“Master, why are we coming here so late at night?” On the Yangui Tower of Tianqi City, a young man wearing a cloud-patterned robe yawned and sat down, his legs dangling over the edge.

“Chu He, you’re too lazy. You’ll sit when you could stand, and lie down when you can sit. Why can’t you learn from your Royal Uncle? His back is always straight as a brush, a true model of royal bearing wherever he goes,” the white-haired masked man said helplessly.

This master and disciple pair was none other than Ji Ruofeng, the Master of Hundred Knowledge Hall and White Tiger Guardian of the Four Guardians of Tianqi, and Sixth Prince Xiao Chu He. On this seemingly peaceful but turbulent night, while others were locked in battle, they sat here overlooking the city.

“Royal Uncle’s way is too tiring,” Xiao Chu He said with a smile. “I want to live more freely. Master, when you have time, take me to see the jianghu.”

“See the jianghu? Tonight, right here, we’re watching the jianghu,” Ji Ruofeng lowered his head, looking toward a mansion in the southwest. “Jianghu isn’t just where there are rivers and lakes, but where there are people. There’s no place more jianghu than Tianqi City.”

“Master, I don’t have telescopic vision. What am I supposed to see?” Xiao Chu He scratched his head.

“Neither do I. I’m waiting for a fire,” Ji Ruofeng pointed. “In that direction.”

Xiao Chu He frowned slightly: “A fire.”

In Tianqi City, at a magnificent and wealthy residence.

An ornately decorated carriage slowly approached the courtyard gate.

A black-clad warrior waited there, quickly bowing upon seeing the carriage.

“Tell your master the time has come,” said the person in the carriage gravely.

“Yes, sir.” The black-clad warrior immediately turned and returned to the mansion.

At Fengxiao Temple.

The ground was littered with broken weapon fragments.

Master Wangyou sat cross-legged, wiping sweat from his brow as he began to meditate: “This old monk is exhausted. Even blocking Mr. Li back then wasn’t this tiring.”

“Are we stronger than Mr. Li?” Su Zhe stood beside Wangyou, taking a puff from his pipe and speaking leisurely.

“Of course not. Mr. Li was just more considerate of the elderly,” Wangyou thought for a moment. “No, wait, he was older than anyone…”

“Hahaha!” Su Zhe looked around. “The Shadow Sect people have all retreated, presumably because they received word from Tianqi City. We don’t need to continue this performance.”

“Thank you, Mr. Su Zhe. It’s been long since I’ve had such an enjoyable battle.” Xiao Ruofeng walked to Su Zhe’s side. Though wounded, his face bore a rare smile.

“Our act ends here, but the final outcome of this struggle depends on those two brothers in Tianqi City.” Su Zhe offered his pipe to Xiao Ruofeng. “Care for a puff?”

Xiao Ruofeng waved his hand: “You’re too kind, sir.”

“How about some betel nut then?” Su Zhe searched his robes, finally pulling out some crushed pieces and dropping them on the ground. “All gone. Your sword strike earlier crushed them.”

“Sir, you’re an interesting person,” Xiao Ruofeng smiled.

Wangyou softly chanted a Buddhist phrase: “Betel nut and tobacco, flat on your back you’ll go.”

“Surely you mean ‘boundless dharma power,’ Master. You’re speaking nonsense,” Su Zhe laughed.

Outside the Shadow Sect.

Bai Hehuai was growing impatient: “Why is there still no movement after so long? Shouldn’t we go in?”

Mu Yumo shook his head: “Wait for Changhe’s signal. He said only in the most desperate situation would he call for us to enter.”

“Ah, they’re so foolish! Why must they go in for bloody combat? Your Thousand Spider Formation combined with my special poisons could handle the Shadow Sect easily,” Bai Hehuai said angrily.

“The Divine Physician is getting anxious,” Mu Yumo smiled, looking down.

Bai Hehuai sighed helplessly: “Aren’t you anxious?”

“Don’t worry,” Mu Yumo patted Bai Hehuai’s shoulder. “When those brothers work together, they’ve never lost.”

Inside the Shadow Sect, the final battle that would determine the outcome of this night continued.

Su Muyu simultaneously controlled seventeen blades, demonstrating the ultimate mastery of the sword formation. Yet Xie Biyou and Su Ziyan, working in tandem with sword and blade, still couldn’t breach the formation’s defense.

Xie Zaiye watched from the side with a chill in his heart, muttering: “If he had used this sword formation earlier, I would surely be dead.”

“So young, yet possessing such swordsmanship—truly astounding,” Su Ziyan blocked a flying blade. “Pity you’re a nameless one, or I’d be tempted to praise our Su family’s innate sword talent.”

“Mu Fusheng, you’ve been watching for a while. How does it compare to the Eighteen Sword Formation you saw years ago?” Xie Biyou asked.

Mu Fusheng had been watching intently, his eyes growing brighter and expression more excited: “Marvelous, absolutely marvelous!”

“What’s so marvelous about it?” Su Ziyan frowned.

Mu Fusheng’s hands trembled slightly as if he could barely resist joining the fight: “It’s like watching that scene from decades ago come alive before me. Sadly, I was just a child then, unable to experience the battle firsthand. Now in my twilight years, seeing this supreme swordsmanship again, I can only admire it from afar.”

“After all that talk, who’s stronger?” Su Ziyan asked.

Mu Fusheng smiled disdainfully: “How can the way of the sword be measured merely in terms of strength?”

Though Su Muyu appeared to have the upper hand, he grew more anxious as the battle continued. While fighting, his opponents chatted, praising his swordsmanship without showing any fear. The stronger his sword techniques became, the more pleased they seemed.

“Su Muyu, they’re not truly fighting you,” Su Changhe warned gravely.

Su Muyu nodded: “I know. They’re guiding me, step by step, to reveal the complete Eighteen Sword Formation. Though I seem to have the advantage, I’m merely a puppet on strings, displaying sword techniques in their direction.”

“The young man is clever,” Su Ziyan smiled slightly. “Have you shown all of the Eighteen Sword Formation?”

Su Muyu gently twisted his thin sword: “This formation is called the Eighteen Sword Formation, yet the elders have only seen seventeen swords. Without seeing the eighteenth sword, how can you claim to have seen its true face?”

“Fair point. Then show us your eighteenth sword,” Su Ziyan replied.

“The eighteenth sword… deals only in life and death,” Su Muyu said gravely.

“Then let us deal in life and death.” Su Ziyan’s sword intent suddenly changed, creating a fierce wind around his blade. Meanwhile, Xie Biyou charged forward, his great blade severing three flying swords in succession. In a few bounds, he reached Su Muyu: “If we’re dealing with life and death, let me be first!”