It had been years since Jing Quan last saw Lin Min. He had promised her that once he fulfilled his goal, once he had defeated the Demon Lord, he would finally settle down with her. That day had come. The world had quieted, and she would soon arrive.
A soft smile crossed his face as he gazed at his sword. Why did it still feel so alive in his hands? Why did it still call to him, even now?
He stood in his room within his house, a grand fortress with towering walls and an iron gate. Adjusting his vest, tightening the corset beneath, and straightening the cardigan over his shoulders, he stepped outside. Then he struck the great bell with a yell.
BANG!
The echo rolled across the fortress.
Four men, the guards, ran in at once.
"What's going on?" Jing Quan demanded, his eyes narrowing.
Guo Yu, panting, said, "Sword Saint Jing Quan… the village is under attack!"
"Our village, Mingyan, is under attack. We've also received reports that Fengrui and Haoling villages are being attacked as well," Guo Yu said, his voice tight with urgency.
Then, from outside, a different kind of scream pierced the air, raw, terrifying, and unlike anything he had heard before.
"I'll handle this," Jing Quan said, his voice calm but fierce. He raised his sword, and in an instant, he soared into the sky, his eyes scanning the village below.
From above, he saw the chaos. Demon, a massive, hulking monster, was rampaging through Mingyan. Civilians scattered as the creature smashed everything in its path.
Spotting a cluster of demons in a particularly crowded area, Jing Quan focused. Channeling his energy, he unleashed the Heavenly Slash from afar. The blade of pure light cut through the air, striking the demons with precision. Every single one of them was obliterated, yet the humans remained unharmed.
Just as he landed, a scream cut through the remaining chaos a familiar voice. His gaze followed it and froze.
There, standing among the wreckage, was the Demon Lord. But that was not the shocking part. Clutched tightly in his hand was Lin Min.
He landed slowly on the ground. Jing Quan raised his sword.
"Let's go up," he said.
"You think I'll let you do that? No way. Unless you kill yourself this moment. Look at my demons. I can still destroy your village," the Demon Lord said.
"Are you going to fight only because of her? You will stay here and face me while the civilians are killed?"
Jing Quan lifted his sword, spinning it across the ground. A brilliant energy radiated from it. Using Sword Spirit Manifestation, another figure emerged from his body, shining with golden light. The figure soared into the sky, slashing through the demons and protecting the civilians.
"Now I won't have to worry about the civilians," Jing Quan said.
"Don't move. I'm going to kill her," the Demon Lord growled, tightening his grip on Lin Min's neck.
"Why stoop so low? How are you still alive? I killed you 9 months ago," Jing Quan said.
"You spared some of my generals. They performed a resurrection ritual and gave their lives to bring me back. Here I am to get my revenge. You defeated me, legendary Sword Saint. You are the greatest Sword Saint I have ever faced in my 500 years. They were all killed. I know I don't stand a chance against you, but I also know about Lin Min, your first love," the Demon Lord said, tightening his grip further.
He looked at Lin Min. "Don't worry. I'll save you. Leave her now. Leave her," Jing Quan shouted.
"Okay, if you want her, come get her. I'm not someone who uses her as a shield," the Demon Lord said, tightening his grip on Lin Min.
Jing Quan wanted to move faster, but the Demon Lord might notice and could kill Lin Min.
"Don't think of moving or cutting through time," the Demon Lord warned.
"I'm not going to say this again," Jing Quan said. His sword glowed with radiant energy.
"I don't have time for this," the Demon Lord said.
Jing Quan prepared to use his Time Cutting Blade technique. It was risky, but before he could strike, the Demon Lord stabbed Lin Min in the back with his sword and tossed her aside.
Jing Quan abandoned the technique. Seeing Lin Min bleeding, he ran to her and lifted her into his arms.
"Lin Min! Lin Min, are you okay? I'm here. I promise, when this is over, we'll be together," Jing Quan said.
Lin Min coughed, blood staining her lips. "Don't worry, Master Quan… please… take care of yourself." As her hand collapsed she died.
"Lin Min!" Jing Quan shouted.
As Jing Quan remained focused on Lin Min, the Demon Lord stabbed him in the back, then swung his sword toward Jing Quan's head. Instinctively, Jing Quan raised his right hand. His sword, which he had tossed aside while carrying Lin Min, returned to his hand and blocked the strike just in time.
"Don't worry, Lin Min," Jing Quan whispered, kissing her head. He was bleeding from his back, but didn't care.
"I will erase you. Your existence. No one will be able to save you," Jing Quan growled.