Chapter 92: Qingshan Goat Horn Heaven-Shattering Hammer, When It Comes to Escaping Death, Your Master Can't Compare to Me [Seeking M

Hero?

Mu Popo stared blankly for a moment: "This world... heroes don't live long."

The carriage was laid with a soft cushion; even if it jolted, it would not be comfortable at all. Li Qingshan held Mu Popo's hand; even though she had long grown old, the skin on her hand was not as smooth and tender as a girl's.

But Li Qingshan couldn't bear to let go of her hand.

He gently played with her long fingers.

"Heroes indeed don't live long."

"But that guy is different... if we don't consider his killing methods, he could be considered a hero."

Li Qingshan laughed.

Mu Popo instantly understood whom Li Qingshan was referring to.

She couldn't help but recall when the Xu Ji Divine Cultivation Academy was attacked, when she was in utter despair and planned to perish together with those Yang family scoundrels...

A burly figure stepped forward, smashing the Yang family's plan to seize the spirit children and rescuing those innocent kids.

Niu Mo, whose methods were cruel and whose appearance was fierce, not like a good person... a hero.

At least, in Mu Popo's view, the Niu Mo who saved the children counts as a hero!

"Niu Mo? He... dares to meddle in this 'Thousand Buddha Carving Banquet'?"

Mu Popo frowned, unable to hold back her question.

Cao Guang had been preparing for the Thousand Buddha Carving Banquet for far too long, several years, whether developing the Spirit Infant Sect, plundering and capturing spirit children, or spending lavishly to invite woodcarvers from all tribes to craft spirit infant wood carvings...

Years of scheming were all for a single Thousand Buddha Carving Banquet.

Mu Popo wasn't stupid either; she clearly understood that Cao Guang was doing this to advance his own strength.

Cao Guang likely intended to use this Thousand Buddha Carving Banquet to borrow power from the temple deity to assault the God Aspect.

Sacrifice is quite normal in this world.

When Mu Popo was young, she traveled the whole country and witnessed too many sacrifices.

Riverside fishing villages would use maidens or girl children, paired with three livestock and five beasts, etc., to sacrifice to the river god.

Mountain villages would also sacrifice to the mountain lord and mountain god.

Even sand castles in the desert and small nations in oases would sacrifice to the desert deities.

And those who sacrifice at the Guiyi Miao are even more numerous; although the deity's nature influences all directions, giving birth to evil influences, there will be corpse guardians of the temple scattered to wreak havoc everywhere.

But after all, what is enshrined in the Guiyi Miao is a god, a dead god, yet still a god.

Many powerful cultivators, through sacrifice and worship of gods, obtain power beyond their own, undergo transformation, achieve advancement in their cultivation realm, and they care not whether the god is strange or evil.

Mu Popo knew that Cao Guang was also engaged in such sacrificial rites.

But what could she do?

She simply couldn't stop him; she was merely an old person with fading divinity, exhausted qi and blood, half a foot already stepped into the loess, having never forged a Divine Foundation, just a mundane mortal.

Li Qingshan seemed to know what Mu Popo had endured, and laughed: "Why wouldn't he dare?"

"You think he'll die? That kid's skill at staying alive... is quite strong."

Li Qingshan thought of Li Che's breath-concealing technique, and the endless variety of Tang clan hidden weapons capable of killing Divine Foundation cultivators...

Even though the Thousand Buddha Carving Banquet was something Cao Guang had prepared for years, even though he had made ample backup plans...

But...

Niu Mo might not die.

Niu Mo's methods are clearly not those of a good person, bringing calamity for a thousand years—how could he die easily?

"Besides... isn't there this old man?"

Mu Popo looked at Li Qingshan, just as shamelessly proud and extraordinary as he had been years ago, and couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Do you know Niu Mo? Are you aware of his true identity?"

Mu Popo asked curiously.

Who is Niu Mo?

She was somewhat curious; Li Qingshan seemed to know Niu Mo's true identity.

Suddenly, the steeds neighed, the hoofbeats trampling the mud grew ever more urgent, mixed with the wind and rain of sleet, slapping against the carriage continuously!

Li Qingshan, who had been lazily holding Mu Popo's hand, did not answer her question.

He suddenly sat up straight, his eyes gleaming sharply.

"Here they come."

Li Qingshan lifted the curtain, gazing toward the darkening sky beyond, and gave a light smile.

Mu Popo was startled.

The next moment.

Then he saw Li Qingshan lift the carriage curtain and step out, tapping lightly with the tip of his foot, and in the coachman's horrified gaze, he floated down onto the head of that Benz swift horse.

Even as the horse ran, its head bobbing up and down, its wet mane flying wildly.

Nor could it affect the green-clad old man in the slightest.

The wild wind mixed with rain, from before the old man standing on the horse's head, unfurled like the opening of a grand drama.

Woo—woo—woo——

The heavens and earth seemed to transmit a heavy wail!

It also sounded like a terrifying beast lowly growling and roaring!

Countless raindrops burst open, forming a vast white misty wave.

Atop the wave was a jet-black goat horn hammer!

From the center of the goat horn hammer jutted a sharp spike, like a spear, as if to pierce the heavens!

On the distant rainy plain, after flinging this hammer, a figure clasped his fists far away and then melted into the rain like water.

The old man raised his hand.

The Goat Horn Hammer shot forth and was seized in his hand with a boom.

The supreme divine power surged from the Goat Horn Hammer, as if transformed into a peerless ferocious beast that raged against heaven and earth.

In an instant, the rain between heaven and earth seemed to cease.

«The Goat Horn Breaking Heaven Hammer… brings only a tenth of my divine power, but that's enough. »

«Dealing with some misshapen melons and split dates… is enough. »

Li Qingshan gripped the Goat Horn Hammer, his green robes billowing, his hunched spine slowly straightening.

As if filled with spirit, he stretched lazily toward heaven and earth.

Mu Popo, seated in the carriage, stared blankly.

In that instant, that stooped figure seemed, in her eyes, to look back to the past, when a white horse once roamed the jianghu.

He beheld a spirited, azure-clad youth endowed with innate divine strength.

That year.

The youth had spirit, the beauty still like jade.

……

……

Fēiléichéng.

At the Lord Mayor's Manor, beneath the eight‑angled layered eaves.

Wind and rain mingled, the world hazy; distant Cold Mountain wrapped in misty ribbons, like an ink‑splashed landscape painting.

Cao Guang changed into a clean set of splendid brocade robes, adorned with gold and silver, hands clasped behind his back as he stood upon the city tower.

His eyes were deep, as if hiding a sharp weapon.

A blurred figure appeared, breath ebbing and flowing, a knife at his waist, its blade nurturing a mighty sword aura—this was Cao Guang's son, Cao Qingyuan.

«Have you found your second uncle's corpse? »

Cao Guang gazed at the rain‑veiled heaven and earth, speaking lightly.

Cao Qingyuan's face was icy; a flash of sorrow crossed his eyes as he shook his head: «I haven't found it; the night‑long rain washed away too many traces—his corpse cannot be found, only a few chunks of blasted‑apart flesh…»

«Bits of flesh…»

Cao Guang's lips twitched, his cheek muscles spasmed.

It's certain…

How ruthless!

Li Qingshan!

Goat Horn Breaking Heaven Hammer… Li Qingshan!

Cao He must have met Li Qingshan's lethal blow—his body instantly hammered to pieces, exploding into scattered flesh.

According to rumors relayed from the prefecture city, this Goat Horn Breaking Heaven Hammer‑wielding Li Qingshan is utterly merciless, his attacks savage—opponents are either hammered to shreds or smashed to pulp…

Cao He… left not a trace of bone.

«Second uncle…»

Cao Qingyuan was filled with grief.

But Cao Guang turned his head, his eyes icy cold, his visage accompanied by rolling thunder‑snakes in the dark clouds, even revealing a hint of ferocity.

«What's there to grieve? Prepare the Thousand Buddha Carving Feast—do you think Li Qingshan lingered so long in Fēiléichéng only to leave suddenly for what purpose? »

«He's giving us a chance to hold the rites; he will surely return, and after completing the sacrifice he'll come back to slaughter us! »

Cao Guang's face froze to utter coldness, and from between his teeth he spat words that made Cao Qingyuan's heart shudder.

«He… is he feigning departure? »

«He knows that in the city I will not hold the rites, and that he now can only mobilize his blood and qi; though he possesses Grand Master cultivation, he cannot hammer me to death. »

Cao Guang said coldly.

«So he must have drawn divine power from the Divine Sect Mountain Gate… he just happened to go outside the city to gather divine power, thereby giving us the opportunity to hold the rites…»

Cao Guang spoke, closing his eyes as his body trembled slightly.

«If I do not hold the rites, Li Qingshan, who has obtained divine power… I am no match for even a single hammer blow—I would be shattered, and everything would be over. »

«He is forcing me…»

«Both openly and secretly… he's forcing me. »

Cao Guang's words struck like thunder in Cao Qingyuan's ears, shocking him so that his body trembled and he involuntarily stepped back two paces.

«Does he not know that if we hold the rites, the temple god will surely awaken fully? »

«Does he dare confront the fully awakened god of the Guiyi Miao? »

Cao Qingyuan's voice rose several notches.

Cao Guang exhaled, his voice tinged with bitterness: «Perhaps… he never even regarded us. »

«What he wants to hammer… has always been the temple god? »

Cao Qingyuan froze.

«He is… this arrogant? »

Cao Guang suddenly gave a bitter smile, a gloomy gleam in his eyes, as if an old wound he'd rather not recall had been ripped open.

«What's arrogant about this? I've seen someone even more arrogant than Li Qingshan…»

He shook his head.

Cao Guang's thoughts returned, and he glanced lightly at Cao Qingyuan.

I naturally guessed his purpose; since Li Qingshan is mad…… I will go along with his madness.

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"Today we shall begin the sacrifice; as long as the great sacrifice reaches completion, if my cultivation breaks through… Li Qingshan may not be able to do anything to me."

"Although he is among the top ten cultivators on the God Foundation Ranking, most of his divinity remains in the Guiyi Miao at the branch sect's mountain gate, observing the deity… the divinity he can mobilize does not exceed one-tenth."

"One-tenth of divinity… what is there to fear?"

"Cao Guang's body emanates an overbearing and wrathful divinity, slowly twisting and flowing out, instantly filling the entire floor of the pavilion!"

"Moreover… since I know his purpose, how could I not prepare even a hint of surprise?"

"Li Qingshan, endowed with innate divine strength… a grandmaster's fleshly body."

"My sect… likes it the most."

"Cao Guang bared his mouth, revealing a grim smile, as if he wanted to eat someone."

"Cao Qingyuan was shrouded in a chill all over."

"Suddenly, a sound like Cao Guang's soul-seizing thunder echoed in his ears."

"Pass it down…"

"Thousand Buddha Carving Feast."

"Begin the sacrifice!"

……

……

"The wind and rain slanted, fiercely beating against the carriage's cabin."

"Crackling, like hailstones falling to the mortal realm."

"Inside the warm carriage, Xixi initially felt the fresh excitement, but soon, in the dull, bumpy journey, she curled up in Zhang Ya's embrace and fell asleep."

"The charcoal brazier burned, warming the carriage and dispelling the chill brought by the rain and snow."

"Lv Chi wore his hair in Nezha-style braids, yet his eyes widened."

"Li Che gently draped a blanket over the sleeping mother and daughter, then turned his gaze to Lv Chi."

"Take good care of them."

"Li Che said."

"Lv Chi immediately understood what Li Che intended to do."

"It's very dangerous…" Lv Chi said in a slightly anxious low voice.

"My master probably had someone deliver that ram's horn hammer that has crushed countless people… if he grips the hammer and swings it hard, one person is enough."

"Don't play the hero!"

"Li Che gave Lv Chi a strange look: 'Hero? I never wanted to be any kind of hero…'"

"Then you…" Lv Chi opened his mouth, wanting to say something.

"But Li Che slapped his palm onto his big head, stopping his words."

"All right, I just have some private matters to attend to; if there really is danger, I'll surely slip away faster than your master—even if your master dies, I won't."

"Lv Chi was speechless, thanking you on behalf of his master."

"My master is very formidable…"

"He unconvincedly muttered a sentence."

"Li Che gently lifted the curtain with quiet movements and smiled: 'Senior Qingshan is quite formidable…'"

"But when it comes to escaping for one's life, I am superior."

"Having finished speaking, Li Che stepped out of the carriage."

"Outside, the wind and rain wailed, the dark clouds scudding across the firmament blown by the wind."

"The slanting rain mixed with snow struck the bamboo hat, crackling nonstop."

"Li Che opened his umbrella, stepped onto the carriage shaft; the escort head Qian He noticed and immediately pulled the reins over."

"Master Li… the weather today is not good; I don't know why it suddenly turned into a storm."

"Qian He pulled the reins, his clothes already soaked by the rain."

"However, as a body-tempering martial artist, he did not mind this chill."

"The wind and rain are fierce; Master Li, do not come out, lest you get drenched and fall ill."

"Li Che said with a smile: 'No problem, I'll go to that carriage to carve some divine woodwork, so I can go to the prefectural city to earn money—people say living in the prefectural city is not easy; with my family in tow, it's best to prepare early.'"

"By the way, I'll also practice my woodcarving skills; to enter the Primordial Origin Divine Sect, I still need to rely on this craft."

"Upon hearing this, Qian He immediately felt solemn respect."

"Indeed, the master's achievements are not accidental; besides talent, diligence and effort are also indispensable."

"Li Che himself possessed qi and blood cultivation, and he easily leapt onto another carriage."

"Escort Head Qian, when I am carving the divine woodwork… I prefer not to be disturbed; if there is no urgent matter, you may tell Master Chen."

"Li Che said solemnly."

"Qian He hastily nodded."

"Afterward, Li Che slipped into the carriage filled with lumber."

"Heaven and earth instantly fell silent, the tumultuous wind and rain completely shut out."

"Li Che exhaled a mouthful of turbid qi."

"He did not directly use the Fēiléichéng chess piece anchor left in Fēiléichéng, returning to Fēiléichéng."

"He leaned against the soft carriage seat, his sword finger tearing open the air."

"The Qiankun Jade obtained last night from slaying Cao He then slipped out."

With a flick of his finger, the divinity on the Heaven-Earth Jade was directly crushed, and everything stored inside was fully revealed to Li Che's perception.

Compared to the Yang family's Divine Foundation cultivator Yang Jing, the 'Ma Mian Ren' Cao He was much more impoverished.

Inside the Heaven-Earth Jade were mostly ordinary weapons; the silver amounted to only a few hundred taels, and the gold leaves numbered no more than ten pieces—this estate was truly meager, completely unsuitable for a Divine Foundation cultivator's assets.

In terms of martial arts, however, there was an unexpected delight.

《Dàjǐng Town Temple Superior Hell Lotus Meridian Mystic Vein Method》!

This is…… a superior Mystic Vein Method!

Li Che's eyes shone brightly; his qi and blood cultivation had already reached the pinnacle of the qi meridian.

Unfortunately, he was lacking a Mystic Vein Method.

According to Li Qing Shan, to transmit the Mystic Vein Method to him, one must enter the Divine Sect; that means Li Che still has to hold out until the spring equinox of next February.

But now……

An unexpected gain!

"Dàjǐng Town Temple Meridian Martial Arts…… it seems this Ma Mian Ren is indeed from the imperial court's prefectural governor's mansion; the Divine Foundation cultivators of that mansion are only a few."

Li Che guessed this person's identity.

Yet it wasn't surprising; it merely confirmed his suspicion.

He did not immediately cultivate this Mystic Vein Method.

After receiving his Heaven-Earth space, Li Che continued to take inventory.

As for divine arts, there was only one scripture worth mentioning: the 《Dàjǐng Town Temple Nine Luminaries Wrathful Maitreya Divine Foundation Method》; for Li Che, who had already forged his Divine Foundation, this was rather useless.

"This is……"

Li Che's heart suddenly stirred.

A black jade cleansing bottle appeared in his hand.

"A Martial Pill? Only one?"

Li Che raised an eyebrow.

Activating the Thousand Analysis Hand, his palm turned jade-colored.

He poured out the pill, which fell into his hand; its extremely potent medicinal smell mixed with a pungent stench, instantly filling the entire carriage.

At the same time, information about the pill.

The Thousand Analysis Hand also immediately analyzed it.

……

【Martial Pill (Ninth Tier Low Grade): Dàjǐng Imperial Observatory Fury Black Flood Dragon Martial Pill】

【Craftsmanship: take the mixed blood of an eighth-tier fury black flood dragon demon beast, mix with ten kinds of medicinal herbs, refined using the secret pill formula of the Imperial Observatory's pill master, simmered for two hours to form the pill; one furnace yields nine pills, the medicinal potency is extremely strong, smells foul, taste slightly sweet】

【Usage: for meridian warriors and above】

……

Li Che's breathing grew a bit hurried, his eyes gleaming.

"The Imperial Observatory's pill?!"

He suddenly understood why Cao He's Heaven-Earth Jade contained so little wealth, completely unsuitable for a veteran Divine Foundation cultivator's estate.

It seems most of it was spent purchasing this pill.

A ninth-tier low-grade pill, its value is more than a thousand gold!

Most importantly, it comes from the Imperial Observatory, whose pill quality is guaranteed; although Dàjǐng's current prosperity does not match its peak, the name of the Dàjǐng Imperial Observatory still guarantees quality.

Whether it's the pills, talismans, or divine wood carvings they produce, they are unrivaled in Dàjǐng.

It is heard that within the Imperial Observatory gathers a group of the most talented wood carving masters of the Dàjǐng dynasty.

And the once-flourishing Tang Clan Mechanist House, it seems after its downfall, most of its mechanist masters were absorbed into the Imperial Observatory.

Li Che's eyes flickered, the Imperial Observatory……

The prefectural city apparently also has a branch of the Imperial Observatory.

"I wonder…… does the prefectural city's Imperial Observatory possibly have a complete and detailed Tang Clan Mechanist secret manual?"

Li Che pondered.

Looking at the pill in his hand, Li Che furrowed his brows; he had originally thought his wealth was abundant, that he would henceforth want for nothing, but now it seemed a bit presumptuous.

"If one wants to achieve pill freedom, one still needs to earn more money."

"The prefectural governor's mansion……"

Li Che's eyes flickered slightly; fortunately, the way to make money is not far away.

He flipped his palm, storing the pill into the black jade bottle, and placed it back into his Heaven-Earth space.

With a flick of his finger, a cute cow mask slipped into his hand, which he placed over his face.

He clenched his five fingers tightly.

In an instant, the air seemed to faintly ripple.

When Li Che opened his eyes, he had already returned to the study inside the Nei Cheng courtyard.

Quiet and still, in the emptied study.

Exuding a sense of vacant loneliness.

Li Che sat upright on the wooden chair, beneath the cute cow mask, his eyes shining with sharp light.

Then he put on the elastic black clothing and took down the bamboo hat hanging on the door.

With a bang.

The door swung wide open.

The fierce wind and rain howled in, blowing Li Che's black robe sleeves into a wild flurry.

Li Che's body swelled with a bang, stretching the elastic black robe taut and bulging; python-like tendons between his back trembled, countless raindrops rebounded and shot upward, blasting up a continuous mist of water.

Dark clouds murkily intertwined, and electric snakes writhed within the clouds.

Li Che lifted his head, and rain and snow struck his mask.

Sensing the city's unique aura, his gaze narrowed.

"Has the Thousand Buddha Carving Banquet begun?"

"But..."

Li Che's body trembled, and the Dragon Elephant Golden Strength shuddered violently; his entire qi and blood were fully restrained, not lacking in the slightest compared to the supreme-level Turtle Breath Technique.

Bang——!

He lightly tapped the ground with his toes, and instantly a spray of water burst up silently.

His entire figure had already shot toward the direction of Nei Cheng's Xu Ji Grand Courtyard.

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