King of Assassins

According to the regulations of the finals, if a team withdraws midway for any reason, the team leader must submit a written application, which needs to be approved by the organizing committee.

Gao Xuan continued to win match after match, demonstrating dominating power.

Song Muyang knew that Song Yunxi was definitely not a match for Gao Xuan. He also admired Gao Xuan and did not want to go too far.

Taiwei Star is the territory of the Song Family, without mentioning anything else, just the golden powerhouses alone, there are more than ten who can step in at any time. If they really want to deal with Gao Xuan, any one of the golden powerhouses can kill him.

Letting Song Yunxi cheat, yet not having confidence in definitely defeating Gao Xuan.

Song Muyang came up with this method, forcing Golden Bull University to withdraw. No matter how strong Gao Xuan is, he must compete in the name of the team.

As for whether it is reasonable or how others view it, it actually does not matter much.

The public opinion aspect might be unfavorable, but netizens can only remember for seven days, which is not a big deal. After a few days, they will naturally forget about this matter.

Moreover, the media platforms are under their control. With just a little guidance and diversion, they can naturally control the public opinion.

Ji Xiuying, of course, did not want to withdraw from the competition, but being forced by the Song Family, she had no choice.

Song Muyang pulled Gao Xuan out for a drink, also to avoid a direct conflict.

The matter was clarified, but Gao Xuan's reaction left Song Muyang a little puzzled.

Gao Xuan could be angry, desperate, helpless, or even draw his sword on the spot for a duel—all of which would be very normal. But Gao Xuan sat calmly and unperturbed, which was just too abnormal.

Song Muyang was a bit surprised, but not afraid. No matter how strong Gao Xuan is, he is just a Silver Sword Hero, and Song Muyang is not afraid of Gao Xuan turning against him.

The atmosphere at the wine table became a bit strange.

Miao Xifeng, who had been trying to keep the atmosphere lively, did not know what to say.

Song Yunxi slightly lowered her head and looked at her palms, feeling a bit uneasy and ashamed. She always felt that using such methods was too unseemly, feeling embarrassed to face Gao Xuan.

Yet, Song Muyang openly laid everything out in front of Gao Xuan, which was too awkward.

Gao Xuan raised his wine glass and took a sip, saying slowly, "The Sword Dao finals are inherently a stage for the power play of various families. Anyone who thinks the Sword Dao finals are only about comparing swordsmanship is naïve."

He said to Song Muyang, "Brother Song doesn't use force but uses such methods, which is really considerate of me. Thank you."

Gao Xuan spoke sincerely, which made Song Muyang feel a little ashamed. He was responsible for this Sword Dao final, and he had to do his best for the Song Family to win the championship.

Using some methods was a necessity. He admired Gao Xuan but couldn't let friendship affect his family affairs.

Friendship is friendship, and interest is interest. The two should not be confused.

Song Muyang sighed and said, "This time I was not particular about the rules, and I apologize and offer compensation to my brother."

As he said this, he wanted to pour wine for Gao Xuan. Gao Xuan casually turned the wine glass upside down on the table: "We've had enough fun today, let's stop here."

Song Muyang laughed dryly, "Alright, let's not drink anymore today."

Gao Xuan smiled, "Brother Song, I'm not disrespecting you, nor am I angry. It's just nice for us to meet by chance, have a couple of drinks, and have a nice chat."

He paused and then said, "Brother Song, if you let me have the championship, I would feel uneasy. What merit do I have to receive such favor?"

"Today, we've cleared the air, and I'm actually happy. Everyone competes with their own means, and no one should blame anyone for losing."

Saying this, Gao Xuan stood up, "It's going to rain, I'll leave now."

He walked a few steps and then turned back to Song Muyang and the others, "The night rain is cool, you all should head back early."

Under the lights on both sides of the long street, Gao Xuan's figure gradually walked further away until it was swallowed by the deep city.

Song Muyang watched Gao Xuan leave in silence.

Miao Xifeng felt the atmosphere was too heavy and said, "This guy is quite the sensible person. Given his background, how could he have the qualifications to be our friend?"

Song Muyang shook his head slightly, feeling that he was not wrong, but his heart was not at ease. However, at this point, personal emotions could not be allowed.

A dignified golden powerhouse should not be entangled over such a small matter. What's the loss of a friend? Everyone in the world wants to be his friend.

He said somewhat desolately, "Let's go back."

Miao Xifeng settled the bill, and the three walked out from the small booth, as the night wind brought drizzle down.

"This rain came so fast..." Miao Xifeng was a bit surprised, just a moment ago there were only a few floating clouds in the sky, how did it suddenly start raining?

Song Muyang raised his head and looked at the night sky, "This rain is indeed a bit chilly."

For some reason, Song Muyang suddenly had a bad premonition. He opened his personal smart terminal and contacted Qin Ken.

"Chairman Qin, have you received the withdrawal application from Golden Bull University?"

"Yes."

On the screen, Qin Ken's expression was deep, "I have received it."

Song Muyang smiled, "Please do me a favor and approve the application."

...

Gao Xuan returned to his room at Xinghai Mansion and saw Ji Xiuying bowing at the door.

Ji Xiuying, who should have been quite old and usually with a dignified and calm demeanor, was now bowing her head with sagging cheeks, her eyes full of panic and unease.

"Gao Xuan, I am sorry to you."

Before Gao Xuan could speak, Ji Xiuying suddenly knelt down, tears streaming down as she admitted her mistake to Gao Xuan.

Gao Xuan sighed, "There's no need for this."

Ji Xiuying cried, "The Song Family is powerful; we really can't afford to provoke them. If we don't listen to them, not only will I die, but everyone will die, even our families would not survive..."

The Song Family may not dare to wipe out Taurus, but wiping out the Sword Team members and their families wouldn't be difficult.

Ji Xiuying, being threatened by a Song Family golden powerhouse, had no choice but to submit. She didn't feel Gao Xuan could confront the Song Family.

Gao Xuan did not sympathize with Ji Xiuying; she acted on her own to sell out the Sword Team essentially for survival.

However, he did not hate Ji Xiuying either.

In others' eyes, the championship of the finals ultimately is just an honor. This honor is not worth exchanging lives for, much less worth exchanging lives for.

Actually, Song Muyang thought the same way. Song Muyang didn't feel he had the qualification to compete with the Song Family for the championship. In his heart, Song Muyang never placed him on an equal level.

So, Song Muyang just slightly exerted some pressure, forcing Ji Xiuying to submit the withdrawal application.

This is also very normal. Song Muyang is a golden powerhouse, a person in charge of the Song Family.

The Song Family presides over the entire Beidou Star Realm, their comprehensive strength is hundreds of times that of the Twelve Star Domains. Why would they care about a poor boy with no background?

What does ruling over Taurus or having assets worth tens of billions matter? Even his past glorious achievements mean nothing to the Song Family people.

Gao Xuan understood this very well. The Twelve Golden Bloodlines have held the power of the Alliance for three thousand years, and that kind of inherent arrogance is no lie.

Song Muyang's behavior towards him is already considered humble and kind.

Gao Xuan helped Ji Xiuying up. This ordinary person had been mixed up in these matters and was at the mercy of others.

Previously, she was at his mercy; now, facing the Song Family, Ji Xiuying thought the Song Family stronger, so she naturally listened to them.

Gao Xuan had anticipated this.

The Noble Families control the rules—they enjoy playing by them. If one set of rules doesn't work, they modify them. In any case, they can never lose.

Gao Xuan used the Creation Golden Core to lure Qin Ken, to prevent the Noble Families from manipulating the rules.

Ultimately, the decision regarding the finals was still up to the organizing committee to decide all rules.

A single word from the organizing committee, and they could claim you violated the rules, claim you used banned substances, and cancel all competition results.

Therefore, Qin Ken must be appeased in this matter. Even though the Song Family is the host, they cannot directly manipulate the organizing committee.

"Teacher Ji, you should go back and rest."

Gao Xuan said, "This matter has nothing to do with you, leave the rest to me."

Ji Xiuying was still uneasy. She knew deeply how terrifying Gao Xuan was. This nineteen-year-old boy, with just one sword, had terrified all the major Noble Families on Taurus, forcibly supporting the Xiao Family to dominate Taurus.

Without Gao Xuan's forgiveness, she was certainly doomed.

Gao Xuan did not mention these things; he understood Ji Xiuying's actions, and he wouldn't do anything to her, but there was no need to comfort her.

Making such a decision requires the awareness to bear the responsibility.

Ji Xiuying was shut out by Gao Xuan and left anxiously after waiting for a while.

Gao Xuan took a wash, changed into clean clothes, and was just thinking of inviting Bai Yutang to practice poses together when Qin Ken's communication arrived.

On the screen, Qin Ken looked proud: "Gao Xuan, your team leader applied to withdraw. Did you know?"

"I just found out," Gao Xuan said.

Qin Ken sneered: "Song Muyang got in touch with me again, asking me to approve your withdrawal application. What do you think I should do?"

Gao Xuan instead smiled: "Chairman Qin, if I can't win the championship, you won't get the Creation Golden Core. I believe Chairman Qin knows what to do."

"You do have some courage."

Qin Ken was not surprised by Gao Xuan's decision; he said, "I've done what I can for you. Whether you can win the championship depends on your own abilities."

He thought for a moment and then reminded: "Don't run around. If one of the Song Family's plans fails, they might take direct action. What if you're beaten to death?"

"Thank you for the warning, Chairman Qin."

Gao Xuan suddenly smiled: "I'll just stay put at the Xinghai Mansion. Please ensure my safety, Chairman Qin. If I am beaten to death, it would be a real hassle."

Qin Ken snorted, not in the mood to talk to Gao Xuan any longer, and closed the communication directly.

The more Gao Xuan thought, the more he laughed, and he couldn't help but laugh out loud.

The next morning, no other members of the Golden Bull University Sword Team showed up. Only Gao Xuan led Yun Qingshang to the venue.

The on-site referee said a few words to Gao Xuan and announced the start of the match.

Song Muyang was stunned, Song Yunxi was stunned, and Miao Xifeng was stunned…

Song Muyang saw no other emotion on Gao Xuan's face and turned to look at Qin Ken in the VIP section.

Facing Song Muyang's questioning gaze, Qin Ken helplessly spread his hands and said two words: "Sorry."

Song Muyang was furious. Last night, Qin Ken had assured him he knew what to do.

The next day, Qin Ken went back on his word.

Song Muyang couldn't understand why Qin Ken would go out of his way to help Gao Xuan, even at the risk of offending the Song Family.

Could it be that the Jin Family and the Odin Clan were making moves behind the scenes, wanting to use Gao Xuan's hand to deal with Song Yunxi? Then, they would deal with Gao Xuan to easily win the championship?

The more Song Muyang thought, the more it seemed plausible, and his face turned very grim.

Regardless of what Song Muyang thought, the competition proceeded as usual.

This time, Gao Xuan took the stage directly, facing off against the Taiwei University Sword Team members, cutting down four sword team members in a row with one strike each.

Every member struck by his sword fell unconscious on the spot.

When Song Yunxi took the stage, Song Muyang used Spiritual Power to say to Gao Xuan: "Brother, do you really have to do this?"

He said with a serious expression: "Yunxi is the Old Master's most beloved granddaughter. Forcing your way through will really cause major trouble."

Gao Xuan said nothing, only flicked the longsword in his hand.

The resonant, trembling Sword Cry echoed endlessly in the vast Arctic Hall. All other sounds vanished within the Sword Cry.

The gentle Sword Cry flowed like spring water trickling down from a high mountain, initially twisting and turning, naturally flowing down through woods and stones, pure and serene.

By the time it reached the foot of the mountain, streams and springs converged, gradually forming a torrent, rushing thousands of miles.

Rivers and streams converging into the sea, the force of the waters is endless.

By this level, the Sword Cry sound rolled like a long wind stirring up the waves, threatening to cover the sky and cleanse the clouds, with the power to sweep through the Nine Provinces…

The millions of spectators present were all awed by the Sword Cry, each speechless and beside themselves.

Standing opposite Gao Xuan, Song Yunxi trembled slightly, her face pale as paper, and her bright eyes filled with fear. Gao Xuan's Sword Cry had penetrated her Divine Soul and mind, capturing her soul, breaking her courage, and crushing her spirit.

Unknowingly, the sword in Song Yunxi's hand had already fallen to the ground.

Song Muyang couldn't help but clench his fists. Gao Xuan Sword Intent was incredibly strong and sublime, having already won the battle without even swinging his sword.

Gao Xuan gracefully sheathed his sword and cupped his hands: "Thank you for letting me win."

Song Yunxi was stunned for a moment before realizing her sword had already fallen. Feeling both wronged and distressed, tears uncontrollably welled up, and she ran off covering her face, sobbing.

The referee waited a moment before striking the Golden Gong: "Gao Xuan wins. Golden Bull University advances to the finals…"

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