109. With Vengeance Avenge, a True Son Honors His Parents Without Shame

The sun gradually dipped below the horizon, dusk settling in. The western sky was ablaze with fiery clouds, their crimson hues resembling fresh blood.

Yuan Xiao had returned to Golden Dragon’s side. After repeated insistence from Bai Liuli, Xie Wuji reluctantly agreed to take her along, on the condition that she would not act on her own, given her delicate status in this place.

Golden Dragon and his men were gathered in an alley, plotting their assassination plan.

“Word is, Xie Wuji has now taken Master Yong of the East Gate as his mentor. Once he gains power, he will surely seek revenge on us. After all, we once hunted him down,” Golden Dragon said grimly.

An elder beside him spoke up, “Sect Leader, Xie Wuji is now at the Golden Core stage, and I hear he’s at the fourth grade of Golden Core. He’s quite formidable. If we confront him directly, there’s a chance we’ll encounter other disciples from Danxia Sect. Their inner disciples are all at the Golden Core stage; if we’re discovered, we won’t stand a chance.”

“So now we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I heard Xie Wuji is out with a woman. I reckon he’ll return tonight, alone. When that happens, dealing with him will be a matter of minutes,” Golden Dragon said, his mind filled with memories of the humiliations Xie Wuji had inflicted upon him. Clenching his teeth, his body trembled with rage.

Yuan Xiao remained silent. Golden Dragon continued, “Go out and watch the path. See if that bastard Xie Wuji is coming. If I’m right, this alley is his only route back.”

“Yes, foster father,” Yuan Xiao replied, clasping his fists respectfully.

At that moment, as the members of Qingyun Sect sat gathered, two figures suddenly appeared before them.

Golden Dragon’s eyes widened in alarm. “Who goes there?”

Amidst the sunset glow, the figures emerged from the shadows—it was Xie Wuji and Bai Liuli.

Golden Dragon did not recognize Bai Liuli. Rising to his feet and narrowing his eyes, he said, “After searching high and low with no results, fortune comes without effort. I was planning to seek you out, but I never thought you’d rush here to your death.”

“Long time no see. You’re still as annoying as ever. Is your big hand healing well? Still have to use your fingers to scratch it?” Xie Wuji smiled mockingly.

Golden Dragon’s face flushed with fury at the memory of those humiliating days. “You brat! If it weren’t for you, the disciples of Qingyun Sect wouldn’t have been scattered like this!”

Since that incident, the once three thousand-strong sect had dwindled to less than a thousand—a dramatic shrinking beyond imagination.

Golden Dragon’s hatred for Xie Wuji had only grown over time. Xie Wuji himself felt wronged, thinking he had done no one harm, yet why did so many bear grudges against him?

“This is the man responsible for the severe losses our sect suffered. The woman beside him must be his lover. Even if he’s at the Golden Core stage, it’s only been a few days. Tonight, we will eliminate them both here. Even if the Heavenly King himself comes, he won’t be able to trace it back to us!” Golden Dragon growled viciously as he advanced on Xie Wuji.

Suddenly, the elders flanking Golden Dragon split into two groups—one charging toward Xie Wuji, the other toward Bai Liuli.

“Hey, the Ancestor Sword Technique!” Bai Liuli exclaimed with excitement. Within the palace, she had sparred with female guards many times and had always emerged victorious—after all, she was the queen.

Yet Bai Liuli felt stifled, for every victory had come without real contest. This time, she resolved to give it her all.

Her treasured sword flashed toward the leading elder, who was taken aback by the fierce swordplay from such a young woman.

Bai Liuli knew no restraint. Each strike aimed straight for vital points. Her blade thrust directly toward the elder’s heart.

The elder wielded twin sabers and quickly swung them to block, but at the moment of impact, the swords snapped in two.

“What a sharp sword!” the elder gasped.

But it was too late. Bai Liuli’s sword had already pierced his chest.

Xie Wuji was astonished by Bai Liuli’s skill. As a connoisseur, he immediately recognized that this seemingly rustic sword was actually of heavenly grade quality.

Though the elder’s twin sabers appeared formidable, they were effortlessly severed by the blade, like a cleaver splitting tofu.

Bai Liuli was no weakling, but Xie Wuji was no less impressive. He drew forth his Fire Crystal Armguard and slammed into an elder with a grunted strike, charging like a mountain.

Smack!

The elder was taken aback, raising his hands to block, but the force twisted his arms painfully after just one blow.

Xie Wuji followed up with a flurry of over a dozen punches, each landing like raindrops, raining down on the elder until he bled from multiple wounds, utterly defeated.

In the blink of an eye, only Golden Dragon and Yuan Xiao remained.

Sweat beaded on Golden Dragon’s forehead as he sneered coldly, “Xie Wuji, I never expected your skills to have advanced this much in merely three months. You’ve truly earned my respect, but I still must avenge my son!”

With that, Golden Dragon drew from his waist an iron mace adorned with eight locks, each carved with a dragon’s head.

Shaking it, the locks spun rapidly as Golden Dragon let out a fierce snort and swung the weapon at Xie Wuji.

“Sis, step aside. This guy is a Golden Core expert; you’re no match for him,” Xie Wuji warned.

Bai Liuli nodded, retreating to the side.

“Xie Wuji!” Golden Dragon roared and charged.

Xie Wuji had not expected such a crude, forceful attack. He was pushed back several steps.

Golden Dragon laughed heartily. “So what if you’re Golden Core? You lack my experience!”

“Is that so...” Xie Wuji’s face darkened as he stared at Golden Dragon.

Golden Dragon launched a furious assault, delivering a whip-like kick toward Xie Wuji’s ribs.

Eyes wide, Xie Wuji caught Golden Dragon’s leg with one hand and executed a grappling move known as the Monkey Steals Peach.

Golden Dragon was startled but was already caught. Xie Wuji twisted the wrist and pulled hard backward—there was a sickening sound as blood spurted out.

Golden Dragon was drenched in sweat. “You shameless little thief!”

Back and forth they fought. Golden Dragon’s experience met Xie Wuji’s decisive strikes. Neither could claim an advantage.

The clatter of their blows echoed loudly. Sweat poured from Golden Dragon’s brow as he realized how much stronger Xie Wuji had become. His fists carried flames—an eerie azure fire that initially didn’t burn, but after three seconds seared the limbs with unbearable heat.

If not for his seasoned experience, Golden Dragon would have suffered greatly.

Xie Wuji was equally surprised, suddenly aware of Golden Dragon’s formidable skill—no wonder he was a sect leader.

As their fierce battle raged, Golden Dragon glanced at Yuan Xiao, who watched from the sidelines.

“Son, come aid your father. Kill Xie Wuji and avenge your brother!” Golden Dragon urged.

Yuan Xiao laughed, trembling all over. “For three months, I’ve endured humiliation for this moment. Heaven has eyes, and at last, I have found this chance! Haha!”

Golden Dragon laughed in return. “Exactly. This bastard killed your brother. I know you thirst for revenge. Hurry—ugh!”

Golden Dragon suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, staring in disbelief at his chest where a long sword had pierced through him.

He turned slowly, only to see Yuan Xiao’s cold face, eyes fixed on him with deadly intent.