Yan Shouyi broke the long rope and fled.
His purpose was not to fight the Ma siblings, but to retreat safely without causing trouble.
However, although the long rope was broken, the flying tiger claw was still firmly clamped on Yan Shouyi's ankle, having already pierced his flesh. He couldn't shake it off anytime soon.
So, Yan Shouyi hardened his heart and pulled off the Dragon-Tiger Claw himself, bringing with it a large piece of flesh.
Although it hurt, it was not a major issue for Yan Shouyi. Injuries of this magnitude would heal within three hours.
But this ultimately affected Yan Shouyi's escape speed slightly, giving Ma Jinxuan an opportunity to catch up!
"Where do you think you're running to!?"
Ma Jinxuan was a fierce woman. She pulled out two daggers from the straps on her legs and blocked Yan Shouyi's path.
Yan Shouyi glanced at the daggers in Ma Jinxuan's hands, smiled, waved his Zanpakuto, and said, "What you hold are short weapons, no match for my Zanpakuto."
"How do you know if you don't try?"
Ma Jinxuan lunged forward, appearing instantly before Yan Shouyi. The two daggers combined, aiming a fatal strike at Yan Shouyi's throat!
Yan Shouyi was startled, not expecting Ma Jinxuan to be so skilled, and that her first move would be a killing technique.
It had to be said that the Ma siblings' abilities far exceeded Yan Shouyi's expectations.
But he was no pushover either. His years of traveling with his grandfather had given him experience comparable to that of a seasoned veteran!
With a Zong Di Jin Guang, Yan Shouyi instantly circled behind Ma Jinxuan. To avoid fatally injuring her, Yan Shouyi used the hilt of his sword to tap her on the head.
Ma Jinxuan cried out in pain and turned around in anger, raising her dagger to slash at Yan Shouyi's face!
If she was outmatched in skill, Ma Jinxuan would have accepted it. But Yan Shouyi had an opportunity just now and chose to hit her head with his sword hilt. Was this not humiliation?
This was why Ma Jinxuan was so furious.
At that moment, a red oil-paper umbrella blocked Ma Jinxuan's dagger. Then, with a skillful deflection, it pushed Ma Jinxuan's hand aside and even used the momentum to strike her wrist hard!
Ma Jinxuan cried out in pain, dropping her dagger, and quickly retreated to her brother Ma Xingping's side. Ma Xingping had also finally recovered his ability to move and watched the man and woman before them warily.
Lin Zhitong rested the Red God Umbrella on her shoulder and said lightly, "My husband has already shown you mercy. If you're venturing into the martial world, you should know when to be sensible."
Seeing Lin Zhitong come to his aid, Yan Shouyi gave her a thumbs-up.
As expected of my wife, her words are so commanding!
Ma Jinxuan clearly wasn't convinced by Lin Zhitong. "If you've truly ventured through the martial world, you should know that being merciful to your enemies is being cruel to yourself!"
Lin Zhitong chuckled, "It seems I wasn't harsh enough earlier. Shall we exchange a few more moves?"
"Bring it on!"
As if finding a rare opponent, Ma Jinxuan was actually ready to compete with Lin Zhitong. She even raised her dagger, like a mantis about to begin its hunt.
However, Ma Xingping suddenly intervened and stopped Ma Jinxuan.
"Brother?" Ma Jinxuan looked at Ma Xingping in confusion.
Ma Xingping shook his head and said, "Can't you tell? Their strength far surpasses ours. They've been holding back because they don't want to fight us seriously."
Ma Xingping had clearly seen the exchange between Ma Jinxuan and Yan Shouyi.
If Yan Shouyi had truly harbored ill intentions towards them, after that Zong Di Jin Guang, even if he didn't kill Ma Jinxuan, he could have easily disabled one of her arms.
But Yan Shouyi didn't do that, only symbolically tapping Ma Jinxuan's head with his sword hilt.
Ma Jinxuan wasn't an idiot. She quickly calmed down and reviewed the previous exchange, understanding Ma Xingping's meaning.
However, she still felt a bit displeased.
Ma Xingping cupped his fists towards Yan Shouyi and said, "I am Ma Xingping, a grave robber. This is my sister, Ma Jinxuan."
One should reciprocate courtesy.
Yan Shouyi also returned the gesture, cupping his fists. "I am Yan Shouyi, a descendant of Lu Ban."
Lin Zhitong lowered the Red God Umbrella. "I am Lin Zhitong of the Lushan Sect."
"And me! The White Dragon of the Waves from Rongcheng, nicknamed 'Seven Times a Night', Long Feicheng is here!"
Long Feicheng had emerged from somewhere again, shouting his shameless introduction with a laugh.
Seeing this underhanded fellow, even Ma Xingping could barely restrain himself from wanting to beat him up.
However, it was only because Yan Shouyi and Lin Zhitong were present that Ma Xingping held back.
Upon seeing Long Feicheng, Yan Shouyi couldn't help but scold, "So you've been hiding nearby all along?"
"Hehe, I was just waiting for the right moment!" Long Feicheng grinned. "Didn't you tell me to act as a trump card and use my own discretion?"
The scoundrel made such a valid point that Yan Shouyi was momentarily speechless.
Boss Zhou's subordinates were still entangled with the ghosts, unable to attend to them, so Ma Xingping wasn't worried. He heard him say:
"Thank you, Daoist friends, for showing restraint earlier. However, I advise you not to get involved in this matter. Let's each take a step back, and we can meet again in the martial world."
Seeing Ma Xingping actually offering advice, Yan Shouyi shook his head.
"I am from Chenjia Village. Using villagers as bait to enter the cave was a grave mistake. Do you think I can simply ignore this? I cannot compromise on this matter. It is only because we both originate from the common folk that I showed you mercy!"
Ma Jinxuan said coldly, "It was Zhou Yu who used the villagers. It has nothing to do with us."
"When a weak person is bullied by a bad person, the bad people are not only the bullies themselves, but also those who stand by and do nothing, and those who indirectly benefit," Yan Shouyi said. "In my eyes, you are no different from Boss Zhou."
Ma Xingping knew they were in the wrong but refused to back down.
"Daoist friend, we have a compelling reason to enter King Jian's tomb. We implore you to show us leniency."
Yan Shouyi sighed, "The situation has come to this. If you still intend to persist, do not blame me for falling out with you."
Of course, he did not want to make enemies of the Ma siblings, but if they refused to yield, he had no choice.
The atmosphere on the scene instantly became tense again.
Yan Shouyi's gaze turned cold, Lin Zhitong clasped the Red God Umbrella with both hands, and Long Feicheng scanned the surroundings for a suitable hiding place.
Ma Xingping clenched his fists. Ma Jinxuan adjusted her grip on her daggers.
The air became extremely heavy.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk!"
Just as both sides were on the verge of conflict, a rough voice suddenly rang out:
"I am truly amazed to encounter a descendant of Lu Ban here!"
Everyone turned to look. Yang Li, a tomb robber, was squatting not far away, holding a jug of wine, and watching them with great interest.
Yan Shouyi knew this Yang Li and knew he was not someone to be trifled with.
Ma Xingping frowned, "Yang Li, what do you want?"
Yang Li took a swig of strong liquor, casually tossed the empty wine bottle, and stood up, adjusting his waistband. He said,
"I find many people displeasing. I find you all displeasing, I find Zhou Yu displeasing, and I find this descendant of Lu Ban displeasing... Therefore, I am willing to join any of you to resolve the individuals who displease me. I may not be able to kill everyone I find displeasing, but I can at least kill some of them."
"To put it simply, I'm here to seek cooperation. Who among you wishes for me to join you and deal with the other party together?"