At Tianxia District.

The young man caressed his teacup, looking into the distance.

The golden light in the distance had long since subsided.

“According to our plan, Flying Tiger General’s iron cavalry should have leveled all of Sihuai City by now.” His voice carried a hint of darkness, echoing through the empty hall.

No one answered him.

The shadows lurking in the darkness all tightened their grip on their weapons, as they simultaneously sensed two powerful auras approaching.

The young man raised his head slightly. In that instant, the teacup in his hand turned to dust. There was no warning of its breaking, not even the slightest sound. He simply watched as the cup in his hand suddenly became powder, scattering in the night breeze. He asked deeply: “Who goes there?”

“It’s me.” A cold voice answered, and a figure wearing a bamboo hat and carrying a sword sat down in the wooden chair beside him. It was, of course, the Snow Moon Sword Immortal, Li Hanyin.

“I’m standing, what right do you have to sit?” The young man’s voice revealed a trace of displeasure.

Li Hanyin smiled, her finger curling slightly as a teacup fell into her hand. The tea inside was still steamed with heat. She blew on it gently, and the rising steam turned to frost. She set down the cup: “Do you enjoy this feeling? Sitting here drinking tea, arranging everyone’s tasks, having that sense of overlooking everything, holding all matters in your hands?”

“Who exactly are you!” The young man clenched his fists.

“You don’t know who I am, but I know who you are, Crown Prince Xiao Yong.” Li Hanyin said quietly.

Xiao Yong was startled: “You dare speak my name?”

“You people from Tianqi City are interesting, always trying to impose your rules on the world. You think that even if others see through your identity, they wouldn’t dare speak it aloud. But you shouldn’t view me that way. There are always those who don’t care about your rules, whether it’s Tianqi City, the Xiao royal clan, or even your emperor,” Li Hanyin touched the Iron Horse Ice River sword at her waist. “I consider them all beneath my notice.”

“Who are you?!” Xiao Yong shouted harshly, his voice now carrying traces of fear.

“Want to know my name so you can seek revenge later? Fine, I’m Li Hanyin, a resident of Snow Moon City.” Li Hanyin said proudly. “My senior brother once defeated your father in front of all Tianqi’s experts, depleting his entire cultivation. We’re right there in Snow Moon City—when have you ever dared to trouble us? All this elaborate scheme against Wushuang City, isn’t it just because you fear us?”

“Snow Moon Sword Immortal Li Hanyin, how could you be here in Sihuai City!” Xiao Yong shouted. “Nonsense and bluffing!”

“Where’s your dignified bearing now? Where’s your composure to having everything under control?” Li Hanyin casually sent out a fierce sword energy, forcing Xiao Yong to retreat more than ten steps. “Come on. Call your men. Kill me.”

“Kill her!” Xiao Yong pointed at Li Hanyin, unable to contain his rage.

More than ten shadows appeared simultaneously, swinging their weapons down at Li Hanyin.

“How obedient.” Li Hanyin drew Iron Horse Ice River, releasing an extremely cold sword energy. In that instant, the entire room seemed to plunge into an icy hell. Their weapons were all covered in frost, some even shattering from the extreme cold. The few who could withstand it recognized her strength and quickly retreated to Xiao Yong’s side.

“This is indeed the Snow Moon Sword Immortal, Li Hanyin,” the leader said gravely.

Xiao Yong gritted his teeth: “Your mother is the head of Tianqi’s Four Guardians, yet you commit treason by raising your hand against a prince.”

“Princes are forbidden to leave Tianqi without cause. You appear in Sihuai City, yet speak of my treason?” Li Hanyin sneered. “My mother guards Tianqi, not scheming princes.”

“Lady Li, I believe today’s matters shouldn’t concern Snow Moon City. Why persist?” The guard leader stood before Xiao Yong.

“Once I’ve witnessed it, it concerns me.” Li Hanyin lightly waved Iron Horse Ice River.

“That’s enough.” Xie Xuan walked in slowly. “Don’t frighten them too badly.”

“Director Xie!” Xiao Yong exclaimed.

Xie Xuan smiled and shrugged: “Your Highness still remembers me.”

“Director?” Li Hanyin asked, puzzled.

Xie Xuan stepped forward: “I once served as Director of the Jixia Academy for a time, teaching several princes.”

“Why is Director Xie here?” Xiao Yong asked.

Xie Xuan cocked his ear, hearing hoofbeats from the entrance. He smiled: “I came to this city to observe swordsmanship, yet not only did I miss seeing it, I was nearly poisoned to death. Such bad luck.”

Xiao Yong’s face darkened slightly: “So sir has also come to stop me.”

Xie Xuan patted Ten Thousand Books at his waist: “It depends on how you look at it. You think I’m stopping you, but I’m helping you. Taking Wushuang City today wouldn’t be good for you.”

“Flying Tiger General is outside, and beyond the city walls, an army awaits my command. With one word from me, all of Sihuai City can be trampled flat,” Xiao Yong said slowly.

“Li City Lord and I stand together. The two of us, with our two swords, can hold a ten-foot span against any army you bring,” Xie Xuan rarely spoke so arrogantly.

Or perhaps, this statement wasn’t arrogance at all.

But rather, carried a hint of modesty.

“Your Highness.” The guard leader spoke softly.

“Silence.” Xiao Yong frowned. He looked at Li Hanyin, then at Xie Xuan. “Xiao Yong will remember today’s events.”

“How troublesome.” Li Hanyin raised her sword and moved to charge forward. “Let’s just kill him and be done with it.”

“No, no, no, no!” Xie Xuan hurriedly stopped her. “He’s still a prince—killing him would cause problems with your mother.”

“I’m wearing a veil, there’d be no proof,” Li Hanyin replied. “This person is no good, probably killed countless innocent people. No loss in killing him.”

“Ah.” Xie Xuan said with a headache. “Among the Four Great Demons of the jianghu, you should have a place.”

“Let’s go!” Xiao Yong waved his hand, leading his people out the door. Outside, Flying Tiger Dian Ye sat on horseback waiting, covered in blood: “Your Highness, we failed.”

“There will be other days!” Xiao Yong mounted his horse and cracked his whip sharply. “Hya!”

Inside Tianxia District.

Xie Xuan let out a light breath: “You weren’t planning to kill him earlier, were you?”

Li Hanyin sheathed her sword: “I’m not stupid, why create trouble for myself? I was just scaring him.”