The setting sun was like blood, the flowers bloomed brilliantly.

However, at this moment, the Lotus Pond was enveloped in an atmosphere of stern slaughter.

Bai Wuxin, dressed in white, resembled an immortal descending to earth, his long sword flashing with a cold light, reflecting his cool and indifferent face.

Xie Pianxian was draped in a silk satin Black Robe, his physique supple, the water wave long saber in his hands emitting a soft and gentle aura, which complemented his enchanting temperament.

The two stood opposite each other.

A look of astonishment was written all over Xie Pianxian's face as he unbelievingly regarded the youth in white before him, who appeared even younger than himself.

How had he done it?

How had he managed to ... sever his own Sword Intent with a single strike?

With his Sword Intent completely gone, his vital energy had also come to a standstill.

How then, could he cause injury?

How could he kill?

"What Swordsmanship is this?" Xie Pianxian asked aloud.

"Broken Sword Style," Bai Wuxin replied, his face as still as water, "Slash."

"How many styles does this sword have?"

"Eight styles."

"Which eight styles?"

"Stab, poke, slash, chop, sweep, lift, push, cut - eight Sword Styles." Bai Wuxin did not conceal the truth, answering honestly.

A top swordsman possesses a kind of pride.

There was no need to hide such things, nor any reason to do so.

Xie Pianxian nodded, then said, "Then let this immortal experience your eight Sword Styles with my 'Water Technique.' Even if I die under these eight Sword Styles, I will have no regrets."

"I'm afraid you won't be able to," Bai Wuxin stated.

Xie Pianxian's pretty face furrowed slightly, irritation brewing within him; he understood Bai Wuxin's meaning—he doubted Xie Pianxian could withstand the eight Sword Styles...

"I refuse to believe such evil," he declared.

Without a word, Bai Wuxin lifted his sword and rushed towards Xie Pianxian.

He disliked idle chatter; it was best to avoid it when the sword could be used.

Bai Wuxin's figure flashed, his long sword streaked through the sky like a shooting star, heading straight for Xie Pianxian.

Xie Pianxian was fearless, his Water Blade sweeping through the air, its color turning even deeper and more azure, like a vast ocean.

The blade's light, like a strip of silk, met the sword's edge head-on.

Sword and saber collided in midair, producing a deafening roar, stirring up waves.

The two figures interweaved, with the sword shadows and blade's light intertwining amidst the lotus flowers, creating a breathtaking scene.

Unknowingly, they had fought from inside the courtyard to the outside.

Taking the vast Tianmu Lake as their battlefield, the lotus leaves spread out like umbrellas, and the delicate intertwining lotus flowers became tools to leverage their power.

Black and white phantoms clashed back and forth, locked in fierce combat.

The lake water of the Lotus Pond, stirred by the Sword Qi and Blade Energy, rippled layer upon layer, while the lotus leaves swayed in the breeze as if cheering for the great battle.

Xie Pianxian's sabership was flowing and lively, at times like swallows piercing the clouds, at times like dragons playing in the water.

His Water Blade traced graceful arcs through the air, each sweep carrying the force of heaven and earth, rendering it unbearable to look upon.

Whereas Bai Wuxin's Swordsmanship was fierce and tyrannical, each stroke heavy and forceful, as if to cleave all obstacles in twain.

His long sword tumbled through the sky, the flashing blade carrying a chilling intent to kill.

Snap!

With one stroke, the fierce Sword Intent sliced Xie Pianxian's Water Blade in two.

Half of it had turned to droplets of water mid-fall, while the other half remained in his grip.

But the Sword Qi was unyielding.

It sliced open a wound on Xie Pianxian's chest.

Skin turned outward; blood spurted wildly.

The two rapidly distanced themselves, Xie Pianxian looking down at the wound on his chest, then asked, "Is this the Cutting Sword Style?"

"Yes," Bai Wuxin nodded.

"I too have a saber to offer you," Xie Pianxian spoke out.

"Where is the saber?"

"The saber is underfoot."

As Xie Pianxian spoke, he reached toward Tianmu Lake, summoning a colossal water dragon that soared into the sky.

The water dragon roared and surged in the heavens, a faint dragon's cry echoing from it.

Descending from the sky, it transformed into a massive Water Blade and chopped down at Bai Wuxin.

The Water Technique had the ability to manipulate the surrounding Water Element for one's own use.

The deeper the cultivation, the higher the realm, the more massive and powerful the Water Element could be mobilized.

Xie Pianxian had witnessed Bai Wuxin's Swordsmanship; despite his youth, the boy's cultivation was profound, his swordplay exquisite.

What was most terrifying was his ruthless and merciless heart; every strike was made with such finality.

It was either injury inflicted by him, or a mutual journey to death.

Xie Pianxian knew that to defeat such an adversary, he must give his all.

But that wasn't all.

He chose to burn himself, to summon all of the Yin Yang Qi within him.

To face death with the willingness to die.

To meet an unstoppable force with one unyielding.

Bai Wuxin's expression turned grave.

Yet, excitement flickered in his eyes.

He relished such battles.

Burn, then, using oneself as kindling.

Unleash all one's strength, so as not to waste my Broken Sword Style.

This time, he remained stationary.

His body was wrapped and concealed by the water dragon, his vital energy sealed by that overpowering Blade Energy.

As the water dragon nearly crushed him into powder, he thrust his long sword upward.

Broken Sword Style!

Stab!

Striking the water dragon's vitals.

Boom!

The water dragon let out a roar and burst apart.

Countless droplets sprayed in every direction.

It was as if a rain had just fallen on Tianmu Lake.

Tang Fei stood by the shore, staring intently at the two experts in the center of the action, afraid of missing even a single spectacular moment.

It was too addicting.

Being able to closely observe and learn from the combat of top masters was infinitely beneficial.

This was also why his master, Xuanyuan Mingjing, had personally taken him to the Ghost Prison for training.

"Spurt..."

Xie Pianxian spat out a large mouthful of fresh blood.

This was the vile result of the backlash from the Yin Yang Qi.

His originally pale complexion became even paler, nearly translucent.

His eyes held a sorrowful look, with a hint of self-mockery, as he softly said, "This immortal has lost."

Clang!

The long sword slid into its sheath.

Bai Wuxin said nothing more, merely silently watching Xie Pianxian.

His task was done; now it was Tang Fei's stage.

Tang Fei's figure unfolded, and he deftly landed on a lotus leaf.

He looked at Xie Pianxian before him and asked, "How do you feel about this?"

"This immortal has said before... to die under the 'Broken Sword Style,' I would die without regret," Xie Pianxian posed in resignation.

He truly had no other choice.

He wanted to live, too, but there was no chance of survival.

Not to mention his grave injuries, the Yin Yang Qi inside his body had been exhausted after that last hit.

Compared to that young man in white, he was far inferior.

Moreover, with Tang Fei lurking threateningly by the side...

He had once crossed hands with him, and Tang Fei's miraculous movement technique had left a deep impression.

At least, he was clear about one thing:

Escape was impossible.

"Who said you could die under the 'Broken Sword Style'?" Tang Fei asked with a chuckle.

"What do you mean?" Xie Pianxian retorted.

"You're alive and well now, aren't you?" Tang Fei spoke, "If I wanted to kill you, I would take you back to the Monitoring Bureau, apply every punishment to you, and then let those old men who have killed countless have their go at you..."

"They don't care whether they slit your throat or chop off your head... perhaps they won't have enough strength, and it might not come off the first time, but a few more tries should do it..."

"You will only die by these people's hands... 'Broken Sword Style'... does not exist..."

Hearing Tang Fei's description, Xie Pianxian's body involuntarily broke out in goosebumps.

He had a mania for cleanliness, and the thing he couldn't stand the most was filth.

Whether it was a filthy environment or filthy people.

Clearly, the end Tang Fei had planned for him perfectly met both criteria.

"What do you all really want?" Xie Pianxian asked angrily.

"Answer a few questions for me," Tang Fei said, looking at Xie Pianxian.

"Impossible," Xie Pianxian flatly rejected, saying, "Every family has its own rules, every trade its conventions. I know what you want to ask, and if I exposed the employer's information... that would break the rules."

"Oh, quite a bit of backbone. A killer's self-cultivation?"

...

Xie Pianxian knew he was being mocked, yet he had no idea how to retort.

"I am a very reasonable person," Tang Fei said to Xie Pianxian, smiling cheerfully, "if you don't have a good talk with me... then we have nothing to talk about."

"Come on, come back with me to the Monitoring Bureau... With your delicate skin and handsome face, I believe there should be many people in the prison interested in you..."

Xie Pianxian's expression turned fierce, his eyes filled with hatred.

He understood what Tang Fei meant by "interested."

Compared to the ruthless Bai Wuxin, he disliked the grinning Tang Fei even more.

He would rather be killed by Bai Wuxin with a single sword stroke than go back to the Monitoring Bureau with Tang Fei.

Just then, the mournful and serene sound of a flute filled the air.

Tang Fei and Bai Wuxin became alert, but Xie Pianxian's face dramatically changed.

On Tianmu Lake, a flat boat appeared.

A woman in a white garment stood at the bow, holding a flute to her lips, passionately playing the world-renowned ancient melody: "Sand Dune Falling Geese."

The sky was vast and the lake wide, the setting sun casting its last ray of glow.

As far as the eye could see, it seemed as though only that flat boat and the girl in white existed in the world.

The sound of the flute seemed to bewitch, arousing an endless array of emotions in people's hearts.

It evoked a feeling of helpless melancholy.

Behind her stood two girls in red shirts, motionless, yet the flat boat glided like a swimming fish, riding the wind and waves, swerving between all manners of flora, and speeding toward Tang Fei and his companions.

The song ended, and the boat had arrived before them.

The woman in white wore a veil, obscuring her true face.

Yet, just by observing her demeanor, one could tell she was a woman of breathtaking beauty.

Her gaze swept over Xie Pianxian and finally settled on Tang Fei's face, and she crisply said, "Director Tang, we meet again."

"Oh?" Tang Fei looked at her with interest, smiling, "Have we met?"

"When Director Tang caused a commotion at Winding Water Garden and captured Yu Huoshui, I had the pleasure of witnessing your style; I have held you in great admiration ever since."

Tang Fei suddenly realized and said, "So you are the real owner of Winding Water Garden, and Golden Step Shaker was merely a puppet you put forward."

"Director Tang is quick on the uptake, indeed a man of keen insight," she said.

"Let's save the flattery... although I do like hearing it," Tang Fei waved a hand and said aloud, "If I'm not mistaken, you're more than just this identity, right? How does the owner of Winding Water Garden dare to get involved in such matters?"

"Moreover, it looks like you have a special relationship with him... being able to command one of the Three Sabers, Cutting Water Flow Xie Pianxian, to work for you... your background must not be simple, right?"

Director Tang, why not take a guess?"

"Originally, I had no clue," Tang Fei said with a smile, "but, after hearing your piece just now... I think I've caught on."

"Oh? Do tell."

"To be able to play 'Sand Dune Falling Geese' so captivatingly, stirring deep emotions in people... If I'm not mistaken, you're the fabled Music Genius among the Three Sabers, Three Swords, and Three Eccentrics, Tuoba Zhiyin..."

Tang Fei's gaze locked with those eyes, sparkling like the stars, and he asked, "Am I right?"

The woman applauded and exclaimed, "Director Tang is indeed the most sagacious person in the world. With this, our negotiation just got a lot easier."

"Oh, you want to negotiate? Negotiate what?"

"I would like to make a deal with Director Tang..."

"What kind of deal?"

"I'll do something for you, and you spare Xie Pianxian's life."

"That depends on whether the thing you'll do... is something I actually want you to do."

"We as businesspersons... abide by the principle that the customer is God," the woman said with a twinkling in her eyes, softly speaking, "Director Tang, I assure you will be satisfied."

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