Chapter Twenty: Absolutely No Divine Invasion

Under the maneuvers of Duan Lang, the southern martial arts world was plunged into a storm of blood and carnage. When the interests of their respective sects were at stake, the Fire Charm Sword, Wushuang City, and the Under Heaven Society—none of these names carried their former weight.

Qin Shuang paid no heed to the turmoil in the south. Instead, he spent his time periodically helping Xiongba heal his wounds and contemplating the Twenty-Third Sword, striving to understand and apply its power to freeze time and space.

Several months passed in this manner, and many events unfolded across the pugilistic world: the Peerless Sword surfaced, Bu Jingyun regrew his severed arm, and the Twelve Devils of Tianchi re-emerged after the death of the Sword Saint. Qin Shuang ignored them all. The wedding with Kong Ci, once set, was no longer mentioned by anyone following Xiongba’s disappearance. Bu Jingyun had not appeared to take her away, either.

Xiongba’s injuries had largely recovered, and his investigation into Tianmen had begun to bear fruit. While he had no definitive intelligence, he had confirmed that undercurrents were lurking within the martial arts world, subtly manipulating the direction of the entire scene. The relationship between Xiongba and Qin Shuang had eased significantly; after all, Xiongba had no desire to be a puppet in someone else’s hands. Observing the structure of Tianmen, Xiongba became quite interested in operating from the shadows—one could be an overt hegemon, the other a king in the darkness.

As Xiongba probed and tested the boundaries of Tianmen, the organization began to sense his presence. Xu Fu tightened his grip, simultaneously trying to uncover who was investigating them.

...

In the southern coastal regions, many masters from various sects had gone missing without a trace. Duan Lang, a man of keen intuition, moved all the experts of the Under Heaven Society in the south to the Duan Family Manor while sending intelligence back to the Under Heaven Society, waiting for Qin Shuang’s reaction.

...

Elsewhere, Po Jun sought out Jian Chen. Through provocation, he intentionally insulted Wuming, causing the enraged Jian Chen to attack. Within a few exchanges, Jian Chen was captured.

"A successor of the Hero Sword, indeed possessing a remarkable bone structure. Truly, a fine piece of material for martial arts!" Po Jun felt Jian Chen’s aptitude with a touch; it was no wonder Wuming had taken him as a disciple.

"Who are you?" Even though he knew his opponent was a peerless master and had been cautious, he never expected... the man was far too familiar with the Unnamed Sword Art—more familiar with its flaws than even those who practiced it.

"If you are willing to take me as your master, I will teach you supreme techniques that are guaranteed to be better than anything Wuming could offer!" Po Jun ignored the question. Since the boy was Wuming’s disciple, he would simply snatch him away. *Wuming, wait a little longer. It won't be long now!*

"Since you know I am the heir to the Hero Sword, you must know that one owes loyalty to a single master for life, let alone choosing a crooked, wicked person like you!" Despite the excruciating pain from his capture, Jian Chen clung to the honor of the Hero Sword’s successor.

"You have no choice. If you do not agree, you die!" A cold glint appeared in Po Jun’s eyes. His hatred for Wuming extended to Jian Chen, and his grip tightened instinctively. Jian Chen’s body contorted in an attempt to alleviate the agony, yet he remained steadfast: "If you want to kill me, then do it!" As a wanderer of the martial arts world, few feared death, especially not one who carried the mantle of the Hero Sword.

"Hmph, then go to your death!" Though his words were fierce and his actions ruthless, Po Jun had no intention of actually killing Jian Chen. The boy was merely bait—bait to lure Wuming. With a light wave of his hand, Po Jun rendered Jian Chen unconscious. The plan to deal with Wuming could now begin.

...

Qin Shuang looked at the intelligence report, contemplating silently. With the masters of the southern martial arts world disappearing, it was likely that Jue Wushen had begun his invasion of the Central Plains. As to why he hadn't clashed with Duan Lang yet, he was likely waiting for the battle between Po Jun and Wuming to conclude. Once Wuming was captured, the Under Heaven Society would surely face Jue Wushen’s direct assault.

A cold glint flickered in Qin Shuang’s eyes before he set the letter aside. "Wen Chouchou!"

"I am here, sir!" Wen Chouchou, dressed in his unchanging, flamboyant attire, approached.

"Have you found the whereabouts of Junior Brother Feng and Junior Brother Yun?" Qin Shuang looked at him gently, yet Wen Chouchou felt a chill in his heart. If Xiongba was temperamental, Qin Shuang was like water—always smiling, but one could never guess what lay beneath that veneer.

"Young Master Bu is in Yu Village, and Young Master Nie is at Listening Water Pavilion. These are the reports from the last week. Our people have been keeping a close eye on them," Wen Chouchou said with a smile, though the sweat on his forehead could not be stopped.

"Send letters to them both. If they refuse to return, tell them that Kong Ci has fallen into a deep depression since they left and is now deathly ill." Qin Shuang’s expression was unreadable. He hadn't seen Kong Ci in a long time; ever since Bu Jingyun and Nie Feng left the Under Heaven Society, he had used the excuse of seclusion to avoid her.

"Young Master Shuang, you haven't seen Miss Kong Ci in a long time. Would you like to pay her a visit?" Wen Chouchou asked cautiously. Ever since he had discovered that particular remark in Xiongba’s study, he had pieced together much of the truth through Qin Shuang’s actions.

Qin Shuang closed his eyes. "What difference does it make whether I see her or not? Xiongba originally intended for me to take Kong Ci, and the entire martial arts world knows it. Now that I have failed to do so, how do you think the world views her?" Qin Shuang felt helpless. This world was cruel—when you refuse to marry a woman, you forget the damage such a decision inflicts upon her. It was not just that Qin Shuang didn't want to see Kong Ci; Kong Ci did not wish to see him either.

"Take this letter to Sect Leader Xiongba. Ask him if he is interested in playing a game with some visitors from the East Island."

Wen Chouchou took the letter and headed toward the First Under Heaven Tower. Qin Shuang sighed deeply. Living is difficult indeed. This tangled web of relationships was impossible to balance; if he didn't marry Kong Ci, she became a laughingstock, but if he did, he would alienate Bu Jingyun and Nie Feng. He suspected that Kong Ci was part of the reason the two refused to return—a headache of an account that could never be settled.

On the other side, Xiongba received the message and glanced at Wen Chouchou. "What did that rebellious disciple of mine say?"

Caught between the master and the disciple, Wen Chouchou was in a difficult spot but had to respond: "Hall Master Shuang asks if you are interested in playing with guests from the East Island?"

Xiongba’s injuries were fully healed, and after his duel with the Sword Saint and the pressure exerted by Qin Shuang, his strength had ascended to a new level.

"Guests from the East Island? Is this the 'Jue Wushen' he speaks of? A madman who stole a fragment of the Shaolin Golden Bell Shield, modified it into his 'Indestructible Golden Body,' and thinks he can conquer the martial arts world?" Xiongba paced with his hands behind his back. "Is that rebellious disciple not worried that I might reclaim the Under Heaven Society? He actually dares to let me leave?"

Although their relationship had eased, it could never return to what it once was. Now, it was a state of alliance and cooperation, not one of command. Wen Chouchou stood by, offering a sycophantic smile, not daring to interrupt. Remembering the outcome of his spar with Qin Shuang when his injuries first healed, Xiongba reached a decision.

"Go back and tell him: I accept."