Chapter 178: Lantern Festival Killing Night

Bang! Bang!

The ten-mile Vermilion Bird Street was brilliant with lanterns and fireworks.

Other places were still crowded with people, full of laughter and joy, but the area outside Anren Ward had a solemn atmosphere.

Chang'an was a place where dragons and snakes mixed. Xiong Baodong had started from scratch and walked step by step to where he was now; how could he be just a rascal who only knew how to play sinister tricks?

The scars all over his body evoked memories in those around him.

There was a time when this man was the overlord in the dark night, with bloody battles on the long street time and again, his reputation spreading through every street and alley...

The key was that this guy was also very shrewd. Before dawn, he would collect the severed limbs and fragments, and even endure the pain of his wounds to lead people to wash the street with water...

Many times, nearby commoners heard the clashing of weapons and screams, but when they woke up the next day, the street was already covered in water stains.

"Old Bear Blackie" was an insult to others, but people called Xiong Baodong this only out of fear.

The most terrifying thing about a bear is its intelligence.

According to rumors, they could even learn to walk like humans, lure passersby forward, learn to knock on doors, and trick commoners into opening their doors.

It wasn't that so-called heroes hadn't made a move.

But that had only served to build Xiong Baodong's fierce reputation.

If his reputation hadn't been so bad, he might have had a chance at competing for the position of President of the Shaanxi Shenquan Society.

"Don't fight!"

Shopkeeper Wan felt anxious and hurriedly stepped forward to pull Li Yan, saying urgently, "As long as the green hills remain, there's no need to worry about firewood. This old man still has some good friends..."

Before he could finish, he was stopped by Li Yan, who shook his head slightly and said calmly, "Senior Wan, I will leave Chang'an tomorrow. I won't leave without wiping my own ass clean."

That's right, he had been using a provocation tactic from the beginning.

If Xiong Baodong had sent those heterodox sorcerers to fight with magic, he really wouldn't have been sure of himself. After all, he had just started practicing the "Northern Emperor Scripture," and he hadn't learned those powerful techniques yet.

And the key was that it was no longer about fighting with magic.

Even if he won tonight, it would leave behind endless trouble.

These Fire Bear Gang members were all shameless scum. Shopkeeper Wan, the Li Mansion, and Uncle Hei Dan—who knew if they would all fall into crisis because of this in the future?

When Xiong Baodong came to look for trouble, he had already developed a murderous intent to eliminate this scourge!

While speaking, Li Yan had already walked into the arena and slowly set up his fist stance. His expression was solemn, his phoenix eyes and dragon pupils revealing a cold glint—where was the triumphant look from just a moment ago?

"Huo!"

Xiong Baodong also realized what was happening and sneered. "Kid, you said so much just to force me to make a move? You really are a wolf cub who just entered the martial world, in a hurry to bite people to make a name for yourself."

"I've seen plenty of your kind. There were some in previous years, some family talents, but after I killed a few, they all became obedient."

Saying this, he took the plaque hanging around his neck and stuffed it into his clothes, laughing. "Don't think that just because you know a bit of sorcery, you don't know the immensity of heaven and earth."

That plaque was made of lightning-struck wood, inlaid with gold thread patterns, carved with dense talismans and incantations, and also depicted six divine generals.

Gu Chenzi, who was on the side, saw this and his expression changed slightly. He said coldly, "The Six Ding and Six Jia Protective Amulet. This item is given by the Imperial Court to great generals in the army. Who gave it to you!"

The sorcery of this world's Mystic Sect is strange and varied. Martial arts experts could fall victim if they weren't careful, so the Imperial Court naturally had precautions.

The residences of high-ranking civil officials had imperial plaques, and military generals had protective treasures. The Six Ding and Six Jia Amulet was one of them, and only local generals were qualified to wear it.

These things were all made by the Profound Heaven Sect, so he could naturally tell at a glance.

But Xiong Baodong was just a martial world gang leader; where did he get this item?

"Hahaha..."

Xiong Baodong sneered. "The Imperial Court didn't say this couldn't be gifted. Daoist, you look down on me, but you can't look down on money and power."

"Money and power are the strongest sorcery in the world!"

Listening to the two talk, Li Yan had already guessed that this was some kind of powerful protective amulet, and it was extremely difficult to obtain.

It seemed that after the protective jade pendant he had begged from the Shangshan Dharma lineage was lost last time, Xiong Baodong had spent a great price to get an even better one.

He had inquired about this kind of thing after the last incident.

Dharma artifacts refine talismans, Gang and Sha form formations, and Divine Gang protects the body. It was equivalent to wearing a small temple on one's body. As long as one offered sacrifices every morning and evening, one would have divine protection, and evil ghosts wouldn't dare to invade.

Ordinary soul-bewitching spells, evil ghost possession, and the like would be shattered once they got close. Even Wang Daoxuan's Seven Arrows Secret Curse would have to break the protective amulet first before it could curse the opponent to death.

Each one was worth a fortune.

Of course, this item also had a weakness: it would repel and interfere with sorcery, so it wasn't suitable for sorcerers to wear.

Thinking of this, Li Yan's expression also became solemn.

He wondered if the Soul-Hooking Chain ability would be useful against this item...

"Hahaha, are you afraid?"

Seeing Li Yan's expression, Xiong Baodong laughed loudly, his eyes becoming fierce, like a wild beast teasing its prey. He suddenly said in a sinister tone, "It's too late!"

After saying this, he strode forward.

As he moved, it was like an old bear waking up. The first two steps were slow, the last two fast. He had no stance, just walking toward Li Yan in a swaggering manner.

Li Yan shifted his steps, his expression solemn, and hurriedly circled to avoid him.

Eight Extremities Fist, also known as Opening Gate Eight Extremities, was somewhat similar to the Pi-Gua style, taking the six opening methods of top, hold, single, lift, carry, and wrap as its core—opening the gate first, then entering with moves.

Xiong Baodong's Eight Extremities Fist had been forged in bloody battles, and he had entered the Transformation Realm. Combined with his astonishing physique, it was nearly perfect.

If he attacked with Pi-Gua, he feared it would not only be difficult to break his gate, but he would also be neutralized by the opponent, countered, and have his brains smashed out with an elbow.

Of course, Xiong Baodong's physique also destined his footwork to be insufficiently flexible. Several times he lunged forward, only to be quickly circled and dodged by Li Yan.

"Boo—!"

In the crowd, some troublemakers immediately booed loudly.

They had originally thought they would see something exciting, but Li Yan had talked tough in the arena, yet was just circling around, which was truly boring.

Only the true practitioners had solemn expressions.

They knew that the moment of contact would be the moment of life and death, and Li Yan would likely be the one to die.

Gu Chenzi, on the side, had eyes that flickered uncertainly. He raised his palm and lowered it again, not knowing what to do.

Not to mention that Luo Mingzi had asked him to look after Li Yan before leaving, he also had a good impression of this youth he had fought alongside, so how could he bear to see his blood spilled on the long street?

But the matter was stuck right here.

Not to mention that Xiong Baodong had the Six Ding and Six Jia Amulet for protection, whether his sorcery could break it, and interfering with the completion of the ritual, was also a great crime.

Once something went wrong and the drought demon escaped, his master and fellow disciples who were staying in the City God Temple to suppress it would also encounter a crisis.

Thinking of this, Gu Chenzi let out a sigh and slowly lowered his hand, complaining in his heart about why Li Yan was so reckless.

In the distant crowd, Yuan Ba also cursed and whispered, "Master, this kid looks quite shrewd, why does he only do stupid things..."

His master glanced at him faintly. "Perhaps he has something to rely on. Remember, when walking in the martial world, this is the biggest taboo."

The crowd was discussing heatedly, but the situation in the arena changed abruptly.

Xiong Baodong saw Li Yan dodging continuously and was already impatient. He cursed, "Now you know fear, where else can you hide!"

After saying this, he crouched his knees slightly, loosened his hips and waist, his elbows matching his knees, like rubbing the ground, his feet not leaving the ground, and with a "swoosh," he forced Li Yan into a corner.

To the onlookers, it looked like a wild beast suddenly leaping out. The terrifying momentum made them feel fear, and they couldn't help but retreat.

But there were still people behind, pushing and shoving, and they were actually scared into falling in a large group.

So many people looked miserable, but no one laughed, because the situation in the arena had become tense to the extreme.

Seeing Xiong Baodong pounce, a sharp glint flashed in Li Yan's eyes. He no longer dodged, but suddenly lunged forward, his palm like muffled thunder, slapping toward his chest and abdomen.

Simultaneously, his left hand lifted lightly.

Clatter!

The sound of chains rang in his ears. The Soul-Hooking Chain had already flown out from the palm of his left hand.

Of course, this move was extremely fast. The Soul-Hooking Chain was invisible and intangible. Even if there were sorcerers in the arena with Ear or Eye Perception, it would be difficult to detect it in the instant of the martial artists' clash.

"Well come!"

Xiong Baodong gave a loud shout, stepped forward, shook his hips and joined his waist, like a collapsing bow, his massive fist booming out like a thunderclap.

During the previous battle, he could see that Li Yan, at such a young age, had already reached the peak of Dark Energy, which could be considered extraordinary talent.

But even against long-famous Transformation Realm experts, he had no fear, let alone this little brat whose hair hadn't even grown out.

He wanted to use his momentum to suppress others and beat him to death alive to establish his authority.

However, halfway through the punch, Xiong Baodong's expression changed.

He felt something suddenly drill into his body. Although it was blocked by the Six Ding and Six Jia Amulet, his brain went blank, as if falling into an ice cellar. The sounds in his ears faded away, and everything before his eyes was pitch black.

Success!

!.

Li Yan secretly rejoiced in his heart.

This Six Ding and Six Jia Amulet indeed had protective power, but the grade of the Soul-Hooking Chain was clearly higher. It was only blocked for a moment before drilling into Xiong Baodong's body.

Divine Chain hooks the soul; the opponent was already stiff.

Li Yan wouldn't miss the opportunity. He easily dodged Xiong Baodong's fist, his Dark Energy erupted, and he smashed three consecutive heavy punches into Xiong Baodong's chest and abdomen.

These three punches, from high to low, all had Dark Energy erupting, each faster than the last, striking the three vital points of Dantian, Jiuwei, and Juque.

Dantian is located between the two nipples, where Qi gathers. Once struck, internal Qi will scatter, causing panic and confusion...

Jiuwei is located seven inches above the navel. Once struck, the liver, gallbladder, and five internal organs vibrate, the heart will also be affected, and blood Qi will stagnate...

Juque is located six inches above the navel. Being struck causes the same liver and gallbladder vibration.

These are the vital points on the human body's center line. No matter what kind of fighting technique, one must guard these areas well. Once opened, it means the vital points are completely exposed.

Xiong Baodong was suppressed by the Soul-Hooking Chain. Although because of the Six Ding and Six Jia Amulet, Li Yan couldn't hook his soul out, it still caused his soul to lose contact with his physical body.

Even in the Transformation Realm, it was still a flesh-and-blood body, not to mention these vital areas. With Dark Energy striking, Xiong Baodong was immediately severely injured.

Others only heard three muffled bangs. Xiong Baodong's body bent, and he vomited blood from his mouth.

But because of this, Xiong Baodong's soul returned to its place. His eyes were full of fear. He roared, raised his arms, and wanted to hug Li Yan and strangle him to death.

However, Li Yan's Soul-Hooking Chain popped out again. Taking advantage of his stiffness, he raised his arms, backhanded a palm, and slapped it into the center of his navel.

This was the Shenque vital point. Striking it impacts the intercostal nerves, which can cause the enemy's body to temporarily fail.

Xiong Baodong suffered a heavy blow, his center of gravity became unstable, and his massive body swayed, about to fall.

Li Yan's fist stance changed into a Red Fist grapple. Taking advantage of the momentum, he bent his waist to the side, directly hugged his right leg's knee pit, crossed his hands, and exerted force violently.

Red Fist Carrying Sword Leg!

Only a loud "boom" was heard, and Xiong Baodong's massive body fell directly to the ground, vomiting blood continuously.

"Stop!"

Qiao Sanhu was shocked and hurriedly shouted.

Li Yan's murderous intent had already risen; how could he stop? He stepped forward directly, his right foot exerted force violently, all his Dark Energy gathered in one place, and he kicked fiercely at Xiong Baodong's temple.

Crack!

Xiong Baodong's head tilted instantly, bloody and mangled, broken in half, blood spraying out, and he died completely.

"Hahaha!"

Li Yan was sprayed with blood all over his face, but he felt refreshed in his heart. He stepped forward, grabbed his head, lifted it high, and shouted loudly:

"On the Lantern Festival, Li Yan of Guanzhong eliminates this scourge for Chang'an!"

Under the blazing fire, his face was covered in blood, like a demon god.

Many people around were completely dumbfounded.

What just happened?

Xiong Baodong... he just died?

"Hahaha!"

Just then, a frantic laughter rang out. A beggar emerged from the crowd, in tattered clothes, disheveled, with disabled legs, and smelling of filth.

He limped to Xiong Baodong's corpse and wailed, "Evil thief, you have today too!"

After saying this, he actually lay on the ground and bit down fiercely.

"Where did this madman come from!"

"Hiss, I seem to have seen him. He is the son of the former Left Councilor Lu Kang. I heard the Fire Bear Gang plotted to seize their family wealth and beat him half to death, leaving him to wander the streets..."

"Deserved!"

"This scourge is finally dead!"

Many onlookers had been bullied by the Fire Bear Gang. Now that Xiong Baodong was dead, not only were they not afraid, but they cheered loudly.

"Gang Leader!"

"Kill him!"

On the Fire Bear Gang side, chaos also ensued. Many gang members had been promoted by Xiong Baodong, and their eyes were filled with red. Regardless of how skilled Li Yan was, they drew their knives and prepared to attack.

Sha Lifei saw the situation was bad and immediately shouted, "Xiong Baodong is dead! The Fire Bear Gang's warehouse has plenty of silver, go grab it!"

The chaotic crowd paused for a moment.

The Fire Bear Gang relied entirely on Xiong Baodong to hold it up. Now that he was dead, wouldn't it be in chaos immediately?

Immediately, many martial world people had strange looks in their eyes and left one after another. Even the Fire Bear Gang's own people ran away in droves.

"Steady, carry the divine tower well!"

Qiao Sanhu gave a loud shout, ordering his men to continue carrying the tower.

He and Xiong Baodong were just using each other. Since things had reached this point, it was better to take the remaining dharma flags and continue to participate in the Mount Huashan cellar opening.

Without Xiong Baodong, one person's benefit would be greater.

He also had quite a bit of prestige in the Fire Bear Gang. Now that they were leaderless, his order actually stabilized the situation.

Just then, Li Yan sniffed and frowned.

The smell of gunpowder!

Just as he turned his head, he saw a person in the crowd wearing black clothes and a cloak take something out from their waist.

It was exactly the Fire Ghost's unique bone-mace firearm.

Bang!

Only a loud bang was heard.

Qiao Sanhu, who was shouting, stiffened, his head bursting like a watermelon, and he fell straight to the ground.

"Murder!"

"Firearm, someone is using a firearm!"

The crowd was in chaos.

On the Fire Bear Gang side, it was even more chaotic, and the divine tower collapsed with a crash. Gu Chenzi saw this and gave a roar of anger: "Get out of the way!"

He flew forward, directly pulled out the remaining dharma flags, and stuffed them all into the hands of the dazed Shopkeeper Wan. "You won, hurry, continue to complete the ritual!"

In the distance, the Commandant's Office, hearing the sound of the firearm, pushed through the crowd and rushed over.

In the chaos, the black-robed person who used the firearm immediately turned and merged into the crowd.

Li Yan was stunned for a moment, then revealed a smile.

He smelled a familiar scent.

It was exactly Lu San from Manchuan Pass!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 179 =====