Fantasy: Immortality Begins with Absorbing Demons

Chapter 659 Struggle! (Part 3)

Although Yunzhou has an open atmosphere and few rules of etiquette for women, those who are so beautiful and can dress so sexy and alluring are ultimately a minority.

"Is it a gamble for the Jingtian Manor branch to regain its inheritance, or a gamble for the government army, or for it to be taken away by outsiders?" The storyteller lowered his head, not daring to look closely.

After all, in his mind, women with such an aura were all formidable figures.

To dare to dress like this, especially for women, in this era represents absolute confidence in one's own abilities.

"Me? ...I don't gamble on these things." The woman chuckled, completely unconcerned about her exposed skin, even showing a hint of smugness as she deliberately shook it. "Don't gamble? Then young lady?" The storyteller looked up, his face full of doubt.

If he hadn't realized that the woman in front of him was not someone to be trifled with, he would have almost kicked her out.

Entering a gambling den without placing a bet is like nitpicking or finding fault.

"Of course, I'm talking about those three I won't bet on..." the woman chuckled, "I'm betting on... the so-called Beast Demon Han Yi... will die!"

……………

……………

Huayang City, outskirts.

Ten miles along the official road, on a tall archway, the three characters "Jingtianzhuang" are clearly visible.

The gold lettering seemed to be peeling off, and it was covered in dust, indicating that it hadn't been maintained for some time. A few banners stood forlornly by the roadside, mostly left behind by small vendors.

This place used to be bustling with people. People from other places would come to learn martial arts from masters, or disciples from various academies would go out to carry out missions. They all had to pass through this wide stone path.

But times have changed.

The once bustling road is now deserted, with hardly a soul in sight, not even birds.

So impoverished and desperate, naturally, the merchants sold off their goods at low prices and went elsewhere to seek a better life.

Nestled among the dark green mountains and along the official road, vast expanses of red rooftops, like distinct layers of fish scales, stretch across hundreds of acres, seemingly endless, in a tranquil and pleasant environment.

Between the rows of buildings, shimmering mist and vapor rise faintly, suggesting the presence of a vast lake.

There was no one in front of the massive gate at this moment.

Looking through the open door, it seemed there wasn't a single person in sight. It was like a dead end.

It contrasts sharply with the tall and bustling interior buildings.

At the location of a tall attic building.

The eaves are grayish-green and upturned, and the main body is a large red wooden structure. On both sides of the entrance, there are several huge pillars for support.

This pavilion has three floors. The first floor is square, with a length and width of several tens of meters. The area of ​​each floor decreases as you go up, like a pine cone.

From a distance, it looks like a luxurious complex. But once you get closer, you can see that it's all show and no substance.

The front looks okay, but from the side and back, you can clearly see that the window frames are messy and many window frames are sticking out at an angle.

"Old man, I never thought that the two of us would one day fight side by side."

Old Fu, with a pipe dangling from his mouth, leaned lazily against the doorframe, exhaling a ring of smoke.

"Times have changed." Standing on the other side was also an old man.

He was tall and thin, with a full head of white hair. Compared to Old Fu's unreliability, he appeared much more serious and proper.

This person was none other than the Elder of Wentian Pavilion in Jingtian Manor, responsible for registering new disciples.

“Yes… No one would have known that the Five Hegemons of Yunzhou would have such a desolate moment… In the end, the once vast Jingtian Manor is left with only the two of us old men.” Old Fu said with a bitter smile.

"The reason for this is that you were too soft-hearted back then. If you had been ruthless and made the painful sacrifice to concentrate all your efforts on developing one area, things wouldn't have come to this." The Grand Secretary was blunt.

"I'm soft-hearted? Am I wrong?" Old Fu roared, taking a drag on his pipe. "You did the right thing, but what about your Wentian Pavilion? It's not like only the library has held out until now, and even you have to come and protect it."

"What I value is the legacy of Jingtian Manor, it has nothing to do with you," the elder said calmly. "Isn't it because I'm afraid you smoke too much, your strength is insufficient, and you have the will but not the power?"

Although his tone was calm, every word he spoke was venomous and infuriating.

"Who are you calling incompetent? Who are you calling incompetent?" Old Fu shouted. "I've disliked you since I was young. In terms of martial arts, looks, and strength, in what way am I inferior to you? Why did Hualien fall for an old fogey like you, this stubborn old man?"

"Do you want to know why?" The Grand Secretary finally smiled. "Because I don't smoke, and I smell better than you."

"You...?!" Old Fu was furious and about to swear.

Suddenly, their expressions changed simultaneously.

"They...have come..." the Grand Secretary sighed. "What is destined to come will eventually come."

Master Fu also fell silent. "Junior brother, you should leave. The library is my duty, it has nothing to do with you. If you leave, no one will blame you."

"Leave?" The Grand Secretary sneered. "What, you couldn't be with Hualien when you were alive, so now you want to share a bed with her and take advantage of me when you die?"

"No, I won't allow it. I'd rather die with Hualien than let you, you shameless old man, do anything shameful!"

“You…” Old Fu wasn’t angry, but sighed, “You, you were so stubborn when you were young, and even at this critical moment of life and death… you still have that annoying face…”

Speaking of which, I do feel a bit nostalgic... Back in our youth, when the three of us—you, me, and Hualien—would stroll through Huahu Lake at night, exploring and searching for treasures. Back then... Master was still alive... and everyone in Jingtian Village was united..."

"So, where can I go if I leave?" The Grand Secretary smiled calmly. "This is my home. I'm not going anywhere else." "Enough, enough. You and I are brothers, and we've shared a bond." Elder Fu also came to terms with it. "Outsiders should know that we at Jingtian Manor aren't all cowards who can run away. We may be old, but our spirit, integrity, and backbone are still intact!"

clap clap clap!

"Your Excellency, Elder Fu... It's been a long time. How are you?" In front of the library, a man appeared silently before the two.

He wore a triangular white jade hat, had a full and bright face, deep and piercing eyes, and an elegant and dashing demeanor.

"Oh dear, isn't this Baiyu from the Myriad Flowers Palace? What, does Palace Master Feihong also have the intention to get involved?" Old Fu looked at the person in front of him with a smile on his face, but he had already made preparations behind his back.

Jingtian Manor and Wanhua Palace had a good relationship in the past, and were even allies, forming a defensive alliance.

But things are not as they used to be.

Jingtian Manor has declined and may soon perish. Wanhua Palace, while also in a bad situation, is in a much better position than Jingtian Manor.

"Senior, rest assured, Palace Master Feihong has ordered that my Wanhua Palace is here only to observe the battle and will not interfere or cause any trouble," Zhang Baiyu said with a smile.

"Hmph... spectating... I'm afraid he's just going to sit back and watch the tigers fight..." Old Fu snorted coldly and lit a cigarette in silence.

Tap tap tap…

Before long, more and more people received the information and gradually flocked from all directions to Jingtian Manor.

In the open space in front of the library, a large number of masked, unidentified martial artists appeared in the surrounding corners, eyeing the area menacingly.

Da da da…

Old Fu impatiently tapped his pipe, taking one puff after another.

The Grand Secretary closed his eyes and concentrated, preparing...

To deal with the situation that was about to unfold, both of them knew that these idle martial artists were nothing more than a pack of hyenas who, after receiving the news, had gathered in small groups, hoping to scavenge some scraps of flesh from the fighting.

That's not the problem; the real trouble is yet to come.

Snap...

A group of people walked into Jingtian Manor in neat formation. They were dressed in black armor and wore flower-patterned helmets. Their eyes were bright and their spirits were high.

In the middle of the procession was a sedan chair. It looked imposing and grand, and wherever it went, many martial artists made way for it.

Of course, the main reason was that the huge military insignia on the sedan chair was too eye-catching.

Even though the government troops seem somewhat demoralized now, their reputation precedes them. No matter how weak they may be, they are not something that idle martial artists can provoke.

However, the attitude of Elder Fu and the Grand Secretary towards this sedan chair seemed particularly disdainful. "Elder Fu... Grand Secretary..." The curtain was opened, and the person sitting in the sedan chair was none other than Zhang Ruoning, the former head of Mingfeng Academy who had previously surrendered to the government army.

She wore a pretty white robe, had a beautiful and charming appearance, and a generous and elegant demeanor, exuding the air of a pampered noblewoman.

"Oh, isn't this Miss Zhang? What a rare guest!" Old Fu grinned.

“Elder Fu… why bother… I am the head of Mingfeng Academy and also a branch of Jingtian Manor,” Zhang Ruoning sighed.

"A branch line? What kind of branch line are you?" the elder said disdainfully. "We, the disciples of Jingtian Manor, would rather die standing than live on our knees."

“Your Excellency, I remember you once taught me that in life, we are inevitably forced to make many choices…” Zhang Ruoning slowly stepped down from the sedan chair. “I did this… out of necessity, to leave a spark for Jingtian Manor.”

"A spark? Like the Nine Turns Sect, those who would rather resist death than surrender are the true sparks of Jingtian Manor. You?" Old Fu was somewhat agitated. "What are you? A dog of the government army? You want the library, huh? Fine. Then step over my dead body!"

“If you want to come in, then take off your military uniform and return to Jingtian Manor openly and honestly. Then, let alone the library, what’s wrong with us two old bones risking our lives for you?” The Grand Secretary chimed in.

"Otherwise, the two of us will have to keep you out. After all, the rules of the library state that outsiders and dogs are not allowed to enter! Even now, the rules still apply!"

“I…” Zhang Ruoning was filled with shame and indignation, her high breasts trembling and heaving with anger.

She hesitated for a moment, but ultimately didn't say anything.

If she had a choice, she wouldn't choose to surrender.

After surrendering, she not only handed over all the resources and skills accumulated by Mingfeng Academy over the years, but she also offered her own body to those people. Thinking of these things, she felt instantly ashamed and felt that she might as well kill herself by banging her head against the ground.

But she had no choice. After all, Mingfeng Academy was not like Jiuqu Academy, and it did not have a peerless hero like Han Yi who had emerged from nowhere.

At most, there is only one person in Mingfeng Courtyard whose name is a homophone of Meng Ren.

With no other choice, she had to compromise.

"It's been many years, brothers Fulong and Linghe, your witty remarks are as sharp as ever, and you're still as charming as ever." Suddenly, a burst of laughter came from outside the gate.

The next second, the owner of the voice appeared in front of everyone.

At the same time, a group of strong, energetic men carrying knives rushed in.

“Eagle Claw King…” Old Fu’s eyes revealed a look of fear.

"Chen Ying...you actually came?" The Grand Secretary's expression also turned serious. They both knew that this was the real trouble to come.

"As the saying goes, those whose virtue does not match their position will suffer harm. The treasures of the world belong to those with virtue." Chen Ying walked slowly to the middle of the open space and spoke eloquently, "Jingtian Manor has lost its virtue and the people's hearts are gone. The library should rightfully belong to my Three Mountains Sect. Does anyone have any objections?"

He appeared to be just an unremarkable middle-aged man, but his sharp eyes seemed to flash with lightning, radiating an astonishing aura.

If anyone around him makes eye contact with him even slightly, they will feel an unbearable stinging pain in their eyes, and tears will involuntarily stream down their face, causing them to lower their head.

Seemingly satisfied with his performance, Chen Ying slowly stepped onto the steps of the library.

"Lack of morality? Whether someone has morality or not is not for you to decide." Old Fu slowly stood up and shouted sternly.

"I didn't expect anyone to still remember our names, but rules are rules. Outsiders and dogs are not allowed to enter the library!" The Grand Secretary also mustered his courage, his eyes flashing like lightning.

"Tch!" Chen Ying scoffed, having been secretly observing for quite some time.

Although Zhang Ruoning, the head of Mingfeng Academy, is nominally a branch of Jingtian Manor, he has long been rejected by the government army after surrendering to them.

That junior from the Myriad Flowers Palace is fine as a spectator, but if he dares to interfere, he'll wipe him out with a wave of his hand.

The remaining onlookers were nothing but a bunch of worthless idiots.

As for the two old men blocking his way... they were a little tricky.

But these two men were a generation older than him, practically halfway to their graves. They were old and their health had deteriorated drastically.

Even if they had some fame back then, that's all in the past.

Besides, he didn't come alone today.

Thinking of this, Chen Ying slowly gathered sky-blue true energy in the palms of his hands. A pair of lifelike, exceptionally sharp true energy like eagle claws appeared.

Swish!

Chen Ying flashed past like a hawk hunting, leaping behind Old Fu in an instant.

clang!

In an instant, Old Fu swung his pipe backward with lightning speed.

boom! ! !

Immediately afterwards, the Grand Secretary flicked his finger and pointed precisely at his vital acupoint.

Helpless, Chen Ying could only do a somersault and retreat.

"Do you really think my ability to subdue dragons and tigers is just bragging?" Old Fu said calmly, picking up his pipe and tapping it.

"Young man, your skills aren't up to par; you need more practice..."

"Kill!!" Suddenly, an extremely cold voice rang out from the void.

A blade of light, as swift as a shooting star, suddenly exploded behind Elder Fu as if teleporting.

Like fireworks bursting in an instant, countless blades of light slashed down simultaneously in the blink of an eye.

The entire process took less than a breath, as fast as a giant snake swallowing a person.