Raindrops were drawn together by Internal Energy, forming a gigantic palm that blocked Chu Qing and Wu Qianhuan's path.
Wu Qianhuan's heart sank. She knew this man was Tang Yinfeng, the head of Luoyu Hall.
His martial arts were exceptionally formidable. Wu Ganqi had once tested him, and afterward told Wu Qianhuan that Tang Yinfeng's power was no less profound than his own or Chu Yunfei's.
He had advised Wu Qianhuan to show the head of Luoyu Hall some courtesy if she ever crossed paths with him.
But there was clearly no way to be courteous now.
Tang Xi had secretly practiced demonic arts, while Liu Shijie had colluded with the Iron Horse Seven Bandits.
Both the deputy hall master and the young hall master of Luoyu Hall had problems. How could the head of the hall possibly be the one clean lotus in the mud?
Though it was a little early to tear off the mask, they had no time to worry about that now. Wu Qianhuan therefore had no intention of hiding her identity.
As the palm was about to reach them, she was just about to draw her sword.
But Chu Qing was faster.
By the time Wu Qianhuan's hand pressed against the hilt, Chu Qing had already pierced through the palm-shaped shadow formed by the curtain of rain.
That brief obstruction had nevertheless slowed the sword's momentum.
Even so, when Wu Qianhuan looked up, the sword had already reached Tang Yinfeng's chest.
Despite Tang Yinfeng's formidable martial arts, he was startled at that moment.
If he hadn't struck first, that sword would have wounded him even if it didn't kill him.
What kind of sword was this, to be so fast?
As thoughts raced through his mind, he had no time to think of anything else. He brought his hands together, palms facing each other from a distance.
A blood-red glow surged between his palms, and a trace of purple qi appeared in Chu Qing's eyes.
The two currents of Internal Energy clashed, and in that brief moment, neither gained the upper hand.
But just then, Tang Yinfeng's expression darkened. He turned his hands, and Chu Qing saw his long sword visibly begin to decay.
"Blood Transformation Divine Palm!"
Wu Qianhuan was shocked and furious.
Tang Xi had practiced the Hate Heaven Demonic Skill and the Blood Transformation Divine Palm. As expected, Tang Yinfeng was no exception.
Just what kind of place was Luoyu Hall?
Crash!
In the blink of an eye, Chu Qing's sword shattered inch by inch.
The two forces shot away from each other, sending the surrounding curtain of rain surging in every direction.
Yet the two men in the middle of the fight moved at the same time, each striking out with a palm.
Wu Qianhuan was alarmed and hurriedly sprang toward them.
"Careful, that's the Blood Transformation Divine Palm!"
But when experts fought, victory or defeat was decided in an instant. Even if she wanted to save him, how could she reach them in time?
Just as their palms were about to meet, a sharp whoosh rang out.
Something flew from Chu Qing's sleeve and pierced through Tang Yinfeng's palm in an instant.
Tang Yinfeng let out a scream and tumbled off the wall.
Wu Qianhuan happened to reach them at that moment. Chu Qing grabbed her by the wrist and leaped away, leaving only his voice behind.
"The head of Luoyu Hall is nothing special!"
Tang Yinfeng was at once furious, chilled, and in pain. His whole body trembled.
He thought the man was an absolute scoundrel!
What kind of hero ambushed someone from the shadows?
And he dared to look down on him?
If he had the guts, he should have taken a palm strike head-on and found out which of them was stronger!
As he thought this, he felt his palm go numb.
He looked down and grew even angrier.
"He used poison too!?"
But that wasn't even the height of his fury. Several Luoyu Hall disciples hurried over.
"Hall Master, the young hall master is missing."
"What?"
Tang Yinfeng's expression changed drastically. He didn't even have time to circulate his energy and force out the poison before hurrying to Tang Xi's room. One glance was enough for him to follow the bloodstains and learn where Tang Xi had gone.
He immediately opened the hidden door. There, lying face down on the ground, was a naked headless corpse... long dead.
But... where was the head?
Tang Yinfeng suddenly remembered that when he had fought the assassin moments earlier, the man had seemed to be carrying something...
Could it be...
At the thought, he could no longer contain the poison's effects. He spat out a mouthful of blood and roared skyward, his face contorted with rage.
"Who are you!?"
Heavenly Dance City was where Chu Qing and Wu Qianhuan had grown up.
After flying out of Luoyu Hall, they shook off all their pursuers in mere moments.
They stopped only after reaching a secluded spot.
"Pleasure working with you."
Chu Qing said to Wu Qianhuan.
"Goodbye."
"Stop right there!"
Wu Qianhuan hurriedly called out.
Chu Qing looked puzzled.
"Is something wrong?"
"..."
How could nothing be wrong? They had just pulled off something this huge, yet he was acting as if nothing had happened.
She stared hard at him, realizing that he bore not the slightest resemblance to the person in her memories.
She had followed him tonight partly because Tang Xi had a special status, and partly because she wanted another chance to observe the man before her. But now...
Wu Qianhuan shook her head and took a deep breath.
"You deliberately let me make the first move so you could create an opening for yourself?"
Wu Qianhuan was clever. Given her position, she couldn't afford to be stupid.
By now, she understood that Chu Qing had agreed to let her accompany him only so she could create an opportunity for him to strike.
Chu Qing smiled at that.
"This whole trip depended on Miss Wu's help. But we agreed beforehand: you won't get a single coin for killing Tang Xi."
In fact, Chu Qing hadn't gotten anything either. After all, Er Gou had no money.
Wu Qianhuan felt almost numb by now. Hearing that, she couldn't even work up any anger.
She merely fixed Chu Qing with a dark look.
"Had you already planned it all from the moment you agreed to let me join you?"
"...I'm not a fortune-teller. How could I predict everything that far ahead?"
Chu Qing was speechless.
"One person calls for one kind of plan; two people call for another.
"Since Miss Wu is so chivalrous and willing to rid the world of demonic evildoers for the people's sake, of course I had to make the best use of you... Ahem. Never mind. You heard wrong."
"Make the best use of me, indeed!"
Wu Qianhuan ground out each word. Even with her face covered, it was easy to imagine just how ugly her expression was.
This man had clearly counted on her following him, and made his plan accordingly.
And now he was standing here, putting on airs.
He couldn't possibly be Chu Qing. Chu Qing's thoughts weren't nearly so deep...
At that thought, she was about to let out the breath she had been holding when another thought suddenly surfaced.
People changed.
He had been gone for seven years, living through a stretch of time she knew nothing about.
What if this was simply how he had changed...
As she considered what to say, Chu Qing spoke first.
"Whatever you want to say, save it for later. I reckon you'll be busy tonight.
"Tang Yinfeng is poisoned now, and his Internal Energy Technique is greatly weakened.
"Luoyu Hall is probably at its weakest point in three years tonight. Hurry back to find your father and discuss how to remove this poison from Heavenly Dance City."
Chu Qing had a point, but Wu Qianhuan couldn't help thinking he was trying to run away...
Just then, a commotion broke out. Chu Qing and Wu Qianhuan instinctively hid, thinking Luoyu Hall's people had found them.
But several figures in blue hurried past, as if searching for something.
"Are they from the Chu Family?"
Chu Qing and Wu Qianhuan exchanged a glance. They both recognized where the group had come from.
But why were they rushing through the rain at night?
Could something have happened to the Chu Family?
Before you continue