Xie Xuan's loud shout quickly reached the Longevity Sect.
Bai Hehuai looked up in pleasant surprise: "It's Master Xie."
"If you're going to help, just help. Why announce it first? At a time like this, what's the point of Confucian courtesy? A sneak attack would've been better—just kill that Jian fellow," Su Changhe grumbled.
The flying swords fell one after another. Jian Wudi swung his longsword, knocking them back one by one. But with each sword he intercepted, the golden light in his pupils dimmed slightly. By the time the courtyard was littered with broken blades, he had completely lost his earlier arrogant demeanor of invincibility. Instead, he was panting heavily, looking rather disheveled.
At the distant city gate, Xie Xuan was also exhausted, wiping sweat from his brow. "Tiring," he gasped.
"Never thought I'd see you in such a sorry state. Didn't your books teach you how to escape trouble?" A swordsman wearing a bamboo hat appeared before him.
"Li Hanyi?" Xie Xuan was startled. "How weren't you trapped by the Flower Poison?"
Li Hanyi sneered. "To be called a Sword Immortal and still be trapped by such petty poison would be laughable."
Xie Xuan scratched his head. "Indeed, it would be laughable. How did the Second City Lord break free? Teach this elder brother your method."
"Naturally... because I had the antidote," Li Hanyi said faintly.
"Huh?" Xie Xuan blinked. "Did the Third City Lord give it to you?"
"Of course not." Li Hanyi waved her hand, dragging a pitiful figure from the corner. Haoyue Jun scrambled up from the ground, looking disgraced. "Snowmoon Sword Immortal, as the Second City Lord of Snow Moon City, your actions are so brutish and cruel. I—"
"Hand over another dose of the antidote!" Li Hanyi kicked him.
"Who else needs saving?!" Haoyue Jun cursed. "This Flower Poison antidote is extremely expensive! It's not for you to use for charity!"
"It's to save me," Xie Xuan said with a slight bow, his demeanor respectful.
Haoyue Jun eyed the scholarly, refined-looking man and felt a surge of contempt. "And who are you?"
"Xie Xuan," Xie Xuan replied politely.
"Ah—!" Haoyue Jun's legs nearly gave out, and he almost dropped to his knees.
"Do you have more antidote?" Li Hanyi demanded.
"Yes, yes!" Haoyue Jun hurriedly pulled a medicine bottle from his robes and handed it to Xie Xuan.
"Many thanks, brother." Xie Xuan took the bottle, shook out a pill, and swallowed it. After exhaling deeply, he smiled. "I see quite the spectacle over there. Would the Second City Lord care to join me?"
"No. On my way here, I ran into some annoying people," Li Hanyi said with a frown.
"Oh? There are others unaffected by the poison?" Xie Xuan asked, puzzled. "Who?"
"Though not poisoned, they're in no state to move. People from the Hall of Know-All. They asked me to do something for them," Li Hanyi said, a trace of irritation in her voice. "I hate these things, but I have no choice. My mother and he are both part of the so-called Four Guardians. My mother told me to help him, so I must."
"I see. So Ji Ruofeng gathered us here not just to watch the show—he had his own agenda. But this..." Xie Xuan straightened his sleeves. "What does it have to do with me?""I was the one who cured your poison. I saved your life, so you owe me. At least, that's what I believe those sage books you read would say." Li Hanyi shrugged.
Xie Xuan sighed softly. "The Second City Lord speaks wisely. What do you need me to do?"
Li Hanyi turned her gaze to Haoyue Jun. "Take me to see your master."
Haoyue Jun was startled. "If I take you there, he will surely kill me!"
"You can leave just before we arrive," Li Hanyi said, resting her hand on the hilt of Iron Steed Ice River. A chilling aura emanated, causing Haoyue Jun to shiver involuntarily. "If you refuse to take us now, you'll die right here."
Haoyue Jun looked pleadingly at Xie Xuan, who could only spread his hands helplessly, indicating there was nothing he could do.
"Lead the way," Li Hanyi commanded firmly.
Xie Xuan turned to the carriage driver. "Wait here for me. I'll leave at dawn and take your carriage again."
"Yes, sir," the driver replied, still in awe of Xie Xuan's earlier display of sword prowess. His respect for the man was absolute, and he nodded eagerly in agreement.
Thus, Li Hanyi and Xie Xuan followed Haoyue Jun as he led them toward the World Pavilion. Xie Xuan teased, "After traveling all this way, you didn't even get to see an interesting fight. Instead, you're stuck cleaning up the Hall of Know-All's mess. Must be frustrating, no?"
"Not at all. Once this is done, a duel with the current Confucian Sword Immortal will make it all worthwhile," Li Hanyi replied.
Xie Xuan raised an eyebrow and changed the subject. "I heard Song Yanhuai challenged you and lost badly. Why are you still interested in his sword?"
"Song Yanhuai's swordsmanship is decent, but he's held back by Peerless City," Li Hanyi said, glancing toward the Longevity Sect. "Besides, I really want to see Su Muyu's sword."
"Didn't you fight alongside him during the siege against Ye Dingzhi? Haven't you seen his sword before?" Xie Xuan asked.
"He once said his sword isn't a sword—it's a weapon of slaughter. Only when he appears in the world under a new identity can his sword be seen," Li Hanyi explained slowly. "He's strong. Without him back then, we wouldn't have had a chance to wound Ye Dingzhi."
Inside the Longevity Sect.
Jian Wudi had regained his composure, and the distant flying swords no longer threatened him. He looked down at Su Muyu again. "It seems after killing you, there will still be worthy opponents waiting for me."
Su Muyu smiled. "Indeed, worthy opponents. But first, you must defeat me."
"As you are now, you're no match for me," Jian Wudi said gravely.
Su Muyu knew this wasn't an empty boast. Though he had won earlier, Jian Wudi had now entered the path of the sword demon, elevating his strength by an entire realm. Meanwhile, Su Muyu was exhausted, having only partially recovered. Continuing the fight would mean certain defeat.
But there was still a chance.
One more option.
He could also enter demonic madness.
For an ordinary swordsman, entering demonic madness wasn't something one could do at will. No one had ever heard of "falling into demonic madness" being a conscious choice—it was usually the result of a misstep during cultivation. Yet Su Muyu could do it.
This secret was known only to Su Changhe.
Su Muyu could descend into madness with a single thought.
But the price would be severe.
Perhaps even his life.
Just then, a figure landed beside Su Muyu.Su Muyu was taken aback. "It's you."
"It seems our duel may not come to pass. In that case, why not join forces against our enemies? That would be a fortunate turn of events." Song Yanhui drew his longsword with a smile.
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