Chapter 17
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Chapter 17: Elder
Liang Shenglou, seeing the men in black robes charging towards him, remained calm as he stepped on the Big Dipper constellation, gradually intensifying his attack. His internal strength was already deeper than Peng Tianxiao’s, using the Hundred Steps Divine Fist with fierce punches. Although Peng Tianxiao had the advantage of a weapon, he dared not confront it head-on, instead adopting a dodging technique to maneuver around.
After forcing Peng Tianxiao to stop his frontal assaults, Liang Shenglou exerted force with his feet, suddenly retreating backwards. At that moment, one of the men in black robes was swinging a sword horizontally towards his back, but Liang Shenglou collided with him, striking at the chest and abdomen with both elbows. The sound of bones breaking and organs rupturing echoed, killing him instantly.
Even though Liang Shenglou killed the man flanking him, Peng Tianxiao seized the opportunity as Liang Shenglou slowed down, launching a powerful strike directly towards Liang Shenglou. Liang Shenglou, having prepared for this, let his body fall with the momentum of the dead body behind him, kicking the steel knife from the black robed man’s hand with his toe, slightly delaying Peng Tianxiao’s strike. Seizing this moment, Liang Shenglou somersaulted out of the encirclement.
Although Liang Shenglou delayed Peng Tianxiao’s strike, he still got cut on his back while rolling, bleeding profusely. Nevertheless, he didn’t mind the injuries, as he rolled out of the encirclement towards the left window of the temple, knowing there was another man in black robes on the roof. Despite the injury, he couldn’t let Peng Tianxiao catch up, shouting as he moved towards the window, "Run!"
Since his debut, Du Yuhan had rarely encountered opponents stronger than him due to the reputation of his master. He easily defeated those weaker than him, and even those slightly stronger due to their exceptional sword skills. This led to his arrogance, believing he could rival a top master. However, seeing Liang Shenglou decisive in fleeing made him panic. In his panic, Cao Chuyu took the chance to strike, his left sword moving in an incredible angle, stabbing Du Yuhan in vital points. Du Yuhan fell with a terrified cry, "Don’t kill me! Don’t kill me! My master is Tianjian!"
Due to Du Yuhan’s identity, Cao Chuyu didn’t kill him, planning to discuss the matter with Peng Tianxiao and others later, as he wasn’t the one to make decisions. Seeing Du Yuhan fall, he quickly followed Peng Tianxiao towards the left of the temple.
Du Yuhan’s servant Chengying saw his master fall to the ground, immediately prepared to defend himself against the black-clad enemy. However, the enemy was experienced and took advantage of Chengying’s impatience. In a quick fight, the enemy stabbed Chengying in the abdomen and then swiftly struck his pressure point.
After Shi Xuan killed a black-clad enemy with a stone, he did not dwell on it being his first time taking a life. Understanding the importance of controlling his soul and emotions in his spiritual practice, Shi Xuan remained calm in the face of danger. Seeing the people from the escort agency in trouble, Shi Xuan swiftly kicked two small stones towards the enemies. He also picked up more stones when he saw more people approaching.
Facing a group of bodyguards and assistants, most of whom lacked inner strength, the two black-clad enemies at the escort agency saw it as an opportunity. Apart from the skilled boss He Dahai, only He Xiangshan and Xu Ying, two proficient bodyguards, needed to be wary of. He Yuqing, though talented in martial arts, found herself facing formidable opponents. Weakened and unable to wield her sword effectively, she was saved by He Dahai’s bravery.
Protecting his daughter and retreating while fighting, He Dahai sustained several wounds. In a moment of carelessness, a black-clad enemy thrust a sword towards He Yuqing.
He Yuqing, feeling weak and unable to block the sword in time, watched in terror as the black-clad enemy’s sword approached. Suddenly, a sharp sound was heard, causing the enemy to attempt to dodge, but it was too late. He Yuqing saw a bloodied hole appear on the enemy’s forehead, and a small stone flew out, causing the enemy to stagger and fall to the ground.
The black-clad enemy’s sword was moments away from He Yuqing’s chest, but they lost strength and collapsed with blood pouring from their forehead.
He Yuqing stood still in shock, while He Dahai finally realized what had happened. Looking ahead, he saw the other black-clad enemy at the escort agency also lying on the ground. Around them, a few bewildered people stood, while others from the escort agency lay on the ground, their condition unknown.
As everyone looked around, they noticed the young Taoist priest who remained calm and smiling. With a swift kick, he sent two small stones flying towards two black-clad enemies approaching a window. The stones pierced the enemies, causing them to collapse.
Liang Shenglou crashed through the window and leaped outside, only to be met by a dazzling flash of a sword, shining brightly like a sunrise in the dark night.
Liang Shenglou originally planned to quickly escape by exchanging injuries, but then he realized that his opponent’s martial arts skills were equal to his, better than Peng Tianxiao and Cao Chuyu’s, and he was unable to find any support in the air. His vision was blurred by the shining sword light, so he had to use a defensive move to protect himself. Unfortunately, his opponent was too clever and managed to attack Liang Shenglou’s legs acupoints, weakening his ability to fight back. As Liang Shenglou fell, his opponent finally pierced his chest, disabling him completely.
At that moment, Peng Tianxiao and Cao Chuyu flew out of the window one after another. They saw that the black-clothed men outside had captured Liang Shenglou. With relief in their hearts, Peng Tianxiao smiled and said, "Indeed, you are amazing, brother. Our leader said that with you involved, capturing Liang Shenglou was just a matter of time."
The black-clothed man shook his head and said, "In terms of techniques, I am better than my older brother, but in terms of inner strength, he surpasses me. This time, it was a clever plan. Our leader unexpectedly sent all three of us to pursue Liang Shenglou."
Liang Shenglou lay on the ground, chuckled and said, "I never imagined that my three brothers, whom I have known for twenty years, would come to kill me together. Fine, fine, with the Auspicious Sun Sword in your hands, Gao Wenqi, I bear no grudge."
Gao Wenqi gently replied, "Our leader saved your life, otherwise you would have died at Zuo Xingqi’s hands. After that, you secretly joined our leader and became the head of the Four Protectors of the Great River League, publicly and privately. You shouldn’t have taken the ‘Long Life Treasure Book’ without permission and betrayed the league. Our leader has been stuck at a crucial point for nearly twenty years. This extraordinary manual will greatly benefit our leader."
"I understand. When I and our third brother found this manual left behind by Hermit Guangyang, the first thought was to dedicate it to our leader. But on the way back, I started to wonder: When our leader masters it, how long will it take for him to enter the Microcosm Realm? Will he help me seek revenge on Zuo Xingqi? It seems unlikely. Zuo Xingqi has been in the Microcosm Realm for over a decade. No one knows his current status. Our leader would not risk his position for my personal grudges," Liang Shenglou lamented before continuing:
"Will our leader share the manual with me once he masters it? Unlikely. This ancient manual left by a master of breaking the void will only be used by the future leader for their training. It won’t be given to an old man like me with little merit. I am almost sixty, with little hope for further progress. This is my last chance, and I have no regrets."
"I only regret why fate does not give me a chance for revenge. I hate it, that scoundrel! I hate it!" Overwhelmed with anger, Liang Shenglou fainted.
Gao Wenqi remained silent for a moment before directing, "Brothers, carry Liang Shenglou inside the temple. Then search him thoroughly for the manual. If it’s not on him, wake him up and ask where he hid it."
Peng Tianxiao and Cao Chuyu carried Liang Shenglou with them as they followed Gao Wenqi through the window and leaped into the temple.
The three of them thought that their skilled subordinates had taken care of the others, but when they entered the temple, they saw several people from the escort agency standing in the middle. There was also a seemingly inconspicuous young Taoist smiling beside a pillar.
The people from the escort agency were initially stunned, but when they saw the three carrying Liang Shenglou coming in, they realized that there were still skilled individuals on the other side. Led by He Dahai, they hurried to retreat by Shi Xuan’s side. When they reached Shi Xuan, He Dahai respectfully bowed to him and said, "Senior, we are deeply grateful for your chivalry." They thought to themselves, he may look less than twenty on the outside, but doesn’t seem like a master in martial arts. Could he be a mysterious old figure who looks young due to some special technique, or a monster with stunted growth from a cultivation mishap, like the "Blood Blade of the Desert" who never grew taller than eleven or twelve in his early years of practice?
He Yuqing stood dumbfounded, looking at Shi Xuan. She couldn’t understand why the esteemed Young Master Du was knocked down, while the seemingly unremarkable young Taoist had transformed into a hidden master. Remembering the unkind words she had spoken about him earlier, she quickly lowered her head in regret. Recalling the near-death experience just moments ago, she unconsciously moved closer to Shi Xuan, feeling safer by the side of the unassuming Taoist.
Gao Wenqi and the others saw their subordinates lying motionless on the ground, raising their guard to the highest level. However, fleeing at this moment was even more dangerous. Half confident in their own skills and half determined, they carefully set Liang Shenglou down and approached Shi Xuan step by step.