"The Head, we've arrived." Chou Niu gently tugged the reins, bringing the carriage to a stop before a courtyard.
Bai Hehuai lifted the curtain and peered outside. The courtyard before her appeared utterly ordinary, save for a layer of red paint—crimson as blood. She asked in confusion, "Is this the so-called Nest?"
"What do you know!" Chou Niu turned and snapped in a low voice.
"Spider Shadow has established such Nests in both Beili and Nanjue. Like spiders returning to their lairs, each one is built like a fortress prepared for battle. Don't underestimate this courtyard—an ordinary person stepping inside could meet a hundred different deaths." The Head stroked the Sleeping Dragon Sword at his waist. "That's why many don't want us to enter."
"Head, be careful!" Chou Niu suddenly whirled around and shouted.
A burly, masked man wielding a massive Golden Ring blade descended from above, striking the carriage directly. But with a loud "clang," the blade chipped, while the carriage merely shuddered slightly. The Head snorted coldly, "Is this all you've got to kill me?"
The burly man landed on the ground, staggering back several steps. At the same time, several masked figures in green robes rushed out from the corners, drawing their weapons and charging at him. Then, a man in purple boots emerged from behind the burly man, unsheathing a flexible sword and swinging it fiercely to rescue his companion.
Chou Niu sneered, "They're from the Xie Family."
"Chou Niu, no need to announce it," the Head said gravely.
"Head, since the Xie Family dares to make a move, we shouldn't show them any mercy," Chou Niu muttered under his breath.
The man in purple boots and the burly man stood back-to-back, one brandishing a sword and the other a blade, fending off the Spider Shadow assassins. Behind them, a group of white-clad figures suddenly leaped into the air, each holding a faint thread that stretched from the end of the long street. With a sharp tug upward, they sliced a Spider Shadow assassin clean in half!
"They've set up the Sky Net Formation!" Chou Niu drew the long blade at his waist.
"Sky Net Formation?" Bai Hehuai blinked in surprise.
"Don't look!" Chou Niu yanked the curtain down, trying to block her view. But in that final instant, Bai Hehuai still saw the horse before her being severed by a nearly invisible thread, blood gushing forth and splattering toward her. Fortunately, Chou Niu pulled the curtain down in time, shielding her from the spray. The carriage then crashed heavily to the ground.
"Chou Niu!" Bai Hehuai cried out, stumbling and nearly falling.
"Not dead yet," Chou Niu panted slightly outside the carriage.
The Head stroked the Sleeping Dragon Sword in his hand, deep in thought.
"Head, didn't you say this carriage was impenetrable and full of mechanisms?" Bai Hehuai urged anxiously. "Why not use them?"
"Too late. They're already inside," the Head replied with a faint smile."Person?" Bai Hehuai looked up at the curtain, only to find the blood on it had transformed into eerily beautiful crimson flowers. She turned sharply and saw a gaunt man dressed in white sitting right between her and The Head. The man held a white handkerchief to his mouth, coughing lightly. When he lowered the handkerchief, several bloodstains had appeared on it.
"It's Profuse Flowers," The Head said with a faint smile.
"It's been a long time. Please forgive this subordinate for not bowing due to my frail condition," Xie Fanhua said with a slight bow before raising the handkerchief again, coughing violently this time.
"Consumptive ghost," Bai Hehuai frowned slightly. "Your illness has seeped into your bones. Not even a deity could cure you now."
"Indeed, I'm a man destined to die soon. That's why I dare to meet The Head so directly, unafraid of any punishment," Xie Fanhua grinned.
"So, what brings you here to speak with me?" The Head asked with a smile.
Xie Fanhua sighed softly. "You've held this position for a long time, and now that you're severely injured, wouldn't it be better to step down and enjoy your remaining years, leaving the trivial and troublesome matters to those in their prime?"
"In their prime, you mean that brat Xie Ba?" The Head murmured.
"Our Xie Family's head has devoted himself wholeheartedly to Dark River all these years. Naturally, he's the best candidate," Xie Fanhua said calmly.
"And if I refuse?" The Head's voice turned grave.
"If The Head refuses, then Profuse Flowers can only be so bold as to offend," Xie Fanhua lowered his head slightly.
Bai Hehuai clasped two Silver Needles in her sleeves, ready to strike at any moment.
Yet The Head seemed unperturbed by Xie Fanhua's provocation, still smiling faintly. He then touched the hilt of the Sleeping Dragon Sword beside him. "What you want is nothing more than this Sleeping Dragon Sword."
Xie Fanhua looked up at the sword. The sleeping dragon carved on its hilt was lifelike, and a hint of greed flashed in his eyes. "Only by holding the Sleeping Dragon Sword can one truly be the master of Dark River!"
"Since you know this, you should also see who currently holds the Sleeping Dragon Sword," The Head suddenly raised his head. "As long as I hold it, Dark River remains under my command!"
The sleeping dragon's eyes abruptly opened, emitting a golden light!
Xie Fanhua dodged swiftly to the side as the Sleeping Dragon Sword sliced through the air just an inch from his neck. He crouched down, sleeves flaring, and two pitch-black short blades appeared in his hands. He lunged forward, counterattacking The Head. But in the next instant, his figure vanished, reappearing behind The Head.
Bai Hehuai blinked hard, fearing her eyes were playing tricks on her.
"Ghost Blades!" The Head roared, flipping his wrist. The Sleeping Dragon Sword deflected the two black blades and struck toward Xie Fanhua's chest.
Xie Fanhua was stunned. How could a dying man unleash such power? He retreated hastily, flying out of the carriage. But before leaving, he flicked out an incense stick, embedding it between Bai Hehuai and The Head."Go!" The Head swung his hand fiercely, sending the Sleeping Dragon Sword flying out of the carriage. With a sharp "twang," like the snapping of a lute string, all the silk threads outside the carriage were shattered into pieces by the sword. The Spider Shadow assassins immediately broke free from the encirclement of the Heavenly Web Formation and retreated to the sides of the carriage.
"Soul-Guiding Incense?" Bai Hehuai swiftly flicked her Silver Needles, severing the half-burned incense stick. Yet the incense was peculiar—even after being cut in half, the remaining portion continued to burn.
"Return!" The Head grasped the Sleeping Dragon Sword once more. With a swift motion, he slashed the incense stick into fine powder.
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