Chapter 589: Devil and Savior

In Sky Soaring City, the blood-storm wrought by Yun Xiao's final strike dissipated with a thunderous crash!

As that sword descended from the heavens, a hush fell over the city so profound, it seemed as though the very air had been sucked away.

"Uh..." People found their tongues coiled up in their mouths, uncontrollable, tangled.

In their bloodshot eyes was etched an indelible image—an elder of celestial bearing knelt at the steps of the Skyruler Immortal Manor, his head pierced by the hilt of a sword, its blade running through him and into the ground beneath.

Around him lay a macabre tableau of the bodies of Arbiters and Heavenly Officers—a ghastly collection of the city's most powerful and wealthy.

One after another, they met grisly ends.

"Ah! Ah! Ah!"

For a moment, no one could fathom what it all meant.

Their eyes trembled violently as they looked beside the corpse of Governor Jiang!

There, enveloped in a mist of blood and dark smoke, stood a young man with blood-soaked hair and eyes, holding the sword's hilt protruding from Jiang Taiping's head, his face bearing a child-like grin of pure joy.

KLANG!

He withdrew the Sword Soul!

Jiang's body shuddered, still upright, but his head slowly drooped, blood streaming down his forehead.

"Refreshing..." The killer chuckled, his scarlet eyes suddenly sweeping over the crowd.

A wave of terror rippled through them, their legs heavy as lead, scrambling backwards.

"You are still unsure of what the truth is.

"No matter.

"Cause and effect will have their reckoning, and one day, you will understand who the devil is, and who the savior."

Yun Xiao watched their fearful retreat, his gaze filled with unshakeable conviction.

He suddenly raised his sword!

Just as the crowd thought he would unleash a massacre, darkness overtook Yun Xiao. All the violence and ferocity drained from him as if struck by a severe illness. His legs wobbled.

THUD!

He fell backward onto the ground, his head striking the earth with a solid sound.

"Lu Yao, what's become of you..." Liu Mumu's mind was numb. She watched in shock as the young man slaughtered, her eyes wide with horror, until he fell to the ground. Only then did she rush forward, frantically kneeling beside him.

"Cough, cough." Yun Xiao coughed violently, suddenly opened his eyes, and grabbed Liu Mumu's shoulders. "Gather their Bags of Holding, then use a sword vessel to take me away, quickly!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his eyelids fluttered, his limbs went limp, and he fainted again.

"Alright, alright!" Liu Mumu, tears mingling with laughter, couldn't help but think, even at a time like this, he was concerned about the Bags of Holding. If this wasn't Lu Yao, who else could it be?

Clearly, the dark devilish aura was fading from him; his eyes and hair were turning black, his skin pale. It wouldn't be long before everyone could recognize him as Lu Yao!

And now, among the living, she was probably the only one who knew this devil's identity.

She had to move fast!

In Sky Soaring City, the strong were either dead or fled; no one was left to hinder Liu Mumu.

With her mind set on escape, Liu Mumu disregarded her appearance, searching the bodies of Governor Jiang and the various Rank 6 and 7 Heavenly Officers. She took every intact Bag of Holding, not even sparing her father Liu Zongyu's.

The sword vessels were docked right at the entrance of the Skyruler Immortal Manor.

Ignoring the strange and disappointed looks, Liu Mumu summoned a large sword vessel that could hold ten people, picked up Yun Xiao, and they both entered the vessel.

The moment she activated the sword vessel, she looked out at the city, tears once again falling.

"Leaving now, I might never have the chance to return in this lifetime."

This was where she had grown up.

Her relatives, her beloved, everything had been beautiful here. But the harsh realities of the mortal realm and the ruthless pride of power had destroyed it all.

From the day Lu An died, there was no turning back.

"And Miss Yu..." Liu Mumu started the sword vessel, whizzing past the crowd towards the new home she and Lu An had prepared.

"Sky Soaring City." As the vessel soared into the dark sky, she gazed down at the bloody chaos below, lost in her thoughts.

The youth beside her had reverted to his original appearance.

He was ethereally handsome, a sight incongruous with the carnage he had wrought upon the ruling class of Sky Soaring City that night, leaving a blood-drenched lesson for the city.

"Goodbye." She closed her eyes, refusing to look any longer at this place of despair.

?ι══????????══ι?

"It hurts!" Yun Xiao hadn't actually passed out; his senses remained acutely clear.

At this moment, lying motionless, there wasn't a part of his body that didn't throb with pain—even his hair hurt!

Not just pain, but real injuries were sustained, especially the Nine Heavens Star Meridians, which felt as though they were tearing apart after interfacing with the Sword Devil Bloodline.

"Fortunately, the killing replenished some of the Seeds of Creation."

His body managed not to be completely destroyed by the violent power of the Sword Devil.

Of course, the Sword Soul of the Heaven Burial Sword wasn't faring much better. After its violent release, the dark blood streaks on the azure lotus looked diminished and would likely need time to recover and reabsorb power before it could be used again.

In truth, Yun Xiao could have opted for the help of Blue Star or Red Moon to save the day, but there was no choice; the Sword Devil was linked to his heart and, in a rage, even he couldn't control it.

The little dark beast was primarily for bottom-line defense and protection, but honestly, when it came to a massacre, the Sword Devil was brutally effective.

"Next time I can use it, who knows when that'll be. Still, it's better to have fewer moments of such blinding rage."

After all, he'd also hurt himself in the process.

Yun Xiao wasn't sure if the injuries would affect his chances in tomorrow's Thunder Department selection.

"It's time to think of the future."

As the sword vessel left Sky Soaring City, Yun Xiao's spirits calmed down, awakening inside the vessel.

The spaciousness of the large sword vessel was sufficient, with ten seats, allowing him, Liu Mumu, and Miss Yu to fit comfortably without crowding.

"Mother..." Upon waking, Yun Xiao's first gaze was towards the anxious, distraught woman beside him.

"Lil Yao!" Miss Yu quickly grasped his hand, tears darkening her eyes, her voice quivering, "Are you alright?"

"Don't cry, I'm completely fine, really well," Yun Xiao reassured her quickly.

He knew that Miss Yu must have learned of Lu An's death by now.

She would have to know sooner or later.

Yun Xiao could only do his best to ease her pain. "Mother, did Master tell you? I avenged you—I drove my sword through that wicked woman's eyes!"

"She did," Miss Yu replied, tears in her eyes as she shook her head. "As long as you're safe, that's all that matters."

For a moment, Yun Xiao didn't know what to say.

"Did he... Did he suffer in his passing?" Miss Yu suddenly asked, her voice trembling.

Yun Xiao felt as if a bitter fruit were lodged in his throat.

"No, he didn't suffer. He died still hopeful. If he knows what I've done today from beneath the Nine Springs, he would rest easy," Yun Xiao assured her deeply.

"That's good to hear..." Miss Yu murmured, lowering her head in tears.

"Mother, from today onwards, no more tears. Whether it's him or me, we both want you to be happy," Yun Xiao said.

"Alright, I promise you both," Miss Yu hastily wiped her tears and forced a smile.

"I'll find a way to heal your eyes, so you can see me with your own eyes," Yun Xiao promised.

"But after all you've done in Sky Soaring City, can you still remain in the Celestial Court?" Miss Yu asked with concern.

Yun Xiao glanced at Liu Mumu and replied, "I can stay, but you and Master will have to leave."

"Where to?" Liu Mumu had sensed this moment would come and asked softly.

"To the world where my older brother died," Yun Xiao said, looking at the Boundary Defining Divine Needle in the corner. "The Pale Blue Dot Mortal Realm is crumbling. Please ask Master to return with the Boundary Defining Divine Needle and use it to stabilize the world and save mortal lives."

"I..." Liu Mumu looked at him worriedly. "That's no problem, but... are you sure you won't come with us and instead stay in the Celestial Court? A mass killing of Celestial Court officials like what happened in Sky Soaring City will surely lead to an investigation, and it'll come back to you soon."

"It's not a matter of if but when." Yun Xiao shook his head. "If I also return to the mortal realm, it would only draw more attention there."

"So what will you do?" Liu Mumu asked.

"I'll race against time! No matter what I've done, as long as I rise high enough, quickly enough, no one can touch me," Yun Xiao declared, his eyes blazing with conviction.

"The Thunder Department selection?" Liu Mumu inquired.

"Yes!" Yun Xiao nodded.

"Do you really believe...?" Liu Mumu couldn't fathom how a young Rank 9 Arbiter could hold his own against the strong Immortals of the Thunder Department.

"The more selfish and greedy they are, the more confident I am!" Yun Xiao said coldly, then smiled reassuringly at them. "Don't worry, I cannot be killed. As long as I live, no one can defeat me."

Seeing such intense determination in the young man, both Liu Mumu and Miss Yu felt a measure of peace settle in their hearts.

"Alright, then we'll wait for your good news," Liu Mumu said.

"I've set your course. Once you reach the Pale Blue Dot Mortal Realm, someone will meet you there," Yun Xiao told her.

"Who?" Liu Mumu asked.

"Another me," Yun Xiao replied with a smile.

After saying this, he organized the spoils of battle he had collected that day, handing a portion to Liu Mumu. "These are for the other me."

"Body double?" Liu Mumu ventured a guess.

"Right."

She had always known this young man held endless secrets, and now, hearing this, her hope intensified.

"Fine! You go make your mark, and I'll handle things behind the scenes," Liu Mumu declared.

"Alright." Yun Xiao nodded with a smile.

The large sword vessel they were on also carried three smaller, single-person sword vessels, designed to facilitate the movements of Arbiters.

Without further ado, Yun Xiao entered one of the smaller sword vessels.

CLICK!

The large and small sword vessels separated; the large one headed towards the Pale Blue Dot Mortal Realm, while the smaller one made for the Thunder Department.

"Lu Yao!"

As Yun Xiao was departing, Liu Mumu called out to him.

"Master, what is it?" Yun Xiao looked back from within the smaller sword vessel.

Liu Mumu's voice choked up as she shouted, "You're not a murderous devil; you're a great savior who saves the world!"

Yun Xiao paused, taken aback. Then, he smiled and shook his head, saying, "I hope so..."