Wandering Swordsman |

Upon seeing the familiar figure blocking their path, Luo Wangchen felt his heart nearly stop for a second, and Qu Yifan was also startled. Both of them slowed their pace in unison. However, Shen Mo, Situ Changkong, and Situ Meng remained outwardly calm. They didn't recognize the person before them, but the tense atmosphere in the air instantly put them on alert.

"This road is blocked." The man's voice was deep and calm, as if it came from a distant place, carrying an indescribable authority. His tone was unwavering, yet it compelled people to obey him involuntarily.

Shen Mo gripped his longsword tightly, his gaze sharp as an eagle's as he scrutinized his opponent. "Who!" His voice held a hint of wariness. The surrounding air seemed to freeze; even the sound of leaves falling to the ground could be clearly heard.

The man did not answer Shen Mo's question. Instead, he slowly raised his head, the moonlight illuminating a cold and stern face with eyes as deep as a bottomless abyss.

Upon recognizing the man as the Black Wind Gang leader, Situ Changkong and Situ Meng, though unfamiliar with him, sensed the change in Luo Wangchen and Qu Yifan's demeanor. Therefore, they watched the Black Wind Gang leader with even greater vigilance, quickly assessing the situation.

However, the Black Wind Gang leader did not immediately launch an attack. Instead, he stood there quietly, as if waiting for something. His presence was like an insurmountable mountain, blocking everyone's path. The surrounding silence was broken, with only the sound of the wind and the faint whistling of distant firelight intertwining to create a suffocating atmosphere.

Shen Mo's gaze swept across his master Luo Wangchen's face, and from his solemn expression, he sensed that this man was no ordinary person. However, Shen Mo understood that the current situation could not continue in this stalemate; he had to break through quickly. With each passing second, the danger increased. Thinking this, Shen Mo steeled his resolve, no longer hesitating, and directly drew his sword to strike.

"Whoosh!" The sound of a longsword piercing the air broke the silence of the night. Shen Mo's figure rushed towards the Black Wind Gang leader like lightning, the tip of his sword pointing directly at the man's throat. This strike was swift and fierce, carrying a sense of determination and fearlessness, as if he wanted to cut through the obstacle in front of him with a single stroke.

A flicker of surprise crossed the Black Wind Gang leader's eyes, but he reacted with lightning speed, drawing his weapon almost simultaneously to meet Shen Mo's attack. "Clang—" The sound of metal clashing was deafening, sparks flying as the two figures passed each other. Shen Mo felt a powerful force emanating from his sword, his arm slightly numb, but he did not back down; instead, his resolve hardened.

However, when the Black Wind Gang Leader saw the sword in Shen Mo's hand, his expression suddenly became complicated, and he blurted out involuntarily, "The Tai'a Sword!"

These three simple words struck like a thunderclap, startling everyone present. A barely concealed look of shock flashed in the Black Wind Gang Leader's eyes, before he unleashed his full power, sending Shen Mo staggering back several steps. Shen Mo staggered, but quickly regained his footing, his gaze fixed intently on his opponent, a sense of unease rising within him.

"You've entered my study?" The Black Wind Gang Leader's voice was low and suppressed, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth. His expression was uncertain, as if he had been caught in a sudden storm, his eyes flashing with undisguised shock and anger.

Seeing that the Black Wind Gang Leader's emotions were somewhat agitated, Shen Mo gripped the Tai'a Sword in his hand, quickly assessing the situation. He knew that he had to remain calm at this moment, but at the same time, he also needed to seize the opportunity presented by the other party's emotional fluctuations to try to provoke him and make him reveal a weakness. "Is that even a question?" Shen Mo retorted, his tone carrying a hint of provocation, deliberately emphasizing the contempt in his words.

The Black Wind Gang Leader's face instantly darkened, like the sky before a storm, filled with dark clouds and flashing lightning. Although the Tai'a Sword was a renowned sword he had long treasured, this wasn't the reason for his emotional change. The most crucial factor was that this sword, which he had carefully kept in a secret room in his study, was now in Shen Mo's hands. This undoubtedly meant that the other party had infiltrated his secret chamber, touching his most sensitive nerve.

"You brat... how dare you barge into my study!" the Black Wind Gang leader said through gritted teeth, his voice filled with anger and resentment. His hand unconsciously tightened around his weapon, as if he wanted to pour all his emotions into it.

On the mountain path under the cover of night, the wind howled, and the distant firelight illuminated a chaotic scene. The shadows of the trees swayed erratically on the ground, as if countless eyes were watching the duel from the shadows. A tense atmosphere permeated the air, and the sound of every falling leaf could be clearly heard.

"Today, none of you will leave here alive." With that, the Black Wind Gang Leader raised his weapon again, preparing to launch an even fiercer attack.

Seeing this, Qu Yifan and Luo Wangchen quickly stepped forward and formed a defensive formation beside Shen Mo. The three stood back to back, gripping their weapons tightly, their eyes filled with determination. Everything around them seemed to blur, except for the enemy and their comrade before them, who were clearly visible.

"Brother Qu, be careful. The Black Wind Gang Leader is highly skilled in martial arts. Be on your guard," Luo Wangchen said in a low voice, his tone carrying an undeniable seriousness. Qu Yifan nodded, his eyes fixed intently on the Black Wind Gang Leader's every move, ready to meet any impending attack.

However, despite their best efforts, the Black Wind Gang Leader's powerful offensive gradually overwhelmed them. Every sword swing and every parry required drawing upon the last drop of their inner energy. Sweat streamed down their faces, soaking their clothes.

Suddenly, the Black Wind Gang Leader seized an unintentional opening and struck Qu Yifan in the chest with a palm strike. Qu Yifan groaned and flew backward, crashing into a tree trunk. His body slammed heavily against the tree with a dull thud, as if his last glimmer of hope had been mercilessly crushed by the tree.

At the same time, Luo Wangchen was forced to retreat repeatedly, almost losing his balance. His steps were unsteady, each step extremely difficult, as if the ground beneath his feet was no longer solid ground, but an endless abyss.

To support Luo Wangchen, Shen Mo also exerted all his strength to defend against the Black Wind Gang Leader's attacks, but the difference in strength was too great, and every move he made was exhausting. Sweat streamed down his forehead, blurring his vision, but he still gritted his teeth and persevered, wielding the Tai'a sword like a dragon, trying to find an opportunity to counterattack. However, the Black Wind Gang Leader's power surged like a tidal wave, pushing him to the brink of defeat. Shen Mo was forced to retreat repeatedly, filled with a sense of powerlessness.