Jianghu Demolition Squad

Martial Arts Competition Under The Heavens (Part Thirty Four)

Throughout their escape, they still encountered many walking corpses, but with nearly five to six hundred people in Yu’er’s group, brimming with fighting spirit, the walking corpses could not hold them back.

Yu’er heard from Yang Chun that Jie Qianchou and the others had fallen into a trap and were surrounded in the maple forest to the east. The group fought their way through, gradually retreating eastward, both to break the encirclement and to regroup.

As the group fought with torches in hand, the dry autumn season inadvertently led to the ignition of Mingjian Manor’s residences. Several courtyards caught fire, with flames spreading rapidly, painting the night sky a blazing red. However, in their desperate situation, they could hardly afford to concern themselves with the fires.

Once they broke out of Mingjian Manor, the attacking corpses became fewer and fewer.

When they stepped onto the mountain path, Hao Yun’s footsteps paused, looked back, then around.

Yu’er asked, “Brother Hao Yun, what’s wrong?”

Hao Yun said in a solemn voice, “The sound of insects has stopped.”

Yu’er listened carefully and realized, indeed, the irritating sound of insects was gone. Previously, the noise of clashing weapons and shouts had been so loud that they hadn’t noticed when the insects had quieted.

Yu’er said, “Could it be that Master and the others have already subdued those people?”

Hao Yun said, “Let’s hurry and see!”

Led by Yang Chun, they continued toward the maple forest. Along the way, they still saw some walking corpses lying completely still on the ground, like ordinary corpses.

Mo Wen examined them and murmured, “It seems these corpse puppets need the sound of those insects to be activated.”

Yu’er said, “Let’s burn them all.”

Leaving them could allow those from Miaojiang to reclaim and unleash them again, causing more harm.

Although it’s customary to keep corpses intact for burial, the idea of leaving these bodies to potentially become corpse puppets again and thereby threaten their brothers and sisters was even more distressing. Therefore, no one objected.

A group stayed behind to dispose of the jiangshi, while the rest continued toward the maple forest.

As they entered the forest, the sound of their footsteps crunching on fallen leaves echoed in the air. The torches illuminated their surroundings, revealing maple trees in the central area that had been snapped in half. The ground was covered in trenches, and numerous corpse puppets lay fallen, making impossible to navigate. It was evident that a fierce battle had taken place.

Yu’er saw an old man in a dark blue robe with white hair and a long beard in the center. She quickly ran over and called out, “Master.”

Jie Qianshou was half-kneeling, tidying the clothing of a body before him.

Yu’er said, “Master, are you alright?”

Jie Qianshou looked up slowly, his beard stained with blood. Yu’er, alarmed, said, “Master, you’re injured.”

Jie Qianchou reassured her, “It’s nothing, nothing serious.”

Seeing Jie Qianshou’s mournful expression and the body beside him with a gourd hanging at the waist and graying hair, Yu’er understood. This was likely Jue Mingzi.

Yu’er softened her voice and gently called out, “Master.”

Jie Qianchou knew that his disciple was intelligent and realized that she had figured it out. He chuckled bitterly a couple of times, shook his head, pointed at Jue Mingzi’s corpse, and said to Yu’er, “Disciple, call him Uncle Shi.”

A teacher for a day, a father for life. As Jie Qianchou was her teacher and father figure, his close friend could be addressed as Uncle Shi by Yu’er.

Yu’er knelt down and bowed to Jue Mingzi’s body, saying, “Uncle Shi, this junior, Yu’er, pays her respects.”

Despite the pain of losing a close friend, Jie Qianchou found some comfort in the presence of his endearing and clever disciple, Yu’er, especially at such a sorrowful time.

Yu’er stood up and helped Jie Qianchou to his feet, asking, “Master, let Mo Wen check your injuries.”

Jie Qianchou waved his hand and said, “No need. I know the extent of my injuries. How did you all end up here?”

Yu’er helped Jie Qianchou sit on a tree stump and gave him some medicinal pills to treat his internal injuries. She briefly recounted how the walking corpses had surrounded them, what Hua Lian and the others had witnessed, and how they had broken out of the banquet hall.

Jie Qianchou sighed, “So, Yan’er… alas, what a tragedy, what a sin. How did Yun Si’s descendants end up producing such a calamity!”

Yu’er thought of something and asked, “Master, were you the ones who subdued the person controlling the insects for Wu Chang?”

Jie Qianchou shook his head, “No. Besides the corpse puppets, there was only Wu Chang here, and no one else controlling the insects. We fought these corpses for who knows how long, and suddenly they all just fell and stopped moving. Wu Chang took the chance to escape. I’m still confused about what happened when you all arrived.”

Yu’er’s tone became urgent as she asked, “Then, Master, did you see Qing Jiu?”

Jie Qianchou said, “I haven’t seen that girl. What’s wrong? Isn’t she with you?”

Yu’er felt a tightness in her chest, triggering a hidden injury left by Qin Gui, and she felt dizzy.

Noticing her discomfort, Jie Qianchou quickly checked her pulse, found it erratic, and immediately channeled some of his internal energy to help stabilize her, “Disciple, that mischievous girl’s is both skilled and cunning. If someone encounters her, it’s their bad luck, not hers. Don’t worry. Right now, calm your mind, don’t let your thoughts wander; your injury is what’s important.”

“Yes,” Yu’er replied, though her concern for Qing Jiu remained.

It took some time for her to calm her mind.

Those who had followed felt reassured seeing their leaders, elders, and masters settling down, finally allowing their tense spirits to relax. They sat down to rest, and disciples from Xuhuai Valley went around providing treatment for injuries.

Yan Beli and Yun Wangran, upon hearing Yan Siguo recount the events within the manor and learning of Yan Jianyu’s deeds from the disciples of the Qixian Palace, were furious, their veins bulging as they cursed, “Wicked son! Beast!” Yan Beili smashed a nearby maple tree in half with a palm strike. They wanted to capture and execute Yan Jianyu personally, but his whereabouts were unknown. Moreover, the safety of the various sects had to come first. Dealing with the walking corpses, assessing casualties, and managing the aftermath were all Mingjian Manor’s responsibilities.

Upon hearing about how Yu’er led everyone to break out, they couldn’t help feeling immensely relieved. The stark contrast in their emotions brought tears to the eyes of these two men, who together were over a hundred years old. They had feared that the centuries-long legacy Mingjian Manor might end under Yan Jianyu’s watch, but thankfully, fate and their ancestors seemed to have intervened…

Yun Wangran shook his head with a bitter smile, with a mix of joy and melancholy, “She truly lives up to being my Eldest Brother’s granddaughter, truly worthy of our Yun family’s blood…”

Yan Beli approached Jie Qianshou and Yu’er just as they finished meditating.

Yan Beili stared at Yu’er in a daze for a good while, his lips trembling as he spoke, “You did well, very well…” By the end, his voice was choked with emotion. Yu’er was utterly confused.

Yan Beli regained his composure and turned to Jie Qianchou, apologizing, “Elder Jie, Mingjian Manor was negligent, and I apologize for the trouble this has caused you.”

Jie Qianchou sighed and said, “This time, Mingjian Manor was also a victim. The blame lies solely with those deceitful people.”

The two exchanged a few more words, and Yan Beili sent people back to the manor to deal with the corpse puppets.

Everyone sat in the forest to rest and recover their strength. Although the journey had been perilous, looking back on it after surviving, they felt a surge of heroic spirit. They discussed the thrilling battle in the banquet hall with those beside them.

Yan Li and the others found Jian Mobei and informed him about Mo Chenggui’s fate.

The three Wuwei Palace disciples were guarding Mo Chenggui’s body on the mountain path, his body also slated to be burned alongside the corpse puppets.

Jian Mobei sighed deeply, then had Jiang Ying accompany him for a final look at Mo Chenggui.

Yan Li glanced around and noticed a figure in the west. She walked over with slow steps.

Wu Yu was sitting atop a fallen maple tree, her presence so commanding it seemed as if the tree itself bore the aura of a throne.

Yan Li walked up to her and smelled the scent of blood. She said, “Are you injured?”

Wu Yu looked up, her smile revealing pearly white teeth, “Are you worried about me?”

Yan Li’s expression remained indifferent, offering no reply.

Wu Yu raised her sleeve to cover her mouth, pretending to cough.

Without a word, Yan Li half-squatted in front of Wu Yu and took her wrist. Having spent time with Mo Wen, she had a basic understanding of checking pulses.

Seeing this, Wu Yu’s smile deepened, she leaned into Yan Li’s embrace, placing her hand over her heart, “You care about whether I’m hurt, don’t you?”

Yan Li sensed that Wu Yu’s internal energy was stable with only a superficial wound at her waist, didn’t deem it serious.

At this point, Wu Yu had already taken advantage of the situation, her entire body clinging to Yan Li. Noticing the wounds on Yan Li’s arm, she said, “You’re injured too. Didn’t Si Yu and the others protect you well?” Her voice was deep and filled with an extraordinary authority.

Yan Li stood up and swiftly moved away, Wu Yu’s support gone. With her skills, she could have easily steadied herself, but instead, she let herself fall softly against the tree.

Yan Li took out a bottle of healing salve from her robe and placed it beside Wu Yu. She said indifferently, “Thank you for your help.”

With that, she turned to leave. Wu Yu called out, “Yan Li!”

Yan Li’s footsteps paused. Wu Yu said, “Help me apply the medicine. The wound is really painful.”

Yan Li did not respond but hesitated momentarily before continuing on her way as she saw someone approaching from the opposite direction.

As Si Yu and his group arrived, they passed by Yan Li and bowed to Wu Yu, “Master.”

The smile on Wu Yu’s face faded, and after a long silence, she commanded, “Leave! Circle around for half an hour before returning. I don’t want to see anyone right now!”

Si Yu and the others were taken aback. Although they didn’t know what had happened, they still didn’t pry or ask questions. They responded, “Yes.” The group turned around and left the way they came.

After leaving Wu Yu’s side, Yan Li walked towards Yu’er’s location. At this time, Mo Wen and the others were all guarding that area.

Dawn was breaking, and birds were singing in the empty forest. They looked around but still couldn’t see Qing Jiu’s figure. Hua Lian and Tang Linzhi had not returned either, which only added to their growing worry.

Hao Yun stood up and said, “I’ll go look for them.”

As soon as he spoke, two figures emerged from the misty fog. It was none other than Hua Lian and Tang Linzhi. Tang Linzhi had already put away her Chini, carrying them on her back.

Yan Li stepped forward and asked, “What took you so long?”

Hua Lian sighed, “Don’t even ask.”

Yan Li asked, “What happened?”

Tang Linzhi scowled and said, “He got away.”

Hua Lian explained, “Someone intervened and rescued him. Tiger Lady and I chased after them but lost track of them.”

After a moment of silence, Yan Li said, “As long as you two are safe, it’s alright. As long as he’s still alive, we can always find him again.”

Yu’er asked, “Hua Lian, Linzhi, did you see Qing Jiu when you were chasing after them?”

Hua Lian was surprised and said, “What? She hasn’t returned yet?”

“Who hasn’t returned?” A clear voice chimed in, picking up where Hua Lian left off.

Everyone turned to see a person approaching, a smile on their face. It was none other than Qing Jiu.

Qing Jiu was covered in blood, from her clothes to her face, presenting a horrifying sight. Yu’er quickly went to her, cautiously grabbing her arms, and asked in a trembling voice, “You’re injured.”

After a restless night, Yu’er had led the group through a siege of walking corpses, looking disheveled and weary, her eyes red.

Qing Jiu reached out, smoothing Yu’er’s messy hair. She pinched her cheek, wiping away a smudge of dirt, and chuckled, “This is someone else’s blood.”

Yu’er remained anxious, her right hand moving to check Qing Jiu’s pulse. Qing Jiu caught her hand and reassured, “I’m fine.”

Yu’er pursed her lips, staying silent. After a moment, she extended her right hand, which Qing Jiu still held loosely. Yu’er gently reached out and, with her clean sleeve, wiped the blood off Qing Jiu’s face, asking, “Where have you been? You were gone for so long, and so much has happened at the manor.”

Qing Jiu smiled and said, “I went ghost hunting.”

A thought flashed through Hua Lian’s mind, and he laughed, “Did you deal with the people making the insect noises?”

Qing Jiu shook her head, “Some got away.”

Only then did everyone understand why the insect sounds had suddenly stopped.