Chapter 82

"Drinking grape wine from a night-lit cup, about to drink, the lute urges me to ride off. Lying drunk on the battlefield, do not laugh at me, for how many have returned from ancient wars?" Li She swayed the night-lit cup in his hand, savoring the fine wine, watching Wang Yuyan play the zither, and enjoying Li Yunluo's massage, muttering the lines of Wang Han's "Liangzhou Qu." Since becoming a 'Drought Demon,' Li She had developed a particular fondness for red wine.

The most mysterious 'Twelve Towers of Tianchi' in the martial world, the two sisters of the Tonghuang Tower, stood respectfully before Li She, reporting on the recent situation in the martial world.

Ten years ago, Li She had transformed the Twelve Evils of Tianchi into 'zombies' with a single breath. Now, after ten years, the two sisters still maintained their youthful appearance.

"Lord, Xiong Ba of the World Union has already begun to subdue the small sects and factions in Jiangnan who refuse to submit to him," the two sisters of the Tonghuang Tower said.

Li She opened his eyes slightly and asked, "What about the Huo Family Manor?"

"According to the information from Zhi Tanhua, the World Union's troops set off for the Huo Family Manor today," the two sisters said.

Upon hearing this news, Li She knew that Stepping Cloud, the protagonist of "Fengyun," was about to make his appearance. The title 'Death God' was earned because he did not shed a single tear even when his family was massacred. At the same time, the martial legend Wu Ming was also about to appear.

"Is that so? I also want to see what the martial legend looks like," Li She muttered.

He rode alone in white robes toward the Huo Family Manor.

Meanwhile, as Li She galloped to Jiangnan, the World Union's troops also arrived at the Huo Family Manor. Huo Butian, a top swordsmith in "Fengyun," had refused the recruitment of the World Union, a massive organization, and naturally invited his own doom. Now, the World Union controlled the entire region south of the Yangtze River. A small swordsmith daring to defy their recruitment would not be tolerated, or the World Union's prestige would be at stake.

When Li She arrived at the Huo Family Manor, the entire manor was already engulfed in flames. The 'Drought Demon' had a heightened sensitivity to blood, and Li She, smelling the strong scent of blood, closed his eyes to sense the location of the martial legend Wu Ming.

Faint green dots appeared in Li She's mind, representing ordinary martial artists with slightly more vigorous life force than normal people. After a while, he found a bright green dot, and Li She was certain this must be Wu Ming. Only someone like Wu Ming, who had reached the level of 'half-step into the void,' could have such a vigorous life force. Otherwise, how could he have survived the severe torture by Jue Wushen and Dishi Tian, even with his琵琶骨 (clavicle) pierced, and still be alive?

Sensing Wu Ming's aura, Li She couldn't help but marvel at the power of the world's will. Since Wu Ming had already arrived, why didn't he directly save the Huo Family Manor? Why did he wait until only Stepping Cloud was left alive before intervening? Wasn't it the world's will to give Stepping Cloud a test? All these unreasonable aspects highlighted the power of the world's will, controlling everyone's fate.

In front of the two stone lions at the entrance of the Huo Family Manor, Stepping Cloud stood as if nothing had happened, leaning against the stone lion, lost in thought. The screams of his family and the sound of swords piercing flesh continuously challenged his nerves. Clenching his fists, he didn't even feel the pain as his nails dug into his flesh.

He didn't blame the World Union for their brutality but rather hated his own weakness. Stepping Cloud stared at the World Union's people, determined to engrave their faces in his memory. This was unimaginable for a seven-year-old child.

Screams echoed throughout the Huo Family Manor, turning it into a hell on earth. Neighbors nearby closed their doors tightly, not daring to peek. The coldness of the world stimulated Stepping Cloud's nerves. Those usually warm and friendly neighbors now pretended nothing was happening, as if they hadn't seen anything. The government? The so-called 'Supreme Martial Emperor' was just a figurehead. Jiangnan had become the territory of the World Union, and Xiong Ba was a regional lord, controlling countless lives.

Li She slowly rode his horse to Stepping Cloud, examining the protagonist of the "Fengyun" world. He had thick eyebrows and single-lidded eyes, though young, his face revealed a sense of determination.

As Li She examined Stepping Cloud, Stepping Cloud was also staring at Li She.

"Is this person also from the World Union? It seems I can't take revenge," Stepping Cloud thought helplessly.

At this moment, the troops responsible for exterminating the Huo Family Manor had already killed everyone inside and were retreating. Seeing Li She on horseback, they immediately attacked without hesitation.

Li She, riding his horse, raised his whip and flicked it. With a 'snap,' a whip shadow flew out, not only breaking the steel sword but also splitting the attacker in two. He killed as easily as slaughtering dogs.

Stepping Cloud stared at the man, his small hands clenched tightly. "Is this power? Is this what a strong person looks like?" The World Union's people, who had been arrogant in the Huo Family Manor, were like ants in his hands, easily defeated. This gave Stepping Cloud hope for revenge.

The World Union's troops, seeing Li She dispatch one of their top hands with a single wave, immediately became wary and surrounded him.

Wu Ming, the martial legend, also arrived. Seeing the World Union's people surrounding Li She, Wu Ming was taken aback. Today, he had a sudden urge to travel the martial world with Jian Chen, and unexpectedly encountered the World Union's extermination of the Huo Family Manor. He came to see what was happening, only to find someone had beaten him to it.

"Hmph, the World Union is handling this, and you dare to interfere? Those who oppose us will have no good end!" The leader of the World Union shouted at Li She. As a top martial artist, he naturally had keen eyes. Seeing Li She easily dispatch one of their second-rate experts, he knew Li She's martial arts were not to be underestimated. He hoped to scare Li She away by invoking the World Union's name.

Li She smiled indifferently, "Just passing by. You attacked first, so I retaliated. World Union? My Mandala Manor is not afraid."

Hearing the name 'Mandala Manor,' the other side was taken aback. At present, the Central Plains were dominated by four major powers: the World Union, Wushuang City, and the Mandala Manor, which controlled more than half of the Central Plains' commerce, making it incredibly wealthy. The 'Twelve Towers of Tianchi' had fewer members but were all top martial artists.

"Mandala Manor? This Huo Family Manor dared to provoke the World Union. Sir, you don't want to meddle, do you?" The leader of the World Union stared at Li She.

"Hahaha, dog-like characters. Do you think Xiong Ba would risk a conflict with my Mandala Manor over a few lives?" Li She said, then immediately attacked. Sitting on his horse, he swung his whip, creating whip shadows. These first and second-rate experts were no match for Li She. In a short while, dozens of the World Union's people were dead.

Saving Stepping Cloud and taking Wu Ming's role was to steal his fortune. Wu Ming, standing not far away, watched this self-proclaimed expert from the Mandala Manor, frowning. Li She showed no signs of internal energy, yet he had slaughtered the World Union's people with just a whip, and Wu Ming sensed a hint of danger. Wu Ming, a renowned martial artist for many years, had few equals, even defeating the Sword Saint. He had retired from the martial world, tired of the endless feuds. It had been years since he had felt a sense of danger, which made him interested in Li She.

Li She naturally felt Wu Ming's gaze. He dismounted and looked at Stepping Cloud, softly asking, "Kid, you're quite resilient! Your whole family is dead, and you're not moved. Do you want revenge?"

Stepping Cloud's eyes flickered, and he said calmly, "Yes!"

"Want revenge? Follow me," Li She said.

Suddenly, Wu Ming spoke from a distance, "Sir, please wait. What is your relationship with this young man?"

Li She turned to look at Wu Ming. This guy finally spoke. Li She shook his head and said, "No relation. I just find him likable. Who are you?"

Wu Ming said solemnly, "Just passing by. Hatred can blind one's eyes. Sir, you are ruthless. I fear this child will go astray in the future."

For years, Li She had hated those who spouted righteousness and morality. He lived by the principle of settling scores. To him, repaying kindness with kindness was nonsense.

"Hmph, in my eyes, there is no righteousness or morality, only the survival of the fittest. If you can't protect your family, what good is holding a sword?" Li She said disdainfully.

Li She's words deeply hurt Wu Ming. He had once been famous throughout the land but couldn't protect his family. What good was holding a sword? A sense of inner demons arose, and his face changed.

Seeing the other side fall into inner demons, Li She said slowly, "If you harm my loved ones, I will destroy your entire family. The sword in your hand, the sword in your heart, are for killing. Without killing, there is no protection."

Li She's words struck Wu Ming like a hammer. "Yes, I have unmatched skills, yet I hesitate. I haven't avenged my wife. What kind of man am I?" Wu Ming kept asking himself.

Just as Wu Ming was about to fall into inner demons, the world's fortune again demonstrated its power, exerting an invisible pressure on Wu Ming, making him snap out of it. A sense of great compassion cleared his mind.

Shaking his head, he sighed, "I hope you don't let this child be blinded by hatred and reduce the killing." With that, Wu Ming left with Jian Chen.

Li She smiled smugly. When the world's will appeared, Li She knew he had succeeded. The 'Divine Thief Order' had stolen a segment of fortune while the world's will was saving Wu Ming.

Originally, Wu Ming was supposed to save Stepping Cloud and provide a brief lesson, planting the seeds for him to inherit his sword techniques. But with Li She's interference, Wu Ming lost this opportunity