Chapter 6: Gone Mad

"Puff!"

Chu Yun had arrived, yet she remained in a state of severe injury. Her body trembled, and as she spat out a mouthful of blood, it seemed as though she had exhausted every ounce of her strength. However, Chu Yun still struggled to stand. Her indomitable willpower was simply unimaginable; she could not be defeated! At least, not right now.

"I am here. I am your opponent!"

"Bang!"

Leng Yue did not waste words, delivering a heavy, powerful strike. This move was surely meant to kill Chu Yun!

The punch was too fast—so fast that it allowed Dong Ju no time to react. By the time she realized what was happening, her sister, Chu Yun, had already been struck again. What expression did Dong Ju wear at that moment? Terror, shock, and distortion were all etched upon her face. She hated her own helplessness so much! If only she were stronger, how could such a thing happen?

Blood had completely stained Chu Yun’s clothes. She had always been a person who cherished cleanliness; ordinarily, she would have discarded such soiled garments, but in her critically wounded state, she could no longer afford such concerns.

"What? Is this the extent of your strength? It seems you are nothing special after all. Chu Yun, I have heard of your name. I had expected you to be a formidable opponent, but it appears I was wrong. Someone like you is not even qualified to be my rival!"

Leng Yue’s killing intent was no longer masked. Decisive and ruthless—that was his nature. Since he had decided to strike, there was no need for mercy.

"Dong Ju, I told you long ago that your sister no longer possesses any killing intent because she has become entangled in emotions. She can no longer protect you. Everything depends on you now. In the end, one can only rely on oneself! This truth remains valid at any time."

Today’s battle was a foregone conclusion; it was a death trap. The Chu Yun of the past might have been able to turn the tide, but now, she lacked the strength even to defend herself, let alone others.

Fear flooded Dong Ju’s heart. She felt devoid of any fighting spirit. To her, Leng Yue was an insurmountable mountain. Could she truly defeat such a powerful man? No, she couldn't. She truly couldn't.

Who else was there? Who could protect her now? The cowardice Dong Ju had harbored for so many years flared up again. In truth, she had always been timid, but in the past, someone had always been there to shield her from danger. But now? Who was left to protect her?

"Hahaha! By now, you should know that no one can save you. You are a jinx. Anyone involved with you meets a miserable end! It was like that before, and it remains so today!"

Chu Yun had no strength left. Even if she wanted to help, she was powerless. "Leng Yue, if you have the ability, come at me! Bullying a junior—what kind of skill is that?"

Even without strength, the words still had to be said. The once-strongest disciple of Yishui had fallen to this state; perhaps even she had not foreseen it.

"Hahaha, at this point, you are still being stubborn? Unfortunately, in the face of absolute strength, stubbornness is useless. Today, both of you will die here. No one will help you; no one is coming!"

"Fine. Since that is the case, why don't you dare to make your move? The third-ranked killer on the Fengyun List has never been soft-hearted. What is wrong? Why all this chatter? Could it be that you have taken a liking to us?"

Even in this dire moment, Chu Yun did not forget to mock Leng Yue. Since the outcome was decided, there was no need for fear. She held seven parts of certainty that if this man approached, she had one final move left to severely wound him. She was silently gathering her strength.

"Good. Truly courageous. I finally understand why Yishui valued you so much. Then, I shall start with you! You have been waiting for this moment for a long time, haven't you? Today, I shall grant your wish!"

"Have you given up already? Do you truly not want to save your sister?"

A voice suddenly resonated in Dong Ju’s mind. It appeared so abruptly that the bewildered Dong Ju was taken aback.

"Who are you? Do you have a way?"

Since this person claimed to have a solution, it was the best news she could hope for. Dong Ju’s tone grew urgent and tremulous. Could it be that heaven had not closed all doors?

"Who am I? Hahaha, I am you. Or rather, I am the strength you have kept hidden for years—the strength you have long forgotten. Had it not been for this life-or-death crisis, I would not have awakened. The one with the solution has never been me, but us. One question: your sister is in danger. Will you save her, or not?"

The voice was slow, seemingly indifferent to the surrounding danger, as if everything were already under its control.

"I want to! I would give anything to save her! But my own ability is insufficient. Without someone else's help, I truly feel I can do nothing!"

Dong Ju hated herself. Why was she so weak? Why hadn't she become stronger years ago? If she had been stronger, she could have accomplished so much. But was there any use in saying that now?

"Good. As long as you want to, that is enough. Now, listen to me: rush before your sister, throw your fist with all your might, and teach this Leng Yue a lesson. Rest assured, since I have told you to do this, I will not let you suffer. You have no choice but to trust me, don't you?"

Yes, she had no choice but to trust this entity.

Leng Yue’s lethal palm was descending, poised to kill Chu Yun. The light of victory dawned on his face; he had won.

"Bang!"

In that split second, a ruthless fist slammed into Leng Yue’s face. The sheer force of the punch sent him staggering back three steps. He looked at his assailant in utter shock.

It was Dong Ju. Her body trembled, and it was clear this final punch had cost her every scrap of energy. Her heart went cold—no miracle had occurred. She was in despair. It seemed she and her eldest sister would die here today. She had done as the voice instructed, but it had changed nothing!

"You have courage. You all annoy me to no end. Now, I have changed my mind. Die, all of you!"

Fury—nothing but fury. This strike seemed to channel all of Leng Yue’s power. The sky itself seemed to shift; space and time appeared to freeze. Was there truly no one left to save them?

Leng Yue’s expression was twisted and insane. Everything was over. Chu Yun and Dong Ju closed their eyes. They had tried their best; there was nothing left to be done.

Just then, a powerful, foreign energy began to surge aggressively through Dong Ju’s body. What was happening? Why was such immense power inside her?

"Hahaha, what else do you have to say? Die!"

"Bang!"

Leng Yue, wearing a smug expression, was sent flying in the next second by the sudden burst of power from Dong Ju’s body. What had happened?

"Puff!"

A mouthful of blood sprayed out as Leng Yue suffered unprecedented injuries. He stared at Dong Ju in shock. What had happened to this woman? How could she possess such overwhelming power? It was unimaginable!

Not only was the onlooker, Leng Yue, shocked, but Dong Ju herself was stunned. What had just happened? She knew clearly that the powerful punch had not come from her own volition! A mysterious force had guided her, and by the time she realized it, Leng Yue was already on the ground.

The energy radiated from her body, forming a formidable suit of armor. With such protection, she had nothing to fear.

"Come, Leng Yue! Weren't you very arrogant just now? What is wrong? It was only one punch. You are quite capable; surely this punch couldn't do much to you? The battle has only just begun. We have plenty of time to play. Perhaps, after all these years, you have forgotten my name, which truly saddens me. We were such good friends once. How could you forget my name?"

"Stop playing god! Who are you?"

Leng Yue wiped the blood from his lips, his hand instantly covered in it. His old nickname was 'Blood Hand,' earned not because of the Devil Sound Arts, but because of his early mastery of the 'Twelve Blood Hand Forms.' This technique was vicious; despite the name, it was a supreme divine skill, much like Hua Lian’s 'Beauty Hands.'

'Blood Hand strikes, no one returns.' These six words said it all.

The dark red palm technique seemed to contain immense power and complex variations. One move, and ten thousand were no match! It was unimaginably fast.

In an instant, Dong Ju struck dozens of blows. The Twelve Blood Hand Forms relied on footwork. Since becoming a supreme killer, Leng Yue rarely used this skill—not because it was weak, but because it contained too many feints, contrary to the killer's philosophy of 'one strike, one kill.'

Yet, while skills remain constant, people change. After years as a top-tier assassin, the clean, lethal moves were etched into his bones; the useless feints of the Twelve Blood Hand Forms had long been discarded, leaving only the purest essence.

Ghost-like movements forced Dong Ju onto the defensive. She was not without a chance to strike; she was waiting for the best moment.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Three consecutive blows forced Leng Yue into a corner. In such a situation, could he still possess any great trick?

"Now, what other moves do you have? Use them. I am using the old Twelve Blood Hand Forms, though I have tempered them until they have no name. My divine skill exists for one purpose only: to kill!"

Dong Ju’s face was covered in blood. The true terror of the Twelve Blood Hand Forms was not the vicious combos, but the ability to drain a person's life force. To have one's life force extinguished was the price of crossing the Blood Hand!

Dong Ju’s arms had lost sensation. A circle of blood pooled at her feet—her own blood. She looked pale as paper, seemingly drained of all strength.

"Why have you stopped? You have become so confident that you dare to give me a chance to catch my breath? Just now, you had the opportunity to kill me, but you didn't. Arrogance will be your undoing!"

In an instant, the blade in Dong Ju’s hand left a deep gash on Leng Yue’s face. She was an assassin—the best assassin. Her entire body was a weapon. Her slender fingers, like steel claws, shattered Leng Yue’s collarbone. This was only the beginning. Dong Ju clenched her fist again!

"Bang!"

The punch carried immense force, and Leng Yue was sent flying again! However, Dong Ju did not miss this golden opportunity. She grabbed his ankle, her other hand forming a blade, and slashed viciously toward his chest.

Leng Yue, suspended in mid-air, had not expected such a frantic style. Did he think that because she grabbed him, he couldn't escape?

"Ah!"

"Crack!"

A scream, followed by the sound of breaking bone. Leng Yue was a madman; he forcibly twisted his body to break free from Dong Ju’s grip. His left leg was held fast, so he used his right leg to kick violently at Dong Ju’s face. It was a barbaric move, but effective. If she didn't let go, her beautiful face would be ruined!

Being a woman, she cherished her appearance. Facing such a fierce kick, despite her reluctance, she had to let go.

Leng Yue broke free and struck back with a palm, using ten-tenths of his power. This young girl, even if she didn't die, would be severely wounded!

"Bang!"

The incredibly powerful protective Qi did not fear Leng Yue’s strike. The greatest advantage of this protective Qi was that the stronger the opponent’s force, the greater the backlash they suffered!

"Crack!"

The bones in Leng Yue’s arm shattered. A battle had turned into mutual destruction!

"Leng Yue, after seeing such powerful protective Qi, do you still not remember who I am? Or have you remembered, but refuse to admit it?"

Terror consumed Leng Yue’s face. Yes, he would never forget this voice. But how was this possible? This person should have been dead for years. "How could it be you?"

"Strange? Why couldn't it be me? You thought I was finished, and you were right. I became what I am today because of you. Little girl, the rest of this has nothing to do with you. But one thing you need not worry about: today, this man will surely die! I guarantee it!"

Dong Ju was merely a vessel now, but being a powerful vessel was not a bad thing.

"Cheng Tian, you have been dead for so many years. Why do you still refuse to let me go? The loss back then was an accident! Do you think I wanted to end up like this? You were my best brother, but becoming a true supreme killer was my only path. Why couldn't you believe that?"

"Shut up! Die!"

Cheng Tian’s power erupted completely. Dong Ju’s hand-blade slashed madly toward Leng Yue’s face. It was a feint; the true killing blow was the brutal punch hidden behind the slash. It was unparalleled in power. Dong Ju was already a master of fist techniques, and now, infused with this strength, it was incredibly formidable.

Leng Yue was severely wounded and could no longer execute his moves as before. He could only roll away, avoiding the blow in a pathetic manner. Was he really going to die here today?

Madman. Cheng Tian had once been the third-ranked killer on the Fengyun List. They had fought once, and for Leng Yue, that battle should have been a defeat. Yet, at the last moment, the tide had turned, and he had won!

He had won, but the price was the life of his friend. Leng Yue had held the third-place spot for years, not because he liked it, but out of guilt. Had it not been for him, his old friend would not have ended up this way. He had secretly investigated the matter, but found nothing.

Forget it. What was meant to come, would come. He was tired. To die at the hands of his old friend today would be a good end.

"What? You think because you look pathetic, I will let you go? It has never been that simple. You will die here today. Fine, for the sake of the past, I will not hold it against you—that is the kind of person I am. But look at Dong Ju and Chu Yun; they were reduced to this because of you. As a senior, shouldn't I seek justice for these juniors?"

"Leng Yue, you cannot escape. Your meridians have been destroyed; you are a cripple now. I won't hold a grudge against a cripple, but you must pay for what these two girls have suffered."

"Hahaha! I am here today. I want to see who is so blind as to dare touch my people?"

The voice was familiar. It was Yishui. Why had he come?

"Chu Yun, you completed the mission well. Indeed, you never disappoint me. Therefore, I have decided to grant you your freedom. You know I always keep my word."

The situation was bizarre. As the head of the Yishui Sect, Yishui rarely left the mountain. That he could find them here so easily meant something. It meant he had been in contact with these people all along. "Things have turned out this way, and I imagine you know what happened. Yes, I was in contact with Leng Yue. I paid him with Yuan crystals to deal with you. Today, you both must die here."

"The reason is simple: you are simply too strong. You have grown beyond my control. I like to have everything in my grasp, but you disrupted that balance. Therefore, I cannot spare you. What I didn't expect, Dong Ju, was that you possessed such strength! I underestimated you!"

"The more powerful you are, the less you can be allowed to live, or you will become a major threat. Am I mad to cultivate two powerful enemies for myself?"

"Leng Yue, what are you doing? Didn't you tell me how powerful you were? What has happened to you?"

"Were you lying to me? You should know very well what happens if you dare to deceive me. We have been friends for years; I would hate for things to end badly."

Yishui had no rank on the Fengyun Killer List—not because he wasn't strong, but because the list was established by the Yishui Sect. As the master, he needed no such thing.

"Think about it. You have been in third place for so many years. Don't you want to advance? You have never said it, but I know what is in your heart. You aren't lacking the desire to be second; you lack the strength. But now that you know me, that is no longer a problem!"

"I promise that as soon as you kill these two women, you will be second. Though it is only one rank away, it carries weight. I know you fear the man called Lightning. He is a long-time friend of mine. If I speak to him, I believe he will go easy on you during your duel!"

It seemed Zhuang Yunzhen had been right—this man wanted them dead. Chu Yun’s heart remained unmoved. If she wanted to live today, she had to fight with everything she had!

Yishui looked at Chu Yun with mockery. "Chu Yun, don't look at me like that. You have no strength left. Why not just die today? It would solve everything. You were my most trusted disciple; why did you betray me?"

Yishui was rambling now. He always liked to shift the blame onto others.

"The Yishui Sect needs tools, not free people with emotions. I told you that before, but why wouldn't you believe me?"

"Seeing you like this truly saddens me, but I know you deserve it. Leng Yue, your cultivation should be restored by now. I never expected you to be beaten so badly, but these two women have little power left. You can settle your score now."

"Cheng Tian, I will tell you now: I am the one who killed you. Back then, you were the only one who didn't submit to me. I had no need for someone like you. The people on the Fengyun Killer List are my pawns; they should do as I command. You were the exception. Fine, if you wanted to be the exception, then you must bear the consequences!"

"It was you? It was actually you? Hahaha, I know everything now! I am Cheng Tian, the once-greatest killer, and I am here to seek justice! I know, Yishui, what you said earlier was not the true reason. The true reason is that you are afraid of me! You have always feared me!"

"You fear I would surpass you. But you know that this happened a long time ago. I have given all my power to Dong Ju. This girl’s foundation is excellent. Tell me, if you die at her hands, what will happen?"

"Dong Ju, this battle is your final chance. If you can kill this man, then you and your sister will truly be free. Isn't that what you have always pursued?"

"Unfortunately, I have little power left. If I were my old self, why go through all this trouble? I would have done it myself. It is a pity I cannot do so now!"

Cheng Tian was merely a spirit; his physical body had been destroyed long ago. He possessed the power and experience, but could not wield it fully. Dong Ju’s foundation was good, but she was young and could not withstand his full power. Otherwise, he could have suppressed Yishui easily.

"Hahaha, Cheng Tian, you still haven't given up? Fine. Since you want to fight, I will grant your wish, so you can see that you never surpassed me!"

"Everyone here will die today, no matter your plans. If Zhuang Yunzhen were alive, there might be room for maneuver, but he is finished—dead at the hands of a woman. Truly excellent."

"Chu Yun, I misjudged you. I thought you would fall for that man. I thought if you did, I could help you be with him. But this is fine too—saying goodbye to him in this way. You are truly my disciple."

"Hmph. Since I am here, this all ends today. Show me what you are capable of!"

Yishui was a madman who had never been normal. His madness had been suppressed, but now, he no longer needed to hide his true self. He had one wish: those who betrayed him must die, and the Yishui Sect would flourish in his hands.

"Hahaha, this result is the best. Yishui, I am relieved to leave this to you. Zhuang Yunzhen is finally finished. The hatred in my Taiyun Golden Valley has been vented! It is a pity that woman, Li Moqing, is not here, or I would love to see her expression."

Taiyun Golden Valley had once been so powerful, but because of Zhuang Yunzhen and Li Moqing, years of accumulation had been destroyed. The Valley Master, Qin Boyu, had gone mad after losing to Zhuang Yunzhen. He had disbanded the valley and vanished.

These were the loyal disciples who could only seek revenge to vent their fury. They had found Yishui, their last hope.

"Valley Master, if you can hear this, you can rest easy. That hateful man has been destroyed. You must be satisfied. But where have you gone?"

"Do not look for me. I am a loser. You wouldn't want to see me like this. I told you this before. Even if you did this for me, I feel no gratitude. But I am glad you remembered me after all this time. Let it be. Do not look for me again. I will not return; this place is my sorrow."

Qin Boyu’s voice rang through the sky, but where he went, no one knew. He did not appear, for as he said, the past was the past.

"Valley Master, why do you say that? To us, you are the strongest. Do you truly refuse to see us?"

Alas, there was no response.

"Friends, you have made a mistake. You found me, paid me, and I helped you kill Zhuang Yunzhen. We are even. But what are you talking about, wanting me to join your Taiyun Golden Valley? Hmph, Taiyun Golden Valley is history. Who even remembers it now?"

"Most importantly, I do not like being ordered around. This is the first time, so I will let it slide for the sake of our friendship. If there is a next time, I will not be merciful. Leave now, before I change my mind!"

"If you want to fight me, you can, but you are not qualified. Do you want to know who killed Zhuang Yunzhen? It was the Chu Yun before you!"

"She is my proudest disciple. When you are capable of defeating her, come find me. Now, leave!"

"The rest has nothing to do with you. Fine, it seems you won't leave. If so, then don't! Let us all perish together! Hahaha!"

He was mad. Yishui had been suppressed for too long; now that he was free, he wanted to destroy everything.

"This man is insane. Shall we just wait to die? Let us join forces against him. Perhaps then we have a chance!"

"Good. It seems you are ready. But you should know, whatever you do, you are no match for me!"

"If you fight me, you will die. I will not give you another chance!"

"Whoosh!"

He was truly mad. Yishui had been suppressed by his master for too long; now, he was finally his own master. He didn't have to look at anyone's face anymore. The feeling was intoxicating.

The minor soldiers were easily dealt with; they weren't qualified for him to even draw his weapon. Their death at his hands was their greatest honor. It was the destiny they had been waiting for.