Enticement

Enticement

Lu Zhaojin?

Elder Duan Xuan showed a look of surprise.

He seemed to have heard of the name before, but the impression was faint, and he could not recall it.

Tian Geng gave him a hint. "Dragon Ranking."

Duan Xuan suddenly understood, then sneered slightly. "Fiftieth place?"

Tian Geng nodded, then shook his head. Frowning, he said gravely, "The True Martial Division over in Luoxia City has greatly underestimated Lu Zhaojin's strength."

Duan Xuan did not believe it. No matter how formidable Lu Zhaojin was, he could not possibly be Zhao Kuo's match. After all, Zhao Kuo had once ranked forty-second on the Dragon Ranking. He had merely withdrawn automatically after growing too old, but that did not mean he lacked the strength to compete for a place on the Dragon Ranking.

Tian Geng saw through Duan Xuan's thoughts. "Chen Jingchun fought Lu Zhaojin, but within a few moves, Lu Zhaojin effortlessly beheaded him. Last night, I also received the latest news from Luoxia City. Lu Zhaojin killed the city lord and members of the Xu Family, then fled to parts unknown..."

He looked at the unconscious Du Hongwei. "Hongwei received orders from above and was originally meant to head to Luoxia City. But by an unfortunate coincidence, he encountered that bastard Lu Zhaojin and was severely injured by him. He barely managed to escape back here, yet before he could explain the whole truth, he fainted."

Duan Xuan pondered for a moment. "So, both the sword manual and the Autumn Equinox Sword are in Lu Zhaojin's hands?"

Tian Geng nodded. "Very likely."

Duan Xuan did not care whether Du Hongwei lived or died. Even Zhao Kuo's death had only stirred half-true, half-false sentiment in him. Most of it was for the sword manual. "Where is Lu Zhaojin now?"

Tian Geng shook his head, indicating that he did not know.

A True Martial Guard hurried to the doorway. "Battalion Commander, we found him."

Tian Geng and Duan Xuan exchanged a look.

Tian Geng had the True Martial Guard enter and make his report.

After clasping his fists in salute and addressing the Battalion Commander and Elder Duan Xuan, the True Martial Guard relayed the news he had received from the city gate guards. They had seen a youth who greatly resembled Lu Zhaojin enter the city.

Tian Geng's eyes suddenly widened. "You are saying Lu Zhaojin is in Yuanyang City now?"

The True Martial Guard hesitated. "They only said he looked very similar. They were not certain."

After thinking it over, Tian Geng immediately sent people to investigate the city's major inns and restaurants, searching for where Lu Zhaojin had lodged.

Duan Xuan was also racing against every second. He had to find Lu Zhaojin before the True Martial Division did. Before Tian Geng, he claimed it was to avenge Zhao Kuo, but in truth, it was for the sword manual.

Tian Geng knew this perfectly well, but did not expose him. Just as Duan Xuan had said, Tian Geng had been able to sit in the position of Battalion Commander only because White Cloud Villa had supported him from behind the scenes.

But that could not be spread around.

The imperial dynasty had no liking for two-faced people.

Lu Zhaojin had no idea that the True Martial Division and White Cloud Villa were searching for him. After leaving Brocade Tower, he returned to the inn.

He sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and regulated his breathing while familiarizing himself with the strength that had surged forward by leaps and bounds.

Outside the window.

Night fell.

Ashen moonlight streamed in through the window, drawing out a long curtain of light.

A black shadow suddenly flashed past.

Lu Zhaojin slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing through them. He grabbed the Autumn Equinox Sword and sprang through the window into the night, circulating his movement technique as he pursued the shadow.

He knew the other party was luring him out, but who was the hunter and who was the prey? Only a test would tell.

The black shadow was weaker than Lu Zhaojin and was quickly caught up. Lu Zhaojin drew his sword and slashed out a stream of Sword Qi. If it struck, it would surely leave the other party's corpse and head severed.

Yet the black shadow had clearly led him to the intended destination. His true opponent descended like a divine weapon from heaven, thick Gang Yuan surging forth. The condensed palm imprint shattered that Sword Qi and continued blasting toward Lu Zhaojin.

A flash of Sword Light flickered, splitting the palm imprint down the middle before it dissipated into thin air.

Lu Zhaojin landed safely, Autumn Equinox Sword in hand. Looking around, he found himself in an open clearing. Behind him stood Yuanyang City's walls, while dense woods lay not far away. Duan Xuan and the others appeared before him.

Tian Geng did not reveal himself, or rather, the True Martial Guard could not conveniently interfere. He stood atop the city wall with the guards, overlooking the battlefield below. His eyes shifted subtly, and no one knew what he was thinking.

Duan Xuan sensed Gang Yuan from Lu Zhaojin and revealed a startled expression. "You actually broke through to the Sixth-Rank Realm?"

Lu Zhaojin did not know this old man, but the attire worn by those disciples looked very familiar. "You are people from White Cloud Villa?"

Duan Xuan carefully examined Lu Zhaojin's face. His expression did not change, but inwardly, he was greatly shocked. Lu Zhaojin was actually this young. The Dragon Ranking had said he was in the Seventh-Rank Realm, yet the cultivation he had just displayed clearly carried the fluctuations of Gang Yuan. He could only be in the Sixth-Rank Realm.

Such talent was no less impressive than the young villa master's.

Other thoughts arose in Duan Xuan's heart. "You were the one who killed Zhao Kuo?"

Lu Zhaojin recalled the four men from the teahouse. One of them had indeed been named Zhao Kuo. "That's right."

Duan Xuan said in a deep voice, "I am Elder Duan Xuan of White Cloud Villa. Zhao Kuo was my beloved disciple. You killed my beloved disciple, and I seek revenge for him. That is only natural."

Lu Zhaojin nodded, feeling that it made sense.

Duan Xuan suddenly said, "However, the martial world is not all fighting and killing. There are also human ties and worldly dealings."

He looked into Lu Zhaojin's eyes with seeming sincerity. "Lu Zhaojin, I will give you an opportunity. Become my disciple and join White Cloud Villa. What happened between you and Zhao Kuo can be wiped clean with a single stroke. What do you say?"

So that was the calculation he had been making.

Naturally, Lu Zhaojin shook his head. "I don't think that is good. I think there is a better choice."

Duan Xuan asked, "What choice?"

Lu Zhaojin smiled. "All of you die here."

A gale rose from nowhere, howling through the area.

Lu Zhaojin was like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath, endless edge spilling forth and sweeping up dust and fallen leaves. They drifted into the sky, only to be swiftly shredded by sword intent.

Duan Xuan regarded Lu Zhaojin even more highly. Not only did he possess proud bones, he had also comprehended a sword intent. They had indeed underestimated him.

But Duan Xuan had also seen that Lu Zhaojin had not cultivated the subsequent mental method. His Gang Yuan certainly could not be as abundant as his own, so he remained extremely confident that he could keep Lu Zhaojin firmly in his grasp tonight.

Azure Water Swimming Dragon Palm.

Duan Xuan's entire body trembled as his eyes widened in fury. His gray-white hair and beard flew wildly in the gale, while his wide robes billowed. Thick true essence coursed around him, seeming to transform into the faint outline of a dragon. As he struck a palm toward Lu Zhaojin, the dragon phantom opened its blood basin of a mouth, let out a dragon's roar, and rammed toward him.

The gale howled, battering the dragon phantom like countless sword blades carving into its body. Yet it was protected by scales. Those wind-forged sword blades did not cause much damage, merely scraping away a few scales and failing to hinder it in the slightest.

Nine Heavens Thunder Sword Art.

Amid the howling wind, an explosive crash suddenly rang out.

That dazzling thunderous light seemed capable of destroying all things. It formed into a sword of lightning in the air and descended from the heavens, pinning the dragon phantom to the ground. The two forces intertwined madly before exploding with a thunderous boom. Terrifying shockwaves swept through the surroundings, while rolling smoke and dust rose from the center of the blast.

A stream of Sword Qi cut through the smoke and dust, flying toward Duan Xuan.

Duan Xuan's expression changed slightly. He stomped off the ground and shot into the air, then struck downward with his palm. True essence surged forth, as though an invisible gigantic palm imprint, like a mountain, were pressing down upon Lu Zhaojin's head.