My Martial Dao Has No Bottlenecks

Yan Song and the remaining Martial Arts Academy Masters stood guard before Yue Shan’s bed, refusing to yield an inch as they faced the attacks of two Grey Robe Guardians.

Just as the battle reached its fiercest point—

"Die, traitors!"

A furious roar suddenly echoed from outside the courtyard!

Immediately after, the thunder of footsteps surged in like a tide as dozens of elites from the Martial Preparation Hall, clad in Black Armor and wielding Powerful Crossbows, stormed into the courtyard.

The man in the lead was none other than Zhou Jin, Treasurer of the Internal Affairs Department from the City Lord’s Mansion!

Behind him were the West City Garrison and nearly a hundred fully armed and armored soldiers.

CREAK. The sound of strings being drawn taut filled the air as dozens of Truth-Breaking Crossbows simultaneously took aim at the members of the Fire Worship Sect in the courtyard!

The Left Envoy’s brow furrowed, but he showed no sign of panic. Instead, he laughed heartily. "Wu Zhenshan, what are you waiting for? How dare the Martial Preparation Hall point its weapons at this Envoy?"

His words sent a ripple of unease through the Martial Preparation Hall soldiers in the courtyard.

’Treasurer Wu Zhenshan has defected?!’

The soldiers of the West City Garrison instinctively took a few steps back, putting distance between themselves and the men from the Martial Preparation Hall as their weapons subtly shifted to face them.

Zhou Jin’s expression changed. "Don’t listen to his vicious lies!" he roared. "Wu the Treasurer is in seclusion, attempting a breakthrough to gather True Essence. How could he..."

"Wu Zhenshan died three days ago."

Liang Cheng’s voice suddenly rang out, cutting through the din.

He forced back the Guardian with the twin daggers, then turned to face the Left Envoy. "If you want to call for him," he said, enunciating each word, "you’re better off trying on the road to hell."

Then, Liang Cheng tossed a token onto the ground: Wu Zhenshan’s Treasurer Token for the Martial Preparation Hall.

A deathly silence fell over the courtyard.

The smile on the Left Envoy’s face slowly faded, and murderous intent churned in his eyes. "What did you say?"

"I said—"

Liang Cheng brought his saber up before him. "Wu Zhenshan colluded with the Fire Worship Sect, intending to surrender Lin Wu City. He was executed for his crimes three days ago. His body is currently on the rear mountain of the Martial Arts Academy."

"Bullshit!"

The Left Envoy hissed the word through clenched teeth.

"Believe it or not."

Liang Cheng turned away from him and addressed the Martial Preparation Hall soldiers. "Wu Zhenshan is dead. The evidence of his collusion with the Fire Worship Sect is irrefutable."

"If you abandon the darkness and embrace the light today, helping us exterminate this evil Cult, all your past transgressions will be forgiven! But if you choose to remain obstinate—"

He turned his blade, pointing it at the members of the Fire Worship Sect. "You will be charged with the same crime as these fiends, and your entire clan will be executed!"

The Martial Preparation Hall soldiers exchanged uncertain glances.

Zhou Jin seized the moment and yelled, "The traitor Wu Zhenshan is dead! Slay the Fire Worship Sect and redeem yourselves through meritorious service!"

"KILL—!"

It was unclear who shouted first, but dozens of Truth-Breaking Crossbows fired simultaneously!

The specially-crafted crossbow bolts tore through the air, flying straight toward a Fire Worship Sect Guardian!

The Guardian with the twin daggers roared, his weapons a blur of light that deflected seven or eight bolts with a series of metallic CLANGS.

But Liang Cheng closed in at that moment. He had no intention of fighting a fair duel; his Zhenxian Saber howled with the sound of wind and thunder as it slashed downward.

"Despicable!"

The Guardian with the twin daggers stumbled backward.

At that moment, the Left Envoy’s expression turned grim as he attacked without hesitation. The oppressive aura of the True Essence Realm instantly caused the expressions of Lü Bingchen and the others to change.

"Fall back!"

At the same time, he seized the opportunity, knocking back a Guardian with one palm strike, then turned and regrouped with Liang Cheng, preparing for a hard fight.

"KILL—!"

Suddenly, earth-shattering battle cries erupted from outside the City Lord’s Mansion!

It was followed by a violent crash at the main gate. The Martial Preparation Hall soldiers guarding it cried out in alarm, "Stop them!"

"It’s the Lu Family! The Lu Family is fighting their way in!"

Before the words faded, the main gate was smashed open with a thunderous BOOM!

Dozens of Lu Family clansmen, armored, armed, and bathed in blood, charged in. Their leader was none other than Lu Mingyuan.

The Lu Family Patriarch’s hair and beard were wild with fury. His long saber dripped with blood, but even more shocking was the sight of two grisly, severed heads clutched in his left hand!

"Lu Mingyuan of the Lu Family, here with my kinsmen to defend the city!"

Lu Mingyuan’s voice boomed like a great bell as he threw the two heads to the ground. "The traitors Lu Qingfeng and Lu Minghui have been executed! These two colluded with the Fire Worship Sect, consumed Evil Pills, and intended to surrender the city for personal glory! The Lu Family has cleaned its own house. We have arrived a step late; I beg the City Lord’s Mansion for forgiveness!"

The two heads rolled across the ground, their faces coming into view. One was young and savage—Lu Qingfeng. The other was middle-aged and sinister—Lu Minghui, the Chief Steward of the Lu Family’s third branch.

The courtyard fell deathly silent once more.

The Fire Worship Sect members, the Martial Preparation Hall soldiers, the West City Garrison—everyone stared at the two heads, then at Lu Mingyuan, who was radiating a murderous aura. For a moment, no one could process what was happening.

’Hadn’t the Lu Family rebelled?’

The Left Envoy stared daggers at Lu Mingyuan. "Impressive. Truly impressive, Lu Mingyuan. It seems this Envoy has underestimated you."

Lu Mingyuan didn’t even spare him a glance. Turning to Liang Cheng, he cupped his fist in salute and said in a low, heavy voice, "Liang Zhenchuan, I have acted on your message and purged the traitors from my clan. I now lead forty-seven core members of the Lu Family and await your command!"

An uproar went through the crowd at his words.

’Liang Cheng had a plan all along?!’

Liang Cheng nodded. "Your timing is perfect, Uncle Lu. The Chen Family has rebelled in West City, and the granary there is on fire. Please lead your men north at once. Coordinate with the West City Garrison, intercept the Chen Family’s rebel army, and retake the granary at all costs!"

"As you command!"

Without a moment’s hesitation, Lu Mingyuan waved his long saber. "Men of the Lu Family, with me!"

The dozens of men turned, about to charge out.

"Trying to leave?!"

One of the Grey Robe Guardians roared, his figure blurring like a phantom as he lunged for Lu Mingyuan’s back!

"Fire the crossbows!"

Zhou Jin reacted instantly and gave the command.

The already-cocked Truth-Breaking Crossbows fired in unison. A dozen bolts tore through the air, forcing the Guardian to dodge frantically. He could only watch helplessly as the Lu Family men charged out the gate and vanished down the long street.

The Left Envoy slowly turned his head to look at Liang Cheng, his voice chillingly cold. "I never thought you’d not only kill Wu Zhenshan but also win over the Lu Family. I have indeed underestimated you."

Liang Cheng tightened his grip on the Zhenxian Saber. "It was only because your methods were so obvious. After Lu Qingfeng achieved his breakthrough, his True Qi was identical to Wu Zhenshan’s."

Liang Cheng’s voice was calm. "The night I killed Wu Zhenshan, I had Li Mu send a message to my senior brother, Lu Qingzhou, telling him there was a problem with the Lu Family’s third branch."