This was the weakness Su Muyu had discovered in the three elders before him.

Their sword techniques and martial skills were exceptional, having been honored as guest elders in Tianqi City for years, never needing to participate in true life-or-death battles. So despite their superior swordsmanship and martial arts, they fell far short of Su Muyu in the art of killing.

“The Flower-Scattering Sword technique, tenth form, once named ‘Falling Snow’—a movement of supreme beauty, considered the most elegant strike in the Su family’s sword art,” Su Muyu swept aside Su Ziyan’s sword with one strike, his left hand directing the remaining thirteen flying blades skyward.

Su Ziyan coughed lightly, his sword hand trembling slightly.

“But it was later renamed ‘Falling Blood,'” Su Muyu swept his hand down. “Now it’s a killing strike.”

The swords fell like rain!

Su Ziyan raised his head, gently twirling his sword as sword energy rose with the wind: “Young man, don’t underestimate us too much.” His sword energy held back the thirteen flying blades while Mu Fusheng seized the chance to launch a palm strike at Su Muyu.

“Careful, his Demon Subduing Palm has reached the eighth level!” Su Changhe warned.

But Su Muyu merely smiled, channeling all his inner energy to withstand Mu Fusheng’s palm strike. A thunderous boom shook the Ten Thousand Scrolls Tower, raising clouds of dust. Mu Fusheng stared at Su Muyu in disbelief: “You didn’t dodge?”

Su Muyu ran him through with one sword strike: “Before I entered Ghost Wail Abyss, Dark River’s instructor told me something.” Su Muyu’s chest now bore a ghastly blood mark, his clothes stained red with blood, but at least he remained standing while Mu Fusheng had fallen to one knee.

Mu Fusheng gritted his teeth: “What was it?”

“An assassin needs only one thing to succeed—I’m still alive while you’re dead!” Su Muyu withdrew his sword as the rain of blades shattered and fell. Unable to resist, Su Ziyan abandoned his sword and retreated, his body covered in wounds from the blade storm.

Mu Fusheng lay on the ground, clutching his abdominal wound. Su Muyu’s sword had missed his vital point by an inch—had it deviated that inch, Mu Fusheng would have died instantly. He looked up at Su Muyu: “But you didn’t kill me.”

“I didn’t kill you because there was no need,” Su Muyu said gravely. “The Three Families of Dark River share the same origins as you. Such deadly battles are meaningless.”

Su Changhe protested: “Hey hey hey! We don’t share the same blood as them!”

“Though we two are Nameless Ones, many of our companions share your surnames—Su, Xie, and Mu. Dark River has always been an organization that disregards sentiment, but I hope things will be different now,” Su Muyu sighed softly. “I hope those in Dark River now can have what you have—the freedom to walk under the sun.”

Su Ziyan and Xie Biyou exchanged glances, then stepped forward together to help Mu Fusheng up. Su Ziyan began channeling energy to heal Mu Fusheng while Xie Biyou turned to Su Muyu.

“If Dark River’s Three Families’ disciples ever need help, I hope you can assist them as family would,” Su Muyu said to Xie Biyou.

Xie Biyou sighed lightly: “We were always one—Shadow Sect leading Dark River’s Three Families while honoring our three families in Tianqi City.”

“I can’t promise everything, but I can promise this,” Su Muyu sheathed his sword. “After today, there will be no more Shadow Sect. Leave here, and no one will trouble you.”

After long contemplation, Xie Biyou sighed deeply: “So be it.”

“Some things must change,” Su Muyu glanced at Su Changhe. “We must eventually cross to Dark River’s far shore. There shouldn’t only be endless night there—there should also be light.”

“Good,” Xie Biyou said gravely. “I admire you, young man.”

“Xie Biyou!” Su Ziyan shouted.

“Enough,” Xie Biyou shook his head. “Yi Bu isn’t a leader worth following—we three have long known this. Moreover, in Tianqi City now, the Four Guardians led by the Langya King hold the dominant position. Shadow Sect has already lost its power. Better to find a new path than follow him to death.”

“Ah.” Su Ziyan knew Xie Biyou spoke truth, and after hesitating, said no more.

“Then, Young Master Su, we’ll take our leave,” Xie Biyou stepped back slowly. “I hope you can realize your wish and bring about a new Dark River.”

“Dark River is already new—it’s just that people’s perception of Dark River hasn’t changed yet,” Su Muyu smiled faintly.

After the three elders and Xie Zaiye, who had been guarding the tower, departed, Su Muyu stumbled forward, nearly falling. Su Changhe rushed to support him: “Why be so stubborn? If we had fought together earlier, we wouldn’t be in such a sorry state.”

Su Muyu shook his head: “If you had fought, it would have truly become a fight to the death.”

“Hmph.” Su Changhe shrugged. “I don’t like such complicated matters. Kill them all and start fresh—wouldn’t that be simpler?”

“Some things can be rebuilt from scratch, others cannot,” Su Muyu took a deep breath, circulating his inner energy again before walking forward. He took a torch from the wall: “This Ten Thousand Scrolls Tower, for instance, must be completely destroyed.”

“Stop!” A heavy voice came from behind them.

Su Muyu didn’t turn around, continuing forward: “Changhe, now is your time to act. I can fight no more.”

“With him, I can fight to the death, right?” Su Changhe licked his lips.

“Scatter even his ashes!” Su Muyu pushed open the tower’s door with his torch.

“Will do!” Su Changhe stepped forward, then scratched his head. “Wait, Su Muyu. Why do I feel like you’re the real Patriarch and I’m just the errand boy?”

This time there was no response, as Su Muyu had already entered the tower.

“Ah.” Su Changhe shook his head. “Less and less dignity by the day.”

“Move aside.” The man who had spoken earlier approached Su Changhe with his sword drawn.

Su Changhe threw a dagger that landed before the man: “Strictly speaking, though we’ve fought indirectly many times, this is our first true meeting, isn’t it? Shadow Sect Leader, Master Yi Bu?”

Yi Bu paused, then said: “You are Dark River’s Patriarch, Su Changhe.”

“Indeed, indeed. Dark River’s errand boy, Su Changhe,” Su Changhe’s hands glowed with purple energy. “By order of Dark River’s Su Family Head Su Muyu, I’m here to take your life!”