Chapter 345: Chapter 345, The People are Gone, the Building is Empty
When Chu Ming and his two companions returned to Xu Mansion, Xu Nian was busy cleaning up the aftermath at the Prefect’s residence. Zhang Ping and Zhi Buyou were already dead, and the remaining martial artists were unable to cause any trouble.
However, even though Xu Nian could assume the position of the Great Village Chief, he would need at least half a month to secure it firmly.
The next day, more than thirty Guiyuan Realm experts from Snow Peak arrived and temporarily stayed at Xu Mansion. Naturally, Xu Nian had no objections.
"Sir, according to our intelligence, there are signs that the demon dao experts of Bianyuan Kingdom are retreating from Bianyuan Kingdom."
In a room, Wang Qi respectfully reported the latest information to Chu Ming, waiting for his decision.
Chu Ming furrowed his brow. If these demon dao experts were to retreat directly from Bianyuan Kingdom, all their efforts would be in vain.
Of course, he had accomplished the task given to him by the Celestial Travel Sect. At the very least, there were no more traces of demonic organizations within the ten countries.
The commotion from the battle among the three Guiyuan Realm Fifth Layer experts last night was too great, likely alerting the experts of the demonic organization, startling them.
However, these demonic organizations fleeing to other countries also posed a threat. He couldn’t eradicate all the demon dao in the world; he could only kill them whenever he encountered them.
"Summon Xu Nian!"
Chu Ming spoke slowly. What he could do was to try to eliminate the experts of the demonic organization before they left, and as for success or failure, it would be up to fate.
Soon after, Xu Nian hurriedly walked into the room, standing respectfully at the side.
"Sir!"
"Hmm!"
Then, Chu Ming recounted the events to Xu Nian. Xu Nian stood quietly at the side without speaking. When Chu Ming finished, only then did he ask, "What do you mean, sir?"
"Select ten Guiyuan Realm martial artists from Taihang Mountain Stronghold and come with us on a trip!"
Chu Ming’s expression was calm. Ten Guiyuan Realm martial artists from Taihang Mountain Stronghold, combined with more than thirty Guiyuan Realm martial artists from Snow Peak, totaled over forty Guiyuan Realm martial artists.
At this moment, Chu Ming hoped that the experts of the demonic organization had not retreated, so they could be eradicated in one sweep. However, Chu Ming understood that this possibility was very slim.
The experts of the demonic organization were not fools. When Zhi Buyou was in power, they could survive in the cracks. But now, with such upheaval at Taihang Mountain Stronghold, they had no reason not to know.
"No problem!"
Xu Nian patted his chest and agreed. The importance of ten Guiyuan Realm experts to Taihang Mountain Stronghold was self-evident, but he didn’t dare to provoke Chu Ming.
The sooner the better. In the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, more than forty Guiyuan Realm experts were flying towards the last stronghold of the demonic organization.
"The demonic organization has always been hiding in the Reflux River area of Bianyuan Kingdom!"
On the way, Wang Qi introduced the place.
Two hours later, Chu Ming and his companions arrived at the Reflux River. The Reflux River was the largest river in Bianyuan Kingdom, almost running through the entire country. However, its source was only about a hundred miles in circumference, winding and twisting like a white ribbon.
"Let’s split up and search!"
Chu Ming instructed the more than forty Guiyuan Realm experts. After speaking, he casually chose a direction and his body shot out.
The more than forty people dispersed, easily covering the entire source of the Reflux River.
But after half an hour, everyone was dejected.
"There’s a discovery here!"
An ancestor of the Guiyuan Realm from the Martial Saints Gate exclaimed, and everyone immediately gathered in his direction. Soon, they found a hidden palace beneath the ground.
Swoosh!
Chu Ming swiftly drew his sword, and a terrifying sword light burst from his blade, splitting the palace in half. Rubble flew everywhere, but inside, there was no one.
"The experts of the demonic organization have left."
Wang Qi was slightly disappointed. They had finally persuaded Taihang Mountain Stronghold, only to find out that the experts of the demonic organization had escaped.
"Let’s go back!"
Chu Ming said calmly. He was mentally prepared for this, so the disappointment was somewhat mitigated.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Since the demonic organization experts had left Bianyuan Kingdom, Chu Ming and the others could no longer stay at Xu Mansion. After retrieving the other part of the Burning Fire Battleship from Xu Nian, they returned to Snow Peak.
At this moment, there were no more demon dao experts within the ten countries. The many Guiyuan Realm experts naturally couldn’t stay at Snow Peak for long, and many had to return to their sects to oversee daily affairs.
With this, the Guiyuan Realm experts at Snow Peak were sparse. However, with the demonic experts gone, there was no need to worry.
After obtaining the other half of the Burning Fire Battleship, Chu Ming handed it over to the old craftsman. As for how to combine the two, the old craftsman knew what to do.
After that, Chu Ming began his seclusion. During this period, he aimed to attempt integrating the Deceitful Sword and Clouds Rolling and Unrolling into a new sword technique. The path of Sword Dao required courage to experiment and create techniques that suited oneself.
Integrating the Deceitful Sword and Clouds Rolling and Unrolling wasn’t easy. The Deceitful Sword was the Fifth Technique of the Extreme Point Swordsmanship, created by Chu Ming during his cultivation. He was well-versed in its principles, making it relatively easier to modify. However, Clouds Rolling and Unrolling truly belonged to someone else, making it more challenging to alter.
Chu Ming didn’t rush the fusion. For three days, he meticulously analyzed the principles of the Deceitful Sword and Clouds Rolling and Unrolling.
On the fourth day, he finally began attempting the fusion.
Swoosh!
A sword light flashed from Chu Ming’s hand, countless afterimages mingling, real and illusionary, while the surrounding space seemed to flow extremely slowly.
Swish!
A sword mark appeared on the ground, and rubble scattered.
Chu Ming furrowed his brow. This sword was full of profound meaning and had a surreal quality, but its lethality was somewhat lacking, failing to meet his expectations.
While Chu Ming was in seclusion comprehending sword techniques, the Cyan Yang Sect was gathering skilled craftsmen in the martial world, planning to combine the two Burning Fire Battleships into one.
With no traces of the demonic organization in the ten kingdoms, there was a rare moment of peace.
A month passed in the blink of an eye. Before entering seclusion, Chu Ming had instructed Wang Qi not to disturb him unless it was important. Thus, although the chamber was tightly shut, no one inquired.
On this day, astonishing light radiated from the chamber. Next, rubble floated into the air, and hundreds of sword lights shot out simultaneously, the space shattering like a mirage, exploding towards the surroundings. The ground was marked by deep sword scars.
The space didn’t actually fracture; Chu Ming’s destructive power hadn’t reached that level. Causing a space to shatter required the lethality of the Realm of Transcendence at the very least.
It was merely an illusion created by the space, but the lethality was real.