20demayo Chapter 83 Slaying Jiang Jiao
Chapter 83 Slaying Jiang Jiao
Chapter 83 Slaying Jiang Jiao
Martial Arts Academy, Foreign Affairs Hall.
At this moment, a gilded notice with vermilion borders is posted at the highest point of the west wall.
[Level A - Suppression Order]
Target: Kuroshio pirates at Misty Reef.
Contribution points: 500 basic points, additional points for achievements.
No limit on the number of participants.
Note: You are responsible for your own life and death. The mission is dangerous. Enter at your own risk.
The notice was instantly surrounded by people.
"A-level mission! The basic reward is 500 contribution points!"
"Mist-Hidden Reef, I've heard that once you go in, you never come out. It must be fraught with danger, no wonder the reward is so high—"
Amidst the murmurs, no one dared to act rashly, each secretly weighing the pros and cons.
But a silent figure walked straight through the crowd and came to the disciple in charge. "Disciple Yun Jinghong, registering."
After registering, he turned and left without any hesitation.
When Xishan encountered danger, who else could it be but Liang Cheng, who happened to be nearby at the time and had just entered the True Qi Realm to kill Tie Xiongshan?
I must repay this favor.
Tianshe.
Lu Qingzhou put down his teacup and listened to the steward standing in front of him with his hands at his sides talking about the task notices posted in the Foreign Affairs Hall.
He was silent for a moment, then made up his mind and said, "Go to the Foreign Affairs Hall and register for me."
Upon hearing this, the steward hesitated, "Young master, Misty Reef is dangerous. You are of noble birth; why take such a risk?"
Lu Qingzhou waved his hand to interrupt him: "It is precisely because it is dangerous that I must go. In this world, it is easy to add flowers to brocade, but difficult to provide charcoal in the snow."
Choosing to stand by Liang Cheng's side now is the best way to pledge allegiance. There are risks involved, but the rewards are worth the gamble. Go!
"Yes."
Upon hearing this, the steward knew that Lu Qingzhou had made up his mind, so he said no more, bowed and withdrew, saying that as long as the young master was careful, there should be no problem.
After the steward left, Lu Qingzhou gently stroked the jade ring on his finger, his expression shifting between light and dark.
The Lu family is too big. If he wants to suppress all his peers, he must have a powerful external ally to rely on.
How can you claim to be the best if you don't fight for it yourself?
-
The Xu residence, a secret room.
Xu Feng stood to the side, appearing more composed than before.
"Father, the Martial Academy has issued a bandit suppression mission. What should we do?"
Xu Tianxing, the head of the Xu family, held the secret letter over the candle flame, watching it curl, char, and turn to ashes. His expression remained calm as he said to Xu Feng, "You were indeed too reckless in helping your third uncle contact the Black Tide. However, you have made progress by focusing on your training and reducing your scheming during this time. You don't need to worry about this matter anymore. Just concentrate on your training and go back."
"Yes."
After Xu Feng left, Xu Tianxing said to the shadowy figure, "Go to Misty Reef yourself and tell Fan Jiangjiao that the Martial Academy's sword is hanging over his head. Tell him to leave quickly."
"If we can't leave—"
Xu Tianxing's voice was icy: "You know what to do. Make sure it's handled cleanly. Don't let the Martial Academy find any fault with you."
A figure appeared in the shadows.
"Rest assured, Master, I will handle it properly."
"Go, take the secret passage, and be careful."
The shadow moved, and the figure vanished.
City Lord's Mansion.
The top floor of the Star Gazing Pavilion.
Situ Lang leaned on the railing and gazed into the distance, while Wu Zhenshan stood behind him with his hands at his sides.
"The Martial Academy is making quite a move. What's going on with Shen Wenyuan and Yue Shan?"
Wu Zhenshan said in a low voice, "Special Envoy Shen has been frequently reviewing files along the coast recently, while Commander Yue has strengthened patrols in the southeastern sea area. It seems like normal defense, but the deployment of troops is subtly forming an encirclement of Wuyin Reef."
"A coordinated encirclement?" Situ Lang's lips curled up. "Looks like they're using Liang as bait to catch an even bigger fish?"
"It seems they have realized that this crackdown on the Zoroastrianism, though seemingly a brilliant victory, has only scratched the surface and not broken their core."
However, by bringing Liang Cheng into the limelight while they themselves remain in the shadows, they might actually be able to stir up some unseen troubles.
Wu Zhenshan looked up: "So, what does the master mean—"
"Let's wait and see."
"Sometimes it's easier to fish when the waters are murky. Remember, none of our people are allowed to get involved this time."
"Yes."
late at night.
A nimble speedboat silently departed from Linwu City's dock and disappeared into the dark sea.
At the bow of the ship, Liang Cheng, dressed in black, almost blended into the night.
He held out the nautical chart given to him by Qian Wanjin, the shipping routes marked on it were crystal clear. He did not join the large group from the Martial Academy, but chose to travel alone.
three days later.
Deep within the Misty Reef, on an extremely secluded waterway, a lone boat is gliding silently.
It was Liang Cheng.
He stood at the bow of the ship, looking at the nautical chart, then stopped the ship and went ashore. He lightly touched the slippery rocks with his toes, activated the Dragon Step to its fullest extent, and merged into the shadows of the thick fog and strange rocks.
The outer perimeter of Fog-Hidden Reef.
The large banner with the character "武" (Wu) on the bow fluttered in the salty sea breeze. The ship's hull was covered in iron armor, and its ram was menacing, making it look like a mobile fortress.
On the bow deck, dozens of disciples, including Yun Jinghong, Lu Qingzhou, and Qin Hongyu, stood solemnly, their auras refined, while Yan Song personally led the team, just in case.
Almost at the same time the Martial Academy's ship appeared, sharp alarm whistles came from the deepest part of the Fog-Hidden Reef, from the largest reef islands.
"Enemy attack—"
'
"It's a ship from the Martial Arts Academy!"
"Quickly, report to the boss!"
Afterwards, the martial arts academy disciples landed, and not long afterward they encountered the pirates in the Misty Reef, and then the sounds of battle shook the heavens.
The core of Misty Reef is the Broken Dragon Cave.
Inside the massive sea cave, a ghostly green phosphorescence shimmered, reflecting the chaotic scene at the dock. More than ten warships were frantically loading supplies, with shouts and the sounds of cargo colliding mingling together.
"Quick! Load the boxes onto the boat!"
"Prioritize spirit stones and pills! Destroy weapons if you can't take them with you!"
"The Boss has ordered that all core personnel evacuate within half an incense stick's time!"
On the deck of the three-masted main ship, the River-Turning Dragon, his black robe fluttering, had a sinister face.
"Martial Arts Academy! Liang Cheng!"
A cold killing intent surged in his eyes. He had personally intervened in the ambush at Sanwankou, yet the kid had managed to escape by sheer luck.
Now, not only has the opponent advanced to the True Qi Realm, but they also dare to lead their team straight to attack his Black Tide lair.
"Boss, the last batch of brothers has boarded the ship, and all the spirit stones and pills have been loaded."
The one-eyed leader quickly stepped forward to report, then lowered his voice, "The secret letter from the Xu family says that if necessary, we should first protect ourselves."
Fan Jiangjiao snorted coldly: "The Xu family has already been terrified by Liang Cheng, so there's no need to pay them any attention. Issue the order to evacuate from the Ghost Waterway. There's no need to hold the outer outposts to the death; just delay them."
"yes!"
The black ship slowly turned its bow around, and just as it was about to disappear into the shadows of the waterway, "whoosh!"
A sharp whistling sound suddenly rang out, and a condensed, almost tangible, pale blue blade of energy, carrying a chilling aura, aimed directly at the stern of the black ship. "Hmm?!"
Fan Jiangjiao's pupils contracted, and his left hand, which was on his sword, instantly rose. Then, he struck out with a palm strike in mid-air. The powerful gray-black palm force arrived first after being delayed, and collided with the sword energy with a loud bang.
"Bang!"
The force exploded, tearing a crack in the ship's plank beside the rudder, sending wood chips flying. However, the palm strike and the sword energy were simultaneously annihilated.
"who!?"
Fan Jiangjiao shouted, his right hand already gripping the hilt of his sword, his eyes fixed on the source of the blade's energy.
From the shadows, Liang Cheng stepped out, knife in hand, the blade pointing diagonally at the ground. The black gold patterns flowed with a cold, hard luster under the eerie green phosphorescence. His gaze collided with that of the River-Turning Dragon across the distance.
"I, Liang, have come today to repay the favor of the sword at Sanwankou."
Liang Cheng's voice was calm, yet each word was clear, suppressing all the noise in the cave. The entire Broken Dragon Cave fell into a deathly silence in an instant.
The muscles on Fan Jiangjiao's face twitched, then transformed into a ferocious, maniacal laugh: "Liang Cheng! How dare you! I was just wondering where to find you, and you delivered yourself right to my doorstep!"
He drew his longsword from its sheath in his right hand; the dark blue blade gleamed with a chilling light, and the tip pointed at Liang Cheng.
"Last time you narrowly escaped with your life, but today this Dragon-Slaying Cave will be your burial ground!"
Having said that, the River-Turning Dragon leaped up.
"Give me your life!"
As soon as the River-Turning Dragon moved, Liang Cheng charged straight at it.
The rocks beneath their feet shattered, and they flew like arrows, their blades leaving pale blue afterimages as they slashed straight at each other's faces!
The sword strike was simple, yet terrifyingly fast. The blade tore through the air, accompanied by the sound of wind and thunder. The River-Turning Dragon's pupils contracted.
too fast!
Before he could think it through, he swung his longsword diagonally, unleashing a burst of dark blue sword energy to meet the blade.
"clang!!!"
Swords clashed, the sound like thunder.
The two streams of true energy collided violently, creating a shockwave that sent several pirates staggering backward, coughing up blood and collapsing to the ground, while the ship rocked violently.
Fanjiangjiao felt an immense force travel along the sword, his arm went numb, and he involuntarily took a half step back.
He was horrified.
Isn't this kid just entering the True Qi Realm?
How could true qi be so powerful and condensed?
Before he could react, Liang Cheng's sword stance changed again.
With a single slash, three swords were drawn, accompanied by surging wind and thunder, enveloping the upper, middle, and lower sections of the River-Turning Dragon. The River-Turning Dragon roared, and its sword light surged, weaving a dark blue curtain of light.
"Clang clang clang!"
As the metal clashed, sparks flew. With each strike, the River-Turning Dragon took a step back. After ten strikes, he had retreated to the edge of the reef, with the dark seawater behind him.
"The boss!"
The surrounding pirates cried out in alarm upon seeing this.
"Get out of my way!"
With a roar, Fan Jiangjiao revealed a fierce glint in his eyes. He had dominated the seas for decades, but he never expected to be suppressed by a junior today.
He should have killed the other party with a single sword strike from the beginning; why did things come to this?
At this moment, his internal energy was circulating wildly, his skin turned bluish-black, and he was breathing in and out sword energy, which suddenly intensified by three times.
Mysterious Yin Sword Technique!
With a thrust of the sword, the tip emitted a cold glint, the surrounding temperature plummeted, and fine ice crystals condensed in the air.
He had used all his strength in this sword strike. Before the sword energy even arrived, the bone-chilling coldness had already enveloped Liang Cheng. However, Liang Cheng neither dodged nor avoided it. A pale golden light flowed around his body like water ripples, and his skin instantly took on a warm, metallic texture.
True Qi protects the body!
Golden Armor Realm!
"bite--!"
The tip of the Flipping Dragon Sword struck Liang Cheng squarely in the left chest, yet no blood splattered. Where the sword tip touched his skin, a pale golden light rippled violently, emitting a clear and crisp sound.
The chilling sword energy, powerful enough to pierce through iron armor, was actually worn away and disintegrated layer by layer by that seemingly thin layer of golden light.
In the end, the sword tip only penetrated halfway into the flesh before it could go no further.
Fan Jiangjiao's pupils dilated involuntarily, his face filled with disbelief.
How is this possible?!
His full-force sword strike was something even those at the same True Qi Realm wouldn't dare to directly withstand, yet this kid actually endured it with his bare body, only suffering superficial injuries.
This kid is too strange. I'm no match for him. I need to avoid him for now!
Liang Cheng gave him no chance. With a swift movement, he extended his left hand like lightning, his five fingers like iron pincers, gripping the sword in the hand of the River-Turning Dragon.
Startled, Fan Jiangjiao tried to use his strength to snatch the sword back, but Liang Cheng held it firmly in place, preventing it from moving an inch.
At this moment, Liang Cheng's right hand moved again, delivering a simple, straightforward slash. The air seemed to be split in two where the blade passed.
It was too late for Fanjiangjiao to abandon his sword at this point. He could only loosen the hilt, cross his hands, and condense a thick shield of gray-black true energy in front of him.
"break!"
With a low roar, Liang Cheng unleashed the three layers of the Broken Wave Technique, each layer stronger than the last. Under the Wind and Thunder Slash, his true energy became increasingly violent.
"Sizzle—!"
The protective shield in front of the River-Turning Dragon was instantly torn apart, and the blade struck the River-Turning Dragon's crossed arms with unstoppable force.
"Snap!"
The sound of bone cracking was clearly audible.
Fan Jiangjiao let out a miserable groan, his arms wracked with pain, and his body crashed heavily against the rocks like a kite with a broken string, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
The surrounding pirates were all horrified at the sight.
The leader actually lost?
They've only exchanged twenty blows!
Liang Cheng gave Fanjiangjiao no chance to catch his breath. He tapped his toes, unleashed the full power of the Youlong Step, and his figure approached again like a ghost, his blade flashing once more.
This time, the blade's force was like a raging storm, completely engulfing the River-Turning Dragon. With both arms severed, the River-Turning Dragon could only roll and dodge in a sorry state.
Unable to unleash his sword energy, he lost seventy percent of his skill and was left struggling against Liang Cheng's blade, facing constant danger.
"laugh!"
The blade swept across, tearing a deep, bone-revealing gash in his back.
"laugh!"
With another cut, his left leg was almost severed.
The Flipping River Dragon was instantly covered in blood, leaving a glaring trail of blood on the deck.
Fear finally showed in his eyes.
escape!
We must escape!
He suddenly bit his tongue, spitting out blood, and used a secret technique to increase his speed, directly escaping into the depths of the waterway.
"Trying to leave?"
Liang Cheng snorted coldly, unleashing the Dragon Step at its peak, and with a sudden, unexpected attack, he blocked the path of the River-Turning Flood Dragon.
This time, he no longer used a knife. He joined two fingers together, and a wisp of pale blue true energy, imbued with a chilling aura, flickered uncertainly at his fingertips.
Mysterious Yin Sword Technique: Cold Star Emerald!
Pointing out with one finger.
The true energy at his fingertips left his body, transforming into three chilling starlight points that shot towards the raging dragon in a triangular formation.
The River-Turning Flood Dragon roared, "The Profound Yin Sword Technique?! How do you know it?"
Before he finished speaking, three points of starlight had already entered the brow, throat, and heart of the Flipping River Dragon, and then a little crimson slowly seeped out from each, quickly covering them with a thin layer of white frost.
He stared wide-eyed at Liang Cheng, his eyes filled with disbelief and a hint of regret. Why hadn't he killed Liang Cheng back then?
Liang Cheng withdrew his finger and walked up to him: "I've learned your sword technique. You didn't kill me back then, but now I'll use it to kill you."
Fanjiangjiao's Adam's apple bobbed as if he wanted to say something, but only blood and foam came out. The light in his eyes quickly dimmed, and his body slowly fell backward.
"Bang!"
The body crashed heavily onto the deck.
Do not look down.
Liang Cheng exhaled and bent down to pull an oilcloth bag from Fan Jiangjiao's arms.
He turned around and glanced around. The remaining Kuroshio pirates were already terrified and were fleeing for their lives.
Liang Cheng did not pursue them.
He swiftly brought down the knife.
"puff."
The head of the River-Turning Dragon was separated from its body. Liang Cheng tore off a piece of sail, wrapped the head in it, and tied it to his back.
After doing all that, he looked at the oilcloth bag in his hand.
Opening the oilcloth bag, there were four items inside:
A stack of silver notes, with a huge face value.
A sealed letter with sealing wax, the envelope of which was blank.
An account book.
And, a familiar dark yellow kraft paper.
Liang Cheng remained calm, carefully concealing the parchment close to his body before opening the secret letter.
The letter was brief, containing only two lines: "The matter is urgent. Destroy the account books immediately and withdraw the third hidden agent. A major event for the Holy Church is imminent. You must all remain hidden and await awakening."
At the bottom of the signature is a flame-shaped mark.
Zoroastrianism.
Liang Cheng's expression changed. He opened the account book again and found that it was full of coded language, which he could not understand at all. He could only put the things away for the time being.
At this moment, the shouts of battle in the distance gradually became sporadic.
Liang Cheng guessed that the Martial Arts Academy's sweep was probably nearing its end.
The outer perimeter of Fog-Hidden Reef.
On the deck of the Martial Arts Academy ship, the bloodstains were still wet.
Yun Jinghong returned his sword to its sheath, his white robes stained with blood, his expression cold and stern. At his feet lay the corpses of three Black Tide leaders.
Lu Qingzhou directed several disciples to count the captured supplies with a calm expression, though there was a tear on his sleeve.
Zhao Yuan and Li Mu bandaged each other's wounds, then sat down heavily on the ground, panting, their eyes shining, their expressions somewhat excited.
Although they were unknown among the martial arts academy disciples, they were all geniuses who fought their way up from their respective hometowns!
Although some martial arts academy disciples suffered casualties in this battle, the main force of the Black Tide was completely defeated. Occasionally, some remaining enemies scattered and fled, but they were no longer a threat.
Yan Song stood at the bow of the ship, nodding to himself. He was satisfied with the performance of these martial arts academy disciples. Just then, a black figure emerged from the thick fog, stepping out of the waves.
Liang Cheng was dressed in black, stained with blood, but his back was straight as a spear. He carried a canvas package in his hand, the bottom of which was seeping dark red.
He leaped onto the deck, threw the package to the ground, and a head with wide-open eyes rolled out.
The River-Turning Dragon.
Yan Song's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Good! Well done!"
Liang Cheng clasped his hands in a fist salute: "I have not failed in my mission."
Just then, a voice suddenly appeared, and Yan Song's expression changed. He stood in front of Liang Cheng and protected him behind him.
"Boy, don't take things you shouldn't. Hand over the account books."
Suddenly, a figure appeared at the stern of the ship. He was dressed in a gray robe, his face hidden behind a veil, but his eyes were piercingly bright, like a venomous snake eyeing its prey.
Yan Song shouted sharply, "Who goes there?!"
The gray-robed man did not answer, but instead looked at Liang Cheng and repeated, "Boy, hand over the account books."
Liang Cheng gripped the oilcloth bag in his hand, his expression calm: "Who are you?"
The gray-robed man slowly raised his hand, his five fingers spread wide, and a chilling aura emanated from him. "Stubborn fool, hand over the account books, and you may be spared a whole corpse."
Yan Song laughed angrily, "What arrogance! How dare you threaten the true disciples of my Martial Academy right in front of me?"
He took a step forward, and his aura suddenly exploded. The pressure of the late stage of the True Qi Realm crushed over like a mountain, and a gust of wind immediately swept up on the deck.
The gray-robed man remained motionless, only his eyes narrowed slightly: "Yan Song, the head of law enforcement at the Martial Academy, you are probably no match for me."
Before he finished speaking, he suddenly moved and reappeared three feet in front of Liang Cheng!
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