The sun began to rise over the mountain peaks, casting a cold, pale light over the scene. The early morning air was crisp and still, yet thick with an almost unbearable tension.
Standing before the imposing iron gate of the Sunset Sect were the invading forces: Fu Yuanjun at the forefront, flanked by his three leaders, Miao Mingzhu, and two hundred heavily armed people from the Seventy-Two Islands. Adding a cruel psychological weight to their ranks were two special prisoners: Yongzheng and Xue Horan, who were held closely by Fu Yuanjun's guards as powerful, silent bargaining chips. The entire force was vast and relentless, prepared for a bloody siege.
But the siege was unnecessary. The massive iron gates, which should have been bolted shut and heavily guarded, stood wide open, revealing the dark, silent passageway beyond.
Every single person—from the ruthless Fu Yuanjun down to the lowest foot soldier—stared at the unguarded entrance, but everyone hesitated to move.
Fu Yuanjun's mind was a furious calculation. He saw the blatant, open challenge, and suspicion curdled his confidence. Was this a sign of internal collapse, or a trap laid by the cunning Ma Jingguo? His leaders and soldiers, though eager for the fight, felt the eerie silence like a physical weight. Their hearts pounded, expecting arrows, boulders, or an internal ambush to spring forth the second the first man crossed the threshold. The open gate felt more dangerous than a closed one.
Yongzheng and Xue Horan, standing among their captors, watched the open gate with grim hope. Their presence guaranteed Fu Yuanjun's caution, as he needed them alive to taunt Ma Jingguo, yet they longed for the battle to begin, knowing it was their only chance for escape.
Fu Yuanjun knew this must be a trap, and he also knew the person who proposed this idea must be Bazar Batu. There were two reasons why the open gate was left unattended. One was just a bluff to deter the enemy, and the other was that traps were hidden in the passage. With a wave of his hand, the two guards pushed Yongzheng forward.
Fu Yuanjun spoke, his voice taunting. "Number One, smart birds are good at picking branches to build nests. From my perspective, you don't seem to pick the right branch to build your nest."
Yongzheng met his gaze, defiant. "If you want to kill, then just kill. No need to talk too much."
Xue Horan coughed a warning. "Yongzheng…"
Fu Yuanjun waved a hand. "Don't be angry, I just like to express my opinions." He looked at Yongzheng, giving his order. "Number One, you lead the way. If you don't cooperate, I will kill him." He pointed his sword at Xue Horan's throat.
Yongzheng looked at Xue Horan and offered a comforting smile. "Don't be afraid, I'm only a few feet away from you."
Xue Horan smiled back, utterly composed. "I'm not afraid, I believe in you, I will wait for you."
Yongzheng smiled at Xue Horan and walked slowly into the open gate.
Fu Yuanjun watched him go. "You must trust him very much."
Xue Horan looked at the back of Yongzheng, who slowly walked into the unknown, and said with quiet conviction. "Yes, I trust him completely."
Fu Yuanjun was deeply impressed by Xue Horan's affirmative answer. He sneered and asked, "Why?"
Xue Horan smiled and looked directly at Fu Yuanjun. "If there is someone who is willing to endure hardships with you and trade his life for your life, time after time, you will understand. But I am afraid you will never understand."
Fu Yuanjun countered. "How do you know that I don't have such a person?"
Xue Horan smiled knowingly. "I know, and you know it too." He shifted his gaze back to Yongzheng. "Those who cling onto you are because of benefit gained. Wang gongzi is no exception."
Immediately afterwards, an arrow shot out from above the passageway, aimed straight at Yongzheng.
Fu Yuanjun smiled triumphantly. "Look carefully as your most trusted person is shot to death."
Xue Horan stood tall, completely unshaken. "You will be disappointed. If I'm still standing, Yongzheng will not fall."
Yongzheng raised his chained hands up, and the incoming arrow severed the links of the chain, freeing his hands. Yongzheng turned his head to look at Xue Horan. He saw Xue Horan's smile, and that was enough encouragement for him to survive.
Fu Yuanjun pressed his psychological attack. "Why do you like him? Number One, he is a cold-blooded killer and shows no mercy to the victim. The way he kills the victim is ruthless."
Xue Horan retorted, unfazed. "More ruthless than you?"
Fu Yuanjun boasted. "Of course, otherwise he wouldn't be ranked first." He looked at Xue Horan. "You still have not answered my question."
Xue Horan saw his chance. "If I answer your question, will you answer mine?"
Fu Yuanjun agreed easily knowing that the person asking the question will not be alive for long. "Sure. Let us use the Mu trading method: a favor for a favor."
Xue Horan gave his earnest, powerful declaration of loyalty. "His past has nothing to do with me and does not affect my judgment of him today. The most important thing for me is the past we shared, the present we share, and the future we will share together. Other than that, nothing will affect my trust and judgment in him."
Fu Yuanjun smiled, genuinely surprised. "I didn't expect a person like Number One to have such a soulmate who knows him so well." He chuckled. "Your question?"
Xue Horan asked, his voice steady despite the years of pain. "Why did you kill my parents and burn my home?" He looked at Fu Yuanjun. "I have forgiven Cao Fengge. No matter how you answer, I won't take revenge, but I want to know. I want to understand why someone like you, the Chief Leader of Seventy-Two Islands, would willingly follow Cao Fengge."
Fu Yuanjun sighed, his expression complex. "If the woodcutter asks his son to cut the tree, do you think his son will do it?"
Xue Horan answered simply. "Yes."
Fu Yuanjun asked, "Why do you say yes?"
Xue Horan stated the obvious. "Because they are father and son."
Fu Yuanjun concluded. "There, you have your answer."
Xue Horan looked at Fu Yuanjun in shock, the realization hitting him. "Cao Fengge is your father?"
Fu Yuanjun smiled and looked at Xue Horan. With his hands behind his back, he ceased the conversation.
Suddenly, Miao Mingzhu pushed Fu Yuanjun aside just as a silver leaf scraped the surface of her right hand. Gu Yingjie flew forward, grabbed Xue Horan, and they soared directly toward Yongzheng. Fu Yuanjun shot multiple needles at Gu Yingjie and Xue Horan, but his needles were intercepted by another silver leaf.
Fu Yuanjun spun around, and the others quickly followed. They saw fifty guards dressed in black and the formidable presence of Gu Tianjin.
Fu Yuanjun was genuinely surprised to see the Gu family's deputy leader. "Gu Tianjin…"
Gu Tianjin spoke calmly. "Chief Fu, I didn't expect you to be the Chief Leader of Seventy-Two Islands."
Fu Yuanjun tried to use ideology against him. "Deputy Gu, you clearly know that Sunset Sect is a demon clan, are you willing to help them?"
Gu Tianjin humbly replied. "Sunset Sect is the fifth household of Central Plains." He smiled; his meaning clears. "A person with a right mind will not burn his own house."
Fu Yuanjun scoffed, assessing the reinforcements. "You really believe that your decrepit guards can defeat my people?"
Gu Tianjin met his gaze, his voice gaining fierce authority. "My group of decrepit guards may be from the previous generation, but don't let their appearance deceive you. After the duel is over, we will evaluate again." He looked at Fu Yuanjun, and his voice changed from calm to firm and loud. "Guards heed your orders! Hold your position! No one can pass through that front gate! Did you hear your orders?"
The guards responded in a single, unified roar. "Yes, we heard the order!"
The unbearable tension finally shattered. With a collective roar of furious loyalty, the remaining Gu guards drew their broad Dao in a glittering, lethal flash of steel. They didn't wait for a command or a signal; they immediately charged straight at Fu Yuanjun and the assembled members of the Seventy-Two Islands.
They moved as a desperate, tight-knit unit, their heavy blades raised high. The charge was a furious, suicidal wave intended to pierce the formidable ranks of the invaders. They were outnumbered and facing a force that had just poisoned the martial world's elite, but they fought with the savage, blinding speed of men who had nothing left to lose. Their objective was singular and defiant: to strike at the puppet master, Fu Yuanjun, even if it cost them their lives.