A journey through the world of martial arts

Chapter 284 Autumn Waters Stop Flowing
Inside the Demon Cave, Ni Qingfeng and his two companions followed the tomb map, turning left and right until they arrived at a spacious tomb chamber. Suddenly, Ni Qingfeng stopped, his ears twitched, and he drew his long sword, swiftly slashing out a beam of sword light to the left and right.

With a loud rumble, the tomb chamber trembled violently, and rubble tumbled down from above. Fu Tianjiao and Zhao Kai both tensed up at the sight, gripping their longswords and warily scanning their surroundings.

"Uncle Master, what is this?"

"Someone activated the mechanism, but I cleared it beforehand. Three zhang to the southeast, Tianjiao, you and Zhao Kai go deal with this person. Remember not to separate."

Ni Qingfeng transmitted his voice secretly, and Fu Tianjiao and Zhao Kai responded in hushed tones. They exchanged a glance, moved swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, they arrived in front of a black wall. The two drew their swords simultaneously, and with a flash of light and two sharp hissing sounds, the two swords effortlessly pierced the wall. A muffled groan was heard from inside the wall, and the swords were withdrawn, now stained with blood.

Just as the two men injured the big-headed ghost, they turned around and saw a hail of arrows flying towards their master. The two men were shocked and wanted to go to his aid, but suddenly the wall split open and a scholar in colorful clothes holding a folding fan and a big-headed monster walked out.

"Yin Xiushi, Big-Headed Ghost."

Fu Tianjiao's expression remained unchanged. She swiftly thrust six swords at Yin Xiushi with her white jade sword. The sword energy was fierce and chilling. Yin Xiushi's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly dodged and closed his folding fan, activating a mechanism that sent a hidden weapon needle flying towards Fu Tianjiao.

With a "ding," Fu Tianjiao flicked her white jade sword, knocking the flying needle away. Her expression straightened, and she moved swiftly, using the Nine Palaces Step. She moved like a dragon traversing a sword, her steps steady, and a series of phantom images surrounded Yin Xiushi.

Just as Fu Tianjiao and Yin Xiushi were fighting, Zhao Kai also faced off against the Big-Headed Ghost. The Big-Headed Ghost had been severely injured by Ni Qingfeng, who destroyed his weapon, and then he was caught off guard and stabbed by the two of them. He had lost most of his strength and could only barely defend himself against Zhao Kai, who was wielding the Xuan Tie Sword and whose strength was second only to Fu Tianjiao.

Ni Qingfeng, however, remained unfazed by the rain of arrows. He used Tai Chi swordplay with his longsword, employing slow and steady techniques to counter the speed. He channeled his energy into the incoming arrows, then redirected them back, causing them to collide. In less than a moment, the force of the arrow rain weakened.

Ni Qingfeng quickly walked a few steps to the entrance of the mechanism cave, and with a full-force slash of his longsword, the wall was instantly broken open, the central mechanism inside was destroyed, and the rain of arrows stopped.

"go!"

When Yin Xiushi saw that Ni Qingfeng had broken the mechanism, he was terrified. He immediately called out to the big-headed ghost and headed towards the inner room. When the big-headed ghost saw Yin Xiushi fleeing, he forced Zhao Kai back and turned to leave. Suddenly, he froze, looked down at the half-sword in his chest, and with a few gasps, died instantly.

Zhao Kai sheathed his longsword, shook the blade to remove the bloodstains, glanced at the corpse of the big-headed ghost, and turned back to Ni Qingfeng's side.

"Uncle-Master, Big Head Ghost is dead, but unfortunately Yin Xiushi escaped."

After Zhao Kai finished speaking, he looked at Ni Qingfeng and Fu Tianjiao, who were smiling, and was first taken aback, then suddenly realized what was going on.

"Senior Aunt, Senior Sister, could it be..."

Seeing this, Ni Qingfeng nodded and with a flick of his right palm, all the green candlelight in the tomb chamber was extinguished, plunging the tomb chamber into darkness. However, in the southeast corner, a patch of red light was very conspicuous, and this red light continued to extend inward.

"Vermilion powder".

Zhao Kai was overjoyed; this thing was perfect for tracking enemies in the dark.

"go!"

Deep within the tomb chamber, Jue Qianji listened to the words of the black-haired, cane-wielding old man below him, his expression changing repeatedly. He stood up angrily and shouted, "Xia Zhengfang!"

He said that no matter how skilled Ni Qingfeng was in martial arts, he could not have broken the Soul-Swaying Bell so easily. It turned out that Xia Zhengfang was behind it. He regretted it now. In order to show his sincerity, he specially made a few replicas of the Soul-Swaying Bell as a gift for Xia Zhengfang. He never expected that it would cause such a bad result.

"How is the situation now?"

Upon hearing this, the old man said in a deep voice, "All the outer chamber mechanisms have been destroyed, and all the middle chamber mechanisms have also been opened. Da Tou and Xiu Shi are currently overseeing the operation, but I think they probably can't stop them. It would be best for the sect leader to make plans as soon as possible."

If the Soul-Swaying Bell could be broken, the remaining mechanisms would be a piece of cake for people like Ni Qingfeng.

Just as Jue Qianji was deep in thought, Yin Xiushi arrived with a look of horror. Upon seeing this, Bei Qiweng immediately went to greet him and hurriedly asked, "What happened? Where is Da Tou?"

Yin Xiushi ignored Beiqi Weng and stumbled to Jue Qianji. He bowed and said in a hoarse voice, "Sect Leader, Ni Qingfeng's cultivation is extraordinary. He shattered the copper wall and iron barrier with a single sword and destroyed the rain of arrows. Da Tou is probably in grave danger now. Sect Leader, let's leave as soon as possible."

Jue Qianji frowned as he looked at Yin Xiushi, who was ashen-faced. He waved for him to get up and then turned to Bei Qiweng, ordering, "Bring out those eighteen puppets."

Upon hearing this, Bei Qi Weng was startled. He glanced at Jue Qianji again, then said "yes" and turned to go downstairs. Jue Qianji glanced at Yin Xiushi, walked down the steps, and struck Yin Xiushi with a palm. The latter looked surprised, but the palm strike did not harm him at all, and he couldn't help but look puzzled.

"Head?"

"You didn't even know you were attacked from behind. If I didn't need manpower, this alone would have been enough to make you die without a burial place!"

Jue Qianji snorted coldly, turned around and returned to his seat, extinguishing several candles with his palm. Yin Xiushi looked down upon hearing this and saw a uniform red halo around him, which was very dazzling in the darkness. Yin Xiushi was greatly shocked. He turned around and looked back, only to see that the red light had been extending from this point all the way he had walked.

"This, this is?"

Yin Xiushi felt a chill run down his spine. In his fight with Fu Tianjiao, he had mostly been on the defensive, and he thought he had been very careful, but he still fell for her trick.

"Sect Leader, Ni Qingfeng and his group will definitely follow us all the way. I have failed in my duty and am willing to lead the disciples to stop them."

As a high-ranking member of the sect, Yin Xiushi naturally knew how terrifying the puppets were. However, in order to activate these puppets, in addition to a considerable price, he also needed enough time. He had done something foolish and had to make amends, otherwise, if the sect leader wanted to settle scores in the future, he would definitely not be able to get away with it.

"Hmm, I am very pleased that you have this intention, but you don't need to go. Your time to lend a hand will come later."

Jue Qianji rejected Yin Xiushi's suggestion and then pressed the mechanism on the throne beside him. There were several layers of stone mechanisms in the passage from the central chamber to the inner chamber. It would take a long time to break through them. By the time Ni Qingfeng and the others broke through, his eighteen puppets had already been unsealed.

With four of us and eighteen puppets, we'll definitely be a force to be reckoned with.

"Yes, I obey."

Hearing Jue Qianji's words, Yin Xiushi breathed a sigh of relief and obediently stayed to the side. After a while, the Soul Judge walked in, glanced at Yin Xiushi, and bowed to Jue Qianji, saying, "Sect Leader, the Corpse Dissolving Water and Blood Silkworm Silk have been prepared."

Jue Qianji nodded upon hearing this.

Yin Xiushi was startled when he heard this. Although the corpse-dissolving water and the blood silkworm silk were extremely vicious, one had a special smell that made it easy to identify, and the other had obvious flaws that made it easy for Ni Qingfeng and the others to break through.

"Sect Leader, the Corpse Dissolving Water is one thing, but the Blood Silkworm Silk, though extremely sharp, is an easy target. Moreover, Ni Qingfeng and the other two are armed with Xuan Tie Swords, so the Blood Silkworm Silk won't be able to stop them."

After much deliberation, Yin Xiushi finally voiced his concerns. Jue Qianji and the Soul Judge's expressions changed slightly upon hearing about the Xuan Tie Sword; they had overlooked one crucial detail despite their meticulous planning.

"There are quite a few blood silkworm threads. Even if we break through them, it will take a while. With the corpse-dissolving water, it shouldn't be a problem to last for half an hour."

The Soul Judge was also somewhat uncertain. He looked up at Jue Qianji, who was sitting at the head of the table. Jue Qianji pondered for a moment and then said to the Soul Judge, "Pass on my order to send thirty Green Ghosts to stop Ni Qingfeng. They can retreat after holding out for three quarters of an hour. Those who succeed will be richly rewarded by me afterward!"

"Yes, I will do it immediately."

The Soul Judge left in a hurry, while Yin Xiushi was somewhat uneasy. He glanced at Jue Qianji and saw that the latter looked solemn, so he couldn't help but feel worried.

“Since Ni Qingfeng dared to come to the Evil Ghost Cave, he must have investigated the methods the sect could use beforehand. The breaking of the Soul-Sweeping Bell is proof of this. Perhaps he can also deal with those eighteen puppets. This is really bad.”

Yin Xiushi pondered in his heart that although he could think of these things, it did not mean that he could say them. If the sect leader thought he was exaggerating, he, a person with a criminal record, would probably be punished in an instant.

"Let's wait and see. If all else fails, we can escape through the tunnels and perhaps come back in the future."

Thinking of this, Yin Xiushi gradually calmed down and waited for good news from outside. At this moment, Ni Qingfeng and the other two had already broken through several barriers and killed no less than forty little devils. Looking at the black pool several feet in diameter in front of them, with an iron plate laid across it, the water was bubbling and a foul smell made Fu Tianjiao and Zhao Kai frown.

"Could this be a corpse-dissolving potion?"

Zhao Kai looked at the stark white bones carried atop the churning pool water and felt a wave of nausea. He quickly took a deep breath to suppress his discomfort.

"Keep these two Qingling Pills with you."

Ni Qingfeng took out two pills and handed them to Fu Tianjiao and Zhao Kai. The two of them took them and felt refreshed after taking a sniff.

Ni Qingfeng looked at the churning corpse-dissolving water and the iron bridge, and snorted coldly. He casually flicked out a burst of energy, and the originally stable iron bridge suddenly plummeted after the energy hit it, falling into the corpse-dissolving water. In the horrified eyes of Fu Tianjiao and Zhao Kai, the iron bridge instantly melted away, disappearing without a trace in just a few breaths.

"What a vicious corpse-dissolving water! I had heard of it before, but seeing it with my own eyes is several times more terrifying than the rumors."

Fu Tianjiao felt a chill in her heart. Even the iron plate was like this; if her physical body fell into it, she would surely die. However, this place was the only passage to the inner chamber. If she couldn't get through, she wouldn't be able to kill Jue Qianji and the others.

"Uncle-Master, how about we use a grappling hook?"

Fu Tianjiao took out a fine hook from her backpack and showed it to Ni Qingfeng. The latter nodded upon seeing it, then grabbed the hook and threw it forward. The hook flew over the pool of corpses with a whoosh and clattered, firmly gripping the opposite wall. Ni Qingfeng tugged at it and found it to be very secure.

"I'll go first."

Ni Qingfeng gripped the grappling hook onto the wall, then leaped and landed steadily on it. In a few flashes, he landed safely on the other side. Fu Tianjiao nodded to her martial uncle and said to Zhao Kai, "Junior brother, you go first."

Zhao Kai nodded upon hearing this, and immediately used his lightness skill to step onto the hook. With a few leaps, he landed in front of Ni Qingfeng.

Seeing Zhao Kai successfully cross, Fu Tianjiao did not hesitate and moved instantly. However, just as Fu Tianjiao was halfway across, the Corpse-Dissolving Pool suddenly erupted, with jets of water gushing upwards. Zhao Kai's expression changed. Although Fu Tianjiao was on guard, she was caught off guard. She quickly stepped onto the hook and dodged the Corpse-Dissolving Water with a few quick movements, successfully reaching the other side.

After Fu Tianjiao passed by, the hook was corroded.

"Let's go."

Seeing that Fu Tianjiao was unharmed, Ni Qingfeng continued walking forward. However, he hadn't gone far when he stopped her with a gesture. Fu Tianjiao and Zhao Kai were also terrified when they saw the dense blood silkworm threads in front of them.

"This Demon Cave has really gone to great lengths to deal with us. A single Blood Silkworm Thread is worth a fortune, and with so many here, they've probably even used up their savings."

Zhao Kai sneered. After observing the area, he drew his Xuan Tie sword and slashed at a certain spot. The incredibly sharp blood silkworm silk instantly broke off. Zhao Kai continued to clear a path along the blood silkworm silk array with his Xuan Tie sword. In just a short while, most of the blood silkworm silk had been cleared away. But just as Zhao Kai was about to continue doing the same thing, Ni Qingfeng stopped him.

"Uncle Master?"

Ni Qingfeng told Zhao Kai to step back, and the latter immediately retreated to the side. Ni Qingfeng then gathered his true energy and unleashed several palm strikes at the remaining blood silkworm silk in front of him. The scorching and intense palm force continuously burned the blood silkworm silk, and with a cracking sound, the blood silkworm silk shattered inch by inch. Just after the blood silkworm silk broke, a burst of hidden weapons flew out from all directions.

Fu Tianjiao and Zhao Kai were prepared and parried with their swords. In no time, the hidden weapon disappeared without a trace. Looking at the ground full of hidden weapons, Zhao Kai broke out in a cold sweat. If he had used his sword to cut them off, he would have been caught off guard by the hidden weapons and would have been seriously injured even if he hadn't died.

"It seems that Jue Qianji is also running out of ideas. If nothing unexpected happens, he will use those eighteen puppet corpses next."

Ni Qingfeng led Fu Tianjiao and the other person without any hindrance to a tomb palace of considerable size. Two white lanterns hung from the eaves of the tomb palace, emitting emerald green candlelight, which made the dim space seem very eerie and strange.

With a few clicks, the inner chamber door of the tomb slowly opened, and a chilling aura emanated from within. Upon seeing this, Ni Qingfeng led the two inside without hesitation. Just after the three of them entered, the door slowly closed again.

Just as Ni Qingfeng and his two companions were venturing into the Demon Cave, an uninvited guest arrived at Qiushui Manor in the Jiangnan region. Cha Mulong looked at Qiu Tangbai, who was neither human nor ghost, and his anger did not diminish in the slightest.

"You finally came."

"Take revenge and reclaim what doesn't belong to you."

Cha Mulong coldly stared at Qiu Tangbai, then reached out and inhaled at him. Qiu Tangbai's expression changed, and he stirred his true energy, trying to keep the dragon pearl. However, after only a few breaths, the dragon pearl landed in Cha Mulong's hand.

Seeing the three dragon balls floating in front of Chamulong, Qiutangbai's eyes instantly turned bloodshot, and he became even more crazed. "These are my dragon balls, give them back to me!"

Qiu Tangbai unleashed his true energy, and the chains binding his limbs and torso snapped in unison, groaning and flashing. He unleashed a torrent of power from both palms, striking towards Cha Mulong. The latter dodged to the side and slammed his right fist through the air.

The room was filled with chaotic palm strikes and bursts of fist energy. Qiu Tangbai's martial arts skills, aided by the Dragon Ball, were far superior to what they used to be. His Autumn Water Palm technique was now at its most refined. In his current frenzy, he had lost some of his domineering nature and gained some evil intent. His moves were ruthless and his angles were sharp, which actually put Cha Mulong at a disadvantage.

With a "bang," Cha Mulong was struck by Qiu Tangbai's palm, causing his blood and qi to surge and forcing him to retreat several steps. After knocking Cha Mulong back with his palm, Qiu Tangbai stared intently at the three floating dragon pearls. He reached out and grabbed them, and the dragon pearls landed in his hand without resistance.

Seeing this, Cha Mulong remained expressionless. He walked step by step to Qiu Tangbai's side and looked at Qiu Tangbai, who was lost in his fantasies. Cha Mulong then struck Qiu Tangbai on the head with a palm. Qiu Tangbai screamed in agony, blood flowed from his seven orifices, and he collapsed to the ground, dying instantly.

Cha Mulong looked at the hands that were tightly gripping the Dragon Pearl, and with a thought, the Dragon Pearl suddenly shone brightly. Three golden rays enveloped Qiu Tangbai's corpse, quickly turning it into black ash.

Cha Mulong glanced at the ashes on the ground, then calmly walked out of the room. Outside the door, Qiu Tanggui and Qiu Tangjie both wore bitter smiles when they saw him come out.

“Every wrong has its perpetrator, and every debt its debtor. Qiu Tangbai is dead, so my feud with Qiushui Manor ends here. You all should take care of yourselves.”

After saying this, Cha Mulong left Qiushui Manor. Right after he left, Qiu Tanggui and the other person went into the room and put away the ashes.

"It's time for us to leave. Ruofeng should have arrived at Tianshan by now, right?"

“Yes, Ruofeng sent a message a few days ago saying that he has settled in Pingsha Town, which is a hundred miles away from Tianshan. He told us to go there as soon as possible after we finish our business. Second brother, most of the people in the manor have been dismissed, with only a few loyal servants left. Let’s set off quickly. As for the manor’s foundation, let’s leave it to Shangguan Yun.”

"This estate has been passed down for a hundred years, but I never expected it to fall into ruin in our hands. It's all a matter of timing and fate."

Qiu Tanggui sighed, picked up the urn, and walked out of the manor. At this moment, several carriages were parked outside Qiushui Manor. When Qiu Tanggui and the other person appeared, a beautiful and capable woman came to greet them.

"Second Master, Third Master."

"Xiaodie, thank you for your help lately."

Qiu Tangjie helped his second brother into the carriage, then turned to thank Xiaodie. If it weren't for Xiaodie managing the affairs of the manor recently, it would have been impossible for them to get everything sorted out so quickly.

"It's all Xiaodie should do." Xiaodie chuckled. "Third Master, let's hurry up and go. The Young Master is still waiting for us in Pingsha Town."

"Walk."

Qiu Tangjie boarded the carriage, and Xiao Die gave the order, and several carriages set off together, heading west.

Several hours after the group from Qiushui Manor left, the Sun and Moon Duo of Zhongxin Hall arrived with their men. Seeing the wide-open gate of Qiushui Manor, the Sun and Moon Duo exchanged a glance, waved their hands, and the Zhongxin Hall members leaped in. A moment later, a subordinate came out carrying a wooden box.

"The Qiushui Manor is quite pragmatic. With these things and Qiutangbai dead, the remaining few can't cause any big trouble."

This wooden box contains most of the foundation of Qiushui Manor over the past century. With these things in hand, given time, Zhongxin Hall will surely be able to increase its strength even further.

"Report back to the hall master first."

(End of this chapter)