This Sword Cultivator is Somewhat Dependable Chapter 1708 55: Say Not All Is Emptiness When Looking Back

The sky is high and the land is vast, the sunset descends in the west, and the evening glow is especially splendid.

Underneath the golden clouds, twenty swords travel west, with a layer of magnificent embroidery seemingly floating above their heads.

Occasionally, groups of two or three demonic cultivators patrol around the outskirts of the city, spotting this group from afar.

After weighing the disparity in strength between the two sides, they ultimately dared not step forward to block them, instead retreating silently to report today's sights and sounds to the city.

These demonic cultivators stationed at the rear, providing logistics to the frontline Demon Race army, have truly been frightened during this period.

Who doesn't know that somehow the Human Race has dispatched a small elite group of sword cultivators, bypassing the frontlines, and wreaking havoc in their rear?

From Xi Yuan City to Rouran City, and then to Iron Pole City, during this time, over twenty cities, large and small, have been attacked by this surprise force.

More than twenty cities saw their demonic cultivators wiped out under the swords of these twenty people, and even the three Demon Lords who specially went to eradicate the Human Cultivators after receiving the news have not returned.

So, who doesn't know the combat power of this elite Human Race group now?

What these demonic cultivators feel fortunate about is that clearly, the elite Human Race in their hunt did not notice them or perhaps felt they were too insignificant to bother with - in any case, they were not heeded but simply continued southward, tirelessly.

This elite team of merely about twenty people is naturally led by Xue Wujian.

At this moment, one sword accelerates to ride beside Xue Wujian at the forefront, "Peak Master Xue, even a mosquito's leg is meat; we've seen several squads of demonic cultivators along the way. Why not let us make a move?

It won't delay time, just something we can do along the way."

Xue Wujian, without glancing elsewhere, continues to gaze further southward, not slowing his pace, and says softly, "Cang Ning, although acting now wouldn't delay much time, it would still consume a significant amount of mana when accumulated over time.

"After all, our next target is Burning Moon City."

Zang Xiaojian considers this and accepts the reasoning, thus ceasing further discussion, though she still feels a bit itchy seeing those wandering demonic cultivators along the way.

Yumen Pass faces southwards, directly aligning with the pathway between two realms.

Therefore, the closer to the south, the denser the Demon Race outposts become, making the journey increasingly difficult and winding with encounters with demonic cultivators becoming more frequent.

Yet Xue Wujian remains silent and refrains from any action.

His reason for conserving strength is crystal clear to Xue Wujian, for Burning Moon City is unlike any city they have previously conquered.

Burning Moon City serves as the War Demon Clan's rear headquarters, established after initiating a full-scale war.

It is immensely grand and impregnable, connecting resources from the entire Burning Moon Domain with the frontline army, providing the Demon Race army with all sorts of supplies, ensuring they have no worries at all.

As they near Burning Moon City, even Zang Xiaojian, with her normally exuberant disposition, rarely sports a serious expression with an increasingly grave look in her eyes.

Yet at this moment, Xue Wujian deliberately slows his pace a bit, falls beside Zang Xiaojian once more, and speaks up again, "Cang Ning, I'll advise you once more, on this trip to Burning Moon City, I do not recommend you accompany us."

This wasn't Xue Wujian's first time trying to persuade Zang Xiaojian to leave, nor was it Zang Xiaojian's first refusal of Xue's suggestion.

But once again, she staunchly refuses to leave the team, saying, "Since I have joined, there must be a beginning and an end; leaving now would make me a deserter, wouldn't it?"

"I, Zang Xiaojian, will not be a deserter."

Xue Wujian sighs slightly.

Zang Xiaojian insists on accompanying him; he certainly couldn't knock her out and leave her in some corner. Meaningless.

Still, in this way, he feels a twinge of unease in his heart, feeling he's letting Cang Xiu down.

Zang Xiaojian, whose mind is pure and nearly reaches a realm of spiritual connection, perceptively detects Xue Wujian's unusual emotions.

"Peak Master Xue, since the Zang Clan has migrated to the Eastern Domain, to beyond the Inverted Mountain Range, then the Zang Clan is part of the Eastern Domain, part of the Sword Sect."

"Thus, all my actions are justified, and I ask that Peak Master Xue be at ease."

Xue Wujian remains silent for a moment, then slowly says, "It's difficult."

How can one be at ease?

Zang Xiaojian is as young as the sect master!

....

As the sky gradually darkens, Xue Wujian takes a deep breath, signals with his hand for everyone to stop.

For the mighty walls of Yumen Pass are now appearing on the distant horizon, the pitch-black bricks resembling a coiled ink dragon.

Xue Wujian presses his lips tight, trembling slightly.

"The sect master and Peak Master Xia fought three lords outside the pass half a year ago, with the sect master surpassing rank, slaying the Ming Venerable with a sword slash."

"Since then, the War Demon Clan has been reduced from three lords to two."

"This was a great victory."

"Yet after that battle, Peak Master Xia sustained severe injuries, his condition remains not healed to date.

Chi Venerable and War Venerable, holding residual anger, launched the fiercest assault on Yumen Pass.

With Peak Master Xia seriously wounded, unable to wield his sword, without Luo Shen Sword Immortal's combat power, the sect master, Peak Master Yu, and Peak Master Ji struggled alone, the situation at Yumen Pass becoming increasingly perilous."

"In the past six months, we've run around, using the Demon Race to sharpen our swords, our victories have been glorious, but to the Demon Race they're essentially just flesh wounds – they grit their teeth and bear it."

"We must hit the Demon Race's heart to draw Chi Venerable and War Venerable's attention, thereby alleviating pressure on the Yumen Pass battlefield."

He turned around, facing the crowd that was once behind him, now in front, with a solemn expression.

"I know if I ask you to leave now, you may not heed, but some words I must say.

This city assault is unlike before; the best outcome is that half of you manage to leave alive, only to then likely face pursuit from the furious demonic lords returning from the frontlines.

To say it's a narrow escape at best – the likeliest scenario is all of you perish in this Demon Race's rear."

The crowd falls silent upon hearing these words.

Xue Wujian's voice becomes somewhat dry and hoarse and continues, "It's I who brought you out here, but now, I'm afraid I won't be able to take you back."

He takes a deep breath, "Everyone, I'm sorry."

The group is stunned, then someone comes forward, shaking their head and laughing:

"Peak Master Xue, we are not afraid of death."

"We only fear dying with regrets."

"Others can only fall outside Yumen Pass, but we can strike into the Demon Clan's territory; this is a unique privilege."

He points towards distant Burning Moon City, saying fiercely, "That's the Demon Race's major city, dying over there, what does everyone think?"

Immediately, laughter erupts, then returns to the previous silent stillness.

"To die with honor." speaks up the youngest, also the only woman, who has long proven herself in battles, Zang Xiaojian.

"Yes, to die with honor!"

"To die with honor!"

Xue Wujian suddenly lifts his head, his gaze passing over each face, seeming to imprint them deep into his memory, unfading even in a possible reincarnation.

People find dying without regrets the hardest.

Today is the day to die with no regrets.

......

Sword cultivators excel in battles; whether it be Yu Canghai or Ji Chuan now, their skills in combat do not surpass Xue Wujian's. But in terms of using the sword with risk, using the sword with mastery, using the sword with uniqueness, Xue Wujian leads.

It is precisely these traits that allow Xue Wujian to succeed Lu Qingshan and undertake this rear surprise attack mission.

It is precisely these traits that make Xue Wujian take today's decision.

......

The technique of nurturing the sword, in the various schools of Sword Dao, is ultimately niche.

Because most people cannot comprehend nurturing the sword for hundreds of days just to wield a single strike.

Only Xue Wujian, who has reached the peak realm in nurturing the sword, can ask Sword Immortal.

Why?

Is Xue Wujian the most patient with solitude?

Turning once more, facing Burning Moon City, turning his back on the crowd— the Peak Master of Sheathless Peak of the Sword Sect softly recites in his heart.

Speak not of matters turning void.

Before turning, all are dreams.