Chapter Fourteen: The Blood Emissary Edict
I. Remnants of the Blood Shadow
Night descended upon the river towns of Jiangnan, casting an eerie depth to the endless rows of white walls and dark tiles. The gentle murmur of water under the bridge was tainted with an unsettling crimson hue, as distant flickers of red light dyed the streams like waves of blood.
Shen Qingyuan, Night Butterfly, and Bai Zhou stood side by side at a dilapidated dock. The wall and ground beside them were streaked with large patches of dried, mottled blood.
Bai Zhou picked up a torn scrap of bloodstained paper and unfolded it in the moonlight. The characters were bold and smeared with blood:
"The Blood Emissary rises, seven cities tremble. The Severed Soul does not return; the dead shall bear witness."
The remaining lines were sparse, blurred by rain, yet each word held a chilling menace.
Night Butterfly's expression grew grave. "This 'Blood Emissary Edict' is the newest blood notice from Blood Shadow Tower. It is said that wherever this edict is posted, bloodshed will follow within a night. The victims are always found dressed in blood-red garments, as if Blood Shadow Tower has declared war on the martial world of the Central Plains."
Shen Qingyuan drew his blade, its cold gleam reflecting the bloodstains. "Blood Shadow Tower will not rest after being suppressed by us. This is the first wave of their revenge. A Blood Emissary must be lurking nearby."
Bai Zhou gently shook his wind chime. A warm breeze turned into faint mist, brushing over the bloodstains to trace their direction. In the moonlight, he focused carefully and saw the trail of blood extending eastward along a stone path near an old well.
Night Butterfly nodded. "Follow the trail—we'll find the Blood Emissary."
The three quickly followed the blood path to a deserted tea house. Its front doors were tightly shut, the windows broken and decayed. Inside stood old wooden tables, one of which still bore a cup of unfinished tea—with a thin layer of blood floating atop, like a crimson lotus.
Shen Qingyuan dipped a fingertip in the blood and touched the rim of the cup. "The edict is still fresh. The slaughter hasn't begun. The Blood Emissary is hiding inside."
Night Butterfly lifted her short sword, raised the curtain, and slipped inside. Shadows flitted across the room. On the floor, shattered fragments of small mirrors reflected blurry, drunken shapes. One figure wore a dark red robe adorned with talismanic blood runes. Its face was pale as paper, painted with a grotesque, grinning mask.
The Blood Emissary had revealed himself!
II. Rise of the Blood Emissary
From the partitions of the tea house, the Blood Emissary—Xue Mu—suddenly emerged. His figure was ghostly, and in his hand he wielded a steel dagger, its blade gleaming like bloodied dew. Each of his strikes carried the force of the talismanic spells; the whirling dagger left trails of crimson energy.
Night Butterfly and Bai Zhou immediately flanked him on either side. Night Butterfly's Petal Shadow Sword struck toward Xue Mu's chest, the blade trailing cherry blossoms like drifting petals—only to be blocked by a veil of blood mist. Bai Zhou spun his wind chime, turning the mist intangible, helping Night Butterfly break through.
Shen Qingyuan stepped forward. His Soul Severing Blade was unsheathed. With one move, he unleashed the technique Soul-Gripping Whirlwind. Countless strands of blood-like blade energy spun forth, enveloping the Emissary.
But Xue Mu merely sneered. His dagger swept horizontally, transforming the blood mist into black poison vapor that rebounded the blade energy straight back at Shen Qingyuan.
Shen trembled slightly, quickly channeling his Returning Breath technique to stabilize his pulse. He activated the Soul Lock Sigil on his brow, and a golden soul cage burst from within, scattering the dark mist.
A laugh echoed from behind the mask. "Impressive. The three of you from Heavenly Shadow Sect are indeed formidable. But tonight, I'll take just one soul, as a warning to those who dare oppose Blood Shadow Tower's rebirth."
With that, he vanished from the tea house hall, only to reappear between Shen Qingyuan and the others, leaping down from the roof beam above.
Shen focused his will and struck with Soul-Breaking Technique, a blade arc like a shooting star piercing straight at the Blood Emissary—
Boom! Two waves of energy collided. The wooden beams trembled, dust filled the air. The Blood Emissary was pushed back several steps, his dagger quivering. In a flash, he escaped the strike's grasp and burst into several blood-colored phantoms, disappearing into a hidden tunnel beneath the tea house.
Night Butterfly whispered, "He fled with the blood contract. There must be a formation tied to it here. We must break it to uncover his secrets!"
III. The Blood Rain Town
Under the pale moon, the trio followed the underground passage, emerging in a long-abandoned river town. The streets were silent, houses dilapidated, lanterns unlit, and the water alleys chilled by a cutting wind.
At the well at the end of the main street, a massive Blood Emissary Edict hung, clearly the original version of the one they had seen. Four characters—"Seven Cities Tremble"—were scrawled upon it, mocking the endless bloodshed across the land.
Night Butterfly stepped forward and used her sword to pry away layers of blood talismans pasted to the door. Behind them stood a black altar. Atop it lay a blood-red child's coffin, weathered and soaked in dried blood. Several daggers and arrowheads were nailed to its sides.
Bai Zhou rang his wind chime, the breeze turning into golden wisps that dispersed the death aura from the coffin. As the lid creaked, all three stepped forward and opened it together—only to find no corpse inside, just a scroll of thin silk filled with dense, blood-written text.
Shen Qingyuan took the scroll. As it touched his hand, a cold light shimmered from it, and ancient clauses began to reveal themselves:
The Elders of Tiandu formed an alliance with the master of Blood Shadow Tower, Blood Crow, to orchestrate the Seven City Blood Massacre.
Only the destruction of the Soul Severing Blade along with its wielder can restore the Yu family bloodline.
Xue Mu, the lead Blood Emissary, must kill one to sacrifice to the heavens, or his life will expire.
The Blood Emissary Pact is absolute. Any betrayal will invoke the total annihilation of all involved by the Blood Shadow Tower.
All three faces darkened upon reading the contract.
Xue Mu's mission in the Central Plains was to perform a blood ritual to extend his life—requiring seven human souls, each harvested using the Soul Severing Blade. Without this, the blood contract would reverse, and the Emissary would perish from its own backlash.
Night Butterfly spoke solemnly, "One of the Seven City massacres occurred here—the infamous 'Under the Severed Soul Bridge' case. Now he's escalating, seeking seven souls."
Bai Zhou calculated swiftly. "The next target is likely Qingyi Posthouse. According to intelligence, he plans to hold a Blood Banquet there in three days to harvest more souls."
Shen Qingyuan raised his blade, his voice low and resolute. "I swear upon the Soul Severing Blade and this blood contract, I shall slay the Blood Emissary tonight to end his curse before it spreads."
Night Butterfly and Bai Zhou exchanged a glance, then rose in unison.
Bathed in moonlight, the three stood with the wind at their backs, weapons glowing—crossing threads of blood and light. The small coffin pulsed with a faint crimson glow, like a funeral bell tolling before the storm.
IV. Deciphering the Crimson Talisman
With the Blood Garment Talisman and the remnant of the blood contract displayed in their palms, the three had already grasped the gravity of the situation. Yet they knew a deeper understanding was required to unravel the conspiracy of the Bloodshadow Tower completely. Thus, Bai Zhou and Ye Die each activated secret arts, laying down the "Wind Chime Warming Array" and "Flower Shadow Sword Formation" in a desolate alley of the small town, sealing the evil aura from further spreading.
Afterward, the trio gathered in an abandoned house, holding vermilion contract scripts and the fragmented talisman, revisiting the Blood God's Edict, dissecting each word and phrase in detail.
Ye Die unfolded the map of the "Seven-City Blood Case," pointing to seven marked locations. "These so-called 'Seven Cities' are actually five key cities of the southwest, southeast, northwest, northeast, and central plains, along with two ancient temples. All these places are linked to old incidents involving the Shadow Sect and the Yujia family's life-and-death pact. The phrase 'Seven Cities Shaken' on the talisman implies that the Blood Garment Enforcer will strike in that very order—seizing souls and condensing blood to complete the sacrificial ceremony of the blood contract."
Bai Zhou turned the wind chime gently, and under the warm glow, faint words appeared on the blood contract: "Sacrifice seven souls; when all are spent, return shall come. The contract revives, and the blood garment lives again." He spoke slowly, "This phrase suggests that upon completing the sacrifice of seven souls, the Bloodshadow Tower can imbue new enforcers with the 'Eighth Soul,' thereby strengthening their power—making the blood garments endless and the blood feast eternal."
Shen Qingyuan's heart froze. "If we don't stop the seven strikes, the Bloodshadow Tower's scheme will succeed. We must prevent the 'Seven-City Blood Case' and sever the root of this blood contract!"
Ye Die tapped her short sword lightly. "The next incident is set to happen at Qingyi Post in three days. That station is a critical passage for merchants, teeming with travelers. Should the Blood Garment Enforcer appear again, there will surely be a massacre."
Shen Qingyuan stood tall, the Soul-Severing Blade in hand, its cold gleam slicing through the air. "Then within three days, we must act first. Bai Zhou, come with me to Qingyi Post. Ye Die, return to Tianying Sect and prepare for a possible counterattack from the remaining blood enforcers."
Bai Zhou cupped his fists in acknowledgment. With a wave of her Flower Shadow sword, Ye Die soared toward the southwest. Shen Qingyuan and Bai Zhou entered a ruined temple, pulling out a fragment of the "Seven Cities Map," marking positions one by one. Shen channeled the "Breath Returning Art" to suppress the corrosive influence of the blood contract.
V. Blades Amid Betrayal
Three days later, the snow had not ceased. Outside Qingyi Post, white snow swept past like startled swans. The station lay abandoned—its servants and innkeepers slaughtered, body parts still warm scattered at the entrance.
Hidden in the rear annex, Shen Qingyuan and Bai Zhou observed silently.
On the central wall of the station, a new Blood Garment Talisman had been pasted: "Soul Severed Here; Seven Lives Ended." Each character appeared forged from blood, exuding a chilling aura. The station, originally named for the green-clad couriers of old, now soaked in crimson, resembled a "Hall of Entombed Souls."
Shen Qingyuan's brow furrowed deeply. "This is clearly a trap. Before even completing the seven sacrifices, the enforcer has set a soul-entrapment formation here." He raised the Soul-Severing Blade, tapping lightly on the wall. The blade's energy traced cracks, revealing a hidden mechanism. Behind the secret door was a winding corridor, at its end a solitary red candle flickered, casting light on blood-streaked walls.
"This place is called the Blood Soul Corridor," Bai Zhou whispered. "The Blood Garment Enforcer uses it to trap souls, performing sacrificial rites with the blade to extract soul essence. If we rush in carelessly, we'll be caught in a deadly formation."
Shen Qingyuan held his blade in thought. Suddenly, a golden pattern flashed at the junction of the blade's five segments. In an instant, he realized a counter-technique: using the five moves—Soul Severing, Soul Capturing, Soul Locking, Soul Shattering, and Rebirth—paired with the "Flowing Sand Dance" footwork, the blood entrapment could be shattered.
"Guard my flanks," he told Bai Zhou. "Do not let shadow enemies flank me. I shall break the formation and seize the soul essence."
The two advanced in perfect sync. Shen Qingyuan stepped into the Flowing Sand Dance, his blade swirling:
First move, Soul Severing: cleaved through the corridor, destroying blood contract residues embedded in the stone.
Second move, Soul Capturing: gathered scattered soul energy into protective aura.
Third move, Soul Locking: formed a golden seal mid-air, sealing off the shadow path at the corridor's end.
Fourth move, Soul Shattering: blade qi split the corridor, creating a blood-red rift that trapped the spirits.
Fifth move, Rebirth: ignited his inner energy, the blade's rainbow-like light blanketed a wide area ahead, dispelling all illusions and traps.
Dark mist trembled and burst apart. A figure flew from the shadows—Blood Mu, the Blood Garment Enforcer. Beneath his silver mask flickered a look of astonishment, blood spilling from his mouth. "A... true blade..." he gasped. Lifting a poisoned dagger, he aimed to end Shen Qingyuan's life.
But Shen had already murmured the "Breath Returning" mantra. With a shift of his blade, he blocked the dagger and retaliated in a single motion, shattering the weapon. Blood splattered with shards, and with the "Soul Shattering Slash", he split Blood Mu's chest armor, disrupting both the poison and the blood contract within.
Blood Mu screamed as his mask shattered—revealing the tear-streaked face of a young boy.
At that moment, Bai Zhou and Ye Die arrived, pinning Blood Mu down. With her sword sheath to his throat, Ye Die demanded coldly, "Why do you serve Bloodshadow Tower? Why carry out such evil using the Crimson Talisman and Blood Soul Corridor?"
Blood Mu gasped for breath, his blood-red gaze dim. "I... was once a disciple of Tiandu. Because I witnessed our sect leader's feud with the Yu clan, I was lured by Night Howl Soul into the Bloodshadow Tower... forced to offer my life. Tiandu has traitors—colluding with Bloodshadow Tower to erase the last of the Yu family and reclaim dominance over the martial world."
Shen Qingyuan's heart sank. "A traitor within Tiandu? That's the next puzzle we must solve. For now, we'll spare your life. I will take the Crimson Talisman and remnants of the contract back to Tianying Sect and uncover the traitor's true identity!"
VI. Storms Rise Again
The Blood Case at the Azure Courier Station came to a close. The Blood-Robed Envoy, Xue Mu, was taken to the Land of Blood Pact, while the other three returned to the headquarters of the Heavenly Shadow Sect—Huiyan City in the Central Plains. Once the former site of the Flying Hong Escort Agency, Huiyan City had been transformed by the Heavenly Shadow Sect into a council hall for the wielder of the Soul-Severing Blade and allies to deliberate matters of great import. Atop the city's high tower, the flag of the Heavenly Shadow Sect fluttered—red and black interwoven, a blade's shadow slicing through snow—seemingly a constant reminder that the storms of the martial world were stirring once again.
Within the grand hall of the sect, the leaders of various factions were all present: Abbot Chu Xuanyuan of Shaolin, Sect Leader Yue Mingfeng of Kunlun, Bai Jingyi of the Celestial Secrets Pavilion, and more. The most urgent matter at hand was the eradication of the remaining Blood-Robed followers and the uncovering of the traitor within Tiandu Sect.
Shen Qingyuan entered, holding the Soul-Severing Blade and the fragmented scroll of the Blood Pact. In a clear, resolute voice, he said:
"Honored elders, the mystery behind the downfall of the Shadow Sect is gradually becoming clear. Someone within Tiandu conspired in secret with the Bloodshadow Tower and aided the Seven Cities Blood Massacre. The Blood-Robed Summons originated from this very conspiracy. We have already captured the Blood Envoy Xue Mu, but several of his comrades remain hidden throughout the land, awaiting the chance to rise again. I ask that all present join forces to eradicate the remnants of the Bloodshadow Tower and swiftly uncover the traitor within Tiandu, to restore clarity and justice to the martial world."
Abbot Chu Xuanyuan pondered deeply before replying, "The conflict between Tiandu and the Shadow Sect has its roots. If the struggles at Yunling and the Soul-Slaying Incident are part of a greater scheme, then the traitor in Tiandu is likely an old enemy of Yu Jinghan. Let us divide our efforts: I and Kunlun will pursue the remnants of the Bloodshadow Tower, while the Heavenly Shadow Sect continues to infiltrate Tiandu in secret to identify the traitor. Bai Jingyi can cross-reference intelligence through the Celestial Secrets Pavilion's network."
Yue Mingfeng nodded. "My Kunlun disciples shall head to Western Sichuan and join forces with the Vermilion Bird Gang along the Qinghai front to eliminate bandits. Shaolin monk Yifeng will lead warrior monks to cleanse the Southern Front. As for the Central Plains, Night Butterfly and Bai Zhou will search the six main towns for clues regarding Tiandu."
Night Butterfly and Bai Zhou stood and accepted the task. Bai Zhou twirled her wind chime bracelet, sending warm breezes swirling. "We will set out immediately and investigate the six towns of the Central Plains one by one. We are certain we'll uncover some vital clue."
Shen Qingyuan raised the Soul-Severing Blade high. "This blade bears the bloodline of the Yu family and the fivefold power of Soul Severance. It shall aid us in annihilating the shadows of blood and affirming our place in the martial world. The winds of heaven are ever-changing, but only the sword of justice can shatter the darkness."
All the sect leaders responded in unison, their voices resounding like thunder. Snow fell silently over the night sky, and atop Huiyan City, the silhouette of the blade swayed beneath the lantern light—heralding the onset of the next great conflict.
End of Chapter Fourteen