Alright… Meng Qi almost blurted out instinctively, but fortunately controlled himself in time, refraining from answering directly. He maintained his composure and instead asked, “This matter doesn’t need to be rushed. Let’s first consider the present situation. We must leave Jushen Manor shortly, so we shouldn’t leave the Five Thunder True Manual and the Divine Lightning Spear Technique for Master Ximonth and his people.”
This attitude deepened the trust of Huangfu Fei and the others a little further. Indeed, the Master of Qingyuan placed importance on righteousness and prioritized saving people!
“Since the coercion from Moon’s Hometown, I have already destroyed the manuals of the Five Thunder True Method and the Divine Lightning Spear Technique. Only my mother and I have each memorized a copy,” Huangfu Fei stated solemnly.
Meng Qi glanced outside, “What about the other disciples?”
“Father always advised them not to aim too high, so he only passed down the foundational techniques of opening the acupoints,” Huangfu Fei explained.
In other words, to fully master the Five Thunder Heaven-Shattering Technique, it indeed depended on the two of you. But what could be exchanged for it… Meng Qi had already deduced from previous conversations and reasoning that the key to completing the Dharmakāya techniques lay in the “Five Thunder True Manual” and the “Divine Lightning Spear Technique.”
Nodding, he lowered his voice and said, “If Jushen Manor wants to rise again and reclaim its foundation, it must have loyal disciples. Otherwise, relying only on one or two individuals, the possibility of cultivating to the Outer Scenery state remains too low. Miss Huangfu, who among the current disciples is trustworthy? I will have Madame Red Thread and Senior Camel Sage discreetly send messages to them, instructing them to leave the manor first and meet at the designated place.”
With Huangfu Fei drawing attention, it would be very easy for the other disciples to leave the manor.
Huangfu Fei responded earnestly, “Through the vicissitudes of human relationships and the coldness of the world, this difficult period has allowed me to see through many people. Only Senior Disciple Qi Shaochong, Senior Disciple Xia Yanyun, and Senior Disciple Huang Ling are trustworthy, and their strength and talent are quite good. Given time, they might even contend for supremacy in the Nine Apertures, or even become Half-Steps.”
As for Senior Disciple He Canshang, there was no need to say more. Being Master Huangfu Tao’s first disciple, he was naturally chosen for his outstanding qualities in every aspect.
Meng Qi separately used the secret technique of transmitting voice to Madame Red Thread and the Camel Sage from the Northern Frontiers, saying, “Right now, people like Wen Hengshui and Qingxue Dragon King will only pay attention to this humble Daoist, Lady Huangfu, and Miss Huangfu. If you two keep a low profile, you might be overlooked. Then, take the letter written by Miss Huangfu and secretly deliver it to Qi Shaochong and the others, instructing them to leave the manor first and meet at the agreed city.”
“Remember, after leading them out of the manor, secretly lie low and observe their movements. Perhaps among them are spies deliberately planted by Master Ximonth—spies pretending to be loyal. Then, instead of following them, head to the city ahead of time and wait at the city gate like so…”
After giving instructions and seeing them nod in agreement, Meng Qi turned to Huangfu Fei and said, “Please ask Miss Huangfu to write three letters. I will have Madame Red Thread and the others deliver them to Senior Disciple Qi and the rest.”
Huangfu Fei immediately walked to the desk, sat down, and began writing rapidly. After finishing, while leaving secret marks on the letters, she told Meng Qi, “My father previously arranged several secret strongholds, still unknown to outsiders. This is one of them…”
Once preparations were complete, Meng Qi noticed that his mental and physical strength had mostly recovered. He then said to Huangfu Fei, “Wen Hengshui must be growing impatient. Let’s go out first. Follow this humble Daoist’s instructions.”
Huangfu Fei nodded first, then asked nervously, “Master Qingyuan, may I ask what brilliant strategy you have for escaping this predicament?”
Although he was powerful, outside were two senior guardians and many other formidable experts. It would be difficult for even a mighty fist to fight four hands!
Meng Qi chuckled lightly, maintaining a relaxed demeanor as he said, “Miss Huangfu need not worry. This humble hermit has his own clever plan.”
After saying this, he waved his sleeve and slowly turned, walking toward the door.
Seeing his calm and confident demeanor, Huangfu Fei seemed to be infected by his confidence, as if the perilous situation outside was nothing to fear.
Meng Qi reached for the door handle, his lips twitching slightly. What brilliant plan could he possibly have? Nothing but brute force!
But such matters couldn’t be disclosed to others. If Huangfu Fei showed any abnormality and tipped off the enemy in advance, the mission would surely fail.
…
No sound came from the room. Wen Hengshui grew increasingly anxious while waiting, but out of respect for Meng Qi’s earlier display of strength, he did not urge him nor did he send Qingxue Dragon King to eavesdrop.
With a creak, the wooden door opened. Meng Qi, dressed in his water-blue robe, sash tied, straw sandals on feet, stepped out first and performed a Daoist bow, “Master Wen, Miss Huangfu has changed her mind. There’s no need for you to challenge this humble Daoist anymore. However, marriage is a significant matter. How could one proceed without informing the ancestors? If your intentions are sincere, you should first accompany her to the ancestral hall of the Huangfu family to pay respects.”
Hearing this, Wen Hengshui immediately felt relieved. Compared to defeating the unpredictable Qingyuan Daoist, paying respects at the Huangfu ancestral hall was not a difficult demand. Normally, after marriage, when returning to the bride’s home for a visit, one would also go to pay respects. It was merely an early visit, slightly diminishing the victor’s dignity.
He and his father wouldn’t care about such a trivial matter, as long as they secured the real prize and avoided inciting widespread resentment from the people of Moon Village.
“Miss Huangfu’s beauty and talent are renowned far and wide. Being able to marry such a virtuous wife, I have no hesitation in paying respects to the Huangfu ancestors,” Wen Hengshui said, performing a formal bow.
As for ancestral wrath, ghostly vengeance, or generational curses, as the victor, he paid no heed to such superstitions.
Meng Qi nodded slightly and gestured for Huangfu Fei to come out.
Huangfu Fei did not wear a bridal veil like an ordinary bride. Her beautiful face and elegant appearance caused Wen Hengshui’s heart to warm with satisfaction. Though his main goal was the Five Thunder True Manual and the Divine Lightning Spear Technique, and to absorb Jushen Manor, having such an attractive wife was a pleasant bonus.
“Please,” Meng Qi stood between the two and gestured for Wen Hengshui to proceed toward the ancestral hall.
Qingxue Dragon King and Chi Mei Dao Wang closely followed Wen Hengshui on both sides, never leaving his side. The Qingyuan Daoists nearby were unpredictable; even without ill intentions, they couldn’t afford to relax their vigilance.
Huangfu Fei and Lady Huangfu trusted Meng Qi and followed silently behind him.
Passing pavilions and terraces, water pavilions and winding corridors, the courtyard housing the ancestral hall came into view.
The final corridor wasn’t long, but it was winding, with lotus ponds on both sides. As they reached a bend, Qingxue Dragon King, following his usual practice, slightly moved ahead to prevent any ambush or sudden attack, while Chi Mei Dao Wang guarded Wen Hengshui’s side.
“Master Wen…” At that moment, Meng Qi suddenly spoke.
As everyone instinctively turned to look at him, listening for his words, he suddenly moved, swift as a ghost, rushing toward Wen Hengshui!
He chose a position closer to Chi Mei Dao Wang rather than Qingxue Dragon King.
What a treacherous rogue! Chi Mei Dao Wang, with his vast experience, instantly understood Meng Qi’s plan. His heart filled with rage as his long saber slashed out fiercely.
The saber’s momentum surged like a collapsing snow mountain, unceasing and terrifying, its cold gleam seemingly capable of devouring Meng Qi.
He unleashed an Outer Scenery killing move without hesitation. As long as he could block for an instant or force Meng Qi to evade, he could form an encirclement with Qingxue Dragon King.
Pure sword light transformed into a ribbon of crimson fire, piercing straight into the heart of the saber’s force.
Clang!
The saber and sword collided. The avalanche ceased, the crimson light scattered, and both parties recoiled.
However, Meng Qi’s recoil was extremely strange, completely defying logic. Instead of retreating, he advanced forward, spitting blood, brushing past Chi Mei Dao Wang and closing in on Wen Hengshui!
Endangering himself to gain leverage!
Qingxue Dragon King’s eyes narrowed. From two steps away, he struck with his palm, unleashing chilling winds and phosphorescent flames, the coldness piercing the very soul, his force capable of turning stone to powder!
“Die!”
Meng Qi suddenly roared, unleashing purple lightning, his tongue crackling like spring thunder, shaking Wen Hengshui’s body as he tried to retreat, momentarily stunned and blank-minded.
At the same time, Meng Qi slashed with his saber, the force like a mountainous snowslide or thunder from the heavens, overwhelming and crushing everything.
This was the force he borrowed from Chi Mei Dao Wang moments ago, combined with his own true energy, slashing out with the essence of the River-Sundering Saber Technique.
Bang!
The chilling winds reversed, the phosphorescent flames extinguished. Although Meng Qi and half of Chi Mei Dao Wang’s force couldn’t match Qingxue Dragon King’s strike, they managed to neutralize most of it, leaving only a portion he could endure!
His right sleeve disintegrated into fluttering butterflies, scattering into the lotus pond. His golden aura dimmed but did not vanish. Without pause, he crashed straight into Wen Hengshui, using his shoulders, elbows, and knees to strike the acupoints, mimicking the Star God’s Pressure Point Technique.
Wen Hengshui couldn’t react in time; his acupoints were sealed. Meng Qi circled behind him, forcing Qingxue Dragon King’s incoming strike to change direction abruptly, smashing into the nearby corridor and splashing the pond water up to ten feet high.
The sword was now at Wen Hengshui’s throat. Meng Qi’s previous relaxed smile vanished, his expression now calm and indifferent:
“Esteemed gentlemen, please prepare a snow carriage to send this humble Daoist, Lady Huangfu, and Miss Huangfu away.”
“Stop! Anyone who dares approach Lady Huangfu and Miss Huangfu, my sword shall taste blood.”
The sudden turn of events had been extremely perilous. However, Chi Mei Dao Wang and Qingxue Dragon King had previously been defeated by him, their momentum broken, unable to perform at their peak. This was how Meng Qi managed to succeed seemingly effortlessly. Otherwise, his injuries might have been far more severe.
This was Meng Qi’s “brilliant plan”—a surprise attack, relying on the Undying Seal Technique, the Eight-Nine Mystical Arts, and the Golden Bell Cover, trading injuries for opportunity, taking a hostage!
Time was pressing; he had no time to devise a thorough plan and could only resort to this “brute force” approach.
But sometimes, “brute force” could be surprisingly effective!
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