Chapter 203: Where Did This Blade Master Come From?

Deep night!

Liu Fu!

Lights blazing bright!

As the Liu household servants screamed "Intruder!", a group of Embroidered Uniform Guards descended like thunder, storming into Liu Fu. The yamen runners and soldiers outside fell into chaos for a moment, then fell silent again, resuming their posts around the compound. Though curious about what transpired inside, not a single soul dared stretch his neck to inquire.

Embroidered Uniform Guards on official business—bystanders keep clear.

Everyone knew the rules.

From top to bottom, over a hundred people in Liu Fu scrambled to assemble in the shortest time, still half-dressed, trembling in the summer heat, eyes wide with terror as they faced the wolfish, tigerish Embroidered Uniform Guards.

Where did the intruder come from?

Why were the Embroidered Uniform Guards here?

Liu Fu had nothing of value but money—why would an intruder target them? And why did the Embroidered Uniform Guards arrive so promptly?

Something's fishy!

Though the Liu family suspected a sliver of the truth, none dared speak up to question the Embroidered Uniform Guards. Everyone feared death!

The Liu family was now a fish on the chopping block, at the mercy of anyone.

"Liu Fu harbors a royal wanted criminal—what punishment does that warrant?" the Embroidered Uniform Guard roared, his voice heavy with oppression and thick with lethal aura, chilling all who heard.

"R-royal wanted criminal?" Liu Daowen's wife instantly went limp, saved only by a maid who caught her in time. "Our Liu family would never harbor a royal criminal! Please, my lord, investigate thoroughly!"

"Investigate what? The man was found inside your compound. Mrs. Liu, are you still denying it?"

"Injustice! This has nothing to do with Liu Fu! That royal criminal must have been desperate, stumbled in by accident! My lord, our household is full of the elderly, women, and children—none among us even has a ranked martial cultivator! How could we possibly detect a royal criminal hiding among us? Please, my lord, give us a chance!"

No sooner had Mrs. Liu finished speaking than the Liu household steward stepped forward, ready to bribe with money. Though he didn't understand the Embroidered Uniform Guards' exact intent, their arrival could mean nothing good—lightest outcome: confiscation and exile; heaviest: execution and extermination of three generations. Either consequence would destroy the Liu family.

Liu Fu had nothing else—but plenty of money. Over the years, Liu Daowen had served beside Jiang Tu; while he likely hadn't embezzled millions, a hundred thousand taels was surely within reach.

As for how much Jiang Tu had embezzled? That number was astronomical—too terrifying to contemplate. Perhaps he was richer than the old Emperor's private treasury. If the old Emperor knew this truth, he might dream of executing Jiang Tu's entire clan.

But this was only speculation. Even if one stood before the old Emperor and accused Jiang Tu of embezzling millions, the Emperor would never believe it. Others had tried—repeatedly. Each time, the Emperor had furiously rebuked them, accusing court ministers of slandering Jiang Tu.

Jiang Tu had certainly embezzled—but the old Emperor would never believe he'd stolen hundreds of thousands of taels.

He had ruled for over forty years and prided himself on his judgment. Jiang Tu was a petty man; even if he dared to embezzle, he wouldn't dare do so openly. The court ministers were lying.

The old Emperor's arrogance was plain to see.

Unless Jiang Tu's household was seized, the old Emperor would never believe the man he trusted had grown so bold. But in this realm, in this court—who dared seize Jiang Tu's home?

It had become a vicious cycle.

Court ministers could only curse inwardly: the old Emperor was foolish, blind, a tyrant ruling while the people suffered.

Right now, at Liu Fu, Chen Guanlou lay atop a rooftop, watching the spectacle.

Hmm, the Embroidered Uniform Guards' arrogance—truly a sight to behold.

Xiao Jin, the team leader, had said nothing, sitting calmly on a chair, coldly observing the scene: his men intimidating Liu Fu, Liu Fu crying out their innocence…

He suddenly turned his head, glancing toward the left rooftop.

Chen Guanlou froze in alarm, instantly suppressing his aura. Had he been spotted? That dog's nose is sharp!

Xiao Jin frowned slightly—he'd sensed a faint, elusive aura watching from the side. In the blink of an eye, it vanished, as if it had never been.

Illusion?

Hmph!

At his current cultivation level, illusion was impossible.

The only possibility was…

Without hesitation, he leapt upward, hurtling toward the left rooftop.

Chen Guanlou's heart jolted—he'd been found.

The power of a fifth-rank martial cultivator was terrifying.

He dared not delay a moment, turning and fleeing.

"Where are you running?" Xiao Jin, seeing the watcher revealed, sneered. His instinct had been right—someone had been hiding. What cultivation art did this man use, to conceal his aura and strength so perfectly? He never considered the Hidden Meridian path.

Chen Guanlou ignored Xiao Jin entirely, sprinting straight for the outer gates of Liu Fu. Behind him, Xiao Jin and other Embroidered Uniform Guards gave chase.

"Stop, you scoundrel!" Xiao Jin drew his sword, lunging forward. Sword qi surged, brimming with lethal intent.

Chen Guanlou turned, drawing his blade to block. He had to show this fool some real strength.

The blade unsheathed—not with flashy techniques, but pure, unrestrained slaughter!

Blade met sword. Both men locked eyes, each thinking the same: This opponent is strong!

"Die!" Xiao Jin roared. "Daring to skulk under the Embroidered Uniform Guards' noses—do you think we're harmless? Surrender now, and I'll let you keep your corpse whole."

"Hmph!" Chen Guanlou sneered.

Xiao Jin judged the voice—around forty years old. At that age, strength equal to a fifth-rank cultivator? This build—who was he? He knew every martial cultivator above fifth-rank in the capital, yet none matched this fully wrapped, faceless thief.

"Who are you? A foreign tiger? Daring to commit crimes in the capital? You seek death!"

"You think you can kill me? Boy, you're arrogant!" As his words ended, Chen Guanlou slashed downward, murderous intent surging like a flood. The Third Chapter of Sheng Tian Lu: Unity of Heaven and Man—every blade of grass, every leaf, every falling petal, became his blade.

Blade intent!

He wielded not just a blade, but will. Wind was blade. Man was blade. Night sky was blade. Heaven and earth—all were blade.

Xiao Jin felt countless great blades slashing at him from all directions, terror flooding his heart—he barely dodged, stumbling wildly.

Chen Guanlou vanished into the night, fleeing with terrifying speed.

Only when Xiao Jin regained his composure did he realize the target was gone.

At that moment, the other Embroidered Uniform Guards arrived.

"My lord?"

"My lord, are you unharmed?"

"Where is the thief?"

"I'll order a full city lockdown and search immediately!"

"No!" Xiao Jin raised his hand to stop them. Now, he felt dread and fury—not at the thief, but at his own performance. He had felt fear!

Fortunately, no one saw it—no humiliation.

Such powerful blade intent!

The thief's cultivation matched his own, yet his blade technique far surpassed him.

Who was this sudden blade master? Why had he appeared at Liu Fu? He was certain no such figure existed in the capital—was he truly a foreign tiger?

"Go back to Liu Fu! Interrogate them thoroughly!"