Chapter 1073: Chapter 1073

Huangfu Ziyu had just picked up the Cold Moon Blade from the ground when something small hit her in the leg, causing it to go numb and making it impossible for her to stand up.

"Who attacked me!" Huangfu Ziyu shouted angrily, "Given your skills, you're clearly no ordinary person, but why are you so cowardly? Dare to strike but not show yourself, what makes you different from a turtle hiding in its shell?"

Huangfu Ziyu knew very well that the successive attacks weren't done by the white-haired person. In other words, someone else was definitely hiding and watching, hence her loud outburst.

However, there was no sound or movement around, as if no one was there.

Ye Qing and Liu Mubai were held by the white-haired person, and they attacked him simultaneously. Yet, the white-haired person seemed immune to pain, no matter how they attacked, it was futile. But the white-haired person wasn't idle either; he grabbed their arms and forcefully collided them together. After a few consecutive hits, Ye Qing and Liu Mubai were dazed—the white-haired person's strength was immense.

Huangfu Ziyu wanted to help, but her legs were still numb, making it impossible to stand, let alone assist. This situation led the three into a deadlock. If it continued, they might not even be able to catch this white-haired person; rather, they might be killed by him first!

After being hit a few times, Ye Qing realized that the three of them were no match for the white-haired person. If they didn't change strategy, they would surely fall here. So Ye Qing stopped attacking and unexpectedly reached out while the white-haired person wasn't paying attention, swiftly removing the photo pasted on his face.

Liu Mubai was caught off guard by Ye Qing's action and upon closer inspection was stunned. Beneath the photo was an old face, covered in wrinkles resembling someone in their seventies or eighties, completely contrary to his strength and endurance.

"It's an old man!" Liu Mubai exclaimed.

Ye Qing stayed silent; he felt this person seemed familiar, but he couldn't recall where he had seen him.

However, the person seemed enraged by this, letting out a roar and suddenly released Liu Mubai, then reaching out to grab Ye Qing's neck violently, attempting to choke him.

Seeing this, Liu Mubai immediately rushed over, desperately trying to hammer the white-haired man's arm. Despite several strong hits, the white-haired man seemed unfazed and continued gripping Ye Qing's neck tightly.

In the distance, Huangfu Ziyu anxiously shouted, "Use the blade!"

Liu Mubai suddenly remembered the Cold Moon Blade nearby. Without hesitation, he hurriedly ran over, grabbed the Cold Moon Blade, and prepared to move forward. However, as soon as he got hold of the blade and took several steps, something small struck his leg, causing him to fall and unable to get up.

Huangfu Ziyu froze momentarily, realizing at last that someone was sabotaging them from using the blade. Apparently, the white-haired person was indeed afraid of the famed instrument!

Yet, knowing this now was too late; both she and Liu Mubai couldn't get up while Ye Qing was being choked by the white-haired person, unable to free himself. Was this the moment they had to watch Ye Qing die here?

"Ye Zi! Ye Zi!" Liu Mubai shouted in desperation, "Hold on!"

Huangfu Ziyu was teary-eyed from anxiety, yet she couldn't do anything.

Ye Qing was also nearly suffocated, having tried multiple times in vain to break free from the white-haired person's grip. It seemed impossible to escape to save his life!

But Ye Qing stopped struggling; he slowly reached out to Huangfu Ziyu as if signaling for something.

"What... What do you want?" Huangfu Ziyu asked in bewilderment, not understanding why Ye Qing was asking for something instead of trying to escape.

"Photo..." Ye Qing barely managed to utter one word, but couldn't complete it.

"Photos! Photos! Those photos!" Liu Mubai reacted first, turning desperately.

The photos sent by Black Bear were with Huangfu Ziyu because Ye Qing had asked her to carry them; they were all on her. Hearing this, Huangfu Ziyu immediately pulled out the photos from her body and threw them over forcefully.

The photos scattered in the air, yet some fell near Ye Qing. Gathering his last strength, Ye Qing grabbed a photo and presented it in front of the white-haired man.

"Will it work?" Huangfu Ziyu whispered anxiously, truly frightened.

Liu Mubai also looked over there nervously, his hands tightly clenched into fists. He didn't know if this would have any effect. However, at this moment, it was all or nothing.

The photo was displayed, and the white-haired man seemed to have no reaction. But after about ten seconds, he finally responded, letting go of Ye Qing and snatching the photo from his hands.

Ye Qing fell to the ground, gasping for air, barely escaping with his life. The white-haired man, meanwhile, did not pursue him further, instead just holding the photo dazedly, as if entranced.

"It actually worked!?" Huangfu Ziyu's eyes widened in surprise, then quickly filled with joy, and she hurriedly exclaimed, "Ye Zi, you... you must run..."

She was genuinely afraid that the white-haired man might suddenly lash out again at Ye Qing, and the previous situation left her too scared to take further risks.

Ye Qing made a reassuring gesture towards her, picked up a few more photos from the ground, and handed them to the white-haired man, speaking softly, "He's doing well now, living happily. Don't you want to see him?"

The white-haired man glanced at Ye Qing, then at the photos. It was unclear if he understood what Ye Qing said, but he didn't respond, just stared blankly at the photos in his hands as if he were trying to remember something.

"Such a cute child, but unfortunately, he has no parents or family." Ye Qing sighed and said, "No matter how good the orphanage is, it cannot provide a parent's love."

Ye Qing's words surprised the white-haired man, as his body began to tremble slightly. It was unclear if he was truly moved by Ye Qing's words. Suddenly, he grabbed all the photos from Ye Qing's hand, hugging them tightly, looking almost deranged.

Seeing this, Ye Qing felt relieved, knowing that the white-haired man hadn't completely lost his humanity. He walked towards him slowly, reaching out his hand, saying, "He's in Shenchuan City, come to Shenchuan City with me, and you can always be by his side. A child needs a father, so no one will bully him!"

"What?" Liu Mubai exclaimed in surprise, and Huangfu Ziyu was even more stunned, whispering in disbelief, "Ye Zi, is he... is he the child's father?"

Ye Qing nodded. When he was nearly strangled to death by the white-haired man, he finally remembered where he'd seen him before. He had seen Ding San when the child was sent to the orphanage. Although the white-haired man looked older, Ye Qing recognized him at once — he was Ding San, just aged!

Ye Qing had no idea what had happened to Ding San to make him age so much and become a killer. However, it was clear that Ding San still retained some humanity, at least his son's photos were able to bring it back.

"If you go to Shenchuan City, you can be with your son forever." Ye Qing said to White-haired Ding San, "Don't you want to be with him?"

White-haired Ding San seemed moved by Ye Qing's words. He slowly looked up at Ye Qing, his body still trembling. It was unclear what he was thinking.

"Come, let's go to Shenchuan City together. That way, you can watch him grow up!" Ye Qing said again, focusing on Ding San's son with each sentence.

Finally, an unusual glint flashed in White-haired Ding San's eyes. He seemed confused and hesitant but slowly reached out his hand towards Ye Qing; he was ultimately persuaded by Ye Qing.

Just as White-haired Ding San's hand was about to grasp Ye Qing's, suddenly, from the nearby trees, a monk wearing a blood-red kasaya rushed out. Moving incredibly fast, Ye Qing couldn't react in time before the monk had reached him and, with a sweep of his kasaya, enveloped White-haired Ding San within it.

Ye Qing's face changed instantly, quickly reaching out to grab White-haired Ding San. But the monk was quicker, raising his hand to strike at Ye Qing's arm.

Ye Qing felt as if he was hit by a truck, flying back over ten meters, about to crash into a wall when suddenly a soft force stopped him in mid-air, neutralizing the harsh impact, sparing him from injury.

"Junior brother, a bet's a bet, no cheating!" A familiar voice came from behind Ye Qing, making him turn his head immediately, only to see a disheveled bald monk slowly emerge from behind him. This monk was none other than the one who had previously conned Ye Qing in the Capital, referred to as the Buddhist Shakya by Helian Tiehua and Prince Nalan.

Ye Qing didn't expect to encounter this monk here, but this time, the monk didn't trick him and even saved him in a crucial moment. However, looking back again, the monk in the blood-red kasaya was nowhere to be seen, and White-haired Ding San was also gone; only scattered photos remained on the ground.

Ye Qing hurried over, looking around, but there was no sign of the monk. In such a short time, the monk had vanished with White-haired Ding San; such power was astounding!

"Master, who... who was that person?" Ye Qing quickly turned to ask the Buddhist Shakya behind him, "He is your junior brother? Isn't your junior brother supposed to be the Joyous Monk? Since when is there another one?"

(I owe everyone nine chapters; I'll give two today, and will make up the remaining seven as soon as possible.)