Chapter 161
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: The Essence of the Death Decree (1)
There's a saying: North Bright, South Small.
It refers to the foremost authorities on military strategy in the Central Plains—North Bright Fang Blood and South Small Zhuge Soso.
There's another saying: Martial Red, Literary South Small.
Among women, the pinnacle of martial prowess is Red Blood, while the queen of literary arts is South Small.
Four Thousand Four froze before the teacup extended by Red Blood.
He couldn't take the cup. The moment he reached out, it felt like a torrent of arrows would rain down from all sides.
"You need to show me Shadowless, right?"
"……"
"The technique that killed Dao Lead is Shadowless, isn't it? Let's see it."
"……"
"How much longer do I have to wait?"
Red Blood kept pressing.
With every word...
As Red Blood spoke, Four Thousand Four searched for an opening.
An enemy like this was unprecedented... A fierce fighting spirit welled up toward Red Blood.
Fighting spirit? If the desperate urge to shatter this immovable pressure could be called fighting spirit, then sure—but it wasn't a desire to clash. It was simply a wish to break free from Red Blood's suppression.
Yet Red Blood offered no gaps.
Words are strange things. When people speak, their qi and blood flow disrupts ever so slightly—too subtle for most to notice.
Four Thousand Four sought that exact opening.
But Red Blood revealed none. Whether speaking or silent... the suffocating pressure remained unchanged.
The only way to dispel it was to shatter Red Blood's stance first.
As long as Red Blood held firm in the current situation, he had no moves to make. He couldn't unleash Shadowless.
Four Thousand Four spoke.
"What is your next move, Lady?"
"My next move? Hoho! Who even asks that? Do you think I'll just sheath my sword at your throat and back off quietly?"
"……"
"One more thing. I have the authority to kill anyone here. No one's orders bind me. So don't pin your hopes on me hesitating to strike."
"It seems you've misunderstood my words."
"Have I? How so?"
"If I unleash Shadowless Step, you'll kill me."
"Is that right? Hohoho!"
"That's why I asked about your next move. The gap between now and then—that instant—is when I die."
Four Thousand Four lied.
He lacked confidence in Shadowless Step. Truth be told, he still didn't grasp its full potential. It had surfaced abruptly, much like the diagrams or mechanisms that flashed in his mind from time to time.
Was it the moment he dissolved the White Death Horse's garment? From then on, Shadowless Step clung to him like a second skin.
Yes, clung.
A technique he'd never trained, never learned to execute, never even knew the circulation method for—yet it unfurled naturally. What else could it be but a ghost possessing him?
By that measure... he couldn't deploy Shadowless Step now. The instant he tried, Red Blood would strike him down. Between now and her next move, the one to die would be him.
So he turned it around.
You move first. I can't budge anyway, so show me your hand. If a gap appears then, I'll try Shadowless Step. If not, so be it.
Four Thousand Four had nothing to lose. That's why he lied with such conviction, as if speaking pure truth.
"That confident, are you?"
Red Blood smiled radiantly.
"Shall I show you my next move?"
Four Thousand Four grew even more still.
Whoosh!
The pressure emanating from Red Blood intensified.
Now he couldn't even breathe. The slightest twitch of a finger would invite an immediate slash.
She's attacking!
Four Thousand Four had assumed Red Blood would pull back at the right moment.
Passing through the cave, he'd sensed someone watching. And that someone merely wanted to test his skills, not kill him.
Couldn't he just refuse this bout?
No. He'd misjudged. Red Blood was coming in. She had no intention of relenting.
I have to move! When she attempts her attack. One chance only!
Four Thousand Four widened his eyes.
In that instant, the icy flowers compressing his body melted away like a lie.
"Tension. Scattered composure. Unable to unleash Shadowless. Hohoho! Four Thousand Four, you just died there for a moment, didn't you?"
"I admit it."
Four Thousand Four conceded readily.
In his effort to catch the moment Red Blood moved, he'd tensed his eyes—and realized it in a flash. Ah! I'm dead!
As a martial artist, he felt it clearly. He'd lost.
Trying to watch Red Blood had tensed him up, creating his own tell. And in that split second, she'd virtually executed her next move.
He hadn't even managed Shadowless Step.
"Have some tea."
Red Blood said with a smile.
Step... step... step!
A figure entered the cave.
"I figured you'd show."
Red Blood said without turning.
"Hahaha! I thought only of Heavenly Commander, not you... Got caught off guard."
Nearly ninety... or perhaps just shy of a hundred. The old man chuckled.
His body held no trace of muscle. His face and hands were shriveled skin etched with deep wrinkles. His eyes were a murky gray, his hair sparse and thinning.
"You know Star Garden Lord is dead?"
Red Blood said coldly.
"Hahaha! Star Garden Lord... What did he even do besides lick Heavenly Commander's boots?"
"Little Penalty's doing the same."
"Penalty Lord at least has some spine."
"Gone senile?"
"Hahaha! Then why haven't you killed this one? The guy who slew Sword Immortal and Dao Lead. Star Garden Lord too, by your account. You could've done it anytime."
"Should I?"
"Hahaha! Just talk. Give him a pass this once."
"Whoever touches the Ten Thrones, I won't forgive—no matter who. Forgotten?"
"You say other things too, but looks like you forgot."
"……?"
"The Ten Thrones are defended by one's own power. If you can't hold your seat... someone else will."
"Did you need Star Garden Lord's spot?"
"Think so?"
Flash!
A blue radiance erupted from Red Blood's body.
Sword qi surged. Invisible glow filled the cave, gradually morphing into dense killing intent.
"Whoa! I said give him a look."
The old man shrugged.
"I want a straight answer. In Red Blood's name. What do you plan for Heavenly Annihilation Division?"
Asking in Red Blood's name meant a life-or-death judgment.
Lie, and she'd execute under her name—a declaration of intent to kill.
The old man replied without losing his smile.
"Well... It's not an organization I can just do as I please with. Heh heh! Still don't get it? Once any group grows to Heavenly Annihilation Division's scale, no single person can control it. Too many sharp minds."
The woman turned to stare at the old man.
"If even one of the Ten Thrones falls, I'll assume Old Master's hand was in it."
"That's unfair. What about North Bright?"
"North Bright doesn't touch the Ten Thrones. Only Old Master disregards them."
"Hahaha! Why cling so to the Ten Thrones? Frankly, you're not even tied to Heavenly Annihilation Division."
"You think so?"
"Strictly speaking, yes."
"And this one—next time I see him, he's dead. Fine to puppeteer him, but keep him out of my sight."
Red Blood nodded toward Four Thousand Four.
"Got it. I'll remember."
"Better not forget those words."
Swish... swish!
The woman swept her robes and strode out of the cave.
"Shadowless Step that felled Sword Immortal and Dao Lead, eh? Hahaha! Never dreamed you'd be this good. Haha!"
The old man let out hollow laughs at Four Thousand Four.
Then, a faint echo resounded from the void.
"Old Master... Will you truly walk this path?"
The voice was calm, yet laced with viscous killing intent that sent chills racing across the skin.
"Gah! What have I even done to deserve this from you and Red Blood alike?"
"Old Master."
"Scared of this kid?"
Old Master nudged Four Thousand Four with his foot.
"Old Master, that one's unfit for Severance of Affection. Thus, unqualified to inherit the Death Decree. Don't you know how ruthless Greenslayer is? I'd worry if it were your dog, Greenslayer—but this one? No concern at all."
"Is that so?"
"I hold Jaja and Fox in my hands. Care to test?"
"Hahaha! You've got Greenslayer, Jaja and Fox... everything to control this child. What more to fret? Time to sleep easy."
"Not convinced."
"Hahaha!"
"Old Master, exactly three days remain of the promised month."
"I know."
"See you in three days."
"Hahaha!"
The old man laughed feebly.
Heavenly Commander's voice fell silent.
Even after he left, Old Master stared at Four Thousand Four for a long while. Then, as if struck by a thought, he let out a deep sigh.
"Sigh! Tsk! Tsk tsk!"
Unhappy about something, he shook his head and clicked his tongue.
"Still... you summoned Shadowless... That rascal Greenslayer... With Heavenly Commander sharpening his blade, your days are numbered too. Heh heh! No helping it. No helping it."
Suddenly, a shadow crossed Old Master's brow.
Moments later, a group slipped swiftly into the cave.
"Preparations complete."
The arrival bowed with clasped fists to the old man.
"Take him."
"Yes!"
The group hoisted Four Thousand Four, Vanguard, and Hanbi over their shoulders and vanished quickly.
"Dao Lead and Sword Immortal... have met their end."
"Shadowless?"
"Yes."
"Shadowless capable of felling those two has surpassed the Eight Saints. He was barely at Five Saints when he entered Star Garden... Could it be? Did Righteous Heavenly Annihilation act as medicine, not poison?"
North Bright Fang Blood closed his book.
"Shall I step in? I won't violate Old Master's one-month vow."
"Three days. That's all that's left."
Fang Blood cut off Poison Lord's words.
"And... Red Blood has appeared."
"……"
At the follow-up report, Fang Blood fell silent. His movements halted too.
"Red Blood warned Old Master. Spare Star Garden Lord's case, but touch no more of the Ten Thrones."
"Still so kind."
Fang Blood smirked.
"Once little sister ends her seclusion, of course I'll meet her. Heh! Good news after so long. Where's Red Blood now?"
Fang Blood's face lit up brightly.