"Bang!"
With a deafening sound, Liu Liying's folding fan unleashed a stream of water essence that struck Xun Yi's chest. However, a life-bound flying sword, unleashed by Xun Yi in a sudden burst, pierced through the water curtain and emerged from beneath Liu Liying's collarbone, piercing her chest. Liu Liying spat out a mouthful of blood and stumbled backward on the river's surface. She desperately held on, refusing to concede. After all, surrendering meant being captured by Xun Yi. To acknowledge someone like him as her master, Liu Liying would rather perish.
On the dragon boat, a figure continued to meticulously draw talismans, seemingly detached from the fierce battle unfolding on the river.
...
Inside the dragon boat, within a room with a vermilion door, a dense array of heavenly and earthly restrictions was erected. Several cultivators of the Five Realms quietly observed the events outside. One peak Void-Breaking Sword Cultivator of the Seven Realms frowned and asked, "Senior Brother, going to such great lengths to kill and subjugate the Folding Fan Goddess, won't this attract too much attention?"
"Hmph!"
A Golden Core elder scoffed, "Compared to the swordsman named Lin Zhao, who brazenly roams the martial world with a Folding Fan Goddess, is Xun Yi's action considered too much of a disturbance? As the saying goes, the innocent are not blameless when they possess treasures. This Lin Zhao is truly foolish to travel the martial world with a Folding Fan Goddess. Is he showing off, or is he courting death!?"
The Seven Realms Sword Cultivator frowned, "Lin Zhao is, after all, a distinguished guest of Chi Zhong Yu, someone residing in the VIP rooms upstairs. If Senior Brother forcefully takes the Folding Fan Goddess today, a tremendous opportunity, then our Cheng Huang Sect will likely antagonize the Lingnan Sword Sect. Moreover, the Folding Fan Goddess is Chi Zhong Yu's beloved, his inner demon. If Senior Brother were to possess Liu Liying, given Chi Zhong Yu's temperament, he might not let this go!"
"You are overthinking things."
A grey-robed Golden Core elder sneered, "Firstly, our Cheng Huang Sect supports the Grand Preceptor's national policy. This policy of converting barren lands to fertile fields is one from which we benefit the most. Therefore, the Grand Preceptor's policy is imperative. And the Lingnan Sword Sect is foolish to support Lu Huaining. Lu Huaining repeatedly advises the King to persuade the Grand Preceptor to change his mind, which is utterly foolish. The animosity between our Cheng Huang Sect and the Lingnan Sword Sect has long since begun. This is likely also our last time riding their Fu Yu Dragon Boat. Secondly, there's no need to worry about Chi Zhong Yu's revenge. His going to Jiangzhou Prefecture in itself means he has stepped into a trap set by our Cheng Huang Sect. The ones who will act to kill Lu Huaining this time are the Sect Master and the Vice Sect Master, both Nine Realms, along with the encirclement by the elders. Whether Chi Zhong Yu can leave Jiangzhou Prefecture alive is uncertain."
"I see..."
The Seven Realms Sword Cultivator revealed a malicious grin, "In that case, Senior Brother is entitled to possess the Folding Fan Goddess."
"Hmph!"
The Golden Core elder sneered, "Xun Yi is merely acting on orders. Do you truly believe he will have the Folding Fan Goddess if he captures her? Does a mere Golden Core cultivator deserve the Folding Fan Goddess?"
"Could it be the Ancestor..."
"Hush, do not blaspheme. Remember the saying: misfortune and fortune have no gate; they come only from oneself!"
"Yes, thank you, Elder Uncle-Master, for your reminder!"
...
On the river, Xun Yi unleashed a barrage of sword attacks. After a short period of time, he began to gain a decisive advantage. The river was filled with fine sword energy, surging towards Liu Liying like an ocean tide. Liu Liying's slender body was already swaying precariously. Although still breathtakingly beautiful, she had lost her earlier composure. Her red dress was torn in several places by the sword energy, revealing patches of snow-white skin. The onlookers on the dragon boat gazed with longing, some even wishing Xun Yi's cultivation was higher, that he could shatter Liu Liying's clothes with a single sword strike.
On the open deck, Lin Zhao was hunched over, drawing talismans. His gaze briefly flickered towards the distant scene. Liu Liying was close to collapse and would surely be defeated within twenty moves, either killed or captured. There was no other outcome.
At this moment, he laid out a new golden talisman paper, his focus absolute, channeling all his military killing intent into the tip of his Thousand Cavalry Rolling Snow brush. This talisman had to be different.
In the river.
Liu Liying was swept back by a wave, only to be knocked flying and spitting blood by a wisp of sword energy. Her beautiful eyes widened, seeing only sword light. The power of an Eighth Realm Sword Immortal was truly terrifying, something she, a goddess not specialized in combat, could not resist. Looking towards the dragon boat, she saw the figure still drawing talismans. A ripple of emotion stirred in Liu Liying's heart. Did he truly not care about her at all? Conversely, why did she find herself anticipating his intervention?
In the air, Xun Yi's face was filled with arrogance. He laughed heartily as he attacked, each sword strike more ruthless than the last. He unleashed all the most vicious techniques he had learned, the exquisite swordsmanship taught by his master, all directed at this condescending Folding Fan Goddess. Xun Yi could already picture the scene after subduing her. After all, the Ancestor's flying fish missive had stated that if he could capture the Folding Fan Goddess, her first time would be his. After he had had his fill, he could then send her to the back mountain to be offered to the Ancestor. The Ancestor didn't care about the "prize" of subsequent encounters.
A sinister gleam appeared in Xun Yi's eyes. After capturing Liu Liying, he would seal her meridians, rendering her unable to muster any spiritual energy. Then, he could do as he pleased. This morning, when he had offered her wine, she had been so aloof. Very well, tonight, he would make her taste every humiliation in the mortal world!
"Come!"
Xun Yi's body suddenly stopped in mid-air, his sword poised to strike. His eyes blazed with potent sword intent. He laughed maniacally, "What bullshit Folding Fan Goddess! Taste my strongest sword move—Sword Moves the Universe!"
"Alas..."
From afar, Lin Zhao felt his scalp tingle. Such an overly dramatic and chuunibyou-esque name for a sword move indicated that the sect's potential would be limited. At that moment, the Thousand Cavalry Rolling Snow brush stroke completed its final flourish. As the talisman core was formed, the heavens and earth shifted. Faint golden lightning flickered within the clouds, but there was no thunder. Endless killing intent enveloped the great river. The Iron Cavalry Killing Array Talisman had finally invoked the military aura of heaven and earth. The next moment, Lin Zhao raised his hand, ignited the Iron Cavalry Killing Array Talisman, and tossed it into the river. Simultaneously, he sent forth a beam of sword light. His flying sword, Hao Ran, released a small spatial dimension, enfolding Liu Liying's bruised and battered body from the river surface and sending her into the room.
"Boom—"
In the sky, golden thunder rumbled. After the Iron Cavalry Killing Array Talisman was ignited, figures of blood-red cavalrymen appeared on the great river. Clad in armor, riding fiery steeds, they wielded long swords, battle axes, and sharp spears, their oppressive military aura surging forth. They directly shattered the sword qi shield protecting Xun Yi on the river. Then, with coordinated attacks of sabers and swords, Xun Yi, an Eighth Realm Golden Core cultivator, was surrounded by a group of cavalrymen. In an instant, he vomited blood, his body crisscrossed with various injuries, appearing almost unrecognizable.
"..."
On the dragon boat, everyone was struck with terror. No one had expected such a sudden and extraordinary sight of "Iron Cavalry Crossing the River" to appear. The dense military killing intent seemed to press down on the sky, threatening to crush it. The most tragic fate befell the Golden Core Sword Cultivator Xun Yi. One of his arms was severed by a cavalryman's sword. Subsequently, his chest was pierced by a spear. By the time he tried to escape, it was too late. A blood-red cavalryman swung his battle saber, and with a swift motion, a head fell into the river.
After killing Xun Yi, a group of cavalrymen stood on the great river, their weapons dripping with blood. Behind them, a scene of fierce battlefield carnage raged with blazing flames. Their gazes, stern and resolute, fixed upon the Fu Yu Dragon Boat, their killing intent so palpable that it seemed they could charge onto the boat at any moment and take everyone away. Everyone present dared not breathe a sound.
The spectacle of the Iron Cavalry Crossing the River was so awe-inspiring that no one noticed the Folding Fan Goddess had vanished in a flash of sword light.
...
"Young Master..."
Inside the room, Liu Liying, her body covered in blood, looked at Lin Zhao with wide, disbelieving eyes. The power Lin Zhao had displayed far exceeded her imagination. To kill an Eighth Realm Sword Cultivator with a single talisman—what kind of strength was that? However, what Liu Liying found even more unbelievable was that Lin Zhao had actually intervened to save her.
"Rest and heal."
Lin Zhao said, "I'll get you a bowl of spirit rice porridge."
"Okay, thank you, Young Master..."
Liu Liying's body was originally formed from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, so spirit rice porridge was indeed highly beneficial for her injuries. Not long after Lin Zhao called for a maid, a bowl of spirit rice porridge was delivered. After drinking it, Liu Liying knelt beside the chessboard to heal. Her injuries, as well as the rips in her long dress, were visibly mending.
...
Shortly thereafter, there was a knock on the door.
"Cheng Huang Sect, here to offer apologies." The voice was ancient.
Lin Zhao opened the door to find two elderly Golden Core cultivators. One of them, with a somber expression, said, "Young Hero Lin, we apologize. Our Cheng Huang Sect's discipline is lacking. That scoundrel Xun Yi, behind our elders' backs, went to trouble Miss Liu Liying. Now that he has been slain by your talisman, he has met a deserved end. However, our Cheng Huang Sect still feels deeply sorry to Young Hero. Therefore, we have specially brought some gifts to offer our apologies."
A disciple stepped forward, holding a plate of expensive spirit fruits. Another disciple held nearly twenty catties of spirit rice. The combined value of these items was at least two Jin Zi Qian.
"Understood."
Lin Zhao smiled. "I accept your apologies, and I will accept the gifts. There's no need to dwell on it further. This matter is now in the past."
"Thank you!"
The visitors placed their gifts down and withdrew from the room.
"Young Master."
Liu Liying frowned slightly and thought to herself, "Is this matter just going to be let go like this?"
"What else?"
Lin Zhao stepped forward, stuffing the pile of spirit fruits and spirit rice into his bag. He said, "Focus on healing. We will leave this troublesome Fu Yu Dragon Boat before dawn. I suspect the people from Cheng Huang Sect will not simply give up. Their offer of apology is merely to appease us."
"Mm."
Liu Liying nodded, her conviction growing that Lin Zhao was meticulously thoughtful. Following such a person indeed brought a sense of security. It was a pity that she, too, was a pitiable person with no control over her own fate.