Wandering Swordsman |

The Azure Dragon Saint Lord was dressed in a black robe, his face was cold and stern, and his eyes were like two cold stars, flashing with a deep and cold light.

"Shen Mo..." The Azure Dragon Saint Lord's voice was low and cold, like a curse from the depths of the netherworld, "Do you still remember how you rescued Situ Meng right under my nose back then? That was a disgrace to me, the biggest blunder of my life!"

Upon hearing this name, Shen Mo immediately recalled a scene from many years ago: back then, in order to save his master Luo Wangchen, he infiltrated the Black Wind Gang, severely injured the Azure Dragon Saint Lord, and together they rescued Situ Meng and escaped from the secret prison, while the Azure Dragon Saint Lord could only watch helplessly as they disappeared into the night.

Shen Mo never imagined that his actions that night would become an indelible stain on the Azure Dragon Saint Monarch's life.

"Azure Dragon Saint Lord," Shen Mo replied calmly, his voice steady yet authoritative, "I am here on the orders of the Martial Alliance to investigate the overseas evil cultivators, not to let you seek revenge. If the Black Wind Gang is willing to cooperate, we may be able to fight against those evil forces together."

Azure Dragon Saint Lord sneered, a mocking smile playing on his lips: "Enough nonsense. Before long, even if you were a dog sent by the Martial Alliance, or even if you were the leader of the Demonic Sect, my Black Wind Gang wouldn't take you seriously!"

He took a step forward, each step heavy as if he wanted to crush the ground beneath his feet. His eyes burned with fury, as if he were ready to pounce and tear Shen Mo to pieces at any moment.

"Shen Mo, blame yourself for being too arrogant today. This day next year will be your death anniversary!" Azure Dragon Saint Lord roared, raising his right hand suddenly. A sharp palm wind howled out, heading straight for Shen Mo's face.

Shen Mo was prepared. He flashed away like a ghost, easily dodging the attack.

His movements were as light as a swallow, as if he were one with the air, and he was not affected by the powerful palm force of the Azure Dragon Saint King at all.

"Azure Dragon Saint Lord, if you insist on this, then I have no choice but to play along to the end," Shen Mo said coldly, a resolute glint in his eyes. "But I advise you to think twice before you act."

Upon hearing this, the Azure Dragon Saint King was slightly taken aback, then burst into laughter: "Shen Mo, you're about to die, so I might as well tell you that the gang leader has already reached an agreement with those overseas martial artists. Once the gang leader's goal is achieved, my Black Wind Gang will reopen its gates, head straight for Nanjing, and take over the Martial Alliance."

"I never imagined the Black Wind Gang would plot against the Martial Alliance?" Shen Mo thought to himself, his brow furrowing slightly. "This is a significant discovery."

However, he knew he wasn't the true envoy of the Martial Alliance, but rather the leader of the Heavenly Demon God Sect—the Heavenly Demon God. Even if the Black Wind Gang truly took over the entire Martial Alliance, it posed no direct threat to him.

But this discovery revealed an even greater opportunity—perhaps he could glean more information about the Black Wind Gang and the overseas evil cultivators from the Azure Dragon Saint Lord. Therefore, he decided to continue feigning low strength in order to obtain more information.

"Azure Dragon Saint Lord," Shen Mo said calmly, but a hint of cunning flashed in his eyes, "Since you insist, I will say no more. However, my purpose in coming here is not only to investigate the evil cultivators overseas, but also to establish a cooperative relationship with the Black Wind Gang."

Azure Dragon Saint Lord sneered, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes: "Cooperation? Cooperation requires equals! If you want to talk about cooperation, let the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, Situ Dengfeng, come in person. You, a mere lackey of the Martial Arts Alliance, are not worthy!"

Shen Mo smiled inwardly, but remained outwardly calm, continuing, "Azure Dragon Saint Lord, let's set aside past grievances for now. Now, evil cultivators from overseas have infiltrated the Central Plains. Their target isn't just the Martial Alliance; they may even threaten the peace of the entire martial world. Wouldn't it be better if the Black Wind Gang could join forces to fight against these evil forces?"

"Enough with the nonsense!" Immediately afterward, the Azure Dragon Saint King unleashed a "Cloud-Splitting Palm," the palm wind crashing like raging waves against the shore.

At this moment, Shen Mo swayed slightly, like a willow catkin in the wind, and managed to dodge the attack at the last second, without damaging the hem of his clothes.

He raised the corners of his mouth slightly, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes, but deliberately made a staggering gesture, as if he had almost been hit by the palm strike.

"Hmph, you're quite slippery!" The Azure Dragon Saint Lord was furious, his eyes bloodshot and veins bulging on his forehead. He thought that with his martial arts skills, dealing with Shen Mo would be a piece of cake, but after several exchanges, he hadn't even touched the hem of Shen Mo's clothes.

What angered him even more was that Shen Mo's moves, though seemingly ordinary, always managed to neutralize his killing moves perfectly, as if he had already seen through his every thought.

At this moment, the Azure Dragon Saint Lord suddenly stopped his attack, let out a cold laugh, and his voice, like the clash of iron and stone, carried undisguised contempt, "Telling you won't hurt—the gang leader has already allied with overseas martial artists! The Martial Alliance? It's nothing but a plaything in our hands; it will be uprooted sooner or later!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Mo remained expressionless, only slightly narrowing his eyes as if deep in thought.

However, the Azure Dragon Saint Lord's attacks became increasingly frantic, his moves no longer adhering to any rules, relying entirely on brute force. Clearly, the prolonged battle was making him impatient and agitated.

"Situ Changkong!" the Azure Dragon Saint Lord roared suddenly, his voice like thunder, shaking the mountain gate. "Show yourself now! Help me capture this man!"

Before the words were finished, steady footsteps echoed from within the mountain gate. A man emerged slowly, clad in a black, close-fitting outfit, a long sword at his waist, his face cold and stern, his eyes like knives—it was Situ Changkong!

Shen Mo's pupils suddenly contracted, a storm raging in his heart: "Situ Changkong! What is he doing here?"

However, what made Shen Mo's heart sink even more was that a woman was accompanying Situ Changkong. The woman was dressed in plain white, with exquisite features and a smile that, while gentle, carried a chilling, sinister air. Shen Mo recognized her at a glance—it was the woman the Huangfu family had bribed to frame him outside the Murong residence that day!

"So it was you." Shen Mo spoke coldly, his voice like an ice blade drawn from its sheath, piercing straight to the woman's heart. At this moment, Shen Mo couldn't help but suspect that the Huangfu family was also involved! Because it was the Huangfu family who had hired this woman to frame him in the first place.

The woman showed no fear, but instead chuckled and covered her mouth, saying, "Young Master Shen, how have you been? I didn't expect that after so long, you would still remember me."

When Situ Changkong saw that this woman—the Red Lotus Demon—was speaking to Shen Mo in such a frivolous manner, an inexplicable fire rose in his heart, and a trace of jealousy and anger flashed in his eyes.

"Red Lotus!" His voice was low and laced with suppressed anger. "Stop wasting time talking to him! Let's help Azure Dragon Saint Lord take him down as soon as possible!"

Upon hearing this, the Crimson Lotus Demon merely snorted and stepped aside, a troubling smile still lingering on her lips.