Chapter 236: Cangling Debate of Swords (Conclusion)

Chapter 236: Cangling Debate of Swords (Conclusion)

At the same moment, Shang Fei’s battle with Su Shang and Miao Shaoqing continued unabated. After several rounds of fierce combat, the two sides remained evenly matched.

Shang Fei had made tremendous progress in his martial arts under Lin Chang’s guidance in recent days, and he should have easily defeated the two before him. However, the recent string of disturbances had unsettled his focus, causing hesitation in his strikes. This allowed Su and Miao to hold their ground.

Suddenly, another figure darted forward, leaping onto the rooftop. Their movements were light and nimble, like drifting wind or floating willow fluff—it was Plum-Blossom Sword Lu Qing Ning.

Lu Qing Ning immediately joined the assault on Shang Fei. Without a word, she exchanged glances with Su Shang and Miao Shaoqing. Instantly understanding each other’s intent, the trio launched a synchronized three-sword formation.

Among the Huaying Six Swords, Plum, Orchid, and Bamboo Sword had always been closest, often training together. Over time, they had developed an unnamed sword formation that combined their individual strengths while compensating for weaknesses. Its power was formidable. Yet no one expected its first real test to be against their own senior apprentice brother.

Shang Fei had been effortlessly holding his own against two opponents using his Ghost Shadow Sword Technique, weaving through attacks with agile footwork. But Lu Qing Ning’s arrival quickly turned the tide.

Within mere exchanges, the formation’s deadly intent surged. Su Shang initiated with “Solitary Bloom Self-Admiration,” Miao Shaoqing followed with “Sift Wind and Play Moon,” and Lu Qing Ning suddenly unleashed “Shear Snow and Cut Ice” as the killing blow.

A few sharp clangs rang out as Shang Fei’s spirit platform acupoints on both ribs and back were pierced by sword tips. A damaged spirit platform meant all meridians would collapse. Though not immediately fatal, the outcome was decided.

………

Meanwhile, Lin Chang paid no heed to Shang Fei’s fate. He didn’t even acknowledge Feng Bu Jue’s attacks, instead turning his gaze toward the innkeeper. “Finally, a true expert has arrived. Interesting… State your name.”

“Hmph…” The opponent replied with a mocking, effeminate chuckle. “Grand Secretary of the Directorate of Ceremonial, Imperial Envoy Supervisor of the East Factory—Cao Qin.”

Lin Chang’s expression shifted noticeably, his ferocity dimming by a third. “So it’s Director Cao. My apologies for the disrespect… I am merely here to eliminate rebels. I wonder, Director Cao, what brings you—”

“Enough.” Cao Qin interrupted with a wave. “Lin Chang, I have no time for your nonsense. Your secret correspondence with Qian Ning, Commander of the Jinyi Guard, has long been uncovered by my East Factory. I know exactly your intentions. Otherwise, how could I have arrived in Cangling before everyone else?” His words answered a lingering mystery.

Upon reflection, only the East Factory’s resources could have transformed a ghost town’s abandoned inn into Azure Spirit Inn in such a short time.

“Director Cao, since we both serve the imperial court, why not join forces…” Lin Chang tried again.

“Hohohoho…” Cao Qin’s shrill, effeminate laughter cut him off. “What a noble sentiment—‘serving the imperial court’!” He sneered. “But to me, this is nothing more than a deal between you and Qian Ning.”

Feng Bu Jue interjected, “After the Cangling Debate of Swords, Qian Ning gains hundreds of martial arts secrets, while you secure the Martial Arts World Alliance Leader title. You’ll use jianghu forces to eliminate Qian Ning’s political rivals, and he’ll use imperial guards to solidify your jianghu dominance. Viewed any way, this is merely two ambitious men’s personal transaction. How dare you equate it with ‘serving the imperial court’?”

Feng Bu Jue’s words echoed what he’d already explained to Cao Qin earlier. He’d also calculated the consequences for the eunuch, convincing him that Qian Ning and Lin Chang’s success would bring catastrophe to the martial arts world and threaten the East Factory—and even imperial authority itself.

Cao Qin, while belonging to the eunuch class often associated with treachery, was relatively loyal to the emperor. This loyalty, however, was cold as winter to his enemies. In short, Feng Bu Jue had successfully swayed this Npc to his side.

In truth, Cao Qin hadn’t initially planned to sabotage Lin Chang. He came to Cangling merely to monitor events and personally assess Lin Chang’s reputation as a martial arts prodigy. Had he wanted to destroy the plot earlier, he could’ve acted alone, deploying commoners as inn staff. With his resources, countless methods could’ve erased Lin Chang a month prior. Even in direct combat, the Factory Lord and several East Factory enforcers together could easily eliminate Lin Chang. But the timing couldn’t coincide with the Full Moon Night…

Only shortly before the duel began did Feng Bu Jue return to Cangling, confirm Cao Qin’s identity via the Adamantine Bell’s special effect, and convince him to switch sides. Together, they devised their current strategy.

“Lin Chang, right now Golden Xiao and Wang Xiao from Broken Sword Tea House have already left town with my token via two separate routes,” Cao Qin declared. “Commanders will dare not act recklessly upon seeing the East Factory’s token. Tonight, they won’t arrive.” He raised his voice to the crowd. “Everyone here, Lin Chang has fallen into heresy. His demonic arts cannot be defeated by ordinary martial artists. Leave Cangling immediately if you value your lives. No one will hinder your escape to Tongqiu.”

After speaking, Cao Qin turned to Gongsun Qian several meters away. “Master Gongsun, as a sect leader, you must understand the bigger picture. Only Feng and his companions can resolve this crisis. Regardless of Feng’s words’ truth, this is no time for personal vendettas.”

As he spoke, many second- and third-tier sect members had already begun fleeing, causing chaos in the streets. First-tier sect disciples, though eager to leave, hesitated to flee like commoners, preferring to wait until Tongqiu to indulge in smug superiority later.

Unexpectedly, Ji Tong stepped forward to persuade Gongsun Qian. “Master Gongsun, Director Cao speaks wisely. This is a crisis threatening the entire martial world. Let Teahouse Master Feng focus on Lin Chang. Postpone your grievance. For now, lead your disciples to safety.”

Gongsun Qian, intimately familiar with Ji Tong’s cowardice, understood his true intent—Ji simply wanted an excuse to flee. This “noble” speech boiled down to: “Brother, I’m giving you face. Run first so I can follow.”

“Very well, since Master Ji insists.” Gongsun Qian turned to Feng Bu Jue. “Teahouse Master Feng, until we meet again!” With a cold snort, he signaled his disciples, abandoning even his wife and junior brother’s corpse as he fled.

Ji Tong smirked triumphantly. “Bafang Tower disciples, follow me!” He gathered a dozen followers and hurried away.

Seeing Wanxia Tower and Bafang Tower withdraw, other major sects and lone martial artists followed suit. Within minutes, the streets were nearly empty.

On the rooftop, Lin Chang silently watched without attempting to stop them. Upon hearing Cao Qin’s announcement that imperial guards wouldn’t arrive, he knew his plan had failed. Even if he slaughtered recklessly, at least half would escape.

Moreover, facing Cao Qin, Feng Bu Jue, and the unseen forces of Broken Sword Tea House, he couldn’t afford carelessness. Who knew if Feng Bu Jue had another mysterious device like that strange casket?

“Lin Da Ge.” Feng Bu Jue called upward. “Qian Ning, driven by ambition, incited you to unleash catastrophe upon the martial world, breaking the long-standing non-interference pact between jianghu and the government. He’ll soon face his own downfall and can’t aid you. You’ve become the martial world’s public enemy, and other court factions won’t tolerate you.” He raised a finger. “Only one path remains—disguise your identity and retreat into seclusion.”

“Hmph… Retreat?” Lin Chang’s face darkened with blackish-purple malevolence.

“Feng Bu Jue, let me tell you the path I’ll take…” Lin Chang replied coldly. “First, I’ll kill you and this dead eunuch. Then, I’ll eliminate every court official who knows of this matter and might use it against Qian Ning. Afterward, I’ll continue my deal with him…” His expression turned ruthless. “At worst, I’ll visit sect by sect. Those who surrender their secret martial arts manuals and acknowledge me as Alliance Leader may live. Those who resist—I’ll annihilate their sects.” His voice remained steady. “This path before me cannot be blocked by you!”

“That can’t be helped…” Feng Bu Jue said, stowing his submachine gun and pulling out an anti-gravity launcher from his satchel. He then retrieved a fire starter and a bamboo ball from his coat pocket. After lighting the bamboo ball, he launched it into the sky using a reflector.

This act was clearly a signal to his allies in the distance, but Lin Chang didn’t know that this world possessed something called a sniper rifle. He assumed Feng Bu Jue was simply calling for reinforcements.

Two seconds later, a gunshot shattered the sky from several hundred meters away.

Bei Ling hadn’t aimed for the head, as her shooting proficiency wasn’t yet at the near-flawless A-rank. Aiming for the head gave her only a 40% chance of hitting. Though the weapon’s performance was excellent, and the shooting distance, angle, wind speed, and moonlight visibility were all ideal, opportunities like this wouldn’t come twice. The first shot was the easiest to succeed—once the enemy survived such an extreme-range attack, they’d surely become cautious. This shot couldn’t afford to miss. Aiming for the torso was safest. If this shot injured the boss, even if subsequent attacks failed, it would still be worth it.

Lin Chang had initially lost his mind while practicing the Great Emptiness Formless Arts, consumed by his heart demon, which drastically altered his temperament. Above his primary consciousness, there existed a higher spiritual awareness—the Formless Devil Lord. At certain moments, when Lin Chang’s own consciousness couldn’t protect him, his heart demon would take over.

On the Full Moon Night, when the Formless Devil Lord’s will and power peaked, a black qi shield materialized in an instant to block the sniper bullet’s trajectory.

Yet in terms of speed and force, this bullet was incomparable to cold weapons of the past. After a brief resistance, the bullet pierced the shield and drilled into Lin Chang’s chest.

Unluckily, the bullet struck his heart.

…………

The sky was overcast and windless, with snowflakes drifting silently.

Thirty years earlier, at dawn.

Outside Ye Mansion’s gates, an elderly man and a child approached slowly.

The child looked no older than ten, wearing a worn padded jacket and cotton pants. His face and hands were frostbitten red, but his eyes held a determination far beyond his years.

Beside him walked an old man with snow-white hair.

“We’re here, Chang’er.” The old man stopped, but didn’t release the child’s hand.

Young Lin Chang looked up at the only remaining family he had left, asking in a childish voice, “Grandfather, will you come visit me again?”

Grandfather shook his head. “Grandfather must go somewhere very far away. I won’t be able to visit.” Already nearing his final days, he knew his time was short. Delivering his grandson to Ye Mansion was his last wish.

“Then… Chang’er will go with Grandfather! I won’t go to Ye Mansion to learn martial arts!” Young Lin Chang’s eyes brimmed with tears. Though his mind was mature beyond his peers, he was still a child.

Grandfather knelt, patting his grandson’s head. “Chang’er, never say such things again…”

Tears finally spilled over. Young Lin Chang knew the parting was imminent.

“Ah…,” Grandfather sighed deeply. “Grandfather has no money, no power, nothing to give you…” His voice choked, eyes filled with bitterness and helplessness. Lin Chang’s parents were merely minor figures in the martial world. By rights, Lin Chang’s background was far from sufficient to qualify for Ye Mansion. However, his parents had both perished months earlier during the sect-wide campaign to eradicate the Azure Lotus Sect. His grandfather, already elderly and gravely ill, couldn’t raise the child.

The Lin couple had contributed to the martial world, and no one could stand by as their orphaned child starved on the streets. Thus, Ye Family made an exception to accept Lin Chang as a disciple.

The snow kept falling.

Grandfather released Young Lin Chang’s hand, trembling as he stood. “Your father and I lived ordinary lives, achieving nothing without struggle. We spent our lives as expendable pawns, forgotten the moment we died.” He sighed. “Ah… such is fate.” He gazed at Ye Mansion’s gates and plaque. “Chang’er, Ye Mansion is the First in the Martial Realm. As long as you diligently practice martial arts and remain upright, you’ll achieve greatness. Treasure the opportunity your parents paid for with their lives.” He swallowed his words, fearing his grandson might turn back, might waver.

Young Lin Chang stared at his grandfather’s figure, his heart a storm of emotions. Still a child under ten, he already bore too much—too many burdens.

Tears could wash away sorrow, but laughter would bury what remained.

Finally, Young Lin Chang fiercely wiped his tears, forcing a smile. “Grandfather, don’t worry. Chang’er will rise above all, becoming the strongest in the world, the martial arts world’s supreme! No matter how far Grandfather goes, my name will reach you!” He turned and strode forward, knocking on the door that would change his fate.

…………

“Ha… ha…” Lin Chang gasped, staring at his left chest, where a gaping black hole now marred his body. Flesh was torn, blood and gore spewing from his chest, scattering across the roof tiles beneath his feet.

Bei Ling had used a high-caliber sniper rifle. Such a weapon could penetrate not just flesh, but even steel. Si Yu, Bei Ling’s spotter (modern sniper teams typically consist of two—a spotter armed with an automatic weapon and observation gear), also saw the wound through her telescope (a store-bought model) and declared, “Success! Fatal injury!”

Cao Qin, Shang Fei, Su Shang, Miao Shaoqing, and Lu Qing Ning stood stunned, frozen in disbelief as they stared at the gruesome wound erupting from Lin Chang’s chest.

“Heh… hehehe… hahahaha…” Blood dripped from Lin Chang’s mouth as he laughed. “Just a minor wound… cough…!” Another gush of blood spewed. “The Great Emptiness Formless Arts… the ultimate transformation of all phenomena… I’ve already mastered it. How could such a trivial injury… cough…” He pressed his hand to the wound, trying to channel his energy to heal, but this was no longer a recoverable injury. “It’s fine… nothing to worry about… I’ll kill you all soon… I still have so much to do… and…” He muttered, deluding himself, his voice fading.

The black-purple aura around Lin Chang gathered at his surface, using this demonic energy to force his body to move. He leapt from the rooftop, step by step, advancing toward Feng Bu Jue and Cao Qin, declaring, “I am the strongest in the world… I will become the martial arts world’s supreme…”

“Is this the… dream you pursued?” Feng Bu Jue asked with a smile. Just in case, he summoned his death poker. After recovering for this time, he could use his shield again.

“You think this is ridiculous?” Lin Chang advanced slowly, leaving a blood trail behind.

“We all chase… foolish dreams.” Feng Bu Jue replied wistfully. “But what’s wrong with that?” His tone turned serious. “I truly admire your persistence, and I don’t dislike your methods. But I must regretfully say, your weakness has doomed you to failure.”

“Heh… you dare call me…” Lin Chang’s speech grew labored.

Feng Bu Jue interrupted, “You’re indeed weak—too weak to even defeat your own heart demon. You chose to rely on it for greater power.” He pulled out a black handbell with a golden filigree handle from his satchel. “Two nights ago, even the mountain ghosts kept their distance from you. Didn’t you feel the slightest suspicion then?” He raised the adamantine bell. “Your soul is already shattered. Even if you hadn’t died here today, within a year or two, your heart demon would’ve consumed you entirely, turning you into a living corpse.” He paused. “This bell is your nemesis. Even if that shot had missed, as long as I and Factory Lord joined forces, you’d still have no chance of victory.”

Clang—clang—

Feng Bu Jue shook the adamantine bell twice. Lin Chang, still three meters away, was instantly crushed to his knees by an invisible force. The black aura around him surged wildly, like a dying beast.

“Heh… ah… ah!” Lin Chang let out a bitter laugh, then howled to the heavens, his mournful cry echoing through the night, lamenting the world’s helplessness and sorrow.

Even Lu Qing Ning, Su Shang, and Miao Shaoqing showed expressions of compassion.

Seconds later, the black aura dissipated entirely. Lin Chang’s face turned unnaturally pale, his eyes brimming with grief. “Brother Feng… do you really believe I’m a hero?”

Feng Bu Jue didn’t answer. He simply raised his hand, palm upward, gesturing toward the empty street beside him, his smile laced with irony.

This street, once crowded with self-proclaimed heroes, masters, and champions, now held only a madman and a dead eunuch.

“Hahaha… hahahaha!” Lin Chang collapsed, laughing wildly as he stared at the sky. Finally, he closed his eyes with a serene smile, his breath fading to a whisper. “Such is fate…”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end