Wandering Swordsman |

Hua Tianyou and Shen Mo were both taken aback upon hearing this.

"Seven Stars?" Hua Tianyou's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained calm, with only a barely perceptible pause.

—They suddenly realized: the martial arts fanatic in front of them was not an ordinary master, but one of the famous "Seven Stars" in the far west!

In an instant, both of them realized the seriousness of the situation.

Previously, slaughtering eight hundred cavalrymen outside Ruolan City had already taken a huge risk of exposure; now, in the border wasteland, he had overwhelmingly defeated a Seven Star... This could no longer be explained by his current disguise as a "wandering knight".

Their strength has now been completely exposed on this land.

Hua Tianyou's gaze darkened slightly, and he subconsciously turned his head to look at Shen Mo at a very subtle angle—his eyes held a silent request: This person has a special identity, and we have now exposed our strength, should we... silence him?

He had already concentrated his inner strength in his right hand, ready to unleash a killing move. At this moment, Shen Mo only needed to give him a glance to take his life in an instant.

However, Shen Mo simply shook his head slightly.

His gaze was as calm as an ancient well, yet he quietly sent a wisp of condensed true essence into Hua Tianyou's sea of ​​consciousness: "No need. He is a Seven Star, yet he cultivates alone in the wilderness, without any attendants or seeking empty fame. This character is not that of a villain. Let's reveal our identities truthfully first, observe his reaction, and then make a decision."

Upon hearing this, Hua Tianyou's sharp gaze softened, and he nodded slightly.

The two exchanged a glance, and a tacit understanding was formed.

Immediately, Hua Tianyou dropped all pretense of humility, his expression turning solemn. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Excellency Albert, to be honest, we are not wandering knights, but come from the far east. There are vast mountains and rivers, ancient sects, and... the pinnacle of martial arts you have never seen before."

"The East?" Albert's eyes widened suddenly, like a shooting star appearing in the night sky, his pupils reflecting an unbelievable light.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice trembled slightly: "Beyond that desolate place in the east... is there really another world?"

In that instant, long-buried rumors surged into his mind like a tide—he had once heard an old knight whisper in his drunken state: In the past, there was a mysterious retainer by the side of the Invincible Duke, named Hua Shenyong, who claimed to come from the land of the Far East.

Everyone in the Invincible Duke's territory said the two fought to a draw, but rumors circulated privately that Hua Shenyong actually had a slight advantage... However, afterwards, this person vanished like smoke, leaving no trace. The Invincible Duke only told the outside world that he had "mysteriously disappeared," and no one dared to ask the reason.

Albert never investigated further, dismissing it as mere gossip.

But at this moment, the martial artist who claimed to be from the East crushed him, a Seven Star, into dust with every move he made—before ten moves were over and before the sword was fully drawn, he had already broken his mind and spirit.

Could it be that... those rumors I heard back then were true?

The martial arts of the East, beyond the brink of despair, can actually surpass the Seven Stars?

If I can learn this skill, why should I worry about breaking through the bottleneck that has bound me for three years, and truly embarking on the path of challenging the Invincible Lord and becoming the leader of the Seven Stars?

His mind raced, his blood boiled. Albert abruptly knelt, and amidst the swirling dust, he raised his longsword high, slamming his forehead down with a resolute, unwavering voice:

"I, Albert, wish to become Mr. Hua's disciple! I beg you to teach me Eastern martial arts, asking for nothing more than to glimpse the true 'ultimate of martial arts'!"

This kneeling was done without hesitation, as if a certain decision had been made.

Hua Tianyou and Shen Mo were momentarily stunned.

They had imagined Albert's shock, awe, and even fear, but they never expected that this top-tier fighter from the far west would actually become his disciple on the spot!

Hua Tianyou raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, which then turned into a wry smile.

He subconsciously looked at Shen Mo, his eyes filled with helplessness, wondering "how should we deal with this?"

Shen Mo was slightly taken aback, but in an instant, a deep calculation appeared in his eyes.

He remained calm and continued to transmit his voice to Hua Tianyou: "Agree to his request. The name of the Seven Stars is renowned throughout the Western Regions. With him accompanying us, we can openly and legitimately enter the heart of the Tsarist Empire, and no one will dare to stop us. Moreover... he is pure of heart and has little cunning, making him perfectly suited for our use without the risk of leaking secrets."

Upon hearing this, Hua Tianyou's sharp eyes gradually softened, and a knowing smile appeared on his lips.

He slowly stepped forward, bent down to help Albert up, and said in a solemn yet gentle tone: "Your Excellency is a Seven Star Venerable, and I am unworthy of such a great honor. But since you are sincerely seeking the Dao, I will temporarily assume the role of your master—however, Eastern martial arts emphasize the foundation of one's character. If you harbor any impure thoughts in the future, I will personally cripple your cultivation."

"Disciple understands!" Albert's eyes blazed with fervor, as if he had finally found a beacon in the darkness. "From this day forward, Mr. Hua will be my martial arts master!"

As dusk settled, a wind rose over the desolate plains.

Albert was unaware that the "master" he devoutly worshipped was none other than the legendary "missing" son of Hua Shenyong; nor did he know that the "Eastern martial arts" he sought today would ultimately lead him into a storm capable of overturning the entire Western Frontier.

However, at this moment, Hua Tianyou and Shen Mo were still on the western wilderness, completely unaware that the ever-present shadow had quietly stepped onto the battlefield where they had once slaughtered eight hundred cavalrymen.

......

Ruolan City was shrouded in darkness.

The newly appointed lord, Loren, was reviewing tax registers in the council chamber. The flickering candlelight reflected the lingering weariness and sharpness between his brows.

Since being rescued by the two "wandering knights" that day, and who helped him eliminate Edgar and his eight hundred elite troops, he has been on the verge of taking the throne, though he has ascended to the throne smoothly.

The old guard in the city was not yet settled, the people's hearts were only beginning to be won over, and the attitude of the distant English royal family towards his becoming lord was ambiguous... He dared not relax for a moment.

Suddenly, the guard outside the door said in a slightly trembling voice, "Sir...a guest requests an audience."

"Who is it?" Loren asked coldly without looking up.

The guard replied, "She... claims to be 'Faceless' and carries a papal decree."

"Clang!" The copper pen in Loren's hand fell to the ground, the ink splattering onto the parchment scroll like a drop of black blood.

He slowly raised his head, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes—An Inquisitor? Someone from the Vatican? Why would they come to Ruolan City?

Thoughts raced through my mind, countless speculations coiling around my heart like venomous snakes:

Could it be... because I usurped Edgar's position? Although I am the elder brother, I was not the heir designated by our late father... Does the Holy See consider me a usurper?

His palms were slightly sweaty, and his knuckles were white from the effort. But in the next instant, he forced himself to calm down.

No. Immediately after I ascended the throne, I sent envoys to the English capital to present a letter of allegiance.

A reply arrived three days ago—while the Royal Family did not explicitly commend me, they tacitly approved my succession and promised to send a tax official to verify the household registers in the fall. This matter is an internal affair of England, and the Papacy has no right to interfere, much less any reason to send an inquisitor!

Thinking of this, Loren felt a little relieved. He straightened his robes and said in a deep voice, "Please let her in."