Chapter 89: Counterattack

Master Lu passed away peacefully.

...

He used to be an assassin who could deftly move through the shadows through the use of the legacy of the Seven Killings Star. He had killed close to a thousand people in his lifetime, leaving his hands irrevocably stained with blood.

Later on, as the number of victims increased, it inevitably drew the interest of both the Divine Nine and Terrestrial Ten. He had no choice but to stop and seek refuge at the House of the Mountain-Subjugating Marquess. There, he assumed the role of a guardian for the Marquessate, safeguarding the lord while also undertaking some shady assignments.

The refuge offered a decent haven for someone of his ilk, and the tasks assigned were well within his capabilities.

Take, for instance, the mission to eliminate a fish and a Mount Shu Sect disciple at the Spiritual Awareness Realm today.

Initially, he was confident that utilizing the Seven Stealthy Killings Transcendent Form would ensure success. Being a sixth realm cultivator, he anticipated that employing his expertise in ambush tactics against a third realm cultivator should make the mission foolproof.

To his surprise, the Mount Shu Sect disciple displayed an unusual level of perceptiveness. The disciple of the Mount Shu Sect swiftly used a defensive tool that actually deflected the attack and escaped. This was something he hadn't expected.

What surprised him even more was the defensive tool's dual functionality—not only had it blocked the attack but it also served as an escape mechanism. In an instant, the tool wrapped itself around the fish and propelled into the sky.

Master Lu's expression darkened with anger at the unexpected turn of events.

Perhaps he had grown accustomed to an easygoing environment in recent years, losing some of the ruthlessness he once possessed. Upon failing to land the first strike, he should have swiftly followed up with another critical hit. It would be a cardinal sin for an assassin to engage in idle chatter with a living opponent.

Now, the consequence of the idle chatter was that one out of the two targets had managed to escape. It was a big mistake according to his standards.

He was also surprised that the Mount Shu Sect disciple had the audacity to challenge him.

Who gave him the audacity?

When Chu Liang asked, "Who told you that?" Master Lu felt confused. Without a second thought, he raised his hand, prepared to draw his saber and confront this bold challenger.

However, at the same time, he observed Chu Liang summoning an ancient-looking flying sword.

He even dared to draw his sword?

This individual's choice of facing death while standing makes him worthy of being a disciple of the Mount Shu Sect.

Hold on...

Is there something unusual about this sword?

When Chu Liang unleashed his sword technique, Master Lu assumed it was a desperate struggle in the face of impending doom. After all, the difference between the third realm and the sixth realm was enormous and killing Chu Liang would be like crushing an ant.

Yet, as the flying sword traced a silver light talismanic character in the air, followed by a breathtaking display of wind and a clap of thunder, Master Lu suddenly sensed that something was amiss.

It was supposed to be an ordinary talismanic sword seal—Dual Talismanic Sword of Wind and Fire.

Why did it show such overwhelming power?

The sound of the sword's energy rang in his ears, causing tremendous pain.

No, something was seriously wrong!

Definitely wrong!

There must be some mysterious occurrence. How could a cultivator at the third realm unleash a sword technique with such formidable power?

He immediately sheathed his sword, made a swift hand gesture, and in an instant, his figure disappeared.

But it was already too late...

If he had thought Chu Liang was a fair match and tried to run away while Chu Liang was attacking, he probably wouldn't have been hit by that strike.

However, when Chu Liang executed his sword technique, Master Lu didn't take it seriously enough. By the time he considered dodging, it was just a bit too late.

As his figure became halfway concealed, almost translucent, a raging fire dragon accompanied by a powerful celestial wind, descended with unstoppable force. It felt like it could annihilate everything, and ending his life was just a side effect.

As the sword energy neared, Master Lu looked up with a shocked expression, unable to believe what was happening.

A cultivator at the third realm, capable of delivering an attack that could slay someone at the sixth realm—where did this incredible power come from?

This was fate.

Those who wronged others would eventually face their consequences. Those who valued life less would lose their own, and those consumed by bitterness would be consumed by the karma spawned from that bitterness.

Master Lu became aware of the origin of Chu Liang's power.

He realized that he himself had been the source of that power.

...

Rumble—

As the huge storm of wind and fire created by the Dual Talismanic Sword of Wind and Fire swallowed Master Lu completely, making sure he couldn't survive, Chu Liang finally breathed a sigh of relief.

In that brief moment before, he had faced a critical decision.

When the Green Leaf Enchanted Tool wrapped around his body, he had already been stabbed in the right side of his chest. He was severely injured.

In the life of a cultivator, unexpected dangers were inevitable, and the decisions made during moments of crisis exposed one's true character.

In that critical moment, the most prudent option for Chu Liang was to activate his enchanted tool directly and ascend with it.

However, if he had done that, Liu Xiaoyu'er would undoubtedly remain on the ground and be killed by the malevolent adversary.

In a split-second decision, he activated the enchanted tool, redirecting its power to transport Liu Xiaoyu'er to safety.

This action wasn't just about sacrificing himself; he still held onto hope for a fighting chance.

He wielded the Crimson Executioner, which had been yearning for action as it confronted the villain!

While this choice might not have seemed like the safest option, it was the only way to ensure the safety of both of them. He decided to prioritize protecting one person first and then stayed behind to face the fight with all his strength.

He was aware that he would only have one chance to attack.

He needed to execute his sword seal while the opponent still underestimated him and remained careless. Only then would he be able to catch his adversary off guard and possibly deliver a fatal blow.

Undoubtedly, his most formidable single-target attack was the Talismanic Sword Seal. He opted for the more reliable Dual Talismanic Sword of Wind and Fire over the potentially risky Dual Talismanic Sword of Ice and Fire.

His goal was clear—to succeed with the first strike.

And it was a success!

This was the power of the righteous sword!

A massive explosion sent Lord Xia, who was closer to Master Lu, flying dozens of zhang away, crashing heavily to the ground.

Thunk!

Lord Xia landed and bounced up heavily again. The mental shock he experienced far surpassed the physical pain.

What on earth? We lost? Even with Master Lu on our side? Is this some nightmarish illusion?

But as Lord Xia witnessed Chu Liang emerging from the dissipating smoke, covered in blood yet wielding the ancient sword, a chilling realization gripped him.

It wasn't an illusion.

Chu Liang had actually killed Master Lu.

And it was an instantaneous kill!

Chu Liang revealed himself as a terrifying beast!

"

Ahhh...

" The Young Lord let out a shaky scream. Quickly, he turned around, jumped up from the ground, and ran away!

He had to escape!

Despite Chu Liang's heavily injured state, Lord Xia didn't dare spare a second glance.

"Trying to escape?" Chu Liang watched as Lord Xia fled, gritting his teeth and ignoring the pain from his wounds. He leaped once more, determined to catch up with the Lord of the Marquessate!

Lord Xia was genuinely attempting to kill him. If it weren't for a bit of luck and various means to counterattack, he would have long since turned into bones at the bottom of a river.

How could Chu Liang let him escape easily?

A sword light, resembling a shooting star, swiftly propelled Chu Liang towards Lord Xia.

"Father... Save me..."

In this moment, Xia An's mind echoed with a single word: escape.

Escape towards the South Gate City!

Escape towards crowded places!

Escape to where my father is...

Escape...Escape...Escape...

He raced all the way and swiftly arrived at a hill outside the city. The place was now teeming with people; half of South Gate City's citizens had gathered here.

Xue Lingxue's performance was about to begin, and the crowd eagerly awaited the musicians to take the stage. All eyes were fixed on them, brimming with anticipation for the upcoming show!

In the private room on the front hill, his father, the current Mountain-Subjugating Marquess, would be in attendance today. His father was accompanied by many skilled guards, and he himself was a formidable cultivator.

In this moment, Xia An felt an overwhelming gratitude for his father's decision to cultivate.

Father!

Help!

However, just as he leaped onto the stage, Chu Liang's sword light closed in rapidly from behind. Even before Chu Liang had caught up to Lord Xia, he made a sudden move.

Swish—

The red light, resembling a snake or lightning, instantly entwined around Xia An's body, causing him to crash to the ground.

Bang!

Xia An's body fell heavily from mid-air, landing squarely on the spacious stage prepared for the performance, creating a stir among the crowd!

Chu Liang descended and effortlessly lifted Lord Xia in a single, powerful grip.

Countless spectators below finally saw clearly. The figure bound in a red rope, looking miserable and kneeling on the ground, was none other than the Lord of the Mountain-Subjugating Marquessate!

A highly respected member related to the imperial family!

What's going on?

And who is that young man drenched in blood with a sword?

The crowd erupted in shock.

Chu Liang, looking down at the countless heads below, realized where he was. He paused with his sword, hesitant to strike recklessly.

So, he grabbed Xia An's head, raised the Crimson Executioner in his right hand, and shouted loudly, "The House of the Mountain-Subjugating Marquess in South Gate City has been trafficking women and taking lives recklessly! They have committed great crimes! I am Chu Liang, a disciple of the Mount Shu Sect, and I am here today to arrest him!

"The heavens can attest to this!

"Xia An, do you admit that you are guilty of these crimes?"