Wuxia: Start with max-level Nine Yang Divine Skill

Chapter 89 Who?! Who made the move?! (Two chapters combined)

"No—no—"

Zhao only said one sentence.

blah blah blah!

Suddenly, amidst the wind and rain outside the temple, came the sound of rapid and chaotic hoofbeats.

As they approached, the number of people was clearly considerable.

The sound of horses' hooves pounding through the mud was particularly jarring in the quiet mountain night.

Zhao's face turned deathly pale in an instant, her body tensed abruptly, and she hugged her two children tightly to her chest, staring in terror at the dilapidated temple gate as if the people outside were not human, but evil spirits seeking to take her life.

"What's wrong?"

The young lady was startled by her violent reaction and asked with concern.

There has been no response yet.

boom!

The half-open wooden door of the dilapidated temple was kicked open from the outside.

A cold wind, carrying raindrops, suddenly rushed in, causing the campfire to flicker violently, its light erratic.

Seventeen or eighteen burly men, wielding steel knives and soaking wet, stormed in. Each of them had fierce eyes and exuded a murderous aura, as if they were on a chase.

Among them was a one-eyed, burly man with a fierce gaze. He swept his eyes over the people in the temple, and then, like a hawk, fixed his gaze on Zhao, who was tightly holding her two children and had a pale face.

"Brother, the person is indeed here!"

The atmosphere inside the temple froze instantly.

Immediately afterwards, a middle-aged man dressed in a blue robe with a long sword at his waist slowly walked into the temple.

He was around forty years old, with a fair complexion and a long beard. At first glance, he had a rather refined air about him, quite different from the group of burly men behind him.

His gaze fell on Zhao's pale face, and a seemingly gentle smile appeared on his lips as he cupped his hands in greeting.

"Sister-in-law, it's freezing cold and rainy. Where are you going with two children?"

My younger brother and Brother Zhao hit it off immediately and became like brothers.

Brother Zhao has unfortunately passed away, and it is only right that I, as his younger brother, should take care of you and your widowed children. Why then has my sister-in-law left without saying goodbye? This has caused me great worry.

When Zhao saw the middle-aged man, all color drained from her face, and her eyes were filled with deep-seated resentment and uncontrollable fear, as if she had seen the most vicious jackal in the world. Her body trembled slightly.

Her six- or seven-year-old daughter, who was still quite young and didn't understand much, was already too frightened to speak and buried her face in her mother's arms.

The stubborn boy, though pale-faced and with his lips pressed tightly together, stood in front of the Zhao mother and daughter with his still somewhat slender body, his bright black eyes fixed on the newcomers.

"Gu Changfeng!"

Gao Xiulan's voice trembled with emotion, "You—you hypocrite, you villain! How dare you mention my husband?"

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged swordsman Gu Changfeng's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes turned cold.

"Why do you say that, sister-in-law?"

Your husband, Zhao Ting, and I are both renowned swordsmen in Jingzhou. We admire each other and that's why we agreed to a public duel to hone our swordsmanship. We even signed a life-or-death agreement, leaving our fates to destiny.

The result of the contest was clear to everyone; I was the better fighter. However, I did not harm Brother Zhao. Alas, Brother Zhao may have suffered a sudden illness and unfortunately passed away after returning home.

Although I have been fortunate enough to gain this empty title, I am filled with immense sorrow.

Li Fu glanced at Gao Xiulan and the other two, as well as the middle-aged swordsman, and roughly guessed what was going on.

"You're talking nonsense!"

Gao Xiulan was so angry that she trembled all over, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"My husband's swordsmanship is clearly superior to yours. He stabbed your wrist during the duel, but out of consideration for our past friendship, he did not kill you. He only knocked your sword away and then stopped!"

You expressed your admiration and gratitude at the time—who knew you were so vicious, secretly poisoning your own sword?

After my husband returned home, he felt itching and numbness in his wound, and within half a day the poison attacked his heart.

Just before leaving, he realized that you hypocrite, though outwardly upright and calling him brother, had long coveted the Thunder God Sword Manual passed down in the Zhao family.

He was filled with remorse and only told me to take Ling'er and escape as quickly as possible, not to think about revenge, but just to hope that we could survive.

Gu Changfeng, if you dare to use such despicable means in a duel you swore an oath to, how could you possibly let us, a widow and her orphan, go unpunished?

We will definitely nip it in the bud!

That's why I took my daughter and fled overnight, but after two days, you still caught up with me!

Upon hearing these words, everyone in the temple gasped in shock.

The disguised girl and her maid stared wide-eyed in disbelief. How could they have witnessed such a blatant conspiracy and betrayal?

The traveling merchants and porters huddled together, not daring to utter a sound.

When Gu Changfeng was exposed in public, the fake smile on his face finally disappeared completely, and his eyes became sinister and sharp.

His gaze swept quickly over the people in the temple: a merchant, a porter, a peddler, a pair of effeminate scholars who looked like women dressed as men, and a young boy sitting alone by the campfire.

Seeing that there seemed to be no conspicuous figures, he felt reassured and decided to stop pretending.

"Since sister-in-law has spoken frankly, that's good."

Gu Changfeng snorted coldly.

"Indeed, Brother Zhao's Thunder God Sword Manual is fierce and domineering, capable of breaking through thousands of pounds. I have long admired it."

It's just that he kept it to himself and refused to share it with his brother.

As for the means—the victor is king, the loser is villain; in the martial world, only the survivors are remembered.

Now, everyone knows that I, Gu Changfeng, defeated Zhao Ting in the sword duel; otherwise, how could Zhao Ting be dead while I am still alive?

Sister-in-law, a wise person knows when to yield. Before Brother Zhao left, he must have entrusted the sword manual to you, right?

"Hand it over. Out of consideration for my past relationship with Brother Zhao, I might spare your lives and find you a quiet place to settle down."

Seeing the undisguised greed and murderous intent in the other person's eyes, Gao Xiulan knew that things would not end well today.

She suppressed her grief, anger, and hatred, and attempted a final negotiation.

"Sword manual—I can give it to you."

I only ask that you spare Dou'er. Dou'er is a girl, and she will eventually get married. She will not inherit the sword technique, nor will she seek revenge on you.

As for the child who stood in front of me, he has nothing to do with this matter, so spare his life.

Gu Changfeng's gaze was like a knife, landing on the stubborn young man who was tightly pursing his lips and protecting Gao Xiulan. A cold, mocking smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Sister-in-law, if I remember correctly, Brother Zhao and you only have one daughter, Dou'er, right?"

Where did this half-grown boy come from?

He'd risk his life to protect you like that; you wouldn't treat your own mother any better.

"Could it be—the bastard child born from my sister-in-law's affair with an outsider, which she raised elsewhere and took with her when she fled for her life?"

These words were extremely malicious, and several of his men behind him immediately burst into laughter, spewing vulgarities and their eyes darting back and forth between Gao Xiulan and the young man, their gazes filled with lewd intent.

"You—you mustn't spout nonsense and tarnish my innocence!"

This child—I found him on the street, he was such a poor soul!

Gao Xiulan turned pale with anger, her chest heaving violently.

"The world is in chaos now, and bandits roam freely. His village was ravaged by a band of outlaws a few days ago, and almost the entire village was wiped out."

The child was lucky; he escaped death by hiding in the water tank.

Seeing his miserable plight and lack of care, I took him in as a companion.

His name is Shi Tou (Stone), just a homeless and unfortunate child, and he has absolutely nothing to do with the grudges of my Zhao family!

The boy named Shi Tou was only twelve or thirteen years old, thin, and standing with his back straight.

He was indeed afraid; his knuckles were white as he gripped the wooden stick, but his bright black eyes stared intently at Gu Changfeng and the others, unwavering, as if he wanted to etch the images of these enemies into his very bones.

"Heh—that's interesting."

Despite his young age, he was not terrified by such a tragedy; instead, it instilled in him a fierce determination.

"Looking at us with knives and swords, they still dare to glare at us like that—what courage!"

Gu Changfeng took in his expression, but instead of being angry, he chuckled lightly, though there was no warmth in his laughter.

"Sister-in-law, stop beating around the bush with me."

Your Zhao family's Thunder God Sword Technique is fierce and domineering, following the path of great strength and heavy momentum, which is not suitable for women to cultivate.

Even if your daughter studies it in the future, she will hardly reach a high level.

"You've got your eye on this kid because you think he has potential, haven't you?"

He took a step closer, a fierce glint in his eyes.

"You want to adopt him, make him your godson, and pass on the Thunder God Sword Technique to him in the future, then take him and your daughter and run away to a place where I can't find you."

Wait until ten or twenty years later, when this kid has mastered the swordsmanship, come back to me—to avenge your dead husband!

Am I right, sister-in-law?

"you----"

Gao Xiulan's face drained of color when he saw through her deepest thoughts.

"That's a good idea, but unfortunately, you won't have the chance, sister-in-law!"

Gu Changfeng was even more convinced, and the mockery on his face deepened as he slowly raised his hand.

His men, armed with knives and swords, immediately turned fierce and eager to attack, surrounding him menacingly.

The little girl was so frightened that she burst into tears.

The mother and her two children, who had suffered a tragic fate, were in danger.

Those merchants and porters wished they had martial arts skills to help them, but unfortunately they didn't, so they could only cower and hide.

By the campfire, Li Fu, who possessed martial arts skills, merely watched, not yet ready to make a move; he decided to observe further.

He hadn't forgotten why he had embarked on the journey to Pingliang County.

The mother and her two children are not in immediate danger.

"Don't come any closer! It's you bunch of bad people who killed Dou'er's father, and now you're trying to harm her godmother and Dou'er!"

Although the boy named Stone was also afraid, he suddenly grabbed a half-cut piece of firewood from the ground and, in his haste, used it as a longsword, actually stabbing it into one of the men's faces with surprising skill, the blade slicing through the air with deadly force.

Caught off guard, the burly man was struck in the forehead by the club and cried out in pain.

If that move had been made with a real sword, the big man would already be dead.

Unfortunately not.

"You little bastard!"

The burly man was strong and healthy, so he was unharmed. Enraged, he kicked the stone hard in the chest.

Stone grunted, the firewood slipped from his hand, and he flew backward, crashing beside the campfire, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"I was right."

You've already taught this kid your family's Thunder God Sword Technique, and he's already mastered the sword moves in such a short time.

He's actually a genius at swordsmanship!

If such a person were allowed to remain, the consequences would be dire.

Gu Changfeng's eyelids twitched violently, and his face was filled with murderous intent.

"Stone."

Gao Xiulan exclaimed in shock, her heart breaking.

She was originally a woman of the martial arts world, and her family had a set of palm techniques, which, although not top-notch, still gave her some martial arts skills.

Seeing the critical situation, she shoved her daughter violently towards the struggling stone, crying out, "Stone, take Dou'er away!"

"Hurry up!~"

Gao Xiulan let out a low shout, lunged forward, and slapped her palms at the oncoming men, intending to stop them at all costs.

The palm strike whistled, managing to repel the two men.

But Gu Changfeng brought only the best fighters.

Outnumbered, Gao Xiulan's palm technique quickly became chaotic. She was struck hard in the back and staggered forward. She tasted something sweet in her mouth and blood welled up in her throat.

Gu Changfeng also moved at this moment.

He moved with lightning speed, entering the fray like a ghost, dodging Gao Xiulan's desperate palm strike. With his right hand, fingers like a sword, he swiftly struck her Jianjing acupoint.

Gao Xiulan felt a numbness in half of her body, and the force of her palm strike vanished instantly.

Gu Changfeng then slapped her on the chest.

Bang!

Gao Xiulan's body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily onto the broken base of the altar. She slid down softly, her face ashen, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.

"mother-!"

"Dou'er, your mother is useless; I'm afraid I can't protect you today."

The little girl cried and rushed over, only to be held in the arms of the seriously injured Gao Xiulan.

The boy, with blood at the corner of his mouth, stared at Gu Changfeng with bloodshot eyes, as if he wanted to tear him apart.

Gu Changfeng slowly drew his long sword from his waist. The sword was like a pool of autumn water, gleaming with a cold light in the flickering firelight.

He walked step by step toward Gao Xiulan and her two children, who were no longer able to fight.

"Sister-in-law, I gave you a chance."

If you remain stubborn and refuse to listen, don't blame me for being ruthless.

Even if we kill you, we can still find the sword manual.

On the road to the underworld, you three can finally be reunited.

He raised his longsword, the tip pointing at Gao Xiulan's throat, his killing intent palpable.

The others inside the temple were already terrified.

The merchants and porters trembled, the peddler hid behind his carrying pole, and the mistress and servants were stunned, as if they had never seen such a scene before.

The scholar and young lady's fantasies of chivalry and revenge had been shattered by the bloodshed and cruelty before them.

The real world of martial arts is not about poetry and wine, but about ruthless swords and the fine line between life and death.

Just as the sword light was about to fall, Gao Xiulan and her two children were in danger.

call out!

A faint yet sharp sound suddenly rang out, so fast that it almost exceeded the limits of human hearing.

The longsword made of refined steel in Gu Changfeng's hand was struck as if by a heavy blow when it was less than three inches from Gao Xiulan's throat.

The longsword spun out and landed with a clatter.

Gu Changfeng was struck dumb, clutching his hand and staggering back several steps. His right hand, which was holding the sword, was split open, bleeding profusely. His entire arm was numb and in excruciating pain, and his face was filled with horror and disbelief!

"Who?! Who did this?!"

He was filled with shock and anger, his eyes flashing as he rapidly scanned the crowd inside the temple.

Merchant? Peddler? Scholar? Pageboy? — They all looked terrified and stunned, unlike what one might expect.

Finally, his gaze suddenly fixed on the campfire.

There, from beginning to end, only one person did not move an inch, and even the expression on his face did not change.

—It was that young man who looked far too young, whom he had previously overlooked.

At this moment, Li Fu, dressed in black, remained sitting there calmly, as if the earth-shattering blow that sent the longsword flying from a distance had nothing to do with him.

The firelight danced on his calm face, casting a shadow on the mottled wall behind him, yet inexplicably gave him a sense of imposing grandeur and unfathomable depth.

"It's...it's you?"