Chapter 16, or maybe not Chapter 16...

Chapter Sixteen doesn't seem to be it.

"What on earth is going on?" Yu Canghai roared in fury as he looked at the so-called Evil-Repelling Sword Manual that his disciples had worked so hard to snatch. "Where did this thing come from?"

"Reporting to the sect leader, this was stolen from others," the Four Heroes of Qingcheng replied.

Starting last night, sword manuals for exorcising evil spirits began to appear inexplicably in Fuzhou City, and there was more than one. At first, everyone thought it was a joke, after all, what sword manual would start by telling someone to castrate themselves? It was obviously not a legitimate sword manual.

But some people are always curious, especially those who secretly gathered in Fuzhou City because they knew some information. They originally came for Lin Yuantu's Evil-Repelling Sword Technique, and now that there is an Evil-Repelling Sword Manual in front of them, even if they find it absurd after reading the beginning, some people will still take a look.

They were immediately captivated. Although the beginning of the sword manual was utterly absurd, the content itself was indeed exquisitely crafted. Before this, they knew that swordsmanship could be practiced in this way. As they read, some of them became eager to try and learn the sword moves from the manual.

Because they were unwilling and dared not castrate themselves, these people could only practice the sword techniques. Then, they became completely absorbed in them. The sword techniques were truly exquisite, and their power when used was astonishing.

If this is indeed the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual, it's no wonder that Lin Yuantu was able to become famous in the martial arts world back then with it.

As soon as some people started practicing the sword techniques, others couldn't sit still any longer. One by one, they all realized that the Evil-Slaying Sword Manual seemed to be genuine! Once they knew it was real, even the closest friends, brothers, and fellow disciples began to turn against each other, determined to get their hands on the manual.

Rather than everyone striving for success together, it's naturally better to be successful on your own, so why wouldn't you grab it? Some even turned on those closest to them, who were once their beloved family and friends.

After learning about this incident, Linghao silently recalled the saying, "You have to pay extra for your dearest friends and family."

In the ensuing struggle, these martial artists discovered that there wasn't just one copy of the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual; they had even compared them, and although the handwriting differed, the content was identical. Those who had harmed their loved ones were devastated, jumping up and down in a tirade of curses.

A single copy of the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual would naturally be fought over, but if there were a dozen or twenty copies, there would be no need for such fighting. However, it was too late for them to regret it now; the deed was done, the decision was their own, and there was no room for regret.

It was precisely because of this commotion that the Four Heroes of Qingcheng learned of the Evil-Slaying Sword Manual, so they tried to steal it. These Four Heroes of Qingcheng were clever; they knew that the four of them alone might not be able to seize it, so they used the lower-ranking disciples of the Qingcheng Sect as scapegoats, and that's how they managed to steal a copy.

The four of them worked together to seize the sword manual, but when it came down to just the two of them, their unity crumbled, and each had their own agenda. For a time, none of them could prevail over the others, so they handed the Evil-Slaying Sword Manual over to Yu Canghai.

Yu Canghai was originally waiting for Lin Zhennan and his wife to back down. Once they did, the sword manual would be his. Thinking of this, Yu Canghai was filled with joy.

Although Lin Zhennan and his wife might not compromise, it didn't matter. As long as he killed everyone from the Fuwei Escort Agency, he would get the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual sooner or later. All his calculations completely collapsed when Yu Canghai saw the Evil-Repelling Sword Manuals everywhere—though there weren't actually any—and his rationality collapsed as well.

The Four Heroes of Qingcheng dared not speak any further, fearing that if they continued, they would become Yu Canghai's punching bag, and might even lose their lives.

"Come on, come with me to Fuwei Escort Agency." Yu Canghai gripped the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual tightly in his hand, his eyes bloodshot. If Lin Zhennan and his wife were in front of him right now, they might be dead at his hands.

"Yes, Sect Leader."

On the other side, Gongzi Yu also had a copy of the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual in his hand, and he was already sitting in a carriage leaving Fuzhou. After flipping through it, a smile appeared in his eyes, "A bit clever."

He figured it out after a moment's thought. Knowing that Ling Hao wanted to help Fuwei Escort Agency, he guessed that Ling Hao was helping Lin Zhennan and his wife break the deadlock. This method was somewhat unexpected, and although it caused some minor troubles, it was indeed a way to break the deadlock.

Gongzi Yu casually tossed aside the Evil-Slaying Sword Technique, which was coveted by many in the martial arts world, without a second thought. Indeed, the Evil-Slaying Sword Technique was exquisite enough, but it was not enough for him, especially since it was a flawed sword manual.

If given the right person to practice it, it might be quite effective. But in his presence, the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual is indeed useless. Wait… Gongzi Yu suddenly thought of something, then rolled up the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual and casually tossed it out of the carriage.

"Yu Qin, send this sword manual to the capital."

Yu Qin was already standing near the carriage; she caught the sword manual the moment it was thrown. "Yes, young master."

The wheels rolled forward, traveling on the official road leading away from Fuzhou.

Just as they were leaving the city, a horse brushed past the caravan. The rider was dressed in a red dress, looking like a lady from a wealthy family, but the hands holding the reins were those of someone who had practiced martial arts. The rider wore a veiled hat and looked back once the caravan was far away.

In front of the Fuwei Escort Agency, Yu Canghai and his men stood menacingly blocking the gate, preventing anyone from entering or leaving. "Lin Zhennan, you get out here!"

Yu Canghai, who could still put on a show, couldn't keep up the act when he saw the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual all over the city. He looked so angry that he wanted to kill someone.

"Isn't it inappropriate for Sect Leader Yu to be so aggressive?"

"The Qingcheng Sect really has a big ego. This time they made the chief镖头 of Fuwei Escort Agency come out, but who knows who they'll make come out next time."

Before today, the other martial arts figures, though in Fuzhou, all stood by and watched. They watched as Yu Canghai threatened the Fuwei Escort Agency, not caring whether the agency would perish; they even wanted to reap some benefits from Yu Canghai's actions.

Today, however, because the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual has appeared everywhere, they have stepped forward, acting as if they are upholding the code of the martial world.

Lin Pingzhi, watching all this from behind the gate, sneered inwardly. (Author's note:)

----------------------

New character appears