Chapter 41 041[VIP]

When Shi Qingruo chose Baiyun City for her second round of strategy, she had been so exhausted from running the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower that she just wanted to relax and live a carefree life.

So, when she first met Ye Gucheng, she even brought a bucket of salt and went fishing for clams on the beach.

Only later did she begin to seriously practice swordsmanship and martial arts, aiming to conquer the Lord of Baiyun City.

Until… until, for various reasons, Ye Gucheng embarked on the path of aiding a rebellion.

Shi Qingruo opened her eyes and glanced at the displayed game panel.

She couldn't explain why she had transmigrated to a world so similar to the strategy game, much less why Gongzi Yu, who had died at her hands in the third round, seemed to have all his memories, completely recreating them before her eyes.

So now she couldn't be sure how much Ye Gucheng had remembered about the second round that had led him to such a sudden decision.

But she was certain of one thing: Ye Gucheng's entrustment of Baiyun City was no mere talk.

He could have waited until he actually encountered an accident to activate this token, instead of waiting until now...

On Shi Qingruo's dashboard, the title "Lord of Baiyun City" had already mostly lit up, and even the rows of names of the "Baiyun City" faction below it also lit up.

This meant that Ye Gucheng's men had received a clear and concise order. Regardless of whether Ye Gucheng survived this operation or not, Baiyun City had a second master.

This was the path he sought for Baiyun City's survival.

"Why are you doing this?" Shi Qingruo couldn't help but murmur.

But as the Holy Lord of the Misty Heaven Alliance, facing this chessboard that was about to decide the outcome, she had to accept Ye Gucheng's choice, and even welcomed it.

Since she had accepted it, Ye Gucheng should understand her choice.

...

Just as Shi Qingruo had guessed, when Ye Gucheng saw that his sword servant had returned without the returned gift, a gentle smile crept across his usually indifferent expression.

Those present almost thought it was just a fleeting illusion.

For at that moment, Ye Gucheng was polishing the shimmering sword before him. The clean silk handkerchief brushed gently across the blade, seemingly untouched by a speck of dust or blood, yet he still wiped it reverently and meticulously from end to end.

For a swordsman who prized his sword above all else, smiling at the precious blade, a mere half of his being, seemed perfectly normal.

Little did Ye Gucheng know that his smile was a reminder of something he felt he should remember most.

She had said something quite right. Though Baiyun City was an isolated island, it was not immune to the calculations of human nature. He was a swordsman, but not one who could shatter the void and transcend the rules. Then relying solely on his sword would not be enough to hold up an impenetrable barrier.

The person who could say this was more trustworthy than anyone else, and worthy of being entrusted with Baiyun City.

"Master, you've been distracted." The Prince of Nan said unhappily.

A lot of things had happened in Bianjing City recently, and many martial artists had come to watch.

Although the more chaotic the situation, the more favorable it was for him to fish in troubled waters, he still understood the principle of more people and more eyes. He hadn't seen Ye Gucheng for several days.

In order to prevent people from noticing, even though he had heard a lot of rumors about Ye Gucheng and his master's wife, he did not go to warn them.

But now that the decisive battle was about to begin, to ensure that nothing could go wrong, he had to have a good talk with Ye Gucheng about this issue.

"I said, we are just cooperating, not superiors and subordinates." The moment Ye Gucheng raised his eyes, the little warmth in his eyes was frozen, "You originally wanted me to help you with the assassination, but after getting the help of Fu Zongshu, you changed your plan and only used the duel between Ximen Chuxue and me to create a sensation and attract the attention of the imperial guards and martial artists. Don't worry, I will do as you say, and you don't have to worry about me about the rest."

"You..." The Prince of Nan's face sank.

If he had previously held Ye Gucheng in awe due to his swordsmanship, and had been reluctant to challenge him to avoid failure, his recent encounter with the many masters of the Prime Minister's residence had rekindled his desires. He angrily declared, "Don't act as if you were coerced into joining the pirate ship. You said so yourself before. You have your own aspirations."

"So I will fulfill my duty." Ye Gucheng swiftly sheathed his sword into its ebony scabbard, stood up, and headed for the inner hall. "Don't come to me before the sword fight. I need to fast and meditate for a few days." The

Prince of the Southern Prince sneered, silently cursing his pretense.

Fu Zongshu said that although his master, Yuan Shisanxian, had been a disciple of the Zizai Sect and his martial arts skills were comparable to those of Zhuge Shenhou, he was still willing to serve as a lackey for the sake of fame and fortune at the imperial court. Unlike Ye Gucheng, he was not so arrogant and disrespectful.

When he, with a face remarkably similar to the current emperor, sits on the throne, he'll be the one commanding Yuan Shisanxian. Why bother associating with someone like Ye Gucheng?

Then, he'll have to punish him!

Why tolerate him now? But what's the harm in tolerating him for now?

What he didn't know was that Ye Gucheng's words of fasting and meditation weren't just an excuse for not wanting to see him.

For days, the external gambling odds hadn't updated Ye Gucheng, as if the outside world's turmoil had completely disassociated him, vanished from the city of Bianjing.

From the vast sea to the secluded confines of his humble room, the only thing that remained constant was his unwavering daily relentless sword swings, hundreds of them, and a sword move that gradually slowed down from the dazzling and swift "Flying Fairy from the Sky."

When he once again stepped onto the bustling streets of Bianjing, it was the day of the decisive battle.

…

Just as he had appeared when he arrived in Bianjing, the white-clad swordsman, wearing a sandalwood crown, seemed to walk not on the dusty streets but among the clouds.

Whether it was because he hadn't been out lately or for some other reason, his already pale complexion seemed even paler.

But his amber eyes, as if washed by water, seemed even brighter and sharper.

"They say Ye Gucheng, the Lord of Baiyun City, looks like a banished immortal, and they're certainly right."

"…But a sword fight isn't a beauty contest. Just because he looks like an immortal, doesn't mean he can truly display immortal skills, right? I mean, he didn't dare to show himself before, so who knows if he might have some hidden injuries?"

"Can you say that louder? In front of Ye Gucheng?"

"…" The person who had previously mocked him suddenly choked and stopped talking.

While Ye Gucheng wasn't like Ximen Chuxue, who went out four times a year to hunt down villains, he was older, had achieved fame earlier, and was no less intimidating in the martial arts world.

He wasn't a frail person, and now, sword in hand, he seemed to have become one with the blade, instilling an instinctive fear in everyone. How could

Uni

dare to rashly provoke him...

Even if he dared, those who had bet on Ye Gucheng's victory would never allow him to do so.

Seeing the people still looking at him, he chuckled, "I was just joking, nothing more."

A young man with disheveled hair sat on the rooftop above him. Hearing this change of heart, he caught the discarded dart in his hand, a cynical sneer flickering across his face.

The dart shone a faint blue, like ice, in the sunlight.

But before anyone noticed him, he slid down from the rooftop like a swimming fish, disappearing amid the chatter.

As for Ye Gucheng, one of the protagonists of the day, he paid no attention to the gossip.

He headed towards the Jinshui River at the foot of the Imperial City, not as if heading for a serious duel, but rather as an afternoon stroll.

Until he reached a street corner...

"Huh? Why did he stop so suddenly?" the people following Ye Gucheng asked in surprise.

But it seemed no answer was needed, as the scene before him provided the answer.

Suddenly, at the other end of the street, a procession approached, poised to meet Ye Gucheng.

This group, bearing the banner of the Mi Tian Alliance, was clearly heading in the same direction as Ye Gucheng.

What compelled Ye Gucheng to stop was the figure aboard the carriage draped with gauze curtains.

As if to avoid disrupting the duel between the two top swordsmen, there was no wind in Bianjing City today. Only the wind from the passing vehicles blew aside the gauze curtains, revealing the figure seated atop the vermilion lacquered carriage.

Ye Gucheng immediately glanced in that direction, meeting Shi Qingruo's gaze as she lifted the curtain and looked back.

She was unusually dressed in a loose black robe. Though the flowing gold threads could be seen in the sunlight, the garment remained a solemn and solemn color. Yet, the color couldn't overshadow the radiance of her eyes and brows, instead adding a touch of mysterious beauty.

Yet, as other eyes lingered on her face, Ye Gucheng noticed a striking touch of color on her black garment: the white jade pendant hanging from her waist.

Others would have considered it merely an embellishment, but Ye Gucheng would have recognized it as the very same one he had sent to Shi Qingruo!

With the pendant at her side, and now facing him head-on, it was hard not to wonder if this was a response to his request.

The carriage stopped in front of him.

Shi Qingruo's hand was still in the state of lifting the carriage curtain, and she slowly said, "I wonder how confident City Lord Ye is in winning the sword duel?"

Ye Gucheng looked up and asked, "Madam, are you concerned about this too?"

Shi Qingruo smiled and said, "The Mi Tian Alliance has many gang members, and I can't control their hands. I think all the silver distributed recently has been invested in gambling by them. If they lose badly, I, the leader, will have to find some profitable business. If that's the case, do you think City Lord Ye needs to care about this?"

Ye Gucheng nodded, "But before a swordsman draws his sword, he can never be sure whether he will have a chance to take it back."

Shi Qingruo lowered her eyes, fiddling with the green tassel on the white jade pendant, and replied, "Then I wish City Lord Ye all he wants. Let's go!"

Today's sword duel was nominally to determine the ownership of the broken void sword mark in the Mi Tian Alliance. She was the judge, and Ye Gucheng had to make way for her.

After the Misty Heaven Alliance's troops advanced ahead, the exiled immortal swordsman continued his leisurely march northward.

Zhu Xiaoyao jumped aboard and reported to Shi Qingruo that Ye Gucheng had stopped by the teahouse and sat for a while, not returning directly.

"That's not surprising. The sword fight is scheduled for the night of the full moon, several hours away. Our people need to arrive early to avoid being pushed out by the spectators, but Ye Gucheng doesn't need to."

Could someone be preventing him from entering? What were the others looking at?

She wasn't mistaken. When they had just brushed past Ye Gucheng, his sword energy seemed to have intensified. It was hard to tell if it was the influence of those memory fragments.

This would become an even greater challenge for Ximen Chuxue.

But compared to Ye Gucheng, Ximen Chuxue was more focused, so the outcome was still uncertain.

She then asked, "Has the guy I told you to keep an eye on arrived?"

Zhu Xiaoyao shook her head, a flicker of irritation crossing her face. "How could such a troublemaker emerge among the new gang members? He's tricked everyone into covering for him, and now, at this crucial moment when we need to deploy personnel, he's vanished without a trace. And he was elected team leader by the others, yet he's doing something like this, abandoning his post... What are you laughing at?"

She glanced suspiciously at Shi Qingruo, only to see a playful smile on his face.

Zhu Xiaoyao had assumed that Shi Qingruo was using this as a warning to the Holy Leaders below her. Although she hadn't personally led the new recruits, she could easily name some of them and even demanded that they not neglect their supervision of the newcomers due to their recent busy schedule.

But... judging from Shi Qingruo's behavior, it didn't seem to be the case.

Shi Qingruo waved her hand. "Alright, I'm relieved he's not here."

If the emperor wasn't in the palace today, but was with the Misty Heaven Alliance, Fu Zongshu would have had much easier time. He could simply bring the Prince of the Southern Kingdom into the palace and tell everyone it was the emperor.

It wouldn't be the emperor's empty-city tactic, leaving Fu Zongshu and his men empty-handed, but rather he himself had handed victory to someone else.

At least he hadn't forgotten his mission even though he came to the Misty Heaven Alliance to study.

She wouldn't forget either.

She dropped her smile and said solemnly, "The tasks to be done later have already been assigned. I don't want to see anything go wrong."

Zhu Xiaoyao nodded repeatedly. "Don't worry, the necessary arrangements and backup plans are all in place."

"Okay, have Chun'er come see me."

The rolling wheels confined Shi Qingruo and Zhu Xiaoyao's conversation to the carriage, draped with veils on all four sides.

Before reaching the Jinshui River, Guan Chun had already taken Zhu Xiaoyao's place. She boarded the carriage, exchanged a few words with Shi Qingruo, then disembarked and disappeared into the procession, her destination unknown.

The carriage carrying the Seven Saints of the Misty Heaven Alliance passed through the reserved path and stopped in front of the duel arena.

She lifted the curtain and peeked out, only to see a crowd of heads thronging behind them, blurred into a mass of moving shadows in the slowly sinking sunlight. If they weren't afraid of Ye Gucheng and Ximen Chuxue's swordsmanship, they might have dared to move any closer.

Those standing in the foreground were undoubtedly renowned masters of the martial arts world, such as Mu Dao Ren of Wudang, Xiao Shi of Jade Sword, Ling Fei Ge of the Twin Swordsmen of Guandong, Zhang Sanba of the Heavenly Mystery Dragon Head, Xue Yiren of Xue Family Manor, and Zuo Qinghou of the Throwing Cup Villa...

Looking towards the Imperial City, a few figures could be vaguely seen on the tall gatehouses.

Lu Xiaofeng, the man who always mingled with the crowds, had disappeared into obscurity.

From a distance, she could hear a monk's loud voice asking Hua Manlou if Lu Xiaofeng was being held by Ximen Chuxue for practice. As a result, he failed to catch Ximen Chuxue's sword with one finger and accidentally cut off two fingers. Now he was too embarrassed to show his face in public.

If Lu Xiaofeng heard this, he would definitely want to beat up this self-proclaimed "honest monk."

Fortunately, Hua Manlou, who was present, was good-tempered and patiently explained to the honest monk that Lu Xiaofeng had offended Xue Bing, the eldest daughter of the Divine Needle Villa, in his early years. Now Xue Bing came with Old Madam Xue, and to prevent him from being hunted in public, he simply hid aside.

He said that he had asked Sikong Zhaixing to help him change his appearance and hide in the crowd, so that he could see the outcome of his friend's sword fight without getting into trouble.

"So that's how it is." The honest monk looked at Xue Bing, who seemed to be looking for someone, and felt that Lu Xiaofeng had made an extremely wise decision.

"Since he doesn't dare come forward, I, the Honest Monk, will take the blame and relay the situation here to you, Mr. Hua."

As the Honest Monk spoke, he internally scorned Lu Xiaofeng. He was truly a worthless fellow. If it weren't for Ximen Chuxue being Lu Xiaofeng's friend, the blind Mr. Hua Qi wouldn't have had to travel all the way from Jiangnan to Bianjing.

This summer, Hua Manlou's Baihua Tower in Jiangnan is at its most beautiful. Brewing tea while enjoying the fragrance of flowers—even if one can't see the beauty of blossoming branches—is still a joy in life.

But now, he has to stand among the crowd, only able to listen to such a wonderful spectacle.

Fortunately, he's met such a kind person.

"Do you mind if I listen in here too?" The Honest Monk had barely finished his words when a clear, elegant voice suddenly reached him.

He turned and saw a handsome young man in white standing next to him. Unfortunately, his eyes were covered with a white veil, making him, like Hua Manlou, unable to see.

The honest monk, with his vast experience in the martial arts world, immediately recognized that despite his serious illness, this man was no small figure. He was none other than Yuan

Suiyun, the heir to the Wuzheng Villa in Taiyuan, Shanxi. However, the term "Wuzheng" didn't mean aloof from worldly affairs; it meant that for three hundred years, no force in the Taiyuan area had dared to challenge Wuzheng Villa!

Thinking of the power Wuzheng Villa represented, the honest monk quickly agreed, "If you don't mind my limited martial arts skills and my less refined explanations, then of course I'll do it."

Yuan Suiyun smiled affably, "Why would you? I'd also like to hear your and Mr. Hua's opinions on who will ultimately triumph today."

"Well..." The honest monk rubbed his hands and began to speak softly.

Of course, this wasn't the only place where conversations were taking place.

The setting sun gradually cast a veil over the Jinshui River, slowly flowing around the city like a jade belt adorned with gold.

The crowd's voices didn't seem to diminish in the slightest as the sky darkened.

Until a voice suddenly broke out from the clamoring crowd, "Look, Ye Gucheng's here!"

Instantly, the buzzing noises seemed to have been paused, and no more unnecessary chatter sank.

Everyone present turned in the direction of the voice, and sure enough, at the end of the narrow path cleared, Ye Gucheng was already approaching.

It was said that in just an hour or two, because Ye Gucheng had been able to enjoy a leisurely dinner in a teahouse before the battle, his odds had dropped several points.

By then, the arena had already been lit by curious people, illuminating the tall, graceful swordsman clearly.

Suddenly, another voice was heard from the other side: "Ximen Chuxue has arrived too."

The swordsman approached with a calm expression, seemingly unfazed by the gossip. He walked onto the ring with steady steps, his aura no less impressive.

He even spoke first: "You're here."

Ye Gucheng replied, "Yes, I am."

Under the illumination of the full moon and the torches, it was difficult for anyone to notice that before turning to face Ximen Chuxue, he glanced at the carriage at the other end, his gaze lingering briefly on the beautiful woman inside.

He also clearly saw that the white jade waist pendant, once striking against her black clothes, had disappeared.

...

This was destined to be a sleepless night for many.

Ye Gucheng and Ximen Chuxue had already arrived, and the group who had been waiting to see them immediately rushed towards the Jinshui River.

Even if they went now, it was obviously impossible to grab a front row seat, but that didn't stop these curious people from rushing to the scene.

Meanwhile, under the night sky, another group was on the march, approaching Bianjing at a breakneck speed.

It was a group of galloping horses, three in front leading the way, three behind supporting the group. In the center was a man with a sinister expression, his face marked by a conspicuous knife wound, running from the right corner of his forehead to the left corner of his chin. Though it had become a scar, one could still see the mark left by the person who had wielded the knife with such gusto that they practically intended to kill him.

This made his already aged face even more formidable.

Beside him stood a beautiful young woman, a striking contrast to him. A faint red mark on her forehead only added a touch of beauty to her innocent face. It was unclear if it was an illusion, but even as she hurried along, she seemed lost in thought, as if pondering something extremely important.

The former, a renowned figure in Bianjing City ahead, and indeed in the Central Plains martial arts world, was renowned. Believing he had mastered thirteen unique martial arts, he added two characters to his name, becoming Yuan Shisanxian!

He had the confidence to speak so confidently. After all, just over a month ago, the world-renowned Fang Geyin, the great hero, had fallen at his hands.

And today, he too was on a grand mission!

Because Zhuge Shenhou was in charge of Bianjing, and his previous attack on Fang Geyin had already attracted widespread attention, Fu Zongshu had previously considered him suitable for remaining outside.

But when Fu Zongshu and the Southern King joined forces to accomplish something earth-shattering, a supreme master like Yuan Shisanxian had to be present!

The responsibility he bore was undoubtedly a heavy one.

The fierce wind whipped up by the galloping horses at night swept across Yuan Shisanxian's face, but it couldn't wipe away his sinister smile.

Fu Zongshu knew that even if the duel between Ximen Chuxue and Ye Gucheng could attract so much attention, even attracting the attention of some of the Imperial Swordsmen, there would always be someone who would be fully focused on protecting His Majesty.

It was none other than Yuan Shisanxian's senior brother, Zhuge Shenhou.

If this person couldn't avert his gaze from the Imperial Palace, regardless of the effectiveness of Fu Zongshu's subordinates, such as Master Black Light and the Seven Absolute Swords, the Prince of the Southern Kingdom's plan to replace His Majesty would be impossible to achieve. Yuan

Shisanxian's role became even more crucial.

For years, Zhuge Xiaohua had deceived and oppressed him, acting like a roadblock, unwilling to see him even set foot in Bianjing. Now was no exception.

Zhuge Xiaohua must have known the potential for trouble if Yuan Shisanxian and his nominal disciple, Fu Zongshu, officially joined forces.

So, when Yuan Shisanxian's six disciples, the "Six Harmonies Azure Dragons," left the capital at Fu Zongshu's behest to retrieve him, and when Yuan Shisanxian, accompanied by the "Dreamless Girl," arrived in Bianjing, he repeatedly detected someone lurking in the shadows, trying to track his movements.

He didn't bother to deal with the scoundrels who had offended him. He was more than happy to see them report Yuan Shisanxian's arrival to Zhuge Xiaohua, waiting for her to come and stop him.

Zhuge Xiaohua would definitely come.

Fu Zongshu hoped he could delay Zhuge Shenhou's advances, and when the matter was settled, he would turn around and assist him, taking out both Zhuge Shenhou and the Four Masters. But Yuan Shisanxian wanted more!

He and Zhuge Shenhou had a long-standing feud.

He never felt he had taken the wrong path, but the scar on his face, though healed, still ached at night, a constant reminder of how much his good brother still owed him.

Zhuge Xiaohua's actions were also to blame for the situation he and Zhi Xiaojing had reached.

But it didn't matter; now was the time for revenge.

With Liuhe Qinglong at his side, and the dreamless girl he'd picked up, coupled with the numerous unique skills he'd mastered, why couldn't he kill Zhuge Xiaohua right outside Bianjing?

He wasn't just going to hold Zhuge Shenhou back, he was going to take his life!

Proving that among their fellow disciples, he was always the most capable.

"Whoa!" Yuan Shisanxian jerked the reins.

Accompanying him in this action were the other seven.

Just as they were about to cross a narrow path ahead, a coffin suddenly flew out from the shade of the trees to the side, blocking their path.

The scattered moonlight from the full moon, filtering through the branches, had previously illuminated the path, but now it shone upon the heavy ebony coffin. As if ignited by the moonlight, faint blue ghostly flames suddenly ignited around the coffin, illuminating the woman seated atop it.

Yuan Shisan looked intently, his dark hair cascading over her wide-sleeved black robe with gold patterns, almost blending in with the ebony coffin beneath. Her fair skin and red lips seemed even more dazzling in the flickering firelight.

The moonlight was bright, but it seemed to be completely overshadowed by her beautiful face and the "wisp of fire" surrounding her.

It almost made one forget she wasn't alone!

Yuan Shisan glanced around, easily spotting dozens of figures in the surrounding bushes. While they posed no threat to him, they were certainly not unknown figures in the martial arts world. Behind

her were two more people.

One, a young man in a red cloak, appeared to be uninhibited and unrestrained, his mustache a striking feature. Another, a dashing man dressed in the attire of a Six-Door Constable, was most recognizable by his missing hand.

Faced with this combination, Yuan Shisanxian couldn't help but shout, "Why are you here?"

He had never met the three before him. Given his seniority in the martial arts world, only these juniors could come to see him. But that didn't stop him from deducing their identities based on their characteristics.

They shouldn't be the Seven Saints Master Qing Ruo of the Misty Heaven Alliance, the four-browed Lu Xiaofeng, or the one-armed divine detective Qi Shaoshang. Instead, they should be Zhuge Shenhou and his four disciples.

He had heard two weeks ago that Tie Shou, while rebuilding Lianyun Village, had unexpectedly achieved the "seeing a mountain is not a mountain" martial arts realm and had returned to Bianjing from the north.

Yuan Shisanxian wasn't surprised by his nephew's progress; he simply believed that the Four Famous Constables perishing alongside their master was the best outcome.

But he hadn't anticipated that his eagerly awaited opponent would be replaced!

Among them was someone who should have been the center of attention.

By comparison, her blocking the road with a coffin was nothing more than a minor incident.

Shi Qingruo casually fiddled with the phosphorus fire talisman paper beside her. Not surprisingly, she saw the "Dreamless Woman" beside Yuan Shisanxian gazing at the coffin she sat in with a look of horror, as if she had seen something utterly terrifying.

Though she couldn't find the answer in her missing memories, she instinctively feared the coffin and the person within it, like a mouse fearing a cat.

It was as if... she had seen this scene before.

Yuan Shisanxian, however, failed to notice the unusual behavior of his helpful assistant. More important to him was an answer from Shi Qingruo. "Answer me!"

Shi Qingruo asked with a smile, "Senior, do you want the truth or a lie?"

Lu Shuyi, within the Six Harmonies Azure Dragon, couldn't help but gasp.

This woman was truly audacious, daring to address his master in such terms.

Even under Yuan Shisanxian's gaze, which seemed to be directed at a dead person, Shi Qingruo remained composed, slowly rising from the coffin and continuing to speak.

"If it's a lie—" she spread her hands, her smile exceptionally bright and beautiful. "It's simply that some people think you shouldn't have come to Bianjing. You're old, unsuccessful, and need the help of two juniors to kill Fang Juxia. It's better to rest in peace soon. Please, I'll bring you a coffin."

Yuan Shisanxian's expression darkened, his anger rising almost instantly.

But Shi Qingruo had just come up with it and said it was a lie. If he argued with her, it would seem he wasn't generous enough.

He gritted his teeth and squeezed out a sentence: "What if it's true?"

Shi Qingruo's eyebrows curved, and she bowed to him. "I heard that the senior has a senior brother who is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. He was trapped in Baixu Garden by a promise you made. I believe you have visited him several times and learned a lot from him. So you must have heard the story called Tian Ji's Horse Racing."

Yuan Shisanxian choked.

Shi Qingruo's words made it inappropriate for him to answer "yes" or "no".

His trapped senior brother was Wang Xiaoshi's master, Tianyi Jushi, the most talented among their fellow disciples.

If Yuan Shisanxian replied "I've heard of it", it would be like admitting it in public. He had no regard for the friendship between fellow disciples and had committed atrocities against his own senior brother. If he replied "I haven't heard of it", it would be that he was ignorant and illiterate.

Lu Shuyi, as if sensing Yuan Shisanxian's dilemma, preemptively asked, "What do you mean by saying this to my master?"

"Can't you see?" Shi Qingruo asked, her smile growing even wider. "Of course, it's because you're trying to steal the world, and we're trying to play the game of Tian Ji's horse race."

Yuan Shisanxian's eyes sharpened.

How could Yuan Shisanxian not understand the words "steal the world"? He wondered if something had gone wrong on the side of the Prime Minister or the Southern Prince, revealing the most crucial part of their plan.

Now that Shi Qingruo and his men had intercepted them here, Zhuge Shenhou and his disciples were likely facing another enemy.

Tian Ji's horse race... what a Tian Ji horse race!

Lu Xiaofeng suddenly interjected, "Master, I don't think I'm a bad horse."

Besides, facing a master like Yuan Shisanxian was clearly not something a bad horse could accomplish.

Shi Qingruo's eyes flickered. "Lu Xiaofeng, do you really have to say that now? Some people are so angry they're fuming."

"You're courting death!" Yuan Shisanxian raged.

His rage surged so fiercely that he didn't even bother to consider whether Guan Qi, after shattering the void, would return for revenge. Instead, he had only one thought:

he had to deal with these "bad guys" before he could settle his score with Zhuge Xiaohua!

The arrow that had severely wounded Fang Geyin that day was a finger he had transformed into flesh and blood. Now, like the Nine-Fingered Divine Beggar, he was missing a finger.

But this didn't affect him in the slightest. When he swung his palm towards Shi Qingruo, the surging internal energy within Qiu Ji's palm was enough to instantly rip someone in two.

The woman in black standing on the coffin remained calm.

As the palm wind approached, a purple longsword suddenly burst forth from her wide black robe's sleeves, transforming into a long rainbow, sweeping up the surrounding phosphorescent flames and charging directly at Yuan Shisanxian's palm.

The palm force and sword energy collided with each other, pushing the curved soft sword, its wielder, and even the coffin beneath it back several feet.

Yet, those present could easily detect that Yuan Shisanxian's hasty attack hadn't inflicted much harm on Shi Qingruo.

The next moment, the Ziwei soft sword swung back cleanly and fiercely, leaping into the air at breakneck speed, lashing out with the black figure in a deadly counterattack. A dense hail of sword light descended upon them.

Yuan Shisanxian was startled.

But it wasn't Shi Qingruo's counterattack that startled him, but—

what was happening?! This Saint Master of the Misty Heaven Alliance's martial arts was far superior to what the Prime Minister had previously told him!

The author has something to say:

Let's thank City Lord Ye for his pre-battle assist.

I feel like Ye Gucheng has been getting points like crazy in the last few chapters. No, let's get back to the main story. Let's guess what Tian Ji's horse racing is like (hello)

. See you tomorrow night at 6 o'clock.