Chapter 10, gazing at the endless road of no return

Wu Que stood quietly in front of the main hall, observing. This was an absurd conclusion following a struggle; although many had died, apart from Hua Shuang, no significant character truly emerged. This also marked the prologue to a contest for the crown prince, which had only erupted in the Man Shenjiang region, yet had not yet escalated to a bloody conflict in Shengjing, as hidden dangers lurked at every step.

A murder case has been linked to a case of corruption, which in turn has led to a case of treason. Chief Linghu, what is your perspective on this? The details of the latter two cases are generally clear, yet the death of Hua Shuang remains unresolved

In the shimmering light of the gentle water, Linghu Tuan Yuan remained completely unaware of the martial saint's internal energy slicing through her body like a knife. Her garments were shredded into countless threads, and her face bore fine scars from the cuts. She knew only one thing: there was no room for defeat, no place for cowardice in retreat. If the Seven Swords of Annihilation were insufficient for victory, then she would unleash the Eighth Sword of Annihilation. If the true Sword of Annihilation was still not enough, she would pour forth all her knowledge, just as the esteemed Eunuch Wanfu had said, with a single move determining the outcome.

Without hesitation, he retrieved the wine cup and took a small sip. After she finished coughing, he sighed and said: "In fact, I have something I want to say to you, just one sentence, something I've wanted to say for a long time..."

Linghu Tuan Yuan spat blood and flew away, taking the fine water along with him, pulling it from the grasp of the Martial Saint. Wu Que fell from the sky, catching Linghu Tuan Yuan with one hand, while the other hand had already turned over, fingers folded.

The Black-Clad Martial Saint, filled with anger and resentment, found the Linge family repeatedly thwarting his grand plans. He had assisted this young woman in eliminating the Iron Sand Palm, yet she had the audacity to obstruct his path in return. Following the defeat at Tongshan, King Qin had no choice but to withdraw, but he was unwilling to accept this outcome. Years of hard work had gone to waste; despite having the advantage of time and place, he had failed to eliminate King Liang. Now that those who needed silencing had been dealt with, what more did he have to consider? Whether it be stubbornness or a determination to fight to the end, he was resolved to make one last effort to remove the most troublesome opponent for King Qin. Years of hard work had gone to waste; despite having the advantage of time and place, he had failed to eliminate King Liang. Now that those who needed silencing had been dealt with, what more did he have to consider? Whether it be stubbornness or a determination to fight to the end, he was resolved to make one last effort to remove the most troublesome opponent for King Qin.

The Black-Clad Martial Saint had not yet had the chance to strike again, but the gestures of Wuqie were far stranger than those of King Liang and Linghu Tuan Yuan, making him feel that their power was even greater. He could only flee, and his resentful words echoed in the night sky, "The Linghu family... very... very good..."

Did you hear that?" Wu Que asked

Linghu Tuan Yuan took a sip of tea and glanced at him sideways

Linghu Tuan Yuan found the situation uninteresting and decided to ignore him, returning through the window. As she passed above the room of King Liang, she heard Ping Zhen's voice, "The soldiers dispatched from Tongshan City have suffered casualties of about 200, and the number of civilian casualties is even harder to quantify"

Wang Baiyun arrived at the provincial capital and first explained his purpose. The water level by the river in Gaonan had already receded, so Wang Yongchun sent him to Tongshan for support. Upon learning of Hua Shuang's death, Wang Baiyun appeared shocked and then sorrowful, while Pan Yue offered a few words of comfort

"If you can eat, then I cannot?" Linghu Tuan Yuan had consumed fruit wine, and she did not care that the fiery clouds were strong liquor. She snatched the wine cup, not bothering with a vessel, and gulped it down in one go. The spicy liquid immediately made her choke, "Cough cough..."

The setting sun cast a dim light, and Xiriyuan's shoulder injury had not yet healed. The hand seals he performed were merely the clumsy attempts of a novice, and after collapsing, he found himself unable to rise again. He could not clearly see the figures of the two, only perceiving a blurred image of red and black intertwined, mixed with a chilling sword light. He understood that it was Linghu Tuan Yuan's sword energy and the martial saint's internal force that distorted the space. Yet, no matter how exquisite the sword technique, the opponent was not a Songshan swordsman but a martial saint. Linghu Tuan Yuan struggled against the Songshan swordsman, so how could he escape from the grasp of a martial saint? In the hazy image, only Linghu Tuan Yuan's bright eyes and tightly pressed lips remained clear to him. The numbers one, two, and three resurfaced in his mind, this time so profoundly that it would be etched in his memory for a lifetime. Thus, he redefined her: besides being annoying, she was also somewhat foolish; she should have escaped on her own long ago.

Without further ado, how Huanye, the acting governor of Tongshan City, navigates his interactions with Wang Baiyun, and the fate of the Wang family remains to be seen. It is only mentioned that after the most severe flood period of the Mianshen River has passed, King Liang continues to head north with important members and families of the two major families of Nanyue.

Linghu Yue focused his gaze on the two individuals, and a subtle atmosphere immediately arose. On the other side, Pan Yue and Pan Chi began to converse; Pan Chi was not as unfortunate as Teng Xiang, and although he appeared disheveled, he managed to return unscathed.

Linghu Tuan Yuan was taken aback, "Is this the only sentence? There is nothing else?"

Pan Yue said: "Ah, Lord Wang, you have arrived, which can resolve this situation"

Linghu Yue held the tea ceremony and said: "My son, being young and inexperienced, has just killed the assassin in front of everyone. In my opinion, Wang has already become a discarded piece; she will not utter a word even if she is killed. As for the assassin, he was sent to us to be killed; it is certainly good that he has killed Wang, but regardless of whether he succeeds or not, he will ultimately die."

Linghu Tuan Yuan's Sword Domain has reached great perfection, but unfortunately, the individuals within the domain are indeed too powerful. Her Eighth Sword of Annihilation not only failed to intimidate him but also ignited an even stronger killing intent within him. Under her incessant and unending sword techniques, the Black-Clad Martial Saint also exerted all his strength with both hands.

They all do not speak, and I do not speak either

Pan Yue let out a sigh and sat down beside him, saying: "Your Highness is safe now, but when will my Pan Chi and your Li Qiu return?"

Wang Baiyun inquired about Hua Chen and the Wang family, to which Pan Yue mentioned the matter of the Liang King. Wang Baiyun was taken aback and exclaimed, "How audacious can this scoundrel be?"

The voice of King Liang gradually lowered, and Linghu Tuan Yuan crouched down. As she crouched, she suddenly remembered the guard Gu she had encountered earlier; at this moment, there was no trace of Gu's figure under her eyelids.

The setting sun cast a shadow over Xihai, who furrowed his brow, yet remained silent

When Wu Que arrived, he happened to witness such a scene. The room was filled with an invisible aura, with the figure in red weeping blood, while the martial saint in black had his palm pierced by a stream of fine water. It turned out that he had sacrificed his left palm to strike at Ling Hu Tuan Yuan with his right palm. Wu Que's heart felt as if it were being torn apart; Liang Wang did not see his expression at that moment, but his eyes were actually red.

Wuqie was instantly suffocated, his eyes reddened. He was still not smart enough, not powerful enough, unable to crush the crisis in its cradle, and could only watch helplessly as Linghu Tuan Yuan fell into a desperate situation. A loud bang nearly shattered Wuqie's soul. He had not yet told her the secret that could erase all the beautiful moments they had shared, and his world was already collapsing. Wuqie flew swiftly, his red attire resembling a blazing fire burning fiercely in the night sky. He had not yet told her the secret that could erase all the beautiful moments they had shared, and his world was already collapsing. Wuqie flew swiftly, his red attire resembling a blazing fire burning fiercely in the night sky

Linghu Tuan Yuan returned home, embracing a wooden box. She walked up to Wu Que's side, not noticing her brother smiling, and only heard him say, "We will no longer keep cats in the future"

After Linghu Tuan Yuan dismounted from the carriage, Pan Weizhi approached holding a sandalwood box and called out to her, saying: "Miss Linghu, this is for you"

The two exchanged a few pleasantries

Pan Weizhi lowered his head and said: "This is the urn for the ashes of Dabai. I prepared it for you while you were away."

The Black-Clad Martial Saint had just turned the tide from a disadvantageous position when he suddenly saw Linghu Tuan Yuan's figure change in an instant. The red shadow spun rapidly, and her agility was surprisingly on par with that of a higher-ranked Songshan swordsman. What use is speed? In the face of absolute disparity in martial power, it is merely a desperate struggle. As the Black-Clad Martial Saint contemplated Linghu Tuan Yuan's fate, he noticed a change in her swordsmanship. Even after years of having ascended to the rank of Martial Saint, he could not help but be taken aback. What kind of sword technique is this? In the midst of the swirling red shadow, the chaotic sword lights formed fragments that scattered and intricately created a sword energy field. The girl wielding her sword with her left hand had her right hand forming a gesture similar to that used by King Liang, occasionally flicking her fingers. Although the internal energy from her finger flicks was weak, it cleverly added a series of strange internal forces to the energy field.

In accordance with the words of Linghu Yue, the guards reported that the postal routes to the neighboring prefecture have begun to resume.

Pingzhen was utterly astonished. Soon after, his mind began to work. King Qin had long been closely associated with the local powerful clans in Gaonan, winning over local forces and forming factions for personal gain. In contrast, King Liang, far away in Shengjing, had not communicated with the Nanyue clans for a long time and had not formed friendships in the court or among the people. Compared to King Qin, King Liang was indeed in a weaker position

At first, I thought that my father was sending me to suppress the power of the clans, but now I realize that my father's deeper intention is for my own good ... ..." The King of Liang did not continue speaking, and Pingzhen understood.

The young master, with a graceful turn, resembles the most mysterious flame under the night light.

... ...

Without a complete grasp, the girl in his arms was already on the verge of death, her delicate wounds staining her red clothing. He did not dare to grip her shoulders tightly, only holding her gently, whispering in her ear: "Do you want to know about your mother? You must hold on for me!"

At this moment, Linghu Yue sent someone to call the two. After Wu Que responded, Linghu Tuan Yuan asked him again, but he replied: "It's nothing! Let's go have a meal first"

Wang Baiyun's expression changed slightly, but he said, "Alright, his return is just in time! This time the flood is quite severe, with someone who knows the ins and outs like him in charge, the water situation can be resolved!"

Hua Ye returned to the state capital but did not see any trace of the rebels. At this moment, he was in the main hall and had no reliable means to establish the treason of the Gao Nan royal family. Half of Gao Nan's private soldiers were under his command, while the other half were distributed across various counties. Regarding Wan Fu's instructions, Hua Ye felt quite helpless; he was eager to eliminate the traitors but lacked the strength to act decisively.

Linghu Tuan Yuan stopped in her tracks, only then realizing the peculiarity of Wu Que. She turned around and saw the figure in red under the vast expanse of red light, exuding a sense of solitude. Even though the clansmen were bustling around them, Wu Que appeared to be out of place.

The Black-Clad Martial Saint had defeated Guard Gu and King Liang, but unexpectedly found himself unable to resolve the situation with Linghu Tuan Yuan in one move. His internal energy was formidable, nearly capable of lifting the roof, yet his previous targets were not Linghu Tuan Yuan. He had expended much of his internal energy on the two inside the room, and after taking down King Liang, he lost the initiative when turning his attention to Linghu Tuan Yuan. In a hasty response, Linghu Tuan Yuan launched a full-force thrust, which could be considered one of the most fierce and unpredictable strikes in the world, momentarily disrupting his formation. This sword strike was incomparably superior to the Songshan Sword Technique; had it not been for Linghu Tuan Yuan's significantly lower cultivation level, this single thrust could have left him with countless sword wounds.

Indeed! Without a flaw, she smiled and said, "You are a young lady; it is not appropriate for you to drink."

Not long after, Huaye and Pan Chi entered the main hall one after the other. Upon seeing Wang Baiyun, Huaye was momentarily taken aback, and the latter immediately stepped forward, embracing him tightly and sorrowfully saying: "Brother Hua, please accept my condolences. Tongshan City still needs you to govern it for the time being"

Linghu Yue listened quietly to the two engaging in a seemingly serious dialogue, without uttering a word. The arrival of Wang Baiyun signified that the Wang family was taking the initiative to regain control, turning the situation from passive to active, while also having the opportunity to rectify some exposed flaws.

I estimate that His Highness Prince Liang is now safe, and it is time to restore the situation

Linghu Tuan Yuan could not help but pause, landing on the eaves.

Wuqiu saw this scene from a distance, yet smiled like a spring breeze. Awen, standing beside him, was mesmerized; it was rare for the young master to smile like this. Awen had read quite a bit alongside Wuqiu and thought the young master's smile was very beautiful, but he searched his mind for a suitable word to describe it without success. When Wuqiu turned to look at him, he suddenly thought of it; at this moment, the distinguished young master resembled the famous wine of the Linghu family—"Fire Cloud." Dressed in red, he was dazzling beyond compare, coinciding with the setting sun, as the clouds in the sky shimmered at the edges of the sunset, and the distinguished one was like the reddest flower among them.

Linghu Tuan Yuan suddenly felt a wave of sadness, tightly embracing the wooden box as if she were holding onto her childhood memories

The post station in Nanjing is different from that in Jiangnan, with a style that is closer to the spacious and unrefined nature of Daga. When Linghu Tuan Yuan flew away along the eaves, she exchanged a glance with the guard Gu, who was patrolling below. After passing by the room of King Liang and climbing over a low wall, she darted into Wuqie’s room

The next afternoon, Wanfu escorted the Prince of Liang back to the prefecture. As soon as they arrived in front of the residence, Wanfu vanished without a trace. The Prince of Liang and his companion understood that he did not wish to meet with the various officials. Pingzhen and the guards, including Gu, were extremely excited to see the Prince of Liang.

Pan Yue was momentarily taken aback, but soon returned to his usual composure

I am leaving first!" Pan Weizhi did not look at her again and left.

The Black-Clad Martial Saint is not merely a master of the Iron Sand Palm; his perception is far from superficial. The Eighth Sword of Annihilation, adorned with various embellishments, only reveals to him that behind this Miss Linghu lies a presence far more powerful than his own. Such swordsmanship must originate from a master of the sword, where the path of the sword itself appears ordinary, yet the aura generated by the sword energy resembles an intricate web, where even the slightest thread could trigger a chain reaction throughout the body. With just this sword, his hopes for a swift resolution have turned to illusions, especially since he has sensed that countless individuals are rushing towards this location. The Black-Clad Martial Saint gritted his teeth; although King Liang could not achieve his kill, if this exceptionally gifted young woman is not eliminated soon, she will undoubtedly become his mortal enemy in the future.

I suppose I should say it... After a while, Wuqie slowly met her gaze, and she immediately felt that what he wanted to say was very important to her

Linghu Tuan Yuan's squinting eyes trembled slightly; in her daze, she saw the starry sky above the open roof... the starlight dimmed... scattered stars... then she fainted.

Linghu Tuan Yuan poured the tea and said: "You speak!"

It is gone

King Liang coldly remarked: "After a great disaster, there will surely be a great epidemic, and the court will have to disburse large amounts of money and grain for disaster relief and compensation..."

Xi Ri Xuan Hao spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and immediately fell backward. Ling Hu Tuan Yuan's sword arrived just in time, representing a successful combination of "cutting into the wood three points" and the flowing water technique. The flowing water, infused with Ling Hu Tuan Yuan's internal energy, forcibly broke through the opponent's internal force. The sword body undulated like a spirit snake, continuously writhing with the motion of a snake's belly, resembling an unpredictable torrent of water, rushing down while splashing water droplets incessantly. The invisible internal force released by the Black-clad Martial Saint was systematically dispelled by it. The flowing water, infused with Ling Hu Tuan Yuan's internal energy, forcibly broke through the opponent's internal force. The sword body undulated like a spirit snake, continuously writhing with the motion of a snake's belly, resembling an unpredictable torrent of water, rushing down while splashing water droplets incessantly. The invisible internal force released by the Black-clad Martial Saint was systematically dispelled by it.

Linghu Tuan Yuan curiously took it and asked, "What is this?"

You drink wine while I drink tea

The Black-Clad Martial Saint had long sensed that there was another person on the roof of the Liang King’s residence, thus his internal energy also enveloped Linghu Tuan Yuan. However, what he did not anticipate was that, in the face of his formidable aura, the guard Gu was unable to withstand it, while the Liang King formed a strange hand gesture, and the girl above him was not intimidated; instead, she broke through the roof and entered.

Xi Ri Xuan Hao faced the Black-Clad Martial Saint with the phrase "Ten Thousand Blessings to the Ancestors". Despite tripling his internal energy, he was still defeated. Ping Zhen was overlooked by the Black-Clad Martial Saint; among the four, he was the only one not locked onto by internal energy. The guard Gu was sent flying to the ground, while King Liang withstood a palm strike from the Black-Clad Martial Saint. The clash of their internal energies produced a tremendous sound, echoing through the heavens, a noise that was unbearable for Ping Zhen, who had no martial arts training. He fell backward and lost consciousness.

Pingzhen endured several times but ultimately could not hold back any longer. He asked Liang Wangdao: "Your Highness, it is evident that the Gao Nan royal family is plotting rebellion. Why have you not taken them to task? This is not in line with your usual style of conduct. Even if there is no conclusive evidence, at the very least, you should make a show of strength to intimidate them."

"Am I not allowed to come?" Linghu Tuan Yuan stared at him, his eyes becoming even more hazy.

He raised his head, having taken her pulse, his eyes now returned to normal, veiled by a layer of cold gray gauze. He said to Xiri Xuanhao: "From now on, keep your distance from her!"

You do not resemble a proper young lady

Linghu Tuan Yuan seized the initiative, yet did not gain any advantage. Unaware of the overwhelming strength of the Martial Saint, the mere pressure of his presence was enough to make her suffer greatly. She did not initially understand why she bravely charged in to rescue the Liang King, who would not treat her kindly even if saved, but when she faced the Martial Saint directly, she suddenly realized that this was her martial way: to uphold justice and righteousness, not retreating even in the face of a strong enemy. Striking a stone with an egg, a mayfly shaking a tree, these are the ironclad rules set by the world, yet nothing is impossible in this world. She did not initially understand why she bravely charged in to rescue the Liang King, who would not treat her kindly even if saved, but when she faced the Martial Saint directly, she suddenly realized that this was her martial way: to uphold justice and righteousness, not retreating even in the face of a strong enemy. Striking a stone with an egg, a mayfly shaking a tree, these are the ironclad rules set by the world, yet nothing is impossible in this world. Rules are the shackles that bind freedom, and regulations are the prisons that frame the sky. The essence of the "Mitian Jue" is to break free from shackles and soar freely.

In the state government hall, Pan Yue asked Linghu Yue, "They want to kill the Wang family to silence them. Why aren't you paying more attention? Why are you sitting there with your legs crossed?"

Wang Baiyun immediately stated that the Wang family of Gaonan regarded the Wang surname as a disgrace and would assist Tongshan City in capturing all the rebellious factions in one sweep, with the soldiers of Gaonan following Pan Yue's orders

I heard it! Linghu Tuan Yuan became increasingly melancholic, she took a step, but one of her hands was pulled back by Wu Que.

Linghu Yue, however, retorted: "Hasn't His Highness the King of Liang already closed the case?"

Deacon Pan Chi has also returned

On this evening, three thousand soldiers suddenly stationed outside Tongshan City. They came from the largest provincial capital of Gaonan, Nanping, dispatched by the governor of Nanping, Wang Yongchun. The commanding officer, Wang Cunjun Wang Baiyun, is indeed the brother-in-law of Hua Shuang

After passing the Shen River, the vehicle traveled into the territory of Nanping, where the group stayed overnight in Nanjian County

Huayeno came to her senses and moved his hand away, saying sadly: "Brother Wang has come at the right time. I won't say much more; let's work together to resolve the water issue at hand."

Reunion

The flawless gaze finally settled on his father, who was neither as experienced as his father nor as far-sighted, yet he once again discerned the secret of Linghu Yue, which was also the secret of Linghu Tuan Yuan, and even more so, the secret that he could never express from the depths of his heart

"Let's go together!" said Linghu Tuan Yuan

Without a flaw, suspended in mid-air, he suddenly understood the reason. All matters in Tongshan City had temporarily ceased, and King Liang and the others believed they were safe, yet this moment of safety was precisely the most dangerous.

The technique of concealment suddenly triggered a response, and the internal energy in the room beneath her feet surged to the sky. A fierce and murderous aura, unlike anything she had ever felt before, instantly made Linghu Tuan Yuan's hair stand on end. Even under the full force of the Iron Sand Palm, even at the brink of life and death on the cliff, she had never felt fear. Yet, this overwhelming internal energy made her experience terror for the first time in her life

The western sun cast a slanting light on the dark-haired Danfeng eyes, and he knew? What did he know? But the King of Liang quickly turned his gaze towards Linghu Tuan Yuan. Once a spirited rascal, he now resembled a bloodied deflated ball. ... The King of Liang's earlier disdain vanished, and the suppressed emotions surged forth in an instant, this rascal ...

"I didn't call for you today, so why are you here?" Wuqiao asked with a faint smile.

Since you are here, let us have some tea before you leave. Wu Que poured the tea, but Ling Hu Tuan Yuan noticed a wine cup next to the teapot. The dark red ceramic bottle, adorned with cloud patterns, was none other than the famous liquor of the Ling Hu family—Fire Burning Cloud.

Wuqie turned around, a faint smile gracing his lips, which made Linghu Tuan Yuan feel that there was something more to that smile.

Linghu Tuan Yuan was called by her father, and it was then that she realized that she had not returned since the beginning of autumn. However, time was of the essence, and both the Pan and Linghu families must promptly travel to the capital.

In another carriage, Linghu Tuan Yuan was entangled by Lady Qi for half a day, and the several gruesome wounds on his hands caused Linghu's matron great heartache

Xi Ri Xuan Hao touched the wound on his shoulder and said: "Through this incident, I have learned a great deal. That person took advantage of the timing, the location, and the support of others to strike fiercely, but what do I rely on now? If it were not for encountering the Pan family and Ling Hu, I fear I would have already perished on Tongshan!"

Linghu Tuan Yuan was turned upside down under the impact of internal energy, and amidst the tremors of the rubble, she suddenly regained consciousness—Liang Wang was in imminent danger! They had not yet ceased their actions! Fully aware that below had become a den of dragons and tigers, and that the opponent's cultivation was extraordinarily superior, far beyond her level, Linghu Tuan Yuan nevertheless gripped the thin stream and forcefully broke through the roof against the powerful internal energy below.

"Hua Canjun has returned," the guard suddenly reported

The nearest flawless one sensed it immediately; he broke through the window and saw, under the tranquil night, a girl on the roof opposite the low wall suspended in mid-air, followed by the tiles on the roof also floating. The scene was as bizarre as it could be.

The dejected Linghu Tuan Yuan did not respond and brushed past him

During dinner, Linghu Tuan Yuan occasionally cast a glance at Wu Que, who maintained his usual demeanor as a wealthy young master. However, this very usual demeanor made her even more suspicious, as he had not responded to her gaze at all, which was indeed unusual. Therefore, after finishing dinner and once Madam Qi and the other ladies had fallen asleep, she pushed open the window and stepped out.

Linghu Yue put down the teacup with a sense of despondency. Ever since Wu Que had incited the Black-clad Martial Saint to kill Hong Fureng with a single sentence, Wu Que had lost his composure. Could his skills be easily revealed to others?

What? Linghu Tuan Yuan turned around, yet all that could be seen was his back.

Pan Yue suddenly understood that the other party's intention was to use a knife to kill someone. Even if the assassin killed the Wang family, he would not be able to escape from the prefecture, as the defenses of the prefecture were only momentarily weak.