“You, you…” The person who fell from the rooftop stared at Meng Qi with a mix of fear and hatred, trying to speak, but after a few convulsions, foamed at the mouth, bled from seven orifices, and finally stopped breathing.
How could he just die like that? Wen Qichang and Chi Feng stared at the corpse on the ground, their minds racing with thoughts, both shocked and astonished.
Was he directly overwhelmed by the roar, causing his martial arts to backfire and fall into madness? Hongxian Furen and Saishen Tuotuo inhaled sharply. Was this the “Verbal Formula” of the orthodox Xuan sect, specially designed to counter heterodox sorcery?
Meng Qi’s right hand gently stroked the hilt in front of him as he smiled and said, “This is the ‘Seven-Spirit Melody’ from the Taixin Dharma Pacification Manual. However, his cultivation was improper—he only cultivated the Yin energy, making himself neither man nor ghost. I imitated the sound of heavenly punishment, creating a resonance that overwhelmed him.”
His tone was relaxed, as if describing how thunderous words had killed an enemy was merely a casual topic after tea, exuding an air of leisure and calmness.
The “Taixin Dharma Pacification Manual” had once fallen into their hands, but later was exchanged for the Master of the Six Realms of Reincarnation.
“The Seven-Spirit Melody is said to be able to capture the primordial soul and stir the power of heaven and earth. I didn’t expect that eerie feeling just now was indeed it,” Hongxian Furen exclaimed, suddenly understanding why Qingyuan Daozhang could defeat enemies with a single sound.
Saishen Tuotuo warily guarded against the outside and solemnly asked, “May I ask which sect the young Daozhang belongs to? Could it be the Daode Temple?”
“Poor Dao is merely a wandering cultivator. I owe much to the guidance of Lord Huangfu Zhuangzhu, which is why I have attained this level of swordsmanship today,” Meng Qi maintained his smile, answering with words that could not be more genuine.
Before Hongxian Furen and Saishen Tuotuo could continue their conversation and inquire when Qingyuan Daozhang had met Huangfu Tao, the windows and doors were suddenly smashed open. Figures burst in, hiding in the dim moonlight, surrounding Meng Qi and the two of them.
These figures were somewhat blurred, distorted and unstable, making it hard to distinguish truth from illusion. Wen Qichang and others inhaled sharply, realizing indeed it was the orthodox inheritance of the “Moon Township.” The person killed just now by a single sound might have been obscure, but seeing that he could cultivate the “Seven-Spirit Melody” revealed his high status. He was likely one of the Moon Township’s secret enforcers, engaged in covert operations.
These figures wielded glimmering cold light in their hands—not swords or blades, but their own fingernails. Each looked neither human nor ghost, their appearances terrifying.
Hongxian Furen unfurled her sword to meet the enemy, when suddenly she saw a flash of silver, like lightning, incredibly fast.
Clang! Before she could even see the sword flash, she heard the sound of the sword returning to its sheath.
This crisp sound was like a command, and the figures fell down one after another, accompanied by numerous thuds.
However, due to their different postures at the moment, some fell forward while others sideways, revealing the wounds—each had a thin cut across the throat.
They were all dead? Wen Qichang, Chi Feng, and others stared at Meng Qi in disbelief, seeing him with the long sword sheathed, standing leisurely, as if he had never drawn it.
But they all clearly knew that this handsome Daoist had indeed drawn his sword just now. However, it was so fast that their eyes couldn’t follow, leaving only a lingering silver-white light in their vision.
And he had killed nine with a single slash!
What an astonishing sword technique was this?
“It’s impressive that the ‘Moon Township’ has managed to cultivate the orthodox Daoist technique ‘Taixin Dharma Pacification Manual’ to this level,” Meng Qi said with a half-smile.
Anyone could detect the mocking tone in his words.
Saishen Tuotuo, experienced in the martial world, quickly regained his composure and sighed, “There have always been rumors that the ‘Moon Township’ secretly trains assassins using the quick version of the ‘Taixin Dharma Pacification Manual.’ I never expected it to be true.”
After speaking, he looked at Meng Qi with a reflective expression: “Before, I was somewhat skeptical about whether Qingyuan Daozhang had received guidance from Lord Huangfu Zhuangzhu, but after witnessing this sword stroke, I have no doubt. This is indeed Lord Huangfu’s famous ‘White Horse Passing Through a Crack,’ which he used to save me by impaling a strong enemy with a single spear thrust.”
When sword techniques are extremely fast, they seem to converge in essence and principle. Wen Qichang and Chi Feng lacked the discerning eye and failed to notice the subtle differences. Only after Saishen Tuotuo mentioned it did they suddenly realize that it indeed resembled the “White Horse Passing Through a Crack” practiced by the young lady and several disciples of Jushen Zhuang. Could this Qingyuan Daozhang indeed have received guidance from Lord Huangfu Zhuangzhu?
If Meng Qi hadn’t previously mentioned receiving guidance, the shared essence of the sword techniques after their refinement would have been difficult to distinguish, and Saishen Tuotuo definitely wouldn’t have recognized it or associated it with Huangfu Tao. Just like the most basic sword techniques—chopping, slashing, wiping, and thrusting—everyone uses them similarly, differing only in refinement. No one could identify an opponent’s martial arts background or identity solely from such techniques.
“If not for Lord Huangfu Zhuangzhu’s guidance, poor Dao would probably need another year or so to comprehend such sword principles,” Meng Qi replied sincerely.
Seeing Meng Qi’s generosity and righteousness, Hongxian Furen, with a hint of delight, said, “I also received guidance from Senior Huangfu, but unfortunately, I’ve never managed to apply the essence of the spear techniques to my swordplay, so I’m far inferior to Qingyuan Daozhang. I wonder when you met Senior Huangfu?”
Huangfu Tao had gone mad and entered the Qianli Mountains several years ago. Meng Qi looked about twenty, so they were naturally puzzled about the timing of the guidance.
“About a few years ago,” Meng Qi had no idea how many years had passed since his last exploration of the Zhenwu Mystery Tomb.
Seeing the slightly doubtful and inquisitive expressions on everyone’s faces, Meng Qi laughed heartily, placed his left hand on his sword, and strolled toward the door, declaring loudly, “Poor Dao had a strange encounter in childhood, fell off a cliff, and obtained the orthodox Xuan sect’s heart method and supreme sword techniques. Later, I consumed a 10,000-year-old lingzhi mushroom, adding sixty years of cultivation, directly opening six acupoints. Before leaving the mountains, I met Lord Huangfu Zhuangzhu, who praised my extraordinary bones and outstanding talent, and generously guided me in martial arts. After years of hard cultivation and integration, I have finally entered the martial arts world. This is truly the time for heroes to emerge.”
Looking back at the stunned expressions of Saishen Tuotuo, Wen Qichang, and others, Meng Qi smiled slightly:
“Do you believe me now?”
“Not really…” Hongxian Furen blurted out.
Meng Qi turned again, hands behind his back, wearing straw sandals, leisurely saying, “Everyone has secrets. Why dig for the truth? Making up an exaggerated story or a plausible one isn’t particularly difficult. What’s the point of listening to lies when keeping silent is better…”
He truly looked like a Daoist now… Hearing such carefree and unrestrained words, Wen Qichang secretly sighed, recalling how he had longed for such a demeanor in his youth.
Saishen Tuotuo and Hongxian Furen suddenly had a realization—could he be from that mysterious tomb? Just like Lord Huangfu Zhuangzhu and the Patriarch of the Jiuxiang Sect, he might have encountered something extraordinary inside and left, thereby receiving Lord Huangfu’s guidance. Could Lord Huangfu have temporarily regained his senses?
As these thoughts arose, they saw Meng Qi about to step out of the temple gate. Hongxian Furen urgently asked, “Where is Daozhang going?”
Meng Qi extended his hand outside the door, catching the drifting large snowflakes, chuckling, “The snow is perfect tonight. How about we head to Jushen Zhuang tonight? What do the two benefactors think?”
“Daozhang Qingyuan, the Moon Township disciples excel at night ambushes and assassinations…” Saishen Tuotuo instinctively warned, precisely why he and Hongxian Furen had chosen to stay in the temple until dawn.
But before he finished speaking, he only saw the back of Meng Qi’s water-blue robe as he had already stepped out of the temple gate.
Hongxian Furen whispered, “Daozhang Qingyuan likely possesses formidable Nine Orifices-level strength, and since he suddenly appeared, the Moon Township’s forces sent to intercept this direction must be unprepared. At most, they might have one of the Eight Generals. If we join forces with him, even if we can’t prevail, we should still be able to break through.”
Saishen Tuotuo pondered briefly: “Alright!”
The two quickly followed him, leaving Wen Qichang and others staring at each other.
“Dad, Daozhang Qingyuan was so cool just now…” The little girl with braids exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.
Wen Qichang smiled bitterly: “First, you need the strength. Sigh, Daozhang Qingyuan is a good person who understands our plight. I hope he remains safe on this journey.”
Although Meng Qi’s swordplay was astonishing, Wen Qichang still couldn’t equate him with the Moon Township’s Eight Generals and the top Four Guardians who were not Semi-External Scenery cultivators.
As for Semi-External Scenery and External Scenery cultivators, they were already separated by a boundary between immortals and mortals—how could swordplay alone bridge that gap?
The faint moonlight filtered through the sky, illuminating the snowy ground in a pale glow. Meng Qi gathered his energy, leapt forward, and lightly touched the ground with his toes, making almost no sound.
“Daozhang Qingyuan, watch out for the Moon Township disciples’ ambushes,” Saishen Tuotuo warned loudly.
The reason Meng Qi insisted on traveling at night, instead of staying to enjoy the admiration of the little girl and others, was precisely because he had come from “outside.” The Moon Township would inevitably be unprepared for someone like him. Therefore, he needed to break through the blockade before they received news and redeployed forces, reaching Jushen Zhuang and then acting accordingly. Even if the “Xueyue Master” or a stronger Semi-External Scenery cultivator personally intervened, if he couldn’t win, couldn’t he still escape?
At that time, he could try to persuade Huangfu Fei. The inheritance lies in the disciples and the people’s hearts, not in the manor itself. If she insisted on sacrificing herself and other disciples to protect the manor, both people and place would be lost. If she abandoned Jushen Zhuang and wandered far away, the entire situation would become viable.
The world is vast, and the Moon Township hasn’t reached the point of swallowing everything. Huangfu Fei and others might not be extremely strong, but they certainly aren’t weak. With his protection, it would still be easy to live in hiding after changing their identities. Once their martial arts reached perfection, rebuilding “Jushen Zhuang” would be as simple as a single sentence.
If Huangfu Fei still hesitated, he would encourage her to pursue love, telling a clichéd love story to awaken her deep feelings… etc. Meng Qi increasingly felt he sounded like a nosy neighborhood auntie…
As Saishen Tuotuo warned, a figure suddenly emerged from the nearby bush, half-buried in snow, directly lunging at Meng Qi’s back. The figure was faint, like moonlight itself; if one wasn’t careful, it would be easy to miss.
A flash of sword light, Meng Qi turned his head and said, “Thank you, senior and madam, for the warning.”
Thud! The disciple fell into the snow, making a silent sound, blood spilling out, staining the white snow red.
“Poor Dao has just come out of the mountains; please tell me more about the strong figures of the Moon Township…” As Meng Qi spoke, another flash of sword light appeared, a stream of blood droplets rose from the snow, and the disciple who was about to leap out lay forever still in the snow.
Killing with a mere wave of the hand while chatting casually… Saishen Tuotuo felt Qingyuan Daozhang was leisurely and calm, strolling as if in a courtyard. He took a deep breath and said, “No need to thank me; it’s only natural.”
Under the faint moonlight, Meng Qi saw two vivid red spots on the white snow, contrasting sharply, like two blooming plum blossoms.
He sighed, “I wonder how many plum blossoms will bloom on the snow tonight…”
The large snowflakes drifted down, covering the blood-stained plum blossoms one by one.
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