Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Greatest Under Heaven and the Greatest Person Under Heaven

This sudden action left Yilin momentarily stunned, and before she could react, she found herself held in Yang Wenhao’s embrace, utterly defenseless. However, the ensuing noise quickly caught her attention.

When she saw the shattered tile where she had just been standing, even the most innocent could grasp what had happened. With a faint blush, Yilin whispered, “Thank… thank you.”

At that moment, a face appeared through the opening left by the fallen tile above: “Little sister from Mount Heng, I am Linghu Chong, disciple of Mount Hua, I…”

The last three words, “here to rescue you,” never left his lips, for Linghu Chong was dumbfounded. The little sister he was supposed to save was being held in the arms of a young man he didn’t recognize, and she looked shy and bashful.

Linghu Chong stared in astonishment, unable to comprehend how things had changed so quickly in the short time he’d been gone. What about Tian Boguang?

“Linghu Chong…”

Yang Wenhao was also taken aback, for this face reminded him of a certain celebrity—so strikingly similar, seven parts alike, to the man before him. With a faint smile, Yang Wenhao said, “Tian Boguang has already been slain by me.”

“What!” Linghu Chong exclaimed in shock. The man before him was about his own age, yet had managed to kill Tian Boguang?

But now that Tian Boguang was dead, Linghu Chong had nothing to fear. He leapt down from the rooftop and landed before them.

“Many thanks, brother,” Linghu Chong clasped his hands in gratitude toward Yang Wenhao. “I was no match for him, so I tried another way. Never did I expect you to kill Tian Boguang outright.”

In the martial world, killing was hardly taboo. Linghu Chong had just descended from the mountain, so not only had he never killed, the thought had scarcely crossed his mind. Yilin, even more so—a young nun, how could she possibly commit such a grievous crime?

That was the difference between Yang Wenhao and Linghu Chong. Yang Wenhao could kill for his own interest, whereas Linghu Chong would not, bound by the constraints of morality.

Morality exists to restrain those who cling to rules, but for someone like Tian Boguang, who lived only for himself, morality meant nothing.

Yang Wenhao did not consider himself sanctimonious; if the situation benefited him, he would seize the greatest advantage. He only needed to ensure the wellbeing of his own people—what concern had he for the life or death of others?

This was the lesson he had learned in traversing these worlds.

Linghu Chong looked at Yang Wenhao and asked, “May I ask, brother, what school and sect do you belong to, and what is your name?”

“No sect or school; as for my name, it is Yang Wenhao.”

Yang Wenhao smiled faintly. If Linghu Chong knew that he, too, was one of Yang Wenhao’s targets, he would not so carelessly wander before him.

But Yang Wenhao had no intention of killing Linghu Chong just yet; there were many choices—time would tell who would be the lucky one.

“Since Brother Yang has already slain Tian Boguang, I shall take my leave,” Linghu Chong clasped his hands again and departed.

Once Linghu Chong was gone, Yang Wenhao was about to leave as well, but Yilin blocked his path.

“What is it?” Yang Wenhao frowned as he looked at her.

Yilin gathered her courage and asked, “Benefactor… did you truly kill Tian Boguang?”

“His corpse is outside. Why would I lie to you?”

Yilin followed Yang Wenhao out of the room.

The courtyard, once bustling with people, was now deserted—those who could run had fled, for a death had occurred, and ordinary folk would naturally be afraid.

Yilin immediately saw Tian Boguang lying in a pool of blood.

At the sight, she pressed her hands together and began to chant sutras.

As Yilin recited her prayers, Yang Wenhao’s attention was drawn elsewhere.

“So, you’re still here, Young Master, enjoying such refined leisure?” Yang Wenhao walked slowly over to the one who remained—the person he had initially suspected was a young master disguised as a man.

The young master replied with a faint smile, “Ha, a hero saving a maiden—are you not the same?”

“Surviving is hardly the same as saving a maiden.”

Yang Wenhao did not consider himself a hero saving the damsel in distress.

At this moment, Yilin finished her sutra and walked over.

The young master paused at the sight of Yilin, then narrowed their eyes.

“Benefactor, I still have matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave,” Yilin said, her expression troubled, clearly uneasy that her presence had indirectly led to someone’s death.

“Very well, take care on your way,” Yang Wenhao nodded.

After Yilin departed, the young master regained composure.

“May I ask your name, brother?”

Yang Wenhao replied, “My surname is Yang, given name Wenhao.”

The young master hesitated, then said, “My surname is Dong, given name Bofang.”

Yang Wenhao smiled warmly at the young master. “Since you have such refined taste, how about we enjoy some wine and song together?”

“Certainly,” Dong Bofang replied with a slight smile, without the least reservation.

At first, Yang Wenhao had not known the identity of this young master in disguise, but upon hearing the name, he instantly understood.

He also realized which version of this world he was in.

Before him, the person disguised as a man was none other than the current leader of the Sun and Moon Sect—Invincible East.

To encounter Invincible East here was quite unexpected for Yang Wenhao.

Yet, it was a pleasant surprise, and he thought it worthwhile to forge a connection.

As they drank and conversed, both Yang Wenhao and Invincible East masked their intentions, revealing none of their inner secrets.

Their relationship, after all, was not yet close enough for such confidences.

Nevertheless, despite their reservations, the conversation was lively and enjoyable.

“Today’s discussion has been most delightful,” the disguised Invincible East laughed. “What are your thoughts on the current state of the martial world, Brother Yang?”

Yang Wenhao gazed at the sky. “The martial world? It is but a gathering place for those who acknowledge no authority.”

Invincible East looked at Yang Wenhao with interest. “Why do you say so?”

Yang Wenhao replied, “As I see it, just now, I killed Tian Boguang. But between you and me, will anyone seek justice for him?”

Invincible East said, “Tian Boguang was a notorious villain, hated by all; his death was deserved, so naturally no one would avenge him.”

“That’s why the martial world is an existence unbound by law. Precisely because it is free of legal restraint, so many are eager to enter it. In essence, the martial world is no different from politics—one strives to be the best in the world, the other strives to be the best among men.”

“A fine distinction: the best in the world and the best among men.”

(End of chapter)