Chapter 40

This battle lasted from noon until the sun slanted westward, the blood-red sunset dyeing the whole sky a deep crimson, evoking a sudden feeling of desolation.

Over a thousand disciples from Luòfùgǔdé Manor and the Spirit God Hall surrounded the central platform, staring intently at the showdown of the masters on stage. Qinyan stood between the two sides, gazing at Luòshān and her father, her heart a tangle of emotions.

She naturally did not wish any mishap to befall Luòshān, but though her father had framed Luòshān, he had always been kind to her. At this moment, fleeing the manor to follow Luòshān was already unfilial; if the Viscount Luòfùgǔdé were to die at Luòshān's hands, she would be beyond redemption. One side was her lover, the other her father, yet both were now fighting desperately, risking life and death. Either you die, or I perish.

How can life be so cruel?

By now the fight was still even, but each side sensed an opportunity. The Viscount Luòfùgǔdé defended only, waiting for Luòshān and Míngguāng to exhaust each other so he could reap the benefits. Luòshān and Míngguāng naturally understood this, and whenever they struck, they often launched sudden attacks against the Viscount. Although the combatants were all top-notch heroes, their cultivation levels still differed. The Viscount, possessing the cultivation of a Human Emperor, remained calm and composed despite fighting many masters for a long time. Facing Luòshān's fierce sword assault, the sixty-four moves of the Creation Sword were exquisite; though aided by Méikèlún and Sàkèsēn, Míngguāng gradually showed signs of defeat.

Luòshān's inner magical power was abundant, and with Bavaria's help, he fought with increasing ease. Suddenly letting out a long whistle, he thrust his sword, striking the shaft of Goth's great sword. This blow was tremendously powerful; although Goth was protected by a barrier formed by Míngguāng and others, he still stumbled back several steps, barely managing to stand before his face turned pale and he spat a mouthful of blood, collapsing to the ground.

It turned out Goth had already been seriously wounded, his strength greatly depleted, and after enduring repeated magical attacks in this fierce battle, he was utterly spent. When Luòshān's strike hit him, magical power penetrated his body, and he could no longer hold on. Míngguāng gasped in shock, rushed to support him, but saw Goth's eyes stare blankly, his body cold—he had already died.

"Bavaria, Hessen." Míngguāng and Goth were close allies, Goth having aided him repeatedly; now, overwhelmed with grief and indignation, he shouted, "You two traitors, Goth is dead—are you satisfied now?" "Goth." Hessen, hearing the news, was stunned; he and Goth had been colleagues for decades, and upon suddenly hearing of Goth's death, his mind fell into disarray. Bavaria also felt grim. Though he had wholeheartedly aided Luòshān, he had never truly regarded Míngguāng, Goth, and the others as enemies. Goth's death was not what he wished. The battle momentarily eased; Bavaria and Hessen stared at each other, and both halted their attacks on Míngguāng.

"Brother Goth," Hessen exclaimed loudly, "we have implicated you in your miserable death; I feel deep shame. As for today's matter, I will have no further part." He let out a long sigh, raised his staff with both hands, and with a crisp snap the staff broke into two pieces under his grip. "Bavaria," he turned, forcing a bitter smile, "do you still wish to keep fighting?"

Bavaria gazed at Goth's corpse, feeling bitter sorrow, yet did not know what to do. "Young Luòshān," he sighed, "I helped you today solely for Pei'er, but in doing so I have also betrayed the Spirit God Hall. A person cannot forget his roots; what face do I, Bavaria, have left to meet the world?"

He turned, only to feel a sudden chill in his chest as blood spurted out. A long laugh rang in his ears—it was the Viscount Luòfùgǔdé. "Since you have no face to show the world, old Luòfùgǔdé will send you on your way!" The Viscount's form was ghost‑swift; after his long defensive stance, he launched a sudden attack that even masters like Luòshān and Míngguāng could not block in time. Bavaria's heart sank, utterly unprepared; the strike pierced his protective barrier, struck his lungs, and the immense magical power instantly shattered his five viscera and six bowels. Bavaria stood dazed for a moment, his body losing support, then toppled backward. His vision went black, and he felt no pain at all.

As he closed his eyes, he seemed to see a maiden's figure fluttering before him like a butterfly. He felt a surge of joy, wanting to open his arms to embrace her, but darkness rushed in like a flood.

Viscount Luo Fu Gu De struck down Ba Fa Li Ya in a single move, then fiercely slashed, and before anyone could react he suddenly attacked Hei Sen. Hei Sen had just broken his own staff, his heart wounded, and he had no power to resist this strike. Viscount Luo Fu Gu De's sword swept across his neck, and a head fell instantly. Ming Guang let out an angry shout, dark arrows shot out, and then Mei Ke Lun and Sa Ke Sen also fired beams of light. Viscount Luo Fu Gu De laughed heartily, his movements like lightning, and he managed to dodge all of them in an instant; he swung his right hand sword, deflecting Luo Shan's opening Genesis Sword Technique. He took advantage of Ge Te's exhaustion and death, and while the Spirit God Hall's disciples were in utter confusion, he suddenly struck, killing Ba Fa Li Ya and Hei Sen, two top experts, instantly reversing the situation. Among the seven experts of the Spirit God Hall, aside from Ming Guang only two remained, and they were no match for Viscount Luo Fu Gu De. The people of Luo Fu Gu De Manor saw victory in their grasp and could not help but shout aloud in joy.

Ming Guang waved his staff, retreating several steps under the sword light of Viscount Luo Fu Gu De, his heart filled with grief and indignation beyond words. In this battle, the experts of the Spirit God Hall were all wiped out; it can be said they suffered a crushing defeat. At this moment, whether it be Luo Shan or the viscount, both are opponents he finds hard to contend with. Yet after all, he still has a final desperate plan. Although this plan is extremely risky, unprecedented, and a slight mistake would not only doom him but today the entire peak of Cold Mountain would run red with blood. However, now he can no longer afford to worry about that.

Anyway, death is inevitable; taking a risk might still leave a sliver of hope.

Just then, Luo Shan's sword attacked again. Ming Guang brandished his staff, barely using a magical barrier to block his storm-like assault. 'Luo Shan!' he suddenly shouted. 'Your parents are still in my Spirit God Hall's hands; do you want to see them?' 'After I end your life, you will naturally see them.' Luo Shan replied coldly, but at that moment Viscount Luo Fu Gu De launched a fierce attack from the side; forced, he could only ease his assault on Ming Guang and turn to parry the viscount's sword moves. 'Not bad, with your current strength you could indeed kill me in one strike.' Ming Guang proclaimed loudly. 'But you wish to see your parents safe and sound—don't even dream of it. Even if the Spirit God Hall loses today, we will still perish together.'

As soon as these words left his mouth, Luo Shan's heart jolted. His purpose in fighting thus far has been to rescue his parents, but if Ming Guang truly flew into a rage and first killed his parents, then even if he killed Ming Guang and slaughtered all the Spirit God Hall disciples, he would still find it hard to save their lives. 'Ming Guang, what do you want?' Luo Shan gathered his full strength, his sword unleashing several consecutive moves, forcing Viscount Luo Fu Gu De to retreat several steps.

At this moment, Viscount Luo Fu Gu De also felt a pang of panic. He knew Luo Shan would do anything to save his parents. If Ming Guang used this as leverage, forcing Luo Shan into a death match with him, and adding the strength of Ming Guang, Sa Ke Sen, and Mei Ke Lun, he would surely be no match; if that happened, it would be disastrous. 'Luo Shan kid, you'd better think this through.' The viscount immediately said coldly. 'Ming Guang is full of tricks; once he uses your strength to eliminate me, he will turn on you. In the end, you still won't be able to rescue your parents.' 'Viscount.' Ming Guang suddenly laughed. 'If we're talking about tricks, how could Ming Guang compare to you, Viscount? Just now the tragic deaths of Ba Fa Li Ya and Hei Sen—everyone present saw exactly what happened.'

'All is fair in love and war,' Viscount Luo Fu Gu De said arrogantly. 'Ming Guang, if you know you cannot win, then surrender your weapons; old Luo Fu Gu De is not a lover of slaughter, perhaps I will spare your life, and the Spirit God Hall need not face total annihilation.' 'Viscount, your calculations are truly precise.' Ming Guang laughed. 'Luo Shan, I do not mean for you to switch and aid me now; rather, we three will temporarily cease hostilities. Your parents are currently imprisoned together with other angel clans in my Cold Mountain Forbidden Land; if you have the courage, come with me, and I will naturally release your parents.' 'Ming Guang, what scheming are you employing now?' Viscount Luo Fu Gu De sneered. 'Luo Shan kid, though foolish, he is not so stupid as to walk into a trap. Who knows what snares you have laid in the Cold Mountain Forbidden Land?' 'Viscount, if you are afraid, you may stay here.' Ming Guang said. 'Luo Shan kid, what is your decision?'

'If that is the case, I shall accompany you.' Luo Shan flicked his sleeves and replied resolutely.

'Good, truly a youthful hero.' Ming Guang clapped his hands. His right hand staff traced in the air, already condensing into a dark passage. 'Viscount Luo Fu Gu De, you too come with us.'

'Since Lord Ming Guang has spoken, old Luo Fu Gu De shall naturally follow.' Viscount Luo Fu Gu De snorted, and involuntarily sheathed his sword. 'Let's see what mysteries lie within the Spirit God Hall's so-called Forbidden Land.'

'Mysteries?' Ming Guang laughed. 'Viscount, you will know in due time.'