Boom!
Before the flying sword arrived, overwhelming sword intent pierced the palace roof. A cyan light crashed through, hurtling toward the Sect Master.
"F-flying sword...!" Sensing the恐怖的 (terrifying) intent in the Wind Controlling Sword, the Sect Master paled—death loomed.
He retreated, drew his long blade from beside the skeleton throne, and slashed at the cyan light. Demonic flames surged like mountains, wave after wave aiming to annihilate the sword. Raging pressure tossed elders about, making it hard to stand.
Ch嗤! (Shh!)
The indomitable sword pierced the flames, shattering the blade. A cyan sword intent struck the Sect Master's heart, severing his meridians.
The sword spun through the palace, decapitating elders with each flash. As the Sect Master's vision blurred, he saw no one standing. Blood gushed from his chest, life ebbing.
Thump! He collapsed, dead in disbelief. His grand plans to revive the Heavenly Demon Sect ended with a mysterious flying sword. All attending elders were slain.
The sword circled once, then vanished through the roof.
"Disaster! The Sect Master and elders—all dead!" Hours later, guards found the carnage and fled screaming.
...
Lin Yu stood in the valley, recalling the sword to his mind. He'd aimed to kill the cursemaker, only to find a Demon Sect stronghold. Thus, he'd eliminated all present.
Hoofbeats thundered from both ends of the valley. Cavalry from Great Han and Great Zhou appeared, charging toward him.
"Third Brother! Are you unharmed?" The Great Han commander, the First Prince, shouted, racing ahead.
Great Zhou cavalry stopped百丈 (hundred zhang) away. Their commander, in fiery armor and a fanged mask, held a lance and stared coldly.
"Brother, I'm fine." Lin Yu shook his head, eyeing the cowering Zhao Yihu. "Brother, Zhao Yihu abandoned me to flee. Under Great Han military law, what is the penalty for deserting one's commander?"
The First Prince's face hardened. "Death by decapitation." He looked at Zhao Yihu. "Third Brother, he's a royal elder. Should we send him to the capital for Father's judgment?"
"Brother, there are Great Zhou cavalry across from us. Do you want them to see our military law as a farce, to mock our lax discipline?" Lin Yu pressed, using the Zhou forces.
"Third Prince, I... I went for reinforcements!" Zhao Yihu knelt, begging.
The First Prince glanced at the Zhou cavalry, eyes flashing with resolve. "Seize Zhao Yihu! For deserting the Third Prince, execute him immediately!"
Armored cavalry suppressed Zhao Yihu, and a guard beheaded him.
"Bravo! Great Han's strict discipline lives up to its reputation!" A voice like an oriole sounded. The Great Zhou commander applauded—was it mockery or sincerity?
"A woman?" Lin Yu was surprised.
"I am Su Miaozhen, Great Zhou's East Pacifying General, here to escort the hostage. Under my protection, he will reach the capital safely." Her voice was as clear as a mountain stream, hard to associate with a general.
"Third Brother, after Zhao Yihu fled, what happened? Who slew these demons?" The First Prince frowned.
After Lin Yu left, a blocked trade route raised alarms. The First Prince found Zhao Yihu fleeing; Lin Yu's death would implicate him. He'd expected Lin Yu to perish, but the demons were dead, and Lin Yu stood unharmed.
Su Miaozhen also wondered. She'd investigated the blocked road and found demons attacking the hostage—only to see the "crippled" prince unhurt and demons annihilated.
Lin Yu looked at the First Prince innocently. "I know not. After Zhao Yihu fled, I prepared to die. Suddenly, a cyan light flew from the horizon, circled the demons, and they all died. Before I could see clearly, it vanished."
"A flying sword slaying demons from afar..." The First Prince murmured, "It must be Prince Su! Only he can ride a flying sword and save lives from afar." He envied Lin Yu. "Third Brother, you're blessed—Prince Su saved you!"
Lin Yu nodded matter-of-factly. "Prince Su defends the royal family. As royal blood, he would naturally save me in danger."
The First Prince was left speechless.