Ling Xian'er's gaze flashed. Catching sight of the Western Sacred Matron, Chen Jinfeng, her fury surged uncontrollably. She said through clenched teeth,
"Chen Jinfeng, you vicious woman! Back then you faked your death, and Hall Master Wu of the Loyalty Hall chose to let the matter rest. Who would have thought you would still harbor hatred and malicious intent? At this point there is no other choice—I must personally put an end to you!"
Chen Jinfeng was like old ginger and cassia bark—the older, the sharper. She sneered,
"What are you getting so arrogant for, little girl? Do you think this old woman fears you? Let's fight bare-handed!"
With a casual flick, she hurled her sword away. It plunged straight into the ground, leaving only the hilt exposed. Secretly, she calculated that her reinforcements had not yet arrived. For now, she would stall for time. Though Ling Xian'er's techniques were formidable, her inner strength did not yet inspire fear. If Chen Jinfeng fought steadily, she might still find a chance to escape.
"Madman of the West" Situ Kong let out a bitter laugh and said,
"Little girl, this woman looks kind but has a wicked heart—vicious beyond measure. I once thought she was Guanyin Bodhisattva herself! She treated me to fine food and wine, but secretly drugged my meal with a power-dissolving poison. I nearly lost my life. You must be careful!"
Situ Kong had always concealed his skills carefully, yet he had been targeted by Chen Jinfeng nonetheless.
Ling Xian'er replied,
"Thank you for the warning, Senior. Such a vicious woman—I'll deal with her first today!"
Before her words had finished, her figure shot forward, skimming sideways through the air. She unleashed the Seven Supremes Palm, the move "Willow Mist Like Woven Silk." Palms fell like rain, swift and ruthless—truly like a tiger pouncing or an eagle seizing prey.
Chen Jinfeng saw Ling Xian'er descend from midair with splitting palms and felt a chill in her heart. Her footwork shifted rapidly as her hands immediately blocked and dismantled the attack, repeatedly driving the Nine Heavens Heavenly Gang Palm. The two exchanged blows, each displaying unique mastery. In the blink of an eye, more than twenty moves had passed.
Then Chen Jinfeng pressed down with her left hand while her right palm struck forward with a whoosh. The strike was not particularly fast, yet it carried the faint rumble of wind and thunder—this was "Thunder on Flat Ground," a signature move of the Nine Heavens Heavenly Gang Palm.
Unexpectedly, Ling Xian'er was astonishingly swift. Rather than retreat, she stepped forward to meet it head-on. Smack! With a single-arm surge of strength, she knocked the incoming palm aside. Instantly she followed with "The Guest Turns Host," leaping into the air and striking downward. Palm wind howled, fast as lightning.
But Chen Jinfeng was seasoned and slippery. Sensing danger, she withdrew just in time, sealing her guard with both palms. Her body spun sharply, and she chopped sideways, launching a sudden counteroffensive. Thus the two dismantled another thirty moves.
Ling Xian'er suddenly let out a long whistle and surged forward in a fierce barrage. Chen Jinfeng could no longer hold her ground and hastily dodged aside.
Ling Xian'er shouted,
"Your crimes deserve death—take your life!"
With a tap of her toe, she unleashed the Feather Plume Palm, the move "Fluttering Feathers in Flight." Her body lifted into the air, skimming like a swallow over water, both palms striking straight toward Chen Jinfeng's chest.
Chen Jinfeng twisted to evade. Ling Xian'er cried,
"Take this!"
A palm struck Chen Jinfeng's left rear shoulder—when suddenly a voice shouted,
"Stop!"
Two figures flashed in. Wu Tong tapped the ground and leapt into the air. Shadows crossed; several palm strikes sounded in midair. The four landed separately. The newcomers were "Thousand-Mile Lone Walker" Liu Guang and Jia Yong.
Liu Guang called out,
"Western Sacred Matron, go first! We'll cover the rear!"
Chen Jinfeng, sprawled in disarray, struggled up and hastily straightened her appearance.
Ling Xian'er steadied herself, her anger rising even higher. She spoke pointedly, her voice cold,
"Are the two of you here to kneel and beg forgiveness again?"
Jia Yong snapped,
"Back then the Old Man of Tianshan backed you—do you really think your martial arts are that formidable?"
Wu Tong turned his eyes toward them, inwardly astonished, and said,
"So it's you two—no harm done, I trust? Why are your tempers still so fierce?"
As she prepared to leave, Chen Jinfeng did not forget to spit venomous words:
"Wu Tong—today's humiliation will be repaid in full someday!"
As the saying goes: repay kindness even for a meal, avenge grudges even for a glare.
Suddenly, a figure streaked out like a heavenly startled swan, carrying a fierce gust of wind, charging straight toward Chen Jinfeng. At the same moment, another figure leapt up to intercept. Quick-eyed and fast-handed, he rushed in, flicked his wrist, and struck with a horizontal palm. After a few rapid exchanges, their palms collided with a bang, and both sprang backward.
That man was Jia Yong.
He shouted urgently,
"Chen Jinfeng, stop talking—go, now!"
At that instant, Chen Jinfeng suddenly turned and saw Wu Tong gliding through the air. She turned pale with shock.
Wu Tong slashed out with his blade. In that split second, Liu Guang hurriedly struck with a palm toward Wu Tong. Wu Tong's blade cut out—but from the corner of his eye he saw Liu Guang charging in. The saber force twisted mid-strike; blade energy surged and withdrew. The blade edge swept past Chen Jinfeng's hair bun, instantly shaving off a large lock of hair. Her hairpins scattered, her coiffure in chaos—utterly disheveled.
Wu Tong spun sharply. His figure flashed, and the blade reversed with him, stabbing straight toward Liu Guang's chest.
Liu Guang was terrified. He had meant to "besiege Wei to rescue Zhao," yet now had become the target himself. He staggered backward several zhang in retreat.
Chen Jinfeng seized the chance to flee, turning to deploy her lightness skill and leap into the air.
Wu Tong shouted,
"Where do you think you're going?!"
Before the words faded, his left palm struck through the air. Palm force burst forth like an invisible blade, smashing into Chen Jinfeng's left rear shoulder.
She let out a muffled groan and fell from the air, skidding across the ground for several zhang before stopping. She spat out a mouthful of blood.
These techniques had now been used for the second time today. Even Situ Kong, the "Madman of the West," stood dumbfounded, then burst into a shout of praise, filled with admiration.
At that moment, Chen Jinfeng's personal maids—Taohua, Lihua, Mudan, and Lanhua—rushed forward with swords, forming a protective ring around her.
Liu Guang shouted urgently,
"A sword—now!"
Taohua tossed him a sword. Liu Guang caught it and yelled,
"Go—quickly! I'll hold them off!"
Chen Jinfeng dared not say another word. Without looking back, escorted by her maids, she fled at once.
Only then did "Thousand-Mile Lone Walker" Liu Guang's gaze harden. His muscles tensed, breath gathered sharply. With a sudden long whistle, he launched his sword—swift as lightning, the blade splitting the wind with ferocious speed…