Chapter 80: Lin Pingzhi Finally Takes His Revenge

The members of the Qingcheng Sect halted abruptly, each drawing their swords, wary of the two figures blocking their path.

From among them, Yu Canghai slowly stepped forward and said in a loud voice, “May I ask who you are, and why you bar our way?”

“Hahaha! Daoist Yu, you certainly travel fast. The Songshan Assembly has only just ended, and the Qingcheng Sect is already nowhere to be seen. You’ve had me searching high and low along the road.” One of the men laughed heartily, removed his bamboo hat, and revealed himself to be none other than Zheng Jian.

Yu Canghai’s expression changed, and even the hand grasping his sword trembled slightly. “Zheng... Young Hero Zheng... There’s no enmity between us...” Fear immediately seized him. How had such a formidable man—one who had bested even Zuo Lengchan—ended up here?

Zheng Jian smiled faintly. “There’s no need for alarm, Daoist Yu. I’m not here for you.”

Yu Canghai had just managed a sigh of relief when Zheng Jian continued, “The one who seeks you is my junior, Lin.”

The other man also removed his hat, revealing a handsome face twisted by hatred—it was Lin Pingzhi.

After the Songshan Assembly ended, Lin Pingzhi had immediately set out to seek revenge on Yu Canghai, but who could have guessed that the Qingcheng Sect would slip away so soon? Lin Pingzhi was beside himself with anxiety—if Yu Canghai escaped now, wouldn’t he have to chase him all the way to Sichuan? So he and Zheng Jian had pursued them relentlessly, finally blocking the Qingcheng Sect’s path at this ancient road of Chencang, a route one must take from Luo to Sichuan.

Yu Canghai’s face changed instantly. At the sight of Lin Pingzhi, he knew things had gone awry. He forced a laugh and said, “So it’s you, Lin Pingzhi. Found yourself a powerful patron, have you? Come for your revenge?”

Zheng Jian sneered, “Yu the Dwarf, spare us your tricks. My junior seeks vengeance, and I won’t interfere. But if your Qingcheng Sect thinks to win by numbers, you’ll have to get past me first.”

Yu Canghai’s eyes glinted fiercely. “Oh? So Young Hero Zheng means for me to duel Lin Pingzhi one-on-one, fair and square?”

Tears had already welled up in Lin Pingzhi’s eyes. He gave a bitter laugh and said, “Yu Canghai, rest assured—my senior brother will not meddle in what stands between us. Today, one of us dies!”

With those words, Yu Canghai was finally reassured. So long as Zheng Jian did not intervene, he had a chance; against Lin Pingzhi alone, what was there to fear?

The agony of his family’s massacre had gnawed at Lin Pingzhi’s heart day after day. Now, at the moment of vengeance, a strange calm settled over him.

“Yu Canghai, today I shall offer your head in sacrifice to the spirits of my parents!” With that, Lin Pingzhi thrust his sword straight at Yu Canghai.

—

A fight to the death—Lin Pingzhi wasted no time in probing; his every move was merciless, each strike a lethal blow from the “Three Immortal Swords of Death.”

Yu Canghai, a man seasoned by countless storms, dared not take this Huashan technique lightly. He met sword with sword, unleashing the Qingcheng Sect’s “Pine Wind Sword Technique.”

The two clashed in an instant. Both knew there was no room for negotiation; today, one would fall. Their blades flashed back and forth, each stroke a killing blow.

Zheng Jian leaned against a tree, watching without concern. He knew Lin Pingzhi’s strength well, having trained him personally. Lin Pingzhi’s skills were not weak—against Yu Canghai, he might not win in a single exchange, but he would surely have the upper hand.

The rest of the Qingcheng disciples watched in terror. With Zheng Jian’s fearsome reputation looming over them, none dared to swarm Lin Pingzhi, nor did any dare to slip away. Their only hope rested on Yu Canghai’s shoulders.

After twenty exchanges, Lin Pingzhi’s swordplay grew more refined. He combined the Huashan techniques with his family’s “Evil-Resisting Sword,” wielding the hybrid style with deft agility. Though he had not studied the original manual, with Zheng Jian’s guidance, he had greatly improved his inherited art. Now, as he put it to use, Yu Canghai found himself hard-pressed.

Yu Canghai also knew the “Evil-Resisting Sword,” but that was precisely the problem—Lin Pingzhi’s improved version was even more formidable, often catching Yu Canghai off guard.

Gradually, Lin Pingzhi gained the upper hand. Yu Canghai’s technique grew increasingly disordered. Though he knew Zheng Jian would not interfere, the pressure of his presence was suffocating. Lin Pingzhi pressed the attack relentlessly, leaving Yu Canghai barely able to defend himself, with no chance to counter.

Suddenly, Lin Pingzhi seized upon a flaw in Yu Canghai’s defenses, stabbing directly at his left chest.

Yu Canghai, cold with fear, barely managed to evade the fatal blow, but could not prevent his right arm from being pierced.

“Master!”

The Qingcheng disciples cried out in alarm. Yet a cold smile appeared on Yu Canghai’s face. Seizing the moment when Lin Pingzhi’s attack reached its limit, Yu Canghai’s left palm shot out, striking Lin Pingzhi in the abdomen.

The Heart-Shattering Palm!

This, too, was a secret art of Qingcheng, a move Yu Canghai had long prepared. He had risked injury from Lin Pingzhi’s sword to land this very strike!

Lin Pingzhi staggered back, his face turning pale as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth—clearly, the blow was severe.

“Junior brother!” Zheng Jian had not expected this turn of events.

Lin Pingzhi waved him off. “Don’t worry, senior brother. I’m fine!” With that, he spat out the stagnant blood from his chest, and with his energy circulating, his color improved.

“Young man, you’re not ready for vengeance yet! Give it a few more years, and perhaps you’ll be a real threat.” Yu Canghai sneered. Though he was wounded in the right arm, his strength remained. His palm strike, infused with inner force, had injured Lin Pingzhi gravely. For Lin Pingzhi to suppress his wounds and continue would only hasten his own demise.

—

A look of grim resolve flashed in Lin Pingzhi’s eyes. Ignoring his own injuries, he charged forward again, sword in hand. Only one thought remained: kill Yu Canghai!

Yu Canghai had not expected such desperation and hurried to meet him, but pain shot through his wounded right hand, sending his sword off course.

With a sickening sound, Lin Pingzhi’s sword plunged unimpeded into Yu Canghai’s chest, piercing his heart in an instant.

Yu Canghai’s blade halted inches from Lin Pingzhi, unable to move further.

In that instant, the wound on Yu Canghai’s sword hand tore open, blood pouring out. He could not block Lin Pingzhi’s attack.

Yu Canghai tried to speak, but Lin Pingzhi abruptly withdrew his blade and thrust it again, this time through Yu Canghai’s throat.

The master of the Qingcheng Sect, Yu Canghai, perished on the spot.

Lin Pingzhi, bloodstained sword in hand, advanced step by step toward the remaining disciples. The others, sensing his murderous intent, tried to flee, but their legs would not obey.

Lin Pingzhi fixed the four chief disciples with a cold stare. With four swift strokes, he sent them to join Yu Canghai in death.

The next moment, Lin Pingzhi knelt, using his sword for support, and cried out: “Father, Mother, your son has avenged you!”

As the words left him, a long-held breath escaped his lips, pain flared in his abdomen, and he collapsed unconscious, oblivious to the world...

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Only one chapter today due to other matters. Tomorrow, regular double updates will resume, and there may even be surprise bonus chapters. It all depends on your support—if you want more, you know what to do!

(End of Chapter)