Soul-Severing Banner

Just then, the Daoist at the tavern shook his head and said, "Can't even enjoy a meal in peace. Shopkeeper, the bill."

Originally, Yan Chihuo was faster than the two women, but with Shi San in hand, he slowed considerably. After running a little over ten miles, the women caught up with him.

Ru Shuang said, "Shi San, you've got some nerve, even daring to deceive me. How did you get the poison off you? Was it this kid?"

The red-clad woman tugged at Ru Shuang and asked Yan Chihuo in a sultry voice, "Young master, what might your name be?"

Yan Chihuo cupped his hands. "Fairies, Shi San and I go way back, so I rescued him. His skills are mediocre; whether he's there or not makes little difference. But he does have one virtue: he knows how to keep his mouth shut. He won't let anything about Black Wind Stronghold slip."

The red-clad woman said, "Young master, you may be skilled, but you're no match for the two of us. I advise you not to put up a futile struggle. Come back with us. Madam is sure to take a liking to you." As she spoke, a hint of flirtation lingered in her eyes.

Yan Chihuo immediately understood. These two women were likely practicing dual cultivation and energy-draining arts, which explained their behavior. His expression turned solemn as he reached back and drew his long sword. Seeing this, the women knew a fight was unavoidable. They each drew a silver hook and gripped it in their hands.

Yan Chihuo swung his long sword, sending a streak of Sword Qi shooting forth. Ru Shuang's expression changed. "He's actually a sword cultivator."

The two women swept their silver hooks in opposite directions, one tracing a semicircle from left to right, the other from right to left. The arcs joined, surging into a sheet of silver light as they met his attack. With a clang, Yan Chihuo's sword was knocked aside. The women felt their bodies shudder, and thought, This man's magic power is astonishingly pure and profound!

Yan Chihuo's own blood and qi churned in his chest. He knew their combined attack was tremendously powerful. His first strike had failed, and he dared not linger. Shifting his body, he darted to the left and struck again. The women's silver hooks flashed, slashing in from both sides like a pair of scissors. Knowing the danger, Yan Chihuo spotted an opening, twisted his body, and swiftly darted clear.

Knowing his opponents were formidable, Yan Chihuo relied on the Ape Lord Sword Art, shifting back and forth in every direction. In moments, he had maneuvered around the women and thrust more than ten times. Each time they tried to switch from defense to offense, he slipped away at the last possible moment. At first, the women thought it was a fluke, but soon they were both baffled. This is the hook technique Madam taught us. How does he know it? Otherwise, how could he dodge at just the right moment?

The two women were stronger than Yan Chihuo when they fought together, but he kept seizing the initiative, leaving them no chance to unleash the full power of their combined attacks. For a time, neither side could gain the upper hand.

At first, Yan Chihuo had worried he might not be a match for them, but after a while, he gradually relaxed. His sharp eyesight could not only see through fog but also spot openings in his opponents' attacks, allowing him to anticipate their moves in battle. Only then did he understand how he had been able to find the Ice Poison Scorpion's weaknesses in their earlier fight. Now that he had also grasped Sword Qi, his swordsmanship had advanced tremendously. Even fighting two opponents at once, he might not win, but he would certainly not lose.

Before long, the red-clad woman gritted her teeth. "Ru Shuang, cover me for a moment while I capture him with the Soul-Severing Banner."

"Isn't the Soul-Severing Banner too powerful? Won't it harm him? Madam might not be pleased if she finds out."

"This man's swordsmanship is formidable. Without the banner, we may end up wounded—and might even lose our lives. Madam won't blame us for what happens in that situation."

In the brief time they spoke, Yan Chihuo had made more than thirty attacks. Xuan Shuang said, "All right. Hurry up; I don't know how much longer I can hold out." The red-clad woman took out a small black banner and began chanting.

Yan Chihuo had heard their conversation. How could he let the woman cast her spell? His sword rained down attacks like a sudden storm. Knowing how formidable he was, Ru Shuang focused entirely on defense, whirling her silver hook into a screen of light that shielded them both.

Seeing this, Yan Chihuo kept his sword moving while silently reciting an incantation. Moments later, several large stones fell from the sky and crashed toward the women.

Ru Shuang was horrified and had no choice but to do everything she could to fend them off. As soon as she had smashed the stones, Yan Chihuo's sword thrust in. Ru Shuang was thrown into disarray. A rapid series of clangs rang out, followed by a sharp snap. Her silver hook had been cut in two.

Yan Chihuo reversed his grip and struck again. Ru Shuang tried to dodge, but the blow landed beneath her ribs with a thump, knocking her to the ground. Yan Chihuo was about to finish her off when the small banner flared brilliantly. A roiling mass of black mist poured out, gathered into a dark cloud, and descended. In an instant, it was so dark that no one could see their hand before their face.

Then dozens of naked, handsome men and beautiful women flew out of the black cloud. Embracing and caressing one another, they struck all kinds of alluring poses. Yan Chihuo was unmoved, but Shi San was too weak to resist. His face flushed red as he spread his arms and lunged toward them.

Yan Chihuo grabbed him and shouted into his ear. To Shi San, it sounded as if a thunderclap had exploded beside him, and he immediately came to his senses.

Just then, a man darted in and lunged at Yan Chihuo. Yan Chihuo struck back with his palm. A faint black glow rose over it, and his blow landed squarely on the man.

The man screamed and dissolved into smoke. Seeing that his poison art worked, Yan Chihuo was greatly reassured and looked around carefully. The black mist was thick, but it could not block his vision. He saw the two women hiding within its layers. Xuan Shuang had already applied medicine to herself, but her face was still contorted with pain. If Yan Chihuo's sword had gone three inches deeper, or his Sword Qi had been a little stronger, it would have injured her internal organs. She gritted her teeth. "That bastard really does hit hard."

Shi San was panicking, completely at a loss. Yan Chihuo's thoughts stirred, and he whispered, "You can't see them? Can't hear them either?"

"All I can see is black mist. I can't see anything, and I can't hear anything," Shi San cried. Yan Chihuo was greatly reassured. His senses were even sharper than he had imagined. The two women surely had no idea he could see through the mist. The tables had turned: the enemy was in the dark, and he had the advantage. But the women were too far away. If he failed to strike them down in one blow, they would be on guard, and he would be dragged into a bitter fight.

He pretended not to know where they were and simply used his swordsmanship to drive back the handsome men and beautiful women. These were souls captured by the Soul-Severing Banner. Though they were fairly strong, Yan Chihuo had just destroyed one with his poison art, so the red-clad woman did not dare let the remaining souls get too close.