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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 1: The Heat of Battle
The shadows of the trees in the forest were dense as Zhu Qi leaped forward, hastening his pace. Hearing the rush of wind behind him, Zhu Qi sighed, "Have they caught up? I need to find a way to shake them off."
Xia Zhoujiang, the bearded man, was not far behind Zhu Qi, but the thick foliage obscured his view, making it difficult to spot him. Xia Zhou frowned, "I wonder where he has escaped to. If we chase blindly, we won't catch him."
At that moment, Jiang the bearded man reminded Xia Zhou, "Guard, how could you forget? Call for the Serpent Bat Dragon to help."
Xia Zhou chuckled at himself, "Look at my memory."
Closing his eyes, Xia Zhou summoned the Serpent Bat Dragon. Although the dragon had wings, it couldn't arrive instantly. Xia Zhou said, "The Serpent Bat Dragon is on its way. We’re heading in the right direction, right?"
Jiang glanced around and replied, "There was a Sword Wall blocking our view; it’s hard to tell which way he went. But look, there are broken branches nearby; this direction should be correct."
Jiang surveyed the area but saw no signals from the other practitioners who had split up to search. He remarked, "They haven't spotted him yet."
Xia Zhou stated firmly, "This is our territory. If he escapes right under our noses, it will be a laughingstock for Ma Tongwei."
Jiang sighed with a wry smile, "You just love competing with Ma Tongwei."
Xia Zhou paused for a moment and realized that Jiang was right; he did have a tendency to compete with Ma Tongwei. With a bitter smile, he said, "He can't have gone far. Let's hurry and chase after him."
After a brief pursuit, Xia Zhou suddenly heard rustling sounds coming from the left side of the forest. He threw an Eight Desolation Needle in that direction. With a loud bang, all the trees within ten feet were shattered. Jiang stared in surprise and asked, "What? Did you see someone?"
Xia Zhou turned and said, "Let’s check it out; I just heard something."
Entering the area where the explosion had occurred, they walked cautiously over fallen trees. Underneath a trunk as thick as a person's leg, Xia Zhou spotted a rabbit trapped beneath it and sighed, "It's just a rabbit."
Ginger Beard frowned and said, "We should be cautious; we don't want to alert the snake in the grass."
Xia Zhou replied, "This is called shaking the mountain to scare the tiger. If he panics, he will act recklessly, which will work to our advantage."
Regardless of the circumstances, that explosive sound would surely echo through the mountains. If Zhu Qi was nearby, he would definitely hear it. Ginger Beard could only hope that Zhu Qi would act without thinking.
---
As the explosion sounded, Ji Zichen also heard it. Ma Tongwei frowned and said, "That's the sound of the Eight Desolation Needles."
Ji Zichen smiled at Elder and said, "They must have caught up with Zhu Qi; they might have already engaged him. Elder, your hopes are about to be dashed."
Elder furrowed his brow and retorted, "So what if they caught up? We still don't know who will end up dead."
Ji Zichen scoffed, "Do you really think Zhu Qi can hold his own against those two?"
Elder had no rebuttal but insisted, "I have faith in him."
Ji Zichen looked at Elder and said, "From your earlier conversation, I could tell you used to think quite highly of Ling Xuan. I feel sympathy for your daughter's plight."
Elder coldly replied, "Save your unnecessary compassion. You don't need to worry about Chang; I will eventually bring Ling Xuan's head to her."
Ji Zichen said, "No matter what you plan to do, I believe you shouldn't involve others."
Elder stared at Ji Zichen in surprise and asked, "Others? Who are you referring to?"
Ji Zichen's gaze was intimidating as he addressed the Elder, "Lin Kou! What you're doing is putting Lin Chuyu and all the people of Corner Lodge in danger."
The Elder couldn't help but chuckle, glancing at Ji Zichen. "I didn't put a knife to Lin Kou's throat and force him to agree. If he didn't have that intention, I couldn't have coerced him into it."
Ji Zichen snorted coldly. "While that may be true, without your instigation, how would Lin Kou act this way?"
The Elder shot a sidelong glance at Ji Zichen, a sinister smile creeping onto his face. " Ji Zichen, you are meddling far too much."
Ji Zichen narrowed his eyes defiantly. "I will not let you do as you please!"
As the Demon-Slaying Sword was drawn, an overwhelming pressure surged toward the Elder. He shifted to the right and retaliated by thrusting his sword toward Ji Zichen's chest, shouting, "You can't stop me!"
Ji Zichen's Demon-Slaying Sword met the Elder's blade with a clash, and they both stepped back half a pace. Ji Zichen glared fiercely at the Elder. "I will not allow you to do anything that endangers Corner Lodge!"
The Elder chuckled mockingly. "Are you perhaps thinking of marrying that Second Sister? I fear the Western King won't agree!"
With his sword trembling, the Elder struck down from Ji Zichen's shoulder. Without a moment's hesitation, Ji Zichen countered with his sword. "My relationship with Lin Chuyu is innocent; if you keep talking nonsense, I'll cut out your tongue!"
The Demon-Slaying Sword slid forward against the Elder's long sword. The Elder attempted to withdraw his blade, but it seemed stuck to Ji Zichen's weapon. Unable to pull back quickly enough, he could only push toward Ji Zichen with his palm. Ji Zichen had no choice but to meet it with his own hand.
Their palms collided, sending them both stumbling back three paces.
As the Elder staggered back, he spat out blood and thought in shock, "That big bearded man’s palm earlier injured me severely."
Ji Zichen realized he didn't possess the inner strength to injure the Elder like that. Understanding dawned on him as he laughed heartily. "So you've been injured by Uncle Jiang before; you're just putting on a brave front. No amount of elixirs can save you now."
"Elder," he said with a stubborn cold smile, "since I started this, I have long put life and death aside. Even if I die here, I must ensure that I can hold you off for just a moment longer. As long as Zhu Qi can get out, I will die without regrets."
Ji Zichen was deeply shaken by Elder's fearless demeanor. Although Ji Zichen did not agree with Elder's actions, he understood Elder's thoughts very well. Elder simply wanted to seek justice for his daughter, and that was completely understandable.
Elder's face twisted in pain as he lunged at Ji Zichen with a sword. "If I don't seek justice for her, then her death would be too unjust!"
Ji Zichen raised his sword to meet the attack, and just as their swords were about to clash, Elder suddenly changed tactics. He spun around, withdrawing his sword to avoid Ji Zichen's Demon-Slaying Sword. With a swift kick, Elder sent Ji Zichen flying three zhang away. Ji Zichen crashed into the mountainside, his internal energy surging violently, causing blood to rush to his head.
Ji Zichen let out a cry and spat out a mouthful of blood.
Elder's eyes were as cold as ice as he warned, "I told you before, no one can ruin my plans!"
Elder's gaze fell on Ma Tongwei, and he grinned widely at him. "It's your turn now!"
Ma Tongwei smiled slowly; his expression seemed to mock Elder's naivety. "You should focus on dealing with him."
A chill ran down Elder's spine as he noticed Ji Zichen's Demon-Slaying Sword had already stabbed toward him from the side. Just as Elder was about to counterattack with his sword, Ji Zichen suddenly vanished from in front of him.
"Where did he go?" Elder shouted.
Before he could finish speaking, he felt a gust of wind above his head. Without raising his head or moving his arms, he instinctively reacted.
The sword had already pierced toward the top of his head. With a clang, the two swords clashed as Ji Zichen attempted a surprise attack from above but missed. He landed straight down and thrust his sword forward again. Elder was momentarily stunned before panic set in as he exclaimed, " Ji Zichen, how can you still be alive after that?"
Elder did not raise his sword to block; instead, he pulled out two flying daggers from his bosom and shot them toward Ji Zichen's legs.
The two flying daggers appeared to be shooting straight at Ji Zichen, but in his eyes, he could clearly see that both daggers were gliding along a subtle arc, approaching him on a slightly curved trajectory.
Ji Zichen estimated the time it would take for the daggers to reach him, contemplating the continuation of his movements. If he insisted on not sheathing his sword, he would be struck by the daggers. As they closed in on him by mere inches, Elder laughed maniacally and shouted, "Die!"
Elder realized that Ji Zichen had no time to dodge now. Ma Tongwei had just stepped forward to assist, but Ji Zichen's legs twisted in an uncanny manner, allowing the two daggers to glide past him on either side.
Elder's mouth fell open in shock, while Ma Tongwei chuckled, "You've got some skill."
Elder shouted angrily, " Ji Zichen, you are truly annoying!" He flicked his sword towards Ji Zichen's face.
Ji Zichen felt a strong wind rushing towards him but did not appear flustered. He remained calm as flowing water, stepping lightly and leaping over Elder's thrust.
Elder did not expect Ji Zichen to have such remarkable evasive skills after being injured by his kick. Enraged, Elder changed his attack from a slash to a thrust aimed at Ji Zichen's throat.
Ji Zichen tilted his body back and kicked Elder's sword blade. Elder felt a sharp pain in his palm but gritted his teeth and held onto the sword. However, due to Ji Zichen's kick, Elder was forced back four or five steps, his face turning pale before finally stopping.
Ji Zichen flipped around and stood firmly before Elder.
Elder seethed with rage, " Ji Zichen! Why do you insist on meddling in this matter?"
Ji Zichen's gaze sparkled with authority as he declared, "Because I do not want you to harm others for your own selfish desires!"
Elder's face flushed with anger. Initially, he thought Ji Zichen relied solely on magical artifacts to show off, but now he realized that Ji Zichen's martial arts were also impressive. Ji Zichen's skills and insight were far superior to his own. Not daring to underestimate him any longer, Elder bent his right leg and charged at Ji Zichen from the left side with renewed force.
"Clang!"
The two swords twisted together once more.
The Elder pressed forward with his sword towards Ji Zichen, who couldn't help but admire the Elder's remarkable skill. After fighting for so long, the Elder still possessed such vigor. Ji Zichen laughed heartily, trying to shatter the Elder's confidence with his laughter.
Ji Zichen shifted his energy sideways, pulling the Elder along with him. The Elder's legs trembled unsteadily as he stumbled forward and fell to the ground.
---
The Serpent Bat Dragon spread its wings wide and swooped through the treetops. Xia Zhou and Ginger Beard were in the forest, already catching sight of the massive shadow of the Serpent Bat Dragon rushing past. Xia Zhou exclaimed, "The Serpent Bat Dragon has spotted Zhu Qi!"
Xia Zhou could communicate with the Serpent Bat Dragon through their shared perception, and Ginger Beard certainly understood this as well. "Where is he?" he asked.
Xia Zhou pointed to a slope ahead. "Right behind that slope."
At that moment, Zhu Qi was resting under the shade of a large tree, catching his breath when he saw a massive shadow rush overhead. Having never encountered something so enormous before, Zhu Qi's expression tightened. "What is that?"
No sooner had Zhu Qi spoken than he heard a whoosh behind him.
He quickly dodged forward just in time to hear a loud crash as several thick old trees were shattered by Eight Desolation Needles.
Ginger Beard's figure suddenly appeared; they had spotted Zhu Qi. With a slight smile, Ginger Beard said, "So this is where you are! Zhu Qi!"
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