Chapter 607: Cherry Blossom and Green Willow Block the Way
Chapter 607: Cherry Blossom and Green Willow Block the Way
"What exactly happened here?" Yang Kaitai asked.
"The poison of the Carefree Marquis is powerful, and we had traitors among us. Taken by surprise, many of our allies were injured and incapacitated by the poison. Only Master Ouyang and a few others with profound cultivation were able to put up a decent resistance."
Zhu Baishui quickly explained the situation, "Master Ouyang, worried that the Carefree Marquis would threaten us, provoked him to follow her and the others to the back mountain."
Lian Chengbi was astonished, "So the Carefree Marquis didn't flee in advance?"
He had thought that they would arrive too late, but he never expected the Carefree Marquis to be so courageous.
"What about his men?" Lian Chengbi asked.
Liu Seqing proudly pointed to the numerous corpses nearby, "Although we were unexpectedly injured by the poison, we are still no match for these people!"
"Are all the Heavenly Sect members dead?" Yang Kaitai asked.
"Indeed." A Taoist priest beside them spoke in a low voice, "I never expected the Iron Palm and Dragon-Horse Spirit, those two heroes, to have submitted to the Carefree Marquis and become his lackeys!"
"Amituofo! And there's also Golden Bodhisattva and Fish-Eater." A middle-aged monk sighed, "Although these two are ambiguous in their morals, their status is not low, yet they are also under the Carefree Marquis' control."
Yang Kaitai introduced Lian Chengbi and Xiao Shiyilang to the others, "These two are Xuan Ao, the Immortal Turtle of Wudang, and Fayan, the Sound of the Dharma from Shaolin. They are part of the Three Spirit Sword Immortals of Wudang and the Four Great Vajra Protectors of Shaolin, respectively."
"We've long admired your reputation," Lian Chengbi said with a bow.
"You flatter us," Immortal Turtle said with a cough, "But Young Master Purity should hurry to the back mountain to assist Master Ouyang. Although Master Ouyang and my senior brother are not weak, they have been affected by the poison, and the Carefree Marquis' martial arts are truly exceptional..."
Lian Chengbi nodded, his gaze sweeping over the manor once more before he asked one last question, "When you arrived, were there any other people in the manor besides those under the Heavenly Sect?"
"No, why does Young Master Lian ask?" Zhu Baishui inquired.
Lian Chengbi sighed, "The Carefree Marquis has collected many beauties from all over the world."
Liu Seqing was speechless, "Young Master Lian, you..."
"This is obviously the Carefree Marquis' lair. In the doll manor we just passed through, there were dozens of women, but at this moment, not a single one is left in the estate. What does this indicate?"
Lian Chengbi continued without pausing, "It shows that he has already moved his people and valuables elsewhere, leaving behind this manor, with its hidden mechanisms and poisons, to welcome enemies. The fact that he even appeared in person indicates that he already has a plan."
"What plan could he possibly have?" Dharma Sound Master's expression changed, "Could it be that he intends to kill Master Ouyang and the others and then return here?"
As the Dharma Sound Master finished speaking, he saw Lian Chengbi and Shen Bijun holding hands and flying towards the back mountain, with Xiao Shiyilang, Feng Siniang, and Yang Kaitai quickly following suit.
A young master stood there, his eyes darting around, before stomping his foot and rushing to catch up.
...
The Doll Manor was built in the depths of the mountains, with a small path leading up to it from the front and another from the back.
Exiting through the manor's back door and following the trail, one would find themselves in endless mountains and forests, with towering cliffs and precipices not far off in the distance.
"There are footprints on the road. Master Ouyang and the others went this way. Let's hurry," said Shen Bijun.
Lian Chengbi nodded, but as he took a step onto the path, he suddenly stopped.
"Husband?" Shen Bijun turned to look at Lian Chengbi.
"Why aren't you moving?" Xiao Shiyilang asked, catching up from behind.
"Of course, it's because someone is blocking our way," Lian Chengbi said with a relaxed smile, looking towards the side of the road.
"Who..."
Yang Kaitai had just uttered a single word when he saw two figures standing quietly under a large tree by the roadside.
These two were very old, their hair and beards white, and they wore tall hats. One was dressed in red, and the other in green. Although they looked gaudy, they somehow managed to appear surprisingly harmonious.
Yang Kaitai was startled. These two individuals were standing there so openly, yet he had been completely oblivious to their presence. It was a testament to their formidable martial arts skills, allowing them to subconsciously make themselves inconspicuous.
A grave expression also appeared on Xiao Shiyilang's face as he, too, sensed the danger emanating from the elderly duo.
On the other hand, Feng Siniang and Shen Bijun seemed oblivious to the threat. Feng Siniang even asked, "Who are they? Are they also under the command of the Carefree Marquis?"
Feng Siniang showed no fear. In her eyes, with Lian Chengbi and Xiao Shiyilang fighting together, along with her and Yang Kaitai supporting them, no one in the world could stand against them.
However, Xiao Shiyilang and Yang Kaitai sensed something far more ominous. They felt the harmonious fusion of the two elders' auras, creating an impenetrable defense. Beneath their nonchalant exteriors, they exuded a sharp and overwhelming momentum, directly targeting Lian Chengbi.
Xiao Shiyilang immediately stepped forward, positioning himself beside Lian Chengbi. With his thick eyebrows raised and eyes widened, his formidable aura complemented Lian Chengbi's carefree and unfettered spirit.
Yang Kaitai could see that the combined auras of the two men overwhelmed the elderly duo's aura.
The red-robed elder, Li Hongying, raised his white eyebrows and said, "Xiao Shiyilang?"
Xiao Shiyilang asked, "Do you know me?"
The green-robed elder, Yang Lulu, smiled, showing his teeth, "Aside from Xiao Shiyilang, no one in the world can stand shoulder to shoulder with Lian Chengbi."
Lian Chengbi smiled back, "So, the two of you were waiting specifically for me?"
"Indeed." Li Hongying nodded, his tone cold. "If you want to claim the title of the world's number one swordsman, you must pass our test."
"I never claimed to be the world's number one swordsman," Lian Chengbi replied.
"But many people already believe so," Yang Lulu interjected.
"Does that count?" Lian Chengbi asked.
"Of course," Li Hongying affirmed.
"So, what are you planning to do? Kill me?" Lian Chengbi asked, a smile still playing on his lips as if he were discussing someone else.
The two elders fell silent. After a moment, Yang Lulu sighed, "To be honest, we don't really want to kill you, but unfortunately, we've already promised someone else."
Xiao Shiyilang's eyes flickered, "With your skills, would you lower yourselves to being the Carefree Marquis' lackeys?"
Li Hongying humphed, "We've never done anything for him, but after being defeated by him, he didn't kill us."
Yang Lulu sighed, "Although he imprisoned us for twenty years, he didn't hinder our martial arts practice. He didn't even stop us from trying to escape, but we failed every time."
"So, we owe him a debt of gratitude," Li Hongying continued, "and this time, he made a deal with us."
"We can leave Doll Manor from now on, but we have to do one thing for him," Yang Lulu explained.
"And that thing is to kill me?" Lian Chengbi asked.
The two elders remained silent, their silence speaking volumes.
Shen Bijun and Feng Siniang also sensed that something was amiss, noticing the serious expressions on Xiao Shiyilang and Yang Kaitai's faces.
"Who are they?" Feng Siniang asked again.
Xiao Shiyilang replied in a low voice, "Li Hongying and Yang Lulu, also known as Cherry Blossom and Green Willow, the Heavenly Assassins. More than thirty years ago, they were the most renowned swordsmen in the martial arts world, but they suddenly disappeared without a trace."
Of course, they now knew the reason for their disappearance.
Li Hongying looked at Lian Chengbi, "Are you going to face us alone, or will they join you?"
Lian Chengbi asked, "Did the Carefree Marquis defeat the two of you by himself?"
Yang Lulu's expression soured, but he nodded, "Yes."
Lian Chengbi asked again, "How many moves did it take him?"
Yang Lulu replied, "Two hundred moves. But if we faced him one-on-one, we wouldn't be able to withstand fifty moves."
"Good!" Lian Chengbi nodded, "In that case, let's set a limit of fifty moves."
"If I can't defeat you within fifty moves, I'll let you go," Lian Chengbi said casually, "But if I do defeat you within fifty moves, you'll spend the rest of your lives guarding my Pure Heart Manor."
(End of Chapter)
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