Sword Card Master Association.

Lu Ming had been browsing for information about the Sky Water Sword online.

He was very surprised that Xiao-Xiaojian left the Original Card. After all, once a spirit body integrated the card, they became a card spirit!

If they left the card…

Would this cause any danger to the Sword Card Masters?

Betrayal?

Risk?

He had to consider them!

Afterwards, due to Xiaobai, Li Haoran and the rest’s research, they confirmed that the spirit body and Original Card would become one body after integration!

The spirit was the card and the card was the spirit!

Leaving the card?

No way!

Xiao-Xiaojian was unique and an exception. Or perhaps it was because of what happened before. It was because of the Sky Water Sword, that ancient divine sword!!! This involves understanding a subject that has never been studied. The level of the ancient, divine sword is too high and beyond my knowledge! Why is it qualified to get Xiao-Xiaojian to return to it? How did it make Xiao-Xiaojian return to it? What kind of power can do that? This is a dangerous mystery that must be resolved!

And…

The secret of the Sky Water Sword. What is its so-called talent?

Lu Ming very much wanted to find out.

Hence, Lu Ming prepared for battle.

…

That afternoon, an elderly woman suddenly came to look for him. She said that her son liked the Sword Card Master Association very much. In order to join the association, he went to the suburbs in search of a life or death situation that could lead to a breakthrough. Then, he went missing.

The policemen refused to intervene, helpless, she went to Lu Ming.

Oh?

Lu Ming gained some understanding of the situation.

Was this that guy’s solution? It was really dumb?

“Master, I’ll send someone over to take a look,” Li Haoran went on to say.

“No need. The association needs you guys. The suburbs are not far. I’ll go on my own,” Lu Ming said.

After finishing his sentence he retrieved the address from the elderly woman and then left in a breeze.

Of course he had done the adequate preparations for such a trip.

Although he was very disappointed with the old man’s tactic of luring the tiger away from its den, he had to be more cooperative since it was a trap.

However, to his surprise, when he was in the suburbs, he found the young cultivator who was looking for a breakthrough. He saved him and then brought him back to the association.

“Son!” The elderly woman broke into tears. She hugged her son, kowtowed and thanked Lu Ming.

“Hello, Senior,” The young man was both excited and nervous. “I-I’m a fan of yours.”

Lu Ming was dumbstruck.

Wait a minute… Damn. Is this real?!

“This kind of situation is very common,” Li Haoran reminded Lu Ming after he saw his expression. “Our association is quite famous now that it is ranked in the top hundred. There are more cultivators who are willing to join us. They will think of various ways to join the association. We typically get professionals to deal with this type of situation.”

Li Haoran was also surprised.

This is true. Master is cultivating in seclusion. Why would he waste his precious time on this?

Lu Ming fell silent.

Oh. I was over thinking.

At that very moment…

Buzz—

The wristband vibrated.

An unfamiliar message appeared on Lu Ming’s communication device — “Lu Ming, a disciple of the Sword Card Master Association is with me. Please come here alone with one million yuan! If you call the police, I will kill the hostage on the spot! If you tell anyone else, I will kill the hostage! If you don’t come… Haha, you will have to bear the consequences!”

Of course.

Knowing of Lu Ming’s tendency of blocking callers, they sent a photograph.

A disciple of the Sword Card Master Association had been bound and dangled from the ceiling of an unknown cave. There was blazing fire beneath their feet.

It is true.

This is a disciple of the Sword Card Master Association!

This guy actually captured a disciple of the Sword Card Master Association to threaten me!

Although they believed that Lu Ming was a kind person, they did not take Lu Ming for a fool. So, they took action and kidnapped a disciple of the Sword Card Master Association once he left!

Lu Ming was dumbfounded when he saw the picture.

Oh…

This was their plan?

This…

Is this kind of method reliable?

It is!

No matter what, they captured a disciple of the Sword Card Master Association.

With Lu Ming’s ‘kind and handsome’ reputation, he had to save this disciple!

In theory, there was no problem.

However, the disciple that they kidnapped…

To ensure that Lu Ming saved the disciple as soon as possible, to prevent him from calling the police, to avoid any accidents, they kidnapped a popular female disciple…

This was a problem.

Who was the most popular female disciple in the Sword Card Master Association?

That’s right!

The kidnapped disciple in the photograph – the one who was dangled and ‘barbecued’ – was the Snow Mountain Sect spy whom Lu Ming had not dealt with!

→_→

Li Haoran had been monitoring the lady ever since her identity had been exposed.

According to Li Haoran’s plan, as the lady was very popular amongst the disciples and the Snow Mountain Sect was already gone, there was no need to exterminate her immediately!

She is a mascot that motivates the disciples during their cultivation, that is also good.

So, she was working in the association as a programming cheerleader. Then unexpectedly… She was captured?!

Wait a minute.

This lady was monitored all the time?

Why would she get out?

Just as Lu Ming started feeling odd about this, Li Haoran received news from his subordinate. His countenance changed drastically. “Master, something major has happened. The spy escaped!”

“Escaped?”

Lu Ming was between laughter and tears.

“Yes.”

Li Haoran wore a grave expression. “According to the surveillance footage, she invented a shadow avatar and managed to deceive the security guard, disciples and the gatekeeper…”

Li Haoran was astonished.

He had been monitoring this lady very closely.

Invented abilities! It’s true. I had forgotten that this lady joined us because she was a super genius! She possessed superb talents! Naturally, after learning some tricks at the Sword Card Master Association, she would invent an ability, deceive the surveillance system and escape from the Sword Card Master Association successfully!

Lu Ming was speechless.

Looking at Li Haoran reporting and then at his communication device, he was deep in his thoughts.

Therefore…

After this lady painstakingly escaped from the Sword Card Master Association, she was kidnapped by the enemy…

→_→

What else could he have said?

“However… It’s not that bad.”

“She left in a hurry and did not take anything with her.”

Li Haoran continued to report, “As she had been under surveillance at all the time, she did not obtain any information. I’m afraid those disciples are going to be upset.”

“It’s nothing.”

“I’ll handle this,” Lu Ming said.

“Understood.”

Li Haoran did not decline.

He reckoned that the Master was tired of cultivating alone. He probably had wanted to go out on a mission to relieve his boredom, adjust his mindset and find something interesting to do.

Hence…

He left after reporting the situation.

Lu Ming glanced at the message in the communication device and sighed.

This lady…

She was really unlucky.

Was she simply the most miserable spy in history?

Cough.

In normal circumstances, Lu Ming would not have been interested in saving a spy who had harbored ill intentions. After all, what was the use of having a good figure and beautiful looks?

He, Lu Ming, did not have rotted brains!

But, now…

Lu Ming did not mind making a trip even if the credit went to Xiao-Xiaojian.

Hence…

Lu Ming brought one million yuan and walked to the designated place.

He was alone there.

It was only a desolate and barren piece of land.

Buzz—

The wristband vibrated.

The location on the communication device had changed.

Lu Ming shrugged his shoulders and walked to the new location. The location was changed again three to four times. The other party seemed to be concerned that someone was following him. Finally, they confirmed the location.

Right then…

The sky had already darkened.

…

Deep in the suburbs, somewhere in a certain cave, a fire was raging.

That female disciple was dangling above a bonfire. Her exquisite face was filled with regret and hatred. Even the black blindfold on her face could not hide her tears.

Sob… If I knew this would happen, why did Iescape?!

Will Lu Ming save me?

Is it possible?!

Although the outsiders praise Lu Ming and think he is near to perfect, I am well aware that besides his good looks, the rest is false!

Kindness, justice, passion…

They are all fake!

According to her intuition as a spy, Lu Ming was a heartless and vicious person who bore a grudge. He would not hesitate to swindle even seniors such as chiefs of operations and deans!

If you offend him, he will tear down your house!

If you humiliate and scold him, he will tear down your house!

If you challenge him, he will tear down your house!

Kind?

No way!

Those kinds of people are demons in the truest sense!

Offend him?

You won’t even know how you die!

Why did I choose to escape?

In fact, I was having a good time at the Sword Card Master Association.

There were people surrounding me during mealtimes and cultivation times. Besides being monitored by the Sword Card Master Association, I had everything I wanted. She could even establish an ‘imperial harem’ and ‘flip the cards’ if she wanted to!

However…

I was afraid!

She had a hunch that Lu Ming would kill her sooner or later.

Why was she still alive?

This was because this group of disciples in the Sword Card Master Association were all young single students!

Although they were very talented and outstanding, they belonged to the type that would be easily conned and tricked when they stepped into society. They would become boot-lickers unknowingly!

Therefore…

To prevent this group of disciples from being conned in the future!

To prevent this group of disciples from committing suicide by jumping off the building in the future!

To prevent this group of disciples from being fooled into decadence!

Lu Ming deliberately made her remain in the Sword Card Master Association because he wanted to provide the group of homebody singles some experience in love affairs!

That was right!

She was a guinea pig!

After these disciples went through a romantic relationship, suffered from heartbreak, and became a rebound, they then realized that relationships were not reliable. They then truly became mature…

Therefore, she was well aware that she would have outlived her usefulness at the time of her death!

Lu Ming was a demon that would not even let a girl as young as Miss Xiaobai go. How would he let her go?!

Therefore…

She painstakingly plotted and finally escaped from the Sword Card Master Association! However, she had not expected to be kidnapped!

She was even being used as a hostage!

“I’m done for!”

Her entire body felt cold.

The scorching bonfire could not warm her cold heart.

Wait for Lu Ming?

There was nothing to look forward to!

She had to rely on herself!

“P-please don’t kill me, please?” she said aggrievedly.

“We have to see if Lu Ming will be cooperative.” The elder smiled deviously.

True enough, he was right to have kidnapped this lady!

Look.

Lu Ming rushed there as soon as he received the news! Tsk task. True enough, young men could not resist such a body!

It was a pity…

He would tell Lu Ming that simps never got a good ending.

“He won’t come,” she said miserably.

“You will be dead meat then.”

The old man wore a cold and aloof expression.

“I-I can keep you company,” the lady pleaded and said.

“Humph!

“How childish!”

The elder sneered and said proudly, “In order to reach seven-star and resist all kinds of temptations, I became immune to physical desires and material possessions more than 10 years ago!”

The lady was in utter despair.

She knew it. She was afraid that she would not live past that night.

…

Beside the bonfire, the elder’s gaze looked calmly into the distance.

He calculated the time.

It was almost time…

Lu Ming, he should be coming.

True enough.

Just at that moment, as the sky darkened, a familiar figure approached from the mountain road. It was the president of the Sword Card Master Association, Lu Ming!

The elder looked at the photograph online.

That was right.

It was him.

At that very moment…

The lady above the bonfire, who was in utter despair and waiting for death, saw a familiar figure approaching them from afar through the side of the black blindfold.

There was a very faint light.

She could only see a few things.

However…

That familiar figure…

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the unrivaled good looks through the small gap. Who else could it be besides Lu Ming?!

Lu Ming really came to save me?

How is that possible?!

Lu Ming…

He was willing to come and save me? I dare not believe it.

She looked at the slowly approaching figure and their unrivaled good looks again.

Who else could it be besides Lu Ming?!

“President!!!”

The lady was so touched that she was in tears.

…

At that very moment, as Lu Ming approached them, the elder’s expression became increasingly grave.

He had sealed the Sky Water Sword with a sheath. When the divine sword returned to the sheath, it became an ordinary sword. This was to prevent it from communicating with Lu Ming.

The kidnapping had just been a ploy!

His real motive was the Art of Equalization’s secret technique!

Therefore, he felt that he should make it seem more like a kidnapping so that Lu Ming would not discover his real intent.

Fortunately, before he came, he had read a professional guidebook entitled “Three Years of Stealing and Five Years of Kidnapping”. It emphasized that, first, he had to blindfold the hostage and never allow the hostage to see his face! Second, he had to change the location and confirm that no one was following the target! Third, he had to learn kidnapping-related jargon.

He would appear more professional that way.

Hence…

He said with a calm composure, “You’re here,”

Lu Ming was slightly dazed.

Damn!

What kind of tone is this?

Wait a minute, don’t tell me there are silent rules for kidnapping? In order to pretend to have the same mindset as a hostage’s family, he has done some research!

Well….

He had to try his best to cooperate with the kidnapper!

Hence…

He pondered for a moment and then said, “I’m here.”

“You shouldn’t have come,”

“I’m already here.”

“Yes, you finally came.”

“Yes, I finally came.”

Shush!

There was total silence.

After a long while, Lu Ming suddenly sighed. “When I arrived, I found our conversation very moronic. Do kidnappers always use such jargon?”

The elder pondered deeply for a moment. Suddenly, he also felt that it had been very moronic.

The ancient senior’s experience was no longer useful…

Nowadays, it was not only the Swordsman’s vocation but also their education that had to be revolutionized. Even their way of kidnapping had to be changed. They would be eliminated sooner or later if they could not keep up with times!

Hence…

The two stopped their idiotic conversation.

“Where is the money?”

The elder narrowed his eyes.

“I brought it here,” Lu Ming said calmly.

“Bring it to me,” the elder said.

“Release the hostage first.”

Lu Ming glanced at the lady above the bonfire.

“Impossible!” the elder declined firmly.

What a joke.

What if Lu Ming were to turn around and run away after he released the hostage?

“I don’t trust you. What if you kill the hostage after I give you the money?”

Lu Ming sneered coldly.

“I don’t trust you either.”

The elder had the same expression .

Of course, as the one who had control over the hostage, he felt he had the upper hand. Therefore, he added more fuel to the fire and new flames ignited instantly.

Whoosh—

Whoosh—

The flames surged.

The lady’s body heated up immediately.

“If you don’t pass me the money, she will die.”

The elder smiled faintly.

“Kill the hostage then.”

Lu Ming felt very regretful. “True enough, I’m not cut out for saving people.”

The elder was speechless.

The lady was speechless.

Brother, do you change your mind that easily?!

“Ludicrous!

“Do you think I believe you?”

The elder felt ridiculous.

You have already come here specifically for this woman. Yet, like in a TV drama, you now insist that you don’t care about her because you want me to let down my guard?

Afterwards, you will save her when I am distracted!

Are you or am I the fool?

As such…

Not only did he not become less vigilant but also focused 90% of his attention on the lady to guard against any form of rescue.

“Lu Ming, if you’re going to be that childish…”

Shush!

Lights and shadows flashed.

A shadow suddenly emerged from the darkness.

True enough, there was someone else!

The elder sneered!

He was long guarded against someone coming to save the woman. Therefore, he struck at the first opportunity. However, just as he slashed his sword, he realized that something was not right…

Pfft!

The figure he perforated looked up and revealed itself to be a jet black shadow.

It is a shadow!!!

Pfft!

The shadow disregarded his attack and retaliated with a slash. He frantically blocked the attacks but was terrified to discover that Lu Ming had also taken action at the same time.

Pfft!!

All of a sudden, a jet of blood-colored light started to spread.

The elder looked at the blood lily spreading in front of his chest.

It was despicable!

The shadow pretended it was going to save the lady but instead joined forces with Lu Ming and attacked him!

One strike!

A severe injury!

“You!”

The elder was extraordinarily furious.

It was only at that moment that he noticed the cold glint in Lu Ming’s eyes.

It was only at that moment that he realized that Lu Ming did not actually care about the disciple! Lu Ming did not care about the life and death of that lady!!!

Very well!

Since you don’t care about her, I’ll kill her!

The elder was not a person to be trifled with as well.

You don’t care about this lady?

Very well.

I’ll kill her then.

However, at that moment he noticed Lu Ming’s gaze sweeping past the dangled lady and eventually landing on his waist, on the Sky Water Sword that he had already sealed!

The look in his eyes…

“Oh no!”

The elder realized the problem.

Lu Ming!

He came for the Sky Water Sword!

Judging from the look in his eyes, he had certainly seen the Sky Water Sword before or recognized it! His gaze was identical to his when he inquired about the Sky Water Sword in the past!

He had been tricked!

Realizing that something was amiss, he could not even be bothered to kill that lady. He instantly retreated at lighting speed!

However…

It was too late.

Bang!

Bang!

Beams of sword gleams landed.

Lu Ming’s body rose above him. Similarly, the shadow also struck him.

Pfft!

Pfft!

Flashes of blood splattered from the elder’s body.

He was a peak six-star and initially had the upper hand. However, after Lu Ming launched a surprise attack on him, he was seriously injured and his combat ability weakened significantly. He had been greatly affected!

He instinctively tightened his grip on the Sky Water Sword but released it afterwards.

This is not the time!!!

He was a six-star peak!

Did Lu Ming really think that he could beat me just because he launched a surprise attack and is now in an advantageous position?

Hehe.

Lu Ming…

The elder narrowed his eyes.

Bang!

There were flashes of blood.

His body transformed into a streak of blood as he dashed to the mountain cave in that instant.

“Do you want to leave?”

There was a cold flash in Lu Ming’s eyes.

Since he came there to kill someone and take the sword, how could he give the elder a chance to rest?! His figure rose as he chase the elder immediately.

Swoosh!

Swoosh!

Two beams of cold light disappeared into the dark night.

The murderous intentions were already obvious!

…

Cheez—

Cheez—

Above the fire.

‘Barbecued’ by the bonfire, a certain lady was perspiring profusely.

She looked dazed.

Blindfolded, she could only see a trace of light from the corner of her eye. Sometimes, she was looking in the wrong direction. Therefore, she did not know what happened at all!

She only knew that a fight had suddenly erupted and then there was no more movement.

Where are they?

She had no idea.

There was no more news from Lu Ming and the old man.

She felt somewhat confused.

It was true.

Isn’t this a kidnapping…

I am supposed to be the protagonist!

Be it killing or rescuing the hostage… Shouldn’t they carry out the fight in the surroundings with me as the epicenter? Why don’t the two give a shit about me?!

“President?!

“Are you around?

“Old man??

“The hostage is not valuable anymore if she dies?!”

The lady was teary-eyed.

Someone!

How could you ignore the hostage of a kidnapping?!

Are both the kidnapper and the victim’s family that unprofessional?!

Someone!

I was almost barbecued!

Oo… Oo…

…