The Demon Lords

The wild people’s king’s abandoned son admits defeat,

and says:

"It is true that the military orders given in Lord Jingnan’s name are mixed with truth and falsity. Although sharp-eyed people know well these are presumptuous actions made by Lord Pingye on his own, as long as Lord Jingnan does not deny them, even sharp-eyed people have to weigh the matter carefully."

"However, there’s no Tiger Talisman."

The wild people’s king burst into laughter,

and said:

"Sounds like when Lord Jingnan initially ordered Lord Pingye to kill captives, he had the Tiger Talisman!"

...

The slaughter at the Academic Affairs Office continues.

The Sword Saint wearing white clothes sits in a tea shed by the roadside, drinking tea. Sitting opposite is the cautious Chen Daole.

The two, who are known as ’Mindless’ and ’Unhappy,’ were also incorporated into the guards’ camp.

He Chunlai was included because he could make sugar-coated haws, and the sword maid liked to eat them, so she pulled him along. Fanli spoke on her behalf in front of Zheng Fan, who agreed.

Since he thought about He Chunlai, naturally he also brought along Chen Daole.

On the slanted rooftop opposite, Mr. Chen crouches there.

Ying Capital City is not Lord Zheng’s main territory.

Three hundred guards killing their way into the Academic Affairs Office have naturally reduced the escort forces beside Lord Zheng.

Because the demon kings stayed or were dispatched, or were injured, even the blind had to keep an eye on the wild people’s king, so this time the protective forces around Lord Zheng are rather weak.

Of course, Lord Zheng is always careful and prudent.

Even with demon kings around, he still feels unsatisfied, because ultimately, nobody would mind being too safe.

Mr. Chen’s sword drips with blood. He has already fought off three rooftop spies who came to inquire about the situation.

These people don’t have high martial skills but are good at light footwork, often used by noble families as informants.

Mr. Chen doesn’t kill them, just sends them back with blood.

According to Lord Zheng, this can enhance the ’bloody atmosphere’ of Ying Capital City and more straightforwardly allow the city’s families to feel the seriousness here.

Mr. Chen finds this reasoning hard to understand, but fortunately, he has the advantage of letting things go when he cannot grasp them.

He thoroughly enjoys the feeling of using his sword under the Sword Saint’s presence.

Even if the Sword Saint merely sits there drinking tea, not raising his head to look, Mr. Chen believes that the Sword Saint should be able to feel it.

But indeed,

Chen Daole knows,

The Sword Saint props his chin with his right hand,

has already been asleep for a while.

Chen Daole stretches his hand several times, helping to shoo away flies.

Most people still hold the Sword Saint in a kind of revered stance.

Looking around,

Ying Capital City,

he has returned once again.

Chen Daole vaguely feels that his past capture in Ying Capital City by Fanli was just yesterday.

As a descendant of the Chen Family, he had been focused on restoring the empire, but after experiencing Snow Sea Pass, witnessing scenes there, and subsequently joining Lord Zheng into Chu, his thoughts suddenly shifted slightly.

The Sword Saint at this moment opens his eyes,

gives a slight sigh,

picks up his cup, and takes a sip of cold tea.

"When you look back here, the same people, the same things, the same scenes, seem as if everything is different?"

The Sword Saint speaks to himself,

Chen Daole feels extremely flattered,

and immediately respectfully replies:

"Yes."

The Sword Saint gently rotates the cup in his hand,

and says:

"People should not live too exhausted because you’ll find that no matter how tired you are, what is meant to happen, ultimately will happen."

"Yes, sir."

"I really like Snow Sea Pass, where everyone has a place to stay and enough to eat."

This winter,

at Snow Sea Pass,

The Sword Saint felt very comfortable,

because not a single person died from cold or hunger.

It’s extremely rare, even in times of peace.

Chen Daole really wanted to point out: the living conditions of the military and civilians at Snow Sea Pass were obtained through plundering, such as to ensure the military and civilians there could drink meat soup and children could drink goat milk in winter—

The Naman Tribe selflessly offered all they had.

The Sword Saint continues:

"Now, I only seek my own comfort, only seek to be easy with what my eyes see."

Chen Daole is somewhat surprised that such words come from the Sword Saint who once stood alone against an army before Snow Sea Pass.

But upon savoring the words, they are not really pessimistic but rather show a sort of relaxed detachment.

Even the Sword Saint, only needs a bed for sleep, a pair of chopsticks for eating, and focuses on those few people around him.

Then,

a father and son walk down the street,

because they resemble each other so much.

Both father and son, carry swords.

Chen Daole looks over and instantly recognizes his friend Zhang Yiqing; back when he first came to Ying Capital City, Zhang Yiqing was the one who welcomed him and gifted him a sword.

Zhang Yiqing also sees Chen Daole, surprised to see his friend who suddenly disappeared before, appear now.

Yet, neither Chen Daole nor Zhang Yiqing stands up to greet each other.

Because in this place, neither of them has the right to speak.

Zhang Yiqing’s father, Zhang Pinghang, is the assistant prefect of Ying Capital City; not too big or too small an official, but few know he’s also a sword fanatic.

Otherwise, Zhang Yiqing wouldn’t have been able to casually offer a sword to Chen Daole because his family has many fine swords.

Zhang Pinghang proactively walks to the table, bowing to the Sword Saint,

and says:

"I never expected, distinguished sir, you’d be here."

The two know each other.

In the past, when Situ Lei wanted to murder his father, it was Zhang Pinghang who served as the mediator to the Sword Saint.

Who could have imagined this assistant prefect, whose position remained unchanged through regime changes, was involved in regicide.

The Sword Saint takes another sip of tea,

and says:

"What for?"

Zhang Pinghang respectfully says: "I have two nephews who are officials in the Academic Affairs Office."

"Oh."

The Sword Saint responds,

then,

The Sword Saint seemed to feel his reply was a bit too cold, for after all, he and Zhang Pinghang are old acquaintances;

thus, the Sword Saint intended to add a few more words:

"Just pretend you don’t have these two relatives."

"......Zhang Pinghang."

After hesitating briefly,

Zhang Pinghang speaks;

"Distinguished sir, I feel that in this matter, Lord Pingye acted improperly."

The Sword Saint nods.

"Do you, sir, think so too?"

The Sword Saint nods again.

"Then, sir, might you...?"

The Sword Saint continues nodding, and says:

"You cannot defeat me."

"......Zhang Pinghang."

No matter how many reasons you have,

You cannot defeat me,

and that can stop you entirely.

Zhang Pinghang sighed,

turned around,

and signaled his son to leave with him.

He does not plan to save the people.

Even if, seen from above by Mr. Chen, he is a swordsman more skilled than himself.

But in this world, among those who wield swords, how many dare draw their swords before the Sword Saint, unless under ’guidance’ terms?

However,

as Zhang Pinghang turns to leave with his son,

The Sword Saint speaks:

"Wait."

Zhang Pinghang halts.

"Back then, when you mediated for Situ Lei borrowing my sword, you promised me I would see a better Jin. You broke your promise."

Current Jin, is it good?

No,

Really not good,

And it is, very bad.

Zhang Pinghang takes a deep breath, facing the Sword Saint with a formal bow,

and says:

"I am willing to accept any punishment from you."

Then,

Zhang Pinghang removes his sword, clearly intending not to resist, with his son Zhang Yiqing beside him growing extremely anxious.

"Alright."

The Sword Saint places the teacup on the table,

gestures to the front,

and says:

"Help me pay for the tea."