If martial arts could be exchanged for human lives, then peerless swordplay techniques and boxing techniques still held some value.
At the Beauty Abode, Gui Mudan was more astonished than enraged. He had just handed Xue Xianzi over to Yu Qifeng for custody, and Liu Yan was surely nearby. With Hongchan Niangzi and a group of Demon Soul Death Warriors leading ten hounds along Xue Xianzi’s trail, they were bound to capture Liu Yan. But how had this white cloth bearing Liu Yan’s handwriting suddenly ended up in Tang Lici’s hands? Had Xue Xianzi and Yu Qifeng actually fallen into Tang Lici’s grasp? And how did Tang Lici know that he hadn’t truly captured Liu Yan?
This ten-mile radius was swarming with his own men—how had Tang Lici appeared so abruptly? Yet Tang Lici was indeed standing before him, holding the very same white cloth he had seen not long ago. Gui Mudan flicked his sleeve, and Bai Suche withdrew upon his command. Moments later, she returned to the Beauty Abode and whispered a few words into his ear.
Tang Lici stood before Cheng Yunpao and retrieved a small white pouch from his sleeve. The pouch was neither silk nor leather, yet it was entirely white, soft, and quite peculiar. Cheng Yunpao took the pouch and opened it, revealing dozens of pearl-like pills. A faint, elegant fragrance wafted out upon a slight sniff—what was this? Tang Lici opened his white oil-paper umbrella to shield against the rain. “This is Poria Cocos Powder. Though it’s a healing medicine, it can also stave off hunger.” Overjoyed, Cheng Yunpao immediately distributed the pills to dozens of disciples who were physically weaker or less skilled in martial arts. When asked where he had come from and how he knew they were trapped at the Beauty Abode, Tang Lici’s eyes shimmered with amusement, but he remained silent. Instead, he mentioned that Peach Girl was unwell and thus couldn’t come today. Cheng Yunpao and Dong Hubi exchanged glances—Xifang Tao’s martial arts were formidable; how could she suddenly fall ill? Tang Lici offered no explanation and lowered his voice. “Once the rain eases, everyone will charge northwest. The arrow formation there has a blind spot. Those with swift movement should rush straight ahead, while those confident in evading hidden arrows should guard the flanks. Charge in pairs, then form a continuous line to break through the northwest corner. Pass this down—we must not stop or scatter, leaving no chance for the enemy to cut us off. Whoever disobeys, I’ll kill first.”
Cheng Yunpao was startled. As the rain gradually ceased, under the dim lamplight of the Beauty Abode, Tang Lici’s eyes gleamed with an inscrutable light—neither joy nor anger. His lips pressed together without a smile, yet an indescribable aura of mystique surrounded him. Cheng Yunpao relayed the orders in hushed tones, passing them one by one to Wenxiu Shitai, Dacheng Chanshi, Tian Xunzi, and the others. The sect leaders exchanged uneasy glances. Though Tang Lici stood close beneath his umbrella, he seemed impossibly distant, as if detached from the world. After a moment’s contemplation, the leaders instructed their disciples to prepare for the charge toward the northwest corner, strictly forbidding any independent action.
From the second-floor vantage, Gui Mudan could only see the slight sway of Tang Lici’s white oil-paper umbrella. What he and Cheng Yunpao discussed remained unseen and unheard. Just as Gui Mudan processed Bai Suche’s report, shock and fury surged within him. Suddenly, the very people he had trapped in his encirclement let out a thunderous roar, like the howl of dragons and tigers. Two figures darted like lightning toward the northwest corner, followed closely by the rest, their formation slicing through the black arrow formation like a white rainbow in an instant!"Release the arrows!" Fu Cui's sharp cry rang out, and almost simultaneously, the twang of bowstrings from the arrow formation echoed as countless black hidden arrows shot toward the group attempting to break through. Tang Lici's white umbrella swayed, his true power surging forth, blocking the majority of the hidden arrows. Cheng Yunpao's long sword flashed, Wenxiu Shitai's horsetail whisk danced, and the gathered masters exerted their strength together, intercepting every incoming arrow. Yet the northwest corner remained silent—not a single hidden arrow was fired. As the group pressed forward shoulder to shoulder, they realized upon passing the arrow formation that the archers in the northwest stood frozen, already dead. Clearly, Tang Lici had slain them without their notice. With each step they took, their hearts grew colder with dread.
Dark shadows flickered. Those atop the Beauty Abode witnessed the sudden turn of events. Gui Mudan seized the table Fu Cui had been feasting on moments ago and hurled it downstairs. Only then did the others snap to attention, launching hidden weapons toward Tang Lici and his companions. Tang Lici and the others were trapped within the arrow formation; if Gui Mudan and his group leaped down, they too would suffer its wrath. Tang Lici's white umbrella whirled, deflecting each attack, then suddenly he cast it aside and smiled faintly at those above.
Fu Cui gasped in surprise, while Gui Mudan erupted in fury. That smile was unmistakably a provocation, shaking Gui Mudan with rage. With a thunderous roar, a loud crash followed—the railing of the Beauty Abode's second floor collapsed under Gui Mudan's palm strike, nearly tearing apart the entire level.
Cheng Yunpao, while shielding the others from arrows, was about to ask how Tang Lici had known they were trapped here and when he had arrived to rescue them. He also wanted to inquire how Tang Lici had obtained Liu Yan's letter. Suddenly, flames erupted—the rear of the Beauty Abode was engulfed in a roaring blaze, creating a surreal spectacle against the drizzling rain. Thick smoke billowed skyward, the crackling of the inferno faintly audible. Staring at Tang Lici in shock, Cheng Yunpao demanded, "What have you done?"
Tang Lici twirled the white umbrella—a flimsy oil-paper parasol that, in his hands, became a graceful and deadly weapon, far more effective at blocking arrows than Cheng Yunpao's long sword. Smiling, he replied, "I set a fire." Cheng Yunpao was even more bewildered. Tang Lici had clearly been here the entire time—how had he managed to ignite such a massive fire in the valley, especially in the midst of heavy rain?
Gui Mudan, having barely suppressed his fury after nearly demolishing half the Beauty Abode's railing, growled under his breath, "Retreat!" Their objective was now impossible to achieve. Better to withdraw—capturing Xue Xianzi alive would still make the effort worthwhile. But Tang Lici, this cunning and detestable man, would have to die another day! Leading his followers, he retreated from the second floor. Fu Cui's whistle pierced the dark, rainy night, and the archers hidden in the woods ceased firing, silently melting back into the forest.
In an instant, the Dissolute Shop had vanished without a trace. The battered group finally breathed a sigh of relief. Hundreds surrounded Tang Lici, bombarding him with questions—how had he arrived? How had he known Gui Mudan hadn't captured Liu Yan? How had he silently killed the northwest archers? And how had he started the fire? Tang Lici's gaze swept over each face, finally settling on A Shui, who stood far at the back of the crowd with Yu Tuan'er. He smiled at her. A Shui wanted to return the smile but couldn't bring herself to. Yu Tuan'er, however, stared at Tang Lici with curiosity, whispering incessantly to A Shui, "Who is he?"
OpenNovel