Chapter 32: The First Practical Combat Lesson

Two days after Tang Xi and his companion returned to the academy, a case rocked the entire Heaven Dou City.

In front of the Heaven Dou Palace, a corpse was found hanging from the tower clock.

The man’s neck was noosed, his body swaying slightly in the breeze. He faced the direction of the Crown Prince’s residence within the palace, a chilling sight that seemed like a deliberate provocation.

Most of the citizens of Heaven Dou did not know the man’s identity, nor was it clear how the news had spread.

Fang Yixuan drew a long whip from his robes. It was thin and exceptionally long, a deep, abyssal black that, under the sunlight, seemed to shimmer with a faint hint of crimson.

Taking advantage of the favorable terrain at the mountain pass, the Music Bandit Stronghold had constructed a wall about five meters high, equipped with a wooden gate nearly two meters tall.

"However, within the palace, there are the Eighth and Ninth Divisions, both of which are formidable. Guarding the palace will not be difficult," said Li Defei, the Vice Chairman of Military Affairs.

Before Qing Yangzi could finish his sentence, the vision of everyone present blurred, and the scenery shifted abruptly. When they could see clearly again, they had arrived in an unknown location. Beneath their feet was a spacious circular platform, suspended in a vast, empty expanse of white.

Perhaps emboldened by his recent string of victories, Chai Rong’s current campaign against the Khitan proceeded smoothly; he reclaimed three prefectures and seventeen counties without shedding a drop of blood, achieving a total triumph.

The Old Man of the Flying Sword was struck with horror, coughing up three mouthfuls of blood in rapid succession. His aura withered instantly, and within a few breaths, he collapsed and died.

Jiang Mi suppressed a smile. She nodded slightly toward Zheng Wen. When she caught Zheng Wen pretending not to see her and hurriedly lowering his head, the amusement in Jiang Mi’s eyes grew even more intense.

The shrill screams were completely drowned out by the rumbling thunder. After the lightning dissipated, Fu Yao saw only Mu Changning, drenched in blood, her skin torn and mangled. Her clothes had been shredded by the violent energy, and her face was unrecognizable. She stood trembling at the bow of the ship, as if a mere gust of wind could topple her.

"Uncle Neyan, has Guangning mentioned anything to you?" True Monarch Xinjue asked, unable to suppress his curiosity.

Even so, Yun Xiao would not let those who had conspired against him go. The mastermind, Liu Rufeng, was already dead, but there remained an accomplice, Zhou Xiu. Now that Zhou Xiu had been captured and brought to the Yun family estate, how could Yun Xiao easily let him off?

The two demons were respectful toward me. A wide road appeared before us. Holding the golden-threaded garment and the Scarlet Blood Pill, I waved goodbye to them and vanished from their sight, taking the three others with me.

A moment later, in the square of the Long family estate, Yun Xiao and Long Qianqiong stood tall in the center. The two locked eyes, their gazes sharp and unyielding.

The color of those eyes was like a painting of the human world, encompassing all the joy, anger, and myriad states of mortal life.

From the source of the bright red, droplets continued to fall. Landing on the body of the zither, they bloomed like bright red plum blossoms scattered across a snowy winter field.

At a single glance, everyone gasped in shock, for the collision of their strongest attacks—the clash between the Golden Wolf and the Thunder Spear—had ended in a draw.

The three sects of the Righteous Path had always stayed close to the ten great families, for no other reason than the fact that the Demonic Sect was never at rest; together, the Righteous sects and the ten families were just enough to suppress the restless Demonic faction.

Wei Xian’s sensory perception had naturally been interfered with, though not severely. Nevertheless, he had failed to sense Lou Yixiao’s presence early enough. By the time he did, he had already been spotted, forcing Wei Xian to retreat into the nearby shadows.

He gazed at Jiang Ling, his eyes filled with an arrogant brilliance. He slowly brought his hands together in front of him, as if embracing Jiang Ling from afar.

Zhang Qing also lacked killing intent, but his cultivation method ensured he could still maintain a high level of combat effectiveness.

Thus, the sea merchants of Eastern Qi were not only wealthy, but each held their own islands, acting as kings and emperors within their own domains.