59: The exorcism of the devil begins with the lewd thief, the Seven Wonderful Young Master Liu Yulang!

Half a month later, Jiangnan Dao, Hangzhou City.

Inside the Rain and Mist Tower, Jianghu heroes gathered in pairs, eating meat and drinking wine heartily.

They were discussing interesting Jianghu anecdotes.

“Haven't you heard? These past two months, the Jianghu has been turbulent!” An old man squatted on a stool, speaking excitedly, his saliva flying everywhere:

“I don't know why, but ever since the battle of the Immortal Dragon at The Summit of the Forbidden City, Ximen Chuixue has been at odds with the Sword Devil.

It is said that the two now dislike each other and have been competing.

The Sword Devil specializes in killing lechers, and has already killed five, whether they are from famous orthodox sects, Jianghu Gangs, or lone cultivators; none have survived his sword.

Ximen Chuixue specializes in killing traitors, those who betray brothers, stab brothers in the back, or scheme against friends; he kills every one he finds, and has also killed five so far.

It's as if they're competing, it's very strange…”

“That's strange, why do I feel like Ximen Chuixue's killings have a hidden meaning?” Someone whispered.

“You're right, I also feel like his sword has a hidden meaning! Lu Jiuyuan and Ximen Chuixue really fell out, precisely because the Sword Devil's interference caused Ximen Chuixue to miss his opponent.

Ye Gucheng ultimately died at Your Majesty’s hands.”

“I, however, think Ximen Chuixue is in the wrong.

If the emperor wants to duel, who can stop him? Didn't Ximen Chuixue just stand there? If he had the ability, he should have gone up and fought Ye Gucheng himself, or fought the emperor.

Why blame the Sword Devil? This wasn't something he could decide.” The old man squatting on the stool said loudly:

“Brother, you have insight, well said! I feel the same way!” Lu Jiuyuan raised the teacup in his hand and said with a smile:

“Hahahaha, young man, you don't seem like a local, do you?” The old man also burst into laughter: “Your accent isn't local, are you from the north?”

“Yes, from the north, looking for someone.” Lu Jiuyuan nodded: “Big brother seems well-informed, I wonder if you can give me some guidance!

Waiter, this big brother's food and drinks today are on my tab.”

“Hahahaha, of course, little brother, ask away!” The old man took a bite of his dish and said with great interest.

“Old brother, what do you think those lechers are thinking? There are beautiful women everywhere in the Ten-Mile Qinhuai.

There are plenty of beauties, with looks and skills, why are those lechers so irrational, insisting on ruining innocent women?

After being defiled by them, these girls turn from maidens into young wives, either hanging themselves or jumping into the water, with no other way to live.” Lu Jiuyuan asked honestly.

“Little brother, you don't know this, but do lechers ever have anything decent about them?

As the saying goes, a wife is not as good as a concubine, a concubine is not as good as a stolen lover, and a stolen lover is not as good as one you can't get.

What they seek is excitement!

Are these 'flower butterflies,' 'little bees,' 'first-line incense,' 'nine-tailed foxes,' and 'flower guests' without money? Of course not!

With their skills, they can easily earn a lot of money, so why do they still go 'picking flowers'? Excitement, it's all for excitement.

What fun is there in the pleasure boats? They've all been through so much, they're like dead fish.

Whether they're pretty or not doesn't matter too much, because what they want isn't the face, but the thrill of potentially being discovered at any moment, of being chased at any moment, that tense and exciting feeling.”

“I see!” Lu Jiuyuan nodded with a look of understanding: “These people, who for their own selfish desires, defile others' innocence, ruin lives, and treat human lives as nothing, I think they truly deserve to die, don't you?”

“Me?” The old man pointed to himself with his finger: “If you ask me, these scum deserve to be cut into a thousand pieces, flayed, and have sky lanterns lit on them.

People painstakingly raise their daughters, only to have them ruined by these lechers.

If you ask me, if they fell into my hands, the first thing I'd do is cut off their manhood and feed it to the dogs.

Then I'd flay them and light sky lanterns, to serve as a warning to all lechers in the world.”

Lu Jiuyuan’s voice was not loud, yet it clearly cut through the surrounding clamor: “Old brother just said that what those lechers seek is nothing more than ‘excitement.’

The ‘dead fish’ of the red-light district can’t satisfy their pathetic, twisted desires, so they must harm innocent families, ruin reputations, and cut off people’s livelihoods… I truly can’t understand how such behavior, worse than beasts, can be done with a clear conscience?

Old brother is well-informed, so you must have a more thorough understanding of the minds of such people, right?”

These words seemed to have a hidden meaning. Everyone present was a Jianghu person, and some had already sensed that something was amiss.

The air around seemed to solidify, and several gazes subtly swept over.

Some of the more cautious ones had already begun to quietly get up, preparing to leave.

The rosy glow on the old man’s face instantly faded, revealing a subtle stiffness, which was then replaced by an even more exaggerated smile, but deep within that smile, an imperceptible chill and wariness emerged:

“Oh dear, little brother, that question… it really hits the nail on the head.

The minds of such scum are already twisted; how can there be any ‘clear conscience’ to speak of?

It’s purely beastly urges taking over, unable to control what’s in their pants! If you ask me, they just need a good beating! They deserve to be cut into a thousand pieces!”

He raised his wine cup, concealingly took a large gulp, and his voice rose a few pitches, carrying a deliberate, indignant tone:

“Just like I said!

The second move is to flay them and stuff them with straw, and the third is to light sky lanterns!

Let all those bastards in the world who can't control themselves see their fate! That’s what I call satisfying! That’s what I call acting on behalf of the Dao!”

“Oh?” A very subtle, ice-cold curve appeared at the corner of Lu Jiuyuan’s mouth.

He slowly stood up, his movements not fast, yet carrying a heavy pressure, like a storm brewing.

The satchel casually leaning against the table was opened, and an odd weapon, square-shaped with a flat, sharpened tip, was now in his hand.

Without a scabbard, the bright silver, four-edged blade of the Guhong Sword reflected a bone-chilling glint under the sunlight.

“Cut into a thousand pieces… flayed and sky lanterns lit…”

Lu Jiuyuan’s voice deepened: “Old brother’s suggestion, not only sounds satisfying, but it also greatly pleases me!”

“Four-sided, four-edged, with a sharpened tip, the color of rotten silver, capable of stabbing and smashing but not cutting, the divine weapon of the world, Guhong Sword!”

The Rain and Mist Tower fell completely silent. This sword was truly too distinctive.

It was so distinctive that upon seeing it, any Jianghu person would have heard its name.

Seeing the man is like seeing a ghost! Sword Devil Lu Jiuyuan!

The suffocating, icy killing intent that permeated the air rose from their hearts, and everyone held their breath, intently watching the old man opposite.

No one knew who this person was, appearing so unremarkable, yet capable of drawing the Sword Devil himself to kill him.

The smile on the old man’s face completely froze, and his eyes finally revealed undisguised horror and fear.

He suddenly jumped off the stool, instinctively stepping back, his hand already reaching for his waist:

“You… little brother, what is the meaning of this? Don’t… don’t joke… this isn’t funny at all… I’m just an old man, almost seventy, I’ve long since self-destructed, I can’t get it up… a misunderstanding, it’s all a misunderstanding!”

“Misunderstanding?” Lu Jiuyuan took a step forward. He stared at the old man’s eyes, which had narrowed in terror, and spoke each word clearly and distinctly:

“Is it really a misunderstanding? Seven Wonders Playboy Liu Yulang.”