For this battle, Jiang Wang harbored no hesitation whatsoever.

Almost in the same instant that Zhang Yong took a step, Jiang Wang had already launched himself forward, his sword drawn close.

The Long Xiang Si sword gleamed with a frosty light, cutting a straight line horizontally across Zhang Yong’s chest.

*A renowned scholar, even in ruin, retains his grace.*
*Ten years fallen, one stroke to hook vengeance!*

This was Jiang Wang’s “Renowned Scholar, Even in Ruin” sword style, its edge further honed after fusing with the essence of Chaoyu’s decade-long hidden blade technique. As the sword rose, the cold light lingered, but as he closed in, the light vanished.

And that horizontal line… it was already upon Zhang Yong’s chest.

One line to divide life and death.

But in that moment, Zhang Yong’s eyes snapped open!

Those eyes were as dark and black as midnight itself. He stared at that horizontal line, his gaze encompassing all emotions, fixed upon it.

The midnight darkness in his eyes receded rapidly.

And as the night color drained from his gaze, the horizontal line that Jiang Wang had unleashed actually disappeared.

As if… it had already merged into the night!

This was no ordinary strike from Jiang Wang! Even if it didn’t compare to Chaoyu’s peak “decade-long hidden blade kill,” its killing intent had surged violently, far surpassing his earlier sword strikes.

Had this sword faced Lei Zhangan, Lei Zhangan could only have defended with his Lei Xi, and it would have been far from easy.

Jiang Wang had long been accumulating power, and facing Zhang Yong, whose depths he hadn’t plumbed in some time, he directly unleashed this newly mastered technique. Though he wasn’t entirely certain of victory, he had a certain confidence.

Yet, it had been “fused” so easily.

Zhang Yong’s pupil technique, compared to its performance in the battle on Yunwu Mountain back then, was simply a world apart.

But Jiang Wang, of course, wouldn’t falter.

His first sword failing to land didn’t cause him the slightest tremor. He simply shifted his foot slightly, performing the “Step Crushing Azure Cloud” technique within this confined space.

With the leisurely grace of a courtly stroll, he moved to Zhang Yong’s side.

He then leaned forward, his gaze instantly sharpening. The sense of leisure faded, replaced by a posture of extreme pressure, the tip of his sword pointed directly at Zhang Yong’s waist.

This sword was for the old general in his twilight years, fighting bravely and alone to the death.

Zhang Yong’s eyes also shifted, and this time, he met Jiang Wang’s gaze.

Jiang Wang had clearly tried to avoid looking into his eyes, but Zhang Yong easily connected with his gaze nonetheless.

Yes. This feeling…

It was as if his own gaze had condensed into substance, controlled by Zhang Yong’s eyes, allowing their two paths of sight to connect.

It was almost like the performance of Wang Xiao smashing the Blood King’s gaze with a single punch!

Of course, this wasn’t to say Zhang Yong possessed Wang Xiao’s level of strength; after all, Jiang Wang was far from comparable to the Blood King. But pupil techniques were inherently more capable of controlling gaze, and his pupil technique had indeed reached an immeasurable realm.

Before Jiang Wang, a expanse of black night appeared.

It was a vast, boundless, and profound night. A distant fear spread infinitely within it.

His sword was still in his hand, its momentum still building, but his opponent was no longer discernible!

This wasn’t Bao Bo Zhao’s “No Light” divine ability, where light was annihilated and plunged into darkness. Instead, it was a kind of “black night” that directly affected the spirit level.

With eyes, you were made to perceive nothing.

And Jiang Wang stepped forward, calmly walking into that black night!

“Listening to the Immortal State,” activate!

His sight had entered the black night, the influence on his mind was also within the black night.

But his hearing remained in reality!

Ten thousand sounds converge, I hear them all!

Within the world of black night, only the heartbeats of two individuals resounded, so clear. Only their breaths, each calm, but flowing into his ears.

Jiang Wang’s expression remained unchanged. Within this black night, he horizontally extended his sword, unleashing another “Renowned Scholar, Even in Ruin.”

Not forged through the hidden sword’s accumulation of power, the essence of this sword was naturally not as potent as before.

But facing Zhang Yong, who might be involved in the plot to assassinate the Qi King, Jiang Wang had no intention of holding back.

Chong Xuan Sheng’s reminder still echoed in his ears. He strongly suspected that his opponent was deliberately waiting here today, deliberately confronting him.

Within the Hall of Protecting the Nation, solemn and peaceful, yet still within the Grand Ancestral Temple. It would make people lower their guard.

But at the same time, it wasn’t the Di Ancestral Temple, so there wouldn’t be powerful individuals watching over.

Thinking carefully… it was indeed a very suitable place.

He had ruined Cui Zhu’s affairs, leaving Cui Zhu with only assassination as an option. The forces behind Cui Zhu would inevitably harbor resentment towards him. Thus, the possibility of seeking an opportunity to assassinate him was not non-existent.

So this time, the body of the Long Xiang Si sword was entwined with a wisp of the frosty Bu Zhou Wind!

As the sword rose, life and death hung by a thread; the Bu Zhou Wind blew forth ten thousand years of longevity.

Jiang Wang’s sword was already an absolute killing blow, but he didn’t stop there.

Within his second inner mansion, black and white light also flashed.

Since only two people faced each other, then let us see the fork in my life and death road!

Based on all the auditory information gathered by the Listening to the Immortal State – from the flow of blood, the clash of muscles, the surge of Dao Yuan – he judged that Zhang Yong had a total of seven possible choices at this moment.

And the fork in the road, he set for him to turn left!

Jiang Wang’s sword style remained unchanged, still using “Renowned Scholar, Even in Ruin” to pressure his opponent. Yet, the Bu Zhou Wind left the sword and rose, quietly transforming into a killing nail, aimed directly at Zhang Yong’s right side!

This should end it…

In a battle of this magnitude, one wrong step meant the division of life and death.

Judging by the information received from the Listening to the Immortal State…

His opponent was moving forward!

The fork in the road was ineffective!?

This terrifying thought arose in Jiang Wang’s heart. Something that was enough to make many cultivators lose heart on the spot. The fork in the road, which he relied upon, had actually failed to take effect at this crucial moment!

But this did not affect Jiang Wang’s combat.

He believed in the fork in the road, but he believed in himself even more.

Almost instinctively, he pulled back his sword light, unleashing the “Young and Frivolous” style, a direct frontal stab!

Among all the Human Dao sword styles, this was the most flamboyant, the most arrogant sword.

At a time like this, it best showcased Jiang Wang’s courage!

Youth should not be wasted in timidity!

The sound of a long sword piercing flesh.

More unexpected than any other outcome for Jiang Wang was…

Zhang Yong, who had displayed such powerful fighting force, terrifying pupil technique, and even the ability to seemingly ignore the influence of the fork in the road today…

Was actually directly stabbed through the heart by this one sword!

In Zhang Yong’s heaving, difficult breaths, the black night scattered.

Jiang Wang and he stood face to face.

Looking at Zhang Yong’s instantly pale face.

A realization dawned in Jiang Wang’s heart—

Zhang Yong had already made a decision. To die here today.

He didn’t know Jiang Wang’s abilities in advance, nor could he ignore the influence of the fork in the road.

At that moment, his body did indeed have choices, the many possibilities that a strong individual would instinctively preset during combat.

But in his heart, there was only one choice.

He only desired death, only sought to die, thus making the fork in the road ineffective!

But… why?

He wasn’t here to ambush him as Cui Zhu’s accomplice, was he?

Why would he actively seek death under his own sword?

Many doubts arose in Jiang Wang’s heart.

And Zhang Yong’s body suddenly began to collapse! Just like Cui Zhu the day before!

A huge warning sign arose. Jiang Wang directly drew out his long sword, executed the “Step Crushing Azure Cloud” mark, and retreated rapidly!

In almost one step, he retreated to the entrance of the Ling Ancestral Temple.

But Zhang Yong’s body, already beginning to collapse, his soul and lifespan fading, did not pursue.

“Heh heh heh, heh heh heh.”

He only spat blood foam, laughing with difficulty.

He seemed less resolute than Cui Zhu, so his collapse was not as rapid.

His hand began to collapse from the fingertips.

And as he watched his own hand disappear, his eyes were filled with sorrow.

Jiang Wang had originally decided to withdraw from the Hall of Protecting the Nation and head to the Di Ancestral Temple to summon reinforcements. But for some unknown reason, he slowed his steps.

“You see, you are kind.”

Zhang Yong lifted his eyes, looking at Jiang Wang, who had retreated to the entrance, and laughed inexplicably, “You still pity me.”

“I don’t quite understand.” Jiang Wang’s mood at this time was full of doubt. If Zhang Yong had come to the Hall of Protecting the Nation today to represent the forces behind Cui Zhu and seek revenge on him, then why, in this state, did he still not make a move? This should be his strongest state, and his last opportunity.

He asked, “What is this for?”

“For what…” Zhang Yong said softly, “Yes, for what?”

His expression was deeply melancholic.

Jiang Wang clearly didn’t know his true identity, his story, or exactly what he wanted to do.

But for some reason.

He felt a pang of sentimentality!

(We achieved very good results in February. I also owe a huge debt… But we’ve come this far, through so much difficulty, how can we stop? This is not the end! So in March, I continue to ask for votes! Continue to fight desperately! Because of last month’s lesson, and the fact that I indeed lack sufficient strength and still owe over a hundred chapters of updates…)