[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starlight-professional":3,"chapter-starlight-professional-starlight-professional-chapter-638":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Starlight Professional",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2309298,4512,"Chapter 638: Yuchang Sword (Bonus Chapter—Seeking Moon Tickets)","starlight-professional-chapter-638",638,"\u003Cp>“Again we meet, True Demon Lord!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhong sat at the guest table, picked up the teapot, and poured himself a cup of tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tea was provided by the inn—not premium quality, and long since cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he seemed utterly unconcerned, even savoring a small sip with great care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, we’re old friends…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing smiled and nodded: “You’ve seen through my disguise—is that a unique ability of the Avenger?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Correct. Avengers seeking vengeance against the gods naturally possess the ability to detect divine qi… I secretly memorized your aura the last time we met.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhong answered every question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can see you’ve matured… and aged considerably…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing glanced at Lu Zhong’s chest: “Is it because of that semi-divine artifact?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh? You can see it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhong, slightly surprised, pulled a short sword from his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was no longer than a chopstick, tiny and delicate—more like a child’s toy than a semi-divine artifact!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems it still needs greater concealment…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhong toyed with the short sword, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve drained your lifespan nearly to its limit… just to forge such a semi-divine artifact?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing’s eyelid twitched slightly—he sensed a faint danger emanating from the short sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cultivator above Level 20 wielding a divine artifact already has the potential to threaten a god.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though only slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I once incited several rebellions against the God of Redemption, launched uprisings… trained wave after wave of Avengers…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhong coughed: “But after years, I realized I achieved nothing! The people of this world are too foolish… they need a bloody reminder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you decided to go all in?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing smiled: “Who’s your target?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the imperial capital, who else but the Zhou Shenchao Emperor deserves my ‘Sword of Vengeance’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhong sighed: “The Zhou Shenchao Emperor is a bloodline descendant of the God of Imperial Rule and Kingship—the very blood the main deity of Zhou left behind. I will use his blood and life to proclaim that gods, too, bleed… and can be destroyed…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Assassinate the Zhou Shenchao Emperor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing nodded: “Indeed a grand scheme. Whether you succeed or not, you will die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, but I’ve already sown the seeds of fire…” Lu Zhong said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had only a few years left to live, and intended to burn his final moments brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing’s smile widened: “Such an interesting affair—I, as a demon god, must lend a hand…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He extended his hand: “Give me your sword.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhong handed it over immediately, as if he didn’t care at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing took it, gripped the hilt, and felt immediate resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This sword is an Avenger’s divine artifact… to wield it smoothly, you must be an Avenger—otherwise, it will constantly reject you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhong spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, his eyes widened—he felt a mist suddenly envelop the short sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword was still the same, yet it now seemed ordinary, no longer dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt exactly like how he felt when facing Fang Xing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve added a layer of effect beyond divine sight… For months, even gods won’t notice it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing tossed the short sword back to Lu Zhong: “Since you’re planning to assassinate a monarch, this sword will surely be remembered through history. Let’s rename it—‘Yuchang Sword’—for good fortune.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuchang?… Fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhong took it, felt the strange aura on the blade, and silently nodded: “With this sword, my chance of success increases by thirty percent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for what would happen after the assassination, he gave it no thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what Avengers are.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after assassinating the Zhou Shenchao Emperor, escape was hardly possible anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I wish you success…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I might take the chance to steal the Zhou Golden Statues during the chaos—give you some cover.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing said indifferently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Zhou Golden Statues?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhong suddenly seemed to recall something: “According to my top-secret intelligence… one of the Zhou Golden Statues was previously lost. Of the remaining eleven, six have been secretly relocated… the ones left behind are mere fakes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Faking the sacred relics—truly unforgivable!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing cursed, then grew curious: “Where did those six statues go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Outer Lands!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhong affirmed: “The Zhou Shenchao has long planned to launch war against the Outer Lands… and recover the final statue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder it’s the Zhou Shenchao…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing thought to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mobilizing large armies is hard to hide, but moving high-tier combatants is far easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Sanjue Pass received six Zhou Golden Statues as reinforcements, even on its own strength, it could crush the Outer Lands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Has the Zhou court finally been driven to desperation by me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And… no matter what the Killing Sect is doing in the Outer Lands, their silence all these years feels more suspicious than any action.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this probe meant to force the Killing Sect to reveal its true strength?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing couldn’t help but marvel internally—warfare hidden above the nine heavens, striking suddenly, leaving even him slightly unprepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several days later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sanjue Pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A patrol unit was walking the city walls. The countless terracotta warriors, divine beast golems… remained still, kneeling or standing as always.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The great gates of Sanjue Pass burst open, and the stationed armies were dispatched out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The terracotta warriors’ eyes glowed, divine beasts roared in fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The earth trembled as golden giants, nearly as tall as the city walls, rose into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merely the pressure from their divine radiance made the entire army tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Emperor must be dead serious about crushing the Outer Lands—he’s sent six Zhou Golden Statues… This is like using a butcher’s knife to kill a chicken.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the city wall, a flash of light appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sang Chenghuang materialized, feeling the oppressive aura from the six Golden Statues, and immediately bowed respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t bowing to the statues—he was bowing to the gods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhou Golden Statues carried divine majesty!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This campaign will surely eradicate the barbarians and proclaim our nation’s glory!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commander of Sanjue Pass, full of vigor, gazed southward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost at the same moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Shenchao Imperial Capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor was traveling to offer sacrifices at the divine temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The broad streets were packed with dense ranks of imperial guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just the ceremonial procession exceeded ten thousand men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wherever they passed, iron armor stretched like clouds, banners fell like rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was only the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a high-level cultivator were present, they would see the true spectacle: “Land Spirits clear the path, City Gods follow unseen, Wind Lord leads ahead, Rain Master purifies the streets…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Emperor’s procession, accompanied by a hundred deities—truly magnificent…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the crowd, Fang Xing, still dressed as a hunter, marveled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, he internally scoffed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Emperor—the Son of Heaven… born already one step beneath Heaven, bearing a divine title, not an imperial one!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A true Emperor calls himself ‘Human Sovereign’—ruling by virtue of humanity, independent of Heaven and gods… that is true self-reliance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am human—humanity must surpass Heaven, surpass all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s the principle: where the interest lies, your seat must be placed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the scene was lively, Fang Xing had no intention of getting too close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, today’s avengers will surely act; getting too close might get you splattered with blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he stepped back several paces to observe the Great Zhou golden figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hmm… now that I’m closer, several of the golden figures clearly seem off…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So they’ve tampered with them—some divine power illusion?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing silently calculated: ‘Right now… the Three Passes’ army should have mobilized, preparing to sweep the Outer Lands?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the scale of the Great Zhou Shenchao, the Outer Lands clearly stand little chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, this is another offensive following the previous failure against the Killing Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Outer Lands aren’t crucial, but the trees I planted are all over there…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s precisely why Fang Xing intervened last time, personally blessing the Fish-Belly Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just hope Lu Zhong delivers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Fang Xing knew that even if Lu Zhong succeeded in killing the Great Zhou Emperor, it wouldn’t change anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are countless divine descendants on the earth; kill one emperor, and another will simply be installed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a divine dynasty, in the end, everything ultimately comes down to the gods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Huh?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing suddenly looked up, watching the stars suddenly blaze bright in the daylight: ‘Heaven stirs the killing intent—stars shift, constellations change?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zone of Destruction, beyond the Divine Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, the incarnations of the gods appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A god’s incarnation is an innate ability of a true deity—creating a duplicate with nearly half their power, and within the celestial hierarchy of Heaven, their strength suffers almost no suppression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘God of Shadows and Thieves, God of Love…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And of course, the Lord of War…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dark flash of Destruction divine power appeared—Fang Xing’s Destruction incarnation materialized, watching the scene, a cold sneer crossing his face: ‘You few not only besieged my church below, but now dare to surround my Divine Realm?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Destruction…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lord of War appeared as a muscular, pale-skinned man with red hair, clad in pitch-black divine armor, his voice like thunder: ‘Hand over the Great Zhou golden figures and guarantee the Killing Sect never leaves the Outer Lands… This is our final offer and last mercy.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True gods are hard to kill, especially Fang Xing, the God of Destruction; as long as he remains within his Divine Realm, even the Great Zhou’s chief deity has few effective options.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, at this point, all are granted a chance to negotiate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, if negotiations fail, the Great Zhou pantheon will immediately seal off Fang Xing’s Divine Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a God of Destruction, his divine power is limited; no matter how long he holds out, he cannot outlast twelve true gods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the cost and losses would be immense, for the Great Zhou pantheon, this is already the best option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least, it’s far better than directly storming his Divine Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So… it’s come to this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xing murmured, his gaze dropping downward, as if witnessing something profoundly intriguing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1678,"2026-06-20T11:03:23.251Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","cd528de3308f74e70371164d7c924b2ba231890f909452fafe20593a88e5759e","starlight-professional-chapter-639","starlight-professional-chapter-637",726,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarlight-professional-cover.jpg"]