Chapter 984: No Holds Barred

"Yes, Patriarch!"

At his orders, Baili Yutian bowed at once and recounted everything.

Baili Yutian squinted, "Yuyu, you're a peak Genesis Stage expert, even with demonic treasures hiding your true cultivation, but the moment you released your bloodthirst, the kid saw through your strength and your identity. Yet despite all that, a 3rd layer Radiant Stage pup feared you not, using his persuasive words to retreat, without even the mask. What a rare spirit he has!"

"Humph, I had to listen to Patriarch's warning or I'd have long since removed his head from his shoulder for you!"

"A loss is a loss, no excuses!"

Baili Yuyu raised her hands in anger, but Baili Yutian snapped at her, "That man has skill to grasp your weakness and leverage it. It's you at fault for not hiding it well and lost without a doubt. Accept it and not throw a tantrum at me like a teenager. You're a Sword King, so act like one!"

Baili Yuyu's face shook as she took a deep breath and bowed deeply, though the grudge only festered inside her still.

Baili Yutian nodded, "Yuyu, tomorrow you'll go spy on the kid and gauge his reaction. I want to see how Devil Mountain's disciple compares to our Baili clan's disciples."

"Spy, that's it?"

"Yes!"

Baili Yutian's eyes flashed, "And I'll even allow you to kill this time, no holds barred."

Bali Yuyu lit up in excitement, "Thank you so much, Patriarch. Let's see that punk be cocky again..."

"But..."

Baili Yutian barged into her joyous occasion, "The only one you're not to target in your killing spree is Devil Mountain's disciple."

Bali Yuyu shuddered, "But Patriarch, you first tell me I can kill and now you say not him. Then what..."

"I want to test him, not to kill him!"

Baili Yutian took a deep breath, regarding the heavens, "Like master, like disciple. I want to see just how the Devil Mountain's disciple is compared to our clan's. Would he still keep a straight face with a mad witch out for blood hot on his heels? Ha-ha-ha, this'll make for a great test!"

Bali Yuyu's heart twitched.

[Patriarch, I thought I'm a Sword King you yourself entitled, how come I'm suddenly a mad witch. Show some respect at least!]

Baili Yutian didn't give a damn, grinning to himself.

Baili Yulei frowned, "Patriarch, with Yuyu wreaking havoc in northern lands, it will bring the war closer. Then Jingwei's deployment..."

"It's fine."

Baili Yutian cut him off, "Jingwei is the Prime Minister and values the empire's victory. While I am only out to find a worthy opponent to learn from and understand the world even better to grasp greater strength. Any that stand in my way, even the empire's interests, are to step aside, understand?"

They all shuddered on the inside and bowed, "Yes, Patriarch!"

"With business out of the way, now it's time for personal issues!"

Pa!

Baili Yutian turned icy once more and snapped his hand as he glared at Bali Yuyu. A violent and strong force struck her, spun her around three times before slamming into the ground with a crunch and bleeding from the mouth.

Baili Yulei started, "Patriarch..."

"I asked her to scout, yet she went to a thrift shop? Humph, women are so fickle."

Baili Yutian's tone was as cold as his glare, "A thousand lashes ought to set her straight. Yulei, you'll be enforcing the punishment then have her go on with her task!"

"Yes!"

They all bowed without a choice, with Bali Yuyu not even making a comment, despite the swollen cheek.

Baili Yutian returned to his seat, with others rushing to do the same. Baili Yulei sighed and took Bali Yuyu behind the trees and sharp cracks split the air.

A thousand lashes later, Baili Yutian staggered over with sweat marring her features while blood seeped from her lacerated back. She, however, pushed through the pain, gnashing her teeth and bowing to Baili Yutian before flying to her mission.

Baili Yulei clenched the whip in his hand, sighing as he returned to his seat.

Five days later, the Qian caravan was ready. Zhuo Fan, the fake steward, took the lead of the carriages drawn by 3rd level spiritual beasts while escorted by fifteen guards, the same fifteen he saw back in that dark room.

With a shout, the spiritual beasts roared and pulled the heavy transports in a mad dash, while the people sat inside where it was warm and there was wine.

Though something felt off for some reason. They kept feeling a chill creeping up their spine now and then. Looking outside with vigilance, they noticed a cold woman following from behind with an eerie grin that had them shiver.

"Sir, why does that woman keep staring at us?"

Pulling Zhuo Fan over to the window, the guard pointed her out, "Our transport is secretive in the northern lands so how come we have a tail?"

Zhuo Fan smiled, "It's fine, just one of the Nine Sword Kings, Bali Yuyu of the central area. Last time we had a bit of a stand off so now she just came to scare us."

The man almost spat blood from fright.

[Bali Yuyu?! And it doesn't matter if she's tailing us? Bro, you sure have a big heart.]

The others' faces twitched as they watched Zhuo Fan with shock. Never in their wildest dreams did they think a Sword King was on their tail.

What made it worse...

[The new boss doesn't even care. Is this idiocy or valor? Anyone else would've wet their pants hearing a Sword King is onto them...]

Zhuo Fan grinned and rubbed Qiao'er's head.

Qiao'er giggled, having caught his look, and mocked, "Why are you scared? She'd never touch us anyway or she'd have done it five days ago. Dad got her seething with rage yet still had her give back my mask. If not then, then certainly not now, so relax."

"You had an argument with her back then?"

Everyone cried out and looked stumped, before bowing in respect, "Sir is truly amazing to have even a Sword King back off. We are in awe. Now we know why second young master wanted to follow sir."

Zhuo Fan gave a light wave, "Please, you should be thanking Baili Yutian. It was he who set her restriction so that the Nine Sword Kings can't move without his say so..."

Boom!

The sudden explosion coming from behind shook the carriage, rumbled the earth and scared the spiritual beasts.

The 3rd level spiritual beasts went wild at the sudden noise, bucking and throwing the bindings off it.

The carriage began to wobble under Zhuo Fan and the others' feet and showed signs of toppling soon. They burst outside and the sudden view had them in shock.

Everywhere they looked, the previously snowy and beautiful painting of nature was now scorched black with holes everywhere.

Of the five carriage, the last one was nowhere to be seen, not even the five 3rd level spiritual beasts pulling it. One could only take a wild guess, from the blackened earth, that they were pulverized in the blast.

Everyone's face twitched and the knees softened under them from fright. One turned to Zhuo Fan and whined, "Sir, didn't you say she wouldn't..."

"Yeah, five days ago she didn't attack so why now..."

Zhuo Fan was calm, "The old coot had let her loose it seems. Humph, but to what extent, that is the question..."