Chapter 372

Inside Xiqi City.

After securing Xiqi, Manjusri and Puxian Zhenren frowned.

Jiang Ziya's betrayal, coupled with his leading an army to attack Xiqi, made the two of them very angry.

Had it not been for a variable in the Jiang Ziya affair, the two of them would not have had to handle such a matter personally.

Manjusri's expression tightened slightly: "We must bring Jiang Ziya back as soon as possible; otherwise, I fear the Investiture of the Gods will fall upon our heads. By then, the calamity aura on our bodies will grow even more severe, and there is a risk that our bodies will perish and our Dao will dissipate."

Puxian Zhenren looked thoughtful and nodded: "We cannot act directly. The third-generation disciples are simply unable to kill Jiang Ziya in front of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Mo family. Huang Tianhua has already gone to Ziyang Cave to ask Junior Brother Qingxu for the Heart-Piercing Nail. Let us wait for his return before deciding."

As the two were discussing, Leizhenzi hurried over: "Two Senior Uncles, Senior Brother Huang Tianhua has returned."

Manjusri and Puxian Zhenren exchanged a glance.

"Have him come see us quickly," Manjusri said.

"Very well, Senior Uncles." After receiving the order and withdrawing, Leizhenzi soon brought Huang Tianhua over.

"Disciple Huang Tianhua pays respects to the two Senior Uncles." Huang Tianhua bowed respectfully.

Manjusri nodded slightly.

"Junior Nephew, there is no need for such formalities. On your trip back, did you bring the Heart-Piercing Nail?"

Huang Tianhua's expression was respectful as he spoke methodically: "In reply to Senior Uncle, on this trip back to Ziyang Cave, I explained the current situation in Xiqi to my Master, and he has already handed the Heart-Piercing Nail to me."

Manjusri and Puxian Zhenren smiled at each other.

With the Heart-Piercing Nail, Huang Tianhua could kill Jiang Ziya right under the noses of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Mo family.

Manjusri's expression was stern as he said solemnly: "Junior Nephew, I believe you also understand Xiqi's current predicament. Ziya has been bewitched by the thieves of the Jie Sect and has betrayed the Chan Sect; he deserves to be purged from our ranks. Go out and challenge Jiang Ziya to battle, use the Heart-Piercing Nail to kill him when he is off guard, and bring Ziya's corpse back while you are at it."

Puxian Zhenren nodded in agreement: "The other disciples will support you at any time during this mission. Just go ahead and do it without any concerns."

Huang Tianhua's face was solemn as he cupped his hands: "Rest assured, Senior Uncles, this disciple will certainly purge the sect for our Chan Sect."

After agreeing on how to deal with Jiang Ziya, Xiqi removed the "No-Battle" sign.

The city gates opened slowly, and Huang Tianhua, riding a horse, led a troop out to challenge them.

As soon as Huang Tianhua left the city, he raised his eight-sided silver hammers and shouted loudly: "Jiang Ziya! You traitor bewitched by the Jie Sect, today is the day you die! Why don't you come out and meet your death!" His voice echoed outside Xiqi City like a great bell.

Hearing the challenge, Jiang Ziya rode his horse slowly out of the formation.

"Tianhua, Xiqi is a rebel force, not worth your loyalty. Furthermore, the Investiture of the Gods involves great karma; the Chan Sect is merely using you."

Huang Tianhua's eyes widened in anger as he shouted: "Jiang Shang, how dare you spout such heretical nonsense here! You betrayed the Chan Sect, aided the tyrant in his evil deeds, and attacked Xiqi—your crimes are unforgivable. Today, I shall act on behalf of Heaven and purge the sect!" Having said this, he charged forward on his horse, his eight-sided silver hammers smashing toward Jiang Ziya.

Jiang Ziya dodged to the side, feeling a surge of anger himself: "Although I, Jiang Shang, have not yet achieved the Dao, I am not someone a third-generation disciple like you can bully."

He drew the long sword from his horse's back and engaged Huang Tianhua in battle.

Jiang Ziya had only learned superficial skills at Kunlun and was not adept at fighting; realizing he could not win, he tried to flee back.

Seeing this, Huang Tianhua seized the opportunity and threw the Heart-Piercing Nail.

Jiang Ziya could not dodge in time; the Heart-Piercing Nail struck him squarely in the back, piercing directly through his chest.

With a muffled groan, he vomited blood and fell from his horse.

Seeing this, the Four Heavenly Kings of the Mo family were shocked, and Mo Liqing shouted angrily: "What a despicable child of the Chan Sect, to be so underhanded!"

Having said that, he raised his sword and prepared to charge at Huang Tianhua.

Huang Tianhua, however, was unhurried and threw the Heart-Piercing Nail at Mo Liqing. Mo Liqing saw it and hurriedly dodged, but the nail was too fast; he was still grazed, and a bloody gash instantly appeared on his arm, with fresh blood slowly seeping out.

Knowing this magical treasure was not simple, the later-arriving Mo Lihong, Mo Lihai, and Mo Lishou all remained on guard.

At the same time, the third-generation Chan Sect disciples who were watching the battle also swarmed out and engaged the Four Heavenly Kings of the Mo family.

Huang Tianhua rode his horse to Jiang Ziya's corpse, hoisted it up, threw it onto his horse's back, and returned to Xiqi City surrounded by the others.

Inside Xiqi City, seeing Huang Tianhua successfully bring back Jiang Ziya's corpse, Manjusri and Puxian Zhenren finally felt their suspended hearts settle.

They expressed their praise to Huang Tianhua and the others.

"Huang Tianhua, you have done well this time. We need to take Jiang Shang's corpse back to Kunlun to see the Sect Leader; you all shall keep watch over Xiqi for now."

Huang Tianhua and the others cupped their hands: "Rest assured, Senior Uncles, with us here, we will certainly not let the thieves of the Yin-Shang take advantage of the situation."

Manjusri and Puxian Zhenren nodded, swept up Jiang Ziya's corpse, and vanished from the spot.

Gu Xiu had been watching the situation in Xiqi the entire time.

Seeing Jiang Ziya killed and his corpse brought back, he knew the Chan Sect had not given up on Jiang Ziya.

He pondered for a moment.

"In the Chan Sect's layout, Jiang Ziya needs to experience three deaths and seven disasters. He has now experienced one death, but it was because he was purged for betraying the sect, not because he was killed by the Yin-Shang side."

"I believe his memories will be completely wiped, and when we see him again, he will be a brand-new Jiang Ziya."

Amidst a sigh, Gu Xiu slowly raised his head and cast his gaze outside Xiqi City.

With Jiang Ziya killed, the Four Heavenly Kings of the Mo family were furious and were frantically challenging Xiqi to battle, but the "No-Battle" sign was already hanging high on the city walls.

Forcing an attack on the city always led to accidents, so the Four Heavenly Kings had no choice but to temporarily withdraw to Jinji Ridge and send someone to Sishui Pass to notify Wen Zhong of the matter.

The attack on Xiqi had been Jiang Ziya's own initiative.

Hearing of Jiang Ziya's death, Wen Zhong sighed slightly, his face showing a complex expression.

"Ziya knew the Chan Sect would not let him go, which is why he led the army to attack Xiqi, allowing himself to die with dignity. According to Ziya's own words, the next time we meet, we will be enemies again."

At this moment, a message talisman flew in, and Wen Zhong read its contents.

He pondered briefly.

"Junior Brother says Kong Xuan is a person of great ability? That no one can do anything to him unless a Saint acts? How can this be..."

Wen Zhong had thought Kong Xuan was just someone who knew a few spells and had entered officialdom seeking wealth; he had not expected him to be a great power.

Although surprised, with the spiritual message sent by Gu Xiu, he already believed it seven or eight parts.