Chapter 204: Cut Down Whoever Comes

“How could this be? How could Xueyue… how could she end up like this?”

In front of the stone hut, Heng Yongxing stared in disbelief at Heng Xueyue’s corpse and the three men covered in blade scars—Heng Xuanqing and the others.

“Third Uncle, Uncle De, Uncle Xinming, didn’t you say it was just a peaceful competition, that there wouldn’t be any life-or-death fighting?

Why… why is Xueyue dead?”

Heng Yongxing roared frantically. Heng Xueyue was a young prodigy of the Heng family.

Even with two prodigies, losing one was still a heavy blow to the Heng family.

And he, Heng Yongxing, would become a sinner.

“It was Jiang Changkong. Jiang Changyue had always intended to kill Xueyue. This time, no one expected Jiang Changkong to suddenly attack, and he even unleashed a secret technique.”

Heng Xuanqing’s expression was filled with grief. “The thirty-four of us joined forces but couldn’t withstand the secret technique. In the end…”

After hearing Heng Xuanqing’s account, Heng Yongxing couldn’t bear the shock. He staggered backward and collapsed onto the ground.

“Xueyue.”

Two mournful cries echoed as Yao Meng and Nantian Pang hurried over.

“What are you doing here?” Heng Yongxing’s face turned icy as he shouted angrily. “Aren’t you close with Jiang Changkong? Coming here to pretend to care?”

“Yongxing, what exactly happened? Xueyue, she…” Yao Meng and Nantian Pang looked pale and sorrowful at Heng Xueyue lying on the ground.

“Your good friend, Jiang Changkong, killed her.”

Heng Yongxing’s expression was cold. “Are you satisfied now? My Heng family has lost a prodigy. Are you happy?”

“You… I… sigh.”

The two opened their mouths but could only let out a heavy sigh in the end.

“Miss Yao Meng, Young Master Nan, if you have nothing else to do, please leave!” Heng Xuanqing said coldly.

“We were also friends with Xueyue. Back when the Moon Stone…”

“Don’t mention the Moon Stone to me! Just hearing about it makes me want to kill!”

Heng Yongxing roared, cutting them off, and turned his gaze to Heng Xuanqing. “Third Uncle, call Second Uncle and inform him.”

“This news… your Second Uncle, he…”

Heng Xuanqing’s expression twisted in pain, his face turning vicious. “No, I want to avenge Xueyue with my own hands!”

“Third Uncle, with Jiang Changkong’s current strength, we can’t take revenge.” Heng Yongxing said urgently.

Heng Xuanqing’s expression turned icy. “Why can’t we? He’s already severely injured by us. Even if he recovers, he won’t be able to use that secret technique again anytime soon.”

“But there’s still Jiang Changyue.” Heng Xinming said gravely.

“I have a plan. I know two friends—one is a top-tier prodigy, and the other is even stronger than me. Due to special circumstances, they can’t reach the higher ranks. This time, I’ll ask them for help.”

Heng Xuanqing looked coldly at Yao Meng. “You two, go ahead and report to Jiang Changkong.”

“Third Uncle, in your eyes, are we really that despicable?” Yao Meng and Nantian Wang sighed sorrowfully.

“You…”

Buzz

Before the words could fully leave his mouth, a bright moon appeared overhead, its moonlight cascading down and transforming into a chilling cold.

The silvery moonlight froze the ground, spreading rapidly, and the stone hut was soon encased in ice as well.

“You…”

Heng Yongxing had just begun to speak when he turned into an ice sculpture.

“Jiang Changyue, what are you doing?” The others present looked up in terror. A figure in black robes floated in the sky.

The Lunar Blade and Sword, the Moon Laurel Leaf—Jiang Changyue!

Descending through the air, a powerful surge of Star Power forced Heng Xuanqing and the other two back several steps.

With a wave of his hand, Jiang Changkong enveloped Heng Xueyue in silvery Star Power, encasing her in ice.

“What are you doing?” Heng Xuanqing shouted sharply.

Clang!

The blade and sword rang out in unison as an intense killing intent surged forth, directly aimed at Heng Xuanqing.

Yao Meng quickly spoke up, “Jiang Changyue, Jiang Changkong and I are good friends. Please, for my sake, don’t act recklessly.”

Jiang Changkong’s voice was icy, “Yao Meng? I’ll give you this face, but Changkong wants him dead without a whole corpse. I’m taking the body.”

With that, he flew away without waiting for their response, disappearing into the night.

“Jiang Changkong, Jiang Changyue, you’ve gone too far!”

Heng Xuanqing roared but dared not give chase.

Heng Xinming channeled his Star Power to help Heng Yongxing break free from the ice sculpture.

Once freed, Heng Yongxing’s face was deathly pale, shivering uncontrollably. Had it been a moment later, he might have died.

“Let’s go,” Yao Meng said, pulling Nantian Pang along as she turned to leave.

With the matter settled, there was no point in her staying.

Jiang Changkong brought Heng Xueyue deep into the swamp. First, he set down the corpse, then left to remove his black robe.

When he returned, Heng Xueyue was still lying there.

No breath, no heartbeat—as if she were truly dead.

“Enough, stop pretending,” Jiang Changkong said, nudging her and pinching her cheek. “Keep it up, and I’ll feed you to the Star Demons.”

Taiyin Star Power spread, a chilling cold permeating the air as Heng Xueyue slowly opened her eyes.

“It seems you’re not hurt at all,” Heng Xueyue said, sitting up and looking him over. A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth, and she couldn’t help but snap, “Did you even think to hold back? My injuries are still this severe.”

“With just that bit of Taiyin Star Power, you couldn’t hurt me. As for holding back—if I hadn’t, you’d be truly dead,” Jiang Changkong replied. After a pause, he added, “But today, that group actually didn’t bring any Star Stones?”

This displeased him greatly. He had taken out half of them without finding a single Star Stone.

Originally, he had intended to kill them all, but they had ruined his plans.

“Not even one?”

Heng Xueyue frowned slightly. “It seems your reputation as ‘Jiang Star Stone’ has soured. They know not to bring Star Stones when they see you.”

Jiang Changkong’s face twitched. First, it was Yao Meng, and now this little weirdo was saying the same thing!

“Can’t be bothered to argue with you. We’ve done what we needed to do. How do you plan to find that person?” Jiang Changkong asked. After a moment, he added with some confusion, “Anyway, there are only three at Star Spirit Peak. Given the temperament of your major factions, shouldn’t it be ‘better to kill the wrong person than let them go’?”

“We also value reason,” Heng Xueyue rolled her eyes, annoyed. “Killing requires evidence. Besides, I still want to catch the mastermind.”

“Mastermind? What do you mean?” Jiang Changkong frowned.

“Every generation of prodigies faces many trials, and many die. There’s always someone pulling the strings behind the scenes,” Heng Xueyue said coolly. “Didn’t you capture Chu Yunlong? He’s met with Yuntian Mountain, Xu Xingheng, and that man in black. There must be someone else behind this.”

“I’m not interested,” Jiang Changkong said flatly.

“You’re only interested in Star Stones,” Heng Xueyue gritted her teeth. “At this point, do you really think you can walk away?”

“Just cut down anyone who comes,” Jiang Changkong said carelessly, confident in his own strength.

Heng Xueyue took a deep breath. “How did you discover those three? And don’t you want to know where their Star Stones went? Who did they hand them over to?”

“A friend,” Jiang Changkong replied indifferently, pondering her words. It made sense—who had they handed their Star Stones to?

Were the people they hired again the ones collecting the Star Stones?

Heng Xueyue asked, “Who is that person? I’ll go undercover now and work with him to gather information.”

“No comment,” Jiang Changkong shook his head.

“Name your price,” Heng Xueyue said through gritted teeth. This scoundrel only cared about Star Stones.

Jiang Changkong thought for a moment and said, “Six thousand mid-grade sixth-tier stones, how about that?”

Heng Xueyue laughed in anger, “Do you really think Star Stones grow on trees? Three thousand low-grade sixth-tier stones at most.”

Jiang Changkong wore an expression of having taken a loss. “Fine, but you must guarantee my friend’s safety.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not like you—only caring about Star Stones,” Heng Xueyue mocked.

Jiang Changkong remained calm. “Star Stones are merely bargaining chips in a transaction; they don’t measure character. Everything I promised you, I’ve delivered. So, how much deposit are you planning to give now?”

“You’ll get it after the job is done!”

Heng Xueyue was furious. Did he really think she carried all her Star Stones with her? Although she had many, she didn’t keep them all on her person.

Jiang Changkong contacted Xu Xinghe, saying he was sending him a bodyguard whose combat power was enough to suppress an ordinary Star Spirit Peak.

Hearing this, Xu Xinghe immediately agreed—he was feeling quite insecure at the moment.

“Farewell, you little pervert of the Heng family.”

“You’re the pervert! Your whole family is perverted!”

Heng Xueyue was so angry she almost fought him again. If she could beat him, she would have done so without hesitation.