ve served Daxia well. The world has suffered enough under the Qin family’s tyranny.”
Qin Zhan, recognizing Gao Wei’s intent, scoffed. “You want to drag me down with you? Let’s see if you have the strength to make that happen.”
Reaching into his space ring, Qin Zhan pulled out a palm-sized, shuttle-shaped artifact. He held it aloft and shouted, “Thunder Light Shuttle, go!”
The Thunder Light Shuttle suddenly expanded to the size of a sword and hurtled toward Gao Wei. Although Gao Wei wanted to resist, the raging energy within his body left him powerless. He could only watch helplessly as the shuttle pierced through his clothing, carrying him into the sky.
In mere moments, he disappeared from sight.
A dazzling light erupted in the heavens shortly after, followed by a deafening roar that shook the air. The aftermath sent a powerful shockwave crashing down to the ground, its force akin to a Category 12 typhoon.
Qin Zhan, observing the destruction, wore a pained expression. “What a waste of a Thunder Light Shuttle,” he muttered.
Qin Yan, noticing his second uncle’s distress, raised an eyebrow. “Second Uncle, don’t you have dozens more of those shuttles?”
Qin Zhan coughed awkwardly. “Ahem, well… I’m just trying to save resources.”
Qin Yan chuckled, then turned to the others and said, “The matter here is settled. It’s time for us to leave.”
At that moment, a warrior approached and asked, “Young Master, what should we do with the girl?”
Qin Yan glanced back and saw Xiao Ruyi, Xiao Fan’s sister.
She had fair, delicate skin, refined features, and a fresh, almost ethereal beauty—like a forest after the rain. Qin Yan paused to consider, then replied, “Take her with us.”
He knew that a living Xiao Ruyi would be far more valuable than a dead one.
Xiao Fan’s deep attachment to his family meant he would treasure Xiao Ruyi, now his only surviving relative.
With her as leverage, Qin Yan would have an effective means to control Xiao Fan.
Killing her, on the other hand, might only push Xiao Fan into reckless desperation.
A warrior stepped forward, lifted the unconscious Xiao Ruyi onto his shoulder, and followed Qin Yan as they departed.
…
(At the Qin family residence)
Yun Qing paced anxiously. She was more concerned about Qin Yan’s actions than the outcome of the conflict itself.
If her son failed to handle the matter properly, the Qin family would undoubtedly become the laughingstock of other families, and Qin Yan’s reputation would suffer.
Just as her worry peaked, she heard Qin Yan’s voice outside. “Mom, we’re back!”
Relief flooded Yun Qing’s face. She quickly walked outside and saw Qin Yan leading the group, with Qin Zhan and Yun Lang following close behind like loyal guards. All three had relaxed smiles, suggesting that everything had gone smoothly.
Yun Qing’s heart lightened, and a smile graced her lips. “You’re back. Come inside.”
Once they were seated in the hall, Yun Qing couldn’t contain her curiosity. “Yan’er, how did you deal with the Liu family and Gao Wei?”
Qin Yan’s expression turned cold. “Of course, I dealt with them the way they deserved—by killing them.”
He then recounted the entire event in detail.
As Yun Qing listened, her face displayed increasing satisfaction.
When he finished, she nodded approvingly. “Well done, son. That’s the courage befitting a young master of the Qin family. This is how you should act—otherwise, others will think we’re easy to bully.”
She sighed lightly. “It’s just a shame that Xiao Fan managed to escape.”
Qin Yan reassured her. “Don’t worry, Mom. Xiao Fan is just a crippled dog now. He won’t be able to cause any trouble. If he dares show his face again, I’ll make sure he doesn’t live to regret it.”
Yun Qing beamed with pride. “My son has truly grown up. You’ve matured so much.”
Qin Zhan chimed in with a grin. “That’s right, sister-in-law. Xiao Yan is ready to support the family. With him here, we won’t have to worry about anyone taking advantage of us while we’re on the front lines.”
Yun Lang nodded in agreement. “Xiao Yan has proven himself. I’ll have to tell Yun Lei about this and encourage him to learn from Xiao Yan.”
Yun Lei, Qin Yan’s cousin and the young master of the Yun family, was often compared to Qin Yan. The two elders showered Qin Yan with praise, their words overflowing with admiration. Qin Yan, however, remained quiet, lost in thought.
Noticing her son’s unusual silence, Yun Qing asked gently, “Xiao Yan, what’s on your mind?”
Qin Yan looked up, his eyes sharp. “I’m thinking about how to deal with Jiang Mingqing. He dared to target our family like this—I won’t let it go. I want him removed from his position as the dean of the Martial Arts Academy.”
Both Qin Zhan and Yun Lang stopped speaking and turned to look at Qin Yan. They knew that Jiang Mingqing was no ordinary figure. As a genuine Martial Saint and a member of the Great Xia Presbyterian Church, he was not easy to confront.
Qin Zhan furrowed his brow. “Xiao Yan, this won’t be easy to handle.”
Qin Yan nodded in agreement. “It’s definitely challenging, but I’ve already come up with a plan.” He turned to Qin Zhan. “Second Uncle, when do you head back?”
Qin Zhan scratched his head. “The day after tomorrow. Your grandfather gave me three days off.”
A confident smile spread across Qin Yan’s face. “With your help, Second Uncle, I’m certain this will be accomplished.”