Chapter 46: The Fall of Blackwind Stronghold

“Exactly, Big Brother, you can’t blame Second Brother for this!” The others quickly stood up in unison to plead for Li Er, their voices earnest. “Please, Big Brother, see the truth clearly!”

Li Da raised a brow and scanned the crowd before his gaze settled on the kneeling figures. With a helpless sigh, he said, “Old Second, since everyone is speaking up for you, I’ll let this matter rest.”

“But, Old Second, we must find that brat. He’s made a mockery of our Blackwind Stronghold, and he must die!” Li Da’s eyes bore into Li Er with oppressive intensity. “This is to honor the spirits of our fallen brothers!”

“Thank you, Big Brother, for understanding.” Li Er looked at his elder brother, relieved that the issue was no longer being pursued. Seizing the chance, he kowtowed a few more times before glancing at Li Da.

A flicker of luck flashed in Li Er’s eyes as he straightened up and declared, “Big Brother, rest assured! I’ll track down that brat and offer his head to appease the spirits of our brothers!”

“Second Brother’s right. This guy must die for daring to insult the dignity of Blackwind Stronghold!” The others exchanged looks and nodded in agreement.

“Very well then. Old Second, take some men and bring that brat back immediately!” Li Da nodded with satisfaction at Li Er’s resolve.

……………

“No need for all that trouble, folks. I’m already here!” An undeniable voice rang out from the stronghold’s gate, cutting through their discussion. Everyone turned their heads toward the entrance in unison.

With a loud clang, the heavy gate creaked open, kicking up a cloud of dust. Through the haze, two figures—one in green, one in white—slowly emerged.

It was none other than Gu Qingyi and Nangong Lin.

The bandits of Blackwind Stronghold were drawn to the commotion. As the figures stepped forward, their faces darkened with hostility.

With a sharp ring, thousands of gleaming swords were drawn from their sheaths in perfect sync, all pointing at the intruders.

The blades shimmered with a chilling light, gripped tightly in calloused hands. The air seemed to freeze as tension blanketed the entire stronghold, the atmosphere thick with impending conflict.

Li Liu stared straight at the newcomers and roared, “Who are you to barge into the heart of Blackwind Stronghold so brazenly? Are you seeking death?”

Li Qi joined in, his sword aimed unwaveringly at the pair. “That’s right! Just the two of you, sneaking in without a word? Do you think your lives are too long?”

Nangong Lin gazed at the menacing crowd before her, thousands of swords pointed their way. It felt like a pack of wolves eyeing a helpless lamb, ready to tear her apart in an instant.

A shiver ran down her spine.

She ducked behind Gu Qingyi, clutching the edge of his robe with trembling hands. “Brother Gu, their auras are so strong. Can the two of us really take down this entire stronghold?”

“Don’t worry. Just close the gate behind me. I’ll be back in a moment!” Gu Qingyi’s eyes flashed with disdain as he turned to reassure Nangong Lin.

“Alright, Brother Gu.” Nangong Lin nodded and hurried to shut the gate.

……………

“To be frank, I’m here to send you all to your graves!” Gu Qingyi eyed the thousands of bandits below with a cold smirk. “Blame yourselves for crossing someone you shouldn’t have!”

Li Er, the one-eyed bandit, collapsed to the ground in terror at the sound of that voice.

That day had scarred Li Er’s mind and body too deeply. Hearing that voice again, his legs gave out, and he slumped to the dirt.

Pointing a shaky finger at Gu Qingyi, Li Er stammered, “Big Brother, it’s him! That’s the brat who killed over a hundred of our brothers that day!”

“And now this punk has the nerve to show up at our doorstep!” Li Er’s body trembled with fear as he instinctively shuffled back a few steps.

“You little rat! You slaughtered so many of our brothers that day, and now you dare strut into Blackwind Stronghold with just the two of you? What kind of heaven-defying skill do you think you have?” Li Da’s icy glare locked onto Gu Qingyi, his voice thundering with rage. “Right now, even a single spit from each of us could drown you!”

Li Er’s spirits lifted at those words. That’s right, why should he be afraid in his own territory? One spit from each of them could indeed drown this fool!

Scrambling to his feet, Li Er shed his earlier fear and glared fiercely. “You little punk, I’ll make you pay for that day’s humiliation with your blood!”

“Attack! Kill them!” With a furious shout, over a thousand bandits at the Sword Practitioner Realm charged toward Gu Qingyi, swords raised high.

All eyes were on the scene as sharp gazes cut through the air like blades, merging with the thousands of swords to form a breathtaking spectacle.

“Six top-tier spirit swords? This is almost too easy.” Gu Qingyi’s eyes lit up as he noticed the weapons in the hands of the Li siblings. A hearty laugh escaped him, and a wicked smile curled at the corner of his lips. “As a token of thanks, I’ll ensure your deaths are painless.”

Thousands of swords danced like winter blossoms swaying in a snowy gale.

The blades radiated a piercing chill, flickering like the Milky Way, brimming with boundless power as they sliced through the dark of the cold night.

With a deafening clash, thousands of swords struck Gu Qingyi at once. Yet, it felt as if they’d hit unyielding diamond. Not a single blade could penetrate even an inch.

The recoil from the hilts numbed their hands. Every bandit stared wide-eyed, their faces frozen in disbelief as they gaped at Gu Qingyi.

They looked at him as if he were some monstrous creature. If they didn’t flee now, they feared they’d be dead in the next moment!

“Burst!” Gu Qingyi watched their stunned expressions with a faint smile. Then, he unleashed his cultivation, a wave of oppressive pressure radiating outward.

Those standing near Gu Qingyi were caught in the overwhelming force. In an instant, they turned into clouds of blood mist, scattering across the ground as nourishment for the earth.

“Something’s wrong with this guy! Run!” The bandits at the back sensed the danger and turned to flee, only to find their feet rooted to the spot, as if filled with lead. They couldn’t move an inch!

They stood there, frozen, staring helplessly at Gu Qingyi.

His figure seemed like a fleeting phantom, dancing between heaven and earth, as if accompanied by a celestial melody whispering in the wind.

He moved swiftly among them, a blur of motion.

Wherever he passed, the bandits heard only the sound of their own bodies bursting apart. One by one, they turned into blood mist, meeting their bitter end in the northwest winds!

“How… how is this possible?” Li Da stood petrified, watching the scene unfold. “Over a thousand of my carefully trained men at Sword Practitioner and Sword Qi Realms… gone just like that? Years of effort, washed away in an instant!”

As Gu Qingyi’s figure drew closer, Li Da and the others felt a surge of dread. Their faces turned ashen. It was clear now—this man’s strength far surpassed theirs. He was invincible!

“Senior, we were wrong to act against you! We’re willing to hand over all of Blackwind Stronghold’s wealth!” They dropped to their knees in shock, kowtowing desperately. “Please, Senior, spare our lives!”

Gu Qingyi paused at their words, casting a cold glance their way. “Oh? That’s a tempting offer. But if I kill you, everything here becomes mine anyway, doesn’t it? So, today, you must die!”

“Must you push us to the brink?” Li Da and the others exchanged grim looks, their faces darkening with resolve as they stared at Gu Qingyi.

“And if I do?” Gu Qingyi took a step forward.

Li Da roared with venom in his voice, “Since there’s no room for negotiation, don’t blame us for fighting to the death!”

“You may be strong, but if the ten of us strike together, we might still have a chance! Attack! Kill this brat!” The ten Li siblings decided to make their final stand, shouting in unison, “Die!”

Ten figures launched into the air, swords in hand, their murderous intent surging as they charged at Gu Qingyi!

They moved like winter blossoms dancing in a snowy storm.

Their blades radiated an icy chill, gleaming like the Milky Way, harboring boundless power that tore through the darkness of the frigid night.

The swords in their hands shone like starlight piercing the void, carrying a thick aura of rage. The surrounding winds whipped up as they thrust toward Gu Qingyi in perfect unison!

“You’ve earned the right to face my sword. Be proud of that.” Gu Qingyi gazed impassively at the ten sword shadows rushing toward him. With a soft sigh, a golden sword slowly materialized before him. His eyes turned cold as he flicked his wrist!

His figure danced like a fleeting phantom between heaven and earth, accompanied by a celestial melody whispering in the wind.

Gu Qingyi gripped his longsword, its light dazzling. At times, it shone like the first rays of dawn illuminating the earth; at others, it streaked like a meteor chasing the moon across the night sky.

His sword qi surged like radiant clouds, weaving a fantastical and breathtaking tapestry of poetry.

Where his blade passed, the clouds churned and the sky darkened, as if crafting a unique world of its own.

In that moment, beauty and might intertwined within him.

A thick plume of smoke suddenly rose, then dissipated just as quickly. Ten figures fell to the ground with a thud!

Blood gushed from the necks of the ten Li siblings.

“Even with ten of us together, we couldn’t withstand a single strike!” They clutched their wounds, eyes wide with shock, as if refusing to believe this was real.

Gu Qingyi didn’t spare them a glance as he slowly wiped the blood from his blade, treating the act as something utterly insignificant.

The ten Li siblings stared at his back, eyes bloodshot, their lips twitching as if they wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words.

Blood sprayed uncontrollably from the gashes on their necks.

Their bodies convulsed briefly before their eyes grew dull and lifeless.

They died with their eyes open, unable to find peace in death.

……………….

“So many people… gone in an instant?” Nangong Lin, watching from the gate, covered her mouth in horror.

The ground was littered with corpses, stained crimson with blood. Shattered swords and debris lay scattered, silently recounting the carnage.

In the time it takes to brew half a cup of tea, Gu Qingyi turned around, his face devoid of emotion. He gazed at the lifeless bodies on the ground, then closed his eyes tightly.

When he opened them again, he clenched his fists, his voice heavy with self-blame. “Wan’er, I’ve avenged your aunt. If only I had returned sooner that day to save her!”

“Brother Gu, are you alright?” Nangong Lin hurried down and stopped short, stunned by the sight of Gu Qingyi standing amid the sea of bodies. Her palms grew slick with sweat.

Seeing Nangong Lin approach, Gu Qingyi softened his tone. “Lian’er, I’m fine. Let’s gather everything from Blackwind Stronghold and head to Xiaoxi Village to share the good news with Qin Wan!”

“That’s wonderful! Qin Wan will be so happy to hear this, won’t she?” Nangong Lin nodded gently at Gu Qingyi.

The two quickly scoured the stronghold, collecting decades’ worth of rare treasures, gold, silver, and jewels, stuffing them into their bags.

Soon, Blackwind Stronghold was stripped bare. Aside from the piles of corpses, nothing of value remained.

As they stepped out of the stronghold’s gate, Gu Qingyi paused and glanced back, a chilling glint in his eyes.

With a flick of his wrist, a ball of flame appeared out of thin air. He tossed it casually toward the stronghold.

Without looking back, the two turned and walked away, their figures shrinking into the distance until they vanished like specks on the horizon.

Thick smoke soon billowed from Blackwind Stronghold, flames soaring into the sky.

In no time, the once-infamous Blackwind Stronghold was reduced to rubble. Its former glory and power vanished into thin air, never to return!

[Sword Qi Continent Cultivation Realm Rankings: Ordinary Person, Sword Practitioner Realm, Sword Qi Realm, Sword Sea Realm, Sword King Realm, Sword Emperor Realm, Sword Saint Realm, (Demi-God Realm), Sword God Realm]

[The Demi-God Realm has never appeared in the world, leading many to forget its existence. Also known as the False God Realm, it is clearly recorded in the Ancient Inheritance Scrolls.]