thefictionvixens Chapter 44 Ultimate Showdown
Chapter 44 Ultimate Showdown
Chapter 44 Ultimate Showdown
Outside Tushan City, all was quiet.
The demons gazed up at the four menacing characters on the distant stone wall, their sword energy seemingly capable of cleaving through the soul. They remained speechless for a long time, their hearts filled with a mixture of shock and bewilderment.
"You mean—what does he mean by this?" Cui Yuling finally withdrew her gaze, turned to her friend beside her, and said in a complicated tone, "He is a human, and he is also the Lone Peak Sword who fought a bloody battle against the Southern Kingdom's demon army and almost killed the Demon Emperor."
In today's world, humans and demons are at odds, like fire and water, their relationship as tense as a taut bowstring. Given Lone Peak Sword's experience of fighting his way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood, one would expect him to harbor deep hatred for the demon race. Yet, instead of annihilating Tushan, he left behind such astonishing methods before departing, almost a declaration: "This place is under my protection."
This is completely illogical.
Cui Yuling's gaze shifted slightly, sweeping over the stunningly beautiful Tu Shan Honghong beside her, and then glancing at the charming and lively Tu Shan Yaya who was still staring blankly at the sky not far away. A somewhat absurd yet not entirely impossible thought surfaced in her mind.
Could it be that the human swordsman harbored such intentions? He wanted to bestow a favor, but fell for the trap of a beautiful demon?
"Perhaps—" Tu Shan Honghong's voice interrupted her thoughts, still in that cool and calm tone, "He just thinks we are good demons." Many years ago, she understood that the distinction between good and evil is never based on race. There are kind people among humans, and there are vicious ones among demons. She even harbored a faint wish in her heart, a wish that, if spoken aloud, would likely be ridiculed by both humans and demons—that one day, the two races could find a way to coexist peacefully.
"We are good demons, that's for sure." Cui Yuling sighed softly, her eyes deep. "But that person—"
Is she really that naive and innocent? Or is there some other scheme behind this that we can't yet see through? Her words carried a subtle hint.
The naive Tu Shan Honghong didn't catch the subtle speculation in her friend's words. She simply said, "Even if he really has ulterior motives, what can we do with the methods he just displayed? Thinking too much will only cause us more trouble."
She closed her eyes slightly, feeling waves of emptiness and exhaustion within her body. The intense battles of the past ten days and the real life-or-death crisis just now had taken a toll far beyond what she had experienced before.
"I'm tired." After saying that, she turned around and her red figure gracefully disappeared into the depths of Tushan Mountain, towards the Bitter Love Tree.
Besides physical exhaustion, there was something else weighing heavily on her mind, something she urgently needed to verify.
That was—just now, at the critical moment when life and death hung in the balance, she had clearly concentrated all her attention and tried to summon the sword hidden deep beneath the Bitter Love Tree.
But—it failed.
This was the first time in hundreds of years that her summoning had failed.
In the past, whenever her call was clear and firm enough, the sword would always respond, even if it couldn't last long, it would appear where she needed it. But at the very moment when she needed it most, when the survival of Tushan was at stake, it fell silent.
Why?
Tu Shan Honghong walked through the quiet forest path, the Silver Moon Guards standing watch along the way bowing silently, none daring to disturb her. She went straight to the core area beneath the Bitter Love Tree, a forbidden zone. Flowers fell silently like snow, the massive canopy casting gentle shadows, and all around her, apart from the sound of the wind and the soft rustling of petals falling to the ground, there was nothing else.
After confirming that no one else was around, Tu Shan Honghong slowly raised her hand, palm facing upward, and crimson demonic power flowed out from her body like threads.
Silently.
Just as her heart sank slightly—
The light and shadow before my eyes rippled gently like waves on water.
The hiltless, glass-like sword was already quietly hovering a foot in front of her, its entire body clear and radiant, exuding a familiar and reassuring aura of tranquility, as if it had always been there and had never left.
Tu Shan Honghong was slightly taken aback.
The summoning was successful? And it was smoother than ever before, almost effortless.
She reached out and gently brushed her fingertips across the cool, translucent blade, feeling its real texture.
"But why—" she murmured to herself, the faint light of the sword reflected in her crimson eyes, filled with clear confusion, "when I needed you most, why didn't you respond?"
All around was silent, with only the bittersweet flowers drifting gently down.
A sword, of course, would not answer her.
In addition, the news of the Lone Peak Sword appearing in Tushan was like a violent hurricane that swept across the entire Qi Dao Alliance and the human territory at an astonishing speed.
The two things he announced when he appeared also spread like wildfire, and everyone knew about them.
Firstly, the Chi and Shi families were ordered to go to the Southern Kingdom to atone for their sins through war.
Secondly, and most shockingly, and the one that sparked countless speculations, was that he wanted to kill Jin Renfeng!
Who is Jin Renfeng? He is the eldest disciple of the old master of Dongfang Guyue Manor, raised from childhood and taught with all his knowledge. He is the rightful heir of Shenhuo Mountain Manor and one of the strongest figures in the Southern Realm! As for Zhou Yi of Gufeng Sword, he and Dongfang Guyue are close friends despite their age difference, and they almost became master and disciple. Given this connection, why would he suddenly turn on the old master's "successor" and try to kill him?
Both are among the top combatants of the human race. At a time when the Southern Demon Emperor is seriously injured and the situation is turbulent, they should be joining forces to expand the territory of the human race and seize benefits. The loss of either of them would be a major loss to the Southern Territory and even the entire human race.
Initially, most people attributed this to the Battle of Nantian City, believing that Jin Renfeng and even the entire Shenhuo Mountain Manor had chosen to stand idly by, angering Gufeng Sword. However, the circumstances of that battle were complex, and Jin Renfeng was not the only one who hadn't intervened. The entire Southern Territory, and even the higher-ups of the Yi Qi Dao Alliance, remained silent. If Gufeng Sword were to hold Jin Renfeng accountable for this, what difference would that make from holding the entire Southern Territory and the entire Dao Alliance accountable?
Therefore, many respected elders of the Dao Alliance and senior experts from the Southern Territory stepped forward to try to mediate and reconcile. Their words were nothing more than "putting the bigger picture first," "giving me face," and "putting aside past grievances for now and working together to create a new future." They intended to persuade this sharp-tongued swordsman to "shake hands and make peace" and use their strength "where it should be used."
However, before these persuaders could find the elusive Lone Peak Swordsman—
Another piece of news, like a thunderbolt from the heavens, exploded across the world with ten times the speed and a hundred times the ferocity of the former!
The message was brief, yet every word was stained with blood, every sentence pierced the heart:
Jin Renfeng, a master slayer!
The old master of Dongfang Guyue Manor did not die of natural causes or suffer a relapse of old injuries. Instead, he was secretly poisoned and murdered by his eldest disciple, Jin Renfeng, whom he regarded as his own son. When the old master died, his eyes were wide open, unable to close them in peace.
And this earth-shattering accusation is just the beginning.
Following this, more horrifying and heinous details were revealed one by one: Back then, the Southern Kingdom's demon army trampled the borders, and twelve human border cities were engulfed in flames of war. Messengers pleading for help flew out like shooting stars—but why did they all ultimately disappear without a trace, with reinforcements failing to arrive? It was Jin Renfeng, the "successor" on whom so much hope was placed, who secretly dispatched his trusted confidants to intercept and kill the messengers at strategic points, effectively blocking all messages for help! This deliberate delay and betrayal led to the twelve cities becoming completely isolated islands, ultimately falling one after another under the demon army's frenzied offensive. Hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians were brutally slaughtered, rivers of blood flowed, and corpses littered the fields!
Each and every single incident, with its time, place, witnesses, and physical evidence, is so clear it's chilling. The details are so detailed it's as if the eyewitnesses are tearfully accusing you, leaving no room for denial or sophistry.
The world was first plunged into a deathly silence, then public opinion exploded, and anger swept through every town and every corner!
Those Dao Alliance elders and seniors who had previously put on airs and tried to persuade both sides to "shake hands and make peace" on the grounds of "the big picture" and "human interests" were now as if they had been slapped countless times by wolves. Their faces turned red and purple, and all their voices instantly fell silent. No one dared to mention the word "mediation" anymore. They all hid back in their residences, wishing they had never spoken.
The blood feud is as high as a mountain and as deep as an abyss; the heinous crimes are so outrageous that even gods and ghosts are angered, and heaven and earth cannot tolerate them!
At this point, everyone finally understood.
The killing intent of the Lone Peak Sword was not a matter of momentary anger or narrow-mindedness.
That was a reckoning that was destined long ago, and that had been far too late!
To seek justice for our dear friend, to voice our grievances against the wronged soul who lost hundreds of thousands of yuan, and to restore order and clarity to the world!
A blood debt must be paid in blood, with no room for compromise!
However, people were not entirely blindly obedient. Such shocking accusations, without any evidence, naturally required irrefutable proof. Initially, many questioned the source of the information, demanding concrete evidence and warning against believing only one side of the story.
But then, to everyone's surprise, someone stepped forward and, with an incredibly heavy and resolute attitude, admitted to this earth-shattering accusation that swept the world.
The person who claimed the title was none other than Dongfang Guyue's eldest daughter, the one who used the alias "Chu Ri Huai Zhu" and married into the royal family as a concubine—Dongfang Huai Zhu!
As the sole direct descendant of the Dongfang family, and with her deceased father's spirit as witness, she publicly denounced Jin Renfeng's numerous crimes: murdering his master to seize power, harming his fellow disciples, and wreaking havoc in the southern border. Her voice was sorrowful yet resolute, her words heart-wrenching yet undeniably true.
If anyone had any doubts before, all those doubts vanished instantly when Jin Renfeng brazenly stormed into Wangquan Manor in the dead of night, intending to harm Dongfang Huaizhu, but was frightened away by Wangquan Shouzhuo, the current head of the Wangquan family and leader of the Yiqi Dao Alliance, wielding the Wangquan Sword.
This move is tantamount to admitting guilt without being asked, confirming his ruthless intention to silence witnesses out of a guilty conscience!
After this battle, Jin Renfeng's hidden true strength shocked the world—he was able to infiltrate the heavily guarded Wangquan Manor alone, and even escape unscathed from the current leader of the alliance wielding the Wangquan Sword. His strength was comparable to his master, Dongfang Guyue, and he was on par with top figures like Wangquan Shouzhuo!
What a treacherous disciple who betrays his master and ancestors! What a chilling and despicable talent!
How unjust is Heaven to bestow such astonishing cultivation upon such a heartless and treacherous person!
In an instant, the entire nation was filled with righteous indignation. From commoners to cultivators and knights-errant, everyone eagerly awaited the arrival of the swordsman who had declared his revenge. The world waited, waiting for the Lone Peak Sword to rise up, uphold justice, and vanquish this scoundrel!
A showdown destined to be recorded in history has captivated everyone's attention.
Who is stronger and who is weaker? Who is righteous and who is evil?
And at this very moment, where is the Lone Peak Sword, on whom the world places such high hopes?
Central Plains, Yang family.
In the secluded courtyard, unnoticed by anyone, a figure had already quietly taken up residence.
In Yang Yan's small courtyard where she lives alone, the sunlight is just right, casting dappled, warm light and shadows through the sparse flower trellis.
In the open space of the courtyard, Mu Mie was holding a wooden sword, earnestly instructing Dongfang Qinlan beside him, move by move.
The boy's posture was already upright, and his sword moves were graceful yet showed a certain elegance; the girl was learning with great concentration, her little face tense, trying her best to imitate every movement, and her wooden sword was wielded with skill, though she was still young.
Yang Yan sat alone in the tea room with a view, her elbows resting on the table, her chin cupped in her palm, her gaze gently following the two small figures. On the table in front of her lay quietly the sword that had once belonged to someone...
Later, he gifted Mu Mie the "Lone Peak Sword." On either side of the longsword sat a cup of tea, steaming and fragrant. The view from here was unobstructed, offering a panoramic view of the courtyard.
She watched quietly, watching Mu Mie occasionally correct Qin Lan's gestures, watching Qin Lan pout in dissatisfaction and then obediently correct herself, watching the sunlight dance on them, as if time itself had slowed down.
Suddenly, a unique and exquisite floral fragrance, carrying the scent of distant mountains and fields, gently wafted into her nostrils. It was a fragrance she had never smelled before, cool yet carrying a subtle, lingering sweetness.
She paused slightly, her gaze instinctively returning to the table.
On the scabbard of that ancient longsword, a small sprig of flower had been gently placed there by someone.
Several small, strange flowers, pinkish-white in hue, adorn the branches. Their petals are as thin as silk gauze, almost transparent in the sunlight, and exude a captivating fragrance.
A thought struck her, and she suddenly turned her head.
Beside me, on that tea chair that had been empty for a long time, there was now someone sitting there.
Dressed in a dark, fitted outfit, his figure appeared even more slender and agile. His sword-like eyebrows remained sharp and his starry eyes were even brighter than before. Most importantly, his arms—were completely healed and hung naturally at his sides. Completely different from the desolate and worn-out look he had when they parted in Nantian City, he now possessed a calm and composed demeanor, but also a more restrained sharpness and—as if a certain burden had been lifted from his shoulders—a subtle air of triumph.
Zhou Yi, who had been there for an unknown amount of time, leisurely picked up his cup of tea, brought it to his lips, and took a gentle sip. His movements were so natural that it was as if he had always been sitting there and had never left.
Seeing her looking at him, he put down his teacup, turned to meet her gaze, a faint smile playing on his lips as his eyes fell on the flower branch.
"There is a tree on Mount Tu, named Bitter Love," its flowers bloom without fading, their color unique. His voice was calm, like a gentle breeze caressing the strings of a zither. "I thought you probably hadn't seen it before, so I broke off a small branch and brought it to show you."
"A gift?" Yang Yan reached out, her fingertips gently touching the cool, smooth petals, a complex warmth spreading through her heart. "I like it very much."
There were no excited words of reunion, no eager questions about the past. The two sat side by side in the tea room, gazing out at the courtyard, watching the soft clinking of wooden swords, watching the focused profile of a child, letting the warm sunlight and tranquil time flow by.
until-
While practicing her blocking, Dongfang Qinlan turned around unintentionally, and out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar figure in black in the tea room.
The wooden sword in her hand froze instantly, and her small body stood still.
She blinked, staring intently in that direction, her amber pupils reflecting Zhou Yi's smiling gaze upon her.
The next moment, large tears welled up in her eyes without warning, rolling down her fair cheeks. All her strength, all her efforts, all her obedience, seemed to peel away like fragile glass in that instant.
"Clang!"
The wooden sword fell from her loosened hand and landed softly on the bluestone ground.
Instead of picking it up, she used all her strength, like a fledgling bird finally finding its way home, and ran headlong toward the teahouse, rushing straight into the warm and solid embrace that had been prepared for her.
For Dongfang Qinlan, no matter how well Yang Yan treated her, there was still a barrier between them. Although her sister was related by blood, she was already forced into marriage into a wealthy family. After her father's sudden death, it seemed that there was no place in the world that could give her the unconditional and absolute sense of security that this man's embrace could provide, against all storms.
She buried her face deep in the cool, aloof fabric of his clothes, her small hands clutching the hem of his garment tightly. Her shoulders trembled slightly, and all the grievances, fears, longing, and immense joy of regaining what she had lost turned into silent tears, soaking a small patch of his clothes.
Zhou Yi said nothing, but tightened his arms slightly and gently stroked her soft hair with his other hand, silently but firmly protecting her under his wings.
Yang Yan watched quietly from the side, a gentle and gratified light in her eyes. She picked up her cup of tea, which was getting cold, took a sip, and her gaze returned to Mu Mie, who seemed a little lost in the courtyard, as if looking through him to a more distant place.
"Come on, I'll take you home," he promised.
I've caught a bit of a cold. I probably won't be able to finish writing about Fox Spirit Matchmaker today, but the word count will still be high.
Please vote with your monthly tickets and give me a reward!
Finally, two assignments were given.
First: Which world should we write about next?
Second: Top-tier supernatural beings are like Jiang Mingzi and Lao Huang, equivalent to what realm in Sword Comes?
(Note: The most powerful beings can forge the sun in reality into a sword.)
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