Su Muyu galloped forward on horseback, encountering three more checkpoints along the way. The guards at these checkpoints no longer gave him trouble, simply checking his Peerless Token before letting him pass.

Back at the first checkpoint, Lu Yudai stared at the shattered spear pieces on the ground, deep in thought. Those around him assumed he was devastated by his defeat, and some tried to console him, but Lu Yudai merely waved them away, saying sternly, “Don’t disturb me.”

The others could only withdraw, leaving Lu Yudai to his contemplation.

“He participated in the campaign against the Demon Sect, fought alongside the Spear Immortal, and could execute thirteen forms just from watching a few times…” Lu Yudai’s gaze grew increasingly sharp until he suddenly lifted his head. “Send word to the checkpoints below – stop that man at all costs. You, take the Disciples’ Path to the Martial Hall and have the Sword Elder dispatch the Four Swords of Enlightenment to meet him outside the city.”

The Disciples’ Path was a private route reserved for Wushuang City’s direct disciples, leading straight to the city and twice as fast as the public road. Though the disciple didn’t understand Lu Yudai’s sudden urgency, he dared not delay upon seeing his expression and immediately mounted his horse and rode off.

“The Four Swords of Enlightenment? Senior Brother…” a disciple stepped forward to ask, “Isn’t that excessive?”

“Excessive? I only regret my authority extends no further, or I’d have the Sword Elder himself leave the city!” Lu Yudai snarled.

Su Muyu’s furious pace stemmed from knowing that Lu Yudai’s shock would be temporary. Once the initial impact wore off, Lu Yudai would realize something was amiss about his identity. After that, reaching Wushuang City’s gates wouldn’t be so simple.

After Lu Yudai issued his interception order, the guards climbed the nearby tower and began striking the war drum with wooden mallets. The thunderous “dong dong dong” carried to the next checkpoint, where the guards’ expressions changed upon hearing it. They too climbed their tower to strike their drums. As the signal passed from checkpoint to checkpoint, by the time Su Muyu reached the fifth checkpoint, the guard who was about to let him through suddenly lifted his head, frowning slightly: “That sound…”

“War drums,” the nearby guard reminded him. They exchanged glances before suddenly stepping back, drawing their swords and pointing them at Su Muyu and the other travelers. “Back! Everyone back!”

At the Martial Hall in Wushuang City, an elder in gray robes lounged on a courtyard bench drinking tea, watching young swordsmen sparring in the yard. He yawned and said, “Luo Ge, lower your sword force three inches, and slow your strike by two beats.”

As soon as he finished speaking, one swordsman’s blade was sent flying. His opponent, presumably Luo Ge, happily flourished his sword: “Thank you, Sword Teacher!”

The elder blew on his hot tea: “Next time he won’t strike that way. My guidance to you is useless. You should consider why that strike was necessary in the first place. The Way of the Sword is divided into technique and principle. You’re too focused on technique, which is why you remain locked in difficult battles.”

“Disciple understands,” Luo Ge quickly suppressed his pride and responded respectfully.

“Sword Teacher!” The defeated swordsman was dissatisfied. “Why did you warn him?”

The elder set down his tea: “Ah, Xiuru, you can win but choose not to, always waiting for the perfect moment. But when are things ever perfect? Life in the martial world is betting on your life. Since it’s a gamble, there are always risks. If you’re unwilling to take any risks, you’ll keep losing opportunities until someone finds your weakness and defeats you in one strike.”

Xiuru’s face reddened as he lowered his sword and head: “Disciple has noted this lesson.”

“Elder, Lu Yudai has sent someone claiming the Martial Hall’s attention is needed,” a black-clad swordsman appeared behind the elder.

Before the elder could respond, Luo Ge’s face darkened: “What trash is Lu Yudai? Just because he’s the City Lord’s chief disciple, he dares order the Martial Hall around? Tell him to get lost.”

Xiuru frowned slightly: “Though Lu Yudai’s martial arts are mediocre, he’s always been prudent in his dealings. He wouldn’t seek out our Martial Hall without cause.”

The elder nodded in approval: “Speak. What’s the matter?”

“He can tell us directly,” the black-clad swordsman turned. “There are no outsiders here.”

A disciple who had been with Lu Yudai hesitantly stepped forward, glancing at the elder before quickly bowing: “Sword Elder.”

“What does Nephew Lu seek from me?” the Sword Elder asked softly.

The disciple bowed and reported: “Senior Brother has discovered someone attempting to infiltrate Wushuang City with ill intent. He’s sounded the restriction drums to stop all checkpoints from letting people through but fears the person might force their way in. He hopes the Martial Hall can dispatch the Four Swords of Enlightenment to intercept them.”

“Outrageous! Since when does the Martial Hall act as gatekeepers?” Luo Ge raged. “If he discovered this person, why didn’t he stop them himself?”

The disciple’s face reddened as he shook his head: “Senior Brother tried but was defeated…”

“Defeated?” Luo Ge is first stunned, then laughed. “I knew it. If there was any credit to be gained, he’d have seized it already. I bet he couldn’t win and now wants us as backup. We won’t go – let him find his master.”

“Mind your manners,” the Sword Elder coughed lightly.

Luo Ge quickly stepped back and lowered his head: “Disciple spoke out of turn.”

“Who is this person?” the Sword Elder asked.

The disciple shook his head: “Unknown. He wears a mask and carries a paper umbrella and a sword at his waist, but when fighting Senior Brother, he uses a spear technique.”

“Spear technique? Which one?” the Sword Elder pressed.

The disciple quickly replied: “Senior Brother said it was the Dragon’s Awakening.”

“Dragon’s Awakening?” The Sword Elder’s expression changed. “Is he certain?”

“The man himself confirmed it, saying he learned it after seeing Spear Immortal Sikong Changfeng use it,” the disciple answered. “I remember clearly – it was the Dragon’s Awakening.”

“Could he be from Xueyue City?” The Sword Elder waved his hand. “Luo Ge, Xiuru, Jia Zhou, Ye Wuxiu. You four, go with this young brother outside the city and test this person’s true capabilities.”

The four stepped forward with their swords upon hearing the Sword Elder’s words: “Yes, Elder.”

The Sword Elder spoke gravely: “Do not underestimate him!”

Luo Ge smiled: “I just worry he’s not actually from Xueyue City, just an ordinary spearman who defeated Lu Yudai and made up some boasts that he believed. If that’s the case, I’ll have to teach Lu Yudai a good lesson.”

The messenger disciple could only suppress his anger with a cold snort, secretly hoping the masked man would teach this person a proper lesson.