Invincible Under Heaven

Scruples

"Li Xian?"

Yan Kaigui and Liu Yanran were stunned on the spot.

Daoist Xuan Tie and Feng Juanyun quickly ran through their minds, pondering who this Li Xian truly was.

Yan Lian had fully mastered Internal Viscera Refinement and was quite formidable.

Someone capable of killing him—even if they hadn't reached Marrow Cleansing—would not be far off in power.

There were only so many such people in all of Jiangzhou; he certainly wouldn't be some nobody.

But...

After mentally reviewing all the Marrow Cleansing experts they knew, they still couldn't think of anyone named Li Xian.

"Impossible!"

As the two analyzed, Liu Yanran spoke with absolute certainty, "How could Li Xian possibly kill Yan Lian? That's simply impossible!"

"Yan Lian's corpse is still displayed in front of the Canglang Sword Sect's gate. Over a hundred people witnessed it with their own eyes. How could it be fake?"

Yan Ruxue huffed coldly: "The one who killed Yan Lian was none other than Li Xian! Even Liu Feng, who was with Cao Zhi, died at his hands!"

"You're saying that even with Liu Feng and Yan Lian joining forces, they were still defeated by this Li Xian? And he killed them?"

Feng Juanyun couldn't help but ask.

If that information were true...

To take on two Viscera Refinement warriors and kill them both, that was undoubtedly the strength of someone at Marrow Cleansing stage.

"Wait, Li Xian?"

At this moment, daoist Xuan Tie, who always stayed beside Yan Kaigui, seemed to recall something and looked at him in surprise, "Is that the one chosen by the young lord and Lady Liu...?"

"According to Ruxue, it's him. But how is this possible? Two months ago, right? I've seen him—he was clearly a frail scholar with no understanding of martial arts."

He looked up at Yan Ruxue.

"How could such a bookish youth, ignorant of martial ways, possibly kill an experienced and cautious master like Yan Lian?"

"Shen Hong, get in here! You tell the story!"

Yan Ruxue shouted directly outside.

Soon after, shen Hong, his arm not yet retrieved and his face pale, hurried in and recounted what had just happened outside the Canglang Sword Sect's gate.

He finished, then added fearfully, "Li Xian is truly a changed person. His strength is formidable. Even his demeanor and actions are utterly different from before. His martial skill is in no way inferior to a Marrow Cleansing martial artist."

"So it's... true?"

Liu Yanran looked dazed. Though still unable to fully believe it, the facts before her left her little room for doubt.

"Didn't Li Xian join the Marquis Residence? You don't know anything?"

Yan Kaigui turned his gaze on Liu Yanran.

"I... I've barely returned to the Marquis Residence these two months, and the times I've seen him can be counted on one hand..."

Liu Yanran shot him a look.

She'd done this only to show Yan Kaigui her innocence, to prevent any strain in their relationship.

Yan Kaigui also realized his tone had been a bit harsh, but he naturally wouldn't admit it in front of outsiders.

"Marrow Cleansing!"

He muttered those words.

As one of the Four Luminaries of Lijiang and the Lijiang Three Talents, Yan Kaigui excelled in both literary and martial arts and had started Marrow Cleansing a year ago.

Even with the help of Blood Spirit Powder, with only a year, he was still a step away from minor completion.

He couldn't achieve it—so Li Xian...

Absolutely couldn't have done it either.

"It must be some miraculous chance—perhaps he consumed a rare treasure or learned a shortcut demonic art! Otherwise, no one could achieve Marrow Cleansing in such a short time! Internal Viscera Refinement would be impossible too!"

Yan Kaigui spoke firmly.

"Aren't you all missing the point?"

Yan Ruxue spoke impatiently.

"Li Xian killed someone from the Duke of Yue's Residence. If we don't take revenge, what face will the Duke of Yue's Residence have in the future?"

She turned her gaze directly to Daoist Xuan Tie: "Master Xuan Tie, with you making a move against Li Xian, it would be more than enough, wouldn't it?"

"True, but only when you know yourself and your enemy can you win every battle. We should first figure out what's changed about Li Xian,"

Daoist Xuan Tie did not answer directly.

A Marrow Cleansing expert...

He simply couldn't take the matter lightly.

Moreover...

Even the Duke's heir, Yan Kaigui, who could wed the Immortal Seedling, had spoken; a slightly favored commandery princess like Yan Ruxue wasn't in a position to command him.

"I'm just asking—can you deal with Li Xian or not?"

Yan Ruxue grew irritable.

Daoist Xuan Tie ignored her and instead turned to Yan Kaigui.

Yan Kaigui hesitated briefly.

"Li Xian..."

Though Li Xian was called one of the Four Luminaries of Lijiang, that was really the result of his teacher Zhou Liaochén building up his reputation.

Such a powerless and low-status person was never worth Yan Kaigui's notice.

Raised in luxury, outstanding in appearance, literate and martial, he was very popular at Songfeng Academy and admired by many.

Yan Shui Rou, who entered Songfeng Academy with him, was one of them.

She had neither status nor looks that stood out back then, and he barely knew her.

His bond was with Liu Yanran...

Looks, talent, family background—she was a perfect main wife candidate.

But when Yan Shui Rou was chosen as "Immortal Seedling" and offered the Dragon Gate Token as dowry, seeking to marry him, even if he disagreed, the Duke of Yue's Residence would never refuse.

Besides...

He himself longed for that rare opportunity.

After much entanglement, he parted ways with Liu Yanran and married Yan Shui Rou.

To prove there was no lingering affection with Liu Yanran, he even persuaded her to marry Li Xian.

After that, Yan Shui Rou was taken to the Royal Capital as an Immortal Seedling, while the Duke of Yue's Residence obtained the Dragon Gate Token.

With the token secured and Yan Shui Rou out of the way, Yan Kaigui and Liu Yanran naturally became close again.

As for Li Xian...

He was unimportant.

If they weren't worried the matter might reach Yan Shui Rou, they'd have already dealt with him.

But now...

If Li Xian was allowed to continue making trouble, it could turn out badly.

Although the Dragon Gate Token had already gone to the Duke of Yue's Residence, the opening ceremony of Dragon Gate was months away.

Until it became effective, it could still be revoked at any time if the bestower was displeased.

Therefore—

"Li Xian must be dealt with,"

Yan Kaigui said in a low voice.

"And it has to be done without anyone knowing—not a hint of disturbance."

He looked to Daoist Xuan Tie: "I'll have to trouble you with this task."

Hearing Yan Kaigui's direct request, daoist Xuan Tie finally smiled.

"Since the young lord has asked, of course I'll do my best. But for safety, I'd ask you to have Luo Teng assist me, just to ensure nothing goes wrong."

He was extremely cautious.

"Luo Teng..."

Yan Kaigui pondered, then nodded.

"Li Xian's strength is strange enough that we must act with caution."

At this moment, shen Hong seemed to recall something.

After a brief hesitation, he said, "Young lord, based on my observation, when Li Xian attacked, his entire body turned red and his Ki and Blood seemed to billow as if set alight by fire. These characteristics remind me of a certain martial art that's been spreading everywhere lately..."

"Hmm? Whole body reddened, ki and Blood surging?"

Daoist Xuan Tie was instantly alert.

"Blood Jade Art!?"

"He's practicing that demonic art?"

Feng Juanyun was astonished.

Due to the extermination of the Xu Family and how Xu Yuniang scoured Mount Canglang for help, blood Jade Art had become widely known—everyone was talking about it.

He himself owned a copy of Blood Jade Art.

In fact, back when the Xu Family was wiped out over two months ago, she'd taken the technique to many notable martial artists, seeking justice.

Even then, the art had started circulating.

But unlike now—now every capable fighter on Mount Canglang seemed to own a copy.

"If it's Blood Jade Art, that would explain how he managed to kill Yan Lian and Liu Feng."

Feng Juanyun said with emotion, "This demonic art ignites the blood, producing tremendous explosive strength during combat. Even against two Internal Viscera Refinement opponents, winning isn't impossible."

Yan Kaigui knew of this martial technique as well—and its dangers.

He frowned.

"So reckless! Even if it kills him young, he still wants to bite us once? Is he insane?"

Beside him, Liu Yanran seemed to recall something.

Li Xian started training in martial arts two months ago...

One night two months back, Yan Kaigui had sent a carriage to secretly meet with her, and Li Xian apparently saw them and gave chase...

In the end, she'd had Yan Lian kick him into the river.

Could it be he'd been so devastated that he took up a demonic art just to seek revenge on her and Yan Kaigui?

How could a man be so petty?

So unattractive!

"A dirt-poor commoner wanting to change his fate must cling to every opportunity like a lapdog! Why should he care if it's demonic or evil arts? He should be glad to have a technique to cultivate at all,"

Yan Ruxue laughed coldly, then turned to Daoist Xuan Tie.

"Enough, we know his situation. When are you going to make your move? And count me in! I have to watch with my own eyes as he's broken and kneeling before me, begging in tears!"

Daoist Xuan Tie responded calmly, "Now."

Having confirmed that Li Xian hadn't achieved Marrow Cleansing but instead relied on the Blood Jade Art to kill Yan Lian and Liu Feng, he had a good sense of the situation.

Immediately, this Iron Sword Sect master instructed Chen Yu, "Go and find out where Li Xian is, then keep watch. The moment he leaves the Canglang Sword Sect is the moment of his death!"

Chen Yu nodded and left.

But...

She had barely been gone a quarter of an hour before returning with bad news.

"Zhou Juechen?"

Daoist Xuan Tie frowned.

"Li Xian is with him? How are those two connected?"

"What's going on?"

Yan Kaigui asked.

Daoist Xuan Tie relayed the news Chen Yu had just gathered—that Zhou Juechen of Longquan Martial Hall was close with Li Xian.

"Zhou Juechen of the Zhou family?"

Yan Kaigui suddenly thought of something.

"The instructor Zhou at Songfeng Academy is also from the Zhou family...and he's Li Xian's teacher... Is it possible..."

"There's actually such a connection?"

Daoist Xuan Tie's face grew solemn.

"This is tricky. Zhou Juechen is no simple figure. He's prodigiously gifted and completed Marrow Cleansing early; now he's even at its peak. Were it not for being unable to comprehend Primordial Unity, he'd already have reached Leakless stage. If he gets involved...even I'd lack confidence against him."

"The Zhou family..."

Yan Kaigui also felt the complication.

Killing a mere Li Xian had become so troublesome!?

The Zhou family was a leading clan in Lijiang City.

Though not as powerful as the Duke of Yue's Residence, dealing with them would still require considerable effort.

Still...

The Zhou family had much at stake.

He couldn't believe they'd risk their centuries-old foundation to offend the Duke of Yue's Residence for a man cultivating a demonic art like Li Xian.

Yan Kaigui turned to Daoist Xuan Tie.

"Please summon Master Zhou for me. I'd like to speak with him personally."