Chapter 229 Canglin Tournament (The End)

At the same time, the battle between Shang Fei and Su Shang, Miao Shaoqin continued. After several rounds, the two sides were neck and neck.

In these days, Shang Fei had made great progress through Lin Chang’s teaching, and he was sure to win the battle. But because of several changes happened, so his mind was not steady, with some hesitancy, which made him hard to win Miao and Su.

At this moment, another figure jumped onto the roof over here. Its body movement was light and vigorous, such as the flocculus in the wind. It was the Fallen Plum Sword Lu Qingning.

As soon as Lu Qingning joined in the fight against Shang Fei, she just had some eye contacts with Miao Shaoqin and Su Shang without any words, and they understood. The three immediately put to use a set of three sword combination array.

Among the Six Swordsmen of Flowers and Shadows, the three swords of plum, orchid and bamboo are closest to each other in daily life and often study martial arts together. As time went on, they found a nameless array of swords. This array took three respective strengths of their swordsmanship, but also complement each other, the power of exercise was amazing. But unexpectedly, the first actual combat was used on their own brother.[1]

Shang Fei used his “Ghost Shadowing Swordsmanship” to fight those two, and he could move and dodge. Originally it was easy, but Lu Qingning’s appearance let him become the weaker one.

After only a few moves, the killing style of the sword array suddenly appeared. Su Shang used “Herself Admiring”, Miao Shaoqin continued with a pattern of “Grabbing the Wind and Holding the moon”, and Lu Qingning had a “Cutting Snow and Ice” as a killing method.

After several sounds of swords striking the human body, Shang Fei was hit left and right side under the ribs and Ling Tai pulse. There is a saying: The destroying of Ling Tai pulse means the destruction of the whole body. Even he did not die on the spot, but the outcome had been confirmed. [2]

…………

On the other side, Lin Chang completely ignored the condition of Shang Fei, nor he made any thoughts on the attacking from Feng Bujue. Instead, he looked over to the innkeeper and commented, “Finally, a real expert has come, interesting… What’s your name?”

“Hum… “The innkeeper answered with an erratic sneer:” Protocol Department Composing Eunuch, Imperial Governor, East Factory Official Affairs Eunuch, Cao Qin.”[3]

Lin Chang’s facial expression was obvious change, his fierce immediately went down: “Oh… It’s Monseigneur Cao, please forgive me for being disrespectful…….. “As soon as he heard that he was an official of the Imperial, he changed his attitude as his position was nothing to offend “Lin was here to destroy all the rebel forces if your Excellency…”

“All right.” Cao Qin waved a hand to interrupt him: “Lin Chang, I’m not free to listen to your nonsense. Those letters that you contacted with Qian Ning (The leader of guards of Empire) are already known to me. I know exactly what you are going to do. Or will I come before all of you and arrive Cangling Town?” His words answered a question that had puzzled many people.

Yes, only the power of East Factory could change the abandoned inn in a ghost town into the Cangling Hotel in a short period.

“Monseigneur Cao, since we are all loyal to the government, why not join hands…… “Li Chang continued.

“Ho ho ho ho “Cao Qin laughed shrilly in his feminine voice and interrupted Lin Chang:” What a ‘Loyal to the government’!” He sneered, “But to me, it’s just a deal between you and Qian Ning.”

Feng Bujue said on another side: “After the Cangling Tournament, Qian Ning will get hundreds of martial arts, and you will get the position of Jianghu Alliance Lord. In the future, you can use the power Wulin to help Qian to eliminate foreign powers, he can use the power of the bodyguards to help you to stabilize the hegemony.” He paused and asked: “At any rate, the whole thing is just a deal between two careerists for personal gain. How could it confuse with ‘Allegiance to the imperial’?”

Feng Bujue actually already told this to Cao Qin in the hotel before. In addition, he also helped Cao Qin to calculate and successfully let the other side affirm that… If Qian Ning and Lin Chang’s plan are successful. Not only it would be a disastrous loss for Wulin, but also extremely unfavourable for East Factory, and could even threaten the imperial power.

Cao Qin…… Let’s put it this way, although the eunuchs had many examples of evils or negative people. But apparently, Cao Qin should be a loyal kind of eunuch. Of course, it was also relatively true that he was loyal to the emperor. But to the enemy, he was as cold as winter… All in all, the NPC was quickly bamboozled by Feng Bujue to the same battlefield.

In fact, Cao Qin did not intend to undermine Lin Chang’s plot. The reason he came to Cangling this time was just to monitor the progress of the matter, and also, by the way, he wanted to see Lin Chang, to see if he really as those letters said, has superior strength in the whole Wulin.

If Cao wanted to sabotage the plan originally, he would not have come alone and invited a group of ordinary people to be his companions at the hotel. If Cao Qin wants to deal with Lin Chang, there are countless ways to make Lin disappeared from the world a month ago. Even if it’s rough to rough, the Factory Boss and other several sub-leader of East Factory’s head had enough confidence to kill Lin Chang together. But it can’t be full moon night……

Before the duel began, Feng Bujue had returned to the hotel and exchanged information to his teammates, while confirmed Cao Qin’s identity with the special effects of the Vajra Bell. Thus, Feng Bujue approached Cao Qin and changed his idea. Finally, he worked with the eunuch to make a series of arrangements.

“Lin Chang, now the Little Brother Wang and Little Brother Jin from Breaking Sword Tea Shack had already taken my tokens from two roads out of the Cangling Town to deliver the message.” Cao Qin said: “If the leader of the troops saw the token of East Factory, they won’t dare to create any mess. They will not come tonight.” He raised his voice and said to the crowd in the street around him, “Everyone here, Lin has fallen into the evil road. If you don’t want to die, leave Cangling at once. No one will stop you on the way. You can safely enter the Copper Fort.”

Cao Qin turned around and said to Gongsun Qian deliberately, “Gongsun Lord, as a leader of a faction, you should be aware of the general. Only Little Brother Feng can solve this dangerous situation at present. Regardless his words just now were true or false, you shall not seek for enmity right now.”

By the time he said this, a number of second-rate and third-rate men had begun to flee, and the streets were becoming noisy and chaotic. On the other hand, the first-rate fractions who wanted to go but they didn’t want to be ashamed to rush off like the rest of those little fishes. They all decided to stay late for a while. After returning to the copper hill, they could have enough superiority to laugh the other… How condescending.

Unexpectedly, Ji Tong stepped forward to give advices to Gongsun Qian, “Gongsun Lord, this Monseigneur Cao was right. At this moment, Wulin was being destroyed, and let Lord Feng focusing on Lin Chang. Your enmity with him can be discussed later. It is important that you lead your disciples out of town first to save their lives.”

Gongsun Qian knows Ji Tong well. After all. they are enemies. He knew very well that Ji Tong was thinking of running as fast as he can, which could be summed up in such a profound statement as: “Hey buddy, I’ll give you a step-down, you could run quickly and then I can catch up.”

“Good, since Lord Ji said so.” Gongsun Qian turned his face to Feng Bujue: “Lord Feng, I would meet in the future!” He harrumphed and beckoned to his disciples. He didn’t even care about his wife and his brother and escaped.

Ji Tong showed an expression of “Question solved” and also beckoned: “Come with me, all disciples of Bafang House… “He said, calling in a dozen people and hurrying went away with him.

Sawing Wanxia House and Bafang House were all retreated, other big fractions and that alone Wulin personage also followed them. Within minutes, the streets were almost empty.

Lin Chang was just silently looking at the scene but didn’t do anything to stop them. Because when he heard Cao Qin said that bodyguards would not come, he knew that tonight’s plan had failed. It doesn’t help that half the people can run away, even if he goes on a killing spree.

Moreover, facing the present Cao Qin and Feng Bujue, as well as the other people of Breaking Sword Tea Shack, none of them can be taken lightly. Who knew if Feng Bujue would pull out something similar to the strange box in his hand?

“Brother Lin.” Feng Bujue raised his head: “Qian Ning, for his own ambition, was instigated by you and set off the Wulin disaster. Also, he broke the not intervene rules between the Jianghu and the government exist for many years. He’ll soon be on his own and won’t be able to help you. And you, already become the public enemy of Wulin, other forces in the government also won’t tolerate you.” He held out a finger. “There’s only one way to live right now… Hide your name and go back to the mountains.”

“Hum… Seclusion?” The dark purple rage on Lin Chang’s face gathered again.

“Feng Bujue, let me tell you what is the road I’m going to take… “Lin answered solemnly, “First of all, I will immediately kill you and this fu**ing eunuch. Then, I will go to kill every member in the court who knew about the event. After that, I will continue my deal with Qian Ning… “His face showed cruel colour:” I will pay a visit to every fraction, if they hand over martial arts secrets and respect me as Alliance Lord, they can be live. And if they disobey, I will destroy them all. It’s just a little more work, a little more time,” he said in a very measured tone. You will not interrupt my path in front of me!”

“There’s no way then… “Feng Bujue said and put away the submachine gun, took out the anti-gravity gun from his pack, and then took out a torch and a small ball made of bamboo from his pocket. He lit the bamboo ball and shot it into the sky with the gun.

No doubt it was a signal to a distant companion, but Lin Chang did not know that there was something in the world called “Sniper”, and he thought it was calling for backup.

Two seconds later, hundreds of meters away, a gunshot ripped through the sky.

Dispirited did not aim at the head of Lin Chang. After all, her shooting specializing was not A level that can hit without any missing. Even the gun was extremely good at Shooting distance, Angle, Wind speed, and even moonlight, chances like this won’t come second. The first shot is the most likely to be successful, and once such a distance attack appeared, the other side will be prepared. Therefore, this gun can’t be losing, hitting the body should be the safest choice. As long as she can get the BOSS hurt with this shot, it’s worth it if the subsequent attacks are unsuccessful.

Lin Chang practiced The supreme of None Existence. Since the beginning, his heart was swallowed by the demon, so his personality had a big change. There was a higher presence above his consciousness which is the “None Existence Beholder.” At some point, when Lin’s consciousness fails to protect himself, his demons will take over his mind with self-defence.

The night of full moon, the None Existence Beholder was at its strongest. Facing this sudden and fatal attack. In an instant, a black air shield had been frozen in place, blocking the path of the sniper bullet.

But no matter the speed or the power, this bullet was not the level of cold weapon era. After a delay, that sniper shot the target, then went through the air shield and pierced the chest of Lin Chang.

Unfortunately, it was the heart where he was shot.

……………………………………………………

The sky was cloudy. There was no wind, some snow was falling quietly.

Thirty years ago, one morning.

Before Ye Family’s mansion door, two figures were coming slowly. It’s a child and an old man.

The child looked less than ten years old, his little jacket and cotton-padded trousers were worn; his face and hands were red because of cold, but a sense of firmness that shouldn’t appear at this age could be seen in his eyes.

The child was accompanied by an old man with white hair.

“Here we are, Chang Er.” The old man stopped, but he did not let go the hand that held the child.

Little Lin Chang looked up at his only family member left in the world and asked in a tender voice, “Grandpa, will you come to see me later?”

Grandpa shook his head. “Grandpa is going to a place far, far away and can’t come to see you.” He was a man whose life had run out and whose days were numbered, and it was his last wish to send his grandchildren to Ye Family.

“Well…… Chang Er will go with grandpa. I’m not going to study Kung Fu at Ye Family.” Little Lin Chang had tears in his eyes. Even though his mind is much more mature than his peers, he is still a child.

Grandpa squatted down and touched his grandson’s head “Chang Er, don’t ever say things like this in the future……”

Tears finally busted from Lin Chang’s eye, Little Lin Chang knew that the departure is close at hand.

“Ah… “Grandpa sighed deeply.” Grandpa doesn’t have any money or power, I can give you nothing…… “The old man said with tears in his eyes. His expression was filled with sorrow and helpless.

Lin Chang’s parents were only small people in Jianghu. Normally, Lin Chang’s origin was from qualified to study in Ye Family. His parents, however, died a few months ago in a war between fractions. While Lin’s grandfather was too old and too ill to raise the child.

Lin Chang’s parents had made a certain contribution to the Wulin. They cannot see the left child gets frozen to death in the street and no one even cares about him. That’s why Ye Family took Lin Chang as a disciple.

The snow is still falling.

Grandpa unclenched Little Lin Chang’s hand and stood up trembling. “Your father and I have been mediocrity all our lives. Till the end of his life, he labours for nothing but a servant to be sent, and no one remembers him when he dies.” He sighed. “Well… It’s all destiny.” Grandpa raised his eyes to look at the door and the plaque, “Chang Er, Ye Family is the biggest Wulin fraction. As long as you practice martial arts frequently and be a nobleman, you will certainly have some achievements in the future. You should cherish the opportunity that your parents bought with their lives.” He paused and swallowed thousands of words, for he feared that his grandson would turn and waver.

Little Lin Chang looked at grandpa’s figure, his heart was mixed with all kinds of motions. He was still a child under the age of ten, but he had too much, too heavy to bear.

Tears can bring the sadness; the sorrow doesn’t go with tears, we buried with laughter.

Finally, Little Lin Chang wiped away tears and forcing himself to smile, “Grandpa, you rest assured. From now on, Chang Er will definitely rise to the top, I will be No.1 in Wulin and supreme in the world! No matter how far grandpa goes, my name will be diffused to there! “He said, turning around and went forward. He then knocked at the door that would change his life forever.

………………………………………………………………………………………

“Ah ah… Ha…… “Lin Chang gasped and looked down at his left chest, where there was a huge black hole. The wound was badly mangled, and a great deal of blood and meat had spilled out of his chest, scattered on the tiles under his feet.

Dispirited used a large-calibre sniper rifle, not to mention flesh and blood, the bullet could even pierce iron armour. Spectator[4] Like Rain used a binocular (Dispirited bought it in the store) to watch Lin Chang’s wounds. “It was done! Fatal injury!

Cao Qin, Shang Fei, Su Shang, Miao Shaoqin, Lu Qingning, were all stunned foolishly. They just standing in place stupefied, watching the ferocious wounds that suddenly appeared on Lin Chang chest.

“Ha… Ha ha ha… Hahahaha… Lin was bleeding profusely, but he was still laughing,” This is just a little hurt… Cough…” He spurted a mouthful of blood,” None Existence Supreme could change anything. I already reached divine success, how can I hurt by this little wound… Cough…… “He covered the wound with his hand, still trying to recover from it, but it was not the kind of injury he could recover. “I can kill all of you right now…… I have a lot of work to do…… And….. “He muttered and lied to himself and his voice growing smaller and smaller.

The black and purple gas of Lin Chang was all gathered to his skin at this time. He used this evil gas to urge the body movement, jumped from the roof and stepped toward Feng Bujue and Cao Qin. His mouth was still saying: ” I will be No.1 in Wulin, and supreme in the world… ”

“That’s what you’re after… Is that your dreams?” Feng Bujue asked with a smile. He had played death poker just in case. After its CD was done, he could use [Shield ‘Card’] again.

“Do you think it’s funny?” Lin Chang approached slowly, leaving a trail of blood behind him.

“We all have… Stupid dreams.” Replied Feng Bujue with a sense of loss, “What’s wrong with that?” He said that seriously, “I do appreciate your dedication, and I don’t dislike your way of doing things. But I am sorry to tell you, that you are weak and doomed to fail.”

“Ha… You said I was…… “Lin Chang’s enunciates had already become very difficult to hear.

“Of course you are so weak. You are weak that you cannot overcome your own demons. You choose to rely on it for more power.” He said, taking out of his bag a black bell with a golden cut-out handle. “The night before, even the ghosts on the mountain stayed away from you. He handled the Vajra Bell, said, “Your soul is already in pieces, even if you don’t die here today, within a year or so, you will be completely consumed by the devil and become a walking dead.” He paused. “This bell is your counter. Even if just that shot did not hit, as long as Monseigneur Cao and I work together, you still have no chance.”

Dingdong — Dingdong —

Feng Bujue shook the diamond bell twice, and at a distance of three meters from him, Lin Chang was suddenly kneeled and seated by an invisible force, and his black gas was surging like a dying beast.

“Ha… Ah…!” Lin Chang showed a wry smile, and then he cried from the sky. The crying fulfilled the sky, spoken all the helpless and dreariness.

Even Lu Qingning, Su Shang and Miao Shaoqin had shown the look of sympathy.

A few seconds later, the dark air had completely dispersed. Lin Chang’s face became unusually pale and his eyes were full of pathos, “Brother Feng… Do you really think I’m a hero?”

Feng Bujue did not answer but put out a palm-up hand, pointed to the empty street next to him, smiled irony.

This street was gathered with a number of “Heroes”, “Masters”, “Seniors” and” Elites” originally, but at this moment, there’s only a mental illness and a fu**ing eunuch.

“Hahahahahahaha… “Lin Chang fell down, looked up to the sky, laughing. At last, he closed his eyes with relieved. With a smile on his face, he said weakly, “This is destiny……”

 

 

 

[1]The reason author set the plot like this is because a tradition in Chinese——Plum, orchid and bamboo are called “Three Friends in Winter”, which came from their fluorescence: They are even watchable in cold time. Also, these three plants always appeared as an idiom of modest in Chinese poems and literals, because they never fought with other beautiful flowers during summer and springtime.

[2]Ling Tai pulse: In people’s back, at the 6th thoracic spine ‘s subacromial depression. Between the medial branch of the posterior branch with 6th thoracic nerve and the posterior branch of the 6th intercostal artery. (P.S. I referenced this from a Chinese website and put them in a translating software directly because I have totally no idea how to represent it. Anyway, I have to make it a reference)

[3]Protocol Department Composing Eunuch, Imperial Governor, East Factory Official Affairs Eunuch are actually three affairs. To explain how high his status is I need to explain a lot. If you are not interested in this just ignore this reference. First, Protocol Department is one of the “36 Departments” in Chinese Empires’ harem formed by eunuchs, Ming Dynasty, respond for all kinds of messes and serves only and directly to the empire himself including eating, medicine, horses, cleaning, clothing and lots of stuff. Protocol Department is the one highest status, which response to the imperial edict. Normally, they could help the empires to write comments on suggestions from his officials like “Good, let’s do what you want” or “I knew about it” or “Not good”, because empires can’t write comments all the day. In some extreme conditions, they can even write comments by themselves due to their work. Imperial Governor isn’t like governor right now, they are responding for an represent of empires and watch how the life of normal people are and give a report to the empire. At last, East Factory is the FBI of Ming Dynasty. The leader of them is always eunuchs while the prison guards are normal warriors. This department will catch all the people that have suspense or threaten to empires (They can even frame people) and deal them with dozens of cruel penalties. Cao Qin is the leader of East Factory. Now you should know how high is Cao Qin’s status.

[4]The modern sniper group was formed by two people normally. One is the shooter and another will be the spectator, bring rifles and telescope.