Chapter 26 Near Death Escape

Blood dripped from his hands to the wooden floor, Jiang Koshing coldly stared at Yongzheng who stood among the martial artists. The martial artists knows that they have the upper hand. They knew that even if Jiang Koshing came with many men, but all of his men were useless when they came face to face with real martial artists of Central Plains.

Yong Taihua had already taken control of a boat. The nine members of Sword Village, including Yan Zhanjin, have already boarded the boat with five other martial artists who can't swim. Li Kong Bai and his four disciples have carried Zhou Guotin onto another boat.

Xue Horan helped Dong Lanying to the front deck, along with Rao Zhengsheng and Yuan Xiurong.

Rao Zhengsheng, "Hao'er, are you hurt?"

Xue Horan, "No, but shijie is."

Rao Zhengsheng, "Lanying, take Xiurong and leave first."

Rao Zhengsheng began to attack the members of the Seventy-two Islands, created a pathway for Dong Lanying and Xiurong. When he approached the edge of the ship, he flew directly to Jiang Koshing. The injured Jiang Koshing had difficulty defending himself when Rao Zhengsheng attacked him.

Xue Horan stood in front of Dong Lanying and Yuan Xiurong, and they were heading for another boat that seemed empty.

Xue Horan, "Shijie, this boat."

As they are prepared to board the boat, a man in black flew up and hit Xue Horan with a heavy punch, but Yongzheng quickly rushed forward and pulled Xue Horan into his arms. The man in black punch hit directly onto Yongzheng's upper back. Yongzheng and Xue Horan flew directly into the burning rice sacs.

Rao Zhengsheng, "Horan!" He drew out the butterfly swords and began to fight the man in black.

Yongzheng groaned in pain. Xue Horan quickly put out the fire on Yongzheng's back. Yongzheng asked, "Are you hurt?"

Xue Horan, "I'm not hurt. Sorry, you were burned."

Yongzheng said, "Don't worry about it."

The two helped each other up, and as soon as they took the first two steps, Yongzheng vomited blood. This made Xue Horan a little panicked. He quickly wiped the blood from the corner of Yongzheng's mouth with the back of his hand, and the two of them gave way to the front. They met with Dong Lanying and Yuan Xiurong. At this time, Rao Zheng also regrouped with the four friends. He stood between Yuan Xiurong and Xue Horan. They returned to the edge of the deck, their back hit the railing. The only boat that was intact was the one that Yong Taihua took over.

Wu Jinghua who flew out from the rooftop sent out several daggers and rushed straight at the five people standing on the edge of the front boat.

Rao Zhengsheng pulled Yuan Xiurong to the left, grabbed Dong Lanying's waist, and went straight to Yong Taihua's boat. With a wave of her sword, Yong Caixia cut off the rope that tied the the smaller boat to the bigger boat.

Once Rao Zhengsheng landed with Yuan Xiurong and Dong Lanying. He turned around and shouted,, "Horan, jump." The boat slowly moved away from the sinking boat.

When the dagger flew towards them, Yongzheng pulled Xue Horan into his arms and caught one of the flying dagger. Holding Xue Horan in his arms, he quickly jumped over to the left boat, where some martial artists already on the boat. When he landed on the boat, he used the dagger he caught to sever the ropes that fastened the boat to the larger sinking boat. The boat drove away slowly.

Just when Xue Huoran heard Rao Zhengsheng calling him in the mist of chaos. He shouted back, "Zhen ge, I'm in another boat with Yongzheng."

Wu Jinghua knelt on one knee and said, "Chief, I'm sorry, I'm late."

Jiang Koshing frowned, "Are you still preparing makeup and choosing what clothes to wear?"

Wu Jinghua smiled sexy, "Well, I am known by standing truthful to my name. My entrance and exist has to be splendid every times."

The man in black, "Tell the other five leaders to be prepared."

Wu Jinghua smiled, "Yes, chief."

The rest of the people flew on Wu Jinghua's big boat.

The man in black turned around and said, "Destroy two of the three escaped boat."

Wu Jinghua, "Why cheif?"

The Man in black smiled and said, "Let dogs bite dogs. Also, we need messengers. We need to let the Central Plains martial artists know that when they kill one of our leader. They have to deal with seven of us."

Wu Jinghua smiled, "As you wish." She smiled. "You are the chief in command."

Two cannons fired from both sides of Wu Jinghua's boat. The cannons began to fire multiple shells at the three small boats. The three boats were completely destroyed. The chief leader of the Seventy-Two Islands, the Seventy-Two Islands fifth leader Jiang Koshing, and the Seventy-Two Islands seventh leader Wu Jinghua pulled away from the scattered broken boats.

By this time, the rain began pouring down, Rao Zhengsheng and Yuan Xiurong went into the water at the same time. He quickly grabbed her hand and swam to the barrel. He put Yuan Xiurong's hand on the wooden barrel. He said, "Hold tight. Don't let go." He dragged the barrel around. Shouted for Xue Horan and Dong Lanying. "Horan! Lanying! Horan."

Xue Horan swam and grabbed a piece of wood, and some martial artists who couldn't swim started scrambling for things to hold on to stay afloat. Two martial artists who are unable to swim clingy themselves tightly onto the same door panel with Xue Horan. Since three people were holding a door panel at the same time, their total weight was too large for a single door panel, so they began to sink.

Martial artist man, "Boy let go."

Xue Horan, "Qianbei, I found the door panel first."

Another martial artist, "It doesn't matter." He grabbed Xue Horan's hands and pulled his hands away from the door.

Xue Horan was yanked away towards another group of martial artists who are trying to stay afloat. One of the martial artist pushed Xue Horan down under the water. When he tried to swim up, his robe was caught by the edge of the wooden board. Xue Horan knew that he could hold his breath for a long time, but because he was immersed in water, he had many feet kicking at him from various directions, so it was difficult to determine where his robe was stuck. Then he started struggling. Suddenly someone kicked him on his left shoulder. He cried in pain. When he opened his mouth, water rushed into his nose and lungs, blocking the airway, making a single breath hold that last several hours turned into several minutes. He began to panic, because he knew that death was within easy reach.

No matter how hard he struggles, he can't break free. He knew that in less than a minute, when he could no longer hold his breath, he would definitely die. Then he slowly opened his eyes and saw a black figure swimming towards him. He knew that this person was Rao Zhengsheng, because every time he encountered danger, Rao Zhengsheng would always show up to save him. He saw Rao Zhengsheng face next to his. He felt Rao Zhengsheng's lips sealed his lips, and Rao Zhengsheng passed air into his mouth.

When Yongzheng saw Xue Horan on a wood panel, he began to swim towards Xue Horan. He saw someone yanked Xue Horan away towards a group of people. Xue Horan dived underwater but did not come up. He swam as fast as he could to where Xue Horan had disappeared. He dived into the water twice and found nothing, and then as the flame burned under the water, he saw Xue Horan under a wooden board. He quickly swam to Xue Horan's side, trying to pull Xue Horan up, but Xue Horan was stuck. He knew that Xue Huoran was out of breath, and so was he. He swam up quickly, took a big breath, and swam down again. He grabbed Xue Horan's face and pulled him closer. He put his lips on Xue Horan's mouth and passed half of the one breath of air into Xue Horan's mouth. Using his own internal strength, he tore Xue Horan's robe and free Xue Horan. The two men swam up.

Yongzheng and Xue Horan began to swim towards the shore, but the rain was so heavy. The rain kept hitting their faces, and it took them nearly an hour to reach the shore.

Xue Horan turned around and said, "Zhen ge, we have to find a place to hide." Xue Horan's back still faces the river, when he is about to leave the river. He heard the person from behind him replied with an "Hmm…" Then he realized that the person behind him was not Rao Zhengsheng. He quickly turned his head and saw Yongzheng rushing forward, gently pushing him to the bank of the river, knocking away a flying dagger. Ten men wearing black stood in front of Yongzheng and Xue Horan, holding their swords blocking Yongzheng and Xue Horan's escape route.