Chilly winter winds blew. Along with those winds, snowflakes drifted down, blanketing the Yangtze River. In that freezing weather, a grand multi-decked vessel sailed, its rows of festive lanterns seeming to defy the bitter cold. If the vessel had appeared with only those rows of lanterns, it would not have been worth mentioning. However, atop its roof fluttered a blood-red banner embroidered with cursive script, making it the focal point of the Central Plains martial arts world: "Unify the martial world, I alone am supreme."
Inside the cabin, a beautiful woman and a middle-aged man sat in the lotus position before a silk curtain. As the vessel entered Hangzhou, the beautiful woman finally spoke, her voice exceedingly soft and gentle:
"Your Excellency, we have arrived."
"People will die."
A muffled voice echoed from behind the curtain.
The vessel anchored along the banks of the Yangtze River. On the dock, five burly men stood waiting. Among them was Yang Junbao, known by his moniker "Invincible Sword," a man renowned throughout the martial world for the Yang family's swordsmanship.
The premier swordsman of a prestigious family, Yang Junbao, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, looking at the vessel with contempt and displeasure. As soon as the vessel docked, Invincible Sword Yang Junbao and the four burly men marched aboard. The five of them stood before the cabin door, peering inside.
The beautiful woman stepped out to receive them.
Upon seeing her face and gentle demeanor, Yang Junbao could not help but be dazed by her breathtaking beauty. Involuntarily, his contempt and anger vanished, replaced by courtesy and politeness.
The beautiful woman clasped her hands and bowed to the five men, then said:
"May I ask which of the five of you is the Invincible Sword, Master Yang?"
Yang Junbao spoke up:
"It is I."
The beautiful woman looked at Yang Junbao, bowed respectfully, and said:
"Lan Xiaoyan pays her respects to Master Yang."
Junbao waved his hand and said:
"No need for such formalities, Lady."
Xiaoyan looked at Junbao with a sharp, cold gaze, as if trying to verify whether the man before her was indeed the Invincible Sword, Yang Junbao. She nodded slightly and said:
"Since Master Yang has boarded this vessel, it means you have accepted Xiaoyan's invitation."
"I, Yang, boarded this vessel only to see who you are to dare fly a blood-red banner claiming to unify the martial world and be supreme."
Xiaoyan smiled and said:
"We are merely nobodies in the martial world right now, but in the future, we will be the ones to unify it. This is the will of heaven, but heaven's secrets must not be revealed."
Junbao gave a cold snort and said in a harsh tone:
"Even Shaolin Temple, the cradle of Central Plains martial arts, revered by all as the North Star of the martial world, does not dare to claim to unify the martial world and be supreme. You are but a nobody, yet you dare to raise a great banner claiming to unify the martial world. Are you not afraid of death?"
"To Lan Xiaoyan, death is of no importance. What matters to Xiaoyan is fulfilling my divine mission."
"You speak with great resolve. But I wonder, what skills do you possess to claim you will unify the martial world and be supreme?"
"If we lacked the skills, our vessel would not have dared to stop in Hangzhou, the home of the renowned swordsman Yang Junbao."
"So, you have come prepared."
Xiaoyan nodded calmly and said:
"Indeed."
"You knew I was the Invincible Sword, yet you still came. You must have prepared yourself for death."
"If the people of this vessel cannot defeat Master Yang, then we die. That is no great matter."
"Let me see just what level of swordsmanship the arrogant masters on this vessel have reached to believe they hold the divine mission to unify the martial world."
The burly man standing to Yang Junbao's right spoke up:
"Young Master, there is no need for you to lift a finger against these arrogant fools, these frogs at the bottom of a well who think the sky is only as wide as the well's mouth. Just let Mo Qi send them out of Hangzhou without fanfare or funeral drums."
Yang Junbao looked back at Mo Qi, nodded slightly, and said, "Spare them if you can."
Mo Qi smirked. His thick lips pursed as he gave a slight nod. At the same time, on the other side, the swordsman inside the boat cabin stepped out to stand beside Lan Xiaoyan.
Mo Qi cupped his fists to salute Junbao, then took two steps forward. He let out a cold snort and asked, "Which of you two wishes to experience my young master's family heirloom swordplay?"
The swordsman cupped his fists and said, "This one."
Mo Qi stared at the swordsman's hideously scarred face and growled, "Who are you?"
The swordsman replied curtly, "No name, no surname."
Mo Qi snorted coldly. "No name, no surname, yet you dare dream of unifying the martial world and standing supreme. How utterly ridiculous. You are truly the most insane fool this Mo has ever encountered. All mad, reckless fools like you deserve to die."
"When I unify the martial world and stand supreme, I will naturally have a name."
"This Mo fears you won't have the chance to get a name to be called by." With those words, he drew his longsword from its scabbard.
The swordsman looked at Mo Qi with cold, emotionless eyes. He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword but did not draw it, merely keeping his gaze fixed on his opponent. His piercing eyes locked onto Mo Qi's sword hand.
Mo Qi said, "Are you ready?"
"This one is always ready to face Your Excellency Mo's sword."
"Good!" Before the word could fully leave his thick lips, Mo Qi struck. The Mo family descendant unleashed his strike with eighty percent of his inner energy, harboring unpredictable variations. The afterimages of his blade formed a shroud of sword light that swept toward the swordsman.
The swordsman remained motionless, waiting until the sword shadows drew near before shifting his stance. With that single movement, his scabbard struck directly into Mo Qi's net of sword light, while his blade carved a miraculous arc straight through his opponent's throat. The duel ended in a single strike from the swordsman. Mo Qi collapsed heavily onto the deck, his eyes wide as he stared at the swordsman, straining to speak:
"You..."
He managed only that single word before his head slumped to the side, his soul departing his body.
Yang Junbao glared at the swordsman with eyes full of resentment and hatred. He growled, "Your Excellency's swordsmanship is indeed the ultimate killing art. To think my brothers died by your lethal blade."
The swordsman replied with utter indifference, "The sword is heartless, but the man is not."
Junbao snorted coldly. "This Yang's sword will be just as ruthless as yours."
"Your Excellency Yang's Invincible Sword is renowned throughout the martial world. Anyone who hears of it must revere you as the foremost master of a renowned family. This one hopes to experience the true extent of Your Excellency's skills."
"This Yang will not hold back."
Junbao reached his right hand to his left. Immediately, the burly man standing on his left placed a longsword with a jade-encrusted scabbard into his hand.
Junbao's piercing gaze locked onto the swordsman's face. The two opponents stared at each other, barely blinking. Mo Qi's sudden death—slain in a single strike by this swordsman—made Junbao realize he could not afford to underestimate his opponent.
The swordsman's scarred face remained completely expressionless as he stared back at Yang Junbao. His lifeless, emotionless features were enough to make any opponent shudder. Had his adversary not been a master of a renowned sword sect, it would have been difficult to maintain composure when meeting those empty eyes.
Junbao growled:
“I hope that for the rest of my life, I will never meet another swordsman like you.”
The swordsman’s tightly pursed lips twitched slightly upon hearing Yang Junbao's words.
The pleasure boat swayed slightly. The moment it settled and regained its balance, both Junbao and the swordsman struck at the exact same time. It was as if they could read each other's minds. Both lunged forward, swords clashing face-to-face.
*Clang!* Glinting sword-light sprayed in all directions following the sharp, dry ring. Junbao's blade pressed down hard on the swordsman's. Forced to take a step back as his sword was pinned toward the deck, the swordsman instinctively slid his blade along Junbao's, instantly transitioning into a lethal strike that slashed upward from below.
The swordsman's stance was a suicidal one. In executing this move, he showed a complete disregard for his own life. It was this desperate variation that startled Yang. If the swordsman succeeded in striking Junbao down with this move, he would surely perish by his opponent's blade as well, but he seemed not to care. And indeed, why should a nobody of a swordsman care about dying to Yang Junbao's supreme swordplay, as long as he could take Yang Junbao's life? It made perfect sense. If a nameless swordsman could take the life of the Invincible Sword, Yang Junbao, his name would surely be sung across the land for a hundred years. To stand equal with the Invincible Sword was the ultimate dream of every swordsman in the martial world.
Junbao only had time to take a step back, thrusting the tip of his sword toward the space between the swordsman's brows. Junbao's movements were incredibly swift and precise. Only someone worthy of the title of an invincible master could react with such speed. Yet, fast as Junbao was, the swordsman's blade still managed to slice off a piece of his long robe.
Just as the fabric severed from Junbao's robe, the swordsman's grip loosened, and his sword clattered to the deck.
*Clatter...*
He stood with his arms hanging limp, staring at Yang Junbao. A tiny, pea-sized red dot appeared between his brows. The swordsman smiled and said:
“Your sword qi is truly formidable, Master Yang. It has claimed my life. Impressive, truly impressive.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, he collapsed forward, his head striking the deck with a heavy thud.
*Thud...*
Junbao looked at the swordsman and clicked his tongue, sighing:
“What a pity.”
He turned back to Lan Xiaoyan and asked:
“Miss Lan, what was this gentleman's name?”
Xiaoyan smiled and shook her head.
“Those on the pleasure boat have no names.”
She looked at Junbao and continued:
“Your swordplay has reached the ultimate realm, Master Yang. Perhaps only after defeating you would anyone dare to hoist the great blood flag of 'Unifying the Martial World, Supreme and Unrivaled.'”
Xiaoyan pulled down the blood flag, folded it carefully, and placed it inside the cabin. She then brought out a carefully sealed jar of wine. Breaking the seal, she poured three full cups and presented them to Yang Junbao.
“I offer you these three cups of wine, Master. I hope we shall meet again in three years.”
The three attendants standing behind Junbao stepped forward, glaring at her. The one with the double chin snorted coldly:
“Absurd... utterly absurd! You had someone kill our young master's Brother Mo, and now you try to pull the wool over our eyes by offering wine to gloss it over? Today, don't even think about leaving Hangzhou dock.”
He was about to draw his sword as he spoke, but Yang Junbao stopped him.
“Brother Huang Ba, stay your hand.”
Huang Ba shoved his sword back into its scabbard with a sharp *clang*. Looking at Junbao, he said:
“Young Master... are you not going to seek justice for Brother Mo's death?”
Junbao looked at Lan Xiaoyan and said, “My brother Huang Ba has spoken. Miss Lan, what is your take on the death of Brother Mo?”
Xiaoyan looked at Junbao and said calmly, “To a swordsman, death is as light as a feather. As my people have said, the sword is heartless, but people are not. Your friend has lost his life, and my side has also lost a life. If you wish to take another life to pay for the death of Master Mo, Lan Xiaoyan is willing to receive your sword strike.”
Having finished speaking, she stood there, gazing steadily at Junbao.
Junbao frowned. “Are you willing to die by my sword, Miss?”
Nodding calmly, Xiaoyan said, “Xiaoyan has nothing to fear. It is not just anyone who gets to die by the famous sword of Master Yang. Please, make your move.”
Junbao let out a cold snort and said in a low voice, “I, Yang, do not take the lives of those who have already surrendered to death.”
Xiaoyan cupped her hands and said, “One may know a face but not the heart, yet you have shown your true nobility. Xiaoyan thanks Young Master Yang. Since you have spared my life, I would like to offer you three cups of wine in friendship.”
She respectfully poured a cup of wine and offered it to Junbao.
Huang Ba stared at the cup and said, “Young Master, be careful...”
Xiaoyan took the blade of Junbao's sword, pressed it against her own throat, and said softly, “A cup offered in respect cannot be poisoned.”
Junbao looked at her. Xiaoyan's ethereal, otherworldly beauty stirred his heart. In the depths of her eyes, he saw a vast, sorrowful pool of autumn waves. Involuntarily, Junbao said, “I accept your wine.”
Junbao took the cup and drained it in one gulp. He smacked his lips and said, “Excellent wine. It is truly a fine brew, second to none in this world. May I ask what kind of wine this is?”
“The Number One Wine of the Martial World. Only someone like you, Young Master, is worthy of drinking it.”
“You are too kind, Miss.”
As Junbao spoke, he drank the second and then the third cup.
He looked at Xiaoyan and said, “I, Yang, will not forget tonight. And I will certainly never forget you, Miss Xiaoyan.”
She looked at Junbao and said, “The world does not lie. The famous swordsman Yang Junbao is indeed an invincible blade, and at the same time, a man of great passion. If you like this wine, Young Master Yang, Xiaoyan would like to gift you this jar to enjoy.”
“Thank you, Miss. I shall drink your wine so that I may never forget such a peerless beauty.”
Junbao took the jar of wine and handed it to Huang Ba.
“Please hold this for me, Brother Huang.”
Huang Ba took the jar, casting a wary glare at Xiaoyan.
Xiaoyan said softly, “Now that you have accepted the wine and drank with me on this pleasure boat, it is time for Xiaoyan to leave Hangzhou. In three years, we shall meet again.”
She respectfully cupped her hands and bowed to Yang Junbao.
Junbao let out a sigh. “I hope I will have the chance to meet you sooner than that, my lady.”
She smiled at him. Junbao signaled to Huang Ba and Lu Pingjin to carry Mo Qi's corpse off the pleasure boat. He hesitated for a moment, then cupped his hands toward Xiaoyan and said:
“If I wish to find you, where should I look?”
Xiaoyan smiled and shook her head. “This boat drifts without a fixed destination, so I do not know if we shall cross paths. But if the opportunity arises, Xiaoyan will certainly seek you out, Young Master.”
She respectfully cupped her hands and said, “Until we meet again.”
Junbao reluctantly returned the bow, then turned and stepped onto the Hangzhou dock.
The gangplank was pulled up, yet Junbao remained dazed, utterly captivated by Lan Xiaoyan's breathtaking, enchanting beauty. He watched the pleasure boat slowly drift away from the dock, letting out a deep, melancholy sigh. As the vessel gradually receded into the distance, Junbao still could not bring himself to turn back.
Huang Ba asked Junbao:
"Young Master..."
Junbao still did not answer him, his eyes remaining fixed on the tower ship as it drifted further and further out of his sight.
Huang Ba called out to him once more, snapping him back to reality:
"Young Master."
Only then did Junbao startle.
"What did you ask?"
"What are you thinking about, Young Master? Why did you let that tower ship leave Hangzhou?"
"What did you want me to do?"
Huang Ba fell silent.
Junbao clasped his hands behind his back and looked out at the open water.
As the night deepened, the sky filled with pure white snowflakes. Before long, snow completely covered the Hangzhou pier.
Junbao let out a sigh:
"Those who practice martial arts often delude themselves into thinking they have become the greatest under heaven. They are more to be pitied than to be put to death..."
Huang Ba said sharply:
"I, for one, think those people deserve to die more than they deserve pity."
Junbao let out another sigh:
"If you look at them as merely muddled fools, you will see they are to be pitied. However, we must see what their intentions are. That nameless swordsman is no ordinary blade-wielder either."
"What is there left to think about, Young Master? With just a modicum of sword skill, those people already want to dominate the martial world and reign supreme. Hmph, who would have thought they would hang their heads and bow down upon meeting you. If they dare show their faces here again, they won't get another chance to leave Hangzhou."
Huang Ba took off his cloak and draped it over Junbao's shoulders.
"Young Master, let us go home."
Junbao nodded, but his eyes drifted back to the direction of the tower ship. It had already vanished into the dense darkness of the Yangtze River, leaving no trace behind. Only then did Junbao finally turn to leave the Hangzhou pier.
He let out a sigh:
"Poor Mo Qi. The sword is indeed ruthless."