Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Death of Ren Woxing

Yang Wenhao soared across the rooftops, his lightness skill carrying him swiftly over the tiles. He pursued the trail left ahead, following it beyond the city gates.

Ren Woxing and his daughter, Ren Yingying, had already escaped the city, with Dongfang Unrivaled in hot pursuit. Realizing that fleeing endlessly was futile, Ren Woxing and Ren Yingying halted. Now, while Dongfang Unrivaled remained alone, it was best to stake everything on a decisive confrontation. If Yang Wenhao arrived and joined the fray, they would be surrounded, unable even to flee.

Dongfang Unrivaled descended lightly, a cold smile on her lips. "Why have you stopped running?"

Ren Woxing glared at her. "Dongfang Unrivaled, do not think that my injuries allow you to act with impunity."

"Ren Woxing, today I will not grant you another chance," Dongfang Unrivaled replied coldly. "And you, Ren Yingying—I have treated you well, yet you still choose to betray me."

Ren Yingying said, "Dongfang Unrivaled, from the moment you wronged my father, there could never be peace between us."

"Very well," Dongfang Unrivaled sneered, her form flickering like a phantom and leaving only an afterimage behind. In an instant, she appeared before Ren Woxing and struck out with her palm.

A thunderous crack echoed as Ren Woxing gathered his internal energy into his hands, meeting Dongfang Unrivaled’s palm with his own. Seeing this, Ren Yingying hurried forward, channeling her energy into her father to strengthen him.

“Dongfang Unrivaled, my Star-Absorbing Technique is not to be underestimated,” Ren Woxing declared, his expression fierce. Suddenly, an unprecedented force of suction burst from his hands.

Dongfang Unrivaled was startled and quickly severed the flow of her inner strength, forcefully breaking away from Ren Woxing. She retreated several steps.

Had she not been a master of innate skill, and had Ren Woxing not been weakened by his injuries, the outcome might have been very different.

Ren Woxing laughed heartily. “Dongfang Unrivaled, even if you are unmatched beneath the heavens, I still have ways to restrain you.”

Dongfang Unrivaled’s gaze grew grave. The Star-Absorbing Technique was indeed a sinister skill; even as a master, a single misstep could spell disaster.

Suddenly, a cold glint flashed from Dongfang Unrivaled’s sleeve—several silver needles shot forth with a flick of her hand.

“Watch out!” Ren Yingying raised her sword to shield her father. With several metallic clangs, the silver needles fell to the ground. Ren Woxing’s pupils contracted; had it not been for Ren Yingying’s quick response, those needles would have pierced his body.

Ren Woxing said in a low voice, “Dongfang Unrivaled, if you let us go today, we shall not interfere with each other in the future.”

He truly did not wish to gamble with his life, especially with Ren Yingying at his side. Dongfang Unrivaled’s years of cultivation placed her far beyond his reach. Although the Star-Absorbing Technique gave him some leverage, it could not last long. The technique was too easily countered; once his opponent adapted, he would have no advantage.

“Do you take me for a child of three?” Dongfang Unrivaled sneered. “I once humiliated you so thoroughly—I do not believe you would resign yourself to obscurity.”

“So this is a fight to the death,” Ren Woxing replied coldly, his gaze fixed on Dongfang Unrivaled. Her threat was too great to take lightly.

“Enough talk—give me your life!” Dongfang Unrivaled moved with blinding speed, this time avoiding direct contact with Ren Woxing’s palms. Without a direct clash, Ren Woxing could not harm her.

Ren Woxing knew his life hung in the balance—if he did not fight with all his strength, he would perish here. His blood surged, his spirit undiminished compared to ordinary men, but it was a mere remnant of his former might.

No matter how seasoned Ren Woxing was, the difference in strength was undeniable. Dongfang Unrivaled, having suffered once, would not make the same mistake again. She struck Ren Woxing squarely in the chest with her palm. Blood welled up from Ren Woxing’s mouth, splattering the wildflowers and grass beneath his feet.

“Father!” Ren Yingying rushed forward to support him.

Coughing weakly, Ren Woxing struggled to stand. He had barely recovered from his recent rescue and was in no condition to fight a master like Dongfang Unrivaled. After only a few dozen exchanges, he was defeated.

“Yingying, run—I will hold him off,” Ren Woxing said, his gaze resolute. Today, his old life would end here, but before that, he would cover his daughter’s escape.

“Father!” Tears streamed down Ren Yingying’s youthful, beautiful face.

“Go!” Ren Woxing shoved her away and charged at Dongfang Unrivaled.

Tears filled Ren Yingying’s eyes as she looked back, longing to stay. But her father was sacrificing himself for her escape; if she did not go now, all would be in vain.

Wiping away her tears, Ren Yingying whispered, “Father, I will avenge you.” With that, she turned and vanished into the forest.

Dongfang Unrivaled watched Ren Yingying flee, powerless to stop her. Ren Woxing was throwing everything into holding her back, buying time for Yingying’s escape.

“Old fool, you are doomed—and Ren Yingying will not escape either.” Dongfang Unrivaled’s delicate face was cold and indifferent. Her movements were like shadows; Ren Woxing could not distinguish her true form from her afterimages.

Suddenly, the sound of a zither echoed through the forest.

Dongfang Unrivaled paused in surprise—just long enough for Ren Woxing to seize his chance.

“Die!” Ren Woxing’s eyes flashed with murderous intent as he struck.

Dongfang Unrivaled was alarmed, but could not evade in time. It seemed inevitable that she would be hit.

But at that moment, Ren Woxing’s eyes widened—before his hand even touched Dongfang Unrivaled, his body was hurled backward, flying through the air.

To Dongfang Unrivaled’s astonishment, two ghostly figures appeared, each as tall as a man and clad in the armor of ancient soldiers. It was they who had rescued her.

With a harsh clang, the zither’s melody turned shrill. The two spectral soldiers, radiating murderous intent, charged at Ren Woxing as he struggled to rise. Before he could react, they struck him again.

Blood spurted from Ren Woxing, staining the wildflowers and grass around him with crimson.

“It is over.”

A familiar voice drifted to Dongfang Unrivaled’s ear.

As she watched, dozens of phantom weapons appeared in the sky, each pointing directly at Ren Woxing.

Looking up, Ren Woxing’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Yingying, live on.”

(The end of this chapter)