Run!

Jiang Nanxing came from a prestigious, powerful sect in the Dagan dynasty. He had been praised as a genius ever since he was a child.

That was exactly why he had grown arrogant and haughty.

Whenever someone appeared in his world who surpassed him in every way,

his jealousy would swell wildly.

That was right: his hostility toward Li Xian came from the jealousy buried deep in his heart.

At first, he had only wanted to humiliate Li Xian and regain a little face.

But Li Xian had brought up Jiang Beinian, making him embarrass himself in public once again.

I, the Commander of the Demon Suppressing Division in Baihua City, am on the same level as the prefect. I stand above the clouds. How could I possibly lose to a mere Cao Gang Hall Master?

Jealousy clouded Jiang Nanxing's reason.

He decided to take action himself and teach this young upstart a proper lesson.

The following night!

On the Grand Canal, in the waters bordering Baihua City and Yangzhou City, a dense reed bed stood.

A group of people dressed in black from head to toe, their heads tightly wrapped in black cloth, hid there.

"Boss, they're coming."

"Take a good look. Is that their boat?"

"Got a clear look. It's definitely their boat!"

"Good. Move out. Sink it!"

At their boss's command, his men plunged into the water one after another.

They were river bandits who prowled the local waterways, making their living by robbing and murdering anyone they came across.

The day before, the bandit boss had received orders from above to attack a grain ship passing through.

The bandits naturally wouldn't dare disobey an order from above.

So they had lain in wait here, ready to strike as soon as the grain ship came by.

What they had no idea of was who they were attacking.

By the time they found out, it was too late.

"Ah..."

A piercing scream rang out over the canal in the dead of night.

It came from the bandits.

"Damn it, they're Cao Gang!"

The moment they clashed underwater, the bandits came to their senses and cried out in panic.

"Hahaha! You little brats! You dared to sink a Cao Gang boat?"

The boat captain stood on deck, laughing triumphantly.

When it came to fighting on the water along the entire canal, aside from the water-dwelling demonic evils, what force could claim to rival Cao Gang?

The Cao Gang Leader was hailed as the Dragon King of the Canal. Did they think that title had been given to him for nothing?

The Cao Gang had earned its place as king of the canal through blood and bodies, one corpse at a time.

"Ah... help..."

"Don't kill me! Don't kill me... I had dinner with one of your Cao Gang managers just two days ago!"

"Ah..."

Amid a chorus of desperate cries, the bandits failed to damage the grain ship at all and were quickly wiped out.

A dozen corpses floated on the river, a wide swath of water stained red—who knew which demonic evils would feast on them now?

"Heh heh... Hall Master Li, they were just a bunch of petty thieves. We took care of them without you needing to lift a finger."

The boat captain wore a proud expression as he claimed credit.

"Mm." Li Xian nodded, his expression impassive.

If that was all Jiang Nanxing had planned, he was even more disappointing than Li Xian had expected.

But surely that wasn't all.

Deeper inside the reed bed, Jiang Nanxing hid with his trusted men.

"Young Master, Boss Ma and the others failed."

"Mm. Just as I expected," Jiang Nanxing said leisurely.

"Then, Uncle Yang, I'll have to trouble you to take care of things next!"

Uncle Yang wasn't with the Demon Suppressing Division.

Aside from Jiang Nanxing himself, no one present that night belonged to the Demon Suppressing Division.

They were all experts sent by the Lineage to protect him.

Five years ago, Uncle Yang had already been a Mid-fourth Grade Martialist. Though his advanced age meant he had no hope of reaching the Upper Three Ranks in this lifetime, he was undeniably one of the best among Mid-fourth Grade Martialists.

With him taking action, no matter how talented Li Xian was, he couldn't possibly be Uncle Yang's match.

"Young Master, rest assured. I won't let you down."

Uncle Yang bowed respectfully, then turned and led several men leaping toward the grain ship.

Several dark figures swept across the river, their movements astonishingly smooth.

"Hmm?"

Li Xian's heart gave a start. By the time he turned to look, the dark figures were already standing on the grain ship's railing.

"Now that's some fine lightness skill!"

Li Xian couldn't help applauding.

"Who's there?"

The boat captain and the others jumped in fright, immediately drawing their weapons and pointing them at the black-clad figures on the railing.

The newcomers said nothing. They all stared at Li Xian on the deck, their bodies radiating a cold, murderous Killing Intent. At a glance, it was clear they were nothing like the rabble from before.

"Now we're talking."

Li Xian tilted his head and asked with a smile, "Are you Jiang Nanxing's men?"

The leader pointed at Li Xian.

"We only want your life. The rest of you, stand back!"

Brother Xin and the boat captain stood behind Li Xian, their faces resolute. Not one of them retreated.

Li Xian smiled and waved for them to move away.

"Everyone, go farther back. With you so close, I can't fight freely."

Only then did they retreat and clear a space.

"Good. Now you can make your move!" Li Xian spread his hands and smiled.

The leader swept his hand through the air and said coldly, "Kill him!"

Beneath the night sky, several black-clad men sprang into the air. Their figures spread like hawks as they hurtled toward Li Xian.

"Heh..."

The corners of Li Xian's mouth curled, revealing a cruel, delighted smile.

Amid his laughter, a pale sword gleam danced beneath the night sky.

A chilling sword intent swept out, freezing the black-clad men in place.

SHING!!!

A piercing tearing sound rang out as the sword gleam flashed past their figures.

Then...

Thud. Thud. Thud...

Several bodies, severed in two, fell onto the deck!

What?!

Uncle Yang stared wide-eyed at the scene before him, his guts turning to ice.

He knew the strength of these men better than anyone. How had they been killed in a single exchange?

Looking at Li Xian's impossibly young face, Uncle Yang could only think it was absurd.

How old was he? How could he possess such overwhelming strength?

Among Mid-fourth Grade Martialists, who could stand against a fighter like this?

Even I might not...

At the thought, Uncle Yang immediately began to consider retreating.

Just then, he heard a playful chuckle in his ear.

"What are you thinking about?"

It was over!

The voice was right beside him.

While Uncle Yang's attention had wandered, Li Xian had already come up beside him.

Despair filled Uncle Yang's heart. He knew there was no escaping this time.

There was only one thing left for him to do.

He turned his head and shouted with all his might toward a spot on the canal.

"Run!"

Crack!

Li Xian struck as fast as lightning, clamping a hand around Uncle Yang's neck.

With a little force, he snapped it.

Then, holding Uncle Yang's head in one hand, he let the blood drip onto the deck in thin streams.

He looked toward the spot Uncle Yang had shouted at, his face lighting up with delight.

"Jiang Nanxing, so that's where you are!"