A Thousand Years of Elegance Discussed in Laughter (Complete) - 19

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

Volume 27, Chapter 7: The Death of Emperor Taizu in

Bianjing, Zhao Guangyi's Palace.
Ye Zhiqiu, summoned by
imperial decree, had been waiting outside for some time. On the day he was appointed as the son-in-law, he was granted a golden token, allowing him free movement within the forbidden palace without any restrictions. To allow him to focus on practicing the Heavenly Dao Divine Skill, Zhao Guangyi specially allocated his former residence, the Prince of Jin's Mansion, to him—Zhao Guangyi's residence before his ascension
to the throne, an elegant and beautiful place with complete training facilities. Ye Zhiqiu, mindful of his country and its people, suppressed his burning desire and devoted himself to diligently cultivating the Heavenly Dao Divine Skill within the Prince of Jin's Mansion. Even with special permission to enter and leave the inner palace, he stubbornly refused to meet Princess Huayu, focusing all his energy on his martial arts cultivation. After half a year, his lightness skill and swordsmanship had greatly improved, and even his least proficient martial arts, fist and foot techniques, had become more refined. However, his Heavenly Dao Divine Skill remained stuck at the second level, the Cloud Breathing Technique, making no progress no matter how much effort he put in.
Ye Zhiqiu was stubborn and never easily gave in, but practicing the Heavenly Dao Divine Skill was not just his own affair, but concerned the fate of the entire Song Dynasty. Therefore, after several unsuccessful attempts, he did not hesitate to go to the palace to see the Emperor, Zhao Guangyi, and ask for further guidance. Strangely enough, Zhao Guangyi refused to see Ye Zhiqiu even after several visits, only sending a eunuch to tell him to return to the Prince of Jin's residence to continue his studies.
Left with no other choice, Ye Zhiqiu went to ask Dugu Yu for advice, but Dugu Yu seemed to be in cahoots with Zhao Guangyi and refused to tell him anything. Left with no one to turn to, Ye Zhiqiu returned to the Prince of Jin's residence in embarrassment and stood alone in the training room for a long time, feeling depressed.
This morning, a eunuch suddenly summoned him to the palace for an audience with the Emperor. When Ye Zhi Qiu arrived, he found Empress Zhaoxian, Crown Prince Zhao Heng, Dugu Yu, the Eighth Prince, and Kou Zhun all waiting outside. Everyone looked solemn, and upon seeing him, they merely nodded slightly, not even bothering to greet him.
Seeing this, an ominous cloud immediately settled over Ye Zhi Qiu's heart.
"His Majesty's decree summons Ye Zhi Qiu—" The gate opened, and out came not a eunuch, but the Imperial Physician!
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
"Zhi Qiu, how is your Heavenly Dao Divine Skill progressing?" Zhao Guangyi, lying on the dragon bed, had bloodless lips and a sickly face, yet he smiled calmly and asked leisurely.
"Your Majesty... Zhi Qiu... Zhi Qiu has failed your expectations!" Looking at Zhao Guangyi's vacant eyes and haggard face, Ye Zhi Qiu was overwhelmed with guilt and said sadly.
"Hehe, why are you crying?" Zhao Guangyi's tiger-like eyes flashed with unfathomable light as he stroked his beard and chuckled. "To be able to comprehend the Cloud-like Breathing Technique in just half a year is already a remarkable achievement."
"But...but..." Ye Zhiqiu choked out, "My progress is so slow, when will I be able to master the Saintly Path of Overlord? If the Liao Dynasty invades within three to five years, how will I resist Yelü Changsheng?"
"Three to five years? At your current pace, you won't master it even in thirty years." Zhao Guangyi said calmly.
"What!" Ye Zhiqiu exclaimed in shock, almost collapsing to the ground.
"Don't worry, didn't I tell you there's a shortcut?" Zhao Guangyi sat up straight, stroking his beard and chuckling.
"A...a shortcut!" Ye Zhiqiu then remembered that on the day he received the technique, Zhao Guangyi had confidently assured him that he would point out a shortcut in the future, guaranteeing that he would master the Dragon-Shaped Dance of Heaven within six months.
"Come, come here." Zhao Guangyi pointed to the head of the bed, gesturing for Ye Zhiqiu to sit down.
"Your Majesty, how dare I, Zhi Qiu, sit on the dragon bed..." Ye Zhi Qiu stammered.
"I told you to sit, so sit." Zhao Guangyi's eyes were bright, revealing an unwavering expression. He slowly said, word by word, "Cross your legs and bend your knees, left leg outward, right leg inward, this is yang embracing yin; left thumb pinching the middle finger, right thumb entering the left hand, forming a mudra, right hand on the outside, this is yin embracing yang."
"Your Majesty, this... this is the cultivation method of the Nine Luminaries Star Transformation, I haven't..."
"Do as instructed!" Zhao Guangyi said in a low voice.
"Yes!" Ye Zhi Qiu dared not delay and did as instructed, letting out a heavy sigh and casting aside all distracting thoughts.
"Guard your spirit, embrace the primordial unity!" Zhao Guangyi shouted, placing his palms on Ye Zhiqiu's back. A strange, elusive, seemingly real yet illusory, supremely powerful and irresistible true energy surged into his body like a tide. It first ascended along the Du meridian, breaking through the Jade Pillow Gate, reaching the Niwan Palace, and then returned to the Ren meridian, endlessly cycling. Before the true energy had circulated for ten cycles, Ye Zhiqiu felt as if struck by lightning. Vast and incomparable primordial essence surged and released like a mountain torrent, overflowing every meridian and rampaging through his body like a wild horse, causing his blood and qi to churn and his internal organs to feel as if they were being torn apart.
Ye Zhiqiu followed Zhao Guangyi's instructions, letting the true energy within his body surge and churn, ignoring everything else, going with the flow, letting it change as it pleased, only holding onto the center and focusing on the hazy, ethereal state. In a state of profound stillness and emptiness, he felt his internal energy circulating faster and faster, then suddenly slowing down, then slowing down again, repeating this cycle countless times and over an unknown period of time. Suddenly, his entire body trembled violently. The internal energy Zhao Guangyi had infused merged with his original internal energy, flowing freely and rapidly through his meridians and acupoints without any guidance, becoming increasingly surging.
Ye Zhiqiu slowly opened his eyes, feeling as if everything before him was perfectly integrated, almost without needing to gather his internal energy. He could sense every subtle detail within a radius of several dozen feet, even the slightest changes in the sound of the wind outside the window.
"Could it be... could this be the true power of the Heavenly Dao Divine Art?" Ye Zhi Qiu murmured to himself, then sat up abruptly, overjoyed, and exclaimed, "Your Majesty, I have finally..." He only managed to utter the word "I" before suddenly freezing in place. Zhao Guangyi beside him had become a completely different person. His once pale but smooth and handsome face was now covered with deep, crisscrossing wrinkles, his cheeks were deeply sunken, his eyes seemed to have become two black holes, and his once glossy black beard had turned white. His mouth was moving slightly as he breathed rapidly, looking extremely haggard.
Ye Zhi Qiu was stunned, his voice trembling as he said, "Your Majesty, what...what's wrong with you!"
Zhao Guangyi leaned weakly against the headboard, speaking haltingly, "I have...I have transferred all my life's power...all of it to you. Try...try to see if you can...if you can wield the Spirit of Immortality."
Ye Zhi Qiu was struck dumb, all color draining from his face, his lips trembling as he said, "The so-called...the so-called shortcut is...is..."
Zhao Guangyi gasped for breath, his eyes sharpening, a blush spreading across his face. He grabbed Ye Zhi Qiu's hand tightly and said decisively, "That's right. The Heavenly Dao Divine Skill was a peerless art at the time. Even with the highest comprehension and the most diligent practice, it was difficult to master quickly, unless...unless one could drastically increase their internal energy in a short period of time, only then could one achieve it in one fell swoop. My good intentions...you...you understand...cough...cough..." At this point, he coughed repeatedly, already breathless.
Ye Zhi Qiu exclaimed, "Your Majesty transferred your power to me, then...then you..."
Zhao Guangyi's eyes widened slightly, a bitter and desolate smile appearing on his lips. He said softly, "I know my lifespan is nearing its end. Rather than prolonging my life for a few more days, it's better...better...cough...cough...Actually, when I said that cultivating the Heavenly Dao Divine Art requires abstaining from women, I was simply deceiving you. Consider the founding emperor, a man of many women, how could he have lost his virginity at twenty-three? I didn't let you touch Hua Yu because I feared you would become obsessed with beauty and neglect your cultivation. Even if you obtained my life's worth of power, it would be in vain. But now I'm relieved. You not only instantly mastered the Nine Luminaries Star Transformation, but you also easily reached the Spiritual Netherworld Imperishable Realm." " Believe in the dragon's dance in the heavens, and the supernatural powers of the universe are only a matter of time for you. As for becoming a saint and a powerful ruler, that depends on your own destiny!"
Zhao Guangyi looked up at the roof beam, his eyes filled with fatherly love, and said softly, "I will no longer interfere in your affairs with Hua Yu, but... the formal marriage will have to wait until three years later."
Ye Zhi Qiu's eyes filled with tears, and he choked out, "Zhi Qiu... Zhi Qiu will obey Your Majesty's decree."
Zhao Guangyi raised his trembling right hand, patted Ye Zhi Qiu's shoulder, and said slowly, with an unprecedentedly solemn tone, "From today onwards, you are the guarantor of the Great Song Dynasty. The rise and fall of the nation, the survival of the country, rests on your shoulders!" After speaking, he rang the bell by the bedside, and the people who were waiting outside the palace filed in.
Dugu Yu, who was at the front, immediately understood upon seeing the expressions on the two men's faces and exclaimed, "Guangyi, you...you really passed on your life's work to Zhi Qiu!"
Zhao Guangyi gradually regained his color and said with a bitter smile, "This is something you can't take with you when you die. Wouldn't it be a pity if it were buried with me forever? Zhi Qiu and I were master and disciple, and he has to shoulder the heavy responsibility of protecting our country. Consider this mere forty years of work as my last gift before I die."
Zhao Guangyi paused and continued, "The founding emperor entrusted the world to me. I should have returned the throne to the Eighth Prince, but the Eighth Prince was naturally idle and unwilling to be a ruler. Therefore, after my death, the throne was inherited by my third son, Zhao Heng."
Zhao Heng knelt down and bowed to receive the throne.
Zhao Guangyi summoned the Eighth Prince and instructed him, "The Liao Dynasty's ambition to destroy the Song Dynasty remains undiminished. I fear that treacherous ministers will emerge in every generation, bringing disaster to the country and its people. Therefore, I hereby bestow upon you a golden whip to strike down tyrannical rulers and wicked officials. Furthermore, I grant you twelve imperial edicts and iron certificates, allowing you to wear a sword and shoes to court, and to pay homage without revealing your name. You will also be authorized to jointly control the government
with Kou Zhun." Zhao Guangyi's body trembled slightly, and tears welled in his eyes. He let out a long sigh and solemnly said, "Senior Dugu, in the past, I and Emperor Taizu were greatly fortunate to have your guidance, which enabled us to establish the eternal foundation of the Song Dynasty. Today, I depart for the Western Paradise." "I only hope...cough...cough..."
Dugu Yu, tears streaming down his face, choked out, "Guangyi, rest assured, as long as I live, I will never allow the Asura Sect and the Absolute Killing Sect
to lay a finger on the Central Plains!" Zhao Guangyi, as if using the last of his strength, released his grip on Zhao Heng's hands, revealing a final smile, and softly said, "Heng'er, I have one last sentence to entrust to you before I die—as long as the martial arts world of the Central Plains survives, the Song Dynasty will surely endure forever!" After saying this, he passed away with a smile, at the age of fifty-nine.
History records: Emperor Taizong inherited the achievements of his predecessors and accomplished unparalleled feats: He unified the Central Plains, encompassed the four seas, brought peace to both inside and outside the country, promoted civil administration and culture, and his rites, music, and literature flourished. He was initially posthumously honored as the Heroic and Martial Emperor, and later as the Emperor of Great Filial Piety and the Establishment of the Foundation of the Dynasty. He was buried in Yongchang Mausoleum.
Later generations wrote in their historical poems: "
His ambition to unify the Central Plains was diligent, and his governance can be called a great reform."
If Heaven had granted him longevity, the people would have longed for peace.

(Volume 27, Heavenly Dao Divine Skill, Loyal Heart Enlightenment, Chapter 8: The Navy Rise

) Thus, Crown Prince Zhao Heng ascended the throne in the Funing Palace, becoming Emperor Zhenzong.
After the court officials finished their congratulations, Zhenzong, following precedent, granted a general amnesty. Wang Ruoqin, involved in Qian Yi's embezzlement case, should have been severely punished, but he escaped by taking advantage of the situation. The Eighth Prince and Kou Zhun tried to persuade him to no avail, and could only lament his fate.
The next day, Vice Chancellor Lü Duan stepped forward and said, "I have been favored by the late Emperor and have served as Vice Chancellor for a long time, but I have been of no benefit to the court. I beg Your Majesty to allow me to resign and return home. I would be extremely grateful."
Zhenzong was astonished and said, "I have just ascended the throne and rely on your support. Why do you abandon me?"
Lü Duan respectfully replied, "The court has countless virtuous ministers. What is there to worry about with Lü Duan?"
Seeing that Lü Duan was determined to leave, Zhenzong granted his request and bestowed upon him gold, silk, land, and a house to live out his remaining years.
Several days later, Lü Mengzheng, Zhang Qixian, and others submitted memorials, each requesting to resign from their official posts. The emperor granted their requests and further bestowed upon Huyan Zan the title of Duke of Qin and upon Cao Bin the title of Duke of Lu. The positions of Chief and Deputy Chief of the Privy Council were changed to Wang Ruoqin and Xie Jinwu.
The Eighth Prince hurriedly objected, saying, "The Privy Councilor holds supreme military and political power over the entire country. How can Wang Ruoqin, who is guilty of a crime, be promoted?"
Kou Zhun also said, "Xie Jinwu's qualifications are shallow; I'm afraid he is not qualified to become the Vice Privy Councilor."
Emperor Zhenzong smiled and said, "Wang Ruoqin and Xie Jinwu are my former officials from my time as a prince, and they are also my trusted advisors. They are suitable for this position."
The Eighth Prince and Kou Zhun were about to persuade him again, but Emperor Zhenzong waved his hand and said, "My mind is made up; there is no need to say more." He then bestowed titles upon his former officials, including Wang Jizhong, Zhang Qi, Yang Chongxun, Liu Qian, Xia Shouen and the brothers Shouyun, Wei Zhaomin, Gao Hua, and Yan Rixin, who were close attendants from his time as a prince. They were given important positions in the Imperial Guard and the Privy Council. The military power of the Song Dynasty thus fell entirely into the hands of treacherous officials. Fortunately, the Eighth Prince and Kou Zhun were in charge, and the court was kept clean and orderly.
Within days, Emperor Shengzong of Liao, Yelü Longxu, and Emperor Li Deming of Western Xia, upon hearing of Zhao Guangyi's death and the new Emperor Zhenzong's ascension, plotted a large-scale invasion. When news reached Bianjing (Kaifeng), Emperor Zhenzong urgently summoned his ministers to court to discuss countermeasures.
Wang Ruoqin stepped forward and reported, "Both Liao and Western Xia have heavily fortified their borders, and generals from various regions have sent envoys requesting reinforcements."
Emperor Zhenzong was furious, saying, "These barbarians are audacious!
Issue my decree: mobilize the imperial guards from the capital to reinforce the border defenses at various passes, and order the Yang family army to defend the three passes to contain the main Liao force." Huyan Zan requested an explanation, saying, "Your Majesty, regarding Western Xia..."
Emperor Zhenzong abruptly rose from his throne, pointed his halberd, and roared, "Order the Marquis of Champion to lead the Tianji Army north to strike directly at Lingzhou! I will annihilate Western Xia, destroy the Dangxiang tribe, and make Li Deming pay the price!"
Kou Zhun urgently reported, "The Marquis of Champion has sailed south and has not yet returned."
Emperor Zhenzong's expression changed drastically . "What! When...when will the Champion Marquis return?" someone exclaimed.
Kou Zhun replied truthfully, "I do not know. The Champion Marquis has not contacted the main camp for nearly two months."
Upon hearing this, all the officials were shocked. Emperor Zhenzong said in a trembling voice, "Does the Prime Minister mean that the Champion Marquis is nowhere to be found?"
Kou Zhun said solemnly, "Yes, but please rest assured, Your Majesty, I have secretly informed the coastal prefectures that as soon as there is news of the Champion Marquis, it will be reported to the capital immediately."
Wang Ruoqin smiled sinisterly, "Hmph, Ren Xiaoyao is probably not coming back. I think it's better to..."
He was halfway through his sentence when the Eighth Prince suddenly drew his golden whip and struck Wang Ruoqin in the face. Wang Ruoqin could not dodge in time and was struck squarely on the nasal spine, instantly collapsing to the ground, his face covered in blood. Emperor
Zhenzong was taken aback and said, "Eighth Prince, what are you doing..."
The Eighth Prince pointed his whip at Wang Ruoqin's forehead and angrily rebuked him, "With a great enemy at hand, how can you treacherous ministers be allowed to disrupt the morale of the army?"
Kou Zhun immediately stepped forward and echoed, "That's right, the words of Emperor Taizu are golden. The Marquis of Champion is the guarantee of the Song Dynasty. Wang, you have spoken nonsense and slandered him wantonly. Just the fact that you directly called the Marquis of Champion by his name is a capital offense!"
Most of the court officials were dissatisfied with Wang Ruoqin's arrogance and domineering attitude. Seeing that the Eighth Prince and Kou Zhun had taken the lead in attacking, they all spoke up to criticize him. Among them, Huyan Zan and Cao Bin were the most outspoken. Although the two no longer had military power, their merits remained, and their disciples and old friends were all over the court. Wang Ruoqin had only the position of Privy Councilor and dared not refute them.
Emperor Zhenzong, cherishing his former officials, hurriedly descended the golden steps and pleaded, "My ministers, Privy Councilor Wang misspoke; it was an unintentional mistake. Please forgive him for my sake."
The Eighth Prince sighed inwardly, pointing at Wang Ruoqin and angrily cursing, "Fine, I'll spare your life today. But if I discover you committing further evil, I will execute you without mercy." Wang Ruoqin
bowed and retreated, deeply resenting the Eighth Prince and secretly plotting his revenge.
Emperor Zhenzong returned to his throne, frowning, and said, "Since the Marquis of Champion is missing, the campaign against Western Xia must be abandoned. If both countries invade, how should we defend ourselves?"
Huyan Zan pondered, "Given the current situation, Western Xia is weak and Liao is strong. We might mobilize the imperial guards from the capital to reinforce the Song-Western Xia border, and send the Yang Family Army and the Tianji Army in two separate routes to attack Liao. If Liao is defeated, Western Xia will retreat on its own."
Cao Bin continued, "The General's words are reasonable. After Yelü Xiezhen's death, the only remaining Liao general is Yelü Xiuge." Although this man is skilled in battle, Yang Liulang is more than capable of matching him. Moreover, the Prince of Wuwei (Qin Huaiyu) and the Duke of Ying (Zhang Jinghong) have both commanded troops for many years. Even without the Champion Marquis leading the Tianji Army, its fighting strength should not be underestimated. Riding the momentum of their great victory against the Xunfeng, they will surely sweep away the Liao invaders and protect the stability of our Song Dynasty.”
Emperor Zhenzong deeply believed his words and was about to issue the decree when a secret report from the Yang family army arrived. Emperor Zhenzong opened it and read it carefully, his expression immediately changing drastically. He then handed it to Huyan Zan and Cao Bin, who, after reading it, also looked at each other in bewilderment.
The Eighth Prince hurriedly asked, “General, what has happened?”
Huyan Zan looked at Emperor Zhenzong and, after receiving permission, read aloud: 'In July, the Uyghurs of Xizhou invaded the Liao border. Yelü Changsheng personally led 8,000 elite cavalry, marching 670 li a day, and decisively defeated the Uyghur coalition of 130,000. Blood flowed like rivers, and cries of grief filled the fields. The Uyghurs were terrified and migrated eastward, daring not to turn westward. In August, the emperor campaigned against Goguryeo, beheading over 40,000 enemies in the first battle and capturing the general Kang Zhao alive. The Goguryeo crown prince, Li Xuanyun, fled in disarray. In September, the Jurchens rebelled and occupied prefectures. The Liao emperor sent troops to conquer them several times, but all were unsuccessful. When Yelü Changsheng arrived, he led his elite troops to counterattack north of the Shahe River, utterly defeating the enemy.'—This is a military report obtained by Yang Family Army spies from the Liao imperial palace, ensuring that not a single word is wrong."
The Eighth Prince stamped his foot and sighed, "The words of the Taizu Emperor... " As predicted, Yelü Changsheng's wisdom and strategy were far-reaching, and his ability to predict the enemy was unparalleled, even surpassing his father's in his prime. It seems that the campaign against Liao is absolutely unfeasible, but even the slightest mistake could lead to the downfall of the nation.
Emperor Zhenzong nodded in deep agreement and said, "In that case, unless the Marquis of Champion returns, no one can rival Yelü Changsheng on the battlefield. However, our dynasty's borders stretch for thousands of miles. If we adopt a purely defensive posture, we fear our forces will be insufficient. What good strategies do you gentlemen have?"
Huyan Zan pondered for a moment, then said, "To ensure absolute success, we must station the Tianji Army and the Imperial Guards of the capital on the Song-Liao border. To deal with the Western Xia, we can only rely on the local garrison troops. The problem is that these troops are all old and weak, and I fear they will be no match for the mighty Western Xia army." As he spoke, his face showed difficulty, and he sighed repeatedly.
Cao Bin suddenly laughed, "General, have you forgotten that the court still has a secret force?" Huyan Zan suddenly realized and exclaimed, "You mean the Tianji Army Navy stationed in the two lakes?"
Cao Bin solemnly replied, "'The Yellow River brings a hundred harms, but benefits only the Hetao region.' The reason why Western Xia is so prosperous is entirely because it occupies the Hetao region and enjoys the benefits of irrigation. If we advance westward along the Yellow River, we can reach the Western Xia capital, Xingqing, in ten days."
Kou Zhun clapped his hands and said, "Brilliant! Just mobilize the Tianji Army Navy, and I guarantee that Li Deming will not dare to act rashly!"
Emperor Zhenzong was greatly encouraged upon hearing this and said loudly, "Issue an imperial decree, ordering Duke Wuwei Liu Ningtao to go to the two lakes immediately and mobilize the entire Tianji Army Navy to head to the Yellow River!"

Volume 27 Heavenly Dao Divine Skill, Chapter 9 Lifelong Crippled

Long Feiyun left Chiwei Island in tears. When she left Stone City, she was surprised to find that Qiu Feng had ordered his followers to set up a large number of traps and machines along the beach. Even though she was well-read and well-versed in the art of Qimen Dunjia, she still could not break through. Helpless, Long Feiyun had no choice but to continue relying on her disguise skills, posing as Qiu Feng's capable assistant, Liu Xixian, to slip away from Chiwei Island.
Back on the ship, she didn't reveal what she had seen at Xiangqiu Pavilion, only claiming that the island was heavily guarded and that she couldn't rescue Ren Xiaoyao alone; she needed to return to the Central Plains to mobilize the Tianji Army's navy. Unsuspecting, the others hurriedly embarked on their return journey, unaware that Long Feiyun was silently enduring excruciating pain—Ren Xiaoyao's hands were broken, his tendons destroyed, and even if he were rescued, he would be crippled for life; his hopes of serving the country and driving out the barbarians were now dashed.
Even with her strength, Long Feiyun was still a woman, and in the quiet of the night, thinking of her lover's inhuman torture on Chiwei Island, she couldn't help but shed tears. But to avoid worrying her sisters, she could only force herself to endure, putting on a calm and composed facade. She was now the only pillar of support for these fragile girls who had lost their loved ones. If she succumbed to this torment from both internal and external forces, the last chance to save Xiaoyao would vanish. Therefore, she had no choice but to pray silently.
The two-masted ship traveled day and night, finally arriving in Wenzhou. Long Feiyun and Yi Tianhan couldn't wait to go to the local branch of the Tianji Sect to mobilize manpower. Nangong Fengyi, Nangong Fengzi, Shui Furong, and Lin Yuxiu found a restaurant to eat first. Without Ren Xiaoyao's company, even the finest delicacies tasted like cardboard. If Nangong Fengyi hadn't repeatedly urged them to eat their fill before saving Xiaoyao, otherwise they wouldn't have the strength to fight, the women would probably have already paid the bill and left.
At this moment, five or six thugs who looked like local bullies came up to the second floor, picked a seat by the window, and sat down
. The leader, with a face full of scars and a fierce look, slammed his hand on the table with a nine-ringed gold-backed cleaver and shouted loudly, "Where's the bartender? Where's the bartender?" "Coming, coming!" The bartender hurried over, smiling obsequiously, "Sir, what would you like to order?"
"Damn it, bring on the best food and drinks!" A thug next to him grabbed the bartender and ordered, "Today our boss is promoted to incense master, so entertain him well, or I'll chop you up."
"Yes, yes, yes, I'll go right away." The bartender trembled with fear and nodded repeatedly.
"Using their power to bully others, shameless bastards." Shui Furong was already annoyed and couldn't stand the situation any longer.
"Third sister, it's better to avoid trouble. Don't bother with them." Nangong Fengyi knew that Shui Furong was hot-tempered and was currently troubled by Ren Xiaoyao's matter. If she got angry, she might just casually use her Heaven-Defying Palm technique to kill someone on the spot. She hurriedly spoke up to dissuade her. Shui Furong snorted and temporarily calmed down.
The thugs, however, showed no sign of letting the matter rest. Their leader slammed his hand on the table, his eyes wide, staring at Shui Furong and shouting, "You dog? Who are you calling names? A few delicate lambs, daring to bark at me!"
Shui Furong initially didn't want to argue, but since they'd insulted her directly, she couldn't hold back any longer. Her pretty face hardened, and she retorted in a low voice, "You dog, don't mess with me. I don't want to kill anyone today."
The thug leader laughed loudly, threatening, "Little henchman, you're tired of living, aren't you? If I don't teach you a lesson, you'll never know your place."
Another thug glanced at the four women and chuckled, "Boss, these girls are pretty, maybe even virgins. Why don't we..." The thugs erupted in lewd laughter.
Shui Furong, enraged, grabbed a wine cup and hurled it with all her might. It flew right into the thug leader's mouth. The thug leader's chest tightened, and he coughed repeatedly, barely managing to spit out the wine cup.
Shui Furong sneered, "How about it? I'll give you a drink, are you satisfied?"
The leader, furious, grabbed his nine-ringed, gold-backed broadsword and roared, "Men, seize these beautiful young ladies! I need to vent my anger!"
The waiter rushed forward to dissuade him, forcing a smile, "Sir, please don't be angry. As the saying goes, a magnanimous person doesn't hold a grudge against a petty person. Why spoil the mood for a few women? The food and wine will be here soon, please enjoy." The waiter was slapped across the face, leaving him dizzy and disoriented, then a kick landed squarely on the innkeeper's stomach. Ji cried out in pain and involuntarily flew towards the corridor entrance, just as the middle-aged man was coming up the stairs. They were about to collide.
In a flash, the middle-aged man flicked his hand, and with a series of crashes, the innkeeper fell down the stairs, his face bruised and swollen, crying out in pain. Several customers standing nearby were also caught in the crossfire, but Ji himself remained unharmed. None of Nangong Fengyi, Nangong Fengzi, Shui Furong, or Lin Yuxiu had even seen his movement.
The middle-aged man slowly approached; he appeared to be around forty or fifty years old, with long hair flowing over his shoulders, holding a bamboo stick in his hand, and his entire body... His clothes were tattered and worn, making him look almost like a beggar.
The local thug leader, seeing his disheveled appearance, was about to
unleash a torrent of abuse when he suddenly caught sight of his face. He froze, a chill running down his spine, his legs trembling uncontrollably. What a horrifying face—a dozen or so scars clearly visible on his filthy features, some burned, some slashed, some cut… his features were almost indistinguishable; where his nose once stood, now only a grotesque mass of red flesh rose and fell with his breath. His eyes were half-open, grotesquely skewed, and his left ear… The flower drooped completely, less than half of the right side remained, and its mouth was covered with blisters and
scabs, making it look indescribably terrifying. The middle-aged man walked to a table between the four women and the group of thugs, sat down, pounded his chest, and scratched his head, completely oblivious to the tense atmosphere around him.
The bartender hurried over, impatiently urging, "Old beggar, get out of here, we don't..." Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly took two steps back, clearly having seen his appearance.
The middle-aged man, slumped on the table, waved his hand impatiently, urging, "Bring me the wine, hurry up, hurry up and bring me the wine!"
The bartender mustered his courage and urged, "Get out of here, get out of here, or else... or else I might get physical."
The middle-aged man raised his head and insisted, "I'm not leaving, it's too lively here." He then chuckled dryly.
The bartender was furious, but dared not retaliate. He stammered, "Don't...don't cause trouble. You Beggar Clan disciples shouldn't think...don't think you can freeload just because you have a reputation in the martial arts world."
The middle-aged man looked surprised and asked abruptly, "Your shop doesn't serve Beggar Clan members?"
The bartender stammered, "No...that's right. Now get out of here."
The middle-aged man laughed, "Hey, perfect, I'm not from the Beggar Clan."
The bartender said urgently, "You're dressed so shabbily, how can you not be a beggar?"
The middle-aged man said nonchalantly, "Look closely, I don't even have a single bag. With my skills, if I wanted to join the Beggar Clan, I'd at least be an eight-bag elder."
Seeing his comical tone, the bartender's fear subsided by a third. He shoved and pushed, "Go away, you deadbeat beggar..." He suddenly stopped halfway through his sentence, his gaze fixed on the large silver ingot in the man's hand.
The middle-aged man straightened his back and said arrogantly, "Do you know what this is?"
The bartender swallowed hard and said, "Silver, fifty taels of silver."
The middle-aged man said loudly, "Good to know. Do you think a member of the Beggars' Sect would be this rich? Quick, bring me some good wine and meat."
The bartender bowed and scraped as he took the silver, quickly stuffed it into his pocket, and ran back to the counter.
The gang leader, seeing how wealthy the man was, was about to rob him when he suddenly stood up, walked up to the gang, and said with a grin, "Little brother, calm down. You're a big shot in the city. Why are you arguing with a bunch of girls? Come on, let's have a few drinks."
With such a fat sheep at his doorstep, the gang leader didn't care about the women anymore. He chuckled dryly, "Brother, you're really loyal. I've decided to be your friend." But in his heart, he was calculating how to get all the silver out of the man's pocket.
The middle-aged man sat down next to the gang leader and quickly became sworn brothers with the gang. Before long, the food and wine arrived, a lavish spread of chicken, duck, fish, and meat. The local thug leader rubbed his hands together, about to grab a chicken leg, when suddenly the man in the middle went berserk, sweeping the entire table of food and wine to the ground with a clatter. A dozen bowls and plates shattered, leaving the four women bewildered, wondering what his intentions were.
The middle-aged man slammed his fist on the table, roaring, "Winetman, serving our leader this garbage? Do you even want to live?" Pointing to the chickens and ducks on the ground, he cursed, "Look at these things, skin and bones! Even a dog wouldn't eat them! I want top-quality goods, top-quality goods! Understand?" He then pulled a black cloth bag from his pocket, tossed it to the winetman, and ordered, "Bring me the best and most expensive things in the shop."
The winetman took it and saw it was full of silver coins. He quickly nodded and replied, "Yes, yes, sirs, please wait a moment, I'll have the kitchen prepare it right away." "Having said that, he hurriedly left.
The middle-aged man patted the thug leader on the shoulder and flattered him, "Master, this scoundrel doesn't know his place. Don't be angry. I'll have a couple more drinks with you later."
Soon, the bartender brought over the freshly cooked dishes. Fresh seafood, mountain delicacies, and birds filled the entire table, and at the end were two jars of top-quality daughter's red wine, the aroma of which filled the air. The middle-aged man waved his hand, dismissing the bartender, and personally stood up to pour wine for the thugs. The thugs were very unceremonious, eating and drinking heartily from large bowls and large chunks of meat. The middle-aged man simply chatted with them, not touching his chopsticks except for drinking.
In the blink of an eye, the table full of food and wine was devoured by the thugs. The thugs stood up unsteadily, walked to Nangong Fengzi's side, and bowed, saying, "Miss, could you spare this old beggar some food and wine?"
Nangong Fengzi, who had long disliked his obsequious attitude, said contemptuously, "You dog of a servant, go and offer your tribute to your master. I don't have time for you." The
middle-aged man chuckled, "If you won't give it to me, I'll just take it myself." He snatched the wine jar with his left hand and grabbed a fat chicken with his right, eating it in large mouthfuls with loud smacking sounds. Nangong
Fengzi was surprised that he would take it so easily. Just as she was about to reprimand him, a flash of silver light appeared, and Lin Yuxiu had already drawn her sword, pressing it against the middle-aged man's throat. She scolded him, "Get out! Get out now! I'm in a bad mood. If you don't leave, I'll cut off your whole arm!"
The entire room fell silent instantly. No one had expected this delicate young girl to be so fierce when she got angry.
The middle-aged man immediately froze, as if he were a wooden statue. The wine jar in his hand crashed to the ground with a "bang," and he stammered, "Hey, young lady, don't be impulsive, please don't be impulsive. Let's talk this out." "
Nangong Fengyi hurriedly advised, "Fifth Sister, stop fooling around, put the sword away."
Nangong Fengzi also advised, "Yes, Brother Xiaoyao is in imminent danger, it's not good to cause any trouble at this time."
Upon hearing the words "Brother Xiaoyao," the middle-aged man's eyes flashed with a glint of light, which he then concealed.

Volume Twenty-Seven Heavenly Dao Divine Skill, Chapter Ten: Beware of Deception

The middle-aged man used a bamboo pole to block Lin Yuxiu's longsword and chuckled, "That's right, little girl, don't be too impulsive. Learn from your sister, look how gentle she is." As he spoke, he looked at Nangong Fengyi and made a series of admiring sounds, pretending to be serious, and said, "This girl is so good, not only does she respect her elders, but she also speaks politely. Unlike my sister, who attacks without warning, she's clearly a little shrew. It's no wonder she'll never get married. If any man takes a liking to you, he'll either be blind, crippled, or an idiot, how tragic—but, are there really such stupid men in the world?" "Having said that, he burst into laughter, and the thugs echoed him.
Lin Yuxiu, her face flushed with anger, roared, "You're not allowed to insult my older brother!" With a "whoosh," a sword thrust forward. Nangong Fengyi, fearing a fatality, quickly parried, though her strength was just right, her movement was a beat too slow. The sword grazed the middle-aged man's arm, leaving a small, inch-long wound.
Despite the minor injury, the middle-aged man screamed, "Help! Murder! You shrew, you've murdered me!"
Hearing his incoherent shrewish cries, Lin Yuxiu's anger intensified. Without a word, she was about to unleash her Meteor Thirteen Styles attack when suddenly, several cries of pain rang out. The thugs clutched their stomachs and collapsed to the ground, their faces contorted in agony. The thug leader, in particular, trembled violently, his face drained of color, and the muscles around his lips twitching uncontrollably. The
middle-aged man laughed heartily, "You little brats, you know freeloading isn't so easy now, huh? Hurry to the outhouse, or you'll miss your spot!" He grew increasingly smug as he spoke, his few remaining whiskers almost bristling.
The thug leader, only then realizing the middle-aged man had laced his food with laxatives, clutched his stomach and staggered to his feet, snarling, "You...you don't go! Don't you dare leave! When I get back, I'll tear you to pieces..." Before he could finish the word "eight pieces," his face changed drastically, and he rushed downstairs.
The women, now aware of the truth, exchanged knowing smiles.
The middle-aged man, head held high and chest puffed out, said smugly, "Little shrew, what do you think? Just stabbing around with a sword won't do you any good. You need to use your brain, your brain! Understand?" Lin
Yuxiu, who had already calmed down, was provoked by the middle-aged man's words, and her anger surged again. Her almond-shaped eyes widened as she glared at him, her right hand gripping the sword she had just sheathed, ready to strike at any moment.
Seeing her like this, the middle-aged man immediately took two steps back in fright, fawning, "Grandma, calm down! Please don't draw your sword, please don't!"
The women, not wanting to cause further trouble, quickly pulled Lin Yuxiu back to her seat. But the middle-aged man was relentless, becoming arrogant again, pointing at Lin Yuxiu and cursing, "You little shrew, why aren't you saying anything? You can't kill me with your eyes alone."
The bartender hurriedly stepped forward to dissuade him, smiling obsequiously, "Sir, please don't provoke these ladies."
The middle-aged man, throwing his weight around, said arrogantly, "Why should I let it go like this? My sword strike was for nothing… Hmph, if it weren't for my superior martial arts and profound inner strength, my entire arm would have been dislocated."
The bartender pleaded earnestly, "Sir, since your injury isn't serious, I'll go get a doctor right away and serve you some more food as an apology, okay?"
The middle-aged man's eyes darted around, and he said nonchalantly, "That's more like it! Hurry up, bring the wine and food! Don't bother getting a doctor, I don't care about a mere sword wound... Oh, right, put it on that shrew's tab, I won't pay."
Nangong Fengyi was considered the most good-tempered of the women, but even she couldn't tolerate the middle-aged man's arrogance. Nangong Fengzi, Shui Furong, and Lin Yuxiu all stood up and were about to attack the middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man chuckled leisurely, "Gentlemen, there's no need for you to thank me for saving our lives. Just a few hundred taels of silver is enough to reward this old man. Of course, if you wish to become my disciple and learn martial arts, you'll need to offer several hundred taels plus a fine banquet. Other formalities can be omitted if possible."
Seeing his composed and easygoing demeanor, Nangong Fengyi was certain that the middle-aged man was not as simple as he appeared. She suppressed her anger and persuaded the three women to return to their original positions. She pondered, "Senior Yi and Sister Long have not yet returned. We must not act rashly to avoid complications, otherwise, the rescue of Ren Xiaoyao may be jeopardized."
Upon hearing the mention of Ren Xiaoyao, the women's immense anger vanished instantly.
Shui Furong, unwilling to admit defeat, retorted irritably, "What skills do you have? All you do is flatter and poison... Humph, it's all lowlife stuff, I wouldn't stoop to learning that."
The middle-aged man, unusually, ignored him. Once the food and wine arrived, he broke off a chicken leg and began to devour it, his ravenous eating resembling that of a demon.
A short while later, a thumping sound was heard, and the thugs rushed upstairs.
Lin Yuxiu sneered, "Haha, they've come to settle accounts with you. Let's see how you handle this."
The middle-aged man smiled slightly, drinking and eating, completely disregarding the thugs.
The thugs, looking menacing, approached the middle-aged man, forming a semi-circle around the round table, but none of them uttered a word.
The middle-aged man coldly said, "What, have you lost your tongue?"
The thugs exchanged glances, then suddenly knelt down in unison, kowtowing and begging for mercy, "Great hero, please have mercy and spare us! You are handsome, dashing, a master of martial arts, and renowned far and wide..." Instantly, the restaurant was filled with the thugs' sycophantic praises.
The women looked at each other, bewildered. The thugs should have been beating the middle-aged man, so why were they suddenly becoming so subservient?
The middle-aged man said coldly, "What virtue or ability do I possess to deserve such titles?"
The thug leader kowtowed repeatedly, pleading, "Senior's poison... oh dear, the elixir is divine! After we took it, we felt like we needed to defecate... oh dear, after defecating, our whole bodies felt numb and itchy, like... like a million worms were crawling on us... oh dear, senior, please have mercy and give us the antidote."
The middle-aged man poured a cup of wine and said slowly and deliberately, "Oh, the antidote? What is your relationship with me? Why should I give you the antidote... Go, go, go find a place to die, don't defile this restaurant."
The thug leader cried and begged, "You are my father, my grandfather, my ancestor! Please, please spare my dog's life!" As he spoke, he kowtowed more than a dozen times.
The middle-aged man winked at Shui Furong, as if to say, "Little girl, you know how powerful I am now," then kicked the thug leader hard, scolding, "Stop kowtowing, it's annoying to watch. From now on, call me Ancestor, understand?"
The thugs nodded repeatedly. The middle-aged man reached into his tattered clothes, rubbed them for a while, and pulled out several black mud pills, tossing them to the thugs with a nonchalant air, "Here, my good grandsons, these pills will keep you safe for seven days. From today onwards, obediently follow Ancestor, and if you do well, you'll naturally get the antidote."
The thug leader echoed, "Yes, yes, yes, I will do my best to serve Ancestor."
The middle-aged man laughed three times, clapped his hands, and a dozen burly men wielding sharp blades rushed upstairs, surrounding the thugs. Seeing the gleaming blades, the thugs were paralyzed with fear, speechless for a long time.
The middle-aged man laughed and said, "These are my newly adopted grandsons. Take them back to the compound."
The burly men nodded in agreement and led the thugs out of the restaurant, leaving only an elderly man with a scar on his face, who placed a large bag of silver on the table.
The middle-aged man took the silver pouch, weighed it in his hand, and said, "Hmm, a full three hundred taels. You collected it quite quickly."
The elder said respectfully, "Our ancestor has a lot of influence; who would dare not pay the protection fee on time?"
Shui Furong said coldly, "So you're a gangster. I underestimated you."
Nangong Fengzi retorted in a low voice, "So what if I'm a gangster? Besides poisoning, I have no real skills."
The middle-aged man suddenly stood up, walked up to Nangong Fengzi, and said with a sinister smile, "Miss, this old man has many skills. I'm afraid they'll scare you to death when I use them."
How could Nangong Fengzi stand the sour smell emanating from him? She quickly moved two steps to the side, frowned, and said in a low voice, "You...you're bragging! Get lost! Even beggars aren't as filthy as you. You're disgusting."
The middle-aged man grinned and said mysteriously, "Little girl, one day you'll know my true abilities. Farewell." With that, he turned and left.
The women exchanged glances. Shui Furong murmured, "This man is so strange; his words are so inexplicable."
Lin Yuxiu retorted fiercely, "Strange or not, I wouldn't let him go if I weren't in such a hurry to rescue my elder brother."
Nangong Fengyi's beautiful eyes brightened, and she pondered, "We must not underestimate this man. It's already quite remarkable that he managed to poison the food and wine without our knowledge. And when he said his last words, he was so composed and had such an extraordinary air about him. I think he might be a hidden master."
Lin Yuxiu scolded in a low voice, "What master? He's clearly just being mysterious... Forget it, let's ignore him." With that, she poured herself a cup of wine and gracefully brought it to her lips.
Nangong Fengyi hurriedly stopped her, reminding her, "You can't drink this; be careful, the wine might be poisoned."
Lin Yuxiu nodded, put down her wine cup, and said softly, "Alright, let's go back to the inn first. Big brother is in danger; I doubt anyone can eat anything."
Nangong Fengzi said sweetly, "Fifth Sister is right! Waiter—check out!" As she spoke, she reached for the silver, only to suddenly realize that the money pouch tied to her waist was gone. She slammed her hand on the table and stood up angrily, shouting, "You scoundrel! How dare you steal my money? You're asking for trouble!" With a "whoosh," she drew her long sword and gave chase.
Nangong Fengyi cried out, "Fengzi, don't go! Be careful, it might be a trap!"
Nangong Fengzi wouldn't listen. She gritted her teeth, used all her strength to move, and disappeared into the chaotic crowd in an instant.

Volume 27 Heavenly Dao Divine Skill: The Heart of Loyalty, Chapter 11 Pretending to be a Pig to Eat a Tiger.

In a small alley, a middle-aged man walked along, proudly counting his silver notes, muttering to himself, "Hehe, this stack of silver notes is worth several hundred taels. It seems they are all young ladies from wealthy families. I'm rich, I'm rich, hahaha..." Just as he was laughing to himself, a cold wind suddenly rose behind him, and he was kicked right in the back. He was sent flying forward involuntarily, crashing to the ground with a "bang," his face bruised and swollen, blood streaming down his face.
The middle-aged man struggled to his feet, trembling as he looked back. He saw Nangong Fengzi, her cheeks puffed out, her eyebrows furrowed in a menacing glare, holding a gleaming longsword. She snarled, "You're asking for trouble! How dare you steal from me! Today, I'll act on behalf of Heaven and cripple your filthy hands!"
The man took two steps back, pulled out a silver note to wipe the blood from his nose, crumpled it into a ball, and tossed it to the ground. He said arrogantly, "Hmph, I may care about a few scraps of paper, but I don't care about your ancestors."
Nangong Fengzi pushed her longsword forward, pressing it against the man's throat, without uttering a word.
The man was immediately terrified, begging repeatedly, "Grandma, little grandma, please, please don't! I'm scared, please take the sword away, I'm terrified!"
Nangong Fengzi sneered, "Hmph, didn't you call yourself an ancestor? How come you're so scared after I just brandished my sword?"
The middle-aged man stood up shakily, forcing a smile, "Oh dear, my little aunt, how dare I be so arrogant in front of you?" In his heart, he thought: "Hmph, you want me to be your ancestor? I won't agree!"
Nangong Fengzi coldly laughed, "You dog, I have no interest in being your aunt. Quick, give me back my money."
The middle-aged man chuckled dryly, "I want a banknote? No problem, no problem." He agreed verbally, but secretly retreated.
Nangong Fengzi sheathed her sword and was about to reach for it when the middle-aged man, incredibly cunning, suddenly kicked up a clump of mud and sand, throwing it at Nangong Fengzi's face. While she was frantically trying to defend herself, he turned and ran.
Seeing his trickery, Nangong Fengzi was furious. She chased after him, kicking the middle-aged man several feet away. He scrambled to his feet and fled in a disheveled state. Nangong Fengzi pursued relentlessly, picking up a rock with her sword and thrusting it forward, striking the man squarely on the back of the head. He cried out and fell to the ground
. Nangong Fengzi swung her sword, pointing it at his forehead, and said fiercely, "If you run again, I'll kill you!" The middle-aged man
pleaded repeatedly, "Grandma, please don't kill me, please don't kill me."
Nangong Fengzi didn't bother to argue with him and said coldly, "Give me the silver notes, and you can get lost."
More and more onlookers gathered, quickly forming a dense crowd.
The middle-aged man slowly stood up, his cunning eyes darting around, then he knelt down again with a thud, sobbing, "Daughter, please spare your father!"
Nangong Fengzi was stunned. "You... what did you say!"
The middle-aged man, tears streaming down his face, covered his face and wept, "Daughter, I know you've always hated me, but I am, after all, your biological father. I raised you from infancy, enduring countless hardships. Tell me, tell me, in all these years, what have I ever done to wrong you? Why... why do you insist on killing me? Heavens, save this old man!"
Nangong Fengzi's experience in the martial world was limited; she had never faced such a situation before, and she was immediately at a loss for what to do.
The middle-aged man, tears streaming down his face, pleaded, "My daughter, I didn't want you to be with the butcher next door, but it was all for your sake! Why can't you understand my good intentions no matter how much I plead? My daughter, my precious daughter, can't you come back with me? Why do you have to... why do you have to kill your father in front of everyone?"
Seeing this, the onlookers began to murmur amongst themselves, some even pointing and whispering, "What a heartless daughter! She won't even spare her own father!" "The hearts of parents are all the same; they've worked so hard for their daughters..." "Half a lifetime has passed, and now I'm being hunted down by my own daughter." "Alas, the world is going to the dogs, and people's hearts are no longer what they used to be."
Nangong Fengzi's face flushed red, and she cried out anxiously, "Don't talk nonsense! I don't even know him!"
The middle-aged man wailed, "Daughter, I really hope you don't acknowledge me as your father! You... you can pretend you've never seen me before! You... you can let me go!"
The onlookers loudly accused and scolded Nangong Fengzi for being unfilial. Nangong Fengzi was speechless and could only secretly gather her inner strength, intending to strike the middle-aged man with her sword before fleeing.
Just as she was about to make her move, the middle-aged man suddenly shouted, stood up using a bamboo pole, and cried out, "Daughter, kill your father! No matter how I beg you, you won't change your mind, so... you might as well give me a quick death!"
Without hesitation, Nangong Fengzi thrust her sword forward!
"Don't kill him!" the onlookers shouted in unison.
The middle-aged man chuckled inwardly, continuing to feign a pitiful appearance, and said in a sorrowful voice, "Thank you all for your kindness, but you have no idea how much I've suffered. She...she...sigh, I truly regret raising this daughter. I forbade her from being with that butcher, and she slashed my face more than a dozen times with a knife, and...and even set my house on fire. I don't blame her for any of that, because she's my daughter. As long as she's doing well, I'm happy even if I suffer a little. But she's still not satisfied, she even...she even covets the retirement money I've saved up for most of my life. Daughter, our father-daughter relationship of more than ten years, is it worth more than a few silver notes?"
Nangong Fengzi said urgently, "Don't talk nonsense, I have no intention of chasing you."
The middle-aged man said tremblingly, "Everyone, look..." "Her sword was just pointed at my chest...this...this is clearly an attempt to kill me!"
Several righteous people couldn't stand it and scolded, "Young lady, you're being too outrageous..."
The middle-aged man secretly made a face at Nangong Fengzi and interrupted, "Please don't blame her, she's still young and doesn't understand...If I die here today, I'll accept my fate."
Nangong Fengzi had a sudden inspiration. She thought: Now that we're in the middle of a busy street, and the middle-aged man is so sharp-tongued, continuing will only make things worse. I'll teach him a lesson slowly when we're in a quiet place. I'm afraid he might escape. So she sheathed her sword and said softly, "Father, I know I was wrong. Let's go home, okay?"
The middle-aged man obviously didn't expect Nangong Fengzi to change her attitude so suddenly, and he stood there stunned.
Suppressing her anger, Nangong Fengzi abandoned her haughty demeanor and declared loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, I promise I will never again turn my sword against my own father. I hope you will believe me." Her innocent and charming nature, coupled with her sincere and earnest words and gentle tone, made her irresistible.
The onlookers left satisfied. Nangong Fengzi glared at the middle-aged man, stomped her foot, and vanished in an instant.
"A young lady's feet, small and pointed, embroidered with a white jade bird; she tries to catch it, but it flies away..." Walking along a secluded path in the west of the city, the middle-aged man hummed a tune, smugly swaying his head.
Suddenly, he stopped, his expression changing drastically. The furious Nangong Fengzi appeared at the corner ahead, her gleaming long sword catching the eye.
Nangong Fengzi said sarcastically, "Father, I'll take you home. Please
take care." The middle-aged man staggered back a few steps, waving his hands repeatedly, "No, no, Grandma, how dare I be your father? I deserve to die, I deserve to die." As he spoke, he slapped himself several times.
Nangong Fengzi's eyes flashed with a fierce light as she coldly said, "Hit me, keep hitting me! Let me tell you the truth, even if you beat yourself into a pig's head, you'll still be going to see the King of Hell today!"
The middle-aged man trembled as he huddled against the corner of the wall, suddenly pulling out silver notes from his pocket and shouting, "You...you stay away! If you come any closer, I'll...I'll tear them up!"
Nangong Fengzi had initially chased him to get her silver notes back, but now she was so enraged that she didn't care about anything else. She coldly replied, "Tear them up, tear them all. I don't care at all."
The middle-aged man was taken aback. He had no idea that she was the second young lady of Tingyu Pavilion. She wouldn't even blink an eye if she threw a few hundred taels of silver into the water, let alone a few thousand. Besides, she was now so angry that she was determined to teach him a lesson.
The middle-aged man, at his wit's end, simply put away the silver notes, stood tall and proud, and swung his bamboo pole forward, shouting, "You didn't see that coming, did you? Actually, I'm a hidden master. If that 'Sweeping Through a Thousand Armies' move had hit you... hmph, broken bones would have been the minimum." He then smirked and chopped the bamboo pole forward, yelling, "God's Axe Splitting the Mountain!" But he used too much force, and the bamboo pole struck the wall, snapping in two.
Nangong Fengzi, hands on her hips, sarcastically remarked, "Good, indeed, excellent staff technique. You can even break weapons."
The middle-aged man chuckled dryly, grinning, "Back in the day, I was proficient in all kinds of weapons, including swords, spears, and staffs. I just used too much force... cough cough. Now let me show you my swordsmanship." He then began to brandish his staff, but before he could even perform two or three moves, his palm suddenly slipped, and half of the bamboo pole flew out of his hand.
Nangong Fengzi was amused by his comical behavior and giggled, her hand holding the sword involuntarily lowering.
The middle-aged man, panting heavily, said, "Don't underestimate me. This move is called 'Flying Knife Kills.' If I hadn't held back and not aimed at you, you would be dead."
Nangong Fengzi bowed respectfully and said coldly, "It seems I should thank you for sparing my life, senior."
The middle-aged man smiled and said, "You're too kind. It's getting late. I'll go back first. You should go too." He wanted to get away with it, so he pretended nothing was wrong and turned to leave.
Nangong Fengzi shouted, "Stop!"
The middle-aged man immediately turned ashen-faced, trembling as he looked at Nangong Fengzi, and said in a trembling voice, "You...you're from another country. I'll tell you...I'll tell you, my internal strength is extremely...extremely powerful. If you...if you provoke me, I'll...I'll seriously injure you...Help, help me!" By the end, his voice was trembling with tears.
Without a word, Nangong Fengzi charged at the middle-aged man with her sword. The man was so frightened that he ran away in panic, but suddenly his foot slipped and he fell flat on his back. As luck would have it, when he lost his balance, his hands swung wildly, and his right index finger struck Nangong Fengzi's "Zhongwan" acupoint on her waist!

Volume 27 Heavenly Dao Divine Skill, Chapter 12 Fengzi's Disfigurement

Nangong Fengzi immediately stiffened and could not move.
The middle-aged man seemed oblivious, kneeling on the ground and kowtowing, begging for mercy: "Grandma, I was wrong! I'm an ugly monster, an old geezer, I'm worthless! Please spare me, heroine! Please spare me!"
Nangong Fengzi didn't react for a long time. The middle-aged man cautiously looked up and saw her standing there motionless, before standing up and asking timidly, "Grandma... what's wrong? Are you alright?" He backed away as he spoke, and after running a dozen steps, he heard Nangong Fengzi shout, "Come back, you bastard! Come back to Grandma!"
The middle-aged man stopped, turning back timidly. Seeing that Nangong Fengzi was only shouting but unable to move, he chuckled and ran back, smugly... "Oh, what's wrong, little girl? Can't move?" Yang Yang said.
Nangong Fengzi snorted and scolded in a low voice, "I'm in a good mood today and don't want to kill you all."
The middle-aged man sneered, "Don't think I don't know anything. You must have been...bound by a deity, your three souls and seven spirits have been captured, and you've become a cripple... Hahaha, the deity is helping me, you're finished."
Seeing him gradually approaching, Nangong Fengzi immediately became nervous and said in a trembling voice, "You... what do you want to do!"
The middle-aged man smiled sinisterly, "What do you think... Hahaha, it's rare to have a beautiful girl in my hands... If I don't make good use of her, wouldn't that be a waste?"
Nangong Fengzi was so anxious that she didn't know what to do and cried for help, "Don't go over there!" "Come on, don't come any closer! If you dare touch me, Brother Xiaoyao... Brother Xiaoyao will definitely avenge me!"
The middle-aged man tentatively asked, "Brother Xiaoyao? You wouldn't happen to be the dashing thief Ren Xiaoyao, would you?"
Nangong Fengzi cried out urgently, "It's him! You... you should know how powerful Brother Xiaoyao is! Quick, get out of here!"
The middle-aged man's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he slowly said, "Since you're Ren Xiaoyao's friend and have so many silver notes, you must be the young lady of Tingyuxuan."
Nangong Fengzi, unaware that he was trying to trick her, arrogantly replied, "That's my sister. I'm my father's youngest daughter."
The middle-aged man's mind stirred slightly, and he feigned surprise, saying, "Oh dear, Ren Xiaoyao and Tingyuxuan are not easy to mess with!"
"You know that's good, now release me!" Nangong Fengzi scolded in a low voice. The
middle-aged man muttered, "Alas, each generation is worse than the last. If it were Xiulin, I would rather die than..." Nangong Fengzi frowned and asked in a sweet voice, "What did you say?" The middle-aged man sneered, "Hmph, others may fear Nangong Bubai and Ren Xiaoyao, but I, Deng Lei, am not!" Seeing that her threats were ineffective, Nangong Fengzi was so anxious that she almost burst into tears, choking out, "You...please...please don't...Sister Long, Senior Yi, please come and save me!" Deng Lei chuckled, "Go ahead and scream, no one will come even if you scream your lungs out." Nangong Fengzi was extremely anxious and burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably. Deng Lei remained unmoved, saying sternly, "I forgot to tell you, my specialty is disguise. I can't just take your several hundred taels for nothing; I'll just smear some mud on your face as a way of repaying you." With that, he bent down, picked up a clod of yellow mud, and smeared it directly onto Nangong Fengzi's pretty face. With a "smack," her delicate features were instantly covered in dust. Nangong Fengzi cried out in distress, "You... what exactly do you want?" Deng Lei coldly replied, "Just now you forced me to call you 'Grandma' and 'Auntie' for ages; I should at least get my revenge... Hmm, I don't want you to call me 'Ancestor,' just call me 'Uncle' a few times." Nangong Fengzi shook her head desperately, insisting, "No, I won't!" Deng Lei said coldly, "You've got guts. I'll see how long you can hold out." "Smack!" "Smack!" "Smack!" A series of rapid sounds followed, and more than a dozen clumps of mud almost completely covered Nangong Fengzi's pretty face. As the second young lady of Tingyu Pavilion, she lived a life comparable to that of a royal princess. She had never suffered such torment before. Terrified, she burst into tears, cursing incessantly: "You dog, you ugly monster, you despicable, shameless, filthy..." Seeing that applying mud was ineffective, Deng Lei chuckled, "Little girl, I didn't expect you to be so tough. It seems I can't get rid of you without using my ultimate move." Nangong Fengzi sobbed, "Ultimate move... what... what ultimate move?" Deng Lei picked up a broken bamboo pole from the ground, waved it in front of Nangong Fengzi, and coldly said, "I'll only say this one last time. If you don't call me Uncle-in-law, I'll use this to slash your face." With that, he thrust the bamboo pole into the ground, demonstrating its sharpness. Nangong Fengzi sobbed, "You... just kill me! I won't cry when I die!" Deng Lei sneered, "Kill you? Hmph, I can't bear to. It's rare to have a beautiful girl about to take my place as the ugliest person in the world. How can I let you die so easily?" Tears streamed down Nangong Fengzi's face, her eyes filled with fear, yet she kept her mouth tightly shut, refusing to yield. Deng Lei raised the bamboo pole, and with a "swish," he slashed a short, inch-long mark across Nangong Fengzi's face. He controlled his strength perfectly, only breaking through the outer layer of soil without damaging the flesh. Nangong Fengzi, however, was unaware of this, only thinking she had been disfigured, and immediately burst into tears, refusing to utter the words "Uncle." Seeing that she was determined to fight him, Deng Lei became enraged, swinging the bamboo pole repeatedly, and Nangong Fengzi's face immediately gained more than a dozen crisscrossing wounds. Gazing at his meticulously crafted masterpiece, Deng Lei laughed heartily. Suddenly, he heard the faint sound of clothes rustling behind him, and his expression immediately changed. He sneered, "Little girl, your friends are quite capable, finding you so quickly! Fine, let them see your face, the ugliest monster in the world. Remember, if you want revenge, come to the thatched hut in the north of the city, and bring plenty of silver!" With that, he dropped the bamboo pole and ran off. Not long after, Nangong Fengyi, Shui Furong, and Lin Yuxiu arrived one after another. They had inquired along the way and finally learned where Nangong Fengzi and Deng Lei had gone. When they caught up, they found Nangong Fengzi standing there, her face a mess, and quickly released her pressure points. Nangong Fengzi burst into tears, crying out, "Sister, that bastard slashed my face! I... I don't want to be an ugly monster! I don't want to live anymore!" Nangong Fengyi was also startled and quickly wiped the mud off Nangong Fengzi's face. Seeing that her younger sister wasn't disfigured, she breathed a sigh of relief and said softly, "Sister, that person was just playing around with you. He didn't mean to be sad. Look, he only scratched off that layer of yellow mud; he didn't disfigure your face at all." Nangong Fengzi let her tears slide down her cheeks and sobbed, "Sister, don't lie to me! I know I'm disfigured. Brother Xiaoyao won't like me anymore."

Lin Yuxiu hurriedly said, "Fengzi, your second sister didn't lie to you. If you don't believe me, touch it yourself and see if it hurts."
Nangong Fengzi trembled as she reached out her slender hand and gently touched her tender face. Finding that she was indeed not injured, she was overjoyed and burst into laughter through her tears, saying, "Sister, it's really okay, my face is really fine, that's great!"
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
The women returned to the inn and bumped into Long Feiyun and Yi Tianhan.
Lin Yuxiu asked anxiously, "Sister Long, about mobilizing the navy..."
Long Feiyun's beautiful eyes glistened with tears, and she sighed, "Emperor Taizong has passed away. The Western Xia and Liao dynasties intend to take advantage of the newly enthroned crown prince to invade our borders. His Majesty preemptively mobilized the Tianji Army to reinforce the border. The Benjiao navy stationed in the two lakes region was ordered to the Yellow River half a month ago, and now not a single ship remains."
Shui Furong exclaimed in surprise, "So...so..."
Long Feiyun said sadly, "Yes, saving Xiaoyao can only rely on ourselves."
The women exchanged glances, and Lin Yuxiu burst into tears, "No, Sister Long, I'll write a letter right now and ask Grandpa and Father to come to Wenzhou. We must rescue Big Brother no matter what."
Nangong Fengzi quickly echoed, "Yes, and there's also our Tingyuxuan, no matter what..." "We can always send five or six hundred retainers, and there's also Mr. Zhuge. As long as he comes in person, Qiu Feng and Xiao Wuji won't have to worry about any tricks they can pull."
A look of grief flashed in Long Feiyun's eyes, and she said resolutely, "No, by the time the people from Hengshan Sect and Tingyuxuan arrive, Xiaoyao... he's already been... In short, we don't have time to wait any longer. We must set off within ten days." Actually, what she was worried about wasn't the time issue, but that if the news of Ren Xiaoyao being framed by villains, resulting in his hands being crippled and his meridians being severed, were to spread through outsiders, it would not only damage the reputation of the Tianji Sect, but at this critical juncture of foreign invasion and the rise and fall of the nation, it would inevitably affect the morale of the entire nation's military and civilians in their resistance against the enemy. It might even directly lead to the collapse of the entire border defense line, with unimaginable consequences.
Shui Furong asked anxiously, "Sister Long, is there really no way at all?"
Long Feiyun pondered for a moment, then said, "Although the main force of our sect has all gone to the border to guard, the martial arts of the people left behind in various branches are not weak either. I think it shouldn't be a problem to gather nearly a hundred people within ten days. In addition, Senior Yi's residual poison has been completely eliminated, and he has recovered completely. I believe that as long as we return to Stone City, the other party will not dare to disobey and hand over Xiaoyao obediently. However... however, without a navy, we cannot blockade Chiwei Island, and naturally we cannot continue to investigate and expose the true faces of Qiu Feng and Xiao Wuji."
Lin Yuxiu said sweetly, "Oh dear, now is the most important thing to save Big Brother. As for finding the mastermind behind it, why rush it?"
Yi Tianhan said solemnly, "That's right. A gentleman takes revenge even after ten years. As long as we ensure Xiaoyao's safety, what are we afraid that Qiu Feng and Xiao Wuji will escape to the heavens?"
Long Feiyun's beautiful eyes dimmed, and she had no words to express her suffering.
Lin Yuxiu said sweetly, "That's right, Fourth Sister was bullied just now, let's go avenge her later."
Yi Tianhan asked in surprise, "Who is so bold as to bully Fengzi?"
Nangong Fengzi sobbed as she recounted Deng Lei's evil deeds. Upon hearing this, Yi Tianhan was furious and scolded, "Well, I haven't even vented my anger over Xiao Wuji's poisoning yet, and someone comes knocking on my door. Fengzi, don't worry, Uncle Yi will stand up for you, tonight we'll definitely raze that North City Thatched Hut to the ground!"

Volume 27 Heavenly Dao Divine Skill: Loyal Heart Enlightenment Chapter 13 Raze the Thatched Hut The

night was deep and quiet, the moon was dark and the wind was high.
Six people arrived in a grand procession from the North City Thatched Hut:
Yi Tianhan, Long Feiyun, Nangong Fengyi, Nangong Fengzi, Shui Furong, and Lin Yuxiu.
In terms of face, who in the martial arts world would dare not bow and greet them upon seeing them; in terms of strength, they could easily raze any medium-sized gang or sect.
According to Yang Jian, the deputy leader of the Wenzhou branch of the Tianji Sect, Deng Lei was merely a local thug occupying a corner of the north of the city
. He had neither a powerful backer nor any capable experts to assist him, and his men numbered at most a hundred or so. In Yi Tianhan and Long Feiyun's view, dealing with them would be as easy as cutting melons and vegetables. The thatched hut was quite ordinary, surrounded by an old fence, with seven or eight thatched huts inside. At first glance, it looked almost identical to an ordinary farmhouse, except that it occupied nearly ten times the area.
Under the dim light of the crescent moon, the group keenly sensed that there was no ambush near the thatched hut, and they couldn't help but look at each other in astonishment.
Was Deng Lei really so arrogant that he thought he could deal with them all by himself?
Yi Tianhan sneered, "What an arrogant fellow! Even if I were to single-handedly challenge the Asura Sect's headquarters, Ghost Netherworld God wouldn't dare to be so presumptuous!"
Nangong Fengyi hurriedly advised, "Senior, please calm down. How could this scoundrel Deng Lei have offended you?"
Shui Furong giggled, "That's right! If you told him that the infamous Heaven-Defying Palm technique was coming to settle accounts with him, wouldn't he be terrified and run away in a panic?"
Lin Yuxiu held her sword to her chest and scolded, "How can a mere gang leader require Senior Yi's attention? Let Xiuxiu handle it—right, ladies?"
Long Feiyun pondered, "This person might not be easy to deal with. Don't underestimate him."
The women's discussions clearly caught Deng Lei's attention, and an arrogant voice came from inside the room. Yin: "Oh dear, you little shrew, you've got your uncle dressed up again? Hehe, last time I charged you eight hundred taels, this time I'll give you a 50% discount, four hundred, how about it?"
Having suffered in the suburbs, which Nangong Fengzi considered a great humiliation, she was even more furious at the mere mention of it, her pretty face turning cold and her anger soaring. She roared, "You dog, I have plenty of silver on me, I'm just afraid you don't have the guts to take it, get out here!"
Deng Lei chuckled sinisterly, "You think I'll come out just because you tell me to? Hmph, don't forget, I'm your uncle. Anyone who dares to boss around their elders like that will be struck by lightning!"
Nangong Fengzi was enraged and scolded, "You dog, you dare to be so stubborn. Fine, fine, I'll tear you to pieces to vent my anger!" She raised her long sword and charged inside.
Long Feiyun quickly pulled her back, pondering, "Wait a minute. Look, the thatched hut occupies a vast area, yet there are no snakes, rats, insects, or even the cawing of crows nearby. There must be something fishy about it. If we rashly enter, we might be ambushed." She had suffered greatly from traps and hidden weapons when she left Chiwei Island, and she was still shaken.
Nangong Fengzi confidently said, "I've already memorized the 'Secret Records of Cultivation' that Brother Xiaoyao gave me. No traps or mechanisms can harm me."
Long Feiyun was still worried and solemnly said, "I'll go in and take a look first. You and the other sisters wait outside—Elder Yi will keep watch from the side, so people won't say we're bullying the weak with numbers." Among the women, she was the most thoughtful and had the highest martial arts skills, making her the best choice to go in and investigate. "
Excuse me," Long Feiyun said, her toes swaying slightly as she gracefully leaped over the bamboo fence, heading straight for the thatched hut.
The moment she touched the ground, her foot slipped, and she plummeted downwards, clearly having stepped into a trap set by Deng Lei.
Heaven knows how many steel forks, iron needles, and bamboo caltrops were hidden inside, perhaps even coated with deadly poison. Even if she didn't suffer a pierced chest and abdomen, she would likely die from poisoning.
But who was Long Feiyun? In terms of lightness skill, among the younger generation in the world, only Ren Xiaoyao was second to none.
Long Feiyun reacted extremely quickly ... Quickly, she braced her left foot against the side of the pit, then pushed off with her right, using the momentum to leap several feet into the air, easily escaping and landing steadily.
The women cheered in unison. Long Feiyun cautiously continued forward, but after only two steps, she suddenly lost her footing!
A pit, another pit!
This pit was much larger than the last one; even with the exquisite skill of her Illusionary Void Technique, it was difficult to use it for a leap.
Long Feiyun's quick reflexes were unparalleled.
In this life-or-death moment, the Nine Heavens Profound Sky Sword was suddenly drawn, instantly embedding itself a foot into the pit.
Long Feiyun let out a soft whistle, leaping forward on her sword. She then unleashed her Dragon-Capturing Skill, executing a beautifully executed feat of retrieving an object from afar. Not only did she successfully escape the pit, but the Nine Heavens Profound Sky Sword also returned steadily to her hand.
Before she could even regain her footing, two bulging sacks suddenly flew towards her. Without hesitation, Long Feiyun swiftly slashed through the air with her precious blade, and with a "crack," the sacks burst open.
Inside were weeds!?
No, and a sleeping potion!
Long Feiyun was shocked by her opponent's cunning. She quickly held her breath, but still inhaled a small amount.
The sleeping potion was extremely potent; Long Feiyun instantly felt dizzy and almost fainted. Fortunately, she managed to protect her heart meridian in time, maintaining a sliver of clarity in her mind. Then, relying on her Heavenly Dao Divine Skill, she quickly neutralized the effects of the potion, thus recovering unharmed.
Before she could even stand still, another bulging sack flew towards her.
Long Feiyun's mind raced. She figured an ordinary person wouldn't dare touch the sack now; their first instinct would be to dodge to the side. The enemy, anticipating this, would surely have set a trap in that spot, and the consequences of moving to the side would be unimaginable. So she stood still, neither dodging nor avoiding, and with a "whoosh," thrust her sword straight forward!
Long Feiyun had cultivated the Heavenly Dao Divine Art since childhood, reaching the realm of spiritual immortality. Holding her breath for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea was effortless for her. Now, with her defenses intact, what was there to fear from the sleeping potion?
Unfortunately, she was wrong, terribly wrong.
The sack exploded with a bang. Inside wasn't weeds, nor sleeping potion, but—flour.
Long Feiyun had been determined to remain still, never considering retreating. Now, faced with this sudden change, her reaction was naturally off, leaving her covered in flour, looking utterly disheveled.
The women were all shocked. When it came to Long Feiyun's intelligence and strategy, even Ren Xiaoyao sometimes admitted he couldn't match her. They never expected that in such a short time, Deng Lei would outmaneuver them.
Deng Lei seemed to have anticipated this, and laughed triumphantly, saying loudly, "Little shrew, now you know how powerful your uncle is! This girl disguised as a man is quite calm; if it were you, the consequences would be far worse."
As he spoke, two sacks came hurtling towards her head. Long Feiyun couldn't dodge or block them. In her panic, she slightly bent her knees, tilted her head back, and the sacks grazed her scalp, barely escaping her feet.
Yi Tianhan exclaimed in admiration, "What a graceful gliding across the water! Absolutely brilliant..."
Before he could finish, two pebbles suddenly flew out of the thatched hut, hitting the sacks squarely!
Water—they were completely filled with water.
With a "bang," the two sacks of water drenched Long Feiyun thoroughly.
Long Feiyun's body was already covered in flour, and now it was all turned into a paste, making her look utterly disheveled.
In all her years, Long Feiyun had never suffered such humiliation. She ran her hand over her face, finding it sticky and smelly, unsure whether the flour had been sitting for too long or if the water was faulty.
Deng Lei laughed loudly, arrogantly saying, "Little girl, how does the foot-washing water taste?"
Long Feiyun felt nauseous upon hearing this and almost vomited.
Seeing the situation was dire, and knowing that the dinosaur-like Feiyun would suffer even more if she went any further, Yi Tianhan quickly said, "Feiyun, come back first."
Long Feiyun was not about to give up so easily, and said in a deep voice, "Senior Yi, I can do it." With that, she sat cross-legged, activating her Heavenly Dao Divine Skill. Wisps of white smoke rose from her head, like a steamer, quickly drying her body.
Yi Tianhan stroked his beard and smiled. Long Feiyun's internal strength was improving daily; dealing with Deng Lei shouldn't be a problem.
A confident smile spread across Long Feiyun's lips as the scab of flour gradually peeled away. Just as she was about to take a step forward, she suddenly heard Nangong Fengzi say, "Wait, Sister Long, I think I've figured out the secret."
Deng Lei said coldly, "You little shrew, keep bragging. Don't even mention breaking the formation; just being able to name it would be good enough."
Nangong Fengzi retorted in a low voice, "You dog, you think you can fool me with the mere 'Seven Absolutes Sect'?"
Deng Lei let out a sound of surprise, as if she had hit the nail on the head.
Nangong Fengzi said sweetly, “The Seven Absolutes Gate is set up according to the Big Dipper, divided into seven smaller formations: Tian Shu, Tian Xuan, Tian Ji, Tian Quan, Yu Heng, Kai Yang, and Yao Guang. Each smaller formation contains seven palaces: Tan Lang, Ju Men, Lu Cun, Wen Qu, Lian Zhen, Wu Qu, and Po Jun. Sister is standing in the Lu Cun Palace in the Tian Xuan formation. Five steps to the left is the Tan Lang Palace, seven steps to the right is the Lian Zhen Palace, and nine steps forward is the Po Jun Palace. There are four traps, seven hooks, and eleven flying slings in between—hmm, he must have replaced the flying slings with sacks.”
Long Feiyun asked happily, “Fengzi, how do we break this?”
Nangong Fengzi pondered for a moment and then gestured, “Sister Long, first take four steps to the left, then leap forward three feet, cross the Tan Lang Palace, then move three steps to the right and detour…”
Long Feiyun did as she was told, and sure enough, she easily walked out of the Seven Absolutes Gate and arrived in front of the thatched hut.

Volume 27 Heavenly Dao Divine Skill: The Heart of Loyalty, Chapter 14: The Cold

Sky Makes Its Move. Nangong Fengzi was overjoyed and said arrogantly, "You dog, you're helpless now, aren't you? Your petty tricks are nothing in front of me—Sister Long, go in and drag him out!"
Long Feiyun hadn't taken Deng Lei seriously at first, but after he used his traps to outmaneuver her, she realized his intelligence was exceptional, especially his ability to read his opponent's mind. He was no ordinary gang leader, and her initial hostility had lessened by three points. She cupped her hands and said, "Please come out and meet me, Mr. Deng, or don't blame me for breaking down the door!"
Deng Lei laughed and said, "If you think my skills stop here, you're sorely mistaken."
Fearing there were still traps inside, Long Feiyun said "Excuse me," and the Nine Heavens Profound Sky Sword flashed with light, unleashing a fierce and incomparable force, like a raging storm.
With a deafening crash, the thatched hut collapsed instantly. Amidst the billowing white mist, the sounds of arrows piercing the air, wooden barrels exploding, and water splashing filled the air. It seemed the hut was riddled with traps and hidden weapons; venturing inside would surely have far worse consequences than before.
Deng Lei's voice came from another hut: "Little girl, your swordsmanship is quite good. Judging by the style, it seems to be the Nebula Sword Technique of the Heavenly Pole Sect… Hmm, who is Long Yinxiao to you?"
Nangong Fengzi interjected, "Don't pretend to be knowledgeable. Everyone in the martial world knows our origins and background." Long
Feiyun stood frozen in place, her Nine Heavens Profound Sky Sword slashing and hacking away. Several nearby thatched huts collapsed under her full force. Strangely enough, Deng Lei's voice seemed to come from the east and then the west. Even though Long Feiyun followed the sound with her sword, swift as the wind, she couldn't even catch a glimpse of Deng Lei.
Nangong Fengzi jumped for joy, shouting relentlessly, "Sister Long, there are only three left! Tear them all down! Let's see where that bastard can hide!" Long
Feiyun frowned, remaining silent. Although the thatched hut was constructed of straw and wouldn't be difficult to destroy, her martial arts skills weren't yet fully refined. Sword energy couldn't reach her from five or six zhang away, and if she walked there on foot, she might encounter some traps. She had disguised herself as a man for many years and had never been afraid of anything, but she still retained a bit of her feminine nature. The disgust she felt from being drenched in foot-washing water by Deng Lei earlier still lingered, and the thought of it happening again made her somewhat… somewhat apprehensive.
Deng Lei sneered, “Hahaha, Long Yinxiao, a hero for life, has a daughter who's a coward.” "
Long Feiyun was exceptionally clever. Provocations usually wouldn't work, but the mention of her father left her no room for hesitation.
Long Feiyun took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She raised her left hand to protect her chest, while her right hand gripped the Nine Heavens Mystic Sword tightly. She cautiously stepped forward. She figured that since the thatched hut had collapsed, the traps and mechanisms should have been exhausted, so she deliberately walked through the ruins.
After only a couple of steps, her foot suddenly tightened; she was caught in a lasso. Then, her body felt light, and she was involuntarily pulled up. Long Feiyun glanced to the side and saw that the end of the lasso was fixed to a large tree about ten feet away. Countless iron spikes were placed among the sparse branches, their faint blue light clearly visible, indicating they were coated with a deadly poison."
Just as Long Feiyun was about to cut the lasso and break free, a sudden idea struck her. She let the lasso pull her closer to the iron cluster, and when the distance was only about a foot, she swiftly flipped over, secretly channeling her strength into her feet, breaking free of the lasso's restraint. The Nine Heavens Profound Sky Sword whistled as it thrust out, blocking the iron cluster. Simultaneously, she unleashed her true energy, using the upward pull to leap into the air, soaring like a roc spreading its wings across five or six zhang (approximately 15-16 meters), rapidly approaching the thatched hut.
The other women, unaware of what had happened, gasped in shock. Seeing Long Feiyun successfully escape, they cheered.
Amidst the deafening praise, two soft "whoosh" sounds suddenly rang out from inside the thatched hut, followed by two cold stars shooting out with lightning speed, heading straight for Long Feiyun's face.
With keen insight and unwavering focus, Long Feiyun swept her sword horizontally, unleashing a surge of true energy that rippled outwards, forming an invisible yet substantial wall of energy that she intended to easily deflect the hidden weapon.
However, two cold stars intersected in mid-air, abruptly changing direction. One accelerated instantly, shooting towards Long Feiyun's left eye, while the other curved in an arc, striking her back. Even the powerful internal energy of her Heavenly Dao Divine Skill couldn't hinder it in the slightest. Long Feiyun's
expression changed slightly. Her Nine Heavens Profound Sky Sword burst into a burst of sword flowers, thrusting straight at the accelerating star. Simultaneously, her left palm struck out with a "whoosh," sweeping behind her. She channeled eight-tenths of her power into her sword strike, deflecting the hidden weapon, and then used the remaining two-tenths in her left palm to block the incoming cold stars—a perfectly balanced distribution.
Unexpectedly, the projectile aimed at her left eye suddenly veered off course, causing the sword to miss its target. Long Feiyun was terrified and hastily parried the sword, but the small, seemingly magical projectile, though small in size, possessed tremendous force. With a "crack," it struck the Nine Heavens Profound Sky Sword and shattered into dozens of pieces, scattering in all directions. Two pieces hit her face, and Long Feiyun realized it was a pebble. Though tiny and unlikely to injure her, it still caused a slight sting.
Long Feiyun's shock deepened: if Deng Lei had used an Iron Lotus Seed or a Golden Coin Dart, it wouldn't have mattered, but a mere pebble had nearly knocked her weapon out of her hand. It seemed his skill with hidden weapons was definitely not inferior to Tang Yunhe's.
As she pondered, Fei Yun suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. While she was frantically trying to deflect the first pebble, the second one changed direction again, tracing a beautiful curve around her left palm and striking her "Shentang" acupoint. Fortunately, she was wearing the Mangcang Taxue Armor, which neutralized most of Deng Lei's internal energy; otherwise, her blood vessels would have been blocked, and she wouldn't have been able to move an inch. Long
Fei Yun was well-versed in martial arts tales, but she couldn't recall where Deng Lei's technique for launching hidden weapons came from. Knowing that if he used the same method again, she would definitely not be able to withstand it, she could only retreat awkwardly and leave the courtyard the way she came.
Nangong Fengzi asked anxiously, "Sister Long, why are you back?"
Long Feiyun frowned, racking her brains to figure out Deng Lei's background. Hearing this, she sighed softly and didn't answer. Yi Tianhan, however, pondered and said, "This man's hidden weapon skills are extremely powerful, and his formation is also very strange. If Feiyun stays any longer, she will only be humiliated..." As he spoke, he revealed an excited and enthusiastic expression, "It's rare to encounter such an opponent. I, this old man, will personally step in and learn a few moves from him." The
women were initially surprised, but then became happy. With Yi Tianhan's help, what couldn't be solved?
Deng Lei, unaware of the impending disaster, relentlessly mocked, "Oh, if the younger one isn't good enough, then let's switch to an older one. Come on, state your name, and I won't harm a nobody."
Shui Furong scolded, "You dog, listen carefully, my master..."
Yi Tianhan waved his hand to interrupt, and said loudly, "Enough nonsense. I'll capture you alive first, then I can ask you." "He valued his status and was unwilling to easily reveal his name. Otherwise, if the other party knew that the one about to challenge the formation was 'Defying Heaven's Lone Ranger' Yi Tianhan, they would be terrified and run away in a panic.
Yi Tianhan strode towards the thatched hut. He did not choose the direction Long Feiyun had taken, but went straight from the east. Traps, lassos, and sacks continued to appear one after another, but who was Yi Tianhan? These little tricks could not stump him. He dodged the traps and lassos as soon as they were triggered, and as for the sacks, they were shattered by his Heaven-Defying Divine Palm from two or three zhang away. No matter if they were filled with straw, sleeping pills, flour, or foot bath water, they could not touch him.
Soon, Yi Tianhan arrived at the ruins of the thatched hut, and Deng Lei's voice came from afar: 'Old man, be careful, don't ruin your lifelong reputation because of me.'" Yi
Tianhan snorted coldly, stepping on the straw as he approached the thatched hut where Deng Lei was.
Nangong Fengzi said sweetly, "Senior Yi, that's a yoke formation set up there. There's an iron cage about ten feet ahead."
Yi Tianhan scolded in a low voice, "No need to remind me, this little trick..."
Before he could finish speaking, a creaking sound came from beside his ears, and four iron bars rose up simultaneously, accompanied by the ear-piercing sound of metal rubbing together, quickly closing and trapping Yi Tianhan in the center.
Nangong Fengzi said in astonishment, "Huh, how could this be? I clearly remember..."
Deng Lei laughed loudly, "My dear niece, that cultivation manual you have is outdated. It was lucky that you were able to crack the Seven Absolutes Gate just now. Actually, you can't play games with your uncle."
Nangong Fengzi asked in surprise, "You... how did you know I had a cultivation manual?" "
Deng Lei coldly said, "Isn't it your lover Ren Xiaoyao who gave it to you..." He stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence, changing the subject, "Old man, out of options now, hahaha, my array formation is invincible!"
Yi Tianhan arrogantly said, "You think a small iron cage can trap me?"
Deng Lei coldly said, "The iron bars aren't too high or too low. Unless you know how to fly and transform into a feather, don't even think about jumping out; the iron bars aren't too thin or too thick. Unless you have a divine weapon that can cut through iron like mud, don't even think about cutting them."
Yi Tianhan looked up to the sky and roared, "Heavenly Thunder Without Prejudice!" "His fingers shot out, his right palm slashed out suddenly, followed by his left palm, the force of both palms erupting one after the other, his true energy surging, its power multiplying exponentially, like thousands of banners fluttering and swaying, like countless stars shining in the heavens, endlessly repeating, neither resistable nor unstoppable.
The women felt their eyes suddenly filled with incomparably magnificent and dazzling lightning, as if a thunderbolt of ten thousand feet had been projected from the ancient sky, covering the heavens and the earth, its power unstoppable, illuminating all around without exception. With a rumbling sound, the iron cage collapsed with a crash. This boundless power rose up upon touching the ground, and the surging and rushing energy below was like a thousand troops scattering and charging, the noisy and murderous energy rapidly spreading, destroying the last two thatched huts as well! Heavenly
thunder is unpredictable, its divine power is such!
Yi Tianhan withdrew his palms and stood up, coldly uttering two words: "How about it?"
Deng Lei stepped out of the dilapidated hut, moved, and said, "The Heaven-Defying Palm is indeed formidable, but don't even think about making me admit defeat." He reached into his sleeves, as if to retrieve a hidden weapon. Long
Feiyun hurriedly stopped him, "Wait..."
Yi Tianhan interrupted, "Let's fight then! If we can't handle Lao Fu, we'll use him as an example!" He was naturally combative, and seeing Deng Lei face the astonishing power of the Heavenly Thunder Without Fear without flinching, he knew Deng Lei was also a rare master, and he was unwilling to let him go so easily.
Deng Lei's eyes swept over Yi Tianhan, suddenly becoming cold and sharp as a sword. His expression changed drastically, his leisurely demeanor vanished, replaced by overflowing confidence. He slowly said, "I told you, don't ruin your lifelong reputation here!" A flash of red light appeared on his face, clearly indicating he was secretly gathering strength, ready to strike at any moment.
Yi Tianhan's eyes gleamed, and he slowly stepped forward; a great battle was about to erupt.

In Chapter 1 of Volume 28

, Long Feiyun exclaimed, "Senior, was the hidden weapon technique you just used called 'Going South by Driving North'?"
Deng Lei was startled. Although he didn't speak, his expression told him that Long Feiyun's guess was entirely correct.
Long Feiyun smiled gently and said softly, "So, Senior's true identity..."
Deng Lei's expression changed drastically. He no longer cared about Yi Tianhan and hurriedly waved his hand to interrupt, "Miss, come over and say what you have to say. Speaking without restraint won't do you any good."
Long Feiyun's eyes shone with joy. She quickly stepped forward, whispered a few words in Yi Tianhan's ear, and the latter was initially taken aback, then stroked his beard and laughed heartily, happily stepping away.
Long Feiyun pulled Deng Lei to the tree and spoke to him in a low voice for a long time. Deng Lei's expression shifted between anger and gloom, becoming quite unpleasant. He argued for a few moments, but after a long while, he suddenly slumped down like a defeated rooster, head bowed, speechless.
As they spoke, Long Feiyun suddenly burst into tears. Deng Lei's hair and beard stood on end, and he gasped for breath. He reached out and placed his hand on Long Feiyun's shoulder, asking her something. Long Feiyun nodded solemnly. Deng Lei trembled violently, taking two steps back, only managing to avoid falling thanks to the support of the tree.
After a moment, Long Feiyun bowed and took her leave. As soon as she stepped out of the courtyard, the women immediately surrounded her.
Long Feiyun pondered for a moment and said, "Mr. Deng has agreed to accompany us to Chiwei Island in ten days to rescue Xiaoyao together."
Nangong Fengzi was taken aback and said, "Him? What makes him think he can go? Can he even help?"
Nangong Fengyi said softly, "You, haven't you noticed that Mr. Deng's martial arts are much better than Sister Long's?"
Nangong Fengzi exclaimed in surprise, "No...no way, he only managed to hit my pressure points by chance that day."
Nangong Fengyi chuckled and said, "That's called playing dumb to fool others. He was just teasing you."
Nangong Fengzi pouted, refusing to let it go. She said, "I don't care, I don't care, I'm going to teach him a lesson no matter what. He... he's such a bastard, he's too... too arrogant!"
Long Feiyun said quietly, "Do you want to vent your anger first, or save Brother Xiaoyao as soon as possible?"
Nangong Fengzi was slightly taken aback, and blurted out, "Of course... of course I want to save Brother Xiaoyao."
Long Feiyun smiled and glanced at her, saying, "If Mr. Deng is willing to take action, the chances of success will increase by three points. Don't you think we should put aside our past grievances and turn hostility into friendship?"
Lin Yuxiu interjected, asking, " "Sister Long, are you joking? This person doesn't look particularly impressive..."
Long Feiyun interrupted with a smile, "As you've all seen, when it comes to arrays and mechanisms, he surpasses Feng Zi by more than a step; in terms of cunning and strategy, I admit my inferiority; as for martial arts, Senior Yi should know more about it than I do."
Shui Furong's interest was piqued, and she tugged at Yi Tianhan's sleeve, asking, "Master, how does his cultivation compare to yours?"
Yi Tianhan avoided answering, stroking his beard and saying, "Ahem... well, how should I put it? In short, if he's willing, even if Qiu Feng and Xiao Wuji join forces, they won't be able to..." He gained the slightest advantage.
The women were all moved. Nangong Fengyi's beautiful eyes sparkled as she looked at Long Feiyun, her cherry lips uttering, "Although my knowledge of martial arts history is not as extensive as Sister Long's, I do know that there haven't been any masters with the surname Deng in the martial world for the past thirty years… Hmm, he must be using an alias, I wonder…"
Long Feiyun's beautiful eyes shimmered, and she smiled sweetly, "I promised Mr. Deng that I would never mention his true identity to a second person—this is the only condition he agreed to accompany us to Chiwei Island to rescue Xiaoyao."
There was no navy, no warships.
Only a hundred or so temporarily transferred disciples of the Tianji Sect and four hastily purchased cargo ships.
Deng Lei had not brought any subordinates; he came alone.
Yi Tianhan and Long Feiyun treated her like an honored guest, and Nangong Fengyi, Lin Yuxiu, and Shui Furong also showed great enthusiasm. Only Nangong Fengzi was still resentful. When Deng Leifu saw her, he kept calling her "niece" repeatedly, which made Nangong Fengzi furious. She vowed to teach him a lesson.
The young woman acted swiftly. On the first day at noon, she drugged Deng Lei's wine and served it to him with a charming smile. Deng Lei, suspecting a trick, claimed to be unwell and refused to drink it. But Nangong Fengzi wasn't about to give up. At dinner, she bribed the cook to secretly add croton juice to Deng Lei's soup. However, Deng Lei switched the bowls with hers, causing Nangong Fengzi to have diarrhea all night. The next morning, Nangong Fengzi threw the venomous snake she had prepared before going to sea into Deng Lei's room. When she saw that he hadn't come for lunch, she thought her plan had succeeded. But when she went to check, she found Deng Lei holding a bowl of snake soup, enjoying it immensely. That night, just as Nangong Fengzi was about to go to bed, she lifted the embroidered quilt and found a mouse hiding inside. She was terrified, knowing without a doubt that it was Deng Lei's revenge.
After a few visits, Nangong Fengzi wasn't discouraged. She buried herself in her room, meticulously crafting several mechanisms. Knowing Deng Lei was familiar with cultivation manuals, she used diagrams taught to her by her family's retainers. She then "colluded" with Shui Furong and Lin Yuxiu to place them in Deng Lei's cabin. Two hours later, Deng Lei returned. The three women hid in the shadows, expecting a spectacle, but he easily disarmed them all with a few deft movements.
Nangong Fengzi was completely convinced. She had always loved tinkering with mechanisms and traps, and she couldn't let such a master slip by. She immediately asked to become Deng Lei's apprentice. Deng Lei didn't put on airs, but insisted that Nangong Fengzi acknowledge him as her maternal uncle before he would teach her. Girls' tempers flare quickly, and with Long Feiyun and Yi Tianhan mediating, the title of niece was thus settled.
Days passed, and with only four or five days left until they reached Chiwei Island, everyone was eager to seize the person by force if the other side refused to release him. Yi Tianhan and his apprentice Shui Furong were especially enthusiastic, their banter suggesting they had already rescued Ren Xiaoyao and were now slaughtering Qiu Feng, Xiao Wuji, and their gang of treacherous villains.
Taking advantage of the women's distraction, Long Feiyun quietly slipped into the cargo hold, leaning against the wall and silently weeping. She remembered asking Ren Xiaoyao if they were separated, would he be heartbroken and anxious for her? Ren Xiaoyao had simply and decisively answered, "No," adding that no matter what happened, they would never be apart, and would stay together for life. Since they were so close, spending every day together, how could there be any heartbreak or anxiety? But this time, due to Qiu Feng and Xiao Wuji's interference, the two hadn't seen each other for fifty or sixty days. She had been running around, planning to rescue him, enduring hardship and exhaustion, but nothing could compare to the torture and abuse her soon-to-be "husband" had suffered in Stone City, his tendons severed, his hands crippled, and his mouth mute, falsely accused of murder. Before leaving Chiwei Island, he had secretly vowed that if he returned to the Central Plains, he would mobilize all the sect's troops to wipe out Chiwei Island and kill all those damned scoundrels! Now, she only had a little over a hundred men under her command. Although she had gained Deng Lei, it was still not enough to clear Ren Xiaoyao's name. Thinking back to his debut, he had roamed the martial world, dominating the scene, and when had he ever received such "treatment"? If he couldn't even avenge his family and had to leave in disgrace, the sorrow and bitterness he felt were beyond words.
"Sister Long, what's wrong?" Nangong Fengyi's voice suddenly rang in her ears.
"No...nothing, just a little...a little unwell." Long Feiyun realized she had lost her composure, hurriedly wiping away her tears and forcing a smile as she answered.
"Really?" Nangong Fengyi's beautiful eyes brightened, and she smiled mischievously.
"Um...don't worry, little sister." Long Feiyun replied hastily.
"No, you must have something on your mind." Nangong Fengyi's beautiful eyes flashed with intelligence as she scrutinized Long Feiyun.
"No, what could be on my mind?" Long Feiyun's sadness vanished in an instant, replaced by her usual cold and composed demeanor, as if she were a completely different person from her tearful state just moments before. She spoke calmly.
"Yes, definitely." Nangong Fengyi frowned and asked softly, "Is it about Xiaoyao?"
"No, don't overthink it." Long Feiyun's answer was tantamount to an admission, and it only increased Nangong Fengyi's worry.
“Xiaoyao…Xiaoyao…Ah! You’re hiding something from your sisters.” Nangong Fengyi, ever as astute as she was, immediately guessed correctly. “Is he suffering on the island, or…that day…you…you went to Stone City alone, what did you see?”
“Fengyi, please don’t ask! Please, don’t ask.” Long Feiyun’s eyes reddened, then two crystal tears welled up in her eyes as she sobbed.
“Sister Long, you never cry, but now…” Nangong Fengyi said, moved, “Tell me, Xiaoyao…what happened to Xiaoyao!”
“No…nothing…” Long Feiyun’s words became increasingly inconsistent. She covered her beautiful face and tried to rush out the door.
“Tell me, tell me everything.” Nangong Fengyi grabbed Long Feiyun and nodded. “Xiaoyao is your future husband, and also my current lover. His affairs cannot and should not be kept from me.”
“But…” Long Feiyun’s body trembled, her beautiful eyes, still glistening with tears, stared at Nangong Fengyi with a bewildered look, and she stammered.
“Tell me, we’ll face whatever happens together!” Nangong Fengyi stroked Long Feiyun’s shoulder and said firmly.
“Actually, Xiaoyao… he has already…” As Long Feiyun spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, and she threw herself into Nangong Fengyi’s arms, sobbing, “Fengyi, this matter can only be kept in our hearts, and must never be mentioned to a third party.”
“Yes, I know.” The two sisters embraced and wept, their worries and concerns of the past few days turning into tears.
After a long while... after a long while...
Long Feiyun's tears subsided, and she regained her icy composure, saying in a deep voice, "Five more days, and everything will be clear. I truly hope a miracle will occur, allowing Xiaoyao to turn the tide."
Nangong Fengyi's tear-stained face showed a melancholy smile, her beautiful eyes filled with endless sighs and reminiscence, and she said softly, "It will happen, it will happen, a miracle will happen."

Volume 28, Chapter 2:

Heavenly Fruit Helps Ren Xiaoyao.
When they arrived at Chiwei Island, a thick fog was rising at sea. []
Long Feiyun deliberately chose to land at night, quietly reaching the shore without attracting any attention.
Deng Lei, in the center, easily deciphered the traps and mechanisms on the beach. In addition, the Tianji Sect members were well-trained and acted stealthily. It wasn't until they reached the main gate of Stone City through
the winding boardwalk that the enemy became aware of them.
Before long, dozens of experts from the island gathered, led not by Fu Longyuan, but by Qiu Feng!
Yi Tianhan coldly said, "Where is Fu boy? Let him come out."
Shao Qingwei cupped his hands and said, "The island lord is currently in seclusion and is afraid he cannot personally welcome Hero Yi."
Everyone looked at each other, their expressions changing, secretly thinking: Could it be that Fu Longyuan has already been taken advantage of by Qiu Feng?
Qiu Feng's eyes shot out a sharp light as he slowly swept over everyone, stroking his beard and smiling, "Didn't you all return to the Central Plains? How come... Hehe, Chiwei Island
is not a place you can come and go as you please."
Long Feiyun coldly said, "Senior Qiu is a smart man, why ask a question you already know the answer to?" Before the two sides had completely broken off relations, even though Long Feiyun was unwilling, she
still had to call him "Senior".
Qiu Feng's smile vanished, and he coldly snorted, "You've come to take Ren Xiaoyao back, haven't you?"
Long Feiyun's delicate cherry lips parted, and she said solemnly, "That's right."
Peng Suifeng said displeasedly, "Ren Xiaoyao killed my son, Brother Lei, and Lei Ting. It's already a miracle he didn't pay with his life. To think you can take him
away from Chiwei Island? Dream on!"
Long Feiyun cupped her hands and said, "Senior Peng, there's more to this than meets the eye..."
Qiu Feng impatiently interrupted, "The evidence is irrefutable! What could be more to it?"
Long Feiyun's eyes suddenly sharpened like blades as she stared at Qiu Feng and said, "Actually..." "Xiao Wuji is..."
Shao Qingwei angrily rebuked, "You still have the nerve to mention Douzi? He was forced to jump off a cliff by Ren Xiaoyao, barely surviving. Ren Xiaoyao
even tried to kill him to silence him, but thankfully Brother Qiu stopped him in time, otherwise another life would have been lost."
Nangong Fengzi finally couldn't hold back and shouted, "Are you going to release Brother Xiaoyao or not?!"
Qiu Feng, Shao Qingwei, and Peng Suifeng shouted in unison, "No!"
Yi Tianhan knew that his side had no evidence, and even if he pointed out Douzi's true identity, they wouldn't believe him. So he resorted to force, shouting sternly:
"Since that's the case, don't blame me for taking it by force!"
Shao Qingwei and Peng Suifeng's expressions immediately changed, while Qiu Feng said leisurely, "I've long heard of Master Yi's unparalleled martial arts skills. Today, I'd like to ask for
a few moves ."
Seeing his fearlessness, everyone felt a chill in their hearts, but Long Feiyun smiled calmly and said, "It's a trivial matter. Senior Yi, your arrival with twenty warships and
five thousand naval troops is not for nothing." She only led a dozen or so close followers to the island, while the rest of the group connected the four cargo ships with iron chains, lining them up in a row, with
torches and flags planted all over the chains.
The sea was shrouded in thick fog, making it impossible to see even a dozen feet away. From afar, all that could be seen were scattered lights and fluttering flags, like a vast army. Although Qiu
Feng, Shao Qingwei, and Peng Suifeng were seasoned veterans of the martial world, they knew nothing about military operations. They couldn't possibly see through Long Feiyun's clever, albeit bluffing, strategy. They thought to themselves, "
The Heavenly Army is the best in the world. If five thousand naval troops were to storm the island all at once, no matter how skilled you are, you wouldn't be able to escape." They exchanged bewildered glances, sweat beading on their foreheads
, and involuntarily took two steps back.
Lin Yuxiu, seeing their fierce demeanor turn into timid cowards in the blink of an eye, was amused and giggled. Nangong Fengyi, fearing Qiu Feng's cunning and resourcefulness, would see through
their ruse , quickly tugged at Lin Yuxiu's clothes. The latter immediately understood, covering her lips and quietly retreating into the crowd.
Qiu Feng, Shao Qingwei, and Peng Suifeng were completely unaware, but Xiao Wuji, hiding in the shadows, saw everything. He emerged from the woods, trembling, and stammered
, "Uncle Qiu... you... don't... don't believe... them... they're... deceiving you."
A cold smile appeared on Qiu Feng's lips as he said loudly, "Hahaha, so that's how it is. Miss Long, Miss Long, you've resorted to such a
desperate measure to save Ren Xiaoyao. It's... it's too much..."
The look of shock on Long Feiyun's face flashed by, but she concealed her inner horror with a smile and calmly said, "Senior Qiu, you must have had your trusted subordinates set up
quite a few traps on the beach. If you think that a dozen of us can get here unharmed, you might as well continue to detain Xiaoyao." She reached behind her back with her left hand and
secretly made a gesture.
Zhou Dating, the leader of the Wenzhou branch accompanying them, immediately stepped forward and respectfully inquired, "Master, should we launch a full-scale attack and immediately assault Stone City?"
Long Feiyun's beautiful eyes flashed, and she coldly snorted without any attempt to conceal her intentions, "Pass on my orders: Zhang Xuansu and Li Huaien will lead two thousand archers to block all the major and minor
passages of Chiwei Island; An Siyi, Gao Wei, and Yuwen Tao will each lead five hundred soldiers to surround Stone City; the rest of the troops will advance via the plank road..." Shao
Qingwei hurriedly called out, "Wait!"
Long Feiyun ignored him and suddenly raised her voice, continuing loudly, "The rest of the troops will advance via the plank road. Those who surrender will be imprisoned, and those who resist
will be killed without mercy !"
Zhou Dating pretended to be hesitant. "Master, this... carelessly harming people might..."
Long Feiyun drew her Nine Heavens Mystic Sword with a "whoosh," pointed it, and shouted, "In times of emergency, we must act swiftly! Our leader is in imminent danger; there is no room for mercy. Attack the city now,
quickly!"
Peng Suifeng trembled, "Long Feiyun, you...aren't you afraid we'll kill Ren Xiaoyao first?"
Long Feiyun laughed loudly, coldly saying, "Do you think anyone here can return alive to report?"
Peng Suifeng's expression changed drastically. He turned to leave, but Deng Lei flicked his sleeve, and two cold stars shot out, swift as the wind, incredibly fast. Even if Peng Suifeng wanted
to dodge , he couldn't, and with a cry, he collapsed to the ground.
Shao Qingwei was shocked. Peng Suifeng's martial arts were only slightly lower than his, yet he was utterly helpless against that ugly old man, and his reputation was even more formidable.
Yi Tianhan, who was in charge, was someone even the Heavenly Extreme Sect's navy might not be able to withstand. He immediately said, "Brother Qiu, release him. There's no need to fight to the death
."
Qiu Feng shook his head firmly and said, "No..." Shao
Qingwei interrupted, "Ren Xiaoyao is already a cripple. What's the point of keeping him alive!"
Nangong Fengzi, Shui Furong, and Lin Yuxiu all changed color and exclaimed, "What did you say?!"
Unable to withstand the immense pressure exerted by Long Feiyun and Deng Lei, Shao Qingwei almost completely collapsed and mechanically replied, "
After Douzi escaped death, Brother Qiu took him to confront Ren Xiaoyao. Ren Xiaoyao was furious and wanted to kill him." " To silence him, Brother Qiu acted hastily, but lost control of his strength, severing his tendons
and breaking both his hands."
Upon hearing this, everyone present was shocked. Nangong Fengzi, Shui Furong, and Lin Yuxiu were naturally stunned, and even Long Feiyun and Nangong Fengyi, who knew the truth, couldn't help but
shed tears. Yi Tianhan's body trembled violently, and he could only barely stand by leaning against a large tree. Deng Lei's lips twitched, and his eyes flashed with endless ferocity. He slowly stepped forward,
and the moment he reached into his robes, a murderous aura surged around them. Qiu Feng, Shao Qingwei, and Xiao Wuji were so frightened that they retreated one after another. Even someone as skilled as Yi Tianhan felt
a chill run down his spine.
Just then, a long howl echoed from afar, like thunder rumbling through the sky: "Hahaha... Hahaha... Fengyi, Fengzi, Furong,
Xiuxiu, Feiyun, don't cry, I don't like tearful people." Everyone looked up in astonishment at the sound. The howl was powerful and resonant, as if the speaker wanted to express all the emotions
in his heart . The sound shook the pavilion, revealing his profound and refined internal strength, which had reached its pinnacle.
Long Feiyun cried out, "It's... it's Xiaoyao, he's alright!" Crystal tears streamed down Long Feiyun's delicate face,
her joyful tears highlighting her unparalleled beauty.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw two figures slowly approaching from afar.
With his well-proportioned and graceful figure, imposing stature, composed demeanor, and piercing eyes, coupled with his signature radiant smile
and captivating voice that commanded obedience, who else could it be but Ren Xiaoyao? In Yi Tianhan's eyes, at this moment, Ren Xiaoyao was not only calm and composed
, but also seemed to have undergone a complete transformation, exuding the intoxicating aura of an unparalleled top master.
Even more eye-catching was the stunningly beautiful young woman walking hand in hand with Ren Xiaoyao. Her hair was styled in two buns, adorned with an exquisite coral headband.
She wore a high-necked, lake-green dress with dark yellow floral patterns. Her soft, black hair was braided into two plaits, first hanging down from the left and right
corners , then curving into semicircles before wrapping around her neck and pulling back to her spine. Two charming dimples naturally appeared on her cheeks, and her long
, slender neck was alluring. Her entire body exuded a healthy, graceful, and boneless charm. In the misty fog, she appeared even more breathtakingly beautiful, highlighting her
extraordinary noble temperament and stunning beauty.
Qiu Feng stammered, as if doused with cold water, "Ren Xiaoyao...you...you weren't given a mute drug by me, how...how can you still
speak !"
Ren Xiaoyao gazed tenderly at the girl beside him and said softly, "Hehe, as long as Hanbi is here, what poison can't be cured, what injury can't be healed?"
It turned out that she was Su Hanbi, the adopted daughter of Fu Longyuan, skilled in medicine and renowned
for her beauty throughout the East Sea. Qiu Feng looked incredulous and muttered to himself, "Impossible, impossible. Even if broken bones can be reattached, severed tendons and veins are beyond human
healing..." With a whoosh, he brandished his weapon, and a chilling sword light shot out like lightning, drawing a bright straight line and piercing Ren Xiaoyao's chest with unimaginable speed
.
Qiu Feng, nicknamed "One Sword to the End," possessed unparalleled speed in the Central Plains. Now, attacking without warning, Ren Xiaoyao, with his cultivation level, was no match for
him, especially with the unarmed Su Hanbi beside him…[]
The women all paled, involuntarily gasping in shock. They knew Ren Xiaoyao's character well—he would rather sacrifice his life than let
the women around him suffer. Therefore, even if he could forcefully dodge with his unparalleled lightness skill, he would still, out of concern for Su Hanbi's safety, unhesitatingly use his body
to block the sword!

Volume 28, Chapter 3: Rebirth.

When the sword was less than half a foot from Ren Xiaoyao's chest, he actually reacted and attacked!
It wasn't the Lingxiao Sword Technique, nor the Xiaoyao Wuji Palm;
it was only two fingers. [] Yes, two fingers. As his two fingers extended, everyone's eyes, including the two masters Yi Tianhan and Deng Lei,
contracted, their pupils shrinking inwards!
No one could describe the power of those two fingers. They couldn't even imagine how those two fingers could so swiftly
and accurately clamp down on the weapon in the hand of Qiu Feng, the world's fastest swordsman!
However, the one who truly felt the power of those two fingers wasn't the dozens of people watching from the sidelines, but Qiu Feng himself, wielding his sword and ready to
kill with a single blow!
Ren Xiaoyao's two fingers seemed to have suddenly emerged from hell, instantly clamping down on Qiu Feng's proud,
lightning-fast strike that had claimed countless masters! Qiu Feng's face darkened, turning ashen in an instant! He was filled with regret and despair, because just
a little —half an inch—and the sword would have pierced Ren Xiaoyao!
But that half an inch was farther than several feet or even tens of feet, because Qiu Feng could never overcome that mere half an inch in his life! No matter how hard he tried
, the sword seemed perfectly bound to Ren Xiaoyao's two fingers, completely defying Qiu Feng's will! It refused to move an inch further!
At such close range, he effortlessly and effortlessly caught Qiu Feng's weapon.
Could Dugu Yu, Guiming Shenjun, or Hentian do that?
Perhaps not!
Qiu Feng's expression changed drastically, his whole body trembling as he stammered, "You... what kind of martial arts are you using!"
Ren Xiaoyao let out a thunderous laugh, arrogantly uttering six words—"Innate Supreme Qi!" With that, he let out a long roar,
his fingers trembling rapidly in the air.
In an instant, a surge of energy erupted, radiating cold light. The precious sword that had accompanied Qiu Feng through decades of adventure, capable of cutting through iron like mud, shattered inch by inch, drifting away in the wind. His arms felt as if they were about to
break, the pain piercing to the bone, tearing at his heart.
At the same time, an incomparably scorching true energy penetrated his body along the remaining half of the sword hilt, transforming into wisps of energy. Qiu Feng's protective true energy seemed to have no
effect whatsoever; his internal organs exploded instantly. With a muffled groan, he fell backward, dying before even hitting the ground.
This single move stunned the entire audience!
Nangong Fengyi, Nangong Fengzi, Shui Furong, Lin Yuxiu, and the members of the Tianji Sect were naturally speechless. Even the experienced Long Feiyun, the martial arts master Yi
Tianhan , and the unfathomable Deng Lei exchanged bewildered glances, speechless.
For a long… a long time…
Lin Yuxiu cried out, "Big Brother!" Tears streaming down her face, she threw herself into Ren Xiaoyao's arms.
Nangong Fengyi, Nangong Fengzi, and Shui Furong followed closely behind, their longing of many days transforming into passionate, wet kisses.
Ren Xiaoyao caressed and cherished each of them, causing the four women to pant softly, their allure overflowing.
At this moment, Ren Xiaoyao thought of Long Feiyun, the woman who had endured the most pain and sacrificed the most since his misfortune, who had single-handedly ventured into the lion's den
to rescue him but failed, and who had then painstakingly planned this operation—his fiancée. Now, she stood beside him, gazing at him with tears of joy. Although there were no
physical intimacy, the instant their eyes met, their hearts were completely intertwined, everything understood without words.
Suddenly, an indescribable feeling welled up inside him. Ren Xiaoyao couldn't quite put his finger on what he sensed, but he felt a deep unease, as if an
invisible pressure was gradually approaching.
It was him, Xiao Wuji!
In a flash, Ren Xiaoyao's spirit soared to its limit, his true energy filling his meridians. Without hesitation, he raised the Ice Soul Frost Sword, drawing a perfect
circle. A myriad of blue lights flickered and danced like flames, encircling the women. No matter how poisonous, ruthless, or
vicious Xiao Wuji's Cold Star Sword Technique was, it couldn't penetrate the net of sword energy and harm the women in the slightest.
Even the wisest can make a mistake.
Ren Xiaoyao had considered every possible turn of events, but he had overlooked one person—Su Hanbi!
By the time he reacted and rushed to her aid, Xiao Wuji had already subdued Su Hanbi, his left hand tightly gripping her throat, his right hand holding the long sword less than
half an inch from her snow-white neck.
Shao Qingwei exclaimed in astonishment, "Douzi, what are you trying to do? Release Miss immediately!"
Ren Xiaoyao coldly replied, "Hmph, what Douzi? He is Xiao Wuji!"
Upon hearing this, all the experts of Stone City were horrified.
Peng Suifeng stared at Douzi in disbelief, stammering, "You...you really...are..."
Xiao Wuji, terrified by Ren Xiaoyao's unparalleled skill of "killing Qiu Feng with two fingers," lost all his former composure and roared irrationally, "
That's right , I am Xiao Wuji, the outcast of the South Sea Sect! I killed Lei Ting and Peng Junming, that adulterous couple, and
I also killed that old bastard Lei Zhen and that dog Lin Xiaojing."
Shao Qingwei pressed, "What is your purpose in doing this?"
Xiao Wuji roared, "I want to unite the three major forces of Chiwei Island with Uncle Qiu, and wipe out the South Sea Sect to avenge the exile I suffered! Anyone who stands in our way
deserves to die, deserves to die! Hahaha!"
Ren Xiaoyao's face turned cold, his eyes fixed on Xiao Wuji, and he said in a chilling voice, " "Release Hanbi! If you dare harm her in the slightest, I'll make sure you
die a horrible death !"
Xiao Wuji's eyes blazed with murderous intent as he hissed, "Release her? Let her go and I'll die a horrible death!"
Long Feiyun stepped forward, her voice low and menacing, "Xiao Wuji, what do you want?"
Xiao Wuji roared, "I want Ren Xiaoyao to swear an oath to the heavens that he will use the Heavenly Extreme Sect's navy to annihilate the South Sea Sect, and to skin the four elders alive, tear them apart by five horses!"
Ren Xiaoyao trembled, "What if you don't agree?"
Xiao Wuji gritted his teeth, his voice filled with hatred, "Then you'll prepare to send Su Hanbi to her death."
A chilling smile crept across Ren Xiaoyao's lips as he said calmly, "Xiao Wuji, do you really think I..."
The Ice Soul Frost Sword suddenly rose, its dazzling light detaching from its body, carrying a chilling aura that felt like stepping into an ice cellar, striking Xiao Wuji squarely in the throat!
"I can't kill you—" The words had barely left his lips when Xiao Wuji's pupils dilated, and he collapsed to the ground. The longsword pressed against Su Hanbi's throat didn't even have time to advance an inch!
In his dying moments, he still couldn't believe that such swift and fierce swordsmanship existed in the world! Compared to it, Qiu Feng's fast swordplay was like children playing
house , laughable to watch.
Yi Tianhan revealed a nostalgic expression, looking up to the sky and sighing, "More than twenty years, more than twenty years! The sixteenth move of the Lingxiao Sword Technique, 'Having seen the ocean, other waters are insignificant,' has
finally reappeared in the martial world!"
Ren Xiaoyao's lips twitched slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but suddenly his vision went black, and he fainted.
The women cried out in unison, rushing forward to help him up.
Lin Yuxiu cried out urgently, "Big brother, what's wrong? Wake up!" Tears welled up in her eyes.
Su Hanbi, her fragrance wafting through the air, knelt down, took Ren
Xiaoyao's He
'll be fine after half a day of rest." She then helped Ren Xiaoyao up, muttering to herself, "People have told me before that your innate supreme qi is not yet fully developed, and you need to hold back some strength when using it… Now look at you, you just don't know how to cherish yourself." Shui Furong,
her jealousy rising, retorted irritably, "Hmph, how dare you say that! That idiot got like this trying to save you. If he… if anything happens
to him, I'll never forgive you!"
Su Hanbi showed a slight surprise, then smiled gently, "This must be Sister Shui. Xiaoyao often mentions you to me. He says you're an excellent cook, with unparalleled
culinary skills . If you had been with him for the past two months, life wouldn't have been so boring. Maybe he would have already mastered the innate supreme qi..." "The Qi has been fully integrated."
Shui Furong heard her soft and melodious tone, sweet voice, and the words praising her. Her anger subsided, and she said sweetly, "Actually...actually,
I don't mean to blame you, it's just..."
Long Feiyun interjected, "Miss Su, has Xiaoyao really mastered the supreme innate Qi?"
Su Hanbi's eyes sparkled, revealing an extremely charming smile. Two small dimples rippled on her jade cheeks, and her fragrant lips revealed snow-white and neat
teeth . She said sweetly, "Yes, not only that, but he has also gained thirty years of internal energy. Now even my godfather admits that he can't compare to him."
The women cheered upon hearing this. Nangong Fengyi was so excited that tears streamed down her face. She sobbed, "Sister Long, there really is a miracle, there really is a miracle!"
The dignity and restraint of a well-bred lady vanished. She and Long Feiyun had only hoped that Ren Xiaoyao could survive and return to the Central Plains to have Wu Hanyu treat him. Who would have thought that
not only would he be unharmed, but he would also master unparalleled martial arts? It was truly fate.
Su Hanbi's beautiful eyes sparkled, captivatingly charming. She breathed softly and said, "That's right, I remember Xiaoyao said that as long as he mastered the supreme innate
qi , Miss Long would give her body..."
Long Feiyun's pretty face, still wet with tears of joy, suddenly flushed red. Her coquettish expression was incredibly alluring. She lowered her head and lightly spat, "Alright
, quickly carry Xiaoyao back to his room. He... he needs to rest." "

Volume 28, Chapter 4: A Smile Seals the Deal.

Two hours later, Ren Xiaoyao slowly awoke. The first thing he saw was the beautiful faces of six women, each more stunning
than the last, their faces filled with care and affection. The closest was Su Hanbi, whose slender, smooth hands were still taking his pulse. Behind her were Nangong Fengyi and Long Feiyun, who were clearly
the most concerned about his injuries. Nangong Fengzi, Shui Furong, and Lin Yuxiu also showed their care and concern. []
Ren Xiaoyao felt completely refreshed. The powerful true energy that had caused him to lose consciousness earlier had returned to his meridians, making him feel indescribably
comfortable and at ease ."
After drinking the medicine Su Hanbi brought, the women anxiously inquired about his experiences on the island over the past two months.
Ren Xiaoyao carefully held Su Hanbi's soft hands, saying with deep emotion, "I was able to heal my broken hands and speak again, all thanks to Hanbi
's exquisite medical skills; I was able to cultivate innate supreme qi, increasing my power several times over, all thanks to Hanbi's guidance and—miracle medicine." He
deliberately glancing tenderly at Su Hanbi, who immediately blushed and lowered her head shyly.
Shui Furong's pretty face turned cold, and she glared at him fiercely. Undoubtedly, the little girl was jealous again.
This time, Ren Xiaoyao ignored him and continued, "That day, Xiao Wuji broke both my hands and severed all my meridians. Then I was forced to take
a drug that made me mute. The excruciating pain was indescribable. But when I looked at Senior Fu, I couldn't even utter a word to defend myself. At that time, I thought about biting my tongue and committing suicide,
but I didn't. I knew that Fei Yun was carrying my last hope back to the Central Plains. If I ended my life like this, how could I face
those who swore eternal love and vowed to stay with me forever? How could I face the reinforcements that Fei Yun went through so much trouble to bring? How could I face those who bestowed upon me the title of Marquis of Champion and granted me..." " My eternally favored
Emperor, who regards me as the protector of the Great Song Dynasty."
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes shone with intense emotion as he continued, "In the most lost and helpless moment of my life, Hanbi appeared. Senior Fu, as expected of a seasoned
veteran of decades, keenly sensed something amiss and arranged for her, skilled in medicine, to heal my injuries. Because everything was done in secret, I
didn't have many opportunities to see Hanbi, so I spent most of my time cultivating the Innate Supreme Qi."
Nangong Fengyi exclaimed, "At that time, your meridians were completely severed, yet...yet you were still thinking about practicing."
Ren Xiaoyao showed a look of reminiscence. Recalling, "Actually, this story begins when I was imprisoned in Xiangqiu Pavilion. I remember those days I was bored out of my mind, and in my spare time I
pondered the internal energy cultivation method that Senior Dugu had repeatedly told me to remember. To my surprise, I discovered that according to the second level of the incantation in the Supreme Innate Qi Manual, true
energy could actually pass through the sealed acupoints and slowly circulate in my blood vessels. So I thought, since it's so miraculous, could it alleviate
my pain through the broken tendons and veins? The result was unexpected; not only did the internal energy circulate freely in my body, but it also traveled much faster than when my acupoints were sealed." "
Long Feiyun exclaimed in surprise, "Unbelievable...it's really unbelievable! No wonder Senior Dugu and Father both agreed that the Innate Supreme Qi is the number one divine skill in the world.
So...it actually has such a miraculous effect."
Ren Xiaoyao nodded slowly and pondered, "At first, I couldn't understand this at all. It wasn't until I asked Hanbi that I learned that
the state of the body's meridians when the acupoints are sealed and the meridians are severed is very similar. Then she told me, 'The sealing of the acupoints is only temporary, but you are in a state of ruin now. Even if Hua Tuo were alive or
Bian Que were reborn...'" As he said this, he looked up at the window and stopped talking.
Lin Yuxiu asked anxiously, "What exactly did Sister Su say? Can you finish telling me all at once?"
Su Hanbi smiled sweetly and said, "At this point, Xiaoyao suddenly called out, interrupting me."
Shui Furong blinked her beautiful eyes and asked blankly, "Silly boy, why did you call out for no reason?"
Ren Xiaoyao's handsome eyes shone brightly, and he said naturally, "Because Hanbi's words reminded me of the most crucial phrase in the secret manual—'Destruction before construction,
defeat before success'! It turns out that practicing the Innate Supreme Qi doesn't require you to have high internal strength or deep cultivation; the important thing is to sever all your meridians, achieving both destruction and
defeat. Back then, the Empress Dowager's mentor, the heroine Situ Ning, was..." "Even Sheng Zhigong hasn't grasped the mystery of this, because although she was severely injured by the Liao emperor Yelü Deguang and
lost , her meridians weren't broken, so she naturally hadn't reached the ultimate state of ruin. As for me... hehe, I'm only a hair's breadth away from death, utterly ruined
."
Long Feiyun suddenly realized, "So in just two months, you mastered the Innate Supreme Qi, your power increased several times over, easily killing Qiu Feng and
Xiao Wuji, even Senior Yi Tianhan was ashamed of himself."
Ren Xiaoyao looked up at the sky and exhaled a long breath, his eyes softening, as if he were murmuring to himself, "The Innate Supreme Qi is so exquisite, even if I had the chance to
comprehend its secrets, it would be difficult to master it in a short time. " " And if Hanbi hadn't given me the 'Blood Essence Pill,' adding thirty years of cultivation, I might
not have even reached the minor completion stage."
Lin Yuxiu rested her elbow on the table, propping up her cheek, and murmured to herself, "Blood Essence Pill... Blood Essence Pill... Ah, Miss Su went to Fire Cloud Island to find
the medicinal ingredient for it!"
Ren Xiaoyao nodded and said, "That's right. The refining of the Blood Essence Pill is extremely meticulous. Not to mention the nine main ingredients—Ganoderma lucidum, Polygonum multiflorum, snow lotus, Salvia miltiorrhiza, musk, rhinoceros horn, Allium macrostemon,
red vine , and crane louse—the preparation of the medicinal ingredient is even more complicated. It requires nine taels of white peony stamens that bloom in spring, nine taels of white lotus
stamens that bloom in summer, nine taels of white hibiscus stamens that bloom in autumn, and nine taels of..." The white plum blossom stamens of winter, ground into powder on the Spring Equinox, are then mixed with nine coins' worth of rainwater from the Rain Water day, nine coins' worth of dew from
the White Dew day, nine coins' worth of morning frost from the Frost's Descent day, and nine coins' worth of falling snow from the Minor Snow day. Combined with the legendary Dragon Saliva Fruit, which appears only once every hundred years, this is the only way
to refine it. Originally, I didn't have this blessing, but fortunately, such a plant happened to grow on Fire Cloud Island, so…”
Shui Furong gave him a resentful glare, expressing her displeasure, and coldly said, “Why should someone give you such a rare spiritual medicine? Tell me! You…you
and her, are you…are you also…”
Upon hearing this, the women exchanged knowing smiles, even the usually reserved Nangong Fengyi couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle. The relationship between Ren Xiaoyao and Su Hanbi
was obvious to anyone with eyes to see. Leaving aside their intimate posture and the tender, silent actions and tones they had just exchanged, given Ren Xiaoyao's dashing and romantic nature, could he really let such a beautiful girl
like stay by his side for two months without touching her? Having lived in seclusion on Chiwei Island for over a decade, he was innocent and naive, completely unaware of the world's ways, never having encountered
anything outside. Ren Xiaoyao's ability to win a young woman's heart was unparalleled, and with this perfect opportunity to heal her wounds, if he couldn't pull off something, his title of
"Romantic Thief" would truly be undeserved.
For the first time ever, Ren Xiaoyao didn't answer Shui Furong's question, but instead leaned against Su Hanbi, half-reclining, and softly murmured, "Hanbi,
how exactly did you fall for me? Tell me, okay?"
Su Hanbi closed her beautiful eyes and said softly, "That day, when I returned to the island with my adoptive father, I saw your poem 'Man Ting Fang' that you left in my room.
I wondered, who is Xiaoyao in the signature? Such fine writing, such beautiful calligraphy..."
Nangong Fengzi interrupted, "Brother Xiaoyao is not only skilled in martial arts, but also in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting..." He was proficient in poetry, lyrics, and prose; calling him a true all-rounder in both
literature and martial arts wouldn't be an exaggeration at all."
Su Hanbi nodded in deep agreement and continued, "That night, my godfather came to me and told me that something big had happened on the island, and there might be some hidden secrets. He insisted that Ren Xiaoyao be cured
no matter what . Only then did I realize that he was the one who left the note and poem, and without thinking, I ran to Xiangqiu Pavilion alone."
Su Hanbi looked at Ren Xiaoyao with deep affection and said softly, "That was my first encounter with Xiaoyao. Although he was dressed in tattered clothes and looked dejected at the time..."
"He paused, but to me he was far more dashing and handsome than any other man on the island. Perhaps... perhaps this is what they call love
at first sight." Ren Xiaoyao touched his face and chuckled, "It seems my charm hasn't diminished even though I'm seriously injured and on the verge of death."
Su Hanbi's eyes drifted towards him, her pretty face glowing with a holy and bright light, making her even more beautiful and incomparable. She said softly, "What I can't forget
is the smile you gave me before you fainted... How could I not do my best to heal someone who smiled at me before losing consciousness?"
Ren Xiaoyao clapped his hands triumphantly, "It seems my smile really worked."
Su Hanbi said, "Could it be... could it be that your smile was just to get me to heal you?"
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled, "Of course, I knew from the veil covering your face that you were Senior Fu's adopted daughter, the island's best healer,
Miss . Otherwise, what would be funny when I'm almost dead?" Su Hanbi sat up straight, her beautiful eyes widening .
She withdrew her hand that had captivated him, her shoulders slightly shrugged, and she glared at him, biting her lip as she said,
"Why...why don't you lie to me? Just say that after seeing me, your heart was pounding and you were completely mesmerized, which is why you couldn't help but laugh..."
Ren Xiaoyao pretended to be serious and said, "I don't have that ability to see your beautiful face through a veil. Besides, now that you've saved me,
why lie to you? Moreover...you look much more beautiful when you're angry than when you're smiling."
Su Hanbi finally couldn't resist, her cheeks flushing red, and she scolded, "You...you, you're so unserious!" Ren
Xiaoyao laughed heartily. These words had all been said to him by Nangong Fengyi, Nangong Fengzi, Shui Furong, Lin Yuxiu, and Long Feiyun before—some
before their passionate encounters, some after, and some during flirtatious banter. But to say them directly in front of so many women was
a first for .
Su Hanbi gave him a charming glance and continued, “At that time, you suffered many injuries. Not only were your tendons and veins severed, but the bones in both arms were also
broken by a heavy hand. Your throat was clearly given a drug to make you mute, so you couldn't speak. Resetting broken bones and detoxifying are my specialties. Other injuries are
insignificant to me, but the ruptured meridians are incurable. Therefore, I only wanted to find ways to alleviate your pain. Actually, I considered
trying the Blood-Nourishing Pill, which might be able to unblock your meridians, but I wasn't entirely confident, so I didn't use it.” Later, I unintentionally helped you understand the mysteries of the Supreme
Innate Qi, so that you would not be affected by the broken meridians. However, seeing how hard you practiced, yet how slow your progress was, I felt a little guilty, so I
had you take the Blood Essence Pill..." At this point, two blushes rose on Su Hanbi's crystal-clear jade cheeks, making her even more beautiful, and she whispered
, "Then that night... that night we were in the room where you were confined... confined..."

Chapter 5 of Volume 28, Virgin Pure Yin,

Ren Xiaoyao said with considerable guilt, "It's my fault... it's my fault for not being able to control myself, and that caused you..."
Su Hanbi raised her white head, her beautiful eyes gazing deeply at Ren Xiaoyao, her voice tender and gentle: "No, it's my fault. I didn't expect the Blood Essence Pill to be so potent. With only two or three tenths of your power restored, you couldn't withstand it at all, and it even triggered the extremely intense and hot internal energy of the Supreme Innate Qi to backfire on yourself."当时如果不立刻云雨交媾，用处女纯阴之躯为你化解体内火毒，便是大罗金仙也束手无策，只能眼睁睁看着你被翻腾卷涌的内息活活烧死。”
任逍遥目中现出温柔神色，感叹道：“若非有你，我根本不可能将那三十年尽数收纳，更不可能一夕之间修为突飞猛进，脱胎换骨。”
苏涵碧半边娇躯挨往徐子陵，揍到他耳旁柔声道：“一切都是你的福缘，我不过略尽绵力，再说既然人家喜欢上你，身子迟早是你的。”
水芙蓉撅起小嘴，没好气的道：“略尽绵力，这叫略尽绵力？哼，死呆子、臭呆子，见一个爱一个，真不要脸！亏得姐妹们为你提心吊胆、四处奔走，你倒好呆在香秋馆里左拥右抱，享尽温柔。 "
Nangong Fengzi chuckled and covered her mouth, saying, "How can Miss Su be surrounded by two women? Could it be that you and Brother Xiaoyao have tried it, Third Sister?"
Shui Furong blushed and hurriedly waved her hands, saying, "No, no, no, really not."
Lin Yuxiu chimed in, "Liar! If you really haven't, why are you in such a hurry?" As she spoke, she reached her slender hand under Shui Furong's ribs and tickled her.
Shui Furong was not about to be outdone and opened her arms to pounce on Lin Yuxiu. Nangong Fengzi, who loved to play around, joined in without hesitation. Her soft breaths and laughter echoed in Bijing Garden.
Su Hanbi looked thoughtful and sighed, "To be honest, this divine skill is really hard to control. After that night, you went berserk several times. Once, my godfather arrived before me and was caught off guard and seriously injured by you, which is why he had to go into seclusion to recuperate."
Ren Xiaoyao said solemnly, "Yes, thanks to your antiseptic and heat-clearing elixirs, otherwise I don't know when I would have been able to completely control the agitation of my true energy." After speaking, he suddenly remembered something, pulled Long Feiyun over, and hugged her tightly to comfort her. His eyes shot out an unyielding apology, and he said softly, "Madam, I'm so sorry for making you worry about me." Surprisingly
, Long Feiyun's pretty face did not blush. Her jade face was as still as water, and she stared at him for a long time without any fluctuation. She asked in surprise, "What did you call me? Madam...?"
Ren Xiaoyao laughed heartily, deliberately pretending to be extremely surprised, and said, "Hey, you haven't forgotten that you once said that as long as I master the Innate Supreme Qi, you would be willing to submit to me..."
Su Hanbi chuckled and said, "Don't worry, I reminded Sister Long."
Ren Xiaoyao pretended to be serious and stared at Long Feiyun, saying, "How about this, I'll come to see you tonight as a way of rewarding you for your hard work over the past two months."
Long Feiyun, unable to withstand his gaze, blushed and lowered her head to avoid his intense stare. She said with a slight reproach, "Don't just talk about me. Fengyi already knows about this. She's even more heartbroken and saddened than I am, often hiding in the cabin to cry secretly. If you really want to do something to make up for your guilt, comfort her first." Ren
Xiaoyao was deeply moved, his eyes filled with profound affection as he gazed at Nangong Fengyi. He sighed, "With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for? Fengyi, you've suffered so much."
Nangong Fengyi gave him a charming glance, her beautiful face melting like ice and snow, as if spring had returned. She lightly spat, "Hmph, so glib. Since your injuries have healed and your martial arts have improved so much, why didn't you send a letter to inform us?"
Ren Xiaoyao was taken aback at first, then smiled apologetically, "Oh dear, how could I not write a letter?" There were two letters in total. One was sent to the Wenzhou branch to let them know I was safe and to tell them that they didn't need to go to the trouble of coming to Chiwei Island to rescue me. The other was sent to Coconut Island in the South China Sea to ask my master to come and help. What, you didn't receive them? That's not right.
" Nangong Fengyi shook her head. Su Hanbi laughed and said, "Silly boy, Sister Shui is right to call you silly boy. It takes at least half a month to get from Chiwei Island to the Central Plains. You only sent the letter ten days ago, so of course the sisters have no idea."
Ren Xiaoyao slapped his head and suddenly realized, "Right, right, right. At first, I thought it would take you at least thirty or forty days to mobilize your navy from the two lakes, so I only asked Hanbi to send the letter after I was sure that I could successfully control the innate supreme qi." "Since my martial arts have greatly improved, and Senior Fu believes in my innocence, then as long as Master arrives, we'll be able to fight Qiu Feng and Xiao Wuji. There's no need to mobilize thousands of soldiers and waste resources. Who knew you'd only send a few men from the branch headquarters and then rush back to Chiwei Island to rescue me?"
Long Feiyun said sadly, "Do you know why we rushed here?"
Ren Xiaoyao was about to say, "Is that even a question? Of course, it's because you can't let me go," when he heard Long Feiyun say, "Because the naval forces of the Two Lakes aren't even in the Two Lakes."
Ren Xiaoyao was stunned, looking at Long Feiyun with great confusion.
Long Feiyun's eyes were filled with tears, and she choked out, "Emperor Taizong passed away, and the Western Xia and Liao dynasties wanted to take advantage of the new crown prince's ascension to invade our borders. His Majesty preemptively struck, mobilizing the Tianji Army to reinforce the border. The naval forces of our sect stationed in the Two Lakes were ordered to go to the Yellow River half a month ago, and not a single ship was left."
Ren Xiaoyao suddenly knelt down by the bedside, burying his face in his hands, his whole body convulsing, his heart breaking, but he forced himself not to cry out. Although he had never had the chance to see the emperor's face, every word of the imperial edict revealed Zhao Guangyi's care and high hopes for him. Now, this wise ruler, who trusted him so much, relied on him so heavily, and even intended to cultivate him into an invincible military genius surpassing Huo Qubing, had suddenly passed away. The immense blow to his soul was unimaginable. He even felt that he had failed the title of Marquis of Champion and had let down the earnest hopes of the entire court.
Ren Xiaoyao suddenly looked up, his tiger eyes flashing with unwavering determination, and resolutely said, "Let's set off immediately and return to the Central Plains. I will personally lead the Tianji Army to attack the Liao Dynasty and fulfill the grand ambition of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong to recover the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun!"
Su Hanbi's face paled, and she hurriedly stopped him, saying, "No, your innate supreme qi still has flaws and may not be able to suppress it at any time. If you travel a long distance and work day and night to reach the border, perhaps before the battle even begins, your internal energy will backfire on you. At that time, not only will all your previous efforts be in vain, but you may not even be able to save your life."
Ren Xiaoyao Losing his temper, he exclaimed, "Am I supposed to abandon my troops and let them fall under the Liao army's swords while I stay on Chiwei Island enjoying all the comforts?!" He grew increasingly agitated, panting heavily, and roared, "The fate of our nation is the responsibility of every citizen! With the Liao and Western Xia armies pressing in, every member of the martial arts world should do their part to protect our homeland. Besides, Emperor Taizong has appointed me Marquis of Champion and Commander-in-Chief of the military affairs of the six prefectures of Guandong. If I don't return, who will shoulder the heavy burden of defending the entire Northwest?"
"Hahaha, even if you're going to leave, you should wait until I and Old Ghost Yi have fulfilled our ten-year agreement before you set off," a hearty laugh came from outside the door. Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw an old man in a green robe walk into the house. He was none other than Fu Longyuan, the sixth-ranked of the eight great masters of the Central Plains martial arts world, known as the "Xiaoxiang Sword Immortal". Although he was over fifty years old, he still had a refined and handsome appearance. He was tall and well-proportioned, with a slightly raised forehead. His bones revealed the outstanding talent of a top master, making people feel that he was deep and shrewd, and had an imposing presence without anger. The sword he wore at his waist was called "Dragon's Reverse Scale",
which was one of the sharpest divine weapons in the martial arts world, comparable to the Ice Soul Frost Sword.
The women hurriedly stepped forward to pay their respects. Su Hanbi asked in surprise, "Father, weren't you in seclusion?"
Fu Longyuan laughed heartily, "It's just a minor injury; it'll heal in a few days, especially with your elixirs." He walked to the bedside, patted Ren Xiaoyao's shoulder, and said, "Now that your internal strength has increased dramatically, what you lack is experience fighting against masters. I'm not boasting, but when it comes to swordsmanship and palm techniques, there are few in the martial world who can surpass my fellow disciples. I believe that after watching tomorrow's competition, you will definitely benefit greatly."
Su Hanbi was moved and said, "So soon? But you..."
Fu Longyuan revealed a confident smile and said proudly, "The ten-odd days that Father has spent in the secret chamber are more about recuperating than healing. Don't worry about me; hurry up and prepare a few doses for Old Ghost Yi, lest he use the excuse of being exhausted from the long journey to demand a rematch after his defeat."
"Fu boy, stop spouting nonsense!" Yi Tianhan's voice echoed from afar. "I promised you I'd keep our appointment tomorrow, and I never intended to back out." He didn't deliberately raise his voice; each word was clear and resonant, as if speaking directly into everyone's ears, demonstrating that his internal energy cultivation had reached its pinnacle.
Fu Longyuan's expression changed slightly, and he muttered, "Good heavens, I really underestimated you. It seems I won't win tomorrow without 'Dragon Slaying and Moon Cutting.' Fine, I'll let you taste my ultimate move, honed over ten years, before you even reach Zhen Gong Temple."

Volume 28, Chapter 6: The Thirty-Year-Old Duel at

Chiwei Island, Guanchao Cliff.
Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan stood side by side atop the cliff.
The duel they had agreed to thirty years ago was finally about to begin.
Yi Tianhan's tiger-like eyes widened, his clothes billowed, and his internal energy gradually coalesced—a clear sign that he was about to unleash the "Heaven-Defying Divine Palm." Fu Longyuan, on the other hand, was composed and relaxed, with his hands hanging naturally at his sides. The peerless divine weapon "Dragon's Reverse Scale," which could cut through iron like mud, was still at his waist.
Shui Furong asked in astonishment, "Strange, why isn't Uncle-Master drawing his sword?"
Su Hanbi said softly, "Sister Shui, do you know the origin of 'the dragon's reverse scale'?"
Ren Xiaoyao murmured, "The Records of the Grand Historian, Volume 63, Biographies of Laozi and Han Fei, states: 'The dragon, as an insect, can be tamed and ridden. However, it has a reverse scale a foot in diameter under its throat; if anyone touches it, it will surely kill.'"
Long Feiyun continued, "It means that in legends, dragons are docile animals, one can ride them by holding their horns, but they have a reverse scale a foot square on their throat. If anyone touches it, the dragon will be enraged and kill them!"
Su Hanbi, in her gentle and pure voice, replied, "Yes, that's exactly what my godfather meant by 'the dragon's reverse scale.' He never acts rashly, but when he does, it's a thunderous killing move."
Sunlight pierced the azure sky, illuminating Guanchao Cliff.
Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan simultaneously roared to the sky, rapidly approaching each other with their agile movements.
Five zhang… four zhang… three zhang… When the distance shrank to seven chi, Fu Longyuan suddenly gripped the scabbard and thrust it forward. The Dragon's Reverse Scale flew out, its hilt aimed straight at Yi Tianhan's chest.
Yi Tianhan's tiger eyes widened, his inner strength coursing through his meridians. He struck with both palms towards his chest, simultaneously aiming for the hilt, intending to disarm his opponent.
However, Fu Longyuan moved with lightning speed, kicking back at the blade. The Dragon's Reverse Scale suddenly spun, its gleaming edge aimed directly at Yi Tianhan's wrist. The circle of light flashed past, seemingly about to slash open his hand.
But Yi Tianhan was no pushover. In the critical moment, he unleashed his inner strength, instantly deflecting the Dragon's Reverse Scale.
Fu Longyuan moved swiftly, launching a full-force attack. His sword transformed into countless beams of light, sometimes thrusting horizontally, sometimes straight ahead, sometimes diagonally. His swordsmanship was intricate and varied, yet remained calm and steady. Each strike
forced a flurry of sword shadows around him, sending chills down his spine, displaying immense destructive power. Yi Tianhan was equally unyielding, unleashing a fierce barrage of attacks with both palms. When joined, they resembled chisels; when bent, they were like hooks. His elbows lashed out like hammers, and his fingers swept like knives, as if transformed into countless sharp weapons, each move possessing earth-shattering divine might.
The crowd saw only a flash of white light, followed by a deafening roar. Fu Longyuan's Dragon's Reverse Scale missed its target, and Yi Tianhan's Heaven-Defying Palm struck empty air.
The two masters exchanged blows, each displaying their unique skills. Deep, resonant sounds lingered on the cliff top, like muffled thunder or howling winds, causing a dull ache in everyone's ears. Their unfathomable inner strength clashed and exploded, the residual force spreading in all directions. As a result, Nangong Fengyi, Nangong Fengzi, Shui Furong, Lin Yuxiu, Su Hanbi, and the rest of the Stone City crowd retreated, leaving only Ren Xiaoyao, Long Feiyun, Deng Lei, and Shao Qingwei able to remain standing.
Long Feiyun, Deng Lei, and Shao Qingwei devoted most of their energy to resisting the scattered and surging internal force, while Ren Xiaoyao, protected by his innate supreme qi, remained completely unaffected, intently watching the fierce battle. The more he watched, the more astonished he became, finding the techniques used by the two completely illogical. With his own martial arts cultivation, he couldn't discern any underlying principles. His face turned ashen, and he thought to himself: "I thought my inner strength had increased dramatically, making me comparable to Guiming Shenjun and Hentian. Now it seems I'm just a frog in a well, not even having grasped the mysteries of martial arts. Senior Fu said I would benefit greatly from watching this match, and it's true."
Fu Longyuan raised his sword and unleashed a powerful and domineering attack called "Battle Dragon Breaks the Sky," which was as fierce as a mountain collapsing and could shatter any mountain. Yi Tianhan heard the wind and sensed the enemy's presence. He dodged the sword and suddenly spread his fingers, thrusting forward to grab Fu Longyuan's wrist.
Fu Longyuan sneered. His Dragon's Reverse Scale suddenly spun, unleashing streaks of snow-white light. The sword wind was fierce, shattering Yi Tianhan's palm strike. Then, the sword spun in a circle, advancing straight forward with even greater ferocity than the previous move. It was none other than the "Raging Dragon Soaring to the Heavens," renowned for its speed and sharpness.
At that moment, Yi Tianhan had already leaped above Fu Longyuan, shouting, "Fu brat, I watched you master the first eight techniques of the Nine Dragon Control Techniques. You think you can beat your senior brother without even using the Holy Dragon Severing the Nine Heavens? Dream on!" His arms trembled rapidly, and his right arm suddenly swung into a circle. As he descended, the incomparably sharp and powerful force of his Heaven-Defying Divine Palm sealed off a four-foot radius around his opponent. Within a radius of ten feet, countless streams of energy flowed, making it impossible to block or dodge.
Fu Longyuan's eyes widened in fury, roaring, "You old devil, you haven't even used Heavenly Thunder Without Delusion yet, and you think you can trick me into using my ultimate move? No way!" His sword light shifted rapidly, chaotic and vast, the dragon's reverse scales seemingly transforming into a large expanse of blue-white mist, instantly dispelling the opponent's energy and instead enveloping Yi Tianhan within it.
Yi Tianhan laughed heartily, roaring, "Flying Dragon Moves the Colorful Clouds, good!" His palm strike abruptly changed, from a straight slash to a spinning attack, both palms striking out simultaneously, spinning dozens of large and small circles, meeting the sword's edge like a tidal wave.
The two forces clashed, evenly matched, neither able to advance an inch. The sword and palms repelled each other in mid-air, suddenly exploding with a deafening roar, all swirling back, each falling several feet away.
Fu Longyuan leaned slightly back, his inner energy rapidly circulating three times, then unleashed "Soaring Dragon Plays with Heavenly Water," leaping forward with lightning speed, his sword energy crisscrossing, fluctuating unpredictably, like twinkling starlight, dazzling the eye.
Seeing the dazzling light that obscured even Fu Longyuan's figure, Yi Tianhan inwardly praised it. Suddenly, he roared like thunder, unleashing a devastating palm strike from afar. The attack was like a thunderclap, accompanied by howling winds and terrifying power, far surpassing the previous moves in strength.
Fu Longyuan focused intently, countering the attack with a single strike. His tiger-like body stood firm, his dragon scales swirling like a raging storm or a swirling eddy in a river—his ultimate technique, "Mad Dragon Dance of Immortal Sounds," a powerful and unstoppable force.
The two masters faced off at a distance, their energies swirling and surging. Fu Longyuan strode forward, launching a sudden attack, unleashing eight sword strikes in an instant. Yi Tianhan's eyes were sharp as he watched the sword approach. He shifted his stance or turned, dodging Fu Longyuan's fierce attacks while simultaneously counterattacking. His right hand pressed down, subtly gathering his power, while his left palm shot out with lightning speed, accompanied by a powerful gust of wind!
This move, "Thunder Shakes the Nine Heavens," was one of the three ultimate techniques of the Heaven-Defying Divine Palm. Normally, it required a long period of focused energy to unleash its true power, but Yi Tianhan, having lived in seclusion on Yanxia Island for twenty years, had cultivated his skills daily. Now, he unleashed it effortlessly, its power no less, perhaps even surpassing it. His palm moved with incredible speed, like a thousand palm shadows, striking the dragon's reverse scale from afar. The force of his attack sent sand and leaves swirling in the air, causing the onlookers to exchange bewildered glances, secretly trembling with fear.
Fu Longyuan was slightly startled, quickly activating his divine power to grip his sword hilt firmly, turning his wrist to try and deflect the opponent's subsequent force. Before the "Thunder Shakes the Nine Heavens" move was even finished, Yi Tianhan's right palm had already gathered its full power. Before his left hand could even reach Fu Longyuan's body, his right palm struck out, striking first despite being behind, with a thunderous roar that forced his opponent's sleeves to billow. This was the powerful move of "Roaring Thunder."
Fu Longyuan felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that ordinary sword techniques would be insufficient to defend against it. The dragon's reverse scales, trailing shadows, slashed diagonally towards Yi Tianhan's neck, a resounding tremor echoing across the cliff top. This move, "Divine Dragon Piercing the Brocade Clouds," was Fu Longyuan's greatest asset, the one that allowed him to rank among the top eight masters at the Junshan Gathering. Its swordplay was as elusive as a gazelle's horns, leaving no trace. If Yi Tianhan didn't counter it, he would suffer a fatal injury before his palm could strike Fu Longyuan.
In this situation, Ren Xiaoyao couldn't help but wonder: If it were me, how would I react? Should I forcefully retreat using the "Flying Immortal Transformation" technique? No, Senior Fu's swordsmanship is superb. If he gains the upper hand now, it will be extremely difficult to turn the tide. A forced block? No, my attack is already on the outside; if I hastily retreat to defend, I won't have enough momentum and will fall into the same disadvantageous position. A sidestep? Still no, the Dragon's Reverse Scale is
incredibly sharp; a slight sideways movement could take my life. Just as he hesitated, he suddenly saw Yi Tianhan lower his body, his sword already sweeping over his head. Then, he lunged forward, grabbing Fu Longyuan's ankles with both hands—a fluid and effortless movement.
Ren Xiaoyao watched in stunned silence, praising him repeatedly, his admiration growing even stronger. In this way, Fu Longyuan not only missed his attack but also had to exert considerable effort to defend his lower body; the advantage he had seemingly gained vanished in an instant.
Fu Longyuan leaped slightly, his body bending slightly, and the sword blade followed, turning sharply downwards to pierce Fu Longyuan's back, causing the surrounding wind to howl like the roar of dragons and tigers.
Yi Tianhan abruptly turned, his left arm lashing out, instantly unleashing the fierce move "Thunder Chariot Rushing Along the Tracks," deflecting the Dragon's Reverse Scale by an inch, and leaping away in a split second.
Fu Longyuan took a deep breath, about to raise his sword to pursue, when Yi Tianhan silently returned to attack, instantly striking with seven palms. Fu Longyuan knew that blocking three or four of his attacks would be easy, but parrying seven was impossible. He immediately flashed into the air, the tip of his sword suddenly splitting into three, two of them aimed at the palm force of the Heaven-Defying Palm, while the remaining cold light flickered, instantly drawing a crescent-shaped arc, pointing directly at Yi Tianhan's brow. The swordsmanship he displayed at this moment was no longer from the Nine Dragon Techniques. Even Yi Tianhan and Long Feiyun had never heard of or seen it before, while Shao Qingwei and Peng Suifeng were dumbfounded, completely unable to discern anything amiss.
Ren Xiaoyao's Lingxiao Sword Technique incorporated all the profound mysteries of martial arts under heaven. The saying "the ultimate swordsmanship seeks only defeat" was by no means an exaggeration. Coupled with his unparalleled talent and the keen senses gained from cultivating the Supreme Qi of the Innate Realm, he actually realized that Fu Longyuan had absorbed the essence of the swordsmanship of several masters from Stone City, such as Qiu Feng, Shao Qingwei, and Peng Suifeng, refined and improved it, taking the essence and discarding the dross, and integrating it into his offense, defense, and evasion. No wonder Long Feiyun, who was knowledgeable about the world of martial arts and had seen everything, watched Fu Longyuan grow up, and Yi Tianhan, who had practiced martial arts with him for decades, were completely baffled. Even Shao Qingwei and Peng Suifeng, whose moves had been borrowed, were kept in the dark.
Ren Xiaoyao was even more aware that although these two sword techniques were powerful, they would be ineffective against Yi Tianhan. In other words, the two masters would soon have to use their ultimate moves to engage in a true life-or-death battle!

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