Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils: The Successor of Bodhidharma

Page 39

Xuan Ci's kasaya billowed as a surge of immense internal energy erupted—it was the Kasaya Subduing Demon Skill, one of the Seventy-Two Arts of Shaolin!

However, Jinzha moved even faster than the sword! Just as the longsword was about to touch the cassock, he moved as fast as a ghost, grabbed the flying sword, and shouted, "Qi-Breaking Strike!"

"laugh--!"

With a soft tearing sound, Xuan Ci's cassock, infused with pure internal energy, was cleaved in two by the invisible sword energy that appeared to be a light touch! Fragments of the cassock flew everywhere!

Jinzha's momentum did not diminish. With a single palm flip, his moves became mysterious and ever-changing, carrying the intent to capture and neutralize all laws, aiming straight for Xuanci's wrist—it was the Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand! With his other hand, he drew the Azure Frost Sword in mid-air, as if it had a life of its own, drawing a strange arc in the air, and slashing back towards Xuanci's flank!

At the same time, Yao Yao lightly touched her jade feet, her figure gracefully soaring into the air, the "Nine Heavens Jade Pendant" in her arms resting on her knees, her jade fingers swiftly flicking!

"Zheng——!"

An invisible sound wave suddenly exploded out like ripples on water, sweeping towards the martial arts practitioners who were trying to rush forward! Wherever the sound wave passed, everyone felt a sharp pain in their eardrums, their blood and qi surged, and their forward momentum was immediately halted. Those with weaker cultivation even covered their ears and screamed in pain, falling to the ground and rolling around!

In that split second, two extremely shrill screams came from the scene, one from a man and the other from a woman!

"what--!"

"my leg--!"

Qiao Tian stood firmly in the center, his face cold and stern. In front of him, Quan Guanqing and Kang Min lay sprawled on the ground like dead dogs, their knees shattered! Bone fragments pierced their flesh, blood gushing out. They were forced to kneel on the ground, facing Qiao Feng, by an invisible force, their knees bent in humiliation!

Seeing Kang Min's miserable state, Duan Zhengchun could no longer control himself. He cried out in alarm and flew into the arena to save her.

Qiao Tian didn't even glance at him. He calmly took the clean white handkerchief Huang Shang handed him from behind, slowly wiping the blood from his hands. Then, facing Duan Zhengchun, he spoke coldly, his voice not loud, but loud enough for anyone nearby to hear, carrying a knowing warning:

"Lord Duan, I advise you to stop."

"To associate with such a venomous woman would tarnish the reputation of your Dali royal family. Perhaps it's better not to reminisce about past grievances in front of the heroes of the world?"

Duan Zhengchun froze mid-journey, his face turning deathly pale. Qiao Tian's words were like ice picks, piercing the most hidden corner of his heart, leaving him both shocked and furious, yet unable to refute them. He could only watch helplessly as Kang Min wailed, caught in a dilemma.

Qiao Tian ignored him, wiped his hands, and carelessly tossed the towel aside. His icy gaze fell on Quan Guanqing and Kang Min, who were kneeling and wailing, as if they were two ants.

The entire place fell silent. Everyone was stunned by Qiao Tian's thunderous methods and his seemingly all-knowing aura.

Qiao Tian slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the faces of everyone present. Finally, his icy voice, like a judgment from the deepest hell, resounded clearly across the summit of Shaoshi Mountain:

"Mrs. Ma, Kang Min—"

He paused, each word brimming with boundless anger and disdain:

"You slut! Do you really think that your affair with Bai Shijing, your crimes of murdering your husband and framing my brother can be hidden forever?"

"You think you can incite this bunch of idiots, use your looks and crocodile tears to distort the truth and put my brother Feng to death?"

"Today, I will tear off your beautiful mask and let all the heroes of the world see what kind of vicious and filthy heart lies beneath your skin!"

As soon as he finished speaking, it was like throwing a boulder into a calm lake, causing towering waves once again!

Chapter 121 I'll give you face and let your family go this time.

At the summit of the tower, Xiao Yuanshan's body beneath his black robe trembled slightly. His sharp, hawk-like gaze pierced the distance, locking firmly onto the figure in black robes in the center of the plaza. He couldn't help but slowly nod, a complex emotion flashing in his exposed eyes—surprise, scrutiny, and finally, a barely perceptible sense of...relief and compromise.

Whisper it in a voice only you can hear, as if making a vow:

"That kid from back then... Oh well."

"Considering how much you've protected my son today... I'll grant you this favor."

"Qiao Sanhuai and his wife... your whole family... I'll let you go this time!"

In the arena, Kang Min and Quan Guanqing, their legs shattered, were forced to kneel before Qiao Feng. Their shrill cries and the glaring blood were like a resounding slap in the face of all the "heroes" who had just been shouting for battle!

"Qiao Tian! You've gone too far!" Master Xuan Nan was consumed by rage and no longer cared about his status. He roared, his monk's robes billowing, and was about to join the other monks to come forward and rescue him.

"Amitabha!"

Abbot Xuanci's chant, imbued with pure inner strength, was like a morning bell and evening drum, instantly quelling the commotion in the arena. He had just been forced back by Jinzha's exquisite and fierce swordplay and grappling techniques. Although he was not injured, his cassock was destroyed, and he had lost the initiative. He was shocked by the strength of this young Wudang disciple.

He stepped forward from the crowd, his face solemn and grief-stricken, his gaze fixed directly on Qiao Tian:

"Sect Leader Qiao! Even if you have suffered a great injustice, please explain in detail. Such cruel behavior and humiliation are not the actions of a righteous sect. It is... unbecoming of you as the leader of Wudang!"

"Yes! Quickly release Elder Quan and Madam Ma!"

"Wudang is so domineering, how is it any different from the Demonic Sect!"

The crowd was once again enraged, and countless weapons were pointed at the Wudang camp, creating a tense atmosphere!

Despite being condemned by thousands and criticized by millions, Qiao Tian seemed oblivious.

He didn't even glance at the furious Xuan Nan, nor did he pay any attention to the righteously indignant Xuan Ci. His deep, icy gaze seemed to pierce through the crowd, landing precisely on Ye Erniang in the corner.

He spoke, his voice not loud, yet carrying a strange, penetrating, and chilling power that clearly reached the ears of Ye Erniang and all those who were paying attention:

"Ye Erniang".

These three words seemed to possess a magical power, causing the previously restless Ye Erniang to suddenly freeze.

"I have heard that for more than twenty years, you have stolen other people's babies, played with them day and night, and then cruelly killed them, committing boundless atrocities. You have done all kinds of evil deeds."

Qiao Tian spoke calmly, as if stating a fact unrelated to himself, but every word struck Ye Erniang's heart like a heavy hammer.

Have you ever thought about this—

His tone suddenly shifted, his voice like a chilling wind from the depths of hell, carrying a fatalistic question:

"One day, the pain and despair you inflicted on the flesh and blood of others, these heinous sins, will also be repaid upon... your loved ones and their children?!"

"Om-!"

Ye Erniang felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her whole body trembled violently, and her eyes, which were full of ferocity and madness, were instantly filled with boundless fear and disbelief! She stared intently at Qiao Tian, ​​as if trying to see something on his face.

At that moment, Abbot Xuanci's hand, which was holding the prayer beads, trembled almost imperceptibly! His pupils suddenly contracted beneath his lowered eyelids!

"You... what nonsense are you spouting!" Ye Erniang's voice was shrill, yet it carried a hint of undisguised panic.

A cold smile curled at the corner of Qiao Tian's lips, a smile that seemed to know all secrets:

"Whether I'm lying or not, you know best in your heart."

His gaze was like a knife, as if it could peel away all of Ye Erniang's pretenses, and his voice carried a deadly allure and an undeniable assertion:

"The son you long for every day, yet cannot see... On his back, near his shoulder blade, is there your mark? That mark, neatly arranged, represents the identity of your... former lover!"

"This mark, this identity—"

Qiao Tian's voice suddenly rose, booming like thunder:

"Do you really need me to explain this to all the heroes of the world?!"

"No—! No!!"

Ye Erniang let out a piercing scream, as if all her strength had been drained away, all her previous madness and ferocity vanished! With a "thud," she knelt directly in Qiao Tian's direction, tears streaming down her face, kowtowing repeatedly, her voice filled with endless fear and pleading:

"Please! Don't say it! Don't say it! I beg you! Let him go! Let my family go! It's all my fault! All the sins are mine alone! Please have mercy!!"

Everyone was stunned by this sudden turn of events! The infamous and ruthless Ye Erniang had actually lost her composure and knelt down to beg for mercy just because of a few words from Qiao Tian?! Her son? The mark? Her former lover? What astonishing secret lies hidden within?!

A faint hint of surprise flashed in Xiao Yuanshan's black-clad figure in the distance—his murky eyes: "How...how did he know about this?"

Qiao Tian coldly watched Ye Erniang kneeling and pleading, as if watching a drama he had long anticipated. He spoke calmly, his voice carrying an undeniable authority:

"From now on, stop your evil deeds, do no more evil, and never harm a baby again."

"Once this matter is settled, I will... help you reunite as a family."

This is both a promise and a shackle.

Ye Erniang, as if grasping at the last straw, kowtowed repeatedly, sobbing uncontrollably, "Yes! Yes! I promise! I'll never dare to do it again! I'll never dare to do it again!"

Qiao Tian stopped looking at her, as if he had just dealt with a trivial matter. He slowly turned around, his gaze returning to Abbot Xuanci, whose face had become extremely pale.

He clasped his hands in a gesture that seemed polite, but his straight, pine-like spine and the sharpness in his eyes carried a silent pressure and warning.

"Abbot Xuanci".

His voice was clear and resonant, echoing throughout the entire venue:

"Shaolin and Wudang both belong to the righteous path of the martial arts world, and should be of one mind and work together to maintain peace and tranquility in the martial arts world!"

"Today, I, Qiao Tian, ​​am not here to challenge the authority of Shaolin, but simply to seek justice for my brother who has suffered an injustice, to present evidence, and to clarify the truth!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the restless Xuan Nan and the others, his tone suddenly turning cold, carrying a chilling undertone:

"We urge the abbot to keep a close watch on Shaolin Temple! Do not allow those who are unaware of the situation to stir up trouble and add fuel to the fire!"

"To prevent things from spiraling out of control and forcing Wudang to—"

His gaze, sharp as lightning, suddenly shot towards Xuan Nan, his voice as cold as ice, each word striking the hearts of everyone present:

"With you, Shaolin, in this ancient temple, this sacred Buddhist site, blood will splatter every five steps, and all will perish!"

These words, seemingly a plea, were in fact the sternest warning! He was implying to Xuan Ci that if he continued to tolerate Xuan Nan and the others' interference, he wouldn't hesitate to expose all the secrets behind Ye Erniang, as well as any "hidden secrets" that might be related to Xuan Ci! For the sake of Shaolin's reputation, Xuan Ci had to make a choice!

Abbot Xuanci swayed almost imperceptibly, the color draining from his face in an instant, only to return swiftly. He gripped the prayer beads in his hand tightly, as if he wanted to crush them. The implicit threat in Qiao Tian's words, and the image of Ye Erniang collapsing to her knees, weighed on him like two mountains, making it almost impossible for him to breathe. He knew better than anyone the devastating blow that the buried past would deliver to Shaolin, and to him, once it was revealed!

After a long while, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Xuan Ci seemed to have aged ten years in an instant. He slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, all that remained in his eyes was endless weariness and a resigned sorrow.

He clasped his hands together, his voice, slightly hoarse and trembling, resounding throughout the hall:

"Amitabha Buddha... I'm so sorry, so sorry..."

"My heroes, please... calm down for now."

"Please listen to Sect Leader Qiao as he recounts the whole story."

"No one is allowed to make any moves until the truth comes out!"

These words were tantamount to Shaolin temporarily acquiescing to Qiao Tian's authority to control the situation! Although Xuan Nan and the other monks were unwilling, under the abbot's strict orders, they could only suppress their anger and retreat in resentment.

Qiao Feng stared blankly at his brother's back before him. His back wasn't particularly broad, yet at that moment it seemed to shield him from all the storms of the world. Watching his brother effortlessly repel the Shaolin abbot and subdue the Four Evils with a flick of his finger, watching his brother risk defying the world for him, placing himself and Wudang in the eye of the storm… a surge of intense emotion welled up within him. This iron-willed man felt a lump in his throat again, his heart overflowing with mixed feelings. All his grievances, anger, and desolation seemed to find an outlet under his brother's unparalleled protection.

Xie Xiaoyu's clenched fists loosened slightly, and his gaze towards Qiao Tian was filled with unprecedented shock and a burning, almost worshipful intensity. To stand up for his brother, risking being surrounded and facing the world's condemnation! Such loyalty, such courage, even made this cold-blooded god of war feel his blood boil!

The Wudang disciples stood even taller, their eyes filled with unparalleled pride and fervor as they gazed upon their sect leader's unparalleled presence, towering above all others! This was their sect leader! This was the spirit of Wudang!

Qiao Tian stood with his hands behind his back, his black robe fluttering slightly in the mountain breeze. Ignoring the various gazes around him, he slowly walked to Quan Guanqing and Kang Min, who were still kneeling on the ground, trembling with pain and fear.

He leaned slightly forward, his icy gaze fixed on two crawling insects, his calm, unwavering voice containing a chilling intensity capable of freezing the soul and an absolute, all-encompassing authority.

"You bitch, now..."

"We can settle the accounts now."

Chapter 122 Tell Me—Should They Have Killed Them?

To everyone's surprise, Qiao Tian did not immediately attack Kang Min. Instead, he walked with his hands behind his back to Quan Guanqing, who was trembling with pain and fear.

He looked down at him as if he were looking at a pile of filthy mud, his voice cold and devoid of any emotion, and began to list his crimes one by one:

"Quan Guanqing, you clown, do you even deserve to covet the position of Beggar Clan leader?"

"You colluded with Madam Ma Kang Min, secretly exchanged favors, and violated gang rules. This is your first crime!"

"You fabricated the scene, left behind my brother Feng's folding fan, and framed a loyal official. This is your second crime!"

"You incited your followers and misled people, intending to put my brother Feng to death in front of all the heroes of the world. This is the third crime!"

"A scoundrel like you, disloyal, unjust, without a ruler or father, betraying friends for personal gain, dares to call yourself a hero, dares to covet a high position? Bah!"

With each sentence he spoke, Yao Yao would speak coldly from behind, announcing the corresponding evidence name—"Record of the Secret Meeting Location between Quan Guanqing and Kang Min"... Immediately, Wudang disciples would present the corresponding files and evidence list to Abbot Xuanci, whose face was ashen and who remained silent.

Quan Guanqing's face turned ashen. He wanted to defend himself, but under the overwhelming evidence and Qiao Tian's tangible pressure, he could only make a "hoarse" sound and couldn't utter a single word.

Qiao Tian stopped looking at him, as if even glancing at him would be considered dirty, and turned to stand in front of Kang Min, who was crying her eyes out and looked pitiful.

He looked at that beautiful yet utterly vicious face, his eyes filled with nothing but endless disgust and icy coldness:

"Kang Min, you vicious woman! You are truly heartless and worse than a wolf!"

"You are promiscuous and unfaithful, having affairs with Bai Shijing, Quan Guanqing, and many others. This is adultery!"

"You murdered your husband Ma Dayuan with cruel and inhuman methods; this is poison!"

"You framed my brother Feng, distorted the truth, and incited a blood feud. This is evil!"

"You think you can manipulate all the heroes of the world just because you have a bit of beauty? You think your crocodile tears can fool everyone? How laughable! How pathetic! And how hateful!"

"You shameless slut, who sleeps with anyone, dare to talk about 'grievances'? You dare to talk about 'justice'? You're not even worthy to carry my brother Feng's shoes!"

Yao Yao spoke again, her voice still calm, yet like a sharp blade peeling away a mask—"Kang Min and Bai Shijing's private correspondence," "The merchant's testimony about Kang Min purchasing the drug (consistent with the residue in Ma Dayuan's body)"—one piece of irrefutable evidence after another was presented to Xuan Ci.