Blood River

The origins of the Undertaker Su Changhe had always been a secret unknown to anyone within Dark River.

Even someone as enigmatic as Su Muyu had a known story—that he was found by The Head in a bucket by the river. But Su Changhe had no such tale, leading to many rumors. Some even claimed that Su Changhe had found Dark River on his own, bringing along his younger brother Su Changli.

How could a place that countless martial artists had searched for years in vain be discovered by a wandering child who knew no martial arts? It sounded like a fantasy, so no one believed it to be true.

Only Su Muyu knew it was indeed the truth.

But even Su Muyu didn’t know where Su Changhe had lived before finding Dark River.

“Are you from the Five Venoms Sect?” Bai Hehuai was also startled.

Su Changhe smiled faintly. “I’m not worthy of such an esteemed affiliation. We merely lived in the same region. They were noble existences, while our lives were as worthless as weeds.”

“The Southern Wastelands,” Bai Hehuai said gravely. “You’re from the Southern Wastelands.”

“The envoy sent to the ancient kingdom was a eunuch,” Su Changhe didn’t continue the topic of the Southern Wastelands. “What kind of eunuch would have the authority to represent Beili in diplomatic missions to another country?”

“At least one of the Five Great Eunuchs,” Su Muyu replied.

“This eunuch was extraordinary. In the end, he helped Taiandi, then still a prince, conquer the Northern Que, annihilate Western Chu, and achieve great dominance. Later, when Taiandi ascended the throne, he became the Grand Eunuch of Beili.” Su Changhe raised his head. “Concurrently holding the position of Abbot of the Great Enlightenment Temple, his power overshadowed the court, nearly on par with the Grand General.”

“The former head of the Five Great Eunuchs—Zhuo Qing,” Su Muyu said solemnly. “Are you suggesting this matter is related to him?”

“All I know is that this eunuch is now guarding the imperial mausoleum. And given his temperament, he wouldn’t be content with just that.” Su Changhe’s voice turned eerie.

“This… how does it even involve Heaven Revelation City?” Ge Xiu frowned.

“I hope I’m overthinking it,” Su Changhe touched the dagger in his sleeve. “I’d rather not cross paths with that monster.”

“Hah.” Bai Hehuai exhaled. “Let’s not dwell on this for now. The Fallen Bloom Powder only temporarily drains one’s strength—it’s rarely lethal. That means the enemy has further plans.”

“These past few days, many skilled fighters have infiltrated Sihuai City,” Su Muyu said quietly. “Even…”

“Hm?” Su Changhe raised an eyebrow slightly.

“A Sword Immortal,” Su Muyu lifted his gaze to the sky.

Jinglai Inn.

Li Hanyi sat up abruptly from her bed. She caught a whiff of floral fragrance—different from the camellia scent of Snow Moon City. This aroma was richer, laced with sweetness. After just a few breaths, she felt her strength ebbing away. Immediately, she drew Iron Steed Ice River from her waist and gave it a light flick. A wave of frigid Sword Qi dispersed, coating the room in frost.

This single sword strike even froze the invisible pollen suspended in the air.

Tiny specks of pollen crystallized into delicate ice blossoms, drifting around Li Hanyi.

With a flick of her wrist, the floating ice flowers shattered upon hitting the ground.

Scattering into fragments.

“Who’s there?” she said coldly.At the same time, a scholar had just entered Sihuai City by carriage as the city gates slowly closed behind him. The coachman turned his head in confusion, "Why are the gates suddenly closing?"

"Is that strange?" The scholar was none other than the Confucian Sword Immortal, Xie Xuan. Closing the city gates was an ordinary matter, yet the coachman seemed extremely surprised.

The coachman nodded, "Sihuai City has never had a curfew. It's famously known as the city that never sleeps around here. These gates haven't been closed since I can remember."

"Oh. That is quite interesting," Xie Xuan murmured thoughtfully.

"Whoa!" At that moment, the coachman abruptly pulled the reins, bringing the carriage to a halt.

Xie Xuan set down the scroll in his hand and frowned as he watched people walking normally on the road suddenly collapse to the ground, unconscious. The coachman let go of the reins and was about to step down to investigate.

"Don't go," Xie Xuan reached out to stop him.

"Sir..." The coachman's legs gave way, and he nearly toppled over.

Xie Xuan quickly steadied him, pressing several key acupoints on his body. With a gentle push of his palm, he dispersed the floral scent surrounding the carriage. Then, he pulled out a red candle from his sleeve, lit it with a flick of his fingers, and placed it beside him. Raising an eyebrow slightly, he muttered, "Fallen Bloom Powder?"

The coachman gradually regained consciousness and saw the streets littered with fallen bodies. Xie Xuan sat beside him, calmly reading by the candlelight. The coachman forced a bitter smile, "Sir, how can you still read at a time like this?"

"I must find a way to break the Fallen Bloom Powder's formation," Xie Xuan replied matter-of-factly.

Though the coachman didn't understand terms like "Fallen Bloom Powder's formation," he grasped Xie Xuan's intent. "Isn't it a bit late to be reading now?"

Xie Xuan shook his head, "Not late at all. It will only be truly late when this Square Inch Candle burns out."

At the Luoyang Tavern in the southern part of the city.

The once-rowdy tavern was now eerily silent. The patrons who usually reveled all night lay slumped over their tables without a sound.

Not even a snore could be heard.

Only a burly man sat in the corner, drinking cup after cup without pause.

When the last drop of wine was gone, the man stood up, hefting the massive sword beside him—larger even than a Golden Ring broadsword—and slammed it into the ground.

With a resounding boom , an overwhelming surge of Sword Qi erupted, shattering every wine jar in the tavern in an instant. The rich aroma of spilled wine flooded the room, overpowering the cloying floral scent.

The man hoisted the greatsword onto his shoulder and sneered, "Underhanded tricks."

At the highest point of Sihuai City, atop the Convergence Heaven Pagoda in the central Mingguang Temple.

Two figures stood overlooking the city.

One was clad in black, her figure graceful, a purple veil covering her face. Her voice dripped with allure, "As you can see, the entire city has succumbed to the fragrance of flowers."

Beside her, the man's voice boomed like thunder, calm yet resolute, "There will always be those unwilling to sleep. And those unwilling to sleep are the true targets of our hunt."

"I don't understand such things. My fragrance can intoxicate, but it cannot kill. The rest is up to you, General," the woman said with a laugh.

"Don't call me General," the man replied sternly. "In Sihuai City, I am but a wandering swordsman.""Very well, wanderer of the jianghu," the woman smiled. "Then I'll leave the rest to you, this wanderer of the jianghu."

The man turned and descended the tower: "No need for your instructions. What your Five Venoms Sect intends to do this time is far more than simply setting up a Flower Poison formation."