A silent sword, even one of wood, possessed enough might; enveloped in inner energy, its force was formidable, more than enough to kill.

"What treasure sword?" Feng Mingxue asked.

"Silent and soundless," Li Muzhan replied. "For assassination, who could evade it?"

Feng Mingxue reached out and took it, swinging it twice before laughing, "Indeed, there's no sound. Strange, truly strange, why no sound?"

Li Muzhan deftly snatched it back, waved it twice, and gently tapped it twice with his index finger—a dull "thud-thud," clearly wood.

"Perhaps it's the material," Li Muzhan slowly stroked the blade, feeling its curve, then waved it softly again before shaking his head. "Truly marvelous."

He quickened his pace. "Let's go buy a long sword."

Feng Mingxue followed closely. The two soon arrived at a weapons shop. Tianjing was as bustling and beautiful as brocade; Li Muzhan felt it was in no way inferior to the great metropolises of later ages.

"Yuelai Weapons Emporium," Feng Mingxue glanced over. "Let's go in and look."

As they spoke and stepped inside, two burly men were just walking out, each carrying a long saber, gleaming like polished silver, looking exceedingly pleased with themselves.

When their eyes swept over Feng Mingxue, they immediately widened, unable to look away, conveniently blocking the main entrance.

The two men were robust; standing shoulder to shoulder like that, neither person could get past.

Li Muzhan frowned, displeased by their brazen stares, but he didn't act rashly. He said coolly, "Pardon me, would you mind stepping aside?"

The two big men had thick brows and large eyes, with ordinary features, but their eyes flashed with sharp intent—it was clear they were martial artists of no little cultivation. Still, their sheer audacity struck Li Muzhan as odd.

The two men stared fixedly at Feng Mingxue, showing no intention of moving. Li Muzhan coughed lightly; a sudden clap of spring thunder sounded by their ears, and they snapped awake, startled.

Li Muzhan frowned. "Excuse me, make way, we need to enter."

The two men's eyes sharpened as they stared at Li Muzhan for a long moment. Slowly, they stepped toward him, their aura growing sharper, their hands gripping their sabers tighter, veins bulging.

Li Muzhan remained composed, watching the two men calmly. They suddenly split apart right before him, swept past his sides, and strode away like shooting stars.

Li Muzhan let out a soft laugh, thinking they were about to fight. Feng Mingxue shook her head. "All bluster!"

Li Muzhan said, "Senior Sister, rest assured. No one in Tianjing City dares to act carelessly. Everyone has something to lose. If you strike someone, you might hit a royal relative or a high official. Tianjing City is small; connections always surface eventually."

"That's true enough. Let's go," Feng Mingxue nodded, stepping into the hall. What greeted her eyes was a dazzling array of weapons. Swords on the left, sabers on the right, and beyond those, all manner of other arms—a complete and comprehensive collection.

Li Muzhan praised softly. Such a complete weapon shop was rare; only in Tianjing. His gaze sharpened, settling on an ancient long sword.

This long sword had a strange shape, resembling a fish at first glance; it was dull, yet radiated an aura of ancient simplicity, clearly very old.

He shook his head. He rarely used a sword anymore; when he did, an ordinary long sword sufficed. Wrapped in his inner energy, no matter how sharp a treasure sword, it couldn't cut through his own blade.

There were not many divine weapons in the world, but there were a few; he couldn't possibly possess them all. He slowly turned his gaze to Feng Mingxue.

"Junior Brother, pick one," Feng Mingxue said.

Li Muzhan casually pointed. "Bring me a Qingfeng Sword, the cheapest one will do!"

Behind the counter were two shopkeepers. Hearing this, they said nothing more, nor did they show contempt. They brought over a Qingfeng Sword and handed it over.

Li Muzhan flicked a finger against it—it rang clearly. The material was good. He nodded. "This one it is!"

He paid the bill, and the two left the weapons shop, continuing down the street. Li Muzhan drew the sword and handed it to Feng Mingxue. "Senior Sister, hold this."

Feng Mingxue, not understanding why, took the long sword. Li Muzhan clamped both palms around the blade, slowly sliding from the hilt toward the tip.

Feng Mingxue held the long sword steady, watching his movements. When he released it, she felt the sword was significantly lighter, and its shape had subtly changed.

"Swoosh! Swoosh!" She swung it a few times, producing a light whistle.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "It seems it truly is the material!"

Feng Mingxue swung it a few more times. "It whistles a little less than before; that must also be related to the shape."

Li Muzhan commented, "This small difference in sound is insignificant."

"You should try testing another wooden sword!" Feng Mingxue suggested.

Li Muzhan agreed it was sensible. The two moved swiftly, quickly returning to the weapons shop. This time, they bought two peach wood swords. This shop was truly comprehensive; wooden swords, originally used for warding off evil, were available here too.

He performed the same procedure, rubbing the wood with both hands, quickly shaping one peach wood sword into the form of the small sword. The curves were identical. When swung, it still whistled loudly.

Then he carved the other peach wood sword, making it the exact size and shape of the small sword, indistinguishable. He swung it a few times, and it was utterly silent.

Their eyes lit up, and they exchanged a look.

Feng Mingxue snatched the small sword, swung it a few times, and exclaimed, "It really has no sound. How marvelous!"

Li Muzhan examined the wooden sword in his hand, then the peach wood sword in Feng Mingxue's. It seemed the material wasn't the issue; it was truly the shape. The world was full of strange wonders.

Li Muzhan said, "Senior Sister, make a few swords like this."

"Yes, a good idea. I wonder what happens if we shape an iron sword like this," Feng Mingxue mused.

Li Muzhan took out Feng Mingxue's sword and carved the previous Qingfeng Sword a few times, making it smaller and shorter. Then he stroked it with both hands, altering its shape until it was identical to the small wooden sword.

After finishing, he swung it a few times. It was silent. He nodded in admiration. "What a powerful sword!"

Feng Mingxue laughed as she took it, swinging it a few times. "It really is quite good!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "This sword is perfect for sneak attacks. Combined with your Sword Control technique, who could resist?"

Feng Mingxue pursed her lips and smiled. "Although it lacks outright fairness, it's an excellent idea!"

The two returned to that weapons shop and inquired about good blacksmiths. The shopkeeper provided a detailed explanation. They left the shop and soon reached the eastern district, which was narrow and far from the bustling center, resembling an area for the poor.

Following the sound of hammering, they came to a dilapidated courtyard. Inside, an old man and a young man were forging iron, the clang of metal ringing out amidst the roaring firelight.

Li Muzhan asked them about forging techniques, then purchased top-grade materials and began forging the weapons himself. The father and son vacated the space, forbidding them to watch.

Feng Mingxue pumped the bellows while the fire roared fiercely. Li Muzhan held the iron tongs in one hand and the hammer in the other; his movements were fluid and graceful, quite striking.

Amidst the "clang, clang, clang" sounds, he quickly forged a small sword, exquisitely delicate; the hammer seemed like a toy in his hands. Moreover, his strength was immense; every hammer blow equaled ten of someone else's.

After a short period of hammering—equivalent to a thousand times the refining of others—he handed it to Feng Mingxue. "Senior Sister, see how it is?"

Feng Mingxue took it and swung it a few times. There was no whistle at all. She laughed, "It's truly excellent!"

Li Muzhan said, "Senior Sister, take it for refinement. I'll forge a few more."

"No need for so many," Feng Mingxue quickly replied.

Li Muzhan chuckled. "When the time comes for a myriad sword strike, who can withstand it!"

Feng Mingxue said, "I don't have the energy to refine that many... By the way, is there truly no way to deal with the Zhu family?"

Li Muzhan's face darkened; he sighed and shook his head. "Heh, the Four Great Families! Truly formidable!"

Feng Mingxue fashioned a sheath and inserted the small sword. She smiled. "Of course they are formidable, or else they wouldn't have endured for so many years!"

Li Muzhan sighed. "They possess the Danxin Tiequan (Iron Edict of the Loyal Heart). As soon as a Grandmaster approaches, they retreat to the level of a Master. Furthermore, their foundations are deep, with many and strong Master-level experts; Grandmasters cannot touch them!"

Feng Mingxue asked, "Master-level experts can't touch them either, so no one can control them, right?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "That's why they have stood unshaken for so long... But if the Royal Family intends to destroy them, there must be a way. This implies there must be a countermeasure for the Danxin Tiequan as well."

Feng Mingxue shook her head. "The Royal Family doesn't need to counter the Danxin Tiequan. They just need to surround them with a massive army, and the Royal Family has even more Master-level experts."

Li Muzhan nodded silently, sighing helplessly.

Being unable to deal with the Zhu residence was a disgrace for a Grandmaster. It was a pity he couldn't find a way to counter the Danxin Tiequan now, or he would certainly sneak into the Zhu manor to deal with them thoroughly.

He extended his hand. "Senior Sister, let me see the Buddha statue."

Feng Mingxue handed it over, smiling, "Does this little thing have any mysteries?"

Li Muzhan replied, "It truly does have mysteries. Perhaps I can decipher the profound nature of the Danxin Tiequan."

"Is it really that powerful?" Feng Mingxue seemed unconvinced.

Li Muzhan asked, "Senior Sister, can you sense anything unusual about it?"

Feng Mingxue pondered for a moment, then shook her head. It was just an ordinary small Buddha statue, dark, with a peculiar appearance, but in the style of a Buddha image.

She reached out and held it, then channeled her inner energy, discovering nothing; it was ordinary bronze, quite old, otherwise it wouldn't be so dark.

Li Muzhan stated, "This object carries an aura similar to the Danxin Tiequan."

"The aura of the Danxin Tiequan?" Feng Mingxue frowned and stared at the statue, then shook her head, still unable to sense it. She simply handed it back to him.

Li Muzhan accepted it. "If I can decipher this aura, I might find a way to counter it. Senior Sister, I need to enter seclusion for a while."

"Very well, I will guard you," Feng Mingxue nodded. "Where shall we seclude ourselves?"

"Right here. Let's buy a residence," Li Muzhan suggested.

"Why not return to the mountain?" Feng Mingxue asked.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "Not too far from the Zhu manor. I want to sense the aura of the Danxin Tiequan."

Feng Mingxue suddenly understood. "Alright then, let's buy a residence."

They acted immediately and quickly found a property dealer specializing in houses. Soon, they bought a residence just one street away from the Zhu family.

Acquiring a large residence in the capital was difficult, and houses here were very expensive. However, Li Muzhan was wealthy and unafraid of the cost. This residence was quite impressive, consisting of four courtyards front to back, with a large rear garden developed into a landscaped park.

After the purchase, they hired a staff of servants and moved in that very evening. In Tianjing City, as long as you had money, everything could be arranged for you; you didn't need to exert effort or mental energy.

After dinner, Li Muzhan chatted briefly with Feng Mingxue before entering seclusion in the waterside pavilion on the garden lake, to study the small Buddha statue and try to comprehend the power it contained.

In the early morning, bright sunlight illuminated the lake. The water was clear, and two white geese swam leisurely upon it.

Feng Mingxue, clad in white, sat motionless in the small pavilion on the lake, using her spirit to refine the small sword. It had become an extension of her arm, capable of unleashing its power.

She tested it; not only was it silent, but controlling it was effortless, lighter and more agile than an ordinary sword—truly mysterious.

The sword's form contained an unseen profoundness. She vaguely felt that she could derive a set of footwork or movement techniques from it, but she had to guard her Junior Brother, preventing her from studying it immediately.

Moreover, if she truly wanted to create footwork or mental cultivation methods, collaborating with her Junior Brother would be even better. As geniuses, their colliding ideas would spark even more brilliant inspiration.

"Sigh..." A long, drawn-out sigh sounded near her ear. Feng Mingxue turned to look; Li Muzhan was already standing in the small pavilion.

"Junior Brother, how was it?" Feng Mingxue noticed his grim expression.

Li Muzhan shook his head with a wry smile. "All for nothing!"

"Hmm—?" Feng Mingxue inquired, rising gracefully and leaving. A moment later, she returned with a bowl of porridge, which Li Muzhan took and drank in one gulp.

"How could it be for nothing? You didn't figure it out?" Feng Mingxue asked.

Li Muzhan sighed. "I figured it out, but it's useless. It cannot be broken."

"What exactly is the power?" Feng Mingxue asked curiously.

Li Muzhan explained, "If my guess is correct, it is the Wish Power of Buddhism! ... These Danxin Tiequan were blessed by eminent Buddhist monks; they are extremely difficult to break."

"It's actually Buddhist power!" Feng Mingxue realized with astonishment, then shook her head. "It's rare to see Buddhists emerge to cultivate in the secular world. Why would they...?"

Li Muzhan shook his head. "The most critical issue is that the Wish Power of the Danxin Tiequan does not come from a single eminent monk, but from the joint blessing of dozens or even hundreds of high monks. With my current strength, I simply cannot overcome it!"

Feng Mingxue exclaimed, "Worthy of the Royal Family's doing!"

Li Muzhan sighed. "Indeed, only the Royal Family could command so many eminent monks!"

"Then there is no way to break it?" Feng Mingxue asked.

Li Muzhan shook his head. "The intentions of these monks are pure and incredibly firm. Their combined power converges; my current cultivation cannot shake it, and it will be difficult even in the future!"

These monks possessed formidable mental energy, specializing only in spirit, not body, through a lifetime of ascetic practice. Some eventually formed relics, others achieved rainbow bodies. Li Muzhan's mental power surpassed any one of them, but facing their combined force focused in one place, he was helpless.

They achieved this cohesion by chanting the same scripture, their spirits perfectly linked. Though their essence was not as solid as Li Muzhan's, their strength lay in their vastness. His spirit was like a boulder, theirs like the ocean; through overwhelming force, they could directly shake the boulder, and Li Muzhan could not resist.

Feng Mingxue frowned and asked, "So, we are helpless against this Danxin Tiequan?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "No choice but to avoid them."

Feng Mingxue frowned, thinking hard, unable to come up with a good plan. She smiled, "In my opinion, we should bribe a disciple of the Zhu family and steal the Danxin Tiequan!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "The Danxin Tiequan must be heavily guarded; it cannot be stolen. That is their foundation; without it, the Zhu family ceases to exist."

Feng Mingxue said, "I heard the Emperor is dissatisfied with the Four Great Families and wants to reclaim the Danxin Tiequan."

Li Muzhan shook his head. "That's impossible; it's just a rumor. If the Danxin Tiequan could truly be taken back, it wouldn't be the Danxin Tiequan anymore!"

Feng Mingxue stood up and paced in the small pavilion. After a moment, she stopped, gazing at the lake surface, lightly tapping the railing. "Are we just going to let the Zhu family stand unchallenged?!"

Li Muzhan replied, "We'll have to settle it outside the Zhu manor. If they dare to come out, I have nothing to fear without the Danxin Tiequan. They won't dare bring the Danxin Tiequan out of the manor."

"That's true!" Feng Mingxue nodded.

Li Muzhan looked at the sky. "Senior Sister, how long have I been in seclusion?"

"Ten days," Feng Mingxue replied.

Li Muzhan's expression shifted slightly. Feng Mingxue huffed, "Are you worried about Sister Hai?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "I forgot to inform her. She must be worried now."

"Then go!" Feng Mingxue urged.

Li Muzhan smiled. "Senior Sister, rest for a while. I'll be right back."

Feng Mingxue said faintly, "I'll go back and rest properly too. You don't need to rush back!"

She turned and left, gracefully vanishing into the woods. This rear garden was a small landscape park, complete with woods, rockeries, a clear spring, a bright lake, and a waterside pavilion.

Li Muzhan shook his head helplessly, then vanished abruptly. When he reappeared, he was in Hai Yulan's boudoir. He activated his Eye of the Void and realized he had returned to the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden Sect.

Hai Yulan was seated on her couch practicing cultivation, clad in an ink-green silk robe, her expression solemn and dignified.

Hearing the movement, she abruptly opened her eyes and saw Li Muzhan. The joy in her eyes flashed and vanished, replaced by annoyance. She chastised him with a playful pout, "You finally remembered to come!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "I was in seclusion for a while. Has the Hai residence finished moving?"

"Hmph! Why didn't you tell me you were going into seclusion?!" Hai Yulan said crossly. "I kept worrying something happened when you assaulted the Zhu manor. I was worried sick!"

Li Muzhan noticed a conspicuous sore on her red lip. For someone with her deep internal energy cultivation, such a thing was rare. Mere excessive anger could be cleared with two cultivation cycles, but a sore like this indicated extreme anxiety.

Li Muzhan felt a pang of guilt. He really should have told her. Back then, prioritizing his Senior Sister, he had forced himself to act as if he forgot. He had expected to emerge quickly, not realizing ten days had vanished in a blink.

"Have some wine!" Hai Yulan served him a cup unhappily.

Li Muzhan picked up the white jade cup, brought it to his nose, sniffed, and smiled. "Good wine. What is this?"

"Six Marvels Wine!" Hai Yulan smiled. "It's from Sister Hao's family."

Li Muzhan looked at her deeply, then threw back the drink.

Hai Yulan sat opposite him, smiling charmingly. "Li Wuji, it seems Master's opinion has shifted slightly."

Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

Hai Yulan replied, "Perhaps it's because I kept speaking well of you; she is slowly accepting it."

Li Muzhan smiled. "Did your Master send this wine?"