Shibiao Tou and the others had never heard of the Six Destroying Demonic Humans. However, the words of the Hungry Ghost Hermit carried undeniable conviction when he claimed the Six Destroying Demonic Humans belonged to the Heaven-Annihilating Sect, leaving people no choice but to believe him. After all, who would lie to someone they considered “a corpse”?
The “Eight Heavenly Devils and Nineteen Demonic Humans” were merely a fraction of the Heaven-Annihilating Sect’s renown in the martial arts realm. They certainly did not embody the sect’s complete might. Who could possibly believe that Shaolin Temple possessed only eight disciples at the Outer Scenery level and nineteen experts who had reached the half-step or initial enlightenment stage?
Therefore, the Heaven-Annihilating Sect’s hidden strength must be far greater than the “Eight Heavenly Devils and Nineteen Demonic Humans,” making it perfectly normal for the Six Destroying Demonic Humans not to be included.
The thought of the Luo Sect and the Heaven-Annihilating Sect joining forces shocked Gu Changqing and others. Yet, as they were stunned, Shibiao Tou narrowed his eyes and quickly pulled out an object with his right hand.
Bang!
With a crisp explosion, a streak of light shot into the sky, blooming into a vivid red flower.
“Seeking help?” The Hungry Ghost Hermit snorted coldly. “There’s no village ahead or behind this desolate place—who are you calling for help? Passersby? Hmph, I’d like to see who dares interfere with the affairs of our Luo Sect and the Heaven-Annihilating Sect!”
As he spoke, he raised his right hand, fingers curled into a claw, and reached toward Shibiao Tou from afar.
Five sharp, dark-green fingernails exuded ink-like qi, bringing rolling black clouds and the howls of ghosts and wolves.
This claw strike was filled with chilling yin energy, as if reaching from the depths of hell. Its transformation sent chills down people’s spines, freezing their blood and making evasion seem impossible!
Shibiao Tou suddenly drew his blade. The blade shimmered with brilliant gold, as if coated in a layer of gold. He slashed upward in an arc, like the rising sun in the east, radiating waves of heat.
Bang!
The collision of qi and the clash of weapons sent Shibiao Tou retreating several steps, his face turning pale. Yet his movements remained agile, shifting directions rapidly without any sign of sluggishness.
“Shibiao Tou is this strong…” Gu Changqing and the other guards felt as if they were dreaming.
They had never imagined that the usually kind-hearted Shibiao Tou could withstand the attack of the Hungry Ghost Hermit, a half-step Outer Scenery expert. How deeply he had hidden his abilities!
“Could the cargo really be on Shibiao Tou?”
As this thought arose, the Luo Sect disciples surged forward, including several experts like the Void Enforcers.
In an instant, cries of pain echoed across the hill. Several weaker guards quickly fell to the ground, spitting black blood.
Gu Changqing swung his long sword with a desperate determination, cutting down an enemy from the Luo Sect. Wanting to rescue others, he was entangled by several Void Enforcers, struggling to break free as he fought left and right. Gradually, he found himself overwhelmed, falling into a disadvantage.
While barely holding on, he saw the Hungry Ghost Hermit overpower Shibiao Tou with a fierce attack. Then, the Hermit’s eyes flashed with green light, his body swelling slightly as his right hand transformed into a claw and struck downward.
His five fingers twisted grotesquely, like sharp teeth or fangs. His right hand seemed to become a gaping maw, devouring the golden longsword in Shibiao Tou’s grasp.
Crack! Facing this strike, the sword qi silently vanished, as if devoured. The tip of the blade was snapped off.
Shibiao Tou was forced forward uncontrollably, directly into the path of the ghostly claw. In a desperate move, he rolled like a lazy donkey to avoid the fatal blow. However, five deep gashes appeared across his back, quickly swelling and oozing pus.
A flash of sword light—Gu Changqing fearlessly fought off several enemies nearby, rushing to Shibiao Tou’s aid with all his might.
The Chief Guard has always shown me kindness. Shibiao Tou often guided me in martial arts. If I can trade my life to ensure Shibiao Tou’s escape and the safety of the cargo, it’s worth it!
After enduring so much, Gu Changqing’s heart brimmed with fearless resolve.
Thud! Blades pierced flesh. Gu Changqing sustained several wounds, blood flowing freely, yet he forced his way to Shibiao Tou’s front.
“Die together!” The Hungry Ghost Hermit, caught up in the thrill of battle, swung his left hand. A wave of icy, sinister energy surged forth, transforming the area into a living hell.
Gu Changqing’s blood ran cold. Unable to lift his sword in time, he could only watch helplessly as the spectral claw drew near. A torrent of thoughts flooded his mind—memories of youthful joy, the thrill of crossing the vast desert, the agony of hearing tragic news, the bittersweet taste of vengeance, and the relentless perseverance through hardship. In the end, they all condensed into a single sigh:
“Compared to a half-step Outer Scenery expert, I’m still as weak as an ant…”
Just then, a distant roar echoed:
“Kill!”
At the sound, the Hungry Ghost Hermit still felt irritation. Who dared to interfere with the Luo Sect’s affairs?
Yet the voice thundered like a shockwave, shaking his very soul and leaving him unable to steady himself. Before his eyes, purple lightning crackled wildly, and the surrounding sinister energy scattered.
With difficulty, he turned his head and saw a figure charging into the encirclement from the foot of the hill. With flashing blade, he cut through the Luo Sect disciples like statues, meeting no resistance.
Gu Changqing felt as if struck by lightning, his mind blank, his gaze vacant, like a wooden chicken. His pupils reflected the heroic, imposing black figure.
Amid the rumbling “thunder,” the Hungry Ghost Hermit regained his senses, shock flashing in his heart as he blurted out:
“Mad Blade!”
Reputation precedes reality. His pupils constricted, and after a brief hesitation, he roared loudly:
“Retreat!”
As the words left his mouth, he fled like a beaten dog into the dense forest on the left side of the hill, vanishing in an instant.
Meng Qi rushed closer but did not pursue. Instead, he slowed his pace and stopped before Gu Changqing.
The faintly recognizable face, the increasingly masculine and vigorous aura, and the blood slowly dripping from his blade—all entered Gu Changqing’s eyes, leaving him dazed and stunned after escaping the thunderous qi interference.
Then, he saw the black-clad man before him curl his lips into a bright smile:
“One arrow pierces the clouds, and a thousand troops and horses appear!”
As the words faded, the Luo Sect disciples who hadn’t fled in time collapsed like grass before the wind—all victims of Meng Qi’s passing.
“Thank you for the rescue.” Gu Changqing took a deep breath and bowed.
“It’s been years, yet your appearance hasn’t changed much. I recognized you instantly.” Meng Qi smiled.
Gu Changqing gave a bitter smile. “I only started traveling after adulthood, unlike you. If not for the Mad Blade’s reputation, I wouldn’t have dared to recognize you.”
After a brief exchange, the two fell silent for a moment, unsure what to say to bridge the gap of the past three years.
“We should leave first, in case Luo Sect experts arrive.” Meng Qi glanced around warily, fearing the sudden appearance of the White-Robed Lingxiu.
“Alright.” Gu Changqing didn’t hesitate. He knelt and searched Shibiao Tou’s body.
After regaining consciousness, he realized Shibiao Tou had already died from poison. It was no easy feat to survive the Hungry Ghost Hermit’s claw!
Sure enough, he found an object, tucked it into his robe, and hurriedly followed Meng Qi away.
After repeatedly changing directions and erasing their trail, Meng Qi stopped and asked in confusion: “How did your courier agency offend the Luo Sect?”
Zhongzhou Courier Agency wasn’t large, yet it should have avoided direct conflict with the Nine Evil Paths as much as possible.
“I don’t know either. After delivering goods to the South Province, we originally planned to buy some local specialties to sell back in the capital, rather than return empty-handed. Unexpectedly, a man in a black cloak came to hire us, asking us to escort a black wooden box to the Divine Capital, saying someone would come to retrieve it there.”
“Along the way, the Chief Guard suddenly came to meet us, saying it was a chance encounter…”
“At a small city ahead, the Chief Guard suddenly claimed he had urgent matters and parted ways with us.”
Caught up in events at the time, Gu Changqing hadn’t thought anything was amiss. But now, reflecting carefully, he increasingly felt the cargo was strange. He took out the black wooden box and carefully opened it.
“The seal has been damaged. Someone must have opened it before.” Meng Qi’s sharp eyes noted.
Gu Changqing nodded silently and slowly opened the box.
Inside lay a layer of bright red petals, fresh and dripping with vitality, not the slightest withered. On top of them rested an oddly shaped object, seemingly forged from gold and embedded with red and purple gemstones. Strange patterns were engraved upon it, and upon closer inspection, they seemed to cause dizziness.
The patterns and gemstones on this object were incomplete, as if it were only half or a fragment of a larger item.
“It looks like a token, but it’s been split into two halves.” Meng Qi mused.
Gu Changqing pursed his lips. “Perhaps the Chief Guard took the other half, splitting the journey into two routes to the capital.”
“Who knows what special significance this token holds… Anyway, let’s return to the capital first. In the Divine Capital, the Luo Sect won’t dare to act so brazenly.” Meng Qi carefully examined it for a while but found no clues.
“Alright.” Gu Changqing put the box away without troubling Meng Qi.
After this discussion, the initial awkwardness between them faded somewhat. As they walked, Meng Qi asked: “Why did you decide to become a courier?”
“Living under someone else’s roof, I had to find a way to make a living. Moreover, martial artists always need a place to apply their skills, or they’ll grow rusty.” Gu Changqing replied concisely.
“Hearing that, the Xie family doesn’t seem very warm toward you…” Meng Qi didn’t want to pry further; outsiders shouldn’t interfere in family matters.
Gu Changqing smiled. “After all, I’m only distantly related, and I was disowned by the Gu family. For them to take me in and provide shelter is already rare and precious. Later, I gained the Chief Guard’s favor and made significant progress in my martial cultivation, which made them much warmer toward me.”
Seeing that Gu Changqing didn’t harbor resentment or bitterness, Meng Qi felt slightly reassured, though he wondered whether Gu still held the same belief of thoroughly eliminating evil.
“Changqing, what do you plan to do after taking revenge? Be a courier for the rest of your life?” As they neared a great river, its surface shimmering under the sunlight, Meng Qi suddenly asked.
Gu Changqing hesitated. “What do you mean, ‘after taking revenge’?”
Meng Qi said earnestly, “I know you still have unresolved grievances, still thinking of killing Ze Luojü.”
“Still thinking of returning to the Gu family’s ancestral hall, asking the clan leader if he regrets his actions…” Gu Changqing’s eyes darkened.
Meng Qi spoke sincerely, “I’m not trying to stop you from seeking revenge. In fact, the day I reach the Outer Scenery level will be the day Ze Luojü dies. But I hope you won’t spend your entire life consumed by hatred. Think about what you’ll do after your revenge is complete.”
“What to do…” Gu Changqing was momentarily lost. For the past three years, revenge had been his sole motivation. He had never considered what he would do after achieving it.
Meng Qi exhaled. “My master’s entire family was destroyed by the Ku Lao sect. He probably still harbors thoughts of revenge. But I believe he won’t lose himself to hatred. Once the vengeance is done, he will achieve great enlightenment.”
“Xuan Bei the Holy Monk is a figure beyond our reach.” Gu Changqing gave a bitter smile, his voice gradually lowering. “I have no martial arts techniques, no talent. Talking about revenge is just a daydream…”
Meng Qi stopped by the river, almost speaking to himself: “If you could obtain an excellent martial arts technique, but in return, you’d spend the rest of your life dedicated to inheriting and promoting it, would you be willing?”
“Eh?” Gu Changqing was both shocked and puzzled.
Meng Qi suddenly smiled brightly. “Let’s not talk about it for now. We’ll discuss it in detail when we reach the Divine Capital.”
At that moment, Gu Changqing had an unprecedented urge to punch the grinning guy in front of him, whose white teeth gleamed.
…
The Grand Canal connected major rivers, supplying the daily necessities of millions of people. It was the lifeblood of the Divine Capital.
The river surface was wide, with rippling waves and countless sails blocking the sun, creating a bustling scene.
On a multi-decked ship, “River of Blade Qi” Yan Chong was drinking with someone.
“Fang Xiong, coming to welcome me with the title of Zhuangyuan, you’ve truly honored Yan.” He drank first.
The other person wore a dark red constable’s uniform, with a silver seal hanging at his waist. His features were handsome, his jaw slightly curved, and his demeanor steady. He was none other than this year’s Wu Zhuangyuan, Fan Changmiao.
“Hehe, Yan Xiong is ranked second on the Renbang. Wherever you go, you attract more attention than the title of Zhuangyuan itself!” Fan Changmiao laughed. “Besides, we all have close ties with the Prince. There’s no need for formality among family.”
Yan Chong smiled bitterly. “My second place was obtained obscurely, entirely because those ahead either broke through or were killed.”
“So what? The second-ranked Renbang figure still stirs the winds and clouds wherever he goes, making most factions eager to make friends.” Fan Changmiao spoke with confidence.
Yan Chong was about to reply when he suddenly felt an inexplicable sensation. He quickly turned his head to look out the window, just in time to see another multi-decked ship passing by. Standing at its bow was a figure.
The figure wore black martial attire, carried a uniquely shaped long blade at his waist, and had a handsome, masculine appearance. With his hands behind his back, he stood like a pine tree, seamlessly blending with the river, the gentle breeze, scattered clouds, and other ships.
As if sensing Yan Chong’s gaze, the figure turned his head, their eyes met, and he nodded in greeting.
“He’s here too…” Yan Chong murmured softly.
“Who?” Fan Changmiao had also seen the figure.
“Mad Blade!” Yan Chong narrowed his eyes.
Fan Changmiao’s expression changed repeatedly:
“He’s arrived in the Divine Capital too…”
Another multi-decked ship passed, blocking the view. The river surged with waves, as if the wind was rising.
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