137: Chapter 137 Is this a fight to the death?

In an instant, hundreds of long and short swords of various shapes tore through the air, circling above his head to form a menacing sword formation.

"Now, do you still want to try?"

"It's somewhat similar to the Sword Control Technique of Wushuang City."

Xu Weixiong's expression remained normal as she spoke lightly.

She had seen too many storms in Snow Moon City.

This sight of a thousand swords hanging in the air was enough to shock the hearts of ordinary people, but for her, it was far from moving.

Never mind the magnificent spectacle of Li Hanyi's Ten Thousand Swords Returning to the Origin, even the sharp and fierce momentum displayed when Wang Yuyan executed the Sword Control Technique was no less impressive.

"You also understand Sword Control?"

The old man nodded, waved his sleeve, and those Flying Swords all changed direction, returning to their sheaths.

A string of cursing voices immediately came from a distance—it was clear someone's weapon had inexplicably left their body, and they were deeply indignant.

Everyone felt awkward, but the old man, covered in a thick beard, couldn't have his expression seen.

He held a cyan-edged sword in his hand, his gaze falling back onto Xu Weixiong.

"Since you can say such a thing, then this old man also wishes to witness your sword."

"Senior Li is joking, this humble girl is merely..." Xu Xiao's eyes shifted slightly, just as he was about to smooth things over.

"Fine! Let's go out and compete!"

Xu Weixiong readily agreed, decisively and swiftly.

Xu Xiao's face changed drastically; before he could speak, her figure had already darted past the gate of the Royal Residence.

The old man chuckled softly and followed after her.

Xu Zhihu frowned, stepping out side-by-side with Xu Xiao.

At the same time, a troop of soldiers in neat armor marched across the main street with uniform steps.

The common people in the city stopped to watch, not understanding what was happening.

That dissolute Young Master also secretly followed behind with his old servant.

"Old Huang, what do you think this ruckus is all about?"

Old Huang grinned, his toothless smile hiding a degree of vicissitude.

"Young Master, it's most likely going to be a sword competition."

As he spoke, a flicker of undisguised fervor crossed his eyes.

He had already guessed the old man's identity.

Who would have thought that the Old Sword God, who had been out of sight for twenty years yet never forgotten by the Jianghu, had been hiding within the Beiliang Royal Residence all along?

"You've practiced martial arts too; do you think my second sister has a chance to win?"

"How could she win?"

Old Huang blurted out, then paused, turning to glance at the Young Master, and quickly waved his hand, smiling:

"Hah, what kind of person am I? I dabbled in a few moves when I was young, but I've forgotten most of it. It's not fit for public display!"

The Young Master tugged at the corner of his mouth, unsure how much of that he believed.

In the wilderness outside the city, Xu Weixiong held the chi chi sword in hand, facing the thin, withered figure standing with a plain steel sword.

Footsteps sounded in the distance, and dust was slightly kicked up.

The Old Sword God glanced at the thousands of armored soldiers approaching rapidly and sneered:

"It seems this King fears I might injure you?"

"That's assuming you can injure me."

Xu Weixiong stood tall, her Battle Intent surging.

Upon hearing this, even the Old Sword God couldn't help but frown.

This girl had quite the bold words.

But how could he not know that every sword practitioner in the world has a towering mountain in their heart?

On that Peak once stood a name—Li Chungang.

Even though he had retired for many years, the legend of that sword still echoed endlessly deep within the Jianghu.

"I will use only one sword; I wonder if you can block it?"

Under the shocked gazes of Xu Xiao and the others, Xu Weixiong reached out and gripped the hilt of the chi chi sword.

Was she going to fight to the death immediately?

"Why is she being so impulsive?" Xu Xiao's brow was tightly furrowed.

This adopted daughter had always been meticulous; unless she was absolutely confident or cornered, she would never strike so rashly.

Even if forced by circumstances, she would meticulously plan.

To strike out with no reservations like this was truly unlike her usual style.

"Perhaps... she truly has the confidence?" Xu Zhihu guessed softly.

"What confidence? That is Li Chungang!"

No further explanation was needed; that name was enough to subdue countless Masters, symbolizing the pinnacle of Liyang Dynasty swordsmanship.

"Adoptive Father!" Chen Zhibao galloped over on horseback, the plum wine in his hand gleaming coldly. Looking at Xu Weixiong's action, his face was full of astonishment.

"Mm." Xu Xiao responded, but his gaze never left his daughter's figure.

"Who is that Senior?" Chen Zhibao asked quietly.

"Sword God Li Chungang," Xu Zhihu replied.

Chen Zhibao's expression changed drastically, sharp light flashing in his eyes as he stared intently at the gray-robed old man.

Li Chungang's expression remained composed, but a sharp Sword Intent faintly emanated from his body.

The two hiding in the shadows in the distance—

The brocade-clad Young Master widened his eyes, afraid to miss even the slightest detail;

Old Huang's fingers trembled slightly; as a swordsman, the desire to test his sword had already ignited in his heart.

However, as Xu Weixiong's internal Qi continuously surged toward the sword still in its sheath, a heavy sense of oppression quietly spread, like a huge stone pressing on the heart, growing heavier and heavier.

Even the warhorses grew restless, snorting and retreating repeatedly.

Li Chungang's expression gradually darkened.

Xu Weixiong's cultivation was a full Realm beneath his, and furthermore, although he had fallen from his Peak due to past heartbreak, his Foundation in the Dao of the Sword remained intact. He could tell at a glance that this move must be an all-out, earth-shattering strike.

"Heh—"

With a clear shout, the Heaven-Slaying Sword Drawing Technique was fully charged.

In that instant, an extremely thin yet blinding ray of light flashed before everyone's eyes, as if heaven and earth were split apart by this single sword, separating light and darkness.

"Sword Opens the Gate of Heaven!"

Li Chungang's face changed drastically, and he instantly unleashed his famous ultimate skill.

This move once caused five waterfalls to flow upstream, its momentum shaking heaven and earth.

Even though he controlled the sword with intent, its power could not be underestimated.

But no matter how exceptional his talent, he was ultimately a mortal holding a sword, and the innate shackles were hard to overcome.

That slash collided head-on with "Sword Opens the Gate of Heaven." With a crisp 'crack,' the vast Sword Qi shattered and scattered like thin ice.

"Two Sleeves of the Green Serpent!"

Li Chungang rapidly retreated, his expression solemn. He swung his long sword twice, and two streams of Sword Qi rose into the air, transforming into hundred-foot-long green-scaled pythons that coiled and wrapped toward the inextinguishable sword light.

Boom—

A thunderous explosion sounded, and to everyone's stunned gaze, this world-shaking attack was completely crushed.

"Immortal Kneels with One Sword!"

Li Chungang's eyes became extremely grave.

Retreat? He could not retreat.

The image of himself holding a sword in his youth flashed in his mind—spirited and arrogant, fearless, his sword drawn without regret, aiming straight for the heavens.

All the past moments rushed to his heart, and this sword strike brought a new understanding: it was the decisiveness of abandoning all distracting thoughts and forging ahead relentlessly.

He once swept the world with this sword; no one could stop him.

But at this moment, even by exhausting all his strength to block it, he could only hold on for a moment before being violently thrown backward by that single strike. As he landed, he staggered several steps, and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

Seeing this scene, Xu Xiao was dumbfounded, and in his excitement, he even pulled out several strands of the short beard on his chin.

Xu Zhihu stood frozen on the spot, her face blank.

Could it be that this legendary Sword God was merely famous in name only?

Or perhaps the rumors in the Jianghu had always been exaggerated?

Chen Zhibao's expression eased slightly, but the look he gave Xu Weixiong held a hint of strangeness.

When did she acquire such terrifying strength?

The dissolute young man and Old Huang hiding in the shadows nearly popped their eyeballs out.

"This Old Sword God isn't good enough; he can't even beat my second sister!"

Old Huang remained silent. The facts were laid bare—it wasn't that Li Chungang was too weak, but that Xu Weixiong's sword strike was too astonishing.

Concentrating all her power into one strike, sacrificing defense for pure offense, was the only way to achieve such a terrifying level.

But the question was, this kind of swordsmanship did not belong to the Shangyin Academy.

Where exactly did she learn it?

Li Chungang slowly walked back, holding only the broken hilt of his sword.

"I lost."

His tone was calm, and his gaze toward Xu Weixiong was full of approval.

"This sword strike... has transcended the limits of the mortal Realm."

"Of course! How could the swordsmanship taught by Master be ordinary!"

Xu Weixiong's tone carried a hint of pride.

"Your Master is in Snow Moon City? I should get out and move around as well."

Li Chungang sighed lightly and cupped his hands in a salute to Xu Xiao.

"I still have urgent matters, so I won't return to the bottom of the lake."

Before his words had finished falling, he was already far away, his figure sweeping past the treetops like the wind.

Where he went, everyone understood.

"Xiao Nian!"

Suddenly, Xu Weixiong shouted loudly.

Two figures were seen scrambling out of the bushes in a clumsy manner. Under the astonished gaze of the crowd, they rushed into the nearby military formation, snatched two fast horses, and galloped away without looking back.

"..."

Xu Xiao was completely stunned.

Is this son pretending to be foolish or truly foolish?

But this appearance looked too much like the real thing.

Isn't this a bit too stupid?

Watching the two receding figures disappear into the distance, Xu Zhihu frowned with worry:

"Where is Xiao Nian going? Will something happen?"

"Let him go," Xu Xiao waved his hand and turned his horse around.

"You go back and pick up Huang Maner before setting off. I only hope they can truly arrive safely."

Thinking of that son who was mentally slow but possessed immense strength, Xu Xiao felt a wave of helplessness.

Chen Zhibao was about to say a few words to Xu Weixiong but was stopped by a sharp shout from Xu Xiao.

"What is the purpose of your visit?"

"Adoptive Father!" Chen Zhibao withdrew his gaze, took one last look in the direction Xu Weixiong had departed, and reported with clasped hands.

"I received a secret order from the Imperial City, commanding me to lead troops to guard the Northern Li border."

Xu Xiao's brow furrowed slightly: "The Emperor intends to move against Northern Li?"

"Exactly.

However, the specifics depend on the changes in the Northern situation."

After he finished speaking, he waited for a response.

Xu Xiao pondered for a moment, finally nodding: "Since it is a decree, then you may go."

"Yes!" Chen Zhibao clasped his hands in acceptance, mounted his horse, and sped away in a cloud of dust.

"It seems war is about to break out again," Xu Xiao's expression was solemn.

"But this time they aren't letting you lead the campaign..." Xu Zhihu murmured, "The defenses against you in the Imperial City have deepened."

"No need to pay attention to that," Xu Xiao shook his head. "We just need to do our own duty."

A few days after returning to the city, Xu Weixiong did not linger. After resting for one night, she set off with Xu Longxiang, and Xu Zhihu went along too.

Xu Xiao sent a troop of elite personal guards to escort them.

"Big Sister is leaving too?" Xu Weixiong asked.

"I heard the scenery in Snow Moon City is superb; it’s good to go out and relax," Xu Zhihu replied with a smile.

"That’s true. Your sickly fiancé is long dead; it’s good for you to get out and see the world," Xu Weixiong remarked casually, almost making Xu Zhihu spit blood.

Can you stop bringing that up?

Does it make sense to poke at someone's sore spot the moment you meet?

"What about Xiao Nian? Is he willing to go?" She quickly changed the subject.

"I told him I was taking him out to play, and he was overjoyed," Xu Weixiong looked toward a carriage not far away—a child stuck his head out of the window, clinging to the frame, his face beaming with excitement.

...