Chapter 49: One Reaps What One Sows

Who dares to insult the Royal Martial Academy?

Everyone was startled, turning swiftly to look. There, in the midst of the crowd, stood a figure clad in white, appearing without warning—as if he had just arrived, or perhaps had always been there.

He was a middle-aged man in white robes, bearing a black sword.

His white garments fluttered ethereally, otherworldly and refined. The black sword on his back was as imposing as a mountain, its edge concealed, yet its sharpness palpable.

Though he appeared to be around forty, his hair was already snow-white, and worry was etched deeply into his brows.

Gurgle.

The man held a wine gourd in his hand, taking frequent swigs. The fragrance of wine filled the air, shrouding him in a mist of intoxication.

"That’s Mo Xingyun from Azurecloud Martial Academy!"

A gasp of recognition rippled through the assembly.

Mo Xingyun—the current headmaster of Azurecloud Martial Academy, and a formidable sword cultivator.

Yet Azurecloud had long since fallen into decline; Mo Xingyun was now its sole pillar. Still, as long as he remained, so too did the academy.

One man, one sword—propping up the collapsing Azurecloud Martial Academy.

"Mo Xingyun, what brings you to the Royal Martial Academy?" Xu Wuya's gaze sharpened, his voice grave.

He too stood at the King-level realm, but when compared to Mo Xingyun, the gap was clear.

Ten years ago, Mo Xingyun and the current headmaster of the Royal Martial Academy, Jiang Taixu, fought a legendary duel. At that time, Mo Xingyun, being at the seventh tier of the King-level, challenged Jiang Taixu, who had reached the ninth. Both sides suffered grievous injuries.

Jiang Taixu barely made it back alive, but Mo Xingyun was wounded even more severely, left with only twelve years left to live.

Mo Xingyun was a man already marked by death. To avoid provoking a desperate retaliation before his end, the Royal Martial Academy refrained from eradicating Azurecloud completely.

Now, ten years had passed, and his remaining lifespan was even shorter. The Royal Martial Academy needed only endure for two more years, and Mo Xingyun would be gone. At that time, the long-standing feud between the two academies could finally be laid to rest.

Suddenly, Mo Xingyun spat out a mouthful of wine, spraying it forth.

But in an instant, the wine transformed into hundreds, even thousands, of sword-like auras—each as tangible as steel, imbued with chilling sword-intent and lethal sharpness.

With a sickening sound, Xu Wuya was pierced through, unable to resist at all.

One moment, Xu Wuya stood high and mighty; the next, dozens of bloody holes riddled his body, and he collapsed to his knees, utterly powerless.

"Even Jiang Taixu would not dare address me in such a tone. Who do you think you are?" Mo Xingyun's voice was cold, unyielding and domineering as ever.

A King-level expert. Vice Headmaster of the Royal Martial Academy. Defeated in a single strike and forced to his knees, heavily wounded?

The entire crowd was stunned, gazes toward Mo Xingyun filled with awe and terror.

Too powerful!

No wonder he had once been the greatest prodigy of the Great Qian Dynasty.

If not for his overwhelming talent drawing too many enemies, he might have already broken through to the Martial Emperor realm and soared to greatness.

What a pity—he had only two years left to live.

In two years, Mo Xingyun would be no more.

Xu Wuya, grievously wounded and kneeling, looked up at Mo Xingyun, terror in his eyes. He had always known Mo Xingyun was strong, but never imagined his strength to be so absolute. He too was a King-level expert, yet he hadn’t even managed a single counterattack.

He gritted his teeth, not daring to utter another word. After all, a dying man like Mo Xingyun feared nothing. Even if he killed Xu Wuya today, the headmaster might not avenge him.

At this thought, Xu Wuya shuddered, his fear of Mo Xingyun intensifying.

"Senior Mo, I wish to join Azurecloud Martial Academy!"

Suddenly, Jun Wushuang spoke.

The entire field fell silent at his words.

Jun Wushuang wanted to join the nearly defunct Azurecloud Martial Academy? Was he mad?

Azurecloud had long since declined, now entirely devoid of disciples, with only Mo Xingyun remaining. Moreover, Mo himself had but two years left to live; when he was gone, the academy would collapse. Not to mention, the Royal Martial Academy and Azurecloud were sworn enemies.

By joining Azurecloud, Jun Wushuang would stand directly against the Royal Martial Academy, with no room left for retreat, not even with the authority of the Duke of South Suppression.

This was nothing short of seeking his own death.

Mo Xingyun was taken aback, casting a glance at Jun Wushuang. Though his face was shrouded in drunkenness, his eyes were as sharp as swords, as if piercing through Jun Wushuang’s very soul.

Yet Jun Wushuang stood calmly, utterly unafraid.

"I merely happened upon injustice, but did not expect to meet such an intriguing young talent," Mo Xingyun said mildly.

He knew better than anyone the state of himself and his academy. That was why, for years, he’d refused to take on disciples—accepting them would only bring them harm.

"Why do you wish to come to Azurecloud?" Mo Xingyun’s gaze was piercing as he questioned Jun Wushuang.

"I only intended to kill one person from the Royal Martial Academy," Jun Wushuang replied, his eyes sweeping over Nangong Tianxuan, Zhao Qiming, and Xu Wuya, before finally settling on Ji Qingchen, standing behind the crowd. "But now, it seems there is more than one who must die.

Since I am a devil, I will slay all enemies in my path."

"Do you see that skull mound?" Mo Xingyun pointed toward the grisly pile. "Aren’t you afraid your own head will end up there?"

"That mound is far too old," Jun Wushuang grinned, confidence blazing in his eyes. "I’ve decided to build a new one—using the heads of the Royal Martial Academy."

"In three months, it will be the duel of life and death. Do you truly believe you can survive?" Mo Xingyun asked solemnly, his third and final question.

"Three months is more than enough. By then, the heads of the Royal Martial Academy will roll," Jun Wushuang declared, brimming with confidence.

Mo Xingyun fell silent, but soon, laughter spilled from his lips.

"In that case, from this moment on, you are a disciple of Azurecloud Martial Academy!"

The crowd erupted.

"He really joined Azurecloud!"

"He must be mad—he dug his own grave and even buried himself!"

"In this day and age, someone actually volunteered to go to Azurecloud?"

No one had expected Jun Wushuang to truly join Azurecloud. With all eyes on him, he could not take back his words.

"Hillbilly, you’re courting death!" Nangong Tianxuan’s glare was venomous.

In three months, the life-and-death duel between the Royal Martial Academy and Azurecloud would take place as it did every three years. Not even the Duke of South Suppression could save him then.

"Jun Wushuang, in three months, your life will end!" Zhao Qiming spat, his voice thick with hatred. His humiliation at Jun Wushuang’s hands was no less than Nangong Tianxuan’s, and his enmity ran deep.

Xu Wuya dared not speak, but a glint flashed in his eyes. Now that Jun Wushuang had joined Azurecloud, he had every reason to deal with him.

Heaven’s misfortune may be averted, but self-made disaster cannot be escaped.

Jun Wushuang, since you dare oppose the Royal Martial Academy, you are doomed!

"There are too many petty men here, spoiling my drink. Come, I’ll take you to Azurecloud," Mo Xingyun said, downing another mouthful of wine and preparing to leave with Jun Wushuang.

"Headmaster, wait. Before we go, there is one more thing I must do."

At that moment, Jun Wushuang spoke up.