Chapter 22 of 100
Chapter 22
9 min read2,216 words
"Yang'er." Mrs. Lin suddenly tugged at Su Zhong's sleeve.
Su Zhong retracted his lethal sword intent, not even glancing at the people lying on the ground.
Mrs. Lin quickly stood up and walked over to help Wang Yuanba to his feet.
"You..." Wang Yuanba pointed at Su Zhong, his face turning red. Su Zhong narrowed his eyes and stared intently at Wang Yuanba.
Wang Yuanba's fingers trembled for a long time, but he couldn't bring himself to ask the question. The feeling of being frozen to the core was too terrifying. He had spent his entire life in the martial world and had never encountered such a situation. A master! An absolute master!
Thinking of his previous ambitions, Wang Yuanba couldn't help but laugh bitterly. Thinking of the rumors in the martial world, Wang Yuanba felt even more bitter.
He knew that rumors in the martial world were unreliable, but he forgot that there was no smoke without fire.
Wang Bofen and Wang Zhongqiang got up from the ground, their faces filled with fear. One glance could incapacitate a group of people; this couldn't be described as just martial arts.
"Brother, is this the lethal sword?" Lin Pingzhi asked, suppressing his excitement.
Su Zhong nodded and said to Mrs. Lin, "I have something to do outside. Mother, you've had a long journey, please rest well."
With that, he leaped onto the wall and disappeared from everyone's sight in a few bounds.
Yue Lingshan forcefully pulled Lin Pingzhi out of the courtyard; the scene was too awkward, and she didn't belong there.
"Brother-in-law, what kind of skill is this? Could it be the Lin family's Exorcism Sword Manual?!" Wang Bofen's throat moved, and he swallowed a mouthful of saliva.
Lin Zhenan felt proud inside. The humiliation of being looked down upon by his father-in-law's family was gone, but he put on a bitter smile, "Exorcism Sword Manual? If there were such a thing, why would I be in this situation?" He said, spreading his hands helplessly.
Wang Bofen nodded with lingering fear and looked at Lin Zhenan with sympathy. They and Lin Yang had a distant relationship, so this treatment was understandable. But as Lin Yang's father, Lin Zhenan was also knocked to the ground. They wanted to scold Su Zhong for his treachery, but the residual coldness on their bodies made them stop. Thinking of this, everyone in the room looked at Lin Zhenan with sympathy.
Mrs. Lin secretly pinched Lin Zhenan's soft flesh on his waist. Others didn't know, but she saw clearly that Lin Zhenan had thrown himself onto Wang Zhongqiang.
Lin Zhenan's face turned even more bitter.
...
In a small valley, a mountain spring converged, and a small waterfall trickled down. Over the years, it had gradually formed a small pond.
Not far from the pond, a simple thatched cottage stood. The entire small valley was quiet and peaceful.
Bang! A dull sound, and the thatched cottage suddenly exploded.
"Ha ha ha! Finally, I've broken through! All eight extraordinary meridians are fully open, and I've reached the pinnacle of innate cultivation!" Zuo Lengshan flew out from the broken roof, landing in the knee-deep pond with a splash, looking excitedly at his hands.
"True Cold Qi!" Zuo Lengshan shouted, bending down and slapping the pond with his palm.
Crack!
White frost suddenly rose, and the three-meter-wide pond froze rapidly, visible to the naked eye. In just three breaths, the entire pond was covered with ice.
"Congratulations, Master, on your great martial achievement!" Lu Bai stood not far from the pond, delighted.
"Thank you, thank you." Zuo Lengshan's stern face showed a rare smile, "I've been in seclusion for half a year. Has there been any news from the martial world?"
"There are indeed matters awaiting your decision, Master." Lu Bai put away his smile and became serious, "Half a year ago, our attempt to seize the leadership of Hua Mountain failed. Following the Master's orders, all forces continued to lie low, waiting for the right opportunity. In the past half year, other sects haven't made any major moves, but Hua Mountain has changed greatly. The Sword and Qi Sects have merged, and they have opened their doors widely. They are now showing a thriving momentum, which is very unfavorable to us on Song Mountain."
"Hmph! Cheng Buyou is a failure. A small position as an elder was enough to buy him off! He has ruined our plans on Song Mountain! This grudge I will settle sooner or later." Zuo Lengshan said coldly.
He didn't know that the quick betrayal of Cheng Buyou, Feng Buping, and others was all due to Feng Qingyang's machinations.
Zuo Lengshan blamed everything on Hua Mountain.
"How is the investigation into the Exorcism Sword Manual going?" Zuo Lengshan suddenly asked.
"Master, Lin Yang has been reclusive since childhood, living in the mountains from the age of six. It's hard for outsiders to contact him, and we can't get more detailed information." Lu Bai said apologetically.
"No matter, it's understandable that we can't find out after so long. Do you know where he is now?" Zuo Lengshan comforted him.
Lu Bai smiled, "We have found out. Master, you have emerged from seclusion just in time. Yesterday, a message came from Luoyang. Lin Pingzhi and the Hua Mountain group have already entered the Golden Saber Sect. According to reliable intelligence, the Lin family is about to return from overseas and will gather at the Golden Saber Sect."
"Good! As long as he shows up, we won't fear not getting the Exorcism Sword Manual." He was convinced that Su Zhong's skills came from the Exorcism Sword Manual, "Where is Peach Blossom Island?"
Lu Bai looked embarrassed, "We haven't found it yet. We've sent spies multiple times to follow the ships from Peach Blossom Island, but none have returned. The sacrifices have been too great, and we have gradually recalled our people."
Zuo Lengshan pondered for a long time, "You've done well. We can't do meaningless things and waste the lives of our Song Mountain disciples."
"Right, then. Gather the Thirteen Protectors of Song Mountain. This time, we will all go out. We will not only deal with the Lin family but also destroy the Hua Mountain Sect!"
"Yes!" Lu Bai, full of excitement, hurriedly left the small valley to gather everyone.
"Lin Yang, Yue Buqun. Now that I have reached the pinnacle of innate cultivation, I will definitely remove these thorns. Hua Mountain Sect, Exorcism Sword Manual, the unification of the Five Mountains. The rise of Song Mountain is just around the corner. Ha ha..." Zuo Lengshan clenched his fists and laughed to the sky.
...
Su Zhong stood outside the Green Bamboo Lane, listening quietly to the music. The tinkling sound was like a stream flowing, making one feel calm and peaceful.
"This must be the 'Clear Heart and Universal Benevolence Spell'." Su Zhong murmured.
"Who's there?! Come out!" Green Bamboo Old Man was suddenly startled. Although he was immersed in the music of the Holy Maiden, his years of experience in the martial world kept him alert. But now he realized that someone had entered the Green Bamboo Lane without his notice.
Su Zhong strode into the Green Bamboo Lane and saw the angry Green Bamboo Old Man.
"I'm looking for Ren Yingying." Su Zhong said.
"You scoundrel, you're asking for death!" Green Bamboo Old Man's face changed, and he indeed seemed to have come with ill intentions.
He swung his bamboo knife, and a whistling sound filled the air.
Su Zhong took a half-step back, and the bamboo knife grazed his chest. His right hand shot out and grabbed the back of the knife.
Green Bamboo Old Man's face turned red, and he shouted, "Ha!"
Rip! The bamboo knife was torn in half by the two men!
Su Zhong's eyes lit up, "What a powerful force, worthy of being a descendant of the Great Power Demon."
"Who are you?!" Green Bamboo Old Man looked at Su Zhong with surprise and suspicion. This young man with a childish face had strength almost equal to his own. If not for innate power, his external skills must be at the peak.
"Who!" Linghu Chong rushed out of the bamboo house with his sword, surprised to see Su Zhong, "Brother Lin, why are you here?"
"Linghu Chong, do you know him?" Green Bamboo Old Man asked, not taking his eyes off Su Zhong.
"Senior, this is Lin Yang, the wielder of the lethal sword, who has some connection with our Hua Mountain. Is there any misunderstanding?" Linghu Chong put away his sword and tried to mediate.
"Hmph!" Green Bamboo Old Man coldly snorted, not taking his eyes off Su Zhong. He didn't believe Linghu Chong's words; ordinary people wouldn't know that the Holy Maiden was here.
"What are you here for?" Green Bamboo Old Man asked.
"I'm here to make a deal." Su Zhong said directly.
"Ah! It's you, you big bad guy!" Qu Feiyan peeked out from behind the door, surprised to see Su Zhong.
Su Zhong ignored her and looked at Green Bamboo Old Man, "Tell her I know where her father is."
Green Bamboo Old Man's body trembled, "Really?!"
Su Zhong didn't speak.
Green Bamboo Old Man didn't dare to delay and hurriedly went into the bamboo house, forgetting his dignity.
"What?!" A surprised cry came from inside the house, and the clear voice made Linghu Chong stand still.
"Why does the old lady's voice sound so young?"
"Hehe, you're really a dolt." Qu Feiyan covered her mouth and giggled, "Who told you that Sister Ren is the old lady?"
"Then why does Bamboo Old Man call her... Sister Ren?" Linghu Chong realized his mistake.
"Bamboo Old Man's master calls my father 'Uncle,' so what should he call me?" Ren Yingying no longer hid and walked out.
She had a melon-seed face, fair skin, and black hair. Her eyes were clear and expressive, making Linghu Chong stand there in a daze, never imagining that the old lady in his mind was just a delicate young girl.
Ren Yingying ignored Linghu Chong and looked at Su Zhong, "You say you know where my father is?"
Su Zhong nodded.
"Where is he?" Ren Yingying asked urgently.
Su Zhong shook his head.
Ren Yingying felt anxious, and a murderous aura flashed across her face. But she quickly calmed down. Su Zhong was clear that he was here to make a deal. If it's a deal, there must be give and take.
"What do you want? As long as I can give it to you, I will." Ren Yingying's face was grim. She had been the Holy Maiden of the Cult since childhood and had never been in such a passive situation. If the other party made excessive demands... Thinking of this, a cold light flashed in Ren Yingying's eyes. If softness doesn't work, then use force! The Cult has always been like this, and she, Ren Yingying, believes in the survival of the fittest.
"I don't want anything." Su Zhong said calmly, "I want you to take me to the cliff."
Ren Yingying was taken aback, "Why are you going there?" She understood that Su Zhong wanted her to take him to Blackwood Cliff.
"To fight." Su Zhong's expression was emotionless, and his words were concise.
"Crazy!" Qu Feiyan stuck out her tongue.
Ren Yingying also looked at Su Zhong in shock. Going to Blackwood Cliff to fight, who would he fight? Naturally, it would be Dongfang Bubai.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course."
"When?"
Ren Yingying quickly made up her mind.
"Aunt, be careful, it might be a trick." Green Bamboo Old Man warned.
"Aunt, I've made up my mind." Ren Yingying said firmly.
Su Zhong thought for a moment, "Wait until you rescue him, then take me up with you."
Ren Yingying's face lit up, and she said eagerly, "Okay, tell me where he is quickly."
Su Zhong shook his head, "Not yet. Was the music just now played by you?" Su Zhong suddenly asked a strange question.
Ren Yingying suppressed her irritation and nodded.
Su Zhong thought for a moment and said, "Teach me to play the zither. When I learn, I'll tell you the address. When you rescue him, take me with you. At that time, he will agree to this proposal."
Ren Yingying felt helpless. She was so angry that she wanted to kill Su Zhong. Learning to play the zither, why did he have to find her? No! Does he have some ulterior motive?!
As if reading Ren Yingying's thoughts, Su Zhong said, "You don't have to teach me. Let Green Bamboo Old Man teach me. I'm not telling you because the time isn't right. I still have things to deal with. When I'm free, I'll be ready to fight."
Su Zhong directly revealed his thoughts, saving everyone from further deliberation.
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