187: Chapter 187 Is this the martial arts passed down by that Mr. Su?

Mu Yumo smiled faintly, her expression composed, but vigilance surged beneath her eyes.

Su Hongxi, always direct and decisive, raised her hand and sent three six-petaled flying blossoms tearing through the air.

"Sister Hongxi attacking like this, do you look down on me?"

She flicked her fingertip, and the finger-mounted gauntlet accurately struck the flying blossoms, deflecting them all. Her gaze locked onto Su Hongxi, but in the next instant, her expression shifted slightly—

The spot where she stood was already empty.

"The Blink Sword Technique taught by the Revered Master is best suited for assassins to move unseen, killing in an instant."

A voice drifted eerily from behind her.

Mu Yumo struck back without hesitation, simultaneously using the force to lunge forward and turn.

But behind her was empty and silent; there was no figure.

"Just like this, exactly like when Revered Master instructed us. We clearly knew he was behind us, yet we couldn't even touch his sleeve!"

Su Hongxi's voice sounded again behind Mu Yumo.

Mu Yumo's face turned ashen.

What kind of bizarre martial art was this?

The assassins from the Dark River surrounding them were all stunned.

They had clearly seen Su Hongxi teleport as if by magic, instantly appearing behind the Mu Family Patriarch, then moving lightly and closely clinging to Mu Yumo, almost merging with her.

At such close range, with Mu Yumo's strength, she should have had dozens or hundreds of ways to subdue her opponent.

But what was shocking was—

No matter how she counterattacked, her palm winds and fist energies seemed to strike only empty space, finding no purchase.

"Profound Ice Extinction!"

Mu Yumo's eyes sharpened, a cold light flashing, and she let out a low cry.

Instantly, a dense poisonous mist erupted from within her body, rapidly spreading over several feet.

The surrounding assassins changed color upon hearing the name and hurriedly retreated.

Even Su Changhe and Su Muyu involuntarily backed up a few steps.

"Sister Yumo is truly capable of being ruthless."

This time, Mu Yumo finally managed to capture Su Hongxi's figure.

"If Sister likes this technique, why not join the Martial Arts Hall to cultivate? With your talent, you might very well become a Disciple under the Revered Master."

Su Hongxi said softly.

"Defeat me, then we can talk about other things!"

Mu Yumo gritted her teeth.

The feeling of being toyed with earlier ignited anger in her heart, and her eyes were already filled with fury.

Her fingertips glowed with a faint green luster, wisps of poisonous gas swirling around them.

The Mu Family had always been famous throughout the world for their Secret Arts, Poison Techniques, and Medicine.

Mu Liangyue specialized in Secret Arts, while Mu Yumo specialized in potent poisons.

However, poison techniques were generally unsuitable for sparring—most of her poisons only required skin contact to be fatal.

It was supposed to be just a competition, and she shouldn't have used a killing move.

But Su Hongxi's previous actions were too provocative, leaving her unable to quell her rage.

"Profound Ice Extinction" was a deadly mist poison. Although it didn't harm the skin, once inhaled into the lungs, death by bleeding from all seven orifices would occur within moments.

"Sister's poison is indeed potent. I originally didn't want to take it head-on, but I also cannot lose face for the Revered Master."

Su Hongxi, dressed in white with silver hair cascading down, frowned slightly, seeming somewhat helpless. She then drew an extremely thin, curved short blade.

The blade was nearly transparent, its edge emitting a chilling cold light. The surrounding air condensed into fine ice shards that tinkled as they fell to the ground.

"Profound Ice Extinction!"

As the Cold Crystal Blade was activated, the chill intensified abruptly.

A layer of frosty white rapidly spread like a tide, its speed astonishing.

The watching assassins retreated in shock once more.

Mu Yumo in the arena leaped up, trying to avoid the frost on the ground.

However, the temperature in the air was also dropping rapidly.

She was already wearing a midriff-baring short shirt, and within a few breaths, her limbs began to stiffen and grow numb.

The biting cold could not be dispelled even by circulating Qi to resist it.

The poisonous mist she had released earlier was frozen into multicolored ice pellets by the low temperature, which shattered and rained down.

As soon as they touched the ground, frost began climbing up from her ankles.

"I concede!"

Mu Yumo's teeth chattered, her voice almost distorted.

It was too cold!

She hugged her arms tightly, trembling all over, and declared defeat without hesitation.

Hearing this, Su Hongxi immediately withdrew her stance and stopped her move.

But the dissipation of the cold air was not instantaneous.

She flashed forward, striking Mu Yumo's chest with a palm, then quickly wrapped her arm around Mu Yumo's waist and leaped out of the area enveloped by the ice.

White vapor rose from the spot, quickly gathering into a thick fog.

Mu Yumo was still shaken, her legs still slightly numb, unable to stand steadily.

But the shock this battle brought her far exceeded her imagination.

The Dark River assassins watching stared with wide eyes.

To be able to cause such wide-area suppression, making even a Revered Master of the Carefree Heaven Realm unable to resist, was truly terrifying.

Was this the martial art passed down by that Mr. Su?

Earlier, the organization had issued a strict order: all missions involving the Snow Moon City Martial Arts Hall and Mr. Su were forbidden, and they were even required to actively pass on information.

Now, Su Hongxi, who had only become Su Rui's Disciple for less than three months, was actually this strong?

"This move... can actually be used in conjunction with my poison,"

Mu Yumo murmured dazedly.

Although the poison mist would be frozen into ice crystals and difficult to spread at the coldest point,

the sudden extreme cold caused a temperature difference that generated mist, which unexpectedly became the optimal medium for the poison to spread.

"Sister Yumo, you're not actually planning to join the Martial Arts Hall, are you?"

Su Hongxi was stunned when she heard Mu Yumo's words.

"Is there anyone who wouldn't be tempted?"

Mu Yumo retorted, leaving Su Hongxi speechless.

It was a well-known fact that countless people wanted to step through the threshold of the Martial Arts Hall every day.

She could only remain silent.

Su Changhe looked at the white mist formed by the cold air in the field, then glanced at Su Ziyi, who was beside him, eager and with bright eyes, and suddenly raised his hand.

"I concede."

When this was uttered, the entire audience was stunned.

His previous sneak attack on the Patriarch was still fresh in their minds. If he claimed to have no ambition for power, no one would believe it.

But now...

"I have no objection to any of the three of you becoming the Patriarch. Why don't the three of you fight it out to decide?"

Su Changhe wore a gentle smile, his tone candid.

"Well... we still need to hurry back to the Martial Arts Hall,"

Mu Liangyue suddenly reacted, turning to look at the Su Sisters.

"Ziyi, since you just defeated the Su Family Patriarch, this position belongs to you!"

Su Ziyi waved her hands repeatedly: "Stop joking, I don't want to be any Patriarch, I want to go back too!"

The two then turned their gaze to Su Hongxi.

Su Hongxi, who was supporting Mu Yumo, stiffened, suddenly stepping back a pace, nearly causing Mu Yumo to fall to the ground. She cursed inwardly:

"Don't even think about keeping me here!"

Su Changhe: ...

Su Muyu: ...

The Dark River members: ...

If you all don't care about this position, why cause such a commotion? Wasn't this just wasting everyone's time?

"How about... the three of you choose again?"

Mu Liangyue tentatively spoke, her gaze sweeping over Su Muyu and Su Changhe, while her peripheral vision secretly glanced at Mu Yumo.

"What do you think?"

The three responded in unison with expressionless faces.

Mu Liangyue immediately felt awkward.

The saying goes: Wealth and honor are meaningless if not returned to one's hometown; it's like wearing fine silks while traveling at night.

These three had come with this very thought—having achieved success, they naturally wanted to show off in front of old acquaintances and gain recognition.

But ultimately, they were still young and hadn't deeply considered the consequences, nor did they have any obsession with power. The position they had just fought fiercely over was suddenly left without a claimant.

"How about we follow the method Revered Master mentioned before?"

Mu Liangyue suddenly had an inspiration and looked towards the Su Sisters.

"What did Revered Master say?"

"It was that... establish an Elder Council, and decide major matters together."

Su Changhe immediately shook his head: "No, in an emergency, it's difficult to make a quick decision."

He understood clearly: these three had no intention of seizing power.

It was understandable; cultivating under a figure like Su Rui was an Opportunity far more enticing than a Patriarchal position.

Having his suggestion rejected, Mu Liangyue felt bewildered.

Why had the position of the Dark River Patriarch suddenly become a hot potato?

The Revered Masters present stood silently, waiting for the decision of the six.

Mu Yumo no longer cared about winning or losing. She had lost, but she had noted Su Hongxi's words—she would take time to visit Snow Moon City and test the waters; it wouldn't hurt.

After dismissing the other experts, the six stood facing each other in silence for a moment.

"Since that's the case, I do have an idea,"

Su Ziyi pondered for a long time before finally speaking.

"Since the three of you have been defeated, let the three of us directly decide this position of authority, how about it?"

She glanced at Su Muyu and the other two.

The other party nodded slightly.

"Then it's settled then,"

Su Ziyi cupped her hands and announced loudly, "From today onwards, the three of you will temporarily serve as Patriarchs, taking turns for one year each.

As for us—we have other important matters and will take our leave now!"

Before her words faded, she had already turned and left.

Mu Liangyue and Su Hongxi were first stunned, then realized, and their figures flashed, like wind-swept shadows; after a few leaps, they vanished into the distance.

Only Su Muyu and the other two remained standing there.

"Isn't this too casual?"

Su Muyu frowned.

"I think they weren't seriously considering it at all,"

Su Changhe's eyes moved slightly as he spoke slowly, "Initially, I thought the people from the Martial Arts Hall had instructed them to come and seize power, but now it seems they acted on their own initiative."

"Mr. Su is very lenient in teaching his Disciples,"

Mu Yumo looked in the direction they left, a trace of longing flashing in her eyes.

Those born into the Dark River were steeped in assassination and scheming from childhood.

Mu Liangyue was once like that too, but after such a short time, her temperament had completely changed.

This was how a young girl should appear.

Thinking of this, she subtly turned her head to look at Su Changhe beside her.

"You personally killed the Patriarch, so you naturally have a plan. For this year, you will take the helm!"

As Mu Yumo finished speaking, she turned and walked away without sparing another glance.

Su Changhe sighed softly, his gaze falling on Su Muyu's face.

"Well, this burden has fallen onto my shoulders again."

"But if you can't hold on this time, I fear you'll be overthrown in an instant."

Su Muyu saw clearly.

This incident was known to everyone. Once the news spread, the entirety of the Dark River would probably only recognize those three Young Misses as their main pillar.

Su Changhe, however, was unconcerned.

"I've already done it, what is there to fear? Let's go, I already have a heap of plans for the Dark River."

He walked to Su Muyu's side, threw an arm over her shoulder, hooking it lazily, adopting a nonchalant manner.

"I heard only the Patriarch could practice the Yama Devil Palm. Now that I'm in this position, can I learn it?"

"If you want to learn it, learn it. That technique isn't that rare,"

Su Muyu replied coolly.

...