The sudden address of "Senior Brother" from Kang Jinlong truly startled Yan Shouyi.
Looking at the expressions of Yan Chou and the others, Yan Shouyi was certain that Kang Jinlong was not calling out to someone randomly; they were indeed old acquaintances.
Kang Jinlong was truly a descendant of Lu Ban!
In an instant, Yan Shouyi recalled many details from his childhood when he was with his grandfather.
The lineage of Lu Ban's descendants was passed down generation after generation, partly because the skills were too difficult to learn, requiring exceptional talent to even begin. It was also due to the existence of the "five harms and three deficiencies" (五弊三缺, wu bi san que), a belief that followers of folk sects did not want innocent people to suffer such unforeseen calamities.
However, when Yan Shouyi was young, he noticed that his grandfather often muttered a name.
"Wei Changqing."
Whenever his grandfather mentioned this name, his expression and tone always conveyed deep regret and self-reproach.
Although Yan Shouyi never directly asked, he vaguely felt that Wei Changqing must have been a very important person to his grandfather, perhaps even as important as his own son, Yan Chou, in his grandfather's eyes.
Back then, Yan Shouyi didn't know if Wei Changqing was alive or dead, only that his grandfather felt immense guilt, as if he believed he hadn't taught Wei Changqing well and hadn't guided him onto the right path.
Looking at the situation now, the Kang Jinlong before him was most likely Wei Changqing, the person who had caused his grandfather so much sighing over the years.
The Dog Daoist sneered, "You're really something, acting like an old lady crawling into a quilt, making me laugh! You're only starting to play the emotional card now? It's too late!"
The Chan Master Miaoji also reminded him, "Amitabha! By this point, we are sworn enemies. Spare us those pointless words."
Kang Jinlong ignored the Dog Daoist and the Chan Master Miaoji, his gaze fixed solely on Yan Chou, as if the opinions of others held no importance.
Yan Chou, in turn, stared at Kang Jinlong, his expressionless face effectively hiding his emotions.
"Do you think we reached this point thanks to whom?" Yan Chou asked.
Kang Jinlong gritted his teeth, "You were the one who abandoned the mess, not me."
"And do you truly believe that serving an actor can defy fate?" Yan Chou stepped forward, his voice laced with anger. "If you genuinely believed that actor's nonsense, would you kill the actor's mother today, and tomorrow, to save your own life, would you kill me and Shouyi too?!"
Kang Jinlong took half a step back, his eyes flickering, unable to respond.
Yan Chou's words were filled with significant information. Yan Shouyi noticed that the Nuo Gui Xi descendant they were protecting in the dungeon today was none other than the mother of the actor Li Genmiao.
He hadn't expected this actor, for his own selfish desires, to dispatch people to murder his own mother!
At the same time, Yan Shouyi was puzzled. It was understandable that the demonic figures below the mountain were unaware of the truth, but why would Kang Jinlong, in a position of authority, knowing that the Nuo Gui Xi descendants were not completely wiped out and that the actor's claim of acting in accordance with heaven had many loopholes, still choose to help the actor commit matricide?
Furthermore, judging by Kang Jinlong's reaction, he didn't seem to want to oppose his own father.
What kind of complex relationship was this?
Yan Chou continued to approach Kang Jinlong, his steps heavy, enunciating each word:
"The saying goes, the elder brother is like a father. My father didn't teach you well, that was his failing. Now that he has passed away, I, as his senior disciple, will discipline you! Wei Changqing, surrender now!"
As soon as the words fell, Yan Chou was already in front of Kang Jinlong. He completely overpowered Kang Jinlong in terms of aura. Despite their similar heights, Yan Chou looked down at Kang Jinlong from a superior position.
Kang Jinlong dared not meet Yan Chou's eyes, lowering his head in silence.
Yan Chou's gaze softened slightly. He extended his hand, intending to clap Kang Jinlong on the shoulder.
However, Kang Jinlong suddenly shoved Yan Chou's hand away and plunged his wooden spike fiercely into Yan Chou's chest!
Yan Chou's eyes widened, completely taken by surprise that Kang Jinlong would actually try to kill him!
Kang Jinlong's eyes, filled with hatred and madness, gradually gained the upper hand:
"Senior Brother, after all these years, you still don't understand one thing – people change!!"
"Dad!"
Yan Shouyi's face turned ashen. He moved to intervene, but the Dog Daoist and Chan Master Miaoji were already a step ahead!
The Chan Master Miaoji instantly appeared behind Kang Jinlong and struck towards his head with a palm. But Kang Jinlong, having been prepared, pulled out the wooden spike and dodged to the side!
A gaping hole appeared in Yan Chou's chest, and blood gushed out incessantly.
But Yan Chou was a tough man; despite suffering such a severe injury, he didn't even let out a groan!
The Dog Daoist, supporting Yan Chou, roared, "I told you, this Wei Changqing is a dog that can't change its ways! He's no longer your junior brother! Only you, with your simple mind, would still believe him!"
Yan Chou endured the pain, gritting his teeth, his eyes fixed on Wei Changqing, filled with disappointment.
The Chan Master Miaoji roared, "Amitabha... damn it all, Wei Changqing, your life is forfeit!!"
The standoff between the two sides immediately reignited into a fierce battle. With the help of his other accomplices from the Xin Xuan Mountain Sect, Kang Jinlong became entangled in combat with the Chan Master Miaoji.
As the saying goes, even the strongest fist cannot defeat four hands. Even though Chan Master Miaoji was powerful and protected by a golden body, he ultimately could not withstand the assault of so many people and quickly fell into a disadvantage.
Yan Shouyi and the others rushed forward, taking over from the Dog Daoist, and Yan Shouyi said:
"Uncle Gou, I'll take care of Dad. You go help Uncle Miaoji!"
"Alright!"
The Dog Daoist agreed and immediately charged into the fray with Old Huang.
Meanwhile, Yan Shouyi pressed down on Yan Chou's wound and produced some pills and styptic powder.
Seeing his father suffer such a severe injury for the first time, Yan Shouyi felt a pang of pain. "Dad, why did you still trust that guy?"
Yan Chou grasped Yan Shouyi's hand and shook his head, remaining silent.
Although Yan Chou was decisive in his actions, even somewhat ruthless—he was also the one who valued emotions the most.
Yan Chou could resort to any means to achieve his goals, but he would never choose to sacrifice his own people!
Similarly, he could strike at anyone, but he could never bring himself to strike at his own kin.
Moreover, the Kang Jinlong before him, the former Wei Changqing, had grown up with Yan Chou as childhood fellow disciples. They should have been as close as brothers, yet now they faced each other with blades drawn.
Yan Chou still harbored a sliver of hope for Wei Changqing.
He hoped that Wei Changqing would awaken in time and mend his ways.
But alas, he had misjudged the man.
Yan Shouyi examined his father's injuries and was relieved to find that although severe, they were not fatal.
At the same time, the Dog Daoist and Chan Master Miaoji, fighting in tandem, had annihilated all of Kang Jinlong's companions.
The group that had arrived with such imposing momentum was now reduced to only Kang Jinlong!
And Kang Jinlong had to face the wrath of both the Dog Daoist and Chan Master Miaoji!
The Dog Daoist cursed, "Even a dog knows to wag its tail after three days of feeding, Wei Changqing, you ungrateful bastard!"
Kang Jinlong let out a cold snort, "If it's about being a dog for someone, that's naturally your strong suit, Dog Daoist. I wouldn't dare compete with you for that title!"
The most formidable Dog Daoist was rendered speechless by the mockery for the first time, becoming even more enraged. "Outrageous, utterly outrageous!"