Chapter 558 - 240: Gathering Clouds Without Rain, Eight Sides Sealed

Huan City.

West City Flower Market, Yongshui Riverbank.

In the past, the banks of Yongshui were bustling with people, and pleasure boats filled the river.

Especially now, when the weather is perfect, autumn is high and the air is refreshing—it is the best season for scholars to wander and ladies to enjoy the heights and play in the water.

However, the normally thriving area in front of New Moon Tower feels oppressively low, with hurried passersby looking around anxiously, creating a sense of being besieged on all sides, with the wind blowing and cranes crying.

"I say, my friend, how long must we continue living like this? Ever since half a month ago, when Xiao Luo of the Jade Sword was severely injured by assassination, and five elders of the group perished while three were injured, the city’s atmosphere has been quite off. Every day, someone dies..."

In New Moon Tower, third floor, someone is drinking to drown their sorrows, but the more they drink, the deeper their woes.

The speaker’s surname is Lin, and he has a cultured nickname, Lin Leshui, with a scholarly appearance and a literary disposition.

This person, however, is not a scholar nor a talent from the imperial examinations. Calling him illiterate would be a tad degrading, yet he truly recognizes only a few characters.

Although he lacks literary talent, he is resourceful, which is somewhat inaccurate.

Because he possesses a keen business acumen, always able to identify profitable opportunities unseen by others. Now, he has amassed substantial wealth, occasionally mingling with trade moguls and high society in Huan City.

Of course, figures like Xiao Luo, the Sect Leader of the Jade Sword Sect, are beyond his reach. The ability to gift something during festival times to make his presence known is already satisfying.

Speaking of Xiao Luo’s injury and the loss to the Jade Sword Sect, his heart was more excited than fearful. In the lowered tone of his voice, one could detect a faint thrill.

All living beings are diverse; they envy those who have more, and mock those who have less. If you are better off than me, I can’t stand it.

Like figures such as Xiao Luo, who are high above in Huan City, unknown numbers secretly despise him.

Before disaster struck, everyone would have praised him publicly and privately, respectfully addressing him as Grandmaster Xiao. But when things fall apart for him, many will hide in dark corners, secretly mocking and reveling.

This is human instinct.

It’s not surprising.

"Stop, Brother Leshui, these matters are not for us to discuss."

A slightly portly, middle-aged man dressed like a wealthy gentleman raised his cup rapidly, reluctant to continue discussing the topic.

Thinking for a moment, he said earnestly, "I know, addressing Brother Leshui like this is slightly forward, but I cannot keep it in.

This time, guess who acted? Those people did not hide their intentions. After the Celestial Heart Arrow and the Bright Moon Sword were revealed, anyone knowledgeable ceased involvement, not daring to assist the Jade Sword Sect.

Those people are killing madly. If they hear regret in Brother Leshui’s words and think you are with the Jade Sword Sect, they may attack you on the spot. Why bring such trouble?

"Brother Tan mentions the Celestial Heart Bright Moon Sword? The assassins from the Sword Pavilion have entered the city?"

Lin Leshui was startled.

His information wasn’t the most reliable.

All he knew was that the Jade Sword Sect had been attacked, and its disciples going out of the city were all executed, their heads returned to the city as intimidation. The attackers were elusive, managing to seal the entire Huan City.

Currently, even the Government is at a loss.

They assembled a force of two thousand troops to pursue the bandits outside the city.

However, not even ten miles out, they were overwhelmed by a dense battle of swordsmen. Only two or three out of ten returned to the city.

One can imagine how fierce these "bandits" must be.

They laid their plans openly, sealing the city from outside, particularly targeting the Jade Sword Sect’s many experts.

"Isn’t that the force under Princess Mingyue? Could it be King Ping’s army arriving?

It’s not right, though. This city is nominally under the Great Li Dynasty, but in actuality, it’s controlled by the Immortal Masters of Shenxiao Sword Sect.

Even the Great Li Court can only maintain an attitude of non-interference, fearful of provoking the old immortals. How does the Celestial Heart Pavilion dare?"

"That’s old news. Who doesn’t know King Ping marched against Liiyang and then swiftly proceeded to attack Jiangnan and the Southwest? Now, with the Southern Region about to unify, how could he let the Shenxiao Sword Sect remain as a thorn?

Strike first to gain advantage, delay and be controlled—there are tales that during the Battle of Wenshui, King Ping, under Heaven’s Mandate, slew Yan Beifei and Daoist Mingcheng of Shenxiao Sword Sect on the battlefield, forming a deep-seated enmity long ago with Shenxiao Sword. Would he ignore it?"

"But, but... even with King Ping’s extensive forces, Shenxiao Sword Sect, as one of the Four Daoist Sects, is tremendously powerful.

Eight hundred sword-wielding disciples, all with profound cultivation, and Venerable Yuxiao, capable of calling the wind, summoning storms, and meting out divine punishment. Does he really dare to act against Shenxiao Sword Sect, unafraid of divine retribution?"

Lin Leshui may not possess much scholarly knowledge, yet he is aware of common insights.

Especially those living near the Shenxiao Mountain Range, regardless of status, possess an ingrained awe for Venerable Yuxiao.

A century of dominance, deeply embedded in the bloodlines across generations, forms an image of invincible power. Despite Chen Ping’s formidable forces, they appear lacking in fire control when pitted against Shenxiao Sword Sect.

Once Venerable Yuxiao takes action, any force will be utterly annihilated.