Chapter 25: Cleaving the River with a Single Stroke, Proving the Way by Slaying One’s Wife

At that very moment, Wei Wuji’s figure suddenly appeared at the side of the black-clad leader. With a long, simian arm, he swiftly snatched the jade vial from the man’s hand. In the blink of an eye, he vanished into the air, reappearing the next instant before Wang Yu.

This sequence of movement—rapid as a startled hare and swooping as a falcon—demonstrated the martial family’s swiftness to its fullest extent.

The instant Wei Wuji seized the vial, Wang Yu hurriedly retreated, taking cover behind the members of the Fan Commercial Guild.

He wasn’t about to stand in the front like a target, not when the black-clad man was sure to fly into a rage any moment. Wang Yu wasn’t that foolish.

Truth be told, the Fan Guild’s people were left speechless by the dazzling maneuvers of Wang Yu and Wei Wuji.

It was simply too audacious.

Fan Huansha hadn’t thought much of Wang Yu at first—he’d seemed frivolous and sharp-tongued. But now, her opinion was completely reversed.

So this man followed the way of military strategists—openly mending the road while secretly crossing the pass, as the old saying goes. Of course, that particular phrase didn’t exist yet, but the meaning was the same: one man openly drew the black-clad leader’s attention, provoking him into action, while the other seized the opportunity in secret to snatch the vial, cutting off the danger at its root.

One had to admit, it was brilliantly done.

Wang Yu’s eloquence combined with Wei Wuji’s tactical prowess made for a perfect partnership.

Zhao Luan, worthy of being called a top master, was the fastest to react. The moment Wei Wuji secured the jade vial, Zhao Luan’s long saber was already drawn.

A dazzling arc of blade light swept across the sky, as brilliant as a meteor, as furious as a tidal wave. The razor-sharp, icy edge sent a chill to the very soul.

The black-clad leader, an elite nurtured by the Dormant Ash Platform, reacted instantly when he lost the vial. Yet instead of chasing after Wei Wuji and Wang Yu, he unleashed his entire reserve of deathly yin energy, creating a powerful backlash that shot him toward the riverbank like a released arrow.

Such speed of thought and decisiveness—he was truly remarkable.

He was attempting to escape.

He knew his only leverage was the molten gold water; as long as he held the vial, Zhao Luan would hesitate to attack. But once he lost it, Zhao Luan would cut him down without mercy.

He had no desire to experience the swordsmanship of the East Sea Blade.

So, without another word, he chose to flee, hoping for the slimmest chance of survival.

But he still underestimated Zhao Luan.

He was incredibly fast, nearly reaching the bank, a glimmer of joy appearing in his eyes. But Zhao Luan’s saber sliced effortlessly through the remaining assassins from Dormant Ash Platform still on the boat, and without pause, the blade light pursued the escaping leader. In mid-air, the blade cleaved the river in two, revealing the muddy riverbed beneath for a full hundred yards.

The river split down the middle, forming two walls of blue-green water. Through those shimmering walls, one could see sand swirling and fish darting—an astonishing sight.

In the next instant, the towering water walls crashed down, the river rushing back to fill its bed, sending up a spray of waves and mist.

Fortunately, the merchant vessel was shielded by Zhao Luan, spared from the waves’ wrath.

As for the black-clad leader, he had been split in half by the saber, his corpse floating in the river, carried by the current.

Wang Yu had a clear view from behind. Though he had witnessed the elegance of Confucian masters before, this was something else entirely—so flamboyant, so violent, so direct.

When action was possible, there was no need for words.

The blade that split the river and raised walls of water was a feat that could only be called extraordinary.

Wang Yu exchanged a glance with Wei Wuji, both feeling a shiver of shared awe.

Thank heavens they were allies—otherwise, such power would be terrifying indeed.

If this middle-aged man could cleave a river with a single stroke, he could surely split a mountain as well. Such strength was on par with the greatest Confucian masters and grandmasters—a truly fearsome existence.

So, when Zhao Luan turned to them after dispatching the black-clad leader, Wei Wuji was on his best behavior.

He promptly handed over the jade vial. “Senior, this is the molten gold water. Please, keep it safe.”

It was no joke—though Wei Wuji had reclaimed the vial, neither he nor Wang Yu dared keep it. They understood all too well the peril of possessing such a treasure.

Holding onto it would only breed suspicion and anxiety in others. If it were accidentally broken, the entire ship’s weapons would be ruined.

Besides, they had no use for it themselves.

The real motivation, however, was not fear, but a desire to forge ties with the Fan Guild.

Wang Yu believed that more friends meant more opportunities. Wei Wuji, on the other hand, had his eye on the Guild’s weaponry. As the son of the Wei kingdom’s ruler, he naturally wished to supply his homeland with the finest arms.

A good alliance might prove invaluable in the future.

Zhao Luan’s expression softened as he accepted the vial and stowed it away. He addressed them both: “Thank you, gentlemen, for your timely aid. The Fan Commercial Guild will remember this. Should you need anything within our power, do not hesitate to ask.”

Wang Yu quietly clicked his tongue in admiration.

What a well-crafted promise—help within our power, no more, no less. Truly the words of a seasoned merchant: watertight.

Not that Wang Yu had hoped to gain much from the Guild, so he paid it no mind. Instead, he chose the high road: “When one encounters injustice, one should step in. There’s no need for thanks, Senior.”

Fan Huansha now stepped forward. “Thank you both for your invaluable assistance. Might I ask your illustrious names?”

Wang Yu gestured for Wei Wuji to answer first.

Wei Wuji rested his left hand on his sword and replied, “I am Wei Wuji of the Wei kingdom.”

Fan Huansha’s eyes lit up. “Could it be—you are the son of the Wei king, Wei Wuji?”

Wei Wuji smiled. “Indeed, I am.”

Zhao Luan glanced over in surprise. He had not expected this elegant young man to be the prince of Wei. No wonder he possessed such mastery in the military arts. He must have been taught by that famed Master Wu.

Even Zhao Luan himself held a measure of fear for Master Wu. As the so-called Saint of War, he was ruthless beyond compare, recognizing no ties of blood—a man who believed there was no one in the world who could not be killed.

His infamous act of slaying his own wife for the sake of enlightenment had long made him a target of Confucian censure. If not for the military faction’s power rivaling that of the Confucians, Master Wu might have been eliminated long ago. In the eyes of the Confucians, such a cold-blooded man deserved no place in the world.

Hearing that Wei Wuji was the prince of Wei, Fan Huansha grew all the more curious about Wang Yu’s identity. She had noticed throughout the ordeal that Wei Wuji deferred to Wang Yu’s lead.

If Wei Wuji’s background was so illustrious, who then was Wang Yu?

Suppressing her curiosity about Wei Wuji for the moment, Fan Huansha turned to Wang Yu.

Wang Yu smiled. “I do not possess such a distinguished pedigree as Brother Wuji. I am merely a man without a country—Wang Yu of Qi.”

“Wang Yu of Qi, heir of the former State of Nie?”