The cries of slaughter shook the heavens. Guards and black-clad men fought without cease, yet this small patch of ground was unexpectedly tranquil.
"What martial art is this?"
Su Ziji gently shook his head. His hair swept past; during the chaotic battle just now, saber qi had knocked off his crown, and now his hair hung loose behind him.
"Whether this is martial arts or not, aren't you quite clear on that?"
"I saw that your inner qi had condensed into essence without dispersing. Why ask me?"
"Inner qi, condensed into essence." Cao Yiyan's expression tightened slightly as he looked at his own hand. He was a fallen member of the imperial clan and knew little of many things. So this was called inner qi condensed into essence.
Inner qi arose from within the body and gradually extended outward. Even a grandmaster of martial arts could only stand against a dozen or so men; it was no more than the courage of one man.
A level beyond that was practically myth.
He had thought that only he had taken this unprecedented step. Yet in this battle, three such people had appeared—and one of them was Su Ziji...
"Let me ask you: will you surrender?" Su Ziji's voice was calm and composed. His footsteps landed upon the damp gray paving stones, each step clearly audible amid the patter of rain striking leaves outside...
Cao Yiyan's heart trembled, and he fell silent.
The sound of rain seemed to grow ever clearer.
"I don't believe you bear no grudge." Cao Yiyan heard his own voice and, for the first time, found it so unfamiliar.
"I do bear a grudge." From some distance away, Su Ziji stopped walking, his tone sincere. "But if the war can be quelled sooner, it is not impossible."
"I'll