Outside the Ten Thousand Scrolls Tower.

Su Changhe sheathed his dagger and wiped the blood from his mouth corner. “As expected of the Shadow Sect’s leader—you nearly killed me.”

Yi Bu lay in a pool of blood, his sword broken in two. Looking at the tower engulfed in flames, his eyes filled with regret and resignation. Finally, he just sighed: “At last, everything ends.” He recalled that day many years ago on Tianqi City’s main street when he and his most beloved disciple crossed swords.

“Qingyang, I’m very disappointed in you,” Yi Bu had said, watching the disciple he’d personally trained draw his sword against him.

“Master, I’m disappointed in you too,” replied Luo Qingyang, who would later be known as the peerless swordsman Lone Sword Immortal. Back then, he was just an emerging young man who, after a moment’s thought, had answered his master thus.

They fought, and Yi Bu won, but Luo Qingyang’s words haunted him forever.

“I’ve always wondered if there’d come a day when I’d draw my sword against Master. I thought when that day came, I would no longer fear you. I’d dare to pursue what I truly love!”

What did one truly love?

Yi Bu realized he’d never known the answer to this question.

Since birth, his father had instilled in him the mission to restore the Shadow Sect. This goal took root in his heart like a seed, and he seemed to live without any personal desires, working solely toward this purpose. As a child, he most looked forward to nightfall, when he could hide under his blanket, free from responsibilities and his father’s teachings. In those moments, he wasn’t the hope for the Shadow Sect’s revival—just an ordinary child. Then one day, his father died, and he inherited his father’s sword, becoming the youngest sect leader in Shadow Sect history. He had always hoped for a son to pass on his father’s expectations but ended up with only a daughter, Yi Wenjun, whom he traded away as a piece in the Shadow Sect’s revival strategy. Then he met Luo Qingyang.

Luo Qingyang became a legendary swordsman and was granted his city, yet still parted ways with him.

His life had been an utter failure. Not only had he failed to revive the Shadow Sect, but it had completely vanished under his leadership. He’d lost both his daughter and his beloved disciple.

“They say your life flashes before your eyes when you’re dying. You’ve been lost in thought for quite a while—reviewing your life?” Su Changhe stepped on Yi Bu’s hand still clutched the broken sword. “Stop thinking. Look at me.”

Yi Bu snapped back to reality and looked at Su Changhe. “Do it.”

“Tell me, who else in Tianqi City knows about Dark River’s connection to the Shadow Sect?” Su Changhe bent down to ask.

Yi Bu sneered. “Planning to kill them all?”

“What if I am?” Su Changhe smiled. “You thought I couldn’t kill you, yet here we are.”

“Don’t worry. If people learned that the notorious assassin organization was controlled by the imperial court, it would cause panic throughout the realm. Only a handful know of Dark River’s existence,” Yi Bu replied.

“A handful is still someone. Name them. I’ll leave your corpse intact,” Su Changhe pressed harder with his foot.

“Changhe.” Su Muyu’s voice came from behind.

Su Changhe turned slightly. “How was it? Did you find what you were looking for?”

Su Muyu nodded. “I did.”

“What should we do with this old man?” Su Changhe spoke, then immediately regretted it. “No, why am I asking you? I’m Dark River’s leader. I say we cut off his limbs first—he won’t tell us who else in Tianqi City is watching our Dark River otherwise.”

“Even if you cut off his limbs, he won’t tell you,” Su Muyu looked at Yi Bu on the ground. “You’ve killed many people—you should recognize that look in his eyes.”

Su Changhe shook his head. “You’re no fun. I just wanted to torture him a bit.”

“Let’s go,” Su Muyu walked past Yi Bu.

“Any last words?” Su Changhe looked down at Yi Bu. “Following my last shred of conscience, I’ll listen.”

“A shadow remains a shadow for life. When a shadow tries to step into the sunlight, it can only vanish,” Yi Bu used his last strength to say. “You… will ultimately fail.”

“How unlucky,” Su Changhe casually flicked a dagger, ending Yi Bu’s life. He stepped over the body and caught up with Su Muyu. “Su Muyu, we’ve achieved a great victory today. Let me treat you to a drink at Diaolou Pavilion.”

“We didn’t burn the Shadow Sect—we burned the Duke’s mansion,” Su Muyu gave Su Changhe a helpless look. “We need to leave Tianqi City immediately.”

Su Changhe paused, pondering Yi Bu’s last words. When a shadow steps into sunlight, it can only vanish. Perhaps the Shadow Sect’s transformation into the Duke’s household was exactly that—shadows stepping into sunlight. Yi Bu’s words weren’t just a curse on them but a reflection of his situation.

“What are you thinking about?” Su Muyu asked.

“Nothing,” Su Changhe shook his head.

They walked side by side in silence until passing the Shadow Sect’s main hall, where they suddenly stopped. Su Changhe immediately gripped his daggers, his killing intent surging. “Who’s there?”

A tall man in purple dragon robes stood before them, accompanied by a youth no more than thirteen or fourteen years old.

“Dark River’s Patriarch, Su Changhe. Dark River’s Su Family Head, Su Muyu,” the purple-robed man smiled. “I’ve long admired you both.”

Su Muyu studied him, noting his striking resemblance to Chief Eunuch Zhuo Qing in both manner and dress, even sharing the same presence, though with a notably younger face. A possibility occurred to him: “You’re Chief Eunuch Jin Xuan?”

Su Changhe started. “The palace’s greatest warrior.”

The purple-robed man smiled. “Good eye. We’ve never met, yet you recognized me instantly.”

“What about me? Who am I?” the youth asked Su Muyu and Su Changhe.

Su Changhe gripped his daggers, ready to strike. “Perhaps who you are isn’t so important.”

“This is your first true glimpse of the world, your first time telling them your name,” Jin Xuan touched his jade ring. “Speak up.”

“Seventh Prince of Beili,” the youth stepped forward. “Xiao Yu.”