Ten Years of Lone Sword and Vast Sea Alliance [Complete] - 26

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Chapter Twenty-Six: The Perilous Three Gorges, the Turbulent Qutang Gorge, A Neighboring Boat Unwittingly Glances at Traces of Enemy, the Perilous

Path of Jianmen Pass, the Silkworm Path, the Gorge Caves, and the Amazing Hearing of the Past. "The Three Gorges of the Yangtze River are the most perilous under heaven." Upstream from Nanjin Pass in Yichang, western Hubei, lies the Xiling Gorge, the end of the Three Gorges. The Xiling Gorge extends to Yichang, beginning in Badong, then upstream to the Wu Gorge, beginning in Wushan County, thus becoming the end of the Qutang Gorge, beginning in Yunyang County, western Sichuan. The Three Gorges is its collective name; the names of the gorges along the river are countless. Layer upon layer of cliffs, sheer walls, towering peaks, and treacherous, winding currents, with numerous shoals and rocks, ancient trees reaching for the sky, and dense, gnarled vines hanging down, creating a scene of extreme danger, seclusion, and magnificence.

On this day, at dawn, the river swelled, its torrents roaring and surging, rushing a thousand miles. A dozen large boats set sail from the riverbank of Wushan County, heading upstream, accompanied by hundreds of boatmen. With a shout of "Hang!", they slowly made their way up. Sailing through the Three Gorges was considered a perilous journey, but merchants carrying goods and stockpiling cargo could not enter Sichuan without boats. Therefore, they spent heavily to buy boats, relying three parts on luck and seven parts on skilled sailors.

Among these boats, Xie Yunyue, the Two Poisons of Minshan, and the Mourning Swordsman Ling Fei were boarding one to enter Sichuan. The Two Poisons of Minshan and Ling Fei sat in the cabin, surrounded by wine and food, drinking and chatting. Xie Yunyue lay on his side on the deck, facing inwards, his eyes closed, feigning sleep. His mind was a turbulent sea of thoughts, and he could hear the murmuring of the water flowing from the bottom of the cabin, a mournful sound. He recalled that yesterday, when they crossed the river to Wushan City, the four of them disembarked and wandered around the city, admiring its sights and wonders. They had visited the Goddess Temple on the banks of the Daning River (also known as Wuxi). In his turmoil, he couldn't help but murmur, "...The mountain scenery cannot forget Song Yu, the sound of the water still seems like the weeping of King Xiang...How many willows are there before the temple, their branches drooping in vain in spring."

Sheng Qing, seeing this, smiled brightly and said, "Life is inherently full of troubles, why make yourself miserable? Let's follow the example of this old man and get drunk, laughing and talking about everything under the sun, wiping away all past grievances." Xie Yunyue gave a bitter smile, got up, and joined in the drinking, letting go of his worries and sharing anecdotes from the martial arts world.

After a day's journey, they were approaching the entrance to the Qutang Gorge. Of the Three Gorges, Qutang is the most treacherous, with steep cliffs and rocks of varying colors—green, yellow, red, and black—creating a magnificent landscape. Xie Yunyue and his three companions stood at the bow of the boat, admiring the spectacular scenery. Suddenly, Xie Yunyue caught sight

of Ling Fei, the Mourning Swordsman, whose gaze lingered on the cabin of the adjacent boat, his brows furrowing slightly as if he had noticed something. Suspicious, Xie Yunyue followed Ling Fei's gaze and saw three people seated in the cabin: an old man with thick eyebrows, white hair, a flowing silver beard, and piercing, beady eyes; a gaunt, dark-skinned middle-aged man; and a monk with a long beard. Ling Fei's expression was uncertain. Xie Yunyue quietly asked, "Who are these three?" Ling Fei shook his head and remained silent.

Xie Yunyue thought to himself, "They must be Ling Fei's old enemies, otherwise why would he look so uneasy?" He didn't press the matter. He and Ling Fei had traveled together from the Yunmeng Swamp, and Xie Yunyue knew Ling Fei wasn't a bad person, but he was fond of martial arts, prone to making trouble with his words, and vengeful, hence his notorious reputation throughout the martial arts world. However, Lingfei, having suffered greatly from being controlled by others in the Yunmeng Swamp, was rescued by Xie Yunyue. Grateful for Xie's kindness, he repented and became a completely different person. It is known that turning from evil to good requires immense wisdom and perseverance. Xie Yunyue secretly held Lingfei in higher esteem. Although Lingfei did not answer, he kept this in mind.

Going upstream through the Three Gorges, the currents were treacherous and rapid, making the journey very slow. Each day, they could only travel a dozen or so miles, all because the current narrowed after entering the Qutang Gorge, becoming extremely dangerous during high water. This was unlike the forty-mile stretch from Wushan to Qutang, where the river was wider, with many dangerous shoals during the dry season, and the rocks submerged during high water, making navigation easier. Thus, each day felt like a year. After seeing the three people in the cabin of the neighboring boat, Lingfei seemed restless, frequently peeking from the bow. Xie Yunyue, seeing this, became even more suspicious. When asked, Lingfei remained silent. Xie Yunyue couldn't help but snort inwardly, determined to find out the reason.

After three days of travel, they reached Kuimen. The two poisoners of Minshan suddenly decided to return to Minshan ahead of time, so they bid farewell and went ashore. Suddenly, they saw the three people they had seen on the neighboring boat also boarding a boat and going ashore. Lingfei hurriedly said to Xie Yunyue, "Young hero, how are we following these three?"

Xie Yunyue was startled and said, "Master Ling hasn't told us who these three are yet. We should let go and not cause ourselves further trouble."

Lingfei said urgently, "These three are greatly connected to your father's death." As he spoke, he had already stepped onto the shore. Xie Yunyue's heart trembled upon hearing this, and he quickly followed.

The three entered the city gate of Kuizhou and went into an inn. Xie and Lingfei hesitated for a moment, then also headed towards the inn. Suddenly, they saw a short, stout old man and a young man in white carrying a sword rush in first. Lingfei frowned and muttered, "There's going to be some excitement on the road to Xichuan."

Xie Yunyue, unsure why he was referring to him, glanced at him. Lingfei had already stepped inside, summoned a waiter, and led him to a superior room. Lingfei, with his agile, unsteady movements, hurriedly went outside again. Xie Yunyue, seeing his restless actions, was even more puzzled. He returned after about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, followed by a waiter carrying a food box in one hand and a large copper kettle in the other.

The waiter placed the food and wine on the table, inquired if there was anything else, and then bowed and left. Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "Master Ling, did you go out just to have the waiter bring you food and wine?"
Despite being over fifty, Lingfei still had a childlike heart, a naive smile appearing on his face. He said, "Young hero, whatever you need, let's talk after we've filled our stomachs." With that, he poured a full cup of wine for Xie Yunyue, and then poured one for himself.

Xie Yunyue stared blankly and said, "Teacher Ling, your secrecy is making it hard for me to eat."

Ling Fei, the Mourning Swordsman, seemed helpless and sighed, saying, "I didn't expect you to be so impatient, young hero. I have no choice but to speak. A few days ago, you asked me if I knew about your father's murder, and I claimed it was just hearsay and I didn't know the details. Surely you remember?"

Xie Yunyue nodded and said, "I have serious doubts about whether you truly know nothing about it. I suspect you must have some unspeakable secret, so I've held back for now."

Ling Fei said, "Actually, when you asked a few days ago, I truly didn't know. Now the situation is quite different."

Xie Yunyue was greatly surprised, a bewildered look in his eyes. Ling Fei continued, "This is a long story. If you wish to drink and eat, young hero, I will tell you everything." As he spoke, his gaze fell on the fragrant dishes, his mouth watering.

Xie Yunyue couldn't help but laugh heartily, picking up his chopsticks and dropping them into the dish. Ling Fei, a voracious eater, had a slightly flushed face after three cups of wine. Looking at Xie Yunyue, he said, "This aged liquor truly has an endless aftereffect." Seeing Xie Yunyue's silence, he smiled awkwardly and continued, "In the martial arts world, there are many unbelievable things and many unbelievable people. To this day, I still don't know the names or origins of the three people in the neighboring cabin. Their martial arts skills are truly unbelievable."

Xie Yunyue asked in astonishment, "Then how does Master Ling know that they are closely related to my late father's death? And how does he know that their martial arts skills are superb?"

Ling Fei replied, "If I say anything inappropriate, please forgive me."

Xie Yunyue said solemnly, "If Master Ling is truthful..." " I am deeply grateful that my late father was able to die without resentment; how could I possibly hold a grudge?"

Ling Feijing drank a cup of wine, seemingly finding it extremely difficult to speak, hesitating as if he wanted to say something but finally said, "When your father was alive, his name as the Soul Chaser was almost legendary, his fame resounding throughout the land. Your father was ruthless and merciless, and no fewer than a thousand people, both righteous and evil, died at his hands. The entire martial arts world was terrified, and everyone wanted to get rid of him. However, your father was elusive and unpredictable, like a dragon appearing and disappearing without a trace, making him difficult to capture. Many in the martial arts world wanted to find out your father's background before attempting to capture him, but unfortunately, no one knew your father's background. Even now, I'm afraid you, young hero, are unaware of it either, is that right?" Xie Yunyue couldn't help but nod sadly and remain silent.

Lingfei continued, “When we were secretly plotting to eliminate your father, I was in my prime. Because of my lack of restraint and my quick tongue, I was kept in the dark about everything. However, the mastermind behind it was someone from our sect, and I noticed some clues, though I didn't pay them any mind at the time…” As

he spoke, he refilled his cup with wine, drank it all in one gulp, and chewed a large piece of braised beef. His eyes flashed, as if he were pondering the events of that year. After a long silence, he sighed and said, “While we were secretly plotting to eliminate your father, news of the massacre of our brothers by him frequently reached Qionglai, so our plans became increasingly urgent. One day, my eldest brother traveled from outside the mountain with two others. One of them was the old man with the silver beard and white hair I had seen on the neighboring boat. Many years had passed, but his appearance hadn't changed with age, so I remembered him…”

Xie Yunyue continued, "And the other one?"

Ling Fei replied, "The other one is as thin as bamboo, bald, and has blue eyes. He's very easy to remember, but I didn't see him on the boat. These two claim to be your father's junior brothers. They had a dispute with your father while they were learning martial arts on the mountain, and in a fit of anger, your father sealed their vital points, imprisoning them in the cave forever. I only heard a few words about this

from my senior brother; I know nothing more than the details, not even their names or origins. Even now, the sect leader doesn't know their names or origins." He paused, then continued, "That white-bearded old man was arrogant, telling my senior brother that capturing your father was something only they could do, claiming his martial arts were superb. I was furious." Claiming to offer guidance, he was surprised to find that before he could even move, Ling had already lost control, his nine acupoints sealed. A slender, bony man approached, released Ling's acupoints, and seemed to harbor displeasure towards his companion. The next morning, the two men, along with the senior brother and several other masters from their sect, descended the mountain. Three months later, rumors spread that Ling and the young hero had been murdered. The sect's masters and senior brother had all abandoned the bodies on the shores of Dongting Lake. Only one man survived. After cremating the sect's deceased, he rushed back to Qionglai, wounded, but upon arrival, he uttered only two sentences before collapsing and dying.

Xie Yunyue asked, "What did he say?"

Ling Fei shook his head and said, "I don't know. I have already gone to Qian..." "South, he returned to the mountain three years later, and with the passage of time, he forgot about it. Since it didn't concern him, he didn't bother to ask."

Xie Yunyue then asked, "Is there anyone on your mountain who still remembers these two sentences?"

Ling Fei pondered for a moment and said, "In my opinion, these two sentences must be about the death of our brothers, nothing of great importance."

Xie Yunyue's eyebrows shot up, and he suddenly stood up, saying, "Then I will go and ask those three people in person. The hatred for one's father is irreconcilable. If they leave, I will have no way to atone for my hatred." Ling

Fei sighed and said, "They have already left."

This was like a thunderbolt from the blue. Xie Yunyue seemed a little numb. His eyes were glazed for a long time before he shouted, " "What? Why didn't you tell me?"

Lingfei knew his feelings and slowly said, "Young Master, please don't be impetuous. This matter was also unexpected for me. Just now, I went out and coincidentally encountered those three people leaving the shop and heading out of the city. In my haste, I hurriedly followed behind them. When we reached a lush, shady forest, I stopped. Fearing that I would be discovered, I hid behind a tree. I heard a voice say, 'Brother, go and invite Xu Xia. We will meet in seven days at Panlong Gorge in Cuiyun Corridor.' After saying that, I saw a figure flash by. When I realized it, the three people had disappeared. When I came out of the forest, I saw the short, fat old man and the sword-wielding youth running westward." "

After letting out a long sigh, Ling Fei, the Swordsman of the Dead, said, 'Now, if we can reach Panlong Gorge of Cuiyun Corridor within seven days, we will surely be able to find their whereabouts. However, I cannot guarantee whether the white-bearded old man and the skinny man were the masterminds or participants in the attack on your father. Our sect leader passed away three years ago, and all those who knew about it back then have passed away. I only know bits and pieces

, which may not be of any help to the truth.' Xie Laoyue smiled and said, 'I am already deeply grateful for what you have said, Master Ling. Please forgive my indiscretion just now. Do you know where Panlong Gorge of Cuiyun Corridor is?'" Lingfei replied, “

From Jiange in the south to Langzhong and from Jiange in the west to Zitong, there are more than 300 li of plank roads, collectively known as Cuiyun Corridor. It is named so because there are hundreds of thousands of cypress trees planted on both sides, which are as green as clouds and shade the sun. As for Panlong Gorge, according to my speculation, there are three plank roads south of Jiange: Heming, Chuiqian, and Panlong. They should be near Panlong Gorge.” Xie Yunyue's gaze, now shimmering with a mystical light, swept across the view outside the window. "

The road to Shu is difficult, more difficult than ascending to the heavens." While navigating the Three Gorges by boat is arduous, nothing surpasses the perilous Jianmen Pass. Mountains rise like human faces, clouds linger beside horse heads, carved into the rock, suspended thousands of feet below. A single misstep and one's body is shattered to pieces, leaving no trace. Walking through it, one sees sheer cliffs and precipices, towering thousands of feet high, peaks rising in jagged layers, verdant and majestic. Mountains encircle water, forests and valleys are deep and secluded, the scenery is breathtaking, and the danger is even greater. Bird paths and winding paths lead across the plank roads. As the poet wrote: "Peaks reach the sky, barely an inch away; withered pines hang upside down against the precipice; rushing torrents and waterfalls roar; rocks tumble and thunder in the valleys." Though the description is vivid, the reality is far beyond what words can capture.
In the Jianmen Mountains, the peaks rise sharply like blades. Under the bright sun and clear sky, the landscape is a vast expanse of green. The wind howls through the valleys like thunder. At dusk, a figure appears atop a strangely shaped peak, letting out a clear whistle, like a dragon's roar, echoing through the valley and lingering in the clouds. Before the whistle has faded, the figure soars into the sky like a crane, rising four or five zhang high. He then pulls his arms back, his body transforming into the Eight Forms of the Heavenly Dragon, swiftly descending and landing lightly on the plank road. He reveals himself to be a handsome young man with long arms and a slender waist, his bearing as elegant as jade, his blue robe flowing, refined and dashing. Standing on the stone-carved walkway, he glances around at the peaks that resemble sword tips, and mutters to himself, "I, Xie Yunyue, refuse to believe I cannot find Panlong Gorge."

That noon, he and the Mourning Swordsman Ling Fei set off from Kuizhou. The two were fast travelers, and by the evening of the third day, they had already arrived in Jiange County. However, upon arriving at the Panlong Plank Road and inquiring, they discovered that Panlong Gorge was nowhere to be found, much to their disappointment. They then briefly discussed the matter, deciding that Xie Yunyue would scout the area north of Jiange, while Ling Fei would scout the area south of Jiange, and they would meet in Jiange County on the sixth day.

It was already early noon on the fifth day. Xie Yunyue had been searching through the myriad mountains and valleys of the Jianmen Mountains for a day and a night, and was now stationed on the plank road five miles south of Jiange. He was feeling depressed and pondered with his eyes downcast. He thought to himself, "Lingfei heard in the forest that we met at Panlong Gorge in Cuiyun Corridor. Panlong Gorge must be not far from Cuiyun Corridor, which is about 300 li away. How could I have been so overly cautious that I searched for him separately and wasted my time?"

Just as he was thinking, he suddenly heard a clear laugh from behind him. "Was that whistling sound just now yours? Your inner strength is abundant and extremely skillful."

Xie Yunyue couldn't help but feel a chill. How could someone have come up behind him without him noticing? Clearly, the person was a top martial arts master. Looking at him from the side, he saw a man who looked to be around thirty years old. He had a fair complexion and bright eyes, and a dignified demeanor. His black robe was flowing, and he seemed extremely handsome. However, there were two deep nasolabial folds between his nose and mouth, which gave him a cold feeling at first glance.

Behind the man followed a burly man in yellow robes, with fierce eyes and a bushy beard, wielding a gleaming short sword, less than a foot and a half long, its tip gleaming with a sharp edge—a blade capable of cutting through gold and jade. Xie Yunyue glanced at the two men and said coldly, "That whistling sound? It was indeed I who made it, but it seems to have nothing to do with you, sir."

Before the man could speak, the burly man beside him snorted and shouted sharply, "You speak arrogantly and rudely, do you have a death wish?"

Xie Yunyue raised an eyebrow, and the man laughed loudly, glaring at the burly man in yellow robes before turning back to Xie Yunyue, saying, "My servant is a boorish man, ignorant and impudent; please do not take it seriously.

" Yun Yue's expression brightened, and he replied, "Why would I stoop to the level of your servant?"

He then smiled and said, "I still need to find someone and have no time for intimacy. Please, sir, make yourself at home."

The man was taken aback and said, "So you're looking for someone here. Excellent! I've also come here to search for someone, but I don't know who this person is. Perhaps it's the same person I'm looking for?"

Xie Yun Yue had no intention of getting entangled with her, using the excuse of searching for someone. Unexpectedly, she asked this question, and his gaze shifted, and he smiled. He said, "Whom are you seeking, sir? I am eager to hear."

The burly man in yellow rolled his eyes and shouted, "My young master is asking you a question, why don't you answer?"

The man replied loudly, "It's alright. The friend I'm looking for lives in seclusion in a nearby valley. Like me, he possesses martial arts skills but doesn't wish to become famous in the martial world, hence he is unknown there. I presume you are renowned in the martial world; may I ask your name?"

Xie Yunyue, hearing that his master lived in seclusion... In the canyon, a thought struck him, and he smiled, saying, "I am a novice, newly graduated from my master's school, and a novice in martial arts. How could I possibly accept such praise? My humble name is Xu Wan. You have not yet told me your friend's name; I wonder if you are the same person?"

The man laughed and said, "It must be him! My friend and his family are the only ones living in seclusion in Jianmen Mountain. Why don't we travel together and meet him? If not, you can search for him later."

Xie Yunyue feigned reluctance and said, "This... I cannot comply..."

Before the words were finished, the burly man in yellow suddenly closed in, his short sword flashing as he roared, "You're the kind of person who won't listen to reason, you'll have to drink the penalty cup! How dare you disobey my young master's orders? You're clearly courting death!" The short sword flashed like a dragon emerging from its lair, its poisonous light like lightning. The burly man in yellow let out a cry of surprise, his eyes widening in shock.

In a flash of sword light, Xie Yunyue had already left the plank road and stood on a protruding cliff about five feet high to the left. He laughed loudly, "If I hadn't dodged quickly, I would have been injured by your servant's sword. How could such a precious blade, capable of cutting through gold and jade, be held in the hands of a crude man who knows nothing of martial arts?"

The man hadn't even seen how Xie Yunyue had dodged away, and was secretly shocked. He smiled and said, "Your lightness skill is unparalleled, which makes me even more eager to get closer to you and learn from you. Why bother with such a crude man? It's not that I'm ashamed to let you know my friend's name, but he doesn't want anyone to know. I also don't know if he is the person you are looking for. However, his residence is very close by, about five miles away. I can arrive in a short while, which will not delay you." As he spoke, he leaped up and in the blink of an eye, he landed lightly on the cliff, facing Xie Yunyue.

The burly man in yellow followed closely behind, his movements incredibly nimble. He glared angrily at Xie Yunyue, furious that his young master had called him a boor for Xie Yunyue's sake. He was seething with hatred and harbored a venomous thought, waiting for an opportunity to test Xie Yunyue's abilities. The man, his feet firmly planted on the cliff face, coughed lightly and said self-reproachfully, "Brother, how could I be so foolish? You have already told me your name, how could I not tell you my humble name? My surname is Mo, if you do not mind, you can call me Mo Hanying."

His gaze fell lightly on the burly man in yellow, and he continued, "My servant's name is Yang Chongsheng. Speaking of which, I am a very famous figure in the wilderness. As the chief of Qing Teng Village in Qiannan, my Burmese steel short sword is a treasured weapon passed down for thousands of years. My martial arts skills are so high that there are probably few in the Central Plains who can compare with me." He then laughed and said, "But compared to you, sir, it is a different story. It is only because he was saved by my father and volunteered to be a slave. My father could not force him, so he had to let him be."

Xie Yunyue glanced at Yang Chongsheng and said, "Knowing gratitude and repaying kindness is the behavior of a hero, but it requires the heart of a hero. Your actions are quite rare." His words were slightly derogatory towards Yang Chongsheng.
Mo Hanying, of course, understood, and merely smiled slightly. Yang Chongsheng, no man of any rank, roared angrily, "It's rumored that people from the Central Plains are all treacherous and cunning, and it seems that's absolutely true. I, Yang, repay kindness with utmost sincerity; why should you presume to comment?"

Xie Yunyue laughed loudly, "Words are superfluous when we don't see eye to eye. Brother Mo, it seems we can't get along if we travel together. Let's part ways here." With that, he gave a slight bow and prepared to rise.

Mo Hanying said urgently, "Brother Xu, please don't mind him. Just ignore what he said. We'll set off for my friend's place immediately..."

Xie Yunyue suddenly had a thought, wondering to himself, "I've never met him before. Why is he insisting on going to his friend's place with me? Could he have other intentions?" He couldn't help but feel a little uneasy, but he had to find out the truth. He nodded slightly and smiled, "Then please lead the way, Brother Mo."

Mo Hanying didn't say anything more. He raised his arm and soared into the air, changing his stance and sweeping diagonally, like a swirling leaf, incredibly fast. In an instant, he had already crossed the plank road and was plunging into the canyon below the two peaks. Xie Yunyue was secretly amazed by this person's superb lightness skill. He was not slow either. He had already taken off smoothly without changing his stance. He followed behind Mo Hanying, shooting like lightning. He heard a gust of wind whistling behind him and knew that Yang Chongsheng was coming soon. His legs sank and he accelerated even more.

Upon lowering his gaze, he couldn't help but change color slightly. He discovered that the canyon descended a hundred feet, narrowing as it went, barely wide enough for one person. A single misstep would surely send him crashing into the sharp, protruding rocks, breaking bones and tendons. Immediately, he gathered his inner energy, pressed his palm down, and his body transformed into a drifting cloud, slowly descending. Mo Hanying, however, was

different. He rushed down, but his timing was incredibly precise. About three feet from the bottom of the valley, he suddenly somersaulted, dissipating the force of his descent and landing silently at the bottom. When he looked up, he couldn't help but shudder. He saw Xie Yunyue descending slowly like a floating cloud. Such extraordinary lightness skill was something he had never seen before. Just as Xie Yunyue was about to touch the bottom, he felt an incomparably fierce gust of wind press down on him. Knowing that Yang Chongsheng had suddenly launched an attack, he snorted inwardly, and with a thought, the Maitreya Divine Skill protected his entire body.

Yang Chongsheng had followed Xie Yunyue down the canyon, his anger growing with each passing thought of Xie Yunyue's humiliation. He was determined to teach Xie Yunyue a lesson. Seeing the situation at the bottom of the valley, his heart pounded with fear. His martial arts were not weak, but his agility was clearly inferior to Mo and Xie's. Falling a hundred feet, he grew heavier with each descent, his internal energy waning. Letting him fall unchecked would surely lead to a humiliating defeat. Therefore, he secretly harbored a wicked plan: he would transfer all his weight onto Xie Yunyue, using the momentum to spring back up, hoping to deflect some of

the weight. He then pushed upwards with both palms. Yang Chongsheng felt his palm force instantly neutralized, his descent accelerating. Terrified, he suddenly felt an overwhelming, terrifying force bearing down on him, as if his chest and abdomen had been struck by ten thousand pounds of steel. He couldn't help but cry out, his body lurching upwards five or six feet, tumbling and rolling away. Xie Yunyue had already landed gracefully, his mind calm and focused, seemingly oblivious to Yang Chongsheng's actions.

Seeing Yang Chongsheng's state, Mo Hanying was bewildered. She leaped up with lightning speed, grabbing Yang Chongsheng and asking after landing, "Chongsheng, what's wrong?"

Yang Chongsheng, unable to speak of his suffering, forced a bitter smile and said, "Nothing." He rubbed his chest slightly with his right hand. Fortunately, Xie Yunyue's intention was to punish him subtly, using only half his true strength in the "Flicking Word Technique." Even so, Yang Chongsheng's blood and qi were still jolted and diverted. Mo

Hanying sensed something amiss but couldn't pinpoint the cause. She glanced at Xie Yunyue, who stood with his hands behind his back, smiling, gazing intently at the canyon's terrain. Yang Chongsheng was filled with extreme pain, shame, and resentment. This sudden attack was his own petty act, yet he was too ashamed to speak of it, and even more astonished by Xie Yunyue's uncanny martial arts skills. For the first time, he had suffered a silent loss, unable to retaliate.

Mo Hanying's eyes darted around, a slight understanding dawning on him, but he said nothing, instead laughing loudly, "You possess unparalleled lightness skill, sir! I am fortunate to witness it, and I am filled with admiration..." Suddenly, he called out, "Chongsheng, lead the way." Yang Chongsheng bowed his head in response, slowly passing Mo and Xie, and strode forward.

Mo Hanying added, "My friend lives not far from the bottom of the valley, Brother Xu, please." Xie Yunyue smiled slightly and followed behind Yang Chongsheng, walking gracefully like flowing water.

This canyon was like a deep ravine, with towering cliffs on both sides. Looking up, only a sliver of sky could be seen, making it exceptionally dark. The wind swept through the canyon, howling fiercely. The valley floor was a narrow, winding path, the two cliffs so close together at their narrowest point only three or four feet wide. The light grew increasingly dim. After walking two miles and turning several bends, it suddenly became completely dark. Looking up, he saw that the canyon walls were covered with dense, gnarled vines, layer upon layer, obscuring the sun. He never

imagined that anyone lived in this dark, deep canyon. It was more like a crevice in the wall than a canyon. The short sword in Yang Chongsheng's hand was very useful; it shimmered with a bluish-green light and served as illumination. Xie Yunyue deliberately sighed, "Ah, how wonderful it would be if I had this Burmese steel short sword. In the dark of night, it could be used as a torch." The implication was veiled sarcasm, and Mo Hanying laughed heartily behind him.

Yang Chongsheng knew he was being mocked, and he was even more furious, his whole body trembling. Yang Chongsheng walked to a cave entrance, just a cave in the sheer cliff, right at a bend in the canyon, so it was clearly visible. Suddenly, Mo Hanying said, "Chongsheng, why don't you go in first?"

A flash of green light, and Yang Chongsheng had already entered. Xie and Mo followed suit, their sword light revealing smooth, clean walls. They wound their way in, going quite a distance, until suddenly more than a dozen passageways appeared, like a spiderweb, interconnected horizontally and vertically. A great radiance shone through them, and every ten feet or so from the ceiling, a large pearl, about an inch in diameter, was embedded, its white light condensing, faintly revealing many stone chambers in the distance.

Xie Yunyue couldn't help but marvel, "This cave was clearly carved by man. Such a massive undertaking couldn't have been accomplished by just one or two people. There are many famous mountains and caves throughout the world; I wonder why this person carved out this cave and chose to live here."

The passageways unfolded like a fan. Yang Chongsheng walked towards the third passageway on the left. Although the pearls shone brightly, he didn't sheath his sword, keeping it tightly gripped in his hand. The three entered a stone chamber, which had doors connecting all four sides. Inside, tables and chairs were neatly arranged, all made of rosewood with fine grain, elegant style, and exceptional value. On one of the tables was a pot of pearl orchids, displaying vibrant red and white blossoms with cascading veins, emitting a faint, refreshing fragrance.

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out from the next room: "What? Who dares to trespass into the cave?"

A figure flashed, and a young man emerged from the next room. He had a face like jade and was exceptionally handsome, but his thick eyebrows were fierce, and several crow's feet appeared at the corners of his eyes, which added a flaw to his handsome face. He wore a strange silk robe, as thin as a cicada's wing. When the pearl light from the ceiling shone on it, it emitted a colorful and strange light, dazzling the eye.

The young man immediately recognized Mo Hanying and Yang Chongsheng, his thick eyebrows arching as he laughed loudly, "I calculated that Brother Mo and Steward Yang would arrive by noon, but I didn't expect them to arrive today." His gaze shifted to Xie Yunyue, scrutinizing him for a moment before asking Mo Hanying, "Who is this gentleman? Is he a friend of Brother Mo?"

Mo Hanying smiled slightly, "This gentleman's name is Xu Wan. I met him in the canyon. He said he was looking for someone nearby. When I asked Brother Xu about the name of the person he was looking for, he wouldn't say. Therefore, I assumed that the person Brother Xu was looking for was you, my esteemed brother… My esteemed brother, you don't even recognize him?" "Him?"

The young man's expression changed drastically, and he said sharply, "Who are you looking for? If you dare to lie, I'll make sure you die in the underworld."

Xie Yunyue sneered, his eyes flashing with a chilling light, and said, "Who I'm looking for is none of your business. I had no intention of coming here; it was Brother Mo who forced me to come. With your impetuous and stubborn nature, I don't even consider you worthy of my attention. I have no time to entangle myself with you now." He paused, then turned and said, "Brother Mo, I appreciate your kindness. If we meet again in the future, I will express my gratitude." He hated Mo Hanying for luring him here with ulterior motives, and spoke out of anger. As soon as he finished speaking, he strode away. Suddenly, he

heard the young man's loud laughter behind him, saying, "My cave is easy to enter but hard to leave. I'm afraid you won't be able to get out." The laughter was sinister, sending chills down one's spine.

Xie Yunyue was startled. Looking up, he saw that the path he had taken was completely different from the one he had come by. The inner passage was as dense as a honeycomb, making him dizzy and disoriented. He thought to himself, "This cave is really strange. It seems to be built according to some mysterious formation. What if I get trapped here and mess things up?" He was filled with regret, but then a thought suddenly occurred to him: "Why not subdue that boy and have him lead me out of the cave?" He abruptly turned around and strode back.

But as soon as he stepped into the stone chamber, Yang Chongsheng suddenly drew his sword and flew out, scattering hundreds of cold stars that surged towards his vital points. Mo Hanxiao and the boy simultaneously pushed out their palms, and a powerful wind and thunderous force, as heavy as mountains, pressed down on his body. No matter how high Xie Yunyue's martial arts were, he had already lost the initiative. Moreover, these three were all masters of this skill, and he was immediately in a defensive position. He snorted angrily, moved the Xuan Tian Seven Star Steps, and flashed out of the circle, leaping towards the corner of the wall.

The young man's palm strike remained unabated, following Xie Yunyue like a shadow. Xie Yunyue was about to turn around and unleash the unparalleled "Eighteen Discourses of Xuanyuan" when suddenly, a white figure shot in, shouting, "What's wrong with you?" The young man snorted and instantly dodged seven feet back.

Xie Yunyue turned and stared intently, only to see a beautiful, ethereal girl in white, with skin as white as snow and peerless elegance. The girl's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she said, "Does this person have a grudge against you? To use such a thunderous palm technique, you're becoming more and more annoying. I'm going to tell your father."

The young man chuckled twice and said, "Sister Liu, you don't know..."

The girl interrupted, "Don't say anymore, I heard everything."

Mo Hanying stepped forward and smiled, "Sister Liu, it's been a year since I last saw you, and you've become even more beautiful and refined."

The girl in white smiled faintly and said, "Why hasn't my brother Yu come yet? I sent you a message three months ago, but did you keep it from him?"

Mo Hanying was taken aback and before she could answer, Yang Chongsheng interjected, "Young Master Cui arrived here three months ago, why haven't you seen him yet, young lady?" Mo

Hanying said anxiously, "Brother Yu was on his way here three months ago, but something came up in Fujian and Yue, he should be here soon."

The girl in white lowered her head and sighed softly, "I wondered why Brother Yu had forgotten me, it turns out he went to Fujian and Yue."

Xie Yunyue watched coldly, and when the girl in white uttered the words "Brother Yu," the thick-browed youth's eyes flashed with jealousy and hatred. Although he didn't understand the reason, he had already guessed a bit.

Just as he was about to suddenly grab the youth, the light in the room suddenly dimmed, and he felt the world spinning around him. In the blink of an eye, he fell into deep darkness. The spinning stopped, and when he looked around, he was shocked. The scenery before him had changed drastically. He found himself in a tightly sealed stone chamber, dark and heavy, as if it were tightly binding his body, making it difficult to breathe.

Just then, a faint sigh drifted by, as soft as a mosquito's hum, almost imperceptible. He was startled, and suddenly a beam of light shone out, revealing the white-clad girl he had just seen standing before him, holding a pearl the size of a longan in her jade palm. Looking around, he saw that the stone chamber was still tightly sealed on all sides, with no way in or out.

A look of pity appeared in the girl's eyes.

She sighed softly and said, "Do you intend to destroy the stone chamber with your palm strike? Not only can you not do it, but even the most skilled martial artist in the world would find it difficult." Xie Yunyue asked in astonishment, "What do you mean by that, young lady?"

The girl in white sighed again, her voice filled with melancholy, "Don't you really know? This cave was built by Zhuge Liang of Shu Han, designed according to the Eight Trigrams Formation of the Primordial Heaven. Its mysteries are unfathomable, difficult to enter and difficult to exit. It is called the Hidden Army Cave. During the chaos of the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang, due to the perilous mountains and cliffs around Jianmen Pass, which made the transport of military supplies extremely difficult, built this cave in advance as a reserve. Legend has it that there are nine caves in the Jiannan Valley, each with a different formation. Over thousands of years, only two have been found. One of them is this cave, and the other is in the Panlong Gorge of Cuiyun Corridor..."

Xie Yunyue's eyes suddenly lit up, and he asked urgently, "Are there people living in the caves in Panlong Gorge?"

The girl in white nodded slightly and said, "Not only are there people living there..." Moreover, he has a grudge against the owner of this cave. The owner of Panlong Cave is as thin as bamboo, bald, with indigo light flashing in his eyes. His appearance is quite frightening, yet he is incredibly kind..."

Xie Yunyue unexpectedly learned this unforgettable news from the white-clad girl. Just as he was about to ask her if she knew where Panlong Gorge was in Cuiyun Corridor, he heard the white-clad girl continue: "Because Jin Tenghui and Mu Yun have a grudge, they mistakenly believe you were sent by the other party, so they imprisoned you here."

Xie Yunyue asked loudly: "Miss, your words seem a bit confusing. Who is Jin Tenghui? And who is Mu Yun? Why are they allies?"
The white-clad girl lightly raised her clean wrist, brushed a strand of hair from her temple, and smiled charmingly: "How can you be so stupid? Jin Tenghui is the owner of this cave, and Mu Yun is the master of Panlong Gorge..."

Xie Yunyue said: "Is Jin Tenghui that thick-browed youth?"

"No," the girl in white shook her head. "It's his father. Their feud dates back over ten years. Alas! What a waste! I deeply sympathize with Mu Yun. His kindness and sincerity are unappreciated, yet they can't understand him. Judging from their expressions, they're determined to kill him."

Xie Yunyue, ever astute, pressed, "Miss, what exactly caused this feud?"

The girl in white glanced at Xie Yunyue with clear, watery eyes, seemingly surprised by his urgent request; but finally smiled and said, "I only learned it from Jin Tenghui... ten..." "Years ago, a strange genius emerged in the martial arts world. He was upright, hated evil, and possessed unparalleled, profound martial arts skills…" As she spoke, her eyes unconsciously revealed admiration. She suddenly changed the subject, surprised, "It seems you're not in a hurry to leave the cave?"

Xie Yunyue was taken aback, then quickly replied, "Of course I'm eager to leave, but I still want to hear you finish recounting the story of this feud. May I ask who this strange genius of the martial arts world is?"

The girl in white said, "That's Xie Wen, the Soul-Chasing Judge." Upon hearing his father's name, Xie Yunyue's vision blurred, and he felt a dizzying sensation, as if struck by lightning.

Seeing this, the girl in white asked, "What's wrong?"

Xie Yunyue quickly composed himself and smiled, "Nothing. Please continue, young lady."

The girl in white thought for a moment and said, "Xie Wen, Mu Yun, and Peng Hao were originally from the same school, all trained under the same master, with Xie Wen being the elder. After their master passed away, the three of them went down the mountain to travel the martial world, eventually going their separate ways. Xie Wen stayed alone, becoming famous for punishing the scoundrels of the martial world and striking fear into the hearts of petty thieves. This caused them to accumulate many grudges. The three of them, along with Mu Yun and Peng Hao, joined the bandits, engaging in thievery and dividing their spoils. When Xie Wen heard this, he was furious and went to Mu Yun and Peng Hao's school, sealing seven acupoints and crippling half of their martial arts. Out of consideration for their shared school, he spared their lives, ordering them to repent and cultivate in seclusion. Thus, Peng Hao hated Xie Wen to the bone. Later, Mu Yun and Peng Hao recovered their strength and resolved to take revenge. Upon hearing that Xie Wen had made many enemies..." Both the righteous and evil factions wanted to eliminate Xie Wen, so the two of them persuaded him to secretly lead an ambush. To prevent leaks, all participants wore masks and disguises, remaining strangers to each other. They attacked Xie Wen separately, finally surrounding him at the shores of Dongting Lake…”

She smiled and continued, “Originally, Xie Wen and his son were certain to die, as all those involved in the ambush were top-tier martial arts masters. However, things took an unexpected turn. After Xie Wen sealed his acupoints, Mu Yun secluded himself in a secret valley, deeply realizing his mistake. Knowing he couldn't persuade Peng Hao of his desire for revenge, he pretended to advance and retreat with Peng Hao and the others, secretly helping Xie Wen escape danger. On the way from the Central Plains to the shores of Dongting Lake, Mu…” Mu Yun had secretly killed countless bandits, and it was also Mu Yun who intentionally let Xie Wen and his son escape unscathed by Dongting Lake. Even the remains of the elderly couple on Wugong Mountain were arranged by Mu Yun. It was a flawless affair, but three years ago, Mu Yun had a dispute with Peng Hao. In a drunken rage, he revealed the truth. After a fight, Peng Hao was severely injured by Mu Yun's palm strike. Jin Tenghui was also present and accused Mu Yun of betraying his friend, but Mu Yun also broke seven of his ribs with a single palm strike, thus creating an irreconcilable enmity. "I've told you everything I know. Shouldn't you be satisfied now?"

Xie Yunyue listened in a daze, never expecting that his life... It was Mu Yun who rescued him. Hearing the white-clad girl's words, he seemed to awaken from a dream, bowing deeply in gratitude: "I am deeply grateful for your detailed explanation, Miss. Xie Wen is my biological father. I hope you can tell me where Panlong Gorge is located in Cuiyun Corridor; I will never forget it."

The white-clad girl finished speaking in one breath, her jade-like face flushed, slightly out of breath. Upon hearing that the other party was Xie Wen's son, her starry eyes widened, and she said, "So you are..." Suddenly, her eyes turned to a resentful look, and she whispered, "I don't know where Panlong Gorge is, but my brother Yu knew. Unfortunately, he was harmed by Jin Wenlong." As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.

Xie Yunyue asked in surprise, "Didn't Mo Heying say that he went to Minyue on business? Who is this Jin Wenlong?"

The girl in white lowered her head and said with infinite sorrow, "How can you believe Mo Heying's words? Yang Chongsheng's words are true. My Yu-gege is honest and doesn't lie. He loves me the most. If he said he would come, he would definitely not go elsewhere. It must be Jin Wenlong who harmed him. Can't you figure out who Jin Wenlong is?" As she spoke, tears welled up in the girl's eyes and dripped to the ground like broken threads. This girl was innocent, pure, and clear-headed, making people feel affection for her at first sight.

Xie Yunyue knew this was a tragic love triangle, and Jin Wenlong also seemed to realize who it was. He sighed and said, "Miss, there's no need for sorrow. Perhaps your Yu-gege, like myself, has been lured and imprisoned in the stone chamber by Jin Wenlong..." Before he could

finish, a look of surprise flashed in the white-clad girl's eyes, and she exclaimed, "How could I not have thought of that? If you help me rescue Yu-gege, I'll definitely have Shi-gege take you to Panlong Gorge!"

Xie Yunyue said, "Are Mo Hanying and the others still in the cave? Miss, just instruct me on how to escape..." "I'll hold them off for you, so you can go and rescue them without worry, young lady."

The girl in white giggled sweetly. "They've all gone to Panlong Gorge with Jin Tenghui. You just need to hold off Jin Tenghui's men so I can go and rescue them. As for this cave, it's designed according to the Eight Trigrams Formation. Although it's elusive and obscures the view, just remember the door's orientation: three steps to the left, three steps to the right, and you can pass through without hindrance. Come, follow me." She extended a soft hand, grabbed Xie Yunyue's wrist, and darted towards the tightly sealed stone wall.

Xie Yunyue was taken aback, but then his eyes lit up. He was out of the imprisoned stone chamber and found himself standing in the same stone chamber where he had stood with Mo Heying and the others. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself, secretly admiring Zhuge Liang's profound and unfathomable knowledge. It was a pity that he died before achieving his goal, leaving heroes to weep with sorrow. Suddenly, the girl in white emerged from the stone chamber, Xie Yunyue following closely behind. She moved nimbly through the dense, spiderweb-like passageway.

Xie Yunyue remained a foot or so behind her, wary of a sudden attack. He moved swiftly left and right, covering a distance of several dozen feet, when suddenly a burly man in brocade robes, wielding a knife, appeared. "Where are you going, Miss Liu?" he asked. The two men, their eyes widening in surprise at Xie Yunyue's presence, stared in astonishment.

The girl in white pouted and exclaimed, "I'm going to the Kanfang stone chamber to see Brother Yu. Is that any of your business?" The two men were startled, exchanging bewildered glances. How had the girl known their true intentions? They were in a difficult position.

One of them, with a sly smile, said, "It's not that I dare to stop you, Miss, but I'm bound by the cave master's orders that no one is allowed to enter." A sharp "slap" rang out as the girl slapped the man's right cheek twice, leaving it burning with pain.

"Nonsense!" the girl retorted sharply. "How could you possibly stop me?" With a swift movement, she dodged the two burly men and walked away.

Xie Yunyue was astonished by the girl's incredible speed; he could barely make out how she moved. At that moment, another burly man, wielding a knife, chased after the girl, shouting, "Please forgive my rudeness, young lady!"

The burly man in brocade robes, who had just been slapped, glared at Xie Yunyue, his resentment clearly directed at him. Xie Yunyue smiled slightly, his figure flashing as he lunged inward. The burly man quickly swung his steel knife, the blade striking with deadly force. He felt a chill in his lower back, cried out, and collapsed to the ground. The other burly man turned around at the sound of the blow, only to see everything go black. A finger had been struck on his "Qimen" acupoint. He collapsed to the ground without uttering a sound.

Two loud thuds echoed as the white-clad girl fell to the ground, the sounds reverberating incessantly. She glanced back and said with a charming smile, "Mo Hanying is right, your martial arts are truly exceptional. There are about sixteen other skilled fighters who entered from here. I've always been afraid of killing, so you can deal with them for me."

Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "Miss, you lead the way. I'll take care of anyone who tries to stop us..."

Suddenly, a sinister voice drifted from ahead, "Miss Liu, you're quite ruthless, actually bringing outsiders to deal with us." Before the voice finished, six people suddenly emerged from the path. The one in the lead had a face as red as a crab and a long, piercing red beard that seemed to flash like lightning in the moonlight. He walked slowly towards them.

The girl in white giggled, "Uncle Zhu, how can you blame your niece? You always said you loved me the most, yet you couldn't bear to keep Brother Yu imprisoned for three months from me."

The old man paused, then sighed, "It's not that I didn't want to tell you, young lady. You know the young master's intentions better than I do. Telling you would be worse; perhaps Cui Shiyu's life wouldn't be spared. For the past three months, I've done everything I could to protect him." He coughed heavily twice and smiled, "Now that you know, young lady, I can't hide it. You may wish to meet with Young Hero Cui. Once the master returns, I will certainly speak to him on his behalf. Miss Liu, please go in." He then subtly tried to stop Xie Yunyue from entering.

Xie Yunyue's experience had broadened considerably over the years. He knew the martial world was a treacherous place, full of cunning and deceit, where smiles concealed daggers, and people cared only for their own gain, not for personal relationships. He could tell from the old man's cough that he intended to harm the girl in white. As soon as the old man finished speaking, the girl in white smiled gracefully and said, "Then I'll go in, niece." With a sway of her slender waist, she was about to enter.
Xie Yunyue immediately shouted, "Miss, wait! Aren't you afraid they'll deceive you? How do you know your Brother Yu isn't being seduced?"

The girl in white paused, thinking to herself, "That's true. Brother Yu's martial arts are extremely high, no less than Jin Wenlong's. How could they capture him without deception?" She stopped in her tracks.

The old man's expression immediately changed. He lightly touched the ground with both feet, swiftly passing the girl in white and landing in front of Xie Yunyue. He shouted, "Who are you? Trespassing into the cave is a capital offense. And you've stirred up trouble in front of Liugupo. You'll pay with your life!" He suddenly raised his right palm and struck Xie Yunyue's chest with a powerful and fierce blow.

Xie Yunyue snorted and swiftly dodged, pressing himself against the cave wall to avoid the palm strike. His left hand shot out with lightning speed, reaching for the old man's unrecoverable right arm. The old man was astonished by the opponent's incredible speed and attack. He himself was a master of martial arts, and his reaction was swift. He ducked, his right wrist flashing, and tried to grab Xie Yunyue's arm in return.

Little did he know that Xie Yunyue's "Eighteen Dissolutions of Xuanyuan" was an unparalleled technique, one that few in the world could counter. The old man's attempt to grab back was thwarted by Xie Yunyue's fingers, which transformed into countless shadows, leaving him grasping nothing. In his moment of shock, Xie Yunyue's fingers had already reached the "Jiquan" acupoint on the old man's right arm. He felt a tingling numbness throughout his body, as if thousands of insects were surging within him, causing him to tremble and groan.

Xie Yunyue laughed heartily, loosened his fingers, and with a lightning-fast flick of his wrist, struck the old man's "Yindu" acupoint on his chest. He coldly said, "Quickly lead Miss Liu to release Young Hero Cui. If you recklessly use your internal energy, your internal organs will dislocate, blood will spurt from your seven orifices, and you won't die immediately. Your body will slowly shrink until you become an infant, suffering the agony of bone shrinking and tendon erosion. You should know the power of the 'Searching Yin Acupoints' technique."

The old man was terrified. As soon as Xie Yunyue finished speaking, he leaped down and landed in front of the five men, young and old, all showing fear. With a swift wave of his hands, several cries rang out, and they all fell to the ground. The old man was even more terrified and could only manage a bitter smile, saying, "Miss Liu, please come with me." Two tears welled up in his eyes.

The white-clad girl, seeing Xie Yunyue's swift and unpredictable movements, was amazed. She smiled and said, "I didn't expect your skills to be even better than my brother Yu's." He turned and followed the staggering old man.

Xie Yunyue followed the girl in white into a stone chamber. Suddenly, he heard the girl in white cry out and was startled awake. He saw the girl in white embracing a boy in blue, sobbing softly on his shoulder, her face filled with sorrow. The boy had disheveled hair that fell long to his shoulders, and his face was clearly gaunt from three months of imprisonment, but it couldn't hide his handsome features and striking appearance. The red-bearded old man was already slumped against the wall, collapsing to the ground like a limp snake, his pupils filled with pain.

Xie Yunyue knew that this boy was Cui Shiyu, and smiled slightly, "Miss Liu, Young Hero Cui has been rescued. You should be happy. Please convey my request to Young Hero Cui." The girl in white stopped crying upon hearing this, glanced back at Xie Yunyue, her face flushed, and whispered something in Cui Shiyu's ear.

Cui Shiyu gave an "oh," took two steps forward, bowed deeply, and thanked him, saying, "I am deeply grateful for your rescue, brother. If you ever need my help, I, Cui Shiyu, will be at your service." As he spoke, he quickly turned his gaze to the old man with the crab-like face and red beard, and sneered, "Old thief, you've finally met your match." He then threw a punch.

The old man was already dizzy and confused, feeling as if he had been struck in the chest. Before he could even utter a sound, he spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground, dead. After striking out with his palm, Cui Shiyu's face was as pale as paper. Xie Yunyue took out an amber-colored pill from his robes and smiled, "Young Master Cui, your body is exhausted from long ago. You should not recklessly use your internal energy, lest you deplete your true essence too much. This pill, though not a miraculous elixir, can replenish your vital energy. I hope you will accept it."

Cui Shiyu was extremely grateful, took the medicine, and said, "Miss Liu and I will tidy up a bit. There are still some remaining enemies in the cave, which I will deal with to avoid future troubles. Please wait a moment, Young Hero Xie, I will go with you to Panlong Gorge." Xie

Yunyue said, "Please, both of you. We hit it off immediately, so we should address each other as brothers. I will wait outside the cave first."

The girl in white asked, "Can you get out?"

Xie Yunyue was taken aback, then smiled and said, "Thanks to Miss Liu for revealing the secrets of the Eight Trigrams Formation, I am confident that I can manage to leave the cave." With a fist and a bow, she walked out of the cave with the grace of flowing water.

Xie Yunyue stood at the cave entrance and waited for about half an hour before the girl in white and Cui Shiyu emerged together. Cui Shiyu looked radiant, while the girl in white, with a beautiful face and a gentle smile, stood shoulder to shoulder with Cui Shiyu. Her bright eyes and white teeth made her stand tall and graceful. Xie Yunyue was deeply moved and sighed, "You two are a perfect match. I wish you a happy marriage and a harmonious union." "Cui Shiyu laughed loudly, and the girl in white rolled her eyes at Xie Yunyue, blushing with embarrassment.

Amidst the laughter, the three of them left the canyon together and flew along the Jianmen Plank Road towards Jiange County. Xie Yunyue and Cui Shiyu hit it off immediately and chatted freely. Xie Yunyue learned that Cui Shiyu's deceased master and Duan Tenghui were childhood friends and reclusive martial arts masters. Before he left, he entrusted Duan Tenghui with Duan Tenghui's care, so Cui Shiyu treated Duan Tenghui with the utmost respect, just like his own master.

The girl in white was named Liu Cuiping. She and Duan Tenghui's son were cousins. Her parents died when she was seven, and Duan Tenghui raised her. She was considered Duan Tenghui's future daughter-in-law, but Liu Cuiping saw that Duan Tenghui was dishonest and felt that she did not love him. Love between men and women cannot be forced. Liu Cuiping was aloof and indifferent to Duan Tenghui, which made Duan Tenghui's heart itch. Since Cui Shiyu's arrival, he had seen Liu Cuiping and Cui Tenghui's son..." Shi Yu was inseparable from her, whispering sweet nothings to her. This fueled Jin Wenlong's jealousy, leading him to imprison Cui Shi Yu, intending to trap him and kill him, thus dissuading Liu Cuiping from her advances. Alternatively, he could force a marriage before releasing Cui Shi Yu. However, the deed was done, and Cui Shi Yu could only lament his fate. Jin Wenlong's plan was perfectly executed, but Xie Yunyue's words exposed Liu Cuiping's intentions, shattering his illusions.

The winding plank roads through the Jianmen Mountains, though extremely treacherous... Everywhere, towering peaks and verdant ridges abound, ancient cypresses pierce the clouds, strange pines soar to the sky, and dendrobium orchids hang from old trees, their vibrant reds and purples exuding a faint fragrance. The murmuring of springs and the whistling of the wind create a captivating scene. Jianmen Mountain is known as one of the six famous mountains of Sichuan, its scenery exceptional. Without experiencing it firsthand, one cannot know even a fraction of its breathtaking beauty.

Xie Yunyue, overwhelmed by the sights, sighed, "Life is rarely peaceful, and even a dream amidst the misty mountains is clear. Brothers, I only ask that after avenging our great grudge, we find a secluded spot in these Jianmen Mountains, a place where ordinary people rarely venture, to mend our houses with vines, plant bamboo to hold onto the clouds, and enjoy our remaining years in peace."

Cui Shiyu laughed loudly, "As long as we can rid ourselves of worldly fame, that's not difficult at all!" "

South of Jian Pass, the gorge walls are sheer, and the surrounding mountains rise sharply like blades. Upon reaching Jian Pass, the sheer cliffs are broken, with two cliffs connected like a gate, extremely precipitous. This is why it is called Jianmen (Sword Gate). It controls the Jialing Gorge to the east and overlooks the Longmen Mountains to the west. It is inherently dangerous, a narrow, winding path. As Zhang Zai's inscription on Jianmen Pass says, 'If one man is in danger, ten thousand will hesitate.' This is truly an exaggeration.

The three of them traveled swiftly, covering more than eighty li from Jian Pass to Jiange County. The plank road was extremely dangerous, with many stone structures carved into the road. The pine and cypress trees on both sides were lush and blocked out the sun, their green branches swirling like dragons. There were many relics of the Shu Han Dynasty along the way, and the scenery was superb. As dusk fell and the clouds gradually closed in, the three of them arrived at Jiange County. Xie Yunyue said, 'Brother, I still have a friend waiting for me at the inn. This man was once a wicked thief and evil spirit, but now he has reformed and turned to good. Would you two like to meet him?'" Cui Shiyu said with a smile, "

To lay down the butcher's knife and instantly become a Buddha is easy to turn from good to evil, but difficult to turn from evil to good. Only someone with great wisdom and intelligence could achieve this. If we don't see such a noble character, who will?"

The lights flickered, smoke curled from the chimneys, and the mountain town was sparsely populated. Few people walked along the stone-paved streets. The two strolled leisurely into an inn with low-hanging eaves. Xie Yunyue had stayed at this inn before, so the waiter recognized him. He bowed respectfully and said with a smile, "Guest surnamed Ling has been waiting here all day, unable to eat or drink, and looking very uneasy. I suppose you are worried about your safety." Xie

Yunyue casually thanked him, but a doubt arose in his heart. Could it be that he had already encountered Peng Hao and the others, and discovered that they had left, hence his unease? If so, all his efforts would have been in vain. The waiter had already flown inside to inform the Mourning Swordsman Ling Fei. As soon as the three of them stepped into the courtyard, they saw Ling Fei, with his long beard flowing, standing respectfully outside the corridor, smiling and saying, "Young hero, you have endured much hardship on your journey. This old man has taken a day off." Although it was dusk ,

Xie Yunyue noticed the uneasy look in Lingfei's eyes and the tightness in his brows, knowing that Lingfei was in a heavy mood. He didn't press the matter for the time being, and the four of them entered the room. After introducing the three to each other again and exchanging pleasantries, Xie Yunyue urged the waiter to bring a table of food and drink. Lingfei glanced at Xie Yunyue and sighed, "For the past few days, I have been traveling through mountains and valleys, and I apologize for not being able to find Panlong Gorge..."

Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "Teacher Ling, there's no need to worry. This Brother Cui already knows that Panlong Gorge exists, and not only that, he even knows about the reclusive people..." He then recounted the details of what had happened.

Upon hearing this, Lingfei was overjoyed and laughed, "Congratulations, young hero, that your revenge has been brought to light. The Great Transformation will surely be avenged. No wonder Mu Yun was so cold and indifferent back then, neither praising nor opposing your father's attack. It turns out he was keeping a low profile, intending to protect his father." As he spoke, the light in his eyes suddenly dimmed, and he sighed, "It's a pity I cannot accompany you to the Cuiyun Corridor to witness you personally slay your enemy."

Xie Yunyue jumped up in astonishment, saying, "Just now, upon entering the shop, I learned from the staff that Teacher Yuan was in a bad mood. I didn't believe it, but upon meeting you, I noticed a hidden... "Worry, is something troubling you, Master Ling? I'd like to share your burdens. May I hear the details?"

Ling Fei opened his mouth to speak, but then saw two waiters bringing in the food and drink. He smiled and said, "After we've had our fill of food and drink, I'll tell you everything, young hero. Telling you now would only cause you more trouble. Young hero Cui and Miss Liu are guests from afar, and I'm extending the utmost hospitality to welcome you."

Cui Shiyu hurriedly said, "I'm just a novice in martial arts. I really don't deserve such treatment from Master Ling." Ling Fei laughed heartily, his heroic spirit returning to his face. He urged the three to take their seats, and sat down at the lower end, toasting them with his cup.

After a moment, Xie Yunyue brought up the old topic again: "We who have entered the martial world should be broad-minded. We should not speak of our affairs to others, but there is nothing that cannot be resolved. Please tell me your worries, Master Ling. I seem to be having some trouble eating, otherwise, Master Ling will only become more troubled by drinking."

Ling Fei smiled bitterly and said: "Young hero, you must listen. I dare not not tell you everything. However, my past actions were all against human nature. Although I am not entirely to blame, once I did evil, I could never wash it away for the rest of my life. Even if you are willing to help me, I will not, for I am afraid that you will be criticized for violating the code of chivalry."

Xie Yunyue frowned and said: "I have always acted only for the sake of my conscience. Right and wrong in the martial world are hard to judge. The distinction between good and evil is only a fine line. Please tell me the details, Master Ling, and see if there is any way to help. Even if I cannot help openly, have you forgotten that I am known as the Thousand Faces?" As he spoke, he took out a human skin mask and put it on.

Ling Fei frowned and said, "How could I forget? I only feel guilty for needing your help, young hero. I can only briefly explain that two months ago, the seven major escort agencies in Henan Province jointly escorted a shipment of priceless goods. Because they made careful arrangements beforehand, few in the underworld knew about it. The journey from Henan to Gansu was a long one, and the news inevitably leaked out. Two groups of bandit leaders found out and tracked me down, looking for a good spot to attack. I was a guest in Longshan on the border of Shaanxi and Gansu when Shen Zhenkui, the bandit leader of Longshan, learned of my presence first and strongly urged me to help. When I arrived at Jinji Ridge in Fufeng, I found only corpses strewn everywhere. However, some of the escort agency members had already been killed. Shen Zhenkui, fearing he would be implicated, ordered a hasty retreat. But there were still skilled escort agency members hidden on Jinji Ridge. Under the bright moonlight, my appearance was recognized..."

"Upon hearing the news, the goods were not lost, but nineteen of the镖局's镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) were killed on the spot. Those who intercepted the Lan people were all dressed in black and masked, making it impossible to identify them. It was only known that they were all highly skilled martial artists, exceptionally powerful underworld figures. However, they mistakenly believed I was involved. Yesterday, in Heming Mountain, I encountered the head镖师 of the Zhongzhou镖局, Divine Fist Jiang Shen, and others. Unable to distinguish them, we discussed the matter at the Wuhou Temple, about twenty li from here, around dawn."

Xie Yunyue laughed heartily, "Spirit..." "It's enough that the teacher only said he wasn't involved; it was merely a coincidence. Then I'll step in for you."

Before the swordsman Ling Fei could reply, a cold laugh suddenly came from outside: "Ling Fei, no matter how eloquent you are, you can't clear your name. Confusing the public and inciting others to die—is that the behavior of a true man?"

Before the man could finish speaking, Xie Yunyue instantly shot through the window like lightning, already catching sight of three middle-aged martial arts masters in tight-fitting clothes standing in a row on the roof. Xie Yunyue's figure didn't descend; instead, he flew upwards, landing silently in front of the three like a hawk. The three middle-aged martial arts masters, seeing Xie Yunyue's divine and mysterious movement technique, had never seen anything like it in their lives. They looked at each other in astonishment, their eyes gleaming with surprise.

Xie Yunyue gave them a sharp look and said in a deep voice, "The truth will always come out eventually. Lingfei has already agreed to discuss this face-to-face at the Wuhou Temple at dawn. He will go there then. Are the three of you here to monitor this the actions of heroes?"

The three men blushed, and the two in the middle said, "Your word is as good as gold. We will wait for you at the Wuhou Temple." The three of them turned around at the same time, leaped into the air, and landed on the rooftop, their figures disappearing without a trace.

Before the fourth watch, Xie Yunyue and Lingfei had already arrived at the Wuhou Temple. The moon was already setting in the west, and the temple was pitch black. There was no one to be heard from. Xie Yunyue lit a tinderbox, and a roaring flame appeared. In the flickering light, the statue of Zhuge Liang in the temple was illuminated. He was dressed in a feathered robe and turban, with bright eyes, a high nose, and a long beard. He was elegant, dignified, and lifelike. The walls on both sides were covered with ink marks and inscriptions, all of which were masterpieces left by poets and writers who had passed through the area over the centuries.

Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "It's too early now, let's wait a moment." His gaze fell upon a flickering candle in front of the statue of Zhuge Liang, and he darted forward to grab it. Feeling its slight warmth, he chuckled, "Someone was here not long ago." He then shook his head and said, "Never mind who it was, we'll know by dawn." He lit the candle with a tinderbox and strolled over to admire the numerous poems inscribed on the wall. Among them were many well-known and beautiful lines, one of which was particularly exquisite. Xie Yunyue couldn't help but... He recited aloud: "The spring waters of Jianjiang are green with clouds, the sun shines again on Wuzhangyuan, the old legacy could not be returned to the later ruler, the great star has already fallen on the vanguard. The taro in Nanyang Temple is empty with autumn grass, the mountains and passes of Western Shu are separated by evening clouds, the orthodox line will not be ashamed to last for ten thousand ages, let not success or failure be judged by the Three Kingdoms."

He nodded repeatedly and said, "Indeed, it is a masterpiece. Since ancient times, heroes have not been judged for their success or failure in life, but for thousands of years to come, their fate will be determined." Just as he was pondering, several long howls suddenly came from outside the temple, breaking the silence of the night sky, and echoing from the surrounding mountains.

Xie Yunyue turned to Lingfei and said, "Let's stand outside the temple and see who is coming." They both leaped out of the temple, and under the slanting moonlight, they saw more than a dozen dark figures on a mountain ridge not far to the side, swooping down like lightning.

Among the newcomers was an elderly man in his fifties, whose piercing eyes flashed with fury as he roared, "Friend Ling, you've already risked nineteen lives, and now you want to drag someone down with you?"

Ling Fei replied solemnly, "Teacher Jiang, I fear neither those who come nor those who come. What is death to me? I only fear that the culprits are still at large, and the dead cannot rest in peace, dying with resentment. How can you all bear to see

that?" Divine Fist Jiang Shen roared, "Ling Fei, now that things have come to this, why are you still trying to back out?" He threw a punch at Ling Fei's chest with a fierce and forceful force.

Suddenly, Xie Yunyue flashed out, blocking Ling Fei's path, his right palm slightly extending outward. Jiang Shen was immediately struck as if by a heavy blow, staggering back several steps, greatly alarmed. Xie Yunyue's gaze fell on one person, and he called out loudly, "Old镖头 Sima, how have you been? Do you remember me?"
The Thunder Swordsman Sima Zhongming had already recognized Xie Yunyue's figure, though it was hidden behind a human skin mask. Upon hearing his accent, he suddenly remembered who he was, and his eyes lit up with surprise. He rushed forward, grabbed Xie Yunyue's hands, and said, "Is it really you, brother? I've missed you so much!" Xie Yunyue then whispered something in Sima Zhongming's ear.

The Thunder Swordsman Sima Zhongming laughed heartily, "With just a word from you, brother, there's nothing that can't be resolved!" He quickly turned and went into the group of heroes to discuss the matter for a while. Jiang Shen rushed over, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "I've long admired your name, young hero, it's like thunder in my ears. It's an honor to meet you today. If you could help me, the problem would be easily solved. I, Jiang, would be waiting for you at the Wuhou Temple in Chengdu."

Sima Zhongming also came over and bowed deeply, saying, "Brother, you've been blessed with a grandson and a granddaughter, all thanks to your miraculous healing hands."

Xie Yunyue laughed loudly, "This is all thanks to the old man's..." "It is due to your great virtue that a unicorn has descended from heaven. How can I claim any merit?" He paused here, then said, "I have urgent business to attend to and must hurry there. Fortunately, our meeting is not far off, and we can reunite sometime soon. Please take care, everyone." With that, he and Lingfei, both on cranes, soared into the sky, rising four or five zhang high. They arched their backs and shot forward as swiftly as shooting stars. One after the other, they landed in the vast moonlight, and in an instant, their figures disappeared... The morning mist was thick, the clouds were floating, and the sunlight was hazy and illusory. Two rows of cypress trees on the plank road reached for the sky, blocking out the sun. Their branches hung down, and the green clouds stretched across the sky, their verdant greenness almost dripping with moisture.

From the depths of the green clouds, on the stone-paved road, Xie Yunyue and his three companions sped towards the scene. Suddenly, they stopped. Cui Shiyu glanced around and said, "This is it. Panlong Gorge is a name given by Elder Mu Yun himself, so even the local mountain people are unaware of it. Not to mention, Master Ling is nowhere to be found. In my opinion, before reaching Elder Mu Yun's cave, we should not reveal ourselves but remain hidden. Peng Hao and the others will surely come. Brother Xie, you should focus all your efforts on fighting Peng Hao. I will not rest until I have eliminated Mo Hanying and Jin Wenlong. These are all highly skilled martial artists, and their time is fleeting. We cannot afford to give them any chance to make a comeback. What do you think, Brother Xie?" Xie Yunyue pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement.

Cui Shiyu pointed to the space between two peaks not far away and said, "Below these two peaks lies Panlong Gorge. It is now shrouded in clouds and cannot be seen. Please follow me down into the gorge. The dew is heavy and the moss is slippery, so please be careful." With that, he took the lead, passing through the cypress bushes and heading towards the gorge entrance.

The four of them used both hands and feet to climb down to the bottom of the valley. They saw swirling clouds and mist, and felt a dampness on their faces. The valley floor was full of jagged rocks with sharp edges. Even with their unparalleled martial arts skills, they had to feel their way forward. Half an hour passed, and then Cui Shiyu whispered, "We've arrived."

Xie Yunyue looked intently and could vaguely make out that the valley floor was quite open, about sixty zhang wide. The cave was only three zhang away. Looking up, there were steep cliffs, shrouded in clouds and unable to see the sun. The cliffs were covered with old trees with drooping branches and dense foliage, making them extremely hidden. Cui Shiyu said, "The four of us will split into two groups, hiding in the branches of old trees. The attackers will have nowhere to hide, and we can also create noise for each other."

Xie Yunyue immediately agreed, and he and Lingfei soared into the sky, flipping and landing in the dense foliage. Xie Yunyue felt an immense tension in his heart; the valley was deathly silent, and he could almost hear his own heart pounding. Time passed slowly, and suddenly he heard footsteps coming from the valley, growing louder as they approached. The sound of footsteps in the empty valley was exceptionally clear.

Xie Yunyue knew they were coming. The footsteps were hurried and uneven, indicating a large number of them. He braced his arms, ready to strike, his eyes shining with joy and determination. He saw the monk with the shaved head approach first. Xie Yunyue slowly extended his index and middle fingers, aiming at the two "breast" acupoints on the monk's chest. The ascetic monk never dreamed that someone was hiding in the tree above him, nor did he expect that Xie Yunyue would display the "Aerial Acupoint Strike," a technique never before used in the ancient and unparalleled "Eighteen Explanations of Xuanyuan." Suddenly, he felt a cold, numb sensation in his breasts, his mind went blank, and he collapsed to the ground. A deafening roar echoed through the valley, lingering endlessly.

A loud shout came from the mist: "Brother Sun, what's wrong with you?"

Suddenly, Peng Hao, with his thick eyebrows, white hair, and flowing silver beard, appeared. Upon seeing him, Xie Yunyue was filled with rage. He swooped down like a hawk, without a word, with the force of a thunderbolt, like a cascading river of stars, a raging storm, his power fierce and terrifying. Peng Hao, seeing the ascetic's condition, knew he had been ambushed. He cried out inwardly, feeling a sudden gust of wind press down on him. Startled, he swiftly moved three zhang (approximately 10 meters) away, his palms unleashing a burst of internal energy as he swept forward.

Xie Yunyue's palm strike remained unabated as he pounced like a shadow. Upon contact, a deafening roar resounded, air swirled and churned, and rocks rained down. Both men were forced back three steps, and Mo Hanying and the other seven swiftly emerged from the mist, stopping in astonishment at the sight. Peng Hao, who had preemptively attacked Mu Yun who was hiding in a tree, suddenly realized that the young man was a strange-looking boy in blue robes. He immediately burst into laughter, saying, "I didn't expect Mu Yun to be so cowardly as to invite a junior to help him."

Though he spoke these words, he was inwardly horrified. The boy's palm strike had almost shattered his protective aura, for there were few in the world capable of withstanding a blow from him. Enemies meeting are bound to be filled with hatred. Xie Yunyue, recognizing Xie Yunyue as the mastermind behind his father's death, was determined to kill him personally. Without a word, he reached for his waist, a flash of black light, and revealed a black gold soft sword he had never used before. The initial, seemingly effortless movement revealed its extraordinary power, filling Peng Hao with even greater dread.

Peng Hao roared, "Who are you?" Even as he shouted, Xie Yunyue's sword flashed like lightning, producing almost no sound.

As it approached Peng Hao's chest, countless large black stars suddenly erupted, surging towards Peng Hao's vital points. Peng Hao snorted angrily, unleashing a torrent of internal energy from his palms, like a surging wave that sent boulders flying like hailstones. Jin Tenghui, Mo Hanying, and the others, who had intended to help Peng Hao, immediately retreated several dozen feet upon seeing this attack.

Peng Hao threw a punch, but Xie Yunyue's "Seven Stars Sword Technique" and "Seven Stars Footwork" were both unparalleled martial arts techniques. The figure before him vanished in a flash. A chill ran through him as he felt three gusts of wind pierce his protective aura, grabbing at his left shoulder. He quickly shifted his body, his left hand spinning out with incredible speed. The moment his hand moved, he felt a sudden chill on his right shoulder; the black gold soft sword had pierced through him. Xie Yunyue laughed wildly, his sword thrusting powerfully, severing Peng Hao's stone arm, spurting out a mouthful of blood.

Peng Hao, with his profound skill, swiftly dodged three zhang away, closing the acupoints near his severed arm to stop the bleeding. Before he could even land, Xie Yunyue followed like a leech. A chill ran down his spine, and he opened his mouth to demand an explanation for their deep-seated grudge. Determined to kill him, Xie Yunyue's left hand lashed out with lightning speed. Peng Hao dodged repeatedly, but couldn't evade Xie Yunyue's unpredictable and fantastical Xuanyuan Eighteen Dragon-Controlling Technique. His left arm's "Quchi" acupoint was seized by Xie's fingers, and he felt his blood and qi surge and rush away as if being crawled on by ants. His bones cracked and splintered, a feeling worse than death. He couldn't help but groan, his eyes filled with agony.

Xie Yunyue sneered, and with a flash of black light in his hand, his left arm was severed at the shoulder, leaving a spray of blood. Peng Hao swayed precariously, clenching his teeth as he roared, "Friend, in the martial world, the strong survive and the weak perish—this is a common occurrence. But I have no deep-seated grudge against you, so I must die with my eyes open in peace."

Xie Yunyue laughed maniacally, his dead face becoming even more ferocious and terrifying. With a swift flick of his wrist, the tip of his sword touched Peng Hao's chest. He said in a deep voice, "It's good that you know, so you can die knowing why." He then whispered, "You should remember the matter of Xie Wen

, the Soul Chaser. A son avenging his father. Now you should die without injustice." Upon hearing this, Peng Hao was struck dumb. He sighed and said, "Fine, I'll grant this brat's wish." He lunged forward, the sword tip piercing his chest. A mournful howl echoed through the valley, then vanished like lightning.

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