Enlightenment: Beginning as a Disposable Warrior

The Strange Stone Forest, untouched by the great fire in Canghe County, resounded day and night with the clanging of iron in the Black Mountain Forest Camp.

Chen Yuntian, Zhao Ju, and Lin Ruoshui all sighed quietly as they gazed at the woman in purple outside the camp. Over the past days, the three had figured out the Black Mountain Army soldiers’ daily routines and were planning to create chaos to escape.

Now that the woman in purple had returned, all their plans were thwarted.

As if sensing the gaze of the three masters, the woman in purple turned around and smiled charmingly, but it only made the three masters shudder, giving them goosebumps all over.

This was no frail woman, but rather the notorious head of the Black Mountain Army’s Four Protectors, capable of repelling dozens of Cyan Cloud Army soldiers singlehandedly and defeating the Cyan Cloud Army Commander, a Martial Arts expert.

Watching the woman in purple walk towards them gracefully, all three swallowed nervously.

"Masters of the Forging Workshop, how is the progress on the ’Cold Iron’ that was sent some time ago?"

Chen Yuntian and the others exchanged glances. The ’Cold Iron’ mentioned by the woman in purple was not actually Cold Iron, but a mysterious metal, pitch-black and emanating a chilling, evil aura.

With all their collective knowledge, none of them could identify the origin of this ’Cold Iron,’ but they were all aware that it was no ordinary material.

In fact, when Chen Yuntian and the other masters worked with this ’Cold Iron’ for an extended period, they often felt a chilling fear and creeping horror. They had never encountered such a bizarre metal before.

"The forging is going smoothly, and everything is being done according to the diagrams provided by your army."

"Good, then. It will be up to you for the time being. If you need anything, just speak up."

"Alright."

The woman in purple glanced into the forging room and noticed the pitch-black ’Cold Iron Short Blade’ taking shape on the Forging Platform. A flicker of an almost imperceptible doubt crossed her enchanting eyes.

This piece of metal was personally handed to her by the Black Mountain Celestial King and delivered by her.

Despite her high Martial Arts Realm and robust Qi Blood exceeding that of ordinary people, she felt the same heart-pounding fright as Chen Yuntian and the others while escorting the metal.

"Since this item was ordered by the Celestial King... there must be a profound reason for it. I only need to follow orders and get it done."

...

Back to that great fire.

Yan Xiaolan stood outside the manor, lost in thought. After the initial euphoria of revenge, the girl suddenly felt a void, as if her life had lost its purpose, leaving her confused, with all sorts of thoughts running through her mind.

Thoughts of returning to Yan Family Ridge, or seeking Elder Li in Cyan Cloud, among others.

But the girl eventually shook her head. The Yan Family was now in the past, and as for seeking Elder Li, she knew she was merely a burden. Elder Li had already gone beyond their agreement by taking down the Changping Manor.

She felt too embarrassed to seek him out, and feared she wouldn’t find him anyway.

"How about leaving the Three Counties... and seeing the outside world?"

Yan Xiaolan looked north, realizing that in her decade-plus of life, she had never left the Qingyun Three Counties. Elder Li had taught her several Martial Arts, and with some caution, she could protect herself.

With her great revenge accomplished and no ties holding her back, the girl from the Yan Family decided to leave the Qingyun Three Counties to explore a broader world, carrying with her three parts expectation, three parts reluctance, and four parts confusion, she embarked alone on a new journey in life.

Perhaps, years later, she might encounter old acquaintances from Cyan Cloud, or perhaps they would not recognize each other.

After the girl left, the great fire outside Shanshi Town burned until morning, with thick smoke swirling as if it would burn a hole in the sky.

"Yi Yi, it seems we were a step too late."

In the darkness, two figures emerged. One was as strong as an ox, with his body wrapped in chains, which were covered beneath with wounds that looked like shattered porcelain. On his back was a Mountain-Opening Axe that glittered coldly.

The speaker was standing beside the man. He was a Blind Swordsman in a White Shirt, blindfolded over his eyes. The two had come on the orders of the Black Mountain Celestial King to demand an explanation from Gongsun Xin, only to find a sea of flames.

"These Demon Dao people are dead, and deservedly so." The man’s voice was hoarse and deep, sounding like a beast’s roar.

Upon hearing this, the Blind Swordsman in the White Shirt was silent for a long time.

"Let’s go back and report to the Celestial King."

"This fire burns well. It’s not too late to leave after watching it."

"If this was indeed done by Li Feiyu... he, and even the Celestial King, have underestimated Li Feiyu. The woman in purple wasn’t wrong; leaving him will be a great menace."

"A great menace?"

The Blind Swordsman in the White Shirt nodded without hesitation. The reason they arrived a step late was that they were investigating Li Feiyu’s background.

Yi Yi, who carried the Mountain-Opening Axe, squinted upon hearing this. He knew Yi San well, both of them, the woman in purple, and the Celestial King were all survivors from the Cannibal Cave, and he understood Yi San’s character all too well.

The last person Yi San had appraised in such a manner was the current Celestial King. It was when the three had first met, and Yi San had given his evaluation upon first seeing the Celestial King.

Now, when facing the unseen Li Feiyu, Yi San had dared to give the same evaluation as he had given the Celestial King!

...

Blossoms open, each representing a branch.

The subject of their discussion, the so-called great menace, Su Mu, arrived at Lower Mountain Village in Changfeng County, posing as a colleague of the Zhaoqing Escort Agency.

After some inquiries and confirming Zhao Qing’s son’s identity, Su Mu approached a courtyard and explained his purpose.

"This is the silver coins Zhao Qing entrusted me to deliver to Xingzheng."

"Er Gou, come out quickly and greet the guest!"

The forty-something farmer’s tone held a hint of panic. When a dark, lean boy of about twelve or thirteen walked out of the house, Su Mu was slightly taken aback.

"Are you a colleague of my father? Have we met in the village... never mind that. Where’s my father now? Has that old man died yet?"