Chapter 173 - 116: ’Heart Demon’ Shi Pingzhang
The Celestial Nine Steps was the ultimate technique of the Ye family.
The fact that Jiang Ran could use it, even if he wasn’t a member of the Ye family, meant he must have a profound connection to them.
Therefore, Huang Xuan subconsciously tried to pull back his attack.
But the fight had just gotten serious, and this was a full-power strike. How could he possibly retract it so easily?
In that fleeting moment, Jiang Ran arrived.
Huang Xuan’s heart lurched with shock and panic.
Just as he was wondering what to do, a phantom image suddenly materialized behind Jiang Ran.
It was a Buddha Vajra wearing a Taoist robe!
The moment Huang Xuan and Ling Buyi’s swords, wreathed in boundless Sword Qi, touched the phantom image, they could not advance another inch.
The continuous HUM of vibrating blades filled the air.
Huang Xuan had wanted to withdraw his power anyway. Seeing this, he seized the opportunity, flicked his wrist, spun his sword, and shot backward, completely unscathed.
Ling Buyi, however, thrust his sword forward, increasing his power by another thirty percent.
And yet, he was still utterly powerless against this protective avatar.
Then, the Gang Qi around Jiang Ran’s body surged. The next moment, an immense force shot back through the blade of Ling Buyi’s sword.
Horrified, he was thrown back by the force, retreating seventy or eighty feet in an instant. After tapping his toes to the ground, he fell back another thirty to fifty feet before finally managing to halt his momentum.
He looked up at Jiang Ran, his face now completely grave.
"Who are you?"
Jiang Ran glanced back at him, withdrew the Indestructible Vajra, and the avatar dispersed into the wind. He smiled faintly.
"I am Jiang Ran."
"Jiang Ran?"
Upon hearing this, Huang Xuan glanced at Ye Jingshuang, who was not far away, before speaking.
"Are you the Jiang Ran from the Cangzhou Heroic Assembly? The one who single-handedly killed several of Feiyun Stronghold’s leaders and captured the stronghold’s master, Li Feiyun?"
"I didn’t expect that little affair to become such widespread news."
Jiang Ran realized he had probably underestimated the Great Sir’s ability to spread news.
Even Huang Xuan of the Liuyun Sword Sect had heard of the Cangzhou Heroic Assembly.
"It really is you!"
Huang Xuan suddenly burst out laughing.
"A true hero, indeed!
"But according to the stories from the Cangzhou Heroic Assembly, your saber techniques are your strongest skill.
"I never would have expected you to also possess this... divine protective art that combines both the Buddhist and Taoist paths."
’From the looks of it, a Buddhist Vajra wearing a Taoist robe... isn’t that a fusion of Buddhism and Taoism?’
Jiang Ran felt a little awkward at his words and coughed lightly.
"You flatter me, Brother Huang."
"Hmph."
Ling Buyi let out a cold snort.
"So what if you’re that Jiang Ran? Today’s grudge is between me and Huang Xuan. What does it have to do with you?
"If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay out of this."
Jiang Ran gave Ling Buyi a slightly surprised look.
"And what if I insist on getting involved?"
"Then that means... MMPH MMPH!!"
He couldn’t finish his sentence, as people from the Yun Mountain Sword Sect had already reached his side and were covering his mouth to stop him from talking.
One of them stepped forward, cupped his fist, and said:
"Young Hero Jiang, we have offended you today. My senior brother doesn’t know how to speak properly, please forgive him.
"We will take our leave now..."
Ling Buyi was furious, but he was powerless against his martial brothers and sisters.
In the end, he was dragged away. Before he left, he tried to shout some parting threats, but all that came out were a few muffled, melodramatic cries of "Mmmph mmmph, mmmph mmmph!" as his figure gradually disappeared.
Jiang Ran: "..."
Once the group from the Yun Mountain Sword Sect had left, everyone except for Li Tianxin and Zhang Zhihua crowded around.
"That was amazing! What kind of martial art is that?"
"You took a full-blown sword strike from Senior Brother Huang and that Ling Buyi and came out completely unharmed! I want to become your disciple!"
"Your master would never agree. If he heard that, you’d be in for a good beating when you get back. My master is different, though. He’s a reasonable man, he might just approve!"
"All of you, quiet down! This is Senior Sister Ye’s close friend. Don’t be so rowdy and offend him."
The group showed no signs of the usual awkwardness around a stranger, chattering away all at once.
Seeing this, Huang Xuan couldn’t help but argue:
"I wasn’t using my full power just now!"
"Quiet, Senior Brother Huang!"
Everyone shot back amidst the commotion.
In the end, it was Ye Jingshuang who finally got the situation under control. She yelled:
"All of you, be quiet!!!"
And then, everyone fell silent.
Ye Jingshuang walked up to Jiang Ran and glanced at the crowd.
"This is my life-saving benefactor. Don’t you all embarrass me."
The disciples looked at each other, until finally, an older one stepped forward with a smile and said:
"Greetings, Young Hero Jiang. I am Fu Cheng’en of the Liuyun Sword Sect.
"My junior brothers and sisters are ill-mannered. Please don’t hold it against them, Young Hero Jiang."
"Not at all."
Jiang Ran said with a smile:
"Seeing them like this actually makes me quite envious."
This wasn’t entirely just a polite pleasantry.
Seeing how lively they were, it was clear that the Liuyun Sword Sect had a good atmosphere. The disciples were like brothers and sisters, free from scheming and plotting, which allowed them to be so sincere and open-hearted.
’It’s not like my situation... The Old Drunkard and I only have each other to rely on.’
’And yet, he’s still hiding a million secrets from me.’
Hearing Jiang Ran’s words, Fu Cheng’en nodded and took it upon himself to introduce the disciples one by one.
With each name, someone would step forward to greet Jiang Ran.
Ye Jingshuang was a little speechless. ’Did they really come here for me?’
’Why am I being completely ignored now?’
Li Tianxin, his expression cool and detached, quietly watched Jiang Ran in the middle of the crowd, his thoughts unreadable.
Zhang Zhihua glanced at him and said in a low voice:
"Brother Li, you’re not any worse than he is."
"Hm?"
Li Tianxin’s brow furrowed slightly. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Nothing, nothing!"
Zhang Zhihua shook her head quickly. "I misspoke."