As the morning breeze rushed past him, carrying the scent of dust and distant pine, and the sun drifted toward noon, the Chief Leader of the Seventy-Two Islands knew he was wasting precious time with this verbal standoff. His gaze locked onto Bazar Batu, and a cold resolve settled in his heart: among all the people standing here, Bazar Batu was the one who absolutely must die.
The Chief Leader of the Seventy-Two Islands leaned in and whispered his deadly command to Wu Jinghua, "Kill him."
Turning to face the array of martial artists, the Chief Leader of the Seventy-Two Islands swiftly released multiple red threads from his metal claws. Immediately, a wave of silver needles from Gu Yingjie flew out, nailing the red threads to the ground. Zhu Mingyang flew forward, cutting the remaining threads with his dao sword, charging straight for the Chief Leader of the Seventy-Two Islands, with Gu Yingjie close behind.
The battle instantly exploded. Kuo Lok engaged Wu Jinghua and Yao Qianfan, while Yongzheng fought Hu Hong, and Rao Zhengsheng clashed with Yen Tung. From behind the Central Plains group, Jiang Koshing rushed in with a large, overwhelming contingent of Seventy-Two Islands members. The remaining martial artists drew their weapons and plunged into the fray.
Suddenly, Miao Mingzhu flew over the fighting, scattering white powder onto the martial artists below before heading straight for the Chief Leader of the Seventy-Two Islands. She sent four green snakes hurtling behind Zhu Mingyang, but Gu Yingjie shot them down mid-air with his needles. Gu Yingjie immediately redirected his attention and began fighting Miao Mingzhu.
Just as the martial artists were fully engaged, a horrifying new threat emerged: snakes slid from different directions, slithering straight toward the Central Plains fighters. The martial artists quickly realized with dread that the snakes were only biting them, leaving the people of the Seventy-Two Islands completely untouched.
Bazar Batu's eyes widened in raw terror, and he gasped for breath as a venomous snake darted towards him. He screamed, utterly overwhelmed, "Help me! Lok gege, help me!" Before the creature could strike, the sheer paralyzing fear caused Bazar Batu to faint, collapsing just as the snake launched itself at him.
Xue Horan sprinted forward, swinging his sword across with deadly precision, instantly cutting the attacking snake in half. He then quickly chopped off four more snakes slithering toward Bazar Batu's feet.
Kuo Lok delivered a powerful blow to Wu Jinghua, causing her to stagger backward. He then used his Dragon Palm Strike to yank the fainted Bazar Batu into the protective crook of his left arm. Kuo Lok flew forward and struck Wu Jinghua hard in the chest. Wu Jinghua cried out, fell to the ground, and vomited blood.
The Central Plains martial artists, realizing they were severely unprepared for the sudden, venomous attack from the Seventy-Two Islands, rapidly began to evacuate with the wounded.
Zhu Mingyang collided with the Chief Leader of the Seventy-Two Islands, the force causing both martial artists to skid backward. Gu Yingjie shot one of his last two needles at Miao Mingzhu to distract her, then flew toward Zhu Mingyang and the retreating martial artists.
Miao Mingzhu quickly took out her bamboo whistler and blew, immediately directing the poisonous snakes toward Zhu Mingyang and Gu Yingjie. Gu Yingjie swiftly broke off a stalk of pampas grass on the side of the road, tightly holding the white, cottony flower stalks in his right hand and the stem in his left. He flew backward toward the remaining martial artists still fighting the snakes and other members of the Seventy-Two Islands. Gu Yingjie then released the white flower stalks from his hands at Miao Mingzhu and the charging snakes, creating a blinding diversion.
Gu Yingjie released his final needle, aiming straight at the Chief Leader of the Seventy-Two Islands and knocking his mask off his face. The Chief Leader immediately turned and flew away, disappearing before anyone had time to glance at his exposed features.
With the sudden and crucial departure of their leader, the remaining members of the Seventy-Two Islands and Miao Mingzhu hurried to flee.
Yongzheng spoke up, pointing the way. "Not far from here, there is an abandoned temple. We can go there to rest." He looked around the chaotic scene, realizing with a jolt that Xue Horan was not among the crowd.
Rao Zhengsheng asked, his voice sharp with concern, "Where is Horan?"
Yongzheng replied, his tone steady despite the worry. "I don't know, but he knows that if we get separated, we will meet at the abandoned temple."
Rao Zhengsheng, "Then let's go to the abandoned temple.
Yongzheng looked at the martial artists and said, "This way."
Fleeing from the scene along the dirty road toward the watchtowers of the Sunset Sect, Xue Horan and Cao Yanmei each gripped one of Yong Taihua's arms, rushing away from the persistent group of Seventy-Two Islands members. Suddenly, Xue Horan instinctively jumped behind Yong Taihua, delivering a sharp kick that sent an oncoming sword flying to smash against a nearby tree. A moment later, a fast-flying metal fan flew directly in front of Cao Yanmei, and she fiercely swung her sword, knocking the projectile to the ground.
Yao Qianfan, the leader of the pursuit, shouted from the rear, "You three have nowhere to run, surrender! I promise you I will treat you three nicely!" He smiled at them, his gaze lingering on Xue Horan. He pointed a finger. "Especially you... tsk... tsk... tsk... such beauty!"
Cao Yanmei shot back a sharp retort. "If you still want to hold your penis with your hand when you urinate, I advise you to stay away from him!"
Yao Qianfan chuckled, completely unfazed. "I like you too, so fierce!"
Yao Qianfan watched as the ten men he had brought fought against the three Central Plains martial artists. When he realized that his group couldn't defeat the trio, he joined the fight, immediately attacking Yong Taihua.
Xue Horan noticed Yong Taihua losing ground to Yao Qianfan's assault. He jumped forward, joining Yong Taihua in attacking Yao Qianfan.
Suddenly, Miao Mingzhu flew over, delivered a sharp kick to Yong Taihua's chest, sending him flying toward Cao Yanmei. Miao Mingzhu then threw a burst of pink powder at Yong Taihua and Cao Yanmei. Cao Yanmei reacted by sending three darts at Miao Mingzhu. Cao Yanmei grabbed Yong Taihua's arm, and the two fled, with Miao Mingzhu quickly chasing them, leaving Yao Qianfan to deal with Xue Horan and the remaining Seventy-Two Islands members.
Yao Qianfan struck Xue Horan in the chest, but Xue Horan blocked the hit with his left arm, causing him to stagger back. Yao Qianfan immediately stretched out his hand, rushing over to grab Xue Horan's front collar. In that instant, a needle flew from the distance, piercing directly through Yao Qianfan's palm and out the other side.
Yao Qianfan raised his head and saw a new group approaching: Ma Jingguo, Mu Dishi, and Si Meifeng. Si Meifeng was casually carrying a basket of fresh produce. Yao Qianfan, shocked, demanded, "Who are you? Why do you know how to use our leader's red thread needle?"
Si Meifeng smiled coyly. "Handsome, tell me your name, and I'll tell you mine."
Yao Qianfan played along. "Lady goes first."
Si Meifeng giggled, covering her mouth with the tip of her left fingers.
Yao Qianfan looked past Si Meifeng and saw Mu Dishi standing beside Ma Jingguo. He noticed Mu Dishi's face was very pale, yet he couldn't look away from his striking, handsome features. He sighed, happily announcing, "Your beauty has attracted my attention, but your eyes have stolen my heart!"
Ma Jingguo instantly stepped forward, his tall body completely blocking Mu Dishi from Yao Qianfan's sight. He looked at Yao Qianfan with a cold smile and possessive dominance. "You got my full attention."
Yao Qianfan smirked at Ma Jingguo. "Move aside... Your image is sickening my eyes."
Ma Jingguo's smile turned vicious. "Well, I will be the last thing you see." He glanced quickly at Xue Horan. "I told you; you look nothing like him." He then surged forward, rushing toward Yao Qianfan.
Xue Horan stared intently at Mu Dishi. This was the fearsome Mu Dishi. Everyone claimed he looked like him, but now that they stood face-to-face, Xue Horan finally understood why Ma Jingguo insisted they were different. Mu Dishi might have been the same approximate size, but he was noticeably taller. Mu Dishi's face was more mature, framed by longer eyelashes. Even with his pale face, there was no weakness in the sharp intensity of his phoenix eyes. Xue Horan's gaze dropped, and he saw the chilling reality: a chain shackle wrapped around Mu Dishi's hands.
Xue Horan asked softly, his voice full of concern, "Are you alright?"
Mu Dishi's voice was weak, but his meaning was firm. "Leave... take this opportunity and leave."
Xue Horan glared at him once more. "Let's leave together while they are fighting."
Mu Dishi shook his head. "No. You don't want to suffer the same fate as me. You can go now."
Xue Horan, seeing the moment of distraction, hurriedly ran in the direction where Yong Taihua and Cao Yanmei had fled.
Ma Jingguo hit Yao Qianfan's chest with two heavy punches, causing Yao Qianfan to stumble and vomit more blood. Meanwhile, Si Meifeng efficiently killed all ten remaining members of the Seventy-Two Islands.
Yao Qianfan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and asked hoarsely, "Who are you?"
Ma Jingguo smiled, a terrifying grin of absolute superiority. "Why don't you know who I am when you are walking in my backyard?"
Yao Qianfan's heart sank as the chilling truth clicked into place. "Antagonist Xin... Xin Taiyang..."
Ma Jingguo smiled coldly and sent his guzheng string snapping toward Yao Qianfan. Yao Qianfan managed to block the string with his fan, but Ma Jingguo had already shot two golden needles directly into Yao Qianfan's eyes. Yao Qianfan clutched his face, screaming in agonizing pain.
Ma Jingguo looked down at the man kneeling on the ground, screaming. He smirked. "I told you that I will be the last thing you see." His smile turned sickeningly sweet. "Indeed, the way you look at my xiao shushu really sickens my eyes..." He then turned around, his expression suddenly shifting to one of innocent affection for Mu Dishi. "Xiao shushu, shall we go home? I will cook you your favorite dishes tonight."
Si Meifeng picked up the fallen basket of produce, whistled happily, and followed Ma Jingguo and Mu Dishi as they walked toward Sunset Mountain.