https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-87-A-Bit-of-Confusion-Almost-a-Mix-up/12536074/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-89-The-Five-Tigers-Severing-Door-Blade/12536077/
Chapter 88: Three Swordsmen, Three Swords
Chapter 88: Three Swordsmen, Three Swords
And so, the battle begins!
True to the nature of this world, where disagreements quickly lead to action!
You Longsheng quickly averted his gaze from Tao Hua Niangzi, turning his attention to the duel that had commenced between Chu Xiangyu and Yin Wuji.
Chu Xiangyu's sword techniques were seamless and relentless. His Nine Ring Sword chimed with each strike, never straying far from Yin Wuji's vital points. It was clear he had learned from a renowned master.
On the other hand, Yin Wuji weaved left and right, his movements unpredictable. His Blood Sword often struck from bizarre angles, aiming at Chu Xiangyu's most vulnerable spots with deadly precision.
One fought with bold, sweeping movements, while the other relied on strange and unpredictable tactics. For a time, they seemed evenly matched.
"Not bad, not bad at all! Quite a spectacle!" You Longsheng commented. "Yin Wuji's sword techniques are as vicious as ever. This is the kind of swordplay honed through battles from the lowest rungs. Look at that strike from under his arm—most people would never think of such a move."
"But Chu Xiangyu's martial arts are impressive too, and his reactions are quick," Ding Chengfeng added. "The way he links his Nine Ring Sword techniques almost traps Yin Wuji. His transitions are seamless, leaving no openings, and he's managed to block several of Yin Wuji's deadly strikes."
Ding Baiyun was already accustomed to her companions' behavior of casually observing and critiquing the action. It had started last year in Shanxi and continued as they traveled southward. Their most enthusiastic commentary had been during Xiao Ao's battle with the Longxi musician.
If it weren't for Guo Songyang and Xie Tianling, they probably would have set up a picnic with peanuts, melon seeds, wine, and tea, and critiqued the action to their heart's content, even if it had been at the Longmen Grottoes.
Once Qingzhu Jian Deng Kai confirmed that You Longsheng and the others were merely spectators, he made his move.
"Hah!"
Brandishing his long sword, Deng Kai didn't join Yin Wuji in attacking Chu Xiangyu. Instead, he lunged with his sword, aiming straight for Tao Hua Niangzi's throat. "Tao Hua Niangzi, return my little brother's life!"
Facing the fierce sword wind, Tao Hua Niangzi smiled charmingly. "Your little brother chose to die by his own will. What does that have to do with me?"
As her words landed, she seemed to be carried back by the sword wind, gracefully floating backward and dodging Deng Kai's sure-hit strike.
Deng Kai's eyes narrowed, and with a stomp of his foot, he lunged again. His long sword moved like the wind through a bamboo forest, its seemingly archaic movements filled with a strange and captivating rhythm. Once more, he aimed for Tao Hua Niangzi's chest.
Tao Hua Niangzi, though startled, remained composed. Her toes tapped the wall, and she shifted her body slightly, appearing to be drawn into Deng Kai's sword circle. Yet, she maintained a three-inch distance from the sword tip, narrowly avoiding it.
"Shush! Shush! Shush!"
Three silver streaks flashed by, and Deng Kai let out a miserable cry as he tumbled to the ground.
In midair, Tao Hua Niangzi couldn't leverage her momentum. She drifted lightly as if about to fall into You Longsheng's embrace.
You Longsheng's face lit up with a smile, and he opened his arms to catch her.
A frosty expression crossed Ding Baiyun's face. She reached out and slapped the table, sending two chopsticks flying like arrows toward Tao Hua Niangzi.
Tao Hua Niangzi lifted her hand, and the chopsticks disappeared into her sleeve. However, her face betrayed a momentary change in expression before she used the opportunity to shift her direction and land lightly to one side.
On the other side, as Yin Wuji and Chu Xiangyu witnessed Deng Kai's demise at Tao Hua Niangzi's hands, they simultaneously ceased their duel.
"Well fought!" Chu Xiangyu laughed aloud, turning to Yin Wuji. Then, addressing Tao Hua Niangzi, he said, "Dear, come and help me kill this pest, Blood Sword!"
Tao Hua Niangzi replied with a coquettish smile, "Blood Sword Yin Wuji holds no grudge against us. If he's willing, why don't we make a new friend?"
Chu Xiangyu's face darkened at her words, but Tao Hua Niangzi paid him no heed.
Yin Wuji glanced indifferently at Deng Kai's corpse, remaining silent. He waved his hand, grabbing the large red cape from his seat, and then leaped out the window. "Deng Kai lacked skill and deserved to die. Chu Xiangyu, let's see how long you can survive!"
"Alright, don't be angry. It's bad for your health. We still have a journey ahead of us after we finish eating."
Tao Hua Niangzi was no fool. She knew that Ding Baiyun's martial arts surpassed her own, and You Longsheng was clearly aware of this as well. The other person with them remained expressionless, clearly a skilled warrior as well. Since neither side was looking for a direct conflict, it was best to let the matter rest.
Ding Baiyun let out a cold hmph. "She knows better than to cause trouble."
A brief calm settled over the inn as the innkeeper served dishes to You Longsheng's table. Then, he skillfully directed the shop helpers to carry away Deng Kai's body and wash the floor with clean water.
At that moment, heavy footsteps could be heard outside the inn, and a man appeared in the lobby, braving the cold wind.
Everyone's gaze turned towards him involuntarily, drawn by the unusually long blade he carried.
The Heaven-Piercing Ghost-Slaying Blade!
It was the musician from Longxi, but he was no longer dressed as a musician. Instead, he wore a sheepskin coat and carried the massive blade, striding silently into the inn.
"You're here!"
Tao Hua Niangzi gracefully approached the musician and gently rubbed her soft body against his arm. "I heard you went to Luoyang to kill Xiao Ao. I was so worried about you."
"Rest assured, not even the entire Xiao family could kill me." The musician nodded and then turned his gaze towards Chu Xiangyu.
Chu Xiangyu's eyes narrowed, and he abruptly stood up, his hand gripping the hilt of his Nine Ring Sword as he stared intently at the musician.
"Alright, alright, everyone sit down. You're all my friends, so no need to be so hostile. I'm not your enemy!" Tao Hua Niangzi pretended to be coquettishly angry. Not only did Chu Xiangyu stop, but even the musician paused and took a seat opposite Chu Xiangyu.
Tao Hua Niangzi gracefully sat down as well. From an angle unseen by Chu Xiangyu and the musician, she shot a triumphant smile at Ding Baiyun, followed by a flirtatious glance at You Longsheng and Ding Chengfeng.
Ding Chengfeng blinked. "Am I included in that glance?"
As he spoke, the inn's door was pushed open once more, and another person stepped inside.
This newcomer was a young man dressed in fine clothes and tall boots. He had thick eyebrows, bright eyes, and a vibrant aura. However, he shared one thing in common with Chu Xiangyu and the musician—a sword hung at his waist.
Compared to Chu Xiangyu's Nine Ring Sword and the musician's Heaven-Piercing Ghost-Slaying Blade, the young man's sword had a wider tip and a narrower body—a style that You Longsheng was very familiar with.
The Five Tigers' Gate-Cleaving Saber!
But You Longsheng was certain that this young man had no relation to the Peng family. That left only one other possibility.
There was only one other force in the world that inherited the legacy of the Five Tigers' Gate-Cleaving Saber, but they had always been few in numbers and had never gained widespread fame. They were overshadowed by the Shanxi Peng family, so whenever the Gate-Cleaving Saber was mentioned in the martial arts world, people immediately thought of the Peng family.
Seeing this young man, Tao Hua Niangzi's smile widened. "You're finally here. We've been waiting for you."
The young man's smile mirrored hers when he saw her, but it suddenly faded when he spotted Chu Xiangyu and the musician. "Why are they here?"
"I knew you were going to the Peng family for a sword comparison, so I invited them along," Tao Hua Niangzi explained with a smile. "After all, they're also renowned swordsmen. They can help even the odds so the Peng family doesn't take advantage of you."
"I don't need their help." The young man scoffed, his arrogance clear. "I'm destined to win against the Peng family. The true legacy of the Five Tigers' Gate-Cleaving Saber lies with the Guanzhong Five Tigers Manor!"
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PS: Little Interaction: Who mentioned the Guanzhong Five Tigers Manor?
(End of Chapter)
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