Chapter 161: then translation of title

The next moment, firelight filled the sky where the lightning struck, and in the surrounding darkness, sheets of scarlet chunks splashed out.

There were stone fragments shattered by the lightning, red-hot iron lumps scorched by high temperature, and apparently still-burning charcoal embers.

Then they crashed down to the ground with a rumble, sending up puffs of white smoke.

"Humm~ humm~ humm~"

Immediately, before the crowd could react, a soul-stirring sound, like a blade's hum and a sword's ring, came from the bamboo grove.

"It's the sound of weapons!"

"Did it succeed?"

"A divine weapon has been born!"

"Is Niu Dingtian dead?"

At this moment, the noise coming from ahead made the crowd instantly become restless.

Li Gonggong gave a cold snort and was about to prepare to rush in, but he never expected that a person in green robes, a beggar, and a monk would swiftly flash their figures and already faintly surrounded him.

Only the person suspected to be Ouyang Feng remained, still holding a long staff and coldly watching from afar.

"What do you mean by this?" Li Gonggong's face instantly turned grim, his eyes cold and sharp, sweeping over each of the three.

Although his martial arts were slightly superior to theirs, he might not withstand their three-on-one assault.

Huang Lao Xie heard this and did not reply, merely casting a stern glance at Miss Huang in the distance; the meaning was clear—old man, I am being forced.

In fact, he only tolerated this because the eunuch's martial arts were strong enough; if anyone else had asked such a question, he wouldn't even bother to answer.

The dirty-faced beggar beside him remained silent; since arriving tonight, no one had ever heard him speak a word, nor could they see his true face.

Master Juexing's expression was wooden; he pressed his palms together and said, "Benefactor Niu, you have a great karmic tie with our Shaolin Temple; both person and artifact, this poor monk must take back to the temple for disposal. Moreover, worldly affairs have their own karma; I believe that as a palace expert, benefactor, you had better not get involved."

Don't meddle in the affairs of the jianghu!

No matter how tactfully Master Juexing put it, the meaning remained the same; even Huang Lao Xie couldn't help but glance at this old monk upon hearing it.

He roughly understood the monk and beggar's thoughts; among the group, the eunuch's martial arts were the highest, so naturally they needed to drive him out first, after which the struggle would become much easier.

But he had dealt with high monks of Shaolin Temple in the past; such words are not something a Shaolin monk would likely say.

Moreover, his aura is weaker than the others by more than a notch; seeing his intention to also take away the young man surnamed Niu, where does this old monk get his confidence?

On this side,

Seeing the eunuch blocked, Miss Huang, Chen Jin'er, and Han Xiao Ying had no intention of delaying.

Chen Jin'er left a line about sealing the bamboo grove with an eight-cornered crossbow, then she directly took Miss Huang and Han Xiao Ying, employing the Microstep of Lingbo, and rushed toward the lightning strike direction.

What was just now is just now; this is this; now the thunder has dispersed, the weapon seems to have been forged, and they only worry that the people inside won't be struck by misfortune.

Seeing the three women's extreme speed, three phantasms flashed and reached before his eyes in an instant; Li Gonggong's eyes widened in surprise, and a chilling aura burst forth from his body as he raised his palm to strike at the three women.

"You old scoundrel, dare you!"

Before Miss Huang and the others could swing their swords to meet him, Huang Lao Xie let out an angry shout, his palm force vast, his stance like a wave, and he swiftly struck at Li Gonggong's rear vital point.

You dare to strike at my daughter right before me, you eunuch—do you really think I'm made of mud?

Master Juexing and the dirty-faced beggar exchanged a glance, then without hesitation flew left and right to attack, forming with Huang Lao Xie a tacit three-man coordinated assault, all striking at Li Gonggong together.

Li Gonggong saw this, his heart blazing with rage; he had thought he could still bluff two helpers earlier, but in the blink of an eye he found himself besieged by a bunch of rustics.

We haven't laid a hand on your daughter, Huang Lao Xie!

"A gang of rebellious wretches! Sooner or later I'll settle accounts with each of you!" Li Gonggong cursed in his heart.

But seeing three fierce gusts of force approaching, menacing and pressing, he also dared not be overconfident; he could only withdraw his palm, swiftly turn and swing, issuing three chilling palm strikes in succession, each aimed at one of them.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The left and right moves quickly blocked Huang Lao Xie and the dirty-faced beggar; Li Gonggong's body flashed, and with an angry palm he directly sent the attacking Master Juexing stumbling backward repeatedly.

"You bald donkey, do you really have the gall! Do you really think that, with Shaolin Temple far away in the Jin State, we can't do anything to you?" Li Gonggong, furiously angry, let out a sharp, thin shout from his crimson lips; though his aura was strong, it carried an extremely eerie feeling.

"Today I'll first send you, bald donkey, to meet the Buddha!" Li Gonggong said with a ferocious countenance.

Saying this, he raised his hand, and an incredibly chilling palm force once again struck toward Juexing.

At this moment, a fierce light flashed in Li Gonggong's eyes; his whole body surged with mighty inner force, and under the pull of his breath, his purple robes swelled without wind, and his foot speed reached the utmost.

Since this old bald donkey doesn't know how to appreciate favors and likes to pick on soft eggs, he doesn't mind first crushing that opponent's softest egg!

Seeing this, Juexing's expression remained wooden; his gaunt face showed no reaction, "Benefactor, your killing intent is too heavy; you ought to go to the Shaolin Temple together with Benefactor Niu to take refuge in the Buddha."

As he spoke, a Buddhist bead, wrapped in inner force, shot out from his hand; then he fully exerted the Mighty Diamond Palm, advancing rather than retreating, directly meeting Li Gonggong's palm force.

"Bang!"

"Pfft~"

The Buddhist bead was instantly shattered to pieces; Juexing felt a massive inner force surge into his body, icy and intimidating; after a muffled groan, the blood in his mouth, despite strong pressure, finally sprayed out uncontrollably.

"I'll now perform your last rites!" Li Gonggong's eyes flashed with ruthlessness, and a cold smile appeared on his ashen, ghastly face.

But before his deadly palm could reach Juexing's face, Huang Yaoshi and the dirty-faced beggar had already launched another combined attack.

The two exchanges among the three were extremely fast, taking only an instant; even the outside spectators had only just begun to react.

As for Chen Jin'er, Miss Huang, and Han Xiao Ying continuing to run toward the bamboo grove, Master Juexing and the dirty-faced beggar seemed utterly unconcerned that the other side might seize the initiative.

Surely, just as they had anticipated,

When the three had just rushed to the edge of the bamboo grove with their swords in hand, Ouyang Feng, who had been hiding aside and coldly watching, suddenly flashed his figure and directly blocked their path.

At this moment, although Ouyang Feng wore a face covering, his eyes were as sharp as blades and swords, extremely keen; when he looked at Miss Huang and Han Xiao Ying, even a faint killing intent seemed to seep through.

His aura erupted; Ouyang Feng's voice rang out resonant, and he coldly snorted: "You little girl just said no one may enter, so how does it make sense for you to go in yourself now? In my view, let the other side decide the winner first, then we can continue our match; naturally, the victor will go in first."

Just as Miss Huang had said, before he could see whether Niu Dingtian was dead or injured, he would never dare to deliver a killing blow to these people.

Even though he has now broken through to the grand master realm, he still feels a considerable gap between himself and the strength Niu Dingtian displayed that night at the White Camel Manor.

After all, the martial arts gap between them is laid bare; though he could endure it for a while, he cannot let outsiders see his face lose dignity.

Whether losing would cause him to lose face aside, if he cannot help but provoke that surnamed Niu, he would at worst run away with his tail between his legs, then later simply deny responsibility.

Thinking of this, Ouyang Feng quickly circulated his inner energy; at the same time, he subtly gave Ouyang Ke a glance not far away.

Ouyang Ke's eyes flickered slightly, as if he already understood; after glancing at the surroundings, he held his folding fan and quietly retreated, gradually disappearing into the hazy night.

Now the heavy rain had completely stopped, the lightning and thunder had ceased; even without fire or electric light, one could still see faintly, and unknowingly the sky had already grown dim with dawn.

"Ouyang Feng, get out of the way! Stop sneaking around and pretending in front of me!" Miss Huang glared and shouted angrily, no longer having the attitude she had when she just called him Uncle Ouyang.

Then with a "clang," she drew the sword in her hand, ready to fight at the slightest disagreement.

Since these past few years, the East Heretic, West Poison, South Emperor, and North Beggar have all been defeated by her Brother Niu; to her, the position of the Five Absolutes is nothing special.

Now her martial arts have progressed rapidly; breaking through to grand master is imminent, and she already has the idea of going to find her father in two years to spar.

The title of East Heretic is not bad; worn by her aggravating father for so long, it's now time to pass it to her, and Miss Huang is quite vengeful.

"Make way!" Chen Jin'er, standing aside, frowned at the figure blocking the front.

The next moment——

A flash of cold light passed, and her Purple Myrtle Soft Sword was already drawn.

Then Chen Jin'er stared coldly, her brows furrowed, locking eyes with the opponent's piercing gaze, and said softly: "Ouyang Manor Lord, if you want to fight, there's no need for empty words—just make your move!"

"Tonight we three sisters will continue; afterwards our Sun Moon Divine Sect will continue; otherwise, please make way!"

Right now her little brother-in-law has been inside with no movement for a while, and Chen Jin'er doesn't care whether you're the West Poison or the East Heretic.

If you keep obstructing, I'll not only fight you now, but I'll also have the Sun Moon Divine Sect keep attacking you!

It must be said, the same threatening words sound much more pleasant coming from Chen Jin'er's mouth than from Miss Huang's.

But although it was pleasant, it caused Ouyang Feng's anger to flare up even more.

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Feng's eyes shot out cold light, and the color under his veil shifted between green and white.

I've lived for decades, dominated the western regions and roamed the martial world—when have I ever been so embarrassed?

Damn it!

"Bang!"

In his fury, Ouyang Feng fiercely waved his Spirit Snake Iron Staff, slamming it onto the ground with a deep, muffled thud, and shouted angrily: "I'll say it again! I am not Ouyang Feng!"

"You two little girls, if you keep spouting nonsense, don't blame me for being ruthless! Today this place is……"

"Pah—take this!"

Before she finished speaking, Miss Huang glared, spat, then swiftly flashed her figure, activating the Nine-Style Sword Technique and swinging her sword at Ouyang Feng.

What a fierce sword technique!

Seeing this, Ouyang Feng's eyes narrowed, and he raised his snake staff to block.

This little girl's sword strike is fierce and pressing, aiming straight at the gate; although it wouldn't pose a lethal threat to him, it is truly the strongest sword technique he has ever seen.

Niu Dingtian! Surely it's Niu Dingtian again! He knows very well the weight of Huang Lao Xie's sword technique!

"Ding!"

At the moment the staff and sword clashed, a spark flew out, emitting a clear, continuous ding that rippled through the night, making many people's ears buzz.

"Form up!" Chen Jin'er gave a soft shout, and together with Han Xiao Ying they drew their swords and moved to surround.

"Ding~"

"Dang~"

"Ding~"

Suddenly,

Several white, traceless illusions swirled unpredictably around Ouyang Feng, sword light flashing wildly, the iron staff whooshing, and meanwhile streams of sparks shot up, the constant clinking ringing nonstop in the ears.

"What a fierce combined sword formation!"

"The formation is orderly in offense and defense, the sword technique advances without retreat, its trajectory is unpredictable and hard to grasp—this… seems even stronger than the Big Dipper Formation!"

"When did Han Xiao Ying master such profound sword technique…"

The Quanzhen Sect disciples who had retreated to the outskirts stared blankly at the distant Ouyang Feng constantly on the defensive, feeling uneasy in their hearts.

No one expected that Han Xiao Ying, whose martial arts were once the lowest among the Seven Monsters of Jiangnan, had now reached this level.

Their seven senior disciples forming the Big Dipper Formation could only barely fight the four top masters to a draw, while the opposing three-person formation could overwhelm the Five Absolutes masters.

Is it because the sword formation is too strong, or because their martial arts are too strong? No wonder they faced the old eunuch earlier with confidence and refused to yield.

Regarding the grudge that might be faced in a couple of days, Wang Chuyi, Liu Chuxuan, and others couldn't help but show worried looks, glancing toward their senior brother Qiu Chuji beside them.

Qiu Chuji seemed unaware; from the moment the lightning struck, he simply stared blankly in the direction of the bamboo forest.

Just now, the scene of condensed lightning and the descent of thunder closely resembled the description of the 'community thunder' among the five thunders in their Daoist scriptures.

Daoism has the five thunders; community thunder, also called 'demon thunder,' primarily kills ancient artifact spirits, suppresses original qi, destroys altars and temples, needs no imperial proclamation, and can be carried out conveniently.

A weapon capable of summoning community thunder must already be imbued with life; it is not merely a matter of sharpness, but a true divine weapon worthy of its name.

If one could glimpse the supreme secret within, finding the legendary Daoist path to immortality would not be impossible.

"Headmaster, should we……"

After Qiu Chuji came to, he indicated with his gaze the place where the thunder had struck, and tightened his grip on his treasured sword.

Regarding the glances of his junior fellow disciples, after looking at the fighting figures ahead, he somewhat understood, but he had absolute confidence in his own strength.

Having experienced countless life-and-death battles, he knew that a person's strength is not only in sword technique and body technique, but that internal cultivation is the foundation.

Qiu Chuji knew that the headmaster senior brother had already understood his meaning, and also knew that the other party had already noticed the signs of the recent heavenly thunder.

Seeing his slight hesitation, he leaned in and whispered softly: "Headmaster should understand what this thing means for our Quanzhen Sect; after all, perhaps only the Daoist gate can discern its true value and grasp its meaning."

In fact, he had long wanted to charge in alone to investigate, but he was wary of the surrounding ballistae, and also of the old eunuch and Huang Lao Xie fighting not far away.

If it were merely ordinary crossbow bolts, he wouldn't fear them, but now that the rain had stopped he realized those were powerful crossbows he had never seen before.

Just seeing those rows of arrowheads as big as fists, he felt waves of palpitation and naturally understood their power.

As for Niu Dingtian inside, he didn't believe he could remain unharmed under such thunderous bombardment; he is a person, not a sword's spirit, and even if merely struck by the lightning's aftereffects, he likely suffered serious injury.

"First, observe the changes before speaking," Ma Yu furrowed his brows, pondered for a long time, then said cautiously, "Remember, if the Quanzhen Sect has no affinity with the Dharma, neither of us needs to force it; now that Senior Uncle Zhou hasn't arrived yet, even if we form the Big Dipper Heavenly Gang formation, we can only barely defend ourselves."

At this moment, water vapor steamed up and down Ma Yu's body, his drenched clothes and hair gradually dried by his internal energy.

Just as his junior brother Qiu Chuji thought in his heart, he also noticed the extraordinariness of the scene just now.

To ordinary martial artists, divine weapons are merely invincible tools; but to those who cultivate the Dao, divine weapons harbor a great secret.

It is said that temptation is the narrow gate of the Dao, and only very few can pass through; this statement is true.

Although Ma Yu can remain unmoved when facing temptations greater than divine weapons, most people present, when they have eyes but see no pearls and fail to recognize gold-inlaid jade, also lack this resolve.

Seeing the two groups ahead fighting fiercely with no clear victor, even legendary figures like the Eastern Heretic and Western Poison could not tell who would win for a moment, and many began to harbor thoughts they shouldn't have.

Since the experts have been restrained, and the enchanting fairy music humming in the distance keeps calling to them, why not……

Thus, the assorted heroes on the spot unanimously split into two groups.

One group slowly approached the bamboo grove, probing the movements of the ballista cart; the other group slowly approached the ballista cart, probing the movements of Niu Kui, Niu Ben, Hu Zai Xing, and others.

"What a bunch of damn idiots!" Niu Ben glanced over indifferently, then began to curse.

Even if the eight-ox crossbow is fierce, it still needs someone to operate it; if it weren't for guarding against this bunch of big fools and the Quanzhen Sect nearby to manipulate their big killer, they would have already rushed into the woods to greet the sect leader.

"Kui Brother!! Why haven't you given the order to shoot them yet?" Yang Kang urged anxiously.

At this moment, he stood beside the eight-ox crossbow cart, his hand tightly gripping the suspended blade, waiting only for Kui Brother's command to experience the thrill of firing the huge weapon before him.

Niu Kui couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth, truly afraid that this kid might accidentally pull the mechanism and shoot off course.

However, seeing the approaching crowd draw nearer, Niu Kui's mouth began to curl into a cruel smile.

After nodding to Hu Zai Xing not far away, they saw Hu Zai Xing's command flag sway a few times, followed shortly by several rows of soldiers holding crossbow mechanisms stepping out in unison.

At the same time, the two groups suddenly erupted, simultaneously launching a frantic charge in different directions.

"Kill the dog officials! Seize the ballista cart!"

"Niu Dingtian is severely wounded and dying! Kill Niu Dingtian to seize the divine weapon!"

"The divine weapon is right before our eyes! Seize the ballista cart to shoot down the Eastern Heretic and Western Poison! Shoot the eunuch traitor!"

Damn it!

Are these people crazy?

Niu Kui and his companions hearing these slogans couldn't help but stare, completely underestimating the martial world ruffians' obsession with divine weapons and fame in the martial world.

Then they saw Hu Zai Xing wave his command flag and roar loudly: "Release!!!"

The next moment——

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

Ah~

Withdraw! Quickly withdraw!

Two dense curtains of arrows, one far and one near, whistled out; the nearby arrows instantly submerged into the crowd, and for a moment, crossbow bolts pierced through bodies, blood spraying as cries of anguish rose and fell.

Meanwhile, the distant barrage of arrows roared through the air with a whooshing sound, and in the blink of an eye it pinned more than ten of the foremost people to the ground on the spot.

Hiss~

Witnessing such a gruesome scene, the few who had not moved felt a chill surge from the soles of their feet straight to their heads, instantly permeating their entire bodies.

"Truly a heavy weapon of the army; I fear even if I were amidst it, I could not withdraw unscathed." Qiu Chuji's eyes narrowed slightly, and he murmured to himself with lingering trepidation.

Earlier, when the ballista cart fired, the night was too dark for him to see its power clearly.

But now the sky has turned faintly bright; in the distance, the arrows that pierced through bodies and embedded into the boulder, as well as the cracks on the stone, all made him feel a deep palpitation.

The magical treasure has no affinity with the Quanzhen Sect.

Just then——

In the distance, Ouyang Feng was suppressed by Chen Jin'er, Miss Huang, and Han Xiao Ying to the point of having no power to counterattack; his frustration is known only to himself.

Meanwhile, on the other side, as four figures flashed by swiftly, a voice laced with anger suddenly rang out:

"Benefactor Hong, why haven't you exerted your full strength?! Do you truly forget the promise you made to the divine monk?!"

Upon these words,

the people outside erupted in an uproar.

"He actually didn't exert his full strength!" Li Gonggong's heart shocked, after reacting, he hurriedly threw his full weight against the old bald donkey beside him.

At this point, someone is still hiding their abilities; he resolutely decided to kill one if he can, otherwise he'd be worn down to death here in the end.

In fact, not only the filthy-faced beggar hides his strength, Huang Lao Xie does the same.

What's the point of exerting full strength?

Even if he killed the old eunuch at the cost of his life, he had no confidence in withstanding the siege of the monk and the beggar.

They are all old foxes who have lived many years, and it's not a mortal feud; only a fool would go all out without leaving any means of self-preservation.

Seeing Master Juexing openly blame him, the filthy-faced beggar's expression changed.

He seemed to have some reservation; after a brief struggle, he made up his mind, raised his palm and struck out, a tremendous force accompanied by a dragon's roar booming toward Li Gonggong.

"It's the dragon's roar! Indeed it's the dragon's roar! This palm actually has the dragon's roar!"

"Could it be the Beggar Sect's Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms?"

"... Benefactor Hong? That old monk just called him Benefactor Hong!"

"He is the Northern Beggar Hong Qigong!!"

At this moment, who among those present would still not know who this filthy-faced beggar is?

In this world, aside from the Beggar Sect's Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, no palm technique is accompanied by a dragon's roar when the palm is thrown.

Moreover, the opponent is a beggar surnamed Hong, and his palm strength is so immense and towering that, aside from the previously disabled Northern Beggar Hong Qigong, who else could it be?

Grandfather Li was startled, and in his inattention, he was actually forced to retreat several steps by the palm power unleashed by Hong Qi.

"Hong Qi! How dare you conspire with the Jin State's demonic monk to besiege our home—is the Beggar Sect planning to rebel?" Grandfather Li shouted, his face ferocious.

After sensing that Huang Lao Xie seemed to be deliberately easing his attack, he struck out with a palm, and the chilling palm force once again blasted Juexing back; thereafter, he repeatedly activated both palms, pressing Hong Qi to retreat rapidly while issuing angry threats.

After all, there are no shortage of beggars within the Great Song's territory, and moreover, the Beggar Sect's headquarters is still in Western Hunan.

Upon hearing this, Hong Qi's face remained expressionless, but his hand's technique unconsciously paused.

Seeing this, Grandfather Li's heart suddenly leapt with joy; he forced Hong Qi back with a palm, then shot upward and shouted sharply at the crowd:

"The imperial court has issued an edict!!!"

"Whoever takes Niu Dingtian's head shall be rewarded with a divine weapon and be appointed as a Martial Presented Scholar!" (End of chapter)