Ten Thousand Sword Masters

Phoenix Street, Song Mansion.

Zhang and Liu arrived outside the Song residence and looked at the vermilion gate, which was carved with snow-white dragons and phoenixes.

The second person to lose their soul was Song Xianliang, the only son of Song Fangnian, the master of the Song family.

The Song family is a well-known, century-old powerful clan in Cangxi Town, with businesses spread far and wide. Song Fangnian's second brother, Song Fanglin, is the leader of the White Tiger Gang, and his third brother, Song Lin, is the commander of the Northern Army of the Dayu Dynasty.

Because of Song Lin, a gold plaque about the size of a book hangs on the lower right side of the gate of the Song residence, which reads "The Great Yu the Great, the Guardian of the Nation".

The Song family was extremely prominent in Cangxi Town, and Song Xianliang, at the age of nineteen, was a renowned scholar with a refined temperament. Because he liked to wear white, he was called the White-Clad Gentleman and had countless female fans.

Right now, three women are knocking on the gate of the Song residence, repeatedly shouting that they are willing to have children for Brother Song.

"Do you think these women were willing to bear children for Song Xianliang while he was losing his mind because of his talent and looks, or because of the Song family's prestige?" Liu Fei joked.

"You have both, because your talent and looks can be yours, and your family background can only be yours," Zhang Jianyun joked.

"Haha, being born into the right family really does matter."

"Individual effort is also necessary."

The two walked towards the gate, chatting and laughing. Liu Fei reached out and knocked on the door, saying, "Armored soldiers from Cangxi Pavilion have come to pay a visit."

Because of these women, Liu Fei knew that the Song family would not open the door if he knocked, so he had no choice but to reveal his identity.

The three women were making so much noise that Liu Fei knocked on the door a few times without getting a response. He then yelled at them, "Quiet down!"

Liu Fei's shout silenced the three women instantly, and Liu Fei seized the opportunity to knock on the door.

As soon as they finished knocking on the door, the three women started shouting loudly again.

"Brother Song, no matter what you become, I will always love you~"

"Brother Song, I want to take care of you for the rest of your life."

"Brother Song, I'll give you many chubby sons~"

Just as the women were making a ruckus, the gate of the Song residence opened, and several servants stood guard behind it.

"Please come in, gentlemen," said a middle-aged servant.

As soon as the door opened, the three women tried to rush in, but were held back tightly by the Song family servants and then pushed out the door.

Following the servants of the Song family into the living room, Song Fangnian stood in the center of the living room, warmly welcoming Zhang and Liu. His face showed no sadness, which was completely different from Zhou Qin, whom he had met earlier.

"Welcome, gentlemen. Please have a seat. Song San, go and have the maid brew two cups of Cuiya tea." Song Fangnian invited Zhang and Liu to sit down.

"Master Song, we've come about your son's matter. Where is he? We'd like to check on his condition," Zhang Jianyun said bluntly.

"Alright, then I'll take you two to Xianliang's room." Song Fangnian said, getting up and leading Zhang and Liu out of the living room and into the inner courtyard.

Upon entering the inner courtyard and passing through a corridor, Zhang and Liu heard a clear and melodious flute melody.

"Xianliang usually likes to play the flute. After he lost his soul, he always carried his bamboo flute and would play it from time to time." Song Fangnian explained as the flute music came.

"Master Song doesn't seem to be worried about your son's situation," Liu Fei asked softly.

"It's not that I'm not worried, but I have great faith in the strength of your Nine Star Guards. I believe that Pavilion Master Yang will definitely send someone to resolve this matter. My son is not a person lacking in fortune either, and he will surely find his lost soul with the help of you, sirs," Song Fangnian said cheerfully.

"I am truly impressed by Mr. Song's mindset," Liu Fei exclaimed.

"Alas, it's just that the child's mother has suffered; she's been crying her eyes out these past few days," Song Fangnian sighed.

Upon hearing this, Zhang and Liu fell silent and stopped speaking.

The sound of the flute grew clearer and clearer as the group arrived outside Song Xianliang's house.

"We're here," Song Fangnian said, pushing open the door.

Upon entering the house, Zhang Jianyun saw Song Xianliang dressed in white playing the flute and couldn't help but exclaim in his heart, "What a handsome man!"

Song Xianliang was seven feet tall, with an extremely round face. His pale complexion added to his effeminate beauty. His eyes had flowing lines, and the darkness of his soul made them appear incredibly deep, as if they were in the depths of an endless starry sky.

"No wonder those girls wanted to have his children." Liu Fei was also surprised by Song Xianliang's appearance.

"Those girls are really ill-mannered and unruly, shouting and yelling outside my mansion," Song Fangnian said disdainfully.

"Master Song, where did your young master lose his soul?" Zhang Jianyun asked.

"Just outside the manor, Xianliang was about to go to Baixue Lake for a visit when he fainted as soon as he stepped out the door," Song Fangnian said.

Upon hearing about Baixue Lake, Zhang and Liu exchanged a glance, as if they had some ideas.

"Does the young master often go to Baixue Lake for recreation?" Zhang Jianyun asked.

"Yes, he often holds poetry gatherings at the Shanyu Pavilion in Baixue Lake," Song Fangnian nodded. "Xianliang loves to write poetry, and he often organizes his friends to recite and compose poems at the Shanyu Pavilion."

"Was there a chilling wind when he had the accident?" Zhang Jianyun continued to ask.

"I don't know about that. I wasn't at the manor at the time. Should I call the gatekeeper and ask him?" Song Fangnian said.

"Alright, please trouble Master Song to call the gatekeeper so we can ask him about the situation."

"Okay, I'll go right now." Song Fangnian said, turning around and walking out of the house.

After Song Fangnian left, Zhang Jianyun carefully examined Song Xianliang and found that Song Xianliang was not as completely lifeless as Wei Xinxin.

"Song Xianliang has a good willpower and a strong desire to survive. His soul hasn't been completely controlled by the Soul Eater like Wei Xinxin's; it's still struggling, which is why Song Xianliang still seems a bit angry," Liu Fei said as he walked to Song Xianliang's side.

"If one's willpower is strong enough, is it possible to break free from the Soul Eater's control?" Zhang Jianyun asked curiously.

"Of course, if your willpower is exceptionally strong, the Soul Eater won't even be able to take your soul. If you're strong enough, you'll have a chance to break free," Liu Fei said.

"Is there any possibility that Song Xianliang can break free from his restraints?" Zhang Jianyun asked with some anticipation.

"It's unlikely. His eyes are completely devoid of light, clearly indicating that his soul is merely being pricked by needles in the abyss, with no hope of escaping and returning," Liu Fei said, shaking his head.

"It seems the only solution is to find the Soul Eater to help them find release," Zhang Jianyun said.

"Yes, hopefully their souls haven't been completely refined by the Soul Eater before we find it, otherwise they'll just have to wait to die," Liu Fei said.

As they were talking, Song Fangnian led two servants into the room.

"My lords, these two are the guards of my Song residence. Please feel free to ask me anything," Song Fangnian said, pointing to the two young guards.

"Was there a draft when Song Xianliang fainted?" Zhang Jianyun asked.

"Yes, of course, as soon as the young master went out, a cold wind blew in. At that time, the courtyard and the area outside the gate were all dark. The cold wind enveloped the young master, and soon it dissipated. As soon as it dissipated, we saw the young master lying on the ground."

"Yes, that cold, gray wind was rather eerie."

"I felt that the cold wind seemed to have its own consciousness. The trajectory of the wind it blew was not like that of ordinary wind. I saw the cold wind sometimes moving forward, sometimes turning backward, and sometimes spiraling upward, as if it was searching for something."

The two servants answered Zhang Jianyun's questions, one after the other.

"Is a chilling wind enveloping you?" Zhang Jianyun continued to ask the two servants.