activa-t Chapter 27 The Pawnshop of Tongtian, Lion Dance on the Counter
Chapter 27 The Pawnshop of Tongtian, Lion Dance on the Counter
After turning the corner, the view suddenly opened up.
It is a much broader, three-dimensional world.
Several suspended rope ladders, narrow walkways, and fixed or movable platforms intertwine among the cabinets, which are several meters high, connecting the cabinet entrances at different heights.
The dim yellow light from the gas lamps cast shadows from all directions, creating a hazy and precipitous scene.
Tao Zhugong's plump figure was swaying slightly on a suspended walkway diagonally above.
More figures in black robes were alerted and emerged from the shadows, cave entrances, and behind the piers from all directions, silently surrounding them.
Some were carrying knives, while others were holding old-fashioned muskets.
Zhou Xing clicked his tongue.
His eyes locked onto his target, he spotted a hanging rope ladder, sprinted a few steps, leaped up, and grabbed it.
Using both hands and feet, they quickly climbed up, rapidly closing the distance to the pier.
The battle has transformed from two-dimensional to three-dimensional.
Bullets and blades intertwine in this three-dimensional maze.
He swung on the rope ladder, dodging the lead bullets fired from below.
The bullets struck the rusty iron chains and wood with dull thuds.
A man in black robes lunged from the side of the pier, slashing at the rope ladder with his sword.
Just before the knife fell, Zhou Xing let go, his body plummeting, but he precisely grabbed another horizontal rope below, using the force to swing and fly like an ape towards the pier where the black-robed man was.
The black-robed man with the dagger swung back, and Zhou Xing was already in front of him. He kicked out with both feet in mid-air, using Wing Chun kicks to slam into Zhou Xing's chest.
The black-robed man's sternum caved in, and he was sent flying backward.
Zhou Xing drew a dagger from his waist and threw it.
With a "thud," it pierced his face.
The black-robed figure fell into the abyss.
Zhou Xing landed on the pier, rolled over to dissipate the force, and picked up the Miao sword that the black-robed man had dropped.
The blade is long and narrow, making it less convenient to use than a short knife, but it is more suitable for this kind of slightly open chopping motion.
On both the front and rear piers, another figure in black robes approached.
With Zhou Xing's listening skills fully deployed, he could feel the slight tremors of the wooden planks on the pier beneath his feet and the direction of the air being stirred... all under his control.
Before the two could surround him, he suddenly charged forward, his Miao sword transforming into a streak of cold light as he slashed at the black-robed figure in front of him.
The man in black raised his sword to parry, but Zhou Xing's sword technique took an unexpected turn midway, changing from a slash to a sweep, cutting across the man's throat.
A soft hissing sound.
The black-robed man dropped his knife with a clatter, clutched his neck, and staggered backward.
A gust of wind whistled behind my head.
Zhou Xing didn't even look, but listened to the incoming force, lowered his body, lowered his stance, and his right leg shot backward like a whip.
The Wing Chun practitioner kicked backward, his heel slamming hard into the shinbone of the black-robed man behind him.
"Snap!"
The sound of bones cracking.
The man in black knelt down, Zhou Xing turned around, and with a swift motion, the Miao sword slashed down, ending his life.
He dropped his Miao knife, leaped up again, grabbed a new rope ladder, and sped upwards.
He was like the most agile ape, or the lion's head leaping on high poles in a lion dance.
The rope ladder is made of vines, the trestle bridge is made of plum blossom stakes, and the cabinets serve as shelters and fulcrums.
He anticipated the attack by listening to the opponent's movements, used the "human puppet" technique to withstand it, and then unleashed his power at extremely close range using Wing Chun's short-range punches and close-quarters combat.
The Gong family's short sword is specifically designed to sever those strange, invisible entanglements.
Zhou's actions became faster and faster, and his killings became more and more efficient.
Chinese martial arts are techniques for killing enemies on the battlefield.
Through constant bloody battles, his combat experience increased rapidly, and he gradually mastered what he had learned.
With a flash of light, the short sword cleaved open the neck of a musketeer;
The rope ladder swung across, and a flying kick sent the man in black robes tumbling into the abyss.
On the narrow pier, he passed three men in black robes wielding knives. In the flash of their blades, blood appeared on the throats of all three.
The movements were clean and efficient, without a single unnecessary action.
Blood and shadows continued to fall from the sky.
With knives, guns, fists, and feet, he eliminated or shook off his pursuers one by one.
Tao Zhugong's figure appeared and disappeared intermittently, trying to use the complex terrain to shake him off.
Zhou Xing's eyes were icy cold, his gaze fixed intently. He darted through the three-dimensional grid, climbing and leaping rapidly, gradually closing the distance.
Tao Zhugong's way of moving around is even more bizarre here.
Sometimes it lunges forward, sometimes it moves laterally, sometimes its feet don't touch the ground, and sometimes it turns right angles at the corners of the pier, defying common sense.
It's like being pushed and shoved by several unseen drunkards; the trajectory is unpredictable, but overall it's no faster than running at full speed.
He kept turning back, his eyes filled with shock and anger, and he kept throwing out paper talismans and copper coins in an attempt to hinder Zhou Xing.
The paper talismans sometimes transformed into swirling eerie flames, and sometimes burst into a cloud of smoke, while the copper coins flew in with a sharp, piercing sound.
Whether circling or dodging, slashing with a sword, or surging with qi and blood to disperse the fist intent, the speed is affected, but the advance is relentless.
Finally, on a platform piled with junk boxes, Zhou Xing caught up with Tao Zhugong.
This is the edge of the green light zone; to the left and ahead is the narrow entrance to the passageway where people come in.
Tao Zhugong's face turned pale, his breathing became disordered, and the power of the Five Ghosts Moving Things also seemed to be running out of steam.
He leaned against a pile of wooden crates, clutching the cracked abacus, his eyes filled with venom as Zhou Xing approached.
"Young man... are you really going to fight to the death?"
Zhou Xing did not answer, his Miao sword pointing diagonally at the ground as he approached step by step.
The soles of the boots creaked softly on the wooden planks, creating a strong sense of pressure.
Tao Zhugong's fat face twitched, and he suddenly slammed the abacus at Zhou Xing.
At the same time, with a swift wave of his wide sleeves, several dark yellow, charred-edged contract papers flew out, moving on their own without wind, spinning like blades as they shot towards him!
Zhou Xing swung his knife, knocking the abacus away. The blade flashed and shredded the contract paper.
Shredded paper fluttered like yellow butterflies.
He suddenly accelerated, the wooden planks beneath his feet cracking, and he shot towards Tao Zhugong like an arrow released from a bow!
Just as the distance shrank to about three zhang, Tao Zhugong suddenly flicked his sleeve, and a handful of beans mixed with incense ash and fingernails came flying.
As soon as the bean made its move, it exploded into a cloud of pale green smoke. From within the smoke, several twisted ghostly figures lunged out, screeching and shrieking, aiming straight for Zhou Xing's mouth, nose, ears, and eyes!
At the same time, Tao Zhugong turned and ran, rushing towards the narrow corridor.
Zhou Xing was prepared. He instantly held his breath, his blood and qi surged, and his fist intent gathered in his brow and temple. He let out a low shout:
"roll!"
The fist's intent surged, and the blood energy exploded, scattering those faint ghostly figures.
The three paths of essence, energy, and spirit.
Boxers cultivate qi and blood, sorcerers focus on spirit and will, and Taoists absorb true qi; each has its own emphasis.
However, Zhou Xingquan's intent has been initially formed, and he has no shortcomings in terms of spirit and intention.
The green smoke obscured his vision, and the impact of the exploding beans made him freeze in place.
At this moment, two Miao swords burst forth from the smoke.
A flash of light appeared.
Zhou Xing broke through the smoke, and two corpses fell behind him.
But Tao Zhugong seized the opportunity, tumbling and crawling, rushing into the narrow corridor without looking back, his fat figure swallowed up by the dim light inside.
Zhou Xing drew his sword and gave chase.
Behind them, more chaotic and heavy footsteps, the clanging of metal, and indistinct shouts were rapidly approaching from all directions.
More guards of the ghost market, or other beings alerted by the disturbance, are swarming in.
He crouched down and rushed into the narrow passage.
After chasing for more than ten zhang, Tao Zhugong had disappeared from sight.
Zhou Xing stopped at the crossroads, panting as he tried to calm his racing blood and pounding heart.
He had several abrasions and bruises on his body, and his clothes were torn, but his eyes remained calm and sharp.
He glanced around and saw two roads leading to the red-light district and one leading to an underground river.
The ground and side walls of the passage leading to the underground river were covered with fresh black slime and bloodstains.
It's the blood of the River Demon. It seems the monster has eaten its fill and returned to the underground river.
Tao Zhugong must have fled to the red-light district.
Just as Zhou Xing was about to give chase, a thought suddenly struck him.
This ghost market is dangerous, and Tao Zhugong is cunning.
One's strength is ultimately limited when one is alone. Even if one kills Tao Zhugong, it wouldn't be satisfying enough.
Perhaps... I should find a helper?
Zhou Xing smiled silently, a slight upturn at the corner of his mouth.
He turned around and stepped into the passage leading to the underground river.