Chapter Seventy-Nine: Striking First Gathers the Advantage

“We can strike first and capture the two demons here. Without these two helpers, no matter how many schemes the Deer Spirit conjures, he will be forced to swallow his bitterness,” Wang Yuanfeng said, believing that even the most cunning plans could not stand against true strength. The Deer Spirit had tried to ambush him based on a mere suspicion; had it not been for his superior swordsmanship and the timely arrival of Erqing and the others, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

He noticed that Xiaoqing, though efficient, lacked thorough consideration—she was still young and failed to grasp the heart of the matter. Glancing at Erqing, who seemed hesitant and kept looking toward the small courtyard, Wang Yuanfeng understood at once: she feared harming innocents.

It was understandable. After all, she was a woman, and indecision seemed innate. Despite their usual cold, proud demeanor, in critical moments few among them could assert themselves.

“This trouble was stirred up by the Deer Spirit, but isn’t it wrong to harm innocents?” Erqing finally voiced her concerns after much deliberation.

“The Deer Spirit is indeed the main culprit, but the two here are her sister and daughter. Letting them off now would be of little consequence, but they’ve already involved themselves in this matter. Eliminating their living strength will sever the Deer Spirit’s claws,” Wang Yuanfeng replied, realizing she was wavering; he gave her a justification to ease her conscience.

“This time, we’re only capturing them. As long as they don’t commit grave errors, we won’t kill them,” he added, seeing her reluctance to harm life, offering her a reason to justify the action.

As expected, Erqing nodded in agreement.

They began their preparations. Wang Yuanfeng had originally intended to use the Yin Mountain Nail-Head Curse to kill the Deer Spirit. But after reconsidering, he abandoned the idea—it was too troublesome, requiring several days and a ritual altar with offerings, hard to find in the wilderness, and it also went against cosmic harmony; cursing others always exacted a price.

Curses were performed by sacrificing one’s own essence for harm. To curse an ordinary person, the great Dao was balanced—everything required a price. Using curse techniques usually depleted vital blood, fortune, and luck.

A person’s luck was limited. As long as luck remained, one lived; once it was gone, life was at its end. Like officials: while in power, they radiated vitality and luck; once they lost their position, illness or death often followed.

“While the Deer Spirit is absent, we should just attack directly,” Wang Yuanfeng said. The Deer Spirit had reached the Human Immortal realm—using curses against him would damage Wang Yuanfeng too greatly, so direct confrontation was preferable.

“Should we lure them out one by one and kill them? Xiaoqing and I may not be a match for both,” Erqing worried. Wang Yuanfeng was injured and only she and Xiaoqing could fight. She could defeat either one singly, but two against two was risky.

Wang Yuanfeng realized she doubted his ability to fight. It was true—if he really lacked combat power, it would be troublesome. Though his flying sword remained lodged in his lungs and the metal qi mingled with his own energy, preventing vigorous movement, his magical power was intact; he could still wield some.

He had another trump card: the Tongtian Finger—a technique to channel sword qi through his finger to strike enemies. Even without a sword, as long as he struck a vital point with his finger, victory was assured. He addressed Erqing:

“I possess a secret technique. If struck, one will be paralyzed at best, dead at worst. But I need Miss Erqing to create a suitable opportunity for me.”

Erqing was surprised; she hadn’t known he had such a hidden card and hesitated, having only known him for a day, uncertain of his trustworthiness.

Wang Yuanfeng guessed her hesitation and decided to show her. He gathered his energy, guided a thread of sword qi, and pointed at a large stone nearby.

A faint sound, and a small hole appeared in the stone. Wang Yuanfeng gestured invitingly to Erqing.

“Second Sister, it pierced straight through,” Xiaoqing exclaimed, rushing over to examine the hole, even seeing light through it.

Erqing was astonished; she could shatter the stone, but piercing a neat hole was impossible for her.

“Then I’ll follow your lead,” Erqing said, examining the hole and realizing a hit to her would mean serious injury.

Wang Yuanfeng nodded. Trust must be built on mutual understanding; those who trust at first sight are either seeking hope or blinded by infatuation.

Both sides needed their own bargaining chips—strength must be balanced.

That simple finger strike had actually used thirty percent of his energy. Attacks need not be flashy; what truly wounds is just a single moment.

…

The three approached the small courtyard, pushed open the door, and entered. Inside, Huaguzi and Zhang Sanguni noticed their arrival.

“Who are you? Why have you broken into our home?” Zhang Sanguni demanded, sensing murderous intent, especially from the young girl in green, whose fierce aura made it clear they had come looking for trouble.

Huaguzi also felt uneasy—besides the young girl, she couldn’t gauge the cultivation of the other two, and her expression grew serious, quietly circulating her power in preparation.

“Heh, we simply wish to invite you both to our home as guests, nothing more,” Wang Yuanfeng said, borrowing the Deer Spirit’s own excuse.

Zhang Sanguni’s eyes narrowed. Wasn’t this her eldest brother’s usual pretext? He always used this line—if people complied, he brought them back; if not, he killed them outright. Things felt ominous; perhaps old enemies had come.

The murderous aura wasn’t that of guests; besides, this place was hidden—few could find it. Over the years, her brother had harmed many.

“Miss, run! They’re enemies!” Zhang Sanguni shouted to Huaguzi, tossing a handful of mist at the three.

“Move!” The three, already prepared, struck the mist with their palms, dispersing it.

Erqing flicked her sleeve, sending a green vine darting toward Zhang Sanguni. Xiaoqing followed by spraying a cloud of poisonous mist at her.

“Snake demon! Hand over your life!”

Huaguzi panicked at the sight of the poison mist, recalling her father’s tale that her mother had been killed by the snake demon of this mountain. She drew a flower basket from her sleeve and cast it above Xiaoqing’s head.

This magical artifact had taken her decades to forge from the spiritual roots of hundreds of flowers—capable of collecting all flowers but peonies, and capable of containing all things. It had never failed her.

“Not good!” Wang Yuanfeng hadn’t anticipated such a person-collecting artifact. Its strangeness posed a real threat; Xiaoqing might be trapped inside. He aimed a finger of sword qi at the basket.

A spurt of blood shot from Huaguzi’s mouth as she felt her artifact damaged.

Zhang Sanguni, ready to defend against Erqing’s vine, was enveloped in the poisonous mist. She tried to hold her breath, but had already inhaled twice, growing dizzy, and was then tightly bound by the vine.

Meanwhile, Huaguzi’s basket hovered above Xiaoqing, exerting a suction force. Xiaoqing transformed into a green bamboo snake, fiercely resisting the pull, but was on the verge of being drawn inside.

“Xiaoqing!” Erqing, having just caught Zhang Sanguni, saw this and flew toward the basket.

Wang Yuanfeng, anxious, realized his earlier strike had injured Huaguzi; now he channeled all his energy, firing another finger strike at the basket.

But Xiaoqing, now a seven-inch bamboo snake, was sucked into the basket.

Huaguzi coughed up another mouthful of blood, waved her hand, and recalled the basket to herself, casting a venomous glare at Wang Yuanfeng. She threw another mist and fled.

“Not good, I’ll chase her!” Erqing tossed the bound Zhang Sanguni at Wang Yuanfeng’s feet and pursued Huaguzi.

Wang Yuanfeng saw Huaguzi had trapped Xiaoqing in her flower basket and grew anxious—he had underestimated her, never considering such a powerful artifact. He had considered using a Thunderblast, but its power was too great; if he destroyed the basket, Xiaoqing would likely be harmed as well.

Though unable to act at the time, he had struck the basket with two sword qi bolts. The basket was Huaguzi’s life artifact—her two mouthfuls of blood proved she was wounded as well, which gave Wang Yuanfeng some comfort.

“Let’s hope she catches up,” he thought silently, watching Erqing pursue Huaguzi.

Huaguzi, having trapped Xiaoqing, decided to flee. Outnumbered and with her aunt captured, she was left alone and could only escape, planning to seek her father for help.

She unleashed a wave of miasma and flew toward the valley entrance, eager to inform her father—the snake demon was her mother’s killer, or so her father had always told her.

Suddenly, her wrist felt cold, as if something was crawling on it, but with pursuers behind, she dared not be distracted.

“Ah…” A piercing pain shot through her wrist; Huaguzi screamed and instinctively shook her arm wildly, flinging the basket into the air, along with the seven-inch bamboo snake.

The snake tumbled free, transforming into a girl of fourteen or fifteen in green attire, who looked at Huaguzi with glee.

“How did you get out?” Huaguzi, recovering, tried to summon the basket, but saw Xiaoqing standing nearby, watching her with undisguised amusement.

Huaguzi suddenly realized the chill on her wrist had been Xiaoqing and cursed inwardly.

“Heh,” Xiaoqing said, recalling her experience inside, and scornfully remarked, “That shabby basket of yours has two holes and you didn’t even know?”

“What?” Huaguzi was shocked. She remembered Wang Yuanfeng had struck the basket with two finger beams while she tried to capture Xiaoqing. The realization dawned—she cursed Wang Yuanfeng, but soon felt dizzy. She finally recognized she had been poisoned and blurted, “You poisoned me!”

“Heh, have you ever seen a bamboo snake without venom?” Xiaoqing retorted, looking at Huaguzi with disdain.

Just then, Erqing arrived, having followed the scream. She saw Huaguzi staggering, her face turning blue, while Xiaoqing stood nearby watching.