Chapter 004
Chapter 4: Disappearance
Li Mu Sheng, however, had no intention of escaping at all. He sat comfortably on the stone steps without shifting an inch.
At the same time, Zhu Fang glanced at Yu Zhen Tian, who was fiercely battling the seven villains from Zha River. After a brief hesitation, Zhu Fang scrambled to his feet and rushed out of the courtyard, paying no mind at all to Second Sister Yu and Yu Xian.
The other apprentices saw Yu Zhen Tian completely occupied and each selfishly seized the chance to flee, none sparing even a thought to rescue others.
“Did I permit you to leave?”
At that moment, Zha Old Two, who had not yet joined the fight, suddenly struck with his palm from afar. A powerful Qi burst forth, hitting the courtyard wall like a mighty wave.
Instantly, the entire brick wall crumbled, scattering dust and debris, completely blocking the disciples’ escape route.
Stunned by this overwhelming display of power, Zhu Fang and the others abruptly halted in front of the fallen bricks, frozen in place, not daring to move forward.
“Ungrateful disciples, every one of you!”
Yu Zhen Tian roared furiously. He had witnessed clearly Zhu Fang and the others abandoning him. To think the apprentices he treasured most had fled in cowardice, while those he usually disregarded had remained loyal—this made his heart twist with bitterness.
“Take Second Sister and leave! I’ll hold them back!”
Yu Zhen Tian surged with inner strength. With a sweeping sword strike, he pushed away Zha Old Three and his companions who surrounded him.
Using this momentum, he flipped through the air and landed swiftly before Zhang Da Zhuang and Li Mu Sheng.
Yet when he landed, he saw the two apprentices simply standing there, staring blankly at each other.
“I can lift Second Young Lady, but I’m not sure how far I can carry her.”
Zhang Da Zhuang grumbled quietly. His martial talent was very poor. Despite years of training, he had made little progress. His only advantage was slightly greater strength than an ordinary man.
This was precisely why, like Li Mu Sheng, he remained just an apprentice even after twenty years.
In the end, Zhang Da Zhuang still set down Yu Xian and moved towards Second Sister Yu, knowing that despite everything, he was at least stronger than the thin and weak Li Mu Sheng.
Yu Zhen Tian felt slightly relieved at this. Glancing at his second daughter, he silently decided that if they survived this ordeal, the first thing he would do was force her to lose weight. Otherwise, no one would want to save her when it truly mattered.
“Stay close behind me!”
Yu Zhen Tian warned sternly. But when he turned, he saw Li Mu Sheng standing unmoving beside him.
He opened his mouth to speak, but just then, Zha Old Three and the others had already gathered around them again. Meanwhile, Zha Old Two swiftly approached, sword drawn, guarding against any attempt at escape.
“You won’t leave until you hand it over,” Zha Old Two declared coldly. His internal power surged, the fierce killing intent radiating from him surpassing even Yu Zhen Tian’s.
Yu Zhen Tian’s pupils narrowed, his expression turning grim.
“Old Man Yu, and you called us stingy. What is this precious thing you cling to so desperately, willing to drag us along to our deaths?”
Li Mu Sheng asked curiously. Yu Zhen Tian instinctively glared at him but then recalled that this young apprentice was one of only two who chose to stay. With a reluctant sigh, he said:
“It has nothing to do with you. Don’t ask too much!”
Li Mu Sheng shrugged and turned towards Zha Old Two:
“Why don’t you tell me instead? What exactly do you want from him?”
Zha Old Two stared at Li Mu Sheng disdainfully. Seeing this inexperienced youth daring to question him, he gave a cruel smile:
“Come closer, and I’ll gladly tell you.”
“You brat, tired of living?” shouted one of the seven villains angrily.
He swung his blade fiercely, the sharp edge whistling through the air, aiming directly at Li Mu Sheng.
Yu Zhen Tian quickly moved to block the blow with his sword. Yet, just as he moved, his eyes widened in astonishment.
He suddenly realized Li Mu Sheng had disappeared completely from his view!
With the sharp clash of steel, Yu Zhen Tian forced Zha Old Five back half a step. But he ignored his enemy, staring in shock at the spot where Li Mu Sheng had stood:
“That kid…where did he go?”
Hearing this, Zha Old Three and the others froze mid-stride, uncertainty and fear quickly spreading among them.
A living, breathing person had vanished right before their eyes—how could they ignore it?
They urgently looked around for Li Mu Sheng. At that moment, a voice quietly sounded from behind Zha Old Two:
“I’ve come over. Shouldn’t you tell me now?”
In an instant, Zha Old Two’s hair stood on end, his face shifting dramatically. But he had survived many fierce battles, and reacted swiftly. He spun and slashed backward fiercely with his blade, while channeling inner strength into his legs, trying desperately to escape forward.
But Zha Old Two’s blade sliced through empty air, and Li Mu Sheng’s voice followed him closely, like a ghostly shadow:
“Running away the moment I arrive? That’s no fun at all.”
As Li Mu Sheng finished speaking, the entire martial arts courtyard fell eerily silent.
The apprentices, bewildered, stared in shock as Zha Old Two and five other black-clad villains froze like statues, utterly motionless.
“I’ve sealed their acupoints.”
Li Mu Sheng’s calm voice spoke next to Yu Zhen Tian.
Startled, Yu Zhen Tian jerked his head around, stumbling backward a few steps when he saw Li Mu Sheng again.
“Who…exactly are you?”
Yu Zhen Tian stared in disbelief at the young apprentice he had always disregarded, his elderly face filled with suspicion.
Li Mu Sheng just shrugged, casually patting Zhang Da Zhuang’s shoulder as he teased lightly:
“Brother Zhang, please stop staring at me like that. Though I know you envy my handsome face.”
“Huh??” Zhang Da Zhuang shook his head vigorously. Coming to his senses, he looked at the immobilized seven villains, then at Li Mu Sheng, and inhaled deeply:
“Ah Sheng, I don’t recognize you anymore!”
Li Mu Sheng laughed softly, then turned to Yu Zhen Tian:
“Old Man Yu, these villains are yours to handle.”
He opened his palm toward Yu Zhen Tian and continued:
“By the way, I forgot to mention—I won’t be staying at the martial school any longer. Don’t forget the five silvers you promised for my retirement. You better not cheat me again this time!”
Yu Zhen Tian stared intently at Li Mu Sheng, unable to shake the astonishment from his face:
“Are you truly Li Mu Sheng? But I clearly remember you as useless at martial arts… How did you become so…?”
Li Mu Sheng abruptly interrupted:
“You aren’t planning to cheat me, are you?”
Yu Zhen Tian, startled, quickly waved his hands. He fumbled in his clothes but found no silver coins, only a single hundred-silver banknote.
Before he could even speak, the banknote vanished instantly from his fingers, appearing in Li Mu Sheng’s hand.
Li Mu Sheng smiled brightly:
“Good, good! Finally generous for once. I’ll happily accept this banknote!”
(End of Chapter)