Blood River

Yi Bu smiled, pouring himself a cup of wine before falling silent once more.

The black-clad figure behind the screen also chuckled softly.

Su Muyu set down his wine cup, his hand ready to draw his sword at any moment.

"You're still too young after all," Yi Bu finally spoke again after a long pause. "For centuries, Dark River has belonged to the Shadow Sect. The hidden location of Dark River's headquarters, its numerous Spider Nests scattered throughout the martial world, each member's true identity, martial arts skills and weaknesses, even portraits—all these records are stored within the Shadow Sect. Should you betray us, all this information will be released to the martial world. Dark River has enemies everywhere, and you... you'll become hunted fugitives."

Su Muyu lowered his head slightly, his expression calm.

"You must think the current Shadow Sect is merely clinging to life with an empty title of imperial in-law, having long lost its former glory in Heaven Revelation City—that we're even inferior to Dark River now, unworthy of being your masters. But know this: if I wish, I can destroy Dark River completely. You want to establish a new Dark River, to start afresh. But..." Yi Bu gave a cold laugh. "Lay down your butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot? Bloodstained killers like you have enemies everywhere in this martial world."

Su Muyu knew Yi Bu's words weren't baseless threats. Dark River's survival all these years relied precisely on its untraceable headquarters and widespread Spider Nest bases. If these were exposed, they'd spend their lives in perpetual flight. He exhaled softly: "Name your terms."

"I summoned you to Heaven Revelation City because I need you to kill someone for me." Yi Bu smiled faintly—Su Muyu had finally fallen into his grasp.

"Who?" Su Muyu asked.

"Langya King Xiao Ruofeng," Yi Bu said gravely.

Su Muyu's eyes flickered momentarily before he responded: "Dark River exists as the shadow that clears obstacles for the Xiao Imperial Family in the martial world, while the Shadow Sect guards Heaven Revelation City from the darkness. Matters within the capital shouldn't concern Dark River. Assassinating Langya King, a member of the imperial family, violates the principles both organizations uphold. I don't understand the reasoning behind this request. Please enlighten me, Sect Leader."

Yi Bu's pupils contracted slightly: "I retract my earlier words. Young as you are, you're quite perceptive."

"This mission isn't the Shadow Sect's duty—it's your personal agenda. And personal agendas require..." Su Muyu extended a hand, palm open on the table, "compensation."

"What compensation do you want?" Yi Bu asked darkly.

"Everything you mentioned earlier must vanish completely from this world. From then on, Dark River will have no connection to the Shadow Sect." Su Muyu raised his head to meet Yi Bu's gaze.

After a long silence, Yi Bu stood up: "We'll end our discussion here today. See our guest out."

"Sect Leader understands better than I what kind of task you're assigning us. Langya King is the foremost military leader of Northern Li—even the emperor yields to him at court. In the martial world, he's Baili Dongjun of Snow Moon City's senior brother. Killing him would make enemies of the entire realm." Su Muyu turned his head.

"I don't believe you're in any position to negotiate terms with me." Yi Bu's right fist clenched slightly."If news about the Dark River spreads across the martial world, we who have nowhere left to go will make Heaven Revelation City our first stop. Perhaps the world cannot tolerate us, but we will also ensure the Shadow Sect disappears from this earth." Su Muyu cast one last glance at Yi Bu, then briefly glanced at the screen before walking out the door.

After he left, the person behind the screen emerged, rubbing the jade thumb ring on his hand with a smile. "A fine young man. Bold, intelligent, and highly skilled in martial arts."

"He sensed your presence the moment he entered. Did you not conceal your aura deliberately?" Yi Bu asked in confusion.

The black-clad man shook his head. "No, I used the Soft Breath Technique before he entered, completely masking my presence. His martial skills are extraordinary—surpassing even the previous head of the Su Family at such a young age. The Shadow Sect alone won't be enough to control them." He patted Yi Bu's shoulder and walked outside.

On Vermilion Bird Street in Heaven Revelation City, Li Xinyue stood atop the Watchtower, surveying the city's movements. After completing her sweep, her gaze settled on the southwestern direction.

A tall, lean man wearing a bamboo hat and holding a Buddhist staff in his right hand stood on a distant rooftop, looking directly at her.

Li Xinyue froze for a moment before immediately drawing her sword and charging forward.

The lean man smiled faintly and leaped down, his figure quickly vanishing into the darkness.

Li Xinyue whistled sharply, prompting numerous hidden experts to mobilize, assisting her in intercepting the lean man.

"Still that troublesome woman," the lean man chuckled. With a flick of his Buddhist staff, seven golden rings shot out, repelling his pursuers, while three flew straight toward Li Xinyue. She swung her sword, deflecting all three rings effortlessly. "It really is you! Su Zhe of the Su Family!"

Su Zhe turned around, extending his staff to retrieve the three rings, then grinned at Li Xinyue. "Long time no see, beautiful."

"What are you doing in Heaven Revelation City?" Li Xinyue roared, charging at him with her sword.

Su Zhe retreated lightly. "Visiting a friend."

"Who in Heaven Revelation City would befriend someone like you?" Li Xinyue closed the distance and thrust her sword at him. Unlike Su Muyu, she had witnessed Su Zhe's killings firsthand and knew the terror of this peerless assassin. Such a man had no place in Heaven Revelation City!

"Now, now, I'm a good man these days," Su Zhe blocked with his staff but was forced back seven steps by Li Xinyue's strike. "Still as fierce with that sword as ever, woman."

"And you still chew betel nut like a fool, your Mandarin just as awful!" Li Xinyue snapped.

As the two faced off, a nearby inn's window suddenly opened, and Su Muyu leaned out, calling down, "Senior Li."

Li Xinyue looked up in surprise. "You're not—"

Su Zhe sheathed his staff and stepped forward with a smile. "This here's the friend I came to see. Any problem with that?"

"I warned you—if you step out of line, I'll drive you out of Heaven Revelation City myself," Li Xinyue said coldly.

"Uncle Zhe is no longer part of the Dark River," Su Muyu interjected, shaking his head. "Please rest assured, Senior.""No longer part of Dark River?" Li Xinyue frowned slightly, looking at Su Zhe. "Were you expelled from Dark River?"

Su Zhe shrugged. "I found my daughter. I have a family now."

Li Xinyue's expression changed slightly. After hesitating for a moment, she ultimately said nothing. She sheathed her sword, gave Su Muyu one last glance, then turned and left.