Chapter 92: The Abbot's Intervention

No one could have imagined that the usually imposing Sixth Master, who was always a force to be reckoned with in Dengfeng, was knocked down by a single punch from the enemy while wielding a knife. The reality of the situation was far too difficult to accept.

Wu Chaotian was also taken by surprise. He quickly instructed his men to pull the incapacitated Liu Zi back.

The Japanese ronin, after delivering a single punch, stood still, not moving a muscle. It wasn't until Wu Chaotian's team had finished dealing with Liu Zi that he spoke again, "A skilled opponent has emerged on your side."

The bodyguards of the escort agency were silent. They knew these Japanese ronin were no pushovers, but they had always held on to a shred of hope that things would go differently. Liu Zi was considered one of the top five fighters among them, yet he was knocked out by a single punch. This crushed the morale of the others instantly.

Wu Chaotian scanned the surroundings, seeing no one willing to step forward. Finally, he had no choice but to take matters into his own hands.

"That ronin, do not be so arrogant. Wu will show you what I'm capable of!" he shouted.

As Wu Chaotian stepped forward, the lead ronin handed his battle blade to one of his men.

"Be careful. This one is their top fighter," he warned.

"Got it!" The ronin took the blade and moved toward Wu Chaotian.

"Go for it, Wu Head!"

"Yes, we're counting on you, Wu!"

With each passing failure, the onlookers' confidence waned, but they still cheered Wu Chaotian on, hoping that he would land a decisive blow.

Wu Chaotian didn't respond but fixed his gaze on the approaching ronin. When the enemy was just a few meters away, he suddenly roared and swept his blade in a wide arc, aiming to cut down the opponent.

The ronin retreated a step, and Wu Chaotian immediately turned with his blade, striking again at the enemy's neck.

The ronin lowered his head, and Wu Chaotian took the opportunity to strike upward in a fiery attack.

The ronin had no choice but to block, and Wu Chaotian's blade immediately followed with a powerful thrust toward his chest.

The ronin could only defend once again.

Wu Chaotian's attacks grew faster, gaining the upper hand.

At the rear, Huo Yuanzhen slightly nodded. Wu Chaotian's Great Pass Blade still showed a measure of skill. The ronin, though at the mid-stage of the Postnatal Realm, was being pressed by Wu Chaotian, especially since the weight of the blade hindered his agility.

But there were also weaknesses. Wu Chaotian's Great Pass Blade was heavy and not suited for prolonged battle. If it weren't for his immense inner strength or natural power, the balance would eventually shift in the ronin's favor.

Seeing Wu Chaotian gain the advantage, the citizens erupted into cheers, shouting and clapping until their voices were hoarse and their hands were red. They all hoped Wu Chaotian would land the final blow to defeat the ronin.

Though the ronin was on the defensive, he wasn't in a rush. He stood firm, dodging the increasingly faster strikes from Wu Chaotian, but was unable to break through.

The longer the battle dragged on, the more uncertain Wu Chaotian felt. He knew that if this continued, he would eventually be worn down.

In Dengfeng, at his own doorstep, Wu Chaotian couldn't accept such a crushing defeat. He had to give it one last push.

Gritting his teeth, he deliberately left an opening.

The ronin, seeing this, instantly seized the opportunity, stepping forward with a swift strike aimed at Wu Chaotian's arm.

Wu Chaotian had been waiting for just such a move. When the ronin attacked, Wu Chaotian swung his Great Pass Blade toward the ronin's face, catching him off guard.

The ronin tried to block with his blade, but Wu Chaotian's strike landed with a crash, forcing the ronin's weapon to clash with his.

Taking advantage of the moment, Wu Chaotian followed up with a double-palm strike to the ronin's chest.

The ronin was thrown back, vomiting blood, and dropped his blade, struggling to rise from the ground.

"Good!" The citizens cheered loudly, and Huo Yuanzhen gave a slight applause. Wu Chaotian showed tactical brilliance, managing to turn the tide of battle with this move. It was impressive.

The ronin leader's face darkened as he spat out, "Baka!" (Fool!)

One of his men immediately sprang forward, performing a series of kicks aimed directly at Wu Chaotian's face.

Exhausted from the previous fight, Wu Chaotian had no strength left to resist effectively. He tried desperately to block, but after only a few kicks, he was struck in the shoulder and fell to the ground.

The ronin, unwilling to give up, prepared to attack Wu Chaotian while he was down.

Just then, a loud, feminine shout rang out from the crowd: "Shameless thief! How dare you attack when he's down! Take this sword!"

A lithe figure leapt out from the crowd, brandishing a sword in her hand. Like a flash of white light, she attacked the ronin.

The ronin, unarmed and at a disadvantage, dodged and evaded for several strikes. Eventually, he failed to avoid one and was pierced in the shoulder, his blood soaking through his clothing.

The ronin leader, watching from the sidelines, called out, "Who are you?"

The figure stopped and looked at him, her chest rising and falling with each breath. "Who I am is none of your business. Who gave you permission to come and cause trouble here? If you're from the Tang Dynasty, you'll be taught a lesson!"

Huo Yuanzhen, watching from behind, recognized the woman. It was Mo Lan. He couldn't help but wonder why she was involved in this way.

Mo Lan's white dress billowed in the wind. Her face was free of makeup, radiating natural beauty. At first glance, she resembled Ning Wanjun, but there was a touch of charm in her features, unlike Ning Wanjun's light and ethereal grace.

The ronin leader, realizing who she was, was momentarily dazzled. "Haha, so it's such a beautiful lady. Well, well, I didn't expect to find such a rare beauty in the Tang Dynasty. Would you consider coming with me to Japan to see the cherry blossoms?"

"Bah! Who would want to see your filthy home! If you have the skills, come and fight me!"

Huo Yuanzhen observed closely, noting that although Mo Lan's swordsmanship was somewhat refined, her inner strength was limited. She was only at the mid-stage of the Postnatal Realm and hadn't yet reached her peak.

The ronin leader, on the other hand, was likely at the late stage of the Postnatal Realm, with a powerful sword. His internal energy was superior to Mo Lan's, and while she was quick and nimble, her attacks lacked lethal force. It was only a matter of time before she was overwhelmed.

Yet the ronin leader didn't strike quickly. Instead, he taunted her verbally, trying to undermine her with insults and crude remarks.

Mo Lan, who had studied the art of charm but had never been in a compromising position before, grew angrier and more irritated as the insults piled up. Her lips were tightly pressed together, but she held her ground.

The crowd watched with clenched fists, unable to bear seeing such a beautiful woman fall victim to such a disgusting man. Yet, helpless, they could do nothing but watch in silence.

Huo Yuanzhen sighed, his heart conflicted. While Mo Lan had tried to frame him before, at this moment, he couldn't let her be humiliated. He couldn't bear to see a woman who stood up for her country be insulted in such a way.

Mo Lan, growing weaker from the continuous attacks, was nearing her limit.

The ronin, sensing the opportunity, grinned and struck downward with his blade. Mo Lan, struggling to defend herself, couldn't keep up, and the ronin reached out with his left hand, attempting to grab at her chest.

Mo Lan, overwhelmed with shame and anger, could do nothing to evade his grasp.

The crowd gasped in disbelief, unable to watch the disgraceful scene. A woman, trying to defend her honor, was about to be violated by this rogue in broad daylight.

Just then, a powerful voice rang out: "You're beyond redemption! Begone!"

A burst of immense force surged forward. With a powerful swipe of a palm, the ronin was sent flying through the air like a cannonball, slamming into the escort agency's wall with a resounding crash.

"Boom!" The impact was so forceful that the ronin left an imprint in the wall, which shattered like a spider's web.

The crowd stood frozen in shock. Who could possess such power?

Mo Lan looked up through her tears and whispered, "I knew you wouldn't just stand by."

A thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd. "Abbot Yi Jie!" they cried in unison.

It was Abbot Yi Jie, the revered figure in Dengfeng! He had arrived to deal with the troublesome ronin!