123: Chapter 123 The almost overwhelming demonic cult army, annihilated just like that?

"In that case, your subject shall take his leave first to return and reorganize military affairs."

"Granted. You may go."

With Emperor Mingde's order, Lei Mengsha bowed and withdrew from the main hall, departing with steady steps.

"Your Majesty," Head of the Five Grand Eunuchs appeared quietly and reported in a low voice, "I have heard that the Pillar State Great General has already secretly sent his family members across the border."

Emperor Mingde's gaze was like a blade as it suddenly swept toward her.

Head of the Five Grand Eunuchs felt a chill in her heart and quickly lowered her head and eyes, not daring to say more.

...

Above Sword Heart Tomb, the sounds of killing rose from all sides, and the air was thick with the scent of blood.

King Li Su stood on a high platform, his eyes slightly narrowed, holding a long sword with a chilling light as he stared at the purple-robed figure ahead.

To be able to face him head-on at such a young age without falling into a disadvantage—this Demonic Cult truly hid dragons and tigers.

"Mr. Li," Marquis Ziyi spoke, his tone carrying a hint of respect, "Our Cult Leader admires you greatly.

The sword-casting techniques of Sword Heart Tomb are unsurpassed in the world. Now that our cult is unstoppable, if you are willing to submit, you can not only preserve the lives of your Disciples but also share in our great undertaking."

In truth, he already felt wary—this world-renowned sword-casting Grandmaster actually possessed a cultivation level nearly equal to that of a Sword Immortal.

King Li Su chuckled and shook his head, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield. "There is no need.

Sword Heart Tomb has stood independent for a hundred years, relying on no power, and it will not start bowing its head today."

Although the Disciples of the sect were each brave and their Sharp Weapons could cut through iron like mud, they were outnumbered, and a long battle would surely lead to danger.

While he was pondering, he suddenly heard a clear, long cry from the sky, like a Phoenix wailing in the nine heavens.

Immediately after, a massive phantom tore through the clouds, and a Giant Roc emerged across the sky, its wings spreading to blot out the sunlight as it hovered above Sword Heart Tomb.

In an instant, all sounds fell silent.

The fighting stopped, weapons fell to the ground, and everyone looked up in a daze, as if facing the majesty of heaven and earth, their very breathing coming to a standstill.

Marquis Ziyi's pupils shrank violently as the secret report he had just received flashed through his mind. He immediately understood who had arrived and turned to retreat without hesitation.

The Demonic Cult army scattered like a receding tide, withdrawing in an instant.

King Li Su stood frozen in place, looking at the sky and murmuring to himself, "The rumors are true. Seeing it once is better than hearing it a hundred times..."

He already knew who had descended and guessed that his granddaughter must be among them.

Su Rui looked down at the fleeing remnants and turned his head toward Li Hanyi beside him.

"Teacher, how should we handle them?" Li Hanyi understood and asked softly.

Su Rui smiled indifferently. "Life and death are determined by fate; let's see what their fortune holds."

Before his voice had even faded, the Giant Roc's wings gave a violent flap. A furious wind swept out like a rising tornado, sweeping all the fleeing members of the Demonic Cult into the air and tossing them toward the unknown wilderness.

Some people's screams hadn't even ended before they vanished beyond the horizon.

King Li Su stared at this scene in a daze, the shock in his heart difficult to calm.

That aggressive Demonic Cult army that had nearly overran the borders—it had vanished just like that?

Even if they weren't completely annihilated, their casualties must be extremely heavy.

Marquis Ziyi struggled to survive within the storm, his heart filled with absolute horror—this person's strength far exceeded what the intelligence had recorded! With such methods, even thousands of troops were nothing more than crumbling dust.

...

Having repelled the enemy with a single strike, Su Rui had no further intention of pursuing them.

If a few survived, that was their fate.

A moment later, the Giant Roc phantom dissipated, and Su Rui, accompanied by Li Hanyi and the others, slowly landed.

King Li Su stepped forward, his first gaze falling upon Su Rui.

This person's aura was calm, yet it faintly exuded a presence that stood above all living beings.

He understood clearly in his heart—this must be that mysterious figure from the recent rumors circulating among all parties.

Afterward, his gaze fell upon Li Xinyue and Li Hanyi.

"Father!" Li Xinyue leaped lightly in front of him. Seeing him still holding his sword, a flash of heartache crossed her eyes.

"So you still know to come back?" King Li Su spoke with a stern face, but his voice held little anger.

"Aren't I back now? There's no need for Father to be upset." Li Xinyue pursed her lips and smiled, actually acting like a spoiled child as she did when she was young.

"How old are you now, still playing these little tricks?" King Li Su spoke with feigned disdain, but his expression had already softened.

He casually handed his sword to a nearby Disciple, then took Lei Wujie from his daughter's arms, holding him and examining him closely.

Looking at the child's chubby little face, his expression finally turned gentle.

"Since everything is fine, why didn't you bring my grandson for me to see earlier? Where is that kid Lei Mengsha? When he gets back, I'll have to give him a good lesson!"

"My husband is still in Tianqi and couldn't travel with us," Li Xinyue explained with a smile.

"Hmph, I'll settle the score with him later!"

After speaking, he turned toward Su Rui, who was walking over slowly, and solemnly cupped his fists.

"Your Excellency must be the master of the Nameless Martial Arts School in Snow Moon City. I have long heard of your great name; it is truly an honor to meet you today."

"Senior, you flatter me." Su Rui returned the salute naturally, not acting distant.

After all, his relationship with Li Hanyi was extraordinary, and they would inevitably be seeing each other often in the future.

"Hanyi, this girl, thanks to your care all these years," King Li Su said sincerely, his tone full of gratitude.

Looking at the graceful Li Hanyi, who had already grown into a young woman, King Li Su couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.

Li Hanyi's cheeks felt slightly warm, and for a moment, she didn't know how to mention her relationship with Su Rui to her grandfather.

"Let's go home first before we talk."

Now was not the place for conversation, especially since there were still a lot of matters to clean up on the battlefield.

On the way back, Li Xinyue quietly told her father about the current relationship between Su Rui and her daughter.

King Li Su froze on the spot.

He had originally thought that for Su Rui to have such cultivation, he must be older than himself, likely a hidden expert for many years.

But hearing that the other party was only in his early twenties, he was instantly stunned.

He couldn't help but mock himself, feeling like he had lived all these years in vain.

How could there be such a huge gap between people?

In the past, he considered his martial arts attainments to be quite good—though most of his focus was on sword casting and practicing was just a side job, he had still reached the Great Carefree Realm.

Now, compared to Su Rui, he felt utterly ashamed, to the point where even speaking felt redundant.

While lamenting, his heart suddenly stirred as he remembered something: the two legendary ancient swords in Su Rui's hands—Chenying and containing light.

Once the thought arose, his gaze involuntarily fell upon the sword at Su Rui's waist.

It was a long sword with an extremely ancient design, its body exuding an aura of time's accumulation.

As a master sword-caster, King Li Su noticed its extraordinariness at a single glance, and his eyes gradually glazed over.

Once everyone was seated in the inner hall of Sword Heart Tomb, King Li Su could no longer hold back. He cleared his throat and spoke cautiously:

"Um... Mr. Su, I wonder if I might have the fortune to take a look at the Chenying Sword?"

Although he already knew Su Rui was his granddaughter's partner, the other party's strength was unfathomable, so he still spoke with a hint of respect.

Su Rui understood his thoughts; a person who casts swords naturally finds it hard to resist legendary weapons.

So he reached out, took the long sword from the table, and tossed it over gently.

King Li Su caught it steadily with both hands. The moment his palm touched the scabbard, his eyes instantly lit up, and even his fingers were trembling slightly.

He slowly stroked the mottled scabbard, his fingertips tracing the ancient inscriptions and patterns on it, as if he were touching the frost and wind of a thousand years ago, completely immersed in it.

The others did not rush him, waiting quietly.

After a long time, King Li Su slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, gripped the hilt, and pulled with force—however, the sword blade did not move an inch.

He was stunned.

Divine weapons have spirits; he knew this better than anyone.

He himself had forged sentient swords, and only those recognized by the sword could draw it.

But within Sword Heart Tomb, he could command any spiritual sword, no matter what kind, and had long been used to it.

Failing this time made him freeze, and he then looked up at Su Rui with a plea for help in his eyes.

"Hanyi, draw the sword for your grandfather."

Su Rui spoke calmly.

Li Hanyi responded and stepped forward, taking the long sword.

Under King Li Su's expectant gaze, she placed her hand on the hilt.

This scene also made Li Xinyue hold her breath in concentration.

She had not personally seen this sword before, but as the daughter of King Li Su and the successor of Northern Li's premier sword-casting family, she naturally knew the origins of containing light and Chenying.

These two swords were said to have been held by the Emperor of Shang and were two of the 'Three Swords' mentioned by Confucius.

Most people thought they were just parables and didn't actually exist.

Who would have thought that today, one would actually appear in the hands of her future son-in-law.

King Li Su stared unblinkingly at the sword, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly.

When he heard his daughter mention Chenying earlier, his heart had yearned for it.

If not for the turbulent situation, he would have personally gone to Snow Moon City to request a meeting.

After all, his granddaughter was there, so he should have had a chance to catch a glimpse of the divine weapon.

For someone who had spent his entire life studying the Dao of sword-casting, such an ancient sword was more heart-stirring than any treasure in the world.

Clang—

A light sound, clear and melodious, echoed through the hall.

With just this sound of the sword leaving its scabbard, King Li Su's breathing hitched.

A truly good sword can often reveal heaven and earth through its details.

Over the years, countless Sharp Weapons had passed through his hands, but there had never been one that could capture a person's soul just by the sound of being drawn.

A faint light rose from the sword guard.

As Li Hanyi slowly drew the blade, everyone in the hall—King Li Su, Li Xinyue, and even several Sword Heart Tomb Elders—stared in a daze.

Even Lei Wujie, who had been pouting and about to cry, forgot his emotions, tears still hanging on his face, his eyes staring blankly at the unsheathed blade.

It was an exquisitely elegant sword, like a gentle gentleman standing quietly outside the mortal world.

As the light in the hall fell upon it, the sword blade seemed almost transparent, with a restrained brilliance flowing through it.

The ancient carvings were like winding dragons, as if they might take flight at any moment.

If one did not look closely, the sword shadow seemed blurred and difficult to grasp.

Just by being held lightly in Li Hanyi's hand, as the breeze in the hall brushed against the blade, it made a faint sound like shifting sand.

Everyone held their breath and watched as she held the Chenying Sword level before King Li Su, coming to a steady stop.

Only then did King Li Su wake up as if from a dream. He hurriedly stood up and repeatedly wiped his hands with his sleeves, as if afraid his fingertips might be stained with dust and desecrate something.

Then, he respectfully stepped forward with both hands and carefully took the ancient sword.

Ordinary people simply could not comprehend what kind of weight this sword held in King Li Su's heart.

It was a faith—

Like a devout worshiper suddenly seeing a deity descend before them, his heart and soul trembled.

"At the junction of dawn and dusk, amidst the interplay of twilight's light and shadow, looking north, it seems to exist yet not, flickering in and out, its form hard to distinguish.

Touching it produces a faint sound; it pierces objects silently without damaging them."

He gazed at the Chenying Sword lying quietly in his palms, his voice trembling slightly as he slowly recited the records about this sword from ancient texts.

"I have forged iron and cast swords for dozens of autumns, and I always thought these words were but hollow legends. How could such a divine object appear in the mortal world? Now I know that it was my vision that was narrow, staying in one place and being ignorant!"