[Wuxia] Wandering Freely in the Tang Dynasty (Complete) - 28

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

Chapter 103 Unparalleled Demonic Skills
Since Zhu Yuyan mastered the 'Heavenly Demonic Art' and re-emerged into the martial world, her resounding victory over the formidable Yuan Yueze in the street officially made her one of the 'Three Grandmasters' after Fu Cailin.
However, she later submitted to Yuan Yueze. Although rumors circulated that she had somehow mastered the 'Dao Heart Demonic Seed Art,' a supreme demonic technique even superior to the 'Heavenly Demonic Art,' people had already begun to secretly speculate about the veracity of her 'Grandmaster' title.
Today was destined to be a day recorded in history.
With the three Grandmasters gathered, Zhu Yuyan was determined to personally prove her strength.
Ning Daoqi stroked his beard and smiled, "Your Excellency seems to be in too much of a hurry. Why don't we wait for the onlookers who are on their way?"
Zhu Yuyan smiled slightly and nodded gently.
Half an hour later, three people arrived from three directions.
Song Shidao, disguised as Yue Shan, Gai Suwen, and the last one to arrive was none other than Yuan Yueze, who had just survived a deadly battle.
Yuan Yueze exchanged a reassuring glance with Zhu Yuyan, then stood silently in a corner of the courtyard, hands clasped behind his back.
The others looked on in astonishment. They had just sensed through their spiritual aura that Yuan Yueze was at his limit, yet in such a short time, he had recovered nearly forty percent of his fighting strength—what terrifying recovery power!
Bi Xuan finally understood why Zhu Yuyan was completely unaffected by his words.
He had assumed Zhu Yuyan would be worried about Yuan Yueze's safety, so he had launched a barrage of words, trying to make her agitated and create an opening. But she remained indifferent. At first, he thought it was Zhu Yuyan's deliberate act to make him feel unfathomable, but now he realized the extent of Yuan Yueze's strength.
Although Yuan Yueze's current fighting power was insufficient, if Ning Daoqi, Liao Kong, and Bi Xuan joined forces, they could cripple him, if not kill him.
Unfortunately, they couldn't do that.
Leaving aside the fact that a master like Zhu Yuyan would certainly not stand idly by, it's also hard to say whether the seemingly unfathomable Yue Shan would intervene. Most importantly, if they did, they would lose all face in the martial world.
Bi Xuan and Gai Suwen stared at Yuan Yueze, who was gazing at the moon, their faces grim, but they felt helpless.
Liao Kong gave Yuan Yueze a deep look and sighed softly, "Your cultivation far surpasses ours; another grandmaster has emerged in the world."
His words were genuine, conveying his heartfelt sentiments. Yuan Yueze, indifferent to fame, didn't even glance at him, merely waving his hand dismissively.
Gai Suwen, having been tricked by Yuan Yueze, had been hiding in an inn, fearing gossip behind his back. His hatred for Yuan Yueze had reached an unbearable level. He had come out today specifically to watch the battle, naturally hoping for a crushing defeat for Yuan Yueze's side.
Song Shidao had come purely to observe the battle. He couldn't conveniently refuse Yin Zuwen and Li Yuan's proposal, but he used the excuse that "Zhu Yuyan disagreed with advancing the duel date" to leave them speechless. He did this simply because he couldn't fathom their thoughts; he only knew he shouldn't let them get away with it so easily. Seeing the righteous path masters appear today, each dealing with Yuan Yueze and Zhu Yuyan, he vaguely guessed there was some shady dealing between the righteous path and Li Yuan—undoubtedly, Li Shimin acting as the middleman.
He was glad he hadn't agreed to Li and Yin's offer.
Zhu Yuyan floated into the courtyard like a weightless willow catkin, saying, "We should begin too, brother, please!"
Several others also entered the empty courtyard. Gai Suwen casually took out a candle, symbolically lit it, held it in his hand, and loudly proclaimed, "Suwen is fortunate to witness the duel between the Dispersed Immortal and Empress Zhu today!"
No one had time to ponder his true intentions in not mentioning Bi Xuan.
The confrontation between Zhu Yuyan and Ning Daoqi, though separated by a distance, had begun.
Their eyes flashed with divine light as they stared at each other, neither giving an inch.
When their almost tangible spiritual energies collided to the point of sparks, Ning Daoqi, hands behind his back, took a large step forward, instantly widening the distance between them to two zhang (
approximately 6.6 meters). Bi Xuan and Gai Suwen, standing nearby, were also greatly surprised. Everyone present could clearly feel that Zhu Yuyan had been tightly locking onto Ning Daoqi with her aura. Any rash move by him, drawn by the energy, would inevitably provoke a fierce attack from Zhu Yuyan. Yet, Ning Daoqi's simple step had shifted the entire balance of their confrontation, leaving them unable to launch an attack. It was like two people wrestling, suddenly twisted to one side by their opponent, unable to exert any force.
Their reaction was not surprising; they had underestimated Zhu Yuyan, only observing her solemn demeanor, and knew that the situation was far more complex.
Ning Daoqi, of course, noticed this and smiled, saying, "Venerable One is too stingy, even using
the 'Heavenly Demon Great Art' as the opening move." Zhu Yuyan chuckled, "I suddenly remembered my battle with you thirty years ago, Brother Dao. I used the 'Heavenly Demon Great Art' then, and I can't help but feel nostalgic. Be careful, Brother Dao!"
Before she finished speaking, she slowly raised her hands, and two sharp, imposing energies shot towards Ning Daoqi.
Ning Daoqi nodded, saying, "Venerable One can actually condense energy into ribbons, the power of which is no weaker than the 'Heavenly Demon Ribbon'."
As he spoke, he flicked his sleeve, and then his slender, crystalline hands seemed to emerge from the void, meeting Zhu Yuyan's energy energies from the left and right.
The onlookers, while showing shock on their faces, couldn't help but cheer in their hearts. This was because Zhu Yuyan's two streams of energy were so indistinguishable from each other, like two ribbons. The one on the left moved in a straight line, radiating a chilling aura and giving the impression of invincibility, while the other moved in a wave-like shape, possessing an extremely yin and gentle beauty. The most remarkable aspect didn't stop there. The left stream of energy didn't even create a ripple in the air as it moved, while the right stream emitted a piercing whistling sound. The onlookers could clearly hear the piercing roar, like the wailing of a vengeful ghost.
Most perplexing was the unusually slow speed of her two streams of energy. Everyone thought that it would take at least half the candle in Gai Suwen's hand to burn before they could cover the two-zhang space and reach Ning Daoqi. Ning Daoqi's seemingly unremarkable and unpretentious move seemed premature. Of
course, the reality was quite different. Those present were no ordinary people; they could easily see that Zhu Yuyan's energy, seemingly slow, was actually fast, and Ning Daoqi's strategy was flawless.
In a battle between masters, there is no room for error, even by the slightest margin.
"Bang!"
In a flash, their energies clashed, and the two simultaneously stepped back.
Ning Daoqi returned to his posture with his hands behind his back, calmly saying, "Your Excellency's strike, using only seven-tenths of your strength, is enough to seize the destiny of heaven and earth. Ning Daoqi truly doesn't deserve the title of 'Grandmaster.'"
Zhu Yuyan smiled and said, "Brother Dao, you are too kind. Your composure in the face of honor and disgrace is truly worthy of the title of Grandmaster."
Zhu Yuyan genuinely spoke these words. Their adversarial relationship stemmed from differing stances, something no one could change. However, Ning Daoqi, based on just those first two sentences, knew that no verbal attack could affect Zhu Yuyan's composure. Therefore, he abandoned the psychological warfare and met the attack head-on. After the strike, he made no attempt to conceal his admiration for Zhu Yuyan, truly displaying the demeanor of a master.
Bi Xuan, standing to the side, seemed to be merely seeking attention.
Zhu Yuyan continued, "I know that your 'Eight Scattered Hands Strikes' are unrestrained and without any fixed rules, but please forgive me for only demonstrating a few moves. Whether you can grasp only a few of their essences, or all of them, depends on you, brother."
The Great Dao is simple and easy, beginning with one and ending with nine. 'Eight Scattered Hands Strikes' certainly doesn't refer to eight moves, but rather eight essences, each of which is infinitely variable, like a celestial horse soaring freely without any constraints.
Zhu Yuyan had fought Ning Daoqi several times thirty years ago, so she was naturally very familiar with his unique skills.
Her words also meant she would no longer hold back.
Just how miraculous was the 'Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique'?
Those who had never witnessed Zhu Yuyan's attack almost simultaneously pondered this.
Ning Daoqi remained calm, his mind entering a mysterious Dao realm of thoughtlessness and egolessness, saying, "Venerable One, please!"
Zhu Yuyan smiled slightly and suddenly vanished without a trace.
Except for Yuan Yueze, who remained gazing intently at the starry sky like a jade statue, everyone's hearts skipped a beat. Under the spiritual perception of those with celestial cultivation, they clearly realized that Zhu Yuyan had indeed disappeared into thin air—her body, her aura, and even her spirit.
How could this be!
Yet this bizarre feeling, completely defying common sense, was so real.
Ning Daoqi's expression remained unchanged as he slowly closed his eyes, his mind entering a higher state of emptiness and clarity, where existence and non-existence coexist.
A whirlwind swept in from all directions, filling the entire courtyard.
The fierce wind stirred up mud and snow, breaking grass and trees. Even
the candle flame protected by Gai Suwen's true energy was affected, flickering intermittently.
Ning Daoqi was like a boulder at the heart of a raging storm, unmoved despite the destructive winds surrounding him.
The storm suddenly ceased.
Then, an immense and unfathomable force pulled him forward.
Even though Ning Daoqi had reached a state of supreme tranquility, unaffected by the surrounding demonic illusions, he was still pulled forward by that powerful force, his right foot shifting half an inch.
The next moment, Zhu Yuyan suddenly rose before him like a demon emerging from hell, striking him with a palm that shifted infinitely, its speed unpredictable.
Realizing he had moved forward an inch, Ning Daoqi knew he was at a disadvantage. He had been in a state of utter despair, and should have been aware of Zhu Yuyan's true attack intentions, but he couldn't grasp the force and momentum of her palm strike. This showed that Zhu Yuyan's extraordinary ability to manipulate matter with her mind had not only invaded his mind but also affected
his spirit. Ning Daoqi suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and intense, radiating a powerful and formidable aura. He clearly understood that Zhu Yuyan's palm strike was all-encompassing, leaving him no choice but to fight back head-on. So, he moved forward, seemingly pouncing, his movements both slow and fast, his speed unpredictable yet exuding a sense of effortless grace. At the same time, his hands curved and straightened, emerging from his sleeves. His left hand moved forward, palm to claw, claw to finger, finally thrusting his index finger towards Zhu Yuyan's palm, which was striking with two opposing forces. The subtlety of his movements was breathtaking. With a
resounding
boom, Ning Daoqi staggered back several steps before regaining his footing.
Zhu Yuyan, however, seemed completely unmoved, standing with her hands behind her back and a smile on her face, praising, "Brother Dao, you actually managed to block my first full-force attack since mastering the Demon Seed Technique. Truly remarkable."
Ning Daoqi's sleeves were ripped by the force of the attack, making him look rather disheveled, but he showed no sign of dejection despite being at a disadvantage. Instead, he said with delight, "The Demon Seed Technique is indeed incredibly wondrous. I, Ning, had to unleash three different techniques in succession, ultimately relying on the power generated by my hands to withstand the Venerable's attack."
The essence of the 'Eight Scattered Hands' lies in the word 'emptiness.' Emptiness can generate energy, hence its infinity. Purity leads to emptiness, and this emptiness becomes reality. Between emptiness and reality, though the forms are varied, they are all simply the way of nature, mysterious beyond mystery, without greatness or smallness. It was precisely in this way that Ning Daoqi was able to unleash a series of unexpected moves to block Zhu Yuyan's earth-shattering palm strike.
Bi Xuan and Gai Suwen, upon first witnessing the Demon Seed Technique, wore frosty expressions and solemn demeanor. Zhu Yuyan's strength far exceeded their expectations, and with Yuan Yueze added to the mix, the Central Plains might truly fall into their hands one day, and the nightmare for foreign races would begin at that moment.
Ning Daoqi continued, "Your Excellency's martial arts have reached a transcendent level, transforming the mundane into the miraculous, the dazzling into the ordinary. Though it was only a single palm strike, it conveyed boundless profound truths. What's even more remarkable is that it no longer carries the trace of the massacre of countless beings from thirty years ago. Your Excellency, please make another move!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly spread his arms wide, his hands swishing like bird pecking, assuming a stance. Although graceful and beautiful, it ultimately came down to force, inconsistent with his Lao-Zhuang style of tranquility and non-action. Moreover, actively inviting his opponent to make a move seemed even more contrary to his usual style.
Zhu Yuyan, her hands behind her back, smiled and said, "Brother Dao, please don't be so polite!"
Ning Daoqi laughed heartily, then suddenly rushed forward, his hands transforming into two playful little birds that frolicked and chased each other, pecking and swooping, seemingly enjoying themselves immensely, as he pressed towards Zhu Yuyan. Then, a childlike innocence appeared on his face as he looked around at the strange spectacle of the virtual birds leaping and frolicking in the air. It was as if there was an invisible tree, and the birds were playing lively and full of life among its branches. All their movements seemed unintentional, yet meticulously executed, blurring the lines between reality and illusion.
The five-zhang distance gradually shortened.
Zhu Yuyan, who had been watching the spectacle like an outsider, smiled, completely unconcerned about Ning Daoqi's unexpected techniques and strange attack methods. She lightly lifted her lotus foot and kicked out.
Both Ning Daoqi and the others watching were astonished.
This seemingly simple kick defied the limitations of time, giving the intuitive feeling that Ning Daoqi would be struck by Zhu Yuyan before he could actually hit her.
This bizarre move, where speed and slowness coexisted in a seemingly illogical yet incredibly strange way, was a characteristic of the Demon Seed Technique, which emphasized spiritual cultivation.
Ning Daoqi's hands began to conjure, and the two birds instantly transformed into hundreds and thousands of birds. Each of his techniques was woven with his pure and divine innate qi cultivation, creating an invisible yet tangible net of energy that, like silkworms spinning silk, enveloped Zhu Yuyan's small foot. This true energy would accumulate to its peak and explode the moment it clashed head-on with her.
Zhu Yuyan smiled faintly, and the kick still came out, but the once incredibly swift kick became as slow as a snail climbing a tree. The sudden change in speed was so sudden that just one glance was both unbelievable and maddening.
Although Ning Daoqi's move was both offensive and defensive, and he continued to advance, his calm heart was stirred by Zhu Yuyan's sudden change in speed.
In an instant, the incredibly slow kick landed between Ning Daoqi's hands. This completely defied the laws of time and space; just as the slowness of the kick was felt, it pierced through the air net and forcefully charged into the 'flock of birds.'
Ning Daoqi's hands, as agile as a real bird, could slip into any gap, launching a relentless, mercury-like close-range attack on Zhu Yuyan's kick. Amidst the flying dust, the two figures shifted positions with lightning speed, advancing and retreating, rising and falling, dazzling the eye.
After a series of sounds that seemed to be a single, resounding clash of energy, the figures separated abruptly.
The moment Ning Daoqi was forced to take another step back, he saw Zhu Yuyan's eyes flash with a strange light, her pupils blazing with purple light. She slowly said, "From inaction to action, from power back to inaction, and then to action without action, and inaction with action—this is the essence of Laozi and Zhuangzi's teachings. In your hands, Brother Dao, it has reached its pinnacle. Brother Dao, pay attention, Yuyan's final move is coming!"
After uttering the last word, Zhu Yuyan pursed her lips and shrieked, emitting a demonic sound.
The expressions of the onlookers were incredibly varied. Even before Zhu Yuyan spoke, they had already heard the demonic sound. In fact, Zhu Yuyan only shrieked after uttering that long sentence. Those of their cultivation level, though they knew it was an illusion caused by their mental influence, could not distinguish between reality and illusion. This only proved one thing: Zhu Yuyan's cultivation was far superior to theirs.
Even Yuan Yueze became interested in this final move and turned to look.
Her deafening shriek filled everyone's ears, like a sudden, fierce sandstorm on a long, arduous journey through a desert. At first, it was short, powerful, and jarring, but then the demonic sound transformed into an all-pervasive, almost tangible mass of sand, relentlessly and overwhelmingly assaulting them. Under its onslaught, some even felt their vision blur, the world spinning, as if the demonic sound engulfed them like a raging storm.
Immediately afterward, the raging aura suddenly contracted around Ning Daoqi.
Ning Daoqi abruptly realized that everything around him had vanished, leaving only him and Zhu Yuyan in the world. The latter remained motionless, her long hair flying backward, pointing a finger directly at him.
She seemed both extremely far away and yet so close.
He knew that under the opponent's sophisticated and mysterious mental pressure, he had lost his composure. The only thing he could do was to turn the tables. So he mustered all his strength, his robes billowing out in countless ripples, while simultaneously pressing both palms forward. Countless vortexes of energy surged around his palms, rushing towards Zhu Yuyan's sword-like finger.
Yuan Yueze narrowed his eyes, recalling why he disliked Zhu Yuyan when he first studied. It was all because of this move, a prelude to the "Heavenly Demonic Art" and its transformation into a self-destructive act, that he remembered: initially, he disliked Zhu Yuyan because she wanted to drag Xu Ziling and Shi Feixuan down with her during the self-destruction. But after several repetitions, his aversion vanished. Whether it was Kou Zhong or Xu Ziling, weren't they also excited when they heard Zhu Yuyan wanted to perish with Shi Zhixuan? Xu Ziling would say "Zhu Yuyan is ruthless," so could he be considered a "good guy"? Ultimately, it came down to a difference in perspective. Of course, the Demonic Sect's actions were also partly due to their excessive actions, but such things had their causes.
Actually, no one was wrong; the only mistake was being born in an era where politics and religion were so closely intertwined.
Sigh!
A helpless smile appeared on Yuan Yueze's lips as he recalled these events.
Zhu Yuyan's sword finger struck precisely at the center of Ning Daoqi's palms.
Not a sound was made.
A sudden gust of wind arose, dark clouds covered the sky, and the stars and moon
were extinguished. Gai Suwen's candle was also blown out.
Zhu Yuyan's beautiful eyes shone with an eerie light as bright as stars. She had entered a transcendent state, using the Dao Embryo Demon Seed within her body as a medium to continuously channel the energy of heaven and earth into Ning Daoqi's meridians.
No one could withstand this earth-shattering and awe-inspiring attack.
Except for their family, who possessed extraordinary bodies.
Ning Daoqi could have tried to transform himself into a boundless vessel to contain the true energy transmitted by Zhu Yuyan, but he was already injured, and Zhu Yuyan's attack was too fierce. He could only sigh helplessly.
Liao Kong rushed forward immediately, his palm against Ning Daoqi's back, and whispered, "Venerable One!"
Zhu Yuyan, immersed in the pinnacle of martial arts, suddenly realized something was wrong and immediately forcibly withdrew her power, shaking Liao Kong and the other man away.
Liao Kong and the other man spat out blood and flew backward, sitting on the ground in a sorry state.
Zhu Yuyan, who was initially unharmed, suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed limply backward.
Yuan Yueze swayed and caught her by the waist before she fell.
Their true energy probed each other, finding her unharmed, Yuan Yueze picked her up without a word and vanished from everyone's sight in the blink of an eye.
Song Shidao quietly left, while Bi Xuan and Gai Suwen took a few steps forward and approached Ning Daoqi and Liao Kong. Gai Suwen asked with a puzzled expression, "May I ask, Master, what exactly happened just now?"
A hint of confusion flashed in Ning Daoqi's eyes, and he smiled bitterly, "If I'm not mistaken, Empress Zhu just broke through the Heavenly Human Realm, but she gave up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
This undoubtedly meant that Zhu Yuyan had reached the Void Shattering Realm, a dream come true for martial artists, in a fleeting moment.
Not only Gai Suwen, but even Bi Xuan was dumbfounded. After a long while, he exclaimed in surprise, "Why are you so sure, Brother Dao?"
Ning Daoqi shook his head and remained silent. Liao Kong gazed at the direction where Yuan Yueze had disappeared and sighed, "My feeling was exactly the same as yours, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. The moment I touched you, I sensed that the demonic seed within Zhu Hou, imbued with righteous energy, was faintly radiating an aura of explosive rebirth. Despite her injuries, she forcefully suppressed its boundless power, which is why she vomited blood."
Bi Xuan scoffed, "What is there to cherish in the mortal world? She has experienced so much; is she going to succumb to romantic love again?"
The other three ignored him, but all looked in the direction where Yuan Yueze had disappeared.
The reason why Zhu Yuyan's Demonic Seed Technique hadn't broken through the Heavenly Human Limit was due to the lack of refinement. Even Xiang Yutian needed a hundred years to reach the Shattered Realm, showing how difficult this path was. But today, Zhu Yuyan encountered Ning Daoqi and Liao Kong, and at the last moment, she fully immersed herself in martial arts, merging with the Heavenly Heart, which led to the signs of Shattering.
When a battle transcends the usual feuds and vendettas of the martial world, it becomes a pursuit of the true path of martial arts. Only when swords clash do life reveal its true nature.
Tonight, Ning Daoqi and Liao Kong are to Zhu Yuyan what Meng Chixing is to Chuan Ying, and Pang Ban is to Lang Fanyun.
The level of masters in the Tang Dynasty is still too low!
Yuan Yueze and Zhu Yuyan are of one mind and naturally understand what happened in that instant. After a sigh, he looked down at Zhu Yuyan, who was comfortably closing her eyes, and smiled, "Don't you want to experience the legendary feeling of being an 'immortal'?"
Zhu Yuyan pouted and said, "Just like Yan Fei said, who knows what the other side will be like? I only took a small step out, but luckily I stopped in time. Now I have no interest in becoming an immortal or a saint, and aren't we already immortals?"
Yuan Yueze corrected him, "We should be 'monsters' now."
Zhu Yuyan said, "It's truly unimaginable that countless martial arts practitioners have had their dreams shattered. Knowing full well that the other side is an unpredictable space, they would still abandon this life to desperately pursue that mysterious world."
Yuan Yueze sighed, "Human curiosity has its advantages and disadvantages. The so-called 'curiosity killed the cat' is probably just like that."
Zhu Yuyan nodded slightly; this was absolutely true. She had once been someone who longed for that unpredictable space.
Back in the West Garden, he told the remaining girls about his experiences that day, and they all sighed.
Dugu Feng hasn't returned yet, but there's nothing to worry about. First, it's hard to say whether she can catch up with Liu Yu, and second, with Yun Shuai around, even if Shi Zhixuan wanted to capture her, it would be wishful thinking.
Shan Meixian said, "The Buddhist and Taoist masters have finally suffered a setback, but Shi Zhixuan is chasing Liu Yu for some unknown reason."
Wanwan chimed in, "Could it be that he wants to absorb some of his internal energy?"
Yuan Yueze stroked her cloud-like hair and said, "That's possible. Even if Liu Yu doesn't die this time, he'll have to run away with his tail between his legs."
Song Yuzhi said from the side, "Second Brother once said that Yin Zuwen told him that Shi Zhixuan and the White Path would deal with us after the Spring Festival. Why did he mention coming before the Spring Festival?"
Xiao Bei laughed, "Have you forgotten that after Yin Zuwen, Li Yuan also went to seek a master from the Tao? Wait, something's not right!"
The group almost simultaneously realized something was wrong.
Logically speaking, the White Daoists always plan carefully before acting. Their actions today should have been planned in conjunction with the Li Tang high command. However, considering the relationship between Li Yuan and Xi Feng, and the fact that the Great Ming Zunjiao was colluding with Yin Zuwen, it was indeed strange that neither Yin Zuwen nor Xi Feng showed up today.
Zhu Yuyan stood up and said, "I'll go visit Qing'er tonight."
Yuan Yueze pulled her back and said, "No rush, we'll talk about it after you've 'healed'."
The women's pretty faces flushed at the same time.

Chapter 104 Four Stars Shining Brightly
The spacious bedroom was filled with a faint, lewd atmosphere.
Almost all the women had fallen asleep.
Only Shan Meixian and Fu Junzhuo, lying on either side of Yuan Yueze, were still awake.
Shan Meixian slightly opened her beautiful eyes, glanced at Lian Rou who was fast asleep on Yuan Yueze, and chuckled to herself. Then, she raised her still flushed face and said, "Husband, shouldn't you go and keep Mother and Junior Sister company?"
Yuan Yueze looked up at the ceiling and said, "Wait a minute, I'm thinking about how to deal with the attacks from all sides at tomorrow's Spring Festival banquet."
Fu Junzhuo swayed her voluptuous body like a water snake, closed her eyes and said, "If they dare to provoke us, they should be prepared to die. Isn't that my husband's famous saying?"
Shan Meixian laughed, "Junzhuo is becoming less and less inclined to use her brain."
Seeing Fu Junzhuo look up, she continued to explain, "Gai Suwen will definitely not let this go. If he doesn't get some interest from my husband, then being teased to the point of incontinence in the street will become a stain on his life. He will never be able to live as freely as before, in front of others or in private."
Fu Junzhuo suddenly understood.
Gai Suwen is, after all, her compatriot. If he pushes too hard, the always lawless Yuan Yueze will show no mercy. There's no need to worry about a direct fight, but in a verbal battle, Gai Suwen will inevitably be at a disadvantage. Gai Suwen already knows Yuan Yueze's strength. Although Yuan Yueze isn't at his best right now, the cunning Gai Suwen probably won't actually make a move. Therefore, their conflict will be limited to a war of words, inevitably touching upon Goryeo and even its history. Yuan Yueze can certainly criticize the arrogant and ignorant Goryeo people without reservation, but Fu Junzhuo will certainly not be pleased.
No longer the ruthless Rakshasa woman who only knew how to wield swords, she was now incredibly clever. She instantly grasped her husband's psychology, smiled sweetly, and said in a coquettish voice, "Liu De of the Western Han Dynasty said, 'Study the ancients and seek truth from facts,' Zhu Xi of the Song Dynasty said, 'Investigate things to acquire knowledge; principle is found in practice,' and Wang Yangming of the Ming Dynasty added, 'Unity of knowledge and action'... Oh!"
It turned out that Yuan Yueze's large hand had slid down her smooth back to her pert buttocks, pinched them, and he interrupted her with a laugh, saying, "Don't show off your knowledge."
Her long, delicate eyebrows furrowed and then relaxed, and Fu Junzhuo retorted, "How is this showing off? He meant compared to the Central Plains..." "Goryeo's historical background is indeed pitiful. It's already commendable that my husband is thinking of others. Besides, we've already decided on Goryeo's future autonomy. What harm is there in exchanging a few words with Gaesomun?"
She paused slightly, then gave a cold, coquettish snort, saying, "For the past few years, I've had my northern intelligence network keep a close eye on Gaesomun. I've learned that he's visited the Turks, Khitans, Shiwei, and Mohe tribes several times. I can't believe he has any good intentions."
Shan Meixian sighed, "If it's about patriots doing anything for their country, that's normal. But given the current situation, the biggest threat to Goryeo is..." "It wasn't the war-torn Central Plains, but the Turks whose ultimate goal was expansion and conquest. Yet Gaisuwen actually went to visit the Turks."
Yuan Yueze gently stroked the soft, pink back of the woman who had just lost her virginity, and continued, "I suspect that both Gaisuwen and the current rulers of Goryeo are conflicted. On one hand, they want to unite the surrounding tribes to defend against the Turks; on the other hand, they fear that after the unification of the Central Plains, the rulers will follow in the footsteps of Yang Guang. Therefore, their ideal scenario is to support the Turks' invasion of the Central Plains, causing them to become bogged down and resulting in a mutually destructive conflict with the Central Plains."
Fu Junzhuo's jade-like face dimmed as she spoke. "At first, people were wondering why Master didn't explain the situation to the Goryeo rulers. But just look at how the Goryeo people forgot about him in less than a year after he left, and instead praised Gaesomun. This shows Master's wisdom back then. People will eventually be forgotten in history. In such a chaotic world, Master only has a name left, with little influence."
Yuan Yueze kissed her forehead and said, "Don't overthink it. If Gaesomun dares to provoke me tomorrow, I'll humiliate him again, but I won't kill him." The two women looked at Yuan Yueze at the same time, their beautiful eyes filled with deep surprise and affection.
After several years in the world, Yuan Yueze had gradually matured. At this time of great chaos in the Central Plains, killing Gaesomun would indeed bring him temporary pleasure, but it would bring countless troubles. The now powerful Li Tang and the various foreign tribes, like frightened birds, would surely harbor conspiracies again, and might even collude together. In this way, it would be the people of the Central Plains who would suffer.
Shan Meixian glanced at Dugu Feng, who was sleeping like a rag doll after being tormented by Yuan Yueze, her pretty face slightly flushed. She said, "It's a pity Feng'er still couldn't catch up with Liu Yu; he got away. Will Shi Zhixuan catch up?"
Yuan Yueze shrugged slightly. Now that Liu Yu had escaped, the situation in Chang'an would be much clearer. Wait! The Holy Envoy was still missing!
He suddenly realized this problem. Lian Rou, who was on top of him, woke up with a soft moan, raising her even more perfect face after the refinement. Her bright, clear eyes were hazy as she looked up at Yuan Yueze, her soft breaths mingling with her seductive voice, "Husband, you've gotten bigger again!"
The two women beside her simultaneously lowered their heads and spat.
They were very surprised that Lian Rou had joined them in the revelry tonight. After all, Lian Rou was still a virgin. The enthusiasm and generosity of women from other regions made even the people of the Demonic Sect feel ashamed. The two women understood the meaning of her words all too well, because they both knew that Yuan Yueze and Lian Rou were still closely connected.
But the next moment, they involuntarily pressed their newly heated, soft and boneless bodies against Yuan Yueze, because Yuan Yueze's strange hands had already begun to move erratically without warning. How could the two women, whose bodies had long been thoroughly explored, and the princess who could accommodate Yuan Yueze's magnificent member, withstand the methods of this lecherous demon? They immediately lost themselves in it. In their shame and unbearable desire, the two women pressed their flushed cheeks against Yuan Yueze's arms, their delicate bodies twisting slightly, as if cooperating with Yuan Yueze's strange hands, seeking even greater pleasure. Lian Rou, with her excellent physique, seemed unaffected by the pain of losing her virginity. Her pair of white, jade-like arms wrapped around the neck of the man who loved her, offering her luscious, red lips. In just a moment, the passion of the three women was reignited, and they could only pant softly.
Lian Rou finally couldn't withstand the power of that robust 'Little Evil Emperor'. Her already unhealed wound instantly ruptured, and her groans turned into painful moans. Yuan Yueze immediately regained his senses, gently kissing away the tears on her pale face, and said, "It's my fault. Does it still hurt?"
The two women beside her also gradually came to their senses and helped comfort Lian Rou. After a while, Lian Rou finally smiled through her tears, rolled her eyes at Yuan Yueze, and said, "I only found out today during a casual chat that Sister Wanwan has made quite a bit of progress these past few days. Husband, aren't you going to go see her and Sister Yuyan?"
The three of them showed delight. They knew that besides practicing her skills, Wanwan had only one task: to secretly monitor the 'not simple' Chai family that Pei Ji and Hu Xiaoxian had mentioned. If they really found something, it would definitely be a good clue for Yuan Yueze.
Gently stroking her hair, Yuan Yueze said impatiently, "Princess, tell me quickly! Meixian and the other two must be getting impatient too."
Lianrou retorted, "You should call me Rou'er like Father does!"
Glancing at the two equally impatient girls, Lianrou said, "Then when you see Sister Wanwan later, you must pretend you don't know anything, otherwise she definitely won't let you off the hook!"
The three of them chuckled together. It seemed that this clever Western Turkic princess was no match for the little devil!
Lianrou continued, "Sister Wanwan said that at dusk this day, someone sneaked into Pei Ji's residence. When they followed them back, they discovered that the person was actually from the Chai family."
Yuan Yueze praised, "Well done. It seems I should investigate these two families tonight."
Shan Meixian smiled, "My husband is seriously injured now. Such a thing can be done by the few of us."
As she spoke, she and Fu Junzhuo got up to dress.
Yuan Yueze put down the weary-looking Lianrou, patted her to sleep, and then got up and walked towards the room of Zhu Yuyan and her apprentice.
Half an hour later.
On a large tree outside the VIP hotel, a hunched, thin man dressed in night clothes yawned and muttered to himself, "Damn, I, the mighty 'Heavenly Hearing,' am actually listening to erotic scenes here. This Yuan fellow's 'combat prowess' is truly remarkable; he can fight again after a short rest. No wonder he has so many beautiful wives and concubines. Tsk tsk, if he dies, I'll take a couple to relieve my pent-up desire. Just hearing those women's loud and alluring cries makes my heart itch."
Suddenly, his expression froze.
A long sword, gleaming coldly, was pressed against his neck.
This location was extremely secluded; even the guards couldn't detect it. Yuan Yueze and his wives and concubines were probably still engaged in their lovemaking. Who was behind it all?
Before the thought could even form, he was struck on a pressure point and lost consciousness.
※※※※※ Late in the 7 PM hour.
In an inconspicuous pavilion in the corner of the Chai residence's backyard.
This pavilion gave off a sinister and terrifying impression, a feeling amplified by the faint, flickering light inside.
Pei Ji and Xi Feng sat facing each other around a small table, sizing each other up.
After a long while, Xi Feng said, "I didn't expect Lord Pei to also be a member of my Holy Sect. I've been infiltrating the palace for so long without being detected. I admire you greatly."
Pei Ji replied, "Mr. Xi, you've been able to lie low in the Cold Palace for so long without me noticing either. I admire you greatly."
The two smiled at each other.
Xi Feng sighed, "My real name is Lie Feng. I and Brother Kuang Lei are two great generals under the Holy Venerable. I've used the name Xi Feng for so long that I'm starting to forget my real name."
Pei Ji also said, "Since I became the registrar of the prefecture at the age of fourteen and met the Holy Venerable, who imparted to me the supreme mental cultivation method of the Holy Sect, more than thirty years have passed in the blink of an eye. Thinking back to when he first arranged for me to serve as the deputy supervisor of Jinyang Palace in Taiyuan, to cultivate a relationship with Li Yuan, the then governor of Taiyuan, and then to the uprising, the entry into the pass, and the establishment of the Tang Dynasty, every step was foreseen by the Holy Venerable. It's a pity I didn't get to see him this time." "It's been thirty years since I last saw him. I wonder what level of cultivation he has reached."
Xi Feng said, "Because I was hidden in the deep palace by Li Yuan as a guard, I only saw the Holy Venerable twice. He is always elusive. Didn't Brother Pei receive a personal letter from the Holy Venerable? As for his cultivation, I'm afraid Brother Pei will be very surprised when I tell you. The 'War God Record' recorded in the scriptures of our Holy Sect and printed on the He Shi Bi was obtained by the Holy Venerable several months ago. If he has time to practice it, the whole world will belong to our Holy Sect!"
It was Liu Yu's letter that brought the two of them together.
As Pei Ji lowered his head to drink his tea, a strange look flashed in his eyes. He then looked up in surprise and said, "Wasn't the He Shi Bi stolen by those two brats, Kou Zhong?"
Xi Feng shook his head and said, "I don't know the details either. When I was fighting Yuan Yueze with the Holy Venerable, I was injured. The Holy Venerable said a few words to me while healing me. Hey! I'm afraid Brother Pei won't believe it, but this was the first time I saw the Holy Venerable in his true form. He looks only about thirty years old."
Pei Ji said enviously, "I don't have Brother Xi's good fortune, but that Yuan Yueze..." " Truly terrifying! Brother Xi, you must have sensed the powerful spiritual fluctuations from the east and outside the city today. The righteous path has finally made its move, humph! But it suffered a crushing defeat!"
Xi Feng glanced around the small hall, while Pei Ji smiled and said, "Brother Xi, there's no need to worry. Chai Shen and I have a life-or-death bond. I've secured many things for his Chai family. This building originally had a tunnel leading outside the city, which I specifically left for escape. No one would suspect that my relationship with Chai Shao's father is unusual. A few days ago, I vaguely sensed someone was monitoring me; it must have been a high-ranking official sent by Yuan Yueze." " He's injured, but he and Zhu Yuyan are both wounded today. I've also sent a highly skilled eavesdropper, whom I've been keeping in the mansion for over a decade, to keep an eye on him. He'll be fine."
Xi Feng nodded and said, "Brother Pei, you mustn't underestimate Yuan Yueze. When we attacked him that day, the Holy Venerable also summoned a mysterious expert from my Holy Sect who had been stationed by Li Yuan's side for many years, but he was killed by Yuan Yueze in a single move. Today, Li Yuan sent me to strike while the Four Bald Men and Yuan Yueze were both exhausted. When I arrived, Yuan Yueze had already recovered thirty percent of his fighting strength, so..." After a moment's thought, I decided to kill the four bald men and frame Yuan Yueze. Little did I know that the wounded four bald men were far from simple; I could only barely injure the wise old monk.
Pei Ji asked in surprise, "Then how will Brother Xi remain hidden in the palace?"
Xi Feng laughed, "I have my own way of avoiding being recognized by those four old monks. As for Li Yuan, I just need to tell a lie."
Pei Ji nodded, "Brother Xi is indeed remarkable. Now we can wait and see what the next step of the plan is..."
Before he finished speaking, his expression darkened, and he looked towards the door.
Xi Feng turned to look at the tightly closed wooden window.
※※※※※ In the meditation room of the Jade Crane Temple's back hall.
Ning Daoqi, Liaokong, Jiaxiang, Daoxin, and Dixin sat around an exquisite round table, while the person in the main seat was none other than Fan Qinghui.
The abbot of Cihang Jingzhai had actually come in person.
They had all entered a meditative state, and judging from their complexions, their injuries had healed considerably.
"Knock knock!"
Two knocks sounded at the door, followed by Liao Kong's words, "Please come in."
The two walked in side by side.
Li Shimin, dressed in casual clothes, and Shi Feixuan, dressed in simple nun's robes, were present.
The group quickly snapped out of their meditation. Li Shimin bowed respectfully and said, "The kindness of the Master and the seniors will never be forgotten by Shimin and the Li family. Please forgive any rudeness that has disturbed your meditation tonight."
The group glanced questioningly at the serene Shi Feixuan. Receiving reassuring looks, Fan Qinghui said, "If Your Highness doesn't mind, may I call you Shimin? No need to be so polite, please sit down."
Li Shimin was flattered and nodded in agreement. Although he was used to grand occasions, he still sat down with restraint. Shi Feixuan returned to Fan Qinghui's left rear, kneeling with her head bowed.
The hall returned to calm. Li Shimin, who had grown up in the world of fame and fortune, surprisingly showed no signs of agitation. Those present were all highly cultivated, extraordinary individuals; sitting with them made even his own worldly air seem to fade.
After a long while, Fan Qinghui finally spoke, sighing, "This failure was entirely due to my carelessness. I underestimated that evil man and Zhu Yuyan, almost causing Master Zhihui's death. Forgive me, forgive me."
Di Xin chanted a Buddhist prayer, saying, "At this time when the Way is waning and the Demon is flourishing, the Venerable Master's noble sentiment of disregarding the destruction of his own cultivation to eliminate demons for the sake of all living beings is admirable. We old bald men will naturally do our best as well. There's no need to worry about Master Zhihui's matter."
Li Shimin whispered, "Could the masked man who attacked the four masters be Yuan Yueze, disguised and returning to fight?"
Daoxin shook his head, "Absolutely impossible. Their physiques are very different, and most importantly, their demeanor is different. Although Brother Yuan..." Despite being a member of the Demonic Sect, his true energy and swordsmanship exuded the peaceful and vast aura of Taoism, whereas the one who attacked us was filled with evil.
Jiaxiang couldn't help but think of Yuan Yueze's words about the 'evil sword,' and that self-deprecating tone was utterly ironic to the Four Holy Monks. He could only sigh and say with a bitter smile, "What a pity for such a person with Buddhist nature, alas!"
Li Shimin said, "A few days ago, Father Emperor sent his old friend, the 'Spear Demon' Yan Pingzhao, with high-ranking officials and generous rewards to invite him out of seclusion to ambush Yuan Yueze. Who knew he would meet such a tragic end? He also has Zhu Yuyan, whose demonic skills are unparalleled, by his side. It will be too difficult to touch him again." Upon
hearing this, the hall returned to silence.
Ever since hearing Ning Daoqi recount Zhu Yuyan's ability to break through the void, Fan Qinghui and the others had been avoiding mentioning her. Now, with the unsuspecting Li Shimin bringing it up, even these highly skilled hermits could no longer remain calm and sighed helplessly.
It was indeed incredibly ironic that a ruthless member of the demonic sect could ascend to the Heavenly Dao faster than those of them, who had renounced worldly life, devoted themselves to cultivation, and were free from desires. Even more laughable was that this member of the demonic sect had given up this opportunity that countless people dreamed of without a second thought. Even those with profound mental cultivation like Liao Kong, Ning Daoqi, and Fan Qinghui were baffled by this.
The coarse white robes did not conceal Shi Feixuan's captivating beauty; on the contrary, they perfectly revealed her ethereal features and otherworldly, serene气质. She lowered her head, her beautiful eyes reflecting a complex and unfathomable expression.
From the scriptures passed down in her sect, she knew that those who cultivate the Heavenly Dao must sever all seven emotions and six desires, because desires and emotions are difficult to control. Cultivators are like small boats in a raging sea; a single moment of distraction can turn them into slaves to their emotions and desires, from which they can never escape. Zhu Yuyan, however, broke through the limitations of the celestial beings, which brought an unprecedented and enormous impact to her thinking. For cultivators who enter the world, the most difficult thing to overcome is naturally the emotional barrier. With Zhu Yuyan as a precedent, a thought unexpectedly flashed through Shi Feixuan's mind: Is it really necessary to overcome the emotional barrier?
The inner demons thus quietly took root.
Things were not as she imagined. Before the legendary swordsman, Chuan Ying, shattered and vanished, he still clung to the body of the 'Red-Pink Queen' Qi Bishao, weeping bitterly. Before his passing, Buddha Shakyamuni earnestly warned the world of the terrifying nature of life and death, revealing that the presence or absence of emotion has little to do with transcending the realm of heaven and man.
Shi Feixuan didn't know Chuan Ying, but she knew about the Buddha, and her doubts grew.
Fan Qinghui, without moving, asked, "Xuan'er, do you have something to say?"
Knowing that her sudden heartbeat had caught her master's attention, Shi Feixuan softly said, "Young Master Yuan told me that he had no intention of eradicating Buddhism and Taoism, only wanting to secure a legitimate space for the Demonic Sect to exist. Moreover, Master also knows that Empress Zhu has been dedicated to revising the Demonic Sect's system these past few years..."
Although what Shi Feixuan said was true, Fan Qinghui still laughed out loud, "Xuan'er underestimates your opponent."
Only then did Li Shimin understand why Fan Qinghui had suddenly descended the mountain to personally plan this 'demon-slaying operation'.
They first noticed by chance that Yuan Yueze had been staring at an ordinary hill for the past few days, and began to suspect something was amiss. When Yuan Yueze and Liu Yu started fighting, news quickly spread throughout the city. The righteous sects immediately decided to act, seizing the opportunity to intercept Yuan Yueze. Although it was considered taking advantage of the chaos and damaging to their reputation, they didn't care about such things because they were acting for the sake of the people. Li Shimin's earlier suggestion to Yuan Yueze that Li Yuanji intended to harm his family after the Spring Festival was merely a diversionary tactic. Unfortunately, this meticulously planned operation still ended in failure, and the righteous sects almost lost a master.
This was the price they paid for underestimating Yuan Yueze.
Fan Qinghui said calmly, "I know that Senior Brother Kong, Brother Dao, and several masters have a good impression of Yuan Yueze, but think about how he obtained Luoyang and how he treated our Buddhist sect. He has always concealed his true strength. If it weren't for the intervention of the four holy monks today, who knows how long the world would have been deceived by him. Fei Xuan also said that Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling knew that Yuan Yueze was a member of the Demonic Sect, yet they still maintained a close relationship with him. The reason was that Yuan Yueze generously gave the Young Marshal's army one million taels of silver that day. This act not only won the trust of the Young Marshal's army but also earned the praise of the local people." This shows that this young man is not as indifferent as he appears; on the contrary, he possesses the sinister characteristics of a member of the Demonic Sect, harboring malicious intentions and having a deep and cunning mind. Before I went down the mountain, I received news from my scouts that Xiangyang had been captured by Shen Luoyan. Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling deceived everyone, traveling day and night, and returned to Pengcheng in three days. They secretly launched an attack, seizing Zhongli and Donghai counties with lightning speed. They also issued a proclamation, denouncing Fu Gongshi for killing Li Zitong years ago, usurping power, and preparing to march on Yangzhou.
Liao Kong and the others remained silent. Shi Feixuan lowered her head, and no one knew what her expression was like.
If Yuan Yueze were here, he would definitely point at Fan Qinghui's small nose and curse: "If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a reason. You underestimate me, but then you say I'm hiding my strength, damn it!
" Li Shimin's face was stern as he asked, "Does the Master know how the Song Clan, Lin Shihong, and Xiao Xian have behaved?"
His question was full of profound meaning. With Shen Luoyan already north of the Yangtze River, the fate of Fu Gongshi and Yangzhou will largely depend on the movements of the three major southern powers.
Fan Qinghui seemed to recall something from the past, a hint of sadness flashing in her bright eyes, before she calmly said, "The Song Clan hasn't made a move. Lin Shihong has already met with Shen Luoyan in Xiangyang. Xiao Xian is being held back by Shen Luoyan, his 400,000 troops remaining inactive."
Li Shimin inwardly cried out in alarm. Didn't this mean Yangzhou would eventually fall into the hands of the Young Marshal's army? If that were the case, the world would be in a 'four-star' situation: Yuan Yueze in the center, the Young Marshal's army in the east, the Great Xia army in the north, and the Li Tang army in the west. With the Li Tang already possessing Sichuan, even if the other three armies didn't unite, their controlled territories and armies would be a major obstacle to the Li Tang's unification of the Central Plains. On the other hand, the hesitant Xiao Xian in the south and the Song Clan, having lost 'Heavenly Blade' Song Que, are much weaker.
Fan Qinghui sighed softly, as if speaking to everyone, yet also murmuring to herself, "This humble nun has come out of seclusion this time because she cannot bear to see the calamity continue. If Yuan Yueze is truly a detached person, why does he insist on opposing the Tang Dynasty after listening to advice? Isn't this going against the will of Heaven?"
This was Fan Qinghui's true purpose in coming out of seclusion. Originally, with the Tang Dynasty resembling the powerful Qin Dynasty of the late Warring States period, the course of the world was almost set. However, the rampant expansion of the Young Marshal's army and Shen Luoyan disrupted their plans. Yuan Yueze, being stubborn as a mule, would agree with whatever the current situation, but he simply refused to retire. Upholding the swordsman's spirit of not allowing the slightest mistake, Fan Qinghui wanted to nip any terrible signs in the bud, hence her decision to come out of seclusion to contact the righteous masters.
Li Shimin knew that the spiritual leader of the Central Plains martial arts world was giving him a pointer, so he quickly stood up, bowed respectfully, and said sincerely, "Master's words and deeds are like a morning bell, which I will always remember. Your great compassion for all people makes me feel ashamed. However, regarding my father, the Crown Prince, and my brother... alas!" Liaokong
said in a deep voice, "Your father is too indecisive. We have already reminded him that the child in Consort Lian's womb is Yang Xuyan's, but he insists on waiting until the child is born to have its blood tested to confirm, watching helplessly as Yang Xuyan roams around Chang'an. Alas! We are still just ordinary people who have entered the Buddhist order..." "Human strength is meager, and this is all I can do to help. But the Crown Prince has close ties with the Turks, and the Prince of Qi is secretly colluding with the Demonic Sect, plotting to harm you. Even if you are brothers, you should know that politics allows no mercy. Enough, this humble monk has been rambling; Prince Qin, please don't take offense."
Thinking of how he had ruined Li Yuanji's spring hunt plans and confiscated their hidden firearms, Li Shimin smiled bitterly, "Master's good intentions are clear to me, but I still can't bring myself to kill my brothers."
This was why he considered Yuan Yueze his primary enemy. After a pause, he added, "I heard from Miss Shi that the Master will be returning to Jingzhai tomorrow; I will come to see him off then."
Fan Qinghui nodded and closed her eyes.
Li Shimin bowed and turned to leave.

Chapter 105 Only Loves Demonesses
Xi Feng's expression was cold and stern, his secretly cultivated aura continuously accumulating and strengthening, yet his tone remained calm and unwavering as he coldly asked, "Both of you are Madam Yuan, are you? How shall I address you?"
Shan Meixian stood with her hands behind her back at the door, while Fu Junzhuo leaned against the wooden window, sword in hand.
The doors and windows showed no signs of having been opened; the two women seemed to have emerged from the ground.
In terms of cultivation, among Yuan Yueze's family, these two women were comparable to Zhu Yuyan. However, it was the 'Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique' with its mysterious religious aura and the prestigious reputation of its thousand-year-old heritage that made Zhu Yuyan more prominent. In fact, the power of Shan Meixian's improved 'Heavenly Demon Technique' and Fu Junzhuo's 'Sword Control Divine Technique' was in no way inferior to the 'Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique,' of course, this was under the premise that they were both proficient in the strange Qi cultivation method created by Yuan Yueze himself.
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly shifted to a tense and solemn one.
Shan Meixian was completely unaffected by the terrifying energy emanating from Xi Feng, which seemed to fill the hall with a tangible force. Instead, she smiled and said, "Lord Pei is actually a Holy Envoy under the Great Ming Holy Venerable. I have been watching you for a long time."
Knowing that a tough battle was inevitable, Pei Ji, who recognized the seemingly delicate and beautiful woman before him as no ordinary person, laughed heartily and stood up, saying, "Madam actually cares about me. How fortunate I am!"
Although he said this, his expression grew increasingly cold and somber.
A flash of golden light, and the spear was already in Xi Feng's hand. The spearhead, gleaming eerily in the lamplight, pointed at Fu Junzhuo. His aura locked onto her, and his gaze sharpened as he coldly said, "The Holy Venerable said that the enmity with Yuan Yueze should have ended long ago, yet you have repeatedly opposed my Holy Sect. Do you think we are afraid of you?"
Fu Junzhuo retorted with a huff, "Your wolfish ambitions are blatantly obvious. Since your Holy Venerable said he would no longer plot against the Central Plains, why have you two been left here? Isn't this just an attempt to cover up your true intentions?"
Xi Feng grumbled, "Then let me, Xi Feng, witness Madam's methods!"
Fu Junzhuo smiled slightly, gracefully leaping down from the windowsill and straightening her delicate body. A chilling aura surged forth, covering nearly four zhang (approximately 6.6 meters), towards Xi Feng, causing the hem of his tight-fitting clothes and his hair to flutter violently. Xi Feng's
expression was grave, revealing that he was bearing the astonishing pressure of Fu Junzhuo's energy. Meanwhile, Pei Ji, standing less than ten zhang (approximately 3.3 meters) beside him, and Shan Meixian at the door, showed no discomfort whatsoever, demonstrating Fu Junzhuo's precise and masterful control over her internal energy.
Shan Meixian slowly extended her pair of slender, translucent hands, like white jade, and smiled, "If Lord Pei does not surrender, I will have no choice but to be impolite!"
Her smile was like a hundred flowers blooming, giving people an incomparably pleasant feeling, but Pei Ji inexplicably broke out in a cold sweat. He clearly felt that her ridiculously slow-moving jade hands were gathering a vast amount of energy as they extended. If she were to straighten her hands before attacking, Pei Ji would probably have no chance of winning, because he knew that that moment would be when Shan Meixian's momentum reached its peak.
If there were any onlookers at this moment, they would definitely find it hard to breathe.
Pei Ji suddenly laughed loudly and said, "Once we start fighting, the ladies probably won't gain anything. This is the Chai family's residence!"
The two women's momentum immediately diminished, and before Pei Ji could rejoice, a frenzied surge of energy pressed down on them again.
Shan Meixian laughed, "I guess only a handful of people in the Chai family know that Lord Pei has arrived here. Also, if I'm not mistaken, this small building must be a forbidden area of the Chai family, otherwise why would Lord Pei consider it his last refuge?"
Pei Ji's face was frosty, knowing that most of his conversation with Xi Feng had been overheard by the two women. His original intention was simply to force the two women away so he could make other plans, but the perceptive Shan Meixian had guessed his weakness, leaving him speechless.
His psychological warfare had failed.
Just from his expression, Shan Meixian knew that her guess was correct.
Pei Ji's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and suddenly he let out a low shout. Without even moving his wrist, a long iron fan appeared in his right hand. This was the 'Forgetful Fan,' the one he used to summon heroes from all over the world. At the same time, his figure moved forward like a ghost, bringing with it a chilling killing intent, and he struck Shan Meixian, whose palm was not yet fully extended and whose clothes were fluttering in the wind from his force.
This simple starting gesture alone revealed that he had been concealing his strength; even if he wasn't as strong as Xi Feng, he was likely not far off.
Almost simultaneously, Xi Feng flicked his golden spear, and a chilling, terrifying killing intent immediately spread out. A lifelike golden dragon danced wildly, lunging at Fu Junzhuo as if to devour this tiny human.
Fu Junzhuo's beautiful eyes flashed with murderous intent. She could sense the brilliance of this spear strike, a culmination of Xi Feng's peak cultivation. The force and angle of the spear constantly shifted as it traveled, first like a mighty river creating wave after wave of giant waves, then conjuring thousands of golden dragons that darted across the sky, slicing through a four-zhang space, and in the blink of an eye, reaching her, it transformed back into a single spear—extremely powerful and fierce, invincible.
Such spear technique was truly unmatched in the world. She wondered what would happen if Shen Luoyan's silver spear clashed with his.
With a sigh, Fu Junzhuo, her delicate fingers forming a sword, remotely drew the 'Yuxu Sword,' which, without a sound or a wisp of air, traced an arc of beauty beyond the mundane, slowly meeting Xi Feng's golden spear.
Pei Ji's iron fan gathered into a sharp, chilling aura, piercing the air towards Shan Meixian's throat with utter cruelty.
The entire hall shifted abruptly.
Space distorted, and Xi Feng and Fu Junzhuo, not far away, seemed to have entered another world.
The Great Demon Arena.
Shan Meixian, her right hand behind her back, her left hand forming a blade, slashed diagonally at Pei Ji's fierce iron fan.
A dull, piercing sound, like the clash of metal and qi, followed, causing two vortexes of air to suddenly shoot outwards. Nearby furniture and chairs tumbled and shattered like fallen leaves, rolling in all directions.
Shan Meixian and Fu Junzhuo were forced outside the doors and windows.
The two women showed no sign of discouragement; instead, they exchanged a smile, nodded, and leaped into the dark hall.
Running swiftly through the long tunnel, Xi Feng asked, "Brother Pei, how many exits does this tunnel have?"
Pei Ji, his expression calm, slowly replied, "This is just a tunnel dug when the Chai family mansion was built. Chai Shen said there are two exits."
This man was indeed extraordinary; as a Holy Envoy, his cultivation far surpassed Wang Shichong's. Because when a person is running at full speed, the circulation of blood and true energy within their body is at its peak. If they speak aloud at the same time, their speech will naturally be both rapid and forceful, consistent with their outward appearance. Even those who have reached the level of first-rate masters can only maintain a calm tone, but Pei Ji's speaking speed, so opposite to his running speed, shows that he can defy natural laws and achieve complete control over the release of energy and sound. Pei Ji's martial arts have probably reached the level of a master.
Xi Feng said, "Those two vile women will probably find the entrance later. We must split up. What do you think, Brother Pei?"
Pei Ji nodded and said, "Go another half mile, and there's a fork in the road ahead. As long as we evade those two women's pursuit, I've already spoken to Li Yuan tomorrow, and I can stay directly in the palace. They can't do anything about it then."
Xi Feng said, "I don't know where His Majesty is. I can only take it one step at a time. I'm afraid we can't return to the palace. Take care, Brother Pei."
There were already six forks ahead.
From Pei Ji's words, it was clear that only two of these six exits led to the ground, and the other four were dead ends.
After pointing out the correct exits to Xi Feng, Xi Feng said, "If there is a wise envoy, he will appear in the world."
Pei Ji replied, "To enlighten all beings and liberate them from all suffering."
Then, two figures disappeared into the fork in the road.
Shan Meixian and the other two women arrived shortly afterward and were stunned when they saw the six entrances.
Fu Junzhuo asked, "Sister, do you have a way?" Shan
Meixian frowned and shook her head, saying, "With cultivation levels like theirs, their pores can completely close, leaving no trace of their presence in the air, let alone any footprints."
Fu Junzhuo resolutely said, "This is an opportunity not to be missed; we have to take a gamble!"
After Shan Meixian nodded, the two women disappeared into the cave.
Perhaps it was a cruel joke of fate, but Shan Meixian and Pei Ji had chosen the same path, while Fu Junzhuo had chosen a dead end. Xi Feng's life was truly lucky.
※※※※※ Yuan Yueze carried the corpse of the lewd man who had been captured by Shan Meixian and the other woman and called himself 'Tian Ting,' and floated out of the West Garden like a leaf.
They hadn't asked anything. Wanwan mentioned that she had discovered someone secretly traveling between the Pei and Chai residences. Naturally, Shan Meixian and the other woman had investigated the Chai residence first, because if Pei Ji had any mysterious activities, he certainly wouldn't be doing them in his own residence. Unexpectedly, the two women had actually run into him.
Yuan Yueze continued the interrogation, only to find that the man knew nothing except that he had been sent by Pei Ji to eavesdrop. He killed him without hesitation, then comforted the exhausted and weak Zhu Yuyan and Wanwan before going to find Bai Qing'er alone.
Pei Ji's true colors were finally revealed; he had supported this arrogant 'Heavenly Listener' for ten years without any real benefit. Mei Xian and Jun Zhuo could capture him alive, or even kill him if they wanted.
Yuan Yueze buried the body in a desolate corner outside the palace, muttered a thought, and then rushed to Yin Zuwen's residence.
Zhu Yuyan told him that she could clearly sense Bai Qing'er's agitation, so it was necessary to see her in person.
Bai Qing'er was whispering intimately with Wen Caiting, who had come to visit her, in bed, occasionally letting out a clear laugh.
When Bai Qing'er glanced unintentionally behind Wen Caiting, her expression froze, then turned strange. She said, "Uncle Ting, it's getting late, go to sleep!"
Then, she lightly raised her jade hand and sent out a palm strike, extinguishing the already dim candle.
Wen Caiting, lying on her side opposite him, asked curiously, "What's wrong?"
Then she turned her head and looked over, only to find herself leaning against a broad chest. Her pert buttocks were clearly being pressed against something all too familiar, making her almost cry out.
A pair of large hands quickly covered her lips, and Yuan Yueze's voice rang in her ear, softly saying, "Sister Ting, it's me!"
Seeing Wen Caiting nod slightly, Yuan Yueze released her, lightly leaped up and squeezed between the two women, embracing one in each arm, kissing each of their pink cheeks, letting out a satisfied sigh, his eyes fixed on the ceiling.
Bai Qing'er's small mouth touched his ear, her breath sweet as orchids, and said, "Can you speak loudly?"
Yuan Yueze chuckled, turning his head to kiss her again, but was pushed away, and then said smugly, "Of course, the Heavenly Demon aura lives up to its name."
The two women simultaneously burst into giggles.
Bai Qing'er said, "How did you get in, young master? You scared me to death."
Yuan Yueze knew she was meticulous, so he comforted her, "Don't worry, when I came in, almost everyone in the manor was asleep. It took me a long time to find this place. Couldn't Yin Zuwen have arranged for you to be in a better place?"
Then, he teased Wen Caiting, whose body was trembling slightly and who was nestled in his arms like an ostrich, saying, "Isn't Sister Ting right? Yes, how did you end up here?" The Yin Gui Sect's
wanton woman, who had countless male lovers in the past, was so embarrassed that she dared not answer. Upon hearing this, her body trembled even more violently. Yuan Yueze remembered Zhu Yuyan's words and hurriedly said, "Sister, please don't blame me for being rude. It's just that I couldn't help but feel aroused by you."
Wen Caiting said in a trembling voice, "Don't say anymore!"
Then she tried to struggle out, but she was no match for Yuan Yueze's strength. The more she struggled, the more intense the friction between the two became. Currents of electricity surged through her limbs. Having not been with a man for so long, she was afraid she couldn't take it, so she immediately stopped moving and didn't say a word.
Bai Qing'er chided from the side, "It's all your fault! You scared Aunt Ting so much! Qing'er wasn't wrong, was she? If we're talking about thick skin, if you claim to be second, no one in the world dares to claim to be first, hehe!"
It turned out that she couldn't help but laugh because Yuan Yueze's strange hand tickled her a few times.
After stopping, Yuan Yueze said, "Yu Yan said she noticed that you were in a bad mood. Has something happened?"
When talking about serious matters, Yuan Yueze was no longer joking at all.
Bai Qing'er said, "After the Xiang family's downfall, Yin Zuwen and Xu Liuzong have already pledged allegiance to Shi Zhixuan. Qing'er overheard Shi Zhixuan saying that Yang Xuyan has also submitted to him again. Yang Xuyan is colluding with the Crown Prince's faction to assassinate Li Shimin on the Spring Festival and frame you, young master. However, Qing'er didn't hear the details of the plan. Please forgive me, young master."
Yuan Yueze lightly slapped her firm, fragrant buttocks and laughed, "I told you to call me husband, why haven't you changed your mind?"
Having her vital parts attacked and being intimately touched by him, Bai Qing'er, who was already unable to control herself, let out a soft moan and whispered "husband." Only then did Yuan Yueze nod in satisfaction and frown in thought.
He suddenly understood why the plan to assassinate Li Shimin had changed so many times. Initially, when he overheard Yang Xuyan's conversation with Xiang Yushan, he believed the other party was trying to lure him into a trap. The original plan, as Hou Xibai later told him, was indeed to take place during the spring hunt. However, the news of Li Shimin's seizure of a large quantity of firearms a few days prior had already caused a sensation in Chang'an, though it was overshadowed by the Xiang family's downfall. Recalling the events, it seemed Li Shimin had been secretly investigating after receiving information about Yang Guimei, which allowed him to intercept the firearms. One plan failing, another naturally followed. The Crown Prince's faction, having suffered a hidden loss, wouldn't let it go easily, hence the plan being brought forward. But in their minds, Yuan Yueze should have fallen for the trap; how could they launch an attack on the very day of the Spring Festival? Remembering his encounter with Hou Xibai on the street and then at his residence, a sudden realization dawned on Yuan Yueze. Even if they had tried to keep a low profile, they were still under scrutiny. With so many eyes and ears within Chang'an, how could the Crown Prince's faction not have informed Yang Xuyan of this? He was cunning and treacherous, and perhaps he already knew from both Buddhist and Taoist sources that Consort Lian's child was his own. His warning to Li Yuan led him to deduce that Hou Xibai had secretly discovered his secrets. It was only natural that Hou Xibai would tell Yuan Yueze about their plan to assassinate Li Shimin during the spring hunt. So, they decided to play along, planning to bring the Spring Festival forward, hoping to keep Yuan Yueze guessing their true intentions.
After sharing her thoughts with the two women, Wen Caiting, having regained her composure, finally spoke again. She said in a low voice, "Just as Qing'er said, if you, young master, were to use your brain, few would be your match."
Then she let out a soft exclamation.
Yuan Yueze then playfully kissed her lips again, chuckling, "Big sister, you flatter me! I just find thinking too tiring."
Bai Qing'er pondered from the side, "I wonder what happened today. Many experts from the Yin family were mobilized, and they didn't return until very late, looking exhausted, and went to bed early. Otherwise, my husband wouldn't have been able to sneak in so easily."
With their current cultivation levels, they indeed couldn't detect the powerful spiritual energy throughout the city.
Yuan Yueze recounted the day's events, the two women gasping in surprise at the perilous parts. Finally, Yuan Yueze said, "I was wondering why Yin Zuwen didn't seize the opportunity. I guess Shi Zhixuan was too eager to capture Liu Yu, so he ordered Yin Zuwen and other experts to apprehend the injured Liu Yu. Judging from Qing'er's description, Liu Yu must have escaped safely."
Bai Qing'er gently patted Yuan Yueze's chest, saying, "Husband, you single-handedly created your own sword technique and fought the four holy monks without being at a disadvantage. Why couldn't you break through the Heavenly Limit like Master?"
Yuan Yueze chuckled, "Breakthroughs not only require an equally matched opponent, but also your own state of mind. I vaguely sensed that when the four holy monks attacked me with all their might, I hadn't truly entered the realm of transcendence, so it's natural that I couldn't break through."
Wen Caiting exclaimed, "Doesn't that mean you haven't used your full strength, young master?"
Yuan Yueze nodded.
How old is he! Just how much unfathomable strength remains within this extraordinary body!
The two women thought to themselves almost simultaneously.
Yuan Yueze continued to Wen Caiting, "I know that you've fallen in love with me, don't deny it. So, are you satisfied with your younger brother's directness?"
He didn't ask why Wen Caiting was there, because he knew she had a past relationship with Yin Zuwen. He figured that if she came here and said she was dissatisfied with Zhu Yuyan's changes to the Holy Gate system and wanted to secretly cooperate with him, she could easily deceive the self-centered and self-important Yin Zuwen. Anyone who likes to project their own opinions onto others is easily swayed by sweet talk, just like King Li Er. He was old and disliked negative words and flattering praise, which pleased him greatly, but ended up losing his fortune, the person who truly loved him, and almost his life. Yin Zuwen must have been deceived by Wen Caiting's lies. Yuan Yueze could clearly see that Wen Caiting was much weaker than she had been six months ago, a consequence of only practicing half of the 'Charming Maiden Heart Technique' and suffering the backlash from incomplete mastery. This explains why she has been seeking men for tonifying her body, and it also reveals her true situation over the past six months.
Yuan Yueze could understand all of this, but he couldn't understand how Wen Caiting, who had experienced so much hardship, could fall in love with him. It was undeniable that he was exceptional in appearance, strength, and personality, but how could someone who had experienced so much and seen through the ways of the world be so easily moved again?
It was all thanks to that unintentional remark he made that day: "This smile, untouched by any seductive arts, is the most beautiful and natural."
Similar words had been spoken to Wen Caiting years earlier during a casual chat between the two sisters. At that time, Zhu Yuyan had mastered her demonic arts, her temperament had drastically changed, and she was no longer the cold figure she once was. This reminded Wen Caiting of how they both looked forty years ago, when they were in their twenties. Back then, they both possessed radiant, exquisite bodies, vibrant energy, and pure, innocent hearts. Forty years had passed in the blink of an eye, and Zhu Yuyan's heart had suddenly returned to what it was forty years ago. How could Wen Caiting not be filled with emotion? Her beauty remained, but her heart had long since died; to put it bluntly, she was a walking corpse.
At that moment, for the first time, she calmed down and reflected on her past, ultimately arriving at a conclusion that surprised even herself: she was worse than a prostitute; at least there were no prostitutes her age in the brothel.
It wasn't so much Yuan Yueze's unintentional remark that deepened her doubts about her past actions, but rather Zhu Yuyan's words that truly touched her heart, dormant for decades and long since dead.
That day, she had visited Bai Qing'er, who vividly recounted Yuan Yueze's extraordinary skills and how he had defeated five top masters, leaving her somewhat captivated.
Men like beautiful women, and women like strong men.
While not absolute, this aligns with the thoughts of most people.
Especially for a man like Yuan Yueze, who, aside from his dull personality, had almost no flaws, it wasn't surprising that he could move Wen Caiting, who was already in a period of self-doubt and wavering.
But trouble followed; once true feelings are developed, one inevitably becomes foolish.
Her self-doubt turned into obsession. Hearing Yuan Yueze's blunt words, she felt both ashamed and pleased, followed by self-pity, thinking she was unworthy of him.
Yuan Yueze clearly felt his arm getting wet, and continued with his astonishing words: "I know you're bothered by the past, but think about it, with so many wives at home, why would I run off to say these things to you? What kind of good person am I? What am I if not a scoundrel? Instead of wallowing in self-pity, you should face it with a carefree attitude. I believe that as long as your heart is no longer impure, then your whole being is no longer impure. If you lose even your self, what good is a perfect appearance? More than three hundred years later, a 'Zen Master Wude' wrote a poem: 'Spring rain and spring clouds, nourishing all things anew. Green mountains dotted, emerald grass evenly spread.'" "Evenly. The rain has cleared, the sky is still, the clouds disperse, all one color. What more can a cultivator say? 'Do you understand the meaning?'"
Bai Qing'er, seeing Yuan Yueze speak so eloquently, though initially crude, every word was reasonable, and later he even composed a short poem, became interested. She said sweetly, "Qing'er hates the false Taoists in the Xuanmen the most. Husband, tell me about it."
Within the Yin Gui Sect, her relationship with Wen Caiting had always been the best. Since Zhu Yuyan gave her complete freedom and she gained Yuan Yueze's favor, she was no longer the Bai Qing'er who only cared about profit. If Wen Caiting could truly find her heart's home, it wouldn't be a bad thing. Women understand women's hearts best; she wanted to cooperate with Yuan Yueze to untangle Wen Caiting's knots.
Yuan Yueze, of course, guessed that Bai Qing'er might have already told Wen Caiting about his background, so he smiled and said, "While people certainly need the peaceful atmosphere of spring clouds and rain, their true nature is like the vast sky in the misty spring rain, or the scenery in the cloud-shrouded fog—it doesn't change its profound and clear qualities. Making mistakes isn't terrible; what's terrible is not repenting. Of course, you can correct it and then make the same mistake again, and then correct it again!"
Bai Qing'er chuckled again, and even Wen Caiting, who was nestled in Yuan Yueze's arms, laughed, though she still didn't raise her head. Bai Qing'er panted and said, "What is this called now?" "?"
Yuan Yueze chuckled dryly, "This is called being tempered a thousand times!"
Then, his stubbornness flared up, and he said, "Whether my elder sister agrees or not is irrelevant. Anyway, once I've made up my mind, no one can stop me!"
Wen Caiting didn't have time to laugh again. Her delicate body trembled noticeably, and she finally raised her pretty face, which was covered with silent tears, and said, "Thank you for your words, young master, but I..."
Yuan Yueze wiped away her tears and said, "If you want to consider it, that's fine, but you should get well first. You can take as much time as you want."
Wen Caiting knew the true meaning of these words, and she didn't nod immediately, but she didn't refuse either.
Bai Qing'er scolded, "Can't you be a little more subtle when you speak!"
Yuan Yueze shook his head and said, "If I were more subtle, I would be a gentleman, and that's exactly what I hate most about gentlemen."
The two women chuckled twice, and the room returned to silence.
The three of them remained motionless, and they could clearly hear each other's heartbeats, breathing, and even the sound of blood flowing.
This was, of course, an illusion. In the quiet, deep night, a warm and tender feeling welled up in the hearts of the two women, a surge of pleasure rushing to their brains, even more wonderful than real lovemaking.
Bai Qing'er suddenly said, "I heard from Yin Zuwen that my husband once flirted with Shi Feixuan in a restaurant. I wonder if it's true or not."
Yuan Yueze nodded and recounted what happened that day. Wen
Caiting, with her rich experience, could tell from just a few words that Yuan Yueze disliked Shi Feixuan. She
said strangely, "It's truly an anomaly that you, young master, don't like Shi Feixuan. I'm afraid there's no other man like that in the world." Yuan Yueze said disdainfully, "That's why I emphasized to you that I only value spirit, not form. Shi Feixuan is just a person with form but no spirit. Compared to her, I prefer you 'femme fatales' with flesh and blood."
Bai Qing'er suddenly exclaimed, "I suddenly remembered something. It's all your fault for acting strangely. Qing'er's head is spinning!"
Yuan Yueze asked in astonishment, "What is it?"

Chapter 106 Starry Night Talk
Pei Ji finally escaped back to the cliff top.
The tunnel's exit was located on the edge of a cliff, two miles west of Chang'an City.
"Lord Pei's lightness skill isn't very good!"
Before he could even catch his breath, Shan Meixian's clear voice rang out, nearly scaring him half to death.
Looking down, he saw, under the clear, bright moonlight, a graceful figure, her robes fluttering, slowly rising from the half-hidden cave entrance along the sheer cliff face, like a fairy descending to earth. The nearby jagged rocks and the distant, towering peaks seemed to come alive because of her. Pei Ji even felt a sense of ethereal mist surrounding him, a hazy, dreamlike feeling.
The world was no longer the world, but a celestial realm.
It seemed like only a blink of an eye, yet also like an eternity, before Shan Meixian landed on the cliff top, standing before Pei Ji with her hands behind her back, calmly observing him, like an incomparably beautiful jade statue.
Oh no!
Having lost his senses, Pei Ji immediately focused on his spiritual platform, and everything around him returned to normal.
He dared not look at Shan Meixian again, narrowing his eyes to mere slits, then widening them to a visceral gleam, shooting out tangible lightning, like the sun, its light obscured by clouds, suddenly revealing its true form, no longer afraid of any illusion. The transformation was so wondrous that it captivated the viewer. Then, he retracted his iron fan into his sleeve, withdrawing his aura. His calm and natural demeanor, coupled with his majestic and unyielding posture, gave the impression of a man of both literary and martial prowess. Though it was merely a casual stance, his entire being became mysterious, revealing no flaws and seemingly becoming one with the heavens and earth.
Shan Meixian's beautiful lips curved slightly, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. She said, "This must be Lord Pei's trump card. Don't disappoint me again."
Pei Ji's pupils constricted sharply. He understood why Shan Meixian and her companion had been defeated by their first move at the Chai residence. It was all intentional. Fighting there would be pointless for either side. Shan Meixian and her companion feigned weakness to chase them out of the tunnel, where they could fight without restraint. But Pei Ji's composure was unwavering. He instantly regained his composure, his long fan sliding from his sleeve into his hand. With
a "whoosh," the iron fan opened, unleashing a powerful, almost overwhelming force that seemed to fill the entire space. Wave after wave of energy surged from the beautifully painted landscape on the fan, engulfing Shan Meixian like a raging torrent.
In truth, Pei Ji had overestimated the two unfathomable women, because Fu Junzhuo hadn't caught up with Xi Feng.
Shan Meixian was slightly taken aback. Just now, his aura changed drastically, and he reappeared with his hidden fan. It turned out that he had been building up momentum all along, just to find a crack in her mind and launch a devastating attack.
Driven by curiosity, a crack appeared in her mind that shouldn't have existed. Pei Ji didn't stop, beginning to shake the iron fan at varying speeds. At first glance, the movements seemed erratic and irregular, but upon closer inspection, it revealed a profound mechanism. It seemed to follow a rhythm that contained a pattern within the seemingly randomness, both elusive and impossible to grasp, extremely strange yet captivating.
Shan Meixian smiled slightly, delivering a gentle, powerless palm strike from afar, which abruptly stopped in mid-air.
Pei Ji's expression immediately changed.
Shan Meixian's palm strike not only completely absorbed the increasingly fierce and oppressive energy he was unleashing, but its precise placement was also incredibly subtle. Pei Ji, whose momentum had reached its peak, was astonished to find all his follow-up attacks blocked, leaving him in an extremely awkward situation. He had no choice but to unleash his attack, yet he didn't know how. The suffocating feeling in his chest made him exceptionally distressed. Moreover, the palm strike was slow; although Pei Ji clearly saw every subtle movement as it swept through space, he felt an inexplicable sense that it had neither beginning nor end—utterly bizarre.
This perfectly executed palm strike was certainly no ordinary attack; it incorporated the essence of the Heavenly Demon Art, the Chess Sword Technique, and the Evil Sword.
Seeing the space around the jade palm, which seemed to shimmer with holy light under the moonlight, begin to distort, Pei Ji knew something was wrong. Instantly, he gathered a chilling, surging killing intent and charged straight at Shan Meixian.
His casual clothes began to flutter slightly against the wind, then the movement intensified, creating a loud rustling sound—not only amplifying his power but also a signal that his true energy had reached its peak.
Shan Meixian remained motionless. Her jade palm transformed into a universe capable of encompassing everything, absorbing all of Pei Ji's energy without exception. Her clear spiritual sense activated a warning claw, and her gaze swiftly shifted to her right.
There, a sky full of silvery light, bright as stars, swept in, overwhelming everything.
Streams of sharp energy, cutting painfully, pierced through her skin, then, just a foot away, suddenly solidified into a point, striking her directly in mid-air.
Even before the fan arrived, an astonishing pressure assaulted her, causing her long hair and clothes to flutter backward.
Shan Meixian's delicate shoulders swayed slightly, and in the next instant, she appeared beside Pei Ji. Her palm struck the fan stand repeatedly; after four muffled thuds, Pei Ji felt a chill run down his spine. Shan Meixian, with a combination of deflection and attack, instantly absorbed the energy from the fan, and her jade hand, powerful enough to pierce through anything, pointed towards his forehead.
"What!"
Pei Ji opened his iron fan, forcefully blocking Shan Meixian's finger strike and the kick from below. His last breath was depleted, and he was forced to retreat.
In mid-air, four small, distorted, spherical spheres of energy began to dissipate, demonstrating the speed of their battle.
Shan Meixian stood gracefully, smiling slightly. "I didn't intend to kill, but Lord Pei is a member of the Great Ming Sect. Only by capturing you can I obtain some information."
Pei Ji knew clearly that Shan Meixian's strength surpassed his, but he had no way to retreat.
Just two zhang behind him was a cliff over a hundred zhang high; even a Great Luo Golden Immortal would likely perish from such a fall.
Seeing the resolute glint in his eyes, Shan Meixian was slightly taken aback and said, "Lord Pei still has a family to support, why won't you cooperate with us? Another Holy Envoy has cooperated with us before."
Pei Ji laughed loudly and said coldly, "Don't compare me to a villain like Wang Shichong. My secrets are unknown to my family. Even if I die, I will never betray the Holy Sect's information."
Shan Meixian instantly understood why he disregarded family ties. It was because he had been mysteriously taken under the wing of the Great Ming Holy Venerable at a very young age, while Wang Shichong joined the sect later. Their different life experiences destined them to make different choices. Wang Shichong was at most a half-religious, while Pei Ji was a pure and fanatical religious figure.
There was no point in saying more, kill!
With that thought, Shan Meixian leaped into the air, kicking Pei Ji from head to toe.
The speed of this kick was beyond description. Even someone with Pei Ji's cultivation would have the illusion that when he 'noticed' Shan Meixian's leap, her kick was already half a zhang in front of him.
Heaven and earth seemed to freeze, a desolate and solemn atmosphere descending. Life and death seemed to concentrate on Shan Meixian's lotus-like foot, a kick crashing down like a mountain.
Pei Ji remained fearless, defiantly unleashing a punch.
"Bang!"
A deafening roar followed, and Pei Ji's body was blasted into the air, blood spurting, plummeting off the cliff.
Shan Meixian was deeply moved: this man's loyalty to his religion had reached a point of demonic possession. That unprecedented kick was the pinnacle of her cultivation; the intangible yet tangible energy had already locked Pei Ji in place, preventing his escape. Yet Pei Ji had severed his own arm, using it as a medium to absorb Shan Meixian's power, solely for self-destruction. Such a mad act was truly beyond the capabilities of ordinary people.
A cold wind blew past, and Pei Ji's maniacal laughter faintly echoed; he seemed not yet to have reached the bottom of the cliff.
In truth, he was quite pitiful. He had been manipulated by Liu Yu since childhood, hadn't seen Liu Yu for over thirty years, yet remained so loyal, completely unaware that Liu Yu was the most despicable, shameless, and selfish person in the world.
Death, for him, might be a relief.
It was just unknown whether Jun Zhuo could catch up with Xi Feng and eliminate him in one fell swoop.
After a moment of reflection, Shan Meixian composed herself and quickly returned to the city.
※※※※※ West Market, right wing of Ningcui Hall.
Chang'an had over a hundred large and small clean halls, with Ningcui Hall, Qingfeng Spring in the East Market, and Lequan Pavilion in the North Market being the three most famous, all using hot spring water. This right wing was the highest-class, inaccessible even to those who paid.
In the luxurious, exquisitely decorated, steaming circular pool, four 'mermaids' could be vaguely seen.
Shang Xiufang, Ji Qian, Xiao He'er, and another person was none other than Hou Wenqing.
While splashing water, Xiao He'er asked, "Is Sister-in-law leaving tomorrow morning? Tomorrow is the Spring Festival!"
Hou Wenqing knew the relationship between Yuan Yueze and them, so she answered their questions without any concealment. She was now the 'Queen of Gambling,' and her fame was soaring rapidly, as evidenced by the fact that this top-class pool was specially opened for her.
Shang Xiufang also admired this woman who had persisted for many years and finally avenged her great grudge, and chimed in, "Since outsiders have been speculating about the relationship between Sister Qing and the young master, why not simply go to the palace to watch a performance before leaving? Wouldn't that be better?"
Outsiders had indeed been speculating about the relationship between Hou Wenqing and Yuan Yueze because the two had traveled together for a while in Chengdu. This was also the real reason why Yin Zuwen was unwilling to join Zhu Yuyan, but he hadn't said it aloud.
Hou Wenqing smiled and said, "Now that we've avenged our great enemy, I want to live a simple life with Shidao. All these years of running around have left me physically and mentally exhausted."
Xiao He'er exclaimed, "Sister-in-law, you should rest too! Otherwise, once you become Empress, you won't have so much freedom!"
Hou Wenqing shook her head and smiled bitterly.
Ji Qian, who had been silently listening to the three women's conversation, grew increasingly complicated, her long, delicate eyebrows, glistening with a few drops of water, beginning to furrow.
Although Hou Wenqing didn't mention Yang Wengan's status as the eldest son of the Xiang family that day due to considerations of propriety, the Xiang family had no chance of recovery. Without the support of a powerful family, Yang Wengan would die sooner or later. The fact that she had brought down the Xiang family had a profound impact on Ji Qian. Initially, she felt a sense of despair and even didn't know whether to thank or hate Hou Wenqing. It was as if Hou Wenqing had completely stripped her of her life goals and ideals, leaving her with no idea what to do next. She simply lived a mechanical and numb existence. Hou Wenqing's words today had a profound impact on Ji Qian, who had recovered somewhat: she had overheard Yuan Yueze's plan, which ultimately involved ceding the throne to Song Shidao. Hou Wenqing, however, clearly showed little interest in the position of "Empress Dowager." Ji Qian's social circle was different from theirs, and she couldn't understand why anyone would dislike fame and power. But she finally understood that Xiao He'er's recent statement about someone coming to destroy the Xiang family before the Spring Festival was not unfounded. It was all the result of Yuan Yueze and Hou Wenqing's secret efforts. Thinking back to how she had scoffed at those words, Ji Qian suddenly recalled Yuan Yueze's comment, "Big breasts, no brains." Although she was still unconvinced, she had to admit she had been overly arrogant.
Xiao He'er swam over and asked curiously, "Xiao Qian, are you worried about tomorrow's banquet? Don't worry, if Li Yuanji dares to cause trouble, I guarantee Brother Yuan will make him even more embarrassed than last time when he wet his pants in the street!"
Seeing that she had also picked up a bit of a hooligan's spirit and spoke without restraint, the other women burst into laughter.
Hou Wenqing sighed, "My little sister has been corrupted by Yuzhi and Xiuxun."
Thinking of her two "rogue" predecessors, Xiao He'er's face flushed slightly, appearing even more radiant in the steam. She then said with longing, "Sister Yuzhi said that the three sisters Wanjing, Junqiang, and Ruyin, who haven't returned from their trip, are the real rogues! They're far inferior!"
The three girls laughed even harder, but Ji Qian forced a smile, thinking to herself that Yuan Yueze's family was leaving on the fifth day of the month. He could protect me once, but what about next time? Would she really have to submit to Li Yuanji?
Whatever! Enjoyment should be seized now!
Ji Qian turned and joined the three girls splashing and playing in the water.
※※※※※ Imperial Palace, Imperial Study.
It was late, but Li Yuan and his three sons were still awake.
After hearing Li Shimin recount the day's events, Li Yuan, Li Jiancheng, and Li Yuanji, though not actually involved, were still terrified.
Yuan Yueze, Zhu Yuyan, Liu Yu, Shi Zhixuan, Ning Daoqi, Bi Xuan, Liao Kong, the Four Great Monks, Yue Shan, and Fan Qinghui, the spiritual leader of the Xuanmen sect—more than a dozen of the most powerful cultivators in the world—had all gathered in Chang'an.
The righteous path was practically wiped out. The experts Li Yuan had secretly sent out hadn't returned yet, and his heart sank, guessing they might have died at Yuan Yueze's hands. Yuan Yueze was only around twenty years old, yet in a single day he had defeated a mysterious expert, the Four Great Monks, and Li Tang's most secretive peerless master—a feat too incredible to be true, yet impossible to deny.
Although they didn't know the mysterious expert was Liu Yu, they had heard from Li Shimin the righteous path experts' assessment of him: the elusive Liu Yu's strength was no less than that of the three grandmasters!
The four men, father and sons, each had their own thoughts. While Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji were terrified of Yuan Yueze's strength, they were mostly gloating. They secretly thought, "The Buddhist and Taoist sects supported our second son, and now he's screwed. Although he's not dead, most martial artists who experience something like this are utterly devastated. That bastard Yuan Yueze is indeed incredibly cunning." Li Jiancheng glanced at Li Yuanji out of the corner of his eye. The two were of one mind; Li Yuanji gave him a reassuring look, and a smug glint flashed in their eyes.
Faced with a formidable enemy, Li Shimin ultimately chose to cooperate with his brothers who had been secretly plotting against him, simply because he considered Yuan Yueze, his primary enemy, to be dealt with first. However, Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji had a backup plan: Yang Xuyan had secretly informed Li Yuanji that a skilled assassin would lure Yuan Yueze outside the city the next day. When Li Shimin returned with the Buddhist and Taoist families, the Crown Prince's men, who had been lying in wait, would launch an attack, assassinate Li Shimin, and then frame Yuan Yueze on his return journey—killing two birds with one stone.
Li Yuanji wasn't stupid; he vaguely guessed that the person capable of luring Yuan Yueze out was Shi Zhixuan. He knew Shi Zhixuan harbored ill intentions, yet he still cooperated with him—it was merely arrogance. He firmly believed that someone like Yang Xuyan would not willingly be manipulated by Shi Zhixuan, so he decided to eliminate Yuan Yueze first, and deal with other matters later.
Li Yuan was deeply frustrated by the dissatisfaction he had caused with both the Buddhist and Taoist families due to his indecisiveness. He smiled bitterly and said, "What are your thoughts? Speak them out!"
Li Jiancheng hurriedly said, "I think we don't need to make any more unnecessary sacrifices right now. No matter how strong Yuan Yueze is, he's just one person. How can he face a thousand troops? What's important for us is to prepare for war first. It's not too late to defeat him when we go out to conquer him in the future. Fortunately, few people know about what happened today, otherwise it would have greatly affected our prestige."
He spoke the truth, but secretly he was criticizing the Buddhist and Taoist families for overestimating themselves and almost becoming stepping stones for Yuan Yueze's rise in power.
Li Yuan, being an emperor, turned cold upon hearing this and said in a deep voice, "Yuan Yueze hid himself too well. This matter cannot be blamed on the experts of the Xuanmen. What do you two think of the method the Crown Prince suggested?"
He had been trying to balance the relationship between the three brothers and ease their tensions, but he was only wasting his energy.
Although Li Yuanji hated Yuan Yueze to the core, he dared not act rashly again and echoed, "Your son agrees with the Crown Prince's statement."
Li Yuan was taken aback. He knew that the matter of Li Yuanji being tricked by Yuan Yueze had already spread like wildfire in the streets. Although the people only discussed it in secret, Li Yuan had eyes and ears throughout the city and had heard about it long ago. Seeing that Li Yuanji could be so tolerant, he thought he had matured and said with pleasure, "Yuanji, rest assured, our Great Tang is clear about gratitude and resentment. Yuan Yueze will definitely pay the price for his actions."
Li Yuanji lowered his head and thanked him. No one knew what he was thinking.
After a long silence, Li Yuanji raised his head and hesitated, "Your son... Your son has another plan, but..."
Li Yuan stared at him and asked, "But what?"
Li Yuanji hesitated for a long time and said, "But it will be unfair to Xiuning."
Li Yuan probably guessed his intention and pondered, "Tell me first, and we, father and son, will discuss it in detail before making a decision."
Li Yuanji immediately nodded.
Bai Qing'er said, "I'm thinking that with Shi Zhixuan backing Yin Zuwen now, I'm afraid I can't defeat him and won't be able to take revenge on my own."
Yuan Yueze said, "Isn't there me? You're going to perform for Li Yuan the day after tomorrow, right? Aren't you worried about this?"
Bai Qing'er smiled and said, "Would my husband allow his wife to dance for another man?"
Yuan Yueze chuckled dryly and said seriously, "Of course not. After hearing your news, I had some ideas. We all guessed that Yin Zuwen's intention was for you to bewitch Li Yuan and control him so that he could act at any time. However, considering that Bai Dao already knows that the child in Consort Lian's womb is Yang Xuyan's, it's very likely that he has already informed Li Yuan. Although I don't know why Li Yuan hasn't dealt with this matter, your role has become more important now. Shi Zhixuan even has the intention of having you replace Consort Lian." "Picture."
Wen Caiting interjected, "Even if Li Yuan doesn't punish Yang Xuyan now, he should verify the child's identity when it's born. At the very least, he could hold a blood-drop test to confirm kinship. How can Yang Xuyan hide his secret then? So, the young master's statement is highly likely."
Bai Qing'er added, "Qing'er will only perform her dance the day after tomorrow. Husband, you should think about how to deal with the Crown Prince's plot tomorrow!"
Yuan Yueze laughed out loud, "Do I even need to think about it? Plans can't keep up with changes. The righteous path has no one left to fight, and Liu Yu's side has suffered heavy losses. The only person in Chang'an capable of scheming against me is Shi Zhixuan. As long as I stay in the palace all day and don't introduce anyone to any invitations, what can they do?"
Then, without waiting for the two women to reply, he quickly picked up Wen Caiting, leaving behind the words, "Qing'er, just tell her that your Aunt Ting left in the middle of the night. I'm leaving. I'll come to see you again tomorrow night!"
Being held by a man nearly forty years her junior made Wen Caiting feel somewhat embarrassed. After sneaking out of the Yin residence, she said in a trembling voice, "I must say something: Young Master shouldn't underestimate Shi Zhixuan. His Illusionary Demon Movement Technique is unparalleled in the world. How could he possibly fail to catch up with someone who is injured and exhausted?"
Yuan Yueze stopped and nodded, saying, "Feng'er was left behind by Liu Yu halfway through the chase, and my father-in-law, the Imperial Advisor, has also been appearing and disappearing mysteriously lately. I thought that with his interference, Shi Zhixuan would definitely not succeed, but what my elder sister said makes sense. Shi Zhixuan is cunning and shrewd, and I really can't underestimate him."
Wen Caiting said happily, "Young Master is willing to listen to my nonsense. He is fully qualified to be a wise ruler. Why don't you become the emperor yourself?"
Yuan Yueze said mysteriously, "If I were the emperor, when would I have time to spend with you! Don't you think I'm more carefree than an emperor right now?"
After saying that, he plopped down on the roof ridge and looked up at the starry sky.
Wen Caiting sat on his lap, nestled against his chest, and whispered, "Young Master is right. If worldly things like fame and fortune could interest you, you wouldn't be Yuan Yueze."
Yuan Yueze smiled and said, "I haven't had a chance to talk to you much yet, so let's chat under the starry sky!"
Wen Caiting felt a little shy, but secretly delighted. Being carried back by Yuan Yueze like this made her feel ashamed to face Zhu Yuyan and the other women, including Shan Meixian. Although she came from the Demonic Sect, she was still bound by the social norms of this era. Despite Yuan Yueze's brief explanation, she still felt unworthy of him. However, Yuan Yueze's behavior just now was too domineering, and she had no chance to escape. If she could say something comforting now, it wouldn't be a bad thing.
Looking up, she saw Yuan Yueze gazing intently at the magnificent starry sky, as if looking at a beloved woman. She asked, "Does Young Master like the starry sky?"
Yuan Yueze nodded and pointed to the southwest, saying, "Don't you think it's beautiful, Eldest Sister?"
It was the dead of winter, and in the southwestern night sky, the seven constellations—Kui, Lou, Wei, Mao, Bi, Zi, and Shen—formed the image of a majestic white tiger, its right claw pointing forward, stretching across the sky. Wen Caiting only had a rudimentary understanding of astronomy and had never observed it closely before. Today, with Yuan Yueze's guidance, she found the bright red glow of Orion and Aldebaran, the dazzling yellow light of Caracas, and the Seven Sisters star cluster all incredibly beautiful. She was momentarily stunned, experiencing for the first time the boundless and awe-inspiring grandeur of the universe.
Yuan Yueze explained the names of the stars to her one by one, which she listened to with great interest. Seeing that Yuan Yueze was staring intently at the Seven Sisters, she frowned and said, "I've heard that seeing the Pleiades is more ominous than auspicious, young master..."
Yuan Yueze turned to look at the Pleiades and chuckled, "Then I'll look at the Pleiades; seeing the Pleiades is very auspicious."
He then tightened his grip on her arm and said, "What you're saying is superstition, it's all nonsense. Look at the Lou constellation."
Wen Caiting looked over and saw several bright stars forming a ram-shaped cluster near the thick neck of the White Tiger constellation. Yuan Yueze continued... He said, “There’s a story in the West about that constellation. It’s about a king who, disliking his gentle and virtuous queen for growing old, deposed her and married a beautiful young woman. Once the young woman gained power, she began to abuse his ex-wife’s children, seeing them as thorns in his side and determined to get rid of them. The deposed queen, upon learning this, borrowed a pair of golden rams from the gods to save the two siblings from their suffering. But during their escape, the younger sister, terrified by the sound of the waves, accidentally fell into the sea and drowned. Finally…”
He suddenly stiffened before he could finish.
Wen Caiting, who was pondering the meaning of his words, looked at him curiously.
Yuan Yueze stood up, gazing westward at the city, and said, "Elder sister, wait for me here. I must leave for a while."
Wen Caiting dared not ask further, and whispered, "I have a property west of Xiude Lane. You may visit there later, young master."
She turned to leave, but Yuan Yueze grabbed her, saying, "Yes, your headquarters are in Chang'an. It's only natural to have some private property. Elder sister, don't worry. I just sensed Shi Zhixuan's presence and need to go and cause him some trouble."
Wen Caiting never expected Yuan Yueze to explain himself to her. In this era, men didn't need to explain their actions to women. Just as she was about to be moved, Yuan Yueze's next words made her blush crimson, so embarrassed she couldn't lift her head. She shook off his large hand and staggered away.
Yuan Yueze had said, "Elder sister, go back and wash yourself clean, then I'll come and have an affair with you!"
Watching Wen Caiting hurriedly flee, Yuan Yueze thought to himself that his shamelessness was truly unmatched.
The next moment, his face turned icy, and he flew towards Yanping Gate.
As he gazed at the starry sky, he naturally entered a state of absorption, and just then, he sensed two intensely familiar spiritual fluctuations in the west of the city. One was Fu Junzhuo's, and the other was Shi Zhixuan's.
Running a mile west of the city, the scene before him astonished Yuan Yueze: the two had been fighting for an unknown amount of time, and now stood apart. Fu Junzhuo's breathing was erratic, clearly at a disadvantage, while Shi Zhixuan appeared leisurely and composed, calmly observing the changing world.
He lightly leaped to Fu Junzhuo's side, channeling his inner energy to calm her breathing. Before he could even speak, he heard Fu Junzhuo cry out in hatred, "The Grand Preceptor Yun has been killed by Shi Zhixuan!"
Yuan Yueze's body trembled violently, his longsword pointing diagonally to the sky, saying nothing. Shi
Zhixuan looked up along the tip of his sword, his pupils shrinking sharply. The
Pleiades was emitting a dazzling, eerie, and malevolent blue-white light.

URL 1:https://www.sexlove5.com/htmlBlog/10394.html

URL 2:/Blog.aspx?id=10394&aspx=1

Last access time:

Previous Page : [Wuxia] Wandering Freely in the Tang Dynasty (Complete) - 27

Next Page : [Wuxia] Wandering Freely in the Tang Dynasty (Complete) - 29

增加

comment Open a new window to view comments

Contact Information

[Wuxia] Wandering Freely in the Tang Dynasty (Complete) - 28

comment Open a new window to view comments