The dayti patrol envoy and his two subordinates approached step by step, Chen Yi suddenly let out a heavy breath.
He drew the long sword from his back. These people did not answer his question, clearly uninterested in conversation. He wasn’t interested in wasting ti either; he needed to know where Yin Tingxue had gone.
Hou Kang Sword was unsheathed, its dark blade glimring faintly.
The cold wind howled.
The bull-headed general, wielding a trident, blurred his legs into mist and suddenly lunged forward, his spear thrust fiercely.
Just as he exerted his strength, a burst of Buddha Light enveloped Chen Yi, scorching the bull-headed general’s body. His skin emitted spirals of smoke as his face contorted in shock, his grip faltering.
Chen Yi pressed down lightly with one hand, effortlessly lowering the trident. His foot followed, stamping down hard—bam! The spear edge was firmly pinned to the ground.
Nearby, General Gan Liu’s eyes sharpened. Striding forward in a fury, he swiftly hurled the Soul-Snatching Chain in his hand.
A gust of intense wind surged, kicking up dust in all directions. The chain was ferocious and sharp, morphing into a streaking shadow; it seed that within monts, Chen Yi’s very soul would be ripped from his body.
Bang!
Chen Yi swung his sword at the Soul-Snatching Chain, sending tremors rippling through the extended coils. The layered strength rebounded explosively onto General Gan Liu, forcing him to stagger back several steps.
Min He’s gaze beca solemn.
Unwilling to give up, General Gan Liu fired off multiple hooks, which streaked like phantom shadows. Yet, Chen Yi continued to plant his foot on the trident, leaning and dodging every blow. Then, as the final chain attack surged narrowly past his body, he slashed at the stretched chain with his sword.
After nurous failed attempts, General Gan Liu was nearly spent. Chen Yi seized the mont, slicing through the chain. Buddha Light glead briefly as Hou Kang Sword flashed in the air.
Like a ghostly strike, the sword cut the Soul-Snatching Chain cleanly in two. The scythe portion fell, dissolving into ghostly dark energy, its magical treasure shattered. General Gan Liu spat blood from the backlash, collapsing to one knee in pain.
Chen Yi followed with a horizontal slash, and the bull-headed general, who was still struggling to retrieve his trident, instinctively retreated in alarm, abandoning the weapon. Chen Yi kicked the trident aside and charged toward the dayti patrol envoy, his sword raised high.
Min He took a deep breath, his fists clenched tightly. Facing the imposing Chen Yi, he launched a direct punch toward his face, his robes flaring like a storm poised to shake the mighty mountains.
But Chen Yi abruptly twisted his body—a maneuver so swift it seed preditated. The punch careened into empty air, roaring through space. Min He, taking advantage of the remnants of his force, transitioned smoothly from punch to palm and swung his hand horizontally toward Chen Yi’s head.
If this strike landed, even with Chen Yi’s Copper Bone Skill, it would inevitably leave a dent in his skull.
Yet Chen Yi neither dodged nor retreated. With ghostly speed, he thrust his sword forward, releasing an overwhelming, icy aura as Sword Qi glead sharply along the blade!
Min He turned pale with fright. His palm was still mid-swing—taking such a strike head-on would be suicidal. Instinctively, he stepped back, only to see Chen Yi’s sword miss and drive straight into the air, followed by a thunderous punch.
The punch struck squarely on his face, infused with Buddha Light. Min He’s form seed to scatter, his entire body flying backward, his divine robe rippling like a tempest.
"Yinzai Sword? Yin Sword Mountain?"
Clambering awkwardly to his feet, Min He muttered in awe at Chen Yi’s swordsmanship, oblivious to the punch that had sent him sprawling monts earlier.
"Ming’er has truly brought ... a colossal headache."
Min He sighed deeply, his brows furrowed tightly. Suddenly sharp-eyed, he raised his golden mace, his figure inflating several tis in size until he nearly filled the narrow alleyway.
Yin Tingxue was nowhere to be found, and Chen Yi couldn’t afford to delay here any longer. A murderous glint flickered in his eyes.
From outside the alley, a sudden shout rang out.
"What are you doing here?"
Chen Yi turned his head and looked up to see a white-cloaked female crown wielding a Peach Wood Sword. Her eyes were full of shock and doubt as she asked:
"Why are you fighting with... people from the Underworld?"
...............
"There’s no ti to waste. Leave this place imdiately and find another spot."
Elder Luo gazed out from the windowsill toward the bustling market, speaking resolutely:
"The original location is no longer safe to remain in."
Behind him, the Divine Sect mbers exchanged glances, as though bracing themselves for what was to co.
"Wait."
Yin Tingxue suddenly broke her silence.
Elder Luo turned to look, hesitating as he asked:
"Does the Saintess have any instructions?"
Wearing a veil, Yin Tingxue gazed toward the crowded market, her hands clasped behind her back as she murmured softly:
"Today is not a good day to stir up trouble."
Elder Luo frowned in displeasure, and the other Divine Sect mbers also glanced at each other in confusion.
All eyes focused on Yin Tingxue.
Though she was the Saintess, after all, she was just a girl under twenty. Without providing a solid reason, how could she convince anyone?
After so thought, Yin Tingxue spoke from the perspective of a youthful maiden:
"This place is close to the residence of the Jinyi Guard. I’ve heard of soone nad Chen Yi who often patrols the market. He must not be alard."
Her words landed. Elder Luo stroked his chin, reflecting, then asked:
"That Chen Yi—the West Factory Thousand Households who earned rit saving the Emperor?"
She had heard of him. Supposedly a Fifth-Grade Martial Artist, yet he remained off key lists of notable nas.
Such a person, untethered by conventions, was always a cause for concern.
"It should be him, but I don’t know much more than that. If we disturb him, none of us may leave alive."
Yin Tingxue lowered her gaze, then smiled faintly—a smile fraught with hidden edges—as she added:
"Still, Elder Luo must make the arrangents. You have more experience."
Elder Luo pondered briefly, running potential scenarios in his mind. This group of Divine Sect operatives had only recently arrived in the Capital City; much was still unclear. For Yin Tingxue, who’d been hiding in this vicinity, to have such an intimate grasp was quite insightful.
Remaining vigilant seed simple, yet for so many, the hardest thing to do was indeed maintain vigilance. Elder Luo silently admitted that, at fifteen or sixteen years old, he himself would have been incapable of such foresight.
This spot’s proximity to the East Flower Gate of the Imperial Palace made it entirely reasonable for West Factory Thousand Households Chen Yi to be patrolling here. As understanding of the Saintess grew, admiration also crept into their looks—respect seasoned with traces of awe.
"If that surnad Chen truly patrols this area, then indeed, rash actions must be avoided."
Elder Luo then asked:
"What does the Saintess propose?"
"My proposal? I hardly have one. If I must suggest sothing... perhaps you and I could disguise ourselves as mother and daughter, with skilled martial servants posing as attendants. Let’s leave the market first; the rest can follow in due ti."
Yin Tingxue spoke softly, sounding like a girl tentatively offering an idea while trying not to appear too self-assured.
Elder Luo considered her plan. Disguising themselves as mother and daughter to leave the market would indeed enable them to handle inspection guards. The imdiate priority was removing the Saintess, after which their own safety beca secondary concerns.
Reflecting on the clarity of her words, Elder Luo felt a pang in his heart. As a child of royal lineage, at an age ant for innocence and joy, she had instead nurtured a mind sharp from adversity. Who could fathom the weight of suffering she had endured?
Without them, the Saintess would likely arrange each step ticulously, ultimately escaping the Capital City alone for the Divine Sect. What strength of heart could endure so much pain, yet act with such determination?
Elder Luo’s remorse gripped him—how late they had co!
"The Saintess’s idea is excellent. But many brothers and sisters may face sacrifice. If soone fears death and betrays us, everything will be lost."
Elder Luo stated solemnly. Keeping such a large group in the market without capture seed overly optimistic.
Yin Tingxue’s heart climbed into her throat, yet she still replied:
"Didn’t I say my idea wouldn’t work."
Elder Luo smiled slightly:
"No. Let’s do as you say."
He then turned to survey the crowd, gesturing toward Yin Tingxue:
"Last ti we received word of a traitor among the Divine Sect sabotaging us. Fool once, sha on —we’re wiser this ti. This group consists only of loyal elites."
"Today, you could point at soone and command them to die—they would willingly embrace death, all for the Great Ming Venerate Buddha to erge and bring light to the World of Ignorance."
As Elder Luo spoke, the Divine Sect mbers collectively knelt, fists clenched, prepared to face martyrdom.
But Yin Tingxue didn’t mark anyone for death. She sighed deeply:
"Live well—every one of you. No one must die."
Her words struck deep, shaking the hearts of the kneeling operatives. Amid stunned silence, their hands trembled softly, fists loosening ever so slightly as their heads bowed even lower.
Witnessing this scene, Elder Luo felt a pang in his soul.
Perhaps what made her truly rare wasn’t her suffering alone, but the delicate thread of compassion she still carried.
So young, yet so resolute. Could anyone doubt the Great Ming Venerate Buddha’s eventual ergence? The World of Ignorance’s return to light?
"Prepare yourselves; the Saintess and I shall leave first."
So ti later, Elder Luo’s voice rang decisively.
Soon enough, Yin Tingxue appraised herself in a mirror. Glancing at Elder Luo beside her, both now wore veiled straw hats with matching attire, emulating a mother-daughter pair.
anwhile, Elder Luo’s direct disciples, dressed as servants, joined them as they descended from the tavern.
Weaving through the bustling market crowd, Yin Tingxue followed closely behind Elder Luo, her thoughts racing.
After walking for what seed a lengthy stretch, the passing pedestrians grew so dense that shoulders brushed against one another. It was the perfect cover for a clean escape.
Yet Elder Luo remained ever cautious, slowing her pace instead of hastening to avoid drawing attention.
Yin Tingxue leaned slightly forward; Elder Luo instinctively shifted sideways to block her—about to warn her to step back, but hesitated to speak.
The girl stole a glance at Elder Luo, gesturing for calm, as she whispered softly:
"Don’t worry. I know him."
Elder Luo’s heart jolted. She nodded slowly in astonishnt.
She’s managed to connect even with a West Factory Thousand Households officer!
Thoughts raced. Elder Luo couldn’t help but marvel at Yin Tingxue’s strategic thoroughness in planning this escape from the Capital City.
Even without them, she might succeed alone.
In monts, Yin Tingxue stepped ahead by four or five strides, creating so distance. Suddenly, Elder Luo heard her voice:
"Husband, co this way!"
Soon after ca another cry:
"The Divine Sect mbers are over here—I’ll lead you!"
User Comments
0 comments from readers