Jinshui felt dizzy for a while, but he didn't want to miss his chance. Simultaneously, he and his friends all aimed their weapons at Xie Tianhu. Their situation had a bit of the upper hand, at this point no one cared about internal injuries.
The clink of weapons clashed. The movements of the descendants were extremely fast. The walking cane in Jinshui's hand was broken in half, but the saber in Li Qian's hand managed to slash Xie Tianhu's arm and Zhu Baique's sword grazed his leg. Xie Tianhu's movements seemed to slow down. Blood was seen flowing from the wound. His face was deathly pale.
"Hey, you can't possibly sacrifice that walking cane on purpose, right?" Ma Yongtao shouted from his spot. It could be seen that just now Jinshui had baited his walking cane for Xie Tianhu to break so that his friends had the opportunity to break through the defense and injure him.
"Laoer, Hua Jinshui just now also almost lost an arm, it's still good that blade only cut his walking cane," Zu Ye Niang told him.
"That Xie Tianhu is quite good," added Fuchang Long.
"But I think he should change his name," continued Li Baixun, "it's not a Xie Tianhu (sky tiger), but Mao Bufei (no flying cat)."
"That's not even similar," Lao Guishou commented on his words that differed too much in sound.
At that moment, blood was already flowing down Jinshui's lips. Jin Liangjie's chest was also hit by a long scratch, Zhu Baique's leg was hit by a kick and Liao Xian's iron pen was slashed. But in the next moment Li Qian managed to break the blade in Xie Tianhu's hand, in the next second Huang Yu also managed to stab the murderer of his family in the stomach with the tong xing po yue move (pierce the star breaking the moon) by borrowing the flexible sword in Liuxin's hand.
"This is for my parents," Huang Yu said, then drew the flexible sword that was still in Liuxin's hand, about to plunge it once more into his enemy's body. "And these are for the other people you killed."
Xie Tianhu realized that he had been injured quite a lot, but he also knew that Jinshui and his friends were also starting to get tired. The weather was cold but they were all sweaty from the several hours of fighting.
Xie Tianhu paid no heed to Huang Yu and Liuxin's sword strikes, once again exerting all his inner energy into both hands, desperately aiming at Jinshui's feet, ready to break his bones.
But at that moment a needle suddenly shot, aimed straight at his eyes, making him fail to target Jinshui's leg, as well as making the energy that had been exerted reverse and made him spit out a huge amount of fresh blood.
There was no mercy for him, a second later the flexible sword plunged back into his body. Xie Tianhu mustered all of his remaining energy, grasping the sword body with both hands, but it was not enough. The sword once again stabbed into his body, leaving a wide gash in the chest when Huang Yu once again drew it. Blood spurted out, partially covering Huang Yu's face and clothes, unwittingly startling Lin Xiao Yan who was watching from the side of the arena.
One of Xie Tianhu's eyes was blinded, while the other one turned red realizing that the needle was shot by none other than his own disciple, Huang Zhe. The needle was the late Madam Huang's baihua chen secret weapon.
Huang Zhe was shocked to see that one-eyed look, he quickly turned around and ran away. Ye Menghao and Ye Menghan chased after him. The three of them disappeared a moment later among the rubble. Gu Chenhui motioned for Liangshan Liu Mo's three members to join the hunt and the three quickly dashed off in pursuit.
In the middle of the arena, hatred was clearly seen in Huang Yu's eyes. If Li Qian didn't get in the way perhaps he would have slashed Liuxin's sword once more, making Xie Tianhu's horrific fake death at Huofeng Lou three years ago come true.
Jinshui approached Xie Tianhu, restrained him with the remaining walking cane in his hand, and knocked several acupuncture paths on the body of Liangtian Jian Shen's second disciple to reduce the bleeding. Of course, he didn't want to help or save Xie Tianhu, instead, he was keeping that enemy alive and felt the excruciating pain for a little longer. Xie Tianhu fell to his knees, it seemed that it would not be easy to get up again.
"Xu Qiao, Xu Guniang is my future wife, and today I represent her avenging the deaths of the thirty-five souls in Huofeng Lou who died at your hands three years ago," Jinshui said. "You killed Xu Chenghai, Xu Louzhu, and his entire family, until now I can only guess the reason. Is it really because Xu Louzhu found out you had betrayed your teacher Liangtian Jian Shen Zhang Zheliang, Zhang Laoqianbei?"
Xu Qiao stepped closer to the arena, supported by Huang Lian whose parents were victims of Xie Tianhu's cruelty as well. Han Budian also approached, facing the person who mercilessly killed his master and all members of the Jianyin Bang. They stopped in their tracks when they saw Xie Tianhu's one remaining eye turn towards the three of them sharply.
"Jinshui, do you need my help to make him confess all his crimes before he dies?" Ma Yongtao shouted questioningly from where he stood.
"Xie Tianhu," Jinshui brought Xie Tianhu's attention back to himself and the descendants. "I know you're not afraid of death. You also know that we Yumen descendants here, in front of so many people, would not be able to coerce you using cruel means as that would only damage the reputation of the newly rebuilt Yumen."
He bent down beside Xie Tianhu, his next words were whispered so as not to be heard by those outside the arena.
"But if you don't admit it and die as a hero who tried to fight the descendants, then Huang Zhe will also have a chance to become a hero, and people will expect him to step in your place as our challenger after you die. I think I need to remind you, that he was the one who made you face all the difficulties for these three days. He didn't care to sacrifice you as long as he can get a good reputation in the martial world. But just now, he didn't help you, instead harmed you."
Xie Tianhu's expression changed and blood appeared at the corners of his lips. He realized he was dying, but his disciple Huang Zhe, the one who had brought him to this place and competed with the Yumen descendants, had actually injured him at the last moment.
The pain in his eyes told him that Huang Zhe had not made the slightest effort to help him, nor had he made any attempt to beg for mercy at all at least to Huang Yu. Really, he would not be willing if his disciple take credit of all his efforts.
Xie Tianhu of course knew clearly that Huang Zhe had been following him not because wholeheartedly worshipped him or wanted to learn from him, but simply to take advantage of him. Xie Tianhu thought highly of himself and all this time felt very sure that his disciple would not be able to do anything bad to him.
He was wrong.
"I was a traitorous disciple and today I was betrayed by my disciple," Xie Tianhu laughed bitterly, his current wish was that only Jinshui could end his suffering. "I killed my master Zhang Zheliang because I want to get the complete yin shou yang zhang manual. Xu Chenghai took me into his residence and was willing to find me the best medication to cure me. But he asked too many questions and knew something he shouldn't. I asked Huang Weiqun to give the white fan to Xu Chenghai, but he also knew too much and I had to kill him too."
Everything that Jinshui and his friends predicted when they were at Mangren Gong turned out to be true. Xie Tianhu had betrayed his master and then killed Xu Chenghai who suspected him of the betrayal. Huang Weiqun was known for having extensive knowledge of the martial world, and he was silenced before he exposed Xie Tianhu's crimes.
Jinshui let Xie Tianhu's body slump to the ground and couldn't get back up. The descendants except for Jinshui and Liao Xian withdrew. Lin Jixuan, Zhu Baique, and Liuxin returned the borrowed swords to the Yuzhi Shi Wu girls.
"This sword is Zhang Laoqianbei's legacy, it is too precious for us," Lin Jixuan said, "just had to borrow it to face an experienced opponent, we thank you."
"These weapons are yours too," said Gu Chenhui, "if you need them you can use them at any time."
"Some of us are not very used to wielding swords," said Zhu Baique. "I'll look for a weapon to replace my bayinxiao flute later."
"Ma Xiongdi, forgive me to destroy your work," Jinshui also stepped back and apologized to Ma Yongtao for breaking the walking cane.
"I see you don't need it anymore either, never mind," said Ma Yongtao.
This time, Jinshui only felt that both of his legs hurt like hell. He used his inner energy to be able to bear his body weight and stayed on his feet to finish the fight, but when he no longer exerted the energy, he collapsed. Ma Yongtao held his arm before he fell, and Gu Chenhui handed over Meng Po's staff in her hand.
"You can use this for now," she said.
"I already searched it, the manual is not in Xie Tianhu's body," Liao Xian who withdrew last reported to Jinshui.
The two envoys of Dayue Mansion returned moments later. The two lost tracks of Huang Zhe running away, forced to let the three members of Liangshan Liu Mo continue to give chase. At least those three men all had relatively good qinggong skills.
Jinshui walked over using Gu Chenhui's staff, nodded his head at the two envoys before returning to the center of the arena, climbed onto the fallen pillar, and in a dignified motion tapped the staff to the ground once.
"We Yumen descendants already won the fight, so we will continue to rebuild our sect here, in this place," he said to those present in a loud and firm voice, driven by enough internal energy despite his wounded and tired condition. "If anyone still intends to get in the way, then at any time Hua Jinshui will contend it wholeheartedly."
As he ended his words, from the left side of the ruins came the group led by Yaoyao, who formed some lines in front of Jinshui and his friends. At the same time, a group under the leadership of Lao Diaoyan and Lao Guishou came from the right direction and also formed some lines without showing any signs of wanting to fight.
Those present because of Huang Zhe all stepped aside, witnessing so many people arriving made them a little wary, especially when they saw on each sleeve of the incoming that was embroidered with the Yumen sign.
"We pay respect to Jiaozhu."
The groups under the leadership of Yaoyao, Lao Diaoyan, and Lao Guishou all saluted according to the way of the Yumen to Jinshui. Simultaneously, the other descendants and some of their spouses also bowed. Even the two envoys of Dayue Mansion and some of the remaining members of Haitang Jian Pai also folded their hands to admit Jinshui as the new leader of Yumen who will rebuild his sect.
Wang Chun and Sima Yi Sheng did not join hands and just watched while nodding their heads. The two of them received orders from Xianjing Wang to ensure that Jinshui and his friends were not a threat to the country, so far they had only acted as spectators.
"Hua Jinshui here can promise all of you three conditions regarding the new Yumen that we will build later," Jinshui continued, "With these three conditions, we sincerely hope that the martial world can forget all the old grudges and accept the return of Yumen, supporting us to develop the sect so together with all of you, we can protect the martial world against of Liu Songqiao's sect should it become a threat in the future."
"Hua Shaoxia, please proclaim," Han Budian was the one to respond.
Jinshui slightly turned to his friends, "The first thing I want to say, is that I want everyone who joins the Yumen to be on a voluntary basis, in the future there is no coercion, no taking children without permission from their families or using poison to control person or the like. I think you are pretty clear on the result as to how the previous generations kidnapped gifted children to collect descendants. I didn't expect any disputes with any party because of a matter like this."
"But it was in fact the reason we can become the descendants of the Yumen in the first place," Liuxin reminded in a low voice, "among us eight descendants, only Lin Jixuan's father had the chance to disapprove."
"Ah, my father opposes or agrees, the final decision still rests with me," Lin Jixuan said. "I'm joining you, from the beginning it had nothing to do with my father, nor did he have the right to get in the way."
"Conflicts like the one in the Lin Family shouldn't happen again in the future," Jinshui resolutely replied. "If any of you want to resign, now is still time." He glanced at Qin Liangjie. This one friend of his once tried to avoid being a Yumen descendant for the sake of his wife Shangguan Ruyin.
"I...." Qin Liangjie stuttered slightly, "We are already here, and I've also decided to fight alongside you."
Qin Liangjie indeed had a lot of fear and doubt, remembering that in the past he himself had to take care of his wife and baby son. But then Shangguan Ruyin was able to take care of herself, and their son no longer needed his father's protection. Although he still had the desire to live peacefully alone with his wife, Shangguan Ruyin herself had said that she would fully support him in continuing his duties as one of the Yumen descendants, his doubts were fading away. Especially after being with Jinshui and the others for so long, he began to understand them, a sense of brotherhood had grown and thickened.
"Secondly," Jinshui said again, "in the next Yumen there will be no need for any rituals that violate the principles of the martial world. I can promise you all that there will be no sacrifice or cruelty in the name of teaching. Apart from traitors, all humans have the same right to life."
Huang Yu looked at him to disapprove, but he didn't say anything. The matter of shengnu would later be able to be discussed slowly with Jinshui.
"The two things that Jinshui said just now are related to each other, I think the next one can become the foundational rules of your new Yumen," Gu Chenhui voiced, supporting Jinshui's words. "I also didn't expect Yumen's ancient rule of unlimited leader power to be passed on. Wu Youwei had also intended to change it in the past."
"These two things were Yumen's shortcomings in the past, we will definitely try to make up for it so as not to create new enmity with other parties in the future," Jinshui said again. "Third, Yumen members don't need to meddle in wulin matters, but if the goal is to help people, then from now on they can act directly without even reporting first."
In the past, Yumen members didn't interfere much in the affairs of outsiders, but they also never did good deeds, often witnessing evil and death in plain sight. The orders from the former chief, apart from being for Yumen's sake, were useless in wasting effort. This condition naturally made it difficult for Yumen followers to be accepted in the martial world, being seen as intolerant people.
Jinshui's words were met with the cheers of the new followers. Some people who still harbored a fear of Yumen's return, in the end, could only keep it all in their mind, hoping that Jinshui would carry out everything he said and they would no longer have to live in worry.
"Alright, since today's fight is over, we will also leave to have some rest," Jinshui still continued. "Among anyone here, if still want to visit and drink together, we will accept it openly."
"We will immediately seek an auspicious day and announce the enthronement of the new leader," Gu Chenhui also said. "Jinshui and his friends still need to rest and recuperate. Regarding the coronation, we will send invitations to you."
She preceded turning around to return to the top of the mountain, followed by the Baiyu Shan girls. Jinshui and his friends then also withdrew.
Liang Shao Ren and the other inheritance hunters stepped forward, threw away the fans and map copies beside Xie Tianhu's body lying on the ground, then one by one left the scene with varying feelings. The snow had stopped and the white blanket was starting to melt. In the end, all that was left there was only Xie Tianhu who was alone, dying.