Chapter 230: Chapter 137: Breaking Qi and Will, Wind and Crane Alarm (Part 4)

How could anyone be convinced by an underage boy not yet eighteen?

"Alas..."

Usually, Cheng Wuduan appreciated his son’s ambitious spirit—a martial artist’s invaluable bravery and fearlessness.

If one’s edge is blunted and they become seasoned in the Jianghu, their future potential would be virtually negligible. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

However, hearing Cheng Shaoqiu’s words at this moment, he didn’t feel any comfort, only irritation and noise.

"You don’t understand, Shaoqiu, and Zhiming, Xiaowen... You may think Chen Ping is just an up-and-coming talent and that Primordial Martial Arts Hall is dominated by Han Wushang’s strength. But if that were true, would Primordial Martial Arts Hall still exist?"

"What father says is true."

Cheng Shaoqiu was somewhat unconvinced, but he was always a filial child and didn’t argue with his elders, just listened.

He thought that his father went out and came back looking desolate, obviously having encountered something.

Just not knowing what had actually happened.

"Although it’s somewhat embarrassing, I’ll still tell you, lest you go on unawares, run into a master, and get killed without knowing how."

Cheng Wuduan seemed to recall something, with traces of fear still lingering deep within his eyes.

"Do you know what Master and Hall Master Xu Baxian of Shifang Martial Arts Hall went out to do earlier?"

This time, he decided not to hide it anymore and straightforwardly told his son and a few capable true disciples about the embarrassing incident.

Before the few could reply, he continued, "Today at noon, Master received news that Chen Ping of Primordial Martial Arts Hall was invited to the government office to protect Lord Prefect Pei against the assassination attempt by Blood Eye Assassin Illusory Heart Sword from Wind and Cloud Pavilion."

"I know of Illusory Heart Sword, I’ve heard he’s very arrogant; before an assassination, he always sends a name card.

I heard that the One-Character Heaven-Pointing Staff Mr. Yuan from the Earth List died at his hands...

This person’s actions are sharp and ruthless, truly difficult to deal with."

"Exactly, being able to kill someone on the Earth List, no matter what methods were used, cannot cover his profound skills.

At the very least, possessing late-stage innate combat power...

Chen Ping actually took on such a task, one wonders what he was thinking—was he going to his death?"

Beside him, Duan Zhiming sneered.

Thinking that the most frightening thing is misjudging oneself—ambitions as high as heaven, a life as thin as paper—all too fitting for this scenario.

"How did he survive? Did he perhaps escape early, watching from a distance as government office experts and Illusory Heart Sword fought to the death?"

"What early escape?"

Cheng Wuduan gave Duan Zhiming a hard knock on the head, "Face such a master, try escaping one for me!"

He shook his head, almost unwilling to speak: "In fact, I didn’t expect Illusory Heart Sword would die at his hands, decapitated with one sword... Can you underestimate such a person who can kill Illusory Heart Sword?"

"Hiss..."

All the disciples gasped.

"Maybe it’s a rumor? Perhaps Illusory Heart Sword was besieged to death by the government office crowd?" Cheng Shaoqiu was unwilling to believe.

"That’s what I thought initially, so when Captain Zhang sought me out to discuss interception and ambush, I didn’t consider carefully and agreed outright.

At the time, everyone had agreed... Captain Zhang would return to camp to organize troops, and I, along with Deputy Prefect Wu Changshui and Hall Master Xu Baxian of Shifang Martial Arts Hall, would jointly intercept and kill Chen Ping at the North Gate on Tianshui Street.

Because, as far as I know, this son acts like lightning and fire, emphasizing surprise and unprepared attacks.

Once he hears that Xuanwu Guard is mobilizing forces against Primordial Martial Arts Hall, he would surely rush directly into the military camp, wasting no time.

The Tianshui Street would be his necessary path."

"Hall Master Xu Baxian, and Wu Changshui, an innate expert [Silver Lightning Flying Frost] beside the Deputy Magistrate—both are well-established innate powerhouses. Plus father, it should be a sure thing. Did Chen Ping, perhaps, detour to avoid the trap?"

Cheng Shaoqiu queried, puzzled.

"It wasn’t a detour. He charged straight into the encirclement, punched Wu Changshui to death, and killed Xu Baxian with two swords... As for me, I didn’t make a move, just watched from afar and then fled back."

Though somewhat disgraceful, to avoid giving his son and disciples incorrect information, Cheng Wuduan chose to speak the truth.

Before the words left his lips, he felt it was exceedingly difficult.

Upon saying them, however, it didn’t seem so bad.

There’s nothing shameful in lacking the skills of others.

Except, although the interception didn’t involve attacking, people showed up, and they had set an ambush.

The consequences were very serious.

Silence.

All the young men fell into silence.

Cheng Shaoqiu’s mouth hung open, seemingly unable to believe what he heard. After a while, he rasped hoarsely, "Is father worried that Chen Ping will come to our Wind and Thunder Sword Hall to retaliate?"

It’s practically inevitable.

If one lacks ability, it’s another matter.

To be intercepted and assassinated for no reason—how could one tolerate it, even if the opponent relents halfway, they wouldn’t easily let it go.

Before Cheng Wuduan could reply, another disciple rushed in, panicked: "Master, I saw from afar, Xuanwu Guard Captain Zhang Lianshan gathered five thousand Military Qi and engaged Chen Ping head-on. After three rounds, he was cut down.

The twenty-four riders of Primordial Martial Arts Hall charged in, and Xuanwu Guard surrendered."

"Hiss..."

This time, Cheng Wuduan’s face changed drastically as well.

"With Military Qi attached, even five thousand troops and Military Qi couldn’t stop him?"

"To fight or to flee, what choice do we make?"

"Should we seek protection from the Thirteenth Prince of Beizhou?"

"Right, Senior Brother Mu Yuanzhen from Shenxiao Sect is currently in Xingqing Prefecture, should we ask him for help?"

A few disciples finally grasped the gravity of the situation, proposing their ideas one after another.

.........

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