Volume One: The Emperor's Sword Chapter 124: The Hunt Begins

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Within the serene halls of the Sword Palace, the Sword Chief, Qin Shangzhang, was personally refilling tea for a guest. Seated opposite him was the slender elderly statesman, the current Grand Chancellor, Zhou Shibo.

“It is such an honor to be personally received by the Sword Chief. I am truly humbled,” Zhou Shibo said, holding the cup with both hands, exhibiting perfect courtesy.

“The title of Sword Chief is merely nominal. I only manage the minor affairs of the Sword Palace. I am no great figure. Grand Chancellor, please do not belittle yourself,” Qin Shangzhang replied with a gentle tone laced with playful teasing.

“The Sword Chief is not a mere mortal like us but the head of the Sword Palace, transcendent and detached from worldly affairs. To us common folk, the Sword Chief is no different from an immortal. If he is not considered a great figure, then I cannot fathom who else could be called one,” Zhou Shibo flattered with consummate skill, his words flowing effortlessly. Even Qin Shangzhang could not help but smile at the praise.

“You have your own aura cultivation skills that are no less than mine. If you focused on training, your achievements might well surpass mine,” Qin Shangzhang said with a smile.

“Impossible, impossible! The Sword Chief’s talent is unparalleled. I cannot hope to match you,” Zhou Shibo complimented wholeheartedly.

“If the Grand Chancellor has matters to discuss, please speak plainly. We have exchanged enough pleasantries; the tea is nearly cold,” Qin Shangzhang laughed.

Zhou Shibo nodded approvingly and unfolded a map from his sleeve, spreading it out on the table.

Qin Shangzhang glanced at it, recognizing it as a common map of the Yan Kingdom, his expression turning slightly puzzled.

Zhou Shibo dipped a finger in his tea and tapped two spots on the map.

The first marked location was Misty Mountain, the second was the Mu family iron mine.

“Sword Chief, please see, these two points are where the tree demons have been spotted,” Zhou Shibo said gravely.

He dipped his finger again, drawing a line connecting the two points, extending it further northwest to the border pass.

“Please see this line; it marks the possible range where the tree demons may appear again,” Zhou Shibo’s face grew serious as he spoke in a low voice.

“The emperor has already agreed to a northern campaign by the end of the year. The army will soon march northward, with countless supplies and provisions. The route of the northern campaign almost overlaps with the tree demons’ range. This battle is a matter of life and death for the Yan Kingdom and cannot afford failure. I earnestly hope the Sword Chief will intervene to resolve the tree demon problem and ensure the safety of our northern army!”

With that, the Grand Chancellor rose and performed a deep bow.

As the chief advisor, Zhou Shibo was naturally concerned about the powerful demons roaming within the Yan Kingdom, especially with the northern expedition imminent. From the tree demon’s trail—first disappearing into Misty Mountain and then appearing near the Mu family mine—it seemed likely the demon was heading northwest.

That route was also a vital passage for the northern campaign. Should the army encounter the tree demon en route, it would spell catastrophe.

A level-seven tree demon had destructive power enough to obliterate an army of tens of thousands. An attack would cause devastating casualties before the campaign even began.

Even the phrase “ill-fated campaign” would be too mild; the army might suffer such heavy losses as to never recover.

Out of this grave concern, Zhou Shibo had personally come to the Sword Palace to seek Qin Shangzhang’s help in either eliminating or driving the tree demon out of the kingdom.

Qin Shangzhang was silent for a moment before replying:

“The Sword Palace’s rules forbid involvement in mundane conflicts, yet those who cultivate should indeed slay demons and evil spirits. A level-seven tree demon is indeed a great threat. Should it reappear, I will act.”

Only then did Zhou Shibo breathe a long sigh of relief and clasp his hands.

“Thank you, Sword Chief!”

With this great obstacle removed, Zhou Shibo felt much lighter and could now devote himself fully to preparing for the northern campaign.

“Have you any leads on the Misty Mountain skeleton case, Grand Chancellor?” Qin Shangzhang inquired.

“No clues at all. It remains an unsolved mystery,” Zhou Shibo sighed.

It was not that the Yan government was reluctant to investigate—many troops had been dispatched to probe the Misty Mountain skeleton matter. The only finding was that villagers often disappeared nearby; beyond that, no information emerged.

As for the culprit, not even a shadow had been found.

Qin Shangzhang had anticipated as much and felt no disappointment, merely sipping his tea thoughtfully.

The guest hall of the Sword Palace fell into a quiet stillness.

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Before long, Zhou Shibo took his leave.

…

Within the imperial city, at the Ethereal Pavilion.

An informant reported to the Imperial Advisor about Grand Chancellor Zhou Shibo’s visit to the Sword Palace.

Seated on a grand chair, Wei Mocheng nodded slowly, a faint, inscrutable smile curling at the corners of his mouth. He muttered to himself:

“The northern campaign is imminent. The Grand Chancellor is concerned about these tree demons. Such a demon could become a variable I might exploit.”

He waved the informant away. The dimly lit hall was left with only Wei Mocheng.

The black-clad figure in the high-backed chair resembled a sleeping tiger, waiting for the right moment to strike.

…

As time passed, many spiritual materials were discovered, sparking fierce competition. The realm of cultivation grew more lively.

After the strange incident, Wu Dachuan and the other sword servants from the Northern Academy withdrew from the mountains.

Leading the team back, the group chatted and laughed along the way.

“Don’t think we gained nothing. At least we witnessed a strange person within the transformation realm!”

“When we get back, we can brag. Who has ever seen a wildman at the Sword Burial site? I’ll add him to the list of the three sword demons buried there.”

“And Yun junior brother’s sword techniques! We have to let the other three academies know the Northern Academy isn’t to be trifled with!”

“Senior sister said it right—superior swordsmanship lets sword servants even slay sword disciples!”

As they spoke, a tall, burly man stepped out from behind a large tree, his expression stern.

Wu Dachuan’s heart sank immediately.

It was Chu Hu, the Chief Sword Disciple of the Western Academy!

“Yun Que, where is he?” Chu Hu blocked their path, hands behind his back, looking down on them.

“We haven’t seen him!” one sword servant answered coolly.

“Look for Yun Que yourself if you want,” said another, equally unfazed.

Having just fought, their confidence as sword servants had surged. Their words carried a pride that lessened their fear, even before the Western Academy’s top disciple.

Wu Dachuan knew this was bad.

Others might not understand Chu Hu, but he knew this man was ruthless and vengeful. No one dared provoke the Chu brothers in the Sword Palace.

*Thud! Thud!*

After two muffled sounds, Chu Hu withdrew his flying swords.

The two sword servants who had spoken were pierced through their heart meridians and died instantly.

Their bodies collapsed, eyes wide with unclosed death.

The remaining sword servants were stunned into silence.

No one expected Chu Hu to be so merciless—to kill without warning.

“Why kill without reason? Are you a Chief Sword Disciple or a cold-blooded killer?” one newly joined Northern Academy sword servant shouted, unable to hold back.

Before he finished, his heart meridian was also pierced, and he died on the spot.

No one dared utter a word thereafter.

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Wu Dachuan gripped his long sword tightly, wishing he could strike down the man, but never dared move.

They numbered twelve in total; three had been slain outright. The remaining nine, even united, were no match for Chu Hu.

To act would mean certain death.

“We did see Yun Que, but it was a long time ago. We don’t know where he is now,” Wu Dachuan said hastily, lowering his voice to avoid further trouble.

“Is that so?” Chu Hu sneered coldly and suddenly unleashed three sword beams.

With a series of screams, all but Wu Dachuan were instantly killed.

*Thud! Thud!*

Bodies fell one after another.

In mere moments, the once cheerful Northern Academy sword servants were all dead!

Wu Dachuan stood frozen.

He knew Chu Hu was ruthless, but did not expect him to kill without blinking.

Though sword servants were low in status, they were still disciples of the Sword Palace.

To slaughter them so casually meant Chu Hu did not regard them as people at all.

He treated them like beasts.

Chu Hu’s gaze fixed on the last standing Wu Dachuan, expressionless.

“Last time I ask you—where is Yun Que?”

“I’ll tell you! I’ll tell you!” Wu Dachuan’s hand gripping his sword had gone numb. Bloodshot eyes flared as he suddenly shouted, “He’s… he’s in your mother’s bed!”

Wu Dachuan’s sudden outburst was cut short as he was knocked to the ground before he could strike.

“The hunt begins,” Chu Hu said with a savage grin, hoisting Wu Dachuan like a dead dog and striding toward the forest to commence his hunt.

At the same moment—

Yun Que was hiding beside a patch of grass.

On the grass, a group of Western Academy disciples prepared to hunt a white-boned lizard engaged in combat with an ironwood ant swarm.

The ant swarm had formed an ironwood beast, a rare level-two demon beast, evenly matched with the level-two white-boned lizard in fierce battle.

The Western Academy disciples intended to use the classic “mantis stalking the cicada” tactic.

Their leader made a hand gesture, and the others brandished their magical weapons, ready to strike.

What they did not expect was that their mantis stalking had a yellow bird waiting behind.

Yun Que also made a move.

He took the Mask of a Hundred Faces from his storage ring, donned it, and whispered quietly:

“The hunt begins.”