Chapter 42

One Yang Finger, Duan Yanqing!

Zhao Ti’s expression turned grave; Duan Yanqing had arrived.

Even if Duan Yanqing came, his One Yang Finger was sharp and brutal—could it stop him from killing?

Even if Duan Yanqing’s martial skill was supreme, he was still some distance away, while he and Yun Zhonghe were only three feet apart!

His longsword drifted, formless and intangible; his body moved just as invisibly—again, he struck Yun Zhonghe.

At that moment, piercing sounds rang continuously, qi surged through the air, and the sword blade was struck twice more by finger energy.

Zhao Ti sneered inwardly; the opponent was merely guessing his position and preemptively striking—Kuihua Manual always moved without trace or form; could he possibly predict every move?

His body twisted like a phantom, another sword slash flew out—the finger energy missed its mark; Yun Zhonghe didn’t even cry out before his throat was slashed diagonally downward, blood gushing as he collapsed to the ground.

All this happened in the blink of an eye; shadows flickered within the courtyard, those outside saw nothing clearly, heard only the whistling of wind and then saw Yun Zhonghe lying on the ground.

Zhao Ti, having landed his strike, swiftly retreated, vanishing a zhang away in an instant—by then, Duan Yanqing had reached the spot where Yun Zhonghe lay.

The man wore a green robe, his long beard hanging to his chest, a long scar running from forehead to chin, crimson and terrifying, his eyes sunken like bottomless pits, fixed unblinking on Zhao Ti.

The South Sea Crocodile God’s face looked worse than if he were crying; he stepped forward two paces: “Boss…”

The green-robed elder raised one hand to stop him, his abdomen vibrating as his voice emerged from within: “Who are you?”

Zhao Ti smiled sweetly: “Duan Yanqing, the man overflowing with evil? Don’t ask who I am—your third brother came looking for trouble, so don’t blame me for being merciless.”

The South Sea Crocodile God’s face flushed and paled in turns; he roared: “I was after your lover, not you!”

Behind her veil, Mu Wànqing’s cheeks flushed red; she thought inwardly: this Old Man Yue is spouting nonsense—he deserves to be killed with a sword. Why didn’t he kill Old Man Yue first instead of chasing Yun Zhonghe?

Zhao Ti intended to kill them according to their crimes; though the South Sea Crocodile God was a ruthless killer of innocents, the other two were far more wicked.

Duan Yanqing vibrated his abdomen and spoke with abdominal voice: “Your martial skill is exceptional—are you perhaps the young master of Murong from Jiangnan?”

Zhao Ti smiled and shook his head.

Duan Yanqing said: “Since you refuse to reveal your true identity, then leave your life here to join my second sister and fourth brother in death!”

He was crippled below the waist and relied entirely on two slender steel staves to move; these staves served not only as his legs but also as his weapons, and his One Yang Finger was uniquely trained to project power through them.

Zhao Ti’s lips curled: “You’re dreaming.”

Duan Yanqing’s body shot forward like a monstrous bird, both staves striking Zhao Ti in unison.

Zhao Ti crossed his sword, instantly locking into combat with him.

Both moved with extreme speed; Zhao Ti’s swordplay was erratic and unpredictable, far surpassing Duan Yanqing’s staff technique—but Duan Yanqing’s One Yang Finger energy could pierce through the staves, impossible to guard against; every time Zhao Ti seemed poised to impale him, he was forced to dodge the finger energy.

Moreover, Duan Yanqing’s internal energy was immense; though Zhao Ti’s body movement was light and elusive, it was still slightly hindered.

In the blink of an eye, forty or fifty moves passed, and the two remained locked in a stalemate; Mu Wànqing, watching from behind, grew increasingly alarmed.

She had never seen such a high-level battle; she feared that even if she stepped forward without being touched, the mere rush of qi or the brush of sleeves might injure or kill her.

After another dozens of moves, over a hundred exchanged, Zhao Ti suddenly unleashed three rapid sword strikes, then his body staggered several times before directly breaking away from combat, sliding backward.

Duan Yanqing was about to pursue when Zhao Ti said: “If I truly wished to leave, could you catch me?”

Duan Yanqing remained silent; after a hundred moves, he already understood Zhao Ti’s strength—especially his lightness technique. If Zhao Ti truly wanted to flee, he could not stop him.

Zhao Ti said: “Duan Yanqing, I’m hungry and thirsty. Let me return to eat and drink, then we’ll fight again.”

Duan Yanqing asked: “Where will you go to eat?”

Zhao Ti pointed to the inner courtyard: “If you insist on pestering me now, I’ll leave right away.”

Duan Yanqing hesitated; beside him, the South Sea Crocodile God cried: “Boss, don’t fall for it! He went into that courtyard to learn swordplay, came out with a new sword technique, and killed Third Sister and Fourth Brother!”

Zhao Ti laughed: “Old Man Yue, only a fool like you would believe such nonsense—what sword technique can be mastered in an instant?”

Duan Yanqing said: “Your martial skill is so high, I assume you won’t break your word. I’ll wait here for you—how long will you need?”

Zhao Ti glanced upward; the sky had turned dark. He said: “When the moon reaches its zenith.”

Duan Yanqing said: “Good.”

Zhao Ti smiled faintly and turned to leave; as his figure vanished into the distance, the South Sea Crocodile God cried out: “Boss?”

Duan Yanqing glanced at him coldly: “If he truly wanted to leave, I couldn’t stop him!”

“But—but…” the South Sea Crocodile God stared wide-eyed: “What about Third Sister and Fourth Brother’s revenge?”

Duan Yanqing said: “Revenge doesn’t have to be settled in an instant.”

The South Sea Crocodile God hurriedly said: “Boss, what if that brat lies and sneaks away?”

Duan Yanqing said coolly: “Say no more—I must also rest and recover my energy.”

Zhao Ti returned to the hall, his steps suddenly unsteady; Mu Wànqing noticed: “You—Young Master Zhao, what’s wrong?”

Zhao Ti waved his hand: “I’ve drained too much internal energy. Duan Yanqing feared I’d flee outright, and since he and Old Man Yue couldn’t catch me, he agreed to cease fighting—I’ll use this chance to restore my energy. Please, Miss Mu, guard me.”

Mu Wànqing nodded: “Young Master Zhao, rest assured.”

Zhao Ti entered the side chamber and began circulating Illusion Yin Qi. This time he had expended more than before, yet its recovery flowed ceaselessly, like a great river—soon, it had already surpassed his original quantity.

Zhao Ti guided the energy toward the Du Mai; when the Illusion Yin Qi reached the junction of Ren and Du meridians, it surged through without hesitation, encountering no resistance whatsoever—Zhao Ti’s body trembled, and he felt his meridians fully open, as if a new world had been unlocked.

With his supreme martial talent, he never encountered any bottlenecks in cultivation; as long as his internal energy accumulated sufficiently, everything else followed naturally.

Zhao Ti sensed the change in his body and murmured: “A supreme talent—even the Ren and Du meridians can be opened so easily!”

Once the Ren and Du meridians are opened, internal energy can be projected outward to directly injure others.

He performed another full Great Circulation; his Illusion Yin Qi grew even purer, advancing to the fourth level.

At the fourth level, Illusion Yin Finger could project finger energy through the air, striking from afar!

He rose and stepped outside: “Miss Mu, we’re leaving.”

Mu Wànqing blinked: “Leaving?”

Zhao Ti nodded, glancing at the maid: “By the way, this girl…”

Mu Wànqing said: “She’s from Wanchou Valley; this mansion belongs to Wanchou Valley. The valley’s mistress, Gan Baobao, is my aunt. If I leave, the people of Wanchou Valley won’t harm her.”

Zhao Ti nodded: “Good.” He pushed open the door and walked out.