The Mu Family Courtyard.
Mu Zi Zhe rubbed the jade ring on his finger, remaining silent for a long time before suddenly raising his head.
A long Horse Chopping Sword flew in first, embedding itself directly in front of Mu Zi Zhe. The Mu Family members immediately stepped forward, surrounding him. Mu Zi Zhe smiled faintly. "No need for alarm."
The crimson figure arrived moments later, flipping midair before landing before the crowd and driving his Sleeping Dragon Sword into the ground.
"What you wanted—I’ve brought it." Mu Ci Ling still gripped the hilt of the Sleeping Dragon Sword, lifting his gaze to meet Mu Zi Zhe’s.
"This is Mirror Blossom Water." Mu Zi Zhe tossed a white porcelain vial to Mu Ci Ling. "Drink it, circulate your qi for three days, and the Heart-Piercing Gu within you will be gone."
Mu Ci Ling glanced at the vial in his hand, his eyes flashing with recognition before he finally released the Sleeping Dragon Sword. "Then from this moment on, I have no ties left with the Mu Family."
"The Soul Extraction Hall will issue a decree, hunting you to the ends of the earth. That much is inevitable." Mu Zi Zhe’s voice was grave.
"Let them come. If they can kill me, they’re welcome to try." Mu Ci Ling pulled the Horse Chopping Sword from the ground. "Well then, Patriarch Mu—no, I should call you The Head now. Ci Ling takes his leave!" With that, he leaped away and vanished.
Mu Zi Zhe stood and walked over to the Sleeping Dragon Sword, resting his hand lightly on its hilt.
The entire courtyard held its breath, waiting for that moment.
Mu Zi Zhe took a deep breath, then in one swift motion, drew the Sleeping Dragon Sword and raised it high. "Go and inform the Su and Xie Families—the Sleeping Dragon Sword is now in the Mu Family’s possession. Return to the sect at once!"
"Yes!" the Mu disciples chorused. Several of the outermost disciples immediately rushed toward the gates—only for their bodies to be flung back moments later, severed cleanly at the waist.
"Not a single soul leaves this place alive." Xie Qidao stood with his blade held horizontally, his voice booming.
Mu Zi Zhe narrowed his eyes slightly. "Xie Qidao. So you’ve come as well."
"You all seem to think I shouldn’t be here—that I’m just a brute who knows nothing but training with a blade. Yet here I stand." Xie Qidao’s tone was grim.
"With the Sleeping Dragon Sword in my hands, I am now The Head of the Dark River." Mu Zi Zhe pointed the sword at Xie Qidao.
"Ridiculous. Holding the sword isn’t enough. You must survive long enough to bring it back to the sect, present it before the three officials of the Soul Extraction Hall, and have them acknowledge your position. Only then are you truly The Head of the Dark River." Xie Qidao lifted his chin. "But you won’t leave Nine Heavens City. You won’t even leave this courtyard."
"You think you can stop me?" Mu Zi Zhe sneered.
Xie Qidao suddenly lowered his blade and turned his head. "You’re here."
A figure as towering as Xie Qidao appeared beside him, though the aura of brutality around this man was even more pronounced. It was Xie Ba, the head of the Xie Family.
Xie Ba clapped Xie Qidao on the shoulder. "I’m glad you came. My position was always meant to be yours. Once I take the Sleeping Dragon Sword today, you will be the next head of the Xie Family!"
Mu Zi Zhe glanced at Xie Ba and the host of blade-wielding followers behind him, letting out a cold laugh. "Xie Ba, do you intend to perish here alongside the Mu Family?"
"The Xie Family brings fifty-six long blades, seeking but one sword." Xie Ba swept his hand forward. "The only question is whether the Mu Family’s patriarch is willing to hand it over."On the other side of Nine Heavens City, Su Muyu and Bai Hehuai were making their way back to Spider Nest when Su Muyu suddenly stopped midway.
"What's wrong?" Bai Hehuai asked him.
Su Muyu frowned. "We're lost."
"Lost?" Bai Hehuai was puzzled. "How can you get lost in a place as small as Nine Heavens City?"
"No, it's just... the rain seems heavier now," Su Muyu looked up.
Bai Hehuai grew even more confused. "Su Muyu, what are you talking about?"
"'A face as calm as a lake, yet a heart that harbors thunder'—that's The Head's assessment of you. I find it quite accurate," a white-haired man in official robes suddenly appeared before them.
Bai Hehuai jumped in fright. "Ghosts!"
Su Muyu gripped the Drizzle Sword and stepped protectively in front of Bai Hehuai. "This man... is no ordinary person."
The white-haired man grinned. "Your perception and swordsmanship are both commendable. No wonder The Head holds you in such high regard. Yet you seem to have little desire for power."
Su Muyu steadied his breathing. "Who are you?"
"It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call you the Su Family's greatest prodigy in a century. That's why they're willing to bend the rules for you everywhere. You proposed three conditions for accepting missions—no massacres, no unknown motives, and no unwillingness—and the Su Family agreed. But Soul Extraction Hall never consented," the white-haired man said slowly.
Su Muyu's eyes widened in realization. "You're from Soul Extraction Hall."
"I am the Water Official," the white-haired man extended his hand to catch the raindrops. "This is our first true meeting."
Su Muyu's steps faltered slightly, his vision blurring bit by bit. He shook his head vigorously and muttered, "The rain... it's poisoned!"
"I already noticed," Bai Hehuai pressed a palm against Su Muyu's back. A white mist emanated from her hand, and Su Muyu's consciousness gradually cleared. He whispered, "Thank you."
"Oh?" The Water Official glanced curiously at Bai Hehuai. "I didn't expect you to have a poison expert here."
Su Muyu turned to the Water Official. "Why have you come here?"
The Water Official sighed lightly, his tone laced with amusement. "The three families of Dark River are tearing each other apart, nearly destroying themselves. How could we three officials remain idle in Soul Extraction Hall?"
Su Muyu tightened his grip on the Drizzle Sword. "So the three officials of Soul Extraction Hall are already aware of the situation here. May I ask which side you stand on?"
"The Head has grown old. It's time for him to step down," the Water Official murmured.
Su Muyu stiffened before replying, "The Head has chosen Su Jinhui, the head of the Su Family."
"Su Jinhui lost to Mu Ci Ling. His sword is broken, and so should his time be," the Water Official shook his head.
A flash of killing intent crossed Su Muyu's eyes. "So the three officials have chosen someone from the Mu Family or the Xie Family?"
"Xie Ba is too dim-witted, and Mu Zi Zhe is too clever. Neither is suitable," the Water Official continued shaking his head.
"But the Mu Family has already obtained the Sleeping Dragon Sword. Whoever wields it, with the approval of the three officials, can succeed The Head," Su Muyu probed.
"Unfortunately, the Sleeping Dragon Sword is in my hands. I'm afraid Mu Zi Zhe will be disappointed," the Water Official waved his hand lightly, and a long sword materialized in his grasp.
Bai Hehuai gasped. "Wasn't the Sleeping Dragon Sword stolen by Mu Ci Ling?"Su Muyu's expression remained calm as he nodded slightly. "As expected, the Sleeping Dragon Sword had already been switched by the time I arrived."
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