Qi and Jiu (Part 7)
The three – only three because Hong Jiu didn’t partake in the discussion – finally had a skeleton of a strategy once the stars took centre stage. Technically, their so-called strategy was just a reasonable counterattack strategy: capitalising on their terrain advantage to divide and conquer. They decided to iron out the details tomorrow morning because there wasn’t enough time for the night.
Tranquillity was restored to the house after the four went to bed in the four separate bedrooms.
Two hours later, a maiden gently landed on the outside the estate’s walls. Once she confirmed the presence of people within the abode through her unique mental cultivation discipline, her beast-like humanoid army emerged behind her.
***
Guan Ning’s elder-brother aura was inherited from his mentor, not his parents. He wasn’t born with a silver spoon; he was born into a branch family of Valley of Yearning’s Bai Clan that looked after the stable. His father intended to teach him how to raise horses so that he could feed himself in the future. Howbeit, by chance, he caught his son fighting with their patriarch’s son, where his son demolished their patriarch’s son. Upon questioning, his father learnt that he committed to memory the young master’s broadsword techniques when delivering food to his father. Panic-stricken, Guan Ning’s father fled the mountain with his son who was still wobbling.
Prior to their departure, Valley of Yearning’s patriarch, also known as Valley Lord, espied the six year old prodigy grab a broadsword prior to their departure. Impressed with the young boy’s posture when he took the weapon, Bai Clan’s patriarch decided to take the boy in as his closed-door disciple.
Guan Ning stood on the street outside his small courtyard and drew his broadsword without shifting his gaze away from the small tree in his sight. Subsequently, he sheathed his blade and yawned at the sky.
Bai Clan’s broadswordplay taught one to use their mind rather than some sort of special technique or stance. The cornerstone of their teaching was the word “yearning”. Regrettably, few people understood the reasoning behind the word.
A gentle breeze came along, generating a snapping sound, and then the small tree anterior to Guan Ning fell on an angle.
“Hmm, that wasn’t too shabby… Hmm?” Guan Ning turned his focus to the small courtyard. He sensed… bloodlust.
***
“They’re sound asleep,” uttered Nine-Lives Cat Fiend, raising a corner of her lips.
How could one call themselves a thief if they didn’t steal when there was an opportunity, especially when the darkness was on their side? That was why Nine-Lives Cat Fiend tailed Yan Fuli’s group, but she noticed their accupoints were sealed. Upon inquiry, she learnt about Hong Jiu and Master Qi from the group. As for finding their whereabouts, it wasn’t difficult to do in her own town. As a product of coincidences after coincidences, the roles of hunter and prey were suddenly swapped around.
Nine-Lives Cat Fiend decided to act immediately, giving her prey no time to prepare. At present, her Kongtong Sect fiend had already sneaked into the abode. Since he could split rocks with his bare hands, the plan was for him to start off with a strong offence, and then she would mobilise her forces for an all-out annihilation.
I can’t wait to rub this in their faces for calling me a weak fighter.
Suffice to say, Nine-Lives Cat Fiend’s primary concern was none other than Hong Jiu. He might’ve been mentally unstable – her viewpoint because he wore female clothing – but it was hard to tell who was the better fighter between him and the trio’s strongest – Drought Demon.
“Aaaah!” someone shrieked from inside.
Once she saw a big dark ball-like thing be thrown out from the courtyard, Nine-Lives Cat Fiend ordered, “Charge! She led the charge in, preparing her hands to tear apart whoever was flying toward her. The moment she laid hands on it, though, she noticed how odd it felt to the touch, so she double checked. “Wait! Halt!”
She was too late. By then, three thuds had been heard, and three of her minions were zooming over the wall and breathless. She looked up to see Hong Jiu grinning at her.
Hong Jiu never believed Master Qi’s inexperienced estimation. He had been on the “streets” for long enough to know life on the streets wasn’t so reasonable. Consequently, he set a few rocks on his bed and covered them with his blanket. As he predicted, someone tried to assassinate them at night. Accordingly, he turned his assailant’s plan against them. After the assassin hurt his hands on the rock, Hong Jiu bludgeoned him, then threw him out to lure in the rest of them.
The ruckus woke Fang Xiaoyu and Master Qi, who instantly put holes in three minions.
As an experienced combatant, Nine-Lives Cat Fiend summoned back her soldiers whilst smiling. “You are truly impressive. May I ask for a name?”
Hong Jiu: “Hahaha, you’ll do well to remember my great name: Hong Dahuzi. Remember the name.”
Fang Xiaoyu and Master Qi: “…”
“I’ll admit defeat,” conveyed Nine-Lives Cat Fiend.
Hong Jiu held up a palm-fist salute. “Goodbye.”
“You won’t get off so easily next time.” Nine-Lives Cat Fiend planned to pull out until she saw Guan Ning fighting her soldiers. “Wh-who’s your teacher?”
“Why do you ask, Miss?” Guan Ning responded.
Nine-Lives Cat Fiend started to form a scowl. “What’s your relationship to Bai Sanlang?!”
“He’s… my shifu.”
“Hahahaha, scum bag! Scum bag! After what you did to me, your disciple is following in your footsteps to walk over me. I may be a woman, but I fear no man. Only one of us is leaving this place alive!”
Hong Jiu: “Wait! We barely even know each other!”
Unfortunately, Nine-Lives Cat Fiend had already begun her advance alongside her forces.
Glossary
Hong Dahuzi – Literally, Hong Full Beard
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