The air was thick with tension. A deep silence fell as the Greater Lust Devil and the mysterious righteous warrior locked eyes. The moment stretched—neither woman moved, but the aura between them clashed like unseen waves crashing in the air.
The Greater Lust Devil narrowed her crimson pupils. She couldn't sense the full depth of this stranger's qi, which only increased her unease.
"You're strong…" she muttered, her tone low and cautious.
Suddenly, her nails elongated and glowed with sinister red energy. "Third Form of Devil Claw Art—Ten Hands!"
A flurry of claw-like strikes lashed out, surrounded by red malicious qi, creating the illusion of ten arms descending from every direction. Each strike carried devastating power.
But in a single wave of her sword, the righteous warrior deflected every attack. The sheer elegance and ease of the motion shocked the devil.
"Impossible!" the Lust Devil gasped, retreating a step. "Even a peak Grandmaster can't deflect that technique… you… are you an Unrestrained stage expert?!"
Then, her eyes widened in recognition. Her gaze dropped to the woman's simple yet refined silver sword, to the traveling cloak, to the rain hat concealing most of her face. Her voice cracked with fear.
"No… don't tell me… Yu Meixian… the Righteous Sword Heroine?!"
The fear in her voice was undeniable.
Yu Meixian tilted her head slightly and gave a faint, amused smirk. "Oh? You recognize me. Then I'll offer you a painless death."
The Lust Devil panicked. "Wait! I am the thirteenth disciple of the Lust Queen! If you kill me, she—"
"I don't care," Meixian interrupted coldly. "The Lust Queen abandons her disciples like broken toys. And even if she doesn't, I don't care. I will cleanse this world of devils like you
—those who treat men as mere tools for pleasure."
Without hesitation, Meixian vanished in a flicker of light. In the next instant, her blade had cleaved the Greater Lust Devil into countless pieces.
It was over.
My brother was trembling, sitting in torn clothes, holding onto a blanket someone had thrown over him. I, too, was still in shock. I had never felt so helpless—so close to being violated.
Lianzhen rose slowly, stepped toward Meixian, and bowed.
"Thank you… for protecting my brother. And for saving my life… and my dignity."
Yu Meixian gave a cheeky smile. "It's a woman's duty to protect men. And for a man as beautiful as you? I'd fight heaven itself."
My brother blushed, lowering his eyes. I looked away, awkward, unsettled by the entire situation.
We returned to the caravan, reorganizing with the few surviving guards. I changed into new clothes and adjusted my sword belt, but as we moved through the remains of the battlefield, I heard a voice crying, "Please! I'm innocent! I was forced! I have children!"
I turned toward the source.
It was the caravan manager—the same woman who had ogled us and colluded with the bandits.
She stumbled toward me, crawling on her knees. "Please! I'll pay every ransom! I beg you… you handsome young master… please spare me. I have a child—"
I stared at her, unmoved.
"So many died because of your greed. You disgust me."
Without another word, I swung my sword. Her head fell. The air stilled.
Yu Meixian, standing behind me, raised an eyebrow. "What a fierce man," she murmured with a smirk.
I glared at her, coldly.
She raised her hands and laughed awkwardly. "Alright, alright…"
The caravan resumed travel. But this time, one more person joined our cart—Yu Meixian.
I scowled. "If you try anything suspicious, I'll cut you in half."
My brother hushed me, blushing. "Please forgive my brother. And… thank you again. We owe you everything."
Meixian leaned back with a grin. "Don't worry. I can handle a little kitten like him."
"Call me 'kitten' again and I'll skin you alive," I growled.
She coughed into her fist, awkwardly adjusting her posture.
"You both have good swordsmanship," she said, trying to change the subject. "Your style… unmistakable. You're Sima Clan, aren't you?"
My brother and I exchanged glances. There was no point in hiding anymore.
"Yes," Lianzhen said. "We are the last heirs of the Sima Clan."
Meixian's expression softened.
"I'm sorry… I heard about the destruction. Crimson Axe Sect, wasn't it?"
We didn't respond. The pain was still too fresh.
"It's good you're alive. That means the Sima Clan still lives."
"Thank you," Lianzhen said quietly.
"So," she asked, "where are you two headed?"
I scoffed. "Isn't it obvious? This caravan's going to Chongqing."
She raised an eyebrow.
My brother chuckled. "Our real goal is the Moon Palace. We don't know its exact location, so we're going to the Kunlun Sect first. We believe they might know something."
Meixian smiled. "You don't need to call me the 'Righteous Sword Heroine.' Just Meixian is fine. And Moon Palace, huh? That's a tough one. Isolated, hidden, surrounded by deadly traps… only men can enter. Most think it's a legend."
She leaned forward. "How about I join you? I've never been to Kunlun Sect, and you could use a protector. I am an Unrestrained Stage master, after all."
My brother smiled warmly. "We'd be grateful."
I muttered, "She's at our mother's age. Think of her as an aunt."
"Excuse me?" she snapped. "I'm 29! I'm young and beautiful, you brat!"
I raised an eyebrow. "You're Unrestrained Stage, right? If you fought Guan Tieqin, the Evil Axe Queen, would you win?"
She looked up at the sky.
"Honestly? Ninety percent I'd die. Ten percent, I'd tie."
My jaw dropped. "But you're supposed to be strong!"
She smirked. "Kitten, you have no idea. It's not just about martial level—it's about mastery of one's Dao. She follows the Axe Dao and has reached the peak of it. She's rumored to have defeated even Void Stage master. She possesses one of the Top Ten Weapons in the world."
"She practices both physical and internal body arts. Her physique rivals the Nun of Shaolin.its not just fluke that she gain the title of tenth strongest unorthodox martial artist even though there are many void stage master behind her.My own master once clash with her and told me to avoid her at all costs."
I sat quietly, stunned.
"But…" I whispered. "Even if you can't defeat her… I will. One day."
She studied me with a strange glint in her eye.
"We'll see," she said. "Whether you become a tiger… or just a pampered housecat."