271: Silent Sword Shadow

The head of the Minister of Revenue was hung on the Vermilion Bird Gate of the Imperial City the following morning.

There were no unnecessary marks, only a clean sword cut across the neck, emanating a faint frost Qi—anyone familiar with Ximen Chuixue's Sword technique would know.

This was the finishing Move of the "Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens," so fast that the deceased didn't even have time to feel pain.

When the news reached the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace, Jun Xiaoyao was examining the Medicinal Pills newly refined by The Medicine Saint. Beside the Azure Jade Pill Furnace were three "Essence Solidification Pills." The pills shone with a gentle luster, having been refined using "Blood Marrow Crystal," which accompanies the Black Iron Ore Vein. These pills could stabilize the Inner Breath of a Great Grandmaster Realm expert and were exactly what the Luowang Assassinss urgently needed for their Breakthrough.

"Young Lord, the Second Prince sent a hundred bolts of 'Heaven Silkworm Silk,' calling it a gift of gratitude." Zhao Gao came in holding a brocade box, which was lined with silvery-white threads that shimmered and were extremely tough. "This silk is impervious to water and fire, and can be made into Soft Armor for The Net Assassins, making it difficult for blades and spears to penetrate."

Jun Xiaoyao pinched a thread of Heaven Silkworm Silk between his fingers, and an annotation immediately popped up on the interface: [Heaven Silkworm Silk, an Imperial Secret Treasure of the Great Yan Dynasty Imperial Family, sourced from a Rare Silkworm Moth in the "Cave of a Thousand Threads" in the Western Regions. It takes a hundred years to weave a single bolt, and the Inner Strength of an ordinary Grandmaster Realm expert cannot tear it.] He chuckled, "Yan Li certainly knows the rules."

The interface suddenly flashed, displaying a secret report from the Crown Prince's Residence: [The Crown Prince is furious and has ordered Haoran Academy to dispatch three Heavenly Human Realm Enshriners to the Ministry of Revenue Yamen to strictly investigate the assassination of the Minister, pointing the finger directly at the Second Prince and The Net.] In the image, three old men wearing Blue Robes were entering the Ministry of Revenue Yamen. The characters "Haoran" were embroidered on their cuffs, and the Vast Righteous Qi surrounding them was solidified but unreleased—all of them being powerhouses at the Middle Stage of the Heavenly Human Realm.

"The Crown Prince is trying to force us to show ourselves." Zhao Gao frowned. "If three Heavenly Human Realm experts attack simultaneously, even if Senior West Gate Blows Snow and Senior Li Xunhuan join forces, they might not be able to retreat unscathed."

Jun Xiaoyao looked instead at the summoning array in the center of the underground palace. Nine Star Patterns on the edge of the Formation were lit up, shining brighter than when West Gate Blows Snow was summoned last time, and the faint sound of thunder echoed within the array. "It's time to add another sword."

He raised his hand and pressed it onto the Formation Core, injecting pale golden Spiritual Power. The Formation suddenly burst into blinding white light. Countless sword shadows emerged in the light, interwoven into a Sword Domain. Zhao Gao wisely retreated to the corner of the Stone Chamber, knowing this was an Advanced Summoning Phenomenon, where even the air brought a slight stinging pain from being cut by sword blades.

The white light gradually subsided, and a figure in blue robes slowly walked out. His face was handsome and elegant, he held a Bamboo Sword, and a Wine Gourd hung from his waist. It was the appearance of "Sword Devil" Never Seeking Defeat in his youth—although he had not yet reached the Realm of "no sword surpasses having a sword," he had already cultivated the Nine Swords of Dugu to the Transcendent stage, his sharpness fully revealed.

[Summon Successful]

[Character: Never Seeking Defeat (Youth)]

[Source: Jin Yong Wuxia World]

[Realm: Late Heaven-Man Realm]

[Martial Skills and Cultivation Techniques:]

1. Nine Swords of Dugu (Perfection) — Breaks all Martial Arts under heaven, anticipates the enemy's Moves, and sword Moves change according to the opponent's Weakness.

2. Zixia Divine Skill (Perfection) — Inner Breath is pure as colored glaze, capable of sustaining continuous sword Moves.

3. Following the Wind Steps (Perfection) — Movement Technique is swift as the wind, Treading Snow Without a Trace, evasion skill is unmatched in the Jianghu.

[Loyalty: 94%]

"Your subordinate, Never Seeking Defeat, greets the Young Lord." The young Sword Devil knelt on one knee, the bamboo sword pointed diagonally at the ground, its Sword Tassel gently swaying. His eyes, however, were as sharp as a hawk's, radiating the arrogance of one who feels, "Where in the world can I find an opponent?"

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the information on the interface, the corner of his mouth slightly raised. The Nine Swords of Dugu's ability to "Break all Martial Arts under heaven" happened to restrain Haoran Academy's "Vast Righteous Qi"—those seemingly flawless Righteous Qi defenses were full of Weaknesses before the sword Moves that "anticipate the enemy's Moves."

"Mister Dugu," he pointed his finger at the three Enshriners on the interface, "Do you know about Haoran Academy's 'Nourishing My Sword'?"

Never Seeking Defeat raised his eyes, a trace of Battle Intent flashing within them. "It's merely a common thing that borrows 'Righteous Qi' to nourish the sword. Although its Moves are righteous, they are overly obstinate. The third Move, 'Standing in the Snow,' has a breathing gap, and the sword spine of the seventh Move, 'Promoting the Dao,' is a Weakness—such sword techniques are easy to break."

Jun Xiaoyao nodded, "In three days, the Enshriners of Haoran Academy will go to confiscate the Second Prince's granary outside the city. You will go with West Gate Blows Snow. There is no need to kill anyone; just cripple their swords, letting the Crown Prince know that the people of The Net are not to be touched lightly."

I. Sword Shadows Outside the Granary

At midnight three days later, the granary outside the city was shrouded in a thin mist. The three granaries were arranged in a 'pin' character shape, surrounded by Disciples from Haoran Academy patrolling with Long Swords, their Sword Qi interwoven into a Defense Net. The three Enshriners stood on a High Platform in the center of the granary, their blue robes fluttering in the night wind, acting as the main supervisors of this confiscation.

"Rumor has it that The Net Assassins are elusive; tonight is a good time to experience it." The White-bearded Old Man leading them lightly stroked his Long Sword, his voice spreading throughout the granary. "If you surrender obediently, perhaps we can leave your corpses intact!"

The response was two silent Sword Shadows.

West Gate Blows Snow's "Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens" struck first, the Sword Light like a meteor streaking across the night sky, aimed directly at the throat of the Enshriner on the left. That Enshriner swung his sword to block, but felt an irresistible chill in the opponent's Sword Momentum, forcing him to retreat repeatedly, his wrist tingling.

Almost simultaneously, Never Seeking Defeat's bamboo sword stabbed toward the sword spine of the Enshriner on the right. His sword Moves seemed loose, yet he always found the Weakness the moment the opponent changed their Move. The "Sword Breaking Style" was executed repeatedly, forcing the opponent into a panic, their sword Moves constantly contorting.

"What fast swords!" the White-bearded Old Man roared, personally drawing his sword and joining the fray. Vast Righteous Qi condensed into a Cyan Light Curtain, enveloping the two of them. Five ancient characters—"Benevolence, Righteousness, Propriety, Wisdom, Trust"—appeared on the light curtain, which was precisely Haoran Academy's ultimate defensive skill, the "Five Constants Array."

West Gate Blows Snow's sword struck the light curtain, producing a clang of metal, and was actually bounced back. Never Seeking Defeat, however, shifted his Sword Momentum. His bamboo sword moved along the seams of the light curtain, specifically targeting the connections between the "Five Constants" characters—the seemingly seamless light curtain was full of Weaknesses in his eyes.

With a "hiss," the bamboo sword pierced a corner of the light curtain, and Sword Qi grazed past the White-bearded Old Man's shoulder, drawing a string of Blood Beads. The old man was greatly alarmed and quickly retracted his Move to defend, only to see West Gate Blows Snow's sword following like a shadow, aimed straight at his Glabella.

II. Crippling Swords to Establish Authority

The three Enshriners, joining forces, thought they could easily subdue their opponents, but they hadn't anticipated such bizarre Swordsmanship. West Gate Blows Snow's sword was abnormally fast, while Never Seeking Defeat's sword specialized in breaking defenses. The pair, one fast and one clever, actually managed to destabilize the "Five Constants Array."

After a hundred fierce Moves, Never Seeking Defeat seized the gap when the White-bearded Old Man changed his Move, lightly tapping his wrist with the bamboo sword. The old man felt a Subtle Force transmit through, and his Long Sword immediately flew out of his grasp, plunging into a grain pile ten meters away, its Scabbard cracking—this had crippled the Meridians he used to hold the sword.

The Enshriner on the right was furious at the sight, his sword Moves becoming increasingly fierce, but West Gate Blows Snow seized a Weakness and flicked away his Sword Tassel with one strike. That Enshriner immediately felt his Qi and Blood surge, and he could no longer hold his Long Sword, which clattered to the ground—the Sword Tassel was the Spiritual Power Nexus of the Haoran Sword; when the tassel fell, the sword was crippled.

The remaining Enshriner on the left was terrified by the sight and turned to flee, but was blocked by Never Seeking Defeat's "Following the Wind Steps." The bamboo sword tapped his sword spine, and with a "crack," a fissure was created in the sword body, which was forged from Refined Iron, making it impossible to condense Righteous Qi anymore.

"Go back and tell the Crown Prince," Never Seeking Defeat stood with his sword retracted, the bamboo sword pointing diagonally at the ground. "Mind your own business regarding The Net."

The three Enshriners' faces were ashen. Looking at the Broken Swords and cracked Scabbards on the ground, they finally understood the gap between themselves and their opponents. They awkwardly picked up their Weapons and fled hastily with the support of the Disciples, even forgetting to confiscate the granary.

III. A New Situation in the Underground Palace

When the battle report returned, Jun Xiaoyao was reading a Secret Letter sent by the Second Prince. Yan Li stated in the letter that the Crown Prince had secretly contacted "Myriad Beast Manor," intending to use the Manor's "Beast Tide" to assault the Black Iron Ore Vein, thereby forcing The Net out of the Imperial City conflict.

"Myriad Beast Manor?" Jun Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow, and the information about this faction popped up on the interface: [Myriad Beast Manor, a Sect entrenched in the Northern Territory, skilled in the Art of Beast Control. The Manor Lord, Yuwen Chengdu, is at the Late Heaven-Man Realm and can control Exotic Beasts such as the "Black Armored Giant Rhino" and "Wind-Splitting Beast." Their combat power is comparable to the Early Earthly Immortal Realm.]

Zhao Gao's expression changed slightly. "The Black Armored Giant Rhino has rough skin and thick flesh; ordinary Heavenly Human Realm attacks can barely scratch it. The Wind-Splitting Beast is as fast as lightning and specializes in surprise attacks. If a Beast Tide is launched, the defensive Formation of the Black Iron Ore Vein might not be able to withstand it."

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the summoning array instead. After the fierce battle just now, the Formation absorbed the scattered Righteous Qi of the three Haoran Enshriners, and its energy was fully charged again, with the Thunder Light at the Formation core growing stronger. "It seems I need to summon a helper who can subdue beasts."

He initiated the summoning again. A figure walked out from the thunder light, wearing a tiger skin skirt and holding a Golden-Hooped Rod, his Fiery Golden Eyes scanning the Stone Chamber—it was Sun Wukong from journey to the west (Note: Using his early combat power, before reaching the Realm of the Victorious Fighting Buddha).

[Summon Successful]

[Character: Sun Wukong]

[Source: journey to the west World]

[Realm: Peak Heaven-Human Realm]

[Martial Skills and Cultivation Techniques:]

1. Seventy-Two Transformations (Perfection) — Can transform into all things, conceal Aura; difficult even for Peak Heavenly Human Realm experts to see through.

2. Ruyi Golden-Hooped Rod Technique (Perfection) — Rod Technique is ever-changing, weighs over ten thousand catties, and can smash Mountains.

3. Fiery Golden Eyes (Major Achievement) — Can see through Illusions, identify the Weakness of Exotic Beasts, and restrain all Demonic Evils.

[Loyalty: 93%]

"This Old Grandson, Sun, greets the Young Lord!" Sun Wukong scratched his head. The Golden-Hooped Rod spun in his hand, shrinking to the size of an Embroidery Needle and hiding in his ear. "I heard some blind beasts are causing trouble? This Old Grandson will go give them a smack!"

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the Realm displayed on the interface, a trace of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. The combat power of the Peak Heavenly Human Realm, combined with the Fiery Golden Eyes that restrain Exotic Beasts, was enough to deal with Myriad Beast Manor's Beast Tide. "Yuwen Chengdu's Black Armored Giant Rhino has a Weak Spot, a soft armor three inches below its belly," he brought up the Giant Rhino's Anatomy Map. "You only need to..."

Sun Wukong grinned, "I got it! One strike to pierce the beast's Soft Armor, and I guarantee it will kneel and beg for mercy!"

The wind outside the underground palace gradually tightened, carrying Snow Grains from Hanyue Valley, rustling against the stone walls. Jun Xiaoyao looked at the constantly updating Faction Distribution on the interface—the Second Prince's influence was steadily expanding with The Net's help, the Crown Prince's Lackeys were being eliminated one by one, Haoran Academy was Severely Weakened, and the outcome of Myriad Beast Manor's Beast Tide was predetermined even before it started.

Zhao Gao came in holding the newly drafted "The Net Expansion Plan," his voice barely concealing his excitement. "Young Lord, according to this plan, within half a year, The Net will control seventy percent of the Great Yan Dynasty's Black Market business, and then..."

"It's not enough." Jun Xiaoyao interrupted him, pointing his finger at "Haoran Academy" on the map. "The old fellow in the Land Immortal Realm hasn't moved yet. This game of chess has only just reached the Middle Game."

In the center of the Stone Chamber, Sun Wukong was holding a Banana, watching West Gate Blows Snow practice his sword with great interest. Two distinctly different Auras intertwined in the Stone Chamber—one, the aloof Sword Intent, and the other, the untamed Monkey Qi—yet they were strangely harmonious.

Jun Xiaoyao knew that with Sun Wukong's addition, Beyond Heaven finally had the Confidence to confront the Land Immortal Realm.

And those factions hidden in the dark will eventually expose their most vulnerable Weakness under The Net's strangulation.

The sword mark on the Vermilion Bird Gate remains, and the turmoil in the Imperial City has not subsided, but a new Game of Chess has quietly been set up in the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace. This time, The Net's web is weaving toward a higher sky.