Chapter 92
The sudden appearance of the voice was rough and unpleasant, yet so deep that it was indistinguishable between male and female, like a ghost, sending chills down one's spine.
In an instant, everyone's gaze turned and looked toward the source of the sound.
Sheng Ningyu also looked in the direction of the sound.
At the edge of the square, a figure in brown had quietly appeared and stood there.
She wore a veil, the light gauze cascading down to her shoulders, obscuring her face. There was not a single jewel or jade on her body, only a long, plain silver hairpin loosely holding up her dark hair, and her simple brown dress was completely out of place amidst the dazzling lights of the room.
But the position she was in was truly ingenious.
Across the shimmering water, where the absurd drama was still unfolding, the woman in brown gazed at the "perfect couple" on the high platform. Coincidentally, what was reflected in the water mirror at that moment were the three clay figurines. The two in the center were leaning against each other, exchanging loving glances, while the third was ragged and huddled on the ground.
Amidst the shimmering water, the images of real people and ceramic figurines are eerily superimposed.
It's like a scene reflected in a water mirror.
"Lord Qi." The voice came through the water curtain, echoing in the emptiness, with a half-smile, "This new play is more respectable than the old one."
In this situation, and with such words...
The guests present all changed their expressions, and they had vaguely guessed the identity of the man in brown. However, intimidated by the city lord's power, they dared not think too deeply about it, let alone reveal it.
If that person truly is present, today's grand ceremony will likely not end well! Qi Baiya's brows furrowed, and the pressure around him suddenly dropped. He gazed at the blurry figure behind the water mirror; the ripples on the water made the veiled figure appear even more indistinct.
He already had a plan in mind, but his tense expression slowly relaxed. His voice was deep and resonant, carrying the demeanor of a city lord and an undeniable power of reassurance. He announced, "Today, all who come are guests."
Qi Baiya paused briefly, his gaze piercing through the water mirror as if it were a tangible object, landing on the figure.
"The past is past. Since you have come to witness the ceremony, please take a seat and share a cup of wine with me."
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent. Everyone held their breath, awaiting the brown-clad man's response. This seemingly generous invitation was in fact a public test, and also an ultimatum.
A cold laugh escaped from the woman in brown.
She didn't look at the ceramic figurines; her phoenix eyes calmly, even with a hint of amusement, stared straight at the intimate couple on the high platform. Finally, her gaze settled on Ning Jiao's face, which was full of "innocence."
"Qi Baiya, you are still so indecisive."
The woman in brown finally turned her gaze to her old friend, her tone as calm as if she were inquiring about the weather, yet every word was chillingly cold:
“If I were you, I would have acted immediately and dealt with the uninvited guest on the steps.” She paused slightly, her light veil fluttering without wind. “But this is for the best.”
Before she finished speaking, she suddenly raised her hand and ripped off the veil on her head!
Beneath that veil, there was a face covered in scars!
"The sword that slays darkness, the beauty that vanishes."
As her rough voice rang out, a jet-black longsword rang out from her sleeve. The sword's aura surged like tangible black ink, instantly shattering the shimmering mirror before her!
Before the splashing spiritual energy could land, the chilling sword energy had already transformed into a dark rainbow, carrying the force to shatter mountains and shake the seas, and rushed straight towards Ning Jiao on the high seat!
"Today, I have come to settle the score with you regarding what happened back then!"
A clear shout pierced the clouds and split rocks, accompanied by a deafening sword cry, completely shattering the false splendor of this grand ceremony.
Even before Yan Wurong lifted the veil, several suppressed gasps rang out from the audience.
It was only because someone had guessed her identity that the gentle and bright face hidden beneath the veil was revealed—not the one everyone remembered. A hideous scar slashed down from her left temple, piercing through her eyebrow and eye, all the way to her right jawline, like a piece of jade porcelain shattered by a master craftsman, utterly destroying her originally perfect bone structure.
Over the years, the loving relationship between the Lord of the Mountain and Sea Never Sleeps City and his wife has been common knowledge. As for his former Daoist partner, who now lives in seclusion in the Half-Site Sect, few people pay attention to her anymore. Even when mentioned, she is merely a minor supporting character in their love story.
These stories don't go into much detail about the scars on the supporting characters.
Yan Wurong usually covers her face with a mask or does other things to conceal it. This is the first time she has fully exposed the scars on her face in public.
Immediately, a clamor of surprise erupted from the guests!
"Ah, senior sister, look at her face...!"
"Who would dare to commit such a heinous act?!"
"The Zhu Hui Sword... I remember that its original name was 'Cut Spring,' just like Lord Qi's 'Hidden Autumn,' they were a pair of precious swords."
"She even changed the name of her natal sword! This is a fight to the death!"
Amidst the uproar caused by the truth of the disfigurement, Yan Wurong's dark rainbow sword energy, imbued with hatred for the disfigurement and years of resentment, tore through the sky and approached Ning Jiao's face!
Ning Jiao's eyes widened in alarm, quickly filling with tears like a frightened fawn. She frantically raised her sword to try and parry, but her hasty defense was as thin as paper against Yan Wurong's well-prepared killing move.
"Clang!"
Although Qi Baiya managed to deflect most of the sword energy with a timely flick of his sleeve, the remaining force still sent her sprawling to the ground.
With a flick of his sleeve, Qi Baiya created a gentle yet solid spiritual energy barrier that instantly enveloped the fallen Ning Jiao, isolating him from the sharp sword energy from the outside world.
Even so, Ning Jiao looked disheveled. Her carefully styled hair was disheveled, several hairpins jingled and fell to the ground, her gorgeous robes were covered in dust, and glistening tears clung to the corners of her eyes, sliding down her pale cheeks.
She was beautiful, and she cried beautifully too. Her tearful, disheveled appearance did not disgust people at all. On the contrary, her pitiful appearance lying on the ground aroused the sympathy of those around her.
“Why go to such lengths…” A cultivator with a soft heart sighed softly, “After all, it’s an old grudge. The beautiful cultivator is now a highly respected senior in the sect. Why bother arguing with a weak woman?”
This scene seems familiar.
Yan Wurong watched coldly, but years had passed, and the anger of the past could no longer be contained.
Looking at Ning Jiao again, her heart remained completely undisturbed.
Yan Wurong: "Who said I only killed her? I'm here today to settle old scores, so naturally I'll kill all those old grudges and people as well!"
The murderous intent emanating from those words startled the cultivator who had just spoken, causing him to tremble and sit down in his chair, no longer daring to utter another word.
“This is a matter between him and me, and it has nothing to do with you. If you want to leave, I will not stop you. If you wish to stay, please be my witness.”
Yan Wurong spoke calmly, and Qi Baiya had also summoned his natal sword "Cangqiu".
He said to the stewards and guards of the city lord's mansion, "You need not interfere."
Yan Wurong smiled knowingly.
Qi Baiya's behavior was exactly what she expected.
This person is indecisive by nature, yet not entirely bad; he always maintains a "gentlemanly and chivalrous spirit" in his words and deeds.
Now that she has no help, Qi Baiya will never ask anyone else for assistance.
Qi Baiya realized that Yan Wurong's attack on Ning Jiao was not fatal, but rather a leisurely toy, like a cat playing with a mouse.
Yan Wurong's true purpose this time was not Ning Jiao, but him.
The celestial music continued to linger in the hall, the fragrance of a hundred flowers remained, and even the array of mirages of mountains and seas that had been set up was still in operation.
But all this meticulously planned arrangement is no longer appreciated by anyone.
Across the banquet table and glasses, the two looked at each other.
"Buzz!"
In the blink of an eye, Qi Baiya drew his sword first!
The surrounding light suddenly dimmed, as if swallowed by the "autumn" aura in his sword. When the violently attacking dark rainbow sword energy touched this area, it was like a mud ox entering the sea, its speed suddenly reduced, its sharpness being gradually diminished, and in the end, it only stirred up a barely perceptible ripple before being completely annihilated.
Yan Wurong's sword strike had been brewing for a long time, and it came with incredible speed and ferocity. Even though Qi Baiya reacted extremely quickly and parried with his sword, the sword energy, which was filled with boundless hatred, could not be completely stopped, let alone fully protect Ning Jiao behind him!
In a flash, Qi Baiya's mind raced, and suddenly his left sleeve swung up, enveloping the panicked Ning Jiao in a gentle spiritual force, propelling her through the air towards the area where Elder Qingniao Yiyehua and his disciples were not far away.
Qi Baiya knew this perfectly well.
Don't be fooled by the fact that the crowd hasn't left yet; they're only doing so out of fear of the Half-Site Sect's power.
Since Yan Wurong dared to come to the Mountain and Sea Never Sleeps City so openly and disrupt his banquet in front of all the cultivators in the world, she must have a backup plan.
And those cold-blooded and mad women of the Half-Body Sect will surely lend her a hand.
Nobody wanted to provoke those lunatics from the Half-Body Sect at this critical juncture.
Although everyone present is there now, they are all watching from the sidelines. Only Qingniao Yiyehua, out of respect for the sect leader's instructions, might still protect Ning Jiao.
However, this time, Qi Baiya miscalculated.
The members of Qingniao Yiyehua usually tolerated the City Lord's wife, who was known for her hypocrisy, out of respect for the sect leader's orders, but in reality, they were already full of complaints. However, before this trip, Feng Qingli surprisingly did not utter a single word of advice to "protect the City Lord's wife."
Since there was no explicit order, the disciples were naturally happy to pretend to be deaf and dumb.
Seeing Ning Jiao being pushed forward by spiritual power, the elders of Qingniao Yiyehua exchanged knowing glances, their hands forming incantations at a leisurely pace, finally managing to weave only a sparse and loose spiritual net.
Although the disciples of Qingniao Yiyehua on both sides symbolically protected Ning Jiao, they actually stepped back slightly, letting her stumble and fall to the ground. Not a single one of them was willing to step forward to help her up.
As for Sheng Ningyu...
She was engrossed in the swordplay of the two players on the field.
One second I was thinking that no matter what kind of person Qi Baiya was, his swordsmanship had never slacked off over the years, and the next second I was applauding Yan Wurong's sword moves.
Yan Wurong's moves were far more unrestrained than when she had fought her that day. Every move was filled with killing intent and carried a resolute determination to destroy everything.
Such intense hatred, so refined that it can even sever space, is it not another kind of pinnacle of swordsmanship?
Sheng Ningyu stared intently at the battle, secretly hoping that Qi Baiya would die on the spot so that Yan Wurong could save her strength and have another good sword fight with her after this matter was over.
As a "Sword Master," Sheng Ningyu naturally possessed a deep passion for swords. As always, she immersed herself in the way of the sword, and for a time, everything she saw and felt was filled with the flowing light of swords and the ever-changing moves.
But inexplicably, this time, looking at Yan Wurong's resolute sword of revenge, which seemed to be forged from life itself, Sheng Ningyu suddenly felt a pang of regret.
I wonder if Xie Qianjing has seen such a unique sword?
Just as Sheng Ningyu was going through her own thoughts, her skirt was tugged by a tiny force.
Sheng Ningyu suddenly came to her senses and quickly looked around out of the corner of her eye. She was surprised to find herself standing at the very front of the disciples of Qingniao Yiyehua.
Sheng Ningyu twitched the corner of her mouth and was about to back away, but when she looked down, she saw Ning Jiao lying at her feet, her slender white fingers supporting her on the ground, struggling to straighten up.
"Fellow Daoist..."
Ning Jiao keenly sensed the distance between Qingniao Yiyehua and the others. In an instant, she shed her usual arrogance and reverted to her pitiful and frail appearance. When she looked up, there were still tears welling up in the corners of her eyes: "I am badly injured and cannot stand up. Could you please help me?"
As she got closer, Sheng Ningyu realized that Ning Jiao's words, "the injury is serious," were not a lie. Blood was slowly seeping from her shoulders, arms, and waist, staining her fine silk robes.
...like when I was a child.
Sheng Ningyu knew that she shouldn't do anything, neither morally nor logically.
But Ning Jiao at this moment looks so much like Jiao Jiao.
When she first joined the sect, she was so young that she always followed behind her, timidly calling her "Senior Sister Ningyu." However, she was a bit unclear in her pronunciation, and her words always sounded like "Senior Sister Ningyue." On several occasions, others overheard this and laughed loudly. For some reason, a fight broke out, which angered Sheng Ningyu, who rushed over upon hearing the news and drew her sword to strike.
Ning Jiaojiao was like that back then, with tears in her eyes, tugging at Sheng Ningyu's sleeve, and saying hesitantly, "Senior sister, I also want to learn swordsmanship."
Sheng Ningyu said, "Okay, I'll teach you!"
I'll teach you.
Sheng Ningyu lowered her eyes and looked at Ning Jiao, who was lying pitifully on the ground.
She felt no joy whatsoever; she was only thinking, "Junior sister, after all these years, how come you still haven't learned swordsmanship?"
However, they learned some things that they shouldn't have learned, much less need to learn.
Ning Jiao knew she was in a bad situation, but she wasn't afraid.
Because all of this may have been beyond Qi Baiya's expectations, but it was entirely within her expectations.
Ning Jiao lowered her eyes, curled her fingers, her body was still trembling, but her eyes were filled with uncontrollable pleasure.
What she wanted to accomplish could be completed today.
Seeing that the disciple of Qingniao Yiyehua whom he had asked for help did not offer any assistance, a hint of mockery flashed in Ning Jiao's eyes.
Just then, a hand with distinct knuckles steadily supported her forearm.
However, before Sheng Ningyu could finish speaking, she was silenced by Ning Jiao's screams and cries of pain!
No longer the perfectly timed sob in her previous words, this scream was extremely shrill, every syllable filled with heart-wrenching pain, as if she had truly been torn to pieces alive!
Qi Baiya, who was exchanging blows with Yan Wurong, was distracted, which made Yan Wurong raise the corners of her lips.
Without hesitation, she swung her sword down: "Speaking of which, it seems that when we formed our marriage contract, we also held a grand banquet with lanterns and decorations."
This was the city lord's mansion, so Qi Baiya naturally took precautions. However, just as he narrowly escaped, he heard Yan Wurong say, "Later, you conspired with Chu Jiye, the head of the Chu family, to use a secret technique to pin all the blame for breaking the marriage contract on me, causing me to be covered in blood and my Dao heart to be completely destroyed..."
This was, after all, the City Lord's Mansion, heavily fortified by Qi Baiya over many years. Just as he narrowly dodged the sharp sword strike, Yan Wurong's voice rang out again, piercing his heart even more deeply than the sword's aura:
"Later, you conspired with Chu Jiye, the head of the Chu family, to use the Chu family's secret techniques to transfer the backlash from the Heavenly Dao that destroyed the marriage contract onto me... causing my face to be stained with blood and my Dao heart to be completely destroyed."
Her voice was soft, yet each word was clear, echoing in the silent square.
"Qi Baiya, back then... I never saw you look so pained."
Qi Baiya's face was ashen, and he simply said, "The past is the past, there's no need to say more."
Even so, the moves of his Hidden Autumn Sword were ultimately a fraction of a second slower.
The originally harmonious and flowing autumn scenery showed a slight, almost imperceptible stagnation.
Everyone present felt a chill run down their spines, knowing that in a duel between cultivators above the Heavenly Authority Realm, victory or defeat could be decided in an instant!
However, to everyone's surprise, Yan Wurong did not take advantage of the situation to launch a fierce attack.
As Qi Baiya slowed his movements, Yan Wurong's swordplay also slowed down. The overwhelming killing intent and hatred in her eyes receded like a tide, replaced by a complex and indescribable emotion.
A few distant hopes and a few tender memories of the past all settled on that "Hidden Autumn" sword.
“Zang Qiu…” Yan Wurong’s lips curled up slightly, her voice calling out the sword’s name was soft, almost like a sigh. For a moment, even the hideous scar on her face seemed to have its edges smoothed by this sudden tenderness. “It has been a long time.”
Yan Wurong's gaze lingered on the ancient sword, as if she could see through it the distant past.
“Autumn is associated with desolation, spring with vitality. Autumn is for storing, spring is for shaping… one gathers and the other releases, one hides and the other reveals.” She murmured, her eyes glistening with a misty light as she looked up. “These two swords were originally our wedding gifts, obtained by our elders when we were betrothed, after they personally went to the Sword Pavilion to request them for us.”
At that moment, the person in front of her no longer seemed to be Yan Wurong, who had come to seek revenge and fight to the death, but had turned back into the girl from many years ago who had been full of expectations for a good marriage.
Suddenly seeing Yan Wurong unleash her killing move, everyone on the field was somewhat bewildered.
Is this a case of trying to bury the hatchet after fighting for a while?
Qi Baiya knew it was impossible, but he still felt a pang of pain in his heart.
The gentle and bright face of the girl from my past dreams is still before me, but when I look up again, it is now a face glistening with tears and covered in scars.
Although Qi Baiya wields the Cangqiu Sword, which signifies "killing intent," he is actually the most indecisive person in his heart.
Especially after the breakup of the marriage contract, he also fell seriously ill. Now, when he hears Yan Wurong reminiscing about the past, even though he knows that there may be less than one ten-thousandth of the truth in her words, his heart still cannot help but sway for a moment.
"Oh, by the way," Yan Wurong said softly under these circumstances, "I brought A Yao with me. Would you like to meet her?"
Qi Baiya suddenly raised his head, and without Yan Wurong saying another word, his gaze had already passed over Yan Wurong's shoulder, and over the guests with different expressions, and landed on the young man not far away.
Kim Hyeon-yo?!
How could it be him?
The moment her gaze fell upon the boy, in a flash, Sheng Ningyu's mind suddenly connected some old words.
When they first recognized each other at Yunwang Palace, Sister Ayan said that Jin Xianyao had a pitiful background. In order to protect his adoptive mother, he stabbed his adoptive father and was seriously injured himself. Later, he was taken in by Old Man Yuan and entrusted to her for guidance.
Similarly, Yan Wurong, as the acting sect leader of the Half-Body Sect, exercised the sect leader's authority when Sister Ayan was unable to appear in person, indicating that the two had an extremely good relationship.
So... perhaps from the very beginning, the cause and effect were reversed.
With nowhere else to turn, Yan Wurong handed Jin Xianyao over to Banbi Sect. Then, Sister Ayan used the name of "Lady Xiang" to make the matter public at Yunwang Palace.
That makes sense.
Looking at the scene on the field, Sheng Ningyu calmly thought that Jin Xianyao's once loving but now bitter adoptive parents were Qi Baiya and Yan Wurong.
Sheng Ningyu understood, but those on the field who were unaware of the inside story were completely confused. However, Yan Wurong didn't care about any of this.
She slowed her movements and looked at the person opposite her.
As long as those who need to understand know who this is, that's enough.
Qi Baiya looked at it carefully.
The hatred and despair surging in his eyes were exactly the same as those deep in his memory!
It can't be wrong... it can't be wrong...
Qi Baiya's steps slowed for a moment, and in an instant, memories came rushing in like a flood bursting its banks.
The boy's desperate sobs still echoed in my ears.
Under the gazes of everyone on the field, Jin Xianyao clenched his fists, the veins on the back of his hands bulging, and spoke slowly and deliberately.
"Lord Qi, City Lord".
Qi Baiya's eyes glazed over for a moment.
The image of that day when this child brandished a knife at me suddenly flashed before my eyes.
That was the first time in Qi Baiya's life that he had been successfully ambushed.
When he lowered his head, he met Kim Hyun-yo's eyes.
Even so, even with a sob in his voice and his whole body trembling, the little child still raised the knife for his foster mother.
The past and the present overlapped, causing Qi Baiya's heart to tremble and his liver and gallbladder to break.
Now!
Yan Wurong's eyes changed, and without further hesitation, she charged straight at Qi Baiya's face with a flash of sword light!
"City Lord!"
"Senior Qi!"
This time, Qi Baiya had no intention of stopping them. Even with the protection of the formation and many stewards, Qi Baiya was still forced to retreat, clutching his chest.
He cried out in anguish, "You've changed... You've even started using our past relationship..."
Before he could finish speaking, Qi Baiya spat out another mouthful of blood.
This sword strike had already shattered his heart meridian!
The composure he had just maintained was gone. Now, Qi Baiya was being supported by others, and he finally showed signs of being frail and dejected.
After spitting out a mouthful of blood, Qi Baiya coughed incessantly, but his coughs were so weak that he could barely speak for a moment.
The entire room fell silent.
In this silence, only the aftershocks of sword energy echoed in the air, along with Yan Wurong's hearty, hoarse laughter.
"Qi Baiya!" Yan Wurong almost laughed until tears streamed down her face. "I told you before, my sword is named 'Zhu Hui'!"
What do you mean by "cutting spring and hiding autumn"?
Now, she can no longer feel the vibrant life of "Cut Spring," nor does she harbor the girlish sentiments of dreaming of autumn.
Execute Hui... Execute Hui!
Yan Wurong now wants to eradicate all hypocrisy and darkness, which naturally includes the shadows hidden beneath the light and shadow of the White Cliff.
The elderly Steward Bai was heartbroken to see the child he had raised with such care in this state. He hesitated to speak to Yan Wurong, who stood with her sword drawn, but couldn't bring himself to say anything hurtful. In the end, he could only sigh, "Why bother?"
One or two people made a mistake and things got to this point.
However, the younger managers wore angry expressions.
Even though the city lord's wife often had her faults, the city lord had always been kind and generous to his subordinates. He suddenly stepped forward, his fingers clenched into fists, and glared angrily at Yan Wurong.
"Sect Leader Yan, you have a sharp tongue! Relying on old feelings, you use words to confuse people's minds. How is winning in this way any different from injuring someone with a hidden arrow? It's not only... it's not only embarrassing, but it's also an unfair victory!"
Before Manager Bai could even speak, Elder Qin of the City Lord's Mansion erupted in fury: "Shut up! Who gave you the right to speak!"
However, to everyone's surprise, Yan Wurong did not refute it.
She had already wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and instead of taking Jin Xianyao's outstretched hand, she looked around at everyone present and nodded frankly in acknowledgment.
"Yes, I deliberately spoke like that and acted subserviently just now in order to evoke Lord Qi's old feelings."
"You are mistaken, old master."
Yan Wurong interrupted the old man, her smile fading, and said, "The reason I acted this way is because back then he used this word 'love' to hurt me so badly."
At this point, Yan Wurong paused slightly, her gaze like a blade of ice, sweeping over Qi Baiya's pale face and the cultivators poised to attack beside him, a cold, sharp curve appearing at the corner of her lips.
Secondly...
Yan Wurong paused, looked around, and then raised her voice, tinged with a hint of disdain, "Even without these old ties, so what?"
To achieve one's goals, one must utilize everything available; what is there that cannot be done with mere past feelings?
"The fact that I was able to defeat him today proves that his will is still weak and that he has made no progress in decades."
Yan Wurong's clear and melodious voice resounded throughout the entire venue, her tone revealing a hint of aloof arrogance, "For the past few decades, I have been constantly strategizing, and this sword strike is the optimal solution to kill him."
Over the decades, she tormented her inner demons, repeatedly reliving the devastating defeat that nearly destroyed her, recalling every move Qi Baiya made that almost ruined her.
Again and again, Yan Wurong relives those humiliating and painful memories, tearing her own flesh apart in an attempt to find a glimmer of hope for survival.
What is this so-called "dignity"? What is this so-called "face"?
What does it matter to her?
She had already crushed those things with her own hands the moment that child stood resolutely in front of her!
Now, killing these two is the only way for her to regain her dignity and eradicate her inner demons!
After today, this moment will not be a humiliation, but rather the supreme glory that Yan Wurong has forged on the Great Dao!
Upon hearing this, some people looked on with admiration, while others frowned deeply.
Regarding his own path, a cultivator dressed in a gray-blue Daoist robe stood up and solemnly cupped his hands to Yan Wurong: "Senior's swordsmanship is sharp and swift, and I admire it. However, using past relationships to manipulate people's hearts is ultimately... not the righteous path. I believe it should not be imitated, much less publicized."
Before the words were finished, a bearded cultivator on the other side slammed his fist on the table and glared angrily at the person who had spoken first: "Absurd! Extraordinary matters require extraordinary measures! If this method had not struck at the heart of the matter, how could it have broken through Lord Qi's defenses so quickly? What mistake has Sect Master Yan made in assessing the situation?"
"Such petty tricks may bring temporary pleasure, but they are ultimately unworthy of serious consideration and are not the proper way for us cultivators to uphold righteousness!"
"Ha, the victor is king and the loser is villain. The result is already clear, so why should you fellow Daoists be bound by formalities?"
For a time, opinions were divided among the guests, and they even started arguing about the "Great Way".
As the center of everyone's discussion, Yan Wurong simply stood there with a smile.
She even nodded slightly from time to time, as if she were listening attentively to everyone's opinions. She seemed to have an extremely good temper, with no trace of the hostility and resentment she had shown earlier. She was so peaceful that it was almost eerie.
At first, some cultivators did not understand what it meant, until they glanced at Qi Baiya, whose face was ashen and whose aura was weak, and then they slowly realized what it meant.
Yes, why should Yan Wurong get angry and resentful because of their words?
The person she wanted to kill was already barely alive, and the outcome was already before her eyes.
The result was clear: she was the winner. Having achieved her goal, the opinions and criticisms of others were nothing more than a passing breeze or the chirping of insects to her.
Once you've heard it, forget it; why dwell on it?
However, Qi Baiya had no prior grudges against them, and now that he was so severely injured with his heart meridians shattered, it was inevitable that some people would sigh.
"It's better to resolve enmity than to perpetuate it. Now that Sect Leader Yan has avenged her great enemy, why dwell on it any longer?"
This statement was not entirely directed at Qi Baiya.
They must be in the City That Never Sleeps now. Yan Wurong has already shattered Qi Baiya's meridians. If she were to make another move, she probably wouldn't gain any advantage.
Yan Wurong was not someone who couldn't distinguish between good and evil. She nodded slightly to the old man from the Weapon Refining Sect and said, "Thank you for your kindness."
Yan Wurong turned her sword and aimed it directly at Qingniao Yiyehua.
She said in a calm tone, "There's one person left."
The stewards and elders of the city lord's mansion immediately felt a chill in their hearts.
Qi Baiya considered the worst-case scenario: he couldn't stop Yan Wurong.
Even so, he still tried to use his own life to exchange for Ning Jiao's slim chance of survival, even in the worst-case scenario.
The previously silent Steward Bai slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his eyes were filled with determination. He moved slightly, and finally used his spiritual power to stand in front of the disheveled Ning Jiao.
The old steward, who had watched Qi Baiya grow up, bowed deeply to Yan Wurong, who stood with her sword in hand, his back almost bent to the ground.
"Sect Master Yan," he said in a hoarse voice, with the slow, deliberate tone characteristic of the elderly, "I know that this woman has been unruly and has repeatedly offended you, for which she deserves to die a thousand deaths. However... she is, after all, a member of the Sword Pavilion, the former junior disciple of the Returning Sea Sword Master, and now the junior sister of the Bright Moon Sword Master."
Manager Bai raised his head, his gaze earnest yet carrying an undeniable air of solemnity: "Just a few days ago, the acting Pavilion Master of the Sword Pavilion, Immortal Rong Que, visited our city several times to see her. Furthermore, a few days ago, Sword Venerable Sheng Ningyu of the Bright Moon Sword also appeared in the city. I am but a humble man, and my words carry little weight; I dare not presume to deal with the people of the Sword Pavilion."
These words effectively turned the words "Sword Pavilion" into an invisible barrier, standing between Yan Wurong and Ning Jiao.
Even though Steward Bai had said so, Yan Wurong still killed Ning Jiao in front of everyone, which angered not only the City Lord's Mansion, but also the Sword Pavilion.
At this point, the meaning is clear.
But Steward Bai bowed deeply again, his tone even more respectful: "I humbly request the Sect Master to inform the Sword Pavilion first. We can make a decision once the Sword Pavilion representatives arrive..."
"The person in charge need not stop her."
A soft, gentle voice interrupted Steward Bai.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Ning Jiao actually stepped out from behind the crowd's cover.
She staggered, and somehow found herself running to Qi Baiya's side. The embroidered gold hem of her skirt was stained with the blood Qi Baiya had vomited, the pale color blending with the scarlet, and the blood still flowing from Ning Jiao's body, making for a particularly shocking sight.
Ning Jiao was held in Qi Baiya's arms, and said with her head down, "In the past, I was disrespectful and angered Sect Master Yan, so much so that Sect Master Yan wants to kill me today. It is my own fault, and I have no complaints."
Sheng Ningyu glanced at Ning Jiao a few times, feeling that something was amiss.
"However, I have a question that I would like to ask Sect Master Yan to answer, so that I can die knowing the truth."
Sheng Ningyu clearly saw Yan Wurong about to draw her Zhu Hui sword, but for some reason, she put it back.
She said, "Ask away."
Ning Jiao said, "The city lord and I have set up many formations inside and outside this mansion. Among them, only guests with invitations can go, and the remaining guests who come voluntarily must verify their identity."
Upon hearing Ning Jiao's words, not only did Yan Wurong's gaze turn icy, but even the guests present shook their heads in disbelief.
However, with the abilities of half the sect, wouldn't it be easy to forge or seize an invitation letter?
Yan Wurong paused almost imperceptibly with her sword in hand, and finally looked up to meet her gaze.
Ning Jiao had raised his head at some point, and his face was filled with an almost innocent smile as he stared straight at her.
"Sect Master Yan, there's no need to be nervous. It won't really matter." Ning Jiao shook her head with a smile, her blood-stained hair sticking to her cheek. "That talisman is a little gadget that my senior sister created in her early years. It can't hurt anyone, so it won't be easily discovered. Even if it's triggered, it will only... cause certain things to accidentally reveal their true forms."
As she spoke, her fingers unconsciously stirred the pool of blood beneath her, making a soft, sticky sound.
Yan Wurong's pupils contracted sharply. Without giving her a chance to say another word, the Zhu Hui sword hummed again, and the killing move was unleashed instantly!
However, this time, something absorbed the sword intent even faster!
Yan Wurong suddenly raised her head, only to meet Ning Jiao's eerie smile.
She mouthed to Yan Wurong: "It's done."
The next second, centered on Ning Jiao, the winding bloodstains on the ground seemed to come alive instantly, turning into countless scarlet threads that spread rapidly.
Almost simultaneously, in the guest section, in the Chu family's direction, Chu Le, standing next to Feng Qingxing, seemed to be pulled by an invisible force, and his whole body was about to fly off the ground!
Fortunately, Feng Qingxing reacted quickly, grabbing his arm tightly. However, in the brief moment of the struggle, something unexpectedly broke free from Chu Le's embrace and rose into the air!
The mirror flipped, and before the chaotic light had fully illuminated, an irresistible suction force descended upon it.
Sheng Ningyu didn't even hear the exclamations around her or Ning Jiao's subsequent words. The scenery before her eyes suddenly distorted and blurred, as if the entire space had been brutally crushed by an invisible hand. In a dizzying moment, she was forcefully dragged into the formation by that immense force!
In the last second before she closed her eyes, a thought suddenly appeared in Sheng Ningyu's mind.
She underestimated Ning Jiao.
Her seemingly hasty and disheveled fall, the blood staining her skirt, her helpless words… every step was calculated. Even the Yin-Yang Mirror, which requires the spiritual power of the Chu family to use, the blood shed by Qi Baiya from his serious injuries, and even the words of "demon" that she had deliberately provoked Yan Wurong earlier, were probably all part of her plan.
Over the years, Ning Jiao has indeed learned many unexpected "new things".
However, Sheng Ningyu still couldn't figure it out in the end.
What exactly is her junior sister planning with all this painstaking effort?
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Author's Note: [Sunglasses][Sunglasses][Sunglasses]
Kim Hyeon-yo's background is mentioned in Chapter 17.
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