Jing Ling seemed to want to say something, but as soon as he opened his mouth, blood gushed out and dripped down from his chin onto Xie Yun's wrist, which he was holding tightly.
The blood dripped down from his fingers into his palm. Jing Ling exhaled a hot breath mixed with the smell of rust. He looked up and smiled, "I thought that you had lost all your internal strength because you had been using the Bone-Shrinking Skill for a long time …"
He slowly exerted force with his fingers, which were like iron clamps, and forcibly pulled Xie Yun's hand that was holding the dagger out of his chest bit by bit.
"Now it seems that … you really … have no internal strength at all …"
With a splashing sound, the dagger completely separated from his flesh, and blood flowed down the tip of the dagger. Xie Yun's eyebrows twitched slightly, and she flew back like lightning.
However, Jing Ling's movements were faster than her. In an instant, he burst out with a roar of pain and swung the hook backhandedly, pushing Xie Yun back several feet!
This attack was made with the Soul Snatching Hook's thick back, which was made of black iron. If he had used the inner part of the hook, Xie Yun would have been broken into several pieces.
Even so, he still flew out horizontally. Before he landed on the ground in mid-air, Jing Ling had already approached him like a ghost and hit his waist again!
Jing Ling's body was strong and strong, and he was holding two weapons, but he didn't feel stagnant or clumsy at all. On the contrary, his speed and momentum could only be described as shocking.
Chen Haiping and Zhou Yu, who were closest to them, could only watch helplessly as they failed to save her. In a moment of desperation, Chen Haiping even blurted out, "Miss Long!"
Everyone thought that Xie Yun would be cut into two pieces in the next moment, but who knew that in a split second, Xie Yun's eyelashes slightly narrowed, and she put her hands on the back of the dagger and brazenly raised the dagger horizontally …
Clang!
The dagger fiercely hit the tip of the Soul Snatching Hook. In an instant, the angle was extremely precise, and the Soul Snatching Hook was blocked in front of her face amidst the dazzling sparks!
With several loud bangs, the two of them fell to the ground. Xie Yun escaped death by a hair's breadth. She twisted her body and stood up. However, instead of retreating, she advanced. Before Jing Ling could charge at her with his blade, she 'stuck' herself in front of him.
This was actually a very basic technique: long-handled weapons such as spears, long hooks, chains, and other long-range attacks, bypassing the attack radius and engaging in close-quarters combat was the most ruthless and effective counterattack.
Forget about the big sects in the martial arts world, even in small sects and martial arts schools, this was the first lesson that masters had to teach their disciples.
However, Xie Yun was still able to make such a precise judgment in that moment of life and death, and she only had a dagger in her hand. She even grasped the fleeting opportunity. The profound skill she displayed at that moment was far beyond the imagination of ordinary martial artists!
"Then, Miss Long," Chen Haiping covered his lungs and coughed out blood foam. He was stunned and said, "Who is that person?"
Zhou Yu was also surprised and uncertain. He suddenly raised his hand to stop Chen Haiping, who was about to go forward to help.
"Wait a moment, Brother Chen. This person may be an enemy … not a friend."
A trace of ruthlessness flashed in Jing Ling's eyes. He jumped back and twisted his blade horizontally. He actually wanted to open up a distance and repel Xie Yun in one fell swoop.
However, Xie Yun's body movements had already reached perfection. It could be said that she was treading on duckweeds and water. Her movements were strange and strange. Dozens of metal clangs sounded. It was too fast for the eyes to take in. Occasionally, they heard Jing Ling groan in pain.
Zhou Yu was stunned and said, "That Jing guy is at a disadvantage?!"
Chen Haiping blurted out, "No!
Be careful! "
At the critical moment, Xie Yun bent her injured and wrapped left hand. Her hard elbow was pressed against Jing Ling's throat. At the same time, she held a dagger in her right hand and silently stabbed out from under her left arm.
— — At that time, his back was completely exposed. His back was completely exposed to the Soul Snatching Hook. There was almost no resistance.
However, the dagger's sneak attack was unpredictable. It suddenly stabbed Jing Ling's left chest — —
"The third time," Xie Yun said softly.
"The third time." Under the scorching sun in the training field, the indifferent voice of the instructor suddenly sounded.
The red-haired little boy fell heavily to the ground. His whole body was covered in sweat and dust. The severe pain and humiliation were like endless darkness, almost swallowing the last trace of consciousness.
The instructor looked at the victor and then looked at the child on the ground. He raised his hand and waved, "Drag him down."
Two warriors walked up to the child. When they were about to reach out to drag him, they saw that he struggled to support his body and staggered up. "I … I can walk by myself …"
The warriors looked at the instructor. The instructor frowned impatiently.
"You — —"
"Master," at this time, an attendant suddenly trotted from the side and said in a low voice, "Yun Shi happened to pass by just now. She said that she wanted to see this child."
The sound of cicadas shook the sky. The sunlight passed through the leaves and cast a colorful swaying shadow on the ground.
A young man wearing a mask and a light white robe stood under the tree. He was surrounded by several people. He turned his head and looked at the battered and exhausted little boy. His eyes paused for a moment on the boy's dirty face. His facial features were beautiful, but his expression was gloomy.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"… …"
"I saw that your moves were good. Why is your right arm weak?"
"… …"
Someone behind him urged sternly, "Yun Shi is asking you a question. Answer quickly!"
The little boy stubbornly remained silent. There was a deep resentment in his eyes when he looked at Yun Shi.
Yun Shi raised her hand to stop the others. She stretched out the tip of her dagger and slightly lifted the little boy's right sleeve.
— — The bandage mixed with blood was exposed from the inside of his elbow!
Yun Shi was obviously not surprised. She put down her sleeve and asked, "Did you have a private fight?"
Although the Shengui Sect strictly forbade private fights, it meant that there were private fights. It was quite normal for children of this age to fight privately and even kill people.
The little boy clenched his teeth tightly and said nothing. Yun Shi did not ask more. She just stared at him for a long time. A little pity gradually appeared in her eyes. It seemed that she saw a similar version of herself from many years ago in the little boy.
"Your move was wrong," Yun Shi said slowly.
She raised the little boy's left arm and motioned for him to use his elbow to push her chin. At the same time, she leaned her body and cut her right palm in a very light and hidden angle. The sharp fingertips were rushing to her throat.
The little boy understood a little. Yun Shi demonstrated again.
"Do you understand?"
"… …" The little boy finally opened his mouth and said in a hoarse voice, "Yes."
Yun Shi was about to turn around and leave. Unexpectedly, the little boy suddenly pulled his sleeve and knelt down with a plop. "Boy, how dare you! Please lend me Yun Shi's dagger!"
The expressions of the people around changed slightly. Yun Shi looked back and seemed to hesitate. However, the little boy's hand holding his cuff did not loosen at all. His fingernails were full of blood and dark traces of soil.
After a long time, Yun Shi finally threw the dagger inlaid with treasure to him.
"Take it."
The little boy took the dagger and kowtowed neatly. Then he got up and walked to the martial arts field under the scorching sun.
Yun Shi did not stay. Surrounded by his subordinates, he turned around and walked away.
However, they did not go far this time. Suddenly, a loud roar came from the direction of the martial arts field behind them. Then there was a lot of cheers!
Yun Shi paused for a moment. After a while, someone came quickly. He cupped his hands and whispered in his ear, "Yun Shi!
The boy used that move just now … The tip of the dagger was hidden in his palm. No one found it … "
"He killed his opponent …"
Yun Shi gently closed his eyes.
The loud cheers mixed with the sound of cicadas in midsummer. The noise gradually turned into silence in the wind, blowing his robe and hair away.
After a long time, he opened his eyes and walked forward without looking back.
"Tell him that he doesn't need to return the dagger."
·
In the courtyard at the back of the mountain of Casting Sword Village, the tip of the dagger pierced through the darkness of the night. Jing Ling looked at Xie Yun and suddenly showed a strange smile on his face.
"The dagger … I'll take it."
Xie Yun subconsciously knew that something bad was going to happen, but it was too late.
Just before the sneak attack was about to succeed, Jing Ling let go of the Soul-Snatching Hook as if he could predict the future. The heavy iron hook fell to the ground with a clang. At the same time, he took back his empty hand. Bang!
He accurately caught the blade of Xie Yun's silent dagger.
Xie Yun's expression changed slightly, and then she felt a sharp pain. Jing Ling looked at her with a smile and tightened her wrist inch by inch.
The dagger fell to the ground with a clang amidst the terrifying creaking sound of his wrist bones being squeezed.
"Do you remember?
This is your … "
Clang!
Before Jing Ling could finish his words, Chen Haiping flew out from the side and forced him to take a few steps back with his sword.
"Miss Long, run!"
Jing Ling was caught off guard. He retreated several feet to avoid Chen Haiping's sword.
He flew into a rage and casually knocked Chen Haiping's sword away with his hook. Then he hit Chen Haiping's chest with the back of the hook.
Bang!
With a muffled sound, Chen Haiping spat out blood. His body flew back twenty to thirty feet uncontrollably before Zhou Yu desperately rushed forward to support him.
Jing Ling steadied himself and glanced at Chen Haiping, who was kneeling on the ground and gasping for breath. He said coldly, "You don't know what's good for you …"
"You!"
Zhou Yu was enraged and couldn't help but rush forward with his sword. Then he saw Jing Ling waving his hand to his subordinates and saying lightly,
"Clear the area."
The surroundings suddenly became quiet.
Following that, the meaning of those two words caused everyone to widen their eyes in shock!
Their swords and knives were unsheathed. The killers of the Shengui Sect, who were guarding the front hall, suddenly swarmed forward.
The disciples of the major Wulin sects also realized that there would be a fierce battle today. They all roared angrily and rushed forward.
In an instant, the whole front yard became a battlefield of swords and knives.
In the middle of the open space, Jing Ling narrowed his eyes and stared at Xie Yun, who was standing not far away. After a while, he unexpectedly showed a somewhat cold smile.
"Are you wondering how I was able to see through your trick just now?"
Xie Yun expressionlessly rubbed her right wrist. People who practiced bone-contraction were prone to dislocation. Jing Ling's grip had forcibly dislocated her wrist. After falling to the ground, he straightened it with a crack.
"I'm a little curious," she said lightly.
Jing Ling didn't answer immediately. Instead, he bent down and picked up the sharp dagger inlaid with gold on the ground. He held it in his hand and sized it up.
Although there were shouts and screams all around, his tone was very leisurely. It was as if he was chatting with an old friend. "You seem to have always liked to collect this kind of short weapon that is more decorative than practical …"
Xie Yun said, "Because when I have no money, I can dig out the gems and exchange them for money."
This answer was quite unexpected. Jing Ling looked at Xie Yun with slight surprise. "Very good.
It turns out that the dagger you gave me was inlaid with all kinds of gems because of this reason … Fortunately, I haven't thrown it away for so many years. "
Xie Yun said, "I don't remember."
Jing Ling asked again, "Don't you want to know why I saw through your sneak attack just now?"
Xie Yun rubbed her wrist and slightly turned her face, frowning.
"Because you taught me." Jing Ling met her gaze and said word by word, "Because you taught me that move."
— — If one looked carefully, Jing Ling's hand holding the dagger was very tight when he said this. His knuckles were even a little twisted and protruding.
However, Xie Yun didn't even think about it. She shook her head and laughed. "No … I really don't remember."
"I've seen too many things and killed too many people. I might have casually given other people some small things, but it's been too long and I've already forgotten them.
You can keep the dagger if you like. "He paused playfully and said," I still have a lot. "
In an instant, Jing Ling's hand clenched extremely tightly.
But it was only for a moment. Soon, his fingers loosened and he lazily threw the dagger on the ground.
"It doesn't matter."
He said, "You don't have to care about worldly possessions. Anyway, you're destined to die in my hands today. When you go down, you'll naturally remember who killed you."
The last few words of that sentence were extremely clear and deep. Suddenly, Jing Ling's body and the Soul Seizing Hook emitted a strong and cold aura.
It was a murderous intent.
From the time he met Xie Yun in the main hall of the Casting Sword Village until now, although they had been tit-for-tat several times, this was the first time he couldn't restrain himself from emitting a strong, hateful, and murderous intent.
Jing Ling held the hook with both hands and stepped forward towards Xie Yun. The tip of the hook was raised inch by inch like a poisonous snake flicking its tongue.
At this time, the front yard was filled with the sound of weapons colliding, shouting, cursing, and screaming. Corpses fell one after another amidst the splashes of blood. The surroundings were like Asura hell. Torches were burning fiercely in the open space. Broken swords and knives were scattered all over the ground. The blood on the blades was still wet and dripping into the dark soil.
Xie Yun finally let go of his wrist. "Can you really kill me?"
Jing Ling was already in front of him. At this distance, Xie Yun's hair, which was blown by the wind, could be brushed against his body. He was so close that he could easily cut off the head of this hateful person in front of him.
"What?" Jing Ling said coldly. "This time, do you still want to use your rich combat experience to defeat me, senior?"
Xie Yun shook his head and said, "No."
He raised his hand and pressed down on Jing Ling's strong arm. It was very easy and even very gentle, but Jing Ling almost immediately felt that a terrifying internal force was rapidly gathering in Xie Yun's pulse. In just a few breaths, it was filled to an extremely terrifying level!
Jing Ling's expression changed dramatically. "What's going on?!"
"Originally, I only wanted to endure for three more days, and this year would be over …" Xie Yun sighed deeply. A huge pattern appeared on his back and stretched out. The dragon-shaped tattoo surrounded his body. The dragon's head went around his left shoulder and stopped at his chest. Even the corner of the tattoo appeared on the side of his slender neck.
At the same time, a strong airflow spiraled up from the soles of his feet. The airflow was as sharp as a blade, and it spread in all directions in an instant!
"Little Brother," Xie Yun said, "no matter how rich your combat experience is, it is useless in front of absolute power. Do you understand?"
In the next moment, he easily grabbed the Soul-Seizing Hook. Blood spurted out and Jing Ling was sent flying in a flash!