On the right side of the dense forest, Yi Yang led the Pacification Guard and Evil Punishment Office men forward at full speed, passing through a stretch of trampled woodland.
Yi Yang's mental power locked onto the area ahead.
Thirteen Profound Sword Pavilion disciples huddled before a rock face. Several younger ones guarded the perimeter with swords that trembled slightly in their hands.
Behind them lay three wounded Profound Sword Pavilion disciples, their blood staining the ground red.
In a clearing twenty zhang ahead of them, a middle-aged swordsman in dark blue fitted clothing was fighting two powerful monks from Golden Sun Temple.
The swordsman was Han Zhengqing, who had returned to support them.
His right leg was clearly injured, its bones shattered. He could only move one step at a time, blood flowing with every step.
He held his sword in his left hand, while his right arm hung motionless at his side, apparently crippled.
Yet even with his body so grievously wounded, he fought to the death without retreating, holding the two pursuers back from the disciples.
Yi Yang swept his mental power over the two Golden Sun Temple monks.
One was at mid True Astral, the other at late True Astral.
Both were elders of Golden Sun Temple.
It looked as though Han Zhengqing could not hold out much longer. His badly wounded body was already giving way.
"Master Kongwu, do you recognize them?" Yi Yang turned his head and asked Kongwu.
Walking on foot, Kongwu narrowed his eyes to study the two figures in russet monk's robes ahead. The flesh on his three-hundred-plus-jin frame quivered as he replied:
"Yes... the one on the left is Senior Brother Xuanyu. On the right is Martial Uncle Xuanjue."
Kongwu's voice sounded off, as though he could not believe his