In one of Jianghu's dense forests,
the trees towered high,
and low-lying mist covered the area.
A group of middle-aged warriors moved cautiously,
venturing deeper into the forest.
One of them glanced at the man leading them and spoke in a low voice:
— Elder Song Chen-Yan…
— Who is this enemy, terrifying to such an extent?
— Even the distress signals were cut short.
Elder Song stopped.
He did not answer immediately.
Then he said:
— He is…
He paused for a moment.
— Blade Demon, Lu Yang-Xie.
Some faces trembled.
— That madman?
— Even the Demonic Sect rejected his actions!
The elder replied sternly:
— Do not speak of him lightly.
— That man… fights only to kill.
They reached an open clearing in the forest.
There was only one man there.
A slender body,
a wide black scarf wrapped around his neck,
holding a massive blade that did not suit his frame.
He stood motionless,
as if waiting for them.
Elder Song stepped forward:
— Lu Yang-Xie.
— Are you still determined to continue your actions?
The man laughed.
A short, mocking laugh.
— As long as I am enjoying myself…
He said it while slightly lifting his blade.
— Then it's fine.
— In the end… war is at the gates.
— And its cause is your stupidity, not our sect.
The aura exploded.
A terrifying, heavy, blood-soaked aura,
pressing down on the chest,
clear killing intent.
— Formation!
The elder shouted.
But the battle…
did not last long.
It was domination.
Lu Yang-Xie moved
as if he already knew their positions.
One strike…
a body fell.
A second strike…
a head separated.
A scream,
then silence.
The elder tried to engage him directly.
The blades collided.
And in a fleeting instant—
his arm was severed.
The elder screamed in pain,
then shouted at the top of his lungs:
— Run, boy!
— Deliver news of Blade Demon's attack to the sect leader immediately!
The young man shouted:
— I can't! How can I leave you he—!
The elder cut him off sharply:
— Run!
— This is not the place to die!
The youth retreated,
bit his lip until blood flowed,
then ran.
Behind him…
the others fell.
---
**Wudang Sect**
In a vast hall,
sat Zhang Lin-Hai, the leader of Wudang Sect.
He said calmly:
— What do you think of what the Heavenly Demon is doing, Lin Fei-Xuan?
The leader of Mount Hua Sect replied after some thought:
— I don't believe the Heavenly Demon is intervening directly.
— He…
— Has surpassed the level of our continent by far.
Zhang said:
— Then why does he allow things to spiral out of control?
Lin replied:
— Perhaps he isn't allowing it.
— Perhaps he is guiding it.
— Toward what?
Lin sighed:
— Selection.
— Or… unifying the continent under the sect's rule.
—I do not believe he leaves someone like Blade Demon alive because he approves of his actions.
Before either of them could continue—
The door burst open.
The young man entered,
his clothes soaked in blood,
gasping for breath.
— Sect Leader…
— He attacked…
— Blade Demon.
---
**Abandoned High Peak – Ten Thousand Mountains**
Seven figures stood.
Two men and two women,
and in one corner stood the man who had brought Jin into the sect,
leaning against the wall in silence.
Their features were hidden in the darkness of the night.
One of them said:
— Blade Demon's movements are no longer concealed.
— He has begun to overdo his actions.
A woman replied:
— He is striking the outskirts of Jianghu.
— As if paving the way… as if he wants us to believe this isn't random.
Another said:
— And what about that one called Jin?
— His actions are no less dangerous.
A calm voice intervened:
— The question is not what Jin is doing…
— But why he is being allowed to do it.
Another added:
— The sect leader is only observing.
— And that is what is most unsettling.
Their gazes slowly shifted
toward one man.
Sitting calmly,
holding a staff with a violet crystal.
**Poison King… Shen Yuan-Zi.**
One of them said seriously:
— Don't act now.
— Seeking revenge on that child at this time would be foolish… even if he is a phenomenon.
— We do not know how the path was prepared for him to reach this stage.
— This matter is not about him alone, but about the foundation behind him.
Another said:
— The battle with the Alliance and the Evil Faction…
— Is far more important right now.
Shen Yuan-Zi did not respond.
He simply stared ahead.
The man who brought Jin into the sect spoke:
— All of you have become ridiculous.
— Even the Alliance has turned into a group of fools.
— The Alliance leaders are divided by deep conflicts.
— Some have lost their way.
— Corruption has spread among them under the pretext of fighting the Demonic Sect.
Then he continued coldly:
— Do you still not understand
— Why my father leaves Blade Demon alive,
— And turns a blind eye to his massacres?
— Your level has truly declined…
— No matter.
— You will understand soon.
They looked at him sharply.
One of them asked angrily:
— What do you mean, Jong Seo-Rin?
Jong replied calmly:
— You will understand soon…
— That is the limit of what I know.
**End of Chapter**