Being carried by that person, Zhuo Lingzhao felt the man’s extraordinary speed – in a blink they reached the city edge. In an instant, the person touched his left foot and pushed with his right, already flying over the city wall. Though in distress, Zhuo Lingzhao’s heart still trembled as he thought: “This man’s martial arts are so strong – who could he be?”
The man flipped over the wall while the city guards hadn’t yet noticed. He had already flown outside the city and was far away in moments.
The man ran for another while, coming to the side of a mountain valley, then stopped. Zhuo Lingzhao grasped his arm and gasped: “Your… Your Excellency, who are you? Why did you save me?” The man set him down on the ground and bent down to look. Zhuo Lingzhao focused his gaze and saw this person had a stern, square face staring at him.
This man was none other than his former mortal enemy, the Xiliang constable Wu Dingyuan.
Seeing him, Zhuo Lingzhao couldn’t help laughing heartily, blood spitting from his mouth as he gasped: “Excellent! So it’s you! Are you going to kill me for revenge? Quickly strike!”
Wu Dingyuan shook his head without answering, though his eyes showed a trace of pity. Zhuo Lingzhao didn’t want to receive his kindness and sneered: “If you want to avenge Yanling Escort Agency, then strike! Don’t let me die in a moment and leave you with lifelong regret.”
Wu Dingyuan shook his head: “Sect Master Zhuo, you still haven’t understood. The entanglement between us doesn’t arise from personal grudges. If I wanted to harm you, why would I rescue you?”
Zhuo Lingzhao remembered his agreement with Liu Angtian and immediately gave a muffled groan: “So that’s it. You saved me entirely on Liu Angtian’s orders? Where is Yang Suguan? Quickly have him come see me!”
Wu Dingyuan shook his head: “Sect Master Zhuo, you’re mistaken. When Marquis Liu learned you went to the Grand Tutor’s residence for the banquet, he ordered Yang Langzhong and Magistrate Lu to lead people to provide support. But knowing you and I are enemies, they feared I might take the opportunity to harm you. They didn’t even inform me beforehand – how would they dare ask me to rescue you?”
Zhuo Lingzhao was stunned: “Then why did you save me? Do you want to humiliate me?”
Wu Dingyuan gave a long sigh: “Wrong, wrong. I rescued you only because you’re the last surviving member of Kunlun Sect.”
Zhuo Lingzhao said tremblingly: “What did you say? Survivor? I’m a survivor?” He had high martial arts and killed like hemp – in his life, only he had killed and harmed others, never thinking that one day the words “survivor” would fall upon himself.
Wu Dingyuan said: “After the bloody battle at the Grand Tutor’s residence, Tu Lingxin and that Mau Lingshan were hacked by random blades – more likely dead than alive. Jin Lingshuang was severely wounded and detained by Jiang Chong – surely doomed to die. Though Yang Langzhong led people to rescue them, it was too late.” He paused and sighed: “The Kunlun Thirteen Swords along with dozens of disciples all died in battle – only you remain alive.”
Zhuo Lingzhao cried out “Ah!” in anguish, his heart both pained and shocked. Thinking of his entire sect destroyed, blood gushed even more wildly from his mouth. Wu Dingyuan, fearing he would die from severe wounds, quickly pressed his chest acupoints to stop the bleeding.
Wu Dingyuan’s face showed compassionate sorrow: “Heaven has the virtue of cherishing life. Though you’re a great demon who kills without blinking, you’re also the last person of the entire Kunlun sect. Though I, Wu Dingyuan, view you as a bandit, I can’t bear to see Kunlun Mountain perish like this, so I rescued you. Sect Master Zhuo, do you understand?”
Zhuo Lingzhao was dazed for a long while, then suddenly lowered his head, his heart filled with endless bitterness.
Years ago, for a case of family extermination, Wu Dingyuan could abandon his official position and risk his life rather than submit to the coercion and threats of Zhuo Lingzhao and Jiang Chong. But now, also for the words “family extermination,” Wu Dingyuan could set aside personal vengeance and past grievances to rescue his former enemy.
Only because the moral compass in his heart told him that as long as he drew breath, he wouldn’t allow anyone in the world to dare exterminate an entire family!
Zhuo Lingzhao stared blankly at the horizon, his face full of confusion as if he had become a fool. Wu Dingyuan saw his eyes like dead ash and could only sigh: “First calm your spirit and see if there’s any way to stabilize your injuries. Later I’ll take you back to the capital. With Marquis Liu’s protection, even Jiang Chong wouldn’t dare come bother you.”
Zhuo Lingzhao sat stunned as if foolish. Wu Dingyuan said no more and carefully examined Zhuo Lingzhao’s wounds. He saw his kneecap was shattered, his back pierced by needles, his chest pierced by sword – the wound penetrated his lung and burst through his chest. If not for Zhuo Lingzhao’s extremely deep power, he would have died long ago.
Wu Dingyuan’s expression was grave, understanding Zhuo Lingzhao’s injuries were severe and difficult to cure. For a moment, he didn’t know what to do.
Zhuo Lingzhao gazed at the endless starry sky, tears falling as he said mournfully: “I called myself Sword God, roamed the Western Regions, and after age forty never tasted defeat. I thought to dominate the current age, yet first lost to Ning Bufan, then to Jiang Chong. Not one member of my sect survived. Today, at this moment, the one seeing me to my death is my former enemy. Could all this be heaven’s will…” At death’s door, he could no longer contain himself and wept like rain.
Wu Dingyuan sighed: “You’re wrong. This isn’t heaven’s will – this is retribution.”
Zhuo Lingzhao opened his mouth wide, turning to look at Wu Dingyuan in bewilderment: “Retribution?”
Wu Dingyuan nodded: “Do you still remember? Years ago when your disciples killed the entire Yanling Escort Agency, how vicious and cruel your methods were? Today Jiang Chong repaid you in kind – you’ve finally tasted these bitter fruits.”
Zhuo Lingzhao’s face turned deathly pale as Wu Dingyuan’s words from their duel echoed in his mind: “When you ruthlessly killed Qi Bochuan, did you ever think he was the Qi family’s last orphan? Did you ever consider that killing this one person was exterminating an entire family!”
Zhuo Lingzhao gave a long sigh, his heart filled with some regret. In this desperate situation, the generation’s Sword God had no pride left. His expression was desolate as he said blankly: “I’ve done much evil in my life. When I die and my coffin is sealed for judgment, Constable Wu… will the world mock me?”
Wu Dingyuan, seeing his regret for past deeds, sighed: “What a pity! If you could have understood right from wrong earlier, your sect wouldn’t have perished. Sect Master Zhuo, while you still have breath, quickly repent to the dead to reduce your sins.”
Zhuo Lingzhao was stunned. He looked up at the horizon and said foolishly: “Repent? You want me to repent?” Wu Dingyuan nodded: “Exactly so. You’ve sinned too much in life. Quickly repent before death, lest you never be reborn.”
Zhuo Lingzhao looked at Wu Dingyuan, seeing his eyes full of sympathy and pity. He suddenly laughed heartily and said sternly: “Repent? You think you can make me repent? If I, Zhuo Lingzhao, die, then I die – how dare you insult me with words!” After all, he had the nature of an ambitious hero. Hearing Wu Dingyuan’s lecture, his chest filled with pride. He secretly channeled his divine power into his legs and suddenly stood up.
Wu Dingyuan, seeing he still had strength to stand, couldn’t help being surprised: “If you want to live a bit longer, don’t move recklessly.”
Zhuo Lingzhao’s face showed pride as he gazed at the deep valley below his feet, saying coldly: “Wu Dingyuan, with your level of cultivation, wanting to lecture me falls short by quite a bit. You can kill me, but you absolutely cannot make me bow my head. Do you understand?” He took deep breaths to circulate his energy, his expression calm as he recovered the bearing of a generation’s grandmaster.
Wu Dingyuan shook his head, thinking: “This man still wants to put on airs even at death.”
Zhuo Lingzhao faced west toward Kunlun and said quietly: “Disciple Zhuo Lingzhao was defeated in the capital today, causing the entire sect to die miserably with none returning to the mountain. This disciple has no face to meet the ancestors and founding masters. Today I can only die to apologize to the world.”
Wu Dingyuan advised: “Sect Master Zhuo, though your injuries are severe, they may not be completely incurable. Let me take you back to the capital to consult with doctors – don’t speak lightly of giving up…” He was about to continue his verbose persuasion when Zhuo Lingzhao looked up and laughed heartily: “What honor is there for a defeated general to steal life? Constable Wu, say no more!” Wu Dingyuan sighed softly, knowing Zhuo Lingzhao was determined to die, and stopped trying to persuade him.
Zhuo Lingzhao reached into his robes, took out a manual, and threw it to Wu Dingyuan: “This is the Ancient Sword God Manual, containing my life’s martial arts essence. After I die, I hope you can pass it to later generations – never let it fall into Jiang Chong’s hands.” Wu Dingyuan nodded slightly: “Sect Master Zhuo, rest assured. After your death, I will definitely choose a heroic warrior to pass on the divine skill, so he can perform chivalrous deeds to compensate for your killing karma.”
Zhuo Lingzhao shook his head: “The sword is a weapon of murder. Drawing the sword means killing – there’s no compensation to speak of.” He said no more, channeling his final power. His internal energy reached everywhere as “Divine Sword Qin Long” emitted endless sword light, doubly brilliant in the night sky. Wu Dingyuan knew this was Zhuo Lingzhao’s final strike and couldn’t help feeling moved.
Zhuo Lingzhao leaped toward the deep valley, suddenly sighing to heaven as tears fell, saying softly: “May I be a swordsman again in my next life!” The sword light shot out, but it stabbed toward his own body.
The sword light flashed – this was the world’s final song. As smoke dispersed, a generation’s Sword God disappeared forever.
With a “snap,” the “Divine Sword Qin Long” returned to its iron pellet form and fell straight into the valley, leaving no trace. Wu Dingyuan thought of Zhuo Lingzhao’s life deeds, his heart filled with countless emotions. This man killed like hemp and was absolutely not a chivalrous person, but his martial arts were outstanding and his character proud – he truly had the bearing of a generation’s grandmaster. He just never expected that with his peerless martial arts, he would end up committing suicide in such miserable circumstances.
Though Wu Dingyuan had enmity with this man, he still sighed quietly. He clasped his hands and gently bowed to the sky: “Sect Master Zhuo, farewell.”
The Sword God was dead, Jiang Chong reigned supreme. Heaven and earth were pitch black – when would light appear again?
Wu Dingyuan’s heart was sorrowful. He put the Sword God manual in his robes, shook his head, and turned back toward the capital.
A man wearing a straw raincoat crouched on the ground, looking at a blue iron pellet. He caressed it carefully, feeling it still seemed to have warmth. The man clasped his hands together, murmuring blessings, then put the iron pellet in his robes and walked toward a large cart.
The man climbed into the cart and took the reins to move forward. Just then, a middle-aged woman emerged from the straw pile behind. She wore no makeup and appeared disheveled, but a natural elegant beauty was still faintly visible. She said softly: “Why did we stop? Did something happen?”
The man shook his head: “A friend died. I couldn’t help wanting to stop and pay respects.”
Hearing the word “died,” the woman couldn’t help sighing quietly: “Dead, and more dead… Chief Liu, Xue Nu’er – one by one they’re all dead… leaving only us to live alone…” She covered her face and began crying softly.
The man reached out to grasp her hand: “Don’t cry. I promised Chief Liu that as long as I’m alive, I’ll support you and keep you safe.” The woman sobbed: “But you swore never again to draw blade or sword. Though you brought us out, now there are wolves ahead and tigers behind – everyone is looking for ‘him.’ You… how can you alone protect us?” She cried even louder, most pitifully.
The man said: “You needn’t worry about this. The place I’m taking you to now is the safest possible. No matter how many talented strategists Jiang Chong has, none can calculate this hiding place.” The woman said “Oh” and wiped away her tears, asking: “What place?”
The man bit a stalk of grass and said vaguely: “Henan…” The woman was quite surprised: “Henan?”
The man threw away the grass. It was Li Ming. He looked at the whitening fish-belly sky at the horizon and said leisurely: “Henan, Mount Songshan, Shaolin Temple…”