At that moment, Jiang Suining had been pulled aside by the old woman, and they were confiding in each other. Hearing Zhao Lan’s words, Jiang Suining looked up in astonishment.
The old woman’s face was impassive as she sneered in a low voice.
“Your Highness, this scoundrel sees no hope of escape, so he’s deliberately trying to curry favor with you, hoping to trade on your kindness for a chance to live. You mustn’t fall for his tricks…”
Jiang Suining was startled once more, murmuring bitterly, “Words in this world are a mix of truth and lies. What is real, and what is false…?”
“How touching. I accept.”
Pei Su nodded, then, under everyone’s gaze, drew a longsword from his waist.
The moment the sword was drawn, the heavens and earth cried out.
The blade was long and slender, as graceful as a fleeting swan. It was over four feet long and pure white, as if forged from frost and snow. A single, striking line of blood-red ran along its edge, as vivid as a streak of blood on pristine snow. On its hilt was a crimson mark, like the eye of a phoenix.
Not far away, the old woman stared intently at the sword in Pei Su’s hand. “It truly is that world-shocking, unparalleled blade.”
Although the Heir of the Northern Marquis rarely acted, the fact that he was a swordsman was known throughout the land, and his personal sword was exceedingly famous.
Its name was Fengyan, the final masterpiece of the previous master of Forging Sword Valley.
Compared to the divine swords and blades that had resounded through the ages, it was no exaggeration to call Fengyan a “new sword.” It had been forged less than a hundred years ago. Legend had it that on the day of its creation, the remnant soul of a blood phoenix entered the blade, willingly becoming its sword spirit.
A mere three months after it was forged, it shattered the blade of “Chunyuan,” the second-most famous sword of the Nine Swords Pavilion, and its fame shook the world.
Later, at Pei Su’s birth celebration, the master of Forging Sword Valley presented the sword to the Heir of the Northern Marquis in front of the entire world. From then on, Fengyan had a master, and no one dared to covet it again.
Pei Su raised his sword, its tip pointing directly at Zhao Lan.
“Come. It would be an insult to Dragon Sparrow if you did not wield a blade.”
The implication was that his respect was for the Divine Blade Dragon Sparrow alone.
Zhao Lan let out a low shout, gripped the hilt, and raised the heavy, ancient blade high.
In that instant, he felt as if he were lifting a colossal mountain, possessing a vast, boundless power.
Blade fanatics across the land all said that to wield Dragon Sparrow for a single strike would be to die without regret. This was a testament to Dragon Sparrow’s allure for bladesmen.
In a flash, cracks seemed to appear in the space before Zhao Lan’s eyes. A heavy, thick light spread out like a spider’s web.
The fourth level of the Eight Desolation Blade Scripture—One Line Sky!
A single slash that could split the heavens. It had to be said that although Zhao Lan was only at the Xuanyuan realm, this strike, combined with Dragon Sparrow, truly surpassed countless talented bladesmen in the world.
The heavy, bronze light exploded, illuminating the world as if it were day. Within the white radiance, the blade’s light fractured into thousands of pieces, only to merge back into one.
But in the next moment, a piercing crimson light appeared within the blade’s glow, followed by a clear phoenix cry.
The blood-red light tore through the layers of bronze blade light. As the white radiance dissipated, Zhao Lan was already on his knees, using Dragon Sparrow to prop himself up and keep from collapsing completely. Read the latest chapters at NovelPing.
His eyes were wide with a vacant stare.
Pei Su’s sword light had not only effortlessly extinguished his “One Line Sky” but had also surged toward him. If he hadn’t blocked it with the body of Dragon Sparrow, his head would have long since rolled to the ground.
Last time, he was instantly defeated by a single palm strike. This time, he was instantly defeated by a single sword strike…
How could this be… We’re both at the Xuanyuan realm, how is this possible?!
“In the Imperial Capital, you could count on two hands the number of Xuanyuan cultivators who could take a strike from me and live.”
Pei Su sheathed his sword and sized up Zhao Lan.
“Seeing as you were willing to risk your life, I suppose I can help you ask about the princess’s intentions.”
Pei Su turned his head to look at Jiang Suining, who was standing with the old woman.
“Your Highness, you’ve seen Brother Zhao’s feelings. He was willing to take his own life just to have me let you go.
“Now that the scoundrel has been caught, if you wish to leave with your Spirit Granny, I will not stop you.”
The old woman’s grip on Jiang Suining’s hand tightened. She stared directly into Pei Su’s eyes, as if trying to discern what this Heir of the Northern Marquis was truly plotting.
Jiang Suining was also looking into Pei Su’s eyes, but she could read nothing from them, only the same jade-like smile.
If she hadn’t experienced all this, if this were her first time seeing Pei Su, she would surely have thought him a perfect gentleman.
Suddenly, Pei Su’s teasing voice from before echoed in her ears—
“In this life, one’s hands are often tied. Who would dare go against the wishes of the current Empress?”
*And you, Heir of the Northern Marquis, who would dare go against your wishes…*
Then, under everyone’s gaze, Jiang Suining slowly shook her head.
“I’m not leaving.”
Pei Su showed no surprise. He turned to look at Zhao Lan, who was staring with wide eyes, his qi and blood surging violently. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he rasped,
“Why? Why!”
The old woman’s expression flickered with uncertainty. She turned to Pei Su. “What did you say to Her Highness?”
Pei Su smiled but said nothing.
The old woman’s breathing grew ragged for a moment before she forced herself to calm down. Then, she said through gritted teeth,
“Heir of the Northern Marquis, it seems we need to talk.”
“No problem.”
Pei Su snapped his fingers. Old Wu walked straight into the ruined temple, shattered the serene, flower-holding Buddha statue with a single palm strike, and began to draw a formation sigil in the center. This chapter was taken from novelping.com without permission.
Banxia first moved to knock Zhao Lan unconscious with a palm strike, then also entered the ruined temple to help set up the formation.
The formation they were creating was one of the world’s most wondrous, the Soul Search Array.
Within the Soul Search Array, one could crudely replicate the Soul Search Technique, one of the Ten Ancient Miraculous Techniques.
But it was not the true Soul Search Technique, after all. It was effective against Xuanyuan cultivators, but it was useless against Heavenly Palace experts whose sea of consciousness was guarded by a Heavenly Palace.
These Ten Ancient Miraculous Techniques not only had heaven-defying and bizarre effects, but cultivating them was also as difficult as ascending to the heavens.
An ordinary person could achieve some mastery in swordsmanship or blade arts through diligence and hard work, but when it came to cultivating such miraculous techniques, they couldn’t even cross the threshold.
Pei Su looked at Jiang Suining, a dark glint flashing in his eyes.
“Could I trouble Your Highness to keep an eye on Zhao Lan? Don’t let him run off.”
Only after seeing Jiang Suining nod did he walk with the old woman to the other side of the woods.
“Heir of the Northern Marquis, what is it you truly want?”
He stopped and turned. The first thing that met Pei Su’s eyes was the old woman’s face, her fury barely suppressed.
“For the Jiang Clan of the Xia Dynasty, your greatest lifelong wish must be to restore your kingdom…”
The old woman did not refute him, only let out a cold laugh.
“What, is the Pei Family going to help us?”
“Tsk, tsk. The Great Jin has been established for three hundred years, its court long since stabilized. In this world, how many people still remember the former dynasty’s Jiang Clan? It’s no exaggeration to say your chances of restoring your kingdom are zero.”
Pei Su spoke bluntly, but surprisingly, he saw no anger on the old woman’s face, only the same cold sneer.
“Back then, the Great Xia’s empire, the Jiang Clan’s foundation, was toppled with the Pei Family fanning the flames from the shadows. We thought you were finally planning to take power yourselves, but instead, you propped up the Li Clan of Luozhou to become the new masters of the realm and lay dormant for another three hundred years…
“What, this time, you finally can’t hold back? Are you going to usurp the throne?”
Pei Su smiled without answering.
After Old Wu had explained the truth about Dragon Sparrow, he had given Pei Su a letter from his grandfather.
It detailed the Pei Family’s plans, which had been in motion for many years, and included no small number of court secrets and world-shaking truths…
As for the matter of usurping the throne, that involved far, far too much…
Pei Su gave a light, smiling nod.
This time, it was the old woman’s turn to be stunned. Her gaze flickered guiltily for a few moments before she let out a cold snort.
“What’s the use of telling an old woman like me all this? The Jiang Clan is weak. What use could we be to your Pei Clan?”
Pei Su’s smile remained as he said slowly,
“What does the Jiang Clan think of the position of Heir’s Consort?”