Qian Luo Yi couldn't help but laugh and scold: "Brother Wang Chong, why are you still putting on an air of mystery?" Before his voice had even faded, the face of this new-generation Tujue Wolf God changed abruptly. It was not just him—the two women at his side also changed color simultaneously, and even Su Luo Yan and Chu Qiuzi wore looks of shock and uncertainty, as if they had seen ghosts.
Wang Chong had transmigrated here. Though he recalled all manner of martial arts, the most powerful of them, Holding-Candle Swordplay, had always eluded his grasp. In recent days he had trained bitterly in this swordplay, feeling each day that he was making progress, but in that very instant the true qi within him surged and whirled. His internal force flowed as he wished, power burst forth in his limbs and bones, might coursed through his body, and his aura rose higher and higher. His martial arts achieved the long-sought breakthrough in the blink of an eye.
Wang Chong gave a slight shake, and his long sword rang out with a clear, unceasing tone. Joy filled his heart, and matchless confidence arose. He cried out: "Brother Qian Luo, let us continue this fight."
Qian Luo Yi suppressed the alarm in his heart and drew his saber, stepping forward. Although he thought Wang Chong could be his match, he did not think a sudden breakthrough could add much to the man's strength.
Wang Chong suddenly whistled, sending his long sword forth. A sharp keen arose, and a faint glow flickered on the tip of the blade, like candlelight.
This new-generation Tujue Wolf God, in the blink of an eye, drew the long sword at his side, unleashed the secret art of slaying with both saber and sword, and in the snap of a finger pushed all his martial power to the limit.
Their second exchange consisted of just a single move. Qian Luo Yi retreated more than ten paces, murderous aura surging about him, and he cried out: "So this is Holding-Candle Swordplay, one of the Seven Swordways of Wudang Mountain?"
"Who exactly is Brother Wang Chong?"
Wang Chong drew a deep breath. That one move just now had nearly exhausted his true qi. He was secretly alarmed: "This swordplay consumes so much?"
"No, it is that I do not know restraint. This line of swordplay surely is not meant to be used this way. It should only be brought to its utmost speed at the most crucial moment, not like me, striking at full speed every time and wasting most of my strength."
He replied in a low voice: "An upright man does not change his name when he walks nor his surname when he sits. I, Wang, have not deceived Brother Qian Luo."
Qian Luo Yi sheathed his saber and sword, shaking his head. "If we were to exchange blows again, I fear it would be a fight to the death."
"I have no grudge against Brother Wang Chong, nor am I confident I could take your life while preserving my own. Shall we call this battle to a halt?"
Wang Chong gave a laugh, thinking to himself: "If he struck again, he could most likely take my head." He said calmly: "As Brother Qian Luo Yi wishes."
Qian Luo Yi suddenly laughed. "I said all along that fool Qin Han could never kill White Chrysanthemum—turns out it was Brother Wang Chong who struck."
"That lecher stole Wudang swordplay and must have infuriated the Perfected Ones of Wudang Mountain, who specially sent Brother Wang Chong down from the mountain to execute this man."
"I have a deep grudge against this scoundrel. I came to the Central Plains this time to cut him down by my own hand. If someone else had struck, this Qian Luo would surely not accept it, but since this man died by Brother Wang's hand, I bear no resentment."
Wang Chong thought: "That's not how it really was." But when he looked back, he saw Su Luo Yan and Chu Qiuzi both wore expressions of sudden understanding, clearly agreeing with Qian Luo Yi's deduction. He could only say helplessly: "I already promised Brother Qin Han to yield this credit to him. White Chrysanthemum truly was not killed by me—I just happened to be there." Su Luo Yan, an eyewitness, was also present, so Wang Chong could not lie. He could only offer half truth and half vagueness, hoping all the parties involved would fill in the blanks themselves; he simply could not devise a perfectly logical explanation.
Su Luo Yan gave a light laugh. She thought Wang Chong was speaking of herself. After all, although Sun Yanqi had been killed by Nan Xinlan, in the end she had died at her and Monk Xuan Gang's hands. Without their pursuit, how could Nan Xinlan have killed this lecher?
Huo Qingge was about to step forward and challenge Su Luo Yan, for she truly would not accept the two great young female experts of the Central Plains as superior. But seeing Qian Luo Yi secretly give her a meaningful glance, her heart stirred slightly, and she left with her junior sister, taking Qian Luo Yi along.
Su Luo Yan said nothing more, watching the three disappear at the end of the main road.
After galloping for several dozen li on horseback, Qian Luo Yi suddenly spat a mouthful of stale blood, his body swaying as if on the verge of collapse. He cried out: "What a move, Sword Candle Mountain Sea!"
"At that moment just now, Wang Chong made an unbelievable breakthrough. Not only was his true qi more substantial, but the force behind his sword had increased by at least fifty or sixty jin. Losing to him in one move is no injustice. Fortunately, he did not see that I was already injured, and so he let me save face."
Huo Qingge couldn't help but ask: "His strength was originally slightly inferior to yours. How could he possibly have such a timely breakthrough? Could he have used some overbearing technique that temporarily multiplies one's internal force?"
Qian Luo Yi shook his head. "It truly isn't some crooked martial art like that. It was a genuine breakthrough."
Xiao Yiguli was greatly alarmed and cried out: "How are we supposed to fight him then? If he levels up every time he's at a disadvantage, won't he be invincible under heaven sooner or later?"
Qian Luo Yi and Huo Qingge laughed together. "Where is there such good fortune?"
Qian Luo Yi said: "Don't be intimidated by Wang Chong. If one could level up countless times, how could grandmasters and those of the pinnacle make their way in the world? He simply happened to reach a bottleneck this time. This opportunity is one in ten thousand, and this stroke of luck absolutely cannot succeed twice."
He mused: "I've just reflected on Wang Chong's martial arts. Though his moves are utterly without flaw, and his internal force after the breakthrough is not inferior to mine, he must not have exchanged blows with others many times. The killing intent in his swordplay is too faint. If I do not trade moves with him, overwhelm him with aura, and attack blade for blade with a stance of fighting to the death, this man definitely could not last ten rounds. Next time, he won't have such luck."
Full of confidence in his words, Qian Luo Yi took the two women and left with a long laugh.
Wang Chong suddenly said: "The mutton I just won ran away."
Su Luo Yan and Chu Qiuzi recalled Xiao Yiguli's words—"If you can last thirty moves under Qian Luo Yi, I'll treat you to mutton"—and they couldn't help but laugh. Su Luo Yan said: "The sister from the Western Regions won't treat us, so let your Sister Su treat us instead."
"I originally wanted to challenge Huo Qingge and Xiao Yiguli, but you expended a great deal of vital energy exchanging blows with Qian Luo Yi and cannot be left without support. So I'll spare those two martial sisters this time."
"You traded blows with Qian Luo Yi just now. Do you feel your internal breath is uneven? Come back with me and recuperate for a few days. I have fine elixirs here; take more of them. When we travel the jianghu, injuries are unavoidable, but one must not take them lightly and leave behind a lasting ailment."
Chu Qiuzi suddenly felt that this Chess-Sword Linglong seemed to be stealing the spotlight, and she interjected: "Qingcheng's Five Dragon Pill is also well known. This trip down the mountain, my master ordered me to carry one pill against unforeseen needs. This pill must be taken with strong liquor. When we return, I'll trouble Sister Su to prepare strong liquor. You take it first."
…Qian Luo Yi: "I'm injured too…"
…Su Luo Yan: "Chu Qiuzi is treated too well…"
…Wang Chong: "I'm not sick, I don't want to take random medicine…"}
Chapter 26