Chapter 114: Fierce Battle in the Black September

Chapter 114: Fierce Battle with the Black September
Chapter 12: The Transmission of the Sublime Method on Ling Mountain, Soaring Alone on Clouds for Ten Thousand Miles (Part 24)

The four were suddenly startled. Two of them sneered coldly; one extended his right hand slightly while his left hand moved in a sweeping arc, conjuring a crimson, crystal-clear jade bow in his grasp. With a slight hook of his left hand, a mysterious golden-feathered arrow suddenly transformed into a streak of dazzling light, shooting forward with lightning speed.

Another person swiftly withdrew a gray bone knife, which emitted a strong gray radiance as he swung it with force. The golden-feathered arrow flew halfway through the air when suddenly a brilliant fiery light burst forth. A thunderous roar followed as the fiery light emitted by Hong Ri clashed midair with the golden-feathered arrow.

Hong Ri and Ye Hua, seeing the opponent's attack, barely had time to react before the blade’s fierce energy, like a howling gale, rushed toward them. Ye Hua felt the cutting force of the blade and was about to summon a treasure when Hong Xing stepped forward with a low shout. His left arm moved horizontally as a yellow light flashed wildly, revealing an ancient, crude tortoise shell on his arm.

With a clang, the opponent’s slash was blocked, dispersing into scattered energy. The knife-wielder, realizing his attack was effortlessly repelled and facing a formidable adversary, raised his bone knife defensively and dared not strike again.

Meanwhile, the air was filled with continuous rumbling. A slender fiery serpent twisted and flickered, pursued unpredictably by a red-purple arrow. The two collided intermittently, emitting dazzling glows and roaring thunder.

Hong Ri, observing from afar, formed hand seals and uttered a sharp command. Suddenly, the fiery serpent scattered in all directions, and the temperature soared fiercely. The fiery light transformed into a thin red veil, wrapping tightly around the golden-feathered arrow.

The bow-wielder’s expression changed. He urgently beckoned, and the golden-feathered arrow emitted a low hum, swirling uncontrollably within the red veil as if severely restrained.

Hong Ri chuckled softly. With another hand seal, the red veil tightened into a red orb, then transformed into a streak of scarlet light, shooting back like lightning. The spectators saw the fiery serpent and golden-feathered arrow vanish suddenly. Upon closer inspection, Hong Ri was playfully manipulating a small purple-golden feathered arrow in his hand. Its once-blazing purple light gradually faded.

The bow-wielder was startled, then furious. The three companions beside him also changed their expressions, whispering among themselves. One of them chuckled and slowly approached.

Hong Ri snorted coldly, unsure of what trick the opponent intended. Ye Hua observed the newcomer—about forty years old, with a sallow, gaunt face and a thin yellow beard under his chin, resembling a consumptive ghost. When he stopped a few dozen feet away, he addressed Hong Ri:

“Who are you? Why do you attack recklessly? Have we somehow offended you? We are from Black September. If you intend to fight, you’d better think twice!”

Ye Hua found the words stiff and the Mandarin somewhat awkward, and he was curious about the so-called “Black September.”

Hong Ri, clearly unfamiliar with the name, sneered mockingly, “Black September? What nonsense is that?”

The other party hesitated, slightly confused. “Black September is no nonsense—it’s a premier organization from the Western Regions!”

Hong Xing laughed mischievously, “Indeed, ‘nonsense’ is a term of respect. Calling Black September ‘nonsense’ means they are top-tier! I’ve heard Ling Dogs are highly honored in the West, so ‘nonsense’ is a mark of esteem!”

Then he shook his head and sighed, “Alas—Mandarin is difficult to master. You still have much to learn! Among three travelers, there must be a teacher. Select the good and follow it; correct the bad. If one is not inspired, one cannot be enlightened; if one is not distressed, one cannot express. Present one corner, do not return three corners, then do not continue. Do you understand? ‘Distress’ means a heart seeks understanding but fails; ‘hesitation’ means the mouth wants to speak but cannot. ‘Enlighten’ means to open the mind; ‘express’ means to convey words…”

Ye Hua nearly laughed out loud but held it back, feeling a sharp pang in his stomach.

The gaunt, consumptive man, hearing Hong Xing’s rambling, understood the first few sentences but none afterward, utterly baffled. Ye Hua saw his confusion deepen, and suspicion flickered in his eyes.

Hong Ri chuckled, “That’s exactly what I mean. I wonder if your Black September is ‘Black Nonsense’! Or maybe ‘Yellow Nonsense’? Could it be called ‘Yellow September’? Haha!” He burst into loud laughter.

The gaunt man, initially amused by the trio’s strange expressions, now saw their loud laughter and realized he was likely being mocked. His face turned dark, cold light flashing in his eyes, and he ceased speaking. With a shout, he spun a golden ring rapidly, transforming it into a golden coil. The golden orb flew toward Hong Ri. The three companions shouted and unleashed their treasures, launching an attack.

The gaunt man muttered loudly as the others responded in unison. Two figures charged at Ye Hua, while the one who had wielded the knife previously rushed at Hong Xing wielding his blade.

Hong Ri frowned, alarmed. Seeing two attackers lunging at Ye Hua, whose aura was at the Seven Treasures realm—just like Ye Hua himself—but fearing Ye Hua might be outmatched, he felt great concern. He sneered at the two rushing figures, “Where do you think you’re going?!” With a wave of his right hand, a golden shadow streaked toward them.

The gaunt, consumptive man stepped forward quickly, pointing, causing the golden orb in midair to abruptly enlarge and accelerate toward Hong Ri. This was a classic tactic: attacking the enemy’s vulnerable point to force them to retreat.

Hong Ri, wary of the fierce assault, summoned his power. The golden shadow bent sharply, striking the golden orb with a resonant thud. Golden light exploded in all directions like a meteor shower, blinding all present.

Hong Ri’s body trembled as the golden light faded to reveal its true form: a nine-colored, nine-jointed whip, each segment a different hue.

Ye Hua, facing the two figures charging him, noted their aura was also at the Seven Treasures realm and felt no fear. His blade flashed with a thunderous roar as he slashed fiercely, unleashing a deadly aura. The blade surged forward like an avalanche.

The attackers were shocked by the ferocity. One dodged swiftly, becoming a gray shadow, while the other unleashed a brilliant gray light and summoned a small bronze shield before him. As he applied force with both arms, the shield vibrated violently under an immense power flowing through his limbs and torso, as if struck by lightning. His whole body shook violently; his hand went numb then painful, and the bronze shield slipped from his grasp.

Fear overwhelmed him as he shouted wildly, “Master!” The gaunt man fighting Hong Ri was startled. Turning to look, he saw his disciple’s hands were bloodied, the shield fallen, and the battle only a few rounds old. Alarmed, he cursed, “Useless brat!” and prepared to rush to his aid.

Hong Ri glanced sideways, greatly pleased. Half his worry lifted, he laughed heartily. “So you’re planning to flee the battle? You do know what ‘useless’ means, huh? Haha!” His whip segments burst into full brilliance, then scattered into the sky as nine radiant stars attacking the gaunt man.

The gaunt man screamed, “Nine Star Staff!”

Hong Ri laughed, “Exactly! The Nine Sections and Nine Stars, aiding the old and rescuing the desperate, each with its name, not to be forgotten: Supreme Emperor Star, Mars Star, Horn Star, Balance Star, Extended Star, Camp Star, Guard Star, East Well Star, Hook Star…” As he chanted, his hands never ceased forming seals, guiding the nine colorful stars in the air to flutter like butterflies, weaving formations that trapped the gaunt man, who struggled but could not break free.

Hong Xing observed Ye Hua’s strike had wounded the enemy and felt secretly pleased. “Unexpectedly, this young Ye’s skill is formidable. The opponent is simply too weak.”

Yet he was mistaken. Though Ye Hua’s strike seemed simple and effortless, it was the culmination of a lifetime’s study—swift, decisive, and complete. After the strike, his internal energy was slightly depleted and had not yet recovered when another strike was about to be made. Before he could swing again, the enemy’s companion hurried forward, lifting the wounded man and retreating.