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"Thirty years ago, the martial world was different from what it is today. At that time, the Mirror Gate had just been established. Its numbers were few, but each member was capable, slaying demons and upholding justice. They were deeply respected and loved by the common people, and their influence grew stronger. However, the martial world was not solely defined by this one faction; at the same time, a family force quietly emerged and expanded, known as the Eerie Blade Sect.
It seemed that this had little to do with Snowfall Villa. Nevertheless, I knew that Nie Qiuyuan was not one to waste words, so I committed every piece of information he shared to memory and reminded myself to listen attentively.
Unlike the Mirror Gate, the Eerie Blade Sect was founded by a family. It was not centered around disciples but rather blood relatives, which allowed it to grow into a vast power over time. As the name suggests, the Eerie Blade Sect was renowned for its exceptional swordsmanship. The founder of the Eerie Blade Sect, Sikong Yan, was known as the Sun-Moon Ghost Blade in his prime. He wielded two treasured blades—one long and one short—and wherever he went, he rarely encountered an opponent.
Sikong Yan alone had already become a legendary figure in the martial world. Naturally, heroes attract admiration from beautiful women. At that time, there was also a mysterious female hero known for her swordsmanship who fell head over heels for Sikong Yan and pledged herself to him. This heroine was named Jiu Ziying, known as the Flying Frost Blade. Her unique slender blade made her unpredictable in combat; even Sikong Yan almost fell victim to her skills.
After their marriage, they were inseparable and deeply in love. The Sikong Family originally came from a prosperous merchant background, and Jiu Ziying had her own trading caravan. Together, they significantly enhanced their strength in various aspects. Thus, they established an organization focused on commerce that not only made them wealthy but also benefited the surrounding common people, allowing them to live in peace and prosperity. This organization became known as the Eerie Blade Sect.
Though called the Eerie Blade Sect, they primarily served as a command center for large businesses monopolizing vital industries such as grain, oil, and medicine. The Eerie Blade Sect produced two types of talents: cunning individuals adept at navigating the business world and skilled swordsmen who upheld justice.
With both martial prowess and financial resources, it was impossible for their influence not to expand.
Sikong Yan and Jiu Ziying had two sons and a daughter. Their eldest son, Sikong Lang, excelled in martial arts and surpassed his father in swordsmanship. The second son, Sikong Xing, was a business prodigy. Their daughter, Sikong Feixue, left behind little information; all that is known is that she seemed to remain unmarried throughout her life.
Sikong Yan rose to fame later in life; by the time he established the Eerie Blade Sect, he was already past forty. Soon after, he welcomed grandchildren who were exceptionally clever and brought him several years of familial joy. However, good times did not last long; as their power grew, it attracted attention. The emperor of the previous dynasty felt uneasy about the Eerie Blade Sect's influence in economic matters and repeatedly extended olive branches to them.
Naturally, those from the martial world were unwilling to enter court politics. Sikong Yan politely declined several offers and vowed to remain a good citizen in the martial world without causing any upheaval. Yet fifteen years ago, a great fire suddenly broke out in Chang'an City, destroying seven main streets—two of which housed major branches of the Eerie Blade Sect.
The cause of this fire remained a mystery; no one could determine how it happened. However, its impact on the Eerie Blade Sect was profound—the most significant blow being that Sikong Yan lost his beloved wife Jiu Ziying in this disaster.
In quick succession followed a series of accidents at various businesses and branches. After Jiu Ziying's passing, Sikong Yan suddenly became disheartened. After discussing with his children and properly arranging all affairs related to the Eerie Blade Sect's businesses, he led some willing disciples away from the capital to live in seclusion at the foot of a mountain, choosing henceforth to ignore worldly matters."
Fifteen years ago, the Eerie Blade Sect vanished, replaced by a group of reclusive masters at the foot of the mountain known as Snowfall Villa.
Since then, Snowfall Villa has remained shrouded in mystery. They do not interact with outsiders, and no one knows how they survive or what they do. It is rumored that many changes have occurred within Snowfall Villa over the past fifteen years, but the details remain unknown in the martial world. Five years ago, the owner, Sikong Yan, passed away, and his eldest son, Sikong Lang, took over as the new master. Everything continued to be calm and quiet.
Occasionally, ambitious swordsmen aspiring to become the best would challenge Snowfall Villa, only to return defeated. It is said that when the people of Snowfall Villa strike, their sword techniques are so swift that they cannot be seen with the naked eye; one can only feel a blinding flash of cold light, reminiscent of snowflakes gently falling from the peak of a mountain.
When consciousness returned, blood had already stained the pure white snow beneath.
It is said that after Sikong Yan retreated from the world, disheartened and immersed in studying sword techniques to ease his mind, he fused his Sun-Moon Ghost Blade with Jiu Ziying's Flying Frost Blade to create an incredibly fierce sword technique. Only a few fortunate individuals who had ventured to the foot of the mountain had witnessed this technique, which could not be described in words. It was given a name that carried the essence of the mountains—Snowstorm Blade.
Could it be that the Snowstorm Blade has reemerged in the martial world?
I suddenly realized the gravity of the situation. If I understood correctly, Snowfall Villa was suspected to be connected to the Serial Murder Case involving large merchants who had mysteriously perished. Regardless of the murderer's intentions, systematically killing off major business leaders would undoubtedly shake the country's economic stability—a result that Li Shimin would certainly not want to see at the beginning of his reign.
If Snowfall Villa were indeed behind these murders, it would be even worse. Li Shimin had fought through extreme palace intrigues to finally ascend to power; his foundation was still unsteady when the first major force in the martial world, Mirror Gate, revealed its ambitions against the court. In such circumstances, if another inscrutable entity like Snowfall Villa were added to his adversaries, it would present a harsh reality that could freeze one’s very soul.
"So you understand?" Li Shimin's gaze was inscrutable. "Then I must have found the right person."
Luo Dachun slightly bowed and nodded but suddenly said, "Brother Mu, thank you."
I felt that Luo Dachun was quite different from his usual self today but couldn't understand why he was thanking Li Shimin. However, Li Shimin paused for a moment as if he immediately grasped something.
"If I were like the usurper of the previous dynasty, then I wouldn't be worthy of your trust," Li Shimin said with a slight smile. The troubling matters seemed to have no effect on his demeanor or aura. "I've sent someone to retrieve the corpses; let’s examine them here."
"What the hell? They brought the corpse over?! Sigh, the emperor really knows how to make a grand gesture!"
Just a few moments later, I heard someone outside the door lightly cough.
"Come in," Li Shimin commanded in a low voice.
The door opened with a creak, and a figure in black clothing entered, carrying something that resembled a rolled-up blanket on their shoulder. They gently placed the bundle on the ground. After unwrapping it, a frozen, stiff male corpse lay before us.
"This is the manager of the Pharmaceutical Magnate who was found dead in his home seven days ago in Chang'an," Li Shimin said, pointing at the body on the floor. "It looks quite bizarre, doesn't it? Take a look at these injuries; they seem very strange."
I focused my gaze and was indeed startled by the sight of the corpse lying there.
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