Book 14: Chapter 113
Dragon Fire Jade
Bronze Mask shadowed Xun Feng through the academy from the rooftops, making their shadows resemble a single individual under the moonlight.
Xun Feng couldn’t actually control Six Blades’ activities. They merely accepted the job because they accepted payment. While he didn’t realise Bai Yumo was Bronze Mask at first, it wasn’t a reason for him to falter in his goal. Actually, he wished he knew her identity sooner so that he could’ve been more sophisticated in his preparations. The silly game of cat and mouse wasn’t something he wanted any part in. Thus far, the outcomes were just acceptable since the plan wasn’t defused yet, but it was far from being splendidly executed.
The longer the chase dragged out, the stronger He Kanyu’s suspicion he still hadn’t given Xun Feng enough credit. Perhaps Xun Feng was just half a notch below him, but Xun feng was the weakest among the Four Holy Monks. Considering Cold Mountain Temple’s respect in the martial world, they didn’t get there by sheer luck. Confucianism was way behind in that regard. The scariest thing was that Xun Feng seemed familiar with all of Confucianism’s pursuit formations. No matter how they tried to catch him, he’d be able to identify the weak point in their formation to slip away. They already had two handicaps before even accounting for Bronze Mask. Regardless, they had to stop the duo from reaching their destination no matter the cost.
The Confucianism disciples drew their swords on He Kanyu’s orders as they bridged the gap. Like a crescent moon, an invisible blast of broadsword qi zoomed towards He Kanyu’s neck. He Kanyu subtly bent his torso to block it. If he kept dodging, Xun Feng would continue having time to run, so He Kanyu forced himself to block the attack.
The running monk laughed. “There’s no need to worry about a Dragon Jade’s location if we have the academy’s Edasich.”
Xun Feng suddenly spun around and struck at an angle He Kanyu was unprepared for. He Kanyu didn’t expect a monk from Cold Mountain Temple to know how to counter Confucianism’s swordplay. Nevertheless, He Kanyu promptly inhaled and deployed a golden glow that locked Xun Feng into his attack range.
Unexpectedly, Xun Feng smiled. He was already privy to the fact that He Kanyu had reached Quasi-Divine realm and could apply Enlightenment to his sword. He also caught how He Kanyu blocked Bronze Mask’s last slash, so he recognised that He Kanyu’s scabbard was partially made with Darksteel. Therefore, He Kanyu’s surprise attack had no element of surprise. That being said, a strike imbued with Enlightenment was still tough to defend against. Xun Feng wouldn’t have had an answer – had only He Kanyu not tried a surprise attack.
He Kanyu wasn’t one to go sneak attacking people, but it didn’t mean he didn’t know how to. He wasn’t a stick in the mud who didn’t know how to be flexible while caught in a pinch. Plus, it should’ve been more surprising to enemies when someone who fought fair and square suddenly went for a sneak attack.
This time, not only was He Kanyu’s tactic was clever enough to fool his opponent but even himself. Lan Jiqiong rushed towards him when he blocked Bronze Mask’s attack; however, his opponent expected that exact reaction.
Xun Feng: It’s unfolding just as Mr. Jiang Chen said it would!
Xun Feng slipped He Kanyu’s strike to strike at the chest of Lan Jiqiong, who came to his senior’s aid. Being weaker than Xun Feng and injured prior, Lan Jiqiong’s meridians were instantly sealed upon contact.
Under normal circumstances, Lan Jiqiong would’ve lasted twenty to thirty exchanges even in an injured state, but He Kanyu lost his assistant before he even had a chance to make use of Lan Jiqiong.
Xun Feng picked up Lan Jiqiong upon making contact and used him as a shield against He Kanyu’s attack that was swinging towards his back. Although it was a risky move to give He Kanyu his back, it paid off. He Kanyu slowed down upon seeing Lan Jiqiong lifted, allowing him to stop in time without suffering internal injuries, which wouldn’t have been possible at his level a few years ago.
As soon as He Kanyu pulled his attack, he had to spun around to defend against broadsword qi from above, only to see Xun Feng’s imminent palm strike. Xun Feng switched between punches, palm strikes, chops, claws, hooks and finger spears without any struggle. He Kanyu unleashed sword qi as sparks from his glowing blade, dismantling the duo’s attacks with vigorous spinning attacks.
Xun Feng backed off, smirked and then squeezed, breaking Lan Jiqiong’s arms using his unique method.
“Stop!” thundered He Kanyu.
Xun Feng grabbed Lan Jiqiong’s throat, prohibiting He Kanyu from coming closer. “Discard your sword!”
Throwing away his sword was the equivalent of handicapping himself for He Kanyu. Xun Feng knew He Kanyu was the type to abandon even his parents when he had made up his mind, let alone a junior brother. Hence, he didn’t wait for long before raising a hand up to signal he’d splatter Lan Jiqiong’s skull.
“I’ll kill him!”
“Wait!” After much painful hesitation, He Kanyu consigned his sword to the ether, then immediately propelled himself up to kick the hilt, sending it flying towards Xun Feng’s throat.
“There is a technique in Confucianism’s swordplay called “Sacrifice for Justice” that’s reserved for critical situations. Using their feet to facilitate a swift movement, they’ll aim a lethal strike at the target’s throat. Although there is supposed to be an innate risk in performing it, it’s difficult to defend against. Even if you do block it, they’ll be able to rescue the hostage.”
“How… should one counter it, then, Elder?”
The scholar adorning black garments in the toilet slightly tugged up a corner of his lips and replied, “Why bother? Since it’s the hostage he wants, hand over the hostage.”
Despite being prepared, Xun Feng nearly failed to react in time. He pushed Lan Jiqiong away once he saw the blade advance on him. Due to his moment of hesitation, though, the sword missed Lan Jiqiong’s throat and only pierced his shoulder. Nonetheless, as a result of the unexpected, He Kanyu’s poison hit him again, leaving him vulnerable to the broadsword qi that successfully sliced him in the back.
Xun Feng glanced up to the roof. Bronze Mask sheathed her weapon and then ran off when she noticed a group on her tail.
It all happened so fast that the disciples couldn’t react in time. Xun Feng, of course, wouldn’t let the opportunity slip. He followed up with a palm strike straight to He Kanyu’s chest, sending He Kanyu’s blood out of his mouth and back to the ground.
Everything played out exactly as the scholar in black said it would. Somehow, the scholar was able to predict everything, including the unexpected changes, in the plan he provided days ago. The predictions were further verified when Xun Feng took out the ice jade box Lan Jiqiong had in his shirt.
“The Dragon Fire Jade is with Huang Yuzao, isn’t it?” questioned Xun Feng.
He Kanyu groaned as a result of the poison complicating his injuries.
“Thank you for the answer, Edasich.” Xun Feng threw a palm strike at He Kanyu, forcing He Kanyu’s allies to block it for him. That gave Xun Feng the opening he needed to get away. Nobody could offer Xun Feng a challenge since the two cores of the formation were incapacitated.
If the ice jade box was on Daren Academy’s grounds, there was only one possible function it served – to store the Nine Dragons Fire Jade. Since the box was empty, it had to mean they had removed it and used the box to bait Xun Feng into showing his hand, never expecting him to be prepared. By logic, then, they couldn’t have separated the two items too long ago. In addition, they would’ve stored the jade back inside before its fire ability could be exhibited. They couldn’t have entrusted such an important item to anybody. Thus, the safest bet would’ve been Huang Yuzao’s room. That also explained why Lan Jiqiong chose to carry around the heavy box.
Everything went according to Jiang Chen’s predictions!
Xun Feng naturally knew where Huang Yuzao’s room was given he had been staying at the academy for a while. Before he even opened the doors, he could already feel the heat comparable to standing in a blacksmiths active workshop.
It’s here as expected!
The dry water stains around the bronze basin in the centre of the room and the basin that was on the verge of melting further cemented the fact that Xun Feng had found his target. He said to the elder sitting behind the desk, “Principal Huang, apologies.”
The moment Xun Feng went to fetch the Nine Dragons Fire Jade, he felt a violent wind blow in his direction. He never feared Huang Yuzao since he was informed Huang Yuzao had lost all of his training. As soon as he felt the wind, he knew who hindered him.
“Song Chi, what a strong sense of righteousness you have.”
Song Chi stepped out from behind the screen. “I warned you already. There’s still time to stop before it’s too late.”