Li Muzhan stared at the twin sabers wielded by the pair. One blade flashed left, the other right, their combined might momentarily holding off Zhang Qiaoyi and her two companions, creating a stalemate.
Standing motionless behind the three women, Li Muzhan narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the intricacies of their saber techniques. One saber strike was hard, the other yielding; one swift, the other slow—a perfect interplay of Yin and Yang, presenting an aura of flawless mastery.
Such exquisite saber skill, coupled with the seamless, telepathic coordination between the practitioners, allowed the two evildoers to roam free. This was due not only to their inherent caution but also to the sheer power of their blade work.
The sword lights of Zhang Qiaoyi’s trio shimmered like countless stars, bright yet gentle, casting a serene glow that completely enveloped the opponents' saber flashes.
Yet, the two streaks of saber light were dense, perfectly balancing hard and soft, fast and slow, defending themselves with impenetrable precision. The three women’s sword lights failed to break through, resulting in the deadlock.
Li Muzhan’s gaze was sharp; he perceived that the three women possessed not only refined swordsmanship but also profound internal energy. Their seemingly effortless sword flashes concealed an extraordinary power that an ordinary person could not withstand for long.
However, the duo’s marvelous saber art, with its mutual neutralization of hard and soft, managed to dissolve this strange power, sustaining the standoff. At this rate, capturing them would prove difficult.
“Rou'er, do not rush,” Zhang Qiaoyi suddenly called out sharply.
Xu Xiaorou bit her lip, glaring hatred at the pair. Hearing the command, she eased the intensity of her sword light, returning it to its outwardly faint quality, abandoning the preceding torrential storm.
As her sword light softened, its actual power increased. The three women’s combined sword radiance intensified slightly, but the opponents’ saber techniques remained resilient and tightly woven, defending without a single gap, utterly impregnable.
Li Muzhan spoke in a deep voice, “Are you the Twin Sabers of Luoyang?”
The Twin Sabers of Luoyang continued their relentless cutting, not even looking at him. The powerful sword lights from the three women demanded their full attention, leaving them no time to acknowledge any interruption.
“You people won’t even spare women and children, and you specialize in killing infants. How immense are your sins,” Li Muzhan sighed, shaking his head.
**He sharply yelled, “Stupid boy, shut your mouth!”
Li Muzhan shook his head again, sighing, “What crime have children committed? They do no evil, they harm no one—how innocent they are. How cruel you are.”
“How innocent is my child!” **glared venomously at Li Muzhan.
Li Muzhan shook his head, “Do not do unto others what you would not have them do unto you. Since you know the agony of losing a beloved child would break your heart, why must you continue this slaughter?”
“Heh heh…” **suddenly let out a flirtatious, coquettish laugh, though her saber strikes grew fiercer. After a moment of laughter, her smile abruptly vanished, replaced by a cold expression. “Why should only we suffer this heartbreak? Others should taste this flavor too.”
She smiled tragically, “My dear Peng’er loved playing with other children the most. I, his mother, cannot go down to join him. If so many little friends go down to play with Peng’er, he must be very happy below.”
Her voice was gentle, yet Xu Xiaorou felt a chill run through her entire body.
Li Muzhan frowned and sighed deeply, shaking his head. “The Buddhist scriptures say that the souls of departed young children do not enter reincarnation. Instead, they fall into the Blade Mountain of Hell, pierced by blades, perpetually climbing while crying for ‘Mama,’ only to fall from the summit repeatedly, trapped in eternal torment.”
“Nonsense!” **her eyes widened, she shrieked, “Stupid boy, what do you know? Stop spouting rubbish!”
Li Muzhan sighed, “If you do not believe me, you can ask a monk.”
“I don’t believe it, I don’t believe it!” **shook her head violently.
“Hui’er!” the old man shouted sternly, “He has ill intentions; he wants to disrupt your mind. Don't fall for it!”
“Right, right, he’s talking nonsense just to mess with my mind!” **hastily nodded, a cold sneer spreading across her face. “You wicked, vicious-hearted boy!”
Li Muzhan sighed again, “Without accumulating good deeds, your child will never attain release, suffering endless pain without respite. Alas…”
“Shut your mouth, brat!” the old man roared in anger.
Li Muzhan said no more, but his eyes held an expression of deep compassion.
**Staring intently at his expression, seeing his genuine sorrow, her heart suddenly became chaotic—worry, fear, rage, grief—a flood of emotions surged through her.
“There!” Xu Xiaorou suddenly cried out. A spark of sword light broke through the saber defense and struck ** the left side of her chest.
**Her body trembled, and the force of her saber attack wavered.
“Hui’er!” the old man cried out in alarm, swiftly reaching out to steady her slender waist. His saber light enveloped both of them as he turned and called, “Hui’er! Hui’er!”
“Senior Brother…” **looked down at the blood blooming on her chest, then lifted her head, revealing a desolate smile. “Senior Brother, I can finally go down to join Peng’er.”
“Hui’er, stop talking nonsense,” the old man urgently commanded.
**shook her head, blood beginning to pour from her mouth. She smiled, “Senior Brother, I have longed to join Peng’er for so long, but I couldn’t bear to leave you…”
“Hui—’er——” the old man roared in fury, withdrawing his saber and turning to embrace her. The three women ceased their sword attacks as well.
**smiled softly, struggling to raise her small hand to caress the old man’s wrinkled face. “Senior Brother, I can only repay your kindness in the next life. I must go to join Peng’er now. Good Peng’er, good Peng’er…”
Her small hand suddenly dropped, her body sank slightly, and she closed her eyes with a gentle smile.
“Hui—’er——” The old man howled towards the sky, causing the surrounding bamboo grove to rustle and shed leaves.
A ringing echoed in Li Muzhan’s ears. Having completely lost his internal energy, he hastily covered his ears. Fortunately, his body had been tempered by the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill, rendering his organs and viscera far superior to ordinary people, thus suffering no physical harm.
He shook his head and sighed. Human life is filled with separations and reunions; seeing through it is not easy, and even if one does, it is impossible to remain detached when faced with one’s own fate.
“Ah——” He let out a mournful howl that echoed across the wilds, and tears of blood actually seeped from the corners of his eyes.
The three women watched in stunned silence, moved by the couple’s deep affection.
Li Muzhan pointed to Zhang Qiaoyi. “Senior Sister Zhang, it is time to act.”
Xu Xiaorou abruptly turned and glared at him angrily.
Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed. “He has gone mad; he has lost all reason. If we let him escape today, who knows how many more people will suffer.”
Xu Xiaorou paused, then turned to look at Zhang Qiaoyi.
Zhang Qiaoyi looked at the old man, who was now weeping tears of blood, then tightly pursed her lips and slowly nodded. “Think of the children they murdered. Their sins are too grave; they deserve death a myriad times over.”
Xu Xiaorou took a sharp breath, her expression instantly firming. “Good. Kill him!”
He Ruoshui rarely spoke; her eyes flickered, and she nodded lightly. The three women’s sword lights transformed into a torrent of starlight, striking directly at the old man.
The old man suddenly turned and glared murderously at Li Muzhan, his saber light whipping out like a silk banner aimed at him, utterly disregarding the incoming sword attacks.
Xu Xiaorou cried out, “Junior Brother Li, run!”
Li Muzhan stepped back, ducking behind a thick stalk of bamboo. The saber light swept past, slowly felling the arm-thick green bamboo. Li Muzhan drew his saber and slashed diagonally.
Clang—a sharp ring echoed as the two blades met, sending sparks flying. Li Muzhan was knocked back, colliding with and breaking another arm-thick bamboo stalk behind him.
As the old man prepared to press his attack, he suddenly gave a muffled groan. Three sword tips pierced through his chest and immediately vanished, followed by three columns of blood erupting from his back.
He gritted his teeth fiercely, staring at Li Muzhan, and swung his saber again.
Li Muzhan sidestepped the blow. This final strike started fast, but slowed to weakness as it neared Li Muzhan, though the old man’s eyes grew ever sharper and more malicious.
Li Muzhan shook his head. “Alas… why don’t you go down and join your wife?”
“Brat, you… you…” He pointed at Li Muzhan, his eyes so full of hatred he wished to devour him whole, but the blood gushing like pillars drained away his strength.
Li Muzhan pressed his palms together and sighed, “Death is the beginning of life. May you be a good person in your next reincarnation.”
“You…” The old man pointed at Li Muzhan, his eyes wide as he pitched forward, falling onto a half-height bamboo stalk that his own saber had whittled down to that level.
The bamboo grove rustled; the surroundings fell into profound silence.
Li Muzhan looked at the old man, then at the three women. They showed no sign of joy.
Li Muzhan said, “Senior Sister Zhang, let’s bury them together?”
Zhang Qiaoyi let out a soft sigh and nodded. “Yes. Though their sins were heinous, they were also deeply devoted lovers. Let us bury them.”
Xu Xiaorou sheathed her sword, her face drooping in silence.
He Ruoshui spoke softly, “We trouble Junior Brother Li.”
Li Muzhan smiled. “It’s nothing. I will find a good spot.”
He bent down, picked up the old man’s long saber, found a small slope facing south with a view of the vast mountains, and dug a pit with the blade. He cut several bamboo stalks to fashion a rough coffin and buried the pair.
While arranging their attire, he found a saber manual. He flipped through it once, memorized it, and then crushed the parchment with sheer force, placing it beside them.
After burying the two, the four walked back without speaking, moving at a normal pace without using martial arts. It took them half an hour to return to their original location.
Lin Ping and Zhao Yishan stood waiting under the sun, separated by a considerable distance, neither speaking.
Seeing the four return, Lin Ping quickly inquired, “Senior Sister Zhang, did you find them?”
Zhang Qiaoyi revealed a faint smile. “Yes, we found them.”
“Did they escape?” Lin Ping lowered his voice, asking cautiously.
He saw the somber expressions on the women's faces and assumed the task had not been completed successfully.
Li Muzhan said, “Junior Brother Lin, those two have already received their judgment. The three Senior Sisters have eliminated a great menace for the world.”
“Really?” Lin Ping asked doubtfully, looking toward Xu Xiaorou.
Xu Xiaorou shot him a side-eye and huffed, “They are truly dead. There will be no more Twin Sabers of Luoyang… Senior Sister Zhang, it is getting late; we should depart.”
“Good, let’s go,” Zhang Qiaoyi nodded and turned. “Young Master Zhao, is your body stable now?”
Zhao Yishan suddenly dropped to his knees, preparing to bow deeply to the three women.
“Young Master Zhao, what are you doing?” Zhang Qiaoyi flicked her sleeve, and Zhao Yishan’s waist snapped straight, preventing him from bending further.
“Three heroines, please accept this junior’s deepest bow!” Zhao Yishan struggled, his face turning red.
Zhang Qiaoyi smiled faintly. “Executing Heaven’s justice is the duty of us martial artists; we dare not accept such a grand salute from Young Master Zhao.”
“Alas…” Zhao Yishan stopped struggling and sighed deeply. “Only now do I realize that reading is useless. I wish to become a disciple of Xinghu Small Lodge. Is it possible?”
Zhang Qiaoyi smiled apologetically. “Our Lodge is extremely strict in accepting disciples and does not take them lightly. Young Master Zhao, your aptitude is excellent; perhaps you could try other sects.”
“Is that so…” Zhao Yishan sighed in disappointment.
Xu Xiaorou said, “Young Master Zhao, you could try the Beijiang Sword Sect. They are not as strict, and since you are educated, entry would be quite easy.”
“Beijiang Sword Sect… I think I have heard of them,” Zhao Yishan replied.
Xu Xiaorou smiled. “The Beijiang Sword Sect is a major sect comparable to ours; you should have heard of them.”
Zhao Yishan’s spirits lifted. “Good, then I will try there. How do I get there?”
Lin Ping also breathed a sigh of relief and laughed. “The Beijiang Sword Sect? Just keep heading north.”
Zhao Yishan said, “Then this humble student will take his leave.”
Zhang Qiaoyi smiled gently. “Young Master Zhao does not need to rush. Wait until we pass this stretch of road, past Xuling City, and then head north—it is too dangerous to travel alone on this current road.”
“Thank you, Heroine Zhang,” Zhao Yishan agreed with a nod.
Zhao Yishan did not know how to ride a horse, so Lin Ping volunteered to teach him. He was quick-witted and learned rapidly. The group proceeded slowly on horseback.
Zhang Qiaoyi led the way, followed by He Ruoshui, then Lin Ping, then Zhao Yishan. Behind them was Li Muzhan, with Xu Xiaorou taking the rear.
The mountain path was narrow and rugged, allowing only one person through at a time. The group moved in single file.
“Hey, Junior Brother Li, were you telling the truth about what you said?” Xu Xiaorou suddenly asked, as the mountain wind gusted, fluttering her silken sleeves.
Li Muzhan turned to look back. “What?”
“Are those children you spoke of really going to suffer like that?” Xu Xiaorou asked.
Li Muzhan shook his head and laughed.
“Junior Brother Li, what are you laughing at?” Xu Xiaorou huffed in displeasure.
Li Muzhan said, “Senior Sister Xu, I said that only to frighten them and disrupt their minds. You shouldn't take it as fact.”
Xu Xiaorou relaxed slightly and gave him a look. “You are truly cunning.”
Li Muzhan chuckled. “My martial arts are insufficient, so I couldn’t help much with force. I had to contribute something—attacking the mind first is the best strategy. And it seemed to have some effect, didn’t it?”
“We owe you one this time,” Xu Xiaorou nodded, glancing at the two women leading the way, then lowered her voice. “When we get back to the Lake, I’ll ask the Senior Sisters for some Peiyuan Pills for you.”
Li Muzhan laughed. “Peiyuan Pills?”
Xu Xiaorou said, “Those are excellent for increasing cultivation, the most precious items for newcomers. One pill is equivalent to three months of hard training.”
Li Muzhan accepted without pretense. “Then I thank you, Senior Sister.”
Xu Xiaorou waved her small hand with a smile. “What’s there to thank? We are family from now on.”
Li Muzhan said, “Senior Sister, I thought their saber techniques were quite good. I secretly studied them. Could you guide me on them?”
“Oh? You learned them?” Xu Xiaorou asked, surprised.
Although Junior Brother Li possessed excellent aptitude and was capable of photographic memory, stealing martial arts was nearly impossible. True martial arts combine internal energy with technique, containing profound secrets that cannot simply be observed.
Li Muzhan said, “I looked at their saber manual.”
“You took their saber manual?” Xu Xiaorou asked, frowning.
Li Muzhan shook his head. “I flipped through it once, then buried it with them.”
“No wonder,” Xu Xiaorou nodded. With the manual and having watched them perform, learning it would be much easier. “All right. When we rest, we’ll spar properly. Their saber techniques are indeed exquisite, no less refined than the Seventh-Grade Saber Arts of our Lake.”
“Senior Sister Zhang,” He Ruoshui suddenly stopped, her expression grave.
Zhang Qiaoyi and Xu Xiaorou immediately sensed a change in atmosphere and reigned in their horses. Zhang Qiaoyi turned. “Junior Sister Xu, someone’s here?”
He Ruoshui nodded. “There is killing intent.”
She was the most sensitive of them, especially to bloodlust and murderous auras.
Xu Xiaorou frowned, impatiently muttering, “Are they ever going to stop? They’re so irritating!”
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