Translator: AnubisTL
That night, within Qian Manor in Guangyang City, an Inner Strength expert finally lost patience. A slender figure, cloaked in the deep darkness of the night, slipped silently into the manor.
Pale moonlight illuminated the intruder's face—a bloodless, ashen visage. Though his features appeared young, he looked frail and sickly, as if a mere gust of wind could topple him.
Clearly, this individual practiced Internal Martial Arts, focusing primarily on cultivating his own Martial Dao Inner Strength.
"They're all still observing, waiting for someone else to test the Qian Family's defenses first?" the young master murmured. "Very well, I'll play the sacrificial lamb."
With a whisper, he executed a remarkable Lightness Technique, infiltrating Qian Manor without alerting a single servant.
His purpose was clear: to seize the Qian Family's Qing Hong Sword and the inheritance of the Limitless Art.
However, the Qian Family, now teetering on the brink of collapse, understood their precarious situation all too well. They had carefully concealed both the Qing Hong Sword and the Martial Arts Legacy of the Limitless Grandmaster, ensuring they would not be easily discovered.
Moreover, two Inner Strength experts within the Qian Family remained vigilant, leaving no room for complacency.
Thus, when the Inner Strength Martial Artist infiltrated the Qian Family estate to search for the Divine Weapon and traces of the inheritance, he inevitably revealed a flaw and was discovered!
"Audacious thief! How dare you sneak into my Qian Manor under the cover of night to steal? Today, your head will be severed as a warning to others!"
Suddenly, a furious roar echoed through Qian Manor.
A valiant young man charged forth, his aura surging with overwhelming force!
The intruder responded coldly, "Hmph, Qian Yunwen, do you still think you're the Commander of the Wu Li Army? The Limitless Grandmaster's Martial Arts Legacy and the Qing Hong Sword are not treasures the Qian Family can protect!"
In an instant, the two emerging Inner Strength Martial Artists clashed in a fierce battle, neither able to gain the upper hand.
The Qian Family estate was now under the watchful eyes of countless observers, even in the dead of night.
This sudden eruption of combat naturally drew the attention of many outside, their hearts pounding with anticipation.
"Hmm? Someone couldn't resist any longer and infiltrated Qian Manor tonight."
"Heh, judging by the commotion, it seems Young Master Shen Ying couldn't wait any longer. He's certainly impatient."
"Young Master Shen Ying is an Inner Strength Martial Artist who rose to prominence in recent years. It seems he's now at the stage of refining his Martial Dao Will."
"Such lofty ambition? He actually sees the Qian Family as a training ground for his Martial Dao?"
"..."
Several Martial Artists with considerable reputations in the Jianghu sighed, yet none dared to make a move.
At this critical juncture, everyone wanted to be the shrewd fisherman who reaps the rewards, not the mantis stalking the cicada, only to be devoured by the oriole.
After all, the waters of Guangyang City ran too deep. Even Inner Strength experts could easily drown if they weren't cautious.
The battle within Qian Manor raged on. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of Guangyang City, in a heavily guarded private residence, formidable Martial Arts experts stood guard at every corner.
Their target of protection was a slightly plump middle-aged man, his bearing both noble and dignified, his eyes radiating an aura of supreme authority.
Though he possessed no martial arts skills, the middle-aged man exuded an immense pressure with every gesture.
"Eunuch Hua, what's the situation at Qian Manor?" he asked calmly, his voice smooth as silk.
From the shadows behind him, an elderly eunuch slowly emerged, his voice sharp and high-pitched as he replied, "Your Majesty, someone infiltrated Qian Manor under cover of darkness. It seems those Jianghu Warriors can't sit still any longer."
Indeed, this middle-aged man was none other than Emperor Fengwu of Maple Country!
No one could have imagined that the Emperor, who held absolute power over the realm, would personally come to Guangyang City.
Emperor Fengwu, traveling incognito, chuckled softly. "Heh, the waters of Guangyang City grow murkier by the day. Eunuch Hua, how does your martial prowess compare to these Jianghu Warriors?"
The eunuch, known as Eunuch Hua, replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, I have glimpsed the secrets of the Grandmasters of the Martial Dao. No matter how many Inner Strength Martial Artists they send, none can withstand a single strike from me."
Hearing this, Emperor Fengwu laughed heartily, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Hahaha, excellent! Tonight, we shall see if the Qian Family truly possesses hidden cultivation manuals for immortality."
For an emperor to personally leave the palace, his interest in the Qian Family's hidden secrets of immortal cultivation must have reached its peak.
This was because he had learned that Qian Hong, the Qian Family's great-aunt, had never married and had even abandoned her position in the Maple Guard to devote her entire life to studying the cultivation manual.
In her final years, as she lay dying, she seemed to have finally made some progress in her research. This matter was an extremely closely guarded secret within the Qian Family.
Emperor Fengwu, however, was intensely interested in this hidden breakthrough, which was the root cause of the Qian Family's current predicament.
"Eunuch Hua," Emperor Fengwu suddenly asked, his voice tinged with melancholy, "do you think I am a foolish ruler?"
Eunuch Hua lowered his gaze and replied, "Your Majesty is a sage ruler, one who appears only once in a thousand years. If Your Majesty could glimpse the immortal dao and attain eternal life, it would be a blessing for the nation and a boon for the common people!"
The thought of a ruler who could live forever always ignited a fervent passion in Emperor Fengwu's heart.
Now that he occupied the throne, he naturally knew far more than ordinary mortals.
It was true that immortals existed in this world, their lifespans far exceeding those of mortals. They lived freely and unfettered between heaven and earth.
Not long ago, the emperor had personally witnessed a soaring immortal cultivator, whose divine abilities had deeply shaken his imperial heart.
Compared to such power, what was the Dragon Throne beneath him worth?
It was this realization that had suddenly driven His Majesty to become utterly obsessed with the path of immortal cultivation, consumed by a frenzied desire.
Thus, the once diligent and benevolent emperor had abruptly transformed into a foolish ruler in the eyes of his court ministers.
He sought immortality because he understood he was unlike the foolish rulers of past dynasties who blindly pursued Pill Refinement and eternal life. He had seen tangible hope for becoming an Immortal—the secret deeply hidden by the Qian Family!
If he could seize this secret, he might truly step onto the immortal dao.
Late that night, Young Master Shen Ying's intrusion threw Qian Manor into utter chaos.
Martial Artists began pouring in from the outside, adding to the pandemonium in the grand estate.
At first, they were External Strength Martial Artists, but soon Inner Strength Martial Artists joined the fray, making the situation increasingly volatile.
Boom!
As if the chaos weren't enough, someone set fire to the Qian Family's ancestral residences. Raging flames shot into the night sky, drawing all eyes.
"Ah, Old Master! Fire! Fire!"
"Run! Run!"
"Heh heh heh, Old Master Qian, you might as well hand over the Martial Dao cultivation manual and the Qing Hong Sword. This is the inevitable course of history, and the Qian Family can't withstand it now."
"Hand over the Limitless Art!"
"..."
Amidst the chaotic clamor, deep within Qian Manor, an imposing old man with snow-white hair and beard finally sighed.
"Ah, well, so be it."
Old Master Qian channeled his Inner Strength and soared into the air. In his left hand, he held a slender, straight sword, while his right hand clutched a bound book.
"The Limitless Art and the Qing Hong Sword are both here. If you want to fight over them, take your battle outside!"
Under the blazing flames, everyone clearly saw the items in Old Master Qian's hands.
In that instant, the eyes of every Martial Artist who had stormed Qian Manor burned with a fervor hotter than the raging fire.
The next moment, Old Master Qian channeled his Inner Strength and hurled both the sword and the Martial Arts Legacy beyond the manor walls.
Instantly, most of the crowd surged forward like sharks smelling blood, madly pursuing the treasures.
"Ah ha ha ha! The Qing Hong Sword is mine now!"
Smack!
Before the man could celebrate his victory for long, an Inner Strength expert charged in and snatched the legendary Divine Weapon right from his grasp.
Guangyang City was destined for a restless night.
Having relinquished the Divine Weapon and the Limitless Art, the Qian Family finally regained its peace.
Old Master Qian glared coldly at the few Jianghu Warriors still lingering in the manor, his voice sharp:
"Why are you still here? Are you waiting for me to host a midnight feast?"
The warriors chuckled nervously. "Heh heh, Old Master Qian, we came for the Limitless Grandmaster's inheritance. Surely the Qian Family has other copies of the Limitless Art? Could we take a peek?"
Old Master Qian's face turned icy. He roared, his voice booming with suppressed fury:
"It seems my years of seclusion have made the Jianghu forget the name Qian Wang!"
Before his words faded, Old Master Qian's aura surged, revealing his Inner Strength-level Martial Dao cultivation!
The warriors, who had clung to faint hope, trembled inwardly. They dared not linger a moment longer and fled Qian Manor in disgrace.
Yet before Old Master Qian could relax, he suddenly sensed a piercing killing intent locking onto him.
"Who is it?" Old Master Qian whirled around, his gaze snapping toward the main gate of Qian Manor.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Old Master Qian, what a display of power! You nearly frightened this humble servant to death."
An effeminate voice echoed through the air as a figure materialized outside the manor gates.
Old Master Qian's expression twisted in shock as he recognized the newcomer.
"Eunuch Hua, what brings you here?" he demanded. "Could you also be after the Qing Hong Sword and the Limitless Art? I just sent both the sword and the Martial Arts Legacy away. You're too late."
His words faltered as his eyes landed on the figure standing at the center of the crowd. After a long pause, he stammered stiffly, "Y-Your Majesty..."
Emperor Fengwu surveyed the scene with detached amusement. His voice cut through the air like ice: "Qian Wang, why do you not kneel before the Emperor?"
Old Master Qian's face drained of color. In that moment, he seemed to grasp the full gravity of his situation.
The Holy Emperor's sudden appearance here sealed the fate of the Qian Family. He knew the Emperor's true goal wasn't martial arts manuals or magical weapons, but something far greater: the pursuit of immortality through cultivation.
"This humble subject, Qian Wang, pays his respects to Your Majesty!" Qian Wang finally knelt.
He knew that since Emperor Fengwu dared to appear here, he must have taken every precaution and made thorough preparations.
Perhaps the entire Guangyang City was now surrounded by heavily armed troops, with even members of the Maple Guard monitoring the area.
Moreover, the old eunuch beside Emperor Fengwu possessed unfathomable strength.
"Qian Wang, do you know why We have come here?" Emperor Fengwu asked, his hands clasped behind his back.
"This humble subject... does not!"
Emperor Fengwu's gaze turned icy. "Does not? We believe you are feigning ignorance!"
"We have come for the results of Sect Leader Qian Hong's late-life research into immortal cultivation!"
"Tell Us, what exactly did Sect Leader Qian Hong discover in her final years?!"
These three consecutive questions reverberated through Qian Wang's mind like thunderclaps.
Seeing Qian Wang remain silent, Emperor Fengwu finally lost his patience. "If you refuse to speak, We will simply search for it ourselves."
"Eunuch Hua, proceed."
"The Qian Family was attacked by Jianghu Warriors, and none survived. They were all slain by these bandits."
Even as the emperor, he couldn't openly execute the entire Qian Family without causing turmoil in the court.
He needed a pretext, and tonight's siege of the Qian Manor by Jianghu Warriors provided exactly that.
The outcome of the siege didn't matter; what mattered was the process itself. With this excuse, he could now annihilate the Qian Family and later blame it all on the Jianghu Warriors.
"Martial artists who defy the law deserve punishment!" This justification would satisfy both the common people and the court officials.
"Begin!"
As Emperor Fengwu's command rang out, Eunuch Hua sprang into action. His figure shot forward like an arrow, aiming directly for Old Master Qian, whose face was etched with grief and fury.
At that very moment, a crisp, clear shout echoed through Qian Manor:
"You won't hurt my grandfather!"
Simultaneously, razor-sharp spikes erupted from the ground, seemingly coalescing from the earth itself!
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The spikes pierced the air, hurtling toward Eunuch Hua as he charged toward Old Master Qian.
However, Eunuch Hua was a Grandmaster of the Martial Dao, a figure ranked among the top three in the entire Jianghu.
His reaction speed was naturally far beyond that of ordinary people. Upon sensing the ground's disturbance, he abruptly halted his charge and executed an exaggerated evasive maneuver.
In a flash, he dodged the sharp spikes that had suddenly erupted from the ground!
Swish! Swish! Swish!
All eyes snapped toward the source of the sound, revealing a sweet-faced girl who appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen years old.
"Linghui, what are you doing here? I told you to stay hidden!" Qian Wang's mind reeled.
Emperor Fengwu and his entourage stared intently at the girl who had suddenly appeared. He murmured, "A cultivator... Yes, this is a cultivator!"
"So the Qian Family truly possesses the secrets of cultivation!"
Eunuch Hua watched the girl warily. The demonic arts—or perhaps immortal techniques—she had just displayed were utterly bizarre.
Even as a Grandmaster of the Martial Dao, he couldn't afford to underestimate this seemingly innocent girl.
"Grandfather, are you alright?" The girl's eyes welled with tears as she gazed at her grandfather.
The tense atmosphere in the courtyard suddenly froze into a stalemate.
At that moment, no one dared to make a rash move, not even Eunuch Hua, a Grandmaster of the Martial Dao.
His knowledge of immortal cultivators was limited, and he had no idea what other bizarre methods they might possess.
The sudden appearance of those ground-piercing spikes just now felt like demonic art, filling him with dread and making him question the value of his decades of martial training.
Compared to such techniques, who would still bother with martial arts?
Amid this eerie stalemate, a carefree laugh suddenly rang out:
"Heh, who would have thought? After years away from the mortal world, I'd get another chance to kill an emperor."
At these words, everyone's heads snapped toward the source of the voice.
All wanted to know which madman dared utter such treasonous words—threatening to kill the emperor!
Throughout history, such individuals and their entire families would have been executed without mercy.
Perched casually on the courtyard wall of Qian Manor stood a tall, graceful figure, radiating an air of effortless ease.
In his arms, he cradled a treasured sword—the very Qing Hong Sword Old Master Qian had just thrown away!
"My apologies for the delay. There were quite a few Martial Artists vying for the sword earlier, so it took a bit of effort to retrieve."
"The Limitless Art is inconsequential, but the Qing Hong Sword must never fall into another's hands."
"After all, I personally forged it for her."
(End of the Chapter)