The phantom bronze bell shook violently but didn’t dissipate. Su Zhe retreated three steps and smiled: “What an impressive Prajna Heart Bell.”
“Master, please remove the Heart Bell. Let me fight him,” Xiao Ruofeng walked toward Su Zhe with his sword raised.
“Very well!” Wangyou waved both hands, dispersing the Heart Bell, then leaped into the courtyard where dozens of assassins rushed at him with swords. He clasped his hands together, instantly summoning the Heart Bell again, forcing them all back.
Inside the room, Xiao Ruofeng thrust his sword forward, clashing with Su Zhe’s Buddhist staff and sweeping him to the ground. Su Zhe rolled and retreated three steps: “What domineering swordsmanship!”
“This is my Xiao family’s hereditary Empire-Splitting Sword technique!” Xiao Ruofeng unleashed sword strike after sword strike, his overwhelming momentum immediately suppressing Su Zhe.
“Demon King’s Sixteen Dances!” Su Zhe swept his staff forcefully, sending sixteen golden rings flying rapidly toward Xiao Ruofeng.
Xiao Ruofeng’s sword danced wildly, forming an impenetrable wall of sword energy to block the rings. Then he thrust his sword repeatedly, appearing to perform a sword dance but stringing the golden rings together one by one. Finally, he slammed his sword heavily into the ground, shattering all the rings.
“I never imagined such domineering swordsmanship existed in this world,” Su Zhe said in shock.
“Without such dominance, how could one unify the world?” Xiao Ruofeng swung his sword fiercely again.
But this time Su Zhe blocked it, wielding his staff with wild sweeps while his footwork changed rapidly, as if dancing.
“So this is the true Demon King’s Sixteen Dances?” Xiao Ruofeng asked gravely.
“Yes. Few have seen this demonic dance—all who have are dead, but you, young master, will live,” Su Zhe swung his staff, and behind him appeared the phantom of a demon king. “And the demon will forever walk with you.”
At Zhaolai Inn.
Su Changhe unwrapped the bandage on his arm: “Uncle Zhe and the others have begun?”
“Killing intent has appeared at Fengxiao Temple. Uncle Zhe said it would surely be an earth-shattering battle,” Mu Qingyang replied.
“Then issue the Heaven-Slaying Order. It’s time for the true blades to appear,” Su Changhe smiled.
“This subordinate has waited long for this day,” Mu Qingyang took out a new peach wood sword from his back.
“Isn’t Tianqi City interesting? I bet even locked in Shadow Prison, Su Muyu would find it quite fascinating,” Su Changhe said quietly.
“It’s very dull, always feeling like there’s a string pulling at you. Today is the day to cut that string,” Mu Qingyang swung his peach wood sword.
“A newly carved peach wood sword?” Su Changhe asked.
“Obtained from Mount Qingcheng,” Mu Qingyang replied.
“You enjoy being a Daoist that much?” Su Changhe pursed his lips.
“I once dreamed of achieving immortality and riding a crane to heaven,” Mu Qingyang raised his peach wood sword skyward.
At the Duke’s Mansion.
“Su Zhe is leading the Su family assassins in an ambush against Xiao Ruofeng at Fengxiao Temple. Only Xiao Ruofeng and Wangyou are skilled in martial arts. Even if Li Xinyue receives word and rushes over, it would take at least half an hour—she won’t make it in time,” Luo Tianxiang reported.
Yi Bu nodded: “I don’t want probabilities. Send more men to Fengxiao Temple. No more standing by—attack directly!”
“Attack directly? If we’re exposed…” Luo Tianxiang worried.
Yi Bu sneered: “Once he’s dead, he won’t be the one in charge of Tianqi City anymore. What is there to fear!”
“Yes!” Luo Tianxiang nodded and quickly withdrew.
Outside Shadow Prison.
The “Heavenly Official” and Water Official approached slowly. Seeing Crow guarding outside, Water Official’s expression changed slightly. When they reached the guards, Water Official bowed slightly, speaking respectfully: “Why has the Eagle Eye Squad taken over guarding the Shadow Prison?”
Crow glanced at him and said carelessly: “After all, we’re holding the Su family head of Dark River inside. The previous guards could be easily manipulated by others—they couldn’t handle this responsibility.”
“I see,” Water Official nodded.
“Why have you come?” Crow glanced at Water Official.
Water Official smiled and stepped back: “I have some questions for the Su family head.”
“Oh? What questions?” Crow’s hand slowly moved toward the sword at his waist.
“Some internal Dark River matters. You know we Three Officials regularly stay at Dark River’s Soul-Summoning Hall. There are many things only we know about,” Water Official replied.
“Doesn’t sound urgent. Wait a few days then. The Sect Leader ordered that no one is to see Su Muyu these days,” Crow replied.
“Why is that?” Water Official asked puzzled.
“Do you need to know the reason for the Sect Leader’s orders?” Crow raised an eyebrow.
“I understand,” The Water Official smiled and nodded, then withdrew with the Heavenly Official.
After reaching another courtyard, the “Heavenly Official” finally spoke: “Could Yi Bu have noticed something?”
“Impossible. If Yi Bu truly suspected something, he would eliminate us without hesitation. He’s always cautious—he probably just strengthened the prison guards tonight fearing Dark River might make a move,” Water Official stroked his chin. “This is troublesome. We need someone to enter the prison and free Su Muyu.”
“What’s troublesome about that?” A familiar voice sounded beside Water Official, startling him. He turned to see “Yi Bu,” and his hair stood on end as he instinctively prepared to strike.
“It’s me,” the voice changed to a coquettish female tone as “Yi Bu” covered their mouth and laughed.
“Dark River members are skilled in disguise, but I’ve never seen anyone as masterful as you,” Water Official let out a relieved breath.
“Let me change clothes and try at the prison entrance,” “Yi Bu” waved their sleeve and disappeared.
Moments later, “Yi Bu” appeared at the prison entrance.
The Eagle Eye members hurriedly bowed: “Sect Leader!”
“Mm,” “Yi Bu” nodded. “Any abnormalities here?”
“Earlier, a Water Official came wanting to see Su Muyu. I sent him away,” Crow reported.
“Yi Bu” patted Crow’s shoulder: “Good. Today is different from usual—better to avoid complications. You did well.”
“Thank you for the praise, Sect Leader,” Crow clasped his hands and bowed.
Then “Yi Bu” stepped past Crow, apparently about to push open the prison door. Crow started: “Sect Leader?”
“Yi Bu” frowned: “What, I’m not allowed in either?”
“This subordinate wouldn’t dare,” Crow lowered his head.
“Hmph.” “Yi Bu” waved their sleeve and hurried forward, but after just one step, they sensed a fierce wind from behind. They whirled around to find Crow’s sword already in their face!