Wandering Swordsman |

"ah--"

Another scream rang out. The other guard had just raised his sword to meet the attack when a black shadow flashed before his eyes. He felt a chill on his neck, and his head rolled to the ground, blood gushing out like a fountain, staining the grass and pebbles red.

The members of the Huangfu family swarmed in, their swords raining down and blades flashing like lightning, but the Crimson Lotus Demon seemed to have become the master of the battlefield. She moved freely amidst the flashing blades, each strike taking a life, each dodge fraught with peril. Her figure at this moment was like a demon emerging from hell, carrying the aura of death.

Finally, after her final strike, she leaped into the air, unleashing both palms at once, slamming them towards the two experts. The two hastily tried to defend themselves, but were sent flying backward, coughing up blood from the force of her powerful palm strikes. She herself, exhausted of her inner energy and flaring up with poison, staggered and nearly collapsed to the ground.

But she couldn't stop.

She knew that as long as she had a breath left, she had to escape!

So, with her last ounce of strength, she turned and plunged into the depths of the dense forest. Behind her were the roars of the Huangfu family and the sound of their pursuing footsteps; ahead lay the darkness of night and an unknown fate.

She turned and glanced at Huangfu Haotian, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of her mouth, yet she still gritted her teeth and roared, "Huangfu family! I, Honglian, will repay this grudge tenfold!"

That roar startled birds into flight, pierced through the mountains and forests, and lingered for a long time.

Gazing in the direction where the Crimson Lotus Demon had disappeared, the smile on Huangfu Haotian's face vanished, replaced by a deep sense of solemnity. He slowly withdrew his gaze, but a tidal wave of emotions surged within him.

He knew that although the Crimson Lotus Demon was already severely injured, given her cunning and tenacity, it would be difficult to completely eliminate her. However, as long as she lived, she would always be a sword hanging over the Huangfu family's head. Thinking of this, his gaze deepened, as if he were calculating how to deal with this crisis next.

......

The scene returns to the Murong family residence, where guests have begun to depart. The courtyard is dimly lit, the night as deep as ink, yet dotted with countless stars, resembling a tranquil painting. Shen Mo and Murong Qing walk side-by-side along the corridor, their long shadows cast by the moonlight, seemingly whispering unspoken thoughts. Despite the harmonious and serene atmosphere around them, their hearts are not entirely at ease.

Shen Mo now had a new identity—Murong Qing's fiancé, and also a member of the Murong family. This recognition brought him both joy and a profound sense of responsibility. Murong Qing, on the other hand, was filled with both anticipation and unease about the future, as the heavy burden of the family was about to fall on her shoulders.

They walked along the winding corridor and finally arrived at Murong Liang's study.

Inside the study, candlelight flickered, and a faint scent of sandalwood filled the air. Murong Liang sat upright at his desk, his gaze gentle yet profound, as if he had a thousand words to express.

"Shen Mo," Murong Liang spoke slowly, his voice deep and magnetic, "it's not uncommon for men to have three wives and four concubines in the martial world. But Qing'er's identity is special; she will be the head of the Murong family from now on, bearing the rise and fall of the entire family on her shoulders. Therefore, I would like to discuss some arrangements for the future with you."

Upon hearing this, Murong Qing frowned slightly, a sense of unease rising in her heart. She knew her grandfather hadn't finished speaking, but these words already made her feel an invisible pressure.

"What I mean is," Murong Liang continued, his tone becoming more tactful, "that for the long-term development of the Murong family, Qing'er might take another male concubine. This isn't because she doesn't value you, but rather for the sake of the family's interests. After all, the strength of a family doesn't solely depend on the power of one person."

Upon hearing this, Shen Mo frowned slightly, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He turned his gaze to Murong Qing, only to see that she also looked shocked, clearly not expecting her grandfather to make such a suggestion at this time. Her eyes held both confusion and worry, as if she feared that Shen Mo might misunderstand.

Murong Liang noticed the change in Shen Mo's expression, sighed softly, and added, "Of course, this doesn't mean it has to be done this way. If you, Shen Mo, wish to take a concubine in the future, that's fine too. However, the children of concubines cannot be registered in the Murong family register; this must be clear. Moreover, no matter when or where, Murong Qing will always be the principal wife; this is beyond question."

Shen Mo listened quietly, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He understood Murong Liang's good intentions, but he also felt the weight behind his words. He knew that the future of the Murong family was not just a matter for two people, but concerned the fate of the entire family.

"Grandpa," Murong Qing finally couldn't help but interrupt him, her voice choked with emotion, "I know you mean well, but..."

Her voice trailed off, and her eyes reddened slightly. Seeing this, Shen Mo gently took her hand, offering her silent support. He knew that what Murong Qing needed at this moment was understanding and comfort, not more pressure.

"Qing'er," Shen Mo said gently, "the feelings between us will not change because of any external factors. No matter what the future holds, as long as we are of one mind, we can face everything together."

Looking at the young couple, Murong Liang was filled with mixed emotions. He knew that his words might have been too blunt, but in the complex and often chaotic world of martial arts, these practical issues had to be considered beforehand. However, seeing the trust and support between them, he felt genuinely gratified.

......

Time flies like water, and in the blink of an eye, Shen Mo has already spent more than a month in the Murong family.

As November quietly approached, the opening date of the Nanjing Martial Arts Alliance's "Elite Academy" drew ever closer. During this time, besides cultivating and handling some necessary affairs, Shen Mo kept the envelope that Juechenzi had given him in his mind—it contained a list of undercover agents from the Central Plains martial arts world who were connected to Yanmojun.

On a quiet night, all was silent except for the rustling of the bamboo grove outside the window as it swayed in the wind, whispering secrets like a secret.

Shen Mo sat upright at his desk, a solitary lamp burning quietly on the corner of the table, its weak yet stubborn flame casting a long shadow of his body on the wall. The once empty desk now held a letter—no, to be precise, a list.

Under the candlelight, the handwriting on the list was clearly visible, neat and austere. Each line was marked with a name, sect, position, and age, arranged in a dense pattern, like an invisible net that seemed to tightly entangle the entire martial arts world of the Central Plains.

Shen Mo's gaze slowly swept over the first line:

"Long Shengchong - Elder of the Changhe Sword Sect, 64 years old, one of the inheritors of the 'Thirteen Swords of Qingming'."

His pupils constricted sharply, and his fingers trembled slightly. Long Shengchong? That grandmaster known as "Sword Heart Clarity" was also among them!

Looking further down, what he saw gave him an even greater shock:

"Liu Yunzhou - Young Master of Feihong Manor, 25 years old, skilled in the lightness skill 'Treading Snow Without a Trace'."

How could a young man of only twenty-five years old be part of the Flame Demon Lord's scheme?