Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

Xu Pangda struggled to his feet and spat out a mouthful of dirt and grass.

The heavy fall had left him feeling as if his internal organs were about to be shaken loose.

He looked at the black-clad figure approaching him step by step, instinctively retreating backward. But as he stumbled back, he soon found himself pressed against a large tree—there was nowhere left to run.

Swallowing nervously, Xu Pangda stared at the assassin before him, sweat pouring down his forehead.

“Who are you? Why do you want to kill me? Do you even know who I am?” he asked fearfully, his chubby flesh trembling with each word.

Even as he spoke, Xu Pangda knew it was pointless. If this was just a robbery, the attacker wouldn’t have slaughtered his guards so mercilessly. And who in their right mind would dare commit such a bold crime just outside the capital?

This assassin was clearly after him specifically. But why? Who had he offended?

In the capital, he had always been careful not to make enemies. However, during his years as an official in the county, he had indeed offended some people.

But if someone from the county wanted him dead, they would’ve struck earlier, not waited until he was so close to the capital.

“So it’s because of my fifth brother?” Xu Pangda immediately understood. The mention of Xu Ming’s name confirmed that these were his brother’s enemies coming for him.

He didn’t blame Xu Ming. Instead, he worried—would his death be used as a ploy to harm his brother? Would this be a way to entrap Xu Ming?

The assassin said nothing more. Raising his sword, he slashed down toward Xu Pangda.

Xu Pangda turned his head to the side and shut his eyes tightly.

Clang!

Just when he thought his fate was sealed, a crisp metallic sound rang out in front of him.

Slowly opening his eyes, Xu Pangda saw a long sword gleaming with cold light, blocking the assassin’s strike.

The sword was as clear and translucent as glass.

A young woman, dressed in a swordsman’s robe, stood before him, wielding the weapon with ease.

She was tall—so tall that Xu Pangda felt she might even be taller than him.

She stood with poised elegance. Unlike the exaggerated curves of some women, her figure carried a refreshing sense of agility.

What stood out most was her high ponytail, tied neatly, giving her an air of decisiveness and confidence.

Xu Pangda had imagined countless heroic female warriors in his mind, and this woman before him was exactly what he envisioned.

But there was something familiar about her. He couldn’t quite place it, but her silhouette stirred a vague sense of recognition.

With a swift flick of her wrist, the woman’s sword sent a sharp wave of energy cutting upward.

Sensing danger, the assassin immediately leapt back, retreating into the depths of the forest without hesitation.

The woman formed a hand seal, and her sword shot forward, streaking through the trees in pursuit of the fleeing assassin.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

The translucent sword wove through the forest, slicing through the air in deadly, elegant arcs.

The assassin barely managed to protect his vital areas, but multiple cuts began to appear across his body, his clothes stained with fresh wounds.

“Spare those who can be spared. We shall not kill today.”

Just as the assassin was about to be struck down, an elderly voice echoed from above.

A surge of spiritual energy pierced through the clouds, striking the young woman’s sword.

The translucent blade trembled violently before plummeting downward, embedding itself deep into the earth.

With this brief moment of reprieve, the assassin seized the chance to flee without the slightest hesitation.

The young woman coldly watched the direction in which the black-clad assassin had fled.

The translucent longsword, as if coming to its senses, pulled itself from the ground and flew back to its master’s side.

It hovered around her restlessly, as if blaming itself for failing its duty, silently conveying an apology.

“It’s fine.” The young woman grasped the hilt and sheathed the sword.

Xu Pangda knew he had barely escaped death, all thanks to the swordswoman before him. Hastily, he stood up and cupped his hands in a respectful salute.

“I am Xu Pangda of the Wu Kingdom. Many thanks, young lady, for saving my life.”

Hearing his name, the young woman turned to look at him. A flicker of complex emotions crossed her eyes.

“You know me?” Xu Pangda asked, noticing the subtle change in her expression.

Come to think of it, this young woman was exceptionally beautiful.

But more than that—there was something inexplicably familiar about her, as if he had met her before.

“I’ve heard of you.” Her tone remained cool and indifferent.

“Might I ask for the young lady’s name?” Xu Pangda inquired. “If you do not mind, please allow me to invite you to Wu Capital for a meal. It would be my honor to properly thank you for saving my life.”

He meant every word.

She had saved his life—it was only right that he show his gratitude.

“No need.” The young woman’s response was brief.

Then, she glanced at his dirt-covered form. “Did you offend someone?”

“I don’t think so.” Xu Pangda thought for a moment before shaking his head with a lighthearted smile. “But court politics are unpredictable. It wouldn’t be surprising if I have enemies without realizing it.”

“Hmm.”

The young woman nodded slightly, saying nothing more. Then, she turned and flew away.

“Eh?”

By the time Xu Pangda reacted, the swordswoman had already disappeared into the dense forest, vanishing without a trace.

“Are all female heroes this decisive nowadays?”

Xu Pangda patted the dirt off his clothes, then turned to look at the fallen bodies of his guards and the lifeless horse.

A sorrowful glint appeared in his eyes.

They had died because of him.

Taking a deep breath, Xu Pangda averted his gaze and quickened his pace toward Wu Capital.

He needed to return safely first. Only then could he send people to retrieve the bodies of his fallen guards and begin investigating the culprits behind the attack.

—

Evening, Xu Residence.

The banquet had already been set.

Seated around the table were the Xu family’s matriarch, the current Duke Xu, Xu Shuiya, Xu Zheng, as well as Duke Qin, Qin Ruhai, and other important members of the Xu and Qin families.

Yet, no one had touched their chopsticks.

“Where is Pangda? Why isn’t he back yet?” the matriarch asked. “Based on his travel pace, he should have arrived by afternoon.”

This banquet was meant to welcome Xu Pangda back.

Though he wasn’t as favored by the emperor as Xu Ming was, he had still earned his scholarly rank and brought honor to the Xu family. Furthermore, his return to the capital was rumored to come with a significant appointment.

Wang Feng furrowed her brows in concern and turned to Chunyan, the maid beside her.

“Chunyan, send someone to the city gates to check—why hasn’t the young master—”

Before she could finish, a servant rushed into the hall and knelt before the gathered family members.

“Old Matriarch, Masters, Madams—the Third Young Master has returned!”