HomeTales of Dark RiverAn He Zhuan: Act Eleven - Chapter 16

An He Zhuan: Act Eleven – Chapter 16

Ten years to hide one sword.

Today to show it to you.

Sword Unrivaled was once the only person who could compete with Song Yanhui for the position of City Lord. But he was even more obsessed with swordsmanship than Song Yanhui, to the point of madness. Even after being appointed as head of the Martial Hall, he never managed any affairs, constantly remaining in seclusion to practice his sword.

For a full year, Sword Unrivaled hadn’t appeared in Wushuang City.

He once said that when he drew his sword again, he would be unrivaled under heaven.

Su Muyu blocked this strike but was forced to slide backward along the ground, leaving a long trench. He was startled—this man’s swordsmanship far surpassed Liu Yunqi’s.

Bai Huhuai cried out and moved to help: “Su Muyu!”

“Don’t go,” Su Changhe repelled Dian Ye, then retreated to Bai Huhuai’s side, grabbing her shoulder to pull her back. “This newcomer’s swordsmanship is absurdly high. One wrong move and you’ll be killed.”

“Protect the Divine Physician!” Ge Xiu rallied, and all Changsheng Gate disciples surrounded Bai Huhuai. Xu An picked up a sword from the ground and stood guard beside her. Though their martial arts might not make much difference, Su Muyu’s earlier words to Dian Ye had ignited their fighting spirit. Since Su Muyu would die protecting them, they would die protecting his companion.

Su Changhe started, then smiled: “Though I’ve been accompanying Su Muyu in these matters, I’ve always found them boring and laughable. I only went along because he liked it. But now…”

“You suddenly find meaning in it?” Bai Huhuai asked.

“No, I suddenly find it even more laughable, hahaha.” Su Changhe channeled his qi and charged at Dian Ye again. “Su Muyu, it’ll take some time to kill this Flying Tiger General. Can you hold on? Don’t die!”

Bai Huhuai’s expression grew grave. For Su Changhe to say such things, he must believe Su Muyu was at a disadvantage. She looked toward Su Muyu but found him smiling.

Su Muyu smiled faintly: “In you, I see my father’s shadow.”

“Wujian City Lord Zhuo Yuluo,” Sword Unrivaled retreated to the eaves after Su Muyu blocked his strike, looking down at him.

“A pure sword heart, an absolute devotee of the sword path,” Su Muyu said softly. “Besides my father, I’ve never seen such pure sword intent.”

Sword Unrivaled replied coolly: “When following the sword path, one’s heart should be undivided.”

“It seems the battle at Wushuang City has lost its meaning,” Su Muyu sighed deeply. “It’s my honor to cross swords with you, sir.”

“That previous strike was my first after years in seclusion—pure sword intent without technique. You blocked it beautifully,” Sword Unrivaled sheathed his sword, then moved to draw again. “But each of my following strikes will be stronger and fiercer than the last.”

“Even better,” Su Muyu also sheathed his sword and then placed his hand on the hilt.

Both were gathering sword intent.

True sword masters all possessed their sword intent.

Among the Five Sword Immortals, Luo Qingyang’s was embodied in “Solitude,” Yan Zhantian’s in “Rage,” Li Hanyi’s in “Cold,” Xie Xuan’s in “Scholar,” and Zhao Yuzhen’s in “Way.”

As for this Sword Unrivaled, his sword intent lay in “Purity.”

Without any impurity.

Ten years to grind one sword, absolutely pure sword intent.

And Su Muyu?

At Si Huai City’s gate, Scholar Sword Immortal Xie Xuan watched the candle before him burning low, sighed softly, and then looked into the distance, a trace of a smile crossing his face. He stood up, touching the sword at his waist, and suddenly asked: “Do you feel it might rain?”

The driver started, confused, furrowed his brow, and finally said: “There does seem to be a hint of coolness…”

“Hahaha, that’s how rain is—it always arrives with a touch of coolness. But after the rain, all things are renewed. It’s refreshing, clean, reborn, a feeling of hope.” Xie Xuan said slowly. “Setting aside status, I truly admire him.”

The driver asked, puzzled: “Sir, what are you talking about?”

Xie Xuan fingered his sword hilt: “We might not be able to wait for this poison to disperse. We’ll need to find another way.”

Outside Si Huai City.

Song Yanhui and Lu Yudai were galloping on horseback.

“Master, why didn’t we bring more men? Just the two of us can’t quell Si Huai City’s unrest!” As Lu Yudai saw Si Huai City approaching, his earlier bravado gradually retreated, and he instinctively wanted to flee…

Song Yanhui shook his head: “Who says I’m alone? That Zhuo Yue’an should be in Si Huai City now, shouldn’t he?”

“Zhuo Yue’an? Isn’t he our enemy?” Lu Yudai asked, confused. “Would he help us?”

“I never considered him our enemy. Regarding past matters, we of Wushuang City wronged him. As for today, he hasn’t killed anyone from our city—it’s purely a contest of swordsmanship.” Song Yanhui pulled his reins. “Trust me. The Martial Hall people think this upheaval is their best chance to overthrow me, but they’ll regret it. Any opportunity would be better than this one they’ve chosen.”

Several black-clad figures now stood before Song Yanhui, their qi surging—no ordinary masters.

Lu Yudai’s hand trembled slightly on his spear: “You are…”

“These must be Tianxia Lodge’s retained experts?” Song Yanhui said softly. “My good disciple, it seems you’re not very skilled at playing power games either.”

“Disciple has failed you,” Lu Yudai said with a bitter smile.

“If you were to pull out a knife and stab me in the back now, that would be quite good,” Song Yanhui said.

Lu Yudai quickly shook his head: “Master, your disciple may be useless, but he’s not a beast.”

“It’s precisely because I value this about you that I couldn’t bring myself to drive you away.” Song Yanhui drew his sword. “Let’s fight. Show me if your spear technique is truly beyond salvation.”

The lead black-clad man sneered: “City Lord Song, do you insist on going your own way?”

“Your master has met with me several times. Wushuang City isn’t so lofty that we can stand alone, but as good birds choose trees to nest in, I find your master lacking,” Song Yanhui replied. “No need for more words. Let’s fight.”

“Many in Wushuang City will die because of your words,” the black-clad man threatened.

“Trust me, if I stood with you, even more, would die in Wushuang City,” Song Yanhui thrust his sword forward. “Even if Wushuang City is no longer unmatched under heaven, our ancestors’ spirit remains.”

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