: Xie Qidao of the Dark River! The God of Slaughter Descends on Snow Moon City!

The stench of blood was so strong, it was suffocating, as if even the surrounding air had been stained red.

Lei Wujie's palms were slightly sweaty as he gripped the sword. Although he was carefree by nature, he wasn't oblivious to the dangers.

Even in the Lei Family Fortress, where masters abound, he had only ever felt this level of killing intent from a few reclusive ancestors.

"Pat-pat, pat-pat."

A series of heavy, slow footsteps came from the shadows at the end of the street.

Each step felt like stepping on a person's heartbeat, causing Lei Wujie, Wushuang, and Xiao Se to feel a strange tightness in their chests.

Gradually, the figure emerged from the shadows.

He was an extremely burly man, standing at least two meters tall, with bulging muscles all over his body, like a human-shaped bear walking upright.

He was dressed in a black short-sleeved shirt, his exposed arms covered with crisscrossing scars, each scar like a medal, telling the story of the countless life-and-death battles he had experienced.

But what's most striking about him is the knife he carries on his back.

A broadsword with a thick blade, entirely black, seemingly capable of swallowing light!

Even before the blade was drawn, the chilling aura of the sword surged forth like a tidal wave, causing the surrounding air to emit subtle popping sounds.

Behind him, dozens of men in black followed silently.

They wore hideous spider masks and moved along the ground like ghosts, making no sound, yet exuding a chilling aura that sent shivers down one's spine.

Dark river, spider!

And the leader...

Xiao Se's pupils constricted sharply, and he whispered, "Xie Qidao, the head of the Xie family of the Dark River! That madman who claims he never needs a second strike to kill!"

"Xie Qidao?"

Lei Wujie felt a chill run down his spine; he had heard of this name before.

Xie Qidao's name has consistently ranked among the top three on the list of top assassins in the martial arts world; he is a true god of death!

It is said that the number of experts from the Free and Unfettered Realm who died by his blade is more than one hand's worth!

"Snap!"

Xie Qidao stopped ten feet away from the tavern entrance.

The bluestone slab beneath his feet shattered into countless fragments in that instant of pause.

He slowly raised his head, his fierce, beast-like eyes sweeping over the three teenagers blocking the doorway, a cruel sneer curling at the corner of his mouth.

"This... is the Evergreen Tavern?"

Xie Qidao's voice was deep and resonant, so loud it made the tavern windows rattle.

"I heard that pretty boy named Su Changqing is hiding here? And he even had a bastard child named Su Xiaonuo?"

"Hand over that girl, and I might give that pretty boy a proper burial. As for you unrelated brats... if you get out of here now, I can pretend I didn't see you."

Madness!

overbearing!

This is the source of the Dark River Clan Head's confidence!

In his eyes, these greenhorns were nothing more than a few slightly stronger ants, not worth him drawing his sword at all!

"presumptuous!"

Before Lei Wujie could speak, Wushuang, who was always proud and arrogant, exploded.

Carrying the enormous peerless sword case on his back, he stepped forward and blocked the tavern's main entrance. His youthful yet stubborn face was filled with disdain and fighting spirit.

"Old man, you've got quite the big mouth, huh? Aren't you afraid of biting off more than you can chew?"

Wushuang sneered, patting the sword case on his back. "Want to enter this door? Want to mess with the people inside? First, ask my Wushuang sword case if it agrees!"

"Zheng—"

The sword case vibrated, and although the thirteen flying swords had not yet been drawn, their sharp sword intent was already poised to be unleashed, pointing directly at Xie Qidao's brow!

"The Peerless Sword Box?"

Xie Qidao glanced at Wushuang, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"A brat from Wushuang City? Interesting. That good-for-nothing Song Yan's disciple has far more guts than he did. Too bad... you're too green!"

"you!"

Wushuang was furious.

"Alright, alright, stop wasting your breath on him."

Lei Wujie pulled Wushuang aside and stepped forward himself. The Killing Fear Sword in his hand was already unsheathed, its red blade burning with raging flames, which dispelled much of the surrounding chill.

"Old man, we're the security guards here! If you want to go in and arrest someone, you'll have to step over our dead bodies!"

Although Lei Wujie was a little intimidated, he refused to lose face and absolutely could not back down in terms of momentum.

"Perfect timing! I just learned two unparalleled sword techniques from my little niece, and I was just looking for a place to practice! I'll use you rats who only know how to hide in the gutter to test my skills!"

"Security guard? Just practice?"

Xie Qidao was so angry he laughed.

He, the dignified head of the Dark River Clan and a peak expert of the Free and Unfettered Heaven Realm, was actually used as a practice target by two immature brats.

If this gets out, how will Xie Qidao ever be able to survive in the martial arts world again?

"Good! Very good!"

Xie Qidao's killing intent surged instantly, and the surrounding air seemed to freeze at that moment. "Since you're so eager to die, then I'll grant your wish!"

"kill!"

At his command, dozens of spider assassins behind him charged forward like hungry wolves pouncing on their prey!

"Make your move!" Xiao Se shouted in a low voice.

Although he couldn't use his internal energy, the Wuji Staff in his hand seemed to come alive, precisely striking the assassins' inevitable path.

Whether it's tripping someone's leg or tapping their wrist, although it's not very lethal, it greatly disrupts the opponent's rhythm.

"Cloud Shuttle! Go!"

With a loud shout, Wushuang opened the sword box, and the first flying sword, like a shooting star, instantly pierced through the chest of an assassin!

"Fire Scorching Technique! Fiery Whirlwind!"

Lei Wujie transformed into a fiery whirlwind, unleashing powerful and sweeping attacks with his Killing Sword, forcing back the several assassins who had charged at him!

A chaotic fight broke out at the entrance of the tavern.

But this is just an appetizer.

The real threat is still Xie Qidao, who hasn't made a move yet!

Xie Qidao's patience finally ran out as he watched his men fail to break through the defenses and even lose several men.

"A bunch of useless trash!"

He snorted coldly, and finally reached out and grasped the hilt of the huge black sword behind him.

boom!

The moment he gripped the knife, a terrifying aura, seemingly emanating from hell, surged into the sky!

Lei Wujie and Wushuang felt a sudden heaviness all over their bodies, as if a mountain was on their backs, and even their movements became sluggish.

"not good!"

Xiao Se's expression changed drastically. "Retreat!"

late!

"I, Xie Qidao, kill people without a penchant for idle chatter."

Xie Qidao drew his sword, and the sword energy flowed like a long river of blood.

"A bunch of brats who haven't even grown their first hairs yet, dare to block my way? Die!"

With a single slash, Lei Wujie and Wushuang were simultaneously thrown back, spitting out blood!