Bat

Bai Manor appeared relaxed on the outside but was stressed on the inside, running here and there to try and find the ‘thief’. Who knew that the bat had already flown far away, leisurely returning home.

On the bank of Yangzhou Lake, behind two green weeping willow trees, was Bai Shaoqing’s dream home.

“Mother, why did you come out again?” Bai Shaoqing came out of the house wearing black silk robes. His black robes were no longer made from coarse material now. He had been able to trick countless people to obtain their martial arts’ secrets, so how could he not have accumulated any wealth?

His mother had also changed into silk and satin fabrics, she exuded the same kind of air as Bai Shaoqing. If it weren’t for that ordinary face, she would be a beautiful lady with an extraordinary aura.

“Shaoqing, is this a willow tree?”

“Yes, the willow tree is so beautiful. My mother always said that she wanted to plant willows in front of the entrance.”

Slender fingers stroked the tree trunk lightly, and the woman smiled, but was also uneasy, “Is there any news from the Bai family?”

Thinking of everyone in the Bai family, Bai Shaoqing sneered, but his tone of voice was still gentle. “No.” Probably afraid that the family’s scandals would be exposed, the Bai family only mentioned a thief.

What a band of cruel and unscrupulous b*stards.

“Mother, let’s go inside!” Seeing the scorching sun, Bai Shaoqing carefully helped her up for fear that his mother might get heat stroke under the sun. 　　

The maidservant, Xiao Cui came over to help, “Master, let me do it.”

“No need.” Bai Shaoqing shook his head and asked, “Is the food ready?”

“Almost. It’s the lotus root soup that fu-ren likes to eat. It will take a while to simmer a bit longer.”

“Well, go ahead! Sweep the yard, over by the stone that the mother normally sits, under the willow tree, find a cushion to cover it, shade it from the sun.” He ordered lightly, he really looked like a true young gongzi.

“Yes. I’m going now.” The smart girl looked at the gongzi with admiration and wonder, and then went back to work.

The summer insects croaked quietly, with the cool breeze bringing a refreshing wind.

The wooden door was personally selected by Bai Shaoqing, and it would not creak when opened.

Who truly knew how much he had suffered to obtain this ordinary lifestyle?

“Mother, you need to eat more of the freshly picked lotus roots from the lake.”

“Mother can’t eat so much.” His mother smiled happily, “Shaoqing, when are you going to find a wife to show mother?”

Bai Shaoqing’s face changed slightly. In front of his mother who had no eyesight, the only relief was he did not need to hide his facial expression. 　　

Daughter-in-law… Does the mother know how many ladies of Wulin I have ruined, Am I qualified to be a husband anymore?

“Shaoqing, mother has two wishes. First, I hope you can find someone intimate. Second…….”

“Second? What is the second?” Bai Shaoqing asked. Even if it’s the treasures of the Imperial Palace, I can still get them.

His mother sighed, “Second, I pray to the heavens to not let anyone find us. No matter who it is, I don’t want to think about the past anymore.”

She did not know that less than two miles from home, there lay five freshly buried bodies of martial artists of Wulin. With Bai Shaoqing’s abilities, who cares if they are found, if they turn up, he’d finish them within one strike. Who would not be afraid of the power of sixty years of martial arts gained from the Heaven and Earth shattering pill?

But Bai Shaoqing was still injured. Blame it on the fact that Chen Wen began to become suspicious of him and they had exchanged a few blows but his internal force suddenly backfired. Finally, although he killed Chen Wen, he still managed to get stabbed by Chen Wen.

The two-inch wound still remained on the front of his chest, wrapped up under layers of white gauze. So, for the past two days, he didn’t dare to let his mother touch my chest – in case she found out, how could he possibly explain?

“Shaoqing, you should have some soup too.” His mother said slowly, “You are a smart and quick-witted child, why did you have to suffer from childhood? It’s all because of my mother’s incompetence.”

“Mother, don’t say that.” Bai Shaoqing held his mother’s hand: “Without mother, Shaoqing would not have lived until now.”　　

“Nonsense!”

Bai Shaoqing stared at his mother. He was telling the truth, life was so painful, especially when he was under the control or tortured by others, he really almost wanted to commit suicide.

“Yes, yes, Shaoqing was talking nonsense, don’t get angry, mother.”

A slight smile just escaped from the corner of his lips, and then suddenly disappeared. With his delicate eyebrows frowning tightly, Bai Shaoqing pressed his hands against the table, his blood boiled from the sudden attack from the internal energy inside his meridians.

It was a severe pain, spreading through all his internal organs.

“What’s the matter?” She asked as if she sensed the abnormality, and his mother’s face turned to face Shaoqing.

“It’s nothing, the soup is too hot.” Biting his lip, he spat out a calm response, but Bai Shaoqing’s hands were beginning to tremble slightly.

The pain was getting more and more severe, but he could not find the reason. The hidden attacks just kept coming and going without a trace making him uneasy. Exactly how could the Heaven and Earth shattering Pills be absorbed without causing a backlash?

Who knew the reason?

Feng Long’s natural smile appeared in front of him. Bai Shaoqing immediately shook his head and pushed that image to the back of his mind.

Why would you think about him! If you want to see him again one day, it’s only to settle old accounts. To torture him severely, beat him severely, bully him…

After thinking about countless ruthless methods, he unconsciously bit his lower lip.

“Shaoqing?”

“Huh?” Bai Shaoqing suddenly raised his head.

The woman groped around and then stood up: “I should go and rest.”

“Yes, mother should take a nap. Wait until the sun is not too strong, then go and sit by the lake.”

After helping his mother back to her room, Bai Shaoqing turned to go back to his own room. The room was clean and elegant. Although it was not luxurious and expensive, it was much better than their damp house in the Bai family manor.

He sat on the edge of the bed, and unknowingly stretched his hand under the pillow to draw out the Bilu Sword. As soon as he held it, he felt that familiar comforting warmth. The turquoise colour was translucent but not utterly translucent, but extremely pleasing to the eye for anyone who saw it.

He rubbed the Bilu Sword as he leaned against the bed. “Did you know that I have removed your master’s martial arts?” He seemed to be talking to the sword, but he also seemed to be talking to himself. “He must hate me to the bone1 now.”

After a pause, stubbornness appeared in his eyes, and his tone gradually became more fierce.　　

“Of course he hates me, and don’t I hate him as well?” Even Bai Shaoqing didn’t notice it, and there was a faint air of depression that appeared on his face. “I hate him to death. In this life, he is the one I hate the most. They beat me, scolded me, bullied me but I don’t even hate them as much as I hate him. But I…but I…” He suddenly expressed regret. He looked stunned for a long while, and then sighed: “I shouldn’t have removed his martial arts. He has no martial arts, like a pitiful insect. My martial arts is getting stronger and stronger, what’s the point in bullying him again?”

He sighed several times, but unexpectedly he had the strange idea to give the remaining Heaven and Earth shattering pill to Feng Long.

“That’s right! This way I can blackmail him, draw up some conditions, and at the same time control the Wulin alliance as well as Zhengyi Sect. Or I can restore his martial arts, and revenge would be even sweeter.” His eyes lit up, and he stood up and paced around. Suddenly his face changed, and he threw the Bilu sword in his hand onto the bed like it was a poisonous snake that could kill someone.

With a *pa*, Bai Shaoqing slapped himself and said with a solemn face: “Bai Shaoqing, are you crazy? Actually thinking of so many excuses to restore his martial skills. He is the person you hate most in this world. You should wish that he becomes a beggar on the side of the road, being looked down on by everyone, and bullied by everyone. May he taste all the suffering you have felt and feel all the suffering you have suffered!” He yelled angrily and then sat down again.

After a long while, he finally calmed down.

“I must be too idle at the moment to be thinking of such nonsense.” Bai Shaoqing laughed. “It looks like I need something to do. Now, let’s get rid of those villains one by one! The first one is the vicious Bai fu-ren. Hmph, you dare to force me to call you mother, I want you to beg me and call me father.” A mischievous smirk appeared on his face.

He picked up the Bilu Sword once more that he had previously thrown on the bed, caressing it and sighing, “You are his sword, I should have destroyed you already. But… but I can’t bear to. You are also a famous precious sword in the world, you must be reluctant to be used to chop off that woman’s head.”

As night fell, Xiao Cui lit a candle and put it in the dining room.

Four dishes and one soup were placed on the table which were all very ordinary dishes, but they were also very fragrant.

“Mother, eat some of this. Is it delicious?”

“Yes, it tastes great.”

“Mother, I have something I must take care of, I’m afraid I’ll have to leave for a few days.”

The Bilu Sword had already been wrapped up.

“Shaoqing, you need to leave?”

“Just for a few days.” To kill Song Xiangli and then come back. Mother, that woman made you suffer so miserably.

“Well…. When are you leaving?”

“Tonight…….” Turning his gaze to the outside of the house, Bai Shaoqing was shocked.

Under the dark curtain of night, a figure stood silently in the courtyard.

“Shaoqing?” The woman was surprised, “What’s the matter?”

“It’s okay.” He said lightly, his whole body began to tremble, and his dark eyes stared fixated on the figure approaching step by step.

The figure gradually approached, with steady footsteps, mysterious and understated. That familiar face appeared under the candlelight.

Bai Shaoqing’s face was pale, he slowly stood up.

“Shaoqing, is someone there?” The senses of a blind woman were remarkable.

“Yes.”

“Who is it?” His mother was a bit worried, “Someone from the Bai family?”

Feng Long spoke: “Fu-ren, I am not from the Bai family. I am Shaoqing’s friend.” His voice was deep and elegant making one feel relieved and safe.

His mother was immediately relieved: “Oh! So it’s Shaoqing’s friend. Are you helping Shaoqing out with a matter?”

Feng Long stared at Shaoqing with deep eyes and smiled, “That’s correct.”

“Mother, I’m going to leave now.” Bai Shaoqing lightly patted his mother on the shoulder and then gave Feng Long a look, “My bag is in my room, come and get it with me.”

“Ok.”

“Mother, I’ll be back in a few days.”

His mother nodded: “Ok, the weather is warm, don’t hurry and be careful on the road.”

“Yes, your son understands.”

He nodded slightly towards Feng Long, and the two of them walked out of the dining room one after another.　　

True energy circulated around the body, his sleeves shook, but he didn’t react, and just walked quietly towards the room.

“You still have your martial arts?”

“Did you really think you could remove it?”

“Let’s fight outside, okay?”

“It’s good that you are so filial, I will grant you this wish.” Feng Long sighed lightly: “If the force from my palm hurts your mother, you will definitely fight me to the death.”

“I just don’t want your blood to stain my place.”

He took the baggage and walked towards the door of the courtyard. It was a bright starry night, the two were clearly preparing for a battle, but they were also walking very closely, as if no one was planning to make a surprise attack. Bai Shaoqing did not want to. Although Feng Long’s skills were not weak, he had received a strike from him before after all; moreover, Bai Shaoqing had also already taken the Heaven and Earth shattering pill.

The two silently walked towards the suburbs with the cool breeze blowing gently, unexpectedly there was a sense of indescribable harmony.

Bai Shaoqing stopped.

“Just here is fine.” He sighed, “I really don’t want to kill you.”

Feng Long said mockingly: “Could you kill me?”

“But if I don’t kill you, I’m always ill at ease.” Bai Shaoqing raised his head and said coldly: “Settling all accounts with one strike seems to be going too easy on you. What you owe me, you won’t be able to repay even in the next life.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of true energy from his entire body was already concentrated in the palm of his hand. Bai Shaoqing bellowed in rage, his body moved sharply, and he hit Feng Long in the chest using Emei Mountain Sect’s in the same boat under wind and rain technique2 technique.

Feng Long didn’t try to avoid him but struck back, he smiled slightly, as the two palms met. Both palms had concentrated a very strong internal force, and a loud noise resounded when the palms met each other.

Bai Shaoqing understood that Feng Long’s skill was profound. He had never really competed with Feng Long before in martial arts, and when he tried it now, he immediately discovered that he had underestimated Feng Long by a lot.

Unexpectedly, even with the addition of the Heaven and Earth shaking pill’s 60 years of martial arts, he still only tied with Feng Long.

But it was too late to retreat at this moment. Bai Shaoqing secretly re-circulated his internal energy, trying to force a win with this one strike of the palm. The energy from his Dantian slowly rose up the abdomen, but he suddenly felt pain, as if someone was stabbing the internal organs with a knife.

Backlash again? Bai Shaoqing was shocked, and his internal energy became immediately chaotic. The force of the Horizontal Heaven Opposing Sun encircled him entirely, and immediately became overwhelming.

“Hmm…” Unable to bear the torment from the internal energy, Bai Shaoqing groaned, then withdrew his palm and backed away. His blood was beginning to boil in his internal organs.

He fell ten feet from mid-air and landed heavily on the ground. He was just about to stand up, when he suddenly opened his mouth and vomited blood all over the floor *Urrrrr*. All of a sudden, every inch of his black robes were soaked, and he was emitting a strange glow under the moonlight.

Men’s boots appeared before his eyes.

Bai Shaoqing raised his head and looked at Feng Long fiercely, “If you want to kill, then kill me! If it weren’t for the sudden backlash from my internal force, could you really defeat me?”

“Such a bad temper. I don’t know how many times you need to suffer before I can hear you beg and call me da-ge again?” He flicked his hand and had already sealed several major acupoints.

Feng Long bent over, and picked up Bai Shaoqing, and suddenly said with an affectionate tone: “Shaoqing, do you know why you got backlash from your internal energy?”

He’d long foreseen that something was not right, Bai Shaoqing was even more angry when he saw Feng Long’s smile: “Huh, isn’t it something you did?” Who knew what Feng Long had done to the Heaven and Earth shattering pill. Bai Shaoqing hated himself; he thought himself as quite intelligent but was still deceived by Feng Long.

“I didn’t do a thing to the Heaven and Earth-shaking pill. It’s just that the martial arts that Princess Bingji practiced were the coldest and the most yin in nature.” Feng Long fumbled around under Bai Shaoqing’s robes, and then took out something, and said jokingly, “You keep this on you and then took the Heaven and Earth shattering pill that is cold and yin in nature, how could things not go wrong? There cannot be negligence in the matters of internal energy.”

Bai Shaoqing calmly saw that what Feng Long was holding was the blood lotus seed that Feng Long had given him that day! Suddenly he remembered that Feng Long had said that blood lotus seeds were very yang in nature, so all aphrodisiacs could be restrained by it.

“If you had thrown it away, I would have fought you bitterly today to beat you.” Feng Long smiled nastily. “Fortunately, you’re still thinking about me. You can’t bear to throw away the things I gave to you and carry them on you. The mix of the power of the Heaven and Earth-shaking pill, and the blood lotus seed made you neither yin nor yang, neither hot nor cold, it could only hurt you. Then you also encountered my Horizontal Heaven Opposing Sun technique which is also yang in nature, so how could you not lose?”

Feng Long laughed softly, whilst Bai Shaoqing gritted his teeth: “You…you despicable vile person!” He secretly hated himself for not having thrown away the blood lotus seed long ago.

Today’s defeat was actually just due to the mere presence of a tiny blood lotus seed.

Feng Long stared at Bai Shaoqing’s handsome face, slowly the smile disappeared off his face, and then said in a deep voice: “Little Bat, you were cruel to me. After falling into my hands this time, you should hurry up and think about how to make me happy.” With a flick of his finger, he sealed Bai Shaoqing’s sleeping acupoint. Then he turned around and hurried off into the darkness.