Xuanwu, Plum Blossom Manor.
"Keep the sword level! Power must come from the spine! Only then can you deliver the strongest strike while maintaining balance!"
On the snow-covered manor grounds, a stern, authoritative voice rang out slowly.
Seated on a mink-covered throne was a middle-aged man.
His posture was light, his eyes sharp and bright. Sitting there, he was like a sharp blade.
This man was none other than the renowned martial arts master of Xuanwu:
Plum Blossom Swordsman.
Plum Blossom Swordsman had taken in countless disciples throughout his life, with a stellar record of achievements.
Yet, he held two lifelong regrets.
First, challenging the strongest Shadow Assassin, codenamed Seven, and suffering a crushing defeat in a single move, losing all dignity.
Second, his own biological daughter and concubine running away from home, bringing disgrace upon his household.
These two matters were Plum Blossom Swordsman's reverse scales.
No one was allowed to mention them.
However, on this very day...
"Report…! A visitor has arrived at the mountain's base! He claims to be an old acquaintance of Plum Blossom Swordsman, here specifically to pay a visit!"
"Oh? Who is it? Did he give his name?" Plum Blossom Swordsman's eyebrows rose slightly as he asked in a low voice.
"He didn't give a name. Only a codename."
"Seven!"
'Seven?!'
Plum Blossom Swordsman's pupils instantly contracted sharply. The armrest of his chair shattered under his grip.
He could never forget, for the rest of his life, the man who had brought him such shame.
The martial arts master of Xuanwu, the founder of the Plum Blossom Sword Path...
Couldn't even withstand a single move from him.
"Too weak."
Those were the only words the man had spoken.
Proud as Plum Blossom Swordsman was, he didn't even qualify to make the man slightly serious.
"Order all disciples of the Plum Blossom Manor to drive this person away from the mountain! He is not welcome here!" Plum Blossom Swordsman's face stiffened, and he immediately issued the command.
Thinking carefully, it had been almost three years since he'd last heard any news of this man.
'Why, upon emerging now, would he seek me out first?'
'Could it be... he was here for revenge?'
"Hmph! Even if you possess heaven-defying skills, you cannot act recklessly within my manor!" Plum Blossom Swordsman snorted coldly.
The Plum Blossom Manor housed three hundred outer sect disciples and seventy-two inner sect disciples, all possessing extraordinary strength.
Their signature 'Flying Snow Falling Plum Blossom Formation' had defeated countless powerful enemies.
No matter how strong Seven was, it was impossible for him to take on three hundred disciples single-handedly, plus a master-level existence like himself.
"Acknowledged." The disciple responded and went to relay the order to the mountain base.
…
At the base of Plum Blossom Mountain.
"Hah... I indeed have been here before. Just seeing this falling snow and the plum blossoms brings a sense of familiarity." Seven gazed at the surrounding scenery, sighing faintly.
It was right here, amidst this breathtaking scenery, that he had once defeated Plum Blossom Swordsman with a single sword strike.
"However, I've only recovered about one-tenth of my strength now. Facing an expert of Plum Blossom Swordsman's caliber... I might need to put in some effort." Seven gripped the Thousand Demon Daggers in his hand, murmuring softly.
From the moment he decided to come here, he hadn't expected a peaceful resolution.
An enemy you once defeated in a single move shows up at your doorstep, saying he wants to catch up...
Who would believe that?
Better to use the most direct method: subdue the other party with absolute strength, then slowly recall the past.
Whoosh, rustle...
The plum blossom trees swayed. Dozens of pure white figures emerged from the swirling snow.
"Our Manor Lord has spoken: You are not welcome here. Please leave!" A group of outer sect disciples, dressed in white training uniforms and forming a battle formation, spoke with unfriendly expressions.
"Tch. I thought I'd only have to beat up one person. I didn't expect him to be so cowardly, sending his disciples out as cannon fodder first." Seven shook his head, a helpless expression appearing on his face.
Yet, in the very next second, the leisurely aura about him vanished, replaced by an astonishing, sharp killing intent.
Thousand Demon Daggers, unsheathed.
Clatter, clatter...
The Thousand Demon Daggers, shimmering with a purple light, instantly separated into countless fine blade fragments in the air.
The blade fragments danced, each one accurately targeting the wrist of an outer sect disciple.
"Ah!"
"So fast!"
"My hand!"
Screams of pain erupted one after another. The crisp sound of precious swords hitting the ground was incessant.
"This time, considering I'm here to see your Manor Lord on business, I won't kill anyone."
"If there's a next time, if any of you dare point your swords at me again, the minimum consequence will be having your martial arts crippled." Seven looked coldly at the crowd of outer sect disciples lying on the ground.
The Thousand Demon Daggersexcelled at group combat.
Last time, when he instantly killed Plum Blossom Swordsman, he had only displayed its ultimate single-target attack power.
But this time...
"It seems I'll have to cut my way through this entire Plum Blossom Manor." A slight curve lifted the corner of Seven's mouth. He raised his blade and began strolling leisurely up the mountain.
...
Meanwhile, at the residence of Plum Blossom Swordsman.
Plum Blossom Swordsman sat on his tiger throne, restless and anxious.
Battle reports from the mountain base had been coming in one after another.
All of them were defeats!
"Report…! The outer sect at the mountain base has been breached! Some outer sect disciples have lost combat ability!"
"Report…! The outer sect training ground has been breached! More than half of the outer sect disciples are unconscious!"
"Report…! The outer sect has fallen! The seventy-two inner sect senior brothers have gone to face the enemy!"
"Repor…"
"No need to report anymore."
Outside the door of the Great Master's residence within the Plum Blossom Manor, a young disciple, beaten until he was foaming at the mouth and unconscious, was thrown heavily forward.
Plum Blossom Swordsman instinctively caught him, his pupils contracting sharply.
"My head disciple? Even my number one disciple in terms of strength... was taken down by you?!"
"Huh? I didn't notice. They were all ants crushed in a single move. What does it matter who's big or small?"
Outside the manor, the bodies of countless Plum Blossom Manor disciples were piled into a small mountain, a scene of utter misery with cries of suffering everywhere.
Seven stood atop this small mountain, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned.
Three years ago, with one man and one sword, he instantly defeated Plum Blossom Swordsman, making him the laughingstock of all heroes under heaven.
Three years later, it was still that one man, that one sword.
In the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, he had cut his way through the entire Plum Blossom Manor!