Qin King Ying Zheng returned to Qin, but the journey was far from smooth—he'd caught the eye of the Ba Ling Long. As the son of Zhen Hou Cheng Jiao, he knew his habits all too well, spotting him from a single sword-gripping gesture alone.
"Another good show incoming!" Li Hai Mo chuckled. To ensure Ying Zheng's safe exit from Xin Zheng, tonight's Xin Zheng would erupt into unparalleled chaos. Which of the Hundred Schools would make their move?
"Let's go—we'll meet one of the Yue King's Eight Swords: Hei Bai Xuan Jian," Li Hai Mo said to Xiao Meng and Xue Nu.
"Luo Wang's Tian-level first-class assassin, Hei Bai Xuan Jian!" Xue Nu exclaimed in surprise.
The known Luo Wang Tian-level assassins numbered nine: the Yan Ri sword wielder Lao Ai, Hei Bai Xuan Jian, Jing Ni, and the Six Sword Slaves. The Six Sword Slaves served as Lü Buwei's personal guard. This meant for this assassination attempt on Ying Zheng, Luo Wang had deployed two Tian-level killers.
"Hei Bai Xuan Jian is a man of deep sentiment too—not everyone joins Luo Wang willingly," Li Hai Mo noted.
"You're not heading to aid Ying Zheng?" Xiao Meng asked.
"He's got more than just Ge Nie guarding him—otherwise, he'd be long dead!" Li Hai Mo replied.
Nightfall allied with Luo Wang; Flowing Sands teamed up with Tian Ze. Xue Yi Hou Bai Yi Fei handed Yan Ling Ji over to Li Si as the culprit in assassinating Qin's envoys. In exchange, Korea ceded five border counties to Qin. As the price, Han Fei demanded Ying Zheng pardon Yan Ling Ji.
As for those five border counties, Korea wasn't handing them over for nothing—they sat at the Qin-Han-Zhao tri-junction. Nominally Korea's, but Zhao held actual sway. Qin would have to wrest them from Zhao themselves—a classic ploy to divert trouble eastward.
"Never expected to run into Lord Dong Jun here," Li Hai Mo said with a laugh.
In the elegant chamber of the Zi Lan Xuan, Li Hai Mo sat with Xiao Meng and Xue Nu, never imagining the incoming qin player would be the Yin-Yang School's Dong Jun.
Dong Jun, clad in a qin attendant's vibrant robes, exuded regal poise. She cradled her qin, sitting in quiet composure. She hadn't anticipated encountering the Daoist Tian and Ren sect grandmasters here either. Panic surged inwardly—one alone, she might flee; two? Today spelled her downfall.
And lurking in the city was Yan Ri, her relentless foe. Did I forget to check the almanac before stepping out? Three of the world's rare Tian Ren He Yi masters in one spot. Yan Ri, once neutral, now blood-sworn thanks to some instigation. Here for the spectacle—and bam, dead rivals: the Daoist duo. Plus the Mohist giant Zi Liu Zhi Hei Xia, ever plotting the Yin-Yang School's end. Life's so damn hard.
She suddenly got why Long Yang Jun bolted the Yin-Yang School. Lord Dong Huang Tai Yi—do you even grasp how many deadly foes we face? Disciples are struggling—tempted to bail. Top brass: just two. Dong Huang Tai Yi—afflicted like Bei Ming Zi, can't stray far. Chu Nan Gong? Salty fish, drifting carefree.
Moon God sister hoarded her secrets; Xing Hun was a brat. The other five elders? Cannon fodder now. Sole mover: herself. One outing—and hell mode unlocked.
"Never dreamed tiny Xin Zheng would host so many Tian Ren He Yi masters. Waiting for me?" Dong Jun's heart pounded like a cornered dog, her lovely eyes darting casually, scouting escapes.
Li Hai Mo and the others stared, stunned. Here for the fun—and bam, arch-nemesis Dong Jun. Pass up this chance? That'd dishonor the ancestors.
"No point looking—you're not walking away!" Xiao Meng said flatly, piercing her scheme at a glance. Spectacle? Capturing the Yin-Yang School's Dong Jun trumped it.
"We've no deep grudges, right? And Yin-Yang and Dao share roots—I even sent gifts," Dong Jun pleaded. Panic—online SOS: Kneel and beg mercy now—worth a shot?
"So: we strike, or you yield? Rest easy—on shared roots, we'll just lock you in Tai Yi Mountain," Li Hai Mo said. Snag Dong Jun—would Dong Huang Tai Yi descend personally?
Dong Jun scanned the room. Escape viable? Seemed so. But eyeing Xiao Meng and Li Hai Mo—Escape my ass. Mohists could off Yin-Yang via brute force or ambushes. But Dao and Yin-Yang? Sibling schools—big bro knows lil bro's tricks inside out, counters ready. Vice versa. But they duo'd; outclassed her. Plus Wuchen Zi, Daoist Scripture vet—flee? Dream on.
"You handle Hei Bai Xuan Jian; I'll take her," Xiao Meng pointed at Dong Jun.
Li Hai Mo nodded. Post Tian Ren He Yi, Xiao Meng matched him; fused with Ren sect's supreme treasure, blending Tian-Ren arts. Her full might? Untested. But against Dong Jun? No sweat. Tian Ren He Yi had tiers too.
Dong Jun blinked—Solo me? Escape odds spike.
"Let's go—don't drag others in," Xiao Meng said, vanishing from Zi Lan Xuan in a step.
Dong Jun had no choice. Duo-stalked fight? Grim. Tail her out—solo scrap, flee shot. She invoked Hun Xi You Long, departing Zi Lan Xuan—but dared not bolt. Duo pursuit? Suicide.
"Grandmaster Xiao Meng, maybe we skip the fight?" Dong Jun wheedled pitifully.
Xiao Meng's face stayed blank. No personal beef, sure—but Dao and Yin-Yang clashed eternal. Past: they came congratulating, no opening. Now? Gift-wrapped—miss it, and hunt where next?
"Yin-Yang School's Dong Jun Yan Fei—strongest in a century. Young, yet peaks Yin-Yang arts. Wonder your level?" Xiao Meng intoned, emotionless.
"Can't match you two. Grandmaster Xiao Meng: trounced Tian sect's eight elders at eight, drew Bei Ming Zi from seclusion as his final disciple—now merged with Dao into Tian Ren He Yi. Ren sect's Wuchen Zi: sole Daoist Scripture success in centuries—unfathomable depths." Dong Jun spoke gravely.
"Truth: you make women worldwide envious. Peerless talent, unmatched beauty. Wed Ren sect's Wuchen Zi at fourteen—a rare gem. Heaven's finest, all yours," Dong Jun said, envy-laced.
"But most jealous-making: Wuchen Zi's doting. Your wedding? Every woman's dream," Dong Jun recalled Tai Yi's grand rite, pure longing.
"You could have it too," Xiao Meng replied.
Dong Jun froze, puzzled. That spectacle? Ren sect's inner disciples' collective feat—Yin-Yang couldn't replicate.
"Leave Yin-Yang, join Dao—I'll have my husband wed you!" Xiao Meng declared, thoughts veiled.
Dong Jun gaped at the silver-haired, azure-robed fairy. What—wives peddle husbands now? Daoists play that loose?
"You've no choice—just active or passive. I drag you back, or you walk. Either way—no out," Xiao Meng added.
Dong Jun reeled—Did Dao warp her brain for this lunacy?
"Want me caught? Earn it," Dong Jun refused surrender.
"Then strike!" Xiao Meng drew Qiu Li.
Dong Jun, Tian Ren He Yi Yin-Yang ace, her school's arts craved ultimate assault—unlike Dao's balanced harmony.
She opened with Yin-Yang School's pinnacle: Yin-Yang Combined Qi Great Hand Seal. Crimson imprint hurtled at Xiao Meng; she followed, condensing qi into a blade-slash.
Xiao Meng watched, Qiu Li flickering—vanished, reappeared behind. Sword swept horizontal.
Dong Jun spun, seal snaring Qiu Li—palm thrusting Xiao Meng's front. But the figure shattered like glass: false body, Meng Die Zhi Dun.
"Hun Xi You Long!" Dong Jun knew her pace lagged—only this overbearing art could counter.
Two shadows flickered through the woods, sword qi and palm seals ravaging, booming destruction across the outskirts.
"Such a ruckus?" In Zi Lan Xuan, Li Hai Mo marveled. Haven't even clashed here, and they're locked fierce.
Xin Zheng blanked citywide. Wasn't tonight's star Zi Lan Xuan? Outskirts erupt in Tian Ren duel—spare the leads some face? Hundred Schools tangled: Outskirts for Tian Ren spectacle? Or wait here? Agonizing. Tian Ren clashes? Rare gems. But city's buzz? Once missed, gone.
Meanwhile, Han Fei yanked from Zi Lan Xuan; Li Si's group escorting the king—blocked by city guards. Wei Zhuang tangled with Bai Niao's Mo Ya and Bai Feng.
"It's Daoist Tian sect Grandmaster Xiao Meng—in combat."
Ge Nie sensed Qiu Li's unique black-white qi in the outskirt clashes. Who's matching her? And Wuchen Zi, that Daoist senior—what're they up to?
Li Si nodded—Daoists clearing Hundred Schools' hurdles for us. He figured: schools ambushing the king outskirts—Daoists intercepting. Rest? On them.
"Hun Xi You Long: all force, no finesse. You're short a touch."
Outskirts: Xiao Meng and Dong Jun parted. Dong Jun sported sword gashes, gown torn exposing pale skin. Xiao Meng? Charred hem from flames—otherwise unscathed. Both Tian Ren He Yi, but Xiao Meng edged ahead.
"But this? Won't snag me!" Dong Jun huffed. Stronger, sure—but not capture-strong.
"Forgot my husband? Daoist Scripture holds a formation tailored against Tian Ren He Yi masters," Xiao Meng said calmly. Solo-grab Dong Jun? Courtesy of that array.
Tai Yi showdown with mad Bei Ming Zi: Li Hai Mo's Feng Hou Qi Men - Jue Tian. Wed long, Xiao Meng mastered this Tian Ren He Yi bane.
"What formation?" Dong Jun puzzled. Daoist Scripture? Ages sealed. She no Chu Nan Gong—ancient relic. But Dao arrays reigned supreme—like none trifled Yin-Yang curses.
"Check your feet!" Xiao Meng directed.
Dong Jun glanced down—froze. Unnoticed, a vast array encircled her—now active, trapping even her Hun Xi You Long three-legged golden crow form.
"Tian Di Shi Se!" Xiao Meng invoked; the array turned monochrome.
Dong Jun felt cultivation sealed—heavenly qi severed. Xiao Meng advanced step by step.
"What array?" Dong Jun watched helplessly as Xiao Meng applied Dao's Liu Dao Jia Zi Suo, binding her power.
"Feng Hou Qi Men - Jue Tian, fused with Dao's Tian Di Shi Se. Tian Ren He Yi counter supreme," Xiao Meng explained, layering the seals.
Dong Jun wanted to weep. Feng Hou Qi Men? I delivered it to Tai Yi—arming foes!Why dust-gather in Yin-Yang? No one touched it.
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