“Hehehe! Who would have thought it would be you again!”
“You sure gave me a warm welcome back at the Gu Family!”
Mo Tianyun tightened his grip on his longsword, his eyes flickering with cold, ruthless light. A smirk played at the corner of his mouth as the aura around him grew increasingly fierce, as if a fierce beast were about to launch a lethal attack.
Seeing this, Gu Yan's eyes narrowed. With a wave of his hand, he summoned a sword that had fallen to the ground, harnessing the surge of energy within him.
He said calmly, “I had a feeling something was off about you back at the Gu Family. It seems my instincts were correct.”
“Hahaha! Knowing is one thing! If you had let that expert by your side take us out back then, maybe we wouldn’t be in this mess now!”
“What a shame!”
Mo Tianyun licked his sword, his grin twisted and fiendish as he addressed Gu Yan, “And to think you’re dumb enough not to bring that expert with you this time.”
“Are you looking to die on your own terms?!”
The words had barely left his mouth.
Swoosh!
Mo Tianyun's figure shot toward Gu Yan like an arrow.
Liu Jianxing was drenched in sweat, feeling the urgency. He immediately shouted, “Be careful, Gu Yan!!”
“That ordinary sword of yours won’t withstand his sinister blade!!”
As the words faded, a deafening clang resounded.
A formidable surge of energy shot into the sky.
Dust filled the air, blocking Liu Jianxing’s vision.
He squinted, trying desperately to see the scene.
And when his gaze fell upon it, he froze in shock.
There, Gu Yan held the ordinary longsword in front of his chest, effortlessly fending off Mo Tianyun’s attack.
On closer inspection, a pinkish aura rippled across the blade, preventing Mo Tianyun’s sword from piercing it.
“What?!”
“This is... Sword Intent Manifestation!”
Mo Tianyun’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the sword that held his own at bay. He roared in astonishment, “Your swordsmanship is that advanced?!”
Liu Jianxing was equally stunned. Before coming to Jianghai, he had already heard about Gu Yan, a man who couldn’t cultivate.
Pitying him, realizing that being born into a great family yet unable to cultivate would mean a bleak future.
But now...
Seeing this...
Had Gu Yan been concealing his true strength all along?
Even reaching a level stronger than his own!
What kind of genius was he, really?!
Ignoring Mo Tianyun’s astonishment, Gu Yan only said coolly, “That’s enough to kill you.”
These words seemed to enrage Mo Tianyun. He slashed wildly, yelling, “Die! Die! Die!”
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The collision of blades and energy created a cacophony of metallic echoes and explosions, the residual sword aura stinging like needles.
Liu Jianxing shielded his eyes with his arm, the raging wind threatening to toss him about. Yet, the unfolding battle held him in thrall.
The two figures moved rapidly, their swords clashing and spewing sparks.
Gu Yan’s swordsmanship was ruthless and devastating, forcing Mo Tianyun into a tight defense.
And Mo Tianyun matched the intensity, his attacks a tempest of fury, every move brimming with lethal intent.
Liu Jianxing watched anxiously, his heart pounding in his chest.
He could see Gu Yan’s overwhelming strength, but facing an opponent like Mo Tianyun, who possessed abilities granted by the Night King, even Gu Yan couldn’t afford a moment’s carelessness.
Time ticked by, the battle entering its climax.
The surrounding earth was scarred with sword marks, countless buildings reduced to ruin.
Some structures exposed slumbering ordinary citizens.
Were it not for the Nightmare Sacrificial Array, this scene would have caused mass panic.
“Damned brat! Why would someone as strong as you stand with these parasites?!”
“They’re the ones who slaughtered the Leng Family!”
“Shouldn’t you be on our side?!”
Seeing his sword beginning to crack, Mo Tianyun abruptly disengaged, retreating far away before roaring at Gu Yan.
It seemed he couldn’t fathom Gu Yan’s position.
Liu Jianxing’s heart tightened as he glanced at Gu Yan, worried that Mo Tianyun’s words might sway him.
After all...
The Leng Family and the Night King had history.
And now the Leng Family was allied with Gu Yan through marriage. Who knew how Gu Yan would respond...
But to these words, Gu Yan’s expression remained unchanged. With a stern rebuke, he said, “Shut up! Sacrificing so many innocents to the Night King is the most monstrous act!”
“Do you think a few words will make me join your side?!”
“The Leng Family isn’t what it used to be! My beloved has no connection with the Night King!”
“Don’t you dare sully my beloved with your filth!”
Mo Tianyun’s face contorted with rage. He unleashed a torrent of malevolent energy. “Fine, fine, fine! Since you’re so determined to oppose us!”
“The Gu Family and the Leng Family will both be added to the Night King’s hit list!”
“I’ll start by killing you first!”
With the last words uttered, a massive wave of malevolent energy surged toward Gu Yan... but strangely, it veered toward his right side.
A deliberate miss?
Liu Jianxing’s eyes widened.
But as he looked to the side, his heart nearly leapt out of his chest. “Gu Yan! His target is the civilians!”
“?!”
Gu Yan’s pupils contracted. Seeing the shockwave heading toward a residential building, he made his decision.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward and threw himself in front of the attack.
Boom!
The shockwave slammed into Gu Yan’s body, illuminating the sky.
“Gu Yan!”
Liu Jianxing cried out in anguish, his eyes brimming with tears.
In moments, the shockwave subsided.
The dust settled.
To Liu Jianxing’s relief, in the haze stood Gu Yan, sword in hand, his brow covered in sweat.
Mo Tianyun, on the other hand, knelt on one knee, his face pale and his energy drained.
Gu Yan stood painstakingly, catching his breath, driving his sword into the ground to steady himself.
His body was battered and worn.
He gazed coldly at the pale, shocked face of Mo Tianyun and sneered, “Evil cannot triumph over good.”
“You’ve lost, Mo Tianyun. I think you’re out of energy, aren’t you?”
Mo Tianyun panicked. “No... impossible... how...? Why aren’t you dead?!”
Liu Jianxing quickly rushed over to support Gu Yan, his eyes filled with admiration. “Gu Yan! Thank goodness you’re alright!”
Gu Yan inhaled deeply, his voice weak and strained. “Don’t... don’t say anymore. Finish him off quickly.”
“I’m... at my limit too...”
Hearing this, Liu Jianxing snapped out of his awe. Realizing that Gu Yan was similarly on his last legs, and sensing his own energy returning slightly, he nodded firmly. “Understood!”
With that, he glared at the panicking Mo Tianyun, taking a step forward. He extended a finger like a blade, simultaneously pulling out a small, lantern-shaped object about the size of a coin.
His voice erupted with fury. “Mo Tianyun, evil cannot triumph over good. Remember that in your next life... be a decent human being!”
With that, he channeled his energy and slashed toward Mo Tianyun’s neck.
Crack!
Before Mo Tianyun’s horrified eyes, that single swipe severed his head.
A wisp of energy entered the small lantern.
Buzz! The lantern glowed brightly.
Mo Tianyun’s body dissolved into a puff of black smoke, vanishing.
Liu Jianxing exhaled deeply. “As expected, that weapon had been corrupted by evil.”
Having dealt with the threat, he hurried back to Gu Yan, worried. “Gu Yan, are you okay?”
“Where’s that expert bodyguard of yours?”
At this, Gu Yan pretended to be weak, letting Liu Jianxing support him. He sighed, “Well, Old Gao and Elder Jiang from the Jiang Family were supposed to come with me.”
“But suddenly, a fearful energy wave came from the east. After discussions, we thought that area needed more help.”
“So Old Gao and Elder Jiang went there, and I came to assist you instead.”
“But...”
Gu Yan smiled wryly. “I underestimated Mo Tianyun’s strength.”
“No, no, no, no! Gu Yan, you’re incredible! I’ve never seen such a genius in my life!”
“If you were in our Heavenly Sword Sect, the entire sect's resources would undoubtedly be tilted in your favor!!”
Liu Jianxing spoke with an excitement that resembled a narrow escape from danger.
“Please, I have no interest in joining any martial arts factions. I just want to live a peaceful life with my loved one.”
“Alright, Liu Jianxing, let’s go meet up with the main group.”
Gu Yan said weakly, waving his hand.
“Okay!”
...
....
Consciousness returned.
On the rooftop of a skyscraper.
The coat branded with 【Gu Yan · Night King Limited Edition】 billowed in the chilly wind, and he sensed everything within the great array.
When he felt that everyone had been herded toward a single direction and gathered together,
Gu Yan's lips curled slightly.
“Perfect, all the actors are in place.”
“Prepare yourself, Old Gao, it’s your turn to make an appearance.”
The Old Gao in a limited edition black robe responded in a gravelly voice, “Yes, Young Master.”
With that,
whoosh!
Old Gao’s figure vanished from the scene.