Chapter 068
Chapter 68: Inferiority
When wandering the world, one’s identity is self-proclaimed anyway, so what harm could come from adding a few more titles?
Li Mu Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly, while Shangguan Qing Qing stared at him, astonished after recovering from her surprise.
She had indeed heard earlier today about Emperor Yuan Wu acknowledging the Eighth Prince. However, something else intrigued her even more:
“Are you truly the strongest martial artist in the world? I clearly recall that Martial World universally recognizes the True Martial Sword Armor, one of the three Great Wu Gods stationed atop the Northern Defiance Wilds Great Wall, as the number one.”
Hearing this, Li Mu Sheng thoughtfully rubbed his chin:
“Yes, I know. His reputation is indeed greater.”
Then he casually spread his hands and continued:
“But I have never cared much for hollow fame. Besides, his place is too distant, and I’ve been too lazy to visit. Of course, perhaps someday we’ll meet.”
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Qing Qing’s heroic face turned earnest, nodding vigorously in agreement. After witnessing Li Mu Sheng’s extraordinary display of strength just moments ago, his words truly made sense to her.
The Heavenly River Blade Sect was renowned in Qing Province’s Martial World, boasting many talented disciples exceptionally gifted in the blade arts and martial cultivation. Naturally, she had encountered many of them.
Yet, not one could compare to Li Mu Sheng.
Though Shangguan Qing Qing didn’t know precisely how high Li Mu Sheng’s martial realm was, wasn’t the future number one in the world essentially already the strongest?
Thus, in her mind, Li Mu Sheng’s words held no flaws.
At this moment, Shangguan Qing Qing’s heart stirred suddenly, her eyes shining with excitement as she asked eagerly:
“Your Highness the Eighth Prince, earlier you mentioned you also go by the title of Little Li Flying Dagger. Does that mean you excel in blade techniques?”
Seeing her slowly transforming into a little admirer, Li Mu Sheng lightly waved his hand, humbly replying:
“When I was apprenticing at the martial hall, I learned the basics of blades, spears, swords, and staffs. So, I indeed studied blade arts a bit. My skills are passable, I suppose.”
Shangguan Qing Qing’s gaze became even more fervent at his words. For a dedicated blade user from the Heavenly River Blade Sect, hearing this felt immensely comforting. Her heart even imagined excitedly—could it be that finally, the blade path would give rise to the world’s greatest martial artist?
Li Mu Sheng didn’t continue chatting with her. Instead, he turned around suddenly to look behind him.
At this moment, Cang Yin Yue had climbed out of the pit filled with bones. Her eyes were slightly red, as though she’d been crying.
“Is it settled?”
Li Mu Sheng looked toward her. Seeing Cang Yin Yue quietly nodding with sadness lingering around her, he moved toward the pit and stopped at the edge.
Zhu Feng Lan and the old crone were already beheaded, while five others, including Marquis Cang Yuan, were barely alive. Clearly, after avenging her mother and brother, Cang Yin Yue had exhausted her emotional strength and refrained from further violence.
“You’re not planning to kill your father?” Li Mu Sheng turned and asked.
Cang Yin Yue hesitated for a moment, eyes conflicted, then shook her head slowly:
“He became cruel only after being bewitched by the Corpse God Sect. Before, though cowardly and ambitious, he wasn’t this heartless. In fact, when that wicked woman tried to kill me long ago, he desperately protected me.”
She paused briefly before continuing:
“Of course, he secretly committed many wicked acts afterward and deserves death. But perhaps we should turn him and the others over to the Six Gates.”
Li Mu Sheng appeared thoughtful, remaining silent.
Then Cang Yin Yue’s expression became serious as she added:
“I also learned from that wicked woman’s mouth that these bones belonged to young girls sacrificed over recent years by Consort Ji from the imperial palace, to cultivate her Blood Returning Grand Method. This matter involves the palace and the Tai Yin Primordial Sect, so perhaps we should avoid further entanglement.”
Li Mu Sheng furrowed his brows slightly, then shook his head decisively:
“Since they’re all deserving death, there’s no need to wait for the Six Gates to handle them. Better to finish this now and avoid complications.”
As his words fell, an unseen, terrifying force crushed downward. Instantly, the five remaining figures—including Marquis Cang Yuan—along with the old crone’s and Zhu Feng Lan’s corpses, exploded violently into pools of blood and flesh.
Seeing this, Cang Yin Yue trembled slightly. Gazing at the puddle that was once Marquis Cang Yuan, a flicker of sorrow crossed her eyes.
Li Mu Sheng withdrew his gaze from the pit and glanced at her, explaining gently:
“Of course, I couldn’t let Miss Cang become one who kills her own father. It’s more appropriate for me to do it.”
Cang Yin Yue drew a deep breath and gently nodded.
She gazed up at Li Mu Sheng, slowly realizing she was becoming accustomed to the quiet, effortless, yet terrifying martial prowess he displayed. She understood clearly now that all her previous assumptions and speculations about Li Mu Sheng were meaningless.
With his abilities, he simply couldn’t be judged by ordinary standards.
Realizing this, Cang Yin Yue deeply sighed, lowering her head slightly.
She had always thought herself worldly-wise, having seen many extraordinary talents, both personally in Great Li Imperial Capital and within secret intelligence reports of the Shadow Spy Division. But now she understood clearly—compared to the Seventh Prince she had brought back from Shun’an City, those others were nothing, utterly insignificant.
“Miss Cang, what are you thinking about?” Li Mu Sheng suddenly asked, noticing her silence. He raised an eyebrow playfully, teasing:
“Could it be you’re upset with me for killing Marquis Cang Yuan, planning to take revenge?”
Cang Yin Yue’s eyelids jumped in shock. Worried about misunderstandings, she hurriedly explained:
“He deserved this end. I would never blame you.”
After a moment’s silence, she raised her head and spoke quietly, a faint sadness in her voice:
“I was just thinking that no matter how hard I cultivate, I might never achieve the martial dao level you’ve reached in just a dozen years. It makes me feel deeply powerless and inferior.”
Shangguan Qing Qing, who had quietly watched until now, suddenly stepped forward. She patted Cang Yin Yue on the shoulder comfortingly, her voice earnest and warm:
“How could we ever compare ourselves to His Highness the Eighth Prince? He’s the strongest in the world, entirely beyond our reach.”
“Sister, think of it like this—we may not measure up to him, but surely we’re stronger and more talented than most others. Doesn’t that make you feel a lot better?”
Hearing these words, Cang Yin Yue glanced at Shangguan Qing Qing thoughtfully, and after a brief pause, a glimmer of relief lit her eyes.
Li Mu Sheng chuckled softly, recognizing the comforting wisdom in Qing Qing’s words.
[It seems this is what they mean by ‘always someone above, always someone below.’]
But he meant no mockery by this thought. Slowly, he turned his gaze toward the distant direction of the Great Li Imperial Palace.