Chapter 192: The Tenth Greatest Killer in the World, Reappears Among Mortals!

The old woman also seemed to possess some Wu Gong; she forcibly tried to sidestep Li Guanyi, reaching out to seize Yao Guang, her eyes nearly glowing—she had lived so long and had never seen such a beautiful, pure young girl.

Such a person, if turned into a Blood Pill, would surely...

The metallic ring of the sword's cry nearly shattered her dreams.

Li Guanyi's fingers pressed against the hilt; in an instant, the Songwen Ancient Sword drew itself.

A flash of cold light swirled—the hilt struck the old woman's chest in a single moment, nearly blinding her with pain, shattering fifty years of internal cultivation as if she had been slammed by a massive Mojia siege engine.

Her five viscera and six bowels nearly shifted out of place; she nearly vomited blood.

The hilt struck her chest once, then the blade returned to its scabbard.

Li Guanyi did not immediately draw his sword to kill.

Within Zhenxi Xiongcheng, there were thirty thousand elite troops of Chen; he had no intention of killing on the street.

He merely memorized the old woman's face—the white-haired crone collapsed to the ground, unable to rise for a long while; her internal Qi, cultivated to the peak of the Second Heaven through pill consumption, was rendered utterly void by a single hilt strike from this young Daoist Priest.

When she regained her senses and saw Li Guanyi holding his sword, she initially intended to retreat—but the girl was so breathtakingly beautiful, and the young Daoist Priest wore a plain, faded robe, clearly just someone with some Wu Gong but no real background.

Thinking of her mistress's desperate desire, she gritted her teeth and shouted:

"Someone! Someone!"

"This Daoist is stealing Huarui Lady's adopted daughter! He's kidnapping her!"

As soon as she shouted, Li Guanyi nearly laughed in anger.

He looked at his own robe and understood why—most people judged men by their clothes, despising the poor; had he worn brocade robes and jade belts, wielding the Frost War Halberd as the Halberd Madman, she would never have dared speak such words.

Now it was as if a tiger had fallen into the plains and been mocked by dogs.

Huarui Lady had some reputation in Zhenxi Xiongcheng; once she shouted, warriors unaware of the truth were filled with righteous fury, drawing weapons, and a chilling aura surged through the street—dozens, even hundreds of warriors gathered.

The sound of swords and knives unsheathing echoed everywhere.

Even the sugar-water stall owner turned pale and retreated.

Yao Guang lifted her eyes: "Let's go."

Li Guanyi reached out, pulling the girl's hood down: "Put it on."

"Sit."

The young Daoist Priest rose, lifting his sword; the old woman's eyes gleamed with triumph—Li Guanyi raised his gaze, and the two Dharma Phantoms, Taigu Chilong and Bai Hu, spread out from the Nine Tripods, his killing aura suddenly radiating outward.

Even the air seemed to ripple.

This handsome, refined young Daoist Priest was truly the foremost killing star of the past several years.

He slew a hundred in the Ghost Market, killed Dan Tai Xianming, and broke through Yicheng in armor.

He destroyed the Yin-Yang Wheel Sect's branch temple.

Combined, these dozens of warriors had less blood on their hands than he did.

Ordinary warriors could never compare—the Bai Hu Dharma Phantom growled low.

It surged forward, invisible to the naked eye, yet this Bai Hu roar, on par with a sovereign's, froze every warrior who had drawn their blade—scalp prickling, bodies stiffening, as if a monstrous tiger roared endlessly in the void, filling them with terror.

On the entire street, horses neighed in fear, collapsing to the ground; weapons clattered down, men and mounts tumbled over, chickens flew, dogs scattered.

The old woman turned pale.

Several warriors familiar with the old woman approached; Li Guanyi swung his sheathed sword, easily knocking them down—until one warrior lunged, grabbing the sword's scabbard and pulling back—but even the scabbard refused to budge!

The girl slowly sipped her sugar water; the young Daoist Priest dispatched these warriors with one hand.

Li Guanyi knew no sword techniques—he used his arm as the shaft and hilt, the sword as the halberd's blade, his strikes broad and brutal; in moments, all these warriors were wounded, unable to approach within three feet of the young man—onlookers were stunned.

Suddenly, a laugh rang out.

"Hold on, hold on."

A ribbon flew in, wrapping around the warriors who had attacked Li Guanyi, and with a light tug, flung them all flying—some falling, others crashing, dazed and disoriented; Li Guanyi held his sword in one hand, lifting his gaze slightly—he saw a group of young warriors.

The attacker was a woman—ink-black hair like clouds, veiled, yet her exquisite eyes sparkled with brilliance; she overturned them in mere moments. These warriors clearly held status in the Jianghu; the others all froze.

Li Guanyi heard whispers from the crowd.

Most were speaking of this woman.

The young mistress of Piaomiao Pavilion, daughter of the Gongsun Clan, named Feixue—seventh on the Jianghu Beauty List, also on the Famous Hero List; Li Guanyi recalled Elder Chen Chengbi, the Living Buddha, and Ancestor Lao's old acquaintance—the Gongsun girl—he lowered his gaze slightly and sheathed his sword.

Gongsun Feixue dismounted swiftly and walked over, looking at the old woman: "We just saw this Daoist Priest and this girl enter the city together."

"How dare you, old crone, slander them with lies?!"

The old woman turned pale, stammering; someone claiming to be from Huarui Lady's household arrived, bowing repeatedly in apology, saying the old woman was aged, frail, blind, and stubborn, prone to forgetting things—perhaps she had mistaken them, and had come to beg forgiveness.

"This old nurse is Huarui Lady's wet nurse, who raised her since childhood; please, Daoist Priest, forgive her."

He spoke of apology, yet his eyes never left Gongsun Feixue.

Gongsun Feixue said: "This has nothing to do with me."

Another flower-drawn carriage halted; a soft feminine voice called out: "It was my nurse's rudeness; thank heaven these two skilled cultivators were unharmed—I apologize here." A maid pulled back the curtain, and a woman stepped down.

She wore a white robe, her black hair thick as clouds, slender arched brows, tender, affectionate eyes, a cherry-red lip—her beauty was exquisite, carrying a faint floral scent; she looked no older than seventeen or eighteen, yet exuded mature allure.

Her figure was full yet her waist slender; her maids supported her as if she were too delicate to stand—truly breathtaking.

With just a slight bow, her eyes lifting slightly, the surrounding warriors felt their bones melt.

Li Guanyi lifted his gaze slightly—this subtle reversal made it seem unrefined of him not to forgive.

The young Daoist Priest said coolly: "Fine."

Huarui Lady smiled faintly.

She knew no warrior could resist her smile.

Yet suddenly, a sword's cry rang out.

Then came a scream.

A flash of clear light—Huarui Lady felt a piercing pain at her brow; she saw the old woman shriek, both hands severed at the wrists, blood spurting, collapsing to the ground, writhing and trembling.

A pair of hands, like chicken claws, landed on the ground, still curled.

The scent of blood spread out.

Complete silence.

The young Daoist in a clean Dao robe slowly sheathed his sword.

The gentle youth, kind to common folk, now stood cold and indifferent, saying softly:

"Go."

Lady Hua Rui's delicate face stiffened slightly, then she bowed slightly, her voice soft and beautiful, saying:

"Unaware of your identity, I have been impolite."

Li Guanyi lowered his gaze, the ancient Song-pattern sword resting on the ground, and replied calmly:

"Academy, Dao Sect."

Ancestor Lao was one of the twenty-four Sacrificial Masters of the Academy Dao Sect; Li Guanyi's statement was not false.

Upon hearing the name of that colossal being, Lady Hua Rui froze; her desire for revenge and confrontation melted away like spring snow, and she ordered the old maid to pick up the severed wrist, then withdrew.

Li Guanyi noted these people; the surrounding martial artists also dispersed, except for Gong Sun Feixue, who merely stared at the sword in Li Guanyi's hand.

Gong Sun Feixue's beautiful eyes rippled—she had been too far to see earlier, but now, close up, she saw the long sword, ancient and solemn, its blade faintly bearing Song-patterns, radiating a pure aura.

Gong Sun Feixue bowed and said: "Men of this age do not recognize the cloud-piercing tree, until it reaches the clouds, then they call it tall."

"Master Daoist, how did this Dao Sect's mysterious weapon, Lingyun Mu, come into your hands?"

"Do you perhaps know Old Master Zu Wenyuan?"

Li Guanyi guessed she was the descendant of Old Master Zu's youthful friend, Miss Gong Sun, and returned the bow:

"I am Li Yaoshi."

"Master Zu's given name is Wenyuan—he is my master."

Gong Sun Feixue beamed, laughing: "That's truly wonderful! Grandmother is also in Beicheng. She hasn't seen Old Chen or Ancestor Zu in ages—she'll be delighted to hear you're here. Might you have time to come meet her, Elder Brother Li?"

Li Guanyi politely declined: "We've just arrived in Beicheng and wish to rest first."

Gong Sun Feixue showed slight regret, yet only smiled:

"We're staying at Guangshi Tower in Beicheng."

"Elder Brother Li, if you have time, come by—just ask for the Gong Sun family."

She bowed slightly, said no more, leapt onto her horse, and departed quickly. Li Guanyi waited until the silver-haired girl finished eating, then took money from his sleeve, placed it on the table, picked up the Fire Qilin, set it on his shoulder, and rode the ox-cart to find lodging.

Li Guanyi used his last silver to find a decent inn.

Then he booked two rooms.

He told Yao Guang to rest well; Yao Guang, half-asleep, kicked off her shoes, lay on the bed in silk socks, curled entirely under the covers, expressionless, then suddenly said: "You could have let me go with her."

Li Guanyi turned to look at her; the silver-haired girl on the bed spoke calmly, thoughtfully: "You know my arrays—they couldn't hold me. That way, you wouldn't have drawn such trouble upon entering the city."

Li Guanyi turned back, bent slightly, and looked at Yao Guang.

Yao Guang's eyes watched him quietly, her voice serene.

"It's a rational judgment."

"It's the best way to avoid conflict—the optimal solution."

Li Guanyi did not know Yao Guang's past, did not know she had been abandoned by her father; he simply reached out, pressed his palm together, and tapped lightly on her forehead.

The silver-haired girl did not expect this.

She flinched, her silver hair swaying.

Li Guanyi grew angry: "Sleep!"

After a pause, the young Daoist replied: "You chose me—so I won't abandon you. You are my accomplice. Li Guanyi holds a sword, and he is not so dishonorable as to hand over his own accomplice."

"Our path is still long. Don't say such things again."

Li Guanyi looked at the girl, knelt beside her, and pulled the blanket over her; after a moment, he said seriously: "I am now a wanted man across the land—a killer of Dan Tai Xianming, a bandit and traitor to the state. Just as you said, I'll likely have to flee across the world."

"This road is long. You may truly have to follow me, as you said, and flee with me across this world."

Li Guanyi placed the Fire Qilin here.

"The Fire Qilin stays here—you can rest well. I'll go gather intelligence."

Yao Guang said: "Intelligence about the killing?"

Li Guanyi said: "Yes."

He sensed Yao Guang's loneliness, so he said:

"After this, I'll need your help."

"Rest well."

Li Guanyi turned away, his back to the silver-haired girl, saying: "I won't leave you." He did not notice the faint, fleeting smile on her face—no one saw it, and it vanished quickly, returning her to her usual expressionless state.

The silver-haired girl clasped the blanket, pulling it higher to cover her face.

Only her eyes remained visible.

Li Guanyi stepped out the door and exhaled.

He pressed two fingers together.

His Yuan Shen flowed; the Qi beneath his feet shifted, summoning stones, plants, flowing water; with a sweep of his sleeve, the Shaoyang Sword descended, forming a simple Four Symbols Sealing Array, then he left, at ease.

He came here intending to kill Lady Hua Rui.

But after the Ghost Market incident, he had grown calmer and wiser.

He did not simply launch a violent attack; instead, he planned to first uncover Lady Hua Rui's background, her sphere of influence, her Wu Gong style, before acting—lest killing her bring future troubles.

Li Guanyi had left the Xue family and could no longer rely on their intelligence.

But across this world, there was indeed another place where he could obtain what he needed.

【Ghost Market】.

Zhenxi Xiongcheng, the foremost fortress under heaven, must harbor a Ghost Market; Li Guanyi bought a simple mask, changed his clothes, used his cultivation technique to conceal and alter his qi signature, found the Ghost Market, and successfully entered using his wooden VIP token.

A Ghost Market attendant returned the VIP token to the youth, bowing politely:

"May I ask what you seek—elixirs, weapons, prodigies, earthly treasures, or Wu Gong scriptures?"

Li Guanyi said: "Information."

The Ghost Market attendant smiled faintly: "Very well. Follow me."

The Black Tortoise Manifestation here nearly glowed with excitement, pawing at everything, its pea-sized eyes bulging as if ready to scream.

Mine!

Mine!

All of it is mine!

Li Guanyi couldn't call it back; the Crimson Dragon Manifestation let out a long roar, coiled its tail around the Black Tortoise Manifestation, which was pressed against a chest, its head nearly inside, and yanked it out.

The Black Tortoise Manifestation panicked, its four claws scrabbling frantically—but to no avail.

Li Guanyi arrived at the information vendor's area, his gaze sweeping over it, then sharpening slightly:

"Chen State, Ying State, Jianghu, Grasslands, Western Regions, Beyond the Passes."

Six plaques stood there.

Li Guanyi entered the area corresponding to Chen State; in Zhenxi Xiongcheng, a Yijuanjuan Sect scroll fell into his hands. The young Daoist scanned it, easily spotting Lady Hua Rui's name.

Right on the first page of Zhenxi Xiongcheng's intelligence.

Clearly, it was of great importance.

He looked further down.

【Price: five hundred taels of gold, or one Xuan-grade upper-tier mission】

Li Guanyi's gaze froze.

The boy's chest rose and fell as he cursed inwardly:

"Five hundred taels of gold?!"

"Five hundred!"

"Why don't you just rob me?!"

His money pouch held only five qian of silver. The Ghost Market guard smiled: "Esteemed guest, are you interested in Lady Hua Rui's information? This city's foremost beauty has drawn no shortage of powerful figures."

"Good taste."

"Her beauty is peerless, and she excels in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—yet for some reason, she never made the Jianghu's Top Beauties List. Rumor has it that Tu Shengyuan, chief guest of the Number One Tower, arrived here, saw her at a glance, covered his nose, shouted 'Foul stench!', and turned to leave immediately."

"That clearly enraged her greatly."

"But no one knows the true reason."

"To learn more, you need only five hundred taels of gold—quite a bargain."

Li Guanyi's lips twitched, then he said flatly:

"Not interested."

He continued reading, reaching the most expensive entry in Zhenxi Xiongcheng's current intelligence:

【Hunting the Qilin Assembly】

【Price: three thousand taels of gold, or one Earth-grade assassination mission】

Just information cost three thousand taels of gold. Even Han Shuang Ji, a top-tier weapon, required three such blades to buy this intelligence—its price was staggering.

In the Ghost Market, with enough wealth, one could buy anything.

Li Guanyi thought of the many martial artists he'd seen today: Nan Qingping, seventh among Jianghu heroes; Gong Sun Feixue, seventh on the Top Beauties List; and the patriarch of the Gong Sun clan—all unlikely to join the Hunting the Qilin Assembly.

The vortex in Zhenxi Xiongcheng was too great. He should leave soon.

As Li Guanyi thought this, he rose to leave. The Ghost Market guard showed no disdain for his inability to pay; instead, he guided Li Guanyi through the market. Inside the Chen State intelligence pavilion, Li Guanyi saw wooden plaques hanging above.

The guard smiled: "This is the bounty posting area—the most vital part of the Ghost Market. If you have any secret information, sell it to us. You won't be disappointed."

Li Guanyi immediately saw a familiar name.

【Ji Kuang Li Guanyi's Information Request—Anyone knowing his whereabouts: one thousand taels of gold】

【Anyone knowing his origins: three thousand taels of gold】

【Anyone who can kill him and sever his head: ten thousand taels of gold, one Xuan weapon, one Law-Phase Wu Gong】

A lavish bounty.

Li Guanyi was tempted—almost wanted to sell himself.

Clearly, many in the world wished to kill him.

In the end, he turned away without buying anything, walked out of the Ghost Market with head held high, and exhaled: "Too expensive. Especially since the Ghost Market takes a cut."

"The Ghost Market… really is rich."

The boy looked at himself—dressed plainly, his most valuable possession on the surface being only the Ancient Song-patterned Sword, a relic from Grandpa Lao. Said to be an Xuan-grade weapon, it held no great mysteries, only an unusually rare material, like the pines of Nanshan—straight, unyielding, indestructible.

"Information…"

Li Guanyi tapped his forehead with a finger.

Zhenxi Xiongcheng's intelligence. The Hunting the Qilin Assembly's intelligence. Lady Hua Rui's intelligence.

Li Guanyi had only one choice: he found another stall, spent his five qian of silver on a long robe, and bought a mask—but with what remained, he could afford only the most ridiculous mask available.

"What? Only ten wen?!"

"Ten wen won't buy you anything!"

The mask vendor grumbled: "My masks—throughout all Zhenxi Xiongcheng, you won't find better or sturdier material. Besides, pigments and time cost money too. This deal won't work."

"If you insist on buying, here—only this one left."

He rummaged through, then pulled out a mask and tossed it to Li Guanyi.

It was an ordinary mask, coated only with a layer of white paint; nothing else, not even a mouth carved out—only two eye holes. Yet Li Guanyi burst out laughing and said, "Good, thank you!"

He threw out the last ten coins, and they landed on the stall.

Then he found a secluded spot, altered his physique, using his physical strength to reshape his sinews and bones, making himself slightly taller. He donned a dull gray robe, let his black hair fall loose behind him, raised his hand to place the mask over his face, and returned to the Ghost Market.

Most who came to the Ghost Market concealed their faces.

But such a simple, impoverished mask had never been seen before—it even provoked a barely suppressed urge to laugh.

The Ghost Market's ghost officer maintained his gentle demeanor, stifling his laughter, and said:

"Hmm, esteemed guest, do you have a token?"

Li Guanyi lowered his gaze, reached into his robe, and gripped an object.

He simply flung it out.

The Ghost Market's ghost officer paid it no mind, caught it casually—but felt its weight, and smiled as he looked.

Then his smile froze.

It was a token.

Extremely heavy, seemingly gold, with a large seal script character on the front—

【Ten】!

The Ghost Market's ghost officer's body stiffened slightly. He slowly raised his head, staring at the man before him: the gray robe stirred faintly, the white mask expressionless. What had seemed comical moments ago now radiated only silent, chilling terror.

Only his eyes remained calm and indifferent, fixed ahead, as if an endless tide of slaughter flowed within them.

The Tenth Killer of the World, Situ Deqing!

Returned to the mortal realm!

The Ghost Market's ghost officer leapt to his feet, scalp prickling, and reverently returned the token:

"My lord, please!"

Situ Deqing's identity really was useful.

Good person.

The boy thought.

Just like Hou Zhongyu, Chen Yuyun—good people.

Li Guanyi retrieved the token, grunted, and said coolly, "Intelligence."

The ghost officer respectfully led Li Guanyi to the intelligence chamber, then personally served him spirit tea and fine pastries. A beauty arrived to deliver numerous Juan Sect records—utterly different from his earlier treatment. The ghost officer presented the intelligence on Beicheng of Chen State.

Then he bowed deeply and said:

"Your status does not grant access to top-secret intelligence."

"You may review all of it."

Li Guanyi nodded, scanned the room, and casually opened the records for 【Hunting Qilin Grand Assembly】, 【Sida Sect Masters】, 【Lady Huarui】—and soon, the Juan Sect files were delivered.

The ghost officer withdrew.

Li Guanyi's palm rubbed the Juan Sect file, recalling the woman, and within him, his resolve to kill her solidified.

He slowly opened the file.