Book 14: Chapter 111

Feint

I am Wu Pings wife, Cuo Xitong, and your maker!

Wu Ping collected a fair amount of black aurum over his lifetime, some of which Cuo Xitong used to make a key to the underground palace. She never cried or made a scene when she heard about her husbands death. Instead, she pled Lady Bai to convert the key into the dagger she had taken out from under her skirt. With a blade made from black aurum and frost jade handle, shed have no issues making iron look like mud.

Cuo Xitong was pretty, but she didnt stand out. Ming Feizhen never even considered her a possible avenger. The only thing that supported her after learning of her husbands death was the name of the culprit. Ever since she heard his name, she was resurrected; violence and hatred returned to her weak and lifeless body.

Cuo Xitong wasnt trained in any martial arts, but the fluidity she demonstrated in setting the blade on Ming Feizhens neck suggested she had practiced it no less than a hundred times with intention.

Ah! Ms. Wu! My G.o.d! Ming Feizhen looked as glad as if pork shoulders just dropped in his lap. Are you here for revenge or to retrieve your late husbands belongings?

No matter what trickery Ming Feizhen tried, Cuo Xitong didnt stop, but his question managed to stop her in tracks. The joy he showed didnt move her one bit, and nothing he said could change her decision to kill him. The last part, however, was something she cared about it.

What are you talking about?

Ming Feizhen showed a look of confusion. Eh? You didnt know? Did no one tell you? You got me good this time. Im done for this time. That said, how do you not know when Hero Wu hasnt pa.s.sed on his most important possession?

The two unrelated topics forced Cuo Xitong to divide her attention.

I dont know anything. What are you talking about?

Ming Feizhen sighed in a way that made him seem melancholic without having to say a word. Since we served different people, Hero Wu and I agreed to a duel. I killed him, and he hurt me, but I respect him as a man.

Being the weakest among those in the underground palace, n.o.body cared about him, and he wasnt given any respect in death. The families who searched for their family members with Cuo Xitong never cared for him or her feelings, either. Therefore, as the emotions rushed in upon hearing his killer talk about respecting him, she couldnt help shedding tears.

We got along. Sadly, we were on opposing teams. I serve the imperial court, and he was too strong. Otherwise, I wouldve done my best to not have killed him. The world could always do with one more hero.

You dont need to keep blabbering lies. Cuo Xitong wiped her tears and glared with the intensity of someone ready to eat him whole. He was a man who kept to himself, disliked socialising and was never any great man. Nothing you said matches with who he truly was. I heard you lost your cultivation, so I didnt believe you managed to kill him on your first meeting. Now that Im watching you spew lies and play mind games once youre doomed, I believe the claims. No wonder you were able to escape the underground palace alive. While my husband wasnt as strong or quick-witted as you, nor was he any hero, he loved me more than he cared for his own life. I cant call myself a human being if I dont avenge him.

Youre formidable. I mean it. After all, youre the only one whos been able to catch me despite how many have tried.

Youre ready to accept death?

Ming Feizhen smiled. So youre not curious what Hero Wu said in his final moment? You dont want to retrieve his Melancholic Sword, either?ReadNovelFull.com

Cuo Xitong pressed the dagger forward, drawing Ming Feizhens blood. You can tell me, or I can finish you.

Youll stab me either way. That being said, I have to tell you since Im in your hands now. I just have one condit-, wait, wait. I have no hope of getting away at this point, and I am not delusional enough to think you would spare me. I just have one request. I just want to see Elder Yan so that I can at least see the appearance of the mastermind who caught me.

Cuo Xitong wrinkled her nose. She never mentioned Yan Liren anywhere, yet Ming Feizhen somehow knew. Owing to the fact that she wasnt a martial artist, she didnt fathom the complexity of the chairs contraption and weight of its materials. If she couldve moved the chair around, then elephants couldve climbed trees, not to mention it took more than might to smuggle it into the imperial city. Accordingly, the only feasible explanation was that Yan Liren brainwashed people to smuggle it into Taishu Hall.

Ming Feizhen successfully roused hesitation. After all, the information and sword were valuable to her, and what he requested was acceptable.

Elder Yan, if you dont come out, this wont end tonight. Ming Feizhen raised his volume, but he didnt speak so loudly that hed startle Cuo Xitong and make her stab him.

Xitong, youre still too soft-hearted, Yan Liren said from the door. Didnt I stress not to listen to him and to end him as soon as he was in the chair?

Teeth clenched, Cuo Xitong stabbed the table, then wiped her tears. Elder, since you are here, please help me.

Yan Liren pushed open the door. Although it was hard to tell exactly what the imposing man felt when he looked at Ming Feizhen, it was clear that he was trying to hold himself back from shredding Ming Feizhen.

Long-time no see, Elder Yan, Ming Feizhen sarcastically remarked.

Its our first meeting, isnt it?

We did meet in Hangzhou, but we didnt greet each other. You left a deep impression, having said that.

Ming Feizhen managed to infuriate Yan Liren.

Surely, you dont think you can sweep the pain of losing my son under the rug.

Not at all. Ming Feizhen grinned. The first time I saw you, I knew you were a short-sighted, violent, insincere, impatient sack of dung who didnt care about sacrificing people. You say one thing and do the complete opposite, all while thinking of another thing. The fact that youve been hiding until now further proves this.

You want to die so soon?! thundered Yan Liren.

You sure you want me to die? Ming Feizhen hiked up the corners of his lips. If I die, where will you get Sinister Soul Breaker Palms? Dont tell me you arent here for it.

Yan Liren went silent.

Eld-Elder Cuo Xitong looked over to Yan Liren in disbelief.

What were you expecting? Ming Feizhen rhetorically questioned. You wouldnt have been able to kill me. The stabbing method he taught you wouldnt have killed me; all you wouldve done is made me bleed out. He wanted to wait for me to be on the verge of death before showing up for his own ends. He wont kill me. I can demonstrate if you dont believe me.

Ms. Wu, youre actually pretty good. Youre mentally strong, have a strong physique and, most importantly, a good head. Its fine if you havent trained before; as long as you invest the effort, youll surpa.s.s your dead husband. Well, he wont have the honour of seeing the upgraded version of you since I killed him the first time we met.

Cuo Xitong pulled the dagger out of the table and swung at Ming Feizhens head, but a burst of energy knocked it out of her hands before she was anywhere close to her target. She looked over to Yan Liren in utter despair.

See? You think hed be so nice? Had he not known that my weakness was people who arent trained, he probably wouldve seduced you already instead.

Shut up! belted Yan Liren.

Notwithstanding Yan Liren being able to recover to a calm demeanour, Cuo Xitong had developed vigilance toward the elder who had always conducted himself with composure.

Besides, Elder Yan probably doesnt think that far ahead. I bet he only used you because of someone gave him the idea the same way he knows I know his familys Sinister Soul Breaker. In a louder voice, Ming Feizhen voiced, Brother Jiangnan, is there any point continuing to hide?

Yan Jiangnan showed up at the door.

Ming Feizhen figured the two identical pulses and breathing among the imperial guards had to be Yan Liren and Yan Jiangnan. In saying that, he struggled to hear their movements due to how cautious they were. Once he was captured, though, they had to personally show up, allowing him to pinpoint them. All the flattery and nonsense he spewed to Cuo Xitong was intended to avoid her making him bleed out. He had no qualms verbally blasting Yan Liren since he knew the latter wouldnt kill him until he got his hands on the manual.

In spite of not having a detailed recollection of Ming Feizhens appearance, the tone and voice of the man who had everything under his control was an unforgettable nightmare for Yan Jiangnan.

D-Dad, kill him already.

Yan Liren didnt respond.

Dad, hes trouble! If you leave him, he w-

Shut up! He lives until we get the manual.

Dad, he killed Big Bro. He killed your son. How can you not avenge your son?

Brother Jiangnan, you were the one who killed his brother. Telling your father to avenge his son would be making him relive the pain of losing a son again. Have you no pity for him?

Yan Jiangnan ignored the specialist at sowing discord and continued egging his father on.

Jiangnan, Im not going to blame you for your brothers death. Hes to blame. However, he has our familys secret in his skull, and the secret is the key to our clans glory. You stay put! Ill kill anyone who tries anything! Yan Liren gave Cuo Xitong a warning with his glare that leaked internal energy.

Cuo Xitong felt her body go cold and started trembling. Except for Ming Feizhens snicker, there was no other sound.

Dont get smug. Yan Liren flashed his fangs. Taking back my familys secret manual is fair. If you dont tell me, Ill make you wish you were dead.

Why wouldnt I tell you? I can recite a section for you right now if you like.