Chapter 29: The Thunderclaps of the Buddha Palm



At first there was a soft flurrying of energy and then a dark ominous force could be felt. And when the strength increased, it was like the shrieking sound of a thunderbird.

Since the [Iron Wing Bird] was a unparalleled martial fighter, he knew instantly something was amiss and his face turned ashen. But because earlier Zhan Bai had received two blows from him, if he were to dodge this incoming, it would place him in an awkward position given his renown in the fraternity.

After Zhan Bai had received two blows from him, he had already guessed as much that this palm force must be an unrivalled skill that was lost in the martial fraternity. Therefore he could only grind his teeth and summoned all his martial powers to receive the incoming blow.

Gongsun Chu found this palm technique a little queer and his quick mind suddenly remembered a legend. Even though he had never seen it before this unrivalled masterstroke from the Western Regions before but he began to call out panicky, “Thunderclaps of the Buddha Palm! Junior brother Ba! Be careful…”

But it was too late as the [Iron Wing Bird] had decided already to receive Zhan Bai’s blow!

To imagine the power of Zhan Bai’s blow, it must be remembered that even the [Divine Ape] did not dare to take the ‘Thunderclaps of the Enoch’ directly!

An earth shaking earthquake shook the ground and howling winds whirled in all directions and when everything had calmed down, they saw that the [Iron Wing Bird] had been knocked back by several yards and his face was a gristly bronze green! And his Iron Wings that were on his back was like a soon to be capsized boat on the open seas…

It was a fortunate thing that he had the protection of his Divine Iron Wing Armor or else he would be injured.

With the [Iron Wing Bird] renowned in the pugilist fraternity and his reputation as the number one fighter in Jiangnan, that he had been beaten back by a young man, shocked people into speechless silence…

Someone commented from a distance, “Just a blow is enough to send the Iron Bird scurrying backward. What a strong and solid palm force!”

And then another voice that came from a young maiden cried out sweetly, “Zhan Gege!”

This startled everyone and they turned around and saw a beautiful handsome young man and an extraordinary beautiful maiden in cotton dress.

That young maiden was about sixteen to seventeen year old. And she had a natural brightness in her presence and she was as captivating as a beautiful flower.

Even though Jin Caifeng was the most beautiful maiden in Jiangnan but the pureness and beauty of this young maiden was not beneath her. Especially that exquisite air around her that was like spring that gave life to the surroundings. Compared to her beauty, she was like another clear image!

And this lively young maiden was Wan’Er!

As for this beautiful young man, his simple clothing could not hide his beauty. Compared to Zhan Bai and Young Master Qilin, he was handsome too but did not look as ragged as Zhan Bai nor did he have Young Master Qilin air of nobility. He looked pleasing and unassuming.

He was none other than Young Master Duanfang!

But Zhan Bai did not know who was he. But when he saw them appearing together, a feeling of jealousy overwhelmed him even though he had no feelings for her.

But when he saw Wan’Er with this beautiful young man, he was really unhappy.

But Wan’Er did not care a hoot of what others might think. After she had found Zhan Bai, she flew with open arms like a bird into Zhan Bai as she hugged his arm in a heart- warming affection. She chirped happily, “Zhan Gege! You have finally mastered your skills? This is so good…”

Now it was Young Master Duanfang’s turn to be jealous.

At first, Jin Caifeng had been attracted by the extraordinary air of Young Master Duanfang but when she saw Wan’Er flew straight into the arms of Zhan Bai, a look of envy and jealousy was betrayed on her face as she said. “I see that not only do the both of you know another and it seems to be quite good as well…”

Young Master Qilin on the other hand was quite cheerful. It was because he wanted to befriend all the talents in the fraternity and recruited them to his side. When he saw that the other young man was extraordinary in appearances, he bowed with his hands and asked, “I am Young Master Qilin. May I know young hero’s name?”

Young Master Duanfang turned ashen once again as he too bowed with his hands. “Forgive my impoliteness! I see that you are the famous Young Master Qilin from the City of Nanjing! I am Duanfang and I am most fortunate to know you!”

When everyone heard that he was Young Master Duanfang who together with their Young Master Qilin, was of the few most renowned names in the martial fraternity, they were startled.

Now it was Young Master Qilin’s turn to be startled for he knew that they were rivals and he lost all interests in trying to recruit him to his side. Instead, secretly he had decide to exert pressure on this rival so that he could be bowed over by him. So he laughed, “Indeed I am fortunate as well! I will never expect it to be the famous Young Master Duanfang!”

But Wan’Er chipped in, “Interesting! So we have the [Ever Hospitable] Xiangling and the [Roaming Wanderer] Duanfang here. If I could ask my older brother to be present here and if we could find the [Dashing Joy Seeker] Anle, then all the Young asters of the Martial Fraternity would then be presented huh!”

Young Master Qilin turned around in doubt, “Do you mean that young maiden, your older brother is the [Heartless Wind] Young Master Lingfeng!”

Wan’Er nodded and laughed, “You are so right!”

Young Master Qilin smiled, “Then may I ask for young mistress Murong to help me carry a message to your brother that I would like to meet him!…”

Wan’Er interrupted. “My surname is not Murong but is Zhan!”

Once again, Young Master Qilin was startled and he asked, “Young mistress and Young Master Lingfeng are not real siblings?”

Very unhappily, Wan’Er answered. “Who say that my brother and I are not real siblings? My surname is Zhan…” Then her big eyes blinked at Zhan Bai and she held his hand to say, “I have the same surname as Zhan Gege!”

Zhan Bai’s heart jumped out when he heard that. Even though he knew the exact reason why her surname was Zhan but he had never expected Wan’Er to declare so affirmative her familiar ties with him without feeling embarrassed!

He was also feeling strange. Wasn’t the Young Masters of the Martial Fraternity, the sons of the [Jiangnan Seven Heroes]? Why was that they did not know of one another? Did they never revealed their past to their descendants and they cut off all contacts with one another?

Zhan Bai did not know that he had guessed correctly. Years ago, when the seven heroes of Jiangnan had each departed to setup their family, to avoid their enemies due to their fame, they set up their homes in secretive places around the fraternity. When the Lake Dongting incident happened, they had already maintained few contacts with one another. Furthermore to their wives, sons and daughters, they rarely referred to their once glorious days. Therefore their descendants did not know of their misdeeds and one another.

Only Murong Han and Fan Fei still maintained familiar ties with one another. But because Murong Han’s wife was a famous beauty, he was constantly in suspicious and in doubt of her. Whenever his wife had some contacts with any men, he would instantly be filled with fire of jealousy even though nothing had happened.

Once, during the hot summer, when Fan Fei’s wife came to visit the Murong Manor. It so happened that Murong Han was not at home and since it was the hot summer, Lady Murong began to invite Lady Fan to the bathroom to freshen up. As it was breezy and comfortable in the bath area, Lady Fan fell asleep.

When Murong Han returned home and saw that some one was in the bath area, he began to have wild thoughts that Fan Fei and his wife had betrayed him and was in the bath area together. Therefore he flew into a rage and barged into the bath area without checking his facts and saw the naked Fan Fei.

Afterwards, he was chipped by Lady Murong for not knowing the proper conducts and everyone in the Murong Manor began to whisper all sorts of rumors like how Murong Han and Lady Fan was actually having fun together in the bath area. This caused Lady Fan to commit suicide in embarrassment!

That was why several years later, the Fan Clan, led by the [Three Swords and one Mystical Bird], together with several top exponents raided the Murong Manor thirsting for vengeance, to avenge Lady Fan!

Putting aside this first, at this moment when Young Master Qilin had heard that both Zhan Bai and Wan’Er shared the same surname, he laughed with realization. “So I see that young mistress Murong and Brother Zhan had already been married to one another. It is really a comparable match! Congratulations! Congratulations!…”

Now that Young Master Qilin had misunderstood it, Zhan Bai and Wan’Er was brushing too deeply to correct it while Young Master Duanfang and Jin Caifeng was looking on with great disappointment…

Zhan Bai, still flushing deeply, hurried to explain. “Young Master, if you do not know the facts, you shouldn’t have made a wild guess! We are not…”

But before Zhan Bai could finish, Young Master Duanfang had turned around and walked away.

Young Master Qilin did not notice Zhan Bai for when he saw that Young Master Duanfang had walked away without notice, he raised his voice to say, “Young Master Duanfang, please wait! I still have words for you!”

Young Master Duanfang did not turn back his head but bowed with his hands on the spot and said, “I have urgent matters to attend to and I have to leave now!”

When Young Master Qilin saw that Young Master Duanfang insisted on leaving even though he had tried to stop him, he sprang in front of him to say. “Why leave so hastily? May I know why are you not in the West Lake and you have come to this desolate parts?”

Young Master Duanfang coldly exclaimed. “No one owns the mountains and the forests. I, Duangfang is a wanderer. Why shouldn’t I be wandering around here?”

Young Master Qilin smiled coldly. “Everyone has the right to walk freely so who can stop Young Master Duanfang from going anywhere? But no matter what, you have to explain clearly your business here!"

By then, the top exponents of the Jin Residence had surrounded Young Master Duanfang and it looked like anytime if Young Master Qilin were to give a command, they would fall upon him!

Young Master Duanfang looked around for awhile before he laughed loudly. “What if I still do not want to tell you my business here?”

Young Master Qilin became solemn and said, “Then I have to retain you!”

Young Master Duanfang answered. “Just because you have many men?”

“I, Xianglin alone is enough to retain you!”

At this moment, Gongsun Chu said, “Why bother our esteem Young Master to lift your hands on this junior? Allow me to learn something from this renowned Young Master Duanfang. I would really like to see what he is capable of!”

But Young Master Qilin raised his hand to stop the aggressive Gongsun Chu and explained to Young Master Duanfang. “Honestly speaking. The Jin Residence had lost something very important in this area and it is so coincidence that you are here. You can’t blame me for feeling suspicious!”

Young Master Duanfang smirked. “I afraid that the item that you have lost is turn stolen by others, am I right?”

Young Master Qilin lost his composure and shouted, “So it is you! Accept my challenge!”

Young Master Quanfang shouted aloud, “Great timing!”

Both were swift and in a blink of an eye, they had both exchanged three to five strokes before they locked blows with one another with their palms before they scurried backward.

Young Master Duanfang felt a numbness in his shoulders while Young Master Qilin felt a burning sensation in his hands. Both were equaled in power!

Both quickly entangled into another fight once again.

Gongsun Chu was afraid that his Young Master would come to harm, therefore he raised his palm with a great shout towards Young Master Duanfang.

Young Master Duanfang managed to push back Young Master Qilin before he narrowly evaded Gongsun Chu’s blow.

By now, he was heavily surrounded by the top exponents from the Jin Residence. He laughed hilariously, “So the renowned Young Master Qilin is only capable of using wolf pack tactics to win!” And then he put out a whistle and blew it.

And hundreds of beggars appeared from view in all directions each wielding a staff!

Young Master Qilin and the rest of the Jin Residence were stunned when they saw so many beggars appearing from nowhere undetected! And they were begging for alms!

Wan’Er thought for awhile before she exclaimed aloud. “I see that he is the King of the Beggars!”

Zhan Bai did not understand and he asked. “Who was that? Who are you referring to?”

Wan’Er pointed to Young Master Duanfang and said. “That is him huh!”

Suddenly Zhan Bai had remembered that Wan’Er had appeared with Young Master Duanfang so he asked, “Wan’Er. Aren’t you supposed to learn martial skills from the [Divine Ape]. Why are you with Young Master Duanfang?”

So Wan’Er recounted to him what had happened. She had carried the [Divine Ape] in search for a suitable cave and then how they were poisoned by a ‘Mercury Spring’ and how they were saved by Young Master Duanfang. And how the [Divine Ape] sent him to flight with his words. Afterwards, the [Divine Ape] had taught her his martial skills for ninety days before he had died and how she chanced upon Young Master Duanfang who had helped her to bury the elderly senior.

While Wan’Er began her recounting in the cave and the descriptions of those dead men fitted the ‘Outrageous Five Flying Cloud’ that had tried to rob him while he was still an escort runner. Since they had failed in the robbery, how did they come into possession two chests of treasures?

Since the hundreds of beggars were pressing through from everywhere, he did not have the time to ask Wan’Er…

Young Master Duanfang laughed merrily. “Since you like to win by numbers, so can I win by numbers!” And he leapt onto a tall boulder and began to sit down. “My poor beggar brothers! These people are rich and wealthy. It is time for you to ask them for alms!”

And the beggars broke into a huge din as they cried out for various alms.

But in the midst of the din, they had already formed a huge formation called the ‘Beggar Formation’ with their bamboo staff and their footsteps were weird and secretive.

The top exponents of the in Residence became nervous and Gongsun Chu said in a low voice to Young Master Qilin. “Young Master! Be very careful! This is the famous ‘Beggar Formation’! Let my Junior Brother Ba and I fend it for awhile. Young Mistress and you must quickly get out of this formation. If there is anything else, we have to wait until then to discuss!

Those hundreds of beggars were surrounding them with their green bamboo staff and it was like a huge whirlwind as they moved their weapons.

Young Master Qilin and Jin Caifeng were startled and knew how deadly the formation was and they could only nodded their heads in silence consent.

Gongsun Chu then appointed from among the Jin Residence top exponents, Wang Zhaoming from the Heaven Sword Clan, Shi Jiaoliang from Changshan and the two Ouyang brothers from Mt. Hengshen to guide Young Master Qilin and Jin Caifeng to safety.

As the Beggar Formation swiftly took upon its effect in a gigantic maddening torrent of wild attacks, even Gongsun Chu was forced to respond with his best palm force that he had training for the past sixty years!

Even the [Iron Wing Bird] responded with all his might as he sprang into the beggars like a gigantic eagle with his earth shaking Iron Wing Divine Skill!

When combined, one below and one on top, the [Twins Ironguards of the Jin Residence] displayed the most powerful attacking stance as they tried to break this Beggar Formation!

At first, the formation seemed to have halt but it was but an illusion as the hundreds of staff dissolved the palm force of the [Twin Ironguards of the Jin Residence] into nothingness!

Because the entire Beggar Formation was a moving formation, Young Master Qilin found himself trapped in the middle.

Zhan Bai and Wan’Er was also trapped as well!

Wan’Er chirped melody. “How could you! You do not even let me off as well!” And she raised out her hands and flickered with her fingers and two beggars dropped instantly onto the ground.

The combined forces of the [Twin Ironguards of the Jin Residence] was super awesome and the attack stance was extremely fierce but the Beggar Formation could easily absorb their attacks but why not Wan’Er’s attacks?

Furthermore, she was only sixteen to seventeen. It was really a weird thing!

But Zhan Bai knew the reason why. It was because the [Iron Guts Divine Donkey] had warned him that the [Divine Ape] had a uniquely powerful skill that he must be beware of for it was near impossible to block it.

And Zhan Bai cried out in astonishment. “Soul Seeking Fingers! You actually know the Soul Seeking Fingers?!” He could not control his outburst because he was too startled with disbelief.

Wan’Er snapped, “I am not willing to learn huh! What can I do when that old monster kept forcing me to?” Then she laughed charmingly at him. “But Zhan Gege, please do not worry. Your sister will never use this vicious masterstroke against you…”

But Zhan Bai was really unhappy with her. First, she had called the [Divine Ape] an old monster. This annoyed him for no matter how peculiar was the [Divine Ape] Tie Ling, he was the one that had taught her his martial skills. Even if there were no Mentor relationship but if martial skills were involved, the student would still need to respect the Mentor as his or her Mentor. This code of conduct was very important in the martial fraternity.

By calling the [Divine Ape] as an old monster, she was being disrespectful to him. Furthermore, Wan’Er annoyed him a second time when she said that she would not use this vicious masterstroke on him. It was obviously that she was looking down on him.

Just when Zhan Bai was about to berate her for that, the bulk of the Beggar Formation was upon them! For they had seen Wan’Er killing two of their own when she lifted her fingers and they were infuriated!

In fact, so infuriated were their furies with Wan’Er that the attacks that were unleashed were many times stronger than their earlier attacks against the [Twin Ironguards of the Jin Residence]!

Wan’Er could sense the staves coming in like shadowy mountains collapsing onto them. She was startled and lifted two fingers on both her hands again. Because her internal power had not reached the necessary level yet, therefore she could not use all her fingers yet in regard to this unrivalled ‘Soul Seeking Fingers’ martial skill.

In panicky, Wan’Er unleashed her the Soul Seeking Fingers once more and injured another two.

Indeed, the Soul Seeking Fingers were powerful and as she continued to point her four fingers in the incoming torrid attacks, the top exponents from the Beggar Formation were alerted to her skill and had rushed forward to aid the formation. She could only injured two more before they were on her!

She was so startled that she cried out as she dodged right and left. It was a good that her swiftness agility was very good, coupled with the fact that her ‘Walking in the Air Miracle’ was also a uniquely superior swiftness skill that she managed to escape unscathed. But in the process, she was in an extreme panicky state and she had turned ashen…

Zhan Bai had unleashed two ‘Thunderclaps of the Buddha Palm’ but like Wan’Er, he had not reached the stage where he could unleashed it anytime he wanted. After that, he could only dodge left and right as he endured bitterly in the formation.

Nor only Wan’Er and Zhan Bai had to fight alone bitterly in the formation, all the rest of the top exponents in the Jin Residence, the Twin Ironguards, Young Master Qilin and his sister, was all trapped as well.

This Beggar Formation was most marvelous. Consisted of hundreds of people, the changes in the formation was unpredictable and it seemed to create an illusion of tens of thousands of shadowy bamboo images as it swirled and attacked from all directions!

Only the [Iron Wing Bird] Ba Tianhe fared slightly better. It was because he had his Divine Iron Wing Armor on him, that he could jump really high and to avoid the terrible sufferings below. But it was only a temporary relief since he could do nothing while in the air and he had to land all the time eventually.

Zhan Bai’s Thunderclaps of the Buddha Palm and Wan’Er’s Soul Seeking Fingers were powerful enough to occasionally send one or two beggar to their maker and also created some breathing spaces for themselves.

There was a loud scream and a top exponent from the Jin Residence was thrown out of the Beggar Formation for he was dead. He was covered with bruises and purple blood, obviously he had been severely beaten by the bamboo staves and when he could no longer resist, was thrown out of the formation to be trampled upon!

All these while, the beggars were still shouting for alms!

[Iron Wing Bird] was stunned and angry. He empowered himself with his Iron Wing Divine Skill and the Soaring Eagle swiftness skill as he attacked furiously but to no avail!

But Wan’Er who had always been exceptional bright and was a quick thinker, saw it. This gave her an idea as she thought. “Why suffer in the formation when I could learn from that Old Bird and use the Walking in the Air Miracle swiftness skill to hop up and down? It is better than staying trapped below!”

Therefore, she ascended upward by borrowing the windforce of the bamboo staves as she started to dance in mid-air.

Because Wan’Er was very beautiful, coupled with her exquisite bearing and the grace of her uniquely swiftness skill, she was like the Celestial Maiden from the Ninth Heavens as she danced in the moonlight. The view was stunning and breathtaking!

Young Master Duanfang who had been siting on a slope exclaimed aloud, “What marvelous swiftness skill! So stunning as well!…”

It would be better if he did not say anything. For he attracted her notice.

Wan’Er was trapped in this Beggar Formation for no good reason at all and she was certainly extremely unhappy about it. This annoyed her so much that she mustered all her strength and she leapt on tip-toes on the windforce that was generated by the bamboo staves as she sprang like she was flying towards Young Master Duanfang!

Even though the distance was more than hundred feet away but Wan’Er did not even land on the ground as twice, she borrowed the invisible force that was generated by the bamboo staves as she leapt onto the tall boulder that was thirty feet high!

Young Master Duanfang kept praising her as he welcomed her ascend.

But Wan’Er hated him for trapping her in the Beggar Formation as well and even before she had landed, she had lifted her fingers and an extremely powerful invisible force that carried a windforce screamed through the air towards his chest!

Young Master Duanfang was startled and he did not dare to block this incoming attack. As he turned around in a hurry to avoid it, he was also calling out, “Maiden! Why did you attack me?”

Wan’Er was already standing on top of the tall boulder. She groaned and coldly said. “Why did you ask your beggars to surround me as well? What is the meaning of this?”

Young Master Duanfang had a bitter smile on his face. “If you do not stand with them, the beggars will never dare to find your trouble…”

Wan’Er replied, “If you do not happen to stand here, then I will not attack you as well!”

Young Master Duanfang was stunned into speechlessness by Wan’Er reply and could neither laugh nor cry. But he retained his composure to ask, “Then maiden, may I know where can I go?”

Wan’Er stared at him and said. “Why should I care where you should go? But if your beggars were to hurt even one hair from my Zhan Gege’s head, I would take your life in return!”

This infuriated Young Master Duanfang. Firstly, Wan’Er was too heartless in her speech and secondly, the way Wan’Er was so protective of Zha Bai aroused his jealousy. He furrowed for a moment before a malevolent air flashed on his face as he laughed. “My life is not that worthless as to compensate for someone’s else hair!”

Wan’Er immediately replied, “Do you think that I am unable to kill you huh?”

Before Young Master Duanfang could reply, yet another wretched scream was heard from one of the top expert exponents of the Jin Residence. He had died in a similar manner as the earlier man that had perished in the Beggar Formation.

And the angry shouts of Young Master Qilin and Gongsun Chu were heard, their rage had reached boiling point and a series of fierce counterattacks were heard.

But the most angry of all was the hot-tempered and impatience [Iron Wing Bird] Ba Tianhe!

But this ‘Beggar Formation’ was simple too powerful and totally unpredictable! Even though the top exponents of the Jin Residence tried countless times to find a loophole in the formation but it was futile.

All of a sudden, there appeared a five feet wide hole in the middle of this strict and rigid Beggar Formation! And in the midst of that vacuum, was Zhan Bai with his Heartless Precious Sword!

When Zhan Bai found himself unable to break out of the formation, he was feeling extremely vexing at heart. Therefore he drew out the Heartless Precious Sword from his back.

The Heartless Precious Sword was indeed an exceptional sharp divine weapon. When Zhan Bai executed his newly learnt wordplay ‘Wind and Thunder Diagram Swordplay’ with his Heartless Precious Sword with the stroke ‘Wind Shaker and Thunderclaps’, he cleared a vacuum that was five feet wide.

This sudden attack caught the beggars by surprise and five to six bamboo staves were severed by the Heartless Precious Sword!

These green bamboo staves were called the ‘Dog beating stick’ and must be presented by the Beggar Chief personally during the beggar gathering ceremony. And it was a weapon that was held in high regard.

Every three years, there would be a ceremony gathering and those that had been in the sect for three years or more would be entitled to a wooden stick. After another six years or more in the sect, a yellow bamboo stick would then be presented. The yellow bamboo stick was called the bitter bamboo stick. And a total of nine years or more would have to pass before that.

As for this green bamboo stick, that was also called the dog beating stick, they would only get it after twelve or more years later after they got the yellow bamboo stick. That was why only those proteges that had highly martial accomplishments could deserve to have this stick.

And the hundreds of beggars here were all top martial exponents and they had at least twenty years of martial training for they were all carrying the dog beating stick!

That was why they could trap all the top exponents from the Jin Residence, even Young Master Qilin and his sister, Zhan Bai and all the rest of the super exponents!

Moreover, the green bamboo stick was specially made on the island of Hainan and it was as solid as steel. Even a normal precious sword could not damage it! But now, with a swing of his Heartless Precious Sword, Zhan Bai had severed five to six of them! One could only imagine the martial power executed by Zhan Bai!

This stunned all the hundreds of beggars for a while those beggars who had lost their weapons were not only stunned, they were extremely sorrowful and were also extremely indignant!

Zhan Bai was still standing awe-inspiring in the middle but he did not continue with his success and followed up his attacks.

Wan’Er exhaled in great delight, “Zhan Gege!…”

Young Master Duanfang had an abrupt change in his countenance as he hurriedly yelled aloud. “My poor friends! If the beggars are annihilated then we will have no face to meet our honorable grandmaster!”

This had the immediately effect of arousing their will to fight and once again, they raised their green bamboo sticks and leashed furiously at Zhan Bai.

And by now, they had stopped their pleads for alms and were filled with raving shouts instead as hundreds of bamboo sticks rained upon Zhan Bai in furies.

But Zhan Bai was like a winged tiger with a sword in his hands. When he first broke the formation temporary with his sword, he did not continue to attack, as he did not want to kill unnecessary. But now when they leashed at him with such a fierce mounting attacks, he had no choice but to display the second stroke of the ‘Wind and Thunder Diagram Swordplay’--- ‘Raging Thunder and Violent Wind’ and his sword leashed out like thunder and wind, moving like a dark cloud as it flashed forth.

Blood spattered everywhere and in an instant, seven to eight beggars either broke their bamboo sticks or had their arms severed and their terrified cries were horrible!

Once again, the mobs of beggars began to back off in startled shock and stared at him. Even though they were all looking at him venomously with rage, they did not dare to step forward.

Zhan Bai exclaimed in a loud but clear voice. “If you do not back off, I will indeed shown no mercy and will retaliate!”

Indeed, the beggars were so awestruck by Zhan Bai that none dare to come forward.

An old beggar that was about sixty took a step forward and said, “Us beggars know what is a favor when we see it. May I know if you tell us your name so that in the future, we can repay the gratitude?”

Zhan Bai replied. “My trivial name is Zhan Bai!”

The old beggar exclaimed. “So it is the Great Hero Zhan! Us beggar sect will remember this in our hearts and will seek to repaid you!

Zhan Bai said, “I am forced to attack! I have no wish to make enemies out of your esteem sect. If you really want to remember this vendetta in your hearts, I have nothing to say and I will accept the challenges from your esteem sect anytime!”

The old beggar lifted his thumb. “What a hero! Your courage is indeed worthy of praise…”

Young Master Duanfang called out anxiously. “Old Beggar Gong! Is it time for a festival? Look over there! They are breaking out soon….”

So it seemed that while this Old Beggar Gong was talking to Zhan Bai, the fighters from the Jin Residence had almost broke out of the Beggar Formation as they mounted another fierce breakthrough.

Even though the Beggar Formation was extremely deadly but the key to the power of this formation lied in the moving chain. A few dead people would never affect the Beggar Formation but once the formation stopped its movement, it would affect the formation severely.

Therefore the fighters of the Jin Residence took the opportunity to mount another breakthrough attempt when the formation was suddenly stopped due to a sudden mishap that had caused astonishment among the beggars. This caused the formation to be thrown into a state of confusion.

Old Beggar Gong was alerted to it by Young Master Duanfang and Zhan Bai was left alone in smaller numbers, as the rest of the beggars began to move the formation in greater numbers towards the fighters of the Jin Residence.

Once again, the fighting intensified.

Even though Young Master Duanfang had alerted Old Beggar Gong but he had also alerted the [Iron Wing Bird] Ba Tianhe who was gliding in mid-air when the formation intensified.

He thought, “The best way to round off the thieves is to capture their head! Young rascal, you have been sitting on that hill slope and directing this formation. Let me capture you then and the formation will be dissolved on its own accord!”

And he spread out his iron wings and soared like a gigantic bird into the air. Even before he had reached, his powerful windforce had arrived!

Young Master Duanfang raised both his palms to accept the challenge. Both windforces clashed with a loud sound in mid-air but it failed to stop Ba Tianhe from continuing his ascent towards him!

Young Master Duanfang was startled and he tried to evade the incoming [Iron Wing Bird] Ba Tianhe but he was simply flying too fast and in an instant was on top of his head.

Ba Tianhe shouted with a thunderous roar, “Surrender your life, Junior!”

Young Master Duanfang was extremely alarmed as he cried out. “Oh dear!…” And he knew he was in a terrible awkward situation.

But Wan’Er was also standing besides Young Master Duanfang and [Iron Wing Bird]’s windforce had disturbed her and she gave a delicate shout. “You are courting your own death!” And she lifted her fingers to flicker a delicate windforce towards Ba Tianhe’s heart.

Earlier, Ba Tianhe had seen the awesome power of Wan’Er’s Soul Seeking Fingers and knew how deceptive this delicate windforce was and he hurried his iron wings to evade it but he was still a little too late. Wan’Er had pierced his Divine Iron Wing Armor with a hole! This divine armor was impervious to all weapons!

He had an abrupt change in his expressions as he turned ashen. “How dare you! How dare a lowly wretch like you damage my precious divine armor! I will tear you to pieces and scattered your remains in the wilderness!”

Wan’Er saw that he had his claws extending out and coming towards her in an extremely aggressive manner. As she did not know what deadly and vicious skills was he going to use next, she kept to a defensive posture.

But Young Master Duanfang who was saved by Wan’Er in a timely fashion, had by now regained his composure but he was also angry. When he saw that Ba Tianhe had his back against him as he went aggressively after Wan’Er, he raised his fingers to use his family unique skill ‘Origin Finger’ and raised it against his back.

Ba Tianhe had mustered his internal power and just when he was about to confront Wan’Er to avenge his divine iron wing armor, he felt a windforce behind his back and knew that someone was assaulting him from the back. This infuriated him even more and he turned around with the ‘Great Reversal Stance’, having mustering all his internal powers to its peak as he clashed headlong into Young Master Duanfang’s ‘Original Finger’.

There was a thunderous cracking sound that shook the place and two miserable howls were heard.

One came from Young Master Duanfang, who had been knocked tens of feet down the tall boulder as he flew down in a head down and leg up position.

The other miserable howl came from [Iron Wing Bird] as he felt a great pain that originated from the ‘Origin Finger’ when they clashed blows with one another. And then he saw there was an inflamed spot on his left palm!

The [Iron Wing Bird had rampaged the pugilist fraternity in havoc for tens of years and had never met his match. Now that someone had damaged his divine armor and even injured his hand, this aroused his natural brutal character and his will to kill. He suppressed his pain and sprang downwards to where Young Master Duanfang was.

Even though Young Master Duanfang had been thrown down the slope, he only sustained a light injury. He lifted his vital energy while he was still in an upside down position while in mid-air and landed on his feet on the ground.

But at this moment of time, Ba Tianhe had already descended upon him once more with his right palm in a hacking stance!

Young Master Duanfang knew the power of Ba Tianhe’s palm force now and because he was also injured, he did not dare to accept the incoming blow. He could only dodge it!

But their howls of miseries had already alarmed the top martial exponents in the Beggar Formation and tens of them appeared with their staves.

Even before Ba Tianhe’s second blow could be unleashed, he was forced into retreat by tens of green bamboo staves that swung together as one!

This made him even angrier as he raised his powerful blows and knocked down several beggars. But the beggars were numerous. When he pushed one back, another would immediately replace the other.

Not only did the beggars saved Young Master Duanfang, they had also succeeded in trapping him in the Beggar Formation!

There were many that were either dead or injured now. Many of the top exponents of the Jin Residence had perished in the formation. But so did many of the beggars when the formation had slowed down earlier. A greater number of beggars were also killed by Zhan Bai. The Twin Ironguards of the Jin Residence were vicious and exceptional powerful, every stance, every stroke generated by them would fell three to five beggars.

This had become a massacre!

Suddenly there was a great shout that resounded throughout the place. “Stop fighting!”

This shout was like a thunderbolt and piercing to the ears and filled with vitality. Everyone could not resist the commanding voice and had actually ceased to fight.

Standing on an opposite peak was tens of pugilists. Even though they could not see who was the one that shouted earlier but when these group of pugilists moved, they were all unearthly quick! And in an instant, they were just tens of feet away from them! Obviously, they were all highly endowed in martial prowess!

The man at the lead appeared to be the leader of this group. He was about twenty-five and was wearing a worn clothing and carried a torn book in his hands. His eyes was piercing and he had a commanding presence.

Only Zhan Bai had recognized him. Indeed, he was Young Master Anle! Accompanying by his side was Xiang Chongtian. Zhan Bai did not recognize the rest of the top exponents behind him though.

Young Master Anle whose real name was Yun Zheng saw Zhan Bai. He proceeded to nodd his head with smiles on his face to him.

But when he saw the Heartless Precious Sword that was in his hands, he was amazed. “Congratulations to Brother Zhan. You have finally found the sword that you have lost!”

Zhan Bai replied. “All thanks to Young Master’s blessings!…”

In the past when Zhan Bai had first known of Young Master Anle’s chivalrous ways, he wanted to befriend him. But now that he knew that all the four Young Masters of the Martial Fraternity were the sons of his father’s killers, he was not interested anymore. Therefore he did not try to be polite.

Young Master Anle had a slight red on his face because it was in his hands that Zhan Bai’s sword was stolen away. Even though he had pursued for half a day and still could not find the sword. Therefore for a moment, he could only smiled bitterly and did not know what to say…

Wan’Er had sprung down from the slope of the tall boulder and was standing just besides Zhan Bai. When she heard Zhan Bai addressing this badly dressed young man as a Young Master, she could help laughing. “Another Young Master has arrived! Why is there so many Young Masters?”

How matter how he looked, Wan’Er thought that he did not deserve to be one.

Zhan Bai thought to himself, “Don’t you know him? He is Young Master Anle! He share the same renown as your brother!”

Everyone was startled at the same time and they began to look at this Young Master Anle in much closer detail now.

Young Master Anle bowed with his hands. “I am Yun Zheng. It is only because of the kindred spirits of my friends in the pugilist fraternity that I am hailed as Young Master Anle. I happen to past by this place. May I know why everyone is fighting with one another?”

Young Master Qilin bowed with his hands as well. “It's an honor to meet you at long last! I've long looked forward to meeting you! I am Xianglin. Even though I have not the chance to know you but it is as though we have known one another for a long time!”

When Young Master Anle and his exponents heard that this man was Young Master Qilin himself, they were taken aback.

Young Master Anle laughed. “My apologies! So it is the renowned Young Master Qilin! It seem that what I am doing is more than what is required!”

It was because Young Master Anle was a nosy person that enjoyed meddling in others affair. But now, when he had learnt that it was Young Master Qilin himself that was creating a din, he knew that he might not be able to swallow it so he purposely said that.

When Young Master Duanfang who had seen them making introductions to one another but left himself out, he purposely sighed.

It could not escape the meticulous mind of Wan’Er. She knew instantly the reason for sighing and then she coincidentally giggled. “What a fortunate day. We already have three out of our Young Masters of the Martial Fraternity here today. Come, let me introduce you to Young Master Duanfang!” And she pointed her finger towards him.

Young Master Duanfang immediately bowed with his hands and repeated twice. “My honor to meet you!”

Young Master Anle and his henchmen were even more taken aback. They had not expected the other two young masters of the martial fraternity had created this din!

Wan’Er added. “It seem that I must really call for my brother!”

Zhan Bai was slowed to understand and he asked. “Why ask your brother to be here?”

Young Master Anle began to laugh aloud. “Needless to say, this maiden must be Young Master Lingfeng’s sister!”

Zhan Bai finally realized what Wan’Er was up to. So he said. “If the four Young Masters of the Martial Fraternity were to gather together, it must be a major event in the annals of the martial fraternity. But what a pity. Your brother will never be able to arrive in time!”

Young Master Qilin had a sudden idea. He was ambitious and had long wanted to bow over the other three young masters, dominate the entire martial fraternity and lord over all the heroes.

He laughed all of a sudden. “What so difficult about this! Us four Young Masters of the Martial Fraternity have shared the same renown. I have long wanted to meet. Now that Brother Zhan has mentioned it, I am thinking of making use of this fine opportunity to invite everyone to my humble abode for a gathering. May I know if the two Young Masters and Young Mistress Zhan will be willing to accommodate my request?”

Young Master Duanfang said coldly, “How then do we resolve what happen today?” He was referring to the numerous injured and dead beggars that were here.

Young Master Qilin smirked coldly. “Once all the four young masters have gathered, we will debt the new debts together with the old. Isn’t it better and much more logical?” Even though what he said was high-sounding but he actually felt quite isolated. It was because he did not know if Young Master Anle was friend or foe yet. If they had continued to fight, he was afraid that Young Master Anle would take this opportunity to wipe them out.

Young Master Duanfang was also afraid of the same time. Moreover too many of his beggars were either injured or dead. He had to think of his beggars’ welfare first. So he lifted his gaze and asked. “But on which day will the gathering be?”

Young Master Qilin considered for awhile before adding. “Let us enjoy our new year first and hold it on the fifteen day of the first lunar month next year. Let this Yuanxiao date be our gathering. What does everyone think of it?”

Young Master Anle began to laugh aloud. “If it is held at night, it will even be better. Imagine this, the night of Yuanxiao, all the four martial young masters had gathered in Nanjing. This will be a much talked about event for a long time!”

Young Master Duanfang said, “I will surely be there. But as to boast the moods of everyone presented, I will bring along a legendary treasure of the martial fraternity, the the Water Ascension Jade and let it be viewed by everyone!”

Young Master Qilin countenance became awful and dark. It was because this the Water Ascension Jade that he was going to bring happened to be his family heirloom! It was stolen three months ago and it was also why he had led his top exponents to this wilderness in search of it!

At first, he had suspected that Young Master Duanfang had stolen it. But he did not have any proof. But now when he heard that, he was both taken aback and upset. But he added. “Great! Then we shall decide it this way then! As I will like to increase the moods of everyone, I will also present a legendary treasure known as the Immortal Golden Cinnabar and allow everyone to take a look!”

This time round, it was Young Master Duanfang’s turn to be taken aback as his countenance changed. It was because this Immortal Golden Cinnabar was his family heirloom. It was lost on the way from Bejing to Hangzhou. That was why he had led the top fighters of the Beggar Sect in search of the missing treasure. It was also the reason why he had come to this wilderness!

And now that Young Master Qilin had mentioned it, he knew now that it was stolen by the Jin Residence!

Young Master Anle laughed merrily as he clapped the old book on his hands. “Since all the Young Masters will be showcasing wondrous treasures for the people in the martial fraternity, I, Yun Zheng will not be stingy as well. I’ll surely bring the Epitome Martial Chronicles to the gathering as well!”

When Young Master Anle mentioned the Epitome Martial Chronicles, everyone was shocked…

On another hand, Zhan Bai was filled with resentments and rage. He grinds his teeth and muttered to himself. “The three legendary treasures! It must not be wrong! It must be them!…”




Chapter 29 Ended

Chapter 30: The Final Showdown



The Jin Residence was also called the Jiangnan number one residence. So exceedingly rich was the Jin Clan that their wealth was equaled to the entire nation.

It was the fifteen day of the first lunar month and today was also an important day.

The gates of the Jin Residence were opened and guards in golden armors and swords stood in two rows to welcome the guests. And among the guards, were tens of top exponents from the Jin Residence as they stood at the gates to welcome the guests.

Among them, was a handsome young man with a missing left arm. Beneath his handsome face, was a cunning and ruthless personality. And he was Meng Ruping.

Ever since he lost his left arm to Zhan Bai, he had begun to hate him to the bone. He thought of going after Zhan Bai to seek vendetta for himself. But when he heard that Zhan Bai would also be attending this Yuanxiao gathering, he decided to stay in the Jin Residence so that he could train himself in several vicious and ruthless skills.

Before sundown, he had already been standing in wait to welcome the heroes of the fraternity and was also waiting for Zhan Bai to appear so that he could avenge himself.

But after waiting for a long time, all he could see were the heroes of the martial fraternity and all the distinguished people from all over the place.

Meng Ruping was terribly disappointed in his heart and thought that Zhan Bai would not turn up. Just when he was about to make clear about some affairs to the Jin protégés before retiring into the hall, he heard a strange and weird tingling sound of some bells.

A vigorous young man that seeming radiated a heroic aura was seen riding a thin and furry small donkey. He had what seemed to be an extremely valuable precious sword on his back and he had stopped at the entrance of the Jin Residence.

Just imagine tonight was the gathering of the renowned Four Young Masters of the Martial Fraternity and furthermore, they were going to showcase three legendary martial treasures to everyone in the martial fraternity.

Those who had been invited would surely be the most outstanding fighters in the entire martial fraternity. And they reflected upon this honor by coming in with beautiful and smart horses or in a beautiful carriage. Who on earth would ride a pathetic looking donkey to attend the gathering?

But this young man halted his donkey with a ‘Yo!’ sound as he reined it with a rope before he glided down the donkey like a breeze. And he began to rein that donkey that was a little larger than a hound and walked swiftly to the large stone stairs of the entrance of the Jin Residence.

Two guards in golden armor began to block his approach.
One of the guards in a golden armor began to shout at him. “Stand where you are! This is the Nanjing Jin Residence! Is this a place where you can come freely?…awwwww!…”

The two guards were suddenly pushed backward and staggered five to six steps! It was really weird because the young man did not even raised his hands! He was seen walking up the stairs in an extremely serene manner…

The Jin protégés that were tasked to welcome the guests were all old pugilists that had seen much. By looking at his bright aura, they knew that this young man had surrounded himself with an inertia force. Without lifting a single finger, he had forcefully jolted the two guards backward and their martial prowess was definitely not weak!

Therefore, instantly, they knew a super exponent had arrived.

From the platform above the stairs, two Jin protégés somersaulted down the stairs and bowed with their hands. “Friend, may we know who you are? We will be glad to entertain you into the Jin Residence if you can inform us of your name…”

But before they could finish, the young man lifted his head.

They were taken aback with surprise and instantly changed their lines. “So it is Young Hero Zhan! Please come in! Please come in!”

It was because when Zhan Bai had a furious fight with Meng Ruping, they were also present as witnesses. Therefore they recognized him immediately. They hurriedly asked the servants to rein in Zhan Bai’s donkey and to guide him into the hall as well

But still, Zhan Bai had not said anything yet. Instead, he had a smile on his cold face and then he had leapt from the bottom of the stairs to the top of the platform entrance without even touching the stairs!

Everyone was amazed as they secretly praised. “What a powerful swiftness movement skill…”

And it was also the same time when Meng Ruping had just turned his body and saw that it was Zhan Bai. And Zhan Bai was now at the top opposite him!

Meng Ruping shouted furiously at him. “Rascal! So you have finally come!” And he raised a powerful blow towards Zhan Bai!

Zhan Bai could only feel the power of this palm and he could even sense that it carried an air of cold ying energy. But still, it did not weigh heavily in his heart as he waved his sleeve gently. “Welcome, welcome!”

Even though Zhan Bai had only gently raised his sleeve but it was enough to jolt Meng Ruping and sent him flying ten feet backward! If there were no walls behind him, he would have flown even further backward!

When Meng Ruping landed against the wall, his face turned ashen immediately and he bit his lips tightly for he had sustained internal injuries to his five organs. He stared viciously at Zhan Bai without a word…

Who would expect that in a few short months, Zhan Bai martial power could progress so rapidly that not even the vicious poisonous palm technique that he had learnt could be put to use? In fact he could not even withstand a single blow from Zhan Bai now!

He was startled with shock, filled with rage and left without a choice because he had been badly injured and could do nothing now. He could only watch Zhan Bai jeered him with a few smiles before he was ushered into the great hall.

Actually Zhan Bai carried a profound hatred in his heart. And his feeling of rage and resentment was actually many manifolds greater than what Meng Ruping had felt!

Tonight, on this Yuanxiao Festival, he carried with him the will to sink the ship as he decided to brave all his enemies to avenge his father’s unforgettable death!

That was why when he arrived at the entrance of the Jin Residence, he had displayed in continuous sequences the ‘Impervious Inertia Barrier’, ‘Illusion Move’ and the ‘Iron Cloth Sleeve’. All these are unique divine skills. It was not because he wanted to boast but it was to turn the guts of his foes cold!

Even though Meng Ruping had been beaten up by Zhan Bai but the Jin protégés had saw that Zhan Bai was skilful and not to be trifled with. Moreover, Young Master Qilin had specifically instructed them to be respectful of Zhan Bai if he comes.

Therefore, Zhan Bai was still ushered into the grand hall with all due respect.

It was not the first time that Zhan Bai stepped into this grand hall. And he was not as agitating in his emotions as now!

It was because he knew that the [Heavenly Bronze Coin] Jin Jiu was the main culprit behind his father’s death. His blood raged and he had no mood to appreciate the beautiful events that were being held in this Jiangnan number one residence. Therefore without even glancing at all the beautiful and wondrous things that had littered the passages, he walked into the grand hall with his eyes straight.

In the grand hall, there were hundreds of people. It was peopled by the top exponents from the Four Aristocratic Clans and renowned exponents. People of unusual abilities and repute were also here.

In this joyous gathering, there existed hidden motives by the Four Young Masters of the Martial Fraternity as they schemed in secret against one another.

Because it was noisy as it was filled to the brim by hundreds of people. When the servants announced Zhan Bai’s name as he entered the grand hall, no one took notice.

As Zhan Bai was trying to find trouble on purpose, he lifted his sword in a sword dance and shouted thunderously as he circulated all his vital energy from his stomach. “The Sword danced and broke in a bitter song as it show no mercy! The incompetent Zhan Bai is here as a guest!”

This powerful singing had the effect of ripping throughout the grand hall and it stopped the din and laughter of the top exponents instantly. In that very instant, everything had gone deadly quiet.

The first to rose from his seat was Young Master Qilin. He was laughing aloud as he exclaimed. “The Sword danced and broke in a bitter song as it show no mercy is indeed a great composition. But today, the Jin Residence has no intention to do harm to their guest like what happened to Han Xin. Nor am I also following the example of the first Han Emperor! Come, Brother Zhan. Let me make an introduce to some of the seniors for you.”

Then he walked down the hall and hold Zhan Bai’s hand and pointed to an old man with piercing glare in the most important seating arrangement. “This is my father…”

When Zhan Bai heard the lines, his blood boiled with rage! And his head felt a daze! Even though Young Master Qilin was talking to him but he did not heard anymore.

It was because the [Iron Guts Divine Donkey] had notified him that the [Heavenly Bronze Coin] Jin Jiu was the primary motivator behind his father’s death! And he was the one that used such deadly secret projectile to wound his father first as the other five heroes of Jiangnan surrounded his father!

This old man had an extremely piercing glare and he exhibited a highly endowed intelligence. But it was his piercing glare that told Zhan Bai, his internal powers were definitely not weak! He also had a white moustache and radiated a stern and commanding presence.

Because he did not want to lose his bearings in front of everyone, he suppressed his rage and resentment by grinding his teeth and bowed with his hands. “I am honored to meet you! Jin Hero renowned and fame have spread far and wide. Today I am most fortunate to meet you!”

But Jin Jiu just nodded his head and did not return any of the courtesy rites. He did not even stand up and just said. “Very good.” And his piercing glare looked at him for a while.

Zhan Bai instantly thought that Jin Jiu was despising him and he could not control his rage. His countenance had changed and just when he was about to charge forward, he was stopped by Young Master Qilin who had noticed the change.

“My father legs are not convenient to walk. Please forgive us!”

Only then did Zhan Bai notice that Jin Jiu was sitting on a wheelchair and that his legs had covered with a thick cloth. He wondered why his legs had lost his use?

Young Master Qilin then showed him around to the rest of the guests. But he was not paying much attention as he was searching for the [Origin Finger] Sikong Jin, [Universal Palm] Yun Zonglong, [Conqueror Whip] Fan Fei and also the rest of his intended targets.

But the weird thing was that, the [Meteor Hand] Murong Han and the rest of his super exponents were not here. Only the proud Young Master Lingfeng and some unknown top exponents from Baotu Manor were presented.

There was no sight of Lei Dashu, [The Soul Snatching Silver Flute] Zhang Shipeng, [Soul Seeker Bell] Sima Jing, [One leg Flying Heretic] Li Ju and among others. In fact, none of the top ten super exponents from the Baotu Manor was presented.

Young Master Lingfeng was still his haughty and arrogant self. His eyes were looking at the top of the ceiling, paying no heed to anyone. And his mouth was smirked upward in an overbearing mannerism.

Even Young Master Qilin was the host, he was also turned off by him.

But Zhan Bai retained his composure and smiled. “There is no need for Young Master to introduce us to one another. We have already know one another!”

But Young Master Lingfeng stared at him and he was extremely icy as he said, “I know not a nameless fellow like you!”

Knowing Zhan Bai, Young Master Qilin knew that Zhan Bai would be provoked. It was not because he was afraid that they would really fight with one another but he had a secret plan and this plan must not be revealed until the proper time.

So he interfered, “Murong Brother has always been like this. Please do not mind him!”

But unexpectedly, Zhan Bai was not angry at all. Instead he was smiling. “I Zhan Bai, have known of it since the last time!”

Young Master Lingfeng hummed again coldly.

But just when Zhan Bai was about to leave, he turned around and stared at him. “Do not be anxious. One day, I will let Master Murong knows who I am!” And then he left.

Young Master Lingfeng whose real name was Murong Chengye was provoked and he rose up with five fingers to stab Zhan Bai on his three fatal points on his back. This was from the famous [Meteor Hand] technique from the ‘Three Purple Slabs’ stroke. As this was a soft stance technique, it carried no sound and once the back was turned, there was no way for its target to know!

But Zhan Bai was not what he was previously! Taught by the [Iron Guts Divine Donkey] for three months, he could now control his martial powers at will and furthermore, he had spent an additional two months at the Mountain Rocks of the Twelve Caves just to practice the unusually martial skills that was recorded in the Soul Binder Sacred Manual!

And he had reached the stage of ‘Knowing one, knowing all’! And his progress was now a thousand miles apart than two months ago! Therefore he was now one with his body and his spirit was the body! Such was his martial attainment now!

Even though Young Master Lingfeng’s back attack skill was unparalleled but it did not escaped Zhan Bai’s notice and he neutralized his awesome stroke ‘Three Purple Slabs’ with a ‘Invisible Dissolve’ in subtle and said to him. “Later I will look for you!”

Young Master Lingfeng fell back into his seat with a horrified shock on his face. Not only was his [Meteor Hand] epitome technique neutralized, he was also knocked back into his seat and unable to move temporary!

It was a good thing that Zhan Bai meant to be subtle, therefore it had escaped the notice of everyone, thus sparing Young Master Lingfeng from shame.

But Young Master Anle, who had long wanted to recruit Zhan Bai into his fold, paid plenty of attention on him. Therefore he had saw that this stroke from Zhan Bai was extremely subtle and that he purposely did not want to attract the notices of anyone. So he did not expose Young Master Lingfeng’s embarrassment as well but went forward to pull Zhan Bai to his seating position.

Zhan Bai did not reject his advances and he sat besides Young Master Anle. Those who had known him and those that did not known him, stared at him for awhile because he must be really an important person for Young Master Anle to arrange a seat besides himself. He did not know to feel delightful or sad.

It was because he was a lone swordsman. Later, he would avenge his father’s wrongful death in the face of all the heroes of the martial fraternity. Even though it was a delightful thing for him to execute his vendetta at long last but he was only one! What if later, he would later die and failed in his revenge?…

Then he had another thought. Even though he might fail in his quest but to be able to expose the killers in the face of all the heroes of the fraternity, it was worth sacrificing himself. When he thought of that, he managed to calm himself now.

All of a sudden, he noticed a pair of starry big eyes was looking at him in a devoted manner. He carefully looked back and found out that it was no stranger but Jin Caifeng, the most beautiful maiden in Jiangnan!

He received a jolt in his heart and he could feel his heart was beating wildly. His face was as though he was burning and his thoughts became wild. “Is she in love with me? Why is that every time we meet, she will look at me in this way?…”

“It is impossible! She is the mistress of the impossible wealthy Jin Residence and I am just a down and trodden wanderer. Even if she have liked me, what can I give her in return for her love?…”

But he suddenly recalled that she was the daughter of his father’s killer. There was going to be a huge bloodshed very soon. Soon they were going to be sworn enemies soon. Whatever love had existed would soon be extinguished very soon.

Therefore after arriving at this conclusion, the burning sensational that he had felt vanished like icy cold water had just been poured upon him.

At this moment, the [Heavenly Bronze Coin] Jin Jiu had summoned Young Master Qilin to him. He was seen whispering to him and then Young Master Qilin bowed his hands to everyone and was heard exclaiming. “Heroes of the fraternity! The banquet is ready and may I invite everyone to move outside to the garden so that we can appreciate the full moon while we feast!”

Young Master Duanfang was the most impatient and he stood up to ask, “When are you going to take out the Immortal Golden Cinnabar and exhibited it to everyone?”

Young Master Qilin smiled. “Brother Sikong, do not be hasty. Since you had also brought the Water Ascension Jade, will I withheld my Immortal Golden Cinnabar? Let us all go outside to feast and then we, including Brother Yun Zheng, will present the three legendary treasures to everyone at the same time. Won’t the mood be electrifying later?”

Young Master Anle patted his old book that was on his hand and laughed. “What an enjoyable mood to appreciate the three legendary artifacts of the martial fraternity under the beautiful moonlight as we feast and drink!”

Actually everyone were just putting on a false pretense. Their true intentions were not on the feast but on the three legendary treasures! Now that even Young Master Anle had declared so, everyone hurried out of the grand hall to the garden outside.

Zhan Bai cold eyes were on [Heavenly Bronze Coin] Jin Jin, [Universal Palm] Yun Zonglong, [Origin Finger] Sikong Jin and the [Conqueror Whip] Fan Fei. They were sitting quietly by the side as the Young Masters each tried to be the scene-stealer as they compete with one another.

He began to wonder what were they actually up to? And for a while, his entire focus was upon them…

All of a sudden, Young Master Lingfeng coldly exclaimed. “The other three Young Masters all have a treasure but do you think that I, Lingfeng, do not have any precious treasure to exhibit?”

The guests that were heading out of the grand hall immediately halted their steps and turned to look at Young Master Lingfeng. They began to wonder what precious treasure could be even more precious than the three legendary artifacts?

When Young Master Lingfeng saw that he had created the desirable effect, he was proud. He turned around to an elderly old man. “Third Uncle Helian! Will you take out the precious treasure that I have mentioned and showed it to everyone present!”

This Third Uncle Helian began to take out a box from his sleeves and it was wrapped around in a silken textile. He started to unwrap it and was revealed to be a red wooden box. Altogether, there was three layers of textile and he unwrapped it very slowly as though there was indeed an extremely treasure inside.

When he finally unwrapped it and opened the red wooden box, a sweet fragrance could be sniffed everywhere in this grand hall…

Everyone was looking at the hands of this elderly old man. Even though the massacre had not started yet but the atmosphere was extremely tense. Even if a needle would to drop onto the ground, it could be heard resounding!

All of a sudden, someone from the crowd whispered in a low voice. “If this fragrance carried a venomous poison, then everyone in this grand hall would find it hard to leave here alive!”

Even though the voice was extremely soft but in the ears of these people, it resounded as though it was a thunderbolt. And many started to seal their breath and secretive mustered their vital energies in preparation of a fight…

One of Young Master Duanfang’s henchman, an old beggar with red ruddy face began to laugh loud. So fragrance! Even if it were a poison, I would still want to have a taste!” And he launched forward to grab the box.

But the long hair elderly old man did not even bat his eyelids as he placed the red wooden box on the table, lifted his fingers to flicker and the red ruddy old beggar was sent flying backward as he turned purple!

Everyone grasped, as they knew the red ruddy old beggar had lost!

It was the Young Master Danfang’s henchmen that was taken aback most. It was because this red ruddy old beggar was one of the [Three Marvelous Beggars], was the [Drunken Beggar] Fang Bi. Together with the [Crazy Beggar] Zhu Liang and [Deaf Beggar] Wu Hua, they commanded great respect in the Beggar Sect. What’s more, in the martial fraternity, he was also a first rate fighter!

And now, a protégé guest from the Baotu Manor had simply injured him with just a flicker of his fingers! This enraged the beggars and they were calling for blood…

But Young Master Lingfeng coldly interrupted. “Baotu Manor have always been on the look up for talents. And I Murong Chengye, have always been virtuous. So how would I have tried to use despicable means to back stab the heroes of the fraternity? The one that is slandering earlier, is obviously up to no good and seek to damage the reputation and standing of the Murong Clan. It is really so despicable of him!”

And then he turned to look at someone in the crowd and then a thin but strong man screamed out painfully as he grasped his chest as he bent over.

Even though no one could really see the method in which the thin but strong man came to be injured but they knew instantly that the men that Young Master Lingfeng had brought was highly accomplished. He could injure others without any detection.

Everyone was showing signs of anger or moved in their countenances. Especially the men from the [Conqueror Whip]. It was because the thin and strong man was his protégé!

Young Master Qilin was boiling in rage and he almost could not suppress it for Young Master Lingfeng was behaving with such audacity in his place!

Therefore he tried very hard to suppress his anger and said to him. “Brother Murong. If you really have brought a precious treasure, why not bring it out together with the three legendary treasures so that we could all view it at the same time. But now, will you be kind as to keep your…”

But before he could finish, the long hair elderly old man had unwrapped the last piece of cloth to the red wooden box and took something from within before he flickered his finger again to send something flying straight towards the mouth of the red ruddy old beggar!

“Old beggar! Since you are so gullible, I will then give you some to sample! Or else, others in the martial fraternity will think that the ‘Baotu Manor’ is being petty!”

Now this [Drunken Beggar] Fang Bi was really gusto. Without checking what was checking the intention of the other side and not seeing what was in the box, he opened his mouth and swallowed it.

Not to mention Young Master Duanfang’s men that was taken aback, even though that was not related to him were getting worried for him…

Suddenly after Fang Bi had swallowed the weird stuff, he took from his back a wine gourd and started to drink heavily. “Long hair old freak! The stuff that you feed me, is it a ginseng that is stolen from the Monkey King? Why is it so delicious?”

The long hair elderly man laughed merrily. “Old beggar! Consider yourself most fortunate! Even though this ginseng cannot turn a person into an immortal but it is a thousand-year ginseng king! If you were to circulate your internal energy now, it will save you three years of bitter hardship and improved your martial powers by that much!”

Everyone was stunned into disbelief! This indeed was too precious a gift to give to a stranger!

But the [Drunken Beggar] Fang Bi did not hesitated at all and he began to sit down in a mediation posture. Because everyone was curious, no one tried to move at all and stared at him.

After a short while had passed, Fang Bi jumped up and opened his eyes. Now his eyes were looking sharp and bright. And he was saying, “What a precious treasure! What a precious treasure!”

This type of miracle medicine that could increase one martial power was something that all the pugilists in the martial fraternity could only dream of. And now Young Master Lingfeng’s protégé guest had a whole box of it in his hands. Therefore everyone could only stared at the hands of the long hair elderly man in great envy.

And the long hair elderly man began to mutter, “Whoever decide to join hands with the ‘Baotu Manor’ will have the fortune to enjoy this thousand-year old ginseng king!”

All this while, Zhan Bai was watching coldly by the side. By now, he had realized that the reason why Young Master Lingfeng had set aside this show was to bribe the hearts of everyone into joining his side!

At the same time, he also realized that the other three young masters had in their hands, legendary artifacts that could turn the pugilists in the martial fraternity red with great envy and covet. Not only would the neutral pugilists joined their cause, they would also expand their power and influence through this means!

Using such underhand method was most despicable to Zhan Bai the way he see it and he made a series of humorless laughter.

But Young Master Lingfeng ignored Zhan Bai and after seeing that he had succeeded in his stratagem, he proceeded to say arrogantly. “The Baotu Manor do not just have this thousand-year old ginseng king but we have also the thousand year old linzhi, hundred year old turtle and many many more! All these rare and precious treasures are just waiting for all the heroes of the fraternity to enjoy, if you would just join hands with the Murong Clan…”

The pugilists of the martial fraternity did not like gold and silver as much as these rare and precious herbs. They would even fight to the death just to appreciate a leaf stalk and leaf of these wondrous herbs. And now, they were offered such a good condition to join into alliance with the Murong Clan.

These wondrous herbs were so rare that even if they could search for a hundred years, it would be in vain. Furthermore when they had saw the [Drunken Beggar] had his martial powers increased, they turned green with envy. But because they had considered their own standing and repute, none made the first move yet. But many were already shifting their legs and feet, waiting to rush forward…

When Young Master Qilin had saw that Young Master Lingfeng had succeeded in his cunning stratagem, he was greatly alarmed and said hurriedly. “Everyone! Please enjoy the banquet first! During the moonlight, we still have even rarer precious artifacts to exhibit to everyone!”

But even among the great crowd, Zhan Bai could see a wheelchair moving swiftly away. As his eyesight was paranormal, he could still see it was the [Heavenly Bronze Coin] Jin Jiu that was moving swiftly away.

As he was afraid that once Jin Jiu had gone away, he would not appear again, he gave a great sudden shout. “Old senior Jin, do not go yet!”




Chapter 30 Ended

Chapter 31: The Great Stone Formation



Zhan Bai shout was thunderous and it raised the attention of everyone!

Even though everyone was startled, but Zhan Bai gave not a hoot. He sprang in front of the [Heavenly Bronze Coin] Jin Jiu and asked, “Zhan Bai wishes to inquiry Senior Jin of a matter. May I know if you can tell me?”

He stopped his wheel chair and furrowed with his eyebrows before replying. “I have not been in the pugilist fraternity for decades. I will not know anything that you ask. Please ask others!" And then he wheeled away once more!

Zhan Bai called out in a hurry. “Wait!…”

But Jin Jiu did not pay heed to him anymore. He did not even turn his head and left.

Therefore Zhan Bai went after him but when he was near two iron entrances, he was stopped by six youths in white. And they had a silvery sword on their hands!

They were about fourteen to fifteen and their swiftness movement skills were also unusually swift. Even Zhan Bai did not know where had they come from. It was as though they were always standing near the iron entrance!

They were staring at him in a fierce manner as though the instance, Zhan Bai had come into their attack radius, they would immediately sprung upon him.

Zhan Bai was slightly taken aback and just then he heard a golden and silver melody voice from behind. “Young Hero Zhan!”

Zhan Bai turned his head and saw Jin Caifeng looking at him with bewildered eyes. She was looking at him as if she was questioning him.

This was the most outstanding of her characterization. Things that she would not want to speak aloud, she would use her eyes to let her intention be known. As a saying goes, ‘The eyes could speak’, prefer to this.

Zhan Bai sighed and thought. “If there is a debt, the debtor must pay. Since Jin Jiu is the one that killed my father, it is not his children’s fault. Now that he is gone, there is nothing I can do now!…”

So he shook his head. “There’s nothing!”

But Jin Caifeng refused to spare him and used an alluring voice that was full of affections as she melancholia asked of him. “But I can tell!”

Even though she did not say so but just these four words were enough to express her intentions in her eyes. Obviously her actual meaning was. “Surely you must have difficulties in your heart. Please tell me so! I will help you…”

Even though he could feel her intentions in her affectionate words but she was after all, the daughter of his enemy! She could never help him to kill her father.

Zhan Bai could only shook his head and had a bitter smile on his face. “Really, there is nothing!”

But Jin Caifeng was still looking at him with her affectionate eyes. And in her eyes, were full of melancholy and sincerity.

Zhan Bai had already read her intentions. She wanted to help him.

Suddenly, the entire grand hall was thrown in darkness as all the lights were extinguished! And there were several shouts of panic!

And then there appeared an eerie and ghastly laughter that lasted for quite some time. It caused all those that heard it to have a spooking feeling!

This really happened too fast and the hundreds of people that were crammed together were in a state of confusion!

Someone shouted loudly. “Hey! What is going on here?”

“Why is the lights all extinguished?”

“Who is that person that just laughed in such a strange manner?”

But in the midst of all these confusions, they could hear the walls moving and the ground collapsing!

Even a powerful earthquake could not vibrate the ground and walls in this manner! It was like the entire place was flipping over and collapsing!

Many tried to run towards the entrance but if they did not run, it would be better. But once they started to run, they lost their balance in the darkness and dropped into the ground!

There were terrified screams everywhere as many were either injured or killed by this great shifting.

In the confusing darkness, Young Master Qilin shouted furiously. “Who trigger the ‘Great Stone Formation’?”

Then it came to the realization of everyone they had fallen into a mechanism trap of the Jin Residence!

But since this was a mechanism trap of the Jin Residence, the one that knew how to trigger this mechanism must also be from the Jin Residence. Why did they trap their Young Master and their Young Mistress in this formation as well?

It was really a weird thing that was truly unexplainable!

Since Young Master Qilin had been shouting angrily, everyone could tell that he was not the one that gave the orders to trigger the formation. From the situation, it seemed like he was trapped in the formation as well!

But the weird laughing voice ignored the rage of Young Master Qilin and did not answer him at all.

While he was shouting in outburst of rages, Jin Caifeng appeared next to him and cried out melancholy. “Elder Brother! The one laughing at the ceiling is older protégé brother. The one that trigger this ‘Great Stone Formation’ must also be him!”

Young Master Qilin was enraged that it was his father’s favorite protégé that did this. “Meng Ruping! Are you crazy? Stop the formation now!”

But the weird laughter continued despite the fact that Young Master Qilin had pointed to the culprit himself.

And the ground continued to sink swiftly!

Suddenly there was another great laughter coming from Young Master Duanfang. “Jin Xianglin! How cruel are you! You could even think of this plan to round everyone off. The entire fraternity is not going to spare you and let you escape alive! Before we die, we are going to let you and your sister pay for it first!”

Young Master Qilin raged. “What do you want?”

Young Master Duanfang answered. “You make use of this hidden trap mechanism to lure the entire martial fraternity into it, thinking of rounding us off. But you not going to escape from the Beggar Sect’s ‘Bamboo Formation’ either!”

Young Master Qilin was so angry to the extreme that he was laughing now. “Hahaha…”

And the weird laughter became even more horrible and terrifying!

Young Master Qilin said. “Brother Sikong! You do not need to slander me. The Jin Residence has no intention to harm anyone. Even if we do, we will not trap ourselves!”

From the darkness, Young Master Qilin laughed coldly before replying. “Who is going to believe you? You trap yourself in your very own mechanism trap? Are you so cowardly that you did not dare to admit it? You dare not accept my challenge?”

Before Young Master Qilin could reply, the [Universal Palm] Yun Zonglong said coldly. “Brother Sikong! Even if you have the intention to fight but in this terrible darkness, how could you differentiate your targets?”

[Drunken Beggar] Fang Bi laughed. “Us beggars have our secretive ways!”

Young Master Duanfang said. “My beggar friends. Take it out for the heroes of the fraternity!”

Even before Young Master Duanfang had finished speaking, there was lights all over as the beggars held a torch in their hands. This was the famous ‘Thousand Mile Fire’ from the beggar sect, a unique tool that only they possessed. This ‘Thousand Mile Fire’ was not afraid of either wind or rain and could not be extinguished!

Now that the torches had been lit, the entire place was instantly bright again!

Tens of top exponents from the Beggar Sect had also surrounded Young Master Qilin and his sister in the midst!

This ‘Great Green Bamboo Formation’ was led by the [Three Marvelous Beggars]. There were exactly eighty-one persons in this formation. And [Drunken Beggar] Fang Bi began to sing. “Start the thousand lotus petals!”

And [Crazy Beggar] Zhu Liang added. “The Western Buddha is descending!”

And the formation started to move and the images of hundreds of green bamboo staves rained upon Young Master Qilin!

[Iron Wing Bird] Ba Tianhe and [Crouching Iron Back Dragon] Gongsun Chu had already been taught how powerful the ‘Beggar Formation’ was. And this new formation was even more powerful than it!

At the same time, scores of top exponents followed the [Twin Ironguards of the Jin Residence] to face the attackers!

Today, Young Master Duanfang had led the super fighters from the Beggar Sect here. Coupled with the powerful Beggar Formation and the Great Green Bamboo Formation, the power of the formation tremendous awesome! Even the [Twin Ironguards of the Jin Residence] and all the top exponents of the Jin Residence could only fend off helplessly inside the formation and had no chance for retaliation!

The green bamboo staves were like heavy rain as it lashed furiously at the defenders. And many of the top exponents were heard shrieking in terror as they died under the deadly beatings!

Young Master Qilin turned ashen and he shouted angrily. “You beggars are really too much! Do not blame me for being ruthless! Beware of my secret projectiles!” And he rained the golden coin darts towards them with his right hand, using the ‘Million Scattering’ projector method of throwing.

[Crazed Beggar] Zhu Liang exclaimed happily. “I didn’t expect Young Master to be so generous by throwing gold coins everywhere for us to pick!” Even though he appeared to be delight but he was secretly alarmed at the throwing method.

Quickly, all the beggars placed their staves vertically together like a gigantic wall to deflect the missiles. But still, there were many screams of agony.

Hurriedly, the [Crazed Beggar] turned his head and saw that many of the beggars had been struck. Even the [Deaf Beggar] Wu Hua had a wound on the left side of his head and he too was in agony!

Actually, [Deaf Beggar] martial powers were not beneath that of the [Drunken Beggar] and [Crazed Beggar]. It was because he was deaf and he had always depended on his superior eyesight to fight. But he was unable to see clear because of the constant reflection of the moving torches and the continuous movements of so many people. And so he could not dodge in the nick of time and was wounded!

Even though the golden coin darts had its effect but it only caused the Beggar Formation to evolve even more dangerously as the beggars counterattacked with greater frenzy! Even Young Master Qilin golden coin darts had lost its effect once the beggars became wise to it.

Even more top exponents from the Jin Residence had lost their lives and the situation was becoming critical.

And in lightning quick sequences, tens of green bamboo staves were about to hit Young aster Qilin and his sister!

Young Master Qilin turned white and Jin Caifeng cried out in panicky. It seemed that the Jin brother and sister was in grave danger and they were not going to make it…

Zhan Bai did not know what he was thinking at that moment. He just felt he could not bear to watch this unrivalled beauty died in such horrible wretched state. And he found himself moving unconsciously. He jumped into the air with his Heartless Precious Sword and displayed the ‘As swift as Lightning’ as he jumped into the formation as he helped Jin Caifeng to fend off the deadly staves!

At one go, Zhan Bai had broken more than ten staves! As the beggars loved their starves more than their own lives, they immediately back off, looking quite startled at his appearance!…

Jin Caifeng’s lovely face was still in a state of shock and appall but her bright big eyes were filled with gratitude as she looked longingly into Zhan Bai’s eyes.

And Zhan Bai saw in her eyes, the strong affection that was as ocean deep. He felt a burning sensation on his face and then when he noticed that many were also staring at him as though they were blaming him for interfering. He lowered his head in deep embarrassment…

All of a sudden, everyone would heard the windforce of more golden coin darts as it sped in the air above and it struck the exponents below with explosive force! There were startled cries of surprise as the number of wounded and dead suddenly increased!

But it was not only the beggars that got hit, the rest of the exponents from the other clans were hit as well!

This pissed off the other neutral exponents and they all turned their attentions toward Young Master Qilin!

But the problem is, the one that threw these golden coin darts were not only skilful but marvelous as well. The unknown assailant had knocked out all the torches in that instant as well! And so, it was back to darkness!

It was so dark that no one could see. Even Zhan Bai who had night vision could not see a thing as well!

All of a sudden, there was a snigger from an old man that came from above. “Now that all of you have fallen into my hands. To be my friend or foe, you have to decide. Those who have decided to be friends of the Jin Residence can just state your intention and I will let use the ‘Secret Whispering Skill’ to guide you out of here. But if you want to go against the Jin Residence, then you will need to depend on your own abilities to get out of this ‘Great Stone Formation’. The people from the Jin Residence will not hinder you if you choose to go against…”

But before he could finish, there was angry shouts everywhere that interrupted him!

Suddenly the [Origin Finger] Sikong Jin shouted, “Second brother! Are you forgetting that I am your old friend?”

[Heavenly Bronze Coin] Jin Jiu laughed aloud. “Sikong Jin! Even though the world is so vast but I afraid it is so hard to find another as treacherous and sinister as you are! You used a fake ‘Ginseng Cinnabar’ to trick me and caused me to lose both my legs. And now you have also stolen my Water Ascension Jade. Do you know that it is worse than death for me? And now you are still exclaiming old friend here and old friend there! Frankly speaking, it is all thanks to you, that the others are also trapped in this ‘Great Stone Hell’…”

When everyone heard that, they were filled to the brim with anger. It was because of their feuds that had dragged so many innocents!

[Universal Palm] Yun Zonglong said. “Second Brother! You can’t possible drag me as well right? After all, we had sworn to undergo life and death together in the past…”

Jin Jiu laughed even more hilariously. “We are brothers? Haha! It had already ended many years ago after we did that deed. Moreover, we had also sworn not to interfere with one another after that incident and also to forget about the past! But now, when you are in difficulties, you still have the cheek to call me second brother! Let me tell you honestly then! Today I can spare all the others but I would not spare you all!…”

Fan Fei the [Conqueror Whip] knew that he was referring to the rest of the Jiangnan Seven Heroes. So he whispered to Yun Zonglong. “Forth brother! Don’t waste your breath on him anymore! Do you still remember that time when he plotted to kill Big Brother, he was so ruthless and heartless! Now that we are trapped in his trap mechanism, it is futile to say more. Why not we…”

But Zhan Bai had heard it even though the voice was very low! It was because his eight wondrous meridians and channels had long been cleared and now his hearing was superbly sharp!

At the same time, Zhan Bai concluded from this conversation that Jin Jiu was the one that masterminded the plan and then the six of them had joined hands to kill his father, shared the treasures and then departed…

As his rage mounted, Zhan Bai wished that he could immediately find this Jin Jiu so as to avenge his father!

Suddenly, a warm and intimate hand caught hold of his hand. At the same time, a light orchid fragrance filled his nostrils. Before he could protest, he was pulled away by this intimate hand.

Another reason why he could not reacted immediately was when the hand had touched him, he was jolted as though a lightning had just struck him. And a weird and intimate feeling overwhelmed him. Secondly, in this darkness, he had no idea if it was a friend or a foe. He actually forgot to resist and was pulled away by this intimate hand.

He was led to a narrow passage in the walls and in that narrow passage was a stairways that was leading up. As he followed the steps, soon he found out he had escaped from the Great Stone Formation. Even though it was dark outside, but he had regained his night vision once more.

And he saw the slim and beautiful back view of Jin Caifeng.

Zhan Bai was in a state of rapid confusion. There were a few times when he wanted to shake her hand off but his heart refused to obey. There were a few times when he wanted to open his mouth to ask her where was she taking him but there was no voice coming out from his throat.

He could only follow her in a state of daze as her jaded hand took him intimately away.

Suddenly, after a while, he heard the sound of a door and there was another passage. Finally, they exited from the passage to the outside. They had appeared from a make-believe mountain to a place with many pavilions. Obviously, it was a very large garden.

She was so beautiful under the moonlight. She was as captivating as the flower as she laughed sweetly. “It is a lucky thing that I know of this secret passage. Or else, we will accompany them in the depths of the earth forever!”

When Zhan Bai heard Jin Caifeng addressing them as ‘We’, it sounded so intimate that he felt so sweet in his head but he quickly regained his senses. “Forever in the depths of the earth! The grand hall cannot be raised again?”

Jin Caifeng turned around and. As her slim body turned around, her extremely beautiful and exquisite beauty captivated Zhan Bai. She looked at him and replied. “I am not too sure about it. When I was little, I heard my father mentioned before that once the trap mechanism had been triggered, it would sink to the depths of the earth forever and could not be raised anymore. No matter how powerful a fighter is, there can be no escape!…”

Zhan Bai more or less became more sober now and was no longer enthralled by her captivating posture. Without waiting for her to finish, he smiled coldly. “What makes you think anyone will believe you!”

Jin Caifeng slim body took two steps forward and lifted her elegant face. “You…do you think I will lie to you?”

Zhan Bai laughed. “Your brother and all the rest of the Jin Residence, will they also be bury with the rest of the people as well?”

Jin Caifeng chuckled. “My brother naturally will not be so silly. He know the way out too!”

Zhan Bai said, “But your brother did not follow us out…” When he had said ‘Us’, he felt a burning sensation on his face and his heart was beating unusually fast too. He had suddenly remembered the intimate moments earlier and was at a loss to continue.

And she was laughing even more lustrous than ever. “There isn’t just one route out of that ‘Great Stone Formation’ and the exits are not the same as well. Moreover, after the mechanism had been triggered, it is also impossible to walk inside the narrow passage if the steps are wrong too…”

But Zhan Bai was quite indignant as he said, “I would never expect that the renowned Jin Residence that have much honor and reputation in the martial fraternity would use such despicable methods to bury others! Finally I have experienced it (Sarcasm)! Fine! And Good bye!” He walked away in anger without waiting for her reply.

Jin Caifeng beautiful countenance turned ashen as Zhan Bai berated the Jins. For a moment, she was too startled to react. When Zhan Bai had turned around and walked away in broad strides, she felt like her heart had been stabbed by a knife.

Suddenly, she plunged forward Zhan Bai as she cried out softly. “Do not go yet!…”

Zhan Bai could sense a windforce behind the back of his head. He thought that Jin Caifeng had flew into a rage because he had shamed her. And now she was attacking him behind his back!

Therefore he turned around to deliverer a blow! But Jin Caifeng did not dodge or evade as she opened her arms to plunge forward into him!

But Zhan Bai had already unleashed his palm when he saw that her intention was just to plunge into his embrace and had no intention to assault him! Even though Zhan Bai had a diamond heart now but how could he bear to harm this defenseless and captivating maiden? He tried to withdrawn his ruthless blow by sucking back his internal power but it was too late! Even though he had withdrawn a majority of his martial power but there was still thirty percent of his power left!

There was a cranking sound as he hit the beautiful and affectionate Jin Caifeng on her soft body!

Jin Caifeng cried out delicately as she received a powerful jolt. Her frail body stumbled for a while before she fell onto the ground…




Chapter 31 Ended

Chapter 32: Rivalry




Zhan Bai embraced Jin Caifeng just before she fell onto the ground. She was so warm and fragrance in his embrace. Even though it was a critical situation, Zhan Bai could not control the rapid beating of his heart.

But when he saw her pale face and that she was biting her lips in agony. Obviously, her injuries were not light. He was filled with pity and remorse for having injured such a wondrous beauty with his hands.

He was muttering. “Maiden Jin, I did not want to hurt you on purpose…”

Jin Caifeng struggled to keep her eye lids opened. When she saw that she was in Zhan Bai’s embrace, she was terrified and like a little child that did wrong, was pleading him for forgiveness as she delicately gasped, “I…won’t blame you. Zhan…As long as you know my what is in my heart…is good enough…”

Zhan Bai’s head was like a thunderbolt that had been struck. The thing that he had been afraid of had finally happened! This young mistresss Jin, did not even bear a grudge at him for hitting her. Moreover, she was filled with affections and tender sentiments as she tried to speak. Was it not obvious to him?

She, had fallen in love with him! And he, obviously he knew that she was the daughter of his hatred foe, that was why he must never, never accept her love. But now, his conscious had taken over him. Hatred and logical reasoning did not existed now. He must not deceive his own feelings anymore. He had also fall in love with her!

But because Jin Caifeng forced herself to mutter those words that came from her heart, she had caused her blood to reverse and when she had finished, blood began to drip from her tiny mouth!

Zhan Bai was startled from fright! He abandoned all thoughts of inappropriateness and carried her slim body. And then he hit three accupoints on her bosom and then pressed his palm on her ‘Qimen’ accupoint point that was on her bosom!

He could feel a softness floating across her breasts that caused him to be electrified. And the blood in his body seemed as if it were rushing, causing him almost to lose control of himself…

“Oh…” Jin Caifeng’s delicately grasped. Was it pain or was it because she had finally realized her dreams? She had glimpsed Zhan Bai moving his palm to massage her bosoms, therefore she had grasped aloud.

Zhan Bai was even more startled and he suppressed the uncontrollable wild thoughts in him as he channeled his vital energy into the palm. He said in a low voice. “Maiden Jin, I am treating your injuries. Please channel your vital energy towards me as well…

Jin Caifeng gave him a weird but charming look. Was she displeased or was she delightful? But she did not say anything but took in a deep breath and focused on mustering her vital energy to link up with Zhan Bai. She felt a warm flow in her Qimen and then her pain eased and she felt comfortable.

And then she felt a warm energy flowing through his palm started to move up and down, then down her naval. She was not only feeling absolutely comforting but a silk tickling was also overwhelming her. It was something that she had never experience before. Then suddenly, her slim body started to tremble and there was a cloud of sudden redness on her pale captivating face…

“Ah!” Jin Caifeng muttered dreamily with her eyes closed. “I do not want you to call me Maiden Jin…”

Zhan Bai was in a daze too as he muttered. “Then how do I address you?”

Jin Caifeng replied. “Call me Feng Meimei (sister)…”

Zhan Bai’s mind was like a blank, he had totally forgotten about his vengeance. “Feng Meimei…”

“Ah!” Jin Caifeng took a deep breath before she exclaimed. “Zhan Gege, you are so nice…”

Actually, Jin Caifeng was not injured too badly. Under the wondrous treatment intrigue formula of the Soul Binder Sacred Scripture, Zhan Bai seemed to overrate her injuries. She had since recovered from her slight injury. Moreover as Zhan Bai was worried for her, he had almost used the ‘Vital energies to Heal the Accupoint’ method to infuse great amount of internal power into her to heal her. The reason why they were still in this embrace was because they had been drunk with feelings of tender sentiments for one another and was not aware of anything else.

And then there was an icy cold smirk under the moonlight, coming from among the flowers arrangements! And the lovers that were embracing in rivers of love were immediately taken aback!

Zhan Bai was the first to react as he helped Jin Caifeng who was in his embrace hurriedly up before he said in a deep voice. “Who is that?”

A dark slim figure was seen among the flower arrangements and was as fast as lightning as it re-appeared at the top of the stone pavilion.

A beautiful young maiden with a slim figure, as white as snow, her hair was flurrying in the night breeze and she looked as light as a willow leaf. This maiden had an innocent and naïve look on her delicate face. She was none other than Wan’Er!

Wan’Er laughed in jeer. “The moon is already so high now and the people that are dating have not yet departed huh!”

Zhan Bai was feeling extremely awkward and embarrassed but he put on a thick skin as he asked. “Wan’Er, what are you doing here?…”

“Yo!” Wan’Er gave a jealousy and slippery answer. “I am here to play huh! Anyway, I am not the one that is being embraced and has someone calling her Meimei…”

This immediately had the effect of provoking Jin Caifeng and she lifted her captivating face as she shouted delicately. “Where does this wild girl comes from? How dare you come to the Jin Residence in such a manner!”

Wan’Er slim eyebrows titled a little as she said, “You better be more polite to me. Or else, I shall teach you a lesson!”

Jin Caifeng was the young mistress of the Jin Residence and no one had ever treated her with such disrespect. Not even her parents and her brother dare to say a single word of disrespected lines to her. Therefore she was so angry that her slim body started to shake. “Great! You actually have the cheek to lecture me instead. If you do not apologize immediately, I’ll make sure you will never leave the Jin Residence alive!”

Wan’Er laughed coldly. “What a loaf of empty talks! Aren’t you afraid your tongue will be cut off? Just you alone, do you think you can retain me!”

Jin Caifeng shook with rage as she answered. “What a sharp tongue you have! Take this then!” And she launched forward with two strokes. Her techniques were indeed extraordinary!

But Wan’Er martial levels were simple too high. That was because the [Divine Ape] Tie Ling had taught her all his skills during the time she was at the Mountain Rock of the Twelve Caves. This caused her martial skill levels to exceed that of a top exponent in the martial fraternity and she could now be classified as a super exponent!

Even though Jin Caifeng’s techniques were most marvelous and extremely deadly but Wan’Er still carried an icy smile as she moved her legs slightly and the two techniques were voided! And instantly, Wan’Er had caught Jin Caifeng’s right wrist with her left hand!

Jin Caifeng was extremely startled! She had not expected such a young maiden would have such wonderful reflexes. Not only did she evaded two of her deadly masterstrokes but at the same time, her right wrist was so coincidentally caught by her! Her timing was unbelievably skilful!

Not only that, she could also feel her the soft windforce of her fingers on her skin as the windforce rubbed painfully against her. The potential of that young maiden’s internal strength was vast and shocking!

In her startled state and when Wan’Er had suddenly caught hold of her right waist, she almost screamed out in pain!

But that was not over yet, Wan’Er had at the same time, brandished her right hand as a blade and slashed against her head!

Even though Jin Caifeng managed to wriggle out her right wrist now but she was unable to evade anymore and could only watch in horror as Wan’Er was about to hack her head!…

Do not look down upon Wan’Er frail and delicate small hand. Imbued with internal power, her hand was as sharp as a edged weapon! Moreover, the speed of the windforce that accompanied her made it obvious that the power to be unleashed was indeed not to be underestimated!

Zhan Bai was taken aback with shock. He shouted out hurriedly. “Wan’Er! Stop!…”

But Wan’Er seemed not notice and continued her onslaught!

Zhan Bai sped forward like a flash of lightning and pushed Jin Caifeng away with his left hand five to six steps away while he took Wan’Er bow with his right hand!

There was a resounding sound of collusion as their hands clashed against one aother!

Wan’Er slim body was jolted and she was forced step steps backward before she stood still as her face turned white with ashen as she stared angrily at Zhan Bai as though she was about to breath fire…

Jin Caifeng had a close shave with death and she was both embarrassed and angry at the same time.

At the same time Wan’Er was pushed back, Zhan Bai felt his a burning and painful sensation on his palm. He was secretly astonished with Wan’Er pure internal power. But on the surface, he pretended to be calm as he asked. “Wan’Er, you and Jin Caifeng have no vendetta with one another. Why did you use such deadly stances on sight?”

Wan’Er was extremely displeased that Zhan Bai had rescued her rival in love. And now Zhan Bai was so protective of Jin Caifeng that she felt a sense of grievance that she almost wept.

But she forcefully suppressed her tears so as not to let it flow. She kicked the ground violently as she bit her lips hatefully at Zhan Bai. “From now on, I never want to see you ever, ever again huh!…”

With that, she turned her head around to fly off.

Suddenly there was a loud shout from behind a large tree. “Where do you think you are going? Take this!” And a shadowy person launched several flying missiles towards Wan’Er!

It was a good thing that Wan’Er ‘Walking in the Air Miracle’ had reached a superb artistic stage of achievement that she was able to do a ‘Overturning the Cloud’ movement as she evaded the secret projectiles in mid-air! The attacker had been vicious enough to catch her off-guard but still she maneuvered calmly in the face of such adversary and narrowly avoided being hit by inches!

Even Zhan Bai had sweated for her!

Wan’Er had love Zhan Bai deeply. So when she suddenly she had discovered that he was dating another girl, she was filed with uncontrollable rage. And now this young maiden heart that used to be so demure and gentle, was now filled with fires of jealousy, anguish, resentment and she was changed!

She changed her movement in mid-air again, with the intention of hammering her assailant. She mustered ten folds of her martial power and lifted her hands towards the head of this despicable assailant!

The assailant was stunned! He had never expected that his target would be able to change her movements in mid-air, much less dodged his uniquely secret projectiles. When he saw that Wan’Er had charged towards him in such a frenzied manner, he was taken aback and had moved slightly backward as he quickly drew the long sword that was on his back…

But at this moment, numerous more of these similar missiles flew towards Wan’Er’s back in another direction and these secret projectiles flew in a more marvelous and profoundly manner than this assailant! Obviously, the new assailant was much more expert and powerful!

Zhan Bai was shocked and he shouted hurriedly. “Wan’Er, be very careful! There are more secret projectiles coming towards your back!”

Because Zhan Bai knew that it was useless simply to warn her. She was unlikely to evade these missies. Therefore while he was shouting, he had already sped forward to fend the missiles for her!

Quite a few of these secret projectiles were knocked out by Zhan Bai’s powerful palm force but there were still tens of powerful of such missiles that were still heading towards Wan’Er!

Wan’Er had already sensed that there were more of these secret projectiles coming from behind her back. But because she had despised the first assailant that had assaulted her from the sly, she had already mustered a great deal of strength and had no more strength left to evade in mid-air anymore from the incoming missiles.

But because her will to live was very strong, she did her best to evade those missiles and at the same time, unleashed the ‘Thousand Weigh Fall’ as she descended rapidly with both hands on the first assailant!

The first assailant had a sword in his hand but when he saw that Wan’Er palm force was astonishing fierce, he did not dare to put up a fight and hopped eight feet away.

There was a huge crashing sound as Wan’Er missed with her palms and instantly, there were two huge and deep pits that appeared in the ground!

To say that a young maiden of that age could be capable of such awesome palm force was totally unbelievable!

But after Wan’Er had landed, she began to move unevenly and her beautiful jaded face was a ghastly white! And she looked like she could topple anytime!

The first assailant was laughing hilariously. He had a missing left arm and now he was thrusting his long sword with his right hand towards her bosoms!

While in mid-air, two of the secret projectiles had struck her. One on her thigh, the other on her left rib! She could only felt agonizing pain and her bones could feel a chilling pain that caused her to tremble uncontrollable. When she had landed, she could no longer walk steadily. The only reason why she did not fall, was because of her amazing fortitude to endure the pain.

But she had no strength left in her, for her limbs had turned soft. She could only watch in sheer horror as the first assailant came after her with his long sword. She sighed with regrets in her heart. “Alas! Who would expect that I would die in front of this heartless lover! If I have known, I may as well die much earlier! At least I can still preserve a beautiful impression for him. And now, and now…” Wan’Er could only mutter to herself as she did not have any strength to resist the attack. But what hurt her most was not death itself. Her dream lover was having a rendezvous with another girl and she had witnessed it with her very eyes. That was what hurt her the most and it shattered the heart and dreams of her first love.

All of a sudden, Zhan Bai shouted aloud. “Meng Ruping! Stay your hand!”

There was a violent clash and Wan’Er opened her dazing eyes, and saw that the young man a missing left arm had suddenly turned a gravely white. There was blood in his mouth and his sword was no longer in his hand. It seemed that not only did he not slay her yet and instead he was badly wounded!

And Wan’Er turned and saw that Zhan Bai, whose was her beloved and whom she had loved deeply was now standing besides herself.

Wan’Er’s who was broken in her spirit and heart, was joyous all of a sudden. She muttered to herself. “It is Bai Gege that have saved me! Really! This is so wonderful! This is so wonderful! Ba Gege, Bai Gege, even if your sister is to die now, I will still feel so blissful…” All of a sudden, a sharp pain pierced through her heart, causing her to lose consciousness of herself…




Chapter 32 Ended

Chapter 33: The Ruthless Jin Jiu




Zhan Bai embraced Wan’Er who had slipped into unconsciousness. He saw that she was now breathing with great irregularity and was at her last gasp. He flew into a great tantrum and shouted furiously. “Against an innocent girl, you people from the Jin Residence could even be that despicable as to strike from behind one’s back. Is this the so call honorable reputation that your Jin Residence is renowned for? What a terrible let down!...”

All of a sudden, there was a terrible yet chilling laughter that came from the other direction. And the renowned [Heavenly Bronze Coin] Jin Jiu appeared in his wheelchair from behind the flower arrangements!

And behind him was six strong muscular men and six youths dressed in white, each wielding a sword in their hands. And they were staring at Zhan Bai like they were predators!

Jin Jiu had a cold smirk as he said. “Only the victor calls the shot! There are too many fights in the pugilist fraternity. Whoever remains standing till the very last moment, will then be the hero. So what is the difference between a honorable fight and a secret attack?”

When Zhan Bai saw that it was the [Heavenly Bronze Coin] that had shown himself, he was teething with rage. “Loathsome thief! Wily old man! How dare you put on such a pretense of goodness! You kill your swore brothers, use the gold and silver that you have looted to buy over all the desperate people in the fraternity, so as to expand your vast evil influence! But today, consider your bad in encountering me for I’ll end your monstrous evil crimes!”

And he took out his Heartless Precious Sword with a loud clang. “Jin Jiu! Now Surrender your life!”

Jin Jiu was greatly startled when he was scolded by Zhan Bai in such an emotional manner. Therefore he stared at him for quite a while before he asked. “How dare you tell me off in such a manner! I will surely tear you to bits! But, judging from your age, you seem to bear a grudging hatred towards me. It is so interesting. I have not been in the pugilist fraternity for many years and how would I possible be a subject of your vengeance? Are you being manipulated by others to oppose me? Now speak! I am waiting for your reply!”

Zhan Bai was extremely sorrowful as he laughed hilariously. “Then you mean to say that you [Heavenly Bronze Coin] is a good guy instead. Let me ask you then, do you know the lead of the [Jiangnan Seven Heroes], the [Thunder Sword] Zhan Yuntian?”

Not only Jin Jiu was taken aback when he heard the name of the Thunder Sword but everyone else were also taken aback. Jin Jiu stared at him, before finally replying. “I heard that your clan name is a Zhan. Then are you his descendant?”

Zhan Bai answered. “Are you surprised and shocked? Maybe you have thought that my father have no heirs and after you have killed your swore brother, you have thought that there will be no one to come after you for vengeance! Haha! But the Heavens actually have eyes and Zhan Yuntian’s son have come to take your life today! Haha…”

After Zhan Bai had finished, Jin Jiu looked pale but he did not say anything. No one knew if he was surprised or alarmed…

“Father!” Jin Caifeng plunged forward to his side, as she was filled to the brim with her tears. “Is Young Hero Zhan speaking the truth? Father! Your daughter thinks that it must be a grave misunderstanding. Someone must be trying to sow discord. Your daughter believed that father is a good man and would never harm your swore brother! Father! Hurry and explain it to Young Hero Zhan now so that this misunderstanding will be resolved. Father, please say something, oh please say something!” She was now crying and pleading.

Jin Jiu looked at his daughter who was pleading with him in great grief. Then his expression changed and he stared fiercely at Zhan Bai. “Indeed you are right! I have killed Zhan Yuntian! But it is not what you have thought. Your father is a devil that bullied us, six brothers all the time. Unable to bear with him any longer, we decided to join hands with one another to kill him. It was he that first disregarded our brotherly affection. Therefore we have a fair and square duel with him. The dead must not blame the living!

Zhan Bai almost exploded with anger and clenched his teeth as he listened. Whether his father could be avenged lie in tonight’s decisive battle. Therefore he must not be too emotional and let anger boiled through to his head…

Jin Caifeng continued to cry out in great grief. “Impossible! This can’t be true at all!...” And she fainted just besides Jin Jiu’s wheelchair.

Some one once said that men lived for their careers while women lived for love. Jin Caifeng had lost her beloved mother while she was still young and her father replaced her mother as the idol in her heart. And since she was very young, he had always been her idol. Not only did she entrust her trust to him, he was also her emblem of glory.

But now, this idol, together with the holy temple had collapsed in her heart and shattered her young heart!

A humane father may not need to be perfect in her heart. If he was wrong, she could always think of a reason to defend her father and to forgive him.

But now, this father was the one that had destroyed her dreams; her first love was hence shattered to bits. She could not forgive him and moreover her heart had died.

But the [Heavenly Bronze Coin] Jin Jiu demonstrated his heart of stone once more, by refusing to pay heed to his daughter’s cry of pleading. Even when she had fainted from a broken heart, he remained gloomy.

He said to Zhan Bai. “After tens of year, this matter should already been forgotten and no one will never know that Zhan Yuntian still have a son that is living in this world. But today, since you have the guts to admit it, then I will not make things too difficult for you. I can allow you to leave. But if you overrate yourself and wants to oppose me still, it is still up to you!”

And then he laughed aloud twice before adding. “But I can tell you the results. You are simply courting your own death!”

Zhan Bai answered him bitterly. “Can I still be considered my father’s son if I cannot avenge him? Since you have the courage to admit your sins, today, I Zhan Bai, will use your blood to make an offering to my father above!”

Once he finished, he put Wan’Er down and flew towards Jin Jiu with his Heartless Precious Sword!

His first sword was the ‘Wind Thunder Diagram Swordplay’. His sword was shrieking aloud as though it was a thunderbolt as cold swarming sword energy radiated in hues as he thrust his sword towards Jin Jiu’s chest with the ‘Raging Thunder and Violent Wind’ sword stroke. Such was the awesome might of this swordplay, that no wonder the ‘Wind Thunder Diagram Swordplay’ was known as the Epitome Swordplay.

When Jin Jiu saw the ferocity of Zhan Bai’s swordplay, he was taken aback and turned his wheelchair around! It was because he had not expected Zhan Bai’s swordplay to be this awesome and was definitely not beneath that of Zhan Yuntian famous Thunder Sword Swordplay!

As Jin Jiu was only concerned about his own safety, he had forgotten that his daughter was still lying on the ground! Even though he had to wheel around but he was extremely nimble and agile and not even Zhan Bai’s awesome stroke could hit him!

As Zhan Bai was too focused on his vengeance, his attacks had been extremely vicious and when Jin Jiu had dodged away in his wheelchair, he found his sword energy upon the unconscious Jin Caifeng!

Even though Jin Jiu might have a heart of stone but when he saw that his daughter was going to perish instantly from Zhan Bai’s sword, he shouted panicky in a loud voice. “Do not hurt my daughter!…”

Zhan Bai was startled as well and when he saw that he was going to hit Jin Caifeng, he immediately could not bear to strike, therefore, he mustered up the Thousand Weigh Fall and to take away his sword stance.

But the six youths in white that were standing behind Jin Jiu had been through the most rigorous training. Since from a very young age, they had been trained to be loyal to only their master and was not aware of the right and wrong of the pugilist fraternity. When they saw that Zhan Bai had come with a sword, they immediately reacted by forming their six swords in a single stroke ‘Everything under the Sun’ as though it was a thick silver wall and unleashed it towards Zhan Bai!

There were several flying clangs as the youths’ swords flew from their burning and painful hands!

But Zhan Bai did not pursue his advantage and instead, he breezed in a backward direction. It was because Zhan Bai had a considerate character. Even though he was focused on avenging for his father, he had not lost his benevolent air. He was not willing to harm the unconscious Jin Caifeng and even more unwilling to hurt these six youths!

But his enemy was not as benevolent as him and when he had breezed in a backward direction, the [Heavenly Bronze Coin] Jin Jiu released a scattering of his famous ‘Bronze Coins’!

Jin Jiu was famous for his ‘Bronze Coins’ and hence originated his nick. When he lost the use of his legs, he increased the intensely of his proficiency with the ‘Bronze Coin Darts’. And it was now unrivalled in the entire fraternity! The way he threw these darts were even more expertise than his son, Jin Xianglin and his protégé disciple Meng Ruping by many manifolds! The ‘Bronze Coin Darts’ were later renamed the ‘Golden Coin Darts’ when he became exceedingly rich.

Before Zhan Bai had even stood firm on the ground, he was met with an onslaught of missiles. He had to dance his sword around into a wall of sword in a bid to protect himself!

Zhan Bai managed to deflect the missiles away.

But the [Heavenly Bronze Coin] Jin Jiu was a master of his own trade. Just when Zhan Bai was deflecting the missiles in a state of frenzy, he sent another of the bronze coin dart flying towards the ground!

Zhan Bai did not know of his true intention but then he saw the single bronze coin dart had bounced off the ground and had deflected towards his underneath!

Zhan Bai thought to himself. “You have thrown so many of these gold coins but I can still deflect it. What can a single gold coin do?…”

Before he could gather his thoughts, that bronze coin had suddenly spin to his waist. Just when he was about to block it with his sword, that bronze coin had suddenly spin towards his leg!

Zhan Bai had a sudden fright as he tried to turn his legs and turned his body around hastily. That bronze coin had spin and cut a hole on his pants!

Luckily, it had only brushed through and did not touched his flesh but Zhan Bai got such a great fright that he had broke into a cold sweat. It was because he knew that these bronze coin darts were cloaked with a powerful poison. Last time when Meng Ruping had inflicted upon him the poisoned dart, he was luckily that Jin Caifeng had applied the antidote on him.

But today, his identity had been known and he must not be careless. If he were to get wounded by it, there would be no antidote anymore!

Jin Jiu laughed aloud. “This is my ‘Life-stealing Bronze Coin’ technique. Just this alone, you already have difficulties handling it. If I were to release my deadly ‘The Starry Bronze Coins’ technique, your puny life will surely have ended!”

And Jin Jiu started to scatter more of the numerous bronze coin darts towards him!

As Zhan Bai knew how powerful this technique was by now, he did not dare to block it with his sword anymore but focuses on evading and dodging those missiles. But just when he was evading the first wave, Jin Jiu had released a second wave of secret projectiles upon him!

The second wave had headed towards the ground and it rebounded off the ground underneath him!

This threw Zhan Bai into a great panic as he danced in great confusion to avoid these secret projectiles that seemed to be everywhere!

Therefore he thought that if he continued it in this way, he would surely perish. If he did not perish, he would die of exhaustion. Why not, sprang towards that crook and took a chance? Even if he died together with him, it was worth it…

Having made up his mind, he immediately sprang forward but Jin Jiu seemed to be waiting in anticipation as he laughed eerily at him. “Do not waste your effort to think of a stratagem. Even your father could not escape from my techniques, do you think you are able to?”

And Jin Jiu released numerous number of bronze coin darts towards Zhan Bai that had charged headlong into the missiles!

Zhan Bai was greatly taken aback as he was struck!

[Heavenly Bronze Coin] Jin Jiu began to laugh crazily. “Rascal, the ‘Starry Bronze Coins’ united you with your maker…”

Zhan Bai cried out in his heart. “I am finished…” As he felt chilling pain that pierced right through to his heart!

Suddenly he remembered his unfinished vendetta. The task to avenge for his father was in his hands and now? He was not willing to die simply in this manner!

When he thought of this, he managed to muster that little bit of vital energies that had not been shattered to seal off his accupoints and to protect his heart. He lifted a breath of vital energy, goodness know how did he manage to gather this amazing strength as he managed to jump on the top of the tall walls of the garden even though he was heavily wounded!

Jin Jiu laughed aloud. “Junior! Are you thinking to escape? Those that are afflicted by the poison of my bronze coin darts will surely die within the next six hours!”

Zhan Bai’s eyes had turned black and he was tipsy as he stood on the walls. He scolded aloud as he suppressed the great pain. “Loathsome thief! Tonight I shall spare you temporary. One of these days, I will surely return here to settle this blood debt with you!…” And he stumbled over the walls.

Jin Jiu was shouting in the garden. “Do not let that Junior escape and hurry get him!”

In a series of thunderous great shouts, the top exponents of the Jin Residence moved to execute his command.

While Zhan Bai was outside the walls, he could still hear Jin Caifeng crying miserable as she pleaded. “Father! Let him go…”

But Zhan Bai refused to allow himself to be captured as he fled with the top exponents in hot pursue.

It was a good thing there was a large crowd in the city that was still celebrating the Yuanxiao Festival. This gave him a chance to blend into the crowd for the top exponents of the Jin Residence did not see which direction he had headed!

Zhan Bai was in a daze and was only semi-conscious as he made his way to a riverbank.

There were many lamps floating on the river. These lamps contained the hopes and wishes of the people that were celebrating this Yuanxiao Festival. Those, whose lamps did not capsized or sink into the river might have their wishes come truth…

Zhan Bai, however collapsed alongside the riverbank. It was as though his wish had failed to materialize…




Chapter 33 Ended
Book One Ended