Chapter 227: Seven Absolute Tower Mobilizes

The next day, early morning, Yanluo County.

Just as dawn broke, Duan Fei rushed to the small courtyard where Gu Mo and Gu Chudong resided.

Gu Mo was lying in a recliner, instructing Gu Chudong in his knife practice, the courtyard gate wide open. Duan Fei walked straight in, his expression grave. “Grandmaster Gu, something has happened in Linhai City!” he announced.

“What happened?” Gu Mo asked. “Was Mr. Dongjing abducted?”

Duan Fei looked surprised. “You know?”

Gu Mo paused, slightly stunned. “I was just saying that casually. It can’t be, right? Prefect Pei told me that four grandmasters from the Night Department were protecting Mr. Dongjing. How could he still be abducted? Four grandmasters? Impossible, surely?”

Duan Fei’s voice was solemn. “All four grandmasters were killed.”

Gu Mo was speechless.

He knew about the Night Department, and he knew that all twelve of its commanders were martial arts grandmasters. Moreover, each of them was considered an elite among grandmasters, far surpassing ordinary martial artists.

The reason the Night Department’s grandmasters were stronger than others of the same level was primarily due to three factors.

First, their foundation: no sect’s foundation could rival that of the imperial court. Those who rose to the rank of Night Department commander naturally had access to abundant resources. Whether it was combat experience from sparring with other masters, martial arts manuals, or weapons, they were superior to average martial artists.

Second, stability: people within such an organization collaborated year-round, and their coordination far surpassed that of ordinary martial artists. While regular martial artists’ cooperation was a simple addition, the synergy within a stable organization yielded results greater than the sum of its parts.

Third, a fundamental difference in nature: court masters had much less need for martial world fame, meaning their achievements were less exaggerated and certainly contained less 'water' (fluff) than those of their peers in the jianghu. Furthermore, while the Heavenly Ranking listed grandmasters, court experts outside of the Six-Door Bureau, like those from evil factions, were not included. Therefore, achieving the title of grandmaster carried significantly more weight.

Thus,

Now, hearing Duan Fei say that all four Night Department grandmasters had been killed, he could hardly conceal his shock.

Duan Fei continued, “The most unbelievable part is that all four Night Department grandmasters were killed in their most proficient areas. There have long been rumors in the martial world that the Grand Proprietor is skilled in all kinds of martial arts, and now it seems those rumors are true. He’s practically a monster!”

Suddenly,

Gu Mo suddenly recalled the most formidable enemy he had encountered since entering the martial world: Lu Canyang.

The resemblance was striking.

Lu Canyang back then was similarly versatile, proficient in fists, palms, knives, swords, and leg techniques… even medicine and artifact forging.

This Grand Proprietor seemed to be another such individual.

“So now… what’s the situation in Linhai City?” Gu Mo asked.

Duan Fei explained, “After Mr. Dongjing was captured, he fortunately stumbled upon Wang Mingxiu and the Grand Proprietor having an internal conflict. Wang Mingxiu was killed, and Mr. Dongjing narrowly survived. Overall, it was a close call but he’s safe. As for why they fought among themselves, the letter didn’t disclose, citing secrecy.

“However, a bigger problem lies ahead. The Grand Proprietor already knew Prefect Pei suspected something was amiss with Wang Mingxiu, so he turned the tables, using Pei’s plan against him. This led to the Sea Defense Camp suffering an unprecedented blow at the Tiansha Islands…”

Duan Fei then recounted the events in Linhai City and the fact that Pei Yuanzhen was truly leading an army towards them.

After listening, Gu Chudong took the letter from Duan Fei, scanning it as she spoke. “So, Prefect Pei was outmaneuvered, and the Sea Defense Camp suffered heavy losses. However, Prefect Pei suspects the Sea Defense Camp collaborated with the Seven Absolutes Tower to put on a show to cover up their embezzlement of funds and arms trafficking. He became the scapegoat in this scheme.”

Duan Fei nodded.

Gu Chudong continued, “Therefore, the key for Prefect Pei to break free from this situation lies with the weapons and military funds stolen by the Six Bandits of Huaihai back then.”

“Precisely.”

Duan Fei said, “Prefect Pei is concerned they might resort to desperate measures. He specifically wrote to instruct me to guard the items carefully. The letter contains detailed information for you both to review at your leisure. I need to go find the Yanluo County Magistrate and Constable now to mobilize the county’s garrison.”

Gu Mo nodded slightly.

After speaking for a while longer, Duan Fei cupped his hands in farewell and departed.

Gu Chudong was quickly reading the letter. “Brother, the letter says Wang Mingxiu had an internal conflict with the Grand Proprietor after learning the truth, but it doesn’t specify what that truth was.”

Gu Mo pondered for a moment. “He likely discovered that the Mu clan were descendants of the Yin-Yang Division, one of the Seven Dark Guard Divisions. As a Six-Door Bureau captain, Wang Mingxiu’s principles would have been quite upright, so he might have found it difficult to accept the truth initially. However, it’s quite strange that the Grand Proprietor actually killed Wang Mingxiu.”

“What’s strange about it?” Gu Chudong asked.

Gu Mo explained, “According to Prefect Pei, the Heavenly Abyss Silent Seven Killings Art is a very unique and exceptional skill, originating from Penglai Island. It’s related to the bloodlines of the Seven Dark Guard Divisions; each bloodline can only cultivate one part, and only when the seven killings are united can the art unleash its full power.

“But the Mu clan was annihilated back then, and the Yin-Yang Division now only has Wang Mingxiu as its sole descendant. Instead of trying to win him over, the Grand Proprietor treated Wang Mingxiu as a mere pawn from start to finish. Did he truly never consider unifying the seven killings?”

Gu Chudong chuckled softly. “Brother, aren’t you overthinking it? Is there a possibility that while the Mu clan was wiped out, there were other descendant branches of the Yin-Yang Division before them, so they didn’t lack Wang Mingxiu? Or, more directly, perhaps the other bloodlines had no successors or insufficient talent, making it impossible to master all seven parts of the Seven Killings Art and achieve unification. So, having Wang Mingxiu or not made little difference. After all, from the Grand Proprietor’s perspective, Wang Mingxiu had no intention of being loyal to the Kangde Crown Prince’s descendants and was a very unstable factor. Giving him up wasn’t a loss; recruiting him carried greater risks.”

Gu Mo considered this. “Both points you made are indeed possible. Oh, by the way, after I killed Old Madam Lin during the battle at Pure Yang Temple, did you take her Star-Pattern Tracing Scroll?”

Gu Chudong chuckled. “Brother, it’s in my box. That item is excellent, far better than your tracking powders. I thought of keeping it because if we ever encounter a wanted criminal we need to track, with the Tracing Scroll in hand, they won’t be able to escape, no matter where they go.”

Gu Mo grinned. “Keep it ready. We might need it this time. If Pei Yuanzhen’s conjecture is correct, and the Sea Defense Camp truly colluded with the Seven Absolutes Tower to embezzle funds and trade weapons, then it’s highly probable they’ll ask the Seven Absolutes Tower to act again.

“This time, the Seven Absolutes Tower won’t send ordinary people. They will definitely deploy their rumored Three Jade Token Assassins, or even the Grand Proprietor himself. If that happens, secretly using the Tracing Scroll could allow us to locate the Seven Absolutes Tower’s lair. Then, when the authorities act, gathering enough experts to besiege the Grand Proprietor would be a very reliable strategy!”

If top-tier Seven Absolutes Tower figures appeared, Gu Mo would certainly let some escape to track them secretly. If the Grand Proprietor appeared in person, Gu Mo would still use the Tracing Scroll, as with the Grand Proprietor’s current demonstrated strength, Gu Mo wasn’t confident he could absolutely keep him if the opponent was determined to leave.

The Grand Proprietor’s reputation was considerable; he was one of the three most formidable evil path masters in the Qian Kingdom.

The three most renowned evil path masters in the Qian Kingdom were, first, Ye Nantian, the Leader of the Moon-Worshiping Cult; second, Ghost Catcher Gongsun Jue; and third, the Grand Proprietor of the Seven Absolutes Tower.

Ye Nantian was the leader of the Moon-Worshiping Cult, the Qian Kingdom’s foremost demonic sect and one of the world’s ancestral demonic foundations. With countless demonic disciples and followers under him, he was undoubtedly the top evil path master.

The second, Ghost Catcher Gongsun Jue, was an eccentric who had cultivated to the point of qi deviation. Originally the chief divine constable of the Six-Door Bureau’s capital headquarters, he had accidentally obtained a demonic art during a mission. Unable to resist the temptation, he cultivated it, secretly sacrificing countless lives to practice. He was eventually discovered and defected. In the years since, he continued to commit crimes, and his martial arts were unfathomable.

Third was the Grand Proprietor of the Seven Absolutes Tower, who had only become active in the last decade. Claimed to be proficient in myriad martial arts, he was the Qian Kingdom’s foremost assassin, and the Seven Absolutes Tower he founded was the kingdom’s top assassin organization, with unfathomable strength.

Although the system ranked the Grand Proprietor as only six-star, while the first two were seven-star, this didn’t mean the Grand Proprietor was weaker. The system’s ranking was based on the severity of the wanted criminal’s misdeeds, not their combat prowess.

For instance, the Six Bandits of Huaihai, whom he killed a few days prior, didn’t possess high combat power, yet their system ranking was as high as five-star.

Therefore,

Gu Mo took the Grand Proprietor seriously. Having Gu Chudong prepare the Tracing Scroll was a contingency plan. To be ranked alongside Ye Nantian and Gongsun Jue meant he was absolutely among the top existences in the entire Qian Kingdom. Aside from Zhang Daoyi, who was in a class of his own as the unparalleled top master, the Grand Proprietor and the other two were definitely first-tier experts.

For three consecutive days, Yanluo County remained quiet.

Until noon on the fourth day,

Gu Mo suddenly heard the urgent assembly whistle echo from the Hundred-Household Office, and the place instantly became bustling.

Gu Chudong, who was practicing her knife, immediately put it away, quickly ran into the house to strap on her large book-box, and became alert.

Just then, Duan Fei ran in from outside. He was clad in armor, wielding a broadsword. “Grandmaster Gu,” he said, “the Seven Absolutes Tower has landed. Roughly four thousand or more heavily armed individuals are advancing towards Yanluo County, equipped with simple siege weapons, intending to attack the county seat.”

Gu Mo raised an eyebrow in surprise. “They’re not even putting on a show? Just landing like that?”

Duan Fei replied, “They are putting on a show. At this very moment, the Sea Defense Camp is engaged in battle. This group of Seven Absolutes Tower soldiers supposedly couldn’t be stopped by the Sea Defense Camp. It’s perfectly logical, given that the Sea Defense Camp suffered heavy losses just days ago, their morale is low, and their equipment is lacking, preventing them from intercepting everyone.

“Furthermore, this provides a reasonable explanation for why the Seven Absolutes Tower went to such lengths to lure the Sea Defense Camp to the Tiansha Islands for an ambush: it was to seize military equipment and then attack Yanluo County.”

Gu Mo thought about it and realized Duan Fei’s reasoning was sound. Following this logic, it could indeed cover up the Sea Defense Camp’s embezzlement and arms trafficking. This indirectly further corroborated Pei Yuanzhen’s conjecture.

“Can they be stopped?” Gu Chudong asked. “The Seven Absolutes Tower has thousands of people, but Yanluo County’s garrison only has a few hundred!”

Duan Fei replied, “We don’t know yet how effective the Seven Absolutes Tower army’s combat strength is. The Yanluo County garrison isn’t considered elite troops; they can only rely on the advantage of the city walls. However, thankfully, preparations began two days ago. Also, the Seven Absolutes Tower’s army doesn’t have large siege equipment; the Sea Defense Camp is still being somewhat discreet and doesn’t dare to go too far. If they handed over all large equipment to the Seven Absolutes Tower, they wouldn’t be able to explain it if investigated later. And, we only need to hold out until dark; Prefect Pei’s prefectural army is almost here.”

“I’m afraid they won’t arrive so easily!” Gu Mo said, shaking his head.

Duan Fei looked puzzled. “Prefect Pei is bringing three thousand prefectural garrison troops. Their elite status is unmatched by county soldiers. Even if the Seven Absolutes Tower senses their approach, they couldn’t possibly stop them!”

Gu Mo’s voice was deep. “What if the Sea Defense Camp intercepts them?”

“No way!” Duan Fei exclaimed in surprise. “Lin Jing wouldn’t dare to openly bring the Sea Defense Army ashore, would he?”

“What’s the difference?”

Gu Mo explained, “Prefect Pei suspects Lin Jing colluded with the Seven Absolutes Tower, so he boldly mobilized troops. However, Lin Jing could also have received intelligence, suspecting Prefect Pei of colluding with the Seven Absolutes Tower with the intention of jointly attacking Yanluo County, which is why he mobilized his troops to intercept. In truth, Lin Jing’s action would be even more plausible.

“Both of their actions are the same: unauthorized troop mobilization. Ultimately, it boils down to who wins, and whose backer is stronger. The loser will be branded a rebel and traitor!”

Duan Fei’s face turned pale.

At this moment, just as Gu Mo had anticipated,

Pei Yuanzhen’s prefectural garrison, upon reaching the Tongxia Post pass in Yanluo County, was intercepted. The county soldiers at Tongxia Post immediately closed the gate. Before Pei Yuanzhen could even send someone to deliver orders, he discovered Sea Defense Camp soldiers positioned on the pass.

Lin Jing appeared.

Pei Yuanzhen and Lin Jing cursed at each other for a long time.

Pei Yuanzhen accused Lin Jing of colluding with the Seven Absolutes Tower with intent to rebel, while Lin Jing retorted by calling Pei Yuanzhen a thief crying “stop thief!”

After a period of mutual accusations,

Pei Yuanzhen, fuming, returned to his army and found Commander Chen You. “Commander Chen,” he asked, “if we attack the stronghold now, how long would it take to break through Tongxia Post?”

Commander Chen You’s expression was solemn. “Prefect Pei, the issue isn’t how long it would take me to break through Tongxia Post. The Sea Defense Camp’s combat power is limited on land, and Lin Jing only brought a little over a thousand men. I can attack anytime I want.

“But the real problem is that if I order an attack, both armies will suffer countless casualties. I cannot bear that responsibility, nor can you. Those Sea Defense Camp soldiers don’t know the truth; in their minds, we are the rebels!”

Pei Yuanzhen said grimly, “But the immediate problem is, if we don’t attack the stronghold, Yanluo County will be in danger. If the Seven Absolutes Tower fails to breach the city, that’s one thing. But if, by chance, the Seven Absolutes Tower truly breaks through Yanluo County City, then Yanluo County will undoubtedly suffer a great catastrophe.

“Furthermore, if Lin Jing makes another deal with the Seven Absolutes Tower’s higher-ups, using those Seven Absolutes Tower soldiers as pawns, then you and I will have no place to be buried. If Lin Jing sends the Sea Defense Camp to annihilate the Seven Absolutes Tower ‘bandits,’ successfully destroying the evidence, and then turns around to frame us both for colluding with the Seven Absolutes Tower, that’s when we’d truly be unable to clear our names!”

Chen You’s face was grave, his mind torn by an internal struggle.

Just then,

Advisor Zhu galloped over on horseback. “Master, Commander Chen,” he announced, “Mr. Dongjing says he has a way to break through Tongxia Post without shedding a single drop of blood!”

Chen You and Pei Yuanzhen’s hearts lifted. They quickly followed Advisor Zhu to the center of the army, arriving beside the carriage where Mr. Dongjing was seated.

A few days prior, Pei Yuanzhen had sought out Mr. Dongjing and informed him of his conjecture that the Sea Defense Camp had colluded with the Seven Absolutes Tower. Mr. Dongjing had immediately agreed to testify for him, even personally accompanying Pei Yuanzhen to consult with Chen You. They had then traveled together, which was the direct reason Chen You dared to bring troops with Pei Yuanzhen to Yanluo County.

“Mr. Dongjing, what method do you have to break through Tongxia Post?” Pei Yuanzhen urgently asked.

Mr. Dongjing pulled back the carriage curtain. “Just now, when you and Lin Jing were arguing, I saw from afar two adjutants beside Lin Jing. They are disciples I took in when I was in the capital. I know their character very well; they have no rebellious intentions and must have been deceived by Lin Jing.

“You only need to select two agile martial artists to take me along the mountain path, circling to the back of Tongxia Post. As soon as I see my two disciples and inform them of the situation truthfully, they will surely pull back from the brink in time. Then, with our coordinated attack from inside and out, we will undoubtedly open Tongxia Post with ease.”

“No!”

Pei Yuanzhen rejected the idea without hesitation. “This is too dangerous,” he said.

Mr. Dongjing replied, “Then you may proceed with a forced assault. Let’s see how many lives will be lost then. These soldiers are clearly loyal and patriotic, yet they would have to kill each other. How innocent are they?”

Advisor Zhu interjected, “Sir, could you use a token or something of yours?”

“Useless,” Mr. Dongjing stated. “This matter is too grave; a slight misstep could be seen as treason. Who would believe a mere token? Only my personal presence will suffice. Don’t worry, Prefect Pei. If I am captured, as long as Lin Jing isn’t insane, he wouldn’t dare to kill me.

“I’m actually not in much danger. If I’m discovered, at worst I’ll be imprisoned by Lin Jing. But if I succeed, it will prevent a bloody slaughter. Why not take that chance?”

“This…”

Pei Yuanzhen was greatly worried.

Chen You, standing nearby, said, “Alright, Prefect Pei, this is the best method right now. As Mr. Dongjing said, since Lin Jing is trying to conceal evidence, it indicates he isn’t genuinely planning a rebellion. Therefore, he wouldn’t truly dare to kill Mr. Dongjing.”

Pei Yuanzhen gritted his teeth and cupped his hands towards Mr. Dongjing. “Then… I’ll leave it to you!”

Yanluo County was filled with a chilling solemnity.

Thousands of Seven Absolutes Tower soldiers began their siege, creating an immense commotion.

However, fortunately, Yanluo County had made early preparations, with various military supplies ready on the city walls to counter the siege. Moreover, the Seven Absolutes Tower soldiers clearly lacked discipline; their siege rhythm was chaotic and disorganized, significantly reducing the pressure on Yanluo County.

Nonetheless, the Seven Absolutes Tower also had their advantages: they were all fearless, throwing lives into the attack, and many were martial arts masters. Although their coordination was poor, despite the lack of proper siege equipment, individuals still managed to scale the city walls in continuous waves.

For a time, the siege battle became a stalemate, tying up all of Yanluo County’s military strength, with even many constables from the prefectural yamen being redeployed.

Meanwhile,

the Six-Door Bureau Hundred-Household Office in Yanluo County maintained an eerie silence. Outside, many panicked citizens were scrambling back to their homes, creating utter chaos.

At one point, amidst the chaotic crowd, an old man carrying a vegetable basket was jostled and stumbled, colliding with the Six-Door Bureau’s tightly shut main gate, which burst open from the impact. Inside, a large group of constables stood ready for action. He tremblingly cried, “Officers, help!”

Before his words fully left his lips, the vegetable basket suddenly burst open, revealing a flash of cold light. Twelve bone-piercing nails were hidden within!

In an instant, dozens of figures emerged from the chaotic streets. The old man selling sugar-paintings cast aside his wooden tray, revealing a soft sword at his waist. The village woman carrying a bamboo basket unfurled a cloth scarf, which became a three-zhang red silk ribbon. Even the old beggar with a crutch broke his bamboo staff in two, exposing a poisoned judge’s brush. These people, ordinarily common vendors and laborers, now had ferocious looks in their eyes, their movements elusive like ghosts, as they charged directly towards the Hundred-Household Office.

However, the Six-Door Bureau constables inside the Hundred-Household Office were well-prepared.

Several whistling arrows pierced the air, and swarms of constables appeared. With seamless coordination, their blades formed a wall of light, pinning the enemies firmly at the gate. The clash of weapons, shouts, and miserable cries intertwined, and a major battle erupted instantly.

At the same time,

In a three-story building within the Hundred-Household Office, there was a basement below, where the weapons and military funds recovered from the Six Bandits of Huaihai were stored.

At this moment, Gu Mo was sitting by a third-floor window, sipping tea, while Gu Chudong stood by the window, on high alert. Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a figure abruptly appearing on a rooftop diagonally opposite. It was a woman, around thirty years old, with a face like a peach blossom, silver bells on her wrists, a skirt embroidered with lotus flowers, blood-red lips, and a slender waist. She was a truly beautiful woman!

However, she was also a terrifying assassin: Su Meiniang, one of the Seven Absolutes Tower’s Three Jade Token Assassins.

A person said to be so flexible that blades and spears could not harm her.

Immediately after, with a resounding crash, the courtyard wall was breached, and a hulking man, built like an iron tower, strode in. Three knife scars ran across his left face, from eyebrow to jaw. He wore a blood-stained gray cloth shirt, his knuckles rough as old tree roots, and in his hands, he gripped two iron hammers, not the exaggerated hundreds of catties of stage plays, but rather two bowl-sized hammers, weighing perhaps twenty to twenty-five kilograms combined.

Information about this person instantly flashed through Gu Chudong’s mind: he was also one of the Seven Absolutes Tower’s Three Jade Token Assassins—the Brute.

No one knew his name or past, only that he possessed immense strength, had incredibly powerful horizontal martial arts, was impervious to blades and spears, unafraid of fire and water, and had once withstood the slashes of several famous swords with his bare body.

This man was extremely brutal. Although an assassin, his every strike was exceptionally violent, always tearing his targets into pieces, leaving only their heads intact for submission.

“Su Meiniang, the Brute… why only two? Where’s Night Roamer?”

Gu Chudong gripped her Gouchen Demonic Blade tightly.

Gu Mo, meanwhile, mentally searched for information on the Three Jade Token Assassins.

Wanted Target: Su MeiniangMission Level: Three-starReward: Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand (Mastered)

Wanted Target: The BruteMission Level: Three-starReward: Tianshan Six Yang Palms (Mastered)

Wanted Target: Night RoamerMission Level: Four-starReward: Spiritual Rhinoceros Finger (Mastered)

On the rooftop, Su Meiniang reclined against the blue tiles, her moonlight-white gauze robe lifted by the wind to reveal a breast wrap embroidered with mandalas. Her fingertips traced the glazed tiles, her voice, when she slowly spoke, dragging like silk thread dipped in honey, yet seeming to carry a hook that burrowed into people’s hearts: “Grandmaster Gu, would you be so kind as to oblige this humble one?”

Her call was incredibly low, the last syllable trembling on her tongue, mingling with the dampness of the night dew, and oozing out, stickier even than the plum rains of Jiangnan.

“Vixen!” Gu Chudong muttered under her breath.

Su Meiniang seemed to have heard Gu Chudong. She lifted her gaze, the rouge at the corners of her eyes shimmering with gold dust in the sunlight. A dimple at her lip corner seemed to hold a jar of ten-year-aged Daughter’s Red wine. Even her voice swayed as she smiled: “Heroine Gu, you are indeed as beautiful as the rumors say! Naturally stunning, so charming even without heavy makeup. You truly make this humble one terribly envious!”

Su Meiniang’s voice swept across Gu Chudong’s heartstrings. She suddenly found Su Meiniang not so annoying. She told Gu Mo, “Brother, I feel like she’s actually quite nice. She’s so pretty, yet she still complimented me on my beauty!”

Gu Mo chuckled softly. “Her head is worth sixteen hundred taels of silver.”

Gu Chudong said seriously, “She’s even more beautiful now!”

Gu Mo chuckled. With a slight release of his fingertips, the bamboo chopstick in his hand slid out like a white snake flicking its tongue. Before reaching the windowsill, it eerily curved, arcing out past the carved wooden window’s eaves like a silver streak, then shot towards Su Meiniang like a white rainbow piercing the sun.

Su Meiniang, still leaning against the blue tiles, had gold dust at the corners of her eyes tremble slightly, and a faint smile still lingered in her dimple. Yet, before the chopstick reached her, her entire body dissolved into a swathe of plain white silk. Her embroidered shoes lightly tapped the blue tiles, and she seemed to drift towards the eaves, carried by the night wind. The scarlet silk sash at her waist moved as if by itself, deflecting the passing bamboo chopstick by half an inch.

The chopstick grazed her supple, serpentine waist. Su Meiniang’s fair wrist flipped like a delicate hand stroking a zither, and with a gentle twist of two jade-like fingers at the chopstick’s end, the rushing air suddenly became a piercing whistle, sending it back towards Gu Mo’s face at the window.

“Using softness to overcome hardness, deflecting force with force!”

Sensing Su Meiniang’s move, Gu Mo was somewhat surprised. This technique was remarkably similar to his own Tai Chi, though he wondered who would prevail in a direct contest.

At this moment, Gu Chudong, her Gouchen Demonic Blade ready at her side, struck the center of the chopstick with its blunt edge. With a sharp clang, the window paper rattled. The bamboo chopstick, broken in two, still carried enough force to embed itself into a corridor pillar, its end still vibrating with a hum.

Gu Chudong pushed off the ground, leaping into the air. The Gouchen Demonic Blade glowed with boiling blood-red energy, and seven cross-shaped blade auras burst forth with her strike, like seven horse-chopping sabers descending simultaneously. Amidst the shattering of blue tiles, the wooden beams at the eaves actually cracked, splitting halfway from the force of the blade auras.

At this moment, Su Meiniang displayed an ethereal movement technique. Her plain white embroidered shoes danced through the gaps between the blade auras, her twisting waist bending into arcs impossible for ordinary people. Sometimes she glided three feet across the tiles like a weeping willow branch, other times she darted diagonally backward like an owl flapping its wings. Where the dozens of blade auras struck, they only shaved off a few strands of her gold-dusted hair by her temples, which drifted down onto the blue bricks, appearing like scattered blossoms.

“Roar! One for each of us!”

Suddenly, a muffled thunder-like roar came from downstairs. Where the Brute, with his full beard, stomped his foot, blue bricks cracked. The wind pressure generated by his twin hammers tilted the courtyard lanterns, and a pit about a foot deep was impressed into the ground. He himself shot upwards like a cannonball, lunging towards the third floor.

At the same time, rapid footsteps were heard from outside the courtyard. Several dark figures flashed into the yard like specters; these were also Seven Absolutes Tower assassins. Their division of labor was clear: Su Meiniang and the Brute were to delay Gu Mo and Gu Chudong, while the others rushed into the building to destroy evidence.

The moment the Brute launched himself upwards, Gu Mo stepped out from the window, seemingly walking on air. His hands remained clasped behind his back, and with a light tap of his toes, he moved to meet the descending hammers.

In a flash, the Brute’s vision blurred. His hammer strikes missed, and a tremendous force, like Mount Tai pressing down, landed on his head—Gu Mo’s toes precisely tapped his crown. This seemingly casual step made the Brute feel as if struck by lightning, sending him plummeting headfirst.

With a muffled thud, the blue brick ground was smashed into a ten-foot deep crater. Two assassins below, who hadn’t managed to escape in time, were crushed into two pools of flesh and blood, unable to even cry out, as the Brute’s mountain-like body landed on them, splattering blood.

In that instant, the Brute suddenly surged up, his knotted muscles twitching like living things beneath his torn cloth. His blood-stained twin hammers swung, creating afterimages and shaking the shattered stones within ten zhang to levitate in mid-air.

A dark yellow wave of energy swirled around the Brute, like a tornado engulfing yellow sand. Closer inspection revealed countless tiny grains of sand suspended and rotating, encasing him like a moving mountain. Even the moonlight reflected twisted halos off this strange energy curtain.

“Die, you bastard!”

The Brute’s roar shook the roof tiles, sending them clattering down. He charged forward, imbued with a destructive force, and wherever his hammers passed, the air groaned under the unbearable pressure.

Gu Mo lightly tapped his toes, retreating to the rooftop ridge. He secretly channeled internal energy within his sleeves, and the moment he struck with both palms, six dazzling golden dragon-shaped energy currents burst from the ground, surging directly towards the Brute’s face amidst dragon roars.

The moment the dragon energy collided with the dust curtain, sand and stones flew. The six dragon-shaped energy currents were crushed instantly upon touching the dust curtain, dissipating into specks of golden light.

The Brute was pushed back three steps, the blue bricks beneath his feet pulverized into dust, yet he let out a savage roar. The energy waves around him surged even more fiercely, and the suspended sand above his head coalesced into a hazy beast-head phantom. With every step he took, a half-foot deep footprint was left in the ground.

Meanwhile,

On a certain rooftop within the Hundred-Household Office, two figures were observing from a distance: Night Roamer, one of the Seven Absolutes Tower’s Three Jade Token Assassins, and the Grand Proprietor, wearing a bronze mask.

“Master,” Night Roamer said, a hint of disdain in his voice, “this Gu Mo doesn’t seem so impressive. How could he be as formidable as the rumors say? The Brute’s Mountain Killing Art is only at the minor accomplishment stage, and Gu Mo can’t even break it. How could he be lauded as the fifth on the Heavenly Ranking? Is this all his level is?”

The Grand Proprietor replied, “You’re overthinking it. I’ve encountered Gu Mo. If he genuinely wanted to break the Brute’s defense, one move would be enough. He likely recognized that the Brute was using the Mountain Killing Art and simply wanted to observe it. Once he loses interest, he’ll break it instantly!”

Night Roamer frowned. “I don’t believe it…”

Just then, he suddenly heard a dragon’s roar.

The void rippled as if struck by a heavy hammer. When Night Roamer looked up, he saw Gu Mo’s robes billowing like a wild horse shaking its mane. The crimson flames exploding from his palm coalesced into a five-clawed golden dragon. As its head rose, its whiskers scattered sparks, illuminating half the building like a molten golden furnace.

The Brute’s earthy-yellow energy wall, originally a thousand-catty dust curtain like a mountain, now crumbled like a sandcastle hit by the tide under this dragon-shaped energy. Myriad grains of sand turned to golden dust in the firelight, crumbling away to reveal his gnarled neck—his Adam’s apple had barely begun to move when the fire dragon shattered the twin hammers at his chest. The flames engulfed the hammers’ sheen, shining three parts brighter than the terror in his eyes.

The dragon silhouette pierced through his chest, sending the Brute flying backward. The sound of his sternum shattering mingled with the roar of exploding flames. His left arm, carrying half a piece of armor, flew backward, the blood at the severed end vaporizing into a red mist from the intense heat. His right leg slammed into a corridor pillar… his entire body was torn into pieces.

He enjoyed tearing his targets into pieces, and ultimately, he met the exact same fate, torn into pieces himself.

In that same instant, on the other side, Su Meiniang was