My Martial Dao Has No Bottlenecks

Dawn was just breaking when Liang Cheng rushed out of True Inheritance Peak.

The disciples he passed along the way wore grim expressions. He simply nodded as he went by.

The number of soldiers from the Martial Preparation Hall patrolling the streets had nearly doubled. Fully armored and holding long spears, they moved through the streets and alleys in five-man patrols.

Liang Cheng slowed his pace and approached a breakfast stall that was just setting up.

"Sir, why are there so many soldiers on the streets today?"

The old man, busy with his work, replied without looking up, "Last night, the City Lord's Mansion adjusted its deployments. They say things are tense at the Border Sea, so they needed to strengthen the city's defenses. They've moved the West City Garrison to the inner streets."

Liang Cheng's heart sank.

'The West City Garrison is the City Lord's Mansion's most trusted force. To have them redeployed inside the city walls… the situation must be critical.'

He rushed straight to the City Lord's Mansion, where the main gate was heavily guarded.

"Liang Zhenchuan, Commander Yue is critically injured and currently being treated. Master Lü said that you should go to him immediately upon your arrival."

Liang Cheng wasted no more time and made his way to the rear courtyard of the City Lord's Mansion.

Liang Cheng arrived at Yue Shan's door and pushed it open. The smell of medicine inside was so thick it was choking.

Yue Shan lay on his back on a couch, his face the color of gold foil. A dark red bloodstain covered his chest, and a maidservant was constantly wiping away the bloody foam that frothed at the corners of his mouth with a damp cloth.

Lü Bingchen and several others stood by the bedside. They nodded in acknowledgment when they saw Liang Cheng enter.

Liang Cheng moved to Lü Bingchen's side and asked, "Master, how is Commander Yue?"

"Poison."

"And it has already seeped deep into his organs. The only reason Commander Yue has held on this long is due to his powerful cultivation."

"Can he circulate his energy to force out the poison?"

Liang Cheng asked in a deep voice.

"It would be difficult. The potent poison has already spread through all his meridians. If he were to try and force it out, his body would collapse before the poison was gone."

Lü Bingchen sighed. "By the way, how were things outside when you came?"

"The West City Garrison is on patrol. For now, there are no major disturbances."

"That's good."

"You told me the Fire Worship Sect would attack in three days. I never thought they would strike at Commander Yue first. It seems they're determined to breach Lin Wu City."

Liang Cheng nodded. "But to be able to poison Commander Yue, it must have been an inside job. Have you found out who did it?"

"It was Nanny Wang from the City Lord's Mansion. She was responsible for brewing Commander Yue's medicine, but by the time we tracked her down, she had already thrown herself down a well…"

"Dead men tell no tales. The Fire Worship Sect's methods are truly ruthless."

Before Liang Cheng could finish speaking, a long laugh suddenly echoed from outside the room.

"HAHAHAHA. Well, well. The Martial Arts Academy's Liang Zhenchuan."

The laugh was hoarse and cold. The door swung open without a breeze, and a red-robed figure slowly strolled into the room. He was followed by five Grey Robe Guardians, each exuding a sinister aura. All of them were masters of the True Qi Realm.

Lü Bingchen's pupils contracted. He took a step, shielding Yue Shan's couch. "The Left Envoy of the Fire Worship Sect!"

"Master Lü, long time no see."

The Left Envoy smiled faintly, but his gaze fell upon Liang Cheng.

"Liang Zhenchuan, isn't it? Since we last parted on Hidden Mist Island, I never imagined you'd become capable of slaying one of our Holy Sect's Guardians. Your rate of progress is astounding."

Liang Cheng gripped the hilt of his saber, his True Qi quietly circulating. "Has the Left Envoy come in person to avenge his subordinate?"

"Revenge?"

The Left Envoy shook his head, pacing with his hands clasped behind his back.

"What's the death of a few Guardians? I've come today to offer a way out—for Lin Wu City, and for the Martial Arts Academy."

He stopped pacing and swept his gaze over everyone in the room.

"Shen Jun, Situ Lang, and Bai Hong are all tied down on Black Stone Island. Yue Shan is finished. Most of the city's Garrison is without a commander. Lin Wu City will fall today."

"But I have always been an admirer of talent."

He looked at Liang Cheng, then glanced at Lü Bingchen and the others. "Master Lü, Liang Zhenchuan, Elder Yan—if the three of you lead the Martial Arts Academy in pledging allegiance to the Holy Sect, then every disciple of the Academy in the city, and all of your families, will be allowed to live."

"I will even bestow the antidote upon Yue Shan here and let him live."

Hearing this, Lü Bingchen sneered. "You think a demonic sect is worthy of our allegiance?"

"Hopelessly stubborn."

The Left Envoy sighed. "In that case, don't blame me for being merciless."

The moment he finished speaking, a Grey Robe Guardian behind him gave a signal.

"KILL—!!!"

Outside the City Lord's Mansion, earth-shattering battle cries erupted from all directions at once!

The clang of blades, piercing screams, and the crash of collapsing buildings all blended into a chaotic din as flames erupted into the sky from every direction!

The color drained from the faces of Lü Bingchen and the others.

A disciple from the Law Enforcement Hall, covered in blood, stumbled into the rear courtyard from outside the mansion. He cried out hoarsely, "Master, the Lu Family in the south and the Chen Family in the west have suddenly turned traitor! They've opened their private armories and are laying siege to the City Lord's Mansion!"

"The eastern granaries are on fire, and the northern district is…"

Before he could finish, a grey-robed figure appeared. With a flash of a sword, a thin line of blood bloomed on the disciple's throat, and he collapsed to the ground.

The attacker was one of the Guardians standing behind the Left Envoy.

Lü Bingchen's face was grim.

'Two of Lin Wu City's major families have already sided with the enemy!'

'With this internal rebellion, the city Garrison will be caught between two fronts. The defensive lines on the walls will likely collapse in an instant.'

"Now, I will ask one last time." The Left Envoy slowly raised a hand. "Do you surrender, or do you die?"

"The Martial Arts Academy has Masters who die on their feet, not traitors who live on their knees!"

With a furious shout, Lü Bingchen's True Qi erupted from his body. A pale-green Qi Force swept out like a Gang Wind. At the same time, Yan Song stepped forward to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him.

Liang Cheng took a deep breath, his Zhenxian Saber ringing as he drew it from its sheath.

"A pity." The Left Envoy shook his head. "Hopelessly stubborn. Kill them!"

The five Guardians sprang into action at his command, transforming into five black blurs as they lunged at Lü Bingchen and the other two men.

The Left Envoy himself stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching the ensuing slaughter with a smile that wasn't a smile.

'In all of Lin Wu City, who could possibly stop me now?'

Liang Cheng found himself facing a tall, thin Guardian who wielded a pair of spikes.

The man's Body Technique was eerie, and his spikes struck from devious, vicious angles, each blow aimed at a vital point.

Liang Cheng used the Wandering Dragon Step to weave around him. Sparks flew as the flash of his saber clashed with the twin spikes.

Meanwhile, Lü Bingchen and another Master from the Martial Arts Academy fought two of the Guardians. Their Palm Techniques were wide and sweeping, each strike carrying the sound of Wind and Thunder. Their True Qi was so condensed it seemed tangible, forcing the two Guardians to retreat again and again.