Chapter 88: Already The Pinnacle Of The World!
Hearing the mockery in the other’s words, Song Yinglong’s face darkened, no longer possessing his former composure where everything was under control.
A faint stabbing pain in his heart made his cheeks twitch violently.
That earlier strike, agile as a swimming dragon, though it hadn’t pierced his heart, its fierce qi energy had already followed the spear tip through the air, seeping into his body from afar.
If not for using a Wind-Control Talisman combined with Bird Crossing Technique, soaring up at the last possible moment, he would likely have been pierced through the heart by now.
His Mysterious Iron Buddha Skin Gang body had palms far tougher than his torso.
Even so, while continuously using clever force to deflect the force, after hard-blocking over a dozen spear thrusts, both hands now felt numb from the shock, trembling uncontrollably.
Song Yinglong withdrew his palms into his sleeves, his expression shifting, feeling caught in a dilemma.
He had schemed against two great families in the prefecture city, wiping out the Wei Family and Xiang Family in one fell swoop, easily taking the Iron Wall Guard and White Scale Guard into his pocket, truly triumphant.
At the height of his satisfaction, even with Hong Yuan’s sudden emergence as a master, he only paid slight attention, not feeling unable to suppress him.
He even thought this was a vanguard general sent from heaven!
The current situation was very awkward; he seemed not to be Hong Yuan’s match, and whether he could return alive was unknown.
Sorcery is profound and mysterious, hence the saying: “What man cannot do is called sorcery.”
But sorcery is not the Dao; all sorcery incurs debt. What one gains must be paid back in equal measure, and nearly every sorcery has taboos.
Thus, for true great masters, they rarely touch sorcery; even if cultivating a bit, it’s merely as an aid in life-or-death moments.
Song Yinglong was just such a case.
If not for having a Wind-Control Talisman on him and also practicing Bird Crossing Technique, he would be leaving his last words right now.
Now he had no other talisman; Bird Crossing Technique could still be used once or twice, but each time only allowed hovering in the air for three or four breaths.
If there were a cliff dozens of zhang wide ahead, he could escape with it, but situated in this prefecture city, if the opponent wanted to pursue and kill, what use were a few breaths?
Moreover, Bird Crossing Technique greatly exhausts spirit; once he landed, he would likely have no strength left to resist, dying even faster.
The martial artists of Crouching Tiger Manor slowly gathered, looking up at the two, their gazes on Hong Yuan all showing some cowering fear.
This battle had opened their eyes.
They looked at the battered Bluestone Long Street, as if bombed by heavenly thunder, with no complete ground tiles left within several zhang.
The ground was pitted and uneven, with tearing marks everywhere.
Everyone was shaken to the core, horrified, thinking that if it were them, they couldn’t last even a breath before being beaten to flesh and blood flying.
What panicked them most was that the manor lord seemed to be at a disadvantage.
After all, Song Yinglong’s long spear in his palm had been struck flying.
Seeing Song Yinglong not reply, Hong Yuan toyed with the Life-Snatching Throat-Locking Spear, casually saying: “Manor Lord Song earlier said one should be beaten into submission before talking, and I greatly agree. So does the manor lord want to continue fighting or… talk it over?”
This Song Yinglong could be called the strongest enemy Hong Yuan had encountered so far; his martial arts were superior by far to Microscopic Level Grandmasters like Lei Meng and Han Ding Tian.
Not only could he match Hong Yuan in moves and force, but even in physique, he could contend with his gang body.
Hong Yuan had also gone through a hard fight against this man, already using six or seven tenths of his combat power.
However, he had no immediate thought to kill Song Yinglong.
It wasn’t fear of Wu Duxiong and Yang Lie still being in Crouching Tiger Manor, but rather wanting to slow his pace.
He currently had not even one trustworthy subordinate; swallowing Golden Soup Camp and Grain Transport Gang in the short term was already a bit much.
He needed some transition time to digest, and during that integrate forces, gather manpower, and cultivate confidants.
Moreover, with the drastic changes in Linjiang Prefecture, he couldn’t expect no reaction from the state government. If he really killed Song Yinglong, then it would be Hong Yuan himself out front.
It wasn’t fear of anything, but after successive battles, even if Hong Yuan felt no physical fatigue and his spirit was full, psychologically… well, he was still quite vigorous, but ultimately a bit weary.
People always prefer leisure; can’t always be fighting!
These days battling numerous masters had yielded much, and he needed time to integrate it; his envisioned Six Void Force didn’t even have a prototype yet.
Besides, this Song Yinglong had schemed for years and, blocked by Hong Yuan, hadn’t fully taken Linjiang Prefecture—how could he not expand outward?
Hong Yuan could fully sit back and watch his success or failure; whenever Song Yinglong met an “accident,” he could step in to help good brother Yang Lie “legitimately and reasonably” inherit the legacy.
Of course, all this prerequisite was Song Yinglong dodging that heart-piercing spear; if he died right there, Hong Yuan, even if fearing trouble, would first take Linjiang Prefecture.
“If Brother Hong hasn’t had his fill, Song is happy to oblige!” Song Yinglong took a deep breath, speaking in a deep voice, though his tone was much softer than before.
Hong Yuan chuckled and waved his hand: “Forget it, I don’t want to kill you.”
‘Do you mean that wanting to kill me, Song Yinglong, means you definitely can?’
A spark of anger rose in Song Yinglong’s heart; in his anger, he got angry for a bit, then shut his mouth, afraid that if he spouted tough words, the other would really try and he’d be done for.
“That’s right; Hong here is a scholar, most unable to stand these beat and kill matters.” Hong Yuan smiled.
Hearing this, Song Yinglong’s mouth twitched; he wanted to sneer, but years of gang body cultivation let him hold back.
“This vast Linjiang Prefecture can accommodate our two families; moreover, my brother Yang Lie is also a disciple of Manor Lord Song—we’re all our own people. Pointing sabers and spears at each other only pains kin and delights enemies.”
While speaking, Hong Yuan leaped down from the broken rooftop ridge, beckoning to Tao Gongwang and the others: “Commander Tao, how to draw boundaries with Manor Lord Song next is left to you and Mr. Xu to negotiate.”
“Yes!” Tao Gongwang bowed to accept the order, his expression deferential and meticulous.
After watching this battle, his inner reverence deepened further.
“What does Manor Lord Song think?” Hong Yuan turned back, looking toward Song Yinglong still on the other rooftop.
“As Brother Hong says.” Song Yinglong spoke lowly, continuing: “If no other urgent matters, Song will take his leave first.”
“In such a hurry?” Hong Yuan smiled lightly: “I still have many martial arts matters to consult with the manor lord, but that can wait. There is one thing I must mention…”
“Manor Lord Song so easily took down the two guards’ troops this time; Hong here also contributed greatly. Shouldn’t the manor lord offer some reward?”
This wasn’t reward, but compensation for this defeat.
Song Yinglong knew full well, speaking deeply: “What does Your Excellency want?”
“Manor Lord Song has long been known for righteous generosity, with the name of benevolence reaching the clouds—truly forthright!” Hong Yuan casually tossed the Life-Snatching Throat-Locking Spear to a nearby Golden Soup Camp soldier for safekeeping, hands behind his back: “Hong here isn’t greedy either; Manor Lord Song can just offer eight or ten Microscopic Level Force Techniques as a token.”
Crack!
Force surged under Song Yinglong’s feet; momentarily uncontrolled, it broke a hole. His body staggered slightly, then steadied immediately, his face darkly somber.
Eight or ten Microscopic Level Force secret techniques—this was coming to him, Song Yinglong, to stock up?
And not greedy?
“Brother Hong, don’t joke; Microscopic Level secret techniques are so precious—where would I, Song Yinglong, find eight or ten?”
“Then how many can the manor lord offer?”
Song Yinglong pondered before speaking: “Song here does have one Microscopic Level Force Technique, which can be given to Brother Hong to peruse.”
“They say Manor Lord Song is magnanimous and bold; seeing him today, so stingy and petty—truly disappointing Hong here greatly.” Hong Yuan sighed, looking at Song Yinglong: “If the manor lord haggles like this, then I must be impolite and keep you as a guest a few more days.”
After some haggling, they soon settled: Song Yinglong would give two Microscopic Level Force Techniques and three ordinary Force Techniques as reward, thanking Hong Yuan’s “assistance.”
“Since settled, the methods will be sent later; no need to worry Song will welch.” Song Yinglong’s stern face was somewhat blackened.
“On that point, I’m quite at ease.”
Hong Yuan chuckled lightly, unsure if trusting Song Yinglong’s character or confident in collecting debts, then changed topic: “Manor Lord Song, I have another deal here: in future when you attack elsewhere and meet tricky foes, feel free to ask me to act—just a trifling reward needed…”
“Heh, Brother Hong’s good intentions are appreciated; farewell!” Song Yinglong smiled without sincerity, his cheek twitching, cupped hands, and leaped away.
On the long street, the martial artists of Crouching Tiger Manor also quickly withdrew.
Tao Gongwang bowed forward, asking softly: “Lord, regarding drawing boundaries, what are your orders?”
Hong Yuan waved dismissively, faintly: “These are small matters; all left to you and Mr. Xu to negotiate. Report back once settled.”
Tao Gongwang smiled bitterly inwardly; he wasn’t afraid of harsh terms, but of such ambiguous words.
As if seeing through his thoughts, Hong Yuan smiled: “Do your best; whether territory is more or less, I don’t care, no need to worry about my blame.”
Compared to the ultimate goal of reaching the peak of power, Hong Yuan truly didn’t care about current gains and losses.
“Right, don’t forget to raid Guo Family and Hua Family—these two great families’ estates. Go now; too late and you’ll pick over scraps.”
In Mingguang Courtyard, not all Guo Family and Hua Family disciples had come; the rest, getting the news, likely already fled with portable wealth.
Of course, even so, calling it scraps was exaggerated; at most they could take some loose valuables.
“Yes, subordinate will immediately send my son to handle it.” Tao Gongwang nodded vigorously, gesturing to Tao Jingxing.
The latter hurried to salute Hong Yuan, about to leave; Hong Yuan beckoned, pondered briefly, and said: “All books collected by these two great families—not one to be damaged. Seal, pack, and send them all to me. Go!”
After Tao Jingxing led over twenty riders galloping off, Hong Yuan glanced at Tao Gongwang, his expression turning languid: “These days of day-and-night rushing—prepare me a fine courtyard house to wash off the dust.”
Tao Gongwang thought briefly, cautiously: “Lord, why not go to my Tao Family; let subordinate host and wash dust for you?”
“Very well!”
Iron Wall Guard Barracks.
Song Yinglong did not travel with his subordinates; landing, patrolling soldiers saluted one after another, which he ignored entirely, striding across the training ground straight to the camp center.
Arriving at the innermost hall room, his subordinates had all gathered; seeing his unprecedentedly gloomy face, all felt uneasy.
Song Yinglong waved: “Mr. Wuchen, Young Lady Miaoyun stay; the rest, all out.”
With those words, only three remained in the hall.
“Manor lord, that Hong Yuan…”
Mr. Wuchen spoke softly, but before finishing, his voice stopped; Song Yinglong’s mountain-like figure suddenly slumped into the chair.
His palm extended from the sleeve, the reddish-golden palm showing spiderweb-like cracks, followed by a crisp ‘crack.’
On Song Yinglong’s stern face, a piece of skin fragmented like porcelain, then a second, third…
Piece by piece like porcelain shards or thin iron flakes, thumb-sized, only a dozen cracked off, but Mr. Wuchen and Lady Miaoyun saw under those finger-hole-sized skin fragments, pitted, black-as-iron flesh and blood, slowly writhing.
Both their eyes sharpened, faces showing shock.
Not shock at Song Yinglong’s appearance, but at someone wounding him like this.
“Manor lord’s Mysterious Iron Buddha Skin Gang has reached great completion, impervious to sabers and swords—this… could it be that Hong kid’s doing? No! Some other master intervened?”
Song Yinglong took a deep breath, spreading his palm; staring at the two skin fragments for a good while, he finally spoke gravely: “We all underestimated that Hong Yuan; this youth’s martial arts, looking across the land, in the thirty-six provinces north and south, can be called top-tier. Whether speed or power, neither below mine—especially power, simply…”
Here, Song Yinglong’s throat moved; with a ‘puff,’ he spat a mouthful of black blood.
Droplets of blackish-gray blood fell on his hand, like iron filings.
Mr. Wuchen and Lady Miaoyun both paled anxiously, hurrying forward.
Song Yinglong waved them off, his face instead gradually calming.
“Rest easy; my Mysterious Iron Buddha Skin Gang isn’t broken, just needs time to recover. But even healed, it won’t be enough against that man—not enough…”
He murmured to himself, suddenly turning to Lady Miaoyun.
Her charming eyes seemed to smile, saying softly: “Heavenly King, why stare at me like this? You know my mission is to serve Great Desire Heaven; can’t break my body.”
“Song has no interest in joking; Miaoyun, since you acknowledge me as one of Red Lotus Sect’s four heavenly kings, then as heavenly king, I qualify to request all needed for gang body cultivation, right?”
Lady Miaoyun’s beautiful eyes flowed, smiling: “Heavenly King has already refined Mysterious Iron Buddha Skin Gang—still not content?”
Song Yinglong shook his head: “This is mere outer gang; give me inner gang Hundred Poisons Bodhi Gang!”
Lady Miaoyun’s slender fingers combed her waterfall of raven hair, drawling: “Mysterious Iron Buddha Skin and Hundred Poisons Bodhi, inner and outer united, achieve Poison Buddha Golden Body Gang—invincible under heaven. Song brother has such ambition; I admire.”
She changed how she addressed him, continuing: “But back then Brother Song joined Red Lotus Sect, earned Sect Master’s favor, granted Mysterious Iron Buddha Skin Gang. Now wanting Hundred Poisons Bodhi Gang, merely merits of taking one prefecture far from enough—at least three prefectures’ territory!”
“After all, cultivating Hundred Poisons Bodhi Gang—not mentioning other materials, just the two main ones, Blood Bodhi and Sand of Resentment—even the sect struggles greatly to obtain.”
“Even with materials complete, the organ-refining ritual for this gang body is nine deaths one life; Brother Song may not endure. If so… wouldn’t our sect draw water with a sieve for nothing?”
