Chapter 208: The Cut That Split Waves
Translator: Transn Editor: Transn
Looking far into the distance against the banister, ng Qi saw the Shangshui River surge and twist its way out of the city. It was called Wave-viewing.
Standing inside the Wave-viewing Hall, ng Qi looked at the undulating river water and watched the lights under the darkness of night, only to find that the sky was far away and beautiful. Looking at all the mist on the river, he felt that the mortal world and the immortal world were exactly a unified entity at the mont.
“The Ancestor of the Tang family is precisely an expert of the Exterior. He really picked an excellent place for cultivation… ” ng Qi looked over the river and glanced inside in a good mood.
In front of Tang Mingyue, he had just deliberately said with very cruel and profound words that he would kill Tang Shu. If he did not inform her in advance, it would cause Tang Mingyue to doubt his purpose. As a result, Tang Mingyue would suspect his own identity and would possibly not help him. Thus, ng Qi chose to gain montum and make use of it. After he had controlled the situation well, he told Tang Mingyue imdiately. That would only make her feel that ng Qi was indeed a successful and unpredictable prodigal son who had endured a lot, with a far-reaching plan and the bravery to not follow the rules of law.
Of course, pretending to be profound and cold made him so cool. “Haha, haha!”
ng Qi laughed in his heart, quite complacently. The only purpose of killing Tang Shu was for revenge. And one should never let their hatred pass through the night!
I’m such a vengeful person!
Of course, before killing Tang Shu, he should ask Tang Shu what he knew.
Therefore, the reason that he changed into white clothes and pretended to be profound and cool was not only for his own preference but more importantly, to lure so true information from him. In this way, he could create montum and psychologically suppress Tang Shu, so that Tang Shu would be honest. Hence, when he killed Tang Shu, he would not need to use his most well-known tricks, which could possibly expose his identity.
Still, Tang Shu had opened his Nine Apertures a long ti ago, and with powerful Inner Qi Force and infuriating Genuine Qi, his defense and attacks were extraordinary. Even if he did not fight back, a normal Enlightened Master Pro who was eager to break up the Upstanding Qi would fail. And when faced with danger, he would definitely burst out his potential. If ng Qi did not expose Tang Shu’s spiritual flaws to cause his potential failure, only with ng Qi’s bladesmanship of Enlightening the Apertures, and without using his sword or the Exterior movents, it would be difficult to kill Tang Shu.
As ng Qi was thinking that over, Tang Mingyue walked in, stepping lightly with a white robe in her hand. Her complete admiration for her brother was shown in her countenance and her words. “Second brother, Grandfather Ren will co after he arranges grandpa’s guard.”
“Okay.” ng Qi stepped into the East Warm Pavilion of the Wave-viewing Hall to remove the hardcover and put the white robe on.
A mirror made of a special copper material stood in front of ng Qi, which was as tall as several people. He glanced at it and could see his figure very clearly. He did not how it was made.
The person reflected in the mirror in the plain white robe was cold and majestic, coupled with a Long Knife on his waist. His angular lines had a strange charm that was different from a cool and sober swordsman, but also different from the ease of a monk who was free from the mortal world. It was the masculine and strong charm of one who used a knife.
“Nice, not bad… ” ng Qi was very satisfied with this style. If he could roughly sense the world, he would also be compatible with the surroundings and impress others with a perfect sensory experience.
He coughed and restrained his complacency. Restoring his calm state, he stepped out of the East Warm Pavilion.
“My Second Brother… ” Tang Mingyue bead, then cald herself down. Out of concern, she asked, “Second Brother, what on earth have you suffered outside?”
“It’s a long story,” he said. “I have yet to make up a good story… “
“I’ll tell you when I recover,” he said. “I ‘ll not be found at that ti… “
ng Qi answered in a husky voice. At the sa ti, he looked at the Wave-viewing Hall’s layout and wanted to find sothing to inquire about to “kill” the ti, lest he exposed himself out of more talks.
“Okay.” Tang Mingyu knew that his throat had been injured by an assassin and speaking was hard for him. He tried his best to shout in the hall just now, so he naturally had to rest.
The Wave-viewing Hall’s layout was elegant. Aside from incense burners and antique pavilions, there were just a few rows of bookshelves and desks and chairs. ng Qi was about to appreciate these antiques, but suddenly his eyes shone, for he saw so words under a horizontal board of the Wave-viewing Hall.
There were nearly one hundred words that were written like dragons and snakes. Hanging there up high, they reflected the water with a slight sense of floating.
“Wave-viewing Invitation… ” ng Qi read out the na and slowly walked toward it. Standing under the invitation, with his hands behind his back, he raised his head and read it carefully.
The words were not superior, nor was the speech outstanding. However, they were smooth as a whole and made the reader fully delighted. They were impressive.
“Hitting the water against the banister… ” Reading carefully, ng Qi’s eyes suddenly froze. It seed that the words beca constant flashes of waves and overwhelmingly “flowed” toward him, which almost made him suffocate.
They were like monstrous and turbulent waves. Up to the last few words, there was a Knife Energy that suddenly lit up before ng Qi’s eyes. It was so sharp and quick, beyond his expectation. The waves were split with only one cut, which destroyed the natural montum!
After the soul-stirring hallucinations of Knife Energy, ng Qi saw a new red word appear at the end of the “Wave-viewing Invitation”. It read, “Pochen.”
That was the na of Tang family’s ancestor, “Splitting the River Knife” Tang Pochen.
With his eyes closed, ng Qi rethought the Knife Intent of the “Wave-Viewing Invitation”, and words ca into his mind.
“River-splitting Bladesmanship.”
Neither the impartation of the Gist of Trueness nor a Kung Fu script, the “Wave-viewing Invitation” was written when the Tang family’s Ancestor acquired the consummate bladesmanship and the Qi was burning in his heart. He had included all of his Knife Intent in it. It fully showed “montum” and “swiftness”, the two kinds of Essence of the Knife Dao.
The constant waves and strong montum could split the river when they were swift enough!
“Our ancestor had said that if one could imitate 70-80% of the “Wave-viewing Invitation’, then his River-splitting Bladesmanship could be strong enough to disdain so places and break through the Exterior. Second Brother, do you want to try it?” Her brother had returned and changed the situation, so Tang Mingyue was in a good mood and joked with him.
“If I had the ti for River-splitting Bladesmanship, I would rather practice Seven Purple Thunderstrikes and Nine Annihilation at Heavenly Nights…” ng Qi sneered in his heart. But he gently said to Tang Mingyue, “I have successful bladesmanship, thanks to my other adventures. As for River-splitting Bladesmanship, I’m not strong enough.”
Tang Mingyue saw ng Qi’s chop at Master Ye, so she knew that his knife could be fierce, different from their own River-splitting Bladesmanship. Thus, she did not doubt him but smiled and answered, “Understanding one move might give so hints to other skills. Second Brother, your bladesmanship is strong and successful. If you read ‘River-splitting Bladesmanship’ again, you might naturally know the elentary essence of it.”
“It makes sense.” ng Qi was happy because this could help him avoid discussing stories of the past.
Moreover, the Knife Dao Essence of the derivational Knife Intent of the “Wave-viewing Invitation” was similar to that of the “Outline of the Heavenly Knife”. ng Qi had practiced and tried to understand it before, but with only a few benefits. Since there was great work in front of him, how could he let the chance go of appreciating and “imitating” it?
Soon after, he was imrsed in the realm of constant waves and the knife energy that Split the River, trying to ponder and take in its essence. With the relevant exposition of “Outline of Heavenly Knife” as the foundation, and the changes of Ananda Oath-breaking Bladesmanship, Coldwind Knife Technique, and Five Tiger-like Bladesmanship in addition, he quickly absorbed the montum and swiftness of the “Wave-viewing Invitation” into his own bladesmanship.
In this state, ng Qi totally forgot the outside world. Nothing could bother him now.
When Tang Ren, Second Master Tang, and Master Tang the Seventh walked in, they all focused their eyes on ng Qi. They felt that ng Qi, who read the invitation carefully with his hands behind his back, had an unexplainable quality. He seed to be free from the mortal world and was compatible with their surroundings. He also seed to wield his blade at any ti to split nature and return to the mortal world.
In his cool white robe, he was straight as an arrow. Not strong, but he was impressive and huge.
This was also the first feeling Tang Shu had, when he entered the Wave-viewing Hall. The rest of the elders remained outside the door, waiting for the result.
“Second Young Master… ” Shocked by ng Qi’s montum, Tang Shu only valued ng Qi, totally forgetting that Master Tang the Seventh was the current Master.
ng Qi recovered his mind and closed his eyes again to reflect on what he had learned. He did not turn around, but said in a hoarse voice,
“Why did you assassinate the Manager of the Huanhua Swords Sect and his relatives? Did Second Uncle know about it before?”
Tang Shu looked at Second Master Tang and saw him gently shake his head, so Tang Shu affirmatively said, “No.”
Second Master Tang was relieved. He did not know what his brother had suffered. Nor did he know why his brother had beco so violent. His brother, with his strong and fierce bladesmanship, had reactions and decisions that were also quick and terrifying like his bladesmanship, which did not give his enemies a chance to rest. After a series of confusing actions, his brother had controlled the largest part of the family. He and his blademanship were both frightening!
Tang Shu continued to say, “The Fifth Master did a favor for and adopted into the Tang family. Since he asked to assassinate them, I obeyed him absolutely.”
Tang Shu, whose original surna was not Tang, was a famous master in Huan Province. But afterward, he committed a cri. Luckily, he was saved by Lord Tang the Fifth and lived under the shelter of the Tang family. Later on, he took the tribe na of the Tang family. Relying on the Tang family’s support, he finally opened his Nine Apertures and fully improved his Inner World.
“Why did the Fifth Uncle want to kill the Manager of the Huanhua Swords Sect? Didn’t he think about the aftermath?” ng Qi still looked at the “Wave-viewing Invitation” with his back facing everyone. The night breeze made his white robe flutter a bit.
Tang Shu honestly replied, “The Fifth Master had not intended to do so, but after he secretly t Master Ye later, he said that in order to fight for status in the royal family, he must be the first one to launch an attack. Anyway, he would just deal with the relatives of the Huanhua Swords Sect’s Manager. With Manager Lin, who he had bribed before, it would not be serious. By that ti, everything would be fine since the “missing” I would be blad for it. Who knew that even Manager Lin also died later.”
Tang Mingyue listened quietly, with her mouth shut tightly. She did not believe Master Ye was also involved in such a big matter.
“Was there anyone else, when my Fifth Uncle t Master Ye?” ng Qi pretended to be calm, but actually, he was shocked. He had thought that Master Ye was truly a playboy who could only conduct small cris for his own strength and was not capable of such a big assassination. But now, it seed that Master Ye played an important role. “Was he the sa Master Ye who knelt down with one attack of my blade?”
Tang Shu shook his head and then looked at the back of ng Qi. He felt that ng Qi was like the Master of the family and ng Qi was confident.
“The Fifth Master secretly t him, so I didn’t know whether there was anyone else.”
ng Qi asked a few more questions. Seeing that Tang Shu confessed all he knew, ng Qi opened his eyes to look at undulating waves of “Wave-viewing Invitation”, with both hands behind him. Then he solemnly said,
“You conducted such a cri without the Master’s permission. That’s the first sin.”
“Regardless of the situation, you brought our family into a dangerous state because of your own contradictions with others. That’s the second sin.”
“You didn’t take the responsibility after making a mistake and made our family beco the target of others. You didn’t live up to our favor to you. That’s the third sin.”
“Tang Shu, do you admit your cris?”
He acted like a Master and judge. But after a series of situations, the montum of Master Tang the Seventh and the others had disappeared. Thus, they felt that it was reasonable.
Tang Shu said without any expression, “I admit it.”
“Uncle Shu has already admitted his cris, and he is a Nine Apertures Master. Would it be better to just sentence him to so heavy penalties, but leave him to serve the family?” Second Master Tang suggested.
ng Qi read the “Wave-viewing Invitation” again, feeling the surging waves and the splitting-river Knife Intent. He ignored Second Master Tang and coldly said, “Well, since you admit to it, I’ll not punish your relatives.”
Just as Tang Shu and the others felt relieved, ng Qi suddenly said, “The Fifth Uncle was right that soone should be the scapegoat to alleviate the anger of the Huanhua Swords Sect.”
“Our family should not do whatever we want, but should struggle to live among the aristocratic families and big sects.”
Tang Shu and the others were afraid, not knowing what he would do. “Would he break Tang Shu’s hands or put Tang Shu at the rcy of the Huanhua Swords Sect?”
ng Qi released his hands and pressed his right hand under the handle. He said in a cold voice,
“So, you have to die.”
His voice was not loud, but it was like sudden thunder, which bood inside their hearts.
ng Qi finally turned around and drew out his Evil Ordeal.
“As long as you die, your family and the whole family can survive!”
Upon finishing his words, he drew his Long Knife, which had long been building up its montum. The flashes of Knife Energy were changing and strange. Each change seed to violate the natural laws and touch their innermost feelings. Seeing it, they seed to hear an unbearable noise, which reminded them of the unforgettable past.
After all, it was difficult to cool down his anger!
This bladesmanship was unexplainable and terrifying. It was the essence of the Knife Dao of Peace Quietude Split derived from the “Outline of the Heavenly Knife”.
Until this mont, Tang Shu just saw the appearance of “Tang Jing”. Like Old Master Tang’s appearance, he had a straight nose, thin lips, and sharp edges and corners. In white robes, he was callous, overbearing, and imposing. So, Tang Shu naturally felt that he was inferior to him.
The image of standing with his hands behind him, the solemn performance, the confidence that ng Qi had shown, and the power when ng Qi inquired of him were like a picture that ng Qi carefully drew. The picture abruptly erged in Tang Shu’s heart and made him lose the confidence to fight.
“As long as you die, your family and the whole family can survive!”
That last shout, along with the strange changes and shocking bladesmanship, confounded Tang Shu. It was hard for him to choose between the lives of his relatives and his own life.
When Masters fought, their moves changed very fast. A slight mistake could bring about defeat. How could ng Qi tolerate Tang Shu’s hesitation?
His hesitation cost his decisive opportunity. Evil Ordeal had fallen in front of him!
Second Master Tang and Master Tang the Seventh just gathered themselves and hurried to aid Tang Shu.
“No!” Tang Shu roared. The intention of struggling for life controlled him, so he strengthened his palms. His palms’ strength of mixed coldness and hotness ford a cloud of Qi and defended against Evil Ordeal.
But just at the sa mont, Evil Ordeal pointed upward. The Knife Energy changed and attacked Tang Shu with the strength of constantly roaring waves.
Tang Shu concentrated his vision, knowing that he was in such a hurry that he misjudged ng Qi’s blade’s direction and fall into ng Qi’s trap. Thus, he had to use his left palm, but he failed and broke his left hand. And then, he escaped.
Seeing ng Qi’s attack, Tang Ren was surprised.
Suddenly, a bright brilliant knife energy shone, splitting a lot of waves and severing all the chances to escape.
“Clank!” ng Qi put his Long Knife into its sheath. He had stood in front of the “Wave-viewing Invitation”, but now he stood behind Tang Shu.
Second Master Tang and Master Tang the Seventh just hurried to get close to Tang Shu, only to see a stream of blood flowing from Tang Shu’s mid-brows to his throat. Tang Shu was unreconciled. “Pang!” He fell down to the ground.
“Send his body to the Flower-washing Rice Shop.”
Not even turning his head around, ng Qi pushed the door open and stepped out of the Wave-viewing Hall and calmly spoke.
The Elders outside were really shocked, because just as they noticed there was fighting inside, Tang Shu had died. “He is a Nine Acupores Master, Nine Acupores Master!”
ng Qi was confident. During the battle, Tang Shu was unable to exert 30% of his strength and was not focused. That was a big taboo in a fight. After ng Qi knew the derivative essence of Peace Quietude Split, any of his bladesmanships could kill Tang Shu. So, he just gave those two Knife Dao essences a try!
With his clothes as white as snow, he pressed his hands on the blade handle and slowly walked in the darkness.
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