Compared to the tyrannical and unpredictable Xie Ba, the cold and taciturn Xie Qidao was a more dangerous enemy, but Mu Zizhe still chose to let him leave. Firstly, he had already revealed all his trump cards earlier, and secondly, Xie Qidao hadn’t yet used his legendary Seven Life-Taking Blades. In a one-on-one battle, Mu Zizhe wasn’t certain of victory. Even if he won, both sides would be severely wounded, possibly giving the temporarily withdrawn Su Clan an opportunity.

“Clan Head, does this mean the Xie Clan has accepted our claim to the Sleeping Dragon Sword?” Mu Qingyang put away his peachwood sword, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth.

“At least the Xie Clan has withdrawn from this war,” Mu Zizhe looked at the Sleeping Dragon Sword in his hand.

“Then, next…” Mu Qingyang habitually began playing with his peach blossom coin.

“We go to the Spider’s Nest to find the Grand Elder,” Mu Zizhe walked forward. “To truly inherit the Sleeping Dragon Sword, either he acknowledges me, or…”

Mu Qingyang tossed the peach blossom coin and caught it: “Or he dies.”

At the main gate of the Spider’s Nest compound.

Su Changhe arrived first with his Bi’an members. He stepped forward and knocked on the gate.

Su Muyu, guarding the Grand Elder’s side, heard the knocking and walked to the gate with his Fine Rain Sword: “Who is it?”

Su Changhe laughed: “It’s me, Su Changhe. Your good brother, Su Muyu!”

Su Muyu was stunned, as were the Spider Shadow members behind him. They had prepared for battle, expecting either the Mu Clan or Xie Clan, but never imagined it would be Su Changhe. Su Muyu said helplessly: “Weren’t you injured?”

Su Changhe waved dismissively: “Oh, that was just an act.”

Su Muyu smiled bitterly: “Then what are you doing here? Has the old master given another mission?”

“Su Jinhui? He’s dead. I’m in charge of the Su Clan now,” Su Changhe replied.

Su Muyu frowned: “The old master is dead? Who killed him?”

Su Changhe announced loudly: “Why, I killed him, of course!”

Su Muyu glanced at the Grand Elder, who sat in the courtyard slowly smoking his pipe, seemingly unmoved by this shocking news.

“It’s tiring talking through this door. Let me in,” Su Changhe knocked heavily on the gate again.

The Spider Shadow members all drew their weapons.

Su Muyu waved his hand, signaling them to step back, then moved forward to slowly open the gate.

Su Changhe had been twirling a dagger in his hand, but seeing the gate open, he put it away and turned his head, stroking his elegant mustache.

The Bi’an members behind him all stared intently at Su Muyu.

Su Muyu noticed the blue sapphire rings on their fingers, his eyes narrowing slightly. Su Changhe seized this moment to leap inside, and Su Muyu, sensing danger, quickly closed the gate again. Su Changhe, however, walked carelessly toward the Grand Elder: “Ah, my dear Grand Elder, I’ve finally met you.”

“Stop!” Yin Hu and others stepped forward with their blades.

But Su Changhe swayed and flashed past them, arriving directly before the Grand Elder. Bai Hehuai, standing beside the Grand Elder, gripped three silver needles, his entire body tensing like a drawn bowstring.

The Grand Elder continued smoking leisurely until Su Changhe stood before him, then lazily raised his eyes: “Troublemaker, nothing good ever comes from seeing you.”

“Grand Elder, if it weren’t for me, you might not have made it to this Spider’s Nest,” Su Changhe smiled.

“Jinhui is dead?” the Grand Elder asked.

“At least as far as the Dark River is concerned, he is,” Su Changhe sat beside the Grand Elder. “Grand Elder, let me have a smoke too?”

The Grand Elder put down his pipe, tapped it on the ground, and handed it to Su Changhe.

Su Changhe took the pipe, inhaled deeply, and slowly blew out a smoke ring, watching it float to the roof and gradually dissipate. He laughed like a child: “Haha, Su Muyu, look, I’m still so good at blowing smoke rings!”

Su Muyu gripped his Fine Rain Sword, uncertain now of both Su Changhe’s and the Grand Elder’s intentions. He said gravely: “Changhe, what exactly are you planning?”

Su Changhe turned to look at the Grand Elder: “Grand Elder, could you perhaps die?”

Bai Hehuai was startled, nearly throwing his three silver needles. But the Grand Elder remained calm, taking back his pipe for another smoke: “And if I say no?”

Su Changhe stroked his ring: “Grand Elder, see this ring? It’s inscribed with two characters—Bi’an. Over these years, I’ve gathered the most talented young people in the Dark River. With our strength, I hope to reach the Other Shore of the Dark River. There should be light there, not eternal night.”

The Grand Elder nodded: “Not a bad idea.”

“But you and I both know that only with your death will this long night end,” Su Changhe said softly.

“Changhe, mind your words!” Su Muyu commanded.

Su Changhe stood up, glancing at Su Muyu: “My good brother, I know you also want to change all this, but you know the price of change is paid in blood. You don’t want to be stained with that blood, so you can only wield your sword half-heartedly, maintaining a fragile and laughable balance. Now I’ve paved the way for you—let’s walk to the Other Shore together.” Su Changhe took out a blue sapphire ring and threw it to Su Muyu.

Su Muyu caught it, looking down at the characters “Bi’an” on the ring.

The Spider Shadow members held their breath, waiting for Su Muyu’s answer, ready to follow whichever path he chose. The Grand Elder continued smoking, seemingly unconcerned, but Bai Hehuai clearly noticed his breathing had become rapid.

Could even the mighty Grand Elder of the Dark River fear death at this crucial moment? Bai Hehuai put away his silver needles. He suddenly felt this struggle had long ceased to concern him.

Su Muyu pocketed the ring without putting it on: “Perhaps there’s a second path.”

“Fool!” Su Changhe’s expression rarely turned serious and angry. “There’s no room for compromise! The Grand Elder must die. New rules must be built on the ruins of the old!”

“I am Kui,” Su Muyu slowly replied. “I once swore to protect the Grand Elder’s safety until death.”

Su Changhe burst into loud laughter: “How could I ever consider someone like you a friend? We are completely different people! How ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!”