Chapter 1337: Opening Orifices and Stabbing Acupuncture Technique in Ancient Martial Arts, Verbal Sparring to Destroy the Dao Heart

The young master beneath the bench shifted slightly, and Bing Gongzi rose smoothly to his feet, casting a glance back with an air of effortless composure.

"Yingying girl, what did you want to discuss?"

Yingying was taken aback, momentarily at a loss.

"Come on, the back courtyard is this way, right?"

Bing Gongzi took her hand and pulled Que'er close. Under the stunned gazes of the crowd, he strolled away from the battlefield with a beauty on each arm, as naturally as could be.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths...

"Stop right there!"

Gui Mian Laohan finally snapped out of it.

"Being retained, Beidong Zhi, 1."

Xu Xiaoshou paused but didn’t turn around. He simply raised his folding fan high and waved it lazily.

"This young master isn’t afraid of you. I just know your boss isn’t here, so I’m not bothered to pick on you."

"If you shout again, my guard won’t be so polite."

The onlookers erupted in murmurs, unsure if this lazy demeanor was an act or backed by real confidence.

But considering how Bing Gongzi had shaken himself up earlier...

It had to be an act, right?

Definitely, right?

"Being suspected, Beidong Zhi, 652."

Gui Mian Laohan’s face darkened. "Then I won’t be polite either!"

He was surprisingly courteous, announcing his move before striking.

With that, he stepped forward in a blur, his foot slamming down like a thunderclap. His burly frame shot through the air like lightning.

"Young master, watch out!"

Yingying and Que’er's faces paled.

Bing Gongzi might dare to underestimate the second-in-command of the Gui Shen Bang, turning his back like that, but the two women had heard of Gui Mian Laohan’s fearsome reputation—it was like thunder in their ears, and they feared him like a fierce tiger.

The Gui Shen Bang was a local powerhouse, a force established to protect You Gui Ge and guard Xiang Yi. Who in Jade Capital City didn’t know that?

Over the years, even with Xiang Yi absent, anyone who dared to speak ill of her had been hunted down and dealt with by the Gui Shen Bang.

Now that Xiang Yi had returned, the Gui Shen Bang was like a awakened slumbering lion, reorganizing and on high alert.

After all, Shen Yi was incredibly strong, and he had many old enemies.

In recent days, plenty of people had tried to stir up trouble at You Gui Ge, openly or in secret, but they’d all been intercepted by the Gui Shen Bang.

The smaller incidents aside, Shen Yi himself had a deep feud with Dao Qiong Cang!

The Gui Shen Bang had held a oath-swearing assembly last month upon learning of Xiang Yi’s return, even preparing to confront the Sheng Shen Dian Tang—if it ever targeted You Gui Ge.

And now, with just one remark from Bing Gongzi, he’d drawn the deputy leader of the Gui Shen Bang. It was clear this was meant as a warning, a show for certain onlookers!

Trouble comes from the mouth...

What a pity for this delicate young master—he hadn’t even had a chance to enjoy himself properly...

Yingying and Que'er each harbored their own thoughts, closing their eyes in despair.

But when the blinding flash of energy reached them, it suddenly halted, exploding with a massive boom on the spot.

"What was that sound?"

Yingying and Que'er hadn’t felt the aftermath of Gui Mian’s punch wiping them out. They forced their eyes open and looked back, only to see Gui Mian Laohan somehow suspended in midair by a streak of silver-white Jian Qi.

The Jian Qi was impossibly sharp, piercing through the upper floors of You Gui Ge, straight through the dark copper-hued gui wood floors, and even shattering the protective array around the pavilion.

"Rustle..."

As wood chips fell from above, the onlookers finally awoke from their daze.

"Jian Qi!"

"An ancient sword cultivator!"

"Of course, Xu Gongzi claims to be a successor of the Dong Yu Zang Jian Zhong. It’s no surprise he’s an ancient sword cultivator... but when did he even strike?"

The crowd turned their eyes to Bing Gongzi, who still had a beauty on each arm, his folding fan unmoved in his hand.

That Jian Qi couldn’t have come from him!

"It must be the guard!"

"Xu Gongzi is a successor of Tai Xu, with an invisible guard!"

"Second-in-command..."

"Gui Mian predecessor, be careful!"

"Being revered, Beidong Zhi, 264."

"Being suspected, Beidong Zhi, 558."

"Being glared at, Beidong Zhi, 32."

Trapped in the Jian Qi, Gui Mian Laohan looked shocked and wary.

He had already tried to take this young master seriously, especially since Feng Xiao had exaggeratedly described Xu Gusheng, and with the man right there, he could faintly sense a threat.

But he never imagined that Bing Gongzi hadn’t even moved—his guard alone was this formidable.

This technique of “all things as sword” had struck so fast that Gui Mian Laohan only caught a glimpse of a half-finger flashing in the void before he was immobilized.

"Shake Light!"

Gui Mian Laohan let out a low roar. His already massive, beast-like body swelled further, muscles bulging like twisted ropes.

A faint glow emanated from him, his eyes turned blood-red, and his white-streaked temples reverted to a grayish brown.

A terrifying wave of energy surged out like a tidal wave, sending the onlookers flying and shattering tables and chairs in You Gui Ge.

"Break!"

He stamped the ground in midair, breaking free from the Jian Qi’s hold, and slammed a palm toward Bing Gongzi’s back.

Body techniques?!

Xu Xiaoshou’s pupils dilated slightly as he pointed his paper fan downward.

"Yes, young master."

A muffled voice echoed from the void.

At the same time, a figure in black combat attire and a faceless mask materialized, fully concealed. He positioned himself between Bing Gongzi and Gui Mian, meeting the powerful palm with two extended fingers thrust forward.

"Point Path."

A dull thud rang out.

Gui Mian Laohan’s ferocious advance was halted once more.

The refined force, like an invisible sword, pierced straight through his chest, visibly tearing his clothing from front to back before ripping it open with a sharp rip at his back and vanishing.

"Boom!"

Gui Mian Laohan seemed unharmed, but the entire rear wall of You Gui Ge—made of expensive dark copper-hued gui wood, along with the paintings on it—shattered in an instant.

Light poured in from outside.

On the long street, passersby stared in shock.

Amid the collapsing wall, Feng Xiao stood dazed, wiping a mysterious cut on his left ear, his whole body trembling.

He had just been kicked away by Gui Mian predecessor and was returning when he nearly impaled himself on a sword tip!

But Feng Xiao’s trembling wasn’t from fear.

It was because, beyond the wall, he saw the person who had blasted him away earlier—that guard!

And the sword stance with which the guard’s fingers pointed at Gui Mian predecessor’s palm!

"Shi Duan Jian Zhi..."

Feng Xiao looked as if he’d seen a ghost. "How do you have the complete Shi Duan Jian Zhi?!"

In You Gui Ge and on the street outside, everyone’s expressions turned fascinating.

People in the Central Domain might not care much about the new Seven Sword Immortals, but the Eighth Sword Immortal was a name on everyone’s lips.

Shi Duan Jian Zhi was the Eighth’s signature technique.

It wasn’t inherently that powerful—what made it strong was the user’s insight into the sword dao and the underlying principles of the move.

Legend had it that mastering Shi Duan Jian Zhi could lead to comprehending the foundation of the Second Generation’s Thorough Divine Sword Intent.

Naturally, that drove people mad!

But after the Eighth Sword Immortal, Ba Zun An, “fell,” the complete version of Shi Duan Jian Zhi was lost to the world, as he had never bothered to teach it to disciples.

And now, someone in You Gui Ge was using the complete Shi Duan Jian Zhi?

"Who’s that!"

"A fight’s breaking out inside?"

"Hey, what luck to stumble upon this! I could never afford to enter You Gui Ge normally, and now the doors are wide open welcoming me—let me get a good look... Damn, it’s the Gui Shen Bang?"

"Run, quick!"

At the center of the battle, Gui Mian Laohan ignored the bystanders, stunned by the pain in his palm and the chill on his back.

Even after activating Shake Light, to be wounded like this was inconceivable.

This finger strike, this “Point Path,” was a masterpiece of mastery. This ancient sword cultivator guard was on a completely different level from someone like Feng Xiao!

"Shi Duan Jian Zhi..."

"This Xu Gusheng comes from the Dong Yu Zang Jian Zhong, and Zang Jian Zhong is under Wen Ting—Wen Ting and Ba Zun An were friends..."

Gui Mian Laohan was astonished to encounter a true successor of ancient sword cultivation, and as just a guard at that. But now that the fight had started, he had no intention of backing down.

"Open Yang!"

He roared again, his upper clothes bursting apart as his blood and qi surged wildly. His scar-covered body seemed to boil, turning red-hot.

As the treasured body glowed with a rosy hue, one could vaguely see his acupuncture points lit up like needles of gold, radiating blinding light.

With the crackling of bones and a thunderous rumble from his throat, his blood and qi roared like dragons and elephants.

"Open for me!"

After his palm’s force waned, he drew on hidden reserves, slamming forward again and sending Bing Gongzi’s guard staggering back three steps.

"Tap, tap, tap."

Gui Mian Laohan pushed the guard back a step himself, then steadied himself, surprise lingering in his eyes.

Was this the power of Shi Duan Jian Zhi?

It even incorporated principles of body techniques for countershock... Ba Zun An truly lived up to his reputation!

"The second true body got pushed back?"

On the other side, Xu Xiaoshou, still holding the two women, turned back in surprise, eyeing Gui Mian Laohan like a monster.

This was his second true body, at Saint Emperor Lv.0 strength—equivalent to half his true self with various treasures and powers enhanced.

It had never been forced back before, yet here it was.

Didn’t that mean Gui Mian Laohan’s physical prowess was terrifyingly strong?

"Shen Yi..."

"The Ghost Gate, where gods are titled..."

"The Gui Shen Bang’s second-in-command, Gui Mian..."

Xu Xiaoshou pondered thoughtfully.

He had once inquired about body techniques without success, so he asked Ba Zun An about it.

Ba Zun An had mentioned that Shen Yi’s body techniques weren’t like his own, which were just “body” without the “technique.”

Shen Yi specialized in a method of opening meridians and piercing acupuncture points, called “Gu Wu.”

Gu Wu was to ancient sword cultivators as...

The latter relied purely on talent for enlightenment—if you couldn’t grasp it, you couldn’t; the former demanded exceptional physical aptitude—if you couldn’t master it, you’d die.

Thus, it was even rarer, with lineages almost extinct, more elusive than dragons or phoenixes. Across the entire continent, you couldn’t find many practitioners.

From what Ba Zun An knew, besides Shen Yi, the only other place was one of the six departments in Sheng Shen Dian Tang—the Body Department.

But their lineage had also been cut off, as Shen Yi’s success had drawn attention, though it was nothing compared to that monster from the Ghost Gate who earned the title of god.

Now, Gui Mian Laohan had clearly trained under Shen Yi for some time, mastering true Gu Wu—the techniques of opening meridians and piercing points, the very essence of body arts!

"Your sword techniques are impressive, sir. May I ask your name?"

Gui Mian Laohan paused his assault briefly, staring at the burning wound in his palm, his eyes wide with shock as he looked at Bing Gongzi’s guard.

His power still burned within him, his face flushed and veins bulging—he was curiosity overriding his battle lust.

Bing Gongzi’s guard remained silent.

Bing Gongzi rudely tapped his guard’s back of the head with the folding fan. "His name is Jin Ren."

Gui Mian Laohan’s gaze sharpened, his tone unfriendly. "Xu Gongzi, is this how you treat your subordinates?"

His eyes shifted again. "Brother Jin Ren, with your astonishing mastery of ancient sword techniques, you could vie for a spot among the new Seven Sword Immortals. Why submit to others?"

In that instant, Gui Mian Laohan clearly saw the guard, Jin Ren, in his puppet-like combat suit, tremble slightly and lift his head, a glimmer in his eyes.

That look was all too familiar!

Longing, aspiration, a yearning for the future and for light... hadn’t he worn that same expression in his youth?

But Bing Gongzi lightly tapped, and the fan lowered Jin Ren’s head, snuffing out that light.

"A guard is a guard, a servant is a servant."

"With skills like that, talking about the new Seven Sword Immortals? It’d just be as laughable as that Feng Xiao."

In a flash, everyone’s eyes darted toward the entrance of You Gui Ge, even the Gui Shen Bang members glancing over.

Feng Xiao’s face turned beet red as he clutched his ear, his head nearly burying into his chest.

"Brother Jin Ren!"

He suddenly lifted his head, regaining his spirit, and strode into the pavilion. "I’m finished, but you’re a true successor of Zang Jian Zhong. You’ve mastered Shi Duan Jian Zhi and even wounded Gui Mian predecessor. With your cultivation, how can you stay subservient?"

"As sword cultivators, we should forge ahead fearlessly, fighting for fame... You have the makings of a Seven Sword Immortal!"

Bing Gongzi listened with a fan-covered smile, his eyes sharp. "You’re just a defeated underling—do you have a say here?"

"I wasn’t defeated by you!" Feng Xiao glared angrily, unwilling to speak to this wastrel, and turned to the guard Jin Ren. "You..."

"No need for more words. My guard won’t leave me... right, Jin Ren?"

"Yes!" The second true body turned reluctantly and nodded in agreement.

Even Gui Mian Laohan felt a surge of anger at the sight.

A sword cultivator of this caliber, bent under a sickly young master—what hold did he have over him?

If the Gui Shen Bang could recruit him...

He exchanged a glance with Feng Xiao, who got the hint and stepped forward earnestly. "Brother Jin Ren, it’s not that I’m saying..."

"If it’s not you saying it, then don’t!" Bing Gongzi cut in.

"Xu Gusheng, shut your mouth! What do you know about ancient sword cultivators?" Feng Xiao was truly furious now.

"Oh, so you know all about ancient sword cultivators?" Bing Gongzi shot back without flinching, fanning himself as he sneered, "Is it your sword, Mu Guang, that you couldn’t even protect, which taught you about ancient sword cultivators? Or is your sword dao so profound that you dare lecture in front of this successor of Zang Jian Zhong?"

Feng Xiao’s momentum faltered, his face flushing between pale and green.

Recalling how his sword had been broken by this man’s guard, he fumed with embarrassment and tried to retort.

Bing Gongzi let out a cold hum, and inexplicably, Feng Xiao’s words stuck in his throat.

In You Gui Ge and on the street outside, all eyes converged on Bing Gongzi as he advanced, his presence building with each step.

"This young master doesn’t know how you Central Domain folk view ancient sword cultivators—how you imitate them, how you mimic their steps and dress up as them."

"But the ancient sword cultivators I’ve seen in the East Domain are those who’d risk their entire family to protect a single sword!"

"Even if they fail, even if they die, even if their clan is reduced to one or two... true ancient sword cultivators never abandon their path."

Bing Gongzi’s gaze burned intensely, fixed on the now pale and unsteady Feng Xiao, as he scoffed, "You’re a sword dao throne holder, aren’t you!"

"This young master doesn’t believe that in your earlier fight, you lacked the ability to protect your sword."

"It’s just that in your heart, Jin Ren is far superior to you. If you overstep, if you act rashly, if you resist—you’d die."

"You value your life over your sword, left with nothing but empty howls... Someone like you, calling yourself an ancient sword cultivator, insults far too many, and you still dare speak of swords and dao in front of this young master?"

The paper fan lightly tapped Feng Xiao’s trembling face, then slowly lifted his chin.

With a "thud," Feng Xiao’s body shook like thunder, blood rushing to his heart. His eyes glazed over as he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Bing Gongzi swiftly turned aside, flicking his fan to shield half his face.

"Change your path—you’re not worthy to wield a sword!"