Chapter 997: The Demon Appears (Part 2)

Yan Nujiao smelled the bloody scent on the blade, her pretty face turned deathly pale, she trembled and said: "Who exactly are you?"

The middle-aged man slowly turned around, his narrow eyes fixed on Yan Nujiao, speaking slowly: "Hu Xiaotian, I know you're here, why hide like a turtle? Come out and die!"

Hu Xiaotian had been paying attention to the outside changes, although he sensed something was off, he didn't expect the situation to change so fast that he barely had time to react; over a dozen people had already died on the spot at Azure Cloud Mountain Villa, and even Yan Nujiao fell into the enemy's control.

Hu Xiaotian deduced these people couldn't be government officials, otherwise they wouldn't have started killing without hesitation, but he never thought they were coming for him; when the middle-aged man called his name, Hu Xiaotian realized this group was indeed after him.

At that moment Yan Boguang woke up leisurely, seeing Hu Xiaotian he was first startled, hearing the commotion outside he panicked even more, he leaned on the window looking out, only to see his sister held at knifepoint, Yan Boguang was frantic and at a loss.

"Hu Xiaotian! If you don't come out, I'll strip her naked in front of you."

Yan Boguang looked at Hu Xiaotian, at this point he vaguely understood what had happened, Hu Xiaotian raised his fist at him, Yan Boguang groaned: "It's all your fault dragging us into this..."

Hu Xiaotian snapped: "Where's the antidote for the Mandarinduck Union Powder?"

Yan Boguang replied with a bitter face: "What antidote? There's no need for one..."

Hu Xiaotian kicked him hard in the abdomen in anger, sending Yan Boguang flying out of the house, he cried out as he crashed to the ground.

The middle-aged man looked toward the door, only to see Hu Xiaotian walking out carrying someone, he smiled and said: "Sir, may I ask your esteemed name? What official position do you hold? What brings you to Azure Cloud Mountain Villa?"

The middle-aged man stared at Hu Xiaotian and nodded: "Are you Hu Xiaotian?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "If you don't know me, why bother looking for me?"

The middle-aged man's face turned murderous, he slowly withdrew his long blade from Yan Nujiao's throat, his voice deep: "Prepare to die!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Even in death I want to know why, I don't seem to know you!"

Yan Nujiao rushed back to Hu Xiaotian's side, helped Yan Boguang up from the floor, tears streaming: "Second brother!"

Although Hu Xiaotian had kicked Yan Boguang away, the kick wasn't heavy; Yan Boguang rubbed his chest and stood up, whispering: "Who are they? I don't know them at all!" The same question lingered in Yan Nujiao's mind, the siblings looked at Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Looks like we're going to have a fair duel!"

The middle-aged man nodded: "I'll wait for you!"

Hu Xiaotian gently set down the Long Princess Xue Lingjun, placed her in Yan Nujiao's hands, and whispered: "Take care of the Long Princess. If you get a chance, escape."

Yan Nujiao nodded, voice trembling: "Be careful, he can release blade qi to kill invisibly."

Hu Xiaotian's heart jolted; though he hadn't seen the middle-aged man slay Xu Guangbai, anyone able to kill with external blade qi is surely a top expert, his own sword qi release is still unreliable, yet today he encountered a blade master—he couldn't recall ever offending such a formidable figure.

Hu Xiaotian glared at Yan Boguang, his killing intent frightening Yan Boguang; though he didn't speak, Yan Boguang understood his meaning: if he dared disrespect the Long Princess, Hu Xiaotian would never forgive him.

Hu Xiaotian slowly drew his soft sword from his waist, his arm shook, the soft sword rang and straightened.

The middle-aged man's cold eyes fixed on Hu Xiaotian: "I've heard you defeated the Sword Palace expert Qiu Mubai in Da Yong, achieving external sword qi at such a young age is truly rare talent."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Qiu Mubai isn't a master, external sword qi isn't that impressive."

The middle-aged man nodded: "I came this time to seek justice for Boyuan."

Hu Xiaotian heard the two characters Boyuan and suddenly understood; the Boyuan they spoke of must be Wen Boyuan, could he be Wen Boyuan's master, the Blade Demon FengXingyun? If so, today's trouble is great. Hu Xiaotian said: "You are FengXingyun!"

FengXingyun didn't answer Hu Xiaotian's question, stepped back a moment, his whole body instantly sank into stillness; if not seeing his silhouette still opposite, one might think he vanished into thin air; closing his eyes, one couldn't feel his breath or heartbeat, sense his presence—Hu Xiaotian could determine the man before him was Blade Demon FengXingyun; few in the world can reach such blade mastery, perhaps only he would seek vengeance for Wen Boyuan.

Hu Xiaotian said: "His death has nothing to do with me!"

FengXingyun's blade, curved like long eyebrows, swayed with the wind; though held in his hand, it seemed to possess life and freedom, he said calmly: "I don't care whether his death concerns you, I only know he wants you dead, so I must fulfill his wish!"

A bolt of arc lightning tore through the dim twilight; in the flash of light, Hu Xiaotian drew his sword, lightning glittered behind him, FengXingyun faced the lightning, his vision inevitably disturbed by the flash—this rare opportunity, Hu Xiaotian naturally seized it.

The Spirit Snake Nine Swords are light and mysterious, swift as lightning; one thrust straight for FengXingyun's throat, FengXingyun praised: "Not bad!" He stepped forward, flipped his wrist upward, using the blade's back to block Hu Xiaotian's thrust; FengXingyun has two lifelong passions: martial arts and beautiful women; facing Hu Xiaotian he didn't rush to kill, but wanted to lure him into using all his strength to see his sword style.

Though the Spirit Snake Sword technique is exquisite, Hu Xiaotian still couldn't blend internal energy into the moves; rather, using the large sword Hidden Edge feels more natural, but Hidden Edge is too big to carry around, unlike this soft sword which is as convenient as a belt.

Hu Xiaotian thrust seven swords in succession, all easily neutralized by FengXingyun, he felt a growing anxiety; this FengXingyun is truly a formidable opponent, if he doesn't give his all today he'll lose, and maybe even his life.

FengXingyun coldly said: "Your sword technique is not bad, yet still not living up to its reputation!" The so-called not living up to reputation is because rumors claim Hu Xiaotian already achieved external sword qi, yet today after seven moves he never once managed to release sword qi.

Hu Xiaotian said: "That's because I hold benevolent intentions, I don't want to slaughter the innocent!" He glanced backward, seeing Yan Nujiao and Yan Boguang still guarding Xue Lingjun without escaping, while FengXingyun's four henchmen watched covetously around, certainly not letting them flee; Hu Xiaotian silently cursed: today's trouble is huge, unless he defeats FengXingyun, everyone will suffer.

FengXingyun said: "This set of sword techniques is the Spirit Snake Nine Swords, created by the Wuxian Sect; it seems you are from the Wuxian Sect." He recognized the sword style's origin from Hu Xiaotian's moves; after all, as a generation's blade master he has broad experience.

Hu Xiaotian admired while thinking: this sword technique was given to me by the Sumeru Heaven Sect; Sumeru Heaven also excels in poison, known as the world's top poison master, she is a Black Miao person, and the Wuxian Sect was also founded by Black Miao people, so there must be a close connection between them.

Hu Xiaotian sneered: "Knowing my sword style's origin, you still dare to be rude!" He intended to intimidate FengXingyun with the Wuxian Sect's name.

FengXingyun said: "Even if the Wuxian Sect's sect leader came personally, he couldn't save your life!" He didn't rush to attack, but slowed his steps.

Hu Xiaotian seized the chance to catch his breath, standing three zhang away from FengXingyun, he sent a mental transmission to Yan Nujiao: "Why aren't you fleeing yet?"

Yan Nujiao bit her lip, blinked at him, then lowered her gaze to the ground.

Hu Xiaotian didn't understand her meaning, secretly thinking: could there be hidden mechanisms underground in Azure Cloud Mountain Villa? He looked around, seeing FengXingyun's four henchmen each guarding a corner, always ready to stop Yan Nujiao et al from escaping; he suddenly had an idea: the priority is to create an opportunity for Yan Nujiao and the others to flee; as long as they escape safely, even if he can't be sure of victory against FengXingyun, self-preservation is no problem.

Thinking this, Hu Xiaotian feigned a charge at FengXingyun, then mentally told Yan Nujiao: "I'll hold them off, you hurry and bring them to a safe place."

Hu Xiaotian appeared to rush at FengXingyun but midway suddenly turned, his body leapt up, soaring over three zhang, then like a great bird he dove toward the swordsman at the southwest corner.

FengXingyun already knew Hu Xiaotian's intention when he changed direction, he snorted coldly: "Trying to escape?"

The four swordsmen acted simultaneously, one met Hu Xiaotian, the other three raised their long blades to stab his back.

Amidst the fourfold attack, Hu Xiaotian actually leapt another two zhang in midair; this lightness skill astonished FengXingyun: this kid's agility is truly impressive.

Hu Xiaotian shot up from the encircling blade tips, then flipped headfirst downward, his soft sword shook, resembling a rain of heavenly blades falling on the four—this move is precisely the Myriad Serpents Wild Dance.

Seeing this sword's tremendous power, the four swordsmen dared not meet it head-on, they scattered backward; FengXingyun had already arrived below, gazing at the myriad points of cold light in the air, he chopped horizontally with one blade; after the blade light passed, the sky-full of sword shadows instantly dissipated, his blade struck squarely on the sword's edge—this person's vision and blade force control are truly rare in Hu Xiaotian's experience.

Hu Xiaotian used the momentum of FengXingyun's blade chop to launch upward again, then thrust his soft sword forward, a poisonous snake's tongue darting toward FengXingyun's right eye.

Still the third watch, please vote for monthly tickets! (To be continued~^~)