Calamity Messenger

Chapter 144 - 116: Heaven-Swaying Sword

Just after escaping the Palace City and reaching a safe street, Yan Qing called out to the two people ahead.

"Black Wolf, catch." Yan Qing tossed a bag to Pharmacist’s Wish, while Shang Xinlei handed another bag to Ying Rushi.

Pharmacist’s Wish spoke unhappily, "What, you want us to help carry your loot?"

"It’s not our loot, it’s yours." Yan Qing smiled, "Open it and take a look."

Pharmacist’s Wish opened the bag and found inside a pair of arm armor with a blue gleam, her eyes lit up immediately, "Third-Turn Rare Relic: Fierce Tiger Arm Armor!"

"After all, we were looting the Secret Vault while you were completing the mission, some compensation is due." Yan Qing said indifferently, "Seems like you’re satisfied?"

Before Pharmacist’s Wish could speak, she saw Ying Rushi take out a sword tassel from the bag.

"It’s probably a Second-Turn Rare Sword Tassel, although I don’t know what relic it is exactly, I’m pretty satisfied, thank you Red Snake."

Pharmacist’s Wish raised an eyebrow, her lips slightly curved, yet she said, "It’s okay, just average." As she spoke, she equipped the Fierce Tiger Arm Armor, the heavy armor adjusted to fit her slender hands perfectly, just when she struggled to find suitable hand relics, the Fierce Tiger Arm Armor came at the right time.

"As long as it’s useful. Thankfully, we were prepared, otherwise how could we live up to your expectations?" Yan Qing didn’t mind expressing more gratitude. To him, the better the team atmosphere, the safer he felt. If the team were full of scheming and even predatory behavior, he’d rather have Shang Xinlei support him.

However, upon hearing Yan Qing’s words, Pharmacist’s Wish blushed slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed, even though this was a great chance to earn trust, yet she could only respond with a muffled, "Hmm."

"Did you get the Heaven-Swaying Sword?" Shang Xinlei finally asked, though they had seen Pharmacist’s Wish holding the Heaven-Swaying Sword in her arms, even when pulling them up from the cave, she held tightly onto this mission item.

"Of course we got it." Ying Rushi looked at Yan Qing, "But we didn’t encounter your informant, you might want to check if something went wrong."

"Without an informant, how did you obtain the Heaven-Swaying Sword then?"

"Of course we subdued Shang Xuanwen and took it from him." Speaking of this, Pharmacist’s Wish was filled with pride, she couldn’t help it, after all, Shang Xuanwen was from a Military Town and a veteran Third Turn, to face him directly and win. If it weren’t for having to keep her identity hidden, just this achievement alone would warrant a court position from her father.

Shang Xinlei said nothing, but Yan Qing naturally understood her thoughts and asked, "So what of Shang Xuanwen? Did you... kill him?"

"Almost," Ying Rushi regrettably replied, "Just a bit short, unfortunately interrupted, delaying until reinforcements arrived, otherwise we could have assassinated the Chancellor of Da Liang in Jiangnan City." Her tone seemed like she narrowly missed achieving two extraordinary achievements, one being to assassinate the Chancellor of Da Liang, and the other doing it within Jiangnan City, as if killing wasn’t enough, it had to break the spirit.

Not only Shang Xinlei, but Yan Qing also breathed a sigh of relief. Worried about potential complications, he quickly suggested, "Since the mission is accomplished, let’s return to the Thief’s House."

No one objected, Pharmacist’s Wish coolly responded, "Hmm," while caressing the armor on her hands.

When the four thieves reached Shangxiajiu Archway, a palace attendant hurriedly arrived at Changle Palace. This was Layman Yu Li’s residence; the Emperor’s bedchamber had been destroyed, and with assassins setting fire in Palace City, the Emperor temporarily resided here with Granny Tai.

"Your Majesty, Layman Yu Li, there is important news outside."

Layman Yu Li said nothing, so the Emperor asked, "Have those thieves been caught?"

"No news of thieves yet."

"Speak."

"Chancellor Duke Xuanwen was attacked outside by Taihu Rebel Bandits and thieves, he has returned home for recovery, several martial soldiers from the Ministry of Personnel were killed, and Duke Xuanwen’s guards were also severely injured."

The Emperor remained silent for a long time, then said, "Summon all imperial attendants into the palace."

"Yes. In addition, there’s another news item, reportedly the trade board suddenly displayed an Immortal’s trade offer. The Immortal is exchanging the Five-Sided Heart-Protecting Mirror for some ordinary items possessed by mortals."

"Immortal’s trade offer? Heart-Protecting Mirror?" The Emperor perked up, "What does the Immortal wish to trade for this time?"

"They are trivial little trinkets, like a scholar’s pen, tailor’s needle, dancer’s shoes, gambler’s dice..."

"What!?" Before the Emperor could react, Layman Yu Li’s face changed dramatically.

In the next moment, the pressure of the Foundation Establishment Messenger surged out of Changle Palace, engulfing the entire Palace City in a whirlwind. The thieves had already left this bustling city, but the impact of their crime was beginning to unfold.

...

...

The Thief’s House.

Yan Qing and his group were no longer novices; upon returning, all sat quietly on chairs. The sandbox on the stone table had long disappeared, and the longsword held by Pharmacist’s Wish floated above the stone table, slowly shedding its ancient scabbard, revealing a blade that hadn’t faded one bit over the last three hundred years.

Heaven-Swaying Sword!

Countless streams of light emanated from the Heaven-Swaying Sword’s blade, transforming into scenes of light and shadow, as if showcasing the great moments it had witnessed. Yan Qing’s group watched the rapidly changing images, piecing together a rough story: a youth with the Heaven-Swaying Sword was determined to serve the nation, climbing step by step to the pinnacle, ultimately unable to defeat the peerless talents of his era, yet still commissioned despite being a vanquished foe, ultimately becoming renowned in the Outer Realm and establishing an unparalleled legacy.

Once the light and shadows dissipated and the radiance subsided, the Heaven-Swaying Sword no longer had its former ancient appearance but was now sharp and prestigious, its sheath reshaped with one side carved with mountains and grasswoods, and the other with the sun, moon, and stars.

Clang!

As the Heaven-Swaying Sword returned to its sheath, it was akin to deities hammering an anvil, unleashing countless drops of orange light, nearly engulfing the entire Thief’s House, completing a coronation delayed by three hundred years for the Heaven-Swaying Sword!

As the light dimmed, everyone opened their eyes, seeing an ancient poetic inscription ignited in orange flames on the sheath’s side, merely reading the verses resonated the passionate songs of the youth:

’How mighty the Heaven-Swaying Sword, to traverse the seas and slay great beasts!’

The Thief’s House displayed the information of the Heaven-Swaying Sword above the stone table, instantly causing the four pairs of eyes to blaze with intensity:

"Heaven-Swaying Sword"

"Grade: Second-Turn Legendary"

"Durability: 100/100"

"Base Attack Power: 30~40 points"

"Equipping Conditions: Qi Blood 15 points, Spiritual Power 10 points"

"Equipping Conditions: Advanced Swordsmanship MAX"

"Weight: One jin thirteen liang"

"Length: Two chi seven cun"

"Effect: Orderly Times: Simply by avoiding contest, thereby none under the heavens can rival. When the Heaven-Swaying Sword is sheathed, a Yitian Realm forms within ten steps of the Heaven-Swaying Sword Master, continuously enhancing everyone’s Qi Blood, Spiritual Power, agility. Requires at least one hour to activate, reaching peak after ten hours, increasing up to 10 points. Leaving Yitian Realm sustains effect for thirty days."

"Effect: Chaotic Times: Heaven-Swaying not unsheathed, who can rival. The Heaven-Swaying Sword causes more damage with consecutive attacks to the same enemy, each attack increasing damage by 25 points, effect stacks but layers dissipate after 10 seconds. Unsheathing the Heaven-Swaying Sword temporarily halts the Orderly Times effect."

"Effect: Tyrant Dao: Wo, Teach, Me, Against, Heaven, All, People!

Consumes all current spiritual power to activate Tyrant Dao, causing the Orderly Times boost for everyone except the current Heaven-Swaying Sword Master (regardless of distance) to immediately cease, with an additional reduction of 5 points in Qi Blood, Spiritual Power, agility, negative effect lasting thirty minutes.

Injury suddenly heals, emitting a shockwave repelling nearby enemies and projectiles.

During Tyrant Dao, the Chaotic Times effect no longer dissipates.

During Tyrant Dao, retrieved Orderly Times boosts from others accumulate on the Heaven-Swaying Sword Master, increasing up to 100 points in Qi Blood, Spiritual Power, agility.

Basic duration of Tyrant Dao is ten seconds, extending one second for every max boost lost by others.

Before Tyrant Dao ends, you remain in ’Heaven-Overturning Tyrant Body’ state, immune to movement disruption, stun, interrupt effects, attacks reduce damage by thirty percent, absorbed by Tyrant Body, not affecting you, though accumulated attacks will erupt when effect concludes."

"Evaluation: A hero in chaotic times, a capable minister in orderly times."