On the streets of Lin'an City, Cao Gong and his group rode on horseback.
"Mr. Cao, this is a rare opportunity, are we really retreating now?" Chen Li said, riding on his horse. To his left was Chen Zongzhi, while County Magistrate Cao Gong was ahead. Both sides were well-acquainted due to frequent interactions.
The Demon Suppression Army followed behind, though Cao Gong was merely acting as their commander. They were not officially under his jurisdiction.
"That snake demon's true form is a Jiao Python. Even the Wuxiang Monk from Jingang Temple retreated after probing its power. There's no way we can handle it either. However, the evidence of Jiaolong Mountain Villa conspiring with demons and ghosts to wreak havoc in Lin'an has been perfectly established. Tomorrow, we can expose this news. By then, once people from Chuzhou arrive..."
Cao Gong's eyes gleamed sharply. What followed would be beyond his scope of action. Prominent figures from Chuzhou were expected to arrive; rumors suggested even the Prefect himself might appear, along with cultivators from various major sects.
As the County Magistrate of Lin'an County, Cao Gong wielded considerable authority in the city, but compared to Chuzhou, his clout seemed insignificant.
For years, Fulong Manor had remained a forbidden zone for the government. Even he dared not speak of it openly. But now, they had the chance to eradicate it entirely. He eagerly anticipated investigating how many "women" were hidden there.
Furthermore, today brought an unexpected gain—the Sword Cultivator had been drawn into this matter. This development was precisely what the higher-ups desired.
"Congratulations, sir. This achievement marks a significant contribution. I believe your promotion is within reach," Chen Li remarked.
"All thanks to Lord County Magistrate's excellent leadership," Cao Gong responded thoughtfully. He looked at Chen Zongzhi and said, "Zongzhi, accompany the Second Young Master back to the Chen Residence later. The Second Young Master deserves credit for this incident as well."
"Thank you, Mr. Cao," Chen Li replied with a bow. *Inwardly, he thought to himself how shrewd Cao Gong was, casually passing goodwill without effort.*
This incident in Lin'an City had already brought Chen family members from Chuzhou's main branch, and high-ranking figures were expected to arrive. Since his older brother, Chen Luoyun, would not remain in Lin'an County in the future, Chen Li knew he must seize the opportunity to take control of the Lin'an branch of the family. Doing so would give his mother a chance to be recognized in the ancestral hall.
Thinking about his mother, Chen Li's eyes turned cold. As a child born of a secondary wife, he enjoyed the limelight outside but could not lift his head within his own household. He worked tirelessly with no recognition, as all eyes were fixed on the Chen family prodigy, Chen Luoyun.
*His mother's death by drowning in the lake years ago was always suspicious. He had begged and pleaded, ultimately binding her ghost to linger within the Chen Residence—even in death, she was forced to remain at the lake's bottom and recently had been injured by Li Fan.*
"Li Fan!" Chen Li's eyes burned with killing intent. He had planned for Li Fan to take the fall, but never anticipated that the boy was a Sword Cultivator. *Chen Li's anger was mixed with envy—he hated Li Fan and resented his ability.*
No matter what kind of cultivator Li Fan was, he had to die this time.
"Let's part ways here," Cao Gong said aloud, snapping Chen Li out of his thoughts. He looked at Cao Gong and asked, "Mr. Cao, the Chen family is not far from here. Why not visit us? Several young ladies in the residence have admired you for a long time."
"The hour is late; I won't impose. Perhaps another time," Cao Gong replied. How could he not see through Chen Li's intentions? For a man pursuing great endeavors, how could he be distracted by women? Women were merely trifles on the path to power.
Just then, several figures on horseback approached from ahead.
"Second Young Master?" a voice called out. Chen Li looked toward the approaching figures—cultivators visiting the Chen family. The speaker was Huang Yan from the Shangxuan Sect.
"Miss Huang, venturing out so late?" Chen Li asked.
"Just looking for opportunities to slay demons," Huang Yan said with a gentle smile, her gaze settling on Cao Gong. Chen Li introduced her, "Miss Huang, this is County Magistrate Cao Gong of Lin'an County."
"Huang Yan greets Mr. Cao," Huang Yan said brightly. Her demeanor was elegant and refined.
"Heroine Huang is truly valiant. But the night is dangerous; it's better for a lady to avoid wandering," Cao Gong remarked as he assessed Huang Yan. Such a cultivator woman aligned somewhat with his tastes.
"Thank you, Mr. Cao, for your concern," Huang Yan responded.
"Well, I must take my leave. Farewell for now," Cao Gong said, turning his horse to depart. But just then, he heard a noise from atop a distant building. His gaze snapped toward the disturbance as he shouted, "Who's there?"
Chen Li, Huang Yan, and the others turned toward the direction of the sound. Footsteps became increasingly clear, and soon, a figure emerged into view.
Under the dim moonlight, a striking white-robed figure stood aloft, his cold eyes surveying Chen Li and the others as though delivering judgment.
"You!" Chen Li's face twisted with rage, his killing intent palpable—Li Fan had followed them?
"Such courage," Cao Gong barked coldly, mana swirling around him. He too was a cultivator in the Refining Realm.
"Li Fan..." Huang Yan's expression turned complicated upon seeing the figure.
The Demon Suppression Army stilled their mounts, an oppressive aura spreading outward.
Li Fan said nothing. Suddenly, a whirlwind of sword aura gathered around him, radiating sharp intent outward toward the group.
"Be careful!" Chen Zongzhi shouted, urging his horse forward to join the Demon Suppression Army. They had already witnessed the power of a Sword Cultivator and dared not be careless.
"Chen Zongzhi, I warned you—if harm befalls them, I'll take your life," Li Fan said from a distance before looking directly at Chen Li. "And as for you, you deserve death."
With those words, the center of his brow glowed brilliantly, unleashing a piercing sword intent. Everyone watched in awe as a three-inch flying sword emerged from Li Fan's brow, surrounded by dazzling sword aura that seemed to rip through the night sky like a flash of lightning.
Bathing in sword intent, Li Fan radiated an immaculate presence, akin to a deity.
"A Sword Cultivator's Sword Seed!"
The group's expressions changed dramatically. Li Fan's eyes burned with sword light as he uttered one word: "Go!"
At the command, the flying sword shot forth like a rainbow streaking across the sky. The blade's path lit up the night before swiftly descending upon its target.
The flying sword struck Chen Zongzhi. Despite channeling all his vitality into a punch, the blade pierced directly through his arm and body. He fell dead instantly.
Chen Li, terrified, turned his horse and fled at full speed.
The flying sword, having dispatched Chen Zongzhi, continued its trajectory toward Chen Li. As it passed near Huang Yan, it sliced off several strands of her hair, prompting her to turn back. She saw Chen Li frantically riding away, but no equestrian speed could outrun the sword. The flying sword struck true, piercing Chen Li's skull.
His horse galloped onward, its rider's lifeless body falling to the ground.
The flying sword turned on Cao Gong next. Cao Gong retrieved a magical talisman from his belongings, pouring mana into it and launching it forward. A burst of golden light erupted, but the flying sword collided with the treasure and shattered it. Cao Gong was flung to the ground, lying motionless.
Li Fan commanded the flying sword back with a thought; it vanished as it re-entered his brow.
He leapt down from his position and disappeared into the darkness in an instant.
Shortly after, another group arrived at the scene, their expressions grim as they surveyed the aftermath. They asked, "What happened here?"
No one answered.
Cao Gong lay on the ground, recovering from the shock. He pulled a chestplate mirror from his torso. Without his precaution, that sword would have claimed his life. Only by feigning death had he escaped.
*At that moment, thoughts of power and beauty fled his mind.*
*"What a ruthless boy,"* Cao Gong thought, trembling inside. Earlier, during the battle with the Jingang Temple monk, Li Fan had evidently held back.
A Sword Cultivator—killing with a flying sword, beheading enemies from a distance.
And Li Fan was still so young.
A Great Sword Cultivator from Li Mountain—how powerful must such a figure be?
No wonder those with exceptional cultivation talent looked down on kings and nobles. Absolute power likewise rendered authority insignificant.
*This boy—did he even regard the law?*
Huang Yan still hadn't recovered. Her gaze lingered on Chen Li's corpse before slowly turning to the place where Li Fan had vanished.
If that day at the Chen Residence had left her shaken, tonight she truly grasped how extraordinary Li Fan was.
The Chen family prodigy, Chen Luoyun?
Perhaps he was nothing special after all.
Her thoughts wandered to the quiet youth seated in the tavern's corner, finding it impossible to reconcile him with the ethereal figure from moments ago.
*Small cunning, no grand wisdom.*
*Had the roaming Daoist been right all along?*
*Huang Yan's mind churned, caught between conflicting emotions. Yet deep down, she knew these were mere fantasies. Li Fan could never truly cross paths with her.*
Li Fan circled around, failing to locate the Wuxiang Monk from Jingang Temple.
When he returned to the original spot, flames had filled the air.
Li Hongyi and Qi were still there. The ghostly woman had left, but someone else had joined them—the Sloppy Taoist.
Li Hongyi turned at the sound of footsteps and saw Li Fan walking toward them. His gaze settled on the corpse of Yang Kui, now burning amidst the rubble, while Qi continued to cry, her hand held by Li Hongyi.
"Killed him?" Li Hongyi asked, looking at Li Fan.
"Killed him," Li Fan replied with a nod.
Li Hongyi said nothing.
"Why is the Taoist here too?" Li Fan asked, already aware the Sloppy Taoist was no ordinary figure. Ever since the Demon Slaying Summit at the Chen Residence, he'd understood the fate of Martial Artists.
"Came to deliver you something," the Taoist replied.
"What is it?" Li Fan asked.
"A sword."
The Taoist looked at Qi and asked, "Qi, would you like to cultivate?"
"Yes," Qi nodded.
"Then would you follow Grandpa Taoist?" the Taoist asked.
Qi shook her head and looked at Li Fan, her eyes full of hope.
Clearly, she wanted to stay with Li Fan.
Li Fan saw the girl's expectant look and felt a headache coming. Was he supposed to hand her over to his senior sister?
*The senior sister might kill him—raising him was already tough enough.*
Even the Taoist felt a bit awkward. "Qi, Brother Xiao Fan will face danger in the future," he said.
The girl turned to him.
"Do you want to help Brother Xiao Fan?" The Taoist coaxed, and the girl nodded vehemently. "I do."
"Then would you be willing to come with me?" the Taoist asked again.
"I would," Qi said.
Li Fan felt a warmth in his heart, gently stroking Qi's head.
"Taoist, how can I trust you?" Li Fan asked, looking at him. He understood the Taoist knew everything but had not intervened.
"If not for my debt to the Old Blind Man, do you think I'd come all this way?" The Taoist spoke irritably. He had long withdrawn from worldly matters and no longer cared for its people.
But the Old Blind Man had traveled thousands of miles to find him, cashing in on that favor. What choice did he have?
What exactly had this boy done to deserve such devotion from the Old Blind Man?
He had come to see for himself.
Now he had seen enough.
Li Fan paused for a moment before nodding. "Fine."
"The Jianghu stretches far; the Imperial Court stands tall. This sword, can it shatter the heavens above?" the Taoist murmured as he led Qi away, reciting to himself.