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Yang Xuyan awoke amidst a bone-chilling cold and excruciating pain in his meridians.

With difficulty, I opened my heavy eyelids, and my vision remained blurry for a while before gradually focusing. The first thing that caught my eye was the wooden ceiling with fine cracks, and an oil lamp that flickered slightly, emitting a dim yellow glow.

He was slumped in a hard wooden chair, his body weak and powerless, unable even to lift a finger. A cold sensation came from below, the result of his loss of sensation caused by the blockage of his blood and qi after his acupoints were sealed.

What made Yang Xuyan's heart sink even further was that the domineering alien true energy in his body was like the strongest shackles, not only firmly locking his dantian, but also slowly circulating in his main meridians, bringing a needle-like stinging pain, constantly reminding him of his current situation.

Yang Xuyan struggled violently, but only managed to make the chair creak slightly; his efforts were in vain.

"woke up?"

A cool, clear voice rang out from ahead.

Yang Xuyan looked up abruptly and saw Shan Wanjing standing not far from him. She had neatly combed her slightly disheveled hair, and her light blue outfit was spotless. However, her beautiful eyes were now like unsheathed swords, coldly scrutinizing him with undisguised questioning. Morning light streamed in through the half-open window behind her, outlining a bright edge around her, making her face appear somewhat hazy yet dignified in the backlight.

"Humph!"

Yang Xuyan snorted coldly, suppressing the fear and humiliation in his heart, and turned his head away, trying to avoid that gaze that seemed to see through people's hearts. He tried to mobilize even a wisp of true energy to break through the acupoints, but the true energy in his body was extremely condensed and exceptionally tough, and his efforts were like a stone sinking into the sea.

"Yang Xuyan!"

Shan Wanjing took a step forward, her voice low but carrying a heavy weight: "I'll only ask you once. Who sent you? What is your purpose? What other plans do you have?"

Yang Xuyan gritted his teeth, his jawline taut. His destiny and training as a disciple of Shi Zhixuan and a successor of the Butian Pavilion made him determined not to yield easily. He closed his eyes and said in an almost resolute voice, "Kill me if you want, but don't expect to get a single word from me!"

Shan Wanjing frowned slightly, about to use methods to force her to answer.

"Jing'er, step back for now."

Upon hearing this, Shan Wanjing immediately suppressed her murderous aura and respectfully replied, "Yes, Master." She lowered her head slightly and took a step back, but still kept a close eye on Yang Xuyan to prevent him from making any unusual moves.

Yi Huawei, who had been sitting quietly at the table by the window, turned his head slightly and looked at Yang Xuyan.

That gaze was calm and profound, like two ancient wells, or like the endless void containing the swirling of stars and the birth and death of the universe.

Yang Xuyan had his eyes closed, determined never to yield, but the moment Yi Huawei's gaze fell on him, he trembled violently, as if struck by an invisible lightning bolt. Involuntarily, as if drawn by an irresistible force, he suddenly opened his eyes and met that gaze directly.

At first glance, the gaze seemed unremarkable, but the moment Yang Xuyan was looked at, he felt as if two bottomless pools of cold water were reflected into the depths of his soul. An invisible and indescribable pressure quietly descended, making it hard for him to breathe.

Yang Xuyan,

Yi Huawei's voice remained calm, yet it carried a power that went straight to the heart, each word striking Yang Xuyan's mind with crystal clarity: "What is your intention in joining forces this time? What is the specific plan? Who is in charge? Besides the Yin Kui Sect, does the Heavenly Dao Alliance also come into the target? — Speak."

The final word "speak" seemed to contain an irresistible will, crashing heavily against Yang Xuyan's mental defenses like a morning bell and evening drum.

Yang Xuyan shuddered violently! He clenched his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, trying to muster his last bit of mental strength to resist. He was a shadow assassin, trained to the most rigorous methods of interrogation and forced confessions! He absolutely could not…

However, Yi Huawei's gaze seemed to pierce through his flesh and blood, staring directly at his struggling soul. That gaze carried a kind of all-knowing indifference.

The struggle lasted for less than three breaths.

Yang Xuyan's eyes began to glaze over, becoming unfocused and confused. The stubbornness, resistance, and fear on his face receded like the tide, leaving only a blankness. His lips moved slightly, uncontrollably, uttering meaningless murmurs. Finally, all his psychological defenses crumbled completely before that calm yet supreme will. His gaze was vacant as he began to speak, word by word, his voice flat and devoid of any inflection, like a dream:

"It was... Master... who secretly brokered the alliance with Yin Zuwen of the Extinction Emotion Path and An Long of the Heavenly Lotus Sect... that the Flower Sect, the Heaven-Mending Pavilion, the Extinction Emotion Path, the Heavenly Lotus Sect, the Demonic Appearance Sect, and the True Inheritance Path... have temporarily joined forces..."

Shan Wanjing's eyes widened suddenly. The two factions and six paths of the Demonic Sect have always been fighting each other and fighting each other. What important matter could make them temporarily put aside their grudges and join forces?

Yang Xuyan continued mechanically, "...The primary objective...is to eradicate...the Yin Kui Sect...because they...betrayed the Holy Gate...a month ago...openly announced...their departure...and...led their followers to join...the Heavenly Dao Alliance...This is...a provocation and betrayal against the entire Holy Gate...and cannot be...intolerated..."

"...The plan...is for the Extinction of Emotions Sect and the Heavenly Lotus Sect to spread rumors...create chaos, and sow discord between the Yin Kui Sect and their old enemies..."

"...Zhao Deyan of the Demonic Image Sect...will secretly mobilize Turkic experts...to create trouble on the border, to restrain...the Central Plains forces that might aid the Yin Kui Sect..."

"...Zuo Youxian, Bi Shouxuan, and others who truly transmit the Dao...will join forces with some Daoist sects...to smear their reputation through public opinion..."

"...Finally...Master...personally led experts from all sides...in a surprise attack on the Yin Kui Sect's headquarters...aiming for...a single, decisive blow...leaving no one alive..."

"...If...if the Heavenly Dao Alliance intervenes...then...the sect leaders...will seize the opportunity...to ambush...and severely injure, or even...annihilate..."

When he uttered the last word, Yang Xuyan's body trembled violently. It seemed that the final taboo instilled in him an instinctive fear, but he was ultimately unable to resist and uttered the words "...Nameless..." in a daze.

"They actually...!"

Shan Wanjing immediately turned pale. The Yin Kui Sect was the brainchild of her maternal grandmother Zhu Yuyan and her mother Shan Meixian, and it was also the place of her closest relatives!
Just then, Yi Huawei slowly withdrew his gaze.

As if the hypnosis had been broken, Yang Xuyan jolted awake, his eyes regaining a moment of clarity. He immediately realized what he had just said, his face drained of color, and his eyes flashed with extreme fear and disbelief!
He... he actually revealed all the sect's most core and deadly secrets without anyone noticing?! What methods did this man in blue use?!

What kind of magic is this? !

Yang Xuyan opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to bite his tongue and commit suicide, but it was too late. He knew that he had revealed such a shocking secret, and no matter how vast the world was, there was nowhere for him to hide. Even after death, he would be regarded as a traitor to the Holy Sect!
Having obtained all the information he wanted, Yi Huawei showed no emotion in his eyes, and did not even glance at Yang Xuyan a second time. He simply brushed a speck of dust off his clothes, and casually flicked his left sleeve towards Yang Xuyan.

An invisible and intangible yet extremely refined energy shot out from a distance, precisely invading Yang Xuyan's heart meridian.

Yang Xuyan's body jolted violently, his eyes bulged suddenly, pupils dilated rapidly, and all his spirit vanished instantly, turning into a deathly gray. A soft gurgling sound came from his throat, then his head lolled to the side, and the last bit of strength in his body disappeared. He slumped completely into the chair, his breath ceasing. A thin trickle of blood slowly slid down from the corner of his mouth.

The once-renowned Shadow Assassin, feared by countless people, fell silently in a room of this remote inn.

Yi Huawei slowly turned around and looked at Shan Wanjing, who was still immersed in shock and worry: "Jing'er, don't worry. A month ago, I not only completely healed the hidden injuries left by your grandmother from her past cultivation of the Heavenly Demon Art, helping her to make up for all her flaws, but I have also reached the perfect state of the eighteenth level of the Heavenly Demon Art." Hearing the words "eighteenth level of the Heavenly Demon Art," Shan Wanjing suddenly raised her head. Although she had grown up in the Dongming Sect since childhood, she was not completely ignorant of the Heavenly Demon Art. Eighteen levels! That was the highest realm that no one in the Yin Kui Sect had been able to reach for hundreds of years! It was a power that could make one look down on all others and dominate the world!

"Even if the 'Evil King' Shi Zhixuan were to go in person right now, he would not fare well against your grandmother. As for those other so-called sect leaders who are nothing but chickens and dogs..."

Yi Huawei shook his head slightly, his tone carrying a hint of indifferent disdain: "...It's nothing but courting death, just testing your grandmother's sword. Your mother is safe and sound at the Yin Kui headquarters."

Looking into her master's deep, calm eyes, which seemed to control everything, the turbulent waves in Shan Wanjing's heart gradually subsided.

Yes, with Master there! He had everything arranged! Grandma actually mastered the legendary eighteenth level! This is simply...

Shan Wanjing took a breath, then slowly exhaled, looking at Yang Xuyan's corpse on the chair, her eyes now devoid of any emotion.
"Disciple understands, thank you Master!"

Yi Huawei shifted his gaze from Yang Xuyan's corpse to the view outside the window.

The dawn was already high, and golden light spilled onto the green tiles and gray walls of Luoyang City, creating a misty atmosphere of vitality. In the distance, the cries of vendors could be faintly heard, proclaiming the daily hustle and bustle and life of the world.

"Did you see that, Jing'er?"

"what?"

Shan Wanjing's heart trembled slightly. She averted her gaze from the corpse and respectfully bowed her head: "Master means...?"

"Assassination,"

Yi Huawei slowly turned around, his gaze clear and sharp: "No matter how miraculous his skills are, or how cunning and precise his timing is, in the end, it is nothing more than a minor trick, the lowest of the low in terms of methods."

Walking to the simple wooden table in the room, Yi Huawei gently brushed his fingers across the surface, leaving a few specks of dust on his fingertips. He continued, "Yang Xuyan, known as the 'Shadow Assassin,' possesses the Illusionary Demon Movement Technique and the Illusionary Sword Technique, which have indeed reached a state of perfection. Combined with the Black Hand Demon Art, he is unpredictable and difficult to defend against, making him a top figure in the art of assassination. If you had encountered him alone before last night, the outcome would have been uncertain, and you might even have faced mortal danger."

Recalling the terrifying attack and the distorted, eerie force field that morning, Shan Wanjing nodded slightly, still shaken. Had her skills not greatly improved and her senses not been sharper, she might have truly fallen victim to it.

"But then what?"

Yi Huawei changed the subject, raising his gaze to look directly at Shan Wanjing: "So what if he succeeds? So what if he fails?"

Before Shan Wanjing could speak, he answered his own question, a hint of mockery in his voice: "Even if he were to succeed by chance today, assassinating you, or even my master... so what? He would still be forced to hide in the shadows, like a rat in a gutter, unable to see the light. His fate was sealed the moment he saw himself as an assassin. One failure means utter ruin. One success would only bring him an even more dangerous mission, until one day he dies a violent death in some unknown alley, just like today."

“Look at him, he has considerable martial arts skills, but he can only use them for sneak attacks and assassinations. His life and death, his value, and even the seemingly amazing secrets he reveals are as light as a feather in the face of absolute strength and power.”

Shan Wanjing seemed to understand something, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she fell into deep thought.

"In this world, what truly allows one to stand firm, control one's own destiny, command respect from others, and deter enemies from easily venturing into one's territory is never these underhanded tricks."

Yi Huawei paused, then emphasized, "It is our own strength, the power under our command, and an absolute force that is upright and just enough to crush all underhanded schemes!"

"Take the matter of the Yin Kui Sect for example. The two sects and six paths of the Demonic Sect joined forces. Their plan was meticulous and their methods were ruthless. They used every means at their disposal, including rumors, provocation, restraint, assassination, siege, and ambush. When it comes to assassination and conspiracy, they are experts."

"However, what was the basis of all these conspiracies and schemes? It was their assessment of the Yin Kui Sect's strength, and their belief that they could pay a price to devour the Yin Kui Sect. But they overlooked one thing—"

Yi Huawei's gaze deepened again: "That is absolute strength, the strength that can shatter all schemes. When your grandmother mastered the eighteenth level of the Heavenly Demon Technique, when she patched up all the flaws, when she possessed enough power to confront or even suppress Shi Zhixuan head-on, all their plans, all their alliances, all their ambushes, all became a laughable joke."

"In the face of absolute power, any conspiracy is like ice and snow under the sun, melting away completely. What they thought was an overwhelming force may just be a gentle breeze in front of your grandmother; their carefully prepared ambush may not even be worthy of her attention."

Yi Huawei looked at Shan Wanjing and earnestly instructed her: "Therefore, Jing'er, you must remember. Cultivating yourself, constantly improving your martial arts level, and possessing personal strength sufficient to look down on the world is the foundation, the basis for your survival, and you must never slacken your efforts. This is why I asked you to absorb the essence of the Evil Emperor's relic."

"But at the same time,"

Yi Huawei changed his tone: "Individual strength, at times, also has its limits. If you want to achieve great things, if you want to protect those you want to protect, if you want to implement your own ideals and make this world less of those treacherous people like Yang Xuyan who only know how to assassinate, and more of a bright and clear world, then you need to establish order and control power."

"Just like when I formed the 'Heavenly Alliance'."

Yi Huawei stood with his hands behind his back, naturally exuding an aura of dominance over all living beings: "Integrate resources, gather like-minded people, and establish rules and order. When our power is strong enough to influence the world's格局 (geju, a term referring to the overall situation or pattern of the world), those enemies hiding in the shadows, even if they hate us to the bone, will have to consider whether they can withstand the wrath of the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the painful price they will have to pay after breaking the order before they can take action."

"At that time, assassination will automatically lose most of its effectiveness. Because it cannot shake our foundation, but will instead invite the cruelest retaliation. This is the power of momentum; it is silent, yet omnipresent, and more awe-inspiring than the sharpest sword."

The room was silent, save for Yi Huawei's calm yet powerful voice. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating his blue robe and gilding it, making him appear even more imposing and unfathomable.

Dan Wanjing listened quietly, overwhelmed with shock. Her master's words, like a resounding bell, dispelled the worries she had felt about the demonic sects joining forces, and opened a new and broader perspective for her.

True strength is not limited to the outcome of a single battle or the assassination by one or two masters. It lies in one's own unparalleled power, the vastness of one's forces, and the stability of the established order. While individual bravery is important, only by transforming power into order and influence can true long-term stability be achieved, protecting the common people.

Dan Wanjing looked at Yang Xuyan's corpse on the ground, and the last trace of emotion in her eyes completely subsided. At this moment, in her eyes, he was no longer a terrifying top assassin, but just a pitiful wretch who had gone astray and was ultimately crushed by the torrent of the times and absolute power.

She would never repeat his mistakes.

"Disciple...will humbly follow Master's teachings!"

Dan Wanjing took a deep breath, bowed solemnly, and said in a firm and clear voice, "This disciple will definitely cultivate diligently and improve my strength, and try my best to understand the profound meaning of 'momentum' that Master spoke of, and will never fail Master's expectations!"

Yi Huawei looked at his apprentice, whose eyes were bright and whose temperament seemed to have improved, nodded slightly, and a look of satisfaction appeared in his eyes.

"Very good! Let's pack up and get going."

"Yes, Master."

Shan Wanjing agreed without further hesitation and began efficiently cleaning up the traces in the room. (End of Chapter)