All Chapters of SWORD OF FLAME: Chapter 451
- Chapter 460
642 chapters
The Law of Cause and Effect
Fang Yun didn't fail to notice the behavior Chen Li was displaying. From his experience facing dozens—even scores—of martial artists, if someone's eyes started shifting to look around, escape was surely their goal. He merely smiled faintly, readying himself in case the man made a sudden run for it."Don't even hope you can get away. No matter how far you run, it won't be hard for me to catch you!" Yun's words were soft, yet the pressure Chen Li felt was so intense it made his skin prickle."You probably never thought I'd be able to unmask your filthy true self, did you? I might not be able to read people's minds, but I can smell the intent in the way you carry yourself!" the young man continued, his voice sharp with conviction."Damn it! I can't die here, not now!" Chen Li cursed silently in his heart, his hands clenching into fists so tight his knuckles turned white.One of the elders from the Golden Staff Sect finally turned and ran with all his might. In that moment, the only thoug
Defeating Chen Li
FangFang Yun didn't miss the way Chen Li was acting at all. After facing dozens—maybe even hundreds—of martial artists in his time, he knew that when someone's eyes started darting around, their only goal was to run. A faint smile touched his lips as he tensed his muscles, ready for the man to make a sudden break for it."Don't even waste your hope on escaping," he said, his voice so soft it barely carried on the wind—but the pressure that pressed down on Chen Li was so thick it made it hard to breathe. "No matter how far you run, catching you will be as easy as reaching for a cup of tea.""You never thought I'd see through your dirty little act, did you?" the young man added, his gaze sharp as a blade. "I might not be able to read minds, but I can taste the fear and deception in every move you make.""Dammit! I can't die here, not now—not like this!" Chen Li cursed silently, his jaw clenched so tight he thought his teeth might crack. Sweat beaded on his brow, mixing with the dust on
Death Sentence
“Zen, guard the entrance of this chamber. Do not allow either of them to escape under any circumstances,” Fang Yun commanded after escorting Chen Li into one of the secluded rooms inside the Shadow Spear Sect. Inside that dim chamber, Hua Liu was already tied securely to a wooden chair, his wrists bound so tightly that even the slightest movement was impossible.“Yes, Young Master,” Zen Cheng replied with a respectful bow.Fang Yun turned away and walked toward his private quarters. Though exhaustion weighed on his shoulders, his mind was already sharpening a plan—one that would determine the fate of the two traitors when dawn arrived.Night fell over the greatest white-aligned sect within the mighty Shang Dynasty, blanketing the mountain complex in a quiet stillness. Not a single whisper of wind seemed willing to disturb the calm. Yet beneath that tranquility, tension coiled like a silent beast.And when the first light of morning rose—spreading golden beams over tiled roofs and ston
Death Sentence II
Everyone present finally understood the true extent of the young man’s power. Wei Ho and several leaders of the white-aligned sects could only click their tongues in awe. For someone whose age was barely considered a step into adulthood in the world of martial cultivation, Fang Yun had shattered the ancient belief that only those who had trained for decades could possess formidable mastery.From that moment on, none of them dared to underestimate him. The black fire he commanded—born from the essence of Qiang Mo—was a phenomenon so rare that only a handful of cultivators in the entire region of Hu had ever awakened such a terrifying force.Without realizing it, the soldiers who had previously felt hopeless—believing they were destined to lose the war because of their overwhelming disadvantage—began to feel a new surge of confidence. Their eyes brightened with the certainty that Fang Yun himself was their greatest guarantee of victory in the war that loomed ever closer.After executing
Preparation
The war commander of the Yuan Dynasty under the reign of Emperor Feng Yu drew a long, weary breath before answering Fang Yun’s question.“In my opinion, if we wait too long, we will only give them time to arrange a stronger defense. I fear that the traitors have already informed the imperial court about our presence here in the Shadow Spear Sect.”“I agree with your assessment, Master Jian. Then, when is the most appropriate time for us to begin the assault on the palace?” Fang Yun asked again.“The day after tomorrow should be the ideal time for us to move,” Jian Kun replied. He unrolled a large map and fixed it firmly onto a wooden board. “This will be the route we take. I refuse to use the main road because I am certain they have prepared something for us there. Their war commander, Liu Zun, was once my student. He learned much of his military strategy from me, and I am almost certain he will use the very strategies I taught him.”He pointed to several marked locations on the map.
Departure for the Assault
Departing in a small formation granted them a remarkable advantage: speed. Unlike the lumbering movement of a full battalion, their compact group cut through the long stretches of road with minimal hindrance. It took them merely four days to reach the great junction—an open forked path that divided into two routes, each leading toward one of the colossal gate entrances of the imperial capital. Inside the grand hall of the palace, Emperor Yan Yuan—who had only recently begun freeing himself from the lingering dread caused by Wu Ching’s ominous prophecy—was leading an important assembly. All high-ranking figures of the Yuan Dynasty were in attendance. From the formidable Liu Zun to the commanders of the guard units, from senior ministers to lower-ranking officials—the hall was filled with the kingdom’s pillars. As Emperor Yan Yuan stepped into the chamber, his gaze swept across the rows of officials. He was searching for the one figure who, aside from Liu Zun, held the greatest influ
A Moment of Warmth
After the three of them passed beneath the towering, thick-canopied tree where two enemy spies had perched earlier, they once again swept their surroundings with sharp, cautious eyes. They were searching for any hidden traps the opposition might have planted along the path. Every rustle of leaves, every shift of shadow, and every movement of the wind felt significant tonight. Meanwhile, the large contingent of soldiers supporting Prince Xiao Yu—who had departed a full day earlier than Fang Yun and the others—was resting within a dense forest at the foot of a mountain. Their journey had been long and exhausting, and the air in the forest was infused with the scent of damp soil and moss. Prince Xiao Yu himself was leading his forces directly. At the moment, he was inside a large command tent, engaged in a serious discussion with the elders of the white-aligned Sect and several of his trusted subordinates. They were dissecting the strategy proposed by Fang Yun and debating whether the
The Masquerade
Mei Hwa rose to her feet after finishing the roasted chicken in her hand, but Fang Yun immediately halted her with a gentle gesture.A faint smile played upon Fang Yun’s lips as he noticed the dark smudge left on the girl’s mouth. With a surprisingly delicate motion, his fingers brushed softly against Mei Hwa’s lips, wiping the charcoal mark away. The suddenness of his action sent a jolt through Mei Hwa’s chest—her entire body stiffened in shock and embarrassment. Yet behind that flustered reaction, an unmistakable warmth blossomed. Fang Yun had been paying attention to her—far more than she dared to expect.“I’ve tried so hard to bury these feelings… but just when I’m close to letting them fade, he does something that makes them bloom all over again…” Mei Hwa lamented silently. Her thoughts returned to the night before—when Fang Yun had, perhaps unconsciously, embraced her in his sleep, enveloping her in warmth she could still feel on her skin.“There was a charcoal stain on your lip
Ruthlessness
A moment later, one of the soldiers leaned closer to his companion and whispered, “I think I recognize that girl. But I can’t be certain unless I see her from the back.”“What do you mean?” his companion asked, puzzled.“You’ll understand in a moment.”The whispering soldier then looked directly at Fang Yun and Mei Hwa, his eyes sharp with suspicion. A heartbeat later, he barked an order:“You two—get off your horses!”Not wanting to trigger unnecessary conflict, Fang Yun gestured subtly, and Mei Hwa followed him as they dismounted with calm, measured movements.“And you—pretty girl. Turn around,” the soldier commanded again, more brazen this time.Mei Hwa obeyed without a word. She turned her back toward them, remaining exactly where she stood, her posture straight and poised.The soldier scanned her from head to toe, eyes narrowing. Then he whispered again to his comrade, excitement creeping into his voice.“There’s no mistake—she’s Princess Mei Hwa. I recognize her posture, her hai
Old Maiden
Mei Hwa cast a long, quiet glance at Wan Fenli before her eyes shifted toward Fang Yun, who was trying—somewhat unsuccessfully—to hide his amusement by covering his lips with the palm of his right hand. The young woman let out a soft huff, clearly displeased by the expression on Fang Yun’s face.“So, you’re happy seeing me become an old maiden?” she snapped, her voice half-annoyed, half-embarrassed.“Eh—no, not like that at all… You could never become an old maiden, Mei!” Fang Yun replied in a rush, desperately trying to defend himself. “You’re the kind of woman men admire across every era.”“Oh? Is that so, Fang Yun?” Elder Wan Fenli asked, her tone teasing as she responded to his compliment.“Of course, Elder,” Fang Yun answered firmly. “Besides being beautiful, Mei has an exceptional figure. And let us not forget—she is a princess of the Yuan Dynasty. What man wouldn’t want to take her as his wife someday?”“Then why don’t you want her? Why did you refuse her before?”The Elder’s q