Wielding the Saber

Qixia Street ruins.

Xie Wuxing stood with his sword drawn.

It was as if a gash had been torn open in the night sky.

The giant sword spanned across Hun City; if it had landed, perhaps more than half of Hun City would have turned to ruins.

Jiang Wang raised his saber. The dark, cold glint was like a firefly compared to the giant sword, but as the saying goes, a single spark can start a prairie fire. The moment the cold glint met the giant sword, it forced the descending giant sword to a halt.

Xie Wuxing's pupils contracted slightly. This was already the strongest strike he could unleash, yet he hadn't expected the result to be a stalemate.

But thinking that Jiang Wang, who possessed such power, had committed all sorts of evil deeds, he felt regret and his anger flared.

Possessing the ability to rival any young cultivator in Kutan, he hadn't focused on slaying monsters and demons. Instead, he oppressed the common people, making him more detestable than monsters.

"I'd like to see how long you can last."

Xie Wuxing snapped his fingers, and the giant sword plunged downwards. Jiang Wang's feet sank into the ground, and terrifying cracks spread outwards like a spiderweb. Clumps of earth arched upwards, followed by the direct collapse of the area where Jiang Wang stood.

"Interesting." Jiang Wang pulled his feet out of the dirt, kicking away the surrounding clumps. Xie Wuxing was truly the strongest opponent he had encountered, and it made his blood boil.

The scorching airflow became even more intense in an instant. Jiang Wang's arms tensed, and wisps of scalding white smoke rose. The Long Night Saber also emanated a chilling cold, creating an extremely harsh environment.

The remaining ruins of Qixia Street, already burdened, were quickly shattered under the impact of the two extreme air currents. The scattered debris, distinct in its particles, suspended in mid-air.

Veins bulged on Jiang Wang's forehead. Gripping the Long Night Saber, he looked up at the giant sword and swung with all his might!

Rumble!

Crushed stones scattered across Qixia Street, smashing the ground into pits.

It also caused the green-robed cultivator and Ning Shisi to flee and take cover.

"Is Mr. Jiang even taking this seriously?"

It looked like a fierce battle, but the green-robed cultivator, who regarded Jiang Wang as an immortal, felt the process shouldn't be like this.

The white-robed cultivator said, "This person is stronger than we imagined, but it's not realistic to expect Mr. Jiang to get serious. Haven't you seen that Mr. Jiang has been simply swinging his saber to meet the enemy from beginning to end?"

They were good at explaining things, and in a way that made themselves believe it.

The green-robed cultivator looked as if he knew it all. No matter how powerful Xie Wuxing was, how could he be Mr. Jiang's opponent?

Facts proved that Mr. Jiang had only just unleashed his second move, and this strike might decide the victor.

That strike tore through the night, pushing the giant sword higher into the sky.

Clear clouds churned, stained black. The saber was like the entire night, devouring the giant sword bite by bite.

Xie Wuxing let out a fierce roar as the scattered clouds attempted to condense again.

This extreme back-and-forth continued until Jiang Wang unleashed his third strike, and the clouds completely dissipated.

A terrifying aura spread over Qixia Street, sweeping across the entirety of Hun City like a gale.

If the two forces hadn't collided high in the sky, more than half of Hun City would have been destroyed.

But even the scattered aftershocks caused rooftops to be blown off. While the scene was less intense than the breath the Night Roaming God blew in South City Alley, it still caused considerable disaster.

Xie Wuxing's breathing grew heavy. A thin scratch ran across his right cheek, yet the stinging sensation was intense. A scorching aura lingered around the wound.

Jiang Wang leaped out of the collapsed pit, his Divine Kingdom concealed within his mind.

He took a rapid breath, then put on a calm demeanor and said, "You lost."

Xie Wuxing slumped to the ground, his right hand resting on the pommel of his sword. He said in a low voice, "This is the first time I've lost since I started cultivating. Jiang Wang, you are indeed very powerful."

Jiang Wang thought that this was also the first time he had fully drawn upon the power of his Divine Kingdom, even to the point of depleting it so much that the Divine Kingdom was directly concealed. Usually, it took a long time for the power of the Divine Kingdom to gradually fade, and the 'Mirage' in his mind would then conceal itself again.

"You are also very powerful, but I'm curious, when did that peculiar habit of yours start?"

Xie Wuxing's expression froze. He said angrily, "I don't! Don't talk nonsense! I'm normal!"

Jiang Wang scratched his face and asked, "Then why did you come to find me... Ptooey! What did you come to find me for..."

He quickly shut his mouth.

It seemed no matter how he phrased it, it sounded strange.

Xie Wuxing remained silent. Since he had lost, there was no need to involve Du Yanruo any further. If the tyrannical Jiang Wang wanted revenge, he feared he wouldn't be able to stop him.

Jiang Wang didn't ask any more questions. He was very weak right now. If Xie Wuxing noticed, it would be a big problem. He couldn't guarantee that the power of the Divine Kingdom could surge forth again.

Moreover, facing a formidable enemy like Xie Wuxing was far more troublesome than dealing with dozens of Cai Tanggu and Tan Lao Liu combined. Regardless of whether there was a misunderstanding, he didn't want to resolve it so quickly.

Thinking of Xie Wuxing repeatedly seeking trouble in the future, Jiang Wang actually felt a sense of anticipation.

In the Xunyang Marquis Manor.

After witnessing Jiang Wang and Xie Wuxing leave, Du Yanruo waited patiently for a moment before scaling the wall and sneaking into the Marquis Manor.

However, after searching for a long time, she couldn't find any trace of her father or brother.

She wandered around until she reached the location of the woodshed.

"Could it be that Jiang Wang has already killed them?"

Thinking this, Du Yanruo's face turned pale, her legs growing weak. She stumbled and bumped against the woodshed door.

Lying in the pile of firewood, Su Lingyi was gaunt and sallow, his beard unkempt, his hair a mess, his eyes vacant. Hearing the commotion, he didn't react much, merely blinking.

"You surnamed Jiang, just give me a quick end. I can't take it anymore, I surrender..."

He mumbled, not caring if anyone outside could hear.

"Senior Brother Su?" Du Yanruo leaned against the woodshed door. The faint voice sounded somewhat familiar, and she immediately kicked the door open.

"Junior Sister..." Su Lingyi looked at the figure before him, his eyes finally regaining a spark of life. Tears streamed down his face as he cried, "Junior Sister, you've finally come to save me!"

Du Yanruo was shocked. Su Lingyi looked nothing like a person now.

"Jiang Wang treated you this cruelly." Du Yanruo took a step forward, but a nauseating smell wafted over, making her instinctively retreat.

"Junior Sister, quickly save me," Su Lingyi struggled to get up, only to fall, crawling towards Du Yanruo with all his might.

Du Yanruo endured the discomfort of the smell, crouched down, and asked, "Senior Brother Su, have you seen my father and brother?"

Su Lingyi was slightly stunned. "Uncle and your younger brother were also captured by that Jiang? I haven't seen them. Perhaps they're locked up elsewhere."

Du Yanruo's bad feeling intensified. She held her breath and tried to help Su Lingyi up. But as soon as she stepped out of the woodshed, she saw the old butler already standing outside.

He smiled and said, "Du Heng and Du Zicheng are not in the Marquis Manor. You've come for nothing."

Du Yanruo said in a deep voice, "What did Jiang Wang do to them!"

The old butler glanced outside the manor and said, "You used that person to lure the young master away, specifically to save your relatives, didn't you?"

Seeing Du Yanruo remain silent, the old butler asked curiously, "How did you persuade a disciple of the Sword Pavilion to help?"

Du Yanruo's eyes widened slightly.

A disciple of the Sword Pavilion?

Was he talking about Xie Wuxing?!

The old butler raised an eyebrow. "It seems you don't know his identity. I thought if you managed to get involved with the Sword Pavilion, it would be quite troublesome. Now it appears you must have tricked him, using him as a pawn to save people."

Du Yanruo's expression shifted several times, and she coldly laughed, "He and I are privately betrothed. I will be a disciple of the Sword Pavilion sooner or later. You'd best release my father and brother, or else the Sword Pavilion will flatten this Marquis Manor."

Su Lingyi was shocked.

Junior Sister is secretly betrothed to someone?

But feeling the slight tremble in the arm Du Yanruo used to support him, he realized his junior sister was likely lying. He immediately clamped his mouth shut.

The old butler smiled, it was unclear whether he believed her or not.

Du Yanruo grew increasingly nervous, sweat gradually covering her face.

The old butler's smile widened.

Du Yanruo forced herself to remain calm and said again, "The Marquis Manor should not make a mistake."

She made a gesture as if to help Su Lingyi leave.

The old butler reached out to stop them, saying calmly, "The Marquis Manor has always been hospitable to guests, but guests must also understand the rules. I believe you would not wish to experience how the Marquis Manor treats those who are not guests."

Su Lingyi turned his head to look at the old butler and said, "I represent the Fish Abyss Academy in seeking Immortal Traces in Hun City. If I have a request, no military garrison in all of Kutan has the right to refuse. Your actions are no different from contempt of court. Do you truly wish to be branded with treason?"

The old butler smiled and said, "The Fish Abyss Academy does indeed have the authority to request cooperation from town garrisons, but they cannot forcibly command them to cooperate unless you have a sacred edict. Otherwise, the garrisons also have the right to refuse."

"Moreover, the late emperor decreed that the soldiers of my Xunyang Marquis Manor can be summoned but not directly commanded. Perhaps your Fish Abyss Academy carries great weight, and most town garrisons would choose to cooperate, leading you to harbor some illusions."

Su Lingyi's face darkened.

His breathing became rapid.

He naturally didn't know about the Xunyang Marquis Manor's special privilege.

This infuriated Su Lingyi.

Du Yanruo directly drew her sword. "He's just an old man, we'll fight our way out!"

Although she was only in the Qi-circulating stage of Hundred Days Foundation Establishment and didn't possess the true abilities of a cultivator, if she had to fight desperately, she could contend with a martial artist who had just entered the second realm. If she couldn't even defeat a lame old man, then there would be no point in cultivating.

She charged towards the old butler with her sword.

The old butler merely let out a soft shout, and Du Yanruo was struck as if by a heavy blow. The sword dropped from her hand, her legs went weak, and she knelt before the old butler.

When Du Yanruo charged forward, Su Lingyi also used all his strength to rush forward. But he didn't expect his junior sister to kneel so quickly. Before he could react, he ended up performing a formal bow to his elders.

The two kneeling side-by-side had faces flushed red.

They felt even more horrified.

The lame old butler in the Marquis Manor was actually a master!

The old butler paid them no mind, glancing towards the ruins in Qixia Street and saying faintly, "The outcome is decided. When the young master returns, whether you stay or leave will depend entirely on his mood."