Chapter 9: The Enigmatic Fate of the Forged Blade (2)

He had no choice but to retreat. Xuan Yuanzi seized the opportunity with a single move, showing no mercy. His momentum surged dramatically as he unleashed seven strikes in an instant. With the sound of seven clashes of blades and spears, Mo Gan made his move. His double-edged spear, also forged from dark iron, showed no fear of the sharpness of the opponent's treasured blade, calmly neutralizing Xuan Yuanzi's series of attacks.

As Xuanyuanzi's figure moved, a murderous aura surged forth, and the blade sliced through the air, akin to the subtle rumblings of wind and thunder. This strike carried an inevitable lethal intent, mercilessly descending upon the heads of Zhu Zien and the other two.

Without hesitation, Mo Gan took a step back the moment Xuanyuanzi drew his sword

His internal strength was clearly inferior to that of Xuanyuanzi. Engaging in a direct confrontation was naturally not the best choice. At the same time, his short spear was unable to withstand the sharpness of the Xuan Tie knife. With a sound of "chi...", the spear tip was unexpectedly sheared off.

Under the obstruction of Xuanyuanzi's figure, he immediately stumbled, unable to see the source of the spear, yet he felt a murderous intent shooting towards him like a bolt of lightning, directly aimed at the depths of his brow. Therefore, without any hesitation, he changed his move, and the Departure Blade slashed downwards in a hurry, almost exhausting all of his remaining strength.

Everyone can see that Li Jun is desperately holding on, and he is absolutely no match for Xuanyuanzi, nor can he withstand the sharpness of the Departure Blade. At this moment, he has already spat out two mouthfuls of blood, and the short spear is left with only a part that he is still holding. It is evident that he is about to engage in hand-to-hand combat with the opponent.

A trace of doubt flashed into Xuanyuanzi's mind, while at the same time, he caught a glimpse of a mischievous smile that inadvertently appeared on Li Jun's face

Mo Gan's face gradually revealed a smile, as if he were not in the least bit anxious. Logically speaking, his purpose for coming today was to capture Ji Kongshou, not Xuanyuanzi. If Ji Kongshou were to escape, would he not have made a futile effort?

Xuan Yuanzi was also shaken by a wave of energy, feeling his blood surge and his body sway slightly, when he suddenly sensed a powerful killing intent approaching from behind him

At the moment of impending death, Xuanyuanzi gathered all his strength and suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood mist, which surged towards Mogan's face with astonishing force

Only Zhu Zien and the other two retreated, following the path they came from. However, Xuanyuanzi clearly did not intend to let them go, his heavy footsteps resonating in the alley like the drums of two armies facing off, slowly advancing towards his opponents with a palpable intent to kill.

He leaped back without daring to hesitate for even a moment, yet he was still a beat too slow. He only felt a heavy blow to his chest, his blood surging, and an indescribable discomfort.

When he heard that the old blacksmith in this weapon shop was actually one of the three renowned weapon smiths in the world, he felt a bit curious, but did not consider the appearance of Xuanyuanzi to be a problem

The reason he remains unperturbed in the face of change is that he believes it is difficult for Ji Kongshou to escape this narrow alley! Under his strict orders, the disciples of the Huajian Sect have already surrounded this place, and with the limited abilities of Ji Kongshou and Han Xin, it is quite challenging for them to break through

Xuanyuanzi's speed in drawing his sword may not be the fastest, and his strength may not be the most formidable, but once his sword is drawn, it is undeniably effective! At the moment he swung the Farewell Blade, a hint of astonishment appeared in Mogan's eyes

Xuan Yuanzi was heavily injured at first, and after losing the advantage of the treasured blade, he gradually began to feel a sense of powerlessness. With each strike, he felt as if he were at the center of a powerful vortex, and the inward pull generated by the vortex was eroding the sharpness of his blade.

At this moment, the alley suddenly became very quiet, with only the sound of a large furnace in the weapons shop emitting a series of "hissing..." sounds

Ji Kongshou woke up in surprise and couldn't help but ask, "What about you?"

Xuanyuanzi understood the intention behind Mogan's delay, and he was also aware of his aim to provoke him. However, the development of the situation had already exceeded his expectations and gradually slipped beyond his control. At this moment, he could only seek a compromise; as long as he could ensure the escape of Ji and Han from their perilous situation, he would be quite content.

It is good that you are fine; otherwise, regardless of whether he is Xuanyuanzi or some kind of weapon forger, I would dismember him into eight pieces to vent your anger. Mo Gan said lightly, as if at this moment, Xuanyuanzi was already the fish on his chopping board, ready for him to slaughter. He then added, "However, since you are fine, I will only give him one move, a single move that is enough to be fatal!"

The spear rises, soaring within a cyclone that conceals the sounds of wind and thunder

Take care! Ji Kong suppressed the disappointment in his heart, and his tone seemed to carry a hint of choking. From that moment on, there was no more activity in the shop.

He felt a surge of joy in his heart, stealthily crawling over, dismantling the bellows, and placing it on the platform of the stove, just as he was about to hide the black iron tortoise inside.

At that moment, a loud shout from Xuanyuanzi came from outside the house: "Kill!" It was like a sudden clap of thunder, shaking the surroundings.

With Zhu Zien's support, he managed to stand upright with great difficulty, his hand pressed against his chest, his face already pale. However, when he lifted his head, he could not help but smile

At this moment, he was at a juncture where his old strength had been exhausted and his new strength had yet to be replenished. The enemy chose to launch a surprise attack at this time, clearly demonstrating their considerable experience, leaving him with no choice but to sidestep and evade.

In a moment of shock and pain, Xuanyuanzi instead unleashed the potential within his body, wielding his blade in rapid succession. The force surged forth, creating a barrier of energy that stood firm in the void, effectively blocking Moggan's assault. At the same time, his body swiftly slid backward, retreating three zhang before he finally stabilized his stance

If the answer to this question is affirmative, then is it not a waste for Ding Heng to have died? Wasn't Xuan Yuanzi's desperate struggle in vain? And what about oneself, are they not a sinner?

Am I truly destined to be unrelated to the world of rivers and lakes?

The speed of the legs was as swift as a thunderclap. Mr. Li held no illusions and chose the only correct response: to abandon the spear

The alley paved with blue stone slabs is enveloped in a profound silence at this moment, a suffocating pressure fills every inch of space

Of course, apart from Ji Kongshou and Han Xin, no one would pay attention to such trivial matters; others were focused on Xuanyuanzi and Mogan, as if completely captivated by the impending decisive battle.

Xuanyuanzi was entirely focused on Mogan, leaving him with no energy to pay attention to the happenings in the shop. He heard a sound, but it did not come from the furnace; rather, it originated from his own shoulder, as blood droplets fell to the ground, dripping incessantly

Zhu Zien retreated not slowly, yet he did not anticipate that Xuanyuanzi's blade would be faster than they had imagined. In a moment of urgency, Li Jun took the half short spear that Zhu Zien handed over and forcefully blocked a strike.

Ji Kongshou was so frightened that his face turned pale, and his hands trembled. The two black iron turtles fell in response, rolling a few times on the furnace platform before landing perfectly into the blazing red and green flames of the furnace

Li Jun did not expect that Xuanyuanzi would actually use such a method to counter his attack, which flowed like mercury spilling on the ground. The two were merely a foot apart, their eyes meeting, and he could clearly see the blood vessels bulging on Xuanyuanzi's face and his trembling white eyebrows, everything was evident.

When the blades and spears clashed, a cyclone erupted, producing a piercing sound.

In a moment of desperation, Xuanyuanzi suddenly let out a loud shout, coming to a halt. He made a large sweeping motion with his arm, forcefully pinning the aggressive spearhead under his armpit.

He raised his eyes and saw a short, stout old man holding a spear, dressed in luxurious clothing, with a face that exuded wealth. At first glance, no one would take him for Mo Gan, the renowned leader of the Huajian faction known in both the underworld and the upper echelons of society. It was only when a cold glint flashed in his slightly squinted eyes that the formidable power of this leader became apparent.

Are you alright?" Mo Gan turned to glance at Li Jun, his eyes revealing a hint of admiration. It was precisely because Li Jun steadfastly withstood the overwhelming onslaught of Xuanyuanzi that he created an excellent opportunity for a surprise attack.

The sound of clashing echoed as the spear and sword danced in the void, one attacking and the other defending, exchanging blows in the blink of an eye for four rounds

Mo Gan's expression changed suddenly, and he felt a chill in his heart. The direction of Xuanyuanzi's long sword strike was precisely a gap in his vital energy, as well as the path he must take when moving his body

"If I die, you will be the master of the parting blade," Xuanyuanzi said. However, in the ears of Ji Kongshou, this statement gave rise to a sense of ominous foreboding. He suddenly realized that it bore a resemblance to the feeling of entrusting one's last wishes before death.

Xuan Yuanzi was greatly astonished; he had not misread the situation. Li Jun's face indeed revealed a sense of pride, a pride that is typically displayed when a person has successfully executed a scheme

Li Jun stepped back three paces, almost unable to withstand the pressure transmitted through the blade by Xuanyuanzi. The short spear in his hand was also shortened by a section due to the parting blade, leaving only about one foot in length. However, all of this merely caused Xuanyuanzi's figure to pause slightly, failing to impede his frenzied assault that surged forth like spilled mercury.

Li Jun took three steps back, suddenly stabilizing his stance, no longer retreating. This was indeed an unusual action. Behind him, there was still some space available for him to evade, but he did not retreat any further. Instead, he brandished his short spear and charged forward.

When he spoke these words, he seemed to be filled with a sense of grandeur, his eyes were resolute and profound, akin to the distant starry sky

Ji Kongshou carefully examined every corner of the shop, assessing the reliability of the hiding places from different perspectives. Ultimately, he fixed his gaze on the large bellows next to the fireplace.

Xuanyuanzi did not hesitate; the blade light spread out, and a remarkably elegant yet intensely passionate arc of electricity sliced through the sky, enveloping the retreating Mogan

Unfortunately, Xuanyuanzi realized too late; by the time he understood everything happening before him, he no longer had the time to counter Mo Gan's inevitable killing move.

Mo Gan! Xuan Yuanzi suddenly understood the identity of the visitor and realized that he had fallen into the trap set by Mo Gan in advance. In fact, Mo Gan had arrived long ago, using Zhu Zi'en and the other two as bait, and then hiding in the shadows, attempting to achieve a swift victory.

Jì Kōngshǒu felt a splitting headache, his thoughts tangled like a ball of yarn, and the knots in his heart tightened one after another, impossible to unravel. In a daze, he stared fixedly at the blazing flames, his eyes already a void.

Abandoning the spear was the only way for Li Jun to escape, and it was also the most correct choice, so Li Jun did not hesitate for a moment. At this moment, Xuanyuanzi resembled an injured leopard, raising his long knife and launching a desperate counterattack

The inclusion of the Huajian faction among the Seven Factions itself demonstrates the strength of Mogan. Under normal circumstances, with Xuanyuanzi's martial prowess, he might not necessarily be able to defeat Mogan, especially considering that at this moment, Xuanyuanzi is in the open while Mogan is in the shadows, waiting to strike, catching him off guard. Xuanyuanzi simply cannot evade this meticulously planned assassination

Once Mogan takes action, the initiative is already lost

Ji Kongshou is aware that the troubles brought by the Xuan Tie Turtle are not merely a beginning; the real crisis is evidently lurking behind, which will bring endless repercussions to himself

With a loud bang, behind him, a wooden wall suddenly cracked open with countless fissures. As splinters flew in all directions, a spear, resembling a ferocious dragon, burst forth from the wall.

The pupils were continuously dilating, and in a daze, he seemed to see the menacing smile of Mo Gan.

Although the current battlefield situation is very favorable for Xuanyuanzi, Ji Kongshou still harbors a sense of inexplicable fear. This is not only due to the overwhelming killing intent that fills the alley at this moment, but also because of Xuanyuanzi's words.

The two sharp, piercing sounds triggered a chaotic disturbance in the airflow

As Xuanyuanzi's gaze swept through the void, it coincidentally met Mogan's gaze at a certain point in the void, and thus he drew his blade

Is this fate

Xuan Yuanzi's eyes sparkled like lightning, his anger piercing through his brows. Taking advantage of this moment, he fully restored his strength. Without hesitation, he kicked out with one leg, striking fiercely at Li Jun's knee like a heavy hammer.

Thus, he is not in a hurry, not at all; he believes that Xuanyuanzi will definitely take the initiative. The bleeding from the wound on his shoulder leaves no room for Xuanyuanzi to hesitate.

With a loud bang, as the spears clashed, Zhu Zien's body staggered back several steps, and a mouthful of blood mist was ejected.

It is not difficult to imagine what the ultimate outcome will be when a person's martial arts skills are inferior to those of their opponent, especially when the latter wields a blade capable of cutting through iron like mud

As Ji Kongshou thought of this, a sudden flash of inspiration struck him: "Since the Xuan Tie Gui is so important, it is naturally worth more than our two lives in the eyes of the Huajian Sect. As long as they cannot find its whereabouts, they will naturally not dare to act against us, and this Xuan Tie Gui will inadvertently become our talisman of protection." He was well aware of the weaknesses of human nature and had a profound understanding of psychology. Given the historical precedent of being cautious of harming a rat, the Huajian Sect would certainly understand the weight of the Xuan Tie Gui in comparison to their own lives. Only in this way could he and Han Xin ultimately preserve their lives.

Xuanyuanzi lowered his head, and he finally saw the source of the double-edged spear, but that cold blade had already pierced through his heart.

Xuanyuanzi was surprised by the sudden display of strength from Li Jun: Li Jun did not need to endure so painfully, as he at least had the option to retreat

The strike from Xuanyuanzi was not aimed at Mogan, but rather at a void to the right of Mogan.

He quickly gathered all his strength and forcefully shifted his body eight inches from left to right, simultaneously channeling energy to his shoulder. Just as he changed his position, the spear grazed past his throat and struck the center of his right shoulder

However, the strike from Xuanyuanzi still took him by surprise. When he saw that beam of white light shimmering in the void, he had to admit a fact: Xuanyuanzi was far more terrifying than he had imagined

"Let us see how many blows you can withstand!" Xuanyuanzi let out a strange laugh, and the force of his blade intensified, sweeping towards Li Jun like a violent storm, the momentum truly terrifying

"Jikong Shou, listen to me!" Xuanyuanzi shouted loudly, enunciating each word clearly, "From this moment on, you shall begin to flee; escape as far as you can. Whether you can successfully escape depends on your own fortune.

Xuan Yuanzi's heart suddenly turned cold, as he sensed a surge of murderous intent approaching from behind like a bolt of lightning

Ji Kongshou and Han Xin did not dare to breathe, hiding behind the door, witnessing the entire course of the battle. When Xuanyuanzi displayed his boldness alone against the multitude of enemies, Ji Kongshou finally understood that sometimes, the level of martial arts is not what matters; what is important is to possess a calm and fearless courage, just like Xuanyuanzi at this moment.

Xuan Yuanzi let out a loud shout,斜斜劈出三招之后, suddenly felt a counterforce emanating from the opponent's spear, gradually growing stronger, and steadily taking control of the entire battlefield.

"Go to hell!" Mo Gan's voice, filled with murderous intent, seemed to emanate from the farthest reaches of the heavens, distant and unattainable, yet it felt as if it were whispering in Xuanyuanzi's ear, like the wailing of a ghost seeking a life.

He clearly wanted to provoke Xuanyuanzi. In a duel between masters, maintaining a calm state of mind is crucial. Only by igniting Xuanyuanzi's true anger could he find an opportunity to exploit. To him, Xuanyuanzi was, after all, a very formidable opponent

"Do not mind me!" Xuanyuanzi said, crossing his sword with pride, "I would like to see who can pass under my sword to capture someone!"

"It is over, completely over." The pain in Ji Kong's heart was simply beyond words. When the Xuan Tie Turtle fell into the flames, his heart felt as if it had rolled down from a high mountain, plunging straight into the abyss. That sense of helplessness and loss seemed to have no end.

A boundless fear suddenly surged in Xuanyuanzi's heart, not only astonishment but also shock. At the moment his farewell knife was drawn, he suddenly felt a chill in his left rib, as a cold spear tip pierced into his ribcage, producing a chilling sound as the blade scraped against the bone

"I am fine, I can still hold on!" Li Jun replied respectfully, while giving Xuanyuanzi a fierce glare.

After both sides engaged in a fierce exchange of blows for seventy to eighty moves, a clear and leisurely sigh was heard, mingling with the sound of clashing spears.

This completely took everyone by surprise, even Mo Gan did not expect that before Xuanyuan Ziren's death, there would still be such a move.

The five-foot spear remained motionless, yet its tip had carved a one-inch long gash under Xuanyuanzi's armpit, instantly filling the air with a strong scent of blood. Xuanyuanzi was indeed formidable, so ruthless to this extent

What he needs now is a little time; as long as he can catch his breath, he will be able to sort out his internal energy and restore his strength. However, Li Jun has clearly noticed this as well. With his spear in hand, he dances with great vigor, launching a flurry of attacks that come like flowing clouds and flowing water, giving the opponent no chance to breathe at all

Xuan Yuanzi's arm, which held the knife, felt a sudden ache and numbness, as Moggan's spear intercepted the momentum of the Departure Knife's advance