[Urban] The Way Home (Complete) - 25-27

Chapter Twenty-Three: A Huge Trap

"This is an enormous deal!" I exclaimed, looking at the briefing in my hand. Ten thousand taels of gold for one person's life! Although that life wasn't easy to obtain, considering the battle with the Human Path, I had mobilized almost all my brothers to obtain fifteen thousand taels of gold—that was the annual income of the fourth largest gang in the world! It seemed I was determined to make this deal!

Ten days later, I and the women settled in a small town called Chuyun. The three hall masters were already waiting for me there; such a big deal required some discussion with them.

"Are you coming or not! Little Elephant, look how strange the name of this inn is!" I hate it when Ao Xing calls me Little Elephant, but she's gotten into the habit these days, and I can't do anything about it. I just said irritably, "Passersby come and go, whether they come or not is entirely up to them, what's so strange about it!" That's true, but what really puzzles me is this town. From the moment I entered the town, I noticed that every vendor and laborer on the street knew martial arts, and the children playing on the street corner just now were holding real knives and guns. What's most suspicious is the attitude of these people. Our group is as special as you can imagine. Lin Zuixian and I are of course not, because our cultivation has allowed us to completely conceal our energy and spirit, but the four women accompanying us are all stunningly beautiful, and there's also the unique figure of Xiao Kui and the other three, plus Barton. Elephant must be a rare sight! We caused quite a stir as we passed through villages and towns, but the people here treated us like we didn't exist. Even the most curious children seemed to deliberately avoid us. If the Third Hall Master hadn't invited me here, I would have truly thought I'd fallen into a trap involving hundreds of people.

"Oh! Gentlemen, please come in, please come in!" Seeing the waiter who came to greet us, I understood. Guess who he was? Xiao Jie, the messenger of Zhang Zhi, the leader of the Robbery Hall. This town was probably the headquarters of the Robbery Hall. Sure enough, the Third Hall Master was waiting for me in the hall. After exchanging pleasantries, everyone took their seats. Xiao Yu and the others knew the men needed to talk, so they went upstairs to their guest rooms to rest. Only Ao Xing stayed by my side, chattering incessantly. "Oh! This uncle is so dashing! Do you have children? I'll take care of finding him a family to marry into. Oh! And this uncle, with such refined bearing and natural grace, is actually a Grandmaster! Can I get your autograph?" The hall masters, who had never seen Ao Xing's torturous methods before, were all dumbfounded. "Ao Xing!" I affectionately pulled her into my arms and kissed her lips. Ao Xing blushed and immediately shut her cute little mouth. "Remember, if you talk nonsense again, I'll punish you like this again!" Ao Xing was charming and captivating, leaving everyone stunned. "Ahem! Holy Lord, I came in a hurry this time and couldn't greet you properly, please forgive me!" Zhang Zhi, unusually, didn't utter a single swear word in his sentence.

"If I'm not mistaken, this is your territory, right?" I couldn't rest easy without getting to the bottom of it.

"Your Majesty is wise! This Chuyun Town is our headquarters. Everyone in the town, young and old, is considered a member of our Killing Fortress. It's a tradition passed down through generations. Even the government office is our own. In fact, I was born and raised here."

"No wonder! But how do we keep this a secret?" I asked curiously.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. The members of our gang are all ordinary people. In addition, the houses and villages here are connected, and we are protected from both above and below ground. There are no outsiders here. Even if there are spies from other forces, they will be discovered immediately. Many years ago, the first battle when the martial arts world attacked our Killing Fortress was fought here. My great-grandfather led his men to defend Chuyun to the death, fighting against four thousand birdmen. He established an unparalleled reputation for our Killing Fortress. When our Killing Fortress counterattacked, the scum who besieged the city had suffered more than half casualties. Of course, the population of our town also decreased by 60%, but we didn't let a single person set foot in Chuyun." Zhang Zhi finished speaking with great pride!

"I see! So what do you two think of this deal?" I turned to Da Nian and Leng Duxing.

"Reporting to the Holy Lord! The situation is as follows!" Da Nian said, "Currently, the Nine Clan Party is the de facto ruling party within the Nine Clan Alliance, and its current leader is the Xiao family of Xiao Wentian, one of the top ten families in the world. In recent years, the Xiao family has produced many talented individuals, worked diligently to develop industry and commerce, expanded overseas trade, and massively destroyed temples, forcing monks and nuns to return to secular life, thus steadily increasing productivity. Furthermore, their family martial arts are renowned for their mastery of fist, palm, and leg techniques. Therefore, the Xiao family naturally created many enemies during their reforms, the most powerful of whom is the Sima family of the Nine Clan, one of the four great families. Although both families belong to the Nine Clan Party, the Xiao family won the party's internal election more than a decade ago..." The Sima family has fallen, and now the two families are even more divided in the party congress, with the Xiao family winning more often than losing. The Sima family's decision to hire me to kill Xiao Wentian at this time is undoubtedly because they are losing ground in the party struggle, and thus they've hired someone to kill him. If we eliminate Xiao Wentian, the Xiao family will naturally be leaderless and defeated without a fight. Of course, it's inevitable that they will come after us. The other day, our "Eagle Release" operation wiped out two of the top ten gangs in the world in one battle, and even dismantled the fourth largest gang in the land. Now, who doesn't know the name of our "Eagle Release" gang? The income from the "orders" we've received in the past few months is equivalent to the total income of the first five years! Of course, this is

all thanks to the wise leadership of our Holy Lord!" This Da Nian has really flattered me! I gladly accept his praise, and my confidence in this mission only grows stronger.

"How do we receive the 'hidden reward' (in slang for eliminating trouble for others)?" Xiao Wentian seems to be dead by now!

“Once the Holy Lord issues a kill order and sets a date, the client will definitely deliver the silver to our designated location, a deposit of five thousand taels of gold, of course.”

It seemed I was guaranteed to make this money! But Ao Xing's next words struck me like a thunderbolt.

“Wow! Really? If it really is the Sima family, then this family is incredible! Ten thousand taels of gold! Our Nalan family has been wealthy for centuries, but to come up with that much money all at once would mean selling our land and houses!”

Hearing this, the three hall masters were utterly shocked. Da Nian's eyes darted around before revealing immense shame, and he immediately knelt on the ground: “Please punish me for my negligence, Holy Lord!” Although I was horrified, I didn't show it. I simply kissed Ao Xing again. The little guy's unintentional words had saved countless lives in my killing spree! Ao Xing's wisdom was extraordinary. Despite still being immersed in my passion, she immediately guessed the problem upon seeing Da Nian's actions. Our lips parted. I put Aoxing down and helped Danian up, saying, "How can I blame you! I was kept in the dark too." Seeing that the other two hall masters, though they seemed to have some idea, still looked bewildered, I turned to Aoxing, "Since the problem was raised by Madam, then please help us solve it!"

This was the first time I had publicly revealed Aoxing's identity, and she was overjoyed. Not wanting to miss an opportunity, she quickly pinched me and said to the hall masters, "It's actually very simple! My family and the nine Sima families are both ancient and prestigious clans. My family doesn't have that much money, but the Sima family..." "They can't produce that much either, so they must have another purpose." Several hall masters nodded repeatedly, this was something they hadn't expected. Zhang Zhi suddenly realized and slapped his thigh: "Yes! I, Zhang Zhi, have robbed for half my life, and apart from that one heist in the Human Realm, it's not much at all!" Ao Xing just smiled and continued: "So I dare to guess that Sima's commission this time is a trap, and a huge trap at that! This trap is definitely not the work of just one person. Just now, I heard this hall master say that after the Xiao family came to power, they confiscated temple property on a large scale, and even the monks and nuns..." Engaged in production, their second major enemy must be the Chan (Zen) sect. Although the Buddhist capital acts discreetly, they would never sit idly by and watch their power suffer such losses. It's certain that they are allied with or even supporting the Sima clan in the region. Furthermore, in the operation the other day, our Little Elephant Saint Master killed several of their top fighters and dismantled their representative in Nanyue. They suffered a huge loss. The Buddhist capital's relative inactivity in recent months doesn't mean they've forgotten their grudges. Now it seems they must have been planning this! First, the Sima clan... They wouldn't be foolish enough to provoke us without strong reinforcements. They only launched this operation because of the manpower and financial support of the Chan sect. This allows them to use us to eliminate their formidable enemy and regain power, while also consolidating their influence with the help of the Chan sect. Secondly, the Chan sect hates Sha Bao to the core. An alliance with the Sima clan will not only restore their power within the Nine Clan but also completely crush their greatest enemy—us. Finally, Sha Bao's mission is a one-way trip, as neither the Sima nor the Chan sect will give us a chance to counterattack. Therefore, a dead end awaits us in the Nine Clan!

It was only then that I witnessed Ao Xing's unparalleled wisdom. She could discern the strangeness of the situation from just a brief explanation, and even grasp the true nature of the matter. Although there might be some twists and turns, I was certain she was almost entirely accurate! Looking at Da Nian beside me, I couldn't help but laugh; he was already sweating profusely. That's right! What awaited us was a colossal trap, a deadly predicament with no chance of survival! And the leader of the opposing force was clearly no ordinary person. He exploited our complacency and arrogance following our great victory at Killing Fortress, creating a false impression of weakness and seclusion, while simultaneously devising this two-birds-with-one-stone scheme! I now truly hope to meet this mastermind; I wonder what kind of remarkable person he is!

At this moment, the three hall masters were all kneeling on the ground. I knew Ao Xing's analysis had dealt them a heavy blow. Their fame from the battle and the recent prosperity of Killing Fortress had made them lower their guard. They were indeed negligent. If Aoxing hadn't reminded them, they probably wouldn't have realized the gravity of the situation until they were about to die. I comforted them and helped them up again. The enemy's scheme was clever, but it was my Aoxing who saw through it. Looking at Aoxing's smug face beside me, I couldn't help but have a bold idea. Always speaking my mind, I immediately put it into practice.

"Gentlemen, let's take another look at this matter!"

"I have something to say!" Zhang Zhi was the first to speak: "If they're playing dirty tricks, why don't we just ignore them? At worst, we can find a few of them alone and kill them to vent our anger!"

Although Zhang Zhi spoke casually, it was the safest move at the moment. We had no choice but to ignore them, and assassinating them as a warning could break their will, but that wasn't what I wanted. If I killed them, it would be a sign of weakness, and how could I hold my head high in the martial world afterward? Therefore, this safest move was also the worst possible option. "No! We must take this deal, even if it's a dead end, but we must use every means to regain the initiative and achieve the greatest results with the least cost! All you hall masters, step forward and receive my orders!"

"Military Intelligence Hall, Li Danian!"

"Yes, sir!" "

I order you to quickly obtain the deployment information of all Sima, Xiaoshi, and Chanzong personnel within the Nine Realms."

"Yes, sir!"

"Robbery Hall, Zhang Zhi!"

"Yes, sir!" "

I order you to remain where you are, but have a 500-man assault team on standby."

"Yes, sir!"

"Supervision Hall, Leng Duxing!"

"Yes, sir!" "

I order you to send orders to assassins Gold Medal 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 to depart immediately; the rest will remain behind. You must infiltrate the Nine Realms with them first!" "Yes, sir!"

"Alright everyone, even if there's a thick fog ahead, we'll break through it! This operation will be called Operation Cloud Emergence. And the commander-in-chief is this lady beside me who saved our lives..." "No, no! I can't!" Before I could finish, Ao Xing cried out. At my signal, the hall masters obeyed and left. I pulled Ao Xing into my arms. "Little baby, you were so generous just now, why are you suddenly acting like a coward? Don't you want to be my strategist?" "Then...then...what's the prize?" "How about I give you a little baby?" "Ah! I don't want it..." I swallowed the words. Ao Xing truly is a lucky star in my life!

In truth, my decision to appoint Aoxing as the commander of this operation was merely a spur-of-the-moment decision. Admiring the other's exceptional intelligence, I couldn't resist testing Aoxing, who was equally brilliant, against him. Initially, I hesitated after speaking, but recalling the unwavering confidence on Aoxing's face as he guided everyone, I solidified my resolve. Although everything was still unknown, I trusted Aoxing. You take the main road, I'll take the narrow one; let's see who prevails!

And so, the revered Empress Xiaoxing of the Western Palace began her journey to conquer the world with me in a small town called Chuyun in Kunlun!

Chapter Twenty-Four:

The Gathering of Heroes Two months of arduous travel left my four wives and me unusually exhausted, but those who arrived were immediately captivated by the wealth and prosperity of the Nine Clan. The Nine Clan Alliance comprised six provinces and seventeen counties, with the Shuxiang Province, where its capital was located, being the largest. This province not only boasted beautiful scenery but also abundant resources, including the world-renowned Donglu City, the number one commercial city in the world. Donglu City, as the capital of the Nine Realms, is not only its political, commercial, and cultural center, but also an all-encompassing international metropolis. All goods from across the continent can be found here. Wealthy merchants from all over the world gather here, the streets are lined with shops and restaurants, and everyone is dressed in fine clothes and riding fine horses—a scene of prosperity and development.

It's a paradise for men, because the brothels of the Nine Realms house beauties of all kinds from across the continent; but it's also a hell for men, because the women who come with men are there to shop! And here I am, in the middle of hell! Upon entering the city, instead of meeting with my subordinates or contacting Da Nian, I was dragged by the women around me to Shuxiang Lixie, a famous commercial pedestrian street throughout the continent. On this five-mile-long street, I thoroughly experienced the greed and ignorance of women. A panda coat from Sichuan cost three thousand taels of silver! That's a year's salary for Aoxing's father, and this foolish woman actually exclaimed it was a bargain! But the most shocking thing was yet to come.

Shuxiangzhai! As someone who loves books, I finally found a good place. But to my bewilderment, the four women, who were only interested in clothing and accessories, flew in using their light-footed skills. When I entered the shop, I almost fainted! What a load of rubbish, "Shuxiangzhai"! I thought it was a bookstore, but the entire three-story space was filled with bellybands and undergarments! This was a damn lingerie shop! I really admire the owner for choosing such an elegant name. However, the selection was truly exquisite; hundreds of women's lingerie pieces, none alike. White for purity, black for allure, pink for dreams—each color offered a perfect interpretation for a woman. In my mind, I imagined each piece of lingerie being worn by the women, and a surge of arousal rose within me. I quickly found a chair to sit down, but this attracted Ao Xing's attention, followed by the women's merciless teasing. I could only shake my head and smile bitterly, lamenting my utter bad luck.

The arrival of the four women quickly caused a sensation at the Book Fragrance Pavilion. Xiaoyu's charming cuteness, Chusan's shy beauty, Wanchu's serene grace, and Aoxing's spoiled intelligence—all four were the epitome of womanhood. In this women's world, their boundless charm shone through. The female guests were naturally envious, while the male guests were completely captivated. I felt my anger rising; seeing those idiots staring at my women with drool in their eyes, I wanted to grab my greatsword and wreak havoc. "Young master, you are an extraordinary person. Why bother arguing with those vulgar commoners!" A woman appeared beside me without my noticing. I immediately gave her an idiotic look, but she… but she was dressed far too scantily! She wore a light blue floral jacket over a snow-white fox-patterned vest, the neckline of which was plunging to her chest, revealing a patch of snow-white flesh. Her lower body was even more astonishing: a matching light blue mesh skirt, through which a pair of long, slender, white legs were vaguely visible. This woman's every glance was captivating, her words laced with seductive allure. Two words involuntarily welled up in my mind: "Fox!"

Every move she made was irresistibly alluring. Seeing my dumbfounded, swallowing expression, the woman didn't seem angry: "Young master, you bring such a beauty with you into the Nine Cities, are you unaware that this is the time of 'Five Lakes and Four Seas'?" "Gathering wind and rain." I was suddenly jolted out of my reverie. This woman's phrase, "Gathering wind and rain across the five lakes and four seas," was the code word for this operation in Chuyun. I looked at this alluring woman again. "Thank you for your concern, Miss, but I've always believed that 'the sun shines over every mountain and river.'" That's right, "Gathering wind and rain across the five lakes and four seas, the sun shines over every mountain and river." This was a casual remark by Ao Xing, reflecting on the fleeting nature of events. I found it quite fitting and used it as the code word. But I never expected to encounter such a remarkable person here. It seems that Killer Fortress is truly a place where dragons and tigers hide.

Only she and I remained in the small private room. We gazed at each other, and I could tell from her eyes that she must have practiced the art of seduction. She had just used it on me, and I, caught off guard, had actually fallen for it. Otherwise, how could my willpower have been so weak? This woman's seductive skills seemed to have reached a high level; otherwise, how could she have made me lose myself in an instant! "Aren't you going to introduce yourself?" Someone had to break the silence. She jolted awake and slowly bowed: "I am Wu Qingsi, formerly of the Killing Fortress Military Intelligence Hall, and I am in charge of the ninth day of the first lunar month." Another leader of the first lunar month! "Oh! Your name is Qingsi, no wonder you like to wear clothes with green hair!" A blush rose on Wu Qingsi's charming face. "This is my shop, and all the clothes are my designs. The leader once said that you can find out everything about the world from a woman's mouth, so I used my skills to settle here."

I naturally guessed that the shop was hers, but hearing that even the lingerie was her design, I couldn't help but marvel at this woman's amazing skills! Then she asked curiously, "Has the Holy Lord also practiced seductive arts?" I was equally surprised: "Of course not! Qing Si, why do you ask such a question!" The word "Qing Si" almost made her fall over. "This subordinate has seen the Holy Lord's portrait. Just now, seeing you sitting upright in your chair, your divine presence was captivating, as if you were one with heaven and earth. This made this subordinate dare to test my seductive arts, but the way the Holy Lord looked at me broke through my technique, and even made this subordinate... made this subordinate... this subordinate doesn't know how to say it!" Carefully savoring Wu Qing Si's myriad... I already understood her charm. My Heavenly Eyes, stimulated by her seductive arts, could actually retaliate. Since her power level was far below mine, the only outcome was that her seductive arts were broken. The direct consequence of breaking her seductive arts was falling in love. I suppose she was now… “Holy Lord, no…” She naturally rejected my blazing gaze, but her body involuntarily leaned towards me. Of course, I knew what was going on, so I took the opportunity to pull her into my arms and immediately found her cherry lips, giving her a sweet kiss. Just as things were getting intense, an uninvited guest abruptly interrupted us.

“You little elephant! I knew I couldn’t leave you here alone! You’ve already kissed a beauty in such a short time!” It was Ao Xing! It was Ao Xing, the one who always gave me a headache. Wu Qing Si was still in my arms at this moment, feeling extremely embarrassed. "Alright! Now that Commander Nalan is here, let's get down to business!" Wu Qingsi wanted to bow in respect, but I held her tightly, and I couldn't bear to see her so embarrassed, so I let her go. Then she began to explain the current situation.

It turned out that the Nine Clan was more complex than we had imagined. Besides the powerful Xiao family and Sima family, there was also the Lan family, who held the position of commander-in-chief of the Nine Clan's defense. The Lan family patriarch, Lan Tianyu, was one of the Ten Marshals of the Universe, known locally as the lord of the Nine Clan. He commanded a large army and was the highest representative of military power within the Nine Clan, but his current whereabouts were unclear, and his relationship with the two families fluctuated. The head of the Sima family was a woman, twenty-four years old and unmarried, yet she called herself the Lady of Wind and Moon. This woman was resourceful, ruthless, and had many followers, most of whom were renowned figures in the martial arts world. Her strength was not to be underestimated, and I suspected that this plan was likely orchestrated by her. Looking at the Xiao family, the current leader of the Nine Alliance, their household is filled with experts, and their descendants are exceptionally talented. Among the thirteen siblings, Xiao Xiaoman, Xiao Xiaoshan, Xiao Xiaohong, Xiao Xiaoye, and Xiao Xiaofeng are all outstanding individuals, earning them the nickname "The Mountain of Red Maple Leaves" within the Nine Alliance. Due to the correctness of their policies in recent years, the Xiao family enjoys immense popularity and their influence is at its zenith. Although there's an unknown force involved, I haven't given it much thought. My biggest concern right now is the Zen sect; I wonder what powerful figures these monks will send?

Wu Qingsi clearly saw through my thoughts and continued, "There aren't many people coming from the west yet. The most prominent among them is Feng Ruxue, the Sword Saint of Sword Capital. He has brought his Three Talents Swordsmen and is on their way. Although they are deliberately concealing their identities, our brothers in Sword Capital have confirmed that this is their destination. As for Buddha Capital, there has been no sign of any personnel movement, but we are closely monitoring them and will report back immediately if there is any news. Please rest assured, Holy Lord."

With Da Nian by my side, I was naturally reassured, but Sword Capital's involvement made me somewhat uneasy. I had once deceived a few of Feng Ruxue's foolish disciples, but how could he be so petty? The Three Talents Swordsmen are Sword Capital's elite force, second only to the Heavenly Guard. Their all-out effort is definitely not for sightseeing. Could it be that Buddha Capital and Sword Capital have an agreement? But there is almost no conflict of interest between them; they are just two major righteous sects. What has made Sword Capital get involved in this mess? Looking at Ao Xing's expression, I was also puzzled and stopped thinking about it, only instructing them to keep a close eye on their movements. Just then, the sounds of fighting came from outside.

Looking out, I saw Xiaoyu locked in combat with a young man in fine clothes. The young man was undeniably handsome, and his martial arts skills were quite impressive. If he hadn't been deliberately toying with Xiaoyu, she would have already been defeated. Wan Chu, who was nearby, came over to explain. Apparently, this man had spoken lewdly and insulted her, and Xiaoyu, unable to bear it, had said a few words to him. Unexpectedly, he became even more aggressive, and Xiaoyu had started fighting him. I looked at Wu Qingsi, who understood immediately: "Your Majesty, this man is a favorite of Madam Fengyue of the Sima family, called some kind of tragic young master. He's extremely dissolute and lecherous, but he's actually quite skilled!" Looking again, the two had already separated, and Xiaoyu was panting heavily beside them. The young man, seeing all the women standing behind me, couldn't help but sized me up. I wasn't angry at his contemptuous expression, but Qing Si stepped in to smooth things over. I was too lazy to even acknowledge him and led the women back to the elegant room. Xiao Yu, seeing my cowardice, couldn't help but sulk. That was fine, it saved me the trouble of comforting her.

"Void! Since you're here, why not show yourself?"

A figure suddenly appeared from the corner of the room: "This subordinate has been waiting for the Holy Lord's summons."

"After so many days, you've actually refined the Shattered Void to its peak; this is beyond my expectations."

"Still not up to the Holy Lord's standards."

"What do you think of the person who bullied Madam Yu earlier?"

"Reporting to the Holy Lord, he's a piece of trash!"

"Very well, bring that man's head to Madam Yu before noon tomorrow to apologize."

After I finished speaking, all the women were startled. I cared too; I was just wondering how to greet people when I first arrived, and now a fool had appeared. This scoundrel dared to assault my woman in front of everyone at the pavilion! How could I not kill him? This will also let the Sima family know that the assassin they "devoutly" hired has finally arrived. This fool will be my gift to his family.

Chapter Twenty-Five: Strong Reinforcements Arrive

The cool autumn wind swept across the land. Although it was midday, the sun had lost its usual heat. A group of knights galloped along the official road outside Donglu City. Each of them wore a fiery red cloak and a crimson chain saber at their waist, creating a whirlwind of movement. Behind them was a magnificent carriage, and the driver was dressed similarly. The group stopped at a small grove after dismounting from the official road. The knights went from dismounting to being on guard in the blink of an eye, showing that they were indeed a well-trained and elite force.

A noblewoman in palace attire stepped down from the carriage. Her face was as red as peach blossoms, and her skin as white as snow. Yet, a cold and murderous aura emanated from her glances. "Madam! You'd better not look! The person is dead, and besides, the way they died is truly horrific..." The noblewoman ignored her and strolled into the woods. The woods were now tightly sealed off, with burly men in tight-fitting clothes holding knives and bows, their expressions as if facing a formidable enemy. As the noblewoman walked towards them, the men all knelt down wherever they landed, making the woman appear incredibly revered.

"Madam, this is it!" The man who had tried to dissuade her pointed to a straw mat ahead. The lady immediately smelled a strong stench of blood as she approached, but after a slight frown, she gestured for her men to lift the mat. Underneath the mat was a headless corpse, with a ripped wound on its neck, still bleeding, indicating that the person had only recently died. The lady frowned again: "Brother Fenghan! Even the third-in-command of your Heavenly Doctor Manor can't figure this out?" The man behind her was none other than Huo Fenghan, the third master of Heavenly Doctor Manor. "It seems you overestimate me, Madam! I can only say that this tragic young master died at noon today, his neck broken and head severed by a top-tier master. As you may have noticed, there are no signs of struggle here, indicating it was a single, fatal blow. Just as you said, I truly cannot discern the killer's martial arts, nor do I know who they are." The beautiful woman was momentarily dizzy from the stench of blood, and Huo Fenghan quickly stepped forward to support her. "Hey! I told you not to look so much!" His words were full of affection. "I'll listen to you next time, okay?" The woman then began to snuggle into the man's arms. These two were clearly not ordinary people; even in the face of such a gruesome corpse, they still managed to flirt.

I was currently in a courtyard house. A table full of food and wine attracted most of my attention, while the three women constantly adding food and pouring wine for me were a constant reminder that I was in a paradise of pleasure. "Hey? Where's your little Yu?" I only then noticed that there were only three maids at the table. Wan Chu raised her hand to wipe the wine stains from my lips: "Really! Yu ran off with Uncle Xu Kong early this morning, and you only think to ask now!" I immediately realized that the two of them must have gone to seek revenge on that fool from yesterday. Just then, one of them burst through the door and slammed a cloth bag onto the table. "How come you just popped out when I mentioned you!" Seeing Yu's delighted expression, I was happy too, but the girl ignored me and plopped down on my lap. "Ginkgo taro paste, camphor tea duck, abalone, stir-fried frog with Panax notoginseng flowers, wow! We sisters have been eating all this meat and fish since you took us here. Look how plump Aoxing has gotten these past few days!" "Who...who's plump? You brat, slap yourself!" Aoxing loved playing with Xiaoyu the most, and now that she'd been bullied, she was determined to fight back. The two of them ran around the room, making quite a commotion. Out of curiosity, Chu San opened the cloth bag that Xiaoyu had dropped. Before I could stop her, I heard her scream. But as soon as Xiaoyu entered the room, I smelled the blood in the bag. The cloth wrapped around a bloody human head. Wan Chu, who was standing to the side, was already gagging. Chu San, however, woke up with a start. "You little brat! You're just angry that we didn't wait for you to eat! Why did you have to resort to such a terrifying scheme?" After saying that, she joined Ao Xing's side. In just a moment, Xiao Yu was loudly begging for mercy. I and the cloth-wrapped girl were very surprised. "Xiao Yu, tell me what happened and I will forgive you today!" "Okay... oh... I'll talk... I'll talk..." Ao Xing and Chu San finally stopped their attack. "Speak! Void just randomly picked someone in my name and lured him to a grove outside the city. Before he could even stand still, Void descended from the sky and ripped his head off with a snap. Naturally, Void also gave the messenger a good send-off." I was impressed by Void's efficiency and turned to Ao Xing, asking, "Now that we've given our orders, what should we do next, my little strategist?" "We should find something to do ourselves; we can't just sit here waiting!"

The procession dispersed like a flowing stream, and the grove returned to its tranquility, with only a large patch of blood on the tree trunks proving that a murder had just occurred. "Your beloved general has been killed, Madam. Aren't you going to do anything about it?" Huo Fenghan often couldn't fathom the thoughts of the woman beside him. "Third Master, do you know of any sect or school in the world that possesses such a master who kills without leaving a trace?" "It seems only the Assassination Fortress has such strength." "Haha, Third Master, you have great insight! Only the Assassination Fortress! Yesterday, that man offended several women at the Book Fragrance Pavilion, and unexpectedly, he met his demise today. What do you think this means?" "Perhaps he's provoking you, Madam!" "No, they are guests I invited. They want to tell me their strength." "Why did you ignore them when you invited them, Madam?" "I'm waiting! I'm waiting for something Third Master doesn't know!" The beautiful woman's words revealed a strange brilliance, and Huo Fenghan was momentarily captivated.

"What kind of business can we possibly have here? This is their territory. Do you want to add a few more murders to the list?" I couldn't understand Ao Xing's meaning for a moment. "I'm not talking about engaging in murder and robbery; I'm saying we should do some legitimate business!" "Why?" I felt this suggestion was completely worthless. “Think about it! They’re in the open, we’re in the shadows. Therefore, their preparations will be extremely cautious to guard against us. If we move from the shadows to the open, we’ll definitely attract their attention, causing their preparations to focus on us in the open. Our main force in the shadows will then be able to exploit loopholes in their plans and deliver a fatal blow.” At this point, I was completely at ease with Ao Xing. While I wouldn’t say this girl was perfect, she certainly possessed a certain uncanny ability to predict the future. “Then what kind of legitimate business do you suggest we do?” Thinking about this, I couldn’t help but become very interested in the suggestion. “I heard that you used to be a cook, so let’s open a restaurant, and it should be the most luxurious restaurant in the Nine Clan. That way, we can get in touch with the upper echelons of the Nine Clan and gather more information.” “That’s a good plan, but who told you I was a cook?” The three women simultaneously looked at Xiao Yu, who was taking small, hesitant steps towards the door. I simply scooped her up and pulled her into my arms, sternly demanding, "Tell me! How many other things have you betrayed me for?" Xiaoyu stubbornly denied everything: "No! No! It wasn't me! It wasn't me!" It was Chu San who betrayed her: "She said our husband drools in his sleep!" Wan Chu chimed in, "And he started drinking at seven and smoking at ten." "You...you guys are so disloyal!" That was it! I casually pulled down Xiaoyu's pants, revealing a patch of snow-white flesh. My large hands slammed down on it: "This is my family discipline! Little girl, what wrong things have you done behind my back?" "Ugh! I'm innocent! Aoxing gave me a pair of blood jade bracelets, Wan Chu gave me the Qiankun Pendant, and Chu San taught me a massage technique, that's why I told you!" I put Xiaoyu down and turned to the other three girls: "So you all got involved?" Then came gasps and screams, and the small house became lively again.

The next few days kept these girls incredibly busy. Xiaoyu searched high and low for cooks, while Aoxing went from street to street looking for suitable locations. Even Chusan and Wanchu were busy selecting tableware and utensils. Finally, after a month of joint efforts, a seafood restaurant called 'Crystal Palace' appeared in the bustling downtown area of Donglu City. The main

reason I chose to operate a seafood restaurant was because only there could I create a high-class atmosphere. We not only hired the renowned seafood master Liu Changhai, but also poached the head chef, Kame Goro, from a Japanese-owned seafood restaurant for a hefty price of two hundred taels of silver per month. To attract attention, we even assigned a group of our elite seafood warriors as waitresses, and Aoxing naturally became the proprietress. I, the proprietor, was assigned to the kitchen to oversee the seafood supply. So, I spent my days rolling around in crabs and prawns, getting covered in the smell of fish. I vaguely realized this was revenge for the time I caught and spanked the four women, but I wouldn't hold it against them. I just went to their beds every day, still smelling of blood, to see who would suffer the most!

Today, my Crystal Palace welcomed its first guest before it even opened for business. After being informed, I learned it was Da Nian, who had been missing for over two months, so I quickly changed and went to greet him.

Da Nian was still the same as before, his dusty appearance couldn't hide the excitement in his eyes. He didn't even greet me before saying, "Holy Lord, if it weren't for Lady Ao Xing figuring out the mystery, our centuries-old foundation of Killing Fortress would have been destroyed by my momentary negligence!" As he explained in detail, I couldn't help but feel horrified and secretly relieved.

It turns out that there have always been two major schools of Zen Buddhism: one is the worldly school that advocates using Buddhism to educate the people, and the other is the otherworldly school that advocates using Buddhist enlightenment. The differences between these two schools due to their different understandings of Buddhism have existed for hundreds of years, and the leadership of the Buddhist capital has constantly changed hands in the debates between these two schools. Furthermore, both factions have their own organizations. The Human Path, which had been destroyed by the Killing Fortress, was nominally under the control of the Worldly Faction, while the Compassionate Salvation Palace of the Transcendent Faction had four to five thousand monks and nuns practicing Buddhism. The Transcendent Faction, which had always focused on the study of Buddhism, had maintained leadership of the Buddhist Capital in recent years. However, since the Human Path was dismantled and the Three Elders were killed, they had been facing strong backlash from the Worldly Faction. Even the monks within their own faction harbored resentment over the deaths of several senior monks of the Jie generation, thus forcing them to reorganize their leadership. As soon as this new leadership took office, they began their retaliatory actions against the Killing Fortress. Da Nian learned through personal investigation that half of the 108 Arhats in the Arhat Hall of the Buddhist Capital had already embarked on their journeys, and the Demon Subduing Hall had been led by the Four Demon Subduing Venerables with their 600 Demon Subduing Warriors. Even the Transcendent Faction, which had always been indifferent to worldly affairs, had transferred a swordsman from the Compassionate Salvation Palace who was said to be their most outstanding. We learned nothing about this swordsman, Da Nian. We didn't know his gender, his age, or even our undercover agent at the Palace of Compassion and Joy had never seen him before. Da Nian had already listed him or her as the most dangerous person, because compared to the vast forces of the worldly faction, the otherworldly faction would surely send their most powerful figure. Even if it was just one person, they would be a super expert capable of turning the tide of battle. I was filled with curiosity about this mysterious Zen master, but what surprised me even more was Da Nian's last sentence.

He said, "Our reinforcements from Blade Gorge are almost here!"

I was so shocked I almost jumped up. Blade Gorge in Sichuan! The holy land for swordsmen on the continent! It has extremely strict requirements for its disciples; it's said that those who don't master the skills are never allowed to leave the mountain for life. Therefore, everyone from Blade Gorge who travels the martial world is a master. But Blade Gorge has always been known for its rigorous conduct and fair dealings; it's a rare and highly reputable righteous sect. How could I not be surprised that it was now being aided by the world's largest gang?

The fact that Da Nian spoke to me using telepathy clearly indicated the secrecy of the matter: "My Lord, please allow me to explain. The first Holy Master of my Killing Fortress hailed from the Blade Gorge of Sichuan, and was extremely high in both swordsmanship and seniority. Several years later, all of his fellow disciples in the Blade Gorge had passed away, so the Blade Gorge came to invite him to join their sect. However, by then, my Killing Fortress was already quite established, and the Holy Master instructed them to establish their own leader. But a few years later, the new leader of the Blade Gorge approached the Holy Master again, this time even going so far as to formally become a disciple of my Killing Fortress. It turns out that the Blade Gorge is deep in the treacherous mountains and waters of Sichuan, and in recent years, the disciples have been poor at managing the sect, and the sect has no assets, thus falling into disarray." Even making a living was difficult, so they came to rely on their distant grand-uncle. After hundreds of years of development, Blade Gorge has become a secret weapon of my Killing Fortress. This time, seeing the enemy's strength, I dared not report to the Holy Lord and invited this special force from Blade Gorge. I hope the Holy Lord will forgive me!

I just waved my hand, "How could I blame you? I'm too grateful to thank you!" This time we are facing the elite troops and top masters of the Zen Sect, plus the Sima of the Nine Clan and the Sword Capital with unclear motives. With the current strength of my Killing Fortress, the best result will probably be a draw. But once we have this surprise force from Blade Gorge, it will definitely greatly increase our chances of victory.

"How many troops did Blade Gorge send this time, and who is leading them?"

"Reporting to the Holy Lord, there are four hundred Blade Masters from the Desolate Land, and the leader is the current Blade Master of Blade Gorge, Dao Wuming!"

Chapter Twenty-Six Grand Opening

Today is the opening day of my restaurant. I was dragged out of bed early in the morning by the women. Looking closely, I saw that these girls had deliberately dressed up. Aoxing wore a sable coat with a floral pattern and a skirt embroidered with crescent moons, Xiaoyu wore a flowing, pleated silk dress, Chusan wore a long, flowing robe with a gold carp pattern, and even Wanchu, who preferred simple elegance, wore heavy makeup and a scholar's dress with a phoenix and sunrise design. I was suddenly surrounded by a sea of flowers. "It's not a wedding, why all this fuss?" My words were met with a barrage of criticism from all the ladies. So I quickly ran to the kitchen; sometimes, dealing with beautiful women is less appealing than being surrounded by seafood.

After many days of preparation, my Crystal Palace had transformed from a three-story corner tower into a magnificent palace. Aoxing even had her father invite the world-renowned Shui Mu Master from Kunlun Qinghua Hall to design the architecture. The entrance features a portico, ten feet wide and nine feet high, flanked by two main pillars, each adorned with a coiled blue-purple dragon. A couplet with gilded edges catches the eye: the first line reads, "Guests from all directions travel five roads and four seas, intoxicated in foreign lands," and the second, "Nine assemblies of relatives and friends enter six realms and ascend three mountains, laughing and embracing the universe." The horizontal inscription reads, "Crystal Palace," my gilded signboard! Inside, you'll see a statue of the God of Wealth, reaching to the ceiling and adorned with a shrine, its imposing presence awe-inspiring. On either side are eighteen extra-large octagonal tables. Since it's a seafood restaurant, there must be a fish tank. My fish tank is placed in the sky, crafted from all the Western Continent glass available on the market, acquired at a high price by Xiaoyu. Hanging high in the dome, it appears from below as thousands of fish swarm and hundreds of crabs compete.

To create a great start, Aoxing put a lot of effort into advertising: a 30% discount for the entire month, free drinks for all guests that evening, and a free new seasonal lingerie set from Shuxiangzhai for female guests. We even sent out gilded invitations, inviting almost all the prominent figures in Donglu City, including powerful families like the Xiao, Sima, and Lan families. The news spread like wildfire throughout Donglu City, like a New Year's celebration. Meanwhile, I was wondering what kind of show the representatives of the various families would put on tonight. Let's get together first, and then settle things once and for all.

"The auspicious hour has arrived..." "Ding!" "Bang!" Fireworks lit up the sky, marking the start of tonight's festivities. Aoxing and Xiaoyu, like two beautiful peonies, moved back and forth through the crowd. "Oh! Master Jia! We've been waiting for you! We'll have a good drink with you later!" "Oh, Young Master Lu! Why are you so late? Did you go to meet some girl again?" I watched Ao Xing's excellent performance from a corner and found it amusing. This brat has probably met countless 'masters' and 'young masters' behind my back. "The Xiao family's guests have arrived!" I used my divine light to look towards the door. The main guests have arrived! "Today, thanks to Miss's kind invitation, my father instructed my five siblings and I to express our sincere gratitude!" Ao Xing's expression remained unchanged, but she quickly stepped forward to invite them: "Young Master Xiao is too kind! We've invited you distinguished guests to our shop's opening today. I'll have to visit your master another day to thank him!" The five siblings of the Xiao family, known as "Red Maple Leaves All Over the Mountain," had all come. This was quite unexpected. Could it be that the Xiao family already knows my identity? But then I quickly dismissed that guess. The Xiao family couldn't possibly know my and the women's identities; surely very few people in the world would. It's just that my shop is so grandly owned that the Xiao family, after investigating, couldn't figure out who was behind it, so they sent their best disciple to scout ahead. If the Xiao family finds out today that we're up to no good, I think my restaurant will be demolished tomorrow! After all, this is their territory. The next two people who arrived also gave me pause. Sima Xiangru, the second son of the Sima family, arrived together with Lan Tianyu, the head of the Lan family! Nine lords personally came to offer their congratulations! I was completely baffled. Given Lan Tianyu's status, there was no need for him to attend such a banquet. What was he here for? Furthermore, he came in with the second son of the Sima family—such a lack of discretion suggests that the two families had reached an understanding or some kind of agreement. Seeing the puzzled expressions on the faces of the Xiao family's representatives only made me more uneasy!

"I suppose this lady is the head of the Crystal Palace!" It was Sima Xiangru who spoke. This young man, so refined and reserved, showed none of the arrogance typical of a noble young master. "My eldest sister is currently tied up with worldly affairs and cannot attend in person to offer her congratulations. Please forgive her, Miss. To make up for this, she has specially ordered five gifts to be prepared, one to be delivered every hour until the banquet ends tonight!" Ao Xing quickly chuckled. Lan Tianyu, standing to the side, made a startling remark: "Today, the daughter of an old friend is starting a business in my Ninefold Garrison. How could I, as the uncle of the Ninefold Garrison's defense commander, not come to offer my congratulations!" Ao Xing and I were both greatly surprised. If Lan Tianyu dared to say it was the daughter of an old friend, then he must be right. He already knew Ao Xing's identity, but we didn't know if he knew me. Ao Xing was momentarily stunned, then quickly replied with a smile: "Uncle, you're too kind! How can I explain this to my father when I get home? Uncle, you're making me feel so ashamed! Please, Uncle, take a seat!" Hearing this, I praised Ao Xing; her words were perfectly tactful. As expected, Lan Tianyu simply smiled enigmatically and stepped forward. Everyone along the way stood up to pay their respects. Who would have thought that the leader of the Nine Military Clan would appear at the opening ceremony of a seafood restaurant! Even the younger members of the Xiao family stood up with utmost respect, confirming that Lan Tianyu was indeed a powerful figure within the Nine Military Clan.

After everyone was seated, the banquet began on time. The clinking of glasses and the swirling of cups filled the air. Chu San and Wan, seeing Ao Xing and Xiao Yu become the target of everyone's attention at the table, had no choice but to bite the bullet and join in. During the banquet, apart from Lan Tianyu, who remained composed and drank heartily, the expressions of the others varied. Sima Xiangru hadn't spoken a word since sitting down, but I noticed his eyes kept glancing at Xiao Xiaoye, the fifth young lady of the Xiao family! And Xiao Xiaoye seemed to be avoiding him, only stealing glances when he wasn't looking. Could it be that the two of them had something going on? Just then, Xiao Xiaoman, the eldest son of the Xiao family, raised his cup and stood up, instantly attracting everyone's attention. Seeing everyone looking at him, Xiao Xiaoman spoke: "Today, on the auspicious occasion of the Crystal Palace's opening, I also have some good news to announce: my younger sister, Xiao Xiaoye, is getting married on the sixteenth of December this year, to a distant land in Sichuan. I hope all of you present will join me for a celebratory drink. Of course, the banquet will still be held here at the Crystal Palace!" I was shocked! Not by the good news itself, but by the sadness and deep affection in Sima Xiangru's eyes! Before I could even think about why the Xiao family had chosen this place for the banquet, I was captivated by the second son of the Sima family. Seeing the utter lack of joy on Xiao Xiaoye's face, I became even more certain that these two families, locked in a bitter struggle for years, had produced a couple in this generation!

"Your Majesty! The Sima family's gifts have all arrived!" I suddenly realized. The Sima family's gifts were the hidden trap in this operation. Da Nian had received the five thousand taels of gold in this way—a move that was truly undetectable! Because there was so much gold and it was too conspicuous, the Sima family delivered it in five separate shipments. I nodded as I looked at the five full chests of gold below. The fact that they so readily sent the money meant they hadn't discovered our operation. Thinking about how these people were paying to save their lives, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Da Nian, put the money away! Now come with me to see the brothers of Daoxia."

The mountain wind whistled in my ears, and the shadows of the trees flashed past us as Da Nian and I used our lightness skills to swiftly traverse the forest. After crossing four or five ridges, Da Nian finally gestured for me to stop. We were in a mountain hollow, the dense forest blocking out the sun. After a few steps, I saw a figure standing before me, and then I saw a faint aura flowing around him—a true aura that seemed to have a tangible form! This aura was filled with the demeanor of a domineering ruler and the spirit of a warrior! But what surprised me most was that I had seen this aura before.

This person must be Dao Wuming, the current master of the Dao Gorge. I suddenly felt like laughing, because he was deliberately releasing his sword aura with his back to Da Nian and me—no one had ever dared to turn their back to me like that! "Assassin Tycoon Number One! Do you know the consequences of disrespecting the Holy Lord!" Upon hearing this, the man turned and knelt on the ground, his true aura vanishing instantly. It seemed his martial arts were even more advanced than I had imagined! "Your subordinate greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be well! The rules of Assassination Fortress are that anyone who blasphemes against their superiors shall be executed on the spot! But I do not know how Your Majesty recognized me. Just now, I foolishly tested Your Majesty, and I beg Your Majesty to punish me!" That's right! The top assassin of Assassination Fortress is none other than Dao Wuming, the legendary number one swordsman in the world who has never stepped out of Dao Gorge! Just think, only he could kill the conjoined twins of the top ten in the world with a single strike in the midst of chaos! This is something I just realized now. If I were to rely solely on a familiar scent, I wouldn't be able to identify a person. But I am used to using my nose, and my pores can breathe on their own after my body was modified, so my sense of smell is ten times more sensitive than that of an ordinary person. The same scent confirmed Dao Wuming's identity for me, but I didn't tell him. The more secrets I have, the more chances I have to live.

"Get up! I couldn't resist scaring you with my tricks, and guess what? I was right!" Dao Wuming knew perfectly well what I meant by not revealing the truth. "The Holy Lord is indeed wise! This time, I've led four hundred elite swordsmen from Dao Gorge to assist you. We'll pave the way for the Holy Lord, and our Killing Fortress will be invincible!" "Oh? You have such a big mouth? Bring your four hundred swordsmen out to meet me!"

"Yes, sir!" With that, Dao Wuming tossed up a small black object, which then transformed into a streak of fire in the air above the mountain hollow. Suddenly, the mountain wind stopped, and the mountain scenery darkened. A murderous aura surged from the northern forest, a murderous aura capable of destroying the heavens and the earth, rushing towards where the three of us stood at an astonishing speed. In just a moment, countless black-clad swordsmen carrying three-foot-long swords appeared behind Dao Wuming. I was horrified! Their speed was so fast yet they moved without making a sound, and the coordinated action of four hundred men was so seamless—the special forces of Daoxia were truly remarkable!

After arranging the Daoxia forces, I rushed back to the Crystal Palace. Aside from the scattered dishes and cups, only a few sweepers remained in the hall. It seemed the banquet was long over; I wondered where my little darlings were.

I opened the door to the main room on the top floor, and a strong smell of alcohol hit my nose. My entry startled a woman in elegant attire who was dozing in a chair. "Who is it?" "It's me!" I smiled and walked towards her. "Why haven't I seen you earlier? Why are you in my room now, Miss Wu?" It turned out to be Wu Qingsi, who had been hiding ever since I kissed her that day. "I...I...I only brought the ladies up because they were all drunk! Who knew...who knew..." I don't care who knows what, I'm determined to keep this little vixen in the room today. I looked at the embroidered bed in the inner room, and sure enough, my wives were sprawled out on it, a forest of pink and white flesh. My lust suddenly surged. Wu Qingsi, skilled in seduction, immediately sensed this burgeoning desire and didn't know what to do, only fiddling with the hem of her clothes.

"Qingsi, come here! Why are you standing so far away? I'm not going to eat you!"

Wu Qingsi thought to herself, "My Lord, you're clearly going to eat me, and you still say that?" But she still moved closer to me. I couldn't wait any longer, so I reached out and pulled her over, sitting her in a chair. "Qingsi, don't you like me being close to you?" "No!" "Then why have you been avoiding me these past few days? Don't you know how much I miss you?" Wu Qingsi was so embarrassed by my words that she started to writhe in my arms. This was unacceptable! Just as I was about to conquer her, she fell silent again: "I don't blame the Holy Lord for breaking my seductive arts and arousing my passion that day. What I feared was that I couldn't be truly sincere with you afterward. But these past few days, I haven't been able to eat or drink, my heart is filled with your image. Only now do I realize it wasn't due to my seductive arts, but rather... rather..." To be honest, I only gave myself to her because I was afraid her seductive arts would be broken by me, thus exchanging my affections for only a beautiful body. Now, I know she has deep feelings for me, so I didn't hold back and suddenly kissed her cherry lips, my large hands slipping inside her clothes. It seems that Wu Qingsi was extremely aroused at the first touch, her seductive arts being most vulnerable to my provocation. Her arms wrapped around my broad back, and I had already removed her outer garment, revealing her undergarments. They were quite strange; a pair of trousers barely covered her full, snowy buttocks, while her upper body was covered only by a small piece of cloth, revealing her large breasts in the candlelight. This was definitely not Chinese clothing; it must be a rare import from the Western Continent! Yet this undergarment displayed all the woman's best features, making me incredibly aroused. Feeling my extreme erection, Wu Qingsi blushed deeply, "No...not here..." I teased her, "Then where does Qingsi want to go?" "There...there's a bed over there!" Her words were almost inaudible at the end. I glanced at the bed in the inner room and couldn't help but chuckle, "Qingsi, don't you see there's no room for us on that bed? Why don't we try the pleasures of this chair!"

Chapter Twenty-Seven: How to Arrange?

Springtime on the Small Chair! Wu Qingsi, as expected of someone skilled in seduction, remained compliant even under my vigorous advances. A glistening drop of water slowly flowed from our joined bodies, tinged with a few streaks of blood. Despite her inexperience, I showed no mercy. My erect penis moved rapidly in and out of her flower path, my large hands gripping her two delicate breasts, their swollen, snow-white flesh already scarred. Wu Qingsi, eager to indulge in our pleasure, had pushed her seductive arts to their limit. Fine beads of sweat dripped from her body, releasing a sensual fragrance, her alluring face radiating a captivating charm that could bewitch all beings. Every rise and fall of her tender body was exquisitely perfect. Ignoring her shyness, I flipped her over and pinned her to the chair. Wu Qingsi simply cried out and submitted to my will. I placed her hands on the chair, bending her waist downwards as much as possible, so that from behind I could see a deep valley overflowing with moisture and a cluster of beautiful pink folds at her anus. I pressed my burning heat against the entrance of her valley, and that single touch caused Qing Si to gasp repeatedly. I thrust forward, my member entering her tight, warm passage once more, each pump stronger than the last. Wu Qing Si was now too weak to use her seductive arts, only able to moan and gasp. Finally, she suddenly gripped the armrest of the small chair tightly, one hand reaching back to hug my waist. Her flower bud convulsed violently, a thick stream of nectar pouring onto the tip of my member. I then withdrew from her body, leaving a pool of fluid. Qing Si was completely exhausted from the release; if I hadn't held her in my arms, she would have already collapsed to the ground.

I laid my long, black hair, now obscured by the world, on the embroidered bed in the inner room. Looking at the women, their hair disheveled and unkempt, the small bed was a scene of boundless spring. Thinking that I hadn't yet satisfied myself, why not experience the bliss of embracing beauties? So I began to undress them one by one. Soon, the bed was a vast expanse of white flesh. Realizing my own absurdity, a surge of intense lust rose within me. Without regard for who was who, I pressed my weapon against them, taking turns exploring their flower paths, even practicing positions I had never dared to attempt before. Only after ejaculating into each of their bodies did I fall asleep, utterly exhausted.

When I awoke, the sun was high in the sky, and I was alone in bed. But seeing the marks of my depravity and the lingering fragrance of the women, I couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. Life, it seemed, had some flavor now! "All of you, come out here!" The people in the outer room rushed in upon hearing this, but they were all too embarrassed to approach me. I smiled mischievously, "Last night was so sweet, why are you being so timid now?" "And you dare to talk? You took advantage of us sisters while we were drunk to steal our kisses, and now you have the nerve to criticize us!" "What, Xiaoyu! My wife and I making love, is that stealing? Have you forgotten what we did last night?" "You...you actually did such a lewd thing!" "You usually get all shy when I ask you to change positions, but with such a good opportunity yesterday, I certainly wouldn't let it pass! Hey...don't run away! You all got a share!"

After washing myself thoroughly and tidying myself up neatly, I stepped out of the room, my face glowing. I ran into Wu Qingsi, whom I had given myself to the day before. I naturally showered her with sweet words until this beauty forgot her inhibitions before getting down to business. "Qingsi, you've been in the Nine Realms for so many years, do you know the character of Lan Tianyu, the lord of the Nine Realms?" Seeing my serious expression, Qingsi's face also hardened. "I don't know much about Lan Tianyu's character, but over the years he has had an excellent reputation in the Nine Realms' military, political, and even civilian circles. Currently, among the ten marshals in the universe, his reputation is the most prominent because he has led troops to repel the Kunlun invasion three times, and his military campaigns against the seven northern clans have been invincible. It seems he has been in the army for many years and has yet to suffer a defeat. Although I've been rooted in the Nine Realms for many years, I've only met him a few times. He is truly an unfathomable person!" Hearing Qingsi's words, I felt a pang of discouragement. These were all things everyone knew; what I wanted were the things that were little known. I racked my brains but still couldn't come up with a solution. This reclusive leader of the Nine Sects was already so unassuming, and if trouble were to break out, he would surely strike with lightning speed. He and that Zen sect's master swordsman had already been listed as my most threatening hypothetical enemies.

Looking at the women busy in the shop, I felt somewhat lost. The Zen sect's forces had been holed up at Fengtai Temple outside the city, showing no signs of movement. The Sima family had paid the bribe and remained silent. The Xiao family had held their daughter's wedding banquet in my shop, and the Lan family, with enough power to influence the situation, still hadn't made a move. Thinking about these unstable factors, I felt a wave of despondency. Why wasn't Aoxing here to keep me company? Ah! "Where's Aoxing?" "Sister Aoxing was invited away by the Lan family early this morning. She said to let you sleep and not worry about her!" Xiaoyu said from below. "This is utter nonsense!" I roared, startling everyone in the building into a frenzy. My anger surged, and I wondered what Aoxing was thinking. Without knowing the enemy's situation, I dared to walk right into their territory. What if the Lan family had ill intentions…? Thinking this, I dared not consider further. After inquiring with my servants about the Lan family's whereabouts, I rushed off.

Avoiding countless bunkers and hidden stakes, I ventured deep into the Lan family compound. This mansion, seemingly vast, actually only encompassed the area before me. The rest, though connected by buildings, formed the core of a grand Spring and Autumn Period formation. Indeed, the entire compound was a trap ready to be triggered. Even with a thousand troops, attempting to breach the place I stood now would come at a heavy price. Just looking at this formation, one could see that Lan Tianyu's reputation was well-deserved; he was truly a brilliant general.

A small building stood hidden within the formation, forming a network of pathways. Dozens of experts were currently guarding it, presumably Lan Tianyu's important reception and administrative area. Ao Xing must also be there. I dodged and weaved until I landed in a flowerbed ten steps away from the small building. Upon closer inspection, I realized I couldn't move another step. Any movement now would immediately attract the attacks of all the guards. All my hard work had led to this predicament, leaving me caught in a dilemma. I felt a surge of anger and worry for Ao Xing's situation. Gritting my teeth, I decided to brave this danger, no matter what. Without hesitation, I stepped out of the flowerbed, only to be surrounded

by more than forty guards within just two steps. I calmly met their gazes. Some were renowned martial arts masters, others were battle-hardened veterans. Various energies gathered around me, threatening to unleash a merciless attack with any movement. I smiled slightly. Even the three thousand imperial guards of the Kunlun Palace couldn't subdue me; what fear did I have of these mere palace guards? I took another step forward, the wind whistling past my ears! Before my foot even touched the ground, four longswords appeared before me, six palm strikes erupted from behind, and four figures cast a giant, shimmering silver net from the sky. My foot landed, and everything was before me. I sprang to my feet and struck the incoming swords with both palms almost simultaneously, sending the four figures flying backward. The net fell, trapping me within. The palm strikes from behind were already upon me. I channeled all my strength to turn and meet the attack. Thankfully, thanks to this Heavenly Net, two of the figures behind me stopped their assault upon seeing me trapped. I fought back with all my might within the net, holding off the remaining four's attacks, and rolled to grab the front edge of the net. With a powerful tug, the one holding the net on my left flew towards me. Suddenly, the air and ground were filled with deadly intent as I tried to rescue my companion. This time, instead of engaging in a direct confrontation, I used the momentum from the broken net to leap forward. Eight swords now faced me, but I remained unfazed. With a light touch of my feet, I soared into the air, incredibly fast. The guards could only watch as I flew over their heads and landed outside the small building's door. Those behind me launched another attack. I turned around, arrogantly facing the five palms, three fists, and nine swords. I raised two fingers and drew them towards them. Suddenly, a sound of wind and thunder filled my ears—this was the move 'Wind and Rain Settle the Vast Sea' from the *Haihe Tu* of the Four Great Classical Novels. The powerful finger strike sent several people flying more than ten feet away. Just as I was about to turn and push open the door, countless archers surged from the surrounding rooftops, their bows taut like moons, ready to fire.

"Squeak!" The door in front of me opened, and inside was none other than Ao Xing! Looking at the garden full of archers, I dared not move rashly. At such close range, I wasn't confident I could withstand a volley of arrows. "Husband!" Ao Xing's eyes lit up with an incredibly moving light when she saw me, and she threw herself into my arms. I could only hold her dumbly, while the crowd surrounding me inexplicably dispersed at this sight. Looking at Ao Xing in my arms, I couldn't help but feel annoyed. After fighting for so long, why hadn't anyone explained to me what was going on today?

"A fallen horse washes its broken sword in the icy river, yet in this humble room, spring still reigns for ten thousand years. What a fine couplet! To think that Commander Lan, after a lifetime of war, still possesses such a state of mind is truly admirable." Sitting opposite Ao Xing and me was none other than Lan Tianyu, the leader of the Nine Clans. Looking at this bearded general before me, I was furious. If you had invited me beforehand, why did you leave me to fight all over the place outside!

"Hahaha! Nephew, you and Aoxing are family, can't you call me uncle? Are you still upset about what happened earlier?"

I thought to myself, he's really old and shrewd. Even so, I didn't even blush. "You're joking, old man. I was just a little anxious when I saw Aoxing come to visit me so abruptly, so I came uninvited. I beg

you to forgive me for barging in." "Boy, stop with the veiled insults! I invited my niece Aoxing here to deliver a letter to an old friend, and also to talk to you about the current situation!"

Judging from Aoxing's expression, Lan Tianyu must be an old friend of Nalan Jingde. I didn't expect him to be so direct, and I didn't know how Aoxing had talked to him earlier, so I didn't know how to answer.

Lan Tianyu, seeing my expression, understood immediately and said, "Young nephew, although you're new to the Nine Realms, you must have a deep understanding of the situation here. Ao Xing just told me everything; you are all truly naive!"

I raised my head and met his gaze, but I was almost instantly defeated. Lan Tianyu was right; I wasn't involved in a struggle between two families, but in a major battle surrounding the Nine Realms' power. I immediately avoided Lan Tianyu's gaze, momentarily at a loss for what to do.

"Young nephew, you are indeed an extraordinary person, making you realize something with just a few words. But I still maintain that this is not the martial world, but the world itself! With your current strength, you may have a chance to compete, but ultimately you will be utterly defeated." At this moment,

I fully understood my disadvantageous position. What a martial world! What a world! I can fight to the end in the martial world, but what about the world? The Nine Clan's actions revolve entirely around political power, while my Killing Fortress is merely a powerful sect in the martial arts world. Yet, the change of power within the Nine Clan has attracted the attention of all nations on the continent. With the fall of the Human Path of Southern Yue, the Nine Clan has become the continent's leading trading power, with annual import and export transactions reaching astronomical figures. At this time, other nations on the continent, vying for greater benefits from the Nine Clan, will almost certainly play a significant role in this power struggle. Aoxing and I naively believed that the Zen Sect was our only formidable enemy, but the powerful nations on the continent have likely all laid astonishing traps within the Nine Clan. Thinking of this, I can hardly breathe; I've fallen into an unimaginable chaotic situation!

Just as I was lost in thought, Lan Tianyu's voice rang in my ears again: "Nephew, don't panic, I'm here to protect you! I just want you to understand one thing. So-called factional struggles don't necessarily have to end in life and death. Take the Xiao family and the Sima family, for example. They've been fighting for nearly a hundred years, and the situation remains the same. Do you know why?" I naturally didn't know. Seeing me shake my head, Lan Tianyu continued: "The Nine Clan is different from the continental countries that practice imperial rule. All rights and laws here are passed at the National Representative Joint Conference of the Nine Clan. In other words, there is no dictatorship here. Although Xiao Wentian of the Xiao family is the party leader, he is merely a symbol of the party's power. What truly decides everything is the opinion of the majority within the party. So now there's a problem: if someone is in the majority, then someone must be in the minority, and this minority must exist because only in this way can we ensure that the power of the Nine Clan is concentrated in the hands of a group of people rather than one family. Therefore, although the Xiao family and the Sima family have been fighting for so many years, they still haven't brought each other to an end." "My Nine Clan Party is filled with countless powerful merchants and influential figures. Since they still retain some power, they will never allow either of the two factions to perish. Losing a minority would inevitably lead to dictatorship, and the vast majority of party members would lose their right to participate in politics. Therefore, maintaining a balance of power between the two factions has been a consistent practice within the party for centuries. And for this reason, if your Assassination Fortress truly overthrows one faction in this operation, you will immediately become the target of everyone's hatred. The Nine Clan Party will certainly use the full force of the nation to eliminate you and avenge that faction, while the newly established faction will have even more reason to put you to death!"

At this point, I completely understood the deadly trap designed by the Sima clan! The Chan sect and even foreign forces are relatively easy to deal with because they are deeply embedded within the Nine Clan Party and won't be too conspicuous. But if I truly destroy either the Sima or the Xiao family, then I will face the retaliation of the entire Nine Clan Party. In that case, I don't know how many of my Assassination Fortress members will leave here alive! I was completely at a loss. I couldn't touch the Xiao family, nor could I touch the Sima family, who had put me in this predicament. How could I possibly devise a plan? 01-27
Chapter Twenty-Eight: A Perfect Solution

Aoxing and I walked hand in hand down the avenue. The late autumn evening always evoked a sense of melancholy. Gazing at the fiery sunset in the distance, I couldn't help but feel a sense of powerlessness. Even with extraordinary abilities, I couldn't hold back the passing of time.

"I was so happy to see you risking your life for someone at the Lan family!" Aoxing pressed her body tightly against mine.

"You dare say that! Knowing I was going to risk my life, why don't you take better care of yourself?" I said irritably.

"I know! I definitely won't do it again next time! I only went because I saw Father's keepsake!" Aoxing, though a little aggrieved, went along with my wishes.

I sighed: "Is your father alright?"

Aoxing was delighted to see my concern for her family: "He's fine! He even told me to take good care of you! He also told me to persuade you to withdraw immediately if things become unfavorable."

Nalan Jingde, holding the high position of Left Prime Minister of Kunlun, must be well aware of the gravity of this matter. Now even he doesn't have faith in me. Am I left with no choice but to retreat?

"Are you the owners of Crystal Palace, Mr. and Mrs.?" A man alighted from a carriage in front of me.

"That's me! May I ask what brings you two to

our home?" I returned his greeting. "Oh! My wife, Fengyue, has asked me to invite you both to our residence for a chat. We would be honored if you would grace us with your presence."

My mind raced, thinking, "So you've finally come to our door!" "I'm flattered, and I will gladly comply."

"Please, gentlemen, move into the carriage. My wife has been waiting for you for some time."

Once inside, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. Sima Fengyue's invitation to me must have been part of a carefully planned scheme. But right now, I had no idea what to do. Looking at Aoxing beside me, I felt a pang of guilt: "Aoxing! Other people's wives are welcomed in bridal sedan chairs, but I've brought you out of the house like this, and now I've put you in such a dangerous situation. I, your husband, truly..." Aoxing's small hand covered my lips, forcing me to swallow the words I was about to say. "The day I left home, I swore an oath to follow you for life. If you roam the martial world, I will wipe your sweat and shield you from the rain; if you conquer the world, I will devise strategies for you; if you till the fields, I will wash your clothes and sweep your floor; if you wish to have seventeen or eighteen children, I..." My kiss completely melted her deep affection. The moment our lips parted, I knew I was no longer the Kunlun Wu Hui of the previous moment. I had such a lover! I had such power! I would surely make those who dared to try to control my destiny utterly astonished! I am Kunlun Wu Hui! So those villains only deserve to pant at my feet!

"Madam, how have you been? It is only now that I have met your husband!" The one who greeted me at the door was the second son of the Sima family.

"These past few days, my wife has often spoken of Young Master Sima as dashing and talented. Today, upon meeting him, I realize my wife was right. I am Li Wu Hui, and I pay my respects." I hastily made up a pseudonym to deceive her.

"Young Master Li, you flatter me! Your wife is truly an extraordinary person. Your presence greatly honors our humble abode! Please come in!" With that, she led the way.

I observed Sima Xiangru's demeanor. Although he spoke logically, his brows were furrowed, suggesting he was preoccupied. Ao Xing suddenly said, "Our shop has been extremely busy lately with Miss Xiao Ye's wedding banquet. I wonder if the Second Young Master will attend?" "I absolutely must go!" Her words were laced with hostility. Sima Xiangru then noticed something amiss: "Why would Madam care about such a matter?" I secretly praised Ao Xing's intelligence, then remained silent, exchanging a smile with her. Ao Xing must have also noticed something amiss between the Second Young Master of the Sima family and Miss Xiao Ye of the Xiao family. Seeing our inscrutable expressions, Sima Xiangru said nothing more, his expression filled with apprehension. I really don't know how this second young master got into this world. All his emotions are written all over his face. He'll definitely suffer a great loss in the future. I've already thought that if this second young master is used properly, it will definitely have a miraculous effect, but I still don't have a plan yet. I'll wait until I see his sister before I do.

"Haihe Huayue Pavilion!" I suppose this elegant hall is where the Sima family receives guests. Sure enough, a noblewoman in palace attire was already waiting at the door. This woman had two crescent-shaped tassels in her hair, her skin was as white as snow, and she was as beautiful as a goddess. As soon as she saw us, she smiled like a wisp of smoke. "I've finally invited you two! I was just preoccupied with some trivial matters and was unable to personally greet you. Please forgive me for my poor hospitality." "Fake!" That was my first impression of Sima Fengyue. "Seductive!" Her steps were like a graceful dance, and every move she made exuded charm. That was my second impression of her. "Cunning!" That was my third impression. She grabbed my hand immediately, and from the two layers of force emanating from it, I could tell she had two purposes: one was to test my martial arts skills; the other was a seductive technique, completely different from Qing Si's, seemingly to test if I could be bewitched. "So be it," I thought, concealing my strength while feigning a seductive expression. Sure enough, the enchantress's disdain vanished in an instant. Seeing Ao Xing's displeasure beside her, I realized the enchantress had a third purpose: to provoke Ao Xing. I became even more cautious; every move she made concealed danger. Yet, I couldn't think of a countermeasure, and could only let her lead me into the hall.

After we were seated, I realized Sima Fengyue had no intention of letting go. She held my hands tightly, and I felt another wave of distress. A woman with such a vicious mind and such shamelessness was the most difficult to deal with!

"Xiangru, you go out first! Let me get to know this couple properly!" Sima Xiangru was clearly reluctant, but she obediently closed the door for us from the outside. I was quite embarrassed for her at this moment. What kind of words should the head of the Sima family say? What does "get to know them properly" mean? It's the kind of word that courtesans use when soliciting customers.

The footsteps outside the door faded into the distance, and Sima Fengyue finally released me. "My little sister was immediately captivated by you, young master. You won't blame me for being so promiscuous, will you?" I was completely confused by her use of "little sister" and "servant," thinking, "If I'm promiscuous, how can you not be?" But I couldn't say that aloud. "Madam, you flatter me! I also felt an instant connection with you." I could clearly feel Ao Xing beside me about to vomit! "Hehehehe!" A ghostly giggle rang out. "Young master is quick-witted, but this little sister beat me to it, otherwise..." She didn't finish her sentence, but everyone understood the implication. Ao Xing rolled her eyes. "What a fucking fake!" I cursed inwardly, quickly getting to the point: "Miss entrusted me with this important task of attacking the fortress. What are your thoughts on this?" Sima Fengyue's expression vanished instantly.

Her change of face was faster than taking off her clothes! I kept reminding myself to be extra wary of this vixen! "My sister has entrusted this matter to Killer Fortress, and it will be entirely under their jurisdiction. If it succeeds, we'll all be happy; if it fails, then this matter will simply cease to exist. However, I have faith in the abilities of Killer Fortress and Young Master!" "Damn, how cunning!" I cursed inwardly again. Whether it succeeds or fails, we're all going to die! This vixen speaks so casually, but if I hadn't already grasped the implications, I might very well have been bewitched by her! Seeing that I was speechless, Ao Xing continued, "Madam should listen to our plan, as it is indeed a matter of great importance, and we need your cooperation in some areas." "Alright! Please speak, I'm all ears." What plan do we have? I looked at Ao Xing in astonishment.

"The Xiao family's daughter will be married on December 28th, and the wedding banquet will be held at my Crystal Palace. I'm sure all the ladies already know that. Because the Xiao family is having a big celebration that day, everyone will be extremely busy. We'll take advantage of that to catch them off guard. Specifically, our operation that night will be divided into two parts. My first team will ambush at the Crystal Palace, while the second team will launch a night attack on the Xiao family's headquarters, Howling Manor. This way, the Xiao family will be weakened by the combined attacks on both sides."

"How do you plan to assassinate Xiao Wentian? He's known for his mastery of fist, palm, and leg techniques, and is one of the top ten in the world. From what you just said, it's as if he's already dead. I'm very curious!" Yes! I'm very curious too. I can accept the plan that Ao Xing came up with on the spot, but assassinating Xiao Wentian must be based on solid evidence.

Ao Xing smiled nonchalantly and gave me a sidelong glance, almost as if in a show of defiance. Then she took out a palm-sized treasure box from her bosom and handed it to Sima Fengyue. When Sima Fengyue opened it, his expression changed. As the lid of the box was opened, several rays of light appeared in the room, and Sima Fengyue looked completely mesmerized. After a long while, she took a deep breath and closed the treasure box. "It seems this is the legendary Chinese treasure, the Amazing Pearl! But I wonder what its connection is to Xiao Wentian?" Ao Xing smiled again: "Madam, you have great insight. The reason this luminous pearl is famous throughout the world is its boundless charm. Everyone who has seen it is captivated by its exquisite beauty. Madam, you are wealthy and powerful, and you have seen many such treasures. But think back, didn't you just momentarily lose your composure?" "Yes! Just now, upon first seeing it, it was as if I had entered a path of swirling clouds and mist. For a moment, my eyes were only on the brilliance of this pearl, and nothing else." "That's it. The greatest secret of the Amazing Pearl is that it can instantly seize one's mind. Those with strong willpower, like Madam, will lose control for a moment, while those with weak willpower will be lost, or even go mad because of this pearl. Therefore, half of the assassination of Xiao Wentian depends on it." "And the other half?" Sima Fengyue was already somewhat impatient. "Madam, have you ever heard of a master archer on the mainland?" Ao Xing asked, keeping her in suspense. Sima Fengyue thought for a moment and replied, "Could it be Zhao Kangyu, the Sun-Shooting Archer who was among the top ten in the world a hundred years ago?" "Madam, you have great insight! Many years ago, Zhao Kangyu was saved by my Killing Fortress. To repay his kindness, he passed on his Sun-Shooting Archery and Mist-Breaking Bow to my Killing Fortress. And right now, there is someone in my Killing Fortress who is practicing the Sun-Shooting Archery. I believe that this person's skill is no less than that of Zhao Kangyu back then. Therefore, this Amazing Pearl combined with the Sun-Shooting Archery will surely kill Xiao Wentian!"

I completely understood Ao Xing's plan and admired this little girl wholeheartedly. Seeing that Sima Fengyue still looked puzzled, I took over from Ao Xing, "This is what we meant by needing Madam's assistance. Madam wants to entrust this amazing pearl to a reliable person, instructing this person to present it to Xiao Wentian as a wedding gift during the most festive time of the banquet. However, there is one condition: all the lights must be turned off. This way, the power of the luminous pearl will increase a hundredfold in the darkness. Considering that Xiao Wentian has been drinking all day, he might not be as effective as Madam when facing this pearl. It will be at this moment that our assassin will use the darkness to fire a fatal arrow, and then..." As the lady just said, "Everyone's happy!"

Sima Fengyue was now completely convinced. After discussing some specifics with her, this cunning fox finally revealed her true colors. She said that in order for us to leave the Nine Realms safely after the mission was accomplished, she wanted us to gather at a location she designated. Her people would then meet us and we would leave that very night. This was the third time I cursed her in my heart: "You wicked woman! If you can't eat, I'll definitely feed you your excrement!" After another discussion, Aoxing and I finally took our leave. "

That was all your little brain coming up with on the spot!" I asked Aoxing with a smile.

"Of course!" Aoxing's tail practically wagged.

"Where did that bead come from?" I asked, quite curious.

"It was a gift Uncle Lan gave someone at noon! I just grabbed it on a whim to fill the space."

"Oh! I see!" Sometimes I really wondered if I was much dumber than Aoxing. "Does our Killing Fortress really have any archers?" "

Aoxing looked incredulous: "You don't know?" She blinked her cute little eyes and finally realized that I really didn't know. "Oh! I'm really defeated by you. Our Killer Fortress's Gold Medal Number 3 is actually a descendant of the Archery God Zhao Kangyu. His Sun-Shooting Divine Arrow is indeed superior to his master's. It's a shame that you, as the Holy Lord, don't even know what your subordinates are capable of!"

I was naturally unconvinced: "Then how do you know?"

"You made me this damn commander-in-chief, so naturally I need to understand the abilities of these people so that everyone can do their job properly! Oh! You! Sometimes you really are like a child!"

I picked Aoxing up and lifted her feet off the ground: "I'm only fifteen, I'm still a child!"

Aoxing was already very anxious: "Put me down quickly, this is the main street, how can you be so temperamental when you say you're a child!"

I was about to speak when I noticed someone catching up behind me. "Young Master Xiangru, are you in such a hurry to meet some young lady?" "

The person who arrived was indeed Sima Xiangru." "My sister hadn't told me, and I completely forgot to escort you both back to your residence. Xiangru is truly despicable!"

I couldn't help but laugh at this second young master of the Sima family. It's no wonder the prestigious Sima family needs a woman to manage things when he doesn't even understand basic manners. "Did you bring a carriage, Second Young Master?" "Oh! Of course! It's right behind." "Then why didn't you come by carriage?" Sima Xiangru was momentarily stunned, then smiled sheepishly: "I...I was in a hurry!" "Hahahaha!" Suddenly I understood why the young lady of the Xiao family had taken a liking to this useless boy—it must be because he was so adorably foolish! Now even I'm starting to like him a little.

After getting into the carriage, we remained silent. Ao Xing was a bit sleepy and was dozing off, while Sima Xiangru was preoccupied with something else. In a flash, I devised a plan that would benefit both of us. I swiftly flicked a finger at the driver, who immediately lost consciousness. Ao Xing and Sima Xiangru both woke up abruptly. Before he could speak, I pressed several acupoints on his body. "Ao Xing, go and drive the carriage." Although Ao Xing was suspicious, he obeyed and left. For a moment, only Sima Xiangru and I remained in the carriage. "Brother Wu Hui, you must want to use me as a hostage so you won't be silenced after you succeed, right?" "I was somewhat surprised. The fact that this kid could think of this meant he wasn't truly stupid, but it was something I had never considered." "Second Young Master, please rest assured, I only sincerely wish to make friends with you and then go to the Xiao family together." Sima Xiangru's face turned ashen upon hearing this. He stared at me in shock.

Chapter Twenty-Nine: After the agreement

, the carriage sped through the forest, and Sima Xiangru and I remained locked in a standoff.

"What are your thoughts on the current situation of the Nine Clan, Young Master Sima?" I was merely testing him.

"Ha! It's been the same for a hundred years." I knew he had no idea what kind of conspiracy his sister had planned.

"Then do you know why your sister invited me here?"

"My sister can be ruthless, but I know it's all for the sake of our Sima clan."

"But this time, it might be different!"

"What do you mean?"

"We are assassins! Hired by your sister to deal with the Xiao family!"

"What?" Sima Xiangru was indeed greatly shocked upon hearing this.

"That's right! Our goal is to kill Xiao Wentian and destroy the Xiao family's power. That way, your Sima family will regain control of the Nine Realms."

"Impossible! My sister wouldn't be so foolish!"

"Oh? You actually know?" I was also greatly surprised. This Sima Xiangru, after all, was the second young master of the Sima family; his insight into matters was so keen.

At this moment, Sima Xiangru was talking to himself, "Even if the Xiao family perishes, it won't lead to a situation where my Sima family holds absolute power. In fact, it would only provoke the powerful elders within the party to rise up against us. Even with the help of wealthy families who have supported my family for generations, we would likely be defeated. The party has always been a system of one faction controlling another, but if the Xiao family collapses, it would break the balance of power. My Sima family would be sidelined or even used as collateral damage for the Xiao family, thus creating a new power center within the party. My elder sister is so unwise! She is so unwise!"

After hearing Sima Xiangru's words, I became even more certain of this second young master who was neither eloquent nor capable. Just these few points of analysis alone demonstrate that his intelligence was not easily matched. But then I realized something. If my brother could think of this, how could I, as his sister, not? Therefore, after succeeding, Sima Fengyue must have even more powerful methods to quickly control the situation among the nine. I couldn't figure out how Sima Fengyue planned to succeed, but for the sake of my plan, I had to put this question aside for now.

"What the Second Young Master says is absolutely right. If we succeed in this battle, the Sima family will become the target of everyone's hatred among the nine, because everyone knows that only you can deal with the Xiao family. But if we fail, the Xiao family will definitely retaliate against you fiercely, and it will be a bloody battle."

Sima Xiangru simply nodded without saying a word.

"As for us, things are much easier. As long as Second Young Master is willing to speak with the Xiao family, this matter can be resolved peacefully. This will avoid the calamity of war, preserve the fortune of your family, and perhaps even change the mind of Miss Ye from the Xiao family!"

A rare glint flashed in Sima Xiangru's eyes. "You actually want me to betray my family? I, Xiangru, would rather die than agree to this!"

"Second Young Master, do you know how many people your sister has killed because of her momentary sway by power? You yourself just said that even if the Xiao family is destroyed, the Nine Clan Party will not necessarily tolerate your family. If Second Young Master continues to be stubborn, you will be the one truly responsible for the destruction of the Sima clan!" I said, my voice sharp and urgent at the end.

"How could this be? How could this be?" Sima Xiangru was clearly struggling with his inner turmoil.

"You can rest assured about one thing: our targets are only those foreign forces that are trying to seize control of the Nine Realms and have colluded with your family. I, Li Wu Hui, guarantee with my life that no one from your Sima family will be harmed. However, your elder sister will have to give up her power. It would be best if she could stay away from the Nine Realms afterward, because she is a very sensitive person. As for the future of the Sima family, it will all depend on you to handle it."

"What a fine combination of coercion and enticement!" Sima Xiangru sneered. I was wondering why this kid was so unyielding, but then I heard him continue, "I know what you're saying makes sense, but who knows what your true intentions are? Aren't you afraid that I'll ruin your grand plan by being so open with me?"

As soon as I heard this, I knew that Sima Xiangru was already very tempted. Although I was secretly pleased, I didn't show it. "Second Young Master, you worry too much! I only hope everyone can get through this man-made crisis safely. Besides, your sister has already paid me five thousand taels of gold. I'm not an assassin, but I'm more than capable of being a peacemaker."

"But think about it, in my entire Sima family, only my sister is capable of taking on the role of head of the family. I know I'm not up to the task!" It turns out he's already considering this.

"Second Young Master, you jest. Even if you're not up to the task, with this, you can stabilize the situation, and the Sima family will flourish because of you!" As I spoke, I took out a scroll from my robes.

It would have been better if I hadn't looked at it. After Sima Xiangru saw it clearly, tears streamed down his face. "The...the...the Haihe Map!"

"Second Young Master, you certainly recognize your ancestral masterpiece. This belongs to your Sima family, and I came to Jiuzhong this time to return it to its rightful owner! Judging from the calluses on your hands, you must be a lover of painting. With this, what can't you accomplish?" I don't believe you won't be tempted!

Sima Xiangru lowered his head and remained silent for a long time before letting out a long breath. "Alright! I agree! But remember what you just said: if anyone in my Sima family dies because of this, I will kill you even if it means my own death!"

I raised my hand and released his pressure points. "Since you trust me so much, Second Young Master, let's swear an oath by striking our palms together. If we break this oath, may we be struck down by heaven and earth!" We clapped our hands together, and the matter was settled.

Sima Xiangru loosened his muscles and suddenly asked, "If we go to the Xiao family like this now, why should they believe us?"

I smiled mysteriously, "As long as you become the Xiao family's son-in-law, that's all that matters!"

************************** By the time I returned to my Crystal Palace from the Xiao family, the moon was high in the sky. Xiaoyu and the other women were anxiously waiting for me. As soon as I entered, they swarmed around me. "You're finally back! You left so fiercely this morning! We sisters were all so worried!" Xiaoyu started crying as she spoke. I knew that I had scolded her that morning and made her very upset, so I immediately pulled her into my arms and coaxed her upstairs step by step. When Xiaoyu stopped crying and started laughing, she exclaimed, "Huh? How... how did we get here!" It turned out that we were already in bed. The women froze, realizing something was wrong. They all screamed and rushed to the door. I used my balance to close the door, and the most impulsive of them all, Aoxing, couldn't stop herself and rushed into my arms. I was naturally delighted to have such a beauty in my arms. "My dear sisters! Last night while I was doing my business, you were all in a drunken stupor. Tonight, you must experience the great pleasure of sleeping together!" "The five beauties before me can be considered the best of women! Right now, for convenience, I simply placed Qing Si and Wan Chu together, and my muscular penis kept moving in and out of these two exquisite treasures. The usually elegant Wan Chu could not withstand such stimulation, and soon she reached the peak of orgasm on Qing Si. In a daze, I heard her say: "Wan Chu! Bite her!" "Upon hearing the words, Wan Chu, lost in a sea of desire, looked down at Wu Qing Si beneath her. She saw Wu Qing Si's starry eyes half-closed, her lips slightly parted, her entire body radiating a seductive glow. It seemed her alluring skills were indiscriminate, appealing to both men and women. Wan Chu, momentarily stunned, bit one of Wu Qing Si's nipples, eliciting a seductive moan from her. My member left Wan Chu and entered Qing Si's secluded valley. It was equally tight and moist, only Wan Chu's treasures were interlocked, while Qing Si's were burning hot. It wasn't that Qing Si was weak, but rather that she had been overstimulated by Wan Chu. After a few thrusts, Qing Si let out a scream, and a gush of spring water immediately poured over the tip of my member. Qing Si had completely climaxed."

Setting aside the exhausted Qing Si and Wan Chu, I turned to the stunned Chu San. Chu San only felt ashamed when she saw my gaze. I found it amusing that she was still fully clothed. In no time, I stripped her naked, my large hands exploring every inch of her skin. Chu San could no longer care about being shy, only clenching her teeth to control her moans. But as I thrust in, her defenses crumbled instantly. "Ah...ah! Husband...ah...husband..." Chu San was always like this; before she took off her clothes, she was infinitely shy, but once undressed, the slightest touch would trigger her cries of pleasure. Qing Si and Wan Chu had crumbled instantly, but now Chu San was suffering. My member moved wildly in and out of her dense, dark forest, each moan urging me to harden. I held her in my arms, thrusting even harder. The point where the two were joined in lovemaking was already overflowing with desire. Xiaoyu, unable to contain herself, wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me passionately. My lips and tongue intertwined with hers. The tingling in my waist made me realize that climax was imminent, and my movements below began to rise and fall. With a long moan from Chusan, my passion surged deep into her flower nest, and Chusan fainted from the intense pleasure. My

penis seemed a little weak after two rounds of lovemaking, but Aoxing, who knew my heart well, only let it linger in the air for a moment before disappearing into her mouth. I felt Aoxing's alluring sucking and nibbling, tasting Xiaoyu's lips and tongue, and my large hands were playing with each of their breasts, enjoying the full pleasure of spring. Seeing that my penis was still a little 'soft' in her mouth, Aoxing switched places with Xiaoyu. Xiaoyu rarely served me with her mouth like this, but her inexperience gave me a different kind of pleasure. Ao Xing whispered in my ear, "Remember Barton?" That little rascal is up to his old tricks again! Sure enough, Ao Xing opened her mouth and took one of my nipples into her mouth, while her little hand didn't forget to squeeze the other one tightly. It seems I really fear this move; my penis swelled up several times its normal size, and Xiao Yu, still enjoying her ministrations, immediately felt a sharp pain in her throat from the hard object. Seeing how robust my penis was, Xiao Yu immediately guided it into her womb. My desire immediately found an outlet, and I began to thrust vigorously from the moment I entered. Ao Xing still wasn't going to let me go, her little mouth working tirelessly, sucking and biting. Xiao Yu felt she had never experienced such a powerful blow, and for a moment, she let loose, sitting on my penis and writhing with all her might. But the good times didn't last long; after a while, Xiao Yu couldn't bear the waves of tingling from her flower nest, and she released a torrent of fluids, happily surrendering her reserves.

"Aoxing! Tell me how I should punish you!" "My husband is just a little more sensitive there than most men, and besides, the pleasures of the bedroom..." Seeing Aoxing still baring her sharp tongue, I couldn't help but get angry. Before she could finish speaking, I pressed her down and kissed the tips of her breasts, licking, kneading, squeezing, and sucking them. Aoxing couldn't take it anymore and began to beg me: "Husband... ah... faster... Aoxing wants... ah..." Hearing this, I didn't want to tease her anymore. I grabbed my penis and thrust deeply into her. Aoxing's cry seemed to pierce her completely. I thrust faster and faster, and my testicles began to throb rapidly. I spread Aoxing's beautiful legs wide, and in the candlelight, I could see her hidden pink nipples opening and closing with my movements. My heart burned with desire, so I simply hoisted her thighs onto my shoulders and thrust even deeper! It seemed as if a pair of tiny mouths grew in Aoxing's flower nest, and with each thrust I made, she would gently nibble at me. Finally, my testicles began to spin at high speed, and after a few vigorous thrusts into Aoxing's flower path, I ejaculated profusely.

Gazing at the bed full of pink skin and jade legs, I felt a surge of satisfaction. Suddenly, I didn't want to think about anything anymore, and I simply collapsed onto this fleshy bed, burying my head deeply in the fragrant embrace.

Chapter Thirty: Clouds Break and the Moon Arrives .

For the next few days, I almost never left the house, analyzing and summarizing all the intelligence in my Crystal Palace. Today, the Great Year, who had disappeared for ten days, reappeared before me.

"Sit!"

"Your subordinate wouldn't dare!"

"Oh? What happened?" "

Your subordinate is incompetent; I still haven't been able to uncover all of the Sima family's plans."

"Hahaha! Da Nian, you don't need to be like this. If we had their every move under control, we wouldn't need to fight this battle! Tell me what we've gained so far?"

"Your Majesty is wise. In response to Your Majesty's question, I have been active in the border region of Jiuzhong recently. All the forces have clearly maintained unity. The Chan Sect troops have been holed up in Fengtai Temple, and we have no way of knowing what's going on inside. However, the Jian Du group disappeared after entering Jiuzhong territory yesterday. I mobilized almost all of my field personnel, but to no avail." "

Oh?" I fell into deep thought. Jian Du must have received protection from the local forces in Jiuzhong; otherwise, how could such flamboyant people disappear into thin air? It seems that the actions in January have attracted the attention of those with ulterior motives, and they have begun to deliberately conceal their whereabouts. Our intelligence work may become even more difficult in the future. As for Zen Buddhism, these monks certainly don't eat chanting. If you say they have no arrangements, no one would believe it. Zen Buddhism must have a command and intelligence system. Since these guys like mysticism, why don't I play along with them?

"Da Nian!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"Temporarily relax the surveillance on the Chan sect."

"Your subordinate obeys, but... what is the reason for this?"

"Rather than having them constantly on guard against us, it's better to let them do as they please, because I believe the Chan monks can't pull off any particularly sophisticated schemes. Just remember, they will eventually leave the temple, and when that day comes, I hope I'll be the first to know."

"Your subordinate understands, but the supply of vegetables and food to Fengtai Temple has been steadily increasing these past few days, yet we haven't seen anyone entering or leaving. Therefore, I'm worried that these monks are indeed plotting something."

"Monks don't waste food! Now that you mention it, I believe there must be a secret exit to Fengtai Temple. Now, do your utmost to find this secret entrance and exit; it will be of great use to us in the near future."

"Your subordinate obeys!"

"Any other information?"

"Yes, there is! But I don't quite understand it."

"Tell me about it."

"Kunlun has recently doubled its border troops near the border of Jiuzhong, and the troop movements are frequent. The only explanation from the military is that it's routine reorganization and deployment, but I have a bad feeling. While I have no concrete evidence, I dare say that Kunlun's actions are likely related to the current situation in Jiuzhong."

Hearing this, I couldn't help but feel worried. The Sima family's decisive attack on the Xiao family must be supported by various forces; otherwise, they wouldn't be so fearless. We've thoroughly analyzed the implications of this. Could it be that the Sima family's powerful allies include not only the Chan Sect and Jiandu, but also the Kunlun military? With the support of Kunlun, a first-rate power on the continent, they would undoubtedly be in a very advantageous position in the struggle for supremacy. However, Kunlun doesn't do business without risk. Therefore, if the Sima family allies with Kunlun, they will certainly betray some of Jiuzhong's interests. It seems that Sima Fengyue's thirst for power has reached the point of being willing to sell out his country. I'm almost certain of Sima Fengyue's plan. We'll use Kill Fortress against the Xiao family, while the Chan Sect and Sword Sect will deal with us. Then, with Kunlun's army pressing in, internal conflicts will immediately be replaced by national interests, and people's attention will quickly shift to Kunlun's impending invasion. This way, the Sima family, the last remaining member of the Nine Clan, can easily gain widespread support with a simple gesture. And once Kunlun sends troops, Lan Tianyu, the leader of the Nine Clan, will certainly join the fight. Thus, the Sima family will be the most powerful force in Xilu City, giving them ample time to suppress the opposition within the party. Finally, once they sit down at the negotiating table with Kunlun and coordinate the interests of all parties, this matter will likely be resolved.

"What a brilliant scheme! Sima Fengyue is truly a brilliant strategist! When I first met her, I only thought she was a dissolute woman, but now it seems she's not only a successful politician but also a madly ambitious schemer. To devise such a complex plan is truly admirable." "

What do you mean, Holy Lord?"

"Da Nian, you've been in intelligence work for so many years, you should trust your judgment. I personally believe the same. Kunlun wouldn't ignore their primary trading partner. Their troop movements aren't ordinary; they're a strategic deployment for an attack."

"Could it be that the Sima family has reached some kind of agreement with Kunlun?"

"That's probably it!"

"Good, I'll investigate this immediately. If there's any collusion between the two sides, they won't leave no trace." Da Nian finished speaking and got up to leave.

"Wait! Da Nian, it's too late to investigate now. Kunlun will definitely find a reasonable, even legal, reason for attack. We only need to know if they're colluding with the Sima family. I believe the Nine Defense Commands will also take action. Remember to send a report to the Nine Defense Commands' leader, Lan Tianyu, after you've investigated, and sign it with my name. Consider it my thanks to him for that rare gem."

"Your subordinate obeys. This time, the clouds have finally parted. Please await my good news, Your Majesty." Of course,

I wouldn't just sit there waiting. I've been waiting like an idiot in this Crystal Palace for days; if I stay like this any longer, I'll definitely suffocate. So I decided to take the women out for a walk. Since arriving in Jiuzhong, we'd been so busy scheming and intrigue that we hadn't had a chance to properly appreciate the beautiful scenery. Unfortunately, Xiaoyu was menstruating and couldn't go out, so Aoxing volunteered to stay behind to take care of her. Qingsi also couldn't leave her shop, so only Chusan and Wanchu accompanied me on the journey. I thought it was just as well; I'd really missed out on seeing them since coming down from Tianyi Manor.

Our destination was Daqing Valley in Jiuzhong, only forty li from Xilu City. We set off early and arrived at this famous scenic spot in just one day. The name "Daqing Valley" likely comes from its lush greenery, but within this verdant landscape lies a kaleidoscope of colors. A mountain spring cascades down from upstream, its flow sometimes gentle, sometimes rapid, sometimes wide, sometimes narrow. Most captivatingly, the different minerals in the valley create a myriad of colors in the water, resulting in as many as ten hues from top to bottom. Chu San and Wan Chu were filled with admiration as we walked along. I, too, couldn't help but marvel at the wonders of nature.

With its flowing waters and fragrant blossoms, Daqing Valley truly is a pristine paradise. Lost in the beauty of the scenery, we lost track of time. Now, the setting sun bathed the valley in a vibrant crimson glow. Seeing a few houses nestled in the mountain bend, I beckoned Wan Chu and Chu San to come along; we would likely have to stay there tonight.

"Miaomiao Nunnery!" It seemed to be a place of spiritual cultivation. Wan Chu, Chu San, and I entered the hall, where a magnificent statue of Guanyin was enshrined. It appeared to be the compassionate and merciful Guanyin Bodhisattva with a thousand hands and a thousand eyes, saving all beings from suffering. Chu San and Wan Chu Yi, upon seeing her, hurriedly prostrated themselves. It seemed this Bodhisattva was the most popular figure on the mainland.

"Esteemed guests, you have come from afar; please have a seat in the inner hall!" A nun emerged from a side door. I stepped forward and bowed, saying, "You are too kind, Abbess! This junior, Li Wu Hui, greets you." The abbess quickly returned the bow. "This humble woman has always been a devout Buddhist, and having arrived at this auspicious place, I must do my part!" She then took out a wad of gold from her bosom. The abbess, clearly worldly-wise, showed no interest in the generous gift, simply accepting it with both hands and expressing her gratitude. "It seems you have missed the time for climbing the mountain. If you do not mind the simplicity of this place, please rest here for the night. What do you think?" I thought to myself, this nun is truly considerate! "Of course I understand the nun's intentions, but I fear that we laypeople might disturb this serene Buddhist place." "You flatter me, benefactor! Our humble abode currently houses only my sister and me, and a fellow Daoist who has come from afar. We will not disturb you, we will not disturb you." So I said no more, and immediately had Wan Chu and Chu San follow the nun into the inner hall, while I lagged behind, because ever since we entered, Xiao Bao had been constantly giving me meaningful glances.

"Young Master! There's something strange about this place!" Xiao Bao said, a hint of fear in his voice.

"Oh? What do you mean?" I couldn't help but feel puzzled. My skills far surpassed theirs, yet I hadn't sensed any danger here.

"Young Master!" It was Xiao Kui who spoke. "Among my fellow disciples, I have the best kung fu, so I felt it the most clearly. When we entered, a strange force instantly enveloped us. My practice of the Sunflower Manual automatically activated my own true qi, but just like that, that force vanished without a trace. Although this is just a feeling, I'm certain it's absolutely real! Because..."

I waved my hand to interrupt Xiao Kui. They possessed extraordinary bodies and practiced the most insidious Sunflower Manual, so their senses were much sharper than those of ordinary masters. Any technique that could make the Sunflower Manual activate itself to resist such a powerful force must be an unparalleled skill, and also a righteous one, because only in this way could it make the Sunflower Manual react as if facing a formidable enemy. Hidden within this small, enigmatic hermitage was a master of the righteous path. He had managed to spy on me purely with his spiritual senses, yet Xiao Kui and the others' Sunflower Manual was so sensitive to these orthodox techniques that it immediately detected his movements. He then swiftly vanished. I couldn't help but think of the master from the Palace of Universal Salvation and Compassion—could it be him? Could his techniques have deceived me?

With a touch of trepidation, I walked through the hermitage's corridors, passing through a small plum grove, and arrived at a pool. The area was flat, and the mountain spring water had gathered here, forming a bend with a gap where the spring water cascaded down the mountain. I left the plum grove to see the whole picture, but I didn't know that the scene I was about to witness would never be forgotten for a single moment in my life.

By the pool was a woman practicing swordsmanship, and through my spiritual connection, I knew clearly that she had begun her dance the instant I saw her. I was bewildered. The mountains, rivers, and the world seemed to recede into the distance, leaving only a man and a sword. My heart danced, and so did the sword. I looked into my heart, but found nothing. I looked at the sword; though it possessed a thousand transformations, it left no trace—a state of utter egolessness! This sword was a sword without heart! A sword without intention, the ultimate expression of swordsmanship.

The sword dance finally ceased, and I realized the sun had set, and the valley was shrouded in a pale moonlight. Overwhelmed with emotion, I spontaneously recited: "One sword questions life, a thousand mountains, birds vanish; two swords question death, ten thousand paths, men perish; three swords question heaven, heaven has wind and clouds; four swords question earth, nothing shares this moment; five swords question love, where does love end; six swords question the Way, the Way has a thousand autumns." A warbling voice emerged from the valley: "I never imagined that you were the one who understood these six swords!"

"Miss, do you know me?" "

You defeated the number one swordsman in the world, and killed the abbots of three Zen sects in one move. Although no one knows it was you who did it, your reputation has spread throughout the land, and you seem

poised to become the number one swordsman in the world." "Ha! Miss, you are mistaken. Only after seeing your dance did I understand the reach of the sword. I am truly unworthy of the title of number one swordsman in the world."

"Young master, there is no need to be modest. There are at most six people in the world who can see the true meaning of these six swords, yet you were able to explain their intent. That is why I said earlier that only you understand me."

"Yes! Miss's words express her lament that such a kindred spirit is destined to be separated by life and death, and

she seems to feel a sense of melancholy." "Young master is indeed extraordinary. I have been practicing swordsmanship at the Lihe Pudu Palace since childhood. I came here for you, but I never expected that we would meet like this by chance. It seems to be the will of heaven." "

Indeed, it's that unparalleled swordswoman from the Zen sect. Even with all my disciples, Da Nian couldn't find her. Yet I encountered her while just strolling up the mountain." I chuckled softly. "Yes! What a coincidence!"

Seeing my casual remark, the woman smiled and stepped forward, saying, "This humble woman is Yue Mingxin, greetings to you, sir!"

Through the moonlight filtering through the trees, I finally saw the face and voice of this peerless Zen swordswoman.

Even I, accustomed to beauty, was awestruck by her grace. I couldn't find the words to describe her beauty. Like the great Guanyin statue in the hall, she possessed solemnity, ethereal beauty, and graceful elegance. A sudden realization dawned on me: "Why did you attack without even a greeting, Miss?" "

The woman before me had changed. Though I couldn't quite put my finger on it, I knew what I had just witnessed was a supreme Zen Buddhist technique; what I saw was merely a beautiful image. Knowing I was unaffected, she instantly withdrew her power. 'Please forgive my rudeness, young master; Mingxin was merely a spur-of-the-moment thing!'"

I certainly wouldn't say anything to her about it, but being taken a hit so unexpectedly still bothered me a little. For a moment, we were both speechless.

"I..." "I..." We started arguing as soon as we opened our mouths.

"You go first..." "You go first..." I laughed, and she laughed too.

"I have a question for you, young master."

"Please ask, young lady. I will answer to the best of my knowledge."

"I just demonstrated the sword technique I've learned. While you grasped some aspects, you haven't fully expressed its meaning. Would you be willing to discuss it again?"

"If I truly understand Miss Yue's swordsmanship, then there's no need for us to fight again, is there?"

"That's true!"

Seeing the fleeting disappointment in her eyes, I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. "Your swordsmanship is truly astonishing. No sword in the heart, no heart in the sword, the sword is nothingness itself. This must be a practice of supreme Buddhist teachings."

Yue Mingxin's delighted expression upon hearing this made me somewhat dizzy. "Ha! I knew you would give me a clear answer! Well said, well said!"

Seeing her, who seemed like an immortal untouched by worldly affairs, reveal such a womanly side stirred my heart. I immediately fell into my old habit: "In that case, does Miss Mingxin have any prize for me?"

"The prize is a vegetarian feast. Would you be interested, young master?"

"Will you personally prepare the food?"

"Of course!"

"I can't wait any longer, Miss, please!"

"Young Master, please!"

Soon, a vegetarian feast was laid out before us. There were dishes like almond and bean stew, hot and sour cabbage, celery, lily bulb, strawberry, and bean sprout stir-fry, steamed winter melon soup, and tofu soup with vermicelli. Chu San, sitting at the table, was immediately delighted. "Sister Yue's cooking is truly superb! You have no idea how difficult it is to get my husband to eat a vegetarian meal. Now it's perfect!" She then picked up every dish from the plate. I've never liked vegetarian food, but with such a beautiful lady accompanying me, I had to eat something. Thinking this, I picked up a bean pod with my chopsticks, and surprisingly, it was incredibly delicious. Looking at Yue Mingxin across from me, I noticed she was observing my expression. I was immediately puzzled. She was supposed to be a 'cutting-edge weapon' sent by the Zen sect to deal with me, so why was she acting this way?

"I am deeply honored by your kindness, Miss, for going to such lengths for us ordinary folks. I am truly ashamed."

My words, spoken so grandly, only elicited a chuckle from Chu San and Wan Chu. "What are you two laughing about instead of focusing on your food and drink?"

Wan Chu, usually the most taciturn, surprised me. She turned to Yue Ming and said, "Miss Yue, you may not know, but my husband only spoke so tenderly when he was pursuing us. Miss Yue, you must be careful!" I was momentarily furious, but Yue Ming simply smiled and let it go. I couldn't help but scold Wan Chu, "People say one should not speak while eating or sleeping. How come you don't follow that rule?" "I know my husband is taking revenge, but how could I speak while sleeping?" "You speak less when you sleep with me!" "Husband!" The words immediately drew a loud cry from the serene Wan Chu, while Chu San, standing nearby, spat out the food he was eating. Yue Mingxin, though momentarily stunned, immediately understood the meaning behind my words and cast a meaningful glance at me. That glance contained a mixture of anger, madness, reproach for my careless words, and a deep, lingering embarrassment. I stared, dumbfounded.

Chapter Thirty-One: Each Goes Their Own Way.

The Great Green Valley is famous not only for its beautiful scenery but also for its eternal spring. Although winter has arrived outside the mountains, the valley remains lush and green. This morning, Yue Mingxin, unable to resist the enthusiastic invitations of Chu San and Wan Chu, joined us for a hike. The three women chatted merrily, leaving me feeling neglected. Of course, I didn't mind at all; it was a good opportunity to calmly consider some matters.

Yue Mingxin's background was no longer in doubt, but what surprised me most were her demeanor and martial arts skills. The Lihe Pudu Palace is indeed usually aloof from worldly affairs, yet this time they sent their most outstanding disciple because of me. I couldn't help but ask myself, "Am I worthy?" Am I worthy of such treatment? Yue Mingxin must be the top expert of Pudu Palace, right? If there's another fighter with similar skill, I'll concede defeat. Against their combined attack, I probably couldn't even last ten rounds. Yue Mingxin's swordsmanship is formidable, but what's even more admirable is her true nature. Moving without intention, acting without purpose, each move seemingly random yet containing profound secrets. I can't fathom her intentions from appearances, but I know clearly that her departure from the mountain isn't solely for me. So what is the purpose of leaving and reuniting Pudu Palace? I looked at the girl before me, utterly bewildered.

"Young Master, you've remained silent since arriving on the mountain. Is it Mingxin's fault?" She finally spoke to me.

“Last night, my rude words ruined a joyous banquet. I imagine Miss is still angry with me, so I dared not say more!”

“Young master is too kind. Mingxinqi is the kind of person who holds grudges. You just frowned, clearly having many questions. If you don’t mind Mingxin’s impertinence, how about I guess?”

“Miss, I am quite curious about what you mean. Alright! If Miss answers correctly, I will also have a prize!”

“Young master, you simply want to know my true purpose for coming here, because my attitude has confused you, isn’t that right?”

The woman before me possesses a cunning and martial arts skills unlike anything I have ever seen. If I leave this great threat, it will be a huge obstacle to all my future actions. The murderous intent in my eyes flashed and vanished in an instant. "You've hit the nail on the head, Miss! I don't think my own abilities are enough to attract the attention of the Lihe Pudu Palace. Besides, although I killed several highly respected abbots of the Chan sect, it was the Chan sect that killed my disciples first. I'm sure you're well aware of the cause and effect. So I think you must be carrying a more important mission this time."

Yue Mingxin showed surprise for the first time. "Young Master is absolutely right! Mingxin is indeed on another mission this time."

I was surprised that Yue Mingxin admitted it so readily. I was shocked. What could be so important that would force the Lihe Pudu Palace, which was devoted to Buddhism, to return to the mortal world? "If Miss is so kind as to offer her explanation, please do so?"

"The current situation is already keeping Young Master busy enough, so Mingxin has decided not to tell you for now. You will surely understand the intentions of my palace in the future."

"Miss's words have already revealed her intention to leave. Does Miss intend to return before this matter is resolved?"

"Ha! Nothing can be hidden from you! Mingxin can't beat you in a fight, so why stay here?"

I really felt that every move this woman made was unexpected. It must be the result of my display of murderous intent just now, which made her wary. But I was still a little uneasy. "Why did you leave without regard for the others in the Zen sect?"

"Some people think that since Buddha controls the six realms and reincarnation, all sentient beings should devoutly turn to Buddhism to fulfill their desires after death. But they don't know that if one truly devotes oneself to Buddhism, who would linger in this boundless sea of suffering in the human world? I hope this matter will help them understand the mystery and turn back as soon as possible. I just wonder if the prize you offer, young master, will be what Mingxin hopes for?"

I was truly filled with mixed emotions. If she were in charge of this, then I would probably be the one asking for the release of animals right now. “Since Miss sees things so clearly and thinks so highly of me, then this prize will certainly be something to satisfy you! Miss Yue, rest assured, if we truly clash with the Zen Sect, I will minimize the damage.”

“Then this humble woman thanks you on behalf of my fellow disciples! Please also rest assured, after Mingxin descends the mountain, she will leave this place as quickly as possible, and our conversation will certainly not be known to a third party!”

“Miss, you are mistaken! I have no fear that you will betray me once I have spoken. Besides, Miss's heart is as vast as the heavens and earth; how could she do such a ridiculous thing? Furthermore, with Miss's discerning eye, she must already understand the gravity of this matter. If I were to truly pursue annihilation now, I fear Miss would look down upon me!”

Yue Mingxin stared at me for a long time with her bright, watery eyes, before finally speaking softly, "So it seems I've underestimated you, young master. Alas! It seems it's unwise to be your enemy. In that case, I'll take my leave! If we meet again in the future, I will certainly thank you!" She then bowed deeply.

I quickly returned the bow, but before I could speak, Yue Mingxin had already turned and left. I could only stare blankly at her retreating figure. Suddenly, I remembered something and couldn't help but call out, "If you ever master the seventh sword technique beyond the six sword techniques, please let me know. I will certainly accompany you to test your skills then."

Yue Mingxin's figure trembled slightly before she disappeared again.

She passed by without a sound, like a swallow leaving no trace? What a Yue Mingxin!

"Husband...husband..."

"Ah...ah?"

"He's vanished without a trace! Did he take my husband's soul with him too?"

I blushed slightly and said angrily, "Why aren't you studying properly in your third year of junior high? Instead, you're learning those smooth-talking skills from Xiaoyu and Aoxing! Are you jealous or something?!"

"I'm not!"

"If you are, why won't you admit it?"

"I'm not! Wan Chu, tell me, am I or not?"

"Oh...there must be a little bit!"

"Look!"

"Ah! You're all ganging up on me!"

"I'm not!"

"You are! And Wan Chu too!"

"What about me?"

...

When I returned to the Crystal Palace that evening, it was already dusk. I hadn't even had a sip of hot tea before being greeted by the group from Killer Fortress. In two days it would be Miss Xiao's wedding day, a day of great gatherings. I suppose we should hold a meeting.

After everyone sat down, Da Nian was already quite impatient. "Reporting to Your Majesty! Although I have failed in my duty, I have managed to uncover a few things. The 60,000 troops currently stationed near the border of Kunlun are none other than Marshal Feng Xiping, one of the Ten Marshals of the Universe. Feng Xiping arrived at the front lines the day before yesterday and has not left the central command. What worries me is that Marshal Feng is not here on orders from the Kunlun Central Command; she has come in disguise. If it weren't for the fact that her guards are all women, I wouldn't have guessed it was her. Also, there is indeed a secret passage leading to the small hill behind the Fengtai Temple where the Zen sect troops reside, but it hasn't been used in recent days. Finally, there's the group led by Sword Master Feng Ruxue. Your Majesty, our guesses were all wrong. They are heading towards the Xiao family and are currently staying in a small village only three miles from Howling Hill Manor."

I nodded. Feng Ruxue was indeed unexpected; it turned out they were invited by the Xiao family. It seems Xiao Wentian had also held back a trick against me. The real problem now is Feng Xiping, whose intentions are unclear. "Da Nian, how do you know she hasn't received a central government transfer order?"

Ao Xing answered me: "The generals of Kunlun all have their own defense zones, and the border region of Jiuzhong is a vast distance away from the area under Feng Xiping's control. If there were such a transfer, the court would definitely announce it to the world. However, there are currently no rumors in the Kunlun court about Feng Xiping's transfer, so I guess Feng Xiping must have come here secretly."

Yes! Once a Kunlun general is found to have deserted his defense zone, he will be investigated immediately for dereliction of duty or even treason. If there is no central government transfer order, why would Feng Xiping take such a big risk to come here? After much thought, I could only come up with one thing: the Sima family's collusion this time wasn't with Kunlun itself, but with a powerful figure in its court. Once the Nine Kingdoms incident came to light, this person would have enough power to influence Kunlun's diplomacy. Thinking of this, I couldn't help but ask Aoxing, "Aoxing, do you know who the powerful figures in Kunlun are right now?"

Aoxing replied without hesitation, "My father is one, then there's the Right Chancellor Lin Donglou, and then there's the Prince of Xiyang, Kunlun Wupei. These three can be said to represent the three most powerful forces in Kunlun right now. The defense zone along the border of the Nine Kingdoms is under the command of Guo Xian, a general under the Prince of Xiyang, but Feng Xiping has never had much contact with the Prince of Xiyang's faction, so it doesn't make sense!"

I thought of the time when I broke into the Forbidden Palace alone, and the way the Prince of Xiyang and Feng Xiping used their combined swordsmanship. If you said these two weren't related, I would never believe it, otherwise how could they have used that sword technique that almost killed me, which required a perfect understanding of each other? I chuckled coldly. My brother seemed to be no good. It was undoubtedly him who had colluded with the Nine Generals Sima this time, which explained why Feng Xiping was in the defense zone of his generals. They were all in cahoots.

Completely stumped, I could only order Danian to keep a close watch. Meanwhile, Aoxing had a well-developed plan for the major battle the day after tomorrow. Watching Aoxing speak so eloquently, I couldn't help but ponder again. I didn't care about Feng Xiping's past with the King of Xiyang; their close relationship, yet their cover-up, was certainly not for anything good. Since it was a power struggle between Kunlun officials, I naturally wouldn't get involved. But what role were they playing in the Nine Generals?

When I finally turned my attention back to the field, I found everyone staring at me. I gave a silly smile, easing their tension. "I'm sure everyone understands the purpose of our operation. So, let me make the final arrangements." With that, I pulled back the square cloth that had been covering the table, revealing a huge sand table underneath. One of the huge mansions is Wuthering Heights, the Laugh Family's headquarters. I pointed to a spot near the manor and said, "That's where the Sima family wants us to gather after the mission is accomplished. So, Zhang Zhi, your task is to set up a trap there first. Of course, remember to mark it clearly to avoid hurting your own people. Also, Gold Medal Number One, I hope your men will meet you here." I pointed to a bend in the mountain, "This place is both offensive and defensive. All actions must be under my command, and you must not reveal your whereabouts unless absolutely necessary. Finally, Ao Xing, you!" I turned to face Ao Xing: "You are the one I worry about the most! I need to fight the enemy ahead, and I entrust everything in the Crystal Palace to you. I've assigned Void and the other Gold Medal members to your side, so you must be careful!"

Ao Xing nodded gently, "Don't worry, husband! If we can't win, we can just run away. Ao Xing knows what's important!"

I took her hands in mine, "And your sisters, tell them to rest assured too. If I'm really in trouble, I'll just 'run away' like you!"

Ao Xing forced a smile.

"I must go!"

"Farewell! May your husband achieve great success!"

I kissed her on the cheek, turned, and left. It wasn't that I insisted on such a poignant farewell, but this battle was fraught with uncertainty. Although I had a brilliant plan, I didn't know how many variables the enemy still possessed. Thus, I embarked on my journey, and the outcome remained unknown! 01-27
Chapter Thirty-Two: The Wedding Banquet's Turmoil

Today, a major event occurred in Donglu City: Xiao Wentian, the leader of the Nine Clan, was marrying off his daughter. Wealthy people and nobles from all over the Nine Clan had prepared their gifts early on, arriving in the city in large and small carts. The old and young men in the streets and alleys were all discussing the matter. Some said the new son-in-law was a handsome young man with fair skin, while others said the fifth young lady had already secretly pledged her life to xxx. For a moment, Donglu City resembled a New Year's celebration. Families who had received favors from the Xiao family even prepared firecrackers, waiting for the auspicious hour to arrive.

The busiest place in the city right now was the Crystal Palace! This is where the Xiao family holds their grand celebration and banquet. So the proprietress of Crystal Palace got up early to busy herself with various tasks, but what she was truly busy with were things that wouldn't be seen by outsiders.

"How's the location?" Ao Xing casually wiped the sweat from his cheek.

"It's a prime spot! But Madam, look at that huge lantern in front of me. When the lights are turned off at night, it will affect my eyes."

"Oh... Xiao Hua! Take that lantern down for me."

Xiao Hua simply raised her hand, and a thin line carrying a glimmer of silver light shot towards the ceiling, then the lantern floated down lightly.

"Well done! Ah! Fourth Brother, how's it now?"

"Don't worry, Madam, it's all settled."

"Good! I'll leave the higher-ups to you! Use the lights as a signal; if there's no signal, do not act rashly."

"Understood!"

"Someone, close the lid!"

After some tidying up, no one could detect the super marksman lurking under the ceiling beams.

After a 'splashing' sound of water, a person covered in crabs emerged from the huge glass fish tank. "Madam, this won't do! Look! The crabs are pinching me!"

"Someone, boil all the crabs on Second Brother. Put more fish in the tank that won't bite. Second Brother, you'll have to deal with it yourself! Remember to be adaptable later; your position allows you to monitor the situation in the main hall, so you can act independently if anything changes. Understand?"

"Don't worry, Madam!"

"Third Brother? Where's Third Brother?"

"Madam! I'm here!" A waiter emerged from the back room as he spoke.

"Tea! I'm so thirsty!"

"I'll make you some right away." He then disappeared back inside.

Ao Xing thought to herself that the three top assassins of the Killing Fortress were all in place. "Void!"

"Madam." A figure appeared out of thin air.

"Knowing your martial arts are so advanced, there's no need for such mystery. Remember to stay by my side at all times."

"Understood." Then the figure vanished.

Ao Xing shook her head. "How are the fireworks on the rooftops coming along?" "

Reporting to Madam, we've set them up on all the nearby residences. We guarantee they'll light up as soon as someone comes!"

"Good! Have our eagles been fed?"

"Don't worry, Madam! They're all ready to take flight!"

Ao Xing had mentally rehearsed everything countless times, and now she finally breathed a sigh of relief. The hidden agents, the ambush, the rear guard, the communications—everything was in place. Now it was up to fate.

"Madam! The Xiao family is here!"

Ao Xing's heart, which had just settled, jumped again.

Drums and gongs filled the air, cannons roared, and the entire street erupted in excitement. People rushed towards the Crystal Palace's gates. Congratulations, gifts, onlookers, and freeloaders all flocked in. The Crystal Palace's enormous facade was nearly crushed by the crowd. However, the most famous brothers of the Xiao family, with their sharp eyes, managed to slip inside when a gap appeared. "Oh! Madam, you've had a long day!" It was Xiao Xiaoshan, the twelfth young master of the Xiao family, who spoke. "Twelfth young master, what are you saying! I've been so busy that I only just remembered I haven't congratulated your master yet!" Ao Xing's smile was as fake as could be, yet it still left Xiao Xiaoshan speechless. "Ahem! Ahem! How could my father not know of Madam's good intentions? He even instructed me to tell Madam that thanks to your master, everything is arranged perfectly. We're just waiting for your signal to begin the feast!" Ao Xing's willow-leaf eyebrows twitched slightly. She then excused herself and went into the back hall. A short while later, a large bird suddenly appeared above the Crystal Palace, circled twice, and then plunged into the blue sky.

"Reporting to Your Majesty! Your subordinates stopped a dwarf on the back mountain. This man is confused and claims to know Your Majesty."

I withdrew my gaze from the Howling Manor below the mountain. 'Dwarf'? I only know one confused dwarf. "Bring him up!" "What? You think I can't find my way without a guide?" It was the dwarf who spoke. Suddenly, a group of guards appeared in front of and behind me. I just smiled. Surely there aren't many people in the world who can stop the top ten in the universe! "All of you, leave." The group obeyed and left. "Brother Lin, you followed me into Jiuzhong that day without even saying goodbye, but now you've caught a whiff of some good wine and abandoned your brothers?"

"Not at all! Jiuzhong Shipping Company's warehouse has all sorts of rare goods, naturally the wine is top-notch too. I practically drank the whole warehouse dry, hahaha! So enjoyable! Hey! Here you go!"

I took the wine jug and took a sip without thinking. Sweet and refreshing, the rich aroma melted on my tongue. "A man of high standing in the Water Chamber! Truly fine wine!"

"You have good taste, kid!"

"Brother Lin, thank you so much this time. "

"It's just a jug of wine, nothing to thank me for! Besides, if you had such a jug of wine, wouldn't you share some with me?"

"I'm not talking about the wine, but you shouldn't have gotten involved in this in the first place."

"What a joke! Why would I easily miss a fight?"

I was speechless, but took another big gulp. With Lin Zuixian, one of the top ten in the world, I should have a firm advantage with my current strength!

"Report!"

"Speak!"

"The Madam has sent a letter saying the auspicious time has arrived!"

...

"The auspicious time has arrived! Please, guests and hosts, take your seats!"

"Come, come, please, please!" "Congratulations!" "Ah...sit down!" Everyone in the Crystal Palace was beaming with joy. Who cared if it was true or not! As long as they received gifts, that was enough. Twelfth Young Master thought to himself, rubbing his cheeks. His face was practically cramping from smiling all day.

"Gentlemen!" The entire hall fell silent at this voice. The speaker's words were full of vigor, echoing in the ears. The speaker was a middle-aged man in brocade robes, with a dignified bearing. He held a golden cup and looked down at those seated. "Ladies and gentlemen! I, Xiao Wentian, am extremely happy today. Do you know why?" Everyone knew he had something to say, so no one spoke. Sure enough, Xiao Wentian continued, "Today is the day my daughter is getting married, but I'm not happy about that! A married daughter is like water spilled from a cup; I've already spilled it three times, this is the fourth. Do you think I can be happy?" His humorous remark drew laughter from the entire hall. "But I am truly happy today!" The crowd quieted down again. "Not for anything else, but because of you all! Today is the only wedding of my daughter, Xiao Wentian's daughter, and you are all spending it with me." "Good...good..." Well said! Cheers erupted throughout the hall. Looking at the radiant and eloquent Xiao Wentian, Ao Xing was filled with admiration. The leader of the Nine Clans truly lived up to his title, displaying both magnanimity and generosity while giving face to the guests. Just for those few words, Ao Xing gave him a perfect score.

"Madam! The main character has arrived!" A single sentence pulled Ao Xing back from her reverie.

"Madam Fengyue of the Sima family has come to offer her congratulations!" With a greeting, a beautiful woman in pink and white, accompanied by a fragrant breeze, entered the room. "It seems Fengyue is a step late! Uncle, please don't blame me!" Everyone present knew that the Sima family was the Xiao family's enemy. Although they knew that the Sima family would definitely make a move today, they were still a little uneasy when they first saw Sima Fengyue. "How could I blame my niece Fengyue? Come, come, sit next to your uncle. I've heard that my niece has an amazing capacity for alcohol, and I must personally test her today!" It was Xiao Wentian who was old and shrewd. He immediately invited Sima Fengyue to take a seat, and for a moment, the atmosphere at the banquet was quite harmonious.

At this moment, Ao Xing kept her eyes glued to the arena. Suddenly, she noticed someone on her left making the hand gesture for the Kill Fortress Military Intelligence Hall. She immediately looked at Xiao Kui, who understood and turned to leave. Ao Xing was surprised. Who was it? Why would they contact them at this moment? As she thought this, she saw Xiao Kui and the others bring the person up. Seeing that the person was already under Xiao Kui's control, Ao Xing felt somewhat relieved. "The winds and rains gather from all corners of the world!" If he couldn't answer the next line, he would be beheaded immediately. "The sun shines over all mountains and rivers! Your subordinate greets Madam! I am on the eighth day of the first lunar month, and I have urgent military intelligence to report!" Ao Xing became even more cautious. The person understood immediately. "Madam, please rest assured. Your subordinate is Huo Fenghan from Tianyi Manor, and he is Yun Shuang's third brother. You only need to let Chu San come out to see him, and you will know." Although Ao Xing had dispelled her suspicions, she still invited Chu San to come. "Third Brother! You... what are you doing here!" Upon seeing him, Chu San immediately understood the situation, and Ao Xing couldn't help but step forward and bow: "Since we're family, I was indeed rude just now! Please explain your purpose, Third Brother." Huo Fenghan didn't waste any more time: "I was a guest at the Sima family a few months ago, and I was the one who relayed information about the Sima family to the Fortress. But only just now did I discover that something was very wrong. First, today, the Nine-Clan's leader, Lan Tianyu, secretly left Donglu City without even attending the wedding. Second, last night, a hundred-man squad of the Nine-Clan's border defense forces was completely wiped out by a group of armed men! Because the Nine-Clan's military is extremely secretive about this matter, I only just learned about it myself." Ao Xing almost subconsciously thought of Feng Xiping, the Moon Marshal from Kunlun who had secretly entered the border defense zone. Could it be her? Thinking to himself, he couldn't help but ask urgently, "How far is the incident from here?" "It's at least a day's journey!" Ao Xing had no more doubts at this point. "Xiao Kui, prepare the Crimson Military Report and notify the Holy Lord immediately!" Ao Xing was flustered by this sudden turn of events. To completely annihilate a hundred-man squad of the battle-hardened Nine Border Guards, what kind of strength and how many men would the enemy need? Although Ao Xing had considered countless possible moves by Feng Xiping, he never expected her to infiltrate with troops like this. Taking another look at the surroundings, Ao Xing forced himself to stay alert, because tonight's grand show had already begun.

"The entire Xiao family is a family of heroes!" The speaker was an elderly man nearing seventy, and judging from his seat at the head table, his status within the Nine Guards was undoubtedly high. "The prosperity of our Nine Families today is inseparable from the diligent efforts of the Xiao family. Today is Miss Xiao's wedding day, and I have chosen a small item as a congratulatory gift. I hope Brother Wentian will accept it." With that, he took out a palm-sized brocade box from his robes. Xiao Wentian politely declined before accepting it. Then the old man said, "The contents of this box are quite extraordinary. I would like to extinguish the lights in the hall and have Brother Wentian open it himself. It will surely make today even more splendid." Upon hearing the old man's words, everyone became eager to try it out. Everyone was now very curious about what was inside the box. Xiao Wentian chuckled and turned to Sima Fengyue, saying, "Judging from what the old gentleman said, this box must contain a priceless treasure. Perhaps my niece Fengyue could open it for me? For a treasure deserves a beautiful woman, and only you, my niece, are worthy of that title. Therefore, this honor should naturally belong to you!" Sima Fengyue broke out in a cold sweat halfway through hearing this. She thought to herself, "I'm doomed!" "Ah...ah...this is a generous gift from someone! Even if I'm extremely willing, I can't accept this! So please, Uncle Xiao, open it yourself!" Xiao Wentian, hearing this, didn't insist. "Fengyue is absolutely right. Since it's my daughter's wedding, please let her open it herself. It'll also be a good opportunity for the newlyweds to toast everyone."

"The bride and groom have arrived!"

Amidst the sound of drums and music, a newlywed couple dressed in bright red wedding attire entered. There were no congratulatory words, no celebratory commotion, because after seeing the groom's face, no one dared to utter a sound. Sima Fengyue finally recognized the person who had arrived, but upon seeing him, she could only cry out in shock, "Xiangru! You...you..."

"Sister! Today is truly a joyous day for our Sima family, and to let you know only now is truly my unfilial act!"

Sima Fengyue was speechless. She slowly stood up, her beautiful face devoid of color. "You...you betrayed the family for a woman...for a woman?"

"Sister! I did this for the family!"

"What you did is utter nonsense!" Sima Fengyue knew she had failed when she saw Sima Xiangru, but the betrayal of her closest confidant still drove her to hysteria. "What do you know? Do you know how much your sister sacrificed for this day? Now we were just one step away..." Suddenly, she turned and saw Aoxing on the second floor, "It's all your fault!" Overwhelming hatred made Sima Fengyue act without restraint. She raised her hand and unleashed a rain of needles, plunging the hall into darkness. At that moment, the distant sound of ten thousand horses galloping echoed.

The instant Sima Fengyue launched his attack, Xiao Wentian reacted first, his fists, palms, and legs striking Sima Fengyue's vital points almost simultaneously. Only after two hard clashes did the room finally go completely dark. In a flash! Amidst the gasps of the crowd, several whooshing sounds rang out. It turned out Sima Fengyue had a formidable plan. But at that moment, the fish tank in the hall suddenly shattered, and a figure leaped out from the shimmering water, engaging the newcomer in a fierce battle. The whistling of two signal arrows was terrifying, and two screams echoed through the hall, one after the other. A cacophony of wails and screams filled the air, and the sky changed color.

"Stop!" It was Sima Fengyue's sharp shout!

All the fighting actually ceased, and then the lights in the hall were relit. It turned out that Xiao Wentian had now seized Sima Fengyue by the throat. (

From "Who Has the World?" by Rulai, Volume 1, Chapter 33: Snowy Night and Bloodshed)

"What heavy snow!" I exclaimed, marveling at the fickle nature of fate, just like the ever-changing human world. It's no wonder that Feng Xiping, a woman, could be ranked among the top ten heroes in the world! I underestimated her, and I also underestimated Sima Fengyue. These two audacious women, one willing to betray her country for power, and the other actually led troops to sneak into the enemy country! I wonder which of them came up with this idea. The situation is a hundred times more complicated than we originally anticipated. I'm truly confused!

"Brother Lin, what do you think?"

"What can I think! I'll just fight wherever you point!"

"You're so easygoing!" I shifted my gaze to the boundless mountains before me. The swirling snow had robbed the world of color, leaving everything a pure white. Deafening battle cries echoed from the foot of the mountains, and the flames from Howling Manor illuminated the surrounding sky in a fiery red. They're really putting on a show! Although I had mentioned setting fire to Xiao Wentian before, I didn't expect him to actually agree. Judging from the situation below, the Xiao family is sparing no expense; if the fire continues, they'll be able to find land to build houses within an hour. I ordered my messenger to signal a retreat; everything was proceeding according to plan. I just wondered where Feng Xiping was waiting for me.

"I've lost!" Sima Fengyue uttered softly. Even so, Xiao Wentian's large hands remained on her throat.

"Tell the people outside to stop resisting too." One of the men in black who had just fought his way out of the chaos took the order and left. Sima Fengyue slowly surveyed the entire scene again. The hall, which had been brightly lit and bustling a moment ago, was now a mess. Sima Fengyue couldn't help but smile bitterly, "Xiangru, I ruined your wedding, you won't blame me, will you?"

Sima Xiangru didn't know how to answer.

The shouts of battle outside finally subsided. Sima Fengyue sighed again, "Uncle Xiao, won't you let me go?"

"Fengyue, I know you've always been of the highest character, but I never expected you to do this." His words were filled with regret, and his hand left Sima Fengyue's. "Listen to your uncle, leave this place, go as far away as possible. Even if Xiangru is my son-in-law, I can't guarantee that others in the party won't retaliate against you."

"Thank you for your mercy, Uncle. This failure is Heaven's will, and I, Sima Fengyue, will not blame anyone. I swear here and now, as long as you are here, I will never set foot here again." "

Sister!" Sima Xiangru was also deeply saddened.

"Sister has caused you trouble! All Sima family members, listen to my command!" A group of people knelt down in the hall. "From this moment forward, Sima Xiangru will succeed as the head of the Sima family. I hope you will help him as you helped me!"

"Sister! Xiangru, I..."

"Xiangru, you don't need to say anything more. Although you betrayed me, I hope you can keep your word and entrust the Sima family to you from now on. Also, your sister has always known about you and Xiaoye! Bless you! Your sister is leaving!"

*Thump!* Sima Xiangru pulled his wife to her knees. Sima Fengyue, however, was quite a character, walking past them without uttering a word.

"Even you betrayed me?" Sima Fengyue suddenly stopped, for she saw Huo Fenghan standing beside Aoxing. "I thought you were sincere towards me!" Tears finally streamed down her face. No one stopped her. Sima Fengyue walked into the vast, white expanse outside. This was the fate of the loser! "

Madam! Your subordinate..."

"Go! If she can forgive you, that would be best." Aoxing saw through everything in the reluctance in Huo Fenghan's eyes; he was genuine after all!

"Kill the fortress's gold token, take the brothers here, and come with me to support the Holy Lord immediately."

"I obey Madam's command!"

The real bloodbath hadn't even begun yet!

Countless burly men in black robes darted through the forest, wielding monk's knives and bronze clubs. Large snowflakes melted instantly upon landing on them; these were clearly highly skilled fighters. Suddenly, a strange change occurred ahead! Several screams pierced the snowy night forest. "Elder, the road ahead is full of traps!" the man cried out anxiously. A hint of helplessness flashed in the elder's eyes, then he stepped forward alone. "Has the master of Killing Fortress been waiting here for some time? May I show myself?"

"Thank you for coming through the snow, holy monks of the Zen sect. I, Wu Hui of Kunlun, greet you!" I emerged from the dense forest. "Since things have come to this, please leave. We can fight again another day."

"What if we insist on determining the victor today?"

I waved my hand, and suddenly a group of assassins appeared from the forest, each wielding a three-shot crossbow, the strings fully drawn, ready to fire!

"I promised one of your disciples that if we could avoid a battle today, I would let you all leave safely."

Looking at the impenetrable encirclement before him, the elder sighed deeply. "Since that's the case, we'll seek your advice on how to kill the fortress another day. But I hope you can give me an explanation. Don't laugh, because I truly don't know where I went wrong today!"

"Easy, easy," I almost laughed. "Your sect relied too much on that secret passage." If it weren't for Yue Mingxin's words, I would have tampered with that passage long ago; otherwise, these monks probably wouldn't even know how they died.

The elder seemed to have realized this as well, and without hesitation, said, "This time, you truly showed mercy. We have no reason to fight again. Farewell!" He turned to leave, but at that moment, a sudden change occurred!

A series of whooshing sounds suddenly resounded through the sky! "Elder, be careful!" The disciple beside the old man rushed forward, thudding and sprawling! Arrows pierced flesh! The Zen sect members fell one after another in the sudden rain of arrows. Though I was shocked, my mind was still sharp. Feng Xiping! That damned woman is truly vicious! Sure enough, the old man put down his disciple, now a pincushion, and cried out in anguish, "How dare you, you scoundrel!" He then lunged at me, and the Zen disciples in the forest roared and followed suit. Our warriors finally couldn't hold back any longer and unleashed a barrage of three arrows from their crossbows. The Zen disciples suffered another heavy casualty. Finally! The two sides clashed in close combat, and the dark snowy night was instantly transformed by the glint of swords and the crimson blood.

"I'll meet you!" Zhang Zhi suddenly rose behind me, blocking the enraged Zen elder. I retreated immediately, coldly observing everything around me. The Zen forces were put on the defensive in an instant. The two attacks of arrows and crossbows had already wiped out most of them, and now, blocked by the experts of the Robbery Hall, they were all wounded. The ground was littered with the corpses of monks. My anger surged. Though I was in the Killing Fortress, I wasn't one to kill easily. They shouldn't have died, but Feng Xiping had ambushed them right in front of the two armies, creating this current chaotic battle. Feng Xiping! Where are you? I can't wait any longer!

"Kid, look! Someone triggered a trap over there!" I looked in the direction Lin Zuixian was pointing and saw fallen trees and snow everywhere.

"Good! Brother, come with me and kill them to our hearts' content!"

"Come on! I hate those despicable people who use dirty tricks the most!"

Lin Zuixian and I were the first to rush into the forest. We were met with countless gunshots. I simply did a somersault to avoid the attack and landed in the enemy's ranks. Without hesitation, I unleashed eight-tenths of my power, cleaving a man several feet away from my chest with a single palm strike. I caught the spear he tossed aside, swung it with explosive force, and charged forward. Each strike claimed a life; the spear was now a streak of lightning, its momentum overwhelming and unstoppable! The Wind and Cloud Dragon Spear! It was indeed the Wind and Cloud Dragon Spear, one of the seven great weapons! Spear shadows filled my surroundings, and my servant vanished into the blur of light.

The spear whirled and trembled rapidly; I had already killed countless men along the way, yet the enemy continued his charge. "Seeking death!" I sheathed the spear and thrust it out again, the tip flashing with a brilliant light, instantly severing the throats of seven men before me! I suddenly stopped firing my gun and stood up, laughing loudly, "Feng Xiping! If you don't come out now, you might as well go home and find a man to marry. If no one wants you, you can go to a brothel!" Lin Zuixian, who had just slashed someone away, burst into wild laughter, "Hahaha! Well said!" Suddenly, a figure shot out from the forest with a gust of wind carrying a sky full of sword energy, and the flying white snow even formed a vortex with the incoming sword! "Well done!" I kicked the butt of my spear at the longsword, then swept it horizontally towards the attacker's waist. She used a graceful movement to shift several inches in mid-air, barely dodging the attack. Spear and sword clashed, producing sixteen crisp sounds in a short breath. Then we stood still. "It's been several months since we parted in the capital. General Feng, you must have been worried about my safety, otherwise why would you have traveled so far to follow me here?" Feng Xiping's hand holding the sword trembled slightly. From the loud voice emanating from her ample chest, I knew the attack had caused her blood to boil. Feng Xiping noticed my gaze fixed on that spot and felt a surge of shame and anger: "What are you looking at, you thieving eyes!" She attacked, her sword flashing towards my throat. Another surge of rage welled up within me! I refrained from killing you out of consideration for your woman status, but now that you've come to your death, I'll send you on your way! He couldn't help but shout, "Dragon's Roar Across the Eight Desolations!" The Wind and Cloud Dragon Spear vanished the instant it was unleashed, leaving only a dazzling, rainbow-like light. Despite such a deadly attack, Feng Xiping showed no fear, her longsword piercing the center of the light like a bolt of lightning. But she immediately realized she had only pierced empty air. A sudden, burning pain shot through her shoulders, and in her horror, she saw the spear aimed at her abdomen. She gritted her teeth and parried with her sword, but her severe injuries left her powerless, and she and her sword were swept away

by my spear. "Commander Feng!" "Protect Commander Feng!" Her personal guards, disregarding the battle formation, rushed to her side. I thought, "So be it." Seeing the despair in her eyes after her sword missed, I felt a pang of pity. The killing move had missed her vital points. Although her shoulders were now bruised, I saw blood on her lower body as well. I wanted to laugh but dared not utter a sound. "Since you, Red Sunflower Star, have arrived, why are you joining this fun?" At this moment, Feng Xiping, who was sitting on the ground, had completely lost her color, clutching her lower abdomen and trembling uncontrollably. Lin Zuixian had somehow appeared beside me and was shocked upon seeing me! "You...you are pregnant!" I was also horrified upon hearing this; no wonder blood was gushing from her lower body! Upon hearing this, Feng Xiping let out a heart-wrenching scream, tearing aside the guards blocking her way and attacking me again! I had killed the child in her womb! This realization threw me into disarray. I managed to take nine steps back after parrying her nine sword strikes, and the tenth sword finally pierced my spear. Only then did Lin Zuixian pounce from behind. In shock, I could only drop my spear and roll aside. Before I could even get up, an unparalleled blade of energy, accompanied by a blizzard, slashed down at my head.

I was now unarmed, so I unleashed my inner energy, unleashing a devastating attack that left everyone in the arena speechless, staring in disbelief at this magnificent strike. A dazzling ring of inner energy formed around me, and the attacker slashed into it! The ring exploded with brilliant light, then dissipated into a white beam that scattered in all directions. I practically crawled to my feet, my furious eyes fixed on the attacker. He was clearly injured by the explosion of inner energy, leaning on his sword and spitting out a mouthful of blood. Only then did I see his sword clearly! Three feet seven inches long, nine inches wide, with a twelve-inch handle, double-edged and streamlined—a superior Japanese sword! Damn it, the attacker was Japanese! I had calculated everything, yet I had overlooked one thing. Japan is only separated from the Nine Realms by a strait, and the two sides have maintained constant contact. That bastard Sima Fengyue could collude with Kunlun, and she could just as easily collude with these Japanese scum! The situation left me no time to think, for suddenly another group of Japanese pirates wielding katana emerged from the forest!

My brothers, already struggling in their battle, were no match for such a fresh force, and several were immediately overwhelmed. Without hesitation, I threw something into the air, and a burst of fireworks lit up the sky. "You have an ambush, but I don't!" The Japanese pirate who had ambushed me was now filled with murderous intent upon seeing this. He mustered his inner strength and attacked again with his sword. I had already used all my strength in that one move, and in great fear, I could only roll to the side once more. This man was undoubtedly a top-tier expert among the Japanese; even before his sword reached me, it sent chills down my spine. Lin Zuixian was now caught in the chaos, and I was completely alone. The sword was now upon me again, seemingly blocking all my escape routes. I felt as if the Buddha himself was calling to me.

"Repair my lord!" With a loud shout, several figures rushed out, two protecting me and two defending against the enemy. The Killer Fortress's Golden Token had finally arrived at this critical moment. Seeing the newcomers, I felt a surge of relief, a sweet taste in my throat, and I coughed up a mouthful of blood. The price I paid for activating the Imbalance of Humanity in my desperation was this reversed blood flow and excruciating pain in my heart! Damn those damned Japanese devils!

The disciples of Blade Gorge are indeed masters of charging into battle! With superb martial arts and numerous numbers, they cut down a whole group as soon as they entered the arena, and their leader was unstoppable! Not a drop of blood stained his blade; he injured people purely with the energy of his blade as he flew through the air. No one could withstand a single blow from him! The Japanese leader was no pushover; he wielded his katana with unparalleled skill. However, having been injured by my inner energy and now facing two top warriors from Killer Fortress, he could only hold out for a moment before collapsing. Suddenly, he unleashed a flurry of sword light, forcing the two back with a single move. Then, with a sharp whistle, he tumbled out of the battle, disappearing into the snowy forest in four or five leaps. The remaining Japanese followed suit, leaving only the members of Killer Fortress on the battlefield. It turned out that Feng Xiping, severely wounded, had already retreated with his men, while the Zen sect seemed to have been completely wiped out! Seeing the enemy retreat, the brothers of Killer Fortress breathed a sigh of relief and, exhausted, collapsed onto the snow.

"No regrets!" Ao Xing cried out upon seeing the blood flowing from my mouth and nose. "Thanks to you!" I said with deep emotion. Ao Xing threw herself into my arms without hesitation.

Broken swords and wrecked soldiers littered the ground, corpses littered the mountainsides, the mournful howl of the north wind pierced the air, and the cries of the wounded echoed in the terrifying snowy night. Blood froze into dazzling ice crystals on the pristine snow. At that moment, all I knew was to hold Ao Xing tightly, for I had almost become one of the many lost souls on these mountains!

"Reporting to the Holy Lord! The Chan Sect is almost completely wiped out! Only a few escaped!"

"Reporting to the Holy Lord! The Kunlun forces have also fled over the mountains; our pursuers have just been shaken off!"

"Reporting to the Holy Lord! I killed 231 of my brothers in the fortress, and wounded 390, half of whom were killed with a single blow!"

The rage in my heart forced me to cough up another mouthful of blood! Seventy percent of my eight hundred brothers had been killed or wounded! The deep hatred for killing so many from the Chan Sect was beyond words, and the serious injury to Feng Xiping had also caused her to miscarry. I knew that the next time I encountered this Kunlun general commanding tens of thousands of troops, it would be a fight to the death! But what was most infuriating was being caught off guard by those damned Japanese devils! Thinking this, I shouted, "Men, come!"

"Holy Lord!"

"Organize all forces! Pursue the Japanese devils immediately!"

"Wu Hui! You are seriously injured, and our brothers have suffered heavy casualties and are exhausted. The most important thing now is to quickly dispose of the dead and organize everyone to find a place to heal! Otherwise, our losses will be even greater!" I looked at Ao Xing, who was anxious, and sighed helplessly. Only she could advise me like this. I picked up a Japanese sword from the ground and broke it in two with a knee strike. Then I roared like a tiger towards the swirling snow! "

You Japanese dogs, listen to me! If I, Wu Hui of Kunlun, cause even one of you to leave China, I will disappear without a trace and never be born again. You all better wash your necks and wait obediently!"

Lin Tao's voice rolled on, his killing intent surging and dancing in the air!

Chapter Thirty-Three: Bloodstained Snow Night

"What heavy snow!" I sighed, realizing that the ways of heaven are indeed unpredictable, just like this ever-changing human world. It's no wonder that Feng Xiping, a woman, could be ranked among the top ten heroes in the world! I underestimated her, and I also underestimated Sima Fengyue. These two audacious women, one willing to betray her country for power, and the other actually led troops to sneak into the enemy country! I wonder which of them came up with this idea. The situation is a hundred times more complicated than we originally anticipated. I'm truly confused!

"Brother Lin, what do you think?"

"What can I think! I'll just fight wherever you point!"

"You're so easygoing!" I shifted my gaze to the boundless mountains before me. The swirling snow had robbed the world of color, leaving everything a pure white. Deafening battle cries echoed from the foot of the mountains, and the flames from Howling Manor illuminated the surrounding sky in a fiery red. They're really putting on a show! Although I had mentioned setting fire to Xiao Wentian before, I didn't expect him to actually agree. Judging from the situation below, the Xiao family is sparing no expense; if the fire continues, they'll be able to find land to build houses within an hour. I ordered my messenger to signal a retreat; everything was proceeding according to plan. I just wondered where Feng Xiping was waiting for me.

"I've lost!" Sima Fengyue uttered softly. Even so, Xiao Wentian's large hands remained on her throat.

"Tell the people outside to stop resisting too." One of the men in black who had just fought his way out of the chaos took the order and left. Sima Fengyue slowly surveyed the entire scene again. The hall, which had been brightly lit and bustling a moment ago, was now a mess. Sima Fengyue couldn't help but smile bitterly, "Xiangru, I ruined your wedding, you won't blame me, will you?"

Sima Xiangru didn't know how to answer.

The shouts of battle outside finally subsided. Sima Fengyue sighed again, "Uncle Xiao, are you still not going to let me go?"

"Fengyue, I know you've always been of the highest character, but I never expected you to do something like this." His words were filled with regret, and his hand left Sima Fengyue's. "Listen to your uncle's advice, leave this place, go as far away as possible. Even if Xiangru is my son-in-law, I can't guarantee that others in the party won't retaliate against you."

"Thank you for your understanding, Uncle. This failure is Heaven's will, and I, Sima Fengyue, will not blame anyone. I swear here and now that as long as you, Uncle, are in the Nine Clan, I will never set foot here again."

"Sister!" Sima Xiangru was also deeply saddened at this moment.

"Sister has caused you trouble! All members of the Sima family, listen to my command!" A group of people knelt down in the hall. "From this moment forward, Sima Xiangru will succeed as the head of the Sima family. I hope you will help him as you helped me!"

"Sister! Xiangru, I..."

"Xiangru, you don't need to say anything more. Although you betrayed me, I hope you will keep your word. The Sima family is now in your hands. Also, I have always known about you and Xiao Ye! I wish you well! I'm leaving!" "

Thump!" Sima Xiangru pulled his wife to kneel down. Sima Fengyue was indeed a remarkable person, walking past them without uttering a word.

"Even you betrayed me?" Sima Fengyue suddenly stopped, because she saw Huo Fenghan standing next to Ao Xing. "I thought you were sincere towards me!" Tears finally streamed down her face. No one stopped her. Sima Fengyue walked into the vast white expanse outside. This was the fate of the loser!

"Madam! Your subordinate..."

"Go! If she can forgive you, that would be wonderful." Ao Xing saw through the reluctance in Huo Fenghan's eyes; he was genuinely sincere!

"Kill the fortress's gold token, take the brothers here, and come with me to support the Holy Lord as soon as possible."

"Yes, madam!"

The real bloodbath hadn't even begun yet!

Countless burly men in black were running through the mountains and forests. They wielded monk's knives and copper clubs, and large snowflakes melted quickly upon landing on them. These guys were all experts. Suddenly, something unexpected happened ahead! Several screams were particularly piercing in the snowy night mountains and forests. "Elder, the road ahead is full of traps!" The person who spoke was extremely anxious. A trace of helplessness flashed in the elder's eyes, and then he pushed his way out alone. "Has the esteemed master of Killing Fortress been waiting here for quite some time? May I show myself?"

"Thank you for coming through the snow, holy monks of the Zen sect. I, Wu Hui of Kunlun, greet you!" I emerged from the dense forest. "Since things have come to this, please, masters, depart now. We can fight again another day."

"What if we insist on determining the victor today?"

I waved my hand, and suddenly a group of assassins appeared from the forest, each wielding a three-shot crossbow, its strings fully drawn, ready to fire!

"I promised one of your disciples that if we could avoid a battle today, I would let you all leave safely."

Looking at the impenetrable encirclement before him, the elder sighed deeply. "Since that's the case, we'll seek your advice on how to kill the fortress another day. But I hope you can give me an explanation. Don't laugh, because I truly don't know where I went wrong today!"

"Easy, easy," I almost laughed. "Your sect relied too much on that secret passage." If it weren't for Yue Mingxin's words, I would have tampered with that passage long ago; otherwise, these monks probably wouldn't even know how they died.

The elder seemed to have realized this as well, and without hesitation, said, "This time, you truly showed mercy. We have no reason to fight again. Farewell!" He turned to leave, but at that moment, a sudden change occurred!

A series of whooshing sounds suddenly resounded through the sky! "Elder, be careful!" The disciple beside the old man rushed forward, thudding and sprawling! Arrows pierced flesh! The Zen sect members fell one after another in the sudden rain of arrows. Though I was shocked, my mind was still sharp. Feng Xiping! That damned woman is truly vicious! Sure enough, the old man put down his disciple, now a pincushion, and cried out in anguish, "How dare you, you scoundrel!" He then lunged at me, and the Zen disciples in the forest roared and followed suit. Our warriors finally couldn't hold back any longer and unleashed a barrage of three arrows from their crossbows. The Zen disciples suffered another heavy casualty. Finally! The two sides clashed in close combat, and the dark snowy night was instantly transformed by the glint of swords and the crimson blood.

"I'll meet you!" Zhang Zhi suddenly rose behind me, blocking the enraged Zen elder. I retreated immediately, coldly observing everything around me. The Zen forces were put on the defensive in an instant. The two attacks of arrows and crossbows had already wiped out most of them, and now, blocked by the experts of the Robbery Hall, they were all wounded. The ground was littered with the corpses of monks. My anger surged. Though I was in the Killing Fortress, I wasn't one to kill easily. They shouldn't have died, but Feng Xiping had ambushed them right in front of the two armies, creating this current chaotic battle. Feng Xiping! Where are you? I can't wait any longer!

"Kid, look! Someone triggered a trap over there!" I looked in the direction Lin Zuixian was pointing and saw fallen trees and snow everywhere.

"Good! Brother, come with me and kill them to our hearts' content!"

"Come on! I hate those despicable people who use dirty tricks the most!"

Lin Zuixian and I were the first to rush into the forest. We were met with countless gunshots. I simply did a somersault to avoid the attack and landed in the enemy's ranks. Without hesitation, I unleashed eight-tenths of my power, cleaving a man several feet away from my chest with a single palm strike. I caught the spear he tossed aside, swung it with explosive force, and charged forward. Each strike claimed a life; the spear was now a streak of lightning, its momentum overwhelming and unstoppable! The Wind and Cloud Dragon Spear! It was indeed the Wind and Cloud Dragon Spear, one of the seven great weapons! Spear shadows filled my surroundings, and my servant vanished into the blur of light.

The spear whirled and trembled rapidly; I had already killed countless men along the way, yet the enemy continued his charge. "Seeking death!" I sheathed the spear and thrust it out again, the tip flashing with a brilliant light, instantly severing the throats of seven men before me! I suddenly stopped firing my gun and stood up, laughing loudly, "Feng Xiping! If you don't come out now, you might as well go home and find a man to marry. If no one wants you, you can go to a brothel!" Lin Zuixian, who had just slashed someone away, burst into wild laughter, "Hahaha! Well said!" Suddenly, a figure shot out from the forest with a gust of wind carrying a sky full of sword energy, and the flying white snow even formed a vortex with the incoming sword! "Well done!" I kicked the butt of my spear at the longsword, then swept it horizontally towards the attacker's waist. She used a graceful movement to shift several inches in mid-air, barely dodging the attack. Spear and sword clashed, producing sixteen crisp sounds in a short breath. Then we stood still. "It's been several months since we parted in the capital. General Feng, you must have been worried about my safety, otherwise why would you have traveled so far to follow me here?" Feng Xiping's hand holding the sword trembled slightly. From the loud voice emanating from her ample chest, I knew the attack had caused her blood to boil. Feng Xiping noticed my gaze fixed on that spot and felt a surge of shame and anger: "What are you looking at, you thieving eyes!" She attacked, her sword flashing towards my throat. Another surge of rage welled up within me! I refrained from killing you out of consideration for your woman status, but now that you've come to your death, I'll send you on your way! He couldn't help but shout, "Dragon's Roar Across the Eight Desolations!" The Wind and Cloud Dragon Spear vanished the instant it was unleashed, leaving only a dazzling, rainbow-like light. Despite such a deadly attack, Feng Xiping showed no fear, her longsword piercing the center of the light like a bolt of lightning. But she immediately realized she had only pierced empty air. A sudden, burning pain shot through her shoulders, and in her horror, she saw the spear aimed at her abdomen. She gritted her teeth and parried with her sword, but her severe injuries left her powerless, and she and her sword were swept away

by my spear. "Commander Feng!" "Protect Commander Feng!" Her personal guards, disregarding the battle formation, rushed to her side. I thought, "So be it." Seeing the despair in her eyes after her sword missed, I felt a pang of pity. The killing move had missed her vital points. Although her shoulders were now bruised, I saw blood on her lower body as well. I wanted to laugh but dared not utter a sound. "Since you, Red Sunflower Star, have arrived, why are you joining this fun?" At this moment, Feng Xiping, who was sitting on the ground, had completely lost her color, clutching her lower abdomen and trembling uncontrollably. Lin Zuixian had somehow appeared beside me, and upon seeing me, she was horrified! "You...you're pregnant!" I was also shocked upon hearing this; no wonder blood was gushing from her lower body! Upon hearing this, Feng Xiping let out a heart-wrenching scream, tearing aside the guards blocking her way and attacking me again! I had killed the child in her womb! This realization threw me into disarray. I managed to take nine steps back after parrying her nine sword strikes, and the tenth sword finally pierced my spear. Only then did Lin Zuixian pounce from behind. In shock, I could only drop my spear and roll aside. Before I could even get up, an unparalleled blade of energy, accompanied by a blizzard, slashed down at my head.

I was now unarmed, so I unleashed all my inner energy to activate the "Disequilibrium of Man," leaving everyone in the arena stunned by this magnificent move. A dazzling ring of true energy formed around me, and the newcomer slashed into it with his blade! The ring exploded with brilliant light, then transformed into a white beam that scattered rapidly in all directions. I practically crawled to my feet, my angry eyes fixed on the newcomer. He was clearly also injured by the explosion of true energy, spitting out a mouthful of blood as he leaned on his sword. Only then did I see his sword clearly! Three feet seven inches long, nine inches wide, with a twelve-inch handle, double-edged and streamlined—a fine Japanese sword! Damn it, the newcomer was a Japanese! I had calculated everything, yet I had overlooked one thing. Japan is only separated from the Nine Realms by a strait, and the two sides have maintained contact for years. That bastard Sima Fengyue could collude with Kunlun, and she could collude with these Japanese scum too! The situation didn't allow me time to think further, because suddenly another group of Japanese pirates wielding swords appeared from the forest!

My brothers from Killer Fortress, already battered and bruised, couldn't withstand such a sudden attack from a fresh force; several were immediately swept away. Without hesitation, I tossed something into the air, and a burst of fireworks lit up the sky. "You have an ambush, but I don't!" The Japanese soldier who had ambushed me, seeing this, was filled with murderous intent. He mustered his inner energy and attacked again with his sword. I had already exerted all my strength in that one move, and in shock, I could only roll to the side again. This man was undoubtedly a top-tier expert among the Japanese; even before his sword reached me, it sent chills down my spine. Lin Zuixian was now caught in the chaos, and I was completely alone. The sword was now upon me again, seemingly blocking all my escape routes. I felt as if the Buddha himself was calling to me.

"Repair my lord!" With a loud shout, several figures appeared, two protecting me, two defending against the enemy. Killer Fortress's golden token had finally arrived at this critical moment. Seeing the newcomer, I felt a surge of relief, a sweet taste in my throat, and I coughed up a mouthful of blood. The price of my hasty activation of the "Disequilibrium of Man" technique was this sudden, reversed blood flow and excruciating pain

in my heart! Damn those damned Japanese bastards! The disciples of Blade Gorge are indeed masters of the battlefield! With superb martial arts and sheer numbers, they cut down hordes of them upon entering the arena, their leader being particularly unstoppable! Not a drop of blood stained his blade; he moved with pure sword energy, injuring his opponents with incredible speed and agility. No one could withstand a single blow from him! The Japanese leader was no pushover either; he wielded his katana with masterful skill. However, he was first injured by my true energy, and now he was facing two top-tier warriors from Killer Fortress. He could only hold out for a moment before collapsing. Suddenly, he unleashed a flurry of sword light, forcing two back with a single move, then let out a shrill cry and tumbled out of the battle, disappearing into the snowy forest in four or five leaps. The remaining Japanese also retreated one after another, leaving only the members of Killer Fortress in the arena. It turned out that Feng Xiping, severely wounded, had already retreated with his men, while the Chan Sect seemed to have been completely

wiped out! Seeing the enemy retreat, my brothers at the Killing Fortress breathed a sigh of relief, and exhausted, they collapsed onto the snow. "No regrets!" Ao Xing cried out upon seeing blood streaming from my mouth and nose. "Thanks to you!" I said, deeply moved. Ao Xing threw herself into my arms without hesitation.

Broken swords and wrecked soldiers littered the ground, corpses littered the mountains, the howling north wind howled, and the cries of the wounded echoed in the terrifying snowy night. Blood froze into dazzling ice crystals on the pristine snow. At that moment, all I knew was to hold Ao Xing tightly, for I had almost become one of the many lost souls on these mountains!

"Reporting to the Holy Lord! The Zen sect is almost completely wiped out! Only a few escaped!"

"Reporting to the Holy Lord! The Kunlun forces have also fled over the mountains; our pursuers have just been shaken off!"

"Reporting to the Holy Lord! I killed 231 of my brothers in the fortress, and wounded 390, half of whom were killed with a single blow!"

The rage in my heart forced me to vomit blood again! Seventy percent of my eight hundred brothers were killed or wounded! The deep hatred for killing so many Zen sect members goes without saying, but the serious injury to Feng Xiping and the pregnancy of her child will surely lead to a life-or-death struggle when we encounter this Kunlun general commanding tens of thousands of troops again! But what's most infuriating is being caught off guard by those damned Japanese devils! Thinking this to myself, I shouted, "Men, come!"

"Holy Lord!"

"Organize all forces! Pursue the Japanese devils immediately!"

"Wu Hui! You are seriously injured, and our brothers have suffered heavy casualties and are exhausted. The most important thing now is to quickly deal with the dead and organize everyone to find a place to heal! Otherwise, our losses will be even greater!" I looked at Ao Xing, who was anxious, and sighed helplessly. Only she could advise me like this. I picked up a Japanese sword from the ground and broke it in two with a knee strike. Then I roared like a tiger into the swirling snow!

"You Japanese dogs, listen to me! If I, Wu Hui of Kunlun, cause even one of you to leave China, I will disappear without a trace and never be born again. You all better wash your necks and wait obediently!"

Lin Tao's voice rolled on, and his killing intent surged and danced in the air!

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