Immortality begins with the Swordsman.

Chapter 34 A Hero's Resolute Cut-Off?

As the sun sets and night falls, darkness gradually descends.

The Pei family was large and powerful, and before it got dark, they lit lanterns one by one, illuminating the courtyard as if it were daytime.

Five tables of food and drink had already been set up in the main hall.

At the main table, Pei Mucheng, the head of the Pei family, and the "Young Master of the East" sat on the left and right respectively, with Xue Huairong and Liu Wenling, the two heads of the family, on either side. The rest were some important people from both sides, such as "Whiteboard Killer" Ji Wumian.

The other four tables were occupied by the main masters and recruited retainers of the three families, as well as several newly surrendered gang leaders—such as Luo Nanqing, the leader of the Green Sheep Gang, who had just surrendered and was now invited to be among the honored guests.

When he took his seat, Xue Yongze was still somewhat excited.

These days, he stayed by his father's side and watched as the once invincible Huashan Sect, under their repeated attacks, could only cower and defend, powerless to fight back. He felt very proud.

Suddenly, he thought of that woman who was as cold as ice and whose swordsmanship was unparalleled—Cai Ling Shuang.

Xue Yongze's gaze turned sinister: "If we can wipe them out in one fell swoop this time, we might have a chance to get close to her."

For some reason, whenever he thought of Cai Lingshuang, he would recall the scene of Gu Changfeng applying lip rouge to Cai Lingshuang that day, and he would feel a tightness in his chest from jealousy.

Inadvertently, his gaze fell on the large, noseless man at the main table.

Blank-board evil star, season without face.

He had heard his father say that this Whiteboard Demon was extremely skilled in martial arts, and that it would take the three of them working together to put them to a fight.

Xue Yongze secretly rejoiced: "Haha, having provoked this killing god, Gu Changfeng, you won't live much longer. Hmph, let's see how long you can hide!"

Then he picked up a wine glass and went around toasting and making friends.

During the meal.

The group toasted and laughed, their words filled with self-satisfaction.

"Ouyang Qingzhao has dominated Chang'an for many years, but now he can only cower in the south of the city and eke out a living. It's truly gratifying."

"Haha, that day I killed a Huashan disciple right in front of him, and he was furious, but he didn't do anything..."

"All of this is thanks to Young Master Dongfang's strategic planning."

"Come on, let's drink to Young Master Dongfang!"

Laughter erupted, and "Young Master Dongfang" smiled, appearing quite pleased, as if victory was already assured.

Just then, a deep drumbeat came from afar.

thump -- thump -- thump --

That was the evening drum; once it sounded, it meant that the gates of Chang'an were closed and the curfew had begun.

The curfew is a constraint on ordinary people, but it is just a formality for those in the martial arts world. As long as they don't go too far, the imperial court doesn't care and usually turns a blind eye.

No one seemed to care; they continued drinking and laughing.

Suddenly, a night breeze blew into the hall, causing the candlelight to flicker. A member of the Pei family, responsible for monitoring the movements of the Huashan Sect, stumbled into the hall, his face full of anxiety:

"Something terrible has happened...something terrible has happened...Ouyang...Huashan..."

Pei Muchen frowned and said, "Pei Jin, calm down and speak clearly."

The man named Pei Jin was panting and stammering, "Just now... just now... Ouyang Qingzhao, with everyone from Mount Hua, ran away!"

"What?!"

Everyone suddenly stood up, filled with surprise and disbelief, as if they had heard something unbelievable.

Xue Jin nodded repeatedly and said, "It's true. Just before the city gates closed, the people from the Huashan Sect all fled lightly."

They ran away?!

"Young Master Dongfang" swayed, his expression changed drastically, and an incredulous look appeared on his face.

Ouyang Qingzhao actually has this kind of courage?

How can we just abandon Chang'an City, which we've built up over so many years?

A word suddenly flashed through his mind—

A brave man cuts off his own arm.

Pei Muchen was the first to react, his expression filled with panic: "We can't let them get away like this. If they return to Mount Hua, it will be like releasing a tiger back into the mountains. We will all die without a burial place."

Liu Wenling also realized something, his face turned pale, and his voice trembled: "Yes, yes, yes, hurry and chase them, we absolutely cannot let them return to Mount Hua, we must..."

"What's the panic?"

"Young Master Dongfang" suddenly snorted coldly, interrupting everyone's panic, and said, "Calm down, everyone. They won't be able to leave so easily."

Xue Huairong, also pale-faced, asked, "What do we do now?"

"Young Master Dongfang" had a sharp gaze and said, enunciating each word clearly, "First, the city gates are now closed, and a pass is required to leave the city. Patriarch Pei, you must get this done as soon as possible, no matter the cost, just hurry."

He paused, then continued, "Secondly, they are numerous and have families with them, so they probably can't move fast. We can definitely catch up with them. Therefore, the three family heads, you need to hurry up and collect horses, the more the better."

"Finally, instruct everyone to assemble immediately. Once Patriarch Pei obtains the pass, we will leave the city together—this time, we must eliminate them completely."

"yes!"

Everyone agreed in unison, their drunkenness gone, and they all stood up to prepare.

One hour later.

The city gates opened again, and more than forty riders, holding Kongming lanterns aloft, rushed out of the city gates first, heading east along the official road...

Behind them followed a large group of over a thousand people, the wind howling and the air thick with murderous intent.

……

……

Under the cover of night, the official road was deserted.

The Huashan team of over three hundred people moved quickly through the night, their clothes fluttering as they silently made their way.

Ouyang Qingzhao walked at the front and looked up at the night sky.

tonight.

The moonlight was bright and clear, and the stars were numerous. It was a rare and beautiful day, making it much easier to travel at night.

Deacon Zhao quickly caught up and said, "Senior Brother Ouyang, there are more than a dozen people following us ever since we left the city. They're like flies, we can't get rid of them..."

Ouyang Qingzhao said calmly, "It's nothing. They're probably from those three families. Don't worry about them. Getting on the road is the priority."

Cheng Buyou followed beside Ouyang Qingzhao, saying with a resentful look, "Uncle-Master Ouyang, is this what you meant by waiting for the wind to come?"

Ouyang Qingzhao laughed easily, "The wind's blowing hard, let's get out of here. What's the problem?"

Gu Changfeng's face immediately darkened, and he sighed, "To be honest, I thought when you said 'waiting for the wind to come,' you meant waiting for Uncle Feng to come, and then we'd go on a rampage and slaughter everyone."

Cai Ling Shuang softly echoed, "Me too."

Ouyang Qingzhao smiled and said, "Enough with the small talk, let's hurry up and go. It'll be troublesome if they catch up with us soon."

Gu Changfeng frowned and asked as he ran, "Uncle-Master Ouyang, I have a question that I can't figure out no matter how hard I try."

Ouyang Qingzhao asked, "What question?"

Gu Changfeng said, "Uncle Su returned to Mount Hua a long time ago, and we've been in Chang'an for so long, yet there hasn't been a single reaction on the mountain. I don't believe there's nothing fishy going on here."

Ouyang Qingzhao blinked and laughed, "I don't know either."

This guy definitely knows!

Gu Changfeng continued, "However, what I find most strange is, are the Pei, Xue, and Liu families fools? Even if they can win temporarily, so what? They killed my Huashan disciples; do they really expect to die peacefully?"

Ouyang Qingzhao chuckled lightly: "Who knows? Perhaps it was that Young Master Dongfang who gave him confidence?"

Gu Changfeng shook his head and said, "Impossible. That person's status doesn't allow for such power."

Ouyang Qingzhao narrowed her eyes slightly and said, "You've guessed his true identity?"

Gu Changfeng nodded and said, "Those who resort to underhanded tactics must be weaker than their opponents. And among all the people in the world, those who are weaker than us and want to weaken our Huashan Sect are only—"

Before he could finish speaking, Ouyang Qingzhao interrupted him: "You know it, but don't say it out loud."

"What kind of riddle are you playing?"

The people listening in looked at each other in bewilderment.

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves came from behind, clearly audible even from a distance, as if a group of people and horses were galloping towards them.

Ouyang Qingzhao's lips curled slightly as she murmured, "Perfect timing..."