Chapter 1: Demonic News

In the Spring and Autumn period, there was a revered surname called “Shi” (師). This surname was taken from the name of court musicians – like Shi Kuang of Jin, Shi Yi of Lu, and Shi Rong of Zheng, all music masters and rare musical luminaries of their centuries. Under their influence, refined scholars throughout the world who loved music all changed their surnames to “Shi,” making the Shi surname as honored as music gods.

Having spoken of the extremely honored surname “Shi,” let’s now discuss another surname called “Shuai” (帥) – the “Shuai” of Grand Marshal, the “Shuai” of Shuai Jinteng.

The Shuai surname was truly rare. From childhood to adulthood, Shuai Jinteng had never met anyone with the same surname. The Lis, Wangs, Zhangs, Lius, plus the Chens – these five families alone filled half the world. In comparison, countless people envied Shuai Jinteng and wished they could have such an imposing surname – Grand “Marshal.”

Though his surname was imposing, in truth Shuai Jinteng understood in his heart that he deeply despised grand marshals.

This hatred had its origins, and this story must begin with the saying “Sima Zhao’s intentions are known to all.”

Long, long ago, there was a villain named Sima Zhao who had a villainous son named Sima Yan! After ascending the dragon throne, he was called “Emperor Wu of Jin.” This Emperor Wu was very filial – though he had usurped the throne, he still knew it was his father’s achievement, so he hastily posthumously granted him an imperial title. Later, thinking that his father alone couldn’t have accomplished the conspiracy, and that his uncle had struggled for most of his life and his contribution to the usurpation couldn’t be erased, he also honored him as emperor, calling him “Emperor Jing of Jin.”

Trouble arose. One day an unlucky minister came to court! By coincidence, he submitted a memorial, and when the emperor saw the signature, he clearly saw the two characters “Shi Bing.” In great imperial fury, he summoned this Minister Shi to the dragon court and said sternly: “Minister Shi! I wish to borrow your head for a use!”

When the ruler demands a minister’s death, the minister must die. Shi Bing wept like rain. This man had great ancestral style and immediately hummed a few notes like the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, composing a dirge for himself. The emperor frowned and said: “Don’t rush to cry. Your head is about to be removed – don’t you want to know why you’ve brought disaster upon yourself?” Shi Bing shed tears and said: “Your minister has always been foolish. I humbly request the sage Son of Heaven to instruct me.”

“Minister Shi…” the emperor sighed deeply, “your name is inauspicious.”

“This… my name is inauspicious…” Shi Bing thought frantically, then suddenly clapped his hands and said tremblingly: “Is it this character ‘Bing’? Your minister has been ineffective in handling affairs, daily taking the third grade…”

“Forget your A, B, C grades – I’m troubled by your ‘Shi’ character.”

Shi Bing was shocked and confused, saying frantically: “Does Your Majesty think your minister is self-willed in teaching, fights battles without justification, or clings to old wisdom without seeking improvement, so you want to behead me?”

“You’re going too far afield.” The emperor laughed heartily. He stood up and patted Shi Bing’s forehead: “Do you know what my uncle’s name was?”

Shi Bing suddenly understood the reason and muttered: “Your Majesty’s uncle was… was Sima… Sima…” Before he could say the “Shi” character, he heard heavy dragon snorts from the imperial nose that immediately frightened Shi Bing out of his wits.

There was no help for it – imperial names and temple names must be avoided. When “Sima Shi” became Emperor Jing of Jin, the character “Shi” became exclusively for the imperial family. When Li Shimin became emperor, even Guanyin Bodhisattva had to change her name to just Guanyin. Even deities had to avoid the taboo, let alone you ordinary mortals and petty teachers? Poor Shi Bing wept bitterly! Though he kept his head, his surname was beheaded. Because of this incident, historians later recorded: “In Jin there was Minister Shi Bing who, to avoid the Jin taboo, changed to the Shuai clan.”

“Damn these big shots – they’re always like this,” muttered Shuai Jinteng centuries later, now missing that stroke. “Why didn’t they call him Sima Gui instead – then it wouldn’t have bothered anyone else.”

Shuai Jinteng unfastened his pants and, like his ancestor, sighed heavily as hot urine poured down, melting the snow under the tree into a pit one foot and two inches deep. He shivered several times, breathed warm air onto his hands, then pulled up his pants and tightened his belt.

After relieving himself, feeling much more comfortable, Shuai Jinteng put his mask back on and emerged from the dark forest.

Snowflakes danced and tree shadows swayed in the wind. In the cold winter night, towering ancient trees blocked the starlight, making everything even darker.

Rustle… twitter… Somewhere deep in the forest, it seemed like a large flock of demon birds had gathered. As Wang Wei’s poem said: “In the empty mountains I see no one, but hear human voices echoing.” This forest was always eerily spine-chilling.

However, even if there were ghosts, it should be others who were afraid, not him, Shuai Jinteng. Dressed entirely in black with a black mask, except for his sharp eyes, no one could see anything else. He was the evil spirit in others’ eyes.

An evil spirit roaming at night, Shuai Jinteng habitually patrolled this deep forest. Meeting him in the forest at midnight was extremely unlucky. When he encountered village men and women coming here for intimacy, he would make eerie sounds to frighten the young men and women into fleeing. News of forest ghosts and spirits spread, and villagers embellished the stories until they couldn’t help but believe them.

Playing ghost at midnight wasn’t idle boredom but had ulterior motives. Shuai Jinteng was a martial arts expert, skilled in fists, feet, and lightness techniques, especially proficient in various hidden weapon arts. Long-range firearms and sleeve arrows were also his strengths. He looked at the “Six Blood Iron Zither” in his hands – this hereditary weapon was slightly smaller than the real thing, with sharp edges on both sides for close combat, while its strings were made of blood silkworm silk mixed with copper wire, ready to shoot out at any time. The sounds this iron zither made when plucked were extremely pleasant – often “ah ya” and “wu hu” sounds that he had grown accustomed to after years of practice.

Shuai Jinteng sighed. It seemed that after his surname lost that stroke, the Shi family had become like this – even unable to preserve their ancestral surname of eighteen generations. Life was dreary and meaningless – what glory was left to seek? Might as well be thorough. Playing music or killing people was no different – both were just to fill one’s belly. Moreover, in the eyes of common people, killers were more impressive than musicians.

“Rule the world!” Suddenly someone blocked his path in the cold night, a cold blade domineeringly positioned before his eyes. Shuai Jinteng wasn’t startled enough to jump – he turned his head to look at a black-clothed masked person and gave the countersign: “A lifetime of toil.” The masked person cupped his hands and bowed, immediately stepping aside.

Ruling the world didn’t necessarily require a lifetime of toil – being born into the right family would also work. These two phrases were merely sentry passwords to identify individuals. According to instructions from above, Shuai Jinteng opened the secret manual three times daily – morning, noon, and evening – to gather subordinates and change passwords. Though cumbersome, this was the “Inn’s” rule, and Shuai Jinteng, guarding this place, never dared to be negligent.

In the cold wind and snowy night, he patrolled inside and outside the forest once – everything nearby was normal. His black-clothed subordinates were also as conscientious as himself. Though shivering from cold, everyone remained alert, taking night shifts in winter cold and enduring scorching summer guard duty – everyone was dutiful, working hard to endure the ten-year term.

“The tenth year…” he muttered to himself as he walked forward, passing more than ten guard posts. In the distance appeared a large furnace. This was the famous “Hongwu Heavenly Furnace.”

His assignment to Changzhou had reached its final year. No matter how inhumanely harsh, the bitter days were finally almost over. In another month, he could throw away his blood pipa and pick up a real pipa to return home and reunite with his wife and children around the hearth. As for this hateful ghost furnace, whoever’s turn it was to guard it was none of his business.

Walking around the Heavenly Furnace, after ten years of abandonment, the furnace showed nothing but increasing decay from its former glory. However, the trees planted nearby had grown increasingly dense, adding some vitality. As he approached the furnace, his eyes saw six people sitting in the darkness – three in front, three behind – their sudden appearance startled him.

Though surrounded by darkness, these six people’s vision was not hindered in the slightest – they were all blind. Called “Tomb-Guarding Beasts,” they were carefully selected experts from the “Inn,” specially assigned to guard the furnace door. Though these people couldn’t see, their hearing was incomparably acute. The six either listened for distant sounds or fine details, each with their specialty, complementing each other’s deficiencies. Especially when sleeping, though eyelids could close, ear holes couldn’t – they could always remain vigilant, far more reliable than sighted people.

However, the greater one’s abilities, the worse one’s fate. These people bore heavy responsibilities – whether in fierce winds and storms or heavy snowfall, they couldn’t leave the furnace’s ten-foot radius. They ate, drank, and relieved themselves right there. Every time Shuai Jinteng saw this, he would shake his head and sigh.

“Tough luck for you, blind brothers…” Shuai Jinteng approached the furnace door, but he neither gave signals nor spoke greetings – he remained completely silent. This was the rule established above – the seven of them were forbidden to communicate with each other, and Shuai Jinteng dared not violate it. He glanced at the blind men and saw them raise their faces, breathing deeply. Each held wooden fish or ritual implements, only listening intently to identify his footsteps and breathing to determine his identity.

Shuai Jinteng was also somewhat worried – if those six people mistook him and suddenly attacked, that would be troublesome. These six people’s kung fu was quite mysterious – in single combat, none could last ten moves against him. But if they joined forces, they would deploy a formation technique. This formation was said to be exquisitely subtle, created by the “Great Innkeeper” himself – even ten of himself couldn’t withstand a single move. According to those above, these six monsters had even blinded themselves to practice this incomparably dangerous formation, achieving the realm where the formation moved with their will and their hearts communicated.

“Big shots are like this – they trust no one! Sigh!” Shuai Jinteng slightly shrugged and sighed, shaking his head. They couldn’t communicate with each other and mutually restrained one another – why was this? To outsiders, having these six people guard the formation would be sufficient – why bring Shuai Jinteng over? Only those truly familiar with court affairs would understand the “higher-ups'” intentions – they were guarding against their own people.

Individual betrayal was easy, but coordinated rebellion was difficult. If the six “Tomb-Guarding Beasts” developed treacherous hearts, as long as Shuai Jinteng could alienate one person and break the formation, he could defeat them one by one. Conversely, if Shuai Jinteng was the one stealing from his own side, the six Tomb-Guarding Beasts working together could eliminate him. In summary, the seven were forbidden to communicate, creating mutual checks and interference – none dared rashly betray.

Strength constantly shifted, ensuring loyalty more easily. Those above didn’t want any “big brothers” below, nor did they want daily infighting – they wanted “order within chaos.” Only by obeying higher commands could one preserve one’s small life. Shuai Jinteng sighed softly – anyway, he absolutely had no treacherous intentions. However those above wanted to deal with him, he’d let them.

While thinking, the six Tomb-Guarding Beasts had already lowered their faces and each sat in meditation, apparently recognizing him. Shuai Jinteng felt relieved and entered through the furnace opening. The furnace door was large enough that he didn’t need to bend over, but with the furnace heart right ahead, he had to be doubly cautious.

Darkness spread before him. Shuai Jinteng watched his steps while silently counting.

One, two, three, jump. Whoosh, whoosh – two sharp sounds passed as masses of cold blades shot from the passage, with dancing cold light in front, behind, above, below, left, and right. Shuai Jinteng closed his eyes and moved forward like dancing, dodging the mechanisms in the nick of time. Four, five, six, stop. He suddenly froze as a gate crashed down from above, landing less than an inch from his nose with a thunderous crash.

These were the furnace heart’s checkpoints – except for Shuai Jinteng and “those above,” no one knew how to enter.

Shuai Jinteng exhaled a long breath – everything was fine, except the gate was a bit slow. The springs were old and probably needed replacing.

He pushed open the secret wall, pulled the winch to raise the gate slightly, then crouched and crawled inside. This was the furnace heart. Shuai Jinteng lit a fire stick to examine his harsh destiny of ten years.

It was a large black cloth covering something like a coffin.

If colorful clouds and phoenix crowns were a bride’s veil, this black cloth was undoubtedly a demon’s ceremonial hat, hiding a terrifying ghostly face.

The dim fire stick illuminating the eeriness ahead made one unconsciously afraid. Though Shuai Jinteng had never lifted the black cloth, he understood in his heart that what lay beneath was the demon king’s scepter and an artifact capable of contending with the imperial court. Four characters…

Karma Fire Demon Blade!

Since this demonic object was unearthed, it had been watched by the “Inn.” As the Inn grew stronger over ten years, this thing was also guarded like an iron wall. No one knew such a thing existed in the world. They not only had to guard the demonic object but also strictly prevent news from leaking – first planting forests, then playing ghost to frighten people. All involved were forbidden from contacting their families, like laborers digging imperial tombs – everything kept low-key and absolutely secret. Poor Shuai Jinteng, to guard this thing, had entered old age from middle age, his entire life consumed by orders from above.

“Only when secrets remain secret can imperial power be preserved from fall.” The big shots in Beijing had instructed him thus. “Everyone has worked hard.”

Ten years unable to return home – he didn’t know if his children had grown up, didn’t know if his wife remained faithful. His only companions through the years were cold winds, cold moons, and these three words of bitter comfort: “Worked hard…”

Hate… I want to kill… kill… kill them all…

Shuai Jinteng’s eyes filled with hot tears, his hands clenched into tight fists. Just then, the demonic object under the black cloth seemed to growl something, as if responding to his grief and indignation. Shuai Jinteng panted heavily – he wanted to surge forward in one breath, draw out the demon blade, and from then on become a supreme hero…

His back hit the wall. Shuai Jinteng covered his face and panted. It was always like this – whenever he approached the demon blade, even cowardly as he was, he would suddenly feel passionate. For ten whole years, Shuai Jinteng had more than once wanted to lift the black cloth and see the true appearance of the “Demon Blade.” He wanted to understand what divine powers this blade, born from the same mother as the “Divine Sword,” possessed… He even more wanted to understand the “higher-ups'” intentions – why did they fear this blade yet only station heavy troops to guard it instead of destroying it…

“Forget it… I’m just a small person…” Shuai Jinteng had brains but no courage – exactly the type “those above” treasured most. He sighed – the brand on his arm could make him successful or destroy him. The “Shi” character had already lost a stroke – thinking too much might result in another cut to the “Shuai” character’s forehead.

He wiped away tears and sweat, inspected the furnace interior, then exited again. Tonight he had already patrolled six times and could rest a little.

Walking back along the original path, he suddenly noticed something strange about his footprints in the snow. They seemed about six parts deeper than usual. Shuai Jinteng blinked, crouched to examine the ground, and quickly took out an iron ruler to measure.

Shuai Jinteng was an extremely petty and ungenerous person, always complaining and harboring grievances. People like him were necessarily narrow-minded and calculating in handling affairs. However, it was precisely because he was so meticulous and couldn’t tolerate the slightest discrepancy that “those above” had sent him here. Only such a person would turn back to examine his own footprints.

Shuai Jinteng lay on the ground examining closely, then suddenly exclaimed, seeing that within each of his footprints was another smaller mark. Those treading traces were light and gentle, almost untraceable. He rubbed his eyes and quickly looked toward the forest, shocked to see another line of faint footprints in the woods. This line of prints was extremely light and subtle, extending from within the forest, merging with his own prints, then disappearing without trace toward the furnace door. Snow was falling from the sky – if he had been even slightly later, these prints would have been covered.

This was terrible – all the clues indicated…

Someone had been following behind him!

Good heavens! With his own superior martial arts and the six “Tomb-Guarding Beasts'” exceptional hearing, what kind of lightness skill could enable someone to follow step by step behind him? He swallowed and hastily turned around to call his subordinates, when he suddenly stopped.

A person stood before him – like himself, this person had no facial features. But unlike his black mask, this was a human skin mask.

By starlight, he could see this person was thin, with a long sword hanging at his waist, wearing a blue robe, looking like a zombie in the night.

Shuai Jinteng trembled all over – if the opponent wanted to kill him, there had been at least a thousand opportunities earlier. In a flash of lightning and thunder, Shuai Jinteng had also formulated his strategy. He slowly reached for the mechanism securing his “Six Blood Iron Zither” at his waist, about to cry out to alert his subordinates, when the figure immediately reached out to grasp his pulse point, then lightly floated backward, taking him into the furnace door.

Whoosh, whoosh… The mechanisms in the passage activated continuously, but the person dodged them all, seemingly with strength to spare. This person had followed behind him like a shadow all along, mastering all the arrangements and secrets.

The two arrived at the furnace heart and stared at each other. Shuai Jinteng was terrified and lowered his voice to ask: “You… you want to kill me?” The person chuckled softly, the gaze under the mask calm and unhurried: “Why would I want to kill you?”

Shuai Jinteng breathed hoarsely and glanced sideways at the coffin-like large black cloth. Though he didn’t speak, this glance revealed everything. The person smiled faintly: “Who said I came to steal the blade? Mr. Shuai, your saying this means you’ve probably never seen that blade. Am I right?” Shuai Jinteng exclaimed in surprise, and just as he wondered, the black cloth thunderously fell, and the demonic object hidden for ten years suddenly appeared, filling his entire vision.

The demon king’s artifact was right before him. Shuai Jinteng’s whole body shook, his ears roaring loudly, his hands holding the blood zither trembling constantly. He heard the figure say with a smile: “Why won’t your Great Innkeeper destroy this blade? I also can’t take this blade away. Now you understand, right?”

If the demon king descended here to personally reclaim his destined artifact… Shuai Jinteng slowly nodded, his gaze extremely resentful.

The ten-year guard duty was nearly over – after enduring more than three thousand days, such an ending awaited him. The moment the demon blade emerged, neither he nor his two hundred subordinates could live – all would become sacrificial offerings.

“Don’t be afraid. My general marshal isn’t here.” The voice under the human skin mask was calm: “I won’t kill you tonight, nor will I force my way past those six formations at the door. I just came to see your arrangements – after looking, I’ll leave.”

“Why… why… spare me?” Shuai Jinteng was somewhat stunned.

“For everyone’s sake.” The figure said flatly: “If I killed you, your defenses would certainly tighten. Besides sparing a life, what benefit would I gain? With great difficulty, the ten-year rotation period is nearly over. Let’s make a deal – I won’t touch you, letting you safely complete your assignment, and you’ll pretend I was never here. How about it?” Shuai Jinteng’s teeth chattered – he knew the other was tempting him, and said frantically: “You… you want me to cover this up…”

The figure smiled: “Why use those two words? You Inn people are all ruthless and cold-hearted. If you report this news, besides proving yourself worthless and bringing disaster to your whole family, what benefit is there? Better to quietly keep your mouth shut now and avoid causing trouble for yourself…”

This person was so sinister… Shuai Jinteng’s mind kept speculating, and suddenly he awakened, already knowing this person’s identity. The enemy before him was famous worldwide for three specialties: lightness skill, fast sword, and cunning strategies. If he suddenly attacked, he would die within one move.

The visitor came with ill intent – this opponent’s nighttime visit was indeed well-prepared. If he concealed the news and those above remained unaware, tomorrow the enemy would lead troops to forcibly seize this blade. But… but if he reported this, showing his negligent guarding, those above would certainly punish him severely. The Shi character had been cut, losing a stroke to become Shuai – if Shuai lost another stroke, what character would that be? Shuai Jinteng’s mouth was bitter, and the character “Liu” (溜, meaning “slip away”) appeared in his mind.

The voice said with a smile: “Brother Shuai, act more dashingly. After you finish the New Year, you’ll complete your assignment. When the demon blade is seized, it won’t concern you – what are you afraid of?”

Shuai Jinteng hesitated. He lowered his weapon and said quietly: “Friend… I really want to agree with you… but… but I… I am…” Suddenly his hands pressed the zither strings and he shouted: “National Iron Guard!”

The thunderous shout broke through the air, and all the zither strings flew out. Though Shuai Jinteng knew he would certainly die, he still fought with all his strength for one strike.

The blue-robed person sighed lightly and reached for his sword hilt. Shuai Jinteng had no choice – wolves ahead, tigers behind – both things frightened him, but he firmly believed one thing: though his opponent was terrifying, he couldn’t be more terrifying than the “Great Innkeeper.” Nothing in the world was more terrifying than the “Great Innkeeper”…

With a flash, brilliant light blazed before him as the long sword left its sheath. The figure moved like a ghost approaching – this was the world’s most terrifying unity of man and sword, sword concealing moves, moves containing sword. The blood pipa was merely a child’s toy before this person. From the moment of “checking into the inn,” he knew he could never “check out” in this life – this was the “Inn’s” rule. At this moment, dying miserably could still earn him the reputation of “heroic martyrdom,” but if he surrendered to the enemy and the matter was exposed, his whole family would die.

Clang! A piercing sound reached his ears like heavenly music. Shuai Jinteng was shocked and delighted, looking intently to see golden finger rings blazing brilliantly. A sword stood before him, emanating forest cold – someone had blocked the killing move for him.

“Fourth Account Keeper” had arrived. Though that person covered his face, his cold gaze made his identity immediately recognizable.

“Jin Lingshuang…” the blue-robed figure said with a smile. “Haven’t seen you for several years – your martial arts have improved greatly.”

The golden finger replied coldly: “Go back and tell your general marshal he has no chance of victory.”

Cold energy filled the air as masses of killing moves flashed past. The sound of clashing weapons was endless, cold energy and internal power spreading in all directions. Shuai Jinteng could only barely dodge backward, channeling energy to protect his vital essence to avoid being affected by the two great experts’ ultimate techniques.

With a bang, the blue-robed figure borrowed momentum to leap backward, already floating far away in retreat. If the Hongwu Heavenly Furnace incident and demon blade news leaked out, ten of his heads wouldn’t be enough to cut off. Shuai Jinteng grabbed his blood pipa and was the first to rush out in pursuit, shouting angrily: “Someone come! Chase the thief!”

Reaching the forest edge and about to charge in, suddenly his arm tightened – someone had grabbed him. Shuai Jinteng looked back to see his superior, whose grave expression, though wordless, indicated he shouldn’t go over. Shuai Jinteng looked puzzled and muttered: “Fourth Leader… the target is alone – we might not necessarily lose. You… why won’t you let me pursue?!”

The golden finger looked fixedly toward the night sky and said quietly: “No need.”

“No need?” Shuai Jinteng was completely confused. Just as he wondered, sounds came from the forest as if some wild beast was about to break through. The sounds went “pa-la-la” continuously – no beast in the world could make such strange sounds. Was it the demon king eager to manifest? Shuai Jinteng was shocked and led his subordinates in retreat. Only the Fourth Account Keeper stood alone in front, arms crossed over his chest, staring intently at the forest.

Dead leaves scattered in mid-air as a huge white shadow covered the night sky. The huge white shadow dispersed, transforming into countless small shadows, each spreading wings toward the sky. Instantly they scattered in all directions.

Not demons – those were pigeons. The forest concealed a giant pigeon coop, with hundreds of pigeon shadows soaring through the sky. Among them, one was a messenger that would bring shocking news to the world.

Shuai Jinteng’s teeth chattered – negligent in duty, he would certainly face severe punishment. Knowing his small life was finished, his legs began trembling involuntarily. Even channeling all his internal energy couldn’t stop the shaking.

“Twenty-three…” a call came from behind, calling out his identity. The world was a great inn, common people were guests, the emperor was the boss, the general manager was called the Great Innkeeper. He had six money-collecting account keepers and countless servers. This person before him was one of them, while Shuai Jinteng was an errand boy under them, ranked twenty-third.

Shuai Jinteng, who didn’t even have a proper name, turned and knelt, choking: “Your subordinate is here.”

The finger wore a golden ring, emitting sacred light, shining proudly before Shuai Jinteng’s eyes. It spoke.

“When you first checked into the inn, you said you would eliminate troubles for the imperial court. Do you remember what those were?”

“I remember…” Shuai Jinteng removed his mask, revealing tearful eyes. Like his ancestor, he hummed a few notes of a dirge and kowtowed to the finger, replying in a low voice: “Block the Brave Sword, guard the Demon Blade, shield the Sacred Light.”

“And the result?” The finger sighed deeply. Shuai Jinteng trembled all over and suddenly grabbed his blood zither, directing the copper wire toward his own throat. Self-destruction was considered supreme bliss in the Inn – cutting off his breath in two or three moves would let him report to the Western Paradise, and could even leave loyal martyr treatment for his children and grandchildren – adding clothes, buying houses, there were still some benefits to gain.

As a father and husband, death was his duty.

Just as he was about to commit suicide with the steel wire, the golden finger spoke – the word “Wait” rang out. Clang! A long sword struck the ground, its tip precisely pinning the steel wire firmly to the earth. How fine was this steel wire, yet the opponent used just a sword tip to block it, showing that both eyesight and swordsmanship had reached first-class levels. Shuai Jinteng was greatly shocked and frightened, saying hoarsely: “Fourth Account Keeper… I humbly request you show mercy and let me end myself with the supreme bliss punishment!”

Shuai Jinteng was covered in cold sweat, but the other only smiled faintly without reply. Suddenly there was a sharp “zhi” sound as the Fourth Account Keeper pursed his lips into a whistle. The whistle sound rose to heaven, lingering for a long time. From the sky came a howling sound as a fierce-looking bird of prey soared and circled, frightening Shuai Jinteng into loud weeping. “Living Sky Burial” was the world’s cruelest punishment! He hugged his superior’s leg and shouted: “No! No!”

The golden finger stroked the eagle and said flatly: “Don’t be afraid – whether to check out or not isn’t for us two to decide.”

“Yes, except for the Great Innkeeper…” Big shots were heaven, were gods. No matter wind or rain, cold or warm, whatever they wanted was what they got, whoever they said you were, you were. Shuai Jinteng choked: “No one can make me… check out…”

The golden finger ignored him, only removing a bamboo tube from the flying eagle’s claws. The golden finger took out a note, read it while looking down, then burned it with fire. Shuai Jinteng didn’t know what disaster awaited him in a moment, like a candidate waiting for exam results, his mind full of wild thoughts, his heart pounding.

Whether this life was worth ten thousand taels of silver or two copper coins would be known in an instant.

A spine-tingling voice reached his ears: “I’ll tell you some news, Twenty-three…” Shuai Jinteng’s teeth chattered as he whimpered, hearing: “We’re going to solve the first trouble.” Shuai Jinteng exhaled a fearful breath: “You… you mean the Three Reach Sword…”

“Exactly…” the golden finger’s tone was calm: “To what extent has the heir of Number One Under Heaven cultivated, and whether he can bravely cut down the Heavenly Dipper – we’ll know very soon.”

“Heh heh, that’s really wonderful…” Go screw yourself, whoever you are – where do I have the leisure to care who you are? Shuai Jinteng smiled falsely while cursing inwardly, hastily asking about his own fate: “Fourth Leader… then your subordinate… subordinate…”

“You still have some use.”

Useful! Useful people weren’t waste – waste wouldn’t be swept out. Shuai Jinteng’s value soared dramatically from two copper coins to ten thousand taels of silver. He broke into tears of joy, straightened his spirit, and shouted loudly: “Your subordinate will spare no effort for country and people!”

“You must make amends for your fault…” the finger pointed at Shuai Jinteng’s face, “dig out the demon blade and transport it to Beijing. If you fail, bring your head to see me.”

Shuai Jinteng cheered loudly, dancing with joy. Just as he was celebrating, he suddenly saw the golden finger put into his mouth and in an instant, fresh blood trickled out. Shuai Jinteng became frightened again, saying tremblingly: “Fourth Leader… you… you want to…”

“Don’t be afraid, it’s not to execute you with blood punishment…” The golden finger dipped the fresh blood and drew several coded symbols on a handkerchief: “The Great Innkeeper has given orders that an important person is about to return to the country. I must send orders to various branch halls to prepare for rainy days.”

Shuai Jinteng asked in shock: “You… who are you referring to…”

“I don’t know – the Great Innkeeper didn’t specify.” The golden finger sighed, waving upward. A sharp cry pierced the night sky as wings flapped rapidly – the flying eagle soared into the heavens, instantly becoming a black dot and disappearing from sight. “This time the demon blade news has leaked, and there’s probably a traitor among us. Three troubles tangled together… I worry the Great Innkeeper’s eating and sleeping will be poor again. One trouble follows another, and the final trouble is also the greatest trouble. As long as the Sacred Light doesn’t perish, darkness won’t come, and if Asura doesn’t descend, the Southern Jambudvipa won’t be buried with it.” As a member of the Inn, Shuai Jinteng had naturally heard this rumor.

This New Year period… would probably be difficult to get through…

Shuai Jinteng muttered to himself as fearful cold sweat dripped down continuously. In an instant, sweat slid down his face like tears covering his entire countenance.