The Legend of the Young Swordsman: A Prequel - A Phantom Melody Embarks on a Journey Through the Mar

"I understand, you don't need to say anything more."

Concealing the hint of weariness that inadvertently slipped from her eyes, Yueyao put her mask back on and interrupted the maid's attempt to continue speaking with a cold voice.

Seeing this, the maid did not speak again.

"Be prepared, and strive to ensure everything goes smoothly. I have already explained the points you should pay attention to. I don't want to repeat them here."

The maid didn't speak again, but Yueyao gave her another instruction. The maid responded with a simple "Yes," and then turned to continue arranging things.

On the path outside the small temple

The sound of horses' hooves approached from afar and reached the ears of those who were lying in ambush, waiting to check Helian Yunshen's location. These people quickly became alert.

Upon seeing Helian Yun Shen's figure appear before them, they immediately relayed the message to those behind them, and eventually the message reached the small temple.

After learning this news, Yueyao made preparations.

The same was true for others; masks were then placed on their faces.

In front of the small temple

Helian Yunshen tightened the reins, and the galloping white horse came to a swift halt. He looked up at the masked men standing on the wall, his eyes filled with a cold glint.

The voice was cold and demanding.

Where is Miss Yuexi?

"If you want to know, hand over the jade flute and folding fan in your hand!"

Instead of answering the question, he directly reached out and demanded that Helian Yun Shen hand over his folding fan and jade flute. Upon hearing this, Helian Yun Shen's eyes darkened, and he pondered for a moment.

"Don't even think about it until you see that Miss Yuexi is safe and sound. I can show you what a million-strong army really is!"

"So there's no room for discussion then?"

Faced with Helian Yunshen's threatening words, these people were not afraid but instead smiled, their smiles full of meaning.

His words were calm, yet they conveyed a strong sense of threat.

What if you're lying to me?

"You won't shed tears until you see the coffin, so let me show you, and you'll know then."

Seeing that Helian Yun Shen was not easily fooled, the two people standing on the wall stopped trying to deceive him and clapped their hands.

The broken gate of the small temple was pushed open.

With a creaking sound, the scene inside the small temple came into view, and Yueyao, who was bound and captured by these people, appeared before Helian Yunshen's eyes.

At this moment, Yueyao's face was covered in mud, and blood was spilling from the corner of her mouth. She was in extremely poor condition and was thrown on the ground like a rag.

“You’ve already seen the person, so you should know what to do! If you don’t do as we say, the long knife will slice across this girl’s fair and slender neck, and I’m sure the gushing blood will be quite a sight.”

The person speaking to Helian Yun Shen spoke in extremely perverse language. Even though the person was wearing a mask, Helian Yun Shen could sense the twisted expression on their face beneath.

After a brief internal struggle, I looked up at these people.

He tossed the jade flute and folding fan at the group, and a triumphant look flashed in their eyes as they caught them.

Meanwhile, on Helian Yunshen's side

"Now that I've given you the items, can you let me in?"

Such inquiries received no response; all that greeted Helian Yun Shen were enemies coming from all directions, who appeared intent on capturing him.

A pair of eyes scanned the surroundings, watching the armed men get closer and closer.

A slight smile curved the corners of Helian Yunshen's lips.

Those who approached Helian Yun Shen froze instantly when they were only a few steps away from him, their long swords remaining suspended in mid-air.

"How is this going?"

The scene before her eyes shocked the maid standing next to Yueyao, who was also a normal executor of the plan, and she blurted out these words.

Helian Yun Shen lifted his leg and walked into the small temple.

"I don't know any martial arts. My master said that if I only know how to play the xiao (a type of vertical bamboo flute), I will become a cow or sheep to be slaughtered, or a fish on a chopping board when the time comes without the jade flute in my hand."

Therefore, I have always wondered why one must have martial arts skills to defend oneself, and why a glance or a smile cannot be used to kill or defend oneself.

After pondering it this way, I succeeded.

He spoke to this person with a relaxed smile on his face, but Helian Yun Shen was not feeling well at all. Maintaining this state on such a large scale was taking a terrifying toll on his internal energy.

'Is this guy even human? How can his talent be so overwhelming?! Just who is his master? He uses every glance and smile as a killing technique?'

As Helian Yun Shen drew closer, the maid was deeply shocked.

Such terrifying talent, such terrifying comprehension of martial arts gleaned from a single glance or smile—this was the first time she had ever witnessed anything like it since birth!

'It's okay, just avoid looking into his eyes and at his smile.'

Even as she felt terrified, she was also grateful that she had found a solution. Deliberately avoiding looking into Helian Yun Shen's eyes and smile, she spoke in a somewhat shrill voice.

"Release these people from my control, or I'll kill her!"

"No, you can't. You can try if you don't believe me?"

"I hope you won't regret it!"

Hearing Helian Yun Shen's confident tone, the maid intensified her threats. Her long sword drew closer to Yue Yao's neck.

Suddenly, I realized that I couldn't control my body.

The longsword had no way of moving forward under its control.

"what have you done!!!"

Her voice was filled with terror as she questioned Helian Yun Shen.

Helian Yun Shen smiled slightly and spoke to her in a calm and gentle voice.

"A glance or a smile can be used to kill, so why can't a voice?"

Sound is also a weapon.

I was indeed naive and knew nothing about the martial arts world.

But that doesn’t mean I’m a fool who can be manipulated. I know exactly what you’re thinking. You just want to take this opportunity to get rid of me and Miss Yuexi.

That's why they confiscated my folding fan and jade flute.

But you can't take my voice, my eyes, or my smile away.

At this point, Helian Yun Shen paused briefly before continuing.

"Now listen to me and place the long sword on your own neck!"

When such a sound reached their ears, what could be seen was that their bodies moved uncontrollably, bringing the weapons that were meant to be used against the enemy closer to their own necks.

Compared to the others outside who were completely dazed and lost their sense of self, this maid, who was still quite lucid, looked at the long sword that was gradually approaching her neck with eyes full of terror.

This was the first time she had felt death was so close, and this was what it felt like to wait for death—a feeling that was truly unbearable.