Embers of Sword

Chapter 751 Punishing Xining

Xie Xuanyi remembered clearly a sentence his master had said.

"The great way of the world does not distinguish between left and right."

"All things in the world are equal in their level."

Cultivators in this world are as numerous as weeds, and the number of paths they have comprehended is countless. The Dao fruits that rise and fall in the long river of the Great Dao are as numerous as hairs on a cow.

only.

There are only so many supreme "Tao" principles in the world.

Birth and death, yin and yang, battle...

These powerful Dao Realm experts can be counted on two hands.

The "capacity" of the Great Dao River is ultimately limited; some Dao fruits, once harvested, will never be borne again. Take Venerable Lotus as an example... If she hadn't died in the demon siege and had successfully advanced to Yang God, then Xie Xuanyi's attempt to "condense the Dao" would have been several times more difficult.

Two of the Fruits of Annihilation have already been picked.

One belongs to Luo Lie, and the other belongs to Venerable Lian.

Xie Xuanyi wanted to remove the third one... which naturally became even more difficult!

"Something is amiss with the Path of Annihilation..."

Xie Xuanyi hadn't expected that his daydreaming would lead to this situation.

If the world of the River of Destiny is a petal... then the "stamen" of the main world is more or less affected by the petal.

He condensed his Dao in the world of petals and returned to the main world to fall into a state of decline.

This situation is equivalent to the "Tao Fruit" of the Great Dao River being picked first and then released back.

"What would happen if I gave up on condensing the Dao?"

Xie Xuanyi asked with some curiosity.

“No one knows what will happen. But I guess… the seeds scattered by the ‘Path of Annihilation’ will sprout and grow at an extremely fast pace, after all, it has already found a new master.” Chen Jingxuan said, “Xie Yueying’s comprehension speed is already very fast. If you give up on condensing the Dao, perhaps her comprehension speed will be even faster?”

This is just speculation.

However, this speculation sparked more thoughts in Xie Xuanyi.

Apart from his master, no one in the world knew that his understanding of the "Principles of Annihilation" actually began earlier and faster than Xie Yueying's.

Xie Xuanyi was only fourteen years old at that time...

"Is it because Venerable Lotus 'passed away' long ago that the Dao Fruit is vacant, allowing me to comprehend it?"

"If this is the case……"

"So it's just a coincidence that the 'Way of Annihilation' has chosen the Xie clan twice in a row?"

Xie Xuanyi felt that after returning to Chu State, it would be necessary to visit the ancestral temple in Jiangning.

“I used the [Hun Yuan Yi] to monitor the other aura of annihilation.”

Chen Jingxuan said leisurely, "There's another one... that extends to the north."

"North?"

Xie Xuanyi raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, if I'm not mistaken, there is also a holder of the 'Way of Annihilation' in the Demon Kingdom."

Chen Jingxuan said, "Judging from the aura, the Dao Principle holder's realm is not high... The appearance of these two new Dao Principle holders is related to you. If you successfully condense the Dao, the difficulty for these two Dao Principle holders to advance to Yang God will increase several times. However, for Xie Yueying, this does not seem to be a bad thing."

Before tonight, Xie Yueying was just an ordinary cave.

How could she dare to aspire to the "Yang God Realm"?
But now.

The situation is quite different.

Once Xie Yueying becomes a Yin God and cultivates to the complete Dao Realm, she will naturally become the strongest among those in the same realm!

For her, this blessing was enough.

"There is another holder of the 'Way of Annihilation' in the Demon Kingdom..."

Xie Xuanyi pondered for a moment and said, "If conditions permit, I would like to go and take a look."

Right now, I haven't finished the "important matters" I need to attend to while I'm away from home.

The trip to the demon kingdom had to be postponed for the time being.

……

……

That night.

The Marquis's residence in Xining was brightly lit.

"what!"

"What did you say?!"

Zhu Gong was calmly drinking tea when, after hearing Uncle Yao's report, he suddenly stood up.

"A powerful expert suspected to be at the Yang Shen Realm has arrived at Baoyue Tower!!"

Zhu Gong's forehead was covered in cold sweat.

"That aura, there's no mistake."

Uncle Yao lowered his voice and said nervously, "That person didn't even use his Dao Realm, yet he blocked all my attacks... He didn't use any supernatural powers or magical artifacts. He came into my Dao Domain without me noticing him at all."

"Who is that person?"

Zhu Gong spoke in a hoarse voice.

"I……"

Uncle Yao's expression was complicated: "I didn't see it clearly."

The gap in strength between the two sides is too large.

Even if that powerful figure were standing right in his Dao Domain, he still couldn't see the other person's face clearly.

All I remember is that the person was dressed in black.

The place where they stand.

The area within a three-foot radius was enveloped by an invisible layer of energy.

His own snow couldn't even reach it, so how could he dare to use his divine sense to investigate? Even if he did investigate, he wouldn't get any results and would only cause the other party to be dissatisfied.

"Let me sort this out..."

Zhu Gong slumped into a chair, pinching his brow with his hand. After a moment, he gritted his teeth and said, "You mean... my stupid nephew carefully selected someone who had just comprehended the 'Way of Annihilation' and was at the initial stage of the Cave Heaven Realm... When Xie Yueying broke through to enlightenment, there just happened to be a Yang God nearby who sensed this aura?"

What a coincidence!
What a coincidence!

"Yes……"

Uncle Yao gave a wry smile and said helplessly, "That's roughly the whole story..."

"How did you handle Zhu Shuo's situation?"

Zhu Gong frowned and spoke.

"I have already given the instructions."

Uncle Yao said, "Although the young master likes to have fun, he is still clear-headed. He should be able to tell what is important and wouldn't say this out loud."

"No, this matter is of great importance."

Zhu Gong shook his head: "Later, you will use your magic to erase the memories in his mind... The changes at Baoyue Tower tonight are strange, and I will report this to Mr. Nalan."

"Master Hou!"

Uncle Yao was startled: "That official specifically instructed us not to publicize this matter. Besides, he has already read through all the account books in the Marquis's mansion."

"How could Mr. Nalan not be aware of these minor outstanding debts?"

Zhu Gong waved his hand dismissively: "Sitting in this position, how could I possibly not get a drop of water from the canal transport and trade of Xining City? If I don't take a single thing, will those people feel at ease? Will Mr. Nalan feel at ease? The messy affairs of the Marquis's mansion are not worth Mr. Nalan's concern."

Hearing this, Uncle Yao felt a little relieved.

Also.

None of the seven marquises under the Crown Prince's command are easy to deal with.

Although Zhu Gong has not yet cultivated to the Yin God Realm, for a great figure of his caliber, worldly possessions such as gold and silver have lost their meaning.

"A powerful Yang God realm expert has condescended to search the Marquis's residence..."

Zhu Gong sighed and said, "Everything else is fine, but this matter really strikes me as odd. Why would such a high-ranking person bother to make a trip to my dilapidated residence? Within the country, who doesn't know the true situation of 'Xining City'? Moreover, he's so mysterious and secretive; is he afraid people will find out his identity?"

"what do you mean……"

Uncle Yao's pupils contracted: "That mysterious expert, isn't from Li Kingdom?"

The mysterious Yang God from the Chu Kingdom...

Several figures flashed through Uncle Yao's mind: Chen Jingxuan, Tang Fengshu, Zhou... but he quickly ruled them out because they had nothing to do with Xie Yueying.

In the end, only one name remained.

"Xie Xuanyi?" Uncle Yao tentatively offered this guess.

"Doesn't seem like it... but who knows?"

Zhu Gong's thoughts were ten times more complex than those of his subordinates. He took out the token, rubbing it in his palm, debating whether or not to infuse it with his divine sense.

suddenly.

A chilling aura enveloped the main hall of the Marquis's residence.

"Who?!"

Uncle Yao felt a chill run down his spine, his entire body instantly filled with dread. He immediately activated his Dao Domain, and countless snowflakes were hurled from the void, enveloping the main hall. The Dao Domain activated smoothly, but it offered no assistance whatsoever... because the chilling aura still lingered, a higher-level grotto-heaven than the "Snowflake Dao Domain."

I don’t know when.

A dark figure appeared in the wind and snow, behind Zhu Gong.

The figure was very thin.

Long, slender fingers gently rested on Zhu Gong's shoulder.

"..."

Zhu Gong's hand holding the message token suddenly stiffened, and his whole body froze like a stone statue. Logically speaking, with the message token in his hand, he could communicate with Nalan Xuance in his divine sea with just a thought.

But after someone pressed down on her shoulder.

He couldn't even transmit a single thought.

Zhu Gong's face was extremely grim. He raised his head with great difficulty, looked at Uncle Yao opposite him, and gave him a look, signaling him to speak quickly.

He was completely "suppressed" and couldn't move an inch.

At this moment, he was completely certain that the other party must be a Yang God!

"You...you're back again?"

Uncle Yao's face was even more unpleasant than Zhu Gong's at this moment.

He used honorifics directly, his tone was extremely respectful, and even carried a hint of humble flattery.

Who would have thought that the mighty Yang God would return to Xining City after leaving Baoyue Tower?

"……Um."

The dark figure standing in the lobby simply hummed in response and then fell silent.

The atmosphere was extremely serious.

Deathly silence.

However, the Dao Domain that Uncle Yao unleashed attracted the attention of outsiders.

A patrolman, carrying a lantern and a long sword, arrived outside the main hall but was stopped by Dao Yu. He shouted loudly from the edge of the snowstorm, "Lord Yao, what's going on?"

The dark figure slowly moved its head, looking in the direction of the patrol.

"Fuck off!"

Uncle Yao quickly used the wind and snow to shield the other person's vision, and then transmitted his voice: "Pass on my order, the Marquis's residence is under martial law tonight. No one is allowed to step into it without my order!"

The patrolman quickly took his leave.

Uncle Yao quickly withdrew his Dao Domain, and the main hall immediately returned to its previous state, except that the doors and windows were all covered with a layer of flowing snow.

"meet again."

The dark figure released his hand from Zhu Gong's shoulder and left casually. After walking a few steps, he chose a rattan chair and sat down.

Zhu Gong swallowed hard.

The pressure on his shoulders dissipated, and he could feel that he had regained his freedom.

But... the pressure in my heart did not dissipate.

Before the Yang God.

All living things in this manor are as fragile as weeds.

"I remember saying before that I didn't want anyone to know about tonight's events..."

The shadowy figure chuckled leisurely, "It seems you don't take what I said seriously."

"grown ups……"

Uncle Yao gritted his teeth, wanting to explain.

next moment.

The dark figure stretched out its palm and casually made a sweeping motion.

The void shattered, and the ice crystals exploded.

"what!"

Uncle Yao screamed and fell to his knees as one of his arms was severed... Under the influence of the Dao Domain, with layers of wind and snow, the blood from the arm did not gush out. After the severing blow, it was immediately frozen by the Dao Domain.

"This arm can be reattached, even if it costs some money."

The shadowy figure said expressionlessly, "This punishment is for your hypocrisy."

"Your punishment is entirely justified, sir..."

After losing his arm, Uncle Yao kowtowed deeply, his voice trembling as he said, "Thank you, sir, for sparing my life..."

Although his voice trembled during the apology, his attitude was extremely respectful and sincere.

Uncle Yao knew very well.

The fact that this severed arm is still intact is not because my own Dao Domain is powerful enough.

Instead, it was that Yang God who held back.

to be honest.

If the other party had sent out even a wisp of divine thought... suppressing him from activating his Dao Domain, this severed arm would have long since turned to dust.

This seemingly severe punishment actually left room for maneuver.

The Marquis's residence fell silent once again.

The dark figure slowly looked across at the person sitting in the center of the hall, Zhu Gong.

Zhu Gong did not back down, but instead met the gaze of the dark figure.

Zhu Gong stared at it for a long time.

He had not yet cultivated to the Yin Spirit realm, and when he looked at the dark figure, what he saw was no different from what Uncle Yao saw.

In the flickering light of the lamps.

The other party was nothing but a dark, inky shadow.

No matter what, it's impossible to see clearly or distinctly.

After a moment, Zhu Gong suddenly mustered his courage and spoke, his voice hoarse: "Young Master Luo... you wouldn't want to kill me and give the Xining Marquis's Mansion a new master, would you?"

The title "Young Master Luo" was uttered.

Uncle Yao was taken aback.

"Tsk..."

The shadowy figure chuckled: "Zhu Gong, no wonder everyone says you have sharp eyes. How could someone from a mere Cave Heaven realm be able to discern my identity?"

"Zhu's level of understanding is too low to be worth mentioning."

Zhu Gong wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said with a humble smile, "Young Master Luo's identity is half observation and half guessing."

He looked toward the spot where Uncle Yao's arm had been severed...

As the wind and snow gathered, the clean cut on the severed arm faintly radiated the aura of a blade.

This is the source of his speculation.

With such sword intent and such a high level of skill... the identity of the newcomer is obvious.

Wow!

The inky shadows that had enveloped the area shattered, cascading down like a waterfall.

Luo Hai no longer concealed his identity. He revealed his true form and sat calmly on the rattan chair. However, he was no longer wearing a straw raincoat, but a black shirt with a long sword at his waist. The pressure of the Yang God Realm was only slightly revealed, but it made Zhu Gong and Uncle Yao breathless.

"You're quite smart."

Luo Hai said calmly, "But... what's the use of being smart? Do you think I wouldn't dare kill you?"

Zhu Gong immediately knelt down.

His status as a marquis... was utterly insignificant in the face of a Yang God.

Given Luo Hai's level of cultivation, even if he were to meet the Crown Prince, the latter would still treat him with utmost respect, as a distinguished guest, and would not dare to offend him in the slightest.

"Young Master Luo, you've misunderstood."

Zhu Gong sighed, forcing a smile, and said, "I am aware of my own limitations. I, the Marquis of Xining, am of mediocre ability. I am fortunate to be valued by the Crown Prince and have barely managed to secure this position. Even if someone like you were to kill me, it wouldn't cause any significant disturbance. However, what benefit would killing me bring to the One Blade Sect? Over the years, Xining City has sent a considerable amount of silver to the One Blade Sect... Currently, both within and outside the country, everything is in chaos. The death of one of the Seven Marquises will more or less incur the Crown Prince's displeasure..."

(End of this chapter)