Chapter 138: Playing Dirty, Playing Ghost

In any struggle, verbal sparring is an important part.

When martial artists duel, they play by the rules of the Jianghu...

When Mystic Sects battle, they speak of the Dao and legal principles...

Even in national wars, one must issue a manifesto and trade insults first.

Ancient or modern, domestic or foreign, it has always been this way.

Young people just entering the Jianghu might not understand why the old timers are all so long-winded.

Why not just start fighting directly!

White blade in, red blade out—wouldn't that be satisfying?

The reason is simple: doing it this way has its benefits.

Just like these words from Tie Shigu—they seem like mockery, but in reality, they are forcing the Fire Bear Gang to concede.

Firstly, he isn't sure if the Fire Bear Gang still has hidden cards; after all, the Shangshan Dharma lineage has already appeared. Being able to advance by retreating is the best way to reduce risk.

Secondly, conceding and being defeated are two different things.

If defeated, one can always find a way to get back at them later.

But if one concedes, they will have to lower their head whenever they meet in the future.

If one cannot grasp this logic, they will suffer losses later on.

Xiong Baodong is notoriously cunning and naturally wouldn't fall for it. He sneered mockingly, "Old man, I think you're the one who's gotten old, with nothing left but a stiff tongue!"

"Since you're talking so tough, why don't the two of us go up and spar?"

Chang'an City is a place where dragons and snakes mingle; Xiong Baodong didn't establish himself here just by relying on schemes.

Many years ago, he had already stepped into the Hua Jin Layer. He not only possessed formidable hard-body martial arts but also the family-inherited Eight Extremes Fist, which was extremely fierce.

There is no telling how many Jianghu people have died at his hands.

If not for his bad reputation, he would even have had a chance to compete for the position of President of the Divine Fist Society.

Tie Shigu is also a master of the Cuijiao technique and is likewise in the Hua Jin Layer, but after all, he is advanced in age, and his strength is far from what it used to be.

If the two sides were to fight to the death, he would certainly be defeated and killed.

Of course, Xiong Baodong is just venting his anger.

Although this old man Tie Shigu has a foul mouth, he is the President of the Porter Association. If he were really forced up there and beaten to death, that would be a major incident.

One must know that within the Five Elements, there are still many who haven't participated in this matter, such as the several major firms in the shop sector, and the Cao Gang, whom he fears the most.

If Tie Shigu dies, the Five Elements will surely unite against a common enemy.

The key is that there are also people behind them!

He is unwilling to touch this unlucky situation.

Therefore, without waiting for Tie Shigu to speak, Xiong Baodong immediately changed the subject and said in a deep voice, "I already said we were going to have a Mystic Sect battle; there's no need to keep people waiting."

"You might be willing to wait, but I don't have the time!"

"Either you send someone up immediately, or I'm turning around and leaving. Today's battle is called off, and we'll arrange another day!"

He is also using these words to play dirty.

Today's affair is definitely a failure; he hadn't expected Li Yan to be able to invite two such ruthless characters to help.

Conceding is also impossible; he cannot afford to lose that much face.

According to reports from his subordinates, an even fiercer one is on the way, but for some reason, they have been delayed.

This is his opportunity.

Either go up and win a round, which would count as regaining some face.

Or leave immediately and fight another day.

A disciple of the Shangshan Dharma lineage has already been injured. If he goes back and adds fuel to the fire, perhaps Yue Fachong himself will take action next time.

By then, it might even be possible to turn defeat into victory!

Tie Shigu was so angry he laughed, "Surname Xiong, your abacus is so loud that anyone can hear it. Do you really think everyone is a fool?"

Xiong Baodong feigned impatience and waved his hand, "Enough nonsense. Are you going up or not? If not, I'm leaving!"

Upon hearing this, Red Yecha looked directly at Liu Wenchen and said in a deep voice, "Surname Liu, there is one more thing I need to make clear to you."

"No matter how valuable some things are, if you've taken them, you've taken them. Even if they were stolen, I don't care."

"But this concerns the inheritance of my lineage. Regardless of whether you found it, took it, or bought it... unless my entire lineage is wiped out, this matter is not over!"

"Let's not trouble others with our business."

"Get on the ring!"

She was bursting with anger, and her murderous intent was undisguised.

Seeing this, Liu Wenchen immediately felt some regret.

Just as Red Yecha said, although the Noon-Slashing Demon Sword is a good magical artifact, what's more important is that it contains the other party's Dharma lineage inheritance, and its power is not small.

It seemed like he was just refusing to return it, but in reality, he was plotting to seize the other party's inheritance.

Just as Red Yecha said, no matter how he obtained this item, unless others acknowledge the transfer, he will never be able to hold onto it securely.

That is why he used the pretext of a Mystic Sect battle to force Red Yecha to concede and make the matter a done deal.

Now it seems he tried to steal a chicken only to lose the rice.

To be honest, at this point, Liu Wenchen already had the intention to return the precious sword, but he knew that this matter was no longer up to him to decide.

As for getting on the stage, he was naturally even more afraid, so he turned his head and pretended not to hear Red Yecha's words.

"I'll do it."

Li Yan stopped Red Yecha and smiled, "Sister Red, what's the rush? You hold the line, and I'll go up and test the waters."

He then turned his head and said, "Gang Leader Xiong, stop playing games. Hurry up and send someone up. It's the middle of the night; let's get this over with!"

After saying this, he ignored Xiong Baodong and walked toward the ruins on his own.

Xiong Baodong frowned and looked to the side, "Is this the leader of that group?"

Liu Wenchen hurriedly nodded and said, "That's right. I've gathered some information. This kid was originally a martial artist who made a name for himself by defeating a member of Zhou Pan's clan in Xianyang."

"He just built a building on Mount Taibai a few days ago. He's a fledgling who just stepped into the Mystic Sect, easy to deal with."

"Easy to deal with my ass!"

Xiong Baodong cursed, "At such a young age, if he didn't have some skills, how could he make so many people submit? You really are getting worse as you get older!"

Liu Wenchen's face was awkward, and he didn't dare to speak again.

"Hmph!"

Xiong Baodong let out a cold snort and turned to look around, "Everyone, it seems we've failed today, but we must lose the battle without losing our spirit. Whoever goes up and wins a round, I, Xiong, will certainly not treat you poorly."

But the others were not fools either.

Those who went up tonight were all experts, but with one dead and one injured, it left them feeling somewhat shaken.

Looking at the other side, neither Wang Daoxuan nor Red Yecha stopped him, which showed they had great confidence in that young man.

At a time like this, only a fool would go up.

Therefore, the remaining few sorcerers looked at each other, and not a single one made a sound.

"Cowards!"

Xiong Baodong was so angry he laughed, "You all are really something. In the past, you all bragged to the heavens, but at the critical moment, none of you can be relied upon!"

He was full of frustration, but seeing Tie Shigu's mocking gaze, he didn't want to let outsiders see him as a joke. His eyes rolled, and he suddenly said in a deep voice, "Yao San, you go!"

"Hmm."

Accompanied by a cold voice, a person flashed out from behind him.

This was an inconspicuous man of medium height, wearing a tattered sheepskin coat, with twin blades at his waist, a bamboo hat on his head, and a face full of stubble and signs of a hard life.

He was no different from those down-and-out blade-wielders on the Guanzhong road.

However, Tie Shigu's expression changed, and he scolded, "Xiong Baodong, this is a Mystic Sect battle. Why are you sending him up?!"

When Sha Lifei saw this, he was also shocked and blurted out, "It's Yao San! How is he still alive?"

"Hahaha..."

Xiong Baodong touched his chin and cursed, "You're senile. What is the Mystic Sect? If you can use a magical artifact, you are the Mystic Sect!"

As he spoke, he took off the jade Eight Trigrams disk from his neck and personally put it on Yao San, sneering, "There, doesn't he have a magical artifact now?"

"Go on, be quick about it!"

The man, Yao San, nodded silently and walked toward the ruins. He walked faster and faster, and then suddenly exerted force under his feet.

With a swoosh and flying snow, the person had already disappeared.

"Damn it, playing dirty! Brother Yan, don't fight!" Seeing this, Sha Lifei shouted in a panic.

Who would have thought that Li Yan in the distance would just wave his hand, signaling them not to worry. Wang Daoxuan frowned, "What's going on?"

Sha Lifei said angrily, "That man is a long-famous blade-wielder in the green forest. He has long been at the peak of the An Jin Layer and has countless lives on his hands. How did he become a lackey for the Fire Bear Gang?"

"Also, the stronghold that this person belonged to back then was wiped out by Li Yan's father!"

"He was saved by Xiong Baodong."

Tie Shigu, the President of the Porter Association, said in a deep voice, "This person was thrown into death row and was supposed to be executed in the autumn, but Xiong Baodong spent a huge sum of money to get him out, making him a death soldier who specializes in dirty work."

"The key is that jade disk; it is Xiong Baodong's personal treasure. Ordinary sorcery simply cannot touch him."

"This match cannot be fought. Just concede!"

"Peak of the An Jin Layer?"

Wang Daoxuan pondered for a moment and shook his head, "It's fine. Brother Yan's skills are also extraordinary. Even if he can't win, saving his life won't be a problem."

Sha Lifei was stunned and whispered, "Did you take the item back?"

!.

Seeing Wang Daoxuan nod, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

What the two were talking about was naturally the Gou Die.

They had followed Li Yan all the way in search of the inheritance and had even captured the first Yin criminal on Mount Taibai, so they naturally knew about the Gou Die.

The other party's magical artifact is powerful, but it's not qualified to block the Yin Si ghost soldiers.

Moreover, the two of them could see clearly that tonight's battle would probably spread throughout the Chang'an Mystic Sect by tomorrow. Li Yan taking action now was probably also intended to make a name for himself.

Tie Shigu still wanted to persuade them, but seeing their expressions, he frowned slightly and stopped speaking.

And Lu Gongfeng on the side was also watching the distance with interest.

He had seen it clearly tonight; although Red Yecha was the person involved, and two experts had appeared in succession, the young Li Yan in the ruins was the true core.

Isn't he just a small sorcerer who just built a building?

What kind of ability does he actually have?

In the ruins, Li Yan stood quietly.

He didn't actually care who went up.

Tonight wasn't a life-and-death struggle without a way out. If he encountered someone he couldn't afford to offend, he could just concede and leave.

This is the advantage of being young.

If he loses to an expert, everyone will think it's normal.

Of course, it is also necessary to test his own combat power.

He has achieved some success in the An Jin Layer, learned the Northern Ghost Emperor sorcery of Mount Fengdu, and has the Gou Die on him to summon the Five Camps of ghost soldiers...

According to Wang Daoxuan, he is already an anomaly.

To be honest, Li Yan really hoped an expert would come.

At the very least, he could weigh his own worth.

Swish!

The wind and snow arrived, and the blade-wielder jumped down from the broken wall.

Li Yan looked at the jade disk on the other party's chest and felt a little disappointed, "Does the Fire Bear Gang have no one else?"

In fact, the moment he saw that jade disk, Li Yan already had a guess in his heart: this thing was probably a means for martial artists to deal with sorcerers.

With this item for protection, plus Xiong Baodong's skills, ordinary sorcerers probably wouldn't have the power to resist at all.

"Of course there's no one else."

The blade-wielder opposite answered very honestly, "People in the Mystic Sect are full of arrogance. The Fire Bear Gang has a bad reputation, so those who come for profit naturally aren't very high-level either."

"They are afraid; not a single one dares to take action."

After saying this, he asked, "Are you Li Hu's son?"

Li Yan became interested, "Why, do you know my father?"

The blade-wielder Yao San nodded slightly, his eyes full of memories, "Hmm, your father was a man of great spirit."

"Ten years ago, the family of Squire Zhao in Chang'an returned to their hometown and was robbed and killed by green forest bandits. When your father found out, he took a few good men up the mountain that very night, and before dawn, he had wiped out the stronghold."

Li Yan frowned, "Were you following my father at that time?"

Yao San shook his head, "No, I was the stronghold leader whose stronghold was wiped out by your father."

Li Yan was stunned, then understood, "Do you want revenge?"

"No."

Yao San said with a calm expression, "I was rescued by the Fire Bear Gang many years ago. If I wanted revenge, I would have gone to Li Family Fort and wiped out your whole family long ago!"

"In fact, I envy your father very much."

"Back in the day, I too once entered Chang'an with a single blade, thinking just like your father—to make a name for myself and become a hero praised by everyone."

Li Yan laughed in spite of himself, "It's not too late now."

The bladesman Yao San shook his head calmly, "You don't understand. Some paths, once taken wrongly, can only be followed to the end."

"Otherwise, I would be nothing at all..."

As he spoke, he had already gripped the twin blades at his waist and slowly drew them.

Clang—!

Following the long, ringing sound of the blades, his gaze turned cold and bloodthirsty, "A notorious name is still a name."

"The Yao family's Heaven-Earth Twin Slaying Blades!"

Li Yan's expression also turned solemn, and he slowly drew his Guanshan blade.

"Take this!"

With a cold snort, Yao San lunged forward in a Zi-Wu bow stance.

He used hidden force, his entire body almost darting out at an angle, twin blades thrusting horizontally like the pincers of a scorpion, the tips aimed constantly at Li Yan.

At this moment, the two were about thirty meters apart. After Yao San landed, his hidden force erupted again; accelerating twice, he arrived before Li Yan in the blink of an eye, his left-hand blade thrusting straight forward.

So fast!

Li Yan was startled and retreated rapidly.

Since the opponent called them Heaven-Earth blades, they must combine heaven and earth, combining the void and the real; this strike was meant to bait him into blocking, and the next strike would surely be the killing blow.

Sure enough, as he retreated, Yao San's right-hand blade slashed down with even greater speed, then followed through with a forward-lunging upward sweep.

Both strikes had actually been feints!

Not only that, Yao San used hidden force on the final strike, increasing the blade speed once more; the edge even emitted a sharp whistling sound in the air.

At this, Li Yan had no choice but to block.

Of course, he also erupted with hidden force.

If he didn't, he feared the Guanshan blade in his hand would be knocked flying in a single move.

Clang!

The blades collided, emitting a loud sound.

Li Yan's expression shifted slightly; the blade in his hand nearly slipped from his grasp.

But he couldn't afford to think too much; he erupted with hidden force again, sweeping left, wiping right, and scanning downward.

Clang, clang, clang! Sparks flew everywhere as he blocked three consecutive strikes.

And this was already his limit.

Although his hidden force had achieved minor success, under such continuous eruptions, he was already running out of strength.

As for Yao San opposite him, he was already at the peak of hidden force; each strike was faster than the last, and increasingly fierce, with the blade body carrying a vibrating force.

Clang!

Finally, there was another crisp sound.

Li Yan felt a massive force strike him, his body retreating several steps in succession, while his Guanshan blade spun away.

With a clatter, the long blade hit the ground, its edge already twisted.

Li Yan looked at the undamaged twin blades in the opponent's hands and was amused by the absurdity, "Well, I thought you wanted to compare blades with me, but I didn't expect you to rely on internal power and a precious blade to suppress me. I was nearly fooled by you."

Yao San brandished his twin blades, performed a flourish, and said faintly, "Your father once told me that in the martial world's slaughter, only those who survive have the right to speak."

"Today, I return these words to you."

"On the road to the Yellow Springs, remember to tell your father..."

"No need!"

Li Yan interrupted him directly, set his boxing stance, and killing intent rose in his eyes,

"I'll teach you these words again!"

(End of chapter)