The memories of all humanity are awakening, except for mine.

"Ha, just kidding."

Lu Jianxiong forced himself to stand up and shielded Wu Shuang behind him.

"Please don't take this seriously."

Gu Cheng raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.

"Really? That's a pity."

He changed the subject.

"However, since we've mentioned the Sword Heart Realm, Young Master Jiang, if someone truly reaches that level, imitating your sword techniques wouldn't be difficult."

Jiang Chuan understood and followed suit.

"Lord Gucheng, you are wise. Although the Azure Dragon Sword Qi is my unique skill, it is not impossible to imitate its form if one encounters a master of swordsmanship."

The tense atmosphere inside the hall eased slightly.

Liang Maoye wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, secretly relieved that the topic had been changed.

As the representative of the Liang Prince's Mansion, he knew all too well what it meant for a girl who might possess a sword spirit body to appear at Vulcan Mountain.

That will completely change the landscape of sword cultivators in the Nine Provinces!

"Mr. Jiang."

Gu Cheng lightly tapped the table with his fingers.

"In your opinion, who is framing you?"

Jiang Chuan's eyes were clouded with gloom.

“Last night I encountered a young man in black robes in the county town, who looked exactly like me. I chased him to the south of the city, but he suddenly disappeared. When I returned, news of the assassin had already spread from the royal palace, and I became a wanted criminal throughout the city.”

"Disguise?"

Chen Qing couldn't help but interject.

Jiang Chuan shook his head.

"That was definitely not a disguise. I fought him at close range, and even his aura was extremely similar to mine."

Gu Cheng frowned deeply.

"Within the entire Nine Provinces, who can achieve this?"

No more than three people.

Jiang Chuan calmly stated a breathtaking number.

The hall fell silent once again.

Wu Shuang nervously tugged at Lu Jianxiong's sleeve and whispered.

"Uncle Lu, that man in black robes is terrifying."

Lu Jianxiong patted the back of her hand to comfort her, but his heart was in turmoil.

If what Jiang Chuan said is true, then the forces involved behind this matter are probably far beyond what we can imagine.

"Zeng Xianming".

Gu Cheng suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.

"Are you guilty?"

Zeng Xianming, who was kneeling on the ground, trembled and pressed his forehead to the ground.

"This humble official is guilty! This humble official was deceived by that scoundrel Shang Yan and almost made a grave mistake!"

Gu Cheng sneered and looked at Jiang Chuan.

"How about you handle this person?"

Before Jiang Chuan could answer, he added.

"Furthermore, I will also hand over Zhao Zhen's head and Deng Yinhe to you. As for Shang Yan..."

There was a cold light in his eyes.

"I will give you a satisfactory explanation."

Upon seeing this, Liang Maoye quickly stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Young Master Jiang, this matter is due to the Liang Prince's Mansion's lax discipline. I will personally deal with that scoundrel Shang Yan! Once this matter is settled, I humbly request that Young Master Jiang grace the Liang Prince's Mansion with his presence for a chat."

Jiang Chuan's gaze shifted between the two men, a cold smile playing on his lips.

These powerful figures change their tune faster than turning the pages of a book; one moment they'd want him dead, the next they're vying to curry favor. But now is not the time to tear off the mask of civility.

"You're too kind, King Liang."

Gu Cheng nodded in satisfaction, then suddenly stood up. A flash of cold light appeared in his sleeve, aimed straight for Zeng Xianming's throat.

"In that case, there's no need for this person to—"

"My lord, spare me! I have crucial information!"

Zeng Xianming screamed in terror, his voice distorted.

The tip of Gu Cheng's sword stopped an inch from Zeng Xianming's throat, but the sword energy had already pierced his skin, and blood flowed down his neck.

"Oh?"

Gu Cheng raised an eyebrow.

"tell me the story."

Zeng Xianming swallowed hard and said, his voice trembling.

"Shang Yan... Shang Yan has someone behind him! I overheard him having a private conversation with a man in black robes, discussing something about the Sword Pavilion and a plan."

Jiang Chuan's pupils contracted.

"The man in black robe?"

"Yes, it is!"

Zeng Xianming felt as if he had been granted a pardon and hurriedly said.

"The man was completely shrouded in a black robe, and his voice was hoarse. Shang Yan treated him with utmost respect!"

Gu Cheng and Jiang Chuan exchanged a glance. Just then, a shrill laugh suddenly came from outside the hall.

"Hahaha! Lonely City, you, a dignified retainer of the Heavenly Family, actually bow and scrape before a mere swordsman from the Jianghu. You are truly boosting the morale of others and diminishing the prestige of the Heavenly Family!"

The voice was eerie and strange, like the friction of metal, making one's scalp tingle.

Gu Cheng's expression changed drastically, and he roared angrily.

"court death!"

His movements were as swift as lightning, and he instantly rushed out of the hall.

Gu Cheng's figure flashed, each movement bringing with it a sharp sword aura. The sword aura was invisible yet had substance, drawing a deadly arc in the air.

"Pulse Source Heavenly Sword - River Severing!"

Gu Cheng gave a low shout, and brought his right index and middle fingers together, pointing them towards Zhu Lu.

In an instant, an invisible sword aura burst forth, tearing through the air with a sharp whistling sound.

Zhu Lu's black robe billowed, yet his gaunt body unleashed astonishing power.

He crossed his palms, and a soft, yin-like internal force condensed into a shield in front of his chest, forcefully blocking the sword energy.

"boom!"

The moment their energies collided, an explosive shockwave swept across the entire front hall.

Liang Maoye and the others were so shocked that they retreated one after another, but the zither player remained seated in place, her slender fingers flying across the strings, as if the chaos around her had nothing to do with her.

"Gu Cheng, you're courting death!"

Zhu Lu's voice was sharp and piercing, and his black robe fluttered in the strong wind.

As the smoke and dust gradually dissipated, Zhu Lu's outer robe was shredded by the sword energy, revealing the dark red lining underneath.

That withered face was now twisted into an even more ferocious grimace.

"Zhu Lu?"

Li Wenzhi gasped in surprise, dropping his folding fan to the ground.

"Shouldn't he be serving the emperor in Haojing?"

Zeng Xianming's face was deathly pale, and his legs trembled uncontrollably.

"The leader of the eunuch party"

A cold smile curled at the corner of Gu Cheng's lips, his right hand still in the sword-pointing posture.

"Why isn't Chief Steward Zhu serving His Majesty properly in Haojing? What's he doing here in Longhai County? Is he tired of being in the palace and wants to get some fresh air?"

Zhu Lu's anger intensified, but he suppressed it and did not immediately lash out.

He chuckled ominously.

"General Gucheng, you have quite the airs. I came to Longhai to capture people on the orders of the sovereign, but I have been humiliated by you. I will remember this debt."

"Take them away?"

Gu Cheng chuckled and glanced at Zhu Lu's mutilated body.

"With your crippled body, you dare to spout nonsense in front of me? Twenty years ago, you were just a lowly eunuch who cleaned toilets. Now that you're wearing this official robe, you really think you're someone important?"

These words were like a sharp knife, piercing Zhu Lu's most painful wound.

His face instantly turned from red to green, then from green to white, and his withered fingers clenched so tightly they cracked.

"you--"

Zhu Lu's voice suddenly rose in pitch, becoming so sharp it almost pierced eardrums.

Before he could finish speaking, Gu Cheng continued to add fuel to the fire.

"What, did I say something wrong? Who was it that spied on the concubines bathing in the Imperial Garden back then and was ordered by the late emperor to be castrated? Over the years, you've climbed to your current position by licking the boots of the powerful and wealthy. Do you really think no one remembers your past?"

Zhu Lu was so angry that he laughed instead. His laughter was like the hooting of an owl, which sent chills down one's spine.

"Very well! Lonely City, you have successfully enraged me!"

He slowly pulled something from his robes, and with a flash of golden light, a gold-plated token appeared before everyone's eyes. The four large characters on the token, "As if the Emperor were personally present," shone brightly in the sunlight.

"The Emperor's decree is here; seeing this decree is like seeing the Emperor himself!" Zhu Lu shouted shrilly.

"Gucheng, kneel down and obey my command!"

The air seemed to freeze at this moment.

The smile on Gu Cheng's face gradually disappeared, and his eyes were filled with gloom.

He slowly lowered his sword finger, knelt on one knee, but still held his head high, his gaze fixed on Zhu Lu like a knife.

Upon seeing this, He Liang immediately knelt down as well, his forehead almost touching the ground.

Zhu Lu watched this scene with satisfaction, a twisted look of pleasure appearing on his gaunt face.

"By order of the Emperor, the body of Prince Zhao Weiyuan of Yan Kingdom shall be brought back to Haojing immediately, and Jiang Chuan, the eldest son of Yunhai Immortal Sect, shall accompany him to the trial!"

"fart!"

Chen Qing suddenly drew his short sword from his waist, the tip of which pointed directly at Zhu Lu.

"If anyone dares to lay a finger on Jiang Chuan, I'll fight them to the death!"

Zhu Lu's cold gaze swept over Chen Qing, and an ugly smile appeared on his lips.

"Little girl, how dare you be so presumptuous before the Emperor's decree?"

Gu Cheng slowly rose to his feet, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Zhu Lu, this matter is clearly the responsibility of the Imperial Preceptor. How dare you, a mere eunuch, overstep your bounds and interfere?"

"National Division?"

Zhu Lu burst into shrill laughter.

"The Imperial Advisor has been out of contact with Haojing for ten days. The Yan envoy has arrived in Haojing, demanding the immediate return of the prince to Handan. His Majesty originally ordered the Imperial Advisor to handle this matter, but the Imperial Advisor has remained completely silent, as if he has vanished into thin air!"

Gu Cheng's pupils suddenly contracted, and alarm bells rang in his mind. The Imperial Advisor had gone missing? This was no small matter.

"The Imperial Advisor has entrusted this matter to me."

"I am alone," Gu Cheng said in a deep voice.

"The flying sword message is delivered from the General's Mansion. If Steward Zhu doesn't believe it, he can go and verify the handwriting."

Zhu Lu snorted coldly.

"I don't have the time for that, but Your Majesty might be interested."

His sinister gaze turned to Jiang Chuan.

"Young Master Jiang, although I believe you are not the murderer, the necessary procedures still need to be followed."

Chen Qing wanted to say something, but Jiang Chuan gently pressed down on her wrist.

His face was calm, and his eyes were as clear as water.

"Chief Steward Zhu—"

"Wait a minute!"

A weak yet firm voice suddenly came from outside the hall.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Su Wen, covered in blood, being helped by two gatekeepers from the Liang Prince's Mansion, staggering into the hall.

He raised his right hand high, holding a jade slip that glowed with a faint blue light.

"This is a message sent by Xue Xing, the Hall Master of the Sword-Holding Hall of the Cloud Sea Immortal Sect!"

Su Wen's voice was hoarse but firm and resolute.

"Master Xue has ordered that Jiang Chuan remain in Longhai County to await further instructions. This matter will be handled personally by the Immortal Sect!"

He was covered in blood, his left arm hanging limply, his sleeve already soaked in blood, and every step he took left shocking bloody footprints on the bluestone slab.

"Junior Brother Su!"

Chen Qing was the first to react, and her voice even changed tone.

He strode forward, but stopped abruptly just before touching Su Wen—fearing that he might accidentally worsen his junior brother's injuries.

Jiang Chuan was faster than Chen Qing, grabbing the swaying Su Wen and catching him with his warm blood the moment his hand touched Su Wen's back.

"What happened? Who hurt you?"

Jiang Chuan's voice was terrifyingly deep, and the killing intent in his eyes was almost tangible.

Without saying a word, Wang Han tore off the hem of his robe and skillfully bandaged Su Wen's left arm wound.

The blood quickly soaked through the fabric. Wang Han frowned and tore off another piece of fabric to add to the stain.

"I'm fine"

Su Wen was barely breathing, but his right hand was tightly gripping a blood-stained jade slip.

"Flying sword. Send a message to my senior brother."

Liang Maoye's obese body trembled like a leaf, and cold sweat poured down his forehead.

"What...what should we do? What if anything happens to Young Master Su?"

He stole a glance at Zhu Lu, who was watching coldly with a faint, sneer on his lips.

Chen Qing knelt down with a thud and slammed his fist into the ground, causing the bluestone slab to crack.

"It's all my fault! If I hadn't been so drunk and made a mistake, how could my junior brother have ended up like this?"

His voice choked with emotion, and his eyes were red.

"What's the point of saying this now!"

Jiang Chuan shouted angrily and turned to glare at Liang Maoye.

"Fatty Liang! Call the doctor right now!"

Liang Maoye suddenly realized what was happening and shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Someone! Quickly, fetch Doctor Hua! And be quick!"

Zhu Lu suddenly stepped forward, his sinister gaze locking onto the jade slip in Su Wen's hand.

"A message delivered by flying sword? I'd like to see what important matter it is."

He reached out to snatch it.

"Go away!"

Jiang Chuan roared, and before his sword was even drawn, its energy surged and forced Zhu Lu to retreat three steps.

"Zhu Lu, if you dare to take another step forward, don't blame Jiang for being merciless with his sword!"

Zhu Lu's face turned ashen, and he was about to explode when a lazy voice suddenly came from the direction of the gate.

"Wow, it's so lively here?"

The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw a man in white standing against the door, with a long, jet-black sword hanging at his waist.

The man's face was so handsome it was almost otherworldly, and a beauty mark at the corner of his eye added a touch of wickedness.

What's even more eye-catching are the two stunningly beautiful girls following behind him, one dressed in pink and the other in green, both possessing unparalleled beauty, though their eyes are vacant and their steps are unsteady.

"Ye Qiu!"

Lu Jianxiong was furious and drew his sword to step forward, but Wu Shuang grabbed him.

"Senior brother, wait a moment."

Wu Shuang said in a low voice.

"This person's intentions are not good."

Ye Qiu ignored Lu Jianxiong's angry glare and instead grinned at him.

"Brother Lu, how have you been? I've missed you dearly since we last met. For your junior sister's sake, I'll give you face today and not make a move, how about that?"

Gu Cheng's eyes lit up at Ye Qiu's appearance, but his expression changed drastically when his gaze fell on the two girls.

He keenly noticed the red marks on the two girls' necks and their unnatural gait, and immediately understood what had happened, his eyes filled with malice.

"Ye Qiu, right?"

Zhu Lu squinted.

"Who are you? And why are you trespassing on the Liang Prince's residence?"

Ye Qiu casually picked at his ear.

"Have you heard of the Three Swords of the North? I am not very talented, but I have become sworn brothers with Zhao Xin and Chu Yang, and I am known as Ye Qiu the Black Sword."

"Zhao Xin? The chief disciple of the Cloud Sea Immortal Sect?"

"Chu Yang? The swordsmanship genius that the Jixia Academy has seen only once in a century?"

Exclamations came and went.

These two names carried such weight that everyone present knew them.

Zhu Lu's expression shifted between light and dark, clearly weighing the pros and cons.

"So it's Young Master Ye."

Zhu Lu forced a smile.

"I don't know."

"Without further ado."

Ye Qiu waved his hand impatiently, but his gaze fell on Gu Cheng.

"This gentleman seems to have a problem with me?"

The lonely city sneered.

"Young Master Ye, you have quite the skills; you even managed to get your hands on the Twin Beauties of Hibiscus. However…"

A cold light flashed in his eyes.

"Picking flowers is fine, but uprooting them is going too far."

Ye Qiu laughed heartily.

"Who do we have here? It's none other than the Flower-Cherishing Young Master Gu Cheng. What, you know these two beauties? It's a pity, they only recognize me as their master now."

He then reached out and slapped the girl in pink hard on the buttocks. The girl trembled, but dared not dodge. (End of Chapter)