Some heeded the warning and stopped in their tracks. But many paid no attention, pressing forward as they watched the earth-shattering battle unfold. "Ah~!" "What is that?!" ...
As soon as they approached within a ten-mile radius, everyone—from innate masters to those at the acquired stage—wore pained expressions, their inner energy in turmoil, cries of agony rising and falling. Some even died on the spot as their cultivation went berserk.
In an instant, countless martial artists in the vicinity watched in terror, retreating step by step. Their gazes, fixed on the figure continuously plucking the zither strings, were filled with fear—but also no small amount of greed. "Demoness! What a demoness!" "So cruel—she must be a witch." "Kill her, kill her!" ...
A chorus of condemnation arose, led by someone unknown, growing louder and more intense. Some grandmaster-level experts who could draw near paid it no mind, instead expressing admiration or even greater greed.
Li Daoqiang raised an eyebrow slightly, a note of praise in his heart. What a Heavenly Demon Zither! Truly a martial world treasure.
Its large-scale destructive power was overwhelming. Even the mere aftershocks made it unbearable for anyone below the grandmaster level within a ten-mile radius. Moreover, it greatly enhanced personal strength.
This Huang Xuemei was likely only at the ordinary grandmaster level, yet with the Heavenly Demon Zither, her strength could rival top-tier experts. Her group combat ability and suppression of ordinary grandmasters were formidable. She could even hold her own against two top-tier experts like Zhu Yuyan and Geshu Tian.
Of course, a major reason was that Zhu Yuyan and the other were wary of each other and also cautious of the grandmasters gathering on the scene, so they held back. Though they had acted first, confident in their own strength, they weren't arrogant fools—they knew to conserve their power. And they hadn't jumped out to become the target of everyone.
It was because they believed that by making the first move, some experts would dare not compete with them. Admittedly, both were clever, with well-laid plans. Two strong forces clashed, yet they also joined hands to suppress others. This was their unspoken understanding, which is why they both leaped out first.
After all, they were seasoned veterans of the martial world—truly shrewd. Li Daoqiang glanced around. Those who came alone and weren't at the top-tier level might indeed hesitate to step forward. After a moment's thought, he decided not to act immediately. He wanted to see what else would unfold.
Elsewhere, Zhui Ming and the man beside him watched the martial artists retreat after learning their lesson, shaking their heads inwardly. Then they ignored them, focusing on the great battle.
"If the Heavenly Demon Zither is this powerful, falling into the hands of Zhu Yuyan or Geshu Tian would surely stir up a bloodbath," Zhui Ming said gravely.
The man in the wheelchair—none other than Wu Qing, the chief of the Divine Constabulary's Four Great Constables—nodded slightly, his expression serious. After a brief pause, he looked around, made a decision, and said, "Zhu Yuyan and the other want to intimidate everyone with their combined strength, keeping them from acting rashly. Zhui Ming, go invite several righteous experts. We cannot let the Heavenly Demon Zither fall into their hands."
Zhui Ming nodded and vanished in a flash. Before long, four figures arrived.
"Senior Zhu, Senior Sun, Manor Lord Shen, Young Hero Yi—the Heavenly Demon Zither has appeared. We must not let it fall into the hands of Zhu Yuyan and Geshu Tian, or the martial world will surely descend into chaos. So, Wu Qing presumes to ask you all to join forces," Wu Qing said, cupping his hands politely, his demeanor refined.
Even among the four grandmasters—some he'd never met, others with whom he had strained relations—he identified each accurately and spoke candidly. He knew that Zhu Yuyan and the other were now joining forces to intimidate everyone. Few righteous experts had arrived, and they lacked coordination. On their own, they might not dare to act. Thus, the Divine Constabulary was the most suitable intermediary. Even Zhu Xiawu, the strong enforcer from the Six Fan School, wouldn't do.
As long as several righteous experts united, they wouldn't fear the duo's might and could fight freely.
"Naturally. I won't let Zhu Yuyan and the other succeed," Zhu Xiawu, the Divine Constable of the Six Fan School, declared solemnly, agreeing at once. "I, Shen Xingnan, will not shirk my duty," said the master of Feiyu Manor, his tone righteous.
The young man standing with a sword, his face full of integrity, glanced at the remaining middle-aged figure. Seeing no intention to speak first, he cupped his hands firmly. "I walk the martial world to uphold righteousness—I will not back down. It's an honor to join forces with you seniors, Brother Wu Qing, and Brother Zhui Ming against the enemy."
The others nodded and smiled at the young man, showing goodwill. The Mingjian Manor was a force in the Song Kingdom's martial world that could not be ignored—a renowned sect. The young manor lord, Yi Jifeng, was someone no one present wanted to offend; they only sought to befriend him.
Then, all eyes turned to the last person. Middle-aged in appearance, with a sword on his back, he met their gazes and said gravely, "Constable Wu Qing, and everyone—what about that demoness? My junior brother, Han Xun, has gone missing, likely at her hands. My disciple, Han Ping, needless to say, must have suffered the same fate."
Everyone understood—he was demanding the woman's life. A silence fell. As righteous individuals, they couldn't outright call for her death without knowing what she had done. Of course, this elder from the Diancang Sect, Sun Lutang, was more radical, so his demand was understandable.
Wu Qing glanced at the battlefield and said solemnly, "Let's capture her first and question her before deciding." "Fine," Sun Lutang agreed without objection.
With consensus reached, the six turned their attention to the battlefield, ready to act at any moment.
Elsewhere, Li Daoqiang sensed six auras converging and couldn't help but smile. So, someone dared to step forward after all. That made him even less eager to act. He settled in to enjoy the show.
"Ding~!"
The zither's notes grew more urgent, rainbow-like hues spreading through the void, turning the area into a dreamlike world. Amidst it, blade-like air blades raged, shattering rocks and mountains, unstoppable. Explosions echoed across the ground, mostly from those blades. Deep, bottomless cracks scarred the earth, testament to their sharpness and terror.
Zhu Yuyan and Geshu Tian, two demonic experts, wore grave expressions. They fended off the mind-disturbing zither notes while blocking the air blades. Yet, even with their combined strength—and despite holding back and watching each other—they still suppressed the woman.
More importantly, the woman's own strength was lacking; her speed couldn't match the two top-tier demonic experts, so she couldn't break free, only hold on while being overwhelmed.
As she fended off their assault, she kept an eye on her surroundings. A hint of anxiety crept into her heart.
She wasn't afraid of the two before her—she didn't fear death. But Dongfang Bai and He Qinghua hadn't appeared yet, and she couldn't take revenge. That was what she feared. She had thought her attack would lure them out, but even now, there was no sign.
After another clash, forcing Geshu Tian back, the woman's eyes turned icy. She shouted coldly, "If you want the Heavenly Demon Zither, fine—bring me Dongfang Bai and He Qinghua."
Zhu Yuyan's eyes flickered. She slowed her movements and said gravely, "Fine. Surrender the zither and serve my Yin Gui Sect, and I promise to find those two for you."
Geshu Tian smiled and quickly added, "Surrender the zither and join my Tianyu Demon Palace, and I'll make the same promise."
"I want them now—trade them for the zither," the woman said coldly.
Zhu Yuyan and Dongfang Bai exchanged a glance, reaching an unspoken agreement. Suddenly, Zhu Yuyan's inner energy surged, creating a vortex-like field spanning over a hundred zhang. Repulsive, attractive, gravitational forces intertwined within, like a black hole devouring everything.
It enveloped the woman and the zither's notes. The woman's aura faltered; the zither fell silent. The dreamlike world was crushed, and countless air blades vanished like stones sinking into the sea.
The watching experts narrowed their eyes—these two demonic top-tiers were no longer holding back.
Geshu Tian moved, seemingly unaffected by the field, and struck with a palm. The woman's face paled; blood trickled from her lips. Her cheeks flushed as she forcefully plucked the second-to-last string of the Heavenly Demon Zither.
"Ding~!"
The suppressed zither notes burst free like a sharp sword, forming a massive air blade that collided with the palm print. "Boom!"
A thunderous roar shook the field, causing it to dissipate slowly. But Zhu Yuyan seized the moment, riding the field's power to strike the woman from the air. "Pfft~!"
Blood sprayed from her mouth as the woman retreated, clutching the zither.
Zhu Yuyan sneered, giving chase, her Heavenly Demon Blades slashing relentlessly without mercy. She said lightly, "Back then, the Huang Dong family—Huang Dong and his wife died, but their son and daughter vanished without a trace. If I'm not mistaken, you must be Huang Dong's daughter, Huang Xuemei. The Heavenly Demon Zither is powerful, but your skill hasn't reached its peak. If you don't surrender it today, you'll die—and never get your revenge. But join my Yin Gui Sect and serve me, and I swear I'll help you avenge your family. What do you say?"
For a behemoth like the Yin Gui Sect and someone of her age, investigating events from sixteen years ago wasn't hard. A little deduction revealed much. Now, Zhu Yuyan was tempted. The Heavenly Demon Zither and a young female grandmaster—how could she not be?
The woman's expression shifted again, her heart trembling. No body of Xiao Lin was found!
Suppressing her surging emotions, she fended off attacks and asked coldly, "How much do you know about what happened sixteen years ago? Were you one of the murderers?"
(Requesting votes, thank you for your support.) ...