An Accident

Chapter 41: An Unexpected Turn

The Falling Leaves Following the Wind Movement Technique is truly effective.

Because Lu Zhaojin had comprehended the Gale Sword Intent, this movement technique wasn't of a high grade. It also related to wind flow, so after being recorded by the system, its proficiency directly advanced to Minor Accomplishment.

Lu Zhaojin hadn't expected this and felt a bit surprised. He hadn't thought the system had this function.

Lu Zhaojin had already reached the city wall and noticed the candlelight was still on; the people inside hadn't rested yet.

He didn't hide either, swaggering in through the main gate.

Cheng Yan was discussing with someone how to deal with the Brocade Merchant Guild.

Earlier, he had wanted to cooperate with the Xu family from the inside and outside to take down the Brocade Tower in one fell swoop. He hadn't expected that Li Xiufang would have a Sixth-Rank Realm protector by her side, who repelled the Xu family. However, that protector was also injured. He had secretly sent people to investigate but could never find out where the protector was recuperating.

Later, he chose to join forces with the Chen Family, planning to slowly erode the Brocade Tower through the Exquisite Treasure Tower. But plans couldn't keep up with changes. Before the Chen Family could even make a move, they were wiped out by Lu Zhaojin. This plan, once again, died in the cradle.

Cheng Yan was furious, but he maintained a calm facade.

The clothes worn by those people were made of fine silk and satin, indicating an extraordinary background.

The middle-aged man leading them was quite thin. The loose robe he wore made him look like a scarecrow draped in clothing, appearing somewhat comical. His face was grim, his lips thin, and his features seemed rather harsh. "Lu Wenxiu was injured by us today, so Li Xiufang should have no one to rely on."

He looked at Cheng Yan and said sternly, "Tonight is the best opportunity. We cannot miss it again."

Cheng Yan's brows furrowed, and he didn't answer the man immediately.

His thoughts might have been more conservative. He wanted to wait for Lord Qi to return before deciding whether to attack the Brocade Tower. Because with Lord Qi, a Sixth-Rank Realm expert, present, they would have full confidence in dealing with the Brocade Tower's Sixth-Rank Realm protector.

But what the Xu family members said wasn't unreasonable. Lu Wenxiu was also injured, and Li Xiufang had no one else to protect her. As long as they captured her, the others would obediently surrender.

If they missed this golden opportunity tonight, they deserved to be struck by lightning.

Cheng Yan decided to take a gamble. Just as he made up his mind, he suddenly saw a figure flash at the entrance. Accompanied by light footsteps, the figure appeared before him. "It's you!"

The Xu family members looked at Lu Zhaojin in surprise, as they hadn't heard any sound. This young man was somewhat strange.

However, judging by Cheng Yan's reaction, he seemed to know this young man. They wondered if he was friend or foe.

Cheng Yan didn't know Lu Zhaojin's true intentions and thought he had made up his mind. Therefore, he showed Lu Zhaojin a friendly smile. "Lord Qi never goes back on his word, and with your current strength, joining the Third Prince's command would surely make you an indispensable minister, someone I cannot compare to."

Lu Zhaojin nodded. "I have indeed made up my mind."

He drew the Cold Edge sword, its blade shimmering with a cold light under the candlelight, its sharp aura permeating the air. "My answer is that you will all die."

Cheng Yan's face darkened. He hadn't expected this outcome, but he wasn't afraid of Lu Zhaojin. If it were a one-on-one fight, he naturally wouldn't be Lu Zhaojin's opponent. But with the Xu family members by his side, he felt a surge of courage.

Cheng Yan roared, "Are you going to oppose the Third Prince?"

Lu Zhaojin swung his sword, unleashing a sword energy that instantly beheaded one of the Xu family members. "In the past, someone also mentioned the Third Prince to me. I don't understand why you all trust him so much. Perhaps it's opportunism, always wanting to cling to those with greater power, hoping for future promotion."

[Killed Eighth-Rank Martial Artist, EXP +500]

[EXP: 1068]

Before the Xu family members could react, blood splattered all over them. Another person was killed.

[Killed Eighth-Rank Martial Artist, EXP +500]

[EXP: 1568]

Lu Zhaojin continued, "But don't you think about whether you have the ability? Don't end up being swallowed whole, leaving not even a bone behind."

That Xu family elder also came to his senses. This young man meant trouble. "Who knows where this brash kid came from, spewing nonsense and making wild remarks here."

The Xu family elder waved his sleeve, and several finger-length, thin flying daggers shot towards Lu Zhaojin like streaks of light.

A sword energy suddenly flew out, cutting down all the flying daggers.

The sword energy didn't stop and flew directly towards the Xu family elder.

"Blade Rain Formation."

The elder's body trembled. His powerful True Qi transformed into a mountain, shattering the sword energy. He stomped his foot on the ground, cracking the stone bricks, indicating the immense force. He used this force to leap into the air, his hands moving rapidly, creating countless afterimages as if he were throwing countless flying daggers.

The daggers rained down, covering Lu Zhaojin.

Lu Zhaojin's body swayed like a falling leaf amidst the rain of daggers, remaining unharmed. However, Cheng Yan suddenly attacked, like a venomous snake hiding in the dark, ready to strike. His sword light was dim and almost imperceptible, and one could be easily pierced if not careful.

If it weren't for the Brute Ox Stance breaking through to the Extreme Realm, bringing about an all-around improvement, he might have been wounded by this sword tonight.

Seeing his attack fail, Cheng Yan quickly retreated, hiding behind the Xu family members, once again becoming the hidden venomous snake.

Lu Zhaojin decided to eliminate this snake first to avoid further annoyance.

"Gale Sword Art."

Sword energy turned into a gale, sweeping through the area. Wherever it passed, the Xu family members were all cut down, their bodies covered in sword marks, their clothes reduced to rags hanging on them.

[Killed Eighth-Rank Martial Artist, EXP +500]

[...]

[EXP: 3568]

Seeing that he could no longer hide, Cheng Yan was forced to attack proactively.

The Xu family elder continued to throw flying daggers non-stop, but Lu Zhaojin was too agile to be hit. Seeing all his disciples dead, the elder became even more enraged.

The flying daggers were all gone. The Xu Family elder drew the saber hanging from his back, and together with Cheng Yan, they combined their blades and swords to attack Lu Zhaojin.

For a time, a continuous symphony of metal clashing echoed through the area.

However, the two of them couldn't put any pressure on Lu Zhaojin. He casually dissolved their attacks and stopped using them to practice. The Cold Edge sword suddenly flashed with terrifying lightning, imbued with a dreadful destructive power.

The Xu Family elder saw the signs. "Lightning Sword Intent!"

Although it was only a sliver of Sword Intent, it was still a fatal threat to them.

The Xu Family elder knew he couldn't resist it head-on. He stomped his foot, leaped into the air, and intended to escape by breaking through the roof.

Cheng Yan had the same idea.

But before they could act, a faint green light suddenly appeared within the lightning. As Lu Zhaojin unleashed this sword strike, the dazzling electric light traversed the void, as if the very space was being split open. The Xu elder and Cheng Yan were no different; their bodies were directly cut in half, falling from mid-air. Blood mixed with internal organs, splattering all over the ground.

[Killed a Seventh Rank Martial Artist, EXP +5000]

[Killed a Seventh Rank Martial Artist, EXP +5000]

[EXP: 13568]

Lu Zhaojin sheathed his sword. After looting some cultivation techniques and money from these individuals, he strode away from the city tower.

Tonight, running into people from the Xu Family at the City Lord's Mansion was an unexpected delight.

He didn't have to go searching for them in the mountains.