Jianghu Qimen Lu

Chapter 29 Both Righteous and Evil

Seeing that Xiang Quan was relentlessly attacking, Hong Yueliang knew that Xiang Quan's lightness skill was inferior to hers and that she was afraid of gaining the upper hand, which was why she was attacking so desperately without defending. Now, seeing Xiang Quan suddenly turn and flee, she assumed she was probably tired and was overjoyed. She quickly switched from defense to offense to reverse the disadvantage, but as soon as she threw a punch, where did her enemy suddenly disappear? Her vision blurred, and then she felt a loud thud in her back, followed by a powerful force that crashed down on her like a tidal wave. She stumbled and fell off the roof!

"Her Southern Fist style is always rugged and steady, not good at leaping. How could Xiang Quan suddenly change her movements, her lightness skill greatly enhanced, and she swiftly flew behind me to launch a deadly attack?" Red Moon lay on the street, a trace of blood seeping from the corner of her mouth. She never dreamed that when Xiang Quan fabricated the strange book "Complete Book of Jianghu," she had already mastered the martial arts of various schools in the Jianghu world. Just now, while Red Moon was fighting with her two hall masters, she had secretly observed for a long time, knowing that Red Moon's Plum Blossom Fist was more agile than steady. So she deliberately used her powerful Southern Fist style to compete with her, and when Red Moon misunderstood that her lightness skill was inferior to hers, she suddenly changed her style of punch, instantly transforming it into her own Plum Blossom Fist move, the Hawk's Turn! While Red Moon was completely bewildered, she suddenly launched a deadly attack, and sure enough, it hit her!

Xiang Quan hid the "Complete Book of Jianghu" on the roof into his bosom, then took the Shangfang Sword in his hand. With a wave of his hand, the six famous fist masters all took action, capturing the remnants of the Rong family. They jumped off the roof together and came to the street, where they surrounded the Red Moon again! Red Moon, like a frost-bitten reed, closed her beautiful eyes in despair and sighed, "I never thought that I, Red Moon, who have roamed the martial world for so many years, would fall into your hands!" Fragrant Fist coldly said, "It's fortunate that you were captured today, otherwise who knows what storms you would have stirred up in the martial world in the future? Liu Quan, tie her up!" At his command, Liu Quan, a doctor, stepped forward with a smile, calmly opened his medicine box, took out a roll of gauze, and said with a smile, "Madam, you are as beautiful as a fairy, but as venomous as a snake. I think you have a mental illness, and it has already reached the point of no return! Let me treat you—" Before he finished speaking, he suddenly lunged forward, his claws like hooks, and grabbed Red Moon's fragrant shoulders, intending to do the same as capturing Fire Cloud. Unexpectedly, Red Moon shrank her shoulders, rolled eighteen times on the ground, and dodged away. Black Dragon Pillar stood up. She shouted, "A scholar can be killed but not humiliated! I'll go with you to see the officials, why tie me up?" Liu Quan was furious and wanted to rush forward to attack, but Xiang Quan stopped him. She turned around, looked directly at Hong Yue Liang, and said leisurely, "What if you take this opportunity to escape?" Hong Yue Liang snorted coldly and said, "Impossible! Because for the sake of my parents, I can't possibly escape! You may not know, but the reason I painstakingly approached Black Sun was to avenge my master's death! After I learned Plum Blossom Fist, my master, Master Zou, was already old and stayed at my residence to live out his days. Unexpectedly, one day he died tragically at the hands of the martial arts sect in Hangzhou. My father and I led people to see him, and found that his eyes were pierced through, as if burned by electric current, his flesh and blood a mangled mess. Apart from that, there were no other wounds on his body. We immediately..." Speculation: My revered master was an extraordinary being, possessing unparalleled martial arts skills, yet he suffered such a cruel fate. One can only imagine that the murderer's martial arts must be even more exquisite! Looking across the current martial arts world, few can rival him. Only the leader of the overseas eccentric sect, the Sun Gate, Black Sun, is a suspect. It is said that he possesses a unique Sun Divine Skill, allowing him to absorb internal energy by looking at the sun's poisonous light. In combat, his gaze is like lightning, and he can use his internal energy to injure his opponent, burning away their eyes as if gouging them out, leaving only two large, gruesome holes! My father and I discussed it, and we concluded that Black Sun is most likely the murderer! His methods are unparalleled! Who else could it be but him? Therefore, I secretly resolved to avenge my revered master, for whom I owe such a great debt! Fearing my parents' worry, I lied and went to the capital to find them, but secretly hid in a misty brothel, waiting for the arrival of the murderer, Black Sun…”

"Where is that damned Japanese pirate now?" This was the question Xiangquan was most concerned about! Just thinking about that Black Sun sent a chill down her spine!

"Last night, after we escaped the brothel, we met up on Lonely Mountain and rested in a cave. While he was fast asleep, I took out the Rong Clan's most prized possession—a thin-bladed razor blade—and slit his throat! Unexpectedly, in his dying moments, he used his Poisonous Sun Technique to stare intently into my eyes. Fortunately, I had already discovered the secret of his evil magic, so I forcibly avoided his gaze and flicked my finger, shooting the sharp blade into his right eye. I heard a scream, and the wicked Black Sun finally collapsed to the ground. Blood was everywhere, and he was barely breathing, uttering on his deathbed, 'I've been so good to you...'" "Why...kill me?" I asked him coldly. "Why did you kill an old man?" Even on his deathbed, he remained defiant and arrogant, saying that his greatest wish in life was to be invincible in the world, and that he would kill anyone who showed even the slightest prowess in the martial arts world! I couldn't listen to him anymore. I turned away angrily and said softly, "Heaven's sins are still pitiful, but man's sins are unforgivable!" After another incense stick's time, this demon finally died! After saying this, Red Moon let out a long sigh, as if the pent-up resentment in her chest had finally been released! She felt refreshed and invigorated.

Xiang Quan was also pleased and laughed, "So you're being so straightforward today because you're not really interested in the 'Complete Guide to the Martial World'!" Hong Yue Liang remained noncommittal, only smiling faintly, her brows slightly furrowed, and said, "Although I've now avenged my master, being imprisoned has caused my parents so much worry and fear, which is truly unfilial!" Xiang Quan, possessing a chivalrous heart, pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "I suddenly have an idea; I want to let you go! Take your people and leave!" Unexpectedly, Hong Yue Liang smiled sadly and sighed, "Thank you for your kindness, Sect Leader Xiang, but how can I, a mere woman, simply leave? Wouldn't that only cause my parents more suffering?" "What? I must accept the court's judgment." Xiang Quan said generously, "You've actually committed no crime. You just went deep into the tiger's den to avenge your master! To be honest, I really admire you. You seem to have done something earth-shattering. You could say you've rid the people of a scourge, or you could say you've rid the entire martial arts world of a great menace! You truly deserve to be called a heroine! Don't worry, I'll put in a good word for you!" Upon hearing this, everyone thought that Red Moon was saved. Everyone knew that White Lightning was now completely obedient to Xiang Quan, and what's more, Xiang Quan had just retrieved his imperial sword, which was an even greater achievement!

By this time, all the common people on the street had fled. Only the Zhejiang Governor Zhang Kuang had finished assembling the Green Standard Army, and he and Bai Shandian rode on tall horses, escorting one person, and slowly led their troops over.

Red Moon, with her sharp eyes, immediately recognized the prisoner being escorted—wearing a wooden cangue on his head and shackles on his legs—it was none other than her father, Hongchen! She cried out from afar, "Father, Father, why did they arrest you a second time?" Hongchen, also on the prison cart, craned his neck anxiously, calling out in a hoarse voice, "Daughter, is that you? How did you end up in their hands too?" As the procession drew closer, Xiangquan realized that her husband had retrieved their prized horse and was now riding it. She unconsciously raised her imperial sword and laughed, "Lightning, your sword is here!" White Lightning quickly dismounted, somersaulted, and gently landed in front of her. Taking the imperial sword, he laughed happily, "I knew Madam was lying in ambush here, success is assured! Where's the book? Is it on Red Moon?" Fragrant Fist chuckled slightly, then said with a playful reproach, "Would you believe me if I said I didn't see it?" White Lightning laughed heartily, teasing, "I don't believe you! Madam wouldn't be so happy if things hadn't gone well!" Suddenly, he caught sight of Red Moon, his expression instantly changing. He strode forward and slapped her across the face, knocking the three-eyed peacock feather identical to his own to the ground. He shouted angrily, "You've really eaten the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard! How dare you impersonate me and storm the execution ground in broad daylight! Aren't you afraid of death?!" Red Moon ripped off her human skin mask, snapping, "One must take responsibility for one's actions! If you have a problem, come at me! Why did you arrest my father?"