msmithbooks Chapter 54 Hidden Hands Pursuing Souls, Tendon-Changing and Bone-Shrinking Techn
Chapter 54 Hidden Hands Pursuing Souls, Tendon-Changing and Bone-Shrinking Techn
"Clang..."
Three cold stars shot out like lightning.
"not good."
"mean!"
A gasp of surprise rippled through the crowd.
Previously, everyone was captivated by what they saw.
The two attacked and defended, one fierce and the other graceful, each move extremely dangerous, leaving the audience breathless.
Seeing Li Xin's agile and ever-changing movements, and his unpredictable and amazing swordsmanship, one could see that he was agile and ever-changing.
In just two rounds, he had gained the upper hand and cornered Zhang Yuanhao.
I never expected this.
Zhang Yuanhao's huge scabbard in his left hand was not just for decoration, nor was it used as a shield.
Instead, crossbow bolts were loaded inside the scabbard.
Judging from the vibrating sound of the mechanism and the speed at which the three points of cold light were emitted, it was clearly the work of a master craftsman, and the destructive power of the hidden weapon was extremely astonishing.
Li Xin now leaps and rolls, his blade striking down with the force of thunder, advancing without retreat.
They are the perfect live target.
"Pfft pfft pfft..."
The figure in mid-air was pierced by three points of cold light.
For a moment, everyone's eyes were dazzled, but when they looked again, they saw a white outer robe fluttering to the ground.
Li Xin, who was originally hovering in the air, had somehow appeared behind Zhang Yuanhao.
His height became extremely short, like that of a three- or four-year-old child, only about knee-high.
In the blink of an eye, the short figure's bones cracked and popped, and his body grew as if exposed to the wind.
The loose-fitting clothes, which used to be like a sack, have been stretched out and become fuller again.
He was still a handsome young man with sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, red lips, white teeth, and a slender figure.
Not far in front of him.
Zhang Yuanhao remained motionless, his broadsword still extended forward, the scabbard poised to unleash a hidden weapon.
Just as everyone was wondering why he was behaving this way, they seemed to hear the wind.
"Hiss..."
Under everyone's gaze, a wound the size of a child's lip suddenly appeared on the left side of Zhang Yuanhao's neck.
The blood dispersed like mist, then gushed out like a fountain.
A splash of crimson blood filled the air.
In a hoarse voice, he struggled to say, "Such a sharp knife."
His body swayed, then he collapsed to the ground, twitched twice, and then fell still.
"How did they do that? I didn't understand at all!"
"Robe-shedding and position-shifting, bone-shrinking technique..."
"More than that, what's most impressive is that even as his body shrunk to the size of a child, he swung his sword while running at top speed, so fast that he couldn't even see a shadow of it."
"Too clever by half, he ruined his own life. Zhang Yuanhao miscalculated."
If he had surrendered when he was sent flying by a single blow, he could have saved his life. Why did he have to do this?
"It can only be said that man is a tiger, and tiger is also man. He couldn't beat them in martial arts, and he couldn't even outwit them in cunning. He died a worthy death."
"This time, Huiyou Escort Agency not only failed to regain its face, but also ended up losing face as well."
He lost both the martial arts contest and his moral character. Old Master Song was wise throughout his life.
Unexpectedly, in his old age, this reputation was bestowed upon his own prized disciple.
The commotion at Cheng's Martial Arts School drew a large crowd of onlookers.
Many people even clung to the walls to watch the battle.
After all, both sides are prominent figures.
In particular, Zhang Yuanhao's reputation for "Three Fists Without Limits" was well-known throughout the north.
As for Li Xin...
Those with limited information only knew that this was a disciple of the Cheng family's Bagua master, a newly accepted genius disciple.
Those who were well-informed were shocked and looked at Li Xin's slightly immature face with undisguised awe.
"What a fine 'Yama's Decree, Third Prince'!"
Someone sighed softly.
"His reputation is indeed well-deserved; from now on, the capital will undergo a major transformation."
"What 'King Yama's Decree'? What does this have to do with Nezha the Third Prince?"
That great hero was busy upholding justice and killing villains who trembled in fear.
He wouldn't go to a crowded place in broad daylight.
After the sallow-faced man finished speaking, he felt seven or eight pairs of eyes looking at him with very strange expressions.
It's like looking at an idiot.
Everyone knows it, but nobody talks about it.
In the world of martial arts, there will never be a shortage of villains and scoundrels.
There will also be plenty of heroic figures.
Regardless of their stance, most people still have a moral compass in their hearts.
Deep down, I feel disgust and hatred towards those scum who bully the weak and vulnerable, women and children.
They may not be brave enough or capable enough to face those evil forces.
But that didn't stop them from secretly admiring him.
No matter what, one can't help but feel a little more respect for that boy who always wears the mask of "Nezha the Third Prince" and goes out late at night.
That was my lost youth, my vanished courage. That upright spirit, that burning passion...
If anyone could be worthy of the word "knight-errant".
All the heroes and valiant men in the capital were outshone by a mere boy who had not yet reached adulthood.
"good!"
Cheers and applause rose and fell all around.
First it was a few scattered drops, then it became a loud chorus.
"Master Cheng, Brother Li, it is my fault for not strictly disciplining my students to come here seeking revenge."
We signed a life-or-death agreement, settling our scores... However, while I'll be with the escort agency, I can't pretend nothing happened.
A generous gift will be presented to you later; I apologize in advance..."
[Divine Fist] Song Zhichao has always been upright and honest, prioritizing integrity and righteousness.
He was highly respected in the capital.
At this moment, he put aside his pride and sincerely apologized, which deeply moved people.
His lifelong reputation was ruined by a single disciple.
From now on, whenever Huiyou Escort Agency is mentioned, people will think of that rising star that emerged like the morning sun.
As the boy grows up.
The Huiyou Escort Agency, along with Zhang Yuanhao's title of "Three Fists Without Escape," will forever be nailed to the pillar of shame.
"A single palm strike decides the outcome, father and son go to the Yellow Springs."
If things go wrong, a story might spread far and wide, thanks to the storyteller's performance.
"Master Song, you're too kind. Even a great man can have an unvirtuous wife and unfilial children, let alone an apprentice."
Zhang Yuanhao's despicable actions and arrogant behavior have already brought him the consequences.
As for the Huiyou Escort Agency, it shouldn't have tarnished its reputation because of him...
"Xin'er, this time, in a battle with Zhang Yuanhao, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), we'll settle our scores. Are you willing?"
Cheng Yuanhua did not show any smugness on his face.
Perhaps he was secretly overjoyed, but he was forcing himself to keep it to himself.
So as not to give the impression that one is a petty person who has achieved success.
It's just that he took on a very, very talented apprentice.
Why be so smug?
Therefore, he spoke at this moment in a calm and unhurried manner, displaying composure.
It's not that I want to be magnanimous, but that I have no choice but to be.
Since ancient times, it has been generally accepted that single men should use the number nine, not the number one.
Also known as "A good wind cannot carry the sails to their limit".
The head镖师 (chief镖师) of the Huiyou Escort Agency has already thrown his face on the ground like a piss, letting others trample on it at will.
There's no need to kick someone when they're down now.
We can't just keep pressing the issue and kill all of Huiyou's bodyguards, can we?
Whether it's possible or not is another matter.
It's possible, but it's also impossible.
The saying goes, "When the rabbit dies, the fox grieves," and "Things of one's own kind are saddened." This went too far, and what the people of the martial arts world present thought about it is anyone's guess.
Such is the way of the world – people's hearts always turn towards one another.
The saying "death is a great loss" is not entirely about sympathizing with the weak.
"What Master said is very true. Master Wang and Master Wu also said it well before: it is better to resolve enmity than to create it."
There was no personal grudge between the two sides; it's just that people in the martial world have no choice but to follow the crowd.
If we ever meet again in the future, I urge you all to show mercy and avoid anything that would cause pain to our loved ones and joy to our enemies.
Li Xin cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to the four directions.
On a level unseen by others, seven or eight pale red dots of light drifted over.
He felt a sense of joy in his heart.
Saying a few polite, official words isn't shameful.
The real benefit is gaining the genuine respect of others.
Today's battle, following the night raid that established his authority, not only has his own alias, "Third Prince Nezha," become awe-inspiring in the capital.
Li Xin's real name finally rose to fame.
He discovered that when he acted as the "Third Prince Nezha," no matter how famous he was or how admirable his actions were, he would not gain the trust of those he had never met.
In other words, it was when he was hiding his identity and entrusting a mythical figure to help him.
Only those who witness one's actions will react and provide credibility...
For example, those who are saved; those who are grateful to have helped eliminate evil.
Even those who were deeply shocked and filled with longing.
They will all provide credibility to varying degrees.
The prerequisite is that they must meet in person.
However, the way the deity acts is quite different.
The name Li Xin is like a receiver.
This battle has just ended.
As its fame spread, even in places far away and out of sight, one or two faint red lights appeared.
This situation signifies many things.
This also filled Li Xin with immense joy.
If one were to do something in one's own name that would earn the trust, respect, and aspiration of many, one might gain a great deal of faith and power.
Rapid progress goes without saying.
……
As the crowd dispersed.
Master Wu Yongzhong of Tongxing Escort Agency, who had just showered the carriage with flattery, suddenly turned ashen-faced.
"Let's go to Fuyuan Teahouse."
He went up to the second floor, but hadn't taken a seat yet.
His gaze swept across the room and he saw a middle-aged monk in a black robe with a rooster-like hairstyle sitting by the window facing the street. His expression immediately changed.
"Judging from your expression, it seems your trip didn't go well?"
The black-robed monk smiled enigmatically, picked up a bite of food, tilted his head back, drank the wine in the bowl, and spoke softly.
……