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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 7: The Entity of Zhuque
As Ji Zichen's words fell, one of the two soldiers who had previously pushed Lin Chuyu inside drew his sword and shouted, "How dare you disrespect the Master!"
With a clang, the sword leaped from its sheath as if it had a life of its own, its blade glinting in the sunlight.
Ji Zichen let out a disdainful snort. The Demon-Slaying Sword collided with the soldier's blade, causing him to cry out in pain as the sword slipped from his grip and fell to the ground. Ji Zichen did not seek to take his life; instead, he struck the soldier on the back of the neck with the Demon-Slaying Sword, rendering him unconscious.
Having incapacitated one soldier, Ji Zichen shifted his stance and swung the back of the Demon-Slaying Sword horizontally, striking the second soldier squarely in the face. The soldier, unable to dodge in time, fell unconscious as well.
Ji Zichen fixed his gaze on Jade Pavilion and remarked coolly, "Your subordinates are quite useless."
Jade Pavilion remained unfazed by this comment. He glanced at Lin Chuyu, whose most captivating feature was not just her beautiful silhouette reminiscent of ethereal mountain rain but also her serene demeanor that seemed untouched by worldly affairs—something that women from Yuxuan and Holy City could not compare to.
Jade Pavilion smiled lightly and said, "If it were me, I would fight fiercely for such a woman."
Ji Zichen stared at him intently. "Enough nonsense; you're all that's left."
With that, Ji Zichen lunged at Jade Pavilion with the Demon-Slaying Sword. Jade Pavilion was no ordinary opponent; as Kiko's sword approached within mere feet, he swiftly turned his body and bent slightly at the waist to pick up the fallen soldier's sword, thrusting it towards Kiko from behind. Ji Zichen deftly stepped back and evaded Jade Pavilion's strike.
Lin Chuyu gasped in surprise at Jade Pavilion's ability to counterattack while dodging. "He’s quite skilled too!"
Hearing Lin Chuyu praise his opponent, Ji Zichen thought to himself, "Whose side are you really on?"
However, he kept this thought to himself and merely snorted coldly without any further reaction.
Jade Pavilion missed his strike but remained calm. With a faint smile, he said, "Your courage in storming the city for her is commendable, but how much do you really know about this girl?"
Ji Zichen sensed the underlying meaning in Jade Pavilion's words but chose not to dwell on it. He believed Jade Pavilion was trying to disturb his focus. "Shut up! What do you know?" Ji Zichen retorted.
Ji Zichen thrust his sword forward, while Jade Pavilion's right hand moved slightly. The blade glided along Ji Zichen's sword like a snake, and as Ji Zichen aimed a kick at Jade Pavilion's wrist, Jade Pavilion calculated the range of Ji Zichen's attack. Just as the tip of Ji Zichen's foot was about to strike his wrist, Jade Pavilion retracted his hand slightly and shifted it to the right.
A look of appreciation appeared in Jade Pavilion's eyes as he said, "Not bad. You managed to keep your attack going instead of retreating when I pressed against your blade. A simple and direct approach—no wonder you defeated the Twin Ghosts of Blade and Sword. I initially thought you won by trickery, but now I see you truly deserve your reputation."
Suddenly, Jade Pavilion spoke with great confidence, "But unfortunately, you are not my match!"
Ji Zichen was taken aback, his expression turning unnatural.
In an instant, Jade Pavilion hurled his sword at him like a reckless fool.
The sword shot forth like an arrow released from a bowstring. Although the speed was fierce, it posed no threat to Ji Zichen. He wondered, "What is he trying to do? He knows he can't hit me like this."
Unable to decipher Jade Pavilion's intentions, Ji Zichen reacted as the sword approached. He swung his own sword to deflect it, but just as he did so, a soft and shadowy figure closed in on him.
"Ah!"
Caught off guard, Ji Zichen felt a cut on his arm. He quickly retreated and saw that Jade Pavilion held a short sword that was as thin as a cicada's wing.
Jade Pavilion smiled and asked, "Want to try a few more cuts?"
Ji Zichen focused intently on Jade Pavilion and thought, "So this is his weapon. He was testing my moves with the sword earlier. I've exhausted my Five Elements Pearl during the city siege; if I could still use it, I could finish him in one blow."
The short sword was soft and pliable; although Jade Pavilion held it steady, its blade swayed like a spring. Ji Zichen asked, "What is this thing?"
Jade Pavilion did not hold back and replied openly, "This is a short sword. Its blade is light and thin, but it can inflict quite a painful cut."
Ji Zichen thought to himself, "He really has some skill. Controlling such a light and constantly moving blade is no easy feat; he must have put in considerable effort."
Jade Pavilion smiled broadly, clearly pleased, and said, "Without your magical artifact, you're nothing. It's time to end this."
The Short Sword lunged forward. Ji Zichen focused intently on the sword, watching as it swayed left and right during its approach, making it difficult to discern its true direction of attack. If he acted rashly and missed, it would give Jade Pavilion the upper hand.
Ji Zichen tried to predict the path of the Short Sword, but as it came within a few feet, he still lacked the confidence to strike; he could only rely on his instincts.
He observed the sword's movements, swaying back and forth, but always from left to right—perhaps there was a pattern to it.
Suddenly, Ji Zichen caught a glimpse of understanding. To seize the initiative, he had no choice but to act first. As the sword swayed left, he launched his attack into the gap that opened up on the right. The Demon-Slaying Sword shot forward unexpectedly.
Seeing Jade Pavilion reveling in his triumph made Ji Zichen quite displeased. After striking, he declared, "I've already spotted your flaw!"
Unfazed, Jade Pavilion responded with a slow smile, "Is that so?"
As Ji Zichen aimed his sword at Jade Pavilion's chest, following the earlier pattern, the Short Sword should have swung to its maximum right before bouncing back left. However, at that moment, the Short Sword only reached halfway to the right before abruptly snapping back to the left.
A change flickered across Ji Zichen's face.
The returning Short Sword, gliding smoothly against the blade of the Demon-Slaying Sword, struck Ji Zichen's right shoulder with a speed that outpaced his reflexes. The blade sank several inches into his shoulder, causing him to cry out in pain.
Lin Chuyu gasped in shock, her face paling as she exclaimed, "Brother Ji!"
With a sinister expression on his face, Jade Pavilion pushed forward with the Short Sword, seemingly intent on piercing through Ji Zichen's shoulder. In a moment of desperation, Ji Zichen, surprising Jade Pavilion, seized his wrist and redirected the thrust into his own shoulder.
"Are you trying to kill yourself?" Jade Pavilion exclaimed in shock.
Blood gushed from Ji Zichen's shoulder, yet he wore a grim smile. "No matter how your Short Sword moves, once it pierces flesh, it becomes fixed! This way, I won't have to worry about predicting its path! You're finished!"
Ji Zichen grabbed Jade Pavilion's right wrist with his right hand, and with a swift motion of his left hand, he shouted, "Crush your throat!"
The Short Sword pierced Ji Zichen's right shoulder, and Jade Pavilion, holding the Short Sword, found himself immobilized in front of Ji Zichen. With a quick grasp, Ji Zichen seized Jade Pavilion by the throat, tightening his grip. Jade Pavilion let out a muffled "ugh" as he struggled.
Lin Chuyu suddenly shouted, "Brother Ji, stop!"
Ji Zichen was taken aback. "Why are you pleading for him? A person like him deserves to die!"
In a flustered tone, Lin Chuyu replied, "I'm not pleading for him; look outside the main door!"
Ji Zichen had his back to the door, with Jade Pavilion's throat in his grip, forcing his head back. He couldn't see what was happening at the door, but Jade Pavilion had already caught sight of it. Despite being restrained, a smile crept onto Jade Pavilion's face.
Ji Zichen turned to look at the entrance and saw Shen Bifan slumped over, appearing unconscious and being supported by two soldiers. Ji Zichen gasped in shock, "Bifan!"
One of the soldiers holding Bifan shouted, "Let go of the Master! Or I'll cut her down!"
The situation shifted dramatically. Rage flickered in Ji Zichen's eyes as his grip on Jade Pavilion trembled violently. Ultimately, he released his hold.
Jade Pavilion took advantage of the moment to withdraw three paces while pulling out the Short Sword. He rubbed his sore throat and coughed repeatedly. After a moment, he laughed maniacally and said, " Ji Zichen, do you think you've won?"
Ji Zichen clutched his right shoulder, uncertainty clouding his expression. "How could Bifan...?"
Jade Pavilion's laughter echoed with confidence as he declared, "With my influence, I can easily uncover your secrets."
Ji Zichen's eyes turned crimson with fury. "Let her go!"
Jade Pavilion stepped closer to Bifan, the blood-stained Short Sword pressed against the unconscious Shen Bifan's throat. A sinister grin spread across Jade Pavilion's face as he said menacingly, "I can let her go; I'm not unreasonable. I'll give you a choice, Ji Zichen: kill Lin Chuyu! Then I'll release your dear junior sister!"
Ji Zichen felt as if she had been struck by lightning in her heart.
Lin Chuyu was equally startled in that instant.
Ji Zichen trembled all over, standing frozen in place.
Jade Pavilion urged with a smile, "What’s wrong? Are you deaf? I'll say it again: if you want to save your junior sister, you have to kill Lin Chuyu!"
Ji Zichen was instantly consumed by rage. "Why should I kill her! What kind of game are you playing?"
Everyone present turned their gaze toward Jade Pavilion, whose expression was a mix of amusement and coldness. With a sly smile, he said, "It seems you can't bring yourself to do it. You really don't understand my intentions, nor do you understand Lin Chuyu. Very well, then I'll show you something interesting."
Jade Pavilion stepped closer to Ji Zichen and said, "To see something interesting, I hope you can behave yourself for a while."
As Jade Pavilion walked past Ji Zichen, he gradually approached Lin Chuyu. Seeing Jade Pavilion approach with ill intent, Lin Chuyu was so frightened that she retreated several steps. "Don't... don't come any closer!"
Jade Pavilion cornered Lin Chuyu against the wall, his face breaking into a smile as he gently said to her, "Don't be afraid; I'll help you untie the ropes."
Lin Chuyu had no idea what Jade Pavilion was planning. Suddenly silent, she watched as he indeed began to loosen the ropes binding her hands.
Jade Pavilion glanced back at Ji Zichen before suddenly tearing off the sleeves from Lin Chuyu's arms. Ji Zichen gasped in shock. "That is...!"
Lin Chuyu felt both shame and anger; tears streamed down her face as she instinctively crossed her arms to cover the scales on her arms.
"Don't... don't look!"
Ji Zichen stood there in stunned silence, thinking to herself, "Those are Phoenix scales!"
Jade Pavilion furrowed his brow slightly, but he appeared quite excited. "Such a beautiful person, covered in scales. It may look disgusting, but it perfectly confirms that the Vermilion Bird Spirit is real."
He drew the Jade Toad Dagger and said, " Ji Zichen, open your eyes wide and see clearly; the fun is about to begin!"
Suddenly, Jade Pavilion's gaze turned fierce. He raised his arm and thrust the Jade Toad Dagger toward the Vermilion Bird Pearl, which erupted in a brilliant white light.
The Vermilion Bird Pearl let out two sharp cries, shattering instantly like Vermilion Bird Essence. The Vermilion Bird Spirit roared as it sprang forth from the pearl, its cold eyes radiating a chilling aura of death that enveloped the entire Power Hall.
The Vermilion Bird Spirit was present, but this time it did not launch a frenzied attack on Jade Pavilion as it had before.
Its icy gaze suddenly dulled, and the Vermilion Bird Spirit was drawn into the Jade Toad Dagger.
Jade Pavilion shouted, "Bring it in!"
Twenty soldiers struggled to carry a massive Great Jade Coffin inside.
The Great Jade Coffin was placed in the center of the Power Hall, and Jade Pavilion commanded, "Open the coffin!"
Inside lay the lifelike body of an adult Vermilion Bird.
Ji Zichen's expression changed drastically. "What is this...?!"
Jade Pavilion laughed heartily. "See? Isn't this quite interesting?"
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