Chapter Twenty-Two: The Three-Fold Origin Qi versus the Indestructible Golden Body (Part Two)
The World Alliance—on the second day after Xiongba’s departure—Qin Shuang received news from Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun that they would be returning soon.
After reading the letter, Qin Shuang clasped her hands together, turning them into dust.
Lying back, she tapped the table pensively, contemplating the next steps.
Now that she had fully mastered the Three Divisions of Primordial Energy and nearly comprehended the power to halt space-time, having also studied the martial arts manuals of the World Alliance, the next move was clear.
She would take Feng and Yun along, leveraging their fortune to seek out the True Art of the Black Tortoise and the Ten Supreme Martial Paths. With their presence and the power of cause and effect, this expedition to Lingyun Cave would surely yield rewards.
As for Juewushen, with Xiongba, the Twelve Fiends of Tianchi, and Duanlang from the South as allies, their strength should be sufficient.
---
At Tianmen, Xu Fu, wearing a frost mask, listened to his subordinate’s report with boredom.
“Oh? Fate has changed? It seems the variable is Qin Shuang!”
“To alter the destiny arranged by heaven is to oppose heaven itself. I want to see what skills this Qin Shuang truly possesses!”
With that, Xu Fu vanished in a flash into the icy cavern.
---
The martial world remained calm, yet beneath this tranquility, several decisive battles that would determine the fate of the realm had quietly begun.
Much like how many see only others’ glory but never the sacrifices made behind the scenes.
Yet most people are fools and mediocrities; even if they sense something amiss, they choose to disregard it, attributing success to luck and believing they too can achieve it.
---
Amidst the entanglement of cause and effect, when Xu Fu set out, Qin Shuang sensed something faintly but paid it no mind.
This time, the two were destined not to meet; the timing was not ripe, and the reckoning of cause and effect had yet to come, so Qin Shuang naturally avoided it.
The day after receiving Feng and Yun’s reply, the two hurried back, for Qin Shuang’s letter had said that Kong Ci was gravely ill and wished to see them one last time.
Xu Fu, ever playing the game of the martial world, took his time making his way toward the World Alliance.
---
“Junior Brother Yun, Junior Brother Feng, long time no see!”
“Senior Brother!”
“Senior Brother!”
“How is Kong Ci? Why is she so ill?”
Bu Jingyun glared at Qin Shuang as if to say, “I entrusted her to your care, and you’ve let her come to this?”
Qin Shuang instructed Wen Chouchou, “Please bring Miss Kong Ci out.”
Then she turned to Bu Jingyun.
“Congratulations are in order, Junior Brother Yun, on recovering your right arm and obtaining the peerless sword!”
“Kong Ci is fine!”
---
Bu Jingyun quickly reacted, coldly staring at Qin Shuang.
“Where is Xiongba?”
---
While Bu Jingyun inquired about Xiongba’s whereabouts, Xiongba had already arrived in the south, at the Duan family estate.
Thinking of how a mere servant had transformed into the lord of such a magnificent manor, Xiongba felt uncertain about how to feel.
It could only be said that the World Alliance was teeming with talent; every one of them was a master!
“Xibao, open the gate!”
Looking at the quiet Duan estate, the group sensed something was wrong. No matter how much Duanlang disliked Xiongba, he wouldn’t dare to treat him so disrespectfully.
Xiongba and the Twelve Fiends of Tianchi, all seasoned veterans, externally relaxed but internally vigilant, ready for any change.
Xibao gently pushed the door, which swung open to reveal bodies strewn across the ground.
“Oh, it seems our Duan leader was either captured or fled!”
Xiongba strode into the courtyard, scanning for any useful information.
“Let’s rest here tonight. If no visitors come, tomorrow we’ll pay a visit to the guest from the East Sea.”
Though he hadn’t met Juewushen, Xiongba remained cautious and composed as he prepared to face him.
---
“Senior Brother Shuang, why were you so eager to call us back? Is there an urgent matter?”
After sending Kong Ci away, Nie Feng asked.
“Is there something we can assist with?”
“Has that old thief Xiongba escaped the World Alliance? I’ll go after him!”
Bu Jingyun’s mind was fixed solely on Xiongba. (Kong Ci thought: Where am I now?)
Qin Shuang shook her head.
“Why rush? Listen carefully.”
“Juewushen from the East Sea is leading an invasion into Central Plains. I worry for your safety and had no choice but to summon you back to the World Alliance this way.”
“Xiongba has already gone south to block them!”
“Blood vendetta and patriotism—Junior Brother Yun, which weighs heavier? I hope you can set aside revenge for now.”
“Hmph!”
Bu Jingyun closed his eyes, arms crossed, leaning against the wall.
But both Qin Shuang and Nie Feng knew this meant Bu Jingyun had agreed.
---
“Aren’t you afraid that Xiongba, riding a wave of victory, will return to seize power at the World Alliance? That’s an external threat, not an internal one. If Xiongba wins, the entire martial world will owe him a favor!”
Bu Jingyun said coldly.
“Xiongba may be naturally invincible against Juewushen, but surpassing him is nearly impossible.”
A gleam of wisdom flashed in Qin Shuang’s eyes. The clash between the Three Divisions of Primordial Energy and the Immortal Golden Body would surely be fascinating.
---
The next day, Qin Shuang led Feng and Yun to Lingyun Cave, ostensibly to help Master Nie Feng locate his father’s remains and, at the same time, to help the two improve their skills.
Though Bu Jingyun doubted Qin Shuang’s seemingly pure intentions, he naturally followed Nie Feng to prevent any mishap befalling the naïve Nie Feng.
At the same time, Po Jun and Wu Ming returned to the former site of the Sword Sect, ready to settle their decades-long duel and determine the rightful heir of the Myriad Swords Sect.
Meanwhile, guided by scouts of the World Alliance, Xiongba discovered Juewushen’s whereabouts.
With the Twelve Fiends of Tianchi leading the way, ordinary men stood no chance, and most of Juewushen’s forces were scheming with Wu Ming.
Thus, amidst chaos and turmoil, Xiongba easily reached Juewushen’s presence.
“You must be the guest from the East Sea, Juewushen!”
Xiongba looked at the frail Juewushen and asked.
Before meeting Juewushen, Xiongba had imagined countless forms, but now he was deeply disappointed.
Juewushen was neither tall nor imposing, not even handsome.
Though startled that Xiongba had reached him, Juewushen was not overly afraid.
Even if Juewushen’s followers were gone, as long as no one could break his Immortal Golden Body, no one’s arrival mattered.
Those subordinates were dead or gone; no one was replacing them. As long as he remained undefeated, many would flock to him.
“Are you Xiongba? And the rest are the Twelve Fiends of Tianchi?”
Juewushen responded cautiously. Though unfamiliar with Xiongba and the Twelve Fiends, he was well-informed about them.
“Yes, that’s me. This Eastern Sea brat dares to stir chaos in the Central Plains. Are you prepared to die in a foreign land?”
Xiongba, ever domineering, dealt with external enemies with ruthless decisiveness.
“Hahaha... Leader Xiongba, you are truly overbearing. I hear the World Alliance is now led by Qin Shuang, who is no less than you. Join me and the Juewushen Sect, and I will help you reclaim the World Alliance!”
Juewushen laughed first, then deliberately provoked Xiongba. From Xiongba’s character alone, Juewushen knew he would never submit to anyone.