Chapter 42
Chapter 42: The giant fish hit the Mountain Sect and beheaded He Baishan
Unable to contain the envy in his heart, Wu Qi stowed away his flying carpet and joined Wu Ping on the back of the giant fish. Both of them relished the novelty of the experience. However, the situation took an unexpected turn.
In the mountains, a woodcutter and his son witnessed the spectacle of a massive fish flying in the sky. The woodcutter struck with terror, exclaimed, “It’s terrible! I just complained about how hard my life is, and now I see a fish flying in the sky. I can’t take it anymore. I need a nap. You go ahead and start cutting.”
Meanwhile, at the mountain Sect, the news of the posts on the black market reached the worshippers. He Baishan, holding a scroll in his hand, sneered at the supposed reward. “Whoever issued this timid reward doesn’t know the countless enemies I’ve made. I couldn’t care less.”
He harboured only hatred for his son’s death and dispatched people to find Wu Ping, who had seemingly disappeared. Believing Wu Ping might return to the Blood Rain Sect, He Baishan decided to keep watch. Unbeknownst to him, Wu Ping was on his way, voluntarily coming to confront him.
Suddenly, a tremor shook the ground, and a disciple rushed in, panicked. “Report! Two bandits on a giant fish are attacking our Baishan Sect’s protective array. It’s on the verge of breaking!”
“What!?” He Baishan rose swiftly and flew out. His anger, fueled by his son’s death, now burned hotter at this blatant provocation.
Outside the Baishan Sect Guardian Array, Wu Ping commented, “Attacking someone else’s formation so openly might lead to a siege…”
Wu Ping reassured, “It’s fine, just a bunch of locals. The siege will save us effort.” He patted the giant fish and commanded, “Have you eaten? Use some force, hit them!”
“Roar!”
The once mutant beast, now an evil spirit in the soul streamer, responded with determination, charging forward. The impact resembled Gonggong striking Buzhou Mountain.
Boom!
The Baishan Gate Guardian Array cracked and shattered with another strike. Wu Ping gave the order, “Attack!”
The strange sounds of evil spirits echoed through the mountains as they charged forward.
“Breaking through my sect’s formation, killing my disciples—prepare to meet your demise, you scoundrels!” He Baishan roared in fury.
A streak of light, exuding a sharp aura, aimed directly at Wu Ping. The loyal defender sought to shield his master, but Wu Ping pushed him aside and seized the approaching streamer. To their surprise, it was a magic sword with an extraordinary cutting ability, yet it proved futile in Wu Ping’s grasp. The once formidable power vanished as if absorbed by Wu Ping, who held the sword with satisfaction.
“Good stuff, I’ll take it,” Wu Ping declared, planning to sell it for some spirit stones. Leaping into the sky, he noted a change in the atmosphere. He Baishan muttered inwardly, realising that his middle-grade magic weapon, a powerful tool, was effortlessly controlled by Wu Ping. Fear crept in, for Wu Ping’s three methods – the soul streamer, the controlled magic sword, and the mounted evil soul beast – rendered him invulnerable.
Ignoring the screams of the disciples, He Baishan suppressed his anger. Despite Wu Ping’s youthful appearance, he bowed humbly and asked, “I don’t know why the two of you have come here. I worship the Mountain Sect. Where have we offended you?”
Wu Ping smiled lightly, replying, “Old man, do you even know who your enemy is?”
“Enemy?” questioned He Baishan. “Your Excellency and I have never met. Why would we have a grudge?”
“Your information is slow to arrive. I killed your son. Do you still doubt our grudge?” Wu Ping’s words snapped He Baishan to attention. “You are Wu Ping!”
“It’s too late for recognition,” Wu Ping said, patting the giant fish. “Bite him to death for me.”
The giant fish lunged forward with surprising speed, its large, refined body now an ascended soul comparable to an eighth-level soul beast. He Baishan, a small figure compared to the monstrous creature, found himself unable to escape its razor-sharp jaws.
Wu Ping commanded, “Dare to escape? I’ll retaliate with a palm if you attack me with a sword. Face it!”
He Baishan attempted to flee but turned to resist with both palms when Wu Ping retaliated with a palm strike. The absorbed power coursed through Wu Ping’s body and exploded.
Boom!
He Baishan disintegrated, crashing to the ground. Wu Ping’s spiritual power, laced with fire poison, left a burnt odour emanating from He Baishan’s severed arms. His internal organs and meridians were scorched, reducing him to a withered, skeletal form on the ground, glaring at Wu Ping with resentful eyes.
He despised his weakness, regretting that he couldn’t confront this youthful opponent in his prime. His failed attempt left him burned and broken.
“Wu Qi, finish it before he’s burned to death,” Wu Ping instructed atop the fish.
Wu Qi stowed away his diary and pen, leapt down, and drew his sword. In a swift motion, he held He Baishan’s shrunken head in his hand.