「Twilight.」
Hong Yuan's residence.
"Yuan, are you really giving me this fine sword?!" Le Congsheng sprang up from his stool, staring dumbfounded at the Tang Sword in Hong Yuan's hand, which emanated a chilling aura.
This Tang Sword was the first one Hong Yuan had forged—the imperfect one.
Yet, on the market, this Tang Sword could be worth three Energy Stones!
"Of course. What's our relationship? You're my best friend," Hong Yuan replied with a smile. But for some reason, he inexplicably thought of the premium Tang Sword he had in his room.
"If that's the case, Yuan, then I won't be polite. With this fine sword, my chances of killing that scoundrel Chen Dongsheng have increased by thirty percent!" Le Congsheng exclaimed excitedly. He cradled the Tang Sword, unable to part with it, his face beaming with happiness.
"I've also heard that your Enforcement Hall is formidable in combat. Having a good sword is certainly more reassuring," Hong Yuan feigned sincerity.
Le Congsheng, completely oblivious, excitedly shared his activities of the week with Hong Yuan, who responded with a cheerful grin. The plan to 'borrow a sword to kill someone' is a success!
After giving the Tang Sword to Le Congsheng, Hong Yuan returned to his normal routine. He focused on forging Miao Blades to earn Energy Stones for Cultivation Techniques. He also vigorously trained the Five Tiger Breaking Gate Sword, hoping to enhance the power of his Talent·Tiger Shadow. Meanwhile, his Mysterious Water Snake hunted in shallow water areas, accumulating experience and power.
Time flowed by, day and night becoming a blur.
Hong Yuan's growth was smooth sailing, and his life flourished. Meanwhile, Chen Dongsheng had stagnated. He had even fallen behind his peers in the Phoenix Creek Sect because he hadn't opened his Aperture.
Without the support of True Essence, Chen Dongsheng was like fish on the chopping board.
「A rainy night.」
Phoenix River Town.
Le Congsheng, carrying the Tang Sword given by Hong Yuan, crept towards Chen Dongsheng's abode in No.21 Inn's Room A05.
BOOM!
A lightning bolt struck the cobbled long street, followed by a rumble of thunder.
Seizing the chance, Le Congsheng decisively broke through the window and furiously slashed at Chen Dongsheng, who was dozing in bed.
The cold gleam startled Chen Dongsheng. His hair stood on end as he quickly rolled aside to dodge.
However, Le Congsheng already had the upper hand. With a tiger's roar, half the flesh on Chen Dongsheng's right thigh was instantly sheared away.
"Ah!" Chen Dongsheng cried out in agony, his hand, which had just gripped his Miao Blade, trembling.
"Which coward hides behind a mask to launch a sneak attack!?"
"Hmph, Chen Dongsheng, you never expected this day, did you? Back then, you didn't leave me a single path to survival," Le Congsheng sneered.
After a brief verbal clash, Le Congsheng swung the Tang Sword, intending to execute White Tiger Jumping Over the Ravine from the Five Tiger Breaking Gate Sword and kill Chen Dongsheng with a single slash.
FWOOSH FWOOSH FWOOSH.
Under the infusion of True Essence, a faint, grey Tiger Shadow emerged behind Le Congsheng.
Damn it, True Essence again, Chen Dongsheng cursed inwardly.
These past few days, Chen Dongsheng had suffered endlessly from his lack of True Essence. Seeing the mysterious man's fierce approach, he hurriedly raised his blade in defense.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
The swords clashed, emitting loud, violent noises. For a moment, the two were evenly matched.
Relying on his strong martial cultivation, Chen Dongsheng managed to reach a stalemate with Le Congsheng, who possessed True Essence. However, Chen Dongsheng knew that if this dragged on, he would eventually die from exhaustion.
Yet, despite these unfavorable circumstances, Chen Dongsheng smiled. He spoke with malice, "Do you hear that? The rustling sound of clothes. Just wait for them to arrive, heh heh heh…"
Le Congsheng clenched his teeth, saying nothing. However, the force behind his Tang Sword swings increased significantly, pushing Chen Dongsheng back. Yet, Chen Dongsheng still wore a smile.
Everything is tilting in my favor!
At No.21 Inn, several guests stood quietly by their doors, weapons in hand. A few daring ones even began to sneak towards Room A05.
Chen Dongsheng retreated three steps and grunted, "You still have time to escape."
Le Congsheng hesitated for a moment, but then his face lit up with joy. The Miao Blade in Chen Dongsheng's hand had chipped on a corner during the clash with the Tang Sword and was on the verge of shattering.
Damn it! Chen Dongsheng's heart sank; he had failed to scare off his opponent. And what material is that mysterious man's sword made of? Why is it so hard?!
Le Congsheng launched another furious assault. After a few breaths, Chen Dongsheng's Miao Blade shattered, leaving only the hilt in his hand.
"Mercy—"
Before Chen Dongsheng could finish, Le Congsheng began hacking wildly at his head. Chen Dongsheng dodged the first few strikes but couldn't evade the countless blows that followed. He was brutally hacked to death by Le Congsheng, his head a bloody mess!
Chen Dongsheng was dead!
"Phew." Le Congsheng took a deep breath and jumped out of the window before others could arrive. He made his escape.
Le Congsheng's heart filled with relief. If my friend Hong Yuan hadn't given me this treasured sword, Chen Dongsheng might have truly escaped this calamity and continued to cling to life.
Room A05.
A female guest, seeing Chen Dongsheng's unrecognizable, mangled head, felt her stomach churn and squatted in a corner to vomit.
"The murderer is so vicious."
"It's not just about viciousness. If I'm not mistaken, the deceased is a formal disciple of the Phoenix Creek Sect."
"Oh no! Who would be so bold?"
Listening to the guests, the innkeeper's face turned pale. There goes half a month's earnings.
「The following night.」
Le Congsheng, beaming, arrived at Hong Yuan's residence with a roasted chicken and a pot of wine.
"Yuan, your sword was a huge help," Le Congsheng said mysteriously.
"What happened? You look so happy," Hong Yuan played along.
"Heh heh heh…" Le Congsheng glanced around, then leaned in and whispered, "I've taken care of Chen Dongsheng."
Wow! Hong Yuan looked up, genuinely surprised at Le Congsheng. It had been less than five days since he'd given him the sword, yet Le Congsheng had already killed Chen Dongsheng so quickly!? This guy's decisiveness is off the charts!
"You're surprised, right? I'll tell you something even more surprising: that fellow Chen Dongsheng's Five Tiger Breaking Gate Sword had reached the Mastery Realm. Luckily, he hadn't opened an Aperture to generate True Essence," Le Congsheng said, a hint of fear still in his voice.
"The Five Tiger Breaking Gate Sword at the Mastery Realm?"
"Yes. Even as a first-tier, entry-level Martial Artist, and with my Five Tiger Breaking Gate Sword at the Proficient Realm, I barely managed to take him down."
Then, Le Congsheng, unable to contain himself, boasted about his fight with Chen Dongsheng from start to finish: the stormy night with thunder and lightning, how victory was decided in the blink of an eye…
Whenever Le Congsheng recounted the details, Hong Yuan would chime in with timely encouragement. Le Congsheng was so elated he practically floated, his steps twice as light as he left.
Watching Le Congsheng's figure disappear towards Phoenix Fire Peak, Hong Yuan's lips curved into a faint smile. This 'borrowed sword' strategy worked so quickly. Tsk tsk. It seems I truly have the potential of a demonic mastermind. Speaking of demonic masterminds, since Chen Dongsheng is dead, I might as well go to the Phoenix Creek Mountain Range this weekend and start refining the Sting Bee Worm. I wonder how many Worms I can refine with my materials? I'm really curious.