Two paper figures held hands, their faces fixed in a horrifyingly eerie smile as they stared at Zhao Yiyao and the long-haired, blue-clad girl.
The long-haired, blue-clad girl had never seen anything like it. Terrified, her face turned ashen, and she even forgot to scream.
Zhao Yiyao, however, remained relatively calm. With a grim expression, she cursed, "Mere paper figures, you think you can block my path? Huang Sipi, show them our might!"
Although Huang Sipi was a weasel, it walked upright on two legs like a human. Its face also displayed a disdainful, human-like smile. Then, with a mere puff of breath towards the paper figures, flames erupted upon them!
Zhao Yiyao was highly confident. She believed these two paper figures wouldn't last long. After all, what paper figure wasn't afraid of fire?
However, the reality shocked Zhao Yiyao. Engulfed by the flames, the two paper figures remained unharmed. Their mouths split open to their ears, as if mocking Zhao Yiyao's overconfidence!
Yan Shouyi shouted from behind:
"Chu Liang's paper figures are extraordinary. They seem to be made of special materials, impervious to fire!"
Zhao Yiyao realized belatedly that escaping through the main door was basically impossible.
Unable to leave the teahouse, she could only retreat to a corner with the long-haired, blue-clad girl, ordering Huang Sipi to cover their escape.
The Illusionist stood beside Yan Shouyi and said gravely, "I am He Xiping, a descendant of the Illusionist lineage. That girl is the one I love, Huang Yishan. Chu Liang is here today to kill Shanshan and force me to reveal myself. I have no other choice but to seek your assistance."
His words clarified the entire situation, revealing the Illusionist's decisive nature.
Yan Shouyi nodded and simply introduced himself, "I am Yan Shouyi, a descendant of Lu Ban."
"A descendant of Lu Ban?!" He Xiping's expression changed, and he exclaimed in surprise, "Are you Yan Chou's son, the head of the Thirteen Guardians of Xuan Mountain?"
"Yes."
He Xiping couldn't help but marvel at his own fortune, to have Yan Chou send his own son to rescue him.
If they could kill Chu Liang today, all would be well. But if they failed and were killed by Chu Liang, He Xiping would feel eternally indebted to Yan Shouyi and the others, even in the afterlife.
Seeing He Xiping's tense expression, Yan Shouyi comforted him:
"Don't worry, we also have a grudge against Chu Liang. We came prepared today, determined to kill Chu Liang!"
As they spoke, Zhao Yiyao had led Huang Yishan to the second floor of the teahouse. Peering down through the gaps in the railing, they saw the middle-aged man surrounded by everyone was completely consumed by flames.
Yet, bizarrely, he did not fall or scream. He simply sat there, letting the fire burn him.
Upon closer inspection, the man's skin was peeling away like wallpaper from the intense heat, revealing a completely different face!
That face was pale and weak, looking like a man ravaged by illness, but his eyes were exceptionally sharp, like two swords, making it impossible to meet his gaze directly!
Soon, the flames extinguished, and the middle-aged man revealed his true form—Chu Liang, the paper figure master!
Chu Liang remained seated, sizing up Yan Shouyi and the others. He sneered,
"The world is truly small. I let you go last time at West Lake, and you're still not satisfied, coming here to die today!"
"Heh, still acting tough! You didn't let us go last time; we let you go," Long Feicheng taunted. "Who was it that didn't dare utter a word upon seeing our Uncle Zou and turned to flee?"
Chu Liang's expression darkened with anger. He even slammed the table with his palm, "I was too careless that day, failing to realize the zither ghost was already gravely ill. I was tricked by you!"
Clearly, Chu Liang had received news of Zou Xiazi's death afterward. He naturally regretted not forcing the issue that day, which resulted in letting Wang Zhilai, whom he had been pursuing for days, escape.
Because he failed to capture Wang Zhilai and lost a significant number of men, the leader of the New Xuan Mountain Sect was displeased with him. Thus, Chu Liang emerged again to capture the Illusionist, hoping to redeem himself.
As fate would have it, he encountered Yan Shouyi and his group in this desolate wilderness.
Yan Shouyi said calmly, "Chu Liang, there's another mistake in your words. We are not here because the world is small, but because—we have come to kill you!"
Hearing this, Chu Liang showed no fear. Instead, he burst into laughter, "Hahahaha! Kill me? With a bunch of greenhorn kids like you?! I think you should go back and cultivate for another decade or two!"
"There's no need for that."
Agong walked out from behind the group and said coldly, "I know all your weaknesses. Even if you are stronger than all of us, you will still face defeat today."
"And who are you?"
Chu Liang's smile vanished, and he scrutinized Agong with great seriousness. He vaguely felt this person was not simple and seemed familiar.
Agong silently removed his mask, revealing a hideous face.
The face was covered in burn scars, even deformed, like melted ice cream or a kneaded lump of dough.
But Agong's eyes were filled with killing intent.
"It's you..."
Chu Liang was clearly very surprised. He thought his intelligent junior brother had long since died in some forgotten corner with their master.
Now, it seemed this kid was living quite well, even finding a large group of people to back him up.
Chu Liang's expression turned serious because he realized Agong was right.
As they were from the same school, they knew each other's abilities intimately. Agong's weaknesses were naturally Chu Liang's weaknesses.
This battle today would likely not be easy.
Chu Liang lowered his head and took a sip of tea.
The next second, he smashed the table with his palm and threw the teacup at Agong!
*Clang!*
Wang Jiwang instantly appeared before Agong, a cleaver splitting the teacup in two!
Immediately after, the enraged Wang Jiwang, without pausing, swung his cleaver towards Chu Liang's forehead!
"You chased my brother, you killed my father, I'll kill you!!"
Wang Jiwang could not blame Zou Xiazi for betraying his fate; he could only blame Chu Liang for shortening the time his father and son could reunite. Thus, his hatred was even greater than Agong's!
Killing Chu Liang would ensure Wang Zhilai's safety, at least for the time being!
With one downward strike, Chu Liang surprisingly did not dodge. With Wang Jiwang's strength, the cleaver embedded itself entirely into Chu Liang's head, the blade reaching Chu Liang's nose!
However, bizarrely, Chu Liang did not scream, nor did any blood flow from the wound!
Wang Jiwang's face changed drastically.
"Let go, step back!"
Yan Shouyi, with quick reflexes, pushed Wang Jiwang away. In the next instant, Chu Liang's body erupted in intense flames, nearly injuring Wang Jiwang!
But even so, Yan Shouyi was hit by the flames spurting from Chu Liang. Fortunately, as a Heavenly Corpse Puppet, he endured the pain and forcefully extinguished the fire with his hand.
He kicked Chu Liang to the ground and sternly warned everyone, "Be careful, everyone. Chu Liang has used the Golden Cicada Shedding technique. This is just one of his paper figures. The real Chu Liang is still hiding in the shadows!"