Having finally resolved the majority of the Xiao family's affairs, a significant portion of the pent-up malice in Jun Moxie's heart had vented. Yet, the Wumei (Demonic Aura) surrounding him had unconsciously intensified through the relentless slaughter along their journey. Now, in every gesture and movement, there was an unmistakable air of the Wu State, which, juxtaposed with his placid gaze, created an intensely contradictory presence. But this very contradiction lent him an indescribable, peculiar, and haunting charisma!

This was the unique allure of the Evil Monarch from his previous life: a disdainful glance cast upon the world, looking down upon all sentient beings—

White was also an eye! Green was also an eye!

Dugu Xiaoyi’s gaze upon Jun Moxie grew increasingly distant, lost in a daze...

Especially during this recent period following the great battle with the Xiao family, Jun MoWu rarely visited the women’s quarters, his presence often nowhere to be found. While Guan Qinghan could still maintain her composure, Dugu Xiaoyi simply couldn't bear it, constantly searching for the Young Master. Naturally, her efforts proved utterly fruitless.

This was because, during this time, Jun Moxie was truly elusive, spending minimal time outdoors. The vast majority of his hours were dedicated within the Hongjun Tower, focusing solely on cultivating his practice and advancing his personal realm.

A powerful fist is the ultimate truth, especially in this world!

Regarding the nine Divine Swords he had previously refined, Jun Moxie had intended to use one to replace the treasured sword held by Jun Wuyi. However, Jun Wuyi adamantly refused.

He insisted on using the very sword employed during the decisive battle. For Jun Wuyi at his current level, that sword felt perfectly balanced and precisely suited to his hand. Moreover, there was one overwhelmingly important reason—it was with this sword that Jun Wuyi had vanquished Xiao Han!

This sword had cleansed the lifelong shame of Jun Wuyi! Even if it were merely a piece of scrap iron, Jun Wuyi would treasure it, let alone the fact that the sword was actually a divine weapon forged by Jun MoWu using the power of Gold! Although its quality still fell short of the nine swords Jun MoWu had refined to their utmost, by common worldly standards, it was unquestionably a rare and peerless divine armament.

Jun MoWu completely understood this sentiment and therefore did not press the matter.

Swordsmanship, beyond mere material quality, demands harmony. The person and the sword must align; the person and the sword must merge. Only the sword most perfectly suited to its owner can achieve the ultimate state of perfect communion between man and blade.

Not just Jun Wuyi, but the Young Master himself followed this principle. For this stretch of time, aside from his cultivation, he spent his hours simply holding the divine sword, the ‘Blood of Yan Huang,’ nurturing its intent. Humans possess a spirit (Shen), and a sword possesses a soul (Ling); only through profound communion with one's own sword can skill become increasingly fluid!

Jun MoWu knew nothing of mythical legends like Sword Spirits or Sword Souls, but he firmly believed that a peerless divine sword that had ended countless lives, a weapon capable of slicing through iron as if it were mud, must possess a soul of its own.

It might merely be the psychic resonance of the swordsman, but any swordsman who felt no bond with their accompanying blade was unworthy of wielding even a sword made of common iron!

He used the power of Gold to refine the ‘Blood of Yan Huang’ piece by piece, again and again immersing his mind and spirit into sensing, comprehending, and understanding! The sword—only the sword—was the sole companion that would never betray him!

People change; people betray. But the sword will not; never!

It will only remain forever by its master’s side, until the sword breaks or the man perishes!

Moreover, the closer they drew to Tianxiang City, the more Jun Moxie felt an incredibly subtle sensation, as if the sword itself was humming faintly in anticipation! This was an almost palpable, chilling thirst—a ravenous eagerness for slaughter!

This faint murderous intent caused the aura of killing emanating from Jun Moxie to stir in response, growing even more dense, even thicker! Consequently, the Young Master’s face grew increasingly cold, his gaze more bewitchingly demonic, and his heart beat with ever-increasing intensity.

The carriages and horses rounded a small hillock.

Both Jun Wuyi and Jun Moxie involuntarily stared at this mound.

Coincidentally, it was that very hillock!

That night, Jun MoWu had stood here, annihilating the Blood Sword Hall! Seizing the repeating crossbows! Now he realized that the slaughter of that night had not been in vain! The Blood Sword Hall was, in fact, a great enemy of the Jun family!

They deserved death!

The road ahead appeared remarkably open. Looking afar, the magnificent walls of Tianxiang City loomed faintly within Jun Moxie’s slightly narrowed eyes. Two sharp beams of light flashed out, as if a dormant God of Slaughter had suddenly opened its eyes and unhinged its monstrous maw. The killing aura erupting from his body surged like a tide, rolling outwards in a tempestuous wave.

The God of Slaughter opens its eyes, the King of Hades gazes, the Evil Monarch focuses!

Though the journey was long, they had finally arrived. I want to see just how many people in Tianxiang City dare to wag their tongues in defiance!

Drawn by Jun Moxie’s aura, the divine sword ‘Blood of Yan Huang’ let out a sharp, clear ring. Without any prior warning, it sprang half a foot out of its scabbard. The sword light, clear as water, shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight! It was like a dazzling burst of colorful clouds suddenly descending upon the mortal world! Like the sovereign ruler of all creation suddenly opening his murderous eyes!

Facing the tumultuous storm about to break, looking down upon the masses, preparing to reign over the world! With an uncompromising thrust, the sky-piercing killing intent shot straight toward Tianxiang!

All the soldiers surrounding Jun MoWu suddenly felt an abnormally vast and terrifying chill sweep over them. By the time they registered it, they realized they had unconsciously backed away from Jun Moxie. A radius of ten zhang around him had become an empty space!

Even these battle-hardened soldiers, men forged in iron and blood, could not withstand the sharp edge emanating from the Demonic Lord at that moment.

At this instant, even the profoundly skilled Mei Xueyan opened her eyes in surprise, frowning slightly as she observed the man and the sword. Others might not ponder deeply, but to a master of her caliber, it was clear that the man and the sword before her possessed distinct auras, each commanding its own majesty! Man and sword were forming two formidable rivals, two adversaries capable of posing a genuine threat to her!

How could this be? That thing was, at best, just a sword! No matter how exquisitely tempered or incomparably sharp, it was ultimately an inanimate object. Why did it give me such a strange feeling? In fact… that sword seemed even more dangerous than Jun MoWu himself…

Thirty li outside Tianxiang City, the main army made camp. This was customary; when a general leading troops returns to the capital, the army is forbidden from entering the city simultaneously. Only after receiving the decree may the leading general enter first, followed by the gradual return of the main forces to their original posts.

Jun Moxie rode his horse forward, approaching the vanguard.

Just as he did, a strange sound echoed from the metal flagpole on the carriage beside him—a sharp chah—and the large banner fluttered down. Then, the flagpole suddenly lengthened by more than half its size, seemingly out of thin air! It looked like a sharp sword piercing straight into the firmament!

Such an uncanny event naturally left everyone who witnessed it dumbfounded! But under the subdued aura radiating from Jun Moxie, no one dared to ask why!

In this moment, Jun Moxie was a volcano that had been silent for millennia, on the verge of eruption.

The horns of Tianxiang City suddenly blared, and the drawbridge slowly lowered. A contingent of riders, their hoofbeats thundering like rolling drums, galloped out to meet them. Simultaneously, two enormous banners suddenly unfurled from the battlements of Tianxiang City, one to the left and one to the right!

The one on the left read: The Glory of the Blood-Clothed Guard.

The one on the right read: Triumphant Return from the Southern Heavens!

Following that contingent was another, more orderly procession—the official honor guard to welcome the returning heroes.

But the first group to rush out continued to approach, their thunderous hoofbeats showing no sign of slowing; in fact, they seemed to be accelerating. The elder Master Jun Wuyi saw them and couldn't help but laugh.

Long time no see, Dugu Wudi!

Jun Wuyi had viewed his journey to the Southern Heavens as a potential suicide mission, so returning safely and reuniting with an old friend brought him immense joy. With a satisfied smile, he was about to ride forward when he suddenly realized something was amiss and reined in his horse.

The approaching party was General Dugu Wudi of the Dugu family, accompanied by his two sons and two nephews. They charged forward, their hooves pounding, drawing nearer at an increasing pace. General Dugu’s hedgehog-like beard appeared even more bristly, his eyes wide as bronze bells, seemingly ready to spew fire. Before the horses had even stopped, a thunderous roar erupted from him!

“Dugu Chong, Dugu Shang, Dugu Qian, you three little bastards, get out here for your old man, quick!”

The great shout crashed like thunder.

“And that brat Dugu Xiaoyi, you get out here too! Aaaargh, you’ve made me furious!”

It was clear that General Dugu was incandescent with rage, almost past the point of control!

The seven heroic brothers of the Dugu family who had rushed forward—Dugu Chong, Dugu Shang, and Dugu Qian—had accompanied Jun Wuyi south. Dugu Wudi’s roaring shout nearly scared the souls right out of the three of them.

The brothers had plotted well: once they entered the city and handed over their orders, they would immediately leave without delay for the Western Border, either to join their father or their uncle—the main thing was to avoid going home! Returning home guaranteed they would be severely chastised!

But they never expected Dugu Wudi to come here to intercept them; he was too impatient...

For a moment, the three looked at each other, their legs trembling, each seeing the alarm in the other’s eyes. After much shuffling and realizing escape was impossible, they reluctantly stepped forward, looking dejected like retreating soldiers after a defeat, carrying an air of utter desolation, ready to be slaughtered—

“You three damned scoundrels!” Dugu Wudi glared, panting heavily, and raised his riding whip: “I told you to watch your sister, where is your sister? Huh? Look at the three of you, weaklings! You dare go to war? Damn it, you can’t even get the hot leftovers from a meal! How dare you live, why don’t you just die! Our Dugu family produced such useless trash!”

Without further ado, a barrage of whip lashes rained down. The three burly men stood perfectly still, not daring to move, even secretly exchanging winks and making faces at each other. They had known a beating was inevitable upon stepping out. We had the foresight to wear armor, after all. He certainly won’t dare strike our faces, right? Heh heh heh…

“Where is Dugu Xiaoyi? Why isn’t that little delinquent coming out? Can you hide for a moment, or can you hide for a lifetime? Get out here!” Dugu Wudi tossed aside the broken whip and bellowed like a furious black bear.

At that moment, the imperial city’s honor guard had approached, nearly reaching Dugu Wudi.

“Daddy… I missed you so much…” Dugu Xiaoyi slowly walked out from among the ranks, taking steps that were agonizingly, incredibly slow.

“You—you…” General Dugu took one look, his vision went black, and with a soft thump, he tumbled off his horse!…

[Ti: Dear book friends, the current chapter has reached the final page of this book]