Chapter Forty-Six: Departure

At first, Shen Chang'an assumed that the term "Dragon Maiden" was merely a figure of speech. After all, the Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty styled himself the Dragon Emperor, so it seemed perfectly natural for princesses and noblewomen to be called Dragon Maidens.

However, upon seeing the person who had suddenly emerged, he realized that a Dragon Maiden was, in fact, a literal Dragon Maiden.

Though quite astonished, Shen Chang'an did not let it show on his face. He asked calmly, "Why did you capture her?"

Xue Lie exhaled and shook his head, saying, "I don't know. Ask Bao Yi."

Bao Yi was currently lying on the ground, his body in tatters. Clearly, he was in no state to answer, as he was busy waiting for his wounds to heal.

Shen Chang'an raised an eyebrow. Just as he was about to speak, the Dragon Maiden beat him to it: "Don't believe him. He is lying."

Shen Chang'an was slightly taken aback. The Dragon Maiden’s voice was crisp and melodious. Her autumn-clear eyes were fixed upon him with a calm and detached expression. It was hard to imagine that, despite being the one captured, she could remain so composed and indifferent.

Xue Lie frowned and gave a cold huff. "I am not lying. The mission to capture you was orchestrated entirely by Bao Yi, and the plan was devised by my own military advisor. I merely responded to Bao Yi’s distress signal and came to provide support."

"The military advisor..." Shen Chang'an murmured, then asked, "Is it Jia Yi?"

Xue Lie nodded. "It is Jia Yi."

"Is he able to issue orders to your subordinates without your knowledge?"

"There is nothing surprising about that. If a situation arises suddenly and urgently, Jia Yi gives orders directly," Xue Lie said dismissively.

The Dragon Maiden sighed, her voice tinged with helplessness. "Lying is not a good habit. Even though your advisor did not inform you, you are well aware of his reasons, which is why you allowed him to proceed."

Xue Lie frowned immediately and said coldly, "Believe what you will."

The Dragon Maiden turned her gaze back to Shen Chang'an. "That man has been lying since he started talking to you."

Shen Chang'an narrowed his eyes. "Go on."

"He claimed his strength was only second-rate, which likely excludes the divine sword in his hand. With that sword, a first-rate master is no match for him. Only a peak practitioner of the Zhou Tian Realm could stand toe-to-toe with him."

Xue Lie remained silent, his expression darkening.

Shen Chang'an pondered this. When Xue Lie fought the Demon-Slaying Guards earlier, he had only used the *Bingxian* sword at the very last moment. Yet, once he did, the tide of battle turned instantly, and he was even able to protect Bao Yi while killing the others. It seemed that Xue Lie had indeed lied.

"What else?"

"He also concealed his progress in the Zhou Tian circulation. Circulating mana one hundred and eight times constitutes a 'Great Zhou Tian,' and thirty-three rounds of Great Zhou Tian constitute the 'Great Perfection of Zhou Tian.' While one round is enough to touch upon the celestial, thirty-three rounds are naturally far more formidable."

Shen Chang'an glanced at Xue Lie, who remained silent, sitting where he was and watching the exchange between Shen Chang'an and the Dragon Maiden.

"Master Xue, do you have nothing to say?" Shen Chang'an asked.

Xue Lie snorted but ignored him, turning instead to the Dragon Maiden. "I have long heard that the Dragon Maiden possesses the ability to peer into the human heart. Having seen it today, I find it to be true."

The Dragon Maiden replied coolly, "Your lies were simply too clumsy to deceive me."

Shen Chang'an sighed and looked at Xue Lie. "Do you know why I asked you those questions earlier, Master Xue?"

Xue Lie frowned and shook his head. "How could I guess your intentions?"

Shen Chang'an said calmly, "I was debating whether to kill you. After all, the benefits of killing a Sword Master are significant. I asked those questions both to learn about the cultivation world and to dispel my urge to kill. However, you have disappointed me..."

Xue Lie could not grasp what Shen Chang'an meant by "benefits," assuming only that he wanted to seize the sword. In reality, for Shen Chang'an, killing a Sword Master meant the leather-bound ancient book would grant him a new divine ability. Indeed, when he had killed Zhang Hongyu earlier, he felt the book grow warm, cryptically conveying information to him. He was familiar with this sensation—it was the feeling of acquiring a new power. He simply hadn't had the chance to check the book in front of others.

"If you want to, it is not too late," Xue Lie said coldly.

Shen Chang'an shook his head. "If it were earlier, I might have killed you. But now, I doubt you are truly as severely wounded as you claim. Given the Dragon Maiden's insight, a peak master like you would not so carelessly leave your life in another's hands."

Xue Lie fell silent. His earlier act of saving Bao Yi had indeed exposed his true strength. If he weren't certain he could escape from Shen Chang'an, why would he risk his life to save his subordinate?

Shen Chang'an continued, "You said that because my sword is nameless, I am unbound by destiny and can change fate itself, reversing life and death. But you must have left something out."

"Since I am not bound by destiny, I also lack its protection. Therefore, anyone has the chance to kill me."

With that, Shen Chang'an suddenly flicked his wrist, and his wooden sword shot through the air, piercing into Bao Yi’s body!

*Thwack!*

The blade drove through, its wooden thorns and roots digging into Bao Yi's flesh, eliciting a muffled groan.

"As I thought..." Shen Chang'an smiled faintly. "If I had clashed with you, Bao Yi would have launched a surprise attack on me the very next moment, wouldn't he?"

Xue Lie remained silent, staring intently at Shen Chang'an, his previous relaxed demeanor gone.

"Don't glare at me. I have merely sealed Bao Yi’s ability to act. I do not intend to fight you yet, and since you haven't attacked me even after seeing my sword leave my hand, I assume you do not wish to clash with me either?"

"What do you want?" Xue Lie narrowed his eyes.

Shen Chang'an stepped back softly, keeping his eyes on Xue Lie, until he reached Bao Yi’s side. He reached out his hand to the Dragon Maiden and said, "Come with me."

The Dragon Maiden did not hesitate; she naturally took his hand.

Shen Chang'an held her delicate fingers and smiled, slowly retreating while leading her away. Xue Lie watched with eyes burning with rage. The Dragon Maiden was the primary target of his mission, and yet Shen Chang'an was taking her away without a second thought.

He did not know what the Dragon Maiden truly signified; he simply wanted to spite Xue Lie. And Xue Lie, for his part, did not dare to provoke a full conflict with Shen Chang'an.

He could only watch helplessly as Shen Chang'an retreated step by step. Once they were out of the danger zone, Shen Chang'an called out, "Come," and the wooden sword returned to his hand.

Then, he hoisted the Dragon Maiden onto his back and sprinted away, disappearing into the distance in a few swift bounds.