Chapter 54: Bring Under Control

　　“Ji Meng, what are you doing? Kill him quickly!” Looking at Ji Meng’s hazy eyes, Gao Feng immediately cried out.

　　Yunxiao held up Black Girl and the peach blossoms all over the sky vanished instantly. He chuckled and said, “Submit to me, and I will teach you the true peach blossom sword intent.”

　　“The true peach blossom sword intent!” Ji Meng’s body suddenly trembled a little, and his hand carrying the slender soft sword was also shivering. He wondered what degree of enlightenment in the martial arts did an individual need to have to display the sword intent and the artistic conception just now?

　　He had a feeling that if he killed Yunxiao, perhaps he would never see peach blossoms in full bloom in his life again.

　　Gao Feng’s expression changed dramatically as he shouted at the top of his lungs, “Ji Meng, don’t forget your identity and our mission! You are the deputy commander of the First Unit of the State Guardians, and you must obey my orders!”

　　At this point, Qin Yue suddenly cried out, “Ji Meng, I promise I won’t punish you if you submit to me now! When we take down this traitor, Gao Feng, you will be the commander of the First Unit!”

　　Ji Meng shuddered, and beads of cold sweat oozed from his forehead. On one hand was the mission of life and death, and on the other hand was the supreme martial arts he was searching for. How should he choose?

　　“You are the commander of the State Guardians, but you are also a warrior,” Yunxiao laughed and said. “If you lose your pursuit of martial arts, what’s the point even if you are the commander-in-chief or the king? Our lives are limited, but only martial arts are eternal!”

　　Our lives are limited, but only martial arts are eternal!

　　Ji Meng’s body quivered as his eyes burst into light. “If I submit to you, will you really teach me the peach blossom sword intent?” He asked in a low voice.

　　Yunxiao chuckled, “Although the peach blossom sword intent is amazing, the road of martial arts will never end. As long as you follow me, you will surely go further.”

　　Ji Meng sighed as he sheathed his soft sword and said guiltily, “Commander Gao, I’m sorry!”

　　Gao Feng’s eyes were filled with disbelief, and he knew there was no point in staying any longer. Today’s mission was foolproof, but he did not expect such an incredible thing to happen at this critical moment, leading to failure!

　　He roared wildly with extreme reluctance and threw out his palms, pushing Bai Mou away with waves of powerful force. After that, he flung out his arms and jumped into the sky, disappearing into the night like a great bird.

　　Although Bai Mou and Qin Yue both saw the result, they had a hard time accepting it. They could not believe they had succeeded in turning Ji Meng over. This was just too mysterious…

　　“Haha!” Qin Yue burst out laughing. “Even heaven is helping me! Young Master Yun, you are really my benefactor! With Commander Ji helping me now, my plan will surely succeed!”

　　Ji Meng’s face flickered as he said coldly, “Your Highness, the person I want to follow is Young Master Yun, not you.”

　　Qin Yue was taken aback, but then he smiled awkwardly and said, “Young Master Yun is my friend now.”

　　After saying that, he performed several incantation gestures. A few hand seals flew into the blue array flag, and rings of light began to swirl around it while the array under his feet gradually disappeared. After that, the flag shrunk and flew back into his hand, but its color faded significantly. Looking at it, his eyes flashed with a hint of pain.

　　Ji Meng looked at Yunxiao and said, “Although I submit to you today, I do not intend to be your follower forever. The day I learn the peach blossom sword intent, that is when I leave you.”

　　Yunxiao laughed, “I also hope you can scram when you have learned the sword intent. When the time comes, you better don’t cry and shout, begging to follow me around.”

　　“Young Master Yun, your achievement in martial arts is really beyond my imagination,” Bai Mou said in awe. “Although I am a Martial Lord, my understanding of martial arts is far weaker than yours. I really admire you very much!” She meant what she said. Yunxiao’s peach blossom sword intent had completely convinced her, especially when such a powerful sword intent was actually displayed by a mere four-stars warrior!

　　“The road of martial arts has no end. We are all just people exploring the same road.”

　　Ji Meng and Bai Mou became silent at the same time. The road of martial arts had no end, and who dared to say that he had reached the end? On this vast road, everyone was extremely small.

　　Bai Mou suddenly had an illusion that there was some kind of martial arts laws in Yunxiao’s every move, word, and action. This artistic conception was far more profound and unfathomable than she could comprehend. She was immediately startled by the feeling.

　　“It’s not appropriate to stay here any longer. Let’s go to my residence first,” said Qin Yue.

　　They left in a hurry, but Yunxiao did not forget to bring with him the two maids who had already been scared out of their wits. This made others smile bitterly. In their eyes, the lives of several maids were no different from those of ants and could be discarded at any time.

　　After entering Qin Yue’s residence, it was a peaceful night.

　　Everything was normal the next day, as if nothing had happened. The bodies that died in the battle last night were cleaned up by some unknown people. There was nothing unusual in the whole state. However, there was a piece of unexpected news.

　　“I didn’t expect His Majesty to be so afraid of the Li Family. He would rather offend Xiao Qingwang than let the Li Family regain power,” said Bai Mou in a low voice.

　　Qin Yue snorted coldly and said, “I can’t believe my father made Fang Zhen the scapegoat and put all the blame on him. He was willing to sacrifice an alchemist and offend Xiao Qingwang to exonerate Li Yi. Although he deprived Li Yi of all his official positions and titles, he still let him continue to run the Li Family. I think my father is really an old fool!”

　　Yunxiao’s eyes narrowed as he smiled faintly and said, “The fact that His Majesty didn’t kill Li Yi on the spot is proof that he was intending on exonerating him. I think this Li Yi is really not simple. In that case, I’ll go and see him again.”

　　“What? Young Master Yun, you are going to the Li Family?” Qin Yue said in surprise. “Li Yi has regained control of the Li Family. You are sending sheep into the tiger’s mouth to look for him now!”

　　Yunxiao laughed. “With Commander Ji, few people can hurt me.”

　　Bai Mou was also a little worried. “I’ll send four Great Martial Masters from the State Guardians to follow you.”

　　Apart from a limited number of Martial Lords, Great Martial Masters were the strongest forces in the entire state of Tianshui. Even in the State Guardians, the number of Great Martial Masters in each unit was extremely limited. By sending four at a time, Bai Mou had almost dispatched all the Great Martial Masters in the Third Unit. This showed the importance she attached to Yunxiao now.

　　Soon, Yunxiao took five men to the front door of the Li Family and swaggered in. The guards wanted to stop them, but no one had the courage. So, they hurried inside to inform their arrival.

　　“8527! Old Eight! I heard you were released from prison, so I’ve come specially to congratulate you.” Yunxiao cried out at the top of his lungs. His voice was so loud that everyone in the residence heard him clearly. Their faces fell instantly, and they knew that something was about to happen.

　　“Li…Yun…Xiao!” A furious roar rang out, and then the whole residence broke out into an uproar. Soon, Li Yi and a group of people surrounded Yunxiao and his men.

　　Li Yi’s face was ferocious as he gnashed his teeth and said, “I was going to find you! I didn’t expect you would deliver yourself to my doorstep!”

　　Yunxiao said calmly and leisurely, “After all, you used to be a lowly servant of the Li Family. Now that you are out of prison, I’m happy for you, and it’s only fitting for me to come specially to congratulate you.”

　　Li Yi was so furious that he almost vomited blood. “Kill him! Kill him for me!” He roared.

　　The people around them looked at each other. They were all guards of the Li Family, and Yunxiao was the young master of the family, so they dared not to do anything to him. However, several of the usually frustrated men turned their eyes and realized that it was time for them to choose a side, so they immediately jumped out and rushed toward Yunxiao.

　　Pa!

　　Yunxiao grabbed a guard with one hand, stuck five fingers into his skull, and then crushed his head like a watermelon. All kinds of viscous liquids immediately spurted all over the place, striking fear and disgust into everyone’s heart.

　　He threw the body to the ground and cried out, “As a commoner, how dare you assault a viscount of the state and the State Guardians? According to the state laws, you should all be beheaded! Someone, kill this servant Li Yi and all those who dare to assault me!”

　　The four State Guardians standing behind him struck out at the same time. In just the blink of an eye, the guards who dared to attack just now were all killed. Such a sudden change scared everyone back. Li Yi was shocked and furious; he did not know from where Yunxiao had found such strong helpers. “You…You dare to kill me? I am the person appointed by His Majesty to take over the Li Family! You dare to kill me?!” He said in fear.

　　Yunxiao snorted coldly, “You have no official positions or titles, but you dare to assault a viscount and several State Guardians. This is a capital crime, so for us to kill you is like killing a dog! If His Majesty asks about this, I will explain to him everything. You don’t have to worry about it. Now, you may go in peace. As your former master, I will bury you.”

　　“Someone, someone, stop them!” Li Yi backed away hurriedly. He was absolutely sure that Yunxiao would kill him, and judging from their appearance, they clearly came to kill him.

　　But for those in the Li Family who had the real strength, who would obey his orders? They were all hiding somewhere in the residence, sneering at the spectacle. Meanwhile, they were shocked and delighted on seeing Yunxiao’s performance.

　　Four Great Martial Masters jumped forward at the same time and attacked Li Yi together. Immediately an overwhelming force crashed down to smash him to pieces!

　　“Bast*rd! No one can kill me!”

　　Realizing that he had become the target of public criticism and that no one had come out to help him, Li Yi flew into a rage and immediately pulled out a mystic weapon flashing with a cold light. A towering killing intent burst out of him as a beam of sword light shot into the sky, breaking through the aura of the four Great Martial Masters. After that, he bolted to the corner that he had broken and fled.

　　“A five-stars Great Martial Master? This fella has such strength? His background is indeed not simple!” Yunxiao muttered to himself as he watched Li Yi strike.

　　Standing beside him, Ji Meng was surprised as well. Just now, Li Yi’s strength only soared momentarily, and then it turned calm in an instant. Even he could not see the other’s true strength. So, how did Yunxiao see it? However, when he thought of the astonishing sword intent that Yunxiao displayed last night, he felt that it was logical. If there was nothing special about Yunxiao, how was he worthy of being followed by him?

　　“Young Master Yun, do you want me to help?” Ji Meng asked. “The strongest of the four is only a three-stars Great Martial Master. Even if the four of them join hands, I don’t think they can take Li Yi down.”

　　Yunxiao nodded and said, “Do it. But, remember to be careful.”

　　Ji Meng was taken aback, but he did not take the advice seriously. He was an eight-stars Great Martial Master, three ranks higher than Li Yi. Even though the mystic weapon in Li Yi’s hand looked extraordinary, he did not think that he would be in danger. He leaped forward, and the soft sword in his hand suddenly darted out like a snake.