Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Shu State, located in the southern part of the Heavenly Sword Dynasty, was one of the renowned Daozhou, famous for being the home of the Nanshu Jian Gong.

Two thousand years ago, Nanshu Jian Gong was the ruler of Shu State, much like the Seven Stars Sect of Qingzhou. However, the Heavenly Sword Dynasty was simply too powerful. When its Sword Cultivator army mobilized, it swept through Shu State, forcing Nanshu Jian Gong to open its gates and willingly submit.

Now, two thousand years had passed. Instead of declining, Nanshu Jian Gong had flourished more than ever before, earning a reputation as one of the three holy grounds of the Heavenly Sword Dynasty. It even showed signs of becoming the foremost of the three.

If it continued on this path, Nanshu Jian Gong would undoubtedly grow even more prosperous and could very well be entering its most glorious era.

However, a piece of devastating news suddenly arrived, sending wails of sorrow throughout Nanshu Jian Gong and casting a heavy, somber atmosphere over the sect.

The Yun Jun Holy Maiden was dead!

The Yun Jun Holy Maiden was the most outstanding disciple of her generation in Nanshu Jian Gong. She was capable of controlling seven Flying Swords at once to form the Seven Immortals Sword Formation, possessed immense Combat Power, and had exceptional innate talent. She was also ranked near the top of the Hidden Dragon List.

The loss of such a Holy Maiden was a massive blow to Nanshu Jian Gong. Yet, compared to the threat posed by the Nineteenth Prince, her death seemed insignificant.

The Yun Jun Holy Maiden had dared to take part in ambushing a prince. She was truly courting death!

Now, she had not only caused her own death but had also plunged Nanshu Jian Gong into an unprecedented crisis. If they could not navigate it, the sect’s very existence would be in question.

"Has the Holy Maiden lost her mind? How could she offend the Nineteenth Prince? Offending him was one thing, but to actually ambush him and try to kill him? Now look what’s happened! The Nineteenth Prince has brought his army, and our entire Nanshu Jian Gong has to pay for her mistake."

"Shh, keep your voice down! The Holy Maiden is the Great Elder’s granddaughter. It’s best to keep such thoughts to yourself. Saying them out loud will only offend the Great Elder."

"Why should I whisper? Is there anyone in the sect who isn’t blaming the Holy Maiden right now? If it weren’t for her, would we be in this helpless position? Now I can’t leave even if I want to. I don’t even know if I’ll make it out of this alive."

Within Nanshu Jian Gong, many disciples whispered amongst themselves, and their resentment for the Yun Jun Holy Maiden ran deep.

Nanshu Jian Gong was situated in the northern part of Shu State, built among lofty mountains and steep ridges. The Spiritual Energy here was rich, and the environment was ideal, making it an excellent sacred ground for cultivation.

But at this moment, the entire Nanshu Jian Gong was shrouded in gloom, and the voices of discontent toward the Yun Jun Holy Maiden grew ever louder.

As for escaping, it was futile. The entirety of Shu State was under the rule of the Heavenly Sword Dynasty; there was nowhere to run. If they managed to slip away and were discovered, their crimes would only be compounded.

Furthermore, the disciples of Nanshu Jian Gong were no commoners. Most came from powerful families or factions. While the disciples themselves could flee, their families and affiliations could not. Thus, even knowing the Nineteenth Prince was coming for revenge, they could only remain, awaiting the judgment of fate.

A palpable tension, the calm before the storm, gripped all of Shu State. Within Nanshu Jian Gong, this atmosphere was suffocating.

"They’re here!"

Suddenly, a disciple had a premonition and looked up.

Instantly, everyone in Nanshu Jian Gong raised their heads to gaze into the distance.

A dark shadow flew in from afar, growing larger as it approached, like a black Divine Sword splitting the sky asunder. They had not yet arrived, but the terrifying pressure was already suffocating.

Gradually, the crowd discerned the true nature of the dark shadow.

It was an army of a thousand soldiers. Each was clad in heavy black armor and wielded a massive black sword, advancing like a torrential flood of black steel. The somber atmosphere was like dark clouds pressing down on the city.

"The Black Armored Army!" someone cried out, recognizing the distinctive military force.

This was a force of Dead Soldiers trained by the Third Prince, known as the Black Armored Army. They had earned immortal merits on the battlefield and were rarely seen except in times of war. These Dead Soldiers were well-trained, superbly equipped, and immensely powerful. Moreover, they were fearless in the face of death, veritable Death Sentences on the battlefield.

At the forefront of the Black Armored Army stood a graceful figure: Li Qingyue.

Today, Li Qingyue wore black training clothes, her long black hair tied back in a ponytail. She flew through the air, her beautiful face impassive, her cool temperament keeping everyone at a distance.

The Black Armored Army was the Third Prince’s personal force, yet Li Qingyue was now commanding it. The implications were thought-provoking, but even if anyone had their suspicions, they wouldn’t dare voice them.

After all, Su Han had publicly executed the Second and Eighth Princes. Even if the Third Prince’s death was also connected to him, who would dare say a word?

One thousand soldiers, though formidable, were not enough to threaten Nanshu Jian Gong. However, the appearance of the Black Armored Army signaled the start of the Nineteenth Prince’s revenge, and that was the true cause for their terror.

"Look, the Forbidden Army is really here!"

Just then, a cry of alarm rang out as a vast army of ten thousand men flew toward them from another direction.

The Heavenly Sword Dynasty had a hundred thousand troops in its Forbidden Army. Even with the Emperor’s Decree, Su Han couldn’t mobilize all of them. He could only command ten thousand, but that was more than enough.

The soldiers of the Forbidden Army wore silver armor and wielded sharp swords. Their combined morale formed a terrifying, world-shaking momentum. This presence alone, like a Heaven-Slaying Divine Sword, made countless disciples of Nanshu Jian Gong tremble before it even arrived.

Nanshu Jian Gong was renowned for its Flying Sword Technique and Sword Array arts. However, upon submitting to the Heavenly Sword Dynasty, they had surrendered both to the Imperial Court. The Court then synthesized the strengths of hundreds of schools of swordsmanship to forge the hundred-thousand-strong Forbidden Army. Therefore, when it came to Sword Arrays, these ten thousand Forbidden Army troops were by no means inferior to Nanshu Jian Gong.

At the head of the ten thousand Forbidden Army troops, Li Mingliang held the Emperor’s Decree. While his own strength was not remarkable, the decree in his hand granted him immense authority.

One thousand soldiers from the Black Armored Army and ten thousand from the Forbidden Army formed a lineup so terrifying it could sweep away everything in its path. If their Great Saints did not intervene, Nanshu Jian Gong would be unable to resist.

Nanshu Jian Gong did indeed have Great Saints—more than one, in fact. Yet, none of them dared to act. If they did, it would be considered rebellion against the Imperial Court. The army sent to suppress them would then number far more than just eleven thousand.

The arrival of both the Black Armored Army and the Forbidden Army left everyone deeply unsettled, their hearts leaping into their throats.

WHOOSH!

At that moment, a streak of golden light blazed across the horizon, cutting through the air as it sped directly toward Nanshu Jian Gong.

"The Nineteenth Prince has arrived!"

Upon seeing the Golden Chariot and the figure of Su Han within its light, countless onlookers trembled with fear.

The Golden Chariot sliced through the sky and arrived before Nanshu Jian Gong, flanked by the Great Saints Wei Wenzheng and Wei Ying.

Now, under the watchful eyes of countless people, Su Han looked down upon the expansive Nanshu Jian Gong. His cold voice echoed across the land:

"Today, the Sword Palace will be stained with blood!"