Chapter 382. Playing a Zither Before an Ox (1)

The Sect Master of the Mount Song Sect, the One Hundred and Eighty Nine Paths, was a swordsman so skilled that he could be called the Middle Mountains' First Sword.

Putting aside their personalities, the leaders representing the Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance were all outstanding in skill, and were all included among the One Hundred Experts Under Heaven. The only exception was the Sect Master of Mount Hua Sect, who was young and had not yet appeared in the

gangho

to prove his skills.

“Tsk!”

Zhao Wuyang clicked his tongue and used his footwork technique.

"You dare!"

The One Hundred and Eighty Nine Paths stretched his sword forward. Mount Song's One Branch Sword drew a straight line, aiming for Zhao Wuyang’s neck.

“Hmph!”

Zhao Wuyang was a typical arrogant brazen man of the Righteous Faction. To be honest, his personality wasn't great either. He also judged people by their talent, bloodline, and who their disciple siblings were. If one were to rank the most disliked elders in the Mount Hua Sect, he would confidently be first.

However, despite that, the reason he was able to rise to the ranks of the Five High Elders of Mount Hua was because of his undeniable skill.

"How audacious!"

Zhao Wuyang twisted his body with a flashy kick.

Using the Hundred Divine Transformations, a transformation movement technique that caused sudden changes in movement, he avoided the sword aimed at his neck and counterattacked.

Woosh!

Raising his left arm and holding it horizontally at his waist, he readied a palm.

As he concentrated his strength, the air around him changed. In the next moment, his palm burst outward, aimed directly at his opponent.

It was the Mount Hua Sect’s Falling Blossoms Chasing Shadows Palm (落花追影掌), a palm technique that allowed one to strike even fluttering flower petals in mid-air.

BANG!

Zhao Wuyang's palm struck the One Hundred and Eighty Nine Paths. To be exact, it wasn't his body, but the sword he held, which was caught firmly in Zhao Wuyang’s grip.

Zhao Wuyang narrowed his eyebrows, clearly dissatisfied.

"Inner Eight Paths, Outer Nine Paths (內八路外九路)!"

The One in the One Hundred and Eighty Nine Paths’ title was the One Branch Sword, and the Eighty Nine Paths were the Inner Eight Paths, Outer Nine Paths.

Whether it was the former or the latter, they were the Mount Song Sect’s signature techniques, and the One Hundred and Eighty Nine Paths had mastered these two sword techniques to the highest degree.

The One Branch Sword was a quicksword technique that maximized stabbing, while the Inner Eight Paths, Outer Nine Paths, was a sword technique formed for offensive and defensive purposes. Its characteristic feature is that it has eight paths inward and nine paths outward.

"You idiot, you can't even hold a sword!"

The One Hundred and Eighty Nine Paths, like the other arrogant members of the Righteous Faction, was proud of his own martial arts and looked down on everything else.

In particular, because he was obsessed with swords, he looked down on other types of martial arts.

“What?”

Destiny Hand, Zhao Wuyang’s expression turned fierce.

The Mount Hua Sect had been known for its swordsmanship for generations. For disciples who chose any path other than the sword, they were seen as untalented, even inferior. Zhao Wuyang was no exception. From a young age, he had felt that gaze within the Mount Hua Sect, whether intentionally or not. Outside the sect, it was far worse.

Ironically, the person who judged him the most harshly was himself. The reason he had devoted himself to martial arts and made a name for himself by performing feats in the

gangho

had been to shake off this disdain.

"Yes, yes, that incredible sword of yours! I'll crush it thoroughly!” Zhao Wuyang's shouted angrily.

Clang! Clang!

Sparks flew as swords clashed.

Their swords glinted under the sunlight, flashing with dazzling light.

Clang!

The sound of the swords clashing grew louder.

“Plum Blossom Sword Captain!”

“Mount Tai Sect's Sword!”

Wei Zhijie and the Mount Tai Sect's Sword faced each other with their swords raised.

“Sword Captain!”

A Plum Blossom Swordsman shouted in the distance.

“Protect the Sect, not me!”

Even though the Mount Hua Sect was strong, the Three Mountain Sword Sects Alliance’s power was undeniable. Outnumbered nearly two to one, they were bound to be at a disadvantage. That was why they had divided the Plum Blossom Swordsmen and deployed them in various places.

"You brat! How dare you look aside with me in front of you!"

The Mount Tai Sect's Sword roared.

"GRAH!"

His voice was thunderous, carrying the weight of Mount Tai itself.

SCREEECH!

The sword of Mount Tai destroyed the enemy.

It wasn’t just a metaphor. The aura from the blade surged forward and engulfed Wei Zhijie’s sword.

“Ugh!"

Wei Zhijie groaned and backed away.

The scary thing about the Mount Tai Sect wasn't the solid foundation of its sword or the heaviness. It was the secret sword technique that only the Sect Masters were allowed to learn.

Twelve Momentums of Mount Tai!

The Twelve Momentums of Mount Tai was one of the greatest sword techniques among the internal penetration techniques.

That technique has the power to destroy qi with sword aura. While its qi consumption has to be incredibly high, since someone like the Sect Master of Mount Tai should have received major support from a young age, he should last longer than expected.

Wei Zhijie tightened his grip on his sword.

Then, avoid direct contact.

To be known as the strongest of the Five High Elders of Mount Hua, and to lead the elite Plum Blossom Swordsmen, was no hollow title.

One had to have skills in the sword, experience, and even portray the five virtues to be recognized as the Sword Captain.

"RAH!"

The Mount Tai Sect’s Sword roared and kicked the ground.

He looked like a wild boar charging, but he wasn't to be taken lightly.

Among the sword styles of the Righteous Faction, the Mount Tai Sect was the owner of one of the few completely destructive martial arts.

Thrum!

Muscles swelled in his right hand holding his sword. Thick veins stood out under the skin.

As soon as Wei Zhijie saw Mount Tai Sect's Sword's sword glowing fiercely, he moved half a step to the left and dodged the sword.

Transformation sword!

But he didn’t stop at dodging.

His sword snapped forward, aiming straight for the enemy’s arm.

It wasn’t just a quick thrust. The blade trembled slightly, producing a shadow at the tip.

Emerging Plum Blossom!

He had unleashed an illusion sword technique of the Twenty-four Sword Forms of the Plum Blossom. As the name suggested, this sword created an afterimage, just like a plum blossom gradually blooming.

Wei Zhijie had been the first in his generation of the Mount Hua Sect to master Twenty-four Sword Forms of the Plum Blossom. His skill was truly artistic.

Then, he followed up with the Blossoms Through the Wind and the Resplendent Plum Blossom, completely displaying Mount Hua's illusion sword technique.

The Mount Tai Sect’s Sword shifted his eyes.

Foolish tricks!

His enemy had used an illusion sword to prevent the swords from clashing.

It is an exemplary alternative to the Twelve Momentums of Mount Tai. However, that alone wasn't enough.

Sword Wind Force!

He turned his stance and rotated his sword halfway, now pointing with the flat of the blade instead of the edge. Then he tensed his abdomen and generated rotational force using his waist as the axis, channeling that force into the sword.

"HA!"

An illusion sword technique relied on deception.

The counter to this kind of sword was surprisingly simple.

If all one could see was the afterimage, then the solution was to destroy the afterimage itself.

That plan had led to the creation of the Sword Wind Force.

I'll destroy that 'great' trademark technique of Mount Hua for you with my sword!

Clang, clang, clang!

Squelch! Squelch!!

"Agh!"

"Ugh!"

“Block it!”

The once-honored sacred mountain had become a cursed battlefield. Blood flowed like a river, and corpses were piled like a mountain. Bodies tumbled down the stone steps, rolling on their own because of the slope.

“Break through!"

The Mount Song Sect, The Mount Tai Sect, the Mount Heng Sect.

Those dissatisfied with the leadership of the Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance had joined forces, and their strength was greater than expected. They were indeed worthy of being part of the prestigious Righteous Faction.

From above, the battle strength of the Mount Hua Sect and the Three Mountain Sword Sects Alliance looked evenly matched. Mount Hua’s advantage was the familiar terrain and training environment. The disciples were also individually strong, just as expected from the leader of the Five Mountain Sword Sects Alliance.

On the other hand, since the Three Mountain Sword Sects Alliance had twice as much power, it wasn't easy to defend against them.

Naturally, there were many casualties.

“Where is the Sect Master of the Mount Hua Sect?!”

While the One Hundred and Eighty Nine Paths and the Mount Tai Sect’s Sword each took charge of the Five High Elders of Mount Hua and the elite, Chaoyi Shitai led her group further into the sect.

Like salmon swimming upstream, they climbed up from the gate, past the training halls and trees lined up in rows.

Not long after, a figure appeared in front of a clear water pond, the Jade Maiden Pond.

“Zheng Huilian!”

Chaoyi Shitai smiled coldly.

"Even though you're young, how could someone like the Sect Master of Mount Hua Sect be so scared... You should know some shame.”

In her eyes, which held a darkness like a bottomless pit, negative emotions swirled violently.

Below her gaze, Zheng Huilian stood surrounded by the disciples of Mount Hua.

He didn’t react to her words. Instead, he stepped forward and looked down at her.

“You better not think that I will fall for such a cheap provocation, you traitor of Mount Heng.”

The smile on Chaoyi Shitai’s face disappeared.

“How dare you look down on me... No, you all have been looking down on me like that all along.”

Her chest burned. Her head throbbed with so much anger, it felt like it was going to burst.

“You trampled on our sect, which has worked hard to overcome Mount Hua Sect, ignored us, and treated us like we were nothing!” Chaoyi Shitai roared in anger.

“I’ll start by digging out those arrogant eyes!”

Chaoyi Shitai’s emotions had long since exploded. It was surprising that she had held back this long without attacking the moment she saw them.

She didn’t show any of the Righteous Faction’s characteristic way of controlling her emotions. There was only hatred and anger.

“Come.”

Zheng Huilian drew his sword. Although he hadn’t yet achieved completion and could not radiate violet aura, his sword techniques were still sharp.

“Kill everyone except the Sect Master!”

“Protect the Sect Master!”

Thud, thud, thud!

At the summit of the Mount Hua Sect, two groups clashed.

Chaoyi Shitai became a gale, trying to pierce through defenses of the Mount Hua Sect.

"Where do you think you're going?!"

Third generation disciples, Meng Ge and Tan Xiang, who were famous even among the Plum Blossom Swordsmen for their great chemistry, stepped in to block her path without hesitation.

“Get out of the way!” Chaoyi Shitai roared.

Meng Ge and Tan Xiang used their qi to protect their eardrums from her piercing shout, then attacked her from both sides.

However, their attacks didn't even touch a single hair on Chaoyi Shitai, much less cause fatal injuries.

“What the—!”

“Ugh!”

Meng Ge and Tan Xiang were unable to hold out and dropped to the ground.

The Sect Master of the Mount Heng Sect, the North Mountain's First Sword, easily broke through without having to exchange more than a few strikes with the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.

“Zheng Huilian!”

It was at this moment, when the sword qi on Chaoyi Shitai's sword condensed and solidified into sword aura.

A shadow appeared behind Zheng Huilian’s back and blocked the way.

Clang, clang, clang!

The Sect Master of the Mount Hua Sect didn’t even blink an eye. The swords' qi exploded and the sword pressure was released, but he did not back down and stood tall like a tree. His back was straight and his chin was slightly raised, giving him a proud look.

“Sect Master, are you okay?”

The sword aimed to split his head had been blocked by two blades crossing in an X shape.

Chaoyi Shitai gritted her teeth when she saw who they belonged to.

“Iron Blood Plum Sword! Gentle Smiling Swordsman!”

Five High Elders of Mount Hua, Shen Yulian, and Liu Zhengmu, known as the Sword God’s master.

“Be careful of the Mount Heng Sect’s Blossom Severing Petal Scattering Sword Technique. That sword was made to counter the Mount Hua Sect’s sword techniques. It’s the same reason why those two were so easily taken down before.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Elder Shen.”

Sssss.

Shen Yulian’s sword energy increased in layers, then solidified into one, creating a sword aura.

She wasn’t the only master of Harmony Realm. The bluish aura on Liu Zhengmu’s sword also surrounded his blade.

The sight of the mist that flowed like water overlapping and solidifying was clearly a sword aura.

“Ha!”

The two of them simultaneously pushed Chaoyi Shitai away.

Somewhere in Shaanxi.

“Senior Brother, there’s not much left. Just hold on a little longer," Luo Xiaoyue cheered while tucked into Zhou Xuchuan’s side.

Given his personality, Master wouldn't hide!

Liu Zhengmu was a righteous person.

Zhou Xuchuan would rather that his master would hide somewhere and receive protection, but Liu Zhengmu's personality wouldn't allow that.

He would rather step ahead of others or make the sacrifices himself, but he was never the type of person to hide or run away.

If Master gets hurt...

Zhou Xuchuan’s face twisted like that of a demon’s.

I'm going to make them beg for me to kill them!