Chapter 152: Shattered Heart

Luo Bingfeng said in a deep, solemn voice, “If Big Brother wants Luo’s life, why not take it directly instead of harming an innocent woman? Your reputation is tarnished by the hands of scoundrels like you!”

In a rage, Rui Xiang shivered and involuntarily stepped back, hastily disclaiming, “This has nothing to do with me! The Heavenly King and Seventh Young Master ordered her death, and I was merely following orders.”

Luo Bingfeng gritted his teeth, “What benefits did the Empire offer that made him do this?”

Rui Xiang, under Luo Bingfeng’s intense gaze, trembled again and confessed, “I heard it was the key to the Heavenly King’s realm.”

Luo Bingfeng was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, “The path to becoming a Heavenly King lies under one’s own feet. How could it be handed over to others? Such a simple lie, and Big Brother believed it?”

Rui Xiang retorted, “The Heavenly King must cultivate the heart, but external assistance is also necessary. Don’t you also rely on Miss Nan to help you, City Lord?”

Luo Bingfeng sighed deeply, “A hero for my entire life, only to be thwarted by a group of ignorant youths. Hand me the sword!”

Rui Xiang, frightened, took another step back, then quickly placed the sword against the woman’s neck, his voice trembling, “Don’t come any closer! Otherwise, I’ll kill her immediately!”

Luo Bingfeng’s face darkened. His right hand shot out, gripping Rui Xiang’s wrist, and he swiftly seized the sword. The move was so swift that Rui Xiang had no time to react, and the sword changed hands.

At that moment, a dignified, middle-aged man with a stern expression appeared behind Rui Xiang. He coughed, and his right hand spread open, descending like a mountain towards Luo Bingfeng!

Luo Bingfeng was momentarily stunned by the appearance of the middle-aged man. Only when the hand was about to strike did he use his fingers as a sword, countering the blow.

All the primordial force arrays in the room suddenly lit up and burned, vanishing in an instant. In the courtyard, everything lost its primordial force properties.

Luo Bingfeng let out a low groan and staggered backward, exiting the room.

Rui Xiang, elated, shouted, “Just as Seventh Young Master said, once this woman is killed and her Heavenly Mechanism arts are gone, you won’t be the invincible war god anymore!”

“Song Zining?”

“Yes, it is.”

“What did he give you to make you do this?”

Before Rui Xiang could answer, Song Zining’s voice came from outside, “I offered him a way out, nothing more.”

Luo Bingfeng, without turning, coldly said, “Isn’t it better to live freely in the neutral zone than to be a dog in the Empire?”

This statement struck a nerve with Rui Xiang. Enraged and filled with years of resentment, he sneered, “Who isn’t under someone else’s command except you, City Lord? Whether in the neutral zone or the Empire, there’s no difference. The Empire at least has Seventh Young Master, who can guide me to transcend the threshold of Divine Generals. Even if the chance is slim, there’s still hope. You, City Lord, are invincible, but you would rather trade ‘Zhuo Shi Dong Ming’ for useless things than share even a bit with me. Humph, even if I’m a dog in the Empire, I’m a dog with a future, better than working with you!”

Luo Bingfeng didn’t expect such a response. He simply said, “Zhuo Shi Dong Ming isn’t suitable for you,” and fell silent. After all, even formidable loners like him and Zhang Bu Zhou had limited resources compared to the vast wealth of the Song family. Song Zining could easily find several suitable cultivation techniques for Rui Xiang, while Zhang Bu Zhou and Luo Bingfeng couldn’t.

Song Zining entered the courtyard, glanced around, and said, “Indeed, the remnants of the Bright Moon Heart Flow. City Lord, I never expected you would fall into their hands. Didn’t you know that, in the end, their hearts turn to iron, making them no longer human?”

Luo Bingfeng’s face darkened, “I know what Nan Nan cultivates, and I know her intentions. What do you understand? If not for your families’ desire to monopolize the Heavenly Mechanism arts and start a purge, the Bright Moon Heart Flow would not have escaped the Empire. It all comes down to power!”

Song Zining shook his head, “It wasn’t that simple. Their cultivation methods led to hearts of iron. To advance further, they devised ways to condense the Heart Flow. This Heart Flow is no longer flesh and blood. These generations of strong cultivators secretly plotted to overthrow the Empire and exterminate humanity. In the end, only a world devoid of life is truly suitable for them. As the saying goes, ‘those who are not of our kind, their hearts will be different,’ fitting here. I also cultivate the Heavenly Mechanism arts, so pursuing these remnants is part of my duty.”

Luo Bingfeng said, “Your speculations are enough to sentence someone to death. Excellent, indeed the Empire’s way!”

Song Zining remained calm, “City Lord, don’t you want to see her? The array has been broken, and the effect of time suspension is gone. Even if her heart is now iron, delaying any longer means she may not even have time for a last word.”

Luo Bingfeng didn’t say more. With a wave of his hand, the wall facing the courtyard crumbled, revealing the room.

She sat quietly in the center, her hands powerless, her fingertips icy cold, head slightly lowered, a few strands of black hair gently falling onto her chest, her pale face carrying a faint, relieved smile, almost as peaceful as if she were asleep, save for the pool of blood beneath her.

Seeing the blood, Song Zining froze, shock coursing through him.

Luo Bingfeng’s voice was low, “When the Sacred Mountain was shattered, she was already gone. I know Big Brother’s methods; no one survives his sword. But look at this blood. Is this what you call a heart of iron?”

Song Zining, surprised by the outcome, sighed, “Had I known, I wouldn’t have taken such measures. But why did she make me think she was still on the old path of the Bright Moon Heart Flow and had succeeded in cultivating the Heart Flow?”

Seeing Rui Xiang, Song Zining pondered, and the answer gradually emerged.

Luo Bingfeng, also incredibly smart, understood instantly. She feared not the Empire or her death, but Zhang Bu Zhou’s hidden moves. The Empire had many strong cultivators, but none could defeat the flawless Luo Bingfeng. But Zhang Bu Zhou’s hidden move could.

Thus, she revealed her lineage, the secret of Luo Bingfeng’s perfect state, and even exposed her role in his Heavenly King path, all to shift the Empire and Zhang Bu Zhou’s focus from Luo Bingfeng to herself.

Perhaps she hadn’t anticipated, under Song Zining’s planning, that the Empire and Zhang Bu Zhou would secretly collaborate, delivering the fatal blow at the most critical moment. Perhaps she had foreseen it and accepted the fate, only to ensure that Zhang Bu Zhou’s sword didn’t strike Luo Bingfeng.

Not only Luo Bingfeng was clever. Hearing a thud, Rui Xiang fell to his knees, pleading, “Spare me, City Lord! I was only following orders. Your magnanimity, please spare me! Killing me would only dirty your hands. The one who killed Miss is actually Heavenly King Zhang!”

At this moment, Luo Bingfeng, aside from a weaker aura, looked normal. Rui Xiang’s last card, the sword imbued with Zhang Bu Zhou’s power, was now in Luo Bingfeng’s hands. With Luo Bingfeng’s speed, even if Rui Xiang ran for a moment, he could still catch and kill him.

Though Song Zining appeared, he seemed weak, with no other strong cultivators. Rui Xiang, weighing his options, immediately knelt and begged for mercy, hoping Luo Bingfeng would spare him.

Luo Bingfeng sighed deeply, “How could Nan Nan be harmed by the likes of you? Though killing you would sully my sword, I have no choice now.”

Rui Xiang, terrified, leaped up and flew away.

Luo Bingfeng swung his sword, and the sword energy cut through Rui Xiang, slicing him in half.

After slaying Rui Xiang, Luo Bingfeng looked at Song Zining, his eyes dark, and said, “Are you here to accompany Nan Nan in death?”

Song Zining was unafraid, “City Lord should know, the Empire only seeks the passage to the Great Vortex. We don’t seek control, just to pass and return. Once the primordial force tide ends, we’ll leave. I’ve prepared for this for days. Why defend this place so stubbornly, denying passage? Let me be blunt, aren’t you responsible for Miss’s death?”

Luo Bingfeng snorted, “I was entrusted to guard this place. I won’t retreat because of your might. To get past, step over my corpse.”

Song Zining raised his brows, “Why, City Lord? The one who entrusted you was Zhang Bu Zhou. How he treated you, you know now. Why be so loyal? Though Miss is gone, her perfect state is etched in your heart. For you, the path to Heavenly King is clear. With decades of hard work, you could become a Heavenly King. Would you give up such a bright future?”

Luo Bingfeng, instead of answering, asked, “Do you know what that sword I shattered was?”

Song Zining was startled, “No.”

Luo Bingfeng spoke slowly, “You called Nan Nan a remnant of the Bright Moon Heart Flow. That sword was her Heart Flow.”

Song Zining was truly shocked, “Then what did she cultivate inside?”

“Ask her when you get there!” Luo Bingfeng roared, holding the sword, and thrust it towards Song Zining’s forehead.

The sword was fast and sharp, imbued with Zhang Bu Zhou’s residual power, driven by Luo Bingfeng. Even if Song Zining were in peak condition, he couldn’t dodge this sword.

With the sword out, Song Zining knew Luo Bingfeng’s mind was fixed on him. There was no escape. He closed his eyes, awaiting death.

Suddenly, Song Zining felt a tight grip on his neck, lifting him aside. A golden feather with a black edge grazed his cheek, flying straight towards Luo Bingfeng’s sword.