Blood River

The bamboo rustles, foretelling the rain; the mountains darken, already echoing with thunder.

...

Dark River.

Starfall Pavilion.

Su Changhe gently brushed the dust off his clothes and looked down at Su Luandan lying on the ground. "Did you think you were strong?"

Su Luandan, clutching the wound on his chest, grinned through the pain. "I know you're stronger than me. But I was never born to be second. And now, in Dark River, I'm not even Su Muyu's equal. Of course, I had to fight back."

"Fool. What makes you think you could ever stand above Su Muyu?" Su Changhe bent down slightly. "You are strong, yes. But you can only blame the heavens for their unfairness. In this generation of the Su Family, there's me, there's Su Muyu. You'll forever be left staring at our backs."

"You were never even part of the Su Family to begin with!" Su Luandan roared.

"Silence!" Su Changhe's brow furrowed as his dagger shot out, piercing Su Luandan's palm and pinning him to the ground. "I had no intention of killing you, but those words make me want to. You were once one of the most important members of The Other Shore. Here, there are no divisions between the three families."

Su Luandan sneered. "Do you really think these people joined The Other Shore because of your laughable ideals? They simply saw it as a chance to overthrow the old masters who've held Dark River's rules for too long. The Other Shore gave them that opportunity."

"Brother, you've strayed too far." Su Changhe swung his blade once more, this time slicing through Su Luandan's throat. "You'll never reach The Other Shore now."

Su Changfeng, covered in blood, appeared behind Su Changhe. "Head, the rebellion has been quelled. Most of Su Luandan's followers chose to surrender. The rest who refused... have all been executed."

"Kill them all," Su Changhe murmured indifferently.

Su Changfeng hesitated. "All... all of them?"

Su Changhe chuckled. "Never mind. Su Muyu would scold me if he found out. Have Yumo plant the Tian Shang Blood in them. Let them suffer in the Bitter Prison for half a year. Then, give them a chance to atone through service."

"As you command!" Su Changfeng replied.

"I'm tired." Su Changhe waved his hand dismissively, and Su Changfeng dragged Su Luandan's corpse away. Su Changhe then ascended to the high platform and sat upon the pitch-black stone throne—the seat reserved solely for the Head of Dark River. Despite having held the title for so long, this was the first time he had taken his place upon it. He lowered his gaze slightly, surveying the vast, empty hall below. White funeral banners fluttered eerily in the dim light, casting an ominous atmosphere.

How dull...

Su Changhe sighed inwardly, feeling a pang of nostalgia for Nan'an City.

Perhaps letting Su Luandan become the so-called master of Dark River wouldn't have been so bad. If he wanted to roam the martial world freely, why not let him? A pity. He'd been too angry earlier, struck too hard—there was no saving him now. Su Changhe yawned, suddenly overwhelmed by exhaustion, and leaned back against the stone throne, drifting into sleep.

Jing'an City.In a secluded old house, a black-robed figure tossed a bundle of medicinal herbs onto the ground before removing his bamboo hat, revealing a pale face with a sinister aura between his brows—none other than Ye Ya, the traitor of Medicine King Valley. After being forced to flee Nan'an City that day, he had traveled north until finally settling in this quiet Jing'an City. He walked to the water vat in the courtyard and scooped a bowl of water when suddenly the inner door creaked open. Startled, Ye Ya dropped the porcelain bowl and drew the short sword at his waist.

"Who's there?" Ye Ya growled.

"Ah, Master Ye Ya. I've been waiting for you for quite some time," came a rather youthful voice. A lavishly dressed youth stepped out, clad in purple boots with an innate noble air, utterly composed despite Ye Ya's drawn blade. His calm likely stemmed from the two masked guards flanking him—Ye Ya could tell at a glance that either of them far surpassed him in martial skill.

Ye Ya retreated three steps. "I don't know you."

"Naturally, since this is the first time in my life I've left Heaven Revelation City," the youth replied with a smile.

Ye Ya frowned. "What do you want with me?"

"My master here has been stationed in Nan'an City, originally to observe those two Dark River assassins from afar. Unexpectedly, he witnessed your confrontation with them. The name 'Ghost Doctor Night Crow' is not unfamiliar to me. I wish to invite you to my residence," the youth said, maintaining a courteous smile. "There, no one will disturb your pursuit of medical arts. I can also provide any assistance you require."

Ye Ya sneered. "Bold words. What status do you hold to make such promises?"

"My surname is Xiao," the youth replied. "I am Xiao Yu, seventh among the imperial princes. Do you think such promises are beyond me?"

Ye Ya tightened his grip on the sword, showing no trace of delight. "A prince? So you seek the Art of the Medicine Man to claim the throne?"

"Perhaps. But more likely," Xiao Yu's brows lifted slightly, "after hearing your story, I believe you and I are the same kind of people."

Nan'an City.

Su Muyu, with his ever-present oil-paper umbrella strapped to his back and a longsword at his waist, led his horse to the city gates where Bai Hehuai and two others had come to see him off. He bowed his head. "This is far enough. I won't be gone long—I'll return soon."

Bai Hehuai raised a hand, and Xiao Chaoyan immediately presented an ornate box. Opening it revealed an elegant, slender sword with a hilt shaped like feathers, adorned with a ruby—a striking piece. Bai Hehuai drew the sword and handed it to Su Muyu.

Su Muyu accepted it, momentarily stunned. "This is..."

"Commissioned from the Famous Sword Manor. How could you challenge Peerless City with some cheap iron sword bought off the streets? This blade is named 'Crane Feather'—the crane of Bai He, the feather of my name. Win your fame at Peerless City with it, and consider it my fame too," Bai Hehuai said softly.

"This must have been expensive..." Su Muyu blurted out.Bai Hehuai widened her eyes: "Of course! It's all the silver our Medicine Manor earned in three months!"

"If you say it's expensive, then it must be filled with sincerity!" Su Muyu replaced the ordinary iron sword at his waist with the Crane Feather Sword, then mounted his horse and gave the reins a fierce crack. "I won't fail the mission!"

Bai Hehuai watched his retreating figure with a smile. "Who knew he could be so unrestrained?"