Chapter 13: In the Rain

Chapter 13: In the Rain

"Are you Yu Lingxin?"

The man in black looked at the woman and gently shook his head. "Back then, we exterminated your entire Yu clan, but somehow missed you, the young lady of the Yu family. The whereabouts of the Xuanji Lock have been elusive over these years, but ultimately, it has fallen into your hands. Although that person deserved to die, he did manage to pass on information about you, which is indeed somewhat commendable."

"The only pity is that his deeds cannot make up for his crimes."

"Tonight, do you intend to surrender and come with me?"

"Or do you plan to resist, forcing us to sever your limbs and take you as a living corpse?"

His tone was calm, as if the person standing before him was not a living being or a martial arts expert, but merely an animal awaiting slaughter.

Yu Lingxin remained silent, putting the brocade box back into her bosom.

She stared intently at the opponent, trying to discern their true identity from behind the mask.

Finally, she couldn't help but sigh. "That year, I was still young. Just like tonight, you came in the dead of night, dressed in black, killing everyone... maids, servants, disciples, my parents, all three hundred and seventy-one members of my Yu clan died by your hands in a single night."

"Ironically, over these years, I have never truly uncovered your real identities."

"You ask what my choice is tonight?"

"The answer is simple... Tonight, I will make all of you die!"

As she spoke, the blade tore through the night sky, accompanied by a thunderous clap. With her move, torrential rain poured down.

But faster than the rain was the blood!

Yu Lingxin's movements were eerie, but what truly terrified was her blade.

The blade rose without wind, fell without shadow, embodying the essence of 'kill' perfectly.

Before the black-clad man could react, his heart was pierced by the blade.

The energy surged, extinguishing all life.

"Indeed, it's the Jade Soul Killing Technique!"

The remaining eight black-clad men scattered in all directions, not sparing a glance at their fallen comrade.

On a tree branch near Su Mo, the black-clad man stood, swaying with the wind. Even in the heavy rain, his voice was clear and distinct.

"A mere Jade Soul Killing Technique, and you dare to think you can prevail? We killed your entire clan back then, and we can kill you today!"

He flicked his wrist, and the remaining seven black-clad men attacked simultaneously.

In an instant, countless cold stars filled the sky, making it even harder to distinguish them in the storm.

Yet, the blade's glow cut through the rain, blocking all the stars within a foot.

A fierce battle erupted under the rain.

Su Mo realized he was just an outsider.

If not for the dying man in the woods who, in a moment of madness, handed him the brocade box, he wouldn't be here tonight.

Unfortunately... it was too late to leave now.

Several black-clad men fought Yu Lingxin, but the one standing on the tree branch enveloped Su Mo with his energy, ready to strike at any sign of movement.

Su Mo's lips twitched, and he sighed. "What a mess this is."

Since he couldn't leave, Su Mo decided to stay put, watching the battle in the rain, his brows furrowed.

Yu Lingxin's martial arts were impressive.

From her moves, none of these black-clad men, except perhaps the one on the tree branch, could match her in a one-on-one fight.

However, outnumbered, she was gradually losing ground.

Though her techniques were lethal, each strike taking a life, she inevitably sustained injuries.

These injuries affected her movements and weakened her skills, putting her at a disadvantage.

Despite no visible blood on her blade or body, the heavy rain washed away the evidence.

Each step left a bloody footprint, revealing her struggle.

"You used the Xuanji Lock to lure those four fools into fighting over it, hoping to draw us out. Unfortunately... while your martial arts are formidable, you can't fight against so many."

"So... where is your hidden backup now?

"Is it this little guard?"

The black-clad man on the tree branch spoke again, directly pointing at Su Mo.

Su Mo was taken aback and quickly shook his head. "Don't be ridiculous; I don't even know her."

The man in black was stunned, seemingly not expecting Su Mo to say such a thing.

Looking at Yu Lingxin, he also felt somewhat bewildered.

Many aspects of tonight's events made sense, but Su Mo... why did he feel out of place in all of this?

"Him?"

Yu Lingxin's eyes flashed with ferocity as she gently wiped away the blood that trickled down her chin along with the rain, and then smiled lightly, "He's just a small escort guard who happened to be involved... As for my reliance?"

She took out the brocade box from her bosom. "The Mystic Clasp is right here. Whether it's real or fake, you might as well take a gamble."

With that, she suddenly tossed the brocade box into the air.

A streak of blade energy immediately followed, slicing through the rain!

The blade energy chased after the box, about to shatter it.

In an instant, a man in black leaped into the air, heading straight for the box. With a wave of his hand, he deflected the blade energy and reached out to grab the box.

"I got it!!!"

He shouted softly.

But a cold glint flashed in Yu Lingxin's eyes, and she sighed softly, feeling a mix of disappointment.

At that moment, hundreds of rays burst forth from the box. The person holding it hadn't even landed when blood spurted from their body.

Before hitting the ground, they were already lifeless!

What could be inside that box?

It was clearly a hidden, lethal trap, triggered upon being grabbed.

Regardless, if used correctly, it was incredibly dangerous.

The man in black atop the tree branch contracted his pupils, "Impermanence Malevolent Rain Needles! You little girl, how poisonous your heart is!! Unfortunately, you underestimated our methods. What do you rely on now?"

But just as the man in black finished speaking, Yu Lingxin suddenly tapped herself three times in quick succession.

"Mutual Destruction!? Stop it!!!"

The man in black atop the tree branch's pupils contracted sharply, and in that instant, he leaped up, his blade glowing as it descended towards Su Mo: "If you don't stop, this person will die because of you!!!"