Chapter 0052: Pure Yang Needle, Annihilation
The Poison Hand Medicine King was truly formidable—wounded as he was, he could still retreat swiftly. His withered, skeletal hand clawed into the chest of one of his own men, yanked out fragments of the heart, and then pressed his ink-black mouth to the gaping wound, gulping down mouthfuls of blood in a manner both vile and chilling. Before one’s eyes, the sallow hue of the Poison Hand Medicine King’s face flushed with color, and even the gash on his back began to heal at an astonishing pace.
Forbidden arts of the Ghost Sect… the Blood Refinement Technique…
Zhang Xiaofan’s eyes narrowed, sensing the Poison Hand Medicine King’s aura swiftly intensifying.
“You little brat, did you really think you could kill me?” The Poison Hand Medicine King’s eyes were blood-red, brimming with murderous intent.
The Blood Refinement Technique was a forbidden art of the Ghost Sect, strengthening the practitioner by devouring the heart’s blood of others and instantly mending wounds. As long as a breath remained, death could be staved off. But, as with all forbidden arts, it came at a cost: the surge of power lasted no more than half an hour, after which, as the blood dissipated, utter weakness ensued—half one’s life, in effect, expended. Worse still, each use shaved ten years from one’s lifespan.
The Poison Hand Medicine King had little time left as it was. Resorting to this forbidden art fueled his fury all the more; he was determined to slaughter this wretched youth to vent his hatred!
“Twisted paths will ever remain twisted paths…” Zhang Xiaofan muttered, his tone low. Three silver needles appeared in his hand, pulsing with spiritual energy and buzzing ominously.
“That… those are Pure Yang Needles, forged in the heart of the earth’s fire…” The Poison Hand Medicine King’s bloodshot eyes filled with terror. The Pure Yang Needles were his nemesis—even empowered by forbidden arts, a single touch would destroy his entire toxic cultivation!
Among the 108 silver needles that Zhang Xiaofan carried, the Pure Yang Needles were few—only eight in total. There existed as well eight Profound Yin Needles; only when used in tandem could they truly reverse the flow of yin and yang and bring the dead back to life.
“At least you know a thing or two. I said I would kill you today, and you won’t live to see the dawn.” Zhang Xiaofan’s voice was cold. The three Pure Yang Needles shot forth as one, buzzing as though aflame, radiating dazzling light.
The Poison Hand Medicine King’s entire being trembled. He turned to flee—if those needles so much as grazed him, he was finished! He could not fathom how Zhang Xiaofan, a mere disciple, could control the Pure Yang Needles when even the old master of Qingyun could not.
What he did not know was that Zhang Xiaofan bore the name of True Dragon; his fate was tied to yang, and his body and blood were of pure yang essence. Controlling the Pure Yang Needles was no challenge at all.
This was also a source of comfort for the old master of Qingyun—once Zhang Xiaofan reached the necessary level and found a woman with the Profound Yin constitution to unite with, harmonizing yin and yang, he could wield the Profound Yin Needles as well, and thus truly possess the power to defy fate and resurrect the dead.
The Poison Hand Medicine King fled with astonishing speed, but Zhang Xiaofan’s three needles sealed all escape routes. Dodging two, the last still found its mark, piercing into his chest.
In that instant, the Poison Hand Medicine King’s body seemed to evaporate, black smoke billowing forth as the Pure Yang Needle hung in the air above.
With the Poison Hand Medicine King dead, his followers lost all will to fight and scattered in terror. But Zhang Xiaofan would not let them go. To be safe, he could not allow word to reach those behind the Poison Hand Medicine King that it was he who had done the deed.
Therefore, none could be left alive.
He moved at the utmost limits of his speed, cutting them down one by one. Within five minutes, not a single soul remained. Then, setting the house ablaze, he withdrew.
From the Hummer, Zhang Xiaofan watched the roaring flames before starting the engine and driving back toward the city. At last, the threat of the Poison Hand Medicine King was ended; peace, at least for a while, might return to his life.
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By the time Zhang Xiaofan parked at the Mountain Waters Residence, it was already past ten. He could clearly sense the hidden bodyguards moving to encircle him, but as soon as he stepped out, their auras gradually faded away.
No doubt Lin Haonan had given advance notice.
After two or three hours of work, Zhang Xiaofan hurried upstairs, eager for a shower and a good night’s rest.
The lights on the second floor were still on. Lin Siyu’s bedroom door was closed—likely the two beauties were already asleep. Humming a little tune, he opened the bathroom door.
The shower was refreshing. He lathered himself with body wash, humming all the while and scrubbing himself clean.
Tsk tsk…
He noticed, hanging from the hook on the bathroom wall, a black lace thong. Judging by its size—was it Lin Siyu’s, or Lin Sixue’s?
Zhang Xiaofan secretly compared the possibilities, but after washing off, realized a serious problem: he hadn’t brought a change of clothes.
He looked around, finally settling on a bath towel. It had clearly been used, but no matter—it must have been one of the girls’. Wrapping himself up, he stood before the mirror, ran a hand through his hair, and admired the result—not bad, quite handsome.
Suddenly, the sound of slippers shuffling on the floor caught his ear. The bathroom door swung open, and in walked Lin Siyu, dressed in a vivid red nightdress.
She was, astonishingly, wearing nothing beneath. Well, it was bedtime—no need for underwear. Her snowy skin and the faint outline of two little strawberries beneath the fabric were alluring indeed.
The nightdress only accentuated Lin Siyu’s impressive figure—even more so than Lin Sixue. Lin Siyu was the cool, aloof type, while Lin Sixue was like a little pepper—each attractive in her own way, but from Zhang Xiaofan’s perspective, Lin Siyu possessed a greater, more mature charm.
“Have you stared enough?” Lin Siyu asked with exasperation, wondering when this guy had returned.
“I’m not sure what you mean. I don’t understand,” Zhang Xiaofan replied innocently.
“You… you’re wearing my bath towel!” Lin Siyu’s eyes widened in disbelief. How could he be like this? Good heavens, she’d just used that towel herself…
“What’s the problem? I didn’t bring any clothes. Or would you rather I walk out naked? Maybe you want to see my body? If you do, just say so—I don’t mind.” As he spoke, Zhang Xiaofan’s hand moved toward his waist.
“You shameless rogue!” Lin Siyu spun around and made for her room. But halfway there, the urge to use the bathroom struck—she’d come for that in the first place.
That infuriating Zhang Xiaofan!
She turned back and stood by the bathroom door. “Come out.”
She saw him rummaging through the bathroom cabinet—oh no! That’s where her sanitary pads were kept. If he found them, she’d die of embarrassment… and there were other feminine products as well.
But then she noticed the scars crisscrossing his back—knife wounds, bullet scars, the marks of battles fought in those two or three years that had honed his strength and cemented his status in Dragon Soul.
It wasn’t hard for Lin Siyu to imagine how much this shameless, glib-tongued rascal had endured. Was he really only eighteen?
“By the way, do you have any extra slippers?”
Lin Siyu hesitated for a moment. Zhang Xiaofan stepped up close—he was half a head taller than her. Standing this near, the marvelous curves beneath her nightdress were in plain view.
“Um… no one else lives here usually, so there aren’t any extra slippers. Even Sixue goes barefoot. It’s fine—the floor is very clean,” she said, unaware of Zhang Xiaofan’s hungry gaze.
“By the way, it looks like your period is coming soon. The one in your drawer is expired—you should get a new pack,” Zhang Xiaofan offered, his tone kindly.
“No need to thank me,” he added quickly, cutting off whatever sharp retort Lin Siyu was about to make as he brushed past her, arm grazing lightly against her snowy peak.
“Zhang Xiaofan!” Lin Siyu ground her teeth, her eyes round with fury.
Zhang Xiaofan merely turned, flashed a toothy, self-assured grin, and walked away.
Infuriating! Yet she had no way to deal with him—couldn’t defeat him, couldn’t send him away. She needed his protection, and Sixue needed his help.
This scoundrel! Could he not behave himself for once?
Fuming, Lin Siyu hurried into the bathroom as her stomach rebelled again. Seeing her panties hanging on the wall, her cheeks flushed bright red—would that shameless rogue do something perverse with them?
Back in her room, the bed was neatly made and fragrant, a computer at the ready. Lin Siyu was nothing if not considerate.
Zhang Xiaofan also needed a computer—phone calls here were inconvenient. He opened the laptop, quickly entered a web address, and a retinal scan window popped up.
Fortunately, the laptop had an advanced HD camera. Once his iris was scanned, he logged in to see a massive five-clawed golden dragon; the words “Dragon Soul” loomed majestically.
He swiftly navigated to the wanted notice for the Poison Hand Medicine King. The mission was still marked incomplete. Zhang Xiaofan clicked to confirm completion and uploaded the update to the system.
“Brat, you finally showed up?” came a message from Du Yuefeng, the supreme commander of Dragon Soul.
“Boss, is this how you welcome a hero? I killed the Poison Hand Medicine King—how will you reward me?” Zhang Xiaofan typed quickly.
“How about I give you my granddaughter?” Du Yuefeng replied, sending over a mischievous emoji.
“Forget it… your granddaughter would probably break my bones,” Zhang Xiaofan replied with a weary emoji.
“I think you still can’t let go of that woman,” Du Yuefeng said after a pause.
“Don’t mention her. There’s nothing between us anymore,” Zhang Xiaofan replied, then shut down the computer.
That woman had once filled his heart, only to stab him deeply. He did not want to think of the past anymore.
“This kid… he still can’t let go…” In a distant room, Du Yuefeng let out a long sigh and turned off his own computer.