First Entry into the Ethereal Void 114. Poisonous Sand in the Eyes

Gao Yunxiang’s soft whip lashed out. Although it failed to wrap around the Meat-and-Wine Monk, the tip of the whip struck the hilt of the dagger embedded in the monk’s back. The force was not immense, but it was enough to drive the blade deeper.

The Meat-and-Wine Monk had left the dagger in his back earlier because it was merely a trivial irritation and he had no time to attend to it. He had never imagined that this very dagger would become the source of a lifelong regret.

This dagger had been seized years ago when he forcibly took another man’s beloved wife, killing her husband in the process. The woman had been deeply devoted to her husband, embodying the spirit of "in the sky, we would be two birds flying together; on earth, we would be two branches joined as one." Upon seeing her beloved husband lying dead in a pool of blood, she had bitten through her own tongue and perished on the spot.

Luo Mingyuan—the monk’s true name—had originally kept the dagger as a prized possession. Though he never did get to possess that beautiful woman, the memory had left him with lingering frustration. Two years ago, he had retrieved the dagger and given it to Yang Yifei as a weapon for self-defense.

Now, as the dagger sank deeper into his spine, every movement caused agonizing pain. He could no longer ignore it. He brandished his golden staff, unleashing a strike called "The Monk Rings the Bell," aiming directly for Gao Yunxiang’s chest. He reached his left hand behind him to pull the dagger out, but his arms were too short; he had to puff out his chest and tilt his head back to reach the hilt.

Gao Yunxiang seemed to have anticipated this move. Instead of dodging, he simply shifted his body to avoid the direct force of the staff. He swung his soft whip like a dragon or a serpent, the tip striking like lightning toward the monk’s neck.

The Meat-and-Wine Monk did not fear the whip, but he could not ignore it, so he was forced to lean back further.

Yang Yifei, holding poisonous sand and venom in her palms, had been waiting for an opening. Her palms were slick with sweat, and her heart was racing. Seeing her father’s killer lean back with his face exposed and his eyes wide, her heart filled with joy. She prayed silently, "Father, if your spirit is watching from above, please aid your daughter in avenging us!"

As she prayed, she channeled her strength into her arms. Raising them and striking from a high position at close range, she could not miss. Once the poisonous sand left her hand, she pulled Gao Yunxiang urgently, shouting, "Retreat quickly!"

The Meat-and-Wine Monk had killed countless innocent people and ravaged many virtuous women throughout his life. Finally, retribution had arrived. With a roar like a mountain torrent, he shrieked, "You brat! I, Luo Mingyuan, have rampaged through the martial arts world for decades with few rivals, yet today I have been outwitted by a child like you. Don't think you will leave this place alive!"

He raised his right arm, yanked the dagger from his back, and hurled it at Gao Yunxiang. His martial arts were profound and his arm strength was astonishing; fueled by extreme rage, the trajectory of the throw was unparalleled.

Just as the dagger was about to pierce Gao Yunxiang’s chest, a bamboo staff suddenly appeared, deflecting it upward with a sharp "clang." As the dagger flew into the air, Gao Yunxiang, who had transitioned from ecstasy to sheer terror, hurriedly retreated several paces. Looking up, he saw that the person who had saved his life was an old beggar. He thought to himself: That was close! If this senior hadn't appeared just in time to save me, I would have been at the gates of hell.

Although the Meat-and-Wine Monk’s eyes had been struck by the toxic sand and needles, the poison had not yet reached his heart, and his formidable martial arts were not yet extinguished. He began to swing his golden staff wildly, crushing anything in his path.

The one who had saved Gao Yunxiang was the old beggar, who had arrived at the scene just in time with Xie Yuhua.

How had they arrived so suddenly? After parting ways with the Poor Scholar and the others at the inn, the old beggar had been traveling with Xie Yuhua, guiding her in her martial arts. Fearing that his disciple might be killed by the masked man, he had rushed over. The Beggar Clan’s intelligence network was highly effective, providing reports on the masked man’s path. When they reached the Hu family estate, they found it burned to the ground, leaving behind a scene of devastation.

The old beggar examined the site and saw the stone monument recently erected by Li Hao. He sighed, "Alas! Who was so heartless as to burn down a family’s ancestral home? Could it be that their ancestors had a grudge against you, too? Truly cruel!"

Xie Yuhua, noticing fresh footprints in the debris, said, "Master, the footprints here are fresh. The masked man cannot have left long ago. In my opinion, after his own home was destroyed by such heartless fire, he will be even more enraged and prone to slaughtering the innocent. We must pursue him immediately!"

The old beggar replied, "Even if we catch him, we cannot stop his killing. I have already sent word to the Poor Scholar and Mo Dao to meet us here. By my calculations, they should arrive tonight. Let us wait for them."

At the first watch of the night, the Poor Scholar and the others arrived. The Poor Scholar had been away from home for many years. Though he was broad-minded, seeing his ancestral home ruined caused him immense sorrow.

The old beggar said, "My friend, seeing this scene, I do not know how to console you."

The Poor Scholar replied, "Any comforting words would be empty. You have a vast network of disciples; help me find the culprit. I must have my revenge."

The old beggar said, "I will not stand idly by."

The Poor Scholar said, "A true friend, a man of honor. I thank you. You go ahead; I must burn some paper offerings to pay my respects, then I will follow you."

The old beggar and Xie Yuhua left the Hu estate, following the hidden marks left along the way to track the masked man, Li Hao. They had no need to ask for directions.

When they leapt onto the mountain ridge, they saw flames soaring into the sky. Upon arriving, they did not reveal themselves immediately, choosing instead to hide in the forest on the left to observe.

The old beggar recognized the Meat-and-Wine Monk, Luo Mingyuan. He sighed to himself and whispered, "Why is that bald man here?"

Xie Yuhua, having been taken under the old beggar’s wing to learn the ways of the Beggar Clan, asked, "Is that tall monk from the Famen Temple?"

The old beggar said, "You don't recognize him? That is the Meat-and-Wine Monk, a man of unmatched martial arts who has plagued the world for years."

Xie Yuhua was shocked. "And who is fighting that demon? He is carrying someone on his back. Could his martial arts be even greater than the demon’s?"

The old beggar shook his head. "The one wearing a mask, and the person on his back is also masked. I cannot identify them, nor can I guess which sect they belong to."

Xie Yuhua scanned the area. "Many people are lying on the ground. It seems they have been fighting for a long time. The two masked figures are there, sitting still. Are they watching the tigers fight from the sidelines?"

The old beggar said, "That appears to be the case."

Xie Yuhua said, "The one carrying the person has a very strange footwork. No matter how the demon attacks, he cannot land a hit. He uses a soft whip and does not even counterattack. It is quite strange."

The old beggar muttered to himself, "A soft whip, and strange footwork?" He turned to Xie Yuhua and asked, "The Meat-and-Wine Monk is a top-tier figure in the martial arts world, feared by both righteous and evil factions. If his opponent were a famous master, they wouldn't risk carrying someone on their back while fighting him, would they?"

Xie Yuhua replied, "I suspect the masked man is either a reclusive hero or a young newcomer. A famous master would not treat the lives of three people as a joke."

The old beggar nodded. "Your hint gives me a clue. The only reclusive hero I know who is so unconventional is my uncle, but he passed away three years ago. It must be a young man who does not fear the tiger."

Xie Yuhua said, "It is likely a youth. Young people are often erratic and act without considering the consequences, driven by impulse and curiosity."

The old beggar exclaimed, "Oh! I remember now. The masked man is the son of an old friend of mine. His family background is profound, with generations of study in the I Ching. That young man also uses a soft whip."

Xie Yuhua asked, "What is his name?"

The old beggar replied, "His name is Gao Yunxiang."

Xie Yuhua sighed, "Such youthful spirit, yet so recklessly bold."

Having confirmed it was Gao Yunxiang, the old beggar moved closer, which is how he came to save Gao Yunxiang and Yang Yifei.

Gao Yunxiang, believing he was doomed, saw the dagger deflected and let out a joyous cry: "Uncle Fan! You arrived just in time, or this nephew would have been a dead man."

The old beggar shouted in a deep voice, "Everyone, retreat to the forest on the left! I will block him for a few rounds."

Feng Jiezhen, seeing the situation changing, lifted Meng Biyu and rushed into the forest, followed by Li Hao.

Gao Yunxiang called out, "Uncle Fan, this demon’s martial arts are extremely powerful. Let me help you."

The old beggar said, "The bald man is not only peerless in skill but also utterly ruthless. Be careful."

Gao Yunxiang said, "He is blind now; I do not fear him."

The Meat-and-Wine Monk roared, "Even if I am blind, I will slaughter every one of you little bastards!"

His golden staff danced, creating a cage of golden light around the old beggar and Gao Yunxiang.

Xie Yuhua leapt forward with her sword, attempting to strike the monk’s pressure points.

Gao Yunxiang hurriedly warned, "Sister, do not risk it! His body is impervious to swords and blades."

Xie Yuhua was startled and retreated.

Yang Yifei, not daring to speak, gestured to Xie Yuhua and pointed to the dagger on the ground, signaling for her to pick it up and bring it to her.

Xie Yuhua understood. She retrieved the dagger, leapt behind Gao Yunxiang, and carefully handed it to Yang Yifei.

Yang Yifei took the dagger, cut the ropes binding them together, and leapt to the ground. She tried to run but stumbled after three steps. Her legs had been bound for so long they were numb. She climbed up and ran again, her body swaying unsteadily.

Xie Yuhua rushed over, grabbed her arm, and pulled her along. "Are you injured?"

Yang Yifei shook her head. "No, my legs are numb. Put me down; do not run anymore."

Xie Yuhua set her down and asked, "Are you afraid?" She added, "That monk’s martial arts are truly terrifying; no wonder you were afraid."

Yang Yifei said, "That old beggar is a senior of the righteous path, and that young man is a brave and righteous soul. Even their combined strength is no match for the monk. I must find a way to save them."

Xie Yuhua said, "Let us go and help them."

Yang Yifei shook her head firmly. "We cannot help. You know how martial arts work; having too many people involved only gets in the way and leads to more casualties."