Volume One: First Steps into the Martial World as an Immortal Chapter Fourteen: Three Million Chivalrous Heroes Roam the Land—Righteous and Wicked Swordsmen Alike

Chu Mingxuan turned over and rose, sword in one hand, shielding the plump youth behind him. How could wandering swordsmen truly be frightened by a eunuch's sword technique? They exchanged glances, and two men stepped forward, swinging their blades. Chu Mingxuan and Fuming moved to meet them, and both attackers were swiftly kicked to the ground.

Evil Sword Immortal, alone with a sword, had slain countless warriors. To him, those who had not embarked upon the immortal path were mere ants. If he unleashed his full strength, what would it matter if twice as many opponents appeared? They would still become ghosts beneath his blade. The dozen or so swordsmen were allowed to escape by his design; after all, in the world of rivers and lakes, how could everything go smoothly?

As the warriors prepared to send the three on their way, Evil Sword Immortal casually struck a sword, sending it flying downward. A dozen ringing sounds followed; each throat was sealed. Witnessing this, Chu Mingxuan was stunned, as if beholding a god.

"Evil Sword Immortal, the Three Elders of Canglan have come to learn from you."

"Evil Sword Immortal, I, the Poison Lord of West Mountain, request your instruction."

"Hahaha, Old Evil, what's heroic about bullying a bunch of warriors? Come, cross swords with me, Niu Batian!"

"Senior Evil, Sun Xiaochuan of the Heavenly Blade Sect seeks your guidance."

...

Such voices echoed from every direction of the inn, and upon closer listening, there were more than ten, approaching from afar.

Hearing these voices, the black-clad men who had been surrounding Evil Sword Immortal swiftly withdrew. For a moment, only the endless patter of rain remained around the inn.

Evil Sword Immortal still stood atop the roof, drenched, gazing at the experts on the surrounding rooftops. He laughed and said, "I thought you wouldn't show yourselves, but not only have you appeared, you've announced your identities. I wonder, who offered you such a high price?"

"Hahaha, Evil Sword Immortal, at our level, no price can entice us. Only fame moves us, and with you here, we had to come," the white-robed elder replied.

The rain fell harder and harder, until the people before them were obscured. Suddenly, Evil Sword Immortal moved. His iron sword trembled, seeming ready to snap at any moment. The gathered experts, sensing his formidable presence, let their auras surge, and both sides charged, nearly simultaneously.

Seeing that Evil Sword Immortal's first target was himself, the white-robed elder was deeply alarmed. He leaped backward, casting a dozen chess pieces straight at Evil Sword Immortal. The others unleashed their signature techniques, hoping to kill him with a single blow. Evil Sword Immortal spun sword flowers to block the chess pieces, parried several weapons with a reverse stroke, advanced, and with a sweep of his sleeve, sent the rain droplets before him flying.

"Beware, Evil Sword Immortal's Sword of All Things!" someone shouted. The others hurriedly summoned their inner strength, attempting to block the flying raindrops, but even prepared, five or six still groaned, clearly struck.

Evil Sword Immortal did not pause. With a twist of his wrist, his sword reversed, inner force surging into it, and the long sword shot out. Three sharp sounds followed, and three men tumbled from the rooftop. Though shocked, the others did not retreat; instead, they closed in again, a dozen weapons, fueled by inner strength, converging upon Evil Sword Immortal.

He faced them with a blank expression, flashing forward, deliberately targeting Niu Batian. Seeing Evil Sword Immortal rush at him, Niu Batian laughed loudly, "Well done! Take my fist!"

Bang!

Evil Sword Immortal and Niu Batian clashed, palm against fist. Upon contact, Niu Batian was knocked backward. Evil Sword Immortal pressed forward, seized Niu Batian's fist, twisted it sharply—there was a crack, and a scream like a slaughtered pig rang out.

"Niu Batian, aren't you afraid your boasts will break the sky? Didn't it feel wonderful just now? How about now?" Evil Sword Immortal said, then flung Niu Batian onto the rooftop across the street, shattering tiles as he landed.

At that moment, several other masters attacked. Evil Sword Immortal turned to retreat, but opponents had already closed in from the sides. Both parties plunged into fierce battle, muffled groans sounding from time to time.

Chu Mingxuan and Daoist Fuming had already escorted the plump youth to another room, at least one with a sound roof. They hastily tended to his knife wound. Overhead, the sounds of fighting continued. The three exchanged glances. Chu Mingxuan said, "I wonder if Old Evil can win."

Daoist Fuming gripped his wooden sword tightly, silent. The plump youth's expression showed pain—his back wound was surely severe, and he said nothing.

"Hey, little Daoist, we've been together so long, but haven't properly introduced ourselves, though you already know who we are," Chu Mingxuan said, looking at Fuming.

Fuming smiled, "I come from Qingyun Mountain, my Daoist name is Fuming."

"I hail from Liangzhou, Crown Prince Chu Mingxuan."

"I'm also from Liangzhou, son of the Prefect—just call me Fatty."

"So you are all sons of powerful men, and I alone am a humble mountain cultivator," Fuming laughed.

The three finished, and burst out laughing.

Just then, a song rang out from outside, louder than the rain, rivaling thunder: "Three million heroes roam the rivers and lakes; how many can withstand a hundred moves from me?"

They rushed to the window and peered out. The rain had ceased overhead, though it still fell in the distance. This lasted a moment, then the downpour resumed, but now, the sounds of battle had vanished.

Chu Mingxuan gazed from the window at the distant black-clad men, watching them melt into the rain.

"Old Evil has won," Chu Mingxuan said quietly.

On the rooftop, Evil Sword Immortal held a broken sword, his clothes torn in countless places. Rain washed over him, turning to red as it flowed down. Strangely, as Evil Sword Immortal lifted his head, the rain abruptly stopped, and the moon emerged. Bathed in moonlight, Evil Sword Immortal seemed truly celestial.

"Boring, boring, utterly boring. For fame, they lose their lives. In this world, can one ever be free?" Evil Sword Immortal took down his gourd and drank deeply.

He glanced at his attire and muttered, "I've worn this for two years. Time to change, or I'll look disgraceful before the world!"

With that, he leapt down from the roof.

When they met again, Chu Mingxuan stared blankly at Evil Sword Immortal, then finally said, "Old Evil, see what you've done—always showing off. Now your clothes are ruined and the bleeding won't stop."

Fuming hurried out, fetched a basin of water, and found clean clothes for Evil Sword Immortal to wash and change.

"Old Evil, why did you protect me?"

"Chu Min saved me, that's all."

"But you already repaid that last time."

"I am called Evil Sword Immortal. My sword is evil, my person is evil. Why should you care?"

Chu Mingxuan quietly regarded him, then said, "When I return to Liangzhou, I'll have Chu Min give you everything you desire." He bowed deeply to Evil Sword Immortal.

Evil Sword Immortal looked at the three young men before him, remembering his own youthful days—was he not like them then?

"Clean up and rest early. It's been a noisy night, I'm exhausted," Evil Sword Immortal said.

Chu Mingxuan nodded toward the bodies outside the window. "What about those?"

"Don't worry, someone will take care of them. This is Langya City's territory—surely you know whose domain it is," Evil Sword Immortal replied, then turned and left.

Early the next morning, Chu Mingxuan woke Daoist Fuming. They went downstairs and saw people bustling along the street. Not a trace of blood remained. The townsfolk had heard the fighting last night, but the rules of the rivers and lakes ensured civilians were unharmed, so no one was afraid.

The innkeeper approached, asking what breakfast they desired. Chu Mingxuan waved him away, then saw Evil Sword Immortal in a corner, sipping wine and eating meat buns. The crown prince couldn't help but laugh, approaching Evil Sword Immortal and saying, "Feels like a dream."

"Spend a few days enjoying Langya City. Fatty's wound needs regular bandaging and medicine, or it won't be him riding a horse, but the horse carrying him," Evil Sword Immortal said while eating.

Chu Mingxuan nodded, sitting opposite him, with Fuming beside. Chu Mingxuan suddenly asked quietly, "Old Evil, truthfully, how many of those who attacked you last night managed to escape?"

Fuming propped his head on his hand, watching Evil Sword Immortal.

Evil Sword Immortal finished a bun, drank a mouthful of wine, then said, "Twenty-three names changed on the Heroes List."

Chu Mingxuan was stunned. Though not well-versed, he knew of the Heroes List, which recorded the top hundred immortal-path figures in the rivers and lakes. Of course, the true monsters were not listed, but even so, those who appeared were all formidable beyond measure.

He asked no further. Chu Mingxuan and Daoist Fuming summoned an old doctor from Langya City to treat Fatty.

Liangzhou, Lecheng—at the southern gate stood countless Liangzhou soldiers. Of the ten great generals under the Prince of Liang, six were present. Only the prince or his soon-arriving consort could warrant such a reception.

The news of the princess coming to reward the soldiers had spread early. All of Lecheng was elated. The six generals had the southern gate swept clean.

After waiting an hour or two, a banner bearing the character "Chu" appeared in the distance. The princess traveled with the royal banner, which startled the generals; it was unusual to display it. Many thoughts crossed their minds.

The convoy halted at the southern gate. The six generals bowed deeply in unison, "Welcome, Princess!"

The carriage door opened, and Nangong Wan'er, dressed simply, descended with her maid's support. Those in the following carriages opened their eyes, quietly sensing everything outside.

Nangong Wan'er stepped forward, meeting the six generals and said, "No need for formalities, gentlemen. I've come only to see the soldiers of Lecheng. The carriages behind carry fine wine from the provincial capital—distribute it to the troops tonight."

The six rose and looked at the princess, noting her plain attire, which surprised them. Yet one replied, "We appreciate your kindness, Princess, but there is a rule: no drinking in the barracks."

Nangong Wan'er looked at him, "Before I came, the prince told me: this time, you may drink, and drink heartily."

Upon hearing this, the six quickly said, "We follow your command. Tonight, the whole army will celebrate your arrival."