Rebirth of Jinxuan

Two sharp daggers appeared out of thin air, spinning and dancing at her fingertips, gleaming with a cold light, before finally hovering in front of her like guardian spirits, ready to strike at any moment.

"Ah! You monster, I'll fight you to the death!" Qian Feng shouted hoarsely, but his young face squeezed out a "heroic" expression of being ready to die. His acting was so exaggerated that it was laughable, but it successfully stopped the crowd that was rushing forward.

Lu Yuhang, on the other hand, clung tightly to Qingyuan's arm, his face streaked with tears and snot, crying his heart out: "Mother! I'm scared! I don't want to die!"

This sudden turn of events threw the previously aggressive crowd into a panic.

They looked at the two children being held hostage by Qingyuan, caught in a dilemma.

She slowly retreated, holding the two children hostage, her eyes constantly scanning her surroundings warily, looking for an opportunity to break free.

Just then, a dignified voice suddenly rang out: "Outrageous! How dare you take hostages in broad daylight! Release them immediately!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a middle-aged man in official robes, exuding an imposing aura, striding over.

He was followed by a squad of fully armed soldiers, exuding a murderous aura.

This man was none other than Wang Yueming, the head of the Imperial Martial Arts Hall. Upon receiving news of the incident in the city, he immediately led his men to the scene. Unexpectedly, he witnessed this upon arrival.

Wang Yueming's appearance made the already tense situation even more strained. The chilling aura emanating from the soldiers behind him made the air seem to freeze.

Qingyuan's heart sank, knowing that today's events were unlikely to end well.

Her grip on the two children tightened unconsciously, her nails digging deep into their skin, causing them to groan.

Lu Yuhang and Qian Feng groaned in pain in unison, their faces growing even paler, as if they were truly on the verge of death. This realistic performance made the onlookers even more hesitant to make any rash moves.

Seeing this, Wang Yueming frowned and said sternly, "If you dare to harm a single hair on their heads, I will tear you to pieces!"

Qing Yuan sneered and met his gaze without fear: "Then we'll see if you have the ability!"

"Stop!" Hall Master Muwei finally couldn't help but speak up.

The head of Muwei Hall strode forward, his face filled with anxiety: "These two children are innocent, please don't hurt them." His tone was sincere, with a hint of pleading.

Immediately afterward, the Qingfeng Hall Master stepped forward. He glanced at the pale-faced Lu Yuhang and Qian Feng, gritted his teeth, and said, "Release them, and I'm willing to be your hostage!"

Qingyuan's gaze swept over Muwei and Qingfeng. She sneered inwardly. Why are these people only now coming out to say nice things? Where were they before?

But she remained outwardly calm, still holding the two children tightly under her control.

Seeing that Qingyuan remained silent for a long time, Lu Yuhang became extremely anxious.

He glanced furtively at the menacing soldiers around him, then at the serious-looking Wang Yueming, his little brain racing.

He took a deep breath, turned around abruptly, and shouted angrily at Qing Yuan, "You wicked woman! Let us go right now! Surrender, and maybe we'll spare your life!"

Qian Feng was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening and started crying out, "Yes, let us go! We don't want to die!"

Qingyuan was startled by Lu Yuhang's sudden action. She looked down at Lu Yuhang, who was tightly holding her arm, and a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes.

This kid...

Before she could think it through, she heard Lu Yuhang whisper in her ear, "Cooperate with me!"

Qingyuan's heart stirred, and she instantly understood Lu Yuhang's intention.

A sinister smile appeared on her face as she said to Wang Yueming, "You want me to release them? Fine! Have all your men step back and make way for me!"

Looking at Qing Yuan's fierce expression and then at the two children she was holding hostage, Wang Yueming hesitated.

He didn't know what Qingyuan was up to, but if he really angered her and caused her to harm the two children, he couldn't bear the consequences.

He turned to look at Muwei and Qingfeng, and asked in a deep voice, "What do you two think?"

Master Muwei glanced at Qingyuan, then at Lu Yuhang and Qian Feng, his heart filled with worry.

He took a deep breath and said, "Lord Wang, the child is innocent, we cannot take the risk..."

Master Qingfeng nodded and said, "Yes, Lord Wang, why don't we do as she says? As long as she releases the child, everything else is negotiable."

After a moment's hesitation, Wang Yueming finally nodded and waved to the soldiers behind him, signaling them to step back.

Although the soldiers were somewhat reluctant, they obeyed the order and slowly retreated. The crowd began to stir, preparing to make way as Qingyuan had requested.

Qingyuan watched the crowd slowly disperse, a cold smile curling at the corner of her lips.

Holding the two children hostage, she retreated step by step, her eyes constantly scanning her surroundings warily, the dagger in her hand still gleaming coldly...

Just then, Wang Yueming suddenly spoke again, his voice low and cold, with a hint of barely perceptible excitement: "Wait."

Everyone paused, looking at Wang Yueming with a puzzled expression.

He stepped forward, his gaze fixed intently on Qing Yuan, a sinister smile playing on his lips: "Gentlemen, don't be fooled by this vixen! She's only taking hostages to buy time so she can escape our pursuit. How can we let her get away with such a golden opportunity?"

Master Muwei frowned and stepped forward, saying, "Lord Wang, the child is innocent; we cannot take the risk..."

Wang Yueming waved his hand, interrupting Mu Xu's words, a greedy glint in his eyes: "Hall Master Mu Xu, you don't know this, but this demon has a precious demon core on its body, priceless. If we can get it, our cultivation will definitely advance by leaps and bounds! Moreover, these two children have a close relationship with her, and may even be accomplices of the demon race. Keeping them around will only bring trouble!"

As soon as this statement came out, the whole place was in an uproar.

The crowd began to discuss amongst themselves, and their gazes toward Qingyuan and the two children became complicated.

The people from Wangyue Hall and Lianyao Hall looked hesitant. They already had doubts about besieging Qingyuan, and now, after hearing Wang Yueming's words, they were even more at a loss.

Qingyuan's heart sank. She never expected Wang Yueming to be so despicable, willing to sacrifice the lives of two children just to get her demon core!

She held Lu Yuhang and Qian Feng tightly, her gaze icy as she stared at Wang Yueming, and sneered, "I advise you to think twice before you act, otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?" Wang Yueming sneered disdainfully. "Do you think you can still escape? Today, you won't get away!" He suddenly drew his sword from his waist, pointed it at Qing Yuan, and shouted sharply, "Everyone, listen to my command! Attack together! Kill this monster and seize its demon core!"

Master Muwei's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly stepped forward to stop him: "Lord Wang, you mustn't! These two children..."

"No need for further words!" Wang Yueming impatiently interrupted Mu Wei. "These two children are also demons; kill them both!"

Upon hearing this, the head of Muwei Hall was filled with rage. He glared at Wang Yueming and roared, "Wang Yueming, you..."

The leader of Qingfeng Hall also stepped forward to support Muwei: "Lord Wang, you've gone too far! These two children are clearly..."

Wang Yueming ignored him, raised his sword high, and shouted again, "Attack!"

A resolute glint flashed in Qingyuan's eyes; she knew that things would likely not end well today.

She took a deep breath and whispered in Lu Yuhang's ear, "Yuhang, I'll create an opportunity for you later. You take Qian Feng and escape to find your mother..."

Lu Yuhang hugged Qingyuan tightly, his eyes filled with tears, and he choked out, "Sister Qingyuan..."

"Attack!" At Wang Yueming's command, the members of the Royal Martial Arts Hall shouted in unison, drew their weapons, and charged towards Qing Yuan...

"Stop!" Mu Wei shouted, his figure flashing as he stood in front of Qing Yuan...

Muwei moved with lightning speed, taking the lead in blocking Qingyuan's path. He brandished his longsword, unleashing a torrent of sword energy that forced back the few royal martial arts disciples who were charging at the forefront.

His eyes widened in fury as he roared at Wang Yueming, "Wang Yueming! Are you insane?! These two children are innocent!"

The disciples of Wangyue Hall also drew their swords to help, protecting Qingyuan and the two children behind them, and fought against the disciples of the Royal Martial Hall.

Although the disciples of the Alchemy Hall were not skilled in combat, they still took out medicinal powders and pills to assist the disciples of the Moon Gazing Hall in battle.

In an instant, chaos erupted in the arena, with shouts of battle filling the air.

Wang Yueming stood behind the crowd, coldly watching the chaotic battle unfold before him, a sinister smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

He didn't care about the lives of the two children at all; all he wanted was the demon core from Qingyuan's body.

In his view, what did it matter to sacrifice two children if he could obtain the demon core and improve his cultivation?

"Muwei, you're too naive!" Wang Yueming sneered. "These two children have a close relationship with that demon, they might even be accomplices of the demon race! Today, none of them will live!"

Upon hearing this, Muwei's anger intensified.

He wielded his longsword with even greater ferocity, the sword energy like a rainbow, forcing the surrounding royal martial arts disciples to retreat repeatedly.

"Wang Yueming, you are utterly depraved!"

Just then, a figure flew in from a distance at an astonishing speed.

In the blink of an eye, the figure landed in the arena; it was none other than Lu Yuhang's father, the Crimson Serpent Demon King Zhang Yuxi.

Without saying a word, he charged into the crowd, wielding his sharp claws and sending the royal martial arts disciples who were besieging Qingyuan flying.

His eyes were like torches, fixed intently on Wang Yueming, his whole body exuding a chilling murderous aura.

Wang Yueming's expression changed; he hadn't expected Zhang Yuxi to suddenly appear. He knew something was wrong and was about to leave when Zhang Yuxi blocked his path.

"Wang Yueming, how dare you!" Zhang Yuxi roared, "You actually dared to touch my son!"

Wang Yueming feigned composure and sneered, "You're nothing but a demon, yet you dare to be so insolent before me! Today, I'll kill you too!"

A murderous glint flashed in Zhang Yuxi's eyes. He was about to make a move when he suddenly felt a powerful force binding him, rendering him unable to move.

He turned his head and saw a man dressed in black with a cold face who had appeared behind him at some point, one hand firmly gripping his shoulder.

“Zhang Yuxi, your opponent is me,” the man in black said coldly.

Zhang Yuxi was startled. He recognized the man in black as a royal retainer, whose strength was unfathomable...