Chapter 13: A Sword Shocks the Ghost and Restores Vision

Chapter 13: A Sword Startles the Heavens, Light Returns

Liu Haoping, the Chief Helmsman of the Cao Gang in Yu Prefecture City.

Since its establishment, the Cao Gang has had thirty-six Chief Helmsmen. While this might seem like a lot, it’s not; each of these Chief Helmsmen was a powerful expert in the Jianghu, a high-and-mighty existence in the eyes of ordinary people.

However, not many of these thirty-six Chief Helmsmen were renowned throughout the entire Jianghu.

Liu Haoping was one of them.

He was originally a beggar in Linjiang City, living on the streets and begging from a young age. Later, he fortunately joined the Cao Gang as a member. Due to his extremely high Aptitude and his ruthless and decisive actions, he quickly made a name for himself in the Cao Gang, and was then valued and adopted by the Cao Gang leader, Liu Qingshan.

Liu Qingshan treated him as his own, nurturing him with all his heart and soul. Coupled with Liu Haoping's capabilities, he quickly solidified his position as one of the thirty-six Chief Helmsmen.

He held considerable prestige in the Jianghu, especially in the underworld, where his fierce reputation struck fear into people's hearts.

The Cao Gang and the Raging Whale Gang fought for three years, eventually annexing the Raging Whale Gang and taking over all their territory. Liu Haoping played a significant role in this, but he was known for being ruthless and malicious. It's said that the Raging Whale Gang leader’s wife, Lady Chen, was tormented to death by him.

Cruel, vicious, decisive, and exceptionally capable—such a figure was the backbone of the Cao Gang and its future.

And since Liu Haoping was Liu Qingshan's adopted son, he would undoubtedly possess Liu Qingshan's Green Mountain Palm Print, a Martial Art of the True Martial level, in addition to his Peak third-grade cultivation.

If Jiang Sanjia were in his prime, he wouldn't fear Liu Haoping. But at this moment, his vitality was gradually depleting, and his Qi and blood had been declining recently, making him no match for Liu Haoping.

Many thoughts flashed through his mind, though it all happened in a split second.

“Am I going to fall here this time?”

Jiang Sanjia took a deep breath, preparing to activate the last of his Qi within his body for a desperate struggle.

Just then, his gaze fell upon the person who had rescued him. The black robe concealed his face, making his exact appearance unclear, but his eyes remained as calm as water.

Too calm, like a tranquil mountain village at dusk, so peaceful.

But even such calmness was useless. In the face of absolute power, everything was but an illusion.

Jiang Sanjia secretly shook his head, sighing in his heart:

“What if you know the Hundred Steps Flying Sword? What if you know about the bodhi pearl? In the end, won't it all be for naught?”

Just then, he suddenly noticed An Jing's palm caressing his sword sheath.

What?

Was he also preparing for a desperate struggle?

Or, had he been scared witless?

“Everyone, move aside!”

Liu Haoping roared, like a bellowing beast.

His burly physique was like a small mountain, and when his foot stepped out, it felt as if the entire dungeon was shaking.

Of course, this was just an illusion.

The dungeon was too sturdy to tremble because of a few hundred pounds.

This was an Aura!

Liu Haoping looked at Jiang Sanjia, his eyes so cold they could freeze a person to death.

This old man was entrusted to him by his adoptive father, and absolutely no mistakes could be made.

With that, he extended his palm, preparing to grab Jiang Sanjia.

But his gaze suddenly fell upon the dark blue-robed man next to him, and those indifferent, serene eyes, as deep as an abyss.

“To dare to break into prison, you're really courting death!”

Liu Haoping sneered, twisting his palm.

If Jiang Sanjia had truly escaped, then he would be a sinner. This person almost made him make a mistake, so he had to be killed!

Boom!

A giant palm appeared in mid-air, pressing down like a mountain.

The moment that giant palm descended, An Jing finally moved.

“This time, I need to finish this quickly, or there will be further complications.”

“Whoosh!”

The sword flashed out of its sheath, and instantly, the entire quiet dungeon became brightly lit.

That sword, like the morning sun, cut through the dark night, its dazzling blade illuminating An Jing's face.

“This…”

Liu Haoping couldn't see the sword's trajectory, but at that moment, he understood clearly in his heart that his life had vanished with the darkness into the dawn.

Yu Prefecture City, Liyuan Theater.

Night fell, and moonlight poured down like water.

“Turns out the vibrant colors blooming everywhere, all given to broken wells and crumbling walls.”

“Beautiful scenes and good times, but what use are they? Whose courtyard holds such joyful pleasures? Morning flies and evening rolls, clouds and colorful pavilions, rain threads and wind fragments, misty waves and painted boats, people behind embroidered screens, they truly see this fleeting time as cheap.”

Below the stage, the performers were singing an opera.

Applause thundered, and everyone cheered.

“Young Miss, according to the plan, Sanjia should be standing before you the day after tomorrow,” Tan Yun said confidently.

“It's best if no accidents occur.”

Zhao Qingmei's eyes were downcast, her gaze full of grace, her expression still as calm as water.

“Yes.”

Tan Yun smiled, “The Cao Gang's prestige has been soaring recently; we'll curb their momentum a bit.”

Tan Yun was quite dissatisfied with the Cao Gang. The Demonic Cult had left Great Yan, and now every Gang claimed to be number one.

“Alright, it's getting late. We should head back.”

Zhao Qingmei looked up at the moonlight, a faint smile appearing at the corner of her lips.

Suddenly, a gentle breeze blew in.

The water cups on the table all swayed.

This slight change, however, made Zhao Qingmei raise an eyebrow.

“Young Miss, what's wrong?”

Tan Yun asked, puzzled.

Zhao Qingmei didn't speak, but looked into the distance.

The next moment, a sudden strong wind surged.

Then, from deep within the world, a bright light shot straight up from the bottom, directly soaring towards the Nine Heavens.

Whoosh!

The light resounded across the sky, its Aura awe-inspiring.

“Such a powerful sword Aura!?”

Tan Yun's mouth hung open, a hint of surprise in her eyes.

The moment that light shone, she felt her body swaying, and the hairs on her skin stood on end.

Such a sword Aura, such a sword light, while not unheard of, was definitely a rare existence in the world.

On the Yuzhou River, aboard the Red Pavilion pleasure boat.

“Li Yue, come quickly to receive the guest. This time, it's Young Master Ming from the Ming Family.”

A heavily made-up madam smiled, lifting the curtain.

“I know, tell Young Master Ming to wait a moment.”

Inside the curtain was an extremely enchanting and charming woman.

The woman had a pair of peach blossom eyes, and her slightly red lips were captivating. Her curves were well-defined, and just by pursing her lips, she seemed to charm away one's soul.

The woman was Li Yue, the courtesan queen of the Red Pavilion, and one of the most popular courtesan queens in Jiangnan Province today.

“That's Young Master Ming, the Young Master of the largest aristocratic family in Yu Prefecture City,” the madam said anxiously.

“What if he's Young Master Ming?”

Li Yue gently inserted a hairpin.

Courtesans and singers were not without status, especially courtesan queens like Li Yue. Their talents were no less than those of some wealthy young ladies; they had to be proficient in poetry, prose, zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

Most importantly, they understood men's hearts extremely well.

“Then I'll go back and tell him.”

The madam sighed and hurried out.

Li Yue smiled faintly, touched her hairpin, then tidied herself up a bit more before preparing to step out of the boat.

At this moment, a strong wind suddenly arose from somewhere, causing all the pleasure boats on the Yuzhou River to sway.

“What's going on?”

“Why is this boat shaking?”

Everyone on the pleasure boat was very curious, one by one sticking their heads out to look at the lake.

Young Master Ming, Ming Fei, also walked onto the deck, his heart filled with doubt and uncertainty. What exactly had happened?

“Look, in the sky!” someone suddenly shouted.

Everyone followed the pointing finger and looked up, and Ming Fei was no exception.

At the same time, Li Yue also lifted the curtain, and the moment she did so,

That bright light reached its most brilliant form.

It pierced the sky, tearing a hole in the entire night, which stretched wider and wider.

The sky, it brightened!