Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Two People Fight Under the Moonlight

“`

The night was thick, and all was silent.

The entire Yu State City had fallen into tranquility.

Yet, the Cao Family residence in the southern part of the city was ablaze with lights, and the vast courtyard and corridors were adorned with lanterns, as bright as day.

Walking side by side along the corridor were Guo Qing and Bai Qiushui.

“Who would have thought that young doctor actually had some skills?”

Guo Qing wiped the sweat from his forehead, “He really did manage to expel the yin energy from the young lady’s body.”

Bai Qiushui nodded slightly, his complexion calm as water, “Guo brother, the old madam was summoned away by the butler just now. Do you know why?”

“Why?”

Guo Qing’s eyebrows rose.

Although he didn’t know what had happened, the look on Bai Qiushui’s face indicated it was no trivial matter.

“It’s about that Ghost Swordsman from the Demon Sect.”

Bai Qiushui spoke gravely, “I’ve received a secret message. Cao Gang’s Guo Yuchun sent our family head an invitation, calling together the four major families of Jiangnan Dao during the Ullambana Festival to discuss dealing with the Demon Sect’s Ghost Swordsman.”

“When the time comes, we may have our hands full.”

Guo Qing’s frown deepened, “The Ghost Swordsman is extremely skilled. The sword strike that split the dungeon—I saw it. And the sword injuries on the bodies of those who were slaughtered at the Cao Gang’s Yu State headquarters are profound, his strength is unfathomable, absolutely beyond the thirty-seventh on the Tiger List.”

“If we have to confront him, that would be a big problem.”

The Jianghu Dragon and Tiger List is divided into the Dragon List and the Tiger List.

The standard for entering the Dragon List is possessing First Grade strength; those who reach First Grade Cultivation are all renowned figures in the Jianghu, each dominating a territory. Thus, they rarely take action, new masters seldom emerge, and the list does not change often.

The Tiger List, on the other hand, includes those below First Grade Cultivation. Ninety-nine percent of them are of Second Grade Cultivation. Compared to the Dragon List, the Tiger List is much more likely to change, and it captures people’s attention the most.

The Jianghu Dragon and Tiger List that common folks talk about refers to the Tiger List.

In the Tiger List, the top ten ranks are all at the peak of Second Grade, but their true strength is no weaker than that of First Grade.

To ordinary people, both are skilled fighters, but within the Tiger List, they are no more than small fry.

It’s like that saying, “In the eyes of the powerful, the big shots in your eyes are also small fry.”

Bai Qiushui sincerely agreed, “I think so too. This Ghost Swordsman’s strength is unfathomable. Now that the four major families have joined forces with the Cao Gang to deal with him, we must be extremely cautious…”

Guo Qing nodded and remained silent.

They were mere Guest Elders of the Cao Family. There was no need for them to die for the Cao family, especially over a matter that did not threaten the Cao Family’s safety.

As the two discussed, a shadow flitted past like a ghost of the night.

An Jing, dressed in a dark cyan cloak, stood atop the eaves, moving lightly without a sound. Ordinary people could not detect his presence, let alone Fourth Grade experts like Guo Qing and Bai Qiushui.

Moments after An Jing left, another figure landed in the corridor.

It was Li Fuzhou.

Shortly after An Jing left, he returned again for the Cao Family’s coveted fruit.

…..

The moon cast a hazy light over the desolate scene.

An Jing arrived in front of a chamber in the inner courtyard.

“This must be the Cao Family’s treasure vault.”

An Jing felt the Earth Book pulsating with light, confirming that he was indeed at the Cao Family’s treasure vault.

At the entrance to the vault’s main hall, a green-clothed elder was sitting cross-legged in meditation, his force Qi robust, causing his clothes to flutter without wind.

An Jing glanced at him once. The elder released his Inner Strength openly, also possessing Fifth Grade Cultivation.

Since this place was the Cao Family’s treasure vault and nothing had happened for a long time, this Fifth Grade expert was fully focused on cultivation, with no alertness whatsoever.

An Jing’s figure flashed, and in an instant, he slipped into the vault.

The high-level expert continued to cultivate, completely unaware that someone had sneaked into the vault.

Inside the vault, rows upon rows of shelves held various treasures collected by the Cao Family, including famous paintings, renowned swords, and several Martial Arts manuals.

“Prompt: The host has discovered a Red Opportunity!”

“Prompt: The host has discovered a Red Opportunity!”

……

The Earth Book prompted three times in a row, but they were all Red Opportunities.

Red Opportunities are no more than Xuanwu or Earth Martial level Martial Arts, or treasures of this grade.

With First Grade Cultivation, An Jing had no interest in Red Opportunities and was intent on finding the Orange Opportunity of the coveted fruit.

“Found it!”

Quickly, An Jing located the box and a gleam of light flashed across his eyes.

Silently opening the box, the coveted fruit lay peacefully within.

Without hesitation, An Jing pocketed the fruit and was about to dash off towards the distance when a cold gleam suddenly streaked towards him.

“`

Not good!

An innate sense of danger penetrated deep into An Jing’s soul, and he activated his Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique.

Immediately, his body transformed into a wisp of agile white smoke, dodging that streak of cold light.

Who’s there!?

An Jing followed the source of the cold light, only to see a dark figure standing under the moonlight.

“Hand over the vermilion fruit in your possession.”

Li Fuzhou’s voice converged into a thin line, pouring into An Jing’s ears.

Transmission Skill!

Typically, only a master could perform the Transmission Skill.

This required control of Inner Strength to an extremely subtle realm, so anyone who reached this realm undoubtedly possessed considerable strength.

An Jing completely ignored Li Fuzhou, spun his body around, and dashed towards the outside of the house.

“Swoosh!” “Swoosh!”

His figure moved as fast as a gust of wind, reaching the eaves of the side room in an instant.

Li Fuzhou’s steps were also incredibly fast, his toes touching the roof tiles as lightly as a dragonfly skimming water, his True Qi beginning to converge within him.

Under the moonlight, the two of them chased each other atop the eaves.

An Jing felt the troublesome nature of the person behind him, the most formidable master he had encountered so far, sending a shock through his heart.

Neither Jiang Sanjia nor Mu Xiaoyun had ever exerted such immense pressure on him.

This person’s Cultivation was absolutely not inferior to the Human Flower, perhaps even higher.

“Shiiing!”

An Jing drew his longsword from his waist, the Sword Light in his hand emitting a burst of chilly gleam, shooting straight towards Li Fuzhou behind him.

Such a fast sword!

A glint sparkled in Li Fuzhou’s eyes. Could this person be the profoundly mysterious Ghost Swordsman?

With this thought, his True Qi wrapped around, the vast ocean-like True Qi surged towards the Sword Light like an endless sea.

The Sword Light and the vast sea-like True Qi stirred together under the moonlight, locked in a stalemate as if splitting the moonlight in two, standing off against each other.

Yet, the tiles beneath their feet did not break at all, and around them, there was not the slightest sound.

Both were restraining themselves, neither wanting to cause a major commotion.

“Go away!”

An Jing’s brows lifted, and as his Inner Strength surged madly in an instant, a red flower emerged behind him.

It was indeed the Human Flower!

Activating the Human Flower meant bringing one’s Inner Strength to a certain extreme.

Nine-character Sword Technique! Bing Character Secret!

The uncanny Sword Light with its surging Sword Skill plummeted straight down, as heavy as a mountain, with an unstoppable and formidable force.

Li Fuzhou’s eyes remained undisturbed, serene like an ancient well; his hands came together.

Behind him, an ancient shadow emerged, exuding a mix of five parts domineering Demonic Qi and five parts Vast Righteous Qi.

Heavenly Demon Qi!

Li Fuzhou could no longer concern himself with keeping hidden, unleashing the Heavenly Demon Qi.

As he brought his hands together, the shadow behind him did the same.

“Thud!”

The mountain-like Sword Light was firmly caught between his palms, as if it couldn’t advance another inch.

“Crack!” “Crack!”

The tiles underfoot finally could no longer withstand the weight and started to break apart.

“Who’s there!?”

A Fourth Grade Cao Family master who was meditating suddenly awoke with a start, leaping out of the building.

All he saw was the moonlight casting shadows below, quiet and still, with no person in sight.

“Bang!”

Two broken pieces of tile fell from the eaves, making a crisp sound as they hit the ground.

“Meow!” “Meow!”

Just then, several stray cats scurried out.

“So it was just stray cats.”

Seeing this, the Cao Family master breathed a sigh of relief.