Soul of Gossip

Jiumozhi knew that if he truly killed Xuan Cheng, he would be committing an outrage against all under heaven. But if he merely crippled him, he could completely claim that he had accidentally lost control during their duel. Shaolin would have no recourse.

Blocked by the Flame Saber aura, Xuan Ci and the others had already missed their chance to intervene. They could only watch helplessly as Jiumozhi lunged at Xuan Cheng.

Zhang Sanfeng frowned slightly and was just about to move when Song Qingshu lightly stepped in front of him. Whether intentional or not, he blocked his path.

Seeing the question in Zhang Sanfeng's eyes, Song Qingshu chuckled. "Great-Grandmaster, this is a matter between Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism and Shaolin Temple. Why should Wudang wade into this muddy water?"

Zhang Sanfeng paused, then understood Song Qingshu's intentions and could not help laughing. The grudge between this grand-disciple of his and Shaolin truly ran deep. Though Zhang Sanfeng had always been compassionate, he was no softhearted fool. Shaolin and Wudang had never been on good terms, so there was no need for him to stand up for Shaolin.

Just as Xuan Cheng was about to die on the spot, a gray figure suddenly shot out from the side, sending two fists toward Jiumozhi's ribs.

Before those fists even arrived, Jiumozhi could feel the fierce force behind them. He knew that if he did not withdraw his attack, Xuan Cheng's meridians might be shattered, but he would not fare much better himself.

Jiumozhi was filled with towering ambition and naturally had no desire to perish alongside Xuan Cheng. He hurriedly redirected the Flame Saber in his hand toward the attacker. In the blink of an eye, the two exchanged more than a dozen moves.

By then, Shaolin's monks had also rushed forward.