Chapter 234: Decisive Kill

Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy

A clash of fist and sword produced not the sound of flesh, but a metallic clang. Zheng Chengze's long sword was driven into the ground, forcing him back several steps. Ye Mo's hand remained unharmed. He followed up with a swift kick to Zheng Chengze's dantian, sending him flying several meters before he crashed into a boulder, spitting blood. His survival was clearly doubtful.

Ye Mo then approached Zheng Chengze and retrieved a bag from his chest.

A collective gasp rippled through the onlookers. Zheng Chengze, a Black Level tertiary stage ancient martial arts cultivator, had fallen in just two moves. This youth was ferociously strong. Even if Zheng Chengze hadn't underestimated him, he likely wouldn't have lasted more than twenty moves.

Such power, yet he had already incurred the enmity of the Broken Fist Hall, a sect that, while not first-rate, still possessed an Earth Level master.

Most onlookers hadn't seen how Ye Mo deflected the sword with his fist, but two Earth Level masters witnessed the precise strike to the sword's flat surface. They compared their own skills and concluded that even they couldn't have defeated Zheng Chengze so easily. This young man's strength was exceptional, and his sect affiliation remained a mystery.

The girl whose arm Ye Mo had severed whispered to her nun master, "Master, I think I've seen him before, but I can't quite place him."

The nun immediately reprimanded her, "Zixu, don't speak idly. Getting here was difficult enough."

Ye Mo handed the bag to Xu Ping, saying, "Brother Xu, this is yours." He was already considering how to repay him later.

Xu Ping pushed the bag back. "Brother, you've incurred the Broken Fist Hall's wrath because of me. I feel terrible. This isn't useful to me, and your power surpasses mine. Please accept it. By the way, what is your name?"

Ye Mo had sought the Star Jade within, and so he didn't bother with false modesty. Taking the jade, he produced a defensive jade. "This is a defensive magic artifact, roughly equivalent in value to your meteor jade. I'll repay you properly in the future. I am Mo Ying."

Ye Mo remained cautious. Everyone present had some level of influence. While confident, he wasn't arrogant enough to ignore them.

Xu Ping accepted the jade, laughing. "Brother Mo, you're too kind. It's my good fortune to meet a friend like you. However, I apologize for involving you with the Broken Fist Hall."

Ye Mo reassessed Xu Ping. He was forthright and unafraid of the Broken Fist Hall. Ye Mo laughed. "The Broken Fist Hall is no threat to me. If they dare harass me again, I'll annihilate them."

This was a deliberate provocation. Having killed Ou Tanhu and Zheng Chengze, reconciliation was impossible. Instead of fearing them, he would openly declare his hostility. With the Star Jade, he could forge his flying sword, vastly increasing his combat power.

"Agreed! If the Broken Fist Hall dares to come, we two brothers will slaughter them!" Xu Ping echoed, brimming with martial spirit.

With nothing further to observe, the crowd dispersed into the canyon.

Once the others had left, Xu Ping asked, "Brother Mo, did you also come for the auction?"

Ye Mo nodded. "I heard there was an auction, so I came to see what was offered."

Xu Ping looked puzzled. "Don't you have an entry card?"

"An entry card?" Ye Mo was surprised.

Xu Ping produced a jade card. "Of course. I went to great lengths to obtain this."

Ye Mo examined the card. He realized he possessed one as well, taken from Yu Lian. His card was number 37, while Xu Ping's was 101.

"Is it this kind of jade card?" Ye Mo casually produced Yu Lian's card, relieved that Jing Xi hadn't searched Yu Lian's body after killing him. Otherwise, he would have lacked an entry card.

Xu Ping examined it. "Indeed. Yours is among the first fifty, allowing you to bring a guest. Numbers after fifty, like mine, can only enter alone. I didn't know you had such a high-level card, Brother Mo. Let's go in."

Xu Ping implicitly recognized Ye Mo as an Earth Level master, as only they or individuals of high status possessed such cards.

The two men spoke for a while longer, discovering they were both independent cultivators without sect affiliations. Although Ye Mo developed a favorable impression of Xu Ping, he withheld some information, as did Xu Ping. They were both figures within the jianghu [1]; complete trust was unlikely, especially considering their recent acquaintance. While they might fight side-by-side, a conflict of interest could easily turn them against each other.

They traversed the canyon, crossed a metal chain bridge, and entered a narrow path carved into a steep cliff face. The abyss below was shrouded in clouds, making the path unnerving. Those afraid of heights would surely faint. However, few attending the auction suffered from acrophobia, and Ye Mo was not among them.

After several kilometers, the path opened into a serene clearing, culminating in a wooden tower inscribed with the words "Xi Shuang Temple."

Ye Mo observed many people entering with their jade cards. He was impressed by Dongfang Xi's thorough information-gathering, even without cultivation. He wondered how such intelligence was possible.

He noted the two guards at the entrance; both were peak Black Level masters, the "lustful brothers" mentioned by Song Hai. There were many women present, but Ye Mo doubted they'd dare attack anyone openly.

Ye Mo and Xu Ping entered towards the rear. The auction was set for 3 pm, and it was not yet 11 am.

Ye Mo discreetly observed the guards, confirming their eyes constantly scanned the women. When the two nuns from Lian Hang Jing Mosque arrived, the guards nearly drooled, the shorter one even attempting to squeeze one nun's hand. The nun swiftly retrieved her hand, dropping her jade card in the process, before hurriedly pulling the other nun inside, remaining silent.

With the long line of entrants, the guards didn't dare act overtly. Ye Mo realized that had he and Tang Beiwei arrived earlier, they would have been stopped, given the guards' lechery. This was Dongfang Xi's malevolent plan, thankfully thwarted by Dongfang Xi's death.

It was Ye Mo and Xu Ping's turn. Ye Mo presented his card, followed by Xu Ping.

The eagle-nosed guard on the left found it peculiar that Ye Mo, possessing a top-fifty card, arrived alone. Those with such cards usually brought guests. Though Ye Mo’s face was masked, his youthfulness was apparent.

"Which sect do you belong to?" The guard assumed such cardholders typically hailed from major sects or wealthy corporations. Ye Mo didn't fit the profile.

Ye Mo shook his head. "I belong to no sect."

The eagle-nosed guard scrutinized Ye Mo, suspecting he needed a bribe but sensing no such intention. His eyes turned cold. "Where did you steal this card?"

Ye Mo’s temper flared. "Must I report to you? Its authenticity is all that matters."

"You impudent whelp! Your card's provenance is unclear. I confiscate it. Begone." The guard was irritated; the influx of beautiful women had provided few opportunities for him, and Ye Mo's refusal to bribe him only added fuel to the fire.

...

[1] TL note: jianghu refers to the underworld or martial arts society.