Sending word

The Dingfeng Marquis Estate.

Besides Zhao Tianming and Bai Yup an, more than a dozen guards and attendants waited at Five-Li Pavilion outside the city for the Thirteen Eagles of Luoyang.

Some of these guards and attendants belonged to the Prince's Mansion; the rest naturally came from the Dingfeng Marquis Estate.

Although Zhao Tianming had sworn solemnly and assured First Madam Mo Caiying in no uncertain terms that killing Li Xian would be child's play for the Thirteen Eagles of Luoyang, she had still sent guards and attendants. The moment any news arrived, they were to inform the Dingfeng Marquis's Residence as quickly as possible, so everyone in the residence could rest easy.

As was the case now...

Knowing that the Thirteen Eagles of Luoyang should have arrived by now, Mo Caiying waited composedly in the main hall.

Maids and servants prepared tea and refreshments and attended her at the side.

Even the newly appointed guard commander, Fang Xin, and an Internal Organs Realm junior fellow disciple of Zhao Tianming's waited outside, poised to act.

"Madam, it is time for dinner."

At that moment, a maid beside her quietly sought instructions.

But Mo Caiying had no appetite just then.

The almost untouched tea and refreshments on the table offered some indication of that.

She turned her gaze straight toward the hall's entrance. "Call Fang Xin in. Ask whether there is any news."

"Yes."

The maid acknowledged her order.

Soon, Fang Xin entered the main hall. "Madam, you truly need not worry. The Thirteen Eagles of Luoyang have swept across an entire prefecture, earning an illustrious reputation. At least three Impervious Body experts have died at their hands. Though Zhou Juechen, whom Li Xian has attached himself to, recently became a first-rate expert, even he would be of no help against the Thirteen Eagles of Luoyang."

He brimmed with confidence. "Besides, ours isn't the only residence Li Xian has offended. Not only did he take the young lady's life, he also had the gall to murder Prince Yue's Residence's young commandery princess, Yan Ruxue, on Canglang Mountain, thoroughly offending Prince Yue's Residence. Attendant Bai and Commander Zhang of the Prince's Mansion certainly won't let him off easily. Even if his abilities reach the heavens, he is certain to die this time."

Rather than reassuring Mo Caiying, Fang Xin's words made the right hand holding her teacup tremble slightly.

Killing his beloved Liu Yanran!

Killing Yan Ruxue, the commandery princess of Prince Yue's Residence!

Heaven knew how horrified Mo Caiying had been upon hearing that news!

Previously, Li Xian had come to the Marquis's Residence, killed Liu Fu before her eyes, and taken her hostage, but ultimately he had left without daring to harm her. At the time, she had thought Li Xian had reservations and feared her status as an imperially titled lady.

But now...

Li Xian had severed all love and loyalty. Not only had he killed Liu Yanran, whom he had once willingly offered everything to marry, he had even dared to kill Prince Yue's Residence's young commandery princess.

He had even nearly slaughtered the King of Yue's heir with a single slash!

His audacity truly reached the heavens.

Thinking back to that scene, she was gripped by lingering fear.

Only after Zhao Tianming's suggestion had she spent a fortune, offering thirty thousand taels to invite the Thirteen Eagles of Luoyang to travel a thousand miles to Lijiang, determined to put Li Xian to death.

Otherwise...

Whenever she lay down to sleep at midnight, she would remember the scene of Li Xian holding his blade to her throat that day, leaving her unable to eat or sleep in peace.

Now, hearing Fang Xin mention the matter again...

Mo Caiying raised her head slightly and said icily, "Alive, I want to see him. Dead, I want to see his corpse!"

"Yes. I'll send someone to inquire at once."

Fang Xin bowed in assent.

Just then, a commotion arose outside.

Already on edge, Mo Caiying rose the moment she heard it. "What happened!?"

She even took several involuntary steps forward, reaching the entrance to the main hall, and snapped at the clamoring servants, "Such a racket! Where is your decorum?"

Soon, a terrified servant rushed into the Inner Courtyard, practically scrambling on hands and knees, and shrieked with a deathly pale face, "Terrible news... Madam... Li... Li Xian, he... he's here..."

"Li Xian!?"

Fang Xin froze.

Then he realized that this was the new name everyone had accepted after Li Xian began calling himself by it.

But...

"He's here!? Impossible!"

Fang Xin surged forward. "Hall Master Zhao has already led the Thirteen Eagles of Luoyang to attack Dragon Spring Martial Arts Hall, where Li Xian is staying, with Commander Zhang from the Prince's Mansion supporting them. Even if Li Xian and Zhou Juechen possessed heaven-defying abilities, they would certainly die surrounded by so many first- and second-rate experts. How could he possibly come out alive..."

Mo Caiying, however, instantly went pale. "Could the Zhou Family have learned of it in advance? With the Thirteen Eagles of Luoyang leading their men against Dragon Spring Martial Arts Hall, could Li Xian have decided he was doomed and rushed into the Marquis's Residence before they surrounded and killed him, intending to drag us down with him!?"

At these words, Fang Xin felt his breath catch.

It was possible!

Entirely possible!

For a lawless, unbridled madman like Li Xian, dragging others down with him after learning he could not escape disaster would be perfectly normal.

The Thirteen Eagles of Luoyang had such an illustrious reputation. How could their entry into Lijiang City escape the Zhou Family's notice?

Now he...

"Madam, I'll escort you out. Let's retreat to the Prince's Mansion first!"

Fang Xin reacted swiftly. "Li Xian must have been alerted and decided to stake his life on one last desperate struggle. As long as we avoid his edge for now and wait for the Thirteen Eagles of Luoyang and Commander Zhang to arrive, nothing awaits him but death!"

Mo Caiying was panicking too, all the poise and grace she had displayed while awaiting news utterly gone.

But...

The Marquis's Residence's guards collapsed faster than they had imagined.

More precisely, the dozens of guards from the Marquis's Residence, including Zhao Tianming's Internal Organs Realm junior fellow disciple, offered no resistance whatsoever.

As Li Xian advanced, all the guards surrounded him, yet not one dared to bar his way.

He all but brought that ring of guards along with him as he ran into Mo Caiying and the others, who were hurrying to leave in another direction.

When Mo Caiying saw Li Xian appear before her, cleaver in hand and drenched in blood, her face instantly turned deathly pale, her whole body trembled, and her legs went weak.

Had a maid not been supporting her, she would likely have collapsed to the ground.

"Why are you in such a hurry to leave?"

Li Xian spoke.

"Li... Li Xian... Li Xian... what do you want? I'm warning you... don't do anything rash..."

Mo Caiying forced herself to speak calmly.

But her trembling voice and ashen face proved that her outward show of strength concealed nothing but weakness.

"You're afraid."

As Li Xian spoke, he nodded. "You should be."

Mo Caiying kept her face taut, trying her best to preserve a shred of dignity as a marquis's wife.

"Li Xian... whatever you want, just ask. As long as it is within the Marquis's Residence's power, we will do everything we can..."

She controlled her tone. "Money, beautiful women, cultivation methods, cultivation resources? I can give you all of them! Right, aren't you fond of Zhang Yao? I'll give you her deed of sale right now. From today onward, you'll be her master. You can make her do anything you want..."

"What I want..."

Hearing this, Li Xian soon realized something else and looked a little surprised. "You're stalling for time? You still have reinforcements?"

At these words, Mo Caiying involuntarily glanced toward the Prince's Mansion.

Li Xian noticed something in that gesture and said bluntly, "You're waiting for the Thirteen Eagles of Luoyang and Zhang Shuheng, the Prince's Mansion's commander? If you're waiting for them, there's no need. They're already dead."

Before Mo Caiying could speak, Fang Xin involuntarily cried out, "Impossible! Blood Eagle, the leader of the Thirteen Eagles of Luoyang, and Zhang Shuheng, the Prince's Mansion's commander, are both Impervious Body experts. How could they possibly..."

Before he finished, his gaze abruptly landed on the Black Iron Saber Li Xian carried.

"That's... Commander Zhang's Cold Moon Saber!?"

Zhang Shuheng was known as the Four Absolutes Saber, and Cold Moon, this Black Iron Saber, was practically his identifying emblem.

Yet now...

There was no sign of Zhang Shuheng or the Thirteen Eagles of Luoyang, who should supposedly have gone to surround and kill Li Xian. Instead, Li Xian had come straight to their Dingfeng Marquis Estate, and he even held Zhang Shuheng's Cold Moon Saber!?

Coupled with what Li Xian had just said...

Though he dared not believe it, a truth that plunged him into an icy abyss and made his entire body tremble seemed ready to burst forth.

"Impossible! How is that possible!? Those were the Thirteen Eagles of Luoyang! That was Zhang Shuheng, the Four Absolutes Saber! Which of them wasn't a first-rate martial expert renowned throughout a province!? How could they die? How could they just die like that!?"

At this, Fang Xin's composure shattered. He cried out, a hint of a sob entering his voice. "This isn't true. This absolutely isn't true..."

Seeing Fang Xin like this, Mo Caiying understood something too...

Li Xian had not lied.

He...

Had truly killed the Thirteen Eagles of Luoyang.

Killed Zhang Shuheng, commander of Prince Yue's Residence's guards.

Killed both groups of experts they had regarded as their last straws to cling to.

Now, with nothing left to rely on, they would have to face the bloodstained butcher's blade of this madman Li Xian with their own flesh and blood!

"Li... Li Xian..."

Mo Caiying opened her mouth, but her voice came out somewhat hoarse. "We were wrong... I swear, from now on, the Marquis's Residence... will never oppose you again..."

"No need."

Li Xian shook his head.

If they didn't oppose me, how would I draw out the Marquis's Residence's potential?

He stepped forward, ignoring the many guards from the Marquis's Residence around him and the newly appointed commander, Fang Xin, walking straight toward Mo Caiying.

Only...

Before Li Xian could reach her, this First Madam, left dizzy by the words "no need" and seemingly already anticipating that his next words would be "there will be no future," was so terrified by his approach with a saber in hand that she could no longer stand.

Even with a maid supporting her, she collapsed helplessly to the ground, her face filled with terror.

At first glance, she looked as though she were kneeling to beg for mercy.

"Madam, there is no need for such a grand courtesy."

Li Xian stopped. "The Dingfeng Marquis hasn't returned yet. You still have a chance. I remember he achieved complete blood exchange and marrow washing long ago. Perhaps a trip to the Royal Capital will let him comprehend Primordial Unity and break through to an impervious body."

"The Dingfeng Marquis..."

Mo Caiying instantly understood what Li Xian meant.

He...

Was not content to kill her, but wanted to kill her husband too!?

Mo Caiying shuddered. Finding courage from somewhere, she suddenly said, "Li Xian, I'm the one who targeted you. This has nothing to do with my husband. I'm willing to atone with my death. I only ask that you spare my husband and the innocent people of the Marquis's Residence."

Li Xian ignored her and merely said, "Once the Dingfeng Marquis returns, I'll come again and put an end to the conflict between us."

With that, he turned and headed out of the Dingfeng Marquis Estate.

Looking at Li Xian, Mo Caiying lost the courage she had finally mustered and slumped back onto the ground, her face ashen.

Shortly after Li Xian left the Marquis's Residence, a piece of news quickly reached Dragon Spring Martial Arts Hall through the Zhou Family.

After reading the information, Zhou Juechen was somewhat speechless.

"He really is..."

After a brief moment's thought, he told this Zhou Family disciple, "Send word to the Shao Brothers. Tell them that the Marquis's Residence is more defenseless now than it has ever been."

"The Shao Brothers?"

The Zhou Family disciple froze. "The Shao Brothers who married their younger sister into the Marquis's Residence six years ago, only to watch helplessly as Mo Caiying, out of jealousy, ordered the guards to beat her to death?"

"Yes. Those two are in White River Village, ten li outside the city. Both have now reached internal organ refinement."

Zhou Juechen spoke calmly.

The Zhou Family disciple instantly understood Zhou Juechen's intention.

"I'll go right away."

(End of chapter)