Mount Qingcheng.
At the mountain gate.
The cloaked figure gently tugged the reins, bringing his horse to a halt.
An elderly white-haired Daoist sat with his back to him, a jug of wine placed on the stone bench beside him, exuding a faint aroma of peach blossoms.
"Patriarch Lü," the cloaked figure quickly dismounted and bowed.
"What brings the Hall of Know-All to my Mount Qingcheng for no reason?" the old Daoist said indifferently.
The cloaked figure replied at once, "We do not come without purpose. Our Hall Master has a matter he wishes to convey to the Taoist Sword Immortal."
"Mount Qingcheng has no Taoist Sword Immortal, only cultivators of the Dao. What your Hall Master knows is nothing beyond worldly affairs." The old Daoist lightly flicked his horsetail whisk, sending dust swirling into the air beside him.
"Patriarch Lü!" the cloaked figure exclaimed in alarm, his hand instinctively gripping the long blade at his waist.
"Master." A hand gently pressed down on the old Daoist's whisk before taking the jug of peach blossom wine from the stone bench. The cloaked figure looked up to see a handsome and elegant man in purple Daoist robes tilt his head back and drain the jug in one go. Then the man smiled warmly at him and said in a gentle voice, "Our honored guest has come from afar. What news do you bring?"
The cloaked figure immediately realized—this was Zhao Yuzhen, the Taoist Sword Immortal, one of the Five Great Sword Immortals. He hurriedly bowed again. "Greetings, Taoist Sword Immortal!"
The old Daoist snorted in displeasure. "I don’t know if Ji Ruofeng has planted spies in my Mount Qingcheng, but my disciple here has never once left the mountain, nor has he ever crossed swords with anyone. Yet somehow, he’s been saddled with the title of Taoist Sword Immortal, disturbing the peace of our secluded retreat!"
Zhao Yuzhen chuckled. "Master, don’t be so harsh. A guest from afar deserves courtesy."
Seizing the opportunity, the cloaked figure said, "By the Hall Master’s order, I bring a message for the Taoist Sword Immortal."
"Speak, then," Zhao Yuzhen replied, still smiling gently.
The cloaked figure continued, "Su Muyu, head of the Su Family, issued a Sword Challenge to Unrivaled and defeated Liu Yunqi, the former City Lord of Peerless City. He then challenged the current City Lord, Song Yanhui."
"What does this have to do with Mount Qingcheng?" The old Daoist’s voice carried a hint of rising anger. "Go back and tell Ji Ruofeng that if he dares disturb our mountain again, I’ll march to Tianqi and tear down his Hall of Know-All myself."
"Does Hall Master Ji wish to invite me to witness the duel?" Zhao Yuzhen sighed softly. "But I cannot leave Mount Qingcheng. Hall Master Ji knows all under heaven—surely he is aware of this."
"The Hall Master has also invited the other Sword Immortals," the cloaked figure said quietly. "Because he believes this battle may very well give rise to another Sword Immortal in the martial world. Wouldn’t it be fascinating if, overnight, the Five Great Sword Immortals became six?"
Zhao Yuzhen was momentarily stunned before realization dawned on him, and he understood Ji Ruofeng’s intent. "Then she will surely go. She is someone who loves the sword to the point of obsession."
The old Daoist tightened his grip on the whisk, and a trace of killing intent seeped from his body.
"Master." Zhao Yuzhen lightly tapped his foot, forcibly suppressing the old Daoist’s aura.
The cloaked figure broke out in a cold sweat, his hand reflexively reaching for his blade—only to find the entire blade shattered, leaving behind nothing but an empty hilt.
"Enough." The old Daoist stood and slowly began ascending the mountain path. "The decision is yours to make."Zhao Yuzhen stood at the mountain gate, hesitating for a long time before finally turning away. "Tell Hall Master Ji that Yuzhen appreciates the sentiment."
"Understood!" The straw-hatted man seemed immensely relieved, immediately mounting his horse and fleeing as if for his life. He had traveled many places and met many fearsome individuals, yet never had he felt such palpable killing intent as he did now—on the seemingly peaceful and detached Daoist immortal mountain of Qingcheng.
Peerless City.
Liu Yunqi lay in bed, his face pale as if already at death's door.
Outside the room, a row of disciples knelt in reverence, some already beginning to sob quietly.
Peerless City boasted countless renowned physicians, yet after examining Liu Yunqi's injuries, all declared there was nothing more to be done. His departure was now only a matter of time.
Inside the room, only Song Yanhui and Liu Yunqi remained.
"Master, you're awake," Song Yanhui said, seeing Liu Yunqi open his eyes for the first time after days of unconsciousness.
Liu Yunqi struggled to sit up. "Yanhui."
"Master, be careful. I'll call Physician Xie in right away," Song Yanhui turned to leave.
"No need," Liu Yunqi stopped him. "After all these years of roaming the martial world, do you think your master doesn't understand this much? My death is certain now."
"Master..." Song Yanhui's voice choked with emotion.
"Why cry? Isn't this state of mine my own doing?" Liu Yunqi smiled bitterly. "Yanhui, you must resent me. You wanted to be a wandering hero, yet I forced you to stay in Peerless City, burdened with the honor and disgrace of an entire city."
"Master, is being the number one in the world truly so important to Peerless City?" Song Yanhui countered.
Liu Yunqi coughed violently for a long time before speaking with difficulty. "For a hundred years, Peerless City has always been the best. Yet in my generation, talent has dwindled, and no one capable of bearing the responsibility has emerged. I was forcibly chosen to carry the city's honor—a task beyond my abilities. But I didn't want to fail my master or those who believed in me, so I made many mistakes. Zhuo Yuean killing me... I deserved it. After my death, order the disciples not to seek revenge."
Song Yanhui sighed deeply. "The moon wanes when full, water overflows when brimming. Nothing in this world remains unchanged forever. Someone will always surpass us—no one can stop that. We've given much, but Snow Moon City's three prodigies each surpass us."
"But you're different, Yanhui. From the day I met you, I knew you were the one who could change everything. You're no less than any of them. You were born for the sword. Yet I often regret whether I placed too much pressure on you, preventing you from being as free as they are, making your Sword Heart less pure." Liu Yunqi wiped blood from his lips.
Song Yanhui shook his head. "That's all in the past."
"And that disciple of yours—he can open the Matchless Sword Box!" Liu Yunqi's expression grew animated.
"What I went through," Song Yanhui suddenly said solemnly, "I don't want Wushuang to experience the same. He must choose his own path, and Peerless City will follow his lead. No longer will Peerless City force our choices—we will decide Peerless City's future!""Good. Very good." After a long silence, Liu Yunqi nodded. "Then let it be as you say. All my life, I've done nothing but wrong. I hope you won't follow in my footsteps."
Having said this, Liu Yunqi closed his eyes. A moment later, there was no more sound from him.
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