Yuan Luoheng, Liu Yuandao, Gong Zhicheng, Ruan Mingwei, and Ji Chang all showed concern in their eyes. Judging from Yan Ge’s condition, he seemed to be slightly inferior to Wei Wen in strength. However, none of them detected any signs of worry on Yan Ge’s face.
Yan Ge’s consistently composed demeanor left them uncertain, so they refrained from speculating and continued forward.
Guo Yi stepped out a bit slowly.
Behind Fengshan was Lingxiao Mountain, its northern side was already developed, while the southern side remained untouched. A valley lay in between Fengshan and Lingxiao Mountains. It was covered with thick bushes, bizarre rocks, and numerous poisonous insects and ants. No one had ever ventured into this area. Wild peach trees in the valley were in full bloom with pink blossoms that looked like clusters of pink clouds from a distance. A gust of wind blew, causing petals to flutter down like gentle rain, creating a scene of beauty.
Huangfu Yuchen stood nonchalantly on a peach tree branch. He casually glanced over and noticed the lecherous look that Wei Wen was directing at Yan Ge. With a flick of his right hand, he casually tossed something into the air.
Two thin yet fierce streams of killing intent shot towards Wei Wen’s eyes. He tilted his head slightly in time to see two pink petals streaking past like bolts of lightning. It turned out to be two peach blossom petals! These petals traveled nearly a mile before slowly descending.
Wei Wen quickly turned to look at the cold, stern man standing on the branch and fully abandoned his contemptuous attitude. Given Huangfu Yuchen’s strength earlier, if he hadn’t evaded, those two petals could have pierced both his eyes like sharp blades.
A milky-white glow materialized beneath Wei Wen’s feet, suspending him in mid-air. Silently, he landed on another peach tree not far from Huangfu Yuchen, exhibiting his skill by casually moving around the peach blossoms. His gaze remained just as arrogant as ever as he examined Huangfu Yuchen.
“I’ve heard that there are many handsome men in China, and it’s true after seeing you today,” Wei Wen’s Chinese was extremely fluent. If not for his appearance, one would think that a native Chinese speaker was speaking. However, his voice carried an obscene tone that sent shivers down one’s spine.
Huangfu Yuchen responded calmly, “I’ve also heard that there are many ugly people in Y Country who cause trouble, and today’s meeting confirms it.”
Wei Wen’s eyes flickered slightly after Huangfu Yuchen’s retort, his anger bubbling. Truthfully, Wei Wen wasn’t ugly at all; he possessed a three-dimensional beauty and deep blue eyes that blinked with a gaze as alluring as an electric shock. He had always been proud of his appearance, and today was the first time someone had called him ugly.
Huangfu Yuchen successfully infuriated him, but he didn’t immediately lose his temper. With a stern tone, he inquired, “Are you the one who injured my subordinates?”
“I’ve actually been regretting that I let them go. Your arrival is quite timely,” Huangfu Yuchen chuckled.
“Just you?” Wei Wen snorted disdainfully. His gaze shifted toward Yan Ge and he laughed heartily, “In that case, let’s have a fight. The two of you can attack together, and I promise to make you both submit.”
Yan Ge waved his hand with a smile, “No need to trouble yourself. After you’re defeated, I’ll move their four bodies. One coffin will be enough after cremation.”
Ji Chang couldn’t help but chuckle.
Ruan Mingwei, Guo Jian, and Guo Yi also relaxed a bit. It seemed that both Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen were quite confident.
Huangfu Yuchen raised his hand to set up a barrier, preventing the commotion from drawing the attention of others nearby.
Wei Wen’s hands darted into his trouser pockets, retrieving two identical curved blades. The tips were sharp like thorns, resembling inverted spikes. He held the two blades aloft and slightly crouched over, his cold gaze fixed on Huangfu Yuchen, resembling a poisonous snake fixated on its prey.
Yan Ge used his true qi as a blade, cutting off a section of green bamboo and gave it to Huangfu Yuchen.
Huangfu Yuchen was as steady as ever, his gaze fixed on Wei Wen.
Both were searching for the opportune moment to attack, hoping to seize control of the battle’s rhythm.
Both remained motionless yet seemed to be in motion. The peach tree beneath their feet trembled slightly. Brilliant peach blossom petals detached from the branches silently, fluttering in an unseen wind and forming an unusual whirlwind.
Suddenly, Huangfu Yuchen’s right foot slipped.
‘An ppening!’ Wei Wen propelled himself off the tree, leaping like a cunning rabbit and lunging towards Huangfu Yuchen. His right-hand curved blade cleaved towards Huangfu Yuchen’s chest.
Huangfu Yuchen casually used the bamboo pole to defend.
Wei Wen was certain that since Huangfu Yuchen dared to use a bamboo pole as a sword, the pole’s strength could ensure it remained intact. So, he knew that this strike wouldn’t do much to Huangfu Yuchen. He flicked his right curved blade with the force on the bamboo pole, creating a momentary pause, while his left curved blade attacked, intercepting the bamboo pole. Simultaneously, his right-hand curved blade shot forward like a frog’s tongue, attempting to snag Huangfu Yuchen’s flesh. How does a frog catch insects? Its tongue rapidly shoots out from its mouth, capturing a mosquito flying by in just 0.3 seconds before swiftly retracting it back into its mouth.
The speed of the curved blade was just as swift!
Huangfu Yuchen’s shoulders relaxed, his back arched, and his chest retracted. He suddenly distanced himself from the curved blades, while simultaneously withdrawing the bamboo pole from his right hand. With a swift movement, he swept it towards Wei Wen, and with a loud “smack”, hit Wei Wen’s shoulder.
Wei Wen was slightly taken aback. Huangfu Yuchen’s reaction speed wasn’t slower than his. Moreover, the strike held a substantial force. If his cultivation weren’t profound, he would have been left coughing up blood.
“Swish”, peach blossom petals fell from the trees like raindrops.
A “whoosh” sound came from the side as Huangfu Yuchen’s bamboo pole swung again. Without needing to ponder, Wei Wen brought his two curved blades together, clamping down on Huangfu Yuchen like a pair of scissors and sharply cutting down.
Huangfu Yuchen leaped into the air, generating wind beneath his feet like a released arrow. Suddenly, he executed a backflip while in mid air, and the bamboo pole fiercely struck towards Wei Wen’s head.
Wei Wen abruptly crouched down, performing a frog’s leap to the side.
Huangfu Yuchen’s force found no target, instead striking the peach tree with a resounding “bang.” The tree split in two, and a brisk wind rapidly lifted countless petals, like water droplets sprayed upwards by a waterfall.
Wei Wen soared through the air, his two curved blades slashing in rapid succession, creating an extremely fast pace, making even the air pop and crackle as if it were exploding.
Ruan Mingwei and the rest had slightly lower cultivation levels, listening to these sounds made their hearts thud in response, and their scalps tingled.
Huangfu Yuchen expertly manipulated the bamboo stick, creating a strong, supple wind as he moved it flexibly. The bamboo stick twisted and met the blades at an oblique angle, which prevented it from snapping.
The impact was huge. Wei Wen felt as if he had been struck by a heavy hammer. The bamboo stick struck him repeatedly, numbing his wrists. Were it not for his profound cultivation, he would have lost his grip on the blades!
Wei Wen was not afraid of Huangfu Yuchen, but he realized just how difficult Huangfu Yuchen was to deal with. From the moment they began fighting until now, half an hour had passed, and he hadn’t gained any advantage. He had been struck by that wretched bamboo stick three or four times.
Suddenly, he stopped, and his momentum changed.
The nearby peach blossoms swayed vigorously, and several pink petals continuously detached from the branches. In less than half a minute, the beautiful peach blossom trees had turned bald, and the petals, like snowflakes swept by a storm, twisted rapidly in the wind, densely packed, almost blocking everyone’s vision.
While this was an extremely beautiful scene, Yuan Luoheng and the others didn’t appreciate it. The surging air of slaughter swept beneath the surface, causing them all to feel a chill down their spines and their palms to sweat.
A petal accidentally petal darted out from the center of the storm and brushed past Ruan Mingwei’s face. He felt a sharp pain, and when touched his face, his hand came away bloody.
He quickly pulled Ji Chang backwards.
However, Yan Ge remained composed and graceful in his stance, still keeping the nonchalant pose of one hand in his pocket. The storm of peach blossoms seemed to fear him as it diverted its course over him.
Wei Wen shouted loudly and tossed his left-hand curved blade. The blade spun at high speed like a meteor, hurtling towards Huangfu Yuchen.
Huangfu Yuchen raised his “sword” defensively, twisting his waist and evading.
Wei Wen seemed to have anticipated his response. His other curved blade swung viciously, and the hook caught onto Huangfu Yuchen’s clothing, ripping a long gash.
After the single strike, Wei Wen retreated, leaping halfway into the air. He thought it was a pity. If he had attacked from a closer distance just now, he could have surely carved out a large piece of flesh from Huangfu Yuchen’s body. Who knew if Huangfu Yuchen could still maintain his calm façade at that point?
Huangfu Yuchen frowned, looking down at his clothes.
Wei Wen was overjoyed—this was his chance! Immediately, like a mountain crashing down, he swooped downward at a rapid pace. The tip of his curved blade aimed for the neck, so long as he could catch Huangfu Yuchen’s throat, he could slash his head off with a single motion!
In the last second that Wei Wen closed in, Huangfu Yuchen suddenly leapt up, his long legs rising, and he kicked forcefully, striking Wei Wen in the abdomen. Meanwhile, Wei Wen’s curved blade only brushed past the top of Huangfu Yuchen’s head, not even severing a single strand of hair. This was the “rabbit kicking the eagle”!
With a muffled groan, Wei Wen, who was still in mid-air, spat out a mouthful of blood. Before he could recover his composure, a black figure streaked like a meteor toward him, landing a heavy blow into his back. He fell to the ground, his head tilting back as he spat out another mouthful of dark blood. Yet, even in this state, he struggled to lift his head, his gaze fixed on Huangfu Yuchen in disbelief, seemingly unable to accept that he had been defeated.
This single kick was powerful—his ribs must be broken. He tried several times but couldn’t manage to get up.
Huangfu Yuchen narrowed his eyes and glanced at him, elegantly retracting his bamboo pole.
Suddenly, Yan Ge walked a few steps to stand in front of Huangfu Yuchen. He used his hand to close up and press down the torn part of the clothing, shooting him a slightly displeased glance, as if reproaching him for exposing his skin in front of others.
Huangfu Yuchen was taken aback, then couldn’t help bursting into hearty laughter.
The joyous laughter made Ji Chang, Yuan Luoheng, and Guo Jian all stare in surprise, looking at Huangfu Yuchen with the same thought in their minds: ‘So, this person can laugh like this too.’
Yan Ge’s face turned a bit hot. He took Huangfu Yuchen’s hand and placed it on his waist. “Cover yourself!”
Huangfu Yuchen touched his earlobe. His laughter had stopped audibly, but the smile in his eyes hadn’t diminished one bit.
Wei Wen stealthily shifted his body, he was preparing to escape when Huangfu Yuchen suddenly swung the bamboo stick, releasing a burst of qi that shot straight into his heart.
“Wait!” Ji Chang tried to stop him in vain.
Huangfu Yuchen waved his hand to eliminate the other four members of Wei Wen’s group before casting a faint glance at Ji Chang.
Ji Chang muttered, “Their bishop died within our borders. I’m afraid…”
Yan Ge showed him a tranquil smile and asked in response, “You think they won’t cause us trouble if we spare them?”
Ji Chang and Wu Mingwei were momentarily speechless.
Yan Ge said meaningfully, “Even though we’re a nation of propriety, giving them courtesy once is enough. When it’s time to be firm, we should be firm. Waiting until others trample all over us is self-inflicted humiliation.”
“I leave this matter to you.” Huangfu Yuchen left these words for Ji Chang and Ruan Mingwei before walking away, resting his hand on Yan Ge’s shoulder. “Baby, cover the torn area for me.”
“Cover it yourself,” Yan Ge replied, looking up at the sky.
“My hand is sore from the fight.”
…
The two of them bantered as they walked away.
Yuan Luoheng, Liu Yuandao, Guo Jian, and the others exchanged glances. The excitement in their hearts hadn’t settled yet. Although this battle had nothing to do with them, they still gained valuable insights.
They soon departed.
Ji Chang and Wu Mingwei were left in despair, they had to deal with the five bodies.
