Chapter 5: The Change of Ownership of Rare Treasures (1)

With a clang, at the moment when the person was in mid-air, he finally seized the opportunity to draw his sword. As the sword tip quivered, it was as if countless cold rays of light descended from the sky, enveloping every vital point of Ding Heng's body.

Jiang Tian stepped back in shock, seemingly not expecting that Ding Heng not only had exquisite techniques but also possessed internal strength superior to his own. Suddenly, he realized he had made a mistake; he should not have come alone.

Each of his strikes seemed to emanate a powerful force, possessing an inward-drawing capability akin to a vortex. In their initial exchanges, the two engaged in rapid attacks, their figures moving back and forth, enough to dazzle the onlookers. After ten moves, Jiang Tian felt as if a soft yet persistent force had latched onto his sword, making it impossible for him to strike as swiftly as before.

The situation in the battle has become very clear, with Ding Heng completely taking the initiative. However, what surprised Jiang Tian was that Ding Heng, who could have easily disarmed him and forced him to abandon his sword, did not do so.

At that moment, Ding Heng made his move, darting towards Jiang Tian like a flash of lightning

"You need not thank me; I have merely done what I ought to do." Ding Heng patted him on the shoulder, "Although we are about to part ways, I can still do one more thing for you."

Ji Kongshou felt a deep sense of sadness in his heart as he detected a paternal affection in his words, and he choked out, "I will certainly remember your teachings"

No deception towards the young or the old, and it can be exchanged for a genuine item. It is indeed the Xuan Tie Gui!" Ding Heng declared proudly: "Under the heavens, apart from you and me, no one will ever know its whereabouts again.

Ting Heng's eyes seemed to glisten with tears as he gazed deeply at Ji Kongshou, offering a faint smile: "Given the circumstances, I can no longer assist you. From now on, everything will depend solely on you. However, I must tell you that whether you can successfully decipher the Xuan Tie Gui does not depend on your wisdom, but rather on your fortune. If heaven has destined you not to lead an ordinary life, then it will surely bestow its favor upon you. Otherwise, it would be best for you to forget everything that has happened over the past three years and live your life in peace and stability."

With a sharp sound, Jiang Tian's hand grasped at emptiness, and the shock in his heart was extraordinary. In a moment of hesitation, his long sword spun in response, directly pursuing the back of Ji Kongshou.

Ji Kongshou, upon hearing this, felt as if he were enveloped in a fog, utterly confused; he simply thought that all of this was too absurd

Ding Heng did not seem to be startled by Jiang Tian's sudden appearance; in his view, what was meant to come would eventually arrive. Rather than arriving late, it was better to come early, to settle this enmity, allowing him to return to Bashu with ease.

Ji Kongshou knew that his decision was final, and he nodded slightly, saying: "Although we do not have the title of master and disciple, in my heart, I have always regarded you as both a father and a teacher. May I, at the moment of your departure, have the honor to call you that?"

As the sword edge of Jiang Tian remained suspended in the void, he suddenly felt a powerful force blocking the angle of his sword's advance. However, Jiang Tian had no other choice but to gather his strength and forcefully cut in.

Ji Kongshou remained silent, feeling a deeper sense of loss within. He could only sense that his fervent ambitions would ultimately drift away like flowing water, forever confined to the mundane world, toiling daily for basic sustenance, leading a life of mediocrity and ultimately settling for a life unfulfilled.

Ah... Ji Kongshou clearly also saw the danger within and couldn't help but exclaim

Ding Heng was momentarily baffled, seemingly unaware of the true intent behind Jiang Tian's move. However, when he saw the direction in which Jiang Tian was retreating, he couldn't help but be taken aback.

A surge of anger suddenly arose between Jiang Tian's eyebrows, and he coldly laughed, saying: "You need not hold yourself in such high regard. Although you bear the title of 'God of Thieves', in the end, you are merely a thief. I, Jiang Tian, can take you down single-handedly!"

Ding Heng smiled, suddenly raised his hand, spread his five fingers, and waved them in front of his eyes

In fact, with the Xuan Tie Gui, you should stay and help me. With the combined intellect of the two of us, we stand a better chance of unraveling the secrets within the Xuan Tie Gui. Seeing that Ding Heng remained silent, Ji Kongshou quickly sought a reason that could not be dismissed, hoping to persuade Ding Heng to stay.

Boom... Boom... The sword palm intertwined several times in an instant, stirring up an inexplicable airflow that swept across the void. As Ding Heng's palm shadows danced, they neutralized Jiang Tian's fierce onslaught one by one

It was not until this moment that Ji Kongshou realized that the three seemingly useless skills he had always deemed ineffective actually exhibited various remarkable effects in real combat

"It is quite normal for you not to understand this," Ding Heng said with a smile upon seeing his bewildered expression. "In fact, even I cannot fully comprehend it. The reason I hold you in such regard may be what people refer to as fate. However, I firmly believe that with my extensive experience in assessing people, I will not be mistaken about you. Therefore, over the past three years, I have not only imparted some skills to you but also, after careful planning, successfully stole these two black iron turtles from the headquarters of the Caobang just half a month ago."

Ding Heng observed this and said leisurely, "If I were to say that the Xuan Tie Turtle is currently in my possession, would you believe it?"

He was unable to act of his own accord, while Ding Heng seemed to be doing so intentionally, as if he were deliberately practicing the essence of these three exquisite moves. Ji Kong, the unarmed man, stood in the corner, and although he felt the force cutting into his skin like a sharp blade, he widened his eyes and carefully observed every move Ding Heng made, every response he executed, and a hint of joy involuntarily appeared on his face

Jiang Tianwei paused in contemplation, his expression suddenly changing, and he exclaimed: "Are you referring to the number five ... ... "

Thus, he did not hesitate; first, he used the Seven Swords to divert Ding Heng's attention, then he employed sword energy to slow Ding Heng's advance, and finally, he swiftly reached out to seize Ji Kongshou!

Ding Heng looked at him affectionately as he tucked the black iron turtle into his bosom, and advised, "This black iron turtle is of great importance; you must not let a second person know about it. If you truly cannot decipher it, then hide it in a secret place for future generations to discover. Remember this well."

As the sound faded, a middle-aged man suddenly appeared at the temple gate, dressed in a scholar's robe, his figure flickering like a ghost. Amidst the fluttering of his garments, he had already come to a halt two zhang away from Ding Heng.

Ji Kongshou slowly took the black iron turtle from Ding Heng's hands, carefully examining it for a long time, and said: "Where does it come from? How did you obtain it?"

This may seem like a coincidence, but for Ji Kongshou, these footwork techniques have been practiced countless times, to the point of being so proficient that no thought is required. When Jiang Tian made his move, it was entirely instinctive; he naturally executed the footwork of the Jian Kong step.

The Xuan Tie Gui is a secret of our Cao Gang that has never been disclosed; historically, only the leader of our gang is privy to this knowledge. How did you come by this information?" Jiang Tian was constantly pondering this question, unable to find an answer, which is why he could not help but ask.

He is merely a small rogue. Although he has not committed many wrongdoings, he also seldom engages in virtuous deeds. He simply follows his own standards of good and evil to earn a living. He is not foolish; among a group of rogues, he might even be considered exceptionally clever. However, he cannot comprehend why someone like him, who sometimes even looks down on himself, would have Ding Heng invest three years of effort in him.

Although Ding Heng's face remained impassive, he felt a deep reluctance in his heart. After all, they had spent three years together. Despite their frequent bickering and fighting, their bond was as deep as that of a father and son, making it difficult to part ways in such a short time

At the critical moment, Ding Heng's hand suddenly cut into the sword light of Jiang Tian. With a single strike, Jiang Tian felt his arm grow heavy, as a tremendous force surged through the sword like an electric current, nearly causing him to lose grip on his weapon

Suddenly, a loud shout rang out, and Jiang Tian twisted his body, breaking free from Ding Heng's control like a venomous snake, and lunged towards the window.

This was his first time seeing the Xuan Tie Turtle, and he was completely unable to discern its authenticity. However, for some reason, at first glance, he believed it must be real, as if there were some profound principle guiding him in the dark.

Thank you! Ji Kongshou understood his meaning and sincerely expressed it

However, Ding Heng remained calm amidst the chaos. Even when the sword's edge was pressed within a foot of him, his body erupted with an unparalleled vitality, forcefully shifting three feet to the side. This change not only left Ji Kongshou dumbfounded, but also shocked Jiang Tian. He felt as if his eyes had blurred, and Ding Heng's body had shifted from one space to another, causing his astonishing sword strike to pierce into the void. This change not only left Ji Kongshou dumbfounded, but also shocked Jiang Tian. He felt as if his eyes had blurred, and Ding Heng's body had shifted from one space to another, causing his astonishing sword strike to pierce into the void.

Ding Heng let out a sound of "oh," his face showing a hint of disdain: "You think you can bully the weak with your numbers? That's not possible! After all, you can only come alone. The secret of the Xuan Tie Turtle is of great importance; the fewer people who know, the safer it is. Am I right, Chief Jiang?"

Jiang Tian was greatly alarmed, and his entire body retreated rapidly like an arrow shot backward. In a flash, his back collided with a wall behind him. However, Jiang Tian used the force of this impact to propel himself upward, soaring over Ding Heng's head like a great bird

Ding Heng did not dare to be careless. As the sword energy approached, his figure began to move, stepping with a very peculiar footwork, sometimes advancing, sometimes retreating, perfectly creating a contrasting rhythm with Jiang Tian's sword momentum. However, his footwork was clearly half a beat faster, allowing him to always evade at the very moment the sword edge swept by.

A cold light burst from Ding Heng's eyes, directly piercing Ji Kong's face, and said: "Indeed, the Xuan Tie Gui has reached your hands, which means it is time for us to part ways. If you can obtain what you desire from this Xuan Tie Gui, then you will be able to step into the martial world and carve out a territory that belongs to you."

You ... ... '' Ding Heng was filled with rage, not expecting that the esteemed leader of the Cang Gang would actually resort to violence against a defenseless young man! Jiang Tian did not wish to act in this manner, but he had no better options left. He had discerned that Ding Heng cared deeply for that young man; only by capturing him could he leverage the situation to threaten Ding Heng, thus giving him a chance to leave this place with the Xuan Tie Gui.

No, you are mistaken. In fact, we are friends, true friends. If I were not burdened with pressing matters, I would certainly stay to help you unravel the mystery of the Xuan Tie Gui. However, I believe in your fortune; you will surely be able to solve the mystery of the Xuan Tie Gui and enter the realm of martial arts that belongs to you. " Ding Heng smiled slightly, hoping that his words would inspire Ji Kongshou's confidence.

As soon as he appeared, a palpable aura of murderous intent emanated from him, swiftly spreading throughout the temple hall. Ji Kongshou clearly could not withstand the onslaught of this killing aura, and in a moment of breathlessness, he retreated to the corner of the wall

Is that so? Then look, what is this? Ding Heng's hand slightly waved in the air, and when it was opened again, there were already two black iron turtles the size of eggs.

With a gasp, Ji Kongshou originally shrank into the corner, but as he saw Jiang Tian's large hand reaching out, his foot swiftly lifted and stepped forward, causing his body to shift diagonally about one foot.

Of course I don't believe it! Ji Kongshou blurted out, as it was simply too incredible.

Ji Kongshou looked on with skepticism, focusing on Ding Heng's hands. He saw two black iron turtles, their bodies entirely dark black, which from a distance appeared almost indistinguishable from reality. Upon closer inspection, their textured scales, heads, limbs, mouths, and eyes were all intricately carved, lifelike and vivid, evoking admiration for the creator's extraordinary craftsmanship and exquisite skill

He possessed no internal strength, merely walking like an ordinary person, yet inadvertently employed the footwork of the Void Step, narrowly avoiding the large hand of Jiang Tian.

Unintentionally, Jiang Tian caught sight of Ji Kongshou hiding in the corner. When he noticed the hint of surprise in Ji Kongshou's eyes, he suddenly understood

Ji Kongshou could no longer contain his curiosity and asked, "Who exactly is he? Is it possible that your purpose in coming here is solely to search for the Xuan Tie Turtle?"

Ding Heng seemed to have guessed the question he was about to ask, and with a faint smile, he said: "It has been missing from the world for some time now. The last time it appeared, it was still in the hands of the Wuyue Sword Sect. Counting from then, it has been fifty years, but although the Wuyue Sword Sect is powerful, unfortunately, it did not possess it for long before it was taken away by someone through despicable means, and since then, its whereabouts have remained unknown. However, the person who seized the Xuan Tie Gui did not consider the ancient saying: 'If one wishes for something to remain unknown, one must not do it oneself.' Their evil deeds still fell under the gaze of one person, and the one who brought me here happens to know this secret.

Ding Hengdao: "The Cangbang may appear fearsome in the eyes of others, but in my eyes, Ding Heng, it is merely a paper tiger, nothing to be concerned about. The reason it took me three years to obtain the Xuan Tie Gui is twofold: first, Jiang Tian is a cunning and shrewd individual who hid the Xuan Tie Gui in an unexpected location; second, I had to wait until your skills were fully developed before I could retrieve it and hand it over to you. If I acted too early, it would cause unnecessary trouble"

Ji Kongshou felt a sudden surge of fear in his heart, for he knew well that this Caobang, like Fan Kuai's Wuqiao Gate, belonged to the Seven Gangs, with influence spread across the Jianghuai region, and was a rather notorious association. Ding Heng provoking them was akin to pulling teeth from the mouth of a tiger, an exceptionally perilous endeavor

Ji Kongshou's eyes suddenly brightened, and the light in his gaze pierced through the void, seemingly establishing a faint and elusive telepathic connection with the Xuan Tie Turtle in an instant

"What? Are you saying that this Xuan Tie Gui was stolen for me?" Ji Kongshou did not expect that something so coveted by martial artists across the world would so easily belong to him. Thinking of the unparalleled martial arts hidden within the Xuan Tie Gui, he felt an uncontrollable excitement in his heart. However, he also recalled that this item had changed hands several times, yet no one had been able to unravel its mysteries. He presumed he would not be an exception, and thus a sense of loss and melancholy arose within him, as if he had entered a treasure mountain only to return empty-handed.

I think most of your efforts have been in vain. " Ji Kongshou turned the black iron turtle in his hand, saying to himself with little confidence. Thinking back on the days spent with Ding Heng over the past three years, he couldn't help but feel a bit sad: "Are you really going to leave?"

As Jiang Tian was about to approach the window, he suddenly flicked his arm, the tip of his sword striking the window frame, quickly bending like a bowstring. Then, using this force of the flick, he flipped in mid-air and landed behind Ding Heng.

However, it is already too late for all of this. A moment in time may pass in the blink of an eye, but in the eyes of a master, it is more than enough to accomplish what needs to be done, and Ding Heng is undoubtedly such a master

Want to leave? It's not that easy!" Ding Heng snorted coldly, his hands crossed in a swift motion, resembling a fierce eagle swooping down from a high mountain, aiming to seize Jiang Tian's back.

The originally dim light of the Caishen Temple seemed to brighten considerably with the appearance of the Xuan Tie Turtle, as a spark of excited fervor flickered simultaneously in the eyes of Ji Kongshou and Ding Heng, casting their reflections upon these two Xuan Tie Turtles that have long been renowned in the martial world

Jiang Tian's heart seemed to have fallen into an endless abyss

Ji Kongshou was momentarily taken aback, just about to speak, when he saw Ding Heng's face darken. He shouted towards the door, "Since Chief Jiang has arrived, why not come in for a discussion? Standing outside in such a sneaky manner to eavesdrop on others' conversations is hardly the conduct one would expect from a leader of a gang, is it?"

It is not difficult to steal something from your hands, nor does it require any sophisticated means. Chief Jiang's statement seems to imply an intention to elevate himself. Ding Heng appears to deliberately provoke Jiang Tian, thus his words are damaging and his rhetoric is quite sharp

As the Seven Swords passed, Jiang Tian let out a loud shout, and the long sword in his hand suddenly accelerated, drawing several circles in front of him in a rotating manner. A whirlwind surged forth, while at the same time, his figure slid backward at lightning speed.

Ding Heng shook his head and said: "I can only tell you that he is a compassionate and benevolent person, someone who cares for the world. The reason he sent me here is to hope to find someone who can make a difference in this chaotic era"

Hey... Jiang Tian let out a cold snort, and with a flick of his wrist, he thrust seven swords at Ding Heng's elusive figure. With each thrust, the sword had not yet arrived, but the murderous intent had already shattered the air, and the sword energy spread throughout the entire space like a tide

He was astonished to find that since Ding Heng had engaged in combat with Jiang Tian, the techniques he employed were consistently the three exquisite moves. Moreover, with each strike, he was not at all constrained by fixed forms; he adapted freely, and every action transformed into something new, gradually gaining the upper hand without even realizing it

In the midst of an inexplicable shock, Ji Kongshou suddenly heard a cold snort from outside the door: "In this world, the only one capable of stealing the Xuan Tie Turtle from my hands is you, the God of Thieves—Ding Heng!"

Ding Heng's demeanor of being unafraid indeed made Jiang Tian feel a sense of caution. Although he was very confident in his martial arts skills, the reputation of the God of Thieves had long been known throughout the world, and it seemed that he was not merely a person of empty fame. He had to remind himself not to be careless

Is this the mysterious iron turtle that records the imperial path's heart method? Ji Kongshou rubbed his eyes, feeling as if he were in a dream, hardly daring to believe that such good fortune had come so suddenly

He suddenly gained insight

"The Caobang General Hall?" Ji Kongshou was almost startled and said, "Are you saying that this Xuan Tie Gui originally fell into the hands of the Caobang, and then you spent three years to repay them in their own way and stole it back?"