Chapter 103: The Ultimate Bootlicker

Because of Jiang Yuan’s words, the Xuanyuan Sword trembled violently, as if it were about to burst from the earth. The entire backyard quaked with the sword’s resonance, and even the stones scattered across the ground leapt with each tremor. The Xuanyuan Sword sang with excitement, as though it eagerly awaited Jiang Yuan to draw it forth.

This scene left Shennong even more perplexed. Did this young man truly possess such charm? If Jiang Yuan genuinely met the requirements to wield the Xuanyuan Sword, he wouldn’t need to come down here—the sword would seek him out on its own. So why did things unfold in this manner?

Barring unforeseen circumstances, Jiang Yuan would surely be able to pull out the Xuanyuan Sword, yet it was clear he presently lacked the qualifications to receive it. The boy seemed to have acquired a touch of mystery; Shennong sensed something was amiss, but he simply couldn’t pinpoint what.

Even Jiang Yuan himself felt baffled. He knew full well he was nothing more than a mediocre Human Emperor. He should have no right to draw the Xuanyuan Sword, yet the event was happening, and the sword resonated with him. Moreover, Jiang Yuan was nearly certain—nine out of ten—that he could indeed extract the Xuanyuan Sword.

So where had things gone awry? The Xuanyuan Sword had passed through eight owners, the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, each a figure whose very name inspired awe throughout the Three Realms. There was the ultimate founder of humanity, Fuxi, who vanished in his pursuit of the Dao, and ruthless figures like Shennong, who would lash out at the Celestial Emperor on a whim.

Jiang Yuan recognized he was undeserving of comparison. At the very least, he had no standing now—these people had all toiled for the human race, most were half-saints, while he was nothing of the sort.

Given this, Jiang Yuan suddenly felt he shouldn’t pull out the Xuanyuan Sword. After all its years among legends, the sword would likely be sullied by his hands. Better it remain buried in Shennong’s backyard. Perhaps it was simply his own handsomeness that had astonished the sword?

Jiang Yuan didn’t bother to dwell on it any longer. Opportunities like this were fleeting—missing out on a treasure such as the Xuanyuan Sword would be his own fault. He wasn’t foolish enough to ignore a priceless artifact laid before him.

He’d imagined drawing the Xuanyuan Sword would be a strenuous ordeal, draining his magical power, so he bent his knees, adopting a horse stance, lowering his center of gravity, prepared for a protracted struggle. In novels, acquiring treasures was always fraught with difficulty—the more powerful the artifact, the harder it was to obtain. At best, one might end up injured and unconscious; at worst, lose friends and family.

Jiang Yuan readied himself for the possibility of fainting. Yet, as soon as his hand touched the sword’s hilt, he sensed the Xuanyuan Sword loosening. He’d expected this primordial treasure to weigh heavily, but with a single hand, Jiang Yuan drew it out effortlessly.

This… Was it possible he’d pulled out a fake sword?

Jiang Yuan immediately fell into existential doubt. This was the Xuanyuan Sword, a primordial treasure of chaos, and he’d claimed it without any effort? Perhaps it should first betray its master and strike him, just for peace of mind. Jiang Yuan mused thus.

The Xuanyuan Sword, grasped in his hand, grew even more excited, emitting a gentle, eager hum. Jiang Yuan, moved by the sword’s almost human emotion, stroked its shining blade and whispered, “After all these years without tasting the blood of foreign races, you must be lonely.”

“Don’t worry, there will be plenty of chances in the future.”

Reassured by Jiang Yuan’s promise, the Xuanyuan Sword finally calmed. Now Jiang Yuan could examine the sword in its entirety. The blade gleamed, but only the edges were white; the hilt and the rest of the sword shimmered with a deep crimson, as if proclaiming itself a weapon of slaughter.

Having obtained the Xuanyuan Sword, Jiang Yuan’s purpose was fulfilled—indeed, he’d surpassed all expectations. The outcome astonished him; he never imagined the sword would be so difficult to acquire. Yet, fortunately, there was danger but no harm. Now he only awaited the moment the sword might stab him, so he could truly feel at ease.

Moreover, he’d gained a method to deal with the Celestial Emperor: provoke him. With the Xuanyuan Sword in hand, Jiang Yuan brimmed with confidence—the Emperor was nothing; if Shennong could whip him thrice, Jiang Yuan could strike him three times!

He stored the Xuanyuan Sword in his system’s spatial vault, then turned to Shennong. No matter what happened, he’d secure his prize first; otherwise, he always suspected the old man might try something.

As Jiang Yuan glanced at Shennong again, he noticed that at some point, another elder had appeared at his side. Or rather, an old wild man—for the newcomer wore only a beast-hide skirt, baring his muscular upper body. Though he looked elderly, he was impressively robust!

Shennong was conversing with the old man.

“Shennong, is this the current Human Emperor you mentioned to us recently?” the beast-skin elder asked.

Shennong nodded, smiling, “What do you think?”

The beast-skin elder turned to Jiang Yuan, gave him a brief glance, then looked back to Shennong and said lightly, “I don’t think much of him. He’s less qualified to receive the Xuanyuan Sword than any Human Emperor I’ve ever met.”

Jiang Yuan: “…”

Brother, I’m right here—couldn’t you be a little more tactful? That look just now was one step short of stomping me flat. Aren’t we all Human Emperors? Why divide us into superior and inferior?

Let’s see what sort of eccentric this scantily clad old man really is.

Jiang Yuan studied the system’s data interface for the beast-skin elder:

Character: Sui Ren
Title: Second Human Emperor, One of the Three Sovereigns
Realm: Sage
Possessions: Sui Ren Fire Drill
Cultivation Technique: None
Mount: None
Loyalty: None
Favorability: None
Tyrant Points Obtainable: 10,000

Seeing this, Jiang Yuan’s doubts vanished—so this was his other “father.” Regardless of Sui Ren’s attitude, Jiang Yuan would flatter him first.

He stepped forward, cupped his fists, and said, “Junior Di Xin greets the senior.”

“You know me?” Sui Ren regarded Jiang Yuan casually.

“Senior, like Shennong, possesses an aura that commands respect; it would be hard not to recognize you,” Jiang Yuan replied obsequiously.

“Oh? Then tell me, who am I?” Sui Ren asked with interest.

You’re my long-lost father, Jiang Yuan nearly blurted out.

“If I’m not mistaken, only the senior Sui Ren could inspire such reverence alongside Shennong,” Jiang Yuan replied, not foolish enough to slight one in favor of the other, especially with Shennong present.

In short: I flatter those out of reach, and I flatter those within reach even more. This is the way of a true sycophant!