Volume 1, Chapter 28: Turmoil at the Directorate of Sword Forging

The Heavenly Sword has been forged and now rests within the Sword-Nurturing Pool, awaiting its final ritual.

Outside the pool, the air is thick with the clamor of a crowd. Zhao Wujiang makes a rough estimation of the numbers. According to imperial records, the Sword-Forging Bureau consists of only about thirty people. Yet, there are over a hundred individuals here dressed in the bureau’s attire. Additionally, more than two hundred others, wearing various garbs and lacking the bureau’s uniforms, are clearly martial artists who have infiltrated the capital.

Zhao Wujiang’s gaze is intense. At this moment, a resonant, powerful voice echoes from the mouth of the Sword-Nurturing Pool.

"I never imagined that after so many years of seclusion, I would see so many old friends today. The Floating Life Demonic Sect, the Nine Splendor Sword Sect, the Master of Profound Nether Island—I trust you have all been well!"

The speaker is none other than Jian Donglai, the head of the Sword-Forging Bureau, who has been in the service of the imperial court for many years. He is also the true pinnacle expert of the bureau as depicted in the original story, standing at the peak of the Fifth Grade.

"Jian Donglai, should we call you the Sword Demon, or Head of the Sword Bureau?"

"Heh, a generation of the Sword Demon, yet you chose to surrender to the imperial court and become their dog. Truly, you bring shame upon us in the martial arts world!"

Jian Donglai remains composed, his face neither flushed nor breathless. He strokes his beard, his eyes icy. "If I had not utilized the resources of the imperial court, how could I have successfully forged this Heavenly Sword?"

One martial artist sneers, "Sword Demon, stop acting so mysterious. You claim this is the greatest sword in the world, hence the name 'Heavenly Sword.' Is it truly that formidable?"

"That is what I have claimed."

"Hmph, then why not let it compare with my Fire Qilin Sword?" The speaker is Situ Feng, son of the leader of the Nine Splendor Sword Sect. Seeing Jian Donglai’s arrogance, he cannot help but draw his crimson longsword.

Jian Donglai does not stop him. Seeing this, Situ Feng leaps into the air above the Sword-Nurturing Pool, holding his Fire Qilin Sword. He approaches the Heavenly Sword and swings down with a strike!

"Break!"

Sharp sword qi gathers upon the Fire Qilin Sword as it descends toward the Heavenly Sword. However, before the qi even touches the target, it is shattered, and the Fire Qilin Sword itself is snapped in two by a defensive wave of energy erupting from the Heavenly Sword.

Watching from the shadows, Zhao Wujiang is shocked. "What a tyrannical blade!"

*Boom.*

Situ Feng is injured, vomiting blood as he stumbles backward. The shock in his eyes is palpable, but he dares not linger. Just as he prepares to leap out of the pool, Jian Donglai secretly strikes with a palm force. The blow destabilizes Situ Feng, and before he can escape, he falls back into the pool. The pit is filled with corpses and blades; in an instant, Situ Feng’s body is pierced through.

"Young Master!"

Before the Nine Splendor Sword Sect members can attempt a rescue, the red and blue light of the Heavenly Sword engulfs Situ Feng’s corpse.

"Sword Demon, you intended to kill our Young Master!" They watch helplessly as he is consumed by the sword’s radiance.

Jian Donglai smiles as if accustomed to the sight. "Is the might of the Heavenly Sword something your Young Master could challenge? If he sought death, what does that have to do with me?"

As he speaks, members of the Sword-Forging Bureau bring in more corpses. At Jian Donglai’s signal, these bodies are tossed into the pool. Soon, several red and blue rays of light appear on the Heavenly Sword, writhing around the corpses like blood-sucking leeches. The crowd gasps as they clearly see the bodies, which still held a hint of color, turn pale and begin to decay before their very eyes.

"This... this Heavenly Sword can actually consume human blood!"

"Sword Demon! You are even more insane than you were years ago!"

Just as the crowd is gripped by the terror of the sword’s power, a troop of soldiers arrives outside the bureau.

"I am Li Yunyi, the Sixth Prince of the Great Xia, here on behalf of His Majesty to inspect this place. Master Jian Donglai, you have forged a weapon in secret; how do you plead?"

Li Yunyi, radiating regal authority, charges into the bureau with the palace guards. The martial artists exchange glances, many gripping their weapons, ready for a chaotic brawl. Zhao Wujiang, hidden in the crowd, shrinks his head and lowers his hat, fearing discovery. He never imagined that the wealthy young master to whom he had given that "special" book last night was Li Yunyi, the brother of Li Yunrui—his brother-in-law in name. This makes the situation rather awkward. The previous Zhao Wujiang had no dealings with these princes and did not know them, and though Li Yunyi might recognize him, he is currently disguised.

"All other martial artists, leave the capital at once, or do not blame me for punishing you all as criminals!"

Li Yunyi scans the crowd, but his warning goes unheeded. He frowns, realizing these experts pay no mind to the court, yet he is surprised by their audacity to ignore him even under the nose of the imperial authority.

"You refuse to leave? Very well! Men!"

Just as Li Yunyi prepares to issue an order, Jian Donglai laughs. "I have feigned loyalty to the court for years. What, does your Li clan truly think I have no temper?"

His voice echoes throughout the hall. "The Heavenly Sword is complete. Whoever takes the head of Li Yunyi, I, the Sword Demon, shall bestow the Heavenly Sword upon them!"

Li Yunyi’s eyes widen. "You!"

Jian Donglai’s intent is clear: he plans to kill with a borrowed knife. The tactic proves effective; as his words fall, the martial artists draw their weapons and attack the prince’s soldiers.

"Rebellion! You are all committing treason!"

Li Yunyi is incensed, grinding his teeth in frustration. He had spent half the day lurking, failing to find Zhao Wujiang or his sister, only to witness the chaos at the bureau. Now, seeing that the situation has spiraled into lawlessness, he prepares to act.

"Hold them off! I will notify the capital’s army at once!"

He takes advantage of the skirmish to slip aside. He secretly pulls out a signal flare, intending to fire it into the sky to summon the city guards. However, before the flare can even be readied, a bolt of sword qi streaks through the air, knocking the device away.

Li Yunyi is startled, his confidence waning as he retreats behind the crowd. The wails of the dying and the sound of blades tearing through flesh make his heart race. He fails to notice that the person who struck down his signal is standing on the eaves of the building—a man and a woman, Long Zhan and Ling Qingxue.

"Senior Sister, it seems we arrived just in time."

Ling Qingxue has no time for idle talk. "Before the imperial reinforcements arrive, seize the Heavenly Sword. Strike!"