266: Hidden Sword

On the Obsidian Desk in the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace, the Crystal Panel emitted a faint light, reflecting Jun Xiaoyao's indifferent profile.

On the panel, the red alert for [Xuantian Pavilion Movements] was still flashing—Mysterious Mechanism Master had indeed invited a Law Enforcement Elder from the Holy Land, an expert in the Initial Heaven Human Realm, who was leading a hundred elite Disciples toward Qingzhou, threatening to “level The Net's lair.”

Zhao Gao stood bowed before the desk, holding the newly drafted assassination list, his voice extremely low.

“Young Lord, the Holy Land Law Enforcement Elder's surname is Qin, and his given name is Hao. He is skilled in the ‘Mountain-Splitting Palm,’ and it is said that one strike can cleave a three-zhang bluestone. Among the Disciples he brought, there are three Peak Grandmaster Realm experts, all Death Warriors carefully trained by Xuantian Pavilion.”

Jun Xiaoyao's fingertip traced Qin Hao's profile picture on the panel. The man's face was resolute, his eyes sharp as an eagle's. His file showed that ten years ago he had single-handedly wiped out three rebellious small and medium-sized Sects. “Heavenly Human Realm, huh...” He lightly tapped the desk. “Although The Net has many Grandmaster Realm assassins, they still lack the necessary edge to deal with the Heavenly Human Realm.”

Zhao Gao understood. “Does Young Lord intend to... summon a new helper?”

Jun Xiaoyao nodded, his gaze falling upon the summoning array in the center of the underground palace. Seven star patterns on the edge of the Formation had lit up, signaling that the accumulated summoning energy had reached the threshold. “Initiate the summon.”

Following his command, the summoning array suddenly erupted in dazzling golden light, and faintly, the sound of a Dragon's roar echoed within the light. The runes at the Formation's core spun rapidly, gradually condensing into a figure—nine feet tall, with a two-foot long beard, a face like a ripe date, lips painted with rouge, slightly opened Phoenix eyes, and holding the green dragon crescent blade. It was none other than Guan Yu.

[Summon Successful]

[Character: Guan Yu]

[Origin: romance of the three kingdoms World]

[Realm: Middle Celestial Realm]

[Martial Skill and Cultivation Technique:]

1. green dragon crescent blade Technique (Perfection) — The blade momentum is heavy and fierce, capable of splitting mountains and dividing seas, containing the Qi of the Azure Dragon.

2. Spring and Autumn Blade Technique (Major Achievement) — Taking righteousness as the edge, the Saber Intent is awe-inspiring and can intimidate the mind.

3. Peach Garden True Qi (Perfection) — The Internal Energy is rich and enduring, everlasting, and the defense power is extremely strong.]

[Loyalty: 95%]

“I, Guan, pay my respects to Young Lord.” Guan Yu knelt on one knee, his voice like a great bell. The green dragon crescent blade rested on the ground, its surface reflecting his resolute face.

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the data on the panel, a trace of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. The fighting power of the Middle Celestial Realm was just enough to suppress Qin Hao's Initial Heaven Human Realm. “Yunchang, you may rise,” he said, pointing to Qin Hao's file on the panel. “There is a fight thirty miles outside Qingzhou City, at Black Wind Slope, that requires your presence.”

Guan Yu rose, his Phoenix eyes sweeping over the panel. He said in a deep voice, “Young Lord, rest assured. I shall surely slay the invaders and uphold the might of Beyond Heaven.”

I. Black Wind Slope Defense Deployment

The Marshal of the Unruly quickly received the order and rushed to Black Wind Slope with fifty elite assassins from The Net. This location had steep cliffs on both sides and a narrow path in the middle, making it an excellent spot for an ambush. The Marshal of the Unruly directed his subordinates to bury explosives on both sides of the mountain path, had archers hide atop the cliffs, and then took ten assassins skilled in concealment to lie in ambush in the dense forest beside the path.

“Remember,” the Marshal of the Unruly lowered his voice, patting the shoulder of an assassin nearby, “wait until Qin Hao's men enter the canyon, first use arrows to wear them down, then detonate the explosives to block their retreat. General Guan will launch a frontal assault; we only need to tie down those Grandmaster Realm Death Warriors.”

The assassins responded in unison and melted into the bushes, even deliberately slowing their breathing. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, shining on the cold arrowheads and reflecting a chilling light.

II. The Arrogance of the Law Enforcement Elder

Three days later, Qin Hao arrived at the entrance of Black Wind Slope with the Xuantian Pavilion Disciples. He pulled back on his reins, looking at the narrow mountain path, his brow furrowed slightly. “The terrain here is treacherous; there might be an ambush.”

The Xuantian Pavilion Great Protector behind him laughed. “Elder worries too much. The Net are merely rats hiding their heads and showing their tails. Even if there is an ambush, they won't withstand a single blow from the Elder's Mountain-Splitting Palm.”

Qin Hao let out a cold snort. Relying on his Heavenly Human Realm cultivation, he didn't take any underground forces seriously. He immediately waved his hand: “Proceed at full speed. Find The Net's lair as soon as possible and give Mysterious Mechanism Master an explanation.”

A hundred Disciples filed in, Qin Hao following closely behind, his footsteps sounding dull on the stone path. He was completely unaware that the archers atop the cliffs had fully drawn their bowstrings, and in the dense forest beside the path, the Marshal of the Unruly was intently watching his back through a Thousand-Mile Mirror.

III. The Saber Strikes Like a Dragon

“Fire the arrows!”

Following the Marshal of the Unruly's command, arrows rained down from the cliffs. The Xuantian Pavilion Disciples were caught off guard, and over a dozen fell instantly. Qin Hao roared in anger, striking out with both palms. His profound Internal Energy formed a wall of Qi, blocking all the remaining arrows. “Despicable scoundrels, how dare you ambush us!”

Just then, a Dragon's roar came from the end of the mountain path. Guan Yu, holding the green dragon crescent blade, slowly walked out, the blade dragging on the ground, carving deep grooves. “Holy Land lackey, dare you run wild on the territory of my Beyond Heaven?”

Seeing that the opponent was actually in the Middle Celestial Realm, Qin Hao's pupils contracted sharply. “Who are you? How dare you interfere with the Holy Land's affairs?”

“I am Guan Yu.” Guan Yu raised his blade, the Azure Dragon Qi swirling around it. “Today, I shall let you know that there is Beyond Heaven.”

Before his voice faded, the green dragon crescent blade struck with the force of a thousand jun. Qin Hao dared not be careless, gathering True Qi in both palms to meet the blow head-on. With a loud “bang,” the Qi wave exploded, and gravel tumbled down the sides of the mountain path. Qin Hao felt his arms go numb and had to retreat three steps before stabilizing himself. He was shocked—this blade force was terrifying!

Guan Yu, having gained the advantage, showed no mercy. His Saber momentum was continuous, sometimes like an Azure Dragon emerging from the sea, sometimes like a fierce tiger descending a mountain. Although Qin Hao's Mountain-Splitting Palm was fierce, it was constantly suppressed by the Saber momentum, and he gradually fell into a disadvantage.

IV. The Net Closes

Simultaneously, the Marshal of the Unruly detonated the explosives. With several loud “booms,” both ends of the mountain path were blocked by massive rocks, trapping the Xuantian Pavilion Disciples like turtles in a jar. Fifty assassins from The Net charged out of the dense forest, engaging the remaining Disciples in fierce combat. The Grandmaster Realm Death Warriors tried to support Qin Hao but were immediately entangled by the Marshal of the Unruly and his men. Although he was only at the Peak Grandmaster Realm, he was skilled in the art of prolonged combat, and with the combined assault of several assassins, he managed to prevent the Death Warriors from escaping for a time.

During the fierce battle, one Death Warrior spotted an opening and sent a palm strike toward the Marshal of the Unruly's back. As if having eyes in the back of his head, the Marshal of the Unruly ducked low and simultaneously threw three Bone-Penetrating Nails, hitting the Death Warrior squarely in the knee. The Death Warrior screamed and fell, and an assassin nearby finished him off with a blade. The Marshal of the Unruly wiped the blood from his face and sneered, “Xuantian Pavilion trash, daring to call yourselves Death Warriors?”

On the other side, Guan Yu's Saber moves became increasingly fierce. He seized the moment when Qin Hao's old strength was spent and new strength had yet to emerge, executing a horizontal slash. The blade, carrying the phantom image of an Azure Dragon, struck straight at the opponent's waist. Qin Hao had nowhere to dodge and could only use his left arm to block. With a sound of “crack,” his left arm snapped instantly, and blood gushed out.

“Ah—” Qin Hao screamed and retreated, his eyes filled with terror. “You... who exactly are you? Who is instructing you?”

Guan Yu pointed his blade at Qin Hao's throat, his Phoenix eyes cold as ice. “Beyond Heaven, Jun Xiaoyao. Remember this name. In your next life, do not become an enemy of my Lord.”

V. The Underground Palace Reward

The battle report from Black Wind Slope quickly returned to the underground palace. On the panel, the notification [Qin Hao Slain, Xuantian Pavilion Elites Annihilated] flashed with golden light. Guan Yu's Loyalty increased to 98%, and the Marshal of the Unruly's Loyalty also rose to 92%.

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the newly added entry [Holy Land Shock] on the panel, a slight curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Having suffered such a great loss, the Holy Land would not let the matter rest, but he was not worried—Guan Yu's appearance had given Beyond Heaven the confidence to contend with the Holy Land's initial forces.

“Zhao Gao,” Jun Xiaoyao instructed, “hang Qin Hao's head on the Qingzhou City gate, and post a notice stating, 'Those who offend my Beyond Heaven shall be punished, no matter how far they flee.'”

Zhao Gao accepted the order and departed. Jun Xiaoyao stood up and walked to the underground palace's viewing platform, gazing at the continuous mountain range outside the valley.

The mist of Hanyue Valley gradually dispersed, revealing the outline of Qingzhou City in the distance. He knew this was only the beginning; as the power of Beyond Heaven slowly revealed itself, more challenges would come knocking.

But so what?

He raised his hand, and another star pattern lit up on the summoning array on the Crystal Panel.

Who would be summoned next? Would it be Huang Zhong, who could shoot arrows accurately from a hundred paces, or Kongming, whose strategies were unparalleled?

Jun Xiaoyao chuckled softly and turned back to the desk. No matter who arrived.

He would incorporate them into the territory of Beyond Heaven, using The Net to weave a massive web covering the continent, making all covetous individuals understand—

Beyond Heaven is not to be provoked.