Chapter 119 : Kill Until No One Dares Speak Recklessly
Chapter 119: Kill Until No One Dares Speak Recklessly
“Hiss…”
As these words were spoken, an indescribable urge arose in the hearts of all the ministers.
A Marquis of a Thousand Households meant governance over a thousand households.
The Great Yu Imperial Dynasty had regulations—each household cultivated at least a hundred mu of land.
By that calculation, each household could produce at least a hundred taels of silver annually.
Even after a fifteen-to-one tax, a thousand households would yield no less than ten thousand taels per year. Inherited over three generations—even if each generation lived only sixty years—that was one hundred and eighty years.
Of course, the accounts couldn’t be calculated so simply.
To be granted the title of Marquis of a Thousand Households was to become a meritorious noble. The income from those households could be used to purchase even more land, making more commoners labor for them.
For purchased land, one could collect fifty to sixty percent rent—or even exploit ruthlessly, taking up to seventy or eighty percent.
With profit compounding year after year, wealth multiplying, in less than a century one could become a great clan or powerful aristocratic family.
With enough connections among nobles and officials, and capable descendants, even a three-hundred-year prestigious lineage would no longer be a mere dream.
“Under heavy rewards, there will always be brave men!”
At that moment, such thoughts arose in every minister’s mind.
This was the power of money and authority—one word could make the world labor for you, even give up everything.
“Tap, tap, tap…”
Hearing the Emperor’s decree, a eunuch immediately bowed and departed.
In mere moments, he arrived at the palace gates, atop the thirty-meter-high walls.
His shrill voice, wrapped in True Qi, echoed across half the capital in an instant.
“By imperial decree—whether Jianghu martial artists or members of the various sects!”
“Whoever successfully suppresses Li Yunqing shall be rewarded one hundred thousand taels of silver and granted the title of Marquis of a Thousand Households, hereditary for three generations!”
“The Emperor’s word is law!”
The resounding voice pierced the eardrums like a shrieking tide, wave after wave spreading throughout the capital.
Hearing this, Jianghu and sect members alike widened their eyes in disbelief.
Though it fell far short of a Marquis of Ten Thousand Households, this was merely for suppressing a single woman.
Compared to fighting demons and evil gods to accumulate merit, this was no less than ascending to the heavens in a single step—something many small families could only dream of.
With such a lavish reward, there would certainly be those willing to risk everything.
At that moment, many gazes lifted toward the sky.
Seeing that neither the Sword Saint nor Sword God Ying Jiu showed any intention of intervening, smiles spread across their faces.
This was tacit approval.
Or rather, this was the privilege of power—and the supreme authority of the imperial family.
As long as no Profound Realm expert intervened, the Sword Saint and Sword God would likely allow it.
This was a trial Li Yunqing had to face in opposing the imperial family.
It was also the beginning of her resistance against the world, against all beings, against the age-old rules ingrained in human hearts.
It could not be avoided.
Sooner or later, she would have to confront it.
If she wanted the world to hesitate—if she wanted no one to dare impose those ancient rules upon her—
Then she had to display a strength that would make all under heaven wary, moved, and afraid to cross the line.
Strength was the only truth!
“This is the imperial family…”
“This is power and profit!”
“Under heavy rewards, there will always be brave men!”
“If I wish to move forward, I must face this!”
Li Yunqing remained calm, standing with her sword, without the slightest trace of fear or hesitation.
With her identity, if she wished to break free from the constraints of the world, she had to walk this path step by step.
Breaking everything apart, forcing imperial authority to bow.
Only then could she establish her might and deter all under heaven, making those with such intentions hesitate.
“Hahaha! If that’s the case, then I’ll give it a try!”
A loud laugh rang out.
In the next moment, a man carrying a large blade on his back leapt onto the arena, landing atop the ten-meter platform.
“A broad-backed heavy blade… that’s someone from the Overlord Blade Sect of Jinzhou!”
Among the twenty-two provinces of the Great Yu Imperial Dynasty, Jinzhou was just one of many.
“The Overlord Blade relies on overwhelming force—fierce and unmatched. That man is at least at peak Qi Realm. That young girl is in danger!”
Seeing the burly man step onto the stage, many felt a tightening in their hearts.
The young girl’s delicate figure stood in stark contrast to the Overlord Blade Sect disciple—like beauty facing a beast.
Especially that massive blade—over four chi long, nearly one and a half meters.
If it were two chi longer, it would exceed the height of an average woman.
“What a beauty…”
At close range, the burly man couldn’t help but mutter, his gaze fixed directly on Li Yunqing’s chest.
His eyes roamed unrestrained over her slender waist, rounded hips, and long, straight legs.
“A girl like this—not only stunningly beautiful, but perfect for bearing children!”
For a moment, desire stirred within him.
“Clang!”
The massive blade, nearly one and a half meters long, was drawn and gripped tightly in his hand, pointed at Li Yunqing.
“A beauty like you—if I injure you, it wouldn’t be fitting!”
“How about this—if you can take one strike from me, I’ll turn around and leave!”
“If you can’t, then come with me. Once I receive the title of Marquis of a Thousand Households from His Majesty, I’ll ensure you live in comfort and pleasure—what do you say?”
The burly man’s voice was loud and booming, his physique like an iron tower.
Hearing his words, many Jianghu women—and even some ladies watching from pavilions—couldn’t help but blush.
With such a strong man serving them, not to mention endless pleasure—they might not even be able to leave the bed.
Those who understood, understood.
“I never gamble with myself.”
Li Yunqing replied calmly, though her eyes grew slightly cold. The sword in her hand hummed, as if ready to unleash a world-shaking strike at any moment.
“What? You don’t dare?”
“Hahaha! So the rumors in the Jianghu are true?”
“You’re only daring to set up this arena because you rely on the Sword Saint of Cangshan?”
The burly man laughed wildly, his voice shaking the surrounding trees and tiles.
Even nearby civilians felt dizzy.
“It’s not that I don’t dare.”
“If there must be a wager, then I only wager lives—victor lives, loser dies!”
Li Yunqing’s voice remained gentle, like wind chimes echoing through a corridor.
Yet beneath that softness lay unmistakable killing intent.
The burly man froze, a chill rising in his heart.
What kind of person only gambled with lives?
Either someone immensely powerful—or a desperate madman.
The young girl before him clearly wasn’t the latter.
“Don’t dare?”
Li Yunqing spoke softly, her sword suddenly rising. “If you don’t dare, then stop wasting words!”
“Buzz!”
The sword hummed, and in an instant frost and snow descended, cold spreading outward.
“One Sword Pacifies the World!”
She struck immediately with a killing move!
In the next moment, sword light like ice shimmered with seven-colored brilliance under the sunlight, slicing through the air toward the burly man.
Yin Spirit Power silently distorted perception.
“It’s coming—!”
The burly man roared, raising his blade to strike—but before he could finish speaking, his expression changed drastically.
The sword light was too fast.
His blade had just been raised, not yet swung, when the sword light had already arrived.
There was no time to dodge—he could only watch as it descended.
“Boom!”
The sword light struck, unstoppable, piercing straight into his chest as blood sprayed.
The massive blade flew from his grasp, and his body was blasted away like a human cannonball, crashing into the city wall.
“Crash!”
The wall shook violently, cracks spreading across it.
All saw his body slide down the wall before slamming onto the ground, raising dust—no longer moving.
For those who spoke arrogantly, Li Yunqing naturally showed no mercy.
Especially today—this battle concerned her future. She would not hold back.
Men died for wealth, birds died for food. If one dared step onto the arena, they had to be prepared to die.
It had nothing to do with good or evil.
Seeing this scene, everyone fell silent, their breathing unconsciously softening.
Faces filled with disbelief, they stared at the arena—at that still gentle and serene figure.
As if that devastating strike had not come from her at all.
“One sword?”
“How is that possible?”
“A peak Qi Realm disciple of the Overlord Blade Sect—defeated in a single strike?”
“Could the rumors in the Jianghu be true?”
“She really killed a Profound Realm Grandmaster?”
Yet no one answered.
Most were frozen in shock.
On the arena—
“Then I shall kill… until no one dares speak recklessly!”
Li Yunqing stood with her sword, her white cloak spotless, her garments fluttering like an immortal descended to the mortal world.
Her calm gaze swept below the arena, her tone as gentle and serene as ever.
“Next!”