Outside the Monarch Righteous Pavilion.
Old Master Tang gently wiped the blood from his pipe. The bloodstained youth hurried forward to support him. With a smile, Old Master Tang asked, "Did they think just because this is Heaven Revelation City, just because they outnumber us, they could kill me? Ah Xiang, how foolish is that notion?"
The youth nodded. "Utterly foolish."
"Foolishness demands a price." Old Master Tang swung his pipe outward without hesitation.
Inside the Monarch Righteous Pavilion, the heavily panting Crown Prince Xiao Yong lay sprawled on the ground, watching helplessly as the pipe flew toward him. He tilted his head back and closed his eyes in resignation. A figure clad in golden armor flashed before him, catching the pipe midair. Dian Ye said gravely, "Even the Tang Sect cannot bear the crime of killing a prince."
Old Master Tang turned to the youth. "Can we not bear it?"
The youth declared loudly, "Even if the Tang Sect cannot, Old Master Tang certainly can!"
"Well said!" Old Master Tang coughed lightly before continuing his stride outside.
Dian Ye clapped his hands sharply. "Old Master Tang, don’t underestimate Heaven Revelation City!" In an instant, dozens of golden-armored warriors rushed into the courtyard, surrounding Old Master Tang and the youth.
"It seems tonight, you intend to fight to the death," Old Master Tang sneered, his robes billowing around him.
The youth whispered, "Old Master, we shouldn’t prolong this battle. We should find a chance to break through."
"Hmph." Old Master Tang’s fury deepened. "If they seek death, let them have it."
Suddenly, a flash of Sword Light erupted.
For a brief moment, the entire Monarch Righteous Pavilion seemed to tremble.
A massive fissure split the courtyard in two, sending the golden-armored warriors flying. A colossal sword embedded itself at the center of the yard, Sword Qi swirling violently around it. The sword had arrived before its wielder—and so had its wrath.
"Wrath Sword Immortal, Yan Zhantian," Old Master Tang uttered solemnly.
A towering man in a bamboo hat descended from the sky, wrenching the greatsword from the ground with a mighty swing, pointing it directly at the Monarch Righteous Pavilion. "Old Master Tang, it’s been a while."
"You fiend, what brings you to Heaven Revelation City?" Old Master Tang questioned.
"Certainly not for that waste inside." Yan Zhantian hefted the Army Destroyer Sword onto his shoulder, scanning the golden-armored warriors. "Here for a fight? But I don’t fight—I kill. Are you prepared?"
Dian Ye stepped out of the pavilion, eyeing Yan Zhantian. "What business does the Wrath Sword Immortal have in Heaven Revelation?"
"What concern is it of yours?" Yan Zhantian turned away. "Old Master Tang, let’s go."
"Are we allies now?" Old Master Tang mused.
Yan Zhantian shrugged. "Perhaps my disciple is."
"Since when has the Wrath Sword Immortal had a disciple?" Old Master Tang frowned.
"Why must there always be so many questions? And why must every question have an answer?" Without another word, Yan Zhantian strode away.
The golden-armored warriors, recognizing the man before them as Yan Zhantian, hesitated. Veterans of many battles, they had heard tales of how he had slaughtered the Southern Jue army single-handedly. Faced with the demon who had once broken an entire army’s spirit, even they dared not advance."Is your name Dian Ye?" Yan Zhantian suddenly halted his steps.
Dian Ye tightened his grip on the long blade in his hand. "Yes."
Yan Zhantian tilted his head slightly. "You say all these soldiers of yours are cowering and afraid to advance. Does this count as defying military orders?"
Old Master Tang and the young man walked slowly to Yan Zhantian's side but did not stop, continuing toward the exit. The golden-armored soldiers stirred restlessly, yet Yan Zhantian's sword shifted ever so slightly in response.
"Stand aside," Dian Ye commanded in a low voice.
"As ordered!" The golden-armored soldiers seemed to exhale in relief before retreating with their weapons. Yan Zhantian then strode out alongside Old Master Tang and the young man.
Xiao Yong approached Dian Ye. "Are we really letting Old Master Tang leave just like that?"
Dian Ye shook his head. "I will continue gathering martial artists to pursue him relentlessly. Even if he eventually makes it back to Brocade City, it will be too late—the Tang Sect will no longer be under his control."
"If we can't even kill a single martial artist, what hope do we have of conquering the world?" Xiao Yong said with a bitter laugh.
Dian Ye frowned. "Why did Yan Zhantian come at this moment? Why would he rescue Old Master Tang? There should be no connection between them."
On the deserted streets of Heaven Revelation City at night.
Yan Zhantian walked ahead alone, while Old Master Tang followed slowly with the support of the young man.
"I thought a man like you would never marry, have children, or take on disciples," Old Master Tang remarked leisurely.
Yan Zhantian replied indifferently, "I thought so too."
"Then why suddenly acquire a disciple?" Old Master Tang pressed.
"Didn't I say? Not every question needs an answer." Yan Zhantian led them down a long street and finally entered a secluded estate. Inside, there was a vast lake, beside which stood a young man in white, his back turned to them.
"He's here," Yan Zhantian announced clearly.
"Thank you, Grandmaster." The young man turned around.
Both Old Master Tang and the accompanying youth were taken aback. The young man wore a faint smile, his posture slightly bowed in humility, yet a white cloth was tied over his eyes.
"This is the Second Prince, Xiao Chong," the youth whispered.
Xiao Chong lifted his head slightly. "It seems I am easily recognizable."
"Second Prince Xiao Chong, blinded in his youth by an assailant—this is no secret in Heaven Revelation City," the youth replied.
"Indeed, I am Xiao Chong," Xiao Chong said, still smiling faintly. "Greetings, Old Master Tang."
Old Master Tang also inclined his head slightly. "Greetings, Your Highness."
"Upon hearing of Old Master Tang's arrival in the city, I should have prepared more thoroughly before inviting you for a proper discussion. However, tonight's events unfolded too suddenly, forcing me to trouble Grandmaster for assistance. Our meeting here is rather hasty," Xiao Chong said slowly. "I hope Old Master Tang will not take offense."
"A rather unique prince, I must say. But this humility, this approachability..." Old Master Tang studied the white cloth covering Xiao Chong's eyes. "Does it not seem somewhat deliberate?"
"Aside from me, he is also Jin Yu's disciple," Yan Zhantian interjected suddenly. "He learned my swordsmanship but adopted Jin Yu's temperament. As a result, his swordplay has made no progress whatsoever."
Xiao Chong chuckled. "That is because I lack talent in swordsmanship.""But you are indeed quite special. Your personality is completely different from that of Langya King Xiao Ruofeng." Old Master Tang took a step forward. "Yet I can see something very interesting in you."
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