Chapter Thirty-Seven: Blade and Sword United

Chapter Thirty-seven: Blade and Sword United

“Junmei, get ready to strike!”

From afar, gazing at the dazzling waters of the marshland, the Rogue Blade uttered this in a low voice. The ruthless killing intent in his gaze grew sharper, like a battle wolf poised to leap.

As he finished speaking, his broad back arched slightly and he drew another blade.

The aura of the long, white blade beneath his feet already surpassed that of Fang Junmei’s peachwood sword. The newly drawn black war blade radiated an even stronger presence, its chilling energy palpable, as if it had drunk deep of countless lives.

Fang Junmei’s weapon remained his peachwood sword.

Upon seeing it, the Rogue Blade shook his head, chuckling silently, once more at a loss for words.

Fang Junmei, aware of his humble means, noticed his companion’s expression and managed an awkward smile. “Brother Blade, your killing intent just reached its peak. If you lose it by laughing, I won’t be responsible if you slip up.”

The Rogue Blade’s expression turned serious, giving a nod.

Behind them, the Windshadow Beast drew ever closer.

Once they left the desert and stepped onto firmer ground, both men noticed the creature’s speed had slowed, its momentum and aura diminished—a welcome sign for the pair.

…

The surface of the water mirrored the blue sky, serene and tranquil.

Swish!

The long white blade carried the Rogue Blade and Fang Junmei, skimming just above the water’s surface. The force stirred a shark-fin-like ripple, sharp and narrow.

Their eyes and senses stayed fixed on the rear.

The Windshadow Beast’s twin eyes stared coldly and mercilessly at them, striding forward, wholly unaware of the massive trap ahead.

Thud, thud, thud—

It drew closer.

Splash!

A tremendous sound echoed as the Windshadow Beast finally stepped into the marsh!

Its pursuit was so rapid that it hadn’t realized its body was sinking. Its second foot followed, plunging with another splash.

Both feet sank deep.

Though the Windshadow Beast seemed formed of quicksand and was light, even it couldn’t escape a marsh that could swallow a feather. It started to sink rapidly.

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The Windshadow Beast, lacking intelligence, instinctively tried to pull its feet free, managing to lift one while the other sank deeper, leaving it flailing.

Ahead, the Rogue Blade and Fang Junmei spun around, launching themselves at the creature.

Sensing danger, the Windshadow Beast’s form whirled like a storm, churning the lake into a massive vortex. Using the upward force, it tried to pull itself toward the sky, almost breaking free from the marsh’s grip.

“Trying to escape? Get back down!”

A thunderous roar erupted from the Rogue Blade’s mouth. Fierce and bold, he flashed above the Windshadow Beast, raising his black war blade high and slashing downward!

Whoosh—

With that strike, the wind howled. The black blade’s light cascaded like a dark waterfall, cleaving toward the beast’s head. The Windshadow Beast surged upward, as if offering itself for slaughter.

Fang Junmei moved to the Rogue Blade’s flank, his eyes wild, unleashing the twelfth form of the Hell Ghost Rain Sword Technique—Sword Wind Paints Ghost!

His sword moved like a painter’s brush, the blade’s light weaving swiftly, elusive and unfathomable.

Boom! Boom!

Two deafening blasts shook the sky.

Water and mud erupted across the marsh.

A shrill, ferocious scream tore from the Windshadow Beast. Strangely, despite the sword and blade penetrating its body, it didn’t shatter but slammed downward, sinking further into the marsh.

Fang Junmei and the Rogue Blade had no time to ponder. Blade and sword struck in tandem, unleashing a storm of attacks.

The Windshadow Beast’s massive hands flailed in madness, tearing at the two men.

But it had lost the initiative—first abandoning its home ground of the Ghost Desert, then suffering a heavy blow at their hands. Its body was forced deeper into the water, its strength reduced to half at most.

The color of its quicksand body faded.

“Junmei, prepare to seize the Windshadow Sand Essence!”

Sensing the moment had come, the Rogue Blade shouted, unleashing his ultimate technique. His black war blade pointed skyward, summoning mysterious thunder.

His hair flew wild, eyes blazing, his presence divine.

Boom!

A bolt of thunder crashed down, striking the black war blade, electric light bursting forth.

With another shout, the Rogue Blade channeled this thunder-infused power into a mighty blow, slashing at the Windshadow Beast below.

Boom!

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Another colossal explosion—thunder and lightning blossomed atop the beast’s head. After the energy poured in, the Windshadow Beast’s body finally detonated, scattering into flying sand.

The two Windshadow Sand Essences, deliberately spared by the Rogue Blade, shot off in different directions.

Now it was Fang Junmei’s turn.

His peachwood sword flew out, intercepting one piece, while he himself used the Dance of the Void technique to chase the other.

Whoosh!

With wind in his palm, he caught one piece smoothly.

Ding!

The other piece was deftly flicked skyward by the peachwood sword. The Rogue Blade hurried over and caught it easily.

Fang Junmei summoned back his sword, while the Rogue Blade called forth his white blade to lift himself, then swiftly flew to Fang Junmei as he descended, catching him and carrying them both out of the marsh.

…

Bang! Bang!

Reaching the marsh’s edge, the two men tumbled from the blade like dead dogs, collapsing onto the grass, gasping for breath, exhaustion flooding over them at last.

Only here could they finally relax their taut nerves.

“…You little brat from the Devil Sect, you’re panting too hard. Could it be those little demon girls usually drain you dry?”

Once he’d recovered, Fang Junmei teased the Rogue Blade, nudging him with his elbow.

“Enough out of you! You have no idea how vigorous I am!” the Rogue Blade snapped, glaring. “If I hadn’t pushed myself for that last strike, you little Daoist would’ve been torn to pieces!”

With that, he burst out laughing.

Fang Junmei laughed too, pulling out two flasks of wine—one for the Rogue Blade, one for himself. They drank deeply, savoring the thrill of survival.

The Rogue Blade drank heartily, unconcerned about any tricks in the wine.

Through this ordeal, whether Daoist or Demon, a bond had formed between them.