Invincible

Chapter 240: Something Really Happened!

Two days passed in busy preparations for the wedding.

On this day, Huang Xiaolong exited the Linglong Treasure Pagoda, where he had spent the last two days perfecting his self-created Earthen Buddha Palm skill.

Huang Xiaolong’s Earthen Buddha Palm was inspired by the millions of Buddha statues in the Buddha Cavern, the invisible spiritual pressure emanating from each of the far reaching waves of Buddha statues and their effect on the spirit, while the Ancient Puppetry Art was a rare cultivation technique that strengthened one’s spiritual force. Thus, practicing the Ancient Puppetry Art greatly enhanced Huang Xiaolong’s Earthen Buddha Palm’s attack power.

After two days of practice, Huang Xiaolong saw a big stride in improvement for his Earthen Buddha Palm. But then again, Huang Xiaolong did not neglect his Godly Xumi Art, Asura Tactics, and Body Metamorphose Scripture. He was getting stronger with each passing day.

When Huang Xiaolong appeared, Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu sensed at once the change in Huang Xiaolong’s aura, enough to make two high-level Saint realm experts lament with admiration.

“What’s the situation these days?” Huang Xiaolong asked Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu when he saw them.

“Replying to Sovereign, everything is normal.” Zhao Shu promptly answered.

Huang Xiaolong made his way to the great hall and while doing so, he cautioned them: “Increase defense measures for today, everyone must be extra alert!”

Today was his sister’s wedding day! Huang Xiaolong had a strong premonition, Heartless Young Noble Yao Fei would definitely choose to mire his sister’s wedding day!

Moments later, Huang Xiaolong arrived at the great hall where Huang Peng, Su Yan, and Huang Xiaohai were waiting.

Seeing Huang Xiaolong walk in, all three of them stood up, gathering around him.

“Father, Mother.” Huang Xiaolong greeted.

“Long’er, you’re here.” Su Yan smiled as she pulled Huang Xiaolong to a chair next to hers.

“Where’s Ah Min?” Huang Xiaolong looked around, asking when he did not see his sister.

“Getting her makeup done, she should be coming out soon. The Guo Family will be arriving in an hour or so.” Su Yan answered with a small laugh. It was obvious to see that she was very happy.

Huang Xiaolong nodded. A tiny sigh sounded in his heart, in no more than an hour’s time, the Guo Family’s wedding procession would be picking up his sister, Huang Min. Although the distance between the Southern Hill Estate and Guo Mansion wasn’t great, after today, his sister would be counted as a Guo Family member.

Still, Huang Xiaolong was happy for Huang Min, she found someone she loved and wanted to be together with him.

Huang Xiaolong stayed in the great hall, spending some idle time with his parents and younger brother. Half an hour later, Huang Xiaolong said, “They are probably close, let’s go and have a look?”

Huang Peng, Su Yan, and Huang Xiaohai nodded happily. Hence, the four stood up and headed towards Huang Min’s courtyard.

“Master, Madame, Young Lord, and Third Young Lord!” When they arrived in Huang Min’s courtyard, the maidservants and guards knelt in salute.

“Where’s Second Miss?” Huang Peng asked.

“Replying to Master, Second Miss is having her makeup done, she should be ready soon.” One of the maidservants answered.

Huang Peng nodded and the four of them entered the outer room of Huang Min’s boudoir.

“Father, Mother, Big brother, Little Brother!” Huang Min had just finished with her makeup when she saw the four people come in and called out eagerly as she stood up.

Everyone laughed and nodded, praising Huang Min’s appearance. “My sister’s the most beautiful today.” Huang Xiaolong complimented.

Huang Xiaolong spoke the truth. The light makeup emphasized Huang Min’s youthfulness with a hint of the budding glamorous woman about to bloom, fresh and alluring.

Huang Min blushed shyly, “Big brother, you only know how to tease me.”

“Big Sis^{, it’s true! You look really beautiful today!” Huang Xiaohai chimed in with a huge grin on his face.}

Huang Min smiled sweetly, “Really?”

Putting on a solemn expression, Huang Xiaohai insisted in a serious tone: “Really!”

This small interaction made others in the room burst into laughter. Su Yan suddenly stepped forward, pulling Huang Min into her arms. Her eyes turned slightly red, with glistening tears threatening to fall.

“Mother.” Huang Min cried. Even she was influenced by Su Yan’s tears.

“You, ah, what are you crying for, this is a joyous occasion. Moreover, it’s not like Min’er won’t be back here.” Huang Peng comforted his wife.

Huang Min nodded with resolute, “Mother, I will come back often to visit everyone.”

Su Yan wiped the tears away, smiled and nodded. Her baby daughter was getting married! Su Yan was happy, but more than that, she was reluctant to part with her.

A short moment later, blaring sounds from suonas, drums, and gongs came from outside. A sign that the bride escort procession from the Guo Family had arrived to pick up the bride.

“Let’s go out.” Huang Xiaolong spoke.

Everyone agreed. Thus, Su Yan held Huang Min’s hand as they walked out of Huang Min’s yard towards the estate’s entrance. The main entrance was very lively when they got there, other than the bride escort wedding procession members from the Guo Family, there were spectating disciples from other forces crowding the street.

The Guo Family went all out with the wedding procession, three to four hundred people enough to line from the Southern Hill Estate’s entrance to the other end of the street. Spotting Huang Min and the rest coming out from the estate, Guo Tai, who was at the front of the line, hurried to meet them.

He first greeted Huang Peng and Su Yan: “Uncle, Auntie” and then respectfully towards Huang Xiaolong: “Big brother.”

Though today was their wedding day, Guo Tai and Huang Min had to go through the ceremony first, before he could change how he addressed Huang Peng and Su Yan. Su Yan nodded and walked over to Guo Tai, releasing Huang Min’s hand from her own and placing it into Guo Tai’s hands. A symbolic gesture that she was passing her daughter to Guo Tai. While doing this, Su Yan couldn’t resist and a teardrop rolled down the corner of her eye.

“Guo Tai,” Huang Xiaolong reminded: “You must treat my sister well. If you dare to bully her or make her feel aggrieved in any way, I will not spare you!”

Guo Tai was a little scared but he promised, “Don’t worry, Big brother, I will definitely treat Min’er well, I absolutely will not let her be wronged!”

Huang Xiaolong nodded, satisfied.

Soon, the Guo Family’s wedding procession lifted up the red bride palanquin with Huang Min sitting inside and started to head towards the Guo Mansion.

Strings of pearl-like tears fell on Su Yan’s cheeks as she watched the Guo Family wedding procession leaving, growing smaller in her sight. Huang Peng opened his mouth but no words of comfort came.

“Father, Mother, let’s go back first.” Huang Xiaolong persuaded. According to Martial Spirit World’s tradition, the girl’s family needed to wait until the wedding procession reached the future husband’s residence before they could go over for the next step ceremony.

Nodding, all of them returned inside the estate.

However, just as everyone turned around, Huang Xiaolong suddenly spun around, eyes searching the other end of the street vigilantly.

“Long’er, what is it?”

Huang Xiaolong replied: “Nothing.” But his eyes held a deeper meaning as they directed a look at Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu. Both nodded their heads slightly and disappeared with a sway without anyone noticing.

Huang Xiaolong remained waiting at the same spot after he told Huang Peng, Su Yan, and his younger brother to go in first. Before long, Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu returned.

“So?” Huang Xiaolong questioned.

Both of them shook their head, “Replying to Sovereign, we found nothing.”

Huang Xiaolong frowned, he was sure he felt a trace of killing intent. Although it was only a split second instant. Then, Huang Xiaolong’s heart sank: Guo Family’s wedding procession!

“Zhao Shu, Zhang Fu, both of you immediately go catch up with the Guo Family’s wedding team!” Huang Xiaolong blurted out of anxiousness.

Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu exchanged a glance, they understood what Huang Xiaolong meant in the next moment; Huang Xiaolong was afraid Yao Fei might make a move against the wedding procession team!

“Yes, Sovereign!” Both already disappeared before the voice fell.

Huang Xiaolong relaxed a little after sending Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu over. However, a short while after Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu went away, powerful energy fluctuations came from the distance, close to the Southern Hill Estate. Huang Xiaolong’s face tightened, they really targeted the Guo Family’s wedding procession!

Sister! Huang Xiaolong disappeared in a blur, sprinting towards the source of the energy fluctuations.

1. She is the first female born in the family, thus HXH calls her Big Sis

Chapter 241: Under Brutal Siege

When Huang Xiaolong arrived on the scene, Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu were battling four people in the sky!

The person battling Zhang Fu was none other than Li Lu’s master, Li Molin, whereas Zhao Shu was fighting one against three the Yao Family’s Ancestor Yao Shan, and two other people from Deities Templar, which was obvious from the Deities Templar’s Elder robes on their backs.

But, Yao Fei was nowhere to be seen.

Below, on the street, members of the Guo Family’s wedding procession were lying in pools of scarlet red blood. Not far away at a street corner, Guo Tai blocked in front of Huang Min with the remaining number of Guo Family disciples, grouped together in a defensive circle.

Seeing both his sister and Guo Tai were still safe and sound, Huang Xiaolong let out a breath of relief.

“Big brother!” Huang Min cried out when she spotted Huang Xiaolong and quickly ran over to his side with Guo Tai.

“Are you two alright?” Huang Xiaolong concerned.

“We’re unhurt.” Huang Min and Guo Tai shook their heads.

Huang Xiaolong’s tension disappeared hearing they were unharmed.

At this time, sounds of whistling wind rang in the sky as figures rushed over to the battle scene, everyone turned to look and saw it was Emperor Duanren and Guo Family’s Ancestor, Guo Chen.

“We’re leaving!” Seeing it was Emperor Duanren and Guo Chen, Li Molin, who was battling Zhang Fu, made a forceful palm strike to push Zhang Fu back, barking orders to her comrades.

Zhang Fu met her palm strike head on.

A thunderous explosion pushed both of them apart and Li Molin seized the chance, disappearing into the void in a flicker.

The other three people, Yao Shan and the two Deities Templar Elders, did the same. All three attacked Zhao Shu all out with a palm strike, disappearing into the void after pushing Zhao Shu back.

Seconds after the four had fled, Emperor Duaren and Guo Chen arrived, the expression on their faces was grave and solemn, with rage boiling underneath. Especially Guo Chen. His face darkened facing the scene of Guo Family disciples’ bodies lying in pools of their own blood.

“The Yao Family went too far!” Guo Chen roared lowly through gritted teeth, suppressing his rage. An intense hatred burned in his eyes.

Today was a big joyous occasion for the Guo Family, yet Yao Shan was so shameless as to disregard his Saint realm status, attacking Guo Tai and these disciples. This action provoked Guo Chen’s ire.

Arriving not far behind Emperor Duanren and Guo Chen were Duan Wuhen and a group of Guo Family experts.

However, the wedding was an important affair and it wouldn’t do good to miss the good hour, thus Guo Chen instructed the Guo Family experts to tidy up the matters while he seeked Huang Xiaolong’s opinion on the wedding’s arrangement, and then proceeded to send Guo Tai back to Guo Mansion with Huang Min, escorted by Guo Family experts.

“Young Lord, Yao Family’s Ancestor and those people, do you want us to…?” After Guo Tai’s group left the scene, Zhao Shu approached Huang Xiaolong, inquiring.

Huang Xiaolong shook his head instead, “No need to chase.” Although that Yao Shan was merely a Saint Third Order, with Deities Templar’s experts and Li Molin’s help, to chase up and kill him wouldn’t be an easy matter.

“Duan Ren,” Huang Xiaolong looked over to Emperor Duanren beside him, “I need to trouble you to lock down the city and search if there are any Deities Templar and Yao Family’s disciples.”

Emperor Duanren replied with prompt courtesy, “Young Noble Huang is too polite, it’s no trouble at all. It’s something we should do.”

Huang Xiaolong nodded his head.

Following Huang Xiaolong’s request, Guo Chen too sent Guo Family experts out to comb the Imperial City.

Roughly one hour later, the remaining of Guo Family’s wedding procession arrived at the Guo Mansion with Guo Tai and Huang Min. With Guo Tai and Huang Min’s safe arrival at the Guo Mansion, the Huang Family went over.

“Long’er, how about we try to make peace with the Yao Family?” on the way over, Su Yan suggested with a worried face. She had heard about the Yao Family Ancestor Yao Shan and some Deities Templar experts slaughtered many of the Guo Family’s wedding procession members midway.

Huang Xiaolong looked at his mother, noticing her deep worry lines, he shook his head saying, “Mother, even if we agree to talk peace, the Yao Family would not agree.”

Disregarding the personal grudge Huang Xiaolong had with Yao Fei, just the fact that Huang Xiaolong burned the Yao Family’s foundation of thousands of yearsㅡ Yao Manor to ashes was no different than burning all possibilities of peace between them.

Moreover, he didn’t wish to make peace with the Yao Family.

Su Yan sighed inwardly hearing her son’s answer. In fact, deep down she already knew it was useless and impossible.

“But the Deities Templar…” Su Yan hesitated. At the mention of Deities Templar, even Huang Peng revealed a worried look.

The truth was the Yao Family Ancestor wasn’t a threat, it was the Deities Templar at his back. From Zhao Shu, Zhang Fu, Yu Ming, and Fei Hou’s conversation, both Huang Peng and Su Yan understood to a certain extent what kind of terrifying existence the Deities Templar was.

A tyrannical hegemony that even the entire Duanren Empire needed to be wary of!

“Mother, Father, rest assured, a day will come when I will annihilate Deities Templar with my own hands!” Huang Xiaolong spoke the vow slowly.

And this day would not be too far away!

Both Huang Peng and Su Yan thought Huang Xiaolong was comforting them, thus neither said anything more on the topic.

About an hour later, Huang Xiaolong, Huang Peng, Su Yan, and Huang Xiaohai arrived at the Guo Mansion. When they arrived at the front entrance, the Guo Family’s Ancestor Guo Chen, Guo Shiwen, Guo Shiyuan, and Guo Tai were already waiting for them in person. Lead by Guo Chen personally, the group made their way into the main hall, sitting down in two sections.

“Emperor Duanren has arrived~!” Shortly after Huang Xiaolong and the others sat down, came Guo Family’s Chief Steward Zhang Yue’s voice announcing Emperor Duanren’s arrival from outside.

Emperor Duanren in person!

Everyone present was baffled, but they stood up and went outside to welcome the Emperor.

Regardless, today was his sister’s wedding, thus Huang Xiaolong could be considered as half a host. The Emperor personally coming for the banquet, Huang Xiaolong indeed should go and welcome him.

“Congrats, congrats, ah!” Just as Huang Xiaolong and the rest stepped over the archway, Emperor Duanren walked in with a wide smile, cupping his fists in greeting.

Huang Xiaolong and Guo Chen also cupped their fists in greeting.

Duan Wuhen following behind Emperor Duanren also cupped his fists, congratulating Huang Xiaolong and Guo Chen in a respectful manner. Other than Duan Wuhen, there was a beautiful woman with noble bearing together with them. Huang Xiaolong guessed this woman must be Duan Wuhen’s mother and he was right. Emperor Duanren introduced her as Duan Wuhen’s mother.

Emperor Duanren’s arrival instantly livened up the banquet. The many forces that came to congratulate, all stood up and saluted, a joyous mood filled the air as wine and laughter flowed.

With Emperor Duanren, the group moved to a more private hall and sat down.

However, Huang Xiaolong did not relax his vigilance. He instructed Zhao Shu, Zhang Fu, and Yu Ming to keep an eye on the surroundings for any sudden unforeseen situation. The Yao Family’s Old Ancestor may have run off after failing to achieve his goal, ambushing the wedding procession team, but Huang Xiaolong had a gut feeling that things wouldn’t end so easily.

Furthermore, there was something strange about Yao Fei’s absence today.

When the banquet’s atmosphere was at its liveliest, a Huang Family guard burst in until he was in front of Huang Xiaolong, “Young Lord, a message came, more than a dozen Nine Tripod Commerce’s branches were under brutal siege.”

More than a dozen of Nine Tripod Commerce’s branches were under brutal siege!

The big hall quieted in an instant. Countless pairs of eyes turned to look at Huang Xiaolong.

A fierce light glinted in Huang Xiaolong’s eyes, there was no need to ask, the Nine Tripod Commerce being under brutal siege must be the handiwork of the Yao Family and Deities Templar.

Chapter 242: Formless Poison

More than a dozen Nine Tripod Commerce’s branches were under brutal siege. Like Huang Xiaolong, those present at the wedding banquet easily guessed the masterminds being the Yao Family and Deities Templar. Everyone in the hall remained quiet as no one dared to interrupt Huang Xiaolong’s contemplation.

It was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

“Young Lord, should I make a trip to the branches?” Seconds ticked and Zhang Fu suddenly stood up saying.

Huang Xiaolong shook his head instead at his question, “No need.”

There were more than ten Nine Tripod Commerce branches being sieged, Zhang Fu alone, even if he knew how to split himself into a dozen body clones and went there, he might fall into the enemy’s well-laid trap. The Yao Family and Deities Templar’s purpose in attacking the Nine Tripod Commerce branches may be to draw Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu away from his side.

“How are the casualties for each branch?” Huang Xiaolong turned around, directing the question to the Huang Family guard.

“Replying to Young Lord, the disciples of these several Nine Tripod Commerce are, are…” The Huang Family guard hesitated at this point.

“Say it!” Huang Xiaolong raised his voice.

“Are almost all dead. Only a few disciples managed to escape from each branch.” The Huang Family guard blurted everything out.

Almost all dead! Huang Xiaolong’s face darkened.

Every Nine Tripod Commerce branch had at least three to four hundred disciples, a dozen branches amounted to four, five thousand disciples!

“Pass the order down, all disciples are to return and assemble back here.” Huang Xiaolong’s solemn voice sounded.

This debt, Huang Xiaolong jotted it down to be settled with the Yao Family and Deities Templar in the future!

“Yes Young Lord!” The Huang Family guard respectfully replied.

Huang Xiaolong waved the guard away. Today was his sister’s wedding, an important day for her.

Exactly at this moment, in a dilapidated abandoned courtyard on the north section of Duanren Imperial City, space fluctuated. Li Molin, Yao Family’s Ancestor Yao Shan, and the two other Deities Templar Elders emerged from the void. And together with them were Yao Fei and Ao Baixue.

Six people appeared in total. Li Molin scoffed, “I didn’t expect Huang Xiaolong, that little brat, to endure it so well, foiling our plan!”

Ao Baixue frowned deeply, “With Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu around, it’ll be difficult for us to act.”

Yao Fei snorted, “It doesn’t matter even if Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu are present, my Formless Poison is undetectable even by a high-level Saint realm expert!” As Yao Fei said this, his hand took out a dark purple jade bottle out from his spatial ring.

“Formless Poison!” The five with Yao Fei paled slightly, including the high-level Saint realm Li Molin.

The Formless Poison’s toxicity superseded all other poisons, being heralded as the king of poison. Rumor has it, the Formless Poison has neither color, taste, nor form. Totally invisible to the naked eye and senses, even high-level Saint realm experts could not detect its presence. Once someone is poisoned, other than Saint realm experts, who could suppress and gradually force out the poison with their Saint power, those of lower realms died without exception.

And the victim would be subjected to a pain like the bites from millions of ants, like the sharp fangs of millions of snakes piercing them, like the wrenching of the soul by millions of ghouls, tortured to the very last moments of death.

However, the Formless Poison was said to have been lost more than two hundred years ago, no one imagined that Yao Fei would have something like it in his possession, not even the Yao Family’s Ancestor Yao Shan.

“That’s right, Formless Poison!” Yao Fei nodded proudly, “This Formless Poison was something I got one year ago from a cave in the Raven Hills. I’ve already instructed one of the Guo Mansion’s wine servers to mix this poison into the celebration wine being served today at the banquet!”

A cruel light flashed across Yao Fei’s eyes, “When Huang Xiaolong, that punk, drinks the wine, hehe..!”

In fact, he could already imagine Huang Xiaolong’s face distorting with pain and misery. Li Molin and the rest inhaled sharply. If everything went according to what Yao Fei said, today, the Guo Manor’s wedding would be turned into a mass funeral!

Not only would Huang Xiaolong die in torment, every member of the Huang Family, all of Guo Family and its disciples, the guests that came to congratulate the Guo Family, from nobles to big and small forces’ Patriarchs, all will meet their end.

Only Guo Family’s Ancestor Guo Chen, Zhao Shu, Zhang Fu, and Emperor Duanren could survive!

“Isn’t it a bit too much this way?” Old Ancestor Yao Shan said with his brows scrunched together. “Duan Wuhen and Imperial Consort Fei are inside the Guo Mansion too.”

Duan Wuhen was Emperor Duanren’s most favored son, the successor to Duanren Empire, whereas Imperial Consort Fei was Emperor Duanren’s beloved concubine, also Duan Wuhen’s birth mother. If both of them died tragically in the Guo Mansion under the Formless Poison, their hatred would turn into a blood feud, forged into eternity!

If it came to that, the Yao Family could not be rebuilt on Duanren Empire’s land any longer!

Yao Fei knew what his family ancestor was worried about, saying: “Ancestor, Duan Ren wouldn’t let us be even if we do not kill Duan Wuhen. Since it is so, why should we need to care about a mere Duan Wuhen? Moreover, we’re going to destroy Dunren Empire sooner or later, killing Duan Wuhen now is like pulling out one of that old guy’s arms. Isn’t that much more favorable to us?”

Hearing this, Yao Shan nodded his head in agreement.

…

At this time, the Guo Manor was once again filled with a joyous mood. Mostly, it was due to Huang Xiaolong suppressing the matters related to the attack on Nine Tripod Commerce branches that the wedding banquet wasn’t affected much.

Approaching the wu hour^{, Guo Tai and Huang Min, dressed in brilliant red wedding garbs, came out to bow to heaven and earth and pay their respects to parents and elders under the ritual officer’s guidance.}

“First bow to Heaven and Earth!” The ritual officer cried at the top of his lungs.

After Guo Tai and Huang Min had done so, the ritual officer continued, “Second bow to parents!”   

Watching the two youngsters, Huang Peng and Su Yan, Guo Shiyuan, and the elders, including Huang Xiaolong were full of cheers.

Finished performing their bows to the parents, Guo Tai and Huang Min made the third and final bow towards each other as husband and wife.

Thus, the ceremony was completed.

“Wonderful! Let us move to the seats and begin the banquet.” Moments later, Guo Family’s Ancestor Guo Chen announced. Huang Xiaolong nodded.

Seeing Huang Xiaolong nodding, everyone made their way to the tables, including the guests waiting in the outer hall, consisting of Patriarch from all over Duanren Empire’s kingdoms.

Guo Shiyuan instructed Chief Steward Zhang Yue to serve the wine and dishes after getting the nod of approval from his father, Guo Chen.

“Yes!” Zhang Yue acknowledged with respect. He turned around and bellowed: “Serve the wine and dishes!”

“Serve the wine and dishes!”

The Guo Family’s servants kicked into a flurry of actions, plates after plates of dishes and jugs of wine were brought to the guests’ tables. It did not take long for them to laden the tables with fragrant, colorful dishes. There were sixteen types of dishes on every table, every delicacy from the land and sea that one could think of, cheerful laughter filled the air.

However, when Guo Tai stood up with a wine cup in his hands to toast with Huang Peng, Huang Xiaolong, and the others, Huang Xiaolong’s voice rang sharply: “Wait!”

It was too sudden that the guests were startled, all turning around to look at Huang Xiaolong.

In front of everyone, Huang Xiaolong sucked a wine urn to his hand with a single hand: “There’s something wrong with the wine!”

“What?! Something wrong with the wine?” All present were taken aback.

“This…?!” Guo Chen, Emperor Duanren, Zhao Shu, Zhang Fu exchanged a baffled glance.

Before they could say anything, a dazzling black and blue light shot out like lightning from Huang Xiaolong’s body, revealing his twin dragon martial spirits behind him. Both the black and blue dragons sucked at the wine urn, drawing strands of dark purple lights from the urn of wine, gathering in the air above, turning into a vague demonic shadow, shrieking shrilly, making everyone shudder.

1. 11 am – 1 pm