Chapter 449: Shut Up. One Strike. (3/10, Autumn Subscription)

"Thanks today—it's on my way; I'll walk you back."

As the sky darkened, You Sisi said to Fang Yue.

Although at first, she was very resistant to Fang Yue.

But in reality, Fang Yue's help during the investigation was considerable.

She had to admit, Fang Yue had been quite useful to her.

Thus, her impression of him had improved significantly.

"I heard Tian Erjun say your Gu Yue Village, along with nearby villages, were destroyed by the aberrations. Only you and Lord Han turned the tide and repelled the aberration horde. If the achievements are verified, combined with your record, joining the Qing Si as a White-Clothed Qing Guard should be no problem."

"Lord Tian mentioned this to me; I also lean toward staying in Qingsi County to develop."

"Hmm, by the way, though you repelled the aberration horde with Lord Han's help, I suppose your strength isn't weak either. The Qing Si's White-Clothed Qing Guards still require some baseline strength."

"Respectfully, my strength is sufficient to serve as a White-Clothed Qing Guard."

"Acquired Second-rate Realm?"

"Acquired First-rate Realm."

"Acquired First-rate Realm?!"

With a step, You Sisi halted in surprise.

In Qingsi County, Grey-Clad Qing Guards typically range from non-Martial Dao to Acquired Third-Rate Realm.

Black-clothed Guards are more stable, with a minimum threshold of Acquired Third-Rate Realm.

White-Clothed Guards rise another level, from Acquired Second-rate to Acquired Third-rate Realm; but since White-Clothed Qing Guards are limited in number, even with sufficient strength and achievements, promotion from Black-clothed Guard isn't guaranteed.

As for Green-Clothed Guards, the standard is Xiantian Realm!

Of course, You Sisi hadn't reached that level—she was promoted purely due to her extraordinary talent, verifiable achievements, and certain special background.

But the most critical issue is, the Green-Clothed position in Qingsi County has been vacant too long.

After the last disaster, only Tian Erjun remained as the sole Green-Clothed Guard, holding the entire situation alone.

You Sisi emerged like a genius, with astonishing talent and the potential to break into Xiantian Realm soon; thus, being appointed Green-Clothed naturally earned her the respect of others.

"You're at the same level as me?"

You Sisi felt a sudden urge to fight, but remembering Fang Yue stood behind Lord Han, she quickly suppressed the impulse.

"Work hard. Once you join the Qing Si, train with us for a few years—maybe I can get you the vacant third Green-Clothed position."

"Then I thank you, Lady You, for your promotion."

Others might say it lightly, but strength is what truly matters.

After a long day, Fang Yue's mind was full of returning early to practice his Heart Method.

As they spoke, the inn was now visible ahead.

A little farther, and they'd reach the inn's entrance.

Oddly, a group of people stood at the inn's entrance—a group of Grey-Clad Qing Guards.

What did this mean? Had something happened inside the inn?

Fang Yue's heart sank; he turned to look at You Sisi beside him, who had also paused, seemingly unaware.

Fang Yue didn't wait for her to stop—he hurried forward. As he approached, he realized the leader of the Grey-Clad was someone he knew.

It was none other than Qiu Xin, the Grey-Clad Qing Guard who had guided them earlier.

"Captain Night! Great, you're back!"

Seeing Fang Yue, he rushed forward eagerly: "The Qing Si has verified it—the reward for 【Duan Longtou】 is all here. Please check it. If everything's in order, sign here for the official record."

Oh, so it's the 【Duan Longtou】 reward.

I thought it strange why Qing Si people suddenly showed up.

He picked up the pen and signed his name with bold, martial flair, then took the brocade box and small chest Qiu Xin handed him—and suddenly felt something wrong.

He sensed a chilling, predatory gaze locking onto him from behind.

"Duan... Long... Tou?"

A ghostly, sinister voice whispered beside his ear.

The cold breath sent shivers down his spine.

His heart lurched—he remembered this woman had been hunting the one who stole 【Duan Longtou】's kill, but their cooperation had been so smooth he'd completely forgotten.

He turned stiffly—and there, as if teleported, You Sisi's spectral figure stood beside his left shoulder.

"That, uh..."

"You killed 【Duan Longtou】 and stole my kill?"

"I—I just happened to encounter the Night Thief attacking Deyun Cun and killed him by chance."

By chance? That's no coincidence.

Bam! Fast as lightning—you entered Deyun Cun and dispatched 【Duan Longtou】 with three clean strikes.

You clearly came prepared!

Danger flashed in You Sisi's eyes; Fang Yue instinctively stepped back two paces. This woman was truly reckless—she'd cut off arms without hesitation, and even showed no mercy toward the heavily backed Black Crow.

If she got impulsive now, she'd definitely fight him!

"Lady You..."

"Shut up. One strike!"

Whirr!!

In the instant You Sisi spoke, the Thousand Silk Sword drew!

In blinding white light, the blade became a thousand silken threads—whizzing, whizzing, whizzing—spreading like spider silk, striking Fang Yue's vital points!

All this happened too fast; while Qiu Xin beside them was still stunned, You Sisi's Thousand Silk Sword had already transformed into a thousand threads and lunged at Fang Yue.

"Captain Ye?!"

Qiu Xin cried out in alarm, and the Grey-Clad Qing Guards beside her were all struck dumb at once.

But just as Qiu Xin thought Captain Ye was doomed, a ball of blazing firelight suddenly erupted before them.

Blazing Fire… Heart Method!!

Flames coiled around his body. Fang Yue's figure, like a slippery loach, whooshed—and at an impossible angle, slid behind You Sisi.

By the time You Sisi's expression shifted and she prepared to surge forward to dodge Fang Yue's attack and pull away, an invisible gust of pressure suddenly appeared!

Fire gives birth to wind, wind gives birth to fire!

Fire and wind merged. A wind of flame whirled up around You Sisi as its center, sealing off every position while rapidly closing in toward the middle. And the instant You Sisi realized there was nowhere to dodge, paused, turned back, and raised her Thousand Silk Sword to meet the strike—her pupils suddenly contracted sharply.

This scene, she would never forget for the rest of her life.

That raging heatwave, occupying nearly her entire field of vision, swept in, folding like a tide, wrapping around a blade of pure flame, and came crashing toward her face!

The searing, white-hot flames were nearly reaching incandescence.

Clearly the Fire Blade had not yet arrived, but the terrifying heat had already scorched her—her skin flushed red and burning, as if it would melt her flesh, burn away the bones of her face, and slash her to ash in a single stroke!

What a terrifying slash!!

You Sisi was utterly stunned, her mind a blank. The only thought in her heart was… she's done for!

Done for! Done for! Done for! Done for!!

(End of chapter)