Chapter 96 096 "Your good sister is not even the first in the Heavenly Gang..."
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After overhearing Zhao Xiao and Yuan Zao's conversation, Jiang Ling'er finally understood the root of the problem that had caused this guy's drastic change in temperament.
It all started six years ago, shortly after her birthday. It was just an ordinary escort mission, but only the old head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) returned...
That rainy night.
It was on that rainy night that news came of the deaths of Zhao Xiao's father, Zhao Ji, the leader of the White Tiger Hall, and forty-eight other brothers in the镖局 (bodyguard agency).
No one had ever dared to block the path of the world's number one镖师 (bodyguard/escort), and no one had ever been able to inflict such severe damage on him! However, the old镖师 leader suppressed the matter, forbidding anyone in the镖局 (镖局) from discussing it or investigating it further. Everyone kept the matter a closely guarded secret, and even Zhao Ji's fourth uncle's funeral was held hastily.
Zhao Xiao did not attend the funeral of his Uncle Zhao Ji.
The old镖头 (镖头 is a term used to describe a镖局, a type of security escort agency) mobilized everyone in the镖局 to search for him throughout Jinling City, but to no avail. In the end, Yuan Zao, with Jiang Ling'er by his side, found him in a corner under a bridge on the Qinhuai River.
Uncle Zhao was not as serious as Uncle He Yong and Uncle He Wu, and he disliked seeing these younger generation members with long faces all day long, acting like little adults. Therefore, he would often teach them or play games with them that Uncle He Wu considered low-class, such as skipping stones.
Zhao Jiren had a fierce appearance and was known as the leader of the White Tiger Hall, feared by everyone. His Discipline Hall was also known for its reputation of "living people entering and white bones leaving," which earned him the nickname "Living Yama" in addition to his title as the leader of the White Tiger Hall.
However, this fierce and menacing leader of the White Tiger Hall acted like a playful old man in front of them, and even started a fuss when he saw that they weren't interested.
Zhao Ji looked at the three children staring at him suspiciously, his brows furrowed, and he pointed at them, especially the rebellious boy in the lead. He was furious and laughed and cursed repeatedly.
[You little brat, I'm your own father! Even you're making me angry!]
Anyone else would have been terrified, but the boy grabbed Jiang Ling'er and the even younger Yuan Zao and tried to leave, feeling ashamed.
For some reason, Yuan Zao was naturally drawn to Uncle Zhao Si, even closer than to Zhao Xiao, her own son. Zhao Ji had shamelessly asked Yuan Wenkang to arrange a marriage between their children more than once, but Yuan Wenkang, the Xuanwu Hall Master who loved his daughter dearly, had always turned him down.
Six-year-old Yuan Zao was clamoring to stay, while twelve-year-old Zhao Xiao already looked like a grown-up. He frowned, and Yuan Zao started crying. The boy then hoisted her onto his shoulder and started to leave.
Jiang Ling'er, who was two years younger than Zhao Xiao at the time, was also at an age where she loved to play, but she didn't like playing with broken pebbles—what fun was that! She followed behind the boy.
Seeing the three children turn and leave, Zhao Ji was so angry that he glared and stomped his feet repeatedly, actually causing several cracks to appear in the bluestone floor beneath his feet!
[Fine, fine, I know you guys always listen to your fifth uncle and follow his lead! You don't like me! Your fifth uncle is good in every way, except for one thing: he's old-fashioned! Little do you know that this water-skimming trick is also an extremely profound skill!]
As soon as he finished speaking, a pebble swept past the cheeks of the three boys with unstoppable force! It even shaved off two strands of fine hair from Jiang Ling'er's temple!
He leaped a hundred times on the Qinhuai River before finally sinking to the bottom.
The three boys froze immediately, turning around to reveal an even more immature face with a captivating light in their eyes. The rebellious boy, in particular, looked at Zhao Ji and his father with a mixture of surprise and a profound, unspoken admiration.
Yuan Zao was too young to remember that look, but Jiang Ling'er has remembered it ever since.
From then on, the banks of the Qinhuai River became the secret base for this large and three small group.
But Uncle Zhao, who had been like a playful old man who had raised them, suddenly... disappeared.
The boy sat alone on the riverbank, hidden by weeds, staring intently at the still waters of the Qinhuai River, his eyes red-rimmed, stubbornly refusing to let the tears fall.
Clutching pebbles tightly in his hands, so tightly that beads of blood dripped slowly from between his fingers.
"you……"
Jiang Ling'er and Zhao Xiao were used to bickering, and she had never seen Zhao Xiao like this before. Before she knew what to do, Yuan Zao rushed forward and hugged him tightly.
Jiang Ling'er felt a pang of sadness and stepped forward to embrace the two of them.
The three teenagers clung to each other like vines. The tears that the boy had been holding back finally fell onto Yuan Zao's neck, making the girl shudder. She hugged him even tighter, her voice trembling with sobs as she spoke childish words:
"Senior Brother, please don't cry. From now on, my father is your father. Please stop crying, okay?"
Jiang Ling'er couldn't quite remember whether Zhao Xiao answered or what he said. She only remembered that later, the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) took pity on him for losing his father at a young age and took him in as his last disciple, even teaching him the Thunderclap Palm technique, which was never passed down to outsiders. Everyone did their best to care for him, especially Yuan Zao, who, with her seaweed-like curly hair, would hover around him all day like a puffed-up puppy. But Zhao Xiao became increasingly depressed... even gloomy.
Zhao Xiao wasn't the only one whose personality changed drastically; the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) also underwent a dramatic transformation. Soon, at the old镖头's behest, she began frequently going on blind dates with heroes of the martial arts world, and quickly married them, leaving her with no time to care about Zhao Xiao.
Jiang Ling'er used to think that Zhao Xiao's personality had changed drastically because of Uncle Zhao's death, and that it was because she had gotten married. After all, they were all grown up and there was a difference between men and women; they weren't children anymore. She, Yuan Zao, and Zhao Xiao would inevitably drift apart. This was unavoidable.
But now she knows that Zhao Xiao's sudden change in temperament, including why the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) was so eager to commit to her for life, was all because of the White Snake Alliance.
Because of a grand scheme orchestrated by Xu Fu to protect the Crown Prince from leaving the palace.
Some, once their song ended, were carried to the Yellow Springs, their flesh and bones turned to dust. Such as Uncle-Master Zhao Ji, the old镖头 (bodyguard), Pei Xuan's junior brothers and sisters, the former Seven Sons of Lingxiao, and many more unknown disciples of the four major sects of the White Snake Alliance.
Some take turns on stage, killing without hesitation, like the seven assassins of the Demonic Cult, like the Golden Man. Some listen to the fragrance of incense in a waterside pavilion, pointing out the heroes' plays. Like Xu Fu, like the person behind the Demonic Cult. Some are lost in a sea of smoke, seeing flowers through the fog. Like Jiang Ling'er, like Pei Xuan, like Zhao Xiao, and so on.
The performers are madmen, the audience are fools. The song hasn't ended, who will dance? Everyone beats their drums and sings along; everyone is a character in the play.
Jiang Ling'er only realized this belatedly, and it wasn't true for her, Zhao Xiao, or Yuan Zao. The three of them, who had been childhood sweethearts, could never go back to what they were like after that rainy night when news of Uncle Zhao's death arrived.
---------------x----------------------
Jiang Ling'er took a deep breath, stood in front of Yuan Zao, and glared coldly at Zhao Xiao:
"When did you get involved with the Demonic Cult... and the Golden Man?"
Zhao Xiao also asked her, "How did you survive?"
The two answered almost simultaneously:
"none of your business!"
"none of your business!"
Jiang Ling'er: "..."
Zhao Xiao: "..."
The young Taoist priest crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow: "You two have quite a good understanding."
Some of their childhood tacit understanding still remained. Realizing this, Jiang Ling'er and Zhao Xiao's expressions were not very pleasant. Only Yuan Zao, behind their backs, revealed a... somewhat nostalgic expression, which she then awkwardly withdrew after being glared at by Jiang Ling'er.
Jiang Ling'er gritted her teeth, feeling as uncomfortable as if she had swallowed a fly! Seeing that Zhao Xiao's expression wasn't much better than hers, she felt a little better and broke the deadlock first:
"Back then, Xu Fu, to ensure the Crown Prince's safe departure from the palace, ostensibly brought a celestial child to seek elixirs for the late emperor, but instead used the 'Longevity Manual' as bait to lure the four major sects into signing the White Snake Alliance. Six years ago, the four sects, each escorting the celestial child separately, encountered ambushes from the demonic cult. The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort)... and the skilled镖局 (bodyguard agency) members personally led by Uncle Zhao were part of one of these teams. Since you already know about the White Snake Alliance, you should also know that Uncle Zhao's death must have been a misunderstanding..."
"Jiang Ling'er, you are not worthy to mention my father's name!"
Jiang Ling'er was interrupted by Zhao Xiao's stern voice before she could finish speaking.
"While you were busy with men and enjoying the company of your children, what about me? Do you know how I felt when I dug up the grave and faced my father's corpse?"
In an instant, the image of the boy who had been huddled on the banks of the Qinhuai River, stubbornly refusing to let his tears fall, reappeared before my eyes.
Jiang Ling'er's breath hitched. She bit her lip hard, her hands clenched into fists hidden in her sleeves. Taking a deep breath, she said:
“I know you find it hard to accept the death of your Uncle Zhao Ji…”
"You know nothing! My father's martial arts skills are no less than the old镖头 (head镖师, a legendary镖师 who was extremely loyal to the head镖师), and he was completely loyal to the old镖头. How did he end up like this?"
Jiang Ling'er, after several attempts to tolerate it, finally lost her temper and retorted, "What do you mean?"
Zhao Xiao sneered: "I said some people are hypocrites with empty reputations and sanctimonious appearances. They can deceive the world and fool people with their words, but the palm print on my father's body can't lie."
"You mean my father killed Uncle Zhao Si? My father and Uncle Zhao Ji became sworn brothers... Why would my father kill Uncle Zhao Si?" Jiang Ling'er's chest heaved violently as she stepped forward, glaring at Zhao Xiao. Her fists were clenched so tightly they could almost be heard cracking. "You know best how my father treated Uncle Zhao Si and how he treated you! My father treated you like his own son! He even taught you the Thunder Palm technique. You... you... let everyone in the world slander my father, but you, Zhao Xiao, are the only exception!"
Zhao Xiao retorted, "He took me as his last disciple and taught me the Thunderclap Palm. Doesn't he feel guilty about it?"
Jiang Ling'er was furious, her eyes bloodshot: "You..."
"If you weren't guilty and had a guilty conscience, why were you in such a hurry to bury my father? Why did you teach me the Thunderclap Palm?" Zhao Xiao glanced at the faint charred palm print on his right palm and smiled.
Those were the charred palm prints left when he exchanged blows with Jiang Ling'er at the martial arts arena. These were marks that only the unparalleled Thunder Palm could leave.
The mark that pierced through his father's chest was also a charred black mark.
He will never forget it.
"Truly worthy of being the daughter of the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) Jiang Leilong." Zhao Xiao approached Jiang Ling'er step by step, his eyes bloodshot as he stared intently at her, uttering each word with utmost seriousness, "My father's martial arts are no less than the old镖头's. In the entire world, no one can surpass him in the art of escorting goods. A palm strike to the chest—if it weren't for someone he trusted implicitly… how could my father have suffered such a severe blow? Jiang Ling'er, ask yourself honestly, besides Jiang Leilong, who else in the entire martial world knows the Thunder Palm? Who else knows it?!"
Jiang Ling'er's eyes trembled. After a moment of silence, she suddenly raised her eyes and confronted him without showing any weakness. Her almond-shaped eyes burned like fire.
“My father would never do such a thing! Even if you ask me ten, a hundred, or a thousand times, I will still say the same thing—my father would never, and could never, do such a thing!”
Zhao Xiao stared intently at the woman who was barely shoulder-high to him, and laughed in anger. The laughter didn't reach his eyes; his pupils were bloodshot like a spiderweb.
“Jiang Ling’er, you’ve always been like this. Should I say that you’ve been too well protected by the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) since childhood, and that you have a pure heart? Or should I say that you’re stupid? In your eyes, the world has always been black and white, good and evil, clear and muddy, right? Oh, I was wrong.”
Zhao Xiao abruptly changed the subject, his gloomy eyes fixed on her. "That's your father, the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) who spent his life doing good deeds and helping the weak. How could you acknowledge him? You should blame me. If it weren't for me, you would be the one sitting in the chief镖头 position now, wouldn't you?"
The conversation is really going off-topic.
Jiang Ling'er was speechless for a moment, then frowned: "I didn't think that way."
She didn't know why Zhao Xiao had suddenly brought this up, and seeing that communication was impossible and the conversation was getting increasingly absurd, she knew nothing about Uncle Zhao's remains. She couldn't just listen to his side of the story. Dragging it out any longer would only worsen their situation; things had come to this… she had no choice but to fight.
Despite her initial anger, Jiang Ling'er calmed down, exhaled a breath of pent-up frustration, and raised her hands in a gesture that sent a gust of wind through her palms, lifting the stray hairs from her temples before they slowly fell back down.
"I can't explain it to you! It doesn't matter, believe it or not! You cleverly used the martial arts tournament as a pretext to collude with the Demonic Sect and the Jurchens, not only amassing wealth but also harming heroes of the martial world! It seems you were involved in framing my father for corresponding with the Demonic Sect and even the Jurchens. You are insatiable and a traitor. Don't worry, this time I won't use any other martial arts, I'll defeat you with my own! I will teach you a lesson on behalf of the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort), on behalf of all the brothers in the镖局 (escort agency), and on behalf of... Uncle Zhao Si!"
"Alright." Zhao Xiao cracked his knuckles, making a terrifying cracking sound. Recalling the humiliating scene of Jiang Ling'er almost dragging him off the martial arts arena, his handsome, sinister face flashed with humiliation, anger, and jealousy. His hawk-like eyes were fixed on Jiang Ling'er. "I underestimated you before. We didn't get enough of a fight earlier, let's have another one!"
As soon as the words were spoken, two figures, one tall and one slender, simultaneously used the thirty-six leg techniques taught by the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) to strike each other with immense force!
Suddenly, a gust of wind arose from the ground in the dimly lit hall, accompanied by the sound of thunder, as if a thousand troops were exploding out of thin air!
Two figures moved swiftly and swiftly through the flickering candlelight.
--
After the battle in the martial arts arena, Zhao Xiao became more cautious, almost never revealing any flaws. He noticed that although Jiang Ling'er was agile, she lacked strength, so he almost abandoned defense and launched a more ferocious attack, leaving her no way out!
Jiang Ling'er kept her promise and only used her family's martial arts skills.
She was determined to defeat him completely using the thirty-six kicks and the Thunder Palm technique taught to her by the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort).
The Thunderclap Palm is powerful and fierce, but it's actually not very suitable for girls to practice.
After the initial palm strike, Jiang Ling'er realized the difference in physical strength between the two and did not launch a full-scale attack. Instead, she used the Thirty-Six Styles of Leg Technique to dodge Zhao Xiao's powerful attacks.
This undoubtedly confirmed what Zhao Xiao had in mind.
Zhao Xiao, being young and vigorous, had recovered about 80% of his strength despite his injuries in the martial arts arena. He was full of energy, unleashing palm strike after palm strike, seemingly possessing inexhaustible power. He chased after her, mocking her all the while.
"If you weren't the daughter of Old Master Jiang, how could you be worthy of being the number one escort in the world? The Thunderclap Palm is domineering and powerful, relying on the physical body to store up a thousand pounds of force! Even if you've made some progress in your internal strength recently, so what? You're still just a weak woman, lacking the strength to win against me?"
The final strike, "Thunder," shattered the beams and pillars!
Jiang Ling'er had no choice but to jump down from the beam, and could no longer fly back up. She was gradually being driven to the brink of despair by Zhao Xiao.
Yuan Zao finally couldn't hold back any longer and was about to leap forward to stop the two locked in a deadly battle when suddenly, as if the person beside her had anticipated her move, they acted without her even shifting slightly. Before she could react, a low voice came from behind her:
"Excuse me."
Then, her right shoulder was gently lifted, and Pei Xuan silently relieved her force.
"Don't go," the young Taoist said calmly, adding at the end, "She'll be unhappy."
Yuan Zao thought to herself, "It's better to die than to be happy!"
Then Pei Xuan said lazily, "Are you sure you can stop them?"
Yuan Zao was too concerned to see things clearly... unlike Pei Xuan, an outsider, who could see things more clearly.
Unable to bear seeing the beautiful young woman heartbroken, Pei Xuan glanced at her and softened his tone:
"Don't worry, it's not the final moment yet, no one will die. Besides, your dear sister has already died once, she cherishes life more than anyone else..."
Pei Xuan gave an awkward smile, silently swallowing the word "fate" under the girl's almost cannibalistic gaze.
However, Yuan Zao quickly stopped arguing with him and turned her gaze to Jiang Ling'er, who was being gradually cornered by Zhao Xiao. She was even more anxious but helpless. The young Taoist was right; Jiang Ling'er and Zhao Xiao's martial arts were far superior to hers, and even if she wanted to intervene, she was powerless.
Pei Xuan followed Yuan Zao's gaze and looked at Jiang Ling'er, who was being forced into a corner and seemed to have no power to resist. His expression did not change at all. After watching for a while, he looked away.
Right now, he cares more about someone else.
He glanced out of the corner of his eye at a dimly lit spot not far behind him, illuminated by candlelight—
The young monk, who was bowing and muttering the Rebirth Mantra, kept muttering to himself.
Pei Xuan had been keeping an eye on him ever since he left the dungeon.
He noticed that ever since the young monk learned Jiang Ling'er's identity, he hadn't dared to look her in the eye. Even now, as Jiang Ling'er and Zhao Xiao fought fiercely, his reaction was less one of sexual fear and more one of—
avoid.
What is he avoiding?
What are you afraid of?
Yuan Zao was intently watching Jiang Ling'er and Zhao Xiao fight, while Pei Xuan silently walked to the young monk's side and observed him for a while. The young monk was frantically fiddling with the prayer beads wrapped around his wrist, his eyes closed, muttering the Rebirth Mantra. Suddenly, he said:
"You read it wrong."
The young monk paused, then, hearing Pei Xuan quickly point out several mistakes he had made in reciting the text, suddenly stopped talking and laughed:
"The fight over there isn't even over yet, and you're still chanting the Rebirth Mantra for the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) day and night. Isn't that... just putting on a show?"
The young monk froze, opened his eyes, and looked terrified: "...What?"
The young Taoist priest merely smiled and said nothing more.
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Jiang Ling'er was always looking for an opportunity.
As Zhao Xiao had predicted, just like in the martial arts arena, Jiang Ling'er was gathering her strength, looking for an opportunity to counterattack. However, just like in the martial arts arena, although he was determined not to repeat the same mistake, Jiang Ling'er was like a nimble swallow or a cunning eel; even when he cornered her, he just couldn't catch her!
With each palm strike unleashed, a powerful palm technique that consumed immense strength and internal energy, Zhao Xiao found himself struggling. His movements and techniques slowed down, and his anxiety intensified, making each palm strike more ferocious than the last. He appeared to be handling the situation with ease, but in reality, he was barely holding on.
A dark glint and twisted jealousy flashed quickly in Zhao Xiao's eyes.
If this drags on any longer, I'm afraid he'll be exhausted before Jiang Ling'er is.
Meanwhile, Yuan Zao and Pei Xuan started arguing again.
Pei Xuan glanced at her: "You really don't trust your sister at all?"
"I...it's not that I don't trust Sister Ling'er, it's just...you didn't see how fast Sister Ling'er is..."
Seeing that the young girl was almost crying, and unable to bear seeing a beautiful woman cry, the young Taoist sighed, "Heavenly secrets should not be revealed, but fine, I will tell you."
Pei Xuan carefully moved closer to Yuan Zao, covered his lips with his right hand, and whispered:
"I happened to have a divination done this morning before I went out, and it was a very bad omen."
"You still have the nerve to say 'bad luck'..." Yuan Zao paused, then suddenly raised her voice, incredulous and furious, "...bad luck?! You have the nerve to say bad luck?!"
The young Taoist priest first gave the girl a resentful look, annoyed that she had blurted out heavenly secrets in such a loud and boisterous manner, then smiled and said:
"This isn't the first time your sister has rebelled against the Heavenly Gang. I'm actually relieved that she drew such a bad lot."
Yuan Zao was speechless, unsure of what to say.
Zhao Xiao looked up at the sound and first saw Pei Xuan and Yuan Zao standing side by side, almost touching. His brows furrowed slightly, barely perceptible. His gaze quickly swept over Yuan Zao and the little monk before finally settling on Pei Xuan, his eyes beneath his thick brows dark and sinister.
This man was tall and elegant. Unlike in the martial arts arena, he no longer covered his face, revealing a rather handsome, fair-skinned face. Although he was only dressed in coarse linen clothes, he leaned lazily against the wall, exuding a refined and extraordinary air. Yet, he was so ethereal that one could not detect his presence; his presence was even less noticeable than that of the timid little monk…
He had also hidden offstage in the same way during the previous martial arts arena competition. A person like that… if he had seen him before, he shouldn't have forgotten him.
Seeing Zhao Xiao looking over, Pei Xuan's beautiful phoenix eyes curved into a smile, and he quickly said, as if afraid of getting into trouble:
"You can fight all you want, don't worry about me."
"This humble Taoist?" Zhao Xiao narrowed his eyes, halting his pursuit of Jiang Ling'er, giving her a moment to catch her breath, and also giving himself time to rest. He glanced sideways at Pei Xuan, "May I ask where your Taoist temple is, and why you are dressed in such unusual attire?"
The good-natured young Taoist priest cupped his hands in greeting and smiled, saying:
"I am but one of the most insignificant fellow Daoists in the Lingxiao Sect, not worth mentioning."
Zhao Xiao also laughed: "The former leader of the Seven Masters of Lingxiao, the dignified Master Xiaoyaozi of the Lingxiao Sect, has to say that he is insignificant. That is too modest."
Before the words had even finished, Jiang Ling'er, who had been avoiding the windowsill, paused, and Yuan Zao covered her mouth and exclaimed, "I've long heard that the Lingxiao Sect has an unparalleled genius, the Immortal Xiaoyaozi, but he has disappeared from the martial world for many years. I've only heard his name but never seen him." Yuan Zao looked Pei Xuan up and down, "I didn't expect... him to be so young."
He was about the same age as Zhao Xiao, but he had already become famous in the martial arts world. However, he had declined in recent years and we hadn't heard from him for a long time.
The young Taoist priest's smile remained unchanged as he waved his hand, saying, "It's just empty fame, nothing to worry about."
Pei Xuan was not surprised. In his early years, he had been to Jiangnan several times at the invitation of the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort). He and the old镖头 were close friends despite their age difference, so it was not surprising that someone knew about it.
Zhao Xiao smiled, but a dark glint flashed quickly in his eyes. He quickly made up his mind, then turned and nodded meaningfully to Jiang Ling'er:
"No wonder...no wonder."
He said "No wonder" twice.
baffling.
Jiang Ling'er was puzzled, but instinctively felt uneasy. A crease appeared between her brows: "No wonder what?"
"No wonder you can use the Lingxiao Sect's Mizong Step and Luoying Sword Technique in the martial arts arena." Zhao Xiao clapped his hands and laughed, feigning sudden realization. "So you've climbed the social ladder. When the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) was around, you relied on him. Now that he's gone, you've found a new backer. No wonder... your kung fu has improved so rapidly."
The last half of the sentence is deliberately paused and melancholic, with an ambiguous tone that invites the reader to imagine.
The young Taoist priest's phoenix eyes, which had been smiling, lost their smile, and he narrowed his eyes, lost in thought.
Before Jiang Ling'er could react, Yuan Zao was already filled with indignation: "Zhao Xiao, what... what nonsense are you spouting again!"
After a long silence, Jiang Ling'er's voice finally came through:
"...Him?"
Yuan Zao, Zhao Xiao, and Pei Xuan paused slightly.
Jiang Ling'er pointed a finger at Pei Xuan's lazy, unsteady figure, looking quite disgusted: "This sickly old lady has been serving him tea and water for a month or so..." Jiang Ling'er's breathing became uneven, her hands trembled, and she couldn't believe it, "Who is whose backer?"
Pei Xuan: "..."
Zhao Xiao: "..."
Yuan Zao: "..."
The scene of Jiang Ling'er's furious outburst that I had imagined did not happen... no, she was genuinely angry though.
I'm so angry that Zhao Xiao is blind!
Yuan Zao burst out laughing.
Pei Xuan looked at Jiang Ling'er, a faint smile flashing in his phoenix eyes. He coughed twice at the right moment. His handsome face was pale and his figure was thin, like a willow branch swaying at the waist. He said with a bitter smile, "This is true. If it weren't for Miss Jiang's careful care and righteous help, I would have died in the bitter cold of the north long ago."
Jiang Ling'er sniffed and nodded arrogantly at Pei Xuan:
"It's good that you know!"
The young Taoist priest nodded and bowed, "Of course..."
Jiang Ling'er has a bad temper, but it comes and goes quickly. In fact, if the person in front of her wasn't Zhao Xiao, she would rarely get angry even if it involved the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort).
Zhao Xiao watched coldly, and seeing that her plan had failed, her face turned grim. She chuckled softly.
"You've become much more composed since I last saw you in the past few months."
However, it wasn't all for naught. At least he was certain that Pei Xuan wouldn't get involved in his fight with Jiang Ling'er.
Without warning, Zhao Xiao raised his hand and unleashed a powerful "thunder" strike!
Jiang Ling'er thought she was the target and dodged away, but Zhao Xiao extinguished the candle with a single palm strike.
The lobby was immediately plunged into a thick darkness.
Zhao Xiao was tired of the cat-and-mouse chase with Jiang Ling'er. His eyes, which looked even more sinister in the darkness, were filled with malice as he said:
"Let's see where you can go now..."
Before the words were finished, a tiny white light magnified in front of the pupil, followed by a flash of lightning and then a clap of thunder.
"You lost."
In the brief moment Zhao Xiao was stunned, Jiang Ling'er moved with ghostly speed, appearing before him and seemingly effortlessly striking his shoulder with a palm strike—
"The Teng Snake has no feet."
Zhao Xiao was instantly sent flying!
Jiang Ling'er lightly touched the ground with her toes, gathered her energy, and caught up even faster, unleashing two consecutive palm strikes at him—
"Dense clouds and flying lightning," "The wind rises and the lights scatter!"
A set of Thunder Palm consists of seven palm techniques: "Thunderclap", "Sounding Thunder", "Muffled Thunder", "Thunder", "Dense Clouds and Flying Lights", "Wind Rises and Lanterns Flutter", and "Soaring Serpent Without Feet".
As the names suggest, the first four moves, "Thunderclap," "Ring Thunder," "Muffled Thunder," and "Thunderbolt," emphasize momentum and power, overwhelming all opponents with sheer force. The latter three moves, "Dense Clouds and Flying Lightning," "Wind Rises and Lanterns Disorder," and "The Flying Serpent Without Feet," all evoke images of heavy clouds spewing lightning and thunder rumbling from high beams. "Wind Rises and Lanterns Disorder" is taken from the imagery of spring lanterns scattering in the wind and night rain cascading down the river. "The Flying Serpent Without Feet" originates from the image of the flying serpent that flies without feet and the five-skilled parasol tree that is ultimately helpless.
The latter three techniques emphasize that lightning is as swift as a storm and as subtle as a leaf threading a needle, capable of taking a person's life in an instant!
Zhao Xiao was violently knocked to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood, his face almost contorted in pain.
"That old man is hiding something!"
“You’re wrong. Thunder Palm does indeed emphasize storing a thousand pounds of force in the physical body, but before that, it emphasizes speed and power like lightning. That’s why it’s called Thunder Palm.”
This was something Jiang Ling'er realized suddenly in the dead of night after constantly recalling the old镖头's final, complete Thunder Palm technique.
The Thunderclap Palm is domineering and fierce. She originally wanted to be as powerful as Zhao Xiao, and she only practiced the first four moves, but neglected the last three moves.
After realizing this, she kept adding weight to the sandbags wrapped around her wrists, ankles, and waist.
Of course, Zhao Xiao's mistake was not only in this, but also in that he should not have extinguished the candle in order to force her to stop.
Jiang Ling'er, following in the footsteps of Granny Yang, had already mastered the ability to see in the dark. Later, when she fought Di Qing underwater, she added another underwater training to her training.
Zhao Xiao was unaware that this would actually benefit her, and it was an unexpected bonus.
Jiang Ling'er was waiting for the moment he would make a mistake.
Everything happened in the blink of an eye.
Yuan Zao only heard crackling sounds interspersed with muffled groans, and her heart clenched, thinking it was...
When the silver moon peeked out from behind the clouds and light streamed in through the window, it became clear that Zhao Xiao had been grabbed by the throat and slammed to the ground by Jiang Ling'er!
He was stunned for a moment and forgot to say anything.
"The domineering, powerful, and fierce nature of the Thunderclap Palm is indeed unsuitable for women. However... the great way is simple. The more advanced a skill is like the Thunderclap Palm, the more important it is not the mental techniques, formulas, or even natural talent and physique."
Yuan Zao looked at Pei Xuan beside her in response to the sound, and subconsciously asked, "Then... what is it?"
"To unleash the full power of the Thunderclap Palm, one needs a clear and discerning mind. Only with a mind as clear as a mirror can one unleash a force as powerful as a rainbow. Although Zhao Xiao possesses the innate advantages of male physique and strength, his principles clash with the methods of the Thunderclap Palm. From this perspective—"
The young Taoist priest gazed at the beautiful yet spirited profile bathed in the silver moonlight, his phoenix eyes sparkling, and smiled. "I was wrong too. Who says the Thunderclap Palm is unsuitable for women to practice? From this perspective, Jiang Ling'er is the perfect choice for the Thunderclap Palm."
Pei Xuan's words naturally reached Jiang Ling'er and Zhao Xiao's ears in detail.
Zhao Xiao's face was ashen, his complexion extremely poor. Jiang Ling'er, however, suddenly remembered what the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) had told her in the dungeon:
Xiao'er is exceptionally talented, but he is also prone to distractions and overthinking, making him unsuitable for great responsibilities. You are not necessarily inferior to him.
Everyone in the escort agency, and indeed the world, knows that the Thunderclap Palm is domineering and powerful, meant to be passed down only to men. Especially after seeing Zhao Xiao taken in as a disciple by the old head镖师 (escort leader), and in just over a month, her palm skills already surpassing hers…
Even she herself thought that she was able to become the young chief镖主 (bodyguard/escort) only because everyone respected the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) and because the old镖头 doted on her.
Looking back now, Dad... always believed she was capable of being the "Young Master of Escorts," didn't he?
Upon recalling the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort), Jiang Ling'er's eyes welled up with tears, and she gripped Zhao Xiao's throat even tighter.
"Do you admit defeat?! Do you know you're wrong?!"
However, within a few months, the situation changed drastically, and the balance of power shifted.
Thinking back to how he had once held Jiang Ling'er so firmly to the ground, Zhao Xiao's face turned ashen, almost dripping with gloom. Suddenly, he called out softly:
"Second Junior Sister."
Jiang Ling'er paused, stunned.
In an instant, the memories she had almost forgotten crumbled once again.
The boy had drawn Uncle He away from her, and then turned back to give her a silent nod, as if to say:
Second Junior Sister, leave everything to me!
Jiang Ling'er's expression changed, and the hand that was gripping his throat gradually loosened.
A dark glint flashed quickly in Zhao Xiao's eyes, and he whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"Second Junior Sister... I was wrong, please let me go."
As he spoke, he used the silver moonlight to hide behind the dark clouds again, appearing behind Jiang Ling'er with his right hand in the shape of a white eagle claw—
Jiang Ling'er remained silent for a long while, then suddenly said:
"Your deception skills are not even half as good as Little Poison's."
Zhao Xiao paused, then fought back fiercely, but it was too late. Almost as soon as he moved, Jiang Ling'er seemed to have eyes in the back of her head, and her right forearm was already captured by her!
"You have repeatedly resorted to such despicable tricks. You have disgraced the old head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), are unworthy of being the chief镖师, and are even less worthy of using the Thunderclap Palm!"
Jiang Ling'er gritted her teeth and broke his right arm!
Zhao Xiao's screams almost tore through the night sky above the world's number one dart!
Jiang Ling'er broke his right arm and then shattered the tendons in his left hand with a single palm strike. Looking at Zhao Xiao's screaming face, and recalling all the wicked and despicable things he had done, she closed her eyes, agonizingly reflecting on her actions. The boy who once called her "Second Junior Sister" was long dead. She raised her hand, about to finish him off with one blow, when unexpectedly Yuan Zao rushed forward, blocking Zhao Xiao's path, kneeling before her, and pleading with her:
"Sister Ling'er, you've already crippled his skills, I beg you... I beg you, please don't kill him..."
"Xiao Zao, step back!"
Jiang Ling'er initially intended to scold Yuan Zao, wanting to tell her that Zhao Xiao, their former senior brother who had protected them, was long dead. Suddenly, memories of the past flashed before her eyes. Although Yuan Zao verbally disliked Zhao Xiao, she always seemed to revolve around him. Before these flashes, Yuan Zao had repeatedly concealed things from him, and Jiang Ling'er belatedly realized that Yuan Zao actually... liked him.
"you……"
Yuan Zao looked at her, two lines of tears streaming down her face. She knelt down in front of her, undoubtedly confirming what she had in mind.
Jiang Ling'er looked at Yuan Zao's pleading, red eyes, her gaze stirred, and she couldn't bring her raised hand down.
“The commotion here is too great and will definitely attract the demonic forces of the Demonic Cult.” Pei Xuan stepped forward and reminded her, “Although we haven’t yet ascertained the Crown Prince’s identity, our top priority is to go to the martial arts arena to stop Qin Mo Kong Wu and save the Crown Prince!”
Jiang Ling'er took a deep breath and slowly lowered her hand, having no choice but to let Zhao Xiao go for the time being.
Zhao Xiao's eyes were bloodshot as he roared:
"Jiang Ling'er, you'd better kill me now! Kill me now! Otherwise... otherwise I will definitely kill you!"
Jiang Ling'er stopped looking at Zhao Xiao, because as expected, their commotion attracted the Demonic Sect members to flood into the main hall.
Jiang Ling'er and Pei Xuan exchanged a glance, and without needing to say anything more, they thought of the same thing and spoke almost in unison.
Jiang Ling'er: "I'm faster on foot, so I'll go to the martial arts arena first."
Pei Xuan: "I'll stay behind to cover the retreat."
Both of them paused for a moment, and Pei Xuan was the first to smile: "Okay."
The two passed each other, and just as Jiang Ling'er was about to leave, Pei Xuan suddenly called out to her:
"Promise me you won't die."
Jiang Ling'er frowned: "Don't curse me, I'm not that easy to die! You protect Yuan Zao."
Finally, he added, "You too, live well."
Pei Xuan smiled and casually picked up a wolf-hair brush from the table to use as a weapon. Although he couldn't use his internal energy, he still had his martial arts skills. With a few strokes of the brush, he forced back the approaching demons.
As Jiang Ling'er fought her way out of the encirclement, just as she was about to step out the door, she slapped her forehead hard, realizing she had forgotten about this person!
Jiang Ling'er turned back and found the young monk. While dodging the attacks of the demons, she grabbed the young monk's hand and led him away, giving him instructions:
"I can't worry about you right now. Find a place to hide and make yourself safe!"
Unexpectedly, the little monk replied:
"I want to go to the martial arts arena too."
Without hesitation, Jiang Ling'er replied, "No."
Unexpectedly, the little monk was unusually persistent. Jiang Ling'er had to defend herself from the attacks while also trying to persuade this unreasonable novice! Annoyed beyond measure, she finally snapped and turned to yell at him:
"Are you going to commit suicide...?"
He stopped abruptly before he could finish speaking.
Just then, moonlight fell on the little monk's face, and Jiang Ling'er vaguely saw a lotus flower between his brows...?
Suddenly, Zhang Liangxiang's words before his departure echoed in my mind:
The Crown Prince was born with a lotus flower mark between his eyebrows, hence His Majesty named him 'Liansheng' (Lotus Birth). Have you... have you ever heard the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) mention anything about the Crown Prince? What is the Crown Prince's whereabouts?
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Author's Note: ① From Jin Yong. ② From Chen Liang's "He Xinlang: Drinking with Liu Yuanshi and Tang Yuzheng Accompanying Prime Minister Ye".
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