Chapter Sixty-Four: Transcendence (Part One)

Yan Feiniang, the headstrong and willful young woman who ran away from home—she’s dead?

In an instant, Kou Li’s memory flashed back to his last encounter with her—

“This was done by the Water Dragon Gang. Don’t worry, I’ll avenge you. There’s nothing more to say.”

Revenge.

The Water Dragon Gang.

As Kou Li shifted his gaze, he noticed the Wolf Scion’s expression—surprise, confusion, bewilderment. Yet, in those lupine eyes, Kou Li clearly saw a glint of cunning and satisfaction.

So, false accusations and framing weren’t his exclusive talent after all.

“What could you possibly have to explain?” Huo Jundong’s face was clouded as he spoke. All present had heard that gurgling sound, and felt a rising heat in the air.

When a Grandmaster is enraged, it’s as if wind, rain, thunder, and lightning all gather in his heart.

“Master Huo Jundong is a veteran of the Jin Guild, and the first-generation founder of the Tongbei Fist, Song Luzhi. In his lifetime, he only accepted four disciples. It’s said that one of them was a woman,” came a faint whisper in Kou Li’s ear—Mo Yi’s voice.

Kou Li lowered his eyelids, steadying his long-honed state of mind so as not to let the other’s agitation sway him. Calmly, he said, “Master Huo, you’ve come all this way from Western Jin to seek justice. I’m sure you’ve gathered both witnesses and evidence. Let me guess—the witness is a certain Young Master Zhou Xinxin, isn’t it?”

Only that young man could be linked to both parties.

But he couldn’t yet figure out what method the Water Dragon Gang had used to turn facts upside down and pin the blame on him.

“What, you want to confront him here and now?” Huo Jundong sneered.

“No. Since both witnesses and evidence are present, I have nothing to argue. If Master Huo wants to fight or kill me, you can try anytime.”

“Junior Brother!”

“Eighth Brother!”

“You think I won’t dare?” Huo Jundong erupted in fury.

Kou Li’s composure caught everyone by surprise, especially the Wolf Scion, whose eyes flashed with a hint of hesitation.

Even if this were after the duel, let alone now, there was no way Kou Li could match this Grandmaster of Tongbei Fist.

Was he feigning weakness on purpose?

“Master Huo, the road has its boundaries and a horse must not step out of line. If your Jin Guild wants to cause trouble for our Cantonese Old Nine, shouldn’t you, according to martial custom, send a formal challenge seven days in advance? Otherwise, how are we old-timers supposed to account for ourselves?” A booming voice called out before anyone else could speak. Then, one of the Canton Guild’s elders, Iron-Guts Zhong Quan, strode in with six disciples in tow. Each was sharp-eyed and rooted to the floor, clearly hardened fighters who had internalized their art to the bone.

“Master Zhong?!”

Why had Master Feng, the closest ally of the Burned-Body Martial Hall, failed to show up, while Zhong Quan—who had never had much to do with this—appeared here, and on Young Master Huang’s boat no less?

“Master Zhong, he killed my junior sister. This is a personal matter,” Huo Jundong said.

Iron-Guts Zhong Quan was once a renowned Grandmaster who helped Marshal Hong pacify the Sea Calamity, his fame echoing across the land and disciples in every army. Even if age had dulled his skills, no one dared slight him.

“There are no personal grudges among people of the martial world. If you don’t follow the rules, the rest of us old men could gang up and beat you, and no one would say a word. Yet you dare talk back to me? Old man, you’ve been collecting debts so long you’ve lost your mind!” Unexpectedly, Zhong Quan stood his ground, using his seniority to suppress Huo Jundong.

A flash of murderous intention showed in Huo Jundong’s eyes, while the six disciples across from him all stepped forward, their glares equally fierce.

Luo Yanzong looked perplexed; the Wolf Scion’s gaze pinned itself to Kou Li. He was an outsider—why would the old man Zhong Quan stand up for him?

Time slid back to the previous night, when Kou Li’s room received a mysterious visitor—Fifth Senior Brother, Zhai Guan.

“Eighth Brother, listen to me. The Water Dragon Gang has vast coastal power, but even they can’t cover the heavens with one hand. Especially in recent years, the Clean Sea has cut off many of their claws. Some people want you to win. If you manage to kill your opponent in this duel, nothing else will matter. Here’s a Fire Pill—take it, and your strength, speed, and reflexes will soar to their limits with minimal side effects. Remember, take it during the match. Before then, someone will make sure you get to the ring…”

“Does Senior Brother Luo know about this?”

“Luo Yanzong is too pedantic. If you don’t fight for power, those who do will crush you. Junior Brother, you must take the pill—trust me, someone will look out for you!”

Kou Li understood. Outwardly, this was a personal feud between him and the Wolf Scion, but others were already planning to use this as an excuse to act. So, he had no doubt someone would intervene at the crucial moment.

Huo Jundong couldn’t possibly kill this old fellow on the spot. However chaotic the Canton Guild was, if an elder were killed by an out-of-town martial artist, all hell would break loose.

No matter how mighty his skills, the retribution would be too great a price.

“Elder of the Canton Guild, you may use your seniority to oppress me, but Master Zhong, don’t forget—my master is no pushover either. This isn’t over. Not by a long shot!”

In the end, Huo Jundong chose to back down. He closed his eyes, his qi and blood withdrawing, the vitality in his body vanishing as if his heart had ceased to beat. This was called the Winter Bear’s Slumber, a technique that not only calms the blood but also the emotions. Yet everyone present knew—when the bear emerged from hibernation, it would tear into flesh with abandon.

The six martial artists on the other side all breathed a sigh of relief. If the Grandmaster had truly exploded in rage, they might not have been able to contain him.

“Master Kou, if you would,” the Wolf Scion said darkly. He had planned to kill the man under the pretext of a duel, but now things had slipped from his grasp.

Kou Li leaned close and whispered, enunciating each word, “Don’t be foolish. She’s still in your hands. Why would I step into the ring? Release her first.”

“Aren’t you afraid—?”

“Do you really think I’d let you hold me hostage over a woman? If you want to kill, do it now.”

A flicker passed through the Wolf Scion’s eyes. He gestured, and a lieutenant on the second floor bowed and left. Kou Li glanced at Yue Wuhuo, then turned and stepped down from the ring.

Soon after, Lin Su’e was brought out. Her face was pale, but she seemed unharmed.

“Su’e, you—you’re all right, thank goodness!” Yue Wuhuo stammered in excitement.

But Lin Su’e’s entire attention was on Kou Li. She said anxiously, “Why is he here? He’s only fighting because of me. Brother Yue, hurry and stop him! I haven’t said anything—they don’t know a thing!”

Young Master Huang looked at Kou Li, then at Lin Su’e in the distance, a strange light flashing in his eyes.

The bubbling sound of boiling water rose continuously. On the vast arena, pillars of wood were plunged into the scalding water. In the water, thumb-sized black fish darted back and forth, weaving in and out like dark threads.

“Ghost fish from Flame Island!” Yue Wuhuo ground out. These creatures not only survived in boiling water, but were ten times more savage than the fiercest piranhas.

Every fifth pillar was not wood, but a blade.

This was the Death Ring—boiling water, ghost fish, sharp blades, and on the other side, an even more ferocious foe.

Kou Li stood atop a wooden post, feeling his pores contract as the heat rose. He glanced at Zhong Quan, who was watching him intently, then took the Fire Pill from his pocket, grinned, and tossed it without hesitation into the boiling cauldron.

If Heaven betrays the resolute, let me walk the three roads as a wicked spirit!

“This brat!” Zhong Quan was furious, but his eyes betrayed a glimmer of admiration.

“The sea of suffering has no bounds—ascend to bliss!” A chant rang out. Suddenly, on another post, a bald giant in a crimson robe stood tall. The steam made his brocade robe billow, and a black cloth bag hung at his waist. He looked every inch the strongest warrior monk, but the aura he exuded was both Buddhist and demonic—strange and uncanny.

“That’s Diao Fengsheng—how can it be!”

Many present had seen this southern champion before, but even before his injury, his power and presence had never blazed so fiercely.

More astonishing—how could his physique still be as robust as it was twenty years ago? Wasn’t he supposed to be a withered old man?

“Senior Brother, this—!”

“No martial art can achieve such a transformation before Shattering the Void,” Luo Yanzong declared. “And after that… he wouldn’t be here anymore.”

“I saw what you wanted. I have attained what you desire. I can grant you what you seek,” Diao Fengsheng gazed down upon Kou Li, eyes seeming to pierce into the deepest secrets of his heart.

“You know what I want?”

“God. Fengsheng is God,” Diao Fengsheng intoned.

“Sorry,” Kou Li paused, “but what I’ve always wanted is to surpass gods and saints.”