CHAPTER 47: CHAPTER 45: THE HEROES STRIKE BACK

Lin Wanqing found herself amidst the intense slaughter, her posture agile and movements swift, resembling an elegant dancer.

In her hand, the long sword danced, showcasing the exquisite Longevity Swordsmanship to its fullest. Each sword move was infused with power and beauty, each thrust aimed directly at the enemy’s vital points. The swordsmanship was exceedingly sharp, with each stroke containing profound inner strength, as if it could cut through all obstacles in the world.

Lin Wanqing lightly shouted, her wrist shook, executing a move "Longevity Questions the Heart," her long sword like a spiritual snake emerging from its hole, directly piercing towards the man’s throat. The sword tip carried a fierce momentum, as if it intended to penetrate the opponent’s heart, seeking the source of his flaws.

Immediately after, Lin Wanqing executed another move "Spring Growth," her body turned, the long sword drew a huge arc, sword wind radiating, as if all things of spring were growing, containing endless vitality and strength, forcing the man to retreat and defend.

The man confronting her was skillful in martial arts, far more than just brute strength. He held a twelve-foot copper staff with both hands, allowing a space of five to six feet on each end, enabling him to control the battle within a range of ten feet with ease.

In the duel with Lin Wanqing, the man’s hands moved flexibly within seven inches of the copper staff, exerting power with perfect timing, holding steady like Mount Tai, the staff and his body seemingly merged into one, moving with his will.

At that moment, the man unleashed a fierce move "Vajra Breaks the Mountain," lifting the copper staff high, bringing it down with a force of a thousand pounds towards Lin Wanqing, as if intending to shatter a towering mountain in an instant. The air was compressed by this powerful force, emitting a buzzing sound.

Following this, he executed a move "Four Doors Prison," rapidly spinning the copper staff to form an impenetrable defensive net in front of him. The staff shadows were heavy, like a solid prison, protecting himself within while searching for an opportunity to counterattack.

In the ever-changing slaughter, the man advanced and evaded within a few feet distance.

His copper staff moved like a collapsing mountain, his entire presence like an impregnable fortress, his attacks fierce like a rainbow drinking at a stream, his defense solid like a fortified city wall, and his strikes were as shocking as a thunderbolt. Each time he wielded the staff, it carried an overwhelming force capable of crushing all obstacles, launching fierce assaults towards Lin Wanqing, the copper staff in his hands transformed into daunting copper walls.

Lin Wanqing moved lightly, like a swallow darting among the staff shadows, skillfully evading the man’s attacks.

Her eyes were sharp like an eagle, constantly watching for the opponent’s weaknesses.

The Longevity Swordsmanship she wielded was light and flowing, as natural as drifting clouds and flowing water, every move imbued with a sense of endless continuity. The direction of the sword tip was sharp, yet like gentle rain, veiling fatal intent in softness.

The two engaged back and forth, sword light and staff shadows intertwined, composing a thrilling scene.

The sound of clashing was endless, Lin Wanqing’s sword and the man’s staff collided occasionally, sparking countless sparks, resembling the brightest stars in the night sky, illuminating the battlefield filled with lethal intent.

Faced with the man’s copper staff attacking like a storm, Lin Wanqing maintained a calm state of mind, countering hardness with softness, controlling movement with stillness.

At the peak of the opponent’s attack, she skillfully employed sword moves like "Flowing Clouds" and "Gentle Breeze" to neutralize the opponent’s assault, while seizing opportunities to counterattack. "Gentle Breeze Brushes Willow," her sword lightly waved, like a gentle breeze brushing across willow branches, seemingly soft yet skillfully dispelling the man’s copper staff’s formidable force; "Flowing Clouds Flying Sleeve," the long sword moved with her form, like clouds, elusive and unpredictable, making it difficult for the man to grasp.

While the sword gleamed, her sword intent was vivid, reaching a realm where mind and sword were one, sword following the will, will following the sword, merging man and sword into one.

The man wielded the copper staff, the wind howling, launching relentless assaults towards Lin Wanqing.

At this point, he unleashed a move "Angry Dragon Stirring the Sea," wielding the copper staff with ferocity, as if an enraged dragon tossing in the sea, the staff shadows heavy, fiercely striking towards Lin Wanqing.

However, Lin Wanqing suddenly leaped into the air, her figure light as a fairy, the long sword in her hand swift as lightning, executing a move "Falling Star Chasing Moon," directly stabbing at the man’s armpit vitals.

The man reacted swiftly, instantly sweeping the copper staff horizontally, barely blocking this lethal strike, but fine beads of sweat were already seeping from his forehead, his breathing slightly rapid, clearly feeling immense pressure from this strike.

After more than thirty rounds of fierce exchange, Lin Wanqing’s Longevity Swordsmanship became increasingly relentless, the agility and sharpness in the sword moves being vividly displayed by her. The man, on the other hand, gradually showed signs of fatigue, the speed of wielding the copper staff gradually slowing, and the movements no longer as smooth and free as before. Lin Wanqing keenly seized the opportunity, her long sword suddenly accelerated, executing a move "Breaking Dawn Awe-inspiring Swan," like a meteor piercing through the night sky, with an unstoppable momentum, a sword to the throat.

The brawny man widened his eyes, and his body slowly fell. With a "clang," his bronze staff slipped from his hand, creating a heavy sound.

At this moment, from the depths of Changsheng Castle, a melodious and beautiful tune floated out. The sound of the zither was clear and transparent, like a mountain stream flowing, crisp and pleasant; it was also soft and warm, like a spring breeze brushing one’s face, making people feel refreshed and relaxed.

This wonderful melody quickly dispelled the surrounding noise and clamor. Everyone present, whether they were Martial Arts masters or ordinary disciples, was drawn to the sudden music, unconsciously stopping their actions and turning their gaze to the source of the music.

Only to see Shi Feiyang sitting leisurely on the rooftop, his white clothes fluttering in the wind, playing a quaint zither in his hands. Meanwhile, Liu Tingting, Gong Ci’en, and Gong Yao’en were tightly bound with ropes, lying quietly beside him, becoming the silent audience of this musical performance. Everyone couldn’t help but wonder, what exactly had happened?

Earlier...

With Lin Wanqing’s leadership, the battle between the Martial Arts practitioners and the Divine Water Palace was intense. Liu Tingting, Gong Ci’en, and Gong Yao’en led the Divine Water Palace maids and a group of brawny men to quietly infiltrate Changsheng Castle, intending to set it on fire and disrupt the Lin Family from within.

However, Shi Feiyang did not enter the secret chamber basement as they had expected.

Taking advantage of the chaos of the battle, he retrieved a deerskin bag from his waist and poured out Wu Zhong, Xiao Lingling, Liu Dayou, and Liu Guihua, instructing them to ensure the safety and stability of Changsheng Castle, ensuring no harm came to the people inside.

As for why Shi Feiyang was present at this location, he promised a detailed explanation later.

A month ago, when Shi Feiyang gained fame in Jianghu, Wu Zhong and Xiao Lingling’s attitudes changed. They were moved by Shi Feiyang’s generosity and chivalrous spirit towards the common people, and they were willing to follow him even at the cost of their lives.

They firmly believed that the descendants of the Heroic Sakura Association would not be mistreated, thus removing their worries and becoming exceptionally brave.

When Liu Tingting, Gong Ci’en, and Gong Yao’en led the experts and maids of the Divine Water Palace into Changsheng Castle, they were met with fierce resistance from Shi Feiyang, Wu Zhong, and others before they even touched the ground. Xiao Lingling and Liu Guihua, two skilled female heroes, each wielding sharp knives and whips, engaged in a tense and thrilling duel with Gong Ci’en.

Gong Ci’en’s entire body made crackling sounds, as if a string of fireworks was exploding by the ear, his fists were heavy like hammers, and each punch whistled through the air, barely allowing Xiao Lingling and Liu Guihua to defend.

However, despite the severe situation, Xiao Lingling and Liu Guihua’s eyes shone with determination and defiance.

They understood well that against a master like Gong Ci’en, the slightest slip could lead to eternal doom.

Xiao Lingling’s Mandarin Duck Saber gleamed coldly, each swing trying to find a flaw in Gong Ci’en’s defenses, carving sharp arcs in the air; while Liu Guihua’s soft whip was exceptionally agile, sometimes wrapping, sometimes lashing, like a nimble snake, weaving around Gong Ci’en, trying to disrupt his attack rhythm.

Seeing this, Gong Ci’en curled his lips into a cold smile, fully aware that his One-String Whip Divine Technique had reached perfection, and wherever his fist wind blew, nothing could withstand it. However, facing the combined efforts of Xiao Lingling and Liu Guihua, he had to exert his full strength.

Gong Ci’en’s form burst forth, leaping like a fierce beast towards the two, the fist wind howling and unstoppable.

In this life-and-death moment, Xiao Lingling and Liu Guihua shared a tacit understanding, knowing that only by working together could they possibly defeat Gong Ci’en.

Thus, they cooperated seamlessly, Xiao Lingling’s Mandarin Duck Saber cut dazzling arcs in the air, resplendent like a rainbow, with each attack carrying a fierce momentum; while Liu Guihua’s soft whip tightly wrapped around Gong Ci’en’s offense, tenacious like vines, constantly restraining his movements.

The fierce battle among the three made it neither easy for Gong Ci’en to capture Xiao Lingling and Liu Guihua, nor could he break free from being entangled by them. He felt frustration inside, like a tiger bound, possessing great strength yet unable to unleash its full potential.

To aid Shi Feiyang in capturing Liu Tingting, Xiao Lingling and Liu Guihua fought to the death without retreating, gritting their teeth in battle, determined to fight Gong Ci’en to the end, even if they weren’t his match.