Severing all ties
193
The "Louyue" sword that A Qiu dropped was somehow lifted up from the void, emitting a bright, snow-white sword light, and struck directly at Mu Huaying's palms.
The force of the impact was like a mountain collapsing and rocks splitting. Mu Huaying was struck and staggered backward, spitting out a large spray of blood that splattered on the ground. She had originally been determined to take revenge and would never back down, but now her face was filled with horror, and she dared not even breathe.
Even Su Rouhua's deep blue eyes flashed with fear at this moment.
Just as Wan Qiqing was about to take A Qiu out, his expression shifted between anger and uncertainty. He unconsciously put A Qiu down and raised his right hand in a defensive stance.
Telekinesis is a skill that only legendary sword immortals can achieve.
But for the martial arts world, this has always been just a myth.
Before the opponent could even show his figure, he used the Carved Moon Sword to forcefully strike back "Simple-Handed Yama" Mu Huaying from a distance. Such cultivation was astonishing, even if he was not a sword immortal.
Inside and outside the shrine, a deathly silence had fallen.
Li Chongyu, however, stared intently at the entrance of the ancestral hall, showing neither surprise nor fear, but rather a hint of anticipation.
A man strode in with an air of composure. His silver hair fluttered in the night, emitting a dazzling light. Most striking of all were his eerie gray eyes, transparent as glass, exuding a detached and indifferent aura.
It doesn't look like a real person.
As the night grew deeper, in this desolate, wild shrine, such a strange and eerie being suddenly appeared. Everyone present who was swept by its gaze felt a chill run down their spines.
Apart from A Qiu and Li Chongyu.
The man's gaze only lit up when it fell upon A Qiu and Li Chongyu.
He spoke, his voice cold and devoid of any emotion: "Get out of here, everyone except them."
Su Rouhua was the first to react. Without waiting for the other party to say a second word, she immediately flew out the door and disappeared into the night.
Of the three, she had lived in the most complex environment and had probably seen the most dangers and worldly affairs. She had been to deserts and oases, snow-capped mountains and wilderness, and had witnessed many strange and mysterious phenomena. She didn't have that much curiosity, nor any interest in provoking the unknown.
The powerful pressure and mental fluctuations emanating from the other party made her realize that even if the three of them joined forces, this was still an existence that she could not afford to offend.
If you can't afford to provoke someone, don't provoke them. This has always been her principle, so she immediately decided to back down.
Wan Qiqing was the second.
He had no life-or-death feud with Li Chongyu, and even if he wanted to take his life, it wouldn't matter if he did it tonight. There was no need to fight this strange and monstrous person here.
Once the plan was decided, he immediately picked up A-Qiu and tried to escape.
No sooner had he mentioned A Qiu than the frost-like light of the Louyue Sword shone in front of him, blocking his path, and an invisible killing intent permeated the air.
Wan Qiqing raised his palm as if to stand, frowning as he asked, "Are you here for me personally?"
Those mysterious, cold gray eyes gleamed with a sharp light, but their gaze was fixed solely on A Qiu's face. His lips moved slightly as he uttered three words: "Put her down."
Wan Qiqing calmed himself and said indifferently, "This is my disciple, and I must take her away tonight."
The candlelight cast its glow on the profile of the silver-haired, grey-eyed man, adding to his eerie and handsome aura. Wan Qiqing felt inexplicably that the face seemed somewhat familiar, but before he could recall, the Lu Yue Sword, carrying a gust of wind, was already thrusting straight at him.
Wan Qiqing made a decisive move, flicking out his wide sleeves and flying backward.
But carrying A-Qiu greatly slowed him down. He only paused for a moment before Louyue's four-foot sword, its blade gleaming with a chilling light, hovered about an inch above his chest.
This was only because the other party showed mercy; otherwise, they would have pierced his chest directly.
Wan Qiqing's expression became more solemn than ever before.
But at that moment, Madam Pei's voice rang out from behind the strange man: "You want your disciple, I want Li Chongyu's life. I wonder if you would be willing to cooperate with me?"
A-Qiu realized something was wrong and immediately knew it was bad.
If Mu Huaying were to risk her life to join forces with her master, she might be able to exchange her life for Li Chongyu's and kill him.
Wan Qiqing had just made all sorts of excuses and difficulties in responding to Su Rouhua's invitation to cooperate, but now, he didn't even hesitate when faced with Mu Huaying's request. He said sternly, "Fine! Madam Pei, just go ahead and attack. Even if you die, I will definitely help you kill Li Chongyu tonight!"
At the same time, he put A-Qiu down with one hand and gently pushed her behind him.
Just as the combined attack of the two top masters of the era was about to be completed, a furious roar, almost in a fit of rage, rang out at the entrance of the ancestral hall: "Eldest sister!"
Everyone looked towards the doorway.
In the candlelight, Zhao Lingying, Gongyi Xiu, and others were surrounding Emperor Xie Lang. However, he looked rather disheveled, with his crown tassels in disarray and his robes stained with grass and mud, indicating that he had rushed there on horseback.
A Qiu, standing behind Wan Qiqing, said, "Master, you should leave quickly. I'll stay here; nothing will happen to me!"
Wan Qiqing said angrily, "Even now, you're still only concerned with keeping your promise to Gu Yi? You're utterly foolish!"
Before he could finish speaking, the four-foot-long sword of the Moon-Carved Blade had already swept towards him, its sharp light forcing him out of front of A Qiu.
The white-haired, gray-eyed man stood before A Qiu, sword in hand, and coldly said, "I'll say it one last time, get out of here!" His eyes held a strange expression as he stared at Wan Qiqing, saying each word clearly, "You abducted her from my side back then, do you want to abduct her again now? Do you think my temper will always be this good?"
His words, though seemingly heavy, poured into Wan Qiqing's ears.
Wan Qiqing stared at him blankly for a moment, then, as if waking from a dream, said, "You are..."
Before he could finish speaking, the Moon-Carved Sword rang out with a clear whistle and pointed straight at his chest, cutting him off.
Wan Qiqing finally regained full consciousness. He looked at A Qiu, his eyes flashing with fierce light, and said, word by word, "A Qiu, I'll ask you one last time, are you coming with me or not?"
At this moment, A Qiu's heart was in turmoil, and he could barely stand.
If she had a choice, she would never have dared to defy her master like this. She could tell that her master was unusually furious.
But Gu Yi has now become like this.
If she wasn't mistaken, Gu Yi was most likely hiding in an underground chamber when he appeared in this state, and would never show himself to the world.
This is probably why, despite the tense situation these days, Gu Yi has not appeared to take charge.
And yet, at this moment, he openly appears in such a way that would be seen as a demon by the world, naturally also for... her.
His sworn brother Li Chongyu was right; Gu Yi would never let down anyone who trusted him. His very existence was the strongest guarantee.
A-Qiu knelt down, looking at Wan Qiqing, and said clearly, "Master, I already have someone I want to protect for the rest of my life. I will not leave. Please leave now, Master."
Wan Qiqing's face turned pale instantly, and his beautifully curved lips trembled slightly, clearly indicating that he was greatly shocked.
Among the crowd, Gongyi Xiu's expression had also changed.
No one knew better than him that A Qiu was probably the first woman in the world to refuse her master.
Throughout his life, the master almost always got what he wanted, his words carried on, and his commands were obeyed without question. Whether they were his disciples or anyone who had ever met him, they were all captivated by his charm and charisma, and were sincerely convinced and willing to follow him.
The master regarded A-Qiu as half a daughter. A-Qiu was also his only soft spot. And this was something that even the master himself probably didn't understand.
He allowed A Qiu to enter the palace, and then let her stay by Gu Yi's side. That was because he had absolute confidence in himself.
There's no reason why anyone would reject someone else if he doesn't want them.
Anyone who has seen Wan Qiqing will never forget his brilliance.
But Ah Qiu was not like that. She always had her own opinions.
Wan Qiqing tried to control himself, but he could no longer hide his distraught state. He tried his best to remain calm as he spoke words that only he and A Qiu could understand: "He is your master, but am I not? Are you really going to betray the sect that raised you since childhood for a being that is neither human nor ghost? What is there that he can give you that I cannot?"
A bitter, helpless smile flickered across A Qiu's lips as she said, "Master, I am not Su Rouhua, nor do I know how to analyze the pros and cons so clearly. I have never considered what I want to get from you or what I want to get from him. I simply... follow my heart's desire and cannot go against my own choice."
Wan Qiqing stared at her with a pained look, murmuring, "You're still young, how could you understand what true love is, how could you understand my painstaking efforts over the years?" He looked up at the sky and suddenly said sternly, "Fine, since you won't listen to me, from now on, I am no longer your master! Our master-disciple relationship is severed!"
Before Gu Yi could react, Wan Qiqing had already swept past him like a ghost, striking A Qiu heavily on the back with both palms.
Among the crowd, Gongyi Xiu suddenly covered his face, and Zhao Lingying also changed color in alarm.
Although Gu Yi had transformed into a white-haired, gray-eyed figure, his mind remained clear. He had simply been momentarily stunned by A Qiu's reply, and by the time he reacted, it was a second too late. The light of the Carved Moon Sword instantly intensified, slashing straight towards Wan Qiqing's back. But Wan Qiqing was no ordinary person. After striking with both palms, he calmly raised his hand and slipped away through the door.
Even Zhao Lingying and the others were caught off guard and watched helplessly as he left right before their eyes.
Gu Yi picked up A Qiu, who was already unconscious and still vomiting blood, with one hand, and said in an icy tone, "Madam Pei, are you still going to take action?"
His tone was extremely cold, clearly indicating that he was genuinely angry because A Qiu had been struck by Wan Qiqing's palm.
Before Mu Huaying could answer, Xie Lang shouted, "Qingluan, Zhuque, seize Mu Huaying!" Zhao Lingying and Li Lanxiu exchanged a glance and leaped forward. Zhao Lingying pulled out a gleaming silver steel chain from her sleeve and bound Mu Huaying's hands behind her back, rendering her unable to move or resist.
Mu Huaying was bound by chains, but she did not resist. She said in a deep voice, "Unless His Majesty imprisons me in the Imperial Prison for the rest of my life, or kills me, as long as Mu Huaying is ever released, she will seek revenge on the Marquis of Guannei."
Xie Lang was so angry that his entire face, including his clenched fist, was trembling.
Consort Chen, Li Lanxiu, could no longer bear it and said heavily, "Sister Huaying, are you deliberately making things difficult for His Majesty? You know the significance of the Marquis of Guannei to the Han people, yet you still... do you not want to live?" As she uttered the last sentence, Li Lanxiu suddenly seemed to understand something and could no longer say a word.
Because she realized that Mu Huaying truly did not want to live anymore.
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