The Haoran Sword Sect acted swiftly and decisively, leaving the Wugen Sect with no opportunity to recover. They identified Xiao Wuchen's regular path through Qingfeng Town and sent three elite inner disciples, led by the eldest disciple of the sect leader, Gu Qingfeng.
Known as the "Young Hero of Haoran", Gu Qingfeng was only thirty years old, yet he had already grasped seventy percent of the essence of the Haoran Sword Technique. His sword aura was like a rainbow, fully revealing its sharpness. He wore a moon-white robe, carried a simply decorated longsword and exuded arrogance.
'Xiao Wuchen, the leader of the Wugen Sect, is nothing but a petty person who only made the list by luck with his bizarre martial arts. We are here today to ambush him and rid the martial world of this scourge. There's no need for any guilt!' Gu Qingfeng said solemnly to his two junior brothers beside him.
The location they had chosen for the ambush was a narrow mountain path outside Qingfeng Town. Dense pine forests lined both sides of the path, providing excellent concealment.
At noon, a group of disciples from the Rootless Sect appeared on the mountain path, escorting a simple sedan chair.
"Attack!" Gu Qingfeng shouted, taking the lead.
Moving like an arrow released from a bow, he instantly drew his longsword and advanced with a light step.Sword Qi vs. Hidden Weapons
Gu Qingfeng's swordsmanship was diverse and honourable. He thrust his sword forward, the powerful internal energy propelling the blade and producing a clear humming sound. Even before the tip of the sword reached its target, the pure and righteous sword qi swept out directly towards the sedan chair. Inside the sedan chair, Xiao Wuchen snorted coldly. 'A mere trick, yet you dare call it righteous?' He closed his eyes slightly, his fingers twitching. As if possessed by life, two judge's pens slid out from his wide sleeves and were held between his fingers. [Purple Qi Brushing Willows]! Xiao Wuchen activated the martial art that he had just successfully fused. His internal energy had transformed from a fierce impact into two supple, purple streams, coiling around the pens. Just as the righteous sword qi was about to touch the sedan chair, the two judges' pens were ejected. Rather than clashing head-on with the sword energy, they flew around it in an incredible spiral trajectory, avoiding its strongest point — like two willow leaves fluttering in the wind. "What?!" Gu Qingfeng exclaimed in shock. His sword energy was straight and powerful, while the two hidden weapons were incredibly soft and yielding, seemingly impervious to force and easily bypassing his defences. They were aimed at Gu Qingfeng's Hegu acupoint on his sword-wielding wrist. This was the weakest point in his swordsmanship. Flexible as silk, gone with the wind. Gu Qingfeng reacted extremely quickly, forcefully twisting his wrist to avoid the vital point. However, the judge's pens displayed the characteristic of 'gone with the wind' — they suddenly stopped in mid-air and then slightly adjusted their angle, shooting towards another major acupoint on the inside of his wrist. Xiao Wuchen's mocking voice drifted from inside the sedan chair: 'Young Master Gu, your sword is too straight... "Righteousness isn't just about brute force." Gu Qingfeng had no way of dodging and could only parry with his blade. "Clang! Two metallic clangs rang out as the Judge's Pen was knocked away. However, Gu Qingfeng felt a tingling sensation in his wrist and his internal energy stalled briefly. Even more terrifying was the fact that the force that struck his wrist wasn't a thrust, but a binding force! His internal energy was momentarily bound by that supple purple energy, almost unable to be released. This was the unique effect of the Purple Energy Swaying Willow — a binding internal energy as supple as silk. "How strange!" Gu Qingfeng was shocked, knowing this was no ordinary hidden weapon technique.
Xiao Wuchen appeared. Gu Qingfeng sheathed his sword, took a step back and watched the sedan chair warily. His two junior brothers were also held back by disciples of the Rootless Sect. 'Since you've already made it onto the Human Ranking, why hide? Are you afraid of the righteous spirit of my Haoran Sword Sect?' Gu Qingfeng shouted. The sedan curtain was gently lifted by a fair, hairless hand. Xiao Wuchen stepped out slowly, wearing a magnificent purple robe tied with a jade belt. His face was handsome, though slightly pale, and his phoenix eyes calmly looked at Gu Qingfeng. 'Hide? I only want to let Young Hero Gu know that your proud, righteous spirit is nothing but a paper tiger in front of me.' The two judges' pens in his hands gleamed with purple light, like two venomous fangs ready to strike at any moment. 'You are the "Purger" of the Haoran Sword Sect? Very well. Today, I'll show you that the ultimate yin-soft martial arts can be more despairing than your righteous spirit!" As soon as he had finished speaking, he disappeared from the spot like a ghost. — The heroic young master, Gu Qingfeng, was deeply impressed by Xiao Wuchen's Purple Qi Sweeping Willows.