"That kid, just by changing his name and wearing a mask, acts like a completely different person? Challenging Wushuang is one thing, but how did he end up crippling their old city lord?" Su Changhe lay basking in the sun in the courtyard. After listening to Su Changfeng's report, he narrowed his eyes, though his tone didn't sound particularly surprised.
Su Changfeng nodded. "Indeed. The family head has always disliked drawing attention, yet now the entire world is talking about Zhuo Yuean, the young master of Swordless City. However..."
"However what?" Su Changhe asked.
Su Changfeng hesitated before continuing, "However, at the last moment, the family head used the Eighteen Sword Formation. Back when he helped various sects resist the eastern invasion of the demonic cult, he once displayed this formation in public. Because of this, some are whispering that Zhuo Yuean, the young master of Swordless City, might actually be the Dark River's Puppet. But since this speculation is so absurd, most people don't dare believe it."
"An assassin who moves in darkness to take lives without a sound suddenly walks openly under the sun, challenging once-glorious sects of the martial world—it sounds like a fairy tale," Su Changhe yawned. "Well, since the job's done, he should be coming back... Wait, no. He probably turned straight back to Nan'an."
Su Changfeng shook his head. "No. The family head has already challenged Song Yanhui, the city lord of Peerless City, to a duel on the back mountain of Peerless City."
"Huh?" Su Changhe opened his eyes wide. "Su Muyu has lost his mind!"
"The city lord of Peerless City won't be an easy opponent. The family head must truly be feeling competitive this time," Su Changfeng replied.
"No, that's not what I mean. What kind of nobody is Song Yanhui that he's worth waiting for? We've seen his skills back when we fought the demonic cult together. If he has time to challenge him, he might as well go to Snow Moon City and teach that bratty girl a lesson." Su Changhe spoke with clear disdain.
"Uh..." Su Changfeng didn't know how to respond.
"When is the duel with Song Yanhui?" Su Changhe suddenly asked.
Su Changfeng thought for a moment. "By my estimate, it should be in four days."
"Got it." Su Changhe waved his hand. "You may leave. If anyone comes looking for me these next few days, tell them I'm in seclusion training."
"Understood." Su Changfeng withdrew.
Su Changhe twirled a dagger in his hand and murmured, "Maybe you should just stay in the martial world as a swordsman. No need to come back."
"'Sword Challenge to Unrivaled'? Might as well challenge Snow Moon instead." In the Donggui Tavern of Snow Moon City, a man with disheveled hair downed a cup of wine and chuckled. "That girl Han Yi has been complaining about not getting to fight him—she's been itching for it."
"You love stirring trouble. If they fight and wreck the flowers and plants in Snow Moon City, who do you think will have to pay for it?" Sikong Changfeng snatched the wine jug from the table. "Why did you suddenly come back?""After wandering outside for so long, one must always return home for a visit. You've managed Snow Moon City quite well. Who would have thought a drifter like you, who roamed the world since childhood, could run this place so orderly." The man was naturally Baili Dongjun, the legendary Great City Lord of Snow Moon City. Though he held the title, he rarely stayed in the city. Whenever he returned, he’d spout such mocking words that they made Sikong Changfeng grit his teeth in frustration.
"Get out, get out!" Sikong Changfeng said impatiently. "Fine, brew thirty jars of wine first, then get lost!"
"Hahaha, how about a trip to Peerless City?" Baili Dongjun suddenly suggested. "To watch a good show?"
Sikong Changfeng paused, then shook his head. "I'm no Sword Immortal. What’s the point of watching other swordsmen fight? Though this sudden Sword Challenge to Unrivaled by Su Muyu did remind me of something from before."
"Oh? What is it?" Baili Dongjun asked.
"Su Muyu sent Su Zhe from the Su Family to ask me about the Shadow Sect in Heaven Revelation City. Not long after, the Shadow Sect was wiped out in a great fire. Now Su Muyu suddenly appears in Peerless City—could it be that after destroying the Shadow Sect, he plans to do the same to Peerless City?" Sikong Changfeng said slowly.
Baili Dongjun shook his head. "You don’t know? Dark River has already undergone a great upheaval."
"I don’t know? This time, I got the news even before the Spider Web’s spies did," Sikong Changfeng retorted. "Su Zhe of Dark River told me himself."
"Alright, I thought I’d be the first this time. Earlier, while I was savoring the aged vintage 'Drunken Spring Breeze' in Nine Heavens City, I happened to witness Dark River’s people fighting fiercely in the city. In the end, Su Changhe became The Head, and Su Muyu became the Su Family’s leader." Baili Dongjun took a sip of wine and raised an eyebrow at Sikong Changfeng.
Sikong Changfeng was stunned. "So, the worst of them all has become Dark River’s leader. Dongjun, this isn’t good news. We should find a way to wipe out Dark River—after all, they once wanted to kill us too."
Baili Dongjun scratched his head. "So the secret to your excellent management of Snow Moon City is just being straightforward?"
"Exactly." Sikong Changfeng took it as praise. "If they don’t submit, beat them down. Crush the threat in its cradle!"
"I’d rather place some faith in Su Muyu," Baili Dongjun said with a laugh. "I’ve met him many times, and on several occasions, he nearly killed me. But he’s different. I wonder—if Swordless City hadn’t been annihilated back then, could he have enrolled in the academy, maybe even become our senior brother?"
"Some things have no 'what ifs.' The reality is he joined Dark River and became the Umbrella Ghost," Sikong Changfeng reminded him.
Baili Dongjun waved a hand. "Yet he still fought alongside us, still stood with his sword beneath Peerless City, proving his Sword Way for his father’s sake. He is a swordsman—or perhaps a knight-errant. I respect him and wish to share a drink with him."
Sikong Changfeng sighed. "I was just speaking offhand. It’s not like I even know where Dark River is..."
"Hahaha, by the way, where’s Han Yi? Your senior brother is here, and she doesn’t even come out to greet me. Call her over for a drink," Baili Dongjun said.
Sikong Changfeng shrugged. "She’s already left.""She left? She was willing to leave Cang Mountain—where did she go?" Baili Dongjun asked in confusion.
"I just told you, I'm not a swordsman... but Han Yi is," Sikong Changfeng said helplessly, spreading his hands. "She went to Peerless City."
Baili Dongjun lightly smacked the table. "That brat, running off to watch the excitement by herself!"
"Don’t tell me you don’t want to go too?" Sikong Changfeng mocked.
"Forget it, forget it, I won’t go." Baili Dongjun yawned. "Wouldn’t a fight between you and me here be more entertaining than whatever they’re doing?"
"Get lost, get lost, get lost!" Sikong Changfeng kicked him over.
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