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Page 90
"Perhaps, she doesn't remember herself. Maybe it was just a physical reaction?"
This explanation was somewhat far-fetched, but Tian Jinzhong didn't think much of it, assuming that the poor girl was a skilled martial artist before she lost her memory.
But what happened next was increasingly beyond his comprehension.
The three camped out in the wild that night, with Zhang Yunyuan and Tian Jinzhong taking turns keeping watch.
When it was Tian Jinzhong's turn, he was dozing off against a big tree when suddenly, a very faint breeze carrying a fishy smell came from the grass not far away.
He suddenly opened his eyes, about to issue a warning.
Feng Baobao, who was sleeping not far away, had already sat up.
Her eyes, still bright in the night, locked onto the patch of grass. Then, she picked up a branch and tossed it aside.
The branches whistled through the air and disappeared into the darkness.
A short, piercing scream came from the bushes, then abruptly stopped.
Tian Jinzhong mustered his courage and went over to take a look. He saw a highly venomous viper, as thick as an arm, pinned to the ground by a tree branch at its seven-inch mark.
Tian Jinzhong looked at the dead snake with its eyes wide open, then at Feng Baobao, who had already lay down again as if nothing had happened, and felt a chill run down his spine.
This girl... is too strange, isn't she?
Zhang Yunyuan could only continue to use "physical instinct" as an excuse.
But he knew that he wouldn't be able to use this excuse many more times.
The three of them traveled towards the heart of western Hunan, a place with high mountains and dense forests, a fierce and valiant people, and many ancient sects and families. It was a place where hidden talents resided, and also the most suitable place to hide.
Just as they were about to arrive at a small town in western Hunan, they encountered trouble again.
Several figures appeared without warning on the mountain path in front of them, blocking their way.
Those people were dressed in uniform dark-colored close-fitting clothes, and the hem of each garment was embroidered with the same family crest composed of intricate patterns.
Zhang Yunyuan's heart sank instantly.
The leader was an arrogant young man, Lü Zhong, a junior member of the Lü family.
Twenty years ago, when Zhang Yunyuan attended the Lü family's birthday banquet and crippled his uncle Lü Yan with a single palm strike, Lü Zhongcai had just been born and had never experienced it.
Otherwise, they should at least tone it down a bit.
"Gentlemen, what is the meaning of this?"
Tian Jinzhong stepped forward, shielding Zhang Yunyuan and Feng Baobao behind him, and asked in a deep voice.
Lu Zhong ignored him, his sharp, hawk-like eyes passing right past him and locking onto Zhang Yunyuan.
His eyes held an undisguised scrutiny and coldness.
"Oh, aren't these Taoist Master Jinzhong and Taoist Master Yunyuan from Longhu Mountain?"
His voice carried a hint of flippancy and disdain.
"Where are you headed, looking so hurried?"
Zhang Yunyuan's mind raced.
He knew things were in trouble.
After the Jia Shen Rebellion, all sects and factions were searching for the whereabouts of the Thirty-Six Thieves, hoping to obtain the astonishing skills they had comprehended.
His second senior brother, Zhang Huaiyi, is one of the Thirty-Six Thieves. He possesses the secret of the "Qi Body Source Flow" and has long been the number one target in the eyes of all the top forces in the world.
As one of the four major families, the Lü family was ambitious and naturally wouldn't let go of this clue.
They sent a group of people to find Zhang Huaiyi, but instead of finding him, they had their memories wiped and were sent back, spouting nonsense about the work of some strange person from Japan.
The Lü family wasn't stupid. After Japan's defeat, almost all the supernatural beings in Japan were wiped out.
The Lü family personally participated in the extermination operation.
The patriarch, Lü Shou, immediately realized that the memories of these people had been altered.
In other words, besides Duanmu Ying, who was imprisoned by them, there are other dual-wielders in this world!
Upon hearing this conclusion, the Lü family became immediately excited.
They were worried that relying solely on the blood of Duanmu Ying wouldn't be enough to awaken many successors of the Minghun Technique.
If we catch another one, wouldn't the efficiency double?
The Lü family immediately dispatched people to retrace the route, determined to find the owner of the dual-wielding hand.
To ensure the operation went perfectly, this time it was Lü Ci, the next head of the Lü family, who personally led the team.
And, by sheer coincidence, the Lü family and Zhang Yunyuan bumped into each other here.
"We're just passing through and need to rest in the town ahead."
Zhang Yunyuan answered calmly, but inwardly he was on high alert.
Lu Zhong sneered: "Two Taoist priests, there's no need to be nervous."
“Your senior brother, Zhang Huaiyi, one of the Thirty-Six Thieves, is hiding very well. We have been looking for him for a long time.”
"Since we can't find him, we'll have to invite you two to visit our Lu family."
"I think he would be happy to come and pick you up."
Chapter 104 A Narrow Encounter, A Fierce Battle Against Lü Ci
As soon as Lü Zhong finished speaking, the air in the mountain path seemed to freeze.
The last trace of hope vanished from Tian Jinzhong's honest face, replaced by a resolute solemnity.
He let out a muffled shout, and a golden light flashed around his body as he assumed the stance for the Golden Light Mantra of Longhu Mountain.
"If you don't eat the toast, you will be punished with a drink."
A cruel smile curled at the corner of Lü Zhong's lips, his eyes now devoid of any pretense.
However, he did not give the order immediately, but instead respectfully took half a step back, giving up his position.
From behind him, an even more imposing and intimidating figure slowly emerged.
The man was about forty years old, with a rugged face and a hideous scar running from his left eyebrow to the corner of his mouth, giving him an aura of fierceness that made him unapproachable.
He simply stood there, and an immense, tangible pressure spread out like a tide, making it hard for people to breathe.
This man is none other than Lü Ci, the second son of Lü Shou, the current pillar of the Lü family, and a madman known throughout the world for his ruthless and domineering "Ruyi Jin" technique!
Lu Zhong was his most proud son, and the most promising young man in the Lu family to inherit his mantle and carry on the family's glory.
Lu Ci's gaze, sharp as a hawk's, swept over everyone and locked onto Tian Jinzhong. In his eyes, there was no frivolity like Lu Zhong's, only pure indifference that regarded human life as worthless.
"The Golden Light Mantra of Longhu Mountain is indeed the best defensive technique in the world."
Lu Ci spoke slowly, his voice hoarse, like two pieces of sandpaper rubbing together.
"Unfortunately, the wrong person was chosen."
He raised his hand and waved it casually.
"Move them! Take them back!"
At his command, Lü Zhong immediately understood and, leading the Lü family guards behind him, pounced on Zhang Yunyuan and Feng Baobao like hungry wolves!
A fierce battle broke out in an instant!
"Baby, come behind me."
Zhang Yunyuan's voice remained calm. He gently pulled Feng Baobao behind him, while he himself faced the several fierce-looking guards.
Feng Baobao seemed completely oblivious to the tense atmosphere. She took out a dried sweet potato from her pocket, squatted down behind Zhang Yunyuan, and began to eat it expressionlessly. Her clear eyes reflected the fighting in front of her, without the slightest ripple of emotion.
On the other side, Tian Jinzhong was already locked in battle with Lü Ci, the true backbone of the Lü family.
"Golden Light Curse!"
Tian Jinzhong gave a low shout, not daring to be negligent in the slightest. The thick and condensed golden light was like a huge golden bell, protecting his body completely and making him as steady as Mount Tai.
A hint of undisguised disdain flashed in Lü Ci's eyes. With a swift movement, she did not confront him head-on, but instead, like a ghost, circled around to Tian Jinzhong's flank.
He formed his five fingers into claws, and the Qi energy on his arms twisted and coiled in an extremely strange way, like a venomous snake waiting for an opportunity, bypassing the thickest frontal defense of the Golden Bell and going straight for Tian Jinzhong's ribs!
Tian Jinzhong dared not be careless and quickly stepped aside. The golden bell swirled around him, narrowly blocking the extremely tricky attack.
With a muffled thud, Tian Jinzhong felt a sinister and vicious spiraling force penetrate the golden light's defense and fiercely drill into his body, causing his blood to surge and almost making him vomit blood.
He was horrified, and only then did he truly realize that there was a world of difference between himself and the seemingly reckless madman of the Lü family in terms of practical experience and understanding of "force"!
Tian Jinzhong had a solid foundation and could use the Golden Light Mantra with unwavering stability, but he was completely outmatched by Lü Ci's ever-changing and ruthless Ruyi Jin, and could only passively parry his moves.
Lu Ci's offensive was like a raging torrent, relentless and continuous. At times it was like a steel whip, powerful and heavy, striking fiercely; at other times it was like a sharp cone, insidious and vicious, piercing and penetrating.
Every move he made precisely targeted the weak points in Tian Jinzhong's Golden Light Mantra's activation, his style was extremely aggressive and ruthless, giving his opponent no chance to breathe.
Tian Jinzhong was completely on the defensive, and could only push the Golden Light Mantra to its limit. Like a rock that could withstand wind and rain, he struggled to hold on in the storm. It was only a matter of time before he was defeated.
Zhang Yunyuan, on the other hand, seemed much more relaxed and at ease.
Although those guards from the Lü family were second-rate fighters, in his eyes they were no different from toddlers learning to walk.
He didn't even use lightning magic; with only the most basic fist and foot techniques and his impeccable timing, he neutralized all of their attacks in a very small space.
His movements were elusive; he would always strike at the most vulnerable moment, just before the opponent's force was about to be unleashed, with a clever sidestep or a simple block, causing the opponent's powerful attack to miss its mark, or even causing the opponent to lose their composure and become disheveled due to excessive force.
The feeling wasn't like a life-or-death battle, but more like a martial arts master casually instructing a few good-for-nothing juniors.
Lu Ci lashed Tian Jinzhong's Golden Light Curse with a whip kick, causing him to take another step back. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that his useless clansmen couldn't even subdue a boy and a silly girl, and he couldn't help but shout angrily.
His offensive changed again, no longer probing. The Qi in his palm suddenly condensed into a spiral spike. The spike spun at high speed, with a sharp whistling sound that tore through the air, and instantly pierced through the golden light flowing in front of Tian Jinzhong at an unbelievable angle!
This Ruyi Jin strike was extremely cunning and ruthless!
Tian Jinzhong's expression changed drastically, and in his haste, he could only cross his arms to barely block the fatal blow.
A tremendous force crashed down, causing Tian Jinzhong's blood to surge and his footing to falter. He stumbled back seven or eight steps before finally regaining his balance, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
Lu Ci had already reached the peak of the Heroic Realm, while Tian Jinzhong was only at the late stage of the Heroic Realm.
Their practical experience is also far inferior to the former.