Ten Years of Lone Sword and Vast Sea Alliance [Complete] - 27

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

Chapter Twenty-Seven: A treacherous friend, betrayed by heaven, his soul taken by heaven; a treacherous schemer, repaying kindness with ingratitude, an unkind friend; a wicked friend, whose crimes are unforgivable; a victorious execution.

The Jialing River, meandering as ever, its waters clear and blue, its banks lined with verdant forests, a riot of flowers in full bloom, layered ravines and towering peaks, lush and verdant, a truly magnificent sight. It was early summer, the sun blazing overhead. On the road from Tongnan to Anyue, dust billowed as four valiant riders galloped forward with thunderous hooves. The riders, hunched over their horses, cracked their whips repeatedly, their expressions tense, as if some perilous emergency was imminent. Behind one rider lay a small child.

Along the way, towering mountains rose on either side, their cliffs stretching endlessly. The four riders were heading towards a perilous canyon path when suddenly, several strange howls echoed from the cliffs, reverberating through the valley. The riders abruptly pulled on the reins, and four magnificent horses reared up, letting out several long neighs. The riders leaped from their saddles with lightning speed, drawing their weapons. One of them, with a pale gold complexion, a monkey-like face, and a sparse beard, looked around with a darting gaze.

The three companions protected an eight- or nine-year-old child. The old man with the monkey-like face and sparse beard sighed softly, saying, "I never imagined the villains would be so ruthless. It seems I, Hou Libing, am powerless to protect this child."

The three companions, all burly men in tight-fitting clothes and with imposing bearing, replied in unison, "Teacher Hou, today we would rather die than live in dishonor. We will fight to the bitter end."

Hou Libing smiled bitterly, and his fierce cry rose again, growing ever closer. Suddenly, more than a dozen figures cascaded down the cliff face like lightning, rushing towards them. Without a word, the group swarmed towards Hou Libing and his companions. A massive figure moved with incredible speed, its single hand flashing out like lightning, grabbing the child's collar and unleashing a gust of wind with its left palm.
The child cried out in alarm as the figure soared into the sky. Hou Libing and his companions panicked, but were held back and unable to intervene, only able to shout and curse in vain. Several screams rang out, and amidst the flashing blades and blood, more than a dozen figures leaped into the air like cranes soaring into the sky, disappearing into the dense vines on the cliff. Four corpses lay in pools of blood on the mountain path, adding an extra layer of terror to the desolate ancient trail.

About the time it takes to eat a meal, a gray shadow, faster than a shooting star, came hurtling towards the four corpses, abruptly stopping before them. This man was none other than Xie Yunyue, the Strange-Handed Scholar. Upon seeing Hou Lübing, the Golden-Faced Monkey King, lying in a pool of blood, he frowned deeply. He bent down and pressed Hou Lübing's chest, finding that his heart was still intact. He quickly took out a Longevity Pill and fed it to Hou Lübing, then pressed his acupoint to put him to sleep.

After examining the other three, who had been dead for some time, he hastily buried them by the roadside. He then led out one of the four fine horses scattered among the roadside grass, placed Hou Lübing's body across the saddle, put on a human skin mask, leaped onto the horse, and cracked the whip. With a sharp crack, the horse galloped away, kicking up a thick cloud of yellow dust. The rider and horse disappeared into the distance in an instant.

Three days later, as the sun was setting, Xie Yunyue and his horse arrived at the entrance of the Wanbao Inn in Chengdu. Hou Lübing was still unconscious. Xie Yunyue carried Hou Lübing and swaggered into the inn. The innkeeper greeted them, bowing and smiling, "Sir, would you like to stay?"

Xie Yunyue snorted and said, "If I weren't staying, why would I be here?" His voice was sinister and chilling, sending shivers down

one's spine. The innkeeper trembled in fright and hurriedly said, "I'll lead the way right away." He turned around hastily, thinking, "I've really run into bad luck today. This man's face is really strange, and his words are so sarcastic." It

was past midnight, and a lamp was dimly lit in the room. Xie Yunyue looked at the unconscious Hou Lübing on the bed, his eyes occasionally showing tenderness. Because Hou Lübing's internal organs had been ravaged by the Yin Poison Palm Force, even after Xie Yunyue's treatment, it would take half a month to remove the blood stasis and promote regeneration. During this time, he was unable to speak and could not find out who his enemy was, which deeply annoyed him.

He looked up at the bright moon in the sky, suddenly remembering that tonight was the appointed time by Xing Tiansheng, the Iron Claw Black Eagle, and hurriedly stood up. Suddenly, he caught sight of two figures leaping up from the rooftop and disappearing in a flash. Xie Yunyue moved with lightning speed, leaping out of the window and landing on the rooftop. Without hesitation, he chased after the two figures like an arrow.

In the blink of an eye, he had caught up with them, his ten fingers flashing out like lightning, grabbing at their shoulders. The two men suddenly felt a gentle breeze behind them, and their hearts skipped a beat. They hurriedly cried out, "Fourth Elder...please have mercy!"

Xie Yunyue, whose hands were already on their shoulders, abruptly withdrew upon hearing their cries. He paused for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Are you Beggar Clan disciples? How did you know I was here?"

The two Beggar Clan disciples turned around, their eyes still showing fear. The older beggar on the left curtsied and said, "We, Wan Changji and Wang Di, are disciples of the Sichuan-West branch. It's just that after the Fourth Elder dismantled the Red Flag Gang in the Yunmeng Swamp, he left without saying goodbye. Therefore, the Grand Elder ordered all the Beggar Clan disciples to investigate the Fourth Elder's whereabouts and report back." He then ordered that after finding out, they should secretly follow.

Xie Yunyue was thrilled and smiled, saying, "The Grand Elder really loves to meddle in other people's business."

Wan Changji added, "I learned that the Grand Elder has already found the ladies separately and is now rushing here with him."

Upon hearing this, Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "I still need to rush to Tianshan and I'm afraid I can't wait any longer. You all stay in my room and help my friend to the branch hall. After he has recuperated for half a month, find out who his enemy is and ask the Grand Elder to help him."

Wan Changji replied, "Yes." Xie Yunyue had already shrugged and leaped out. Wan Changji waved his hand into the shadows. Several dark figures rushed out from the shadows, moving with incredible speed as they approached Xie Yunyue from behind. The sky was cloudless and the moonlight was as clear as if it had been washed—about three miles east of Chengdu, the ancient cypress trees in the Wuhou Temple were lush and verdant, their branches reaching the sky. The moon cast shadows, the wind rustled the leaves, and the atmosphere was exceptionally solemn and desolate.

Amidst the ancient cypress grove, a young man in black lingered along a long stone-paved path, occasionally pausing to gaze out of the shrine, his expression revealing a hint of impatience and restlessness. Suddenly, a figure darted out from the central hall, appearing before the black-clad youth with the speed of a shooting star. He said, "Brother Xing, that Xie fellow probably won't come. Why wait so long? This Xie has done you no favors, so there's no need to hold a grudge against him for not helping you recover your strength. Firstly, he did say that his skill was still shallow, and if he misused it, you'd regret it for the rest of your life. Secondly, his father-in-law is in grave danger, and he urgently needs to return..."

Iron Claw Black Eagle Xing Tiansheng's eyes flashed with fury as he interrupted the man, saying, "Even if he did me some small favor, my guidance in escaping his predicament can make up for it. Hmph, he's jealous of my talent and deliberately refused to help me recover my strength, causing me to suffer for half a month. Now, thinking about it, my hatred is as heavy as a mountain. Before we parted, I secretly swore a solemn oath that I would avenge this grudge and not let this hatred go unquenched until the day I could."

The man remained silent for a moment, then... He chuckled and said, "As the saying goes, man proposes, God disposes. Brother Xing, when you left Wande Village in Tai'an, you left him a letter with a highly poisonous powder sprinkled on it, but you failed to kill him. This shows that Xie's skill is unparalleled. Brother Xing, I am glad that you have avenged your great enemy. You must not make a grave mistake because of this. In my opinion, we should return to Huangshan."

On the towering ancient cypress, Xie Yunyue listened attentively, holding his breath. Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "A gentleman repays evil with kindness, while a petty person repays kindness with evil. Such is the difference in people's hearts, which is quite remarkable."

He realized that when he left Wande Village and entered Xinzhuang, his arm suddenly became numb and weak. Fortunately, he used the "Bodhi Leaf Flicking Skill" to expel the poison. He initially thought it was from treating Xing Tiansheng's injuries, but it turned out to be caused by Xing Tiansheng's poisonous scheme. He secretly felt that if this person remained in the world, he would surely harm the martial arts world. It would be better to get rid of him now. Xing Tiansheng sneered, "Brother, your mind is made up. To prevent him from not coming as promised, I have made other arrangements. I committed three murders along the way, leaving his name behind. The most disgraceful act was storming Qingcheng, killing five disciples, and stealing a secret manual. Even though the mistake has been made, it's too late to undo it." The man glanced at Xing Tiansheng with a hint of regret and remained silent.

Standing atop the old cypress, Xie Yunyue's eyes widened in fury, his anger surging like a tidal wave. He thought to himself, "I never imagined you could be so ruthless and vicious! Humph, if I, Xie Yunyue, don't kill you, I swear I'm not human!" Just as he was about to pounce, he suddenly changed his mind. "He said he stole a secret manual. Could it be that he heard the Qingcheng elder Bi Xiaolan mention the 'True Scripture of Wind and Cloud' at Wuling Mountain? But that 'True Scripture of Wind and Cloud' has long been hidden by the Jade Bell Island Master. It must be another 'Qingcheng Science.' Perhaps it's in his possession now? If he hides it elsewhere, wouldn't the martial world be thrown into turmoil again, and I would become the culprit, unable to clear my name?" So he snorted inwardly and decided to follow him back to his residence to make further plans.
Just then, Xing Tiansheng said, "Thank you for waiting patiently, Brother Chen. To show my trust in him, I may have to wait until dawn before returning to the inn."

The man laughed, "Entering the martial world and working at night is commonplace; you're being a bit too demanding, brother." Xing Tiansheng smiled but didn't reply, only pacing back and forth around the area.

The bright moon hung high in the sky, its silvery light reflecting off the area outside the Wuhou Temple, making the countryside appear like a clear, still pool. Xie Yunyue suddenly saw a lithe figure rushing towards the Wuhou Temple like a shooting star through the fields. He recognized the figure clearly; it was none other than the Deathly Swordsman Ling Fei. Startled, to prevent him from ruining things, he leaped into the air and went straight to meet Ling Fei.

It turned out that after Xie Yunyue killed Peng Hao, he swiftly subdued Jin Tenghui, Jin Wenlong, Mo Heying, and Yang Chongsheng. Mu Yun, who had been hiding in the cave, was greatly surprised to see Xie Yunyue's martial arts skills were awe-inspiring. He revealed himself and questioned Xie Yunyue about his background. Xie Yunyue directly stated that he was the son of Xie Wen, the Soul Chaser. Mu Yun was greatly astonished, but his sorrow turned to joy. They shook hands and sighed for a long time before Mu Yun invited him into the cave. Overwhelmed with emotion, they reminisced about the past and lingered for three days before taking their leave. Xie Yunyue, Ling Chang, Cui Shiyu, and Liu Cuiping recited the poem "Yangguan" and parted with tears in their eyes. Ling Fei had business to attend to with a friend and arranged to meet Xie Yunyue at the Wuhou Temple in Chengdu that evening. He knew about Xie Yunyue's meeting with Xing Tiansheng, the Iron Claw Black Eagle, but was unaware that Xing Tiansheng had ulterior motives. Xie Yunyue pondered that if Ling Fei revealed this to Xing Tiansheng, things would become difficult to manage.

Xie Yunyue's movements were incredibly swift, and he swept to Ling Fei's side with lightning speed, calling out in a low voice, "Teacher Ling."

Ling Fei, the Mourning Swordsman, had assumed someone had suddenly attacked, and his longsword was already drawn. Hearing the voice, he was startled and asked in surprise, "Young Hero Xie, could it be that Xing Tiansheng did not come as promised?"

Xie Yunyue sneered and whispered to Ling Fei for a while. Ling Fei's face was full of indignation, and he said, "Human hearts are unpredictable, and there are too many petty people in the marketplace." The two of them swept to the outside of the shrine together. A crane soared into the sky and hid in the cypress bushes. They saw Xing Tiansheng talking with his companion in the passageway.

Ling Fei lowered his voice as much as possible and said, "Young hero, hesitation is futile. Delay will only lead to complications. Why don't I distract Xing Tiansheng's companions so you can strike suddenly? As for the Qingcheng Manual, under torture, we'll surely obtain it." Xie Yunyue pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement. Ling Fei swiftly descended from the tree, landing outside the shrine and disappearing like a wisp of smoke into the main gate of the Wuhou Shrine.

Xing Tiansheng and his companions were chatting animatedly when they suddenly saw an extraordinary old man with a flowing beard strolling leisurely into the passageway. All four of them turned their gazes to Ling Fei. Ling Fei, the Mourning Swordsman, remained impassive, walking past them with an air of nonchalance. Suddenly, Ling Fei abruptly stumbled, stepping on Xing Tiansheng's companion's foot. Ling Fei seemed unfazed and strode towards the main hall.

The man's instep throbbed with excruciating pain, his jaw agape in agony. Seeing Ling Fei's lack of humility, clearly intending to cause trouble, he roared and lunged forward like an arrow, unleashing a fierce and piercing force with both palms. Ling Fei, the Swordsman of the Dead, laughed heartily, his figure flashing, disappearing into the central hall like a wisp of smoke. The man's palms missed their mark, and he shouted, "Madman, where do you think you're going?" He chased after him into the central hall with lightning speed.

Xing Tiansheng, guessing Ling Fei's intentions, was about to step towards the central hall when he suddenly heard a sinister laugh behind him. His heart skipped a beat, and he felt a sharp pain in his chest—his "Lingtai," "Shentang," and "Changqiang" acupoints—each struck by a finger. He felt dizzy and fell backward. Xie Yunyue, with lightning speed, used the Dragon-Subduing Technique from the "Eighteen Discourses of Xuanyuan," a technique unparalleled in history, to strike Xing Tiansheng down.

With a flick of his right hand, he tucked Xing Tiansheng under his arm, then leaped into the air with a "Soaring Dragon" move, rising five or six zhang high and placing Xing Tiansheng among the cypress branches. Without pausing, he darted through the central hall like a lightning bolt, landing in the main hall. There, he saw Ling Fei and the other man crouching, poised to strike. He immediately said loudly, "Friend, hold your temper and listen to me."

The man suddenly turned around, his eyes wide with astonishment. By the light of the ever-burning lamp before the altar in the central hall, Xie Yunyue could finally see the other man clearly. The man was imposing and distinguished, with a square face, large ears, sword-like eyebrows, and piercing eyes. His gaze was upright and not wicked. Xie Yunyue stepped forward, pointed at Lingfei, and said, "My companion intentionally lured you here, but because you are a very upright person, I didn't want you to suffer a tragic end. I was trying to protect you. Friend, do you still harbor resentment?"

The man's astonishment deepened, and he asked in surprise, "What do you mean by that, sir?"

Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "Friend, what do you think of Xing Tiansheng's character?"

The man remained silent, then a chilling light flashed in his eyes. He said, "Could you be Xie..."

Xie Yunyue said in a deep voice, "That's right, it is I. Xing Tiansheng not only repaid kindness with ingratitude but also impersonated me to commit robbery and murder, causing a great upheaval in the martial arts world. To clear my name, I was forced to subdue him and send him to..." "Qingcheng."

The man's face showed regret, and he sighed, "I have long heard of your chivalrous reputation throughout the world, and your martial arts skills are unparalleled and divine. I admire you greatly. I am Zhao Maogong, from Chicheng, and my family has been friends with Xing Tiansheng for generations. However, he is eccentric and willful, and I have repeatedly tried to persuade him to listen, but to no avail."

Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "Teacher Zhao must be a disciple of the Four Friends of Chicheng. Not long ago, I was traveling west to Shu when I unexpectedly met the Four Friends of Chicheng. We talked for two days, and the four friends are very witty. It was a great pleasure to meet them."

Zhao Maogong bowed deeply and said, "I dare not accept that. I must return to Chicheng now. I will remain an outsider tonight's events and never reveal them to anyone, in order to repay your kindness." He turned and clasped his fists at Lingfei, then moved and darted out of the hall.

Xie Yunyue looked at Lingfei and said, "Sima Zhongming and Jiang Zhongliang will arrive in Chengdu in the next two days. Master Ling and I will be heading to the Beggars' Sect branch. We need the Beggars' Sect disciples' assistance in the investigation to find out who the ringleader is as soon as possible. I will set off for Qingcheng immediately. Master Ling, please stay here and oversee everything." Lingfei, the Mourning Swordsman, nodded in agreement, and the two immediately set off.

Two days later, the moon had moved, the stars were bright, the night breeze was gentle, and the sound of the pines was like a zither or a flute. The Wuhou Temple was quiet and solemn. Qingcheng Mountain is located thirty li southwest of Guanxian County. It is a famous Taoist mountain, and along with Emei Mountain, a Buddhist holy site, it enjoys a high reputation throughout the country. Qingcheng is known as "the most secluded place under heaven," with its verdant mountains, myriad trees shrouded in mist, a sea of green where one's beard and eyebrows turn green.

Of the six famous mountains in Sichuan, Emei and Qingcheng are considered the most outstanding. Emei is renowned for its beauty, while Qingcheng is known for its seclusion. Its shape resembles a city wall, and it is covered with lush bamboo groves that remain evergreen throughout the year, hence its name, Qingcheng (Green City). Taoist texts list it as the fifth of the Five Grotto-Heavens, with thirty-six peaks and seventy-two caves, subtly incorporating the numbers of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches. At dawn, the clouds shimmered with iridescent colors.

Xie Yunyue, carrying a large sack on his back, his clothes fluttering, emerged from the Daojiang Gate of Guanxian and headed southwest towards Qingcheng. His movements were fluid and graceful, neither hurried nor slow. Passersby, noticing his unusual appearance and the large sack he carried, stopped to stare in astonishment. Xie Yunyue, however, seemed unconcerned, striding onward. The path was verdant with green fields, waterside villages, and misty hills, much like the Jiangnan region.
His pace was incredibly swift; in less than half an hour, he had arrived at the Changsheng Palace at the foot of Qingcheng Mountain. A corner of the red walls of the Longevity Palace was hidden within a grove of ten thousand tall bamboos. The air was filled with verdant green, the bamboo leaves swaying and dancing, their sound like the gentle murmur of a flute, refreshing the mind and spirit. Before Xie Yunyue could even step into the Longevity Palace, a figure flashed out from within. A Taoist priest with phoenix eyes and a long beard emerged, holding a snow-white, silver-like cloud-shaped broom. His eyes, sharp as cold lightning, scanned Xie Yunyue from head to toe, asking, "Where do you come from, benefactor?" His gaze then fixed on the sack.

Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "I wish to go to Jade Emperor Peak. Please guide me along the way, Daoist."

Upon hearing this, the Daoist's expression faltered for a moment, then turned angry. "Please, benefactor, do not jest. Although our mountain does not prohibit tourists from visiting, no one has set foot on Jade Emperor Peak for the past hundred years."

Xie Yunyue said, "Daoist, your words are quite perplexing. Is Jade Emperor Peak so dangerous that tourists find it daunting, or is it a forbidden area by your sect, prohibiting outsiders from ascending?"

The Daoist said in a deep voice, "Since you know, benefactor, there is no need for me to mince words."

This was tantamount to saying that both were possible. Xie Yunyue smiled slightly and said, "If it is the former, it is not difficult for me. As for the latter, I have urgent business to attend to today. Even if I have violated your sect's prohibitions, it is not something I can say."

The Daoist laughed loudly and said, "If you wish to go to Jade Emperor Peak, I have already made my intentions clear. I fear that my sect's thousands of disciples will regard you as a formidable enemy, and I will be unable to live with you."

Xie Yunyue said, "I am truly grateful for the Daoist's kindness, but unfortunately, the die is cast." He then turned and laughed heartily before walking away.

As he was walking, he suddenly heard a loud shout behind him: "Halt!" He heard a gust of wind behind him and knew that someone was approaching. He moved with lightning speed, and when he was about three zhang away, he turned around and saw the Daoist leading four Daoists carrying long swords standing about two zhang away, their eyes gleaming with surprise.

Xie Yunyue asked, "What brings you here, Daoist Master?"

The Daoist sneered, "What is hidden in the sack you are carrying, benefactor?"

Xie Yunyue smiled darkly, "The contents of my sack are a treasure your sect has long coveted and desperately desired. Therefore, I have brought it to present to your esteemed elder, Bi Xiaolan, as a gift."

The Daoist's expression changed drastically, and he shouted, "Then please untie the sack and let me see what it contains!"

Xie Yunyue laughed, "Daoist Master is not worthy to see."

With just a few words, he displayed his utter contempt and disdain. The Daoist's face turned as cold as frost, and a murderous intent flickered between his brows. With a flick of his broom, the four sword-wielding Daoists instantly split into two, their swords simultaneously drawn. Four streaks of cold light flew out swiftly, scattering a rain of swords as they attacked Xie Yunyue's vital points. The four men's attacks were both powerful and incredibly agile, their movements perfectly coordinated. A whistling sound carried out a multitude of cold stars as they surged forth, their energy overwhelming.

Xie Yunyue's face was deathly cold; he remained motionless with one palm, waiting for the sword light to approach before suddenly spinning around and swinging his arm. A clanging sound of clashing halberds rang out, and the four men cried out in surprise, scattering to reveal four longswords in Xie Yunyue's hands. The phoenix-eyed, long-bearded Daoist was greatly shocked by this sight; such uncanny skill, regardless of its martial arts, was unprecedented in his life.

Startled, he silently uttered "Amitabha," realizing the newcomer's solitary attempt to storm Jade Emperor Peak must have a purpose. Whether this was a blessing or a curse for Qingcheng remained to be seen. He hesitated for a moment, then took a step forward, bowed, and inquired, "Your martial arts are exceptional, and I have offended you greatly. But, benefactor, are you friend or foe? Please tell me."

Xie Yunyue smiled slightly and said, "If I were a formidable enemy of your sect, how could anyone be killed? I have a reason I cannot reveal now, precisely to prevent..." "Your sect has misunderstood something, therefore we must meet with Master Bi Xiaolan."

The Taoist priest pondered for a moment, then said, "Since you say so, I will not ask any further questions. Please take the bamboo path beside the palace, turn to the back of the palace, cross the Yinsheng Bridge, and you will enter the main path up the mountain. However, there will be many obstacles along the way, as the mountain has recently encountered some changes. I hope you will not misunderstand and suddenly take action against us."

Xie Yunyue smiled and thanked him, "Thank you for your guidance, Taoist priest. I would not dare to disobey." He slowly turned and walked towards the bamboo path.

After watching Xie Yunyue's figure disappear, the Taoist priest led four Taoists and rushed into the Changsheng Palace. A moment later, dozens of white doves were suddenly released from the palace. They circled briefly above the palace eaves, spread their wings, and flew into the lush greenery, making a buzzing sound that echoed in the sky.

Xie Yunyue strode swiftly to the Yinsheng Bridge. Beside the bridge stood the Chicheng Pavilion, with its flying eaves and flowing water, ancient and magnificent. Crossing the bridge and walking along the stream, one sees mountains covered in verdant pines and bamboos, a sea of green stretching to the sky. The babbling brook and chirping birds create a symphony of nature, a breathtaking sight that soothes the soul. Suddenly, three white doves flutter down into the mountains, their whistles echoing through the air. Knowing that the Longevity Palace had released them as a warning, I smiled slightly and swiftly disappeared into the distance.

As I walked, a clear bell rang out from the depths of the forest. Startled, I stopped abruptly, and before me stood a magnificent Taoist temple. Above the gate was a plaque inscribed with the three characters "Zhangren Temple," its three courtyards grand and serene. This "Zhangren Temple", also known as "Jianfu Palace", was first built in the Northern Song Dynasty. It was the place where the Taoist master Shoufeng cultivated Taoism. The temple is located at the foot of Chicheng Cliff. It is surrounded by pine, bamboo, cypress and camphor trees. The dense shade blocks out the sun, and the shady valley is cold. Looking east, Zhangren Peak is a thousand feet high with red cliffs and layers of green. It is truly a beautiful mountain.

Seeing that the area outside the temple gate was quiet and deserted, Xie Yunyue was puzzled when suddenly a dozen or so Taoist priests darted out from the bamboo leaves on both sides. A solemn-faced old Taoist priest approached him and said, "May I ask, benefactor, what brings you to see Elder Bi of our sect?"

Xie Yunyue replied, "I have already explained to the abbot of Changsheng Palace that I have no ill intentions here, but I must see Master Bi before I can speak. Why are you blocking me, Taoist priest?"

The Taoist priest hesitated for a moment before asking, "Are you acquainted with Elder Bi of our sect, benefactor?"
Xie Yunyue sneered and said, "From your words, Taoist priest, is it necessary to know him to see Master Bi?"

The Taoist priest frowned and said, "This..."

Xie Yunyue sneered again and continued, "I have important matters to attend to. After seeing Master Bi, I will descend the mountain immediately. I have no time to entangle with the abbot..." As he spoke, a shout suddenly came from the left, and a sword flew out to stab at the sack on Xie Yunyue's back, as fast as lightning.

Xie Yunyue snorted loudly, his eyes flashing with anger. His right hand swung swiftly, his five fingers seizing the target with lightning speed. The Taoist priest, who had thrust his sword forward, was startled to see Xie Yunyue's fingers flashing towards him. He tried to dodge, but Xie Yunyue's technique was unparalleled, impossible to avoid. He felt a violent tremor in his sword, his tiger's mouth went numb and split, and the sword flew out of his hand, a streak of cold light, flying into the bamboo grove.

Xie Yunyue flicked his wrist, unleashing thirty percent of the power of the Maitreya Divine Skill's "Shaking" technique. The Taoist priest grunted, his body tumbling backward. A series of cracking sounds rang out as a section of bamboo grove, struck by the residual power of Xie Yunyue's true energy, snapped and fell, bamboo leaves scattering like wildfire in a terrifying display. The abbot of the Zhangren Temple was startled and took a step back, his eyes filled with horror.

Xie Yunyue sneered, "I never expected that Qingcheng, a righteous sect, would produce such unscrupulous individuals, resorting to sneak attacks

and underhanded tactics. They are utterly shameless." The abbot, Zhangren, was furious upon hearing this and laughed loudly, "Regardless of your purpose, benefactor, I, Qingning, have the honor of witnessing your unparalleled martial arts. I am itching to test my skills. Please put down the sack to avoid injury. I wish to witness your palm techniques."

Xie Yunyue smiled arrogantly, "No need to put down the sack. I will be content to contend with you with a single palm."

Qingning, his anger rising, said in a deep voice, "Benefactor, please demonstrate your skills." He placed both palms in front of his chest, assuming the "Child Worshipping Guanyin" stance.

Seeing this, Xie Yunyue realized that although Qing Ning was extremely angry, he was still very polite. This kind of approach was highly respected in the martial arts world. He smiled and said, "Since I have no grudge against you, Daoist, why should I resort to violence and cause a disturbance? I apologize for my rudeness towards your subordinates."

Daoist Qing Ning's expression softened slightly. He lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment before saying with a sigh, "Since you are so determined to see Elder Bi, it must be something of great importance. I will immediately send a message by carrier pigeon to invite Elder Hua and the others here." "This will ease your weariness and journey somewhat, but I still humbly request your guidance."

Xie Yunyue thought to himself, "This Qingning Daoist still can't shake off his competitive spirit. No wonder Buddhists often say that the seven emotions and six desires are the hardest to extinguish." He sighed slightly and said, "If the abbot insists on making me look foolish, I dare not disobey."

Qingning Daoist immediately beckoned, and a young Daoist named Nianqing swiftly appeared in front of him. Qingning Daoist whispered a few words, and Nianqing Daoist immediately ran into the Zhangren Temple. Qingning Daoist remained in the "Boy Worshipping Guanyin" stance, clearly posing a significant challenge to Xie Yunyue. He knew his martial arts were unmatched in the current martial arts world, and he was certain of victory from the outset. Even if he fought Qingning Daoist to a draw, it would be tantamount to yielding to Qingning Daoist, but this would only bring him fame. While helping others achieve their goals was generally a good thing, Qingning Daoist's competitive and arrogant nature would ultimately harm him, and he would surely perish in the pursuit of fame a month later. With a change of heart, he decided to make Qingning retreat. Without hesitation, he swiftly and lightly thrust out his right palm, aiming towards Qingning's center.

Qingning Daoist felt only a gentle breeze approaching, yet it felt completely powerless. He sensed an extremely insidious palm strike, and with a chill, he swiftly flipped both palms, unleashing a hidden and powerful force. He unleashed the Raging Gale, a powerful and fierce attack, like a tidal wave crashing down. But Xie Yunyue didn't withdraw his hand; he merely made a slight outward arc. Qing Ning, being exceptionally strong, felt the force of his palm strike being redirected outward, and his body involuntarily stumbled back two steps.

With a loud crash, a towering camphor tree, its trunk so thick it took two people to encircle it and ten zhang tall, snapped at waist height. A great rustling sound followed, as branches and leaves flew everywhere, flattening a large swath of dense bamboo and groves, and shaking the ground. Dust filled the air. Qingning Daoist, utterly astonished, thought to himself, "What kind of bizarre martial art is this?" Still not giving up, he declared loudly, "Benefactor, try taking another of my Demon-Subduing Techniques!" With that, he unleashed two palm strikes, faster than lightning, his figure lunging forward.

Xie Yunyue sneered inwardly, "You won't give up until you're at your wit's end..." He too moved with lightning speed, and the two figures clashed. Qingning Daoist groaned, his body shooting out like an arrow, landing lightly on the ground after a somersault in mid-air.

Although Qingning Daoist appeared unharmed, his face was ashen, and his eyes revealed a deep sense of shame and resentment. Xie Yunyue darted out like lightning, secretly using the "Disarming" technique of the Maitreya Divine Skill. The opponent's force was instantly neutralized. With lightning speed, his five fingers gripped Qingning Daoist's wrist, pulling and flicking. Qingning Daoist felt a numbness in his wrist and was flung away by a clever force.

At that moment, several clear, resonant cries drifted from the sky, high in the clouds. The cries were as swift as lightning, and as soon as they ceased, eight or nine figures cascaded down from Chicheng Cliff. Xie Yunyue's sharp eyes recognized the last figure, a gaunt old man, as Bi Xiaolan, the Shadowless Palm Master. Besides the seven old Daoists, there was also a thin, bony old monk with a flowing silver beard. Qingning Daoist was overjoyed to see the nine approaching. He rushed forward, bowed deeply, and whispered something to them.

Xie Yunyue noticed Hua Xiaolan's eyes filled with suspicion, staring at him with a piercing gaze. Suddenly, an old Taoist priest with white hair and beard, exuding an imposing aura, strode towards him, carrying a cloud-shaped broom. Xie Yunyue's mind raced, trying his best to explain his purpose without causing any misunderstanding. He had already sensed that Qingcheng regarded him as an enemy.

The Taoist priest moved swiftly, stopping in front of him in the blink of an eye, and asked in a deep voice, "May I ask your name, benefactor?" His voice was sharp and aggressive.

Xie Yunyue's anger flared, and he sneered, "Qingcheng is a renowned and righteous sect, producing extraordinary individuals time and again, attracting the attention of the martial arts world. However, it is now declining. Seeing your narrow-mindedness and lack of magnanimity, Daoist Master, it is clear that your talents are limited and you are destined for decline. It is truly lamentable."

The old Daoist was ridiculed, his face flushed, his eyes blazing with anger, but he could not retaliate. Suddenly, another old Daoist with an unusual appearance and a long, black beard strode over and said, "Junior Brother Hanzhu, you should not treat this benefactor with such harsh words." Then, he looked at Xie Yunyue and smiled, "Benefactor, what brings you from this desolate mountain? This humble Daoist..." "As the head of Qingcheng Sect, please speak plainly, benefactor."

Xie Yunyue said, "I have come here only to explain one matter."

Daoist Qianye was immediately taken aback and asked, "What is it?"
Xie Yunyue replied, "Not long ago, someone impersonated me and broke into your mountain to steal a secret manual, and even chopped down five of your disciples..."

Before he could finish speaking, Daoist Hanzhu shouted loudly, "Sect Leader, don't listen to his nonsense! That day it was him..." As he spoke, his cloud broom struck out fiercely, the broom hairs spreading out, each one straight, like thousands of steel needles attacking, bringing with it a surge of energy, as fast as lightning.

Xie Yunyue sneered, his body sliding to the left, his right palm standing upright like a blade, flying down towards Daoist Hanzhu's wrist. Daoist Hanzhu only saw a blur of hand before him, and suddenly felt as if his wrist had been struck by a sharp axe. He cried out in pain, the cloud broom flew out of his hand, and he fainted from the pain. Although it was only a few moves, everyone from Qingcheng was astonished, their faces turning ashen. They could see that this strange young man possessed

unparalleled skill. The old monk uttered a Buddhist chant, his two snow-white, silver eyebrows furrowed tightly. At this moment, Bi Xiaolan, the Shadowless Palm Master, was even more horrified. He had almost been humiliated to death by Liang Qiuqi at Thousand Pine Cliff, and the memory still sent chills down his spine. Now, this strange-faced young man, so young yet possessing astonishing and extraordinary martial arts skills, made him feel like a hero past his prime, at the end of his rope. He sighed inwardly, stepped forward, and said to Xie Yunyue, "Since you intend to be an enemy of our sect, why must you meet with this old man? Not long ago, you stormed the mountain and used your poisonous hand, which was extremely arrogant. If you have any old grudges, why not speak them directly?" He glanced at the Hanzhu Daoist lying on the ground, his right wrist covered in bruises and swelling, his face covered in sweat, and he was deeply horrified.

Xie Yunyue said, "Teacher Bi, do you really believe that I was the one who caused trouble in the mountain not long ago?"

Bi Xiaolan pointed at the Hanzhu Daoist lying on the ground and said in a deep voice, "Although Junior Brother Hanzhu is naturally violent, he never speaks recklessly. Don't be fooled by your unparalleled bravery. Although our sect is no match for you, we will fight you to the death."

As Bi Xiaolan spoke, the old monk had already gracefully approached and greeted him with a single palm, "This old monk is the Shaolin Abbot Fayi. Although Shan Yue possesses extraordinary martial arts skills, he should exercise some restraint and never arbitrarily harm others, lest he offend the heavens. I have observed that you, benefactor, have a hidden murderous aura in your brows, which is rising to the heavens. You should suffer misfortune or even death in the near future, but..." He suddenly stopped speaking, his eyes fixed on Xie Yunyue's face for a long time.

Xie Yunyue realized that the Shaolin abbot had mistaken the human skin mask on his face for his true appearance. This mask was made from the skin of a vicious underworld figure his father had killed. The murderous incident was long past, but he was surprised that Master Fakong could still recognize it after so many years. He couldn't help but admire this abbot, who truly lived up to his reputation as the leader of the martial arts world. He smiled slightly and said, "Master, are you really certain that I am doomed?"

The Shaolin abbot muttered to himself, "Strange?...Strange?" He seemed oblivious to Xie Yunyue's words.

Xie Yunyue, not wanting the matter to escalate, turned to Bi Xiaolan and smiled, "Even if Teacher Bi doesn't recognize me, I have met you once before."

Bi Xiaolan's face showed surprise and confusion. After a long pause, he said, "I have never met you before. May I ask when and where you saw me?"

Xie Yunyue replied, "That day at Zhizhi Nunnery on Wuyun Mountain, I saw Teacher Bi and the nun of Yanshan being ambushed and unconscious in the Buddhist hall. Fortunately, I had medicine with me, and after reviving Teacher Bi and the nun, I hurriedly left."

Bi Xiaolan exclaimed in surprise, "Is it you? I am so surprised to see you here! " " You treat your savior like an enemy, you deserve to die!"

The Qingcheng Sect Leader bowed and said, "This humble Taoist was unaware of your arrival, young hero. I have offended you greatly, please forgive me."

Xie Yunyue laughed loudly, "It's alright, it's alright. As long as your sect doesn't treat me as an irreconcilable enemy, I will be more than grateful."

Qianye Daoist blushed and hurriedly said, "How dare I, how dare I."

Xie Yunyue suddenly appeared in front of Hanzhu Daoist like a whirlwind, helped Hanzhu Daoist up, and swiftly flicked the "Zhiyang" acupoint with his left hand. Hanzhu Daoist sighed and slowly woke up, his face turning red, and the swelling on his right wrist gradually subsided. At this moment, Abbot Fayi of Shaolin Temple unfurled his robes and landed before Xie Yunyue, asking, "May I ask if you, my lord, possess your true form?"

Xie Yunyue smiled and replied, "Master, a high-ranking Buddhist monk, you should know that the face is an illusion, devoid of form. I am who I am; what face can I speak of?" Abbot Fayi was taken aback, secretly thinking that this young man possessed innate wisdom, and that his future achievements would surely make him a legend in the martial arts world.

Hanzhu Daoist awoke, opened his eyes, and roared again, his ten fingers like hooks, fiercely grabbing at Xie Yunyue's kidneys. With a loud thud, Hanzhu Daoist felt as if his hands had been struck by rotten leather, his ten fingers losing all strength. Suddenly, he felt an invisible force pressing towards his chest, forcing him to retreat more than ten steps before he could regain his footing.

The Qingcheng Sect Leader's face turned cold. He said, "Junior Brother, you mustn't be rude. This Benefactor Xie is not the one who stormed the mountain that day." Hanzhu Daoist remained silent, but his face was still full of resentment and indignation.

Bi Xiaolan stepped forward and asked urgently, "What is in the sack that you are carrying, young hero? You are renowned in the martial arts world, so you would not kill someone without reason. Our disciples have misunderstood this sack. Because someone disappeared from Changshan without cause, we suspected that there was a corpse inside. This further convinced us that you are the one who disturbed the mountain that day, impersonating Xie Shaoxia to carry out your wicked scheme."

Xie Yunyue laughed loudly and said, "The sack contains the murderer who caused trouble on the mountain. His name is Xing Tiansheng, and he is a disciple of the Old Man of Huangshan Shixin."

Qianye Daoren looked at Bi Xiaolan with astonishment. Bi Xiaolan frowned and coughed heavily, saying, "I know. Nine years ago, Elder Shixin and our entire sect had a martial arts contest at the summit of Tiandu Peak in Huangshan. A conflict broke out, and the meeting ended badly. It was unexpected that the upright Elder Shixin would hold a grudge."

Xie Yunyue suddenly felt that Xing Tiansheng could not be left to Qingcheng. Otherwise, it would bring endless danger to Qingcheng. He knew that in the martial arts world, revenge was a constant cycle. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "My purpose in coming here is to clear my name, reveal the truth, and resolve the misunderstanding. I will deal with Xing Tiansheng after I leave. Your sect can pretend not to know."

Bi Xiaolan stroked his beard and laughed, "Young hero, you underestimate our sect. I am not a coward. I should leave Xing Tiansheng here no matter what." Seeing Bi Xiaolan's words, Xie Yunyue had no choice but to untie the sack and pour out Xing Tiansheng.

Xing Tiansheng remained unconscious, his face ashen. Xie Yunyue swiftly shot out two fingers, striking Xing Tiansheng's kidneys with a single blow, then struck his spine with a palm strike. With a loud "crack," Xing Tiansheng cried out, spitting out a mouthful of phlegm. His eyes snapped open, and he looked around, realizing he was in Qingcheng's hands. His expression changed drastically. He gathered his inner strength and leaped to his feet. As he moved his limbs, a wave of numbness washed over him, causing him to gasp in horror. He took a deep breath and got to his feet.

Even in this predicament, Xing Tiansheng couldn't forget his scheming. His eyes flickered, then fixed on the face of Abbot Fayi of Shaolin Temple. He smiled and said, "Master, may I ask where I am?"

Abbot Fayi replied with a shrug, "Qingcheng." Xing

Tiansheng feigned surprise, saying, "I was unfortunately tricked by an unkind friend and thought I was doomed. I am deeply grateful for your rescue."

Xie Yunyue secretly sneered. Bi Xiaolan, with his vast experience, knew that this young man was still oblivious to his fate. He laughed heartily and said, "This old man happened to pass by the Wuhou Temple and saw you lying in the passageway. Therefore, this old man brought you back to Qingcheng to rescue you. May I ask your name?"

Xing Tiansheng replied, "Zhonggua. " "You reap what you sow; karma is inescapable. If it weren't for your sect's affairs, I wouldn't have been targeted by your wicked friend, yet I was still saved by your sect. This shows that Heaven's will is just. I am Xing Tiansheng."

Bi Xiaolan looked surprised and asked, "Why do you say it was for our sect's sake?"

Xing Tiansheng smiled and said, "My wicked friend Xie Yunyue, relying on his unparalleled martial arts skills, is ambitious and determined to stir up a bloodbath in the martial arts world. He intends to establish his own sect and rule the martial arts world. Not long ago, he single-handedly stormed your mountain, killed five disciples, and stole a secret manual..."

Before he could finish, Bi Xiaolan looked doubtful and continued, "I have heard a lot about Xie Yunyue." "Our sect has no grudge against him whatsoever. Why single out our sect to do this? I have serious doubts about his intentions."

Xing Tiansheng smiled and said, "Didn't I just say that Xie Yunyue's actions were to fulfill his ambitions? He has recently committed countless heinous acts. Your sect is fortunate amidst misfortune. When I learned of this, I earnestly advised him not to act perversely, but in the end, he will inevitably suffer the consequences. Unfortunately, despite my earnest advice, he not only ignored me but also turned against me and carried out a treacherous plot."

Bi Xiaolan asked, "Does Your Excellency know where he committed these heinous acts?"

Xing Dasheng scratched his head and said, "I'd rather he be ruthless than..." "But I have betrayed my friend. When the truth comes out, I truly do not wish to betray him."

Xie Yunyue was extremely agitated, feeling that this man's continued existence would inevitably bring harm to the people. He sneered coldly, "Well said, 'Don't act perversely, you will reap the bitter fruit.' This is no different from you having your soul taken by heaven, reaping the consequences of your own actions." Xing
Tiansheng, recognizing the accent, gasped, his heart pounding. He glanced at the man and saw only a cold-faced youth with two terrifying beams of light in his eyes. He couldn't help but blurt out, "Who are you?" Xie Yunyue sneered, raising his hand to wipe off the human skin mask, revealing a handsome, jade-like face with captivating charm.

Everyone's eyes lit up, and Xing Tiansheng trembled, his eyes filled with fear and anger. He grinned maliciously and said, "I, Xing, am now in your hands; my life is in your hands."

Suddenly—several clear whistles echoed in the wind, and everyone was startled. Suddenly, they saw more than a dozen figures leaping towards them from the foot of the mountain path. Approaching with the speed of the wind, they were upon him in an instant. Xie Yunyue recognized them as Ling Fei, the Mourning Swordsman; the Three Elders of the Beggar Clan; Qiankun Hand Lei Xiaotian; Ai Fang Shuo Jingfang; and eight or nine other unnamed martial arts masters. Ling Fei leaped forward and, seeing Xing Tiansheng still alive, exclaimed with delight, "Fortunately, this villain is still alive! He has committed numerous evil deeds, all under the guise of your name, young hero. The Third Elder of the Beggar Clan has invited the murdered masters to come here to testify and clear your name, young hero."

At this moment, after exchanging pleasantries with the Qingcheng Daoists and the Shaolin Abbot, the Nine-Fingered Beggar Cangxi leaped before Xing Tiansheng and sneered, "Old Man Shixin is blind, mistakenly taking in such an unworthy disciple. What irreconcilable grudge do you hold against Xie Yunyue, that you would impersonate him and frame him?"

Xing Tiansheng, a man of extreme cunning and ruthlessness, knew that his fate was sealed the moment he saw the Beggar Clan and their entourage rushing towards him. Just now, having confessed the truth to Xie Yunyue, Xing Tiansheng wanted to save his life. He decided to deny everything and frame Xie Yunyue, hoping they wouldn't dare take his life in Qingcheng. Because Qingcheng had a grudge against his master, he couldn't bear the accusation of using someone else to kill him. He sneered, "If you want to frame someone, you can always find someone to blame. I, Xing Tiansheng, am a disciple of a reputable sect. I dare to act and take responsibility. Why would I need to use someone else's name? Hmph, Xie Yunyue now knows he can't be tolerated in the martial world. To regain his footing, he resorts to despicable means to frame me. My death is nothing to regret, but I fear you gentlemen will have no peace of mind from now on." His words were filled with sorrow and conviction, as if he were ready to sacrifice himself for a cause.

The Shaolin abbot and the Qingcheng sect members, upon hearing this, exchanged astonished glances. They all realized this young man was indeed extremely cunning. His vehement denial left them with no way to refute him, leaving them helpless. Cang Xi was stunned upon hearing this. Xie Yunyue swiftly appeared before Xing Tiansheng and said in a deep voice, "The difference between good and evil is thin. Xie Yunyue has always acted decisively and fearlessly. As long as I feel at peace, I am not afraid of gossip. So you are also a coward. You invoked your identity as a disciple of a prestigious sect to make everyone here hesitate and not dare to strike. Little do you know that I, Xie Yunyue, do not care about such things. Whether you admit it or not depends on whether you can withstand the Seven-Day Soul-Searching Technique."

Upon hearing this, the heroes were all terrified. This "Seven-Day Soul-Searching Technique" was an ancient and lost martial arts skill. Why was it appearing on Xie Yunyue? As soon as Xie Yunyue finished speaking, he moved his palm with lightning speed and miraculously stabbed thirteen fingers between Xing Tiansheng's chest and abdomen. Upon hearing Xie Yunyue's insidious method against him, Xing Tiansheng's expression turned ashen. Helplessly, having lost all his power, he couldn't dodge. He felt a chilling force penetrate his chest and abdomen, leaving him weak and powerless as he collapsed to the ground.

In an instant, Xing Tiansheng's expression changed drastically. His body convulsed, his bones cracked, and he let out a mournful cry. His pupils dilated, his eyes dull and lifeless. The mournful howl, like the bleating of a sheep, carried on the wind to the ears of the assembled heroes, chilling them to the bone. Master Fayi chanted a Buddhist prayer, intending to stop, but then he caught a glimpse of the murderous glint in Xie Yunyue's eyes. Knowing that Xie Yunyue was about to act, he hesitated, sighing inwardly, and remained silent.

A moment later, Xing Tiansheng suddenly covered his face and cried out, "Brother Xie... I was wrong, I was ungrateful... I deserve to die, I know I have no face to live... so please give me... a painful... incantation." As he spoke, his muscles convulsed and twisted, his skin tore open, and blood gushed out. His appearance was so gruesome that it was unbearable to look at.

Xie Yunyue sneered, "My 'Seven-Day Yin-Searching Soul-Severing' technique is easy to start but hard to stop. At most, it can reduce your pain a little, but you will inevitably die in the end. If you want to die quickly and easily, just tell everyone all the evil deeds you have committed in my name recently." After speaking, two fingers flew out and pressed Xing Tiansheng's "Jingcu" acupoint twice.

Xing Tiansheng felt that the pain of his muscles and bones was relieved, but the feeling of insects crawling inside his body was even more intense, as if hundreds of venomous snakes were flying and running through his acupoints. By this time, his venomous intent had completely vanished, and he only wished for an early death to relieve his suffering. Knowing that he couldn't remain silent, he recounted his actions in fits and starts. At midday, Xing Tiansheng finished speaking. Xie Yunyue's handsome face turned pale with rage, his teeth grinding together, and he unleashed a palm strike, slamming it down on Xing Tiansheng's chest. Xing Tiansheng coughed up a mouthful of black blood, let out a wild howl, and died.

With the truth revealed, Xie Yunyue's depression and anger had largely subsided. Since the Shaolin and Qingcheng sect leaders had invited the heroes to Tianshuai Cave for a meeting, he couldn't refuse and had to go up the mountain for a short while. On the way, the short, wiry Jing Fang whispered to Xie Yunyue, "Nephew, after we reach Tianshuai Cave, please sit for a while, then immediately take your leave and head to Emei."

Xie Yunyue was startled and asked in astonishment, "Why is that?"

Jing Fang glanced at him with pity, sighed, and was about to speak when Cang Xi suddenly said, "Teacher Jing, speaking now will only cause confusion. Let's discuss a plan when we descend the mountain." The short, wiry Jing Fang blinked and abruptly stopped speaking.

Seeing this, Xie Yunyue anticipated that it was because of Geng Yuxiu's matter, and that the Golden Summit monks were fiercely protective of their own, ready to punish him severely. He smiled calmly. As the group of heroes marched on, Abbot Fayi of Shaolin Temple suddenly stopped and turned to Xie Yunyue, saying, "This old monk almost forgot something. May I ask if you are the one who retrieved the 'Formless Vajra Palm Scripture' for Shaolin?"
Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "It's a trivial matter, not worth mentioning to the Abbot."

Abbot Fayi's face showed gratitude as he said, "This old monk has been in seclusion for three years, not concerning himself with worldly affairs. It was only when my brother Fayi praised you so highly that I remembered. Please forgive my disrespect."

Xie Yunyue said, "Abbot, you are of high moral character and prestige. I am but a novice in the martial arts world, how dare I accept such undeserved praise? " Master Fayi said, “

Young hero, with your purple eyebrows and bright eyes, you have a clear and refined spirit. Your life has been smooth, and although you have experienced some setbacks, you have always managed to turn misfortune into good fortune. However, this old monk advises you to refrain from committing murder and to be forgiving when possible. You should know that in this vast world, there are always treacherous and deceitful people who will take risks. This is the way of the world. You should always take a step back in all things.”

Xie Yunyue respectfully replied, “I will always keep the sect leader’s teachings in mind.” "

The heroes passed through Qingcheng Qiao, and from there all began perilous mountain slopes. Although repaired, the paths were still winding and slippery, and even those with exceptional lightness skills found it quite strenuous. Qingcheng was a place of unparalleled tranquility, and the group walked through secluded bamboo groves and fir trees. Looking around, they saw magnificent peaks, verdant and lush, ancient cypresses and pines standing tall and gnarled, a pleasantly verdant scene. The steep stone paths on the dangerous slopes were narrow, and ahead, a corner of a red wall peeked out from the shade of the green trees. After walking a while, the magnificent palace suddenly appeared, and the Qingcheng Sect Leader, Daoist Qianye, stood respectfully before them. The heroes knew they had arrived at the Tianshi Cave.

Tianshi Cave was the first temple in Qingcheng, built in the early Sui Dynasty, originally named..." Yanqing Temple, formerly known as Zhaoqing Temple during the Song Dynasty, was renamed Changdao Temple during the late Qing Dynasty. Commonly known as Tianshi Cave, it is nestled against a hundred-zhang cliff, overlooking a sheer ravine. The Black Tiger and Azure Dragon peaks flank it on either side, while the Begonia and White Cloud streams flow into the valley below. Hundreds of large persimmon trees stand before the temple, their branches intertwined, their branches reaching towards the sky, creating a secluded and perilous scene.

Xie Yunyue praised Qianye Daoist, saying, "Qingcheng is the most secluded place in the world. One cannot truly appreciate its wonders without witnessing it firsthand. Entering this place washes away all worldly worries. It is a pity that this is such an important place for your sect. If it were unclaimed, I would wish to reside here forever, never setting foot in the mortal world again."

Qianye Daoist laughed loudly, "For the rest of my life, Young Hero Xie, you are a truly honored guest of Qingcheng. Please come and go as you please; I only fear you might find it troublesome."

Xie Yunyue smiled slightly, "Since the sect leader values you so highly, I will certainly visit you frequently in the future." Xie

Yunyue left Qingcheng, but encountered Hu Gang ("One Yuan Hermit"), Hu Ruolan, Lei Xiaotian ("Qiankun Hand"), Cang Xi, and others halfway down Qingcheng Mountain. They had heard Xie Yunyue had arrived in Qingcheng and rushed over. They descended the mountain together.

On the way, Lei Xiaotian said, "Third Brother, I know you urgently need to get to Tianshan, but unfortunately, there's an urgent matter that requires your personal attention. I, Lei Lao Er, am at a loss. Now I need to ask Third Brother how you intend to handle it?"

Xie Yunyue was taken aback and was about to press Lei Xiaotian for answers when Cang Xi coughed and frowned, saying, "Let's talk about it after we get down the mountain."

Lei Xiaotian said, "Third Brother, Qi Hong ("Miraculous Hand Kunlun") has also arrived. Because he had a grudge against Qingcheng before becoming a monk, he's not traveling with us. He's waiting for you at Erwang Gu in Guanxian." Xie Yunyue only gave an "Oh," without replying, his mind lost in deep thought and sorrow, remaining silent.

The Dujiangyan Irrigation System in Guanxian County is a magnificent and massive water conservancy project on the upper reaches of the Minjiang River. Built by Li Bing and his son during the Qin Dynasty, its key to water management was "deepening the riverbed and lowering the weir." The river irrigates the Chengdu Plain, a prosperous region in western Sichuan, known as the "Land of Abundance." The banks of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System are picturesque, with towering trees on the right side of the weir, including the magnificent "Erwang Temple," a shrine dedicated to Li Bing and his son.

The Erwang Temple was built by the people of Shu to commemorate the virtues of Li Bing and his son. Its double-eaved roofs and imposing structure are a testament to their greatness. An inscription reads: "Six characters shine through the ages, the lives of the people of fourteen counties depend on this man's generosity. All rivers flow into one area, the fertile plains of Qingcheng Mountain for eight hundred li all come from the governor."

Inside the Erwang Temple, everyone was now seated in the guest hall. Lei Xiaotian spoke eloquently, "Third brother, the Golden Peak Master forced Jiang Yaohong, Luo Xianghai, Jiang..." Zong Yao, Dongfang Yukun, and the other three returned to Emei to await punishment. The old bald monk, harboring resentment for your use of extreme poison to disfigure Geng Yuxiu, threatened before leaving that if you didn't personally come to Emei to apologize, he would also personally disfigure Jiang Yaohong, thus thwarting your wish.

Xie Yunyue's eyebrows twitched, his starry eyes flashing with a chilling light. Lei Xiaotian waved his hand, stopping Xie Yunyue from speaking, and continued, "The four sisters-in-law, Zhao, Zhou, Gu, and Fu, therefore rushed to..." At Master Manyin's place in Emei, they pleaded with her to rescue Hong Yaohong, but Master Manyin was bound by the sect leader's orders and could do nothing. "I know you arrived at Tianshan before the first day of the eighth month and are unable to attend to other matters. Think about how we should handle this."

Xie Yunyue, upon hearing this, felt a surge of emotion and remained silent for a long time. Gradually, his composure returned, and after a moment's thought, he said, "Since the matter is already settled, hesitation will only lead to more trouble. I cannot disobey my master's orders and cannot attend to other matters. I wish to request Uncle Jing and Teacher Qi to go to Emei and use their 'empty shell' technique to steal the sect leader's token, temporarily preventing the Golden Summit Master from exercising his authority. After obtaining the token, they can wait for my return at the Erwang Temple."

The short, wily man, Jing Fang, laughed heartily, "For my nephew's wish, this old man is willing to cause trouble in Emei."

With their plan settled, they parted ways.

The northern Tianshan Mountains are perpetually covered in snow, a vast expanse of white. A fierce wind whips up snowflakes and ice pellets across the valleys, swirling and surging like a raging torrent, blurring the line between sky and earth like morning mist. At the end of July, Xie Yunyue arrived alone at the foot of Chayun Cliff. He saw endless, swirling snow, the chill penetrating to the bone, unbearably cold. The gale swept through the frigid valley like a thousand horses, howling and whistling, making progress difficult.

The summit of the Tianshan Mountains, perpetually covered in snow, is barren, where even birds and beasts hibernate. Even with Xie Yunyue's pure Yang energy, the frigid climate was unbearable. Fortunately, after arriving in Dihua, he had bought a heavy fur coat, leaving only his eyes, nose, and mouth exposed. He hurried forward, head down, only to be met with a deafening whistling sound, carrying surging waves of ice pellets that cut like a knife against his face, making it difficult to open his eyes.

The Cliff Piercing Clouds stands precariously high, its icy cliffs and frozen walls so steep and precipitous that even monkeys would find it difficult to climb. Had Xie Yunyue not used the unparalleled "Seven Birds," "Ladder Leap," and "Eight Forms of the Heavenly Dragon"—three extraordinary lightness skills—in succession, he too would have been unable to ascend. Upon reaching the summit, he was immediately struck by a powerful wind, almost losing his balance. Sharp whistles of snowflakes and ice pellets lashed at him, choking him.

His vision blurred like a fog, when suddenly a white figure flashed by, and he heard a voice: "Is that Yun'er?"

The voice was barely audible, but Xie Yunyue recognized Master Mingliang's accent and exclaimed joyfully, "Master!"

Amidst the swirling snow, he felt two hands reach out and grasp his right wrist, pulling him forward with incredible force. In an instant, the wind and snow ceased, and he found himself in a warm, spring-like stone chamber. Looking up, Xie Yunyue saw that Master Mingliang appeared slightly older than before, but his expression remained solemn, with pity in his eyes. He couldn't help but kneel down, overwhelmed by an inexplicable feeling that brought tears to his eyes and made him choke up.

Master Mingliang kindly helped Xie Yunyue up and smiled, "Yun'er, how have you been these past six months?"

Xie Yunyue recounted the details, including the matter of Emei. Master Mingliang smiled and said, "Yun'er, congratulations on avenging your great enemy. This will comfort your parents' spirits in heaven. The matter of Emei is already settled and cannot be reversed. I do not wish to blame you deeply. I only hope that you will understand the will of Heaven, refrain from committing murder, and avoid following in your father's footsteps."

Xie Yunyue was startled and hurriedly said, "Disciple obeys." He looked around but couldn't see the figure of Master Wuliang. He wondered, "Where is Grandmaster Uncle?"

Upon hearing this, Master Mingliang's face immediately showed deep sorrow. He sighed and said, "After I returned to Chayun Cliff with your Grandmaster Uncle, it took him half a year to fully recover. However, during this period, his congenital evil gradually disappeared, and he gradually realized his mistakes. Not long after, Grandmaster Uncle and I accidentally discovered a handwritten edict left by your Grandmaster Uncle, which said: 'This old monk, Master Wuwei, claims to have subdued the Snow Mountain Demon Wei Xun, and it took him almost three years to imprison him on Chayun Cliff.'" In the underground cave, Wei Xun's skill was unparalleled. The old monk had told Wei Xun that he must not leave the cave for a hundred years, or he would surely die. He must wait until he had thoroughly understood Buddhist principles, and only after a hundred years could he leave. However, this old monk calculated that on the fifteenth of July this year, Wei Xun would definitely plot to leave the cave. My junior brother Wuliang is deeply gifted, but his evil is too great. In my lifetime, I have not been able to subdue him or diminish his power. To protect my junior brother Wuliang, I first made him realize his mistakes, that the sea of suffering is boundless, and that there is always a way back. Secondly, I secretly instructed him to stop Wei Xun from leaving the cave. Misfortune and fortune have no fixed gate; they are summoned by oneself. Whether one achieves peace or self-destruction depends entirely on your thoughts. "

When we discovered this edict, it was already dawn on the fifteenth of July. We felt a violent tremor in the underground cave. Your grand-uncle and I rushed there and saw that the stones on the ground of the underground cave had been blown away, revealing a large gap. "I was about to descend into the acupoint to stop Wei Xun, but your grand-uncle stopped me, saying, 'Brother Wuwei left instructions long ago; it is better to let me go.' I could not disobey, so your grand-uncle went into the acupoint. Three days later, the cave remained silent. Worried about your grand-uncle's safety, I flew down into the acupoint and saw Wei Xun and your grand-uncle sitting cross-legged facing each other, exchanging palm strikes in the air. Both were unleashing their full power, allowing no room for distraction. It seemed they were destined to suffer mutual injury."

Xie Yunyue exclaimed in surprise, "If you calculate it, the two have been exchanging palm strikes for half a month now. Has there still been no victor? Master, why didn't you think of helping your grand-uncle?"

Master Mingliang sighed, "How could I not have thought of this? But the two of them have formed a solid wall of energy, two zhang away, as hard as steel, making it impossible to reach them. I fear that if I were to help them, not only would Wei Xun be doomed, but your grand-uncle would also perish. That's why I'm at a loss. I've flown down into the cave three times a day to try and find a way to break through, but each time I have to retreat." As he spoke, Master Mingliang's worried expression grew even heavier. Xie

Yunyue thought for a moment and said, "Could you let me go down into the cave and try to find a good plan to eliminate Wei Xun?"

Master Mingliang pondered for a while before saying, "Very well, I will let you go down. But be careful not to act rashly, lest you accidentally harm your grand-uncle."

Xie Yunyue replied, "I understand." The two quickened their pace to the back cave ,

where they saw a gap about ten feet in diameter in the ground. Xie Yunyue stood at the edge of the cave, staring down into the darkness, unable to see anything. He couldn't help but ask, "Master, how deep is it from here to the bottom of the cave?"

Master Mingliang said, "About twenty feet. With your skill, it wouldn't be difficult for you to get out of the cave using the 'Ladder Cloud Leap' technique. Wei Xun could have gotten out, but he was intimidated by his master's warning and had doubts in his heart, so he missed his chance and was held back by your grand-uncle." "Saying this, he grabbed Xie Yunyue's wrist and leaped down.

He felt a gust of wind through his ears, and in an instant, they were both standing on the ground. Xie Yunyue stared intently, and vaguely saw two dark figures, like clay or wooden sculptures, sitting motionless opposite each other. The void brightened, and gradually they became clearer. Wei Xun, who had long dreamt of caves, had thick hair covering his head, face, hands, and feet, resembling an ape. His eyes emitted a chilling, deep green light, and his palms were pressed forward at chest level.

The Boundless Master also had his palms pushed forward, his eyes lowered, his expression solemn and grave. Xie Yunyue reached out and pushed slightly forward, feeling two opposing forces..." The force of the shock was immense, and he quickly withdrew his hand. In an instant, a thousand thoughts raced through his mind, trying to find a way to neutralize it. He felt he had never faced such a difficult situation in his life. He needed to both eliminate Wei Xun and protect the Boundless Master. He had no other options and was deeply troubled. Master Mingliang simply watched him intently, noticing Xie Yunyue's deep contemplation, and decided not to disturb him.
Suddenly, Xie Yunyue was struck by an idea, thinking to himself, "Why not use the 'Bodhi Palm Leaf Zen Technique'? It's formless and invisible, yet it can heal and harm enemies simply by channeling energy into one's mind?" "Having made up his mind, he quickly sat down cross-legged, silently reciting the incantation, immersing himself in it, and slowly

raised both palms. Master Mingliang was greatly surprised to see Xie Yunyue's actions, but the arrow was already on the bowstring and he had no choice but to wait and see how the situation would develop. Wei Xun suddenly felt a gentle breeze blowing over his body, and he couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart. He felt this gentle breeze gradually binding his body, becoming heavier and heavier, like a surging tide, heavier than a mountain. He also felt his blood and qi churning slightly, and he was terrified.

He glanced around and saw a young man pushing his palm towards him in the air. Terrified, he knew that if he didn't retaliate, he would surely die. Suddenly, a vicious thought of mutual destruction arose in his mind. He shouted loudly, and his right palm increased its power by twelve percent. He pushed towards Wuliang Shangren, while his left palm flew and spun, heading straight for Xie Yunyue. Xie Yunyue's body suddenly shook a few times, and he groaned." He remained seated, yet the immense pressure binding his entire body hadn't lessened; in fact, it seemed to have intensified.

Wei Xun was truly horrified. He hastily withdrew his right palm, changed his stance, and pushed both palms towards Xie Yunyue. Suddenly, a strange light flashed in Xie Yunyue's eyes, and he shot forward, forcefully thrusting downwards, instantly creating a whirlpool of energy within the cave. A loud tremor followed, and Wei Xun roared, tumbling over as Xie Yunyue was thrown to the ground.

Master Mingliang was greatly surprised. He saw the Boundless Master leaning against the wall, eyes closed, circulating his energy and regulating his breathing. Xie Yunyue lay on his back on the ground, a trickle of blood escaping from the corner of his mouth, his face normal, but he remained motionless. Wei Xun struggled to rise, but Master Mingliang leaped down in front of him, ready to strike. Wei Xun gave a bitter laugh: "I will soon depart for the underworld. Master, do you still wish to make a move?" Master Mingliang, still fearing a trap, did not withdraw his palm strike, his eyes fixed on Wei Xun.

Wei Xun gave another bitter laugh and said, "The old monk Wuwei is truly a divine monk. He predicted that I would not be able to wait a hundred years. He said that as long as I harbored any delusions, I would surely die. Indeed, his words came true. I can die in peace." He paused and asked, "Who are you to the monk Wuwei?"

Master Mingliang replied, "The Venerable Wuwei is my master."

Wei Xun then pointed to Xie Yunyue and asked, "And him?"

Master Mingliang said in a deep voice, "My disciple."

Wei Xun exclaimed, "The old monk is truly a divine being! I, Wei Xun, am truly foolish beyond measure!" He spat out a mouthful of blood, collapsed to the ground, and gave a bitter laugh, saying, "

The old monk once said that Wei Xun would die at the hands of his grand-disciple, and it was indeed true. I thought that apart from the old monk, I had no equal in the world, but who would have thought... However, your disciple is also beyond saving, which is enough to avenge both of us, and I can die in peace." After saying this, he spat out another mouthful of blood, his head tilted to the side, and he died. Immediately, the sound of chanting rose in the cave...

URL 1:https://www.sexlove5.com/htmlBlog/15360.html

URL 2:/Blog.aspx?id=15360&aspx=1

Last access time:

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

Next Page : Ten Years of Lone Sword and Vast Sea Alliance [Complete] - Chapter 28 (End)

增加

comment Open a new window to view comments

Contact Information

Ten Years of Lone Sword and Vast Sea Alliance [Complete] - 27

comment Open a new window to view comments