Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 557: Who Carries More Weight

Whether it was the Blank Fiend or the Twin Fiends of Hejian, they were all elders of the martial world’s previous generation. 

Li Mochou, relying on the Ancient Tomb Sect’s ultimate techniques and her combat prowess, could barely hold off one of them. Now, with all three attacking her from different angles, how could she possibly withstand them?

However, Li Mochou, who had long wandered between life and death, reacted swiftly. She first fired several Ice Soul needles, forcing the Blank Fiend back, and then used her whisk to block the Twin Fiends’ acupoint-sealing pegs and judge’s pens.

The Twin Fiends cooperated seamlessly. Both extended two fingers imbued with ‘One Finger Zen’ from opposite sides, striking toward her. Suddenly, a black mist rose from Li Mochou’s palm, which she raised to meet Bu Tai’s fingers. The impact sent her flying back a step, narrowly avoiding Hao Mi’s strike.

Seeing her fend off three veteran masters in a flash, the crowd burst into loud cheers.

Bu Tai shot a vicious glare at the onlookers, and the tavern fell silent. He lifted his darkening fingers, his face changing slightly. “Five Poison Palm!”

“How does the taste of my Five Poison Palm feel?” Li Mochou smiled faintly, though her heart was bitter. The earlier exchange had successfully poisoned her opponent, but her own arm had gone numb from the impact. It was unlikely she could use it again anytime soon.

With an arm crippled, she could no longer use her whisk in tandem with the Five Poison Palm and Frozen Soul Needles. This would cut her combat power in half. If these three worked together, she’d fall within thirty moves.

“Senior Brother, expel the poison quickly!” Hao Mi urged, shielding his brother while blocking Li Mochou’s escape route.

In Hao Mi’s view, as long as the three of them remained in good shape, capturing Li Mochou would be easy. There was no need to rush, especially with the Mount Hua Sect lurking nearby, watching like hawks. If that hypocrite Yue Buqun struck Bu Tai during his detoxification, it would be impossible to guard against.

Bu Tai gave a slight nod and closed his eyes to expel the poison. Beads of black blood oozed from his fingertips.

The Blank Fiend, though furious at his earlier loss, was now cautious. While he wanted to reclaim his honor, he had to admit that he had underestimated this woman. With the Twin Fiends remaining still, he was wary of rushing in recklessly.

With each harboring their own thoughts, the situation remained in a tense stalemate.

Mu Wanqing, aware of the delicate balance, hesitated to pursue Song Qingshu any further. She wanted to help Li Mochou but feared her involvement might shatter the fragile equilibrium, sparking a violent conflict.

“Hey, come over here,” Mu Wanqing suddenly called to Song Qingshu, noticing the absence of panic in his gaze.

“I’m not coming. If I do, you’ll kill me,” Song Qingshu replied, shaking his head firmly.

Mu Wanqing took a deep breath, calming her rising anger. “I promise I won’t kill you.”

“And you can’t hit me either,” Song Qingshu quickly added.

Mu Wanqing froze for a moment. For some reason, his tone reminded her of someone she’d met on Mount Hua.

A strange feeling stirred within her, softening her voice. “I won’t hit you.”

“Alright.” Only then did Song Qingshu reluctantly walk over.

“Who do you think will win?” Mu Wanqing asked, though she already had her answer.

“Do you really need to ask?” Song Qingshu scoffed. “Of course, those three old monsters will win. They’re just overthinking things and forgot that this so-called Red Fairy is already running on fumes.”

“Shut up!” Mu Wanqing snapped, both furious and anxious. His unlucky words could doom Li Mochou!

Li Mochou glared at him as well. She had been carefully regulating her breathing, and her arm was slowly regaining feeling. Now, thanks to his interruption, the enemy wouldn’t give her any more time.

Sure enough, the Blank Fiend, noticing her expression change, chuckled wickedly. “My beauty, I was careless earlier and let you take advantage of me. Why don’t we play a little more now?”

With that, he steadied his breath and began advancing toward Li Mochou.

Sweat beaded at Li Mochou’s temples. She had already decided—if today were her last, she would take at least one of them down with her.

“Stop!” Mu Wanqing rushed forward, raising her sword to stand beside Li Mochou.

“Oh ho, before I could even enjoy the big beauty, a little beauty has come over, all jealous,” the Blank Fiend sneered lewdly, clearly dismissing Mu Wanqing.

Li Mochou frowned. “Step aside. You’re no match for him.”

“I, Mu Wanqing, distinguish clearly between gratitude and grudges. You saved me; how could I abandon you?” Mu Wanqing shook her head, determined to stay.

“Your martial arts are too weak. If you stay, I’ll only have to protect you,” Li Mochou said, her voice tinged with rare warmth. She had long grown accustomed to the cold-heartedness of people—even her own disciples had betrayed her in times of crisis. Yet, this stranger was willing to face death alongside her.

A rare feeling of warmth rose within Li Mochou’s heart. No matter what, she decided, she would ensure Mu Wanqing’s safety today.

“Miss Mu, listen to me. These men are despicable. If you stay, you’ll only endanger yourself. I’ll cover your escape. When you meet Song Qingshu again, tell him that my debt to him is repaid.”

Song Qingshu was stunned upon hearing this. He had only saved her on a whim, snatching her from Master Xuanzheng’s grasp. Yet, she had remembered the favor all along, willing to sacrifice her life to repay him.

With the Ancient Tomb Sect’s Qinggong, Li Mochou had a good chance of escaping if she truly wanted to. But she stayed, unwilling to let Mu Wanqing fall into the enemy’s hands and suffer humiliation.

To think that a ruthless woman like Li Mochou could be so loyal and sentimental—it left Song Qingshu deeply moved.

Mu Wanqing felt even more touched. But as the Blank Fiend continued closing in, she suddenly shouted in desperation, “Stop! Do you know who I am?”

The fiend paused, entertained by the panic in her eyes. “Oh? And just who might you be?”

Though reluctant to invoke her father’s name, Mu Wanqing knew she had no choice. She bit her lip and stood tall. “I am the Princess of Dali! My father is Duan Zhengchun, Prince of the South. My uncle is Emperor Duan Zhengming. If you harm us, the Duan clan will not forgive you!”

“The Duan clan of Dali?” The Blank Fiend blinked, then burst into laughter. “Duan Yanqing, the head of the Four Evils, couldn’t make me flinch—why should I fear a pillow-stuffing prince like Duan Zhengchun?”

Hao Mi sneered. “We’ve long wanted to visit Dali. Let’s see if your clan’s ‘One Yang Finger’ is stronger than our ‘One Finger Zen’.”

Dali was far to the south, while their Qinghai Sect dominated the western regions. The Duan clan was hardly a concern.

Seeing that invoking the Duan name was futile, and with the fiends advancing again, Mu Wanqing grew anxious. Desperately, she blurted out, “I am also the woman of the Golden Serpent King!” 

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