Betrayal

Huyan Lie's sneak attack was completely unexpected, truly embodying the military tactic of "unpredictable as the shadows." In fact, this move was the "Knowing Yin Claw." Moreover, his hand originally had no scars, but at the moment of exerting force, it became like a ghostly claw, terrifying and frightening.

With Huyan Lie from his five fingers, Hu Yanlie was about to capture Lin Qingxiang in one fell swoop. With his strength, he could even force an elephant to the ground and make it unable to move.

Just then, a force surged from Lin Qingxiang's back, his back muscles twisted and writh instantly, his body tumbling like a python turning over, first generating a vortex of energy that absorbed all of Huyan Lie's power, and then returning it back in double force!

Huyan Lie had not expected such a change, and unable to exert himself, he was immediately sent flying.

Even in retreat, he did so with great skill, his footsteps moving rapidly through the air like drumsticks, dissipating all the force with each step. Moreover, his stance remained intact, leaving room for a counterattack. If the opponent dared to pursue, he could immediately launch a thunderous attack.

Unfortunately, Lin Qingxiang did not give chase, nor did the person standing behind him.

Huyan Lie steadied himself, and upon recognizing the newcomer, his expression darkened. "It really is you, Zhu Qiongsuan! I knew it, you were the last one to appear!"

Zhu Hao stepped forward, gesturing for Lin Qingxiang to leave, then said with a helpless expression, "To be honest, I didn't want to take advantage of someone in distress, but being in a high position, I have responsibilities and can't be too willful. I can only apologize."

Huyan Lie snorted and instead defended the other party, saying, "All's fair in war. Since we are enemies, what's there to be fair about? Are we going to follow the example of Duke Xiang of Duke Xiang of Song's benevolent army and wait for the enemy to prepare before we make our move?"

He was referring to the war between Chu and Song. The two armies met at the Hong River on the border of State of Song. The Song army was stationed on the north bank, while the Chu army began crossing the river from the south bank. Duke Xiang of Duke Xiang of Song disregarded the advice of his strategist Ziyu and insisted on not attacking them while they were crossing, saying, "We are known as a righteous army; how can we attack them while they are crossing the river?"

After the Chu army had all crossed the river, Duke Xiang of Song insisted on waiting until the Chu army had completed its formation before launching an attack. As a result, the Chu soldiers charged forward and defeated the Song army. Duke Xiang of Song was also wounded in the thigh by a Chu soldier's arrow.

His subordinates complained that Duke Xiang of Song had not listened to Ziyu's advice, but Duke Xiang of Song replied, "A virtuous and benevolent ruler does not attack an already wounded enemy, nor does he attack an elderly person with gray hair. In particular, the ancients did not rely on passes and fortifications to win battles. Although my State of Song is about to perish, I still cannot bear to attack an enemy that has not yet formed a proper battle formation."

Six months later, his injuries flared up, and he died.

This story is often used as a negative example by Military School, but it is highly praised by Confucian School, who extol Duke Xiang of Song.

Of course, not all Confucian School were brain-dead. They knew that a compassionate person cannot command an army, and while benevolence and righteousness are good, an overly benevolent person is not suitable to be a general. Just as they say a gentleman keeps away from the kitchen, they still "do not dislike fine food."

Zhu Hao shook his head and said, "Military battles and martial arts duels cannot be confused, just as military strategy and martial arts are not the same thing. If it were only about personal victory or defeat, I, Zhu, would not be here today."

As the leader of the Black Earth Gang, even if only in name, he has an obligation to fulfill his responsibilities. Even if he is unwilling, he must stand up for the benefit of the organization—this is how the Mohist are raised.

"Hmph, whether it's military strategy or martial arts, they're all just methods of killing. Victory or defeat is the ultimate goal. If it weren't for you, this poor wretch, hiding in the library all day and never going out, giving me no opportunity to plot against you, how could you have survived to this day?" Huyan Lie scoffed at this.

Zhu Hao said, "Everyone has their own principles. You and I are ultimately not on the same path. You can use any means necessary, but I cannot follow suit. How about this, I will only make one move, and after that, no matter the outcome, I will not pursue this further."

"Are you serious?"

Huyan Lie instinctively felt that this was impossible; it must be a trap. Even though he was injured and poisoned, it was impossible for him to be unable to withstand even a single move from his opponent unless this old rival had been hiding his strength all along, and had hidden most of it.

However, given the current situation, the other party seems to have no reason to lie. I cannot let my guard down just because the other party says they will only use one move, and based on our long-term interactions, the other party is not that kind of person.

Zhu Hao solemnly replied, "I am not Military School, and I never use the excuse that 'all's fair in war'."

Huyan Lie laughed heartily, then after a long while, he said seriously, "The Mohist School's folly is known to all. Let's see what happens then!"

Chapter 247 Betrayal

Once Spirit Transformation cultivator unleashes their full Cultivation Body, their aura is as conspicuous as the morning star in the dark. Even a blind person or someone who has never practiced martial arts can feel their powerful presence, just like the midday sun shining on you.

Huyan Lü certainly wouldn't mistake his father's aura. Although he deliberately stayed away from the manor and found many witnesses in order to establish an alibi, he still sensed the aura the moment Huyan Lie and Zhu Hao made their move, and immediately realized that he had been tricked.

"This isn't what we agreed on. Why is it my father who came? Where's my older brother?"

Huyan Lü, his face contorted with anger, sternly questioned Elder Lou.

"Alas, plans can't keep up with changes. There's no such thing as a perfect scheme in this world, and some variables are always inevitable," Elder Lou sighed, feigning helplessness.

"You did this on purpose! Enough! Our cooperation ends here!"

Huyan Lü did indeed resent his father, but he never considered killing him.

It wasn't out of familial affection, but rather a consideration of the bigger picture. He was very clear that half the credit for the Thousand Ren Society becoming one of the top three gangs in Russia should go to his father. After all, Russia was a weak country, with no more than ten Nascent Spirit Transformation Grandmaster at most. Most of them were gathered in the Eclectic School's Northern Darkness Party and the Xiang Family's Heavenly Fragrance Sect. Even if foreign forces were included, there were only a handful of gangs with Spirit Transformation Grandmaster in charge.

Once his father falls, Thousand Ren Society immediately fall out of the top ten. Whether or not Spirit Transformation Grandmaster is in charge is a completely different concept for an organization.

Gangs without the protection of Spirit Transformation Grandmaster will naturally be at a disadvantage when they encounter gangs with a Spirit Transformation Grandmaster. They dare not speak up during negotiations, lack the confidence to swear, and even when bullying men and women, they have to let the other side go first, leaving them only to pick up the leftovers.

For Thousand Ren Society, the death of Huyan He was insignificant, but the death of Huyan Lie blow, potentially leading to paralysis or amputation. Huyan Lü could distinguish between the two and immediately turned hostile.

He moved slightly, silently and without warning, and in the blink of an eye, he pounced in front of Elder Lou. A hideous ghostly hand reached out and grabbed at his shoulder—it was the Knowing Yin Claw!

He and Huyan Lie were indeed father and son; their reactions and tactics were exactly the same. They could turn on each other in an instant and take action without hesitation, aiming to capture the person in one fell swoop.

Unfortunately, Huyan Lü ultimately lacked his father's cultivation level and martial arts skills were far inferior. His Knowing Yin Claw could not reach the level of still air, and he still stirred up trouble in the end.

Elder Lou reacted, but he had lost the initiative and it was too late to dodge. However, his hand seemed to have no bones, and he quickly pulled it into his sleeve.

Huyan Lü's attempt to capture him failed, but he did not admit defeat. He immediately followed up like a shadow, taking advantage of the situation. Like a snake climbing a stick, he grabbed Elder Lou's sleeves with both hands and crawled up, grabbing his shoulder in the blink of an eye. Then he took a step forward and pressed his palm down sharply.

This attack was completely silent, truly "unfathomable as the shadows," making it impossible to sense the opponent's strength, as if shrouded in dark clouds. However, if one were to look at Huyan Lü's feet at this moment, one would find that the ground had cracked into countless fissures, as if it had been pushed by a road roller.

This is the symptom he produced when he exerted force with both feet. It also shows the difference between him and his father. When Huyan Lie used this move, he was calm and collected. Even his force was restrained and did not leak out at all. The ground under his feet was not impacted at all.

This forceful pressing was truly like "forcing a cow to drink water," Elder Lou naturally couldn't resist it. His body slumped, and he was about to be pressed to the ground.

However, he practiced soft kung fu and was not afraid of being overwhelmed by strength. He immediately slumped his shoulders, becoming as soft as cotton, neutralizing and dissipating the force, and then used a move called "Golden Cicada Shedding Its Shell" to leave his jacket behind and leap backward.

Huyan Lü snorted coldly, casually tossed off his mandarin jacket, then placed one hand in front of his head and the other on his waist, taking a half-step forward. Each stomp sent chunks of cement flying like cannonballs.

This fighting style, similar to the Half-Step Crushing Fist, is precisely the Moving Thunder Fist, representing "movement like thunder"!

Elder Lou originally intended to use a technique similar to Taiji's Cotton Palm to neutralize the force, but as soon as he received the first punch, he knew he was in trouble. The opponent's skill and punching power far exceeded his expectations. Despite being thirty years older than him, he was completely overwhelmed, truly deserving of the title of genius.

Elder Lou could not withstand the force and could not completely deflect it, so he had no choice but to take a step back. However, Huyan Lü's offensive did not stop. One punch after another came in a continuous stream, each punch carrying a bone-shaking force.

Just as Elder Lou was about to lose his stance and be knocked down by a single punch, a figure suddenly attacked Huyan Lü from the side, forcing him to pause his attack and throw a punch backhand.