At the Imperial Father-in-law’s Manor.
“Su Muyu commands great respect within the Dark River, but Su Changhe is the current family head, and he’s different from Su Muyu. Su Muyu values loyalty and righteousness, while Su Changhe values profit. If we truly want to cooperate with the Dark River, we should wait for Su Changhe to arrive before discussing further plans.” The man standing in the hall wore official robes and bore a grave expression—he was the Heaven Official of the Three Officials.
“Are you confident you can negotiate with Su Changhe?” Yi Bu stood up and asked in a deep voice.
“Yes. Even when about to claim the Sleeping Dragon Sword, Su Changhe was unwilling to sacrifice Su Muyu’s life. Therefore, if we can capture Su Muyu, we can force his compliance.” The Heaven Official clenched his fist. “Then, with the full force of the Dark River sect, we can kill one of the princes in Tianqi City. Whether the Dark River continues to exist afterward is meaningless.”
“Good. Then we’ll change the plan—don’t wait for Su Muyu’s response. Tonight, throw him into the Shadow Prison!” Yi Bu swept his long sleeve.
“As commanded.” The Heaven Official immediately withdrew, with two other figures following closely behind.
At the Imperial Entertainment Bureau.
Su Muyu and Second Master Tu walked side by side, leaving the Hundred Flowers Tower.
Second Master Tu’s steps were unsteady, seemingly having drunk too much. “I’d heard of Young Master Su’s reputation before and thought you were a demon among men. But meeting you today, you’re a refined young gentleman! We seem to have hit it off, so why don’t we—”
With a “whoosh,” a feathered arrow cut through the air, targeting Second Master Tu’s head. He turned slightly, his eyes catching sight of the arrow, but his body wouldn’t respond in time to dodge. Su Muyu extended a finger and caught the arrow directly.
The arrow had been mere inches from penetrating Second Master Tu’s skull.
“This… this… who dares to kill in the Imperial Entertainment Bureau!” Second Master Tu exclaimed, instantly sobering up.
Three more arrows came flying. Su Muyu dropped the one in his hand and was about to act when Second Master Tu let out an angry shout and rushed forward first, waving both palms: “Back!”
A wave of cold energy flew out, instantly freezing the three arrows into ice pillars that fell and shattered on the ground.
Second Master Tu said angrily: “Who are you, skulking about and attacking from the shadows!”
“This doesn’t concern you.” A judge’s pen fell beside Second Master Tu and made a light slash toward his chest. Tu blocked with his fist but was thrown back three steps. When he looked carefully, he saw the person before him wore official robes—not the current orthodox Northern Li official garments, but rather like those worn by divine spirits in Daoist temples.
Second Master Tu frowned slightly: “Who’s playing at being gods and ghosts?”
“Second Master, please step back. These people have come for me.” Su Muyu stepped forward, grabbing Tu’s shoulder and pulling him behind himself.
“Are these enemies of yours, Young Master Su?” Second Master Tu asked.
Su Muyu raised his head slightly. On the eaves to the left, the Water Official smiled down at him; on the right, the Heaven Official drew his sword for the first time; and before him stood the angry-faced Earth Official. Su Muyu smiled: “Not exactly enemies—they were once members of the Dark River.”
Second Master Tu was stunned: “What kind of ghosts are they?”
Su Muyu shook his head slightly: “They’re not ghosts—they’re the gods who sit in temples. We sword-bearers are the ones called ghosts, or as you said, demons among men.”
Second Master Tu swallowed, his anger subsiding as fear rose again: “I don’t quite understand, but it sounds terrifying.”
“It’s not so bad, though I left in such a hurry tonight that I didn’t bring any weapons.” Su Muyu sighed softly. He had made a serious mistake tonight—thinking it would be strange to bring weapons to a place like the Imperial Entertainment Bureau, he had left them at the inn.
Perhaps these peaceful days had given him the illusion that he could occasionally walk through this city as an ordinary person.
But he wasn’t an ordinary person, and Tianqi City wasn’t an ordinary city.
“Weapons?” Second Master Tu searched himself thoroughly and finally pulled out a dagger. “I usually don’t carry weapons, just this dagger for emergencies.”
“Perfect.” Su Muyu waved his hand, and the dagger flew into his grasp. His fingers twirled it lightly, creating a flower of sword moves. “The Inch-long Sword technique—I studied it for a while. Though not as good as Changhe, it’ll serve its purpose.”
“Didn’t you have a friend who came to the Hundred Flowers Tower with you?” Second Master Tu asked.
“Yes. If we make enough noise and buy some time, Uncle Zhe will come.” Su Muyu nodded.
“He won’t be coming!” The Earth Official shouted, charging forward with his judge’s pen.
“Second Master, step back—this doesn’t concern you.” Su Muyu pushed Tu’s shoulder with his left hand, sending him ten paces back, while his right hand wielded the inch-long dagger to meet the Earth Official’s judge’s pen.
The Earth Official wielded his pen with lightning speed. Having learned from his battle with Su Changhe, he no longer underestimated his opponent and immediately used his full strength. Su Muyu wielded the dagger, but at a weapon’s disadvantage, he could only retreat step by step.
Strangely, with each step he took backward, a character appeared on the ground.
Flickering in the red candlelight, appearing and vanishing instantly.
Su Muyu took four steps back, and four characters appeared on the ground.
They were: Submission, Principle, Death, Righteousness.
“That’s the Divine Immortal’s Pen!” Second Master Tu recognized the martial art. “Careful! Each character on the ground is a force of energy. When the energy follows the pen, he’ll seek your vital points!”
“Too talkative!” The Heaven Official on the right eaves snorted coldly and shot another arrow.
This time when Second Master Tu tried his frost energy trick again, the arrow broke through the cold air, forcing him to stumble back three steps to barely avoid it.
“Second Master, leave quickly.” Su Muyu dodged while looking down at the ground, noticing the flickering characters hadn’t completely disappeared. Looking carefully, he could still make them out. He immediately dropped for a sweeping kick, trying to erase the characters, but the Earth Official was prepared and brought down his pen to block Su Muyu’s leg.
“Rise!” The Earth Official lifted his pen, and the four characters he had written each transformed into pure energy, attacking Su Muyu.
Su Muyu swung the inch-long dagger fiercely but was forced back another three steps. Fortunately, Second Master Tu’s dagger was no ordinary weapon, remaining undamaged despite the intense strikes. The Earth Official took advantage of Su Muyu’s retreat to quickly write four more characters on the ground.
Life, Glory, Death, Sorrow.
“Divine Immortal’s Pen—why do you write only of death?” Su Muyu asked softly.
“Because today is your death day, and even immortals can’t save you.” The Earth Official sneered.