Chapter 45: Encirclement, Poisonous Snakes!
Zuo Zimu was the master of the East Branch, and his martial prowess was well known to all his disciples—yet he had died so easily…
How could they not be shaken to the core?
But no matter what thoughts roiled within, the disciples of Wuliang Sword Sect’s East Branch responded in unison, drawing their long swords and subtly encircling Fang Han from afar.
The West Branch’s sect leader, Xin Shuangqing, had a shifting expression. Her palm had already rested on her sword hilt, and her disciples, noticing this, were also alarmed.
All the martial artists present stiffened with tension, instinctively assuming a defensive posture.
No one could help fearing that this man might suddenly lash out and kill again.
After all, his martial arts were simply too terrifying. Zuo Zimu was among the top fighters in this entire region—and yet even he had been slain. No one dared say they could defeat him.
Let alone the man who had killed Zuo Zimu.
There may not be a single person here who can stop him!
Duan Yu stared blankly at Zuo Zimu’s unmoving body on the ground, utterly horrified.
“Amitabha! Amitabha! What a sin! Truly a terrible sin!”
Startled and frightened, he also felt pity in his heart. If there was some conflict between them, why not talk it out clearly? Offer an apology, and be done with it. Why take someone’s life?
Duan Yu had initially felt the young man was refined and graceful—he even liked him a little. But now, seeing him so quick to fight and kill—especially with such ruthlessness, slaying that long-bearded Zuo Zimu—he felt uncomfortable. A sigh rose within him.
Unable to hold back, he spoke aloud: “Young sir, if you had a grudge or resentment, why not sit down and talk it out? Why must you do something as wicked as killing?”
Though everyone in the arena was on edge, none had yet spoken. So Duan Yu’s words, while not particularly loud, were clearly heard by all.
Faces changed. Everyone turned their gaze to the speaker. When they saw it was Duan Yu, they were stunned.
This youth was just publicly beaten on Zuo Zimu’s orders, his face still swollen—and now, with Zuo Zimu dead, not only does he not gloat, he even speaks out on the killer’s behalf?
Is he not afraid of death?
Some admired his virtue—repaying cruelty with kindness—but even more people had the same thought:
What a fool…
Pfft~
Seated on the overhead beam in her emerald-green dress, the little girl giggled sweetly and said, “What a silly goose! That big brother just helped you vent your anger, and instead of being grateful, you’re scolding him? How unreasonable!”
As she spoke, her sparkling eyes glanced at Fang Han—bright and admiring.
That big brother really is incredible!
And so kind~
He even saved me earlier!
Thinking of what had happened moments before, a soft blush appeared faintly on the girl’s cheeks.
Duan Yu looked at her with disappointment after hearing that.
This girl seems so innocent and lively, but the words she says… not so much.
He shook his head firmly. “I’m fine now anyway. I laughed at them earlier, and now I’ve been beaten—so we’re even. What anger is there to vent? And it’s never right to take someone’s life over such things.”
The girl in green pursed her lips, no longer speaking.
This silly guy is so stubborn… best not to argue with him. Not worth it.
Fang Han gave Duan Yu a quick glance, but didn’t respond.
Some things don’t need debating.
As the saying goes: ‘Do not urge others to be kind unless you have tasted their suffering.’ [¹]
He’s a prince of Dali’s royal family, just out traveling. What darkness has he truly seen?
Still, Duan Yu’s interruption gave the Wuliang Sword disciples enough time to shake off their shock—and slowly grow bolder.
Gong Guangjie, burning with grief and rage, raised his long sword and shouted, “Our master has been killed by this man! Fellow disciples, we must avenge him!”
His words stirred not just the East Branch, but the West Branch disciples as well.
Though the two branches often clashed, in the face of an external enemy, a shared hatred inevitably took root.
Xin Shuangqing’s expression shifted slightly. After a brief moment of thought, she subtly gestured with her hand—her disciples drew their swords and stepped forward.
After all, they were all of the same sect. If they simply stood by and watched while Zuo Zimu was killed, what would the martial world think?
If word got out, the Wuliang Sword Sect would become a laughingstock.
Moreover, with Zuo Zimu dead, the East Branch had lost its leader. Now, she had the strongest martial arts and highest status in the sect.
If she handled this well, there might even be a chance to unite the two branches once and for all.
In just moments, disciples from both East and West branches of Wuliang Sword Sect had completely surrounded Fang Han.
They were afraid of his power, yes—but no matter how strong he was, he was still only one man.
A single fist cannot block four hands. [²]
Let alone four hundred!
No matter how skilled he was—it was impossible to handle this!
Hmph!
A cold snort rang out. Cheng Lingsu leapt down from the overhead beam, her figure floating like a celestial being. She landed inside the encirclement and stood by Fang Han’s side.
Her delicate, gentle face now carried a cold expression. Her bright eyes flickered faintly with anger.
The crowd gasped. Her lightness skill was astonishing.
The technique looked nearly identical to Fang Han’s!
Could this woman also be a powerful fighter? If the two of them joined forces, then…
Gong Guangjie’s face darkened. He was just about to speak—when he suddenly felt something slippery slide across the back of his neck. He reflexively reached up and grabbed it. When he looked…
“Ah! Snake! A snake!”
Panicked, he hurled it away. The snake flew into the group of disciples beside him.
Screams erupted!
Piercing cries echoed. The disciples of Wuliang Sword Sect broke into chaos—shouting and scattering in all directions.
They didn’t know what was happening. But when they saw those brightly colored, venomous snakes, panic took over.
Only the martial artists in the audience saw it clearly—
The snakes had been tossed down from the wooden beam above.
Plop!
The girl in green clapped her hands and laughed joyfully, tossing more snakes down with delight. Then she descended from the beam. Though her movement wasn’t as graceful as Cheng Lingsu or Fang Han, she was agile and nimble.
Taking advantage of the chaos, she skipped over to Fang Han and Cheng Lingsu’s side—and flashed them a sweet, cheerful smile.
🍃🍃🍃
🔖Footnotes
- 未经他人苦，莫劝人为善 (wèi jīng tārén kǔ, mò quàn rén wéi shàn)
Literal: “Do not urge others to be kind unless you’ve suffered as they have.”
Meaning: It’s easy to tell someone to be forgiving or kind if you’ve never been through their pain.
- 未经他人苦，莫劝人为善 (wèi jīng tārén kǔ, mò quàn rén wéi shàn)
- 一拳难敌四手 (yì quán nán dí sì shǒu)
Literal: “One fist can’t beat four hands.”
Meaning: No matter how strong a person is, they can’t win against overwhelming numbers. Often used in martial or strategic contexts.
- 一拳难敌四手 (yì quán nán dí sì shǒu)