128: Chapter 128 What if we win? What if we lose?

The three Mohists' expressions changed drastically, their eyes all landing on King Li Su.

Since the Ancestral Master of the Mohist School founded the Sect, Mechanism Techniques have been the Foundation of their establishment, passed down through generations, building the Mohists' illustrious reputation.

They firmly believed this craft was enough to contend with thousands of troops; if not for the pressure of the times, why would they have traveled far to Northern Li? Their original plan was to evade Great Qin's pursuit and wait for the right Opportunity to join forces with the Northern Li Imperial Dynasty for a grand scheme.

Unfortunately, they arrived too late and had to find another way.

Now, temporarily borrowing the strength of the Sword Heart Tomb Disciples and using Mechanical Beasts to participate in the Demonic Cult's Eastern Expedition was considered a second-best option—once the war settled, what was lost could always be recovered.

But now, they had hit a wall at the very first step.

"Our Mohist Mechanism Techniques can not only create various apparatuses but also refine many types of Mechanical Beasts, and even construct a Mechanism City that can defend against ten thousand enemies based on the terrain!"

Yan Dan spoke with passion, as if grasping for a final thread of hope.

"Then did your Mechanism City stop the iron cavalry of Great Qin?"

King Li Su's tone was cold, almost on the verge of ordering them to leave.

The words were at the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed them back because of a sentence from Su Rui.

Everyone's gaze then turned toward Su Rui.

"Who are you?"

Yan Dan's face darkened slightly.

"I am just a visitor at the Sword Heart Tomb."

Su Rui smiled faintly, meeting Yan Dan's eyes and nodding slightly.

"It seems Great Qin hasn't found your Mechanism City hidden deep in the mountains yet, otherwise you wouldn't have the leisure to come to Northern Li to stir up trouble."

His tone was casual, but every word was like a needle.

"As a guest, this matter has nothing to do with Your Excellency."

Yan Dan cupped his hands in farewell and turned to look at King Li Su.

"Wait, I have the final say, and I listen to him."

King Li Su waved his hand quickly and pointed at Su Rui, his expression frank.

At this, Yan Dan's gaze immediately became solemn.

To have King Li Su make such a statement, what exactly was this person's background?

He carefully observed Su Rui's clothing, then glanced at Li Hanyi and Mu Liangyue beside him, a hint of doubt rising in his heart.

"It seems Your Excellency knows the Mohists, and even Great Qin, very well?"

"I know a thing or two," Su Rui smiled with effortless grace.

"Since you understand, you should realize the weight of Mohist Mechanism Techniques.

This deal will definitely not let you lose out."

Yan Dan's tone grew heavier, carrying a bit of persistence.

"Not lose out? But this is the Sword Heart Tomb; we have no interest in mechanisms."

Su Rui still smiled calmly.

That nonchalant manner finally ignited a fire in Yan Dan's heart.

These people actually looked down on the Mohists so much?

They hadn't even provided a seat, clearly treating them as mere passersby.

But he ultimately restrained his anger—after all, he was on someone else's territory.

"Since there is no intention to cooperate, then so be it."

Yan Dan spoke coldly.

"Grand Master of the Mohists! How can we give up so easily?"

Master Xu and Gao Jianli spoke urgently at the same time.

Currently, the situation in Northern Li was chaotic, and there were very few potential partners with both influence and strength.

They had originally wanted to go to Wushuang City, but heard that the main force of the Demonic Cult had already approached the city gates.

If they rashly entered the battlefield, the small force they brought would likely be wiped out in an instant.

If this trip failed to gain enough assistance from the Sword Heart Tomb, wouldn't it be a wasted journey?

"If the Sword Heart Tomb is unwilling, how can the Mohists force it?"

Yan Dan spoke magnanimously, but his surrounding Aura was low and oppressive, revealing a gloomy sense of frustration.

Amidst this stalemate, Master Xu suddenly stepped forward with cupped fists.

"I heard that Your Excellency is skilled in sword forging?"

His gaze was directed straight at King Li Su.

"Naturally, this old man's sword-forging skills are quite commendable."

King Li Su did not hold back, a flash of pride in his eyes.

"What a coincidence, I am also skilled in this path. Why don't we have a match?"

The corners of Master Xu's mouth curled slightly.

"A competition?" King Li Su frowned slightly.

"Not to determine victory or defeat, but only to appreciate and critique."

Master Xu explained with a smile.

"Oh? How shall we critique?"

King Li Su became interested.

Master Xu took the Shuihan Sword from Gao Jianli's hand with slow, gentle movements.

Gao Jianli watched blankly, unable to grasp his Master's intention for a moment, but his heart tightened inexplicably—he felt that this sword might not be staying with him much longer.

Master Xu held the sword with both hands, acting with great solemnity.

"This sword was forged by my own hands and is named Shuihan.

The Sword Heart Tomb is a century-old prestigious sword-forging family. May I ask if there are three swords that can rival this one?"

A sharp light flickered in his eyes, seemingly with deep meaning.

Forging a peerless famous sword always requires the perfect alignment of Opportunity, skill, and state of mind.

Before setting out, he had already made detailed inquiries.

This King Li Su was known as the number one sword forger in Northern Li.

But looking into it, the only ones truly passed down were the "Four Elegant Swords" forged in his youth.

In the many years since, there had been no more stunning works.

And those four swords, according to Su Rui's knowledge, probably couldn't even compare to the Shuihan Sword.

Hearing Master Xu mention the sword competition, King Li Su immediately understood—so this was the contest he was talking about.

This time, Master Xu had truly run into an expert.

Glancing at the several weapons lying quietly on the sword rack in the room, King Li Su shook his head slightly.

"What if you win? What if you lose?" he spoke indifferently.

Su Rui suddenly smiled: "If we lose, we will naturally leave and not pester you; if you lose, you must give us an Opportunity to work together."

Master Xu didn't care when he heard this, full of confidence.

"What, are all sword forgers this conceited?" Su Rui looked at King Li Su, his tone playful.

"No, no, no!" King Li Su waved his hand quickly, "Don't you know me? I've always been very low-key."

This exchange made the three Mohists look at each other—what exactly was this young man's background?

Su Rui's expression was calm as he continued: "If you lose, leave the Shuihan Sword behind; if we lose, the Three Thousand Sword Array Disciples will be under your command, plus ten thousand Fine Iron Swords for you to choose from."

As the words fell, Master Xu's heart jolted.

The confidence in those words... could it be they really had a chance of winning?

Before he could change his mind, Su Rui's sleeves fluttered lightly.

In an instant, the hiding edge lying on the table, the sword name in its scabbard, and the containing light hidden in Li Hanyi's sleeve all soared into the air, floating before Master Xu.

The originally plain hiding edge now shimmered with spiritual light, its sharpness so piercing it almost made eyes close.

Just by looking at the Aura, the Shuihan Sword was already overshadowed.

When his gaze moved to containing light and sword name, his body shook violently, and then again.

"containing light... sword name?!" He cried out in shock, his voice changing pitch.

Shock surged into his heart like a tide.

Yan Dan's eyes widened, and Gao Jianli's heart sank even further, feeling a vague sense of dread.

Master Xu stared blankly at the three swords before him, then looked down at the Shuihan in his hand, his expression dazed.

Then, he slowly turned his head to look at Gao Jianli.

Lost.

Lost completely and utterly.

He never expected the Sword Heart Tomb to hide such a Foundation.

He could hardly believe that the legendary containing light and sword name had actually appeared here.

Su Rui's fingertip moved slightly, and the Shuihan Sword fell into his palm as the other three swords quietly returned to their places.

Gao Jianli felt his whole body go numb—his personal sword was just gone like that.

Master Xu's eyes were dull, and Yan Dan's fingers trembled slightly.

"How about... another match? Betting the Mohist Grand Master of the Mohists's ink eyebrow?" Su Rui suddenly laughed.

"No need, farewell!" Yan Dan gripped ink eyebrow tightly, veins bulging, and cupped his hands before turning to leave.

Master Xu's gaze lingered reluctantly on hiding edge and sword name, then he saw Su Rui hand Shuihan back to Li Hanyi; his face turned red and white, extremely embarrassed.

Gao Jianli followed behind Yan Dan in a daze, his footsteps unsteady.

"My son-in-law seems quite disdainful of those three?" Li Xinyue suddenly said softly.

Su Rui paused and glanced at Li Hanyi.

They really were mother and daughter; even their tone when asking questions was identical.

"Yan Dan is the Crown Prince of the Yan State, which was destroyed by Qin Emperor Ying Zheng back then," he said in a low voice, not saying much more.

Li Xinyue understood instantly.

Another poor soul with a tragic fate and an obsession with restoring his country.

Great Qin's power is strong; when the nest is overturned, how can any eggs remain intact?

No wonder they were dejected all the way.

"Since you don't care for this sword, why did you keep it?" she asked again.

"It just happens to suit my Disciple," Su Rui smiled faintly. "When he returns, I'll give it to him."

Li Xinyue nodded gently.

...

After the three left the Sword Heart Tomb, they traveled swiftly.

"Xiao Gao, this matter... I didn't expect it either," Master Xu said in a low voice, his expression complex.

Although Shuihan was forged by his own hands, it now belonged to Gao Jianli.

"Master Xu, please don't take it to heart," Gao Jianli took a deep breath, forcing a slight smile.

"When we return, I will forge another one for you," Master Xu said, though he lacked confidence.

Shuihan was a result of a fortuitous natural occurrence; how could there be a logic to forging a second identical famous sword in the world?

He himself wasn't sure if he could forge another sword of the same Rank.

"Then thank you, Master," Gao Jianli replied softly.

Yan Dan listened to their conversation and silently pulled down his bamboo hat.

"Let's go, to Wushuang City, we must move quickly."

If this place doesn't work out, there are other paths to find.

Outside Wushuang City, Ye Dingzhi stood on a high slope, a dark red light glimmering deep in his eyes as he stared at the towering city walls, his expression as cold as frost.

Below the city, war drums thundered, and the sounds of shouting and killing rose and fell.

The Demonic Cult army he personally commanded was attacking the city with all its might.

However, although Wushuang City was no longer at its Peak, how could a Foundation of several hundred years be just a hollow name? Coupled with its ambiguous relationship with the Northern Li court, the city was not only stationed with heavy troops but also had a large number of Wushuang Disciples sworn to defend it.

Ye Dingzhi's gaze shifted slightly, a golden light flashing in his blood-filled eyes as he slowly looked back.

Two figures sped toward him.

Upon seeing his face clearly, both of their hearts tightened.

After Fusion of the Void Thought Skill true essence of the Beique Sovereign Yuefeng City and Baili Dongjun, Ye Dingzhi finally pushed the Void Thought Skill to its Peak, but he also fell into the Demonic Path because of it.

This was precisely the most fatal flaw of the Void Thought Skill.

But unlike those who had suffered Qi Deviation in the past, Ye Dingzhi did not lose his sanity; his temperament simply became increasingly gloomy and violent, making all departments of Heaven Beyond Heaven feel fear.

"Is the mission complete? Why have you appeared here?"

The newcomers knelt on one knee—it was the White-Haired Immortal Mo Qixuan, who had retreated in defeat from Snow Moon City, and Marquis Ziyi, who had failed at the Sword Heart Tomb.

They were originally direct subordinates of Yue Yao.

Previously, when Ye Dingzhi went out to act, the Sect's power was held by Yue Yao.

Now that the two had failed consecutively, after much deliberation, they had no choice but to come and plead for forgiveness.

Even if they might be killed on the spot.

"Sect Master, your subordinates failed to achieve the mission and are willing to accept punishment."

Mo Qixuan took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice.

"Hmm?"

Ye Dingzhi's gaze swept over, and in an instant, Mo Qixuan felt as if his mind had been pierced by a cold blade, his whole body turning stiff and cold.