Ein Reisender, der alle Himmel und unzählige Welten durchquert

Kapitel 27

"You old hag, what kind of poisonous methods did you use to turn Ning Lang into this?!" Yuwen Luo glared angrily at Mei Rudai.

This label of "old hag" offended Mei Rudai. Women are naturally drawn to beauty and cannot tolerate being called old or ugly. Mei Rudai was actually nearly forty, but her profound cultivation and excellent self-care made her appear no more than twenty. She was usually showered with praise and admiration, but now Yuwen Luo had called her an old hag in front of the entire martial arts world. Her anger flared instantly. Wiping a trickle of blood from her lips, she smiled charmingly and said softly, "I applied 'Dissolving Powder' to my hairpin. It's not poison; it won't kill him. It's just…" Glancing at Ren Qi and Yuwen Luo's tense expressions, she felt a surge of satisfaction, "It'll just put him to sleep and dissipate his internal energy."

"You...you are so vicious!" Yuwen Luo was furious and clenched his fist, ready to pounce.

"Young hero!" Ren Zha quickly grabbed him. "We must save Ning Lang first." He then looked at Mei Rudai and said calmly, "Palace Mistress Mei, please grant us the antidote."

"Hehe..." Mei Rudai laughed again, "There is no antidote."

Ren Qi's expression changed upon hearing this.

"Why do you need her antidote? Don't you have the Buddha Heart Pill?" Yuwen Luo suppressed his anger and reminded Ren Qi, who had been composed just moments before but was now completely blank-faced.

"The 'Buddha's Heart Pill' can cure all poisons, but this 'Dissolving Powder' is not a poison. No matter how much medicine you use, it won't work." Mei Rudai's soft words shattered their hopes once again.

"If... if anything really happens to Ning Lang, I will... I will..."

This moment revealed the weakness of a child with too good upbringing. Yuwen Luo wanted to say some harsh words, but his mind was lacking in ruthless words, and he couldn't utter a single chilling remark for a long time.

Ren Qi's face turned even paler. He looked at Ning Lang and was filled with pain and regret. He felt sorry for his kind junior brother and regretted that he should not have let his junior brother face this wicked woman.

"Hey, you old hag, I'll repay you tenfold for what my junior brother has suffered." Third Senior Brother Xie Mo placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Third Senior Brother," Fifth Senior Brother Song Gen said casually, "If this old hag doesn't hand over the antidote, we'll peel off her face. In the future, when Junior Brother practices throwing knives, he'll need a target."

Mei Rudai's expression changed several times, and she almost ground her teeth to powder.

At this moment, the people in the square no longer believed that all the children taught by Qianbishan were honest and obedient.

"Let me see." A very soft voice came, like the gentlest breeze in spring, instantly dispelling the restlessness in my heart. Turning my head, I saw that Ming Er had arrived at some point, with Hua Qinghe, Qiu Changtian, and Nan Wofeng behind him.

Lan Qi had Ming Er fetch Ning Lang, then stepped forward and stood before Mei Rudai. He looked her up and down, observing the somewhat disheveled yet still charming Palace Master of Baiyan Palace. Then, he smiled gracefully and praised her softly, "Palace Master Mei, you are so elegant, I am very pleased."

That smile was like a spring breeze, causing three thousand peach blossoms to bloom, embodying a thousand kinds of elegance and ten thousand kinds of charm. The heroes and heroines in the square were both captivated and terrified!

Her eyebrows, like dark ink, were originally exquisitely beautiful, her alluring charm capable of captivating the weakest of the heart. But now, looking at her, she was nothing more than a rustic woman, utterly incomparable to the man before her in any way. That man was a man, yet he possessed an eerie and bewitching allure that no one, young or old, could resist, bewitching and intoxicating him while simultaneously instilling a sense of dread… to succumb would mean utter ruin!

"Seventh Young Master has seen all the beauties in the world, how could my coarse appearance possibly meet your eyes?" Mei Rudai smiled charmingly.

"I greatly admire and appreciate the methods of Palace Master Mei. A beautiful woman should be more ruthless and stronger than a man when she ventures into the martial world." Lan Qi shook his jade fan, looking dashing.

"Thank you for your appreciation, Seventh Young Master." Mei Rudai gracefully turned to the side, but her eyes were wary as she looked at Lan Qi.

The two chatted and laughed, seemingly having hit it off immediately. Yuwen Luo, however, was extremely displeased. "Seventh Young Master, this old hag used such vicious methods to injure Ning Lang, how could you…"

Lan Qi closed his jade fan and waved it in front of Yuwen Luo, signaling him to be quiet. He turned to look at Mei Rudai, "In this world, the victor is king and the loser is a bandit. Moreover, your underworld has always valued ruthless methods, so I can completely understand what you did." He tapped his palm with the jade fan, his emerald eyes flashing, and Mei Rudai felt a chill run down her spine. "However..." He glanced at the unconscious Ning Lang, "You can see right through him at a glance, yet you used such a ruthless move. I don't like it at all."

"I really don't like it..." These words echoed in Mei Rudai's ears, and she felt as if they were the terrifying spell of a soul-reaping messenger! But the person who said these words still smiled lightly and said in an extremely calm tone: "I have always liked the saying 'If someone respects me by an inch, I will respect them by a mile; if someone bullies me by an inch, I will repay them a hundredfold!' So, considering that you are a well-known figure in the martial arts world, I will only make one move. If you can catch it, then this will end here. If you cannot catch it, then from now on, you will avoid me by a hundred miles at the mere mention of my name."

12. The Myth of the Blazing Sun (Part 2)

"You!" This was the first time in her life she had been so scorned, yet before those uniquely beautiful blue eyes, she couldn't help but feel fear. Her gaze shifted, and she smiled sweetly again, "Seventh Young Master, what you've done violates the rules of the martial arts tournament. I defeated this young hero Ning Lang, and naturally I should welcome the next challenger. But Seventh Young Master's actions just now have disqualified you, so..."

"Palace Mistress Mei," Lan Qi interrupted Mei Rudai, shattering her plans, "I can come to this martial arts tournament again next time, but you... I want you to never come again!"

"Don't push your luck!" Mei Rudai's expression changed drastically.

"Just one move." Lan Qi looked at her with a smile, gently raising her left hand.

Mei Rudai immediately became fully alert.

The thousands of heroes in the square could see it clearly. They watched as the hand was slowly extended, so tender and affectionate. The white hand, like a pear blossom blooming from snow, drifted in quietly, its beauty carrying a chilling aura that penetrated to the bone.

Upon seeing this move, Mingkong, who was sitting in the corridor, suddenly changed his expression. His eyes widened, as if he could not believe it, but also as if he was extremely happy.

Before the Shouling Palace, everyone stared in astonishment at Lan Qi. Such an eerie person had used such a pure and cold move. Everyone was looking at that hand, but in that instant, everyone lost their focus. They heard Mei Rudai scream, and in the next second, they saw clearly that Lan Qi was standing in place, smiling in the wind, while Mei Rudai was lying on the ground, trembling all over.

What happened in that split second? Everyone wondered.

What exactly was that move that Young Master Lan just made? Everyone was shocked.

Perhaps only Mingkong on the entire Ying Mountain could see it clearly, which is why his hands, which were resting on the chair, were trembling, and his eyes were filled with excitement.

Lie Chifeng had already opened his eyes in the corridor, staring at Lan Qi with burning, excited eyes.

"You...you actually...you actually destroyed my power!" Mei Rudai gasped for breath and slowly raised her head, looking at Lan Qi with resentment. As soon as she looked up, the heroes in the square were shocked and their expressions changed. Her once beautiful face was now withered and haggard, and there was no trace of the stunning beauty she had just had.

Lan Qi held up a jade fan, her smile as gentle as autumn water, but the words she uttered were chilling: "I've also severed four of your meridians, so you'll never be able to use violence again in this lifetime."

"Why?" Mei Rudai cried out hoarsely.

At that moment, Ming Er quietly stood up.

"How is it?" Yuwen Luo and Ren Qi asked anxiously. Lan Qi also turned to look at them.

Ming Er shook his head, "No medicine will work."

"What?" Ren Qi and Yuwen Luo exclaimed.

Ming Er looked at them, then at Ning Lang, pondered for a moment, and said, "There is only one way now: find a quiet place and I will force out the effects of the medicine for him."

Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly realized that the Ming family's "Indiscriminate Finger" could expel even deadly poison and internal energy, let alone just a little bit of medicinal properties!

"Thank goodness, Junior Brother is saved!" Ren Qi hurriedly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. If something had happened to his Junior Brother in front of him, he himself would have had no choice but to hang himself, even without punishment from the sect!

"Sigh, fools are indeed more fortunate." Xie Mo and Song Gen exchanged a glance and breathed a sigh of relief.

“Outsiders aren’t allowed in the Shouling Palace, so let’s go to the back of the corridor. It’s farther away and quieter there,” Yuwen Luo quickly suggested.

"Hmm." Ming raised his hands and lifted Ning Lang to a flat position, then said, "I can go. Too many people would be bad. You can stay as before." With that, he raised his hands and carried Ning Lang towards the corridor. The heroes watched him leave calmly, his blue robe fluttering, elegant and otherworldly.

Lan Qi turned to look at Mei Rudai on the ground, only to see her still looking at him with resentment. He then waved his jade fan, half-covering his lips, and looked at Mei Rudai with strange eyes. He slowly and softly whispered, a voice that could be heard throughout the square, "Because Ning Lang is my fiancé."

The entire room fell silent, an unprecedented stillness.

Then the entire square instantly became lively again. There were violent coughs, those of people who hadn't gone to Changtian Manor last time and were now choking on their breath; there were also helpless sighs, those of people who had already experienced Lan Qishao's arrogant words at Changtian Manor last time; some were shouting "You must have misheard me!"; and some were even muttering "God"...

Even Mei Rudai looked stunned, staring at Lan Qi with wide eyes and speechless.

Ren Qi, Xie Mo, and Song Gen's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets as they stared at Lan Qi in disbelief. Their junior brother was engaged to him? How come they didn't know?

Ke Lanqi simply closed his jade fan, turned around gracefully, and walked towards the corridor, completely ignoring the crowd who were shocked by his words.

When the heroes came to their senses, Mei Rudai had already quietly led the disciples of Baiyan Palace away. No one regretted her departure. The martial world is a place where the strong speak, and everyone was actually grateful to her for giving them one less powerful opponent—Lan Qishao!

More people entered the arena, and more challenged others; a new round of competition began. However, perhaps Lan Qishao's move was too shocking, as even the most intense battles seemed to have lost some of their momentum. This situation only changed when Tong Yu, the master of Yechen Tower, made his move. With just one sword strike, he astonished the entire arena. Many in the martial world wield fast swords, but never before had anyone been so fast!

Ren Qi, who was in the corridor, stood up. He was a swordsman who both studied and loved swords. When he encountered another peerless swordsman, how could he not be moved?

As soon as he stood up, the crowd in the square couldn't help but feel excited and expectant. The Wind and Mist Sect was the number one sect in the martial arts world, but the Azure Green Sect was the number one sword sect. The sheer number of its sword techniques and the uncanny nature of its moves were unmatched by any other sect or group in the martial arts world. This Ren Qi was rumored to be the disciple with the highest sword talent since the founding of the Azure Green Sect, having mastered fifty sword techniques before the age of thirty. Such a person was also unique in the martial arts world. How could a duel between him and Tong Yu, two such masters of swordsmanship, not be exciting?

"Ren Qi of the Qianbi Sect requests guidance from Master Tong." Ren Qi bowed respectfully to Master Yechen Tower.

"I wouldn't dare," Tong Yu replied, clasping his hands in a gesture of respect. He looked to be about the same age as Ren Qi, with an exceptionally thin build and bright, piercing eyes.

"Please." Both were clearly polite people; after saying "please," their longswords were simultaneously drawn.

Everyone held their breath, their eyes glued to the fight in the arena.

At first, their moves were still discernible. Tong Yu's attacks were swift as lightning and as treacherous as a sudden, unexpected peak, making them impossible to defend against. Ren Qi, on the other hand, moved with a smooth, flowing grace, always perfectly blocking Tong Yu's attacks. But as the fight progressed, Tong Yu became nothing more than a constantly leaping shadow, her sword moving so fast that it was invisible to the naked eye. The sword light was dazzling and shimmering, its aura overflowing. The crowd couldn't help but retreat and hold their breath. Yet, their opponent, Ren Qi, remained leisurely and unhurried, each move seemingly effortless, as if he were merely practicing his sword techniques, flowing smoothly and flawlessly.

After a while, some of the onlookers had a better understanding of the situation, some were still staring in disbelief, some nodded frequently, and some were amazed. Just then, a voice suddenly rang out, "I lost!" Then the sword light dissipated, and Tong Yu and Ren Qi stood on opposite sides. Upon closer inspection, their weapons were undamaged and their bodies were unharmed.

Who... lost? That sound just now was...

“Your Excellency is far superior to mine; I, Tong, concede defeat.” Tong Yu bowed respectfully.

"Thank you for your courtesy, Master Tong." Ren Qi returned the greeting with his sword.

Many people in the square were surprised. The competition hadn't even ended, so why was Tong Yu admitting defeat? Some couldn't help but shout, "Master Tong, the competition isn't even over yet, how can you admit defeat? This is a disgrace to the underworld!"

"This Master Tong's swordsmanship is so fast and dangerous that it is rare in the martial arts world, and it can be ranked among the top five." Qiu Changtian praised in the corridor, "What is rare is that he comes from the underworld but has not lost his childlike heart and is open-minded. He will surely be able to reach even greater heights in the future."

“Hmm.” Mingkong nodded. “His swordsmanship is good, but only in terms of swordsmanship. In terms of realm and style, Junior Nephew Ren has already entered the hall.”

“Indeed,” Nan Wofeng exclaimed, “The Qianbi Sect has produced another prodigy.”

Having returned to the corridor and taken his seat, Tong Yu ignored the praise and scolding from the crowd in the square and slowly sheathed his sword. No victor... His gaze fell, and on the half-exposed blade was a very thin, shallow mark. This... already indicated defeat. Moreover, he had used all his strength, yet he couldn't sense the opponent's true strength at all... This was a terrifying person!

Before the crowd's astonishment had subsided, another shock came as another person descended from the corridor. Tall and imposing, with perfectly sculpted features and eyes that shone like cold stars, his mere gait exuded an imposing aura. It was none other than Lie Chifeng, the Third Master of Cangyun Manor.

“I’ll compete with you.” Lie Chifeng strode up to Ren Qi.

Ren Qi, who was half a head shorter than him, looked up at him, smiled slightly, and said, "Okay."

"Among the people I've met so far, Lie Chifeng, you are the one with the highest swordsmanship." Lie Chifeng's voice was deep and powerful, each word resonating in the heart.

"My name is Ren Qi. You flatter me." Ren Qi smiled, showing neither joy nor arrogance.

Genuine admiration flashed in Lie Chifeng's eyes. The person before him was a true practitioner of martial arts, having reached the "mind like a mirror" state that others could never attain in their entire lives! He took three steps back, separating the two by a zhang (approximately 3.3 meters), unfastened his sword from his back, and held out his left hand, saying, "Please!"

Ren Qi held his right hand out horizontally, sword across his chest, and said, "Please."

Lie Chifeng looked at the knife in his hand and slowly drew it out of its sheath inch by inch. At that moment, everyone in the square felt a cold and heavy pressure, as if a mountain was pressing down on them and there was a bottomless abyss beneath their feet. Everyone felt a suffocating and dangerous feeling that made it hard to breathe!

The sword was finally fully drawn, its blade plain and unadorned. Lie Chifeng suddenly raised his eyes and looked ahead, causing many people to let out a trembling "Ah!" The moment he raised his eyes, it was as if a lion had raised its head, and the invincible aura of a powerful figure rushed towards them. Those with lower skill levels couldn't help but tremble in their knees and retreat with difficulty.

"What spirit!" Yuwen Feng, who had been silent all along, couldn't help but praise. At this moment, he felt honored and proud of what Lie Chifeng had once told him: "Five years from now... let's have a match."

Ren Qi remained calm, but a strange look appeared in his eyes as he gazed at Lie Chifeng.

Lie Chifeng held his sword in his right hand, slowly unfurling it. Those several feet away immediately felt the cold, sharp edge cutting into their skin, an uncontrollable fear and chill rising in their hearts. This person… was too strong, too terrifying! If they were to truly fight… their gaze shifted to Ren Qi, but seeing him still calm and composed, they couldn't help but feel respect. This person was equally strong…

"I concede." Ren Qi suddenly lowered his sword and said calmly and sincerely.

"What?!" Everyone exclaimed in surprise. This...this hasn't even started yet!

Lie Chifeng simply looked at Ren Qi calmly, as if it were a matter of course, or as if he was waiting for an explanation.

Ren Qi sheathed his sword and looked at Lie Chifeng slowly, saying, "If we fight for days and nights without a winner, do you want to keep fighting until a victor emerges? Are you willing to risk injury or death for this?"

Lie Chifeng nodded.

“That’s it.” Ren Qi smiled calmly. “I would never hurt or lose my life for the sake of a victory or defeat. I am not as persistent as you in pursuing victory, so I will surely lose.” He glanced at Lie Chifeng, who stood silently and immovably like a mountain. “Besides, I am not as imposing as you, so the result is obvious at a glance. Why waste time and energy on a fight?”

Lie Chifeng stared at Ren Qi for a long time, his face cold and expressionless, but in his heart he was roaring: Why do I keep running into such weirdos! Ming Er is like this, Lan Qi is like this, and now even this Ren Qi is like this. It's so hard to find an opponent who can hold his own!

"I'll take my leave." Ren Qi clasped his hands in a salute, then turned and walked back into the corridor.

Only Lie Chifeng remained in the arena. With his opponent gone, his gaze shifted to the hundreds of heroes gathered in the plaza. Now that he was in Yingshan, and with all the masters of the martial arts world present, he was bound to find an opponent.

Those caught in Lie Chifeng's gaze either retreated in fear or stepped forward with their chests out. They had come here to fight; for martial artists, the greatest desire was to experience exhilaration, and even more so, to fight such a peerless master—a dream for every martial artist!

Therefore, Lie Chifeng has many rivals.