Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Defeated Have No Right to Speak of Courage

Bai Mu hastily spun a lie, but his heart pounded wildly within his chest. Though his earlier explanation sounded plausible enough, for someone so poor with words as he, the blush that crept across his face had already betrayed him. This fellow was most certainly one whose mouth said "no," while his body was far more honest.

"Is that so?" Ling Yan flashed him a mischievous smile. At the same time, she stretched out her slender arm to wipe the sweat from her brow and said calmly, "I suppose the Sword Immortal of the Mysterious Origin and his disciple, now fleeing through the sky, won't last much longer. Perhaps I should withdraw my sword energy and explain things to him afterward?"

"Alright, I’m a bit worried about harming them as well. If something happened to their lives, we’d never be able to clear our names. As the saying goes, it’s better to resolve enmity than to create it. Peace is always best," Bai Mu nodded prudently.

With that, Ling Yan slowly raised her Jade Cold Xiao above her head. Her right hand formed a sword gesture, and under Bai Mu's intense gaze, her finger traced a circle in the air. Instantly, a thread of green spiritual force sprang from her fingertip at lightning speed and flowed into the Jade Cold Xiao. She shouted, "Withdraw!"

After this series of movements, a distinct sizzling sound echoed overhead. A flash of green light darted before their eyes, and a formless sword energy surged straight into the Jade Cold Xiao, vanishing in an instant.

From unleashing the sword energy within her flute to retrieving that overwhelming sword intent, her actions were as fluid as drifting clouds and flowing water—worthy of a true master.

In contrast, the self-styled Sword Immortal of the Mysterious Origin was now plummeting rapidly from midair with his disciple. Just before hitting the ground, he awkwardly employed a heavy landing technique, touching down steadily in the mud. His tower-like figure stirred up a whirlwind of dust, a spectacle in itself.

Their expressions, however, were quite varied. The Sword Immortal, though wounded in two places while dodging sword energy in the air—blood seeping through his arm and staining his crimson robe even brighter—remained composed. His meticulously groomed hair was now disheveled, a far cry from his earlier polished appearance.

Yet, despite his battered state, he maintained his usual calm and poise, never losing the bearing of a true master even while being chased across the sky.

His disciple, Shen Tu De—the young man who had accused Bai Mu—fared far worse. Shielded by his master, he suffered no real harm; his clothes and hair remained immaculate. But once on the ground, terror overwhelmed him. He landed squarely on his rear, heedless of cleanliness, panting heavily, all traces of his previous arrogance gone.

---

"Young lady, who are you really?"
"How do you possess such powerful spiritual force at your age?"
"Judging by your cultivation, you’re surely not inferior to the Four Holy Children of the Hall of Returning Ruins!"

The Sword Immortal of the Mysterious Origin stood his ground, frowning in curiosity, a hint of pride still lingering on his face. He seemed utterly unashamed by his recent defeat—indeed, perhaps he did not consider himself vanquished.

Bai Mu found such conduct deeply distasteful. Having lived for many years with his master Bai Ze on Mount Dongwang, Bai Mu's temperament was as free and unrestrained as nature itself. He despised these so-called masters and their hypocritical masks of false virtue.

Seeing the Sword Immortal raise his questions, Bai Mu grew visibly displeased and retorted, "Why should our identities concern you?"

"And besides, you’re nothing but a defeated opponent. What right have you to interrogate us?"

"You insolent boy—"

"Insolent?" Bai Mu interrupted unceremoniously, countering, "You and your disciple appeared and immediately accused me of murder and destruction, without giving me a chance to explain at all. Wasn’t that insolence?"

"I spared your lives under my sword just now, and now you turn around and call me insolent?"

"Such shameless reversal—are officials allowed to set fires but the common folk forbidden to light lamps?"

"I’ve never heard of your name, nor do I know your reputation in the Wilderness Realm, but judging by your title of Sword Immortal, you must be a person of some seniority. We have no intention to trouble you, but please investigate the true cause behind the slaughter at Dayong Market before you judge us. Is that clear?"

---

Bai Mu’s words struck home, leaving the Sword Immortal and his disciple speechless. Even Ling Yan, famed for her eloquence, found herself inwardly applauding, grateful that she had not misjudged him.

After Bai Mu finished speaking, the Sword Immortal and his disciple fell into deep thought, a flicker of doubt passing through the Sword Immortal’s brow. Clearly, his convictions were wavering.

The silence that settled over the scene was awkward. The wicked flood dragon, transformed from the heavy sword, remained trapped within Ling Yan’s illusionary flute formation, unable to escape.

"Bai Mu, let’s go. There’s no need to argue with such stubborn people," said Ling Yan, waving her hand toward the formation. Instantly, the flute shadows dispersed, vanishing as swiftly as a receding tide.

The exhausted evil dragon, deprived of the formation’s support, crashed to the ground with a clang, reverting to its sword form.

Wait!

Just as the two were about to depart, the Sword Immortal finally spoke.

"In our earlier contest, I must admit I was outmatched and deeply admire this young lady’s extraordinary skill and talent. However, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Since more than one person has accused you, the matter must be complex—perhaps even the work of those seeking to incite bloodshed in the Wilderness Realm. I urge you both to remain vigilant and not stray onto a wicked path!"

"Senior, rest assured," Bai Mu replied with a confident smile. "We walk upright and have nothing to fear from malicious slander. And to receive recognition from a sword immortal such as yourself today is already an honor for us."