World Pavilion.
The young man rubbed the teacup in his hand and looked into the distance.
The golden light in that direction had long since faded after calming down.
"According to our plan, the Flying Tiger General should have already led his cavalry to raze the entire Sihuai City by now," the man said, his voice tinged with gloom, echoing through the empty hall.
No one answered him.
The shadowy figures lurking in the darkness tightened their grips on their blades, for they all sensed two powerful auras approaching them at the same time.
The man slightly raised his head, and the teacup in his hand turned to dust in that instant. There was no sign of it cracking, nor did it make the slightest sound. He simply watched as the teacup in his hand suddenly crumbled into powder, vanishing without a trace as a night breeze swept past. He said in a low voice, "Who is it?"
"Me," a cold voice answered him. Immediately afterward, a figure wearing a bamboo hat and holding a long sword sat down on the wooden chair beside him. Naturally, this person was the Snowmoon Sword Immortal, Li Hanyi.
"I'm still standing. What gives you the right to sit?" The man's voice carried a hint of displeasure.
Li Hanyi smiled faintly, flicked her finger, and a teacup landed in her hand. The tea inside was still steaming hot. She blew lightly on it, and the rising steam turned into a chilling frost. She set the cup down. "Do you enjoy this feeling? Sitting here drinking tea, arranging everything for everyone, as if you have the whole situation under control, as if everything is in your hands?"
"Who the hell are you?!" The man clenched his fists.
"You don’t know who I am, but I know exactly who you are. Crown Prince Xiao Yong," Li Hanyi said softly.
Xiao Yong froze. "You dare speak my name?"
"You people from Heaven Revelation City are so amusing, always imposing your own rules on the world. You think that even if others see through your identity, they wouldn’t dare say it outright. But you shouldn’t think that way about me. There are always those who don’t care for your rules—whether it’s Heaven Revelation City, the Xiao Imperial Family, or even your emperor." Li Hanyi touched the Iron Steed Ice River at her waist. "I find them all... unworthy of mention."
"Who are you?!" Xiao Yong shouted sharply, his voice now laced with fear.
"You want to know my name so you can seek revenge later? Fine. My name is Li Hanyi. I reside in Snow Moon City." Li Hanyi said proudly. "My senior brother once stood before all the top experts of Heaven Revelation City and crippled your father’s martial arts. And yet, we remain in Snow Moon City—when have you ever dared to come after us? All this elaborate scheming against Peerless City—isn’t it because you’re afraid of us?"
"Li Hanyi, the Snowmoon Sword Immortal—why would you appear in Sihuai City?!" Xiao Yong roared. "Nonsense! Bluffing!"
"Where’s your dignified composure now? Where’s that calm control over everything?" Li Hanyi casually flicked out a sharp Sword Qi, forcing Xiao Yong to stagger back over a dozen steps. "Go on. Call for help. Kill me."
"Kill him!" Xiao Yong pointed a finger at Li Hanyi, his fury boiling over.
A dozen shadowy figures emerged at once, brandishing their weapons as they struck down at Li Hanyi."How obedient." Li Hanyi drew Iron Steed Ice River from her waist, releasing a wave of freezing Sword Qi. In that instant, the entire room seemed to plunge into an icy hell. Frost coated the weapons in the hands of those present, some even shattering from the extreme cold. The few who managed to hold on quickly recognized her strength and wisely retreated to Xiao Yong's side.
"This person is none other than the Snowmoon Sword Immortal, Li Hanyi," the leader said gravely.
Xiao Yong gritted his teeth. "Your mother is the chief of the Four Guardians of Heavenly Revelation, yet you dare raise your hand against a prince—such treason!"
"Princes are forbidden to leave the capital without cause. You appear in this city of Sihuai, yet accuse me of treason?" Li Hanyi sneered. "My mother guards the capital, not scheming princes."
"City Master Li, today's matter has nothing to do with Snow Moon City. Why must you persist?" The guard leader shielded Xiao Yong.
"If I see it, it becomes my business." Li Hanyi gave a light flick of Iron Steed Ice River.
"That's enough." Xie Xuan walked in leisurely. "No need to scare them to death."
"Libationer Xie!" Xiao Yong exclaimed in surprise.
Xie Xuan smiled and shrugged. "So the Crown Prince remembers me."
"Libationer?" Li Hanyi frowned.
Xie Xuan stepped forward. "I once served as Libationer at the Jixia Academy and had the honor of instructing several princes."
"Why is Libationer Xie here?" Xiao Yong asked.
Xie Xuan pricked up his ears at the sound of hoofbeats outside and chuckled. "I came to this city to witness a swordplay, but not only did I see none, I nearly died of poisoning. What misfortune."
Xiao Yong's expression darkened slightly. "So you're here to stop me as well."
Xie Xuan patted the scrolls at his waist. "That depends on perspective. You think I'm hindering you, but in truth, I'm helping. Seizing Peerless City today would bring you no good."
"The Flying Tiger General is outside, and a battalion awaits my command beyond the city walls. One word from me, and Sihuai City could be razed to the ground," Xiao Yong said slowly.
"I stand with City Master Li. The two of us barring the way—even with an army, you couldn't cross the span of our two swords." Such arrogance was rare from Xie Xuan.
Or perhaps it wasn't arrogance at all.
But rather, a touch of humility.
"Your Highness," the guard leader whispered.
"Silence." Xiao Yong frowned, glancing between Li Hanyi and Xie Xuan. "Today's matter is remembered, Xiao Yong."
"What a nuisance." Li Hanyi raised her sword, ready to charge. "Let's just kill them and be done with it."
"No, no, no, no!" Xie Xuan hurriedly stopped her. "He's still a prince. Killing him would cause endless trouble for your mother."
"I'm masked—no evidence," Li Hanyi retorted. "This man is clearly scum, his hands stained with innocent blood. No loss if he dies."
"Ah." Xie Xuan rubbed his temples. "You deserve a place among the four great demons of the martial world."
"Let's go!" Xiao Yong waved his hand, leading his men out the door. Outside, the Flying Tiger General Dian Ye waited on horseback, his body splattered with blood. "Your Highness, we've failed.""There will be plenty of time!" Xiao Yong mounted his horse and cracked the whip sharply. "Giddy up!"
Inside the World Pavilion.
Xie Xuan let out a slight sigh. "You weren't really planning to kill him just now, were you?"
Li Hanyi sheathed her sword. "I'm not stupid. Why would I bring trouble upon myself? Just giving him a scare, that's all."
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