The other thirteen monks each stepped back one pace, only to see Fang Pingzhai holding his fan in his right hand, his left hand hanging down, his left fingers gripping four snow-like curved blades, his face bearing a smile. Hungry Ghost Monk pressed his chest, struggling to say, “He… he actually… hidden weapons…” Before finishing his sentence, he fell backward. Everyone’s faces changed as they saw that after Hungry Ghost Monk fell, a half-protruding petal-shaped flying blade also appeared at a vital point on his chest. It turned out that when Fang Pingzhai had thrown four blades to divert everyone’s attention, he had actually used one blade to severely wound Hungry Ghost Monk, causing the seventeen monks to lose their leader.
The curved flying daggers about an inch long were snow-white in color, shaped like flower petals. Among the Shaolin Seventeen Monks, “Solitary Monk’s” face changed color. This type of weapon seemed familiar. Using such special hidden weapons with such martial arts attainment – if this was an old acquaintance from the martial world, who exactly could it be? After Fang Pingzhai wounded someone with one blade, he laughed loudly. “Waiting Life Monk” attacked with his precept blade, each strike vicious. “Unceasing Hell Monk” used precise and forceful fist techniques. In an instant, five Shaolin monks surrounded Fang Pingzhai completely, each executing one ultimate technique.
Fang Pingzhai’s flying blades shot out, white blade edges floating through the air like dancing snowflakes and falling flower petals – quite beautiful to behold. His white blade edges flew with the wind after being thrown, able to fly back on their own when their force was spent. As Fang Pingzhai casually threw them out, more and more white blade edges filled the air. The Shaolin monks used all their ultimate techniques, struggling to parry, but nearly a hundred white blade edges flew about like a blizzard. Even though the Shaolin Seventeen Monks had high martial arts skills, they found it somewhat overwhelming and couldn’t keep up their defense.
Liu Yan’s flute sound gradually changed from mournful to fierce, like a sad song weeping as it neared its end, or like overwhelming sorrow that must be released in a cry. The flute sound rose higher and higher, gradually reaching the realm where it echoed into the clouds. Fang Pingzhai’s blade momentum didn’t slow. With a “wa” sound, another among the Shaolin Seventeen Monks spat fresh blood and collapsed dejectedly.
A’Shui gently sighed in relief. It seemed Liu Yan wouldn’t be taken away today. If the fighting continued, the Shaolin monks would be even more disadvantaged. This Fang Pingzhai was indeed a master. Just then, Yu Tuan’er, who lay motionless on the ground, also spat out a large mouthful of fresh blood with a “wa” sound. As Liu Yan’s flute sound rose higher, she spat out another mouthful of blood, her face deathly pale, barely breathing.
“Little White—” Fang Pingzhai turned around. “Solitary Monk,” “Intermediate State Monk,” and “Wailing Monk” – three monks with sleeves fluttering, seized the opportunity to strike down the flying blades before them. With a great shout, the three combined their strength in one move called “Compassionate Heart Without Resentment,” striking toward Fang Pingzhai’s back. Fang Pingzhai swung his hand to counter-attack. In front of him, “Hell Monk,” “Animal Monk,” and “Human Monk” – three people wielded their weapons, attacking his upper, middle, and lower routes. Blocked front and back, Fang Pingzhai moved like a swimming fish, instantly sliding sideways. “Asura Monk” at his side grasped the timing, swinging his long sword to thrust at his chest.
Snow blades flew about inside the house. Just as Fang Pingzhai encountered danger, the flute sound that had been subtly harmonizing with him suddenly stopped. In that instant, the seventeen monks’ spirits greatly revived and their power fully recovered. Fang Pingzhai paused slightly. In this moment of pause, the long sword before him suddenly intensified its force, coming for his life. His feet moved gracefully as he forcibly avoided to the left, but palm shadows swayed around his body. Just as the flute stopped and the sword thrust missed, “slap slap slap” – three muffled sounds in succession. Fang Pingzhai took three palm strikes, spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, broke through the encirclement, spun and leaped up, landing in front of Liu Yan.
A’Shui’s whole body trembled. She knew Liu Yan had stopped playing the flute because Yu Tuan’er could no longer withstand the sound-killing technique. Though Fang Pingzhai was injured because of this, he showed no resentment. Though these three weren’t martial world heroes, they were people of true feelings and passion.
“Amitabha, since Benefactor Fang is already injured, you should understand that today you cannot prevent us from inviting Benefactor Liu back to Shaolin Temple for a discussion. If you continue to obstruct us, we can no longer show mercy.” Heaven Monk pressed his palms together. “Stand aside.”
“Haha, he’s my master now. If I casually let bald monks capture him, wouldn’t that make me, Fang Pingzhai, seem very incompetent and lose face? Moreover, I’ve always been at odds with Shaolin Temple. This isn’t the first time Shaolin Temple monks have been unable to show me mercy.” Fang Pingzhai waved his fan and laughed, his demeanor still elegant. The monks looked at each other, all secretly wondering when their temple had feuded with him. Why couldn’t they remember at all?
“In that case, Asura takes offense.” Asura Monk used one sword technique called “Heart Like Flowing Water,” the sword tip pointing toward Fang Pingzhai’s left shoulder. He could see that Fang Pingzhai’s left-hand hidden weapons were formidable. To stop these snow blades dancing through the sky, he must first wound his left arm. Fang Pingzhai’s four blades flew up. Asura Monk’s sword flowers dotted about, “clang clang clang clang” – striking the four blades in succession. In this instant, two monks’ figures shifted illusorily and had already grasped Liu Yan’s two arms from left and right.
Fang Pingzhai’s fan struck like a blade. Bright red feathers swept across the two monks’ arms. As the fan passed, blood gushed wildly, and seven or eight snow blades pierced half their bodies. But just as he threw flying daggers with his left hand and waved his fan with his right, two arms from his sides simultaneously reached out. Fingers moved like thousands of flowers and leaves, striking several major acupoints on his body. Fang Pingzhai’s face still bore a smile as he slowly leaned back, falling against the table and into the hands of “Solitary Monk” behind him.
He had actually been defeated unfairly. If he alone faced the Shaolin Seventeen Monks, even if he couldn’t win, he could definitely escape. But Liu Yan couldn’t walk and Yu Tuan’er lay severely wounded, hampering his movements. Seeing Fang Pingzhai fall into enemy hands, Liu Yan struck the table with a “bang” and said coldly, “Release him!”
“We cannot withstand Benefactor Liu’s sound-killing technique. Without Benefactor Fang in hand, even if Shaolin Temple had another seventeen people, we still couldn’t invite Benefactor Liu back to Shaolin Temple to discuss important matters.” Heaven Monk lifted up Fang Pingzhai. “Your friend is here. Please show some restraint on the journey, Benefactor Liu, and refrain from playing the flute.”
Liu Yan exerted force with both hands. With a “snap,” the bamboo flute in his hands broke in two. “Release him.”
Heaven Monk was startled. He had thought that since Liu Yan was a great villain, even with Fang Pingzhai and Yu Tuan’er in hand, it might not be safe. Who knew Liu Yan would break the bamboo flute without hesitation. “This…”
“Release him, and I’ll go back with you.” Liu Yan said coldly. “Since he has neither committed the so-called heinous crimes that Shaolin Temple speaks of, nor killed innocents, raped, or pillaged, on what grounds does Shaolin Temple arrest people?”
Heaven Monk was at a loss for words. “This…” Wailing Monk, being more quick-witted, said, “How about if Benefactor Fang accompanies us back to Shaolin, and we release him immediately upon reaching the three gates of Shaolin Temple?”
Liu Yan snorted. “If you harm even one hair on his head, whether what Shaolin Temple gets is the antidote to the Crimson Ghost Nine Hearts Pill or a poison that kills upon contact with blood – you’ll have to weigh that yourselves.”
“Then it’s settled. Come back with us.” Heaven Monk immediately reached out to take him. “Shaolin Temple does not speak falsely.”
Liu Yan closed his eyes and didn’t move. Heaven Monk and Human Monk together lifted him up, about to leave. At this moment, a black shadow flashed. A figure trembled as it blocked the main door, hair disheveled, holding a long sword, chest covered in blood. “Stop… there…”
A’Shui immediately ran over holding Fengfeng, standing beside that person. “Miss Yu…”
Standing at the door with sword in hand was the severely wounded and dying Yu Tuan’er. Seeing Fang Pingzhai captured and Liu Yan about to be taken away, she had suddenly stood up. The sword on her was one Fang Pingzhai had bought for her not long ago. She hadn’t learned much swordplay yet. Now holding the sword and coughing several times, she said in a low voice, “Who… whoever wants to take them away… must first… step over my body…” As she spoke, fresh blood still dripped from her clothes to the ground, drop by drop, making sounds as it hit the floor.
“Amitabha, we have no intention to harm anyone. Miss, please step aside.” Heaven Monk pressed his palms together. “Miss, your injuries are severe. You mustn’t exert yourself. Please sit down to regulate your breathing and calm your spirit…”
Yu Tuan’er’s long sword hummed and trembled, pointing at Heaven Monk. “Old monk talking nonsense… every sentence… is lying… give him back… give them back… to me…” Blood dotted her sword, but it was all her own.