Chapter 123: Even the Iron-Willed Xie Xiaofeng Could No Longer Hold On

Chapter 123: Even the Iron-Willed Xie Xiaofeng Could No Longer Endure

On the desolate mountain, the sun gradually climbed higher.

Countless wild grasses and withered branches were cleaved by the sword qi of the two men. Whether cliff or hillside, in their eyes, there was no difference from flat ground.

Wherever their thoughts wandered, their swords could reach; wherever their blades pointed, there was nowhere beyond their grasp.

Zheng Jian and Xie Xiaofeng fought swiftly and fiercely, unaware of how many moves had passed.

Unconsciously, from dawn to dusk, the cold wind grew biting, yet it still could not shake the unwavering sword spirit of these two peerless swordsmen.

Suddenly, the sword qi unleashed from Xie Xiaofeng’s long sword transformed into something entirely new—his swordlight became like a gentle breeze, invisible and formless, yet how could such a wind be resisted?

Sensing this change, Zheng Jian’s spirit stirred. His Tear-Stained Sword twisted in his hand, unleashing infinite variations, a perfect expression of the ultimate “Broken Sword Style.”

After fighting nearly all day, though Xie Xiaofeng was also a strong innate realm master, his spirit was heavily drained. Facing Zheng Jian’s endlessly evolving technique, a strange expression flickered in his eyes—half ease, half loss.

Xie Xiaofeng’s face grew solemn. His sword moved slowly and heavily, as if it were not a mere blade but a mountain weighing thousands of pounds. Resolutely, he slashed forward.

This strike was majestic and upright, possessing an unparalleled momentum, as if it bore the imperial decree of heaven itself. With this one sword, life and death were divided. The emperor’s fury spilled blood and shattered oars.

Countless broken branches around him rose and danced in the air, like loyal subjects submitting to the sword in Xie Xiaofeng’s hand. As his sword cut through, the shattered wood transformed into sharp blades, surging fiercely toward Zheng Jian.

The sky filled with these flying wooden swords, carrying boundless sword qi, led by the divine sword wielded by Xie Xiaofeng, advancing like an emperor’s personal army.

Xie Xiaofeng had given his all!

Within Zheng Jian’s heart, a great tempest surged. Xie Xiaofeng’s sword, elevated to its peak, exerted an indescribable pressure on him. Under this oppressive sword momentum, Zheng Jian felt like a treasonous rebel!

At this moment, it seemed as if Xie Xiaofeng were commanding an army to quell a rebellion, while Zheng Jian, the traitor, was surrounded on all sides by incoming wooden swords, trapped without escape.

But in that instant, Zheng Jian closed his eyes. The Tear-Stained Sword, previously trapped, began to shift.

In that moment, the essence of the “Dugu Nine Swords” flowed through his mind. Countless complex sword moves converged into one—a sword that cleaved through chaos!

A brilliant azure light suddenly burst forth from the Tear-Stained Sword. Zheng Jian’s expression became free and natural, his swordlight transforming into a vast ocean encompassing all.

As Zheng Jian swung his sword, his spirit soared infinitely, like a deity looking down from above, mastering every change Xie Xiaofeng had made.

Xie Xiaofeng froze, disbelief flashing in his eyes. He suddenly saw the countless wooden swords dissolve into splinters under Zheng Jian’s strike, scattering in all directions.

The Tear-Stained Sword, under Xie Xiaofeng’s gaze, collided with the blade of the Xie family’s divine sword!

“Crack, crack...”

A fissure appeared on the Xie family divine sword, gradually spreading...

In his horrified eyes, the divine sword shattered.

Zheng Jian’s Tear-Stained Sword broke free from its cage and pierced straight toward Xie Xiaofeng.

Xie Xiaofeng’s pupils dilated; he was weaponless and had nowhere to retreat.

Zheng Jian’s sword stopped just an inch before Xie Xiaofeng.

“That was close...” A trace of relief appeared in Zheng Jian’s eyes. This final strike was forced out by Xie Xiaofeng’s pressure, born from the terrifying brink between life and death.

The power of this strike exceeded Zheng Jian’s expectations so much that he nearly lost control of the Tear-Stained Sword. Fortunately, at the critical moment, he regained mastery; otherwise, Xie Xiaofeng would have perished.

“Why didn’t you kill me?” Xie Xiaofeng’s face held a strange expression—a mix of relief, joy, loss, and fear. In that moment, he had truly been ready to die.

“What good would killing you do?” Zheng Jian lowered the Tear-Stained Sword.

Xie Xiaofeng said, “If you kill me, you become the unrivaled swordsman in the world! You become the new emperor among swordsmen!”

Zheng Jian laughed heartily, “Even without killing you, I am still the unmatched swordsman in the world!”

Xie Xiaofeng was speechless. This man’s words were as irritating as ever.

From Xie Xiaofeng, resentment levels rose by +500.

“You should just kill me. There is only a Xie Xiaofeng who dies in battle, never one who is defeated.”

Zheng Jian glanced disdainfully at Xie Xiaofeng, then mused, “Alright, just what brand of plastic... sack are you? How can you hold so much?”

Xie Xiaofeng’s face darkened instantly. Though he only half understood the words, he understood being called ‘pretentious.’

“Your words are even more venomous than your swordsmanship!”

From Xie Xiaofeng, resentment levels surged by +999.

Zheng Jian smiled, “It’s necessary!”

They burst into laughter together. As they laughed, Xie Xiaofeng suddenly coughed, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Though he had adjusted his condition these past days, his body had seriously deteriorated during the time at the Han family tower. Last night he had sparred with Murong Qiudi all night...

Today, after another day of fierce battle, even a man as iron-willed as him could no longer endure.

Seeing this, Zheng Jian pondered, “You’re... completely drained? Kidney deficiency, my friend?”

Xie Xiaofeng retorted, “Who said that! I... ugh...” He barely managed the words before clutching his waist again.

From Xie Xiaofeng, resentment levels increased by +999.

“There’s only the ox that dies of exhaustion, never the field that’s overworked! Old Xie, take it easy!” Zheng Jian teased.

This was Xie Xiaofeng’s first defeat. He thought he would be devastated, but after a few jabs from Zheng Jian, he suddenly realized losing wasn’t so bad.

On the contrary, much of the weight that had pressed on his shoulders was lifted.

“Thanks, Brother Zheng!” Xie Xiaofeng said earnestly. “Losing to you has made me realize many things! I plan to return to Divine Sword Manor and marry Qiudi again.”

“Good. Let me know when you get married; I’ll come to celebrate,” Zheng Jian said with a smile.

“Definitely!” As he spoke, Xie Xiaofeng began walking slowly down the mountain.

Watching his retreating figure, Zheng Jian murmured to himself, “Not bad! Murong Qiudi, you’ve been fleeced so many times, and now at last, you’re truly taken care of...”

Though this meant Xie Xiaofeng would no longer be entangled with the Lord of Tianmei Palace, and the character Xie Xiaoyu would no longer appear in "The Crescent Moon Curved Blade."

But what did that have to do with Zheng Jian?

“By the way, Tianmei... Palace Lord, Tianmei... Damn it, why does it sound so familiar? TX’s top game, 'Honor of Kings,' is Tianmei... No wonder it always felt familiar...”

...

Second update delivered. Thanks to “Just Passing By” and “Fallen Heart” for the 100-coin rewards. Much appreciated.

(End of chapter)