An Encounter on the Road

Wang Tianfeng, Ling Yun, and Xie Jinlin returned to the carriage. The convoy set off once more, and the group resumed their journey home.

The carriage swayed faintly.

Wang Tianfeng sat on the left side of the carriage and looked toward Xie Jinghan, who rode alongside them. Cupping his fists, he said, "Thank you, young hero, for saving us. The grace of saving one's life weighs heavier than Mount Tai. I will remember it for the rest of my life and never dare forget it."

On the right side of the carriage, Ling Yun's eyes were clear as he too raised his hands in salute and said gravely, "I was ordered to descend the mountain and investigate the traces of the demonic cult's remnants. While conducting a covert investigation, I carelessly fell into a trap and was captured alive and imprisoned by the people of Black Tiger Stronghold, where I suffered every torment. Thank you, young hero, for saving my life. Ling Yun will never forget this grace, even when my teeth have fallen out."

"Thank you, young hero, for the grace of giving us new life!" The two thanked him together once more, their manner respectful and sincere.

Both were outstanding among the younger generation. This time, they had fallen into a desperate situation and narrowly escaped death. Having witnessed Xie Jinghan's peerless bearing in that sword's flowing light, their hearts had long been filled with utmost reverence and gratitude.

The Central Province Wang Household was an eminent aristocratic family, with profound foundations and connections spread throughout the court and the realm.

The Mystic Azure Sword Sect was a renowned righteous sect, its disciples scattered throughout the martial world, its reputation upright and illustrious.

Riding alongside the carriage, Xie Jinghan merely shook his head. His tone was calm and gentle. "There is no need for such courtesy, the two of you. Since you are brothers whom my elder brother entrusted to me with his life, helping you is only natural."

Xie Jinlin leaned against the inner wall of the carriage. Looking at his second brother, who seemed like an entirely different person, bewilderment filled his eyes as he rasped, "Second Brother... why are you here? And your cultivation... when did it become this powerful?"

Xie Yue steadied the carriage. Hearing Xie Jinlin's doubts, he felt a surge of emotion before slowly beginning to explain. "Young Master, what you do not know is that on the day of the old master's birthday banquet, many unexpected changes arose within the residence..."

Xie Yue recounted everything that had happened recently to Xie Jinlin, from beginning to end.

The carriage fell silent. Xie Jinlin, Wang Tianfeng, and Ling Yun listened intently, their hearts repeatedly shaken as they learned of all the upheavals that had occurred during this period.

Xie Jinghan secretly found it amusing. Uncle Yue was steady and reliable in his work, but he was quite the chatterbox, recounting every matter in minute detail.

A full day after Xie Jinghan and his group departed, and after the sea of flames had completely cooled, that secluded courtyard deep within the dense forest once again welcomed uninvited guests.

Dusk hung heavy. The setting sun was like blood, and dim crimson rays spread across the shattered ruins. The evening wind swept along withered grass and broken branches, bleak and sinister.

Seven figures clad in identical black fitted garments silently swept into the mountain beneath the cover of night. Their movement techniques were light and uncanny, their landings soundless. They concealed every trace of their aura, hiding themselves to the utmost degree.

The group swiftly crossed the forest and descended into the small courtyard. Before their eyes lay utter devastation, with blackened traces of blazing fire still remaining on the ground.

The underground passage had completely collapsed and been sealed off. The Blood Pool, once boiling and brimming, had already dried up, leaving behind nothing but scorched earth.

The entire area was deathly silent. All seven black-clad men stopped, staring at the stronghold reduced to ashes. Violent baleful intent surged around them, and their expressions darkened to the extreme.

The leader was a tall, sinister-faced middle-aged man. He was the new helm master stationed here by the Bloodslaughter Cult, tasked with receiving the remaining forces of Black Tiger Stronghold. He slowly stepped forward, crouched down, and ran his fingertips over the sword marks on the ground. The touch was piercingly cold, and the lingering sharpness of the sword path could still faintly wound one's skin.

"What fierce Sword Intent."

"Unfortunately, we came a step too late."

He slowly rose to his feet, his hoarse voice carrying bone-piercing frost. "Every one of Wu Hen's men has been wiped out. The stronghold has been uprooted. The Blood Pool has been destroyed. Decades of accumulation have been ruined in a single day."

"Who in the world did this?"

"Who could possibly possess such strength?"

"This Blood Pool had been hidden for decades and painstakingly accumulated. It needed only a few more days to condense a portion of Blood Baleful Intent and help that young master of the cult break through his shackles. Yet now it has all been destroyed. Our urgent reinforcement has been in vain. Once we return to the sect, we will certainly be unable to escape punishment!"

The others thought of something, and a chill ran through them. Fear, panic, fury, and unwillingness intertwined, yet no one dared make a reckless move.

The black-clad helm master paced across the ruins. His fingertips touched the sword marks on the ground, then he focused and caught several wisps of lingering True Qi within the cave.

After a moment of investigation, his expression grew increasingly grave.

His cultivation was profound and his insight extraordinary. He spoke in a deep voice, with considerable apprehension in his tone. "This person is an Innate Realm expert! Moreover, his sword path has already stepped into the second realm—the Sword Intent Realm! He is absolutely no ordinary martial artist!"

At these words, the six black-clad men behind him were stricken with horror.

The black-clad helm master took a deep breath, suppressing the chill in his heart as he swiftly calmed himself. His gaze was sharp as an eagle's as he gave his orders in a deep voice. "Hear my command! Immediately send someone on a fast horse to deliver word. Report every detail of this place—the destruction of the stronghold, the annihilation of all personnel, and the murderer's strength—to the Holy Cult headquarters. Report it to the sect's upper ranks and await judgment and further instructions!"

"After delivering the message, everyone is to remain hidden here, conceal your tracks, and disperse into the shadows of the city. Do not rashly seek revenge, and do not expose your whereabouts!"

"From this day onward, investigate every detail about the culprit with all your strength—his cultivation progress and weaknesses in martial arts. Keep a close watch on developments in the martial world, lie low in secret, and wait quietly for the right opportunity."

At this point, killing intent surged in his eyes. Enunciating each word, he said coldly, "He destroyed our Holy Cult's stronghold and killed our Holy Cult's disciples. This blood debt must be repaid a hundredfold, a thousandfold! One day, he must pay a grievous price, to offer sacrifice to the departed souls of our Holy Cult!"

"We obey the helm master's command!"

The six black-clad men behind him bowed together to accept the order, ruthless ferocity hidden in their eyes.

The night wind was biting. The seven shadows scattered in different directions, each employing concealed movement techniques as they silently merged into the night-shrouded mountain forest like lurking ghosts of the dark, hidden in the shadows of the earth.

The convoy's wheels rumbled onward, slowly proceeding along the broad official road of Yangluo Prefecture in Central Province.

Barren forests stretched along both sides of the road. The wind wailed bleakly, and the surrounding area was sparsely populated, carrying the desolation of travel through the martial world.

Suddenly, a bedraggled figure staggered out from the wild grass beside the road and rushed straight in front of the carriage to block its path!

He was a youth of seventeen or eighteen, his clothes torn to shreds and his body covered in blood. Several saber wounds deep enough to expose bone slashed across his shoulders and back. His breath was weak and erratic, and he was already at the end of his tether. Supporting his battered body, he barely managed to cry for help. "I beg you, seniors, please save me!"

Close behind him, five fierce figures galloped out of the dense forest on horseback. Each wore a steel saber at his waist, vicious light in his eyes and banditry soaring to the heavens. They were the bandits entrenched in this area.

The leading burly middle-aged man reined in his horse and held his saber crosswise. The aura of an Acquired Grade One martial artist burst forth. With a savage expression, he warned coldly, "When traveling the martial world, each accepts his own fate! Uninvolved parties should not meddle in others' affairs, or do not blame us if our blades show no mercy. All shall be killed without exception!"

Wang Zhongze sat atop his horse, his gaze sweeping over the severely wounded youth and the bandits. He asked in a deep voice, "Who are you? Why are they pursuing you to this place?"

The youth gasped up bloody froth, his voice hoarse and broken as he answered urgently, "This junior is an escort master of the Heavenly Wolf Escort Agency in the Shu Region! I was escorting cargo to Central Province when we encountered this gang of bandits, who intercepted and slaughtered us along the way. All my fellow escorts died in the line of duty, and the cargo was seized. Only this junior managed to fight his way out and flee all the way here!"

Xie Jinghan, riding alongside them, lifted his gaze slightly. At a glance, he saw through the youth's cultivation. His physical foundation was quite solid, and he was actually at the second rank of martial cultivation. It seemed he was another gifted youth.

His expression remained calm, his voice even and unruffled. "Since we have encountered you, travel with us."

The youth was both shocked and delighted. Enduring the pain throughout his body, he repeatedly expressed his thanks.

At the same time, Xie Jinghan released a wisp of Innate True Qi.

The Acquired Grade One bandit leader's expression abruptly changed, and stormy waves instantly rose in his heart!

An Innate Realm expert!

All his arrogance vanished in an instant. Filled with terror and panic, he did not dare linger for even a moment. Hastily cupping his fists, he said, "I was blind and disturbed such distinguished experts! We will withdraw at once!"

Before his words had even faded, he led his men in turning their horses around and galloping away in frantic flight, not daring to look back. Within moments, they vanished at the end of the dense forest.