Chapter 206: Chapter 181: Moment of Crisis_1
Clang!
With a single sword stroke, the avatar of the Nine Heavenly Blade was sent flying backward. Simultaneously, the dancing sword light managed to block the two arrows shot by the Avatar of the Chasing Star Arrow.
Clearly, after using the power of his Martial Spirit, Li Wenxuan’s strength had surged, making the avatar of the Chasing Star Arrow unable to threaten him.
"Shrouded faces, hiding and revealing, today I will cut off your heads, to see who you truly are!"
Li Wenxuan’s hoarse voice echoed as he charged with his sword towards the avatar of the Nine Heavenly Blade. His Sea-Sand Swordmanship flowed like water, streaming out in an instant, eighteen continuous strokes.
The avatar of the Nine Heavenly Blade was left clumsily defending, barely managing to hold on with the help of another barrage of arrows from the avatar of the Chasing Star Arrow, thereby relieving some of the pressure. Without this assistance, it would definitely have been unable to defend itself.
Even so, a sword strike managed to land on the abdomen of the avatar of the Nine Heavenly Blade.
"There’s no blood?"
Li Wenxuan was slightly taken aback.
At this moment, a cry of alarm sounded from the side.
It turned out to be a maid who hadn’t had time to flee. She had caught a good look at Li Wenxuan’s face, and it was filled with fear.
Li Wenxuan’s face turned cold. With a shake of his arm, he shot out a bone spike that pierced through the maid’s brow.
"Happily accepting the chance to live, yet intentionally seeking death."
Li Wenxuan’s low voice echoed as he continued his fierce assault on the avatar of the Nine Heavenly Blade.
In the meanwhile, Lu Yan had finally arrived with his true form.
The Avatar of the Chasing Star Arrow threw the bow to Lu Yan’s true form.
Lu Yan’s true form drew the bow and notched the arrow. His inner strength rushed forth, pouring into the bow and arrow.
Whoosh!
The arrow flew out, pulling along a long trail of air waves, aiming straight for Li Wenxuan’s forehead.
Li Wenxuan’s face changed, his expression turning more savage. Not caring to attack the avatar of the Nine Heavenly Blade, he retreated to deflect the arrow with his war sword.
Clang!
The war sword connected with the arrow. Instantly, the arrow exploded into dust and a great force shook the war sword wildly. Li Wenxuan staggered backward five paces.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Lu Yan swiftly fired two more arrows.
Li Wenxuan used all his strength to defend. The first arrow was successfully blocked, but the second was barely deflected. His defense was wide open, and he retreated over a dozen steps, his hands trembling.
Chirp!
The avatar of the Nine Heavenly Blade seized the opportunity and slashed. The blade hit Li Wenxuan’s neck.
Although Li Wenxuan managed to dodge in the nick of time, half of his neck was still severed, black threads connecting the severed part as he rapidly healed.
Whoosh!
Lu Yan seized the opportunity and shot again with his bone strength, hitting Li Wenxuan’s chest this time, creating a gaping hole that was clear from front to back.
A dense mist emerged from Li Wenxuan’s body, out of which a black shadow appeared.
This shadow was a strange beast, appearing like a skeletal tiger, with spikes all over its body.
The shadow pounced, reaching towards the avatar of the Nine Heavenly Blade, fast as lightning.
The avatar of the Nine Heavenly Blade blocked with its blade. With a loud bang, it was sent flying dozens of meters away.
The distance was simply too great.
After sending the avatar of the Nine Heavenly Blade flying, the shadow attempted to pounce on Lu Yan. However, Lu Yan used the Cloud Walk technique to retreat swiftly while firing two more arrows. This forced the shadow to return and block.
The shadow managed to effectively block the arrows.
At this moment, the avatar of the Chasing Star Arrow had already found a large iron bow and a quiver of metal arrows in a nearby practice room, hiding on the side, far from the shadow, and providing supporting fire.
Under the continuous shooting from both his real body and avatar, Li Wenxuan was left frantically running around. After an oversight, he was hit by another arrow.
The avatar of the Nine Heavenly Blade regained its footing on the side, looking for an opportunity to strike.
Anger was burning inside Li Wenxuan, along with a sense of confusion.
Who were these three people?
Why had they suddenly attacked his residence, clearly intending to kill him? All of them were Grandmasters.
Among them, there were two Masters of Archery, one stronger than the other.
Thinking about the Master of Archery reminded him of the people who had besieged Liu Zhenshuo.
"Could this person be a friend of Li Xingyuan seeking revenge for him? But how would he know that Li Xingyuan is dead?"
Thoughts surged in Li Wenxuan’s heart.
Facing the siege of three, powerful beings, he was entirely on the back foot, relying on the support of his Martial Spirit, otherwise, he would have been dead already.
....
At the time when Lu Yan had infiltrated Li Wenxuan’s residence, Li Wenxin and the others had already departed.
Li Wenxin, Wang Dao, Yang Zhihuan, and others had all set off with their families. Their luggage filled several horse carts, all heading towards the west city gate.
This was the route previously arranged with Lu Yan.
Head to the west first as a decoy, then head northward to Changfeng City.
Luckily, the commander of the western city gate happened to be one of Li Wenxin’s subordinates.
Before long, the entire group arrived near the western city gate, only to be met with a large number of troops.
"Halt."
A commanding officer bellowed, clad in iron armor and holding a spear, appearing formidable.
Li Wenxin rode out and said, "I am Li Wenxin. Let us pass."
"Li Wenxin, we have been waiting for you."
The commanding officer of the troops coldly replied.
"Where is Li Gao? Have him come see me."
Li Wenxin demanded, although his brows furrowed slightly, revealing a twinge of unease.
"Li Gao conspired with Li Wenxin to rebel and has been arrested. He will be put on trial at a later date."
"Listen all, Li Wenxin tried to assassinate the Ancestor and conspired to rebel. Arrest them all and let none escape."
The commanding officer of the troops shouted.
All the troops exchanged glances.
Li Wenxin? Attempting to assassinate the Ancestor?
They could hardly believe their ears.
Upon hearing the commanding officer, a sinking feeling filled the hearts of Li Wenxin and the others. They knew that they were a step too late, Li Gao had already been captured.
Since Li Wenxuan had chosen to act, there was no way he would spare the commander of the troops, who held such great power.
"Listen everyone, prepare to break through."
Li Wenxin quietly told Li Cangqing, Yang Zhihuan and others, with a short spear already in his hands.
"Li Wenxin, don’t even think about escaping."
A voice echoed through the air like a rolling thunderclap.
An old man with a bald head glided forward like a large bird, covering hundreds of meters in a single leap and rapidly closing the distance.
Li Wenxin’s face turned grave.
This man was none other than Li Xinghen, one of the three grandmasters of the Li Family.
Li Xinghen moved at an astonishing speed. After several leaps, he arrived closeby and jumped over Li Wenxin and the others like a giant bird, landing in front of them.
"Elder."
The martial soldiers saluted him.
"Li Wenxin, you’ve assassinated the Family Head, leading to his grave injuries and eventual death. What punishment do you think you deserve?"
Li Xinghen shouted.
His words exploded like thunder in the crowd’s hearts.
The Family Head, was he really dead?
And was he killed by Li Wenxin?
"Elder, my father would never kill our own tribal head. Don’t be fooled by others."
Li Cangqing shouted loudly.
"The Family Head personally told me this before his death, so it can’t be wrong. Li Wenxin, surrender yourself for your punishment."
Li Xinghen shouted again.
"Li Xinghen, it’s clearly you and Li Wenxuan who conspired to kill the Family Head and blame me for it. Everyone, Li Xinghen and Li Wenxuan are the real culprits. They now want to exterminate us completely. I fled the city at night only after receiving prior information. Don’t be deceived by them."
Li Wenxin shouted loudly.
The martial soldiers looked at each other, unable to discern the right from wrong.
"Li Wenxin, at this point, you still want to deny? Do you think you can deceive the world? I will capture you first for further questioning. The truth will eventually come to light."
Li Xinghen said coldly, his inner strength surging as he took a step forward.
Li Wenxin gripped his spear tightly, his veins popping.
Li Cangqing, Yang Zhihuan and the others also prepared themselves for battle.
It was impossible to surrender.
If need be, they’d rather die fighting.
"Li Xinghen, if you want to take action, you’ll have to go through me first."
One figure bolted from the city. As fast as the previously arrived Li Xinghen.
The figure quickly arrived at the scene.
"Greeting, Elder."
The crowd saluted again.
This was an old woman with snow-white hair. She was the last of the three grandmasters of the Li Family, Li Xingchen.
Li Xingchen stood protectively in front of Li Wenxin, confronting Li Xinghen alone.
The brows of Li Xinghen furrowed. He said, "Li Xingchen, you want to shield Li Wenxin? Li Wenxin killed the Family Head. Such a crime must be punished."
"Do you take me for a three-year-old child, so easy to deceive? I watched Wenxin grow up. I know very well what kind of person he is. He would absolutely not harm the Family Head."
"On the other hand, you previously said that the Ancestor’s untreated internal injuries suddenly flared up due to age, which made it inconvenient for him to meet outsiders. But now, you’re saying that Wenxin killed the Ancestor. It seems like the truth and lie are up to your whims. I have serious doubts whether the death of the Family Head is related to you."
Li Xingchen coldly retorted.
"Li Xingchen, don’t baselessly slander people!"
Li Xinghen shouted angrily.
"Aren’t you doing the same?"
Li Xingchen responded coldly.
"Li Xingchen, it seems that your heart is set on protecting Li Wenxin today. Maybe, you are Li Wenxin’s accomplice. I was always wondering how Li Wenxin, who isn’t but a Martial Marquis, managed to kill our Family Head. It must be with your help! Today, both of you will be brought to justice!"
Li Xinghen shouted, leaping forward with a palm attack towards Li Xingchen.
"Wenxin, I will hold off this bald guy, take the opportunity to leave quickly."
Having said this to Li Wenxin, Li Xingchen charged forward to meet Li Xinghen’s attack and they started fighting.
"Martial soldiers, capture Li Wenxin and his followers, regardless of whether they are alive or dead."
The leading martial soldier shouted.
"Don’t let him fool you, he’s on Li Wenxuan’s side. They’ve captured your commanding officer Li Gao. They’ve been harboring malicious intentions for a long time. If you help him, you are an accomplice."
Li Wenxin shouted back.
The martial soldiers looked at each other in bewilderment, not knowing which side to take.
The commanding martial soldier had seized control of the military command token from Li Gao, but Li Wenxin was a potential candidate for the Li Family Head.
Whose orders should they follow?
"Attack!"
Li Wenxin obtained the effect he desired. He flew forward, aiming for the commanding martial soldier.
The soldier was no match for Li Wenxin and was sent flying with one strike. He crashed into the city wall.
"Make way."
Li Wenxin returned to his horse, spurred it onwards, displaying a formidable might.
Yang Zhihuan and the others followed closely behind.
Unable to discern right from wrong, the martial soldiers did not dare to obstruct them and stepped aside.
Li Wenxin and his companions charged out of the city gate without any resistance, disappearing into the night outside the city.
Li Xinghen was burning with rage. He went all out against Li Xingchen, trying to shake her off so he could give chase, but his strength was about equal with Li Xingchen’s. Despite using every trick in the book, he couldn’t get rid of her.
The fight moved from inside the city to the outside.
From outside the city, they moved into the depths of the night.
...
Splutter!
Li Wenxuan was hit by an arrow again.
This arrow struck him directly between his eyebrows, causing a large portion of his head to explode, but his injuries rapidly healed under the effect of martial spirit.
The Nine Heavenly Blade’s avatar took this opportunity to charge forward, cutting Li Wenxuan in half at the waist with one slice of the blade.
But the dark shadow also seized the opportunity. With a swipe, he sent the Nine Heavenly Blade’s avatar flying. His left side was hit, exploding a large piece off of him.
However, the exploded piece wasn’t flesh and blood, but energy which dispersed into the air.
"What the hell is that?"
Li Wenxuan growled.
"Good thing you asked because you, yourself, are a ghostly thing."
Lu Yan responded, firing two more arrows in succession.
