Volume One - The Frontier of the Chen Kingdom, The Rebellious Marquis’s Immortal Path Chapter Forty-Two: The Death of Jiang Qing

The three exchanged glances and smiled faintly, then slowly walked toward Master Jiang Qing, saying, “Very well... We’d like to hear what plan you have in mind.”
Seeing he had persuaded them, Master Jiang Qing’s face lit up with joy. “Ha ha… You won’t regret today’s decision.”
As both sides drew closer, Master Jiang Qing’s brows suddenly furrowed; he sensed something odd in their formation, but dismissed it. After all, he knew well that no one could resist the lure of immortality, especially those who had practiced the Nine-Breaths Vitality Art.
What Master Jiang Qing hadn’t anticipated was the arrogance of Chen Yu and his companions, who had never trusted him from the start. When they were but ten feet apart, the trio unleashed a murderous intent without a word, attacking with lightning speed.
“Force of the Eight Desolations.”
“Frigid Wind Sword.”
“Majestic Sword.”
Fists and blades surged forth, determined to annihilate Master Jiang Qing.
“You dare—” Before the terror-stricken Master Jiang Qing could react, their attacks engulfed him.
Staring at his fallen form, the three remained cautious. Their knowledge of an immortal’s methods was limited; who could say what tricks he might possess?
“Are we sure nothing unexpected will happen?” Jing Zhe asked, his expression grim.
Chen Yu and Xue Han both shook their heads.
“In that case, regardless of whether he’s dead or not, if not even a corpse remains, there’s no chance he could survive,” Jing Zhe suggested.
“Agreed…” Chen Yu and Xue Han, hardly saints themselves, didn’t hesitate to concur.
Once more, they launched an onslaught, intent on tearing Master Jiang Qing into pieces. Yet, to their astonishment, the body on the ground suddenly leapt up, dodging all three attacks.
“You little wretches truly have ruthless hearts,” Master Jiang Qing raged, glaring furiously at them. Inside, he was bleeding—he hadn’t expected to waste his only Staff Proxy Talisman.
Had it not been for this talisman absorbing the damage, he would have been a corpse.
Originally, he had planned to feign death and ambush them, but he hadn’t anticipated they would be even more ruthless and cautious than he imagined, intent on dismembering him.
How could Master Jiang Qing bear this? How could he not be furious?

“Page 2 of 3”

“You’re still alive?” Chen Yu and his companions were even more shocked and a touch panicked. Their attack had left him unscathed—was this the power of an immortal?
“Ha ha… What a joke! I am an immortal of the Nine Provinces—do you mortals think you can harm me?” Master Jiang Qing taunted disdainfully.
Chen Yu steadied himself, his mind racing. “Big brother, second brother, don’t let him intimidate you. Remember, even the master once suffered grievous wounds, and Master Jiang Qing couldn’t even cross the Heavenly Fracture Mountains—what kind of immortal is he?”
“I think the reason he survived must be due to the power of those yellow talismans.”
His companions were hardly fools; their accomplishments at such a young age proved their wit. Enlightened by Chen Yu, they instantly understood and regained their composure. “Right. If killing him once isn’t enough, we’ll kill him again. I refuse to believe he can live forever.”
“Exactly—he’s just an old villain, hardly enough to frighten us,” Jing Zhe shouted.
Master Jiang Qing glared darkly at Chen Yu, surprised that his secret had been guessed so accurately. His murderous intent grew even more intense.
“You little wretches, do you think you still have a chance?” Master Jiang Qing sneered. “Dreaming of killing me a second time—what a joke! Let me show you the difference between us.”
“Empty threats! If you have any tricks, use them,” Jing Zhe replied coldly. “Watch as I unleash the Force of the Eight Desolations!”
Jing Zhe formed his fist and struck at Master Jiang Qing, the imprint expanding like a great shield, seeming to come from all directions.
Chen Yu’s sword aura surged, majestic and domineering like a king, and a sage descending to the world.
Xue Han’s blade was icy and sharp, piercing straight into the soul.
“You brazen fools!” Master Jiang Qing roared, producing a yellow talisman and murmuring, “Spit Fire.”
The talisman transformed into blazing flames, rushing toward them.
The three were startled, but prepared. Without retreating, they gritted their teeth, activated the Nine-Breaths Vitality Art, and charged straight ahead.
Boom! Explosions rang out from within the flames, black smoke billowing. Master Jiang Qing frowned, sensing trouble—another yellow talisman appeared in his hand.
“Borrow Wind.”
A wild gale rose, feeding the fire, which surged violently and sent the three flying.
Thud… thud… thud… Three bodies hit the ground; blood stained their lips, their clothes half-charred, faces blackened. Yet their fighting spirit only grew stronger.

“Page 3 of 3”

“Old villain, is this your so-called technique? Ha ha… It’s nothing special,” Jing Zhe sneered.
Master Jiang Qing ground his teeth. “I truly didn’t expect you three could master the Nine-Breaths Vitality Art to such a degree even in this Lawless Land. I underestimated you.”
“Ha ha… Do you think we’re like you?” Xue Han retorted scornfully. “If you know what’s good for you, surrender now, or your soul will be scattered.”
“What shameless boasting!” Master Jiang Qing was even more furious. Suddenly, he drew his sword and charged at them.
“Kill!” None of the three retreated, fighting with all their might.
They clashed fiercely, battling from night until dawn. Their wounds had soaked their clothes in blood.
“Damn it, who trained these little wretches? How can they master the Nine-Breaths Vitality Art to such an endless level even in the Lawless Land?” Master Jiang Qing cursed inwardly. If not for his talisman techniques, he would have been defeated long ago.
At this point, he was exhausted and began considering escape.
Conversely, Chen Yu and his companions, through their battle with Master Jiang Qing, had absorbed knowledge and experience, their cultivation slowly growing. Despite a night of struggle, their spirits were not fatigued, but exhilarated. They noticed Master Jiang Qing was showing signs of exhaustion, and their attacks grew even fiercer.
“Ha ha… Old villain, are you about done?” Jing Zhe taunted. “You claim to be an immortal of the Nine Provinces, but haven’t you heard that the young always surpass the old in strength?”
“You little—”
Seizing the moment when Master Jiang Qing was distracted, Chen Yu stabbed his sword through the man’s chest.
“Die!”
“Kill!” Jing Zhe and Xue Han would not let the opportunity pass; they struck with full force, severing one of Master Jiang Qing’s arms and caving in his chest, broken bones protruding.
“You…” Master Jiang Qing finally fell in hatred and defeat.