Chapter 38: The Most Ruthless Man in the Imperial Capital

After searching for a while, the crowd found nothing. The perpetrator, after making his move, vanished without a trace; no one knew who had killed the young man in purple.

“Liang One-Blade, step forward,” Deputy Dean Wu’s voice resounded across the plaza, carrying an undeniable authority.

Soon, a robust youth stood up. A massive blade appeared abruptly, resting on his shoulder.

“So it’s him!”

“The son of Liang Cheng, King of the Northern Blade!”

“He comes from the Blade King’s family—no wonder his strike was as powerful as a mountain collapsing.”

The Northern Blade Liang Clan was a super clan in the imperial capital, with an ancient lineage and profound heritage.

“Are all blade cultivators so domineering? His brother once split the general of the Yi Prince’s mansion with his blade, and now Liang One-Blade has slain the son of a high-ranking imperial official. Truly wild.”

“His brother is still training in the Nirvana Institute, ranked among the top three on the Butcher’s List. Best not to provoke Liang One-Blade unless you wish to die.”

“Indeed, with so many ruthless individuals here, it’s better to keep a low profile and stay cautious.”

The crowd murmured among themselves.

“Deputy Dean Wu, you’ve got sharp eyes—saw through me at a glance. What now, are you going to punish me?” Liang One-Blade said calmly, his expression unchanged.

“Do you think I dare not?” Wu’s voice grew colder.

“Heh, no need for that.” Liang One-Blade chuckled. “Of course you dare, Sir. If you act, I wouldn’t dare make a fuss. I lost my temper—couldn’t restrain myself. Please, Deputy Dean, grant me a chance.”

He admitted defeat publicly—a lesson taught by his elder brother.

“Hmph.” Wu snorted. “Liang One-Blade, I know your temperament: you can’t stand arrogance before you. Fine. You don’t yet understand the institute’s rules. I’ll give you a chance—take Chu Kui’s head, and the matter will be settled. The reward stands.”

“A worthy Deputy Dean. I accept the task—thank you for your consideration,” Liang One-Blade replied, leaping forward to land a yard before Chu Kui.

“You’re quite arrogant, aren’t you?” Liang One-Blade hefted his blade, looking at Chu Kui with mocking intent.

Chu Kui’s eyes, fierce like a wild beast’s, fixed on Liang One-Blade.

“And you think you’re worthy?”

That was the phrase Liang One-Blade hated most.

Just days ago, he’d killed the eldest son of the Wu family, a Grade-One official, for exactly the same reason.

“I’ll send you to the underworld!”

Liang One-Blade’s body trembled, and his blade intent erupted.

“Die!”

A trait of Liang One-Blade: when he strikes, he always gives his all.

Roaring, his battle aura surged. Blade intent exploded as he hacked at Chu Kui with reckless ferocity.

Chu Kui merely licked the blood at the corner of his mouth, grinning savagely.

“So many useless fools, always eager to die.”

He struck without a weapon in hand, smashing his palm against the wild blade shadow.

It was as if two iron mountains collided.

The explosion was deafening, making ears ache.

Step after step, Liang One-Blade retreated over ten yards.

Chu Kui, however, stood unmoved.

“How is this possible!” Liang One-Blade stared in disbelief.

His strike could have slain even those in the Profound Realm—how had it been blocked by this mere eighth-tier Palace Entry brat?

Not only blocked—the force of the countershock had wounded his internal organs.

Liang One-Blade was shaken, gazing at Chu Kui’s hand.

It was no human hand, but rather the claw of a beast, covered in dark scales.

“You—you possess demon blood!”

Liang One-Blade exclaimed, nearly shouting in shock.

The others were equally astonished. No wonder Chu Kui exuded such demonic aura and fierce, wicked energy—he possessed demon blood!

And he belonged to a type capable of transformation!

“Afraid?” Chu Kui half-lowered his head, bloodshot eyes glaring upward, murderously.

Liang One-Blade felt the killing intent and involuntarily took two steps back.

Those eyes were terrifying, sending chills through him.

“Sigh, another coward,” Chu Kui sneered, contemptuous as he saw Liang One-Blade’s hesitation.

“Damn you! A mere hunter’s offspring dares look down on me? Courting death!”

Liang One-Blade’s fury ignited once more.

“Tyrant Blade—cut!”

Clang!

A fiery-red blade hovered before Liang One-Blade’s chest.

In his rage, he burned his own essence blood, infusing it into the blade—his trump card for survival!

Chu Kui became more serious, baring his teeth in a roar as black scales grew across his body at a pace visible to the naked eye.

Seeing that a life-and-death battle was imminent, the crowd held their breath, awaiting the outcome.

But then, several figures appeared suddenly in the plaza.

“Who is Xia Jiu Xuan? Step forward.”

At the call, even Liang One-Blade, poised for battle, halted and retreated several yards.

“Brother? Why are you here?” Liang One-Blade looked toward a youth of about eighteen.

“Step aside. I’m not here for you,” the youth signaled Liang One-Blade to withdraw, then looked toward the hundred-plus seated youths.

“Liang Wuhui! It’s him!”

“One of the top three on the Butcher’s List. Why has he come—and who is Xia Jiu Xuan?”

“Who is this Xia Jiu Xuan, to warrant Liang Wuhui’s personal attention?”

“Look behind him— isn’t that Gu Yun, top of the Butcher’s List?”

“Good heavens! Even he’s appeared!”

The crowd was abuzz with excitement. The legendary top ten of the Butcher’s List—all ruthless figures.

Especially Gu Yun, the so-called fiercest man in the capital—even he was here. Clearly, something momentous was about to happen.

With their arrival, Deputy Dean Wu frowned.

“What are you here for?” Wu asked coolly.

“Reporting to Deputy Dean, we’re here to kill someone.” Liang Wuhui clasped his fists in a polite gesture, but his words were shockingly brash—simply declaring intent to kill.

“Outrageous.” Wu rebuked faintly.

“Rest assured, Deputy Dean. We won’t cause trouble—you needn’t worry. No need for us to act; there’s already a murderous demon over there.” Liang Wuhui gestured to Chu Kui, clad in black armor.

“Don’t make trouble, you few. Resolve your business in the killing fields in two months—don’t break the rules.” Mr. Zhao approached.

“Mr. Zhao, if you won’t give face to me or Gu Yun, surely you’ll honor the Third Prince?” Liang Wuhui smiled, looking behind him.

At that, a youth in brocade strolled in from the gate.

Deputy Dean Wu and two other middle-aged men hurried to greet him, bowing: “Greetings, Your Highness the Third Prince.”

“No need for ceremony, Deputy Dean. I happened to be out walking with two friends today, heard they had a little matter to resolve, so I came along,” the Third Prince smiled, motioning for them to rise.

Two friends?

Wu and the others immediately understood: the Third Prince had indeed recruited Gu Yun and Liang Wuhui.

“Of course, Your Highness, please take your seat.” Wu withdrew to the side.

“No need to be tense, Deputy Dean. I won’t break the rules, nor will my friends. I ask only that you do me the courtesy of calling Xia Jiu Xuan forward,” the Third Prince said, settling casually at the table.

“As Your Highness commands.” Wu bowed, then turned to the youths and called out, “Xia Jiu Xuan, step forward.”

Xia Jiu Xuan, who had been silently observing, stood and walked before Gu Yun and Liang Wuhui.

“What business?” Xia Jiu Xuan asked indifferently.

“A small matter,” Liang Wuhui sneered.

“Speak,” Xia Jiu Xuan’s face remained unchanged.

“Brother Gu, you explain.” Liang Wuhui stepped back, yielding position to Gu Yun, famed as the capital’s fiercest.

Gu Yun was not tall, half a head shorter than Xia Jiu Xuan, with fair, clean features, dressed in pale blue-white robes, holding a paper fan—he looked more scholar than warrior.

“I took a job. Spent a night with a woman. Her condition was that I kill you,” Gu Yun said, inclining slightly to Xia Jiu Xuan before speaking—an action that left the new recruits baffled.

Was this really the capital’s top butcher? He hardly looked the part.

“Oh? Well then, make your move; I’ll crush you,” Xia Jiu Xuan replied, not needing to ask—he knew the woman must be Ayao.

He was also aware of Gu Yun’s realm—already Profound Realm.

But so what? When it came to life and death, Xia Jiu Xuan would not retreat. He would use his Saint-level martial skill to crush Gu Yun if necessary, consequences be damned.

“Hahaha, newborn calves fear no tiger—such audacity,” Gu Yun laughed, then said, “As His Highness mentioned, we always observe the rules. If I kill you now, it would break them. Deputy Dean just decreed: whoever kills that demon-blood brute gets a reward. I suggest giving Xia Jiu Xuan the opportunity.”

“Brother Gu, he must die by my blade!” Liang One-Blade protested, still unresolved with Chu Kui.

“Stand down!” Before Gu Yun could speak, Liang Wuhui barked, silencing Liang One-Blade with a glare.

“Xia Jiu Xuan, please.” Gu Yun’s eyes narrowed, gesturing for Xia Jiu Xuan to proceed.

“Trying to kill with borrowed hands? Fine,” Xia Jiu Xuan replied, unconcerned, and stepped forward.

“He’s doomed! Judging by his aura, he’s just a low-level Palace Entry.”

“A mere ant. Didn’t you hear Deputy Dean Wu earlier? This kid only killed a few clan elders and small-town wastrels—nothing special, just a bully among weaklings.”

“Even if he survives today, with his meager strength, he won’t last long. Better to die early and reincarnate.”

…

The youths discussed, their eyes devoid of pity.

“Friend, if you lose, why not join the Nirvana Institute and spare your life?” Xia Jiu Xuan said to the raging Chu Kui.

“What are you? You think you can defeat me?” Chu Kui remained as fierce and ominous as ever.

“Will you agree?” Xia Jiu Xuan stared intently. The mannerisms reminded him of an old acquaintance—so similar, he didn’t wish to kill Chu Kui.

“Fine. If you lose, I’ll tear your flesh and bones apart,” Chu Kui grinned wickedly.

“Agreed. I’ll use just one move,” Xia Jiu Xuan replied.

At his words, even the previously bored Third Prince showed some interest.

A newcomer facing death—how dared he be so arrogant?