Chapter 81 - 80: Nauseating
“Under the decree of His Majesty, I order the arrest of the prime offender. Everyone, surrender now!
Anyone who resists will be killed on sight!”
The booming voice of Lin Qingyi could be heard all around.
This was the process of the Brocade Guards. Regardless of the situation, an act of aggression within Tiandu had to be announced with an official title.
However, the people inside the residence were well aware of their exposed position and paid no heed to Lin Qingyi’s words.
“Climb over the walls.”
As soon as the order was given, many prepared to flee over the walls.
But as soon as a figure appeared, the Brocade Guards stationed around the perimeter showered them with bolts from their prepped crossbows, forcing them back and even hitting a few unlucky ones.
A crossbow might not be that effective in a one-on-one martial artist combat as most are capable of dodging with their sharp reflexes.
However, when faced with a barrage of arrows, even a second-class martial artist like Pei Xuanjing must retreat.
It’s not that their True Qi couldn’t deflect the barrage, rather doing so would rapidly deplete the martial artist’s True Qi. The cost of such a clash would be high and could lead to a disadvantageous situation.
“We’re surrounded by crossbowmen, our only chance is to cut our way out from the front!” The group inside quickly altered their tactics.
Almost instantaneously, a man charged forth, surprisingly a third-grade pseudo grandmaster. He ignored others and made a beeline for Lin Qingyi as if intending to capture him as a hostage.
“Hmph!” Lin Qingyi was unperturbed by the thunderous strike of a pseudo grandmaster, standing calmly at his position and simply scoffed.
It wasn’t because Lin Qingyi considered himself strong enough to ignore a third-grade pseudo grandmaster, but because Pei Xuanjing was standing beside him.
With the presence of a second-class martial artist like Pei Xuanjing at his side, he had no worries about being captured under their watch.
Not only Lin Qingyi thought so, but Qinglong and the others too, who ignored the pseudo grandmaster’s action.
Seeing his plan of capturing the ringleader to subdue his followers almost succeed, a smile broke onto the pseudo grandmaster’s face.
Unfortunately, that smile froze on his face before it fully blossomed.
Boom!
Pei Xuanjing did not draw his sword. A sweep of his sleeve struck the pseudo grandmaster’s chest forcing him to retreat, airborne by the pressurized wave.
He turned to the others and said, “Leave them to you all. I will deal with that second-class martial artist.”
“There’s actually a second-class martial artist.” Hearing Pei Xuanjing’s remark, the others blurted out.
But they did not get a reply from Pei Xuanjing, who was seen leaping into the sky over the front gate and descending into the residence.
“Quick, take action. We can’t let Brother Pei get besieged.” The sight of Pei Xuanjing’s leap startled Lin Qingyi, who quickly instructed for their engagement.
He was well aware that beyond the second-class martial artist mentioned by Pei Xuanjing, there were several third-grade grandmasters and pseudo grandmasters. What if they decided to surround him?
Upon hearing this, Qinglong and the others didn’t hesitate, each wielding their weapon and charging forth.
Contrary to Lin Qingyi’s assumption, Pei Xuanjing was not besieged.
Although some wanted to take advantage of Pei Xuanjing’s audacious act of jumping alone into the courtyard from the sky, they were stopped by a middle-aged man dressed in black silk attire.
“So you’re Pei Xuanjing?” The middle-aged man looked at Pei Xuanjing with interest.
Pei Xuanjing stood in the courtyard, unfazed even while surrounded. He gently rested his hand on the hilt of his sword and nodded.
“Did you send the MO Bei Three wolves?” Pei Xuanjing’s gaze fell on the middle-aged man. He ignored the fierce killing intent on the faces of the others and audibly questioned.
“Correct.” The middle-aged man took his time answering, his eyes on Pei Xuanjing, “Seems like I underestimated you. Should’ve invited you to join us.”
Pei Xuanjing scoffed, “Join you?”
The middle-aged man smiled, “Allow me to introduce myself. You may call me the King of Equanimity, one of the Ten Kings of Hell.”
The middle-aged man, the King of Equanimity, began, “As long as you join us, we can settle the issue of the MO Bei Three Wolves.
If he could trade the MO Bei Three Wolves for someone as promising as a second-class martial artist, it would be a huge profit.
Pei Xuanjing shook his head dismissively, “Not interested.”
He asked, “Looking at you, do you think you can get away?”
The King of Equanimity calmly nodded, his words overflowed with confidence, “As long there is no first-class martial artist, no one in Tiandu can keep me here.”
Such was his confidence, it was also the reason why he could remain calm even when surrounded.
“Is that so? I don’t think so. ” Pei Xuanjing retorted icily.
The King of Equanimity looked at the indignant and youthful Pei Xuanjing, reminiscing, “Twenty-odd years old and already a second-class martial artist, seeing you now reminds me of Tie Qianshan twenty-odd years ago.”
Tie Qianshan.
Pei Xuanjing slightly furrowed his brows, he didn’t expect to hear this name from his opponent.
“You know Tie Qianshan?” He asked.
Could it be that Tie Qianshan also has a connection with the Underworld?
The King of Equanimity nodded, “Of course, I invited him back then, just like I did with you.”
When he said this, a smile flickered on his lips, “But, back then, Tie Qianshan had someone to save him. Who would save you today?”
“Save me?” Pei Xuanjing was taken aback, then he shook his head, “I don’t need anyone to save me.”
At this point, Qinglong and others with their reinforcements rushed in. The King of Equanimity signalled the person next to him to meet the threat.
“We don’t have much time.” The smile on his face gradually disappeared, “I originally didn’t plan to engage you again today, but to think you’d walk right into my trap… So today, you will…”
Seeing that he couldn’t get more information out of the man, an impatient expression surfaced on Pei Xuanjing’s face. He interrupted, “Has anyone ever told you before?”
“What?” The King of Equanimity was taken aback by the interruption and instinctively questioned. “Your high and mighty attitude makes people sick to their stomach! “Bellowed Pei Xuanjing!
As soon as his voice sounded, the long sword at his waist was unsheathed.
Clang!
True Qi circulated within Pei Xuanjing’s body, his Blood Qi boiling. With a heavy stomp, he stepped forward.
The boiling Blood Qi triggered a fierce gust of wind. It lifted from the ground, whirling the atmosphere and stirring dust. His Flowing Flame Sword swept down from above towards the King of Equanimity.
“Arrogant pup!” The King of Equanimity snapped, his True Qi erupted, his Blood Qi overflowing.
It was unclear whether he was angry because of Pei Xuanjing’s abrupt offensive or his provocative words.
A steel whip appeared in his hand, unsurprisingly a Thousand Refinement Divine Weapon.
While Pei Xuanjing made the first move, the King of Equanimity wasn’t slow to react. He swung his steel whip, his True Qi and Blood Qi intertwined, invoking a killing move. With the momentum of smashing everything in its path, it seemed like it would crush Pei Xuanjing to a pulp..