I Can Strengthen Infinitely

Chapter 415 - 273: Forging the Blade Personally (Part 2)

But he was barely able to protect himself—how could he spare a thought for anyone else? Qin Yuesheng flicked the blood from the Dragon-Slaying Sword, and at once strode toward Xiang Bang.

These two were yet more helpers Liu Xian had found from gods knows where; it seemed that even after witnessing last time’s battle, this wretch Liu Xian still hadn’t given up his thieving ambitions, still clung to his rebellious dreams—Qin Yuesheng had every reason to strike him down mercilessly.

Seeing Qin Yuesheng approaching, Xiang Bang grew anxious in his heart, hurriedly flung aside the Double-Bladed Fork of Primordial Fiend, and, risking his shoulder to be pierced by the fork, resolved to shatter this deadlock at any cost.

Sure enough, the moment Xiang Bang threw away the Double-Bladed Fork, one of its tips stabbed straight through his shoulder. Yet it was only by doing so that Xiang Bang freed both hands, ready to take on Qin Yuesheng.

Compared to the Double-Bladed Fork of Primordial Fiend, the Dragon-Slaying Sword fit Qin Yuesheng’s hand much better; in an instant, sword-light whirled like a beauty dancing under the moon, blade-shadows drifting as though snow suspended in the sky. Qin Yuesheng had already launched his attack on Xiang Bang.

Watching Xiang Bang forced into retreat by Qin Yuesheng, Liu Xian wiped the cold sweat from his face again and again, his legs itching to run but his courage inexplicably failing him—he couldn’t move a step.

"What a scourge... Why has he come again?" Liu Xian’s sweaty hands trembled, and it seemed his white hair at the temples multiplied in a sudden instant.

In just a few exchanges, Qin Yuesheng’s sword lopped off Xiang Bang’s arm, then with his left hand drove the Double-Bladed Fork straight into Xiang Bang’s chest.

Xiang Bang’s muscles tensed, both his hands gripping the fork’s shaft with desperate strength; relying on pure muscle, he clamped the Double-Bladed Fork between his sides, preventing Qin Yuesheng from completely forcing it into his body.

"Soul-Catching Demon." Qin Yuesheng summoned the Soul-Catching Demon and immediately raised the Soul-Catching Arm, slapping its palm heavily onto the fork’s hilt.

Whoosh!

No resistance. No obstruction.

The Double-Bladed Fork sank in to the root, bursting out instantly from Xiang Bang’s back, piercing his chest with effortless ease.

Watching Xiang Bang’s gaze dim and scatter, Qin Yuesheng pulled the fork from the ground behind him, swaggering grandly as he marched toward Liu Xian.

Seeing Qin Yuesheng approach, terror flashed across Liu Xian’s face—he tried to bolt, but Qin Yuesheng hurled the fork with deadly accuracy, pinning Liu Xian’s right foot to the spot. Wailing in agony, clutching his leg and weeping, Liu Xian could not escape.

"Lord Liu, what a coincidence. How is it we meet again?" Qin Yuesheng stood before Liu Xian and smiled.

"Heh... heh... Lord Qin." Liu Xian’s smile was uglier than a cry; even though he hated Qin Yuesheng to the bone, he dared not curse him to his face.

"Lord Liu, you know I relish a good fight—from start to finish, you always send masters to spar with me. Your courtesy does not go unnoticed." Qin Yuesheng raised his clasped fists and shook them: "This time, I’ve come to Yangzhou Prefecture to discuss something with you, Lord Liu. I hope you’ll agree without even thinking, or else I’ll have to choose someone else for your post as Prefect here."

"W-what is it?" Liu Xian dared not instantly agree, he asked.

In such a situation, his sole wish was to live; if Qin Yuesheng’s proposal involved his life, then agreeing or refusing made little difference.

"It’s not difficult. I want you to immediately mobilize your troops and attack Cao Mengda directly," Qin Yuesheng said.

During Liu Xian’s period of decline, both Cao Mengda and Wu Bao had flourished, their momentum long since outstripping Liu Xian; among them, Cao Mengda, backed by the White Lotus Saint Sect, was most renowned, already showing the posture of becoming King of Jiangnan.

Such a large tiger—letting Sanhuang deal with it directly was a bit too much to ask.

So Qin Yuesheng made a snap decision: have Liu Xian’s forces clash with Cao Mengda’s, so both sides suffer heavy losses, draining their primordial strength. That way, the situation in Jiangnan would be far easier to control.

"Fine. I have no objection," Liu Xian agreed at once.

Even if Qin Yuesheng hadn’t asked, Liu Xian and Cao Mengda were bound to have a battle to the death sooner or later. Now that he could spare his own life by agreeing to Qin Yuesheng’s request, why not?

"Lord Liu, this battle—you must fight with all your heart." Qin Yuesheng shoved a handful of Life-and-Death Cold Ice Talismans into Liu Xian’s body. "Otherwise, you’ll still be dead."

Feeling a sudden chill inside, Liu Xian surmised that Qin Yuesheng had used some demon technique within him. He shuddered violently, hastened to reply: "I understand, I understand! I’ll go crush that dog Cao Mengda, with all my strength and effort, not daring to play any tricks!"

"Aha, that’s better." Qin Yuesheng yanked the Double-Bladed Fork from Liu Xian’s pierced foot. "Now, Lord Liu—why don’t you tell me how you got involved with the Yellow Turban Immortal Sect?"

As he spoke, Qin Yuesheng seized Liu Xian and dragged him toward a side room.

...

As it turned out, before Liu Xian had hastily raised rebels, he didn’t even know the Yellow Turban Immortal Sect existed in Jiangnan.

Yet after his secret troops were exposed, members of the Yellow Turban Immortal Sect came to his door the very next day, offering to support him in vying for control of Jiangnan, and advancing into the Central Plains.

The greatest support they provided was undoubtedly sending Yellow Turban experts to protect Liu Xian.

To Liu Xian’s knowledge, the Yellow Turban Immortal Sect’s main base wasn’t in Jiangnan, but all followers in Jiangnan were at the command of a certain "Great Immortal Master," Pu Ren.

Liu Xian had met the man several times, and the meetings were quite congenial.

This Great Immortal Master Pu Ren was truly mysterious. Once you had seen his features, within a few days the impression in your mind would begin to fade, and not long after, you’d find yourself entirely unable to recall what he looked like—clearly, the man was using some strange art.