Chapter 254: Chapter 244: Dual Swords Unite, Perilous Battle with Zhang Hu

Wen Caishang was graceful and elegant, her figure slender, her long skirt flowing. Supported by Li Xian, she walked slowly out of the inn.

The street was lively, with onlookers already gathered at the door. Li Xian and Wen Caishang exchanged a glance, both nodded slightly, and retreated lightly. They turned into an alley, wound through a few bends, and exited the city.

Not hearing anything unusual, Li Xian asked, “Is Zhang Hu dead?”

Wen Caishang said, “He shattered his heart meridian himself, he’s eighty percent likely to die. But if someone rescues him, then it’s another matter.” The Martial Artist’s vitality surged, and the martial arts insights they comprehended varied accordingly.

Zhang Hu was from the “Taixin Sect.”

This sect’s martial arts principles, depth of insight, and miscellaneous studies were all at the low end. But they had a large number of beasts, and often embarked on expeditions, causing ordinary families and sects to avoid them.

Li Xian said, “I should have finished him with a few more sword strikes, taking his head, making sure he couldn’t survive even if a Daluo Immortal came.”

Wen Caishang shook her head and said, “He knows my style well. Since I allowed him to kill himself, I won’t strike again. If you slashed him, he would immediately know we were afraid. He would definitely fight back desperately, a trapped beast fighting back, even if only with one or two moves, it would be extremely formidable.”

Li Xian said, “I could go back now and shoot two arrows at him from a distance. There’s no way he could withstand that!” Wen Caishang said, “With no one to save him, he will almost certainly die. Better not to create more trouble! If this leads to a pursuit, it would be very bad.”

Li Xian also thought it made sense and said, “Okay!” They walked away hand in hand. Wen Caishang, suffering from various injuries, felt weak and numb, making long journeys difficult. Li Xian slowly transferred inner qi to her as they walked for about a night.

Finally feeling tired, they found a place to sit down and drank some clear water. Li Xian originally planned to pass through White Tiger City, covering a few more miles, almost reaching Wei Hu River. But this unexpected incident would definitely cause a stir in the city.

So they changed course to circle around the city, heading to Wei Hu River first. Then they would follow the river, looking for a boat to travel by water, adding a few more days to their journey.

Meanwhile.

Zhang Hu heard that “Li Quan,” “Su Qiuyu,” and “Zhao Zhiyuan” were all dead, losing all will to resist. He used the “Heart-breaking Palm” to shatter his heart meridian.

The Palm Power was fierce, completely shattering his heart meridian, making him feel dizzy and adrift. In his dying moments, he stared hard at Wen Caishang. With a heavy sigh, he recalled his lifetime of cultivation, leading to such an outcome. Bitterness and distress… various emotions surged up.

Suddenly he felt something strange.

He noticed Wen Caishang’s steps were weak and she exerted very little residual strength with each step. He thought, “Ah! Could it be that she still hasn’t resolved her inner qi problem? Was she… deceiving me just now?”

“Wen Caishang is so ruthless. With how I captured her last time and how I insulted her verbally, how could she allow me to kill myself? Oh! I was too foolish, I got deceived into killing myself!”

Having come to a realization, he was no longer willing to die. As his vitality dissipated, any random movement would only speed up his death. He immediately tried his best to “Blood Solidification and Aperture Closure” to lock in his vitality… but his eyelids grew heavier, seeing no hope.

When he opened his eyes again, it was already morning. He wondered, “I didn’t die?”

A deep voice sounded: “Brother Zhang, you surely did not die!” The Sect Master of Tiger Luo Sect, “Zhang Ruifeng,” was already by his side.

It turned out… the disciples accompanying him yesterday ran back to the sect on their knees. Zhang Ruifeng heard the news, both surprised and suspicious, so to stabilize relations between the two sects, he came down the mountain to check.

Seeing Zhang Hu self-killed at the scene, he couldn’t help but feel very despondent. He reached out to feel, and a faint trace of vitality remained. After hesitating, he administered “Tiger Saliva Green Blood Dew.”

This substance retains vitality and heals heart wounds, it is indeed exceptional. Fortunately, Zhang Hu shattered his heart meridian when he self-killed. Had he severed his head, slit his throat, or cut off his breath… Zhang Ruifeng would have been helpless.

Then he applied external medicinal herbs. After processing it overnight, Zhang Hu gradually regained consciousness. Zhang Ruifeng said, “Brother Zhang, why did you resort to self-harm?”

Zhang Hu said bitterly, “I was deceived, and indeed I was foolish! It’s pitiful, I loved my tiger, but it was killed last night!” He gently stroked the Flipping River Tiger, suddenly using Qi Movement to grab and extract its heart.

He opened his mouth and swallowed fiercely. The tiger’s heart was half a head in size; he dislocated his jaw and swallowed it whole, getting it stuck in his throat, which bulged to the point of rounding.

He leaped up and used the “Thousand Jin Fall” technique. With a “crack,” he broke through the ground, landing on the first floor, allowing the tiger heart to sink to his chest.

Zhang Hu pounded his chest three times. The tiger heart broke through his intestines, entering his chest cavity. Then he used inner qi, moving it toward his heart meridian.

As a temporary substitute.

This was the “Tiger Form Dual Birth Technique,” which allowed him to temporarily preserve his life in times of crisis by borrowing the tiger’s body. Zhang Hu’s heart meridian was damaged, barely sustaining his life, this injury was difficult to heal. But with the tiger heart as a replacement, he could function temporarily.

Zhang Ruifeng said, “Alas.”

Zhang Hu cupped his hands and said, “Brother Zhang, please lend me some disciples for revenge!” Zhang Ruifeng had already helped him, considering the friendship between the two sects. However… Zhang Hu’s opponents had forced him to suicide with just a few words. It showed their formidable power. If the revenge succeeded, so be it. But if not, wouldn’t it invite trouble for oneself?

Zhang Ruifeng said, “Brother Zhang, your injuries are not suitable for reckless actions, please rest and recover quietly.”

Zhang Hu said, “Hmph! I’ve benefited from your kindness, and I’m immensely grateful. I will repay it someday!” He cupped his hands in a bow, pushed his hands to the ground, and sprang away from the inn, searching for Wen Caishang’s whereabouts.

He wandered aimlessly into the mountains and forests. With his heart meridian broken, his strength greatly reduced. But his foundation wasn’t shallow, his Qi Lake surging. His speed was incredible.

He searched blindly for two days.

Little did he know he was incredibly lucky, or perhaps Wen Caishang was very unlucky.

That afternoon.

Li Xian and Wen Caishang were resting in the forest.

Suddenly they heard a loud voice: “Ha! Ha! I finally found you both!” Zhang Hu charged forward on all fours, using his hands as feet.

Wen Caishang exclaimed, “You didn’t die!?”

Zhang Hu said, “Hmph, how could I die without capturing you alive?”

Wen Caishang sneered, “I promised you an honorable death, yet you lack gratitude. Very well, let me let you taste the sensation of having your bones scraped and flesh cut!” With a flick of her sleeve, she drew her sword, emitting a glinting white light.

“Ah!” Zhang Hu had been deceived multiple times, yet repeatedly failed to learn his lesson. Waving his hands, he swiftly fled afar.

Wen Caishang thought to herself, “Zhang Hu shattered his own heart pulse and yet lived. Every decision I’ve made has strayed from my intentions. I’ve completely exhausted my inner qi and am gravely injured. Is this an insidious fate that clings to me relentlessly?”

A sour feeling welled up in her heart. Her calculations had no flaws, but who could predict the whims of fortune?

Wen Caishang said, “I am plagued by misfortune, and every decision I make seems to be disastrously wrong. Li Lang… I shall listen to you entirely, you come up with a solution then!” Her demeanor was haggard.

Li Xian composed himself, soothingly saying, “No worries, this person is dull-witted; simply attempt to maneuver around him. I will protect you.”

Upon hearing the words “I will protect you,” Wen Caishang recalled how throughout the journey, Li Xian had turned the tide, with his strategic genius and poise being of top-tier caliber. Suddenly, she felt at ease.

Hand in hand, they fled for several miles. Zhang Hu realized what had happened, then turned back with a loud laugh, “Hahaha, Wen Caishang! You filthy wench! You cheap harlot! You can’t deceive me again this time!”

With his hands pressing the ground, he took on the stance of a crouching tiger.

Zhang Hu said, “Let me kill your lover first, see how you’ll act then!” He slapped the ground and lunged forward, borrowing force. Wen Caishang was furious, “How dare you!” yet felt helpless.

In an instant, Zhang Hu closed in, his claws striking out left and right simultaneously. Li Xian blocked with a ring sword, defending left and right. As the sword clashed with Zhang Hu’s claws, a deep and powerful force was felt, and the “Tiger Sound” roared into his ears!

This was the “Tiger Roar Power.” When fists or feet made contact with the opponent, the inner qi would rush into the opponent’s body, resonating with a buzzing sound that erupted as a tiger’s roar. A few strikes were enough to leave someone dazed.

Li Xian remained calm despite the throbbing pain in his head. Blood was gushing from his ears and nose. Zhang Hu might be naturally clumsy and rash, but in this situation, he was extremely difficult to handle.

Zhang Hu’s legs were both broken, yet he was very agile. His silhouette hovered in the air, his claw strikes swift! After executing “Flying Tiger Pouncing Rabbit,” he followed with “Evil Tiger Heart Stealing,” aiming directly at Li Xian’s heart pulse to avenge the previous night.

The moves Zhang Hu employed were less formidable in strength due to his broken legs. Yet the “Tiger Roar Power” was quite troublesome.

Should one suffer another Tiger Roar shock, their mind would waver, leading inevitably to defeat! Li Xian thought, “Since it’s a sound shock, let’s try this!” The Iron Copper Body trembled as he parried with his sword, using “Thunderous Finger” to shake the air with Finger Power.

The echo of a thunder drum from the chest rang out suddenly. It was as if a bell was struck by lightning, deep and mighty, instantly neutralizing the Tiger Roar. Even then, Li Xian spat blood but wasn’t immediately defeated.

Zhang Hu remarked in surprise, “Good lad, you actually broke my move like this? Hahaha, not enough, not enough!”

His moves were complex, and “Tiger Roar Power” was only one of them. In a swift motion, he transitioned to the “Tiger Luo Ten Scattered Hands” from the “Tiger Luo Sect.”

Though Zhang Hu’s martial arts were refined and his realm high, he had an undeniable flaw: both his legs were broken! Previously, he rode a tiger beast, blending the martial arts of man and tiger into something quite peculiar, masking all weaknesses. But now the tiger beast was dead, and his shortcomings were fully exposed.

In the midst of the fight, he suddenly realized that none of his martial arts were suitable for solo combat. Instinctively, he used the Tiger Luo Ten Scattered Hands. It consisted of ten techniques, encompassing grabs, captures, throws, and tosses… comprehensive indeed.

Suspended upside down, Zhang Hu’s hands unleashed continuous attacks on Li Xian’s lower region: knees, ankles… seeking “an eye for an eye,” wanting Li Xian to taste the same pain. Li Xian retreated and evaded, his dual swords slashing and blocking diagonally downwards. With each collision, Li Xian’s entire body shivered, making the “Chest Drum Thunder Sound” throb, retarding Zhang Hu’s Tiger Roar Power.

Each series of confrontations put Li Xian’s body in a quiver, spewing blood. Yet, his vitality was strong, and he bore no intention to retreat. He even thought, “Martial artists in combat, victory isn’t determined by realm alone. With no place to hide, let’s go all out!”

Li Xian retreated to a large rock, sweeping his sword horizontally. The huge stone was slashed, embedding the Sinking River Sword within, fiercely smashing it forward. Zhang Hu let out a “hehe” with a malicious grin, launching eighteen claw strikes in an instant.

Bits and pieces of the large rock flew as he drilled into it. Suddenly, with a “boom,” the rock exploded in a blaze, and numerous scorching sword qi shot out. Caught off guard, Zhang Hu screamed in agony, sent flying by the explosion, his palms scorched.

By this point in the duel, Zhang Hu was still quite mighty, but Li Xian’s demeanor was unyielding. Zhang Hu slapped the ground with his palms, causing a “boom” as the land within several feet deeply sank. Using the force to propel himself up, he grabbed a tree branch, hanging high.

Feeling the burns on his palms made him furious, incessantly cursing, “I can’t believe I got injured by a brat like you! Damn, if my tiger beast hadn’t died and I hadn’t gone ten years without practicing solo martial arts, I would’ve taken you down with just one move!”

Li Xian let out a cold snort, “Boasting away,” and swept his sword at the ground, shooting a few pebbles aggressively. Zhang Hu skillfully flicked three leaves, launching them. The pebbles were sliced open, heading straight for Li Xian.

Li Xian stepped lightly with the Seven Stars Step, deftly avoiding the attack. Zhang Hu was quite surprised, shooting once more, but Li Xian narrowly escaped each time.

Though Zhang Hu was undoubtedly at a disadvantage. Barely at the Third Realm with numerous injuries and inconveniences, he lacked the aid of a tiger; many martial arts couldn’t be performed. Yet Li Xian, with his nimble evasions, truly could maneuver deftly.

Even so, it still left people astounded.

Zhang Hu released and lunged, predicting the fight amidst the dense forest. Zhang Hu’s aggression was fierce, bullying with strength. Meanwhile, Li Xian skillfully evaded, demonstrating all the martial arts he had learned: Clear Wind Leg, Jade Palm, Thunderbolt Finger, Setting Sun Bloodsword…

Your moves are robust, I’ll simply avoid them.

The Setting Sun Bloodsword was exquisite, the Thunderbolt Finger and Iron Copper Body unparalleled in might, with Jade Palm’s qi finely tuned, and the Vast Leg, Clear Wind Leg, and Seven Stars Step offering graceful retreats.

His qi reserve was abundant with profound strength.

The red mark on Li Xian’s brow flickered, showcasing the power of his martial arts in full force. He gained the upper hand over Zhang Hu, growing more adept with each bout.

Suddenly, a sword thrust forward, causing a gentle tremor throughout his body. The Ethereal Immortal Sound resonated thrice, with the Chest Drum Thunder Sound rumbling like thunder…

This sword move had been charging for a long time, part of the Setting Sun Bloodsword’s “Purple Qi from the East,” while using the sword in lieu of a finger, adding the deadly “Thunderbolt Finger.” Within ten or more measure range, the qi surged through.

Zhang Hu roared in fury, neither dodging nor evading. A surge of energy erupted, casting a golden light nearly a measure from his body. He took the sword strike head-on, only inflicting a half-inch cut. Yet the sword tip pressed him against a mountainside.

With a “bang,” cobweb-like cracks spread across the mountain wall.

Just as Zhang Hu was about to counterattack, a deceptive soft sword slashed in. Although it seemed dull and devoid of qi, he withdrew, not daring to be careless.

Wen Caishang, holding the sword, said, “Li Lang, Dual Swords Unite.”

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