Chapter 1333: Bidding Farewell to the Sword Woman Outside the Jade Capital; The Sick-Faced Person in the Fragrant Osmanthus Carriage

Clack-clack...

The carriage wheels rolled slowly across the gray stone pavement, worn smooth by the passage of time and rain, producing a rhythmic, wooden tune.

The osmanthus trees lining the road looked even more vibrant under the dawn's reddish-golden light. They swayed in the wind, their fragrance drifting for miles.

The antique bronze osmanthus carriage, clearly rented at a high price, entered through the main city gate, which bore the ancient plaque of "Yujing Cheng." It did so without drawing a single glance from the long queue of people who had waited all night.

Only the grizzled old captain of the city guards, perched casually on an osmanthus tree by the gate with a piece of braised beef in one hand and a jar of osmanthus brew in the other, paused his messy, oil-smeared feast. His cheeks were flushed red, and he rubbed his shiny black eye bags, casting a sidelong look.

"Another big shot, huh..."

"The heir of Taixu Shijia?"

He jumped down from the osmanthus tree, pointing at the departing bronze carriage, about to call someone over for registration.

In Yujing Cheng, the rules applied to everyone. Even the King of Heaven had to follow them, whether you were a Taixu heir or a Bansheng successor!

So the old captain stroked his beard, leaped to the gate, and with a swift smack, knocked the cap right off a listless young guard's head.

"Get your acts together, all of you!"

"Last month, the chaos from the Sky City in Dongyu—have you forgotten that already? Those bird people might show up any day now!"

"These are troubled times. I'm warning you all—don't let any flies or rats slip into the city. If something goes wrong, you won't be able to handle the consequences!"

A chorus of "Yes, sir!" erupted from the side.

The old captain tossed back a gulp of wine, let out a satisfied belch with a wiggle of his waist, and groaned in delight.

Then he scratched his head.

Huh? What was I about to say?

He looked at the young guard in front of him, who was straightening his clothes and still smelled of alcohol, and scolded, "What just passed by?"

"Nothing, sir. No one's gone through yet—we're checking."

"The carriage?"

"Where's a carriage? Captain, have you had too much to..."

"Get lost!"

The old captain kicked the young man flying, glanced at the queue, and shut his mouth on the question.

What kind of answer would he get from these ordinary folks? Most of them couldn't even afford the entry fee!

He rolled up his sleeves and staggered to the gate, tearing down a black gold wanted poster and nearly embedding it in the young guard's forehead.

"Keep your eyes wide open! Xu Xiaoshou looks just like this. If you let him in, you're all done for—and so am I!"

"Including you lot..." The old captain pointed at the long queue at the gate. "If you spot him, report to me, and there'll be a huge reward—enough for a life of luxury, with three or fifty wives feeding you pills to keep you in bliss forever!"

As he glanced at the black gold poster himself, the old captain spat out a glob of yellowish phlegm and muttered while tipping back more wine:

"Damn, he's so soft and tender-looking, like you could squeeze water from his face—how the hell did he take down Rao Jianxian..."

His words stirred up a storm.

The queue at Yujing Cheng's gate was half ordinary people, half Lianling Shi.

Soon, the chatter boiled over like a pot of water bubbling up.

"Xu Xiaoshou—seems like he's from Dongyu? The stories about him are wild; even I've heard the name. They call him the 'Shengnu Shengye' or something. What exactly did he do?"

"Come on, brother, are you playing dumb or what? You don't know about Xu Dadi? He trapped all those saints in Sky City and slashed through the demons on Yunlun Mountain—that ring any bells?"

"Huh? That Xu guy who cut down Rao Xianzi—he's just a young one, right?"

"Yeah, just a kid! I hear he's not even as old as my son. Look at the poster if you don't believe me."

"Then why do they call him 'Xu Dadi'?"

"Because Tianshang Yilou's Xu Shao is that slippery! He's got his pants practically stripped bare by the world now, and it's all the same guy—my Xu Dadi can change a thousand ways!"

"Hiss..."

"Hey, you all know the latest gossip about Shengye from Nanyu?"

"Spill it! I'm living off Xu Dadi's stories for my meals these days."

"Rumor has it, thirty years ago, Shengye was a proper student at Linggong Academy, studying at some place called Tiansang Linggong. They have inner and outer courtyards there, right? There was this big competition... He was a genius back then, won first place but got rigged out of the inner courtyard. In a rage, he followed the Shengnu, forged his sword, and went back to slaughter everyone—blood flowing like rivers, bodies piled high... Damn, that was satisfying! A real man should be like that!"

"Whoa, where'd you hear that? It's thrilling, but is Shengye really over thirty?"

"Of course! Why else would they call him 'ye'?"

"It's true! I heard it too. Isn't Shenggong starting new admissions? Apparently, because of this whole thing, academies everywhere are protesting, saying there's rigging all over. It all blew up, so Shenggong had to pause admissions and clean house—kicked out a bunch of corrupt old fogies..."

"Tsk tsk, the world's going downhill. Pity for Shengye, but by sacrificing himself, he made it fair for all academy students. He's truly great!"

"Great! How could he not be? One sword opened a new era. I hear they're selecting the new generation of Seven Jianxian in Nanyu—wonder how that's going..."

The discussion quickly shifted elsewhere.

People in the queue either registered to enter the city or turned back home.

The city guards listened with relish, and even the old captain was enjoying it.

These low-level folks had no real business most days—just registering entrants—and if anything went wrong, they were the first to lose their heads. So they clung to these bits of entertainment for a quick laugh.

The young guard scampered back. "Captain, they say Xu Xiaoshou is so notorious, even if he came to Zhongyu, he'd never use the main gate."

The old captain nearly slapped his head off. "Exactly because he's notorious that he wouldn't make a big scene! That array was set by the Dao Dianzhu himself—he'd need ten times the guts to force his way in!"

Shaking his sore hand, the old captain pointed at the queue. "There are plenty of fish in muddy waters among this lot. If you can catch even one, I'll get promoted tomorrow, and you'll eat and drink like a king!"

"Captain, that woman over there looks suspicious. She's clearly disguised, and she seems so... alluring. Xu Xiaoshou can change shapes a thousand ways—I think she might be him..."

"Go to hell!"

The old captain kicked him hard, nearly sending the fool to his grave. But as he glanced back, he froze on the spot, even dropping the wine pouch with a clang.

Incredible!

What a stunning woman!

A tall beauty, about thirty, with a mature and graceful figure, her three thousand strands of hair pinned with a simple bamboo clasp. Her neck was elegant and fair, exposed in the light.

Her well-worn blue robe was stained with dirt, and she carried no trace of Lingyuan aura. At her waist hung a sword, adding a touch of exotic coldness to her allure.

But her eyes were different from her demeanor—sharp as an icy wind, unfeeling and piercing.

Yet, looking beyond the surface, this woman with such striking contrasts... The old captain saw her as a rare gem!

"Step aside—I'll handle this!"

Wiping the grease from his hands on his waist, the old captain shoved the registrar out of the way with his hip and grabbed a jade slip, eyeing the cold swordswoman as she approached. He grinned.

"Beauty, what's your honorable surname and name? Where are you from?"

Her voice was like a lark with a hint of huskiness, as if she hadn't spoken in ages:

"Jianlou, Liu Fuyu."

Her words weren't loud.

But for some reason, as soon as they landed, the noise outside the gate quieted down, eventually fading to silence.

Many people peered over, yet strangely, no one spoke.

The wind rustled, and the osmanthus fragrance seeped in, like aged wine lulling people into a hazy dream, numbing their senses.

The city guards sensed something was off.

The old captain noticed nothing, swallowing hard as he stared at the swordswoman's chest, raising an eyebrow.

"How old are you, miss?"

"A delicate woman like you, with no real strength, would struggle even if I let you in."

"Do you have a place to stay? Old Zhao here has quite the estate in Yujing Cheng! I've got a mansion on Changling Street..."

Liu Fuyu lowered her gaze slightly, her expression calm. Her left hand gently touched her waist.

The warm, pristine sword sheath trembled, as if a tremendous force was pushing the blade out.

"Hu!"

Liu Fuyu murmured softly, and dust stirred at her feet.

With a soft click, the slender white sword at her waist flashed—seeming to draw and yet not.

In an instant, the dawn paled, and a ten-zhang sword beam erupted, plowing through the wooden table and slashing toward the old captain.

The old captain's face barely had time to show terror before Tianji Lingguang flared on him, but in the next second, he was torn apart, flesh scattering.

The remaining sword beam exploded with a boom, slamming into the ancient plaque of Yujing Cheng.

Buzz!

The so-called first city of Zhongyu trembled slightly, and people inside felt it, turning to look.

Lights like faint stars ignited from all directions in the city, Tianji Daowen tracing through the air, quickly dispersing the sword beam.

—Perhaps someone tried to breach the city, but the Dao Dianzhu had eliminated the pest; it was commonplace, so everyone ignored it.

Outside the city.

The plaque remained intact, the body in two pieces.

"Impossible!"

Only then did the young guard behind shout in shock, but it was too late.

His eyes were full of disbelief.

The old captain wasn't just any ordinary person—he was at Wangzuo Daojing, and with the Tianji Xuanjin Card linked to the capital's great array, he could borrow some of its power.

Even passively, that card could block a full strike from Taixu—how could he be slain without a word?

Everyone stared at the bisected corpse at the gate, silent as death.

Finally, murmurs rose from the queue:

"Ancient Jianxiu!"

"She must be one of those ancient Jianxiu from Dongyu!"

"No wonder—she has no Lingyuan aura at all. I thought she was just a regular person, but she's this fierce. Good thing I didn't cross her..."

"Liu Fuyu... that name sounds so familiar. Where have I heard it?"

The young guard's teeth chattered as he looked at the cold-eyed beauty before him, like facing a demon.

"Enemy attack—"

He let out a shrill cry. "Send word quickly—don't let her escape! She killed Captain Zhao!"

The other guards snapped out of it and sprang into action.

Liu Fuyu sheathed her sword without a ripple of emotion and stepped forward, intent on entering the city.

"Don't come any closer!"

No response.

"Stop—stop right there... Halt! You're a wanted criminal now—what are you doing?"

"Entering the city."

Entering the city?

She can talk?

"Why enter the city?" the young guard asked hastily, realizing that as long as he didn't leer, she wouldn't kill—or at least, that's what he thought caused the old captain's death.

Liu Fuyu brushed past him, leaving a faint fragrance.

"Looking for someone."

"Steamed buns—fresh meat buns!"

"Come see, come buy! Braised beef that makes you live forever!"

"Step right up, folks! Watch my flames—poof!"

"Mom, look, a Huoxi Lianling Shi!"

"Silly child, stop messing around and cultivate properly, or you'll end up busking like him."

"What a beautiful carriage!"

"Hush, don't point. See that emblem? Only Taixu Shijia heirs ride osmanthus carriages like that."

"Tsk tsk, Old Zhang, look at that wealth! Yujing Cheng's been getting restless lately with all these nobles coming in."

Clack-clack...

The osmanthus carriage rolled through the bustling ancient streets, filled with noisy vendors and the mouthwatering scents of breakfast amid the osmanthus fragrance.

The beaded curtain was lifted, revealing a well-maintained hand—fair and untouched, with long, distinct fingers like those of a woman.

But through the side window, in the dim light inside, one could see a strikingly handsome face, pale and delicate, as if it had never seen the sun—like a sickly young master.

He covered his mouth with a light cough, turned his head slightly, and perked his ear, as if listening for something.

The capital's great array blocked all outside noise, and the faint tremor earlier was nothing new to anyone.

Sitting inside, he couldn't see behind, and peering out would be unbecoming for a young master like him.

Soon, the sickly young master lowered the beaded curtain; he had heard enough.

"Xu Gongzi, we're in the capital now." The driver, an old man, noticed the movement and smiled as he spoke.

"Isn't the plaque marked Yujing Cheng?"

A weak voice came from inside—pleasant, but laced with coughs, suggesting a serious illness. Onlookers couldn't help but think so.

"You're from Dongyu, coming to Shenggong for studies, so you might not know. 'Capital' is the ancient name, inherited from the mortal realm. Yujing Cheng is what the previous Dianzhu renamed it when it became the first city of Lianling Realm."

"I see... cough cough."

Only then did the passersby realize this sickly young master was from Dongyu.

Traveling thousands of miles to Shenggong for studies—he must have secured a spot for the Shenggong trial.

Truly, you can't judge by appearances.

How did such a frail young master get a trial spot? Did he cough it out?

Dongyu has many Jianxiu—maybe this one is a Jianxiu, or even an ancient Jianxiu?

Amid the stares and suspicions, the osmanthus carriage proceeded grandly, the young master entering the city, oblivious to much.

"I've heard this protective array was the work of the Dao Dianzhu?"

"That's right—supposedly, not even a Bansheng could break it."

"I don't believe that. You common folk don't know the power of a Bansheng, or the sanctity of saints... cough cough... By the way, where is Shengshan?"

"It's in the sky."

The old man Li pointed toward the distant sky.

The young master lifted the curtain and gazed upward.

Beneath the floating clouds hung an upside-down mountain, its red roofs and golden osmanthus bathed in dawn light. Snow veiled the traces of saints, and fragrance spread for miles, guarding Chang'an.

"So close..." the young master murmured, lost in thought.

Li Laohan heard and chuckled. "Don't be fooled—the mountain might look near, but from here to Guizhe Shengshan, even flying, you'd need three to five years, young master."

"One step to ascend..."

"You're quite the talent!"

"They say there's a Jianxian named Hua..."

"On the mountain."

"There's a great emperor who cares for the mortal world..."

"On the mountain."

"There's a divinely calculating Dianzhu..."

"Also on the mountain, watching over us all."

The osmanthus carriage clattered onward, the sacred mountain seeming to draw nearer, hanging in the sky with its waist lost in clouds and snowy peak tinged orange by the dawn.

"Really, it's right there... old man."

The young master murmured again, his pale face now flushed. "I hear there's also a Dead Sea..."

"It's all on the... uh, what's a Dead Sea?" Li Laohan was puzzled this time.

"It's..."

The young master suddenly paused, his voice trailing off as he checked the information in his mind:

"Under scrutiny, passive value: 263."

"Under admiration, passive value: 184."

"Under pursuit, passive value: 1."

Pursuit?

That woman—is she after me?

He lowered the osmanthus carriage's beaded curtain and said calmly, "Head to Yougui Ge on Changle Street, and hurry."

"Heh heh, right away, young master." Li Laohan's smile turned sly as he flicked the reins with extra force.

"Giddup!"

The osmanthus carriage sped through the streets, pedestrians dodging in advance, yet this time, it drew no curious glances—as if the massive vehicle wasn't there at all.

A cloud of dust and wind kicked up, drawing curses from many diners about the wretched weather.

In the midst of the crowd, once the chaos settled.

Liu Fuyu stood in the heart of bustling Yujing Cheng, listening to the noisy calls around her and watching the endless flow of people, like someone from the mountains lost in the mortal world's chaos.

"Breaking news!"

"Shocking updates!"

A kid with a long braid stumbled past her waist, failing to pickpocket and undeterred, waving a jade slip and shouting:

"Latest from Nanyu—just one Lingjing crystal, fair for all, guaranteed accurate!"

"The new generation of Seven Jianxian is out!"