Chapter Eighteen: What Does It Mean to Be Virtuous? The One with the Mightiest Fist Holds True Virtue

Damn it!

How could someone use a Great Translocation Talisman like that? What a complete waste of such a priceless treasure!

The Sword King’s face froze. The other’s shamelessness once again shattered his understanding, but to linger here any longer was simply unwise. Gritting his teeth with reluctance, he spun around and left. If he hesitated for even a moment more, he’d lose everything—coming away empty-handed on all fronts.

Besides, the Sword King feared his own rage might get the better of him. If he lost control and struck out, he could risk being banished by the Great Translocation Talisman.

But just as he stepped out the door, a servant rushed up to him, face alight with joy. “Sir, have you come to rid the world of evil?”

The Sword King, puzzled, gave a curt nod, but he had no desire to entangle himself with a mortal—not even for a second. He prepared to mount his sword and leave.

Seeing this, the servant grew agitated and called out anxiously, “Sir, I have urgent news to report... I know the whereabouts of the fiend!”

At that, the Sword King halted abruptly and demanded, “Where is she? Speak quickly!”

The servant sighed. “This fiend has committed countless atrocities here in Lingzhou over these past years—there’s no evil she won’t stoop to...”

But before he could finish, he was cut off. “Spare me the nonsense! If we delay and the fiend escapes, you’ll bear the blame!”

“Sir, last night by chance I overheard the fiend speaking. According to her, the most dangerous place is the safest. If she were to flee Lingzhou, she’d never escape your pursuit. So instead, she’s hiding right here in the City Lord’s manor, waiting for her chance to strike.”

At this, Su Jian’s face broke into a satisfied smile. Thankfully, Gao Zhengde hadn’t failed him; otherwise, his plan would never have gone so smoothly.

Especially with this Sword King—he didn’t seem particularly bright. Judging by his manner just now, he’d clearly intended to give immediate chase.

Had it never occurred to the fellow to at least investigate the City Lord’s manor for any gaps or clues before charging off in pursuit?

When Su Jian first sought out Gao Zhengde, it wasn’t just to spread rumors; he needed someone to help him stage a little scene.

There was no need for Gao Zhengde to appear in person, though—otherwise Su Henli might become suspicious.

At this very moment, Su Henli was indeed inside the City Lord’s manor. As long as the Sword King made the slightest effort to search, he’d have no trouble discovering her whereabouts.

This was a gamble for Su Jian, but the risks were minimal.

He couldn’t predict exactly when the righteous alliance would arrive, nor where in the manor they’d appear—but it would either be the front courtyard or the very depths of the City Lord’s manor where Su Henli was hiding.

Gao Zhengde need only have his people move between these two places—they were bound to discover the righteous alliance’s presence eventually.

Then they’d recite the lines he’d just rehearsed.

...

Meanwhile, Su Henli and Xi Wang, hidden in the shadows, witnessed everything.

Su Henli shot Su Jian a sidelong glance, biting her lip in frustration.

The moment Su Jian produced that Great Translocation Talisman, her plans had been thrown into chaos.

She’d been about to intervene and rescue... and she was determined that the Sword King, who’d already cheated her of so many spirit stones, should pay back double—along with his life.

Yet never could she have imagined things would turn out like this.

Xi Wang interjected, “Calm yourself, Mistress. With your strength now, brute force will see you through. There’s no avoiding an open clash now—this is a mess of their own making.”

Su Henli gave a faint nod, her gaze turning icy. “So be it.”

Almost at the same moment, the Sword King’s spiritual sense detected Su Henli lurking in the shadows.

He might have looked down on Su Jian, still at the Golden Core stage, but he dared not underestimate Su Henli, who had reached the Nascent Soul stage. Without hesitation, he slashed his blade—the aura of death instantly suffused the air, and the surrounding environment seemed to chill by several degrees.

With a sound like splitting air, the attack hurtled straight at Su Henli.

Her eyes narrowed. She raised her hand, unleashing a torrent of blood-red light. Even the ambient spiritual energy grew wild and violent, and she easily neutralized the Sword King’s seemingly unstoppable blow.

The brief exchange left the Sword King looking grim.

By rights, she should have perished under his blade.

Yet fate rarely complied... Already, he was thinking of retreat. It simply wasn’t worth risking his life for the sake of a sect mission.

Just then, Gao Zhengde suddenly appeared in the front courtyard, holding the door ring aloft, and called out to Su Henli, “Mistress, fear not! Entrust this treasure to your humble servant—I swear it will not fall into villainous hands.”

At the sight, the Sword King’s eyes lit up. There was no need to waste time tangling with Su Henli—he could simply seize the treasure from the mortal.

He might not be able to best Su Henli in direct combat, but when it came to sword flight, even ten Su Henlis tied together couldn’t match him.

Still, something seemed off about the whole affair, but there was no time to ponder it further.

Su Henli was momentarily stunned as well, but quickly realized that from start to finish, everything had been meticulously orchestrated by Su Jian.

All this effort, simply to provoke a clash between her and the righteous alliance—he’d truly gone to great lengths.

But little did Su Jian know, the Sword King was no longer her match.

Su Henli now looked forward to seeing Su Jian’s reaction in the near future.

Meanwhile, the Sword King caught sight of Su Jian, who had somehow slipped over to Gao Zhengde’s side, Great Translocation Talisman in hand.

He felt a wave of despair. It was as if, from the very start, he’d been led by the nose.

He loathed the Great Translocation Talisman with all his being, wishing he could hack its creator into pieces and devour their flesh.

Su Jian took the door ring from Gao Zhengde, then glanced at Su Henli and shouted, “My dear senior sister, your junior knows he cannot safeguard this treasure alone. It should always belong to the worthy. Since we share the same roots, we are family, after all. Better that the treasure stays with our own than falls into the hands of the righteous alliance. I hope you can unravel its mysteries and, one day, bring about the alliance’s downfall!”

With that, Su Jian unhesitatingly hurled the object toward Su Henli.

The door ring traced a golden arc, flying straight and true toward her.

And who is truly worthy? The one with the greatest strength, of course.

Su Jian smiled inwardly—this plan had gone surprisingly smoothly.

This was the final step of his scheme to stir up trouble.

It might seem a touch superfluous, but now, even the not-so-bright Sword King would be hard-pressed not to believe.

Su Jian stood back, content to watch them tear each other apart. All he’d done was to do his best and leave the rest to fate.

The Sword King was flustered, but he couldn’t simply stand by as the treasure sailed overhead.

He lunged to seize it.

Su Henli’s face was thunderous with anger. She knew this was a trap, but in matters such as this, better safe than sorry. To let the treasure slip away would be a regret too late to mend.