Chapter 12: Do Not Say the Mulberry Grove Is Late, for the Sunset Still Fills the Sky

Lin Fu bedroom.

Lin Chuan fell into a dreamland while sleeping peacefully.

When you awaken again, you have already returned to the Zhennan Prince's Mansion.

In the previous dream reincarnation, Lin Chuan attained Sword Twenty‑Three, slayed the God of Assassins Jue Wuming, exhausted his own strength and fell into a coma, and Princess Consort Yun Zhi Yi was wounded, bringing it to an end.

"How is Zhi Yi?"

The first thing you do upon waking is to worry about Princess Consort Yun Zhi Yi.

The maids gathered around the bedside wear very grim expressions.

You sense that something is wrong.

"Speak!"

You shout loudly, and the maids are all startled by you.

"Your Highness, the princess consort is not seriously harmed, but the fetus in her womb is too weak, injured by Jue Wuming's aura, and may not survive."

The maids report the facts.

You roll over and rush to Princess Consort Yun Zhi Yi's convalescent chamber.

"I'm sorry, A Chuan, the child wasn't saved."

Yun Zhi Yi's eyes brim with tears, crying out in anguish.

You grip her hand tightly, "It's okay, as long as you're alright, that's all that matters."

Those words come from the heart.

Whether in Lin Chuan's subconscious or in the dream reincarnation, Lin Chuan feels that Yun Zhi Yi is far more important than the child.

Half a month later, you both have recovered.

After the assassination incident, your hatred toward the Great Liang royal family deepens.

In the days that follow, you devote yourself to studying martial arts, while Yun Zhi Yi handles military and political affairs in an orderly manner.

The 300,000 iron cavalry of Nan Jiang march north, conquering half of the Great Liang royal domain.

The Nan Jiang border remains impregnable, repelling any future incursions by the Great Zhou Empire beyond the frontier.

All martial men under heaven believe you have entered the Celestial‑Human Realm, with the prospect of becoming one of the top three masters on the martial ranking list.

Only you know that since that day, you can no longer wield Sword Twenty‑Three, and your Sword Dao Realm has regressed instead of advancing.

Although the sword technique was created by your own hand, you can no longer use it; you feel deep regret, and slaying Jue Wuming seems to be the only highlight of your life.

In the 39th year of the Chang'an Calendar, during a battle in Nan Jiang against Great Zhou, the old sword deity Li Chengying died of a broken spirit while protecting you.

At the same time, the news of your martial cultivation's regression spreads across the world.

People say, "The Zhennan Prince Lin Chuan's sword died that day, together with the fetus in the Nan Jiang princess consort's womb."

In the 40th year of the Chang'an Calendar, the Blind Sword Deity Xia Zi becomes Number One Under Heaven on the martial ranking list.

Xia Zi declares boldly, "In a month, I will challenge Number One Under Heaven, Jiu Xianjun."

Jiu Xianjun is the current honorific for Number One Under Heaven.

Jiu Xianjun proves his Dao through fists; a pair of iron fists shatter myriad weapons of the world, truly deserving the title Number One Under Heaven.

He alone holds a city, and neither the Great Zhou nor Great Liang empires dare to challenge him.

A month later, you go to Jiu Xiancheng to watch the battle.

The newly risen legendary Xia Zi, the Blind Sword Deity, faces the invincible contemporary Jiu Xianjun in battle, drawing half the martial world's masters to watch.

Xia Zi stands high in the sky.

He says, "I have a close friend who used to love pretending to be a Sword Path master before me, but now he no longer knows the sword."

The world does not know who the Blind Sword Deity's close friend is.

Only you know, and keep it in your heart.

Xia Zi says, "My close friend's sword and heart are both trapped; I will lend him a sword, granting him Sword Heart Unobstructed, but lacking some momentum. As for the trend of martial arts under heaven, it seems your momentum, Jiu Xianjun's, is the most useful."

Jiu Xianjun sits atop the city, drinking wine, and smiles faintly, "Say such words, and you will die."

Xia Zi says, "Only my close friend knows that the Blind has never feared death."

Thus a world‑shaking battle erupts.

The battle rages with darkness covering heaven and earth, from Jiu Xiancheng to Wujin Hai, tearing the firmament, and the Heavenly Gate flickers into view.

No one knows the final outcome.

When Jiu Xianjun returns to Jiu Xiancheng, Xia Zi has vanished without a trace.

You see a striking sword scar on Jiu Xianjun's chest, radiating astonishing Sword Intent.

You climb to the top of Jiu Xiancheng and ask, "Has Xia Zi died?"

"He's ruined; this life he has only one chance to use a sword."

Jiu Xianjun looks at you, mocking, "Your sword is impure, far inferior to Xia Zi's."

"How about I also borrow Jiu Xianjun's sword to temper?"

Your voice reverberates over Jiu Xiancheng.

At that moment, half the martial world's masters stare at you; no one expected that, with your Sword Dao largely depleted, you would challenge Jiu Xianjun.

You know clearly that Jiu Xianjun is invincible in this age; even if he kills you here, the 300,000 iron cavalry of Nan Jiang would be powerless.

The world says you have gone mad.

But you know your heart has never been so clear as now.

You once again comprehend that move, the Sword Twenty‑Three called Soul Sword.

Sword Twenty‑Three hinges on mindset, not technique.

"Come!"

Jiu Xianjun sensed your change, guzzled a whole jar of wine, and his injuries had already healed about seventy‑plus percent.

You and Jiu Xianjun each used a move, and neither could claim victory.

Jiu Xianjun stood proudly on the city wall and said, "Three years from now, you and I will fight again; then we shall settle superiority and decide life and death."

In that duel, you were outmatched by the Wine Sword Immortal; it was Xia Zi's injury inflicted on the opponent that gave you a draw.

But in the eyes of the world, your martial cultivation has reached the level of Tianxia Di San.

In the forty‑second year of the Chang'an Calendar, the Nan Jiang army broke through Daliang Dujing, and the Great Liang remnants fled to Xishu Juedi.

Thus, the Great Liang Dynasty existed in name only.

The Princess Consort Yun Zhi Yi said, "A Chuan, let us found a new dynasty and reestablish a sovereign title."

You replied, "Wait until we slay that dog emperor."

Yun Zhi Yi, aware of your obsession, quietly said, "Fine."

In the forty‑third year of the Chang'an Calendar, the day arrived for you to challenge the number‑one Jiu Xianjun of the age.

That day, the Princess Consort personally polished your treasured sword.

You sensed a different aura on the blade—a vague, ethereal Nan Jiang National Fortune, which was infused into the sword.

Yun Zhi Yi said, "A Chuan, there is little I can do; I can only help you, through the Way of Fortune, to break Jiu Xianjun's invincible dominance that has spanned a decade across the jianghu."

She has never practiced martial arts, yet she is constantly learning these things for you.

"Having a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?"

You embraced the Princess Consort; time had not marred her looks, yet you saw white hair at her temples.

Yun Zhi Yi, though she never practiced martial arts, has cultivated the profound Way of Fortune; today she bestowed all that Fortune upon you.

Regardless of today's outcome, for Yun Zhi Yi it is not a good result.

The old dynasty is about to collapse, martial arts are about to reach their pinnacle, and your once‑troubled life is gradually smoothing out, moving toward the summit.

The ones who helped you ascend the peak are one by one departing.

You feel that life should not end this way.

Life ought to be changed.

Do not say Sangyu is late; the rosy clouds still fill the sky.