Chapter 226:

At the entrance of Wan family’s mansion.

The master of Wan family smiled as he watched Qiao Mu, holding the ancient painting Blood Sun Chart, leave. Only after Qiao Mu left did the master finally stop smiling, wiped the sweat off his forehead.

"Master, is it necessary to go this far?" the steward asked softly.

"Even if this Qiao Shui is a fearless martial artist, there is no need to act in such a manner, right? After all, our Wan family is a prominent one. Behaving like this would be losing face and causing other prestigious families to look down on us."

The steward was the one who welcomed Qiao Mu into the mansion earlier, but as a steward, he naturally followed the will of the master.

When Qiao Shui rose to fame in the Golden Palace and a member of the Qiao family reappeared in the Imperial Capital, the newly appointed master of Wan family was restless.

So he ordered someone to wait outside the mansion, anticipating Qiao Mu’s possible visit.

If Qiao Mu didn’t come, he would indeed make up his mind to personally visit Qiao Mu’s residence and present the Blood Sun Chart.

"Do you understand anything…" The head of the Wan family restrained his smile, shaking his head.

"Is saving face really that important?"

"Besides, he is not just a fearless martial artist who dares to challenge ministers and the emperor in the Golden Court, he has a powerful family supporting him," said Wan family’s master seriously.

A lone martial artist, no matter how strong, is not too scary.

In the Imperial Capital, it is Emperor Yonghe and the Immortal Gate who have the final say, it is a place of rules and power.

However, the Qiao family member has gained fame in the Imperial Capital through generations of bloodshed, representing a mysterious and powerful martial arts family influence, not just a mere warrior.

That is why Wan family’s master dares not confront the Qiao family member.

Losing one’s head is scarier than losing face.

Nevertheless…

"We can’t let others look down on us," thought the head of the Wan family.

He believed that there was a deep-seated feud between the Wan family and the Qiao family, with lives lost on both sides. It couldn’t be resolved simply by making concessions.

He didn’t dare to openly confront a member of the Qiao family, let alone do anything in secret.

After all, it was this very step that Wan Ronghua stumbled on in the past.

If he didn’t dare to confront them, he would let others who dared to deal with members of the Qiao family take action.

With the way members of the Qiao family operated, it was more normal to offend the powerful and influential than not to.

"Then let’s help bring fame to the Qiao family members," mused the head of the Wan family.

"We can spread news about Qiao Shui being in the Imperial Capital…and about his heroic actions in the Golden Palace and the tragic death of the Qiao family member in the solitary city in the desert."

These actions were only minor maneuvers, not direct attacks on the Qiao family member; they were merely meant to boost their reputation.

He knew that big trees attract wind, and it was the Immortal GateGreat Dao Sect that hindered the Qiao family member and the old soldier from Solitary City in the desert to leave the desert.

"Why is the Great Dao Sect being so low-key? The news about the Solitary City in the desert has spread, why haven’t we heard anything?" The master of the Wan family was a little confused, but didn’t think much about it.

It wasn’t his place to think about these things, all he wanted was to smoothly take over the Wan family that Wan Ronghua left behind.

……………

At the suburban mansion.

Qiao Mu casually opened the Blood Sun Chart and carefully examined it several times.

Similar to when he looked at the Blood Moon Chart before, his mind was quickly drawn into the Blood Sun Chart, feeling as if he was immersed in the world depicted in the painting.

The blood-red sun hung alone in the sky, and the sunlight, like thick dark red blood, seeped down bit by bit from the clouds, splattering with each tremor of the sun.

The blood-red sun in the painting seemed like a living being, rhythmically trembling, like a constantly pulsating heart, and also like a dazzling blood-red eyeball.

When Qiao Mu stared for a long time at the bloody sun, he felt like there was an eye silently staring back at him.

This sudden intuition made Qiao Mu’s hair stand on end and he instinctively turned around.

"Indeed, the Blood Moon Chart must be made by the same person…" Qiao Mu frowned.

"It is said that the Blood Sun Chart and Blood Moon Chart were drawn by a highly skilled martial artist from hundreds of years ago. The martial artist was also a painter, but went mad in his old age and used his own blood as ink to create them. He died later due to blood loss."

"I am already at the 2nd rank of spiritual refining, but from my current perspective, the way this painting affects others’ minds and leads to illusions is truly mysterious. It seems that the mad painter from the previous dynasty is even stronger than I had initially anticipated."

"But why does he have such inspiration again…" Qiao Mu didn’t think much and just carefully felt the flow of energy throughout his body.

The martial arts hidden in the Blood Moon Chart, like the "Red Moon Burning Blood Technique," which is similar to the "Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method," are both forbidden techniques that burn one’s life force.

The difference is that the Red Moon Burning Blood Technique can accelerate the circulation of blood throughout the body. He once used it to counter the freezing spell of the Immortal Gate cultivator, Dao Xu.

And the martial arts hidden within this Blood Sun Chart…

Qiao Mu suddenly felt something in his heart. He bit his finger, let the fresh blood drip onto the tip of the sword.

As he waved his sword, the drops of blood on it instantly turned into a cloud of blood mist, swirling with the movement of his sword, resembling ink splattering in the air, leaving a wide trail of blood light.

"This is a sword technique that uses fresh blood from the body to unleash inner strength, known as the ‘Blood Sword Technique’."

"Internal strength is intangible, so once separated from the body, it quickly weakens and diminishes."

"A martial artist’s weapon is an extension of their body, and this blood mist can be seen as an extension of the weapon."

"By using the Blood Sword Technique, with the blood mist splashing from the sword tip, it carries the vigorous energy of the martial artist… enhancing their attacking range."

"The ‘Red Moon Burning Blood Technique’ from the Blood Moon Chart indeed complements the martial arts… just a bit blood taxing."

After practicing martial arts for over two hundred years, Qiao Mu’s vision and experience were enough to dominate the world… probably unmatched by any martial artist of his time.

"Let’s keep this Blood Sun Chart for now."

Qiao Mu wasn’t paying much attention to the Blood Sun Chart anymore. He casually set it aside, feeling a bit uninterested.

Back in the Imperial Capital, he visited three places that day, but didn’t achieve his initial goals. He felt a bit of nostalgia in the air.

As night fell, Qiao Mu lit a lamp and entered the courtyard. Taking a few steps in the deserted house, he suddenly felt bored.

"Why do I feel like I’m living a life isolated in a dream?" Qiao Mu chuckled softly.

In the long night, he suddenly didn’t know what to do.

Standing in the courtyard, he moved his hands and effortlessly started practicing the Long Life Fist, a routine deeply ingrained in his muscle memory.



Just like in a dream.

His days were so dull and tasteless that he had to practice martial arts to pass the time.

"I’ll just keep practicing martial arts. In the future, I will probably have to do the same in the real world, so I need to get used to it," Qiao Mu squinted his eyes.

He is immortal, even if he dies, he can keep coming back to life forever.

At first, he worried about growing old and weak, but he actually already found a solution.

It’s not Long Life Fist Sutra, it’s Xumi Mountain King Sutra.

As long as he continues to practice diligently with Xumi Mountain King Sutra, advancing his skills to higher levels, he can keep increasing his vitality and stay young forever.

Since death feels like being imprisoned, why not practice while alive?

In the real world, you can rest while practicing, but in dreams, it feels like being imprisoned for decades.

"I might as well take the easy way out, since I’m immortal anyway, I can live for thousands of years, who can outlast me?" Qiao Mu used to see death as a shortcut, but now that he understands the essence of it, he feels uneasy…

Just like a naive high school student suddenly realizing they have a lot of life experience, Qiao Mu, who always thought he was young, suddenly discovers he has memories of centuries, he’s really old, and naturally feels uncomfortable.

And there’s also a question he has been pondering in his dreams for five years, without finding an answer, always lingering in his mind.

"What is this Ouroboros Long Life Lock all about?"

Qiao Mu frowned, feeling a bit irritated as he pushed aside the question.

"These days are really dull, maybe I should accompany Hai Wuya to Anxi Pass tomorrow. As a member of the Qiao family, I should attend as well."

………….

The next day.

As a messenger of the Great Yan Imperial Court, the Minister of Rites went to Anxi Pass to honor the three hundred old soldiers, read out the decree of Emperor Yonghe, and pay tribute to the hundred thousand spirits who died during the Inhuman War over forty years at the monument forest in Anxi Pass.

News spread like wildfire, with some people clearly stirring the pot, and within a few days, it had almost reached all the major cities in Zhong Province.

The suffering of the people had been endured for too long, and both the common folk and the martial arts world were restless, as the resilience of the lone army that had held on for forty years was truly remarkable.

Among them, the storyteller of the Tide Listening Building was inspired to share the story of the solitary city in the desert in both big and small towns.

When Hai Wuya arrived at Anxi Town, he was joined by countless martial artists from all over.

Ever since the Martial Saint passed away, the martial arts world fell into silence, with only one person, known as "King Qin," showing potential but still lacking.

They came from different areas of Zhong Province like a flood, with almost a pilgrimage-like mentality, gathering in the small town under Anxi Pass to meet the old soldiers who had defended for forty years and witness the ceremony led by the Great Yan Minister of Rites.

At that moment, the streets of Anxi Town were crowded.

Not only Anxi Town, even the deserted stele forest outside the town, which had been ignored for forty years, had many people paying their respects during those days.

There were travelers, martial artists, and curious tourists who came because of the fame…

The offerings of fruits and melons almost filled the entire stele forest, with a constant stream of passersby, creating a bustling scene unseen for forty years.

Among them, the area in front of a few new graves attracted the most attention, with around twenty to thirty people gathered.

Qiao Mu had originally come to see what was happening, but when he saw the words on the grave, he couldn’t move.

The writing on the tombstone says, "Earth Sword Immortal Lu Yannan’ Tomb."

Nearby, a group of martial artists in fancy clothes were gathered, paying their respects at the tomb and chatting excitedly.

"The late Earth Sword Immortal was truly extraordinary. Forty years ago, he was the best in the world. Even after hiding for forty years, he remained fierce. It’s said that in the end, he turned into a sword, pierced through the sky, allowing the people of the city to escape."

Speaking was a slender woman in a blue outfit with a sword at her waist.

This young woman’s eyes lit up with admiration as she talked about Earth Sword Immortal’s deeds.

"Hiding for forty years, shining his sword at Jiu Province, this extraordinary swordsman had to lay low for a while!" A sturdy man beside her added.

"In my opinion, Earth Sword Immortal is truly the unmatched leader in martial arts. Those demonic creatures like the Martial Saint have no place compared to him."

"It’s a pity he eventually died. Turning into a sword, his body fell into the hands of the Immortal Gate. Like the other hundred thousand brave souls, he may never find peace even in death."

"If there’s another Earth Sword Immortal in this world, the martial artists of Jiu Province would have something to look forward to…" S~eaʀᴄh the Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"But the inscription in front of the Earth Sword Immortal’s tomb seems to have a slightly different meaning, right?" someone suddenly said.

Initially ignoring it, Qiao Mu approached and carefully examined the inscription upon hearing this, realizing it was a short sentence.

Before asking about the world, ask about your own heart.

Do as you please, act as you wish.

"’Act as you wish’ doesn’t seem like a good phrase, is that what I think it means?" the sword-wielding woman wondered.

At this moment, an elderly voice came from beside them.

"It’s just the literal meaning. Earth Sword Immortal Lu Yannan wasn’t exactly a great person to begin with."

Qiao Mu heard footsteps and saw that it was Lu Yanbei, the brother of Earth Sword Immortal.

After not seeing each other for many days, Lu Yanbei looked visibly tired, a bit thinner, but his eyes were brighter and more determined.

"Why are you slandering the heroic fallen warriors?"

"He was never a hero," sighed Lu Yanbei.

"Don’t compare him to the hundreds of thousands of heroes, because he was never that kind of person."

"Before caring for others, one must first care for oneself. He only followed his own desires and interests. He was only coincidentally on the same side as the white-headed soldier of the lonely city."

"The soldiers of Great Yan hold patriotism in their hearts, but Earth Sword Immortal doesn’t. If you want to honor the deceased, go pay your respects at the graves of other heroes." Lu Yanbei was not very friendly towards these martial artists who came seeking fame, and he seemed ready to drive them away.

Being a renowned martial arts master from Zhong Province, Wooden Sword Walker’s reputation was well known. Some of the martial artists recognized him and avoided conflict, choosing to leave quickly instead.

"Let’s go and see the tomb of a member of the Qiao family, who knows what the inscription on the tombstone will say."



After the crowd dispersed, only Qiao Mu and Lu Yanbei remained in front of Earth Sword Immortal’s tomb.

Lu Yanbei nodded slightly, showing little interest, "Let Elder Lao be amused."

"People really want a martial arts leader to take charge, but my brother, he is not suitable to be the idol on this pedestal."

Lu Yanbei looked somewhat tired.

Earth Sword Immortal turned into a sword and was taken by Elder Qingzhuo, which was also a big blow to him.