Chapter 302: Chapter 301: We Haven’t Lived Enough Yet
From the moment Black Hibiscus finished speaking, to the sharp rush of qi energy, it all happened so quickly that there wasn’t time for the three of them to react.
At the crucial moment, a wave of blue Sword Qi rushed out from the side, diverting the incoming energy to just graze past Black Hibiscus and pierced directly through a big tree, the size of which could take three people to wrap their arms around.
Crack.
The tree fell.
Only then did Black Hibiscus and the others belatedly realize what had happened, standing dumbfounded on the spot.
Thump, thump, thump.
The person in the shadows clapped continuously, the terrifying palm shadows forming a fan shape, instantly flooding the area where the three of them were located.
"Move!"
Drawing his sword, Shi Xiaole’s first move was the Death Claiming Thirteen Strikes. His sharp Sword Qi was as fine as silk, constantly moving back and forth, slicing through the incoming palm shadows.
He barely held on for a moment before the Death Claiming Sword Qi was penetrated. Fortunately, by this time, Shi Xiaole and the three others had already moved far away.
The person who attacked was a powerful expert in the first layer of the Spiritual-Passage Realm, certainly beyond Shi Xiaole’s abilities.
"Who is it, show yourself."
Master Yinyi, a middle-aged nun, appeared, leapt into the woods, and hence a burst of vibrantly colored qi energy exploded.
"What just happened?"
Black Hibiscus, still in shock and recalling how she was saved by Shi Xiaole, looked at him with a complex expression.
"We’ll know when Master returns."
Shi Xiaole answered lightly.
There were four experts in the first layer of the Spiritual-Passage Realm in the entire Red Jade Temple, according to Shi Xiaole’s covert investigation. Among them, one was in charge of procuring goods, and was unknown to others due to her hidden martial arts skills.
Some time later, Master Yinyi walked out of the woods with an angry voice, "That person has exceptional flying skills, she managed to escape."
Master Yinyi was at the third level of the Spiritual-Passage Realm, limited by her martial arts and potential, making her strength not particularly impressive within the same realm.
"Master, could you identify her?"
"I couldn’t, she was very cautious, covered in a black robe, wearing a mask, and even had gloves on."
As she spoke, the expression on Master Yinyi’s face became extremely somber.
Actions speak louder than words.
If the Red Jade Temple were truly innocent, why would someone attempt to murder them?
Could it be that someone behind the scenes took actions in the name of the Red Jade Temple, committing foul deeds without the knowledge of its leader?
Master Yinyi looked at the three of them and said, "The three of you are not safe on your own. Why don’t you come back to the Red Jade Temple with us?"
Her words carried dual meanings. First, she indeed wanted to protect them. Second, she feared they would spread news of the incident causing a bigger mess. There was an implicit meaning of ’surveillance’ in her words.
Black Hibiscus was smart enough to understand this, but she was also afraid of being targeted, rather be safe than sorry, after some hesitation she agreed.
Once they returned to Red Jade Temple and Black Hibiscus and the others were settled, Shi Xiaole immediately shared his suspicions with Master Yinyi.
"Are you sure about this?"
Master Yinyi looked shocked. She didn’t know who Shi Xiaole was, but the leader had shown him great respect, so she took him seriously.
Given that he had seen Lingyu displaying martial arts, they had to take this matter seriously.
That night, Master Yinyi went to see Jing Xincheng to discuss what needed to be done. As for follow-up, Shi Xiaole wasn’t able to involve himself more.
With his current strength, he could easily kill opponents at the peak of Xuan Qi ninth layer, but against those in the Spiritual-Passage Realm, he was indeed outmatched.
"Lingyu, why did you hide your skills?"
In a room on the south side of the backyard, Jing Xincheng asked Lingyu.
"Leader, I am not clear about what you mean."
Lingyu, with her good-looking features responsible for procuring all the goods for the temple, shook her head in denial.
Jing Xincheng extended her hand, an unusual internal power erupted from the palm of her hand, aiming towards Lingyu’s head. However, before it could reach her, Lingyu evaded, revealing her status as a cultivator in the first level of the Spiritual-Passage Realm.
"Lingyu, you!"
Master Yinyi was furious.
Yet, Lingyu looked at Jing Xincheng, lamenting, "Leader, are you really going to kill me?"
"What about the missing children from the town at the foot of the hill?"
Jing Xincheng was filled with disappointment.
The people she had sent to investigate had returned confirming Black Hibiscus’s words. Over the past few months, children from the town had disappeared one after another without a trace.
Lingyu even sought to kill Black Hibiscus and the others, making the problem apparent.
Seeing that Lingyu was still lying, Jing Xincheng, tired of the useless talk, swung out her hand, the mighty internal power filled the entire room, ready to capture her.
The only reason she had managed to evade a moment ago was because Jing Xincheng purposefully held back.
"Leader, you should be worried about Young Master Shi."
Who would’ve known that Lingyu was not afraid, but instead started to laugh.
"What did you say?"
The atmosphere in the room froze.
"Just now, as soon as I returned, I informed someone out of fear of exposure. By now, I am assuming that Young Master Shi has been caught."
In the beginning, Lingyu had people follow Shi Xiaole for the purpose of controlling him, aiming to extort Jing Xincheng. Who would have thought that her secret would be exposed so quickly, she did not know where things had gone wrong.
"Lingyu, if anything were to happen to Young Master Shi, I will expose the force behind you and eliminate them!"
The thick killing intent burst forth and Jing Xincheng, clutching Lingyu in one hand, shot out like a spark of electricity.
...
"Young Master, thank you for saving my life earlier."
Hearing a knock on the door, Shi Xiaole opened it to find Black Hibiscus and two others standing outside.
"No need for thanks. As people of the Martial World, we’re duty-bound to draw our swords and help others in distress. Don’t you think so, Miss?"
Shi Xiaole smiled.
Black Hibiscus was taken aback. A flush of red swept over her beautiful dark face. She knew her words had been heard, yet a rush of joy filled her heart.
In the past, whether it had been from elders or friends, she’d been advised relentlessly not to meddle in others’ affairs if she wanted to live in peace and longevity.
But, if everyone stood by in indifference, then who would uphold justice in the Martial World?
Black Hibiscus felt she had found a kindred spirit. Just as she was about to speak, a mountainous pressure descended from the sky. Both the second and third recruits couldn’t even scream before they spurted blood profusely.
Black Hibiscus felt her qi and blood rising, her face turning pale with the sensation of her organs being shifted.
Shi Xiaole wanted to draw his sword but it was too late. This powerful force was much stronger than he’d imagined, rendering him incapable of even unsheathing his weapon.
Clang!
With the activation of the Sword Heart, the green-bladed sword flew from its sheath amidst the overflowing Sword Qi. It slashed forward with a lethal Sword Qi, indiscriminately cutting away at the invisible pressure.
"Huh, he’s actually mastered the Sword Heart?"
A doubtful voice echoed from a distance, gradually intensifying as a man with a horse-like face landed in the courtyard, gazing fixedly at Shi Xiaole.
From his aura, it was clear he’d reached the peak of the ninth layer of the Spiritual-Passage Realm. With a mere movement, he could kill Shi Xiaole.
"Young man, I can hardly believe there are people like you in the Great Cold State."
The horse-faced elder laughed again.
So what if he’s a genius? He’s still trapped in the palms of his hand, his life hanging on a single thread. His energy has already locked onto the youth—from this moment onward, a single move can shatter Shi Xiaole’s meridians and end his life.
"You seem rather pleased with yourself."
Although unable to move his body, Shi Xiaole wasn’t panicked. He knew his opponent wouldn’t kill him just yet. After all, if he died, the opponent couldn’t leave either.
"Shouldn’t I feel pleased?"
The horse-faced elder laughed.
"Let them go!"
A pleasant yet icy command emanated. Above the rooftop, Jing Xincheng was holding Lingyu, her stunning face void of expression.
Damn, how did she infiltrate unnoticed? He hadn’t detected her at all.
This wasn’t Jing Xincheng’s fault, though.
Even a top martial artist on the Wind Dust List would have limits to their sensing range. Considering the horse-faced elder’s high martial arts level, it would be difficult to detect others without deliberately causing trouble.
The horse-faced elder laughed heartily, saying, "What a Glazed Fairy. But how about a wager, to see whose hostage is more valuable?"
Jing Xincheng’s face turned grim.
"Abbess, this disciple is merely an insignificant subordinate. A stalemate brings no benefit to Young Master Shi."
Lingyu timely advised from the side.
Jing Xincheng’s expression changed, then she suddenly laughed, "No, you’re very important. At least, in the eyes of this elder, you’re much more important than Shi Xiaole."
At these words, both Lingyu and the horse-faced elder changed color simultaneously.
If Lingyu were really just a dispensable pawn, then why did the horse-faced elder have to go to such lengths? He could have fled alone. Clearly, his aim was to retrieve Lingyu.
Lingyu gritted her teeth in the dark.
Making a huge mistake, she should have listened to Elder Tan’s advice and left Red Jade Temple upon her arrival. But how on earth had they discovered she’d concealed her martial arts? She’d never revealed it.
Click, click.
The horse-faced middle-aged man had a dark look in his eyes, and a powerful aura gushed out from him. The three Black Hibiscuses were the first to be affected, feeling as if a chunk of their chest had been crushed that they even coughed up liver tissue and blood, their breath becoming weaker and weaker.
Shi Xiaole also didn’t feel great. His body’s qi and blood were churning, as if he were suffocating.
The commotion here attracted the attention of others in the temple. One by one, shadowy figures swooped in and were stunned at the sight that met them.
"Jing Xincheng, release them, or I’ll show no mercy!"
The horse-faced elder roared, seething with murderous intent.
"You dare lay a hand, and not only will Lingyu die, but you also won’t leave Red Jade Temple alive!"
Jing Xincheng was anxious inwardly, but she didn’t back down. She knew that showing even the slightest hesitation would put her at a disadvantage, making it more difficult to rescue Shi Xiaole.
The main problem was, she was only seventy percent confident that she could kill the horse-faced elder before he could act. But how could she gamble with Shi Xiaole’s life?
While the two were talking, nobody noticed Shi Xiaole, not far behind them, fighting against the overwhelming pressure and gradually lifting his hand to grasp the knife at Black Hibiscus’s waist.
"Young Master, it seems we’ll be going to the Yellow Springs together."
Black Hibiscus lay on the ground, barely alive, her gaze growing increasingly scattered.
"Not at all. We both have so much more to live for. I want to explore the Martial World, and you wish to uphold justice. How can we die here?"
The moment he grasped the knife, all tiredness and unease evaporated. Shi Xiaole had a knife in his system space, ready for a sure-kill tactic.
However, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he couldn’t possibly conjure a knife out of nowhere—they’d label him a monster.
"Kid, you dare try sneaky tricks under my watch. I’ll ruin that hand of yours first!"
The horse-faced elder roared with laughter, sending a jolt of internal power towards Shi Xiaole’s knife-holding right hand, about to crush it into powder.
"You dare!"
Jing Xincheng was shaken to her core.
