Dozens of streaks of Sword Qi exploded in succession upon making contact with the palm wind that had materialized into form.
While generating intense wind pressure, a massive sound also erupted. As the light dissipated, the area surrounding Xia Liuli and the other person was razed to the ground.
The shockwave from the explosion forced Xia Liuli back several steps, and she barely managed to stabilize herself without falling by plunging Buzang into the ground.
Yu Chuan also sustained minor injuries from this move; blood flowed down his arms to his fingertips, dripping onto the grass, creating a stark contrast.
Xia Liuli tried to rise by leaning on her sword, but having taken the full force of the Mixed Demon Sealing Hand, she suffered severe internal injuries and could no longer fully mobilize her Spiritual Power for free movement.
Yu Chuan flew to Xia Liuli's side, and before she could react, Yu Chuan struck and broke both of her legs.
He yanked Xia Liuli up by her hair and dragged her to the base of a tree.
Yu Chuan squatted in front of Xia Liuli, laughing at how utterly wretched she looked.
"Back in the Sacred Hall, you and Junior Martial Brother Wanqing were the center of attention. Whether in the Inner Court or the Outer Court, you had countless admirers."
"After you two confirmed your Dao Companion relationship, countless male and female disciples were heartbroken."
"But look at the situation now: I am the one who became a Hall Master, not either of you. I should thank you; if you hadn't stolen the Blazing Flame Lotus Dragon Pill, I might not have climbed to such a high position."
"After all, as the senior martial brother, I was always suppressed by you two. As long as you didn't leave, I couldn't hold my head up high."
Buzang stood still on the spot, as if that last strike had completely exhausted the soul power Chu Wanqing had deposited into it.
Yu Chuan stood up, pulled Buzang out of the ground, and then walked toward Xia Liuli again.
Xia Liuli stared at Yu Chuan and roared, "You have no right to touch it!"
Hearing this, Yu Chuan revealed a meaningful expression: "It truly is a fine sword. I am not surprised that you two managed to injure me to this extent."
"If you hadn't forced me to this point, I would have been angry, because I cannot accept that the junior martial brother and sister who always suppressed me are actually useless trash."
"Junior martial sister, stop struggling pointlessly. Hand over the Blazing Flame Lotus Dragon Pill obediently, and I will grant you a quick death."
Xia Liuli remained silent upon hearing this, and Yu Chuan gradually lost his patience.
After searching fruitlessly, Yu Chuan grew anxious. He stepped forward and grabbed Xia Liuli by the throat.
"Where is the Blazing Flame Lotus Dragon Pill! It's not on Chu Wanqing, it's not in your residence, and it's not on you either!"
Xia Liuli scoffed, "A few days ago, the Blazing Flame Lotus Dragon Pill's Spiritual Power went out of control, and we knew our location was exposed. So, after it stabilized, we transferred it elsewhere."
"You won't find it. If you fail to obtain the Blazing Flame Lotus Dragon Pill, the Sacred Hall won't let you off easily either."
"You searched for us for ten years; do you think you can succeed so easily just because you found us? We certainly won't let you have your way."
Yu Chuan suppressed his rage. He had volunteered for this mission specifically to perform well in front of the Hall Master.
But now, he couldn't even see a shadow of the Blazing Flame Lotus Dragon Pill. Seeing that he couldn't get any useful information from Xia Liuli's mouth, Yu Chuan released his left hand gripping her throat.
Xia Liuli clutched her throat with both hands, breathing rapidly, but the next second, Yu Chuan pierced her body through.
Looking down, she saw that what pierced her chest was Chu Wanqing's Buzang.
"Since you two are so devoted, I'll let you die together. I'll send you both to hell."
Yu Chuan released his right hand holding Buzang, stepped back a few paces, and sneered.
"Wasting my time. I must obtain the Blazing Flame Lotus Dragon Pill."
With those words, Yu Chuan turned and left to continue searching for the whereabouts of the Blazing Flame Lotus Dragon Pill. In the empty mountain forest, only Xia Liuli and that sword, Buzang, remained.
Xia Liuli leaned her head back against the tree trunk, gripping the hilt of the sword tightly, as if holding Chu Wanqing's hands.
Two lines of clear tears slid down Xia Liuli's cheeks: "You didn't lie, you really were protecting me until the very end, but... but..."
Xia Liuli's throat choked up, making it almost impossible to utter a sound. She forcefully swallowed the lump of grief.
"Yuan'er... be safe... and have your wishes fulfilled..."
With those words, Xia Liuli's head drooped, and the hands tightly gripping the sword hilt fell heavily to the ground.
The sword surface reflected Xia Liuli's exquisitely beautiful face, and a tear droplet fell onto the blade.
Although only one tear fell, two tear tracks appeared on Buzang's Sword Body.
Only one tear, yet two places where tears fell.
…………
Within Mountain City, the residents, hearing the silence outside, gradually emerged.
A large crowd of Mountain City Residents gathered outside the house of Chu Wanqing's family. Staring at the collapsed house and the cracks in the ground, they couldn't help but harbor suspicions about Chu Wanqing's identity.
"Chu... Chu Wanqing!"
Suddenly, a loud shout rang out, and everyone rushed over upon hearing it.
The crowd trembled inwardly upon seeing Chu Wanqing leaning against the roadside. After a pharmacist stepped forward to check him, he slowly shook his head, and everyone understood the implication.
"Chu Wanqing's family moved here ten years ago. They never mentioned their background to anyone. Could they really be a branch of some Demonic Sect family?"
"It's not impossible. Today, a Holy Temple Elder from a major Righteous Path sect personally visited. To warrant such attention from the Sacred Hall, they must be very dangerous individuals."
"These Sword Scars, dozens of meters deep—if he truly intended to attack us, none of us would have survived."
"I actually thought Chu Yuan was a cultivation genius seen once in a century, which is why the Sacred Hall Elder paid a personal visit."
"Let's stay far away from their house, lest we become entangled in unwanted karma."
"We searched everywhere but couldn't find Xia Liuli or Chu Yuan. Perhaps those two have already left."
"Let's hurry up and go. What is there to look at?"
The crowd dispersed gradually, but a little girl asked doubtfully, "Mother, didn't Uncle Wanqing and Aunt Liuli often help our family? How could they be bad people?"
"They always helped anyone in need."
"And Brother Yuan'er, he was always very kind to us."
The little girl's mother scolded her, "What do you know, child? That was all an illusion, something they put on to deceive us."
"Come on, come on, let's not think about this anymore. Wan'er, come home with Mother."
Not long after, everyone scattered. Chu Wanqing's corpse remained where it was, untouched by anyone, and no one dared to move it.
At Zishi, Chu Yuan woke up inside the house. Because Chu Wanqing had set up a Barrier for him, Chu Yuan couldn't see what was happening outside, nor did he know what time it was.
Chu Yuan rubbed his stomach and sighed, "Why hasn't Father come to find Yuan'er yet? Yuan'er is hungry."
"Forget it, I'll sleep a bit longer. I won't be hungry if I'm asleep."
When Chu Yuan opened his eyes again, it was already Maoshi. Chu Yuan didn't know how long he had slept, only that he was extremely, extremely hungry.
Chu Yuan clenched his hands and muttered, "I should be able to go out now. If I made the guest unhappy, Father and Mother must forgive Yuan'er. Yuan'er is really so hungry."
Pushing open the door, a scene of ruins unfolded before Chu Yuan's eyes. He stared blankly for a few seconds at the house, covered in signs of fighting and utterly dilapidated, then anxiously searched for the figures of his Father and Mother.
Chu Yuan shouted in fear, "Father! Mother! Where are you!"