"What are you all doing?" Black Iron Blade asked, his gaze cold as he surveyed the group of renowned martial arts veterans.
The veterans faltered for a moment before forcing smiles onto their faces. The little girl was incredibly formidable, so there was no doubt Wu Tian would be even more so. But now the Black and White Swords had arrived. With them on their side, who was there to fear? They had to ask, was there anyone else?
The Swordsman from Western Hunan said respectfully, "Masters Black and White Swords, we are upholding the Righteous Path."
Good heavens, how can you say something so shameless?
Before her words had even faded, Black Iron Blade could no longer bear it. He instantly slashed at the Swordsman from Western Hunan with his black sword. Before she could even react, the blade struck her dead, splattering blood everywhere.
The renowned veterans who had been besieging the little girl all stopped, their faces etched with shock. They couldn't understand why the Black and White Swords had killed her. They had never imagined that the Black and White Swords—the strongest of the previous generation's Seven Saints of Dragon Country—would have any connection to Wu Tian.
Had she offended the Black and White Swords in the past?
"That Swordsman from Western Hunan deserved to die!" exclaimed the man who had been the first to support her.
"Yes, Senior Black must have known of her evil deeds in Western Hunan!" many others chorused. "Killing her was a service to the people, ridding them of a scourge!"
The oldest among the veterans looked at Black Iron Blade and said with cupped fists, "Senior, it's time to deal with Wu Tian."
Black Iron Blade and White Crane Master exchanged a glance, both smiling coldly. It was only after being subdued that they had learned their new master was Wu Tian. They had come to Ghost Valley because they were promised a rare, wondrous metal in exchange for helping restrain a certain person. But now, what need did they have for it? Wu Tian had shown them an entirely new path.
"Senior, please make your move," an old man among the veterans urged.
"You can die now." This time, it was White Crane Master who drew his sword.
WHOOSH!
The blade moved like a shooting star. The strike was so swift that the renowned veterans saw only a faint afterimage. The next instant, the old man was cut down. He fell to the ground with blood gushing from his neck, his eyes wide open in death, never understanding why White Crane Master had killed him.
The other veterans stared at each other in dismay. If Black Iron Blade's first kill was due to a personal grudge, then what about White Crane Master's? A terrifying possibility dawned on them. They stared incredulously from the Black and White Swords to Wu Tian, completely dumbfounded and momentarily speechless. They feared that if they spoke another disrespectful word, the legendary duo might kill them too. After all, the Black and White Swords were the supreme figures of the previous generation. Upon seeing them, even the Sword Emperor himself would likely have to address them respectfully as 'Seniors'.
***
High on Mount Yunmeng, Wu Dao and his son, Wu Wo, watched the scene unfold from a pavilion. Wu Dao's brow was tightly furrowed. "How did things turn out this way?" he asked. "Why do the Black and White Swords seem to be standing up for Wu Tian?"
"This... this was indeed outside of my plan," Wu Wo replied, taking a deep breath. Everything had been proceeding according to his design, with Wu Tian becoming the target of public condemnation. He had not expected Wu Tian to be so powerful, however, nor for his daughter to be so terrifyingly inhuman. And now, even the Black and White Swords seemed to be fighting on Wu Tian's behalf. Wu Wo suddenly felt that his plan was deeply flawed.
***
"If you don't want to die, kneel, beg for mercy, and atone for your sins," Black Iron Blade said coldly.
White Crane Master added, "Only then will you have a sliver of hope for survival. Don't doubt my words. I am saying this for your own good, out of respect for our shared path in the Martial Arts World."
The renowned veterans were filled with resentment. What kind of joke is this? Claiming this is for our own good?


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