Chapter 104: Lin Hui

Yang Ze’s body was forced backward three or four steps by the pressure of the palm strike, the ground beneath cracking from the impact.

His expression grew serious, and before he could even catch his breath, Wang Bin’s palm came crashing toward him again. Without any attempt to dodge, Yang Ze extended his right hand, pointing with the Nine-Spin Finger directly at Wang Bin.

Though his internal energy had transformed from true qi into true essence, Yang Ze could still wield the martial arts he had previously mastered. Moreover, with the true qi now refined into true essence, the power behind his techniques had increased significantly.

The finger met the palm with a clash, energy bursting forth in all directions.

Bang! This time, both Yang Ze and Wang Bin were knocked back three steps simultaneously.

A gleam flashed in Wang Bin’s eyes as he said, “You’ve actually mastered martial arts. Then I’ll use the profound techniques of the Piaomiao Martial Academy to defeat you!”

A vortex of energy swirled up in his palm, coalescing into a small orb imbued with power. With a thrust, Wang Bin’s palm sent the orb hurtling forward, riding the current of energy.

Yang Ze’s gaze remained calm. He pointed his right finger out, releasing a burst of force. That finger suddenly collided with the orb.

In an instant, Yang Ze felt a slicing force trying to sever his fingertip. His true essence burst forth, merging with the strike, and directly shattered the orb.

Yet a counterforce rebounded from the orb, sending Yang Ze’s body rolling backward again.

“You have no way out now. My last palm strike only used 60% of my strength. I know you have one more blade technique you haven’t used. If you don’t use it now, you won’t get another chance,” Wang Bin sneered coldly. He had already learned about Yang Ze’s strength from Zhong Kai, so he remained constantly vigilant.

With a forceful stomp, Wang Bin’s aura surged naturally. Slowly, he raised his right palm, concentrating all his power onto it.

“Since you want to see my blade technique, I’ll oblige!”

Yang Ze drew the sword from his back. With a flick of his right hand, true essence coiled around the blade. This was the first time he would unleash the Black Tiger Blade Technique with true essence.

The moment he gripped the sword, his aura shifted. A killing intent radiated from him. Seeing this, Wang Bin’s eyes flashed with greed as he glimpsed the blade in Yang Ze’s hand.

At that moment, both struck simultaneously.

Wang Bin shouted fiercely, slapping both hands forward. Pale white true essence gathered in his palms, whipping up a fierce wind that stirred dust and stones from the ground, rushing toward Yang Ze.

Yang Ze’s blade descended like a tiger leaping down the mountain, unleashing unprecedented power. A fierce blade aura materialized from thin air, slashing outward.

Whish! Whish! Whish!

The blade aura carried the killing intent of the Black Tiger Technique. The onrushing stones and dust were pulverized before they could approach Yang Ze.

“Go!” Wang Bin roared, thrusting both palms forward again. His force poured out, a faint vortex forming and swirling toward Yang Ze.

The blade aura collided with the nascent vortex. Just as the two forces seemed locked in stalemate, another surge burst from the blade aura, shattering the forming vortex.

At that moment, the true essence in Wang Bin’s palms was also shattered by the blade aura. His face flushed red; he coughed up a mouthful of blood and staggered backward several steps.

Before he could regain his footing, Yang Ze’s sword moved again. With a flick of his right hand, another blade aura shot out.

Wang Bin, still coughing up blood, stared at the expressionless Yang Ze. A chill ran down his spine as he saw the blade aura flaring once more from the sword. He sensed an imminent danger closing in.

“Brother Yang, spare me! I admit defeat!” Wang Bin shouted, abandoning all pride to surrender.

But Yang Ze did not stop. Shaking his long sword, the blade aura slashed past Wang Bin’s face, striking the ground beside him and leaving a small crater.

“I gave you all a chance, but you squandered it. Don’t expect me to let you off so easily this time,” Yang Ze sneered. Suddenly, he dashed forward and kicked Wang Bin squarely in the stomach.

True essence surged from Yang Ze’s foot. Wang Bin screamed in pain as the energy struck his body, shaking his internal organs. Yet Yang Ze restrained his strength, not wanting to cause severe injury.

Seeing Wang Bin’s agonized cry, Yang Ze sheathed his sword and clapped his hands lightly. “Enough. Stop pretending—it’s just a minor flesh wound. I didn’t even use my full strength. You can take your people and leave now. Remember, I, Yang Ze, keep my word. If you dare come again, the next Zhong Kai will be you!”

Stepping beside Wang Bin, Yang Ze lifted his body and hurled him toward the crowd that had been hiding nearby.

Zhong Kai’s group caught Wang Bin, who was too embarrassed to be carried and quickly stood up, limping back.

Before long, the crowd dispersed, leaving Yang Ze alone.

The chill on Yang Ze’s face only now began to fade. If not for the sect’s rules forbidding killing or severely injuring fellow disciples, he would have ended Wang Bin with a single stroke.

Still, he had taught these two a lesson. Zhong Kai’s legs had been crippled—no small matter. Yet Yang Ze believed that if he ever got into trouble, Ning Teng would protect him.

“Unless absolutely necessary, I shouldn’t casually seek out Ning Teng. I owe too many favors; it will be hard to repay them later,” Yang Ze shook his head and returned to his room.

He hadn’t expected that within just a few days of arriving here, someone would come looking for him. It must have been because of Cai Kun bringing him here so obviously through the back door.

“I’d better first check out the numbered disciples of Qingyang Peak to see what’s really going on. If more trouble arises, I’ll have a better way to handle it,” Yang Ze thought, pushing open his door and stepping outside.

He had barely taken a few steps when his stomach rumbled loudly. He realized it had been days since he had a proper meal, surviving only on rations.

He quickened his pace, asked someone for the dining hall’s location, and headed that way.

When Yang Ze arrived at the Piaomiao Martial Academy’s dining hall, he was a bit surprised. The hall was grand—a five-story pavilion painted and well-maintained, bustling with people.

Inside, many tables and chairs filled the main hall, which could comfortably seat six or seven hundred people. The entire dining hall could serve thousands simultaneously.

This was only the dining hall for the D District. Qingyang Peak had ten such halls. Even if tens of thousands dined at once, it wouldn’t be a problem.

Once inside, Yang Ze understood why numbered disciples received ten taels of monthly allowance—they had to pay for their meals here.

Some dishes were quite expensive. Regularly eating them would exceed ten taels a month.

Yang Ze was not short of silver. As the former chief steward of the Tongyang Alliance in Yuyang City, he had taken a considerable sum with him when he left. Even if he ate the best dishes every meal, he could afford it.

But Yang Ze was not extravagant. He casually ordered a few acceptable dishes and began eating.

When he finished, he left his seat and quickly walked to the third table on the left, sitting down abruptly.

A shifty-eyed man was eating noodles there. Seeing Yang Ze sit opposite him, he immediately put down his chopsticks and stood up to leave.

Before he could rise, Yang Ze’s hand was on his shoulder, pressing him back down.

“Brother, don’t be in such a hurry. I have some questions I’d like to ask you,” Yang Ze smiled, appearing harmless.

The shifty-eyed man sat back down, picked up his chopsticks, and resumed eating. “Junior brother, I think you’re mistaken. We don’t know each other. You grabbed me for no reason—is this how you ask questions?”

“Brother, you were just too quick. If I hadn’t stopped you, you might have disappeared by now,” Yang Ze laughed. He slid something across the table.

The man was about to speak but, seeing the three taels of silver Yang Ze offered, his face lit up brilliantly. He quickly pocketed the money.

“I’m Lin Hui, junior brother. You came to the right person. I can’t say I know everything about the numbered disciples of Qingyang Peak, but in D District, if you ask after Lin Hui, I’m definitely the one who knows the most,” he said.

Seeing the silver work, Yang Ze smiled as well. When he ate earlier, he had scanned the people here. Lin Hui’s table had several people gathered around, seemingly being told about some matters.

With his worldly experience, Yang Ze was sure Lin Hui was well-informed in this district. Winning over such a person was simple: a little silver would suffice. Three taels was a considerable sum for numbered disciples who received only ten taels monthly.

“Greetings, Brother Lin. My name is Yang Ze. I’ve only been here a few days and don’t understand much. I came to ask for your guidance.”

“You’re Yang Ze?” Lin Hui, who had been calmly sitting, suddenly exclaimed.