El joven amo desvergonzado

Capítulo 35

Suddenly, the door was kicked open, and a flash of silver light appeared towards her chest. Tang Weiyu was startled and shouted, "Tang Ling!"

Tan Huan was immediately attacked from the side. Tang Ling jumped in through the window like a ghost, then struck Tan Huan's abdomen with his left hand. Seeing that Tan Huan nimbly dodged, Tang Ling raised his sword with his right hand and stabbed at Tan Huan's crown.

Tan Huan frowned, her sword flashing as it rained down on Tang Ling. After four or five consecutive exchanges, she realized that Luo Yi hadn't offered any help whatsoever. Taking advantage of a lull in the fight, she glanced back and saw Luo Yi standing to the side with a smile, watching her without any intention of intervening.

At this moment, Tan Huan had no time to pay attention to Luo Yi's reaction. Tang Ling was very skilled and could be considered one of the top experts in the Tang Clan. The room was in a mess. Tang Weiyu stood panting in the corner, staring coldly at Tan Huan, while calling out, "Elder Tang, please come in and help me capture him." Tang Ming lived next door to Tang Weiyu. He noticed the commotion next door and naturally came over when he heard Tang Weiyu's voice.

Tan Huan felt as if he were being stared at by a venomous snake. Tang Weiyu hadn't called any outsiders; all three here were from the Tang Clan, indicating that this guy had no intention of handing him over after capturing him. He glanced at Luo Yi again; he was still standing quietly, smiling at him.

The room was filled with a murderous aura. The bedding was scattered haphazardly on the floor, and the edge of the table was dented several times by sword energy. Tan Huan took a deep breath, then another. The Lonely Dust Sword felt strangely familiar in his hand. His real opponent was Tang Ling, but he also had to be wary of Tang Weiyu and Tang Ming's hidden weapon attacks.

Luo Yi's eyes were dark, and he gripped the bamboo-patterned sword tightly in his hand. He wanted to kill her and eliminate any future troubles, but the inner conflict was not something that could be explained in a few words.

Tan Huan stretched, her eyes bright. She casually twirled the Lonely Dust Sword a couple of times, and in an instant, she leaped in front of Tang Weiyu without raising a speck of dust. Like a whirlwind, her fingers deftly extended and retracted, and the Lonely Dust Sword slashed towards Tang Weiyu's nose. Seeing this, Tang Ling couldn't stop her in time; he could only swing his sword, directly attacking Tan Huan's back.

Although Tan Huan wanted to kill Tang Weiyu, she valued her own life more, so she simply sheathed her Lonely Dust Sword and leaped away in a few quick movements. At the same time, Tang Ming launched a hidden weapon. His movements were minimal, but Tan Huan still noticed the anomaly. She landed on one foot and spun 180 degrees in one fluid motion. Just as she was about to launch another attack, a chill suddenly ran down her back. She turned around just in time to see a long sword thrusting towards her.

The sword was engraved with familiar, beautiful bamboo patterns.

There was no murderous intent, but Tan Huan saw those beautiful purple eyes.

Without blinking.

When she left Pei Jin's place, Luo Yi's suggestion of a duel was likely a test of her martial arts skills, to gauge his ability to assassinate her. He lured her to kill Tang Weiyu, initially refraining from action to force her into a corner, using the Tang Clan as a tool for the kill, or perhaps to launch a sneak attack for maximum certainty. Tan Huan smiled bitterly—was she overthinking things?

Amidst the flashing blades, Tan Huan had to evade the Tang Clan's attacks while simultaneously facing Luo Yi's sudden assault. Unfazed, she intended to rely on the sharpness of her Lonely Dust Sword to clash head-on with the Bamboo Pattern Sword. With a flick of her wrist, just as Tan Huan assumed her sword stance, Luo Yi's gaze pierced through her, and the Bamboo Pattern Sword suddenly thrust towards Tang Weiyu.

It was as if one could hear Luo Yi let out a barely audible sigh.

Tan Huan was taken aback. The feeling was like a non-swimmer falling into a fast-flowing river, only to find that the water only reached his chest.

Tang Weiyu took three steps back, his face darkening. He took out the Thousand Mountains Rain Needle from his pocket and was about to throw it at Luo Yi.

"Light rain!" Tang Ming shouted, "No! The room is too small! It will affect our own people."

Although Elder Tang didn't say the second half of his sentence, Tang Weiyu understood immediately. His brows furrowed deeply, and he withdrew the Thousand Mountain Rain Needles.

Luo Yi's sword danced, feinting and then striking, but he couldn't outmaneuver Tang Ling even after several moves. While he was entangled with Tang Ling, Tan Huan seized the opportunity and leaped in front of Tang Weiyu, slashing diagonally with his sword. Tang Weiyu hurriedly ducked to dodge. The Lonely Dust Sword severed a lock of his long hair, which drifted to the ground in scattered pieces.

Tan Huan sneered, "Tang Weiyu, if I still can't kill you after this, then all my martial arts training has been for nothing." Her inner energy began to spread from her dantian outwards, and she withdrew all her defenses, using all her inner strength for attack. A thin layer of blood appeared on her jade-like skin, and all emotions settled in Tan Huan's dark eyes. The Lonely Dust Sword vibrated in the air as she thrust it horizontally.

A sword strike as swift as lightning.

Both speed and power are impeccable.

Even the well-informed Elder Tang Ming couldn't help but exclaim, "Light rain! Be careful!"

Before he could finish speaking, the Lonely Dust Sword had already pierced through Tang Weiyu's chest. Tan Huan calmly withdrew his sword, and seeing Tang Weiyu's incredulous gaze, he opened his mouth slightly, but couldn't utter a single word before collapsing to the ground.

Seeing this, Luo Yi quickly grabbed Tan Huan's hand and, taking advantage of everyone's distraction, pulled him out of the house. Night fell. The Netherworld Valley was densely forested, and they quickly disappeared from sight.

Tang Ling did not pursue, but decisively sealed several vital acupoints on Tang Weiyu's body to stop his bleeding. Tang Ming coldly looked out the window, "Hmph, those two brats are Baili Liushang's disciples, right? They've got some nerve."

Tang Weiyu opened her eyes wearily, "Hmm..."

"Consider yourself lucky to have escaped with your life," Tang Ming said. "That girl was ruthless. If it weren't for the fact that your heart is on the right side, that sword strike would have sent you to meet the King of Hell."

Tang Weiyu smiled and said, "Those who survive a great calamity are bound to have good fortune in the future."

Tan Huan ran alongside Luo Yi through the night, faster and faster, the cool wind whistling past as the scenery rushed by. Tan Huan's mind was unusually calm; she knew it wasn't her imagination—Luo Yi had indeed, for a fleeting moment, wanted to kill her. What to do? Should she put it out of her mind? Or should she confront her and demand an explanation?

"Let's find a place to hide first, and then we'll make plans after Master arrives." Luo Yi looked at Tan Huan, hesitant to speak, "Just now..." How could he explain that sword strike? Tan Huan was so perceptive, he must have noticed it.

After a moment of silence, Tan Huan asked, "Have I offended my senior brother in some way?"

"……No."

After a moment of silence, Tan Huan stopped beating around the bush and asked, "Senior brother, were you trying to kill me just now?"

Luo Yi remained silent for a longer time. Facing Tan Huan's earnest gaze, he forced a smile and said, "I was momentarily bewitched. I was jealous of my junior sister's talent... Don't worry, it won't happen again. Master forbids fellow disciples from killing each other."

Tan Huan felt he was being brushed off, but judging from Luo Yi's expression, it was clear she didn't want to continue the topic, and even if she did, he probably wouldn't tell the truth. "Fine, then I won't tell Master about this, and I won't mention it again."

Luo Yi breathed a sigh of relief.

A large patch of fire blazed in the distance, and many people searched the area with torches. Trees cast dark shadows under the blazing flames, and the wind rustled softly. Despite the large number of people, the night remained quiet, indicating that those searching were all top-tier experts.

Tan Huan and Luo Yi held their breath, quietly hiding behind the huge rock, not daring to make a sound. Tan Huan's dark eyes watched everything, seeing Du Suizhi looking around lazily, not looking for anyone, but more like taking a stroll. She shifted her gaze and saw Pei Jin anxiously looking around. His gaze suddenly fixed in her direction, and then he strode over.

He'd spotted me? Tan Huan's heart skipped a beat. Unfortunately, Pei Jin took a couple of steps, then turned and headed off in another direction.

"Some people continue searching here, others go look elsewhere! They can't have gone far!"

Time passed slowly, and fewer and fewer people remained to search. Several experts left to search elsewhere, and vigilance relaxed. Tan Huan finally dared to speak softly, "Are we just going to stay here forever?"

"...Actually, there's nowhere to hide." Luo Yi thought for a moment. "There must be a lot of people guarding Yuan Gu's place, and we can't go to Du Suizhi either, that person is untrustworthy."

The two fell silent. Suddenly, Tan Huan sensed someone approaching from behind. It was too late to hide; the person was moving very fast, and she and Luo Yi couldn't possibly reveal themselves to the crowd. So, they gripped their weapons tightly, intending to kill the person as soon as they saw them.

The sword flashed, and the newcomer was extremely alert, as if anticipating the attack, raising his sword to block, "Don't move, or I'll call for help."

Tan Huan stopped moving, but Gu Chen Sword was still in front of him to prevent his opponent from launching a surprise attack.

Dark clouds drifted across the sky, and a crescent moon peeked out. Moonlight shone on the person who arrived, revealing a sharply defined face—it was Ba Ying, still dressed in black as before.

Tan Huan blinked, but still didn't sheathe her Lonely Dust Sword. "It's you. What are you doing here?" This guy is from the Netherworld Valley. Surely he's not here to help them? She didn't remember their relationship being that deep.

With a cool expression, Ba Ying looked her up and down. "You look pretty disheveled. I heard you just went to assassinate Tang Weiyu?" Seeing that Tan Huan didn't seem to care, he said nonchalantly, "I've come to tell you that you failed. Tang Weiyu is still alive."

Tan Huan's pupils contracted sharply, but otherwise her face remained expressionless. "You came here to talk about this?"

“No,” Ba Ying said, “Are you trying to escape?”

Tan Huan replied calmly, "Yes." Upon hearing this, Luo Yi glanced at her and asked, "Who is this person?"

“They’re from the Netherworld Valley, and I don’t know if I can trust them,” Tan Huan explained.

“If you need help, you can hire me. Netherworld Valley is in the business of hiring people, and the Valley Master hasn’t forbidden me from taking on jobs.” Ba Ying raised an eyebrow. “I used to have a good relationship with you, so the price is negotiable. However, in addition to paying, you have to agree to one more condition.”

Tan Huan stared at him, seemingly trying to ascertain whether he was telling the truth. "You're going to help us?"

“It’s not really helping, just a fair exchange of money, you don’t need to take it too seriously.” Ba Ying didn’t want to take advantage of her, so he said it clearly. “Rather than arresting you, I’d rather have a duel with you.” His voice suddenly paused, and his eyes became piercing. “I lost to you during the Lingfeng Sword Tournament back then, so I want to know who is better between us now.”

Tan Huan was stunned for a moment, then laughed. "You've been holding a grudge about me beating you back then? Heh, I didn't know that beating you back then would save my life today." She said generously, "Alright, as long as you can get us out of here, I'll have another match with you, and I'll go all out."

Ba Ying rarely smiled, but when he did, the sharp lines on his face softened considerably. He casually tossed out two sets of clothes and a hat, saying, "Disguise yourself for now, and come with me."

Tan Huan and Luo Yi exchanged a glance, and seeing that neither of them objected, they each found a secluded place to change their clothes. Nighttime was the best time to make their move, as the darkness blocked the view from all sides. Tan Huan and Luo Yi disguised themselves as ordinary people from Youming Valley and traveled with Ba Ying, walking openly on the road.

“I will be leaving the valley in a few days to carry out a mission. You can come with me then,” Ba Ying said calmly. “You should stay quietly in my room for the next few days. No one will search your room.”

Tan Huan nodded and lowered her voice, "What will happen to you if Bali finds out about this?"

Without hesitation, Ba Ying said, "The Valley Master is different from Baili Liushang. She is a very gentle person. She has no intention of opposing Zhengyang Palace. It's just that Pei Gumo came to Youming Valley in person, so she had no choice but to cooperate with him."

Gentle? That woman who treats money like her life? Is she the same person he's talking about? As for Tanhuan, that's debatable.

"Your name is Ba Ying, right?" Luo Yi said in a low voice. "We have no hostility towards Youming Valley, nor have we shown any disrespect to Valley Master Baliba, so please do not slander our master."

Ba Ying glanced at him, a half-smile on his face, "You look very refined, not at all like Baili Liushang's disciple. If your master were here, he wouldn't use the word 'please' when he speaks, he would just slap you across the face."

“If my senior brother didn’t need your help right now, he would have just swept his sword across me.” Tan Huan chuckled, pulling his hat brim down. “Ba Ying, thank you.”

“...You’re welcome,” Ba Ying said calmly. “We’ve been acquainted before.”

Ba Ying's residence was quite ordinary; Tan Huan had visited before, and it was almost unchanged this time. He was focused on his martial arts studies, paying little attention to other matters like food, clothing, and shelter. The only thing that could still pique his interest was probably money. The motto of Youming Valley was: "Money makes the world go round."

“Tan Huan, you should stay here. I’m worried about Yuan Gu. It would be terrible if Yuan Gu was no longer here when Master arrived.” Luo Yi’s purple eyes flickered. “So, I think it’s better if I go to Yuan Gu’s place tonight.”

Tan Huan, who was leaning against the wall with her head half-drooping, was about to fall asleep when she heard Luo Yi speak. She instantly looked up and stared at him intently. "Yuan Gu?" Seeing Luo Yi nod, she smiled. "Senior brother, there's nothing you can do even if you go. Even if they want to move Yuan Gu, can you stop them by yourself?" Her senior brother's enthusiasm for this matter seemed unusual to her, and she felt that it was related to his previous attempt to kill her. Tan Huan fell silent. "I'll go with you, senior brother."

Luo Yi remained calm, but a hint of panic flashed deep in her eyes. "If only I am arrested, at least you will be there. But if we are both arrested at the same time..."

"Don't go," Ba Ying warned. "Yuan Gu's place is guarded by many experts; going there will only lead to your death."

As the three were locked in a stalemate, they suddenly heard a slight noise outside the door. Tan Huan and Luo Yi immediately hid and concealed themselves in the room. Ba Ying pretended to be calm as he watched the newcomer.

Wearing an eyepatch over one eye, with her long hair tied up high and a shrewd gaze, she was none other than Ba Li, the Valley Master of the Netherworld Valley. "Ba Ying, did you see those two people from the Zhengyang Palace today?"

Ba Ying was not good at lying and dared not meet his gaze. "No."

After a moment of silence, Barry asked again, "Is there anyone else in your room?"

“…No.” Ba Ying looked up. “I was just about to go to sleep.”

Bali's gaze swept across the room like a blade, and finally she sighed, "Ba Ying, I can't stop you from doing whatever you want, but I'll just remind you, things aren't as simple as you think."

Ba Ying said, "Valley Master, I don't understand what you mean..."

Bali sighed again. Well, as long as Yuan Gu is still in the Netherworld Valley, nothing serious should happen. She gave Ba Ying a deep look, then turned and left.

After she walked away, Luo Yi and Tan Huan both breathed a sigh of relief.

"Get some rest. We'll leave the valley in three days."

Chapter Nineteen: The Final Battle

On the day they left the valley, the sky was overcast, shrouded in swirling clouds, the sunlight hidden behind the dense veil, and the wind howled. Tan Huan pulled his hat brim low, following closely behind Ba Ying, a bad premonition creeping into his heart for some reason. The three of them passed without hindrance, not a single person checking them. They could already see the entrance to the valley. Tan Huan breathed a sigh of relief; thank goodness, nothing had happened.

As Tan Huan lowered her head in relief, she suddenly heard Luo Yi chuckle softly beside her, a hint of helplessness in her voice. Tan Huan glanced at her and whispered, "What are you laughing at?"

Luo Yi smiled but remained silent, his purple eyes shining brightly. He stopped and pointed into the distance. Tan Huan looked in the direction he indicated, and immediately felt a tightness in his chest, a chill run down his spine, and he just wanted to find a hole to crawl into.

“Master is indeed incredibly fast.” Luo Yi put her hands behind her head and said easily, “I knew he wouldn’t let Yuan Gu go.”

Clad in white, his black hair, though tied back, still fluttered in the wind. Baili Liushang, with a hint of displeasure, leaped from hundreds of meters away to stand before Tan Huan. He tilted his head slightly, revealing the graceful curve of his neck. "Huan'er, you're planning to leave Youming Valley without even completing the task I assigned you?"

Tan Huan was suddenly speechless, staring at Baili Liushang, unable to utter a single word. Why did he come? Why did he come? Why did he come? She had thought she would be a few days late in meeting this troublesome master, but now she was completely unprepared. More importantly, she hadn't even come up with an excuse for failing the mission…

Baili Liushang narrowed his long, narrow eyes. "Speak."

"Master...Master..." Under his gaze, Tan Huan's mind immediately cleared, and he stood up straight. "I'm sorry, I failed to complete your instructions. Please punish me."

Baili Liushang smiled enigmatically. "We can think about the punishment later when we return to the palace," he said, glancing towards Luo Yi. He noticed a young man in black standing behind his disciple, staring at him warily. "Luo Yi, is this person from Youming Valley?"

Luo Yi nodded. Tan Huan interjected, "Master, his name is Ba Ying. He's the one who helped us escape."

Baili Liushang smiled slyly, watching Tan Huan with great interest. This silly child was trying hard to hide her anxiety. Tsk tsk, so eager to speak well of that kid, what was she worried about? "You still have the nerve to talk about running away? My disciple, Baili Liushang's disciple, actually wants to run away?"

Tan Huan was at a loss for words, and cautiously glanced at him furtively, "Even with Pei Gu Mo here, we really can't win..."

Baili Liushang snorted, "I'll deal with you when we get back. We need to get down to business now." He strode inside, looking down on everyone, "Tanhuan, Luoyi, come with me to bring Yuangu out."

Ba Ying's gaze sharpened, and he leaped forward to block Baili Liushang's path. "Palace Master Baili, please stop."