Chapter 320: Luoyang

"I do not like the Demonic Sect."

Yu Liancheng casually popped a piece of preserved fruit into his mouth and said indifferently, "Or rather, I do not like you people of the Demonic Sect."

"The reason is simple: apart from a very small number of people, the Demonic Sect Two Paths and Six Branches are all wicked, heinous scoundrels who do nothing but evil. And you still want to influence the great trends of the world? That is simply a pipe dream."

"As for the righteous path, the monks of the Pure Zen Sect are full of mercy, but if that magnificent and majestic Buddha city were torn down, who knows how many common people in the world could be saved."

"The Great Sui still exists, yet the Cihang Jingzhai jumps out to play the trick of 'Substitute Heaven to Select the Emperor,' stirring up trouble. Is it not putting this 'Imperial Tutor' too little in their eyes?"

Yu Liancheng picked up another piece of preserved fruit and fed it into Zhu Yuyan's red lips, his fingers taking the opportunity to stir inside for a moment. The Queen of Yin could not help but glare at him, murderous intent leaking out, yet she dared to be angry but dared not speak.

"Therefore, whether it is your Two Paths and Six Branches or the Zen Sect and Jingzhai, I will eradicate them one by one, so that the world may have a few less scourges."

The Queen of Yin's beautiful eyes widened, and she said incredulously, "You not only want to go against the surging great trends to extend the life of the Sui, but you also want to challenge both the righteous and demonic paths and make an enemy of the entire martial arts world?"

"That is correct. Is that not allowed?" Yu Liancheng's tone was flat, as if asking someone if they shouldn't eat when they are hungry.

"You..." Zhu Yuyan looked deeply at Yu Liancheng, her tone low: "In my life, I have read countless people, yet I have never been able to see through whether you are a reckless brute or a heroic lord."

Yu Liancheng suddenly clenched his five fingers, possessing a momentum that seemed to grasp the heaven and earth of the world.

A cold, sharp smile curled the corners of his mouth: "With my martial arts attainments, what difference does it make to you whether I am a reckless brute or a heroic lord? Won't you all either die at my hands or submit to me?"

Zhu Yuyan was speechless.

Yu Liancheng said, "However, the Queen of Yin can rest assured. As long as you are loyal to me and abandon your evil deeds, I will not do something like killing the donkey after the millstone is finished."

A trace of bitterness appeared on Zhu Yuyan's beautiful face: "Does Yuyan have any other choice?"

"What do you think?" Yu Liancheng shrugged.

Zhu Yuyan gently pounded Yu Liancheng's legs, looking up with her pretty face, her beautiful eyes shooting out a pitiful look of supplication, causing the tempered steel to turn into soft silk: "Yuyan has only one request: I hope the Imperial Tutor will not plant the 'Life and Death Talisman' inside my body."

Yu Liancheng said, "It is too late."

"Too late!?" Zhu Yuyan was startled: "What does the Imperial Tutor mean by this?"

Yu Liancheng smiled slightly and said, "The preserved fruit I just fed you contained the energy of the Life and Death Talisman. Did the Queen of Yin not notice?"

Zhu Yuyan's expression changed, and she hurriedly closed her eyes. Sure enough, she detected a faint, mysterious energy within her body, dominated by Yin and Yang Qi, and mixed with twenty or thirty other strands of energy.

She bit her silver teeth in secret, her heaving chest rising and falling violently, and cold, sharp light shot from her eyes: "Is the Imperial Tutor not bullying people too much?!"

Yu Liancheng said, "I am bullying you too much. What are you going to do about it?"

"I..." As soon as Zhu Yuyan raised her True Qi, it immediately aggravated her injuries, causing her Qi and Blood to surge, and she nearly vomited blood.

Seeing Yu Liancheng raise his eyebrows and a wisp of murderous intent leak out, she could not help but recall her crushing defeat yesterday, the scene of being continuously sent flying by his palms. The fear branded into her soul surged up, making her unable to stop herself from shivering.

Yu Liancheng looked at Zhu Yuyan with a smile that was not a smile: "What are you going to do?"

The Queen of Yin hurriedly composed her mind and gave a shallow smile, her eyes shifting, adding a touch of charm and affection to her cold temperament: "Yuyan can only do her utmost to work for you, Young Master, in hopes that you will remove the Life and Death Talisman for Yuyan soon."

"There will be such a day." Yu Liancheng chuckled, his heart relaxing.

It was fortunate that he had completely defeated Zhu Yuyan yesterday, casting this high and mighty Queen of Yin into the dust.

Otherwise, given her temper and character, once branded with the Life and Death Talisman and having her life no longer in her own hands, she might have disregarded everything to perish together with Yu Liancheng.

Luoyang.

A major city of the world.

It sat majestically on the south bank of the Huanghe, serving as a hub for north-south transportation with a developed economy; eight dynasties had established their capitals here. On the high walls of Luoyang City, squads of soldiers clad in sturdy armor and holding sharp weapons stood with eyes like torches, stationed within the defensive fortifications.

The Wagang Army, led by Li Mi, had launched attacks on Luoyang City time and again. Although these were primarily probing in nature, Li Mi was currently the most powerful warlord in the world and had yet to suffer a single defeat. The Great General defending the city, Wang Shichong, occupied the geographical advantage, yet he dared not be the slightest bit negligent.

Yu Liancheng had already arrived in Luoyang City. He walked along the Tianjie, which was a hundred paces wide and connected the north and south. The streets were planted with cherry, pomegranate, willow, and various other trees; the scenery was picturesque and breathtaking.

Shops lined both sides of the avenue, and people came and went, including many martial artists carrying swords and blades; its prosperity was no less than that of Daxing.

"It is truly lively."

Yu Liancheng looked around at this ancient city, appreciating the local customs on both sides.

Zhu Yuyan and Wanwan, however, were not by his side; they had parted ways after entering Luoyang.

Since the news spread that Shi Feixuan had entered the world and brought the He Clan Jade into Luoyang, it had shaken the world in just a few days. Warlords from all sides were restless, sending capable subordinates to rush to Luoyang, and some even risked coming themselves, causing the number of experts in this majestic city to be unprecedented.

Yu Liancheng did not stop his pace and soon arrived before a magnificent and imposing mansion. A plaque hung high, inscribed with the two large characters "Wang Mansion."

Standing before the mansion were eighteen elite, burly men with leopard heads and round eyes, their gazes piercing and their physiques tall and sturdy.

The leading man saw Yu Liancheng, stepped forward, and shouted in a deep voice: "Before the General's Mansion, stop where you are."

The General was naturally Wang Shichong. Back when the Wagang Army was aggressive and unstoppable, Yang Guang had appointed Wang Shichong as Great General, ordering him to rush to Luoyang to crush the rebel army.

Yet Wang Shichong had quite the leisure, even finding time to make a trip to Dongping Commandery just to listen to Shi Qingxuan's flute playing.

"General Wang has quite the grand display." Yu Liancheng looked up at the mansion, his expression calm: "I am Yu Liancheng. Tell Wang Shichong to come out and receive me. Never mind, he is the master here; I had better go see him myself. I must not be impolite."

Having said that, he strode into the Wang Mansion.

"Presumptuous!!"

The leading man shouted sharply, cold, murderous intent shooting from his eyes.

Clang~

A battle blade in his palm suddenly left its sheath, drawing a brilliant arc of light as it slashed toward Yu Liancheng. But before the blade could strike its opponent, he let out a miserable cry and fell backward.

The other seventeen men changed color, drawing blades and swords to surround Yu Liancheng.

However, Yu Liancheng's figure suddenly flickered and vanished.

"This, what brilliant light-body technique..."

"He has entered the mansion, go report it quickly."

"That man called himself Yu Liancheng, could he be the Imperial Tutor? But wasn't the Imperial Tutor in Daxing City? Why has he come to Luoyang!?"