As a ninth-grade master, in that critical moment, he flicked his wrist, sweeping his long spear upwards from its downward hang. It perfectly blocked his opponent's path, threatening to disembowel them if they didn't dodge.
By this time, he had clearly seen his opponent’s face. It was so unremarkable that it wouldn't draw any attention on an ordinary day, which explained why he hadn't noticed them earlier.
He noticed that even at such high speed, the opponent’s face remained expressionless. He immediately realized it was likely not their true face but a mask. Such a thin, flawless mask, like a cicada's wing, was truly a masterpiece of craftsmanship, indicating its wearer was no ordinary person.
Sure enough, the person neither dodged nor evaded, directly reaching out to grasp the shaft of his spear.
Yang Sheng wondered if his opponent had gone mad, attempting to engage an armed weapon bare-handed. He thought, 'Won't their hand be crippled if I just give it a casual twist?'
He snorted coldly, slightly adjusting the spear's angle to thrust directly towards the opponent's palm.
However, having witnessed the opponent's exquisite timing earlier, he dared not show any contempt and secretly held back some of his strength.
The opponent's hands crossed, gripping the long spear like eagle talons. Simultaneously, they slithered along the shaft like a water snake, reaching him almost in the blink of an eye.
Yang Sheng was greatly alarmed. Disregarding all else, he instantly abandoned the spear in his hand and used the momentum to retreat violently backward.
Fortunately, he hadn't underestimated his opponent and had held back some of his strength; otherwise, his opponent's hand might have already pierced his chest.
Despite his swift dodge, his qi and blood were still turbulent from the recent exertion, preventing him from unleashing his full peak strength. As a result, several deep bloody marks were left on his body.
From the mountaintop, Zu An witnessed all of this, thinking, 'Golden Badge Seven's claw technique is truly impressive.'
He also saw that Golden Badge Seven had actually held back; otherwise, with such a prime opportunity for a sneak attack, how could Yang Sheng have been left with only a few scratches?
Golden Badge Seven's primary objective was to abduct someone to verify certain matters, not to incite rebellion, so naturally, he couldn't kill anyone.
At this point, Yang Sheng was both shocked and enraged. After creating distance, he began ordering his soldiers to form a battle array. With their assistance, he barely managed to fend off Golden Badge Seven's attack, but the entire valley had already fallen into chaos.
Zu An glanced at the black-clad figures' hiding spots, frowning when he saw they showed no intention of intervening.
The time he had discussed with Golden Badge Seven was fast approaching, and he didn't want to make his move only for the black-clad figures to reap the benefits.
He suddenly had an idea and looked at the black-robed elder who had been thrown aside, wondering how the elder had planned to signal his subordinates.
After fumbling on him for a moment, he indeed found something resembling a signal flare.
He immediately took it out and launched it downwards. The signal flare's sharp, piercing sound cut through the valley, and the hidden black-clad figures, receiving the signal, charged out.
Golden Badge Seven was also startled. He initially thought they were reinforcements summoned by Golden Badge Eleven, but their attire and ruthless attacks made it clear they were not government forces.
With their entry, the escort team's formation was completely disrupted. Bloody, fierce fighting erupted everywhere, yet only the carriage remained undisturbed.
Soon, a dozen black-clad figures rushed toward the carriage. The guards nearby attempted to block them but were quickly outnumbered and cut down.
The black-clad figures forced open the carriage door. Just as they were about to speak, a sharp sword aura burst forth, instantly tearing the foremost attackers into pieces.
'Sword aura!' Golden Badge Seven, who had been secretly watching, immediately recognized that Liao Ling, the City Lord of Yi County, had made his move.
'Previous intelligence indicated he was at the peak of the seventh grade; I didn't expect him to have broken through recently.' His heart filled with worry. Although Golden Badge Eleven was clever, his cultivation seemed a bit weak. How could he possibly snatch someone from Liao Ling's grasp?
He wanted to help, but Yang Sheng was not easily dismissed. He and his numerous subordinates tightly encircled Golden Badge Seven.
At this moment, a middle-aged man slowly emerged from the carriage. With a dignified countenance, he seemed to emanate an inherent aura of noble righteousness.
A sword cultivated with the righteousness of heaven and earth!
Golden Badge Seven grew increasingly worried. Such a sword was a gentleman's sword, a blade of righteousness whose power surpassed masters of the same level by several points. It would take him considerable effort to defeat Liao Ling; what method could Golden Badge Eleven possibly employ?
At this moment, the remaining black-clad figures near the carriage held their sabers horizontally, forming a simple combined attack formation, and charged towards Liao Ling.
'The Demonic Cult's Five Elements Formation!' Golden Badge Seven's heart sank, his suspicions seemingly confirmed.
Just then, Liao Ling moved. A cold light flashed, leaving countless afterimages within a ten-foot radius. In the next second, these afterimages converged, returning to his true form, as if he had remained motionless the entire time.
Yet, the black-clad figures were all clutching their throats, blood gushing out unstoppably as they fell limply to the ground.
He didn't spare them a glance, instead looking toward Golden Badge Seven and frowning slightly.
The nearby black-clad figures, momentarily stunned by the power of his single sword strike, hesitated, daring not to advance.
'Miss Qiu,' he said, not assisting Yang Sheng but guarding the carriage relentlessly, 'if your cult sent only these people to rescue you, I'm afraid they will fail.'
From inside the carriage came a soft, alluring sigh: 'City Lord Liao, since you were ambushed here, you must realize it won't be that simple.'
Liao Ling fell silent, then spoke bitterly after a long pause: 'Indeed, I suppose we won't be able to hold you. However, Miss Qiu, you celebrate too soon. Before you can be rescued, I will kill you.'
'You dare to kill me?' Qiu Honglei's voice held a hint of mockery.
'Indeed, Prince Yan and others are wary of your master and dare not lay a hand on you. But I am different. I cultivate an aura of noble righteousness; as long as I feel no shame before heaven and earth, I will not concern myself with anything else.'
Having said this, he thrust his sword directly into the carriage. Clearly, he understood that with Demonic Cult members ambushing them, their deception plan had utterly failed. With all their masters present, how could his few people possibly resist?
It would be better to simply kill this Demonic Cult temptress. After all, rumors claimed she was the inner disciple of the wicked woman Yun Jianyue and might even inherit the cult leader position in the future. Killing her now would be considered eliminating a formidable future enemy for the imperial court.
Qiu Honglei's beautiful face subtly changed. 'How could this guy just attack without any martial etiquette?' she thought.
Just then, a figure suddenly appeared before her, moving with such speed that even Golden Badge Seven, Yang Sheng, and others fighting in the distance turned their heads.
'Has Yun Jianyue arrived?' This was the thought on everyone's mind.
Only Liao Ling knew it wasn't, for he had already clearly seen the newcomer: a man had suddenly appeared inside the carriage. Though masked, he appeared quite young.
'As long as it's not Yun Jianyue, this sword cannot be stopped!' This was the swordsman's confidence in his blade. Within three feet, life and death were his to command.
Though he didn't understand how the opponent could suddenly appear inside the carriage, once his sword was unleashed, he never looked back.
Since the opponent stood before Qiu Honglei, it proved he was likely also a member of the Demonic Cult. This single sword strike would be enough to pin them both together.
The horses at the front whinnied and struggled uneasily. Although the sword wasn't aimed at them, their animal instincts sensed the danger and murderous intent.
The entire carriage compartment, unable to withstand the rampant sword aura, was instantly shredded, revealing the two people inside.
The sword aura of this strike was so dazzlingly bright that those fighting in the distance instinctively shielded their eyes.
Golden Badge Seven's heart sank. Liao Ling's noble sword aura was truly formidable. If the opponent had been beyond ten feet, he would have had eighteen ways to counter this sword strike.
But if it was within ten feet, only three methods remained.
And if it was within three feet, even he could only avoid its sharpness; though he might save his life, he would most likely be injured.
Golden Badge Eleven, it's over!
He felt some regret, thinking he shouldn't have involved the other party, causing him to lose his life in vain.
From their previous interactions, Golden Badge Eleven was clearly a colleague more inclined towards strategy. Cultivation was not his forte, and to join the ranks of Golden Badges purely on intellect, one could imagine how bright his future had been.
'Why use one's weakness against another's strength?' At this distance, even if he wanted to save him, it was too late.
The next instant, the sword aura dissipated.
'Golden Badge Eleven has probably been shredded by the sword aura,' Golden Badge Seven thought.
'It's over. Qiu Honglei died here. If Yun Jianyue gets angry, none of us here will survive. How can Liao Ling, this scholar, be more stubborn than me, a martial artist!' Yang Sheng thought.
'What a pity for such a charming and beautiful woman,' the ordinary soldiers thought.
But soon, everyone's eyes widened. The fierce fighting, which had been raging, stopped in unison, and a strange stillness fell over the noisy valley as everyone looked toward the carriage.
What they had imagined did not happen. The young man sat casually beside Qiu Honglei, while Liao Ling's gleaming sword tip, halted three inches from them, was gently pinched by the young man's two jade-like fingers, unable to advance a single inch further.
The tattered carriage, the pitiful beauty in a black dress, and the masked young man in a green robe unexpectedly formed a scene of exquisite beauty.
And the swordsman, dressed in snow-white, was the perfect embellishment to this tableau.
---
Two chapters were updated today. Oh, by the way, I suddenly remembered mentioning a possible pen name change some time ago. It might actually be happening soon. Could everyone help me brainstorm some good pen names? Something with an ethereal, immortal feel?
[2 minutes ago] Chapter 1722: Bitter Endeavor
[6 minutes ago] Chapter 1721: I Was Really Silly
[12 minutes ago] Chapter 1720: Surrounding Attack
[17 minutes ago] Chapter 1719: Spirit Leaves the Body
[21 minutes ago] Chapter 1718: Weaken
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