Chapter 53: The Celebration (Ninth Update)

At the same time, Bing Muer was well aware that this so-called celebration, no matter what deadly trap Bing Changtian had prepared, would not claim their lives—for it was Young Master Chen who had sent them here! Though they did not yet know what means Young Master Chen would employ to save them, they were certain they would survive.

After all, they were but pieces on Young Master Chen’s chessboard; how could he possibly send his own chess pieces to their deaths?

“Let’s go!” Bing Muer beckoned with her hand. “Let us see for ourselves what sort of killing ground that clown has arranged for me in the Southern Domain’s capital.”

…

On the day of the celebration, the City Lord’s Mansion of the Southern Domain bustled with excitement.

The vast estate was festooned with lanterns and streamers, and everywhere figures hurried to and fro. Mighty flying ships from all directions descended and landed, their passengers striding into the city lord’s grounds.

Those attending were all prominent figures from the major powers. The celebration was grand beyond compare, with a master of ceremonies appointed to announce arrivals.

“The Grand Elder of the Myriad Sword Sect has arrived to attend the celebration!”

“The Valley Master of Heavenly Sound Valley has arrived to attend the celebration!”

“The Grand Elder of Heavenly Sword Manor has arrived to attend the celebration!”

…

In the distance, atop a seven-story wooden tower, Bing Changtian and Bai Linglong stood on the seventh floor, surveying the scene below.

“Changtian, are you certain of success?” As more and more powerful figures gathered, the worry on Bai Linglong’s face deepened.

She knew well that this was a killing trap set by Bing Changtian, but the scale of it was truly overwhelming—enough to make her heart pound with dread. If it failed, their positions as lord and lady of the Southern Domain’s capital would be utterly destroyed.

“Linglong, are you afraid?” Bing Changtian gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders, smiling calmly as he shook his head. “A true man must act boldly. Rest assured, I now command the Supreme Sword Formation of the Spring and Autumn Sacred Kingdom. With such a weapon, this trap is foolproof. Trust me.”

“Yes.” Bai Linglong nodded and leaned softly into his embrace. “Changtian, I care not for other matters, but that wretched girl Bing Muer—she must die!”

At that moment, the master of ceremonies called out, “The Dao Master of the Thousand Dragon Path has arrived to attend the celebration!”

A tall, imposing middle-aged man strode into the mansion, his aura unmatched—none other than Nie Long himself.

At his arrival, the crowd turned to him with looks of awe and ingratiation.

The Thousand Dragon Path was one of the two highest-ranked sects of the Southern Domain. As its master, Nie Long’s status was no less than that of the city lord.

“I have long heard that the Dao Master of the Thousand Dragon Path possesses a peerless bearing; meeting him today is truly humbling!”

“To be able to attend this celebration alongside the Dao Master is a once-in-a-lifetime honor!”

Many people gathered around, eager to curry Nie Long’s favor.

“Peerless bearing? Hah!” Bing Changtian, watching from the tower, sneered. “He’ll be dead soon enough, unable to lord it over anyone!”

He already held the Thousand Faces World, the sect’s greatest treasure, in his grasp. If Nie Long did not die, how could he claim it for himself?

After a moment, Bing Changtian frowned slightly. “Strange, I haven’t seen anyone from the Sacred Sword Sect. They received my invitation, but refused to attend. What are they playing at?”

“Changtian, could it be that the Sacred Sword Sect has seen through your trap?” Bai Linglong’s delicate body trembled.

“It’s hard to say,” Bing Changtian replied, shaking his head. “But so what if they have? With the Thousand Faces World and the Supreme Sword Formation under my command, even the Holy Dynasty holds no fear for me. What need have I to worry about the Sacred Sword Sect?”

Far off at the horizon, a slender figure stood quietly atop the clouds, gazing at the bustling city lord’s mansion—none other than Nalan Ruoshui of the Sacred Sword Sect.

Nalan Ruoshui had already discerned that this was Bing Changtian’s trap, and so had not come to the celebration. She had come only to catch a glimpse of Young Master Chen. Even a distant glance would be enough to satisfy her.

After a while, the master of ceremonies cried out again, “The Young Lady of the City Lord’s Mansion has arrived to attend the celebration!”

Immediately, the entire estate fell silent. All eyes turned expectantly to the gate.

The main character had arrived! The celebration was, after all, held in her honor.

Yet what the crowd truly awaited was not the young lady herself, but the man who stood behind her—Young Master Chen.

Soft footsteps echoed.

Everyone held their breath, hearts pounding in anticipation.

The tension was palpable—the legendary Young Master Chen, a figure of saintly power, was about to reveal his true face at last.

Soon, six figures came into view: the young lady, Elder Hua, Mu Wanqing, Huangfu Meng, Baili Song, and Nangong Ba.

“Strange, Young Master Chen isn’t with the young lady!”

“That’s odd. The painting that sealed the Demon Emperor was said to be his work. By rights, he should be the true focus of this event—yet he’s absent!”

A hubbub rose among the guests. Many had come with the express hope of meeting Young Master Chen, determined to seize any opportunity to make his acquaintance.

But he was not there.

Disappointment swept the crowd.

“Young Lady!” In the crowd, Nie Long’s gaze was dark and venomous as he fixed it on Bing Muer, barely suppressing the urge to tear her apart. His son, Zuo Xiangyu, had been driven to his death in the Demon Emperor’s tomb by her hand.

At last, he exhaled, suppressing the flames of hatred in his heart. “This celebration is a trap set for her by Bing Changtian. I’ll wait and see.”

“Damn it, that Young Master Chen did not come!” Bing Changtian, atop the wooden tower, muttered angrily.

“Changtian, what now?” Bai Linglong asked. “You had planned to kill both that wretched girl and Young Master Chen, but now he’s not here. The two are close, and Young Master Chen is of saintly rank. If we kill her here, he will be enraged... Has our plan failed?”

“Failed?” Bing Changtian shook his head. “How could it fail? Linglong, I now command the Supreme Sword Formation. If need be, I’ll march straight to Clearwater Town and kill Young Master Chen myself!”

He did not believe that, with the Supreme Sword Formation in hand, he could not deal with one Young Master Chen.

“So, he didn’t come after all...” Upon the distant clouds, Nalan Ruoshui murmured in disappointment.

She had come all the way from the Sacred Sword Sect just to see him from afar, but he did not appear.

“Then again, if even I can see through Bing Changtian’s trap, how could someone as extraordinary as Young Master Chen not perceive it?” Nalan Ruoshui’s brows knitted in thought. “Since the young lady and her companions are close to him, yet he sent them alone, perhaps he is already here, watching unseen, simply disdaining to show himself.”