"Are you looking to die, do you know that?"
Zane Zong stepped forward again, his aura surging. "I'll give you one last chance—hand over the Blackhawk King's storage ring!"
As he spoke, the longsword on Zane Zong's back suddenly vibrated, then with a sharp ring, flew from its scabbard in a flash of blue light, landing in his right hand.
Ian Song's smile faded and he replied coolly, "Sorry, but I really don't care about your chances."
"Then go die!"
His shout was followed by a dazzling sword light shooting straight for Ian Song's chest.
A shadow flashed—Old Ox appeared in front of Ian Song, slapped out with his palm, and Zane Zong, sword and all, was sent flying back in utter embarrassment.
"Third Young Master!"
The two blue-robed middle-aged men moved at once—one shot toward Zane Zong, the other drew his sword and attacked Old Ox.
"Like ants trying to shake a tree!"
Old Ox sneered, his massive palm once again sweeping out.
Bang!
The sword light vanished, and the blue-robed youth was knocked back, crashing heavily dozens of meters away, his aura flickering between life and death.
Zane Zong, supported by the other blue-robed youth, narrowed his eyes sharply. The two men with him were his sword slaves, both late-stage Grandmaster sword experts—normally able to kill a typical late Grandmaster in under ten moves. Yet now, one was nearly killed by a single palm strike.
With that thought, he grew nervous—if he was right, that unremarkable-looking middle-aged man was probably a Martial Saint!
"Still want to kill me now?" Ian Song's mocking voice rang out.
"Who exactly are you?"
Zane Zong wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
My master is the Sect Master of Pristine Way Sect, and the Alliance Leader of the South Domain Martial Alliance!
Just then, Elder Hu and Elder Wang arrived with a group of Pristine Way Sect disciples, catching the end of Zane Zong's question. Junior Sister Wu couldn't help but speak up proudly.
Hearing Ian Song's identity, Zane Zong's eyes flashed with discomfort. He was the one who ordered the Blackhawk Bandits to rob the Alliance Chamber of Commerce's pill convoy. Now, the real boss had arrived—if the truth got out, his reputation in Rift-Heaven Sword Sect could take a serious hit.
After all, the Blackhawk Bandits' name really stank.
"How much do you know?" Zane Zong asked, probing.
"Everything I should know," Ian Song replied with a smile.
Hearing Ian's loaded words, Zane couldn't help but feel regret—if he'd known this guy's identity, he never would have shown up.
"I think we should talk privately."
"Fine!"
Ian Song answered with obvious satisfaction.
The two walked off to the side. Zane Zong said politely, "Sect Master Huang, what happened before was all a misunderstanding. Please don't hold it against me."
"Is that so?" Ian Song looked at him with a wry smile.
"Did the Sect Master of Yellow Palm Gate leak anything about the Blackhawk King to you?" Zane Zong asked again.
"Everything that should've been said was said. For example, the Blackhawk King used to be a disciple of the Rift-Heaven Sword Sect!" Ian Song replied, grinning.
Feigning outrage, Zane Zong snorted coldly: "Hmph! That guy never measured up in our Rift-Heaven Sword Sect—he made a huge mistake, got expelled, and later became the infamous Blackhawk King. If Yellow Palm Gate managed to take him out, on behalf of Rift-Heaven Sword Sect, I thank you."
"No need, I didn't have to lift a finger!" Ian Song replied indifferently.
"Did the Blackhawk King say anything before dying?" Zane Zong asked, a bit nervously.
"Of course he did. For example, he said he was acting on behalf of someone in Rift-Heaven Sword Sect. I wonder if Third Young Master Zong knows who that is?" Ian Song said playfully. Under his gaze, Zane Zong's face paled, but he forced a smile: "Of course not."
"Third Young Master, are you being honest? The Blackhawk King gave me a name!"
...You...!
Zane Zong's expression changed again, suppressing a surge of anger—if he hadn't forced himself to stay calm, he would've drawn his sword and killed this infuriating guy on the spot.
After a moment, Zane Zong spat out a breath: "What do you want?"
"This time, my Pristine Way Sect lost so many people and resources. You owe us an explanation," Ian Song said, no longer beating around the bush.
"What do you want?" Zane Zong asked, face dark.
"I hear the Rift-Heaven Sword Canon is quite famous. Could I borrow it for a few days?" Ian Song said with a chuckle. The dead deserve vengeance, but not now—Pristine Way Sect and the Martial Alliance both need time to develop.
Ian Song had never truly regarded Rift-Heaven Sword Sect as an enemy; only the military counted as his real foes.
That's why Ian hadn't killed Zane Zong outright. But not settling accounts with Rift-Heaven Sword Sect didn't mean he wouldn't collect some interest.
"That's impossible!"
Hearing Ian Song actually wanted the Rift-Heaven Sword Canon, Zane Zong couldn't help but grow furious. The canon was the sect's greatest treasure, practiced by only a handful of elites.
"Then I'll just spread the word that the Blackhawk King was acting on someone's behalf!" Ian Song said, curling his lip.
"Despicable!" Zane Zong spat angrily, but then calmed himself: "It seems the Blackhawk King is dead, but there's no proof. Even if you say so, no one will believe you!"
"Is that so? Maybe no one will believe me, but I know the Pang Clan will. And don't forget—your presence here is the biggest evidence. You can't deny it. Maybe you can come up with a hundred excuses, but the Pang Clan will believe me." Ian Song said, shrugging.
...You...!
Zane Zong felt so angry he could cough up blood—this guy was just too infuriating.
He gritted his teeth and glared at Ian Song: "If the Rift-Heaven Sword Canon is out of the question, I can at least give you our second-ranked technique—the Absolute Sun Sword Canon."
"Don't try to fob me off with a cheap substitute!" Ian Song retorted.
Zane Zong protested, "The Absolute Sun Sword Canon is also a supreme sword technique, but only the Supreme Elder of Rift-Heaven Sword Sect has the right to practice it!"
"Fine, I'll take the Absolute Sun Sword Canon, but I also want five hundred million taels of silver!" Ian Song replied.
Zane Zong nodded without hesitation: "Fine, I agree! But I don't have that much silver on me right now."
He had no desire to keep talking to this guy—he just wanted to get it over with and leave.
"No problem. That sword on your back looks nice—let's use it as collateral for now," Ian Song said.
"No way! You can't have this sword!" Zane Zong shook his head.
Ian Song's expression turned cold: "If that's out, and that's out—Zane Zong, don't test my patience. Yes or no? If not, I'll expose everything!"
Zane Zong glared at Ian Song, but finally gave in, biting his teeth and handing over the sword: "You're ruthless!"
Watching Zane Zong walk away, Ian Song called out: "Remember, you have one month to come to Pristine Way Sect to redeem your sword. If you're late, I'll auction it off and make sure everyone knows it belonged to Third Young Master Zong of Rift-Heaven Sword Sect!"
"Don't worry, I'll be there within ten days!" Zane Zong's voice sounded as if squeezed through clenched teeth, his hatred for Ian Song growing severalfold.