Chapter 50: The Storm Approaches

The second form of the Wondrous Brush Sword Technique, "High Mountain," was propelled by internal energy to direct the sword's aura. Those who mastered it could stand against a hundred foes. Yet, Lu Xin had only just entered this realm; his internal strength was still faint, unable to be wielded freely or produce sounds like zithers and lutes. Facing a formidable enemy, he had to empty his mind entirely, entering a state where man and sword were one—utterly selfless.

Mute Wu, when teaching the sword technique, had emphasized its essence lay in the nimbleness of swordplay and agility of movement. Combined, they could make the sword bearer move like a swimming dragon, painting the landscape with ink and motion. But to fully integrate movement with sword technique, the momentum, the intent, and the body must all rise to the same height.

The two disciples from the Upper Celestial Sect soon swam beneath the prow of the boat. Lu Xin still kept his eyes tightly closed. The Immortal Wandering Sword in his hand trembled gently, like a divine dragon about to soar.

Yue Buhui glanced at the two in the water, sneering repeatedly. Standing beside Lu Xin, he glimmered with a faint phosphorescence. The corpse poison within him prevented him from transforming into his true fox spirit form, but there was not a trace of fear on his face.

"Two little underlings at the third level of the Void-Seeking Realm dare to trouble your emperor?"

"Hmph, we are under orders from the Sect Master to apprehend this man. It has nothing to do with you. If you know what's good for you, get ashore and leave!"

The two disciples spoke coldly, leaping onto the prow. Yue Buhui immediately spat a mouthful of blue smoke; the river wind swept it across the merchant ship in an instant. The prow and cabin were shrouded in a thick mist, so dense that not even an outstretched hand could be seen.

"Some demon trickery? Who are you, really? Brother Feng, I'll deal with him—you go capture the target."

Wang Cong's expression changed slightly. He flicked his long sword, and three talismans floated into the air—one transformed into water, another into fire, and the last into lightning. The powers merged, forming a tri-colored storm above the prow.

"Water, fire, lightning sword—scatter!"

With Wang Cong's low shout, the tri-colored storm exploded, whipping up a violent gale. The entire ship rocked; the mist Yue Buhui had just conjured was swept away.

Looking around, there was no sign of the white-robed youth on the ship. Only a disheveled young woman lay collapsed in the cabin.

"Who are you people, fighting and killing here—scaring me to death!"

She half-covered her face, eyes wide with fear, her breath fragrant, pitiful in appearance. Wang Cong blinked in disbelief. As he prepared to scan the surroundings again, the woman suddenly flew at him, claws bared, aiming for his throat. Wang Cong paled, instinctively defending with his sword. When the blade met her claws, it snapped in two with a metallic clang.

"Hee hee hee, so the Upper Celestial Sect's sword is nothing special. Sir, does my body please your eyes?"

"You demon, seeking death!"

With his sword broken, Wang Cong staggered back several steps, nearly falling into the river. But the woman did not pursue, instead standing in place, panting heavily as if exhausted. Upon closer look, the pitiful beauty had become a pale-faced youth, grinning oddly.

"Fox transformations really are useful at critical moments—throw a seductive glance, and any man hesitates. This lewd trickster, where did he learn such moves?"

The scholar crouched in the shadows by the riverbank, watching the chaos unfold on the ship, clicking his tongue in amazement. The boatman beside him, trembling with fear, nonetheless stared wide-eyed, witnessing a battle of yin-yang masters for the first time, utterly engrossed.

"Brother Tu... Is your friend human or demon? He can transform—could he be a fox spirit?"

"Fox spirit? Of course not. He... he's just a hermaphroditic trickster, bad to the core. Listen, don't talk to him much, or he'll steal your first kiss!"

"No need to worry, Brother Tu. I have a wife and children already, and soon I'll take another concubine. But what do you mean by hermaphrodite?"

"Damn it, you're not a virgin? Get lost! Hermaphrodite, he's just a fox spirit!"

The scholar glanced back at the boatman, only a few years younger than himself, and kicked a stone in frustration. Seeing the boatman lower his head in silence, he begrudgingly returned his gaze to the river.

Meanwhile, another Upper Celestial Sect disciple approached Lu Xin. Yet the youth kept his eyes shut, unmoving. The man seemed curious, neither binding nor waking Lu Xin, just observing.

"My god! What's happened to Xin? Sleeping at a time like this—dreaming of the moon goddess?"

Page (1/3)

The scholar grew anxious, biting his lip, afraid he'd cry out. Just then, the Upper Celestial Sect disciple moved, reaching slowly for the Immortal Wandering Sword. Suddenly, the meditating youth snapped open his eyes and, in a blink, appeared behind him.

The scene startled Feng Li, the disciple, his eyes wide. But he didn't turn immediately—instead, he quietly summoned a yellow talisman.

"Impressive movement. Seems you are skilled with the sword."

"Upper Celestial Sect disciples also use swords, but you value Daoist arts more—you have sword moves, but no sword intent. In truth, you are unworthy of swords."

"Hahahaha... How bold! The Sect Master is the greatest sword immortal in the world—before mastering the Dao, his swordsmanship was already sublime. What do you know, mere martial artist? Our sect is full of talent; Senior Brother Yu Yi of the Demon-Slaying Hall defeated the greatest sword sage in the land. You're just a frog at the bottom of a well."

With that, Feng Li spun around. The talisman turned to lightning, coating his sword. Lu Xin could feel a formless power rising from the void, pressing down with overwhelming force.

He had once sparred with Master Du Zhou, also a yin-yang master, but that one's magic was nowhere near as strong as Feng Li's. Under Feng Li's surging aura, Lu Xin had to retreat, his expression darkening. The disruption of his stance scattered his sword intent—a grave mistake in battle.

But Feng Li cared nothing for his readiness; lightning danced on his blade as he lunged for Lu Xin's chest. He moved so fast that Lu Xin barely had time to respond, hastily turning his sword to block.

Bang!

It felt as if a dozen wild horses had slammed into him at once. The force through the blade sent Lu Xin flying, crashing into the cabin and punching a hole in the deck. Already weakened by corpse poison, he immediately coughed up two mouthfuls of blood.

"Xin?"

Yue Buhui, tangled with Wang Cong at the stern, saw Lu Xin thrown back and his face changed. The corpse poison meant he couldn't use his full magic, forced to dodge constantly and unable to help.

"I'm fine—just don't lose!"

"Hmph, your emperor could never lose to a mere underling. But you, don't die before reaching Chang'an."

"Relax, I have a stubborn life!"

With a low cry, Lu Xin sprang up. The instant his feet touched the deck, his sword lunged at Feng Li faster than the eye could follow. Now, his body flowed with the sword's momentum—appearing left, then right, drifting like a dragon riding the wind, elusive.

Feng Li stood at the prow, slashing sword aura several times but failing to hit. His face grew grim. Two seconds later, the youth's sword appeared behind him. Feng Li was startled, but as a yin-yang master, he roared, unleashing magic to block the sword tip.

Indeed, the Immortal Wandering Sword was about to pierce Feng Li's body but stopped short. An invisible force wrapped the blade, immobilizing both sword and fingers.

Feng Li turned, exhaling onto his left palm; three strands of red-and-yellow flame appeared.

"Strange, isn't it? This is the difference between mortals and yin-yang masters—your sword can't even touch my body, let alone speak of sword intent. Boy, this Daoist true flame in my hand could reduce you to ashes in an instant. But if you surrender, I guarantee you'll live!"

"Oh? Do you know why your Sect Master ordered my capture?"

"The Sect Master has his reasons. As disciples, we obey orders; what need for explanations?"

"Hmph, refusing reason will only get you killed!"

Lu Xin's brow twitched. The Immortal Wandering Sword began to hum, then erupted with a sharp sword aura that instantly tore Feng Li's robe and cut his flesh. Feng Li cried out in pain, his magic dissipating. Lu Xin seized the moment, thrusting the sword into his chest—blood spilling everywhere.

"My sword is now an inch from your heart—no matter how mighty your magic, you can't wield a bit of it. Tell me, should I kill you or let you live?"

"Your sword can emit sword aura with internal energy—how is that possible!"

Feng Li's pupils shrank, utterly terrified. The youth before him, though his internal strength was weak, could magnify it through the sword—enough to produce sword aura. This defied common sense, for only magical power could attach to weapons.

"Hmph, I won't kill you—but you'll sleep for a while!"

Lu Xin offered no explanation, rendering him unconscious with a palm strike, then retrieving his sword. He took a deep breath, feeling dizzy, and slumped to the ground.

He looked down at his arm—his veins had blackened, and his heart and lungs ached faintly. Clearly the corpse poison was coursing through his meridians, invading his organs.

"Sigh, I really can't use internal energy. Looks like I won't make it to Wu Prefecture."

Looking back, the Yang sisters and the middle-aged man fought fiercely atop the carriage and ship. On Yue Buhui's side, the fight was still undecided. Lu Xin frowned, anxious—the strength of the Upper Celestial Sect far exceeded his expectations.

Boom!

A thunderbolt fell from the sky. Two seconds later, the wind and rain intensified, swelling the river into turbulence. The ship rocked violently as Lu Xin prepared to help Yue Buhui, but overhead appeared a blood-red flying sword.

"Brother Ouyang, don't harm the people of Miaojiang. Our task is simply to bring the youth back to Dragon City!"

Page (3/3)