"You three have such seamless coordination. Looks like I won't even need to lift a finger. Come to think of it, you'd be perfect for the Three Talents Sword Formation," Daniel remarked as he flicked his paper fan. A crescent-shaped wave of invisible sword energy instantly felled six attackers charging toward him. He then stepped aside, calmly observing Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, and Ba Fenghan holding their ground against four martial arts masters.
The Twin Dragons already had excellent synergy, and now, with Ba Fenghan joining them, their teamwork was flawless. If Qu Ao had known that his pursuit of Ba Fenghan would lead to such unity among the three, he'd likely die of anger.
Of the trio, Ba Fenghan was currently the strongest. His domineering "force" made him the team's primary offensive powerhouse, while the Twin Dragons played supporting roles, attacking from the flanks.
Despite their opponents' attempts to break away and target Daniel directly, Xu Ziling deftly pulled them back into the fray every time.
"No top-tier masters have shown up. Is this just a test?" Daniel muttered to himself as he surveyed the surroundings and found no other assassins in hiding. Since no further threats had emerged, he felt at ease enjoying the show.
"If Xu Ziling could combine the Ao Han Six Stances into his repertoire, he'd be like Nie Feng incarnate," Daniel mused. The Wind God's Leg paired with Taiji Fist and Cloud Grasping Palm created a dynamic yet tranquil combat style. Xu Ziling now wielded extraordinary agility, making it impossible for the four masters to escape Kou Zhong's blade or Ba Fenghan's sword.
The martial arts techniques of the World Society were distinct. Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling had both studied them, but their focuses differed. Kou Zhong leaned toward the Frost Fist and Wind God's Leg, while Xu Ziling preferred the Cloud Grasping Palm and Wind God's Leg. Even their usage of the same Wind God's Leg technique varied significantly.
The Wind God's Leg wasn't merely a supreme agility skill; it was also a devastating leg technique. When wielded by Nie Feng, it could summon storms. Kou Zhong, however, seemed to treat it as purely a movement skill, with little trace of its offensive potential.
In contrast, Xu Ziling fully unleashed its power, integrating it seamlessly with his Taiji energy field. This turned him into a master of both fists and legs, unlike his original focus on hand techniques in the story.
"Your Highness, your status has changed. Please exercise more caution. As the saying goes, 'A gentleman does not stand beneath a crumbling wall.' Surely you understand this," Wanwan softly chided as she appeared beside Daniel. Not long after, a large contingent of imperial guards and Six Doors agents arrived.
"The palace is too stifling. I needed some air. Besides, if I don't come out, how will they show themselves?" Daniel replied, his last remark almost an afterthought but still rooted in truth.
Even without the meddling of Cihang Jingzhai, Daniel's reforms had provoked numerous enemies in Luoyang. His land reforms, in particular, had threatened the entrenched interests of local aristocrats. While open rebellion was unlikely, passive resistance and sabotage were rampant.
"This is a good opportunity to root out some troublemakers."
Regardless of who had sent the assassins, it was certain they were connected to local noble families. Daniel couldn't simply target these families without justification, but now he had a valid pretext.
As Daniel and Wanwan spoke, the tide of battle shifted. Ba Fenghan severed an opponent's arm with a single strike, and with the arrival of imperial reinforcements, the assassins became distracted.
"I'll leave the aftermath to you," Daniel said to Xu Xingzhi, who had just arrived. The task of investigating the assassins' origins and identifying their backers now fell to him. Once implicated, the noble families could be lawfully dealt with, and their lands confiscated.
"These are the Juxian Pill and Blood Bodhi. Each of you take one. Consume them here. After this, you should reach Wanwan's level," Daniel said as he summoned the Twin Dragons to the imperial palace's secluded courtyard.
For Daniel, the assassination attempt was too insignificant to dwell on. He promptly handed the Twin Dragons pills that could significantly enhance their martial arts abilities.
"With treasures like these, who even needs hard work?" Kou Zhong quipped as he eyed the Juxian Pill and Blood Bodhi in his hands, a rare moment of introspection for someone of his personality.
His sudden remark left Xu Ziling surprised, as Kou Zhong's usual carefree nature rarely lent itself to such thoughts.
"Let's see how I fare against Old Ba next," Kou Zhong added before popping the Juxian Pill into his mouth and beginning to cultivate its energy.
In a manor near the imperial palace, the clashing of blades echoed across the sparring grounds. In a nearby pavilion, Daniel, Wanwan, and Song Yuzhi sat watching Ba Fenghan and Kou Zhong exchange blows.
Three days after consuming the Juxian Pill and Blood Bodhi, Kou Zhong, armed with his Moon in the Well blade, challenged Ba Fenghan. Initially confident, Ba Fenghan quickly realized how much Kou Zhong had improved in such a short time.
The revelation only thrilled Ba Fenghan, who saw Kou Zhong as a rare and worthy sparring partner.
"The Longevity Technique truly is remarkable. Too bad Xu Ziling isn't here—I'd love to test his strength now," Ba Fenghan remarked after an intense bout left both men exhausted.
"You'll find out when he returns," Kou Zhong replied with a grin.
Meanwhile, Wanwan sighed softly as she glanced at Song Yuzhi. "Who would've thought the Song family's young master would be such a romantic? It's quite unexpected."
"Everyone has their own path," Daniel interjected.
Xu Ziling and Song Shidao weren't present because they had traveled to the valley where the Twin Dragons had buried Fu Junyu. After absorbing the Juxian Pill and Blood Bodhi, Xu Ziling decided to pay his respects to Fu Junyu. Song Shidao, upon learning of this, eagerly volunteered to accompany him.
Kou Zhong had intended to go as well but was persuaded by Xu Ziling and Song Shidao to stay and assist Daniel. With no ambition left to conquer the world, Kou Zhong focused on helping Daniel and training an elite army.
The Twin Dragons now knew the true nature of the Yang Gong Treasury, as Daniel had revealed it to them. Meanwhile, Su Su had been escorted by Zhai Jiao to seek refuge with Dou Jiande after escaping Li Mi's forces.
That day, Lu Miaozi, Shi Qingxuan, and others from Pegasus Ranch finally arrived in Luoyang, bringing warhorses and soldiers. At the same time, the Dongming Sect's fleet reached the city via the waterways, delivering a substantial shipment of weapons. Publicly, these arms were presented as part of a trade deal with Daniel rather than a declaration of allegiance.
The Pegasus Ranch forces were placed under Kou Zhong's command, along with an additional thousand troops reassigned from Luoyang's existing military.
Daniel could have granted Kou Zhong more authority, but Kou Zhong preferred to focus on training a small, elite force. Though he no longer sought to rule the world, Kou Zhong's fascination with military strategy and battlefield dominance remained. Since his youth, he had often envisioned himself as a great general, with Xu Ziling as his prime minister.
While Xu Ziling's aptitude for governance remained uncertain, Kou Zhong's talent for military leadership was undeniable. He had thoroughly mastered the tactics taught by Lu Miaozi and even begun integrating them with techniques like the Ao Han Six Stances and the Blood Battle Ten Strokes. Given time, his "Eight Methods of the Well" might one day become a reality.
As Daniel continued his reforms in Luoyang, Song Que set out from the Song family's mountain stronghold to visit him. However, before reaching Luoyang, he was intercepted in a secluded forest by Ning Daoqi, the Daoist sect's foremost master and the man known as the greatest martial artist in the Central Plains.
"I've been asked to deliver a message," Ning Daoqi said, producing a letter. With a flick of his hand, the letter floated toward Song Que.
Just as it reached him, a flash of blade light reduced it to confetti.
"Now, will you step aside or not?" Song Que asked, gripping his Narcissus Blade with an emotionless expression.
"It seems I'll have to experience the Heavenly Blade firsthand," Ning Daoqi sighed. If given a choice, he would have avoided this confrontation. But now, he had no alternative.
"You may have stood a chance before, but the current you? Do you think you're worthy?"
As Song Que's words fell, his blade shimmered with radiant light. In an instant, he crossed the distance between them, slashing at Ning Daoqi with unparalleled precision.
Ning Daoqi's face grew grim as he summoned his renowned martial arts technique, the "Eight Interceptions of Scattered Hands." A chorus of ethereal bird cries filled the forest as he met Song Que's strike.
When blade and palm collided, both men shuddered under the force. Their feet sank into the ground, leaving deep impressions. Song Que retreated three steps; Ning Daoqi, seven.
Undeterred, Song Que unleashed a dazzling storm of blade strikes, forcing Ning Daoqi to respond with equal intensity. The forest seemed alive with the sound of battle, though the harmonious melody of the bird calls carried an unsettling dissonance.
As the final clash subsided, Song Que stood unscathed, his aura unshaken. Ning Daoqi, however, was pale and bloodied, his robes tattered.
"Your heart is troubled. What a pity. I'll spare you this time, for her sake," Song Que declared, his voice tinged with disappointment.
Ning Daoqi stared at Song Que in silence before leaving, his expression a mixture of resentment and unwillingness.
Meanwhile, in Xingyang City, the base of Li Mi's Wagang Army, Wang Bodang sneered as he surrounded Shen Luoyan.
"Shen Luoyan, I can't believe you betrayed Master Li. Surrender now, and I might spare your life—though you'll have to pay the price, of course," he taunted.
"Some people do indeed have to pay the price," Shen Luoyan replied, her gaze sweeping over the encirclement. While Wang Bodang himself wasn't a threat, the presence of South Sea Sect members and other rogue cultivators made the situation dire. With this in mind, she activated a talisman left to her by Daniel.
"Enough talking. Take her!" Wang Bodang ordered.
An elderly man wielding a staff stepped forward, his weapon aimed at Shen Luoyan.
(End of Chapter)
[Get +20 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Mutter"]
[Every 50 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]
[Thanks for Reading!]