Zheng Cheng remained conscious on the roof, yet the body holding the crimson sword no longer answered his commands with normal speed. His fingers froze around the hilt while the right arm stayed extended at an awkward angle left by the interrupted sword exchange. The paralysis had not erased sensation, which made every failed attempt to move feel more terrifying than simple unconsciousness would have been. Qi inside several meridian paths moved irregularly, surging once before collapsing into numb pressure around the shoulder and chest. Zheng Cheng understood instinctively that the condition would not last long, but even several breaths created a lethal opening at this distance. During the first breath, he ordered his right arm to pull the sword back across his body and received almost no response. Only one finger twitched against the hilt while his legs rema

The green-robed cultivator rose above Shiwei City and spread his awareness downward across rooftops, alleys, courtyards, and darkened streets. Zheng Cheng moved below that search rather than competing with it openly, because his injuries made another direct confrontation impossible. He kept close to walls and roof shadows, reducing visible movement while suppressing the qi that normally supported faster travel. Every step sent pain through his ribs, and numbness occasionally returned along the right arm that had absorbed the strange electrical force. He reached a narrow courtyard behind closed shops and paused beneath an overhanging roof to listen. Above him, a faint pressure passed across the district like invisible weight, searching for traces left by a fleeing cultivator. Zheng Cheng recognized the danger and reached beneath his clothing for the concealmen

Several days later, a small Spirit Boat appeared above Jinhung City before sunrise and drifted strangely through the pale morning sky. The vessel hovered roughly two hundred meters above the streets, moving just enough to look uncontrolled rather than deliberately stationed. A young worker opening the shutters of a produce shop noticed it first and stopped with both hands still gripping the wooden panel. “Master, something has been hanging above the city for several minutes, and I cannot see anyone controlling it.” The shop owner, Tan Yoe, stepped outside while fastening his outer robe and followed the worker’s pointing hand toward the sky. Tan Yoe belonged to Jinhung City’s comfortable merchant class, earning his wealth through agricultural produce rather than clan politics or martial authority. His household and multistory shop refle

Night settled over Jinhung City while the six major clan patriarchs gathered inside a private meeting room within the Shangguan Clan compound. The room had been chosen because its thick doors, guarded entrance, and controlled access reduced the risk of unwanted listeners. Patriarch Shangguan Zan sat in the host position, while the other five clan heads occupied seats arranged according to equal social dignity. Tea had been poured before the discussion began, yet several cups cooled untouched as concern displaced ordinary hospitality. Shangguan Zan looked around the room and said, “We all know who returned in that drifting Spirit Boat this morning.” One patriarch answered cautiously, “The city knows enough to guess, but Eastern Mansion has not announced the details publicly.” Shangguan Zan nodded. “The man was Zheng Cheng, and he

Steam drifted from A Cun’s pot while the first Shangguan guard stepped away from the gate and approached the roadside stall. The old vendor filled a wooden bowl with thick rice porridge, chicken, broth, and sautéed garlic before offering it across the stand. “Five copper coins, sir, and I hope the warmth makes a long night watch easier to endure.” The guard paid, tasted one spoonful, then ate another with enough interest that two companions began watching him. “This is better than the kitchen leftovers they sent us earlier, so you chose the right gate tonight.” A Cun smiled modestly and answered, “A hungry man is generous with praise when the food arrives hot.” The guard waved toward his companions. “Come try it before the old man sells everything somewhere else.” Another guard