Chapter 48: Mu Gaofeng’s Defeated Retreat

“Quick, untie me.”

Compared to the composed Yang Wenhao, Mu Gaofeng was clearly much more anxious. The pressure Yang Wenhao exerted was immense, forcing Mu Gaofeng to remain vigilant and cautious.

As Mu Gaofeng kept his eyes fixed on Yang Wenhao, Yang Wenhao lifted his bound hands.

“What are you trying to do?” Mu Gaofeng retreated several steps, watching Yang Wenhao warily, his hands already gripping Yilin’s throat.

Yang Wenhao, uncomfortable with being threatened, said, “Do you want me to undo it or not?”

“Undo it, why not?” Mu Gaofeng stared at him. “I don’t believe you can pull any tricks.”

Yang Wenhao shrugged and raised his bound hands again.

This time, Mu Gaofeng didn’t retreat as before, but he remained on guard.

Yang Wenhao hesitated for a moment, then said, “Let her go first, and I’ll undo it for you.”

Mu Gaofeng narrowed his eyes, studying Yang Wenhao. “Trying to play tricks, kid?”

Yang Wenhao replied helplessly, “My hands are already tied. Is it necessary for me to try anything?”

“Fine, I doubt you’d dare try anything now.” Mu Gaofeng reasoned that Yang Wenhao, in such a predicament, wouldn’t risk any tricks. Besides, holding the person himself was far more effective than threatening another.

After releasing Yilin, Mu Gaofeng casually drew a short dagger from his cane and pressed it against Yang Wenhao’s throat.

Even with the blade to his neck, Yang Wenhao’s expression didn’t change.

Then, under Mu Gaofeng’s watchful gaze, Yang Wenhao suddenly kicked out, aiming straight for Mu Gaofeng’s groin.

Had the kick landed, Mu Gaofeng might have been ruined for life.

Mu Gaofeng hadn’t expected Yang Wenhao, even in such a state, to make a move.

But Mu Gaofeng didn’t dare fight poison with poison.

Quick and agile, Mu Gaofeng sidestepped the kick, then steadied himself and looked at Yang Wenhao. “Well done, kid. You may be young, but your ruthlessness rivals the cults of the underworld.”

Yang Wenhao smiled without speaking. He had gambled: would Mu Gaofeng choose his own life or Yang Wenhao’s? Unsurprisingly, Mu Gaofeng chose to protect himself.

“Hmph, I’d like to see how you fight with your hands bound.”

Mu Gaofeng’s cane swept through the air, striking at Yang Wenhao.

Earlier in the guest room, Mu Gaofeng’s strength was no match for Yang Wenhao, but now, with Yang Wenhao’s hands tied, his options were limited.

Yang Wenhao dodged the cane with a sidestep. “So what? I can still beat you with my feet.”

“Courting death!” Mu Gaofeng’s eyes blazed, his cane darting at Yang Wenhao like a snake.

Yet, no matter what, Mu Gaofeng was not Yang Wenhao’s opponent.

Yang Wenhao was now a fifth-level Qi cultivator, his power vastly greater than before. Not even an innate martial artist could gain an advantage over him.

During the next few exchanges, Yang Wenhao found an opening and landed a hard kick to Mu Gaofeng’s chest.

Even with his strength, Mu Gaofeng could not withstand such punishment. Blood spewed from his mouth as he clutched his chest, suffering greatly.

He had thought he could finally defeat Yang Wenhao, but the outcome was still a humiliating defeat.

Mu Gaofeng’s eyes darted about. He grabbed his cane and hurled it at Yang Wenhao.

Yang Wenhao dodged easily, expecting some follow-up, but Mu Gaofeng turned and fled without a backward glance.

Seeing Mu Gaofeng escape, Yang Wenhao chose not to pursue. In a few days, Mu Gaofeng would realize escape was futile, that there was no salvation—unless an immortal descended to rescue him.

Turning, Yang Wenhao picked up the unconscious Yilin, pressing his fingers to various acupoints on her body.

“Mm…”

Yilin slowly opened her eyes, her gaze landing on Yang Wenhao’s familiar face.

When she realized she was in Yang Wenhao’s arms, she immediately panicked.

Seeing her discomfort, Yang Wenhao gently set her down.

“Brother Yang… what happened to me?” Yilin blushed, asking, “I remember someone came out of that house…”

Yang Wenhao replied, “I drove him away. It’s all right now.”

“Oh.” Yilin nodded slightly.

The next morning, Yilin rose early, washed, and recited her prayers.

When she finished, she went to wake Yang Wenhao, only to find his room empty.

Yilin stopped a young attendant and asked, “Excuse me… where is the guest who stayed here yesterday?”

“Oh, you reminded me,” the attendant said, as if recalling something. He searched for a moment and handed Yilin a sheet of white paper. “He asked me to give this to you. He said to let you know, when you woke up, that he’d already left.”

“Gone?” Yilin’s heart trembled, as if she’d lost something precious.

She unfolded the paper, and upon reading the words inside, she stood frozen.

“He’s really gone.”

She murmured to herself.

She’d thought Yang Wenhao would remain by her side, but he’d left without a word.

In truth, Yang Wenhao had intended to accompany Yilin to rejoin Abbess Dingyi. But then he realized he’d kept her disciple away for so long, and who knew what that old spinster might do if she lost her temper.

So he decided to leave first. After all, Yilin knew martial arts, and under normal circumstances, no one would dare harm her.

Yang Wenhao’s next destination was Mount Hua.

What mattered most to him now was the Five Mountains Sword Technique hidden within the cave on Mount Hua’s cliff of repentance.

Sword techniques were what Yang Wenhao lacked most. If he could master them, his skills would advance greatly.

Moreover, he’d already decided to specialize as a swordsman. After all, what man hasn’t dreamed, as a boy, of soaring through the skies atop a sword in a fairy tale?

The sword is king among all weapons, so Yang Wenhao’s choice was only natural.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t yet learn sword flight; his strength was still lacking. He would have to wait until he reached the Foundation Establishment stage.

But Yang Wenhao was in no hurry. Cultivation required steady progress.

Little did he know, by the time he reached the foot of Mount Hua, his name had already spread throughout the martial world.

He’d killed Yu Canghai’s disciple, and also slain Fei Bin of Songshan Sect.

Now, both the Qingcheng and Songshan Sects were searching for Yang Wenhao’s whereabouts.

They even pressured Mount Hua and Mount Heng, since they knew their disciples had connections to him.

Especially the Mount Heng Sect, but Abbess Dingyi was famous for protecting her own. “I don’t care who you’re looking for—it’s none of our concern,” she’d say, keeping her distance from trouble.

(End of chapter)