Tang Dynasty Bandits

Chapter 143 Fierce Battle
When Tian Jun was thirteen or fourteen years old, she had already noticed the obvious changes brought about by physical development.

After she told Tian Xiang about it, Tian Xiang told her to learn to cherish herself. Then she wiped off the powder around her eyes and showed Tian Jun the shocking red fungus on her face.

In order to suppress her illness, Tian Xiang needed to take mercury for a long time, but this only made things worse for her body.

Tian Jun decided to end her suffering because Tian Xiang was not only suffering mental humiliation, but also physical pain, and she herself did not have long to live.

Tian Xiang, a devout Confucianist, remained quite indifferent to these illnesses, believing them to be divine punishment for excessive indulgence. It is only through the fear of illness that people learn to restrain their desires.

Just as Zhu Wen commented, Tian Xiang was such a saintly woman. She took honor and disgrace, life and death lightly, and never thought about herself. It was as if all the suffering in the world was caused by her own inadequacy.

The bright red sores sent chills down Tian Jun's spine. The young girl's budding romantic feelings also brought her a new understanding of matters between men and women.

Using the method taught by Tian Xiang, Tian Jun quickly expelled the burning passion within her body, and her eyes became clear.

Because of Tian Xiang, Tian Jun naturally wouldn't discriminate against women of the night. But a witch like Bai Hua Xiu was something Tian Jun found quite repulsive.

Now she thinks exactly the same as Zhu Wen—this witch must die; such a person, if left in the world, can only be a scourge.

Tian Jun's eyes sharpened as she swiftly picked up the spear that Bai Huaxiu had thrown down from the sand.

The spear, its blade gleaming with a chilling azure light, thrust towards Baihuaxiu's chest with overwhelming ferocity.

In order to quickly enter the cave and launch a surprise attack on Zhu Wen and Tian Jun, Bai Huaxiu threw away the long weapon, the snake spear, which affected her movement, allowing Tian Jun to easily retrieve her family's heirloom weapon.

The spearhead ripped through Baihuaxiu's clothes, leaving a bloody mark on her breasts.

If Baihuaxiu hadn't quickly retreated, her chest would have been pierced by a spear.

But Tian Jun also felt a clear sense of stagnation.

"She wore soft armor that was exceptionally tough."

Zhu Wen flipped the precious sword with lightning speed, took the opportunity to switch it to his left hand, and used the back of the sword to strike Baihuaxiu.

Compared to the stabbing damage of spears and swords, the armor-piercing ability of knives is not good. Even a divine weapon like the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow cannot cut through iron like mud.

Against an armored opponent, it's better to rely on explosive power and smash with the back of the blade.

Attacked from both sides, the immense force, like a raging river, slammed into Baihuaxiu's back as she was forced back by Tian Jun, sending her flying like a kite with a broken string. She coughed up blood and instantly fell into the Rehe River.

Just as Zhu Wen had predicted, Bai Huaxiu's intelligence was limited. Since she didn't know about the wolf friend "Xiao Bai," she certainly didn't know that Zhu Wen had once ambushed Yan Shuai Zhen Ranyu's left-handed knife.

Fresh blood quickly spread across the water's surface.

Zhu Wen instantly discerned Baihuaxiu's thoughts.

She clearly took the opportunity to fall into the water on purpose.

The mist could blur Zhu Wen and Tian Jun's vision, and Bai Huaxiu's strange movements allowed her to quickly leap out of the water and onto the shore even when she was hit by the mandala and injured.

Although the Rehe River is not wide, it is not narrow either. Neither Zhu Wen nor Tian Jun could leap across it; they would inevitably fall into the water and then be hindered by the current.

By this time, Baihuaxiu had already fled into the deep grass on the opposite bank.

Just as Zhu Wen had predicted, Baihuaxiu leaped again, landing soaking wet on the sandy opposite bank. Her wet clothes, clinging to her body, accentuated her graceful and lithe figure.

Although Baihua Xiu's chest was not as full as Tian Jun's and Duan Hongyan's, her curves were more alluring.

Zhu Wen, of course, would not act as Bai Huaxiu had predicted.

He paused, lowered his body, and with a flick of his wrist, hurled the Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Treasure Blade.

Baihua Xiu's figure flashed through the air, leaving behind an afterimage. Zhu Wen's thrown knife missed its target and slammed deeply into the sand opposite.

But blood immediately spurted out.

Tian Jun threw the spear again, piercing through Bai Huaxiu's shoulder blade. With a shrill scream, Bai Huaxiu fell to the ground, pinned to the sand on the opposite bank.

Baihuaxiu was plunged into darkness, and the damp sand seeped into her mouth and nose, almost suffocating her.

The excruciating pain of having her collarbone pierced made her feel as if her whole body was being torn apart.

"Stupid woman," Zhu Wen mocked. "You didn't need to dodge my slash. Whether it's arrows, hidden weapons, or throwing weapons, I'm only slightly better than someone who doesn't know how."

Baihua Xiu had just struggled to get up when she was so angry that her nose almost twisted out of shape.

When two people join forces, their fighting power will be doubled, and the opponent will be distracted and unable to attack. If you attack from the front, the opponent will come from behind. If you prepare for the left, the opponent will come from the right. If you are prepared everywhere, you will be able to attack everywhere.

The more enemies there are, the more this is true; as the saying goes, even a fierce tiger cannot withstand a pack of wolves.

However, Baihua Xiu's movements were as swift as a ghost, perfectly capturing the gaps in their coordination. In a normal duel, even if Zhu Wen and Tian Jun joined forces, they would not be a match for her.

However, having been drugged and injured twice, Baihuaxiu found it quite difficult to escape.

Zhu Wen and Tian Jun quickly crossed the river, flanking Bai Huaxiu on either side.

They have all lost their weapons.

Tian Jun's spear was wobbling and stuck in Bai Huaxiu's shoulder.

Baihua Xiu knew that if she pulled out the spear, it would only cause her more pain and lead to a lot of blood loss.

But carrying such a long spear made it difficult for her to maintain her balance. She could only grip the short blade tightly, her eyes shifting from alluring to ferocious.

Baihua Xiu had never been in such a predicament before.

She has no choice but to fight to the death now.

Zhu Wen and Tian Jun immediately took out the short swords that they had hidden in the cave.

Faced with a formidable enemy like Baihuaxiu, how could they not prepare backup weapons?

It was rather strange that he concealed the short sword in his breastplate and calf-nose trousers when he came out of the cave.

Baihua Xiu's expression turned deathly pale.

She realized that she was likely doomed.

Even a wounded tiger can still injure people, and Zhu Wen and Tian Jun wouldn't say a word or give her a chance to catch her breath.

Baihua Xiu tried her best to retreat, but she was no match for Zhu Wen and Tian Jun, who were chasing after her with the intent to kill.

Even with her face covered in sand, bloodstains at the corners of her mouth, and disheveled golden hair, making her look utterly wretched, Baihuaxiu still possessed a breathtaking beauty.

This beauty could evoke pity in most men and even women, making them hesitate to act towards her. Yet, it did nothing to deter Zhu Wen and Tian Jun's murderous intent.

It was clear that this stunning beauty was about to die by the two men's swords.

A sudden gust of wind swept by, bending the tall grass and revealing a figure in black robes.

A jet-black sword swung left and right, seemingly deflecting Zhu Wen and Tian Jun's short swords at the same time.

"Yang Xingmi, what exactly do you mean?"

Zhu Wen looked at the young man opposite him with a cold expression, whose skin was as white as snow and whose eyes were as cold as ice.

“King Kao is my friend, I can’t let her die,” Yang Xingmi said resolutely.

Yang Xingmi's words also definitively proved that Baihuaxiu was the most mysterious Flower King among the four kings of the Ming Cult.

A look of joy appeared in Baihuaxiu's eyes.

Tian Jun's expression changed drastically.

Even though Baihuaxiu was already injured, with Yang Xingmi coming to her aid, the two of them working together were far beyond what she and Zhu Wen could handle.

"So?" Zhu Wen asked aggressively, as if he didn't take Yang Xingmi seriously at all.

Yang Xingmi remained silent and drew his longsword once more.

But to Baihuaxiu's incredulous gaze, he swiftly circled around, showing no mercy whatsoever, and slammed the hilt of his sword hard into her chest.

With a crisp cracking sound, fresh blood gushed out of Baihuaxiu's mouth once again.

This impact broke at least three of Baihuaxiu's ribs.

"Brother Zhu, are you satisfied now?"

Yang Xingmi said calmly, his face as expressionless as ever.

Zhu Wen would not accept his mediation unless Baihuaxiu was completely rendered incapable of fighting.

Yang Xingmi also did not want Zhu Wen to die.

He disliked Baihuaxiu's style and looked forward to a life-or-death duel with Zhu Wen on the battlefield in the future.

For a man with the heart of a warrior, a good opponent is hard to find.

The sudden turn of events left Tian Jun speechless.

Zhu Wen and Yang Xingmi looked at each other and instantly understood each other's meaning.

Their eyes were filled with admiration for each other.

True friends are hard to find, so there's no need for words.

Even if today's confidant is tomorrow's mortal enemy.

Baihua Xiu also understood their current situation.

At least she didn't have to die.

Baihuaxiu gritted her teeth and used the last bit of strength to pull out the serpent spear from her shoulder. Instantly, blood gushed out like a spring.

Her face contorted in pain.

But she quickly caught her breath and smiled sweetly at Yang Xingmi like a spring flower, her lake-like eyes sparkling: "Little brother Xingmi, carry me on your back."

"Go on your own," Yang Xingmi replied simply, then took Baihuaxiu's sleeve, which was soaked with river water and blood, and led her into the deep grass covered with morning dew, quickly disappearing from sight.

"What a strange person," Tian Jun commented, watching the two figures disappear into the bushes.

(End of this chapter)