Chapter 193

A clear cry rang out, and Xie Xiaofeng shot into the sky.

Then he reversed his body, head down and feet up; the Jiuge Sword fell, and a sword beam as thick as a water barrel violently pierced through the earth!

The ground trembled, sword qi scattered everywhere; following the chaotic fluctuations of qi in the air, Xie Xiaofeng spotted a crack, seized the opening, and reached Jiang Wuque's true body.

He thrust one sword, splitting it into three beams of light, sealing off Jiang Wuque's escape routes while piercing three major acupoints across his body.

Facing Xie Xiaofeng's sharp assault, Jiang Wuque did not retreat—he advanced.

The Cold Snow Sword struck out, clinging to one of the sword beams, then gently tugged and redirected it.

Though he could not use the opponent's force against them, he still neutralized it.

At the same time, his body suddenly twisted and bent, every bone seeming to separate, letting the second sword beam skim past his robes.

There was still one last one…

Jiang Wuque's eyes hardened; suddenly abandoning his sword, he lightly slapped his palm toward Xie Xiaofeng's heart.

Xie Xiaofeng's heart instinctively tightened, but he remained calm; the Jiuge Sword shifted slightly, stabbing toward Jiang Wuque's left chest.

If Jiang Wuque did not change his move, this sword would pierce his heart before his palm struck!

Yet Jiang Wuque acted as if he had no regard for his life—not only did he not dodge, he rushed forward even faster, letting Xie Xiaofeng run him through the heart!

Then his palm landed squarely on Xie Xiaofeng's chest.

Not an inch off.

Both figures froze simultaneously.

The surrounding silence grew strangely still, then a low murmur spread through the crowd.

One sword for one palm—and both struck the opponent's fatal point!

Mutual destruction?!

Everyone was stunned.

What hatred, what grudge could drive a promising young talent to sacrifice his life just to drag his opponent down with him?

Not only the onlookers thought this—Xie Xiaofeng had the same question.

Exchanging lives, Jiang Wuque's choice completely surprised him.

Just as the two dying men locked eyes, two figures leapt into the arena almost simultaneously.

Each grabbed one, then retreated swiftly.

Jiang Xiaoyu pulled from his sleeve a strange fruit, entirely crimson as blood, no larger than an adult's thumb.

Without a word, he shoved it straight into Jiang Wuque's mouth.

Jiang Wuque chewed quickly and swallowed at once.

Immediately, his pale complexion visibly regained its ruddy hue, and his dimmed aura began to rise.

A healing miracle fruit!

The thought flashed simultaneously through everyone's minds.

So he had prepared in advance—no wonder Jiang Wuque dared fight so recklessly.

"Give it to me!"

A hoarse but powerful roar rang out; beside Xie Xiaofeng appeared an old man in blue robes, wearing cloth shoes and white temples, his hair streaked with gray.

The old man's hawk-like, ruthless gaze now fixed unblinkingly on Jiang Xiaoyu.

Jiang Xiaoyu knew perfectly well what he wanted, but feigned ignorance, looking utterly confused: "Give what? I don't understand."

Xie Xiaofeng's life hung by a thread; the old man had no time for nonsense—he vanished in a blur and reached for Jiang Xiaoyu.

Jiang Wuque's life was saved, but his injuries were far from healed; his combat power had plummeted, and he could not stop the old man.

As he was about to be seized, a figure clad in green robes, face covered by a black cloth, suddenly appeared before Jiang Xiaoyu.

The old man remained unfazed, his claw striking the green-robed man's chest.

Yet instead of subduing his foe, all his qi was neutralized.

The green-robed man was unharmed.

The old man's expression changed.

Then, six arms suddenly emerged from behind the green-robed man, joining his original two, hammering down upon the old man's head and face.

After only a few exchanges, the old man leapt back, his face dark as storm clouds.

Seeing three more identical figures emerge behind the green-robed man, his heart sank to the bottom—he spoke slowly, each word deliberate: "Xiangxi Four Ghosts!"

The Xiangxi Four Ghosts stood in a line before Jiang Wuque and Jiang Xiaoyu, forming a natural barrier that shattered all hope of the old man's advance.

The leader said: "Grandson Xie Wangsun, this duel was a life-or-death match—now the outcome is decided; deaths and injuries are not the fault of any person."

The blue-robed old man was Xie Xiaofeng's father, Grandson Xie Wangsun; he gritted his teeth: "This matter has nothing to do with you—why interfere? Besides, I do not seek to break the rules—I only want a life-saving fruit."

Xie Xiaofeng was a sword prodigy born once in a hundred years at the Divine Sword Shanzhuang, bearing all of Grandson Xie Wangsun's hopes—how could he watch his son die?

But he knew the power of the Xiangxi Four Ghosts' "Phantom Shadow Divine Art."

Together, the four could share damage—he might not lose, but he could never defeat them.

And if he delayed further, Xie Xiaofeng would be dead!

Thus, Grandson Xie Wangsun forced patience, suppressing his rage, trying to reason with the Xiangxi Four Ghosts.

The Xiangxi Four Ghosts remained unmoved; their leader offered no explanation, only said: "Withdraw. This matter is ours to handle."

The Xiangxi Four Ghosts were utterly unyielding, clearly determined to oppose him—Grandson Xie Wangsun flew into a rage.

At that moment, a weak voice whispered: "Why… why?"

Turning toward the voice, he saw Xie Xiaofeng, leaning on the Jiuge Sword, barely standing.

He no longer bore his former vigor—his hair disheveled, his pupils bloodshot.

He stared wide-eyed at Jiang Wuque across from him, his face still filled with confusion.

In fact, after more than ten exchanges with Jiang Wuque, he had already judged that today's battle would most likely end in a draw, yet Jiang Wuque was willing to pay such a heavy price just to kill him.

This left Xie Xiaofeng utterly baffled.

If he remembered correctly, there was simply no irreconcilable grudge between them.

Jiang Wuque seized the time to heal his wounds and did not answer.

Jiang Xiaoyu at the side said, "Good question! Xie Xiaofeng, even if you hadn't asked, I was going to tell you the answer."

Xie Xiaofeng said nothing.

Right now his heart meridian was already severed, with only his last breath remaining.

Before dying, he only wished to understand the truth.

214 Trouble Brought by Romantic Affairs — The Death of Xie Xiaofeng

Jiang Xiaoyu's gaze swept over the surrounding crowd, and he said loudly, "Xie Xiaofeng, two years ago you seduced and then abandoned a woman — do you still remember?"

Seduced and then abandoned?

So... this is an old flame sending someone to settle the score?

The onlookers guessed inwardly, yet none spoke, all watching quietly to see how things would unfold.

Upon hearing this, Xie Xiaofeng was first stunned, then his sword-shaped brows slowly knitted as he hung his head in silence.

Seeing him silent and not speaking, Jiang Wuque's fury flared; heedless of healing his wounds, he roared, "It's only been two years — have you really forgotten?! Or do you simply refuse to admit it?!"

Xie Xiaofeng pressed a hand to his chest, his pallid face showing even more pain; he forced himself to stay upright, yet still did not speak.

Jiang Wuque grew even angrier and was about to curse again, but was stopped by Jiang Xiaoyu.

The latter looked at Xie Xiaofeng, a flash of inspiration crossing his mind, and said tentatively, "Surnamed Xie, you wouldn't have wronged so many women that you don't even know which one we're talking about, would you?"

Xie Xiaofeng pressed his lips together, his voice somewhat dry and hoarse: "Who is she?"

"Hah, looks like I really hit the mark!"

Jiang Xiaoyu gave a cold laugh; he had wanted to mock him a few more times, but seeing that Xie Xiaofeng looked as though he could die at any moment, he dared not delay.

Before the crowd, he laid out the whole story: "Xie Xiaofeng, you were originally an old acquaintance of Ren Tianxing. Two years ago, when you visited the Ren household as a guest, you met Lady Ren."

"You saw that Lady Ren was beautiful, so you harbored evil intentions, cast your friendship behind your back, went forward to seduce her, and committed adultery with her!"

"After that, in order to monopolize Lady Ren, you ignored her objections and murdered Ren Tianxing."

"Lady Ren was both remorseful and ashamed, and wished to end her own life; you stopped her, then kept her to yourself for a month."

"And one month later, you left without a backward glance, casting her aside like a worn-out sandal."

"You wouldn't have forgotten all these fine deeds of yours, would you?!"

Jiang Xiaoyu's voice and expression both turned severe; the more he spoke, the louder he grew. Every word, every sentence, was like a great hammer striking heavily at Xie Xiaofeng's heart.

Xie Xiaofeng's gaze grew dazed for a moment, and then a flicker of realization appeared.

So it was her.