Chapter 25: Why Are You Here to Meet Your Death?
Chapter 25: Why Are You Here to Meet Your Death?
As the eccentric approached with long strides, as if shrinking the distance with every step, Duan Qian and Feng Wan's hearts sank with dread. Hearing You Longsheng's words, they hastily pulled on the reins, veering their horses left and right to avoid the impending danger.
You Longsheng leaped off the carriage, grabbing the reins sharply. The horses neighed loudly, slowly coming to a halt.
"Amituofo!"
Master Xinmei chanted the Buddha's name, then slowly stepped out of the carriage. Four martial monks from the Damo Court swiftly joined him, standing by his side.
Inside the carriage, You Longsheng looked at Tian Qi. "Do you want to take Li Tanzhua to Shaolin, or die here with him?"
Tian Qi's face darkened. "Do you think Master Xinmei can't defeat Yi Ku?"
"The Green Demon's palm strikes are renowned in the martial arts world, and his poison skills are ruthless and overpowering. Do you think he'll fight Master Xinmei fairly?" You Longsheng asked. "Even if Master Xinmei can protect himself, he can't guarantee our safety or that of Li Tanzhua."
"What do you mean?"
"Release the pressure points on Li Tanzhua and give him the flying knives. That's the simplest solution." You Longsheng stated.
"Impossible!"
"Li Xinhuan's fame shakes the world. Three generations of the Li family have produced outstanding scholars. He values his reputation more than his life. How can he escape with the stigma of being a Mei Hua thief?" You Longsheng argued. "Or do you want to gamble that Yi Ku won't take his anger out on you after killing Li Xinhuan?"
Tian Qi glared, "What about you then?"
You Longsheng glanced at Tian Qi indifferently. "I'm confident in my light work. Even if I can't outrun Yi Ku..."
Could you not outrun him?
Can't you at least delay Yi Ku for a bit? That should be enough time for me to escape.
Tian Qi understood You Longsheng's implication, which only fueled his anger further. He couldn't help but glance outside the carriage, "Master Xinmei will definitely be able to repel Yi Ku!"
"Then it's your choice."
You Longsheng nodded towards Li Xinhuan and leaped out of the carriage. Glancing at the rapidly approaching Yi Ku, he propelled himself forward, resembling a soaring dragon or an eagle taking flight. With a mid-air twist, he landed on a branch of a cypress tree, perched three zhang (approximately 10 meters)
above the ground, after lightly pushing off from a nearby tree trunk.
A position to attack or retreat!
Even Yi Ku couldn't help but glance up at You Longsheng.
However, Yi Ku remained expressionless, striding towards Master Xinmei and the four Damo Court monks. "Are you Xinmei or Xin Hu?"
As Yi Ku drew closer, You Longsheng finally got a clear look at his face.
It must be said that Yi Ku was long in every aspect—a long hat, tall stature, long arms and legs, a long neck, and an exceptionally long face. You Longsheng had never seen such a long horse face, neither in ancient times nor in his modern past life.
With such a long face, no matter how well-defined the facial features were, the overall appearance would still be unattractive. Moreover, Yi Ku's features were far from pleasing, with a waxy yellow complexion and stiff features that resembled a zombie.
"Mood swings, violent temper, and an ugly face. What did Lan Xiezi see in him?" You Longsheng wondered. "Could it be that his 'thing' is also exceptionally long?"
You Longsheng's curiosity got the better of him, even from a distance. However, Master Xinmei and the four Damo Court monks standing before Yi Ku felt a profound sense of pressure.
Facing Yi Ku's ghostly green eyes, which seemed to glow like ghost fire, they had already raised their true energy to the pinnacle.
"Li Xinhuan, are you in the carriage?" Yi Ku's voice sounded like a ghostly wail.
Master Xinmei pressed his palms together, holding the Buddhist beads in his palm. "This monk is Xinmei. A monk does not speak falsehoods. Aside from Lord Tian Qi, there is also a Li donor in the carriage."
Yi Ku nodded. "Good. Hand over Li Xinhuan, and I will let you leave."
Even while speaking, Yi Ku's face remained as expressionless as a zombie, devoid of any emotion.
Master Xinmei lowered his gaze. "If this monk refuses, what will you do?"
Chapter 25: Why Are You Here to Meet Your Death?
As Yi Ku's shrill voice rang out, declaring his intention to kill You Longsheng first before turning to Li Xinhuan, a sense of dread filled the air. With a dramatic flourish, Yi Ku swept his sleeves, revealing an ugly and cumbersome-looking dark green iron gauntlet. He made a grabbing motion towards Master Xinmei, his target now clear.
Green Demon Hand!
Master Xinmei's agile figure dodged the grasping hand, but as a strange fragrance wafted past his nostrils, his heart sank. In that instant, the four martial monks from the Damo Court reacted with well-coordinated teamwork, surrounding Yi Ku, their sticks at the ready.
The tips of their staffs targeted Yi Ku's legs, back, elbows, and neck, forming a tight defensive formation. Even seasoned martial artists would struggle against these four working in unison.
Master Xinmei, concerned for their safety, hesitated for a moment before leaping towards Yi Ku, shouting a warning to the monks, "Be wary and hold your breath! Beware of his poison!"
However, before Master Xinmei could finish his sentence, a wisp of green smoke was already swirling in the air, released from Yi Ku's sleeve. It exploded, transforming into a thick cloud that enveloped Master Xinmei and the four monks.
And thus, the tragedy unfolded.
As Master Xinmei paused to breathe, the timing couldn't have been worse. Yi Ku's poison filled the air, and as Master Xinmei inhaled, his face contorted.
In the next moment, Master Xinmei twisted in mid-air, propelling himself three zhang away. He immediately sat down cross-legged, wasting no time as he channeled decades' worth of cultivated true qi to expel the deadly toxin from his body.
The four Damo Court monks had no choice but to sheath their staffs and form a protective barrier around Master Xinmei. At that moment, their priority shifted solely to safeguarding the master, leaving Li Xinhuan and the others to their fate.
Up in the tree, You Longsheng couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief.
"What's going on?! I warned them about Yi Ku's impending arrival, and Li Xinhuan mentioned the need to hold their breath and beware of his poison. How could they still fall for it?"
He wondered if those in the martial arts world focused solely on physical training while neglecting their wits.
In truth, Master Xinmei was no weak opponent. His decades of cultivated true qi were robust, and his mastery of Shaolin divine skills was unparalleled. Even in a direct confrontation with Yi Ku, he would not have fallen within a hundred moves.
With the aid of the four formidable Damo Court monks, they might have even stood a chance of driving Yi Ku away.
However, Yi Ku was also a pinnacle expert. When he heard Master Xinmei warning the monks about the poison, he seized the opportunity to exploit this first and possibly only opening, launching a sudden attack.
And so, Master Xinmei found himself in a dire situation, his life hanging in the balance.
You Longsheng sighed, knowing that for now, he could only ignore Master Xinmei's plight and focus on the task at hand. Standing on the treetop, he glared at Yi Ku, his body coiled and ready for action.
But Yi Ku didn't even spare him a glance. Instead, he darted straight for the carriage door, flinging the curtain open.
Inside, only Li Xinhuan remained, leaning casually against the side wall. Tian Qi, who had been there moments ago, had mysteriously vanished.
Yi Ku fixed his gaze on Li Xinhuan. "Are your pressure points sealed?"
Li Xinhuan replied nonchalantly, "If you didn't know my pressure points were sealed, would you have dared to show yourself before me?"
Yi Ku's cheeks twitched, but he ignored Li Xinhuan's provocation and asked in a measured tone, "Did you kill Qiu Du?"
Li Xinhuan nodded.
A sinister smile finally spread across Yi Ku's face, the grin of a predator about to make a kill. "Good. A life for a life. Qiu Du's death will be avenged by your death, Li Xinhuan. Do you have any last words?"
Li Xinhuan glanced at Yi Ku's sleeves, where the two Green Demon Hands were slowly rising, and sighed. "Just one."
"What is it?" Yi Ku asked.
"Why are you here to meet your death?" Li Xinhuan asked, his voice carrying a hint of resignation.
(End of Chapter)
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