Infinite Fire Record

Chapter 38: Magistrate, Beggar, Farmer

The air was empty and still, a breeze carrying the faint chill of early autumn.

Silver hair, silver pupils—smooth as jade. A striking man. Black hair, black pupils—pale as jade. A stunning woman.

The man was none other than Royal Sky. The woman, none other than the Little Dragon Lady.

Imperial Sky’s gaze remained cold as he looked into the distance, a faint trace of indifference curving at the corner of his mouth. “Dragon’s child, there is a city ahead. In the city, people come and go, so Dragon Child must not be afraid of life.”

Little Dragon Girl had always preferred quiet, and even more so, she feared unfamiliar places. For more than ten years, she had lived in the ancient tomb with only Grandma Sun at her side. Faced with new experiences, she could not help but feel a bit apprehensive.

Yet, she nodded obediently, her gaze lingering on the city ahead.

Two months had passed since Royal Sky had taken Little Dragon Girl by the hand and led her away from the ancient tomb, leaving the Final South Mountain behind.

Before departing, he had written a letter and entrusted it to a messenger at the mountain’s base, instructing him to deliver it to Lu Jia Village near Dasheng Pass.

Lu Jia Village had originally been established by Huang Yaoshi’s disciple, Lu Chengfeng.

To this day, Lu Chengfeng still walks the earth. The letter had been sent to him with a clear purpose—to ensure its delivery to Huang Yaoshi on Peach Blossom Island.

For Lu Chengfeng, receiving a letter from the young master of Peach Blossom Island was not a request but a command. As it happened, he knew a great deal about Guo Huang and was well aware that Huang Yaoshi now resided on Peach Blossom Island. It was a journey he had long desired to make.

Upon his arrival, Lu Chengfeng presented the letter from Imperial Sky.

Huang Yaoshi read it, his eyes darkening as he learned of his grandson’s disappearance over the past few months. Yet, the news that followed spoke of a celestial existence, of a life spent like an immortal, and of the grandson gaining a beautiful wife.

At once, Huang Yaoshi’s lips curled into a broad smile. Without hesitation, he followed the map outlined in the letter and set out for the Ancient Tomb Sect in Zhongnan Mountain.

Imperial Sky had called for Huang Yaoshi’s presence for one reason—the matter of the innate. Over the years, Imperial Sky had studied countless martial arts texts, referencing various ancient records. At last, he had uncovered the method of the innate.

And now, Huang Yaoshi, with his streaked black-and-white hair, was the result of that discovery.

At this moment, Imperial Sky and Little Dragon Lady walked through the city streets.

The people around them stopped in their tracks, their gazes locked onto Royal Sky in silent shock.

Fear. Trembling. Disbelief…

A cold smile played on Imperial Sky’s lips as his silver eyes swept across them. A faint crease formed between his brows, and a chilling aura spread from his body.

Little Dragon Girl tilted her head slightly, her curious gaze studying Imperial Sky.

For over two months, she had been practicing the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra. By now, she could control her internal energy with ease. Though her temperament remained cool, she had begun to smile and cry like any other person. The detached ruthlessness she once carried had faded away.

At this moment, her delicate brows furrowed. Confused and curious, she asked, “Imperial Sky, why are these people looking at us so strangely?”

Imperial Sky’s cold smile deepened as he swept his gaze over the crowd, sending shivers through them. The onlookers instinctively retreated, as if faced with an ominous force.

“These people fear what they do not understand,” he said, voice laced with disdain. “They are all prisoners of their small world, curious about what lies beyond their cages, yet terrified of it.”

Silver hair, silver pupils, and the silver flame marking his brow—his appearance was beautiful, yet carried an unnatural, otherworldly allure.

To these people, raised under the influence of Confucian teachings, Imperial Sky was a demon. A demon meant to be slain.

Imperial Sky paid them no mind. However, if he were to be provoked, what harm would there be in slaughtering the entire city?

A moment later, his cold gaze fell upon a man before him—the son of the county magistrate.

The young man’s greedy eyes lingered on the Little Dragon Girl, his expression one of unrestrained desire.

“So beautiful,” he muttered, “what a stunning woman.”

He stared as though she were an object to be possessed.

Little Dragon Girl’s expression darkened slightly. Turning to Imperial Sky, she said in a quiet, indifferent tone, “Imperial Sky, I do not like this person. I hate the way he looks at me.”

Imperial Sky’s cold smile did not fade. He said nothing, but in his heart, the man’s fate was already sealed.

The magistrate’s son forced a charming smile and adopted a refined demeanor. “This girl, just wait, and you will not hate—”

His words never finished.

His eyes widened in shock as he stared at something eerily familiar.

Is that…me? But how can I see myself…?

A sudden rumbling filled the air. A body collapsed to the ground, its head severed cleanly from its shoulders, painting the dirt crimson.

Imperial Sky’s longsword, pristine and untainted by blood, gleamed under the fading sunlight.

A cold smirk tugged at his lips, and his eyes gleamed with killing intent. “This is a good sword. Truly worthy of being a treasure of the All-Truth Religion. However, if Drinking Blood

With a flick of his wrist, crimson lightning crackled through the air.

The magistrate’s son and his attendants crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

The remaining onlookers scattered in all directions, their eyes filled with a deeper, bone-chilling terror.

In the world of martial artists, disagreements were settled with drawn swords.

Confucianism disrupted laws with words. Chivalry disrupted order with force.

In the end, the strong dictated all.

Imperial Sky held Little Dragon Lady in his arms and strode forward, leaving the scene behind.

Unbeknownst to him, a single figure had witnessed everything. This person watched as Imperial Sky’s figure receded into the distance, then let out a long sigh.

Time passed, and an empty countryside path stretched before them.

Imperial Sky suddenly stopped in his tracks. A sharp light flickered in his eyes as he tightened his grip on his sword. A cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

Little Dragon Girl looked at him, puzzled.

Turning, his gaze locked onto the path behind them, his eyes brimming with murderous intent.

“Come out,” he said, his voice low and filled with warning. “Trailing us all this way—are you seeking death?”

Amusement flashed through his gaze. “It seems I have drawn quite a bit of attention.”

A group of figures emerged. Each held a sword, their attire marking them as constables. Behind them stood officials, their eyes filled with malice.

Perched atop a great tree, an old man with a white beard sipped from a gourd, watching idly.

Another man gripped an iron spear, his gaze resting on Little Dragon Girl with a mix of astonishment and longing.

Imperial Sky sneered. “A magistrate, a beggar, and a farmer. It seems I have not been out of the mountains long, yet trouble follows me. The magistrate is already dead. The beggar… best not cross me, or he will learn the wrath of Peach Blossom Island. As for the farmer…”

His eyes narrowed. “His qi and blood are immense, yet he shows no trace of martial arts. Strange.”

As he spoke, Imperial Sky stomped his foot. The ground trembled.

Stones scattered.

The air grew heavy.