Chapter 171: The Change of Heaven and Man

Chapter 171: The Change of Heaven and Man

"Snake Head Sword?"

Su Mo was stunned, feeling confused.

Yang Yizhi casually picked up a branch and drew a sword on the ground.

However, the hilt was not of a normal shape.

Instead, it was a ferocious snake head winding out.

Although Yang Yizhi obviously had little involvement in the art of painting, it still carried a touch of sincerity.

Making the snake head appear extremely fierce.

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun both looked at it for a moment, feeling completely unfamiliar with it.

Instinctively, they looked up at Yang Yizhi, who gently shook his head:

"My understanding of this is extremely limited. Back when your grandfather had his incident, your father certainly wouldn't have turned a blind eye.

"However, we couldn't discern much from the entire affair.

"The escort they took was entirely normal, and despite encountering some waves along the way, they delivered the escort on time.

"The person who requested the escort, and the person who received it, were both investigated, and there were no issues.

"The only problem was what they encountered on the road.

"Your father and I, due to a myriad of matters, didn't have time to deeply consider it, and when we inquired with the Purple Sun Sect, they didn't know much about this mark either.

"But they said they would investigate.

"That investigation lasted for many years.

"Your father's second visit to the Purple Sun Sect... seemed to be for this matter."

Hearing this, Su Mo had already vaguely sketched something in his mind.

However, the events of the past were too distant, and Yang Yizhi's understanding was only fragmentary, so even his guesses weren't of much help today.

The most useful thing, perhaps, was this mark.

"In short, that's about what happened back then."

Yang Yizhi said: "Now that we've captured the Heaven Gate Master, we need to find a way to extract some information from him. However, getting information from this person won't be easy."

"How about... trying the Painful Human Canon?"

Yang Xiaoyun suddenly interjected.

"The Painful Human Canon?"

Yang Yizhi was stunned: "Is that what the Man Character Sect leader mentioned that day? The Heaven Gate Master seems to have lusted after it for a long time... I've also heard some rumors about Master Red Cloud. How is it that you, Mo'er, are proficient in this?"

"Proficient is an understatement."

Yang Xiaoyun smiled: "Master Red Cloud took a liking to him at first sight and taught him the entire Painful Human Canon."

"What?"

Yang Yizhi was greatly surprised and found it both amusing and exasperating: "Is that so, but Mo'er, you must guard yourself and definitely not become a monk. Your Su family has only one descendant, a single sapling on a thousand acres of land.

"After you get married, you must properly expand the Su family lineage and not let it die out."

Su Mo was momentarily speechless: "Uncle Yang... this seems..."

"Seems how?"

Yang Yizhi snorted: "When you were little, you were closer to me, and even though you were useless back then, I treated you like my own son. Now that you're strong in martial arts, with your wings hardened, you're not going to listen to me?"

"Your nephew doesn't dare."

Su Mo hurriedly shook his head.

"Good that you don't dare."

Yang Yizhi looked at Su Mo, his eyes also unable to hide his satisfaction: "A moment of enlightenment, a transformation, your ability to wake up and turn back, your father would be able to close his eyes in peace.

"Alright, I've said enough, I want to see you perform the Painful Human Canon."

After finishing, he stood up and headed towards the cave.

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun held hands and followed behind him.

Turning to look at Yang Xiaoyun, he noticed a smile on her face that hadn't been there for a long time.

...

...

Their conversation took quite a while, and over in the cave, they had already set up a pot for cooking.

People were gathered in small groups of three or five, eating and drinking.

However, among them, there was a large circle, with a group of people surrounding it, emitting waves of exclamations.

"City Lord, our brothers' day's rations are gone."

"What kind of background does this hero have, that he can eat so much?"

"He looks honest and simple, but the way he... ah, the way he eats is simply astonishing!"

As various opinions were voiced, Su Mo and his two companions arrived, and sure enough, they saw Zhen Xiaoxiao sitting in the middle, casually grabbing rations and throwing them into her mouth.

Her mouth opened wide, her strong teeth ground, and whatever big pancakes, steamed buns, or cornbread were stuffed in were instantly reduced to pieces.

She picked up the iron pot, not afraid of the heat, and poured it back with her head tilted, like a giant whale sucking water. In no time, the pot was empty.

She casually put it down and shouted, "Another pot!"

The members of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance, loving chaos, quickly brought another pot, along with various other foods.

Though they said rations were running low, they were genuinely curious to see how much more Zhen Xiaoxiao could eat!

Liu Mo, Fu Hanyuan, and Feng Baichuan stood by quietly, watching, and feeling that they had truly opened their eyes.

They knew Zhen Xiaoxiao had extraordinary martial skills but didn't expect her to have another unique talent.

Even Yu Lingxin was watching with wide eyes.

The unicorn swordsman, standing with his sword, rolled his eyes, despising those who hadn't seen much of the world.

Yet, he secretly moved a couple of steps to the side, seemingly worried that Zhen Xiaoxiao might get desperate and grab him to chew on.

Seeing Su Mo and his group return, Wu Daoyou, standing with his hands behind his back and looking afar, nodded at the three with a smile and said:

"The hero under Chief Escort Su's command is indeed extraordinary.

"Seeing her charge today, with overwhelming power, it's truly inspiring. I wonder, where did you recruit such a hero?"

"……Lord Wu, please be mindful."

Yang Xiaoyun quickly interjected, "It's a lady."

"……"

Wu Daoyou, with a mature face, showed some confusion, ensuring he hadn't misheard, then looked at Zhen Xiaoxiao again, lightly shook his head, and nodded, saying:

"Impressive!"

Presumably, he didn't know what else to say.

Hearing their conversation, Zhen Xiaoxiao suddenly turned around and shouted, "Leader, you're back, come eat!"

"You eat first."

Su Mo waved his hand, and Zhen Xiaoxiao immediately nodded, sitting back down to continue eating.

Yang Yizhi quietly observed for a moment, his brows slightly raised, and asked, "Is she really okay eating like this?"

"She's fine."

Su Mo said with a smile, "Her martial arts have a unique mechanism, and she's always eaten like this."

"So that's how it is."

Yang Yizhi nodded and said, "This reminds me of a demonic skill I once read about with your father in the Purple Sun Sect."

"What demonic skill?"

Su Mo's heart tightened.

"Yes, it's called the Whale Devouring Skill."

Yang Yizhi said seriously, "This skill focuses on eating. The more you eat, the more profound your internal energy becomes. However, this internal energy accumulates within the body, and only a portion can be used.

"As a result, it keeps accumulating... if one cannot truly master it and break through, they will eventually experience a whale fall."

Su Mo's brows furrowed slightly, "Whale fall?"

"When a whale falls, myriad creatures thrive, which is why it's called a demonic skill.

"Outside the Eastern Wastes, there is said to be a demonic sect that teaches this skill, making them eat and drink excessively. Before the whale fall happens, they are placed in an iron cage, which is sealed tightly on all sides. The floor has mechanisms.

"When the whale fall shakes, they are reduced to pieces, and the mechanisms are removed, allowing the flesh to slide down.

"They collect this flesh, refine it into pills, which can enhance their skills, making their martial arts improve by leaps and bounds."

"How utterly vicious."

Yang Xiaoyun's heart trembled, and she instinctively looked at Zhen Xiaoxiao.

She had always eaten like this, and it had never seemed strange before, but now, it did seem similar to what Yang Yizhi described.

Su Mo, however, thought a bit further.

He knew that Zhen Xiaoxiao's body contained a large amount of internal energy stored in her meridians, which was extremely difficult to utilize.

He had helped her refine quite a bit over the three days they tracked Yang Yizhi with Zhen Xiaoxiao and Yang Xiaoyun, but it was still just a drop in the bucket.

"Indeed vicious."

Yang Yizhi nodded, "That's why it was said to have been wiped out long ago. Although the world varies in different regions, the distinction between good and evil is not determined by geography.

"If it weren't for seeing her today, I would have almost forgotten about this record.

"However... the Whale Devouring Skill has been lost for many years, and even the Purple Sun Sect only recorded its existence. What this girl practices may not be the same."

Su Mo nodded, but asked:

"Uncle Yang, in the records you saw at the Purple Sun Sect about this technique, was there any mention of how to break the cocoon?"

"Well..."

Yang Yizhi thought for a moment: "There might have been, I can't quite remember, but I do have a strong impression of this particular description."

"I see."

Su Mo sighed. Originally, he had hesitated repeatedly about whether to go to the Purple Sun Sect.

He had a feeling that going there would inevitably lead to other troubles.

But now, with various matters entangled together, it seemed that not going to the Purple Sun Sect was not an option anymore.

Not to mention the seal his grandfather had obtained back then—what had the Purple Sun Sect ultimately discovered?

And how much of it was related to the decision Su Tianyang had made?

As for Zhen Xiaoxiao's martial arts, it sounded suspiciously like the Whale Devouring Technique.

In that case, he couldn't just leave it alone.

Letting them continue eating and drinking, Su Mo and the other two followed Yang Yizhi to another part of the cave.

After a winding passageway, they arrived at a cave.

Inside the cave were two imprisoned individuals.

One was the Liuyun Scholar, and the other was naturally the Heaven Gate Master.

When Liuyun Scholar looked up and saw Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun, he was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter:

"The remnants of the past have finally dragged these two young ones into the fray, haven't they?

"The Ziyang Escort Agency and the Iron Blood Escort Agency... are ultimately destined to be destroyed!

"Yang Yizhi, have you lived up to Su Tianyang's sacrifice!?"

Yang Yizhi's expression darkened, but he heard Su Mo chuckle lightly:

"Uncle Liuyun, you seem quite lively. Seeing that you look well, I feel much relieved."

"...What do you intend to do?"

Liuyun Scholar was taken aback. Su Mo would never speak to him so kindly, and the gentler his words, the worse his own fate might be.

Su Mo shook his head: "I've heard that both Uncle Liuyun and the Heaven Gate Master of the Three Extremes Sect wished to possess the Painful Man Scripture.

"Coincidentally, I have done some research on this subject, and today I plan to demonstrate this martial art for both of you.

"This gesture of goodwill, I hope you won't reject."

As he spoke, he had someone open the cage and walked in.

Liuyun Scholar's face changed dramatically: "You... you, don't come near me!"

The Painful Man Scripture was no ordinary existence. There were too many rumors about it. If not for this, the Three Extremes Sect wouldn't have targeted it.

The Red Cloud Monk used this technique to bring all the major thieves along the river under his control, showing just how difficult it was to handle this scripture.

Now, seeing Su Mo approach, Liuyun Scholar felt as if he had seen a ghost.

Su Mo smiled: "Uncle Liuyun, why are you like this? My sincere intentions, why reject them from afar?

"Just now, you were concerned about the life and death of Xiaoyun and me, and this protective sentiment moves me deeply.

"Now, I present the Painful Man Scripture to you, please don't refuse."

As he finished speaking, he casually swiped his divine gate point with his hand, then after swiping with his right hand, he swiped his wind market point, followed by his left leg, then his right leg.

Finally, he pointed his finger and struck Liuyun Scholar's chest at the Jade Hall point.

Su Mo's face was full of smiles, but this was the most ruthless execution of the Painful Man Scripture.

One day of pain, two days of pain, three days of pain, all inflicted on one person at the same time—this had never been done before.

In an instant, Liuyun Scholar collapsed, his eyes filled with blood, and he let out an inhuman roar.

His muscles tensed, like a fish just out of water, forced to flop helplessly.

For Liuyun Scholar, at this moment, it was as if he were in molten lava.

Intense pain coursed through his entire body, with no part spared, no part bearable.

And his mind was clear, making him acutely aware of this suffering.

Even descending to the eighteen levels of hell and experiencing various tortures wouldn't be much different!

After glancing at him, Su Mo nodded and turned to the Heaven Gate Master: "Uncle Liuyun seems to quite enjoy it, what about you, Heaven Gate Master?"

The Heaven Gate Master sighed: "You are a martial arts master, why put on such a display?

"I am truly convinced of my defeat today."

"As the saying goes, a hero values another hero. I respect your formidable martial arts skills, so please, give me a swift ending."

Su Mo nodded. "Is the Heaven Gate Master afraid?"

"Hmph!"

The Heaven Gate Master snorted coldly. "What do I, the master, have to fear!?"

"If that's the case, then please, Heaven Gate Master, enjoy yourself."

"Heh..."

The Heaven Gate Master suddenly sneered. "You've shattered all my meridians and bones. Now, I'm only clinging to life with the help of the Immortal Revival Pill. With such a fierce method, aren't you afraid that I might die on the spot?"

"It's fine."

Su Mo shook his head. "The Pain Inducing Scripture is undoubtedly extremely painful, but its damage to the body is minimal. It's not even as severe as a slap from me.

"With this method, it shouldn't cause the Heaven Gate Master to die immediately.

"Moreover... although the Immortal Revival Pill is rare, fortunately, my Uncle Yang here has plenty."

He turned to look at Yang Yizhi.

Yang Yizhi casually took out a bottle and poured out about a dozen pills into his hand.

The Heaven Gate Master was astonished. "The Immortal Revival Pill is a rare healing elixir, how... how do you have so many?"

"It's a result of actions taken many years ago."

Yang Yizhi said calmly. "The elder of the Huteng Pavilion gifted me thirty Immortal Revival Pills. Since then, while traveling the jianghu, although we've used quite a few, most of the time this medicine wasn't needed, so we still have plenty left.

"Now, Mo'er, you can proceed without worry. If he really is dying, we have the pills to save his life."

"That's excellent."

Su Mo nodded and smiled at the Heaven Gate Master. "Are you prepared?"

"...Go ahead and try if you dare!!"

The Heaven Gate Master was furious.

Su Mo considered it and decided to try.

However, he was ultimately different from Liu Yun, the scholar, and it wouldn't be appropriate to use such fierce methods immediately.

So, he first pressed his Shenmen point.

The Heaven Gate Master's body suddenly tensed, with prominent tendons visible on his neck. His eyes were fixed on Su Mo. "Is... that... all?"

He spoke each word slowly, already one of the rare few who could speak under the Pain Inducing Scripture.

Seeing this, Su Mo couldn't help but admire. "This is just the beginning."

As he finished speaking, he pressed another point on his hand.

The Heaven Gate Master gasped, gritted his teeth, and spoke firmly. "To achieve great things, one must endure unbearable pain and suffering that others cannot. The Pain Inducing Scripture... lives up to its name. But don't think that..."

Just as he said this, he felt Su Mo press on his Fengshi points on both legs.

In an instant, an overwhelming wave of pain surged into his heart, cutting off his words.

He turned his head, gave Su Mo a hard look, and nodded slightly before closing his eyes tightly.

Immediately after, "Ah!!!!!"

A piercing scream filled the entire cave.

Su Mo raised his eyebrows and sighed with relief.

He glanced at Liu Yun, the scholar, and casually relieved his pain.

In an instant, Liu Yun's body relaxed, but at the same time, he soiled himself.

Su Mo was stunned and momentarily speechless. "Uncle Liu Yun, you're really not sensible. I gave you the Pain Inducing Scripture, and you repaid me with filth."

"You... you..."

Seeing Su Mo's smiling face, Liu Yun felt as though he had seen a demon.

"Take him away to be cleaned."

Yang Yizhi waved his hand, and immediately someone came to take Liu Yun away.

He said to Su Mo, "This person knows very little. We've asked everything we needed to over the past few days. The focus remains on the Heaven Gate Master."

Su Mo nodded and waited a little longer before finally releasing the Heaven Gate Master from the Pain Inducing Scripture.

Immediately after, the Heaven Gate Master started cursing loudly.

"Heaven Gate Master, you're not acting like a human!

"You're amazing, you're awesome, you're noble, you're extraordinary!

"You want me to come out and suffer the Pain of the Human Scripture for you?

"Bastard, you bastard!

"If you're capable, why don't you do it yourself?!

Su Mo: “……”

Yang Yizhi: “……”

Yang Xiaoyun: “……”

The three of them looked at each other in surprise.

They truly hadn't expected that the Heaven Gate Master had this up his sleeve.

A faint smile curled on Su Mo's lips as he suddenly spoke to the Patriarch of the Man Sect,

"This is quite interesting, Patriarch of the Man Sect…… We meet again."

"……Su, Su Mo!"

The Patriarch of the Man Sect's expression immediately became uneasy.