Chapter 372: Choice and Destiny

Zhang Fu.

After a night, everyone was still clearly reeling from the shock of the attack.

Zhang Taiying hadn't slept a wink, unsure of what thoughts had occupied him.

Yet, the image of that slender but imposing young man was deeply etched into his memory.

Crack!

He clenched his fist, then slowly loosened it.

In this world, there were indeed far too many frustrations and harsh realities that Zhang Taiying had never encountered before, back when Tian Sang City was less bustling and Zhang Fu could dominate the area.

But now, with all sorts of people mixing in, any misstep could lead to someone like that young man showing up at their door again.

After this night, Zhang Taiying finally understood.

Even as a Wangzuo, he was still constrained by the limitations of this world.

Unable to break free, he could only watch himself sink deeper and deeper.

“Can I only stop here…”

As the sunrise reached its peak and the ground brightened, Zhang Taiying looked up, his eyes bloodshot, and felt the warmth on his face, which finally eased his heart a little.

“No, no one can obstruct my path!”

He stood up and strode toward the Cangjing Ge.

Duanta.

Only half of it remained.

Zhang Zhongmou stood rooted to the spot. Unlike Zhang Taiying, he had recovered his composure within half the night.

“You’ve come.”

Hearing footsteps nearby, the old man spoke softly.

Zhang Taiying walked up to the entrance. Neither of them entered the tower; they simply raised their gaze and looked at the top floor of the Duanta.

That floor, which they rarely lingered on in the past,

had now become the highest point.

Zhang Taiying's face darkened, but he quickly regained his composure.

“Was that Xu Xiaoshou’s protector, here for revenge?” he asked.

Zhang Zhongmou nodded. “Most likely.”

“Three full Wangzuo, just to protect a kid with innate cultivation?”

“Perhaps…”

As Zhang Zhongmou said this, even he didn't believe it.

But the reality was laid out before them—this desolate and barren scene left him with no choice but to accept it.

“Jin Zhao Tian Yan, sword intent, the body of a Wangzuo…”

“Just the abilities shown last night already encompass three of the most difficult to cultivate in the world…”

“This…”

Zhang Zhongmou shook his head, not dwelling on it further, and said gravely, “At the very least, the former dean of Tian Sang Ling Gong, now the vice-dean, must have been involved.”

“Then there’s the sword cultivator… But if it’s a sword cultivator, Xiao Qixiu doesn't seem to follow that path.”

“That young man, however, strongly resembles someone.”

“Who?” Zhang Taiying turned back.

Zhang Zhongmou didn't specify, only uttering two words: “Su family!”

Zhang Taiying’s heart sank; he knew who the elder meant.

Not long ago, a shocking incident had occurred in Tian Sang City.

The Su family had always been an unshakeable giant in Tian Sang City,

all because of the famous sword, Mu Ming Cheng Xue.

Every generation’s sword wielder in the Su family possessed terrifying combat strength. Even if Zhang Taiying faced one alone, he had no confidence in escaping unharmed.

Yes, victory was unthinkable; his only thought would be how to flee after defeat!

Yet, even such a force had been targeted.

That night, a masked figure, without even drawing a sword, directly attacked the Su family, declaring his intention to seize “Mu Ming Cheng Xue.”

But how could the Su family yield?

They were a true swordsmanship clan, the kind that would rather break than bend.

Immediately, both sides engaged in a bloody battle.

The outcome was clear—almost no one could withstand a single strike from the masked figure; they were all defeated!

And by the code of sword practitioners, defeat meant death!

That night, blood stained the Su estate.

Nearly all the Wangzuo-level figures in the Su family were wiped out.

Even when the Su family patriarch made his final stand, he was utterly defeated!

Yet, until the last person fell, no one revealed the sword's location.

This tragic end was chilling.

Because almost anyone in Tian Sang City, if asked on the spot, could tell you:

The Su family’s famous sword was in Tian Sang Ling Gong, in the possession of Su Qianqian!

It wasn’t a secret at all!

But to guard this so-called secret that wasn't secret, the Su family’s leadership was almost entirely eradicated.

“What a pity?”

Others might rack their brains and still not understand, but Zhang Taiying could completely comprehend it.

However, comprehension didn't mean he could empathize or put himself in their shoes.

At least, when that young man arrived last night, he chose a path utterly different from the Su family’s.

In the end, he at least preserved a remnant of Zhang Fu.

Whether the outcome was good or bad, Zhang Taiying couldn't be sure, but he had no regrets about his choice.

If it happened again, he would do the same!

“So, do you think that young man is the same person who attacked the Su family?” Zhang Taiying fell silent for a moment before speaking.

Zhang Zhongmou’s eyes showed confusion.

He wasn’t entirely sure either. That figure looked very similar, at least that sword strike reached the same level as the masked figure’s.

But vaguely, there was something off.

It was as if this time, it was an impostor?

“Uncertain, maybe seven or eight out of ten.”

Zhang Zhongmou sighed. “Perhaps not the same person, but likely from the same organization. In any case, I respect your choice.”

Zhang Taiying glanced at the current Duanta and closed his eyes deeply.

“My choice has severed nearly half of Zhang Fu’s heritage!”

“Half is already good.”

Zhang Zhongmou patted his shoulder. “The Su family's choice led to complete decline!”

“The sword wielder…”

Zhang Taiying murmured to himself. Sometimes he understood the Su patriarch's mindset; other times, he thought it wasn't worth it.

“Never mind.”

Without dwelling on it, Zhang Taiying snapped back to attention and rallied his spirits. “Whether this disaster for Zhang Fu is a blessing or a curse is still hard to say.”

“Maybe that person wasn’t entirely drawn here by Xu Xiaoshou.”

Zhang Taiying paused, pondering. “That masked figure was after the famous sword, so perhaps he also heard about the ‘Ji Luo Diao Pian’ from somewhere and came because of that?”

“Ji Luo Diao Pian…”

Zhang Zhongmou murmured the words, and suddenly his pupils contracted. He jerked his head up toward the top floor of the Duanta.

His heart skipped a beat, and panic spread across his face.

Zhang Taiying didn’t notice this and continued, “We went to such great lengths in Bai Ku to obtain those two ‘Ji Luo Diao Pian’ pieces.”

“Whether we can soar to new heights depends on this.”

“The city lord’s mansion will surely be tempted by this. As long as we secure the Bai Ku spots this time, we still have a chance to rise again.”

“A mere Cangjing Ge… We can give it to him if needed!”

Zhang Taiying chuckled coldly, glancing back at Zhang Zhongmou, about to say more, but he was startled by the old man’s grim expression.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, puzzled.

Zhang Zhongmou hesitated, his voice trembling as he said, “The ‘Ji Luo Diao Pian’… it’s on the ninth floor…”

“What ninth floor?”

Zhang Taiying was baffled, but seeing Zhang Zhongmou staring fixedly at the Duanta, he suddenly sensed something was amiss.

“Do you mean…”

“Exactly.”

Zhang Zhongmou swallowed hard, struggling to speak. “That piece we were preparing to give to the city lord’s mansion, along with the letter, is still in the Cangjing Ge… on the ninth floor!”

Zhang Taiying: ???

Where is there even a ninth floor here?

The highest point now… is barely four and a half floors!