Dawn

Chu Liuxiang stood resolutely in front of Yi Dian Hong, coldly watching He Heng. Disregarding life and death, a sliver of emotion flickered in Yi Dian Hong's pitch-black, dead-silent pupils.

At this moment, two hearty shouts came from behind them. Two figures leaped and arrived beside Chu Liuxiang.

"Well said, you old pest! We'll never abandon our friends. We'll accompany you today." Hu Tiehua and Ji Bingyan stood on either side of Chu Liuxiang, their gazes fixed coldly on He Heng.

Hu Tiehua was the first to roar, "Hey, you son of a bitch Longevity Sword! Let's see if Grandpa Hu can tear you apart today."

As soon as he spoke, He Heng's expression didn't change, but Chu Liuxiang and Ji Bingyan's faces stiffened. Ji Bingyan secretly said to Chu Liuxiang, Little Hu must still be drunk.

At this moment, He Heng suddenly drew his Longevity Sword. Frost chilled the heavens and earth. The brilliant sword light was ten feet long, tearing through the long, dark night, dazzling to the extreme.

"You're seeking death, and I shall grant it."

As sword qi splashed, a chilling killing intent enveloped them. Chu Liuxiang and the other two were already sweating profusely. Under this brilliant sword light, they realized their own insignificance. But at this point, they could only fight bravely.

Just then, He Heng's eyes flickered. A clamor erupted from all directions. Countless torches illuminated the night, and the sounds of metal clashing echoed as figures rushed forward.

It was the King of Qiuci. Upon learning of the events here, he immediately mobilized three thousand armored soldiers to rush to the scene. Behind them, tens of thousands of soldiers continued to pour in. Although Qiuci was a small country, and the King of Qiuci was now considered a ruler of a fallen nation, its foundations remained. He could still muster over ten thousand troops.

He Heng's expression changed. Although his martial arts were high, he was still mortal. Even with the Valley Spirit Undying Technique, which was endless and his qi was long-lasting, he couldn't fight tens of thousands of soldiers alone. Once surrounded, it wouldn't be easy to break out.

If this king were more ruthless and fired hundreds or thousands of crossbows simultaneously, even he would have to drink poison on the spot.

"I'll let you go for now. I'll settle with you another day."

In an instant, He Heng made his decision. He glanced at Chu Liuxiang and the others, leaped ten feet into the air, and disappeared from the scene in a few bounds.

Chu Liuxiang and the others were stunned. They hadn't expected He Heng to run so fast and were all taken aback.

It was Hu Tiehua who spoke first, roaring towards where He Heng had disappeared, "If you're a real man, don't run! Stop for me!"

However, no one paid him any mind. He Heng never did anything half-heartedly; he left as soon as he decided to.

Chu Liuxiang and Ji Bingyan exchanged helpless glances and went to pull Hu Tiehua back.

"Little Hu, stop shouting. You just got married; you need to be more composed."

"Mar...ried..." Hu Tiehua looked silently at Shi Guanyin's shriveled body on the ground, feeling like he wanted to vomit. Not long ago, he had been with her...

Chu Liuxiang and Ji Bingyan seemed to recall something as well, suppressing their smiles as they turned to look at Yi Dian Hong.

Yi Dian Hong remained expressionless. He tore a piece of white cloth from his clothes and was slowly bandaging his severed arm.

"Brother Hong, are you alright?" Chu Liuxiang asked, his voice a little slow.

Yi Dian Hong shook his head silently, his expression still indifferent. However, Chu Liuxiang could see a hint of darkness in his eyes, a kind of despair.

"Alas..." Chu Liuxiang didn't know how to comfort him and could only sigh deeply.

Then he said, "Brother Hong, what kind of grudge do you have with Bai Yu Jing that you insist on killing him?"

"So he's the famous Longevity Sword? Bai Yu Jing. I only just learned his name. As for the grudge, that's a long story." Yi Dian Hong said with a rather somber expression, as if recalling something.

"You know, I'm an assassin. I was adopted by a mysterious assassin organization when I was young. I received the strictest training there and became their most accomplished killer, constantly carrying out missions."

Chu Liuxiang and the others listened intently. They knew that people felt better after speaking their minds.

Yi Dian Hong continued, "I thought my life would be spent in constant killing until one day I encountered a target I couldn't kill, and I was killed by him. This is the fate of all assassins."

"But on that day, everything changed. The leader of the organization that raised me and taught me to kill was murdered by someone. That person then began to annex our organization. All of us assassins were either killed resisting or forced to join the enemy. Only I managed to escape."

"In the years that followed, I've been diligently practicing my swordsmanship, hoping that one day I could kill the person who killed our leader, destroy him completely, and achieve revenge. However, now it seems my efforts are laughable. In front of him, I couldn't even block one sword."

Yi Dian Hong's expression was extremely somber and sorrowful, filled with despair. He looked utterly haggard, making it hard to imagine he was a notorious top assassin.

Chu Liuxiang sighed and patted his shoulder, saying, "The person who killed your leader and annexed your organization was Bai Yu Jing?"

"That's right. Although I've only seen him once, from afar, I'll never forget those eyes. They were cold to the extreme, devoid of any human emotion, like a clay statue of a god." Yi Dian Hong's tone was extremely complex, mixed with immense hatred and fear.

"I didn't know his name originally. Only through extensive inquiries did I learn that the force under him is called the Green Robe Tower, said to be related to the mysterious Azure Dragon Society. At that time, he annexed more than just our organization; many vast forces were brought under his command."

"These years, although I wanted revenge, I also knew the terror of his power. In front of him, we were like ants."

"Don't be sad. Have faith. I believe evil cannot defeat good. No matter how powerful their forces are, they will eventually be destroyed." Chu Liuxiang nodded at Yi Dian Hong with a determined expression.

Then he continued, "The Green Robe Tower, this organization appeared in the martial arts world decades ago, renowned and very similar to the Azure Dragon Society. However, in recent years, they have gradually disappeared from people's sight. I didn't expect they were lying dormant, growing stronger by annexing various forces, waiting for the day to soar to the heavens."

Chu Liuxiang paused here, his tone faltering slightly, and said hesitantly, "Bai Yu Jing looks to be only in his early twenties. He can't possibly be the boss of the Green Robe Tower. Perhaps the Green Robe Tower was also a force he annexed?"

"If that's the case, then this Bai Yu Jing is probably more terrifying and mysterious than we imagine." Chu Liuxiang said with some worry, "Bai Yu Jing doesn't seem like someone obsessed with power, but what is his purpose in doing all this..."

"Alright, don't think too negatively. These are just your own speculations." Ji Bingyan saw that Chu Liuxiang was becoming a bit obsessed and quickly advised, "Besides, if the sky falls, the taller ones will bear it. These things aren't for you to worry about."

"Uh, yes." Chu Liuxiang awkwardly touched his nose. He just had a habit of meddling in other people's business, and this Bai Yu Jing had been appearing around him recently, making him have to suspect his motives.

Ji Bingyan smiled and said, "Didn't you say evil cannot defeat good? I believe no matter how terrifying Bai Yu Jing is or what schemes he has, he will be defeated. The sun will always shine on the earth, and justice is in people's hearts. We will slay all ghosts and monsters."

"Mmm." Chu Liuxiang nodded. He looked at the gradually fading night. It was already past midnight. A red sun slowly rose from the east, its brilliant radiance illuminating the earth, giving people infinite hope.

"No matter what, there are ultimately more good things in this world. History will eliminate all hypocrisy and sin. Hope always exists among people."

No matter when or where, when encountering difficulties, one must not lose hope in their heart.

The morning sun rising in the east was a new beginning, carrying infinite... dawn!

Chu Liuxiang and the others stood side by side, looking at that light, their eyes filled with hope.

"One day, we will level all the filth in the world and work together with one heart. The world will be pure."

"Hope? Ridiculous good, ridiculous evil. In the eyes of the Heavenly Dao, everything is chaotic. What distinction is there between good and evil in this world? So-called morality and justice are merely shackles used by the powerful to bind people's minds. Without breaking these shackles, how can one find their true self and achieve Great Freedom?"

He Heng stood under the morning sun, his reflection blurred. He looked coldly at the heavens and earth, his eyes utterly cold, as if he had severed ties with the world, indifferently looking down upon all things.