Jian Chen, exhausted, left for the Zhonghua Pavilion first.
Half a day later.
Chu Yang and Wuming returned to Zhonghua Pavilion. Chu Yang went into seclusion to cultivate Ten Thousand Swords Return to One, while Wuming stood guard.
In truth, Chu Yang needed no one to guard him. Even without internal energy, his other abilities remained intact.
With his powerful physique and boundless vitality, dispersing his internal energy caused negligible damage.
However, during Chu Yang's seclusion, an uninvited guest arrived at Zhonghua Pavilion.
Pojun!
Upon entering, Pojun—his face full of murderous intent—smashed the hall to ruins. He roared for Wuming to show himself and injured the shopkeeper who attempted to intervene.
Then, he blocked the exit, taking the guests hostage, forcing Wuming to appear.
Utter arrogance!
"This is between you and me. Why drag innocent people into it?"
Wuming used sword energy to break open an escape route, then walked over to the injured shopkeeper, channeling his energy to heal him.
Pojun was about to attack again.
But Wuming turned his gaze toward him—his eyes sharp as divine swords, radiating an overwhelming presence.
"If you want a fight, I'll oblige. But don't harm innocents."
Pojun hesitated. His prepared words got stuck in his throat.
The Wuming before him… felt different from before.
After healing the shopkeeper, Wuming didn't even glance at Pojun and walked straight outside.
Pojun, furious yet intimidated, dared not attack.
When they reached the outskirts, Wuming spoke coldly:
"Pojun, I have only one question—was it you who poisoned my beloved all those years ago?"
Pojun laughed wildly. "So that's why you're acting like a different person—you're plotting revenge? Fine! Yes, it was me!"
Wuming had mentally prepared himself, yet hearing it confirmed still sent a sharp pain through his heart.
"So it's true… In the end, it was my fault…"
Seeing Wuming' sorrowful expression, Pojun unleashed his dual swords and attacked first.
Wuming remained calm, countering effortlessly.
With his superior martial prowess, Wuming easily neutralized Pojun's assaults.
But Pojun had anticipated this—he suddenly executed the forbidden technique he had spent over a decade mastering in Japan—
"Killing Wolf."
Wuming' expression remained indifferent.
"Pojun, our feud began because of Ten Thousand Swords Return to One. It should end the same way."
Sword energy surged violently from Wuming' body!
He leaped into the air, a torrential downpour of sword energy scattering like rain.
Ten Thousand Swords Return to One!
"You mastered Ten Thousand Swords Return to One?! Wuming, you despicable scoundrel! You must have broken into my sect's vault!"
Pojun, consumed by rage, let his technique falter. The overwhelming sword energy seized the opening and struck his dantian.
His dantian was destroyed—he was crippled forever!
"I only had half the key. How could I steal the scroll?"
"I comprehended it myself."
Wuming sighed.
Remembering his old master's kindness, he could not bring himself to end Pojun's life.
"You comprehended it yourself…?"
"Impossible! That makes no sense!"
Pojun stared at Wuming in disbelief. The truth hurt him more than being crippled.
"From now on, just live as an ordinary person."
Wuming turned away, unwilling to look at Pojun again.
Nearby, Jian Chen was being held hostage.
His captors? Jue Wushen's eldest son, Jue Xin, and his youngest son, Jue Tian.
"We must report Wuming' mastery of Ten Thousand Swords Return to One to our father immediately!"
...
"Even having too much internal energy is a problem. Just dispersing it takes forever."
Chu Yang emerged from his room, having mastered Ten Thousand Swords Return to One, only to find Zhonghua Pavilion in ruins.
"So Pojun came? That means Jue Wushen is here too?"
"His Fist Techniques are mediocre, but Indestructible Golden Body is interesting…"
Since he couldn't eat, Chu Yang decided to go find Jue Wushen to 'borrow' his Indestructible Golden Body.
But as he stepped outside, he ran into Wuming.
Wuming smiled. "Little friend, your talent is truly extraordinary. You emerged in less than half a month."
With that, Wuming struck out with his Sword Finger.
Chu Yang responded in kind, their sword energies clashing violently.
Wuming nodded in satisfaction. "Your Ten Thousand Swords Return to One is as refined as mine."
After a brief exchange, Chu Yang asked, "Senior, did you encounter anyone besides Pojun?"
"No." Wuming shook his head decisively.
"This 'Indestructible Golden Body' is a secret technique of the Wushen Absolute Palace. Pojun should have some connection with them."
"Wushen Absolute Palace is despicable in its ways. They must be plotting against you, Senior."
As soon as he finished speaking, Wuming's expression changed.
"Not good! I haven't been able to contact Chen'er for days. I thought he was just busy, but now that I think about it, this has never happened before."
"Most likely, he has been kidnapped by people from Wushen Absolute Palace."
Wuming's tone was anxious as he rushed outside.
"Senior, please don't be hasty. If they really kidnapped Jian Chen, they must want something. They'll probably come looking for you soon. Let's wait for them."
Chu Yang stopped Wuming, wanting to wait for Jue Wushen to come knocking.
"That makes sense."
Calming himself, Wuming decided to follow Chu Yang's suggestion.
Years ago, Jue Wushen had already been defeated by him. Wuming had no reason to fear an old adversary.
The two of them waited at Zhonghua Pavilion for the people from Wushen Absolute Palace to arrive.
With Jue Wushen's pride, once he learned that Wuming had mastered Ten Thousand Swords Return to One, he would undoubtedly come to challenge him.
His goal was to dominate the martial world of Zhongyuan.
Defeating Wuming was the fastest way to build his reputation.
Two days later.
Zhonghua Pavilion received a challenge letter signed by none other than Jue Wushen, who used Jian Chen's safety as leverage to duel Wuming.
Chu Yang accompanied Wuming to the duel location.
Upon arrival.
They saw Jue Wushen and the tightly bound Jian Chen.
Chu Yang grinned happily—he and Jian Chen had always been at odds, and he wouldn't mind seeing him suffer a little longer.
"Wuming, we meet again at last. Do you still remember me?"
Jue Wushen stood with his back to Wuming, exuding the loneliness of a master.
"Just a defeated opponent. Good thing you came early, or I might've forgotten you in a few years."
"You weren't my match ten years ago, you aren't my match today, and you won't be my match in the future!"
Wuming's words were dripping with mockery, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.
Chu Yang felt that Wuming blamed his wife's death on Jue Wushen. He couldn't bring himself to kill Pojun, but Jue Wushen—he could kill him a hundred times over.
Surrounded by people from Wushen Absolute Palace, Wuming's words were like rubbing Jue Wushen's face in the dirt.
Furious, Jue Wushen turned around, his arms shaking as golden light enveloped his entire body—activating Indestructible Golden Body.
Then, he raised his hand and unleashed a Killing Fist!
The immense force of the punch blasted toward Wuming from a distance, sending sand and stones flying.
Wuming's fingertip sliced through the void, his sword aura shattering Jue Wushen's punch. In a flash, he closed in for melee combat.
Sword energy continuously struck Indestructible Golden Body, erupting in bursts of golden light.
Wuming's first impression was that Jue Wushen's Indestructible Golden Body was not as formidable as Chu Yang's external martial arts.
His attacks became even more composed.
Jue Wushen had long prepared for a decisive battle with Wuming. His Killing Fist was swift and powerful, each strike colliding forcefully with Wuming's razor-sharp sword energy.
Moments later, Jue Wushen's offensive slowed.
He realized that no matter how strong his Killing Fist was, he couldn't break through Wuming's protective sword aura. On the contrary, his Indestructible Golden Body was reaching its limit.
At that moment—
Wuming's sword finger struck Jue Wushen's qi sea with great force, forcing him to retreat continuously.
Sensing defeat, Jue Wushen suddenly pointed at the bound Jian Chen.
Wuming stopped and growled, "Despicable!"
"The victor is king, the loser is a scoundrel. Don't tell me you don't understand such a simple truth?"
"Hahaha! So much for the Heavenly Sword Wuming—you still end up losing to my schemes!"
Jue Wushen laughed wildly, his arrogance overflowing.
"Young friend Ayang, please hold off Jue Wushen for a moment. I'll go rescue Chen'er."
Wuming turned to Chu Yang.
"Go ahead, Senior!"
Chu Yang stepped toward Jue Wushen.
"Wuming, you're actually letting this snot-nosed brat block me? Then I'll crush him right before your eyes!"
Jue Wushen stared cruelly at Chu Yang, thinking that such a threat would put Wuming in a dilemma.
But Wuming didn't even acknowledge him, immediately charging at the people of Wushen Absolute Palace.
Jue Wushen panicked and turned to intercept him.
"You can leave, but your Indestructible Golden Body stays."