Chapter 417: The Holy Weapon Delivered to the Door

"I'm... better?"

The Moon Palace Master's tone carried irrepressible surprise; she distinctly felt that the injuries she had just suffered had completely healed.

There was no discomfort anywhere on her body.

Bai Zhu's mouth gaped slightly, all words swallowed back down, his heart shocked: Master, what do you mean 'better'! Master, pull yourself together!

"My injuries are already healed." Seemingly aware this phrasing was ambiguous, the Moon Palace Master gave a brief explanation.

"Master, you were injured?" Bai Zhu was quite puzzled.

He had just returned to the Moon Palace, and fundamentally knew nothing of the wager between Tang Luo and the Moon Palace Master; he had only heard that demon monk and his disciple's near-flirtatious words from outside the door, and rushed in, hair standing on end with rage.

"This person is..." The Moon Palace Master signaled Bai Zhu to calm down, looking at the tall, honest-looking young man beside him.

"Oh, Master!" Bai Zhu immediately introduced, "This is a friend I know, he's called Dong Aniu."

Dong Aniu revealed an honest smile, looking exactly like a country bumpkin just entering a big city.

But his bearing, honest yet steady, and the large box strapped to his back, showed his martial arts were obviously not weak.

Someone who could be friends with Young Master Lianhua would naturally not be an ordinary person.

"You take your friend down first." The Moon Palace Master said.

"Yes, Master!" Bai Zhu led that Dong Aniu away.

Only then did the Moon Palace Master look at Tang Luo and say: "Master, can the matter of the duel wait a moment?"

Tang Luo's gaze withdrew from the doorway, and he nodded slightly.

"Good, take Master to rest first." The Moon Palace Master, relieved in her heart, stood up and said.

Tang Luo and Ao Yulie were arranged in a secluded small courtyard inside, to rest temporarily.

Fine tea and exquisite pastries were also served.

Before completely tearing face, this was the treatment a master should have.

On the other side, Dong Aniu followed Bai Zhu walking through the Moon Palace, his expression tense and restrained, yet he couldn't help secretly glancing at those pretty young ladies.

One look and it was like touching a branding iron, he immediately withdrew his gaze.

Only when they arrived at Bai Zhu's residence did he let out a long breath of relief, saying with a touch of envy: "Bai Zhu, the Moon Palace is so beautiful."

As for which 'beautiful' this referred to, everyone understood in their hearts.

Bai Zhu waved his hand, a face full of sorrow: "You don't understand, women are terrifying when you have them; after getting along a long time you'll know, everything on the outside is all disguise. Women are all big pig trotters!"

Such words of someone blessed but unaware of their blessing were obviously not something a jianghu young hero outside the siege like Dong Aniu could understand.

But Dong Aniu was an honest man; he just scratched his head and laughed foolishly.

"Those two people just now, did you see them?" Bai Zhu changed the subject.

"Mm." Dong Aniu nodded, "They're very strong."

"The Four-Degree Demon Monk, and his disciple Young Master Yulong, they come with ill intent." Bai Zhu frowned, "The two are probably here for the Holy Weapon."

"Oh." Dong Aniu nodded blankly.

"You be careful too." Bai Zhu said.

This Dong Aniu, inside the large box on his back, naturally contained not Holy Garments, but the Holy Weapon missing for years — Zhen Tian Sui Yue.

Dong Aniu was the closed-door disciple of Yan Yuke, who was being hunted and finally went into seclusion; that kind of standard reclusive master taught this young hero.

Tang Luo was initially also mistaken for a similar identity.

Later, through strength he proved he wasn't a young hero, but a "Great Hero".

According to Dong Aniu, his master suffered severe injuries, both legs crippled; even with the Holy Weapon, he could not take revenge on his old enemy.

After taking Dong Aniu as a disciple, he imparted all his ultimate arts without reservation; at the very end, when his lamp oil was exhausted, he even transferred his power to Dong Aniu.

Cultivating him into a great master.

Hoping Dong Aniu would avenge him.

Thus, Dong Aniu came down the mountain like this.

He wasn't that kind of rascal from poor mountains and bad waters, very simple and unadorned; just entering the jianghu he was cheated miserably, if not for his martial arts being high enough, his bones probably wouldn't even be found.

By a chance coincidence, he met the famous Young Master Lianhua.

The two quickly became bosom friends.

"I'm not afraid, I can beat them!" Dong Aniu patted his sturdy chest, vowing confidently, looking full of confidence.

"I know you're strong." Bai Zhu said irritably, "Even my master might not be your match. But that demon monk is stronger; rumors say this person's strength is not below the Falling Petals Sword God."

"For real?" Dong Aniu was very surprised, "Then I can't beat him."

"..." Bai Zhu didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

But he just liked Dong Aniu's straightforward personality; getting along was relaxed and casual.

Completely unlike those big pig trotters where one sentence hides three hundred meanings, you interpret two hundred ninety-nine, and they get angry because you missed the last one.

The two were chatting about Tang Luo's matter.

A sound came from the doorway; the Moon Palace Master, veil donned again, arrived.

"Master!" Bai Zhu saluted.

Dong Aniu also stood up, saluting awkwardly.

"Mm." The Moon Palace Master nodded.

"Master, what does that demon monk want at my Moon Palace anyway?" Bai Zhu asked; Dong Aniu also showed a curious expression.

The Moon Palace Master glanced at Dong Aniu, and did not conceal it.

She simply told the matter once through.

"What?" Bai Zhu's eyes widened, his face showing shock.

He hadn't expected the Four-Degree Demon Monk's strength to be even stronger than the rumored "not below the Falling Petals Sword God".

"Only one match remains—how are we supposed to win?" The Moon Palace Master looked at Bai Zhu and asked, "You've always been clever—do you have any ideas?"

Bai Zhu showed a pained expression, as if his tooth hurt.

Again like this—when he grew a little older, all sorts of matters were dumped onto him.

The laziness of these women is simply unimaginable.

Bai Zhu, even as a child, had already borne pressures inappropriate for his age, which is how he earned today's title of "Cherished Flower Young Master."

You think this is what Bai Zhu wants?

This is all forced upon him!

The toothache-stricken Bai Zhu suddenly noticed Dong A Niu beside him and said, "Master, why not let A Niu give it a try?"

"Hmm?" The Moon Palace Master, trusting Bai Zhu, had not even avoided Dong A Niu just now.

But letting him try would be a different matter entirely.

Bai Zhu briefly introduced Dong A Niu's background: "Master, to be frank, A Niu has fully inherited the true teachings of Yan Yu Ke—his internal strength may not be inferior to yours. Even without using a holy weapon, I couldn't last more than ten rounds against him."

Dong A Niu is clearly one of those who appear foolish but are actually wise—at least in martial arts.

Experienced in combat, he leaves no openings, often delivers inspired strikes, and is a natural-born fighting genius.

"If it weren't for fighting that demon monk, I could win." Dong A Niu revealed a confident smile, his honest demeanor vanishing completely.

The Moon Palace Master said nothing, lost in thought.

Bai Zhu gave Dong A Niu a reassuring glance—the master was thinking, which meant there was hope.

After a while, the Moon Palace Master finally said: "Even if Young Hero Dong agrees to help us, we still need Monk Xuanzang's consent."

Bai Zhu smiled confidently: "I dare bet that demon monk will absolutely not refuse."

In that brief "contact" just now, Bai Zhu saw in the eyes of that master and disciple the same arrogant, disdainful gaze.

Exactly like the two from the Flying Sword Sect.

Arrogant to the point of death, dying to save face.

They would never refuse a disadvantageous situation, too lazy to even speak, simply trusting their own strength and then forcing their way through.

Such arrogance has already reached the level of "a gentleman may be deceived by straightforward means."

One is due to character, the other to strength (personality).

The Moon Palace Master looked again at Dong A Niu.

"I'm fine with it—I can fight." Dong A Niu said.

"Master, A Niu came out this time to find those who once hunted down Yan Yu Ke." Bai Zhu said.

The Moon Palace Master nodded.

This kind of "son inheriting father's hatred" is just basic practice in the martial world.

When will the cycle of revenge end? Only when one side is completely wiped out.

Half an hour later, at the Moon Palace martial arts platform.

On the platform, Dong A Niu and Yu Long Gongzi stood far apart, surrounded by excited Moon Palace disciples.

On the two sides' seats, Tang Luo and the Moon Palace Master were clearly seated.

Bai Zhu stood beside the Palace Master.

Clearly, Bai Zhu's guess was correct—Tang Luo agreed without a word to the Moon Palace's temporary request for external aid.

He didn't even bother mentioning extra conditions, wearing the air of "I've already got you beat."

Ao Yu Lie wore a staff on his back and a sword at his waist, feet planted unevenly, as the cool breeze blowing from the lake lifted his clothes and hair.

Like a banished immortal descending to the mortal realm, he nearly caused the surrounding Moon Palace onlookers to defect on the spot—only after glancing at Bai Zhu several times did they steady their formation.

Opposite him, Dong A Niu appeared much simpler—just plain coarse hemp clothing, with a large box placed at his side.

Yet his profoundly steady aura made it impossible to underestimate him.

"Start?" Ao Yu Lie said listlessly, "I was supposed to duel a pretty little girl—why did it suddenly become this big oaf? I can't get motivated."

"Let me get my weapon first." Dong A Niu said, reaching out and lightly tapping the box beside him.

The box clearly contained a mechanism—it responded with a sound, "scattering open," revealing the Heaven-Shaking, Mountain-Splitting Hammer inside.

A hammer as tall as Dong A Niu's shoulders, far exceeding most people's height.

Entirely purplish-black, with no carving or patterns, a cylindrical hammer head, diameter a full meter.

The handle is also quite thick—Dong A Niu's palm, as large as a cattail leaf fan, could barely wrap around it.

The hammer stood on the ground, still as a pillar reaching to heaven.

One of the Nine Holy Weapons—Heaven-Shaking, Mountain-Splitting!

It vanished six years ago with Yan Yu Ke's disappearance, and today it has truly returned to the martial world!

"Hmph." Ao Yu Lie chuckled, reached back, gripped his Coiling Dragon Staff, gave it a light twist, and flung out heavy staff shadows.

The two end spheres collided, producing a crisp sound.

"Indeed," Bai Zhu narrowed his eyes and murmured, "the Black Flame Demon Blade has suffered damage!"

"Oh?" The Moon Palace Master uttered a single character to express "What do you mean?"

As an elder, this is the treatment he deserves.

"The wielder of the Black Flame Demon Blade wins a hundred battles without dying." Bai Zhu said, "The reason is that the demon blade can absorb the opponent's blood and qi, transforming it into black flame on the blade to rapidly heal wounds. Among the Nine Holy Weapons, this is the most suitable for combat—Yu Long Gongzi has no reason to abandon it for the Coiling Dragon Staff."

As for the Coiling Dragon Staff, in a certain sense, it actually counters the Seven-Colored Fairy Silk.

The sound it emits can greatly weaken the illusionary effects of the Seven-Colored Fairy Silk.

Against Heaven-Shaking, Mountain-Splitting, however, it has no special countereffect.

On the contrary, it's a case of "an inch longer, an inch stronger; inch by inch, perilous."

Everyone knows that facing a large, sweeping weapon like Heaven-Shaking, Mountain-Splitting, close-quarters short-range combat is comparatively advantageous.

The Black Flame Demon Blade suits close-quarters combat far better than the Coiling Dragon Staff.

Ao Yulie's choice can only prove one thing: the Black Flame Demon Blade is damaged.

"As expected. During that battle at the Misty Rain Tower, someone saw that the black flames on the blade were almost entirely gone," Bai Zhu said in a low voice.

"How do you know that?" The Moon Palace Master seemed slightly surprised.

Even she was unaware of this situation.

"Cough." Bai Zhu coughed. "That... after the White Feather Sword Manor incident, Young Master Yu Long has gained quite a few admirers."

The corner of the Moon Palace Master's mouth, behind her veil, twitched.

What did that mean?

Bai Zhu and Sword Young Master's fanatical admirers know their whereabouts more deeply and in more detail than intelligence organizations.

They even know exactly what Bai Zhu ate yesterday.

Now, Young Master Yu Long is the same.

In other words, this is a victory for the fans.