Chapter 84

84. Who are you?

The Great Spirit's eyes were brimming with black smoke, indicating it was quite angry.

Still, the shock was so great that the Great Spirit could not move immediately and only growled.

Yan Jixia did not move either.

No one had ever withstood the Nine Heavens Law with their entire body.

Even the Sword Master of Yi Tian could not face the Nine Heavens Law head-on.

Yet, this strange life form, which seemed to be the Great Spirit, withstood the Nine Heavens Law with its bare body and remained unharmed.

‘Then, how do I deal with it?’

Although the Nine Heavens Nine Swords were still available, they didn't seem to be of much help in the current situation.

“Grrrr…”

The sound coming from the Great Spirit's mouth became clearer, indicating it was recovering from the shock.

Yan Jixia's fingers twitched slightly.

Even then, Yan Jixia could not think of an appropriate method.

In the next moment, the Great Spirit lunged at Yan Jixia like lightning.

This was a movement far different from the slow, relentless steps it had taken until now. The lightning-fast speed was almost on par with the peak masters' instantaneous movement techniques.

Yan Jixia swung his sword almost reflexively.

Without thinking, the sword technique he used was the Descent of the Immortal Lady, one of the Nine Heavens Nine Swords.

Since the Nine Heavens Law was ineffective, he switched to the Nine Heavens Nine Swords.

The Great Spirit's hands, which were closing in, were pushed back.

The sword tip, which shot out like lightning, struck the Great Spirit's chest.

Puuuk.

This time, the sword tip penetrated about an inch.

Instantly, a divine light flashed in Yan Jixia's eyes.

For some reason, a powerful Nine Heavens Qi surged from the sword tip.

Boom.

The sword tip pierced the Great Spirit's chest, and the Nine Heavens Qi penetrated it almost simultaneously.

“Kuaaah!”

A tearing scream erupted from the Great Spirit's mouth.

The Nine Heavens Qi penetrated the Great Spirit's chest and continued for about nine meters.

Kwaah.

At that moment, Yan Jixia had a strange experience.

Suddenly, the divine meridian between his eyebrows felt hot, and he saw a dark cave like a bottomless pit.

Inside, a black monster identical to the Great Spirit was writhing.

‘What, what is this?’

Startled, Yan Jixia sheathed his sword and took a step back.

Then, the darkness suddenly disappeared, and he saw the Great Spirit suffering in the real world.

“Kuuu…”

The groans coming from the Great Spirit's mouth gradually became weaker and then stopped.

Only now did he realize that the Great Spirit's breath had ceased.

Sssss.

In the next moment, the crimson body of the Great Spirit turned to ash and scattered.

From the ashes, several blue lumps flew up into the sky.

“Eh?”

Yan Jixia, surprised, hurriedly extended his hand.

However, the Great Spirit had vanished into dust, leaving nothing behind.

Yan Jixia, as well as the martial artists on both sides, were dumbfounded. The Great Spirit, which had turned into a black monster, had now turned to dust and disappeared.

The fight was over.

After the Great Spirit disappeared, no one blocked Yan Jixia's path. No one dared to challenge him after witnessing the sword technique of the Outer Heaven.

All the members of the Hongfang returned to Kaifeng.

Naturally, the martial artists of Xiao Junping and Jing Tian also left Nanyang Merchant Association.

The head of the Nanyang Merchant Association, Lin Yuanying, apologized profusely to the head of the Qingyun Hall, Wu Shanquan, and begged for forgiveness.

However, Su Jin, who had risked his life on this expedition, would not let it end with just words.

In the end, Lin Yuanying agreed to transfer half of the Nanyang Merchant Association's shares to Su Jin.

The wandering knights gathered again at the Yangri Inn to receive their payment.

They were all delighted, as they had earned money without even drawing their swords.

While Xiao Jiao was paying the promised amount, Su Jin approached Yan Jixia.

“Thank you. Thanks to you two, we were able to conclude this matter well today.”

Su Jin bowed politely.

Although the inn was full of wandering knights, no one found it strange.

Although he was the head of the Qingyun Hall, in the martial world, he was just a minor figure. It was difficult for him to even meet the elders of the Seven Sects and Nine Schools. Naturally, he felt insignificant in front of experts like Yan Jixia.

“Ah, yes.”

Yan Jixia nodded casually.

Su Jin sought permission from Sim Tong, who was sitting opposite Yan Jixia.

“Sir Sim, may I sit for a moment?”

Sim Tong nodded with a calm face.

Only after receiving his permission did Su Jin sit on the wooden chair. To him, Yan Jixia and Sim Tong were like distant, unreachable figures.

“Without you two, we would have been in big trouble. I would have given all my wealth, but I have many dependents, so I can't do that. Hehe.”

Su Jin laughed awkwardly.

To think he would hire such high-level experts as wandering knights!

Yan Jixia and Sim Tong stared at Su Jin blankly.

Both were people who cared little for appearances, so their interest was focused on the money.

“For six days, we have been under your protection. According to the agreement, we should give each of you 1,800 coins, but... even fleas have faces. How can I do that? Therefore, I would like to give each of you 60 silver taels. Is that acceptable?”

The amount increased from 18 taels to 60 taels.

Su Jin called out the daily rate of 10 silver taels and watched their reactions. In fact, this amount was what he paid to the elders of the Seven Sects and Nine Schools. For Su Jin, this was a generous offer amidst the current situation.

“Yes.”

Yan Jixia nodded readily at the substantial sum of 60 silver taels.

He had never sold his sword before and did not yet know his own worth. The same was true for Sim Tong, who had spent his life plundering.

Su Jin gestured to the back.

The leader of the Fengyun Gang, Wang Jinge, placed a wooden box on the table.

“Here are 120 silver taels. I am deeply grateful. I will never forget the kindness of the two of you, who have worked for the sake of the martial world. If you ever pass through Luoyang, please visit the Qingyun Hall. I will do my best to welcome you.”

Su Jin bowed deeply.

“Ah, yes.”

Yan Jixia glanced at the wooden box and responded casually.

He thought it was better than the forest, considering he had loafed around and earned 10 taels a day.

After settling the accounts, Su Jin asked Sim Tong.

“Sir Sim, but... didn't the Great Spirit die at your hands?”

“Yes.”

“Wow! How could that be... Could it be related to the power of the Bright Moon Sect?”

The power of the Bright Moon Sect was considered a superpower.

The righteous sects believed that the Bright Moon Sect obtained superpowers by sacrificing monks.

“I don't know.”

Sim Tong, who showed little interest in martial world affairs, did not elaborate.

Su Jin had many questions but could not ask more.

Seeing the indifferent faces of the two experts, he could not bring himself to speak.

While Xiao Jiao was settling the accounts, three young men entered the inn. They were the Five Heroes of Luoyang.

They did not dare to sit next to Yan Jixia and sat at a distance.

The representatives of the three major sects, who had returned to Luoyang after the battle with the Nanyang Merchant Association, had come to the inn out of curiosity.

The three young men only glanced at Yan Jixia and Sim Tong from a distance.

Even the head of the Qingyun Hall could not approach first, so these nameless juniors could not do so either.

After settling the accounts, Xiao Jiao approached the three young men.

“Oh, you haven't left yet?”

The eldest, Huang Dongye, smiled awkwardly and replied.

“I came to see if there was any new information about the Great Spirit.”

He made a quick excuse.

Xiao Jiao accepted his words without suspicion.

It was a natural thought for anyone who had witnessed the battle at the Nanyang Merchant Association.

“My father asked about it, but he said he didn't know.”

“Indeed.”

“By the way, where did you three meet Young Master Lian?”

Before, he had assumed they met somewhere, but now, with Lian Jixia's extraordinary skills, he wanted to know more.

“Huh, huh, we met by chance while traveling the martial world.”

Huang Dongye did not reveal Lian Jixia's true identity.

He could not expose him as a forest bandit, even though he had claimed to be from the Walong Hall.

He was that afraid of falling out of Lian Jixia's favor.

Ou Zhongshan and Sun Shangji, who seemed to be thinking deeply, nodded repeatedly.

Xiao Jiao sniffed and observed the three men's expressions.

There seemed to be something, but they wouldn't speak.

She vaguely guessed that they had met in a place they couldn't easily reveal, like a brothel.

***

Kaifeng, Henan Province.

Around noon.

Two men were inspecting a siheyuan (a traditional Chinese courtyard house) slightly away from the city center. They were Feng Yanchao and Zhuo Goming.

Feng Yanchao had visited the house where he used to live about a month ago, but it had turned into a ruin. Since then, he had been asking around and finally arrived at this siheyuan.

“Brother, is it this house?”

“...”

Feng Yanchao looked at the house Zhuo Goming pointed to with a complicated expression.

Zhuo Goming observed his brother's reaction as they stood in front of the house they had been searching for.

His wife had left with their two children five years ago. According to the neighbors, she was taken by the lady of the house because of her excellent sewing skills, but it was hard to believe.

The size of the siheyuan did not seem grand enough to be generous to the neighbors. It seemed more likely that she was taken as a concubine, and that was why Feng Yanchao's expression was dark.

After a long pause, Feng Yanchao asked hesitantly.

“I don't think they starved to death. Should we just go back?”

“Brother, we've come this far. We should at least see if they are alive. If we just leave, we'll keep wondering.”

“You're right.”

His expression suggested he was curious.

“Let's go.”

Feng Yanchao, who was hesitating, followed Zhuo Goming, who took a step forward.

Knock, knock, knock.

Zhuo Goming knocked on the door politely.

After a moment, a young boy's voice came from inside.

“Who is it?”

“Is there a Mrs. Lin who is good at sewing living here?”

The boy replied to Zhuo Goming's question.

“Yes. Did you come to give her work? Usually, it's the ladies who come...”

The boy opened the door slightly.

Zhuo Goming stepped back to let his brother take the lead.

Feng Yanchao, who had been sighing deeply, stepped forward reluctantly.

He stared at the boy in disbelief.

The child, who was five years old twelve years ago, had grown so much that he was unrecognizable.

The boy, who had been observing the two men, asked cautiously.

“Did you come to give work?”

“Is your mother here?”

Feng Yanchao's voice trembled with tension.

“Yes, but who are you?”

As Feng Yanchao hesitated, the door of the side room next to the main gate opened, and a middle-aged woman peeked out.

The woman and Feng Yanchao's eyes met.

Lin Zhiling blinked several times, as if she couldn't believe her eyes, seeing her husband, who had abandoned his family and fled twelve years ago, return.