It had been years since Jing Quan last saw Lin Min. He had promised her that once he defeated the Demon Lord, they would be together. That day had come. The world was quiet, and she would soon arrive.
A soft smile crossed his face as he gazed at his sword. Why did it still feel alive in his hands? Still call to him?
He stepped outside his fortress, adjusting his vest, tightening the corset, straightening the cardigan. Then the bell tolled—intruders.
BANG!
Four guards burst through the gate.
"Who rang the bell?" Jing Quan demanded, eyes narrowing.
Guo Yu panted, "Sword Saint Quan… Mingyan is under attack. Fengrui and Haoling too."
A scream, raw and terrifying, cut through the air.
"I'll handle this," Jing Quan said, voice calm but fierce. He soared into the sky, scanning the village
From above, he saw the chaos. Demon, a massive, hulking monster, was rampaging through Mingyan. Civilians scattered as the creature smashed everything in its path.
Spotting a cluster of demons in a particularly crowded area, Jing Quan focused. Channeling his energy, he unleashed the Heavenly Slash from afar. The blade of pure light cut through the air, striking the demons with precision. Every single one of them was obliterated, yet the humans remained unharmed.
Just as he landed, a scream cut through the remaining chaos a familiar voice. His gaze followed it and froze.
There, standing among the wreckage, was the Demon Lord. But that was not the shocking part. Clutched tightly in his hand was Lin Min.
He landed slowly on the ground. Jing Quan raised his sword.
"Let go of her,"he said.
"You think I'll let you do that? No way. Unless you kill yourself this moment. Look at my demons. I can still destroy your village," the Demon Lord said.
"Are you going to fight only because of her? You will stay here and face me while the civilians are killed?"
Jing Quan lifted his sword, spinning it across the ground. A brilliant energy radiated from it. Using Sword Spirit Manifestation, another figure emerged from his body, shining with golden light. The figure soared into the sky, slashing through the demons and protecting the civilians.
"Now I won't have to worry about the civilians," Jing Quan said.
"Don't move. I'm going to kill her if you do," the Demon Lord growled, tightening his grip on Lin Min's neck.
"Why stoop so low? How are you still alive? I killed you 9 months ago," Jing Quan said.
"You spared some of my generals. They performed a resurrection ritual and gave their lives to bring me back. Here I am to get my revenge. You defeated me, legendary Sword Saint. You are the greatest Sword Saint I have ever faced in my 500 years. They were all killed. I know I don't stand a chance against you, but I also know about Lin Min, your first love," the Demon Lord said, tightening his grip further.
He looked at Lin Min. "Don't worry. I'll save you. Leave her now. Leave her," Jing Quan shouted.
"Okay, if you want her, come get her. But I will use her as my shield," the Demon Lord said, tightening his grip on Lin Min.
Jing Quan wanted to move faster, but the Demon Lord might notice and could kill Lin Min.
"Don't think of moving or cutting through time," the Demon Lord warned.
"I'm not going to say this again," Jing Quan said. His sword glowed with radiant energy.
"I don't have time for this," the Demon Lord said.
Jing Quan prepared to use his Time Cutting Blade technique. It was risky, but before he could strike, the Demon Lord stabbed Lin Min in the back with his sword and tossed her aside.
Jing Quan abandoned the technique. Seeing Lin Min bleeding, he ran to her and lifted her into his arms.
"Lin Min! Lin Min, are you okay? I'm here. I promise, when this is over, we'll be together," Jing Quan said.
Lin Min coughed, blood staining her lips. "Don't worry, Master Quan… please… take care of yourself I love you and always will." As her hand collapsed she died.
"Lin Min!" Jing Quan shouted.
As Jing Quan remained focused on Lin Min, the Demon Lord stabbed him in the back but jing quan didn't care, then swung his sword toward Jing Quan's head.
Instinctively, his sword returned to block the lethal blow.
"Don't worry, Lin Min," Jing Quan whispered, kissing her head. He was bleeding from his back, but didn't care.
"I will erase you. Your existence. No one will be able to save you," Jing Quan growled.