After leaving the Executor's Hall, Ling Chen immediately set off down the mountain.
Riding on a swift horse, Ling Chen, alone with his mount, sped along the path leading to the Demon Forest.
「A small border town near the Demon Forest.」
After half a day's travel, Ling Chen planned to rest in this small town. Choosing a spot by the window in the largest inn in town, Ling Chen ordered some side dishes and wine. He had been consuming dry rations and plain water throughout his journey; now, he could finally savor some fine food and wine.
However, not long after Ling Chen had settled in, he overheard a discussion from the adjacent table.
"Have you heard? An unprecedented catastrophe has struck the Divine Intent Sect, foremost among the Sects of the Righteous Path! Sect Leader Ling Tianyu is dead, and more than half of their Experts have perished or been injured, resulting in a severe blow to their Vitality Energy."
"I've known that for a while. The Divine Intent Sect can no longer claim the title of the world's number one Sect."
"Alas, this is a significant blow to us practitioners of the Righteous Martial World. And all of this was caused by Liu Xiling, that Demon Sect Enchantress."
"Hmph, that damnable enchantress! If she falls into my hands, I'll make her experience a pleasure so intense it borders on agony."
The one who spoke last was a short, stout man with a vulgar appearance and a lecherous grin plastered on his face.
"Hehe, that enchantress is a stunning beauty. Although she's a bit older, I prefer mature women like her. I bet she's fantastic in bed."
Another bald man chimed in with a lewd laugh.
WHOOSH!
The instant the bald man finished speaking, a sharp sound cut through the air. Suddenly, a wine cup flew from nowhere, smashing violently against his head and instantly drawing blood.
"Who?"
The men were all shocked, their gazes locking onto the direction from which the wine cup had flown—Ling Chen's table.
"Kid, why did you suddenly attack me?" the bald man demanded, his face dark with anger.
"Ignorant curs, spouting such filth. Consider yourselves fortunate I haven't killed you. Scram!" Ling Chen stated coolly.
"Arrogant! A mere first realm whelp like you dares to act so presumptuously before me? You're courting death!"
"This kid is defending that enchantress; he must be from the Demonic Sect! Brother, don't hold back—kill him!"
As soon as they spoke, the portly man and the bald man drew their weapons and charged furiously at Ling Chen.
CLANG!
With eyes like torches, Ling Chen instantly unsheathed his sword. Swift as a startled rabbit, his sword flashed like a rainbow. The moment it left its scabbard, a dazzling gleam swept through the air, its reflection lancing straight into the eyes of the portly man and the bald man.
Not good! Both men squeezed their eyes shut, alarm bells screaming in their minds.
THUD! THUD!
In that instant, the sword light left a long gash on each man. Blood spurted as they were sent flying four or five meters, crashing into tables and chairs and reducing them to splinters.
CLANG!
Resheathing his sword, Ling Chen stood calm and composed, as if he hadn't moved at all.
"What?"
Everyone in the hall was stunned. Two against one, yet they were no match for Ling Chen, who looked so young.
"Impressive! Defeating his foes with a single sword strike—the mark of a true master," one of the observing warriors exclaimed in admiration. Ling Chen's movements—drawing, striking, and sheathing his sword—were fluid and seamless. He didn't seem like a fifteen-year-old boy at all, but rather a seasoned veteran of the Sword Way, possessing the poise of a great master.
"Brothers, let's get him together! Cripple this kid!" the bald man roared at his companions, clutching his chest. They had Third Realm warriors among them; he refused to believe they couldn't handle Ling Chen.
After exchanging glances, the remaining martial artists also drew their weapons and charged at Ling Chen.
In an instant, Ling Chen was besieged from all sides. The glint of blades filled the air, and he found himself in a perilous situation, unable to advance or retreat easily.
"Little bastard, let's see you act arrogant now! Die!" A vicious smile spread across the bald man's face. In his eyes, Ling Chen was already a turtle in a jar, a lamb for the slaughter.
However, Ling Chen didn't even spare him a glance. He drew his sword once more. This time, as the sword light flashed, it seemed to carry a faint dragon's roar, powerful enough to shake one's very soul.
Immense Sword Energy surged forth like a tidal wave.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Anyone touched by the sword's tip was sent flying like a discarded sack. In the blink of an eye, all the warriors who had surrounded Ling Chen were defeated. The bald man, in particular, was vomiting blood and rolling on the ground.
The inn fell deathly silent.
Everyone stared at Ling Chen with awe. They knew these ruffians had truly picked a fight with the wrong person this time. This young man, they thought, must have an extraordinary background.
A murderous glint flashed in Ling Chen's eyes as he slowly approached the bald man.
Seeing this, the bald man turned deathly pale with fright and hastily begged, "I was blind not to recognize your eminence! I deserve to die a thousand deaths for my offense! But please, for the sake of our leader, the Evil Blood Blade, spare us!"
"Yes, Young Hero, please be magnanimous and spare our lives!" the others chimed in, kowtowing.
"You just said your leader is the Evil Blood Blade?" Ling Chen had intended to kill them, but upon hearing the name 'Evil Blood Blade,' he paused and asked.
"Yes, that's our leader!" The bald man's face lit up, thinking Ling Chen was hesitating because he recognized the Evil Blood Blade's reputation.
"So, you're subordinates of the Evil Blood Blade. You can go," Ling Chen said, a subtle smile playing on his lips, apparently intending to let them leave.
"Thank you, Young Hero! Thank you!" The bald man and his cohorts were overjoyed and scrambled away as fast as they could.
Watching their retreating figures, the smile on Ling Chen's face quickly vanished. He hadn't let them go out of kindness, he mused, but rather to use them to find the Evil Blood Blade.
Draining his teacup, Ling Chen promptly followed.
「...」
「West City. A decrepit alleyway.」
After leaving the inn, the bald man and his cronies made their way here. Standing before them was a middle-aged man in a blood-red robe, a Long Knife strapped to his back, his eyes glinting with a savage light.
This was the Evil Blood Blade, notorious in these parts.
Before him, the bald man was the picture of deference.
"What did that brat look like?" the Evil Blood Blade asked coldly.
"About fifteen or sixteen, dressed in white. He's just a whelp, but his swordsmanship is terrifyingly good," the bald man replied quickly, recalling Ling Chen's appearance. "Boss, you have to avenge us! I reckon that kid is still at the inn. We can definitely catch him if we go back now!"
"Idiot!" The Evil Blood Blade slapped the bald man so hard he nearly died. "That kid is almost certainly a disciple of the Divine Intent Sect! He let you go deliberately to follow the clues right to my doorstep. He's probably already succeeded."
As he spoke, the Evil Blood Blade narrowed his eyes toward the alley entrance. Indeed, a young swordsman was slowly approaching.
"You live up to your reputation, Evil Blood Blade. No wonder you've evaded death for so many years," the young swordsman, Ling Chen himself, remarked. His ploy of letting them lead the way had indeed proven effective; he had found the Evil Blood Blade's hideout with surprising ease.
Although the Evil Blood Blade is cunning, Ling Chen mused, his underlings are hopelessly dull-witted. It's no surprise I found him.
The Evil Blood Blade's expression initially turned grave. However, he soon gauged Ling Chen's Martial Realm and let out a cold laugh. "Hmph, and here I thought it was someone formidable. A mere Fourth Realm whelp like you dares to challenge me?"
"I'm certainly no formidable figure, but I'm more than capable of killing you."
A sharp glint flashed in Ling Chen's eyes. He activated his movement technique and rapidly closed in on the Evil Blood Blade.
"Kill him!" the Evil Blood Blade ordered with a murderous glint in his eyes.
The instant his command fell, the bald man and the others drew their weapons and charged.
Seeing this, a chilling killing intent emanated from Ling Chen. The moment his assailants rushed before him, he suddenly leaped, his Long Sword sweeping out in a wide arc through the air!
SHINK! SHINK! SHINK!
The Sword Light flashed. A thin red line appeared on the necks of the bald man and his companions, followed by geysers of blood.
He's got some skill, the Evil Blood Blade thought. At that moment, he moved. He suddenly drew the Long Knife from his back. Its blade was exceptionally wide, and it descended with overwhelming momentum, aimed straight at Ling Chen's head.
CLANG!
Sword met Long Knife, sending sparks flying. Both combatants were forced back several tens of paces.
The entire alley instantly filled with surging killing intent and billowing dust.
"Evil Blood Blade Technique—Zhan Po!" the Evil Blood Blade roared. He spun, raising his Long Knife high and bringing it down in a devastating chop. A layer of True Qi coated its surface, causing the blade's aura to extend noticeably.
The slash sent powerful shockwaves through the air, making it tremble.
The Evil Blood Blade Technique was inherently a Human-level Superior Knife Technique, and its might was amplified in the hands of the Evil Blood Blade himself.
"Hidden Dragon in the Abyss!" Without hesitation, Ling Chen unleashed a move from his Dragon Seeking Sword Technique. A fierce Sword Momentum infused his blade as he launched a powerful counterattack.
CRACK!
The Evil Blood Blade's blade aura shattered, and his Long Knife was sent flying from his grip. The Sword Light then ruthlessly pierced his chest, sending blood splattering.
This kid is unnatural! Nearly killed by Ling Chen's strike, the Evil Blood Blade was aghast. Without even trying to retrieve his dislodged Long Knife, he clutched his chest and turned to flee.
He's not dead? Ling Chen was surprised. He hadn't expected the Evil Blood Blade to be so resilient; that strike should have been fatal.
"Where do you think you're going?!" Ling Chen roared, seeing the Evil Blood Blade desperately trying to escape. How could he let a cooked duck fly away? The Evil Blood Blade was already severely injured; one more blow would finish him and complete the mission.
However, just as Ling Chen prepared to give chase, the buildings flanking the alley suddenly exploded. Seven or eight figures shot out from the debris, blocking both ends of the passage.
They all appeared quite young. Ling Chen's gaze swept over them, finally landing on the youth in the lead. Displaying a treacherous smile, it was none other than Meng Yuan, the one who had repeatedly caused him trouble.
"You again?" Ling Chen's expression darkened slightly. This pest actually followed me all the way here.