Legend has it that snowflakes come in various forms. As the weather grows colder, the number of points on each flake increases—some have one point, some two, some three, each with its own unique shape. However, during the coldest period of deep winter, when yin energy condenses, the snowflakes that fall from the sky invariably have six complete points, also called “six branches.”

Six branches are the maximum. No matter how cold it becomes, the petals of snow crystals never exceed this number. Thus arose the saying that the ultimate yin number in the world is “six.” It’s quite remarkable—bees build their hives in hexagons based on “six,” and snowflakes spread endlessly also through “six.” Therefore, the Book of Changes states: “First six: treading on frost, solid ice approaches,” and also: “Use six: all things flourish by following heaven’s way.” This means “six” represents pure yin, and only ultimate yin can serve as the valley of the world, embracing all things.

If the yin number in the Book of Changes is “six,” then what is the ultimate yang number? The answer is “nine.”

“Great is the Qian principle, its number uses nine.” The first hexagram in the Book of Changes uses the number “nine.” Nine is the highest yang number in the world. Tripods have three legs, humans have four limbs, plum blossoms have five petals, snowflakes have six branches, the moon follows seven-day cycles, spiders have eight legs—only “nine” has no corresponding object in the world. So the Book of Changes gave “nine” a form, calling it: “Dragon.”

Before them stood a dragon. His left hand was forward with one finger raised and the rest curled inward, forming the shape of “nine.” His right hand had five fingers spread open, representing the number “five.” Left nine, right five—heavenly honor, earthly power. This was a “Dragon Hand.”

As this person stood up slightly, footsteps thundered from downstairs. Black-clothed figures emerged one after another from the staircase. Upon entering the room, they split to the sides and bowed, shouting in unison: “Greetings to the Fourth Master!”

The main force of the “Iron Guards of National Pacification” had arrived. It turned out that Tu Lingxin and the barefoot giant were merely the vanguard, with wave after wave of reinforcements following close behind. Seeing the old servant rise, the barefoot giant seemed to have completed his duty and retreated to one side. Tu Lingxin also bowed and stepped back, not daring to compete for precedence, each retreating into the ranks of the ghostly masses.

The black-clothed spectral crowd had grown into such a large group that they filled the entire floor. Song Tongming and the others were startled once again and retreated backward. The old servant, however, wore a contented expression and smiled, saying: “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. Just stand still and don’t move.”

The more the old servant insisted they shouldn’t be afraid, the more terrified everyone became. In the breathless silence, the old servant appeared even more at ease. With a smile on his face, he slowly walked forward, lowered his head to examine Chongqing’s dragon hand, and chuckled: “Remarkable, remarkable! This Tianshan martial art can only be practiced by those who have achieved the Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown. Anyone else who attempts it will surely die. Who would have thought you could even develop the Dragon Hand? It’s truly awe-inspiring.”

“This isn’t called Dragon Hand…” Wu Chongqing said coldly. “This is called Dragon God Gathering Light Palm.”

The old servant laughed: “Call it whatever you like. But tell me, are you a Black Dragon now, or a White Dragon?”

Wu Chongqing replied darkly: “Come at me and you’ll naturally find out.”

Among the “Yellow, Red, Azure, White, Black,” these were the five colors of true dragons. Seeing Chongqing’s face full of killing intent and purple light faintly emanating from both arms, his poisonous stance was extraordinarily formidable. Yet the old servant remained unconcerned and smiled: “Don’t rush, don’t rush. Killing and arson—these are things we can take our time with.”

Seeing the old servant’s casual demeanor, so extraordinary and impressive, Zhu Kang was secretly amazed. He leaned close to Chi Chuanzi’s ear and whispered: “Taoist master, who… who exactly is this person?”

Chi Chuanzi replied with a trembling voice: “Don’t ask me… I don’t know…”

As they whispered among themselves, the old servant noticed and said: “Brother Chi Chuan, how is it that after just a few years of not seeing each other, you’ve forgotten me?”

Chi Chuanzi had been a minor character all his life, and now to have someone call out his name made him feel like he was attending his own funeral. He replied with a trembling voice: “You… you recognize me?”

The old servant smiled: “Brother, you’re one of the Seven Heroes of Dian Cang, a golden signboard of the southwestern martial world. How could I not recognize you?”

Hearing that he was supposedly a martial arts master, Chi Chuanzi replied with a trembling voice: “A misunderstanding! A huge misunderstanding! This poor Taoist drinks and eats, and might shake the southwest with his reputation, but when it comes to fighting, I’m really not very good at it…”

The old servant sighed: “Do you remember me at all? My surname is Jin. Don’t you recall?”

“I remember! I remember! You… you’re the good friend of the Supreme Lord Lao, the great deity Lord Jin…” Chi Chuanzi was so frightened he was shaking, nearly calling out “father.” Naturally, he couldn’t recognize anyone.

The old servant smiled and with a “swish,” drew the long sword from his waist. His golden ring finger slid along the blade, and in an instant, frost condensed and ice formed—the sword’s surface became a misty, flower-like expanse.

This display of inner power shocked all the veteran fighters present. Chi Chuanzi could be heard sobbing, while Song Tongming shook his head with a bitter smile. Zhu Kang quickly asked: “Stop your humming and hawing—who exactly is he?”

“Sword Cold… Jin Lingshuang,” Su Ying sighed and cupped his hands: “It’s been a long time indeed.”

At the mention of these three words “Jin Lingshuang,” everyone in the room was shocked. Remembering the “Sword God’s” ruthless reputation in the world, Zhu Kang couldn’t help but tremble all over and stammer: “That doesn’t make sense! You… you people weren’t supposed to be dead already? How did you come back out again?”

Hearing the word “dead,” Tu Lingxin couldn’t help but throw back his head and laugh wildly, shaking the roof tiles with his thunderous voice. Jin Lingshuang didn’t say much, just smiled and took out a dry cloth from his bosom, leisurely wiping his long sword with an air of tranquility.

Years ago, Jiang Chong and Zhuo Lingzhao had turned against each other and completely destroyed the entire Kunlun sect. Ten years later, with the restoration of Emperor Zhengtong and the fall of Jingtai, these two great masters “Sword Cold” and “Sword Gu” had successively appeared. Not only were they perfectly alive and well, but their martial arts seemed even more refined than before.

Chi Chuanzi was naturally the most cowardly. Suddenly seeing the Kunlun thugs risen from the dead, his frequent urination problem immediately flared up. He hurried to Jin Lingshuang’s side, bowed and said: “Congratulations to Lord Jin on your resurrection from the dead. This old Taoist would like to offer his congratulations first, but I have an urgent need to urinate and must leave first. I can’t stay to reminisce with you.” He then shouted loudly toward the private room: “Shopkeeper! May I ask where the latrine is?”

From the private room came muffled sobbing: “On the first floor, around the corner from the stage, go out to the courtyard and you’ll see it.”

“Thank you, thank you.” Abandoning friends and fleeing was common in the martial world, but a “urine escape” was a first. Chi Chuanzi waved goodbye and laughed: “The green mountains remain unchanged, the clear waters flow forever. I wish you all great fortune in the Year of the Rabbit. This old Taoist will take his leave first!” After his nonsensical rambling, he shrank his head in fear and quietly tried to slip past the black-clothed spectral crowd, planning to sneak away.

With a sharp slap, a cold palm landed on his shoulder. Chi Chuanzi turned around and was horrified to see Tu Lingxin’s vicious gaze glaring at him sideways. Before he could retreat in fear, his forehead was tapped again. Looking up, he saw the barefoot giant bending down with a menacing grin. Chi Chuanzi wanted to cry but had no tears. His body suddenly shook with an uncontrollable chill as he heard Tu Lingxin’s sinister laugh: “Still want to urinate?”

“I already did.” Chi Chuanzi sobbed tearfully and walked over to Zhu Kang’s side, wet and dripping, not forgetting to shake his damp trousers.

Seeing how domineering the black-clothed evil spirits were, not allowing anyone to leave, Su Ying could bear it no longer and was about to step forward to speak when Jin Lingshuang smiled and said: “Young Hero Su, I advise you not to stick your neck out. The person we’re looking for is…” His golden ring finger pointed forward: “Him!”

As the golden ring pointed out, the mass of black-clothed figures retreated toward the windows, blocking Wu Chongqing’s escape route. Tu Lingxin and the barefoot giant also took positions on the left and right flanks, ready to move in for encirclement at any moment. Jin Lingshuang said calmly: “Those who don’t want to get involved in muddy waters, step aside.”

As soon as he spoke, Zhu Kang, Chi Chuanzi, and Song Tongming quickly pressed themselves against the wall, standing in a row. Although Su Ying gripped his sword hilt tightly and Zhe’er Dan clenched his fists, they too dared to be angry but not to speak.

Jin Lingshuang had cleared the field, but he was in no hurry to act. He simply put down the dry cloth, flicked his sword, producing a humming sound, and said softly: “Dragon Shadow, before we begin fighting, might we chat for a few sentences?” Jin Lingshuang appeared calm and composed, as if victory was already assured.

A purple light flashed across Wu Chongqing’s face as he said in a low voice: “What do you want to chat about?”

Jin Lingshuang smiled slightly: “About what you took.”

From tonight’s events, starting with Tu Lingxin’s intrusion and the giant’s arrival, everyone had been pursuing the whereabouts of some “thing.” Although Lu Yun didn’t understand what object they sought to seize, he knew it must be extremely important to have drawn out the entire force of black-clothed spectral crowd. For a moment, everyone held their breath and watched Chongqing, waiting to hear how he would respond.

“What… thing…” Wu Chongqing narrowed his fierce eyes, his expression contemptuous as he sneered: “Thing!”

The arrogant young man didn’t forget to spit a gob of yellow phlegm on the ground. Tu Lingxin immediately placed his hand on his sword hilt and hissed with a cold laugh: “What…” As soon as he spoke, the other black-clothed figures clasped their fists together, making their knuckles crack crisply as they responded ominously: “…thing…”

“Thing…” The demonic giant opened his buffalo-like round eyes and roared furiously, while the crowd of black-clothed figures became as tense as if facing a great enemy—some reaching into their clothes, others bending and crouching. The sound of footsteps could be heard on the roof, with an unknown number of people lying in ambush. The enemy’s masters had come out in full force; whatever they wanted, they were determined to obtain it.

At this moment, inside and outside the “Wanfu Tower,” they were surrounded on all sides. Outside the building, a large number of archers lay hidden, all aiming their powerful bows and hard crossbows at the windows, preventing anyone from escaping by jumping out. As for the stairway passage, it was controlled by a group of skilled fighters. However, Wu Chongqing still had a slim chance of survival. He slowly regulated his breathing, his body movement becoming lighter and lighter, his leg strength growing stronger and stronger, and the purple light from both hands becoming increasingly brilliant. Relying on his “Nine Dragon-like Forms,” even though he was trapped in a tight encirclement, he could still fight with everything he had.

Lu Yun calculated in his heart, knowing that the enemy had too many masters. No matter how strong Chongqing’s skills were, it would be extremely difficult for him to break through and escape. He planned that once he entered the fray, if he was going to make a move, he would have to subdue all the masters in the room at once. For now, he concentrated and calmed his spirit, hiding his form and breathing completely, preparing to catch the enemy off guard.

The black-clothed spectral army pressed forward, suppressing Wu Chongqing’s momentum. The scene quieted down as Jin Lingshuang sighed: “Dragon Shadow, let me speak frankly—I really don’t want to kill you.”

Wu Chongqing sneered: “Is that so?”

Jin Lingshuang sheathed his long sword and said: “In consideration of your father’s service to country and people, no one here wants to make things difficult for you.”

Hearing Jin Lingshuang mention Wu Dingyuan, Lu Yun’s heart naturally tightened, while Song Tongming and the others showed pleased expressions, thinking: “Now we’re saved!”

Wu Dingyuan was known throughout the world for his unyielding character. Back when he was just a small constable, though the Yanling Escort Agency had no relation to him, he was willing to abandon his official position and flee for their sake, repeatedly defying the Sword God in mortal combat. If Jin Lingshuang dared harm his son tonight, it would truly create a blood feud lasting a hundred generations and ten thousand years.

Earlier, when everyone wanted to oppose Chongqing, they all feared the great backing he had behind him. But now the situation had reversed—upon mentioning the reputation of the “True Dragon of a Generation,” everyone’s faces lit up with joy. However, Wu Chongqing showed no appreciation and said coldly: “Old thief Jin! If we’re going to fight, then let’s fight. Why bring my father into this?”

Jin Lingshuang shook his head: “Nothing much, just thinking that your father’s hard work and great achievements make him a model for the world. If he heard that his son had gone astray, I don’t know how angry he would be.”

“Angry?” Wu Chongqing laughed heartily: “If he really had any temper, he wouldn’t be called Wu…”

Just as the word “Wu” left his lips, the “Little True Dragon” performed a somersault. His upper body was bare with a red sash around his waist, and he was already flying through the air. The red sash drew a long red shadow as he shot directly toward the Kunlun veteran.

Jin Lingshuang had been careless. Although they were separated by two zhang, before the “Nine Dragon-like Forms,” two zhang seemed as close as within arm’s reach. Wu Chongqing’s momentum grew faster and faster, his figure becoming a black blur. In the blink of an eye, he had flown one and a half zhang and reached Jin Lingshuang’s face. Looking at “Sword Cold,” his long sword was still pointing downward, completely unable to react in time.

“Ding!” Just as this word was shouted, Chongqing spun around and kicked up—five feet, four feet, gradually three feet, two feet. His flying kick reached Jin Lingshuang’s face within an inch when the golden ring finally touched the sword hilt, just about to draw the sword from its sheath, when Chongqing suddenly roared: “Yuan!”

The three words “Wu Dingyuan” rang out with a dull thud. Wu Chongqing’s left leg touched down and his right foot spun up. Using his aerial leg-switching technique, he heavily planted his foot on “Sword Cold’s” chest. Just as the crowd was about to cheer, Chongqing’s second kick came—this time even more vicious and poisonous. Using the force from his previous kick, his body bounced up several more feet. With a clear “clang,” the tip of his shoe revealed a cold blade, and Wu Chongqing performed a mid-air spin, slashing toward Jin Lingshuang’s throat.

Jin Lingshuang’s skills were actually not slow. As a Kunlun elder, how could he lack quick moves to counter enemies? It was just that Wu Chongqing was too fast. In the past, both Zhe’er Dan and Su Ying had suffered from this when fighting him, knowing his fists were fast and legs heavy, his retreating and advancing godlike. Once it came to close combat, he would inevitably gain the upper hand. Especially now, having acquired the “Nine Dragon-like Forms,” his body technique was like thunder and lightning. In the blink of an eye, it had become a life-and-death moment. How could the aged Jin Lingshuang resist?

In the flashing light, Chongqing’s foot blade had reached within half a foot of his throat. Although Jin Lingshuang had grasped his sword hilt, he still couldn’t draw it out in time. The cold blade pressed closer and closer, about to cut his throat, when Jin Lingshuang suddenly took a breath, bent forward, and thrust his head toward his opponent’s iron boot.

Everyone’s faces were full of bewilderment, not knowing what he intended, when they heard a “bang.” Jin Lingshuang’s nose bridge was kicked by the boot sole, causing his upper body to sway and his nose to bleed profusely. Then with a great “swish,” brilliant light erupted in the room. Using the brief moment gained through physical pain, Jin Lingshuang finally managed to draw his sword.

In an instant, continuous humming sounds filled the room. Jin Lingshuang’s sword tip trembled, casting a net of cold light and energy before him. Lu Yun, although he was their enemy, couldn’t help but silently applaud: “What an excellent ‘Jade Pool Shattered Waves’!”

This move “Jade Pool Shattered Waves” came from the “Sword Waves” of the Kunlun Thirteen Swords, originally the ultimate technique of the fifth disciple Liu Lingchuan. Watching Jin Lingshuang use his internal power to vibrate the sword blade, making it roll like waves—though it couldn’t compare to the “Sword God’s” sky-shaking giant waves of the past, it was countless times stronger than Liu Lingchuan’s version. It seemed this person had achieved success through ten years of bitter practice, faintly gaining some of Zhuo Lingzhao’s essence.

The Kunlun veteran had escaped disaster and immediately began his counterattack. Lu Yun understood in his heart that this “Sword Waves” was a superior ultimate technique. Once an enemy was caught in the sword net, the sword waves would roll forward layer upon layer. With Jin Lingshuang’s swordsmanship having reached such a level, the wave crests would soon become higher and higher. The assassin Wu Chongqing absolutely could not retreat—one step back and he would be overwhelmed and destroyed. His only chance of survival was to counterattack.

At this moment, Chongqing was in mid-air. Seeing the sword blade approaching his neck, he still neither dodged nor yielded, ready to spill blood at any moment. Song Tongming, Zhu Kang and others cried out anxiously: “Young man! Get out of the way!”

In the critical situation, Lu Yun, Zhe’er Dan, Su Ying and others said nothing. They knew Chongqing still had untapped potential.

“Ha!” Wu Chongqing’s right hand shot out, reaching through the net of sword waves to strike directly at Jin Lingshuang’s heart.

The “Dragon Hand” was revealed! This was what Wu Chongqing called the “Dragon God Gathering Light Palm.” His strike was faster than lightning, combining the fierce power of Iron Sand Palm with the sinister flexibility of Poison Hand. Just a scratch on the skin would be equivalent to being struck by one of the “Hundred Flower Fairy’s” poisonous silver needles. Nothing could be more dangerous, yet it was also extraordinarily fast, breaking through thousands of sword waves in one move. Jin Lingshuang had no time for words and immediately drew back his sword in a horizontal slash toward Wu Chongqing’s throat.

This sword stroke showed divine reflexes—the blade neither wavered nor shook. This sword technique was neither “Sword Waves” nor “Sword Cold,” but Kunlun’s fastest sword, “Sword Leopard.” Jin Lingshuang wanted to compete with Wu Chongqing in terms of “speed.”

The moment of mutual destruction had arrived. Jin Lingshuang’s sword edge had reached within an inch of Chongqing’s throat, but the “Little True Dragon’s” palm was even faster, already close to the old general’s chest. At this life-and-death moment, neither would retreat—one thrusting his sword forward, the other extending his dragon claw. Both masters neither dodged nor blocked, as if they intended to perish together.

It was clear that these two were “gambling”—betting that the other would fear and retreat, both wanting to seize this initiative.

The two sides drew closer and closer, each gambling with their lives. Lu Yun also grew tense, his hands gripping copper coins, afraid something might go wrong. Beside him, Song Tongming, Chi Chuanzi and others stared wide-eyed, while Zhu Kang had even covered his face, not daring to watch.

All around was deathly silence. Wu Chongqing was in mid-air while Jin Lingshuang defended from below. Suddenly there was a low sound as the two masters finally collided—neither had yielded.

With a “hiss,” fresh blood spurted out. The hot red liquid shot like an arrow, spraying high and far, all the way to the roof beams before falling back down from mid-air. Everyone looked closely and saw Wu Chongqing covered in blood, with a gash at his neck—the blood was his. Chi Chuanzi screamed miserably: “It’s over! Lord Wu’s son has gone to the western paradise!”

When a person’s throat is cut, there’s no possibility of survival. Seeing such violent blood spray, though the masters in the room were not newcomers to the martial world, this was still the first time in their lives they had witnessed such a bloody scene. Song Tongming was extremely alarmed and was about to step forward to investigate when Zhe’er Dan held him back.

“Heh heh…” From within the bath of blood, Wu Chongqing was seen falling from mid-air. His head and neck pressed tightly to one side, actually clamping down on Jin Lingshuang’s sword edge. His right foot was held horizontally in a kick, and the sharp blade on his boot tip had pierced precisely into Jin Lingshuang’s heart, neither off-target nor askew.

“Holy shit!” Song Tongming said in shock: “There’s actually this kind of fighting method in the world?”

Lu Yun, Zhe’er Dan and others had exceptional eyesight and could see both sides’ techniques clearly. When Jin Lingshuang’s sword tip swept across, Wu Chongqing, relying on his unparalleled speed, twisted his body and turned his neck sideways at the most crucial moment, forcibly clamping down on his opponent’s cold blade, protecting his windpipe from being severed. Then his right foot tip swept across horizontally, immediately inserting the foot blade into Jin Lingshuang’s heart.

Few people knew that death from throat cutting was not primarily due to excessive blood loss, but because of windpipe rupture leading to suffocation. Therefore, the one who had truly gambled with his life was not Chongqing, but “Sword Cold” Jin Lingshuang.

Lu Yun silently shifted his gaze and saw the Kunlun veteran in the field standing motionless, his chest struck by Wu Chongqing’s fatal blow.

Wu Chongqing was very clever—he hadn’t taken this sword strike completely, because when it came to vital points on the human body, the heart was the primary fatal injury. Once it stopped beating, the person would die immediately and could never be saved.

Seeing the outcome decided so quickly, the room immediately fell silent as a tomb. No one had expected that “Sword Cold,” with his great reputation and dominance across the Western Regions, would be killed by a young man in a single move.

All around was the sound of heavy breathing. Everyone was awed by Chongqing’s martial arts and shaken by the danger of both sides’ duel, so much so that there wasn’t even a single cheer.

In the complete silence, Wu Chongqing extended his finger and pressed the “Ren Ying” and “Shui Tu” acupoints at his neck. His blood flow immediately slowed as he said coldly: “Old thief Jin… how much longer are you going to pretend?”

The golden ring stood upright, and with a crisp “clang,” it had forcibly twisted off the foot blade. From his ribs also came a strange sound. Song Tongming was shocked and horrified: “Damn! The old monster Jin has come back to life!”

Jin Lingshuang wasn’t dead, so naturally there was no need for resurrection. Zhe’er Dan, Su Ying, Lu Yun and other masters watching from the side knew that Jin Lingshuang’s escape from disaster was not because he wore some protective treasure clothing, nor because his heart was on the right side. At the moment of life and death crisis, this old general had summoned all his courage and lifted his heel up an inch, using his ribs to forcibly block the blade edge. Taking advantage of this brief respite, his golden ring finger finally managed to grip the blade edge, thus protecting his heart from harm.

The brutality of both sides’ duel could be called unprecedented. Everyone watched with dry lips and cold backs, their scalps still tingling, when they heard an angry roar—Wu Chongqing attacked again. He had just applied pressure to stop the bleeding and hadn’t had time to rest before beginning another furious assault. Jin Lingshuang couldn’t be bothered with his broken bone and, letting the blade head remain stuck in his ribs, immediately faced his opponent.

Clang clang clang, clatter clatter clatter! The two faced each other eye to eye—one bleeding profusely with purple light streaming along his arms, having revealed his “Dragon God Gathering Light Palm.” The other with a broken blade in his chest, covered in blood, also twisted his wrist and displayed the Western Region’s fastest sword: “Kunlun Sword Leopard.”

The second great battle began! Palms flew and flowers bloomed, swords stirred and created chaos. Both sides’ techniques were too urgent and fast, already exceeding ordinary human eyesight. In just the blink of an eye, they had exchanged countless moves. Except for Lu Yun with his waterfall-like focus and Su Ying with his deep sword dao cultivation, the rest couldn’t keep up at all. Yet neither Jin nor Wu retreated even a step backward; instead, they fought closer and closer, killing more and more fiercely, as if there was a hellish cliff right behind their feet—whoever retreated even one step would fall into the ten-thousand-zhang abyss, never to be reborn.

Zhu Kang said with a trembling voice: “Are… are these two people insane? Why don’t either of them defend?”

They were indeed insane. Though martial arts included techniques like Splashing Water Blade and Flowing Cloak Sword, no one had ever seen such ferocious fighting methods. This victory or defeat was decided not only in the space of a breath, but within inches. Jin Lingshuang’s sword edge thrust out, flying close to Wu Chongqing’s chest; Wu Chongqing’s palms swung back in response, brushing past Jin Lingshuang’s nose. In the blink of an eye, both men had walked through the gates of hell more than ten times, yet neither would yield a single step.

Close combat had reached such a point that it was truly inconceivable. The slightest error would not only result in one person dying horribly on the spot, but might even lead to mutual destruction. All the onlookers were stunned. Chi Chuanzi was too frightened to speak, and Song Tongming also covered his face with a bitter smile: “This… this isn’t sparring anymore, this is outright warfare!”

As soon as he spoke, there was a sudden “thud” as Su Ying collapsed to the ground, his face full of horror, but he finally understood why he could never defeat Wu Chongqing.

In the eyes of this “Wisdom Sword,” the techniques of both Wu Chongqing and Jin Lingshuang were actually full of flaws and vulnerable to attack. But they didn’t care about their own flaws, nor did they bother with whether their opponent’s techniques had weaknesses, because they weren’t sparring at all—they were “fighting a war.”

In wars of national extinction and racial annihilation, what both sides relied on was not just martial arts, but also luck, courage, and fury. To achieve victory, heads could be severed, blood could be spilled, even lives could be offered as sacrifice—who would still care about minor flaws? In this bloody real combat, there were only two things that could truly be called weak points: the head and the heart. Unless one could chop off the opponent’s head or dig out that bloody heart, victory and defeat would never be decided.

Fighting against such people, “Wisdom Sword Pacifies Eight Directions” was like armchair strategizing, because the opponents were not greedy for life and naturally feared no death. Every one of their moves and techniques violated the common principles of martial arts. The risks they took and the stakes they gambled were far beyond what outsiders could imagine. All strategies like “attacking what the enemy must defend” had completely shattered. Su Ying hung his head—he understood in his heart that his sect’s past glory had all faded away. From this day forward, he would need new martial insights, or the Huashan lineage would never be able to establish itself in today’s martial world.

The life-and-death struggle of the “Iron Guards of National Pacification” had come! Both sides fought speed with speed, ruthlessness with ruthlessness. Wu Chongqing unleashed his “Dragon God Gathering Light Palm,” appearing like an eight-armed divine general, while Jin Lingshuang’s sword flowers were like continuous violent rain. In the flash of lightning and spark of flint, both sides exchanged hundreds of moves, those drops of green blood splattering as if advising the heroes in the room: if you fear hardship and pain, you’d better go study for the imperial examinations and become a high official early—don’t come play with swords in the martial world, for you will see blood!

Everyone shook with horror, Su Ying was as dejected as the dead, but Lu Yun had different thoughts: “What kind of sparring is this? This is just madmen brawling.”

“Faster, faster, faster! Faster, faster, faster!” As if hearing some pedantic lecture, Wu Chongqing’s face became even more savage. He seemed to want to vent all his pent-up fury on Old Jin as he roared: “Old Jin, you’re too slow! Faster! Faster! You can’t keep up with me!”

How could Jin Lingshuang be slow? His “Sword Leopard” was like swift thunder, like beacon fire—already a rarely seen fast sword in the world. But no matter how fast he was, he couldn’t match true dragon body technique. Wu Chongqing unleashed his “Dragon God Gathering Light Palm,” his pair of flesh palms growing faster and faster. By the end, purple energy filled his palms, his power circulation reaching its peak, the “Nine Dragon-like Forms” displayed to perfection. Jin Lingshuang was drenched in sweat. Having barely completed one set of “Sword Leopard” and preparing to switch to “Sword Python,” he heard Wu Chongqing laugh heartily and shout fiercely: “You’ve lost!”

Jin Lingshuang had indeed lost—his abandoning “Sword Leopard” was tantamount to admitting he couldn’t match Chongqing’s speed.

Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang… Wu Chongqing struck out nine consecutive palms, all slapping against the sword surface, each palm faster than the last, each move heavier than the previous. Those poisonous palms were like a violent storm, frenzied and mad. Suddenly, he took a deep breath of true energy, his whole body filled with energy, his form becoming a black blur. Everyone cried out in unison: “North Dragon King!”

The North Dragon King was the North Sea Black Dragon. As the saying goes: “Divine embryo, precious blood the Talismanic Heaven Record, a generation of true dragons born in the sea.” Wu Chongqing before them was like a vast black dragon, his body technique so fast that even Lu Yun’s eyesight could barely follow.

A sharp clang—qiang-lang!—rang out as a dark figure shot up from the ground. With a long leg, it pierced through the sword net and kicked Jin Lingshuang’s blade aside.

Then came a heavy boom!—the black dragon swooped from mid-air, and with the full weight of his body, his left elbow crashed fiercely onto the back of the veteran Kunlun warrior.”

With a muffled grunt, Old Jin’s back hunched down. Before he could straighten his waist, Wu Chongqing’s right hand touched the ground and pushed up straight, immediately bouncing back up. His left palm, mixed with deadly poison, struck toward Jin Lingshuang’s face.

The momentum of the “Dragon God Gathering Light Palm” emerged. Though this palm technique was acquired later in life, its power was equivalent to Wu Dingyuan’s Dragon Hand. The palm force was fierce and unparalleled, the poisonous energy sinister and vicious. Even if Jin Lingshuang’s brains didn’t burst out, he would still die from the deadly poison—a truly miserable fate.

Seeing his opponent’s approach too fast—dodge this move but can’t avoid that one—Jin Lingshuang simply neither dodged nor yielded, instead throwing his arm backward, leaving his vital points completely exposed.

At this life-and-death moment, Jin Lingshuang’s long sword retreated about a foot, having abandoned the defense of vital points. Lu Yun felt slightly puzzled and quickly swept his gaze around, only to see Tu Lingxin’s sinister cold smile, the barefoot giant grinning menacingly, while the other black-clothed figures had excited looks in their eyes. Lu Yun suddenly awakened: “This is bad! The tide of victory is about to turn!” As this thought flashed through his mind, he was about to speak a warning when he heard a “hiss,” and dazzling light flashed in the room, forcing everyone in the scene to cover their eyes.

With a thunderous sound, Wu Chongqing leaped backward and crashed heavily into the screen wall. Since both sides had entered the fray, this was the first time Chongqing had retreated backward. Not only did he retreat extremely quickly, but his expression was also panicked. Not knowing what had happened, everyone slowly lowered their hands and saw smoke filling the room, with a new slash mark on the ground. Jin Lingshuang before them stood with his sword at his chest, the sword tip pointing upward, and the long sword in his hand was actually emanating brilliant golden light.

“Sword Light!” Everyone was shocked and cried out upon seeing this ultimate technique appear. Su Ying’s eyes widened even more, unable to believe it.

If the “Three Achievements” were the towering mountains that swordsmen looked up to day and night, then “Sword Light” was the legendary immortal mountain on the sea, making people linger and forget to return. Everyone in the room who witnessed this technique couldn’t help but feel solemn respect, while Su Ying even closed his eyes, finding even breathing difficult.

According to Zhuo Lingzhao’s sword manual, sword light was divided into three colors. The first grade was about half a foot long and golden yellow in color, looking like the dawn’s first light, which the ancients called “Dawn Light.” The second grade had blue flames over a foot long, called “Comet Light.” If one could practice to the highest grade, it would become pure, flawless white—the most intense could reach over three feet, and this was the “Sword Light” that everyone in the world revered.

Lu Yun was an inheritor of the “Sword God’s Ancient Manual” and was naturally an expert who could wield “Sword Light.” He saw that Jin Lingshuang’s sword emanated gangqi about half a foot long and golden yellow in color—this should be the “Dawn Light” recorded in the sword manual. Though it wasn’t as dazzling as the three-foot white light, when suddenly unleashed in the dark night, the golden light swallowing and flickering actually appeared quite domineering, even more eye-catching than Zhuo Lingzhao’s pure white sword light.

Seeing that Jin Lingshuang had endured humiliation since entering the scene, it turned out he was seeking this moment to raise his eyebrows and breathe freely. He forced Chongqing back from a distance, calm and composed, and said with a smile: “Child, what if I’m slow? Haven’t you heard the principle that haste makes waste?” Before his words ended, his long sword forcefully withdrew, and a beam of light swept across horizontally. Wu Chongqing didn’t dare block with his bare palms and could only quickly roll to the ground, while the screen wall behind him was slashed apart.

Seeing that someone in the Kunlun sect had finally mastered the legendary “Sword Light” after Zhuo Lingzhao, everyone naturally felt both respectful and fearful. Wu Chongqing faced adversity but wasn’t afraid, just rolling on the ground and picking up his two sleeve swords.

Jin Lingshuang was quite generous, allowing his opponent to retrieve his weapons without taking the opportunity for a sneak attack. He slowly advanced and with a “swish,” struck out with his sword again. Wu Chongqing quickly raised his weapons to parry. The two sleeve swords collided with the golden light, and with “clang” and “clatter” sounds, the sword tips flew out and embedded in the wall—they had been forcibly cut off.

Everyone cried out in amazement, never expecting this sword light to be so sharp in cutting gold and jade, its power even surpassing that of precious sabers and swords. Though Wu Chongqing was startled, he didn’t panic and suddenly unleashed his true dragon body technique, preparing to roll into close range for a strong attack. But hearing another “hiss,” Jin Lingshuang lightly flicked his wrist, and the light flashed downward, forcing Chongqing to somersault and fall, rolling away once again.

This “Sword Light” was originally the gangqi within a swordsman’s body. With just a thought, the light would surge out. Striking was far faster than a real sword, yet the power was even stronger than a real sword—truly nothing could not be destroyed, and its reach was unlimited. This was why Zhuo Lingzhao called himself “Sword God” in the past. Seeing the “Little True Dragon’s” movements, no matter how fast, they couldn’t match this bit of light—it seemed defeat was already apparent.

With the battle reaching this point, Wu Chongqing knew it was difficult to achieve victory. He tightly guarded his vital points, specializing in dodging without attacking. For a moment, golden snakes danced wildly in the room, and everything before them was brilliant gold and jade green. Jin Lingshuang appeared unhurried, and in the blink of an eye, “Sword Leopard” and “Sword Python” interweaved, unleashed in combination with the power of “Sword Light.” Each move complemented the others, creating invincible force within the surrounding area. Wu Chongqing didn’t dare resist and could only roll forward and backward, hoping to endure this violent storm. But his opponent’s “Sword Light” showed no signs of dissipating, and later, Jin Lingshuang’s entire body was wrapped in golden light, creating an extremely impressive display.

Lu Yun watched the fight between tigers and couldn’t help but secretly admire Jin Lingshuang’s dedication. In terms of internal power cultivation, this “Sword Cold” was far from having the deep foundations of the “Sword God,” and the sword light he practiced naturally couldn’t compare. But this old general’s intentions were considerable. Though his internal power couldn’t reach that level, he could innovatively combine sword light with many old traditional moves. When all techniques were used together, they naturally compensated for his insufficient true qi.

After many years, the Kunlun veterans had all greatly improved their martial arts. Looking at Tu Lingxin wielding “Sword Shadow”—his strikes were invisible and traceless, yet the blade was full of sinister energy. Enemy weapons dared not clash with it jade-to-jade, yet had no choice but to clash with it, naturally gaining great advantage in actual combat. Looking at Jin Lingshuang again, diligence compensated for lack of talent, finding another path, actually mastering the long-lost “Sword Light.” With these two veterans making such progress, if Zhuo Lingzhao knew from beneath the springs, he would surely be able to laugh wildly toward the sky.

While thinking, he suddenly heard Wu Chongqing give a great shout. His body flew forward, and purple lightning shot out from both sleeve swords. He actually unleashed his family’s inherited ultimate technique, “Purple Qi of Silk Gauze,” forcibly blocking Jin Lingshuang’s long sword—this was to compete in internal power.

Wu Chongqing finally counterattacked. When both sides reached this stage of power confrontation, victory went to whoever had greater strength—no one could gain an advantage through trickery. Purple lightning met golden light, Wu Chongqing’s entire body trembled as he exerted his full power in cultivation, while Jin Lingshuang also gripped his sword hilt with both hands, pressing down with force.

The two men’s power opposed each other. The light from Jin Lingshuang’s sword became increasingly dazzling, while Wu Chongqing squinted his eyes. The purple qi from his hands was like vines rapidly climbing, extending along his opponent’s long sword. Lu Yun’s heart tightened as he thought silently: “Creeping Purple.”

Years ago, when Wu Dingyuan fought Zhuo Lingzhao in the great battle at Lou River, he had used this move at a life-and-death moment. This purple qi was faintly poisonous—once it reached the hands, Jin Lingshuang would have no choice but to withdraw his sword. Everyone was covered in cold sweat, waiting for the outcome to be decided, when suddenly there was a crisp “clang.” The sword blade scattered, and someone fell to the ground, exhausted and motionless—it was Chongqing.

Wu Chongqing had lost. His sleeve swords couldn’t withstand the power of sword light and had been shattered into fragments. First, he was only twenty years old, about forty years younger than Jin Lingshuang, so his power was naturally not as deep as his opponent’s. Second, though “Purple Qi of Silk Gauze” contained deadly poison, it couldn’t condense power and combine energy, gathering qi like a real object. When confronting the sharpness of “Sword Light,” it was inevitably inferior by comparison. To say he could fight to this moment before finally being defeated was already enough to make everyone look at him with new respect.

Seeing Wu Chongqing lying on the ground motionless, the golden light in the room dimmed, and Jin Lingshuang’s sword light finally extinguished. He held up his sword, pointing it at Chongqing, and said calmly: “Dragon Shadow, do you still want to continue fighting?”

Jin Lingshuang’s sword light was extremely durable, maintaining itself for a full incense stick’s time without extinguishing, showing his extraordinarily deep power. Wu Chongqing knew his skills were inferior and hung his head in silence, seemingly admitting defeat. Jin Lingshuang smiled slightly and was about to speak when he saw Chongqing’s mouth corner slightly tilted as he said sinisterly: “Once ‘Sword Light’ departs, it never returns… Old thief Jin’s head…”

“This life ends!” Before the words finished, Wu Chongqing’s body flipped backward through the air, both feet kicking out directly toward Jin Lingshuang’s face.

Jin Lingshuang had been deceived. Wu Chongqing knew he couldn’t defeat this person, so he deliberately fell to the ground and played dead. Only when the sword light dissipated did he immediately strike with a sneak attack—his behavior could be called extremely despicable.

Jin Lingshuang sighed: “Dragon Shadow, don’t bully an old man.” Before his words ended, cold qi emanated from his sword blade, weaving like a spider web. As soon as it touched Wu Chongqing’s boot sole, the cold internal energy immediately entangled him, forcing his legs to go weak and fall back to the ground.

This internal power was precisely “Sword Cold”—Jin Lingshuang’s protective martial art that he had practiced since childhood. After decades of cultivation, he didn’t need to circulate qi or practice techniques; he could use it anytime to protect himself. He turned his long sword and once again pointed it at Chongqing, asking: “Dragon Shadow, have you had enough?”

Attack with “Sword Light,” defend with “Sword Cold”—Jin Lingshuang had already gained complete advantage. Wu Chongqing had exhausted his tricks and could only lower his head as if surrendering. However, seeing him remain silent, his iron boot silently lifted up again, and looking at the boot’s direction, it was aimed at Jin Lingshuang’s lower body.

Wu Chongqing’s behavior was so despicable it was truly rare in the world. Jin Lingshuang shook his head and gave Tu Lingxin a meaningful look.

“Won’t drink the toast? Then you’ll drink the penalty wine!” With a great crash, Tu Lingxin stepped into the field and slashed forward with his sword still in its sheath, heavily striking Chongqing and knocking him rolling to the ground. But this young man’s reflexes were extraordinarily quick. As soon as his body touched the ground, he remarkably performed a sweeping leg technique, kicking several tables and chairs over to slightly separate Jin Lingshuang and Tu Lingxin. With a “Carp Turns Over” move, he flew toward the window, planning to leap down from the fifth floor.

With a thunderous crash, the barefoot giant arrived first, blocking the window. He raised both palms, and internal power came like mountains collapsing and seas overturning. Palm against palm, qi against qi—Wu Chongqing was in mid-air with nowhere to borrow force and could only raise one palm high to forcibly receive this fierce and unparalleled strike.

Bang! The crash shook the air. The enemy’s palm power was tremendous, and Wu Chongqing was like hitting a bronze wall or iron fortress. His qi scattered and he was forcibly shaken down to the ground. His footing was not yet stable when someone behind him gathered true qi, and he heard a violent roar: “Get down!”

Tu Lingxin struck out. Hearing his breathing so deep, he had already summoned ten-tenths of his power. Seeing “Sword Gu” slash down with sword and sheath together, Wu Chongqing gave a “hey” sound—he was bare-handed and could only lock his arms tightly to desperately endure this strike.

With a great slap, Wu Chongqing took a vicious blow. His purple lightning was already weak—he was at the end of his strength. But he was very tough and brave. Though “Sword Gu’s” sinister energy invaded his body, he still struggled not to fall.

Both sides silently competed with their lifelong power. Wu Chongqing had first confronted “Sword Light,” then received a palm from “Asura Divine Skill,” and now his body was receiving “Sword Gu’s” fierce internal energy. Yet he actually gritted his teeth and endured. Though that sinister energy was endless, it still couldn’t bring him down. Jin Lingshuang shook his head and added a finger from behind—cold internal power had already penetrated his body.

“Heh heh… haha…” Wu Chongqing staggered, clearly about to collapse, yet his mouth corner still bore a cold smile as if he was still muttering something. Jin Lingshuang shook his head and gave a meaningful look. From all directions, several more black-clothed figures rushed up, and instantly clubs and staffs flew together, beating Chongqing’s chest and abdomen in chaos.

“Fall down! Fall down!” The black-clothed spectral crowd roared angrily, their clubs and staffs all hitting flesh, all aiming for internal organs. Poor Wu Chongqing struggled not to fall, but the price was quite heavy—liver, kidneys, spleen, and stomach all suffered heavy blows.

Bang, bang, bang, bang! Wu Chongqing was beaten miserably but still refused to fall. Zhe’er Dan gave a “hey” and was about to step forward to rescue him when the black-clothed spectral crowd revealed crossbows, pointing them at everyone present.

No one could act rashly now. The “Iron Guards of National Pacification” were cleaning house—at this moment, whoever dared ask a single question would face ten thousand arrows. Seeing this momentum, Lu Yun could only barely endure and wait for another opportunity to act.

“Still won’t fall!” Tu Lingxin was furious. He pounced forward and jumped onto Wu Chongqing’s back, swinging his fist forcefully at his head. The barefoot giant beside him also extended his giant divine palm, pressing down hard on Chongqing’s shoulders. With a “roar,” Wu Chongqing rolled his eyes back, his knees went weak, and he finally collapsed. The black-clothed spectral crowd was overjoyed and was about to strike again when Jin Lingshuang said calmly: “Enough!”

Combining the power of all the great masters of the Iron Guards of National Pacification, they finally subdued Wu Chongqing. Jin Lingshuang slowly crouched down and said softly: “Dragon Shadow, tell me, where is the thing?” Wu Chongqing opened his mouth and gasped: “At… at…”

Jin Lingshuang leaned his ear close to listen carefully when he heard a strange cry. Wu Chongqing pounced over, biting directly at Jin Lingshuang’s cheek. With a crisp “crack” of teeth clicking, his two rows of teeth bit empty air, nearly biting off the man’s face flesh.

“Damn brat! Do you really want to die?” With a great crash, Tu Lingxin struck down with his sword again, beating Chongqing’s face into the dust. He angrily commanded: “Someone come! Beat him hard! Beat him until he begs for mercy!”

Bang, bang, thud, thud! The black-clothed spectral crowd rushed forward, clubs and staffs falling like rain, all striking Chongqing’s back. Tu Lingxin stomped down hard and angrily said: “Damn brat, are you scared now?”

“Heh heh…” Wu Chongqing propped himself up on the ground. Blood seeped from his nostrils, blood foamed from his mouth corners, and all the bones in his body were nearly scattered, yet he was still glaring sideways with a cold smile. Tu Lingxin angrily said: “Beat him more!” Footsteps became chaotic as dozens of black-clothed figures rushed forward with staffs to beat him wildly. Yet Wu Chongqing didn’t want to collapse. Though his body was beyond his control and his strength failed him, his arms remained tightly locked and his eyes still glared angrily. He stubbornly held himself up—his five limbs refused to prostrate.

A muffled grunt passed as the barefoot giant stepped down with tremendous force, pressing Chongqing heavily down. The black-clothed spectral crowd sneered with contempt and all raised their clubs, ready to beat him a few more times, when suddenly they heard a great shout: “Ha!” Purple lightning actually shot out from Chongqing’s body again, frightening the crowd of ghosts to step back.

Lu Yun watched Chongqing’s suffering appearance, and his eyes couldn’t help but redden. Ten years had passed. The shy little child from back then had grown up, but he had become someone Lu Yun didn’t recognize. His heart was full of hatred, gritting his teeth in fury, neither crying nor falling. Lu Yun really wanted to know what was supporting Chongqing? Was it love? Was it hate? Was it vengeance? How had he become like this?

In the complete silence, the sound of spitting blood came from the field. Wu Chongqing made strange sounds—while crawling on the ground, he cold-smiled. That purple lightning was so stubborn and tenacious that it still refused to disappear. Even if he squirmed incessantly like a maggot, he still had to hold on…

Song Tongming, Zhu Kang and others stared blankly, all unable to speak. They saw Chongqing crawling farther and farther, as if he wanted to crawl all the way home to sleep. Jin Lingshuang sighed: “Dragon Shadow, stop fooling around and come back.” Wu Chongqing paid no attention and continued struggling to crawl forward. The barefoot giant blocked his path and kicked him back like a ball.

Wu Chongqing lay on the ground, hissing and gasping, already unable to move. Jin Lingshuang crouched down and said gently: “Dragon Shadow, why do you suffer like this? The Grand Manager considers himself to have treated you well. Why must you oppose him like this?” He took out golden wound medicine and was about to apply it to Wu Chongqing’s neck wound when he heard the young man’s fierce ghostly howl: “Get… away!”

Jin Lingshuang gave a meaningful look, and the giant bent down, placing his large hand around Wu Chongqing’s neck and lifting him into the air. Wu Chongqing already had a neck injury, and now unable to breathe, his tongue protruded and his feet kicked up and down.

Seeing the “Iron Guards of National Pacification’s” cruel methods and that they might apply torture at any moment, Zhu Kang, who had the kindest heart, immediately mustered courage and pleadingly said with a trembling voice: “Several big brothers, please show mercy! What… what bad thing did he do? Is it worth treating him like this…”

Jin Lingshuang shook his head and said: “Friends, don’t let him deceive you.” As soon as he spoke, Mongolian could be heard in the room. The “Iron Guards of National Pacification” had numerous talented people, and immediately someone came up to translate—apparently specifically for Zhe’er Dan to hear.

In the chattering foreign language, Jin Lingshuang looked around the room and continued: “Believe me, if you knew what he stole, you would definitely stand on my side.” Saying this, he walked to Chongqing’s front and looked up: “Am I right, Dragon Shadow?”

With a “puff,” blood mixed with thick phlegm sprayed directly from Wu Chongqing’s mouth corner. Jin Lingshuang neither dodged nor avoided as the bloody phlegm hit his nose bridge and slowly dripped down. Tu Lingxin beside him was furious beyond measure and immediately drew his long sword to kill this person, but Jin Lingshuang extended his hand to stop him: “Don’t fall for his trick. He wants us to kill him to force his father to turn against the Grand Manager.”

Hearing these words, Lu Yun couldn’t help but feel his heart tighten, and the others were also shocked and uncertain. Though they didn’t know who this “Grand Manager” was, from what they vaguely heard, this person must be Wu Dingyuan’s acquaintance and seemed to have considerable power, enough to compete equally with the “Grand Commander of the Five Armies.”

In the silence, Jin Lingshuang wiped away the blood and looked around at everyone in the room, saying calmly: “Friends, our group’s methods are secretive, and you must find them disagreeable. That’s why our people usually don’t appear. But tonight the situation is very different, because…” As he spoke, he directed his gaze toward Chongqing and said softly: “The Furious King has entered the capital.”

At the mention of the Furious King’s great name, everyone in the room, regardless of their background, all gasped “Ah!” Hearing the wine servers’ discussions, Lu Yun also took a deep breath. Though he didn’t know any “Furious King,” he knew someone named “Qin Zhonghai.”

Suddenly hearing that an old friend was also in the capital, Lu Yun’s hands couldn’t help but sweat slightly. Amid the whispered conversations throughout the room, Jin Lingshuang sighed softly. He turned to Chongqing and said: “Child, for how many years has your father been working to prevent war from spreading? As Wu Dingyuan’s son, you should know better than anyone what will happen to the world once that thing falls into the Furious King’s hands?”

Hearing these words, everyone was shocked, finally understanding that the thing in Wu Chongqing’s hands was of utmost importance and probably involved military disasters.

As everyone in the room felt horrified, the barefoot giant released his palm and put Chongqing down on the ground. Jin Lingshuang walked forward and gently persuaded again: “Dragon Shadow… this old man is not speaking alarmist words. Now that great war is about to break out, if the Furious King takes that thing, even the Grand Manager won’t be able to suppress him. At that time, not only will your father’s troops suffer heavy casualties, but common people throughout the world will also face devastation. Your parents will die, your sister will die, even you yourself will perish together—can you bear it?”

Wu Chongqing had originally closed his eyes, but hearing Jin Lingshuang describe this doomsday scenario, he suddenly opened his eyes and smiled: “I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time.” Saying this, he looked up to the sky and laughed heartily, as if extremely pleased.

“Oh! Oh! Oh!” The barefoot giant was furious beyond measure. He grabbed Wu Chongqing and threw him backward, heavily crashing him into the wall panels. With a great bang, Wu Chongqing rolled to the ground. Though he was normally agile, at this moment he had no strength to fight back. For a while he rolled several times, but his mouth still laughed heartily. Tu Lingxin rushed forward and beat him fiercely with his sword and sheath, shouting: “What are you laughing at? Do you want to die? I’ll fulfill your wish! Fulfill your wish!”

Wu Chongqing lay prostrate on the ground. Though his back was being beaten, his hands continuously propped up his body, crawling forward bit by bit. He gasped: “Su Ying… you see… you see… you have a treasure in your hands sufficient to overturn rivers and seas…” He spat out a mouthful of blood, his palms moving forward inch by inch until he reached a large wine vat. He gasped and laughed: “I… I also have a magic weapon in my hands sufficient to destroy heaven and earth…”

Hearing these words, everyone’s hearts turned cold as they all looked toward that large wine vat. This vat was eight feet high and six feet wide, weighing a thousand pounds. The wine vat was covered with a wooden board coated with lime to prevent insects from crawling in.

With an “Ah!” Lu Yun’s heart seemed to stop, while the crowd of black-clothed spectral figures were shocked and pale, all going limp.

Clanging sounds continued as Wu Chongqing reached into the wine vat and grabbed an iron chain. At this moment, the room became hot, filled with pungent qi. Everyone’s bodies sweated and their hearts pounded as that large wine vat somehow seemed to emit a ghostly red light.

“Quick, stop him!” The black-clothed spectral crowd finally awakened and was about to rush forward to stop him when Wu Chongqing looked up and laughed loudly. Kneeling on one knee, he pulled the iron chain hard. With a great splash, wine splashed everywhere, and in the cold night, a red, flaming demonic object broke through the water.

“Kill!” Wu Chongqing opened his mouth wide, looking like a demon as he shouted fiercely: “Karmic Fire Demon Blade!”

“Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo!” With the demon blade in hand, Wu Chongqing’s dantian scattered purple lightning, and he seemed to be set ablaze by raging fire. The pain made him howl toward the sky, his face burned purple-red by the demon fire—no longer looking human but like a fierce demon. Everyone who met his gaze changed color, stepping backward one by one, trembling, all staring unblinkingly at that “Karmic Fire Demon Blade.”

A very, very large blade, completely crystalline black and bright enough to reflect people, as if forged from infernal karmic fire. Just held like this in Wu Chongqing’s hand, faintly on the blade there seemed to be a ghostly, dark demon eye—profound and wise when looked at, dimming and brightening with the light, just examining every person in the room.

Suddenly, Wu Chongqing set down the demon blade. The blade handle touched the floor, producing a low sound.

“Dong…”

A strange sound emerged. After the “dong,” everyone’s hearts jumped, pupils dilated, and their retreating steps unconsciously stopped in unison. Chi Chuanzi turned his head, Song Tongming raised his head, Zhe’er Dan also rubbed his eyes, and even the wine servers crawled to the windows, all calling out in low voices…

“So beautiful…” Unified praise came from the room. Zhu Kang, hiding in the corner, said sincerely, while Song Tongming also echoed with a dreamy voice: “Yes… truly beautiful…” The scene suddenly quieted down. Everyone in the room, regardless of martial arts level or social status, all breathed rapidly with accelerated heartbeats, each staring fixedly at the “Karmic Fire Demon Blade.”

At this moment, seeing the demon blade again, Lu Yun finally understood the whole story. In that great battle in Yangzhou on New Year’s Eve, the one leading the hundred ghosts on patrol was Jin Lingshuang, and the object being transported was precisely this “Karmic Fire Demon Blade.” Later, various forces fought fiercely, and the demon blade fell into the hands of a black-clothed figure—now thinking about it, this person was Chongqing. He just didn’t know what method he used to actually hide this blade in Wanfu Tower, soaking it in that large wine vat. Looking at the wine servers’ shocked expressions, they apparently didn’t know beforehand that such a strange thing was hidden at the bottom of the vat.

Lu Yun had once touched the demon blade and knew where its power lay. Whether this blade was sharp or not didn’t matter—what mattered was that it contained a deep karmic fire that could stimulate the courage and strength of whoever held it. That night when various forces fought, Qiong Fang, just because she picked up the demon blade, was able to single-handedly beat back dozens of black-clothed figures with unimaginable strength. Therefore, the demon blade was said to be a just object—anyone who made a wish to it and promised to exchange their life for it would be granted supreme brave power to kill their great enemy and fulfill their long-cherished wish.

No wonder the wine at “Wanfu Tower” was so pungent—it was “demon wine”! Under everyone’s excited gaze, suddenly the demon blade’s light gradually ceased and the karmic fire subsequently dissipated. Only two “heh heh” laughs were heard as Wu Chongqing slowly raised his head, his eyes full of bloodshot veins, his mouth bearing a sinister demon smile. When everyone met his gaze, they finally awakened as if from a great dream and began trembling again.

This was very bad. The karmic fire gathering in his body had already transformed Chongqing into a demon. At this moment, he didn’t need to draw the blade from its sheath—his physical strength would increase by more than a thousand times. Thinking of Qiong Fang, a refined young lady who could do this, how much more so for someone as martially dominant as Chongqing?

At this critical moment, whether the “Iron Guards of National Pacification” should stop him required immediate decision.

With a “swish,” Jin Lingshuang took the lead and drew his long sword first. With a “clang,” Tu Lingxin’s right arm shot toward the sky and had already drawn his “Invisible Sword Shadow.” Then with heavy footsteps, the Asura giant hunched his back, bent his waist, gritted his teeth and clenched his fists as he approached. All the black-clothed figures immediately raised their crossbows, aiming at Chongqing.

“Who wants to die…” Wu Chongqing grinned and said sinisterly: “Who goes first.”

Lightning and fire intersected as Wu Chongqing held the blade handle, his mouth corner cold-smiling. The black-clothed spectral crowd unanimously stepped backward. At this moment, no one was willing to fight one-on-one—all the masters in the room had to strike together.

“Hahaha! Kill all of you!” Wu Chongqing looked up to the sky and laughed wildly as he actually began to draw the blade. His left hand held the sheath, his right hand gripped the handle, and the demon blade slowly emerged from its sheath. The demon fire, nourished by the “Purple Qi of Silk Gauze,” blazed brightly, emitting strange purple flames so beautiful they chilled the heart.

The elite of the Iron Guards of National Pacification had all emerged, yet no one was confident they could block Chongqing. Jin Lingshuang’s cold sweat streamed down as he desperately gripped his sword hilt, the sword tip once again emanating brilliant golden light. Tu Lingxin was also cultivating sinister energy, preparing for a heart-piercing strike, while the barefoot giant opened his ox-bell-sized eyes wide, his muscles bulging all over.

Under everyone’s horrified gaze, the demon blade gradually left its sheath—one inch, two inches, three inches… Karmic fire flickered and flowed, and Chongqing’s body technique became indescribably strange. It looked like “Nine Dragon-like Forms” yet somehow wasn’t—in any case, it was like a dragon god possessed, fearsome and terrifying. One could imagine that once the demon blade was fully unsheathed, Wanfu Tower would surely be awash with blood, truly “killing everything in heaven and earth.”

Everyone in the room breathed rapidly, all trying to gather their power. Su Ying, Zhe’er Dan and others slowly backed toward the walls, fearing being implicated in this battle.

Though Su Ying and the others had never seen the “Karmic Fire Demon Blade,” they had heard various rumors that this blade was extremely evil, able to make its wielder go mad. Not only would it kill enemies, but it would also kill relatives, and finally even kill the wielder himself. From this perspective, Jin Lingshuang hadn’t lied—the black-clothed figures weren’t the bad people. The real villain was Wu Chongqing; he was the demon threatening the human world.

The demon light grew more dazzling, and the situation became increasingly perilous. Jin Lingshuang knew he couldn’t delay any longer. In an instant, he waved his hand and shouted: “Attack!” As the command was given, Jin Lingshuang led the charge with his sword raised. Tu Lingxin and the barefoot giant also flanked from both sides. The three great masters attacked in coordination—how fierce was their momentum! Wu Chongqing laughed heartily and was about to draw out the demon blade when he heard a clear whistle: “No one is allowed to move!”

The window shutters of the private room burst open, and someone wearing a large hat flew over the heads of both enemy and ally. With a “Ha!” he struck down with one palm toward Chongqing’s shoulder. Where his power reached, it actually shook the demon blade to the ground.

With the demon blade leaving his hand, there was a thunderous crash, and Wu Chongqing also came to his senses. He opened his mouth wide and stared blankly at the face before him, saying with a trembling voice: “It’s… it’s you…” The newcomer was Lu Yun. Seeing Chongqing about to draw the demon blade, he feared the young man would commit a great error and immediately entered the field to stop him, absolutely not allowing him to draw the blade and kill.

Before the two could exchange words, Jin Lingshuang had already thrust his sword forward and shouted: “Quick! Everyone quickly seize back the demon blade!” The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity had arrived—now that the demon blade had fallen to the ground, when else would they reclaim it if not now? In an instant, the wind was urgent, and all the black-clothed figures in the room rushed forward competing to seize the “Karmic Fire Demon Blade.”

Suddenly hearing Chongqing give a great shout, he pounced toward the demon blade on the ground again. Lu Yun, however, held him tight and shouted: “You cannot!”

“Quick, shoot arrows!” The golden ring pointed forcefully in command. With successive swishing sounds, the black-clothed spectral crowd shot crossbow bolts in a continuous rain of arrows. Jin Lingshuang, Tu Lingxin, and the barefoot giant all struck out almost simultaneously. Sword light, sword gu, and Asura skill—three techniques released together would mean certain death for whoever was hit. Lu Yun gritted his teeth and extended his hand to the side. A stream of air passed, and with a “swish,” Su Ying’s paired sword flew from its sheath and into Lu Yun’s hand.

At this moment, Lu Yun was in front with Wu Chongqing behind. He held a sword in his right hand and still pulled Wu Chongqing with his left, leaving only one hand to defend against enemies. Yet facing three great masters with their ultimate techniques plus a sky full of arrow feathers layer upon layer, Lu Yun had only one long sword. He could guard the front but not the rear—how could he resist a large number of powerful enemies?

In the midst of panic, Su Ying, Zhe’er Dan and others were all shocked and amazed. First, they didn’t understand this person’s surname or name, or where he came from. Second, they didn’t know how he would block these successive killing moves.

Since he couldn’t block them, there was no need to try. Lu Yun steeled his heart and loosened his grip, allowing the long sword to fall downward.

The long sword fell from his chest to his waist. Everyone was greatly surprised and didn’t understand why he abandoned his sword. Suddenly they saw Lu Yun raise his palm and strike the sword hilt. The blade spun in mid-air, and amid a humming sound, it opened like a flower of light before them, meeting the weapons and energy of the masters.

With a great “clang,” the invisible sword shadow flew from its grip. With a roar, the barefoot giant staggered and tumbled. Even Jin Lingshuang’s sword light was knocked off by a foot, scraping past the light shield.

“Thud, thud, thud!” “Thud, thud, thud!” The arrow feathers scattered, and the screen wall was filled with arrows and crossbow bolts. This disc seemed like a great shield, blocking all the masters’ ultimate techniques in one breath. Amid the shock, Lu Yun shouted and flicked his wrist, withdrawing his hand. The sword traced a graceful arc and returned to the Three Achievements inheritor’s scabbard.

Seeing this technique, Su Ying was as if struck by five thunderbolts—his heart nearly stopped. He opened his mouth wide and stared blankly at that nameless man, his mind revolving around those five cherished words:

“Benevolent Sword Shakes Sound and Spreads”

To seek the Benevolent Sword, Su Ying had abandoned everything. Thinking of the hardships and sufferings of these days, his eyes reddened and his heart felt bitter. He immediately ran over crying: “Master!”

After running just a few steps, Su Ying immediately cried “Ah!” knowing he had mistaken the person. Looking at that man’s eight-foot height, half a head taller than himself, how could he be his short master? He trembled all over, both confused and frightened, not knowing where this person had stolen the Benevolent Sword technique from. While he was sobbing, suddenly his hand tightened—the nameless man had grabbed him and shouted: “Young Hero Su, come with me!”

The other’s palm was warm. Without waiting for his agreement, the man was already dragging him forcefully, wanting to take him away from Wanfu Tower together.

Su Ying stared blankly at that person’s face. He wore a large hat and was about forty years old, quite handsome but with some traces of vicissitudes on his face. That appearance seemed so familiar—he resembled someone greatly. His name was: “Inheritor of the Benevolent Sword”! Unconsciously, the “Inheritor of the Wisdom Sword” opened his eyes wide, his heart burning. He didn’t know why, but he felt as if he had known this person for a very, very long time—from the moment he was born, from the moment he picked up a long sword, he was destined to know this person. Suddenly, Su Ying gave a great shout and also tightly gripped the other’s hand in return, fleeing together with him.

“Quick, escape! Quick, escape!” When it came to fleeing for one’s life, no one could be faster than Chi Chuanzi. The old Taoist took the lead, with Song Tongming, Zhu Kang, and Zhe’er Dan following closely behind. Looking at Lu Yun pulling Su Ying with his left hand and still dragging Wu Chongqing with his right, that young man still gripped an iron chain tightly, with the demon blade tied to the end of the chain. Everyone dragged each other, competing to rush toward the window.

Though the fifth-floor window was high, with black-clothed figures pursuing from behind, it wasn’t much to worry about. Thinking that life was most important, Old Taoist Chi Chuan was fearless. He quickly moved to climb onto the window sill when suddenly he heard a low Buddhist chant from afar: “I… build…”

“…worldly aspirations.”

The ethereal Sanskrit sounds came from all directions in the dark night, creating strange feelings in people’s hearts. Everyone looked at each other in surprise when Lu Yun suddenly felt his hand loosen—Wu Chongqing had already forcefully broken free from his grip and then pulled up the iron chain to grab the “Karmic Fire Demon Blade” tightly.

“Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo!” Wu Chongqing’s eyes were filled with bloodshot veins as he gripped the demon blade tightly. Seeing him grit his teeth as if facing a great enemy, everyone was stunned—first, they didn’t know what he was afraid of, and second, they didn’t understand who had come. Amid the shock and suspicion, the distant Buddhist chant came again:

“Must… reach…”

“The Supreme Way!” Suddenly, all the black-clothed figures in the room respectfully shouted out. From Jin Lingshuang and Tu Lingxin above to the Asura giant below, everyone knelt and prostrated as if openly worshipping some evil god. Everyone was greatly horrified and confused. Zhu Kang said in amazement: “What… what is this? Has Tathagata Buddha descended?”

Song Tongming cursed: “You still have time to mind other people’s business? Escaping is what matters!”

The situation wasn’t quite right. Looking at this group of black-clothed figures, most likely some great demon had descended. Everyone was panicking and about to climb out the window when they heard a “dong” sound—Old Taoist Chi Chuan somehow had his knees go weak and collapsed to the ground, also learning from the black-clothed figures to kneel and bow.

Chi Chuanzi’s daily kneeling and standing was his own family’s business that no one else could control, but this old thing had to block the escape route by kneeling—how could this be acceptable? Zhu Kang quickly said: “Taoist master, did you… sprain your back?” He reached out to help Chi Chuanzi up, but as soon as he touched his arm, he heard an “Ah!” His knees gave a “bang,” and his body went limp, also bowing his head toward the window.

At this moment, everyone was waiting to break through and escape, but inexplicably they had knelt in a row. Song Tongming was shocked and furious, cursing: “What’s going on? What’s going on? Are you scared stiff?” He raised his large black hand to pull Zhu Kang up, but as soon as he grabbed the collar, he suddenly made a “Huh?” sound, feeling his knees trembling constantly. It seemed like a dark force was passing through his feet, as if hundreds of water ghosts were dragging him down into the water.

“Divine Blade Force!” With a bang, Song Tongming raised his Soaring Eagle precious blade and forcefully planted it in the ground, gritting his teeth to support himself. Crackling sounds arose as Song Tongming’s family heirloom blade bent under pressure, ready to break at any moment. Song Tongming’s face showed panic as he frantically shouted: “Mongolian Uncle! Quick, grab me! Quick!” Zhe’er Dan was also stunned, not knowing what was wrong with Song Tongming. Without time to think deeply, he quickly hugged the man and was about to lift him up when a great force transmitted through, also making him grunt as his lower back bent painfully and his body gradually knelt down.

Zhe’er Dan’s martial arts were far from ordinary—he could dominate the northern desert for thirty years on his own merits. But at this moment, his full power not only couldn’t pull up Song Tongming but was about to be dragged down himself. Su Ying was shocked and uncertain, and Lu Yun also looked amazed. The two exchanged glances and were about to reach out to help when someone took the lead, supporting Zhe’er Dan under his arms and shouting: “Rise…”

Wu Chongqing acted! He threw the demon blade to the ground and used “Purple Qi of Silk Gauze” to support Zhe’er Dan. Purple lightning and demon light intersected—with this fierce momentum, he could definitely make everyone in the room stand up.

Crack, crack… crack, crack… Wu Chongqing rolled his eyes back, his spine making cracking sounds, and his knees began to shake. Lu Yun was shocked: “What… what’s happening? He’s holding the Karmic Fire Demon Blade!”

Those who hold the demon blade must have divine power—this was something Lu Yun had personally tested and was absolutely true. But now Chongqing’s strength was insufficient. He hunched his back and bent his abdomen, his teeth chattering, only able to plant the demon blade in the ground to barely support his body. Several times he wanted to draw the demon blade to fight, but his palms seemed pressed down by gods and Buddhas—he couldn’t lift them at all.

With a bang, Song Tongming’s knees touched the ground, his forehead hitting the floor as he prostrated completely. The aftershock affected Zhe’er Dan, making his body lean forward and nearly kneel as well.

The atmosphere was extremely eerie. The entire room seemed bewitched, with people falling one after another. Not only had the companions knelt in a row, but the black-clothed spectral crowd was also kneeling all over the ground, as if waiting for some god or Buddha to descend. At this time, only Lu Yun and Su Ying remained able to move in the room. Though they weren’t well acquainted, they moved a few steps closer to each other.

Lu Yun took a deep breath. Considering himself older and not wanting Su Ying to take risks, he said: “Young Hero Su, please guard my back while I go test this out.” Without waiting for Su Ying’s agreement, he reached out toward Chongqing.

The current situation was extraordinary. Seeing Chongqing holding the demon blade yet unable to escape, there must be some reason. Lu Yun was cautious, fearing that someone had poisoned Chongqing with some strange toxin. He rolled up his sleeve to wrap his palm and carefully supported under his armpit.

Slowly, Lu Yun touched Chongqing’s body. There was no strange sensation in his hand, so he thought there would be no problem. He relaxed and gathered some true qi to support under Wu Chongqing’s armpit.

Lu Yun’s hand felt heavy—Chongqing’s body was very heavy. Looking at him trembling slightly and continuously exerting force as if trying to break free from something, his body seemed pressed down by Mount Taihang and simply couldn’t rise. Lu Yun looked out the window and pondered slightly, knowing that a master had arrived outside.

The newcomer was unknown but had extraordinarily high martial arts with a faintly intimidating evil aura. The situation was strange and absolutely not suitable for direct confrontation—he could only go to the window to investigate. Lu Yun was about to let go when suddenly his eyes widened in shock, realizing his palm was also stuck. He was greatly alarmed and pulled forcefully, but this internal power was extremely clinging and couldn’t be shaken off. In his panic, suddenly a great force transmitted over, making Lu Yun cry out “Ah!” in pain, finally feeling this overwhelming power.

Crack, crack, crack, crack, crack… Lu Yun gritted his teeth, feeling this force was extraordinarily powerful, like being entangled by five ghosts or like heaven bestowing a great mission upon this person. It pressed directly on his spine with excruciating pain as if it would break. He involuntarily bent down, his face full of pain and horror: “What… what’s happening? What kind of person has come outside the window?”

The opponent had been gathering power, only striking with full force after drawing out Lu Yun. With a “bang,” Zhe’er Dan’s knees hit the ground. Song Tongming, Zhu Kang, and Chi Chuanzi had already prostrated with their foreheads on the ground, all fallen and unable to rise. Lu Yun and Wu Chongqing still stubbornly refused to fall but were also hunched and arched, ready to collapse at any moment. Su Ying was both shocked and angry, wanting to come help Lu Yun, but Lu Yun desperately winked at him, signaling him absolutely not to come and throw his life away.

Lu Yun had lived in seclusion by the waterfall for ten years. In the first few years, he lived on a lonely island beside the falls, day and night being washed by the great water. His ability to resist pressure and go against the current was extremely refined. Once he planted his two legs in the ground, even ten thousand pounds of force couldn’t push him down. But the force on his body seemed even greater than the white water waterfall. He understood in his heart that this force was absolutely beyond human capability, but to truly say gods or Buddhas had descended—who could believe it? He took a deep breath, closed his eyes and carefully examined the force coming from Chongqing’s body.

Suddenly, Lu Yun’s eyes opened wide in shock, realizing this energy was both scorching and soft, yet fierce—it seemed to combine “Purple Qi of Silk Gauze,” “Divine Blade Force,” and even Zhe’er Dan’s “Great Black Heaven Fist Force,” mixed with Dian Cang internal power, the unique spinning spear force of the Zhu family estate in Hebei, and the demon power of the “Karmic Fire Demon Blade”—all pressing down on him at once, creating this earth-shaking momentum.

“Assimilation power!” Lu Yun awakened in horror: “Someone has redirected everyone’s internal power together!”

To achieve unity, assimilation must come first. This was an extremely refined and subtle art of domination, harmonizing six completely different and vastly disparate internal powers, making them submit to his will and reflect back along the way. No wonder Chongqing was suppressed—not only was the unknown master outside the window exerting power, but also the internal power that Zhe’er Dan, Song Tongming, Zhu Kang, Chi Chuanzi and others had cultivated for decades was all pressing down on him. If Chongqing didn’t have the “Karmic Fire Demon Blade” to rely on, he would have already knelt on the ground—how could he stubbornly resist falling here?

Speaking of it, the most miserable was still Lu Yun. He was at the very end of the group, not only having to bear the suffering that Chongqing endured but also carrying the “Purple Qi of Silk Gauze” and “Karmic Fire Demon Blade” that he transmitted. His situation was like being under the poisonous dragon pool beneath the white water waterfall, with ten thousand pounds of water cascading down entirely on his head.

Crack, crack… crack, crack… The lifelong power of six great masters in the room attacked. Lu Yun gritted his teeth as his bones were on the verge of scattering, his heart filled with extreme horror and fear. He truly didn’t know where in the world such evil mental techniques came from, possessing such tremendous supernatural power.

“I build worldly aspirations.” As if answering Lu Yun’s inner doubts, the person outside the window thus declared: “Must reach the Supreme Way.”

“If this wish is not fulfilled!” All the black-clothed figures knocked in response, their expressions passionate: “I vow not to achieve equal enlightenment!”

“Now for the great benefactor, universally saving all the poor and suffering.

Command those multitudes of beings to have no worries in the long night.

When beings hear this name, they fear to come to my land.

The various gods of the void sky should rain precious wonderful flowers.”

Waves of ethereal Sanskrit sounds were like true Buddha descending. From Lu Yun above to Zhu Kang below, all the righteous people in the room were already under control. Looking at Jin Lingshuang, Tu Lingxin and other evil heretics, they were also prostrated on the ground. Suddenly hearing a “swish,” Su Ying gave a clear whistle and already had his sword in hand, striding toward the window platform.

Su Ying had had enough. As the disciple of “Number One Under Heaven,” he wanted to investigate what evil demon had come here to wreak havoc and kill it with one sword.

Suddenly Su Ying opened his mouth wide and stepped back because a person walked down from outside the window—a black-clothed figure.

In the Sanskrit chanting of “Supreme Orthodox Way,” the black-clothed figure quietly appeared. He placed his hand on Chi Chuanzi’s head, stepped on the window sill and walked down through the air. His movement technique was neither hurried nor slow, both composed and solemn, as if he truly was a heavenly deity descending, directly forcing Su Ying’s feet to tremble as he slowly retreated.

This was probably the strongest among all the black-clothed figures. Wherever his calm gaze passed, Jin Lingshuang, Tu Lingxin and others all bowed and kowtowed, chanting in unison: “Greetings to the Grand Manager!”

Hearing this title, Wu Chongqing seemed struck by lightning. He struggled to lift his hands, wanting to draw the “Karmic Fire Demon Blade,” but a thousand-pound burden pressed down on his hands like iron chains binding them—he couldn’t lift them at all.

“In heaven and earth, I alone am supreme”—the highest leader of the “Iron Guards of National Pacification” had arrived. With one move, he defeated all the masters in the room. Lu Yun’s martial arts were absolutely not inferior to Zhuo Lingzhao’s from years past. Wu Chongqing, bearing the demon blade, was like a dragon god possessed. Additionally, Zhe’er Dan and Song Tongming were also not easy opponents. Yet at this moment, everyone was caught in one net, showing that this “Grand Manager’s” martial arts strength and precision of calculation had reached a mystical realm.

The entire room was silent as a tomb, all prostrated in worship. The “Grand Manager” stood silently, his gaze sweeping across the room. Lu Yun also gritted his teeth and struggled to raise his eyes, trying to look at that person.

Outside the window, snowflakes fell piece by piece, while inside the room was a deathly chill. The two sides were positioned one above and one below. The “Grand Manager” stood quietly—dressed entirely in black with a face mask covering his features. From what could be seen, his build was neither tall nor short, his physique neither fat nor thin, even his demeanor was utterly plain and moderate.

Lu Yun’s mouth breathed slightly, making a soft sound. That “Grand Manager” also turned his head toward him. When their four eyes met, unexpectedly, this person’s gaze was not extremely vicious but clear and bright, deep and distant, as if he had seen through ten thousand li of rivers and mountains and ancient affairs, with all the mysteries of heaven and earth contained in his heart.

The “Grand Manager” spoke very little. He nodded, and Jin Lingshuang immediately waved his hand. Light footsteps could be heard in the room as all the black-clothed figures walked forward together.

The situation became even worse. Lu Yun understood in his heart that the force pressing on him actually came mostly from Wu Chongqing, Zhe’er Dan and others. If everyone wanted to break free and leave, they would have to simultaneously disperse their power and stop exerting force, or they would only sink deeper. Unfortunately, Lu Yun himself was also pressed down by tremendous force. At this moment, he could only struggle to circulate his power with all his strength to resist—where would he have any energy left to speak and remind others?

Seeing the black-clothed figures walking closer and closer, they might truly face complete annihilation. Lu Yun became more panicked, and in his complete despair, he suddenly saw another person in the room also looking at him with a face full of anxiety, as if asking him what to do.

“Three Achievements Inheritor” Su Ying! Lu Yun’s heart filled with great joy, knowing he had seen his last hope.

At this moment, people fell one after another—first Chi Chuanzi and Zhu Kang, then Song Tongming and Zhe’er Dan, finally Wu Chongqing and Lu Yun. Everyone was deeply trapped in quicksand, unable to move. Speaking of it, the only free person in the room was Ning Bufan’s beloved disciple, Huashan Sect Leader Su Ying. He was the only remaining master on their side and the only hope for everyone. At this moment, the black-clothed figures were about to reach Lu Yun. If he wanted to escape, he would need Su Ying to force back the “Grand Manager.” But the troublesome thing was—with Su Ying’s martial arts, could he defeat the “Grand Manager”?

Lu Yun took a deep breath. He absolutely wouldn’t let the “Three Achievements Inheritor” fight alone. At this moment, he must secretly lend a helping hand.

Life and death hung on this one move. Lu Yun closed his eyes and breathed slowly. In an instant, his internal power surged out, sending an extremely fierce force rebounding back.

What no one knew was that Lu Yun’s internal power depth was already earth-shaking and unprecedented. He had sat in prison by the waterfall for ten years, constantly battling the white water waterfall to the death while painstakingly studying the sword manual left by the “Sword God.” Day after day, the mutual torment made his internal power’s depth and solidity unmatched by anyone in the world. Once he operated his power to its peak, it was like the white water waterfall flowing in reverse—how could such momentum be ordinary?

Lu Yun circulated his energy to counterattack. Slowly his internal power reached its extreme. The “Grand Manager’s” body swayed slightly, his robes gradually swelling—he had apparently sensed this internal power. Lu Yun’s heart filled with great joy. Seeing that he had brought out his lifelong power to fight back, no matter how high this “Grand Manager’s” martial arts were, he would have to resolve it with full strength. He understood that the opponent would be unable to move for a while and quickly made eye signals to Su Ying, wanting him to quickly strike.

The black-clothed figures walked closer and closer—five feet, four feet, three feet… The opportunity was fleeting. Fortunately, Su Ying was extremely quick to seize the moment. Seeing the “Grand Manager’s” robes billowing and Lu Yun desperately winking, he immediately understood. With a “swish,” he drew his sword.

The opportunity to turn defeat into victory had arrived. Lu Yun and Su Ying joined forces—there was already a chance for change. At this moment, Su Ying drew his sword from its sheath. If the “Grand Manager” didn’t want to be injured, he would have to release Chi Chuanzi. But if he did this, Zhe’er Dan, Wu Chongqing, and even Lu Yun himself would all break free from their shackles. When heroes rose together and the demon blade was unsheathed, how could the “Iron Guards of National Pacification” control the situation? Of course, he could also continue pressing down on Chi Chuanzi, but Su Ying wouldn’t show mercy—with just a light thrust of his sword, he could end this person’s life.

The situation reversed rapidly. The “Three Achievements Inheritor” suddenly struck, and the black-clothed figures had also awakened, all rushing forward at once. Seeing the critical situation, Su Ying couldn’t help but cry out wildly, just raising his hand to thrust directly, as if mad.

As the long sword came face to face, suddenly the “Grand Manager” laughed and said: “How is Young Master Su’s Qiong Fang doing lately?” Su Ying was greatly shocked, never expecting the opponent to actually know Qiong Fang. With a “Heh!” his sword tip quickly deflected, sweeping past that person’s throat. He quickly turned his sword edge and placed it at the Grand Manager’s throat, gasping: “You… you know Sister Fang?”

“Of course.” The Grand Manager’s gaze carried a smile: “I received your wedding invitation.”

When the “Grand Manager” spoke, everyone in the room was either shocked, astonished, or confused. The confused one was Su Ying—he heard the opponent knew Qiong Fang and even claimed to have received his wedding invitation. Could he really be an acquaintance? But why was he wearing a black face mask and coming here to commit violence in the dead of night? As for Zhe’er Dan, Song Tongming and others, they were greatly horrified. This “Grand Manager” was secretly channeling divine power to suppress the heroes. By logic, he was urgently practicing his skills and should find it difficult to speak, yet this person could speak while his true qi didn’t leak—such pure power was truly rarely seen in the world.

The entire room was shocked, confused, and astonished, but the most confused was Lu Yun. Hearing the “Grand Manager’s” speech, he felt his heart stir and thought to himself: “Strange, this person’s voice sounds so familiar… could he be…”

Lu Yun’s own martial arts were also high—no matter how strong the opponent’s abilities were, they wouldn’t frighten him. But this person’s voice was so familiar that he couldn’t help but pay attention. Amid speculation and suspicion, suddenly light footsteps could be heard as a large number of black-clothed figures quietly surrounded them. Su Ying had originally been in a daze, but suddenly seeing the enemy approaching, he was immediately shocked and quickly dodged behind the Grand Manager, raising his sword to his throat and shouting: “Retreat! Step back! Quick! Otherwise I’ll kill him with one sword!”

Hearing the word “kill,” the black-clothed figures actually exchanged glances and smiles. Jin Lingshuang seemed to be smiling, and the other black-clothed figures, though wearing face masks that made their expressions unclear, could be seen with slightly shaking shoulders—apparently they also wore smiles on their faces.

Su Ying wasn’t new to the martial world. Though he disliked killing in his life, when pushed to the absolute limit, he had no choice but to resort to such desperate measures. However, he didn’t know why, despite his harsh threats, the black-clothed figures remained completely at ease. The more Su Ying watched, the angrier he became, and he shouted fiercely: “Don’t believe I’ll kill him? I’m counting to three now—one… two…”

Just as he was about to give the opponent a show of force, he heard the “Grand Manager” say calmly: “Do as he says.”

The “Iron Guards of National Pacification” had strict discipline. As soon as these words were spoken, Jin Lingshuang immediately clapped his hands: “Everyone take a rest.” Upon hearing this, they suddenly retreated to the stairway, each finding a table to sit at. Tu Lingxin removed his face mask to breathe, while Jin Lingshuang casually poured tea and drank water. For a moment, everyone was busy with their own affairs, showing no concern whatsoever for the “Grand Manager’s” predicament.

Su Ying was young and hot-blooded. Seeing the opponent’s contemptuous attitude, he couldn’t help but become even more furious. Lu Yun, however, was a person rich in experience. Seeing this scene, he felt even more frightened and immediately exerted all his strength to channel his internal power, fearing the opponent might suddenly attack.

Seeing all the black-clothed figures retreat, Su Ying relaxed and was about to speak when he suddenly noticed the “Grand Manager” was examining him, his gaze actually carrying a hint of familiarity.

Su Ying was slightly stunned. Unconsciously, the long sword in his hand relaxed slightly. Suddenly remembering he was still in a dangerous place, he quickly raised the long sword. Knowing the opponent’s martial arts were unfathomably deep, he retreated several more steps to distance himself from this person before pointing his sword at his heart and saying coldly: “Friend, raise your left hand and let Taoist Chi Chuan stand up.”

The Grand Manager’s response was very direct. He said calmly: “I don’t want to do that.” Su Ying roared angrily and thrust his palm forward. With a soft “hiss,” the sword tip pierced through the clothing and stopped at the skin, already pressing against the “Grand Manager’s” heart. This sword strike was dangerous to the extreme. Su Ying said in a low voice: “Are you afraid?”

The Grand Manager smiled and didn’t answer. Jin Lingshuang, Tu Lingxin and the others also looked at each other with knowing smiles, appearing completely relaxed. Lu Yun watched this scene and his heart was crystal clear—he knew Su Ying had never killed anyone in his life.

Su Ying gritted his teeth for a while, then glared at the Grand Manager: “Friend, I’ll warn you one more time. I only need to push this sword forward and you’ll die instantly. Are you afraid or not?” The Grand Manager smiled: “You don’t even know me, yet you plan to kill me?”

This sentence was plain and simple, yet more effective than any threat, intimidation, crying, or begging for mercy. It indeed made Su Ying slightly awaken, and a thought appeared in his mind: “Yes, I don’t even know this person—how can I kill him randomly?”

To kill someone, there must be a tremendous reason. Unless there’s an irreconcilable blood feud, or the hatred of a stolen wife, or deep personal pain, how could one harm another’s life without cause? With this thought, Su Ying felt slightly hesitant, also fearing he might truly kill the wrong acquaintance. He immediately said in a low voice: “Who exactly are you? Why do you know Qiong Fang?”

The Grand Manager said: “I’m called the ‘Grand Manager.’ You just heard that.” Su Ying snorted: “Who are those black-clothed figures? Are they all your subordinates?” The Grand Manager said: “Yes, they are the ‘Iron Guards of National Pacification.'”

The “Iron Guards of National Pacification” had tremendous power. Lu Yun had encountered them several times but never knew these people’s origins. Now hearing the “Grand Manager” personally speak these four words, there was truly an indescribable sense of authority. Su Ying felt a slight tremor: “Why… why do they call you ‘Grand Manager’?” The Grand Manager said: “Because I’m very good at using an abacus.”

Su Ying took a deep breath: “Using an abacus? Then why are you wearing a face mask?” The Grand Manager said calmly: “The business I do prevents me from showing my true face.” Su Ying couldn’t help but mock: “It sounds like you have some self-awareness, but I wonder what black business you’re doing that’s so unspeakable?”

“I build worldly aspirations…” The Grand Manager bowed slightly: “Must reach the Supreme Way.”

This person’s tone was grand, as if he were the master of the universe with the power to create heaven and earth. Everyone who heard this was greatly shocked. Lu Yun also felt slightly amazed and was guessing the “Grand Manager’s” identity when suddenly he heard gasping beside him. Lu Yun looked sideways and was shocked to see Wu Chongqing’s eyes filled with bloodshot veins, just staring at that “Grand Manager” with an extremely terrifying expression.

Tonight, Wu Chongqing had intended to seize the “Three Achievements Sword Manual” and claimed he wanted to kill someone—it must be this “Grand Manager” before them. He just didn’t know what grievance existed between the two sides that seemed irreconcilable unto death.

At this moment, Su Ying’s ability to control the entire scene relied entirely on Lu Yun’s secret support. When their eyes met and Su Ying saw Lu Yun’s encouraging gaze, as if telling him to ask with confidence, his spirits immediately lifted. He raised his long sword against the Grand Manager’s heart and said in a low voice: “Who is this Young Master Wu? Why do you all keep calling him Dragon Shadow?”

The Grand Manager said: “He is the Crown Prince.” Su Ying said in amazement: “Crown Prince?” The Grand Manager said: “Crown Prince Dragon Shadow. He follows the Nanda Dragon King, so he is covered by black shadows.” Su Ying couldn’t quite understand and murmured: “Black shadows? What black shadows?”

The Grand Manager said: “Between heaven and earth, everyone has their own shadow. Even as noble as a Dragon King with precious light, they cannot escape this.” Su Ying listened and suddenly blurted out: “What about my master? Does he also have a shadow?”

At this moment, the black-clothed spectral crowd watched like tigers, and the Grand Manager had already suppressed the heroes. In this life-and-death situation, he himself was being held at bay by Su Ying. The scene was extremely urgent, yet Su Ying was chatting—who knew what he wanted to do? Song Tongming, Zhu Kang and others cursed him hundreds of times in their hearts, urging him to quickly act.

Seeing his companions’ dejected faces, Su Ying also awakened. Knowing he couldn’t ask anything more, he raised his sword again and said coldly: “Listen well. From now on, you’ll do whatever I tell you to do. As long as you can make me happy, I can spare your life.” Hearing the word “spare,” the black-clothed spectral crowd immediately burst into laughter, while the Grand Manager smiled faintly: “Alright, what do you want me to do?”

Su Ying said coldly: “I want you to accompany us somewhere.” The Grand Manager said: “Where?”

“Ziyun Pavilion.” Su Ying calmly spoke these three words, and everyone’s hearts filled with wild joy, all knowing Su Ying wanted to escort him to safety. This Qiong Wuchuan was the current emperor’s father-in-law. No matter how fierce these black-clothed figures were, once they reached Ziyun Pavilion, they would have to behave obediently. The Grand Manager said calmly: “And then? After accompanying you to Ziyun Pavilion, I can leave?”

Su Ying shook his head coldly: “No. You must come with me to see Old Master Qiong and submit to his judgment.” All around, the black-clothed figures laughed again with amusement. Su Ying flew into a rage: “What are you laughing at?” He raised his sword against the Grand Manager and said grimly: “How about it? Do you agree or not?”

The Grand Manager said: “I don’t agree.” Su Ying felt slightly confused, his breathing quickening: “You… say that again…” As he spoke, his palm trembled, causing the sword tip to waver slightly.

Su Ying had practiced swordplay for many years and held his sword extremely steadily, yet at this moment his sword hilt shook continuously, showing how terrified he was inside. Jin Lingshuang and Tu Lingxin had originally been completely relaxed, but seeing his expression so frightened, they unconsciously stood up together. Lu Yun also took a deep breath, knowing a life-and-death moment was approaching.

Su Ying was indeed afraid, but this wasn’t laughable, because the more afraid someone was in their heart, the more likely they were to kill. Those present like Lu Yun, Jin Lingshuang, and Tu Lingxin had all been through life-and-death trials and knew Su Ying was at a critical moment—he could stab the Grand Manager to death at any time.

Lu Yun saw the situation very clearly. The assassination of the Grand Manager had fallen into Su Ying’s hands, but Su Ying himself was being watched by the black-clothed spectral crowd. For him to let Lu Yun and others rise, the Grand Manager would have to give in. Both sides were constrained by mutual concerns, each having something to rely on and something to fear. To subdue the entire scene at once required relying on “momentum.” Now Su Ying already had the intent to kill, and both sides were on the verge of decisive battle.

The Grand Manager, who could command armies, must have high judgment and know his life hung by a thread. However, this person’s composure was extraordinary—even with a long sword at his heart, he remained unmoved. After a long, long time, Su Ying said: “Let go and let my friends stand up.” The Grand Manager shook his head: “I don’t want to do that.”

Su Ying’s eyes showed a strange light and his mouth showed slight gasping: “I’ll tell you one last time: don’t force me to kill you…” His palm trembled as he was ready to push the sword hilt at any moment. But the Grand Manager shook his head: “No, you won’t kill me.” Su Ying gritted his teeth: “How can you be so sure?”

The Grand Manager said: “Before coming here, I had already calculated. Not only will you not kill me, you’ll also join me.”

“Hahaha!” Hearing such absurd words, despite the urgent situation, Su Ying still burst into hearty laughter. Looking at this group of cruel and evil black-clothed figures, how could he, the dignified leader of Huashan, collaborate with them? For a moment, he couldn’t stop laughing: “Su would join you petty villains? Haha! Haha! Who told you this joke?”

The Grand Manager remained silent, slowly shifting his gaze: “He told me.” Su Ying felt slightly puzzled and looked in the direction of the opponent’s gaze, seeing that large man with the hat. His heart couldn’t help but tighten as he remembered that move “Benevolent Sword Shakes Sound and Spreads.” He quickly asked: “Who… who exactly is he?” The Grand Manager leaned close and whispered: “Lu Yun.”

“Lu… Yun…” Su Ying opened his mouth wide, his body swaying slightly. He turned to look at the Grand Manager and asked hoarsely: “Is it… is it that Lu Yun?” The Grand Manager silently looked at the “Big-Eyed Cat,” his gaze calm as water, and nodded.

With a great “clang,” the long sword fell to the ground. Su Ying stared blankly at the ground, tears in his eyes and sadness on his face, his steps swaying as he slowly retreated.

Song Tongming, Zhu Kang and others were dumbfounded, all feeling inexplicably confused, not knowing why Su Ying would abandon his sword at this critical moment. Under everyone’s amazed gaze, Su Ying stepped back step by step, finally shrinking to a corner of the room, holding his head and sobbing.

The entire room was shocked and confused. Those present like Chi Chuanzi, Song Tongming, and Zhu Kang mostly knew this “Lu Yun”—they knew this person was once the top scholar and had served as an official in Changzhou, later abandoning his post and disappearing. They just didn’t know why this supposedly deceased person would make Su Ying react so dramatically. Could they have had some past conflict?

Su Ying had collapsed. With just a few words, the “Grand Manager” had made him withdraw from battle. Amid the shock of everyone present, the Grand Manager gently raised his face and gave a meaningful look. In an instant, all the black-clothed figures surged forward again to capture everyone.

They had lost again—this time even more miserably. Lu Yun looked at Su Ying in the corner. He had been waiting to give it his all, but seeing Su Ying’s pained appearance, his fighting spirit completely dissipated. With a gentle sigh, he heard a “bang” as Lu Yun lunged forward and also fell to the ground.

Su Ying collapsed, Lu Yun also fell in response—all the masters in the room had successively been defeated. Everyone either fell or surrendered, with none able to fight. However, there was still one last person in the room who stubbornly refused to fall. Surrounded on all sides, this person’s gaze still carried blazing fury with no hint of retreat, because he understood in his heart that he still had his final support.

Kill! The Karmic Fire Demon Blade! Wu Chongqing was about to kneel but not quite kneeling, about to fall but not falling. He planted the “demon blade” in the ground, both hands tightly embracing the blade body, still resisting desperately. The black-clothed figures saw this momentum and couldn’t help but feel slightly intimidated, their footsteps slowing down.

The last hope of the world’s heroes was the “Karmic Fire Demon Blade.” Wu Chongqing was neither benevolent nor righteous, neither loyal nor filial. He wasn’t the “Brother Shu” troubled by love, nor the “Uncle Lu” full of learning. He was an assassin bearing a demon blade. Even if only one soldier remained, he would never surrender. Soon, if the black-clothed figures made the slightest mistake, he would madly draw the demon blade and kill everything in heaven and earth.

The Grand Manager’s gaze was calm. He stared at Chongqing without persuasion or intimidation. His left hand pressed on Chi Chuanzi’s forehead while his right hand slowly raised, five fingers spread, revealing what lay in his palm.

The room was pitch black except for the burning candle flame that illuminated the Grand Manager’s palm, where lay an iron pellet.

“Divine Sword Captures Dragon?” Lu Yun opened his mouth wide, staring at that blue-tinged iron pellet, his breathing involuntarily quickening.

Had the legendary number one secret sword in the world truly appeared?

Ten years ago, the “Sword God” had forged the “Divine Sword,” shocking the world. From then on, there was one more supreme sword in the world, called “Captures Dragon.” Those present like Lu Yun, Jin Lingshuang, Tu Lingxin, and even Chi Chuanzi and Song Tongming had all seen this sword before, but no one expected this “Divine Sword” had already fallen into the “Grand Manager’s” hands.

The first time they saw it, it subdued the “True Dragon of a Generation,” defeating him until he collapsed. The last time they saw it, they witnessed Tianjue’s tragic death. Time after time, from the end of the Jingtai Dynasty to the great chaos under heaven and the restoration of Zhengtong, it seemed all the evil disputes in the human world had some connection to this divine sword.

With the divine sword in hand and Captures Dragon in his grasp, the Grand Manager said not a word, but the iron pellet in his hand spoke for him. It turned out the overall situation had long been decided. Su Ying’s earlier control of him was even more of a joke. From the moment the “Grand Manager” stepped into Wanfu Tower, everyone’s fate had been sealed. Uncle Lu, Young Hero Su, Young Master Wu—death or surrender, choose one. They had no third path to walk.

“Heart yearns for light, body trapped in Asura Hall.”

The Grand Manager began chanting scriptures, and the divine sword in his palm also emanated blue light like a Buddha’s shadow, smooth and lustrous, directed toward the demon blade in Chongqing’s hands.

For some unknown reason, that demon blade, originally like a large cat crystal, smooth and transparent with a bright cat’s eye growing on it, became increasingly blurred and unclear after that cat pupil saw the Buddha light, as if it wanted to close its eyes and sleep. Wu Chongqing’s face showed panic as he tightly embraced the “Karmic Fire Demon Blade” in his arms, seemingly wanting to awaken it, but somehow his knees bent involuntarily.

“Like abandoning the five virtues, like breaking the three teachings’ vows, to build worldly aspirations…” The song was calm and solemn. All the black-clothed figures in the room were deeply moved by the chanting, each placing their hands together and singing in unison: “When karmic bonds end, love and hate extinguish.”

With a “bang,” Wu Chongqing fell prostrate on the ground, his strength exhausted. The “demon blade” also flew from his grasp, sliding all the way to the “Grand Manager’s” feet. The overall situation was decided—Wu Chongqing could no longer support the collapsing edifice and had finally fallen. In an instant, the entire room prostrated as the black-clothed figures chanted in unison: “All things in heaven and earth cannot escape the six paths of reincarnation!”

Total defeat! Wu Chongqing couldn’t defeat Jin Lingshuang, Su Ying couldn’t defeat “Sword Gu,” Zhe’er Dan was no match for “Asura Divine Skill,” and now the enemy camp had added a “Grand Manager” who had even subdued Lu Yun.

Heaven and earth all return to reincarnation. The “Karmic Fire Demon Blade” before them lay quietly on the ground, destined to return to the hands of gods and Buddhas. The “Grand Manager” silently moved the iron pellet in the air, and a blue light slowly descended. Buddha light faintly enveloped the demon blade on the ground. For a moment, the “Karmic Fire Demon Blade” reflected the Buddha light, and all the light halos of the demon eye on the blade dissipated—it was about to close its eyes in eternal sleep.

Tigers eat sheep, sheep eat grass—in this cruel human world where the strong devour the weak, the only warmth was the “Karmic Fire Demon Blade.” The demon blade was truly fair, truly generous. It broke all the rules established by gods and Buddhas, granting supreme courage to the weak, giving them the courage to fight with everything they had. But from now on, everything would end—the demon blade was about to return to the six paths and go back to the gods and Buddhas.

Wu Chongqing lay on the ground, tears streaming down his face. He didn’t want to accept it at all, but there was no way around it! In this turbid mortal world, everyone had to live within reincarnation. Whether it was Young Hero Su, Uncle Lu, or even the enemy camp’s Jin Lingshuang and Tu Lingxin—regardless of whether they liked or disliked it, whether they benefited or suffered—no one could escape the “six paths of reincarnation.”

The Grand Manager slowly lowered his gaze, his expression desolate and unreadable. He looked at the faint blue light in his hand and said softly: “Tomorrow accompanying the ancient Buddha… forever escaping the karma of six paths…” The Grand Manager’s lips moved slightly, and though his voice was low, Lu Yun heard it clearly. In an instant, his eyes widened and he had sat up.

Suddenly, great light filled the room as if heaven had opened its eyes. A white light flashed and poured into Wu Chongqing’s body. Zhe’er Dan cried out “Ah!” in pain as if stabbed. That force quickly transmitted to Song Tongming, Zhu Kang and others, who spun around and fell to the ground one after another. The aftershock even made the Grand Manager’s body sway violently backward.

With a great “bang,” a heavy object fell, cracking the floorboards below. The “Divine Sword Captures Dragon” had actually fallen to the ground! Someone had used supremely domineering internal power to injure the Grand Manager, forcing him to release the divine sword. All the black-clothed figures were greatly shocked, but they saw one person sitting on the ground, mouth slightly gasping—the one who struck was Lu Yun.

This fierce internal power was indeed Lu Yun’s. This time, what he sent out was no longer the thick and soft “Infinite Heart Method” but the sharp-as-a-blade “Kunlun Sword Light.” This internal power could destroy anything, all the way breaking through his companions’ restraints and forcing them to let go. Song Tongming pressed his chest and coughed violently, Zhu Kang and Chi Chuanzi spat fresh blood, and even Wu Chongqing and Zhe’er Dan had their qi and blood churning as they sat in meditation to regulate their breathing. As for the Grand Manager himself, caught off guard, he was actually forced back half a step and dropped the divine sword in his hand.

This was Zhuo Lingzhao’s thunderbolt methods. Lu Yun wasn’t unable to break free from the opponent’s control, nor was he unable to deal with the Grand Manager—he just didn’t want to hurt his own people.

Actually, Lu Yun should have done this long ago, but he had his own difficulties. Previously, his internal qi was too abundant—once he used “Sword Light,” Zhu Kang and Chi Chuanzi would surely die from this power, so he had never dared to act until this final moment forced him to use this move.

Whether bodhisattva’s compassion or thunderbolt methods, everything was too late now. Lu Yun had dispersed the remaining force with his lifelong power to force the divine sword from the Grand Manager’s hand, but what did this change? The overall situation had long been decided. Wu Chongqing had surrendered the demon blade, Lu Yun himself was exhausted and unable to fight again. Everyone in the room had either fallen or collapsed. The Grand Manager only needed to bend his waist and pick it up, and everything would return to its original state.

When one should act decisively but doesn’t, defeat comes without battle. The Grand Manager smiled and shook his head, while all the black-clothed spectral crowd laughed heartily. In the laughter, everyone knew this was a false alarm. The Grand Manager didn’t say much—he was seen kneeling and bending forward, his right hand reaching down to pick up the divine sword, when suddenly a steady voice came from the ceiling: “If he… someday fulfills his…”

“Soaring ambitions!”

Holy light suddenly appeared, the divine sword fell to the ground, and miracles immediately followed. Everyone stared blankly upward as the ceiling beams faintly shook, and vast laughter came down: “Dare… laugh at Huang Chao for…”

“Not being a true man!” With a thunderous crash, the roof burst open with a large hole. Mud and sand whooshed down as a large man descended from the sky, kicking the Grand Manager in the back. In an instant, he knocked the man to the ground, then punch after punch rained down on his body—each punch hitting flesh with thunderous sound.

“Qin Zhonghai has come! Qin Zhonghai has come!” All the black-clothed figures shouted excitedly like startled black rats scurrying in panic. Lu Yun opened his mouth wide, staring blankly at the tattoos on that large man’s back—his heart seemed to stop. Jin Lingshuang understood the situation was perilous and was the first to rush forward, shouting: “Quick! Quick, hand the divine sword to the Grand Manager! Quick!”

Previously when Su Ying held the “Grand Manager” at sword point, the black-clothed figures were all laughing carefreely. But now with the iron-footed large man suddenly appearing and knocking the “Grand Manager” to the ground, all the black-clothed figures were in danger. Arrows flew chaotically, hard bolts shot in all directions, the crowd of ghosts cried out in panic and confusion. Jin Lingshuang said nothing more and rushed toward the iron pellet on the ground, wanting to let the “Grand Manager” grasp the divine sword.

Seeing the small fry coming to cause trouble, that large man grabbed a chopstick holder from the table and casually threw it. The wind whistled urgently as an entire row of wooden chopsticks shot over. Tu Lingxin’s eyes were sharp and hands quick—he suddenly pushed down his senior brother and quickly raised a table. After a series of “thud thud” sounds, the wooden chopsticks were embedded in a row, making the table look like a beehive, which instantly fell apart.

With a “bang,” the iron-footed large man kicked with his foot, sending the hundred-pound iron pellet rolling straight out. The various minions trembled and were still ignorant of their situation when suddenly a figure flashed—that large man had suddenly charged over. The black-clothed spectral crowd fled in panic, and when the crowd dispersed, it revealed the target on the ground—a heavy black blade. Jin Lingshuang cried out miserably: “Block him!”

“Ha!” Jin Lingshuang and Tu Lingxin joined forces, both summoning their full internal power to desperately throw their long swords. That large man didn’t even turn his head—he picked up a bench and swung it backhand, smashing the two swords flying back. With a shout and exhale, his arms suddenly extended as he was about to pick up the demon blade when suddenly his back felt heavy—a huge figure pressed down on him. It was the barefoot giant attacking.

That large man grinned and used his palm to flip the barefoot giant upside down, then raised his iron foot and stomped down hard, actually driving the giant’s large head into the floorboards. Seeing the peerless master turned into a broken sack, each strike was devastating. The crowd of small fry naturally waved their hands in horror and retreated, all begging for mercy.

Seeing no one would disturb him now, that large man grinned again and bent down to pick up the “Karmic Fire Demon Blade.” At this moment, a jade-white palm reached over and patted the large man’s shoulder.

The “Grand Manager” had finally come. Under the black face mask, his eyes carried a smile as he and the large man smiled at each other.

The two great heroes faced each other. Suddenly, the “Grand Manager” used a grappling technique—with one send and one twist, he had already pressed down the enemy’s arm. That large man gave a shout and struck back with his left fist, but the “Grand Manager” raised his palm to block it, actually using the strength of one arm to control both of the opponent’s hands.

Everyone was stunned. That large man had tremendous divine strength—even the barefoot giant couldn’t withstand one of his strikes. Yet the “Grand Manager” could suppress his opponent with the strength of one hand. This person’s strength was not inferior to Wu Dingyuan’s in the slightest.

Bang, bang, bang, bang… bang, bang, bang, bang… The Grand Manager began his counterattack. Amid the shock, he used his left hand to control the enemy’s arms while his right palm struck continuously. For a moment, he pointed, poked, slapped, and shocked, using fingers, palms, and claws—each move vicious and poisonous, like a violent rainstorm or a waterfall’s spray, all hitting the large man’s chest and acupoint channels.

In less than half a moment, that large man had already taken over a hundred swift strikes. Covered in blood, his head hung down, but the “Grand Manager” was still striking, afraid he wouldn’t kill him. The large man’s head drooped lower and lower, his injuries becoming increasingly severe, but for some unknown reason, the spots of blood on his body began to glow, like scattered sparks gathering more and more, becoming brighter until they finally transformed into a furious roar.

“Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo!” The Grand Manager was grabbed by the man. That large man lifted him by the ankle with one hand, spun him desperately, and hurled him forcefully. Amid the clanging and crashing sounds, the Grand Manager flew like a kite with a broken string, crashing into the inner hall and breaking wine vats. His body still couldn’t stop, and with another great “bang,” his back hit the screen wall. His body flipped in mid-air, and just as he managed to land, that large man delivered another side kick, heavily striking the Grand Manager’s chest.

Bang, bang! Two sounds as both monsters fell to the ground simultaneously, then leaped up at the same time. One swung an angry fist, the other struck with a Buddha palm—they clashed again. In the silent collision of fist and palm, their powers were evenly matched. Their bodies immediately separated, each retreating a large step backward.

Since entering Wanfu Tower, the “Grand Manager” had been invincible, intimidating all heroes and never appearing so disheveled. But now he too was injured. He pulled up his black face mask, revealing handsome lips, and wiped away the blood from the corner of his mouth. That large man gave a “Hey!” sound, gathered a thick glob of phlegm mixed with blood from his mouth, and spat it on the ground.

The two great heroes stared at each other—neither moved. Jin Lingshuang and the others all understood that though these two appeared silent, they were actually calculating the two weapons on the ground: one was the “Divine Sword Captures Dragon,” the other was the “Karmic Fire Demon Blade.” It was clear that both were waiting for their opportunity. Whoever could seize their weapon first would be able to kill the opponent first and end this ten-year war.

The divine sword and demon blade—these two weapons were born from the same mother, each with mysterious properties. The demon blade governed the illusory, the divine sword governed the real. The divine sword was cold as frost, the demon blade angry as fire. If the Grand Manager obtained the “divine sword,” he could immediately sweep away all heroes and unify the world. But on the other hand, if the “demon blade” fell into that large man’s hands, it wouldn’t just be about weak women and orphans seeking revenge and settling grudges, but rather “Furious fire soaring three thousand zhang, flame stars descending to redden the earth.” The terrifying consequences could be imagined.

Outside the window, snow continued to fall, appearing somewhat poetic, but inside Wanfu Tower, war clouds gathered densely. Though Jin Lingshuang and Tu Lingxin felt anxious in their hearts, they didn’t dare rashly join the battle. After all, these two great heroes’ martial arts had reached a transformative realm, and when they struck, they used every possible means. If outsiders intervened carelessly, the slightest mistake could result in death on the spot. Harming themselves would be a small matter, but if they caused the “Grand Manager” to lose control and allowed the “demon blade” to fall into the “Furious King’s” hands, they would truly become eternal sinners.

The entire room was silent as death. Everyone retreated, leaving a large empty space in the center. Zhe’er Dan, Song Tongming, Wu Chongqing—each held their breath and concentrated, waiting to watch the decisive battle between the two great heroes of today.

The “Furious King” and “Grand Manager” had both appeared. Previously, the two had exchanged several moves with mutual gains and losses. Heavy breathing could be heard in the room—that iron-footed large man seemed severely injured, his breathing extremely labored. But for some unknown reason, the fire light on his body grew brighter. Each time he inhaled and exhaled, the fire light on his body flickered with his breathing—one bright, one dim. In the dark night, it appeared extremely strange. The “Grand Manager,” however, was completely quiet, his breathing barely audible, as if this person was simply a corpse that didn’t need to breathe at all.

One breathed heavily like a bellows; the other neither inhaled nor exhaled like a zombie. Suddenly, extremely slow and long breathing sounds came from the room. That exhalation seemed endless, the inhalation appeared to last forever—the interval between one breath and one inhalation was inconceivably long. Needless to say, Lu Yun had entered the fray.

Through ten years of waterfall cultivation, Lu Yun had mastered unparalleled breathing techniques. When holding his breath, he could last for a full meal’s time. Between one inhalation and exhalation, he could complete a full circulation of energy. In terms of internal power, Lu Yun was unmatched in the world. In terms of techniques, he was also profound and extensive. Imagine a person possessing both “Benevolent Sword” and “Sword Light,” combining the strengths of both Ning Bufan and Zhuo Lingzhao—how could his offensive and defensive power be ordinary?

A gentleman can be deceived by proper methods. Lu Yun’s martial arts were not inferior to the two great heroes before him, but his benevolent nature had caused him to suffer at the Grand Manager’s hands. However, a gentleman’s revenge is never too late—if he were to join forces with that large man, tonight’s situation would certainly be reversed. But he might not necessarily harm the “Grand Manager,” because there was still a wound on his forehead that cut deep into his heart.

The world’s great momentum formed a three-legged stance. Inside Wanfu Tower was deathly silence. The Grand Manager was in the east, that large man in the west, and Lu Yun stood between the two sides. The three parties were equidistant, mutually restraining each other. At this moment, no one could speak, and no one dared act rashly. The audience, regardless of friend or foe, was also silent as death, not even daring to breathe heavily.

Suddenly, everyone felt it was so quiet, so quiet here. At this moment, the world was silent. Lu Yun silently looked up to heaven, the Grand Manager looked down at the ground, and the iron-footed man was lost in thought. The three men regarded each other wordlessly. The “divine sword” and “demon blade” on the ground also lay quietly. The “demon blade” had closed its cat eyes as if asleep, and the “divine sword” had also lost its Buddha light, becoming like a rotten stone.

For a full ten years, the world had finally ceased war—ten thousand li of rivers and mountains were all silent, everyone had stopped fighting. Suddenly hearing footsteps shake, a brilliant purple light lit up in the room, flying directly toward the “Divine Sword Captures Dragon” on the ground.

War began again! The three-hero standoff suddenly shattered. Wu Chongqing openly seized the divine sword but was actually secretly assisting the Furious King. If the “Grand Manager” wanted to block him, the iron-footed man would seize the opportunity to strike. Tu Lingxin was furious beyond measure and roared: “Dragon Shadow! Have you gone mad?” Two figures responded by rising—the barefoot giant leaped first, Jin Lingshuang followed behind. Both had been prepared, one in front and one behind, pouncing toward the front.

Wu Chongqing’s movement technique was extremely fast. He rolled on the ground, his ape-like arms extending lightly to seize the divine sword. That iron-footed large man had been waiting for this moment. He immediately bent down and struck the ground with one punch. Where his power reached, the floorboards shattered, and the demon blade actually flew up into the sky. That large man leaped up, his arms suddenly extending to catch the “Karmic Fire Demon Blade.”

Drops of hot blood splashed out, landing on the demon blade. In an instant, the demon eye opened and shed tears hot as angry fire.

“Raging fire burns the city!” The black-clothed spectral crowd cried out in unison, their voices filled with despair. That large man opened his right palm, about to grasp the demon blade tightly, but the Grand Manager showed no movement. Under his black face mask, his gaze was extremely confident, as if still waiting for the final great reinforcement to arrive.

Suddenly, a white light arrived later but reached first, like a white water waterfall surrounding the demon blade. Then a palm intercepted it, seizing the demon blade first.

At this final critical moment, Lu Yun still acted. In the midst of chaos, he chose to stand on the court’s side, helping the Grand Manager preserve the “Karmic Fire Demon Blade.”

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. At this time, the “demon blade” fell into Lu Yun’s hands, and Wu Chongqing was also pinned to the ground with no time to seize the “divine sword.” The Grand Manager appeared even more composed. He slowly stepped forward, bent down, and his finger touched the “Divine Sword Captures Dragon.” In an instant, a blue light shot out, then a second, a third… Three sword blades rotated at will like a peacock spreading its tail.

“Six paths of reincarnation!” All the black-clothed figures shouted loudly, their tone both excited and reverent. The Grand Manager rose tall, Buddha light filling his entire body. The three sword blades expanded—then a fourth, a fifth… At this moment, the six paths would end, heaven would reach great cold, Buddha light was about to spread across heaven and earth, endlessly growing in accordance with heaven’s way…

In the coldest season, snowflakes must have six branches. Seeing the overall situation about to be decided, suddenly someone exhaled and called out. A comet light flew through the air, directly crashing toward the Grand Manager.

The demon blade flew over! The black blade body concealed demon fire, and the fire light was further stimulated by sword light, like a comet falling to earth with tremendous momentum.

At this life-and-death moment, Lu Yun acted once again—this time he chose to side with the Furious King.

The six paths were not yet completed, heaven had not reached great cold, but the demon fire was nourished by pure white sword light and became a great comet crossing the sky. One blade and one sword approached each other, making humming sounds. Suddenly light exploded—the two divine weapons touched briefly, and both the divine sword and demon blade flew up into mid-air. The Grand Manager was about to leap up to catch them when he suddenly saw the iron-footed large man running with full force, as if transformed into a great fireball, directly pouncing toward the Grand Manager.

With a thunderous crash that was deafening, the two great leaders collided head-on. With tremendous force, both men flew over the fifth-floor railing and plummeted straight down from the courtyard. The sounds of crackling and snapping continued as the two were still fighting in close combat in mid-air, neither willing to let go.

Bang… Boom…

The entire building shook continuously. On the first floor stage, wood chips flew as a large hole was smashed through. Everyone was terrified, not knowing what to do, when they heard two more “bang” sounds. Two heavy objects fell one after another to the ground, breaking through the floorboards. On the left was the “divine sword,” on the right was the “demon blade”—both had become ownerless objects. For a moment, cries of alarm rose one after another, everyone broke out in cold sweat, all examining the treasures on the ground.

“Mine!” Suddenly someone shouted excitedly. As soon as the command was given, everyone in the room moved. Not only did the black-clothed figures act, but even Song Tongming, Chi Chuanzi, and Zhe’er Dan rushed out. Everyone laughed in unison: “Mine!”

The situation changed in an instant. With the two leaders gone, the small fry immediately claimed kingship. Amid curses about fathers and mothers, everyone unanimously scrambled for the “divine sword” and “demon blade” on the ground. Suddenly a figure rolled on the ground and seized the “divine sword” first—it was Jin Lingshuang. He shouted: “Quick! Grab the demon blade’s iron chain! Never touch the blade body!”

With a great clanging sound, Tu Lingxin lunged forward and had also grabbed the demon blade’s iron chain. He was about to pull it up when he heard a “heh heh” laugh—at the other end of the iron chain was a large black hairy hand. Song Tongming, with an excited face and drool flowing, had already grasped the blade handle.

The demon blade was also called the “Dream-Fulfilling Blade.” Song Tongming laughed foolishly, not knowing what wonderful dream he was having. He grinned mischievously, thinking of taking the treasure home to play with, but was kicked from behind by someone unknown. With a bang, the black bear fell to the ground, and the demon blade slid across the ground, causing a large group of spectral crowd to rush forward and scramble for it. Jin Lingshuang gripped the divine sword tightly and gave a “Ha!” sound, gathering his qi to channel internal power to intimidate everyone present, when suddenly a fist came from behind, knocking him down and causing the “divine sword” in his hand to fly out.

Everyone wanted the “demon blade,” but only experts recognized the value of goods—the newcomer was Zhe’er Dan, who had a discerning eye and was actually trying to seize the “Divine Sword Captures Dragon.” Tu Lingxin was extremely furious and shouted: “Bastard!” He raised his sword to strike Zhe’er Dan, but the latter paid no attention. With a great roar, he had already summoned all his strength to pounce toward the “divine sword” on the ground.

Suddenly with a “bang,” someone else pounced on Zhe’er Dan, pinning him to the ground—it was the barefoot giant who had arrived. Both men extended their arms, squirming and struggling, both wanting to seize the blue iron pellet. But at this moment, Jin Lingshuang rolled on the ground and finally held the “divine sword” firmly in his arms. He shouted: “Third Junior Brother! Don’t lose focus!”

The entire room was in chaos. The demon blade changed hands more than ten times in an instant. Seeing the demon blade fly up into mid-air again, everyone leaped up. Tu Lingxin also extended his hand, when suddenly purple light flashed—a figure flew through the air and actually seized the “Karmic Fire Demon Blade” first.

“Mine!” Song Tongming wailed, while Tu Lingxin roared angrily: “Dragon Shadow! It’s you again!”

With a great crash, the window shutters burst open. Cold wind and snow struck their faces as Wu Chongqing, carrying the “Karmic Fire Demon Blade” on his back, leaped down from the fifth-floor window. The crowd of black-clothed figures was both shocked and urgent, about to pursue with swords, when someone rushed past them from behind—a figure wearing a large hat with bare fists, jumping out the window in pursuit. It was Lu Yun.

Wanfu Tower was extremely magnificent, five stories high. To fall straight down would inevitably break a leg, but Wu Chongqing was skilled and bold. When he reached the height of the third floor, he performed a somersault and had already flown toward a large tree across the street. Dry leaves rustled as Wu Chongqing reached out and grabbed the withered branches. The tree trunk bent under the force but also stopped his falling momentum.

With a “Ha!” Wu Chongqing dropped from the treetop to the ground, dragging the iron chain with the demon blade as he ran wildly away.

Lu Yun’s lightness skill was inferior to Chongqing’s. When he fell from the high building, he actually fell straight down, never knowing how to turn and change position. Just when he was about to break bones and fracture, his palms channeled power and his hands actually drew a large circle. After a great rumbling sound, snow and dust flew up in the street center, and a deep pit appeared in the ground. Lu Yun’s falling momentum suddenly changed—he slid diagonally from the snowy ground straight toward the end of the street.

Lu Yun’s technique was miraculous—relying on the large circle drawn with his hands, he was completely unharmed. Seeing Wu Chongqing heading in another direction, he quickly got up and turned to chase directly, continuously shouting: “Chongqing! Wait for me! I’m Uncle Lu! I have something to ask you!”

At this time, Wu Chongqing had taken the demon blade, and the “Grand Manager” and “Furious King” had both fallen from the building. Both great heroes had vanished without a trace. Jin Lingshuang was both shocked and urgent, immediately shouting orders: “Iron Guards of National Pacification, listen to orders! The entire army splits into two routes! One route pursues Dragon Shadow! One route intercepts the Furious King! Absolutely cannot let the Demon King and demon blade meet!” Saying this, he threw a rope from the window and shouted: “Go!”

Jin Lingshuang was the first to jump out the window, grasping the rope and sliding down without pause. The black-clothed spectral crowd trembled all over, knowing that the “Little True Dragon” carrying the demon blade was like a mad dragon—if they went to pursue this person, wouldn’t it be a dead end? But if they didn’t go pursue him now, were they supposed to intercept the “Furious King” instead? As everyone looked at each other, still hesitating, they suddenly heard a pained grunt—the barefoot giant lurched forward, caught off guard by another sneak attack from behind.

Everyone turned around quickly and saw Zhe’er Dan laughing heartily toward the sky, quite pleased with himself—it was him who had attacked again.

“It’s you, bastard, again!” Tu Lingxin was shocked and furious, shouting: “There aren’t enough people already, and you’re still causing trouble repeatedly?”

Seeing Tu Lingxin charging over, Zhe’er Dan said nothing and immediately jumped from the building to escape. He knew he didn’t have Lu Yun’s protective martial arts or Wu Chongqing’s lightness skill, so he could only raise his fists and jump down head-first like a diving onion. Bang, bang sounds continued as Zhe’er Dan fell head-down, his Great Black Heaven fist shadows covering him. His fist tips crashed through roof tiles and debris continuously. Finally, with a muffled boom, the entire person crashed to the ground. Though his head was bleeding, his mouth was still laughing heartily as if extremely pleased.

“What are you still standing there for? Chase!” Tu Lingxin was furious beyond measure, pointing his sword and cursing at his subordinates. Everyone feared him like a tiger and grabbed the rope one by one, flipping out the window and sliding down. Tu Lingxin was trembling with anger and had nowhere to vent when he suddenly saw Song Tongming still standing there in a daze. He immediately grinned maliciously and said excitedly: “Here comes something fun.”

“Old brother, don’t do anything rash!” The Divine Blade Young Master was greatly alarmed and quickly hugged Zhu Kang and Chi Chuanzi, running toward the stairway with a miserable strange cry: “Divine Blade Force!” Before his words ended, he took his companions and jumped into the staircase. The sound of “dong-lung-lung-dong” could be heard as the three rolled down together in a pitiful state. In the blink of an eye, like a large wheel, they rolled faster and faster straight toward the first floor.

Wanfu Tower quieted down. Tu Lingxin angrily slashed tables and chairs with his sword, venting randomly for a while before also jumping out the window.

Seeing all the fierce demons had left, there was a “creak” as the private room door opened a crack. A wine server said tremblingly: “Have they all left?” Before his words ended, the old shopkeeper had already pushed the door and rushed out, crying loudly: “My mother! How did it get smashed like this? It was just repaired before New Year!” Amid the crying and shouting, the old shopkeeper was dragged away by the wine servers. As for how to repair it in the future—anyway, it wasn’t his money being spent, so that could be discussed later.

The wine servers left, the black-clothed evil spirits left, Wu Chongqing left, even Lu Yun had departed. Some fled, some pursued—but there was still one last patron remaining in the room. He looked at the empty, damaged hall and slowly pulled out a chair to sit down.

Everyone had left. Friends forgot to call him, enemies were too lazy to catch him. No one remembered there was still such a person in the world: the “Three Achievements Inheritor.”

The cold night was ending. His long sword lay beside his hand, and in his bag was still that “Three Achievements Sword Manual.” Su Ying supported his forehead with his hand, staring blankly at the dark street, vaguely feeling nothing had changed. But he understood in his heart that after tonight, his life would never be the same again.

From now on, he no longer needed to practice “Benevolent Sword Shakes Sound and Spreads”—the “Benevolent Sword” already had an inheritor. That person was self-taught, his natural talent surpassing his own by thousands of times. Truthfully, he should worship him as master. Su Ying smiled, and suddenly he heard Qiong Fang’s crisp Beijing accent by his ear, reproaching him: “Brother, you’re thinking of working behind closed doors again.”

Qiong Fang looked angry. She leaned against strong arms like a bird depending on a person, raising her face softly: “Brother Lu, my brother is so pitiful. Let’s think of a way to help him.”

The giant wheel of fate was about to turn. The three-legged cat laughed heartily, shouldered his travel bag, picked up his long sword, and walked to the stairway. He stretched lazily and slowly yawned. Suddenly, he forcefully turned his head, and with tears streaming down his face, he had already rushed out wildly.

With a bang, the window shutters burst open. The “Three Achievements Inheritor” leaped from the fifth-floor window, choosing to fall head-first.

For a small cat, the fifth floor wasn’t high—at most it would sprain a paw when falling. But for the “Big-Eyed Cat,” the fifth floor was too high—high enough to kill someone. This was precisely why the “Three Achievements Inheritor” chose to jump.

His body kept falling. The dignity of being “Number One Under Heaven” flew past like light and shadow, tears leaving his eye sockets and departing. When morning came and he looked, he would no longer be here but thrown to a very, very distant place.

Taking one last look at Wanfu Tower, Su Ying slowly closed his eyes. Just as he was waiting for his neck bones to break and his brains to splatter, he suddenly heard a great “bang.” His right foot felt intense pain as if he had kicked something. In the spinning confusion, he had already rolled to the ground.

Hell had arrived—he had finally fallen to his death. With blood all over his face, Su Ying’s entire body ached from broken bones and tendons. He slowly opened his eyes and saw a pair of black boots not far away—they must belong to a steward. Perhaps the King of Hell was sitting there. Su Ying was actually quite happy and asked: “Excuse me, is this hell?”

A pair of hands supported him and helped him up. Su Ying stared blankly—sitting before him was a man dressed in black clothes and wearing a face mask. His gaze was warm, and it was the “Grand Manager” he had seen before.

There was no King of Hell before him, only this Grand Manager. Su Ying felt he actually hadn’t died. His eyes reddened, his emotions were in chaos, and he could only quickly turn around to look for his sword. But he didn’t know what to do after finding it—should he point it at the Grand Manager or at his own heart…

“Ah!” With a cry of pain, Su Ying took a step and immediately fell to the ground, groaning loudly. Only then did he realize his right foot was broken.

The Grand Manager had saved him. When Su Ying fell from the fifth floor earlier, his head would have hit the ground with a force of a thousand pounds. Only someone with the Grand Manager’s mysterious martial arts could intercept him in mid-air and save him from death.

Su Ying felt no gratitude at all. Amid his severe pain, he knew he was about to faint and could only crawl around looking for his sword. Suddenly, someone placed something in his palm. Su Ying looked down and saw that instead of a sword hilt, he held a piece of candy.

“What is this?” Su Ying asked in confusion. “For me to eat? Why… why should I eat it?”

The Grand Manager said gently: “Because you were just crying.”

“Crying?” Su Ying touched his own face as if very surprised. The Grand Manager smiled and bent down to pick up the Three Achievements Inheritor’s sword, gently drawing half a foot of it and bringing it before his eyes.

In the dim candlelight, the long sword reflected a face—those large cat-like eyes had tears streaming down in strings, utterly heartbroken.

The three-legged cat seemed very surprised to see himself. He raised his cat paw to wipe his tears. The tears dried quickly, and he showed a relieved smile. Just as he was about to move his paw away, he suddenly saw new tears flowing out. The big-eyed cat was startled and desperately wiped, kept wiping, but the tears wouldn’t stop. In his panic, a pine nut candy came to his lips, emanating a clear fragrance. “Come, open your mouth and eat it,” the Grand Manager said softly. “I guarantee that after you eat it, you’ll never cry again for the rest of your life.”

“Really?” Su Ying gripped the Grand Manager’s hand tightly, his voice filled with joy.

“Really.” The Grand Manager smiled slightly, his gaze warm: “Eat it and you’ll grow up. After you grow up, you’ll only watch others cry—no one will ever see you cry again.”

With the pine nut candy at his lips, Su Ying happily opened his mouth and let the Grand Manager feed him.

“Do you like this taste?” The Grand Manager stroked the Three Achievements Inheritor’s head and smiled: “The taste of growing up?”

Tears rolled down from the corners of his eyes. The big-eyed cat blissfully closed his eyes and shed the last tear of his life, then collapsed into the Grand Manager’s arms and moved no more.

The moon declined westward—this Lantern Festival night was almost over. The Grand Manager stood up and slowly walked outside. Cold wind struck his face as the Grand Manager gazed at the full moon, silently removing his black robe and untying his face mask, revealing a dignified and serene countenance.

“Amitabha…” Someone behind him chanted Buddha’s name. An old monk, carrying Su Ying horizontally in his arms, slowly stepped outside and smiled: “Seeing junior brother’s intentions, could it be you’re thinking of taking a disciple?”

The Grand Manager smiled but didn’t answer. The old monk didn’t pursue the question either, simply placing Su Ying on the ground and walking up. The Grand Manager asked softly: “Senior brother, are your injuries serious?”

That old monk had been beaten quite badly—his face showed bruises, with the left cheek purple and swollen from being slapped. Additionally, both hands were covered with scrapes. He had clearly experienced a night of fierce fighting. He sighed: “They’re all superficial wounds—a few days of recovery will suffice. But that fellow’s martial arts seem increasingly strange. How is it that the more severely he’s injured, the stronger his power becomes? Today I truly witnessed it.”

The Grand Manager said: “I won’t hide it from senior brother—this mental technique is called ‘Raging Fire Burns the City.'”

“Raging Fire Burns the City…” The old monk frowned deeply. “Is that the final move of the Fire Greed Blade?”

The Grand Manager said: “Correct. ‘Raging Fire Burns the City’ uses the heart to drive qi—the more you hurt him, the stronger his counterattack becomes. At the moment of near-death despair, that retaliatory force is like earth-shaking thunder that no one can withstand. This is why Fang Zijing once said that a person can only comprehend this move ‘Raging Fire Burns the City’ when facing a mortal enemy.”

The old monk said blankly: “I heard that Fang Zijing himself never mastered this move, is that right?”

The Grand Manager said: “The Nine Provinces Sword King was a national hero who benefited all and contended with no one. How could anyone in the world consider him a mortal enemy?”

Fang Zijing was a hermit who was somewhat disappointed with the world but didn’t want to change anything about others, so he chose to silently leave the mortal realm. Someone like him would never find an opponent in his lifetime, nor would anyone consider him an enemy, so he could never master “Raging Fire Burns the City.”

The old monk said blankly: “So you’re saying Qin Zhonghai mastered this move because of you?”

The Grand Manager said calmly: “Senior brother misunderstands. Qin Zhonghai’s mortal enemy isn’t me—it’s the entire world.”

In this rolling red dust where there are people living together, there will inevitably be a king supported by all people. Since Qin Zhonghai chose to challenge this, he became the enemy of all living beings. Over ten years of countless battles, he had been trapped in enemy camps countless times, but no matter how perilous the situation, he could always break through in the end.

Being an enemy of the entire world was destined to be a losing battle. However, the Fire Greed Blade wasn’t afraid of losing—the deeper Qin Zhonghai’s despair, the stronger his counterattack. From this perspective, his power had probably far surpassed his master, reaching an unprecedented realm.

The old monk sighed: “For such a demon to appear in the world is truly a great misfortune for all people. It’s just a pity that this senior brother’s learning is inadequate and couldn’t eliminate this disaster for you.”

The Grand Manager said: “Senior brother needn’t blame yourself. Qin Zhonghai was always difficult to deal with. He’s never shouldered responsibility for a single day in his life—coming when he wants, leaving when he wants. To be able to lure him out tonight was already extremely fortunate.”

The old monk sighed deeply: “He came tonight to seize the demon blade, didn’t he?”

The Grand Manager nodded: “Correct. I also used it as bait tonight, but unfortunately fell short of success.”

The old monk sighed: “What exactly does that Lu Yun want to do? How can he be so wavering—sometimes east, sometimes west?”

Under the pale moonlight, hearing the words “Lu Yun,” the Grand Manager looked up at the night sky as if lost in thought. The old monk observed his expression and couldn’t help but cough, quickly changing the subject: “By the way, I heard your Jin Lingshuang mention that on New Year’s Eve, you deliberately let Wu Chongqing seize the demon blade, is that right?”

The Grand Manager came back to his senses and sighed: “Correct. This child is very determined. Even if everyone at the inn failed, he could still secure the demon blade for me.”

The old monk praised: “No wonder you didn’t go to Jiangnan yourself that day—you had this hidden piece. He still doesn’t know he became your chess piece, does he?”

The Grand Manager shook his head: “No, I think he guessed it.”

The old monk said in amazement: “Then… then he still made the trip to Jiangnan?”

The Grand Manager sighed: “As long as he can get the demon blade, he doesn’t care about anything else.”

The old monk frowned: “What is this child thinking? Why is he so envious of the demon blade?”

The Grand Manager said softly: “He wants to force his father to come out.”

The old monk said in amazement: “Force him out? What do you mean?”

The Grand Manager didn’t explain, only showing signs of fatigue. The old monk knew this matter involved many complications and didn’t dare ask more. He sighed again: “Junior brother, before coming here tonight, I heard about a major event…”

The Grand Manager nodded and continued: “Is the major event senior brother refers to the Battle of Bazhou?”

The old monk put his palms together: “Amitabha, exactly so. I heard the court has already begun fighting at Bazhou. I wonder how the current situation is?”

The Grand Manager was silent for a long while: “The flood peak is surging violently, about to inundate the world.”

The old monk’s entire body shook violently as he said with a trembling voice: “Flood peak surging? Junior brother, what do you mean by this?”

The Grand Manager said gently: “Popular sentiment is like turbulent waves—the more you try to contain them, the stronger their counterattack becomes. Now that popular sentiment has changed and flood peaks are surging throughout the nation like a mad tide, how can the court hope to win by trying to contain the world’s waters with just the capital?”

Governing people is like controlling water. Hearing that the situation was difficult to manage, the old monk was naturally worried and quickly said: “Given this situation, what plans does junior brother have?”

The Grand Manager shook his head: “No plans.”

The old monk became even more panicked: “Even you have no plans? Then… then won’t the capital…”

He was about to ask more when he saw the Grand Manager cover his mouth and cough. This wouldn’t have mattered, but with this cough, his hands were covered with fresh blood, staining his clothes bright red. The old monk was shocked, realizing he was injured, and quickly said: “Junior brother, quickly sit down and let me examine you.”

“No hurry…” The Grand Manager slowly exhaled: “I’ll do it myself.”

He undid his inner shirt, revealing a snow-white, thin upper body. His chest bore a scar that looked like a gunshot wound. Besides this injury, there was another knife scar on his back, and countless other new and old wounds—as if he’d suffered a thousand cuts. It seemed the price of sitting in the “Grand Manager” position was truly significant.

The old monk stared in amazement and saw a new wound at his junior brother’s qi sea acupoint, with a red mark floating on it, swollen and bruised as if burned by fierce fire. He said with a trembling voice: “Junior brother, you… you’re seriously injured!”

The Grand Manager waved his hand to indicate it was nothing serious. He sat cross-legged, his fingers poised as if holding a flower, breathing slightly. Slowly, a black qi emanated from his fingertips like sharp needles, then quickly pointed toward his chest.

The old monk’s own martial arts were extremely high—finger qi couldn’t trouble him at all. But the acupoints the Grand Manager was targeting were extremely rare, positioned between the “Tianxi,” “Xiangxiang,” and “Zhourong” acupoints. These weren’t recorded in medical texts and had never been seen before. The old monk called out softly: “This… what acupoint is this…”

The Grand Manager didn’t speak, moving his finger like wind to point at more than ten acupoints, each one previously unheard of. Then he closed his eyes to circulate his qi and practice his skills. Slowly, his body began to sweat, apparently indicating proper blood circulation.

After a long, long time, the Grand Manager’s pale face showed a slight flush, and the red mark on his qi sea gradually faded. He exhaled a long breath: “It’s done.”

The old monk was greatly impressed and quickly said: “Junior brother, what is the origin of this skill? I’ve never seen you use it before.”

The Grand Manager said: “I won’t hide it from senior brother—this is the ‘Bitter Yin Needle.'”

The old monk gasped: “Bitter Yin Needle? Is that the manuscript your master left at Damo Academy?”

The Grand Manager didn’t answer, only took a light blue robe and put it on, restoring his daily attire.

According to the “Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine,” the human body has 361 acupoints total, but the Bitter Yin Needle passed down and stored at Damo Academy knew of 435 extraordinary acupoints in the human body, showing how profound and extensive this needle technique was. Seeing the Grand Manager systematically treat his own injuries, there seemed to be no major problems.

The old monk felt somewhat relieved, but thinking of the current situation, he couldn’t help but worry again, saying in a low voice: “Junior brother… now with the great defeat at Bazhou and the demon blade not recovered, facing pressure both internally and externally… do you… do you have any countermeasures?”

The Grand Manager said: “Senior brother, don’t worry. Natural disasters often stem from human causes. The current flood surge is half due to silted river channels and half due to people deliberately destroying embankments. As long as we can find those stirring up trouble, there will be a turning point.”

The old monk said in a low voice: “You… you’re talking about that fellow.”

The Grand Manager smiled: “Yes. Qin Zhonghai rides the wind and breaks the waves, but as long as he falls from the wave crest, the great waters will immediately recede.”

The old monk nodded, knowing that once “that fellow” died, no matter how many Furious King generals there were in the northwest, no one could command them all, and they would naturally fragment. He pondered for a while and said: “Junior brother, do you think that fellow… will he come to seize the demon blade?”

The Grand Manager said calmly: “Don’t worry. The demon blade is in Wu Chongqing’s hands—he will protect this blade with his life.”

The old monk said in a low voice: “But I heard from this child’s tone that he… he seems to plan to offer that blade…”

The Grand Manager said: “Senior brother needn’t worry. As long as his father is still around, he won’t do such a thing.”

The old monk sighed: “That’s true, but aren’t you afraid that fellow will track him down?”

The Grand Manager said: “Don’t be afraid—those punches I took weren’t for nothing.”

The old monk was delighted: “You… you also injured that fellow?”

The Grand Manager said: “When we fell from the building just now, Qin Zhonghai and I each exchanged one move. Though I was injured by his ‘Fire Greed Blade,’ he also received my ‘Bitter Yin Needle.’ He knows in his heart who gained and who lost.”

The old monk was overjoyed and quickly said: “He received the Bitter Yin Needle? So you’ve sealed that fellow’s meridians?”

The Grand Manager shook his head: “Quite the opposite. After receiving my finger force, all his meridians are now open, and his strength is so great that no one in the world can control him.”

The old monk was shocked and horrified: “No one in the world can control him? Junior brother, why… why did you do him this favor?”

The Grand Manager smiled slightly: “No one can control him means even he himself can’t control it. Now that he’s received my finger force, his strength is so great it’s difficult to suppress, his heartbeat so fast, and his blood circulation so rapid that no ordinary person could endure it. Tell me, if he were to attack again in anger, what would happen?”

The old monk gasped: “He… he would die from heart failure…”

The Grand Manager smiled and nodded: “Exactly so. Qin Zhonghai’s martial arts are exactly like those rebels’ mentality. The more you hurt him, the stronger his counterattack becomes. To subdue such a person, you can’t go against or obstruct him—instead, you must go with the flow. When he’s triumphant and invincible, the situation will naturally reverse itself.”

“To weaken something, you must first strengthen it; to abandon something, you must first promote it”—this is called “subtle clarity.” The old monk was filled with admiration: “So junior brother had this intention. I just wonder how long your finger force can control him? Can it last seven days and seven nights?”

The Grand Manager was silent for a long time: “With his current power level, I can only suppress him for three hours.”

The old monk gasped and said in panic: “Three hours? It’s currently the fourth watch… so after noon passes, he’ll return to normal?”

The Grand Manager said: “That’s correct. But before noon, his situation is extremely difficult. He’s now like a barrel of gunpowder—if he encounters orthodox masters, he could explode at any moment. Then he won’t just blow up others—he’ll probably blow himself up too. To protect himself, he can only hide and try to get through these three hours.”

The Furious King’s life hung by a thread—this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Despite his own injuries, the old monk immediately wanted to go find him. But the Grand Manager called him back: “Senior brother, please stay. This matter is too dangerous—there’s no need for you and me to get involved.”

The old monk said urgently: “This demon is finally going to die—how can you not let me get involved? Don’t tell me we have some great reinforcement?”

The Grand Manager shook his head: “Tonight the inn split its forces multiple ways—there are no more available troops.”

The old monk sighed: “Right, then who can we count on?”

The Grand Manager said: “Currently, Ma Renjie from the Ministry of War has mobilized all the masters in the capital and assembled hundreds of constables from various government offices and legal departments to search the entire city. I’ve completed the first half of the matter—he’ll naturally handle the second half.”

The old monk said in amazement: “Ma Renjie… hasn’t he always opposed you? Can we trust him?”

The Grand Manager said: “Of course we can. He won’t even submit to me—how could he submit to Qin Zhonghai?”

Governance lies not in many words. Since the Grand Manager had expressed his view, he wouldn’t explain further. But the old monk was a person of earnest concern and was about to offer more advice when he felt a slight tremor underfoot—something seemed to be approaching from very far away. The old monk was startled and quickly channeled his divine skills. The sound came from outside the city, apparently from the direction of Fucheng Gate, but the distance was too great, making it indistinct. His heart grew anxious: “Who is outside the city?”

The Grand Manager said: “Zhengtong Army.”

The old monk was excited and delighted: “Zhengtong Army? Is that Wu Dingyuan’s ‘Zhengtong Army’?”

The Grand Manager nodded slightly: “Correct. Outside the city are Dingyuan’s trusted troops, the ‘Six Northern Passes’ stationed at Juyong Pass.”

As he spoke, he waved toward the street. The sound of hooves could be heard as a carriage approached Wanfu Tower. Sitting on the driver’s seat was no longer a black-clothed figure but a constable. The constable dismounted, saluted, and bowed: “Sir, the north gate is open—we can depart at any time.”

The Grand Manager nodded and was about to board when the old monk quickly asked: “Junior brother, where are you going?”

The Grand Manager said softly: “I need to make a trip to Hongluo Temple.”

The old monk gasped: “Hongluo Temple? You’re going to see the Emperor?”

The Grand Manager said: “Not quite. Princess Yinchuan insists on meeting my wife—I need to make some arrangements beforehand.”

Hearing this, the old monk’s heart tightened, wanting to inquire about the details, but after thinking it over, he didn’t dare. In his hesitation, the Grand Manager had already bowed and put his palms together: “Tonight senior brother’s righteous assistance is deeply appreciated by the entire court.”

As he spoke, he boarded the carriage. With a crack of the whip, the carriage was about to depart. The old monk chased after it and handed over a package from beside the carriage: “Junior brother, take this.”

The Grand Manager said: “What is it?”

The old monk quickly said: “Sweet cakes and vegetarian food—all things you loved to eat as a child. I specially brought them from the temple.”

The Grand Manager said indifferently: “Thank you, senior brother. You keep them for yourself.” He actually pushed the bundle back.

The old monk clicked his tongue and grabbed his junior brother’s hand: “Junior brother, don’t think I’m nagging. I heard from your subordinates that you haven’t been eating or sleeping again this month, is that right?”

The Grand Manager had no intention of saying more, only gently breaking free from his senior brother’s hand and saying softly: “Senior brother, go back and rest early. You’ll be busy again tomorrow.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the carriage headed toward the north gate. The old monk still wouldn’t give up and chased after the carriage: “Wait, junior brother—what about this Young Hero Su? Should I send him back to the National Father-in-Law’s mansion?”

The Grand Manager said softly: “Don’t disturb him. His journey is just beginning.”

Hearing the word “journey,” the old monk was naturally somewhat curious, but the Grand Manager said no more and simply ordered the carriage to depart.

Seeing that the Grand Manager had still left, the old monk held the bundle and sighed. Thinking that he too was injured and actually exhausted both physically and mentally, he turned back to look at Su Ying. Seeing him still lying unconscious on the ground, he couldn’t help but shake his head. Putting his palms together, he too drifted away.