With the Blade

Half a month later, within the Jian Kang Imperial Palace.

The old eunuch stared at the three people in front of him, utterly speechless.

The good news was that the dispatched Shan Bing and Jiang Wenyuan actually managed to bring back a master, which delighted him beyond expectation as he had only intended to try his luck. However, as he arranged a welcoming banquet, wanting to catch up with the long-absent Master Du, he realized the arrivals were not as hoped.

"Is this the master you spoke of?"

The old eunuch looked at Shan Bing and Jiang Wenyuan.

"Who is he?"

"He is... Huang Tian."

Shan Bing and Jiang Wenyuan gritted their teeth but nonetheless stated the man’s name.

Clearly, for the old eunuch, who had been loyal to the royal family all his life, such a name seemed excessive. They hoped to gloss over it or that the eunuch wouldn’t mind this trifle, as this master was indeed powerful, on par with Mr. Du at least.

Unfortunately, this matter wouldn’t end just like that.

After all, the eunuch was already somewhat irked; he wanted a familiar master to help, and now, heaven only knew who this person was. Plus, the name was outrageous—Huang Tian? Did he think he was somebody?

"You say your name is Huang Tian?"

Already famed as a master, the eunuch exuded a naturally commanding presence. With his current anger, his aura was even more imposing.

With just one sentence, the surrounding cups, plates, and cutlery began to tremble, and even the closest teacup showed cracks!

"Say it again, your name is Huang Tian?"

"I am Huang Tian."

The man holding the ancient Longsword slightly frowned.

"Why, do you have a problem?"

"How dare you!"

The old eunuch waved his hands, and 256 strands of silk descended upon him!

"In the inner palace, you dare to be so audacious! Truly reckless!"

"Audacious? Are you talking about me?"

The man who called himself Huang Tian remained expressionless.

"Are you worthy?"

"You..."

Seeing this traitor dare to provoke him, the eunuch immediately manipulated the silk to dismember him on the spot.

But as he moved his hands and fingers to manipulate the silk, he discovered that the strands, which should have been invincible, were inexplicably severed all over the ground.

And he hadn’t even realized it.

Only then did the eunuch realize that Shan Bing and Jiang Wenyuan might not have completed the task, but at least they didn’t lie—this man claiming to be Huang Tian really was a master.

And a top master!

"Divine Sword Sunfall."

Just an ordinary phrase, yet in the ears of the eunuch, it was like a death knell from the underworld. He didn’t even see how the sword edge emerged, but all the silk on his body was cleanly severed.

His own body was also covered in wounds, almost as if he was flayed alive.

Yet, he was still alive.

Only because every strike consciously avoided his vital points, calculated even to the extent of his blood loss.

He even still had the strength to speak.

"Why... don’t you kill me?"

As soon as he spoke, the eunuch felt a bit dazed.

Once, he had heard similar words in folk stories and even mocked such situations, believing that not being killed on the spot was a fortunate thing. It could indicate the opponent’s indecision or spare his life. But when faced with this himself, he realized what kind of humiliation it was.

Yes, he was alive, but so what?

Could he dispose of this rebellious traitor? Could he uphold the dignity of imperial power?

This was supposed to be a battle on his home ground! In the deep palace he had lived in all his life!

Yet he lost, completely.

He did not even have the chance to make a move, nor the right to die in battle.

"Why don’t you kill me? Are you afraid!"

"Because you are mine."

The man calling himself Huang Tian gave a response.

The eunuch was stunned; he never expected this answer—even Shan Bing and Jiang Wenyuan were speechless. They never thought that this eunuch and Huang Tian actually...

"You are mine, they are mine, everything under heaven is mine."

In that silence, the man claiming to be Huang Tian gradually ascended into the air.

"All under heaven belongs to the Emperor. My name is Huang Tian; I am your heaven."

...

The silence continued.

In ordinary times, hearing such words, those present would probably laugh it off—given the strange tone and exaggerated manner, such things only appear in fiction. Even the most foolish rebels wouldn’t claim "I am Huang Tian" so pompously; anyone using such rhetoric was only inviting ridicule.

But now, seeing the man hovering in mid-air along with his ancient Longsword, no one could laugh anymore.

An ordinary person’s mad words would be considered foolish, but if this fool possessed the terrifying power to slaughter everyone present, people would have to reconsider who the real fool was.

"What exactly have we brought back?"

Only then did Shan Bing and Jiang Wenyuan realize that they might have caused a grave disaster.