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I'm good without. With a group fight this large it makes sense that everyone on the one side is protecting each other from taking lethal blows.
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[LP CYOA] 傳
- Thread starter treave
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Duel at Black Dragon Gate
Pointing his arms towards Zhang Jue, Yang Xue shouts, unleashing his Xixing Great Skill. This time, the move is targeted and focused on a single area. The wall under the Southern Maniac’s feet begins to crumble, weakened by the powerful pull from the skill. Zhang Jue leaps into the rainy skies before it collapses entirely.
That is exactly Yang Xue wants. He kicks off from the ground with a powerful stomp, flying off to meet Zhang in battle – in aerial combat, his Wuying Leipo Kick is unmatched.
“Shadowless Thunder Breaker!”
Yang Xue’s kick moves so fast that it seems like he has sprouted another eleven legs to your eye. Kicks rain down on Zhang Jue from all directions, almost simultaneously, each of them thrown with enough power to fell a master-level opponent. He manages to evade the first two in mid-air, but is forced to block the third. There is a loud bang, coinciding with a flash of lightning streaking through the sky. You can see Master Zhang grit his teeth under the force of that blow. The rest of the kicks home in on him with deadly accuracy, looking to finish him off.
“Raging Claws of the Mad Lion!”
Zhang Jue retaliates, counter-attacking upwards at the last second. His claws, sharpened and strengthened by his considerable internal energy, lash out at Yang Xue with blinding speed. With a grunt of effort, Yang Xue stops his assault of kicks, pulling back before Zhang’s blows can land. Spinning around, he changes his pattern and unleashes a flurry of swooping claws to match Zhang’s own. The two exchange moves as they float downwards with their qinggong – the wild bursts of qi from their attacks fly outwards, gouging long lines in earth and sky. To your eyes, it seems that Master Zhang appears to be gaining the advantage, bit by bit. Pulling off a quick, deceptive movement from the Claws of the Hidden Tiger, he manages to outmaneuver Yang Xue and grab his opponent’s arms by the wrists. Shouting, he forces the old man’s bony arms apart, his own muscles bulging as he strains to do so. Yang Xue too is screaming in rage, attempting to overcome the Southern Maniac’s restraints. With a powerful effort, Zhang Jue spins the old man upside down. His subsequent roar is loud enough to drown out the thunder. Raindrops are scattered in a wide area as Zhang Jue, focusing all of his qi into his right hand, sinks his claws into Yang Xue’s belly. His fingers twist and turn, digging into the old, withered flesh. Baring his ancient gums, Yang strikes out at Zhang, his bony elbows landing powerful strikes that ripple the Southern Maniac’s back. Zhang Jue does not let go. He charges downwards, using his power and momentum to smash Yang into the ground. The muddy ground around them gives way, and a crater is formed under an impact so strong that you are almost blown off your feet.
Steam rises where the rain hits the ground, forming a light mist that covers the torn-up field in front of the crumbling Black Dragon fortress.
You crawl back to your feet. Did Master Zhang do it?
You see Master Zhang standing above the crater, his breathing slightly heavy. Blood streams from his back and his mouth, and his right arm appears to be injured. “The crater is… empty?” he murmurs. Suddenly, he braces himself. A skinny foot blasts forth from underneath the earth, breaking through the rock. The attack is sufficiently powerful to rip past Zhang Jue’s guard, sending him hurtling away. Cackling, Yang Xue breaks free from the ground and bounds after Zhang. Blood spills from his abdomen, yet he does not appear to be bothered. “Excellent! Excellent! I have not had such an interesting battle in a long time! My blood has not heated up like this ever since facing those so-called orthodox pugilists, the traitors from Wudang and Shaolin! Come, entertain me more!”
Zhang Jue only manages to get up in the nick of time, still groggy from Yang’s surprise attack. He fends off the old man’s powerful attacks, but somehow Yang Xue has managed to draw out even more power and speed from within himself… his internal energy seems to be endless. Step by step, Zhang is forced back, though with every blow he suffers the grin on his face grows. His spirit is unbreakable.
Still, the situation does not seem good. You weigh the risks of going in to assist your master… you may have no choice.
Howling victoriously, Yang Xue pushes Zhang Jue’s arms apart with a forceful chop. Having carved out this opportunity, the old man claps both his hands together on Zhang’s head, his fingers digging into his temples. “Now, have another taste of my Xixing Great Skill!” Zhang Jue growls as the drain on his internal energy starts to take its toll – though he tries, he is unable to break Yang Xue’s grip. Your master begins to visibly weaken.
A loud roar hurts your ears. A flash of lightning illuminates the rain. A powerful gust of wind blasts past you. Yang Xue turns, but this time he is a fraction of a second too late.
Vairya’s fists sink into the old man’s side. Yang Xue shouts, stamping his feet into the ground as he takes the full force of the Amesha Spenta’s most powerful attack. Blood spurts from his lips, the earth cracks, and the land behind him is practically flattened.
You have to wonder just how much longer the ground can take this sort of abuse.
Yang Xue holds. Just for a second. Then, he is flung off with a yell, skidding to a halt a short distance away. He remains on his feet, however. His breathing is ragged as he clutches his belly. Vairya does not let up – he continues his attack without giving Yang Xue any respite. The rain sliding off his polished body, he throws down blow after blow upon the old man, hammering away with his fists. Yang Xue is forced to step back, only barely fending off Vairya’s assault. He darts behind a tree, which shatters with a single blow from the Amesha Spenta. Moving away, Yang reaches another tree, as wide around as a human, and he places one hand upon its bark as if to support himself.
His fingers burrow into the wood, and then he single-handedly uproots the tree. Whirling around, he swings it at his enemy.
Vairya meets it with his fists, attempting to break it as he did the last, but too late he realizes that Yang Xue has infused the wood with his powerful qi. He ends up being slammed into the ground by the tree. As Yang raises the long, heavy lumber over his head to crush Vairya, the Sword Saint jumps in to intercept the blow. The Zhanlu Sword cuts into the tree and repels it, throwing the massive piece of wood back.
Yang Xue grabs the tree with both hands to balance himself and twists his fingers, channeling his internal energy throughout its entire length. It splits apart, the branches and leaves falling off, the ends of the tree flaking away until what is left looks like a gigantic spear. He twirls it over his head expertly, handling it with greater ease than any spear master would with a normal-sized one, and drives the Sword Saint back with a flurry of precise jabs. Even Shangguan Chuji has no room to launch any ripostes under Yang Xue’s masterful spear assault. He desperately brings the Zhanlu Sword in front of him – the tip of the spear smashes against the flat of the blade with a loud bang. The Sword Saint is launched into the sky from the explosive force of Yang Xue’s thrust. If he had been wielding any other sword, it is likely that the spear would have shattered the blade and run him through.
Yang Xue laughs proudly. “With spear in hand I am unparalleled under the heavens!” He raises the massive polearm, larger and wider than he is, with only one hand. Yang begins advancing towards your master, who is attempting to recuperate from the fight. The Sword Saint has landed a considerable distance away, and Vairya is still dizzy from being smashed with the tree. Ameretat is taking care of the other wounded pugilists; Yang Xue’s attacks have done quite a number on them.
You shrug and sigh. “Oh, bother.”
The giant spear jabs forward. Inches away from Zhang Jue, its massive bulk shudders, and it glances off to the side. The deviation is slight, but it is enough for him to evade the attack. Yang Xue turns, his sewn-shut eyes seeking you out. Your palm is outstretched, having used The Lone Dragon Battles in the Wilderness to knock the spear off its trajectory from a distance.
“I’ll play with you, Gramps!” you shout, running towards him.
“Take this, my Conqueror’s Spear!” roars Yang Xue, swinging the spear around to meet you.
The tip of the polearm snakes towards you, the trunk of the tree appearing to bend in mid-air. Reading his moves with Wuxiang Qiankun, you know that it is too fast for you to evade: even if you avoid the sharp end, Yang Xue is skilled enough to strike at you with the pole. The point of the spear gouges your side as you try to dart past – and as expected, he swings at you. You were counting on that. Raising the Chixiao Sword, you block the swing in a manner similar to the Sword Saint. Using your knowledge of Taiji, you absorb as much force as you can and disperse it by twisting your body. The remaining power behind the strike is still strong enough to send you flying, but at least you are alive.
Reaching out, you cast out strings of spider silk at the surrounding trees still standing. You manage to knot a few – gripping the strings firmly, you swing yourself around Yang Xue. He whirls around to track you, thrusting his spear upwards. You let go of the strings; the spear passes just under you, splitting the spider silk into fine pieces. Somersaulting in the air, you land on the tree-spear and run down it, towards the old man. The red gleam of the Chixiao Sword shines brighter as a chaotic swirl of energy forms around it. “Red Cloud Sword!” You leap forward, combining this technique with the Fiery Flight of the Vermillion Phoenix. Your powerful swings tear up chunks of the spear under your feet as you close the last gap between you and Yang Xue. Still holding on to his spear, his head bobs and weaves as he narrowly evades the first three strikes. On the fourth, he spins the spear, attempting to make you lose your footing. You hop up and link your fifth strike with another use of the spider silk, wrapping it around his head to steady yourself. You yell out. The sixth slash closes in on his neck. Yang Xue is forced to free one hand from the spear to block it. His fingers close around the red blade – this time, it cuts into the palm of his hand, and the blood causes the Chixiao Sword to glow an even more brilliant crimson.
Yang Xue roars, and pushes back. In a contest of strength, it is a foregone conclusion. You know that, at least. After resisting for only a second, you let go of the sword. He overreaches, losing his balance. This is the real chance you have been waiting for, after feints upon feints upon feints – luring the opponent into extending themselves too far is the first step of the Deceptive Fish Stab.
Yang Xue lets go of the spear fully, his other hand rising up to compensate for his mistake by crushing your skull. The Yuchang Sword appears in your hand as if by magic – using your sleight-of-hand skills, you draw it from your clothes in an instant, unnoticed to the blind old man. His clawed hand hesitates for just a split-second as he hears the ring of the sword leaving its scabbard. That is all you need.
Lastly, the Golden Fangs of the White Tiger.
And the Reflective Blade’s Shadow.
The Yuchang Sword bursts forth from its sheath, infused with the full power of your internal energy. The shadowy darkness engulfing the blade slowing and speeding it up erratically. You shout, guiding the sword on a snaking path that bends around Yang’s outstretched arms, past his attempts to defend himself, and towards his head.
Thunder rumbles overhead.
You feel the sword bite into flesh.
Then, it moves no more, no matter how hard you press.
The seams holding Yang Xue’s eyes shut have popped open, cut apart by the power of your attack, and he stares down at you with cloudy, milky eyes that transfix you to the spot.
He is holding the edge of your blade between his rotted teeth. Blood is pouring from his grinning mouth.
Too late, you forget to let go of the sword.
Yang Xue does it for you.
A powerful kick lands right in your ribs, crushing quite a few of them. You tumble to the ground, coughing up blood. Fingers scrabbling in the mud, you try to move away from Yang Xue. There is a loud creaking noise – the wood groans as he retakes his giant spear and lifts it up again.
Yang Xue turns away from you, heaving the spear over his shoulder with a dismissive snort. His attention lies elsewhere.
Master Zhang is standing upright again, drenched by the pouring rain. His eyes are shut, his breathing heavy. The blood from his wounds mingle with the dripping rainwater as they wash down towards his feet. He is holding a spear in each hand, taken from the fallen Black Dragon mercenaries that had not managed to get out of the way of this fight in time.
“Do you seek to challenge my spear again with your own?” says Yang Xue. He seems intrigued by the idea.
Zhang Jue smiles faintly.
“It is not my preferred weapon by far… but today, I will make an exception.”
“Let us see how you do then, brat!” Yang Xue swings his massive spear around with a cry, his bony, emaciated frame moving faster and stronger than it has any right to be. Zhang Jue deftly parries the old man’s weapon with his own. The two men dance around each other, their spears laying waste to the landscape around them. Surprisingly, although you have never seen him touch the weapon before, your master is extremely adept with the polearm… he easily matches Yang Xue in skill, even if not in sheer power. They exchange blows, striking and parrying and jabbing, appearing to be evenly matched. Cuts open up all over their bodies, inflicted by the deadly spears each of them wield with supreme mastery. Yet neither of them give way.
Lightning strikes with a deafening roar. Blinding white light floods the land, and Yang squints, faltering for just a second – it is too much for his newly exposed eyes. Zhang Jue does not hesitate to take advantage of this opportunity. He hurls one of his spears at Yang Xue. The old man grabs it by the shaft before it strikes; the force of Zhang’s throw drives him back, his feet leaving furrows in the ground. The grip tightens, and Yang breaks the spear in two. Another flash of lightning tears across the clouds. Yang Xue’s head snaps up – Zhang is charging at him with spear in hand, too swiftly for him to dodge.
“A head-on confrontation? Very well, I will accept your challenge!” Yang Xue roars. “Heaven-Piercing Earth-Conquering Spear!” He girds himself and thrusts his spear forth, at Zhang Jue.
Your master slams his spear-arm forward and roars. “Conquering Spear of the Broken Emperor!” The metal tip of his spear meets the wooden point of Yang Xue’s own. A shockwave explodes outwards where the two spears have made contact, throwing mud and rainwater into the air.
The two men push at each other, causing the ground to shudder. Despite their parity in technique, it is clear that Yang Xue holds the upper hand here – his immense qi reserves and powerful inner strength begin pushing Zhang Jue back. Hairline cracks begin to form in Zhang’s spear. He grits his teeth and redoubles his effort, bracing his feet against the earth.
Shangguan Chuji stumbles forward, still unsteady on his feet. Reaching Zhang Jue’s back, he places one hand on his shoulder and donates his qi. Zhang turns to glare at him, evidently displeased, but he does not say anything. His trembling, straining arm grows steady.
Vairya arrives, looking at you while clutching his abdomen. “So, little lord?”
“What else?” you shrug. You crawl up to your feet and reach out Master Zhang. You can feel Vairya’s fists pressing against your shoulders, charging you up with his energy. You place your own hands on your master’s back. The connection is made – in an instant, you can feel all of the disparate power swirling around from the Sword Saint, Vairya, and your master.
“Do not help,“ warns your master, but you ignore him.
Breathing in deeply, you combine and regulate the diverse qi, using yourself as a conduit. The burst of power surges forth into Zhang Jue, up his arm, and into the spear.
Yang Xue looks surprise as he is now the one who is starting to be pushed back. He strains himself and yells. “Impressive! Let us see how you deal with this!” Summoning even more of his reserves, he pours forth a torrent of qi into his spear attack. Small sparks of flame begin drifting off the former tree. You wince at the impact – it travels through your master and hits you painfully. You hold your ground, however, continuing to perform your task. The Sword Saint and Vairya gird themselves, attempting to hold on. You do not know how long you can last… will Yang Xue run out of energy before you do?
Then, to your surprise, you feel a new influx of energy, a dark, yin flow. You look to your side. Bai Jiutian is standing there, lending you her strength.
A large flow of bright and balanced qi joins the mix next. Guo Fu.
And Ameretat.
And Qi Liuwu, limping on one leg, using his remaining good foot to help out.
You close your eyes, drawing upon the Impermanent Way of the Chaotic World. All comes from the Origin and returns to the Origin. Melding all of these disparate energies into a single, powerful flow, you channel it into your master and join your strength to his.
He shouts out, feeling the influx of power surging through his body. The wind whips up as the thunder echoes his roar.
Yang Xue’s spear begins to crack deeply, dark lines running along its entire length. The wood peels, flaying away… and then, it bursts into flames.
Zhang Jue steps forward. Your hands leave his back, but he does not need assistance any longer. With a powerful thrust, he drives his spear forth, twisting his grip. It pierces Yang Xue’s burning weapon, splitting it, splintering it, shattering it. Yang Xue howls and throws his arms up in defense, but it is too late. Zhang Jue’s spear impales him, the point of it piercing through his back. Zhang lets go of the weapon at the same time – the spear flies away, spiraling qi trailing behind it. Carrying Yang Xue with it, the spear slams into the walls of the fortress. Large cracks form from the point of impact, running around the entire length of the barrier. Yang Xue groans, pinned to the spot. His hands fall limp and his head lolls forward. Blood gushes forth from the wound in his chest, streaming down in the endless rain.
You sink to your knees, exhausted from your effort, and so do the others. Your master remains standing, but you can see that the flesh on his arm has split bloodily from the effort of driving that spear through Yang Xue.
“Ahahahaha! I have gotten what I need!” Suddenly, you hear Zhang Manxing laugh out in glee, and he prances into view. “Let us go now, Father! Have you exterminated the vermin yet?” He turns, looking around him before his gaze falls upon the mortally wounded Yang Xue pinned to the walls of the fortress. “F-father?” A look of panic passes across his face, and he bounds towards Yang Xue.
Both you and Bai Jiutian leap forward simultaneously to stop him, but in your current states neither of you are quick enough reach him in time. He pulls out a pouch and hurls it onto the ground to cover his movement; a dark green cloud of powder flies up into the air. You pull back, and so does Bai. No telling what that does.
Zhang Manxing hops up the broken wall, close to Yang Xue. “Father! What have they done to you?”
“S-son,” murmurs Yang weakly. “My… son… run…”
He looks around him. The pugilists are closing in – even though all of you have been weakened from the battle, he will not stand a chance against so many fighters. A desperate glint enters his eyes.
“I… Father, drink up! This will help you to become better! I will not leave without you!” he cries out mournfully. Bringing up a small medicinal flask, he pours the contents into Yang Xue’s bloody mouth. Even from this distance, you can notice the emblem of the Black Dragon Society on it.
Yang Xue lets out a deep, guttural roar. His internal energy explodes outwards in an earth-shattering blast as every last bit of the fortress walls collapse behind him. All of you are sent flying even further away, pushed back by his power. The storm clouds overhead begin swirling, the very air itself becoming infused with a seemingly limitless flood of qi. The raindrops are flung about wildly as a chaotic wind whips up across the field. An immense pressure bears down upon you… the only time you have felt anything comparable was in the chamber of the Fire Temple, with Ahura, and you sense that this power may be even greater. Zhang Manxing crawls aside fearfully. His gaze is filled with tension – he is probably ready to flee at any moment.
Son! My son!
The powerful voice echoes across the field, ringing in the air. Yang Xue is staring up at the dark, stormy sky, his arms raised high. He must have spoken, but his mouth has not opened even once.
You were right! I do feel a lot better now! In fact, I feel at least ten times more powerful than before!
“He is speaking using his internal energy, transmitting his words directly into the air,” explains the Sword Saint, shaking his head. “This does not bode well for us.”
“I am not out of things to try yet,” says Master Zhang calmly. “I am not worried.”
“You are never worried,” sighs Shangguan.
Zhang Manxing laughs out happily and runs to Yang Xue’s side. “I… yes, it really made you better!” He seems slightly perplexed himself at how it has turned out. If your guess is right, that was the medicine that created the berserk warriors. He must have tried to make Yang Xue go berserk in order to cover his escape, but it seems to have given him a better outcome than he expected.
“He has obtained the Jiuyin Manual from Huashan,” says Xuezi calmly as she makes a surprise appearance at your side. And strangely enough, behind her is Lady Ji, who gives you a courteous but silent nod.
“Well! Well! Well!” cackles Zhang Manxing.
Shall I destroy all of the enemies for you, my son?
“Oh, no, not yet. There is yet something I must ask!” he grins. “Xu Jing! Oh, Xu Jing! You cannot fool my eyes now! You have mastered the third of the legendary skills, the Wuxiang Qiankun Skill, have you not?”
You shrug as all attention falls upon you. “I can’t explain your fertile imagination for you.”
“Don’t be shy now,” he laughs. “I am offering you one last chance to cooperate with me. Show up at the upcoming Huashan Summit with the Wuxiang Qiankun scrolls, and I will share with you the greatest power this country has ever known!”
Are you sure about this, Son?
“Of course, Father. We need allies… for now,” says Zhang Manxing confidently.
Perhaps you are right… I did not have many allies myself. You are wise, my son.
“I cannot see why you need allies when you can wipe us all out here,” you call out.
“That would be no fun at all!” Zhang Manxing laughs in reply, but you can sense that he is not telling the full truth. He keeps darting glances at Yang Xue nervously when he thinks no one is looking… perhaps the drug may be unreliable or unpredictable? Regardless, he now seems to want to leave the fight if he can.
You glance at Xuezi. Lady Ji has mysteriously disappeared again, before you can ask her anything. You will need to do something about that one day.
“If you need my help, you need only ask. But I won’t guarantee your safety or your victory. You'll have to look after yourself, you're a grown boy,” Xuezi snorts. It looks like she isn’t unwilling to help out here.
***
A. If Zhang Manxing escapes here, you suspect he will be going ahead to obtain the Jiuyang Manual from his clan. If that happens, he might become unstoppable. This must end here. You ask for Xuezi’s aid in stopping him and Yang Xue. With her powers unsealed, she may even be a match for Yang Xue, allowing you to turn the tide through the advantage of numbers.
B. You let Zhang Manxing go. It is probably too risky for your companions to prosecute the battle any further; you will just have to use the time until the Summit to train and figure out a plan to overcome Zhang Manxing. Whether it is in cooperation with the orthodox pugilists, or through your own connections with the unorthodox side, you will figure something out.
Pointing his arms towards Zhang Jue, Yang Xue shouts, unleashing his Xixing Great Skill. This time, the move is targeted and focused on a single area. The wall under the Southern Maniac’s feet begins to crumble, weakened by the powerful pull from the skill. Zhang Jue leaps into the rainy skies before it collapses entirely.
That is exactly Yang Xue wants. He kicks off from the ground with a powerful stomp, flying off to meet Zhang in battle – in aerial combat, his Wuying Leipo Kick is unmatched.
“Shadowless Thunder Breaker!”
Yang Xue’s kick moves so fast that it seems like he has sprouted another eleven legs to your eye. Kicks rain down on Zhang Jue from all directions, almost simultaneously, each of them thrown with enough power to fell a master-level opponent. He manages to evade the first two in mid-air, but is forced to block the third. There is a loud bang, coinciding with a flash of lightning streaking through the sky. You can see Master Zhang grit his teeth under the force of that blow. The rest of the kicks home in on him with deadly accuracy, looking to finish him off.
“Raging Claws of the Mad Lion!”
Zhang Jue retaliates, counter-attacking upwards at the last second. His claws, sharpened and strengthened by his considerable internal energy, lash out at Yang Xue with blinding speed. With a grunt of effort, Yang Xue stops his assault of kicks, pulling back before Zhang’s blows can land. Spinning around, he changes his pattern and unleashes a flurry of swooping claws to match Zhang’s own. The two exchange moves as they float downwards with their qinggong – the wild bursts of qi from their attacks fly outwards, gouging long lines in earth and sky. To your eyes, it seems that Master Zhang appears to be gaining the advantage, bit by bit. Pulling off a quick, deceptive movement from the Claws of the Hidden Tiger, he manages to outmaneuver Yang Xue and grab his opponent’s arms by the wrists. Shouting, he forces the old man’s bony arms apart, his own muscles bulging as he strains to do so. Yang Xue too is screaming in rage, attempting to overcome the Southern Maniac’s restraints. With a powerful effort, Zhang Jue spins the old man upside down. His subsequent roar is loud enough to drown out the thunder. Raindrops are scattered in a wide area as Zhang Jue, focusing all of his qi into his right hand, sinks his claws into Yang Xue’s belly. His fingers twist and turn, digging into the old, withered flesh. Baring his ancient gums, Yang strikes out at Zhang, his bony elbows landing powerful strikes that ripple the Southern Maniac’s back. Zhang Jue does not let go. He charges downwards, using his power and momentum to smash Yang into the ground. The muddy ground around them gives way, and a crater is formed under an impact so strong that you are almost blown off your feet.
Steam rises where the rain hits the ground, forming a light mist that covers the torn-up field in front of the crumbling Black Dragon fortress.
You crawl back to your feet. Did Master Zhang do it?
You see Master Zhang standing above the crater, his breathing slightly heavy. Blood streams from his back and his mouth, and his right arm appears to be injured. “The crater is… empty?” he murmurs. Suddenly, he braces himself. A skinny foot blasts forth from underneath the earth, breaking through the rock. The attack is sufficiently powerful to rip past Zhang Jue’s guard, sending him hurtling away. Cackling, Yang Xue breaks free from the ground and bounds after Zhang. Blood spills from his abdomen, yet he does not appear to be bothered. “Excellent! Excellent! I have not had such an interesting battle in a long time! My blood has not heated up like this ever since facing those so-called orthodox pugilists, the traitors from Wudang and Shaolin! Come, entertain me more!”
Zhang Jue only manages to get up in the nick of time, still groggy from Yang’s surprise attack. He fends off the old man’s powerful attacks, but somehow Yang Xue has managed to draw out even more power and speed from within himself… his internal energy seems to be endless. Step by step, Zhang is forced back, though with every blow he suffers the grin on his face grows. His spirit is unbreakable.
Still, the situation does not seem good. You weigh the risks of going in to assist your master… you may have no choice.
Howling victoriously, Yang Xue pushes Zhang Jue’s arms apart with a forceful chop. Having carved out this opportunity, the old man claps both his hands together on Zhang’s head, his fingers digging into his temples. “Now, have another taste of my Xixing Great Skill!” Zhang Jue growls as the drain on his internal energy starts to take its toll – though he tries, he is unable to break Yang Xue’s grip. Your master begins to visibly weaken.
A loud roar hurts your ears. A flash of lightning illuminates the rain. A powerful gust of wind blasts past you. Yang Xue turns, but this time he is a fraction of a second too late.
Vairya’s fists sink into the old man’s side. Yang Xue shouts, stamping his feet into the ground as he takes the full force of the Amesha Spenta’s most powerful attack. Blood spurts from his lips, the earth cracks, and the land behind him is practically flattened.
You have to wonder just how much longer the ground can take this sort of abuse.
Yang Xue holds. Just for a second. Then, he is flung off with a yell, skidding to a halt a short distance away. He remains on his feet, however. His breathing is ragged as he clutches his belly. Vairya does not let up – he continues his attack without giving Yang Xue any respite. The rain sliding off his polished body, he throws down blow after blow upon the old man, hammering away with his fists. Yang Xue is forced to step back, only barely fending off Vairya’s assault. He darts behind a tree, which shatters with a single blow from the Amesha Spenta. Moving away, Yang reaches another tree, as wide around as a human, and he places one hand upon its bark as if to support himself.
His fingers burrow into the wood, and then he single-handedly uproots the tree. Whirling around, he swings it at his enemy.
Vairya meets it with his fists, attempting to break it as he did the last, but too late he realizes that Yang Xue has infused the wood with his powerful qi. He ends up being slammed into the ground by the tree. As Yang raises the long, heavy lumber over his head to crush Vairya, the Sword Saint jumps in to intercept the blow. The Zhanlu Sword cuts into the tree and repels it, throwing the massive piece of wood back.
Yang Xue grabs the tree with both hands to balance himself and twists his fingers, channeling his internal energy throughout its entire length. It splits apart, the branches and leaves falling off, the ends of the tree flaking away until what is left looks like a gigantic spear. He twirls it over his head expertly, handling it with greater ease than any spear master would with a normal-sized one, and drives the Sword Saint back with a flurry of precise jabs. Even Shangguan Chuji has no room to launch any ripostes under Yang Xue’s masterful spear assault. He desperately brings the Zhanlu Sword in front of him – the tip of the spear smashes against the flat of the blade with a loud bang. The Sword Saint is launched into the sky from the explosive force of Yang Xue’s thrust. If he had been wielding any other sword, it is likely that the spear would have shattered the blade and run him through.
Yang Xue laughs proudly. “With spear in hand I am unparalleled under the heavens!” He raises the massive polearm, larger and wider than he is, with only one hand. Yang begins advancing towards your master, who is attempting to recuperate from the fight. The Sword Saint has landed a considerable distance away, and Vairya is still dizzy from being smashed with the tree. Ameretat is taking care of the other wounded pugilists; Yang Xue’s attacks have done quite a number on them.
You shrug and sigh. “Oh, bother.”
The giant spear jabs forward. Inches away from Zhang Jue, its massive bulk shudders, and it glances off to the side. The deviation is slight, but it is enough for him to evade the attack. Yang Xue turns, his sewn-shut eyes seeking you out. Your palm is outstretched, having used The Lone Dragon Battles in the Wilderness to knock the spear off its trajectory from a distance.
“I’ll play with you, Gramps!” you shout, running towards him.
“Take this, my Conqueror’s Spear!” roars Yang Xue, swinging the spear around to meet you.
The tip of the polearm snakes towards you, the trunk of the tree appearing to bend in mid-air. Reading his moves with Wuxiang Qiankun, you know that it is too fast for you to evade: even if you avoid the sharp end, Yang Xue is skilled enough to strike at you with the pole. The point of the spear gouges your side as you try to dart past – and as expected, he swings at you. You were counting on that. Raising the Chixiao Sword, you block the swing in a manner similar to the Sword Saint. Using your knowledge of Taiji, you absorb as much force as you can and disperse it by twisting your body. The remaining power behind the strike is still strong enough to send you flying, but at least you are alive.
Reaching out, you cast out strings of spider silk at the surrounding trees still standing. You manage to knot a few – gripping the strings firmly, you swing yourself around Yang Xue. He whirls around to track you, thrusting his spear upwards. You let go of the strings; the spear passes just under you, splitting the spider silk into fine pieces. Somersaulting in the air, you land on the tree-spear and run down it, towards the old man. The red gleam of the Chixiao Sword shines brighter as a chaotic swirl of energy forms around it. “Red Cloud Sword!” You leap forward, combining this technique with the Fiery Flight of the Vermillion Phoenix. Your powerful swings tear up chunks of the spear under your feet as you close the last gap between you and Yang Xue. Still holding on to his spear, his head bobs and weaves as he narrowly evades the first three strikes. On the fourth, he spins the spear, attempting to make you lose your footing. You hop up and link your fifth strike with another use of the spider silk, wrapping it around his head to steady yourself. You yell out. The sixth slash closes in on his neck. Yang Xue is forced to free one hand from the spear to block it. His fingers close around the red blade – this time, it cuts into the palm of his hand, and the blood causes the Chixiao Sword to glow an even more brilliant crimson.
Yang Xue roars, and pushes back. In a contest of strength, it is a foregone conclusion. You know that, at least. After resisting for only a second, you let go of the sword. He overreaches, losing his balance. This is the real chance you have been waiting for, after feints upon feints upon feints – luring the opponent into extending themselves too far is the first step of the Deceptive Fish Stab.
Yang Xue lets go of the spear fully, his other hand rising up to compensate for his mistake by crushing your skull. The Yuchang Sword appears in your hand as if by magic – using your sleight-of-hand skills, you draw it from your clothes in an instant, unnoticed to the blind old man. His clawed hand hesitates for just a split-second as he hears the ring of the sword leaving its scabbard. That is all you need.
Lastly, the Golden Fangs of the White Tiger.
And the Reflective Blade’s Shadow.
The Yuchang Sword bursts forth from its sheath, infused with the full power of your internal energy. The shadowy darkness engulfing the blade slowing and speeding it up erratically. You shout, guiding the sword on a snaking path that bends around Yang’s outstretched arms, past his attempts to defend himself, and towards his head.
Thunder rumbles overhead.
You feel the sword bite into flesh.
Then, it moves no more, no matter how hard you press.
The seams holding Yang Xue’s eyes shut have popped open, cut apart by the power of your attack, and he stares down at you with cloudy, milky eyes that transfix you to the spot.
He is holding the edge of your blade between his rotted teeth. Blood is pouring from his grinning mouth.
Too late, you forget to let go of the sword.
Yang Xue does it for you.
A powerful kick lands right in your ribs, crushing quite a few of them. You tumble to the ground, coughing up blood. Fingers scrabbling in the mud, you try to move away from Yang Xue. There is a loud creaking noise – the wood groans as he retakes his giant spear and lifts it up again.
Yang Xue turns away from you, heaving the spear over his shoulder with a dismissive snort. His attention lies elsewhere.
Master Zhang is standing upright again, drenched by the pouring rain. His eyes are shut, his breathing heavy. The blood from his wounds mingle with the dripping rainwater as they wash down towards his feet. He is holding a spear in each hand, taken from the fallen Black Dragon mercenaries that had not managed to get out of the way of this fight in time.
“Do you seek to challenge my spear again with your own?” says Yang Xue. He seems intrigued by the idea.
Zhang Jue smiles faintly.
“It is not my preferred weapon by far… but today, I will make an exception.”
“Let us see how you do then, brat!” Yang Xue swings his massive spear around with a cry, his bony, emaciated frame moving faster and stronger than it has any right to be. Zhang Jue deftly parries the old man’s weapon with his own. The two men dance around each other, their spears laying waste to the landscape around them. Surprisingly, although you have never seen him touch the weapon before, your master is extremely adept with the polearm… he easily matches Yang Xue in skill, even if not in sheer power. They exchange blows, striking and parrying and jabbing, appearing to be evenly matched. Cuts open up all over their bodies, inflicted by the deadly spears each of them wield with supreme mastery. Yet neither of them give way.
Lightning strikes with a deafening roar. Blinding white light floods the land, and Yang squints, faltering for just a second – it is too much for his newly exposed eyes. Zhang Jue does not hesitate to take advantage of this opportunity. He hurls one of his spears at Yang Xue. The old man grabs it by the shaft before it strikes; the force of Zhang’s throw drives him back, his feet leaving furrows in the ground. The grip tightens, and Yang breaks the spear in two. Another flash of lightning tears across the clouds. Yang Xue’s head snaps up – Zhang is charging at him with spear in hand, too swiftly for him to dodge.
“A head-on confrontation? Very well, I will accept your challenge!” Yang Xue roars. “Heaven-Piercing Earth-Conquering Spear!” He girds himself and thrusts his spear forth, at Zhang Jue.
Your master slams his spear-arm forward and roars. “Conquering Spear of the Broken Emperor!” The metal tip of his spear meets the wooden point of Yang Xue’s own. A shockwave explodes outwards where the two spears have made contact, throwing mud and rainwater into the air.
The two men push at each other, causing the ground to shudder. Despite their parity in technique, it is clear that Yang Xue holds the upper hand here – his immense qi reserves and powerful inner strength begin pushing Zhang Jue back. Hairline cracks begin to form in Zhang’s spear. He grits his teeth and redoubles his effort, bracing his feet against the earth.
Shangguan Chuji stumbles forward, still unsteady on his feet. Reaching Zhang Jue’s back, he places one hand on his shoulder and donates his qi. Zhang turns to glare at him, evidently displeased, but he does not say anything. His trembling, straining arm grows steady.
Vairya arrives, looking at you while clutching his abdomen. “So, little lord?”
“What else?” you shrug. You crawl up to your feet and reach out Master Zhang. You can feel Vairya’s fists pressing against your shoulders, charging you up with his energy. You place your own hands on your master’s back. The connection is made – in an instant, you can feel all of the disparate power swirling around from the Sword Saint, Vairya, and your master.
“Do not help,“ warns your master, but you ignore him.
Breathing in deeply, you combine and regulate the diverse qi, using yourself as a conduit. The burst of power surges forth into Zhang Jue, up his arm, and into the spear.
Yang Xue looks surprise as he is now the one who is starting to be pushed back. He strains himself and yells. “Impressive! Let us see how you deal with this!” Summoning even more of his reserves, he pours forth a torrent of qi into his spear attack. Small sparks of flame begin drifting off the former tree. You wince at the impact – it travels through your master and hits you painfully. You hold your ground, however, continuing to perform your task. The Sword Saint and Vairya gird themselves, attempting to hold on. You do not know how long you can last… will Yang Xue run out of energy before you do?
Then, to your surprise, you feel a new influx of energy, a dark, yin flow. You look to your side. Bai Jiutian is standing there, lending you her strength.
A large flow of bright and balanced qi joins the mix next. Guo Fu.
And Ameretat.
And Qi Liuwu, limping on one leg, using his remaining good foot to help out.
You close your eyes, drawing upon the Impermanent Way of the Chaotic World. All comes from the Origin and returns to the Origin. Melding all of these disparate energies into a single, powerful flow, you channel it into your master and join your strength to his.
He shouts out, feeling the influx of power surging through his body. The wind whips up as the thunder echoes his roar.
Yang Xue’s spear begins to crack deeply, dark lines running along its entire length. The wood peels, flaying away… and then, it bursts into flames.
Zhang Jue steps forward. Your hands leave his back, but he does not need assistance any longer. With a powerful thrust, he drives his spear forth, twisting his grip. It pierces Yang Xue’s burning weapon, splitting it, splintering it, shattering it. Yang Xue howls and throws his arms up in defense, but it is too late. Zhang Jue’s spear impales him, the point of it piercing through his back. Zhang lets go of the weapon at the same time – the spear flies away, spiraling qi trailing behind it. Carrying Yang Xue with it, the spear slams into the walls of the fortress. Large cracks form from the point of impact, running around the entire length of the barrier. Yang Xue groans, pinned to the spot. His hands fall limp and his head lolls forward. Blood gushes forth from the wound in his chest, streaming down in the endless rain.
You sink to your knees, exhausted from your effort, and so do the others. Your master remains standing, but you can see that the flesh on his arm has split bloodily from the effort of driving that spear through Yang Xue.
“Ahahahaha! I have gotten what I need!” Suddenly, you hear Zhang Manxing laugh out in glee, and he prances into view. “Let us go now, Father! Have you exterminated the vermin yet?” He turns, looking around him before his gaze falls upon the mortally wounded Yang Xue pinned to the walls of the fortress. “F-father?” A look of panic passes across his face, and he bounds towards Yang Xue.
Both you and Bai Jiutian leap forward simultaneously to stop him, but in your current states neither of you are quick enough reach him in time. He pulls out a pouch and hurls it onto the ground to cover his movement; a dark green cloud of powder flies up into the air. You pull back, and so does Bai. No telling what that does.
Zhang Manxing hops up the broken wall, close to Yang Xue. “Father! What have they done to you?”
“S-son,” murmurs Yang weakly. “My… son… run…”
He looks around him. The pugilists are closing in – even though all of you have been weakened from the battle, he will not stand a chance against so many fighters. A desperate glint enters his eyes.
“I… Father, drink up! This will help you to become better! I will not leave without you!” he cries out mournfully. Bringing up a small medicinal flask, he pours the contents into Yang Xue’s bloody mouth. Even from this distance, you can notice the emblem of the Black Dragon Society on it.
Yang Xue lets out a deep, guttural roar. His internal energy explodes outwards in an earth-shattering blast as every last bit of the fortress walls collapse behind him. All of you are sent flying even further away, pushed back by his power. The storm clouds overhead begin swirling, the very air itself becoming infused with a seemingly limitless flood of qi. The raindrops are flung about wildly as a chaotic wind whips up across the field. An immense pressure bears down upon you… the only time you have felt anything comparable was in the chamber of the Fire Temple, with Ahura, and you sense that this power may be even greater. Zhang Manxing crawls aside fearfully. His gaze is filled with tension – he is probably ready to flee at any moment.
Son! My son!
The powerful voice echoes across the field, ringing in the air. Yang Xue is staring up at the dark, stormy sky, his arms raised high. He must have spoken, but his mouth has not opened even once.
You were right! I do feel a lot better now! In fact, I feel at least ten times more powerful than before!
“He is speaking using his internal energy, transmitting his words directly into the air,” explains the Sword Saint, shaking his head. “This does not bode well for us.”
“I am not out of things to try yet,” says Master Zhang calmly. “I am not worried.”
“You are never worried,” sighs Shangguan.
Zhang Manxing laughs out happily and runs to Yang Xue’s side. “I… yes, it really made you better!” He seems slightly perplexed himself at how it has turned out. If your guess is right, that was the medicine that created the berserk warriors. He must have tried to make Yang Xue go berserk in order to cover his escape, but it seems to have given him a better outcome than he expected.
“He has obtained the Jiuyin Manual from Huashan,” says Xuezi calmly as she makes a surprise appearance at your side. And strangely enough, behind her is Lady Ji, who gives you a courteous but silent nod.
“Well! Well! Well!” cackles Zhang Manxing.
Shall I destroy all of the enemies for you, my son?
“Oh, no, not yet. There is yet something I must ask!” he grins. “Xu Jing! Oh, Xu Jing! You cannot fool my eyes now! You have mastered the third of the legendary skills, the Wuxiang Qiankun Skill, have you not?”
You shrug as all attention falls upon you. “I can’t explain your fertile imagination for you.”
“Don’t be shy now,” he laughs. “I am offering you one last chance to cooperate with me. Show up at the upcoming Huashan Summit with the Wuxiang Qiankun scrolls, and I will share with you the greatest power this country has ever known!”
Are you sure about this, Son?
“Of course, Father. We need allies… for now,” says Zhang Manxing confidently.
Perhaps you are right… I did not have many allies myself. You are wise, my son.
“I cannot see why you need allies when you can wipe us all out here,” you call out.
“That would be no fun at all!” Zhang Manxing laughs in reply, but you can sense that he is not telling the full truth. He keeps darting glances at Yang Xue nervously when he thinks no one is looking… perhaps the drug may be unreliable or unpredictable? Regardless, he now seems to want to leave the fight if he can.
You glance at Xuezi. Lady Ji has mysteriously disappeared again, before you can ask her anything. You will need to do something about that one day.
“If you need my help, you need only ask. But I won’t guarantee your safety or your victory. You'll have to look after yourself, you're a grown boy,” Xuezi snorts. It looks like she isn’t unwilling to help out here.
***
A. If Zhang Manxing escapes here, you suspect he will be going ahead to obtain the Jiuyang Manual from his clan. If that happens, he might become unstoppable. This must end here. You ask for Xuezi’s aid in stopping him and Yang Xue. With her powers unsealed, she may even be a match for Yang Xue, allowing you to turn the tide through the advantage of numbers.
B. You let Zhang Manxing go. It is probably too risky for your companions to prosecute the battle any further; you will just have to use the time until the Summit to train and figure out a plan to overcome Zhang Manxing. Whether it is in cooperation with the orthodox pugilists, or through your own connections with the unorthodox side, you will figure something out.
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Splitting the update into three parts? You're pampering us, aren't you?
I keep envisaging the "glow in the dark condom fight" in my minds eye, just with ZJ and YX as the fighters.
's not pretty..
's not pretty..
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2008
- Messages
- 11,370
Nevill
Arcane
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2009
- Messages
- 11,211
Zhang Jue is not worried. Everything is right with the world.
A
Can't say I like the assumption that we are doing it for the manual. Madam Nie will probably pry it from our cold limp fingers when we are done. And I like the idea of cooperating with the orthodoxes to bring down manxing at the tournament.
But. Superloli.
No way I am missing this.
A
Can't say I like the assumption that we are doing it for the manual. Madam Nie will probably pry it from our cold limp fingers when we are done. And I like the idea of cooperating with the orthodoxes to bring down manxing at the tournament.
But. Superloli.
No way I am missing this.
Baltika9
Arcane
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2012
- Messages
- 9,611
I like how Zombie Manxing tried to turn people against us by revealing our WQS. Sadly, the only person who would really care about it of those present, BJ, already knows it. The only dangers here are the Unbro Sect leaders stirring shit up against us after the fight. How many of they've are there, two, three? Against our force of how many?
Yeah. Why not. Maximum fuck and all, right?
A
Now you can all blame me if it goes wrong.
A
Now you can all blame me if it goes wrong.
I wondered if that display had any impact on Jing's neiggong or WQS skills, but not yet at least. Also, the drug Ameretat gave Jing seems to still be working. No malus to the stats either.
Someone's going to die though. Someone we care about. Maybe more than one person. Can the codex live with that?
I can.
Someone's going to die though. Someone we care about. Maybe more than one person. Can the codex live with that?
I can.
Kz3r0
Arcane
- Joined
- May 28, 2008
- Messages
- 27,026
Kz3r0
Arcane
- Joined
- May 28, 2008
- Messages
- 27,026
In this way Zhang Jue will be deprived of the most awesome fight ever.
Nevill
Arcane
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2009
- Messages
- 11,211
Why would it be perfect if it will not be by ourselves?
Elfberserker
Liturgist
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2013
- Messages
- 1,540
Holy mother of god! I wonder, if this is beginning of some sort of wuxian elder god birthing thing with Yang Xue.
Lets see here... I wonder, if drugged Yang Xue has any sort of surprises left in him.
Well, things will go bonkers anyway in Zhang clan residents when we go there, maybe we can steal legendary manual and rescue maiden or two while at it.
A
Lets see here... I wonder, if drugged Yang Xue has any sort of surprises left in him.
Well, things will go bonkers anyway in Zhang clan residents when we go there, maybe we can steal legendary manual and rescue maiden or two while at it.
A
I dont think its possible to get s fight more awesome than what just happened.
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