The fat Taoist wailed and begged for mercy repeatedly, and Gouge finally let go of him and told him to get back. Never expecting the fellow to harbor lingering resentment, the Daoist turned around the moment he was halfway across and lunged to launch a sneak attack on Liu Xiaowan.
With a soft cry, Liu Xiaowan tapped her delicate foot, soared gracefully into the air, and lunged forward. Executing a move called "Floating Clouds Chasing the Moon," she thrust her longsword horizontally. As the sword tip darted forward, she flicked her wrist at the very last instant to deflect its course, sparing his vital organs and merely grazing his skin. The fat Taoist let out a shriek like a slaughtered pig as blood spurted endlessly.
With a cold snort, Liu Xiaowan drifted down lightly from mid-air and landed on the ground, sheathing her sword with a smooth motion. Dressed all in white, she stood with an air of proud detachment, her posture breathtakingly graceful. Her finishing move was as fluid as flowing water, without a single trace of stiffness. Standing sideways, she cast a cold glare at the fat Taoist and said, "Keep that mouth of yours in check. If you dare utter another word of insolence, you must first ask this young lady's sword whether it agrees." Her pretty face was frosted with cold, her beautiful eyes filled with fury, and her body trembled slightly with anger.
Chapter 16