Chapter 6: Making a Move

Bai Xuehua stood motionless, her long, graceful hair drifting gently in the wind. Snowflakes fell silently, landing on her dress, while her clear eyes gazed steadily at her three opponents, the murderous aura around her growing ever stronger.

She knew well how perilous this fight would be. That day, out of kindness, she had spared Xiao Zhenfen—perhaps the greatest mistake of her life. A mistake that might cost her everything.

Facing three of the most formidable masters in the martial world, victory was impossible; even the chance to escape with her life was nearly nonexistent. To be honest, in today’s world, anyone who could flee from any one of these three would already be worthy of respect.

Long Wei's eyes were fixed on Bai Xuehua, his pupils contracting, his whole body poised like a leopard about to pounce on its prey.

Xiao Zhenfen gripped the hilt of his Seven-Star Blade, his body tense, every muscle ready to spring. Only Zhao Wuying appeared relaxed, his smile confident and satisfied—the smile of a victor who has caught his prize. Yet even though his sword remained sheathed, the aura of death emanating from him was sharper than ever.

Looking at Zhao Wuying, Bai Xuehua also smiled, her expression full of courage. She was no lamb waiting for slaughter; whoever wished to kill her would pay dearly.

She spoke calmly, “Xiao Zhenfen, will you face me alone, or do the three of you mean to attack together?”

Zhao Wuying replied, “Allow me to learn from you first, Miss Bai.” He paused, then continued, “Be careful, Miss. I do not strike lightly. Once I make my move, I show no mercy.” As he spoke, he slowly drew his sword.

Zhao Wuying’s swordplay was renowned—swift as lightning when facing a worthy foe, yet now his movements were deliberate. He was a prodigy. He had begun studying the sword at seven, and by seventeen was acclaimed the finest young swordsman of his generation.

At twenty-seven, he defeated the top demonic swordsman, the deadly Ruthless Sword, and was chosen by all the great sects as the martial alliance’s leader. His Invisible Sword, once unknown, had become legendary. He ushered in the sword’s most glorious era.

Ten years had passed since Zhao Wuying last drew the famed Invisible Sword, but he was confident his skills had matured—more precise, more ruthless, more formidable.

His smile grew even more captivating. He said to Bai Xuehua, “Miss Bai, if you survive my sword, you may be proud, for you would be the only person in thirty years to escape death by my hand. If, by misfortune, you die beneath my sword, you may rest easy, for I am forced to use the Invisible Sword against you—for the first time in ten years. Even in the underworld, you may boast of this.”

Bai Xuehua laughed; it was rare to face such a witty opponent. Indeed, in the martial world, dying at the hands of the strong was no shame. To fall to a villain was true misfortune, one that would haunt the soul.

Zhao Wuying noticed her smile and asked in surprise, “Miss Bai, can you still find reason to smile at such a moment?”

Bai Xuehua replied calmly, “Of course. I am confident I can leave this place, so I need not despair. And if I cannot escape, begging and weeping would do no good.”

Zhao Wuying sighed, “Miss Bai, you are truly clever. Of all the girls I have met, you are the most delightful. But also the most dangerous woman I have ever known. Alas, we can only be adversaries.”

He then revealed his sword. The Invisible Sword deserved its reputation—a flash of cold light, murderous intent blanketing the snowy field; the blade was as thin as a streamer, crystalline and transparent. When the sword moved, it was almost impossible to see where its tip pointed, earning its name.

Zhao Wuying gripped his sword, stepping forward lightly with his right foot.

Bai Xuehua tightened her hold on her jade flute. This flute, famed as the Demon Flute, was her weapon of choice throughout her journeys.

The wind howled, snow swirled. Two peerless masters stood face to face, neither daring to underestimate the other.

Bai Xuehua stared at Zhao Wuying, unmoving, like a statue carved from frost.

Generally, women are more easily agitated than men, especially at the brink of life and death. Their hearts are more prone to chaos. Yet Bai Xuehua possessed a patience rare in young women.

Zhao Wuying’s smile deepened, as if he were facing not an enemy, but a lover.

He said, “Miss Bai, your patience is remarkable. Why don’t you strike first? I have given you the chance to seize the initiative.”

Bai Xuehua replied coolly, “It is you who wish to kill me, not I who wish to kill you. I am patient enough to wait for your move.”

Zhao Wuying laughed, “Miss Bai, I prefer to act. I always seek out others before they seek me, always striking first. Before anyone can kill me, I kill them.”

He attacked, unleashing the Invisible Sword’s famed ‘Shadowless and Traceless’ strike. With the Invisible Sword, this move dazzled the eye, making it impossible for the opponent to see where the blade was aimed.

The Invisible Sword exuded a fierce killing aura, its tip carving a beautiful arc in the air—so beautiful it mesmerized, so beautiful it terrified.

It was the most perfect sword technique Bai Xuehua had ever witnessed. The blade, wrapped in drifting snowflakes, swept toward her. Instantly, she felt a tremendous pressure on her chest, as the sword’s light transformed into countless rays, enveloping her vital points.

A wave of despair swept through her heart. Zhao Wuying’s technique was flawless, so flawless there was no opening.

Bai Xuehua could not think of any way to counter it. Her only option was to retreat swiftly, avoiding the deadly sweep of Zhao Wuying’s sword.

Yet as soon as she moved back, the Invisible Sword clung to her vital points like a shadow. She was forced to retreat again and again, utterly on the defensive.

Each strike from Zhao Wuying was meant to kill.

Bai Xuehua had no chance to counterattack, relying only on her exceptional agility to evade. But retreating could not last. Now, it was time to risk everything.

She stopped retreating, swung her jade flute forward, ready to gamble on mutual destruction.

Zhao Wuying immediately felt a powerful force pressing against his chest. He was forced to withdraw his sword by a foot, shifting from offense to defense, and stepped back to avoid disaster. Bai Xuehua pushed Zhao Wuying back, but also retreated herself. In an instant, the snowy ground fell silent once more.

Bai Xuehua sighed, “Zhao Wuying, what grudge do we have? Why must you seek my life?”

Zhao Wuying smiled, “Miss Bai, you slaughter innocents and bring calamity to the martial world. As the leader of the Central Plains martial alliance, I cannot ignore the troubles of the world. For the sake of future peace, I must trouble you.”

Xiao Zhenfen interjected, “Miss Bai, originally I challenged you to a duel here and shouldn’t have asked for help. But for the safety of the martial world, I can no longer care about such matters.”

Bai Xuehua sneered, “So you three intend to attack together?”

Zhao Wuying laughed, “Miss Bai, you are clever as ever. You guessed right. Since I cannot be sure of defeating you alone, we must join forces against you.” Bai Xuehua replied coldly, “Zhao Wuying, are you not afraid of being ridiculed by your peers?”