Chapter 32: Martial Expert of the Five Lakes Gang
Dust filled the air as the ground shook. This level of martial skill was definitely among the top tier within Wei City. The horse’s tendons and bones were shattered on the spot; it collapsed, unable to rise.
At that moment, Fang Qinglan fully realized just how formidable this middle-aged man truly was; he had felled a galloping horse with a single strike!
Seizing the opportunity, Li Yanchu leapt high into the air, landing beside Fang Qinglan and positioning himself protectively in front of her.
Fang Qinglan’s expression softened. She murmured, “This man’s martial arts are extremely powerful. You’re not his match, so don’t worry about me.”
She was a daughter of a reputable family, trained in martial arts from a young age. For her age, her swordsmanship was already well-developed, but this man’s skill was clearly far above hers.
If he hadn’t been toying with her due to wicked intentions, and if he had struck to kill from the start, Fang Qinglan believed she wouldn’t have survived ten moves. Maybe not even five.
Li Yanchu shook his head and said calmly, “Don’t worry. I’m here.”
It was just a simple sentence, yet for some reason, it brought inexplicable reassurance to her.
The middle-aged man spoke coldly, “Who are you?”
Li Yanchu gave a slight smirk and replied in a steady voice, “Your father.”[1]
The middle-aged man froze in place, stunned for a moment. He hadn’t expected such crude words to come from this clean-cut, refined-looking young Daoist.
Just then, he saw a heavy, powerful slash coming straight for him.
Clang!
Li Yanchu didn’t waste time on talk. After the insult, he swung his saber directly at the man’s neck.
The man quickly sidestepped, and with a burst of inner strength, launched a palm strike aimed at Li Yanchu’s chest. His hands bore the power of thirty years of Iron Palm training and were capable of shattering stone and splitting monuments with ease. His strikes were fierce and unrelenting.
In the blink of an eye, the two had already exchanged seven or eight blows, each move extremely dangerous.
Slash!
Li Yanchu unleashed a slash, pouring the power of the Six Yang Force into the Jiaoslayer. A flash of red light streaked through the air. Scorching heat radiated from the saber, and it tore through the middle-aged man’s sleeve.
So close!
Beneath his robes, the man was wearing a set of renowned soft armor, well-known in the jianghu for its ability to block ordinary sabers and arrows. He had acquired it by chance. But to his shock, the young Daoist’s slash had cut right through it!
Their movements were as fast as lightning.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Their fists and feet collided, producing thunderous impacts. Each blow was heavy and dull, and the sheer force shook the air.
The Thirty-Six Divine Astral Hands was filled with subtle yet domineering techniques, and its power was tremendous! Li Yanchu’s strikes sent the Six Yang Force surging into the man’s body with every hit.
The more they fought, the more shocked the middle-aged man became that such a young expert-level fighter had appeared in Wei City. Had it not been for his strong blood and qi, he would’ve already fallen to the overwhelming force of the Six Yang Force. Even so, his chest was tight, and each breath felt like fire burning through his lungs.
Li Yanchu, after engaging him blow for blow, felt his own qi and blood surging with heat, his circulation accelerating rapidly. The Six Yang Force within him burned ever hotter and sharper.
Slash!
After exchanging a single move, the middle-aged man's chest was slashed open, blood streaming down. If not for the soft armor protecting his body, that strike alone would have seriously injured him.
But Li Yanchu was also struck on the shoulder by the middle-aged man's Iron Palm, and a muffled thud rang out.
The middle-aged man was shocked that his opponent remained completely unharmed, and there was even a faint counterforce rebounding from the blow. This was the qi shield Li Yanchu had cultivated through the Primordial Chaos Technique.
“Who the hell is this kid?” A trace of fear flashed through the man's eyes.
Suddenly, a name came to mind. Recently, the person making the biggest waves in Wei City was a Daoist from Qingyun Temple. He had slain malevolent spirits and apprehended Liang Qi, making a name for himself throughout the city.
“Could it be him?!” The middle-aged man felt nearly certain. Otherwise, where else would such formidable young Daoists be coming from? How the hell is any regular martial artist supposed to survive like this?!
Clang!
With a flash of the saber, Li Yanchu sliced off the middle-aged man's hand in one swift motion, thereafter blood started to spurt instantly.
“Ahhh!” the man let out a pained scream and staggered backward.
“You dare get distracted while fighting me?” Li Yanchu sneered coldly. These back-alley brawlers are just too unprofessional.
The middle-aged man was terrified, as his opponent’s strength was far beyond anything he could hope to match. He was already close to the level of a second-rate martial artist. That brute force, searing inner force, and strange form of defense were practically unstoppable. Even a seasoned martial arts expert like himself couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear.
With his hand severed, the middle-aged man immediately pushed off with his foot, trying to flee. His movement was so fast it was nearly a blur.
But Li Yanchu gave chase at once, and his speed was even greater than the middle-aged man's!
Thwack!
A head flew into the air. The man's body kept running forward for another seven or eight steps before finally collapsing to the ground. At this moment, Li Yanchu stood with his saber in hand.
Seeing this, a look of surprise flashed in Fang Qinglan’s eyes. Was this really the same young Daoist who had once come to her asking about martial arts levels? How was he this powerful?
Though she hadn't met that middle-aged man before, judging from his style and techniques, she had a good guess that he was likely the second-in-command of the Five Lakes Gang, known as Stonebreaker Iron Palm!
He was a veteran martial artist, feared across the jianghu. His Iron Palms had slain countless renowned figures, and his strength ranked just below the gang leader.
Fang Qinglan didn’t know why the Five Lakes Gang had targeted her, but Li Yanchu’s strength left her in awe. He was so young, yet already had such mastery in martial arts. When he made his move just now, the sheer vigor of his blood and qi… It was like standing before a blazing furnace.
No wonder he can slay malevolent spirits, his blood and qi is absolutely overwhelming, Fang Qinglan thought to herself.
At that moment, Li Yanchu stood with a sharp, ancient long saber in hand, exuding the aura of a true saber master. With his sword across his chest and astride his horse, none could stand in his way.
But the next moment, Li Yanchu pulled a bitter face and said, “Crap, that horse… I stole it from someone else, and now that damned bastard went and killed it!”
Fang Qinglan couldn’t help but smile. Yep, he’s still the same Li Yanchu. She had been a bit confused just now, actually thinking this cheeky fellow had the bearing of a grandmaster.
But Li Yanchu, to his credit, still had some emotional intelligence. Even if his first concern had been that horse, he still crouched down next and asked with concern, “How are you? Can you still walk?”
Fang Qinglan shook her head and said, “My leg’s injured. I can’t stand.”
If that middle-aged man hadn’t held back earlier, she likely would have had suffered torn tendons and broken bones by now. Fortunately, her wounds were mostly surface injuries.
Li Yanchu frowned as he looked at the blood-covered gashes on her thigh and arm.
“I don’t have any medicine for healing wounds on me” he said. “At the rate you’re bleeding, even if we make it to Wei City, your body will take serious damage, and your life might even be in danger.”
Fang Qinglan was well aware of that. And not just that, her internal organs had suffered hidden trauma as well. If not treated in time, she would likely develop chronic ailments. Her lifespan might even be shortened.
“I was too careless and reckless, going straight into the enemy’s ambush. It’s a lesson learned,” Fang Qinglan said.
She gave Li Yanchu a grateful look and added, “If you hadn’t come to my rescue, the consequences would’ve been unimaginable.”
Against that kind of seasoned veteran, even dying might have been a luxury for her. If she had lost her chastity in the process... it would’ve been a fate worse than death.
Li Yanchu shook his head, not taking credit. He frowned and asked, “What about your injuries?”
Fang Qinglan gave a light laugh. “It’s nothing. This kind of thing is part of the jianghu life.”
At that, she let out a small sigh of regret. “I actually have some medicine for healing wounds and a hemostatic powder in my travel bundle back at the inn... It’s just that lately… I haven’t been carrying it with me.”
1. This is a sarcastic and provocative comeback that plays on Chinese familial hierarchy as an insult or power play.
In Chinese culture, filial piety (孝) and respect for elders/parents are deeply rooted. To call oneself someone else’s “爹” (dad) is an intentional act of dominance, mockery, or disrespect. It implies: “I’m above you.”, “You should listen to me.”, “You’re beneath me, like a child.” It’s especially inflammatory when said by someone younger or in a confrontational tone. ☜
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