Chen Ping's Sword-Chapter 41: Utter Humiliation

"Is there a misunderstanding in this matter? When did Vice Incense Master Chang kill your disciple? He has been discussing matters with us today and hasn’t been away for a moment. Hall Master Gao might have mistaken someone else."

Dong Jinzhong felt troubled.

Being attacked without reason.

Ever since joining the Seven-Colored Hall, he had never been so aggrieved.

However, lacking martial prowess, he had to offer more explanations.

"You have just one side of the story, you can say whatever you want..."

Gao Yue, being a seasoned member of Jianghu, couldn’t be easily deceived by words. He paid no heed to Dong Jinzhong’s arguments.

In his mind, even if there was a misunderstanding, the murder case was certainly related to the Cyan Hall Branch of the Seven-Colored Hall.

Two people were killed at the scene, both were subordinates of Chang Sansi.

At least, those who abducted Zhang Shirong’s precious daughter Zhang Ruoxue were undoubtedly those two men.

Zhang Shirong had long investigated and interrogated the traitors within his household.

"What Incense Master Dong said is indeed true. Hall Master Gao, as an esteemed person, should reason things out. Even if you don’t believe him, you should believe me."

Zhuang Hongyi seemed oblivious to the murderous intent, her inner Qi flowed like water, cold as ice, yet her face had a delicate smile, warm as fire.

Though slightly older, her charm was undiminished, possessing a peculiar charisma.

Making people particularly believe her words.

Seeing Gao Yue’s expression slightly change, Zhuang Hongyi struck while the iron was hot, smiling even more.

"The Seven-Colored Hall is united, helping one another. Hall Master Gao, it wouldn’t be right to kill without understanding the truth.

The instigator would have no future. If our Seven-Colored Hall acted similarly and sent tribute experts to storm into the Changkong Martial Arts Hall... Such vengeance would never end."

The words were left incomplete, seemingly reasonable.

In reality, Zhuang Hongyi’s gentle words hid sharp blades.

Bluntly telling Gao Yue that he was not alone, that he had disciples, a martial hall, a foundation.

Perhaps he might not win today, but they could escape or spread the message.

In the future, when the Seven-Colored Hall seeks revenge.

He should not cry...

"Do you think I, Gao, am easily scared? Today, it’s not just our Changkong Martial Arts Hall seeking vengeance... Even the Government Office had a Chief Constable killed, and Zhang Shirong’s daughter met her end in the Yellow Springs. This matter, your Seven-Colored Hall can’t bear."

Gao Yue’s expression was indifferent, as if the earlier shouting and fighting were not his doing. He returned the pressure. Once more, he sneered: "No matter what grand claims you make, Chang Sansi must be handed over to us to answer properly.

Otherwise, even if your Seven-Colored Hall is formidable, you can only prepare to withdraw from Xingqing Prefecture."

Zhuang Hongyi and Dong Jinzhong were taken aback upon hearing this.

What?

So many people died, Zhang Shirong’s daughter was still bearable as the other party simply hired someone.

Just a mere merchant, if a real fight ensued, not that hard to deal with.

However, the Chief Constable at the Government Office represents the dignity of Xingqing Prefecture, absolutely cannot be killed.

Even if Xingqing Prefecture doesn’t have a local expert, they could mobilize favors to restrain the City Guards and prevent a sweep. But should the other party become ruthless and invite experts from the Capital’s Six Gates.

Just a couple of Silver Seal Chief Constables could make things difficult for the Seven-Colored Hall.

"Chang San..."

"Eh! Where is he?"

Dong Jinzhong was just about to have Chang Sansi explain himself, to clarify the situation, but when he turned to call, he discovered the space beside him was empty.

The old man who had been quietly standing, dodging the flying bowls and chopsticks quite awkwardly, was nowhere to be seen.

Several people exchanged glances, their eyes full of astonishment.

The Qi mechanisms interlinked, enveloped the hall. Generally, no matter who entered or left, they couldn’t escape the notice of these experts.

But it was so peculiar.

Vice Incense Master Chang Sansi vanished as the confrontation escalated, amidst the verbal sparring.

"A skillful Concealing Breath and Form Technique."

"Stop him."

At this, they cared not about a death fight any longer, moved, darting out of the hall, looking around.

Just as they emerged, they heard more than ten sounds of cries and groans...

A dozen constables and White Servants scattered like waves, flying to the sides.

A silhouette reminiscent of a ghost dashed through them.

That figure was thin, with white whiskers blowing in the wind from under his chin. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Who else but Chang Sansi?

Just as he reached the main street, suddenly, a burst of sword light cleaved the air like a cold moon rising.

Even from afar, the sword’s roar was heard like thunder.

Chang Sansi leapt, landing, engulfed within it.

"It’s Zhuo Yunfei."

Seeing the moon-like sword light, Gao Yue’s pupils slightly contracted, amazed inside.

He had underestimated this junior from the mountain gate.

Though nowadays the mountain gate had fallen, with only a dozen disciples of varying calibers, even ranking the Seven of Primordial was mocked, just to maintain face.

Yet, what was before him?

This swordsmanship, martial art...

Zhuo Yunfei specialized in the Taiyin Heart Scripture and Cold Moon Swordsmanship, a second-rate cultivation technique of the Primordial Sect, one Gao Yue didn’t regard highly.

Having mixed in Prefecture City as a mere constable, how strong could he be?

But now, seeing this sword light, a chilling feeling ran through him.

The sword form, amid its depth, carried an unyielding sharpness.

The intensity of the massacre rivaled the previous Red Silk Sword Dance by Zhuang Hongyi, and its momentum surpassed it by a few measures.

His martial hall’s direct disciples couldn’t compete.

Such talent, at such an age, given a few years...

A hint of cold light flashed in Gao Yue’s eyes, which he quietly suppressed.

The pursuit of Chang Sansi was no longer appealing.

Similar reactions were seen in Dong Jinzhong and Zhuang Hongyi, who had halted their steps.

Thinking, Chang Sansi might meet a terrible fate.

If not captured alive, then killed on the spot.

Because besides Zhuo Yunfei, there stood another person resting his knife, watching from afar, "Rolling Dragon" Tao Fang.

The foremost of the three Chief Constables of Xingqing Prefecture, never fights at the forefront.

But if one thought he was easy to handle, they would be mistaken.

His rotund physique didn’t equate to clumsiness, and his disposition was exceptionally insidious.

To suddenly strike treacherously is first-rate brilliance.

He lurked on the side in the shadows, keeping watch, making it impossible for anyone to force their way through.

"Hmph..."

Amidst the shroud of sword light, a muffled snort sounded.

Under the cold, frost-like moonlit sword light, a figure suddenly swelled as if inflated.

From an ordinary, thin middle-aged man, he abruptly transformed into a robust giant over nine feet tall, with broad shoulders and a strong waist.

His muscles stretched and crackled like countless drawn bowstrings vibrating simultaneously, his bones crackled in rapid succession, blood coursed with a rushing sound that even drowned out the sword’s whistle.

"Clang, clang, clang..."

Three crisp sounds of metal striking stone were heard, as the tall and stout figure of Chang Sansi moved back and forth, displaying his domineering aura with every move he made.

Yet there was a hint of strange, eerie energy.

His hands moved like picking orchids, arms extending and reversing at the joints, lashing out like whips.

His body twisted like a giant snake, tearing through the sword net...

As blood spattered, he took a step forward.

Amidst the flying debris, he had already reached Tao Fang.

His right leg swept across as it hit the ground.

His ten fingers flicked lightly against his ear.

A spray of needle rain shot towards the back of his head, a ghostly blue.

As he lifted his foot, swoosh...

The stone table standing by the roadside snapped at the roots.

With a mighty kick, he sent the table flying like a siege cannon, hurtling with the force of a violent wind towards Tao Fang’s chest.

Let’s see you block this!

This stone table weighed at least five to six hundred pounds, usually only serving as a garden ornament in the crabapple grove.

Now, with a kick from Chang Sansi, it was flung like a small stone, speeding rapidly through the air...

Tao Fang didn’t even think, his body lowered, rebounding sideways like a ball.

Wrapped in the blade’s light, he rolled out an irregular arc...

Just barely evading the stone table, he realized that the domineering, eerie figure had already whisked past him like a wisp of smoke.

He vanished into the street, charged into the crowd, darted into an alley.

"Chase!"

Zhuo Yunfei’s sword shook violently, his body spinning as he leaped backward, the blade drawing a full moon and sweeping away the needle rain.

His eyes were icy, a furious storm raging in his heart.

He couldn’t stop him...

Not only did the opponent get away, but he also had to retreat due to the concealed weapon. It was intolerable.

Clearly, his swordsmanship and martial arts were superior, yet, in combat, it didn’t seem that way.

His opponent’s endless bizarre tactics made him feel deeply unsettled.

His backward motion paused, his right foot lightly touched on a flower tree, and he sprang forth again, chasing fiercely with the sword leading.

In his heart, he pondered.

"This person conceals deeply, his Qi and blood have reached his internal organs, at least connecting two organs... His heart and lungs surge simultaneously, an astonishing power.

Moreover, he can freely twist and elongate his limbs, his body slicked like with oil. Suffering a sword from me, it was only a slight surface wound.’

Zhuo Yunfei originally thought that the murder in the small courtyard couldn’t be the work of Vice Incense Master Chang himself.

Now, he was no longer so sure.

Behind him, Gao Yue followed closely, the two arriving one after the other.

Soon, they stopped simultaneously, shaking their heads with a wry smile.

The flow of people ahead kept moving; even the shadow of Chang Sansi couldn’t be seen.

...

Dong Jinzhong’s face turned from green to pale, stunned for a moment before he became angry and humiliated.

"Investigate, investigate thoroughly for me, find out exactly what Chang Sansi has done, why he fled? And who is framing me, targeting my Cyan Hall over and over?"

Those around him agreed, and the personnel immediately dispersed.

Zhuang Hongyi chuckled lightly, "Sneaky, mouse-like people won’t become great threats. Incense Master Dong shouldn’t focus too much on it; the main tasks are most important."

Though she said that, her gaze was icy cold.

Clearly, she cared more than her words suggested.

If Vice Incense Master Chang hadn’t unexpectedly fled in panic, diverting the attention of Hall Master Gao from Changfeng Martial Arts Hall and the government constables, they might not have escaped so easily.

...

"What a Cold Moon Sword indeed, truly a direct disciple from the Three Sects and Four Schools... Even though in decline, it cannot be underestimated."

As the sun set in the west, Chang Sansi had finally evened out his Qi and blood, recovering from his injuries.

He coldly muttered a couple of sentences, clicking his tongue as he touched the flipped skin on his cheek.

"Tian Qi, do you think using this method can eliminate me? You’re thinking too simply."

One must admit, the opponent’s move truly caught him off guard.

Left him speechless.

He had too many secrets, had done too many hidden deeds, making him vulnerable to scrutiny.

Moreover, Tang Sanliang and Lv Xi were indeed sent by him.

He had no intention of killing the constables; he was in a cooperative relationship with Chief Constable Wang.

But he couldn’t say that, and even if he did, no one would believe him.

The opponent might have targeted precisely this point.

Directly committing murder.

Then drawing the attention of Changfeng Martial Arts Hall and the government constables over.

No matter if he could clear his name, or find evidence to prove his innocence?

Anyway, he would be tied up for one or two days for sure.

And that was the opponent’s intention.

Most likely, it was to buy time and escape directly.

"Spread the word, seal off the city gates and the entrance at the northern city by the Changhe Gang, also keep watch at the dock water entrance.

Tian Qi has baggage, so he’s bound to escape slowly. Once there’s a trace, report immediately, remember not to act alone."

"This time, I want to make him regret ever being born in this world."

Thinking of his years of hard work, ruined in an instant, this identity would no longer hold, Chang Sansi felt extreme anguish.

A moment’s carelessness and now he was betrayed; such a disgrace can only be washed away with blood.