Legend of Zhan Zhao

Chapter 16 Compared to solving cases, I am far more skilled in martial arts!
Zhao Xingyao, one of the Four Great Constables, is known for his lightness skill called "Riding the Yellow Wind True Technique," which ranks fourth on the Baiyulou Lightness Skill Ranking.

In terms of skill level, it is the best seen to date, even surpassing the "Six Lines Formless Sword Qi" which ranked fifth on the swordsmanship list.

This skill was not created by him; it is said to have been passed down from ancient times.

Chenghuang was an ancient mythical horse, resembling a fox with two horns on its back. It came from the country of the Bai people, and riding it could grant a lifespan of three thousand years.

The Yellow Emperor rode in it, hence it was also called Feihuang or Tenghuang. The later idiom "feihuang tengda" (meaning to achieve great success) originates from the story of riding in the Yellow Emperor.

The "True Technique of Riding the Yellow Wind" specializes in methods of raising and exchanging Qi. When mastered, one can exchange Qi in mid-air, using the wind to generate power, thus achieving an inexhaustible source of energy and reaching the realm of flying through the air.

As stated in "Free and Easy Wandering", "Liezi rode the wind and traveled, which was quite wonderful. He returned after fifteen days."

Its feet remain untouched by dust; it flies for fifteen days before descending.

Of course, whether the person who created this unparalleled lightness skill has reached this level is unknown, and Zhao Wujiu himself is far from reaching it.

Even so, Zhao Wujiu, the youngest of the Four Great Constables, achieved feats such as chasing Jiang Yang in three days, single-handedly breaking through Lianhuan Village, and intercepting Liao spies over a thousand miles. All of these achievements were related to this unparalleled lightness skill.

At this moment, Zhao Wujiu's tactics were also very clear.

After he appeared, a strong wind blew up, covering the golden body of Jiewen, relieving Zhou Wuxin of the pressure while aiming at his target, Dingjue.

The two renowned constables did not come here to truly oppose the Great Xiangguo Temple; on the contrary, they hoped to resolve the conflict.

However, Zhou Wuxin's attempts to communicate failed, so Zhao Wujiu had no choice but to forcibly take away this secret agent from inside the sect who had committed a major crime.

Zhan Zhao, though arriving late, struck first, and in the instant after drawing his sword and subduing Dingjue with a backhand, he took the initiative to challenge him.

A sword aura shot out, heading straight for about ten feet to the southeast.

Just as the sword energy arrived, a gust of wind suddenly swirled in, and the green figure enveloped in the wind abruptly stopped, turned sharply, and touched the sword's edge with its toes, gracefully using the force to change direction.

However, the second sword energy had already pierced towards the northwest corner.

That was precisely the direction he flew in after turning.

"laugh--"

This time, the famous constable's boots narrowly missed the sword energy as his figure shifted again.

The third and fourth sword energies followed one after another.

Zhao Wujiu continued to gather his energy, his body spinning rapidly like a top, forcefully carving a path through the gaps in the sword light, changing position multiple times in the blink of an eye.

This is the Nine Transformations of Soaring Wind.

It can twist and turn nine times in mid-air, like a blue phoenix circling, its afterimages deceiving the enemy.

But the sword tip followed like a shadow, easily keeping up.

Each landing point represents his changed location.

"what?"

The phantom in the wind let out a clear exclamation.

The difference in their lightness skills was obvious, yet Zhan Zhao's sword light caught up effortlessly.

Because they always arrive early and gain the upper hand.

How could this be?

Unbeknownst to Zhao Wujiu, the wind he controlled had already been infiltrated with "impurities."

The changes of the six lines are governed by formless energy.

From Zhan Zhao's perspective, the changing positions of the enemy are clearly outlined in all directions.

This is the signature skill of "Six Lines Formless Sword Qi": when true qi leaves the body, it transforms into formless sword lines and spreads them around the enemy's six directions.

Not to mention that Zhao Wujiu's "True Technique of Riding the Yellow Wind" is far from being able to truly ride the wind, even if he could, unless he could completely transform into a whirlwind and not even be able to see the shape of a human body, every subtle movement would reveal a massive amount of information.

Swinging the arm is like the first line moving, stepping is like the second line changing, and exerting force is like the fifth line turning...

Before the enemy's move was even completed, the outcome was already clear.

If at this moment the six-line sword energy appears as the "Gou" hexagram, with Qian above and Xun below, Xun pointing to the right rib, the strength of Qian will be released when it turns from hard to soft. Zhan Zhao thrusts out his sword, striking directly at the rib.

As expected, Zhao Wujiu made the move he had anticipated. In order to dodge, he had no choice but to change his move and dodge gracefully.

The "Qian" hexagram reappears, with Kun above and Gen below. Gen represents the feet, and Kun signifies compliance and defense. Knowing that the opponent intends to retreat, Zhan Zhao cuts off the opponent's ankle with his sword, continuing to disrupt the rhythm.

Forced into a corner, Zhao Wujiu dodged again.

'What kind of sword technique is this?'

Zhao Wujiu became increasingly frustrated as the fight progressed.

Even though he was moving so fast that outsiders couldn't see his face, all they could see was a gust of wind sweeping around him, relentlessly attacking the enemy, making them think he was in control.

In reality, Zhan Zhao strolled leisurely, always waiting for the enemy to tire themselves out, and when he attacked, the enemy would come to his rescue, allowing him to wield his sword with ease.

If this continues, the depletion of true energy will be on a completely different level, and we simply cannot afford to continue like this.

We must change our strategy!

'Break through its acupoints!'

In the blink of an eye, Zhao Wujiu made a decision and quickly changed his tactics.

The superior martial arts of this world all focus on condensing acupoints and opening up the sea of ​​qi.

The reason Chen Xiuhan looked down on "Pure Tathagatagarbha" was because the mental cultivation method included in it was the kind of martial art that could only be practiced step by step to open up the meridians of the whole body.

In the martial arts world, this is considered a low-level skill, requiring painstaking effort; even after a lifetime of practice, the achievements are limited.

Condensing acupoints can strengthen ordinary acupoints, enhance the circulation of true qi, and even have a ripple effect, invigorating the entire meridian. Opening one acupoint opens up all acupoints, achieving twice the result with half the effort.

The true energy stored through these acupoints can be transformed into different kinds of true energy, exhibiting special attributes such as ice and fire, and may even trigger divine effects, possessing all sorts of incredible wonders.

Once multiple acupoints have been successfully refined and sufficient internal energy has been accumulated, one can then unleash their accumulated power and attempt to open up the primordial Qi Sea in the dantian, comprehend the profound mysteries, and reach a level of martial arts that is unimaginable to ordinary martial artists.

However, the method of condensing acupoints also has a flaw—the acupoints that have been successfully condensed are often the strongest explosive points in the body, but also the weakest fatal points.

Once a condensed acupoint is severely struck, it's not just a matter of acupoint suppression; there's also the danger of losing one's cultivation.

Of course, those who can condense acupoints are all top-notch martial arts masters, one in ten thousand. They are not easily hit by acupoints. But even if they are not directly hit, if their weakness is locked, they will often be at a disadvantage, thus allowing the insightful person to establish the victory.

Zhao Wujiu then prepared to adopt this tactic.

This is because he relies on his superior lightness skill and speed to surpass that of his opponent.

They were also taking advantage of Zhan Zhao's youth and lack of experience in the martial arts world.

It's too late to say.

Zhao Wujiu suddenly turned around, leaving a series of afterimages.

Before the dust had even settled on the bluestone pavement outside the temple, people had already circled Zhan Zhao three times like ghosts.

In an instant, nine figures, whose forms were indistinguishable from the real ones, seemed to attack simultaneously, each using a different move.

This scene was not only shocking to outsiders, but Zhan Zhao, who was directly involved, frowned slightly, and the swordplay in his hand suddenly changed.

The sword moves, which were originally wide and sweeping, suddenly became like a jade belt around the waist, with a hazy blue light swirling around the point where the sword tip circled.

Amidst the clashing of cold lights, more than a dozen powerful attacks struck like thunder.

'Yes! '

The sound of clashing energies had not yet faded, but Zhao Wujiu's mind was now at peace.

Because he identified the weakness.

The Tianquan acupoint on the right shoulder!
The opponent's acupoint was brimming with powerful true energy, which was constantly circulating and invigorating the body's blood and bones during the fierce battle, recovering from the injuries inflicted by the Dragon Claw Hand. This was the perfect opening for a breakthrough.

"That's it!"

Although the Four Great Constables, renowned throughout the land, bullied an unknown young man, and their right shoulder was injured beforehand, making their victory seem dishonorable, the matter was of great importance and there was no time for hesitation.

As the eight afterimages dissipated, Zhao Wujiu's true form suddenly closed in, his right leg sweeping out like a whip, his toes pointed like a crescent moon, and his foot struck Zhan Zhao's right shoulder at an incredible angle.

While targeting the Jianjing acupoint, it also contains endless variations, encompassing half of the body, combining elegance and ruthlessness.

'good! ’

Not far away, Zhou Tianguang's face had turned pale as he faced Jie Wen's offensive, but observing the battle from afar, he couldn't help but feel a surge of energy.

Sorry! You're getting ahead of yourselves!

However, Zhan Zhao even had the leisure to pay attention to Zhou Tianguang not far away, and sensing the other's joy, the corners of his lips slightly lifted.

"Compared to solving cases, I am far more skilled in martial arts!"

His right arm, which had been hanging low, suddenly twisted backward with a cracking sound, and his true energy surged forth. He raised his hand and flicked his fingers like a sword.

"laugh--!"

Two cold stars suddenly burst forth from her sleeve and struck with lightning speed.

"Well--!!"

The leg shadows in mid-air suddenly froze.

Zhao Wujiu had been on guard against Zhan Zhao's longsword in his left hand, but he never expected that his injured and crippled right arm would suddenly make a move, and with such a sharp and fierce sword finger.

The sword energy shot out, and a wisp of white vapor curled from the fingertip, like the frost breathed out in early winter, hitting the sole of the foot.

In an instant, Zhao Wujiu's right leg meridians felt as if they were being filled with ice needles, and his toes, which had been as nimble as the wind just moments before, felt as heavy as a thousand-pound iron cone.

"not good!"

Riding the Yellow Wind's true energy, Zhao Wujiu quickly dispelled the abnormality in the meridians of his right leg and then withdrew.

But it was too late.

The sword light surged.

Not to mention Dingjue, whose pressure points were sealed, and the constables who were unable to get up.

Even Jie Wen and Zhou Wuxin completely turned their attention to it.

The wind has stirred up the chaos.

In Zhao Wujiu's eyes, Zhan Zhao's attack was not just that one finger.

It was as if six invisible enemies suddenly appeared in the wind he was riding, each wielding a sword and thrusting at him.

In reality, it was six invisible sword energies that flew out from within the wind, forming a six-way combination to block all things. Together with Zhan Zhao's sword finger, they pierced straight towards Zhao Wujiu's Neiting acupoint on the sole of his foot.

"How did you know?"

Zhao Wujiu fell silent.

In the art of light body techniques, the Yongquan acupoint is the starting point of the Kidney Meridian, and it is the most frequently refined acupoint for drawing fire back to its source.

Secondly, the Taichong and Taibai acupoints are worth mentioning.

In comparison, Neiting (ST44) is an acupoint on the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming, located in the depression at the junction of the second and third toes, and is relatively less well-known.

Unfortunately, among the twelve acupoints refined by the "Riding the Yellow Wind Technique", the one on the sole of the foot is not Yongquan, but Neiting. After the refinement is completed, it is named "Neiting Xuanxu".

During the exchange, in addition to gaining the upper hand with his sword, Zhan Zhao was also consciously testing the strength of his opponent's acupoints on the soles of his feet.

On the surface, the opponent's leg techniques all originated from the Yongquan acupoint, but through meticulous observation, he discovered that the energy gushing from the Neiting acupoint was even more agile and ethereal.

It was this agility that enabled him to make judgments and execute them decisively.

Unleash the sword energy, combine it to strike the inner court, and finish the job in one move!
A swift and decisive victory, exploiting the enemy's weaknesses?
Skillful!

That's what I think too!
(End of this chapter)