296: Chapter 76 Tragic

Hearing Jiumozhi's question, Qiao Feng felt a bit helpless internally.

He naturally intervened to stop Jiumozhi from taking Duan Yu because of Duan Zhengchun's startled cry.

But after stopping Jiumozhi, Qiao Feng realized the situation was not optimistic.

He had clashed head-on with Jiumozhi and knew the latter's strength was slightly inferior to his own, but not by much.

To win, even at full power, he would need to exert considerable effort.

The problem was that Duan Yanqing and his group were nearby, staring menacingly at Duan Zhengchun.

If he were tied up fighting Jiumozhi, Duan Yanqing's group would certainly seize the chance to kill Duan Zhengchun, and there was no one on Duan Zhengchun's side capable of stopping them.

Duan Zhengchun was severely injured; forget blocking them, he couldn't even escape.

Zhu Danchen and Chu Wanli together could be held up by just Crane in the Clouds, perhaps with Third Elder Yue added at most.

Duan Yu's acupoints had been sealed.

The remaining Qin Hongmian and Ruan Xingzhu against Ye Erniang and Duan Yanqing—the outcome needed no imagining.

Therefore, if Qiao Feng truly fought Jiumozhi, he could protect Duan Yu, but not Duan Zhengchun.

But if he protected Duan Zhengchun and dealt with Duan Yanqing's group first, no one could hold back Jiumozhi, and Duan Yu would definitely be taken.

For a moment, Qiao Feng found the situation extremely tricky and had no mind to answer Jiumozhi.

Seeing that his words received no response, Jiumozhi was pleased rather than annoyed, because he also perceived that the situation on the ground was advantageous to him.

He smiled and said, "Benefactor Qiao, matters have priorities. Duke Duan is severely injured, and these few benefactors wish him harm. To be safe, you should focus on protecting his life. After all, human life is paramount; saving a life surpasses building a seven-story pagoda."

"This humble monk will not disturb you further. Farewell."

As he finished speaking, Jiumozhi grabbed Duan Yu and prepared to leave.

Duan Yu wanted to resist, but several major acupoints were sealed, rendering him unable to Move, so he could only let Jiumozhi take him.

"Great Hero Qiao, don't mind me, save Yu'er!"

Seeing Duan Yu about to be taken by Jiumozhi again, Duan Zhengchun disregarded his own condition and quickly sought help from Qiao Feng.

Hearing this, Qiao Feng struck out with one palm towards Jiumozhi to stop him from leaving, while simultaneously condensing Qi with his other hand and directing it towards Duan Yanqing, preventing him from seizing the opportunity to strike.

Attacking both sides simultaneously was the only method he could think of to cover both, but it could only restrain the two strongest combatants on the enemy side.

Qiao Feng was truly powerless against the remaining people.

No matter how powerful he was, he only had two hands and could not be in two places at once.

Seeing this, Zhu Danchen and Chu Wanli rushed forward to guard, intercepting Crane in the Clouds and Third Elder Yue.

Ye Erniang seized the opportunity, holding her strange bladed weapon, and lunged towards Duan Zhengchun.

When Qin Hongmian saw this, she quickly entrusted Duan Zhengchun entirely to Ruan Xingzhu's care and pulled back to intercept Ye Erniang.

Qiao Feng saw that Duan Zhengchun was temporarily safe and felt a slight easing of tension.

On the other side, Jiumozhi was burning with rage.

He had no grudge or enmity with Qiao Feng, yet the latter repeatedly ruined his plans.

If Duan Yu had some connection to Qiao Feng, it could be understood and forgiven.

The problem was that Duan Yu had absolutely no relation to Qiao Feng!

Last time, Qiao Feng was still the Beggars Sect Leader, renowned for his righteousness and widely respected, so his actions could be understood as upholding chivalry, which was only right.

Now, not only was Qiao Feng no longer the Beggars Sect Leader, but his Khitan identity had been confirmed, making him despised by others.

Yet, he still ruined his plans!

Did he really think that just because he practiced vegetarianism and maintained politeness, he was made of clay?

"Since Benefactor is so stubbornly unrepentant, this humble monk must ask Benefactor for guidance."

The words, laced with hidden fury, fell, and Jiumozhi turned his gaze towards the icy-eyed Duan Yanqing, extending an invitation to cooperate: "Benefactor Duan, are you willing to join forces with this humble monk?"

"Willing," Duan Yanqing readily agreed.

He too had been infuriated by Qiao Feng and perceived that the situation was advantageous to his side.

As long as they could hold Qiao Feng back, Duan Zhengchun's side would be defeated soon enough.

Qiao Feng also saw this but was helpless.

Because once Jiumozhi and Duan Yanqing reached an agreement, they decisively attacked him together. Since they were provoked and angered, both of their fighting styles were fierce, and even he dared not let his guard down or become distracted.

For a time, the situation on the field reached a stalemate.

Seeing this, Ruan Xingzhu planned to take Duan Zhengchun and leave under the cover of the chaos.

However, everyone present had sharp eyes and ears; as soon as she made a Move, she was discovered.

Duan Yanqing swept his gaze across the entire scene during a brief pause, saw that Ye Erniang had the best advantage, and immediately commanded, "Second Sister, hurry and kill Duan Zhengchun, don't let him run!"

Ye Erniang immediately became ferocious, and her Moves grew even more sharp and ruthless.

In just two or three exchanges, Qin Hongmian, who was already at a disadvantage, showed signs of defeat and was sent flying by a palm strike from Ye Erniang, crashing onto the ground and spitting blood.

"Hongmian!"

Duan Zhengchun cried out in alarm upon seeing this scene.

Ye Erniang sneered, "You should worry about yourself first!"

Saying that, she lunged forward, brandishing her blade towards Duan Zhengchun.

Just at that moment, Duan Zhengchun suddenly pushed Ruan Xingzhu away, using the leverage to spring up, and pointed a finger towards Ye Erniang.

Ye Erniang felt a strong warning sign in her heart and instinctively blocked with her broad saber. The thin blade was instantly shattered into several pieces by the powerful force of the finger strike.

As the fragments flew, they grazed Ye Erniang's face.

Then, Duan Zhengchun collapsed weakly to the ground, his head lolled to one side, and he fell unconscious.

Ye Erniang reacted, instinctively touched her face, and then let out a sharp scream: "Ah! My face!"

"You dare injure my face!"

"Duan Zhengchun, I want you dead!"

"No, I want you to wish you were dead!"

Saying that, she crouched down, raised the broken blade in her hand, and slashed towards Duan Zhengchun's lower Dantian.

At the critical moment, Ruan Xingzhu, who was nearby, flew forward and tackled Ye Erniang, causing her to stumble and interrupting her action.

Ye Erniang became furious, turned around, and kicked Ruan Xingzhu in the abdomen, causing her so much pain that she lost the ability to resist.

"You saved him, ruining my plan, then I will make you wish you were dead!"

After speaking, she grabbed Ruan Xingzhu by the neck and wildly slashed at her face and body with the blade.

"Vicious woman, stop!"

Seeing Ye Erniang acting like a madwoman, disfiguring Ruan Xingzhu on the spot, Qiao Feng's rage surged, and he shouted loudly, intending to intervene.

However, Jiumozhi and Duan Yanqing gave him no opportunity, instead intensifying their attacks while he was distracted.

Simultaneously, Duan Yanqing commanded Ye Erniang again: "Second Sister, stop being crazy! Hurry up and kill Duan Zhengchun!"

Only then did Ye Erniang release Ruan Xingzhu.

However, whether intentionally or coincidentally, Ruan Xingzhu was thrown near a pool of water. With a slight glance, she saw a terrifying, blood-soaked face reflected in the water.

She let out a terrified shriek and immediately fainted.

Ye Erniang walked over to Duan Zhengchun's side and raised the broken blade in her hand, stabbing towards his chest.

Just as the broken blade was about to fall, a streak of Sword Qi sliced through the air, cutting a large gash on the arm holding the blade for Ye Erniang.

Ye Erniang cried out in pain, her hand loosened, and the knife fell to the ground.

She turned to look in the direction the Sword Qi came from, only to see Duan Yu raising his hand, his five fingers shaped like a mudra, pointing directly at her.

Ye Erniang was momentarily stunned.

What was happening?

Duan Yanqing exclaimed in surprise: "Six Veins Divine Sword!?"

Upon hearing this, Duan Yu's expression remained blank. He changed his sword path and fired a streak of Sword Qi at Duan Yanqing.

The Sword Qi was invisible, so Duan Yanqing hurriedly dodged based on his experience and perception, grazing past him and tearing a piece of his robe.

Duan Yu raised his hand again and aimed at Duan Yanqing.

Duan Yanqing felt a chill in his heart and quickly retreated.

"Retreat!"

Jiumozhi: "..."