[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-cursed-blade-s-walk":3,"chapter-the-cursed-blade-s-walk-the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-588":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Cursed Blade's Walk",{"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},2262893,4415,"Chapter 588: Sudden Killers' Ambush","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-588",588,"\u003Cp>The fringe sects of the Jianghu have their own methods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though inferior to the orthodox Daoist schools, they still have their roots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, the “Water Mist Ghost Wall” used by the Canal Guild elders—its name is crude, yet it hides a horrific tragedy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, when the Golden Tent Wolf Nation invaded southward, they shattered the Yellow River defenses; tens of thousands of canal workers rose in righteous rebellion, but were brutally suppressed, and three thousand corpses sank into the old Yellow River embankment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since then, boat fleets passing the Yellow River at night often encountered eerie mists, with helmsmen dreaming of floating corpses knocking on their hulls, begging for food; later, the Canal Guild’s leader, “Iron Anchor Li,” collected the bones and erected a “Wu Si Altar,” quelling the resentment and giving birth to this technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In places thick with water vapor, thick fog can be summoned to obscure vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan’s Northern Emperor’s Dark Water Evasion excels in concealment, while the Canal Guild’s technique, relying on ritual flags, is better suited for large-scale fog creation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Swallow Gate’s Tang Jiu-niang’s flying shuttle skill is likewise ancient, originating from the Colorful Costume Gate’s “Shadowless Ladder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the final years of Daxing’s distant reign, a flying-shuttle female bandit targeted corrupt officials, distributing stolen wealth to orphanages, and thus her sect became famed throughout the Jianghu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cooperation between these two is seamless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far away, the guards at the entrance of the Grand Commandery Prince’s mansion looked up, their faces filled with confusion, asking their companion: “Strange—why’s there fog on such a freezing day…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the words were out, they suddenly collapsed unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A silver needle, as thick as a little finger, was stuck in their neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the Grand Commandery Prince’s mansion, chaos erupted as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First came thick fog, blinding even at arm’s length; then shadowy figures descended from the air, slaying those who resisted, while servants and maids without martial skill were knocked unconscious with a single palm strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the fog, blades flashed, and soon all sound vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The initial attackers were all Jianghu elites; their leader, the Formless Prince, moved like a phantom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Commandery Prince’s guards offered not the slightest resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wind of the Xun sweeps away dust and haze, Fire of the Li illuminates the dark netherworld—by decree, disperse!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a low chant from the Canal Guild elder, the surrounding fog dissipated visibly, in less than half a cup of tea’s time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the mansion’s entrance, two Chengdu underworld masters, already dressed as guards, watched the surroundings with cold eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this was the Grand Commandery Prince’s mansion; even if nearby nobles lived, they were far away, and no one had noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the mansion, the same held true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the mansion was secured, the Formless Prince’s two dozen men slipped over the walls from outside the inn, binding the maids and servants, then changing into their clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the plan agreed upon earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rapidly seize the Grand Commandery Prince’s mansion, then set traps to capture the target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The great hall was likewise littered with fallen bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These men and women, old and young, mostly dressed in lavish attire, were all relatives and descendants of the Grand Commandery Prince’s line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Xiao Jinghong, the Grand Commandery Prince became a grandfather at a young age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the front hall, the Formless Prince used the Sinew-Dislocating Bone-Throwing Technique to pin a man to the ground, his knee pressing down on the man’s neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man wore a python robe, his features sinister, his skin pale—this was the Grand Commandery Prince.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were bloodshot, teeth clenched, growling like a beast, yet utterly immobilized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yan also stepped quickly into the front hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His task was not to invade, but to use his formidable spiritual power to sense movements around, avoiding traps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he did not strike, his role was more critical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed, a curse has taken hold!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the Grand Commandery Prince’s condition, many sighed in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t out of malice, but because this mission carried great risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the Shu Prince being possessed by a demon, and the Commandery Prince cursed—such things were unheard of; one mistake would bring disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their expressions, the Formless Prince paid no mind, turned, and bowed toward the rear: “Senior Jin, your assistance, please.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the jingle of silver ornaments, an old woman in black stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hair was white but her face youthful; she wore a dark blue hemp robe, a silver “Three-Eyed Crown” on her head, a vertical-eye-patterned silver plaque hanging from her brow, and nine copper bells stitched to her sleeves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked clumsy, her legs unsteady; she hadn’t come through tunnels, but was carried in a sedan chair from the street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet no one dared underestimate her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Li Yan bowed respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Formless Prince had another strength: extensive connections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This old woman was known as “Auntie Jin,” the legitimate heir of the Sichuan Nu Dance Altars, the Nu Altar Lady of Ba-Shu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was among the pinnacle figures of the fringe sects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Sichuan Nu Twelve Altars” formed the core system of Ba-Shu Nu opera, originating from ancient Shu shamanic rites and fused with Daoist secret arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Nu Altar Lady belonged to one lineage, venerating the Queen Mother of the West, Magu, and Zigu as the Three Saints.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Twelve Altars were divided into “Upper Four, Middle Four, Lower Four,” corresponding to Heaven, Earth, and Humanity; each altar was a Nu opera.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, the Middle Four Altars governed the mortal realm: Ghost Soldiers Marching, Zhong Kui Marries His Sister, Erlang Searches the Mountains, the Judge Grants Wishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Mulian Rescues His Mother” performed earlier by Situ Qian’s Shadow Theater belonged to the Lower Four Altars, which communicate with the netherworld.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since learning Situ Qian had brought the Shadow Theater, the Formless Prince had been wary, and specifically summoned “Auntie Jin” from near Chengdu to counter the Yin Nu Opera.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also needed her to break the curse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman, Auntie Jin, approached the Grand Commandery Prince, ignoring his roars, seized his pulse point, and performed a secret method to probe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her left eye quickly turned gray-white; she extended a withered hand, rubbing repeatedly over the Grand Commandery Prince’s third eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah! Ah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a scream, the Grand Commandery Prince’s forehead turned blood-red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman pondered, then removed his boots and socks, formed a hand seal, and pressed hard against Zusanli.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another scream rang out; everyone stared in shock as black-purple vein patterns, like crawling centipedes, appeared along the tendons of his heel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Blood on the Yintang, Yin worms entwining the feet…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Auntie Jin turned to the others and said gravely: “It is indeed the Yin Nu Opera’s curse. I need certain items.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please name them, Senior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Formless Prince beamed and bowed quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The key to this plan was breaking the curse; once undone, all would be resolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman said calmly: “I need three-year-old glutinous rice, coarse salt from Bashan, wormwood ash, rootless water (rainwater), and a Bagua mirror.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go get them quickly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Formless Prince turned and ordered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After his men left, he turned back to Auntie Jin: “Senior, time is urgent—how long until you can break it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Breaking the curse is fast—but it must be done at noon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman said gravely: “I use Yang Rice to Break Yin—need to expose the glutinous rice under the Bagua mirror at noon, sprinkle salt to shatter the curse. Any other time will only trigger backlash.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Noon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Formless Prince frowned heavily, turned to the others: “Gentlemen, we must delay slightly—do not reveal any weakness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, inform those brothers: hold off the Shu Prince’s procession at all costs. No matter what happens, I will not neglect their families…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to his orders, Li Yan took out his pocket watch and checked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just past Chen hour; the Happy God’s Procession at the Wu Hou Temple would end no later than the end of Si hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a long time to delay—hard to manage…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The snowstorm had cleared; sunlight pierced through the clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside Chengdu, a massive Happy God procession crossed Wanli Bridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to the dense crowd and narrow bridge, progress was slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, the Bing River’s ice lay blanketed in snow like a white ribbon; hanging eaves on both banks dripped with ice stalactites; red paper scraps fluttered in the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Happy God’s Procession” had another rule: someone must portray Liu, Guan, Zhang, and Wu Hou, leading the procession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the Shu Prince’s entourage had to follow behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the intersection on the other side of Wanli Bridge, dozens of commoners knelt by the roadside, offering baskets of food and jugs of wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the bamboo baskets were salt-army garrison round breads and a few bottles of Pita wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an ancient military send-off custom, and the most solemn ritual for welcoming the Happy God’s Procession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to custom, those portraying Liu, Guan, and Zhang must bite into a round bread and drink a sip of wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the four men ahead ignored them entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the “commoners” gave a signal; the others immediately rushed forward with their baskets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Excellency, taste my handiwork.” “Happy God’s Procession—blessing and peace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They spoke sweet words, yet their backs were taut with tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the man portraying Guan Yu raised his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, stepped forward, and swung with both arms in a sweeping slash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, blades flashed, blood sprayed, heads rolled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Attack!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their cover blown, the “commoners” instantly drew short knives from their belts; some lifted the round breads to reveal hidden bamboo tubes packed with gunpowder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The actor playing Zhang Fei wielded a spear measuring eight feet, charged forward in a few strides, and unleashed the Rain of Pearls Spear Technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, he stabbed three or four more to death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “commoners” behind were about to ignite the gunpowder barrels, but “Liu Bei” had already leapt into the air, swinging his twin swords in rapid arcs, severing arm after arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These actors were all Hidden Force experts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, all the “commoners” were slaughtered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last man was pierced through the heart, fell to the ground, and stared fixedly at the stone bridge, his eyes filled with resentment and confusion…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Murder!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd behind screamed and retreated in terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Liu Eunuch, the Imperial Seal Keeper of the Shu Prince’s mansion, gave a signal; immediately, palace guards unrolled their bundles and hurled a handful of scattered silver coins into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The demons are slain! By order of the Shu Prince, proceed without delay—the auspicious hour cannot be missed—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At once, the crowd behind halted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stared in shock, then their eyes filled with bloodshot frenzy as they surged forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The coins scattered earlier had been merely “Lucky God money”; now they were real silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though cut into tiny pieces, no larger than a thumb, grabbing just one or two would suffice for a family’s monthly expenses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who cared about the dead now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the sky fell, they had to rush up and grab it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd surged forward; with the Shu Prince’s procession quickening its pace, the massive entourage soon passed the Wanli Bridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few lagged behind and leapt over the stone bridge, running down the riverbank beneath it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They spotted a dozen scattered silver coins lying beneath the bridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the dead of winter, the river surface was frozen solid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stumbled and scrambled to the bridge’s underside, but before they could even reach for the coins, they froze in terror and fell to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the bridge, several figures were clawing at the brick seams, clinging to the underside using the Wall-Crawling Gecko Technique, their waists tied with gunpowder barrels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But these men were already dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each had jet-black skin, muscles shriveled as if burned, yet their clothing remained intact…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final leg of the journey proceeded smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shu Prince’s procession arrived outside the Wu Hou Temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, they scattered silver several times, drawing crowds to follow; only a dozen or so, gripped by fear, left the procession early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shu Prince followed the procession into the Wu Hou Temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Three Righteousness Hall, three sacrificial offerings had already been laid out; the temple attendant, accompanied by several young Daoist acolytes, bowed respectfully to greet them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temple attendant stepped forward cautiously to offer his greetings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had naturally heard of the events in Chengdu; he had thought the Wu Hou Temple, outside the city, would spare him trouble—but he never imagined the Shu Prince had gone mad and insisted on holding the “Lucky God Procession.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even two days prior, he had sent men to seize control of the temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temple attendant was, in fact, a member of the Huangling Sect; recalling his fellow disciples imprisoned in the city, their fates unknown, his heart trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before entering the temple, the Shu Prince had already dismounted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ignored the attendant’s pale expression, stepped forward to the altar, and lit the incense and candles himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he hesitated, refusing to insert them into the incense burner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The incense smoke curled and swayed in the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the Shu Prince motionless, the attendant grew puzzled and hurried forward, bowing: “Your Highness, you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he spoken than one of the Shu Prince’s guards suddenly stepped forward, swept his hand, and knocked all three sacrificial heads off the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud! Thud! Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the three heads hit the ground, they exploded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hum!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three columns of black smoke rose—each teeming with countless venomous gu insects, swarming toward the procession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temple attendant stared, dumbfounded, his body turning icy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who was behind this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this trying to kill him?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shhh! Shhh! Shhh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the rooftops on either side, white figures drew bows and loosed arrows—those were the “Yinshan Kites” archers from western Sichuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the dark corners of the Three Righteousness Hall’s roof, several figures leapt out, trying to flee—but were struck mid-air, falling to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arrowheads were poisoned; they had no time to cry out before their faces turned ashen, foam bubbled from their mouths, and they died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A pity…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Shu Prince” regarded the trembling temple attendant with calm expression and said: “I received word that the Qingcheng Mountain people have arrived. Did they not contact you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah… n-no.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temple attendant stared, his heart growing colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Lucky God Procession” was a trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, his cultivation was low; he had only been sent here because he was good at managing affairs—he had not participated in this plot…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Worthless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the old Daoist secretly rejoiced, a cold voice rang out; before he could react, a blood-red hand slammed down, crushing his skull like a burst watermelon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attacker was none other than the actor playing Liu Bei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grabbed the bulge at his neck and yanked hard, discarding the human-skin mask to reveal a head of pure white hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Ba Daiza, the Blood Nuo Master and trusted confidant of the Shu Prince.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, it seems the old ghost didn’t take the bait.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ba Daiza’s face darkened: “The ones who intervened earlier were those old devils from the Cheng family—unfortunately, they escaped.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Shu Prince” didn’t care, shaking his head: “Cheng Jianxin has dominated Shu for decades; even if he slipped up, his Jianghu experience remains—he’s not so easily fooled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the situation in the city?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Preparations are underway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A pity… we didn’t achieve full success today…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Shu Prince” remained calm, glanced back at the terrified crowd, and chuckled bitterly: “We didn’t lure them out—but we still do what we must. This may be our last ‘Lucky God Procession.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The actor playing “Guan Gong” strode forward, his wooden prosthetic leg striking the ground with a thud-thud-thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Situ Qian of the Ghost Opera Troupe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had botched his last mission; though the Shu Prince had not punished him, he was now more vigilant than ever—how could he dare slack off?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving before the ruined altar, he shook his beard and sang in the high-pitched Sichuan opera style: “Snow drifts over Wolong Ridge, the Lucky God arrives—every evil dissipates!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After singing, he himself found it absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To others, they were demons and heretics—yet here they were, performing this farce in the sacred Wu Hou Temple…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go. Catch the rats in the city.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After completing this final act, the “Shu Prince” turned on his heel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at that moment, his heart froze—he quickly sidestepped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From afar, a blade’s flash erupted; a brilliant white streak howled toward him, brimming with lethal intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Audacious!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ba Daiza, the Blood Nuo Master, snorted coldly, drew a blood-red curved blade from his waist, and thrust it before the “Shu Prince.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He chanted a spell; black smoke billowed from the blade, colliding with the white streak, hissing fiercely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came a clatter of metallic strikes—the white streak vanished, revealing a short sword no longer than a forearm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if drained of power, the sword fell to the ground, its metallic luster dimmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cheng family’s flying sword?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ba Daiza sneered: “Only learned the surface tricks—how dare you show off?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Quick! Seven hundred meters southwest of the temple!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2886,"2026-06-19T18:28:35.339Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","26951349a302a0f5b2f744d6bd97f3ba9ab4157e7c3af39cd9a56d2a5ffbc3a0","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-589","the-cursed-blade-s-walk-chapter-587",801,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-cursed-blade-s-walk-cover.jpg"]