Chapter Thirteen: Seeking and Slaying

The hall was filled with martial artists, men who lived their lives on the edge of a blade. Yet, even they could not help but tremble at the sight of such a gruesome massacre.

Some senior masters and men of prestige in the pugilistic world intended to intervene, but Ren Yi’s movements were too fast—or rather, his killing was too swift. They were stunned by the sight of such astonishing swordsmanship, and in the brief moment of their hesitation, the floor was already littered with corpses.

Over a dozen bodies lay in pools of blood.

Wherever Ren Yi’s gaze fell, everyone was struck with terror.

After a moment of silence, Yue Buqun suddenly spoke: "Young Hero Ren, your actions are far too cruel."

Ren Yi turned his head, his eyes cold as distant stars, yet a smile played upon his lips as he looked at him.

"When it comes to killing, what meaning does 'cruelty' have? Since you call me cruel, are you intending to stand up for them? Does Sect Leader Yue wish to throw his life away as well?"

As these words left his lips, everyone in the hall thought he had gone mad. He had already claimed the lives of dozens of Songshan disciples, and even the three junior brothers of the Five Mountains Sword Sect’s Sect Leader Zuo had died by his blade. Had he not killed enough? Did he still want to cause trouble for the Huashan Sect?

Yue Buqun’s expression shifted slightly, though his heart was filled with chilling dread. He composed himself and said coldly, "The heroes of the world are here. If you, Ren Yi, dare to continue your violence, I, Yue, guarantee you will be reduced to a pulp!"

Ren Yi gave a light, mocking laugh. "I don't believe you. Why not try and see?"

Master Dingyi was furious; her nature was inherently rigid and black-and-white. Now that Ren Yi had spoken so insolently, even though he had once saved her disciple Yilin, she could no longer restrain herself.

"Vile wretch, hold your tongue!"

With a roar, she struck out with a palm toward Ren Yi.

Master Dingyi was not known for her palm strength, yet this strike was still unpredictable and incredibly swift. The force of her palm whipped up a gale, fluttering her silver-blue robes. Ren Yi’s sleeves extended like soft cotton, and he extended his left hand. Employing the Wudang Cotton Palm in a circular motion, it appeared soft and yielding, yet it struck out with sudden, violent power.

As their palms met, there was a momentary stalemate, but then a tremor ran through Ren Yi’s palm, and his residual force erupted. Master Dingyi was immediately forced back by the blow. She retreated seven steps, only finding her footing when Master Tianmen stepped in to support her. A sweet sensation rose in her chest as a mouthful of blood surged to her throat.

Behind Yue Buqun, someone bellowed.

"Demon spawn! Everyone has the right to execute you!" The one who shouted was Lao Denuo, the second disciple of Huashan.

Following his shout, Lao Denuo drew his long sword, and instantly, the Huashan disciples drew theirs as well!

Having seen their sect insulted, several of them had long been unable to hold back. Liang Fa, Shi Daizi, Gao Genming, Lu Dayou, and Linghu Chong all lunged forward simultaneously. A flurry of sword light flashed, instantly descending upon Ren Yi!

Yue Buqun was about to shout a command to stop, but then he witnessed the splendor of that sword stroke.

As the sword swung, it was accompanied by a clear whistle. Cold light overflowed from the blade—icy, yet somehow magnificent. It was an ordinary iron sword, but the light it shed was brilliant!

That was no longer mere swordsmanship; it was as if it had become an art form.

It was as natural as a Bodhisattva sprinkling water from a willow branch—so spontaneous, so divine. As the iron sword appeared, all the subtlety, wonder, and swiftness of the blade were distilled into that single, casual strike.

A sound of clashing metal rang out like a musical note. The six attackers were forced back, stunned and motionless. Then, their six swords snapped and flew away, fragments of steel raining down from the air.

Ren Yi laughed and said, "In life, there are always things you must do before you realize how foolish you were."

As they watched him and his sword, he took a step forward!

Yue Buqun retreated in horror, instantly drawing his own sword, his hands trembling, the blade vibrating slightly.

Suddenly, the breeze carried a melody. To the ears of those present came the sorrowful strains of a huqin—a desolate, weeping sound, as if the intermittent notes were composing the bloody tragedy of the day.

Hearing the huqin, Liu Zhengfeng immediately knew that his senior brother, Mo Da, was outside the estate.

"Forget it. Killing you is not a matter that requires haste."

The iron sword returned to its scabbard, and Ren Yi turned to leave. As he walked toward the crowd, they parted, each making way for him.

...

Ren Yi’s pace was not fast. By the time he left Hengshan City, the sun had already set.

His silhouette against the sunset looked somewhat empty, somewhat desolate. When a person wins or kills, beyond the momentary satisfaction and pride, there often follows a sense of emptiness and loneliness.

Ren Yi walked slowly, but he knew where he wanted to go.

From this day forward, the news of his departure from Wudang and his slaughter of dozens from the Qingcheng and Songshan sects would surely spread.

"Why did you do all this?"

The voice followed him. From behind a tree ahead, a gaunt figure emerged. Carrying a huqin, his face was withered, the kind of old man anyone would mistake for someone on the verge of death.

The man was Master Mo Da of Hengshan.

"What is it that you speak of, Master Mo Da?"

Master Mo Da looked at him, studying him as if seeing him for the first time.

"You kill with such resolution, without the slightest hesitation."

Ren Yi smiled. "Because I have cast aside those hesitations."

Master Mo Da nodded. "Though you and I have only met three times, you have truly changed this time."

Ren Yi said softly, "In the past, I merely suppressed my true nature."

Master Mo Da suddenly asked, "Are you suffering from a grave illness?"

Ren Yi was surprised. "Why does the Master think so?"

Master Mo Da stared at him for a long while, then gave a faint sigh. "White hair in youth—how could an ordinary person have white hair in his youth? Can you tell this old man what incurable disease you have contracted?"

Ren Yi smiled faintly. "Premature aging syndrome!"

Master Mo Da asked deeply, "Is there no cure?"

Ren Yi replied calmly, "Perhaps it could be cured. But for six years, I have read every medical classic and sought out every famous doctor, and none have found a way. So, I have simply stopped worrying about it."

A look of realization dawned on Master Mo Da’s face. He continued, "What do you intend to do from here on?"

Ren Yi said calmly, "Find people, kill people!"

Master Mo Da’s expression changed. "Who do you intend to kill?"

Ren Yi smiled slightly. "People of the pugilistic world seek freedom, ease, and the settling of scores. I wish to be the freest and most unencumbered person of all. If that is to be, many must die."

Master Mo Da looked at him intently, and after a long moment, he said, "This is not good. Is there truly nothing else you can do?"

"Naturally, there is," Ren Yi said with a touch of pride. "Since I can remember, I discovered I have a photographic memory. At five, I joined Wudang to learn martial arts. I could master every technique Wudang had to offer; I could watch an ordinary move once and carve it into my mind, never forgetting it even a decade later."

Master Mo Da praised, "No wonder your martial arts are already divine despite your youth."

Ren Yi laughed. "So, in the path of martial arts, I possess a talent others can hardly reach. For others, diligent practice is not a happy affair. But for me, the things others gain through hardship and sweat, I can master in an instant. It is a highly enjoyable experience."

"The path of martial arts is like rowing against the current; for anyone who wishes to progress, it is incredibly difficult," Master Mo Da observed, then added, "At your current level, to break through further..."

Ren Yi interrupted, "In this current martial world, there are five people who can help me. Unfortunately, it is not convenient for me to seek out two of them, so I must find the other three."

Master Mo Da asked, "Besides Daoist Chongxu and Master Fangzheng, who are the other three?"

Ren Yi replied, "Feng Qingyang, Ren Woxing, and Dongfang Bubai!"

Upon hearing these three names, even he could not help but be moved. Master Mo Da asked no further questions. Holding his huqin in his left hand, he cupped his hands toward Ren Yi and said, "On behalf of my junior brother Liu, I thank you, Young Hero Ren."

Ren Yi shook his head. "There is no need. Let us part ways here."