Chapter Forty: The Man in Black

The man in black advanced step by step, gradually forcing the two, Che and Liu, into a corner with no escape. Liu Lanzhi’s heart surged with waves of terror. Where had this black-clad stranger come from? She had never heard her master mention such a formidable figure emerging from the southern borders of Jizhou.

Liu Lanzhi had exhausted every skill she possessed, but no matter how fiercely she fought back, the man in black always countered her with effortless sword strikes, pushing her back each time. She was deeply shocked, though unaware that the man in black was equally astonished. He had waited here for Liu Lanzhi for quite some time, confident that with his abilities, killing the two would take only moments. After all, he was a master in the early stage of Return-to-Origin, and eliminating someone at the peak of Purple Mansion realm and another at the Qi Refining stage should pose no challenge—indeed, it almost felt beneath him.

Yet when the fight began in earnest, he discovered that killing these two was not easy at all. Luckily, it was he who came; everything remained within his grasp. If someone else had come, even another master at the early stage of Return-to-Origin, they might not have succeeded in slaying these two.

Che Wuyou was less troublesome; though he had been struck by the sword several times, he still acted as if nothing had happened, but his true strength was indeed limited. However, Liu Lanzhi, this young girl, was exceedingly difficult to handle—he had underestimated her. Despite her youth, her combat prowess was terrifying; she was only a shade weaker than those at the early stage of Return-to-Origin. Among all the people he had encountered, only that young man named Che Yeming could firmly suppress her.

Although the man in black held absolute initiative, he dared not relax. Several times, he had been close to taking Liu Lanzhi’s life, but at each critical moment, she narrowly avoided his attacks. He knew this was the instinctive sensitivity to danger possessed by gifted warriors—they could sense threats before they arose, unless the danger vastly exceeded their abilities.

It was difficult for the man in black to kill either of them. Che Wuyou, though weak, cooperated seamlessly with Liu Lanzhi. Whenever she was in peril, he would rush to her aid, regardless of his own safety; and when Che Wuyou himself was within the man in black’s lethal range, Liu Lanzhi would arrive swiftly, giving the assailant no opportunity.

Of course, if he were willing to pay some price, he could kill either one, but that was not his intention. After all, this was a remote place; there was no need to rush. As their injuries mounted, their blood would not stop flowing, their strength would wane, and eventually, they would make a fatal mistake.

The man in black’s sword was like a venomous serpent, striking relentlessly from every angle. Each slash forced the two to defend desperately, each blow left a fresh wound on their bodies. Under his relentless assault, Che and Liu could only hold their ground grimly.

Their nerves were taut, not daring to relax for a moment. If the man in black found an opening, the consequences would be dire. Che Wuyou realized that this was not sustainable—defense alone would inevitably fail, and sooner or later, they would both die. Since death was inevitable, perhaps one should escape; better for one to perish than both. Che Wuyou silently gritted his teeth. No matter what, he must hold off the man in black to give Lanzhi a chance for survival.

The man in black struck again. In the dimming sky, his sword flashed like a meteor trailing a dangerous light, swiftly targeting Che Wuyou.

This time, Che Wuyou did not dodge. He had been waiting for such a chance—an opportunity to entangle the man in black. Liu Lanzhi was about to intervene with her sword, but saw Che Wuyou not evade, instead moving forward to meet the sword’s gleam. Both the man in black and Liu Lanzhi were stunned as Che Wuyou, like a soldier marching to his death, like a moth flying into the flame, advanced with a trace of sorrow and absolute resolve towards the man in black.

The sword pierced Che Wuyou’s body. He managed to avoid the vital spot, and without pausing for an instant, followed the blade and plunged himself into the man in black’s arms. For you, even if it means death, even if it means falling forever into the cycle of rebirth, I am willing.

The man in black snapped out of his shock. This boy really is a madman. He was about to withdraw his sword and retreat, but a hand suddenly wrapped around his arm like a leather strap, and Che Wuyou’s legs, flexible to the extreme, entwined around his body.

Che Wuyou clung tightly to the man in black. For a moment, he turned his head, filled with infinite longing, to gaze at the beautiful figure caught in the wind. He vaguely remembered her telling him the story of the Ye family’s man: “He, with a sword in hand, for the sake of an unknown woman, challenged the thirty-six strongholds of the southern region’s greatest power... Even if that woman died, so what? To have such a hero risk his life for her, even in death, she would surely be happy.”

I may not be a great hero, but I too have someone I wish to protect. Even if I cannot guard her for a lifetime, to protect her for a moment is happiness enough. Che Wuyou shouted, “Lanzhi, run!”

In that instant, Liu Lanzhi’s tears burst forth. Her body trembled slightly, her vision blurred. Why must you do this? Why? Do you want me to remember you forever, to live eternally tormented by memory?

“Lanzhi, go! I am an orphan, I have no kin; in this world, only you have treated me kindly. For you, I would give up anything. For you, I will risk everything.” Che Wuyou’s voice came through the wind, sorrowful yet resolute.

“Hurry! If possible, return my body to... Ancient River City, to my mother!” Perhaps in his heart, he never forgot the place that gave him life and raised him; perhaps it was his eternal dream, the true harbor of his soul. He was weary, needing to return there to rest.

Liu Lanzhi cast one last, deep look at the struggling figure. She wept bitterly as she turned away, her heart trembling to its core. Perhaps she would never forget this moment, never forget this man.

But just then, the man in black suddenly shouted in anger, “Who’s there? Show yourself!” Liu Lanzhi, running, was startled by the shout. Hope ignited in her eyes—could there be others nearby?

As the man in black finished speaking, two figures leaped from opposite sides of the canyon. Both were clad in night attire, enveloped in darkness, with only their sharp, gleaming eyes exposed.

Liu Lanzhi had assumed the two new arrivals were allies of the man in black, but when they saw each other, they seemed surprised, each regarding the other with wary suspicion. Clearly, they were not from the same faction. One was Hong Shun, and the other Hong Tao.

After Che and Liu left the Xuanqing Sect, Hong Shun was severely reprimanded by the sect leader, Zhang Da, who scolded him for failing such a minor task, even being injured by two children, which tarnished the sect’s reputation in the southern Jizhou region. Zhang Da decided Hong Shun was no longer fit to be the head of the Green Peak Hall, appointing Hong Tao as acting hall master and ordering Hong Shun to reflect deeply upon his failure.

Hong Shun, leaving the Green Peak, grew increasingly furious. If not for those two brats, how could he have ended up like this? But the sect leader had already allowed them to leave; he wondered if he could still catch up. After brief hesitation, he packed his belongings and set off in the direction Che and Liu had gone.

Meanwhile, Hong Tao, thanks to Hong Shun’s mishap, had seized a great opportunity and felt secretly delighted. At that moment, the sect leader Zhang Da instructed him, “Hong Tao, escort those two children out, but be sure they do not notice you. If they are truly headed for Miao Family Village, ensure they arrive safely. If not, kill them.”

Hong Shun naturally understood Zhang Da’s intentions. Treating the young lady’s illness was a matter of utmost importance—no mistakes could be allowed. Though Miao Shilin had sent two children, Zhang Da was somewhat disappointed, but would not let anything happen to them. If the cure came from them, and something befell them en route, there would be nothing but regret.

Che Wuyou, though determined to die, was gravely wounded. In his haze, he heard the man in black’s angry shout and felt a surge of spirit—there were others nearby. Listening to the wind behind, he realized not just one, but two people were hiding. His mind raced. Whatever their purpose, it was time to act. He suddenly shouted, “You two, what are you waiting for? Take action now!”

At his shout, all three men in black were startled. The one holding Che Wuyou’s face changed slightly—so help had indeed arrived; killing them would be difficult now. Hong Shun was shocked—could the man beside him be here to secretly protect the two kids? Wouldn’t that mean another opponent? Hong Tao was alarmed too—did the sect leader not trust him, and secretly send someone to monitor him as well?

Hong Tao broke out in a cold sweat at the thought. He saw that the man in black attacking Che and Liu was extremely skilled; he had not wanted to involve himself, but now that his presence was revealed, he had no choice. Just then, he heard Che Wuyou’s shout and suddenly realized—“The sect leader must have sent someone to watch me.” If he failed to rescue Che and Liu, the watcher would report everything to the sect leader, and then he would surely face severe punishment.

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