Chapter 23 – The Last Stretch of the Strong Bow: Anderson’s Gamble

Ghost Night Dog returned after scouting the enemy.
Ghost Night Dog cupped his hands and said, “Reporting to the leader, Grand Mage, after my detailed reconnaissance, there is no sign of the Royal Guard around Lake Lucerne.”
Anderson said puzzledly, “That’s strange. Where did all these vultures go?”
Rufus said, “Never mind the Royal Guard for now. Let’s head straight to the Paradise Inn, take control of the inn, and from the prisoners, we can extract the entrance to the Sky Castle.”
Anderson asked anxiously, “Mage, could the Royal Guard be waiting for us around the inn?”
Rufus said, “Master, worrying about that now is meaningless. Even if there is a dragon’s den or tiger’s lair ahead, we have no choice but to brave it and go through.”
Anderson made up his mind, “Very well! Ghost Night Dog, assemble the troops. Tonight, we storm Paradise Inn directly.”

84
Anderson’s Black Bat Army, the ghost soldiers, remnants and defeated troops, arrived around Paradise Inn.
Rufus ordered, “Ghost Night Dog, take a pair of ghost soldiers and block the inn’s surroundings. No one is allowed to approach.”
Ghost Night Dog cupped his hands and acknowledged, “Yes, Mage.”
Rufus accompanied Anderson and a few close guards to the inn’s entrance. Wilson, seeing Anderson and Rufus, was greatly startled, but still maintained composure, turning toward the front desk of the hall and signaling Robert and Lin Xiaoyang with his expression.
Anderson and his party entered the inn’s hall, where only Lin Xiaoyang, Wilson, Huang Lihua, Xie Huijun, Robert, and a few servers were present.
Anderson sat in a chair in the hall and shouted, “Maria, my niece, I specially came to meet you. Please come out and see me, don’t hide in the castle.”
Wilson responded cautiously, “Grand Duke, what wind blows you to our little inn today?”
Anderson scolded angrily, “What are you? Merely a lackey by Maria’s side! Go call your master to come out immediately!”
Huang Lihua stepped forward, cupping his hands and bowing, “Duke, why are you so angry? I invited everyone to enjoy the meal. Whatever you wish to eat, just let us know.”
Seeing Huang Lihua, Anderson’s anger flared immediately, “Huang Lihua, you traitor! After I trusted you with all my heart, you colluded with the enemy camp and secretly betrayed me. Later, you’ll see how I deal with you!”
Huang Lihua forced a smile, “Boss, your evil deeds are countless. You harm innocent lives and bring shame to the Dark World. Though I am only a painter, I understand the survival of the Dark World is the responsibility of every man.”
Anderson waved his hand angrily, “Bah! Stop talking! Taking your life is easier than crushing an ant. Get out of the way and call your master to see me.”
At this moment, Father John and Adorno entered through the door, Adorno holding Ghost Night Dog’s severed head.
Grand Mage Rufus crossed his arms and cast a cold side glance at Father John, blocking the doorway.
Father John signaled Adorno, and Adorno tossed Ghost Night Dog’s bloodied head to a guard beside Anderson.
The guards’ faces showed fear.
Rufus coldly said, “You must be the fearsome Father John who forced George and Jack to die one after another?”
Father John said, “Exactly. Mage Rufus, sharp eyes indeed. I know your love turned to hatred, and you could not be with Princess Maria, so you devoted yourself to the Duke. Today, if you still do not awaken, don’t blame me for showing no mercy.”
Rufus looked somewhat surprised, “Princess told you about this, didn’t she? Everyone has their own will; no need to speak further. Shall we see your skill in action?”
Anderson looked suspicious, “Wait! Mage, what that foul-mouthed priest said just now—is it true?”
“Master, at such a critical moment, do not listen to his nonsense. You are falling for the enemy’s scheme of sowing discord.” Rufus didn’t want to touch a sore spot and avoid being manipulated by the enemy’s provocation. He immediately activated his magic and engaged Father John.
Father John had heard Princess Maria say Rufus was a powerful mage and dared not be careless. He also used his secret skills, giving his all to fight Rufus. Rufus had hundreds of years of magical cultivation; his attacks were indeed sharp. Father John gradually felt overwhelmed. At this moment, Lin Xiaoyang quickly stepped forward to join the battle.
Lin Xiaoyang said, “Father, I’ll help you.”
Father John shouted, “Xiaoyang, be careful! This person is no ordinary opponent.”
Seeing Xiaoyang holding only a poplar branch, Rufus stopped his attack.
Rufus sneered disdainfully, “Ignorant youngster, do you think you are playing like a child?”
“Whether it’s play or not, you’ll know after we spar!” Lin Xiaoyang said, swinging the branch. His movements appeared extremely gentle, yet the pure yang energy from his body gradually emerged. Except for Father John and Anderson, no one could discern the secret—Lin Xiaoyang was using the “Taiji Sword” from Chinese martial arts.
Father John said, “When did this young man learn Wudang’s Taiji Sword? This is interesting!”
Anderson thought, “Why does this young man have a pure yang energy? I’ve only ever seen this in David.”
Anderson, uneasy, asked, “Young man, who exactly are you?”
Lin Xiaoyang sneered while striking, “I am your nemesis, David!”
Upon hearing this, Anderson was certain he was David.
“Rufus, he is David. Be careful!” Rufus heard his master’s warning. Memories of David seizing love in the past flashed rapidly in his mind, igniting centuries of accumulated hatred.
“David, our old and new grudges will be settled here today!” Rufus then launched a fierce attack on Lin Xiaoyang. But Rufus did not understand profound Chinese martial arts; his sharp strikes could not break through the strange moves of the poplar branch.
Duke Anderson also could not comprehend Lin Xiaoyang’s sword moves, feeling they were slow yet fast, soft yet hard. No matter how Rufus attacked, the poplar branch in Xiaoyang’s hand seemed like a magic wand, instantly neutralizing Rufus’s attacks.
At this moment, Xie Huijun stepped out from the front desk, “Rufus, remember when you took me to the hillside to pick wildflowers and chase butterflies…”
Hearing this, Rufus suddenly stepped back several paces, surprised, “You are Maria?”
Xie Huijun said, “If Maria still resides in your heart, please stop your magic.”
“Impossible! You are Annie!” Rufus lunged forward, using teleportation to seize Huijun’s right hand, instantly abducting her.
Seeing Xie Huijun fall into Rufus’s hands, Lin Xiaoyang shouted anxiously, “Monster, do not harm Huijun!”
Lin Xiaoyang switched to another sword style, shouting the move’s name, “Dang Sword Form!”
Lin Xiaoyang leapt forward to attack.
At this moment, Father John could not understand at all which school of swordsmanship this was; the only thing he could be certain of was that this set of sword techniques was purely Chinese, with each move deliberately exposing an opening, relying on offense without defense to seek victory in danger.

“Sword Challenging Form.” Lin Xiaoyang’s poplar branch precisely targeted several deadly points on Rufus’s body, forcing Rufus to use all his skills to respond.

“You little brat, full of all sorts of evil spells!” Rufus cursed through gritted teeth, his hands blocking left and right, but he did not dare to pause even for a moment, gradually paying no attention to Xie Huijun.

Seeing the opportunity, Father John seized it, swinging the human-bone cross in his hand and using Wing Chun techniques to intensify attacks on Rufus’s lower body, intending to create a chance to pull Xie Huijun away. But at that moment, Anderson unexpectedly launched a stealth attack from behind. When Father John felt a chilling wind approaching from his back, although he spun and jumped to evade, he was still struck on his back and waist by Anderson’s pipe, a sudden intense pain spreading throughout his body. Father John immediately jumped out of the circle, feeling the blood in his body flowing backward, his face turning pale and ashen.

Anderson then struck at Xie Huijun; the pipe hit directly on Huijun’s crown, and with a miserable scream, she immediately fell to the ground, several streams of fresh blood flowing through her long hair.

Seeing Huijun fall into the hands of a deadly attack, Xiaoyang’s grief and fury combined: “Broken Sword Form.”

Lin Xiaoyang charged directly at Anderson, the poplar branch stabbing at Anderson’s chest. Anderson hastily tried to block with the pipe, but the branch split the pipe into several pieces. Anderson was startled and stumbled back several steps, temporarily withdrawing his hands. Seeing this, Rufus was also greatly shocked and temporarily paused.

Lin Xiaoyang picked up Huijun and shouted urgently, “Huijun! Huijun, stay strong, Huijun!”

Anderson, panting, called out to stop, “Wait! Young man, you indeed have extraordinary skills. I, the Duke, do not wish to take advantage of the situation, nor do I intend to exterminate. I am eager for talent and wish to discuss terms with you.”

At the side, Father John, who was regulating his energy, suddenly stood up, shouting, “Xiaoyang, under no circumstances deal with the demon!”

Anderson shouted, “Shut your mouth! You foul-mouthed priest, stirring trouble even at death’s door!”

After angrily scolding Father John, Anderson turned and addressed Lin Xiaoyang with a calm expression: “Young man, listen. I don’t care if you are David or his successor. Only I can save the woman you love. Let’s negotiate this deal, shall we?”

At this moment, Huijun summoned her last bit of strength and spoke, “Xiaoyang, send this demon back to hell.”

After saying this, Xie Huijun spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, closed her eyes, and passed away.

Lin Xiaoyang wept bitterly, handing Huijun to Adorno, and then turned to face Rufus and Anderson.

“Anderson, David has returned!” Lin Xiaoyang slowly shouted the sword technique: “Dugu Nine Swords, Ninth Form: Nine Dragons Flying to the Heavens!”

Lin Xiaoyang then leapt into the air, transforming into nine flying dragons, encircling Duke Anderson. Anderson, never having seen Eastern flying dragons, was terrified by the sight, completely losing composure and wildly flailing his hands. Yet the more he flailed, the shorter his hands became, severed segment by segment, falling to the ground.

The magician Rufus and the guards were dumbfounded, terrified, and no one dared to advance to help. In a short while, Anderson had been cut to resemble a roly-poly toy, his limbs no longer attached to his body.

At this moment, Father John threw the human-bone cross to Xiaoyang: “Use my magical instrument, strike Anderson a fatal blow, and send him back to hell.”

Lin Xiaoyang extended his hand, grasped the human-bone cross in midair, and thrust it into Anderson’s heart. Anderson screamed miserably; his mouth twisted, eyes slanted, body gradually contorting and deforming, flesh peeling off in pieces. A wisp of light smoke rose, but Lin Xiaoyang caught it with his hand.

Lin Xiaoyang said, “Caught your original spirit, Duke. I will always be your nemesis: David.”

At this moment, Xie Huijun, lying in Adorno’s arms, suddenly opened her eyes and moved toward Rufus. Huijun raised her hand and waved it across her face, instantly revealing a new face—it was indeed the fair and beautiful Princess Maria.

Rufus was shocked at seeing Maria, “You… you are Maria? You really are Maria!”

Maria spread her arms gently and said, “Rufus, it’s me. I came to take you away from here.”

Rufus lunged at Maria, and the two embraced passionately.

Seeing this, several of Anderson’s guards realized the situation was lost and turned to leave. Father John crossed his arms at the door, frowning and shouting, “Anyone who wants to leave must leave their life behind.”

The guards exchanged glances and gradually lowered their weapons.

Guard A cupped his hands and bowed, “We are willing to surrender! Please grant us a way to live.”

Lin Xiaoyang stopped Maria and asked, “Princess, Princess, what about Huijun? My Huijun?”

Maria looked at Xiaoyang and said, “Huijun has returned to the Lord Jesus. Xiaoyang, let her go. She wishes to see you live happily.”

Tears glimmered in Lin Xiaoyang’s eyes as he bit his lip, his expression somber…

Maria said, “Rufus, my good friend, come back to the castle with me?”

Princess Maria linked her arm with Rufus, and the two transformed into a pair of colorful butterflies, flying out the door.

85
In Room 504, Father John, bare-chested, sat cross-legged on the bed, receiving a qigong massage from Lin Xiaoyang.

Father John asked, “Xiaoyang, last night’s fierce fight with the old thief Anderson, you first used Taiji Sword, I could follow that part, but later when you shouted the Dugu Nine Swords, I couldn’t understand at all…”

Lin Xiaoyang opened a drawer, took out two comics, and smiled as he handed them over, “Father, look through these, and you will understand.”

“Oh? Let me see…” Father John curiously took the comics and flipped through a few pages.

Father John laughed joyfully, “Hahaha! So you learned it from these two comics.”

Lin Xiaoyang said, “Not entirely. They inspired me, giving me endless creativity.”

Father John said incredulously, “This is truly unheard of!”

Lin Xiaoyang said, “In fact, I also incorporated techniques from painting and calligraphy, so later even I could not fully understand how those endless sword moves emerged.”

Father John said, “Seeing you wield a poplar branch like a long sword reminds me of Chinese swordsmanship, where they say a blunt sword has no edge, yet great skill lies in simplicity.”

Lin Xiaoyang smiled, “Exactly, and one more: no formal moves in mind, but sword moves in hand.”

At this moment, someone pushed open the door—a beautiful figure appeared.

Lin Xiaoyang said, “Minhua!” Surprise was evident on his face, and he stood to greet her.

“Brother Xiaoyang, Minhua is back on vacation!” Huang Minhua had grown her hair long, and her oval face looked enchanting.

Lin Xiaoyang gazed at Minhua tenderly, “Welcome! Minhua.”

Huang Lihua followed in, deliberately coughing twice to signal Father John.

Huang Minhua said, “Grandfather roughly told me what happened in the inn.”

Huang Lihua smiled, “Father, let’s go to the hall for coffee, don’t linger here as a third wheel.”

Father John smiled, stood up, and put on his shirt, “Indeed. The young couple, reunited after a long time, surely have much to say. Let’s go have coffee in the hall, have coffee!”

They shared a knowing smile and left together.

Lin Xiaoyang spread his arms; Minhua approached and embraced him tenderly.

Lin Xiaoyang said, “Minhua! I’ve missed you so much…”

Huang Minhua said, “Brother, on the train back, Sister Huijun appeared in my dream.”

Lin Xiaoyang asked tenderly, “What did Sister Huijun say to you?”

“Huijun told me that in this life, I must be the most faithful model in your paintings,” said Huang Minhua, closing her eyes gently and raising her chin. Xiaoyang gave her a long, deeply affectionate kiss…