Chapter 173: The Demon Cult Leader of Yuzhou City (10,000 words updated, please subscribe)

Chapter 173: Demonic Cult Leader in Yu Prefecture City (Ten Thousand Word Update, Please Subscribe)

“In the Great Yan Jianghu, those who are highly skilled and act stealthily are mostly Demonic Cult experts.”

An Jing stood quietly in the distance, peering through the crack, and thought to himself, “Of course, I am not one of them; I just have unavoidable reasons.”

His stealthy actions were different from others; they were all due to unavoidable circumstances.

Under the pressure of the Black Robe Guard and the Zhenyi Sect, the Demonic Cult had virtually no living conditions in Great Yan; they could only hide and live like rats scurrying across the street.

Thinking that his wife was also in such a situation, An Jing felt a faint pain in his heart.

He must take his wife out of the demonic sea as soon as possible.

An Jing clenched his fists, secretly making up his mind.

Inside the room, voices continuously reached his ears.

At this moment, footsteps came from outside, and two people slowly walked in.

An Jing recognized these two: one was Luo Zixiang from the Demonic Cult, and the other was Mo Yan from the Tianji Pavilion.

“Chief Lin.”

Luo Zixiang cupped his fists towards the man in the bamboo hat.

In the Demonic Cult, only the Four Great Chiefs could be called Chief, and among them, there was only one person named Lin, so his identity was naturally obvious.

Azure Dragon Seat Leader, Lin Tianhai.

“So it’s the Chief of the Azure Dragon Seat.”

An Jing raised an eyebrow, looking at the man in the bamboo hat.

The Four Seats of the Demonic Cult were also well-known in the Jianghu, their reputation slightly lower than the Three Sects.

However, they held extremely heavy weight within the Demonic Cult, with each Seat being a pillar of the Demonic Cult and having clear divisions of labor. The Vermilion Bird Seat was in charge of commerce, trade, finances, and resources; it could be said that the economic lifeline of the Demonic Cult was in the hands of the Vermilion Bird Seat.

The White Tiger Seat was in charge of killing, and it contained the Demonic Cult's top assassins, specializing in assassinating Jianghu experts and wealthy merchants who opposed the Demonic Cult, and sometimes even assassinating Imperial Court officials.

Therefore, the White Tiger Seat had the greatest reputation and was also the most terrifying existence.

The Black Tortoise Seat had the smallest reputation. The rebel army formed by Great Yan back then was the work of the Chief of the Black Tortoise Seat. Hundreds of thousands of rebels were aggressive and powerful, but they were disintegrated by the Marquis of Pingyang's Pingyang Guard in no time. Nearly half of the hundreds of thousands of troops surrendered, and the Chief of the Black Tortoise Seat was even beheaded, making the Demonic Cult's Black Tortoise Seat a great laughingstock of the world.

The Azure Dragon Seat of the Four Seats of the Demonic Cult was responsible for law enforcement and also served as the Demonic Cult's guards, with the duty of protecting the Demonic Cult Leader's safety. The Chief of the Azure Dragon Seat was even the Demonic Cult Leader's personal bodyguard.

However, ever since Zhao Qingmei took office, this position had been concurrently managed by Yu Qiurong, the Chief of the Vermilion Bird Seat.

Although Lin Tianhai and Li Fuzhou were both Half-Step Grandmaster experts, Li Fuzhou's name far surpassed Lin Tianhai's.

Firstly, Li Fuzhou was a Disciple of Lu Guoyong who defected to the Demonic Cult. Secondly, Li Fuzhou's style of doing things made him hated, and he had enemies all over Great Yan.

However, Lin Tianhai was also a highly renowned expert. He had joined the Demonic Cult even earlier than Li Fuzhou, and he used to guard Jiang Shang, never leaving his side, earning him the title of Jiang Shang's shadow.

“Old Man Lou seemed to have said that Jiang Shang, who had been missing for a long time, seemed to have returned to the Demonic Cult.”

An Jing frowned and muttered to himself, “Jiang Shang.”

During this period, An Jing had also been continuously collecting intelligence on the Demonic Cult, but he had no channels for information, mostly relying on hearsay or secret messages told to him by Lou Xiangzhen.

As the Sect Leader of the Ghost Valley Sect, although he lived in seclusion in the Jianghu, he still had some intelligence channels.

The Chief of the Azure Dragon Seat has appeared, could Jiang Shang be within this Four Symbols Gate?

An Jing immediately became somewhat surprised and uncertain. Then, his eyes carefully scanned Lin Tianhai's body.

He immediately noticed something extraordinary.

Grandmaster Realm!?

Lin Tianhai seemed to have just broken through his shackles not long ago; although the Qi mechanism within him was extremely restrained, a hint of outward-flowing Qi could still be felt from it.

Mo Yan also sat beside the sword-carrying man, “Great Enshriner, there is no abnormality around Zhao Chongyin.”

“Good.”

Xiao Ruoyun (Chapter 146) nodded, looked at Jia Shiwu, and couldn't help but smile, saying, “Now that so many experts are gathered here, and the Grandmaster expert beside Zhao Chongyin is in Yu Prefecture City, how can he break through this Heavenly Net?”

Mo Yan and Luo Zixiang, as well as the two Elders of the Four Symbols Gate, were all Earth Flower Realm experts. Xiao Ruoyun was a Fifth Realm swordsman of the Heaven Flower Realm, a group of swordsmen experts in the Great Yan Jianghu second only to the current Six Great Sword Immortals. Jia Shiwu himself was a Half-Step Grandmaster, an unparalleled existence when Grandmasters did not appear. Furthermore, there was a Grandmaster giant like Lin Tianhai.

With so many experts gathered together, in today's Jianghu, apart from the Zhenyi Sect, Yuheng Sword Sect, and Five Venoms Sect, all others could be easily destroyed.

Lin Tianhai nodded slightly and said, “Once Zhao Chongyin dies, which prince in the Imperial Court can contend with the Second Prince? By then, the Second Prince will be the irresistible trend, the will of the people, and the world of Great Yan will change.”

Although Lin Tianhai said this, he sneered in his heart. His purpose in coming here was ostensibly to help Zhao Mengtai, but secretly it was to stir up chaos in the Great Yan Jianghu and the Imperial Court.

As long as Great Yan was in chaos, the Demonic Cult could take advantage of the void. Now, Great Yan still lacked a spark, and Zhao Chongyin's death would be the raging flame.

Everyone else nodded. The reason why the current Imperial Court was chaotic was the open struggle between the Second Prince and the Crown Prince. If the Crown Prince died, then with the Second Prince's thunderous methods, he could instantly gather all the forces in the Imperial Court.

“Good, success or failure depends on this one move.”

Jia Shiwu's expression was firm, and he said solemnly, “Since you won't give my Four Symbols Gate a way to live, then I, Jia, can only carve out a path to survival with my own hands.”

“Tomorrow's matter, only success is allowed, no mistakes whatsoever.”

“Zhao Chongyin will not be able to escape tomorrow. Let's discuss some of the details.”

“Bai Jing, who is beside the Crown Prince, should be at the Heaven Flower Realm. Besides her, there are a few Great Tiangang, whose cultivation should be between First Rank and Earth Flower Realm, not worth worrying about.”

An Jing's brows furrowed as he listened to the conversation.

Tomorrow's private banquet hosted by Jia Shiwu was actually an ambush, all to kill Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin.

The Tianji Pavilion and the Demonic Cult had set up a Heavenly Net within the Four Symbols Gate. Once the Crown Prince was killed, it would surely cause a shock in both the Imperial Court and the Jianghu.

“It's impossible to succeed.”

An Jing suddenly thought of the old man behind Zhao Chongyin and shook his head.

That old man's strength was unfathomable, far from what a Grandmaster expert who had just entered the Realm like Lin Tianhai could compare to.

An Jing's expression suddenly became somewhat strange: “Could it be that my intervention in Yu Prefecture City back then made them mistakenly believe that the Grandmaster beside the Crown Prince was with Liu Qingshan, which is why they set up this assassination?”

Once in Yu Prefecture City, in order to get the Crown Prince to remove his red name from the Black Robe Guard, he had acted to scare away Mo Yan and Luo Zixiang. At that time, because he had refined the Perfection Golden Bone, he possessed a faint Grandmaster Aura.

He never expected it to cause a chain reaction, leading them to believe that the Grandmaster expert beside the Crown Prince was still in Yu Prefecture City, and thus they set up today's Heavenly Net.

“Tomorrow's private banquet will be very interesting.”

An Jing then thought of Zhao Chongyin's words that day, and upon closer thought, these words seemed to hold a deeper meaning. “Forget it, this matter is not related to me. It's more important to find that blue Opportunity first.”

“Whoosh whoosh!”

A blur flashed past and disappeared above the pavilion.

After about half an incense stick of time, An Jing arrived at the highest point of the Four Symbols Gate, the Four Symbols Hall, under the moonlight.

The Four Symbols Gate had once been glorious. The main hall was built with carved beams and painted pillars, resplendent and magnificent, not inferior to the Five Venoms Sect, and even seemed to have deeper foundations.

The night was deep now, and all around was quiet, with no one in sight.

An Jing leaped, landing inside the main hall, and slowly walked forward.

The blue light from the Earth Book grew brighter and brighter, shining brilliantly.

After walking several hundred steps, a wall appeared in front. The wall was surrounded by railings, seemingly to prevent people from approaching further.

“Mechanism?”

An Jing saw the railings at a glance, his brow slightly raised.

He had obtained the Mohist's mechanism techniques. Although he hadn't mastered the essence of mechanisms, he had memorized all sorts of mechanisms in his mind. At this moment, he recognized the mechanism in front of him with a single glance.

The railings looked ordinary, but if he got close, it would likely trigger the surrounding mechanisms and hidden arrows.

Triggering the mechanism was a small matter, but attracting many experts would be a big problem. By then, he might not be able to escape.

An Jing took a deep breath, carefully observing the railings in front and the surrounding walls.

The light on the Earth Book kept flickering, indicating that the sword inscription should be right in front of him.

“The wall seems a bit strange?”

Suddenly, An Jing noticed that the wall in front was unusual.

Vaguely, a trace of Sword Intent drifted out.

If it weren't for a top-tier swordsman, one wouldn't be able to perceive that faint Sword Intent at all.

An Jing's Aura was restrained to the extreme. He executed the Soaring Nine Heavens Movement Technique, his body as agile as a swallow, not touching any wood or earth around him. Then, he joined his index and middle fingers.

“Chh!”

A sword light emerged from his fingertips, sharp and chilling. A chill ran through his heart as the vast sword light shot onto the wall.

“Crack! Crack! Crack!”

As the sword light swept across, a dense, spiderweb-like crack appeared on the wall, from which several sharp Sword Intents emerged.

“Crack, crack, crack, crack!”

After about a few breaths, the entire outer layer of the wall fell off, revealing a series of powerful and elegant calligraphic strokes, like iron paintings and silver hooks, or a phoenix dancing in the wind.

An Jing couldn't help but exclaim, “Flowing smoothly like water, with strokes like clouds and smoke, is this the sword inscription?”

The Four Symbols Sword Ancestor was known as a master of both sword and finger techniques, a Sixth Realm swordsman. His sword inscription would certainly be extraordinary; he never expected it to be directly carved onto the wall.

Moreover, the experts of the Four Symbols Gate used a layer of 'skin' to completely seal the Sword Intent, allowing it to be preserved for a long time.

“Still, I should hurry and comprehend it.”

An Jing's gaze was like lightning as he looked at the sword inscription on the wall.

“The saber is like a tiger descending a mountain, the sword like a dragon overturning the sea. Swordsmanship should be like flowing clouds and water, seamlessly connected, with strength continuous even if the form breaks, and intent connected even if the momentum breaks, like a silkworm spitting silk, endlessly. Softness conceals hardness, with internal emptiness and fullness, movement and stillness, opening and closing, bending and extending, seemingly opposing yet unified, and mutually transforming.”

A swordsman's Sword Intent contains his understanding of the Dao of the Sword, so everyone's Sword Intent is not entirely the same.

If the Dao of the Sword is a great river that flows forward, then a swordsman's Sword Intent is a branch that draws from the main river. Every drop of water in the branch comes from this great river and cannot be separated from it.

Some swordsmen learn many sword techniques, integrate them, and finally create their own suitable sword techniques, but some swordsmen get lost in them, failing to grasp their essence.

Therefore, the Sword Intent is too vast and profound, and the more it tends towards a complete Dao of the Sword, the more it can also lead to sinking and getting lost in it, unable to extricate oneself.

An Jing immersed himself completely, integrating all of the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor's insights into himself, solidifying his own Sword Intent.

His mind was like still water, and his entire being instantly became incredibly calm.

Others couldn't feel it, but An Jing himself knew that his Sword Intent was continuously improving.

These were the insights and experiences of the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor, a Sixth Realm swordsman, which was a priceless treasure for a swordsman.

Time flowed like water. After about an hour, An Jing gradually woke up, looking at the Sword Intent on the wall with emotion, “What a pity. If I could look at this sword inscription a few more times, my gains might be even greater.”

Although he had only looked at it for an hour, An Jing felt that he had gained a lot.

Moreover, such a sword inscription could be repeatedly observed and pondered.

However, the sword inscription left by the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor was the supreme treasure of the Four Symbols Gate. Each viewing would cause some of the Sword Intent within to dissipate, so it was naturally impossible for people to view it easily.

“Hmm?”

Just as An Jing was about to leave, he found that the Earth Book was still emitting blue light.

In the past, as long as he obtained an Opportunity, the prompt would disappear, but this time, the prompt in the Earth Book did not dissipate.

This meant that the blue Opportunity was still there, and he hadn't taken it away at all.

Moreover, as long as An Jing approached the wall, the blue light would become even brighter.

An Jing carefully looked at the character traces, secretly pondering in his heart. Was there something he hadn't discovered yet?

He looked at the wall for a long time but didn't find any abnormalities.

“Hmm? That 'sword' character is a bit strange.”

Suddenly, An Jing's eyes caught sight of a 'sword' character on the sword inscription that seemed a bit strange. The Sword Intent was sometimes visible, sometimes hidden; if one didn't look closely, they wouldn't notice it at all.

“Something's fishy.”

An Jing pointed his finger.

“Chh!”

A cold sword light emerged from that 'sword' character, surging forth.

“If your true body were here, I might still be wary.”

An Jing pointed his finger, directly breaking that sword light.

“Crack, crack, crack, crack, crack!”

The moment the sword light was broken, a fist-sized stone door appeared behind the character, and it was a white scroll.

An Jing leaped, grabbed the scroll, and upon closer inspection, his heart trembled.

“Spacious and grand, treading in all directions, walking the Nine Palaces and Four Symbols, moving like a swimming dragon, continuously, body and weapon moving in unison, like a white snake spitting venom, an Azure Dragon extending its claw, reaching a state of Perfection.”

“Like wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, twisting, swirling, rolling, a complete circle. The sword follows the body, the body carries the sword, floating like a clear cloud.”

The characters were vigorous and powerful, each stroke seemingly containing profound Sword Intent.

If the wall contained the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor's insights, then this was a profound and mysterious Sword Secret.

“Is this the Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Secret?”

An Jing frowned, then his thoughts landed on the Earth Book.

Cultivation: Half-Step Grandmaster

Fate: Auspicious Stars Shining (Rising)

Root Bone: Once in a Century

Martial Arts: Sword Drawing Technique, Sword Hiding Technique, Sword Control Technique, Nine Character Sword Secret, Soaring Nine Heavens Movement Technique, Great Luo Heart Method, Aura Concealment Technique, Hundred Steps Flying Sword (Ninth Layer), Ghost Valley Heart Sutra (Second Profound), Nine Yang Divine Finger (Eighth Layer), Brahma Heart Sees Me, Great Sun Tathagata Mantra, Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Secret (Third Layer).

Hint One: Host's fate has not yet taken root (three months remaining). Do not let others know the host's identity when performing martial arts, otherwise, a black Opportunity will be obtained.

“It truly is the Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Secret, and this scroll contains the Sword Intent left by the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor. It might even be able to activate a remnant Sword Intent left by the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor, which should be on par with a full-power strike from a Grandmaster expert.”

An Jing's eyes lit up when he saw this.

He thought that the experts of the Four Symbols Gate believed that the one on the wall was the sword inscription left by the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor, but that was not the case. There was a hidden mystery within, and the true secret left by the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor was within this mechanism.

It was just a pity that in the past two or three hundred years, there had not been many swordsmen experts in the Four Symbols Gate, so very few people had noticed this detail.

If it weren't for the Earth Book, An Jing would most likely not have discovered this sword inscription either.

“Let's go first.”

An Jing put away the sword inscription and disappeared from the main hall in the blink of an eye.

Not long after An Jing disappeared, a figure rushed into the main hall.

This person was Jia Shiwu, the Sect Leader of the Four Symbols Gate.

“Hmm? Someone else has come to my Four Symbols Gate?”

He scanned with his eyes, then his face suddenly changed drastically, “An expert has arrived.”

In the past, many swordsmen had secretly come to the Four Symbols Gate. Some swordsmen were discovered before they even entered the Four Symbols Hall, while others wandered around the Four Symbols Hall for a couple of rounds, found nothing, and left on their own.

Rarely did swordsmen linger in the Four Symbols Hall, or even break through the sword layer to comprehend the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor's sword inscription.

Firstly, swordsmen of such cultivation would usually save face, either visiting openly to comprehend or simply not coming to secretly learn.

“Who exactly is this shameless swordsman?”

Jia Shiwu frowned, thinking to himself.

The next day.

A soft mist rose above Four Symbols Mountain, painting the peaks a gentle milky white. The hazy, white mist rendered everything indistinct and dreamlike, as a faint, warm, and pleasant sunlight streamed down.

Four Symbols Gate, guest room.

An Jing was sitting cross-legged on the bed, recuperating from his injuries, when he suddenly heard footsteps outside the door.

“Thump, thump!”

“Is Brother Han awake?”

A deep, resonant voice sounded from outside the door.

“Cough, cough, cough, come in.”

An Jing lay on the bed, speaking weakly.

“Creak—!”

As the door opened, a rugged-looking young man slowly walked in.

This person was Yang Chong.

An Jing glanced at the young man, who was only a Fourth Rank cultivator, not even considered top-tier among the younger generation, let alone in the vast Jianghu.

From his expression, he seemed to have some dissatisfaction with An Jing.

Yang Chong frowned tightly and asked, “Brother Han, my Junior Sister told me you woke up yesterday. How are you feeling now?”

An Jing struggled to sit up and said, “Much better. Thanks to Miss Jia and Your Excellency. May I know Your Excellency’s esteemed name? Han will repay this kindness, even if it means tying grass to a ring.”

“Your injuries are severe, you should lie down quickly.”

Yang Chong quickly pressed An Jing’s shoulder, then his face flushed slightly as he said, “My name is Yang Chong. It was my Junior Sister who saved you and brought you back.”

An Jing said earnestly, “No, you are both my saviors. A drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring, let alone the kindness of saving a life? If it weren’t for the two of you, I might have already become a corpse—no, perhaps not even a corpse would be left. So, I, Han, must repay this kindness.”

Hearing An Jing speak with such solemnity and deep emotion, his eyes brimming with tears, Yang Chong couldn't help but feel a touch of shame and self-reproach.

Brother Han is awake, and not only am I not happy for him, I even suspect his identity.

Our Junior Martial Uncle has always taught us that a great hero serves the country and its people, and should have a broad mind, encompassing heaven and earth.

I am truly unworthy of being a child of the Jianghu. My Junior Sister saved someone, and I actually doubted their identity. This is truly inappropriate.

Yang Chong awkwardly rubbed his head and said shyly, “Actually, I didn’t do much. I just helped you bathe and wipe your body.”

An Jing’s face instantly darkened, and he said in a low voice, “We saw each other naked?”

He had originally thought it was Jia Meixian who had changed his clothes and wiped his body, which he could accept. But a big, burly man? Books don’t write it that way.

“Yes.”

Yang Chong nodded, and then pinched An Jing’s arm, saying, “Brother Han’s body is very strong, like a martial artist. From your appearance, I thought you were a stinky scholar.”

An Jing: “…”

Yang Chong thought of something and said, “Oh, right, Brother Han, let me take your pulse. My medical skills are top-notch within the Four Symbols Gate.”

As he spoke, he grabbed An Jing’s arm and began to take his pulse.

An Jing muttered to himself, “My medical skills are also top-notch.”

Of course, he couldn't speak his mind, so he could only respond with a grateful expression.

“Alas.”

Before long, Yang Chong’s brows furrowed tightly. “Your Qi is still a bit chaotic, and your body is somewhat weak. It looks like you’ll need to recuperate for at least a while longer.”

“Oh, right, Brother Han, I heard you encountered mountain bandits, which is why you ended up in this state?”

An Jing sighed, lamenting, “Yes, I came from Donglin Province, originally to find my wife. I didn't expect to encounter mountain bandits on the way. They threatened me…”

“Threatened you?”

Yang Chong’s eyes widened as he stared at An Jing in astonishment.

He had a delicate appearance, with a hint of heroism in his brows, naturally very handsome.

He couldn't help but recall what a few Elders had said a few days ago: some wealthy young masters had homosexual tendencies and particularly liked fair-skinned young men, playing with them every night, and some even lost their lives due to their weakened bodies.

An Jing lowered his head, on the verge of tears, and said, “Yes, they made me hand over silver…”

His expression was truly heartbreaking, moving listeners to tears. His acting was superb; Ji Shi Clinic owed him a golden Oscar.

Yang Chong quickly interrupted An Jing, gritting his teeth and saying, “I understand, Brother Han, you don't need to say more. When I encounter these mountain bandits, I will certainly not let them off easily. I will make them understand the law and heavenly justice.”

These mountain bandits are utterly heinous, so depraved and lawless.

The more Yang Chong thought about it, the angrier he became, especially seeing An Jing’s ‘pitiful’ appearance. He couldn't help but ask with concern, “Brother Han, was it very painful?”

An Jing looked at the simple-minded Yang Chong in front of him, somewhat confused, and said, “It’s alright, mostly just superficial wounds.”

Superficial wounds!?

Seeing An Jing’s ‘numb’ expression, Yang Chong felt even more heartbroken.

This Brother Han suffered such ‘inhumane torture,’ and I actually suspected him. I’m not even a human being!

Such a blow, inflicted on anyone, would be an unimaginable trauma. If it were him, he might have gone mad long ago.

The more Yang Chong thought about it, the more sympathetic he became, while guilt and self-reproach filled his heart.

“Brother Han, don’t worry.”

Yang Chong suddenly stood up and declared to An Jing with certainty, “As long as I am in the Four Symbols Gate for one day, I will definitely take good care of you and absolutely not let you suffer any grievances.”

An Jing was stunned for a moment. “I appreciate your kindness, but I’m leaving tonight.”

“The porridge is here.”

Just then, Jia Meixian’s clear voice sounded from outside the door.

Jia Meixian walked in, smiling, holding a bowl of white porridge. “Yesterday’s porridge was leftovers, but today’s is freshly cooked. Young Hero Han, please try it quickly.”

An Jing smelled the aroma, his heart filled with joy, and he quickly said, “Good, I just happen to be a bit…”

“Junior Sister.”

Unexpectedly, the fragrant white porridge was snatched away by Yang Chong, who looked at Jia Meixian with a pained expression: “Brother Han has suffered such torment and is very weak. This is the time he needs great nourishment. Why did you only make some white porridge?”

Jia Meixian was stunned for a moment before saying, “Young Hero Han’s injuries have just healed…”

“Go!”

Yang Chong took a deep breath and said, “Bring me the hundred-year-old ginseng I received last month.”

“Hundred-year-old ginseng!?”

An Jing’s eyes moved. As a pharmacy owner, he naturally knew very well.

This was a good item, worth at least several tens of taels of silver, even a hundred taels, and often hard to find even with money.

Jia Meixian cautiously asked, “Senior Brother, didn’t you say that ginseng was for making medicinal wine for my grandfather?”

Yang Chong said in a deep voice, “If I tell you to get it, then go get it.”

Seeing Yang Chong’s expression, Jia Meixian quickly walked away.

An Jing blinked, thinking to himself, “This brother is reliable.”

The sun set in the west, the sea of clouds was vast, and the ancient path stretched endlessly.

In a grand hall of the Four Symbols Gate, singing and dancing filled the air, making it extraordinarily lively.

Jia Shiwu, dressed in blue, sat at the head of the table. Beside him was Zhao Chongyin, smiling. Behind him, besides Bai Jing, were two Great Tiangang of the Black Robe Guard.

In the world, only a handful of people could have Great Tiangang standing as their personal guards.

Besides them, two First Rank masters from the Four Symbols Gate sat at the lower end of the table, with no one else present.

This was a private banquet hosted by Jia Shiwu of the Four Symbols Gate for Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin. Even the people of the Four Symbols Gate did not know that the Crown Prince had arrived at the Four Symbols Gate today.

Jia Shiwu raised his wine cup and smiled, “It is a supreme honor for Your Highness the Crown Prince to grace our Four Symbols Gate today.”

“Sect Leader Jia is too polite.”

Zhao Chongyin’s smile remained undiminished. “To be able to ascend this Four Symbols Mountain, a place of rich natural resources, is it not a blessing?”

Jia Shiwu nodded, then raised his wine cup and sighed, “Indeed, it is a place of rich natural resources, but alas, our Four Symbols Gate has been declining for nearly a century. We have truly tarnished the prestige of our Old Ancestor. This old man is ashamed.”

When the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor was alive, the Four Symbols Gate was a renowned School in the world. Now, only three hundred years have passed, and the Four Symbols Gate has already shown visible signs of decline.

Among the current Seven Great Schools, it could only rank last, almost falling out of the top seven.

According to the current trend, it would probably not be long before the name “Four Symbols Gate” disappeared from the Seven Great Schools.

The two First Rank masters of the Four Symbols Gate below also looked dispirited, sighing repeatedly.

“What goes up must come down, and what flourishes must eventually decline. This is a natural law,” Zhao Chongyin said calmly.

A glint appeared in Jia Shiwu’s eyes as he said, “Then, does Your Highness the Crown Prince believe that our Four Symbols Gate still has a chance to rise again?”

“Whether it can rise again does not depend on me.”

Zhao Chongyin swirled the wine cup in his hand, maintaining that calm smile on his face, which made people trust him greatly.

“Then on whom?”

“On you.”

“Yes, on me.”

Jia Shiwu smiled, then said, “Your Highness, I have a great gift I wish to present to you.”

“What great gift?”

Zhao Chongyin asked with a smile.

“Clap, clap!”

Jia Shiwu clapped his hands, and as the sound echoed…

“Whoosh!”

Suddenly, a cold light surged forth, rushing towards Zhao Chongyin.

“Hiss!”

Zhao Chongyin’s expression was unperturbed, as if he hadn't even seen the cold light. Just as the sword light was about to reach his neck, a hand directly caught it.

“Presumptuous!”

It was Bai Jing who made the move. Her face was now as cold as ice as she looked forward.

Ahead, four figures appeared: Lin Tianhai, Luo Zixiang, Xiao Ruoyun, and Mo Yan.

All four had cold expressions and murderous intent in their eyes.

Jia Shiwu smiled and said, “Your Highness, how is this great gift?”

The two Great Tiangang behind Bai Jing tensed up, staring intently at the four figures in front. One of them even broke out in a cold sweat. “Your Highness, they are all masters.”

Zhao Chongyin’s expression, however, remained calm. He asked with a smile, “These four people are very unfamiliar. Who are they?”

Jia Shiwu announced, “The Demonic Cult’s Azure Dragon Seat Leader Lin Tianhai, the Demonic Cult’s Earth Sect Master Luo Zixiang, and also Tianji Pavilion’s Great Enshrined Xiao Ruoyun, and Third Enshrined Mo Yan.”

Hearing this, Zhao Chongyin couldn't help but chuckle. “Good, very good. Tianji Pavilion is actually colluding with the Demonic Cult. That’s truly very good.”

Everyone present knew who was behind Tianji Pavilion.

It was none other than the Second Prince, Zhao Mengtai.

The two Great Tiangang were naturally very aware, but they never expected that Zhao Mengtai would actually be colluding with the Demonic Cult.

“Your Highness, I am truly sorry.”

Lin Tianhai smiled faintly.

Bai Jing’s cultivation was only at the Earth Flower Realm, and the two Great Tiangang guarding her were only First Rank Earth Flower Realm. To capture Zhao Chongyin today would be as easy as turning over one’s hand.

“Is that so?”

Zhao Chongyin raised his wine cup, then drained the wine, “Sect Leader Jia, you’ve done very well. I am very satisfied.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Hearing this, Jia Shiwu quickly bowed and said, “If Your Highness needs it, I can even personally strike down one or two traitors for Your Highness.”

Xiao Ruoyun frowned. “Sect Leader Jia, what are you doing?”

“Hahahahaha.”

Hearing this, Jia Shiwu couldn't help but burst into laughter. Then, his smile vanished, and he said coldly, “You wouldn’t truly believe that this old man would conspire with you to rebel, would you?”

Gasp!

As Jia Shiwu’s words fell, Lin Tianhai and the other three all changed color, their eyes filled with disbelief.

“Jia Shiwu!”

Lin Tianhai felt a chill in his heart, a cold sensation rising to his mind.

If this was a plot today, then the Crown Prince must have been prepared long ago. Now, the surroundings should be filled with the Crown Prince’s hidden men.

Mo Yan said with a gloomy face, “You said you were giving Zhao Chongyin a great gift. Could it be our heads?”

“Exactly.”

Jia Shiwu nodded.

“Jia Shiwu, are you truly not afraid?”

Luo Zixiang gritted his teeth and said, “You’re not afraid of Tianji Pavilion, but are you not afraid of the Demonic Cult’s retaliation?”

Jia Shiwu did not speak, but looked at Zhao Chongyin and said, “Your Highness, do you want them alive or dead?”

Zhao Chongyin looked at the four people below without speaking.

Although he didn’t utter a single word at this moment, in the eyes of the four, it seemed as if he had spoken a thousand words.

“Whoosh!”

Lin Tianhai flashed, instantly appearing before Zhao Chongyin.

“Hiss!”

The next moment, a cold light descended from the sky, directly blocking Lin Tianhai’s path.

Dragon Phoenix Dual Rings!?

Lin Tianhai frowned and shifted his foot to the side, but the cold blade attacked again. Left with no choice, he could only strike out with a palm.

Bang!

Although he was a newly advanced Grandmaster, a Grandmaster was a Grandmaster after all.

With one exchange, the Dragon Phoenix Dual Rings retreated several steps.

“Xi Yuanjun!?”

Luo Zixiang looked at the person who appeared, his face already extremely grim.

No one in the Demonic Cult would fail to recognize this Deputy Commander of the Black Robe Guard. Years ago, he had pursued Li Fuzhou, almost putting him to death. If Lin Tianhai hadn’t intervened at the time, Li Fuzhou would have long ceased to exist.

Xi Yuanjun looked at Lin Tianhai and said calmly, “Lin Tianhai, we meet again.”

“Indeed, we meet again.”

Lin Tianhai narrowed his eyes, looking at the fluctuating Qi on his palm.

It is said that enemies meeting again are particularly enraged. The world only knew that Li Fuzhou almost died at Xi Yuanjun’s hands back then, but they didn’t know that when Lin Tianhai intervened to assist Li Fuzhou, the two almost counter-killed Xi Yuanjun.

“Brother Xi, it’s been a long time since the two of us joined forces.”

Jia Shiwu extended his hand, and a light blue longsword appeared in his palm.

The Four Symbols Sword, the famous weapon of the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor.

Xi Yuanjun brandished the Dragon Phoenix Dual Rings in his hand, a cold glint in his eyes. “I’ve long wanted to see the strength of a Grandmaster.”

“I’ll hold back the two of them. You go and kill Zhao Chongyin.”

Facing the combined force of two of the world’s top masters, Lin Tianhai remained calm, a green long spear appearing in his hand, its tip emanating a sharp, cold Qi.

The two’s cultivation was at the Half-Step Grandmaster Realm, but his own cultivation had already reached the Grandmaster Realm, so he naturally had nothing to fear.

Swords and rings clashed, and several cold lights struck first. Lin Tianhai’s eyes lit up, and he directly met the attack.

Lights flickered, figures intertwined, and the three engaged in an extremely fierce melee.

Originally, his strength was on par with Xi Yuanjun, but now that he had broken through his shackles and reached the Grandmaster Realm, facing the combined efforts of Jia Shiwu and Xi Yuanjun, he appeared to be at ease and very relaxed.

“Kill!”

Xiao Ruoyun’s sword vibrated, and he charged towards Bai Jing.

Their cultivations were similar, both at the Earth Flower Realm.

Xiao Ruoyun was known in the Jianghu for his fast sword, nicknamed ‘Chasing Wind Sword,’ and was a renowned sword master in the current Jianghu. Several First Rank masters had died by his hand.

Bai Jing, on the other hand, had no great reputation. If she weren’t the Crown Prince’s personal attendant, Xiao Ruoyun probably wouldn’t have even heard her name.

Xiao Ruoyun was famous for his fast sword, often subduing enemies in just a few moves, but when facing Bai Jing, he appeared somewhat constrained. Every time he was about to thrust his sword into a vital point, she would evade it.

On the other side, Mo Yan and Luo Zixiang were also fiercely fighting the two Great Tiangang.

The entire banquet instantly turned into a chaotic battle.

Zhao Chongyin sat in his seat, his expression leisurely, calmly drinking the wine in his cup, like a spectator enjoying a play on stage.

“Do you want me to make a move?”

At this moment, Old Su appeared silently behind Zhao Chongyin.

“No need.”

Zhao Chongyin shook his head.

The old man in front of him was one of his trump cards. How could he reveal everything just because of Zhao Mengtai’s probing attempt?

Old Su pouted and said nothing more.

Lin Tianhai suppressed the two Half-Step Grandmasters, but it was difficult to determine a winner in a short time. His peripheral vision, however, caught sight of the ongoing battles around them.

It was Xiao Ruoyun who first showed signs of defeat. At this moment, he was in precarious situations under Bai Jing's hands. One careless move, and he might be killed by those hands that could catch sword light.

“Not good, Zhao Chongyin must have made some preparations today.”

Thinking of this, Lin Tianhai pushed his palm, and True Qi surged like a tide, directly forcing back Xi Yuanjun and Jia Shiwu.

He leaped, flying away into the distance.

The two of them, one holding a sword and the other holding the Dragon Phoenix Dual Rings, chased after him.

“Hurry up and go!”

As Lin Tianhai left, he struck a palm towards the Great Tiangang, relieving Luo Zixiang's predicament.

Luo Zixiang also reacted, gritting his teeth and quickly following.

“Damn it!”

Xiao Ruoyun saw the two Demonic Cult members fleeing, and his eyes instantly filled with bloodshot veins.

“Great Enshrinement, let's go too.” Mo Yan was flustered and struggling against the Great Tiangang's long saber.

Originally, his strength was slightly superior to the Great Tiangang's, but his state of mind was already in chaos, so he was no match and appeared very disheveled for a time.

“You can't leave.”

Bai Jing sneered and slammed a palm forward.

Boom!

This palm could shatter gold and stone! Overturn mountains and seas!

“Clang!”

Xiao Ruoyun's pupils widened, muttering 'not good', and quickly held his long sword horizontally in front of his chest.

But that palm directly pierced through Xiao Ruoyun's long sword and chest.

“Gurgle—-!”

Xiao Ruoyun's body stiffened, then he slowly lowered his head, only to see a plain white palm directly penetrating his body.

“I…”

“Thump!”

Before Xiao Ruoyun could finish his sentence, his body fell heavily to the ground.

Mo Yan was full of horror, and a chill rushed from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

They were both in the Earth Flower Realm, but the Bai Jing in front of him was so powerful?!

Hurry up and go!

This was all Mo Yan's thoughts. Just as he was about to leave, a cold shout sounded in his ear.

“It's too late to leave now.”

Bai Jing sneered and slapped Mo Yan's body.

“Bang!”

Mo Yan's body directly disintegrated, turning into a cloud of blood mist.

The blood spattered directly onto the two Great Tiangangs.

“Your Highness, the two from Tianji Pavilion are dead.”

Bai Jing said as if she had done a trivial matter.

Zhao Chongyin said indifferently: “Tianji Pavilion conspired against the current Crown Prince, attempting rebellion, with conclusive evidence.”

Upon hearing this, the two Great Tiangangs shivered. Tianji Pavilion was likely to be removed from the Jianghu.

Killing two Tianji Pavilion Enshrinements was already enough to severely cripple Tianji Pavilion. Now, with the charge of treason, it basically amounted to declaring the demise of Tianji Pavilion.

Four Symbols Gate, side room.

“The weather is really nice, and this ginseng soup is damn delicious.”

An Jing 'borrowed' a black robe and a strange mask from the Four Symbols Gate. Looking at the beautiful sunset, he felt endless emotion.

Although his cultivation was still a bit short of his peak, he had recovered by 40-50%, much better than yesterday.

Moreover, with the lingering effects of the ginseng soup, his cultivation would recover much faster.

“Miss Mei, Brother Yang, I, Han Wenxin, will remember this kindness and will repay it in the future.”

An Jing muttered to himself, then leaped onto the eaves, preparing to leave the Four Symbols Gate.

“Hmm!?”

Just then, the sounds of fighting from afar caught An Jing's attention. “Shrinking the Ground into an Inch, Grandmaster expert?”

He saw a figure rapidly approaching from a distant pavilion, moving several zhang with a single flash of his body.

This person was Lin Tianhai, who had rushed out of the banquet.

Jia Shiwu and Xi Yuanjun, with all their Internal Energy unleashed, could only barely keep up behind him.

With Lin Tianhai's strength, he could naturally easily shake off the two, but thinking of Luo Zixiang's safety, he couldn't help but slow down.

“Hmm!?”

Just then, Lin Tianhai's eyes spotted a young girl in front.

Lin Tianhai had seen her before; she was Jia Shiwu's granddaughter, Jia Meixian.

“How about stewing some chicken soup tonight?”

At this moment, Jia Meixian was holding a bowl and chopsticks, preparing to make dinner for her 'Brother Han' as per her Senior Brother's instructions.

“Lin Tianhai, how dare you!?”

Seeing this, Jia Shiwu was anxious and shouted loudly, but it was too late.

Lin Tianhai showed no hesitation and reached out a hand towards Jia Meixian.

“Clang—-!”

Jia Meixian's face turned pale with fright upon seeing the rushing figure, and the bowl and chopsticks in her hand fell to the ground.

Fast!

Too fast!

Lin Tianhai's cultivation was that of a Grandmaster; Jia Meixian was no match for him.

“Whoosh!”

Just as his palm was about to touch Jia Meixian, a cold sword light shot out from afar.

There's another expert!?

The sword light was extremely fast, startling Lin Tianhai and sending a chill down his spine as he repeatedly retreated.

“Who!?”

Lin Tianhai followed the sword light and saw a man in black standing in the distance, wearing a ghost mask on his face, with only his bright eyes visible.

This man in black was An Jing.

Jia Shiwu and Xi Yuanjun also landed beside Jia Meixian at this moment.

Xi Yuanjun looked at the man in black and couldn't help but think: “Is this person the missing Ghost Swordsman?”

Xi Yuanjun, as the Deputy Commander of the Black Robe Guard, naturally knew the news that the Ghost Swordsman had killed Old Man Qingfeng, a Grandmaster, with Half-Step Grandmaster cultivation.

This was extremely rare in this era; even Xiao Qianqiu had never achieved it.

It wasn't that Xiao Qianqiu couldn't, but rather that no Grandmaster expert had ever made a move against him.

However, at this moment, the man in black was not holding the Town Evil Sword, so Xi Yuanjun couldn't be sure who the newcomer was.

“Ghost Swordsman!?”

Lin Tianhai heard Xi Yuanjun's murmur. He had never seen the Ghost Swordsman, only heard of his reputation, and his heart couldn't help but feel a chill.

A man's name, a tree's shadow!

A Half-Step Grandmaster killing a Grandmaster, and a One Qi Grandmaster at that, was truly terrifying.

Why would he appear here?

Why would he stop him?

Could this person have already defected to Crown Prince Zhao Chongyin?

Instantly, countless doubts arose in Lin Tianhai's mind.

Jia Meixian, on the other hand, looked at the person in front with gratitude. If not for that person's intervention, she would have already fallen into the hands of villains.

“Your cultivation is already at the Grandmaster Realm, so your status in the Demonic Cult should be very high. What is your name?”

An Jing felt the Aura emanating from Lin Tianhai and couldn't help but ask.

“This old man is Lin Tianhai, Azure Dragon Seat Leader.” Lin Tianhai said coldly.

Azure Dragon Seat Leader?!

That was a position not much different from Li Fuzhou's, so he should know some secrets of the Demonic Cult.

Thinking of this, An Jing narrowed his eyes, “Very good, you're exactly who I'm looking for.”

Xi Yuanjun and Jia Shiwu exchanged glances, both showing a hint of joy. If the Ghost Swordsman was willing to act, then Lin Tianhai would likely not escape today.

“Your Excellency, must you oppose my Demonic Cult?”

Lin Tianhai felt a sense of unease and couldn't help but frown.

“One move!” An Jing said slowly.

“What?” Lin Tianhai didn't understand what he meant.

“If you can withstand one move from me, I'll let you go.” An Jing said word by word.

Xi Yuanjun shook his head and exclaimed, “This Ghost Swordsman is crazy, he's truly crazy.”

Someone who could kill Lin Tianhai in one move certainly existed, but at the very least, they would need to be a Two-Qi Grandmaster.

Jia Shiwu frowned, looking at the Ghost Swordsman in confusion.

Lin Tianhai was stunned: “Your Excellency, you are truly confident.”

Whoosh!

An Jing stepped forward, his black robes fluttering, like a sharp arrow leaving the bowstring. His black hair flew backward, his clothes billowed, and he rapidly approached Lin Tianhai.

“Today I will see the strength of the Ghost Swordsman.”

A hint of anger appeared in Lin Tianhai's eyes. He didn't even choose to dodge, letting the oncoming strong wind ruffle his long hair and flutter his sleeves.

Only when An Jing was less than half a zhang away did Lin Tianhai move.

Two sharp lights burst forth from his eyes.

A dazzling cold light erupted from his hand. A green long spear emitted bursts of trembling sounds, like a dragon's long cry, and the air itself vibrated.

At the same time, a powerful and oppressive Aura emanated from Lin Tianhai's body.

In the air, a hint of killing intent instantly appeared.

Jia Shiwu frowned: “Can he really defeat Lin Tianhai in one move?”

Xi Yuanjun shook his head; he also wasn't sure.

When the Ghost Swordsman defeated Old Man Qingfeng, there were no other experts present, only Old Ancestor Feng of the Five Venoms Sect.

The next instant, the lightning-fast changes in the sky provided the answer.

Lin Tianhai's iron spear attacked, and the Ghost Swordsman showed no intention of dodging. He reached into his embrace, as if a scroll appeared in his palm, and then slashed forward.

It was precisely the Sword Scroll of the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor.

This move was without any technique!

It was as if an ordinary person, unskilled in swordsmanship, casually waved it!

Or as if it was merely a subconscious act, like stretching.

However, at the moment when the hearts of several experts present were about to leap into their throats, they instantly felt a terrifying illusion.

That casual move gave the two experts present an indescribable feeling.

In mid-air, Lin Tianhai's pupils suddenly constricted at that instant.

Boom!

Finally, a furious thunder erupted from that sword light.

Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Secret! Moving like thunder!

The entire Four Symbols Gate could see that furious thunder, and the surrounding clouds were scattered.

That terrifying, unyielding heavenly might made everyone look horrified, their hearts inexplicably shocked.

The furious thunder roared wildly, striking heavily forward. Lin Tianhai's True Qi tide appeared so vulnerable before the furious thunder, directly turning into dust.

Then the remaining lightning fell heavily on Lin Tianhai's body.

“Thump!”

Lin Tianhai's body fell heavily to the ground, seemingly still emitting a faint smell of charring, and he directly lost consciousness.

One move!

With just one move, Lin Tianhai, a Grandmaster, fell to the ground.

Jia Shiwu's mouth was wide open, “This, this…”

He had not never seen the Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Secret, but this 'Moving like thunder' was the eighth-level sword move, and even he only comprehended it three years ago.

How could this Ghost Swordsman use this Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Secret, and his sword light was even more condensed and several times stronger than his own.

“Tell Your Highness, I'm taking this Demonic Cult member.”

An Jing put away the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor's sword scroll, then grabbed the motionless Lin Tianhai from the ground, and with a leap, he sped off into the distance.

Xi Yuanjun, however, frowned, still recalling the terrifying lightning from earlier.

This sword was the lingering power left by the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor, so its might was naturally terrifying.

It left his heart unable to calm down for a long time.

Jia Shiwu suddenly came back to his senses and cursed, “That shameless swordsman, it was him, he stole the treasure of my Four Symbols Gate.”

But An Jing was long gone at this moment, and it was impossible to catch up to him.

Jia Meixian, who had 'invited a wolf into the house', looked innocent, her heart still full of gratitude.

Lingnan Province, Dragon Hermitage Stream.

An Jing carried Lin Tianhai's body and traveled quickly, and soon escaped the territory of the Four Symbols Gate.

“That Jia Shiwu must have recognized it.”

An Jing touched the sword scroll on his body, then sighed with emotion.

At this moment, the Sword Intent on the sword scroll gradually dissipated, and it had already turned into an unremarkable scroll, containing only the Four Symbols Sword Ancestor's insights and experiences regarding the Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Swordplay.

That move just now was naturally not performed by An Jing. Not to mention that he still had injuries, even his cultivation and his Epiphany of the Heavenly Intent Four Symbols Sword Secret would not allow him to perform that move.

“This old man is really heavy.”

An Jing muttered, then landed beside a tree, directly throwing Lin Tianhai to the ground, “Old man, wake up, I know you woke up halfway, no need to pretend with me.”

Lin Tianhai slowly opened his eyes and looked at An Jing silently, saying nothing.

He, Lin Tianhai, Azure Dragon Seat Leader, had actually become a captive today.

“I don't intend to be an enemy of your Demonic Cult.”

An Jing said indifferently: “You just need to tell me one piece of information, and I'll let you go, how about it?”

Lin Tianhai said coldly: “This old man is a man of integrity, and it's absolutely impossible for me to be a traitor. You can kill or flay me, please do as you please.”

“Integrity?”

Upon hearing this, An Jing raised his eyebrows slightly and sneered: “I like people as tough as you. I'll castrate you first, then we can talk about terms. We'll see if you can still be so tough then.”

As he spoke, he brought his two fingers together, and Sword Qi gradually condensed.

“Wait!”

Lin Tianhai heard An Jing's words and quickly said, “What was your previous sentence?”

An Jing thought for a moment and said, “You just need to tell me one piece of information, and I'll let you go.”

“Good.”

Lin Tianhai nodded.

An Jing chuckled angrily: “Where's your integrity?”

Lin Tianhai pondered for a moment, then said, “As long as it doesn't involve what I can't say, telling you is fine. But this old man can only answer one piece of information.”

“Alright.”

“But you have to swear.”

“I swear, as long as you answer one question, I will immediately let you go. If I break my oath, may I be struck by five bolts of thunder and die a terrible death.”

“Why do you swear so quickly and so skillfully?”

Lin Tianhai couldn't help but say, looking at the Ghost Swordsman in front of him.

His appearance, actions, and tone were as if he had done it many times, which made Lin Tianhai suddenly feel a little uneasy.

An Jing asked, “The oath has been made, are you going to speak or not?”

Lin Tianhai sighed and said, “Ask away.”

When a man is under the eaves, he has to bow his head.

An Jing nodded and asked directly, “What is the purpose of Li Fuzhou and the other Human Sect experts going to Yu Prefecture City?”

This question had troubled him for a long, long time.

“Just this question?”

Lin Tianhai couldn't help but be stunned when he heard An Jing's question.

Originally, he thought the Ghost Swordsman in front of him would ask some confidential information, such as how many experts were at the Demon Sealing Platform, how Jiang Shang's cultivation reached that Realm, or even the defense arrangements of Dongluo Pass and Dongluo Tower.

He didn't expect it to be such an innocuous question.

“What's wrong?”

An Jing looked at Lin Tianhai, raised an eyebrow, and said, “Can't this question be answered? Is it a secret of your Demonic Cult?”

“It's not that it can't be said.”

Lin Tianhai shook his head and said, “Li Fuzhou went to Yu Prefecture City for two purposes.”

An Jing immediately became anxious: “What purposes? Speak quickly.”

Lin Tianhai glanced at An Jing and slowly said, “The first purpose is to set up the Human Sect's hidden lines, and the other purpose is to protect the Sect Leader's safety.”

PS: Today is long and thick.