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Chapter 227: Cangling Debate of Swords (35)
Chapter 227: Cangling Debate of Swords (35)
At this moment, even if Ji Bu could mentally evade the attack, his body could no longer physically dodge it.
The paper fan, carrying a gust of wind, whistled toward him. He barely managed to raise both arms to block it in front of his body.
With a sharp cry, the fan’s edge struck Ji Bu’s arm. In that instant, Ji Bu felt a powerful force surge through his forearm, pushing him backward a step.
As previously mentioned, Ji Bu’s armor was no slouch either, boasting high defense. It could even withstand Shi Yanran’s darts. The current sweep from Tang Shize packed equal force. However, while Ji Bu had been ambushed from behind when struck by darts, this time he blocked head-on. Thus, he didn’t perceive this blow as particularly strong, and the loss to his vitality value was far less than before.
“How is this possible?” Tang Shize thought, astonished. When their attacks connected earlier, he didn’t sense even a trace of inner energy from him. By all logic, without using inner energy to absorb such a strike, a person’s arm should have fractured. Yet this Jin fellow merely stepped back once, his arms intact, seemingly unscathed.
“Impossible!” Tang Shize refused to believe it, charging forward again.
The Tang Clan’s young master had been quick-witted and sharp-eyed since childhood. By his twenties, he’d mastered the “Nianhua Hand” martial arts. His thirteen forms of Nianhua Hand contained thirty-nine variations, emphasizing speed, precision, agility, cleverness, and danger. Combined with the Tang Clan’s secret internal cultivation techniques and poisons, it was like adding wings to a tiger. While its direct impact might not match the grandeur of Shaolin’s Dragon Claw techniques, Nianhua Hand’s rapid, unpredictable close-range strikes, hidden force, and toxic breezes interwoven between moves were unparalleled in the martial world, earning universal fear and respect.
But Ji Bu knew nothing about these martial arts.
When Muyong Ying taught her about Jianghu knowledge, if mentioning a Jianghu character, she’d only state their name, nickname, status, and general martial arts specialty. She wouldn’t delve into specifics like an opponent’s techniques, variations, or countermeasures. Doing so would take more than ten afternoons to explain. Moreover, such information transcended “Jianghu common knowledge,” potentially endangering lives.
Thus, facing Tang Shize’s subsequent attacks, Ji Bu responded routinely. In his view, the Tang Clan Young Master’s strength was mediocre, seemingly weaker than Shi Yanran. His attack power fell well within Ji Bu’s tolerance range.
Dozens of moves were exchanged in the blink of an eye. Tang Shize’s hands moved faster and faster, but his heart grew more and more alarmed: What was this Jin fellow’s secret? Barehanded against my fan, he only defends without attacking, never revealing a shred of inner energy. The strikes hitting him feel like they’re striking armor… Even the highest realms of the Golden Bell Shield technique require cultivation to activate. Could this kid have copper skin and iron bones?
Suddenly, a figure darted in, launching three consecutive strikes, then feinting with a false move before swiftly extending an arm to seize Tang Shize’s wrist.
“Tang Clan Young Master,” the intervening figure was none other than Gongsun Li. Having observed for a while, he seemed to have discerned something and now stepped in to halt their clash. “Enough! Haven’t you noticed yet that this young Jin is holding back? If you keep pressing him, forcing Jin to truly intervene… Humph, even I might not be able to stop him then.”
At these words, Tang Shize’s mind buzzed. As if enlightenment struck, he abruptly turned to Ji Bu: “You…” Recalling his own techniques and the opponent’s responses, from start to finish, Ji Bu had merely stood still, barely dodging attacks, never moving far, blocking without employing any martial arts forms. Just raising arms and bending legs…
“Bravo… What a master of the Broken Sword Teahouse! Tang admires you!”
Tang Shize shot Gongsun Li a glare before yanking his wrist free from the latter’s grip. He strode to Ji Bu, pulling a small square paper packet from his belt. “This is the antidote for my fan’s poison. Please accept it, Young Jin.”
Ji Bu numbly accepted the packet. In truth, when he heard those words, he’d just noticed his status menu had turned [Poisoned].
“…Thanks,” Ji Bu muttered instinctively. Among the four present, he alone didn’t grasp the situation. To him, this Tang fellow had abruptly shifted from neutral to hostile, then back to friendly.
“Hmph! Must I repeat my name again? How pointless!” Ji Bu inwardly grumbled but wearily answered once more, “Jin Fugui…”
Tang Shize bowed, saying, “Today, I acted rashly. If I’ve offended you, please forgive me.” Pausing, he glanced at Gongsun Li and Shi Yanran, “Another day, I’ll seek Young Jin’s guidance. Farewell!” With a cold snort, he stormed off, visibly upset.
Only after he left the room did Ji Bu exhale, swallowing the antidote to remove his abnormal status. Staring at his vitality value, now at 30%, Ji Bu felt a bitter helplessness.
“Haha… Young Jin’s martial arts are indeed extraordinary,” Gongsun Li remarked. “Facing Tang Shize’s Nianhua Hand, you countered speed with stillness, immovable as a mountain. No inner energy, no weapon, yet you endured every strike.
“This restraint’s displayed power… proves your external martial arts have reached the ultimate realm. A cultivator like Tang Shize, struck by your fist, would have bones and flesh shattered. Hmph… How laughable that brat, unaware of his own depth, failed to recognize your mercy.”
“These Jianghu folks sure have infinite imagination… How did they deduce I was holding back? And to such an extent…?” Ji Bu inwardly ranted. So external martial arts at the ultimate realm meant possessing a fine-graded armor-like defense without cultivating inner energy or employing techniques? He wondered if such a realm’s full defense could even stop bullets…
“Overpraise… Overpraise…” Ji Bu replied, maintaining a composed expression. From the current situation, Gongsun Li and Shi Yanran likely wouldn’t attack him now. He’d play along for now, “Oh, the poison on me still needs… some meditation. If you two have no further matters…”
“Of course, of course,” Gongsun Li exchanged a glance with Shi Yanran before both departed together.
Once outside, walking to a secluded spot, Shi Yanran spoke: “That Jin Fugui… Is he truly as formidable as you claim?”
“If you spent more time learning martial arts from Sect Master Senior instead of idling with Wang Ao, you’d understand yourself,” Gongsun Li coldly retorted.
"Phooey! This old lady's business doesn't concern you! The deed's already done, and you had a hand in it too..." Shi Yanran spat, her face twisting with menace.
"Enough!" Gongsun Li snapped harshly. "I'm only cleaning up this mess for Wanxia Tower's reputation, but now you've gone and made yourself a stinking liability. Those five from Broken Sword Tea House must be silenced eventually, but not here in Cangling. For now, we must flatter them and keep these eccentric types pacified. Once the duel concludes and all factions disperse, I'll have my men track them down. We'll discuss further actions then..."
"What if..." Shi Yanran interjected, "they truly don't intend to reveal the secret?"
"Secrets only last temporarily, not forever", Gongsun Li replied. "Don't you even understand that basic truth?"
Gongsun Li, ever suspicious, trusted no one but himself. To him, only the dead kept secrets. At this moment, he'd already considered killing Shi Yanran, suspecting her of potential betrayal. To claim his own Wanxia Tower someday and protect his sect's jianghu status and reputation, he'd eliminate every threat and erase every stain at any cost.
"But since their martial arts are so formidable, how shall we strike later?" Shi Yanran asked. "And what about Broken Sword Tea House's origins? Surely they're not that simple? Do you really believe Teahouse Master Feng established his own school independently and is truly new to the jianghu?"
"That's precisely why we must discuss further", Gongsun Li said. "If they have any background or patronage, we'll investigate first. If Feng Bu Jue's claims are true..." He snorted. "Even better. Within half a month, I'll show them what real jianghu cruelty means."
...
"Achoo!" Feng Bu Jue sneezed violently. "No way... I'm wearing thick clothes, yet still sneezing. Someone must be thinking ill of me..." He covered his mouth and nose, then suddenly brightened. "Hey? So in this game you can sneeze? Does that mean we can burp or...?"
"If you dare test that in front of me..." Si Yu's eyes flashed with unhidden icy killing intent.
"Hehe, just kidding", Feng Bu Jue chuckled.
They navigated through trees and rocks, the shadows thick as ink. Feng's flashlight illuminated only a few meters ahead, while Si Yu's Eternal Embers Lantern, described as "always illuminating a five-meter radius, its brightness unadjustable and unshutable", cast wider light in this light-devouring environment.
Since landing on the island, they'd headed straight for its center. The forest showed no signs of human or animal activity, enveloping them in desolation and silence. Yet as they moved among the rocks and trees, distant cries echoed faintly, as if from a world both infinitely far and maddeningly close.
The journey tortured Si Yu. The oppressive darkness kept her Terror Value perpetually high. Though her expression remained cold as ice, even the most composed person would feel the horror atmosphere. Any strange figure emerging from the shadows could startle anyone.
Of course, Feng Bu Jue wasn't "anyone" - he was someone whose mind and body weren't quite normal. To him, advancing through a gloomy forest felt no different from walking through sunlit meadows. If given a choice, he'd prefer the dark woods.
You could say he had a dark streak in his bones. He simply disliked overly harmonious, bright things. Many knew this "evil nature" of his - an open secret. Long before high school, countless legendary tales surrounded Feng Bu Jue.
One such story...
In elementary school, Feng joined a summer camp, randomly assigned to a group of six strangers. One boy radiated sunshine - a model student, teachers' favorite, and everyone's collaborator. When this cheerful boy approached Feng for introductions, Feng stared with a Schrodinger's-cat-like gaze and said, "You seem friendly and happy. Hehe... I must stop this mood from spreading."
That day, a bright soul gained an indelible shadow...
Many such legends followed. After becoming an adult and a Class novelist, Feng evolved into an urban legend himself. But that's a story for another time...
Back to the scenario. Feng calmly led the way until suddenly stopping, flashlight beam falling on a tree root. "Look there."
Si Yu tensed, expecting horror, but followed his light to see an item hidden between roots and rocks.
[Name: Spider Silk Glove]
[Type: Armor]
[Quality: Fine]
[Defense: Moderate]
[Attribute: None]
[Special Effect: Can adhere to objects]
[Equipment Condition: Universal Proficiency D, Martial Arts Proficiency D]
[Background: Want to lift ten pounds with your bare hands? Climb walls barehanded? Slap someone's face with spider silk? Don't dream on it! This glove's adhesion is weaker than transparent tape - about Post-it Note level!]
"Tsk, listing non-existent functions..." Feng angrily flung the glove. "This is such a scam! Why mention it at all? I was actually getting excited reading the first half!"
Si Yu watched his back, sighed softly, then smiled. She couldn't understand why her sense of humor had lowered.
But the moment she relaxed, a small girl's hand shot from the darkness, clamping over her mouth. Before she could cry out, a tremendous force dragged her backward into the shadows.
Though Feng heard no scream, the lamp's sudden movement and clattering landing caught his attention. He whirled around, seeing only the fallen lamp - Si Yu had vanished.
(End of Chapter)
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