Chapter 269: Chapter 256: Taking Sides
The newcomer was Baihua Xiu. She walked at the very front, with the sisters Mu Qing and Mu Xia behind her. All three looked weary, and it was clear they had also sustained serious injuries. The other three members of their group were hiding in the back, though they appeared to be in even worse shape. Qii Yang’s face, in particular, was covered in bruises, and his aura had weakened considerably. Of everyone, only the Soaring Water Master, Ouyang Cheng, seemed to have no major problems.
As a Healer, Qii Yang could instantly mend any injury that wasn’t too severe. The fact that he hadn’t healed the bruises on his face meant his power was too depleted; he was now unable to even heal his own body!
After all, converting True Qi into Healing Qi via the Healing Dantian was an extremely taxing process. With insufficient True Qi, it was better to conserve what little one had, so long as the injuries were not severe.
"Hm? Young Master, that guy is actually still alive!"
Hearing Baihua Xiu’s shout, the group’s attention shifted over. When she got a clear look at Nie Yun, a flicker of hatred crossed Muu Shengxue’s eyes as she said softly.
"You despicable thing! How dare you put Seeking Red Powder in front of a trap, getting me injured! Even if you didn’t die before, you’ll die now!"
Qii Yang let out a cold snort and strode over.
He was seething. ’I told Nie Yun to lead, but I walked in front to show off my heroism. I can’t believe I hit a trap so soon! A trap left by a Demon Saint, no less! If I hadn’t had a trump card and exhausted myself getting free, I would’ve been a goner!’
’After that trap, I didn’t dare walk in front anymore. Since Baihua Xiu was on such good terms with this Yun Tong, I let her take the lead!’
’The frustrating part is, only that one time with the Seeking Red Powder trail was there a trap. For the rest of the journey, aside from a few minor skirmishes, Baihua Xiu has been completely unscathed!’
As one of the top young talents of the Divine Holy Empire, ranked in the top ten of the Ultimate Venerable Earth List, Qii Yang was no fool. He had long since figured out that the earlier incident was a deliberate plot by the young man before him. So, the moment he saw that the youth was still alive, his rage flared.
"Yun Tong, I told you to lead the way, yet you dared to guide me into a trap! Plotting against an ally is a heinous crime, and you deserve to die for it! I’ve been generous enough to let you live this long. Now, die for me!"
He took two steps to stand before Nie Yun, let out a cold snort, and extended his palm.
"You’re going to kill me?" Nie Yun feigned a look of shock, seeing that the other man had dropped all pretense.
"That’s right, you should have died long ago! Do you have any idea who Young Master Qii Yang is? When he told you to lead the way, you should have just obediently pushed forward without a single complaint, ready to die at any moment. Not only are you still alive, but you dare to pull these little schemes. You must have a death wish!"
Muu Shengxue shouted as she, too, stepped forward from the back of the group.
"Killing me would violate our agreement! We agreed when we came in here that there would be no killing one another..." Nie Yun shouted.
"That’s right, I did say no killing *each other*. But right now, it’s just me killing you. That’s not mutual. So you can go meet your end with Peace of Mind!"
Qii Yang threw a punch down at Nie Yun. Though his True Qi was severely depleted, his power was still immense. The True Qi formed a surging river in the seawater that obliterated the distance between them and shot forward.
"Qii Yang, what do you think you’re doing!"
Before Nie Yun could even defend himself, a sharp cry rang out as a palm strike shot forward to meet the attack. The two blows collided, sending water splashing everywhere. Baihua Xiu and Qii Yang were both forced back several steps, apparently evenly matched!
Under normal circumstances, Baihua Xiu’s strength was far inferior to Qii Yang’s. But he had been severely weakened by the trap, and he also hadn’t expected anyone to interfere, so he hadn’t used his full power. That was the only reason she had managed to repel him with a single strike.
"Bitch, you dare to block me? You’re courting death!"
Qii Yang roared, his gaze turning vicious.
"Young Master Qii Yang, we agreed when we arrived that we would face all hardships together. Not only did Yun Tong save us before, but when you asked him to scout ahead, he didn’t hesitate for a second! Now that he’s injured, you intend to kill him just because he’s no longer useful? How utterly heartless!"
Ignoring his fury, Baihua Xiu spoke in a clear, firm voice.
’Nie Yun is the one I brought on this mission, and he is also His Majesty the Emperor of the Nie’s Empire. If he dies here, I can only imagine his Three-Headed Demon Pet will turn the entire Empire upside down to avenge him. When that happens, the Baihua Sect will be the first to suffer! For that reason alone, I cannot let Qii Yang kill him!’
"Hmph. I’m killing him today. Get out of my way now, and I’ll spare your life. Otherwise, you can both die right here!"
Qii Yang’s face twisted into a savage mask.
"Everyone, you heard what Young Master Qii Yang said! Yun Tong saved us and led the way for us. Now that he’s no longer useful, he’s going to be killed. Are you all really going to stand by and let that happen? If he can kill Yun Tong today, he can kill you tomorrow! Think about it!"
Baihua Xiu’s voice rang out as she scanned the faces of the others.
"Heh, Baihua Xiu, there’s no need to try and sow discord," Muu Shengxue said with a laugh. "Young Master Qii Yang is heroic and magnanimous, a man of unparalleled integrity. As long as we remain loyal to him, why would he ever turn on us?"
"I’ve worked with Young Master Qii Yang many times, and I’ve always found him to be a good man. Don’t bring trouble upon yourself," Ouyang Cheng said, giving Baihua Xiu a strange, sarcastic look and a cold smile.
With just those few words, the two of them made their position clear: they were siding with Young Master Qii Yang.
"Fine. Just fine! Mu Qing, Mu Xia, what about you two? Are you also going to let Qii Yang murder people at will?"
Baihua Xiu turned to look at the two sisters, Mu Qing and Mu Xia.
"You two had better think carefully," Qii Yang said, his eyes fixed on the two sisters, his tone menacing. "Follow me, and you’ll live well. But if you dare to oppose me... don’t think for a second that I can’t still kill you, even with my True Qi depleted!"
"We..." Hearing the threat, Mu Qing’s face flushed then paled. She hesitated, at a loss for words.
"We, of course, pledge our loyalty to Young Master Qii Yang!" Mu Xia interrupted her sister. She shot a cold glance at Nie Yun and said, "This Yun Tong has been insufferably arrogant from the moment he showed up. He should have died long ago! Even if the Young Master didn’t act, we would have!"
"Mu Xia, you..."
Mu Qing hadn’t expected this from her sister. Her brow furrowed in disapproval.
"Sister, I told you from the start I didn’t agree with cooperating with this Yun Tong. He’s just a Loose Cultivator with no power or backing. What right does he have to work with the two of us? His death is for the best!" Mu Xia’s tone was merciless as she sent the message via Sound Transmission.
’I already promised to cooperate with Yun Tong. It’s too late to turn around and pledge loyalty to Qii Yang now. Since I made the wrong bet, I’ll see it through to the end. I will protect Yun Tong today!’
With a look of grim determination, Mu Qing turned away from her sister and walked over to Baihua Xiu’s side.
"You..." Mu Xia hadn’t expected her sister to do this. Her expression darkened, and she let out a cold snort.
"Haha! Fine! Just fine! Since you two want to die with this Yun Tong, then you can all go together!" Seeing that the lines had been drawn, Qii Yang raised his palms, about to strike. But before his hands could fall, he heard the surrounding water begin to churn violently as a sharp voice, overflowing with a tidal wave of hatred, rang out.
"Qii Yang, today you die!"
