Chapter 114: The Night Raid

“Are you the Five Fingers Daoist from the Illusion Sea Sect?”

Suddenly, Jiang Ziyang seemed to recognize the elderly man in front of him wearing a bamboo hat. His expression tightened, and he blurted out the question.

For most of the Jiang family, this name was quite unfamiliar—many were hearing it for the first time. Yet the elderly steward and Uncle Zhong both paused in shock, as if recalling some dreadful memory, murmuring, “Could it be that wicked martial artist who likes to collect fingers?”

The old man in the bamboo hat was slightly startled and said, “Huh? I didn’t expect that after nearly twenty years away from Yang City, someone would still recognize me. Heh heh! Since I’m here, you should know my methods—cutting off five fingers each to spare their lives!”

Hearing his admission, Jiang Ziyang and the steward shuddered; they hadn’t expected to truly encounter the infamous Five Fingers. This ruthless devil was known for his merciless cruelty, cultivating who knew what kind of sinister technique. He had a habit of collecting the fingers of defeated martial artists.

Every fallen fighter had their five fingers severed and taken—no exceptions, male or female. That was why, despite his absence for two decades, Jiang Ziyang immediately recognized him.

Jiang Ziyang’s face turned ashen, and he bellowed, “Five Fingers, you should have stayed quietly in the Illusion Sea Sect. How dare you set foot in Yang City again? Have you forgotten the humiliation from twenty years ago? The Jiang family is no pushover!”

Two decades prior, Five Fingers had rampaged throughout Yang City until he was finally defeated by another prodigy, Chen Shiyao, forcing him into a grudging retreat.

“Oh? Ha ha ha, you must be that ‘deadly sick man’ from the Jiang family, huh? Still alive? If Chen Shiyao won’t come forth, fine. But if he dares, I’ll settle all old and new scores. Deadly sick man, push me too far and I’ll wash Yang City in blood,” Five Fingers snarled, his hatred unmistakable.

Jiang Ziyang’s expression darkened. Though the Jiang family had risen rapidly over the years, everyone secretly mocked their leader, who bore an old injury and was derisively nicknamed the “deadly sick man.”

Su Ye was already filled with battle intent, but he wasn’t reckless. He quietly asked, “Family head, what realm is this Five Fingers at?”

“Twenty years ago, he was already at the eighth level of the Qi Gathering Realm; now, he might have broken through further. Don’t interfere—leave it to me!” Jiang Ziyang said, pushing Su Ye behind him.

Though Su Ye was hailed as Yang City’s greatest talent, that was among fighters under twenty years old. Now, facing life and death, a three-level gap in realm was insurmountable.

Su Ye’s cultivation was still far below Five Fingers.

Jiang Ziyang was no longer the sick man of old. Though the cursed blood had only recently been drained by Su Ye, it had restored much of his strength.

“Five Fingers, you have three minutes to retreat, or I’ll make you taste having your fingers cut off!”

“Deadly sick man—just you?” Five Fingers hissed.

Suddenly, his figure spun like a top in the darkness, clothes shimmering with eerie light. Strange, chilling sounds emanated from him, concealing a deadly aura.

Jiang Ziyang roared and his palms burst forth with dark red light, an uncanny glow that could not be ignored in the night.

Boom!

Their palms collided, scattering light in all directions, obscuring who had the upper hand.

Both leapt back, pulling the battle nearly dozens of meters apart.

Though shrouded in darkness, the shockwaves they unleashed were terrifying.

Su Ye watched with growing apprehension. Even this fierce battle intent was filled with lethal intent. Could he truly win if matched against them?

Moreover, Jiang Ziyang and Five Fingers wielded sharp martial techniques—an area where Su Ye was most lacking.

Clearly, raising cultivation alone wasn’t enough; he needed to master battle techniques as well.

At that moment, a loud bang echoed as Five Fingers was kicked flying, tumbling heavily to the ground.

Before the Jiang family could cheer, Five Fingers rolled fiercely and sprang back up.

His wild voice rang out, “Deadly sick man, hiding such despicable tricks? Don’t blame me… Die!”

With that, Five Fingers tore off his bamboo hat. A sudden shake unleashed rows of deadly spikes from the edges—like bloodthirsty blades.

This was no ordinary bamboo hat, but a lethal weapon.

“I’ll take your head!” Five Fingers howled, swinging the hat fiercely. Scores of flying blades tore through the air, vanishing into the darkness.

The massive bamboo hat then surged toward Jiang Ziyang.

Jiang Ziyang was shocked, shouting, “Fall back—”

He slid backward, almost skimming the ground, and at three meters distance leapt, sweeping his legs.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

They clashed again fiercely.

“Kill all the Jiang family!” As the two fought, a wave of Illusion Sea Sect martial artists surged forward like crashing waves in the night.

Dozens of them shouted commands with such ferocity it shook everyone’s heart and soul.

Su Ye had long been raring to fight. His gaze suddenly swept left. For some reason, he sensed something unusual among the charging crowd.

There, five Illusion Sea Sect fighters advanced with grim faces, charging angrily.

“Die!”

Su Ye clenched both fists, lightning arcs crackling, and leapt forward.

His brilliant aura and crackling thunder made it impossible for the five to ignore him.

“You’re seeking death, boy!” one fighter barked nervously, clearly concerned about someone in their group.

Before Su Ye could reach them, he rushed forward.

Boom!

Their fists collided, scattering light and illuminating the surroundings.

Su Ye’s half-arm tingled, and in the glow, he clearly saw the five fighters’ faces.

Four were solemn middle-aged men.

The one standing in the middle was a woman in her twenties, her face marked with strange tattoos, more sclera visible than normal. She held an odd conch shell, staring coldly at Su Ye.

Her aura was that of a high-ranking figure, sharp and commanding.

“She’s their leader!” Su Ye’s heart trembled, realizing immediately.

No wonder the fighters were so cautious, protecting her closely.

What was her true intent, lurking in the shadows?

Su Ye had no time to ponder further. With a fierce motion, he unleashed a roaring tornado toward the tattooed woman.

“Miss Third, dodge!” someone shouted urgently.

Simultaneously, two fighters launched themselves at Su Ye.

Their martial arts were clearly linked to the Illusion Sea Sect, their shockwaves carrying the sound of rolling waves.

Bang! Bang!

Su Ye blocked their punches with both palms and leapt, shouting fiercely, “So your Miss Third is here! Die!”

His voice rolled out like thunder. Without waiting for Jiang family reinforcements, he spun midair.

Several whirlpools appeared as he stomped toward the woman on the ground.

His feet radiated fierce energy—this was clearly the “Returning Phoenix Triple Strike.”

“Hmph!”

The Miss Third looked up, coldly snorting as if Su Ye’s attack was beneath her notice.

With a single twist of her hand, the conch emitted a piercing, shrill sound…