Outside Junzheng Pavilion.
Old Master Tang gently wiped the blood from his pipe. A young man, already covered in blood, hurried forward to support him. Old Master Tang smiled and said, “They thought that because this is Tianqi City because they have numbers on their side, they could kill me. Ah Xiang, isn’t that a foolish thought?”
The young man nodded. “Extremely foolish indeed.”
“And foolishness must be paid for.” Old Master Tang swung his pipe outward.
Inside Junzheng Pavilion, Crown Prince Xiao Yong sprawled on the ground and breathing heavily, watched as the pipe flew toward him. As he helplessly closed his eyes, a figure in golden armor flashed before him, catching the pipe. Dian Ye spoke in a deep voice, “Even the Tang Clan cannot bear the consequences of killing a prince.”
Old Master Tang asked the youth again, “Can we not bear it?”
The young man replied clearly, “Even if the Tang Clan cannot bear it, Old Master Tang certainly can!”
“Well said!” Old Master Tang coughed lightly, then continued walking toward the exit.
Dian Ye clapped his hands forcefully. “Old Master Tang, don’t underestimate Tianqi City!” Immediately, dozens of golden-armored warriors rushed in from outside the courtyard, surrounding Old Master Tang and the youth.
“It seems tonight, you’re determined to fight to the death.” Old Master Tang snorted coldly, his robes billowing.
The youth whispered, “Old Master, we shouldn’t continue fighting. Let’s find an opportunity to break through.”
“Hmph.” Old Master Tang’s face grew angrier. “If they wish to die, then let them die.”
Suddenly, a flash of sword light appeared.
For an instant, the entire Junzheng Pavilion seemed to tremble slightly.
Then, a massive crevice split the entire courtyard in half. All the golden-armored warriors were blown away. A giant sword stood planted in the center of the courtyard, sword qi flying around it. Though its wielder hadn’t arrived, the sword and its fury had.
“The Wrathful Sword Immortal, Yan Zhantian,” Old Master Tang said gravely.
A burly man wearing a bamboo hat descended from the sky, pulled out the giant sword, and swung it toward Junzheng Pavilion. “Old Master Tang, it’s been a while.”
“You demon, why have you appeared in Tianqi City?” Old Master Tang asked.
“Certainly not for that waste inside.” Yan Zhantian rested the Breaking Army Sword on his shoulder and surveyed the golden-armored warriors. “Want to fight? Though I never fight—I only kill. Are you prepared?”
Dian Ye walked out from Junzheng Pavilion and looked at Yan Zhantian. “What brings the Wrathful Sword Immortal to Tianqi?”
“How is that any of your concern?” Yan Zhantian turned around. “Old Master Tang, let’s go.”
“Are we to be companions?” Old Master Tang asked quietly.
Yan Zhantian shrugged. “Perhaps my disciple is.”
“Since when did the Wrathful Sword Immortal make disciples?” Old Master Tang frowned.
“Why must there be so many questions in this world? And must every question have an answer?” Yan Zhantian spoke no more and walked straight out.
The golden-armored warriors, knowing this man was Yan Zhantian, had all served long enough to have heard stories of how he had terrorized the Southern Campaign Army. Even they feared to step forward when faced with this demon god who had once struck terror into that army.
“You’re Dian Ye, correct?” Yan Zhantian suddenly stopped.
Dian Ye gripped his sword tightly. “Yes.”
Yan Zhantian turned slightly. “Your soldiers cower and dare not step forward. Would you consider this defying military orders?”
Old Master Tang and the youth walked slowly to Yan Zhantian’s side, continuing toward the exit without stopping. The golden-armored soldiers stirred restlessly, but Yan Zhantian’s sword moved ever so slightly.
“Make way,” Dian Ye commanded deeply.
“Yes, sir!” The golden-armored soldiers seemed to breathe sighs of relief as they withdrew with their weapons, allowing Yan Zhantian and Old Master Tang’s group to depart.
Xiao Yong walked to Dian Ye’s side. “Are we just letting Old Master Tang leave like this?”
Dian Ye shook his head. “I will continue gathering martial arts experts to hunt him down. Even if he makes it back to Jin City, it will be too late—the Tang Clan is no longer under his control.”
“If we can’t even kill one martial artist, how can we speak of ruling the world?” Xiao Yong smiled bitterly.
Dian Ye frowned. “Why would Yan Zhantian appear at this moment? Why would he save Old Master Tang? They should have no connection.”
On the empty streets of Tianqi City at night.
Yan Zhantian walked alone in front, while Old Master Tang followed slowly, supported by the youth.
“I thought someone like you would never marry, have children, or take disciples in your lifetime,” Old Master Tang said leisurely.
Yan Zhantian replied carelessly, “I thought so too.”
“Then why suddenly take a disciple?” Old Master Tang asked again.
“Didn’t I say that not every question needs an answer?” Yan Zhantian led them down a long street and finally into a secluded mansion. Inside was a huge lake, beside which stood a youth in white, his back to them.
“He’s here,” Yan Zhantian announced.
“Thank you, Grand Master,” the young man turned around.
Old Master Tang and the youth were startled. The young man wore a faint smile, his posture slightly bowed with humility, but his eyes were covered with white cloth.
“This is Second Prince Xiao Chong,” the youth said softly.
Xiao Chong raised his head slightly. “It seems I am easily recognizable.”
“Second Prince Xiao Chong, blinded in his youth by an assailant—this is no secret in Tianqi City,” the youth replied.
“Indeed, I am Xiao Chong.” Xiao Chong continued smiling faintly. “Greetings, Old Master Tang.”
Old Master Tang also bowed slightly. “Greetings, Second Prince.”
“Having heard of Old Master Tang’s arrival in the city, I should have made more proper arrangements to invite you to my residence for a discussion. However, tonight’s events were too sudden, and I had to trouble the Grand Master to intervene, leading to our hasty meeting here,” Xiao Chong spoke slowly. “Please don’t take offense.”
“You are quite an unusual prince. Though this humility, this approachability of yours,” Old Master Tang looked at the white cloth covering Xiao Chong’s eyes, “seems somewhat deliberate?”
“Besides me, he’s also Jinyu’s disciple,” Yan Zhantian suddenly spoke. “He learned my swordsmanship but adopted Jinyu’s temperament, which is why he’s made no progress in sword arts.”
Xiao Chong smiled. “That’s because I have no talent for swordsmanship.”
“But you are indeed special—your character is completely different from Langyawang Xiao Ruofeng’s,” Old Master Tang stepped forward. “Yet in you, I can see some very interesting things.”