Be a proper Taoist priest in The Condor Heroes

At midnight, the Qin mansion was shrouded in darkness, the candlelight in the lanterns flickering in the night wind. Guards on the walls paced back and forth, their boots clattering on the blue bricks in the deathly silence.

The pavilions and towers within the mansion exude a rare luxury amidst the chaos of war, yet a sense of vigilance permeates every corner.

Hidden behind the artificial hill were sentries, and skilled men lay in ambush under the corridors. Qin Wanshan had already raised the defenses of his mansion to the extreme because of Zhao Heitan's death, but little did he know that Liu Chengzong had already laid a trap.

The surrounding houses had already been cleared out by the Liu family and the Yellow River Gang, and the men were replaced with skilled men in disguise. They were just waiting for the signal to sound so that they could block all of Qin's escape routes.

"call out,"

A rocket streaked across the night sky, leaving a crimson trail as it struck the plaque above the Qin family mansion's gate. Sparks flew down and ignited the silk on the plaque.

"Let's do it!"

With a low shout, Liu Chengzong darted forward like an arrow, his long sword drawn, its cold light reflecting in the candlelight—it was his family's Hebei sword technique. Lei Hong followed closely behind, wielding his oar-shaped long sword with sweeping, powerful strokes, his "Cleaving the Oars in the Waves" technique carrying the might of the Yellow River, as he and Liu Chengzong smashed open the Qin mansion's gate together.

"Enemy attack!"

The guards on the wall roared and swung their swords, but Liu Chengzong severed their wrists with a single blow. As blood gushed out, the ambush soldiers outside the mansion swarmed in, and the shouts of battle instantly shattered the silence of the night.

Liu Chengzong went straight to the main hall, his gaze fixed on Qin Wanshan, who had already come out upon hearing the commotion. He was dressed in black, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, which was the starting stance of the Qin family's martial art, the Shattering Stone Fist.

"Liu Chengzong, you old bastard, how dare you raid my Qin residence at night!"

"Qin Wanshan, you colluded with the Jurchens and harmed the people; today is your death day!"

Liu Chengzong snorted coldly, took out a brown pill from his pocket and swallowed it. His face instantly became rosier, and his second-rate aura, which had been weakened by his injuries, suddenly rose. Although it was not as strong as when he was at his peak, it still steadily maintained his second-rate combat power.

The two men clashed with their swords and fists. With a loud clang, Liu Chengzong's long sword was struck by Qin Wanshan's fist, causing his hand to go numb. Qin Wanshan was also hit on the shoulder by the wind from the sword, his clothes torn and bleeding.

The Hebei sword technique is fierce and swift, with each strike aimed directly at vital points; the Stone-Shattering Fist is heavy and powerful, with the wind of the punch carrying blood and qi, and each punch can shatter bricks and stones. The clash between second-rate martial artists instantly stirs up a cloud of dust.

On the other side, Lei Hong led his Yellow River Gang disciples to face off against the third-rate guard leader of the Qin family. His "Slicing the Oars in the Waves" technique flowed smoothly through his hands, and as soon as the blade flashed, a guard would fall down with a scream.

The invited martial artists also sought out their opponents. The stubble-faced swordsman fought against the martial arts instructor of the Qin family, the woman in green entangled a sword master with her soft sword, the hunchbacked old boxer and the skinny leader of the Beggar Clan joined forces to deal with the Qin family's steward, who was at the peak of the third-rate level. The wandering knight, the fat leader and Liu Yuru were clearing out the remaining guards. The battle between the third-rate martial artists was equally fierce, with the sounds of clashing weapons and screams rising and falling.

As soon as Su Yan rushed into the mansion, he was blocked by a burly man who was nine feet tall. The man was shirtless, his bronze skin was covered with scars, and his fists were clenched, the wind whistling as he punched. He was Qin Wanshan's most capable bodyguard, a third-rate master of the Black Sand Palm.

"Boy, you killed Chief Zhao, pay with your life!"

The burly man threw a punch, accompanied by a whooshing sound. Su Yan's eyes sharpened, and instead of retreating, he advanced. He activated his leaping technique, his figure moving like a ghost to dodge the punch. At the same time, he formed a fist with his right hand and unleashed the "Smashing Tablet Hand" strike.

With a "bang," the two fists collided. The big man groaned and took three steps back, his arm going numb. Su Yan was also shaken and his blood surged, but he used the recoil to unleash his leaping technique and instantly closed in on the big man.

He had intended to hone his boxing skills against his opponent, but with the Qin family in chaos and things likely to go wrong, his cautious nature made him abandon the idea. He suddenly changed his stance, unleashing the full power of his "Smashing Stele Hand" strike. He blocked with his left fist, while his right fist aimed straight for the burly man's heart, the force of his punch concentrated like a needle.

With a "crack," the burly man's ribs broke, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Su Yan gave his opponent no chance to catch his breath, leaping into the air with a leaping technique, kneeing the big man in the chin, and then punching him on the top of the head. The big man's eyes widened, and he collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

Having dealt with his opponent, Su Yan immediately focused his attention on the fierce battle in the main hall.

Although Liu Chengzong was aided by elixirs, he gradually fell into a disadvantageous position due to his unhealed old injuries. Qin Wanshan's Shattering Stone Fist became increasingly fierce, and a punch landed on Liu Chengzong's shoulder, causing him to spit out a mouthful of blood.

"Master Liu, I'm here to help you!"

With a low shout, Su Yan channeled all his inner strength into the sword, unleashing the full power of the Su family sword technique. The iron sword, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound as it cut through the wind, darted behind Qin Wanshan like a streak of light.

The "Armor-Splitting Thrust" strikes directly at the lower back, its fierce momentum making it a deadly move used in the military. Qin Wanshan had just parried Liu Chengzong's Hebei sword technique with his Stone-Shattering Fist when he suddenly felt a sharp wind behind him. As he turned and spun around, he swung his right fist back at the sword.

"clang!"

The sound of metal clashing was deafening. Qin Wanshan's Stone-Shattering Fist was incredibly fierce. The force of his fist, carrying the blood and qi of a second-rate martial artist, actually forced Su Yan's iron sword out of his hand.

With a clang, the sword was nailed to the courtyard wall, its blade still trembling incessantly.

Su Yan felt a numbness in his tiger's mouth and a surge of blood and qi in his arm. He was shocked; the strength of a second-rate martial artist was indeed terrifying. But he reacted quickly, using the momentum to retreat rapidly. He activated his leaping technique to its maximum, his body moving like a willow catkin to avoid Qin Wanshan's follow-up left fist.

Qin Wanshan, having gained the upper hand, pressed his advantage relentlessly. His eyes were bloodshot, and his shattering fists rained down like a storm. The wind from his punches shattered the blue bricks on the ground, sending dust flying everywhere.

"Kid, without your sword, let's see how you die!"

Su Yan was unarmed at the moment and could only dodge with all his might.

He focused intently, and the movement of his leaping technique became increasingly fluid. His blood and qi surged through his meridians, and the lightness technique he had previously had to consciously control now flowed naturally. He could use his toes to touch the ground more accurately, and his movements were faster. He even managed to tear a space for dodging through the dense barrage of fists.

Just as he was on the verge of life and death, Su Yan felt his blood and qi suddenly flow freely, and his control over the Lifting Technique reached its peak in an instant. His figure left behind afterimages, and Qin Wanshan's fist could no longer touch him.

Host: Su Yan

Age: 16

Martial arts:

Rank E - Su Family Sword Technique (Mastery, 267/400) [Consumable -25%, Armor Penetration +25%, Pressure +30%]

Rank E - Leap Technique (Perfect, 1/500) [Consumer Cost -30%, Agility +40%, Evasion +40%]

Rank E - Monument Slayer (Mastery, 132/200) [Critical Strike +10%]

Realm: Third-rate martial artist.

The technique of lifting and leaping is perfected!

Su Yan was overjoyed and became even more composed in his dodging. During a break in his evasion, he took out a small piece of ginseng that he had cut off and took a bite.

The ginseng tasted slightly bitter at first, but the sweet aftertaste spread instantly. A warm current flowed down my throat and into my dantian. The qi and blood that had been weakened due to the breakthrough instantly calmed down, the hunger that had just risen in my stomach disappeared, and the sluggishness between my fists and feet vanished completely. I felt comfortable all over, and my fists became even more powerful.

Sink your waist and slump your shoulders, clench your fists tightly, and gather all your energy and blood in the "Smashing Stele Hand" gesture.

He stopped dodging and seized the opportunity when Qin Wanshan's strength was exhausted. He suddenly closed in and punched Qin Wanshan in the chest with his right fist. The wind from the punch was accompanied by white smoke, which was the heavy strike of the Stone-Smashing Hand.

Qin Wanshan roared and blocked with his left fist. The two fists collided with a muffled thud. Su Yan used the momentum to fly backward, but spun around the moment he landed and smashed Qin Wanshan's injured side with his left fist. This kind of fighting style of exchanging injury for injury completely enraged Qin Wanshan. Ignoring Liu Chengzong's sword strike, he pounced on Su Yan like a madman, using his Shattering Stone Fist to fight desperately.

As Su Yan clashed fist-to-fist with Qin Wanshan, his understanding of the Stone-Smashing Hand technique deepened.

The power of his punches was no longer simply fierce; it had become more skillful, allowing him to deflect and counterattack by following the opponent's force. Every punch landed precisely on Qin Wanshan's weak points.

Suddenly, he punched Qin Wanshan's Jianjing acupoint, and felt his blood and qi surge violently. The power of his "Smashing Stele Hand" fist suddenly surged, as if a new force was bursting out of his body.

Host: Su Yan

Age: 16

Martial arts:

Rank E - Su Family Sword Technique (Mastery, 267/400) [Consumable -25%, Armor Penetration +25%, Pressure +30%]

Rank E - Leap Technique (Perfect, 6/500) [Consumer Cost -30%, Agility +40%, Evasion +40%]

Rank E - Monument Slayer (Minor Mastery, 1/300) [Consumable Cost -15%, Critical Hit +20%]

Realm: Third-rate martial artist.

The Stone-Smashing Technique has reached a minor level of mastery!

Su Yan's fist power intensified, forming a pincer attack with Liu Chengzong from the left and right. Liu Chengzong's Hebei swordsmanship was fierce and swift, each strike aimed at killing; Su Yan's monument-smashing hand, combined with his leaping technique, was agile and ruthless.

Qin Wanshan was attacked from both sides and gradually became exhausted. But at this moment, he caught sight of the iron sword flying off the courtyard wall. He suddenly made a feint and tried to pick up the sword to fight back.

Upon seeing this, Su Yan had a sudden inspiration. Although he had no sword in hand, the fierce essence of the Su family sword technique was already ingrained in his bones. He subconsciously imitated the sword moves, lowering his waist and falling off his horse like a "shield-breaking slash", turning his body and shifting his steps like a "chain slash", and his fist, carrying the sharp momentum of the sword technique, smashed towards Qin Wanshan's wrist.

Qin Wanshan was struck on the wrist by a punch that, though without a sword, was more powerful than one. He recoiled in pain, his eyes filled with disbelief. Su Yan pressed his advantage, unleashing a series of heavy blows with his "Smashing Tablet Hand," his "Lifting and Leaping Technique" making him as close as a shadow. Liu Chengzong also seized the opportunity to sweep his longsword across Qin Wanshan's back.

"How dare you, you brat!"

Qin Wanshan was so enraged that he spat out a mouthful of blood, but he still fought on relentlessly.

However, Su Yan, who had broken through all three martial arts, was now much stronger than before. He could dodge faster and his punches were more powerful. With Liu Chengzong's restraint, Qin Wanshan gradually fell into a disadvantageous position. He had more and more wounds on his body, and his blood and qi were becoming increasingly weak. His defeat was inevitable.

"Down you go!"

Su Yan seized the opportunity presented by Qin Wanshan's exhaustion of old strength and lack of new strength, channeling all his inner energy into his fists and unleashing the full force of his "Smashing Stele Hand," striking Qin Wanshan squarely in the chest.

With a "crack," the sound of ribs breaking was clearly audible. Qin Wanshan spat out a mouthful of blood, staggered backward, and crashed into a pillar.

Liu Chengzong followed closely behind, thrusting his long sword straight down with the "River-Breaking Style" of Hebei swordsmanship. The blade sliced ​​across Qin Wanshan's abdomen and back, and blood instantly stained his tight-fitting clothes. Qin Wanshan collapsed to the ground, barely breathing, only able to take in a few breaths and exhale more.

"father!"

A heart-wrenching cry rang out, and Qin Yue, carrying a short sword, stumbled over. She was dressed in simple clothes, her face streaked with tears. She rushed to Qin Wanshan, wanting to help him up, but Qin Wanshan suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist.

A ruthless glint flashed in Qin Wanshan's eyes. He struggled to pick up a curved knife from the ground and held it to Qin Yue's neck. The blade pressed against her skin, and a bead of blood seeped out.

"Liu Chengzong, don't come any closer! Or I'll kill her!"

Liu Chengzong was clearly stunned, and Su Yan, who was rushing forward, also stopped, completely bewildered.

Using his own daughter to coerce the enemy? Su Yan couldn't quite understand this situation.

As the battle around them gradually came to an end, the other third-rate martial artists also finished their fights and joined them here.

Qin Wanshan was panting heavily, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, but he stared intently at Liu Chengzong and Su Yan, his eyes filled with madness.

"Liu Chengzong, do you know who she is?"

In the darkness, the cold glint of the scimitar reflected on Qin Yue's terrified face. The fighting in the Qin mansion gradually subsided, leaving only Qin Wanshan's panting and Qin Yue's sobs. The atmosphere was somewhat frozen.