Volume One, Chapter 35: Murderous Intent Beneath the Moon

Half an hour later.

Zhao Wujiang gently tidied Ling Qingxue’s clothes. Sensing someone approaching, he slipped to the side. Upon confirming it was Long Zhan, he smiled faintly, kept his achievement a secret, and vanished into the moonlight.

Ling Qingxue’s expression shifted from dazed to composed. She hoped it had all been a dream, but the pain in her body told her it was reality. She had lost her virginity! Ling Qingxue felt deeply aggrieved, and as she channeled her internal energy to heal her wounds, her vision gradually returned.

"Long Zhan, you deserve to die!" Ling Qingxue began searching for her beastly junior brother.

Long Zhan, having just finished an amicable conversation with Shen Hao, happened to see Ling Qingxue returning in a fury. Having secured a connection with Shen Hao, Long Zhan was in high spirits. Seeing his senior sister, he wore the expression of a victor.

"Senior Sister, are you alright?"

His expression only fueled Ling Qingxue’s rage. You stole my innocence, and now you look so smug? You disgusting man! Before Long Zhan could get an answer, he received a slap!

*Slap—*

Ling Qingxue backhanded him across the face. "If you dare speak a word of what happened today, I will take your life!"

Long Zhan clutched his cheek, bewildered. "???" What happened today? Could it be because he failed to secure the entire Heavenly Sword?

"I am returning to the Dao Sect immediately!" Ling Qingxue struggled to her feet and glared at him. "I will report the matter of the Heavenly Sword being split in two to our Master."

Long Zhan realized, *just because of that?* Is it worth slapping me? This woman is truly sharp-tongued... though, he rather liked it.

Long Zhan cupped his hands. "Very well! On your way back, please ask Master to send more of our senior sisters to assist me. I miss the eldest, second, and third senior sisters dearly. Would that be alright?"

"Fine! Just fine!" Ling Qingxue’s eyes flashed with disgust. "I have no desire to see you again anyway!"

Long Zhan: "???"

Before he could explain, Ling Qingxue drifted away, her entire being cold, like an eternal glacier.

...

Outside the Sword Casting Division, the aftermath had been largely cleared away. Li Yunrui, who had been waiting for Zhao Wujiang until evening, was being pulled toward the carriage by Li Yunyi.

Li Yunrui kept looking back toward the Sword Casting Division, worried. "Brother, Zhao Wujiang hasn't returned yet. Should we wait a little longer?"

"The Emperor's decree orders us to return to the palace immediately. Besides, we are in the capital; he cannot leave the city, so what could possibly happen?" Li Yunyi glanced toward the division. He had intended to wait, but the Emperor’s decree could not be defied. Perhaps something urgent had arisen at the palace.

"Let’s wait for him a bit longer, he might return soon!" Li Yunrui refused to board the carriage, her tone pleading.

"Get in first," Li Yunyi comforted her. "He has half the Heavenly Sword in his possession; ordinary people cannot harm him. With his caution, he will be safe."

Li Yunrui bit her lip and boarded the carriage, still anxious. Li Yunyi tapped the horse to signal the departure, then mounted his own horse to guard his sister’s carriage. He felt a vague sense of unease, though he couldn't pinpoint why.

...

An hour later, Zhao Wujiang returned to the guest room from the small woods.

"That was truly satisfying. Liu Ruyan is wanton, and Ling Qingxue is pure. Long Zhan, oh Long Zhan, what kind of refined delicacies have you, the protagonist of this novel, been enjoying?" Zhao Wujiang looked at a smear of blood on his belt and smiled. "Still, Ling Qingxue’s first time is mine, and I don't even have to take responsibility."

He looked around. "Huh? Where did those royal siblings go?"

Not seeing Li Yunrui or Li Yunyi, he spotted a letter left behind by Li Yunrui. After reading it, Zhao Wujiang fell into deep thought.

"Something happened at the palace, and the Emperor ordered them back immediately? And they weren't supposed to bring me?" Zhao Wujiang sensed something strange. The chaos at the Sword Casting Division had just been resolved, and they were immediately summoned back. To report? If anyone were to report, it should be me, as I was the one tasked with the investigation.

At this thought, Zhao Wujiang’s eyebrows arched. It seemed this place was no longer safe; something big might be happening. He quickly tidied his attire, wrapped the Heavenly Sword to resemble an umbrella, ensured his disguise was flawless, and hurried toward the Prince of Zhenbei’s estate.

The capital was massive, like a giant cage binding him. Zhao Wujiang remained cautious, keeping an eye on the slightest movement. It was night, and the streets were empty, save for the biting wind.

Just as he turned into a small alley, the wrapped Heavenly Sword began to vibrate silently. At the same time, he could faintly hear the sound of many feet treading on roof tiles, closing in from both sides.

He turned to leave, but stopped abruptly. People were approaching from behind and the sides as well—he was clearly being surrounded.

Zhao Wujiang gripped the Heavenly Sword, his expression turning icy.

"You are very cautious, avoiding the main roads."

From in front of him, a group of experts in dark blue, masked, and dressed in tight-fitting clothes emerged. There were at least ten of them! The leader carried a long sword on his back, while the others drew long blades, chains, or hooks.

"But we are not fools either. So, Your Highness, there is no way for you to escape today!"