Chapter 244: Clearing Accounts

People stared blankly at Anu on the stage. Anu's small face was deathly pale with fright, as if she had done something wrong. "I... I didn't know the old grandpa would just let me win..."

Uh... it seemed so.

In people's eyes, Daoist Jingxu's protective barrier had simply withdrawn inexplicably.

Perhaps he had truly been overconfident, attempting to directly withstand a child's attack, and it had backfired spectacularly.

Ye Tinglan suddenly wondered if his initial vigilance had been misdirected; this seemingly innocent child was clearly rotten to the core.

However, it was truly peculiar that Anu's strength was abnormally immense. It felt as though even the Emperor's Ultimate World-Shaking Scripture, renowned for its fierce dominance, couldn't bestow such power. Furthermore, that scripture primarily focused on Qi manipulation; while physical enhancement was part of it, it was relatively secondary. Anu, on the other hand, seemed to be the opposite: her physical body was inexplicably powerful, and all energy she ingested was converted into raw physical strength.

That's why she grew so slowly... In reality, Anu was eleven, but she still looked like a squishy five or six-year-old child.

Ye Tinglan glanced at the Dongjiang Gang's position, strongly suspecting that if the matches continued, Anu would defeat all their remaining fighters.

Just then, Zhang Rongzhi's voice echoed from the stage: "Heavenly Sword Sect has five victories. Gang Leader Shi..."

Shi Tielong had already regained consciousness with the help of his subordinates, gazing blankly at the scene. Zhang Rongzhi's voice, as if from another realm, reached him: "Gang Leader Shi, if it's a best-of-ten series with six wins needed, one more loss means you can just surrender..."

Shi Tielong looked around blankly. The Third-Rank elders from his own Dongjiang Gang and Lingyun Gate uniformly avoided his gaze.

Their morale was shattered.

It was widely known that the rules allowed a person to participate in multiple matches, not necessarily consecutively. This meant that even after resting for so long, Shen Tang could still enter the arena.

Even though Shen Tang and Lu Xingzhou were injured, and even though Anu was just a child who "got lucky."

Yet they still felt that Shen Tang, covered in blood, could flatten them all by simply swinging her wheelchair.

What's more, Shen Tang, Lu Xingzhou, and Lu Nuonuo had all displayed combat power far exceeding what their cultivation levels should permit. Was this true for everyone in the Heavenly Sword Sect? Could Zhang Shaoyou and the others also fight Second-Rank masters?

Shen Tang also quietly asked Lu Xingzhou, "Do you think we should go up and finish this, or let Hall Master Zhang and the others stretch their muscles?"

Lu Xingzhou replied, "It's not advisable for you to seek more attention. It would be better to feign severe injuries, appearing unable to fight further. Next, we'll see who they send out. If the opponent is strong, have your loyal guard make a move. If they're ordinary, let Hall Master Zhang and Protector Qin get some practice. This will also demonstrate that the Heavenly Sword Sect doesn't solely depend on a few individuals."

Shen Tang nodded. Her loyal guard, Shen Qi, was also a peak Third-Rank expert. The Heavenly Sword Sect's true combat strength was far from fully unleashed; they had ample reserves.

She then let out a soft sigh. Despite not being seriously hurt, she had to pretend to be severely injured, all just for her father's sake. With this thought, the grand victory lost all its appeal.

As both sides remained silent, Zhang Rongzhi pressed again, "Gang Leader Shi?"

Shi Tielong's gaze swept over the junior disciple Shi Zhong had brought; there was a peak Third-Rank expert among them.

If Shen Tang and Lu Xingzhou were both injured and the mysterious woman refrained from further action, then this person still had a chance to defeat five opponents.

But seeing the flickering, hesitant eyes of his subordinates, Shi Tielong fell silent for a moment, then suddenly declared, "Many of our people are severely injured and require immediate treatment; we do not wish to delay. If Sect Master Shen agrees to postpone the remaining five matches to another day, I, Shi, will be grateful. If Sect Master Shen is unwilling, then I, Shi, will simply concede."

Lu Xingzhou chuckled, "This old Shi is quite clever."

Currently, Heavenly Sword Sect had five victories, and theoretically, there was still a possibility of a comeback leading to a five-five tie. Although everyone present felt it would be a clean sweep, outsiders wouldn't know. On the surface, the Dongjiang Gang would appear to have "reluctantly given up" for the sake of treating their injured, which would at least save them some face.

Shen Tang smiled faintly. "A pact is a pact. If Gang Leader Shi is not convinced, you are entirely welcome to propose a new series on another day, and I am not unwilling to consider it. However, as for today's matches, either come up and continue, or admit defeat honorably. Why procrastinate and become a laughingstock?"

Shi Tielong couldn't even save his last shred of dignity. His face turned ashen as he stated, "I already said, if Sect Master Shen is unwilling, then we concede."

After speaking, he forced himself to stand straight, bowed towards the referee's stand, and led his group away.

Zhang Rongzhi, a smile on his face, stood up and announced, "The martial arts contest between the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Dongjiang Gang has concluded. The Dongjiang Gang forfeited the last five matches, thus suffering a defeat. The Heavenly Sword Sect wins ten to zero, a complete victory!"

Shi Tielong stumbled, then, overcome by anger, fainted once more.

People didn't lament whether this grand event had a weak ending, as First- and Second-Rank experts had already made their appearances. No matter how one looked at it, there wouldn't be any more. The main events had been concluded in the first five matches; any subsequent battles would merely be ordinary Third-Rank duels, making little difference whether they were fought or not.

However, as the Dongjiang Gang members retreated dejectedly, many people suddenly realized something significant.

This time, the Heavenly Sword Sect, essentially with the strength of a single sect, simultaneously faced the Third-Rank Dongjiang Gang and Lingyun Gate, as well as the First-Rank Canglan Sect and Chunshan Pavilion, ultimately achieving a clean sweep by defeating all opponents.

Among those defeated were one low-tier First-Rank, one mid-tier Second-Rank, one mid-tier Third-Rank, and one low-tier Third-Rank expert, each defeated by an opponent of a lower cultivation rank. Additionally, there was one expert whose cultivation was unknown but, according to the arbitration office, was also First-Rank!

What kind of fantastical tale was this?

How could this still be considered a mere contest for leadership in a remote prefecture?

This was a major event, capable of shocking the entire world! The Heroes' Ranking Board alone was about to be completely rewritten!

Back at the Dongjiang Gang's temporary encampment in Xia Prefecture, Shi Tielong, oblivious to the consequences of his sect's impending decline, was primarily focused on Lei Chong, the Divine Sword of Startling Thunder, who lay on the ground, causing him immense headache.

This man was the "stabilizing needle" sent by Prince Jin, yet during Shi Tielong's unconsciousness, he had reportedly been reduced to this state by a mere snap of fingers.

Other people's injuries, no matter how severe, left discernible traces and were relatively easier to treat. But with this man, they didn't even know how to awaken him. If they were to send him back to Prince Jin in this state, wouldn't the enraged Prince Jin dismantle the Dongjiang Gang?

"This matter has gone awry," Shi Zhong said with a grim expression. "I've pondered it for a long time. There's an eighty percent chance that what Shen Tang used was the Emperor's Ultimate World-Shaking Scripture. Do you understand what that implies?"

Shi Tielong slumped in his chair, his mind still somewhat muddled. "Emperor's Ultimate..."

Suddenly, he jolted. "Tang... she's the missing Princess Chaohuang, Gu Yitang!"

"Precisely. Only this can explain His Majesty's peculiar decree, and why Prince Jin has repeatedly assisted you in dealing with her," Shi Zhong said, stamping his foot. "You've become deeply embroiled in the imperial succession struggle, yet you were utterly oblivious!"

Shi Tielong's face turned ashen.

Shi Zhong stated decisively, "Since we are already involved, let's clearly choose a side. I will immediately return to Canglan Sect and persuade the Sect Master to fully support Prince Jin! If you can secure Prince Jin's open protection, it won't be easy for Princess Chaohuang to deal with you as she did with the Incense Burning Tower."

Shi Tielong hurriedly said, "Then I thank you, Uncle."

A harsh glint appeared in Shi Zhong's eyes. "Since we have already offended them, we must offend them completely. As long as they live, my heart will not be at ease."

Shi Tielong nodded, "Indeed."

"For now, I'll return to the sect to recover from my injuries. You must quickly send Mr. Lei back to Prince Jin. Even if you're scolded, you must exaggerate the details to ensure Prince Jin's hatred falls squarely upon the Heavenly Sword Sect, understand?"

Shi Tielong bowed, "Understood."

Shi Zhong soon led his group away.

Fleeing so quickly wasn't just to "return to the sect to recover from injuries"... There was a mysterious woman who could incapacitate a First-Rank divine sword with a mere snap of her fingers, leaving him still unconscious. This was truly terrifying. Who knew if she would come for them next? Judging by the County Governor's and the Army's Demon Suppression Bureau's attitudes, they had likely joined forces. If the Dongjiang Gang were truly annihilated, the prefecture would probably help the princess cover it up perfectly.

Why would they wait here for death?

As he led his junior disciples halfway, the sky suddenly darkened.

A delicate, alluring laugh seemed to faintly echo, captivating and soul-stirring.

Shi Zhong could almost see images of celestial maidens scattering flowers in his mind's eye. His heart was filled with dread: "Chanyi Hehuan Sect!"

"Oh, what an unexpected gain! I didn't expect to find an injured Canglan Sect elder here..." The woman's charming laughter echoed from all directions. "Though a bit old... this Second-Rank cultivation is certainly real. I'll take this human cultivation cauldron for myself..."

"The Dark Lady herself!" Despair filled Shi Zhong's heart.

It's over.

Until he lost consciousness, Shi Zhong never suspected these people were sent by the Heavenly Sword Sect; he only felt incredibly unlucky.

A thousand li away, in another direction, Gu Xuyang, covered in blood, crashed to the ground from mid-air.

Several burly men in blood-red robes, long blades slung over their shoulders, stomped on his chest. "Old man Gu, when your Chunshan Pavilion killed my disciples and destroyed my secret lair, did you ever foresee this day?!"

Similarly, Gu Xuyang never suspected that the Heavenly Sword Sect had any connection to the demonic Blood Refinement Sect. Even as he died, he was cursing, "Damn you, Dongjiang Gang and Lingyun Gate, you've completely ruined me!"

Important figures in such sects usually had "fate tablets" (life tokens) kept within their sect. If a fate tablet shattered, the sect could trace the enemy.

No matter how they traced it, all others would see were their own sect's sworn enemies: the Chanyi Hehuan Sect and the Blood Refinement Sect.

The Dark Lady and the Blood Refinement Sect were not unaware that they had acted as Lu Xingzhou's pawns. However, they were happy to play this role because their targets were also their enemies. In fact, they even felt thankful to Lu Xingzhou for providing the intelligence; strictly speaking, they owed him a favor.

There was another one who might not have a fate tablet...

Dongjiang Gang members were escorting the unconscious Lei Chong to the capital. Not long after they left Dongjiang Commandery, a black shadow silently infiltrated their formation, decapitated Lei Chong with a single sword stroke, and vanished.

Shen Tang's loyal guard, Shen Qi.

The Dongjiang Gang members escorting him turned ashen.

The one killed was a First-Rank expert, a trusted general of Prince Jin!

They had failed in their escort duty; someone had been decapitated on their watch. If they honestly went to Prince Jin's manor to offer themselves for punishment, their own heads would be the ones taken.

The gang members exchanged glances and immediately reached a consensus: "Why bother going there? Let's secretly go back, gather our families, and defect directly to Shen Tang! She's already absorbed so many factions; what difference would a few more of us make?"

"Do you think my arrangements are too ruthless?" Lu Xingzhou asked casually as he bandaged Shen Tang's shoulder wound in her room. "That Gu Xuyang still had some integrity; at least he wasn't a bad person... Yet the fate I arranged for him was identical to Shi Zhong's."

Shen Tang tilted her head slightly, gazing at Lu Xingzhou's focused expression as he treated her wound. After a long moment, she softly said, "In struggles for power and succession, it has always been a matter of life and death... Personal character holds no meaning here. If we had fallen into their hands, our fate wouldn't have been any better. Being soft-hearted is merely foolish kindness, just like I used to be."

Lu Xingzhou hummed in acknowledgement, "As long as you don't blame me."

"You are, by nature, a ruthless strategist," Shen Tang chuckled. "It was only after I met you that I learned to be a bit more cold-hearted. Why are you suddenly asking this?"

"Because it was only after I met you that I realized the human heart still has places worth softening."