Chapter 117

118. Chapter 118: Crisis at the Desolate Temple (Bonus for Alliance Leader, Book Friend 202009)

"Boom!"

A muffled thunderclap exploded in the dim sky, as if a thunderstorm was about to arrive.

At this moment.

On a desolate mountain on the border of Xingzhou, a dilapidated little temple appeared from the darkness, illuminated by the lightning.

"Cough, cough!" A weak coughing sound came from a corner of the little temple.

Sister Lin, this apprentice, has finally graduated. Although there were some twists and turns in the middle, she still successfully mastered this technique.

"Master, you're awake." At this time, a slightly thin man heard the sound and hurried over.

Zhao Ge struggled to sit up from the ground, his gaze dim, a sense of defeat and grief welling up in his heart. He looked at the sky outside, estimated the time, and said in a hoarse voice: "Thin Monkey, you and Rong Niang should run for your lives. Following me will surely lead to death. As long as you can leave Xingzhou, you might be able to find a way to live."

"Master, I'm not leaving. I lost my parents when I was young and was an orphan. It was Master who kindly took me in, recruited me into the martial arts school, gave me food, let me survive, and taught me boxing. Now that the school has encountered such a disaster, how can I abandon Master and steal a life for myself?" A firm look appeared in the thin man's eyes: "If they want to kill Master, they'll have to step over my corpse."

"Good child." Zhao Ge reached out his rough hand and patted him, a glimmer of tears flashing in his eyes.

Adversity reveals true gold.

After experiencing such a great change, he finally saw clearly which disciples around him were sincere and which were fake. It was just a pity for those disciples who had lived and died with him; they lost their lives because they were implicated by him.

"Master, what I'm most worried about now is Little Senior Sister. Is it really okay for her to go to the Ghost Street alone? And Master, is it reliable for you to let Little Senior Sister go find that Senior Brother named Li Yi? You must know that Little Senior Sister is the last hope of our Zhao Zhao Wuguan, and the school's heritage is in her hands. I'm not afraid of death, I'm just afraid that the school will be gone later, and Master's lifelong efforts will be lost."

Thin Monkey's face showed worry.

"Cough, cough."

Zhao Ge couldn't help but cough again, a mouthful of fresh blood surging from his chest. He forced himself to endure the discomfort and swallowed the blood back down. Then he took a few deep breaths and said: "Li Yi values emotion and righteousness. Master is very relieved to entrust Zhao Qian to him... Moreover, this Senior Brother of yours whom you've never met is naturally extraordinary and unlike ordinary people. As long as he is here, the Zhao Zhao Wuguan will always exist."

As he spoke, his mind recalled the scene of teaching Li Yi boxing at the Ghost Street that day, and he couldn't help but whisper: "Yi's bravery is unparalleled through the ages. It's a pity that Master has a thin fate and won't be able to see that scene. But sooner or later, his name will spread across the four seas and eight continents, pressing all the martial artists in the world to bow their heads."

"Yi's bravery is unparalleled through the ages."

Hearing this, Thin Monkey's spirit couldn't help but shake.

What kind of person was this Senior Brother he had never seen, that he was worth such high praise from Master? And recently, whenever Master felt lost, he would mention Li Yi's name, which made him even more curious.

Zhao Ge didn't continue chatting and fell into silence again, not knowing what he was thinking in his mind.

Seeing Master in such a dejected state, Thin Monkey just stood guard on the side and didn't speak again.

The desolate little temple fell into silence.

Until a moment later, a figure hurried in.

It was a woman of about twenty-eight or twenty-nine, wearing a martial outfit, looking travel-worn and somewhat disheveled, but she exuded a heroic spirit. However, as she walked in, a glimmer of worry and anxiety flashed in her eyes.

"Rong Niang, how is the situation?" Thin Monkey asked hurriedly upon seeing her.

Rong Niang's voice was also slightly hoarse as she said: "Those people chasing us have already appeared at the foot of the mountain... They have two horses each and came prepared. Our horses died of exhaustion while we were fleeing before. If we rely on foot, we'll be caught before we can leave this mountain."

"Since we can't escape, let's fight them here," Thin Monkey said indignantly. "They killed so many of our brothers and sisters; even if I die, I'll take one or two with me."

Rong Niang didn't speak, just looked silently at Master Zhao Ge, and then said: "Let Thin Monkey and me stay behind to cover the retreat. Master, you go from the back mountain; if you're lucky, maybe..."

"Don't say any more."

Zhao Ge immediately scolded: "Master is at this age, his soul is injured, and he took a palm from that guy Han Tianbao. I'm probably at the end of my rope now. You go; Master will stay behind to delay them for a while. If you disperse and escape from the east and west directions, maybe you can survive."

"I'm not leaving. My home is already gone, and the Zhao Zhao Wuguan is my home. I won't abandon my home and flee."

Rong Niang shook her head. She was a stubborn woman; if she were willing to abandon Master and flee alone, she would have done so long ago and wouldn't have accompanied him until now.

"You are still young and have a path to walk in the future. There's no need to die here with Master's old bones," Zhao Ge said again, hoping these two disciples would flee alone.

Rong Niang remained unmoved, and Thin Monkey on the side didn't speak either.

Obviously, both of them had long been mentally prepared to die with Zhao Ge.

Suddenly.

At this very moment.

Accompanied by bursts of muffled thunder, firelight suddenly lit up outside the dilapidated temple, accompanied by the neighing of a spirited horse, and a wild, arrogant laugh echoed on this small mountain.

"Hahaha, Zhao Ge, don't be naive. Today, none of you remnants of the Zhao Zhao Wuguan will be able to leave; you'll all die here."

Subsequently, a figure strode in against the night, his movements vigorous. In just a few steps, he rushed to the hilltop and stood before the gate of the dilapidated temple.

This person wore a gray long robe. Although he wasn't tall, he was very sturdy, with muscles bulging all over his body. Before he even got close, a wave of heat rushed toward them.

"A martial artist of the Blood Refining Realm, Han Meng."

A glimmer of light flashed in Zhao Ge's eyes. He flipped over and stood up from the ground, then stepped forward unhurriedly to meet him. His momentum gradually climbed, as if he intended to tear apart the heat wave rushing toward him, showing no signs of decadence at all.

Thin Monkey and Rong Niang on the side had their expressions shift slightly.

Master was clearly severely injured; why did he suddenly become so full of life?

Subsequently, they realized that Master was putting on a brave front... or perhaps, Master was holding onto his last breath of blood and energy, intending to fight to the death.

Seeing the old thing Zhao Ge walking toward him, Han Meng's expression couldn't help but change. After all, Zhao Ge was a genuine expert whose blood and energy had entered the acupoints. Although he was injured, a lean camel is bigger than a horse. If he still had strength left, it wasn't certain he couldn't fight again.

"Han Meng, he's bluffing to scare you. Look closely, there's still blood at the corner of Zhao Ge's mouth. What does that mean? He can no longer control his blood and energy. He's just at the end of his rope, holding on with one last breath."

At this moment, another figure appeared at the door.

It was a swordsman wearing a bamboo hat and carrying a precious sword at his waist. He unhurriedly took off his hat, revealing the face of a middle-aged man. He patted his sleeves to shake off the dust, then stood leaning on his sword and ordered: "Surround this dilapidated temple. This time, make sure not to let them run away."

Subsequently, more than twenty subordinates holding torches and wearing martial outfits acted. Each of them was a martial artist who had reached the Bone Refining Realm. Among them, two leaders had strength estimated to be at the Marrow Refining cultivation level. Moreover, these people were all equipped with fast horses, steel swords, and many powerful bows and crossbows.

Such preparation, just to surround and kill Zhao Ge, a sick and dying expert of the Acupoint Refining Realm, showed how much these people valued Zhao Ge.

"The swordsman of the Jin family, Jin Bufeng?" Zhao Ge stopped his steps and laughed in extreme anger: "Good, good, they are all familiar faces."

"Zhao Ge, I heard that martial artists of the Acupoint Refining Realm hide a breath of essence, spirit, and energy in their heart acupoint before they die, also called heart blood. If this heart blood surges out, it can allow an Acupoint Refining expert to have a flash of brilliance, possessing peak cultivation for a moment," Jin Bufeng said with a smile. "It's a pity that your soul is injured, and this last breath of essence, spirit, and energy lacks the 'spirit' part. I estimate you won't be able to use the final heart blood. Otherwise, this junior wouldn't dare to pursue and kill you so unscrupulously."

"However, this is also a good thing. After killing you, digging out your heart, and refining medicine with the last blood of an Acupoint Refining expert like you, I will definitely be able to obtain a great medicine. Maybe I can also successfully break through to the Acupoint Refining Realm."

When he said this, a glimmer of heat and greed appeared in his eyes.

The human body has great medicine, and an Acupoint Refining expert is even more of a precious medicine.

It's just that not many people in the four seas and eight continents dare to treat an Acupoint Refining expert as medicine to be harvested, but today, Jin Bufeng encountered such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"It really is a case of a tiger falling to the plains and being bullied by dogs," Zhao Ge opened his eyes wide in anger: "People like you, if it were normal times, I could send you on your way with one punch."

"Zhao Ge, who told you that you are old, your blood and energy have declined, and your soul is injured? You revealed your own bottom line, so don't blame us." Jin Bufeng smiled while slowly drawing the precious sword from his waist.

The sword shone with cold light and was extremely sharp.

"Want to make a move? Come if you're not afraid of death." Zhao Ge shouted, his body crouched slightly, and he immediately set up his boxing stance.

"If you want to make a move on my Master, you'll have to get past me first." Senior Sister Rong Niang glared at them, also clenching her fists to meet them, showing no fear at all.

Thin Monkey on the side was also filled with anger and prepared to kill the enemy.

"Good, to have two loyal disciples accompanying you before death. Since you refuse to abandon Zhao Ge and leave, then stay behind and be buried with him today."

At this moment, Han Sui on the side shouted in a deep voice, and then rushed toward the two like a fierce beast.

He wanted to use the lives of Zhao Ge's two disciples to confirm once more how much foundation Zhao Ge, this Acupoint Refining expert, still had, and whether he could still fight.

Before he arrived, a wave of heat accompanied by killing intent had already struck.

Rong Niang and Thin Monkey's expressions changed suddenly, but then both shouted angrily and swung their fists to meet him, without any thought of retreating.

However, the two's strength only reached the Marrow Refining Realm, and their blood hadn't been replaced. They were no match for this martial artist who had mastered Blood Refining. In just one encounter, they each took a palm strike, then spat out fresh blood and were sent flying backward.

"Bang!"

The two fell heavily to the ground, their breath instantly withering.

"Again." Rong Niang struggled to stand up stubbornly, clenching her fists again to meet him.

"Very good, the Senior Sister of the Zhao Zhao Wuguan has some backbone. However, I held back some strength just now and didn't deliver a lethal blow. If your Master still doesn't make a move, the next move will send you on your way."

Han Sui said coldly, but then smiled: "However, I cherish talent. It's not easy for a woman to practice kung fu to the Marrow Refining level without cutting the 'Red Dragon'. I can give you a way to live: kill the junior brother next to you, kowtow to me a few times, and agree to be my concubine, and I'll spare your life."

"Pah, dream on." Rong Niang said angrily, swinging her fists to kill Han Sui again.

Although her strength was insufficient, she would rather die in battle than suffer these insults.

"You don't know what's good for you."

Han Sui was rejected and lost some face. At this moment, he instantly developed the intent to kill. He delivered a palm strike, his energy exploding, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Rong Niang's fist energy was insufficient; in just one encounter, her entire arm was shattered. The intense pain made her unable to help but wail.

Han Sui approached again, his palm turning into sharp claws, directly gripping Rong Niang's throat and holding her. Then he glanced sideways, staring at Zhao Ge, who was setting up a boxing stance on the side but hadn't made a move for a long time.

"You won't make a move even in this situation? Zhao Ge, it seems you really can't do it anymore."

Zhao Ge was filled with grief and indignation, his blood and energy surging within his body, his expression changing constantly. He was now just an empty shell and couldn't even control his blood and energy. It was already good that he could stand here alive; where would he have the strength to make a move? If it were really as Jin Bufeng said, and he could still hold onto one last breath of heart acupoint blood, then everyone here, one by one, would have to die.

"Sure enough, you're at your limit. After all, we've been chasing you for so long and several waves of people have died. I imagine you've been worn down enough and are now at the point of exhaustion."

Jin Bufeng was very cautious. Although he held a precious sword, he was always on guard against Zhao Ge, not being careless at all.

Subsequently, he raised his hand to signal: "Shoot him with powerful bows and crossbows. Be careful, don't shoot his heart; I still need to keep his heart to refine medicine."

The next moment, the sound of powerful bows being drawn and crossbows being cocked immediately sounded all around.

Seeing this scene, Zhao Ge couldn't help but reveal a miserable smile: "Good, a good Jin Bufeng, still on guard against me even at this time... cough, cough."

His spirit leaked out, his old body could no longer support him, and he couldn't even hold his boxing stance, stumbling and falling to the ground.

"You, Zhao Ge, are a fierce tiger; one has to be careful." Seeing Zhao Ge's weak appearance, Jin Bufeng couldn't help but reveal a smile.

But he still didn't step forward to make a move. Who knew if this old thing Zhao Ge was acting? If he held onto a breath of blood and energy and took him with him, that would be a loss.

"Mas, Master."

Thin Monkey hurriedly supported his severely injured body and ran to Zhao Ge's side to support him.

Zhao Ge coughed up blood and said regretfully: "I'm sorry, Master really can't do it anymore and can't bluff these people."

Thin Monkey wept bitterly and said nothing more, his heart already prepared to die.

Rong Niang, whose throat was gripped, couldn't move. Seeing this scene, tears couldn't help but slide down.

"Don't be sad. After your Master dies, I'll send you to accompany him soon." Han Sui gripped Rong Niang, neither killing nor releasing her, just to make Zhao Ge hesitate to act.

Only after confirming that Zhao Ge was truly dead would he finish off this hostage.

With this level of caution, even if Zhao Ge really had that breath of heart blood, he would likely have to die with regret.

Jin Bufeng slowly raised his hand, preparing to give the order to attack.

However, at this very moment.

"Boom~!"

In the dark night in the distance, it sounded like a thunderclap on flat ground, making people's hearts shake. Subsequently, a corner of the dilapidated temple was suddenly blown open for some reason, dust flying and gravel scattering. Accompanied by this sudden situation, the body of an archer who was surrounding the area was suddenly hit by a terrifying force and exploded along with it.

Flesh and blood, accompanied by fresh blood, splashed evenly on the surrounding ground.

Even Han Sui, who was standing inside the temple, had his face splashed with flying bone fragments, feeling pain.

Such a scene made everyone instantly terrified.

"Boom!"

Subsequently, another muffled thunderclap echoed. This time, the sound was very close, seemingly at the foot of the mountain.

Another crossbowman standing next to a torch didn't even have time to react before his body also exploded, blood and bones splashing everywhere, leaving the surroundings in a mess.

The second sound finally made the leaders Han Sui and Jin Bufeng react.

"There's an enemy, everyone be careful." Han Sui hurriedly gripped Rong Niang, blocking her in front of him, and then guarded against the dim wilderness in front of the temple.

The danger came from that direction.

"Extinguish the fire, don't stay in the firelight, the opponent can see." Jin Bufeng held his precious sword and whispered, a bead of cold sweat appearing on his forehead.

Fortunately, there were no torches around him; otherwise, the opponent might attack him.

Although he didn't know what kind of attack this was, he understood very well that he, a Blood Refining martial artist, couldn't block it at all.

"Boom!"

Another loud noise echoed.

The body of a subordinate holding a powerful bow exploded again, broken internal organs scattering like dust, and even the corpse disappeared directly, leaving only the feet in place.

Such a bloody and cruel method of death made everyone else terrified. They extinguished their torches one after another, hiding their figures and not daring to expose themselves in the firelight.

As the torches were extinguished.

The surroundings fell into darkness.

However, it was still useless.

The fourth loud noise still came.

Another disciple hiding in the darkness was attacked, his body exploding on the spot just like the previous ones, without any room for resistance or struggle.

"No, the opponent can see in the dark, extinguishing the fire is useless. But why don't they just finish off Han Sui and me? We are the biggest threats and should logically be the targets of the first move. Wait, I understand. The opponent is from the Zhao Zhao Wuguan. The reason they don't attack Han Sui is because he has a hostage in his hand. The reason they don't attack me is because I was just on the same line as Zhao Ge, and the opponent's attack was afraid of accidentally injuring Zhao Ge."

Seeing that disciple die miserably, Jin Bufeng thought rapidly and finally realized what was going on.

But just as he was thinking this.

A violent Yin wind blew up from the foot of the mountain, and within that Yin wind, a tall steed appeared.

"Yin Horse?" Han Sui recognized this thing; it was something that could only be seen on the Ghost Street.

Could it be that the Zhao Zhao Wuguan had the protection of ghosts and gods from the Ghost Street? If that were really the case, then things would be troublesome.

The Yin Horse neighed and raised its iron hooves.

On top of it, a tall figure appeared, looking down from above.

Everyone looked over.

But they only saw a pair of eyes filled with killing intent shining in the darkness, like a ghost or god descending to the world, making people feel awe-struck.

"Although this person arrived riding a Yin Horse, he has the aura of a living person. He is not a ghost or god... It's just that this person is very strong." Han Sui's throat rolled, a glimmer of panic and unease appearing in his eyes.

"Does the Zhao Zhao Wuguan still have a trump card?" Jin Bufeng gripped his precious sword tightly, his expression instantly turning ugly.

But what was the strength of the person who came?

He couldn't see through it.

He only knew that this person was definitely an expert, and a very young expert at that.