Chen Ping's Sword-Chapter 40: Bringing the Fight to Their Door

Haitang Courtyard.

The banquet resumed, but the few people drinking didn’t have their hearts in it.

Dong Jinzhong sat with a dark face, silent.

Earlier, he sensed the smell of blood drifting over and heard movement. He was the first to take action, but had lost face.

After all, this was Cyan Hall, his own territory.

Someone had come into his house to cause trouble, clearly not respecting him.

Therefore, even though it seemed like he casually threw out a cup, he had already used seventy percent of his strength...

Fiery Inner Force clung to the Golden Cup, and the wine inside instantly burned and evaporated, turning into a blazing fire.

Logically speaking, even a master at the Meridian Passage Realm would find it difficult to take that Heart-Piercing Strike with ease; they’d at least stumble and cough up blood.

Those with slightly weaker skills might even break their arms when blocking, getting pierced on the spot.

It’s not that he didn’t want to go all out...

The opponent was merely a sneaky thief, and he, a dignified Incense Master, couldn’t possibly unleash all his Inner Force angrily, as it would be embarrassing.

But what happened?

The thief was a thief, but the intruder’s skills were extraordinarily strong.

Taking on his Blazing Flame Strike, their figure only paused slightly.

If one didn’t look closely, it was hardly noticeable.

Moreover, after being attacked, they ran even faster.

As a result, he and his people couldn’t even chase after them.

In a blink, their figure disappeared.

Vanishing amidst the vast crowd.

He had really lost face in a big way.

...

Zhuang Hongyi’s cold eyes swept around, looking at everyone present as if each might have a problem.

There is a mole.

Every coincidence is often not a coincidence but has a necessary reason.

She had just arrived, yet someone had come knocking.

Her intuition was sharp...

Earlier, that person secretly approached, ninety-nine percent targeting the "goods" in her hand.

This kind of intuition had saved her life countless times and made her endeavors smooth and basically error-free.

"Meigu, can you tell who the attacker was?"

"Not very old, quite skilled, seemed unfamiliar from previous encounters, unclear whose people they are. But judging by the attire, probably not Government Office constables."

No matter how someone shields them or negotiates, the things they do can’t be brought to the light and must be done stealthily.

If Six Gates’ experts truly investigated here, not only would this strategic discussion have to cease immediately, but they might also be in big trouble.

Because if they investigate, they surely won’t worry about the backing these people have.

This was evident.

Zhuang Hongyi and Dong Jinzhong each inquired with their subordinates, probing for information. But they didn’t notice Chang Sansi, whose complexion had drastically changed, eyes flickering.

’It was them, that kid didn’t die? Tang Sanliang and Lv Xi didn’t come back with them, looks like things turned unfortunate for them. Truly two useless fools...’

He felt a chill in his heart.

The opponent not only survived but also dared to come knocking.

What does this signify?

There’s always a head for grievances, and debts have owners. This is "an eye for an eye, blood for blood."

What a bold move.

Chang Sansi, bearing a secret identity, felt it wasn’t yet time for full involvement.

He preferred staying behind the scenes, scheming before acting.

Rarely did anything compel him to step onto the stage personally.

This time, not only did he misjudge but also erred...

He realized he hadn’t considered failure at all.

What an unforgivable mistake.

Perhaps the peaceful years made him forget those life-and-death struggles, the crisis of living by a thread, and he took it for granted, underestimated that person.

Thinking back to that uncannily handsome youth, speaking eloquently before him, directly stating that if he couldn’t provide three hundred taels of silver in a month, he’d meet with his head.

What was he thinking at the time?

Why did he not feel a hint of caution?

Such figures, as long as they are not dead, always emerge, often doing earth-shattering things, as history has confirmed.

Yet... I thought everything was under control.

Maybe he was getting a little old.

Chang Sansi found himself having more flights of fancy recently. His methods were becoming increasingly gentle and indecisive.

’This isn’t good, really not good. In the Jianghu, hardly anyone remembers the name of the Ghost Sword Scholar from back then anymore.’

He stood silently, paying no attention to the chaos in Haitang Courtyard.

The hair on his body had long stood on end.

At this moment, he sensed danger in the air.

...

"Chang Sansi, pay with your life."

A loud shout erupted outside the courtyard, resonating with souls.

The whistling sword cries pierced the ears.

In their eyes reflected a sea of stars, cascading like a long river waterfall.

It was directed at Chang Sansi, standing dumbfounded on one side.

"Seven Stars Falling into the Vast Sky, it’s Gao Yue..."

"It’s him? There’s been no hatred nor grievance between our Seven-Colored Hall and the Changkong Martial Arts Hall, how did this old fellow come here to start trouble?"

Dong Jinzhong snorted, slightly shifting his palms, turning them blood red.

"Bang..."

The hall trembled suddenly.

Dust fell, obscuring vision... Tables, chairs, cups, and plates, as if blown by a whirlwind, spun towards all directions.

The Cold Iron Gold Thread Palm Cover in Dong Jinzhong’s hands danced like a giant hammer, forming a steel wall.

[Molten Gold Iron Palm].

Mountain Shattering Technique.

Faced with the sword light falling like stars and rain, he remained steadfast.

Regardless of right or wrong, action was necessary, he had to protect his subordinate the Vice Incense Master.

Otherwise, he’d lose everyone’s support, and what kind of Incense Master would he be?

Screech!

A sharp, piercing metal slicing sound pained the eardrums.

Suddenly, two blood lines shot from Dong Jinzhong’s body.

In one move, he had been grazed by the sword light, injuring his arm and shoulder.

"Hongyi, help me."

Dong Jinzhong’s hair and beard stood upright, using all his strength, barely holding on, feeling uneasy.

Gao Yue’s ability to thrive with Changkong Martial Arts Hall was indeed due to extraordinary skills.

He had used all his abilities and still couldn’t block even a single strike.

Luckily, by stroke of fate, he wasn’t alone, there was also Zhuang Hongyi of Chizi Hall.

"Whoosh!"

A flicker of red light flashed, fragrance filling the room.

As Dong Jinzhong’s palms clashed, the sword tip was deflected. Without needing him to ask for help, Zhuang Hongyi had already made her move.

Originally seated, unmoving, Zhuang Hongyi was also enveloped within Gao Yue’s "Seven Stars Falling into the Vast Sky."

She had no choice but to act.

Because she was farther away, slower to act for a moment, yet still made it in time.

Two lengths of Red Silk darted from her waist and sleeve, dancing like Spirit Snakes...

The scent was fragrant.

The intersecting cold lights slashed back and forth, coming and going like lightning.

They actually attacked instead of defended, as dense as a heavenly maiden weaving cloth.

Simultaneously, Qi Force surged on the Red Silk, as gentle and soft as water.

The sword light burst upon the Red Silk, unable to penetrate, unable to sever...

"Red Silk Sword Dance, Profound Water Skill indeed admirable, Zhuang Hongyi, are you also willing to wade into these troubled waters? The revenge of a murdered disciple cannot be forgone; Chang Sansi must die, you should think carefully."

A shadow flashed, the sky full of sword light suddenly vanished.

Their vision blurred briefly, they saw a tall middle-aged figure standing at the hall entrance, as if he hadn’t come in and was still there, his sword pointed diagonally towards the ground.

A powerful Qi Mechanism firmly locked onto everyone in the hall.

Chilling to the bone.