Enlightenment: Beginning as a Disposable Warrior-Chapter 103 - 94: Shattering Vajra, Seizing Life from the Tiger’s Jaws! (Second Update)

In the study deep within the academy.

Li Qiu paced back and forth in the room, feeling inexplicably restless. At that moment, the noise of the poetry contest in the front yard reached his ears, prompting Li Qiu to push the door open and leave.

The two Cyan Cloud Elite Soldiers standing guard immediately bowed. Li Qiu waved his hand and said, "I remember today's afternoon's poem topic is 'plum'. Go to the front yard and see if any masterpieces have emerged, and bring back a copy."

"Yes, sir!"

One soldier took the order and went to the front yard. Li Qiu thought for a moment and instructed the remaining soldier, "Go bring back the young lady and Miss Wu."

"My lord, if I leave..."

The soldier hesitated, his words interrupted by Li Qiu's gesture, "Go quickly."

"Yes, as you command."

At the same time, in the front yard of the academy.

The man stood frozen, repeatedly murmuring Su Mu's verses, overwhelmed by a sense of shame after the initial shock.

How could someone capable of composing such extraordinary lines be stumped by a mere couplet?

"There's always someone better, out there," he mumbled to himself, feeling that his previous act of selling poetry was utterly ridiculous.

"This poem..." He swallowed hard and spoke sincerely, "is worth a thousand pieces of gold."

When the man came back to his senses, he looked to his side, only to find that Su Mu, who was to sell the poem, had long disappeared. In his place was a scene of scholars swarming around the poetry contest.

"I am Lu Yuanming of Shuangbai Academy. May I ask for your esteemed name?" A scholar in a blue robe cupped his hands in salute.

"I am Bai Yun from Qingyun City. I have long admired your poetic talent and have come to seek instruction." Another person stepped forward to pay respects.

The scholars hurriedly announced their names, name cards flying like snowflakes, which only deepened his feeling of mortification, his face flushed with embarrassment.

"Everyone... this poem was not composed by me..."

"Such a masterpiece, why deny it, sir? We witnessed it with our own eyes. You composed the poem on the spot upon seeing the cold plum by the corner, every word a gem!"

"Indeed, indeed! Even Dean Lu praised it as a good poem. Such wonderful lines, who else could it be other than you?" The words of the crowd only made his high pride turn into embarrassment, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into.

What he was looking at was not the cold plum by the corner, but Su Mu's figure moving into the crowd, yet this poem was inexplicably fitting to him.

In an instant, a tumultuous storm surged in his heart, causing his entire body to tremble.

"This poem... was it composed for me by him?"

He stood motionless, pondering over it once again, and others took his silence as acceptance.

Just as the poetry contest in the front yard was in an uproar over a famous quote, in the depths of the academy, undercurrents were surging.

"My ladies, please don't make things difficult for me. Lord Li has instructed me to bring you back."

"We will not go back, we will not!"

Li Xuan and Wu Qiao'Er spoke in unison. Faced with their defiance, the Cyan Cloud Soldier sought Gongsun Hu standing behind Li Xuan. Gongsun Hu seemed troubled, but upon hearing it was Lord Li's command, he hesitated before speaking.

"My lady, it's best not to disobey the lord's order..."

Before he could finish, Gongsun Hu suddenly looked up at the dozen or so figures emerging from the front yard, stepping forward instantly to shield the two young ladies.

"Stop, who are you people?"

From one person in the group, Gongsun Hu perceived a strong sense of threat. With his low shout, the ten Cyan Cloud Soldiers present immediately pressed their hands against their waist blades, ready to act at any moment.

"To these lords, I am an Academy Guard. Just now, the lord ordered someone to summon us to the back yard for instructions." A young scholar in academy attire bowed.

The people behind him indeed wore academy guard robes. Gongsun Hu looked at the Cyan Cloud Soldiers from the study room; the soldier showed hesitation.

When he left, the lord hadn't given such an order, but it was reasonable to transfer academy guards when defenses were lax.

At that moment, the scholar who was bowing focused on Li Xuan, his eyes gleaming with foreign light. Compared to the original plan of abducting County Captain Li, a better target had appeared.

While Gongsun Hu and the Cyan Cloud Soldier conversed, the scholar launched a fierce surprise attack.

Kasaya Technique: Celestial Net Robe!

The leading scholar's wide sleeves expanded abruptly like a blue curtain covering everyone, the edges of his sleeves coalescing into blades under the infusion of power, spinning as dozens to hundreds of steel needles poured down like a torrential downpour.

"Not good!"

Gongsun Hu, who had always been vigilant, realized it right away. Instantly, he clapped his palms together, and amidst the sound of a bell, a faint golden bell appeared vaguely.

Vajra Body and Vajra Protection!

He stepped sideways, aiming to shield the two young ladies behind him from the attack with his body.

Clang clang clang!

The sound of metal clashing erupted on the scene. As the wide sleeve retracted, wails echoed, ten Cyan Cloud Soldiers fell to the ground, bleeding and twitching, foam bubbling from their mouths, barely holding onto life.

In a single strike, ten Entry-Level Cyan Cloud Elite Soldiers lost their combat abilities instantly.

The sudden turn of events left Li Xuan and Wu Qiao'Er behind him pale with fright, both emitting terrified screams.

"Ladies, run!"

Gongsun Hu groaned, at this moment he wasn't feeling well either. Caught off guard earlier, he couldn't exert his full power, plus the opponent's force was superior to his.

Several dozens of concealed weapon steel needles infused with power from the sleeves pierced through his Vajra Body, now lodged in his body, not to mention the enemy had poisoned those steel needles.

Gongsun Hu could only frantically mobilize his internal power and qi blood to block the spread of poison within.

As the daughter of the County Captain, Li Xuan regained some composure first, quickly trying to grab Wu Qiao'Er to escape deeper into the courtyard. However, both were trembling with weak limbs, barely making a few steps before collapsing onto the ground.

"Leave this one to me, go capture those two, and there will be great rewards!"

"Who on earth are you?"

Gongsun Hu stared intensely at the figure before him. Seeing victory at hand, the scholar removed the human skin mask from his face, "I am none other than the Cyan-Faced Bat King of the Black Mountain Army!"

One of the Four Protectors of the Black Mountain Army, holding a status above the five Banner Masters, the Cyan-Faced Bat King?!

Gongsun Hu felt a deep despair; he knew it was difficult to escape death today. Even using the name of the Vajra Temple would be futile, as the opponent dared to lay hands on County Captain Li and his daughter, paying no heed to the Vajra Temple.

"It's commendable for someone your age to cultivate the Vajra Body to such an extent, but your Horizontal Training is still lacking." The Cyan-Faced Bat King took a step closer, "I have always cherished talent, now I offer you a way to live."

"Join the Black Mountain Army, or... die!"

Seeing the villain about to bypass him, Gongsun Hu's eyes widened with rage. With a furious roar, he took a deep breath, causing his flesh and muscles to writhe, expanding his figure slightly, while the dozen steel needles within him seemed on the verge of being forced out.

The Cyan-Faced Bat King let Gongsun Hu struggle, showing a hint of admiration in his eyes.

"Let me go, release me and Ms. Xuan!"

Wu Qiao'Er struggled desperately, but was no match for the bandits. Soon, the two were tightly bound.

Hearing the sound of fighting, urgent footsteps came from the deep courtyard.

"Vile scoundrels, cease your actions at once!"

Li Qiu shouted in anger as he saw his daughter and Wu Lie's daughter fall into the hands of bandits.

The voice resonated like thunder.

More than a dozen individuals masquerading as academy guards felt a moment of dizziness, as the Power and Qi Blood within them surged.

The Cyan-Faced Bat King's pupils contracted, his own Power and Qi Blood churning restlessly. This Li Qiu was merely a Bone Forger Martial Artist, yet his shout had a considerable impact even on someone of a grade higher like him.

"No wonder he's an official of the court."

Seeing Li Qiu appear alone, a vicious glint flashed in the Cyan-Faced Bat King's eyes but eventually dissipated. Officials were protected by the Great Yan's destiny, and killing court officials would bring retribution.

Moreover, it would affect the Celestial King's grand plan. If court officials were killed, the court would likely dispatch troops swiftly to Qingzhou Prefecture. Thus, even rebels would not dare to kill court officials.

Li Qiu had only this one daughter; rather than abduct or kill Li Qiu, it was more advantageous to use his daughter as leverage to coerce him into submission.

"You, take them away first."

"Yes, Lord Guardian."

Immediately, two swift chops landed on Li Xuan and Wu Qiao'Er's necks, causing the two young women to faint and be carried away by the bandits towards the academy's back mountain.

Just as Li Qiu was about to make a move, three steel needles shot forth, embedding themselves in the pillar before him.

"Lord Li, blades and soldiers are blind; next time, these three needles might not end up in the pillar."

"Ah!"

Just then, Gongsun Hu finally broke free. Seeing this, Li Qiu hurriedly said, "Gongsun Hu, go rescue Xuan'Er and Qiao'Er; leave this place to me."

"Rescue? Did I give you two permission to leave?"

The Cyan-Faced Bat King's form blurred, traversing over ten feet like a ghost to stand before Gongsun Hu, who raised his fist.

The roar of an angry tiger echoed.

Taming Tiger Arhat Fist!

This fist technique was a seventh-grade fist technique of the Vajra Temple, its power being top-tier even among seventh-grade martial arts, widely renowned around Qingyun. Gongsun Hu had been cultivating it for five years and was still a distance from reaching Small Success.

Not yet having attained Entry Level, using this powerful technique was a huge burden for Gongsun Hu, but at this moment, he had no choice but to fight with all his might.

Before the fist was even released, the tiger's roar transformed into a violent wind, its momentum astonishing.

Seeing the power of this punch, Li Qiu felt a glimmer of hope. Gongsun Hu, as Zen Heart Master's direct disciple, might just provide a turning point in today's situation.

"Interesting, Taming Tiger Arhat Fist... are you the disciple of that Zen Void, or the Zen Heart bald donkey?"

"Die!"

Gongsun Hu's fist shot forth.

Faced with this punch, the Cyan-Faced Bat King casually slapped out with a palm. This seemingly weak and powerless palm collided fiercely with Gongsun Hu's fist.

Instantly, Gongsun Hu's expression changed dramatically. He felt as if his punch had sunk into the ocean, an invisible power flowing between the opponent's palm dissolving his punch's Power and force in an instant.

"You, is this Transforming Force?"

"Correct."

Having dispelled Gongsun Hu's greatest reliance with one palm, the Cyan-Faced Bat King struck out another palm. Gongsun Hu could only cross his arms defensively, a Golden Bell appearing to shield against this weightless palm.

But even with Vajra Body Protection, Gongsun Hu was sent flying by the Cyan-Faced Bat King's palm, crashing heavily into a pillar.

The hardwood pillar, as thick as a basin, snapped from the impact, causing the entire pavilion to shake.

Splat!

The Golden Bell behind Gongsun Hu shattered into pieces, the faint golden hue on his skin fading away. He appeared wilted, his form shrinking, as he spat out mouthfuls of blood mixed with visceral fragments.

Once able to fight against Muscle-Enhancing Martial Artists, even having killed one in the past, Gongsun Hu was now on the brink of death after a few exchanges with the Cyan-Faced Bat King before Li Qiu's eyes.

The palm strike shattered the Vajra Body and brought down the pillar!

The power of the Cyan-Faced Bat King's palm was evident.

As the two clashed, amidst a roar of tigers, a mountain sparrow swept silently by, the deep courtyard resonating with a few piercing sounds, followed by a series of explosions.

The heads of over ten rebel bandits burst like watermelons under stone blocks.

Su Mu lifted Wu Qiao'Er from the pool of blood, carrying her on his back, glanced at Li Xuan, and finally hoisted her up as well, heading to the depths of the academy.

"A sneaky thief dares to snatch someone from me?... Courting death!"

The Cyan-Faced Bat King's eyes flashed with a cold light, eyebrows twitching. Before he finished speaking, his form darted out several feet like a specter.

His green robe flaring, he lightly tapped a veranda pillar with his toes, springing up like a massive cyan-winged bat, filled with murderous intent, pursuing into the depths.