parentshiftbook Chapter 277 I have been assassinated three times!
Chapter 277 I have been assassinated three times!
Chapter 276 I have been assassinated three times!
The north wind was like a knife, but it could not sever the vibrant atmosphere of the capital city.
On the streets of the capital, the sound of carriages and horses rolling over the frost-covered bluestone slabs was particularly crisp.
The steamers in the restaurants on the streets of the city were lifted, and the scalding white steam mixed with the aroma of food was instantly swept away by the cold wind, which attracted passers-by to hurry up and crowd forward.
The shouts of vendors, the sounds of drinking games in taverns, and the muffled "thud" of a cotton curtain falling down blended together, pushing back the bone-chilling cold by a third.
And not far from this bustling street
The backyard of a seemingly ordinary, bustling inn...
In the most secluded and quietest guest room.
"Squeak—"
The door was pushed open from the inside, and a withered, skeletal old man slowly walked out.
His gray robe seemed even more worn, but the eerie green in his deep-set eyes was more intense than ever before, faintly revealing a strange aura of sharpness and deathly stillness intertwined with the image of destruction and rebirth.
Outside the door,
The man who had appeared at the teahouse earlier, wearing a straw hat and carrying a long bundle, stood quietly with his hands at his sides, just like a sculpture.
Upon seeing the old man with withered bones emerge, he bowed slightly, deftly untied the long bundle on his back, and tore off the coarse cloth covering it, revealing an ancient-looking sword box that was neither made of gold nor wood.
The surface of the sword case is engraved with simple cloud patterns and reincarnation symbols, exuding an air of vicissitude.
"Elder." The man in the straw hat presented the sword box with both hands.
The withered old man's dry fingers brushed across the surface of the sword box, and a green light flickered in his eyes.
He gently pressed the mechanism, and with a "click," the sword case opened.
in an instant,
A profound and obscure meaning permeated the air.
Inside the box, there was no dazzling light or color, only two sheathed longswords, one black and one white, lying quietly.
The sword is ancient and seemingly ordinary, but upon closer inspection, one can discover that there are countless tiny, strange marks on the scabbard that seem to flow slowly, like natural patterns. The black and white auras intertwine, generate, and cycle, exuding a rich Daoist charm that blends vitality and death!
"Buzz..."
Seemingly sensing the shared aura of the withered old man, the two spirit swords spontaneously emitted a clear and melodious sword cry, carrying a hint of the netherworld.
Amidst the sword's cry, illusory images of the blooming and withering of spider lilies, the rushing of the Yellow Springs River, and the spinning of the Wheel of Reincarnation flashed by around the sword!
As the withered old man gazed at the two spiritual weapons bearing unique sword marks of life and death, the muscles on his gaunt face twitched, revealing a complex and incomprehensible sentiment.
"The Yin-Yang Reincarnation Sword... the personal sword of the eleventh patriarch..." he murmured hoarsely.
These two spiritual weapons, although far less powerful than the divine weapons and imperial weapons used by the top sects to suppress their fortunes and possess the power to destroy the heavens and the earth,
But its preciousness lies in the fact that it contains the fundamental essence of the supreme martial art of the Life and Death Sword Sect, the "Heavenly Revolving Life and Death Sword Chapter"!
It was the eleventh generation patriarch who, after entering the realm of Dharma Body, inscribed his lifelong understanding of this supreme skill into these two swords that had accompanied him in battle for many years, using his unparalleled swordsmanship.
If one can thoroughly comprehend its true meaning, it is equivalent to obtaining the complete inheritance of the "Heavenly Cycle of Life and Death Sword Chapter," which is enough to directly point to the Great Dao of the Dharma Body!
Even if he could only comprehend three-tenths of its true meaning, it would be enough to support the withered old man in condensing his own life and death Dharma form and steadily stepping into the third level of the outer realm!
and,
The profound mystery of life and death, and the cycle of reincarnation, is extremely obscure and mysterious in the sword marks.
Without practicing the prerequisite techniques of the "Heavenly Cycle of Life and Death Sword Chapter"—the Enlightenment and External Realm chapters—and without the meticulous guidance of sect masters, ordinary people simply cannot grasp its essence.
At most, one can only comprehend a portion of the essence of swordsmanship from either the "living sword" or the "dead sword" to improve one's own swordsmanship level.
Only those who have already stood at the pinnacle of this world and have truly witnessed the true meaning of the evolution of life and death can see through the illusion, point directly to the core, and use the true meaning of life and death to comprehend the complete "Sword Chapter of Life and Death of the Heavenless Cycle".
But looking across the world, who else but their Life and Death Sword Sect's ancestor could have studied the Dao of Life and Death Reincarnation to such a level?
Therefore, the sect dared to entrust the envoy in the bamboo hat with the sword to the perilous capital city and deliver it to the withered old man.
"Alas..." Gazing at the twin swords, the withered old man suddenly let out a long sigh, his voice filled with deep self-reproach and shame, "I am incompetent, having allowed that junior Li Xijun to escape from my grasp twice in a row, thus damaging the sect's reputation."
"Now... not only has the sect not punished me, but it has also bestowed upon me the spiritual weapon of the eleventh patriarch to help me condense my Dharma form... I am ashamed!"
He was originally at the second level of the Outer Realm. When he attacked Li Xijun in the Northern Border, he was seriously injured by General Murong, who was ranked on the Earth Ranking, and almost died.
But it was precisely that brush with death that gave him an unprecedentedly profound understanding of the true meaning of "living towards death" in the sect's ultimate technique, "The Heavenless Revolving Life and Death Sword Chapter." He was able to break through and rebuild, not only recovering from his injuries but also advancing his cultivation to the third level of the Outer Realm.
Furthermore, he was also 70% confident that as long as he calmly comprehended for a period of time, he would be able to naturally condense the Dharma Image of Life and Death and officially enter the third level of the Outer Realm!
The envoy in the straw hat came primarily to escort the pair of spirit swords and help him successfully complete this step.
but……
The withered old man suddenly raised his head, the eerie green ghost fire staring intently at the direction of Qionghua Tower, and an uncontrollable aura mixed with intense killing intent and obsession soared into the sky.
"But now... Li Xijun, of all people, has come to the capital!"
That junior who caused him to fail in two assassination attempts, a disgrace he considered the greatest humiliation of his life,
Li Xijun, whose extraordinary talent and hidden secrets are sure to lead him to the Earthly Ranking and even the potential to attain the Dharma Body, is currently in the city.
Now that his strength has greatly increased and he has been bestowed with precious spiritual weapons by the sect... this is a golden opportunity!
"Buzz! Buzz!"
Sensing the boiling killing intent and resolute sword heart in his heart, the Yin-Yang Reincarnation Sword in the sword box emitted an even more intense sound, and the black and white energies surged out and surrounded his body!
The old man with the skeletal frame stretched out his hands, and the black and white swords seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, flying out of their scabbards and landing precisely in his withered palms!
With two swords in hand, his aura exploded forth.
It was no longer the gloomy and deathly silence of before, but carried a terrifying sword intent that severed the cycle of reincarnation and reversed life and death.
He unleashed his cultivation at the third level of the Outer Realm without reservation. The unique pressure of cultivating the "Heavenless Revolving Life and Death Sword Chapter," one of the five great divine skills, caused the envoy in the bamboo hat beside him to take a half step back, his face filled with horror.
"Li Xijun...this time, I will surely slay you with this sword!"
The old man's voice was hoarse, yet it carried an unwavering resolve.
"Through this child, I will fulfill my wish and reaffirm my sword's spirit! With this man's death, I will offer as a sacrifice for my condensation of my Dharma form, allowing me to ascend directly to the Middle Three Heavens!"
As soon as he finished speaking, his figure flickered and disappeared from the spot like a ghost, leaving behind only the lingering chilling sword intent and the deathly aura of reincarnation.
Looking at the empty courtyard, the envoy in the straw hat felt a sudden tightness in his heart. He vaguely sensed that although the elder's strength had greatly increased this time, his target was by no means an easy opponent. This trip was probably... unpredictable.
the other side
In the morning,
Li Xijun then received an invitation from the Mu family, which was respectfully worded and extended as a junior.
Knowing that this was Mu Wanqiu's arrangement, he took only a few Star Palace guards with him in the morning and went to the Mu residence located in the core area of the capital.
Unlike ordinary aristocratic families, the Mu family was not extravagant and ostentatious. Instead, it exuded a profound and elegant atmosphere.
Guided by the butler, Li Xijun met Mu Qingyi, the matriarch of the Mu family, in an elegantly decorated hall filled with the fragrance of books and flowers.
Today, Mu Qingyi was dressed in a light purple casual outfit, which made her look even more gentle and approachable. She personally poured tea for Li Xijun, and her demeanor was calm and elegant.
"Your Highness made quite a scene at Qionghua Tower last night," Mu Qingyi said with a slight smile, her tone carrying the concern of an elder.
Li Xijun bowed slightly to accept the teacup: "A few clowns causing trouble won't disturb the peace. It's you who have to worry about me, Auntie."
Following his relationship with Mu Wanqiu, he used a more intimate form of address.
This brought a hint of satisfaction to Mu Qingyi's eyes, but her expression immediately turned serious as she got down to business: "Your current status is special, and every move you make affects countless people. The waters of the capital are deeper than you think."
She gently set down the teapot and said slowly, "There are two major external threats. First, Zhao Mang, the Prince of Pinghai in the Northwest, commands a large army. After His Majesty's disappearance, he recruited experts to expand his power, and his intentions are obvious. Zhu Qingtian yesterday was one of his lackeys. Second, the Evil Path of the Nine Paths of Evil has been active in Jiangnan recently, spreading the saying that 'only pain is real and eternal,' bewitching people and seemingly intending to incite unrest and rebel."
Li Xijun listened quietly; this information roughly matched what he had previously gathered from the Palace of Stars.
Mu Qingyi continued, "And within the city, undercurrents are surging. Although Marquis Li Xian, the Courageous Marquis, is a royal grandmaster and is rumored to be utterly loyal, the more so, the less trustworthy he is. People's hearts are easily swayed by power. On the other hand, Marquis Zhuge Wang, the Marquis of Wenyuan, who is in charge of the Six Doors, is upright and devoted to the country. He is one of the few trustworthy ministers in the court at present."
She paused, then lowered her voice: "In the palace, the Empress is no easy person to deal with; she is very shrewd. That 'Thousand Threads' Liu Ruyan is somewhat connected to her. The Crown Prince is dead, and your sudden appearance as a 'prince' is still unknown whether it will be a blessing or a curse for her. You must be very careful."
After analyzing the situation, Mu Qingyi looked at Li Xijun and spoke sincerely:
"My advice is that you should remain still for now and wait for the reactions from all sides. The capital is too dangerous. If you feel that the restaurant is not safe enough, you might as well stay at my Mu family's place. With me here, I can protect you to some extent and prevent you from being easily used by certain people."
This arrangement is thoughtful and reflects the Mu family's sincerity.
however,
Li Xijun hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and cupped his hands in greeting:
"Thank you for your kindness and frankness, Aunt. However, I have my own plans and will not trouble you any further."
He appeared calm, but inwardly he was calculating something else entirely:
Although the Mu family is a good place, it is ultimately someone else's territory, so it is inevitable that one will feel constrained.
Moreover, the situation in the capital is treacherous, teeming with powerful figures.
I have now fulfilled my promise to Mu Wanqiu, but I missed more than one aspect.
Rather than treading on thin ice here, it would be better to... make a strategic relocation first.
Where can you stay that is safer than going back to the main world and hiding for a few months?
After a few months, with the support of the main world's official resources and the "Ten Years to Cultivate People" training program, I can first break through to the third level of the outer realm and the later stage of the main world's outer realm, and then come back to make arrangements at my leisure.
Seeing his resolute attitude, Mu Qingyi did not insist. She simply reminded him to be careful and then personally escorted him to the gate of the mansion.
After leaving the Mu residence, Li Xijun did not return directly to the restaurant.
Instead, they seemed to be casually strolling through the inner city streets, but in reality, they were looking for a suitable place to quietly travel back to the main world.
however,
Just as he passed through a relatively quiet alley and was about to activate the teleportation imprint in his sea of consciousness,
A sudden change has occurred!
The surrounding air seemed to freeze instantly, and an indescribable chill and deathly stillness surged in from all directions like a tide, blocking out the sunlight, and the light in the alley suddenly dimmed.
This artistic conception is not simply about killing intent, but rather a deeper and more fundamental meaning of the cycle of life and death.
In an instant, this place transformed into the crossroads of the underworld, blurring the boundary between yin and yang. Life was rapidly fading away, and deathly energy coiled upwards like vines.
Li Xijun paused, and the starlight around him flowed naturally, isolating him from the approaching deathly stillness. His robes fluttered without wind.
His eyes were sharp as swords as he gazed into the deepest part of the alleyway's shadows.
A dry, hoarse sound, like two pieces of withered bone rubbing together, carrying a deep-seated hatred, echoed faintly:
"Young man... this old man has been waiting for you for a long time!"
The shadows twisted, and an old man, as withered as a log and draped in a gray robe, slowly emerged.
He was surrounded by a deathly gray aura, his eyes were sunken, and two eerie green flames flickered within them.
It was none other than the Elder of the Life and Death Sword Sect, the Old Man of Withered Bones, who had failed to assassinate Li Xijun in the Sea of Death in the Northern Desert and was instead allowed to escape by using the Power of the White Dragon!
Li Xijun was taken aback, and then his expression became somewhat subtle: "Old man withered bones, it seems you've forgotten the pain once the wound has healed."
He truly didn't expect the other party to dare appear in front of him a third time.
Having now broken through to the Outer Realm, I don't know what gave this withered old man the courage to come knocking on my door again.
Is it some powerful weapon or some other secret technique?
Li Xijun inwardly became wary, but remained calm on the surface, saying, "I already spared your life last time, why do you insist on coming back to die?"
The withered old man let out a sickening laugh: "Sharp tongue! You escaped by chance last time, but today, let's see who can save you within ten breaths!"
"Your life, along with the secrets you hold, I will take them all!"
The voice has not fallen,
His withered fingers clenched together like a sword, and a terrifying sword intent, gray and seemingly capable of drawing upon the death energy within living beings and determining the cycle of yin and yang, locked onto Li Xijun. The brick and stone walls of the surrounding alleys lost their color at a visible speed, turning gray and decaying!
The assassination attempt was carried out brazenly in broad daylight!
(End of this chapter)