Chapter 6: The Rare Treasures Change Hands (2)
Through the pressure in the air, he could almost ascertain that the person in the car was Ding Heng, yet he remained neither surprised nor delighted; instead, he became even calmer, settling his mind to continue waiting.
Ding Heng was suddenly startled: "Is it the ghost shadow that is absolutely foolproof?"
The killing intent was faint, so faint that it was almost imperceptible, yet the ghostly figure could clearly sense its presence. His gaze pierced through the increasingly oppressive void before him, locking onto the driverless carriage, as if he sought to see through the thin curtain to discern Ding Heng's expression behind it.
He has been waiting here for quite some time
If the ghostly figure has a spirit in the heavens, it would surely feel regret for this. Regret for having acted hastily; he originally thought that as soon as he made his move, those behind him would immediately come to his aid, but he still underestimated Ding Heng. In fact, he could not believe that Ding Heng would kill him in a single strike
Ding Heng was startled out of his contemplation, turned to Ji Kongshou, and said: "Indeed, it was quite perilous. If you hadn't escaped Jiang Tian's grasp, I truly would not have known how to make a decision when faced with Jiang Tian's threats."
Ding Heng's mood was not lightened; instead, it grew heavier. As he released the ghostly figure, he saw three masked shadows stealthily approaching from the darkness.
At that moment, the curtain of the car lifted automatically without any wind, suddenly rolling upwards. Although it was just for an instant, the ghostly figure's eyes brightened, as they finally caught a glimpse of Ding Heng's face, who was sitting steadily in the car.
That night, he arrived as promised, even earlier than Ding Heng, choosing a position that was most advantageous for observation. He always believed that a killer must not only possess good skills and a calm mind but also embody the principle of diligence. Only with a little more effort can one increase the chances of success; the probability of success is always directly proportional to the sweat one invests.
The spear-wielder's arm trembled, not expecting Ding Heng to dare to fight without his sword. What surprised him even more was that the unmatched force generated by the short dagger had already struck towards the palm of his hand gripping the spear
It seems I can no longer endure! Just now, that person delivered a final strike, transferring all their internal energy into my body, causing my blood vessels to rupture..." Ding Heng managed to force out a faint smile, his face still retaining the pride of a strong warrior. However, as he finished speaking, his breathing became increasingly labored, as if he were struggling to catch his breath.
The one who has arrived is the enemy who just abandoned his spear, and the pressure in the air suddenly increases sharply. With the penetration of this spear, an atmosphere of boundless slaughter momentarily fills the void
The offensive surged like a tide, and the blades flashed like terrifying waves. The atmosphere on the long street suddenly became tense, and the long-anticipated murderous intent finally erupted like a flood breaking through a dam.
Ji Kongshou walked over to him and patted his chest, saying, "That was close, that was close"
"To kill a person is worth a thousand gold pieces, and one must never return empty-handed." Gui Ying'er has not betrayed the world; at the very least, she has proven her integrity with her own life. Yet, in the face of such integrity, one cannot help but wonder whether it is tragic or laughable
Ji Kongshou did not expect Ding Heng to praise him so highly; this was an unprecedented occurrence in the past three years, which made him feel somewhat embarrassed. As he lowered his head, he suddenly recalled a remark made by Jiang Tian and exclaimed in surprise: "What kind of person is that 'certain victory'? Why does it seem like you've seen a ghost just upon hearing that name?"
The temple was enveloped in silence, with the candlelight flickering intermittently, casting shadows on Ding Heng's face, which bore a solemn expression, as if covered by a layer of severe frost
What you mean is ... ... '' Ji Kongshou suddenly had a flash of inspiration: `` Lure the snake out of its hole! ''
Ding Heng's eyes revealed a hint of fear as he gazed out at the vast darkness of the night. After a long while, he spoke: "In the profession of assassins, being infallible is certainly not characteristic of a well-known figure. He operates discreetly, his movements are secretive, and no more than three people truly know his identity. Yet, it is precisely for this reason that he appears exceedingly terrifying, for he always lurks in the shadows while you remain in the light. The moment you show any sign of weakness, he will strike swiftly and deliver a fatal blow. According to rumors in the martial world, he has been in the assassin profession for ten years and has yet to have a record of failure, which clearly indicates that he is indeed a top figure among assassins. Since Jiang Tian has offered a hefty reward to lure him out of retirement, I fear that my future will be devoid of peaceful days."
"You... you... don't cry... remember... my words... Xuan Tie... the tortoise... is very... important... to you... you must... never... let anyone know... its whereabouts..." Ding Heng struggled to lean closer to Ji Kong's ear and said
Ji Kongshou was taken aback, having just witnessed Ding Heng's composure in defeating the enemy, he had already concluded that Ding Heng's strength was sufficient to rank among the top martial artists in the world. However, when Ding Heng mentioned Gui Ying'er, there was a hint of apprehension in his words, indicating that Gui Ying'er's terrifying nature far exceeded his own imagination
At that moment, a powerful killing intent surged against the oncoming waves of energy. Its speed was not very fast, but the momentum was formidable, and the timing was precisely when Ding Heng's old strength had been exhausted and his new strength had yet to be born
"You will be fine; just wait until dawn, and I will go fetch a doctor to see you," Ji Kongshou cried out with a trembling voice, his face filled with concern. Looking at the gaping wound on Ding Heng's shoulder, where flesh was torn and white bone was exposed, Ji Kongshou was utterly beside himself with worry.
Puff... ... Jiang Tian seemed unable to hold on any longer, and after a moment, he spat out a mist of blood and said, "Then... ... let me... ... take the lead... ... on the road to the Yellow Springs... ... awaiting your esteemed arrival... ... "
"There is no need for a mere knockdown; death is inevitable!" Ding Heng's brows were tightly furrowed, exuding an aggressive aura of killing intent
Ding Heng faced these three great masters without the slightest hint of retreat
Ding Heng let out a loud gasp, and in the surge of his blood and energy, he could not help but spurt out several mouthfuls of fresh blood, staggering as he fell to the ground
Ding Heng was quite pleased with him and, with a thoughtful expression, said: "You possess not a trace of internal energy within you, yet you are able to evade Jiang Tian's fierce attacks solely through the finesse of your footwork. This indicates your exceptional talent and strong comprehension, truly a rare martial arts genius in this world. Although there is a certain element of chance involved, many things in life are like this; as long as you take the first step, it signifies a brand new beginning"
Dante is undoubtedly an exception; he is not only a thief but also a remarkable great thief. The name of the god of thieves has spread throughout the world, which cannot be attributed to mere luck. Therefore, the ghostly figure has decided to observe the situation quietly and will not act rashly.
Jiang Tian's face had turned pale, his brows tightly knitted, clearly suffering a severe blow from this final strike, resulting in internal injuries. However, in this situation, he did not wish to lose the demeanor expected of a master, and with great effort, he held on and said: "You need not... mock... and ridicule... my... lack of skill... If you wish to kill... or to torture... do as you please."
This was also the only time he needed assistance from others to carry out the assassination, for only in this way could he be fully assured of eliminating Ding Heng, achieving a truly foolproof outcome
The ghostly figure, holding a long spear, quietly crouched in a corner under the eaves, with eyes slightly closed, appearing to be in a state of meditation. In reality, he was acutely aware of all movements within a radius of ten zhang.
Jiang Tian let out a wild laugh, and immediately, streams of fresh blood seeped from his eyes, ears, mouth, and nose as he struggled to exclaim: "No... it’s wrong!"
"No need for that, I fear keeping you waiting too long." Ding Heng smiled faintly, "You and I are separated by yin and yang, walking entirely different paths."
The ghostly figure took a deep breath and finally set in motion
The enemy clearly did not anticipate that Ding Heng's use of the knife could reach such perfection. As he slightly retreated, he saw the knife in Ding Heng's hand conjure a vast expanse of white, snowy light, enveloping the several zhang long street.
It is evident that Ding Heng channeled all the internal energy within his body into his feet to strike, causing the blood vessels to be unable to withstand such a powerful external force, resulting in a sudden rupture. The person wielding the spear witnessed all of this and, with a sinister smile, fell to the ground and died.
Regardless of the choice Ding Heng makes, in the face of this astonishing strike from a formidable enemy, he is destined for a fate of either injury or death. What Ding Heng is now striving to do is to find a way to evade this calamity at the least possible cost
A thunderous explosion erupted from beneath the carriage, sending splinters of wood flying. In the midst of the chaos, a figure shot out from under the vehicle. Ghost Shadow was taken aback and, as he attempted to retreat, felt a tightness in his throat. Then he heard the sound of bones cracking, and the last thing he saw was Ding Heng's gaze filled with compassion.
A glimmer of surprise flashed in the eyes of the three individuals simultaneously, and without hesitation, they thrust their sword light directly into the center of the blade light
In that very instant, Ding Heng raised his eyebrows, and the knife was already in motion
Ji Kongshou smiled and said, "I did not expect to evade Jiang Tian's grasp either. It was merely in a moment of urgency that I instinctively employed the skills I had practiced regularly, and by chance, I achieved great success."
Ding Heng raised his eyebrow slightly, a cold gleam flashing: "Even if he comes, I still have a chance."
Because he was convinced that Ding Heng would inevitably escape from Huaiyin, if he did not want to abandon his reputation of "killing a person for a thousand gold pieces, returning empty-handed is absolutely not an option," this was undoubtedly his last opportunity
Ding Heng suddenly felt a chill on his shoulder, and a sharp pain compelled him to roar, "Go to hell!" His hair stood on end as he shouted, and with one kick, he struck his enemy right in the solar plexus.
Ding Heng finally smiled
The dagger scraped against the shaft of the spear, producing a dazzling shower of sparks that quickly spread to the tip of the spear
That person never expected Ding Heng to be so formidable. In shock, he saw Ding Heng's foot coming up from below, and by the time he thought of changing his stance, it was already too late
Ji Kongshou tightly held his head, striving to prevent the tears from flowing out
Gui Ying'er revealed a hint of a bitter smile; at that moment, he realized that Ding Heng was not only skilled in thievery but also adept at murder
It was the third watch of the night. The ghostly figure glanced at the sky, and at that moment, a sudden sound of hoofbeats echoed from the end of the long street. Although it was still far away, in the ears of the ghostly figure, a sense of murderous intent had already arisen in the heart.
The carriage is getting closer.
At this critical moment, Ding Heng remained calm and composed.
He forcibly gathered all his strength, concentrating it on his left shoulder, and then forcefully shifted his body sideways. In a split second, the spearhead pierced directly into his left shoulder, resulting in a clean through-and-through.
ten zhang, five zhang, three zhang
Then he saw Ding Heng. In his files, Ding Heng was undoubtedly one of the exempted individuals he had designated. He had previously invested considerable effort in studying every renowned master in the martial world. To avoid returning empty-handed, he had compiled a list of individuals whom he believed he could not handle, and therefore, he did not consider any of them as targets for assassination.
"Is it just you?" Ding Heng slowly stepped forward, already standing in front of Jiang Tian
"Listening to Jiang Tian's words, the ghostly shadow is already nearby," Ji Kongshou said with concern
A carriage slowly entered his line of sight, approaching from a distance. The sound of the wheels echoed along the long street, filling the flowing air with a faint, almost imperceptible aura of menace
Hey! Ding Heng suddenly stomped his feet on the ground, leaping into the air. With a thunderous shout that resembled the sound of a thunderclap, he charged into the sword light with unmatched force
The sound of the spear piercing the air suddenly arose, like the faint rumble of wind and thunder, penetrating the void above the long street
Ding Heng leisurely released his grip on the throat of the ghostly figure, and at the moment the opponent's body crashed to the ground, he unexpectedly let out a deep sigh
Ding Heng's eyes brightened, and with a loud shout, a surge of energy suddenly erupted from his palm, sending a beam of white light shooting out to meet the spear that was flying towards him like a ferocious dragon
This is undoubtedly a wise decision and a clever way for him to ensure his enduring reputation. However, this time, after receiving the invitation from Jiang Tian, he did not inquire in advance about the details of the target, as he believed that no matter how skilled a thief might be, it would be impossible for them to escape under his watch.
Although both discarded their weapons, the effects were entirely different. Ding Heng's expertise was not in the knife, but in his hands; thus, as he abandoned the knife, his hand that once held it transformed into an iron fist, striking with a spiraling force to the chest
In a state of helplessness, he had no choice but to abandon his spear.
I... my skills are inferior to others... naturally I deserve to die... if your skills are also inferior to others... I fear you too will find it hard to escape death... Jiang Tian gasped for breath, and a strange smile flickered in his eyes
Gui Ying'er thought of this and couldn't help but feel a sense of secret relief. Because of the events that transpired that night at the God of Wealth Temple, he had hidden in the shadows and witnessed everything.
For him, seizing opportunities is always the secret to success, while choosing the right timing is the key to success. Whenever he takes on a business deal, he begins to have reservations, trying to avoid those that are particularly challenging, so as not to jeopardize the prestigious reputation he has built over ten years—foolproof.
Blood continued to bubble out, and Ding Heng's face had turned pale. Breathing heavily, his legs gave way, and he collapsed in the middle of the long street
However, at the moment of his death, he let out a cry, exerted strength with both hands, and forcefully drove the full force of his body through the spear shaft into Ding Heng's shoulder
Dante's strike caused the ghost to perish instantly, leaving his three companions without even a chance to intervene and save it; this is indeed the tragedy of the ghost
With a loud bang, he finally fell backward, lifeless.
What is wrong with you? Ji Kongshou emerged from the car, unable to contain his shock, and hurriedly ran forward to support him, nearly crying out of fear
The three individuals trembled simultaneously and were sent flying backward. Amidst the spray of blood mist, the two swordsmen were actually struck by Ding Heng's astonishing punch, resulting in their blood vessels being shattered, and they died on the spot
The sound of hissing traverses between the cyclones, at a distance of 3 zhang, which is precisely the optimal range for launching an attack with a spear and for books. The ghostly figure's desperate thrust already possesses the momentum of a lethal strike
The power of this punch left all spectators in awe, and the one who discarded the spear recognized the danger, retreating swiftly.
What Ding Heng needed was precisely this effect. Since he had made his move, his foot stepped into the empty step technique, launching three swift attacks with his elusive body movement.
A loud roar erupted, strong winds howled, and the surging air currents burst forth like flowers blooming in the center, shooting out in all directions, causing the stone slabs of the long street to vibrate with a buzzing sound
With a gasp, the two swordsmen, sensing the unfavorable momentum, drew their swords and charged from two different directions, one from the left and the other from the right.
Jiang Tian shook his head and said: "Although I am... indeed foolish... I have fallen for... your cunning... scheme... before coming here... I had... spent a considerable amount of money to... ensure that there would be no... mistakes with the ghostly figure... However, I do not... know the reason... why he... has not... arrived. Nevertheless, his... reputation has always been good... I do not... know the reason... why he... has not... arrived. Nevertheless, his... reputation has always been good... It should not... have caused me... a loss of... a fortune in... rewards..."
Just as he approached within seven feet of the carriage, his heart suddenly sank, and a sense of foreboding arose
Ding Heng stood motionless, his clothes fluttering in the strong wind, coldly gazing at Jiang Tian, who was collapsed on the ground, and said: "In the past, the Seven Clans of Jianghu in Jianghuai were formidable, and few could rival them except for the Five Gates. However, from you, I seem to see a gradual decline."
Knock, knock, knock... At the third watch, the drum sounds, the night is deep, and the long street is devoid of any traces of people. A gentle breeze passes by, adding to the solitude.
Two currents of air collided violently, suddenly giving rise to a fierce gale that swept through the entire void. The people in the river and sky were thrown backward, and in an instant, they felt a heat in their throats, spitting out a mouthful of blood mist that scattered all around.
The facts proved his judgment to be correct, and Ding Heng's martial arts skills exceeded even his own imagination. However, although Ghost Shadow watched Jiang Tian die without intervening, it did not mean he would abandon this operation. As an assassin, reputation is important, but integrity is above reputation, so he merely felt that he should endure, waiting for reinforcements to arrive
A startling scene suddenly unfolded; several small holes erupted on Ding Heng's shoulder, and blood shot out like a mist, staining his clothes red
Among these three individuals, two wield swords while one wields a spear, each complementing the other with their respective lengths, creating a harmonious balance. The spear-wielder, invigorated by the fight, suddenly thrusts the long spear through the air, the spearhead dancing chaotically, resembling the surging waves of the Yangtze River, unleashing wave after wave of furious torrents, overwhelming the sky with a deadly assault.
The timing of this strike was executed with exquisite precision, complemented by a mysterious angle and lightning-fast speed, piercing through the void and shattering the opponent's potential coordinated attack, thereby creating a situation where each fought independently