Chapter 703: The Story of a City and a Blade (Part 1)
Snowflakes drifted down from the sky, landing on Iron Tree's temples and robes. Before they could truly make contact, accompanied by a faint sizzling sound, they were sliced into countless fragments, blossoming into tiny flowers.
This man seemed forged from iron, colder than the wind and snow. Beneath his robes, countless sharp edges lay hidden, more fearsome than blades or spears.
Wang Po walked to the table, glanced at him, then sat down. Calmly, he placed his iron blade on the table.
His movements were steady and light, making no sound at all, like snow falling silently.
Snowflakes also landed on his temples and robes, either rolling off or lightly clinging, then fell onto the blade. Like yellow leaves drifting down, they gradually covered the scabbard, revealing not a hint of sharpness.
Watching this scene, Iron Tree's indifferent expression slowly shifted—not into vigilance, not into solemnity, but into a sense of reflection.
At the Tanzhe Temple, when he closed his eyes amidst the sky full of yellow leaves, he had seen a similar scene, just like now.
He looked at the present-day Wang Po, yet in his eyes was the figure of that plain-clothed youth who had once walked out of Wenshui City.
"I might talk quite a bit today," he said to Wang Po.
Wang Po gazed toward the courtyard beyond the wind and snow, his meaning clear.
Iron Tree's expression remained indifferent. "Chen Changsheng cannot succeed, so I have plenty of time."
Wang Po's view differed, but precisely because of that, he naturally didn't mind sitting a while longer.
"Please go ahead, Senior."
"Back when you left Wenshui City, many people came to see you off..."
Hearing this, Wang Po's drooping brows twitched slightly, then fell again.
As the last male descendant of the Wang clan of Tianliang Commandery, if he died, the Wang clan would truly be broken.
Emperor Taizong's jest from years ago would come true.
Thus, from a young age, he had hidden everywhere, growing up with great difficulty under the protection of the Prince of Liang's residence and certain warm-hearted senior cultivators.
The Zhu Clan's influence was too great, especially after he gained a reputation as a cultivation prodigy, making the situation even more dangerous. It was at this time that Old Master Tang sent someone to bring him into Wenshui City.
He worked as an accountant in Wenshui for several years, sheltered by the Tang family.
After those years, he decided to leave Wenshui, and Old Master Tang agreed to his decision.
This news quickly spread across the entire continent.
Wang Po daring to leave Wenshui and shed the Tang family's protection meant that after years as an accountant, he had grown confident enough—as long as Zhu Luo was bound by the Oath of the Stars and couldn't act personally, or the court didn't mobilize the army or grand formations, killing him would be extremely difficult.
Everyone knew Wang Po was already very strong, but just how strong was he?
On the day he left Wenshui City, many people went to the official road outside the city, including some major figures.
People understood clearly that whether it was the Zhu Clan, the Heartless Sect, or the court, they would all strike at Wang Po. That day outside Wenshui City was bound to be quite lively.
"I went too," Iron Tree said, looking into his eyes.
Wang Po learned this for the first time and said, "I didn't expect that."
Logically, back then he was merely a promising young cultivation genius; it was hard to imagine he would attract the attention of a Divine Domain powerhouse like Iron Tree.
"Because back then, Su Li met you in Wenshui City and gave a critique. Others might not know, but people like us naturally did," Iron Tree said. "He said your blade would one day surpass those who came before."
Hearing this, Wang Po said nothing.
Even for him, faced with such praise, silence was the only response.
For someone like Su Li, among those who used blades in the past, only one was worth singling out—naturally, that was Zhou Dufu.
"So I thought you would definitely die that day," Iron Tree continued, looking at him.
This was a conclusion that seemed unreasonable but was actually inevitable.
If even Su Li praised him so highly, how could the major figures in the court and Tianliang Commandery allow him to keep growing?
Wang Po recalled the scene of leaving Wenshui City back then, and his brows gradually lifted.
Not out of pride, arrogance, or nostalgia for glory—but because, even years later, the overwhelming killing intent of that time was still unforgettable.
"I watched you walk out of Wenshui City alone with a single blade, just like today," Iron Tree went on. "Many died, but you lived. That's when we knew the Zhu family and the court had a big problem on their hands. Thinking back now, Zhu Luo himself must have been well aware, which is why there was that night rain in Xunyang City, and those final words before Tian Shu Ling."
Wang Po said calmly, "I don't consider his regard an honor."
"But he was Zhu Luo after all. His only request before death—people like us had to help fulfill it," Iron Tree said.
Wang Po's gaze dropped slightly, landing on the iron blade covered in light snow.
"Of course, watching your journey all these years, I feel a sense of regret too. I don't actually want to kill you," Iron Tree said. "But you shouldn't have come to the capital. This is walking into death."
Wang Po thought back to those days again, felt some regret as well, then brushed his sleeves, letting the snowflakes fall.
Adjusting his sleeves was naturally to grip his blade.
Iron Tree asked indifferently, "Do you have to die today?"
Wang Po didn't answer that question. Instead, he said, "Actually, I'm very curious—who in this world could make you suddenly change your mind?"
A moment of silence. Snow fell without a sound.
Iron Tree's reminiscences of the past were all true.
But his words were false.
From the Tanzhe Temple to today, his intent to kill Wang Po had never changed.
Wang Po was well aware of this.
Yet just now, Iron Tree's meaning had been very clear: if Wang Po was willing to leave the capital, he wouldn't act.
Who had made him change his mind, from killing to driving away?
Wang Po wouldn't leave, but he truly wanted to know the answer.
Being able to sway the will of a Divine Domain powerhouse was not something an ordinary major figure could achieve.
Looking across the entire continent, there probably weren't more than five people who could.
With a creak, the door of the teahouse by the street was pushed open.
A very handsome man walked out, looked at Wang Po, and said with a smile, "Long time no see."
Seeing this man, Wang Po's raised brows slowly lowered. He said, "So it's... Second Master."
This handsome man had once been the most famous playboy in Wenshui City, but later faded into obscurity.
Only those from the Tang family of Wenshui knew how terrifying this man truly was.
Tang Family's Second Master.
Wang Po had lived with the Tang family in Wenshui—did he know this?
So it was the Tang family of Wenshui.
Only the Tang family of Wenshui could make a major figure like Iron Tree, under the pressure of the court and Shang Xingzhou, still have the possibility of changing his mind.
Tang Family's Second Master looked at Wang Po with a smile and said, "Knowing it's me, do you still insist?"
This man was indeed very handsome, but perhaps because of the swirling wind and snow, there was a faint, chilling aura about him.
Wang Po said nothing.
Tang Family's Second Master still smiled and asked, "'Grace as heavy as a mountain'—that's four characters, isn't it?"
Wang Po was silent for a moment, then said, "Yes."
Tang Family's Second Master opened his mouth and laughed, looking immensely joyful, yet no sound came out.
In the wind and snow, it was somewhat unsettling to behold.
Then, he gradually let his smile fade, looked at Wang Po expressionlessly, and said, "Today, you are not allowed to draw your blade."