Chapter 70

Xiao Leng struck twice, killing four people in quick succession. Everyone was shocked, gasping in unison and retreating hastily.

Xiao Leng would not let them escape, and he advanced with his blade. Liu Jingcao shouted in anger, his long sword darting out to strike three major acupoints on Xiao Leng.

These three strikes were both fast and accurate, displaying the style of a master. Even with Xiao Leng's abilities, he did not dare to be careless. He circled his blade to block the three strikes.

"Fool."

Liang Wenjing suddenly heard Xiao Yuling's soft voice in his ear: "Run quickly!"

Liang Wenjing was taken aback. He turned around and saw Xiao Yuling standing behind him, her beautiful eyes filled with concern. She whispered, "Stop telling stories, run quickly!"

Liang Wenjing knew that if he left, he might never see her again. "I... I..." He couldn't speak, tears welling up in his eyes.

Xiao Yuling understood his feelings. Her eyes also turned moist, but the situation was urgent. She stomped her foot and almost shouted, "Run quickly!"

Liang Wenjing nodded and was about to run away when he heard a惨叫. He turned around and saw a rider being split in half by Xiao Leng, his body writhing in pain on the ground.

Xiao Leng, excited by the killing, let out a long howl. His blade movements were like a dragon, and he struck three times in an instant, two at Liu Jingcao and one at a rider behind him.

The rider, seeing the blade light descending from all directions, felt his blood turn to ice and his heart leap to his throat. Just as he thought he was doomed, a white figure flashed and swiftly inserted itself into the blade light, splitting the palms to strike Xiao Leng.

Liang Wenjing and Liu Jingcao, working together, one orthodox and one unorthodox, managed to halt Xiao Leng's attack.

For a moment, the three figures moved back and forth, their movements unpredictable. The other riders could not intervene.

After more than ten exchanges, Xiao Leng gradually stabilized his position. His blade movements grew more powerful, like a river breaking through a dam. Liang Wenjing, with his unstable foundation and weakening inner strength, was at a disadvantage along with Liu Jingcao.

After several risky moves, Liang Wenjing's breathing became disordered, and he stumbled forward. Xiao Leng took advantage of the situation and slashed diagonally, aiming for his neck.

At that moment, a long arrow pierced the air, its sharp tip pointing at Xiao Leng's face. Xiao Leng quickly circled his blade to block the arrow, feeling its immense force.

Before he could react, another arrow came. Xiao Leng dodged and deflected, and six arrows fell to the ground. Without waiting for Liu Jingcao and Liang Wenjing to catch up, he let out a long howl and leaped several yards, standing behind a large tree.

"The Xue brothers have arrived."

Three riders galloped over, each wielding a long bow, their appearance fierce.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh," three arrows flew simultaneously. Xiao Leng's figure flickered, and his hands moved like playing a zither, catching the arrows in mid-air.

After weighing his options, Xiao Leng sneered and took large steps toward the horses.

A rider called out in grief, "This man has killed so many people, we cannot let him escape..."

Before he could finish, his tongue froze. An arrow had deeply pierced his throat, a thin line of blood spurting from the back of his neck.

No one dared to move, watching as Xiao Leng leaped onto a horse.

Xiao Leng's eyes fixed on Liang Wenjing, his lips curling into a half-smile. "You were lucky this time."

Liu Jingcao stepped forward, his sword at the ready. "Do you think you can leave?"

"What if I do?"

Xiao Leng responded with a sinister laugh, ignoring everyone and turning his horse around.

The crowd was enraged and ready to chase after him, but Liang Wenjing held them back. "Many have already died today. You have seen his skills. If you try to stop him, it will only cost more lives!"

"Are we to let our brothers die in vain?"

One person shouted in hatred.

Liang Wenjing replied, "Better than all of us dying."

Everyone was speechless. Liu Jingcao's face turned ashen, and he called out to Xiao Leng, "Dare you leave your name? If Liu Jingcao of Emei survives, I will come to settle this blood debt with you."

Xiao Leng snorted but did not respond. He spurred his horse forward, and Xiao Yuling glanced at Liang Wenjing, her eyes filled with a hint of loneliness, before following Xiao Leng.

Looking at the bodies of his companions, Liu Jingcao could not help but shed tears. "I never thought that today's battle would result in so many casualties for our Emei sect. It truly is a calamity. Young sir, do you know who that black-clothed man is?" But Liang Wenjing did not answer, so Liu Jingcao asked, "Why don't you speak?"

"Me?"

Liang Wenjing pointed to his nose in surprise. "You mean me?"

Everyone was taken aback. Xue Rong's gaze suddenly fell on the Nine-Dragon Jade Token at Liang Wenjing's waist. His expression changed, and he carefully examined Liang Wenjing's face. Suddenly, he cried out, "Your Highness!" and rolled off his horse, prostrating himself on the ground, trembling. "Your Highness!"

The others were shocked, looking at each other. Liu Jingcao hesitated, "Brother Xue..."

Xue Rong shouted loudly, "His Highness, the Prince of Huai'an, has arrived. Why do you not pay your respects?"

Xue Rong had his own motives, wanting to earn merit in front of the Prince of Huai'an. If he could escort Liang Wenjing to Heshou, Governor Wang Li would look favorably upon him, and he might even enter the government.

"I am loyal to Your Highness, and I am willing to risk my life for you, even if it means boiling in oil or being torn apart."

Xue Gong and Xue Fang also spoke fervently, expressing their loyalty.

Liu Jingcao saw the opportunity and said, "The Xue brothers have superb archery skills and can ensure Your Highness's safe arrival in Heshou. Although I am not very capable, I am willing to follow and serve Your Highness."

Liang Wenjing, at a loss, could only reluctantly agree with a "Hmm."

Seeing him agree, everyone was greatly relieved. Liu Jingcao left a disciple to handle the aftermath and ordered two others to contact friends and find out about Bai Pu and the others. He and the Xue brothers escorted Liang Wenjing to Heshou.

Liu Jingcao and his group, like startled birds, were extremely cautious on the journey, constantly on guard, to the point of seeing enemies in every bush and tree.

This made it difficult for Liang Wenjing, who had no chance to escape.

Li Wuchang followed them from a distance. Seeing their behavior, he found it both amusing and sad. The proud Han people of Central China were so afraid of the Mongols, which was truly lamentable.

For nearly a month, Li Wuchang had been following Liang Wenjing, ensuring his safety. He did not ride a horse but used the Lingbo Weibu technique to travel.

After mastering the Lingbo Weibu, Li Wuchang studied the I Ching, focusing on its hexagrams. Although he had not delved deeply, he had gained a basic understanding.

As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. After traveling a thousand miles, Li Wuchang had become very familiar with the Lingbo Weibu, and his understanding had deepened.

Although he was still some distance from advancing the Lingbo Weibu to the first level, it was not far off.

Moreover, the Lingbo Weibu was not just a lightness skill but also a method to cultivate a martial artist's inner strength. In the past month, Li Wuchang had roughly increased his inner strength by a year.

During this time, Li Wuchang's gains were not limited to this. Whenever he rested, he diligently practiced the Beiming Divine Skill. He knew his talent was not great, so he had to make up for it with hard work.

After initially practicing the Beiming Divine Skill, Li Wuchang absorbed several years' worth of inner strength and found it difficult to control. He then stopped absorbing more to avoid the risk of inner strength burning his body.

Duan Yu, who had experienced a similar situation, had the help of many high monks from Tianlong Temple to suppress his inner strength and the Six Pulse Divine Sword to guide it, which allowed him to be safe. Li Wuchang did not have such conditions and naturally did not dare to take such risks.