Chapter 1006 - 276: Frostblade Slices Blood Shadows, Chivalrous Heart Subdues Evil Winds

In that instant, the entire stronghold seemed shrouded in an invisible yet heavy fog of slaughter; the air was thick with a hair-raising tension, every strand of it infused with the stench of death.

A shocking, blood-soaked, cruel battle was like a volcano on the verge of eruption, molten rock surging and roaring beneath the earth, ready to burst forth at the slightest touch.

The surrounding cliffs seemed to sense this dense killing intent as well; under the dim moonlight they cast eerie shadows, as if holding a silent requiem for the slaughter about to descend.

Xie Zhichuan turned his body slightly and knelt; in this grim, sinister place, his eyes nonetheless held an unabashed trace of disdain and mockery, like a cutting north wind in a winter night, piercing straight into the heart. As for such despicable, shameless conduct as Zhong Renwang’s, he had long since seen too much of it, and his heart was filled with contempt.

In his eyes, Zhong Renwang, willing to use any means to achieve his ends, had long cast aside the dignity and bottom line befitting the master of a sect as if they were worn-out shoes, and had completely sunk into being a prisoner of profit, like a rat scavenging in a gutter, utterly bereft of dignity.

He shook his head slightly; the motion was slow and gentle, yet brimming with contempt, as though spitting on the ugliest filth of this world.

He leaned close to Dugu yan beside him and said softly, "This Zhong Renwang truly has had his mind befogged by greed and desire. For those illusory, unreal benefits, like flowers in a mirror or the moon in water, he actually stoops to kneel under this Western Holy Sect—he has utterly disgraced the face of the Central Plains Martial Arts. Such conduct, how is it any different from those ruffians in the marketplace who would do anything for a few coins? He has simply defiled the name of Jianghu people."

Though his voice was low, in this silent space it clearly entered everyone’s ears, like a stone cast upon the surface of a still lake, sending ripples spreading outward.

Dugu yan’s face was expressionless, like a statue sealed in dust by the passing years, his entire being exuding a cold and murderous aura.

He merely inclined his head ever so slightly; the movement was stiff and mechanical, like a puppet devoid of emotion. The treasure sword in his hand quivered lightly, as if it, too, had sensed the blood-soaked carnage to come and trembled with excitement. The cold gleam reflected off the blade was especially dazzling in this dim and shadowy place, like a bolt of lightning ripping through the darkness, foretelling the brutal clash that was about to erupt.

That cold light carried a chill that seemed able to pierce into the human heart, sending a shudder through one’s very bones.

The sight of Zhong Renwang kneeling before Qi Yin at this moment struck Li Wuduo and Blood Venerable like a bolt from the blue, as if five thunders had crashed down upon their heads; they stood there in stunned disbelief. Within the Central Earth Martial World, Zhong Renwang, as Beggar Gang Leader of the world’s largest gang, was usually awe-inspiring beyond measure, his status supremely exalted. Whenever people saw him, they would respectfully address him as "Master Zhong," and his every word and gesture drew the keen attention of Martial Arts folk.

Yet now he was like a lapdog wagging its tail in supplication, groveling and kneeling before this foreign Sect Leader; his posture so abject, his expression so obsequious, that it was truly beneath contempt.

Li Wuduo’s beautiful eyes flew open wide, those pupils like stars suddenly lit in the night sky, yet filled with utter incredulity.

She bit down lightly on her silver teeth, the grinding of enamel clacking audibly, venting her anger and disdain through that single bite.

She spat in a low voice, "Hmph, a dignified Beggar Gang Leader, yet he has not a shred of backbone; so base and shameless—he truly deserves to be called the foremost villain under heaven! I, Li Wuduo, have roamed the Jianghu for many years, weathered countless storms, yet I have never seen such a brazenly shameless cur. He is simply a disgrace to Jianghu, enough to make one retch." Blood Venerable’s face, meanwhile, was twisted with rage, like a volcano about to erupt, his entire body radiating a dense aura of bloodshed.

He clenched his fists tight, the joints turning white, his knuckles crackling from the excessive force, that sound like the brittle snap of breaking bones, enough to chill the soul. He could hardly restrain himself from rushing up at once to give Zhong Renwang a brutal thrashing to vent the hatred in his heart.

He growled under his breath, "That old bastard has utterly disgraced the face of Jianghu people. If it weren’t for the fact that he’s still of some use at this moment, I’d charge up there right now and tear him to pieces! This kind of conduct is nothing less than trampling upon the code of Jianghu; it is unforgivable!"

Zhong Renwang knelt on the ground like a puppet without a soul, utterly deaf to the gazes and words of those around him. His face was full of sycophantic smiles, that twisted, ugly grin more repulsive than tears. He began again to describe in detail the characteristics of Shi Feiyang’s Martial Arts; his voice was shrill and hurried, as though extolling some peerless treasure, and also as if he were currying favor and seeking reward from his master.

He painted the scene vividly as he said, "Sect Leader, that Shi Feiyang’s Bright Jade Technique has already been cultivated to its highest realm—’Limitless Asura’; its power is beyond the imagination of ordinary men. Each time he employs it, it is as though a Demon God descends, the winds and clouds change color, and heaven and earth lose their luster. Mountains shake, rivers surge backward, and all things under heaven tremble beneath its might. And now, with the toxic power of Xu Fu Immortal Pill and Holy Heart Technique added to it, by my estimation his Inner Power cultivation has long since broken through this ’Limitless Asura’ realm, arriving at a depth unfathomable, a summit of perfection. Moreover, he has cultivated the ’Tathagata Divine Palm’ and ’Divine Dragon Claw,’ Divine Skills that few in the Martial Arts world can ever hope to master. These two peerless techniques wield terrifying force; when his palm is unleashed, the winds and clouds shift and sun and moon grow dim; when his claw descends, the earth quakes and mountains crumble, rivers and mountains are shattered. Although his Hundred Victories Saber Technique is not worth fearing, these two long-lost Divine Skills are absolutely not to be taken lightly! If you, Sect Leader, can defeat him and seize the Xu Fu Immortal Pill and Holy Heart Technique, you will surely be like a tiger that has grown wings, and to dominate the Martial Arts will be but a matter of days! By then, the entire Jianghu will tremble beneath the feet of the Holy Sect, and you, Sect Leader, will become an emperor for the ages, revered by all under heaven!" As he spoke, he secretly watched Qi Yin’s expression, greed flashing in his eyes, like a starving wolf fixed upon its prey, yearning for his master’s reward; the sight alone was enough to sicken the onlooker.