Chapter 66: Terrifying Waves and Raging Billows Without End

CHAPTER 66: Boundless Waves of Terror

Qi Biyu was utterly terrified; his first instinct was to flee, not to fight a madman.

The aftershock of "Gods and Buddhas Scatter" brought fear. It had no effect on the steadfast Yue Hongling, nor on the naturally brave Zhao Changhe… but for those with weak resolve… it worked exceptionally well.

"Clang!" Qi Biyu dared not meet the blade head-on. His folding fan deftly tapped the side of the knife, trying to deflect its path, then snapped open with a "swish" to slash at Zhao Changhe's wrist.

Admittedly, the move was quite ingenious.

But the effect was far from ideal. That weakened tap only shifted the blade by an inch or two, and the slash aimed at his wrist—Zhao Changhe ignored it entirely, letting the fan's edge cut his wrist without feeling any pain.

The knife's momentum was relentless, its target now Qi Biyu's shoulder.

Having lost the advantage, how could Qi Biyu change his move in time? He was experienced enough to roll on the ground like a lazy donkey, barely dodging the blade, only suffering a cut on his shoulder.

He scrambled up from the ground, looked up, and was even more terrified.

The blood-drinking blade seemed to be absorbing the blood into itself. What had been merely a visual illusion of a blood-red knife due to surface blood aura now appeared as if the blade and blood were truly merging. Blood from Zhao Changhe's wrist also flowed toward the knife, as if the blade were a starving demon finally receiving nourishment, almost seeming to cheer with joy.

But it was just a steel knife worth a few dozen taels of silver, not the Blood God Sect's supreme treasure, the Blood God Blade!

What was happening?

Of course, it was just an illusion—a hallucination born of his shaken will.

The ferocity of blood aura was not something ordinary people could bear, whether friend or foe.

Qi Biyu's hallucination, though long to describe, lasted only a moment. Zhao Changhe's second strike was already descending.

If the previous move, "Gods and Buddhas Scatter," was like a demon god swinging a blade in fury at the heavens, mighty and soul-shaking, then this strike felt only the desolation after blood had flooded the earth—no life remained between heaven and earth, all returned to silence, whether enemy or ally.

The second technique of the Blood Blade's three ultimate moves: "Heaven and Earth Without Self!"

A move that could only be used by entering this berserk, selfless state!

Qi Biyu seemed trapped in an illusion, standing on a barren plain. The sky was blood-red, the ground littered with corpses, rivers of blood flowing into a great stream. As the sole surviving creature in this world, he faced the annihilation of heaven's will, as if he should not exist here.

Thus, a blood moon descended, executing divine punishment.

"Clang!" The clash of weapons jolted Qi Biyu awake. He realized then that it was no blood moon descending—it was still Zhao Changhe's steel knife. His folding fan instinctively parried, but due to the hallucinations and wavering resolve, the parry was weak, and even the fan was sent flying.

Terrified, Qi Biyu flew backward. He no longer wanted to fight this man; not a shred of battle spirit remained.

To be fair, Zhao Changhe's lightness skill was mediocre. In his berserk, mindless state, he wouldn't track his foe. Escape was simple. Let some other stubborn fool face this madman—this lord was off!

Just as he thought this, a sharp pain struck his back.

Qi Biyu turned his head in shock. Cui Yuanyang, whom he had dismissed as barely human, had silently blocked his retreat and pierced his heart with her sword.

The grimy little white rabbit now had a determined gaze, tinged with ruthlessness.

Was this still a girl with no experience in the martial world? In this short time, she had already killed several people…

This realization flashed through Qi Biyu's mind, regret in his eyes. Before he could speak, a roar behind him, and a steel knife cleaved into his neck.

His head flew, blood spurting like a fountain.

Cui Yuanyang stared at Zhao Changhe's eyes through the spray of blood. The blood reflected in his eyes made them even redder, his violence deeper, with a bloodthirsty excitement. His hoarse breathing sounded like a beast.

Would she die at his hands?

Cui Yuanyang didn't know. But she knew she couldn't abandon him. If someone else found them, the mindless, rampaging Zhao Changhe would surely die.

Both were at the third level of the Mystic Barrier. Cui Yuanyang knew she still had a chance—if she could hit his acupoints.

He had unleashed his ultimate moves in succession; he should be at the end of his strength now. There was a chance—she had to stay calm.

She took a deep breath, raised her sword steadily, and met Zhao Changhe's beast-like gaze.

How long did they stare? Perhaps only a moment. Zhao Changhe raised his blood blade again.

Just then, a sharp whistle cut through the air. A sword beam, like a shooting star chasing the moon, arrived in an instant at Zhao Changhe's neck.

Zhao Changhe's blade turned directly, striking the sword light. With a muffled groan, he spat blood and was thrown far away. The attacker also let out a surprised "Eh," apparently misjudging that Zhao Changhe's strike still held such power, and retreated midair to absorb the recoil.

A heavy blade against a slender sword—in his berserk state, Zhao Changhe's strength was utterly outmatched. He was sent flying and coughing blood by the powerful impact! Cui Yuanyang's heart leaped. She recognized the attacker from this strike.

An assassin from the Listening Snow Pavilion, at least a Silver rank… from this blow, likely at the fifth level of the Mystic Barrier or even higher!

This was an enemy they simply could not face now!

Cui Yuanyang felt weary—endless enemies. But at the same time, a sense of irony welled up.

Earlier, those people might have also been after Zhao Changhe's bounty, but her price was higher, drawing the river's underworld like a swarm. Zhao Changhe was only protecting her and got dragged into this fight. But this assassin from the Listening Snow Pavilion had been after Zhao Changhe all along. Now, she was the one being dragged into his mess.

And at this moment, Zhao Changhe likely had no fighting strength left. Only she, Cui Yuanyang, was still combat-ready.

Without hesitation, as the assassin also retreated, Cui Yuanyang turned and flew back, catching the blood-spitting Zhao Changhe as he fell.

The murderous aura clouding Zhao Changhe's mind had been shattered by that sword strike. His eyes regained clarity. As Cui Yuanyang caught him, he said weakly, "Head toward the direction Qi Biyu came from."

Cui Yuanyang didn't ask why. Without a word, she carried him and fled under the moonlight.

Earlier, she couldn't even carry him on her back. Now, holding him in a princess carry, it was surprisingly easy.

How much one's mindset and will could change things!

After a few steps, she saw a horse wandering under the moon. Cui Yuanyang quickly understood Zhao Changhe's meaning—Qi Biyu and his group must have ridden here. All these people from various mountains couldn't have come on foot! So heading his way, there was likely a horse!

He was truly too clear-headed.

"You handled the boat earlier; now it's your turn to handle the horse. I can't ride for shit." Zhao Changhe leaned weakly in her arms, smiling with a hint of embarrassment.

Cui Yuanyang didn't know why Zhao Changhe still had the mood to mock himself. Anyway, her horsemanship was far better than her boating skills. With a leap, she landed on the horse's back, turned to seat Zhao Changhe behind her, and with a "Giddyup!" they galloped away.

The sound of robes rustling behind them—the Listening Snow Pavilion assassin was chasing, closing in fast.

By the roadside willows, several figures stood silently on the treetops, watching the moonlit chase.

Someone whispered, "Holy Maiden, should we intervene?"

The long-absent Xia Chichi stood gracefully under the moon, her beautiful eyes misty as she watched Zhao Changhe slowly draw the longbow from his back, saying nothing.

Even at this moment, he wasn't just fleeing headlong—he was still trying to fight back.

Always so resolute and fierce, stirring the heart.

But you and that little vixen—how do you plan to die?