Gu Shenzhi’s daoist robe trailed over the freshly rain-washed stone steps as he descended slowly from the Moonshadow Sect’s gate, a jade pendant hanging at his waist and a spiritual sword strapped to his back.
His demeanor was gallant and refined, exuding an air of immortal grace, reminiscent of the legendary Sword One Master from years past.
Two stunningly beautiful girls sat idly in a wooden pavilion at the foot of the mountain, passing the time with casual chatter about sect gossip.
Spotting the oriole-yellow and black gauze dress, Gu Shenzhi quickened his pace to the pavilion and bowed respectfully.
“Inner disciple of Zhanyun Peak, Gu Shenzhi, greets Senior Sister Yuexi. I hope for your guidance on this assigned mission.”
“Last night, I told you to meet me at the sect gate at the hour of Mao. Why are you only here now?” Yuexi sipped her tea lightly, her slender fingers tapping the table, clearly displeased with the black-clad youth before her.
“But it’s only the third quarter of Yin, not yet Mao,” Gu Shenzhi explained quickly, lowering his gaze with caution.
Yuexi toyed with the porcelain cup in her hand.
“Arriving an hour early is my rule. Didn’t you know?”
This was deliberate nitpicking.
Yet Gu Shenzhi didn’t show anger.
Instead, he hesitated before saying, “But letting me hold her until the hour of Yin was the rule of the Red Lotus Saintess. I hope Senior Sister won’t put me in a difficult position.”
Crack.
The porcelain cup in Yuexi’s hand shattered instantly, reduced to dust, the remaining half-cup of tea evaporating along with it.
“Senior Sister, are you alright?” Gu Shenzhi asked with feigned concern, a faint smirk flickering across his lips.
“I’m fine. Take a seat. I’ll brief you on the mission,” Yuexi said, clutching her heaving chest and glaring fiercely at the black-clad youth.
If Junior Sister Mo weren’t present, she’d have skinned Gu Shenzhi to vent her rage over the Spirit Phoenix incident.
With her permission, Gu Shenzhi slowly entered the pavilion, his peripheral glance falling on the girl with a purple-gold bell tied at her waist.
Mo Xiaonian wore a water-green dress made of exquisite materials—cloud silk and ten-thousand-stone gold, both rare and priceless.
Her dark hair was styled in two waist-length ponytails, her makeup impeccable, her beauty radiant.
Her lithe, serpentine figure and long, fair legs were poised gracefully, exuding an extraordinary aura.
Gu Shenzhi deliberately sat at a distance from the two girls, settling down cautiously.
After all, the Spirit Phoenix loomed above.
Yuexi smoothed her disheveled black gauze skirt and began explaining the mission to the new disciples.
“This time, we’re heading to Wu’an City to eliminate a menace for the people. The city lord, Wei Xingfeng, is brutal and tyrannical, wreaking havoc on the region. He’s obsessed with lust, preying on girls not yet of age. Over a hundred have fallen victim to him. If such a vile and vicious man isn’t eradicated, how can Muyun find peace, and how can our consciences rest?”
Hearing this, Gu Shenzhi thought to himself that this hardly sounded like a demonic sect—more like a paragon of righteousness.
In truth, however, the Moonshadow Sect’s methods against male cultivators—dismemberment, slow slicing, soul entrapment, or reducing them to husks—were, if anything, even more ruthless than Wei Xingfeng’s crimes.
Neither side was any cleaner than the other.
“From what I know, Wu’an City lies within the territory of the Spirit Sword Sect. Venturing there recklessly could be extremely dangerous,” Gu Shenzhi remarked casually.
“Are you scared, Junior Brother Gu? Or perhaps you’re hesitant, trying to protect your former sect out of old loyalties?” Yuexi questioned with a sly tone, leaning forward and staring intently at him.
“You misunderstand, Senior Sister. Wu’an City is a major hub for black iron production. The Spirit Sword Sect stations dozens of Core Formation deacons there every year. The three of us alone would be like eggs thrown against a rock.”
“We only need to strike down the leader. If we act decisively, there won’t be any issues,” Yuexi declared confidently.
“Senior Sister must have her reasons. Brother Gu, let’s set out quickly and not miss our chance,” Mo Xiaonian, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.
Wei Xingfeng’s atrocities disgusted her, and as a descendant of the Muyun Mo family, eliminating such a scourge was her duty.
Yuexi gave Gu Shenzhi a disdainful look.
“That’s the example a Moonshadow disciple should set—not like some people, cowering in fear of death.”
“Then let’s proceed as you both suggest,” Gu Shenzhi said helplessly, though inwardly he felt deep unease.
Such reckless confidence was bound to lead to trouble.
Still, a few dozen Core Formation cultivators, perhaps with one Spirit Manifestation cultivator at most, were within his control.
With his Righteous Sword Qi alone, a few strikes would suffice.
Three spiritual swords soared through the sky like meteors in daylight.
In less than two hours, a city nestled among mountains came into view.
This was Wu’an City, home to Muyun Prefecture’s largest black iron vein.
The city bustled with crowds, streets teeming with vendors hawking fruits, vegetables, antiques, and curios.
Most prominent were the weapons forged by local craftsmen, superior in quality and nearly forty percent cheaper than elsewhere.
Situated at the border of righteous and demonic factions, Wu’an City was nominally under the Spirit Sword Sect’s control but had covert dealings with demonic sects.
Checks on travelers were lax, to say the least.
Gu Shenzhi and his group donned merchant disguises and human-skin masks, slipping past the guards with ease.
They traveled half a mile along the main road before turning into a secluded alley, winding through the city until they stopped before a lively, modest building.
A wine flag fluttered in the breeze, and the tantalizing aroma of mutton wafted from within.
This was a restaurant specializing in mutton hotpot—and a covert Moonshadow Sect outpost.
As they stepped inside, the rich scent of meat filled their noses, stirring their appetites.
The proprietress, a still-charming woman with full curves and a jade hairpin in her dark hair, hurried to greet them.
“Are you here for a meal or to stay? Our mutton hotpot and sorghum wine are renowned citywide—guaranteed to satisfy!”
“Is the mutton from Youyun Prefecture?” Yuexi asked with a light smile, a glint of cunning in her eyes.
The woman caught on immediately.
“Youyun is famous for its sheep. Which kind would you like, honored guest?”
“Naturally, the tender and succulent cotton-flesh sheep.”
“How many portions, and how should it be sliced?”
“Three portions, thinly sliced.”
“And the broth and dipping sauce?”
“Mandarin duck pot—white broth clear, red broth extra spicy, no dipping sauce needed,” Yuexi replied crisply, her mastery of the coded exchange evident.
“You’re a true connoisseur! Follow me, I’ll get you the best seats.”
During the conversation, the woman subtly revealed a crescent moon in her palm, confirming her Moonshadow identity.
She led Gu Shenzhi’s group to a second-floor table by the window, then hurried off.
Failing sect business could cost her head.
Yuexi and Mo Xiaonian sat on one side, Gu Shenzhi alone on the other, a clear divide between them.
The spot offered a view of the street, perfect for spotting anything suspicious.
Gu Shenzhi’s double-pupil eyes scanned the room, identifying only two cultivators—both Moonshadow spies.
“Brother Gu, as the former young master of the Spirit Sword Sect, have you ever met Wu’an City’s Wei Xingfeng?” Mo Xiaonian asked earnestly, leaning slightly forward, clearly invested in his answer.
“Not closely, but I knew his son, Wei Wuji, a former fellow disciple. He was arrogant and debauched. Once, I caught him harassing an outer sect sister.”
Gu Shenzhi paused, then continued, “Young and brash, I liked playing the hero. I grabbed a tree branch and thrashed him, snapping his spiritual sword in the process.”
Yuexi nearly mocked him—snapping a spiritual sword with a branch sounded like a tall tale no one would believe.
But then she remembered Gu Shenzhi could repel a mysterious-grade spiritual sword with a mere strand of hair.
The absurd became plausible, and she shut her mouth.
What Yuexi couldn’t imagine was that Wei Wuji’s sword wasn’t some low-grade weapon but Red Brow, a mysterious-grade masterpiece from Wu’an City’s top forge.
“As for the person I saved… no need to mention her,” Gu Shenzhi added.
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