“Forget it, laugh!” Old Master Li, greetings! The man leading the group, clad in a loose, gray great-robe that made him appear gaunt and monkey-like, possessed small, sharp eyes gleaming with chilling intent—it was none other than Li Jingwu.
“Zhanran, you have courage, you actually came!” Li Jingwu sneered, shaking his head. “Pity!” Li Muzhan smiled. “Indeed, it’s a pity. All your peerless mastery, only to end your life here. I feel pity for you too, Senior!” Li Jingwu chuckled dryly a couple of times. “Zhanran, look around you. Stop speaking nonsense! Hand over your weapons quietly, and we’ll grant you a swift end. Otherwise, if you’re captured by us, it won’t be easy even to die.” Li Muzhan smiled faintly. “Senior Li intends to bully the weak with superior numbers? Have you no shame?” Li Jingwu chuckled wickedly. “I am but a dying ember. What use have I for shame? I only seek vengeance for my grandson and the others, so I can face them squarely below.”
“Very well!” Li Muzhan said with a smile.
He flashed suddenly, arriving before Li Jingwu in an instant, launching a punch.
The fist manifested abruptly right in front of him. Li Jingwu sneered, raising a claw to sweep horizontally toward Li Muzhan’s wrist.
After their initial exchange, Li Jingwu sensed the depth of his internal power and the quality of his boxing. He was unwilling to meet the blow head-on.
“Junior Brother, you stand back. I shall handle this.”
Wen Yinyue said calmly.
Li Muzhan flickered, suddenly appearing by her side, retreating with the swiftness and mystery of a divine being.
Wen Yinyue looked at Li Jingwu, her lotus feet stepping lightly twice, and two phantom images of lotuses faintly shimmered into existence. She stood upon these illusory flowers, gazing at him serenely.
Li Jingwu cried out strangely, “The Exquisite Lotus Scripture!” Wen Yinyue vanished instantly, reappearing behind him, and tapped lightly. A lotus shadow enveloped her jade-like palm, as if the palm itself had transformed into a lotus blossom.
Li Jingwu swiftly spun around, forming his right hand into a claw, meeting her attack directly.
He intended to exploit Wen Yinyue’s youth and perceived impure cultivation, believing brute force could overcome refined technique. Although the Exquisite Lotus Scripture was renowned, insufficient power might prevent it from displaying its true might.
“Bang.”
Claw met the jade-like palm, and he was sent flying backward instantly.
The two lotuses beneath her feet brightened, and she vanished again, appearing in mid-air. Her palm transformed into a lotus, striking directly onto Li Jingwu’s back.
“Show mercy!” a long shout echoed from a distance, booming like thunder.
As his voice fell.
Li Jingwu spat a jet of blood mid-air and drifted down softly.
Wen Yinyue descended gracefully, like a petal slowly settling beside Li Muzhan.
“Senior Sister, let’s go!” Li Muzhan urged anxiously.
Saying this, he grabbed Wen Yinyue, his figure flickering as he vanished from his spot, reappearing twenty yards away. With another flash, he was another twenty yards onward.
Wen Yinyue allowed him to pull her along. The two lotuses under her feet shimmered, requiring no tethering; she kept pace right behind him.
“Heh heh, where do you think you’re going!” Amidst cold laughter, four gray shadows flickered, and four men descended from the sky, blocking their path.
The sound reached their ears, causing blood qi to churn; the profound depth of their inner power was evident.
The two halted, poised defensively, scrutinizing the four arrivals.
Li Muzhan recognized Leng Feng immediately; he stood with a grim face, staring unmovingly at him.
Li Muzhan offered a slight smile, sweeping his gaze over the other four: one, a handsome young man, arrogant to the core, his eyes seemingly fixed upon the heavens.
A stern-faced middle-aged man, lean and refined, his gaze sharp as a drawn sword.
An elderly man, with small eyes, a long nose, and a thin, pinched mouth, appearing weak and hapless, as if perpetually bullied—making one want to strike him out of sheer impulse. He held a dull copper rod, a rather incongruous sight.
The last elder was tall and powerfully built, with a distended belly. His features were heroic; in his youth, he must have been a figure bursting with spirit, but now he merely smiled good-naturedly, exuding a contented aura.
Li Muzhan scanned their faces one by one, recognizing the burly elder as the leader.
He smiled faintly. “Senior Leng, we meet again!” Leng Feng spoke grimly: “Zhanran. Did you truly believe our Helian family was depleted, allowing you to act so wantonly?!” Li Muzhan laughed: “Li Jingwu injured my Senior Sister. The Sect Master issued a kill order. No matter what, his life must be taken. Even the Helian Clan protecting him is useless.”
The stout elder shook his head and laughed. “Heh heh, what formidable authority the Vast Sea Sword Sect holds. That little girl Zhu Zhao has grown increasingly arrogant!” Li Muzhan frowned slightly and said coolly, “May I ask your esteemed name, Senior? Do you recognize our Sect Master?” The elder stroked his beard and chuckled. “I am Ding Jinxi. I met that girl Zhu Zhao once. I wonder if her appearance has changed?”
Li Muzhan smiled strangely, a look of knowing irony on his face: “Senior Ding recognizes our Sect Master. I wonder if our Sect Master recognizes Senior Ding?” “You insolent brat, you’re asking for a beating!” Ding Jinxi’s face reddened, his eyes glared, and he stepped toward Li Muzhan, unleashing a slap.
His stride and palm strike appeared slow, but the speed was astonishing.
Li Muzhan reacted faster, taking a step back, narrowly avoiding the blow. Wen Yinyue stepped forward.
She stood before him, gazing calmly at Ding Jinxi.
Ding Jinxi frowned and huffed, but did not press his attack, seemingly holding back due to some reservation. This greatly surprised the other four.
Ding Jinxi, who appeared jovial, was actually overwhelmingly domineering, doing as he pleased. It seemed the sun had risen in the west today that he halted his aggression! They looked towards Wen Yinyue, realizing that this cold, yet alluring young woman was certainly no ordinary figure; Ding Jinxi appeared quite wary of her.
With a ‘bang,’ Li Jingwu hit the ground. Leng Feng flickered to his side, looked down, probed him, then stood up and shook his head at the group: “Dead.”
Li Muzhan smiled. “Gentlemen. Our business here is concluded. We take our leave!” With that, his figure flashed and disappeared, reappearing twenty yards away.
He was about to move again but paused. Leng Feng also materialized before him, glaring coldly. Wen Yinyue appeared by his side, frowning. “Junior Brother, you go ahead. I will follow shortly!” Li Muzhan called out, “Yes, Senior Sister! Do not get entangled with them; prioritize escape!” “Mm, I understand.”
Wen Yinyue nodded, the white lotus shadows beneath her feet conveying her towards Leng Feng. She tapped out lightly, projecting the silhouette of a lotus flower.
Leng Feng shook his head and sneered, driving a punch straight forward. His fist flickered once and was upon Wen Yinyue.
Their fist and palm connected with a strange ‘pop,’ like a small pebble hitting a lake. Leng Feng was sent flying back, while Wen Yinyue stood firm, her light green silk robes billowing as if struck by a strong wind.
Li Muzhan flashed away, appearing twenty-odd yards distant, only to find another person blocking his path—the handsome and arrogant youth.
He drew his sword, raised it high with both hands, and brought it down in a mighty chop, like a streak of lightning flashing past.
The sword descended above Li Muzhan’s head. This arrogant youth wielded his sword like a saber; the force of his downward strike was immense.
Li Muzhan frowned and dodged, vanishing into the void once more, unwilling to become entangled. Judging by the current posture, the four of them intended to fight to the death.
The moment he vanished, the youth struck down savagely again, a cold light slicing horizontally, as if intending to cleave the void in two.
Li Muzhan’s form flickered back from the void, forced out into the open. This youth’s swordsmanship was exquisitely sharp, precise, and miraculous; he had managed to see through his movement technique.
Li Muzhan reappeared with a frown, taking a diagonal step to evade the overhead strike, turning and huffing, “Who are you?”
“Huang Xiaofeng of Mount Hua!” The handsome youth proudly sheathed his sword, a look of disdain on his face, sneering, “The Twin Sword Monk Zhanran. Meeting you is not as impressive as hearing of you—nothing more!” Li Muzhan asked, “Are you part of the Helian family?” Huang Xiaofeng declared arrogantly, “The Helian family saved my life. I shall repay that kindness with your life!” Li Muzhan replied, “In that case, do not blame me for being ruthless!” “Such bravado! Come then!” Huang Xiaofeng sneered, swinging his sword like lightning, driving it straight down.
Every strike was like bearing an electric flash, illuminating the surroundings.
Li Muzhan continually evaded, glancing sideways. Leng Feng had already fallen to the ground, his fate unknown. Li Muzhan drew a sharp breath. He knew his Senior Sister was powerful, but he hadn’t expected her to be this formidable. Li Jingwu, meeting her head-on, was instantly killed; Leng Feng, meeting her head-on, likely fared no better. His Senior Sister’s internal power was truly staggering.
Currently, the two elders and the middle-aged man were surrounding Wen Yinyue. The hapless elder’s staff formed a dense shadow, covering the sky and earth. The middle-aged man’s sword light was like frost, chilling the air. Ding Jinxi’s double palms moved sluggishly, slow as a grinding mill.
Wen Yinyue, stepping on lotuses and pressing palms like lotuses, moved as swiftly as the wind, her maneuvers unpredictable. She advanced and retreated with divine ease; the three could not even brush her sleeve.
Li Muzhan relaxed, yet felt surprise. He hadn't expected such a powerful trio to be gaining the upper hand against his Senior Sister. Now, if he could just dispatch this Huang Xiaofeng, he could naturally escape.
With that thought, he drew his sword and made a gentle sweep, tracing an arc.
With a light ‘pop,’ the air within the arc seemed to explode. Huang Xiaofeng abruptly retreated, clutching his wrist and staring at him in shock.
Li Muzhan said faintly, “I concede.” This move was taught to him by his master, Abbess Zhuzhao, just before he descended the mountain. He had practiced it tirelessly whenever he had time, and its mastery now proved effective, slightly wounding Huang Xiaofeng’s wrist with a single slash.
Huang Xiaofeng gave him a deep look, turned, and fled, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
Li Muzhan said, “Senior Sister, let’s go!” “Good,” Wen Yinyue replied calmly. Her form suddenly shifted, her entire body seeming to dissolve into a massive lotus. The giant lotus slowly closed, then burst open with a ‘bang,’ fragmenting into several streams of light, each attacking one opponent.
“Bang! Bang! Bang!” The three were sent flying.
Wen Yinyue reappeared before Li Muzhan, saying lightly, “Let’s go!” Li Muzhan nodded, admiration welling in his heart.
Wen Yinyue took hold of Li Muzhan’s collar. Supported by the two lotuses beneath her feet, she transformed into a streak of light, flying a hundred meters in the blink of an eye, and vanishing again the next moment.
A clear, bright cry suddenly rang out, like the clear call of a flying crane. A streak of white light shot out from the Helian Residence, stopping abruptly before the four figures. It was a youth whose face was powdered pale, devastatingly handsome, his white robes fluttering.
“Where are they?” the youth asked coldly, his voice clear, resonant, and exceedingly pleasant.
“That way!” Ding Jinxi pointed in the direction Li Muzhan and Wen Yinyue had vanished.
“Trash!” the youth snorted coldly, transforming into a streak of white light and shooting into the distance, disappearing instantly. His speed was no less than Wen Yinyue’s.
(To be continued)