50: The sword flew to immortality and the world was no longer filled with Little White Dragon.

“Pah!” Ximen Chuixue glanced at Lu Jiuyuan, then glared at Lu Jiuyuan, before uttering a single word and directly floating down.

With Ximen Chuixue gone, only Sword Intent remained on the rooftop.

Lu Jiuyuan’s hand rested steadily on the hilt of the Seven Stars Sword, his Dragon Robe rustling in the night wind. His eyes were calm, but the killing intent within him was pure and surged straight to the heavens.

“Ye Gucheng,” Lu Jiuyuan’s voice was low and clear, piercing through the night wind, “Once the sword is drawn, there is no regret. Tonight, only the sword matters.”

Ye Gucheng nodded slightly, his long sword pointing diagonally to the ground, its tip trembling faintly, emitting a subtle hum, like white clouds whispering in the wind: “Please!”

The moment his words fell, both men moved almost simultaneously!

There was no earth-shattering commotion, only two streaks of cold light tearing through the night!

Lu Jiuyuan’s sword was still a thrust, carrying immense killing intent and determination.

Pure, incredibly pure.

Ye Gucheng’s sword was still like white clouds emerging from the mountains, ethereal and lofty.

The Sword Intent of Celestial Flight unfolded, the sword light like a bolt of silk, seemingly intending to envelop the entire Southern Study rooftop in a desolate sea of clouds.

The Moves were exquisite.

“Clang! Clang! Ding! Hiss—!”

The clang of metal on metal was as dense as a sudden downpour, sparks flying in the moonlight like flowers blooming in the night sky.

Two figures intertwined, collided, separated, and collided again on the narrow glazed tile roof at a speed indiscernible to the naked eye!

Sword Qi crisscrossed and surged, cutting through the air with a sharp hiss. The experts watching below all held their breath, feeling the oppressive sharpness.

Suddenly, Ye Gucheng retreated, using the momentum, intending to create distance and regroup his sword stance.

It was in this subtle moment, when old strength was spent and new strength had yet to form, that a sharp pain instantly pierced his heart!

His movements inevitably showed a subtle, almost imperceptible delay, and his sword stance consequently revealed an extremely tiny gap!

This gap, to ordinary people, might not even exist.

But to a top swordsman like Lu Jiuyuan, it was like a lighthouse in the dark!

Without the slightest hesitation, he stomped his foot, sending glazed tiles shattering and scattering!

He pressed forward, his entire being clinging to the opponent, the Seven Stars Sword in his hand condensing all his essence, Qi, and spirit, transforming into a pure, incredibly fast, and utterly destructive sword light, carrying the will to end all!

This sword was faster! More ruthless! More absolute than before! The sword light was aimed directly at Ye Gucheng’s heart!

Ye Gucheng’s pupils contracted sharply!

He saw that fatal cold glint infinitely magnified before his eyes! He felt the cold, life-extinguishing breath of death!

He wanted to parry, but the sharp pain in his heart slowed his arm’s movement by a ten-thousandth of a second;

He wanted to dodge, but Lu Jiuyuan’s Sword Intent had completely locked onto him, like a gaze from the Nine Hells, making evasion impossible!

Time seemed to be infinitely stretched.

A flicker of understanding, a trace of regret, passed through Ye Gucheng’s eyes, finally settling into a clear tranquility.

He abandoned the futile struggle, straightened his body, and met the final sword.

Lu Jiuyuan’s sword paused for a moment.

“Thud!”

A dull yet exceptionally clear sound of a Sharp Weapon piercing flesh echoed in the dead silent night sky, sounding particularly jarring.

The cold blade of the Seven Stars Sword pierced Ye Gucheng’s heart with unparalleled precision!

The sword tip emerged from his back, bringing with it a trail of crimson blood beads, drawing a tragic and beautiful arc in the moonlight.

Ye Gucheng’s body jolted violently, all his movements instantly freezing.

He lowered his head, looking at the magnificent sword blade piercing his chest, a trickle of fresh blood slowly overflowing from the corner of his mouth, yet a strange, relieved smile appeared on his face.

“Your sword has improved even further!” He uttered with difficulty, his voice weak, yet clearly reaching Lu Jiuyuan’s ears.

“Your injury has not recovered!”

“If my injury had recovered, how could I have deceived Lu Xiaofeng?”

“Even if your injury hadn’t recovered, you still couldn’t deceive Lu Xiaofeng!”

“Why did you participate in the rebellion? What does it matter to you who becomes the Emperor?”

“Standing at the peak of the mountain, looking down upon the world, is very boring! My Dao of the sword has reached this point, and I can’t see the path to go higher.

My student wanted to rebel, so I accompanied him in rebellion.

What I valued more was this battle with Ximen Chuixue, but alas… in the end, I still couldn’t see the Sword God’s sword… quite a pity!

However… you’re not bad either,” but when he said these four words, Ye Gucheng felt a little insincere,

He was about to die, why lie: “Your swordsmanship is still lacking just a tiny bit!”

“I hope you can go further. Draw your sword!”

“Life is a grand dream; death may not be a grand adventure! Farewell!”

The sword blade left his body, bringing with it a line of blood beads.

The light in Ye Gucheng’s eyes dimmed rapidly, like a burnt-out candle.

His tall figure swayed, then fell straight backward, landing on the glazed tiles, utterly silent.

The moonlight remained cold and clear, casting its light on the blood-stained white robes, making him appear even more solitary and desolate.

A generation’s Sword Immortal, Lord of Baiyun City Ye Gucheng, thus perished on the rooftop of the Forbidden City’s Southern Study.

The square was dead silent. The lightning-fast, thrilling, yet strangely fated duel that had just transpired,

had made everyone hold their breath. Only now, with the dust settled, did the immense shock and complex emotions surge like a tide.

Wei Ziyun and the imperial guards’ hearts were in their throats. Seeing the “Emperor” safe and sound, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But they were immediately enveloped by immense lingering fear and bewilderment… The Emperor personally killed Ye Gucheng? Is His Majesty that amazing? This… what exactly happened?

Lu Xiaofeng looked at the “Emperor” standing with his sword on the rooftop, then at the “Lu Jiuyuan” beside him, holding the Guhong Sword with a look of unfulfilled desire.

The corner of his mouth twitched, finally turning into a long sigh: “Ninth Brother… you bastard… you played a really big game.”

Ximen Chuixue’s figure reappeared silently at the edge of the rooftop. His cold eyes swept over Ye Gucheng’s corpse, then rested on the “Emperor,” his gaze so sharp it seemed to pierce through the Dragon Robe.

He said nothing, only let out a cold snort. Looking at Lu Jiuyuan, his expression showed utter disdain. He picked up Ye Gucheng’s corpse and turned to leave.

“Your Majesty!” Wei Ziyun finally reacted, his voice trembling with urgency, “Are you… are you unharmed? The traitor Ye Gucheng has been executed. This place is dangerous; please, Your Majesty, Move quickly!”

Lu Jiuyuan on the rooftop slowly exhaled a breath of stale air. He reached into his embrace, only to remember he hadn’t brought a handkerchief.

He looked at the magnificent Seven Stars Sword in his hand, then tilted the sword tip, gently blowing off the single drop of blood on it.

He ignored Wei Ziyun, instead casting his gaze at the Emperor below, who was wearing his clothes.

Their eyes met in the air.

He nodded, then his figure swept down, landing lightly like a large bird back inside the Southern Study courtyard.

“Close the doors and guard outside,” Lu Jiuyuan instructed Wei Ziyun, his tone returning to its usual casualness, yet carrying an undeniable authority.

Wei Ziyun immediately understood, directing his trusted imperial guards to quickly clear and seal off the area around the Southern Study. No unauthorized personnel were allowed near.

“Sword Saint Lu Jiuyuan, please follow me into the study. I have something to discuss with you!”

Inside the study, the candlelight brightened again.

Lu Jiuyuan and the Emperor quickly changed their clothes.

Feng Bao appeared silently at the doorway, bowing and saying: “Your Majesty, Second Master.

The Prince of Nan and his accomplices have all been apprehended. The Eastern Depot is interrogating them overnight. The Nanhai Sword Sect, Tang Clan of Shu, and Western Region Lamas were all involved. Now, we just await the final sweep.”

The Emperor nodded, his eyes regaining the profundity of a monarch: “Eunuch Feng, you’ve done very well. You know what to say about tonight’s events.”

“This servant understands.” Feng Bao bowed even lower,

“Ye Gucheng forced his way into the palace with his sword, engaging in a decisive battle with Your Majesty atop the Southern Study. Your Majesty, with Divine Might, slew him.

The Prince of Nan’s rebellion was discovered by the Second Master, who executed his accomplices, shattered his conspiracy, and captured the ringleaders. All rebels have either been brought to justice or apprehended.

Your Majesty is safe and sound; the petty villains are nothing to worry about.”

The Emperor nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Lu Jiuyuan, his eyes sincere: “Second Brother, tonight, I owe much to you. This favor, Elder Brother will remember.”

Lu Jiuyuan put on his clothes, holding the Guhong Sword, and immediately felt that this weapon was more familiar.

He didn’t mind the Emperor’s words: “Why be so formal, Elder Brother? I was also very happy fighting Ye Gucheng.

It’s just that with the way we played this, Ximen Chuixue probably wants to chop me to death.”

Thinking of Ximen Chuixue’s cold gaze when he looked at Lu Jiuyuan, the Emperor couldn’t help but let out a laugh: “Ahem… the Sword God, he’s broad-minded, understanding, understanding.”

He then said seriously: “Those Jianghu friends outside, it’s time to send them out of the palace. They’ve been restless all night; they must be tired.”

The Southern Study doors reopened.

Wei Ziyun looked at the Emperor and Lu Jiuyuan walking out side by side, finally letting out a complete sigh of relief—this was the familiar feeling.

In the square, the Martial Forest heroes, who had been held back at a distance, had long been anxious. Seeing the Emperor safe and sound, and Lu Jiuyuan standing by his side, they knew it was time to disperse!

The Emperor smiled: “My Jianghu friends, you’ve been startled tonight.

The traitor has been eliminated, and the storm has settled. It is inconvenient to stay long in the palace. Commander Wei, on my behalf, please escort these heroes out of the palace.”

“As you command!” Wei Ziyun cupped his fists and accepted the order, then turned to the crowd and said: “Everyone, please follow me.”

“Little Chicken Lu, Old Ninth Lu, what kind of trick are you playing?” Sikong Zhaixing asked from a distance from Lu Jiuyuan.

“Old thief, come closer, and I’ll tell you!” Lu Jiuyuan said with a gentle and cordial expression.

“Haha!” Sikong Zhaixing laughed awkwardly: “Then let’s forget it. This old man isn’t that curious!”

“Lu Jiuyuan, I want to duel you!” Ximen Chuixue’s cold voice came.

Those who had some guesses instantly fell silent, quietly watching the show.

“Alright, let’s set the time for thirty years from now!”

Lu Jiuyuan directly said: “Thirty years from now, on the night of the full moon, at the peak of Mount Tai, a sacred battle, a single sword to split the heavens!”

Ximen Chuixue was silent for a moment, then uttered a single word: “Pah!”

“Hahahahaha…”

Even Ximen Chuixue was angered enough to curse, and the Jianghu heroes walking together burst into laughter.

The Emperor held the Seven Stars Sword, standing on the rooftop, watching the long line of torches escorting people away, and the Jianghu people who, for some unknown reason, suddenly looked up and laughed heartily.

“Eunuch Feng, what do you think they’re laughing at? Laughing so happily?”

“This servant does not know… Perhaps it’s this duel, or perhaps it’s a Jianghu anecdote!” Feng Bao said softly, a hint of heartache in his eyes as he looked at His Majesty.

“Jianghu anecdote… I am Little White Dragon, whose Divine Might shakes the Three Mountains and Five Peaks, and whose name is known across the Four Seas and Eight Deserts… Hahahahaha”

The Emperor leveled his long sword, struck a pose, shouted a few times, and laughed heartily, almost to the point of tears, before throwing the Seven Stars Sword in his hand to Feng Bao:

“Put this sword away; it will never be used again!

The waters of Jianghu cannot drown Little White Dragon, but they are too small and too shallow to allow Little White Dragon to gallop freely!”

“Your Majesty!”

“I’ve been idle all day today, and there are many memorials I haven’t reviewed. Bring them all in; I’ll deal with them tonight…”