劍問蒼天 - 第96章 舊時意 - 清風書屋

To human ears it was nothing much, but the countless Deathmarsh Giant Ants below seemed suddenly to have received some command—all at once they were in a frenzy, gnashing teeth and brandishing claws as they rushed the four of the Righteous Path.

Li Xun and Zeng Shuyan had long expected this. They stepped forward together and wielded their artifacts; where the radiance of their treasures flashed, a dozen or so of the foremost giant ants were sent flying at once—yet both their arms were left throbbing from the recoil. Li Xun, having crossed blades with the ants before, had some experience and was not surprised; Zeng Shuyan could not help but change color, thinking to himself that these beasts were truly formidable.

The two of them summoned up their might, and in moments held the countless giant ants at bay. Lin Jinghong and Facheng turned into streaks of radiance, charging up like lightning. The Dragon-Slaying Sword became a pillar of blue light that soared to the sky, driving back the darkness of the surrounding forest a full several zhang, and came down upon Qin Wujiu's head.

So mighty was that sword that even Qin Wujiu frowned, thinking to himself that these Righteous Path fellows were indeed no easy matter. Yet his expression showed no panic. His left hand still danced the Demon-Controlling Flute, sending out its eerie wailing notes and directing the countless Deathmarsh Giant Ants to swarm in; in his right hand appeared a dagger that scattered pure light in all directions, just barely parrying Lin Jinghong's blow.

Facheng, watching from behind, knit his brows. He recognized that dagger as the rare treasure of the Wan Du Sect that the Poison God had used in the Battle of Qingyun ten years before, and said in a deep voice: "'Severed Yearning'?"

Qin Wujiu started at the words, and a flicker of admiration passed through his eyes. Locked with Lin Jinghong, he said, "Master Facheng's insight is indeed extraordinary—it is none other than the Severed Yearning Divine Dagger!"

Facheng flashed to Lin Jinghong's side, though he did not hasten to strike. He said mildly, "A pity that such a divine weapon, and such a talent as yours, should go astray. Why not turn back and find the shore?"

Qin Wujiu laughed aloud. His left hand danced the flute, his right made the dagger's pure radiance flicker, and suddenly he paced five steps forward, his bearing elegant, reciting: "The fair face far, yearning is bitter; how many feelings, hard to bestow. Ten years of longing, a hundred years to cross; unless I sever yearning, I cannot bear to look back!"

Upon his ever-calm face there now surfaced a faint purple aura, which shone in answer to the pure radiance of the Severed Yearning Divine Dagger before him. In an instant the clear light blazed high, gradually pressing down the blue radiance of the Dragon-Slaying Sword, and for once a look of pride showed on his face. He said in a ringing voice: "The Master sees me as sunk in the demonic path, but I laugh at the Master for being deluded at heart. Of the ten thousand paths in this world, each has its own principle—must your shore be the shore, and my shore be the sea?"

Facheng smiled faintly, paying his words no mind. He was just about to strike and aid Lin Jinghong when he heard, from amid the pure light before Qin Wujiu, Lin Jinghong's voice come through with utter firmness: "Heaven gives birth to ten thousand paths, and all are one body; the righteous heart of the Way lies in the hearts of the people of this world. You are demon, I am righteous—therefore I shall vanquish demons and subdue evil!"

With a clear cry the Dragon-Slaying Sword gave a great dragon-roar; blue radiance blazed, soaring to the heavens, bursting forth from amid the pure light. In an instant sword-qi ran crisscross like a rainstorm, rushing at Qin Wujiu from all sides, covering earth and sky.