Chapter 237 - 233: Fierce Battle in the Stone Chamber
Chapter 237: Chapter 233: Fierce Battle in the Stone Chamber
The ears of the three combatants twitched, and they all grew tense. The sudden arrival of another person signified a change was coming, and the newcomer’s identity would be crucial to the battle’s outcome in the stone chamber.
"Haha, it must be my Liu Family’s Grand Elder! With three of us against you, Brother Gao, you’re dead for sure!" Liu Liqun laughed heartily, trying to mentally shatter Gao Zhisong’s will to defend himself so he could seize the opportunity for a swift, decisive blow.
"Heh, don’t be so sure. It could also be Elder Cao Weifang of the Cao Family," Gao Zhisong immediately retorted. He then said coldly to Cao Weiyuan, "Cao Weiyuan, you betrayed the Cao Family and plotted against your own Patriarch. If Elder Cao Weifang finds out..."
As Gao Zhisong spoke, Cao Weiyuan’s expression changed. Though both Cao Weifang and Cao Weiyuan were Cao Family Elders, they were not blood brothers. The ’Wei’ in their names simply denoted their generation, meaning they were peers. The Cao Family was a major clan in Red Sun Main City, vast and influential, with a sprawling lineage and numerous factions. Naturally, Cao Weifang and Cao Weiyuan represented different factions within the clan. In terms of allegiance, Cao Weifang’s branch was much closer to Patriarch Cao Bohao’s.
If Cao Weifang discovered that Cao Weiyuan had plotted against the Cao Family Patriarch and betrayed them from within, then whether out of anger or self-preservation, he would likely join forces with Gao Zhisong. At that point, the situation would be reversed, and Gao Zhisong could easily escape.
The faces of both Liu Family Head Liu Liqun and Cao Family Elder Cao Weiyuan turned grim. Their attacks grew more ferocious, willing even to trade injuries to kill Gao Zhisong faster.
In their minds, only seven people had come to the Daluo Sect Treasure Land. Excluding the three currently fighting and the critically injured Cao Family Patriarch, Cao Bohao, that left only Liu Family Grand Elder Liu Lihong and Cao Family Elder Cao Weifang. This meant there was a fifty-fifty chance of either one arriving. If it was Liu Family Grand Elder Liu Lihong, Gao Zhisong, already injured, would be facing three opponents and would almost certainly die. If it was Cao Family Elder Cao Weifang, then Gao Zhisong could escape.
Oh, right, they seemed to have forgotten someone. There was also that young man named Ye Xing, who only had a Martial Arts Sixth Realm cultivation.
Of course, with a cultivation at the Martial Arts Sixth Realm, he would be like a small pebble tossed into a vast ocean—he wouldn’t make a single ripple and would be utterly useless. Thus, Liu Liqun and Cao Weiyuan had instinctively dismissed him.
’Liu Family Elder Liu Lihong, Cao Family Elder Cao Weifang, or my master. Who could it be? As long as it’s not Liu Lihong from the Liu Family, I have a chance to live, whether it’s Cao Weifang or my master who arrives!’ Gao Zhisong’s eyes glittered with anticipation. By his count, he had at least a two-in-three chance of survival. ’Others might not know what Ye Xing is capable of, but I know my master’s methods. They’re endless and varied. If you’re not careful, you’ll suffer a loss no matter how high your cultivation is. Take his hidden weapon, the handgun, for example. Its terrifying rate of fire is horrifying enough on its own. If he were hiding and launching sneak attacks with it, the pressure on me would be cut by more than half. After all, when faced with the terrifying speed of its bullets, no top expert on the Wind and Cloud List would dare underestimate it, with the exception of Innate Realm powerhouses. They would have to devote a great deal of their energy to guarding against a surprise attack from the gun.’
THUMP! THUMP THUMP THUMP!
From the passage outside, the sounds drew closer, the running speed incredibly fast. The hearts of the three combatants were in their throats. They continued to fight while keeping a close watch on the entrance to the stone chamber.
A few breaths later, with a WHOOSH, a figure rushed into the stone chamber.
It was an old man wearing a short yellow jacket, a sharp sword hanging at his waist. His body surged with True Qi, and his cultivation appeared to be at the Peak of the Martial Arts Eighth Layer, or perhaps even the Martial Arts Ninth Layer.
Upon seeing the old man’s face, Gao Zhisong’s expression changed drastically. He turned deathly pale, his heart sinking as if it had died.
"Hahaha! It’s my Liu Family’s Grand Elder! Brother Gao, you’re dead for sure!" Liu Family Head Liu Liqun threw his head back and laughed, feeling utterly delighted and smug.
Beside him, Cao Weiyuan’s expression also relaxed. ’As long as we kill Gao Zhisong, the others in this Treasure Land—Cao Weifang, the critically injured Cao Bohao, and that kid at the Martial Arts Sixth Realm—will be no cause for concern. We can just take a little time and kill them all. Then, I, Cao Weiyuan, can return to the Cao Family safely. With Liu Liqun’s covert support, I might even have a good chance at the Clan Leader’s position.’
"Huh? Patriarch, Honored Guest Elder Gao, what are you all doing here? Cao Weiyuan, prepare to die!" The newly arrived ’Liu Family Grand Elder Liu Lihong’ swept his gaze across the stone chamber and, without another word, drew his sharp sword with a SHING! and charged toward Cao Family Elder Cao Weiyuan.
"Elder Liu, stop!" Liu Family Head Liu Liqun quickly shouted. "Elder Liu, Elder Cao Weiyuan is one of us! Don’t attack our own man!"
"What? Cao Weiyuan is one of us?" ’Liu Lihong’s’ expression froze, and he asked in confusion, "What’s going on? Isn’t Cao Weiyuan a Cao Family Elder?"
"He is a Cao Family Elder, but he’s also a hidden piece I planted by Cao Bohao’s side. Alright, Elder Liu, the details are a bit complicated. I’ll explain it all to you when we get back. For now, help me kill Gao Zhisong!" Liu Family Head Liu Liqun said in a low voice.
’Liu Lihong’ nodded and said, "If the Patriarch commands it, this old man will naturally obey!"
As he spoke, ’Liu Lihong’ had already swung his sharp sword, lunging at Gao Zhisong.
In that instant, the stone chamber filled with the flash of blades and the whistle of Powerful Qi. Liu Family Head Liu Liqun, Cao Family Elder Cao Weiyuan, and the just-arrived Liu Family Grand Elder ’Liu Lihong’ surrounded Gao Zhisong, fighting fiercely.
Besieged by three opponents, the injured Gao Zhisong was hopelessly outnumbered. He struggled to fend them off, barely surviving each clash. His leg was wounded again by Liu Liqun’s cunning and insidious Sword Skill, sending blood flying. Even if he could break out of the encirclement, it was unlikely he could escape with his life.
’So be it, so be it. It looks like I, Gao Zhisong, am going to fall here today!’ Gao Zhisong’s eyes dimmed, knowing he would not survive.
It would be over in ten moves, or twenty to thirty at most. Liu Liqun and Cao Weiyuan were thrilled and smug, watching as Gao Zhisong—the Seven-Snake Centipede Whip, ranked seventy-ninth on the Wind and Cloud List—was about to die a bitter death at their hands.
Meanwhile, the eyes of the Liu Family Grand Elder ’Liu Lihong’ flickered. ’Dammit, this Liu Liqun isn’t using his full strength at all. And while he’s fighting, he’s keeping a certain distance from both me and Cao Weiyuan. He’s so cautious, it’s hard for me to even launch a sneak attack. But if I don’t make a move now, Gao Zhisong won’t be able to hold on much longer.’
This so-called ’Liu Family Grand Elder Liu Lihong’ was, of course, Ye Xing in disguise, using the Thousand-Faced Disguise Skill. Ye Xing had wanted to find an opportunity to ambush Liu Liqun, but unfortunately, Liu Liqun was a cunning fox. He wasn’t fighting with his full strength; he was not only insidious but also cautious, even guarding against his own allies. If Ye Xing were to act rashly, Liu Liqun would probably be able to block his sneak attack instantly.
’Forget it. The probability of a failed sneak attack on Liu Liqun is too high. I’ll just kill Cao Weiyuan first!’ A cold glint flashed in Ye Xing’s eyes. As the thought formed, his Sword Techniques suddenly changed, becoming as fast as a gale as he thrust his sword toward the heart of the nearby Cao Weiyuan.