[Wuxia] Wandering Freely in the Tang Dynasty (Complete) - 4

page views:1 Publication date:2023-03-24

Chapter 12 Traveling through Bashu
Yuan Yueze and the four women stayed under the warm hospitality of Lu Miaozi's family. Because the area behind the Flying Horse Ranch was extremely vast, Shan Meixian considered honing her skills again before venturing out, aiming to improve her martial arts as much as possible. Meanwhile, the back mountain of the Flying Horse Ranch was like a paradise, which pleased the women greatly.
For the next two months, the five of them continued to enjoy their carefree lives. However, compared to before, they spent more time improving their martial arts cultivation.
Yuan Yueze and the women all tried to activate their extraordinary power again, but found that activating it was extremely time-consuming, and once released, their essence, energy, and spirit seemed completely depleted, requiring at least half a day to recover. Therefore, they decided that they would never use this extraordinary power unless absolutely necessary.
Lu Miaozi was amazed by his terrifying cultivation method: constantly absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to refine it into his own Yuan Qi, Yuan Yueze's true Qi gradually became abundant and vast with each passing day.
Lu Miaozi and his wife enjoyed their time together, rarely concerning themselves with other matters.
One day, while the women were being taken away by Shang Xiuxun for some "emotional bonding," Yuan Yueze sat quietly alone on the hilltop behind the mountain, lost in thought.
"It's been almost half a year since I arrived in this era, and the real show is finally about to begin,"
Yuan Yueze sighed softly, muttering to himself.
"There are so many people in the world with the aura of an emperor! The one in Taiyuan must be Li Shimin, the one in Yangzhou should be Kou Zhong, but who is it in Lingnan? How come there are people with the aura of an emperor in Luoyang and Baiyue as well? And why did Master tell me all this before he left? What does it have to do with me?"
"Why didn't I go for a stroll with Xiuxun and the others?"
Yuan Yueze was lost in thought when a familiar voice sounded behind him.
"I was thinking about something here. Besides, Master Lu wasn't spending time with Aunt Qingya either,"
Yuan Yueze turned around and smiled.
"You brat, how dare you joke with this old man?"
Lu Miaozi scolded.
“Tomorrow I plan to take Meixian and the others out for a walk. Staying in one place all the time gets boring. There are still so many places in this era we haven’t been to yet,”
Yuan Yueze said.
“Oh? Not staying any longer? You young people just love to run around! You can’t stay still!”
Yuan Yueze just smiled and didn’t answer, his gaze turning to the distance: “Master Lu, you must have finished reading all those books these days. Now that we’re leaving, I believe that if the ranch encounters any difficulties, with you and Aunt Qingya here, we can overcome any obstacles.”
When Yuan Yueze stayed at the back of the Pegasus Ranch, Lu Miaozi kept cramming all sorts of knowledge about later generations into his mind. Hearing that Yuan Yueze was familiar with the history of this era, she curiously asked Yuan Yueze for the “original” version of the Tang Dynasty to study. At first, Lu Miaozi also had doubts about the authenticity of the events recorded in the book: because although the various people and events recorded in the book had not yet begun to happen, they were all living people in this era, including the major clans and various Jianghu figures. However, the book records that Shang Qingya had already passed away several years ago.
Yuan Yueze could only explain this as a historical discrepancy.
Lu Miaozi was even amazed that he could be recorded in historical materials and known to future generations. Yuan Yueze, however, chuckled inwardly: "What kind of historical material is this? It's just a novel for entertaining the masses. The official history is not like this at all!"
"That's right. Since I received the immortal pill from the Venerable God, and you helped me and Qingya expand our meridians, we should be able to achieve great things if we diligently cultivate our martial arts in the future. The book you gave me also records that the ranch will be secretly sabotaged by various forces the year after next. I will make preparations, so you can go out and have fun without worry."
"Where do you plan to go next?"
"We haven't decided yet. We'll discuss it after Meixian and the others return. We might go to Sichuan or Lingnan first."
"Oh! I remember now, we can go to the capital first and see the 'Yang Gong Treasure House' created by Master Lu."
"Ha, ha. You brat, so you were trying to humiliate this old man! But it's good that you go and take a look, take all the treasures inside, so that the various forces won't commit mass killings because of it. Oh, and by the way, it would be best to take the 'Evil Emperor's Relic' from the hidden chamber as well. It's more reassuring to have it in your hands than in someone else's. At least I can give Yutian, who is now in the afterlife, some peace of mind..."
Lu Miaozi said with emotion.
Yuan Yueze nodded with a light laugh. The essence in the Evil Emperor's Relic was equivalent to several hundred years of cultivation, but his own method of absorbing the energy of heaven and earth would also yield considerable rewards if he persisted. Most importantly, he didn't want to rely on external forces.
Just as Yuan Yueze was about to speak again, a silvery laugh came from the distant horizon. It seemed that the women had returned. He could tell them his decision and see what they thought.
Lu Miaozi tactfully walked away, leaving the time for Yuan Yueze's family.
"Husband, we're back!"
Shan Ruyin was as playful as ever, a fragrant breeze wafting by as she rushed into Yuan Yueze's arms.
"Come on, everyone sit down, I have something to say."
Yuan Yueze gestured to the women, including Shang Xiuxun.
Yuan Yueze explained his plan, and Shan Meixian, as the eldest of the women, was the first to agree, leaving the others with nothing to say. Shang Xiuxun, however, seemed a little sullen.
"Junior sister, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Yuan Yueze asked curiously.
"No...nothing, I just want to go out and play with senior brother and all the sisters. I've never been out to play before, I'm so envious of senior brother and the sisters!"
Shang Xiuxun said shyly, her face beginning to blush.
"That's not a good idea, junior sister, you'll be taking over as the head of the sect in the future. It's better to stay, we might see each other again in a few years!"
Yuan Yueze, the simpleton, didn't understand the meaning behind Shang Xiuxun's words and spoke up anyway.
"A few years later?"
Shang Xiuxun wondered to herself. She then whispered, "I don't want to be a ranch owner. Besides, Mother and that old man have both gotten younger. They can have more younger siblings, and anyone can take over as ranch owner. Why does it have to be someone else?"
"This..."
Yuan Yueze didn't know how to answer.
She secretly cursed her husband for being such an emotional idiot. Shan Meixian smiled and said, "Then Xiuxun will come with us on our travels, but you'll have to get past Sister Qingya and Master Lu first."
"Shh..."
Shang Xiuxun let out a long breath, patted her ample chest, and laughed, "Don't worry, Sister Meixian, Xiuxun will come to find you tomorrow."
After saying that, she secretly glanced at the dumbfounded Yuan Yueze and flew away.
Sure enough, the next day, Shang Qingya personally escorted Shang Xiuxun to the back mountain of the ranch to say goodbye to Yuan Yueze and the others. Shang Qingya had long seen through her daughter's feelings for Yuan Yueze. Furthermore, Yun Jizi had mentioned that the two were "matched by heaven," and Yuan Yueze was undeniably a pleasant person to be around, except for his somewhat immature personality. Therefore, when Shang Xiuxun suggested going on a trip with Yuan Yueze and the others, Shang Qingya agreed without hesitation. While the ranch was undoubtedly the most important thing to the Shang family, Shang Qingya, as a woman who had experienced life and death, knew what a woman should pursue and what constituted a woman's greatest happiness. If Shang Xiuxun could be happy, that was what Shang Qingya most wanted to see.
Amidst the reluctant gazes of Lu Miaozi and Shang Qingya, Shang Xiuxun, with tears in her eyes, embarked on her journey with Yuan Yueze and the others. Perhaps because it was her first time away from home, Shang Xiuxun forced a smile throughout the journey. However, a lingering sorrow remained deep within her eyes.
The four girls, Shan Meixian and Shang Qingya, had been privately told by Yun Jizi about the supposed "match made in heaven" between Shang Xiuxun and Yuan Yueze. They were asked to help encourage them. The girls were happy to have such a lively and adorable younger sister as Shang Xiuxun.
Because Shang Qingya hadn't died young like in the original story, and Shang Xiuxun hadn't succeeded as the head of the monastery, she didn't possess the aloof and arrogant personality of her predecessor. Her only unresolved issue was the heartless Lu Miaozi. After Shang Qingya's resurrection and over thirty years of waiting finally leading to a happy ending and a miraculous encounter, Shang Xiuxun's inner turmoil vanished. Now, she was simply a lively and adorable little girl.
However, the warm family atmosphere between Yuan Yueze and the girls quickly dissolved the homesickness in Shang Xiuxun's heart.
The five traveled towards Kyoto, intending to first witness the "Yang Gong Treasure." Flying on swords was now history; they gradually adapted to walking and using their light-footed skills. A month later, they finally arrived outside Kyoto.
That night,
Lu Miaozi, the designer of the treasure vault, clearly explained all the mechanisms to Yuan Yueze's family, allowing them to easily enter the vault. Yuan Yueze's original intention was merely to sightsee. However, Shan Meixian, after consideration, insisted that Yuan Yueze take all the treasure. Although Yuan Yueze's bracelet contained a considerable amount of wealth, Shan Meixian did this because she didn't want to benefit those hypocritical forces who constantly proclaimed "for the country, for the people, for all under heaven."
Yuan Yueze didn't object to Shan Meixian's idea. He was a straightforward person and had no good impression of hypocritical forces. Easily collecting all the treasure and the "Evil Emperor's Relic" in the hidden chamber, the group turned and headed towards the secret passage.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, Yuan Yueze smiled, turned and walked into the treasure room. He channeled his inner energy and used his finger to carve a line of large characters on the wall: "Miss Fu Junzhuo, you've come all this way for nothing. Yuan Yueze's message."
"Husband, who is this Fu Junzhuo?"
Wei Zhenzhen asked curiously.
"How lazy are you all? Didn't I give you some books to read? They contained the history of this era that I knew! And yet, you didn't have the slightest interest in reading them! Fu Junzhuo was a Goryeo woman recorded in those books, and she will soon enter this place. But she was 'jealous of beauty,' dying too young."
Yuan Yueze complained.
"There are dozens of books, just looking at them gives me a headache, I'm too lazy to read them."
Shan Wanjing, spoiled by Yuan Yueze, wrinkled her small, cute nose and said coquettishly.
"Since you know she died young, why didn't you carve a message here to remind her? Was she a bad person?"
Shang Xiuxun also asked curiously. In her memory, her senior brother was an extremely kind-hearted man.
"I don't know if she's a good person or a bad person, but I feel she's more of a good person,"
Yuan Yueze said with some emotion, as if recalling the scene when he first read the original work.
"Oh? What makes you say that, husband?"
Shan Meixian also became interested.
"This woman is from Goryeo. Because of Yang Guang's three expeditions to Goryeo, the people of Goryeo hated the Han people. Fu Junzhuo was one of these Goryeo people. She would later use the 'Yang Gong Treasure' to lure various forces in the Central Plains into fighting each other to the death, hoping to use this to cause chaos in the Central Plains. But later, she died saving two Han hooligans. So, do you think she's a good person or a bad person?"
Yuan Yueze asked.
"People also believe that this Korean woman is indeed more of a good person than a good one, just as my husband said, because she sacrificed herself to save two Han people; these are genuine feelings from the bottom of her heart. As for the chaos in the Central Plains, it's all that bullshit 'national righteousness' at work. Perhaps this Korean woman was also forced into it,"
Shan Ruyin began to swear.
"Oh dear, you little rascal, why are you becoming more and more like your husband, disregarding etiquette!"
Shan Meixian laughed and scolded.
"Haha, I love Ruyin's genuine nature, she's so adorable. Much better than those pretentious, hypocritical people outside."
Yuan Yueze laughed loudly. "But don't worry, because in the history I know, she took a once-famous jade pendant from this 'Yang Gong Treasure Vault' to attract the attention of various powers, which ultimately led to her death. Now that the treasure vault is empty, she should be able to avoid her demise!" "
But Zhenzhen thinks her attempt to plunge the Central Plains into chaos is also hateful. Aren't people from all places human? Why insist on distinguishing between Han Chinese and Koreans?"
Wei Zhenzhen, kind-hearted by nature, frowned.
"Zhenzhen's idea is good, but too idealistic. Reality and ideals are very different. However, I also believe that there are good and bad people among the Han Chinese. And even more so among the Koreans. So in my mind, there's only the distinction between good and bad, not the so-called Han Chinese or Koreans."
Yuan Yueze put his arm around Wei Zhenzhen's slender waist and praised her.
“Xiuxun thinks Senior Brother’s idea is the most suitable,”
Shang Xiuxun nodded in agreement.
“Junior Sister has too little experience with people and things. If some ‘nationalists’ heard me say this in the future, they would definitely curse me out. In short, there are millions of people in the world, and it’s impossible for everyone to have the same thoughts and opinions. The only thing we need to do is never harm others for our own benefit, and do everything in accordance with our conscience. Then we can live a happy and open life.”
Yuan Yueze said as he walked towards the entrance of the secret passage with Wei Zhenzhen in his arms.
The other girls nodded in agreement when they heard Yuan Yueze say this. They then walked out of the secret passage.
More than ten days later, the group of people who had traveled south finally arrived in the Sichuan-Chongqing region and were now on the outskirts of Chengdu.
During this time, at the urging of Shan Wanjing and the other girls, Yuan Yueze and Shang Xiuxun were often left alone together. Although Yuan Yueze’s inherent taciturnity had not changed much, under the influence of Shan Meixian and Lu Miaozi, his mindset had matured considerably. Seeing this, he gradually realized that his wives were clearly trying to force him to make this junior sister his wife! He then actively accompanied Shang Xiuxun, even intentionally or unintentionally flirting with her a few times. Yuan Yueze felt everything was natural. But Shang Xiuxun couldn't resist his charm. Gradually, she became completely lost in him.
Many women in the world should be jealous, but Yuan Yueze was no ordinary man, and his charm was immense. More importantly, after consummating their relationship with him, the women experienced boundless satisfaction in both love and desire. Even setting aside all that, the fact that he could bring about extraordinary transformations in them was enough to drive women mad. Fortunately, only his family knew Yuan Yueze's secret. So, in the ambiguous state before consummation, it was normal for any woman to feel jealous, but once they had consummated their relationship with Yuan Yueze and learned his biggest secret, no woman was jealous anymore. They even helped this slightly pedantic fool pursue other women. Shan Meixian and Wei Zhenzhen were the best examples. Women like Shan Wanjing and Shan Ruyin, who were completely free of worldly desires, didn't care how many women would fall for Yuan Yueze in the future. They only knew that no matter how many more people joined their family, Yuan Yueze's feelings for them would remain the same as they had for him at the beginning.
The group had already reached the outskirts of Chengdu, chatting and laughing while enjoying the scenery of Sichuan and Chongqing, which was indeed very pleasant.
Shan Meixian led the four women ahead, leaving Shang Xiuxun and Yuan Yueze a distance behind. Shang Xiuxun understood that this was someone creating an opportunity for her. However, her ladylike modesty made her want to catch up with the women as soon as possible. Seeing this, Yuan Yueze quickly grabbed Shang Xiuxun's hand and said, "They're being silly, Junior Sister, accompany me to slowly enjoy the scenery."
Shang Xiuxun didn't know whether to answer or not. She could only blush and let him lead her by the hand, following behind with her head down. She was secretly quite pleased with herself.
Yuan Yueze turned his head to look at the distant, layered mountains, stretching endlessly, and sighed: "Alas! How perilous and high! The road to Shu is harder than ascending to heaven!
Cancong and Yufu, how vague their founding of the state!
Forty-eight thousand years have passed since then, and it has not been connected to the Qin region by human habitation.
To the west, there is a bird path near Mount Taibai, which can traverse the summit of Mount Emei.
The earth collapsed and the mountains crumbled, and brave men died, and then the heavenly ladder and stone plank roads were linked together...
When will you return from your westward journey? The perilous and precipitous road is impossible to climb.
Only the mournful cries of birds can be seen in the ancient trees, the male flying and the female following, circling among the trees...
The road to Shu is harder than ascending to heaven, I turn to the west and sigh deeply."
This poem, "The Road to Shu is Hard," by Li Bai, depicts the breathtaking peril and grandeur of nature, leaving the reader with a profound sense of awe. Numerous scenes appeared and disappeared, whether it was the height of the mountains, the swiftness of the waters, the changing landscape, the desolation of the forests, or the perilous cliffs, all possessing an imposing presence. The grandeur of the scenery and the vastness of its scope were truly unmatched. Furthermore, the overall changes were rapid, increasingly bizarre, and often unexpected, leaving one breathless.
Shang Xiuxun, standing beside him, looked at Yuan Yueze with starry eyes, her jade-like hand, which Yuan Yueze had been holding, now taking the initiative, praising, "Senior Brother's literary talent is truly extraordinary!"
Yuan Yueze was taken aback, then smiled, "This wasn't written by me, it was written by someone else. I just witnessed the scenery of Sichuan and Chongqing for the first time and was moved to think of this poem."
While countless fellow time travelers plagiarized later poems as their own, Yuan Yueze, this simpleton, was an exception, utterly honest.
Shang Xiuxun laughed, "Anyway, I've never heard of it before, so let's just assume it was made by my senior brother."
"Alright, let's rest properly once we get to the city,"
Yuan Yueze said with a smile, pinching Shang Xiuxun's cute little nose. Pulling Shang Xiuxun forward, her face flushed with embarrassment, Yuan Yueze continued on.
The city was established in one year, and became Chengdu in two, hence its name.
In the autumn of the ninth year of King Huiwen of Qin's reign during the Warring States period, the King of Qin sent his ministers Zhang Yi and Sima Cuo with a large army to conquer Shu. After annexing it, they established Shu Commandery, with Chengdu as its capital.
The following year, the King of Qin accepted Zhang Yi's suggestion and built Chengdu County.
Looking at the city construction throughout history, most relied on natural barriers or waterways, but Chengdu had neither natural defenses nor convenient waterways. Moreover, the city site was located in a low-lying plain, damp and rainy, with numerous swamps nearby, requiring human effort to improve the situation.
To build the city, the people of Shu extensively excavated earth around the city, creating large ponds in the excavated areas. Notable examples include Willow Pond to the west, Tianjing Pond to the northwest, Ink-Washing Pond and Wansui Pond to the north, and Thousand-Year Pond to the east. These ponds not only irrigated fertile fields and raised fish for food, but also served as natural barriers on the east, west, and north sides during wartime. Combined with the Dujiangyan Irrigation System built by Li Bing, the governor of Shu during the reign of King Zhaoxiang of Qin, this formed a unique water conservancy system that effectively solved the three major problems of flooding, irrigation, and navigation on the Chengdu Plain.
The main city of Chengdu had a circumference of twelve li and walls seven zhang high, divided into the Taicheng (Greater City) and Shaocheng (Lesser City). The Taicheng, located in the east, was seven li wide; the Shaocheng, in the west, was less than five li wide.
In the early years of Emperor Wen of Sui, Chengdu was the capital of Yizhou, later changed to Shu Commandery.
The Taicheng was the seat of the commandery government and the place where people lived, serving as the political center. The Shaocheng was mainly a commercial area, most notably the South Market, where artisans, wealthy merchants, and ordinary people all conducted their businesses and lived.
The entire Sichuan region is a melting pot of different factions. Aside from smaller martial arts groups, there are three major factions: The first is "Duzun Fortress," led by Xie Hui, known as the "Martial Arts Judge." Xie Hui is a man of deep cunning and insightful wisdom, renowned throughout the martial arts world for a long time. He is even considered on par with Song Que, the "Heavenly Blade," and Song Zhi, the "Earthly Sword," of the Song Clan, one of the four great clans. Duzun Fortress is located on the south bank of Wansui Pond in the northern suburbs of Chengdu, facing north, resembling a miniature imperial city. The entire fortress is built of stone bricks, making it impregnable. It is even considered the location of the largest power in Sichuan.
The other two major forces are relatively weaker: the "Sichuan Gang," led by Fan Zhuo, known as the "Gun King," and the "Ba Alliance," led by Feng Zhen, known as the "Monkey King." Yuan Yueze and his group of six, wearing Lu Miaozi's exquisitely crafted ugly mask, paid the entrance fee and entered Chengdu.
Upon entering the city gates, the group immediately sensed the unique peace and prosperity of Sichuan compared to the war-torn Central Plains, and the unpretentious, extravagant atmosphere of its wealthy residents. As they walked, they observed the exotic beauty of the Qiang girls
in their elegant attire, their laughter and playful chatter filling the air. Those who had never been to Sichuan before were amazed. Suddenly, Yuan Yueze felt his heart skip a beat, and he instinctively turned around. Just a few feet away, he saw a woman in the crowd also looking in his direction.
The woman standing there wore a blue floral print dress with a round neckline and a double-breasted design. Her figure was graceful and slender, her features exquisitely sculpted, and her skin flawless. It seemed that even the slightest change would detract from her natural beauty. She was the epitome of natural beauty.
Unfortunately, the woman's skin was dark and rough, her face ugly, especially her indescribably ugly nose. It was this face, or more precisely, that nose, that ruined what should have been a picture of beauty, a masterpiece born of the essence of heaven and earth. If this woman possessed a face comparable to Shang Xiuxun's, then she would be no less beautiful than Shang Xiuxun in any aspect. However, like spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, each had their own strengths. Shang Xiuxun's advantage lay in her lively and playful nature. This woman, on the other hand, seemed to be born with the essence of heaven and earth, like a fairy descended from the deepest, darkest starry sky, as pure and beautiful as an orchid in a secluded valley. But everything was ruined by that face.
Looking again at the woman's eyes, they were as black as jewels, as deep and unfathomable as a pool of clear water, bright and captivating. Yuan Yueze, inexplicably, sensed a profound sorrow hidden deep within them, a sorrow that seemed impossible to erase.
"That must be the deepest sorrow in her heart,"
Yuan Yueze murmured to himself after a brief eye contact. He then nodded and smiled at her before turning to continue on his way.
The woman, with her ugly face but perfect figure, was also drawn to Yuan Yueze by her pounding heart. She felt the same astonishment: the man in the distance was tall and imposing, with a unique air about him, but his ugly face created an incongruous effect. No one could imagine that a man of such stature and bearing could have such an unattractive face. Yet, his eyes were exceptionally unique; deep black pupils, with a hint of blue, radiated boundless warmth. Looking deep inside, the space seemed as vast as a starry night sky, as if it contained countless stars, captivating the senses. The man met her gaze, paused slightly, nodded in acknowledgment, and turned to leave. For some reason, she mechanically nodded in return.
"How long has it been since my heart raced like this?"
the woman wondered. "It seems like it hasn't happened since I was seven. That man's eyes were strange, especially the boundless sea of stars within them, like the eyes I once gazed at alone, longing for my mother."
Then she wondered, "Could it be that man who made my heart race? And why did he look at me at the same time? Aside from his face, he seemed perfectly normal, and the women with him were equally strange. Were they like me now…?"
The woman watched as the man and his group disappeared into the distance. She shook her head with a wry smile and vanished into the crowd.
"Why did you pause just now, my lord? Did something strange happen behind you?"
The women, all disguised, were walking beside Yuan Yueze, their attention not on him, but rather on observing the bustling street and various novel sights. Only Wei Zhenzhen, with her keen observation and seemingly an innate connection to Yuan Yueze, noticed his slight pause and glance behind him.
"It's not that strange, but my heart suddenly skipped a beat, and then I looked back and saw a woman just like you all, ugly in appearance but with a perfect figure. It's quite bizarre,"
Yuan Yueze replied.
"Maybe she's disguised too! Could it be that my husband just keeps running into lucky charms on the street? Everyone, keep a close eye on him, or countless women will pounce on him!"
Shan Wanjing exclaimed.
Everyone laughed at her teasing.
"It's getting late, let's find a place to stay first, and experience the local customs of Sichuan,"
Shan Meixian suggested.
Everyone agreed.
"Yixiang Pavilion" was a well-known restaurant in Chengdu's commercial district. Yuan Yueze and his companions went in and booked two superior rooms. Under the curious gaze of the innkeeper, they ordered some food and drinks and went inside to enjoy their meal. However, the women were already used to Yuan Yueze's cooking and simply couldn't stomach the restaurant's food. Left with no other choice, Yuan Yueze had to ask the innkeeper for permission to borrow the kitchen of "Yixiang Pavilion" and cook himself.
"Zhenzhen's skills have reached about 80% of mine; she'll probably be ready to cook in a month or two,"
Yuan Yueze thought to himself as he cooked. He
'd already said before that this guy didn't really enjoy cooking. Now, things were different. His own women were becoming increasingly picky eaters, so he had no choice but to cook for them every time. Firstly, he called it loving his wives, and secondly, not wanting to deprive his own palate. Soon after, Zhenzhen would be ready to cook, and Yuan Yueze could continue to be lazy.
The innkeeper, seeing that this ugly guest and five equally unattractive women had only booked two rooms, found it strange. Then he saw this ugly guest borrow the kitchen and bustling about, and soon the air was filled with delicious aromas. Some people sitting near the kitchen were even ordering the innkeeper to bring out several plates of the chef's cooking. The smell was mouthwatering.
It was peak dining time at the restaurant, and the commotion quickly spread throughout the establishment. Everyone was clamoring to see the chef's cooking skills. The restaurant owner was now in a dilemma: he hadn't hired the chef, so how could he use him to make money? He could only bow and scrape as he explained to the customers outside. Hearing this, everyone assumed it was just a passing chef and didn't make things difficult for the owner, continuing to eat and drink.
The owner wiped the sweat from his brow, thinking to himself that he was finally relieved and should hurry up and attend to other matters.
Just then, a burly man in tight-fitting clothes approached. "Owner," the man said, pointing to a man sitting in a private seat by the window not far away,
"our young master wants to try the cooking of that chef. Go and inform him to prepare a table of top-quality food and bring it over immediately!" Standing beside the man seated were several equally imposing, burly men with swords at their sides. They wore ornate brocade robes, long knives at their waists, had dark skin, and robust physiques. Their expressions were arrogant and disdainful, as if they looked down on everyone. "My goodness!" the innkeeper thought to himself, "This is bad! What I feared most has come to pass. This guy seems to have connections. How can we, mere commoners, afford to offend him!" Though he thought this to himself, he dared not show it on his face. The innkeeper forced a smile and said, "Sir, the ones cooking just now weren't servants from my shop, but some guests. They apparently didn't like the food here, so they asked to borrow the kitchen." "Oh? Country folk actually have such skills? Innkeeper, please take me to their guest room. I'll invite them to my residence to be my full-time chefs," the man said to the innkeeper as he walked to the counter after hearing his subordinate's report. The innkeeper dared not refuse and obediently led the group towards Yuan Yueze's room. He thought to himself, "Those ugly guests, please don't hate me. I can't afford to offend these powerful people!" Meanwhile, Yuan Yueze and his companions, now alone in their room, removed their disguises at the women's request. What woman doesn't love beauty? Disguising herself in front of strangers is one thing, but why would she make herself look so ugly in front of her beloved? The women ate their food and drank their red wine, occasionally giving Yuan Yueze a flirtatious glance, their voices sweet and cheerful. Just then, a knock sounded at the door: "Guests, I have something to report. There are some guests outside who want to discuss something with you." "No need, innkeeper. We don't have time or interest. Please ask them to go back." Yuan Yueze didn't even bother to open the door, simply saying to the person outside while eating. "Hmph!" A cold snort came from outside. "Sir, it seems the guest in this room is facing some difficulties, you see..." The innkeeper, seeing the man outside the door was getting angry, feared things would escalate and immediately spoke up. "Such arrogance! Do you think he can just refuse my young master as he pleases?" a burly man beside the young master said disdainfully. "Innkeeper, you can leave now. This young master wants to go in and see who they are." the young master said. "Yes, yes, I'll take my leave." The innkeeper retreated obsequiously, secretly thinking: Good heavens, please don't tear down my shop! "Bang!" The door to Yuan Yueze and the women's room was kicked open. Six or seven burly men dressed in warrior attire walked in. Yuan Yueze immediately stood up, his gaze coldly fixed on the men who had forced their way in. Shan Meixian and the other women also immediately stood up and surrounded Yuan Yueze. The men who entered were dressed in fine clothes, especially the one in the middle, who seemed to be of considerable status. The young man in the middle, upon seeing the women restored to their original state, was first stunned, then his eyes lit up with amazement. His gaze had completely disappeared from Yuan Yueze, who was coldly watching him. "Where are you ladies headed? If you wouldn't mind, please come to my residence as guests?" The young man had long forgotten he was there to hire a cook. His eyes were fixed on Shan Meixian and the other women, filled with lewd and wicked lust, as if he wanted to devour them on the spot. "Get out!" Yuan Yueze's face grew increasingly cold, like ice and snow. Shan Meixian and the other women looked on with disgust, but Shang Xiuxun was the first to speak, coldly cursing. When had she ever seen a man look at her with such a vulgar gaze! "Are you ladies rejecting me because of this pretty boy? This kind of good-looking but useless, seemingly tall and strong yet frail pretty boy can't protect you ladies!" The young man, blinded by lust, shamelessly pointed at Yuan Yueze. The six men who appeared to be bodyguards around the young master also looked at Yuan Yueze with mocking expressions. "You're asking for death!" Shan Meixian and the other women, enraged by the insult to their husband, roared before Shan Ruyin could even speak. With this roar, the young master's eyes widened in horror. He could clearly see Yuan Yueze, his clothes fluttering without wind, appear before him as if out of thin air. A simple, unadorned punch, seemingly effortless, aimed directly at his chest, its chilling aura penetrating and freezing him to the bone. But this wasn't what terrified him; what shocked him was that although his eyes could clearly see the punch, his body couldn't react in any way to block or dodge! Watching Yuan Yueze's seemingly ordinary yet surprisingly fast and skillful fist grow larger and larger, the young master felt as if this simple punch had filled the entire world, coming from nothing and going to nothing, its subsequent changes unpredictable! The people around the young master saw that the space around Yuan Yueze's fist had been distorted, violently pushing the surrounding air apart like waves breaking through water. The people were blown backward by the force of the air, looking disheveled!

The fist, which seemed incredibly slow to the young master but lightning fast to the others, finally struck his chest.
"Bang!"
A long time after Yuan Yueze's fist landed on the young master's chest, the crowd seemed to hear a dull thud. The feeling was extremely strange.
The young master's face and eyes were filled with horror. Under the oppressive, eerie aura, he couldn't even utter a final scream before his vision blurred and his body went limp, collapsing backward.
With a "thud," he lay motionless.
After a long while, the burly men, who looked like bodyguards, stared in horror at the young master on the ground. Blood streamed from his seven orifices, his eyes were wide open, and his entire body emanated the powerful, chilling aura that Yuan Yueze had inflicted upon him. He had died instantly.
"Ice...Ice Profound Force! You...you're from the Yuwen Clan!"
Cold sweat began to pour from the six burly men, and the one who seemed to be the leader asked tremblingly.
"Ice Profound Force? Haha!"
Yuan Yueze laughed immediately upon hearing this.
"This isn't Ice Profound Force. Take the corpse and get out of here. I'm clear about my grudges. You didn't speak just now, so you can leave as you please."
Yuan Yueze waved his hand and said.
The bodyguard-like men didn't dare to utter a single word and hurriedly carried the corpse away.
"Husband, weren't you a bit reckless? It's best not to provoke those troublesome forces again. Zhenzhen thinks that person just now seemed to be a rich young master."
Wei Zhenzhen said with some reluctance.
"Zhenzhen, you're too kind. But you must remember one thing: I won't offend others unless they offend me. If they offend me, I'll repay them a hundredfold! Meixian, you all must remember this too!"
Yuan Yueze gently stroked Wei Zhenzhen's hair and said to the women beside him.
"Husband is right! We were having a peaceful meal when he dared to barge in, looked at us with those lecherous eyes, and insulted you. How can I quell my hatred if I don't kill him!"
Shan Wanjing said firmly.
"Zhenzhen, don't worry. The strongest person in Bashu is Xie Hui. Even if he came in person, I'd still like to teach him a lesson without my husband lifting a finger! Let alone such a small fry!"
Shan Meixian comforted Wei Zhenzhen, who was still somewhat worried.
"Meixian is wrong. There's more than just Xie Hui in Bashu. There are several other figures who are roughly on the same level as Xie Hui,"
Yuan Yueze said.
"Oh? There are others who are roughly on the same level as Xie Hui? Are they friends or foes?"
Shan Meixian asked curiously.
"It's hard to say whether they are friends or foes, but they are all villains!"

Chapter 013 Sword Gathering Heavenly Blade
A perfectly good meal was ruined by a lecherous man who barged in halfway through. Yuan Yueze also killed another life, but unlike before, this time it was purely through martial arts.
After comforting the still somewhat worried Wei Zhenzhen a little more, Shang Xiuxun glanced at Yuan Yueze with a resentful look, got up and went back to her room to rest.
As night fell, Yuan Yueze was preparing for his "battle" with his wives when a knock came at the door.
"You...who are you?"
the innkeeper asked, startled by the handsome young man who opened the door.
"Oh, it's like this, we've disguised ourselves because my wife and I are naturally ugly and we're afraid of frightening strangers. Besides, since entering Chengdu today, many passersby have been quite wary of our appearance, even pointing and whispering like we're monkeys. So my wife suggested we dress up nicely for convenience. Is there anything I can do for you, innkeeper? We're going to rest,"
Yuan Yueze explained.
"I see. It's nothing special, but you've taken a life tonight, and I'm worried someone might come looking for you tomorrow...and my whole family depends on this inn for their livelihood...so..."
the innkeeper stammered after giving an "I see" look.
"I understand. We'll settle the bill and leave tomorrow. If your restaurant suffers any losses due to us before the bill is settled, I will compensate the manager with double the amount. What do you think?"
Yuan Yueze said with a smile. When has he ever been afraid of anyone? It would be better if the forces behind that lecherous man we killed today didn't come. If they dare to cause trouble again, he'll kill them without hesitation!
"I understand. Then please rest, esteemed guests. I'll take my leave."
The manager was overjoyed to hear Yuan Yueze's words and quickly took his leave. He thought to himself: Hehe, it would be best if someone came looking for me before the bill is settled tomorrow and demolished my restaurant!
"Husband, is something happening outside?"
Shan Meixian and the other women were already lying down, "brewing" for a big battle. They were naturally unhappy to hear the knocking at the door. Seeing Yuan Yueze return, they asked.
"The manager is afraid that the man we killed today has powerful backers and is worried that it will affect his restaurant, so he came to ask for a promise. I've already spoken to him about it,"
Yuan Yueze explained.
"It'd better no one bother us tomorrow, otherwise they might try their skills!"
Shan Ruyin raised her jade-like arm, shaking her small arm that had practically no biceps, and laughed.
"Okay, okay, let's ignore them and rest!"
Yuan Yueze shouted and rushed into the flower bushes.
※※※※※ It was almost the end of the day, and most people were already fast asleep.
In the backyard of the Chuannan gambling den, in a spacious and luxuriously decorated study, several people sat around the reception table with heavy expressions. There were men and women. The
one sitting at the head of the table was a middle-aged man. He was of average appearance, but his skin was bluish and pale. It was obvious that he had been weakened by wine and women. Beside him was a bright, golden abacus.
"Why did the Yuwen clan come to Chengdu? Does the dog emperor have some kind of trick up his sleeve?"
the man asked.
“Why would Uncle think it was the Yuwen Clan? If the Yuwen Clan came to Bashu, why didn’t we have any prior notice? Besides, didn’t Gong Si, who came back today, say that the man himself admitted that the martial art he used wasn’t ‘Ice Profound Force’?”
said a seemingly spoiled young master next to the middle-aged man.
“Things are definitely not that simple! I examined Ji Tong’s body myself. In the world, only the Yuwen Clan’s ‘Ice Profound Force’ can produce such powerful, even freezing, true qi! And would the Yuwen Clan be so foolish as to admit that they used ‘Ice Profound Force’?”
said an old woman with white hair and a whisk in her hand beside the table.
The old woman's appearance was far from pleasant; at first glance, she gave off a withered and cold impression. Her nose was bumpy, and her head, neck, hands, waist, and feet were adorned with various ornaments made of jewels, jade, and precious shells, jingling as they fluttered through the air. However, the glittering jewelry and peacock-like colorful clothes couldn't conceal the sinister and vicious glint in her eyes. Coupled with her long, curved, sharp fingernails, she resembled a female zombie resurrected from a coffin, carrying all her burial goods.
"I also thought of these things, which is why, after Ji Tong was brought back, I didn't dare make a sound and immediately notified Grandma to discuss how to deal with it,"
the middle-aged man at the head of the table spoke again.
"What are you afraid of! So what if it's the Yuwen clan! Even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake! How can Brother Ji Tong die in vain?"
a girl who appeared to be of Miao ethnicity beside the white-haired old woman retorted.
The Miao woman possessed a captivating figure, with long, glossy black hair. Surprisingly, she wore no hat or ribbons, and her body radiated a vibrant youthful energy, as if she were constantly enjoying life.
Her cheekbones were quite high, and if not for her equally prominent nose, they would have been rather jarring. Instead, they gave her an air of haughtiness, yet also a captivating charm. She wore a pleated skirt that reached her knees, revealing her beautifully curved leggings and a pair of leather boots, exuding a sense of understated elegance.
“Sina, with your recklessness, how can your grandmother rest easy if you really leave Bashu in the future? You must know that the world is vast, and there are countless masters! The Yuwen clan has countless experts. Just take Yuwen Huaji as an example; even I don’t dare to be confident that I can defeat him! Not to mention, there is also Yuwen Shang, whose cultivation is at the Celestial level, above him. Moreover, the Yuwen clan wields immense power in the court. Although Bashu is far from the emperor’s reach, if a conflict were to break out, I’m afraid we wouldn’t gain much of an advantage!”
The white-haired old woman said earnestly.
The Miao girl nodded sheepishly and said nothing more.
“But if my cousin were to die in vain like this, what would become of the Huo family’s prestige?”
The young master next to the man seated above said indignantly.
"Uncle, you think you'd be happy to see your son die, with your white hair fading away? But our opponents are from the four great clans! If we really fight, even if we win, Xie Hui and the others will only benefit. This time, the Huo family has to admit defeat! Grandma, when you get back, please tell your people to be careful and find out who the Yuwen family is and what their purpose is! Sigh!"
The middle man in the seat looked dejected, as if he had aged ten years in an instant, and sighed.
"Qingqiao, you should also accept your condolences. We can't avenge Ji Tong now, but that doesn't mean we can't in the future! We will never tolerate this forever, hmph!"
The white-haired old woman sneered.
"Uncle, you should go and rest. I'll see Grandma out."
The playboy said.
The middle-aged man nodded, and after seeing them leave, he lowered his head and fell into deep thought.
※※※※※ The next day, Yuan Yueze and the others were refreshed. After breakfast, they discussed where to go for fun.
It was Shang Xiuxun's first time going out, and she had no objections to where she went, finding everything new and exciting. The other women were too lazy to care about such things, except for Yuan Yueze and Shan Meixian, who discussed it together.
"Shall we continue exploring Bashu?"
Yuan Yueze suggested.
"We don't know who that person we offended yesterday is, but we should try our best not to let them discover our whereabouts. After all, we accidentally revealed our true identities, and the worst thing is if someone with ulterior motives finds out it's us. Then we'll be entangled in endless trouble, and we won't be able to enjoy our leisurely travels,"
Shan Meixian said after a moment's thought.
"That's true. Let's leave Bashu then. Where should we go next?"
Yuan Yueze asked.
"Bashu isn't too far from Lingnan. The Song family is based there, and I've heard that the scenery in Song Family Mountain City is exceptionally beautiful. Would you be interested in visiting, my husband?"
Shan Meixian suggested.
"Alright, let's call Wanjing and Xiuxun over. Let's pack up and get going."
Upon hearing they were going to Song Family Mountain City, Shan Wanjing, Shang Xiuxun, and the other girls all agreed, eager to see what it was like. Shang Xiuxun was particularly excited, as she and Song Yuzhi, the youngest daughter of Song Que, the patriarch of the Song Clan known as "Heavenly Blade," had known each other since childhood and were extremely close. However, their families lived too far apart, so they rarely saw each other. With such a good opportunity, why not take it?
The group of six left their room and went to the counter to settle their bill.
The innkeeper was incredibly frustrated. Yesterday, these customers had said that if they suffered any losses before settling their bill, they would receive double compensation. But now that they were settling their bill, no one was causing trouble. It seemed their plan to make a quick buck had failed.
He also noticed that these customers were quite strange: they had disguised themselves as handsome and dashing in their room, but once outside, they reverted to their ugly appearance. "There are countless strange people in the world!"
the innkeeper thought to himself
, shaking his head as he watched the group depart. They hadn't walked far when Wei Zhenzhen spoke up, "Husband, someone is following us."
"If I'm not mistaken, it should be sent by that short-lived lecher's faction from yesterday, right? Why haven't they made a move and are only following us?"
Shang Xiuxun asked curiously.
"We'll think about that later. Let's get rid of them first!"
Yuan Yueze pulled up Shang Xiuxun, the weakest in martial arts, and turned to the other women.
Their inner energy was all considerable; they instantly transformed into ghostly figures and sped out of the city.
They ran for over twenty li, and the differences in their martial arts skills began to emerge: Shan Meixian and Wei Zhenzhen, due to their own diligent practice and training, had the best lightness skills and ran in the lead; Yuan Yueze's lightness skills were average, but his internal strength was incredibly profound, making him the strongest among them, placing him in the middle; while Shan Wanjing and Shan Ruyin, who were lazy and carefree all day, had the weakest skills.
In the blink of an eye, they had arrived outside Chengdu. They could no longer sense anyone following them and were relieved.
Shan Wanjing and Shan Ruyin were already experiencing some internal energy imbalances, so Yuan Yueze and the other girls rested on the spot.
Shan Meixian criticized Shan Wanjing a few times, but finding that she wouldn't listen, she could only smile helplessly: "Let's slowly walk towards Lingnan and enjoy the scenery along the way."
After saying this, she winked at Yuan Yueze, her eyes occasionally glancing at Shang Xiuxun, her eyes full of ambiguous expressions.
Seeing Shan Meixian's expression, Yuan Yueze knew she wanted him to have more time alone with Shang Xiuxun, so he nodded.
Then, Shan Meixian led the four women ahead, while Yuan Yueze and Shang Xiuxun lagged behind.
Last night, Shang Xiuxun had been tormented by the 'devilish sounds' of Yuan Yueze and the women's revelry next door, her body burning with desire, her face flushed, her heart pounding, tossing and turning in agony. This ordeal lasted for almost two hours before Yuan Yueze's side finally quieted down. Shang Xiuxun, however, couldn't sleep at all, wondering to herself, "Is my senior brother really that good? Can I handle it?" Thinking this, she immediately cursed herself for being shameless: "My relationship with my senior brother isn't even official yet, and I'm already thinking about this kind of thing!"
Today, the group left in a hurry, and Yuan Yueze didn't pay much attention to Shang Xiuxun, only offering a simple greeting.
Shang Xiuxun felt resentful. After leaving the city, seeing that Shan Meixian had deliberately given them some time alone, Shang Xiuxun felt grateful. Then, seeing Yuan Yueze looking at her with a mischievous grin, Shang Xiuxun was so embarrassed she couldn't lift her head. Should she leave? She didn't want to give up this precious time alone, but staying was incredibly awkward. She could only follow behind Yuan Yueze,
her mind in turmoil. Yuan Yueze only took a few steps before turning back and taking Shang Xiuxun's hand, trying to change the mood. "Xiuxun, you've been away for a few days now. Have you missed home? You seem a little sad."
"No...no. This is my first time going out, and I've been playing and walking with my senior brother and several older sisters. I've never been so happy in my life. I don't want to go back to the ranch!"
Shang Xiuxun said shyly, her words carrying a hidden meaning.
"So Xiuxun also likes this kind of life? I thought that growing up in such a strict family environment and bearing the responsibilities of her ancestors, Xiuxun would never want to live like me!"
"No, actually I think that the life you live, Senior Brother, is the most suitable for people. There are too many people in the world who are bound by all sorts of things. Who doesn't want to be free? But they have responsibilities such as destiny, power, and emotions to bear, so even if they envy you, Senior Brother, they still can't do it. Xiuxun is very lucky to have met Master, and her destiny has been completely changed. Now, Xiuxun only wants to live this kind of free and unrestrained life."
Shang Xiuxun's words were nothing short of a veiled confession. Her voice grew softer and softer, and she became increasingly shy.
"Actually, I also like Xiuxun very much. Xiuxun can be considered one of the five most beautiful women of our time; her beauty alone is unparalleled. Perhaps because of my arrival, or perhaps due to a historical discrepancy, the current Xiuxun is not as aloof and arrogant as described in the books. Therefore, she is even more endearing. If Xiuxun is willing to travel the world with your senior brother and your sisters, your senior brother welcomes you. At the same time, your senior brother swears to treat you the same way he treated Meixian and the others, and will not let you suffer any grievances!"
Yuan Yueze understood everything and spoke directly to Shang Xiuxun with a smile. Then he turned around and opened his arms.
"Are you willing to accompany your senior brother on that endless path of life? Are you willing to abandon everything and ascend to the upper realm with your senior brother?"
Hearing such a heartfelt confession, Shang Xiuxun could no longer hold back. Like a little bird, she flew into Yuan Yueze's arms, hugging his strong waist tightly. Feeling the masculine aura emanating from his chest, she wept with joy: "Xiuxun is willing! Xiuxun will stay by your side from now on, never to leave you!"
Finally, another 'destiny' had been sealed. Looking down at Shang Xiuxun nestled in his arms, Yuan Yueze felt an immense sense of satisfaction: she had entrusted everything to him, and he would definitely give her a happiness that no other woman in the world could attain!
"Let's go. Now Meixian and the others are your true best friends."
After comforting Shang Xiuxun for a while, Yuan Yueze gently patted her back.
Shang Xiuxun nodded shyly, giving Yuan Yueze a sidelong glance, but she was reluctant to leave that unforgettable embrace.
Yuan Yueze also enjoyed holding her, so he didn't let go, his arm around her slender waist as they walked forward.
The women walking ahead, including Shan Meixian, would occasionally steal glances back at Yuan Yueze and Shang Xiuxun. Seeing that Yuan Yueze had already embraced Shang Xiuxun, they understood that their husbands were no longer separated from her.
Shang Xiuxun looked up and saw that the women ahead seemed to be slowing down to wait for her and her senior brother. Feeling embarrassed to stay in her senior brother's arms any longer, she struggled to break free. But Yuan Yueze was enjoying himself and wouldn't let her go. Helpless, she could only let Yuan Yueze hold her like that, walking closer and blushing as she greeted the women.
"Sister Xiuxun is finally going to be our sister! But I'm at a disadvantage!"
Shan Wanjing teased.
"Oh? What makes you say that?"
Yuan Yueze asked Shan Wanjing, still not letting go of Shang Xiuxun.
"Thinking back, because my husband was Sister Xiuxun's senior brother, even though Sister Xiuxun was a year older than me, I had to call her 'sister-in-law' because of our lower seniority. Now, it's great, I'm Sister Xiuxun's younger sister!"
Shan Wanjing said charmingly.
Everyone couldn't help but smile at her amusing words.
The atmosphere eased, and Shang Xiuxun's shyness lessened. The group chatted as they walked. At noon that day, Yuan Yueze and his companions finally arrived at the foot of Songjia Mountain City.
Since the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, one of the characteristics of the aristocratic families was the rise of powerful clans, known as high-ranking families or powerful clans, which were clearly distinct from the common people. The saying goes, 'The upper class has no poor families, and the lower class has no powerful clans.'
Whether in economics or politics, the aristocratic families enjoyed enormous privileges. It wasn't until the founding emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty unified the country and adopted the imperial examination system that the monopoly of the powerful clans was slightly broken.
However, the influence of the powerful clans remained. The four most famous clans in the martial arts world were the Yuwen, Li, Dugu, and Song families, wielding immense power in politics, economics, and even the martial arts world.
Among the four, only the Song family, a prominent southern clan, insisted on maintaining their Han Chinese lineage. The other three families, located in the north, were deeply influenced by non-Han cultures, but they had assimilated into the culture of the Central Plains and were not considered outsiders.
The magnificent architectural complex in front is the foundation of the Song clan. Song Family Mountain City is located at the confluence of the Yu River and the Song Family Mountain City, surrounded by water on three sides and towering mountains. The stone city was built from the mountainside, following the contours of the mountain, and the main buildings occupy a large flat area carved out of the mountains. The strategic location is imposing, giving it the air of a formidable stronghold, overlooking the surrounding mountains and plains, and facing Yulin County across the distance, symbolizing the dominant power over the safety of the entire Lingnan region. Along the Yu River, dozens of large warehouses and hundreds of docks of varying sizes were built. When Zeng Jin accompanied Song Lu across the river by boat, the docks were filled with ships of all sizes, and the waterway was bustling with traffic. The prosperous and thriving scene impressed him greatly.
Looking up, he saw a huge city built against the mountain, its peak reaching halfway up the mountainside, nearly a hundred feet high. The city's layout was already much higher than the ground, surrounded by steep rocks. The only connection between the towering city and the ground was a wide staircase of 999 steps. From a distance, the entire city appeared to be a concave shape, with the two protruding parts being two towering defensive fortifications. The inner part was the only way in and out of the city, which led to the city gate connected to the granite-carved stone steps. Therefore, Song Family Mountain City was a strategically important and dangerous location; even an army of thousands would never be able to conquer it.
Yuan Yueze didn't pay much attention to the scenery; his heart was pounding, and his blood was surging uncontrollably. He could even clearly sense a powerful, heaven-and-earth-spanning sword aura permeating the entire mountain city, as if calling to him.
Shan Meixian felt the same way and laughed, "This must be the spiritual power of 'Heavenly Blade,' the lord of the Song Clan. This is how the auras of experts are sensed; those with slightly lower cultivation levels can't detect it."
"The Song Family Mountain City truly lives up to its reputation. Surrounded by mountains and flowing rivers, its rugged terrain is treacherous. Even with tens of thousands of elite troops, it would be useless! No wonder Emperor Wen of Sui couldn't conquer this Song Family Mountain City with tens of thousands of troops!"
Seeing Yuan Yueze nod thoughtfully, Shan Meixian praised again.
The other women, including Yuan Yueze, were all shocked to witness the Song Family Mountain City firsthand.
As they walked and praised, they arrived at the entrance of the mountain path, where a person was already waiting.
Upon closer inspection, they saw a handsome young man, around twenty-four or twenty-five years old, dressed in rich attire. He was dashing and possessed an extraordinary air, yet showed no signs of weakness. His back was straight and shoulders broad, and although he was dressed as a scholar, he exuded an aura of profound martial arts skill. His innate, approachable demeanor made one feel as if being around him was like a gentle breeze.
Seeing Yuan Yueze and his companions arrive at the entrance to the mountain path, the handsome young man stepped forward and smiled, saying, "I am Song Shidao. My father, Song Que, informed me half an hour ago that distinguished guests had arrived from afar, and instructed me to wait for them at the mountain gate. Please!"
He then stepped aside, bowed, and gestured for them to proceed.
Yuan Yueze was startled: half an hour ago he was still quite far away. Was Song Que's spiritual cultivation really this powerful? Even he himself had only sensed Song Que's presence upon reaching the vicinity of the mountain city!
After a brief moment of shock, Yuan Yueze regained his composure and looked at Song Shidao. He had witnessed firsthand the "Son of the Heavenly Blade" from the original novel—indeed elegant and refined, humble and polite, without a trace of arrogance or domineering air, but with a magnanimous and generous demeanor. He couldn't help but secretly admire him.
Among the young talents of the four great clans of this era, only two truly stood out: Song Shidao of the Song clan and Li Shimin of the Li clan.
Yuan Yueze preferred Song Shidao; his demeanor showed genuine sincerity, as the original novel stated that Song Shidao had no interest in vying for fame and fortune. Li Shimin, on the other hand, was different. No matter how much he proclaimed himself "for the people of the world," he couldn't give the impression of frankness and sincerity because he was a politician, his lust for power too strong. No matter how much he spoke of "for the country and the people," he couldn't change the inherent flaws of "one family ruling the world."
Seeing Song Shidao's humble and polite demeanor, Yuan Yueze guessed that it was partly due to his personality, and partly because Song Shidao, being a martial artist, could sense the powerful true energy flowing within Yuan Yueze and his companions. Furthermore, the unique aura, physique, and posture of Yuan Yueze and his companions clearly contradicted their facial features, so Song Shidao, with his experience in judging people, vaguely discerned something amiss.
"Thank you for your trouble, Brother Shidao,"
Yuan Yueze returned the greeting with a smile. Even with a smile, his face now gave off a somewhat menacing feeling.
The group slowly ascended the steps and entered the mountain city.
Surprisingly, there wasn't a single guard near the path Song Shidao led them along, which piqued Yuan Yueze's curiosity.
The exterior and interior of Song Family Mountain City evoked completely different feelings; if the former suggested offense and defense, then the latter only reminded one of peace and tranquility.
The city is dotted with hundreds of houses, connected by more than ten well-ordered, bluestone-paved avenues. Its most distinctive feature is its tiered layout, ascending the mountainside in layers. Each level is accessed via stone steps and ramps, facilitating easy access for residents by carriage or horse.
Trees and flowers line the avenues, and mountain spring water is channeled into streams that meander through the gardens and residences, creating endless scenic views of small bridges, flowing water, ponds, and pavilions. The spacious and comfortable environment is reminiscent of the gardens of southern China, making one feel as if they are in a large mountain garden.
The main building complex is concentrated on a large platform about two miles in circumference on the ninth floor. The buildings are imposing and elegant, constructed of wood and stone. From the eaves to the latticed windows, the meticulous craftsmanship creates a grand and imposing atmosphere, imbued with the spirit of southern culture, and further highlighting the significant position of the Song dynasty in the south.
Song Shidao simply led the way with polite manners, not even inquiring about the names of Yuan Yueze and his companions. Yuan Yueze and the women walked along, looking around and occasionally letting out a gasp of surprise.
Finally, Song Shidao led them alone into a luxurious reception hall. Several people were already waiting inside. Upon closer inspection, there were three men and one woman.
The man in the middle, wearing a long, flowing blue robe, appeared to be around thirty-five years old. His jet-black hair was tied in a red bun on top of his head. His features were flawless; his handsome face, without a single blemish, featured thick, clear eyebrows beneath a pair of bright, jewel-like eyes that sparkled with life. His broad forehead indicated extraordinary wisdom, and his calm demeanor carried a melancholic air that could move anyone, yet also conveyed a deep and unfathomable emotion. He was tall and slender yet imposing. A long, black beard flowed across his chest, and he stood with his hands behind his back, exuding an air of grandeur. An air of arrogance and domineering presence was subtly present throughout his body.
Although his temples were streaked with gray, he showed no signs of aging; instead, it added to his noble air of a high-ranking family and the demeanor of a Confucian scholar. He was awe-inspiring and unapproachable. Combined with his well-proportioned and graceful physique and imposing stature, he truly possessed the captivating aura of a top-tier master.
"This must be 'Heavenly Blade.' He's indeed a master; my cultivation is certainly inferior to his!"
Yuan Yueze sighed inwardly.
His gaze shifted to a middle-aged man beside Song Que. This man was around forty years old, extremely tall and slender, dressed in white robes as white as snow, with five long, flowing beards. However, what was most striking and commanded respect about him were his intelligent, slightly melancholic eyes, as deep and unfathomable as a lake or the sea.
"This must be 'Earth Sword,'"
Yuan Yueze immediately thought.
His gaze shifted again, and he saw an elderly man with silver hair and beard, appearing to be around fifty years old. His demeanor was unwavering, exuding maturity and composure. He leaned on a silver cane inlaid with a ferocious dragon head.
"This must be Song Lu,"
Yuan Yueze thought again.
Finally, his gaze settled on a young woman of about eighteen or nineteen behind Song Que. The woman's features possessed a strong masculine quality, and her appearance, skin, and temperament were exceptional—a peerless beauty, second only to Shang Xiuxun.
"This must be Song Yuzhi,"
Yuan Yueze thought.
Yuan Yueze and his group entered the hall. Neither side spoke, and while Yuan Yueze's group sized up their companions, Song Que's group also carefully observed them. Surprise flashed in the eyes of Song Que, Song Zhi, and Song Lu. Song Yuzhi seemed particularly interested in Yuan Yueze's eyes, unfazed by his ugly appearance. She simply stared intently at his unfathomable, star-like eyes, even becoming somewhat lost in thought. Only after Yuan Yueze smiled and nodded at her did she snap out of her reverie, her face inexplicably flushing red as she lowered her head.
"I am deeply sorry for not welcoming you properly, gentlemen of the Song family to my mountain city,"
Song Que's gentle and pleasant voice rang out. "
My wife and I have come uninvited; please forgive us, Lord Clan,"
Yuan Yueze said with a cupped-fist salute and a smile.
Upon hearing the name 'Yuan,' Song Zhi and Song Lu seemed to realize something, their surprise turning to shock. Song Que, however, remained unmoved, smiling as he gestured for Yuan Yueze and his companions to take their seats.
Yuan Yueze and his group did not stand on ceremony. Led by Yuan Yueze, they took their seats.
"I have come uninvited today, but there is something I need Lord Clan's help with,"
Yuan Yueze said, looking up at Song Que.
“Brother Yuan, please speak.”
Song Que simply looked at the group, his expression unusually calm.
“I think the clan leader has already guessed my and my wife’s identities, so please keep it a secret and do not tell anyone outside of this gathering today,”
Yuan Yueze said.
“So it really is you! I only guessed a little from your temperament, true energy, and surnames, and given the conflicting rumors about Brother Yuan, I wasn’t sure. Brother Yuan, aren’t you afraid I’ll scheme against you? Do you know that a rumor about you came from Song Family Mountain City a few months ago?”
A mysterious smile appeared on Song Que’s face.
“There is no one or nothing in this world that I, Yuan, fear. I also heard that rumor a few months ago, but I thought that someone like ‘Heavenly Blade’ would never do such a despicable thing. Therefore, I had long forgotten about that rumor,”
Yuan Yueze laughed heartily.
“Ah! You…you are Yuan Yueze?”
Song Yuzhi, standing beside Song Que, covered her mouth with both hands and exclaimed.
Yuan Yueze nodded slightly to Song Yuzhi.
Song Yuzhi was initially delighted, but then somewhat disappointed. She was delighted to have seen this world-renowned man in person, and that he hadn't actually "ascended to immortality" as rumored. She was disappointed because he was already middle-aged, seemingly around the same generation as her father.
Song Que glanced at Song Yuzhi, clearly understanding his daughter's thoughts. He then said to Yuan Yueze, "Brother Yuan is indeed a true hero. I swear that today's events will not be known to anyone else. As for the rumors, although they originated from Shancheng, they were not ordered by us. I've been investigating for months without finding a single clue. However, this is my Song family's secret reception room in Shancheng; there aren't even any lookouts outside. Brother Yuan, wouldn't you mind showing us your true appearance?"
Song Que's sharp eyes could easily tell that the group had disguised themselves.
"That's easy,"
Yuan Yueze laughed. He and the women removed their ugly masks, revealing their original appearances.
The Song family members in the hall suddenly felt as if they had gone from hell to heaven; the change was so great that it was unimaginable! Just a moment ago, they were incredibly ugly, but now the men were exceptionally handsome and the women were like celestial beings descended from heaven.
Song Yuzhi glanced at the women, her eyes dimming slightly before focusing her attention entirely on Yuan Yueze. Her surprise was palpable, her cute little mouth agape as she stared intently at him. She seemed lost in thought, her gaze lingering on him. While
the Song family members were still admiring her, Song Que was the first to recover, clearing his throat to bring them back to reality.
"Brother Yuan is so young! It truly surprises me. And the ladies are indeed as beautiful as the celestial beings described,"
Song Que said. His tone emphasized the word "surprise." With his cultivation level, he naturally sensed that Yuan Yueze's abilities were indeed extraordinary, but not powerful enough to shake the world.
However, Song Que could never have imagined Yuan Yueze's recent experiences. His once-powerful voice contained a power beyond the mortal realm. And the Yuan Yueze of today was no longer the same Yuan Yueze who once commanded respect.
Yuan Yueze vaguely understood the meaning behind Song Que's words, and smiled slightly without saying a word.
"In that case, I would like to take the liberty of inviting Brother Yuan and his family to stay in the mountain city for a while. I have suddenly become interested in sparring."
A glint of light flashed in Song Que's gem-like eyes as he extended the invitation.
"Well... to be honest, my wife and I have always enjoyed traveling and living a free and unrestrained life. But the mountain city is crowded and lively. If my whereabouts are leaked, it will not only bring trouble to the Song Clan, but also cause me to be bothered by some people in the future. My main purpose in coming to Lingnan today is to see the Song family's mountain city and to witness the demeanor of the clan leader. I am already satisfied. As for sparring, it can wait for another time. I only ask that the clan leader promise me that you will not leak any information about my family. I must take my leave now."
Yuan Yueze politely declined. He was not a 'martial artist' in the strict sense, so he had little interest in sparring.
However, Yuan Yueze still harbored a slight longing to spar with a grandmaster like 'Heavenly Blade,' as his previous attacks had been too swift and hadn't utilized pure internal energy. Using 'Heavenly Blade' to gauge his own martial arts prowess would be a pleasant prospect.
"If Young Master Yuan is worried about his whereabouts being revealed, how about you and your wife stay temporarily at Yu Zhi's 'Listening to the Waves Cottage'? There are only four servants there; Yu Zhi can send them away first. Besides, there are many places to visit in the mountain city; leaving in such a hurry would be a pity. Moreover, Yu Zhi and your wife, Sister Xiu Xun, have been friends for many years. You can take this opportunity to get together. What do you think, Young Master Yuan?"
Song Yu Zhi quickly spoke up as Yuan Yueze prepared to leave.
She had been staring at Yuan Yueze, but when she heard him say he was leaving, she quickly snapped out of her reverie. Seeing Shang Xiuxun beside her, she was somewhat surprised. When had Shang Xiuxun married this young master Yuan? He was too mysterious! Not a single word of it had leaked out of the martial arts world! Song Que and the others naturally recognized Shang Xiuxun; they had noticed her the moment she entered the room. They had their own doubts, but once Yuan Yueze revealed his identity, they understood. Yuan Yueze was absolutely worthy of Shang Xiuxun in every way.
Yuan Yueze didn't speak, but looked at Shang Xiuxun. Seeing the expectant look in her eyes, he thought for a moment and nodded, replying, "Then I'll trouble the clan leader and Miss Song. We'll just appear as a facade in front of outsiders."
"I thank the clan leader and Miss Song for their hospitality,"
Yuan Yueze smiled and nodded to the Song family in thanks.
"As for the sparring that Clan Chief Song mentioned, if you are interested, how about we begin immediately?"
Yuan Yueze continued.
"Brother Yuan, after your journey, don't you need to rest? How about we fight again when you are fully recovered?"
Song Que was very clear about the matter of sparring, and said solemnly. He hadn't thought about sparring like this for decades, so he hoped that his opponent could stand before him in the most perfect form.
"That's not necessary. I, Yuan, never need to rest deliberately,"
Yuan Yueze smiled.
Song Que scanned him with his spiritual power and realized that Yuan Yueze was indeed in peak condition. He then got up and led everyone out of the back door of the living room.
A moment later, the group arrived at a large open space with a radius of nearly a thousand feet behind the pavilion. It turned out that this was the training ground behind the 'Bright Moon Pavilion'. Only those personally authorized by Song Que of the Song family could enter. Therefore, there were only a few people in the open space, making it seem like the wilderness.
"I heard that Clan Chief Song likes to spar with others in the 'Sharpening Knife Hall'?"
Yuan Yueze asked with some curiosity.
“Indeed, but I am somewhat worried that sparring with Brother Yuan might ruin ‘Sharpening Knife Hall.’ Also, there are no outsiders here, so Brother Yuan’s whereabouts and today’s events will not be exposed.
It’s a win-win situation.” “Thank you for your kindness, Clan Leader. Please!”
Yuan Yueze closed his eyes and took out a longsword from his bracelet. The blade and scabbard were completely transparent, standing upright in the wind. He spoke.
Yuan Yueze could sense Song Que’s strength, so he dared not be careless, hence this was the first time he had used a weapon.
“This sword was a gift from my master.”
Yuan Yueze explained, seeing the Song family members somewhat astonished that he had taken the sword out of thin air, and that the sword seemed to be a treasure.
“Good! Heavenly Blade!”
Song Que’s eyes suddenly flashed with a sharp light, but his expression remained calm as he shouted.
He slightly raised his right hand and grabbed at the air. A thick-backed broadsword flew out automatically from a nearby pavilion and landed directly in Song Que’s hand!
A sudden change occurred.
The moment the thick-backed broadsword fell into Song Que's grasp, Song Que and the sword became an inseparable, unified whole. It was a powerful and profound feeling, subtle and indescribable.
Although he was only standing there from a distance, Yuan Yueze could still clearly feel the invincible, ethereal yet tangible sword energy emanating from Song Que. The surrounding air made him feel as if he were in the far north, chilling to the bone.
Such cultivation was truly unbelievable without witnessing it firsthand.
Even with martial arts skills as high as Yuan Yueze's, Shan Meixian felt Song Que's power even more, because he hadn't released any energy to summon the 'Heavenly Blade'. It was as if the 'Heavenly Blade' possessed its own life and would automatically fly to find its master!
The instant the 'Heavenly Blade' fell into Song Que's hand, Yuan Yueze clearly felt that the extremely powerful, invisible sword energy emanating from Song Que, who had just appeared as a refined scholar, had enveloped him, locking him in place, making even movement difficult.
Martial arts emphasize four points: body, mind, spirit, and technique. Compared to Song Que, Yuan Yueze was no less skilled in body and spirit, perhaps even surpassing him. However, in terms of mind and technique, Yuan Yueze was far inferior. Although he possessed a sword, he knew no sword techniques whatsoever.
But Yuan Yueze was no ordinary person.
Under the pressure of his opponent's powerful mental energy, Yuan Yueze did not exert all his strength to resist. Instead, he calmed his mind, transforming himself into a small boat in the ocean of his opponent's mental energy, swaying up and down with the waves, yet never capsizing.
Song Que nodded in admiration. He clearly sensed the gap between Yuan Yueze and himself in mental cultivation, and Yuan Yueze's casual response to his move was perfectly natural.
Once Yuan Yueze calmed his mind, he became completely absorbed, as if he were not fighting anyone. He simply absorbed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, his breath and heartbeat slowly merging with nature. As his mental state continued to improve, a feeling of detachment from the battlefield, yet simultaneously a transcendent understanding of the entire situation, filled his heart.
At this moment, in Yuan Yueze's mind and eyes, it seemed that only he and Song Que existed in the world. Moreover, as he deepened his perception of Song Que's spiritual power, he began to enter a subtle realm of understanding Song Que's spirit and knowing his enemy. Through this mysterious connection and reaction, he could also, in turn, grasp the changes in Song Que's mind.
A spiritual bridge had been built between the two.
Seeing Yuan Yueze gradually merge into the world with his fading breaths, Song Que's eyes flashed with surprise, followed by a hint of joy and admiration. As if sensing through telepathy that Yuan Yueze would achieve even greater things, Song Que gripped his longsword in a reverse grip, placed his hands behind his back, and stared intently at Yuan Yueze with a solemn expression.
The onlookers, except for Yuan Yueze's wives, were greatly alarmed to see his figure begin to fade and gradually blend into the world. Even Song Zhi and Song Lu, with their abilities, sensed that under the probing of his aura, even Yuan Yueze's spiritual power was gradually fading.
Song Yuzhi's face was strange; she subconsciously rubbed her beautiful eyes, shook her head, and looked again, only to see that ninety percent of Yuan Yueze's figure and aura had disappeared!
How could this be!
Song Que's expression turned to shock as he murmured, "Sword... Sword Heart Clarity!"
His voice wasn't loud, but everyone heard him. Yuan Yueze also opened his eyes, waking from his reverie, and laughed, "Court Master, have you misjudged me?"
Everyone was somewhat surprised by Song Que's words, but Song Que first nodded, then shook his head, saying, "Brother Yuan, this technique is four or five parts similar to the highest level of Sword Heart Clarity in the 'Compassionate Sword Manual,' one of the four great books I know. But I'm certain you haven't learned the 'Compassionate Sword Manual.'"
Yuan Yueze's figure was no longer blurry, and he laughed loudly, "This is a technique I comprehended myself, how could it be the 'Compassionate Sword Manual'?"
Then Yuan Yueze roughly guessed that his spiritual realm must have begun to merge with heaven and earth, even the universe, which was why Song Que had said those words. Presumably, the highest level of Sword Heart Clarity was just like that.
The Tao gives birth to One, One gives birth to Two, Two gives birth to Three, Three gives birth to all things.
The Great Dao ultimately leads to the same goal, and all martial arts under heaven, though different, naturally converge on the same path.
Song Que, a master of martial arts, was certainly aware of this, yet he still admired Yuan Yueze's ability to comprehend such a profound understanding of the Dao.
Most masters in the world, like Song Que, experience worldly trials before returning to their true nature, comprehending their own 'Dao,' and ultimately achieving success.
Yuan Yueze, however, was the complete opposite; he first comprehended the 'Dao,' then entered the world to experience it. In this way, he avoided the arduous path of 'returning to one's true nature,' a path many fail to traverse.
Seeing the peaceful and serene aura emanating from Yuan Yueze, Song Que laughed, "It's not that I underestimate you, but I fear that in your current state, Brother Yuan, you might die at my hands!"
Despite uttering murderous words with a smile, Yuan Yueze and his wives remained unfazed, while Song Yuzhi appeared somewhat tense.
Yuan Yueze said calmly, "I suppose it's because my mindset is too peaceful, while the clan leader's swordsmanship is honed on the battlefield. Once a sword move is made, it's a fight to the death!"
Song Que was taken aback, then sighed, "Indeed, as you say, my swordsmanship is a killing technique honed through countless battles, large and small. It's either you die or I die. Although there may be no life-or-death struggle or victory and defeat in the process, the outcome will inevitably be the same. If Brother Yuan doesn't have the determination to kill me, you will surely die in this battle."
Yuan Yueze smiled faintly and said nothing more, only extending his palm in a gesture of invitation.
Through the sensing of their auras, Song Que noticed the barely suppressed excitement in Yuan Yueze's heart. He smiled slightly, took a step forward, and his immense aura surged forth like a wild wave rising from the sky and the earth. With his firm and powerful steps, carrying a fierce sword aura, he swept towards Yuan Yueze.
The two were several feet apart, but Song Que only took one step, and his figure was already in front of Yuan Yueze. The scene was truly bizarre.
Song Que's thick-backed longsword pierced the air, displaying a myriad of wondrous forms, constantly shifting within a space of about ten feet. Each change was so clear and distinct, as if his intentions were written out with the blade. Most deadly of all, each change seemed to render any carefully planned countermeasure useless, instilling a sense of utter despair at the loss of all previous efforts.
His swordsmanship had reached its pinnacle, a state of divine mastery.
Yuan Yueze remained motionless, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light. His 'mind's eye' detected this seemingly simple yet incredibly dangerous sword move.
A slight smile played on his lips as Yuan Yueze met the attack with his right-hand sword. The space traversed by the sword was no longer concave as it had been with his punch in Chengdu; the surrounding air was no longer repelled. Instead, the trajectory behind the blade seemed to create a vacuum, as if the surrounding air had been forcibly sucked away by the sword.
"Clang!"
The ever-changing sword shadows finally dissipated, colliding with Yuan Yueze's sword.
This was merely a test move between the two.
Song Que stood still, while Yuan Yueze retreated three steps.
Yuan Yueze was not only at a disadvantage in skill, but also completely lacking in experience! This was precisely why he was currently inferior to Song Que.
Without pausing after their exchange, Song Que took another step forward, making a "whoosh" sound. The onlookers, including Yuan Yueze, simultaneously felt the ground seem to shake. Following his movement, a horizontal slash of his blade appeared, without any fancy flourishes, aimed directly at Yuan Yueze's waist and abdomen. Yuan Yueze
clearly felt that Song Que's seemingly ordinary strike was actually incredibly skillful, capable of turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. Aside from blocking, there was no other way to counter it. But he knew his own limitations; he had only practiced martial arts techniques and had never learned any specific moves. Suddenly, a strange smile appeared on his face.
Seeing Yuan Yueze's swordplay constantly changing as he met Song Que's attack, Song Que was stunned. This was clearly the same move Song Que had just used, but the difference was that Yuan Yueze had incorporated the sword technique into his swordplay, combining lightness and elegance with fierce power, giving it a strange feel.
"Clang!"
After this clash, both of them stood still in place.
Song Que made two moves in quick succession, then nodded and smiled, "What a clever move! The sword's intent is contained within its swordplay; it's truly impressive!"
Yuan Yueze felt a surge of exhilaration and laughed, "Please don't blame me, Lord. I've always focused on practicing martial arts, never studying techniques. So I hastily copied your sword intent without understanding it, and I'm sorry for the poor performance."
Song Que exclaimed in surprise, "So, Brother Yuan has only studied martial arts! But that move was truly admirable; your talent is remarkable! But where did your first sword strike come from?"
Yuan Yueze's second sword strike was based on Song Que's first sword strike, but in Song Que's view, Yuan Yueze's first sword strike was equally extraordinary, possessing the power of nature and far from simple.
Upon hearing Song Que's question, Yuan Yueze tried to recall his first sword strike, but found his memory very vague. He could only shake his head and say, "I don't know, it was entirely a natural feeling from within."
Song Que smiled and said, "That is the essence of body and mind, the culmination of all your past hard training and combat experience. The mind is still, but the spirit desires to move, transcending thought. However, if one can only do it occasionally, one is not worthy of being called a master. Only when every move and every stance is a fusion of spirit and mind can the swordsmanship be done at will."
Yuan Yueze asked curiously, "To be precise, this is the first time I've truly fought someone, and I have no prior combat experience." Moreover, what the clan leader spoke of was the outline of swordsmanship, while I, Yuan, prefer to use a sword.
Song Que's expression was initially puzzled, then he smiled and said, "I suspect that perhaps Brother Yuan's cultivation allows him to connect with the energy of heaven and earth, thus enabling him to forge a different path in his physical and mental abilities. As for swordsmanship and saber techniques, there is actually no difference; the differences are only external, while the underlying principles are the same. Someone as profoundly understanding of the principles of nature as Brother Yuan should understand the meaning of my words."
Yuan Yueze pondered for a long time, then looked up and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Clan Leader. Please accept my move!"
As soon as he finished speaking, his figure flashed, and he had already appeared before Song Que like a ghost.
The onlookers were terrified.
Not only did Yuan Yueze's clothes flutter without wind, and his long hair dance wildly in the wind, but his entire right arm seemed to have vanished completely. Only fleeting, blinding flashes of cold light appeared, his movements as fluid and precise as a celestial horse galloping through the air, enveloping Song Que like mercury spilling onto the ground.
This move was also learned from Song Que's first strike, but the technique was completely different, and its lethality was several times greater.
To outsiders, Yuan Yueze's move might seem ordinary, but Song Que, caught in the moment, saw it differently. Yuan Yueze's mental cultivation was indeed inferior, but at this moment, Yuan Yueze was completely absorbed, his body, mind, and spirit comparable to Song Que's. Even the missing element of 'skill' had been grasped on the spot. Therefore, Song Que clearly perceived the natural flow and seamless execution of this move.
In an instant, Song Que seemed to merge with the world, slowly raising his sword with both hands, his movements still stable and unchanging, every inch of his movement maintaining the same constant speed.
This was simply impossible. It's already quite remarkable for a human to maintain a certain speed.
Every movement is composed of countless interconnected actions, each with its own variations in speed and intensity. The series of movements that made up Song Que's sword-wielding technique—each movement a repetitive mold of the previous one—was itself an unbelievable miracle!
Only those with profound cultivation could discern its subtlety. Judging from the expressions of the onlookers, only Shan Meixian understood the profound truth contained within Song Que's seemingly simple movements.
Yuan Yueze's fluid, unpredictable attack came crashing down, and Song Que's strange movements perfectly aligned with it, raising his longsword once, twice, three times… Those around him felt that after a slow, deliberate rise, Song Que's movements became almost invisible, but the clanging of weapons told the onlookers that Song Que had parried all of Yuan Yueze's flurry of sword strikes.
In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged dozens of blows.
With their moves exhausted, Yuan Yueze's attack suddenly changed after their final clash.
His longsword, blocked, was retracted and then unleashed again, shooting towards Song Que's chest like a bolt of lightning. The force of the sword, like a thunderbolt, seemed capable of piercing the heavens and splitting the earth! To Song Que and the onlookers, however, it appeared utterly bizarre. This sword strike, far from its initial momentum, was extremely still, seemingly freezing the surrounding space within a ten-foot radius!
Shan Meixian inwardly admired her husband; his strange moves were endless—breaking through space, absorbing space, freezing space—all sorts of techniques, truly impressive.
The spatial freezing was merely a mental illusion. With Song Que's high cultivation, he certainly wouldn't fall for it.
A faint smile played on his lips, and Song Que's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he countered with a backhand strike.
This strike can only be described as incredibly fast. Occurring at a speed barely perceptible to the naked eye, the blade's intent transformed into a lightning-fast rainbow, slicing through the space solidified by Yuan Yueze's swordplay. All the surrounding air currents and life force seemed to be sucked away by Song Que's earth-shattering strike, leaving behind a terrifying atmosphere of utter desolation, death, and chilling dread.
The tables had turned!
"Boom!"
The force surged and rippled, causing both men to stagger back as if electrocuted.
Song Que's retreat was preparation for his next move, while Yuan Yueze was clearly thrown back by the impact.
While Yuan Yueze was still retreating, Song Que suddenly spun around, his longsword sweeping across Yuan Yueze with an unremarkable motion.
This strike seemed utterly ordinary, yet its slowness was illogical. Yuan Yueze, however, clearly understood that Song Que's strike embodied speed within slowness, a masterful feat of seemingly clumsy skill. Though no change was apparent, a thousand variations were contained within it, as boundless as the universe itself.
Completely immersed in his swordsmanship, Yuan Yueze's swordplay surged once more, bringing over the intent of Song Que's first strike. With ever-changing movements, seemingly advancing and retreating, rising and falling, at unpredictable angles, he met Song Que's flawless, unrestrained strike.
"Clang!"
The blade struck the sword tip, producing a low yet piercing sound that could be heard for half a mile. Those in the mountain city outside, unaware of the reason, thought it was just thunder in a clear sky!
Dust and sand flew around the two men. After the clash of weapons, their figures separated again, unable to maintain their original stances, and they were forced to retreat.
Song and Yuan stopped their attacks and faced each other from afar. The domineering sword energy lingered for a long time, permeating the entire space. At this moment, both of them were somewhat pale. Song Que's corner was bleeding, yet he still stood firmly. Yuan Yueze's clothes were disheveled, blood dripped from his nostrils, and there was a clear wound on his chest. His skin was not broken, but it was left by the domineering sword energy.
Yuan Yueze gained immensely from this battle, his martial arts experience undergoing a qualitative leap from nothing to something.
"Exhilarating! Exhilarating! I never imagined a duel could be so exhilarating!"
Yuan Yueze wiped away the blood, shouting excitedly, like a child discovering something new.
"Then please, Brother Yuan, demonstrate another move!"
Song Que's enthusiasm remained undiminished.
Yuan Yueze had no moves left; he was simply using what he had learned on the spot. But now, having reached a state of complete absorption, his mental strength was no less than Song Que's. Every movement was flawless, perfectly natural. His figure flashed, seemingly ordinary yet infinitely varied, his seemingly slow but actually swift sword strike aimed directly at Song Que.
From the moment Yuan Yueze drew his sword, the onlookers only felt that Yuan Yueze's body hadn't moved at all, yet his figure was already before Song Que's eyes. That illusion of distance was simply unbelievable.
Song Que's gaze turned grave. He had noticed the ring of energy gathering at the tip of Yuan Yueze's sword, a subtle tremor. This energy was a combination of Yuan Yueze's own power and the air around the sword's trajectory, draining its energy. The lightning-fast sword strike suddenly slowed halfway through its trajectory, even making Song Que feel uneasy under the pressure of this strange aura.
However, it was merely a small ripple in his mind. Song Que instantly regained his composure. The moment Yuan Yueze's sword strike slowed, Song Que acted swiftly, his movements fluid and spontaneous. He gripped his blade with both hands and slashed down with lightning speed towards Yuan Yueze's head.
Everyone's expressions changed drastically. This was because Song Que's strike exuded immense killing intent, and the heavy stench of blood was palpable. Yuan Yueze's sword was aimed at Song Que's left shoulder, while Song Que's blade was aimed at Yuan Yueze's crown. This was bound to result in mutual destruction, or perhaps, due to the different locations of the wounds, Yuan Yueze might die by Song Que's blade!
No one knew Song Que better than the Song family; his blade was always fearless and reckless. But Yuan Yueze's strength was equally formidable. Just the fact that he had forced Song Que to this point showed that this young man was no ordinary person!
"No!"
Several women in the arena covered their mouths almost simultaneously, crying out in unison.
But it was too late. In a flash, the tip of Yuan Yueze's sword, which contained almost all his power, shone brightly and exploded, transforming into countless beams of light!
Although they knew that these intangible beams of light wouldn't harm anyone, the onlookers still looked away.
"Clang!"
In the blink of an eye, a loud crash echoed through the arena the moment the light burst forth.
Everyone looked back at the arena and saw the two facing each other. Song Que's blade was striking Yuan Yueze's right shoulder, while the tip of Yuan Yueze's sword was stopped an inch in front of Song Que's left shoulder.
"Pfft!"
Both of them coughed up blood almost simultaneously and fell backward.
Wiping away the bloodstains, Song Que, pale-faced, sat cross-legged a few feet away from Yuan Yueze, and gave a bitter smile: "Why did you stop, Brother Yuan?"
Yuan Yueze, too, had blood from his mouth and nose, but his body was clearly stronger than Song Que's, so he wasn't in much pain. Seeing Song Que's humane reaction, he sat up and laughed, "Master, there's no need to feel guilty. Your sword is from the battlefield, a sword for killing, fearless and selfless—that's the true meaning of a 'Heavenly Blade' that transcends the mortal realm. Besides, you managed to deviate from your original trajectory at the end, for which I am already extremely grateful. My body is a bit more special, but if I were to injure you, Master, I would need a long period of rest and recuperation."
He had been immersed in martial arts, enjoying the exhilaration of the competition, reaching a state of 'forgetting oneself and the world.' Suddenly, he heard Shan Meixian's delicate cry and abruptly came to his senses, stopping his sword strike and dissipating his true energy.
Yuan Yueze had already noticed that Song Que was trying his best to change the trajectory of his sword and to restrain the true energy gathered on it. However, the damage from Song Que's strike was also considerable. Looking at the deep gash on his shoulder, which hadn't broken the skin but was still there, Yuan Yueze became even more wary. His body was only slightly taller than an ordinary person; it wasn't a true indestructible body.
Song Que chuckled: "You call this special? If my strike had hit Ning Daoqi, he would have lost an arm!"
Yuan Yueze laughed. Of course, he couldn't reveal his origins, so he casually said, "The clan leader's injuries are quite severe. Please rest for a while."
Song Que knew his condition all too well, so he nodded, closed his eyes, and slowly began to regulate his breathing.

Chapter 014 The Demonic Sect's Dark Empress
"Father!"
Everyone was shocked by what they had just witnessed. It took them a while to recover. Seeing Song Que sitting motionless on the ground, Song Yuzhi cried out in alarm and rushed towards him. Seeing this, the other three members of the Song family assumed something had happened to Song Que and rushed over with Song Yuzhi.
"No! Miss Song, you mustn't touch the Clan Head! He's calming his inner energy; he'll recover soon!"
Shan Meixian and the other women had already rushed forward to massage Yuan Yueze. Although they knew he was exceptionally strong, they hadn't witnessed it firsthand and were still worried. After comforting the women for a few moments, Yuan Yueze saw Song Yuzhi rushing to hug Song Que and quickly stopped her.
Shan Meixian and Wei Zhenzhen, seeing the wounds on Yuan Yueze's shoulders and chest, looked even more worried. They clearly realized that, given their current physical condition, they weren't truly immortal.
Upon hearing this, Song Yuzhi immediately stopped, giving Yuan Yueze a complicated look before turning her gaze back to Song Que. After hearing Yuan Yueze say that Song Que was unharmed, Song Zhi and the other two stood beside Song Que to protect him.
After a short while, Yuan Yueze felt that his body had almost recovered. Although the knife wound was still there, it had not greatly affected his internal organs. He and the women gathered around and saw that after an incense stick's time, Song Que was still motionless, and even his breathing had become somewhat weak. Yuan Yueze frowned, quickly went to Song Que's side, whispered a few words in his ear, and then returned to his original position.
Song Zhi and the others were at a loss when they saw that Song Que seemed to be in bad shape, but after Yuan Yueze went over and whispered a few words, Song Que's breathing began to stabilize again.
Then, after sitting upright for less than half a cup of tea's time, Song Que had recovered. He stood up, and his face was rosy, and he seemed to have become several years younger, full of vitality. After comforting the bewildered Song family members with a few words, Song Que said, "I have experienced much in my life, but none of it seems as real as meeting Brother Yuan today. Brother Yuan and your wife, would you mind coming to my Mingyue Tower for a drink and some conversation?"
"In that case, I'll trouble you, Master and all of you! Please!"
Yuan Yueze smiled in return.
Led by Song Que, Yuan Yueze and the others followed him toward the distant pavilion.
Along the way, the Song family members were puzzled by Song Que's drastic change after Yuan Yueze's few whispered words. They wanted to ask, but Song Que's disapproving look made them swallow their words.
With Shan Meixian's abilities, she naturally heard Yuan Yueze's "whisper" clearly, so there was no need to ask.
Along the way, only the women chatted casually, while the men remained silent. Suddenly, Yuan Yueze felt someone gently tugging at him. Turning his head, he saw it was Shan Wanjing.
Yuan Yueze glanced at her, asking what was wrong. Shan Wanjing leaned close to his ear and said, "Husband, we want to eat your cooking; we can't get used to the food outside."
Yuan Yueze suddenly understood, lightly tapping Shan Wanjing's head a few times with his middle finger knuckle. He then turned to Song Que and said, "Clan leader, my family is used to my tastes. May we use the kitchen?"
His words were utterly blunt. If the four great clans couldn't even eat their food and wanted to cook for themselves, wouldn't that be a disgrace to the Song clan? However, the Song family members were all broad-minded and attracted by Yuan Yueze's unrestrained spirit. They didn't show any reaction.
Song Que smiled and said, "Oh? Brother Yuan is also skilled in cooking? In that case, Shidao, go and send those chefs from Mingyue Tower back to rest. They mustn't approach the kitchen."
Yuan Yueze thanked him, and Song Shidao quickly disappeared, running off first.
Song Yuzhi's face showed a mixture of surprise and defiance: she was surprised because the martial arts of this legendary young master, who had been the talk of the martial arts world, were unimaginably high, and he seemed to be only a year or two older than her. Moreover, he was actually going to cook for her today! How many more secrets did he still hold that hadn't been discovered?
Although Yuan Yueze and his companions had disappeared after the 'Ascension to Immortality' story spread, and the gossip about them had lessened somewhat, many in the martial arts world were still very interested in them.
She was defiance because even the chef hired by the prestigious Song family couldn't meet his standards—wasn't that too arrogant? "I'll test your skills today!"
Song Yuzhi thought to herself.
A little while later, the group returned to the now empty Mingyue Tower and sat down to rest. At Wei Zhenzhen's request, Yuan Yueze also gave her her first "practice" meal. Half an hour later, a table full of fragrant dishes and wine was laid out to the astonishment of the Song family members. The 446 dishes were all excellent in color, aroma, and taste. Song Yuzhi no longer doubted Yuan Yueze's culinary skills, because even before taking a bite, the taste and color alone were enough to tell that even the best chef in the mountain city couldn't make such dishes.
Once everyone was seated, Song Shidao was about to pour wine for everyone when Yuan Yueze quickly stopped him: "Brother Shidao, please wait. Today, I gained a great deal from my battle with the clan leader. Please try my wine as a token of my gratitude."
With that, he flicked his wrist, and to the curious glances of the Song clan members, several bottles of baijiu and red wine appeared on his flat palm.
The men filled their glasses with the fragrant and mellow baijiu, while the women were poured red wine. Yuan Yueze raised his glass and said, "Today, I, Yuan, have come uninvited and had the opportunity to fight the clan leader, gaining much from the experience. To express my gratitude, I offer this table of food and wine to convey my appreciation for your hospitality and for the battle with the clan leader."
"Brother Yuan is truly unfathomable. Today's battle was one I've been longing for for thirty years, and the gains afterward were also considerable. I, too, will drink this cup to show my respect!"
Song Que said, then downed his drink in one gulp.
Everyone then began to eat, praising the fine wine and the cooking skills of Yuan Yueze and Wei Zhenzhen.
Originally, when Yuan Yueze went to the kitchen, he was seated with Song Que on his left and Shan Meixian on his right. However, Song Yuzhi insisted on staying with Song Que, constantly whining, so she switched Song Que's position with hers. Just now, Yuan Yueze had conjured up several bottles of wine out of thin air, and the red wine was indescribably delicious.
Song Yuzhi's curiosity grew stronger. He took a sip and asked Yuan Yueze, "Young Master Yuan, where did you get all this wine from? And where did your sword go outside?"
"This… I'm sorry, I cannot tell you,"
Yuan Yueze replied.
"You stingy little devil! Let me see where you hid it!"
As Song Yuzhi spoke, she reached out and began to caress Yuan Yueze's body with her delicate hands.
"Miss Song... Miss Song, please stop, it tickles!"
Yuan Yueze said, suppressing a laugh.
"Ah!"
Song Yuzhi finally realized what was happening, turned around, and saw everyone at the table staring at her. She gasped softly, withdrew her hands, and lowered her head, her face flushed red.
Yuan Yueze couldn't bear to see her embarrassed, so he said, "It's hard to explain in a short time. I'll explain it to Miss Song later."
Shan Meixian quickly chimed in to change the subject, and with Shan Wanjing and Shan Ruyin adding their own jokes, the atmosphere became even more lively.
After drinking another cup, Song Que said to Yuan Yueze with a half-smile, "If we were to fight now, Brother Yuan, you would be no match for me."
Yuan Yueze asked curiously, "Then why is that?"
Song Que sighed, "Brother Yuan's comprehension is exceptionally high. Just look at how you grasped the sword intent from my first strike. But you are quite different now compared to when you fought me."
Shan Meixian thoughtfully interjected, "Does the Clan Head mean that my husband's state of mind is not stable?"
Song Que nodded, "Just as you said, Brother Yuan can easily reach that state of 'selflessness,' which can compensate for the gap in 'spiritual' cultivation. However, there is still a gap between you and me, who can maintain a state of mind at will."
Song Que's insight was astute; he had long seen Yuan Yueze's strengths and weaknesses and offered his advice.
This was precisely the drawback of Yuan Yueze's lack of worldly experience. The body intent and sword techniques he had just comprehended during his sparring with Song Que were now a blur in his mind. This was something that would never happen to a normal person, but his experience was already bizarre. He nodded and said, "What the clan leader says makes sense. Thank you."
Song Que quickly smiled and shook his head.
The Song family enjoyed the meal immensely. Afterward, Song Que had Song Yuzhi take Yuan Yueze and the others back to her 'Listening to the Waves Pavilion,' and temporarily entrusted other matters to Song Zhi, Song Lu, and Song Shidao. He then returned alone to the 'Sharpening Knife Hall' to meditate.
Led by Song Yuzhi, Yuan Yueze and his companions arrived at a pavilion. The railings, crafted from superior white marble and imbued with the patina of herbs and flowers, possessed a simple yet serene elegance. The pavilion itself, entirely of black jade, was adorned with exquisite carvings. The furniture within was made of various rare woods, emitting a subtle, natural fragrance that soothed the soul. A platform, protruding like an arm, was decorated with blooming flowers, bathed in the misty spray rising from the cascading waterfall, creating a scene of captivating beauty. The group couldn't help but nod in admiration.
However, since the rooms in 'Listening to the Waves Pavilion' were all single rooms, Yuan Yueze, accustomed to sleeping with several women every night, was quite dissatisfied. Seeing Yuan Yueze's expression, Shan Meixian immediately understood his thoughts. Her face flushed, and she took his hand, whispering a few words in his ear. Yuan Yueze nodded but said nothing more.
Afterwards, the group settled in. The servants had long been dismissed by Song Yuzhi, and the women, including Shan Meixian, were used to serving themselves, so they felt no discomfort. This greatly surprised Song Yuzhi, who thought that Yuan Yueze's several ethereal wives should be waited on hand and foot, not that they did everything themselves. While Song
Que meditated in the 'Sharpening Hall,' Yuan Yueze also meditated in his room for five days and five nights.
This battle had sparked a deep interest in martial arts. The free and unrestrained family life was what Yuan Yueze loved most, and secondly, the feeling of being immersed in martial arts was equally captivating.
Reflecting on the techniques he had grasped during his fight with Song Que, Yuan Yueze's mind was hazy; the vague, indistinct thoughts tormented him. Ultimately, after five days of meditation with little progress, he realized that such things couldn't be achieved overnight and finally gave up.
In the following days, Song Yuzhi and the other women strolled and played, enjoying themselves immensely. Gradually, some of the servants in the Song family learned that there were several strange guests at their young lady's residence. Some who had seen them from afar said they seemed to be distant relatives of the clan leader, and that their appearance was frightening. So, the servants
stopped paying attention to the matter. Song Yuzhi visited Shang Xiuxun and the other women daily, ostensibly discussing girlish topics, but in reality,
she was constantly inquiring about everything concerning Yuan Yueze. Whenever she heard about Yuan Yueze, her beautiful eyes would immediately flash with eager anticipation. Shan Meixian and Wei Zhenzhen, of course, saw this clearly: their husbands were likely facing another "fateful encounter." However, Shan Meixian hesitated: she knew that if Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi were to be together, their previously carefree life would be disrupted. Although Yuan Yueze didn't have to help the Song clan, they were still Song Yuzhi's maternal family, and she would have to do something to help them.
Thirteen days after the battle between Yuan Yueze and Song Que, Song Que emerged from the 'Sharpening Hall'.
At this moment, Song Que's demeanor had shifted from its former sharp edge to an ethereal, refined quality, even his eyes appearing no different from those of an ordinary person. Yet, every seemingly casual movement contained profound truths of the universe.
Yuan Yueze, Shan Meixian, Song Zhi, and Song Lu knew that the "Heavenly Blade" had reached a state of returning to its original simplicity. Having lingered for ten years at the level of 'the blade is me, I am the blade, blade and I are one,' the "Heavenly Blade" had finally broken through to the state of 'obtaining the blade yet forgetting the blade, without the blade, there is no self, blade and self are both forgotten'—a state countless martial artists dream of.
Later, thirty miles west of Song Family Mountain City, Yuan Yueze and Song Que sparred again. The result was known only to the same few onlookers as before.
After their duel, Song Que and Yuan Yueze returned to the mountain city without a trace of fighting, as if they had simply gone for a stroll, continuing with their own affairs.
Some people in the mountain town recognized the ugly man who had returned with the master as the one who lived in the young lady's cottage. So, during their leisure time, the townspeople couldn't help but speculate about the ugly man's identity.
The following evening, Yuan Yueze bid farewell to Song Que. Seeing that they couldn't persuade him to stay, the Song family decided to have one last farewell drink together.
The banquet was held in the living room of 'Listening to the Waves Cottage'. The atmosphere was cheerful, and Yuan Yueze and the women drank heartily, feeling that getting thoroughly drunk was the best way to enjoy themselves. Shang Xiuxun wasn't feeling well and went back to rest halfway through. In the end, Shan Meixian and the other women all got drunk, and Song Que himself became so happy that he was completely drunk. At the end, only Yuan Yueze, Song Lu, and Song Yuzhi, who had been drinking juice, remained somewhat conscious at the table. After another half-jin of strong liquor, Yuan Yueze and Song Lu were too weak to continue and collapsed, feeling dizzy.
The next day, Yuan Yueze opened his eyes, his head still a little groggy. He quickly recited the "Concentration Technique," circulating his inner energy throughout his body, and instantly regained his vitality. He shook his head and looked around. To his left was Wei Zhenzhen, completely naked. Her smooth, jade-like body exuded a faint ethereal charm, her rosy cheeks still flushed, and she wore a sweet smile, curled up beside Yuan Yueze like a cute kitten.
Turning his gaze to his right, Yuan Yueze showed an unprecedented look of surprise, exclaiming, "Heavens, what... what have I done?"
To Yuan Yueze's right was Song Yuzhi, the young lady of the Song family, also curled up in his arms like a cute kitten. Two tear tracks were clearly visible on her face. It was hard to tell whether they were tears of pain or tears of happiness. But the expression on her face was one of extraordinary bliss.
Lifting the covers, the scattered bloodstains on the sheets revealed that Yuan Yueze had unwittingly taken the virginity of the Song family's young lady, who had captivated countless men in Songjia Mountain City. Even Song Yuzhi's fair and jade-like body bore a few faint bruises. Yuan Yueze tried to recall the events of the previous night, but had no recollection whatsoever. This was the first time in his life he had been drunk, and who knew he would commit such a grave mistake while intoxicated.
"Am I even human? This is the work of a beast! How can I explain this to that young lady?"
Yuan Yueze slapped his forehead hard, muttering to himself in shame.
"I wonder what Miss Song thinks of me and what her feelings are. Since I'm the one who caused this trouble, it would be truly despicable to try and make excuses. The only thing I can do is propose to Song Que and ensure she lives a happier life than anyone else!"
Yuan Yueze murmured, gazing at Song Yuzhi's exquisite face.
He didn't notice that when Yuan Yueze lifted the covers, Song Yuzhi's long eyelashes trembled slightly; she had clearly woken up early but was only pretending to sleep.
Song Yuzhi, however, was overjoyed. From the moment she heard about this extraordinary man months ago, she had been deeply intrigued. When she finally saw him in person half a month ago, she found his appearance, temperament, and charm to be even more outstanding than her exceptional second brother. Song Yuzhi was instantly smitten. Afterwards, she witnessed this man, using a sword technique he had spontaneously learned from his father's saber-sword style, directly challenge her father, whom she had considered invincible for over a decade. Although it appeared to be a draw, Song Yuzhi realized Yuan Yueze's strength was extraordinary, as evidenced by his reluctance to kill her and his survival after taking a blow from Song Que. Witnessing their second duel further fueled her infatuation with Yuan Yueze, leaving her deeply captivated.
Last night, hearing of his impending departure, Song Yuzhi felt a pang of sorrow. His wives were all stunningly beautiful, gentle, and lively, making her envious. She felt inferior to them. All Song Yuzhi could do was carefully observe this extraordinary man before he left, imprinting his entire image in her heart. However, she had been too
excited last night; even her usually composed uncle, who boasted of his drinking prowess, could only manage a draw with Yuan Yueze. Afterwards, everyone passed out drunk, except for Song Yuzhi, who was the only one sober. She escorted Song Que and the others to the door, then called servants to take them back to their rooms. She herself first helped the women to bed, and finally helped Yuan Yueze and Wei Zhenzhen to bed. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Song Yuzhi gazed intently at this incredibly charming man, whose martial arts were superb, whose culinary skills were exceptional, and who seemed to hold countless secrets. She
only wanted to stay here quietly watching him for one night, until he left the next day. Smelling the alcohol on the man, Song Yuzhi blushed and felt hot as she slowly helped him remove his clothes. Seeing his muscular, masculine physique, Song Yuzhi was once again mesmerized. She couldn't resist gently touching it. Unexpectedly, the man grabbed her and pressed his alcohol-smelling lips against hers. His hateful tongue pried open her teeth and swirled wildly inside her mouth. Song Yuzhi had never experienced anything like this before. With a soft "ooh," she could muster no strength left, lost in the passionate kiss. A cool sensation swept over her, bringing her slightly back to her senses. She realized her chest was exposed to the air, the two rosy nipples of her two erect breasts being held in the man's mouth. Song Yuzhi felt a surge of heat rushing down her body, and she could feel the heat emanating from the man's genitals, causing her to uncontrollably emit soft, wanton sounds, once again lost in the masculine energy.
A moment later, her body felt as if it were being torn apart, as if her tender parts were being fiercely attacked. Song Yuzhi let out a muffled groan in pain, clenching her teeth tightly, two streams of tears mixed with pain and happiness flowing down her face. After a moment of pain, Song Yuzhi felt her body begin to float, an unprecedented feeling of pleasure flowing through her entire body like an electric current. Song Yuzhi could hear the wanton sounds emanating from her mouth, feeling a little ashamed, yet unable to resist. Gradually, she became completely lost in the moment. After only half an incense stick's time, the electric current flowing through her body accelerated, and Song Yuzhi felt as if she were floating on clouds. Her whole body trembled uncontrollably, arching her back forcefully, her hands tightly gripping the man's back, her nails even digging into his muscles.
With
a long moan, Song Yuzhi felt so comfortable that she would gladly die.
But the man didn't stop, continuing his vigorous assault. Gradually, Song Yuzhi lost herself again. When the blissful, cloud-like feeling returned, Song Yuzhi had no strength left. But the man still didn't stop. In her dazed state, Song Yuzhi thought she might really die here…
Fortunately, Wei Zhenzhen, who was beside her, was also attracted by the sounds of their intense "battle" after drinking, and passionately joined in, only then did the man release her. Song Yuzhi let out a slow, utterly exhausted breath. As she slowly regained her senses, she didn't know how to face him the next day, nor how to face her father and family.
Born into a powerful family in this era, young ladies rarely had any say in their marriages. The man before her was indeed a rare talent, unparalleled in the world. However, after half a month of interaction, Song Yuzhi understood that he had absolutely no interest in the power struggles of the world. How could she face her father then? No matter how much her father doted on her, she couldn't abandon the family's responsibilities.
Song Yuzhi's mind raced. She was a woman outwardly strong but inwardly gentle, and now, having lost her virginity to him in her drunken state, she didn't know how he would treat her, nor how to face her family. The more she thought about it, the more agitated she became, and her fatigue gradually disappeared. She was drawn to the surrounding scene and the alluring voice, and her passion surged again, leading to a third encounter…
When Song Yuzhi woke up in the morning, she found her lower body a mess. Looking at the scattered bloodstains, she felt both ashamed and worried. Not knowing how to face the two people in bed, Song Yuzhi tried to move slightly, but the movement aggravated her wound, causing her to wince in pain. She could only feign sleep to see how Yuan Yueze would react when he woke up.
To her surprise, Yuan Yueze woke up filled with remorse. Song Yuzhi was overjoyed, realizing that this man was not a heartless person. Hearing him say that he would take all the blame, all of Song Yuzhi's worries vanished.
Yuan Yueze stared blankly at Song Yuzhi's body, which remained unchanged yet still incredibly alluring, realizing that he hadn't given her his life essence the night before. Having understood that he had to take responsibility, Yuan Yueze faced the situation with equanimity. At least "Heavenly Blade" wouldn't force him to interfere in their affairs; he only needed to lend a hand in times of crisis. Having figured this out, Yuan Yueze calmed down and carefully observed Song Yuzhi beside him. The allure of a young girl experiencing her first love still captivated Yuan Yueze.
Seeing that Song Yuzhi's face was slightly flushed and her eyelashes trembled slightly, Yuan Yueze knew she must have been awake long ago. He then pulled Song Yuzhi into his arms: "Zhizhi, are you still pretending to be asleep?"
Suddenly being pulled up by Yuan Yueze, Song Yuzhi's wound aggravated, and she couldn't help but cry out in pain. She opened her beautiful eyes, glanced at Yuan Yueze, and then shyly lowered her head, resting her head against Yuan Yueze's chest.
Seeing Song Yuzhi's cry of pain, Yuan Yueze knew it was caused by his unrestrained demands the previous night, and he felt guilty again. "Zhizhi, don't be afraid, look!"
he said, gently stroking her pubic hair with his large hand. Gathering all his strength, Song Yuzhi's pain gradually subsided. She glanced shyly at Yuan Yueze and whispered, "Thank you, young master."
"What did Zhizhi call me?"
Yuan Yueze gently stroked Song Yuzhi's smooth cheek and smiled.
"My...my...my husband," Song Yuzhi buried her head in front of Yuan Yueze, finally managing to utter two words after a long pause.
“Zhizhi, I’m so sorry for what I did to you last night. I was drunk and did such a thing. I don’t know how you feel about me, but I want to tell you that I will go and explain to your father in a little while. I will marry you no matter what and make you happy for the rest of your life. You don’t need to worry about anything, leave everything to me.”
“Thank you, my husband! I was attracted to you the moment I first saw you, but all my sisters are so much better than me. I didn’t dare to ask for anything, so I kept my feelings to myself. Now that I’ve given myself to you, I’ve never been so happy. Please don’t blame yourself anymore, my husband. I don’t blame you at all.”
Hearing Yuan Yueze’s heartfelt words and seeing him take all the blame, Song Yuzhi couldn’t hold back her tears any longer and sobbed softly in Yuan Yueze’s arms.
Yuan Yueze took a deep breath and slowly began to comfort Song Yuzhi. He told her about his background, but explaining it in detail would take too much time, so he would do so after the marriage proposal.
Song Yuzhi was already incredibly shocked after hearing the gist of the story. She learned that her sisters had all gained their current allure and ethereal beauty after receiving Yuan Yueze's life essence. Song Yuzhi thought for a moment, realizing that her lover hadn't actually ejaculated within her last night; otherwise, how could she have remained unchanged? She could only beg Yuan Yueze to help her refine her body quickly so she could give her father a big surprise.
Yuan Yueze had no choice but to "fight" again. Song Yuzhi's wounds were still there, so he had to use both his hands and mouth. Wei Zhenzhen, who had been woken up, also joined in without hesitation. Finally, with Wei Zhenzhen's "participation," Yuan Yueze managed to unleash his life essence. Song Yuzhi then began her body's transformation.
Yuan Yueze and Wei Zhenzhen, fully dressed, stood guard by the bedside. At this moment, the door opened, and Shan Meixian and several other women entered.
Shan Meixian had already heard that all-too-familiar voice coming from inside as soon as she arrived, and inwardly cursed Yuan Yueze for his recklessness. They had no choice but to wait outside. The other women woke up one after another, but Shan Meixian stopped them at the door. Finally, after the noise inside stopped, Shan Meixian entered the room with the other women. Upon seeing Song Yuzhi surrounded by a ball of light, Shan Meixian and the other women were all surprised. A hint of worry flashed in Shan Meixian's eyes; her worst fears had come true, and she didn't know what to do.
After the women entered, Yuan Yueze told them everything that had happened the previous night. Shan Meixian, hearing that it was all a mistake, quickly discussed with Yuan Yueze how to deal with it. Shang Xiuxun, who had just started her period the day before and wasn't feeling well, had left the party to rest. Seeing that Song Yuzhi had gotten there first, she looked at Yuan Yueze with a resentful expression.
Yuan Yueze was no longer the clueless young man he once was. Seeing Shan Meixian's slightly worried expression, he knew what she was thinking, so he comforted her and decided to go and talk to Song Que face-to-face himself. Shan Meixian was only worried that Song Que would make things difficult for Yuan Yueze; she wasn't concerned about anything else. She thought: If Song Que wants her husband to marry into the Song family and help them, then wouldn't our comfortable life be over?
An hour later, it was almost noon, and Song Yuzhi's body refinement was finally successful. Opening her eyes, Song Yuzhi felt an unprecedented sense of comfort wash over her, and couldn't help but let out a soft sigh. At this moment, all the impurities in Song Yuzhi's body were gone, and her appearance had changed slightly, but she was even more beautiful and charming than before. Her temperament was also the same as the other women.
Shan Meixian and the other women hurriedly stepped forward to congratulate her. Song Yuzhi blushed and greeted them, then buried her head deeply in Yuan Yueze's arms, not daring to peek out again.
After lunch, Yuan Yueze took Song Yuzhi to the "Sharpening Knife Hall" to meet "Heavenly Knife." Song Que saw Yuan Yueze and his daughter enter hand in hand and seemed to understand something. Looking closer at his daughter, he was astonished. He couldn't understand what method Yuan Yueze had used to make his already beautiful daughter appear as perfect as a fairy.
Yuan Yueze then pulled Song Yuzhi to sit down and explained what had happened the previous night. He said he had been inadvertently attracted to Song Yuzhi and had done something he shouldn't have. He also said he would take responsibility for everything, so he insisted that Song Que marry his daughter to him.
Song Que already had a strange fondness for Yuan Yueze. Moreover, this young man, only twenty years old, could rival him, a man who had been famous for decades. He had also taught him a very unique incantation, allowing him to break through to the Grandmaster realm in half a month. And with each interaction with this man, it seemed as if he were discovering another secret about him.
Not wanting Song Yuzhi to be caught in the middle, Yuan Yueze first told Song Que and his daughter his entire background. The father and daughter were stunned and speechless. After speaking for a quarter of an hour, Yuan Yueze, his mouth dry, took a sip of tea and watched Song Que and his daughter slowly process what he had just said.
It took them about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before they recovered. Song Que had always wondered why, after Yuan Yueze arrived in the mountain city, while he felt Yuan Yueze was indeed a master, he wasn't so powerful that his voice could be heard throughout the world. Hearing Yuan Yueze's story today, Song Que finally understood everything. He nodded and sighed, "I never imagined there really were gods? So, breaking through the void in martial arts means going to the upper realm?"
"I'm not entirely sure about that either. I guess it's either becoming a god or a saint, or entering another space from this one. For example, this space might be ruled by humans, while another space might be ruled by animals."
"Besides, the rumors about breaking through the void to become an immortal are just that—rumors. No one has actually broken through and returned to the mortal world to recount their experience,"
Yuan Yueze said.
Song Que nodded thoughtfully.
Then Yuan Yueze continued, “I know that both Father-in-law and Zhizhi bear the burden of family missions, but Father-in-law should know that I have no interest in these matters. I have a few pills here, each capable of restoring youth and adding ninety-nine eight hundred and ten years to one's lifespan. I will give them to Father-in-law and a few people he trusts as betrothal gifts, and also as compensation for taking your daughter away!”
“After meeting Xiaoze, I was constantly pleasantly surprised, and I also knew that Zhizhi was devoted to you, and I understand your character. I certainly will not make things difficult for you. What virtue or ability do I, Song Que, possess to obtain such elixirs? My most beloved daughter has also found the best home, and I have no more desires. As for the pills Xiaoze mentioned, since this matter is of great importance, I will pass them on to my brother Zhi, brother Lu, and Shidao. What do you think?”
Song Que was a contemporary hero, how could he easily let Yuan Yueze go? But after hearing everything Yuan Yueze had said, he was too shocked, so he decided not to make things difficult for Yuan Yueze. Moreover, this son-in-law was very pleasing to the eye, and Song Que liked him from the bottom of his heart.
“That’s wonderful. Father-in-law knows I have several wives, and I love them dearly. So, if you set a wedding date, I’d like them all to be my brides, what do you think?”
Yuan Yueze asked.
“How could I possibly disagree with such a small request? You have no idea how charming you are. If you really wanted to, you could probably have all the beauties in the world within six months,”
Song Que laughed heartily.
“However, it’s a bit of a waste that you don’t use your skills to conquer the world,”
Song Que sighed again.
“Haha, so what? The people suffer when the world prospers, and the people suffer when the world falls. If the system of the world were truly like the one I live in, I could be a nominal emperor. Who wouldn’t want to do something virtuous for the people? It’s just a pity that such a system cannot be established overnight; it requires thousands of years to slowly change,”
Yuan Yueze sighed.
“Moreover, apart from the powerful force sealed in my mind and my physical abilities being beyond ordinary people, we are almost no different,”
Yuan Yueze added.
Song Que nodded, finally understanding why Yuan Yueze could withstand his powerful strike with this body.
"Little Ze, could you tell me more about your future life?"
Song Que asked eagerly.
"This… it would probably take years to explain. I have many books about future lives in this bracelet; father-in-law, take them and study them slowly,"
Yuan Yueze said, taking out a large stack of books.
Seeing how lazy the boy was, Song Que didn't press him. He went to find Song Zhi, Song Lu, and Song Shidao, and told them about Yuan Yueze's background and his marriage to Song Yuzhi.
Their hearts couldn't handle such astonishing news, and it took them a full hour to process it. Everyone was incredibly excited to hear that it would add a thousand years to their lifespan. Song Shidao was especially excited; putting aside the elixir of immortality, just the fact that his most beloved sister was now getting married was enough to make him, as her brother, happy.
In the afternoon, Yuan Yueze gave Song Que and the other three four pills, instructing them to undergo two years of seclusion to integrate them. He said that upon emerging from seclusion, they would be completely transformed.
The next day, after a secret farewell, Yuan Yueze and the women quietly left. Of course, Song Yuzhi wouldn't stay home alone. Song Que had promised to hold a wedding for them in the mountain city after his seclusion ended in two years, and Yuan Yueze agreed.
A few days later, shocking news spread like wildfire throughout the martial arts world: Yuan Yueze, who was rumored to have "ascended to immortality" months ago, had not done so. Instead, he had appeared in Song Family Mountain City in Lingnan half a month ago. Song Que had even fought a great battle with Yuan Yueze, after which it was announced that he would go into seclusion for two years, and upon emerging, he would hold a wedding for Yuan Yueze and the daughter of "Heavenly Blade." All factions and the martial arts world were once again in an uproar. Many people inquired about the outcome of the battle between Song Que and Yuan Yueze, but to no avail.
After developing such a relationship with Song Yuzhi, Yuan Yueze felt at ease. He could no longer hide carefree, so he revealed his true appearance to his wives. This was something he and Shan Meixian had agreed upon. Currently, there were conflicting accounts about them, and few truly knew Yuan Yueze's true strength. At worst, Yuan Yueze could easily defeat a few masters in the martial arts world. Yuan Yueze and Shan Meixian were currently the strongest in their family, easily ranking among the top ten in the world. After that, no small fry dared to mess with him. Moreover, now that his relationship with the Song Clan was established, it would be very difficult for other martial arts forces to win over Yuan Yueze. The martial
arts world was abuzz with rumors: where was Yuan Yueze? It turned out that after leaving Song Family Mountain City with the women, he traveled south. He roughly calculated that it was now early June of the twelfth year of the Daye era, and the main event was about to begin, so Yuan Yueze planned to go and see it.
A few days after leaving the mountain city, Song Yuzhi discovered that Yuan Yueze's active space bracelet contained so many fun things, and they all immersed themselves in them—swimming, electric games, movies, music, books. Eventually, the women completely ignored Yuan Yueze. Seeing how happy they were, Yuan Yueze didn't say anything; it was fine for him to walk around in peace by himself.
That afternoon, Yuan Yueze traveled alone to a steep and majestic mountain peak. There, he saw a waterfall, about ten zhang high, cascading down like a jade ribbon, its white waters rushing and splashing with a thunderous roar. Below the waterfall, a deep pool formed by four jagged boulders, its waters crystal clear, revealing countless fine pebbles, creating a truly remarkable scene.
Further in, he discovered a naturally formed depression in the middle of the cliff, creating a rectangular valley, like a dazzling pearl hidden among the mountain walls. Such a wonder, nestled high above the steep peak, truly demonstrated the wonders of nature.
Surrounded by lush greenery, the valley was filled with a riot of colorful flowers: lilies, lilacs, chrysanthemums, crabapples, roses, camellias… He knew countless names, but knew even more, creating a sea of flowers in full bloom.
Yuan Yueze also admired the beautiful scenery and decided to invite the girls to stay for a few days. Looking ahead, amidst the flowers, he noticed a small wooden cabin.
A strange feeling welled up inside him, similar to the connection he shared with Song Que. Yuan Yueze gazed at the cabin, which exuded a slightly eerie aura, and thought that there must be a powerful expert inside!
Driven by curiosity, Yuan Yueze suppressed all his energy and slowly walked forward. Reaching the door, just as he was about to push it open , a beautiful voice, like the soft chirping of a lark or the call of a magpie, suddenly rang out from inside.
"Since you're here, come in!" Yuan Yueze was startled. The woman inside knew of his arrival; he was confident that even Song Que himself inside would have difficulty sensing his presence. Who was this woman? He casually pushed open the door and entered. The room was simply furnished: a bed, a small table, and chairs—nothing else. A woman, dressed in simple yet elegant attire, with a captivating and alluring figure, stood by the window, her back to the door. Even just looking at her beautiful back and her posture was enough to leave one breathless with admiration. “Miss, I apologize for disturbing you!” Yuan Yueze said, unabashedly sitting down and pouring himself a cup of tea. “Miss?” The woman gazing out the window gave a self-deprecating laugh; no one had addressed her like that in decades. She then slowly turned around, her eyes meeting Yuan Yueze's. “It…it’s you!” The woman appeared to be about twenty-five or twenty-six years old. A heavy veil covered most of her face, but even the small portion revealed was breathtakingly beautiful, brimming with intoxicating charm. Her delicate eyebrows slanted upwards, and her eyes, black as lacquer, were incredibly expressive, capable of captivating any man with a single glance. With her flawless, jade-like skin, who wouldn't be amazed? In terms of looks, she was no less beautiful than Shang Xiuxun, and with her unparalleled refined气质 (qi zhi - inherent quality/temperament), her charm even surpassed Shang Xiuxun's. Upon seeing Yuan Yueze's appearance, she exclaimed in surprise, "What? You know me, young lady? I don't remember ever seeing you before!" Yuan Yueze, also captivated by the beauty before the window, chuckled after a moment of distraction. "Who exactly are you?" the woman asked again. Yuan Yueze was completely bewildered. At first, the woman seemed to recognize him, and then suddenly asked who he was. How could Yuan Yueze not be confused? "I just heard you seem to recognize me, young lady. Why are you suddenly asking about my identity?" Yuan Yueze vaguely guessed the woman's identity and asked. "Could you please not call me 'Miss'? My surname is Zhu." The beautiful woman felt uneasy being called "Miss" repeatedly by Yuan Yueze and quickly stopped him. "Oh, Miss Zhu, may I ask if you know me or not?" Upon hearing this, and sensing the strange aura emanating from her, Yuan Yueze immediately confirmed her identity. "You... could you please not call me 'Miss' either?" The woman seemed to find the word "Miss" rather unpleasant. "Alright, alright, I'll call you Yuyan, okay?" Yuan Yueze took a sip of tea and smiled. "How dare you!" Upon hearing this, the beautiful woman immediately flew into a rage, her long sleeves billowing, creating air around her as she fiercely attacked Yuan Yueze. "Yuyan, don't be ridiculous. I mean no harm. Sit down and have a cup of tea." Yuan Yueze easily deflected Zhu Yuyan's attack, which involved sixty percent of her strength. Yuan Yueze looked up and smiled. At this moment, he was in a great mood because he had finally seen the woman he had admired so much when he read novels about her years ago. "Tell me, who exactly are you?" Seeing that she couldn't do anything to Yuan Yueze, the woman sat down, picked up her teacup, glared at him, and said irritably. "Before you ask me, Yu Yan, can you answer why you said 'It's you' as soon as you saw me?" Yuan Yueze asked. "Don't address me so affectionately. Do you know I'm old enough to be your grandmother? And how do you know my identity?" Yu Yan said coldly. "Who should answer whom first?" Yuan Yueze was starting to have a headache. "You answer me first?" Yu Yan spoke first. "Okay, okay, my name is Yuan Yueze. Now it's your turn to answer my question." Yuan Yueze was already helpless against lively and mischievous women like Shan Wanjing, and this woman in front of him was even more experienced, so he immediately surrendered. "What! You...you..." Zhu Yu Yan's years of cold indifference and composure vanished, and she stared at Yuan Yueze with disbelief in her eyes. "What's wrong with Yu Yan? Are you captivated by me, Yuan?" Seeing that Zhu Yu Yan was staring at him without moving, Yuan Yueze became mischievous and actually said such a frivolous thing.

Upon hearing his words, Zhu Yuyan's face flushed inexplicably. Luckily, she was wearing a veil, otherwise Yuan Yueze would have been utterly astonished.
Zhu Yuyan turned her gaze to the window: "About half a year ago, a man has been appearing in my dreams every night without saying a word, just smiling at me. I'm incredibly curious, yet I have no clue whatsoever."
Yuan Yueze roughly understood; the person she was referring to must be himself. Why did he appear in her dreams every night? Was she telling the truth? However, judging from the shocked look on his face when he first saw him, it seemed to be true.
Little did Yuan Yueze know that these past six months were precisely the time he had arrived in this era. If this era only allowed him to see two women, he would have unhesitatingly chosen the Yin Empress and her disciple. Because those were his two favorite characters from his school days. After his 'good deed' with Shan Meixian, Yuan Yueze lost much interest in other women, and the Yin Empress and her disciple were naturally forgotten. But in the dead of night, the thoughts in his mind are driven by the deepest calling of his heart. Deep down, he couldn't forget the Yin Empress and her disciples; he simply suppressed those thoughts. So, only when he was asleep would those deep-seated desires surface. Under Yuan Yueze's 'selfless' state, with his spiritual cultivation comparable to a grandmaster and the subtle, mysterious power summoned by his mind, how could a mortal like Zhu Yuyan withstand it? Naturally, she was 'forcibly entered' by Yuan Yueze every night.
"Why did you come here? Didn't you say you 'ascended to immortality'?"
Zhu Yuyan asked again.
"Can rumors be believed entirely? I was just wandering around, and seeing this beautiful scenery and houses, I came to take a look. I didn't expect to meet Yuyan. Fate, fate!"
Yuan Yueze replied.
"Didn't I tell you not to call me so affectionately anymore?"
Zhu Yuyan frowned.
"You asked about my age? Ahahaha."
Yuan Yueze slapped his thigh and laughed heartily, as if he had seen something amusing.
Seeing Yuan Yueze's unrestrained actions, a strange light flashed in Zhu Yuyan's eyes. And it was just her pride at play. Deep down, she was actually quite pleased with Yuan Yueze's affectionate way of addressing her, even feeling a little sweet.
"You… what did you mean by 'divine will' just now?"
Zhu Yuyan asked, somewhat bewildered.
"Nothing. I also wanted to ask Yuyan why she noticed me outside? I believe that when I was standing outside just now, probably no one in the world could sense me."
"I don't know either. I was just standing by the window thinking about something, and suddenly those words just came out."
Zhu Yuyan's eyes also showed some confusion.
"I see. It seems it's 'Though we are not a pair of phoenixes, our hearts are connected by a single thread of understanding'!"
Yuan Yueze, unable to find any other reason, spoke up. His words didn't carry any particular meaning, but Zhu Yuyan might interpret them differently. The poem's beautiful imagery made Zhu Yuyan's heart race.
"As for the 'fate' I mentioned earlier, it's actually because of two women I admired most before I came to this era. One of them was incredibly beautiful, the most stunning woman in the world. When she was still a young woman, fate cruelly seized her, forcing her onto a path of no return. Her life was like a circle, without beginning or end, only destiny. All she could do was follow the path of fate. In her confusion, her youth faded, her beauty vanished. Fate gave her the brilliance of life, but took away her love and anticipation for life. Fate gave her a legendary life, but took away her yearning and pursuit of love. Yu Yan, do you think this woman was happy or tragic?"
Yuan Yueze looked up at the roof and began to speak slowly.
As Zhu Yu Yan listened, her cold expression vanished. She slowly removed her veil, revealing her breathtakingly beautiful face. Her gaze shifted from Yuan Yueze's face back to the window, and two lines of tears slid down her cheeks.
Zhu Yuyan, with her life experiences so arduous and her will so strong, would never easily reveal her true feelings.
However, the current situation was extraordinary for her. First, in this ordinary little house, her heart was most likely to return to its innocent and carefree state. Second, Yuan Yueze, the man who haunted her dreams every night, had suddenly appeared and struck at Zhu Yuyan's weakest point with his blunt words. Third, Yuan Yueze's personal strength and charm naturally also influenced Zhu Yuyan's mindset.
"To be honest, I don't know whether this woman was happy or tragic,"
Yuan Yueze said, his gaze still fixed on the roof. "To say she was happy? That's because fate gave her everything that others could not have. To say she was tragic? That's because fate took away everything that should have been hers. She shed her blood and tears for fate, and in abandoning everything, fate was also scattering her life. Death was perhaps the greatest relief for her. She was pitiful, lovable, and respectable. In my heart, she has always been the most tragic and most charming woman."
Yuan Yueze seemed completely oblivious to Zhu Yuyan's tears streaming down her face, continuing his slow, monologue.
He hadn't noticed Zhu Yuyan's expression, not even when she removed her veil. At this moment, Yuan Yueze was immersed in his own world, savoring the emotion he felt when he first read about the Tang Dynasty atop Tianshan Mountain.
A moment later, Yuan Yueze heard sobbing, snapped out of his reverie, and found Zhu Yuyan gazing out the window, tears streaming down her face.
Yuan Yueze was most afraid of women crying, so he quickly leaned in and began to wipe away the tears of the beautiful woman.
Zhu Yuyan's tears, suppressed for decades, burst forth, flowing for half a quarter of an hour. When she finally stopped crying, she still didn't speak, only gently slapping Yuan Yueze's hand away and turning her head away.
Yuan Yueze didn't say anything either, returning to his original seat.
"Did you come here today just to say this? Why have you appeared in my dreams every night for over half a year? Do you know that my 'Heavenly Demon Technique' has regressed to the fifteenth level?"
Zhu Yuyan, her face streaked with tears and slightly flushed, gritted her teeth and said.
"I've thought about it, and it must be because since I came to this era, deep down I've been calling out to Yuyan, which is why these strange things are happening. It seems I've disturbed Yuyan's peace of mind. Should I be happy or sad?"
Yuan Yueze said. He now seemed no longer the gentle and reserved man he once was with women.
"What do you mean?" "
Zhu Yuyan stared at him.
"What makes me happy is that I, Yuan, have managed to make the peerless Empress Yin's heart flutter for me, but what makes me sad is whether Yuyan is thinking of killing me right now?"
Yuan Yueze laughed.
"Stop talking nonsense, who would be fluttering their heart for you?"
Zhu Yuyan blushed again, lowered her head, and said coquettishly. She quickly regained her composure, wondering to herself, what's wrong with me today? Why did I speak in that tone?
Zhu Yuyan forcibly suppressed her wild thoughts and asked, making conversation, "What did you mean by 'coming to this era' just now?"
"This... I can't say it now. This is my background, I can only tell my family. Yuyan, please forgive me this time." "
Yuan Yueze stammered.
Zhu Yuyan blushed again upon hearing this, clearly thinking of something else.
Yuan Yueze stared at Zhu Yuyan with a lecherous look, his eyes seeming to want to devour her. The last time he showed such an expression was when he first met Shan Meixian; back then, he had no experience with women, so his reaction was normal. But now, this guy was practically a seasoned womanizer, so why would he still show such an expression? Zhu Yuyan's own charm was certainly one reason, but more importantly, Yuan Yueze was finally able to see the woman he had been dreaming of with his own eyes—how could he not be excited?
Staring intently at Yuan Yueze's burning gaze, Zhu Yuyan's heart, dormant for many years, began to pound.
Suddenly, she thought of her master, the man who had ruined her life, and the heavy responsibility of the Yin Gui Sect. Zhu Yuyan regained her icy demeanor, staring intently at him, her gaze cold and devoid of any normal human emotion.
"Have you finished speaking? Is there anything else? You've greatly diminished my power, leaving me with no hope of revenge. I will not let this go!"
"Oh! Yuyan, you mean your power has been greatly diminished? That's simple. Please embrace Yuan Shouyi first, and I will restore your power."
Yuan Yueze's heart was surging with emotion. He knew that behind Zhu Yuyan's cold eyes lay a wealth of emotions long suppressed. He only wanted: From now on, I will keep this pitiful woman by my side.
Zhu Yuyan had deliberately created an awkward atmosphere, preparing to attack, but who knew that this man who had stirred her heart would casually offer to restore her power.
"How will you help me restore my power? Although I've heard rumors outside, I haven't seen it with my own eyes, so I still don't believe your abilities are so extraordinary,"
Zhu Yuyan said, half-believing.
"Oh dear, Yuyan, you're still the same as always, so suspicious. Come on, close your eyes and calm your mind,"
Yuan Yueze said, as if he were an old friend, getting up to stand beside Zhu Yuyan, pinching her delicate nose.
Teasing the Empress! This kid is quite bold. Zhu Yuyan should have been angry, but she found herself completely devoid of heat. She could only blush and nod, sitting cross-legged and circulating her energy.
Yuan Yueze gently pressed one hand on Zhu Yuyan's shoulder, forcefully activating the strange power in her mind. Her body, untouched by a man for decades, felt the masculine energy emanating from Yuan Yueze's large hand, and Zhu Yuyan's usually tranquil heart began to ripple. Half an hour later, the strange power was finally activated, rushing into the already somewhat impatient Zhu Yuyan's body.
"Calm your mind!"
Yuan Yueze said, seeing Zhu Yuyan's unsettled state.
Zhu Yuyan quickly calmed herself, and felt an indescribably powerful force coursing through her body. She felt incredibly comfortable. After a few breaths, she let out a long sigh and opened her beautiful eyes. To her surprise, everything before her eyes had become incredibly bright, and her hearing had greatly improved. Her body felt as light and smooth as if she had become decades younger. She
circulated her energy again, and Zhu Yuyan was utterly astonished. It turned out that after that miraculous power flowed through her entire body, her regressed Heavenly Demon Technique had not only recovered to the seventeenth level, but had also reached the unprecedented eighteenth level of perfection. She had become the first person in the Demonic Sect's thousand-year history to master the eighteenth level of the Heavenly Demon Technique. How could Zhu Yuyan not feel as if she were in a dream, overwhelmed with excitement?
Turning to look at the handsome man beside her, whose face was pale and covered in cold sweat, Zhu Yuyan panicked, wanting to speak but unsure what to say.
After a long pause, noticing that Zhu Yuyan's gaze had turned cold, Yuan Yueze guessed she was about to kill him. At this moment, having activated the strange power in his mind, his body was nearly exhausted. How could he possibly withstand Zhu Yuyan's mastery of demonic arts?
"Yuyan probably wants to eliminate this threat, right? Make your move. Before you do, I must say 'I love you.'"
Yuan Yueze barely raised his head, his resolute gaze meeting hers, and said calmly.
Zhu Yuyan initially felt gratitude, but then, remembering his abilities, she considered trying to bribe him. If that failed, she would destroy him to prevent his existence from threatening her in the future. While she hesitated, she heard Yuan Yueze's bold confession.
This single sentence completely disrupted Zhu Yuyan's mind; her killing intent vanished, leaving her somewhat bewildered and agitated.
Yuan Yueze had indeed miscalculated this time. Against someone as ruthless as Zhu Yuyan, how dare he act so boldly? But this "do or die" approach also had some positive effects. At least judging from Zhu Yuyan's behavior, she wasn't the "femme fatale" of rumors. Yuan Yueze even noticed that Zhu Yuyan seemed to have a little bit of affection for him.
Suddenly remembering Shan Meixian, Zhu Yuyan said unnaturally, "Don't talk nonsense. Don't you have Meixian?"
Upon hearing her say this and seeing the resentful expression on her face, Yuan Yueze pulled Zhu Yuyan into his arms. "What nonsense are you talking about? Meixian supported me in doing this before."
"What?"
Zhu Yuyan was a little confused, completely forgetting that she was currently in close contact with Yuan Yueze.
“I’ll tell you the details when you see Meixian. Let me make this clear: you absolutely must not seek revenge against the ‘Evil King.’ Even if you’ve mastered the Heavenly Demon Technique, you can only manage a draw against him at best when he goes berserk. Yuyan’s emotions are too turbulent today; calm down first. When you let go of your hatred and that damned fate, I’ll give you a huge surprise.”
“Let me go! You’re Meixian’s husband; how can you be so rude?”
Zhu Yuyan wasn’t thinking about the “Evil King” at the moment; it was just that the shadow of Shan Meixian was weighing on her, preventing her from thinking about such things.
“Sigh, alright, alright, stop moving. Aren’t you comfortable holding me like this? I’m quite comfortable.”
Yuan Yueze regained some strength and hugged her tightly.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuyan didn't move. The feeling in Yuan Yueze's arms had indeed made her somewhat intoxicated, so she slowly nestled into that strong, warm embrace and fell into a deep sleep without any guard. The thought of killing Yuan Yueze had long since vanished. The surprise he had brought her today was too great; as soon as her nerves relaxed, her body couldn't handle it.
"Will the 'Empress of the Underworld' be reborn tomorrow?"
Yuan Yueze, who had taken absolute control in lovemaking for the first time, looked down at the peaceful sleeping beauty in his arms and murmured.

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