Chapter 75. Vengeance (怨讐), and Water (原水) (5)

Sizzle!

Ming Chuan, sitting cross-legged, felt a fiery energy rise from his body.

‘Hmm.’

A look of pleasure appeared on Ming Chuan’s face.

The red energy that surged from his dantian spread throughout his body in an instant. The energy coursing through the Eight Extraordinary Meridians (奇經八脈) was nothing short of the ultimate yang (極陽).

The pinnacle of yang is the symbol of the emperor. As the energy, which had swept through even the finest meridians and acupoints, gathered towards his heart, he felt a sense of fullness like never before.

The heart (心臟) is the source of life. A strong heart inevitably means a strong life force.

‘Indeed!’

Ming Chuan was finally convinced. The martial arts of his ancestors were the solution to the curse that had plagued his family.

The Ming Lian Nan Huo Gong (明鍊南火功), a martial art that only the head of the Ming family could master, was itself a supreme skill.

However, it could not escape the issue of lifespan. The longest-living head of the family had barely reached sixty years, and the average lifespan was around fifty.

Ming Chuan was already over fifty. For years, he had lived each day with a heavy heart, wondering when death would come.

‘With this, the curse that has overshadowed our family will finally end!’

Flash!

His eyes opened, shining like the sun.

His body felt hot. He could feel his life force more vigorous than ever. The overwhelming energy made him want to wield a sword immediately.

He raised his right hand.

Whoosh! Flame!

A red energy enveloped his hand, and soon real flames burst forth.

Surprisingly, his hand remained unscathed despite the flames covering it entirely. The abundant energy perfectly protected his physical body.

“Phoenix Flame (鳳凰炎)… Indeed, with this hand technique alone, one can easily vie for the title of the greatest in the world.”

Ming Chuan burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! Now, I can truly stand as the greatest in the world and place the Central Plains under my feet.”

The Phoenix Divine Skill (鳳凰神功) was the most powerful and outstanding among the Four Great Divine Skills. It ranked first among the Four Great Divine Skills and naturally boasted unparalleled strength.

First, he planned to master the Phoenix Divine Skill to enhance his life force, and then gradually learn the other martial arts. The remaining three skills were the Lingui Divine Skill, Yinglong Divine Skill (應龍神功), and Qilin Divine Skill (麒麟神功). Although they were slightly inferior to the Phoenix, they were still formidable enough to dominate an era.

Ming Chuan intended to master all four divine skills. He wanted to leave a mark in the history of martial arts as the strongest martial artist.

As Ming Chuan, filled with dreams, laughed and let his imagination run wild, a voice called out.

“Head of the family.”

Ming Chuan spoke calmly.

“Come in.”

Creak!

The door opened, and Ming Wushan entered.

“What is it? I told you not to disturb me during my training unless it’s something urgent.”

“I apologize. It’s a matter that couldn’t wait.”

“An urgent matter?”

Ming Chuan’s eyes sparkled.

“Surely, it’s not related to Lian Huozheng, that scoundrel?”

“No, it’s not.”

“Then what is it?”

Ming Wushan took out a neatly folded letter from his robe. The envelope containing the letter was adorned in gold, looking very luxurious.

Ming Chuan’s eyes lit up.

“Is this a secret letter from the Martial Arts Alliance (武林盟)?”

“Yes.”

“There is no current leader of the Martial Arts Alliance. Without a temporary leader, who sent this?”

“Moyong, the head of the family.”

Ming Chuan frowned.

“Moyong, the head of the family? Why?”

“Read it for yourself.”

As Ming Chuan unfolded the letter, surprise flashed across his face.

“To convene the Grand Assembly?!”

“Yes.”

The Grand Assembly was a meeting called by the leaders of the Nine Great Sects and Seven Great Families for specific proposals.

Such a meeting was rarely called, as it could potentially cost a fortune.

‘Why on earth?’

As Ming Chuan tilted his head in confusion, he noticed that the letter was two pages long. The letter sent to him was a stack of two pages.

This was the method always used when exchanging letters with Moyong, the head of the family.

After carefully peeling off the back page and reading it, Ming Chuan burst into laughter.

“Hahaha!”

Ming Wushan tilted his head.

“What is it that…?”

“Hahaha! Indeed, Moyong, the head of the family. When we’re not allies, it’s one thing, but when we are, he pushes with all his might. Is that it?”

“Pardon?”

Ming Chuan laughed and said.

“It’s about the Lian family.”

“The Lian family?”

“Lian Huozheng, that audacious scoundrel, is the start. He wants to eradicate the Lian family. Since I’ve portrayed him as a vile villain, he intends to make it a public issue and burn the Lian family to the ground.”

Ming Wushan’s face brightened.

“Unexpected help indeed.”

“Yes. To receive such significant help at an unexpected time.”

A genuine smile never left Ming Chuan’s face.

“A person who shows this level of friendship would make a good in-law, wouldn’t they?”

“Certainly.”

“I’ve always kept an eye on Moyong, the head of the family’s daughter, Lianhua. She’s an outstanding girl. A girl of her caliber would not be a bad match for my eldest son.”

“Moyong Lianhua’s wisdom is said to be the best of her generation, resembling her father, the head of the family. If you take her as your daughter-in-law, it would be beneficial for the heir as well.”

“Yes.”

Ming Chuan put down the letter.

“After this matter is resolved, I’ll send a messenger. My son would be satisfied with Moyong Lianhua.”

“Thank you in advance.”

“Haha!”

The two men looked at each other and burst into laughter.

“Ah! Then what will you do?”

“What do you mean?”

“Since Moyong, the head of the family, has called the Grand Assembly, all the leaders of the white path martial arts world must gather. Of course, those who are truly busy might not be able to come.”

Ming Chuan smiled.

“I’ve just redirected all my energy to the Phoenix Divine Skill. After achieving success, I plan to touch the other Four Great Divine Skills.”

Ming Wushan smiled.

“I’ll inform them that I cannot attend due to pressing matters.”

“Do that. Since Moyong, the head of the family, is leading this meeting, they will understand.”

“They will.”

“Ah, by the way.”

Ming Chuan tilted his head.

“What about Lian Huozheng? I heard he was given to the Blue Sect.”

“Half an hour ago, I sent the three brothers Xue, Hui, and Xian with the White Dragon Army. They should be able to escort Lian Huozheng here by dawn tomorrow.”

“Hahaha!”

Ming Chuan’s laughter showed no sign of stopping.

As Ming Wushan watched Ming Chuan laugh heartily, he suddenly tilted his head.

‘Hmm? What is it?’

Ming Wushan noticed that the veins in the middle of Ming Chuan’s chest, just above his heart, were unusually prominent.

‘The veins?’

Just as Ming Wushan was about to speak,

“Now, since I feel good, you should go and do your work. I need to practice more.”

“Pardon? Ah, yes! I will.”

In the end, Ming Wushan left the training hall without expressing any doubts.

On his way to his quarters,

Feeling an inexplicable unease, he glanced down at his own chest.

‘Hmm.’

He was also practicing one of the Four Great Divine Skills, the Qilin Divine Skill (麒麟神功). Fortunately, it was fine.

Ming Wushan cleared his throat.

‘Perhaps I’ve been worrying too much lately.’

If he was fine, the head of the family would be fine too. He believed that.

He walked into the supervisor’s office.

Since practicing the Qilin Divine Skill, he had noticed a slight increase in his coughing, but he didn’t think much of it.

* * *

‘This can’t be!’

Boom!

The axe, swung at a speed that could cause a typhoon, was easily deflecting the sword force of the Phoenix Soaring Sword (鳳凰飛天劍).

The power was unbelievable. Despite the internal injuries, the force of the wind emitted from the giant axe grew stronger over time.

That wasn’t all.

Clang!

Ming Hui’s face contorted.

The Heaven Sweeping Sword, a technique that could sweep away any enemy with a fiery blade, crumbled in a single move. Even with the Phoenix True Qi pushed to its limits, he was still overpowered.

He didn’t just take a few steps back; his body was lifted and thrown three yards away.

Rip.

The glove holding the sword was torn. In the five years since he had been practicing the sword, this had never happened.

“Gah!”

Crack!

As Ming Hui retreated, Ming Xian charged forward.

He was also practicing the Phoenix Divine Skill and the hand technique, Phoenix Flame Hand (鳳凰炎手).

His movement technique was as brilliant and fast as flames, known as the Phoenix Soaring (鳳凰飛).

Following the Phoenix Soaring, a strange palm technique burst forth.

Whoosh!

Lian Huozheng’s eyes sparkled.

The black axe was swung heavily, creating a massive circle.

Clang!

“Gah!”

Ming Xian was no different.

No matter how powerful the Phoenix Flame Hand was, it couldn’t penetrate the Northern Black Twelve Walls (北天十二壁) performed with the Xuanwu Qi.

Water Qi is the counter to Fire Qi. To penetrate a water-based skill with a yang-based skill, overwhelming fire power is required, which they couldn’t achieve at their current level.

Boom!

After defense came offense.

The movement technique, Strange Beast Unmoving, transformed into the White Tiger Dominance, generating a powerful forward force.

The claws of the Mountain King, capable of breaking steel, unleashed a fierce force on Ming Xian.

Clang! Bang!

“Gah!”

Ming Xian screamed. The axe had struck his left upper arm.

Though it didn’t sever it, it was as good as severed. The axe blade cut through the outer flesh, muscle, and bone, leaving his arm hanging by a thread, causing excruciating pain.

“This, this scoundrel!”

Ming Xian looked at Lian Huozheng with a terrified expression.

Lian Huozheng’s expression, however, was unexpectedly ambiguous. He neither smiled nor showed anger, just an endless indifference.

An overwhelming aura.

It was as if a revered elder who had mastered the greatest martial arts in the world was standing there. Despite the intense pain, Ming Xian involuntarily closed his mouth.

At that moment, Ming Hui charged again.

“Monster!”

Flash!

Faster than Ming Xian.

He approached at a terrifying speed and swung the Phoenix Soaring Sword. It felt like he was putting all his strength into it, with intense fire Qi and uncontrolled destructive power.

Clang! Whoosh.

With a powerful step, Lian Huozheng’s movement, as he charged towards Ming Xian, suddenly slowed.

Slow and smooth. A natural change like flowing water.

From Strange Beast Unmoving to White Tiger Dominance, and back to Strange Beast Unmoving.

Adapting different martial arts to the situation, the speed of the skill changes was lightning fast and natural.

The Four Divine Skills were gradually becoming second nature through practical combat. Just a few hours ago, such a change in movement techniques would have been impossible.

This was the essence of the Four Divine Skills. The more one risked their life, the faster their growth.

The heavy axe and the light, brilliant sword clashed head-on.

Clang!

Ming Hui spat blood and retreated.

Now, even in terms of strength, they were overpowered. The two of them, who had an advantage in pure skill, were like mice in front of a cat in front of the weaker Lian Huozheng.

“You shouldn’t use it like that.”

Thud!

Lian Huozheng lowered his stance.

“Blood Wing Soaring (血翼揮天) is an ultimate killing movement technique. Using it as a movement technique will only lead to failure.”

“This, this scoundrel!”

“Your skills are too excessive for you.”

“Gah!”

Ming Hui and Ming Xian let out a roar and charged.

Lian Huozheng’s eyes sparkled.

Whoosh.

In an instant, his body passed between the two.

As Ming Hui and Ming Xian, who had simultaneously struck with sword and palm, tilted their heads in confusion,

Splat!

Their bodies were split diagonally.

Lian Huozheng’s eyes turned cold.

“Indeed, with your level of strength, the Vermilion Bird Qi (朱雀氣) cannot be activated.”

He raised his head.

The three hundred White Dragon Army soldiers looked at Lian Huozheng in shock.

Lian Huozheng looked up at the sky.

Late at night, the white moon and countless stars shone as if they were about to pour down.

Thud!

Lian Huozheng, hanging his axe on the spear, looked down at the White Dragon Army.

“Bring the head of the family.”