Hua Yan was startled, not knowing when he had run over.
Lu Chengsha said, “They don’t know martial arts.”
Lu Zhusheng responded, “So what?”
Lu Chengsha retorted, “You are committing evil deeds.”
Lu Zhusheng replied, “I know, I’ve been doing evil for a long time. I’ve killed countless innocent people, but so what… Since I’m stronger than them, I can kill them. That’s the natural order. Your father, Xie Changyun, did the same back then.”
Hua Yan couldn’t help but say, “Our sect doesn’t do that anymore!”
Lu Zhusheng said with indifference, “There’s no need. It’s much better to act on one’s impulses and settle scores.” He smiled slightly and continued, “Speaking of which, you still don’t know. I almost wanted to kill you.”
Hua Yan was stunned, “Me?”
Lu Zhusheng nodded, “Yes, the first time you appeared beside him at the Dongfeng Buye Tower, I noticed you and sent people to monitor you. Later, when you disguised yourself and appeared in Jiancheng, I almost wanted to kill you.”
A chill ran down Hua Yan’s spine as she remembered the time shortly after meeting Lu Chengsha, when she had accompanied him to Dongfeng Buye Tower to inquire about information. At that time, there was also someone speaking behind the beaded curtain, whose gender could not be discerned…
As for Jiancheng.
Hua Yan suddenly realized, “You incited me to commit suicide. No… you almost wanted him to kill me!”
Lu Zhusheng said, “If you weren’t willing to commit suicide, it would prove that you weren’t sincere. Then, if you died, you couldn’t blame me.”
Lu Chengsha also recalled that terrifying dream, and he immediately drew his long sword, with an unconscious killing intent emanating from him.
The two young girls had already tried to escape, but Lu Zhusheng didn’t speak further and instead flashed over to kill them. Lu Chengsha once again blocked his way. Lu Zhusheng sighed and said, “I really don’t want to kill you, but—”
As he spoke, he slashed at Lu Chengsha with his sword.
With the power of “Fengrao Tian” activated, Lu Zhusheng was truly invincible in martial arts. Saying he was the best in the world was no exaggeration.
Seeing Lu Chengsha at a disadvantage, Hua Yan couldn’t help but draw her sword and join the fight.
Although this wasn’t the first time they fought side by side, it was the first time they faced a two-on-one battle. Hua Yan was wielding the Chunhua Sword she brought this time.
She used the Tiancan Sword Technique, while Lu Chengsha employed the Lu Family Sword Technique. In theory, there should be no connection between the two, but Hua Yan was very familiar with Lu Chengsha’s swordsmanship, and Lu Chengsha quickly adapted to any sword technique. After twenty or so moves, the two already had a tacit understanding, as if they had been cooperating for years.
Lu Zhusheng was momentarily distracted.
At that moment, Lu Zhenxing’s voice also rang out.
“Enough, killing so many is enough… Zhusheng, don’t continue down this wrong path.”
Accompanying Lu Zhenxing’s voice were the experts and disciples from various sects. They had gradually taken care of the Gu insects and the men in black and finally had time to come up.
Along the way, Lu Zhenxing looked at the corpses strewn about and felt a bit dazed. At the height of his anger, he had entertained the thought of exterminating Baiya Peak, just like he had once eradicated the Demon Sect. But Lu Zhenxing quickly regained his clarity… they were from a reputable sect. In such matters, they should seek out the true culprits. He might feel that executing Bai Hengjue and Bai Henghuan a thousand times would not quench his hatred, but the other innocent disciples were merely collateral damage.
Hearing Lu Zhenxing’s voice, Lu Zhusheng smiled slightly and said, “Back then, didn’t you also attack the Demon Sect to avenge my biological father? What’s the difference? Is Baiya Peak somehow more noble?”
Lu Zhenxing was momentarily stunned by his words.
The others present were also taken aback.
Someone said, “Lu Laozhuang’s1Laozhuang (老庄) is a respectful term often used in Chinese martial arts novels and historical contexts to refer to an elderly master or the elder of a family, especially the head of a large or influential family or sect. attack on the Demon Sect was an act of righteousness. How can that be compared!”
As soon as he finished speaking, he realized something was off.
Because there were some disciples from the Demon Sect among them.
A Demon Sect disciple immediately retorted, “So we deserve to die? Can you righteous sects be reasonable? It was your righteous sect that first sent people to infiltrate our sect! If they got exposed and killed, can you blame others?”
“That’s right! Aren’t you supposed to stand for justice? Our Zhengyi Sect hasn’t done anything wrong this time, can’t you speak a little more politely?”
“Besides, it was your people who caused the trouble at Miyin Dragon Cave . Do you know how many people we lost because of that?”
The righteous sect disciples were left speechless, not knowing what to say.
Now, saying anything harsh was inappropriate. After all, they had wronged these people for so long, yet they had come to help without bearing a grudge.
“Let’s deal with this demon Lu Zhusheng first!”
At this moment, everyone noticed that Lu Chengsha and the Demon Sect woman were fighting Lu Zhusheng. Although it was a delicate situation, they couldn’t afford to be choosy. Several people drew their swords and joined the fray.
The disciples from Qingcheng Sect and Fanyin Temple quickly came to support their severely injured sect leaders and abbots.
Lu Zhenxing steadied himself, gripped the Wuqian Sword, and joined the fray. Ling Tianxiao was still overseeing the situation below, and dealing with Lu Zhusheng from Tingjian Manor was originally his responsibility.
Hua Yan was greatly shocked to see Lu Zhenxing charging in, especially with a sword in his hand, making her feel a chill down her spine and causing her movements to slow down involuntarily.
As they continued fighting, this brief hesitation allowed Lu Zhusheng’s sword to slice through Hua Yan’s side. Lu Chengsha immediately pulled her into his embrace, dodging another strike. Seeing Lu Zhenxing approaching, he said to her, “You go out first.”
Hua Yan replied, “No!”
Lu Chengsha, in his anxiety, said, “I’m worried.”
Hua Yan retorted, “I’m worried too!”
The others fighting Lu Zhusheng: “…”
Lu Zhenxing’s voice was cold and firm, “Women should retreat first.”
Hua Yan ignored him.
At that moment, several voices called out, “Sect Master, Sect Master.”
Xie Yingxian had also arrived. Without a word, he drew his sword and attacked Lu Zhusheng.
The scene was incredibly chaotic.
Lu Zhenxing said, “Tingjian Manor is handling its own affairs. We don’t need your Demon Sect’s help.”
Xie Yingxian replied, “I’m here to kill the one who wronged our sect. Lu Laozhuang, could you step aside?”
Lu Zhusheng, however, laughed, “You all want to kill me so badly. Let’s see if you can.” His sword energy surged, almost clashing head-on with Lu Zhenxing and Lu Chengsha. Adding Xie Yingxian and Hua Yan’s Tiancan Sword Technique, which was filled with brutal killing intent, the atmosphere became so oppressive it was hard to breathe.
Injured individuals frequently had to withdraw from the battle.
Even though Hua Yan had suggested targeting his brow, it was still difficult. Lu Zhusheng, now clad in blood-stained red, truly looked like a great demon king.
Hua Yan sent a message to Xie Yingxian, “What do we do?”
Xie Yingxian replied, “We can only trigger the backlash from his Gu poison. I’ve killed Yin Xiangsi; no one can save him now.”
He spoke of killing Yin Xiangsi as casually as eating or drinking, leaving Hua Yan stunned. The two began to strategize silently.
Someone loudly rebuked Lu Zhusheng, “How are you any different from the demonic cults?”
“You’re from a reputable sect; don’t you feel any shame?”
“Your father died at the hands of the Demon Sect, yet you behave like this…”
Lu Zhusheng casually remarked, “There’s really no difference. Whether it’s the righteous path or the demonic sect, isn’t it decided by you people? And when it comes to the number of people killed, how different are the righteous path and the demonic sect? In my opinion, it would be best if they all died.”
It was no wonder he spoke this way. His parents had died at the hands of the demonic sect, and the one he loved had perished because of disciples of the righteous path. It was only natural for him to hate both sides.
However…
Lu Chengsha suddenly spoke, “Didn’t you like my mother?”
Lu Zhusheng hadn’t expected Lu Chengsha to ask him such a question. His voice turned soft, as if he was lost in memory. “Yes, I liked her. From the moment I first saw her, I liked her.”
Lu Chengsha asked, “Then why did you commit evil in her name?”
He asked straightforwardly and directly.
Lu Zhusheng was taken aback.
Lu Chengsha continued, “I’ve never met my mother… But at the very least, I think she wouldn’t want to see you become like this for her. She also…” He thought for a moment and presumptuously added, “wouldn’t like a person like this.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhusheng paused, then smiled slightly and said, “Do you think Xie Changyun was any better?”
Hua Yan couldn’t help but defend, “Although our former leader was a terrible person, during his time in seclusion, he never wantonly killed anyone. Afterwards, he mostly stayed within the sect until you killed him.”
Lu Zhusheng’s actions slowed down.
Xie Yingxian also laughed, “So you want to compare who was more evil with Xie Changyun? You’ve got it all wrong… He wasn’t the kind of demon you think he was. He was just a muddleheaded fool who acted on instinct. At least he didn’t kill the innocent and then justify it with grandiose reasons. Do you want Lu Huaixian to bear the blame for your crimes? Because Lu Huaixian is dead, her admirer seeks revenge by killing many innocent people—is that it? You may feel satisfied, but what do you think they will say about her? Femme fatale? That’s putting it lightly. A hundred years from now, will people remember her as a gentle, kind, and pitiable person? No, they will only curse her for the lives lost in vain, all because of your selfishness.”
Lu Zhusheng coldly replied, “Shut up!”
Xie Yingxian said, “Did I hit the mark? You’re just venting your personal grudges. Your feelings are so cheap, indeed you don’t deserve her, and no wonder she didn’t take a liking to you…”
Lu Zhusheng shouted, “I want you to shut up!”
Xie Yingxian said, “Have you ever thought that if you had the chance to go back, you wouldn’t give Xie Changyun another chance? You would pursue her and be with her—this is impossible. Look at your bloody and ugly self now. Would she ever fall for someone like you? With so many innocent lives on your hands, even if you died, she wouldn’t want to see you again in the underworld…”
Lu Zhusheng’s eyes reddened.
Hua Yan knew that the “Fengrao Tian” Gu poison was known to stimulate the brain, making it easy to suffer a backlash if emotions became unstable or if one went mad. This was why even a genius like You Tianzi needed medication to control it. Lu Zhusheng was likely using it for the first time and might not fully understand the situation. Yin Xiangsi certainly wanted to keep a trump card.
Lu Zhusheng said painfully, “I didn’t want this… I knew she wouldn’t like me this way, so I wore the gentlest, most harmless colors, pretended to be the kindest, most amiable person, just to…”
Xie Yingxian immediately transmitted a message to those fighting Lu Zhusheng, “Attack his forehead—”
At this moment, Lu Zhusheng’s mind was in chaos, and his attacks were faltering. Several sword auras simultaneously slashed across his forehead. There was a faint sound of something breaking, and Lu Zhusheng’s body trembled, his strength slackened, unable to sustain his previous combat prowess. His physical strength was completely drained.
Now, it didn’t take many people—any skilled expert could kill him.
The next moment, a sword had already pierced through Lu Zhusheng’s chest.
He fell slowly, his eyes wide open.
Behind him, Zuo Jingshuang was drenched in sweat. She bit her lip and pulled her Qing Shuang Sword out of Lu Zhusheng’s chest. Exhausted from the fight, she could barely stand. Mu Xuelang beside her quickly supported her.
“Senior brother, I avenged you…” Zuo Jingshuang whispered, then fainted.
Although Hua Yan had expected Lu Zhusheng’s death, seeing him actually die left her in a daze, feeling somewhat unreal.
Is it really over just like that?
Lu Chengsha, less sentimental, sheathed his sword and walked over, carefully checking if Hua Yan was injured. Hua Yan, snapping back to reality, couldn’t care less about the crowd around them. She threw herself into Lu Chengsha’s arms, startling him. He asked nervously, “What’s wrong with you…”
Hua Yan cried for a while, rubbing her head against Lu Chengsha’s chest, then said, “It’s finally over… We can be together openly now!”
Lu Chengsha held her tightly and replied, “Yes!”
Under the watchful eyes of many, Lu Zhenxing awkwardly coughed nearby.