More than a dozen disciples drew their swords and flew towards the two.

Xie Shuci's inner chuunibyou (a Japanese term for someone with delusions of grandeur) burned fiercely. He thought to himself, "Even a great demon with two hundred years of cultivation had half his health bar cleaved in half with a single strike. What are these young disciples compared to me? They're nothing to me, not even a glance from me."

"Hey—take this!" Xie Shuci followed suit, channeling his spiritual power to envelop the sword. A transparent halo floated around the longsword, and with a thrust from Xie Shuci, it drew a sharp arc in the air.

But their real intention was not what it seemed. After dodging a sword beam, they flew directly over Xie Shuci's head, the tip of their sword pointing directly at the horse and dog behind them.

Xie Shuci was startled. Damn, scaling walls and leaping across rooftops is so cool!

After realizing what was happening, Xie Shuci shouted, "Crane, run!"

The little white horse understood his meaning and, before the disciples landed, carried the silly dog ​​on its back and ran for its life.

The disciple tried to give chase, but Xie Shuci swung his sword haphazardly, slashing at the shoulder of a junior disciple.

"hiss--"

Seeing the blood seeping from the other's shoulder blade, soaking his green robe, Xie Shuci grinned. His hand gripping the longsword trembled involuntarily. The feeling of slashing people and monsters with a sword was different. Xie Shuci subconsciously said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!"

The disciple glared at him and said, "Xie Shuci, you're asking for death!"

The Taoist in the green robe said, "No need to get entangled with him, go after him!"

The disciple gritted his teeth, clutched his shoulder, and glared fiercely at Xie Shuci.

"No! No one can go!" Xie Shuci gripped his long sword tightly and, together with Xie An, blocked the path of the disciples. The crane ran very fast and disappeared into the long street in an instant.

"Stand back a bit, or I might accidentally hurt you," Xie Shuci whispered to Xie An.

Xie An pursed his lips, making no move.

Seeing Xie Shuci blocking their way, the disciples seemed to be wary of something, their bodies tense, their eyes sharp, watching their direction warily.

Xie Shuci wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt that their gazes were looking past him and onto Xie An behind him.

Xie Shuci glanced back at Xie An, who stood calmly behind him, looking every bit like a weak and helpless little good-for-nothing.

Xie Shuci shook off the unnecessary thoughts in his mind and said to the green-robed Taoist who stepped forward, "Old Taoist, I caught the monster. Isn't it uncivilized for you to openly rob it?"

The Taoist in the green robe glanced at Xie Shuci, then paused briefly when he looked at Xie An.

This person wields the Free and Unfettered Sword Technique, and even if he isn't a disciple of the Free and Unfettered Sect, he must have some connection to it. Either way, he's not someone a small immortal sect like the Li family can afford to offend. Moreover, the Free and Unfettered Sword Technique is unlike any other; even ordinary people unable to cultivate their inner core can learn it, and it's incredibly powerful. Having witnessed this person single-handedly defeat a hundred-year-old demon, the green-robed Taoist wasn't sure if he and his disciples were his match.

However, this inner core is of paramount importance to the Li family, and he is determined not to give it up easily.

“Young Master Xie, in the cultivation world, there is only the law of the jungle, and there is absolutely no rule of first come, first served. I have no intention of making enemies with you, but the Li family is determined to obtain this inner core, so I apologize for offending you.” The Taoist in the green robe clasped his hands in greeting.

After saying that, he winked at the disciples behind him, signaling them to quietly bypass the two and catch up.

Xie Shuci's cultivation level was not a threat, and the blind man beside him, though skilled in the Free and Unfettered Sword Technique, was no different from a cripple without a sword. The green-robed Taoist did not want to harm them and make enemies for the Li family.

The disciple nodded and quietly moved into the darkness, completely unaware of what was happening.

He slung the sword over his shoulder, raised his chin, and said, "Coincidentally, I'm determined to get this inner core as well. Unless you step over my dead body, no one will get past me."

One of the disciples laughed in anger after hearing this: "Who gave you the courage to say such a thing?"

"Fish Leong."

"who?"

"none of your business."

Just then, Xie An turned his head to look into the shadows, then grabbed Xie Shuci's sword-wielding hand with one hand and used Xie Shuci's sword energy to swing it into the shadows. A scream was heard, and a disciple in green robes rolled out from the corner, his chest slashed open by the sword energy.

"Holy crap?" Xie Shuci was startled. Before he could recover, he felt several sharp sword energies approaching him.

The next moment, Xie An, still in the same position, wrapped his large hand around Xie Shuci's hand, gripped the sword hilt, and swung the sword behind him with a backhand thrust. Xie Shuci's body was pulled along by him, the blades clashing in the air producing a piercing sound. He was completely dazed, so Xie An simply grabbed his waist with one hand, controlling his body and the longsword in his hand, forcing the enemy back step by step.

"careful!"

"Do not harm anyone!"

Unlike the Taoist in the green robe, the other disciples were not as composed. Seeing their colleague injured, one by one they drew their swords, filled with righteous indignation and eager for revenge. The Taoist in the green robe, mindful of Xie An's status, dared not act rashly and could only observe from the sidelines.

"Xie An?"

Xie Shuci glanced at him in confusion. An ordinary sword moved as nimbly as a water snake in Xie An's hands. The sword's shadow flashed past his eyes, too fast for Xie Shuci to see with his naked eye.

Xie An remained calm, occasionally tilting his head to discern the direction of the enemy's attack by sound, paying no heed to what Xie Shuci, whom he held in his arms, was saying.

Holy crap—you're so handsome!

Sound localization is so cool! He wants to learn that skill too!

Is this blind boy really that skilled with a sword? No wonder these disciples are so wary of him.

After forcing back several disciples, Xie An slipped his fingers into the man's palm and pulled the longsword from his hand. He then tossed it into the air, and the sword's gleam flashed before everyone's eyes. With a clang, the sword tip pierced the ground, and a ripple of sword energy stirred up dust. The once intact stone slab split open from the sword's edge, leaving a crack across the entire street.

Xie An gripped the hilt of his sword with one hand, looked up at the crowd in front of him, his expression calm and composed. The gap divided the battlefield into two areas, and he and Xie Shuci stood on one side.

"Don't act rashly," the Taoist in the green robe shouted at the others, his expression turning grim.

The young man in white stood behind the gap, holding a sword. He held the sword horizontally in front of him, as if to tell everyone that this line was the boundary, and anyone who crossed it would be met with a sword.

Seeing that everyone was staring at Xie An and dared not take another step forward, Xie Shuci, taking advantage of Xie An's power, leaned against him, crossed his arms, and said arrogantly, "Go ahead and try crossing this line if you dare! I don't even need to lift a finger to deal with you. With just one order, this little blind man can have you all decapitated!"

Xie An: "..."

Xie Shuci was enjoying his act when Xie An suddenly dodged him, leaving Xie Shuci without support. He stumbled backward and nearly fell.

Everyone: "..."

Xie Shuci's attempt to show off failed. He grabbed Xie An's shoulder to steady himself, coughed twice to cover his embarrassment, and said seriously, "In short, if you're thinking of taking things from me, Little Blind Man will be the first to disagree!"

Xie Shuci patted Xie An on the shoulder, but the latter pursed his lips and dodged the pat.

"ah--"

At the same time, a man's scream suddenly rang out from the backyard of the inn.

Everyone was startled, and several quick-thinking disciples rushed inside first, followed by the roars of wild beasts from the backyard.

"Is it a demon?" The Taoist in the green robe was shocked and ran into the inn without looking back.

The sudden turn of events stunned Xie Shuci. He recognized the man's voice; it was Chen Cai, the innkeeper.

"Oh no..." Xie Shuci muttered, his face pale. Wasn't that silly dog ​​taken away by the crane? How did it end up here?

He had no time to pay attention to Xie An beside him and hurriedly chased after him inside.

After everyone left, Xie An stood in the empty street, one hand gripping the hilt of his sword. Suddenly, the veins on the back of his hand bulged, and an uncontrollable murderous aura burst forth from his body. The surrounding temperature instantly froze. Two bluebirds flew across the sky, seemingly sensing the dense and surging murderous aura below. They cried out uneasily twice and flapped their wings to fly into the sky as if fleeing for their lives.

But at that moment, the holy white-clad youth under the moonlight made a move. He slowly raised his head, his pupils pitch black, and killing intent surging around him. It was clear that he was trying hard to restrain himself. The killing intent and unparalleled ferocity enveloped his body, forming a black gas mixed with blood-red threads, within which all sorts of vicious desires churned wildly, as if they would completely explode at any moment.

The next moment, a sword light flew into the sky and cut down two panicked bluebirds.

—Controlling one's killing instincts is so difficult.

Thinking of this, the boy's lips curled up, revealing a cold and exquisite smile.

This was probably the first time in his life that he had suppressed his murderous intent.

Under normal circumstances, they would certainly not be allowed to leave a complete corpse.

But……

The boy's face darkened.

Why would he do that?

Isn't it ridiculous that someone who seeks enlightenment through killing avoids killing?

When Xie Shuci arrived, he saw a four-legged beast with jet-black fur standing in the courtyard.

Its body was still covered in wounds, and a thin membrane of sparse spiritual energy formed around it. Because the gathered spiritual energy could not meet the demand, the membrane appeared and disappeared intermittently, as if it were about to disappear at any moment. Even Xie Shuci could see that its body was very weak.

However, the others just stood not far away with their swords drawn, and no one stepped forward for a long time.

"Please..."

A faint sound came from the courtyard. Xie Shuci hid to the side and quietly looked into the courtyard. He saw a bloody and mangled figure lying at the feet of the four-legged beast.

He was covered in blood, as if he had been soaked in it, which made Xie Shuci gasp and hold his breath.

This messed-up world, when will it ever end?

From the man's indistinct clothing and figure, Xie Shuci could tell that he was the shopkeeper.

“I deserve to die... but my son, Adong... is innocent…”

"Please... save him..."

Xie Shuci finally understood. This dog wasn't stupid at all! It had used a trick to deceive Xie Shuci, and hadn't been convinced by him at all. It just wanted to use Xie Shuci to enter the town and seek revenge on Chen Cai. After all, it was seriously injured, and if it waited for the Li family's reinforcements to arrive, it might not have another chance to take revenge.

"I was wrong... I really know I was wrong..."

With his last breath, Chen Cai pleaded desperately.

The demon looked at the figure crawling at its feet, a hint of pity in its eyes.

It did not respond to the dying human's pleas; it wanted revenge for its dead pack dog. However, it was born with a love for humans and never imagined that one day its hands would be stained with human blood.

You admit you were wrong? So what?

After the people on the ground fell silent, it glanced in Xie Shuci's direction, and its beast form gradually blurred, forming a beautiful silver river in the air, like a flowing Milky Way, as it gradually approached Xie Shuci, and finally transformed into an ordinary-sized dog in his arms.

"Woof..." The dog whimpered softly in his arms, and warm blood instantly soaked Xie Shuci's hands. It was so weak that it could barely open its eyes, but it tried to convey something to Xie Shuci with its eyes.

Xie Shuci held it helplessly, and in that instant, he almost felt a connection with it, understanding the wishes it was expressing. His eyes suddenly welled up with tears, and he gritted his teeth, picked up the silly dog, and turned to run into the lobby.

“Chase…” one of the disciples said, coming back to his senses.

Before the words were finished, a long sword flew out of the darkness and landed firmly in the ground. At the entrance of the hall, it silently blocked them all behind Xie Shuci.

"Xie An... the shopkeeper is dead."

Upon seeing the person who arrived, Xie Shuci's helpless emotions seemed to find an outlet, and she unconsciously choked up.

Xie An stood in the middle of the hall, the dim candlelight casting a shadow on his face, his entire body hidden in darkness, only half of his profile blurred, no one knew what he was thinking.

Xie Shuci ran up to the attic with the blood-soaked dog demon in his arms and pushed open A Dong's door.

As the footsteps faded into the distance, Xie An slowly raised his head.

The murderous aura and killing intent emanating from him had completely dissipated.

— Xie Shuci is so timid, he's probably going to cry again.