Chapter 38 Ascending Mount Hei Mu

During these past few days, Qu Feiyan had clung to him relentlessly and persistently, refusing to leave no matter what Ren Yi said. In truth, Ren Yi rather liked this little girl, but he knew he would have to leave sooner or later.

Ultimately, it was only when Ren Yi threatened her grandfather's life that she stopped in tears and ceased following him.

Heimu Cliff is situated within the borders of Hebei. Departing from Mount Song, seven days brought him to Pingding Prefecture.

Along the journey, at first no one paid him any mind, but Ren Yi never concealed his whereabouts; even traveling alone, attracting attention was inevitable.

Moreover, his cascade of flowing silver hair made him truly striking.

As such, news began to spread across the martial arts world as he advanced.

The massacre of the Mount Song Sect had filled everyone in the martial arts realm with a sense of impending crisis. In the current world, no one wished to utter the name Ren Yi, and at present, the two characters "Ren Yi" had become almost like a taboo in the pugilistic sphere.

Yet, news of his heading toward Pingding Prefecture still captured the eyes of the entire world.

In an instant, winds and clouds surged.

As the twilight grew hazy, the evening breeze stirred his flowing silver hair. A wooden sign by the street rattled noisily in the wind. Ren Yi glanced at it, then walked directly toward it.

This was an inn, guarded both front and rear by men who permitted no unauthorized persons to approach.

Yet Ren Yi cared nothing for such things, so he walked straight on...

The night was very dark and difficult to make out. Eight men guarded the front gates. Seeing someone approach, they immediately barked, "Halt, keep your eyes open! The Sun Moon Holy Cult is stationed here, how dare you trespass."

He did not stop!

"You've got guts!"

Two men drew their blades and slashed toward him... Ren Yi flicked out his palms with a counter-movement, and before their blades could even descend, the two were blasted flying backward, crashing to the ground like heaps of mud, utterly motionless!

The remaining six men drew their blades in unison, just as a fierce shout echoed from inside the inn.

"Who is making trouble outside—"

The speaker pushed open the inn door as he spoke, and the lamplight spilled out, illuminating Ren Yi's figure. Beholding his cloud-like robes and white hair, the word "death" stuck in the man's throat, utterly unutterable.

The one who opened the door was an elderly man in green. Ren Yi did not know him, but the man certainly knew Ren Yi. His face turned instantly pale, and as Ren Yi walked past him, the old man trembled uncontrollably.

Just as he stepped into the inn, a flash of light met his eyes!

In this silent night, inside a humble little inn in the dead of night, there should not have been a flash of light so piercing and thorough. Ren Yi looked at this light, and then, from behind the radiance, a blade appeared!

The blade followed the light, yet it was faster than the light!

With a flick of his hand, his index finger struck out directly against the blade's glare.

With a crisp clink, the beam of light stopped dead, and the tip of the blade recoiled.

The wielder of the blade was also dressed in green. He, too, was not young. Grasping his blade and staring at Ren Yi, his gaze held not only astonishment but also a strange bewilderment, devoid of any fear.

"Fine skills, take another blade from this old man!"

Before his voice faded, the man at the doorway shouted again, "Stop at once, he is—"

Clearly, the person outside was too late, and the curved saber was hacked down once more... This strike was faster and fiercer than the last, a chilling, curved blade flashing with a moonlight-like toad-glow.

Ren Yi gave a light sigh and drew his own blade as well.

This was another of Ren Yi's sword-techniques—the "Heart-Blade." The "Heart-Blade" surpassed even his "Hand-Blade." Though he still used his palm as a saber, he had already condensed his Qi into a razor-edge, wielding the blade with his mind.

A blade forged by the heart must divine and peerless.

Therefore, when Ren Yi's Heart-Blade slashed against the curved saber, the two weapons touched and instantly parted. Naturally, the ordinary curved blade could no more rival the divine edge; it was not only split into two halves, but its momentum and force were entirely obliterated.

With a single sweep of Ren Yi's hand, the two halves of the saber clattered to the floor, and two severed corpses collapsed alongside them.

They were members of the Sun Moon Holy Cult who had just returned to Pingding Prefecture and were unaware that Ren Yi had also arrived here. Had the saber-wielder paused for a few breaths, he might perhaps have recognized who this person was.

"Take the corpses and leave."

Shortly after, the little inn returned to peace. Those men had all departed, yet before leaving, the previously cluttered and dilapidated tavern had taken on a completely renewed appearance, meticulously scrubbed clean in every corner.

The inn waiter brought the wine without much panic, clearly long accustomed to such bizarre sights.

...

The next day, after resting for the night, Ren Yi set off toward the northwest of Pingding Prefecture, unleashing his movement technique. With a light touch of his toes, he soared forth abruptly, his figure shifting slightly to glide more than ten zhang away in a flash.

Each step down left behind a lingering, ethereal shadow of cloud and smoke. His movement was as swift as rolling thunder and sudden lightning, his posture as graceful and flowing as drifting clouds and moving water!

The Sun Moon Holy Cult was already aware of Ren Yi's trip to Heimuzhou Cliff. Since they knew, they would never allow him to force his way in casually.

A long beach stretched alongside rushing waters. On the banks of the River of Apes, a troop was waiting for him in battle array.

"He's coming! Quick... quick, loose the arrows!"

A human figure flashed by as piercing arrows rained down from all directions...

Ren Yi stretched out his hands, true qi swirling around his body. With a sweeping push of his palms, wind whistled through the air. The sky full of arrow shadows, upon meeting the palm force, became like fish stranded on a shallow beach or fallen leaves torn from their roots, losing all direction and momentum.

In an instant, the arrows fell in a disorderly clatter.

"Farewell, gentlemen!"

Ren Yi emitted a soft whistle, terrifying the commander out of his wits. They had intended to blunt the sharp edge of the world's number one martial artist, but things had turned out entirely contrary to their expectations.

Before they could nock and draw their bows again, he had already surged into their ranks.

Ren Yi moved his fingers like the wind, flicking rapidly in succession. His finger force poured forth like a violent storm, shattering blades and snapping tips amidst flying sharp edges. Suddenly, blossoms of blood bloomed across the field.

The slaughter began anew... Yet, before him, someone else had already reached Heimu Cliff.

Presently, the ten elders of the Sun Moon Holy Cult and Shangguan Yun had already defected to Ren Woxing. At this moment, within the main grand hall of the Heimu Cliff headquarters, Shangguan Yun, along with Ren Woxing, Xiang Wentian, and Ren Yingying—who were concealed nearby—were kneeling before a single individual.

This person wore a bright red satin robe and was not only burly with a full beard, but his appearance was also exceptionally majestic and imposing.

Only to hear this person say, "Elder Shangguan has rendered a great service on this trip. Capturing Linghu Chong and bringing him up Heimu Cliff—the Cult Leader will surely be overjoyed upon learning of this."

Who could have imagined that a man so robust and imposing would possess a voice as pleasing and melodious as jade.

Linghu Chong lay upon a stretcher, feigning the appearance of one on the verge of death. Shangguan Yun knelt prostrate on the floor, lowering his head as he said, "Thanks to the boundless fortune of Cult Leader Dongfang, and also thanks to the prior guidance of Manager Yang, Shangguan Yun's journey proceeded smoothly in every respect."

Yang Lantings smiled slightly and suddenly asked, "Tong Baixiong held a secret meeting with Ren Woxing. According to intelligence reports, the two conversed at length for several hours, and now he has been captured and brought back. What does Elder Shangguan make of this matter?"

Shangguan Yun replied, "For that old man to dare meet with Ren Woxing, the two must surely be in collusion! Manager Yang struck first to eliminate future trouble; he has removed a future hazard for the Cult Leader. Other than admiration, Shangguan Yun has nothing to say."

Yang Lantings laughed and said, "Elder Shangguan indeed has foresight. Quite right, this manager preemptively had him arrested precisely to avert future troubles. Your trip has been a tiring one; rise, Elder Shangguan, and go rest for now."

Shangguan Yun stood up, startled for a moment, and hastily said, "Elder Jia fought to the death for the Cult, and this subordinate wishes to report this personally to the Cult Leader and clarify the matter thoroughly. As for this Linghu Chong... I humbly request Manager Yang to accommodate us."

As he spoke, he had already approached Yang Lantings, thrusting his hand into his bosom to produce a dozen pearl-beads the size of beans within his palm.

Yang Lantings collected the pearls from his hand, mused for a moment, and said, "Since that is the case, I shall announce your audience."

Shangguan Yun repeatedly expressed his assent!

Yang Lantings withdrew with pomp and circumstance behind the screen at the back of the grand hall.

After a long while, someone finally came to report: "The Cult Leader has issued an order: White Tiger Hall Elder Shangguan Yun is to bring the prisoner in for an audience."