Azure Heaven Saber
Chapter 989 - 989 10 Heaven Has the Virtue of Preserving

Chapter 989: Chapter 10: Heaven Has the Virtue of Preserving Life Chapter 989: Chapter 10: Heaven Has the Virtue of Preserving Life After a while, the originally pale as paper face of Dong Tiesong seemed to have regained some color. If not for the blood at the corner of his mouth, there was hardly any difference in his complexion.

He stepped forward with his sword, his voice hoarse, cursing, “You cowards, skilled only in inflicting wounds with hidden arrows, do you dare to face me in a duel to the death?”

The leader of the men in black robes and masks looked at Dong Tiesong full of mockery and said indifferently, “Elder Dong’s acting skills are too crude and in dire need of polishing.”

He clicked his tongue twice, “After all, you’re not professionally trained. Improvised methods are useless. Despite having such good props at your disposal, you still manage to perform like this, which shows that the Almighty is not willing to let you make a living as an actor.”

He touched his chin, turning to his subordinates, “Isn’t it awkward? He has already recovered, yet he still has to pretend to be strong on the outside but weak on the inside, putting on a show. Don’t you get that delicate feeling of watching a monkey play? Isn’t it interesting? Anyway, it’s still quite a spectacle, since the person is a famous character who has already made the ticket’s value back. Not to mention, we’re here on a free ride. We could brag for a long time in the martial world about how we freeloaded off Elder Dong Tiesong from the Heavenly Sword Cloud Palace!”

“Hahahaha…”

The men in black robes and masks laughed loudly together.

“The Heavenly Sword Cloud Palace can only train people to be shot with arrows; they can’t produce actors!”

“If they could, how would we manage to freeload?!”

“…”

Dong Tiesong was not offended. Instead, he laughed heartily, “You bunch of hidden rats actually saw through it. Since that’s the case, it saves me the effort of acting.”

With that, he flicked his hand, and a firework rocket suddenly shot into the sky, bursting open to form a sword of light surrounded by auspicious clouds, illuminating the sky.

The man in black robes and masks mocked again, “Calling for reinforcements now, is it a bit too early? Or perhaps too late? If they come early, they can accompany you on the way. If they come late, they can take care of your bodies!”

Dong Tiesong said indifferently, “It’s not your concern when the reinforcements will arrive. We, the people of the Heavenly Sword Cloud Palace, are not to be insulted by the likes of you. You have made an enemy of our Cloud Palace, and your fate is sealed. I just wonder how you compare to Three Mountains? Can you withstand the wrath of the elders of our Cloud Palace?”

He looked toward the grassy slope in the distance and shouted sternly, “Especially you, Cloud Piercing Arrow, this gift from your arrow, if I, Dong Tiesong, do not die today, I shall repay you tomorrow. Cherish the remaining days of your life!”

The other side was silent, with the Cloud Piercing Arrow hidden in the shadows showing no reaction as if he hadn’t heard a thing.

Only the mountain breeze rustled, stirring pieces of dry thatch.

“Cloud Piercing Arrow, I know that you have never faced an opponent head-on in your life. So, I never expected you to respond. But this grudge has been set today, and in this life, there must be a moment when the cause and effect are broken!”

Dong Tiesong’s voice was chilling, “Again, cherish the days you have left!”

The man in black robes and masks laughed loudly, “Dong Tiesong, I admire you more and more. With death looming, you are still trying to intimidate us…”

Unbeknownst to them, far away in hiding, Cloud Piercing Arrow’s heart jolted sharply.

Because the words that Dong Tiesong had just said, especially the phrase, ‘how do you compare to Three Mountains,’ reminded him of the years-long majestic reputation of the Heavenly Sword Cloud Palace.

As a colossus of the current age, the Heavenly Sword Cloud Palace never actively sought trouble, but for those who made enemies with them, in tens of thousands of years, they let none escape — not a single one.

The most recent to provoke the Heavenly Sword Cloud Palace was none other than Three Mountains, a top sect just below two others in rank. But what of the collaboration of Three Mountains? After being taken into account by the Cloud Palace in the aftermath, they were all severely weakened, with many elders of the sect suffering as a result, the cost of which was incalculable.

Thinking further, there had been many in the past with the same idea as himself, relying on their mysterious identities to try and gain an advantage, thinking they wouldn’t be dealt with by the Cloud Palace afterward due to their identities being secret. But in the end, the Cloud Palace had found and dealt with them all, without exception.

“If you do not shoot your arrow today, only you alone will have to make amends with the Cloud Palace, and your family will be spared,” said Dong Tiesong indifferently.

“But if you shoot another arrow, I now promise on behalf of the Heavenly Sword Cloud Palace, your entire family will be annihilated, not a chicken or dog spared, not a single blade of grass left! Even if I, Dong Tiesong, perish today, this promise will still hold true. The people of the Cloud Palace will surely keep their word.”

Dong Xiaoyan said with a light laugh beside him, “Elder Dong’s words, I, Dong Xiaoyan, can attest to. Cloud Piercing Arrow, if you dare to shoot another arrow today, I declare that if any friend or relative of yours, any living being from your entire family, manages to escape, it would show that our Heavenly Sword Cloud Palace is incapable and unworthy of the name of the second great palace.”

There was a tremble in the grass in the distance.

At this moment, Cloud Piercing Arrow truly felt his heart tremble.

Disaster must not befall one’s family; this is undoubtedly a rule of the martial world.

But this taboo does not apply to those who injure others with hidden attacks, like Cloud Piercing Arrow. If you strike successfully once with your bow and arrow, you could be forgiven on account of your renowned archery skills. After one shot that hits the mark, both parties are bound by karma, but the families are not yet involved!

However, now with a straightforward threat before you even take action, if you dare to strike again, your entire family will be killed. You’ve been warned!

The precedent has been set.

So far, it still holds that disaster will not befall one’s family. But if you shoot another arrow, it will.

Had anyone else said this, Cloud Piercing Arrow would have dismissed it as mere bluster, powerless groaning.

But the one saying it now was an elder of the Heavenly Sword Cloud Palace, which is akin to the number one sect in the world, supported by the testimony of the future palace master!