Volcanic Age

"Agk!!!!"

A scream tore from the Raging Fire Blood Demon’s throat as blood gushed from his neck, pierced by the tip of a sword.

"Grag-heodk…!"

He tried to curse Immortal Shang Ming right before he died, but with his throat punctured, no words came out.

The Raging Fire Blood Demon, one of the One Hundred Experts Under Heaven and the leader of the Incinerating Murder Squadron of the Demon Cult, gasped, his mouth hanging open as he died.

"Whew!"

Immortal Shang Ming wiped the blood from his brow with his sleeve. The fierce battle that had lasted for over half an hour had finally ended.

"Sect Master! Are you hurt?"

“I’m fine, don’t worry. More importantly, I’ll leave the rest of the Incinerating Murder Squadron to you.”

What mattered the most was the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic, not the Raging Fire Blood Demon. Nangong Caiying might be struggling to deal with the Flower Scattering Palm right at that very moment, so he had to reach the summit as soon as possible.

"Exalted Immortal!"

Just as he was about to leave, a messenger came running down from above.

“What’s going on?!”

Immortal Shang Ming looked at the messenger’s face and felt uneasy.

If it was good news, the messenger's face should have been bright. Though it wasn't exactly dark, his expression was subtle and ambiguous.

"That's…"

“Tell me quickly!” Immortal Shang Ming urged anxiously.

“Zhou-Zhou Xuchuan killed the Flower Scattering Palm!”

“What?”

Immortal Shang Ming's eyes widened in shock.

Zhou Xuchuan turned around. While there were still some Evil Valley warriors left, they weren't much of a concern.

The Flower Scattering Palm dies according to history, anyway.

Immortal Shang Ming, the Raging Fire Blood Demon, the Flower Scattering Palm.

They were the main characters of the Seven Swords War. How could he not know who they were?

The Flower Scattering Palm had lost his life after being betrayed by his greedy subordinates during the investigation into the Tomb of the Ominous Demon. He also remembered that the Raging Fire Blood Demon had died in a bloody battle with Immortal Shang Ming.

"Oh, dear. Right. This isn't the time to get lost in reminiscence."

Zhou Xuchuan scolded himself and turned around. As he turned, he saw the Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance members staring in disbelief.

“Sword Flower. Burn the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic.”

“... pardon?” An Aiyuan asked after being dazed.

“Quickly.”

The war had begun because of the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic. If the instigator disappeared, the war would end.

“What are you talking about?!” Guo Cai barely came to his senses and protested.

"Have you forgotten that the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic is to be retrieved by the Shaolin Temple, Phoenix Slayer!”

"I understand what you're saying, but we'll be in great trouble if we do things as planned. It'll get hijacked during transport to the Shaolin Temple."

There were more than just a few of Twisted Melody's and the Dark Heavens Association's collaborators and spies. Moreover, those spies had infiltrated deep into the sects, disguised as trustworthy high-ranking individuals.

If he were to entrust the Blood Muscle Tendon Classic to the transport team, it was obvious that there would be a higher likelihood of it being stolen than arriving safely.

Then, another Seven Swords War would break out.

That wasn't to disrespect the Shaolin Temple's arhats, but the Dark Heavens Association was stronger than they were.

"You idiot! What, are you desiring this demonic art?"

"Don't be an idiot. I said burn it, not hand it over to me, didn't I? We're getting rid of it for the sake of peace."

Zhou Xuchuan sighed deeply.

“Nonsense!”

This time, it wasn’t Guo Cai, but Gao Canzheng. The handprint on his neck was still red.

Gao Canzheng glared.

“Phoenix Slayer! You’re jealous of our achievements!”

"What fresh idiocy is this?" Zhou Xuchuan exclaimed.

"Hmph! I was only attacked because I let my guard down for a moment. If you hadn't interfered, I would have defeated him a long time ago!"

Gao Canzheng seemed to be even more shameless than Zhou Xuchuan.

“Wow…"

Zhou Xuchuan was speechless. While there was a difference between human faces and human hearts, he never imagined it would be this bad.

Even in his past life, he had never seen a martial artist with such little shame.

Well, those idiots must have all died in the wars, right?

Gao Canzheng, Guo Cai, An Aiyuan.

He had never heard of their names in his past life.

"I don't know about the others, but to think you would be like this?!"

It was an exclamation of pure surprise.

Didn't he save his life? Zhou Xuchuan wasn't expecting any gratitude, but to think Gao Canzheng was turning around and cursing him!

"What, are you referring to how you interfered without me asking for your help? I could've handled it myself without your so-called help!"

"Wow…"

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"You probably think I haven't realized that you were trying to steal the text!"

"Pfft!"

What a thoughtful remark, so great that it elicited endless exclamations!

The reactions around Zhou Xuchuan were similar. Even the disciples of the same Mount Tai Sect blushed in embarrassment at their little sect leader.

"We don't have time for this, so let's just end things here."

Zhou Xuchuan was so dumbfounded that he couldn't even get angry.

He ignored Gao Canzheng, who was yelling and swearing and walked past him.

"Stand right there!"

Shing!

Gao Canzheng drew his sword, but before he could act, the Mount Tai Sect disciples standing behind him threw themselves in front of him, blocking his path.

"What are you doing? Let go of me!"

"Little Sect Master, if you keep acting like this, you're really going to get hurt!"

"We understand how you feel, but think of the rumors that would spread if you talk about Great Hero Zhou like this after he saved your life!"

Zhou Xuchuan looked at the Mount Tai disciples with pity. Just how much trouble would they have to endure following a Little Sect Master like this…

After wishing them good luck in his heart, he was about to take a step forward when Guo Cai suddenly blocked his way.

"Where the hell do you think you're going, you Mount Hua piece of shit…"

Bang!

"Agk!"

Guo Cai's head snapped to the side. Only now did the simmering anger within Zhou Xuchuan begin to subside.

Now, the only left was An Aiyuan, but he knew there was no need to use the same force on her.

"This humiliation… I will never forget it!"

An Aiyuan’s expression was anything but that of a typical nun.

From the look in her eyes alone, she seemed like a demon with how much bloodlust she was exuding.

Why does it feel like I’m the one who did something wrong?

In determining who was in the right and who was in the wrong, the trio was clearly at fault. However, if one listened to their side of the story, for some reason, Zhou Xuchuan came across as the villain.

Zhou Xuchuan picked up the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic from the ground and immediately set it ablaze.

“Captain Zhou!”

The rest of his party had finally arrived.

The Gold Will Sword Sect warriors, covered in blood, looked as if they'd just fought a fierce battle.

Tang Hui and her guards were in a similar state, also covered in dirt and blood.

"What the hell happened here?" Chu Lian asked.

Zhou Xuchuan smiled faintly.

***

“Zhou Xuchuan of the Mount Hua Sect killed the Flower Scattering Palm!”

“The Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic has been burned!”

The first to hear the news were the two closest experts battling.

"What?"

Nangong Caiying and Ximen Erjin froze mid-fight, stunned.

"I-it's the truth!" the Evil Valley warriors shouted as they fled down the side of the plateau.

Now, the command over the Evil Faction forces naturally went to Ximen Erjin.

Ximen Erjin was taken aback by the eyewitness accounts that came from all over the place. With no other choice, he quickly gave the order to retreat.

"Retreat!"

The warriors of Evil Valley cheered inwardly. Although they couldn't rejoice openly due to the shame of defeat, they were at least able to save their lives.

“Ximen Erjin!”

“Nangong Caiying. I already know you don't have the leisure to follow me. It's a shame, but we'll have to postpone our battle."

Ximen Erjin also felt regretful that their battle had been cut short and promised Nangong Caiying that they would continue things later.

"Well, don't die!"

The Evil Faction members all followed Ximen Erjin.

As the Evil Valley withdrew, the Demon Cult, also hearing the news, reluctantly began their retreat as well.

However, only a few Demon Cult members were able to retreat with a sound mind. Most, having gotten too excited that they had already lost control over their bloodlust, stayed on the battlefield and fought until the end.

"What the hell is going on…" Nangong Caiying muttered with a puzzled look on his face.

***

All of the gangho murim had their eyes on the Seven Swords War. However, no one expected it to end in less than a day.

“What? The war is over?”

“What are you talking about? Didn't the Seven Swords War just begin?”

Immortal Shang Ming had faced off against the Raging Fire Blood Demon while Nangong Caiying was interrupted by the Thunder Inheriting Saber Ximen Erjin on the way to stop the Flower Scattering Palm.

When people first heard the news, they had expected the Flower Scattering Palm to have obtained the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic.

However, contrary to their expectations, someone completely unexpected came forward and cleared up the situation in an instant.

"So another expert like the Thunder Inheriting Saber from outside the Seven Great Forces participated in the war?"

“Yes.”

“Who?”

“Zhou Xuchuan!”

Most people tilted their heads when they heard the name.

Or, they reacted with utter disbelief.

"Zhou Xuchuan? Wait, are you talking about the Phoenix Slayer?"

"No, he's not the Phoenix Slayer. He's now the Plum Blossom Order Sword!”

Finally, his title of standing under the wing of a phoenix had been transformed.

“What the hell happened? Tell me more.”

"While the Great Void Swordsman, the Raging Fire Blood Demon, Nangong's Tyrant Sword, and the Thunder Inheriting Saber were fighting at the bottom of the plateau, the Flower Scattering Palm led his men to the summit. It was said that there were disciples from Mount Tai, Mount Song, and Mount Heng waiting for them there."

"Oh no!"

The Flower Scattering Palm was one of the One Hundred Experts Under Heaven. Moreover, he wasn't alone. Even the Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance would have had a hard time stopping them.

People held their breath, eager to hear what happened next.

Just how in the world had those younger generation talents handled the situation?"

"Right at that moment, the rest of the Demon Cult forces reached to the peak, and a fierce battle broke out between the Martial Alliance, Evil Valley, and the Demon Cult."

“It must have been a terrible sight!”

“The Flower Scattering Palm immediately wiped out the Demon Cult forces, and his hand quickly turned to the young talents of the Martial Alliance. And then, at that critical moment—!”

Gulp.

"Zhou Xuchuan appeared and shouted, 'I came to handle this! I will protect the peace of the murim!’"

"Whaaaaat?!"

(He had never said that.)

"Then does that mean that the Phoenix Slayer, or rather, the Plum Blossom Order Sword, defeated the Flower Scattering Palm?"

"Yes! That's right! And he did it alone!"

"Gasp!"

When word spread that Zhou Xuchuan had defeated the Flower Scattering Palm in a one-on-one fight, no one believed it, thinking that it was a mere exaggeration.

They all thought, 'Someone must have helped him.'In fact, members of the Five Mount Sword Sects who were there even claimed that he had help.

However, there were more than one or two witnesses there, and it was eventually proven to be true.

“Then what happened to the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic?”

"The Plum Blossom Order Sword said that it was a cursed thing that caused a war of greed and burned it on the spot!"

"Wow! He really is a true Great Hero, a Great Hero!"

As was the case with rumors within the gangho, this one was also fleshed out and distorted. However, that didn't mean it was completely false.

Zhou Xuchuan was immediately revered as the Great Swordsman of the Righteous Faction murim, his performance so stellar that his fame grew rapidly.

Moreover, the new weapon of the Gold Will Sword Sect, the Multiple Fire Lance Launcher, was also widely praised. Even the Ministry of Defense of the Imperial Government's Department of Weapons was interested in it.

However, not all the fame was positive.

"I mean, does the Gold Will Sword Sect really deserve the title, 'Sword Sect?'"

"Tsk. They say one sells their soul for money, but it turns out that saying is true! Aren't they even more cowardly than the Evil Faction?"

"It wasn't even established by a martial artist. A merchant established it! I knew it would fall prey to the depravity of money someday."

"Hmph!"

The Multiple Fire Lance Launcher was well-received. However, the murim's sentiment on it wasn't so welcoming.

Naturally, attention turned to Zhuge Shengji, who developed and produced it.

"Young Master Shengji, public opinion isn't very good. Should we back out?" Li Yicai asked.

If Zhuge Shengji wished it, Li Yicai would deny all ties to the weapon and hide the young master.

"It's fine. I'm used to being cursed at. I hate having to stay hidden more than being cursed."

Zhuge Shengji rejected Li Yicai’s offer. He was used to not being recognized. Moreover, being cursed was the same wherever he went.

The only thing that had changed was that the curses had moved from inside the Family to outside.

It didn't feel much different otherwise.

"Considering it's the Zhuge Family, I wouldn't put it past them to make something like that."

"Please don't misunderstand. We've never even considered something like that."

The Zhuge Family denied the weapon outright, saying that it had nothing to do with them.

"But, who won the Seven Swords War in the end?"

"It's hard to say for sure."

"What about the casualties?"

"About four hundred casualties within the thousand participants. Two hundred were also seriously injured. The remaining four hundred or so survived unscathed."

"From which of the factions?"

"Only the Martial Alliance and Evil Valley. In the case of the Demon Cult, they say that there were only a hundred survivors."

When the Blood Muscle and Tendon Classic was burned, the Evil Valley retreated immediately. However, most of the Demon Cult stayed and fought until the end.

It wasn't pride that kept them from escaping, but rather their inability to control their demonic nature and regain their reason.

“If I had to say, the winner of the war might have been the Plum Blossom Order Sword.”