"The swords are named [Slaughter], [Massacre], [Entrapment], and [Annihilation]—collectively called as the [Four Swords of Slaying Immortals]. There is a verse that praises them: 'Neither copper, nor iron, nor steel, once hidden beneath Mount Xumi. No need for alchemical refinement, their edge tempered by no fire or water. With Slaughter, immortals perish; with Massacre, spirits fall. Entrapment ignites crimson light in four directions. Annihilation brings forth endless transformations, staining the robes of great immortals with blood.'"
Sylvester softly recited this ancient poem, passed down from who knows when.
Everyone listened as though spellbound. Guinaifen didn't even realize that her livestream room was on the verge of exploding.
[Unlicensed Pilot: "I can't take it anymore! I really can't! I'm going straight to the Xianzhou, I want to open Trash Cans too. Used to be about becoming an Emanator, now it's about killing Emanators. Who could resist? I want to become an unmatched master, buy out Herta Space Station, marry a rich beauty, and reach the peak of life!"]
[InvincibleSwordsman123: "No way! Why am I only seeing this stream now? Just because I was grinding fifty sets of cardio? I missed so many legendary swords. General, you've ruined me, you've ruined me! If I'd known livestreams also had opportunities like this…"]
Qingque stared at this familiar ID, feeling a sense of déjà vu.
Hmm. 'InvincibleSwordsman123,' that sounds like Yanqing's online handle, doesn't it?
Hmm, if General Jing Yuan saw this comment, he'd probably be moved to tears. All these years training a disciple, all for nothing.
Buying two swords a month, his stipend already isn't enough, and by the end of the month he's eating at the general's expense. And now he's even gambling money on Trash Cans? Why not just officially recognize Jing Yuan as his foster father? That way he can rely on him as a meal ticket year-round.
Sigh, let it go, Yanqing. The world is full of swords out there.
When the others came back to their senses, they all turned their envious eyes toward the foxian woman.
With such powerful swords now belonging to her, who else in the Xianzhou could possibly be her match? Even Marshal Hua might have to yield three steps to her.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible! This is all just his one-sided claim!"
Skott, who had been silently enduring in the back, finally erupted. He was already out of options. If what Sylvester said was true—that these four swords had the power to slay an Emanator—then letting such a Curio slip away from his grasp would doom Skott to unimaginable punishment from the Interastral Peace Corporation.
There was no need to think it through. His career, his future, everything would end here.
But having suffered blow after blow, especially after the appearance of the dreadnought, he knew that trying to sway public opinion against Sylvester again was hopeless.
Still, he had to jump out. He clung desperately to this faint thread of hope, like a drowning man grasping a blade of grass, hoping that his desperate flailing could somehow preserve his fortune.
Feixiao and Fu Xuan both shook their heads.
It wasn't because Skott was difficult to deal with—he was simply too noisy, too irritating.
If earlier Skott had been like a lone wolf that forced Fu Xuan to the brink of self-sacrifice, now he was like a yapping chihuahua.
Loud, yes. But hardly intimidating. Without the leverage of public opinion, what standing did he have to even be on the same field as the Xianzhou's generals and the Master Diviner?
"What Four Swords Formation, what Aeon descending? Think about it—how could a mere mortal obtain such things? Lies, it's all lies!"
Sylvester said calmly, "You're right, these four swords don't currently have that much power."
Hmm?
A flicker of doubt crossed the brows of Fu Xuan and Feixiao.
After seeing all the powerful Curios that Sylvester had revealed before, they had already come to believe his every word. Even the idea of the Four Swords casually killing Emanators was outrageous, but after the Imagine Breaker, it didn't seem that impossible.
One word summed it up: numbed.
And now Sylvester himself was saying these swords weren't that powerful? Wasn't this slapping his own face?
"You—you admit it?" Skott's ears could hardly believe it.
Had he actually guessed right?
For the first time in what felt like forever, Skott felt a genuine laugh welling up inside him.
"Yes."
Hmm? Everyone exchanged bewildered glances.
He just admitted it so openly?
Even Fu Xuan and Feixiao couldn't figure out what he was up to.
Sylvester raised his arms in front of him, forming the shape of a "V," and then said, "Well, not entirely right."
Hmm? The confusion deepened.
Fu Xuan could only press her hand to her forehead.
This scene was all too familiar.
"That is the formation diagram for the Slaying Immortals Sword Array. Without the diagram, it can't be constructed. Well, maybe an Aeon could. But under normal circumstances, we most likely can't command an Aeon."
The crowd gave him a look that screamed disbelief. You're really humble, aren't you, hedging your words like that.
Forget 'most likely'—it's outright impossible, alright?!
Sylvester ignored their disdain. "So, without the diagram, there's no way to mow down Emanators like weeds. At most, the swords can only unleash their own inherent power. About the level of an ordinary Emanator, nothing more."
The audience's eyes widened. Even without the diagram, to rival an Emanator? That was already absurdly powerful!
But Sylvester showed no hint of excitement. Instead, he sighed regretfully. "Swords without their diagram… Even these divine blades are heroes with no battlefield. What a pity."
Everyone understood clearly—he was posturing.
Listen to him, does that even sound human?
Heroes with no battlefield? Rivaling Emanators and still acting unsatisfied? Did he plan on challenging an Aeon next?
And calling Emanator level ordinary? Since when was that ordinary?!
Fu Xuan could only smile wryly. This man's habit of making a spectacle would never change.
"Alas, you're right. Such legendary blades, left to gather dust—it's tragic indeed." To everyone's surprise, Feixiao sighed in agreement, following Sylvester's lead.
Fu Xuan stared in disbelief. General Feixiao, you too?
She looked at the two of them again—their expressions really were identical.
The problem was, one of them was acting, while the other was completely sincere.
"Heh, heheheh." After hearing Sylvester's explanation, Skott's laugh was a twisted sneer. He realized he had been toyed with yet again.
What to do?
There was nothing left to do!
Skott clawed at his own hair. He never imagined that he, a lone wolf, would be reduced to a cornered dog.
"No, it's all lies. Even if you spin the tale so well, throw in some crooked verses, it's still only your one-sided word!"
Sylvester smiled at him. "And what do you want, then?"
Even now, trying to overturn the situation? Do you still think you have a card to play?
"Simple. You say this thing can slay an Emanator, or at least rival one. Then prove it—bring out an Emanator and kill one. Can you do that? Hahahaha!"
Skott broke into manic laughter again, reveling in his keen eye for rhetorical loopholes and his years of office infighting.
He had seized on a point that could not be proven, meaning at worst he could force a stalemate.
The Xianzhou had only one Emanator—General Jing Yuan. What, would that foxian woman duel him with the sword? Don't make him laugh. The general of the Xianzhou would never stoop to something so frivolous.
"Pfft." Sylvester couldn't hold back.
"What are you laughing at?" Skott's laughter died instantly. Sylvester's chuckling stabbed at his nerves like knives.
Sylvester shook his head, smiling. "So, what you mean is… we don't have the qualifications to judge the power of Emanator-level weapons, correct?"
"Y-Yes, that's it. What's so funny about that?" Skott's nerves throbbed painfully. Deep down, a cold dread told him he never should have accepted this seemingly simple assignment from the Interastral Peace Corporation. He never should have stormed recklessly into this little shop.
Sylvester suddenly straightened his attire, then stood tall beside Feixiao, like a pine tree braving the wind. "Allow me to introduce to everyone here, and to those watching the livestream."
He took a deep breath, then recited in rapid rhythm: "This is the Emanator of The Hunt, one of the Seven Arbiter-Generals, the Great General, the Vanquishing General, whose might soars to the heavens and spirit sweeps across the cosmos, the foremost of the Six Charioteers of Yaoqing—Feixiao!"
Feixiao rested a hand on her hip, her bright smile unchanged. She said simply, "Those titles are either official or exaggerated. Honestly, I'm still quite humble."
"My own chosen title is the 'Lacking General', lacking in worries, regrets, and rivals!"
"No Worry, No Regret, No Defeat… humble…" Everyone present was left stunned at her words.
Even the Interastral Peace Corporation employees were dumbfounded. Though they worked under the IPC, most of the lower staff were native to the Xianzhou. Only higher-ups like Skott were from headquarters.
The great name of General Feixiao—how could they not know it? Every announcement from the Yellowbell System about Yaoqing carried her reports of victory!
Compared to the elusive Marshal Hua, she was the living idol of every woman in the Xianzhou!
What… what merit do I have? I just watched the general perform swordplay for free?
"Quick, everyone, don't miss this chance! A real, living Xianzhou general, here to share joy with the people and open Trash Cans. Hit that like button! Tomorrow I'll cut together all of the general's footage—make sure you come back to support it!"
[Comedic Duo A: "Oh, my poor wheelchair-bound Reignbow Arbiter. A real general has come to open Trash Cans."]
[Comedic Duo B: "I always knew this majestic foxian lady was a general."]
[Comedic Duo A: "Since when? Why didn't I know?"]
[Comedic Duo B: "Um, well… just now?"]
[Comedic Duo A: "Whaaaaat?"]
[Unlicensed Pilot: "I… I have nothing more to say. I'm taking leave immediately. If I can't, I'll resign on the spot. I will open this Trash Can."]
[New Year's Big Duck: "Hey, brother above—uh, how about letting me commission you? I'll pay you 20% extra in service fees."]
[Unlicensed Pilot: "No way, Trash Cans are limited per person. I'm already worried I won't pull anything good."]
[Definitely Is a New Nickname: "I'll do it! 50% commission, plus another 50% for transport. Don't complain about the cost—delivery across the whole galaxy guaranteed!"]
[Unlicensed Pilot: "Weren't you just at odds with the Trash Can boss earlier?"]
[Definitely Is a New Nickname: "If someone hires me for a commission, then the boss is my blood brother! If you don't mind, I'd like to formally…"]
…
Sylvester watched the disheveled blond man with amusement, then waved his hand. "Now then, about that apology and dog act we agreed on."
"Please, begin your performance." Sylvester mimicked a sprinter's starter, raising an invisible flag high and then slashing it down. "Go!"
Skott's face turned pitch black.
His skin creased and furrowed, his lips parted but his teeth clenched tightly.
At last, he spoke. "I—I apologize to the Master Diviner. I apologize to General Feixiao. I apologize to Boss Sylvester."
"I am a blind fool! Arrogant and reckless, nothing but a yapping cur! I—I—I…"
Skott slowly crouched down, placing both hands on the ground, then barked: "Woof, woof, woof, woof."
"Commissioner Skott, please don't do this, Commissioner Skott." The IPC staff beside him tried to intervene, but as Skott's barking grew louder, his demeanor increasingly unhinged, they dared not get too close.
What if he bit someone and gave them rabies?
Sylvester watched Skott's vivid, wholehearted performance with puzzlement, even admiration for his audacity in embracing such twisted logic.
Ever since the Aurum Alley incident, Sylvester had harbored a suspicion.
Could it be… that he actually enjoys this?