Starting as pearl divers, they have endless jobs.

Chapter 158 Heavenly Sword Kill Order!
Having successfully struck, Chen Ye didn't linger at all, rushing into the deeper parts of the dense forest without looking back.

And less than a minute after he rushed into the dense forest.

boom--!
The golden tiger sword has finally arrived!

But at this moment, the scene was empty, with only a body, its head and body separated, lying quietly on the ground.

The Tiger Sword trembled violently, seemingly angry that it had failed to save the target its master had designated for protection and that the murderer had escaped.

It hovered in the air for a moment, seemingly searching for the killer's trail.

Suddenly, its sword tip turned and unleashed dozens of golden sword lights in the direction Chen Ye was fleeing!

call out!call out!call out!
Dozens of sword lights covered an area of ​​over a thousand meters in front of them.

Rumble!
Huge ravines appeared one after another in the dense forest, and countless towering ancient trees were cut in half or directly shredded into wood chips by the sword energy.

The entire forest looked as if it had been ravaged by an ancient behemoth, leaving it in a state of utter devastation.

However, apart from stirring up clouds of dust, this frenzied attack achieved no results.

Chen Ye had already disappeared without a trace.

Tiger Sword seemed to know that there was no point in continuing the pursuit.

It circled reluctantly in the air for a few moments, then its light faded, and it hovered quietly above Xiao Zhanbai's corpse, waiting for its master to arrive.

At the same time, several streaks of light were flying toward them at an extremely fast speed in the distant night sky.

Those were other disciples of Tianjian Manor.

Upon receiving Xiao Zhanbai's distress signal, they rushed over from all directions immediately.

The person in the lead was a young man dressed in white with a cold face; he was Zhao Qian, who had previously taken over the investigation from Xiao Zhanbai.

He rode on a blue flying sword, moving the fastest and arriving at the scene first.

However, when he saw the scene before him, he was completely stunned.

He stared at the corpse on the ground and the Tiger Sword, which hovered in the air, exuding supreme majesty, his eyes filled with shock and horror.

"This...this is...the young master has made a move?"

Zhao Qian muttered to himself, then his gaze fell on the female corpse.

When he saw the familiar white outfit, his pupils suddenly shrank to the size of pinpoints.

"Xiao...Xiao Zhanbai?"

Zhao Qian gasped in shock, his face filled with disbelief.

Xiao Zhanbai, who had always been superior to him and was hailed as one of the two pillars of the Enforcement Hall, was actually... dead?
Moreover, his head was chopped off even when the young master himself intervened.

This...what is going on?

Who exactly is this person, with such audacity and terrifying strength?

Just as he was in shock and his mind was in complete chaos.

Several more figures, riding flying swords, arrived at the scene from different directions.

They were all disciples of Tianjian Manor, but when they saw the tragic scene before them and Xiao Zhanbai's corpse, everyone's faces showed the same shock and horror as Zhao Qian's.

The whole scene was dead silent.

Just as everyone was speechless with shock at the horrifying scene before them, two even more powerful auras arrived in an instant from the direction of Qingzhou Prefecture City, one after the other.

The leader was a young man with a handsome face and outstanding demeanor, dressed in a brocade white robe.

He walked through the air with his hands behind his back. With each step, it was as if there were invisible steps beneath his feet. Although he did not use any magical artifacts, his speed was several times faster than those disciples who flew on swords.

It was none other than Jian Wuchen, the young master of Tianjian Manor!

Half a step behind him was an old man dressed in gray elder's robes, with white hair and beard, a stern face, and no expression.

It was Elder Jian from the Law Enforcement Hall!
The moment the two arrived, the invisible pressure emanating from them caused all the disciples present to feel a chill run down their spines.

"Greetings, Young Master! Greetings, Elder Jian!" Zhao Qian was the first to react and quickly bowed in greeting.

The other disciples also seemed to wake from a dream, and they all followed suit, bowing their heads and not daring to even breathe loudly.

Jian Wuchen's face was terribly gloomy.

He ignored the greetings from the crowd and his gaze immediately fell on the tiger sword that was floating in the air.

The Fierce Tiger Sword seemed to sense its master's arrival, emitting a deep hum, transforming into a golden light, and flying back to his side.

Jian Wuchen reached out and gently stroked the sword, the chill in his eyes almost freezing the air.

He knew what had happened without even asking.

The Fierce Tiger Sword is his natal weapon, refined with his mind and spirit over many years, and they are in perfect harmony.

Therefore, although he was not physically present, he could clearly see everything that had just happened through the senses of the Fierce Tiger Sword.

Someone killed his elite disciples of Tianjian Manor right under his nose, even after he had already made his move!
This is no longer a provocation.

This is a blatant slap in the face!

Therefore, a raging fire of anger burned fiercely in Jian Wuchen's chest.

But his face showed no anger whatsoever; instead, it returned to calm, though beneath that calm lay a terrifying killing intent capable of destroying everything.

At the same time, Elder Jian came to Xiao Zhanbai's body and examined it carefully.

When his gaze fell on the perfectly smooth wound on his neck, a barely perceptible glint flashed in his eyes.

What a fast knife! What a sharp knife!

A single, swift blow to the death, without the slightest hesitation.

Then he stretched out two withered fingers and gently touched the edge of the wound.

A faint yet extremely domineering sword intent flowed from his fingertips into his body.

"Ok?"

Elder Jian raised an eyebrow slightly.

This sword intent was neither as expansive and powerful as that of ordinary swordsmen, nor as sinister and vicious as that of demonic sword cultivators.

It gives people a feeling of pure, extreme destruction.

It was as if its very existence was solely for killing, for severing everything.

interesting.

Elder Jian stood up, a knowing glint in his eyes.

"Xiao Zhanbai must have fought the murderer here first, was defeated and seriously injured, and then crushed the jade slip for help."

Elder Jian's tone was very calm.

"When you activated the Fierce Tiger Sword to come to the rescue, the murderer broke through Xiao Zhanbai's protective magic artifact and attempted to kill him."

"Xiao Zhanbai must have become complacent when he saw the Tiger Sword approaching, and the murderer seized this fleeting opportunity to behead him with a single blow."

"By the time your Tiger Sword strike landed, the murderer had already succeeded and fled the scene."

Elder Jian's analysis was almost identical to what Jian Wuchen sensed through the Fierce Tiger Sword.

"In other words," Jian Wuchen's eyes grew even colder, "that the murderer knew I had already intervened, yet still forcibly killed Junior Sister Zhan Bai?"

"Yes." Elder Jian nodded.

"good very good!"

Jian Wuchen laughed in anger, uttering two "good"s, but his killing intent could no longer be suppressed and soared into the sky.

The surrounding disciples turned pale under this terrifying killing intent, and could not even stand steadily.

"Zhao Qian!" Jian Wuchen suddenly shouted.

"Disciple is here!" Zhao Qian was startled and quickly stepped forward.

"You are now in full charge of this case. I need you to find out everything about the murderer! Immediately!"

"Yes!" Zhao Qian dared not delay in the slightest, and immediately turned around, mounted his sword, and flew towards Qingzhou City.

At this time, the efficiency of Tianjian Manor was astonishing.

Zhao Qian returned in less than the time it takes to eat a meal, carrying a newly compiled file.

"Reporting to the young master, and to Elder Jian!"

Zhao Qian reported, "Based on the confession of the White Bone Mountain disciple in the interrogation room, the testimony of the Yuelai Inn manager, and the records at the city gate, we have basically identified the murderer!"

"The murderer's name is Chen Ye. He comes from Yu Huo County and is a rogue cultivator. His recorded cultivation level is... is the Unobstructed Realm."

By the end, Zhao Qian's voice was somewhat uncertain.

This result is simply unbelievable.

A mere youth at the Unobstructed Realm killed an elder of White Bone Mountain and then killed Xiao Zhanbai, an elite disciple of Heavenly Sword Manor.
Who would believe this?
As expected, when Jian Wuchen heard the words "Unimpeded Realm," his brows furrowed sharply, and a look of surprise and confusion appeared on his face.

"Unimpeded Realm? Are you sure?"

"This... that's what it says in the file..." Zhao Qian answered, forcing a smile. "Hmph, a bunch of useless trash!" Jian Wuchen snorted coldly, clearly very dissatisfied with the result.

Elder Jian, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up.

"He is not in a state of unimpededness."

Everyone's eyes were focused on him.

Elder Jian slowly said, "Judging from the sword intent remaining on this wound, this person's true essence is powerful and domineering, and continuous, which is definitely not something that a cultivator in the Unobstructed Realm can possess."

"He must have broken through to the Sea Condensation Realm during the chase with Xiao Zhanbai."

"Moreover," Elder Jian's eyes flashed with a hint of solemnity, "this person's grasp of the opportunity and ruthlessness far surpass those of ordinary people. The fact that he could decisively strike and kill Xiao Zhanbai in the instant when Xiao Zhanbai's mind relaxed is enough to show how rich his combat experience and how firm his will is. He is by no means an ordinary person."

Elder Jian paused for a moment, then commented, "This young man is a ruthless and ambitious figure!"

The Qingzhou region has not seen a person who can be called a hero by Elder Jian for many years.

"However, no matter who he is or how powerful he is."

Elder Jian abruptly changed the subject, his eyes instantly turning cold and sharp.

"Anyone who dares to kill disciples of my Heavenly Sword Manor outside Qingzhou City is courting death!"

"Give me the order!"

His voice was not loud, but it was full of unquestionable majesty.

"Issue the Heavenly Sword Kill Order! Any disciple of Heavenly Sword Manor who sees this person shall be killed without mercy!"

"Whoever takes the head will be rewarded with a top-grade magic weapon, ten bottles of elixirs, and ten thousand sect contribution points!"

The Heavenly Sword Kill Order is the highest-level kill order issued by the Heavenly Sword Manor, and it hasn't been issued for nearly a hundred years!

The last time it was awarded was to hunt down an Inner Realm Demon who had wiped out the entire family of the manor's affiliated clan!

The fact that a kill order has been used against a mere swordsman who has just entered the Sea Condensation Realm shows that the manor is truly enraged this time.

"Elder, I will personally lead men to pursue them!" Jian Wuchen suddenly said.

"No need," Elder Jian waved his hand, dissuading him.

“I know you’re resentful, but remember, those in a position of authority should have the dignity of those in a position of authority. Why do you need to personally deal with a mere swordsman who has just broken through to the Sea Condensation Realm? Your disciples are sufficient. You can stay in Qingzhou and direct the operations.”

Upon hearing this, Jian Wuchen suppressed his impulse and nodded.

"Furthermore," Elder Jian added, "seal off all major transportation routes within 500 li of Qingzhou City, issue a warrant for his arrest, and unite with all major sects and the government to conduct a full-scale manhunt for him! I refuse to believe that he can sprout wings and fly away!"

"Yes!"

Everyone responded in unison.

A massive net was cast to target Chen Ye.

Just then, a red figure staggered towards them from the horizon, crying out in a mournful voice.

"Slay the White!!"

The person who arrived was none other than Xiao Hongye, who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

When she saw the cold, decapitated corpse on the ground, she was struck dumb, her vision went black, and she almost fell from mid-air.

"No—!" A heart-wrenching cry echoed through the night sky.

This incident quickly caused a sensation throughout Qingzhou City.

Because for a very long time, no one has dared to touch the people of Tianjian Manor, especially not in such a close place as Qingzhou Prefecture City, where an elite disciple was killed in front of the young master who was about to arrive.

In no time, Chen Ye's name spread throughout the streets and alleys of Qingzhou City.

Some were frightened, some were disdainful, but many others secretly applauded.

After all, the disciples of Tianjian Manor have become increasingly arrogant in recent years, which has long aroused dissatisfaction among many people.

Inside the Tavern of Relief, upon hearing this, the Mad Swordsman Xue Shan slammed his hand on the table, causing the wine bowls to jump.

"This kid is really awesome! I admire his courage to do something like that!"

However, most people are still not optimistic about Chen Ye.

After all, Tianjian Manor had even issued a kill order, which showed just how furious they were.

As expected, ever since the kill order was issued, the sword light above Qingzhou City has never stopped.

Countless disciples of Tianjian Manor rode flying swords, forming a vast net, searching every inch of land within a hundred miles of Qingzhou Prefecture City again and again.

However, a day passed, and nothing was gained.

It was as if Chen Ye had vanished into thin air.

This made Tianjian Manor lose face even more, and the search efforts were intensified accordingly.

While the entire Qingzhou Prefecture was in an uproar because of the Heavenly Sword Kill Order, and countless disciples of the Heavenly Sword Manor were frantically searching all over the mountains like headless flies.

Chen Ye had already appeared on a rugged mountain road two hundred miles away from Qingzhou City.

He was no longer the sharp-eyed young cultivator with a long sword on his back.

He was wearing a faded coarse cloth outfit, with mud splattered on his trousers, and his face was covered in dust, as if he hadn't washed it for days.

He carried a heavy peddler's load on his shoulder.

One end of the carrying pole had two wooden boxes stacked together, while the other end was hung with all sorts of trinkets such as rattles, windmills, needles and thread, sugar figurines, and dough figurines.

As he walked step by step, the ends of the carrying pole creaked, and the trinkets hanging from it swayed back and forth, making jingling sounds.

Anyone who saw him would think he was just an ordinary peddler who traveled through the mountains and fields year-round, making a living by selling small commodities.

No one would have guessed that this seemingly honest and even somewhat dull peddler was Chen Ye, the villain who had brought shame upon the entire Tianjian Manor and was wanted by the authorities.

Chen Ye borrowed this outfit from a dilapidated temple last night.

He killed Xiao Zhanbai and fled for over a hundred miles.

But Chen Ye knew that he was too conspicuous in this state and would eventually be cornered by the pursuers from Tianjian Manor.

Therefore, a complete overhaul is necessary as soon as possible.

As Chen Ye passed by a mountain god temple, he discovered a peddler inside who was fast asleep.

Chen Ye didn't stand on ceremony and simply took what he could, borrowing the other man's clothes, carrying pole, and even the straw hat that had turned yellow from being soaked in sweat.

Before leaving, Chen Ye took out a piece of silver and placed it under the peddler's body, thus buying the equipment.

After changing into this outfit, Chen Ye wrapped his Jingzhe Blade in layers of rags and hid it at the bottom of the cargo box. Then, he used his divine soul power to suppress all his aura to the extreme, making his skin rough and dark as well.

After doing all this, Chen Ye looked at his reflection in the puddle and almost didn't recognize himself.

Now, even if Su Yuan stood right in front of him, let alone the people of Tianjian Manor, she would never recognize him as Chen Ye.

So Chen Ye carried his load on his shoulder pole, choosing not the main road but instead taking the remote and difficult paths, heading deep into the mountains.

The mountain road was exceptionally difficult to travel.

In some places, it can't even be called a road; it's just a narrow path trodden out by those who came before, winding and twisting between cliffs and precipices.

Chen Ye carried a load weighing dozens of kilograms, yet walked with remarkable steady footing, his breathing completely undisrupted.

His tempered physique was more than capable of handling this level of trekking.

Every now and then, he could see streaks of incredibly fast sword light whistling past in the sky above his head.

Those were all disciples from Tianjian Manor who were searching for them.

They flew on their swords, their divine senses sweeping across the mountains and forests below like a comb.

Every time a sword flashed by, Chen Ye would stop, take off his load, lean against a roadside stone, pick up his water bag, and pretend to be panting and needing a drink, perfectly portraying a weary peddler.

The divine senses of those high and mighty disciples of Tianjian Manor didn't linger on him at all when they swept over him.

In their eyes, such an ordinary person is like an ant on the roadside, not worth their time.

Traveling and stopping intermittently, a day and a night passed, and Chen Ye had already ventured nearly a hundred miles into the southern wilderness mountains.

The mountains here are becoming increasingly steep, and the forests are becoming increasingly dense, blocking out the sun and making it difficult for even sunlight to penetrate.

The air was filled with a damp, putrid smell, mixed with a strong, eerie, and ghostly aura.

However, Chen Ye remained calm.

The peddler's carrying pole he was carrying looked ordinary, but it actually had some simple exorcism runes engraved on it.

These were specially commissioned by peddlers who traveled through the mountains and fields year-round to save their lives. Although they could not deal with powerful monsters, they could ward off some ordinary wild animals and low-level demons and ghosts, thus avoiding unnecessary trouble.

Moreover, Chen Ye himself is a being even more ferocious than a demon beast.

If any fool dares to come near, he wouldn't mind adding an extra meal to his plate.

After walking for most of the day, as darkness fell, a wisp of smoke finally appeared at the end of the rugged mountain road ahead.

A small village built against the mountain came into Chen Ye's view.

(End of this chapter)