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Seeing that everyone had no further objections to the result of the first match, Abbot Zenzi said, "The second match will test the martial skills of both young disciples to see who excels."
From his waist, White Jade Peak drew a golden flute, while Lin Ning unsheathed the Xuanning Sword. A fierce battle was about to begin. Suddenly, the crowd witnessed flashes of sword light and the swirling shadows of the flute as the two engaged in an intense duel. Lin Ning moved like the wind, his sword dancing like a dragon or a serpent, while White Jade Peak wielded the golden flute with precision, alternating between offense and defense, leaving the onlookers dazzled as if the air around them had solidified.
White Jade Peak never expected that Lin Ning's martial prowess would far surpass that of Lin Cheng. Despite being poisoned, Lin Ning managed to withstand over ten of his attacks. Realizing this, White Jade Peak could no longer afford to be careless and focused entirely on confronting his opponent.
Both Lin Ning and White Jade Peak understood that in a duel between masters, victory or defeat hinged on a single thought; even the slightest mistake could lead to total defeat. Thus, they both strived to find each other's weaknesses. After exchanging blows for over a hundred rounds amidst the flashing sword light and flute shadows, they suddenly crossed paths, their weapons clashing with a crisp metallic sound that sparked a flurry of sparks, illuminating their resolute expressions.
Lin Ning felt a powerful force bearing down on him. He attempted to push this force back towards his opponent by vibrating his arms, but due to his poisoning, his internal energy was nowhere near what it used to be. He was forced to retreat repeatedly under the relentless assault of White Jade Peak's golden flute until he found himself backed against a large tree trunk.
Hu Xueyan gasped in alarm, "Brother Ning, be careful!"
White Jade Peak pressed his advantage without mercy, channeling all his internal energy into the golden flute. Lin Ning realized that if he did not release the Xuanning Sword soon, it would be severed in half under the immense pressure. Resolutely, he let go of the Xuanning Sword and darted behind the tree. At that moment, White Jade Peak's golden flute struck the Xuanning Sword, embedding it into the trunk of the tree.
Seeing this, White Jade Peak leaped up into the tree to pursue Lin Ning. With the tree trunk providing cover, Lin Ning no longer had to engage in direct combat with White Jade Peak's flute. His body moved with agility like a monkey, darting back and forth along the branches and leaping up and down. White Jade Peak swung his golden flute to jab, strike, and thrust but could not even graze Lin Ning's clothing.
Bai Songpeng and Bai Songhe were filled with anxiety. The two brothers knew that White Jade Peak had already lost the first match, and if they lost this one as well, there would be no need to compete in the third match. Bai Songpeng exchanged a glance with Bai Songhe, who immediately understood. He raised his sleeve, and an Iron Rhombus dart flew toward Lin Ning.
Lin Ning was dodging the attacks from White Jade Peak's golden flute, leaping from one branch to another, when suddenly he was struck in the lower back by a hidden weapon. With a gasp, he fell from the air. White Jade Peak swiftly performed a somersault and landed beside Lin Ning, the golden flute poised at Lin Ning's neck.
The crowd of heroes erupted in an uproar. Luo Liying, the leader of the Huashan Sect, shouted loudly, "What kind of hero uses hidden weapons to harm others?" Su Dongliang angrily demanded, "Which despicable scoundrel resorted to such underhanded tactics? Step forward if you dare!" Everyone turned their gaze toward Bai Songpeng and Bai Songhe.
Bai Songhe coldly remarked, "Did anyone see me or my brother use a hidden weapon?" The crowd had been completely focused on the duel between Lin Ning and White Jade Peak, so no one had noticed Bai Songpeng and Bai Songhe's actions. Bai Songpeng looked at Abbot Zenzi and said, "Please, Abbot, judge the outcome of this match."
Abbot Zenzi pressed his palms together and spoke solemnly, "Amitabha, what a sin! Does Master Bai believe that Lin Ning won or that your son won?" Bai Songpeng raised an eyebrow and replied, "Did you not see how Feng's golden flute was resting on Lin Ning's neck? Who lost and who won is quite clear!"
Master Chan Zhi said, "However, I know that if hero Lin had not been injured by the hidden weapon, he would not have lost this match." Bai Songpeng chuckled and asked, "May I ask if anyone saw who threw the hidden weapon?"
Su Dongliang retorted angrily, "Is there any need to ask? It was you and Bai Songhe who used the hidden weapon! How can you call yourself a master when you resort to such vile methods?" Enraged and embarrassed, Bai Songhe swung his golden flute at Su Dongliang.
Su Dongliang knew he was no match for Bai Songhe but showed no fear as he drew his sword in preparation for battle. Lin Enzhe stepped in front of Su Dongliang with his arm raised and said, "Dongliang, step back; this is not your fight."
Lin Enzhe said to Abbot Zenzi, "There is no need for you to feel troubled. Let's consider this match won by White Jade Peak." Lin Enzhe thought to himself that Lin Ning's life was exchanged for the Bai Family's Thousand Year Snow Lotus, and regardless of the outcome, the Lin Family owed the Bai Family a significant favor. If Xiu'er ultimately married White Jade Peak, it could only be said that it was her fate.
Abbot Zenzi shook his head and sighed before reluctantly stating, "In that case, I declare White Jade Peak the winner of this second match." Lin Xiu felt a surge of joy in her heart and let out a breath of relief. While Lin Xiu was most concerned about the outcome of the competition, Hu Xueyan only cared about Lin Ning's safety and paid no mind to the results.
Abbot Zenzi announced, "Now each side has won one match. The winner of the third archery contest will determine the final victor."
The area beside the bamboo grove was a square field over a hundred meters long and wide. The servants set up a wooden target with ten rings at one end of the field. Abbot Zenzi addressed Lin Ning and White Jade Peak, saying, "This archery contest will be decided by a single arrow. The one whose arrow lands closest to the bullseye will be the winner." At that moment, a servant distributed an iron arrow and an iron bow to both Lin Ning and White Jade Peak.
Abbot Xiangzhi asked, "Who will go first?"
"I'll go first," replied White Jade Peak with his signature smile. Clad in white like fresh snow, he gracefully nocked an arrow and aimed at the bullseye before releasing it with all his might. The entire process flowed like water, effortless and seamless. It was truly as if the bow opened like an autumn moon in the sky, and the arrow flew like a shooting star. Lin Xiu watched in rapt fascination, overwhelmed with joy. With a loud "thud," the arrow struck directly into the second ring of the target. The crowd erupted in applause, and White Jade Peak proudly cupped his fists in thanks to the onlookers.
Hitting a target from over a hundred meters away is no easy feat, let alone landing an arrow within the inner five rings. The heroes present were all sweating for Lin Ning, with most believing it would be extremely difficult for him to surpass White Jade Peak. Calmly, Lin Ning picked up his bow and arrow, knelt on his right knee, extended his left arm to steady the iron bow, and placed an arrow on the bowstring. He aimed at the bullseye and pulled back with force. The arrow shot through the air like a bolt of lightning, racing towards the target. With the power of crashing waves swallowing the sun, the arrow flew with incredible speed! True to his title as a master archer, Lin Ning's iron arrow struck the bullseye without a hitch! Thunderous applause erupted from the crowd, while White Jade Peak's pale face turned even more ashen.
Abbot Zenzi couldn't help but admire Lin Ning's exceptional archery skills. Just as he was about to announce Lin Ning as the ultimate winner of the three competitions, everyone suddenly noticed that the arrow Lin Ning had just shot into the bullseye had fallen from the target and dropped to the ground. The crowd hurried over to see what had happened. Su Dongliang picked up the arrow from the ground and saw that its tip had rotted away, while a large portion of the wooden target's bullseye was also decayed. The rotting of both the arrow tip and the bullseye had caused the iron arrow to lose its weight-bearing capacity and fall off. It was clear that someone had tampered with Lin Ning's iron arrows and the target before the competition. The tip of the arrow and the bullseye had been coated with a highly corrosive substance known as Corrosive Iron Liquid.
The heroes were filled with righteous indignation, and Su Dongliang shouted angrily, "Which heartless and despicable scoundrel did this vile deed? If you have guts, step forward and face me!" Lin Xiu's expression changed as she retorted angrily, "Elder Brother, who are you calling a despicable scoundrel?" Su Dongliang replied in surprise, "I'm cursing that sneaky villain who acted behind the scenes; I’m not cursing you, little sister!"
Lin Enzhe found this situation too strange. The person who secretly sabotaged the target and Ning'er’s bow seemed to know that she would definitely hit the bullseye. This meant that the saboteur must be someone very familiar with Ning'er. Lin Enzhe turned to the servant who had just brought the target and bow and asked, "Where did you get the target and bow from?" The servant hesitated for a moment, stammering, "I... I took them from the weapons storage."
Lin Enzhe angrily replied, "You're lying. There are no targets or bows in the weapons storage. Tell me the truth, where did they really come from?" The servant glanced at Lin Xiu and answered, "I bought them from a shop."
Lin Enzhe pressed on, "Who told you to buy them?" The servant hesitated again, saying, "I... I dare not say..."
"You don’t need to be afraid. I will stand up for you; just speak freely," Lin Enzhe encouraged. After a moment of silence, the servant finally mustered the courage to say, "It was Miss Xiu'er who asked me to buy them..."
As soon as these words left his mouth, everyone present was taken aback. Lin Xiu's face turned red with embarrassment. Lin Ning thought to herself, "Lin Ning, oh Lin Ning, you really are like a thief caught red-handed. You believed that Snow Lotus saved your life at the cost of Xiu'er’s happiness, but Xiu'er doesn’t think so. Even without Snow Lotus saving you, she would still want to marry White Jade Peak. Well, it is what it is; that is Xiu'er’s fate..."
Lin Ning glanced at White Jade Peak again and saw his skin as fair as jade, smooth like porcelain. His eyes were deep and bright, with thick eyebrows and a high nose bridge; his tall figure exuded elegance and composure. With just a glance or a gesture, he could captivate anyone. No wonder Xiu'er had developed genuine feelings for him. Lin Ning felt completely at ease in her heart.
This was precisely: Clear brows and springtime radiance, a face like jade adorned in splendid garments; a graceful young man in his prime. No wonder beauty's heart was pledged. In the bloom of youth, seeking fragrance anew. The phoenix dances in pursuit of its mate, longing entwined in sweet thoughts. The azure waves cleanse the heart; one song echoes over a thousand mountains!
Bai Songpeng laughed heartily and said, "Abbot, please judge who won and who lost in this archery competition!" Lin Enzhe and Miao Shuyan both sighed deeply at the same time. Miao Shuyan said, "Now that things have come to this point, we have nothing more to say. After this martial arts tournament is over, you from the Bai Family can take Xiu'er away!" Bai Songpeng replied with a smile, "My son is only fifteen this year. When he turns eighteen, we will bring Lin Xiu to our White Jade Mount in the Western Regions. For now, shall we settle this marriage proposal?" Lin Enzhe said, "Alright, since today heroes from all over the Jianghu have gathered at the Enze Gang, let us invite all the heroes to join us for a drink at the wedding banquet." The crowd of heroes shouted in unison, "Congratulations to the Lin and Bai families on their happy union!"
In the evening, the Enze Gang was brightly lit and decorated with paper cuttings, bustling as if it were New Year's. Lin Enzhe prepared a feast to entertain heroes from all walks of life. The heroes raised their cups and exchanged toasts late into the night until they finally returned to their rooms to rest and regain their strength for the fierce battles awaiting them in the tournament.
After midnight, the Enze Gang fell silent, occasionally interrupted by the sounds of strong men sleeping soundly. Lin Ning tossed and turned, unable to sleep, so he decided to light a candle and read through the night. Suddenly, he heard someone knocking on his door. Lin Ning asked, "Who is it at this late hour?" A timid voice replied from outside, "Brother Ning, it's me, I'm Hu Xueyan!" Lin Ning opened the door in response, and Hu Xueyan stepped into the Purple Bamboo Pavilion. The flickering candlelight illuminated her peach blossom cheeks and apricot face, making her even more beautiful. Hu Xueyan's eyes sparkled as she asked with concern, "I saw that Brother Ning's room light was still on, so I came to check on you. Why are you still awake so late? Are you feeling unwell?" Seeing Hu Xueyan's concern for him made a sweet feeling surge in Lin Ning's heart. He replied, "I'm fine; you don't need to worry about me, sister." Hu Xueyan sighed and said, "You were injured by Dunhuang Double Slayers' Silkworm Poison and say you're fine? The Thousand Year Snow Lotus only temporarily alleviated the poison in your body. In seven days, when the Silkworm Poison strikes again, the toxic blood will flow into your heart and lungs. By then, it may truly be beyond cure." Noticing Hu Xueyan's expression was dim and lacking luster, Lin Ning comforted her saying, "Life and death are fated; you need not be too sorrowful."
Hu Xueyan's eyes turned red, and tears nearly fell. She held back her emotions and said, "I saw a method for detoxifying from damp heat poison in Li Shizhen's 'Compendium of Materia Medica.' A person poisoned needs to be in an extremely cold environment, using their inner strength to gradually expel the damp heat poison. Although Silkworm Poison is different from damp heat poison, both exhibit symptoms of restlessness and heat. So I thought that after the martial arts tournament in a few days, you could accompany me to Yunshan Island. The ice in the Fallen Icicle Cave on Yun Xue Mountain will surely help with your healing."
Lin Ning was deeply moved. "That sounds wonderful! I can finally return to the Yunshan Island I've been longing for! I can also end this monotonous life!" He looked at Hu Xueyan's clever demeanor and a thought crossed his mind: If I recite the poem written by Yehe Nala Dongge for Nurhaci to Xue Yin's sister, what would she think about the treasure's location? Would she agree with my view that it is indeed the ancestral tomb of Nurhaci? If I were to succumb to the poison in seven days, perhaps Xue Yin's sister, being exceptionally intelligent, could find the treasure location. With this in mind, Lin Ning shared with Hu Xueyan his experiences over the past few months since leaving Yunshan Island.
After listening to Lin Ning recite the seven-character poem written by Yehe Nala Dongge for Nurhaci, Hu Xueyan furrowed her brows in contemplation and said, "Although it seems from the literal meaning of this poem that the treasure is located in Nurhaci's ancestral tomb, I believe he would not easily hide his treasure there. The risk is too great. Even though it is heavily guarded, if someone were to successfully rob it, it would be a great disrespect to his ancestors. Nurhaci would not take such a risk. The reason he displayed this poem prominently in his grand hall must be to use it as bait to catch those who seek to rob the tomb!"
Lin Ning suddenly realized and slapped his forehead. "What you say makes sense, sister. But if the treasure isn't in Nurhaci's ancestral tomb, then where could it be?"
Hu Xueyan softly recited the poem: "Jurchen heroes emerge from Jianzhou, thirteen remnants of armor rise like dragons. Timing, geography, and harmony assist; Eight Banners' fierce cavalry trample forth. After forty years of military life, no one can stand against them. The foundation of Khan's great achievements is built; unprecedented changes turn the world!"
It seemed as if Hu Xueyan was murmuring to herself or perhaps speaking to Lin Ning when she pondered aloud, "Could there be a Timing Village, Geography Village, or Harmony Village in Hetuala? Or perhaps a Foundation Village?"
Lin Ning replied, "I think your speculation makes sense. Once I recover from my illness, let’s go together to Hetuala and see if we can make any new discoveries." They continued their conversation until after midnight. Fearing it would affect Lin Ning's rest, Hu Xueyan took her leave and returned to Emerald Bamboo Pavilion.
Twenty years ago, Yuan Qingtian defeated all rivals to become the leader of the martial arts world. For the past two decades, countless heroes have looked up to Yuan Qingtian as a role model, diligently practicing martial arts in hopes of achieving the same honor in twenty years.
That day finally arrived. On the morning of June 15th, at the hour of Si, heroes gathered at the Enze Gang. The arena was towering with platforms, surrounded by weapons and flashing swords. The atmosphere was passionate and unrestrained, filled with fighting spirit. Tensions were high, ready to erupt. The martial arts competition was presided over by the esteemed Abbot Xiangzhi, who solemnly stated, "Amitabha, today our heroes from the Zhongyuan martial arts community have gathered here to meet through martial arts and showcase the righteousness of the Jianghu. I believe that during this competition, everyone should spar respectfully and avoid harming each other's feelings. The one who ultimately wins the title of martial arts leader should prioritize national and ethnic righteousness, uniting all sects to resist foreign enemies and protect our Great Ming dynasty and ensure peace for the people." The crowd cheered in response to Abbot Zenzi's speech!
Abbot Zenzi then announced the official start of the competition! In no time, two unknown challengers leaped onto the stage. As they began to fight, those watching quickly realized their skills were merely flashy and ineffective. Truly a case of being blinded by a leaf and failing to see Mount Tai. Among the crowd, some heroes could no longer tolerate their mediocre techniques. Suddenly, Lu Liying, the leader of the Xiaoyau Sect, soared into the arena with a nine-toothed iron rake in hand. With a single strike of his Six Harmonies Fist, he knocked one challenger to the ground and followed up with a kick that sent the other off the stage. The crowd erupted in cheers: "What impressive skills!"
Lu Liying clasped his fists towards the crowd and said, "I am Lu Liying. May I ask which hero dares to compete with me?" A strong man wielding a long sword stepped forward; he was Yu Hong, the leader of the Kunlun Sect. In fact, Kunlun Sect has deep ties with Kongtong Sect, Wudang Sect, and Enze Gang; all these renowned factions trace their origins back to Zhang Sanfeng, a legendary figure in Taiji Quan during the Ming Chenghua period (1465–1487). Zhang Sanfeng spent five years in seclusion on Kongtong Mountain teaching martial arts secrets before escaping from court troubles and leaving poetry behind as he moved to Kunlun Mountain, where he similarly imparted his teachings.
The martial arts skills of these major sects evolved from Zhang Sanfeng's Taiji Quan. Internal energy practice focuses on cultivating qi through Taoist methods such as "sitting quietly to control movement." After more than a hundred years of evolution, while internal principles remained unchanged, external techniques varied greatly. Kongtong's external techniques emphasize hard skills while Kunlun's focus on soft skills. When Lu Liying and Yu Hong attacked each other, it was like flowing clouds or surging waves—an exhilarating sight.
When masters engage in combat, they can keenly perceive each other's weaknesses. Lu Liying understood that Kunlun Sect excelled in soft techniques that require time to warm up and integrate internal principles with intention-driven qi manipulation. Therefore, Lu Liying intentionally employed Kongtong's Wuxiang Divine Skill. This skill is extremely fast and elusive; just as his body appeared before his opponent, he would vanish behind them in an instant. Under such circumstances, Yu Hong struggled to unleash his soft techniques and could only passively follow Lu Liying's lead.
After fifty exchanges, Lu Liying seized an opportunity; he thrust his nine-toothed rake into the ground for support and leaped into the air, delivering a heavy kick to Yu Hong's chest. Yu Hong was knocked down onto the platform and took a long time to get back up.
Lu Liying performed bravely and skillfully on the stage, making every hero take him seriously. Several skilled opponents were successively defeated by him, and as the day drew to a close, Lu Liying remained steady on the stage. At that moment, a tall and powerful man from the Taishan faction, Xue Tieshan, jumped onto the stage. Xue Tieshan introduced himself and challenged Lu Liying to a fight. The Taishan faction is a branch of the Five Mountains Sword Sect, known for their kung fu technique "Seven Stars Falling in the Sky," which is the essence of the Taishan faction's swordsmanship. The entire set of moves of "Seven Stars Falling in the Sky" is divided into two steps to control the enemy. First, the opponent's chest is covered with sword energy at seven vital points, and then, when the opponent is in a panic, a swift and fierce sword strike is made at one of the vital points. Therefore, the Taishan swordsmanship is renowned for its swiftness. Xue Tieshan's sword fiercely attacked Lu Liying, with swift and ruthless movements. Lu Liying remained calm and used the Nine-Tooth Rake in his hand with lightning speed. Suddenly, a deafening sound rang out as the weapons of the two clashed. Xue Tieshan, with immense strength, concentrated all his power on the sword as if Mount Tai was pressing down, while Lu Liying tightly held the two ends of the Nine-Tooth Rake, struggling to support it. Seeing the long sword pressing lower and lower, Lu Liying had a sudden inspiration, flipped his right leg over his own head, and kicked Xue Tieshan's forehead heavily with the tip of his right foot. Xue Tieshan was instantly dazzled, and the long sword in his hand fell to the ground. Seizing the rare opportunity, Lu Liying followed up with another kick with his left leg, causing Xue Tieshan to lose his balance and fall off the stage.
Lu Liying defeated six or seven martial arts masters in a single day, making the heroes fearful. As the sun had set, Abbot Zenzi announced the end of today's martial arts competition, and the heroes rested and prepared for the battle tomorrow. The heroes knew that tomorrow's martial arts competition would be even more exciting.
On June 16th, Lu Liying, the head of the Xiaoyau sect, still stood proudly on the stage, ready to face the challenge. The first challenger was Chen Zhaohui, the leader of the Dunhuang Double Slayers. The reason the Dunhuang Double Slayers did not act hastily yesterday was to observe Lu Liying's fighting style and find his weaknesses. Chen Zhaohui immediately launched deadly attacks, disregarding the notion of "using martial arts to make friends and stopping at the point of no return" as preached by the Zen master. Lu Liying dodged and continuously sought opportunities to counterattack Chen Zhaohui. Both wielded weapons – one with a spiked rake and the other with a hooked spear – and their weapons clashed, creating sparks. Both sides tried to pull the other's weapon. Lu Liying twisted the rake, deforming Chen Zhaohui's spear. Enraged, Chen Zhaohui waved his sleeve, and a hidden weapon with Silkworm Poison flew out, hitting Lu Liying in the chest, piercing his heart. Lu Liying fell to the ground instantly, meeting his end in a moment.
The heroes were taken aback by Chen Zhaohui's ruthless actions, their expressions filled with shock. Abbot Xiangzhi chanted repeatedly, "Amitabha, sins! Sins! Chen, you have harmed others without cause, truly unworthy of being a master of your generation."
Chen Zhaohui laughed maniacally, "The victor is king, the vanquished a bandit; who cares about the means used on the battlefield?" He arrogantly shouted to the crowd below the arena, "Anyone who is unconvinced can come up and challenge your Grandpa Chen!" The crowd was wary of his Silkworm Poison skills, and for a moment, no one dared to step forward to challenge him.
"Let me experience your Silkworm Poison," Master Chen Xu of Wudang said. Dressed in a blue Daoist robe, with white hair and youthful features, he exuded an aura of celestial grace and righteousness. Although the crowd knew Master Chen Xu was an exceptional martial artist, they still worried for his safety. After all, in just a few days, experts like Lin Ning and Lu Liying had fallen victim to Chen Zhaohui and Xiao Tianquan.
Chen Zhaohui understood that Master Chen Xu was among the top martial artists in the world, with very few who surpassed him. Therefore, he did not dare to be careless. The Wudang school's Grandmaster Yu Jiangong and Lin Enzhe were both disciples of Master Chen Xu, making their ties to the Enze Gang very deep. In terms of seniority and age, both Yu Jiangong and Lin Enzhe should address Master Chen Xu as their senior brother. Master Chen Xu had also mastered the Taiji Mysteries to an extraordinary level.
With a flick of his wrist, Master Chen Xu launched an attack on Chen Zhaohui using a technique from Taiji Mysteries that concealed its true power. The seemingly ordinary move held tremendous strength. The sword light shimmered as it cut through the air with a fierce wind. With a whistle, the sword's edge advanced like a tiger, relentless in its pursuit. In an instant, Master Chen Xu's sword had pierced towards Chen Zhaohui.
Chen Zhaohui executed a backflip to cleverly evade Master Chen Xu's attack and countered with his iron halberd. Master Chen Xu dodged the halberd's sharp edge and launched a continuous wave of attacks against Chen Zhaohui like relentless ocean waves. Amidst the flashing sword light and halberd shadows, Chen Zhaohui nimbly dodged; his sharp iron halberd slashed through the night sky like a venomous snake tracing arcs. He darted left and right but could not find any openings in Master Chen Xu's defense. Suddenly, a cold light flashed as Master Chen Xu's sword cut through Chen Zhaohui's shoulder.
The crowd erupted in cheers, with someone shouting from within, "The Daoist should coat his sword with some poison too, let this despicable man taste what it's like to be poisoned!" Laughter erupted among the spectators. Enraged and humiliated, Chen Zhaohui glared at Xiao Tianquan below the arena and shouted angrily, "Second Brother, why aren't you coming up to help?" Someone in the crowd yelled back, "Do you Dunhuang Double Slayers have no shame? Two against one—what kind of heroes are you?"
With a darkened expression, Chen Zhaohui replied, "We Dunhuang Double Slayers have always fought together against one person or ten." Xiao Tianquan chimed in affirmatively, "That's right!" The two of them—one tall and one short—coordinated perfectly: one attacked above while the other struck below. Watching from below was Lin Enzhe; having previously faced off against the Dunhuang Double Slayers at Shengjing Min’s residence, he knew how formidable their combined attacks were and couldn’t help but feel anxious for Master Chen Xu.
Master Chenxu is truly an unparalleled master in the martial arts world, facing two opponents without fear. His swordsmanship is as fast as lightning, with the sword light resembling a dragon, graceful and swift like a startled swan. In an instant clash with Chen Zhaohui and Xiao Tianquan, their weapons intertwined like shooting stars, creating a myriad of tiny lights that turned into a bright round ball. The three fighters' moves became increasingly rapid, leaving onlookers unable to keep up. After more than two hundred rounds, Chen Zhaohui and Xiao Tianquan still couldn't find a flaw in Master Chenxu's defense. Suddenly, Xiao Tianquan rolled forward, swiftly sweeping his long spear towards Master Chenxu's legs, while Chen Zhaohui seized the opportunity to thrust his iron spear towards Master Chenxu's chest. However, Master Chenxu used the force of his sword to leap backward, narrowly avoiding Chen Zhaohui's fatal strike. But in doing so, he left his chest vulnerable, allowing Chen Zhaohui to kick him in the chest. Master Chenxu fell from mid-air to the ground, but his strong inner energy prevented serious injury. Seeing that Master Chenxu had lost to the Dunhuang Double Slayers but was unharmed, Lin Enzhe felt relieved.
Chen Zhaohui and Xiao Tianquan triumphed over Master Chenxu, feeling extremely proud. They taunted from the stage, "Who else dares to challenge us, the Dunhuang Double Slayers?" Despite their calls, no one dared to step forward to fight them. Chen Zhaohui smirked and said to Xiao Tianquan, "Looks like the position of the martial arts alliance leader will belong to the two of us, brother." At this moment, all the heroes present secretly wished for Yuan Qingtian to suddenly appear, as only he might be able to defeat the Dunhuang Double Slayers. Then, a hoarse voice emerged from the crowd, "Let our gang leader come and learn your skills." The speaker was Yang Yan, the current leader of the Sun and Moon Gang. Yang Yan, a burly man with a robust build, was a typical northwestern man. Orphaned at a young age, he roamed the martial world until he encountered the great hero Yuan Qingtian, who took him in and taught him martial arts. With his high aptitude and diligence, Yang Yan quickly rose in the Sun and Moon Gang, becoming its deputy leader. Thirteen years ago, Yuan Qingtian, his wife, and another deputy, Cong Jian, suddenly disappeared without a trace. Despite searching far and wide, Yang Yan's disciples could not find them. As the Sun and Moon Gang couldn't be leaderless, the members supported Yang Yan as the new leader. Under his leadership, the gang continued to grow and prosper.
Yang Yan said to Chen Zhaohui and Xiao Tianquan, "As the leader of the Sun Moon Gang, I will not allow you two to act so arrogantly here." Chen Zhaohui glanced at Yang Yan and sneered, "If Leader Yuan of the Sun Moon Gang were here, my brother and I might show him some respect, but whether you have the ability to defeat us is another matter!" Yang Yan replied, "In that case, please show me your skills!"
Chen Zhaohui and Xiao Tianquan fell silent, their iron halberds and long spears lunging towards Yang Yan. A barely perceptible smile appeared at the corner of Yang Yan's mouth. Having deeply absorbed Yuan Qingtian's teachings, although his skills from The Art of Sun and Moon had not reached the pinnacle like Yuan Qingtian's, he had fully comprehended the essence of the techniques in the manual. His blade moved like a swimming dragon, unpredictable and swift. Each strike was rapid and fierce. The sword danced in intricate patterns, weaving an invisible net that was difficult to grasp.
Chen Zhaohui and Xiao Tianquan struggled to find a flaw in Yang Yan's defense. However, his speed was too fast; any opening vanished almost instantly, making it hard for them to counterattack. Chen Zhaohui exchanged a glance with Xiao Tianquan, who understood immediately. They executed their old trick again; Xiao Tianquan rolled forward towards Yang Yan. Yang Yan quickly sidestepped, and at that moment, he flicked his left sleeve. Before Chen Zhaohui could make a move, both men caught a whiff of a strong floral scent. They suddenly felt dizzy, their movements noticeably slowed.
Yang Yan leaped into action; his left leg kicked Chen Zhaohui while his right leg struck Xiao Tianquan. In an instant, both men were sent flying off the stage.
The crowd below also caught a whiff of the floral scent. Lin Ning recognized it as the same fragrance she had encountered earlier when Princess of Yue Ming County had been holding her at Min's residence. Hu Xueyan immediately warned Lin Ning and Lin Xiu to cover their mouths and noses with their sleeves. He pulled out a bottle of red pills from his pocket and handed one to each person to take. The crowd realized that the floral scent released from Yang Yan's sleeve was a type of sedative powder; those who inhaled it would become dizzy and drowsy.
After about two hours, Chen Zhaohui and Xiao Tianquan groggily regained consciousness and shouted at Yang Yan, "Using underhanded tactics—what kind of hero does that make you?" Yang Yan smirked disdainfully, "This is called using deceit against deceit!" Although the crowd felt that Yang Yan's underhanded tactics were unbecoming of a hero, they acknowledged that using such methods against Chen Zhaohui and Xiao Tianquan was indeed fitting for them.
Abbot Zenzi announced that Yang Yan had won the match. The next day's competition concluded with Yang Yan's victory.
On the morning of the third day, the martial arts tournament commenced with a challenge from Yang Yan, the leader of the Sun Moon Gang. Everyone knew that those who would take the stage today were the most formidable figures in the martial world. After two days of observation, Bai Songpeng believed that only he, Lin Enzhe, and Abbot Zenzi remained as true masters. This was the perfect moment for him to make his move.
With a swift motion, Bai Songpeng executed the Great Roc Spreading Its Wings and leaped onto the arena. The golden flute in his hand struck like thunder, aiming fiercely at Yang Yan. Yang Yan picked up his knife to block the golden flute, but it suddenly changed direction and lightly tapped against the tip of Yang Yan's blade, reminiscent of a playful swallow skimming over water.
Bai Songpeng performed a backflip, adjusting his body mid-air before swinging his golden flute again to launch a thunderous strike at Yang Yan. It was a breathtaking display, like a phoenix breaking through the sky, with an aura as fluid as a dragon swimming through clouds after rain, evoking a torrent from the mountains.
As their weapons clashed, Yang Yan was instantly overwhelmed by the force of the golden flute, feeling unable to withstand its ferocity. He stumbled back seven feet, his back pressed against a flagpole at the edge of the arena. Bai Songpeng's golden flute transformed its attack into a straight thrust. With no retreat left, Yang Yan grabbed onto the flagpole and began to climb upwards.
Bai Songpeng let out a deafening roar and soared into the sky, his golden flute becoming a streak of flying rainbow aimed directly at Yang Yan's crown. With no time to think, Yang Yan leaped off the flagpole and landed back on the arena floor. Bai Songpeng pursued relentlessly; his golden flute swept through the air with a whistling sound once more.
Bai Songpeng's assault was fierce, and Yang Yan dared not confront him head-on. Instead, he utilized his lightness skill to dart around the arena, evading attacks while Bai Songpeng struggled to find an opening. Bai Songpeng thought to himself that after more than a hundred exchanges of dodging and weaving, this was not a sustainable strategy. He slowed down his offensive, tempting Yang Yan into a direct confrontation while searching for an opening.
After exchanging blows for several dozen rounds, Bai Songpeng unleashed his lethal move from the Deathly Golden Flute: "Death Grip." The golden flute aimed straight for Yang Yan's throat. Startled, Yang Yan waved his sleeve to release fragrant powder.
Bai Songpeng laughed and said, "That trick won't work anymore; I've already taken the antidote." It turned out that after yesterday's match ended, White Jade Peak had obtained an antidote from Hu Xueyan and given it to Bai Songpeng, who had consumed it before today's competition.
Hearing Bai Songpeng's words caused Yang Yan to lose focus for just a moment; in that instant, Bai Songpeng's right hand had already reached his throat. Yang Yan froze in place, unable to move. Bai Songpeng's left hand gripped Yang Yan's arm like an iron clamp; he tightened his grip until Yang Yan felt excruciating pain in his arm as if it might break.
With immense strength, Bai Songpeng lifted him off the ground; as he pulled upward, Yang Yan's body soared into the air. In one fluid motion, Bai Songpeng threw Yang Yan outward, sending him hurtling off the arena.
Thunderous applause erupted from the crowd. In his heart, Bai Songpeng calculated that only Abbot Zenzi, Yuan Qingtian, Siji, and Lin Enzhe could rival him in martial arts today. Yuan Qingtian and Siji had yet to show themselves; it seemed they would not appear again at this tournament. Now only Abbot Zenzi and Lin Enzhe remained. He wondered which of them would challenge him first.
At that moment, someone in the crowd shouted, "Let Abbot Zenzi step forward to challenge Master Bai, so we can witness a peak duel between two great masters!" The crowd applauded in agreement with this proposal. Abbot Zenzi waved his hand to quiet them down. He said, "I did not come to Jinling with the intention of competing for the title of leader of the martial arts world. As you all know, my daughter and son-in-law disappeared thirteen years ago. I had hoped to see them here at this martial arts tournament, but once again, I am disappointed." As he spoke, a look of sorrow crossed Abbot Zenzi's face. The crowd reminisced about the heroic deeds of Yuan Qingtian and his wife, hoping that one day they would return to the martial world and lead the various factions in great endeavors.
Bai Songpeng turned his gaze towards Lin Enzhe and said, "Who would have thought that the final contest for the leader of the martial arts world would take place between us two families? Truly, it is fate!" The families of Lin Enzhe and Bai Songpeng had become in-laws, and Lin Enzhe had no intention of competing for the title. However, he was aware that Bai Songpeng and Bai Songhe had become pawns of Later Jin Amin Beile. He worried that if Bai Songpeng were to claim the title of leader, he would lead the various factions to ally with Later Jin, resulting in dire consequences. With this thought in mind, Lin Enzhe no longer hesitated; he leaped onto the stage.
Bai Songpeng laughed heartily, "Brother, during our duel, swords and blades do not discriminate. Now that we are in-laws, to avoid any hard feelings, shall we compete without weapons and only use our fists and feet?" Lin Enzhe replied, "That sounds excellent!" The two discarded their weapons—the Golden Flute and the Xuan Yu Sword—setting the stage for a thrilling showdown between two top masters. The crowd was ecstatic as they watched the two engage in a flurry of punches and kicks, creating shadows that danced through the air with a whooshing sound, stirring up gusts of wind. They moved swiftly like lightning, making it difficult for onlookers to distinguish between Lin Enzhe and Bai Songpeng. After exchanging over three hundred blows without a clear victor emerging, the sun began to set. The fading rays cast long shadows of the two figures on the ground. Seeing that neither side could gain an advantage today, Abbot Zenzi announced a pause in the match.
In the evening, the three Lin siblings, Hu Xueyan, and several young people from White Jade Peak gathered together to discuss who would emerge victorious between Bai Songpeng and Lin Enzhe. Lin Cheng, straightforward as ever, declared, "I believe my father will definitely win against Uncle Bai tomorrow." White Jade Peak replied, "I’m not so sure. I think my father's martial arts are superior to yours. Xiu'er, what do you think?" Lin Xiu responded, "Both are our fathers; I’ll be happy no matter who wins!" Lin Cheng retorted, "How can that be the same? Isn’t your own father more important than someone else?" Seeing Lin Cheng's disrespectful words, White Jade Peak became furious and swung a punch at him. Lin Ning quickly raised his right arm to block White Jade Peak's attack, saying, "Our families are already united; let’s not ruin our harmony over a trivial matter." Lin Xiu shot an unhappy glance at Lin Cheng, who thought to himself that it was indeed true that a girl grows up too fast; even before marriage, she was already siding with her in-laws.
As dawn broke, the crowd heard the sounds of fighting outside. They opened their doors to see Lin Enzhe and Bai Songpeng already engaged in battle. In a flurry of punches, the two alternated between offense and defense, their movements as fluid as dragons surging through waves, their power akin to roaring tigers charging forth. The fight was a true display of mastery, a genuine peak battle; aside from the sounds of their combat, the surrounding air seemed to have solidified.
From the first light of dawn until noon, they exchanged over five hundred moves without a clear victor emerging, though their movements had slowed slightly compared to earlier. Suddenly, Bai Songpeng unleashed a move called "Death's Uncertainty," delivering a powerful strike to Lin Enzhe's chest. Lin Enzhe nimbly dodged and countered with a palm strike named "Sudden Revelation," aimed directly at Bai Songpeng's side. Bai Songpeng stepped back effortlessly to evade it. Their movements were swift and precise; each contact resonated with a heavy thud.
Then Lin Enzhe changed tactics and executed a move called "Subtle Mystery," aiming straight for Bai Songpeng's chest. Just as it seemed this punch would hit Bai Songpeng's heart, he shockingly did not evade. Lin Enzhe was taken aback, realizing that if this punch landed on Bai Songpeng's heart, it would result in instant death. Without time to think further, he hurriedly retracted his fist. In that moment of distraction, he noticed Bai Songpeng’s expression darken; his fist twisted in mid-air as he unleashed "Death Grip," his right hand clawing toward Lin Enzhe’s throat…
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