C75 Killing the Enemy

On a dark and stormy night, perfect for mischief and mayhem, a three-story bell tower stood at the end of Main Street, dedicated to the divine. This ancient structure was a marvel of architecture. After Beiming Yuan decided to destroy the Wind Slash Sword, he instructed Dugu Jin to move it from the Grand Hall to the bell tower for purification by the gods.

The bell tower was enveloped in silence. Suddenly, two shadowy figures appeared like phantoms in the corridor outside. Bai Yushuang and Dao Wu swiftly incapacitated over twenty guards and slipped into the third floor. Surprisingly, there were no guards on this floor—only five statues and an incense burner releasing a gentle stream of smoke.

Behind the incense burner, a table held a sword stand, upon which rested the Wind Slash Sword. Ranked among the top ten weapons, it was unique. Its blade was forged from a meteorite, and the hilt housed a purple crystal, rumored to be a leftover from when the heavens were mended, possessing mysterious powers. To Bai Yushuang, this was mere legend; she saw nothing extraordinary during her battle with Dugu Yan.

What truly set the Wind Slash Sword apart was its single edge, symbolizing a glimmer of hope.

At that moment, Bai Yushuang moved forward to grab the sword, but Dao Wu stopped her. She understood that Dao Wu was worried about an ambush and wanted to retrieve the sword for her. However, since she was already there, she wasn't afraid of any traps.

Bai Yushuang pushed Dao Wu aside, took hold of the Wind Slash Sword, and then instructed Dao Wu to place a replica in its place. Everything went smoothly, and they left the tower without encountering any obstacles.

"Let's split up," Bai Yushuang said, seasoned in the art of war and well aware of the tricks of the trade. If something seems off, it usually is. Tonight was too quiet.

"Dao Wu will only follow the General," Dao Wu insisted, staying close behind her.

Just as Bai Yushuang was about to speak again, dozens of figures dressed in black suddenly emerged from both sides, surrounding them.

"Bai Yushuang, this time next year will be the anniversary of your death!" the leader of the black-clad group shouted coldly. "Brothers, avenge the Grand Marshal!"

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Bai Yushuang couldn't help but laugh. "How did you even recognize me under all this disguise? And honestly, don't you know how your Grand Marshal really died? You should know who to blame!"

Dao Wu wanted to remind his General that she should probably tone down the language a bit.

The leader of the black-clad group was just trying to make a statement and wasn't really interested in arguing.

As the men in black rushed toward her, Bai Yushuang's eyes darkened. Sometimes, taking down a mere chicken just doesn't compare to the thrill of facing a real opponent. She slung the Wind Slash Sword across her back and slowly drew a plain, broad-bladed machete from her waist. Though it was just an ordinary blade, in Bai Yushuang's hands, it seemed to come alive, the blade shimmering with a radiant glow.

At that moment, the lead attacker snapped a whip toward her face. In the blink of an eye, Bai Yushuang caught the whip's end with one hand. Her right foot slammed down hard on the ground, unleashing the deadly intent stored in the blade. With a fierce swing, she sliced the man in black clean in half, a spray of blood misting the air. The others behind him, caught by the blade's edge, fell back, clutching their eyes and howling in pain.

Bai Yushuang, seasoned by countless battles, saw killing as a form of practice—a ritual of passage for both the living and the dead. The art of combat on the battlefield is a world apart from the precision and swiftness required in an assassination. On the battlefield, brutality reigns supreme. Her recent move, cleaving the lead attacker in two, left the remaining men in black trembling in fear.

"Reward for the one who kills!" the leader in black barked, his voice steady and commanding.

Wave after wave of black-clad figures charged forward, and Bai Yushuang cut them down like a farmer harvesting crops. Though Dao Wu wasn't as fierce as Bai Yushuang, he was undeniably skilled.

However, in the heat of battle, Bai Yushuang realized something was wrong with her body.

'Thud—'

After beheading an opponent, Bai Yushuang staggered back several steps, her hand trembling uncontrollably on the hilt of her blade.

Poisoned!

"Master!" Dao Wu noticed her distress and quickly moved to support her.

"I might not make it. You need to go," Bai Yushuang ordered quietly, even as her blade clashed again with an oncoming weapon.

'Clang—'

Unexpectedly, her sword slipped from her grasp!

The black-clad adversary hesitated for a moment, then thrust his sword forward with deadly intent.

Dao Wu mustered all his strength to shield Bai Yushuang, but he was a moment too late. The sword's edge grazed his face, drawing blood.

"You need to leave now..." Bai Yushuang was completely drained, her body slumping against Dao Wu like a rag doll.

She couldn't even push him away.

Just when it seemed all hope was lost, a figure in a silver outfit descended from above, ready to join the fray.

Feng Tiange had a hunch that Bai Yushuang wouldn't follow orders, and she was right. The group of men in black didn't even acknowledge Feng Tiange's sudden appearance. Their orders were clear: eliminate the target, and there'd be a hefty reward of gold.

Seeing the men in black consumed by their mission, Feng Tiange combined the techniques from the Hun Yuan Sword Manual with her own, unleashing a relentless attack. As a battle-hardened warrior, she never hesitated to kill.

"You lead the way!" Feng Tiange feigned a move and retreated to Dao Wu's side, lifting Bai Yushuang onto her back. Dao Wu didn't waste a moment, charging ahead.

As Feng Tiange took hold of Bai Yushuang, she noticed the familiar Wind Slash Sword. "Give me back my sword..." Bai Yushuang barely had the strength to speak, but she mustered the energy to shout as Feng Tiange drew the sword.

"Just borrowing it." As she gripped the Wind Slash Sword, an intense determination flared in Feng Tiange's eyes. A powerful energy surged through her, radiating from the sword in brilliant arcs.

Being closest, Bai Yushuang could feel Feng Tiange's fierce and volatile aura. "Anyone who stands in my way will die!" Feng Tiange declared, her sword tracing a perfect arc in the air, as lethal as a lightning strike.

In the distance, on the attic, Xie Jin slowly drew his golden bow, the arrow poised to pierce the clouds. Only by eliminating Bai Yushuang could he hope to reclaim his position at the Ministry of War.

"Sorry, Bai Yushuang..."

With a swift release, the arrow shot through the air, its flight only halted by a splash of blood. Watching its trajectory, a cold, sinister smile crept across Xie Jin's lips.

But then, the arrow stopped! It hung suspended in mid-air, neither advancing nor falling, as if an invisible hand held it in place.

"Impossible!" Xie Jin gasped, his eyes darting to a nearby rooftop where a figure stood. Clad in dark attire with a ghostly mask, the figure's face glowed eerily in the moonlight.

In the blink of an eye, the mysterious figure vanished, and the arrow fell to the ground...