Chapter 129: Sword Slaying the Emperor
Changle Street stretched for several miles.
At its end stood a towering inner city wall five zhang high.
Xuan Gong stood atop the wall, gazing distantly at Li Qingqiu’s figure, his eyes beneath the mask filled with complex emotions.
“Li Qingqiu… just what manner of being are you? Are your martial arts truly only martial arts…”
Whenever Xuan Gong thought of the methods Grandmaster Jiang had displayed the previous day, a strong sense of defeat welled up in his heart.
Nearly two centuries of accumulation could not compare to another’s few decades of fortune.
Though it was not the first time he had faced such a blow, it stung him deeply every time.
He knew he could not stop Li Qingqiu.
Nor would he fight to the death for Zhao Zhi—he even wished Zhao Zhi dead.
Yet the current tide of events left him dissatisfied.
It was all because Zhao Zhi was too foolish, losing his reason for the sake of the Elixir of Immortality.
Xuan Gong gave Li Qingqiu one last deep glance before turning and leaping down from the city wall.
Li Qingqiu lifted his gaze toward the distance.
After only one look, he pressed forward again, killing as he went.
His pace quickened; the sword in his hand grew faster and faster.
Sword light flashed unceasingly along Changle Street.
More and more Divine Martial Soldiers fell.
The Forbidden Martial Guards moved along the eaves on both sides, following Li Qingqiu’s advance, yet not daring to descend.
The Divine Martial Soldiers were monsters that knew only battle.
They felt no pain.
But the Forbidden Martial Guards were different.
Even after taking the Martial God Pill or the Yin Ghost Pill, they still retained human will.
And as humans, before an existence they could not resist, it was only natural for fear to arise.
……
Outside the southern city gate.
The group of martial artists saw that the soldiers on the wall all had their backs turned toward them.
They quietly crept closer, swiftly reaching the gate.
Raising their heads to look inside, they froze in place.
The gate opened directly onto Changle Street—and the street was packed densely with corpses.
Their scalps tingled at the sight, and they could not help but think of Li Qingqiu’s face.
That man who looked like a gentle scholar—could he truly be this terrifying?
How long had he been inside? And already he had slaughtered so many? Even though those dead were their hated enemies, instinctive fear still gripped them.
“Wait a bit longer. Perhaps the Emperor will soon summon all the city’s soldiers—then it will be our chance.”
An elderly martial artist spoke in a low voice.
The others nodded in agreement.
Though there were many corpses inside, plenty of Imperial Guards stood near the gate.
If they forced their way through, they would likely be chopped into minced meat.
A blade-carrying martial artist sighed.
“Perhaps after today, the heavens of Great Li will truly change.”
The others, upon hearing this, were all stirred with excitement.
No matter what the world became afterward, at this moment they only wished Emperor Zhao Zhi would die soon.
……
At the central square of the Imperial City, the once noisy prisoners now stared in terror at the high platform, the entire place silent as death.
To be precise—their gazes were all drawn to the same person.
The Emperor Zhao Zhi.
At this moment, his dragon robe billowed violently, his entire body wrapped in eerie black energy.
Floating above his head was a three-zhang-tall ghostly phantom in human form—its whole body pitch-black, its arms like blades, and a pair of horns upon its head.
The people of the world believed in ghosts and gods, yet few had truly seen one.
To see a ghost in broad daylight would terrify anyone—much less one so massive that it inspired instinctive dread.
Even the prisoners upon the platform, including the Clear Sky Daoist, were struck dumb with fright at the sight of the enormous ghost above Zhao Zhi’s head.
Zhao Zhi spread his arms wide, a look of intoxicated delight on his face.
He inhaled deeply and said, “This… this is the feeling—this feeling of omnipotence.”
The gathered ministers dared not approach; even their instinct to flatter him was forgotten.
Boom—!
From the south came a deafening roar.
Everyone turned their heads in shock, and then saw the buildings of the southern quarter exploding apart, dust billowing as dozens of Divine Martial Soldiers and Forbidden Martial Guards were blasted into the air—as if some colossal being was charging forth.
The sight alone sent shivers through their hearts.
The Clear Sky Daoist tilted his head, equally shaken.
“Roar—!”
From the rolling dust came a high-pitched tiger’s roar.
Before the echo faded, a gigantic silver tiger burst forth—three zhang tall at the shoulder, its build powerful, its body gleaming faintly with silver light.
Its sudden appearance startled everyone.
Behind the silver tiger strode a man over the ruins—Li Qingqiu.
The Mountain Lord Divine Incantation!
Li Qingqiu’s mastery of the Mountain Lord Divine Incantation was not high, but his vast Vital Energy made up for it.
“Zhao Zhi, your death has come.”
Li Qingqiu’s voice rang out clearly, echoing into every ear.
The prisoners grew excited at once.
The Mountain Lord he had summoned resembled a divine beast—its aura rivaled the great ghost above Zhao Zhi, filling them with confidence and fervor.
“Is that a real tiger?”
“No—it’s not solid.”
“Haah—! Is that martial arts… or Immortal magic?”
“How could it be mere martial arts! Even ghosts have appeared already!”
“He’s the Clear Sky Sect Master, Li Qingqiu?”
As the prisoners spoke in awe, the Clear Sky Daoist also looked toward Li Qingqiu.
He did not know the man, and his eyes dimmed slightly.
Zhao Zhi, standing atop the platform, likewise fixed his gaze upon Li Qingqiu.
This was his first time seeing him—and Li Qingqiu was even younger than he had expected.
Though surprised by the Mountain Lord Divine Incantation, excitement burned stronger within him.
The stronger Li Qingqiu was, the better he could prove his own power.
“Li Qingqiu, why do you insist on rebelling against Us?”
Zhao Zhi took a step forward and shouted, the black energy around him expanding as murderous aura surged between his brows.
“Slaughtering the common people, treating lives as weeds—and you still need to ask? Zhao Zhi, straighten your neck. The Tianhong Sword in my hand will soon take that dog’s head of yours.”
Li Qingqiu’s cold voice resounded, his tone stirring the prisoners’ spirits.
“The Tianhong Sword…”
The Clear Sky Daoist suddenly lifted his head, eyes fixed on Li Qingqiu.
His eyes reddened, tears glimmering faintly.
Zhao Zhi’s fury exploded at the provocation.
His face twisted hideously as he swept his sleeve toward Li Qingqiu.
The enormous ghost above him roared and lunged.
The Mountain Lord raised its head with a thunderous roar, then leapt skyward to meet the ghost head-on.
Everyone fell silent, watching in tense anticipation.
In the air, the giant ghost swung its claws while the Mountain Lord lifted its tiger paw—the two collided, and the enormous ghost was shattered on impact.
The Mountain Lord landed heavily, raising clouds of dust, then shook its head and charged toward the platform.
Zhao Zhi’s face changed drastically.
He did not retreat; instead he strode forward to the edge of the platform, striking out with both palms.
Torrents of ghostly energy burst forth, forming a violent gale that tore the Mountain Lord apart into mist.
Retracting his hands, Zhao Zhi sneered.
“Li Qingqiu, Our power has reached a thousand years. None in this age can rival Us. What tricks do you still have left?”
Li Qingqiu did not answer—only quickened his pace, faster and faster.
Zhao Zhi raised his right arm, palm upward, then clenched it.
The ground ahead split apart with a crack, the fissure racing toward Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu stepped into the rift, a visible aura forming before him, forcing his way forward through Zhao Zhi’s power.
Zhao Zhi’s eyes narrowed.
Drawing back his arm, he suddenly thrust forward—shattering the ground completely.
Countless chunks of stone rose and hurtled toward Li Qingqiu like a torrential storm.
The earth trembled.
Every martial artist watching felt terror rise in their hearts.
What terrifying power!
Did he truly possess a thousand years of cultivation?
Before anyone could think further, a sword light blazed across the square, and Zhao Zhi’s pupils widened instinctively.
Before his eyes, Li Qingqiu, wielding the Tianhong Sword, pierced through every boulder in his path, ripping through the storm like an arrow, reaching him in an instant.
Zhao Zhi gasped in shock, instinctively raising his palm to block.
Pfft—!
The blade pierced through his hand, blood splattering.
The sword pressed on toward his throat, forcing him backward.
In the blink of an eye—before others could even comprehend it—Zhao Zhi had just shattered the earth, and Li Qingqiu’s sword had already flown through the air, piercing the stones and reaching him—all within two breaths.
Too fast!
So fast that no one could react.
Li Qingqiu’s face was cold as he slashed down, severing Zhao Zhi’s right arm, then withdrew his sword and raised his leg.
Zhao Zhi ignored the pain, instinctively supporting himself with his remaining hand—but Li Qingqiu’s foot stomped down on his chest.
Boom!
The stone platform trembled violently, cracks spreading to the feet of every minister and prisoner.
Zhao Zhi’s eyes bulged wide as he spat out a mouthful of black blood.
Li Qingqiu stood upon Zhao Zhi’s chest, sword in hand, drawing it forward until its tip rested against Zhao Zhi’s throat.
Heaven and earth fell silent.
Even Grandmaster Jiang, seeing this outcome, could not help widening his eyes, his mouth falling open unconsciously.
Zhao Zhi was defeated.
When Zhao Zhi had displayed his thousand years of cultivation, everyone had been terrified—yet no one had expected that even such power would prove worthless before Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu slightly raised his chin, looking down at Zhao Zhi.
“A thousand years of power, yet none of it truly yours. You cannot even wield a tenth of it—trash.”
This time Zhao Zhi could no longer rage.
The edge of the Tianhong Sword pressed against him, and he could smell death itself.
He had never felt death so close.
“You…”
Zhao Zhi opened his mouth, but when his eyes met Li Qingqiu’s gaze, terror crushed his courage.
He quickly turned his head aside and shouted, “Protect the Emperor! Quickly, protect Us!”
The Forbidden Martial Guards came to their senses, drawing their blades and charging toward Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu’s right hand suddenly released the sword.
The Tianhong Sword, as if pushed by an invisible force, drove straight down, piercing Zhao Zhi’s throat, cutting off his voice.
“Ugh—ah…”
Zhao Zhi grasped the blade with his left hand, trying to pull it free, but the sword did not budge.
Blood gushed out wildly, dyeing his vision red.
Ignoring the guards rushing in from all directions, Li Qingqiu leaned forward, gripped the hilt, flicked his wrist—and severed Zhao Zhi’s head.
The head rolled across the platform with a series of dull thuds.
The Forbidden Martial Guards froze, staring in disbelief.
Li Qingqiu lifted his sword, glancing sideways at Grandmaster Jiang.
“You call yourself a Grandmaster, claiming to know the way to immortality. I’m curious—if I were to cut off your head as well, would you still live forever?”
Grandmaster Jiang instinctively stepped back, his face pale with anger and fear.
Staring at Li Qingqiu, he stammered, “You… you’re a cultivator of the Immortal Path?”