Ten years of hiding a single sword.
Today, I shall show it to you.
Jian Wudi was once the only person who could compete with Song Yanhui for the position of city lord. But he was even more obsessed with the Sword Way than Song Yanhui, to the point of madness. Even after being appointed as the head of the Martial Hall, he never managed any affairs, instead secluding himself to practice the sword.
For an entire year, Jian Wudi had not appeared in Peerless City.
He once said that when he next drew his sword, he would be invincible in the world.
Su Muyu blocked that strike, then was sent skidding across the ground, carving a long trench in his wake. His heart shuddered—this man’s swordsmanship far surpassed that of Liu Yunqi.
Bai Hehuai gasped and rushed forward. “Su Muyu!”
“Don’t go.” Su Changhe repelled Dian Ye, then retreated to Bai Hehuai’s side, grabbing her shoulder and pulling her back. “This newcomer’s swordsmanship is absurdly high. The slightest misstep could mean death.”
“Protect the Miracle Healer!” Ge Xiu raised his arm and shouted. All members of the Longevity Sect immediately surrounded Bai Hehuai, while Xu An picked up a sword from the ground and stood guard beside her. Though their martial skills might be of little use, Su Muyu’s earlier words to Dian Ye had ignited the fire in their veins. Since Su Muyu was willing to protect them at the cost of his life, they would do the same for his companion.
Su Changhe froze for a moment, then suddenly laughed. “Though I’ve been accompanying Su Muyu in these matters, I always thought they were pointless and ridiculous. But he enjoys them, so I had no choice but to go along. But now…”
“Suddenly, it feels meaningful?” Bai Hehuai said.
“No, suddenly, it feels even more ridiculous, hahaha!” Su Changhe gathered energy in his palm and charged at Dian Ye again. “Su Muyu, it’ll take some time to kill this Flying Tiger General. Hold on—don’t die yet!”
Bai Hehuai’s expression darkened. If Su Changhe could say such a thing, it meant he truly believed Su Muyu was no match for this opponent. She turned to look at Su Muyu—only to find him smiling.
Su Muyu smiled faintly. “In you, I see the shadow of my father.”
“Zhuo Yuluo, lord of Swordless City.” After his strike was blocked, Jian Wudi retreated to the rooftop, looking down at Su Muyu from above.
“A pure Sword Heart, an absolute devotee of the Sword Way.” Su Muyu spoke calmly. “Other than my father, I have never seen such pure Sword Intent again.”
Jian Wudi replied indifferently, “If one follows the Sword Way, one must be single-minded.”
“It seems the battle in Peerless City no longer holds meaning.” Su Muyu exhaled deeply. “It is my honor to cross swords with you, sir.”
“That strike just now was my first after years of seclusion—pure Sword Intent, without a single Sword Move. You blocked it beautifully.” Jian Wudi sheathed his sword, then assumed a drawing stance once more. “But every strike that follows will be stronger and fiercer than the last.”
“Even better.” Su Muyu also sheathed his sword, resting his hand on the hilt.
Both men were gathering their Sword Intent.
True masters of the Sword Way each possessed their own unique Sword Intent.For example, among the Five Great Sword Immortals, Luo Qingyang embodies the character "solitude", Yan Zhantian the character "rage", Li Hanyi the character "cold", Xie Xuan the character "Confucian", and Zhao Yuzhen the character "the Way".
As for this Jian Wudi, his Sword Intent lies in the character "purity."
Without any impurities.
Ten years of honing a single sword, an absolutely pure Sword Intent.
And what of Su Muyu?
At the gates of Sihuai City, the Confucian Sword Immortal Xie Xuan watched as the candlelight before him gradually flickered out. He sighed softly, then gazed into the distance with a faint smile. Rising to his feet, he touched the sword at his waist and suddenly asked, "Do you feel it? It seems like rain is coming."
The coachman was taken aback, somewhat confused. After frowning for a moment, he finally replied, "There does seem to be a slight chill in the air..."
"Hahaha, rain is always like this—it arrives with a touch of cold. But after the rain passes, everything is renewed. It brings refreshment, cleanliness, rebirth, and a sense of hope," Xie Xuan said slowly. "Setting aside all those titles, I truly admire him."
The coachman asked in bewilderment, "Sir, what are you talking about?"
Xie Xuan traced the hilt of his sword. "We might not have time to wait for this poisonous air to dissipate. We’ll need to find another way."
Outside Sihuai City.
Song Yanhuai and Lu Yuzhai were galloping on horseback.
"Master, why didn’t we bring more men? With just the two of us, I fear we won’t be able to quell the unrest in Sihuai City!" As Sihuai City came into view, Lu Yuzhai felt his courage waning, and an instinctive urge to flee arose within him.
Song Yanhuai shook his head. "Who said it’s just me? Isn’t Zhuo Yuean supposed to be in Sihuai City right now?"
"Zhuo Yuean? Isn’t he our enemy?" Lu Yuzhai asked, puzzled. "Would he actually help us?"
"I’ve never considered him our enemy. If we speak of the past, it’s Peerless City that wronged him. As for today, he hasn’t killed a single person from our city—it’s purely a matter of Sword Way contention." Song Yanhuai tightened the reins. "Trust me. Those from the Martial Hall think this turmoil is the perfect opportunity to overthrow me, but they’ll regret it. Any other opportunity would have been better than this one."
Before Song Yanhuai now stood several figures clad in black, their True Qi surging—clearly no ordinary experts.
Lu Yuzhai’s grip on his spear trembled slightly. "You are..."
"These must be the retainers of the World Pavilion, no?" Song Yanhuai said quietly. "My dear disciple, it seems you’re not very skilled in the art of political maneuvering either."
"This disciple is ashamed," Lu Yuzhai said with a bitter smile.
"If you were to draw a knife now and stab me in the back, that would still count as decent," Song Yanhuai remarked.
Lu Yuzhai hastily shook his head. "Master, your disciple may be a failure, but he’s not a beast."
"It’s precisely because I value this about you that I can’t bear to cast you aside." Song Yanhuai drew his sword. "Let’s fight. Show me if your spear technique is truly beyond redemption."
The lead black-clad figure sneered. "City Lord Song, are you truly determined to persist in your stubborn course?"
"Your master has visited me several times. Peerless City is not some lofty, untouchable place—we can’t claim to stand aloof from the world. But a wise bird chooses its perch, and your master... I find him lacking." Song Yanhuai replied. "Enough talk. Let’s fight.""Many in Peerless City will die because of your words," the black-clad man threatened.
"Believe me, if I stand with you, even more people in Peerless City will perish," Song Yanhuai declared, thrusting his sword forward. "Though Peerless City may no longer be peerless in this world, the noble spirit of our predecessors still remains."
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