Chapter 147 Sanmenxia: "Three gates lock the Yellow River, treacherous shoals devour thousands of boats"...
The reeds on the riverbank are about waist-high. Beneath the slender and supple reed leaves, a withered and pale human skin is slowly swelling and bulging, as if flesh and blood have suddenly grown out, gradually stretching out into a complete human shape.
This "person," with a pale face, emerged from the muddy reeds and casually took the iron mask from Chen Ying's hand, putting it on his face. It was none other than A Cong, now dressed in a shroud.
Human skin is so fragile that it can be easily torn. Ah Cong kept changing faces, staring at one unfamiliar face after another, but there was never a face that belonged to him.
He had no face, and everyone looked different. He scrambled beneath one human skin after another, often feeling that faces were blurred. So he created this face for himself and wore it for many years.
The iron mask became his face. Ah Cong bent down and tucked the two daggers behind his waist. He then picked up a new longsword, held it in his hand, drew it three inches from its sheath, checked it, and then sheathed it again before turning and leaving.
Seeing his decisiveness, Chen Ying grabbed his arm and said, "If you leave the water and the shroud breaks, you will die on land."
The elephants knew perfectly well that once they reached the shore, their lives were like water in a water bag or bowl. If they were spilled and couldn't be caught, the spilled water could never be picked up again, and the result was that it would dry up and evaporate, disappearing silently.
“This is Mount Xiao,” Chen Ying said. “What if you die? Aren’t you going back? You were almost killed by the blind monk just now!”
Ah Cong remained silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head.
Chen Ying laughed angrily: "If you die, you'll be done with it all, but what about me? Who am I doing all this for?"
Ah Cong stood there blankly. Chen Ying got angry when she saw his appearance and pushed him hard: "Fine, then go die. Anyway, I won't have a good ending."
Ah Cong was pushed back two steps. He was a ghost, unable to speak human language, and could only stand there silently.
After standing there for a while, it was time to leave.
“Ah Cong,” Chen Ying stared at Ah Cong’s resolute back, knowing that he had no choice but to go. In fact, she wholeheartedly supported him, so she simply said, “Go, go and kill him.”
Lu Bing stared at Chen Ying as if in response: "Who do you want him to kill?"
Chen Ying glanced at him: "What do you think?"
Lu Bing could only think of one person: "Chen Ying! Tell him to come back!"
"Lu Bing, who do you think you are, ordering me around like this?"
"Don't touch Ya Ren."
Chen Ying walked up to Lu Bing, squatted down to look him in the eye, and said, "You must have been overjoyed to see Zhou Yaren today, right? But I'm heartbroken that he killed Qing Mang. What do you suggest we do, Young Master Lu? Why don't you come and beg me on his behalf?"
Before Lu Bing could speak, Chen Ying said, "But it's no use begging me. He's probably about to be killed. Ah Cong can go and pick up the head. I'll cremate his body for you and then send him to the East China Sea to spread the news."
Lu Bing stared in disbelief: "Chen Ying!"
How dare he yell at her? Chen Ying was instantly enraged: "Do you even know what kind of person he is? You call him brother. I'm not only going to kill Zhou Yaren, I'm going to grind him to dust. When that happens, I'll make you personally send him on his way."
Lu Bing suddenly remembered Li Liuyun saying that Ya Ren was in trouble: "You just said that someone else wanted to kill him?"
...
Xu Zhangfang's elbow was ripped apart by the swirling fan blade. If he hadn't dodged it in time, half of his arm would have been severed by the edge of the fan.
Throughout their chase and fight, Xu Zhangfang didn't gain much advantage. He suffered seven or eight cuts, mostly glancing blows, but two wind blades actually cut into his flesh and bone. Every movement he made aggravated his wounds.
Xu Zhangfang's injuries from his last encounter in Ruicheng hadn't fully healed when he rushed to eliminate the "Death Umbrella," refusing to give it a chance to recover.
Over the years, he had pieced together a few clues about Bai Yuan's identity. He knew just how troublesome this woman of unknown origin was, and that dragging it out for even a moment would lead to endless troubles.
Otherwise, Xu Zhangfang wouldn't have imprisoned her for thousands of years and gone to great lengths to find a way to kill her, just in case that one day this woman broke through the shackles of the Taihe body, he could put her to death.
The problem lies in her endless entanglement with those undead. If she can't destroy the body and cover up the crime, Xu Zhangfang won't be able to rest easy.
Alas, in the end, it's all because of the sins committed in my early years.
Unexpectedly, Zhou Yaren made contact with this woman as soon as he entered Beiqu. The truth could not be hidden forever, and sure enough, the fire broke out in less than a month. Zhou Yaren, who had been grateful to him before, suddenly seemed to have a sudden awakening of his bloodline and hated him.
Perhaps it was fate, but Xu Zhangfang wouldn't allow the situation to escalate to an uncontrollable point, and besides, he wasn't the type to sit idly by and wait for his doom.
It is said that revenge begets revenge. With this ancient karmic entanglement, if he does not strike first and wipe out Bai Yuan, this woman will search for him after her birth and kill him. So there is really no other way. This is a situation where you have to die for me to live.
Blood splattered from the swirling fan's edge as it passed, Xu Zhangfang's figure blurred from the sharp edge, his heel slamming into the ground in a spinning kick, his right leg sweeping out like a phantom, striking Zhou Yaren hard in the lower back. The latter was sent flying, crashing with a thud against the rugged, hard cliff face, sending boulders tumbling down.
His back slammed hard against a sharp, protruding rock, and Zhou Yaren was in excruciating pain, his head buzzing. He staggered to his feet, swallowed a mouthful of bloody saliva, and then darted into the canyon the instant the second gust of wind swept in.
This is the Xiaoshan Rift Valley, a narrow crevice torn open by the majestic mountains. Zhou Yaren strained her ears to discern the direction and led Xu Zhangfang here. They were almost there...
The Yellow River turns east at Fengling, where its mighty waves surge past Tongguan, flowing for over 260 li before being choked by towering cliffs.
This place is characterized by its rugged rocks and treacherous terrain, making it a natural barrier along the Yellow River.
Zhou Yaren suddenly unleashed a giant wave, the surging turbid waves rising several feet high, crashing down on Xu Zhangfang who was in pursuit.
Xu Zhangfang drew his sword and cut through the water, creating a rift in the giant wave. He leaped straight out of the terrifying waves, landing on a reef island, soaked to the bone. He surveyed the treacherous terrain around him: "Three Gates Natural Barrier."
Legend has it that during the ancient times, the Central Plains suffered from severe floods. Yu the Great carved out the Dragon Gate and opened the pillar, using a divine axe to split the mountain into three gates for the river to flow through, namely the Human Gate, the Divine Gate, and the Ghost Gate, dividing it into three rapids. The narrowest part could only allow one boat to pass at a time.
The riverbed is lined with reefs, like sharp blades, and ships that hit the reefs will be smashed. It has been known since ancient times for its perilousness, described as "three gates locking the Yellow River, and dangerous shoals devouring thousands of boats."
Xu Zhangfang instantly realized that Zhou Yaren had deliberately led him here.
"Not running away anymore?" Xu Zhangfang stared at Zhou Yaren on another reef island, vaguely understanding her intentions. "Planning to fight me to the death here?"
Amidst the billowing waves and rising white smoke, Zhou Yaren composed herself and said, "This burial place was specially chosen for you."
Xu Zhangfang smiled and said politely, "I know you mean well, but the feng shui here isn't very good. I'm afraid I'm not fortunate enough to enjoy it. You should keep it for yourself."
Zhou Yaren confronted him without changing his expression: "A vicious and wicked person is suited to a vicious and wicked place; otherwise, burying them anywhere would ruin the feng shui."
Xu Zhangfang laughed and said, "Tingfengzhi is usually so serious, he's even learned to talk back to me now."
Zhou Yaren replied without mincing words: "It's just two truths."
"Since that's the case, what are we waiting for?" With that, Xu Zhangfang's Autumn Strike Blade gleamed, stirring up the turbid waves as he slashed at Zhou Yaren.
Zhou Yaren rides the wind and waves, rampaging through the cold, sharp blades, his long fingers tapping the pipes, drawing in the winds of the canyon, and urging the rhythm of heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers.
Although he was trapped in a corner of Pinglu, he did not waste his days in vain.
Because of the saying "Three gates lock the Yellow River, and dangerous shoals devour thousands of boats," people worshiped gods and ghosts, and over time, relics were formed in the whirlpools.
At this moment, the wind howls like a curse, playing a hymn to mourn the dead.
Ink-black shadows seemed to seep out from the crevices in the rocks on both sides, like ghosts emerging from the mountain stones...
Zhou Yaren did not want to disturb the peace of the deceased, but he had no choice due to the circumstances.
He had no choice but to kill Xu Zhangfang, but he was no match for Xu Zhangfang on his own. Therefore, he had to rely on external forces and fight to the death.
The Three Gorges natural barrier was his greatest asset.
This place is a vital passage between Guanzhong and the Central Plains, and also a necessary route for the Yellow River's water transport. However, the perilous Sanmen Pass, with its turbulent currents, hidden reefs, and sheer cliffs, forms a series of natural killing formations.
The transport of grain to the capital Chang'an was done upstream by boat. When the grain ships passed through the treacherous Sanmen Pass, they needed to be towed upstream by boatmen who pulled them along the steep banks. The boatmen were hired from the plains to be the towmen and towmen. If they were not careful, the boats would collide or capsize, and the crew members, and even the towmen who climbed the cliffs to pull the boats, would easily fall into the raging torrents with their ropes and be buried at the bottom of the river, never to be found again. This is why the folk saying "there are no tombs of towmen" has been passed down.
The music of the sacrificial hymns disturbed the spirit of the river burial. The heavy shadows, like ghosts, flanked the riverbanks, appearing hunched and prostrate on the rust-colored rock walls, just like the posture of the boatmen pulling the ropes.
The taut rope stretched taut from the river to its limit, seemingly carrying the weight of the entire river, deeply embedded itself in the "Shadow's" shoulders and neck, biting into its flesh and grinding it until its shoulders and back were a bloody mess.
Zhou Yaren used a wind blade to cut a mark on the brown rock wall, and the "tether" was instantly severed, whipping towards Xu Zhangfang like an iron whip!
This is a corpse bound by a thin rope, swallowing a vengeful spirit.
Xu Zhangfang's expression suddenly changed, and he almost got tangled in the rope. No wonder the blind man went to such lengths to lure him here: "So Tingfengzhi had a plan in place. He really put his heart into it."
Knowing full well that he was a fish that had taken the bait, how could he come empty-handed to die? Zhou Yaren cut the "tether" on the cliff and said solemnly, "If I want to kill you, I will do my best, so that Mr. Fang's elaborate scheme to lure me out will not have been in vain."
When enemies meet, they fight the fiercest battles, but in the life-or-death moment, they become polite. It's not that they care too much about manners and etiquette, but rather that gentlemen haven't learned to swear. Even Zhou Yaren, racking his brains, couldn't come up with many swear words. It's a pity that he didn't learn enough when he needed to use them.
"Not at all," Xu Zhangfang was no clown; he had basic manners. He was good at saying one thing to one person and fooling others. "I have just learned of your close friend's whereabouts after he traveled far and wide, so I came to tell you. No need for thanks."
It sounds like he meant well; we should actually be grateful to him.
Zhou Yaren used to be that fool, but now she knows Xu Zhangfang's true colors and understands his intentions perfectly. Even if Xu Zhangfang tries to embellish the truth, she will no longer believe a single word of his lies.
Blades of wind carved into the cliffs on both sides, and the hundred-foot-long rope, like a broken ghost whip, lashed out at Xu Zhangfang.
Xu Zhangfang was incredibly skilled; his lightness skill was already masterful. Like a lone goose, he leaped across cliffs and walls, gliding past the "Ghost Whip." Just as he landed on a reef, the "Ghost Whip" suddenly lashed into the surging Yellow River. The river water exploded violently, waves crashing skyward and roaring towards Xu Zhangfang.
He was hurled into the raging torrent by the giant wave, tumbling and crashing against the pillar-like rock standing in the middle of the river. Like a piece of duckweed, Xu Zhangfang was held hostage by this furious surge of water, his lower back scraping against the sharp, razor-sharp reef, tearing his flesh open.
Xu Zhangfang struggled to get up from the raging waves, but then a hundred-foot-long tow rope lashed down on his head. Xu Zhangfang suddenly shrank back, rolled in the raging yellow water, narrowly avoiding the whip, and was then thrown high into the air by the swirling waves.
Zhou Yaren stirred up a storm, and the wind blades slashed at Xu Zhangfang, who was on the crest of the wave.
Xu Zhangfang was tormented by this turmoil, his internal organs in complete disarray. Just as he was feeling utterly confused, a chilling wind blade came hurtling down on him.
Holy crap!
Xu Zhangfang was practically cursing. Hearing that this bastard had first burned him and then drowned him, he was truly a master of murder and arson.
Just because a tiger doesn't roar doesn't mean it's a sick cat.
The sick cat—no, the tiger—snarled and thrashed in the raging flood, enduring a brutal onslaught from Zhou Yaren. Finally, as Xu Zhangfang crashed into the jagged cliff face, he grabbed a rock and broke free from the man-eating torrent, unleashing the Autumn Strike Blade!
Zhou Yaren couldn't dodge in time. Her folding fan, which she used to block, was split in two. She was swept away by the strong wind of the blade and crashed against the edge of the precipice.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, the tiger unleashed its power, giving its prey no chance to retaliate.
Xu Zhangfang said, "Rest in peace."
The Autumn Execution Blade gleamed with a cold light, its blade enveloped in a chilling aura of slaughter, like an executioner on an execution ground wielding the power of life and death, slashing towards Zhou Yaren below the precipice!
As the gleaming blade fell, a dagger pierced the air like a cold arrow, heading straight for Xu Zhangfang's nape!
The massive torrent disrupted the sharp and dangerous sound, and Xu Zhangfang was only alerted when the dagger was about to pierce the back of his neck. He had no time to dodge and could only use the Autumn Strike Blade to defend himself.
clang--
They clashed.
Zhou Yaren subconsciously turned her head, trying to use her hearing to identify who it was, but unexpectedly saw a sharp figure leaping down the steep cliff like a hawk!
Xu Zhangfang blurted out, "Who?"
He thought that the people who came to interfere with his killing of Zhou Yaren would be those Taihang Road youths, or that woman.
However, none of these were the case. The newcomer wore a fairly finely crafted iron mask and wielded a large sword, slashing down at them.
Xu Zhangfang remembered that Xu Qian had mentioned to him before that there was a master with an iron mask by the side of the Gu Master. He used a knife and his knife skills were superb. His height was sometimes seven feet and sometimes eight feet, and he might have used height-increasing insoles.
To hell with height-increasing insoles! Xu Qian, you idiot! Doesn't the Gu Master have a few masked assassins taking turns around him? Or is this just a cloak of human skin, which is why it's sometimes seven feet tall and sometimes eight feet tall?
But why would a Gu master cause trouble at this critical juncture? Is he just bored and has nothing better to do?
She's already doing bad things elsewhere, but she actually dared to do it to him; she's incredibly audacious.
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