Chapter 1844: [Yunshao Prefecture] (Lower)

Meizhuang did not get angry but laughed, her wrinkled face like a blooming chrysanthemum: "This time you are right."

Xiang Shancong said: "You want to use the Rong Stone to expose the hidden secret, blackmail Wuji Guan, and thereby achieve your goal of avenging Ren Tianqing."

Meizhuang sighed and said: "A strong general has no weak troops under him; I never expected that a slave under Xue Shengjing would have such a formidable mind."

Xiang Shancong calmly said: "A person's mind is not determined by their position; although you are honored as the Wuxian Sect Leader, from beginning to end you are merely a puppet."

Meizhuang's eyes flashed a spark, a murderous aura spread out, as if an invisible great net enveloped Xiang Shancong. Even the hidden Hu Xiaotian and Xia Zhangming outside felt a chill, yet Xiang Shancong's expression showed no change, smiling: "If it weren't for Qin Se committing a great taboo, the sect leader's position would certainly not have fallen to you; Ren Tianqing, that person from Sumeru Heaven, is no less qualified than you to sit in that position?"

Meizhuang said: "Although I have no particular skill, I still have some confidence in killing you."

Xiang Shancong said: "You think you're clever, but you've miscalculated one thing."

Meizhuang said: "What matter?"

Xiang Shancong said: "Wuji Guan never yields to threats from anyone, nor does it bargain with anyone."

Meizhuang laughed hehe, her laughter not yet finished, her clothes all around swelled up, with a poof! sound, green smoke radiated from her body in all directions, instantly filling the entire third floor.

Hu Xiaotian and Xia Zhangming both held their breath; Hu Xiaotian made a gesture, signaling Xia Zhangming to step aside temporarily, after all not everyone possesses his immunity to all poisons.

Xiang Shancong slapped out a palm; his palm force in the space filled with green smoke struck out a clear palm print, which gradually approached Meizhuang, expanding at a visible speed.

Meizhuang rose to her feet, shaking her hands, hundreds of steel needles shot toward Xiang Shancong like chasing wind and lightning; the needles pierced the air with sharp hisses, yet Xiang Shancong made no evasive move, the palm print continued to expand, and those hundreds of needles, as they traveled, seemed to be drawn by a great force, each changing direction, twisting their trajectories in midair, being absorbed into the palm print.

At this moment Meizhuang realized that Xiang Shancong's martial arts were unfathomable, certainly not inferior to Ren Tianqing; in one-on-one combat, she might not be his match.

The palm print had expanded to three feet in length, clearly visible in the green mist-filled air.

Although Hu Xiaotian was merely a bystander, he also felt shocked; Xiang Shancong was so formidable, Xue Shengjing had assigned him to guard Huo Xiaoru, apparently prepared in advance—with Xiang Shancong's martial skill, having him protect Huo Xiaoru would be utterly secure.

The palm print suddenly expanded, instantly more than doubling in size; immense force erupted, the collision of energy and air producing an explosion sound. The tremendous inner force from Xiang Shancong, carrying the hundreds of steel needles Meizhuang had just fired, surged like a raging torrent toward her.

Even with Meizhuang's ability she dared not directly confront the sharp edge; her body flickered, she displayed an astonishing movement technique within the small building, instantly producing dozens of afterimages. Hu Xiaotian knew this was due to her extreme speed leaving visual afterimages in the human field of view.

Although Xiang Shancong's palm strike did not hit Meizhuang, it could not be withdrawn; his mighty palm force slapped the railing on the third floor, with a crack! the railing was broken open a gap of about two zhang, and even the ground was chipped away a large piece.

Hu Xiaotian hurriedly retreated to the side, narrowly avoiding being hit by those dust and debris.

Meizhuang stopped three zhang away from Xiang Shancong, parted her sleeves, the clouds cleared and mist dispersed, the small building returned to clarity, she also resumed her original appearance, her eyes still retaining a look of shock; Xiang Shancong's strength was beyond her expectation, Meizhuang sighed and said: "Shopkeeper Xiang, you are truly unreasonable, first you broke faith, and now you even resort to violence—truly no business without deceit!"

Xiang Shancong smiled: "When dealing with the Lady, there's no need to talk about trust; besides, it was clearly you who struck first."

Meizhuang said: "Today you clearly intend to extort me, don't you?"

Xiang Shancong said: "I want the person, I also want the skull; Lady, if you're sensible you'd better leave now, there's no need to leave your life here."

Hu Xiaotian listened beside them, secretly sighing, "the strong always meet stronger"; Meizhuang may not be a good person, but this Xiang Shancong is clearly no good bird either—tonight there actually happened a case of black eating black, though from his words it seems Huo Xiaoru has already left with the skull, yet I don't know what role she played in it.

While Hu Xiaotian was pondering, he suddenly sensed something amiss around; looking ahead, he saw a figure to the front-right, initially thinking it was Xia Zhangming returning, but soon realized it was not Xia Zhangming; focusing his gaze, the other's black-and-white clear eyes also looked at him, yet he heard via voice transmission: "Go help Meizhuang entangle Xiang Shancong; I will take the Rong Stone away."

Hu Xiaotian couldn't help but be overjoyed; this unexpected guest turned out to be Ji Feihua, whom he had not invited tonight—apparently Ji Feihua had been following him all along; Hu Xiaotian nodded. Ji Feihua drew something from her waist and threw it over; Hu Xiaotian caught it in one hand, and it was a light sword.

Hu Xiaotian turned and looked into the distance, seeing Xia Zhangming also appear from a large tree to the rear-right; it turned out he had also noticed Ji Feihua's appearance, fearing she might be unfavorable to Hu Xiaotian, he stood ready to assist; Hu Xiaotian gave him an OK sign, tapped his toes, and like a great bird swooped into the small building.

Meizhuang is no fool; intimidated by Xiang Shancong's dominance, she was considering whether to temporarily retreat, but then saw another person arrive, her mind completely dispelling any thought of fighting Xiang Shancong—one Xiang Shancong she could not match, let alone with his reinforcements.

Xiang Shancong was also startled; regardless of who the other party was, being able to lurk outside undetected meant their martial arts were certainly extraordinary; he assumed the other was Meizhuang's aide.

Hu Xiaotian said: "In the dead of night, you two— a solitary man and woman— sharing a room, aren't you afraid of gossip?"

Meizhuang and Xiang Shancong simultaneously recognized Hu Xiaotian; neither knew this fellow's background or stance, and a hint of suspicion appeared in each other's eyes.

Xiang Shancong reacted with amazing speed, he chuckled hehe: "So it's the Prince; the Prince's gracious visit truly makes my humble abode shine."

Hu Xiaotian surveyed the chaotic scene all around, couldn't help but laugh: "Indeed, the humble dwelling shines; Shopkeeper Xiang, are you tearing down the house?"

Xiang Shancong not only showed no embarrassment, but laughed even more happily: "Without destruction there is no creation; the old must go for the new to come; in my view this small building has long been displeasing to the eye."

Hu Xiaotian turned to Meizhuang and said: "Lady, you came this time also to help tear down the house, right?"

Meizhuang rolled her eyes, ignored him, and thought to herself: Since Hu Xiaotian is willing to help Xiang Shancong rescue the Rong Stone, their relationship must be deep; tonight it seems I'm in trouble— one Xiang Shancong is already more than I can handle, adding Hu Xiaotian, I must quickly consider an escape plan.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Shopkeeper Xiang, you're not being a good friend!"

Xiang Shancong smiled narrowly: "Your Highness, what brings you to say that?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Shopkeeper Xiang asked me to help rescue someone, but behind the scenes you actually had a private deal with the Lady, taking all the benefits for yourself— do you take me for a fool?"

Xiang Shancong pretended to be confused: "The more Your Highness speaks, the more confused I become."

The smile on Hu Xiaotian's face suddenly vanished, and he shouted sternly: "Where is the skull?" This shout startled Xiang Shancong; Meizhuang, meanwhile, was delighted in her heart, realizing Hu Xiaotian had come for the skull— if so, he and Xiang Shancong were not on the same side.

Xiang Shancong said: "What skull? Your Highness has wronged me."

Meizhuang said: "Xiang Shancong, since you did it, why won't you admit it? You promised me to exchange the Rong Stone for the skull; I gave you the skull, and now you want to deny it?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Shopkeeper Xiang, that skull is a royal object; if you now exchange the skull, considering our acquaintance, I will treat it as if nothing happened; otherwise, don't blame me for enforcing the law impartially!" His words were spoken with great weight.

Xiang Shancong, old and crafty, could not easily yield; he sighed: "Your Highness, where does this come from? I, Xiang, have never seen any skull; Your Highness, don't be deceived by this poisonous woman."

Hu Xiaotian's gaze turned to Meizhuang; Meizhuang said: "Why would I deceive you? That skull is something I found in Long Ling Shengjing; now this scoundrel has tricked it away from me."

Hu Xiaotian drew the light sword, twisted the hilt, and a green light blade emerged; this was the female sword found in the Da Yong imperial mausoleum, the male sword having self-destructed in Long Ling Shengjing; Hu Xiaotian said: "Since Shopkeeper Xiang does not regard me as a friend, I can only resort to force."

Meizhuang secretly rejoiced, having thought Hu Xiaotian's appearance would mean joining forces with Xiang Shancong against her, but she never expected him to choose to stand on her side.

Xiang Shancong's face darkened; although he held an absolute advantage over Meizhuang, now with Hu Xiaotian added, the strength balance suddenly reversed; more than the shift in power, it was Hu Xiaotian's discovery of the plan that made him even more furious.

Hu Xiaotian stepped forward, slowly thrusting a sword at Xiang Shancong; this is one of the Seven Slays of Heaven sword techniques, named "Heaven High, Clouds Light"; though the move appears plain and unremarkable, within its simplicity lies immense, unmatched power— as soon as Hu Xiaotian made the move, he cut off Xiang Shancong's retreat.

Meizhuang saw Hu Xiaotian truly make a move against Xiang Shancong, overjoyed beyond expectation, she knew the opportunity must not be missed, she shook both hands, several hundred white bone needles shot from different angles toward Xiang Shancong.

Xiang Shancong, caught between the two, showed no panic; his right foot stomped, Peng! —the floor beneath him was kicked out a big hole by him, his body plunged straight down, thus Meizhuang's white bone needles lost their target, equivalent to all shooting toward Hu Xiaotian. Meizhuang gave a cold snort, waved both hands, the high-speed white bone needles could suddenly change direction mid-flight, chasing and shooting down at Xiang Shancong. (To be continued~^~)