“Why? Because of the swords in our hands, because of our strength.” Fuji Akihiko was somewhat carried away, raising Heike’s hand beside him and shouting boastfully.
Yang Hao’s eyes narrowed as he continued coaxing, “I thought the Merchant Guild was only good for business. How could you have such powerful subordinates? Seems like a Great Sword Master, no, even beyond the level of a Great Sword Master.”
“This…” Fuji was startled, suddenly realizing he had been too impulsive. They had originally agreed that Heike should stay hidden in the shadows, but now he had dragged him into the spotlight. However, with things having reached this point, Fuji had no choice but to brazen it out, “He’s a group of swordsmen we hired with money. We merchants might not have much else, but we do have money. With enough money, we can hire private armed forces. That’s perfectly normal.”
“That’s indeed quite normal,” Yang Hao said slowly, then suddenly raised his voice, “But is it also normal for you to involve the Ten Sword Sects in internal merchant affairs?”
This statement exploded like thunder across the square. The entire plaza buzzed with murmurs. Nobles aside, the merchants from the Guild all wore expressions of doubt and began whispering amongst themselves.
Fuji’s face changed dramatically. He had thought no one knew about hiring the Ten Sword Sects, but Yang Hao looked completely confident. Fuji defended shrilly, “Who said he’s from the Ten Sword Sects? They’re just private armed forces I hired. They have absolutely nothing to do with the Ten Sword Sects.”
Heike and the members of the Divine Retribution Sword Group who had come today were all wearing expertly applied disguises. Even their own disciples couldn’t recognize them, so Fuji was quite confident. Yang Hao had no way of catching him in the act.
But Yang Hao continued to raise his voice, “Fifteen years ago, merchants boycotted across 78 star systems. The Senate dispatched the Ten Sword Sects to suppress us, resulting in 200,000 merchant deaths. Nine years ago, merchants occupied 200 star systems in the near outer regions earlier than the Senate, but the Senate sent the Ten Sword Sects to seize them, resulting in over a million merchant casualties. Five years ago, the last merchant movement erupted in the Milky Way, and a million merchants were driven out of the galaxy overnight, with countless deaths and injuries.” Yang Hao recounted the deep-seated grievances between merchants and the Ten Sword Sects. “Can you really have forgotten such blood-soaked hatred?”
The crowd below fell silent, their expressions strange.
Fuji inwardly cursed. He had worked hard to incite the Guild members, and if Yang Hao really exposed him, it would be disastrous. He quickly stepped forward:
“Young Yang, don’t try to change the subject. Who told you there are people from the Ten Sword Sects here?”
“I did.” Yang Hao’s eyes flashed with sharp light as he pointed at Heike.
“This person right here, the expert hired by Chairman Fuji, he is from the Ten Sword Sects. Fuji himself is a spy inserted into the merchants by the Ten Sword Sects.”
A commotion erupted among the merchants. The situation became even more chaotic. Heike, hired by Fuji, had always claimed to be private armed forces. But if he was really from the Ten Sword Sects, the Guild chairman hiring enemies to assist would be the greatest taboo.
“Nonsense! Complete nonsense!!!” Fuji was furious, stamping his feet. “Don’t listen to this bastard’s lies. He’s trying to sow discord among us. How could there possibly be anyone from the Ten Sword Sects in the Niko District Merchant Guild!!”
“Really none?” Yang Hao’s voice was sharp.
“Absolutely none!” Fuji firmly believed Yang Hao had no evidence. “I’ll stake my life on it. There’s absolutely none.”
“Good! I’ll prove it to you.” As Yang Hao’s gaze turned icy, Heike felt an extremely ominous sensation. Without thinking, he leapt into the air.
A flash of cold light, and one of Heike’s swordsmen was split in two by the invisible Shadow Moon.
Shadow Moon followed Heike like a shadow. Heike blocked several times with his cross sword but never drew it.
A strange smile appeared on Yang Hao’s face. Suddenly, a devastating sword light erupted from his body. This sharp sword qi even forced Xie Fengting beside him to retreat several steps.
A sword beam shaking heaven and earth tore through the air like a mighty sword advancing with a rumble, shooting toward Heike in the sky.
Heike let out a strange cry, finally forced to draw his golden cross sword. Chanting incantations, a holy light filled the blade, making the golden cross sword shine as brightly as the sun.
“Thousand Mile Annihilation!!” Yang Hao’s sword strike arrogantly roared forward. Heike used all his strength to block, the two divine swords colliding with each other, sending sparks flying like fragments across the sky.
Heike spat blood, his face pale as he fell back to the ground.
“Divine Retribution Sword!!!” A noble’s son recognized it, shocked.
“It’s the Divine Retribution Sword!” Several who had participated in the Ten Sword Sects recruitment echoed.
“Heavens, it’s the Divine Retribution Sword Group’s leader.” The merchants suddenly understood. The seemingly ordinary middle-aged swordsman was actually a famous figure from the Ten Sword Sects. “It’s Heike of the Divine Retribution Sword Group. The Divine Retribution Sword is unmistakable. Only the leader has the qualification to wear it.”
“What more do you have to say!!” Yang Hao forced the Divine Retribution Sword out, then with immense pressure, confronted Fuji.
“On what grounds? On the swords in our hands, on our strength.” Fujimoto, carried away by arrogance, raised Haike’s hand beside him and shouted.
Yang Hao narrowed his eyes, continuing to coax with patience: “Isn’t the Merchant Federation just about business? How could they have such formidable subordinates? It seems like a Grand Swordmaster—no, even beyond that level of power.”
“This…” Fujimoto was startled, realizing he had gotten too carried away. It was agreed that Haike should remain hidden, yet he had dragged him into the open. But now, with no other choice, Fujimoto steeled himself. “This is a swordsman group we hired. Merchants may lack many things, but money isn’t one of them. With money, we can hire private forces. That’s perfectly normal.”
“Indeed, it is normal,” Yang Hao said slowly before suddenly raising his voice sharply. “But hiring members of the Ten Sword Streams to interfere in internal merchant affairs—is that normal too?”
His words exploded like thunder, stirring up the entire square. Regardless of the nobles, even the merchants under the Federation began murmuring in doubt.
Fujimoto’s face paled. He had thought no one knew about his alliance with the Ten Sword Streams, but Yang Hao seemed fully confident. Fujimoto shrieked in defense, “Who said he’s from the Ten Sword Streams? They’re just private forces I hired, completely unrelated!”
Haike and the Divine Mercy Sword Corps present today had undergone meticulous disguises, making them unrecognizable even to their own disciples. Fujimoto was certain Yang Hao couldn’t expose him.
But Yang Hao only intensified his accusations: “Fifteen years ago, merchants boycotted across seventy-eight star systems. The Senate sent the Ten Sword Streams to suppress them, killing two hundred thousand merchants. Nine years ago, merchants occupied two hundred outer-domain star systems before the Senate, only for the Ten Sword Streams to seize them, leaving over a million dead or wounded. Five years ago, the last merchant uprising erupted in the Milky Way, with millions expelled overnight—countless casualties.” Yang Hao recounted the bloody history between merchants and the Ten Sword Streams. “Have you forgotten this ocean of blood and hatred?”
The crowd fell silent, their gazes filled with strange emotions.
Fujimoto panicked inwardly. He had painstakingly incited the Federation—if Yang Hao exposed him now, it would be disastrous. He hastily stepped forward:
“Young Yang, don’t change the subject! Who told you there are Ten Sword Streams members here?”
“I did.” Yang Hao’s eyes flashed as he pointed at Haike.
“This man—the expert Chairman Fujimoto invited—is from the Ten Sword Streams. Fujimoto himself is a pawn planted by them among the merchants!”
The merchants erupted in uproar. The scene descended into chaos. Fujimoto had always claimed Haike was private security, but if he truly belonged to the Ten Sword Streams—the merchants’ sworn enemies—this was the gravest taboo.
“Nonsense! Absolute nonsense!!” Fujimoto stomped in fury. “Don’t listen to this bastard’s lies! He’s trying to divide us! How could there be Ten Sword Streams members in the Nico County Merchant Federation?!”
“Are you sure?” Yang Hao’s voice was icy.
“Of course!” Fujimoto was certain Yang Hao had no proof. “I’ll stake my life on it—absolutely not!”
“Good! Then I’ll prove it.” Under Yang Hao’s piercing gaze, Haike felt a surge of dread. Before he could react, he leaped into the air.
A flash of cold light—one of Haike’s swordsmen was bisected by the invisible Shadow Moon.
The blade pursued Haike relentlessly. He blocked with his cross-shaped sword but refused to draw it fully.
Yang Hao smiled strangely. Suddenly, a devastating sword light erupted from his body—so fierce that even Xie Fengting beside him staggered back.
A sword beam capable of shaking heaven and earth tore through the air like a roaring blade, shooting straight at Haike in the sky.
With a shriek, Haike had no choice but to unsheathe his golden cross sword, chanting as holy light enveloped the blade, making it shine like the sun.
“Thousand-Mile Slaying Strike!!” Yang Hao’s arrogant sword technique blasted forward. Haike blocked with all his might. The clash of divine swords sent radiant fragments scattering across the sky.
Haike spat blood, landing heavily with a ashen face.
“The Divine Mercy Sword!!!” A noble youth recognized it, exclaiming in shock.
“It’s the Divine Mercy Sword!” Others who had witnessed Ten Sword Streams recruitment echoed.
“My God, it’s the leader of the Divine Mercy Sword Corps!” The merchants gasped—this seemingly ordinary middle-aged swordsman was actually the renowned Haike of the Ten Sword Streams. “That sword is unmistakable—only the corps leader wields it.”
“What do you have to say now?!” Yang Hao forced the Divine Mercy Sword into the open, then turned his overwhelming pressure onto Fujimoto.
Fujimoto’s face was deathly pale. Before he could speak, the merchants erupted in curses. Most of the hundred thousand present had suffered under the Ten Sword Streams’ oppression, viewing them as their greatest enemies. Now, realizing they had unwittingly allied with them, they turned their fury on Fujimoto and his swordsmen.
As the angry shouts grew louder, Fujimoto knew there was no salvaging the situation. Gritting his teeth, he snapped:
“Yang Hao, so what if I enlisted the Ten Sword Streams? Aren’t you a spy from the Outer Domain Anti-Empire Alliance? You seized our business on Earth, aiming to attack the Merchant Federation and plunder its assets. Today, the Ten Sword Streams and merchants stand united against you—an Outer Domain demon!”
“Demon?” Yang Hao sneered, pointing at Fujimoto from afar. “You—you’re hereby expelled from the Merchant Federation. You’re no longer one of us. Prepare to collect your corpse.”
“By what authority?” Fujimoto smirked darkly. “What right do you have to expel me? I’m a high-ranking merchant official. Only the Nine Great Directors can dismiss me!”
“Ten Great Directors,” Yang Hao corrected calmly.
“Even if there were ten, so what?” Fujimoto gnashed his teeth. “Unless they’re here in person today, no one touches me!”
Fujimoto’s arrogance wasn’t unfounded. At his rank, only a director’s direct intervention could remove him. The two hundred thousand merchants wouldn’t act on hearsay.
Yang Hao gestured, and someone handed him a massive chest. When opened, a peculiar purple light spilled out, as if revealing a treasure.
“Lucky for you, a director is here today.” As Yang Hao spoke, attendants in Federation uniforms approached, retrieving a purple robe from the chest and draping it respectfully over him.
The robe radiated an esoteric light—impossible to replicate. In this world, only ten people could wear such a garment: the Ten Great Directors of the Merchant Federation.
“The Director’s Robe!” Fujimoto’s eyes bulged, his legs trembling uncontrollably.
“The Director’s Robe!!” The two hundred thousand merchants gasped in unison. There was no mistaking it—the wearer was one of the supreme leaders of all merchants, a king among them.
“I am the newly appointed Tenth Secret Director of the Merchant Federation.” Yang Hao smiled, displaying the robe to all. “You are all my children.”
Despite his youth, Yang Hao referred to the middle-aged and elderly merchants as his children—yet none objected. Instead, they felt honored. Nearly two hundred thousand knelt in the central square, awestruck by the presence of a director they had worshipped like a god.
Fujimoto was ashen-faced. Seeing Yang Hao in that robe, he knew his doom was sealed. He had imagined countless scenarios but never predicted Yang Hao’s ascension to the Ten Great Directors—the throne of the merchant world.
“As a high-ranking merchant official, you colluded with the Ten Sword Streams, inciting your subordinates to disrupt trade rules.” Yang Hao glared at Fujimoto. “Do you know your crime?”
Fujimoto’s sweat poured like a waterfall. Trembling, he collapsed to his knees, speechless.
Yang Hao tilted his chin, and Federation officials dragged Fujimoto away to face the harshest judgment of the merchant courts.
Then Yang Hao turned to Haike.
Haike, injured from their earlier clash, had come today under orders from the Ten Sword Streams’ patriarchs. Their plan was to kill Yang Hao before the Empire’s most influential nobles, restoring their glory and ensuring future recruits.
But Yang Hao had effortlessly subdued the merchants—and now, shockingly, he was a director of the Merchant Federation, a rank equal to the Senate’s elders. Haike felt overwhelming fear.
Yet, as the highest-ranking Ten Sword Streams commander present, failure meant horrific punishment.
Weighing his options, Haike gritted his teeth and signaled:
Full assault!
This was their last resort. If Yang Hao wouldn’t yield and the merchants couldn’t handle him, their only choice was to deploy all forces—thousands of elite swordsmen from ten schools, their entire Earth-based strength. Haike believed they could crush Yang Hao’s Alchemy Sword Sect.
But he was too slow.
Before his swordsmen could act, Yang Hao’s disciples had already formed dozens of wounding sword formations. Flying swords shrieked through the air, their momentum terrifying.
The Alchemy Sword Sect had secured strategic positions, pinning down the Ten Sword Streams’ hidden forces. Though outnumbered, their tactical advantage left Haike’s men powerless.
Yang Hao waved again, and banners unfurled around the square—lowered from small airships, each spanning hundreds of square feet. Each bore unique sword designs but shared one emblem: a golden scale.
With every banner’s descent, the merchants cheered wildly, while Haike’s face paled further, and Xie Fengting sighed deeply.
Forty banners in total—each met with jubilant celebration from the merchants, many weeping with joy. The Ten Sword Streams swordsmen, however, looked lifeless.
These were the banners of the Merchant Federation’s sword corps—forty elite units, now surrounding the square.
For decades, the conflict between merchants and the Ten Sword Streams had never ceased. Any merchant transgression would prompt the Senate to unleash the Ten Sword Streams’ brutality, deepening the enmity.
No merchant, regardless of age, had ever witnessed such a display of their own power. Today was a full-scale merchant intimidation of the Ten Sword Streams.
Even at their peak, the Ten Sword Streams could barely match forty sword corps. Now, weakened to half their former strength, they stood no chance.
Haike realized with despair that, through years of secret development, the merchants had amassed military might rivaling the Ten Sword Streams. The balance of power had shifted irreversibly.
With this, could the Senate’s rule over the Empire remain secure?
Haike’s terrifying thought collided with Yang Hao’s chilling gaze, nearly buckling his knees.
Amid the merchants’ scorn and the nobles’ stares, the thousands of Ten Sword Streams swordsmen retreated in disgrace.
Under such pressure, Haike was lucky to escape with his men. Had Yang Hao sought all-out war, the Divine Mercy Sword would have been left behind today.
The two hundred thousand merchants were electrified—never before had they tasted such triumph. Today marked a glorious resurgence of their power and authority.
They praised Yang Hao as if he were a god, each eager to add to his radiance.
But Yang Hao wasn’t finished. Rising into the air amid deafening cheers, he addressed the million noble youths below in a voice both ethereal and sacred.
“By what right? By the swords in our hands, by our strength.” Fujimoto was so carried away with arrogance that he raised Haike’s hand beside him and shouted defiantly.
Yang Hao narrowed his eyes, continuing to coax with patience, “Isn’t the Merchant Union just about business? How could they have such formidable subordinates? It seems like they’re even beyond the level of a Grand Swordmaster.”
“This…” Fujimoto was startled, realizing he had gotten too carried away. It was originally agreed that Haike would remain hidden in the shadows, but now he had dragged him into the open. But at this point, Fujimoto had no choice but to brazen it out. “This is a mercenary swordsman group we hired. We merchants may lack many things, but we have money—enough to hire private armed forces. That’s perfectly normal.”
“Indeed, it is normal,” Yang Hao said slowly before suddenly raising his voice sharply. “But is it normal for you to involve the Ten Sword Streams in internal Merchant Union affairs?”
His words exploded like thunder, stirring up chaos across the square. The nobles aside, even the merchants under the Union began to murmur in doubt and suspicion.
Fujimoto’s face paled. He had thought no one knew about his secret alliance with the Ten Sword Streams, but Yang Hao seemed to have everything figured out. Fujimoto shrieked in defense, “Who said he’s from the Ten Sword Streams? They’re just private mercenaries I hired—completely unrelated to the Ten Sword Streams!”
Haike and the Divine Mercy Sword Corps present today had undergone meticulous disguises, making them unrecognizable even to their own disciples. Fujimoto was confident—Yang Hao couldn’t possibly expose him.
But Yang Hao only intensified his accusations. “Fifteen years ago, when merchants boycotted across seventy-eight star systems, the Senate sent the Ten Sword Streams to suppress them, killing two hundred thousand merchants. Nine years ago, when merchants occupied two hundred outer-domain star systems before the Senate, the Ten Sword Streams were dispatched to seize them, leaving over a million dead or wounded. Five years ago, the last merchant uprising erupted in the Milky Way, and millions were expelled overnight, with casualties beyond count.” Yang Hao recounted the bloody history between the merchants and the Ten Sword Streams. “Such deep-seated hatred—have you all forgotten?”
The crowd fell into a heavy silence, their eyes filled with strange emotions.
Fujimoto inwardly cursed. He had painstakingly incited the Union to rise—if Yang Hao exposed him now, it would be disastrous. He hurriedly stepped forward.
“Young Yang, don’t change the subject! Who told you there are Ten Sword Streams members here?”
“I did,” Yang Hao said coldly, pointing directly at Haike. “This man—the expert Chairman Fujimoto invited—is from the Ten Sword Streams. Fujimoto himself is a pawn planted by them within the Merchant Union!”
The merchants erupted in uproar. The situation grew even more chaotic. Fujimoto had always claimed Haike was a private mercenary, but if he truly belonged to the Ten Sword Streams—the sworn enemies of the merchants—then the Chairman had committed an unforgivable taboo.
“Nonsense! Absolute nonsense!!” Fujimoto stomped in fury. “Don’t listen to this bastard’s lies! He’s trying to sow discord among us! How could there be Ten Sword Streams members in the Nico County Merchant Union?!”
“Are you sure?” Yang Hao’s voice was icy.
“Of course!” Fujimoto was certain Yang Hao had no proof. “I swear on my life—there are none!”
“Good! Then I’ll prove it to you.”
Under Yang Hao’s piercing gaze, Haike felt a terrible premonition. Before he could react, a flash of cold light struck—one of his swordsmen was instantly bisected by an invisible blade.
The shadowy sword pursued Haike relentlessly. Though he blocked several strikes with his cross-shaped sword, he refused to draw it fully.
Yang Hao suddenly smiled strangely. A devastating sword light erupted from his body, its sheer force sending even Xie Fengting stumbling back.
A sword beam capable of shaking heaven and earth tore through the air like a roaring blade, shooting straight at Haike in the sky.
Haike let out a strange cry, forced to unsheathe his golden cross sword. He chanted under his breath, and a holy radiance enveloped the blade, making it shine like the sun.
“Thousand-Mile Slaying Strike!!” Yang Hao’s sword technique crashed into Haike’s with overwhelming force. The two divine swords collided, scattering light fragments across the sky like falling stars.
Haike spat blood, his face ashen as he crashed back to the ground.
“The Divine Mercy Sword!!” a noble youth recognized it and gasped.
“It’s the Divine Mercy Sword!” others who had witnessed the Ten Sword Streams’ recruitment echoed.
“My God, it’s the leader of the Divine Mercy Sword Corps!” The merchants finally realized—this seemingly ordinary middle-aged swordsman was actually a renowned figure from the Ten Sword Streams. “It’s Haike of the Divine Mercy Sword Corps! That sword is unmistakable—only the leader is allowed to wield it!”
“What more do you have to say?!” Yang Hao forced Haike to reveal his true weapon, then turned his overwhelming pressure onto Fujimoto.
Fujimoto’s face turned deathly pale. Before he could speak, the merchants around him erupted in condemnation. Most of the two hundred thousand merchants present had suffered under the Ten Sword Streams’ suppression, viewing them as their greatest enemies. Now, realizing they had unwittingly allied with these foes, they turned their fury on Fujimoto and his swordsmen.
As the angry shouts grew louder, Fujimoto knew there was no peaceful resolution today. He gritted his teeth and lashed out.
“Yang Hao! So what if I enlisted the Ten Sword Streams? Aren’t you just a spy sent by the Outer Domain Anti-Empire Alliance? You came to Earth to seize our business, attack the Merchant Union, and plunder our assets! Today, the Ten Sword Streams and the merchants stand united against you—an Outer Domain demon!”
“Demon?” Yang Hao sneered, pointing at Fujimoto from afar. “You—as of now, are expelled from the Merchant Union. You are no longer one of us. Prepare to collect your corpse.”
“By what authority?!” Fujimoto laughed darkly. “By what authority can you expel me? I’m a high-ranking official in the Union! Only the Nine Great Directors have the power to remove me!”
“Ten Great Directors,” Yang Hao corrected calmly.
“Even if there are ten, so what?” Fujimoto snarled. “Unless all ten directors appear here today, no one can touch me!”
Fujimoto’s arrogance wasn’t unfounded—at his rank, only the directors themselves could remove him. The two hundred thousand merchants wouldn’t act on mere accusations.
Yang Hao extended his hand, and someone immediately handed him a large chest. When opened, a strange purple light emanated, as if it contained some priceless treasure.
“You’re in luck—today, a director of the Merchant Union is indeed present.”
As Yang Hao spoke, several attendants in Union uniforms approached, retrieving a purple robe from the chest and respectfully draping it over his shoulders.
The robe shimmered with an arcane light—one that no ordinary person could replicate. In this world, only ten individuals were permitted to wear such a garment: the Ten Great Directors of the Merchant Union.
“The Director’s Robe!” Fujimoto’s eyes bulged, his legs trembling uncontrollably.
“The Director’s Robe!!” The two hundred thousand merchants gasped in unison. There was no mistaking it—the one wearing the robe was one of the Union’s highest authorities, a ruler of all merchants across the cosmos.
“I am the newest, tenth secret director of the Merchant Union,” Yang Hao declared, displaying the robe with a smile. “You are all my children.”
Despite his youth, Yang Hao referred to the middle-aged and elderly merchants as his “children.” Yet none protested—instead, they felt it an unparalleled honor. In an instant, nearly two hundred thousand merchants from Nico County knelt in the central square. Never in their lives had they been so close to a Union director—a figure they revered as a god.
Fujimoto’s face drained of color. Seeing Yang Hao don the robe, he knew his doom was sealed. No matter how many possibilities he had imagined, he never foresaw Yang Hao becoming one of the Ten Great Directors.
That was the throne of the merchant world.
“As a high-ranking official, you dared collude with the Ten Sword Streams and incite your subordinates to disrupt trade laws,” Yang Hao said coldly. “Do you know what crime you’ve committed?”
Fujimoto’s sweat poured like a waterfall. He collapsed to his knees, unable to utter a word.
Yang Hao gave a slight nod, and Union enforcers immediately seized Fujimoto. The harshest judgment of the Merchant Court awaited him.
Then, Yang Hao turned his gaze to Haike.
Haike had suffered internal injuries from their earlier clash. Today, he had arrived with a large force as part of the Ten Sword Streams’ plan—to kill Yang Hao before the Empire’s most influential nobles, restoring their glory and ensuring future recruits.
But in just a few words, Yang Hao had subdued the merchants and even revealed himself as a Union director—a status equal to the Senate’s highest elders. Haike felt an overwhelming fear toward Yang Hao.
Yet, as the highest-ranking Ten Sword Streams commander present, Haike couldn’t return without fulfilling his mission—lest he face horrific punishment.
Weighing his options, Haike gritted his teeth and gave a secret signal.
Full-scale attack!
This was their last resort. If Yang Hao refused to yield and the merchants couldn’t handle him, their only option was to deploy all forces—thousands of elite swordsmen from the Ten Sword Streams’ Earth-based factions. Haike believed that with their combined strength, they could crush Yang Hao’s Alchemy Sword Sect.
But he wasn’t fast enough.
His resolve came too late.
Before his swordsmen could act, Yang Hao’s disciples had already formed dozens of Sword Wounding Arrays. Flying swords shrieked through the air, their momentum terrifying.
The Alchemy Sword Sect had secured strategic positions, pinning down the Ten Sword Streams’ hidden forces. Though outnumbered, their tactical advantage left Haike’s men powerless to strike.
Yang Hao waved his hand again, and banners unfurled around the square—lowered from small airships, each spanning hundreds of square meters. Each banner bore a unique sword design, but all shared one common emblem: a golden scale.
With every banner that descended, the merchants cheered wildly, while Haike’s face grew paler and Xie Fengting sighed deeply.
Forty banners in total—each met with jubilant celebration from the merchants, many moved to tears. The Ten Sword Streams swordsmen, however, looked ashen.
Everyone recognized these banners—they belonged to the Merchant Union’s forty elite swordsman corps. All forty had appeared, surrounding the square.
For decades, the conflict between merchants and the Ten Sword Streams had never ceased. Whenever merchants overstepped, the Senate would unleash the Ten Sword Streams to slaughter them, deepening the enmity.
No merchant, regardless of age, had ever witnessed such a display of their own power. Today was a full-scale demonstration of merchant might against the Ten Sword Streams.
The combined strength of forty swordsman corps could challenge even the Ten Sword Streams at their peak—let alone their current weakened state, reduced to half their former power.
Haike realized with despair that, through years of secret development, the merchants had amassed military power rivaling the Ten Sword Streams. The balance had shifted irreversibly.
If this continued, could the Senate’s rule over the Empire remain secure?
Haike’s terrifying thoughts clashed with Yang Hao’s piercing gaze, leaving him unsteady on his feet.
Under the merchants’ scornful jeers and the nobles’ watchful eyes, the thousands of Ten Sword Streams swordsmen retreated in disgrace.
Under such overwhelming pressure, Haike was fortunate to escape with his men intact. Had Yang Hao sought all-out war, the Divine Mercy Sword would have been left behind today.
The two hundred thousand merchants were electrified. Never before had they felt such pride—today was a glorious day, marking the return of their power and sovereignty.
They praised Yang Hao as if he were a god, each eager to add to his brilliance.
But Yang Hao’s work wasn’t done. Amid the deafening cheers, he rose into the air and addressed the million noble youths below in a voice both ethereal and divine.
“Demon?” Yang Hao sneered coldly, pointing at Fuji from afar, “You’ve already been expelled from the Merchant Guild. You’re no longer a merchant. Prepare to go home and collect your corpse.”
“What qualification do you have?” Fuji sneered in return, “What qualification do you have to expel me? I’m a high-ranking merchant official. Only the Nine Elders have the qualification to expel me.”
“It’s the Ten Elders.” Yang Hao said calmly.
“Even if it’s the Ten Elders, so what?” Fuji gritted his teeth, “Unless the Ten Elders come here in person today, no one can touch me!!”
Although Fuji was domineering, his words made sense. For an official of his level, unless the Elders came to the scene personally, there was really no way to do anything to him. The 200,000 merchants wouldn’t believe one-sided accounts either.
Yang Hao extended his hand to the side, and someone quickly handed him a large box. When the box opened, a strange purple light radiated out, as if it contained some treasure.
“You’re lucky. Today happens to be when the Merchant Guild Elders have arrived.” As Yang Hao spoke, several people wearing Merchant Guild uniforms came forward from the side, taking out a purple robe from the box and respectfully dressing Yang Hao in it.
The robe emitted a mysterious light that others couldn’t possibly forge. In this world, only one kind of person could wear such a robe—only ten people. They were the Ten Elders of the Merchant Guild.
“The Elder’s Robe!” Fuji’s eyes widened, his legs trembling like a sieve.
“The Elder’s Robe!!” The 200,000 merchants shouted in unison. With so many eyes, there was no way to mistake it. Anyone wearing the Elder’s Robe was naturally one of the highest decision-makers of the Merchant Guild, the king of all merchants in the world.
“I am the Merchant Guild’s newest tenth secret Elder.” Yang Hao smiled, displaying the robe to all directions. Though Yang Hao was so young, he called those middle-aged merchants “children.” But the merchants didn’t object at all. Instead, they felt it was an immense honor. In an instant, nearly 200,000 people knelt in the central plaza. These 200,000 were all merchants from Niko District brought by Fuji. They had never been this close to a Merchant Guild Elder in their lives, always worshiping them like gods. Seeing one today, of course they would kneel to pay homage.
Fuji’s face was pale. Seeing Yang Hao wearing that robe, he knew his end had come. Although he had considered countless possibilities before, he hadn’t the slightest expectation that Yang Hao would become one of the Ten Elders.
That was the throne among merchants.
“As a high-ranking merchant official, you dared collude with the Ten Sword Sects, inciting your subordinates to sabotage commercial rules,” Yang Hao faced Fuji. “Do you know what crime you’ve committed?”
Fuji sweated like a waterfall, trembling as he knelt on the ground, unable to utter a single word.
Yang Hao lifted his chin, and naturally, people from the Merchant Guild came to take Fuji away. What awaited him would be the harshest judgment from the Merchant Court.
Then Yang Hao’s gaze shifted to Heike.
Heike, who had just clashed swords with Yang Hao, had sustained serious internal injuries. Today Heike had brought a large force, following a plan devised by the heads of the Ten Sword Sects. Their goal was to kill Yang Hao in front of the most valuable noble sons in the Empire, restoring the glory of the Ten Sword Sects and ensuring future recruitment.
But he never expected Yang Hao to subdue the merchants with just a few words, even becoming one of the Ten Elders of the Merchant Guild.
That was a level equivalent to the Senate Elders. Heike felt extreme fear toward Yang Hao.
However, Heike was the highest commander of the Ten Sword Sect swordsmen here. If he didn’t complete his mission, the punishment upon returning would be terrifying.
Between the two, Heike could only grit his teeth and make a secret signal.
Full-scale attack!!
This was the final contingency plan for today. If Yang Hao didn’t back down and admit defeat, if the merchants couldn’t handle Yang Hao, then this method would be used. Thousands of swordsmen from the Ten Sword Sects, the elite forces of ten sword schools on Earth, had all come out today. Heike believed that as long as all swordsmen attacked together, it wouldn’t be a problem to eliminate Yang Hao’s Dan Ding Sword School.
But he still wasn’t fast enough.
His decision was simply too slow.
Before his swordsmen could act, Yang Hao’s disciples had already formed dozens of sword arrays, flying swords whistling through the air with astonishing momentum.
Dan Ding Sword School members had already occupied advantageous positions, completely blocking the hidden forces of the Ten Sword Sects. Although their numbers were insufficient, their advantage in initiative made Heike’s people dare not provoke.
Yang Hao waved his hand again. From the four sides of the central plaza, banners descended one by one. These banners were lowered from small airships in the sky, extremely large in scale. Each banner had a width of over a hundred square meters. The banners were embroidered with various sword patterns. The only commonality was the golden balance symbol on each banner.
Each banner that descended caused the merchants on the plaza to cheer enthusiastically, while Heike’s face grew paler and Xie Fengting sighed softly.
A total of forty banners descended one by one. The merchants were already celebrating joyfully, tears of emotion in their eyes. The swordsmen of the Ten Sword Sects, however, looked as if they were facing death.
Everyone recognized these banners—they were the insignias of the sword groups under the Merchant Guild. A total of forty top-tier sword groups had all appeared around the plaza.
The conflict between merchants and the Ten Sword Sects had never ceased in recent decades. Whenever merchants acted excessively, the Senate would send the Ten Sword Sects to suppress them, creating deep resentment between the two sides.
No matter how old the merchants were, they had never seen such a glorious moment for their side. Today was simply a comprehensive demonstration of merchant power against the Ten Sword Sects.
The strength of forty sword groups could barely be matched even by the Ten Sword Sects in their prime. Let alone now when the Ten Sword Sects had been weakened to only half their former strength.
Heike sadly realized that after years of secret development, the merchants had actually gained military power no less than the Ten Sword Sects. The balance of power had shifted, no longer at the same level.
If this continued, could the Senate still maintain stable control over the Empire?
A terrifying thought emerged in Heike’s mind. When this terrifying thought collided with Yang Hao’s terrifying gaze, he could barely stand.
Amidst the merchants’ scornful curses and the noble sons’ gazes, the thousands of swordsmen from the Ten Sword Sects slunk away.
Under such overwhelming pressure, it was already fortunate for Heike to take his people and leave. Fortunately, Yang Hao still lacked full confidence for an all-out war, otherwise the Divine Retribution Sword would have been left behind today.
The 200,000 merchants were in high spirits. They had never felt such pride before. Today was simply a great day for merchants, the return of great power, and the return of great authority.
The 200,000 merchants lavished Yang Hao with praise, almost elevating him to the status of a god.
They wished each person could add a little more glory to Yang Hao’s side.
However, Yang Hao’s day wasn’t over yet. Amidst the thunderous applause, he slowly floated into the high sky, announcing to the millions of noble sons below with a clear, holy voice.
From today on, the Dan Ding Sect will be divided into two divisions: the inner hall and the outer hall. Anyone can join the outer hall without any registration fee, but they must purchase Dan Ding Sect’s pills at full price and consume them regularly.
Only nobles may join the inner hall, which requires a substantial registration fee. However, all pills will be provided absolutely free of charge, and the sect leader himself, Yang Hao, will personally guide their foundation building, leading them through the gates of the Dan Ding Sect.
As soon as this announcement was made, it naturally stirred up the crowd of hundreds of thousands of noble youths. Originally, they had come merely as spectators, uninvolved in the day’s events, but Yang Hao’s words had now directly touched upon their personal interests.
Previously, these youths would have scoffed at the Dan Ding Sword Sect. After all, the Ten Sword Stream had always been the mainstream martial arts tradition of the empire. How could someone like Yang Hao, regarded as an unorthodox outsider, possibly attract the attention of true high-ranking aristocrats?
But the situation had now changed. Today, the Ten Sword Stream had suffered a major defeat, and the Merchant Guild had displayed its formidable strength. Yang Hao, having consecutively defeated the rising stars of the Ten Sword Stream, had just been seen forcing the leader of the Divine Retribution Sword Group into a seriously injured retreat, clearly surpassing them in martial prowess.
Still, even with this, the noble youths hesitated. The Senate’s foundations built over centuries were not easily shaken; the Ten Sword Stream’s dominant position had long been deeply rooted in the public consciousness.
One noble’s words echoed the sentiments of the majority: “Why should we join the Dan Ding Sword Sect? Can the Dan Ding Sect possibly be more authentic than the Ten Sword Stream? Moreover, the Ten Sword Stream has already begun expanding. As long as we wish, anyone can join them, promising a much brighter future!”
Yang Hao merely sneered coldly. With a swift motion, he drew five swords from behind his back and raised them high into the air.
The Sword of Immortality!
The Sword of Gravity!
The Sword of Treasures!
The Sword of Judgment!
The Sword of the Beast’s Heart!
The moment these five swords appeared, the entire plaza fell silent. The previous clamor vanished into stillness.
Yang Hao’s voice rang out, firm and unyielding like forged steel: “Half of the Ten Sword Stream’s most treasured swords are now in my hands. Can they still claim to be the authentic martial tradition of the empire?”
The nobles were stunned, yet secretly nodded in agreement. Although propaganda had always emphasized the strength of the Ten Sword Stream, the fact that they had lost half of their sect’s sacred swords clearly proved Yang Hao’s superiority over them.
Yang Hao pressed forward: “If you join the Ten Sword Stream, will you truly become part of their core? Will they truly teach you their most profound techniques? But in the Dan Ding Sword Sect, I myself will personally guide your foundation building and personally instruct you in swordsmanship. Isn’t that a far better future?”
From today onwards, the Dan Ding Sect is divided into the Inner Hall and the Outer Hall. Anyone can join the Outer Hall without any registration fee, but they must purchase the sect’s elixirs at full price for consumption.
Only nobles can join the Inner Hall, which requires a hefty registration fee. However, from then on, all elixirs will be provided free of charge, and the sect leader, Yang Hao, will personally lay the foundation for their cultivation, guiding them into the Dan Ding Sect.
As soon as this announcement was made, it immediately stirred up a commotion among the million noble youths present. Today’s events originally had nothing to do with them—they had come merely to watch the spectacle—but Yang Hao’s words now directly concerned their personal interests.
In the past, these nobles would have scoffed at the Dan Ding Sword Sect. After all, the Ten Sword Schools were the mainstream of imperial martial arts. How could a rogue like Yang Hao ever attract true high-ranking nobles?
But now, the situation was different. Today, the Ten Sword Schools had suffered a crushing defeat, the Merchant Guild had demonstrated its power, and Yang Hao had consecutively defeated the rising stars of the Ten Sword Schools. Everyone had clearly witnessed how Yang Hao had forced the leader of the Divine Mercy Sword Regiment into severe injury with a single strike—proof that his martial prowess surpassed theirs.
Yet, despite this, the noble youths remained hesitant. The Senate’s centuries-long foundation was not built in vain—the dominance of the Ten Sword Schools was deeply ingrained in people’s minds.
One noble’s words echoed the sentiments of the majority: “Why should we join the Dan Ding Sword Sect? Can it possibly be more orthodox than the Ten Sword Schools? Moreover, the Ten Sword Schools have already begun expanding their recruitment. If we wish, each of us can join them and secure a brighter future!”
Yang Hao merely sneered in response. He reached behind him and drew five swords, raising them high in the air.
The Sword of Immortality!
The Sword of Gravity!
The Sword of Treasures!
The Sword of Judgment!
The Sword of the Beast’s Heart!
The moment these five swords were revealed, the square fell silent. The clamor ceased entirely.
Yang Hao’s voice rang out, as unyielding as steel: “Half of the Ten Sword Schools’ sacred treasures are now in my hands. And you still call them the orthodox martial arts of the empire?”
The nobles were stunned, then nodded subtly among themselves. Though propaganda had always touted the Ten Sword Schools as invincible, the fact that half of them had lost their sacred swords proved that Yang Hao’s strength had already surpassed theirs.
Yang Hao pressed on: “If you join the Ten Sword Schools, will you ever enter their inner circle? Will they truly teach you their core techniques? But if you join the Dan Ding Sword Sect, I will personally lay your foundation and guide you in mastering the sword. Isn’t that a far better future?”
Yang Hao swept his gaze proudly across the crowd. The nobles stood in silence—many among them genuinely sought to learn peerless swordsmanship and become the empire’s top warriors. These were precisely the people Yang Hao wanted to recruit.
“More importantly,” Yang Hao decided to play his trump card. He raised both hands, and a faint blue aura surged above his head—his formidable spiritual energy. As it shot into the sky, a response soon followed.
Deafening roars echoed from the clouds.
“Dragons!!”
“Flying dragons!!!”
The nobles gasped in shock. Most who had witnessed flying dragons in the Beast Arena that day had died. To see them now with their own eyes was no small matter.
Four wind dragons swooped down, circling the square once before following Yang Hao’s command and landing atop several commercial buildings lining a nearby street, unleashing their dragon breath.
The buildings instantly collapsed.
Those who recognized them knew—those buildings belonged to the Ten Sword Schools.
Yang Hao declared boldly: “These four flying dragons shall become the Dan Ding Sect’s Four Guardian Protectors! Any master who joins the Inner Hall will have the chance to become a true Dragon Rider!!”
His words struck like thunder, leaving the million-strong crowd speechless.
Dragon Riders!!! Not the suicidal knights of the Beast Heart Sword Regiment.
True Dragon Riders!!!
These were legendary beings capable of taming dragons. By joining the Dan Ding Sect, they could become the most formidable warriors in imperial history, soaring through the skies on dragonback—what unparalleled power!
The four flying dragons nodded proudly in midair before vanishing into the clouds.
But the awe-inspiring sight and Yang Hao’s earth-shattering declaration had shattered all remaining doubts among the noble youths.
What reason was left to hesitate about joining the Dan Ding Sect?!
This was a turning point in imperial history—a day later recorded in the annals as “Square Day.”
On this day, the long-dormant Merchant Guild finally revealed its might, as its forty sword regiments crushed the Ten Sword Schools in sheer momentum.
On this day, the secret tenth guild director emerged—none other than Yang Hao, the empire’s recent storm of controversy.
On this day, the Dan Ding Sword Sect ended its era of passive defense, rising as the aggressor. Under Yang Hao’s leadership, it overwhelmed the Ten Sword Schools with an indomitable presence.
Yet unrecorded in history was a brief but meaningful exchange between Yang Hao and Xie Fengting in the final minutes of the day.
Xie Fengting complained, “With your reckless actions, all the power the guild has painstakingly cultivated is now exposed. The directors have been biding their time precisely to avoid drawing attention—hence why your position as a director was kept secret.”
Yang Hao smirked slyly. “The directors wanted to hide my identity so I could clash with the Ten Sword Schools. Even if I lost, it wouldn’t reflect on the Merchant Guild. But you can’t have it both ways—using me as a weapon while keeping the hand that wields it hidden. The world doesn’t work like that.”
Xie Fengting sighed deeply. “Now you’ve tied the Merchant Guild to your war chariot. The days ahead won’t be so peaceful.”
“Your peaceful days should have ended long ago,” Yang Hao scoffed. “Better march to war with me. I refuse to be just a hidden blade—if we fight, we fight together.”
Xie Fengting stared at him blankly. Yang Hao stood in the wind, smiling as he watched the spectacle of millions clamoring to join his sect.
Truthfully, Xie Fengting couldn’t tell whether the current situation was what the nine directors had wanted or not.
But one thing was certain—the empire’s stagnant waters had been thoroughly stirred.
From today onwards, the Dan Ding Sect is divided into the Inner Hall and the Outer Hall. Anyone can join the Outer Hall without any registration fee, but they must purchase the sect’s elixirs at full price.
Only nobles can join the Inner Hall, which requires a hefty registration fee. However, from then on, all elixirs will be provided free of charge, and the sect leader, Yang Hao, will personally lay their foundation and guide them into the Dan Ding Sect.
As soon as this announcement was made, it immediately stirred unrest among the millions of noble youths. Today’s events had originally been unrelated to them—they had come merely to spectate—but Yang Hao’s words now directly concerned their personal interests.
In the past, these nobles would have scoffed at the Dan Ding Sword Sect. After all, the Ten Sword Schools were the mainstream of imperial martial arts. How could a rogue like Yang Hao ever attract true high-ranking nobles?
But now, the situation was different. Today, the Ten Sword Schools had suffered a crushing defeat, the Merchant Guild had demonstrated its power, and Yang Hao had consecutively defeated the rising stars of the Ten Sword Schools. Everyone had clearly witnessed how Yang Hao had forced the leader of the Divine Mercy Sword Regiment into severe injury with a single strike—proof that his martial prowess surpassed theirs.
Yet, despite this, the noble youths remained hesitant. The Senate’s centuries-long foundation was not built for nothing—the dominance of the Ten Sword Schools was deeply ingrained in people’s minds.
One noble’s words captured the sentiments of the majority: “Why should we join the Dan Ding Sword Sect? Is it more orthodox than the Ten Sword Schools? Moreover, the Ten Sword Schools have already begun expanding. If we wish, every one of us can join them and secure a brighter future!”
Yang Hao merely sneered in response. He reached behind him and drew five swords, raising them high in the air.
The Sword of Immortality!
The Sword of Gravity!
The Sword of Treasures!
The Sword of Judgment!
The Sword of the Beast’s Heart!
The moment these five swords were revealed, the square fell silent—not a whisper of noise remained.
Yang Hao’s voice rang out, as unyielding as steel: “Half of the Ten Sword Schools’ treasured heirlooms are now in my hands. And you still call them the orthodox martial arts of the empire?”
The nobles were stunned, then silently nodded in agreement. Though propaganda had long claimed the Ten Sword Schools’ invincibility, the fact that half of them had lost their sacred swords proved that Yang Hao’s strength had already surpassed theirs.
Yang Hao pressed on: “If you join the Ten Sword Schools, will you ever enter their inner circle? Will they truly teach you their martial secrets? But if you join the Dan Ding Sword Sect, I will personally lay your foundation and guide you in swordsmanship. Isn’t that a brighter future?”
Yang Hao swept his gaze proudly across the crowd. The nobles stood in silence—many among them genuinely sought to master peerless swordsmanship and become the empire’s greatest warriors. These were precisely the people Yang Hao sought to recruit.
“More importantly,” Yang Hao decided to play his trump card. He raised both hands, and a faint blue aura surged above his head—his formidable spiritual energy. As it shot into the sky, a response soon followed.
Deafening roars echoed from the clouds.
“Dragons!!”
“Flying dragons!!!”
The nobles gasped in shock. Most who had witnessed dragons in the Beast Arena had perished—seeing them now was no small matter.
Four Wind Dragons swooped down, circling the square once before, under Yang Hao’s command, landing atop several commercial buildings lining a nearby street and unleashing their breath.
The buildings instantly collapsed.
Those who recognized them knew—these were properties owned by the Ten Sword Schools.
Yang Hao declared with authority: “These four dragons shall become the Dan Ding Sect’s Four Guardians. Any master who joins the Inner Hall will have the chance to become a true Dragon Rider!!”
His words struck like thunder, leaving the million-strong crowd utterly speechless.
Dragon Riders!!! Not like the suicidal knights of the Beast Heart Sword Regiment.
True Dragon Riders!!!
These were beings capable of taming dragons. By joining the Dan Ding Sect, they could become the most formidable force in the empire’s history—soaring through the skies on dragonback, wielding unimaginable power.
The four dragons nodded proudly in midair before vanishing into the clouds.
But the awe-inspiring sight and Yang Hao’s earth-shattering declaration had shattered all remaining doubts among the noble youths.
What reason was left to hesitate? Join the Dan Ding Sect!!
This was a turning point in the empire’s history—a day later recorded in the annals as “Square Day.”
On this day, the long-dormant Merchant Guild finally revealed its might—their forty sword regiments had crushed the Ten Sword Schools in sheer momentum.
On this day, the secret tenth Guild Director emerged—none other than Yang Hao, the empire’s recent storm of controversy.
And on this day, the Dan Ding Sword Sect broke free from its defensive stance, transforming into an aggressor. Under Yang Hao’s leadership, the sect overwhelmed the Ten Sword Schools with an indomitable presence.
Yet unrecorded in history were the few minutes before the day’s end—when Yang Hao and Xie Fengting exchanged a meaningful conversation.
Xie Fengting complained, “With your reckless actions, all the power the Guild has painstakingly cultivated is now exposed. The Directors have been biding their time precisely to avoid drawing attention—that’s why your identity as a Director was kept secret.”
Yang Hao smirked slyly. “The Directors wanted to hide my identity so I could clash with the Ten Sword Schools. Even if I lost, it wouldn’t implicate the Merchant Guild. But to use me as a weapon while hiding the hand that wields it—since when does the world offer such conveniences?”
Xie Fengting sighed deeply. “Now you’ve tied the Guild to your war chariot. The days ahead will no longer be peaceful.”
“Your peaceful days should have ended long ago,” Yang Hao scoffed. “Better follow me into battle. I refuse to be a hidden blade—if we fight, we fight together.”
Xie Fengting stared blankly at Yang Hao, who stood in the wind, smiling as he watched millions clamoring to join.
Truthfully, Xie Fengting couldn’t tell whether the current situation was what the nine Directors had wanted or not.
But one thing was certain—the empire’s stagnant waters had been thoroughly stirred.
A series of deafening roars echoed from the clouds.
“Dragons!!”
“Flying dragons!!!”
The nobles cried out in astonishment. Most of those who had seen dragons at the arena that day had perished. To witness flying dragons with their own eyes now was no small feat.
Four Windrunning Dragons soared into view, circling the plaza once before following Yang Hao’s silent command. They dove toward a row of commercial buildings, unleashing their fiery dragon breath upon the rooftops.
The buildings crumbled instantly.
Those who recognized the structures knew—they belonged to the Ten Sword Stream.
Yang Hao declared aloud: “These four flying dragons will become the Four Protectors of the Dan Ding Sect. Any expert who joins the inner hall of the Dan Ding Sword Sect will have the chance to become a true Dragon Rider!!”
These words struck like thunder across the plaza, leaving millions speechless.
A Dragon Rider!!! Not like the suicidal knights of the Beast Heart Sword Group.
A true Dragon Rider!!!
A legendary figure capable of commanding dragons! By joining the Dan Ding Sect, one could become the most extraordinary warrior in imperial history—riding flying dragons into battle across the skies, wielding unmatched power.
The four dragons soared proudly into the clouds and vanished from sight.
But that awe-inspiring image, together with Yang Hao’s powerful declaration, had completely shattered all the nobles’ doubts.
What was there left to hesitate about in joining the Dan Ding Sect?
This day would go down in imperial history as a turning point, later named “Plaza Day.”
From today onwards, the Dan Ding Sect is divided into an Inner Hall and an Outer Hall. Anyone can join the Outer Hall without any registration fee, but they must purchase the sect’s elixirs at full price.
Only nobles can join the Inner Hall, which requires a hefty registration fee. However, from then on, all elixirs will be provided free of charge, and the sect leader, Yang Hao, will personally lay their foundation and guide them into the Dan Ding Sect.
As soon as this announcement was made, it naturally stirred up a commotion among the million noble youths. Today’s events had originally been unrelated to them—they had come merely to spectate—but Yang Hao’s words now directly concerned their personal interests.
In the past, these nobles would have scoffed at the Dan Ding Sword Sect. After all, the Ten Sword Schools were the mainstream of imperial martial arts. How could a rogue like Yang Hao attract true high-ranking nobles?
But now, the situation was different. Today, the Ten Sword Schools had suffered a crushing defeat, the Merchant Guild had demonstrated its power, and Yang Hao had consecutively defeated the rising stars of the Ten Sword Schools. Everyone had clearly witnessed Yang Hao forcing the leader of the Divine Mercy Sword Regiment into severe injury with a single strike—his martial prowess was evidently superior.
Yet, despite this, the noble youths remained hesitant. The Senate’s centuries-long foundation was not built for nothing—the Ten Sword Schools’ dominant status was deeply ingrained in people’s minds.
One noble’s words echoed the sentiments of the majority: “Why should we join the Dan Ding Sword Sect? Can it possibly be more orthodox than the Ten Sword Schools? Moreover, the Ten Sword Schools have already begun expanding. If we wish, every one of us can join them and secure a brighter future!”
Yang Hao merely sneered in response. He drew five swords from behind his back and raised them high in the air.
The Sword of Immortality!
The Sword of Gravity!
The Sword of Treasures!
The Sword of Judgment!
The Sword of the Beast’s Heart!
The moment these five swords were revealed, the square fell silent—not a whisper of noise remained.
Yang Hao’s voice rang out, as unyielding as steel: “Half of the Ten Sword Schools’ treasured heirlooms are now in my hands. And you still call them the empire’s orthodox martial arts?”
The nobles were stunned, then nodded subtly in agreement. Though propaganda had long touted the Ten Sword Schools’ strength, the fact that half of them had lost their sacred swords proved that Yang Hao’s power had already surpassed theirs.
Yang Hao pressed on: “If you join the Ten Sword Schools, can you truly enter their inner circle? Will they trust you enough to teach you their real techniques? But if you join the Dan Ding Sword Sect, I will personally lay your foundation and guide you in swordplay. Isn’t that a far better future?”
Yang Hao swept his gaze proudly across the crowd. The nobles stood in silence—many among them genuinely sought to master peerless swordsmanship and become the empire’s top warriors. These were precisely the people Yang Hao aimed to recruit.
“More importantly,” Yang Hao decided to play his trump card. He raised both hands, and a faint blue aura surged above his head—his formidable spiritual energy. As it shot into the sky, a response soon followed.
Deafening roars echoed from the clouds.
“Dragons!”
“Flying dragons!!!”
The nobles gasped in shock. Most who had seen flying dragons in the Colosseum that day had died—to witness them now was no small matter.
Four wind dragons swooped down, circling the square once before, under Yang Hao’s command, landing atop several commercial buildings along a street and unleashing their breath attacks.
The buildings instantly collapsed.
Those who recognized them knew—those buildings belonged to the Ten Sword Schools.
Yang Hao declared boldly: “These four flying dragons will become the Dan Ding Sect’s Four Great Guardians. Any master who joins the Inner Hall will have the chance to become a true Dragon Rider!!”
His words struck like thunder, leaving the million-strong crowd speechless.
Dragon Riders!!! Not the suicidal knights of the Beast’s Heart Sword Regiment.
True Dragon Riders!!!
These were beings capable of taming dragons. By joining the Dan Ding Sect, they could become the most formidable force in the empire’s history—fighting atop flying dragons in the skies. What power could rival that?
The four wind dragons nodded proudly in midair before vanishing into the clouds.
But the awe-inspiring sight and Yang Hao’s earth-shattering declaration had shattered all remaining doubts among the noble youths.
What reason was left to hesitate about joining the Dan Ding Sect?!
This was a turning point in the empire’s history—a day later recorded in the annals as “Square Day.”
On this day, the long-dormant Merchant Guild finally revealed its strength. Their forty sword regiments had, in terms of momentum alone, completely crushed the Ten Sword Schools.
Also on this day, the secret tenth guild director emerged—none other than Yang Hao, the empire’s recent sensation.
And on this very day, the Dan Ding Sword Sect ended its passive, defensive stance, transforming into an aggressor. Under Yang Hao’s leadership, the sect overwhelmed the Ten Sword Schools with an indomitable presence, forcing them into submission.
What the annals failed to record, however, was a brief but meaningful exchange between Yang Hao and Xie Fengting in the final minutes of the day.
Xie Fengting complained to Yang Hao, “With all your reckless antics, the guild’s carefully cultivated strength has been fully exposed. The directors have been biding their time precisely to avoid drawing attention—that’s why your identity as a director was kept secret.”
Yang Hao smirked slyly. “The directors wanted to hide my identity so I could take on the Ten Sword Schools alone. Even if I lost, it wouldn’t implicate the Merchant Guild. But you can’t have it both ways—using me as a weapon while keeping the hand that wields it hidden. The world doesn’t work like that.”
Xie Fengting sighed deeply. “Now you’ve tied the Merchant Guild to your war chariot. The days ahead won’t be so peaceful.”
“Your peaceful days should have ended long ago,” Yang Hao scoffed. “Better follow me into battle. I have no intention of being just an invisible weapon. If we fight, we fight together.”
Xie Fengting stared blankly at Yang Hao, who stood in the wind, smiling as he watched the spectacle of millions clamoring to sign up.
Truth be told, Xie Fengting couldn’t tell whether the current situation was what the nine directors had wanted or not.
But one thing was certain—the empire’s stagnant waters had been thoroughly stirred.
On this day, the secret tenth council member was revealed—none other than Yang Hao, the rising star of the empire.
On this day, the Dan Ding Sword Sect ended its era of passivity and rose as the aggressor. Under Yang Hao’s leadership, the sect surged forward with unstoppable momentum, forcing the Ten Sword Stream into submission.
And what history failed to record were the final few minutes before the day’s end—when Yang Hao and Xie Fengting exchanged a meaningful conversation.
Xie Fengting, somewhat resentfully, said to Yang Hao: “With your recklessness today, the Merchant Guild’s carefully cultivated strength has been completely exposed. The council members had always kept a low profile, precisely to avoid drawing attention, which is why we concealed your status as a council member.”
Yang Hao merely smiled cunningly: “The council wanted to hide my identity and use me as a pawn to fight the Ten Sword Stream. Even if I lost, it wouldn’t implicate the Merchant Guild. You want to use me as a weapon while hiding the hand that holds it. Where in the world could such a perfect arrangement exist?”
Sighing deeply, Xie Fengting said, “Then the Merchant Guild is now bound to your war chariot. Our peaceful days are surely over.”
“Your peaceful days should have ended long ago,” Yang Hao scoffed. “You’d better just follow me into battle. I have no intention of being just a hidden weapon. If we fight, we fight together.”
Xie Fengting stood there, gazing at Yang Hao, who stood in the wind, smiling as he watched the spectacle of millions rushing to register for the sect.
Truthfully, Xie Fengting himself could not tell whether this outcome was what the Nine Council Members had truly desired or not.
But regardless, the once tranquil waters of the empire had now been completely stirred into chaos.
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