Stronger by Killing

The three of them traveled light, moving swiftly, and didn’t notify the local Government Office wherever they passed. They entered the County City in a remarkably low-key manner.

Sword King City, after all, had once been one of the largest cities in Yunxi—prosperous and bustling.

However, when Gu Zhan and his companions entered the city, they witnessed a strange scene. The city streets were deserted, with barely a soul in sight; the usual crowds of vendors were nowhere to be seen, most shop doors were closed, all was desolate, even tinged with desolation.

"How could it be like this?"

Sword One was incredulous,

He used to be a Sword Son in Sword King City; this was the city he knew best, but now everything was utterly different from what he remembered.

Kou Baimen frowned slightly and said, "Something must have changed in these past few days. Because my Lord traveled so quietly along the way, the Government Office here had no way to know where you were or spread the word in time."

Gu Zhan nodded slightly.

Just then, a pot-bellied middle-aged man came hurrying out of a small alley.

Sword One quickly stopped the man and asked, "Brother, may I trouble you—what’s happened here in the city? Why is it so empty?"

The middle-aged man was clearly impatient, but when he looked up and saw Sword One’s hand on the sword behind his back, the curse on his lips died at once. He forced a sheepish smile and said, "Sir hero, you must be a stranger here, right? You wouldn’t know—our Sword King County is suffering from a natural disaster!"

Sword One’s brows knitted. "What disaster?"

The middle-aged man said, "You might not know, sir, but some time ago an Immortal came down to warn the people of Sword King County, saying a disaster was coming. But the officials at the Prefecture Government refused to believe it, wouldn’t listen to the Immortal.

Sure enough, in just a few days, this city has begun suffering a plague. The city’s doctors have all been at a loss. Luckily, the Immortal took pity and has his Child perform rites in the city each day to dispel the plague, and has bestowed us with Talismanic Water. If you drink the Talismanic Water, you’ll be free of the sickness at once. I’m in a hurry to get a talisman—my child at home has caught the plague!"

As soon as he finished, the man advised, "Sir, I can tell you’re all outsiders. Best hurry and get a talisman for yourselves. Even if you’re not sick, drinking the Talismanic Water can protect you from the plague. If it’s not urgent, you’d best leave soon. I’ve heard this disaster is just starting, and if the Government Office still won’t heed the Immortal’s instructions, who knows what will come next!"

Sword One let go of the man, who hurried off with a sigh of relief.

On the side, Kou Baimen leaned toward Gu Zhan and chuckled, "My Lord, Sword One’s personality has really changed. He used to freeze up just speaking to strangers, but now he’s a different man. Back then, he’d never have dared talk reason with a sword in hand."

Gu Zhan smiled. "Love makes you grow."

Gu Zhan knew Sword One’s changes very well. The old Sword One was almost socially phobic, stammering even in simple conversation. But ever since he fell for love and became a Fallen Demon in Great Desert City—whether from the influence of Demonic Qi or true transformation—once he regained his senses, his whole nature had shifted. Where he’d once been timid, now he spoke and acted decisively, even with a certain coldness.

"My Lord!"

Sword One stepped over, cupped his hands and said, "There’s something wrong with this plague."

Kou Baimen laughed softly, "It does remind me a bit of those White Lotus Sect tricks—using all sorts of ghostly, mystical methods to control the thoughts of the people, chanting slogans like ’the White Lotus descends to save the masses’ before dragging everyone into a rebellion!"

Gu Zhan smiled faintly and said, "Let’s go see for ourselves."

With that, they followed behind the middle-aged man,

and before long arrived at a plaza in the city center.

Unlike the deserted city streets, here it was a sea of people—loud, crowded, churning masses.

At the plaza’s center,

a high platform had been erected, and a young man in fluttering white robes, striking in appearance, was casting spells. Several other youths clad the same, flying on cranes in the sky, their every movement transcendent, unsullied by mundane dust—radiating the air of Immortals.

The young spellcaster’s methods were indeed marvelous; every gesture held spiritual allure, each motion accompanied by strange phenomena, with melodious celestial music echoing overhead.

Sheets of talismans coalesced in the air and flew toward the townsfolk seeking them.

"My Lord, can you see through it?" Kou Baimen whispered, "It doesn’t look like a Blinding Technique to me?"

Sword One whispered, "I can’t see any flaw either."

Gu Zhan smiled, "It’s not a Blinding Technique to begin with, so naturally there are no flaws."

Kou Baimen and Sword One were both surprised.

Gu Zhan said evenly, "Come, let’s go to the Prefecture Government."

...

Prefecture Government.

When Gu Zhan’s group arrived outside the Prefecture Government, a crowd of officials rushed out to greet them.

The Prefect quickly bowed and said, trembling with awe, "We welcome the Prince. Forgive us for not meeting you sooner—had we known you were coming, we would have prepared much earlier. Please forgive us!"

Gu Zhan nodded, giving the Prefect a quick glance, then paused in surprise. "Zuo Yang, you’re the Prefect of Sword King County?"

The Prefect hurried to reply, "I’m honored Your Highness still remembers me. By your grace, I was able to come and serve as Prefect here in Sword King County."

Gu Zhan smiled faintly.

This Zuo Yang was someone he’d befriended when he’d first arrived in Yunxi.

Back then, the Dragon King Mo Jingzhou had arranged for him to serve as Embroidered Uniform Guard Thousand Households in Pingyang Prefecture, and Zuo Yang had been one of his Hundred Households—indeed, the first Embroidered Uniform Guard official to join his side.

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