Chapter 23 Part 1: You Dare Hurt My Apprentice?

At night, unknown insects chirped in the treetops.

 

Dark clouds shrouded the night sky.

A cold wind blew, carrying an oppressive sense that a storm was coming.

 

Inside the No. 12 residence of Shenlin Residence, several people sat in an antique-style hall.

A fish tank bubbled with water, where several valuable breeds of fish swam freely.

The glass reflected the bright indoor lights.

 

“What did he say?” asked an old man dressed as a Taoist, stroking his beard.

 

Another person said, “He won’t talk.

No matter what we ask, he claims to know nothing.”

 

The old man narrowed his eyes, his expression solemn.

“Although he is unclear about Qianyang’s specific background, Qianyang has not been wary of him.

Let him go back and continue to gather information beside Qianyang…

This man still has his uses.”

 

The other person said, “Master, Qianyang’s background is unknown.

Not only does she possess extraordinary skills, but she also wields uncommon objects like the Sky-Asking Compass.

She can even reveal your unique technique to the public through just a few exchanges.

If she is not of orthodox origin, she may be a great threat to the occult world!”

 

The old man said, “I have roamed the occult world for many years and have never seen a prodigy like her.

She must be guarded against.”

 

Just then, a young-faced man said worriedly, “Master, Qianyang is by no means a virtuous person.

This time, we may have touched her reverse scale.

How will we resolve this?”

 

“Moreover, even after threatening Yang Mao, he refuses to reveal anything related to her.

It seems he won’t work for us either…

The internet already suspects us.

How can I maintain my standing in the future?”

 

The old man snorted coldly.

“Small-minded!

This time, I was merely probing her skills—whether she would disrupt the occult world and harm others.

You have already lost face for me online.

In the future, in front of outsiders, do not disclose our relationship as master and disciple.”

 

The young man pressed his lips, unwilling but not daring to argue.

He lowered his head.

“Yes…”

“Whoosh—”

Just then, the sound of a sharp object piercing the wind and tearing through space rang out.

 

Before those in the room could react, a long, narrow shadow broke through the window and “twanged” as it embedded itself halfway into the wall—proof of the arrow’s fierce momentum!

 

“An arrow?” the young man exclaimed.

 

The old man’s expression changed slightly.

He said in a deep voice, “She’s here.”

 

“Whoosh!”

 

But before his words faded, a second arrow broke through the window and shot directly toward the old man’s shoulder.

 

“Master!” the young man cried out in shock.

 

The old man did not dodge.

He reached out his right hand and barely caught the arrow aimed at himself.

The immense impact tore the skin of his palm, and blood immediately flowed out.

 

With a loud “bang,” the door was kicked open with force.

The bolt snapped in the middle, and wood chips scattered on the floor.

 

As the dust settled, a woman in a gray Daoist robe appeared at the doorway.

She held a jade-colored longbow, her expression fierce.

Though alone, she seemed to carry the momentum of a mighty army.

 

“Where is my brother??!”

Behind her stood a young girl, still a minor, holding a quiver of arrows.

 

The old man’s expression remained unchanged.

He casually discarded the arrow, his gaze sweeping over the bow in Qianyang’s hand.

“An excellent bow deserves an excellent archer.”

“Young lady, your archery is not bad.”

 

“Who asked for your opinion?”

Qianyang’s sharp eyes scanned the room.

“Where is my apprentice?”

 

The old man smiled.

“Rest assured, you are our honored guest here.

Your apprentice has also been well treated.”

 

“Sorry, sorry, please continue chatting.

I’ll just pick something up.”

The butler bent down and entered the room, picking up the arrows on the floor and embedded in the wall, carefully wiping off the dust with a cautious expression.

 

The middle-aged man in the room walked past Qianyang, looking at Song Yunli, who was unhurriedly bringing up the rear.

 

“Mr. Song, what brings you here?

Why trouble yourself with such trivial matters?”

The man’s face was plastered with an ingratiating smile.

 

Song Yunli ignored the tense standoff.

His gaze swept over the bow in Qianyang’s hand.

“I lent something out.

I’m just making sure it comes back intact.”

 

The man quickly said, “Everyone, please don’t be so nervous.

Mr. Yang is resting in another room.

When you leave, he will appear unharmed as well.”

 

“Unharmed?

Is that so.”

Qianyang lifted her gaze, her eyes fixed intensely.

“If he has even a single difference from when he left, are you prepared to pay the price?”

 

“Don’t worry, don’t worry.

We have treated him well with food and drink.

He will not come to any harm.”

 

The old man, wiping the blood from his hand, smiled.

“Please.”

 

Song Yunli did not intend to involve himself in their disputes.

After entering the room, he chose a spot by the window, sat down, leaned his elbow on the tea table, and looked outside.

 

The butler, meanwhile, held the two arrows, continuously wiping off the dust, clearly cherishing them.

 

Qianyang stood under the eaves, holding the jade bow, her cold eyes sweeping over the few people in the room.

 

“Please?”

Qianyang gave a cold laugh.

“You went through so much trouble, and a single ‘please’ makes it all go away?

I’m supposed to sit here, calmly drink tea with you, and talk?”

 

The old man’s pupils narrowed.

“What do you suggest?”

 

Qianyang’s eyes were filled with barely suppressed gloom.

“If you want to talk to me, shouldn’t you show sincerity and pay a price?”

 

The faces of those in the room darkened.

 

Qianyang continued, “If you have no sincerity, what right do you have to sit and talk with me?”

 

“Master, you misunderstand.

We truly reached out to your apprentice with sincerity.

Only some accidents happened along the way.

If we have offended you in any way, I apologize.”

The man wore a fake smile as he spoke to Qianyang.

 

Qianyang glanced at him, then suddenly kicked a chair by her foot.

With a “clatter,” it flew toward the man.

 

Just then, the old man struck the nearby table with his palm, sending it flying to intercept the chair.

The two objects collided in midair and crashed to the ground with a “thud.”

 

“Young lady, do not be too arrogant.”

 

The corners of Qianyang’s mouth lifted.

Holding the bow behind her back with one hand, she pressed her index and middle fingers together against her chest.

Her lips moved, her eyes fixed on the terrified man.

“Do not act recklessly!” the old man seemed to sense something.

He shot to his feet, pinched his fingers in a gesture, intending to stop her.

 

Qianyang flipped her two fingers, sending an invisible wave of energy toward the old man.

As if struck by lightning, he quickly formed a seal to block it.

But the wave came fiercely, striking his chest.

His body stumbled backward, and he fell back into his chair.

 

The old man clutched his chest.

A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

He looked at Qianyang in disbelief, his eyes wide.

“This… how can this be?”

 

The next moment, the man felt a sharp pain in his chest.

The color drained from his face, and sweat poured down like rain.

 

“Master… save me… save me…” the man croaked.

 

Qianyang lowered her right hand, looking down at the pale-faced old man.

“Young lady?

You dare call me that?

No one has spoken to me like that before.

Old thing, is the occult world today full of such useless waste like you?

You can’t even block one of my moves?”

 

“Feeling useless, you dare lay hands on my apprentice?”

 

Qianyang’s words carried weight.

Not only did the others shudder at her words, but even Yang Wei, standing beside her, showed a hint of fear.

 

The man, clutching his heart, had gone limp in his chair.

His pale lips opened, but he could not speak a word.

 

The old man had never expected that this person’s internal energy would be so profound that even he could not surpass it.

Today, they had truly offended a great figure!

 

The old man did not have time to wipe the blood from his lips before forcing himself to stand.

 

His expression grave, he clasped his hands and bowed deeply.

“Master Qianyang, we are ignorant and foolish.

We have offended you and your apprentice.

Please, for the sake that your apprentice is not seriously injured, spare his life!”

 

Seeing that Qianyang remained unmoved, the old man steeled himself and bent his knees, kneeling on one leg.

 

“Master, the Hundred-Claw Heart-Piercing Curse is too much for an ordinary person to bear!” the old man said heavily.

 

“What is it to me if he cannot bear it?”

Qianyang looked at him coldly.

“Even if he dies here today, what does that have to do with me?”

 

The old man’s brow furrowed.

He lowered his head.

“Master, today’s matter was indeed our own fault.

Do you still remember the matter of the Blade Building’s fortune node?”

 

Qianyang looked down at him, saying nothing.

 

The old man clenched his jaw, glanced back at the man writhing in pain, and knew he could hide no longer.

 

“Master, to be honest, the fortune node was my doing.

This technique has been passed down through my family.

Now, the only person who knows it should be me.

That day, you publicly revealed my secret technique word for word.

In my confusion, I had no way to meet you and ask clearly, so I resorted to this desperate measure!

I never imagined it would offend you and Mr. Yang, enraging you so deeply.”

 

“I possess a treasure called Blood Ink.

Master should know how precious it is.

I am willing to offer it to you, hoping you will show mercy and let us off.”

 

“Bring out my apprentice.”

Qianyang responded, telling them to bring Yang Mao out.

“Also, the two who brought him in.

Bring them as well.”

 

“Yes.”

The old man breathed an almost imperceptible sigh of relief and immediately signaled his subordinates to carry out the order.

 

Qianyang still did not sit down, nor did she undo the Hundred-Claw Heart-Piercing Curse on the man.

The old man could only remain half-kneeling, not daring to move on his own.

 

“The fortune node technique.

Why was it lost?”

Qianyang asked.

 

This technique was originally recorded in a book called The Outer Canon of Mountains and Seas.

 

It was said that The Outer Canon of Mountains and Seas originated from the same source as the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

The Classic of Mountains and Seas recorded the humanities, geography, and some myths of the world thousands of years ago, while The Outer Canon recorded the most complete occult techniques, spells, and famous occultists.

 

He never expected that in today’s occult world, it had become someone’s personal secret technique.

 

Having learned her power, the old man dared not be negligent and recounted everything.

“This technique was originally recorded in The Outer Canon of Mountains and Seas.”

 

“Unfortunately, hundreds of years ago, the occult world fell apart.

The only copy of The Outer Canon was torn apart and divided among the major occult schools.

After so many years of change, only fragments remain today.

Many occult techniques and spells have been permanently lost.”

 

“My ancestor was the one who held the fragment containing the fortune node technique.

But now, the occult world is in decline, with no one to carry it on.

I am the only living person who knows this technique.”

 

“Therefore, when you made it public, I was so rash.

My only intention was to lure you here, to test your depth.

But I did not know that we were too foolish, underestimating you.”

 

Qianyang frowned. The Outer Canon of Mountains and Seas, divided by the occult schools hundreds of years ago, had not been lost.

She had studied and practiced it every day since childhood.

 

The old man continued, “Since you know this technique, it means the Outer Canon torn apart and divided hundreds of years ago has not been lost.

If the Outer Canon reappears in the world, the occult world will surely regain its former glory.”

 

Moreover, to possess The Outer Canon alone—was there anything in the world one could not do?

 

It was precisely this fear that had driven the old man to such a desperate measure, to probe Qianyang’s identity.

 

“The Outer Canon of Mountains and Seas?”

 

Just then, Song Yunli, who had been disengaged from the topic, suddenly spoke.

 

“It is said to contain methods to restore the dead to life?”

 

Qianyang turned her head to look at him.

“Birth, aging, sickness, and death are natural laws.

They cannot be forcibly changed.”

 

Song Yunli turned his gaze back to the window.

“Makes sense.”

 

Seeing that her expression had softened slightly, the old man asked, “Master, that book…”

Qianyang glanced at him and let out a mocking laugh.

“That book was not lost a hundred years ago.

It was lost thirteen years ago.”

 

“What?”

The old man was shocked.

 

“When I was seven years old, I personally burned the last copy of The Outer Canon of Mountains and Seas in the world.”

 

The old man was thunderstruck.

“Why?”

 

“Why?

If this book reappears, it will surely cause chaos in the occult world.

Moreover, the spells and incantations recorded in it severely disrupt the natural order.

After I had read it thoroughly, I burned it.”

 

Looking at the old man’s ashen face, Qianyang added with a touch of malice, “However, I have already committed all ten thousand methods in the book to memory.

No one can stop me from doing what I want.”

 

The old man murmured as he looked at her.

She knew all ten thousand methods?

In today’s occult world… no, in the whole world, who could stand against her?

 

They had truly, by a twist of fate, provoked someone they should never have provoked.

 

“We are ignorant.

Please forgive us, Master!”

 

Qianyang bypassed him and the man slumped in the chair, looking at the other person frozen in a chair inside the room.

 

That person had a young face, but it was ashen.

When Qianyang’s gaze fell on him, his body trembled uncontrollably.

 

Qingsi had never imagined that even his master could not overcome her, could only bow and scrape, kneel and beg for mercy.

He alone was no match.

He could only take a deep breath, stand up, clasp his hands, and kneel on one knee before her.

 

“I am Qingsi.

Master Qianyang, I have offended you many times before.

Today, I apologize to you here.

I only hope you will be magnanimous and not lower yourself to our level.

From now on, I will never dare to attack you again.

Please, be generous and spare my life.”

 

Qianyang sneered.

“Originally, the matter between you and me was already settled.

I don’t hold grudges, but I do settle scores.

Everything I did to you, you deserved.”

 

Qingsi lowered his head.

“Master Qianyang, I am unskilled.

I have caused you trouble.

Everything is my own fault.

Please do not stoop to my level.”

 

Qianyang looked at him coldly.

A teacup suddenly appeared in her hand.

With a twist of her wrist, the cup flew out and struck Qing Si heavily on the knee.

 

Qingsi cried out in pain.

His raised knee bent, and both knees hit the floor.

 

“That shows sincerity.

For today’s matter, you must personally apologize to my apprentice.

Remember your current posture.

I want it exactly the same.”

 

Qingsi broke out in cold sweat from the pain.

He answered hoarsely, “Yes.

I will apologize to him in person.

Please be magnanimous.”

 

“Also, regarding the job opportunity you promised him, I hope you will not break your word,” Qianyang said.

 

The old man said, “Rest assured, we will not break our word.”

 

Qianyang glanced at him.

“The Blood Ink.”

 

Qianyang certainly would not let him off cheaply.

Blood Ink was indeed a good thing.

It might prove useful later.

 

The old man dared not delay.

He quickly presented a palm-sized box with both hands.

 

Qianyang took it herself and put it into her cloth bag.

 

“And him…”

The old man glanced at the man suffering the Heart-Piercing Curse, testing.

 

“I will not take his life.

It would dirty my hands for nothing.”

 

The old man could not help but sigh with relief.

“Yes.”

 

Soon, the two burly bodyguards walked in.

 

“Boss, you need something?” one of the bodyguards asked.

 

Not seeing Yang Mao with them, Qianyang’s expression darkened.

 

The old man immediately sensed the anomaly and demanded sharply, “Where is Mr. Yang?

Why did you not bring him?”

 

The bodyguard said, “That kid put up a fight, so we gave him a beating.

He passed out.”

 

The old man’s expression changed.

He shot to his feet, enraged.

“Absurd!

Who told you to lay hands on him?”

 

The bodyguard, not realizing the gravity of the situation, said dismissively, “Don’t worry, boss.

We know our limits.

One broken arm, no blood.

Nothing serious.”

 

“Shut up!

Who, who told you to touch him?”

The old man glanced at Qianyang, whose expression was growing darker, and was furious.

 

“Smack!”

Yang Wei immediately exploded with anger.

She hurled the quiver in her arms at the bodyguard.

“Who told you to hit my brother?!”

 

The bodyguard’s eyes widened, his face ferocious.

“You looking for trouble?”

 

Yang Wei, this young girl, showed no fear at all in the face of the burly men.

She picked up a chair from the floor and smashed it at them, cursing, “You bastards!

Why did you hit my brother?!”

 

The bodyguards were thoroughly enraged.

They clenched their fists and strode toward her.

 

Just then, Qianyang slammed her palm on the tea table.

The sturdy table split in two with a crisp crack, and everything on it crashed to the floor.

 

Those in the room were shocked by the scene.

They stopped in unison, their gazes converging on her.

 

The old man regained his senses and immediately shouted at the two bodyguards, “Who told you to act on your own?

Mr. Yang is our honored guest.

If you hit him, you will bear the consequences.”

 

The two men stared in disbelief at the old man.

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