[Wuxia] The Soul of a Great Hero (Complete) - 12

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[Chapter

Fourteen] The Compassionate Maiden of Nine Yin
Cai Changyi suddenly lost his opponent. A glance revealed a startling realization, and he shouted sharply, "Leave your men here!" He leaped into the dense forest, chasing after her.
"Wei'er" appeared like a shadow, arriving before him and blocking his path. She said crisply, "What are you doing? Trying to leave again?"
Cai Changyi was extremely impatient, stamping his foot and shouting, "Get out of the way! Get out of the way! I need to save someone!" He darted aside, trying to slip past her.
"Wei'er" was faster than him; with a swift movement, she blocked his path again, asking, "Who is that person?"
Hearing his mother's call, Cai Changyi dared not force his way in, and could only say loudly, "No, that's the son of Master Hua, and we're kindred spirits..."
"Wei'er" interjected, "Who is Master Hua?"
Concerned for Hua Yunlong's safety, Cai Changyi said impatiently, "Girls should ask less."
"Wei'er" frowned, saying, "Is brother so fierce? Fine, I won't ask then, who cares?" She put her hands on her hips, pouted her cherry lips, and blocked his way, as if to say, "Even if I don't ask, you won't get through."
Cai Changyi knew his younger sister was mischievous and willful, deeply loved by their mother, and far more skilled in martial arts than himself. Upon seeing her, he felt greatly discouraged and hurriedly said obsequiously, "Good sister, I misspoke. Please, have mercy and let me pass. That's my close friend. He's been captured. If I don't rush to rescue him, I'll be seen as a coward who disregards morality."
"Wei'er's" eyes lit up, and she said, "It has nothing to do with me."
Cai Changyi said urgently, "How can it have nothing to do with you? I'm your own brother!" With a thought, he quickly changed his tune, "Let me tell you, the great hero Hua is named Hua Tianhong, known as 'Emperor's Sword.' He lives in Luoxia Manor in Yunzhong Mountain, Shanxi. He's a great hero who is respected by everyone. My friend is named Hua Yunlong, born on the nineteenth day of the first month of the Renshen year. He's seventeen years old now." "He's the son of the great hero Hua, a man of refined character and a free spirit..."
Cai Changyi, impetuous and anxious, was only concerned with appeasing his sister so he could escape to rescue the man. He spoke without thinking, blurting out not only Hua Yunlong's birth date and time but also his description of Hua Yunlong as "refined character." He meant no harm, but his mother, hearing this, was slightly annoyed. Before he could finish, she sternly interrupted, "What nonsense are you spouting, Yi'er?"
Cai Changyi stared in disbelief, "I'm just telling the truth."
The middle-aged woman said, "A stranger's birth date ..." "How can you talk about birth dates in front of your sister?"
Cai Changyi said, "What relationship? Hua is not an outsider. He and my child..."
The middle-aged woman's face darkened, and she said, "Nonsense! You're so muddled and your words are so vulgar. When will you ever be smart and elegant?"
Cai Changyi was stunned again. He paused for a moment, then suddenly remembered that the Nine Yin Sect members had long since disappeared. He was anxious and didn't bother to think about his mother's implication. He immediately said loudly, "Never mind, I'll learn slowly. Saving people is the priority right now." He swayed and was about to dodge "Wei'er's" obstruction and run towards the dense forest.
"Wei'er" didn't stop him, but his mother shouted, "Stop!"
Cai Changyi stopped in his tracks, utterly helpless, and said with a mournful face, "What are you doing? If I don't go to save them, how will I ever see my other friends again? I can forget about ever making a name for myself in the martial world."
Seeing her son's utterly helpless and mournful state, the middle-aged woman suddenly felt a pang of pity and sighed inwardly, saying, "They've already gone far away, and it's too late to catch up. Come here first, I have something to say."
Cai Changyi thought it made sense. The forest was dense; how could the Nine Yin Sect members know which direction they were heading through the dense forest? He wasn't an unfilial person, and knowing that being anxious was useless, he walked over apprehensively. The middle-aged woman said softly, "Yi'er, do you truly yearn to roam the martial arts world?"
Cai Changyi replied, "Our ancestors were also martial artists."
The middle-aged woman nodded and said, "That's true, but our family has been small for generations, with only Mother remaining. Ever since your great-grandfather left a will forbidding his descendants from venturing into the martial arts world, this has been our family precept for five generations. How can we disobey it in your case?"
Cai Changyi said, "I dare not presume to comment on my ancestors' views, but I believe that as a member of the martial arts world, one should use one's skills to fight injustice, uphold justice, and be a worthy person." "It makes sense."
The middle-aged woman smiled slightly and said, "I don't necessarily understand your thinking, but people in the martial arts world live on the edge of death, their lives are not guaranteed. Feuds can escalate endlessly. Although our family is small, we are fortunate enough to uphold the traditions of the Jinling aristocratic families and not fall into disgrace. This is the legacy of your great-grandfather. What's wrong with us not bothering others?"
Cai Changyi began to speak, but before he could finish, the bright "Wei'er" suddenly interrupted, "Mother, since we've brought this up, I also have something to say."
The middle-aged woman smiled slightly and said, "Go ahead."
"Wei'er" said seriously, "My great-grandfather left this instruction, is it perhaps related to the number of people in our family?"
The middle-aged woman said, "What exactly do you want to say? Why beat around the bush?"
"Wei'er" said shyly, "Alright, then I'll speak frankly. I believe that offspring are related to destiny, and my grandfather's instruction is an overcorrection."
The middle-aged woman was taken aback at first, then smiled and said, "You girl are always obedient to your mother, and deep down you think the same way as your brother."
Cai Changyi interjected, "My thoughts are not wrong..."
Before he could finish speaking, the middle-aged woman's eyes sharpened, her face suddenly turned cold, and she began to speak, as if she was about to reprimand him. Suddenly, a clear and melodious old voice chanted a Buddhist prayer, saying, "Little Yi'er may have a point. Let him continue."
Everyone was startled and hurriedly looked in the direction of the voice. They saw an old monk with a smile on his face standing gracefully in front of the dense forest on the left. The elderly monk was thin and bony, his face wrinkled, dressed in a gray cloth robe and hemp shoes with many loops. He was the one who had followed Hua and Cai down the mountain from Qingliang Mountain. The middle-aged woman stared at him for a while, feeling as if she recognized him, but she couldn't remember where she had seen him before. For a moment, her starry eyes blinked, and she was stunned.
The monk walked slowly over and smiled gently, "Xian'er, don't you recognize me? On Xiao Yi'er's first birthday, I returned..."
Before he could finish speaking, the middle-aged woman suddenly rushed forward, knelt down, and exclaimed joyfully, "So it's you, sir! You've missed Xian'er so much!"
The elderly monk chuckled and said, "Get up, get up. Your children are almost grown up, yet you still act like a child. You'll be laughed at." As he spoke, he raised one arm, and the middle-aged woman felt a gentle force rise from the ground, lifting her body off the ground. She had no choice but to straighten her back and stand up.
Cai Changyi and his sister were both surprised and suspicious, thinking the same thing: "What kind of high monk is this? He seems to be an elder in our family. Mother's martial arts skills are already extraordinary, but this high monk's skill and cultivation are even more astonishing..."
Just then, the middle-aged woman turned around and said, "Come here quickly and greet your great-grandfather." Cai Changyi was startled, his mouth agape, his eyes wide like copper bells, even more stunned.
"Wei'er," who was lively by nature, was stunned for a moment, then rushed over and exclaimed happily, "Oh, it's my father-in-law! How did you become a monk, father-in-law?"
The middle-aged woman scolded lightly, "Look at you, acting crazy, do you have any manners?"
The old monk laughed heartily, "Very good, very good. You are like a phoenix veiling the moon in the clear sky, your heart is like a clear mirror untouched by dust. What's your name, my dear child?" He gently put his right arm around "Wei'er" and held her in his arms, looking extremely happy.
"Wei'er" was overjoyed, stroking his silver beard with both hands, and said with a sweet laugh, "Call me Weiwei, Mother calls me Wei'er."
The old monk said "Oh" and asked, "How old is Wei'er this year?"
Cai Weiwei said, "Sixteen, what? Grandfather doesn't know at all?" She blinked her beautiful eyes, staring at the old monk with great surprise.
But to the old monk, her surprised expression appeared as one of utter childlike innocence, which pleased him even more. He couldn't help but gently pinch her nose, saying cheerfully, "Your father-in-law was traveling around back then, how could he remember so much?"
Cai Weiwei shook her head, shaking off his grip, her delicate brows furrowing, and said, "Oh, why did you travel around?"
The old monk chuckled, "You're a monk, aren't you?"
Cai Weiwei pouted, "What's so good about being a monk? I don't want to be one." The old monk couldn't help but laugh, finally bursting into laughter.
At this moment, Cai Changyi, standing to one side, couldn't help but say, "Wei-mei is being unreasonable, utterly nonsensical."
Cai Weiwei turned her head and glared, saying, "Mind your own business! You're the one talking nonsense."
Cai Changyi smiled slightly and said, "Don't be fierce. I'll find you a husband sooner or later, and once you're married, let's see if you're still fierce then!"
Cai Weiwei became extremely angry, pointing her slender hand and shouting, "I'll find you a husband, I'll marry you off, I'll... I'll find you a shrew!" The more she spoke, the angrier she became, her cheeks puffing out, even her neck turning red, which made everyone laugh even louder.
Amidst the loud laughter, the middle-aged woman said with a smile, "Wei'er, come down, don't keep clinging to your father-in-law."
Cai Weiwei pouted and refused, but the old monk's expression darkened, and he said, "Amitabha! This old monk has taken refuge in Buddhism, but I can't sever my family ties. I guess I'm not single-minded." With that, he gently put Cai Weiwei down on the ground.
The old monk suddenly sighed deeply, and the middle-aged woman immediately trembled, exclaiming in alarm, "Xian'er deserves to die! Xian'er has misspoke!"
The old monk smiled bitterly and said, "Don't worry about it. This old monk has not yet attained enlightenment and cannot be considered a Buddha. As the saying goes, 'No one is above human nature, who can forget emotions?' Especially the affection between blood relatives..."
The middle-aged woman hurriedly interjected, "Buddhist teachings are boundless, but they are still based on human feelings and common sense. Xian'er is raising an orphan alone, feeling utterly helpless. Why don't you return to secular life and allow Xian'er to serve you in your old age?"
The old monk shook his head and said, "Xian'er, our family has few descendants. Nine generations have passed, and only the female line remains. The ancestral line has been continued entirely by women. When this old monk became a monk and took refuge in Buddhism, it was out of a sincere desire for grace. I vainly hoped to accumulate merit through arduous practice to increase my offspring. Now, after years of worshipping Buddha, such a thought is truly a grave mistake. However, one's will should be steadfast. How can one change one's will in old age?" "There's no need for Xian'er to mention returning to secular life again."
The middle-aged woman frowned and said, "Then...then...Xian'er will build a family temple for you, sir..."
Her filial piety was evident in her words, but before she could finish, the old monk laughed heartily and interrupted, "Xian'er, how foolish you are! I didn't come here to have you serve me."
The middle-aged woman tearfully said, "Xian'er is all alone, without anyone to rely on."
The old monk said, "You are too reserved. It's not wrong to strictly follow the ancestral teachings, but you don't consider the realities of life and don't know how to broaden your horizons, so naturally you feel alone and helpless."
The middle-aged woman was taken aback and asked, "What does the old monk mean?"
The old monk said, "He's talking about me. You should make more good friends, go out and travel, and perhaps do something to uphold justice. In this way, life will have meaning, your interest will naturally increase, and the feeling of loneliness and helplessness will not disappear." The middle-aged woman was greatly surprised, staring in astonishment. "
What? You're telling Xian'er to disobey the ancestral precepts?" she asked.
The old monk smiled slightly and said, "The ancestral precepts were given because the entanglements of grudges and resentments in the martial world are endless. Once you're involved, it's hard to extricate yourself. Ultimately, it's about worrying about offspring. But what's the point of a life of only a few decades? Besides, life and death are determined by fate, and the matter of offspring is beyond human control. Upon closer analysis, it's like throwing the baby out with the bathwater."
The middle-aged woman was horrified and stammered, "This...this..." She couldn't continue. The ancestral precepts were like golden rules; in those days, it was said, "If the ruler wants the subject to die, he must die; if the father wants the son to die, he must die." Disobeying them was considered treason. The monk was not only a monk but also Xian'er's maternal grandfather. It's no wonder the middle-aged woman was horrified and speechless when he made such a statement.
Cai Changyi cheerfully chimed in, "Hey, that makes sense. Life and death are predestined, so what's the point of life? We're all martial arts practitioners; if we don't make a name for ourselves in the martial world and uphold justice for all, aren't we just like grass and trees..."
Before he could finish, the middle-aged woman calmly and gently scolded, "No manners! How dare you interrupt an adult!"
The old monk said, "Don't scold him. Young people should have an entrepreneurial spirit."
The middle-aged woman frowned and asked, "Does the old man really think that way?"
The old monk calmly replied, "After much contemplation, I believe that since Buddha has the will to guide people through tribulations and rebirth, he also desires peace and tranquility for all beings. If our lay descendants can strive for this, then..." "If my thoughts are wrong, even if I fall into hell, I will do it willingly."
Cai Weiwei suddenly exclaimed, "No, eliminating evil is doing good. Father-in-law is a Buddhist monk, and his heart is with all living beings..."
The middle-aged woman interrupted again, "Wei'er, don't say too much."
The old monk asked with a smile, "Xian'er, do you think it's inappropriate?"
The middle-aged woman bowed her head in alarm and said, "Xian'er dares not, Xian'er feels that the ancestral teachings..."
The old monk chuckled and interjected, "You are too attached. Little Wei'er is blessed with many children and grandchildren, and little Yi'er is exceptionally gifted and is not destined to die young. I assure you that there is no worry about offspring. Why do you need to worry about the ancestral teachings?"
This middle-aged woman's name was Xuan Wenxian. Shu Zhongjian's father was Xuan Zhongxiang, and his mother was Shu Mingyuan. The elderly monk was Shu Mingyuan's father, whose secular name was Shu Zhongjian. After becoming a monk, he took the Dharma name "Yuanqing." His wife, Qi Wanjun, was descended from the Gao Hua family, a prominent family in Jinling three hundred years ago. Gao Hua's only daughter was named Gao Jie, also known as Wen'er. She married Yun Zhen, the successor of Zhang Zhuhun of the Big Dipper Sword and a martial arts master. Yun Zhen had two wives and a son and a daughter. The second son died young, and the eldest daughter was born to Gao Jie. After that, the family line continued for generations without any male heirs. Seven generations later, Shu Zhongjian's father-in-law, Qi Tangdi, lost his only son while mediating a dispute. After much grief, Qi Tangdi established a strict rule that his descendants should not be involved in the martial arts world. Shu Zhongjian then left home and became a monk. The middle-aged woman's husband, Cai Yuanhao, died of illness fifteen years ago. The woman herself was gentle and obedient, adhering strictly to her ancestors' teachings.
Master Yuanqing continued, "In recent decades, the martial world appears calm on the surface, but beneath lies a turbulent undercurrent, with a fierce atmosphere of vying for supremacy. From my observations, only the Hua family of Yunzhong Mountain remains righteous and unwavering in their principles. Righteousness is paramount; they will not hesitate to act against all odds. The current rise of powerful figures is precisely aimed at the Hua family. Our ancestors upheld justice; combining our strength with the Hua family would be a wise choice."
Upon hearing Master Yuanqing's agreement, Cai Changyi beamed with delight, saying, "Yes! Young Master Hua Yunlong is a close friend of mine. Leaving aside his charisma, he is a magnanimous and righteous man, with a forthright nature. Our Jin..." "None of the Five Young Masters of Ling can compare to him..."
Before he could finish speaking, Cai Weiwei interrupted, "That Young Master Hua, is he the one who was just kidnapped?"
Cai Changyi said irritably, "It's all your fault! If you hadn't interrupted, how could Young Master Hua have been kidnapped?"
Cai Weiwei raised an eyebrow and said, "How can you blame me? Who can you blame for his poor martial arts skills?"
Cai Changyi glared at her and said, "His martial arts skills are poor? Hmph, don't think you're so great. Three Cai Weiweis might not be as good as one Hua Yunlong."
Cai Weiwei wrinkled her nose and pouted, "Hmph, so what? In the end, he was still kidnapped."
Cai Changyi was furious. He said, "You...you...it's all your fault for distracting people. What is the Nine Yin Sect Master?
What can she do if she wants to..." Cai Weiwei interrupted, "Being distracted in the face of an enemy is a major taboo in martial arts. Even if he has unparalleled martial arts skills, what use is it?"
Cai Changyi was indignant and about to refute him when his mother, Xuan Wenxian, feeling irritated and unable to vent her resentment, gently scolded, "Stop arguing! Others' martial arts skills are none of our business."
Master Yuanqing smiled and interjected, "Xian'er is mistaken. Hua Yunlong is indeed a brilliant talent. Not only is he handsome and magnanimous, but he is also kind-hearted, courageous, and incredibly intelligent. His ability to adapt to changing circumstances is unparalleled. In the future, he will be the only one capable of shouldering the responsibility of sweeping away evil influences and purifying the martial world." As he spoke, his gaze intentionally or unintentionally drifted towards "Wei'er."
Cai Weiwei's eyes lit up, and she said, "If Father-in-law says so, isn't he a perfect person?"
Master Yuanqing nodded and said, "Minor flaws are not enough to affect his leadership qualities. If fate allows, I hope you will get closer to him in the future."
Cai Weiwei pouted and said, "I don't care. If I have the chance in the future, Wei'er will challenge him."
Master Yuanqing smiled slightly and turned to Xuan Wenxian, saying, "What do you think, Xian'er? I think Xiao Yi'er is very insightful. You should go out and explore. Staying at home is not good for your health."
Xuan Wenxian hesitated for a moment and said, "Xian'er is confused and has no clear direction..."
Master Yuanqing laughed heartily and said, "Then let's do it this way. I will take Yi'er with me to rescue Hua Yunlong first. You take Wei'er with you." After this discussion, Xuan Wenxian agreed, and the four of them parted ways and left the top of Zhongshan Mountain.
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Meanwhile, the Nine Yin Sect Leader, having successfully launched a sneak attack, led Hua Yunlong across the forest and hastily led his followers westward to the banks of the Yangtze River. On the riverbank stood a secluded manor, its grandeur and imposing presence seemingly newly built, undoubtedly the location of the Nine Yin Sect Leader's Jinling branch. The group arrived at the riverbank and entered the manor.
Hua Yunlong, his acupoints sealed, was unconscious and unaware of what had just happened. Upon waking, he looked around and realized he was in a magnificent, open hall. The hall was brightly lit with tasseled palace lanterns, resplendent in gold. The Nine Yin Sect Leader, a smile on her face, sat high on a brocade tiger-skin high-backed chair. The stunningly beautiful Netherworld Palace Master stood behind her, with the other Palace Masters and Hall Masters on either side, creating an atmosphere of utmost solemnity.
Hua Yunlong secretly channeled his inner energy, silently observing that the calamity had been resolved, and he felt no discomfort. He calmed himself and began to devise a plan. Suddenly, he heard the Nine Yin Sect Leader speak softly, "Young hero Hua, I just launched a sneak attack and succeeded by chance. You don't blame me for my despicable methods
, do you?" Hua Yunlong raised an eyebrow and said, "You also know that sneak attacks are despicable?"
Mei Suruo suddenly snorted coldly and said, "When two people are at odds, they should use their wits and strength to the best of their ability. If you are not convinced, you can fight me again." "A battle."
Upon hearing this, Hua Yunlong's anger surged, but upon meeting Mei Suru's cold and beautiful eyes, his arrogance instantly dissipated. He secretly thought, "A true man can bend and stretch. To act rashly out of bravado will only bring humiliation upon myself. I must devise another plan to escape." He was a man who did not concern himself with trivial matters, but in times of adversity, his mind became particularly calm. He had previously displayed an unyielding spirit, but now that he had been captured, his thoughts had changed drastically. The saying "a wise man submits to circumstances" certainly applied to Hua Yunlong.
In fact, there was another extremely subtle factor: Mei Suru's beauty had already been deeply imprinted in his heart. He was a womanizer by nature, and faced with such a beautiful woman, even though his anger was soaring, he couldn't vent it for the time being. When he thought of "not acting rashly out of bravado," his starry eyes fixed intently on Mei Suru, without blinking for a moment.
His gaze evoked one of two feelings in others: one was a calm indifference, as if his heart were as still as water, unmoved by the solemn atmosphere; the other was a burning anger, deeply resentful of Mei Suruo's words, but unable to lash out due to his capture. However, his gleaming gaze, seen through Mei Suruo's eyes, conveyed a completely different impression.
Mei Suruo was as cold as ice, while Hua Yunlong's gaze was like a raging fire. Both stared intently at each other, and after a while, Mei Suruo felt a jolt in her heart, her chest pounding like a deer's. A subtle feeling washed over her, and inexplicably, her face flushed red. She then gave a cold snort before turning away. The reason for her blushing and cold snort was something even she herself couldn't understand, let alone outsiders.
The Nine Yin Sect Leader smiled sinisterly and said, "Young Master Hua, in terms of seniority, it is indeed beneath my dignity to ambush you and subdue your acupoints. However, I have my own compelling reasons. Consider that your mother and I are extremely close. While I am indeed seeking a place in the martial world after my return to the martial arts world, with your mother around, how could I possibly be an enemy of your Hua family?"
Hua Yunlong was exceptionally intelligent. The Nine Yin Sect Leader's words were contradictory and his expression ambiguous, clearly indicating ulterior motives. How could he possibly hide it from him? He turned his gaze and stared intently at the Nine Yin Sect Leader, saying, "Hmph, a treacherous mouth and a dagger in the heart, you truly deserve
the title of Sect Leader." The Nine Yin Sect Leader was not offended and said, "You may not believe it, but I was involved in the murder of Master Sima and his wife, the leader of the Xuanming Sect was involved, and Gu Luanyin was involved. It is unfair that you hold a grudge against me alone."
Hua Yunlong was secretly shocked, thinking, "Her frank recounting the details of the bloodbath means she's determined to kill me." Though inwardly shocked, he remained outwardly calm, his gaze sweeping across the room before he coldly said, "Hua Yunlong is now a prisoner. Whether you kill or torture me is entirely up to the sect leader. What's the use of your words?" The
Nine Yin Sect Leader smiled slightly and said, "I only want you to believe that I have no ill intentions towards you, young hero Hua."
Hua Yunlong said, "Hua Yunlong is not a three-year-old child. Sweet words have no effect on me. Speak frankly. If I can answer, I will; if I cannot, even if the cauldron is placed on my back, I will not utter a single word."
Suddenly, the short, introverted Hall Master Shen Shengsan chuckled sinisterly and said, "To be honest, we have nothing to ask you. I am in charge of the sect's introduction hall. If you are willing to submit to the sect, I will put in a good word for you before the sect leader and be responsible for your introduction." "
Generally speaking, the rules of each sect in the martial arts world are extremely strict. With the sect leader present, how can subordinates have any room to interrupt? But this hall master surnamed Shen not only spoke rashly, but also seemed to be acting on his own initiative, and the Nine Yin Sect Leader showed no displeasure. That's quite intriguing." Hua Yunlong, quick-witted and clever, pondered for a moment and then laughed heartily, saying, "That's good. By joining the Nine Yin Sect, I can not only make a name for myself, but also spend every day with Miss Mei. Haha, with a beauty in my arms, my future is limitless. I'm quite fortunate and can definitely make a name for myself."
Mei Suruo's face turned red, and she sternly rebuked, "What nonsense are you talking about?"
The Nine Yin Sect Leader said, "If young hero Hua is truly willing to assist me, I will betroth Ruo'er to you, which is not impossible." "
Mei Suruo hurriedly interjected, "Master, this Hua fellow is so frivolous and despicable, Ruo'er... Ruo'er..."
The Nine Yin Sect Leader waved his hand and said, "I have my own plans, don't interrupt."
Hua Yunlong's face suddenly darkened, and he solemnly replied, "Your plans are nothing more than finding out the whereabouts and intentions of my elders, or detaining me as a hostage. Hmph, the same old trick from thirty years ago, but it's useless against me."
The Nine Yin Sect Leader was secretly surprised, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Is it really useless against you?"
Hua Yunlong's lips curled up, and he sneered, "I am not bewitched by beauty, nor intimidated by power. No matter how many tricks you have, or how many tortures you use, you can't make me obey your will."
Mei Suruo was really angry with him and coldly replied, "You just said you'd rather be killed than captured, but now you're a prisoner, why don't you try to kill yourself?"
Hua Yunlong's starry eyes shifted, and he asked, "Do I have a grudge against Miss Mei?" His
gaze was as bright as the morning stars, with a half-smile. When Mei Suruo's eyes met his, her heart pounded again. She was stunned for a moment before coldly replying, "Yes, a grudge, a grudge as deep as the sea. What do you mean?"
Hua Yunlong smiled ambiguously and said, "Even if Miss Mei has a grudge against me, your provocation is useless. I am different from others; do you know what I'm thinking right now?" As he spoke, he tilted his head, like a child feigning mystery.
Mei Suruo was so angry that her teeth itched, wishing she could bite him to be satisfied. She grinned her teeth and said fiercely, "I don't care what you're thinking; I only know you deserve to die."
Hua Yunlong laughed loudly and said, "How can I die? If I die, wouldn't you..." He originally wanted to say, "Wouldn't you have to live as a widow at the gate?" This was originally a natural progression following the Nine Yin Sect Master's statement that "he would betroth Ruo'er to you," which would have been logical. But as the words reached his lips, he suddenly felt that it was too frivolous and might hurt Mei Suruo's feelings too much, so he abruptly stopped and swallowed the words.
Although Hua Yunlong was known for his charm and charisma, Mei Suruo's beauty and noble bearing were unparalleled in his life. While Mei Suruo was cold and aloof, and they were adversaries, Hua Yunlong, given his character, would never truly hurt her. And Mei Suruo was no different.
The saying "a beautiful woman is self-assured" encompasses the people she associates with, much like a millionaire refusing to associate with a beggar. A true beauty, while self-assured in her own beauty, also desires those she associates with to be as stunning as herself, especially with men. A man of exceptional talent and refined manners, surpassing all others in both appearance and demeanor, is a true handsome man. For Mei Suruo, being a beautiful woman, to say she would be unmoved by such an incomparably handsome man would be a lie.
She was captivated, and incredibly excited. However, her unruly upbringing had instilled in her a hatred for handsome men, and Hua Yunlong's unconventional and unrestrained nature was precisely the type she harbored the deepest resentment towards. On the surface, Hua Yunlong appeared indifferent to her beauty, which fueled her repeated threats to kill him, suggesting a deep-seated hatred. Upon closer analysis, this tendency stemmed from a secret admiration, though she herself was unaware of it.
At this moment, Mei Suruo's eyes flashed with cold light, as if she was about to strike. Hua Yunlong abruptly stopped mid-sentence, which surprised her. She paused slightly, then said sternly, "Go on, why did you stop?"
Hua Yunlong replied, "Fine, I won't."
Mei Suruo, in a fit of pique, shouted, "I insist you speak! If you don't, I'll cut out your tongue!"
Hua Yunlong shrugged and said, "Alright, I'll speak. I'm thinking about how to escape, do you believe me?" Upon hearing this, Mei Suruo stared in disbelief, while the others couldn't help but burst into laughter. No wonder they laughed. Captured and surrounded by powerful enemies, to utter such spineless words, and even ask if people believed him—how utterly pathetic!
Mei Suruo thought to herself, "What kind of person is this? He seems so spirited and naturally proud, yet so naive, saying such things. Could it be… could it be that he's so confident he can actually escape?"
At this moment, Hua Yunlong sat opposite her, smiling broadly, looking around calmly, as if among friends, serene and unassuming—truly unfathomable. It should be known that Mei Suruo's coldness was extraordinary; those who, through upbringing, become ruthless often possess stronger feelings of love and hate than the average person. At this time, she was unaware of her love for Hua Yunlong, and therefore only felt that Hua Yunlong was hateful and despicable in every way. If he were to escape, it would be an unbearable humiliation in her mind. It was no wonder that she thought this way now.
The short-statured Hall Master Shen Shengsan was undoubtedly a treacherous and cunning person. He laughed loudly while keeping a close eye on Hua Yunlong's movements. Amid the laughter of the crowd, he suddenly said coldly, "Reporting to the Sect Master, this Hua Yunlong is a slippery fellow, lacking the gentlemanly demeanor of Hua Tianhong. In my opinion, we don't need to waste our efforts." As soon as he said this, the laughter stopped, and everyone's eyes turned to Hua Yunlong. Hua Yunlong smiled as before, but he was as calm as a rock, his appearance very composed.
Fan Tong, the head of the preaching hall, chimed in, "I think so too. If we kill the young one, why worry about the old one hiding in fear? Since we want to dominate the martial arts world, we are irreconcilably opposed to Hua Tianhong. Why not kill this brat and have a good, decisive battle?"
This man was ambitious and clearly didn't believe in Hua Tianhong's strength, so he acted recklessly and became extremely arrogant. Hua Yunlong couldn't stand his arrogance and laughed loudly, "Go ahead and do it! I'm like meat on a chopping block right now, why don't you do it?"
Li Jiu, the head of the punishment section, replied in a sinister voice, "We'll have to do it sooner or later. As long as the leader gives the order, I'll let you taste the 'burning incense on your finger' torture first." "
This Master of the Criminal Law Hall, Li Jiuyi, is balding on the top of his head, tall, with more white than black in his eyes, the whites of his eyes bloodshot. He is undoubtedly a vicious and cruel tyrant," Hua Yunlong thought to himself. "This man is a butcher, who made his fortune by killing people. My grandfather's servant, Dai Yu, looks just like him. Such a person is vicious and cannot be tolerated. If I make a move, I will take his life first."
Ge Tiandu, the most senior of the Masters of the Justice Hall, who also understood the Nine Yin Sect Master's thoughts best, suddenly stepped forward and bowed to the Nine Yin Sect Master, saying, "The Sect Master cherishes old friends and has shown great favor to Hua Yunlong. However, Hua Yunlong is ungrateful, considering himself chivalrous and showing no respect to the Sect Master. This man is cunning and eccentric. Trying to win his gratitude through old friendship will likely be difficult." "
These people chattered amongst themselves, their words varied, their tone inconsistent, but the Nine Yin Sect Leader remained silent, clearly disagreeing with all their opinions. Only the Hall Master of the Management Department, Ge Tiandu, spoke a few words, which made him slowly nod. She nodded, but still didn't speak, merely pondering. It should be known that the Nine Yin Sect Leader was wise and profound, extremely stubborn, and an exceptionally cunning and ruthless person. Years ago, she had a strong liking for Bai Junyi and wholeheartedly wanted to take him as her disciple. Although this didn't go as planned, Bai Junyi's image had never been erased from her heart. Moreover, she had another delusion back then..." That would mean that if she accepted Bai Junyi, Hua Tianhong might join the Nine Yin Sect, and in that case, the martial arts hegemony would be within her grasp.
That was in the past. Now, many years later, her ambition for dominance remains undiminished. This time, she has undoubtedly come out of seclusion with special reliance. Unexpectedly, upon entering the martial arts world, she first encountered Bai Junyi's son, Hua Yunlong, who resembled his parents. Therefore, she used a conciliatory approach, trying her best to show the demeanor of an elder, hoping to win over Hua Yunlong with her one-sided "affection" and establish a relationship with Hua Tianhong's family in order to achieve her long-cherished wish of dominating the martial arts world. In essence, her intentions can be described as "using the same old tricks."
Strictly speaking, the Nine Yin Sect Leader harbored deep resentment. When Hua Tianhong rose to prominence in the martial arts world, leading the pack and hindering her ambitions for dominance, she naturally couldn't forget it. For example, her plot to murder Sima Changqing and his wife Ke Yifen shaped Mei Suruo's ruthless personality; these actions were all directed at Hua Tianhong. However, she was also a person who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals. Unable to outwardly express her fear of Hua Tianhong, and lacking absolute certainty of defeating him, she resorted to appeasement to cultivate a relationship—a common tactic of expediency.
Little did she know that Hua Yunlong, seemingly easygoing and indifferent, was actually a very opinionated person. Coupled with his exceptional intelligence and unconventional nature, he often changed his tune depending on the situation, making his true intentions unpredictable and leaving people uncertain of his true course of action. This greatly troubled the Nine Yin Sect Leader, who had even considered killing him. She had once erupted in anger atop Zhongshan Mountain because of this, but her stubborn nature prevented her from changing her mind. Now that Ge Tiandu had pointed it out subtly, without damaging her dignity, she hesitated for a moment before focusing her gaze and asking, "What is your opinion?"
Ge Tiandu bowed and said, "In my opinion, it would be better to place him under house arrest. We can then release the news to gauge his parents' reaction, and simultaneously notify the Xuanming Sect Leader, requesting a meeting to discuss a plan to deal with Hua Tianhong. After all, we've already realized that a battle with Hua Tianhong and his group is inevitable sooner or later. We should use Hua Yunlong if he's useful, and discard him if he's not." By "useful," he meant he could be used as a hostage.
Before the Nine Yin Sect Leader could respond, Hua Yunlong laughed heartily, "Excellent idea, excellent idea! It's comprehensive and straightforward, saving me the trouble of running around." He stood up and headed towards the back of the hall.
Mei Suruo subtly blocked his path, shouting sharply, "What?"
Hua Yunlong raised an eyebrow and said, "Going to rest, aren't you going to place me under house arrest?"
Mei Suruo snorted coldly and said, "You think it's easy to think about? Do you think being under house arrest is pleasant?"
Hua Yunlong shrugged and laughed, "House arrest, as the name suggests, doesn't mean handcuffs, shackles, or torture devices, does it?"
His shrug and laugh were originally a playful gesture, but because of his handsome appearance, even this playful gesture had a unique charm. When Mei Suruo saw it, her heart felt as if it had been punched by him. The more she looked, the more uncomfortable she felt. She couldn't help but snort coldly. With a cold snort, she suddenly turned her delicate body and said to the Nine Yin Sect Leader, "Master, have you made a decision?"
The Nine Yin Sect Leader sensed her extreme anger and asked in surprise, "Decided what?"
Mei Suruo said, "Imprison this Hua fellow."
The Nine Yin Sect Leader suddenly realized, "Oh...what? You have a problem with that?"
Mei Suruo said, "No, but if Master has already decided, please hand over the Hua fellow to Ruo'er."
Hua Yunlong suddenly laughed strangely, "Good, with a woman by my side, I'm having a lucky streak."
The Nine Yin Sect Leader smiled coldly, staring at his disciple, and said... “Why should I entrust this to you? This man is extremely strange.”
Mei Suru said, “I’m not afraid of his strangeness; I want to teach him a lesson.”
The Nine Yin Sect Leader thought for a moment and said, “Alright, let him suffer a bit. But be careful not to cripple him; I have other uses for him.”
Mei Suru responded with a “Yes,” turned around, and coldly said, “Let’s go.”
Hua Yunlong didn’t care at all, and playfully gestured again, smiling, “Please, Miss, please lead the way.” Mei Suru coldly snorted, said nothing, turned around, and walked towards the screen door at the back of the hall. Hua Yunlong then bowed to the Nine Yin Sect Leader Hong Yi and said, “If my parents have any news, please inform me. Excuse me.” He strode off and calmly followed Mei Suru away.
Seeing Hua Yunlong's calm and fearless demeanor, Li Jiuyi, the head of the Criminal Affairs Hall, and his group grinned maliciously. The Nine Yin Sect Master, however, frowned, secretly thinking, "What kind of personality does this kid have? Is he truly unafraid of torture and death? Or is he just overconfident…?" His thoughts grew increasingly agitated, and he shouted, "Disperse! Proceed according to the pre-arranged plan. Hall Master Ge will send someone to inform the Xuanming Sect Master…" Before he finished speaking, he had already led the way and retreated.
Meanwhile
, Mei Suruo silently led the way, with Hua Yunlong following closely behind. One was cold and aloof, the other smiling brightly. The smiling face was like a gentle breeze, while the cold and aloof one was chilling. However, despite their different expressions, their handsome and elegant appearances were equally striking, like a golden boy and jade girl descended to earth.
After walking through the corridors and passing a row of houses, they arrived at a secluded courtyard surrounded by bamboo groves. This was Mei Suru's residence, located in the southeast corner of the courtyard. The courtyard nestled against the foothills of Zhongshan Mountain, with a deep, man-made stream running in front of it. The scenery within was elegant and the atmosphere extremely tranquil. Upon entering the courtyard, a young maidservant with her hair in a short, emerald-green jacket greeted them.
Mei Suru coldly said, "Prepare ropes and bring them to the main hall." Without pausing, she headed straight for a small, exquisite tiled house.
Hua Yunlong followed closely behind, smiling broadly, and even made a face at the young maidservant as he passed her. The maidservant, however, froze, staring with her beautiful eyes, momentarily forgetting to move. Mei Suru suddenly turned around and sternly rebuked, "What are you daydreaming about? Didn't you hear what I said?"
The young maidservant was startled and replied crisply, "Yes, I heard you!" She then took off running as if by lightning.
Upon entering the refined residence, Mei Suruo angrily sat down on a high-backed brocade chair in the center, while Hua Yunlong, relaxed, surveyed the surroundings. It was a small but imposing building with three bright rooms and two dark ones. In the center was a flower hall, flanked by Mei Suruo's boudoir, study, and meditation room. The young maid's bedroom was behind the meditation room; the furniture, gleaming with lacquer, was made of the finest wood, exquisitely crafted. The walls and the central hall were adorned with calligraphy and paintings by renowned artists. The room was spotless, revealing Mei Suruo's extreme love of cleanliness.
It was already dusk when the lamps were lit. A moment later, the young maid entered, carrying a tea tray in one hand and a bundle of hemp rope in the other. Upon seeing this, Mei Suru's almond-shaped eyes widened instantly, and she snapped, "Who told you to prepare tea?"
The young maid, thinking herself clever, replied, "There are guests, so I'll light the lamp." She placed the tea on the table, laid the hemp rope on the ground, and was about to turn around to fetch fire.
Mei Suru scolded her sharply, "Nonsense! Who's the guest?" The young maid stared in astonishment, looking at Mei Suru, then at Hua Yunlong, completely bewildered. This maid, about twelve or thirteen years old, was an extremely beautiful child with a round face, large eyes, and an innocent, childlike demeanor. Usually very clever and much loved by Mei Suru, she had suddenly become slow-witted.
Hua Yunlong suddenly laughed, "Miss, you're being petty. Even if I'm not a guest, what's a cup of tea? Why take your anger out on such a child?"
Mei Suru glanced at him coldly and said to the maid, "Ping'er, what's wrong?... Go and call Xiao Juan and Xiao Mei, they can light the lamps later."
Ping'er, undoubtedly still naive, relying on her usual favor, frowned and said, "Why bother calling them? What can Ping'er do
?" Mei Suru's face darkened, "Just go when I call you, what's with all the fuss? Tie him up, can you handle it?"
Ping'er was startled again, thinking to herself, "What? Tie him up? He... he... offended Miss?"
Hua Yunlong laughed heartily, "Can a mere rope bind me?"
Mei Su Ruo Mo said indifferently, "You'll know when you get back."
Hua Yunlong said, "Even if the rope can bind me, if I refuse to surrender, even if you do it yourself, it might not work."
Mei Suru snorted coldly and said, "Unless you're not a hero, Xiao Juan and Xiao Mei are a year older than Ping'er, you can give it a try."
Hua Yunlong was taken aback and thought to himself, "That's difficult. How can I fight them? But... but... I can't just surrender either." After thinking for a moment, he looked at her with a smile and said, "I really don't understand, why do you insist on binding me? That's too much trouble."
Mei Suru said coldly, "I might as well tell you, I'm going to hang you up."
Hua Yunlong said, "What if I'm hung up? Is that what you call 'suffering'?"
Mei Suru said, "If that's suffering, you're getting off easy. I'll hang you upside down for three days and three nights, without food or water. " "
Three days without food might be bearable for a martial artist, but three days without water is unbearable for anyone, let alone being 'suspended upside down' for three days and nights. How could one endure the feeling of one's internal organs being turned upside down and one's blood and qi flowing in reverse? She said this kind of slow torture wasn't even considered bitter." Hua Yunlong was secretly startled and subconsciously looked towards a huge elm tree outside the door.
Seeing his surprised expression, Mei Suruo felt a surge of pleasure. She pursed her lips and continued, "You seem to care about nothing, probably quite arrogant. Well then, try being hung upside down." She paused, then looked at Ping'er and said, "Come on, what are you daydreaming about?"
Hua Yunlong smiled bitterly and said, "Miss Mei, I never thought you were this kind of person. I, Hua Yunlong, have no grudge against you. Even if there were, it was a matter of the previous generation. You actually tried to deal with me. This... this is truly unbelievable."
Mei Suruo coldly sneered, "What? You have something to fear?"
Hua Yunlong shook his head and said, "Miss, you're mistaken. I, Hua Yunlong, know nothing of fear. As the saying goes, 'No great calamity is too great to fear.' What's three days of hunger or three days of hanging? It's just... it's just... sigh, never mind."
He bent down, picked up the bundle of ropes on the ground, weighed it in his hand, and suddenly looked at Ping'er and said, "Little Ping'er, please come here for a moment." Ping'er
was taken aback and asked, "What are you doing?"
Hua Yunlong smiled calmly and said, "Calling for help is too much trouble, and your young lady disdains to do it herself. Why
don't you come and tie him up?" Upon hearing this, Ping'er was even more stunned, while Mei Suruo's eyes gleamed with surprise, equally taken aback. In Mei Suruo's mind, Hua Yunlong had already been tricked by her words, and even further ridicule wouldn't prevent him from resisting. She had been eager to see Hua Yunlong's pathetic state when he was being mocked, caught in a dilemma. Unexpectedly, Hua Yunlong suddenly changed, becoming unusually docile. Not only did he stop midway through his conversation with a sigh, but instead of calling for help, he ordered the twelve or thirteen-year-old Ping'er to tie him up. This transformation was something she had never anticipated.
She stared at Hua Yunlong blankly for a while, finding him calm and composed, as if he spoke sincerely and without any ulterior motives. But she couldn't believe it. In her bewilderment, she blurted out, "Hmph, are you trying to plot against Ping'er?"
Hua Yunlong chuckled and said, "Miss, you're too suspicious. No descendant of the Hua family goes back on their word. You praise me as a hero. If I, Hua Yunlong, didn't know my place, wouldn't I disappoint you?"
As he spoke, his expression was natural and dignified, without any hint of sarcasm or playfulness. Upon hearing this, Mei Suruo felt a sudden jolt in her heart and snapped, "Nonsense! Who's disappointed..." Suddenly realizing that she was making things worse, a blush rose to her cheeks, and she abruptly stopped speaking.
Hua Yunlong paused for a moment, then bowed and said, "Please don't take offense, young lady. What I meant was that I'm willing to be a hero and wouldn't stoop to such despicable acts as plotting against Ping'er. Please tell Ping'er to come and tie her up, but..."
Upon hearing this, Mei Suruo's face turned even redder. She paused, then suddenly said in a deep voice, "No, 'but' what? Continue."
Hua Yunlong said, "It's useless to talk about it, so let's not talk about it."
Still refusing to speak, Mei Suruo was greatly annoyed and shouted sternly, "I want you to speak, or I'll hang you for seven days and seven nights!" Hua
Yunlong sat up straight, solemnly looked at Mei Suruo for a while, and then said, "If you really want to know, I have no choice but to speak frankly."
Ping'er suddenly exclaimed, "Don't talk nonsense! If you do, Miss will be angry."
Hua Yunlong smiled at her as a thank you, then turned around and said seriously, "Your beauty is beyond compare, like a fairy from the Jade Pool. I have seen many beautiful women, but compared to you, there is no difference..."
Before he could finish speaking, Mei Suruo scolded him angrily, "Beauty or not is none of your business. I don't listen to flattery."
Hua Yunlong solemnly replied, "This is not flattery, but a heartfelt statement. To be honest, I felt attracted to you when I saw you, but I never expected you..."
Mei Suruo shouted angrily, "What nonsense are you talking about?"
Ping'er blurted out, "No... " "That's nonsense! Miss is indeed very beautiful. Anyone who sees her..."
Mei Suruo suddenly stood up and shouted, "Are you speaking up for him?"
Ping'er was startled and said, "Ping'er is not helping him. Ping'er is telling the truth."
Hua Yunlong stood up and interjected, "Ping'er is your maid. How can she help me? It's true that Miss is beautiful, but her personality is a bit too aloof. Take her treatment of me, for example..."
Mei Suruo's eyes flashed, cold as lightning. She herself couldn't tell whether she was angry or annoyed. Before Hua Yunlong could finish speaking, she interrupted again, "How did he treat you? Don't think that just because you're handsome, Miss should treat you well. Ping'er, tie him up."
Her voice was firm and decisive, leaving no room for negotiation. Hua Yunlong shook his head and said, "Since that's the case, why must I say it? Ping'er, please do as your Miss wishes and tie him up tightly." As he spoke, he went to Ping'er's side and handed her the rope.
Ping'er took the rope indifferently but did not move it. Mei Suruo shouted sternly, "Do it! What are you waiting for?"
Ping'er had no choice but to walk behind Hua Yunlong and tie his wrists first. She was short, so Hua Yunlong squatted down and let her tie his arms. With his arms tied, Hua Yunlong's upper body was no longer free. But after only one loop, Mei Suruo was not satisfied and scolded in a deep voice, "You don't even know how to tie someone up? Don't tie the arms, just tie the ankles." Hua
Yunlong said, "Miss, you'd better seal my acupoints, otherwise I will break the ropes when I can't bear it."
Mei Suruo said, "You think you're so smug? Do you want to be completely unaware and not feel the pain? Hmph, that elm tree is nine zhang tall, you've seen it. If you're not afraid of falling to your death, go ahead and break it." Hua Yunlong sighed inwardly, closed his eyes, and said no more.
After a while, the hall was lit, and Hua Yunlong was hanging upside down on a thin branch at the top of the elm tree. At this moment, Mei Suruo sat in the center of the hall, flanked by two maid-like girls. Ping'er stood before her, pouting as if displeased, but Mei Suruo ignored her, her gaze vacant, as if pondering something, or perhaps thinking of nothing at all, coldly silent.
After a while, the younger maid on the right, impatient with the silence, timidly said, "Miss, we're hungry."
The older maid on the left softly replied, "Don't be noisy, Xiao Mei. Miss has been through so much for three days, she must be tired."
Xiao Mei said, "Even if she's tired, she still needs to eat. She's already been hoisted up, what's the point of staying here?"
Ping'er chimed in, "Who knows? Miss herself insisted on being tied up and hoisted up. After she was hoisted up, she's been like this, silent and motionless. She won't even respond when we invite her to eat."
Mei Suruo heard this, her gaze... Turning her head, she glanced at the three maids and said indifferently, "Don't bother me. You can all leave. I'll keep an eye on that Hua fellow here."
Ping'er pouted and said, "What's there to watch?"
Mei Suruo said irritably, "You're so nagging. I'm monitoring him. Who said I was watching him? Go away now."
The eldest maid was Xiao Juan, who was more sensible. Seeing Mei Suruo's displeasure, she quickly waved her hand and said, "Let's go. Miss is upset. Let's go eat." She turned around, bowed, and led Xiao Mei and Ping'er out of the hall in a hurry. After
they disappeared, Ping'er's voice came from outside the door, whispering, "What's wrong? Miss seems to have changed..." Had she really changed? Perhaps only Mei Suruo herself knew.
※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※
Meanwhile, Hua Yunlong was hanging from the tree, and that was truly unbearable. His hands and feet were bound, and he was suspended headfirst from a tree branch. A gentle breeze caused the branch to sway precariously, threatening to break at any moment. He had said, "Nothing is more dangerous than death," so he didn't dwell on this mental threat. What was truly deadly was the rush of blood to his head, his internal organs crowding towards his throat, as if trying to burst out of his mouth and nose, making him dizzy and nauseous.
However, he couldn't vomit; vomiting would only make things worse, until he vomited up all the water in his stomach, then blood, until he finally died! Therefore, he tried his best to endure it, trying his best to eliminate all distracting thoughts. He even tried to banish the physical pain from his mind. But this was not easy. The pain was so intense that even superficial pain was difficult to bear, let alone this pain originating from within, spreading throughout his entire body, leaving almost no part of him feeling any relief.
The sun slowly slanted westward, and the pale moonlight shone through the gaps in the branches and leaves onto Hua Yunlong, like a thousand sharp arrows piercing his heart, becoming increasingly unbearable. His face turned pale, his scalp tingled, and his clothes were soaked with dew and sweat. His breathing was like that of a water buffalo that had just finished plowing. Only three hours had passed! How could he endure the remaining thirty-three hours?
Gradually, his breathing subsided, and the sweat stopped, but his face changed from pale to purple, then to white, until it was completely bloodless. Finally, he lost consciousness. Mei Suruo had already left, and the exquisite house was dark, but the setting moonlight shone even brighter. Under the bright moonlight, two figures suddenly appeared from the east. The figures stopped ten feet away, revealing Master Gao Yuanqing and the impatient Cai Changyi.
Master Yuanqing looked around and whispered, "This manor is extremely grand, yet it is far from the hustle and bustle of the city and so secluded. It seems that we have found the right direction this time."
Cai Changyi said, "Whether he's right or wrong, my brothers and I have searched the entire city of Jinling but haven't found any trace of the Nine Yin Sect. We decided in the middle of the night to each go our separate ways and keep searching. If it weren't for our agreed meeting with you, sir, why would I have stayed in Jinling to take on the responsibility of relaying messages? Let's go in and search them first."
Master Yuanqing said, "Don't be reckless. I'm a monk..."
Cai Changyi hurriedly asked, "So what if I'm a monk? If Brother Hua is unfortunately killed, won't you care, sir?"
Master Yuanqing said, "I'm eighty-nine years old and have been a Buddhist for a long time. I can't worry about that anymore."
Cai Changyi was taken aback and said, "Well, you..." "..."
Master Yuanqing said, "Keep your voice down. This old monk just feels that the martial world is filled with murderous intent, which is not a blessing for all living beings. I encourage your mother to come out of the mountains and do her part."
Cai Changyi said, "Mother is mother, and Hua Yunlong is Hua Yunlong. I can see that Father-in-law cares about Brother Hua..."
Master Yuanqing interjected, "This is what is called fate. This old monk just feels that I have a connection with that child and wants to get together with him. As for personal life, death, honor, and disgrace, that is for you to decide yourselves."
The master's voice was always very low, and his tone was extremely calm. Cai Changyi thought that Hua Yunlong's safety was the most important thing at the moment, and the rest could be left for later. He and Hua Yunlong got along extremely well, and he was a man of great loyalty. So he said loudly, "Never mind, let's go in and talk about it." He took a step and was about to run away. Unexpectedly, he had just taken off when Master Yuanqing grabbed him.
Master Yuanqing said, "Wait a minute, look what that is?"
Cai Changyi was startled and turned around, asking, "What?"
Master Yuanqing pointed and said, "Look, there's a shadow hanging from the treetop, it looks like a person." Cai Changyi hurriedly turned around and looked in the direction he was pointing.
It turned out that Master Yuanqing's skill had reached a transcendent level, and his eyesight was ten times that of an ordinary person. Hua Yunlong was hanging among the branches and leaves, but because of the bright moonlight, the wind blowing the leaves and the swaying branches, Hua Yunlong's body was also rising and falling with the branches. Although the master was speaking, his sharp eyes were constantly searching the manor, and that's how he spotted him.
Cai Changyi's eyesight was far inferior to the master's. After looking for a long time, he still saw nothing. However, he said, "Let's go in and take a look. Maybe it's the Hua brothers." As
soon as he finished speaking, Master Yuanqing suddenly grabbed him and vanished. He retreated more than ten feet and hid behind the shadow of a large rock, transmitting his voice, "Don't speak. Someone from the manor is investigating."
Sure enough, the sound of clothes fluttering in the wind followed immediately. Someone climbed the courtyard wall and was looking in this direction. Fortunately, the master's skill was extremely high, and he concealed himself in time, so he was not discovered by the newcomer. That person was none other than Mei Suruo, the Netherworld Palace Master of the Nine Yin Sect. Mei Suruo seemed to be sleeping restlessly. Cai Changyi's voice was a little loud, which startled her. She hurriedly followed the sound to investigate.
But she still saw nothing. After looking for a while, she slowly retreated. Passing under the elm tree, she looked up at Hua Yunlong. At this moment, Hua Yunlong's expression changed drastically, and he was haggard. He was unconscious. Her expression flickered, then she gave a cold snort and turned to go inside. Master Yuanqing, using his ears as his eyes, was aware of every sound and movement. After a pause, he said, "The hanging shadow is indeed that child surnamed Hua."
Cai Changyi became extremely nervous and blurted out, "Really..." He suddenly realized he couldn't speak, and his words trailed off.
Master Yuanqing said, "Don't be nervous. Since we know someone is here, things are easier."
Cai Changyi urgently transmitted his voice, "What should we do? The person guarding him is extremely vigilant. Besides taking him by force, is there any other way?" Although he was impatient by nature, he was not reckless when faced with a crisis.
Master Yuanqing nodded approvingly and said, "I have a way. Let's retreat for now."
Cai Changyi naturally trusted his father-in-law, but when told to retreat, he became anxious and hurriedly transmitted his voice, "This...this...is he alright?"
Master Yuanqing said, "When a person is unconscious, their vital energy is extremely weak, and they are suffering from the torment of reversed blood flow. This child is truly remarkable; his willpower is extraordinary. He seems to be struggling desperately, forcibly gathering his true energy to slow down the reversed blood flow." "That's quite a hardship,"
Cai Changyi said anxiously. "How could his blood be flowing backwards? How could he be unconscious? How could he..."
Master Yuanqing said, "He's hanging upside down from a tree."
Cai Changyi said, "This...aren't you going to save him?"
Master Yuanqing said, "I was just thinking of doing my part for him. Don't rush, let's retreat a bit." He took a step and moved several feet in an instant, his movements so light and swift as a celestial horse soaring through the sky, without a trace of anger. Cai
Changyi was filled with doubt, but he didn't dare to question him loudly, so he could only hurry to follow. The grandfather and grandson retreated to a mound of earth. Master Yuanqing assessed the situation, then closed his eyes, put his palms together, and sat down cross-legged. Cai Changyi stood to one side, watching his actions with suspicion. After a long silence, Cai Changyi grew impatient. Just as he was about to urge the rescue, he suddenly noticed Master Yuanqing's snow-white beard moving without wind. Looking closely, he saw his lips moving rhythmically.
Cai Changyi was utterly astonished. He glanced back at the manor and muttered to himself, "Is he talking to Brother Hua? They're over fifty feet apart, yet his secret telepathic communication is still effective..."
Cai Changyi was still puzzled. Hua Yunlong had indeed heard the voice. It was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, extremely gentle, and it was Master Yuanqing's voice. Master Yuanqing said, "Child, don't panic. I'll help you. First, disperse your gathered true energy, slowly, gradually. Then listen to me tell you how to circulate your energy, and the pain will lessen."
At this moment, Hua Yunlong, from any perspective, seemed to have lost consciousness; in fact, he had indeed fainted. However, even though he was unconscious, he could still hear Master Yuanqing's kind voice clearly, thanks to Hua Yunlong's unwavering will. It should be known that while Hua Yunlong was known for his romantic nature and unwilling to lose his heroic spirit in front of Mei Suruo, he was not entirely unaware of the pain of being hung upside down for three days. Because of his resolute nature and fearlessness in the face of hardship, he was ordered to investigate the details of the bloodbath. Even with clues, the case seemed to be getting more complicated. The Nine Yin Sect leader was the clearest lead, and he wanted to continue investigating and was unwilling to leave. Therefore, he pretended to be indifferent, willingly surrendering and allowing Mei Suruo to hang him upside down.
At the time, he was confident, believing that relying on the Hua family's unique internal energy cultivation method, he could gather his true energy first, and even with immense suffering, he wouldn't be unable to endure it. Unexpectedly, the reality was different; the pain of blood flowing backward and internal organs being squeezed was ten times worse than he had imagined, and he ultimately succumbed to unconsciousness. However, being unconscious was one thing. If he hadn't first gathered his inner energy, and, despite the extreme pain, managed to control it with unwavering willpower, prevent it from dissipating, he wouldn't have been unable to hear Master Yuanqing's words while unconscious; he would likely have already vomited blood.
Master Yuanqing's inner energy was incredibly pure, and although his voice was soft, it resonated in Hua Yunlong's ears like a morning bell, possessing the power to calm the mind and awaken the spirit. Even before he was fully conscious, Hua Yunlong's will unconsciously followed the master's instructions, slowly dispersing the gathered inner energy, letting it roam freely. As the inner energy slowly dissipated, the pain suddenly intensified.
Master Yuanqing's tone returned at the opportune moment, saying, "Pay attention, child." He then continued, each word deliberate and resounding: "This body is not all, this heart is not all, wandering between the vast expanse, chaos without end, movement and stillness ride the Tai Chi, following and reversing are like reincarnation, striking with opportunity..." This was a formula for practicing reverse qi cultivation, a supreme internal energy cultivation technique, every word a gem, its content extremely profound, one of the ultimate techniques that the Martial Saint Yun Zhen comprehended in his later years.
It should be known that Yun Zhen in his youth cultivated the supreme techniques of both Buddhism and Taoism, and later received instruction from Gao Hua. In his later years, his martial arts had reached the highest realm of "Three Flowers Gathering at the Top" and "Five Qi Converging at the Origin." However, due to the lack of offspring, he focused his energy even more on the study of martial arts, comprehending the mechanism of "reincarnation" as described in Buddhism, and creating this cultivation method of "reverse qi cultivation."
Strictly speaking, this internal energy cultivation manual is the culmination of Yun Zhen's martial arts lineage. If one can grasp its essence and diligently practice it, it will be like an ordinary martial artist opening up the Ren and Pie meridians, allowing their skill to advance rapidly in a short period. However, unless one possesses exceptional talent and innate wisdom, this concise yet profound manual is simply unusable. This is because it reverses the flow of Qi, going against the natural physiological processes. Otherwise, why wouldn't Master Yuan Qing have passed it on to Cai Changyi? The reason why the master smiled and praised Hua Yunlong upon first seeing him lies precisely in this.
At this moment, Cai Changyi couldn't see Hua Yunlong, but he saw Master Yuan Qing's lips moving incessantly, as if he wanted to ask a question. However, he didn't know what the master was saying, and he worried that being disturbed might be detrimental to Hua Yunlong. Therefore, he stared with wide eyes, his anxiety truly beyond measure. After a long while, Master Yuanqing's lips stopped moving. Cai Changyi could no longer care about anything else and immediately stepped forward, bowing and asking, "Grandpa, what are you saying? Is Brother Hua alright?"
Master Yuanqing raised his white eyebrows, opened his eyes, and smiled, saying, "He's alright."
Cai Changyi frowned and said, "Please tell me more details. How exactly is Brother Hua?"
Master Yuanqing said, "This child is indeed a once-in-a-century talent. Our family's martial arts will not be lost." Even though he was a recluse, he seemed unable to contain his joy at this moment, and his words were irrelevant, showing how deeply he cared about passing on his martial arts.
Cai Changyi sighed and said, "What's wrong, sir? I'm asking about Brother Hua's condition."
Master Yuanqing was taken aback and said, "Oh, he's alright. I've already taught him our family's 'Wuji Dingheng Heart Method,' let him hang there for a few more days."
Cai Changyi felt slightly relieved, but still asked in confusion, "What is the 'Wuji Dingheng Heart Method'?" Master
Yuanqing said, "The so-called 'Wuji Dingheng' means the boundless flow of Qi and the intention of embracing the primordial unity. It's a pity that your aptitude is not suitable, otherwise, this ancestral, unique, and supreme heart method could be passed on to you."
Cai Changyi was not concerned about gains or losses, but was only worried about Hua Yunlong's safety. He didn't care whether the unique heart method was passed on to him or not. He frowned and asked again, "Then... why not just rescue him? Why let him hang upside down for a few more days?"
Master Yuanqing said, "Our unique heart method is quite different from the ordinary. You must first make your blood and Qi flow in reverse to enter the second level. Therefore, the first stage of practicing our heart method is hanging upside down..." Cai Changyi said
, "What's so difficult about that? Just hang him upside down again when we get back, isn't that the same?"
Master Yuanqing laughed and said, "If it were that easy, you could have been passed on to me too."
Cai Changyi paused slightly, then said, "This...is there another difficulty?" Master
Yuanqing said, "The difficulty lies in the word 'natural.'"
Cai Changyi frowned, puzzled, "If a person is suspended upside down, how can the reverse flow of blood and qi be natural?"
Master Yuanqing said, "Being suspended upside down, the reverse flow of blood and qi is not natural. Therefore, to cultivate this sect's mental method, one must be born with wisdom and a clear mind. That child's talent is extraordinary. Even after being turned upside down and hung from a tree, he only thought about how to alleviate the pain, without any other distractions. Even in his unconscious state, he could still comprehend the incantation I taught him and act according to it without any effort. This is called 'natural.'"
Cai Changyi suddenly understood, and said, "Oh, so you let him use it for a few more days to avoid affecting his psychology and disrupting the 'natural' phenomenon, is that right?" Master Yuanqing led the way with praise, saying, "
Yi'er is indeed intelligent. Although that child is clear-headed and extremely focused, wouldn't it be more beneficial for him if we didn't change his current state and allowed him to develop a sense of ease and mastery at this early stage of learning? Let's go! Taking advantage of this opportunity, I will teach you some self-defense martial arts." With that, he stood up and gracefully led the way.
Cai Changyi's doubts were immediately dispelled, and he felt relieved. Hearing that there was more to be taught, he was overjoyed and happily followed behind, heading towards Jinling. Three days passed quickly. Around late afternoon, Mei Suruo returned from the front courtyard, followed by Xiao Juan and Xiao Mei. As they approached the elm tree, all three stopped simultaneously, looked up, and gazed at Hua Yunlong. This seemed to have become a habit for them. For the past three days, whenever the four women of this secluded courtyard passed by the elm tree, they would pause for a moment to check on Hua Yunlong's condition.
Hua Yunlong's condition hadn't changed much; he was still hanging upside down from the treetop like a golden hook. If there was any change... That was the change in his complexion. On the first morning, his face was haggard and pale, like someone terminally ill. But by nightfall, he had gradually improved, and there had been continuous progress until now. Not only had his complexion returned to normal, but his vital energy had also stabilized perfectly. His eyes were naturally closed, and he looked like someone fast asleep. This change, of course, did not escape the notice of Mei Suru and her three maids. At this moment, Mei Suru's expression was cold. She glanced at Hua Yunlong, then suddenly let out a heavy snort, turned her delicate body, and ascended the steps. Suddenly, Xiao Mei timidly said, "Miss..." Mei Suru paused slightly and asked, "What is it?" Xiao Mei said in a panic, "Three...three days." Mei Suru turned around abruptly and shouted, "Three days, what do you mean?" Her eyes flashed with cold light, her anger evident. Xiao Mei lowered her head in fright. Xiao Juan, who was older and bolder, interjected, "Miss said to hang him for three days. Should we let him down?" Mei Suruo snorted coldly and said, "You sympathize with him?" Xiao Juan was slightly taken aback, then bowed her head and said, "No... it's not sympathy." Mei Suruo said coldly, "Why bring this up?" Xiao Juan thought to herself, "She knows perfectly well what she's asking." She thought to herself but dared not say it aloud. She paused slightly and said, "We can't go back on our word. This servant is asking Miss..." Mei Suruo suddenly said sternly, "I won't let you go." She turned around and stepped into the hall, her expression extremely angry. The maids had become accustomed to her sudden anger over the past three days, so Xiao Juan was not surprised. She just stuck out her tongue and glanced at Hua Yunlong. Suddenly, her eyes widened and she exclaimed, "Miss, Miss..." Mei Suruo turned back, nimble as a swallow, and said sternly, "Are you courting death?" Xiao Juan then pointed and said, "He... he's awake." " Mei Suruo coldly retorted, "So what if she's awake? Is it worth making such a fuss?" As she spoke, her gaze already fixed on Hua Yunlong. She saw Hua Yunlong, radiant and smiling, his gaze fixed on her. She was startled at first, then a surge of embarrassment and anger welled up inside her. A cold glint flashed in her eyes as she glared fiercely at Hua Yunlong. Hua Yunlong grinned and said, "Miss Mei, could you please give me a cup of water?" Mei Suruo coldly replied, "No." Hua Yunlong pursed his lips and then said, "I'm hungry. Has Miss prepared any food or wine?" He was upside down, his mouth and nose above his eyes, speaking in a strange and comical manner, which amused everyone. Two maids stood to one side, snickering. Mei Suruo coldly demanded, "Who are you asking to prepare food and wine?" Hua Yunlong raised an eyebrow, then grinned, saying, "I should be troubling you, young lady, but let's not talk about that now. Please let me down." Mei Suruo was furious and shouted, "I won't let you down! What do you intend to do?" Hua Yunlong laughed, "I remember, today is the third day." Mei Suruo said coldly, "I'll hang you for another seven days." Hua Yunlong said, "A person must keep their promises. As the leader of a hall of the Nine Yin Sect..." Mei Suruo shouted, "I won't let you down! I won't let you down! I won't let you down!" Before she could finish speaking, a soft "crackling" sound was heard, and Hua Yunlong had broken the ropes himself, floating down and standing before her.

For a moment, Mei Suruo was horrified and stopped speaking, unconsciously taking a step back. Hua Yunlong smiled, looking radiant, not like someone who hadn't eaten for three days, and said leisurely, "The three-day deadline has passed. The feeling of being suspended upside down is not pleasant. Since you refuse to release me, I have no choice but to take matters into my own
hands and cut my own ropes." Mei Suruo was shocked and embarrassed, and her anger surged. She shouted sharply, "Stop pretending!" Her delicate body lunged forward, her slender hand suddenly reaching out, her ten sharp fingers grabbing towards Hua Yunlong's chest.
The wind from her fingers whistled sharply, and the momentum was fierce. Hua Yunlong dodged to the side, saying, "I was only keeping my promise to you, Miss. Why..." Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly felt a strong wind attack from behind and had to stop talking. He swung his arm and struck back with his palm.
This palm strike was undoubtedly an emergency measure, not using even half of his true strength, but the technique was so profound, containing dozens of variations, that it was beyond the ability of an ordinary master to withstand. Mei Suruo stumbled, dodging the palm strike. She moved to Hua Yunlong's right side and suddenly thrust her fingers like halberds towards Hua Yunlong's right rib "Qimen" acupoint. She said coldly, "Hmph, I'm going to break my promise and keep you hanging for another seven days." Her movements were graceful and swift, but her technique was ruthless and heavy. If that finger were to hit, even with her soft armor protecting her, Hua Yunlong would fall to the ground.
Hua Yunlong suddenly hunched his shoulders and lunged back eight feet, frowning as he asked, "Miss, is your master going to imprison me?"
Mei Suruo followed him like a shadow, shouting, "If you obediently surrender, I'll hang you for seven days and then let you go."
Hua Yunlong asked in surprise, "Let me go?"
Mei Suruo replied solemnly, "That's right."
Hua Yunlong's eyes flashed like lightning as he scanned Mei Suruo's face, then he suddenly laughed, "Haha, among the Hua family descendants, only I am good at lying. I never expected..."
Mei Suruo's beautiful eyes narrowed, and she shouted sharply, "What did you say?"
Hua Yunlong laughed loudly, saying, "Even if you're not lying, you're acting impulsively. If you let me go, how will you explain this to your master?" That was true. Releasing someone without permission—how would he explain that to the Nine Yin Sect Master? Otherwise, wouldn't he be lying and deceiving her?
Mei Suruo seemed enraged, her jade-like face flushed red, her gaze turning fierce as she coldly shouted, "Then go to hell!" She raised her slender palm, ready to strike. Judging from Mei Suruo's focused stance as she raised her palm, it seemed as if she harbored extreme hatred. If that palm were to strike, the force would certainly be considerable, with the potential to kill Hua Yunlong with a single blow.
The two maids were horrified at the sight and cried out, "Miss..."
Their screams trembled. Mei Suruo paused, then coldly demanded, "What's all this fuss about?"
The maids didn't answer, but Hua Yunlong interrupted, "I have something to say."
Mei Suruo glared at him coldly and said, "Would I listen to you?"
Hua Yunlong calmly replied, "Whether you listen or not is your business, Miss. I feel like I have a fishbone stuck in my throat, and I must speak out. To tell you the truth, Miss, I didn't want to leave, but now that I know your thinking is so wrong, staying any longer would put you in an unjust position, therefore..."
Mei Suruo coldly interrupted, "Hmph, whether I'm acting right or wrong is none of your concern!"
Hua Yunlong smiled faintly and said, "If it has nothing to do with me, I naturally don't need to worry about it, only..." "Since this matter arose because of me, if you, young lady, have committed any unjust acts, then it is my fault."
Mei Suruo snorted coldly and said, "So you're just using your silver tongue to exonerate yourself. Fine, then surrender and let me hang you for another seven days."
Hua Yunlong said, "In the end, you still want to hang me for seven days."
Mei Suruo coldly replied, "Otherwise, you will die."
Hua Yunlong's expression turned serious, and he said solemnly, "Miss Mei, you are too extreme. You must change this kind of personality." This Hua Yunlong was usually carefree and unrestrained, looking every bit the playboy. But when he became serious, he was imposing without being angry, possessing a unique and intimidating power. At this moment, his expression suddenly became serious, and he spoke in a lecturing tone. Mei Suruo was stunned by his sudden appearance.
Hua Yunlong paused slightly, then continued, “Please listen to me. The worst thing a person can do is to be overconfident and act recklessly. You have already hung me up for three days, and I have not resisted, which should be enough. But because you saw that I was unharmed, you were indignant and went so far as to lie to lure me into your trap. Even if I believed you, wouldn’t your integrity be compromised? You can keep your promise and leave after seven days, which would also violate your master’s orders. Even if this grudge is unintentional, the result is still an unjust act. Now you want me to hang you up for another seven days without resisting? That is absolutely impossible. And yet you want to kill me to vent your anger. Please think about it, do you think you can do that?” He spoke righteously and eloquently, and everything he said was reasonable. Mei Suruo wanted to argue, but she had no words to refute him.
Hua Yunlong's expression suddenly relaxed, and he laughed loudly, "Miss Mei, to be honest, I, Hua Yunlong, am truly captivated by your beauty and charm. Unfortunately, our positions differ, and you are aloof and unapproachable. Otherwise, we could very well have become friends. Therefore, if I were to cause you any injustice, I, Hua Yunlong, would rather die than do it. The only feasible solution right now is for me to take my leave temporarily, thus eliminating any element of 'injustice,' so that you can remain unscathed. Miss Mei, I take my leave now. Please forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye before your master. Take care, Miss Mei." He clasped his hands in a respectful bow, then turned and walked straight towards the back courtyard wall. In a moment, he leaped over the wall, his body swaying slightly before disappearing completely.
He left as soon as he said he would, his words and actions frank and straightforward, his demeanor open and unpretentious, without a trace of lingering attachment or affectation. Mei Suruo stared, dumbfounded, at his strong, retreating figure, forgetting to reply, forgetting to dissuade him. For a moment, she was utterly stunned. This situation, seemingly unexpected, was actually quite reasonable. It should be known that Hua Yunlong was elegant and handsome, the object of every young woman's dreams. This Mei Suruo… Despite her aloofness, she was, after all, a beautiful young woman. As the saying goes, all people share the same feelings and thoughts; the psychology of most young women is the same.
Previously, she had made things difficult for Hua Yunlong at every turn, partly due to her upbringing, and partly because Hua Yunlong seemed indifferent to her beauty, thus stirring up resentment within her. In truth, she harbored deep affection for Hua Yunlong; one could even call it love. Now, Hua Yunlong had frankly expressed his admiration, and because he didn't want to "put himself in an unjust position," he left without leaving. What simple yet profound affection! What sincere concern! Mei Suruo was stunned upon hearing this, which was understandable.

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