Chapter Six: The Crane Soars to the Sky

(Part One)

The morning wind howled. 

At some unknown time, a layer of faint dark clouds had surged across the horizon. Just moments ago, the sun had been shining brightly, but now it seemed as if the world had dimmed. 

The wind carried a hint of rain, like an invisible sorceress playing a haunting melody that chilled the hearts of those who departed, scattered the souls of passersby, and stirred the blood of the youth. 

The parting figures had long vanished, and the travelers had gone, but where was the young man? 

The carriage of Granny Han Shui had already disappeared without a trace, and the figure of Chang Hongbi had long since faded into the distance. Yet, Huo Xiaodi still occasionally turned back, gazing at the distant road of no return. 

From now on, whether at the ends of the earth or the corners of the sea, the world felt vast and uncertain. When would they meet again? And when they did, would this young man still remember him? Would he recall the passerby in the yellow shirt who had helped him up under the bamboo umbrella in the rain? 

The road ahead had become flat and straight, seemingly leading to infinity, with cliffs rising steeply on either side, as sheer as iron. 

The black steed of Feiyunqi, having galloped for a long time, was now snorting white vapor from its nostrils. 

The pain in Huo Xiaodi’s left leg surged again. Tears suddenly filled his eyes. 

But when he turned his head, he saw the silent gaze of Zhan Rifei. 

This young man in black, though his face was as pale as a corpse and he could barely sit upright on his horse due to his injuries, had eyes as dark as the night that seemed to see through everything, filled with understanding and warmth.

Huo Xiaodi turned away quickly, wiping his eyes with his sleeve, and softly asked, “Have you taken the Linglong Honey? Are you feeling better?” 

Zhan Rifei replied, “Don’t worry, I’m not that easy to kill. Haven’t you heard? Even cats have nine lives! If I were to die, how could I face the miraculous elixirs of Linglong Villa?” 

Huo Xiaodi finally managed a smile, though it was tinged with an unshakeable sadness. “I’ve only heard that good people don’t live long, while bad people leave behind troubles for a thousand years.” 

Zhan Rifei sighed lightly, “This is the first time someone has called me a bad person.” 

Huo Xiaodi retorted, “Are you a good person? Don’t forget, just yesterday you almost became a ghost under my sword—” 

Before he could finish, his expression changed. 

Not long after, a sound echoed from afar. It was the urgent sound of hooves, and it was clear that more than one rider was approaching. 

—Who was coming? And why? 

Huo Xiaodi sighed softly. The farther he got from Xiangyang, the more trouble seemed to follow. 

There was no place to hide along the road. The flat, straight path would allow the newcomers to see him and Zhan Rifei from a distance. At this moment, even if they wanted to avoid them, it was already too late. 

Indeed, more than ten riders were approaching. The horses were fine steeds, and the riders were brave men. 

The riders were strong and valiant, their movements exuding an unstoppable vigor. 

They were seasoned warriors, remarkably calm and composed. 

Huo Xiaodi breathed a sigh of relief. These people were not ordinary soldiers of the Song Dynasty, but their attire did not resemble that of the Imperial Guard of the Xiangyang Prince’s residence. 

He knew that the bloodstains on his clothes would raise suspicions, but with no way to avoid confrontation, he decided to take a chance. 

The soldiers observed Huo Xiaodi and Zhan Rifei from a distance, and their expressions turned suspicious. One man, seemingly the leader, took out a scroll from his bosom and scrutinized Huo Xiaodi closely.

“It’s him! He’s the one from the drawing sent by the prince!” 

With a swift motion, he tucked the scroll away and waved his hand, shouting. In an instant, the ten or so men charged forward, surrounding them. 

Trouble had indeed arrived. Huo Xiaodi sighed inwardly. Ever since leaving the Xiangyang Prince’s residence, his troubles had never ceased. 

He squeezed his horse’s belly, and the black steed let out a long neigh, its hooves flying as it charged toward the newcomers. A flash of black light suddenly illuminated the world, as Huo Xiaodi had already drawn his “Yin-Yang Hound”!

This legendary weapon from Linglong Villa, having tasted blood multiple times in recent days, seemed to awaken the demon that clung to its black blade, now emitting a low, mocking laugh. 

Zhan Rifei was also about to draw his sword, but as he raised his hand, a sudden pain gripped his chest, and the blood surged within him, causing a sharp pain to stab at his left side. A loud ringing filled his ears, and then darkness enveloped him as he fell from his horse, blood gushing from his back wound.

The attackers surrounding Huo Xiaodi were well-trained cavalry. Upon seeing Zhan Rifei fall, several riders immediately broke away from Huo Xiaodi and charged toward Zhan Rifei, their long spears and swords weaving a frenzied net of deadly light that descended upon him like lightning.

Huo Xiaodi turned back in alarm! 

In a moment of desperation, his hand trembled, and the “Yin-Yang Hound” let out a sharp cry in the morning wind. 

The soldier leading the charge was the most fierce and valiant among them. He raised his large knife, glinting with a green light in the sunlight, and leaped off his horse, using the momentum to launch a fierce attack.

But just as he was in mid-air, a sharp pain pierced his heart as if something had bitten him. Looking down, he saw a black sword tip flash past his chest. 

Then, he suddenly noticed his shadow on the ground, where a beam of sunlight shone near his heart. 

—How could there be sunlight filtering through beneath his broad figure? 

Suddenly, he felt all his strength drain away, and as he fell, it was as if he were an empty sack. 

Even as he fell, he never understood how he had died. Throughout the ordeal, he had never seen any blood—there was no trace of blood seeping from the wound that pierced his back. 

He had no time to see how the men behind him fell and succumbed under a wave of evil black light. 

Quickly, Huo Xiaodi was back on his horse. It seemed as if the sword that had just pierced the soldier had not been wielded by him at all. The attackers stared in shock, their faces frozen in disbelief; they had likely never encountered such a ghostly and unpredictable fighting style in their lives.

—Huo Xiaodi relished this expression. 

However, these riders seemed well-trained. Once they realized their enemy’s skills exceeded their expectations, a whistle sounded, and the remaining riders began to retreat in an orderly fashion. 

The leader’s face twisted in fear as he stammered, “You—you are—” 

Huo Xiaodi would not allow them to escape unscathed. With a slight curl of his lips, he leaped into the air, charging toward the one who had held the scroll, seemingly the leader! 

At that moment, he heard Zhan Rifei urgently shout, “Don’t let them shoot arrows!” 

But in his severely injured state, his voice was barely audible. 

Huo Xiaodi froze for a moment, but it was already too late! 

Two signal arrows, accompanied by a peculiar and sharp whistle, soared into the sky! 

Huo Xiaodi’s expression changed: this was a signal for reinforcements. Once the signal arrows were released, the pursuers would soon follow their trail! 

Turning back, he saw a sinister smile on the leader’s face as he spoke slowly, “Even if you kill us, you—will—never—escape!” 

Huo Xiaodi’s heart sank. He had been overly confident in the martial arts of Linglong Villa. 

—It turned out that this leader had deliberately feigned fear to draw his attention, while the hidden riders behind him had taken advantage of his distraction to release the signal arrows. 

—What kind of soldiers possessed such cunning and courage? 

But at this moment, Huo Xiaodi knew he could not show mercy to his men. 

As the faint blood mist splattered, it seemed even the sun wanted to hide behind the dark clouds. The once proud and valiant riders now lay defeated. 

Huo Xiaodi limped past the fallen soldiers sprawled across the ground. 

Suddenly, his foot felt something hard beneath it. Looking down, he saw the secret drawing from the Xiangyang Prince’s residence. It must have fallen from the leader when he was struck down.

Hesitating, Huo Xiaodi still used his sword to pick up the scroll that had fallen into the mud. He didn’t have time to examine it closely and tucked it into his bosom before helping Zhan Rifei up. 

Zhan Rifei shook his head and said, “You should go quickly; they won’t catch up to you.” 

Huo Xiaodi replied, “I’m the one who has dragged you down; how can I leave you behind?” 

Zhan Rifei insisted, “It’s not you dragging me down. You don’t understand; they’re not chasing—” 

Before he could finish, a surge of true energy rushed up, causing him to feel dizzy, and he could no longer articulate his thoughts. 

Without hesitation, Huo Xiaodi hoisted Zhan Rifei onto the horse. Zhan Rifei was dazed, utterly drained of strength, and could no longer resist.

(Part Two)

The sky brightened. The sun rose higher, piercing through the low-hanging clouds and dispelling the bone-chilling morning wind. 

The intense sunlight struck Huo Xiaodi’s face, and sweat began to seep from his pores. 

“You can kill us, but you—will—never—escape!” 

Those sinister words still echoed in his ears. 

—Who were these soldiers, after all? 

Huo Xiaodi’s eyes were wild with panic as he urged his warhorse to gallop faster. 

Finally, with a mournful cry, his horse collapsed, exhausted, foaming at the mouth, unable to rise again. The beast looked at him as if it were about to weep. 

Next, Zhan Rifei’s horse also fell to the ground, no matter how Huo Xiaodi urged it, it could not move another step. 

Huo Xiaodi felt a wave of regret wash over him. 

—He should have switched to one of those iron-blooded knights’ horses when he left the main road through the canyon. Why hadn’t he thought of that sooner? 

Looking back, the flat road stretched endlessly, clearly revealing their path to the pursuing enemies. 

A look of terror filled Huo Xiaodi’s eyes. He felt an inexplicable surge of strength as he dragged Zhan Rifei and ran wildly, not caring which direction he took. 

The wind howled, and the sunlight pierced his eyes painfully. 

Huo Xiaodi’s chest began to ache, his true energy surging, and his internal breath flowing as he pushed his “Jinghong Yipian” lightness skill to its limits. 

Now, he finally understood the taste of fleeing: Zhan Rifei’s body felt heavier, while the pain in his leg surged like lightning. 

But he dared not stop. 

—In broad daylight, after the signal arrows, the enemy would soon catch up. 

The road turned, and ahead appeared a small farm, with an old barn outside. 

Upon seeing the barn, Huo Xiaodi’s legs suddenly felt as heavy as lead, and he could not move another step. 

He had no choice but to stop. 

Gritting his teeth, he supported Zhan Rifei and leaped into the barn. 

The tall barn was old and disheveled as if abandoned for many years, rarely used. Even the door to the barn had a large crack. 

Once inside, Zhan Rifei, leaning against Huo Xiaodi, could no longer hold on and collapsed to the ground. The wound on his back, likely from Granny Han Shui’s palm strike and the jolting ride, was bleeding profusely.

Huo Xiaodi’s right leg had lost all sensation from the impact of Granny Han Shui’s strike and the frantic running. But at this moment, he could not afford to care about that. 

Tearing a piece from his yellow shirt, he hurriedly pressed it against Zhan Rifei’s wound to stop the bleeding. 

Zhan Rifei had truly lost all strength. 

Struggling, he said, “Don’t worry about me. You should leave quickly.” 

But Huo Xiaodi seemed not to hear him. 

His lips were tightly pressed, his face anxious and grave, and soon his hands were stained with Zhan Rifei’s blood. 

As he bent down to tighten the cloth, a soft sound echoed; the scroll fell from his bosom and rolled into a corner of the barn, unfolding as it landed. 

Huo Xiaodi’s expression changed: that was his scroll, and he absolutely could not let Zhan Rifei see it! 

—Since it was his scroll and he had been beside Zhan Rifei, why did he not want Zhan Rifei to see it? 

Stealing a glance at Zhan Rifei, he saw that his eyes were barely open, his breathing rapid, seemingly unaware that the scroll had fallen to the ground. Huo Xiaodi felt a surge of relief and dashed to the corner to retrieve the scroll.

The scroll had already unfolded halfway on the ground. 

The white paper was stained with mud and water from the fall. 

Huo Xiaodi picked up the scroll, intending to roll it up and hide it. But suddenly, his gaze froze! 

—The scroll did not depict what he had always thought it would; it was not his drawing at all. 

—The scroll bore the face of Zhan Rifei!

(Part Three)

Zhan Rifei collapsed in the corner of the barn and began to cough. 

Huo Xiaodi hurriedly hid the scroll behind his back. 

Yet, in front of Zhan Rifei, it seemed he could hide no secrets. Zhan Rifei’s eyes were fixed on him as if he could see through everything. 

Huo Xiaodi slowly brought his hand from behind his back, tightly gripping the scroll. 

The scroll was rolled up, but Zhan Rifei seemed to have already known the secret within it. 

With a faint glance at Huo Xiaodi, he softly said, “Isn’t it a striking likeness?” 

Huo Xiaodi was still in shock, murmuring, “So they weren’t looking for me after all.” 

His emotions began to swell. 

—“So the words shouted by the soldiers we encountered today referred to you, not me.” 

—“So the wanted criminal captured by the Xiangyang Prince’s residence is you! The blockade of the post stations, the cutting off of the city’s exit routes, the halting of all horse markets, it’s all because of you!” 

He stared at Zhan Rifei, speaking each word deliberately, “Who exactly are you?” 

This was a question he had asked several times before. 

It was also a question that Zhan Rifei had never had the chance to answer. 

Would he answer him this time? 

Zhan Rifei replied calmly, “Who I am is no longer important. It seems that if we are to travel to the capital together, I will only drag you down. The pursuers will arrive soon; you should leave quickly.” 

—But though his voice was calm, it could no longer hide his fatigue and weakness. 

Huo Xiaodi cried out, “You want me to leave alone?” 

Zhan Rifei said, “Without me, they won’t be able to catch you.” 

Huo Xiaodi retorted, “Why should I leave? I refuse to go; I’ll wait right here, and we’ll fight them together!” 

Blood had already seeped from the corners of Zhan Rifei’s mouth, and his cracked lips were devoid of color. He smiled weakly and said, “You’re talking nonsense again. When did I say we should stay here and fight? Besides, if something were to happen to you, there would surely be someone in Dongjing who would be heartbroken.” 

He sighed and continued, “I’m just saying we should split up and move quickly.” 

Huo Xiaodi looked at him as if he hadn’t heard his words. 

—He seemed unable to even stand, let alone walk. 

Zhan Rifei, sensing his confusion, smiled and said, “You have your unparalleled lightness skill, and I have my methods. But if you reach Dongjing before me, may I ask you to do me a favor?” 

Huo Xiaodi hesitated, half-believing, “What is it?” 

Zhan Rifei said, “Please take something to the capital for me.” 

Huo Xiaodi asked, “Is this your request for help?” 

Zhan Rifei replied, “Indeed.” 

He sighed softly and added, “Although this matter is very important, I shouldn’t have involved you. But now, I have no choice but to ask for your help.” 

His smile had grown faint: “Fortunately, I already owe you so many favors.” 

For some reason, tears began to well up in Huo Xiaodi’s large eyes, rolling down his cheeks. He felt as if something was lodged in his throat, rendering him speechless. 

Zhan Rifei said, “I didn’t expect someone from the renowned Linglong Villa to be so easily moved to tears like a little girl.” 

Huo Xiaodi hesitated and said, “Brother Zhan, I—I’ve been deceiving you. My name isn’t Huo Xiaodi; I’m actually—” 

Zhan Rifei looked at him and slowly interrupted, “Brother Huo, you’re not deceiving me. When we first met, didn’t you already say that Huo Xiaodi isn’t your real name? Whether it’s your true name or not doesn’t matter; I only know that I’ve entrusted this to the right person, and that’s enough.” 

Tears finally streamed down Huo Xiaodi’s face, and he couldn’t help but sob, “You must have already guessed—” 

Zhan Rifei smiled and said, “I only know that I’ve met a chivalrous young hero from Linglong Villa. Since Brother Huo likes the name Huo Xiaodi, I will naturally continue to call you Xiaodi.” 

Huo Xiaodi looked over, his vision blurred by tears. They spilled over, dripping onto him. 

“Brother Zhan, you must promise that no matter what happens, Xiaodi will do everything for you!” 

Zhan Rifei reached into his bosom and took out a piece of yellow silk, handing it to Huo Xiaodi. 

“Then I trouble you, Brother Huo, to deliver this to the South Qing Palace in Bianliang, and be sure to hand it to Prince Ba in person.” 

The yellow silk was densely covered with countless names, soaked in blood, darkening to a deep red. 

His blood. 

Huo Xiaodi felt that this light piece of yellow silk suddenly felt unbearably heavy. 

—How much blood had been shed on this piece of yellow silk? How many hardships had been endured? 

He murmured, “They’ve been chasing all this way to retrieve this piece of yellow silk?” 

Zhan Rifei nodded slightly, feeling his strength fading: “Indeed.” 

As he spoke, a sharp pain shot through his chest, and a layer of sweat broke out. 

“Brother Huo, this item concerns whether the common people of the Song Dynasty can avoid the suffering of war. You must hand it directly to Prince Ba, and even Prince Zhao must not be informed.” 

Huo Xiaodi was surprised to hear this: “Not even him? He is Prince Ba’s flesh and blood. Don’t you trust him?” 

Zhan Rifei shook his head with difficulty: “It’s not that I don’t trust him. You know his temperament. I don’t want him to know because I don’t want him to take unnecessary risks.” 

As he spoke, he began to cough, struggling to catch his breath. 

Huo Xiaodi anxiously said, “It’s my fault; I shouldn’t have asked you these trivial questions.” 

Zhan Rifei forced a smile and said, “If you hadn’t asked, you would have been stifled long ago. How could a living person from Linglong Villa be stifled by such a small matter?” 

Seeing him still able to joke at this life-and-death moment, Huo Xiaodi couldn’t help but smile through his tears, though that smile was filled with endless pain and bitterness. 

Suddenly, he remembered something. 

“If you don’t want Prince Zhao to know, what if he doesn’t believe me when I see Prince Ba?” 

Zhan Rifei took out a token from his bosom and placed it in Huo Xiaodi’s hand, saying, “Take this token along with the yellow silk and give everything to Prince Ba. He will understand and believe your words.” 

The token was a small square, with a blue background, bright yellow tassels, and a golden border, engraved with four bright yellow characters: “Imperial Front Walker.” 

Huo Xiaodi was stunned! 

Bright yellow was traditionally used by the emperor. This token was a royal gift, a palace token. 

—Could it be that Zhan Rifei was of royal blood?! 

Zhan Rifei noticed his thoughts and said seriously, “Brother Huo, who I am is not important. What matters is that this matter concerns whether the common people of the Song Dynasty can avoid a calamity and whether they can escape suffering. At this critical moment, I hope Brother Huo can lend me a helping hand.” 

Huo Xiaodi looked into his eyes, which for the first time were filled with urgency. 

He gritted his teeth. 

Though he still did not know who this young man in black was, he had made up his mind. 

“Alright, no matter who you are, I believe you. I will deliver these two items to Prince Ba!” 

Zhan Rifei let out a sigh of relief. At that moment, he felt utterly weak, as if he had no strength left. 

“With your lightness skill, they won’t be able to catch you. But from now on, I will be a burden to you. I truly—” 

This time, it was Huo Xiaodi who interrupted him. 

“Brother Zhan, you are gravely injured yet have saved my life time and again. Have I ever said thank you? Why do you speak as if you’re being polite? Since this matter concerns the common people of the Song Dynasty, I will do my utmost!” 

Zhan Rifei’s eyes suddenly brightened. 

He slowly said, “I truly did not misjudge you.”

(Part Four)

The old barn fell silent once more. 

The trust of life and the trust of friendship left the two individuals, who had never exchanged their true names, at a loss for words. 

This silence felt strangely unfamiliar. 

Huo Xiaodi’s left leg throbbed with a piercing pain. The unavoidable strike from Granny Han Shui had brought him indescribable discomfort and trouble. 

Zhan Rifei said, “Brother Huo, your leg injury—” 

Though Huo Xiaodi’s brow furrowed in pain, he forced himself to maintain an indifferent facade, casually replying, “As long as I can rest for three hours, I should recover. But where will we find three hours?” 

Zhan Rifei looked up at the large beam overhead, a spark of inspiration igniting in his mind. He pondered aloud, “Since we need to split up and you’re injured, perhaps we should take a gamble.” 

He looked at Huo Xiaodi, a glint of cunning in his eyes: “Do you still have the strength to leap up to that beam?” 

Huo Xiaodi glanced at the height of the beam and replied, “Even higher beams wouldn’t pose a challenge for me.” 

Zhan Rifei said, “In that case, Brother Huo, you should hide up there for a moment. Once you’re concealed, I will leave immediately. Even if the pursuers arrive and see the barn empty, they will naturally chase after me without searching thoroughly.” 

Huo Xiaodi asked, “But won’t that lead all the pursuers to you?” 

Zhan Rifei smiled and replied, “Since they want me, they won’t pay much attention to you. Besides, playing hide-and-seek with these people doesn’t require exceptional lightness skills.” 

His voice was filled with determination and confidence, as if he had everything planned out, leaving Huo Xiaodi with no choice but to believe him—after all, he was indeed much more astute than Huo Xiaodi. 

Thus, the words Huo Xiaodi had hidden in his heart hesitated on his lips: “Why don’t we hide together?” 

—Zhan Rifei’s actions had their reasoning. 

Huo Xiaodi thought to himself, his body relaxing as he activated his “Jinghong Yipian” lightness skill, floating up to the beam. 

Looking down at Zhan Rifei, who remained standing calmly, Huo Xiaodi couldn’t help but urge, “If we’re splitting up, you should leave quickly—” 

But his words were suddenly cut off. 

It was as if someone had snipped them in mid-sentence! 

—He couldn’t finish his sentence because a sudden numbness gripped his throat, rendering him unable to speak. 

Then, a sharp pain struck his back, and his entire body became immobile! 

With two soft thuds, two small pebbles fell back to the ground. 

—Who had secretly immobilized him? 

Huo Xiaodi felt a chill run through him. 

There was no one else in the barn. 

He had been betrayed after all. 

—Why had he been betrayed? 

—Was Zhan Rifei a friend or an enemy? 

Huo Xiaodi’s heart filled with sorrow, pain, anger, and humiliation. 

—Had he truly misjudged someone? 

Zhan Rifei’s voice remained calm: “Brother Huo, I apologize. Your acupoint will be released in three hours.” 

He was breathing heavily as if even this surprise attack had further weakened his already injured body. 

Huo Xiaodi, unable to move on the beam, noticed that Zhan Rifei had not left. 

Zhan Rifei seemed to be waiting, as if for someone. 

—Why hadn’t he left? Did he have some assurance of victory? 

—How could he have such confidence without even having seen the pursuers? 

—He had clearly said they would split up to head to the capital, yet he had given Huo Xiaodi this piece of yellow silk and remained here waiting. 

Zhan Rifei fell silent as if speaking had drained all his strength. 

He leaned against the side wall of the barn, appearing to meditate. Only the occasional soft sound of his breathing indicated he was still alive. 

Huo Xiaodi suddenly found his breathing peculiar, fluctuating between long and short, sparse and dense. 

But this breathing sent a chill through him. A thought that had been gnawing at him suddenly surged forth, impossible to suppress. 

—Could it be that he was truly exhausted, his injuries flaring up, leaving him unable to act? 

—If so, why had he waited until Huo Xiaodi was on the beam before expending his energy to immobilize him? 

Time passed, and it felt as if Huo Xiaodi on the beam and Zhan Rifei below had waited an eternity. 

Huo Xiaodi wondered who Zhan Rifei was waiting for. 

Finally, a distant sound of hooves echoed, shaking the ground. 

The hoofbeats were accompanied by whistles and the sharp sound of signal arrows. The peculiar and piercing whistle of the arrows was clearly from the same group of riders they had encountered earlier. 

The pursuers were coming fast! 

But which group of pursuers were they? 

—If they were the Imperial Guard of the Xiangyang Prince’s residence, they would naturally bear the insignia of the guard. 

—If they were not the Imperial Guard, how could they possess the secret drawing? 

Before long, the sound of hooves reached the barn. 

In an instant, the whistling and the sharp sounds of the arrows ceased, and the horses stopped moving. Only the sounds of footsteps and the clashing of swords grew louder, yet there were no voices. 

The newcomers were well-trained soldiers. 

Then, all sounds came to a complete stop. 

Huo Xiaodi held his breath, listening intently as a pair of leather boots approached, the sound echoing from outside. 

The person walked slowly, each heavy step seeming to tread upon Huo Xiaodi’s heart. 

From the rhythm and sound of the footsteps, the newcomer should be tall, but as the footsteps drew closer, the figure that finally appeared through the dilapidated barn door was short. 

—The sun outside the barn must have risen high. 

The sound of the boots suddenly stopped outside the barn. 

Then, silence fell again. 

After a while, a voice rang out: “Zhan Huwei, known as the Southern Hero, truly lives up to his name, possessing extraordinary skills. The copper net formation could not trap you; the prince’s thousands of elite cavalry and half of the Jinshi Hall’s best have pursued you for five days, yet they have returned empty-handed!” 

His voice was deep, rich, and pleasant, yet it carried an indescribable authority and pressure. 

But when his words reached Huo Xiaodi’s ears, it felt like a thunderclap! His heart raced. 

Though he was completely immobile, his face twisted in shock, and he struggled to catch his breath. 

—It turned out to be him! 

He hadn’t expected that this young man in black was the legendary Southern Hero, Zhan Zhao, the imperial bodyguard who served the current emperor! 

His heart sank again. 

All the moments of his demeanor, his words and actions, his astonishing intelligence, and his unparalleled martial arts flashed before his eyes. 

How could such a person not be him? 

—If it weren’t him, who else could it be?

(Part Five)

Zhan Rifei merely snorted, not responding. 

The man continued, “Now that Zhan Huwei possesses the ‘Unfamiliar Familiarity,’ without the antidote from the Shura Sect, even a deity would find it hard to save you. If Zhan Huwei can hand over that item, I will personally ensure the antidote is delivered to the prince.” 

In the silence, Zhan Zhao slowly replied, “Since this item has fallen into Zhan Zhao’s hands, how could it be easily given away? I have long admired the legendary hero, Master Zhong, whose martial arts are unparalleled. If Master Zhong wishes to fight, Zhan Zhao will certainly accompany you with all my strength.” 

Master Zhong laughed heartily, “Zhong Xiong has been in seclusion on Jun Mountain, yet I hear daily of the heroic youth, Zhan Daren, whose name fills the world. Today, I see you, and I’m surprised at your lack of self-awareness. You are heavily injured now; even if you wish to show your bravery, how many moves do you think you can withstand from me?” 

Huo Xiaodi then realized that this Master Zhong was none other than the infamous Fei Cha Taibao, Zhong Xiong, a renowned general under the Xiangyang Prince. No wonder the soldiers they had encountered in the canyon did not resemble the officials of the Song Dynasty or the Imperial Guard of the Xiangyang Prince’s residence; they were the iron-blooded guards of Jun Mountain under the Xiangyang Prince! 

But he still did not understand what Zhan Zhao had taken from the Xiangyang Prince’s residence that had prompted such a pursuit, involving Shao Jizu and the elite of Jinshi Hall, and now even attracting the prince’s top general! 

As he thought of this, the piece of yellow silk in his bosom suddenly felt hot to the touch. 

—What kind of secret lay within this yellow silk? 

A thought flickered in his mind: “Five days ago, five days ago, five days ago—was he also in Xiangyang? Could it be—” 

A vague notion began to rise, though he couldn’t grasp it fully, it inexplicably filled him with a sense of dread. 

His train of thought was abruptly interrupted by the conversation below. 

He heard Zhan Zhao say, “Why doesn’t Master Zhong try it for himself?” 

At this, Huo Xiaodi’s mind conjured the calm and composed visage of Zhan Zhao, and he could almost see the smile on his face as he spoke those words. 

His heart ached—how could he possibly engage in a fight in his current state? 

Thinking this, he inwardly cursed himself: “He plotted against you, and you’re still worried about him!” 

Yet his heart was in turmoil for reasons he couldn’t comprehend. 

After Zhan Zhao spoke, it was as if he had sealed his lips. 

The conversation had reached its end, and only the sword remained! 

In the awkward silence, Zhong Xiong said without turning his head, “You all step outside and guard the barn.” 

His subordinates responded in unison. This was not only due to the strict military orders of Jun Mountain but also because they had long been familiar with the power of the steel fork in Zhong Xiong’s hands. No matter how large the barn was, once his flying fork was unleashed, whether it was man or object, they would likely be reduced to dust. 

The footsteps gradually faded, and the spacious barn returned to silence. 

Zhong Xiong did not strike immediately. He sighed, “I, Zhong Xiong, consider myself a hero and have long awaited the chance to battle Zhan Huwei. However, now that you are gravely injured, even if I win, it would be an unworthy victory.” 

Zhan Zhao replied, “Master Zhong, there’s no need for such humility.” 

Zhong Xiong continued, “However, I owe a great debt to the prince and cannot repay it. My reputation pales in comparison to the prince’s favor. Therefore, our battle today is not a contest of skill, but rather, I have received a strict order from the prince to retrieve the item that Zhan Huwei took from the Chongxiao Tower. The outcome of this battle, regardless of victory or defeat, will only be known to the two of us.” 

Zhan Zhao said calmly, “Master Zhong’s heartfelt words resonate with me.” 

Zhong Xiong replied, “In that case, I must offend you!” 

As soon as the words left his mouth, his flying steel fork was already in motion! 

This flying steel fork weighed at least seventy or eighty pounds, yet in Zhong Xiong’s hands, it became as light as a feather, as gentle as a spring breeze, making no sound at all. The movements were so agile and clever, it was as if a weaver was crafting the finest silk, yet each strike was filled with hidden, continuous, and mysterious killing intent. 

An overwhelming pressure gradually filled the barn with each of Zhong Xiong’s strikes. It was as if the weaver while weaving the silk, was also spinning an invisible web. 

Huo Xiaodi’s heart sank. 

He realized that this Fei Cha Taibao, Zhong Xiong, was a deeply concealed master. The outside world spoke of his military strategies as top-tier, but it seemed his martial arts were likely far superior to his military tactics! 

But why couldn’t he hear Zhan Zhao moving? 

The only sound he could hear was Zhan Zhao’s sword, suddenly emitting a sharp “whoosh” as it cut through the air, revealing the ferocity of his strike. 

—In his current condition, how could he execute such swift and fierce moves? 

What was even more puzzling was that within that “whoosh,” there seemed to be a faint sound of his breathing. 

Huo Xiaodi, possessing the supreme skill of “Listening to the Flowers in the Night” from Linglong Villa, could hear even the slightest sounds around him, even while immobilized. He suddenly felt that within that breath, there was an extremely weak rhythm. 

—Had he heard this breathing before? It was long, then short, sparse, then dense. Could it be that Zhan Zhao’s internal energy was in disarray? 

—If his internal energy was in disarray, how could he withstand Zhong Xiong’s endless power? 

Huo Xiaodi could hardly contain his anxiety! 

If he weren’t immobilized and unable to speak, he would have already drawn his sword and rushed in to assist. 

But just as this thought crossed his mind, a flash of insight struck him like a thunderbolt. This terrifying thought filled his entire mind, causing his heart to race. 

—“He has sealed my acupoints, rendering me immobile, and has sealed my voice, preventing me from speaking. Did he anticipate that if he hadn’t restrained me, I would have been unable to resist joining the fight?” 

—“Could it be that he did this for me?!” 

Just thinking about this made his head spin, and his thoughts became chaotic, overwhelming him. He didn’t even notice that the battle below had already changed! 

Suddenly, the sound of wind surged, and Zhong Xiong’s strikes became swift and fierce, powerful and robust. 

The wind filled the entire barn in an instant. 

—Could this be the true nature of the flying fork? 

The sharp metallic sound of the fork cutting through the air collided with the sound of swords clashing, shaking the barn as if it might collapse. 

Under this storm-like pressure, under the shadow of these fierce strikes, Zhan Zhao seemed like a small boat tossed about in turbulent waves, fragile and vulnerable. 

How could Zhan Zhao, who had just been unable to stand, possibly endure this? 

Huo Xiaodi suddenly realized! 

Though he couldn’t move his body or lift his neck, and couldn’t see the two combatants’ movements, he felt beads of sweat forming on his forehead. 

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of two shadows projected on the wall. It turned out that as the two fought, their movements had shifted the barn door, allowing sunlight to stream in and cast their shadows on the opposite wall. 

Huo Xiaodi was dumbfounded: Zhan Zhao’s figure moved with the speed of a shooting star, showing no signs of injury! 

—How could this be possible? 

Just as he was about to take a closer look, the shadows on the wall vanished as the two figures moved. 

Gradually, the sound of wind subsided, and Zhong Xiong’s breathing grew heavier. 

Yet Huo Xiaodi could not hear Zhan Zhao’s voice. 

But the fact that the wind had not ceased indicated that Zhan Zhao was still holding on. 

After a while, the wind finally stopped. The shadows of the two reappeared on the wall. 

—Still shadows. 

After a long pause, Zhong Xiong’s voice rang out again: “Impressive, impressive! The Southern Hero truly lives up to his name. I didn’t expect you to withstand so many of my strikes. If you weren’t injured, I wouldn’t be your match, but if you continue to fight, the poison from your wounds will clash, and I won’t be able to fulfill the prince’s orders.” 

Zhan Zhao’s calm voice replied, “I wouldn’t dare. The Xiangyang Prince must want to capture me alive. Given the prince’s regard, I, a mere fourth-rank bodyguard, truly feel unworthy.” 

Zhong Xiong suddenly laughed heartily: “Who in the jianghu doesn’t know that although Zhan Daren holds a fourth-rank title, he enjoys the emperor’s favor? Whether in the South Qing Palace or Kaifeng Prefecture, they rely on you as a pillar. Are you exhausting yourself in battle here to buy time for your fleeing friend?” 

Zhan Zhao smiled, “Master Zhong’s keen insight naturally sees through everything.” 

—At this critical moment, he could still smile! 

Huo Xiaodi’s heart raced. He had felt something was off since Zhong Xiong’s arrival. 

With that smile, his thoughts finally became clear: 

—Why did Zhan Zhao’s voice seem to flow more smoothly now? 

He strained to look at the blurred shadow on the wall, seeing Zhan Zhao leaning against the wall. Zhong Xiong’s long fork seemed to point at his chest, while Zhan Zhao’s sword aimed at Zhong Xiong’s abdomen. Yet from their conversation, it was clear that Zhong Xiong had gained the upper hand. 

Zhong Xiong’s long fork remained poised, his voice chillingly stern: “But now that you are in my grasp, escaping will be as difficult as ascending to the heavens. It would be better for you to accompany me back to Xiangyang. As for your friend, I must be frank, this matter is of great importance; he cannot escape the Xiangyang Prince’s grasp, even if he runs to the ends of the earth.” 

Though Zhan Zhao was restrained, his brows furrowed, and a faint smile appeared on his pale lips: “However, Master Zhong, as a great hero, you should know that the world is unpredictable, and fate is ever-changing—” 

At this point, his words were suddenly cut off. 

His speech was interrupted as if a breeze had stirred in the barn. 

—Was it the wind moving, or the hearts of men? 

How long had the hearts of men been stirred? Was it a speck of dust in the desert of time? A grain of sand in the endless river of fate? 

Or was it the momentary transformation of the world, the fleeting passage of youth, the distance between the ends of the earth? 

Had time frozen? 

Because when time began to flow again, everything had changed! 

Zhan Zhao’s sword was at Zhong Xiong’s throat! 

He was already behind Zhong Xiong! 

Zhong Xiong’s flying steel fork had flown out of the barn! 

At that moment, Huo Xiaodi saw a flash of icy sword light dart through the barn. 

No one could describe the speed of this sword, nor could anyone describe its miraculous nature. The speed of this sword was like sunlight; as soon as the door opened, the sunlight had already reached every corner of the barn. 

The miracle of this sword was as if it were a divine creation from ancient times, devoid of any earthly smoke. 

The beauty of this sword was like the flames of a phoenix rising from the ashes, the song of a lark reborn from thorns. 

The shock in Huo Xiaodi’s heart left him breathless. He could hardly believe his eyes. 

—What a move, “Blood Flies Together, Crane Soars to the Sky!” 

In an instant, everything became as clear as crystal. 

Zhan Zhao’s earlier strange breathing, the sharp sound of his sword as he first engaged Zhong Xiong— 

—It turned out to be “Crane Soars to the Sky!”

(Part Six)

Inside the barn, both Zhong Xiong and Huo Xiaodi were momentarily stunned by the sudden turn of events. 

Zhong Xiong’s back trembled as if he were about to unleash his power, but the cold aura of Zhan Zhao’s “Zhan Lu” sword had seeped into his very pores, like a nail embedded in his bones. The moment he moved, the long sword would surely pierce his throat. Then, his body went limp, and he lost all strength. 

In that fleeting moment, the one who had been in control was now controlled, and the one who had been restrained had become the master! 

Zhong Xiong suddenly laughed heartily, saying, “What a move, ‘Crane Soars to the Sky!’ To witness such extraordinary martial arts is truly worth my life! If Zhan Huwei wants my life, he should act quickly!” 

Zhan Zhao remained calm and composed, smiling as he replied, “Master Zhong, as the right-hand man of the Xiangyang Prince, you truly deserve your reputation for remaining unshaken in the face of danger. I admire you! Now that I have taken you by surprise and restrained you, how could I harm you?” 

Zhong Xiong asked, “Then what do you intend to do?” 

Zhan Zhao replied, “To be frank, beyond the small town ahead is the West Bridge Ferry. The river here is at its narrowest. Once we cross that river, we will no longer be within the jurisdiction of the Xiangyang Prince’s residence, but rather under the direct control of the Song Dynasty. Moreover, not far from the ferry on the opposite bank is a post station for urgent imperial dispatches, where we can change horses and reach the capital within two days.” 

Huo Xiaodi felt a stir in his heart, sensing that Zhan Zhao’s words were a reminder to him. 

Zhong Xiong’s face turned ashen: “Is Zhan Huwei trying to coerce me?” 

Zhan Zhao said, “I only ask that Master Zhong accompany me to the ferry.” 

Zhong Xiong replied, “What if I refuse? You should know that Zhong Xiong has never been threatened by anyone! Even if you kill me, you will likely still fall into the hands of the experts from Jinshi Hall!” 

Zhan Zhao countered, “Why would Master Zhong say such things? If you seek to show off your bravery and act recklessly, how can that be considered repaying the Xiangyang Prince’s kindness? You, a lifelong hero, have yet to fulfill your ambitions. I wonder if dying now would leave you satisfied in the future!” 

Zhong Xiong fell silent. 

Zhan Zhao’s words pierced his heart like a sharp sword. 

—Had his eyes seen through Zhong Xiong’s heart and aspirations from the very beginning? 

The barn was enveloped in a deathly silence. 

After a long pause, Zhong Xiong slowly said, “Alright, I agree!” 

He turned and commanded outside the barn, “Prepare the horses!” 

When he turned back, a strange expression surfaced in his eyes as he looked at Zhan Zhao. Though his voice remained deep and pleasant, Huo Xiaodi felt an inexplicable chill. 

—“I cannot die. If I die, how can I witness your ‘Crane Soars to the Sky’ and see how long it can last?” 

Zhan Zhao sheathed his sword. 

His gaze remained calm and composed. 

—“If Master Zhong had arrived half an hour earlier, I would not have had the chance to execute ‘Crane Soars to the Sky.’ As for how long this technique can last, I fear it may disappoint you in the end.” 

With that, he and Zhong Xiong stepped out of the barn. 

—As they exited, the bright sunlight outside was so dazzling that it momentarily blinded them. 

After days of rain, the sudden appearance of the sun was refreshing. 

However, the expressions of the ten or so iron-blooded guards outside the barn remained clouded, impervious to even the strongest sunlight. 

Zhan Zhao continued, “Since Master Zhong understands the power of ‘Crane Soars to the Sky,’ you might as well inform your subordinates not to act rashly along the way. Otherwise, one misstep could ruin your enjoyment of the show.” 

—Zhong Xiong, despite being clever and adaptable, found himself restrained and could not think of a way to escape. His subordinates had always regarded him as a deity; seeing their commander restrained, though eager to act, they were wary of making a misstep. 

For a moment, the area outside the barn was eerily silent, as quiet as a grave. 

Zhan Zhao smiled and said, “It is truly a privilege to have the opportunity to battle with Master Zhong. I hope to return one day to learn from your martial arts.” 

He glanced at the sky and slowly added, “We are not far from the West Bridge Ferry. Master Zhong’s escort will not take long.” 

(Part Seven)

The rushing river water sparkled under the sunlight, reflecting the dazzling scales of light and the fluttering flags at the ferry crossing. A few scattered figures stood by the riverbank, alongside the glinting blades and spears held by the guards of the Xiangyang Prince’s residence.

Under the sun, the faces at the ferry were surprisingly diverse. 

—Old and young, men and women. 

Small children cried and shrank into their mothers’ arms, while elderly men and women either sat or lay down, their wrinkles deepening in the sunlight. 

The only commonality among these faces was the indescribable fear, exhaustion, and weariness etched upon them. 

They had never encountered such fierce and menacing soldiers before. 

They had all been forced to leave their homes, which lay just ahead in the nearby village. 

The intimidating soldiers of the Xiangyang Prince had driven these townsfolk, who had lived there for generations, to the edge of the ferry. 

They had no choice but to abandon their homes. 

Under the threat of violence, they were utterly powerless to resist, left with no alternatives. 

They were simply too kind and too weak. 

—Is it true that kind people are always so weak? 

They still did not understand why these soldiers had driven them from their homes.

The leader of these fierce soldiers was surprisingly a Daoist priest dressed in green. 

This Daoist seemed perpetually silent, yet even standing in the warm sunlight, he exuded an unsettling chill. 

The wind blew through his long beard, causing it to flutter. His eyes narrowed as he stared down the road. 

Yan Ziqing stood beside him, hands hanging at his sides. 

—They were waiting for someone. 

—They would not wait long.

The people by the ferry sensed that something astonishing was about to happen, and they all knew it would not be a pleasant event. 

Suddenly, amidst the hoarse cries of the children, two riders appeared in the distance, galloping towards them. Behind these two riders trailed a dozen more. These riders were none other than the Iron-Blooded Guards of Junshan.

Upon seeing the two horses, a terrifying killing intent flashed across the Daoist’s face. The soldiers around him became fully alert, their gleaming swords clashing, drowning out the murmurs of the crowd and the cries of the infants.

Now, everyone understood that the soldiers of the Xiangyang Prince were waiting for someone who had finally arrived. 

As the two horses approached the seated and standing townsfolk, they slowed down, allowing the villagers to see clearly who was coming. 

—The one slightly ahead was a tall and imposing middle-aged man, exuding an aura of authority as if he were a general leading an army into battle. 

—The other was a young man dressed in black, with a pale yet handsome face, an ancient sword at his side, and eyes that resembled dark stars, seemingly able to see through everything. 

At this moment, those eyes were fixed on the Daoist in green.

The Daoist finally spoke. 

“If I were you, I wouldn’t take another step forward.” 

Zhan Zhao tightened his grip on the sword, his voice slightly hoarse. “I didn’t expect you to have laid poison on them!” 

Mo Dao replied nonchalantly, “How could the poison of the Asura Sect be wasted on these ignorant old, weak, women, and children? It’s just that these people already know that within three zhang of them lies my Eye Charm. If they attempt to flee forward and step into the Eye Charm, they will rot and die. Behind them is the endless river. Unless they are strong, once they fall into the water, they will never resurface alive.”

His eyes glared at Zhan Zhao, a triumphant sneer evident in his gaze. 

“And if you wish to cross this ferry, you must pass through the Eye Charm formation. I fear that no matter how skilled your lightness skill is, as soon as you approach the Eye Charm’s poison formation, your ‘familiarity at first sight’ will react with the poison surrounding you. At that time, it will be you who causes the death of these villagers!”

Among the crowd, terrified sobs began to emerge. 

Zhan Zhao’s expression changed. 

—But if he didn’t move forward, what could he do? 

Zhong Xiong’s eyes seemed to reveal a hint of sadness and pity, but he quickly turned his gaze away. 

Zhan Zhao’s eyes sharpened like a blade. He slowly asked, “What do you want?” 

Mo Dao no longer answered him. 

It was Yan Ziqing who responded, “Guardian Zhan, your question seems to be a case of knowing the answer yet asking anyway. You infiltrated the Celestial Tower at night and took the Prince’s alliance document, and now you are holding the Junshan’s Chief Zhong hostage. Do you think you can just walk away from this?”

He looked into Zhan Zhao’s eyes but felt nothing but disappointment. It was as if Zhan Zhao’s eyes showed no change. 

—Had every word from Yan Ziqing already been anticipated by him? 

Yan Ziqing continued, “Mo Dao has calculated that Guardian Zhan would inevitably cross the West Bridge, so he led the guards of the Xiangyang Prince’s residence to wait here early. You, Guardian Zhan, are known as the Southern Hero, and naturally, you cannot bear to see these innocent old and young people dragged into this, let alone let them die because of your escape.” 

A cruel smile appeared on Mo Dao’s face, while Zhong Xiong’s eyes deepened in thought. 

Yan Ziqing was about to continue his tirade, but a faint smile appeared at the corner of Zhan Zhao’s mouth. 

—His enemy had grasped his fatal weakness; how could he still smile? 

Yan Ziqing was left speechless. 

Zhan Zhao, however, continued, “It seems that dying is not so easy after all.” 

Suddenly, he turned swiftly, and with a flick of his hand, the flag planted at the ferry was pulled from the ground and into his left hand! The long flag flew and swirled, swiftly passing through the Eye Charm formation, reaching into the circle and, like a bolt of lightning, lifting a child out of the trap! The child, startled, remained dazed until he landed safely on the ground, at which point he let out a loud cry.

Mo Dao’s cruel smile suddenly froze on his face. 

—He had been too confident. 

Zhan Zhao had used such an imaginative method to rescue those trapped in the Eye Charm formation! 

The black-clad opponent let out a long laugh, saying, “Thank you for informing me that the Asura Sect’s poison was not applied to them! As long as I don’t approach the circle, I can’t activate the Eye Charm, right? But there are many ways to rescue those trapped in the formation without entering it!” 

Mo Dao leaped into the air, hurling a vicious remark. 

—“I want to see just how many you can save!” 

A faint wisp of smoke shot toward the people in the circle. 

—But how could Zhan Zhao allow him to take the initiative again? 

While he was still in the air, a calm yet piercing voice echoed in his ears. 

—“Isn’t it too late for you to regret now?” 

As the voice spoke, Zhan Zhao’s body moved like a ghost, and in the blink of an eye, another flag appeared in his right hand! 

Before the Asura Sect’s light smoke could disperse, the wind howled, and the flag fluttered, mixed with a powerful gust, reaching Mo Dao’s face! With Zhan Zhao’s internal energy in motion, the light smoke was suddenly pulled back towards Mo Dao’s face!

Mo Dao had never anticipated that Zhan Zhao’s internal energy would be so strong. In a panic, he leaped backward. They heard a series of hissing sounds as the flag was consumed by the poisonous smoke. 

In a flash, Zhan Zhao raised his right hand, the flag quickly coiling tightly like a staff, and before the poisonous smoke could rise, it was instantly wrapped up and disappeared within the flag. 

At the same time, with a movement of his left hand, another young woman was lifted out of the Eye Charm’s circle by the force of his left-hand flag. 

Mo Dao’s face turned ashen. He gritted his teeth, the sound of his teeth grinding audible. 

—“So you can use the Crane Soaring to the Sky! I truly underestimated you!” 

He spoke slowly but with great force, for now, all the difficulties had become clear. 

“No wonder you could withstand the ‘Thousand-Jin Dragon Strangle’ from the first master of the Cold Water Palace despite your severe injuries!” 

Zhong Xiong coldly remarked, “The unparalleled martial arts of the Ding family in Songjiang Prefecture should naturally be passed down to the future son-in-law of the Ding family. I just didn’t expect that his ‘Blood Double Flying, Crane Soaring to the Sky’ would have such power!”

Mo Dao snorted coldly and uttered a strange remark that was eerily similar to what Zhong Xiong had said in the barn. 

—“I want to see how long your Crane Soaring to the Sky can hold out!” 

Before his words fell, a dozen dark figures suddenly lunged at Zhan Zhao. 

These figures were three groups of people. 

Three groups, three directions. 

More than ten guards from the Xiangyang Prince’s residence had split into two groups, one charging directly at the child and woman who had just escaped the Eye Charm formation, while the other charged at Zhan Zhao. 

The third group was Yan Ziqing. 

This agile assassin dashed straight toward the flag planted by the riverbank. With a flick of his hand, dozens of flying daggers shot towards the flagpole like lightning. 

His meticulous mind truly deserved to be among the elite of the Xiangyang Prince’s residence, as he instantly deduced that the way to stop Zhan Zhao from breaking the Eye Charm was to eliminate the flags that empowered him!

This was the true purpose of the three groups! 

How could the guards of the Xiangyang residence stop Zhan Zhao? What they wanted was just a moment to slow him down! 

If Zhan Zhao slowed down even for a moment, all the flags would never again become his weapons! 

Mo Dao’s eyes revealed a satisfied expression. 

—By the time Zhan Zhao realized their intention, it would already be too late. 

But that triumphant expression suddenly stiffened. 

—The seven or eight guards who charged close to Zhan Zhao suddenly discovered that the black-clad youth’s eyes, dark as night, seemed to flash with brilliance! Then they heard a series of cracking sounds.

—No, it wasn’t just one sound, but a chorus of dozens of sounds, though it seemed to come from a single source. 

What could make such a strange sound? 

Zhan Zhao’s right hand seemed to beckon. 

The flagpole in his right hand had vanished! 

As Yan Ziqing’s flying daggers were just released, he witnessed something unbelievable. 

In the shimmering light reflected by the river, before the flags by the riverbank, dozens of wooden rods of varying lengths suddenly appeared, arriving before his flying daggers as if they were long-lost lovers, silently entwining with his lightning-fast daggers.

With a soft “thud,” the dozens of flying daggers struck the wooden rods that had flown in from nowhere, as if suddenly enchanted by a spell of dissolution, their force vanishing without a trace. The daggers and wooden rods fell to the ground simultaneously, landing in a manner so effortless and orderly that it was beyond what he had practiced.

At the same time, Yan Ziqing felt a sudden pain in his chest. 

He looked down to find a wooden rod protruding from his chest; the pain came faster than death itself. 

Yan Ziqing’s eyes bulged. 

Only then did he hear the wind generated by the wooden rod. 

—Zhan Zhao’s strike was faster than the sound of the wind! 

Then he collapsed. 

Until his death, he never saw what killed him, nor did he understand how Zhan Zhao, who was several zhang away, could send dozens of wooden rods flying from behind him, breaking his never-missing daggers.

What he never saw, however, was the flash of swordlight that rose behind him before the sound of the wind. 

That sword light was icy blue. 

Zhan Zhao’s calm voice finally reached him. 

“My Crane Soaring to the Sky will not disappoint you, Daoist.” 

His left-hand flag had become as swift as a spear, instantly blocking the guards who had just attacked the child and woman escaping the Eye Charm, while in his right hand, he no longer held the flagpole but a long sword as cold as autumn water.

—His “Zhan Lu” was now in hand!

(Part Eight)

The sudden series of changes left everyone dazzled as if struck by a thunderstorm. 

Zhong Xiong stood quietly to the side, unable to maintain his composure. It was not Zhan Zhao’s martial arts or agility that shocked him the most. What astonished Zhong Xiong was that the young man in black could discern his opponent’s true intentions in an instant and execute the most effective moves!

Zhong Xiong’s eyes were filled with contemplation. 

Then he heard Mo Dao’s sinister laughter. This usually taciturn elder of the Asura Sect spoke with a voice filled with hatred for the first time. 

—“No one has ever left my hands unscathed.” 

Before his words fell, a rain of flowers filled the sky, shimmering with golden light, blocking out the sun as it shot toward Zhan Zhao. 

The delicate droplets, fragile enough to burst, appeared desolate in the sunlight, yet vibrant and entangled, like a wave rolling in, a gentle breeze that left one lost in its beauty as if they were not in this world.

—The Asura Sect’s Apricot Blossom Rain! 

The child and woman who had just escaped behind Zhan Zhao were already entranced by the beauty of this Apricot Blossom Rain, lost in a daze as if they had forgotten to breathe. 

Who could know that this Apricot Blossom Rain did not bring a spring dream, but rather a nightmare from which one would never awaken? 

—Is it true that once touched by the Apricot Blossom Rain, one would wish for the dream to shatter? Is it only upon touching this rain that one realizes that even a shattered dream is better than the torment brought by this nightmare? 

Yet this innocent child and woman only wished to gaze a little longer. Their dazed eyes unknowingly soaked in this magnificent dream of apricot blossoms, their feet rooted to the ground. 

But this dream of blossoms would ultimately shatter when confronted by the long sword. 

—The sword energy surged, enveloped amid rain, and a dragon-like icy light shot up into the clouds like a thunderbolt. At the same time, Zhan Zhao’s left hand also rose. The flag in his hand, under the impetus of his internal energy, suddenly unfurled with a sharp sound, flowing with a hissing noise, transforming into a hard shield.

How long could it be? 

—The child and woman, lost in the Apricot Blossom Rain, blinked and suddenly found themselves under a bright sun again. Had the misty rain just now been a dream? 

Then they realized that a flag was blocking their view. 

The flag had been burned and charred, and every spot touched by the Apricot Blossom Rain still emitted wisps of faint green smoke. 

The dream had shattered; the stench of the Apricot Blossom Rain spread through the air. 

—If it weren’t for this flag that had appeared from nowhere, would they have ended up like it? 

But as soon as this thought crossed their minds, they doubled over and began to vomit!

Zhan Zhao’s expression suddenly changed. 

He realized he had made a mistake. While he was defending against the Apricot Blossom Rain, Mo Dao’s men had already entered the Eye Charm formation. 

He felt hatred. 

This taciturn man was filled with an indescribable rage. 

—As an elder of the Asura Sect, he had never failed before, but in front of this person, he had already failed twice. 

The first time was in the Copper Net Formation, and the second time was at this West Bridge ferry. 

—He had thought his plans were flawless, yet this person had broken through the Eye Charm with such strange methods! 

—He—was—furious! 

His Apricot Blossom Rain was meant to ensure that Zhan Zhao’s left-hand flag could no longer protect those trapped in the Eye Charm formation. 

His right hand stretched out, aiming to grab an old man within the formation, his anger and frustration causing him to forget his hidden weapons, which could harm him without entering the formation! 

—The terrified, helpless face of the old man before him grew larger, and then he suddenly heard a rush of wind. 

Mo Dao’s hand suddenly grasped something hard. His Five Poisons Asura Palm did not catch the old man’s shoulder!

His vision blurred. 

—The old man’s weathered, wrinkled face suddenly transformed, and he did not know when it had changed into another face, a face Mo Dao was very familiar with. 

—The frail old man who had been in front of him had been directly knocked out of the Eye Charm formation by the living person with this familiar face. 

—The person flying through the air was one of the guards who had just attacked Zhan Zhao! 

Mo Dao’s heart sank. 

At that moment, he realized that what he was holding was a slender flagpole. 

This slender flagpole, under the power of his Five Poisons Asura Palm, had shattered into pieces, the fragments flying like shooting stars! 

—On this slender flagpole, where the flag had been, faint green smoke still wafted. 

—This slender flagpole had just been in Zhan Zhao’s hand, shielding the child and woman who had escaped the Eye Charm formation from the Apricot Blossom Rain, yet how could it now appear in his hand?

Mo Dao could not comprehend. 

He had no time to think. 

The guard in front of him was too close to avoid. The varying lengths of fragments, under the force of his poisonous palm, surged towards the guard, silently piercing into his body.

Amidst the guard’s screams, a chill rushed towards Mo Dao, the cold sword edge seemed to seep into his skin, the sharp killing intent enveloping him entirely.

A shiver ran down his spine. 

He leaped back, retreating several zhangs. 

He then realized that this fierce sword strike had forced him out of the Eye Charm’s poison formation. 

Mo Dao could hardly believe his eyes. 

—How could this long sword reach him while he was still in the formation? 

He muttered, “Impossible! This can’t be!” 

If Zhan Zhao could not approach the Eye Charm, how could his long sword reach inside the formation? 

The remaining guards had begun to retreat in an orderly manner, surrounding and protecting him. 

Mo Dao turned his head and saw that Zhan Zhao’s right hand had, he knew not when, produced another flag, the end of the flagpole wrapped around his long sword. He was using the flagpole to wield the sword, not entering the Eye Charm formation, yet unexpectedly forcing Mo Dao’s attack back!

The agility of this man’s mind, his rapid adaptability, and his unfathomable martial arts had reached a level of perfection! 

Zhong Xiong, who had been standing at a distance observing everything, could no longer suppress a long sigh. 

A leader among the Iron-Blooded Guards quickly approached him. 

“Master, what are your orders?” 

Zhong Xiong seemed to be murmuring to himself, or perhaps sighing, as he said, “When the Prince first mentioned this matter, I didn’t believe it. Even a deity with three heads and six arms would find it extremely difficult to escape from the Celestial Tower. If the Copper Net Formation could kill Bai Yutang, why couldn’t it trap Zhan Zhao? Today, I see that the Prince’s words were not false.”

The leader of the Iron-Blooded Guards asked, “What do you mean, Master?” 

Zhong Xiong replied, “Mo Dao’s earlier grab concentrated all his energy into that one move. Since he acted first, it would be nearly impossible to seize the initiative from him.” 

The leader of the Iron-Blooded Guards said, “But it seems Zhan Zhao has managed to seize the initiative.” 

Zhong Xiong explained, “That’s because he devised a method to make Mo Dao slow down himself.” 

The leader asked, “What method?” 

Zhong Xiong elaborated, “It was because Mo Dao’s earlier grab had already gathered all his true energy. If Zhan Zhao’s flagpole were to reach his hand, he would inevitably take it without realizing it. Once he took it, his true energy would inevitably slow and disperse, and it would take time to gather it again. Only during that moment of delay could the guards arrive in time to knock the old man out.”

As he spoke, his voice turned into an indescribable melancholy. 

—“No wonder, with Jiangnan Murong’s unparalleled mechanisms, the elite of the Jinshi Hall surrounding him, and thousands of guards from the Xiangyang Prince’s residence, he could still escape from the Celestial Tower, and even the Copper Net Spiral Formation could not trap him!” 

—“I just didn’t expect that there would be such martial arts and such intelligence in this world!” 

The leader of the Iron-Blooded Guards, unable to contain his anxiety, stepped forward and said, “Master, now that Zhan Zhao is engaged in battle with the Jinshi Hall, why not take this opportunity to escape? We are willing to risk our lives to hold him off for you, covering your retreat!” 

Zhong Xiong glanced at him and gently shook his head. “The Ding family of Songjiang Prefecture has become the foremost family in the martial world precisely because of their unparalleled divine skill, ‘Crane Soaring to the Sky.’ For a hundred years, no one has been able to break it. The wonders of this technique are beyond our imagination. Although I am restrained by Zhan Zhao, if his Crane Soaring to the Sky does not retract, I will never be able to escape his control.” 

The leader of the Iron-Blooded Guards furrowed his brow deeply and asked, “So how long must you endure being under his control?” 

Zhong Xiong smiled. 

The wind blew, causing his clothes to flutter, and he slowly said, word by word, “I won’t have to wait long!” 

His words were suddenly interrupted by Mo Dao’s shrill voice. 

“Chief Zhong, even if you are restrained by the Crane Soaring to the Sky, how can your subordinates stand by and watch? If the Prince’s grand plans are ruined and this Zhan escapes, how will you explain it to the Prince?” 

This proud Daoist, though unwilling to lower his voice, could no longer help but call for help. 

Upon hearing this, the leader of the Iron-Blooded Guards was filled with anger. He glanced at Zhong Xiong but dared not express it in front of his master. The words he had just prepared to say were swallowed back down. 

The Iron-Blooded Guards behind him had already gripped their swords tightly, the sound of blades clashing echoing in an instant. 

—How could they not be furious? This elder of the Asura Sect was ignorant of the situation. The Iron-Blooded Guards had followed Zhong Xiong for a long time, seasoned warriors who had seen countless battles. How could they allow an ugly and strange Daoist to scold their highly respected master?

Zhong Xiong stood there as if he had not heard Mo Dao’s words. 

Under the sunlight, his face wore an expression of calm leisure, as if it were not he who was restrained by Zhan Zhao. He spoke in a deep, melodious voice, “The Iron-Blooded Guards of Junshan, listen up: The Junshan forces have always been the vanguard under the Prince’s command. The Junshan decree includes a clause against the indiscriminate killing of innocents, which is for the sake of the Prince’s grand cause. Moreover, without the Prince’s gold medal, not to mention the Prince’s guards, even the commander Shao of the Jinshi Hall has no authority to command the people of Junshan. The Iron-Blooded Guards of Junshan naturally cannot interfere with the actions of the Prince’s guards!”

Behind him, the Iron-Blooded Guards responded with a thunderous “Understood!” In an instant, even the rushing river and the cries of the old and young were silenced. 

Mo Dao’s face turned to stone. The fire seemed to burn in his eyes. 

After a moment of silence, he finally spoke. He spoke slowly, for every word he uttered had to be accountable to himself and understood by himself. 

—“So, Chief, you are determined to stand by and watch the skills of the Jinshi Hall?” 

Zhong Xiong seemed not to notice the Daoist, who had grown bearded and was usually taciturn. His eyes gazed at the rushing river in the distance, his voice laced with disdain and contempt. It was as if he had not answered Mo Dao’s question, but rather continued his unfinished thought, slowly adding, “Moreover, I have been restrained by Zhan Zhao’s Crane Soaring to the Sky. You are thus forced to comply with him, but before the Prince, I have my own opinions.” 

The Iron-Blooded Guards behind him responded with another loud “Respect the order!” 

Amidst the clash of swords and blades, Zhan Zhao’s gaze became peculiar. In an instant, it seemed as if the two locked eyes, only to quickly look away! 

—Why would these recently engaged enemies so openly abandon the opportunity to flank him? 

—Did he truly fear Zhan Zhao’s Crane Soaring to the Sky? 

—If he were to forcefully attack, would Zhan Zhao be able to kill him? 

—In that fleeting moment of eye contact, was there a mutual understanding and admiration between heroes? 

How many hearts in this world could truly be understood?

(Part Nine)

Three people had already escaped from danger. Their hearts were still racing when they heard Zhan Zhao’s voice, tinged with urgency. “Why are you still here? You need to leave!”

As he spoke the last word, his voice fell behind him! 

He had already reached Mo Dao. With a swift motion, he separated his hands, freeing the long sword that had been wrapped in the flag! 

As he leaped into the air, the flowing sword light flashed like a rainbow, and the changes in his swordplay were so rapid that they left no room for hesitation. His right hand wielded the sword skillfully, entangling Mo Dao and the guards of the Xiangyang Prince’s residence tightly, while his left hand wielded the long flag, probing into the Eye Charm formation time and again!

Zhong Xiong’s eyes reflected the intertwining sword energy, revealing a hint of excitement. 

Amid the flickering shadows, another elderly woman flew out of the Eye Charm formation. Although her landing was loud, she was unharmed. 

Only then did Zhong Xiong realize that the child, the woman, and the old man beside him had not moved to leave. 

The child and the woman exchanged glances and shook their heads. Perhaps in their hearts, they truly wished to rely on each other and escape this perilous place. Yet their eyes remained fixed on the old man on the ground.

—The old man seemed to have been heavily injured; he struggled but could not rise. 

They were simply too weak and unable to help the injured elder. 

They were waiting! 

Waiting for the old man to be able to stand up. 

Zhong Xiong looked at the ragged child and sighed. 

“If I were you, I would leave here as soon as possible.” 

The child looked at him timidly, unable to discern whether this person was friend or foe. 

—His smile was kind, his demeanor imposing, and though his voice was low, it was pleasant to hear. 

These were enough to disarm a child’s defenses. 

The child whispered, “I can’t leave.” 

Zhong Xiong asked, “Why can’t you leave?” 

The child replied, “Because my mother and sister haven’t come out yet. Grandpa has fallen here. Our families have lived in this town for generations; we must stay together.” 

His words carried a sense of determination as if this small child had already matured through the upheavals of life. 

Zhong Xiong asked, “Aren’t you afraid that your mother and sister might never come out?” 

The child responded, “They will come out. That young man in black will surely save them!” 

His voice brimmed with confidence. 

Zhong Xiong shook his head. “You don’t even know who that young man in black is. How can you be sure he will save them?” 

The child tilted his head, thought for a moment, and earnestly said, “Because he is a good person!” 

The innocent words of the child warmed Zhong Xiong’s heart. Deep within him, a long-hidden impulse surged, threatening to break through his rationality and mind. 

This soaring impulse felt both strange and familiar, leaving him momentarily speechless. 

However, his thoughts did not linger long, as he was drawn back to the battle before him. The moment he saw the myriad of sword shadows, his rationality regained the upper hand. 

When two more people joined the child, a sharp “crack” sounded as Zhan Zhao’s flagpole broke again! 

This ordinary flagpole, while able to block Mo Dao and the guards of the Xiangyang Prince’s swords, could not withstand the pressure of internal energy. 

Zhan Zhao seemed to have anticipated this break; with a flick of his hand, a gust of wind swept by, and another flagpole leaped into his grasp. 

The leader of the Iron-Blooded Guards beside Zhong Xiong observed Zhan Zhao’s figure and said in a deep voice, “This is the last flagpole.” 

Zhong Xiong pondered, “If this one breaks too, I truly cannot imagine how those trapped in the formation will escape. Mo Dao’s strategy is designed to win without losing!” 

The leader of the Iron-Blooded Guards asked, “What does the master mean by this?” 

Zhong Xiong replied, “The brilliance of this strategy lies in its design specifically for people like Zhan Zhao. He values the lives of the common people more than his own. If he wishes to cross this West Bridge ferry, he must pass through the Eye Charm formation. The familiarity he carries will trigger the poison within the Eye Charm formation. No one trapped inside will survive. If he retreats from the West Bridge ferry, not to mention the reinforcements that will soon arrive, even Mo Dao can use the civilians trapped in the Eye Charm formation to threaten him. This strategy is indeed a clever one.” 

The leader of the Iron-Blooded Guards said, “But Mo Dao did not anticipate that Zhan Zhao would use this method to break his Eye Charm. Once those trapped in the formation are completely out of Mo Dao’s control, Zhan Zhao will still be able to use the Crane Soaring to the Sky to cross the ferry. At that point, it would be like releasing a tiger back into the mountains.” 

Zhong Xiong slowly replied, “I believe Mo Dao has already considered this.” 

A strange expression appeared in his eyes. “So if Zhan Zhao wants to save everyone from the formation, this last flagpole cannot break again.” 

Suddenly, he was interrupted by a childish voice nearby: “Mom, Mom, Grandpa, and the others are leaving! You should hurry and come too. If that uncle in black can’t hold on, that big bad guy will come back soon!” 

Beside the little girl stood a woman, her eyes still anxiously fixed ahead as she casually replied, “You go with your grandpa first. I’ll wait for Xiao Mao to come out.” 

Zhong Xiong looked over and realized that amidst the chaos, only one person remained in the Eye Charm formation—a child who was so frightened he could not speak! 

Zhan Zhao let out a long laugh, the flag soaring and swirling as his right hand wielded the long sword, once again forcing Mo Dao back. With a lift of his left hand, he used the momentum to leap into the air. 

Their figures intertwined! 

The child was swept up by the flag and flew toward the edge of the Eye Charm formation. 

In that instant, a sudden flash of golden light erupted, and the Apricot Blossom Rain’s brilliance shot straight toward the child. The child, already airborne, had no way to evade. His mother could not suppress a gasp of shock!

At that critical moment, the flagpole suddenly shattered! In the blink of an eye, the slender flagpole transformed into dozens of fragments of varying lengths. The sudden loss of force caused the child to plummet toward the ground, but this unexpected fall allowed him to evade the oncoming Apricot Blossom Rain.

That was the last flag! 

By destroying this flag, he saved the child. This final flag ultimately saved the last person. 

What remained was only the sword in Zhan Zhao’s hand—the radiant Autumn Water Sword. 

Just as he was about to rush forward to catch the falling child, a powerful gust of wind rushed toward him! 

There was no warning, no indication. 

A relentless barrage of silver needles, like a torrential rain, poured down endlessly. 

Zhan Zhao’s long sword surged upward, the sword light flaring, scattering the countless silver needles. 

Yet these silver needles seemed inexhaustible, weaving together into a curtain of light that enveloped him. 

In an instant, this curtain of light swallowed Zhan Zhao’s figure!

Zhong Xiong’s face drained of color. After a moment, a coldness surged in his eyes. “Indeed, it is the Asura Sect’s Rain of Pear Blossom Needles. Only the Rain of Pear Blossom Needles can force anyone in the world to be unable to fight back.” 

The leader of the Iron-Blooded Guards said, “I’ve heard that once the Rain of Pear Blossom is fired, no one in the world can evade it.” 

Zhong Xiong replied, “That’s right. The Apricot Blossom Rain may be swift, but after it is fired, you can still dodge it again. The Rain of Pear Blossom, however, leaves no one able to escape.” 

The leader of the Iron-Blooded Guards asked, “What I don’t understand is, if the Rain of Pear Blossom cannot be evaded, how could Zhan Zhao avoid it? Is his martial arts truly that extraordinary?” 

Zhong Xiong said, “That’s because he was already alert before the hidden weapons were launched, and at that time, Mo Dao was still some distance away from him.” 

The leader of the Iron-Blooded Guards said, “But I saw that when the Rain of Pear Blossom was fired, there was no warning at all.” 

Zhong Xiong’s eyes filled with admiration. He slowly replied, “You are correct. The firing of the Rain of Pear Blossom indeed has no warning, but Zhan Zhao has already witnessed Mo Dao’s attacks!” 

—The first time was in the Celestial Tower. 

—The second time was during the Apricot Blossom Rain. 

Zhong Xiong said leisurely, “For him, these two instances are already sufficient!” 

His words were interspersed with the sound of rapid, explosive clashes, the dragon’s roar of sword energy. 

The Rain of Pear Blossom not only far surpassed the Apricot Blossom Rain in power, but due to its exquisite craftsmanship, the poisonous hidden weapons were not fired all at once; they could be launched continuously, unceasingly. 

The splattering silver needles vanished upon hitting the ground. 

The Iron-Blooded Guards were astonished. “Such a small silver needle can easily pierce the ground! If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed it.” 

Zhong Xiong said, “It is precisely because of its speed that its power is incredibly fierce. Even though Zhan Zhao wields a sword that can cut through iron like mud, he cannot seize the initiative under the Rain of Pear Blossom.” 

The leader of the Iron-Blooded Guards asked, “Could it be that only when the silver needles in this mechanism are exhausted can one escape their control?” 

Zhong Xiong replied, “By that time, it would likely be too late.” 

Zhan Zhao’s forehead was already beaded with sweat. 

He understood Mo Dao’s intentions. 

His subordinates unleashed a continuous barrage of hidden weapons, even resorting to the Asura Sect’s treasure, the Rain of Pear Blossom needles, to entangle him, leaving him unable to care for others. 

Under the pressure of the Rain of Pear Blossom needles, his swordplay could no longer account for other enemies. 

—The guards of the Xiangyang Prince’s residence beside the Daoist in green had vanished. 

—Relying on Mo Dao’s Rain of Pear Blossom, they had finally escaped the range of his swordplay. 

Their destination was the people behind him—those he had just rescued from the Eye Charm formation! 

Mo Dao shouted fiercely, “Kill!” 

The glint of blades flashed, and blood splattered. 

The old man closest to the advancing guards groaned and fell. The trembling and screaming people, upon seeing the blood, could not even cry out for help. 

Zhan Zhao bit his lip until it bled. He no longer had the flag he had relied on, nor any tools to launch hidden weapons to stop the slaughter. 

Everything was too late. 

With a roar of fury, he retreated swiftly. Without looking back, he raised his sword, the sword energy soaring, its brilliance so bright that even the sun seemed to lose its color. 

The last cluster of Rain of Pear Blossom needles had been exhausted. His movements were even faster than the Rain of Pear Blossom! 

Once again, blood splattered. 

The flowing sword energy suddenly coalesced into a beam of sword light, and amidst the chaotic dance, the guards attacking the townsfolk began to fall one by one.

(Part Ten)

The blood had run dry. 

The tears had dried. 

Those who had escaped from danger remained in shock, unable to break free from the nightmare before them. 

Perhaps among these kind yet weak people, this day’s nightmare would haunt them for the rest of their lives, day and night. 

Yet Zhan Zhao felt not a shred of joy in his heart. 

At that moment, a woman’s piercing scream shattered the silence; it was no longer a human voice but a hoarse wail that sounded like a cry from hell. 

—“My child! Let go of my child!” 

A disheveled woman had crawled out from the circle behind him, a girl tugging at her clothes, unleashing a heart-wrenching cry: “Mom! Mom! Little Mao! Little Mao!”

This tragic wail sent chills even through the iron nerves of the Iron-Blooded Guards. 

The girl’s voice had turned hoarse: “Mom, Mom! Don’t leave Rongrong behind! Don’t leave Rongrong!” 

Fear had caused her to grip her mother’s clothing tightly, tears streaming down her dirty face. 

The silent crowd had already embraced the frenzied mother, but while they could prevent her from lunging at Mo Dao, they could not stop her desperate struggles and anguished cries. 

Zhan Zhao’s heart turned cold; he felt as if he had frozen. 

He didn’t need to look back to know that the last child to leave the Eye Charm formation had fallen into the hands of the Daoist in green! 

—Was the child so frightened that he had gone mute, not even crying out? 

Mo Dao’s voice finally returned to its original tone. 

“Before your long sword can pierce my heart, my Five Poisons Asura Palm will be unleashed. Do you want to give it a try?” 

The veins in Zhan Zhao’s hand tightened around the sword. His teeth were clenched tightly. 

Was he afraid to look back? Was he afraid that if he turned around, that poor child would become a corpse? 

The mother’s voice had become hoarse, repeating her desperate pleas: “Daoist, I beg you, let my little Mao go! I will serve you like a beast, I will worship your longevity tablet—We have no grievances with your army, I beg you to show mercy and spare my little Mao.” 

Zhan Zhao remained silent. 

It seemed he let out a breath. His entire body felt momentarily relaxed. 

Finally, he turned around to face it all. 

His sword was held coldly in his hand, 

This legendary weapon seemed to have been silent since ancient times. 

—His Crane Soaring to the Sky had only one move left. 

Mo Dao’s voice remained calm: “If you take one more step, this child’s family will never see him again!” 

No one doubted his words. 

This strange Daoist had always been responsible for what he said. 

—Was this the reason he spoke so little? 

The woman cried out, “I beg you, let my child go! I beg you. Save my child!” The last part of her plea was directed at Zhan Zhao. Any straw that could save a life had become more precious than gold at this moment.

At that moment, the child in Mo Dao’s grasp finally heard his mother’s voice and let out a loud cry, filled with endless fear, his voice quickly turning hoarse and intermittent! 

Zhan Zhao still stood there, his hand gripping his sword. 

Under the sunlight, the surroundings had fallen into a deathly silence. Aside from the mother’s desperate wails and the whimpers of the terrified child in Mo Dao’s hands, he could even hear the sound of the river. 

The rushing water had become so muffled. Could it be that even the river seemed to have quieted down? 

This was the West Bridge ferry. The opposite bank was the end of their escape. 

—He was just one step away from reaching the other side. Once he reached the other side, Zhong Xiong and Mo Dao would no longer be able to catch up with him. 

Standing at a distance, Zhong Xiong sighed, “Your Crane Soaring to the Sky has reached its final move. If you use this move in conjunction with the Cloud Ascending Step, you can still cross the ferry. But that child will not see tomorrow’s sun alive.” 

He looked at Zhan Zhao and continued, “If you use this move to save the child, you will never be able to cross this ferry again.” 

He said slowly, “Once the power of Crane Soaring to the Sky is exhausted, even I do not know what consequences this legendary move will bring to its user.” 

A faint smile finally appeared at the corner of Zhan Zhao’s mouth. 

Though his face still bore the marks of pallor and exhaustion, the sunlight reflected off his smile, giving him an air of proud defiance. 

His voice remained calm and devoid of emotion: “I appreciate Chief Zhong’s concern.” 

His eyes, like dark stars, instantly became as resolute as ever. 

—If you were him, what kind of decision would you make? 

Zhong Xiong’s eyes darkened with unspoken sorrow. He already understood what kind of decision this was. 

Mo Dao suddenly felt a surge of heat; a flash of icy sword light dazzled before him, so brilliant it was blinding. 

Zhan Zhao finally unleashed that final move, Blood Double Flying! 

—The last move of Crane Soaring to the Sky, Blood Double Flying. 

Upon seeing this move, Zhong Xiong suddenly found it hard to breathe; his face lost all color. 

What a move, Blood Double Flying, Crane Soaring to the Sky! As this move was executed, the sky darkened, losing its color, and the bright heavens seemed to turn into a blood-red dusk. 

This move seemed to have drained the brilliance of heaven and earth. 

This move seemed to transcend the realms of man and heaven, a fleeting moment, an eternity! 

In that instant, Mo Dao’s eyes suddenly went blind. His heart raced so fast he could hardly breathe! 

The speed of this move surpassed anyone’s imagination. 

An overwhelming pressure surged forth like a tidal wave, crushing his heart, not his body. 

—Anyone who had witnessed this move, even if they were fortunate enough to survive, would have their hearts crushed! 

Mo Dao’s hand involuntarily loosened. Under the pressure of heaven and earth, the true energy filled with the Five Poisons of the Asura Sect could no longer be summoned. His poisonous palm could no longer be unleashed! 

This overwhelming force seemed to want to crush him to pieces. 

Yet he was experienced enough to think quickly and leaped back. 

With a “thud,” he felt a soft spot in his chest; he had been struck by a sword. 

The child in his hands was now in Zhan Zhao’s grasp! 

This shocking moment, like a flash of lightning, seemed to last for an eternity. 

Only after a long time did the overly frightened mother rush forward, tightly embracing her child. Her cries echoed in the wind. 

Mo Dao suddenly began to cough. 

His heart was filled with indescribable fear and endless desolation. 

Zhan Zhao’s long sword was at Mo Dao’s neck. 

—Why had he not died? 

—Why had Zhan Zhao not thrust the sword down? 

Mo Dao’s triangular eyes rolled. This taciturn Daoist, who had spoken so much just moments ago, was now silent. 

The icy sharpness of the “Zhan Lu” sword seemed to have penetrated his entire being, even his neck felt stiff. 

His face appeared as pale as a corpse. 

—Even if his body had not died, had his heart already perished? 

Zhong Xiong finally let out a breath. “What a move, ‘Blood Double Flying, Crane Soaring to the Sky’! But for the sake of this child, I truly feel it is not worth it for you.” 

A hint of loneliness and pain appeared at the corners of his eyes. 

—He was now free to act; he was no longer under Zhan Zhao’s control. This Crane Soaring to the Sky had finally reached its end, yet why did he feel loneliness and pain? 

One of the Iron-Blooded Guards behind him could no longer contain himself: “Master, Mo Dao has fallen into his hands! Why don’t you order us to rescue him?” 

Zhong Xiong gently shook his head and replied, “Because Mo Dao does not need my help.” 

The Iron-Blooded Guard asked, “Why is that? That Zhan has lost his Crane Soaring to the Sky. If it weren’t for his sword restraining Mo Dao’s vital points—” 

Zhong Xiong interrupted him: “Because I am waiting, and Mo Dao is also waiting.” 

“Waiting for what?” 

Zhong Xiong replied, word by word, “Noon.” 

“Noon?” 

Zhong Xiong’s eyes were fixed on Zhan Zhao as he said, “This I know, and you know it too, don’t you?” 

Zhan Zhao, standing beside Mo Dao, remained silent. 

Zhong Xiong finally nodded slowly. 

—“Good, I admire you greatly! To this day, you can still smile.” 

Mo Dao finally realized that the person beside him was smiling. 

Zhong Xiong looked up at the sun, hands clasped behind his back, and slowly said, “Alright, you know, I know, ten, nine, eight, seven—” he counted down slowly. 

Just as he reached three, Mo Dao felt the long sword pressed against his throat tremble, suddenly shifting away from the vital spot. 

He quickly turned and dodged, escaping the control of the person beside him. 

As the wind blew, he realized that his back was drenched in sweat. He could hardly breathe! 

—He did not understand why, even though he knew that was Zhan Zhao’s final move, he still dared not act, why he had to wait for the “familiarity at first sight” to take effect. 

—As an elder of the Asura Sect, high and mighty, how could he be so intimidated by the presence of this person that he dared not move? 

Zhong Xiong looked at Zhan Zhao with a hint of pity in his eyes: “You risked the last move of Crane Soaring to the Sky to save this child. Having lost your final technique, how can you escape? Have you ever thought about whether this is worth it? Will you regret it in the future?” 

—Zhan Zhao had once asked him similar questions. 

In that barn, when he had restrained him, he had asked him. 

At that time, he had not dared to answer. 

—Did he know that if he answered, he would surely regret it? 

—Did he have too heavy a burden in his heart, too many concerns, too deep an ambition? 

—Did he know that everything he had done lacked true righteousness, a reason that could genuinely win people’s hearts? 

Zhan Zhao smiled and said, “Since I have used this move, it is always worth it. Once I have used this move, I will not regret it.” 

His words, however, remained unfinished. 

A surge of true energy rushed forth at lightning speed. 

The bright sun suddenly seemed to transform into a one-eyed demon king. 

The sun was directly overhead. 

The intense sunlight was blinding, as if it were hellfire, unleashing the madness and passion accumulated over countless lifetimes in this moment, this day, this hour, without reservation.

Before his eyes was a blinding white light. 

The muscles in his face suddenly tensed and then relaxed. 

Yet he could no longer see. 

He finally collapsed. 

—He had failed just as he was closest to success! 

He seemed to still see the Iron-Blooded Guards behind Zhong Xiong stepping forward, swords drawn, ready to pierce his vital points. 

The coldness of the sword and the chill of the blade felt like a pain occurring in another world. Yet even these Iron-Blooded Guards could see that their actions were utterly unnecessary. At this moment, even a child could easily extend a finger and kill him effortlessly.

But as they looked at him, their eyes held both fear and respect. 

—What could earn the respect of the Iron-Blooded Guards of Junshan, besides Zhong Xiong, and the Prince of Xiangyang, who was currently stationed in Xiangyang? It seemed there were few others in the world. 

Zhong Xiong watched him fall and murmured, “Blood Double Flying, Crane Soaring to the Sky, truly an unparalleled martial art.” He remained immersed in the shock of that last move. What kind of technique was this?

Blood Double Flying, Crane Soaring to the Sky—did it not capture the beauty of soaring high in the sky, chasing the blazing sun? 

—This was a move beyond the realm of mortals, a technique from another world, perhaps having drained all the spirit and legends of heaven and earth, exhausting all beauty and souls from ancient times to the present. 

Yet every beauty and soul comes at a price. 

—Was the price of this Crane Soaring to the Sky life itself? 

—Had he drained his own life? 

Zhan Zhao’s face turned ashen in an instant, pale as a corpse. 

His cracked and pale lips bled. Yet this blood was no longer bright red; amidst the endless crimson, it was mixed with a dark, murky hue. The silence of black, the black of death.

The blood seemed to have run dry. 

Was the end of blood not the end of life? 

—Was it the end of every ounce of strength, every breath, every drop of life? 

His eyes remained open, but the brightness that once shone like night stars had vanished. 

Was the end of light not the end of spirit? 

—Was it the end of every love, every responsibility, every selfless devotion? 

He heard the sound of his sword clattering to the ground. 

—Why did it sound like a deafening crash? 

The thunderous sound echoed like the unbearable lightness of life as if a light thunder had once rumbled, a butterfly had once flown by. 

The sword slipped silently from his hand, just like his life, quietly fading from his body. 

Suddenly, he felt as if the sun above him had extinguished. 

At that moment, time froze its ancient face, tolling the evening bell as it passed by the West Bridge ferry. 

In another world, a lament arose a relentless march. 

As Zhan Zhao fell, the wind seemed to carry a light sigh of lament. This gentle sigh felt like a hammer shattering a heart, striking the lonely and regretful heart in the mundane world, and the fleeting dream. 

When this soft, mournful wind rose, far away on the shores of Songjiang Prefecture, on Feihua Island, in the Jasmine Manor, Ding Yuehua, lazily leaning against the flower rack, suddenly felt a wave of panic. In her daze, the embroidery needle pricked her finger, and a drop of faint blood stained the white satin stretched on the embroidery frame.

—On the white satin, he had originally embroidered his handsome face and bright eyes. At this moment, this drop of blood fell upon those eyes, appearing like the tears of a distant lover.