Chapter One: The Prince of the Sword Meets His End While Protecting His Master in the West Gate of Jiangheng

Urgency and speed are not the same; as the saying goes, "Haste makes waste." The true cause of failure to achieve is the desire for speed, rather than speed itself. When Jiang Heng feels anxious, it naturally reflects in his techniques. Huang Song is fully focused on him; while facial expressions and words can be feigned, one cannot fake skill. Therefore, even though it is merely a subtle psychological change, it still does not escape Huang Song's keen observation. When Jiang Heng feels anxious, it naturally reflects in his techniques. Huang Song is fully focused on him; while facial expressions and words can be feigned, one cannot fake skill. Therefore, even though it is merely a subtle psychological change, it still does not escape Huang Song's keen observation.

The young man originally felt burdened while traveling with the three, which restricted his pace. Now, only he and the youth remain. The youth, being small in stature and light in weight, allows him to carry him, and their speed suddenly increases. As they soar and dive, their movements become much more agile. Although the pursuers behind them continue to chase relentlessly, their voices grow fainter.

The young man shouted: "Father! Your son is unworthy and will take the lead. Today, I have sworn allegiance to Jiang Heng as my sworn brother, and he shall be your adopted son. The unfinished task will be carried out by him in my stead!"

Jiang Heng approached with comfort. The young man suddenly grasped his hand and said: "This sword in my chest was thrust by you. Now that I am about to die, I have an unfulfilled last wish. Can you... can you swear to fulfill it for me?"

I... I can't hold it in...

Go!

In a contest of skilled practitioners, even the slightest oversight can be the key to victory or defeat. Huang Song exclaimed inwardly, "This is bad!" In pursuit of a decisive strike, he executed his sword thrust with great speed. Coupled with Jiang Heng's swift palm technique, as soon as Huang Song's attack missed, the palm was already approaching his chest.

Brother Huang is a master of swordsmanship; why not let him offer guidance first

The people coming from behind were calling out to each other, and one after another, they followed and entered the forest

Originally, the sword was long and the arm was short. Jiang Heng attacked with a short reach against the long one; how could he possibly strike Huang Song? Huang Song was also taken aback, but wary of Jiang Heng's reputation, he could not help but sidestep. Jiang Heng seized the opportunity, stepped forward, and struck again with his second palm.

Huang Song, upon hearing this, smiled slightly, drew the long sword from his back with a reverse motion, and said: "Hehe, if I, Huang Song, were to gain a reputation without merit, how could I make the renowned 'Sword Master of Dual Excellence' Jiang Heng pay with his life?" After speaking, the long sword in his hand was already unsheathed, but he raised his right hand without lowering it, positioning the sword and his arm in a straight line, resembling a chopping motion, which appeared quite peculiar.

Jiang Heng's sudden shock was extraordinary; he hurriedly leaped forward, reaching out to draw his sword. However, in his eagerness to strike first, the force he exerted was indeed considerable, and the sword pierced through the young man's left chest, embedding itself into the tree trunk behind. The wound was close to the heart, and blood flowed profusely. If he were to pull the sword out just like that, it would likely cost the young man's life immediately.

Where to escape?

Hearing him say this, Jiang Heng felt even more guilty, yet he lacked the courage to explicitly tell him before his death that this fatal blow was indeed his own fault

The young sword tip slightly raised, it paused before that person and said: "Then let us see if the renowned 'Hua Yu Sword' Huang Song is truly deserving of his fame."

They went to the left, hurry and chase! Hurry and chase!

"Wait a moment... wow..."

Your Highness, it is all my fault, I...

***

Is it possible that he has lost too much blood and is now delirious

Jiang Heng could hardly believe his eyes; now on his chest, instead of a sword wound, there should have been a tattoo. However, all he could see was this red dragon, and nothing else. Even more astonishing was that this red dragon was actually moving slowly before his eyes

As the crowd saw the yellow smoke spreading, they all believed that the two individuals would take the opportunity to escape amidst the fog. Instead, they rushed into the yellow smoke to attack. In an instant, the sounds of killing echoed continuously, accompanied by shouts. Following that, several sharp sounds were heard as some began to shoot arrows at the two.

After running for a while, a figure suddenly dashed out from the side. The young man shouted, "Be careful!" He switched the boy from his right hand to his left, and then raised his right hand, drawing the long sword from his back. The cold light flashed as he swung it directly at the person's face.

Brother Jiang's lightness skill is truly unique, and today I, Huang, have had my eyes opened! In my opinion, Brother Jiang should not only possess the dual mastery of sword and palm; with his lightness skill, he should rightfully be considered to have three exceptional skills.

Uncertain of how long they had been walking, they faintly heard the sound of trickling water all around. Jiang Heng joyfully exclaimed, "There is water, there is water..." Supporting the young man, they continued onward. Before long, in the dim light, they discovered a meandering stream at the bottom of the valley.

One person was exhausted from the struggle, while the other was weakened from poisoning. As they attempted to walk, they found themselves lacking strength. After much effort, they finally crossed the ridge. The young man looked down and couldn't help but cry out in despair. It turned out that in their panic, they had lost their way and were completely unaware of their location.

Hehe... the dragon turns into the fourth son, the peach orchard and the pear tree bloom... The young man's pale face suddenly broke into a strange smile, which made Jiang Heng feel a chill run down his spine

Huang Song was unwilling to die inexplicably for the "task" and even more unwilling to accept that, despite having a promising future in the martial arts world, he had momentarily lost his senses and, in pursuit of fame and fortune, had brought about his own demise.

Since the past seven days and nights, you have been fleeing for your life. You are a skilled practitioner, with strong internal energy, and feel little discomfort, but do not forget, he is just a child

However, Jiang Heng did not want to listen

Huang Song praised his lightness of foot, which originally had a hint of sarcasm, but unexpectedly, he ended up being ridiculed instead. For a moment, his face turned awkward, and he forced a smile, choosing not to speak further

Nothing is happening ... ... Take this!

I will give him a swift end. His existence in this world is nothing but endless torment

"You are a hero, I... I will not become... you... you may go..."

Damn it

Jiang Heng was greatly alarmed and hurriedly crouched to avoid. The red dragon circled halfway but still came down upon him at an astonishing speed. With no way to evade, Jiang Heng could only extend his arm to block. In an instant, he felt engulfed in a sea of red light, his entire body unusually hot, almost unable to breathe. Before long, he felt dizzy and lightheaded, ultimately losing consciousness.

It turned out that Huang Song's recent fall was not a calculated move to evade the incoming sword, but rather a consequence of his internal injuries acting up. In a moment of dizziness and confusion, he felt his feet give way beneath him and inexplicably collapsed, leaving him startled by what had just transpired.

In addition to being sealed with rags and fire wax, the bamboo tube was also filled with a mixture of sulfur, saltpeter, and charcoal powder, combined with rosin, tung oil, and dry lacquer, allowing it to ignite immediately as long as the temperature permitted. Nevertheless, it is truly astonishing that this young man was able to ignite it solely with the power of his palm.

Torture? Is it the youth who is tortured? Or is it you who is tortured? Or is it your master who is tortured?

This sentence should be spoken by me to you. The young man stared intently at him with both eyes

The young man, unsure of what to do for a moment, grasped the boy's right hand and wrapped it around his own neck, carrying him to a flat area to allow him to rest properly. As he contemplated where would be best, a faint sound pierced his ears. The young man paused, slowly set the boy down, drew the long sword from his back, and turned around cautiously.

The young man sighed and said, "In fact... this... this world has long been... belongs to my imperial brother. I never expected... I never expected that for a few rumors, he... he would go to such great lengths to kill me..."

However, this time Jiang Heng did not need to use the "Three Layer Palm" to deflect his sword. He let out a loud shout, swung his right hand in a half circle, passed through the sword, and with a backhand strike, landed a solid blow on Huang Song's back. Huang Song let out a "wow" and spat out a large mouthful of fresh blood

Such a relentless flight is truly not in the character of that young man. Had it not been for his sworn determination to protect the young boy beside him at all costs, he would have likely stopped, turned around, and fought to the death with the approaching person. He secretly cursed, yet his feet did not pause; with a swift motion, he abandoned the mountain path and plunged into the forest

In a fit of rage, Jiang Heng killed Huang Song with both hands, subconsciously treating him as a scapegoat, and there was also a tendency to conceal this from the young man. However, now that the person was dead, the subsequent matters still had to be faced.

Having been exhausted for several consecutive days, coupled with the poisoning from "white phosphorus smoke," he is now extremely weak. Please spare him...

Just as the young man was about to light the third bamboo tube, he saw an arrow shot towards him. He could no longer spare a hand to grab the fire starter, so he had to hold the bamboo tube upside down, fending off the arrows shot at him by the two individuals while secretly channeling his palm energy. Suddenly, the palm of his hand gripping the bamboo tube began to emit thick smoke— the third bamboo tube had already been ignited

The person clearly did not know that he would suddenly pursue his target; there was no time to react, and the tip of the sword was already before his eye. In a moment of urgency, he lowered his body, but it was still a step too late. The young man merely tilted his wrist, and the tip of the sword grazed his right arm.

Jiang... Jiang Yingxiong... The young man had a pale face, looking weak and powerless

Given Huang Song's character during his years wandering the martial world, he should not have suddenly shifted his target in the midst of a duel, especially when he was clearly at a disadvantage, resorting to the despicable act of striking at his opponent's weak points. However, at this moment, his status had changed, and coupled with the internal injury he sustained from Jiang Heng's palm strike, he suddenly caught sight of the young man and recalled his mission. Not knowing the severity of his internal injury, every additional moment he lingered was a moment of danger. With a thought, he brandished his sword and charged directly at the young man. However, at this moment, his status had changed, and coupled with the internal injury he sustained from Jiang Heng's palm strike, he suddenly caught sight of the young man and recalled his mission. Not knowing the severity of his internal injury, every additional moment he lingered was a moment of danger. With a thought, he brandished his sword and charged directly at the young man.

With a loud thud, Jiang Heng's second palm struck heavily between Huang Song's chest and abdomen. Huang Song's body flew out like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground

My lord, you... you... will be fine...

But as soon as Huang Song's sword technique changed, the entire arena was instantly filled with sword lights and shadows. Jiang Heng secretly marveled: "I fear that even until tomorrow morning, this Huang will still find a way to unleash new sword techniques..." Gritting his teeth, he suddenly sheathed his sword behind his back and simultaneously thrust his left palm forward.

At the moment Jiang Heng succeeded, he unexpectedly forgot this significant relationship, feeling both anger and regret. He was well aware that with Huang Song's abilities, even if the young man could immediately rise and flee, he would definitely not escape that sword. At that moment, he exerted all his strength into his arm and threw the long sword in his hand forward.

Slow down... wait... just a moment...

When the sound first emerged, it was still distant. By the time the words "but don't forget" were spoken, footsteps accompanied it, and a figure had already appeared before the young man.

Master? He is indeed the current sovereign...

A Miao! A Miao!

The young man quickly unfastened a small porcelain bottle from his waist, poured out two black pills, and stuffed them into the boy's mouth. Just as he was about to return the porcelain bottle to his waist, he hesitated for a moment, then poured out two more and swallowed them himself

I can no longer go; you should go by yourself

At this moment, Jiang Heng rushed over in a huff, and it was evident that something was amiss. However, he suddenly collapsed to the ground, indicating that his injuries were quite severe. As he managed to draw a breath to his dantian, his entire lower abdomen felt as if it were being pierced by thousands of small knives simultaneously, rendering him utterly powerless.

When Jiang Heng saw Huang Song charging directly towards him with the tip of his sword, he thought to himself: "The Huashan Sword Technique indeed has some merit." He let out a low shout, channeling his internal energy, causing the long sword in his hand to vibrate, producing a humming sound.

The young man, filled with rage, rushed in front of him and shouted, "Get lost!" He kicked him down the mountain.

The young man suddenly awakened, urging Jiang Heng to help him into the cave, his tone somewhat urgent

"If the wind changes direction..." the young man whispered to the boy, "You must hold your breath immediately, and absolutely do not inhale the yellow smoke." As he spoke, he threw the bamboo tube in his hand forward and casually lit a second tube.

No!

Jiang Heng wore an awkward expression and thought to himself: "So he knows." Feeling both embarrassed and ashamed, he said: "If the prince has any unfulfilled wishes, as long as I have breath in me, I will certainly do my utmost to fulfill them"

The young man first allowed the boy to rest for a while before speaking: "It is getting dark; it is not advisable to stay here for long. We must find a place to spend the night."

Brother Huang, are you tired

Jiang Heng carefully pulled the young man down from the tree trunk, allowing him to carry a long sword that was sheathed across his body, and they walked down the slope together

Huang Songdao said, "I hope Brother Jiang will provide guidance..." The sword technique was suddenly swift, and before he finished speaking, he had already thrust out more than ten swords. Jiang Heng initially dodged left and right, but soon managed to counter with a few strikes. Upon seeing this, Huang Song's attacks became even faster, and in a short time, he had changed his sword technique three times; however, Jiang Heng's movements were peculiar, and even though he could not defend against the sword techniques, the blade still could not reach him.

Huang Song struggled to rise to his feet. He had no enmity with Jiang Heng, and there was not even a hint of resentment or jealousy between them. Both had gained fame early in their respective martial arts careers, dominating their own territories. Given that they were of similar age, it would not have been surprising if they had become close friends, were it not for the presence of the young prince before them

Jiang Heng complied. He found a stone near the cave entrance for him to sit down.

The young man was named Jiang Heng. In addition to the title "Dual Mastery of Sword and Palm," he was also referred to as "Yin Sword and Yang Palm." This description highlights his swordsmanship as soft and agile, while his palm techniques are strong and powerful. These two distinctly different martial arts paths should theoretically have opposing internal cultivation methods. However, it was unexpected that in his case, one could observe a remarkable balance of both strength and gentleness, with an extraordinary level of power.

The young man set his sword aside, grasped the collar of his garment with both hands, and pulled it apart, revealing his snow-white chest. Jiang Heng noticed that a blue dragon was tattooed on his chest, fierce in appearance and vividly lifelike. Upon closer inspection, he saw that the dragon's eyes were faintly tinged with red, and soon its entire body turned red, transforming into a red dragon

To my surprise, Jiang Heng not only did not evade, but actually shouted loudly, following up with a strike of his left palm, seemingly intending to confront the sharp sword directly with his flesh palm

Brother Huang, as the saying goes, a sword should be light and agile. Your sword is indeed light, but unfortunately, your body is not light enough, which is somewhat regrettable. If your sword had a spirit, it would likely be unwilling to follow you.

Huang Song has something to say, perhaps it is a plea for mercy, perhaps it is not, or maybe he just wants to negotiate some terms or establish a rapport.

Before he could finish his words, three or four people rushed out from the side. The young man no longer evaded; he extended his long sword, pointing it at the three. In just a few moves, two of them cried out loudly, their weapons falling to the ground. The remaining one shouted in panic: "Shoot! Shoot! It doesn't matter if we live or die!"

The young man was startled and thought, "Could it be that the antidote is ineffective for him?" He checked his pulse again, but found it to be erratic, alternating between fast and slow, clearly indicating signs of poisoning

"Polite, polite..." Huang Song said this, but in his heart he thought: "You want me to make the first move, but you've miscalculated." He slightly turned his body, leaning his right shoulder further back, and shouted: "I beg your pardon!" His figure darted forward, heading straight for Jiang Heng's door.

I ... ... I ... ...

Caution! This smoke is toxic

Huang Song pondered to himself: "No matter how formidable a person's martial arts may be, the principle that strength is divided and thus weakened is absolutely unchangeable. Therefore, although Jiang Heng is reputed to be a master of both sword and palm, it is possible that his overall martial prowess surpasses mine, but in terms of swordsmanship alone, he cannot possibly exceed me. " He observed Jiang Heng's calm demeanor and bright, piercing eyes, and thought again: "I must launch a fierce attack with my sword techniques, leaving him no opportunity to catch his breath, forcing him to engage me solely with his sword. As long as he does not relinquish the sword in his hand, my chances of winning remain substantial.

Arrived? Here?

In fact, those rumors are not entirely unfounded

This is the last sentence of Huang Song's life. However, he was never able to utter it, but that is no longer important

Only a few people were seen rushing out from the yellow smoke, panicked and disoriented, directly towards the young man. The young man kicked them one by one, sending them down the mountain.

Jiang Heng was not only captivated by the scene before him, but he was also completely at a loss regarding the boy's words. Just as he was about to ask a question, he suddenly heard the boy shout loudly, and the red dragon on his chest unexpectedly detached from his body and flew straight towards him.

The youth understands that the young man is helpless in love, yet he cannot help but say: "Don't abandon him! Don't abandon him..."

Thus, after over a hundred exchanges, Huang Song's right hand became increasingly numb and sore. Suddenly, he executed a move, but surprisingly, it failed to reach the intended position. In a duel between masters, how could there be even the slightest mistake? Jiang Heng seized the opportunity and thrust his sword forward. Huang Song hurriedly changed his stance and shifted positions, altering his direction thirteen times before finally stabilizing his situation, yet he was drenched in cold sweat.

"Everyone has their own aspirations; there is no need for you to speak with sarcasm." The figure stepped out from the shade of the trees, revealing a man in his thirties: "Look at yourself; what kind of person are you? Is it worth sacrificing your life for someone unrelated to you?"

A voice shouted from behind: "Lord Huang has arrived, quickly! Sound the cannon!"

The young man beside the boy swiftly lifted him up, kicked out a leg, and sent the towering Amiao aside to prevent him from obstructing their path.

Hahaha ... ... Fate ... ... Fate ... ...

Jiang Heng was taken aback, unsure why he suddenly spoke such words

At this moment, the yellow smoke began to take effect, and one could hear the chaotic sounds of people and horses in the forest ahead, scattering in all directions, accompanied by the wailing cries, warning shouts, and curses that rose and fell, incessantly filling the air

With a great enemy at hand, Jiang Heng had no time to continue focusing his attention on the young man. After briefly dismissing the youth with a few words, he immediately turned to look for Huang Song. Upon turning back, he saw Huang Song kneeling on one knee, one hand propping his sword against the ground, while the other hand clutched his chest, appearing to be in considerable pain

After a fierce battle, both sides deeply admired each other's martial arts skills. Jiang Heng thought to himself that with only seven or eight hundred exchanges, it was unlikely that a victor would emerge. However, the issue was that he still had someone to take care of, and the longer the delay, the more unfavorable it would be for him.

The bamboo tube is approximately half a foot long, with one end featuring a bamboo node and the other end covered with a cloth piece sealed with wax at the cut. Its appearance is quite peculiar. The young man bites down on the bamboo node end, freeing his right hand to light a fuse, and then ignites a flame at the other end of the bamboo tube

Jiang Heng made up his mind and decided to reveal his cards early, channeling all his internal strength into the sword. Suddenly, the two swords clashed, producing a resounding "clang" and scattering sparks.

Behind the man who fell to the ground after being shot, there were two individuals following him. One was approximately twenty-five or twenty-six years old, dressed in tight-fitting attire, agile in movement, and was a robust young man. The other was about twelve or thirteen years old, clad in brocade and adorned with a belt, slender and frail, yet a handsome youth with bright eyes and white teeth.

"Alright, just your words are enough." After saying this, he closed his eyes and began to chant softly. Jiang Heng saw that he seemed to be reciting a mantra for his own rebirth, and a wave of sorrow surged in his heart. Unexpectedly, after a short while, the young man suddenly opened his eyes, gripped the hilt of the sword with both hands, and slowly drew it out. Jiang Heng was taken aback and took a step back.

At that moment, a long sound of "whoosh" erupted behind, shooting straight into the sky, bursting into a cloud of sparks and smoke above the heads of the crowd

Huang Song, feeling slighted, was quite angry. Resolutely, he thrust the tip of his sword towards the palm of his opponent. However, strangely enough, just as the sword was about to pierce his palm, the tip suddenly trembled erratically. In that moment, Huang Song was unable to control his aim, and the sword tip grazed the outer edge of Jiang Heng's palm.

The youth advanced with unstoppable momentum, leading the young ones onward with the force of the wind as they continued their ascent up the mountain. Occasionally, there were scattered pursuers, but as soon as the youth detected them, he would immediately turn back and engage in battle. Thus, they fought and retreated, and it was unclear how much time had passed when the sounds from behind gradually faded, ultimately leaving no trace of anyone.

In the midst of the conversation, faint voices could be heard coming from afar. Jiang Heng said: "The pursuers are coming, we should leave first"

Damn it, that little brat actually released poisonous gas... cough... cough...

"Do not be afraid, I still have a secret weapon..." The young man comforted the boy while sheathing his sword and taking out a section of bamboo tube from his bosom

In just this brief delay, the surrounding forest was already faintly filled with voices. The young man changed color in alarm, trembling all over, and tightly grasped the left arm of the young man beside him

Since ancient times, the sons and grandsons of emperors have continuously staged various dramas of fratricide and bloodshed in their struggle for the throne. However, at this moment, Jiang Heng was unwilling to dampen the spirits of the youth, merely stating: "I do not know who has slandered the Emperor with such malicious words, misleading the public; they truly deserve to die a thousand deaths"

Your Highness, he is no longer capable, do not concern yourself with him

The first palm strike was a feint, and Huang Song cautiously evaded it. That was acceptable, but when the second palm strike from Jiang Heng still came down in mid-air, Huang Song couldn't help but think: "If he is merely bluffing and I keep retreating, won't that make me the laughingstock?" With a tilt of the sword tip, he advanced to meet it.

The young man said: "There is still a chance to fight, don't lose heart..."

Although Huang Song was startled, he could not help but feel a surge of competitive spirit. With a pivot on his toes, he executed a backhand strike towards Jiang Heng. Jiang Heng parried with a sword and remarked, "So it is, this swordplay is quite impressive!"

It turns out that Jiang Heng's three strikes are known as "Three Layered Waves," which means he can consecutively unleash three strikes while accumulating the power of these strikes together to release them in a combined form. This is considered a superior martial art in the martial world. However, although this technique is powerful, it requires a fixed direction, making it appear clumsy in combat. Additionally, the internal energy required is substantial, so Jiang Heng does not use it frequently

He vowed to achieve at least this minimum effort. Therefore, despite feeling lost, he pressed on courageously all the way forward

As the young man fled for his life, he was extremely afraid of being caught. Now, with his life hanging by a thread, perhaps realizing his lack of fortune, he surprisingly became magnanimous.

The sky gradually darkened all around. Although they had managed to evade their pursuers, they found themselves in another predicament. However, Jiang Heng could no longer afford to think about so much; if he left the young man unattended, in a bid for credit, his head would surely be taken by the incoming party

A Miao! A Miao!

Huang Song was in a state of panic, beads of sweat covering his forehead. Indeed, Jiang Heng came at him without a word, striking directly with a palm. With no other choice, Huang Song refrained from using his internal energy, raising the tip of his sword to directly meet the incoming strike.

Jiang Heng, known for his dual mastery of the sword, can handle any confrontation with ease, regardless of whether he wields a weapon. Using the sword as a hidden weapon is commonplace for him, and he possesses a certain level of skill in it. The blade silently rotated half a turn in mid-air, its tip precisely aimed at Huang Song's back.

No matter how thick your palm strength is or how strong your finger strength may be, it is absolutely impossible for you to hold my sword, Huang Song, with just one hand

This sword shall serve as your magical instrument

Huang Song spoke lightly, but his hands were quite heavy. It became clear that although Jiang Heng was anxious, with the advantage of internal strength, he might not even have to wait for him to show a flaw before he himself would be defeated due to exhaustion of energy

In order to prevent Jiang Heng from being distracted, Huang Song wielded his sword with remarkable speed, leading to a series of moves that intertwined seamlessly, with each strike connecting to the next, leaving no attack fully executed. Jiang Heng, not to be outdone, responded with equal fervor, countering every move and maneuvering throughout the arena as if he barely touched the ground.

The two individuals were originally fleeing along the rugged mountain path with the man who had just fallen to the ground after being shot. When the man collapsed, the young boy could not help but call out to him, his voice filled with sorrow and choked with emotion

The young man did not respond, exerting force beneath his feet, and his body shot forward like a flying arrow. With a "whoosh" sound, two feathered arrows shot in from the left rear, grazing past the young man's ears

However, Huang Song is not someone to be easily dealt with. He is a disciple of the Huashan Sword Sect, the foremost sect of the world's swordsmanship. At just over thirty years of age, he has already been acclaimed as the foremost figure of Huashan, which speaks volumes about his mastery of sword techniques

Unexpectedly, as Jiang Heng made way, the youth leaning against the tree behind him suddenly came into Huang Song's view

The young man spoke to himself, laughing and crying, and finally shook his head, saying: "It's too late, too late..."

According to Jiang Heng's original intention, he wanted the young man to rest in the dilapidated temple, which also implied arranging a place for him to find peace. However, when he arrived at the temple entrance, he realized that it was not a dilapidated temple at all, but rather a cave that resembled a temple in its exterior.

The young man hurriedly stopped, looking around anxiously. Gritting his teeth, he changed direction and ran towards a slope nearby. The slope was steep and the grass was tall, with the terrain rugged. Although the young man was skilled in lightness techniques, carrying another person while running for an extended period was quite exhausting. After a few ups and downs, his strength was considerably diminished.

Despicable

An arrow shot out diagonally from the forest on the right, making a "whoosh" sound as it struck the man's right arm ahead. The man let out a muffled groan and fell to the left.

Huang Song saw Jiang Heng standing still, neither moving his feet nor raising his hands. With just a flick of the sword tip, it split into four, pointing to the four major acupoints on his own chest. Unable to contain himself, he exclaimed, "What excellent swordsmanship!" It turned out that his chest was wide open, intentionally inviting his opponent to strike first, while he had long prepared several counterattacks to ensnare his opponent. Unexpectedly, Jiang Heng neither advanced nor retreated, forcing Huang Song to change his move with a single strike.

The young man heard it from a distance and muttered to himself, "Oh no!" Gathering his true energy, he exerted all his strength to rush forward. Initially, he had been fleeing for his life, yet he still reserved some energy to confront his enemy in close combat. However, at this moment, he had a change of heart.

Jiang Heng returned to the young man, his heart racing with fear. He saw that the young man had lost so much blood that his lips had turned pale. Jiang Heng hurriedly extended his fingers to seal the acupoints around the wound, but the wound was a deep puncture; even stitching it might not be timely. What use was it to merely seal the acupoints?

Although the young man was still quite young, he sensed that the situation was dire and trembled as he spoke: "Jiang... Jiang Y hero has been caught up by them. What... what should we do?"

A sound of "hiss" was heard, and sparks erupted from the bamboo tube. Then, as the sparks extinguished, a thick plume of yellow smoke surged forth. At that time, the wind was blowing upward from the mountainside, and the yellow smoke billowed into the forest on the slope.

We have arrived, help me inside... help me inside..." the young man said weakly

The young man appeared dazed, continuing weakly, "It's just... they... they got the direction wrong... it's entirely not... not the way it is..."

Oh, I forgot, you are already an official. How is it? The taste of being a court official is quite nice, isn't it? Not only can you bully others with your power, but you can also engage in corruption and bribery. You have pursued wealth and honor all your life, and now it can be considered a dream come true, right

What Jiang Heng can do now is to maintain the dignity he had before his death, and then ensure a proper burial for his whole body

Just as the moment seemed to drag on, in an instant, at the very moment the sword tip was about to pierce Huang Song's back, he suddenly bent down and fell. The sword blade swept swiftly past him from behind, ultimately striking the young man squarely in the chest.

As Huang Song felt a jolt from the sword strike, he experienced a sudden numbness and soreness in his right hand. He was both astonished and delighted; astonished by the remarkable mastery of internal energy displayed by Jiang Heng, which was rare in the world, and delighted that Jiang Heng could no longer restrain himself, becoming overly eager for achievement.

Help! I am blind! I can't see!

In the face of a mysterious opponent surrounded by rampant rumors in the martial world, Huang Song did not dare to be negligent in the slightest. Although the two were not strangers, their acquaintance was merely a nodding one; when it came to actual confrontation, this was their first encounter.

The young man suddenly laughed, feeling a bit stronger than before. However, Jiang Heng thought to himself: "This is bad, this is a fleeting moment of clarity..."

Jiang Heng is now in complete disarray. He has been entrusted with the task of ensuring the safety of this young man to a certain destination. If he exhausts all his efforts yet still falls short, then he can accept that he has done his utmost; however, if he were to end up causing the young man's death himself, that would be an immense injustice.

The young man composed himself and led the boy down the mountain. Just a few steps in, the boy slipped and rolled down the slope. The young man was startled and quickly leaped forward to catch him. Upon seeing the boy's complexion, he was taken aback and hurriedly asked, "Your Highness, how are you feeling?"

Now, the concerns and reservations are not limited to Jiang Heng alone. However, despite their differing reasons, both individuals share a common direction, which is: "swift resolution"

The person let out a loud cry and rolled down the slope with a clatter. His companions, upon hearing his anguished shout, simultaneously yelled, "Here it is! Here it is! They have gone up the slope!" Following that, two sharp sounds of whistles echoed as two more signal rockets were fired.

The young man made up his mind, focused and undistracted, running even faster. Before long, he had gradually left the others far behind. Just as he was feeling pleased, unexpectedly, another firecracker was set off, surprisingly close ahead.

I feel very dizzy ... ... "The young man looked dazed and said: "There are butterflies flying everywhere in the sky, red ones, white ones, blue ones ... ... all colors ... ... "

Unexpectedly, this time, due to the two individuals' desire for a swift resolution, both employed risky tactics, which inadvertently created favorable conditions for him in both subjective and objective terms. Although it requires considerable effort to use an intangible palm force to repel a tangible sword blade, and the effect is limited, what Jiang Heng sought was merely that three and a half inches of deviation

Suddenly, with a long sound of "whoosh," a firecracker was pulled from the ground into the air. With a "bang," it exploded in the sky, producing a tremendous noise that echoed through the valley, resonating endlessly.

The young man felt a sense of relief, but suddenly his hand became heavy as the youth's legs gave way, seemingly about to kneel down. Startled, the young man quickly supported him and simultaneously checked his pulse. Noticing the youth's pale complexion, he asked, "Have you inhaled the poisonous smoke?"

Jiang Heng was somewhat puzzled; what was even more strange was that the stream flowing beneath his feet was actually gushing out from a cave.

Jiang Heng was overjoyed and took the young man to drink water. However, the young man was in a daze, breathing heavily and unable to take in enough air, on the verge of death at any moment; how could he still drink water? Jiang Heng could only sip a few mouthfuls himself. Glancing ahead, he noticed what seemed to be a dilapidated temple hidden among the trees, and thought to himself: "That must be the place." Supporting the young man, he made his way toward the ruined temple.

Under the immense pressure of Huang Song's powerful grip, he indeed could not maintain his composure. Jiang Heng seized the opportunity, and the situation was instantly reversed. Huang Song, aside from exclaiming "Not good," had no other recourse; seeing that there was no way to evade, he instinctively raised his left palm, channeling his internal energy, and countered.

For many years, there have been numerous individuals in the martial arts world who have shown great interest in his skills of Yin Sword and Yang Palm. Whether through indirect inquiries or covert investigations, they all wish to catch a glimpse of the essence. Unfortunately, not to mention probing for secrets, even the origins of Jiang Heng's teachings have become a matter of various conflicting rumors, and he himself seems to have appeared out of thin air.

With a loud thud, Huang Song felt as if his internal organs had turned over. His left arm's bones creaked and groaned, almost breaking on the spot. However, despite his defeat, he remained composed; having received this blow, his right hand wielding the sword had enough room to counter. Jiang Heng used the force to retreat and dodged this sword strike