Ten Years of Lone Sword and Vast Sea Alliance [Complete] - 10

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

Chapter Ten: Midnight Raid - Two Heroes Take Action.

The two swords, "Heavenly Horse Galloping" and "Thunder Chasing Wind," were neatly concealed in a long, rattan box, resembling a zither case, by Yu Yun. Both were dressed in heavy furs and brocade robes, disguised as wealthy young masters and ladies, and strolled lightly along a side path onto the main road. The past two days had been fine; although the sun wasn't shining brightly, the snow had stopped and the wind was gentle, the chill not too biting—rarely seen weather during the Lunar New Year. However, the roads were muddy and difficult to traverse. Their shoes and socks were soaked with melted snow.

They were heading towards Qi County. The main road was bustling with people offering New Year's greetings, with a constant flow of travelers. Occasionally, there were also martial arts figures on horseback, but no one noticed that Yu Yun was the man who had recently become famous throughout Shanxi. They were only attracted by the handsome figures of the two men, who couldn't help but cast a few extra glances or let out a few unpleasant laughs. No accidents occurred along the way.

The journey from Jinci to Qixian was only twenty or thirty li, a two-hour walk for an average person. The two stopped at a small inn. The waiter mistook them for a newlywed couple and led them into a private room. After the waiter left, Yu Yun laughed heartily. Gu Yan blushed and glared at him. Usually so generous, she seemed shy and bashful in this situation.

Seeing her expression, Yu Yun knew she had misunderstood his laughter. He straightened his expression and said, "Sister Wen, I've been pretending to be a poor scholar for almost half a year, wearing that human skin mask every day. I'm getting tired of it. Today I've returned to my true self, so of course I'm happy to laugh."

Gu Yan stared at him, noticing him gazing out the window, lost in thought. She couldn't help but laugh, "Brother Yun, was the sword technique you used against the Qingfeng Gang yesterday the 'One Becomes Six' move from the Tai Chi sword technique?" Yu Yun turned and nodded with a smile, saying, "

That's exactly it. Although it's a light and airy sword strike, it contains boundless ingenuity and power. Not only is it flawless, but each of the six opponents recognized it as their weapon. And indeed, it is. This sword technique appears slow on the outside, but it is incredibly fast in reality. It uses feints and real attacks interchangeably. The biggest difference is that it can defeat many opponents with few. The potential unleashed by the sword technique forces everyone to shift positions and change locations. After three or four moves, they lose their footing and can even fight each other. It's truly ingenious."

Miss Gu sincerely believed him, but said, "That's just your boasting. How come I didn't feel such wonder when I practiced this sword technique the other day?"

Yu Yun smiled slightly and said, "That's because your skill is insufficient. Try it a few more times, and you'll see its power. The other day, my brother and sister Wen opened up the Ren and Du meridians, which was equivalent to doubling our skill. With diligent practice of meditation, you'll definitely achieve some success in less than three months." After saying this, there was a long silence. He saw Miss Gu's beautiful eyes fixed on him, full of amusement.

Miss Gu knew perfectly well that this was true and there was no need to ask further; she had only said this to hide her earlier embarrassment. Their eyes met, and they seemed to be communicating. After a long while, the girl finally spoke, "Brother Yun, I really don't understand. Your two sworn brothers are both highly renowned figures in the martial arts world. How come they stood by and watched you make a move? Now that we're heading south to Luoyang, how can they not ask?"

Yu Yun laughed loudly, "Don't tell me you don't understand the reason; anyone who sees this would be astonished. But frankly, there's nothing to it. I made a vow with them long ago that I would never allow them to interfere unless I asked them to, understand?"

Miss Gu chuckled and shook her head, saying, "Such unfortunate brothers are rare indeed." "

The girl was dressed exceptionally beautifully today; a light green tight-fitting jacket and trousers, plus a dark black cloak. She was already beautiful, but this only accentuated her delicate charm. In short, she looked good in both light and heavy makeup, leaving Yu Yun speechless. The girl glanced at Yu Yun a few times. Suddenly, there was a flurry of footsteps and a commotion in the shop, as if people were coming towards their room. The door opened with a creak, revealing the next room with at least four or five people. Judging from their tone and gait, they were clearly江湖 figures.

The two listened intently, and heard a shrill voice say, 'What the hell! They sent us on a mission right at the start of the new year, and now that they've vanished without a trace, they're coming with this belated attack? Do you think we can handle this? The Gongmen Duo are really pathetic, cowering like cowards in front of them, and now they're using their power to boast about capturing that Yu guy. They're such a bunch of idiots.'"

Suddenly, a very loud voice said, "Tian Yu, you also have a fiery temper. The two heroes of the Gongmen were discouraged and dared not fight against the man surnamed Yu. You didn't see it with your own eyes, so how do you know?" Yu

and Yun looked at each other and laughed. Their high-pitched voices rose again: "Hmph, Old Master Cai told me this himself, so it must be true. To be honest, the martial arts of that man surnamed Yu are truly amazing." The fact that only the leader, Pu Hong, survived among the six masters of the Qingfeng Gang, while the other five were all killed by sword strikes, is a shocking story in the contemporary martial arts world. It's a rare occurrence. Master Cai said that the man surnamed Yu only used three sword strikes in total…”

“What? Only three sword strikes…”

“Heh, nobody expected that, with Master Cai's high skill, he couldn't even discern the sect or sword style of the man surnamed Yu…”

“Truly a wonder…”

“The first sword strike forced all six members of the Qingfeng Gang back. The second sword strike severed all their weapons with Yu's sword. The third sword strike, except for Pu Hong, separated his head from his shoulder. Master Cai said it seems that the man surnamed Yu didn't intend to kill Pu Hong; otherwise, he would still be alive.”

“The Gongmen Duo were also present at the time; why didn't they intervene?” "

Master Cai said that the two heroes of the palace were also terrified at the time. They said a few polite words and left. This morning, they heard that the Nine-Fingered Elder and the Qiankun Hand of the Beggar Clan rode north. They remembered that the seventeen brothers who came with them had mysteriously struck acupoints on people. Apart from the one surnamed Yu, no one else had such high skill. The more they thought about it, the more suspicious they became. The two heroes went to Jinci Temple. Not only was the one surnamed Yu nowhere to be found, but even the abbot of Jinci Temple, the skillful Kunlun, had vanished into thin air. So they sent orders to Guanzhong and Yanyun Green Forest Road to find out where the one surnamed Yu was hiding before making a move. We are unlucky to have stumbled upon such a good job. Damn it..."

Another voice said, "Old Tian, don't be so upset. We have food and drink. What more could you want? Just don't cause any trouble on the way. I guarantee you won't be wrong. After three cups of Huangyang wine, my old problem has flared up. If we encounter the one surnamed Yu, don't say that my brothers are useless. Even if we go to the top of the mountain, we will suffer in vain." The conversation in that room eventually revolved around women, causing Yu Yun and his companion to frown. Yu Yun quietly asked the young lady, "Let's not use the name Yu Yun anymore. It's best not to make a move along the way. We'll rent a mule cart first thing tomorrow morning and head straight to Luoyang; it'll be more discreet and safer."

The young lady smiled sweetly and said, "That's up to you. I only wish to rescue my poor mother as soon as possible... What name do you want to use now? Would you like to use your original name, Xie Yunyue?" Xie Yunyue nodded and smiled.

At this moment, the waiter knocked on the door and peeked in, asking, "Young master, would you like to eat now?"

Xie Yunyue glanced at the sky outside the window; dusk was deepening, and the room was gradually darkening. He then called to the waiter, "Bring in the food and light a lamp for us." The waiter nodded repeatedly, bowed, and took his leave.

A moment later, the waiter returned with a red candlestick in his left hand and two layers of food boxes in his right, smiling broadly. The girl saw two red paper cutouts on the food plates, one saying "Good fortune and happiness" and the other "Harmony and prosperity," the kind of auspicious phrases business people used to wish for good luck during festivals. The girl blushed upon seeing them.

Xie Yunyue smiled slightly. After the waiter had placed the wine and dishes, he reached into his pocket and took out a silver ingot, about ten taels, saying, "Shopkeeper, thank you so much. This ingot is for you to buy wine."

The waiter grinned widely, saying he dared not accept it, but his hands wouldn't listen, and he reached out to take it and stuffed it into his pocket. The girl saw this and couldn't help but laugh heartily. Fearing that the waiter would be embarrassed, Xie Yunyue added, "Shopkeeper, could you please find me a mule cart tomorrow to go directly to Luoyang? I can give you a little extra money. Thank you for your trouble." The waiter readily agreed, thanked him profusely, and left the room, gently closing the door

behind him. The girl laughed again, and the two drank and chatted, talking about humorous things and laughing heartily. From the next room, a shrill voice rang out again, shouting, "Waiter!" The voice was high-pitched and hoarse, extremely grating.

The waiter responded with a long shout and rushed over. In a low, shrill voice, he asked the waiter, "Who is in the next room?"

The waiter stammered, "It's a young couple."

A shrill voice replied, "Go back, this is none of your business." The waiter slunk away.

Xie Yunyue's brows furrowed. Another voice rose from the next room: "Brother Tian, you'd better not cause trouble. If the boss finds out, we won't be able to cover for you."

The shrill voice chuckled, "Anyway, I only glanced at it; it won't do me any harm." Then, footsteps echoed outside. Xie Yunyue's eyes flashed. He abruptly stood up, his toes barely touching the door. Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

"Who is it? Come in," Xie Yunyue said with a cold smile.

The door opened, revealing a man in black, with a shifty face and weasel-like eyes. He seemed to think Xie Yunyue was an easy target, given his scholarly appearance, and strode in. Xie Yunyue blocked the way with both hands, angrily saying, "Your Excellency has no reason to trespass into our home. What are you trying to do?"

The shrew-faced man glanced at the girl, his eyes flashing with a strange light. Hearing this, he sneered, "We're here to hunt down a fugitive. We're just checking if he's hiding in this house. What's with this poor fellow's

arrogance?" Xie Yunyue sneered again, "Oh, so you're sent by the local government to investigate a case. My apologies." Suddenly, his face darkened, and he said sternly, "Do you have any arrest warrants? Show them to me."

The shrew-faced man suddenly froze, then sneered, "Look at you, poor fellow, trying to scare people. Let me tell you the truth, I'm not from the Six Doors, but Tian Yu, the leader of the Green Forest Road under Lou Jingde, the Flying Pigeon..." Before he could finish speaking, a burly man swaggered in from outside the door and grabbed Tian Yu's wrist.

The burly man smiled at Xie Yunyue and said, "My brother Tian, please forgive my rudeness after a few drinks." He then whispered to Tian Yu, "The chief has arrived and is at the Sanxing Inn. Hurry up and go." Upon hearing this, Tian Yu's face changed color, and he hurriedly followed the burly man out.

Inside the next room, there was a flurry of footsteps as they walked out of the inn, gradually fading into silence. Xie Yunyue turned to Miss Gu and said, "This Lou Jingde has set up a shop here, how come I've never heard of him?"

The girl giggled and said, "You're supposed to be a renowned hero, yet Lou Jingde runs a kiln on Xiong'er Mountain in Henan."

Xie Yunyue suddenly realized, "So that's the strange one from Xiong'er—humph, I'll find out his purpose here."

The girl playfully scolded, "Look, why are you thinking about this again? They're chasing Yu Yun, not you, Xie Yunyue."

Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "Although I don't want to get involved, I can't just leave them wondering why they're chasing Yu Yun—I'll be right back—" With that, he went out the window.

Miss Gu rested her chin on her hand. Staring out the window, lost in thought, she was filled with melancholy and a mix of emotions. Her sorrow wasn't for Xie Yunyue's absence, but for her poor mother, whom she had suffered so much for. She worried whether her mother, having arrived at Longmen, was still alive. She feared the rumors might be false; if her mother had succumbed to the torment and abuse and died, her hopes would be dashed. Tears welled in her eyes, and she sighed deeply. Suddenly, the red candle flickered, a gentle breeze brushed her face, and the girl looked up to see Xie Yunyue returning. Her smile vanished

. Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "Wenmei, why are you secretly grieving here all alone?" Though he said this, a trace of worry appeared on his face.

The young woman, quick-witted and clever, blinked her beautiful eyes and asked, "Brother Yun, something seems off about you. What is it?"

Xie Yunyue sighed softly and said, "I never imagined the Gongmen Duo would be so cunning. After we left Jinci, they rode north, secretly following our sworn brothers Cang Xi and Lei Xiaotian, trying to find Yu Yun's whereabouts from them..." His tone implied that Yu Yun was someone else entirely, and a slight, pleased smile appeared on his face. He continued, "The Gongmen Duo estimated that Yu Yun was heading south to Luoyang. They ordered flying pigeons to search for Yu Yun's trail. This proves that the Gongmen Duo are shrewd and cunning, with exceptional foresight, and are certain that Yu Yun has gone south to Guanzhong..."

The young woman continued ... She asked, "Since they predicted it, why didn't they come themselves? Instead, they went north, which only widened the gap further."

Xie Yunyue laughed, "That's what makes him so remarkable. They come from Shaolin, and Mount Song is in Henan, near Guanzhong. Since they've betrayed their master, going there would be like throwing themselves into the tiger's den. So he secretly ordered Lou Jingde not to act rashly if he discovered Yu Yun's whereabouts, but to immediately report to the capital. The Yan-Yun area is all under their control. They devised a plan to capture Brother Cang Lei and then spread rumors to lure Yu Yun to the capital. Just think how vicious that plan is!"

The girl pondered for a moment and asked, "Did they actually discover that you and Cang Lei are sworn brothers?"

Xie Yunyue shook his head and said, "That's not necessarily true. When the Gongmen Shuangjie and the Yeren Mountain Master came to Jinci, Cang... " Lei Er then changed his address to "Hero Yu," partly to guard against a potential threat, but their intuition told them that Yu Yun must have a deep relationship with Cang Lei, which alone was a very useful clue.

The young woman said, moved, "These two do have some merit, but you don't need to worry about your sworn brother. It's a long journey; with their extensive experience in the martial world, they wouldn't be oblivious. Besides, your second brother is a notoriously mischievous and clever fellow; nothing can be hidden from him. Brother Cang is a highly skilled and respected elder of the Beggars' Sect. In any case, the two heroes of the Gongmen won't fare well. As long as they haven't confirmed your actions, you don't need to worry."

Xie Yunyue pondered for a moment and said, "I don't care about my two sworn brothers..." "What I'm worried about is that my two sworn brothers have agreed to wait for us at the home of Wei Pingluo, Saihua Tuo, in Changping. What if the Gongmen Shuangjie (Two Heroes of the Palace Gate) targets the two young men of the Fu family?"

Upon hearing this, the girl indeed became a little anxious. Her bright, clear eyes darted around, and she suddenly clapped her hands, laughing, "I've got it! Don't you have the Beggars' Sect's token? There must be members of the Beggars' Sect within Qi County. We just need to find someone agile and quick to go to Changping and inform the Fu family to temporarily retreat elsewhere. Wouldn't that solve the problem? Cang Xi and his companion will definitely linger around on their journey, and the person you send will surely arrive soon."

Xie Yunyue secretly praised the girl's meticulous thinking and laughed, "How come I didn't think of this? This is a good idea." He then clapped his hands heavily several times and called for the waiter. The waiter smiled and went into the room.

Xie Yunyue said, "Shopkeeper, today is the second day of the Lunar New Year. Every year, the young master gives a little something to the beggars at home, and this year is no exception. You could find four or five beggars outside the shop to make it festive."

The waiter nodded in agreement, turned around and walked out the door, thinking to himself, "What a young master! He has money to burn, yet he insists on spending it on beggars. So naive, so naive."

Gu Yanwen saw the waiter leave and laughed, "Did you see Flying Pigeon Lou Jingde at the Three Star Inn?"

Xie Yunyue shook his head—the Three Star Inn was just two streets away from where they were staying. Xie Yunyue went out the window, crossed two rooftops, and landed on the main street. There were few pedestrians on the street, but every household had red lanterns hanging, casting a pale red glow on the street, and the sound of firecrackers rose and fell.

He asked a passerby for directions to the Three Star Inn and walked slowly towards it. Although the north wind wasn't as biting as it had been a few days ago, the night was still bitterly cold. The snow on the road hadn't completely melted, and occasionally, patches of grayish-white snow could be

seen at the corners of walls. Because of the wet, muddy ground, he carefully chose his steps. From time to time, he could faintly hear shouts of gambling and children's laughter coming from the houses along the street. After turning two corners, he saw the third house on the left with two large oil-paper lanterns hanging above the entrance, bearing the four characters "Three Star Inn" in red ink. He was pondering how to enter when he suddenly saw the weasel-faced man who called himself Tian Yu emerge from the gate and hurry towards him.

A thought struck him, and he ducked behind the wall. Tian Yu seemed unaware that Xie Yunyue was standing there. He walked past, but Xie Yunyue suddenly appeared behind Tian Yu, lightly patting him on the back and saying, "Hey, friend Tian, please wait a moment. I have something to ask you."

Even with Tian Yu's exceptional courage, he was terrified. He rushed forward two steps and turned around, but the person behind him followed like a shadow, less than a foot away. When he finally saw the person's face, Tian Yu couldn't help but shudder. He thought to himself, "I was blind and didn't recognize a great man. I heard a girl's sweet voice from the next room for no reason, and I couldn't resist knocking on her door. Seeing that she was young, weak, and easy to bully, I stepped in. If my companion hadn't pulled me back in time... This person's agility is far superior to mine, not to mention his martial arts skills. If my companion hadn't restrained my wrist..." He had already suffered a loss then, and now, still anxious about the girl inside, he came out again... Unexpectedly, he ran into him again. He hadn't expected him to be a martial arts expert. Serves him right for being unlucky. What should he do...?

When one feels guilty, and is then preemptively attacked, it's as if a scar has been branded on one's soul. No matter how powerful one's skills, at this moment, one is always at a disadvantage in terms of conscience. Tian Yu, who usually kills without blinking an eye, felt a chill run down his spine, his eyes wide with fear and confusion. Xie Yunyue stared at his face, only smiling. Tian Yu saw that behind the smile lay boundless killing intent.

Tian Yu couldn't help but open his mouth and scream, as if trying to alert his accomplices in the Three Star Inn to come to his rescue. But he only managed to utter a sound wave. Xie Yunyue was quick; two fingers flew out and struck Tian Yu's Adam's apple acupoint. Suddenly, Tian Yu was still shouting with his mouth open, but no sound came out. Then, Tian Yu's eyes turned pleading. Xie Yunyue sneered, "Your Excellency courted death, no wonder I was ruthless." With a flick of his wrist, he grabbed Tian Yu's wrist and dragged him into the dark alley. Tian Yu followed involuntarily, but his acupoints were restricted, rendering his rare and extraordinary skills useless. His whole body ached and numb, and large beads of sweat appeared on his face.

The alley was eerily dark. Xie Yunyue suddenly released his grip with three fingers and struck Tian Yu's "Jade Pillow" acupoint on the back of his head, releasing his speech. Tian Yu felt a moment of dizziness, but his mind cleared quickly. Xie Yunyue laughed, "Why don't you speak? Perhaps you disdain my closeness?"

Tian Yu saw Xie Yunyue's eyes, which seemed like electric torches in the darkness, emitting a captivating light. He shivered again and forced a voice, "Just now in the inn, I was drunk and acted recklessly. My ignorant offense deserved to die..."

"That's no need to mention it..." Xie Yunyue waved his hand to stop him from continuing, then said, "However, there is another matter I wish to ask you."

Tian Yu's heart finally settled, his tense nerves instantly relaxing, and he unconsciously let out a long sigh of relief, but he was secretly surprised, thinking, "This is strange, what does he want to ask me?" He then said, "How dare I? Please speak freely, sir. As long as I know the answer, I will tell you."

Xie Yunyue smiled slightly and said, "You must be a subordinate of Elder Lou, the master of Xiong'er Mountain, right? I have long admired Elder Lou's chivalrous spirit and righteousness." "Your martial arts are unparalleled, I greatly admire you."

Tian Yu straightened his back and said, "I am indeed a subordinate of Elder Lou. May I ask what business you have with me?" Xie Yunyue smiled again and said, "Just now, I overheard you saying that your elder brother, following the orders of the Two Heroes of the Palace Gate, wants to arrest a man named Yu Yun. He hopes you can put in a good word for me."

Tian Yu couldn't help but exclaim in shock, taking a step back, and said, "This is a matter within our own gang. Due to the rules of the gang, it cannot be disclosed. This... I am extremely reluctant to tell you." Although she was very elegant, her voice trembled.

Xie Yunyue sneered, saying, "Your words are inconsistent. Don't you know the methods of the Strange-Handed Scholar..."

Upon hearing this, Tian Yu felt an indescribable chill rise from his heart again. He had now recognized who the other party was and exclaimed, "You are Yu..."

Xie Yunyue said in a deep voice, "That's right. You should now tell me the details, and I might spare your life." Tian Yu, drawing courage from who-knows-where, suddenly thrust out a palm and turned to flee.

Greed often extinguishes conscience and fear, and Tian Yu was no exception at this moment. He thought to himself: Yu Yun is right in front of me. The old master still wants to send the four branch leaders of Gan to investigate separately, which is unnecessary. If I inform the old master, wouldn't that be a great achievement? With greed in mind, he forgot the immediate danger, thrust out a palm, and then turned and fled.

Tian Yu had only darted two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters) when a chilling, sinister laugh rang in his ears. He felt an overwhelming, powerful suction force pulling him back, his feet tumbling forward. Any resistance was futile; he couldn't muster a single ounce of strength. Terrified, he suddenly stopped. Xie Yunyue's hand was pressed against his back. Xie Yunyue said, "You dare to try and escape to report back to Lou Jingde? You're asking for trouble. My right hand only needs a little more force now. Think carefully, is it worth not answering?" Tian Yu, having given up on escape, revealed the conspiracy of the two heroes of the palace—the very conspiracy Xie Yunyue had told Gu.

Xie Yunyue recounted the events to Gu and smiled slightly. Gu, wide-eyed, asked, "You only tell half the story. What happened to Tian Yu afterward?"

Xie Yunyue raised an eyebrow and laughed, "It's better not to tell what kind of retribution a villain like him deserves." Gu, knowing Tian Yu's chances were slim, didn't ask further.

A moment later, the waiter led a group of beggars to the door. Xie Yunyue immediately noticed a middle-aged beggar among them, whose eyes shone brightly, suggesting he possessed considerable internal strength. Xie Yunyue ordered the waiter to buy some necessities for the journey. The waiter reluctantly agreed and left. No shops were open on the second day of the Lunar New Year, but the customer needed them, and Xie Yunyue, greedy for tips, grumbled and scrambled to get what he wanted.

Xie Yunyue kept only the middle-aged beggar, giving each of the others two taels of silver as a reward before sending them away. Afterward, he instructed the middle-aged beggar on how to proceed and took out a gold ingot for travel expenses. The middle-aged beggar kowtowed and hurried away. A short while later, the waiter returned empty-handed, explaining that he hadn't been able to buy the necessary items. Xie Yunyue smiled and thanked him, and the young lady rewarded the shopkeeper with two silver ingots.

That very night, two masked men crept into Xie Yunyue's room. When they were still five feet from the bed, the two masked men, swords pointed downwards, suddenly lunged forward and thrust their swords into the bed. A cry of "Ouch!" was heard. The night was deep, and the cold wind rustled against the window paper. In a small inn in Qixian County, Xie Yunyue and Gu Yanwen were sleeping soundly in the same bed, each under separate blankets. Several faint noises came from the roof tiles. Martial arts practitioners have keen senses, and the two immediately realized that a night intruder was approaching.

They had been sleeping fully clothed, but as soon as the blankets were thrown back, they simultaneously leaped from the bed, disappearing into a corner without making a sound—a testament to their exceptional lightness of movement. The room was pitch black, so dark that one could not see their own hand in front of their face. The two held their breath, waiting for the intruder to arrive. In Shanxi, most houses have windows that are long, two-sectioned, with the upper section extended outwards and supported by wooden strips. During the harsh winter, these long windows are usually lowered to prevent the cold wind from blowing in.

Suddenly, the window sill made a soft "creak," and the window sash slowly extended outwards a little. It seemed the thief was extremely cautious, taking advantage of the two people inside's considerable martial arts skills to proceed so slowly and steadily. When the window was about two feet open, presumably the thief had planned to support it with the wooden strips beforehand, Xie Yunyue saw a hand shadow hold

the strips in place. The girl's hand moved, three fingers gripping a coin, ready to strike, but the hand shadow retracted. There was no movement outside for a long time, and the girl hesitated to throw the coin. A gust of cold wind rushed in through the window, and the indoor temperature plummeted. The two, having just emerged from their warm blankets, felt an intense chill seep into their bones. Seeing no movement inside, the thief outside grew bolder. Two dark figures flashed in, their faces veiled by black scarves. Swords extended, they stealthily approached the bed, the atmosphere tense and terrifying. When

the bandits were five feet from the bed, they launched a sudden attack. Swords flashed, and the two bandits lunged forward, their bodies swooping down. Two sharp "cracks" were heard, and their swords were embedded in the bed frame. Realizing what had happened, the two bandits turned and darted away. "Ouch!" one of the bandits cried out in pain as he fell to the ground with a thud. A coin from the girl had struck him squarely in the bone.

The other bandit, realizing the danger and unable to see where his opponent was in the darkness, knew escape was the best option. His mind raced, and he lunged forward, trying to break through the window. But as soon as he leaped, he heard a chilling voice: "Come back." He felt as if his feet were bound by steel hoops, the pain excruciating. Pulled and pushed, he crashed into the wall, seeing stars before his eyes, and fainted.

With a whoosh, the fire extinguisher ignited, lighting the red candle on the table. The girl used her toe to lift the veils covering the two thieves' faces, and after a closer look, she couldn't help but cry out in surprise. The wounded thief glared with strange eyes and sneered, "Miss Gu, now you know, my brother didn't treat you badly. It's one thing if you dislike him, but it's not enough to make you so ruthless as to actually kill him. That's good. Let us go..."

The young woman's eyebrows shot up, and she slapped him hard, saying hatefully, "Your thieving brother is worse than a beast! He has repeatedly made lewd gestures in front of me. He deserves to die! And you still have the nerve to seek revenge for him? Tonight, I'll grant you a whole corpse, so you won't be left to harm others in

this world." With that, she was about to strike his vital point. Xie Yunyue, though unaware of the details, knew roughly what was going on from their conversation. Seeing the young woman about to kill them, he hurriedly said, "Wait! How can we harm anyone in this inn?" He stepped forward, patted the thief on the shoulder, and said, "Friend, you'd better leave now. Next time we meet, things won't be as easy as tonight."

At this moment, the unconscious thief gradually awoke, got up, and was about to curse when Xie Yunyue suddenly appeared before him, placed his hand on the thief's shoulder, and laughed, "Friend, please don't open your mouth. While my mind hasn't changed, get out of here."

The thief glared angrily, swallowed his words, chuckled coldly, and turned back, saying, "Second brother, let's go!" He then leaped out of the window. The

girl sat on the edge of the bed, sobbing, seemingly overwhelmed with grievance. Xie Yunyue stroked her and comforted her with a smile, "Wenmei, are you angry that your foolish brother let the two thieves go? Actually, a hundred paces from them is the gates of hell. What are you worried about?"

Hearing this, the girl's tears dried, and she burst out laughing, saying, "You're truly a man who kills without shedding blood."

Xie Yunyue said, "I call this eliminating evil completely." With that, he bent down and pulled the two swords stuck in the bed board; the two thieves must have used all their strength, for the piercings were deep enough.

Seeing that Xie Yunyue remained silent and wouldn't ask about the two thieves, the girl was about to speak, but Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "Sister Wen, I can guess most of it without you saying it. Telling you would only confuse you. What good could these lewd people possibly do? Just the crime of breaking into someone's home at night is enough to warrant death, let alone anything else."

Seeing that he was stopping her from revealing the details, the girl knew he didn't want to dredge up her painful memories. She smiled sweetly, then removed all her clothes, revealing her naked and beautiful body. She was expressing her gratitude for Xie Yunyue's love with her body. Xie Yunyue quickly removed his clothes. The two had already made love many times; they didn't need any words, their understanding was perfect.

Before Gu Yanwen was even properly positioned, Xie Yunyue immediately stood in front of the bed, forcefully grabbing her heels and placing her legs wide open in the crooks of her forearms. With a deep breath, his large member thrust forward forcefully, like a javelin, quickly penetrating Gu Yanwen's tender flower core, leaving an inch outside. Gu Yanwen felt a strong thrust from Xie Yunyue's large penis, as if her core had been sunk inwards, and it felt warm, tingling, and incredibly comfortable. She couldn't help but exclaim, "Brother Yun, this is wonderful!"

She then began thrusting her tender opening with vigorous abandon. Gu Yanwen thrust her breasts upwards, her breasts trembling with each movement, truly alluring. Xie Yunyue, experienced in this area, began with a steady, methodical "nine shallow thrusts followed by one deep one" technique, while simultaneously regulating his breathing to ensure a prolonged battle. Soon, Gu Yanwen's juices flowed freely, splashing everywhere with each thrust.

Gu Yanwen felt her opening completely filled by Xie Yunyue's large penis, not only leaving no space but also feeling incredibly swollen. Each time he thrust shallowly until she felt a pleasant itch, he would deliver a powerful thrust. This "nine shallow thrusts followed by one deep one" technique was truly exhilarating and pleasurable for her. Xie Yunyue slightly raised his hands, making her tender orifice dangle in the air, then thrust in hard and forcefully, pounding her with deadly accuracy, each thrust reaching the very bottom, making Gu Yanwen tremble.

"Ouch...ouch...Brother Yun...I...ouch...you're killing me...my little hole...my little hole feels so good...good baby...Brother Yun...mmm...your baby is so big...it feels so good...so good..."

Xie Yunyue cupped her full buttocks with both hands, making her tender orifice protrude even more, preparing to use his ultimate move to "serve" her well. With each withdrawal, he would pull his large penis completely out of her orifice, and when he thrust it in, he used a thunderous strike, using all his strength to thrust it all the way in. After reaching the bottom, he would thrust forcefully at the center of her orifice. This was a move called "Farewell Gaze," the ultimate move among ultimate moves, and the girl was almost brought to tears by this move.

"Oh...oh...oh...ouch...ouch...God...I...I...ouch...I've never felt this good before...ouch...brother...Yun-ge...what's this move called...ouch...wonderful..."

Xie Yunyue laughed and said, "Wen-mei, it feels good, doesn't it? This move is called 'Farewell Gaze,' do you enjoy it?"

Gu Yanwen was already trembling with pleasure, her nostrils flaring, her eyes slightly narrowed, and her cherry lips slightly parted. Her expression was truly mesmerizing. She hummed softly, "What a beautiful farewell gaze." Xie

Yunyue thrust harder and harder, each stroke steady and powerful, each rotation pushing deeper into her clitoris, intent on making her climax quickly. Gu Yanwen was overwhelmed by this onslaught, unable to retaliate or even parry; she was now completely on the defensive. She could no longer move, only her juices flowing freely. She was starting to feel dizzy, and Xie Yunyue seized the opportunity to launch a fierce attack, thrusting, rotating, and pounding relentlessly, again and again, relentlessly working on her.

Gu Yanwen was thoroughly enjoying herself, and she cried out, "Oh... Brother Yun... I... I'm really going to die from this... I can't take it anymore... Oh... How come it's so fast... I'm about to climax... Mmm... It's both sore and tingly... Oh... Brother Yun... I feel so good... My clitoris is numb and tingly..." " Oh...oh...I'm going to cum again...I feel so good...I can't take it anymore..." Upon hearing her moans, Xie Yunyue thrust even harder.

A moment later, Gu Yanwen's moans rang in his ears again: "Oh...good brother...you...you're so amazing...oh...it's so sore and tingly...oh...I can't take it anymore..."

Her juices flowed freely, and Xie Yunyue became more and more vigorous with each thrust. In less than half an hour, Gu Yanwen had cummed three times. She groaned, "Brother Yun...you...you're so capable...I...I'm so weak from cumming...you...why aren't you cumming yet...oh...oh...Brother Yun...let's try something different...oh...let's try something different..."

Xie Yunyue nodded and said, "Okay, let's do 'Picking Stars Under the Moon'." He flipped Gu Yanwen over, making her stand facing the bed, then told her to lie on her stomach so they could play and rest at the same time. Her lower body should stand in front of the bed, her buttocks raised high.

Xie Yunyue patted her buttocks, laughing, "Wenmei, your buttocks are so beautiful, so white and elastic." Then he grabbed her breasts with both hands, and his large penis entered her tender hole through her buttocks, beginning another battle.

Each time Xie Yunyue thrust forward, his lower abdomen touched her soft, elastic round buttocks, making him feel incredibly comfortable. He then vigorously thrust again, the whole bed creaking and groaning. Soon, her juices gushed out again, and Xie Yunyue's thrusts became even smoother, his large penis sliding in and out like "riding the waves." Her juices flowed down Gu Yanwen's legs, covering the floor.

Gu Yanwen was driven to the brink of ecstasy by this "plucking stars under the moon" technique. She felt a tightness and depth, her pores standing on end, and she couldn't help but moan: "Good...good...ouch...ouch...harder...harder...yes...yes...ouch...fuck my little hole...uh...Brother Yun...you're going to tear my breasts...ouch...be gentle...let go...it will hurt...uh..."

Soon, Gu Yanwen cried out again: "Brother Yun...ouch...I'm going to...I'm going to cum again...ouch...I can't take it...I can't take it...I'm going to cum to death...I'll faint from pleasure...uh...my little hole is torn...you've torn it...ouch..."

Xie Yunyue had been working on her for nearly an hour and was feeling a little tired himself. Hearing her cry out like this, he said: "Alright, let's rest for a bit." Xie Yunyue then reached out and gently stroked her full breasts, caressing them little by little from her nipples to her breasts, full of tenderness and affection. Gu Yanwen also reached her hand back to Xie Yunyue's drooping testicles, gently stroking and kneading them, giving Xie Yunyue a strange pleasure.

Even during their truce, the two continued to share the pleasure of caressing. After a brief pause, Gu Yanwen knew she had already ejaculated too much and needed to finish quickly, or she would collapse. So she slowly and gently twisted her plump, round buttocks, thrusting repeatedly. Xie Yunyue responded to her thrusts, gently penetrating her. Then Gu Yanwen pushed her hips back forcefully, allowing Xie Yunyue's penis to penetrate deeper and more powerfully, so that the glans could intimately touch her tight, hot vaginal opening. She was so satisfied tonight, and she said happily and affectionately, "Brother Yun, thank you." After saying that, her vaginal opening gently bit the glans.

Xie Yunyue felt an unparalleled pleasure, and he quickly increased the intensity of his thrusting, the "plop, plop" sounds echoing continuously. Gu Yanwen shook and thrust violently, her breasts trembling incessantly, the waves of milky blooms stirring the heart and soul. Xie Yunyue became even more excited, and his penis thrust even harder. Gu Yanwen's two thick labia kept turning in and out.

The girl was close to climaxing again, constantly crying out, "Brother Yun...so beautiful...it feels so good...you're fucking me...fucking me to death...it feels so good...I...so good...faster...a little harder...ouch...ouch...I can't take it anymore..." Her tender hole kept pushing backward.

Xie Yunyue also felt the pleasure coming, his big penis finally trembled slightly, and his spine began to ache. He knew he was about to ejaculate, and finally he shouted, "It's coming out." Hot and thick semen shot straight into her flower core.

It was so hot that Gu Yanwen cried out, "ouch...it feels so good...it's so hot...ouch...my...my vaginal core is numb...so sore...ouch..." Her whole body twisted like a snake, and Xie Yunyue's big penis was almost twisted off.

The battle finally ended, and the two of them embraced each other weakly on the bed.

The next morning, when they woke up, they couldn't help but blush and their hearts raced when they thought about the fierce battle of the night before. The innkeeper found a mule cart with an oil-painted carpet and knocked on the door. Upon seeing the scene outside, he was stunned. The girl giggled, "Innkeeper, there was a thief last night, but we chased him away. You didn't know, did you? I'll compensate you for the loss."

The innkeeper muttered, "No way, how could I possibly compensate you, Miss? The mule cart has been rented. Shall we set off now?" He was filled with suspicion; he couldn't believe their frail bodies could have driven away thieves. Appearances can be deceiving.

The girl nodded in agreement. Her belongings were already packed, and she instructed the innkeeper to put them in the cart. Xie Yunyue, carrying the rattan cases for the "Tai'a" and "Linggui" swords, walked out of the inn with the girl. At that moment, a black-painted green mule cart was parked outside. Four strong mules were already harnessed, and two burly northern men sat on the cart's platform, holding long whips and occasionally flicking them.

Xie Yunyue gave the innkeeper an extra ten taels of silver, helped the girl into the carriage, and the mule driver shouted, cracking his whip. The four strong mules immediately galloped off. The innkeeper could still be faintly heard shouting goodbye, "Have a safe journey, you two!"

The carriage sped along the muddy road, splashing up mud. Leaving Qixian, they headed straight for Luoyang, then through Changzhi. The sky was clear and the sun shone brightly, but the north wind still howled, bringing a chill. Inside the carriage, with the curtains drawn, it was much warmer than outside. Xie Yunyue and the girl peeked through the gaps in the curtains at the outside scene. Groups of fast horses passed by on the official road, their riders all armed. The martial arts figures, dressed in tight black, almost all had furrowed brows and remained silent, as if carrying extremely important missions.

The young woman was secretly amazed and whispered to Xie Yunyue why. Xie Yunyue shook his head, indicating he didn't know, and said, "If it's not for Yu Yun, then there's an accident about to happen. It's definitely not aimed at us." He seemed to be treating Yu Yun as someone else entirely, which made the young woman chuckle.

The carriage sped along, and withered grass and trees flashed by. The mule driver cracked his whip and shouted repeatedly. After two hours of the long journey, the young woman felt a little tired and leaned against the cushion, closing her eyes to doze off. Xie Yunyue knew she hadn't slept all night after the thief incident, so he didn't disturb her. He focused on observing the martial arts figures on the road, wondering what their hurried comings and goings were for.

After traveling about an inch, he indeed noticed something. He slightly pulled back the curtain and saw dozens of caravans ahead, each guarded by more than a dozen martial arts masters, all brandishing weapons and protecting the caravans from all sides, slowly turning the reins. They seemed to be aware of the current situation. These suspiciously valiant bandits were only occasionally catching up with the caravan, galloping back and forth with a whooshing sound. Xie Yunyue's heart skipped a beat, and he looked up and called out, "Brother driver, is there a place to rest up ahead?"

One of them looked down and replied, "Sir, Gaojiagouzi is about ten li away, a good place to rest, but..."

Xie Yunyue saw that he hesitated and knew they were worried about the situation on the way. These caravan drivers were used to traveling all year round, and were very experienced. They were used to such incidents of banditry and murder, and their experience allowed them to recognize the danger at a glance. So he smiled and said, "You don't need to worry about that. I've already figured it out. Since there's a town not far ahead, the bandits won't make a move before the caravan leaves Gaojiagouzi. Besides, we're just passing travelers and have nothing to do with them. Just let your horse pass them."

The mule driver was greatly relieved to hear Xie Yunyue's words. The fact that his guest was so calm made him realize that this passenger was no ordinary person. The girl, who had been feigning sleep, opened her eyes upon hearing their conversation. Peeking at the scene outside, she laughed and said, "Brother Yun, I bet you're going to cause trouble again, aren't you?" Xie Yunyue smiled but remained silent.

The mules and donkeys sped ahead, already catching up with the caravan. The young woman peered intently out of the carriage and suddenly exclaimed, "Brother Yun, look! Those escort flags only have four horses embroidered on them, with no other markings. They're quite different from the others. Isn't that strange?"

Xie Yunyue also noticed that each escort carriage had a white brocade flag fluttering in the wind, with four fine horses woven in red silk thread on the flags. The horses' shapes and postures were different from each other. He knew that they were embroidered from the painting of eight horses drawn by Han Xiang. After thinking for a moment, he suddenly remembered that when Qiankun Shou Lei Xiaotian was at the Zhentai Escort Agency, he was talking about martial arts figures. Lei Xiaotian mentioned that there was a Tianma Escort Agency next to Xiangguo Temple in Kaifeng, Henan, which implied the idea of "a heavenly horse soaring through the sky, going wherever it goes without end." The chief escort, Sima Zhongming, was known in the martial arts world as the Thunder Swordsman. He was highly skilled in martial arts and especially known for his wit and composure. He was over seven thousand years old and had been a long-time friend of Xie Wen's father. If it was him, he would definitely lend a helping hand. So he secretly told the young woman about it.

The caravan ahead parted to let the mule cart pass, and Xie Yunyue saw an elderly man with silver hair and beard reining in his horse and watching intently. His face was ruddy, his eyes bright and alert, and his back straight. He didn't look old at all. He was empty-handed, and the long sword on his back wasn't drawn, which only added to his composure. In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, they arrived at Gaojiagouzi. At the town entrance was the Gaosheng Inn.

The mule cart stopped abruptly, and Xie Yunyue and the young woman alighted. The innkeeper rushed out to greet them and led them inside. In the main hall, five burly men with fierce faces and tight-fitting clothes sat on a long table, whispering. Upon seeing the two, they seemed captivated by the young woman's beauty, and stopped talking, staring blankly at her. The innkeeper led the two to a courtyard with two rooms on each side, one bright and one dark. Xie Yunyue and the young woman asked for the two rooms on the east side, ordering food and wine to be brought up, and also instructing that food and wine be sent separately for the two mule drivers.

Xie Yunyue went out alone and stood in front of the inn, observing the five burly men's expressions and behavior, wondering if they were there to scout out the Tianma Escort Agency. The Tianma Escort Agency had already sent scouts to the Gaosheng Inn. When the five burly men saw the Tianma Escort Agency scouts, a cold smile appeared on their lips, and Xie Yunyue had already noticed something. At this moment, the main force of the Tianma Escort Agency arrived. Shouts and neighing horses filled the air.

The Thunder Swordsman Sima Zhongming entered first, followed by a large group of men with very serious expressions. He suddenly caught sight of Xie Yunyue standing inside the door and couldn't help but glance at him. Perhaps captivated by Xie Yunyue's handsome and extraordinary demeanor, he smiled and nodded in greeting. Seeing the old镖头's extraordinary bearing, Xie Yunyue smiled in return and said loudly, "Old镖头, you must have had a long and arduous journey."

Sima Zhongming stopped and laughed heartily, "This old man's line of work involves making a living on the edge of a knife year after year; how could I dare say it's been hard? Brother, what is your honorable surname?" His gaze drifted to the mule cart parked outside the shop.

"I wouldn't dare," Xie Yunyue replied with a smile, "My humble surname is Yan, the Yan of Yan Ziling." He added, "My wife and I set off from Taiyuan yesterday to visit relatives in Luoyang. We just saw your esteemed presence on the road and were quite impressed."

Sima Zhongming stroked his silver beard and smiled, "Oh, it's Brother Yan, a pleasure to meet you..." Seeing that Xie Yunyue didn't ask his name, he introduced himself, saying, "My humble name is Sima Zhongming. What a coincidence! I'm also going to Luoyang. If it weren't for some business on the road, I would have had to stay a while longer, and we could have spent the journey together." As he spoke, his eyes kept glancing at the burly man in his five-strapped suit.

Xie Yunyue laughed loudly, "Old镖头 (镖头 is a term for a镖头, meaning镖头 is a person who is well-known to both women and children) in the Heluo and Guanzhong areas. How fortunate I am to have the honor of meeting you! Old镖头, please go ahead. I'd like to ask you for some pointers later."

The old镖头 smiled and said, "Of course, I'll excuse myself for now." He cupped his hands in greeting and turned to go inside.

The five burly men exchanged cold laughs as they watched the old镖头's retreating figure, then strode out of the shop and headed off. Xie Yunyue also returned to the courtyard. The Thunder Swordsman Sima Zhongming had practically booked half of the entire Gaosheng Inn. Xie Yunyue and Miss Gu were dining when they could occasionally hear Sima Zhongming's hearty laughter, clearly audible from the next room in the courtyard.

The girl suddenly smiled and said... "Brother Yun, guess who the enemy of Tianma Escort Agency is? Did the bandits wait until they were sure of the situation before making their move? In my opinion, the escort agency's trip is likely to end badly, and something might happen as early as this evening."

Xie Yunyue asked in surprise, "Where did you get this idea from?"

The girl giggled and said, "You're supposed to be a renowned hero, yet you can't see this? These bandit leaders always agree on a location beforehand when they go to raid. Forty miles outside Gaojiagou, there's a rugged mountain path called Centipede Valley, which is a perfect place to strike. After the thieves succeed, they can use this path to rob people in the southwest towards Wangwu Mountain. I know that there's a Nine-Child Golden Ring Ant named Yuan Kai in Wangwu Mountain. He's a powerful bandit who dominates the area, and no one else dares to commit crimes there."

Xie Yunyue laughed and said, "I didn't know you knew about these bandit figures. So, you're probably planning to rob people in Centipede Gorge?" The girl nodded. Xie Yunyue pondered silently, then quickly ate two bowls of rice with his head down.

Just then, the waiter led the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) Sima Zhongming forward, followed by a martial arts master around forty years old with a striking appearance. The two men exclaimed "Oh!" and stood up to greet him. Sima Zhongming laughed heartily, "Brother Yan, although we are both travelers from afar, we feel like old friends. There's something I shouldn't say, but I must: Are you setting off today or tomorrow, sir? In my humble opinion, it would be better to rest here for a day before departing."

Xie Yunyue feigned surprise, "Old镖头, there must be a reason for your words. Please explain."

Sima Zhongming solemnly replied, "This cannot be explained in a few words. Let me introduce you to a friend." He then pointed to the middle-aged martial arts master behind him, saying, "This is my capable henchman." "Lu Kun, the Cactus of the Sun and Moon."

Xie Yunyue repeatedly said, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I've introduced you to the young lady." He smiled and said, "Please sit down, both of you. The old镖头 (bodyguard/ escort) said that I need to delay my journey by one day. Is there something unsettling on the way?"

Sima Zhongming stroked his beard and sighed, then smiled and said, "I don't know why, but I feel an instant connection with you, young brother. Perhaps it's because you look very much like my old friend. I've heard that this old friend has been resurrected from his withered bones. I've inquired about it in many ways, but I don't know why. It's probably just a rumor..."

Xie Yunyue knew the old friend he was referring to. His father, Xie Wen, the judge of the Soul Chaser, was deeply moved. He listened as Xie Wen continued, "...These matters cannot be explained in a few words. Let me tell you what happened this time! Our bodyguard profession is all about making a living on the edge. Although I have not suffered any setbacks in the decades since I founded the Tianma Escort Agency, I have been fortunate to receive the love and care of my friends in the martial arts world. Whenever something happens, thanks to the efforts of these righteous friends, big problems are turned into small ones, and small problems are resolved without any issues. Therefore, our agency's business has been thriving. It should be said that at my age..." I could have stayed home and enjoyed a peaceful life, instead of enduring the hardships and dangers of travel. Ten years ago, persuaded by old friends and my children, I handed over my business to my son and stopped traveling. Only because my son fell ill and was bedridden did I have no choice but to escort goods to the capital. On the return journey, a wealthy merchant urgently needed to deliver gold and pearls to Luoyang, as the year was drawing to a close. None of the major escort agencies in the capital were willing to undertake this shipment, but I accepted it due to a friend's recommendation and a sense of obligation. Because we were taking a shorter route, after entering Jingjing Pass, we unexpectedly discovered suspicious bandits one after another. However, so far… " So far, it hasn't been determined whether they came for this group. Based on my guess, there will surely be trouble ahead. That's why I advised Liang Meng to rest for a day before continuing."

Xie Yunyue feigned surprise, saying, "Since the road is so treacherous, my wife and I are even more hesitant to go alone. Perhaps..."

Before he could finish, Lu Gan, the Sun and Moon Cactus, laughed loudly, "Old镖头 (镖头 is a term used to describe a skilled镖师, a镖师 who is very skilled in internal martial arts), you can tell just by looking at the inner light in Yan's wife's eyes."

Xie Yunyue was about to say "accompanying them for a day... " The Ma Escort Agency's group headed to Luoyang, but were stopped by Lu Kun. Upon hearing that Lu Kun had discerned the young woman's martial arts skills, Lu Kun admired his insight and laughed, "Old Lu is quite right. My wife has only a rudimentary understanding of boxing techniques; how could she be considered an internal martial arts master? It's just that I know nothing about it."

Sima Zhongming laughed heartily and said, "This old man is blind; I didn't even realize my sister-in-law was an internal martial arts master. Could it be that you yourself are..." He then shook his head and said, "I think you're just saying that against your conscience."

Xie Yunyue was about to reply. Suddenly, they heard a commotion ahead, as if someone was arguing. The old镖头 (bodyguard)'s heart skipped a beat, and a镖组 (bodyguard) rushed over, saying, "Old镖头, something bad has happened! A beggar has come to the door, a fierce-looking man, touching and groping around on our镖车 (escort cart). When镖师 (bodyguard Huang) tried to stop him, a fight broke out. The beggar is holding a strange snake, and he has injured three or four of them.镖师 Huang is also wounded and lying on the ground."

The old镖头 said "Oh," and his expression changed. He and Lu Kun hurriedly went out first. Xie Yunyue, hearing that there were Beggar Clan members among the newcomers, also hurriedly went out with the young woman. Upon arriving at the gate, one could see the members of the escort agency forming a large circle, all showing expressions of fear. Standing in the center were two men: a burly, ferocious-looking man with his hands on his hips, constantly sneering; and five feet away from him, a beggar with bloodshot eyes, a flat nose, and a thin face, his skin a purplish-brown color, holding a strange snake in his right hand, which twisted and turned, its head raised and its tongue flicking. Inside the circle, four or five members of the escort agency lay on the muddy ground.

But then the beggar yelled, "You镖行 (escort agency) shouldn't look down on people like that! What haven't beggars seen? Your goods are nothing to a beggar! A good friend of mine wants to see Old Man Sima, so I've come to deliver a message. What are you all so arrogant about? Humph, the beggar is leaving!"

He clearly saw Sima Zhongming come out before he felt comfortable telling him this. As he was about to leave, Sima Zhongming swiftly leaped over the crowd and landed in front of the beggar, shouting, "Who asked you to deliver this message to me? Otherwise, don't even think about leaving safely!"

The beggar rolled his bloodshot eyes and sneered, "I wondered who dared to act so arrogantly towards a beggar. It turns out it's the Thunder Swordsman. You'll find out who your good friend is when you meet him. No need for a beggar's nonsense."

As he finished uttering the last word, Sima Zhongming suddenly lunged forward, his hands flashing out simultaneously, striking the beggar's left and right "abdominal acupoints." Sima Zhongming's attack was incredibly fast, and his choice of target was extremely precise. Even though the beggar dodged quickly, a pressure point on his left side was struck, causing him to bulge his eyes in pain. He roared, and the four-foot-long, patterned snake in his right hand flew out of his grasp, rushing towards Sima Zhongming's face.

The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) was taken aback to see that the beggar, despite being struck on a pressure point, hadn't fallen. He was secretly amazed by the beggar's profound skill. Sima Zhongming's reputation as the Thunderclap Swordsman stemmed not only from his unparalleled internal and external martial arts skills, but also from his incredible speed and accuracy in using fists, palms, swords, and hidden weapons, as fast as lightning. In that moment of surprise, the snake was already less than two inches away from him. He couldn't react in time and suddenly flipped backward, but the snake followed him like a shadow, its tongue out, its sharp white fangs just half a foot away from biting the old镖头's head. Everyone in the镖行 (bodyguard/escort company) cried out in alarm.

Suddenly, the situation changed drastically. The strange snake cried out, then plummeted to the ground with a "thud," landing in the mud. It writhed slightly before dying instantly. Seeing an opportunity as the snake flew out, the beggar and the burly man with the ferocious face also lunged forward, attempting to ambush Sima Zhongming, the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort). Sima Zhongming, puzzled by the snake's strange death, was startled when he saw the beggar and the burly man pounce. He quickly shifted his position, his palms circling and then swiftly separating, unleashing a "Wild Horse Parts Its Mane" strike. Two sharp cracks were heard, followed by two strange screams, and the two men were sent flying five or six zhang (approximately 23-33 meters) through the air like kites with broken strings. As soon as they landed, they scrambled to their feet and fled.

The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) was taken aback. Only he knew that when he had already struck out, the beggar and the big man's palm strikes had already reached his chest. He felt a violent tremor in his chest. By the time he struck out, before the force could be delivered, the two men had already been sent flying. The difference was only a blink of an eye, and no one could see it. Only the old镖头 had the self-awareness to know that even if the palm strikes landed, at most they would only be evenly matched. It was impossible for one against two to send them flying. He secretly guessed that it was Xie Yunyue and the other man who were responsible. He couldn't help but be moved. He turned around but couldn't see Xie Yunyue and Miss Gu. He frowned and ordered his men to carry the injured man inside for treatment.

As the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) walked in, he secretly questioned Lu Kun, the "Sun and Moon Cactus." Lu Kun was stunned by the question and said, "What? Wasn't it the old镖头 who injured him? It seems that even the strange snake wasn't killed by the old镖头..." He then shook his head and said, "I was standing beside Brother Yan and his wife, but I didn't see them secretly make a move. It definitely wasn't them. I'm afraid another expert helped." Sima Zhongming was even more puzzled and was anxious to treat the injured man, so he didn't have time to ask any more questions.

In fact, it was Xie Yunyue and Gu Yanwen who secretly helped. The strange snake was killed by the girl with five plum blossom needles, and the beggar and the big man were knocked away by Xie Yunyue using the Bodhi Zen Palm. After obtaining the "Bodhi Palm Leaf True Scripture," Xie Yunyue had memorized it and could recite it. He understood most of the words and phrases. The meaning and grammar of the Sanskrit scripture were completely different from the structure of Chinese characters. Not only were the characters inverted, but each sentence contained more than a hundred words. There were many difficult and perplexing parts. Even with Xie Yunyue's intelligence, he spent an entire night at Old Man Yang's house to fully comprehend the short three pages of scripture, which contained only a few hundred words. In addition, he had taken half a thousand-year-old He Shou Wu and "Longevity Pill," which added half a century's worth of internal energy. Therefore, he was able to integrate and master the "Fourteen Forms of Maitreya Divine Skill" recorded in the Bodhi Palm Leaf True Scripture, which made his internal energy suddenly improve and reach a superior level.

However, if it weren't for his master, Master Mingliang, being over seventy years old and a member of the Chan school, knowing he would rarely be able to interfere in the affairs of the martial world again, and thus meticulously nurturing Xie Yunyue into a peerless talent, even at the cost of using the supreme Buddhist mental techniques to help him achieve rapid progress, and Xie Yunyue himself possessing exceptional talent and a keen and meticulous mind, even if he practiced diligently for thirty years, it would be difficult for him to master that profound and mysterious martial arts in a short period of time. This was a blessing, something that no one could force.

Therefore, Xie Yunyue found the beggar's arrogant demeanor extremely displeasing. He secretly channeled the "Bodhi Chan Gong" into two fingers of his right hand. When the beggar and the burly man flew into the air to pursue Sima Zhongming, his right hand remained hanging still, only pointing two fingers at the two men and flicking them lightly. The two men were instantly sent flying through the air, and Xie Yunyue himself was deeply shocked by the power of a flick of the finger. Because his "Bodhi Zen Skill" was released silently and cleverly, Lu Kun said he hadn't seen him make a move. Even if he had, he probably wouldn't have been able to tell from the start.

After Xie Yunyue secretly assisted, he gently pulled Gu Yanwen and quickly went back into the room. Gu Yanwen was puzzled and followed him into the room. Seeing her blank expression, Xie Yunyue couldn't help but laugh and said, "I just thought that since Chief Escort Sima and my late father were close friends, and he clearly sees great danger in this journey, it would be against our duty to ignore it if we did. But Aunt Ren's situation is urgent, so it's best to act quickly. We might as well accompany Chief Escort Sima and his group to hurry over and deal with them as soon as possible, so as not to delay our journey. But..." His eyes kept looking at the girl's face.

The girl blushed under his gaze, her cheeks flushed, and she said coquettishly, "How can you look at people with such thieving eyes? What is it you're looking at...?"

Xie Yunyue chuckled, "But if you go out dressed like this, you'll surely attract the attention of lecherous bandits and thieves who will lust after your beauty. I think you should dress as a man."

The girl glanced at him sideways, then gracefully walked to the table and sat down. She tidied her appearance in front of the mirror, tying her long hair into a bun, putting on the four-cornered felt hat that Xie Yunyue had brought from beyond the Great Wall, changing into a black fox fur robe and velvet boots. Dressed up, she looked exceptionally beautiful and dashing, standing out from the crowd. Compared to Xie Yunyue, they were truly evenly matched, and Xie Yunyue couldn't stop praising her.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Xie Yunyue responded, "Who is it? Please come in."

"Brother Yan, it's me." It was Sima Zhongming outside the door, followed by the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) pushing the door open and entering.

Upon seeing the young woman disguised as a man, Chief Escort Sima thought to himself, "These two are of good character, a rare find." He couldn't guess why she was dressed as a boy, and since their relationship was superficial, he didn't dare ask.

Xie Yunyue smiled and asked, "Have your injured men recovered?"

The old chief escort frowned deeply and sighed, "They've escaped the perilous situation, but they're still weak and listless. The beggar's snake was a rare Miao-style five-colored cloud cricket, extremely venomous. Once bitten, the venom travels through the bloodstream to the heart, killing instantly. Fortunately, the injured men were able to close their acupoints in time and survive. Even so, it took me a lot of effort to draw blood and remove the poison. Now, several men are severely weakened and will likely need a month to recover."

Xie Yunyue said with a tone of concern, "This is already a stroke of luck amidst misfortune. Old Chief Escort, there's no need to worry. Just now, when I saw the two beggars, their expressions were extremely vicious..." "Not used to it, after returning to the room, I discussed it with my wife, and we decided that she would dress as a man to assist the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort), so that I could also admire the style of heroes from all over the world."

Sima Zhongming was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "This, how could I dare to trouble you, Brother Liang Meng?" He had seen that the beggar and the big man had been inexplicably blown away on their way here, and he guessed that one of Xie Yunyue and his wife must have been secretly assisting. Such a unique skill that could injure people invisibly was something he had rarely heard of or seen in his life. Lu Kun, the Sun and Moon Immortal Palm, said that it was not their doing and that another master had helped, but he did not quite believe it. Now that he admitted to accompanying them, it could further prove that his guess was not wrong. However, Xie Yunyue firmly denied that he was proficient in divine skills. Could it be that he had already practiced to the point of returning to emptiness and concealing his inner strength?

Thinking this through, the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) scrutinized him for a moment, but found nothing unusual about him. Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "Helping people in distress and assisting them in danger is simply what people should do. There's no need to talk about labor. Please arrange our journey as soon as possible, old镖头. The sooner the better."

The old镖头, Sima Zhongming, readily agreed, then bowed and thanked him before leaving. As he walked, he kept thinking about how, despite his great reputation in the martial arts world, he still needed the help of a young man. He couldn't help but feel deeply moved. Seeing the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) emerge, Xie Yunyue said to the young woman, "Whatever happens along the way, you'll be the only one who can help. I, your humble brother, will have to stand idly by."

The young woman hurriedly said, "How can that be...you..."

Xie Yunyue stopped her from continuing, laughing, "Don't be impatient. Since I opened your Ren and Du meridians, your power has doubled. You've also acquired the Nine Palaces Yin-Yang Steps, the Five Elements Palm, and the Tai Chi Illusion Sword. I'm confident that while these three martial arts may not be the absolute best in the world, they can still rival any master in the martial arts world. Why are you getting so angry?"

The young woman straightened her back and giggled, "Look at you, so confident."

Suddenly, they heard the old镖头's loud laughter outside the courtyard. He walked over, laughing, "Brother Yan, are you and Liang Meng ready? Let's set off."

Xie Yunyue and the other man went out to greet him, saying, "We haven't made any preparations. We're just leaving." The girl seemed to be new to dressing as a man, her gait was rather awkward, and she kept giggling.

As they stepped outside, the caravan had already set off, and the lead caravan leader shouted, "Four... horses... fly... soar..." the sound echoing in the cold wind. Several wounded men were already on stretchers, carried by a few caravan members. The old caravan leader occasionally glanced at the rattan box Xie Yunyue was carrying, but didn't ask him anything.

The old镖头 (head镖师, a term for a镖师 who specializes in镖师, a kind of镖师 who

is

... Bound feet were exceptionally beautiful, and local women loved to adorn themselves with jewelry, their wrists and fingers adorned with hairpins and rings, their arms and fingers overflowing with ornaments. Even in the bitter winter, they would wear these ornaments outside the sleeves of their cotton-padded coats. Their hair ornaments and earrings, often weighing several ounces each, were heavy, yet they felt no burden. Such displays of wealth and extravagance were truly remarkable, a testament to the richness of the people. Foot binding was common throughout the country during the Qing Dynasty, but it was particularly prevalent in Shanxi Province. Their feet were so small that only the pointed tips of their shins were visible; some even walked with canes, appearing frail and delicate.

Seeing Xie Yunyue frequently glancing at the women, the girl playfully scolded, "What's so interesting about that? Really!"

Xie Yunyue couldn't help but laugh, "I'm just looking out of curiosity. Just because they can come out doesn't mean others can't see them."

The girl rolled her eyes, saying, "How can you be like that? Aren't you afraid the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) will laugh at you?"

Xie Yunyue laughed, "What does it matter? I heard there's a foot-matching competition in Datong on June 6th. Everyone can judge, the smaller the lotus feet, the better. The first two and third place winners will receive a bonus. When is June 6th? Let's go to Datong to watch!" The girl spat and ignored him. Xie Yunyue smiled. The journey was surprisingly arduous; in the blink of an eye, they had traveled thirty li. The mule cart followed the镖车 (bodyguard/escort wagon) slowly, and in the distance, they could see the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) on his horse talking and comparing things with Lu Gan, the "Sun and Moon Cactus."

The road ahead was undulating hills, dense forests, and the journey became increasingly difficult, with mountains and ridges appearing all around. The cliffs were steep and imposing, ancient trees reached for the sky, and the shade of the forest blocked out the sun. The air was filled with the clamor of the pine trees. The girl said, "Centipede Canyon is not far ahead..." Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly heard the rapid sound of hooves behind the cart. In the blink of an eye, the cart sped past and forward. It was the five burly men in tight-fitting clothes who had been sitting on the bench in the shop. They cracked their whips and made sharp noises, intending to intimidate her.

Five riders, moving with lightning speed, had already passed the caravan in the blink of an eye, stopping on the hillside. They paused, reined in their horses, and turned to gallop back. The young woman thought to herself, "These five are despicable. I must make them take some spoils before they know their place."

The five riders sped towards the mule cart. One of the riders suddenly cried out in surprise, "Eek!" The five riders immediately reined in their horses and remained motionless. The rider said to his companion, "The woman we just saw wasn't a pretty lady; she's turned into a man from the Southern Kingdom..." Suddenly, a sharp clang rang out, and the five riders tumbled off their horses. Two of them, blindfolded, rolled in the mud, blood trickling from between their fingers, screaming in agony—a gruesome sight.

It turned out the young woman had already prepared over a dozen plum blossom needles. Hearing the thieves' frivolous words, she was immediately enraged. With a slight flick of her wrist, the dozen or so needles shot out like lightning, piercing ten of the five pairs of eyes with incredible precision and speed. The girl sneered, "I'm only sparing your lives because I'm kind enough to spare them." She then added, "Driver, let's continue." The driver, seeing the five riders approaching, had involuntarily stopped the mule cart.

The Thunder Swordsman Sima Zhongming and the Sun and Moon Immortal Lu Kun, also startled, turned and rode back. Seeing the five bandits' miserable state, they felt a pang of sympathy, thanked him, and continued on their way. The caravan had already traveled four or five li when they heard a sudden clatter of hooves behind them. A dozen or so riders galloped past, several close to the five wounded bandits. They approached the old caravan leader, Sima, and shouted, "Old Sima, you'll see what happens!" Their horses galloped away.

After traveling for a while, they arrived at the edge of a mountain pass. The cliffs on both sides were sheer and precipitous. The girl said, "This is the entrance to Centipede Gorge, a good place for bandits to make their move." Sure

enough, at the old head镖师's command, the caravan stopped and formed a perimeter. Xie Yunyue looked around and saw that outside the mountain pass was a long, narrow basin with towering hills on both sides. The forests were dense and lush, and there was not a trace of human habitation. There were three forks in the road on the right side, extending up the hillside. After a while, there was no movement, and Xie Yunyue began to suspect something. Suddenly, he saw dozens of figures rising from the hills on both sides. They moved nimbly and leaped down, showing excellent lightness skills.

The leader was a burly, broad-shouldered old man, about forty years old, with a white beard and an imposing presence. His back was slightly hunched. He laughed heartily at the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) and 奔雷剑客 (the Thunder Swordsman), Sima Zhongming, saying, "Brother Sima, it's been over ten years since we last met. I didn't expect you to be as valiant as ever, still vigorous in your old age. It's truly a delightful thing."

Then his expression turned serious, and he said, "I, Ant, have never offended Brother Sima. This time, I was asked by a good friend to step in and resolve the feud. However, Brother Sima has injured my men, which is intolerable. Brother Sima, you must give me justice."

Sima Zhongming was secretly alarmed when he saw that the newcomer was Yuan Kai, the Nine-Child Mother Ant, the notorious bandit of Wangwu Mountain. Knowing this man's ruthless reputation, he knew that if he were to make a move, regardless of who won or lost, the situation would be hopeless. He quickly prepared his reply, smiling, "So it's you, Ant Boss. Long time no see. Ant Boss, your words are probably hard to believe. For the past three days, Sima Zhongming has encountered numerous enemy sightings along the way. It's like seeing a snake in a cup—it's impossible to distinguish friend from foe. Your men haven't revealed their identities either. In front of the Gaosheng Inn, a beggar wielding a strange snake injured several of our镖师 ( bodyguards/escorts), which is why I intervened..."

Suddenly, his face showed surprise, and he said, "Could it be that the Beggars' Sect has also been recruited by Ant Boss?" He then turned and shouted, "Bring the snake-injured men here for Ant Boss to inspect." The镖师 immediately brought four stretchers with great speed and placed them before Ant Yuankai.

Yi Yuankai's face flushed red, his thick eyebrows furrowed, and he shook his head, saying, "The beggar is not one of my men. I only ask about the matter of injuring the eyes of my five men."

Sima Zhongming laughed loudly, "That's an even more strange question. Why didn't you ask for details before questioning me, causing your men to spread rumors and offend the two young heroes on the mule cart? You brought this trouble upon yourself, so who can you blame? Besides, these two young men are not my companions. Yi Yuankai, the truth is already clear. You said you were entrusted by a good friend, so why don't you see them?"

Yi Yuankai's eyes, sharp as lightning, stared intently at Xie Yunyue and Gu Yanwen on the mule cart before he grinned maliciously, "My good friend has been waiting for a long time." He let out a long howl, the sound clear and loud, which was quickly carried far by the cold wind, and a clear howl was heard from the top of the cliff as well. Suddenly, a figure appeared, leaping down from the cliff top. The cliff was dozens of feet high. The person executed three rapid movements in mid-air, landing lightly on the ground. The person wore a long golden robe, which shimmered in the sunlight, making them quite a sight.

The Thunder Swordsman, Sima Zhongming, recognized the person as his former equal, the Wind-Chasing Divine Sword Chen Yuanjiong. Like Sima Zhongming, Chen Yuanjiong was renowned for his speed in swordsmanship, palm strikes, fist techniques, and hidden weapons—his attacks were as swift as lightning, and his retreat as swift as the wind. Among the disciples of the Kongtong Sect, people exist between good and evil, acting solely on their likes and dislikes. One of the Nine Great Swordsmen of the Central Plains, whose first name is Xie Yunyue, also known as Zhao Kangjiu of Mount Tai, harbored resentment because Chen Yuanjiong, the "Chasing Wind Divine Sword," was ranked below Sima Zhongming, despite both being renowned for their swift attacks. He challenged Sima Zhongming to a duel three times at the Tianma Escort Agency. Sima Zhongming always politely declined, saying that the rankings were merely a matter of idle chatter in the martial arts world, and he had no intention of pursuing such matters, willingly relinquishing his honor. However, the "Chasing Wind Divine Sword" insisted on a fight, relentlessly pressing his advantage. Seeing Chen Yuanjiong's excessive arrogance, Sima Zhongming had no choice but to fight him. Each time, Chen Yuanjiong was just one move short, forced to draw his sword. The last time, because Chen Yuanjiong's sword strike was too vicious, Sima Zhongming was enraged and used his ultimate move, "Floating Clouds Obscuring the Moon," to slash Chen Yuanjiong's left thigh before hastily fleeing. Unexpectedly, more than a decade later, he returned to provoke Chen Yuanjiong, secretly accusing him of being utterly shameless.

After the Chasing Wind Divine Sword landed, Sima Zhongming took a step forward and said, "Teacher Chen, Sima Zhongming already knows your purpose. The past is gone like smoke, never to return. Why must Teacher Chen act impulsively over rankings?"

Chen Yuanjiong, the Chasing Wind Divine Sword, chuckled coldly and said, "Shut up. In the martial world, one would rather die than lose one's reputation. The grudge from the injury to my thigh last time caused me to suffer disgrace and humiliation. I secluded myself in the deep mountains for ten years, comprehending a sword technique of unparalleled skill. If you can defeat me in one move, I, Chen Yuanjiong, will automatically relinquish the title of Chasing Wind Divine Sword."

Seeing Chen Yuanjiong's arrogance, Sima Zhongming couldn't help but shout, "Chen Yuanjiong, how can such clever words deceive me, Sima Zhongming? If you truly want me to verify, go to the escort agency; Sima Zhongming will not hesitate to answer. You're clearly instigating Ant Boss to rob the silver, using this to humiliate my name, aren't you?"

Chen Yuanjiong also shouted loudly, "Nonsense! I am not that kind of person. I am merely a guest at Ant Boss's place. Ant Boss was invited by the Gongmen Shuangjie and Flying Pigeon Lou Jingde to pursue Yu Yun, the main culprit in the Taiyuan massacre. For days, Ant Boss's scouts have been out in force. They unintentionally discovered that you were personally escorting the silver here. Therefore, I have traveled a long way to settle this score. A true man acts with integrity and uprightness. You insist that I intend to rob the silver; what a joke! I merely happened to be there and joined in." His eyes flashed with a fierce light, his imposing presence unapproachable.

As the two were engaged in a heated exchange, Yi Yuankai, the Nine-Child Mother-Chain Ant, darted forward and appeared in front of the mule cart. He glared at Xie Yunyue and Gu Yanwen with a

sinister smile, saying, "You two youngsters are truly ignorant of your place, daring to injure my men. Don't you know my rules?" Xie Yunyue and Gu Yanwen laughed heartily in unison, remaining perfectly still on the cart cushion as they smoothly leaped over the mule's back, landing in front of Yi Yuankai. Their joy was unparalleled; even a renowned figure like Yi Yuankai couldn't discern their movement technique. Gu Yanwen, now dressed as a man, stood beside Xie Yunyue, finding them both unparalleled in their beauty. Both were young and handsome, their refined elegance accentuated by the slanting sunlight. Yi Yuankai, upon seeing them, couldn't help but secretly admire their good character, but witnessing their astonishing speed, he was startled and took a step back, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Gu Yanwen snorted and said, "Who cares about your rules? Even if you have them, they only apply to petty thieves. I'm only asking you, who are you targeting?"

Yi Yuankai let out a strange laugh and said, "I have no fixed rules. Whoever offends me, I'll take them down."

A crisp slap rang out from Yi Yuankai's left cheek, instantly leaving a red handprint. Yi Yuankai felt a wave of dizziness. It turned out that Xie Yunyue, angered by his arrogant words, had slapped him across the face with a single blow. Those who had come with Yi Yuankai felt a strange sense of horror, because they hadn't even seen how Xie Yunyue had made his move.

Seeing Yuan Kai, the Nine-Child Mother Ant, approaching the mule cart, Lu Gan, the Sun and Moon Cactus, worried that the two boys might be at a disadvantage. He secretly prepared a signal and summoned two bodyguards to rush over. When they arrived and saw that Yuan Kai had taken a blow, they were greatly surprised. They had only noticed that Gu Yanwen possessed extraordinary skills, but they had not expected Xie Yunyue to have such abilities. They couldn't help but calm down.

Clearly, Xie Yunyue's blow was not light. Yuan Kai, the Nine-Child Mother Ant, took a while to regain his composure. Suddenly, he roared and raised his arms, assuming a tiger-like stance, about to pounce. Before he could even move, another fierce blow landed on his right cheek. Gu Yanwen had seen how mysterious Xie Yunyue's movements and footwork had been. It was itching to fight back. With a flick of his left foot, he unleashed the "Nine Palaces Positive and Negative Yin-Yang Steps," subtly positioning himself and knocking back Gong Jin. His figure flashed like lightning, and with a "smack," another slap landed on Yuan Kai's right cheek.

Yi Yuankai, a renowned figure, had suffered two blatant defeats in front of his subordinates. How could he swallow this insult? He reached for his waist, preparing to disarm his signature weapon, the Nine-Linked Rings, but Xie Yunyue moved swiftly, placing his right palm on Yi Yuankai's arms. Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "Yi Yuankai, don't rush..." He pointed towards Sima Zhongming with his left hand, saying, "Let's wait until their battle is decided before we act." Without waiting for Yi Yuankai's reply, Xie Yunyue released his grip and, with his left hand, pulled Gu Yanwen away.

Yi Yuankai stood there, his wrists raised at his waist, refusing to lower them. He realized that both youths possessed extraordinary martial arts skills. Just now, when they placed their palms on his arms, his arms immediately became weak and powerless. This kind of technique was something he had never encountered before. He couldn't help but sigh deeply and mutter to himself, "Yi Yuankai, what are you still trying to prove? The two youths just now used their skills and footwork in an extremely short moment, which can be described as unparalleled in the world. From this glimpse, one can see the extent of their abilities. My meager skills are far from even a fraction of theirs." Thinking of this, all his ambition vanished in an instant, and he turned away dejectedly. Little did he know that the two youths he had encountered were the most extraordinary talents in the martial arts world today. "

Let's first talk about the Thunder Swordsman Sima Zhongming and the Wind-Chasing Divine Swordsman Chen Yuanjiong. Each held their swords outstretched, their waists slightly bent, moving in circles as if taming beasts, neither willing to strike first. Xie Yunyue couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. He recalled how Bo Qing had teased Mo Hu in the same way that night at Zhenfeng Temple.

Suddenly, Chen Yuanjiong unleashed nine sword strikes in a flash, accompanied by a thunderous roar and a burst of sword light that transformed into a net of light, completely enveloping Sima Zhongming. The speed was incredible, truly befitting the name of the Wind-Chasing Divine Swordsman. Xie Yunyue saw that Chen Yuanjiong's swordsmanship was derived from the 'Wind and Thunder Swordsmanship,' a technique from the Eastern Kongtong Mountain. He had refined it, adding his own insights to create this incredibly fast and bizarre swordsmanship. Once unleashed, it was like a vast ocean, surging endlessly, with an unstoppable momentum. The sword techniques were so unpredictable that most attacks forced the opponent to defend themselves."

Meanwhile, Sima Zhongming, the Thunder Swordsman, also drew his sword at the same time as Chen Yuanjiong's rapid attack. His blade flashed diagonally, and with a flick of his wrist, a rain of swords filled the air, dancing wildly. As he unleashed several more strikes, they produced a soft, thunderous sound, gradually intensifying until it became a muffled thunderclap. In a battle between masters, most would stop short of striking, never allowing their weapons to touch, each vying for the initiative. Often, a difference of a hair's breadth could decide life or death in an instant. But Sima Zhongming and his companion were different. In their rapid exchange, they launched a fierce, head-on attack, their swords clashing and producing a series of faint sparks—a rare sight in sunlight, and even more so at night, a magnificent and breathtaking spectacle.

Xie Yunyue smiled at Gu Yanwen and said, "Both of you are exceptionally skilled, not charlatans. I think that in this fight, one of you will surely be injured. It wouldn't be good for either of you to be hurt."

Gu Yanwen understood Xie Yunyue's implied meaning—that he intended to help her gain fame by neutralizing one of the attacks. She smiled knowingly, quickly stepped forward, borrowed a longsword from one of the martial artists at the Tianma Escort Agency, and leaped into the circle. Before her feet even touched the ground, she slowly swung a sword in mid-air. The sword technique was extremely ordinary, yet its potential instantly forced Sima Zhongming and Chen Yuanjiong three steps outside the circle.

Sima Zhongming, having foreseen this, wasn't surprised, but Chen Yuanjiong, the "Chasing Wind Divine Sword," was greatly shocked, thinking to himself, "I wonder what this young man's background is. His sword technique appears ordinary, but it contains extraordinary variations and incredibly powerful force. Who is this?" He stood there stunned for a moment.

Gu Yanwen, sword in hand, smiled and said, "You two have achieved fame with great difficulty, why act rashly? Why not shake hands and make peace?" In reality, the young lady hadn't heard them arguing about rankings; she simply surmised that robberies usually involved large-scale brawls and quick resolutions, with no reason for one-on-one combat, especially since the bandit leader Yuan Kai was standing by, unmoved. Thus, her words hit the nail on the head.

Chen Yuanjiong, the Chasing Wind Divine Sword, angrily retorted, "This is a matter between this old man and Sima, what does it have to do with you?"

Gu Yanwen smiled slightly, "Teacher Chen, what exactly is the matter between you and the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) Sima? I'm all ears." Chen Yuanjiong, his face flushed, murmured for a long time before finally speaking.

Gu Yanwen laughed loudly, "We practice martial arts for self-defense and physical strength. I've never heard of a duel for ranking."

Chen Yuanjiong shouted, "How can you say you haven't heard of it? In the past two hundred years of martial arts, the nine major sects have competed several times at Mount Hua's Furong Peak, wasn't that also just a ranking contest?"

Gu Yanwen smiled and said, "This is about each sect demonstrating its own martial arts, which is completely different from individuals being competitive. Why bring this up? Are you trying to start another martial arts brawl?"

Chen Yuanjiong was so enraged that his beard and hair bristled, and he shouted, "According to..." "You say that my ten years of arduous sword training in the desolate mountains have been wasted?"

Gu Yanwen sneered, "It's not that I underestimate you, but your swordsmanship is riddled with flaws. Ten years of hard work have truly been wasted. You call yourself 'Lightning Chaser,' emphasizing speed, but in reality, it's chaotic, messy, and superficial. If you encounter someone more skilled than you, one strike could kill you. Take me, for example. While I dare not claim to be superior, my swordsmanship is steady and deliberate enough to protect myself. If you don't believe me, if you can get close enough to me within ten moves, I will willingly acknowledge you as the fastest swordsman in the martial world."

Chen Guangjiong, the Swordsman of Chasing Wind, was secretly surprised by the young man's boastful tone. However, he knew that the young man was not just making empty promises, as his previous sword strike proved it. He saw Xie Yunyue standing tall and focused outside the circle, smiling at him. Chen Guangjiong felt a chill run down his spine and thought, "This young man must be from the same school. As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together, and their martial arts skills must be quite similar. It's difficult to be sure of victory against one of them. If I manage to defeat the young man in front of me by one move, he will definitely join me. The consequences are obvious. My great reputation, if I were to lose to Sima Zhongming today, there would be some excuse, but if..."

He hesitated, wondering whether to intervene or not. This became a difficult problem. Faced with reality, yet unable to show weakness, he hesitated for a moment, sighed inwardly, and smiled, saying, "As you've heard, my relationship with Master Sima is a battle of wills. We fought for this thirty years ago, and we're still fighting for it now. What's the point of living if you don't fight for your pride? Since you say so, it's clear you possess profound skills. However, to say that I can't penetrate your defenses within ten moves would be an exaggeration. Alright, please make the first move. But let me make it clear, I don't want the title of the fastest swordsman in the martial world; I just want to learn from your skills."

Gu Yanwen sensed that his words implied he was acting impulsively. He had learned a set of "Tai Chi Illusionary Sword" from Xie Yunyue, but it was still in its early stages. He didn't dare to be too arrogant and smiled, saying, "I will only defend and not attack. Please, Master Chen, go first."

Chen Yuanjiong nodded and said, "Alright, I'll learn from you." With a flick of her right wrist, the sword tip slightly arched, and a dozen swords shot out simultaneously, like dense waves of fish scales, surging forward with astonishing speed.

Gu Yanwen smiled slightly, took a half step back with her right foot, lowered her body, and with the sword tip pointing upwards, slowly pushed out a sword from right to left, intending to defend without attacking. With this move, the sword transformed into a peacock spreading its tail, advancing in a fan shape. As soon as it touched Chen Yuanjiong's sword tip, a series of metallic clanging sounds were heard, accompanied by countless sparks, and Chen Yuanjiong was suddenly seen to retreat violently.

Chen Yuanjiong felt the incredible potential emanating from Gu Yanwen's sword, and his competitive spirit flared up. He quickly followed up with another move, using eighty percent of his true strength. As soon as he got close, he suddenly flicked his wrist, and in the blink of an eye, the sword tip transformed into a rain of thousands of points of light that pierced out. The girl laughed heartily, her sword tip planted firmly on the ground, using the force to pull up a coin. With the tip pointing upwards, she unleashed another sword strike in a fan shape. Upon contact, Chen Yuanjiong was once again forced back a step.

Afterwards, no matter what movement technique Chen Yuanjiong used to quickly strike, he was instantly repelled by the latent force emanating from the girl's sword. The girl realized that this "Tai Chi Illusionary Sword" possessed immense power, and this was only in defense; if she attacked him now, victory would be effortless. Her heart filled with joy. Xie Yunyue smiled arrogantly, Sima Zhongming stroked his beard in amazement, and Yuan Kai, the Nine-Child Mother-Chain Ant, paled in horror. In short, everyone present displayed different expressions.

In the blink of an eye, eight moves had passed. Chen Yuanjiong's face darkened, his heart filled with worry. He knew he couldn't get close to his enemy within ten moves, and that in two more moves, he would make a fool of himself. He thought, "This time it's really over, it's over." Just as he was about to unleash his ninth move, six or seven black shadows suddenly appeared, swift as lightning, swooping down from the sky. Chen Yuanjiong and the girl were both startled by the incredible speed of the newcomers and quickly retreated a step.

Yuan Kai, the Nine-Child Mother Ant, couldn't help but cry out, "Uncle Ao..."

The girl saw clearly that they were four old men with no eyebrows or beards, their heads drooping and teeth missing. They were all wearing the same yellow linen robes, and each of them had a distinct appearance. They stood in a row. The first one from the right had a yin-yang face, with a purplish-red scar on his left cheek that almost covered his entire left side. The next one was a man with a horse-like face, his large robe completely disproportionate to his face. The second one was covered in wrinkles, and the one on the far left was a monk with a face covered in deep pockmarks, but all of them had eyes that shone with inner brilliance. Behind the four old men stood three middle-aged men in black, all with sharp, wiry faces.

After a shout, the Nine-Child Mother Ant Yuan Kai leaped forward, bowing respectfully to the four old men. The yin-yang-faced old man smiled and said, "Nephew Ant, how is your master?" He then glanced at them and asked, "Why did you two quarrel?"

Ant Yuan Kai replied, "Thanks to my master's blessing, he is very well." He then recounted their sword duel.

The yin-yang-faced old man chuckled loudly, "This old man hasn't descended the mountain for decades, yet I never expected such a junior to dare call himself a swordsman and cause such a ranking dispute." With a long laugh, the other three old men's faces turned icy cold, like three living corpses. Chen Yuanjiong's expression changed drastically to anger, and Sima Zhongming quickly moved to Xie Yunyue's side.

The old man with the yin-yang face continued, "I've heard that a strange scholar named Yu Yun has emerged in the Central Plains, causing a bloodbath. My distant nephew, Ao Hua, also died at his hands. Therefore, we were urgently summoned by the cunning Zhi Kong and the two heroes of the Gongmen, so we four old fogies have come down the mountain again..."

Yi Yuankai interjected, "I was also invited by the two heroes of the Gongmen for this reason. My scouts have been searching everywhere, but so far, we still haven't found Yu Yun's whereabouts." Xie Yunyue sneered inwardly, and Gu Yanwen couldn't help but glance at him.

The old man with the yin-yang face laughed loudly, "Even if he's a ghost, I'm as swift as lightning. Unless he's already dead, there's no way I can't find him." Xie Yunyue snorted heavily.

The old man with the yin-yang face gave him a deep look, then said, "This matter is not urgent. Let us wait until we reach Zhenfeng Temple before we make a plan." After speaking, he looked at Xie Yunyue and Gu Yanwen and smiled, "You two are quite handsome. If you want to dominate the martial arts world, you can come to find me at Suomu Peak in Gaoligong Mountain a year from now." After speaking, he and the six people who came with him swept away, turning around and disappearing dozens of feet away.

Xie Yunyue looked at their retreating figures and chuckled coldly. Sima Zhongming was puzzled by this and laughed, "Brother Yan, these four are the four elders of Gaoligong Mountain who defeated five Shaolin monks with four swords at Furong Peak of Mount Hua forty years ago, and whose fame shook the world. They have been living in seclusion ever since, but now they have come down the mountain again for the sake of the Strange Hand Scholar. It seems that there will be another great change in the martial arts world." Xie Yunyue said "Oh" and laughed without saying anything.

Chen Yuanjiong smiled at Gu Yanwen and said, "Brother's swordsmanship is indeed superb. I admire it greatly. I'll let this grudge between me and Master Sima be forgiven for your sake, and we'll meet again someday." With that, he drifted away.

While Xie Yunyue and Sima Zhongming were talking, the Nine-Child Mother Chain Ants, Yuan Kai, and the others had already disappeared without a trace. Sima Zhongming glanced around, frowned, and smiled, "Yi Wukai is a vengeful man. Although he has taken the opportunity to leave, I hope you, Brother Liang Meng, will be careful not to plot against him."

Xie Yunyue thanked him for his guidance and said, "The road is currently clear. My mule cart is faster, so I'd like to go ahead and head to Luoyang. I will definitely come to Kaifeng to pay my respects when I have time in the future."

Sima Zhongming was somewhat reluctant to part. He said, "Brother Liang Meng must come. Your elder brother will be waiting for you at the escort agency." Xie Yunyue felt a pang of guilt when he heard him address him as "brother." How could he confuse his father's old friend like this? But he couldn't explain it now, so he had to swallow his pride. He and Gu Yanwen boarded the mule cart and bid each other farewell with smiles. The setting sun cast its last rays, reflecting a sky full of rosy clouds. A cold wind blew, and the mule cart sped towards Changzhi County.

Longmen is located five li from Luoyang City, where Quesai Mountain stands. The two mountains face each other like a gate tower, with the Yi River flowing between them. Legend has it that it was carved by Yu the Great when he was controlling the floods. It is also called Yique, and Longmen is the common name. Quesai Mountain stretches from east to west, with a valley in between. The western cliff is called Longmen, and the eastern cliff is called Xiangshan. The valley is diagonally opened, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. The river is about half a li apart. The Yi River comes from the southwest and is constricted by the mountain. It is like ten thousand horses galloping, with a sound that shakes the valley. From afar, one can see pearls flying and water vapor spreading, which is a wonderful sight, truly marvelous in the world.

The legendary perilous Longmen Gorge is no exaggeration. The western cliffs wind and twist, with jagged rocks, towering cliffs, and strange trees piercing the clouds. Vines and creepers intertwine, and the further west one travels, the deeper one enters the dense forests, often blocking out the sun, where venomous snakes frequently lurk.

This day was the fifth day of the new year, long past the beginning of spring, yet there was no sign of spring in the Longmen Gorge. The snow on the peaks seemed about to melt under the bright sun. Apart from the evergreen pines and cypresses, the trees were all withered trunks, shivering in the cold wind, their ugly coats gleaming. The wild grasses remained yellowed and barren, without a single tender sprout. Occasionally, a gust of wind would sweep through, sending withered branches and leaves swirling in the air. Otherwise, birds and beasts were silent; everything remained a stark reflection of winter's harshness.

Two young men galloped along the mountain path, both wearing light blue satin robes, with a weathered, ancient sword slung across their backs. They wore four-cornered felt hats and human skin masks, their attire identical. If it weren't for one of them being slightly thinner, it would be impossible to tell them apart. Neither uttered a word, their movements swift and rapid, weaving through the forest like shooting stars, until they stopped before a mountain stream.

This mountain stream, nearly two zhang wide, could really be called a small creek. It meandered, its water crystal clear, rippling in the wind. One of them couldn't help but recite, "Green waters are carefree, yet the wind wrinkles their faces; green mountains are ageless, yet snow turns their heads white."

Another youth chuckled and said, "Brother Yun, you really do! You still have the interest to recite that couplet. This stream is excellent; there must be houses nearby. I bet the lair of the thief Ren Qigu isn't far." These two youths were none other than the eccentric scholar Xie Yunyue and the young lady Gu Yanwen.

Xie Yunyue pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Let's follow the stream; it'll be within a ten-li radius." Looking up at the sky, it was already noon. The two hurried along the stream.

Gu Yanwen's feelings were incredibly complex; a joy mixed with worry, like a cup of bitter melon and honey mingling in her chest—she couldn't quite discern the true taste. Her heart was heavy with worry; she didn't know if her poor mother was still alive, and feared she might be tormented beyond recognition. If she had passed away, wouldn't that be a life of endless regret? Thinking of this, tears welled in her eyes. Xie Yunyue followed behind her, unaware of the girl's sorrowful state of mind.

Suddenly, Miss Gu cried out, "Brother Yun, look..."

Xie Yunyue looked in the direction she was pointing and saw that they were not far from the end of the mountain stream. At the end of the stream was a precipice, where the water plunged down to form a waterfall, its roar echoing through the valley, exceptionally clear. The path they had taken was obscured by trees, and the wind was blowing against them, so the sound of the waterfall was drowned out by the rustling of the trees. They hadn't heard it before. At the end of the stream, the air was thick with mist, like a layer of fog, swirling and shifting in the wind, but the view remained obscured.

Xie Yunyue's eyesight was now so sharp that it could see through the thick fog. He could clearly see beyond the mist to a basin containing a vast array of houses, quite magnificent. Miss Gu, however, could see nothing. This was partly due to his consumption of the thousand-year-old He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum), but mainly because of his profound internal energy cultivation, which enhanced his eyesight. He could vaguely discern not only mist but also things obscured by clouds.

Seeing the large cluster of houses in the basin, Xie Yunyue knew it must be the lair of the Five Heroes of Longmen. Overjoyed, he exclaimed, "The lair of the Five Heroes of Longmen is over there! Let's go quickly!" He grabbed the girl and rushed towards the source of the waterfall. Only then could the girl see clearly, her heart pounding with joy.

As they found a foothold at the bottom of the cliff and were about to leap down, they heard a faint shout, "Wait!" They stopped abruptly, only to see three figures rushing towards them from across the ravine at the source of the waterfall. All three were very thin, middle-aged men with piercing eyes. The one in the lead had a goatee.

"Why are you two so disobedient? You called me several times but didn't respond. Do you think this Cloud Mist Manor is easy to get to?" the goatee-bearded man said coldly, his expression extremely arrogant.

Xie Yunyue was greatly displeased and sneered, saying, "How can you speak so rudely? The sound of the waterfall is so loud, how could it possibly reach your whisper?"

The man with the goatee was immediately enraged by Xie Yunyue and laughed wildly, "You two juniors are truly ignorant of your own limitations. My Longxi Three Islands and Yunwu Manor are enemies, not friends. That's why I kindly stopped you. As soon as you jumped down and stepped three miles outside the manor, you were sniped by the flying crossbows. Besides, besides Aunt Ren, there are two extremely powerful demons in the manor, the Two Poisons of Mangshan. Master Bi saw that you were also here for revenge, otherwise, would I have wasted my breath?"

The other man smiled and said, "Please don't take offense, gentlemen. My brother Bi has such a fiery temper and speaks without restraint. In fact, if we cooperate, we will both benefit; if we separate, we will both suffer. No matter what our purpose is, it is all detrimental to the Ren family. What do you two think?"

Xie Yunyue understood the implication in their words: they wanted to join forces with him and his companion. Knowing they saw the danger at Cloud Mist Manor and intended to use them, he thought, "Why not use them in return?" He smiled and said, "May I ask your esteemed names and how you intend to cooperate? Tell me your plans." The

man with the goatee laughed loudly, "My name is Hua Lu." Pointing at the two, he said, "This is Luo Hong, and that is Lei Yan. What are your esteemed surnames?"

Xie Yunyue cupped his hands and said, "It's an honor to meet you. My surname is Yan, and my given name is Yue. This is my sworn brother, Gu Wen."

Bi Lu said, "Oh," and then said, "So you are Young Hero Yan and Young Master Gu. It's a pleasure to meet you. Before we three set off for this place, we heard that Ren Xiong, one of the Five Eccentrics of Longmen, is deadly when his acupoints are struck. The Five Elements Palm Formation, which is famous in the martial arts world, has been greatly weakened. Although we three birds from Longxi are not afraid of his Five Elements Combined Palm Power, Ren Qigu, the old woman, and the two poisoners of Mangshan... hehe, even if the five of us join forces, if we are not careful, we may not be able to gain any advantage."

Xie Yunyue glanced at the bushes on his right as if by chance, then quickly turned back and smiled slightly, "The affairs of the world depend on human effort. If we are timid and cowardly, and show weakness in the face of battle, it would be better not to come at all." Hua Lu was ashamed and her face immediately turned red.

Suddenly, a cold laugh arose from the right, and a ferocious-looking Taoist priest sprang out. The three birds from Longxi were closest to where the priest had appeared. The priest, seemingly oblivious, walked arrogantly towards Xie Yunyue and sneered, "Boy, what a boastful tone! You're confident no one in Cloud Mist Manor can subdue you?"

Xie Yunyue snorted, but before he could speak, Miss Gu shouted, "Old bastard, who are you?" The priest flew into a rage and suddenly extended his ten fingers.

At this, the three birds from Longxi were startled and took three steps back. Seeing his shiny black fingers, the girl suddenly remembered someone and exclaimed, "Are you perhaps the youngest disciple of the Ghost Demon Taoist, Ghost Claw Lin Qing?"

The priest slowly pushed forward with his strange claws, a wisp of wind emanating from his fingertips. Hearing this, he paused and said, "Your eyesight isn't bad, boy." The strange claws extended again, and he continued to advance step by step.

Ghost Claw's move was renowned in the martial arts world, insidious and deadly. He slowly approached, his technique unpredictable, forcing his opponent to concentrate and defend without distraction. Once close, he would launch a swift attack; if caught off guard, the opponent would surely suffer a fatal blow, especially since his ten fingers were tainted with a rare poison, difficult to cure. At that moment, the mountain wind blew fiercely, and the waterfall roared like thunder. The three birds of Longxi wore solemn expressions, while the girl's face was cold, her palms raised in defense.

Xie Yunyue stood tall with his hands behind his back, a cold smile playing on his lips. Suddenly, Ghost Claw's ten fingers flashed like lightning, reaching for the girl's chest. "Ah!" the three birds of Longxi cried out in alarm. Ghost Claw was less than a foot away from the girl's chest when Xie Yunyue, standing to the side, shouted and grabbed Ghost Claw's wrists with both hands, his movements too fast to be seen. It turned out he had unleashed the Dragon-Controlling Hand technique from the "Eighteen Dissolutions of Xuanyuan."

With a sharp "crack," Ghost Claw's wrists snapped. Immediately after, Xie Yunyue's leg flew out, letting out a piercing scream as he staggered away. Ghost Claw had been kicked more than ten feet away, landing in the bushes. The three birds of Longxi were shocked to see Xie Yunyue use such lightning-fast skill to easily subdue Ghost Claw, a renowned underworld expert. Bi Lu was especially terrified; if it weren't for Luo Hong's intervention, and his own reckless actions, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Originally, the three birds had discerned that their opponent was young and inexperienced in the martial world, intending to use him to his death while they reaped the benefits. However, they had also realized that their opponent possessed extremely high martial arts skills and was incredibly ruthless. Before the opponent discovered their evil plan, if they didn't quickly change their tactics, they would be the ones to suffer

. A chill ran down their spines. After a moment, they composed themselves and bowed, smiling, "Young Master Yan's martial arts are astonishing, I admire you greatly." Bi Lu, having said this, noticed that the two men's faces were gloomy and expressionless, and a chill ran down his spine again. He quickly changed his words, saying, "The three of us are more familiar with the terrain, please lead the way." With that, he beckoned to Luo Hong and Lei Yan, and the three birds suddenly leaped down the cliff, truly resembling three birds circling as they descended.

Suddenly, the girl grabbed Xie Yunyue's right wrist and said in a trembling voice, "Brother Yun, the technique you just used was truly miraculous. Could you please teach me a few moves?"

Xie Yunyue pondered for a moment, then nodded and agreed. He flipped his wrist and leaped down the cliff, disappearing into the dense bushes. Xie Yunyue quickly demonstrated three extraordinary "tendon-severing and meridian-cutting" techniques, explaining and illustrating as he went. The girl, intelligent and quick-witted, soon mastered them.

Xie Yunyue laughed, "These three techniques can be used in conjunction with the 'Nine Palaces Positive and Negative Yin-Yang Steps' for repeated application. My sister is clever; there's no need for your foolish brother to say more. Let's go." The two of them sped away, having already lost sight of the three birds of Longxi. Therefore, they proceeded cautiously, carefully choosing paths they considered dangerous.

The land along both sides of the Yellow River in Henan Province is mostly composed of alluvial loess, with hills that are not very undulating and have a dry climate, especially near Luoyang. Except for severe winters with heavy snowstorms, the area is mostly sunny with little rainfall. The only exception is Yunwu Manor, where the Five Eccentrics of Longmen reside. Even in winter, it enjoys sunny weather with occasional snowstorms, while in spring, summer, and autumn, it is shrouded in a thin mist all day, rarely experiencing a clear day. Therefore, this narrow basin of Yunwu Mountain, surrounded by towering mountains, is extremely cool and, due to its dense geology, is free of dampness.

As the two were speeding along, shouts faintly reached their ears. Xie Yunyue's heart stirred, and he quickly pulled the girl to a stop, whispering, "The Three Birds of Longxi have probably been discovered by people in the manor. We don't know their intentions. We shouldn't bother with them. Why don't we jump into the trees and see what powerful figures in the manor are there, so we can rescue your mother?"

Gu Yanwen thought for a moment. She said, "That's not good. Brother Yun promised to help, and a man shouldn't go back on his word. It would be better for me to go to the manor alone to rescue my mother, while Brother Yun and San Niao hold them off;

that would be more effective." Xie Yunyue thought to himself that the girl's current martial arts skills were enough to deal with a strong enemy, so he smiled and said, "That's fine too. I'll go to the manor to find you as soon as possible. If we lose contact, we can meet at the waterfall just now." The girl was anxious to rescue her mother and readily agreed. As she spoke, she darted away.

After the girl's figure disappeared, Xie Yunyue followed the direction of the shouts. He half-hid behind an ancient tree and peeked out. In the sparse grove outside the manor, Bi Lu was exchanging blows with Ren Hu, the second of the Three Eccentrics of Longxi. A dozen or so people came out of Yunwu Manor, and all four of the Four Eccentrics of Longmen had also emerged. There was also an old woman with silver hair, a wrinkled face, and a short, thin figure, leaning on a fine steel dragon-headed cane. Her strange eyes gleamed as she stared at the scene. Xie Yunyue thought to himself, "I wonder if the two poisoners of Mangshan mentioned by the Three Islands are among them. This old woman is probably Ren Qigu."

Bi Lu slammed his left wrist down, using "Iron Chain Sinking River" to block Ren Hu's right hand. His right palm slammed into Ren Hu's chest with a loud exhale, and the two moves were incredibly fast, with the force of a landslide. Ren Hu was greatly surprised. He saw Bi Lu attack from the center, and the moves were fierce and fast. He couldn't block her in time. Suddenly, he flipped backward, his heels planted firmly on the ground, his knees bent, and his body became horizontal.

Bi Lu was determined to defeat Ren Hu, giving him no chance to catch his breath. His right palm transformed from a thrust into a downward strike, his wrist suddenly sinking sharply. This attack would surely break Ren Hu's sternum. The Five Eccentrics of Longmen were no ordinary fighters either. Ren Hu twisted his right waist, braced himself with his left palm, and swiftly thrust two fingers of his right hand upwards, aiming directly at Bi Lu's Qi Hai acupoint with the move "Azure Dragon Enters the Sea."

Bi Lu hadn't expected Ren Hu's change of attack to be so swift; his right palm was already less than three inches from Ren Hu's chest. He quickly reversed his hand, executing a swift "Parting the Grass to Find the Snake" move, creating a sharp gust of wind as he deflected Ren Hu's attack, flipping to the left. Ren Hu also seized the opportunity to dart to the right. Bi Lu's move was exceptionally beautiful, and Xie Yunyue couldn't help but secretly nod in approval.

Bi Lu stood there and sneered, "I never expected that the famous Five Eccentrics of Longmen would resort to such underhanded tactics. You'd better hand over a box of gold and pearls and expose the truth to the martial arts world. Then the Three Birds of Longxi might have something to discuss."

Xie Yunyue thought to himself, "So they're all birds of a feather. The Three Birds of Longxi aren't good people either."

Ren Hu laughed wildly, "Friend Bi, you're mistaken. Wealth is for those who see it, and those who get it are the best. It's just that you're not skilled enough. What you got was taken by us. Who can you blame? Back then, Second Master Ren didn't make things difficult for you because you were all from the same path. Who knew that good intentions would be repaid with bad deeds? You even dare to come to Cloud Mist Manor to cause trouble. Hmph, do you want to use it all here?"

Bi Lu was furious, but before he could utter a curse... Of the three birds, Lei Yan was the most composed and resourceful. At this moment, she couldn't hold back any longer. She darted in front of Ren Hu, spat, and shouted, "Ren Lao Er, who are you on the same side? We, the Three Birds of Longxi, are upright and honorable men. Although we are thieves, we don't harm people when we rob. Who is like you beasts, who not only stole what we had in our hands but also slaughtered a group of old and young, framing us, the Three Birds, for our crimes? What are you up to?" Before she finished speaking, Ren Qi Gu had already flashed over. In a flash, she covered a distance of five or seven zhang in an instant. Her speed surprised Xie Yun Yue.

Ren Qigu glanced at the three birds and slowly said, "My three friends, you are unaware of the rules of Cloud Mist Manor. After an action is taken, a murder must be committed to silence witnesses and prevent future troubles. You are not the parties involved, so why insist on intervening? What my son said is reasonable and justified. You should leave this place immediately. This old woman will not kill anyone today." Suddenly, a man from the manor rushed over and whispered something to Ren Long.

Ren Long's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly said, "Mother, there's an alarm in the manor. Xia'er has already been kidnapped. We can't let these three birds live. We must get rid of them quickly."

Upon hearing this, Ren Qigu's expression also changed. She flipped her steel staff and unleashed a "Raging Dragon Tail Slash" horizontal slash at the three birds from Longxi, the whistling sound of the attack being long and piercing. Caught off guard by Ren Qigu's move, the three birds leaped into the air, somersaulting more than three zhang away, and drew their weapons from behind them. Seeing Ren Long run into the manor, Xie Yunyue secretly assumed the young lady had succeeded. He wondered if Xia'er was Wenmei's mother. He was about to abandon the matter of the three birds and go to the manor to find Gu Yanwen when he suddenly remembered the young lady's words before leaving. How could he break his promise? Besides, although the Three Birds of Longxi were notorious bandits, they were clearly different from the Five Eccentrics of Longmen. He changed his mind. Suddenly, he caught sight of Aunt Ren wielding a cane, its movements swirling like thunder, its attacks strange and domineering, completely enveloping the three birds.

The three birds were also skilled; they attacked with three weapons simultaneously, their movements swift and agile, each strike deadly. After a dozen or so exchanges, Aunt Ren shouted, "You still don't know when to advance or retreat! Don't blame this old woman for being merciless!" As she spoke, her white beard bristled, and her eyes blazed with a fierce light, making her impossible to look at directly.

The three birds snorted coldly, their three weapons wielded even more swiftly, their expressions calm and composed, though their hearts were pounding. Suddenly, Ren Qigu's cane swirled with a fierce gust of wind, her right palm striking out swiftly. The three birds felt their figures sway from the force of the two gusts of wind, hastily withdrawing their attacks to avoid the strong winds. They separated and reunited in a flash. Bi Lu's snake-head whip aimed directly at Ren Qigu's "Qimen" acupoint, Luo Hong's three-edged Emei dagger flashed towards her "Fujie" acupoint, and Lei Yan's wolf-tooth dagger swiftly thrust towards her "Yuzhen" acupoint at the back of her head—their attacks were perfectly coordinated.

Ren Qigu, as expected of a martial arts master, remained calm under pressure. With a flick of her wrist, she swiftly swung her branch, unleashing a move called "Willow Dance in the Wind," which created dozens of staff shadows, instantly sealing off all of the three birds' attacks. At this moment, Ren Long, one of the Four Eccentrics of Longmen, had already left. The other three, knowing their mother was about to strike, knew the Three Birds of Longxi would be no match for her, and they all flew into the manor

one after another. The remaining ones were all well-known figures in the underworld, and they all secretly praised the old woman's move, "Willow Dance in the Wind," as truly ingenious. The Three Birds were unaware of the danger. The "Willow Dance in the Wind" move not only blocked their attacks but also deflected their weapons high into the air, leaving them wide open. If Ren Qigu had struck in time, they would have been killed instantly. Sure enough, Ren Qigu chuckled and struck, her hand suddenly unleashing a "Sweeping Thousands of Troops," sweeping swiftly from right to left. She intended to kill the Three Birds simultaneously, her intention undeniably ruthless. The Three Birds panicked and dropped their weapons, turning to look back, but it was too late; the palm wind had already touched their shoulders...

At that moment, a clear whistle rose from the forest, and in the critical instant, a black shadow flashed by. Before the dark figure even landed, the three birds suddenly felt another force forcefully push away Ren Qigu's palm strike, sending them flying more than three zhang away. The force was incredibly strong, and the three birds involuntarily staggered forward. Knowing they had been pulled back from the brink of death, they steadied themselves, still shaken, and turned around. Overjoyed, they saw Xie Yunyue staring at Ren Qigu with a gloomy expression, his hands behind his back.

Ren Qigu, who had also been pushed back two steps by Xie Yunyue's punch, was stunned, secretly amazed by the powerful palm strike. Upon seeing Xie Yunyue clearly, although he wore a human skin mask and had a distinctive appearance, her intuition told her he was young, and she angrily shouted, "Youngster, do you even deserve to meddle in an old woman's business?" In truth, Xie Yunyue had only been focused on saving people; otherwise, a full-force attack would likely have caused Ren Qigu even greater harm.

Xie Yunyue let out a soft, cold snort, seemingly extremely disdainful of Ren Qigu. Ren Qigu carefully examined the young man's face, but could not discern any expression. She could only see the immense resentment and contempt in his eyes. He slowly said, "Ren Qigu, I have no business with your two families. I'm here for another matter. I only ask you, where is the woman you and your wicked son kidnapped in Yanyan fourteen years ago?"

The cold wind had no effect on this basin, only lightly brushing the treetops. The auspicious sun shone brightly on everyone, giving them a warm feeling, but Ren Qigu couldn't help but shiver several times, and forced a reply: "That's an old woman who betrayed us, it's none of your business."

Xie Yunyue laughed wildly: "That's right, it's your business. Breaking up other people's families and killing husbands is also your business?"

The moment Ren Qigu saw Xie Yunyue, she felt something very different. Cold air emanated from between her brows, and she felt extremely uncomfortable. An ominous shadow pressed down on her heart. As if unwilling to suffer the torment of the dark demon within her, she forced out a roar: "Boy, you think you're so great, you should also draw your sword and show yourself. How can an old woman be afraid of you?" This voice really didn't come from a woman's throat, but was like the howl of a jackal, which shocked the Yunwu Manor's followers. They wondered what was wrong with their old leader today, that he didn't speak like he usually did when facing enemies.

Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "You are not worthy to be called a master swordsman." These words shocked everyone watching. The three birds of Longxi secretly remarked on the arrogance of this young man surnamed Yan.

Ren Qigu snorted and leaped forward, her cane striking down on her head. The cane's shadow flashed like a dense net, generating an unusually powerful gust of wind. Xie Yunyue ignored the fierce attack, merely smiling slightly. He leaned slightly to the side, the cane striking just before his ribs. With lightning speed, his right thumb, index, and middle fingers extended, firmly gripping the steel cane head.

This was unexpected not only by Ren Qigu herself, but also by everyone watching. This top-tier underworld expert, the silver-haired witch Ren Qigu, possessed a cane strike stronger than a mountain. She was instantly subdued by three fingers. Ren Qigu tried to pull the cane back, letting out a cry as she tried to pull it back with all her might. Despite her best efforts, the veins on her old face bulged, and she remained unmoved.

The young man twisted three fingers, and with a "crack," the staff broke off five inches from its tip. He casually tossed it aside, and the broken piece struck a tree trunk, paused briefly, and instead of falling, slowly sank into the tree, eventually disappearing completely. Most astonishingly, it made no sound. The silver-haired witch, Ren Qigu, gasped in shock, abruptly withdrawing her staff and leaping back several feet. The onlookers were all speechless; this "gold-spreading, wood-rotting" skill was unprecedented.

A thought flashed through Xie Yunfang's mind: "Ren Long said Xia'er was kidnapped. Could this Xia'er be Wenmei's mother? Why should I wait? I should go into the manor and find out." With that thought, he ignored Ren Qigu's stunned expression, straightened his arms, and moved like a wisp of smoke past her.

Ren Qigu panicked, her arm twisting rapidly as she thrust a palm towards Xie Yunyue's chest. Ren Qigu was one of the most skilled martial artists in the Jianghu, her palm strike possessing the power of a thunderbolt. Xie Yunyue didn't even turn around; his left palm lightly swept backward, yet his figure shot into the manor like an arrow. This palm strike, seemingly weak and powerless, was actually too much for Ren Qigu to withstand. She took two steps back, let out a strange cry, paused for a moment, and then quickly followed Xie Yunyue.

After entering the manor, Xie Yunyue saw a large courtyard with painted pavilions and carved beams, a tranquil garden, but he was anxious to find Gu Yanwen and had no time to appreciate the scenery. He rushed inside. He dashed to the outside of the third courtyard wall, where the stone path was littered with broken limbs and arms, not yet dead. Fresh food spilled out, covering the ground, and faint screams of agony filled the air. Black smoke billowed from inside the houses, and he knew that the young lady, "Spirit Turtle," had gone on a killing spree.

Xie Yunyue darted along the stone path, but the girl had injured quite a few people; there were at least forty or fifty along the way, including some women. He caught sight of a small child huddled in a corner, trembling uncontrollably. He stopped abruptly and shouted, "Have you seen a young girl... um, a young man with a sword go there?"

The child was too frightened to utter a sound, his eyes rolling back, trembling... trembling... Xie Yunyue stamped his foot in exasperation, yelling, "Won't you speak?"

Seeing him stamp his foot, the sword tassel on the child's shoulder swayed wildly. He was terrified by the girl's sword flashes and bloodshed, thinking Xie Yunyue was also going to kill him. He cried out in alarm, "Don't kill me with your sword, old man! He ran away with Aunt Xia!"

"Where did he run off to?"

"I don't know either. He injured many people and ran away. I only saw the two elders of Mangshan and the four young masters chasing after him in this direction." The child pointed eastward.

Xie Yunyue was about to turn east when Ren Qigu and her entourage caught up. Ren Qigu shouted, "Young man, you've committed murder and arson; how can you just walk away like this?"

Xie Yunyue whirled around, his eyes flashing with a sinister light. He smiled coldly and said, "Old hag, you're so sure the fires and deaths in your manor were caused by the young master? But everyone in Cloud Mist Manor is a bloodthirsty bunch; they deserved to die." The

men who had come with Ren Qigu surrounded Xie Yunyue. One of them, dressed in black with a long beard, drew his sword and sneered, "You're too arrogant! Why don't you reveal your name so that all the heroes of the world can know?"

Xie Yunyue retorted... With a disdainful laugh, he said, "You dare call yourself a hero?"

The man roared in anger, "I am but the insignificant Zhu Heng, the Ape Swordsman. Though not a prominent figure, I am still a name to be reckoned with. Unlike you, who dares not reveal your name yet carries the guise of a swordsman, boasting of being the best in the world. I have traveled the world and never seen anyone like you."

This remark made Xie Yunyue laugh. He stared intently at Zhu Heng, and after a moment, uttered a witty remark, "Teacher Zhu, you are like Wu Dalang taking his medicine—you'll die whether you take it or not." With that, he flicked his wrist, and with a clang, the Tai'a Divine Sword was drawn, a dazzling blue light reflecting in the sunlight, radiating a chilling aura.

Zhu Heng was terrified upon seeing this, realizing that this man wielded an ancient divine sword, which could lead to his death. Having already spoken, he could not back down. He wanted to strike first, for in a battle between masters, the difference was only a hair's breadth. Therefore, Zhu Heng, the Ape Swordsman, suddenly attacked, his sword flashing like lightning. The attack, "Flying Ape Drops from Branch," swiftly descended from above, striking directly at Zhu Heng's face.

Xie Yunyue, his sword hanging motionless, waited until the tip of Zhu Heng's sword was almost upon him before shifting his toes, appearing behind Zhu Heng's chest. He lightly pressed his left palm against Zhu Heng's shoulder, letting out a soft, cold laugh. Zhu Heng, terrified, broke out in a cold sweat. Xie Yunyue's palm touched the back of his clothes, alerting him in time. He leaped into the air with "Soaring Crane," assuming the "Flying Eagle Seizes Rabbit" stance, head down and feet up. A flash of sword light followed, striking with lightning speed.

This move was incredibly powerful; even Xie Yunyue couldn't escape its reach, as Zhu Heng was in mid-air, and no matter where Xie Yunyue moved, the sword light could cover him. Xie Yunyue snorted, his left palm swaying upwards, a soft, yin-like force instantly deflecting Zhu Heng's sword strike. Zhu Heng, feeling an invisible force approaching, knew something was wrong. He spun to the side, landing on his feet, but his opponent vanished the moment his feet touched the ground. He spun around, drawing his sword, changing positions four or five times, but still couldn't find his opponent.

Zhu Heng's movements were as swift as lightning; the Ape King Sword Technique required incredible speed to reach its full potential. Yet, his opponent's cold laughter continued to echo from behind, his hand occasionally touching his own chest. His face was ashen, sweat pouring from his forehead, yet he continued to wield his sword like a mad ape, oblivious to the need to retract his stance. Xie Yunyue, seeing his utter lack of restraint, let out a clear whistle. With a flick of his wrist, his Great A-Bao sword flashed, and a striking blue arc appeared. With a sharp crack, only the hilt of the sword remained in Zhu Heng's hand. He felt a sudden chill on his right ear. Zhu Heng's face was ashen. He discarded the sword and touched his hand; sticky blood smeared his palm—his right ear had been severed.

Xie Yunyue sneered, saying, "I'll spare your life and use your words to spread the word that my swordsmanship is unparalleled. If anyone disagrees, they can come find me. Names are just illusions, and my whereabouts are uncertain. Just remember my image." Before he finished speaking, seven black dots suddenly flew towards him, swirling like lightning.

It turned out that Ren Qigu was alarmed by Xie Yunyue's superb skills and feared she was no match for him. Suddenly, she had a wicked thought and took out her rarely used "Black Light Nails," throwing them out with the "Rain of Flowers" technique. These "Black Light Nails" were only about an inch long, poisoned, and had hexagonal tips, specifically designed to break through internal energy cultivation. The nails were originally made of brittle steel; if hit, the nail would shatter into pieces inside the skin, and without cutting off that piece of flesh, there was no way to save the person. She also had an incredibly skillful technique for throwing hidden weapons, launching seven, nine, eleven in succession, with two hands striking them, each no more than five inches apart. Sometimes, the one that came out last would arrive first, making it impossible for anyone to defend against.

Xie Yunyue caught a glimpse of the silver-haired old woman, Ren Qigu, flicking her wrist, and knew there was a hidden weapon. He snorted coldly and moved with his sword. A fan-shaped sword light shot out, and with several clanging sounds, all seven "black nails" were knocked down. Ren Qigu's attack was incredibly fast, but Xie Yunyue's sword was even faster. Just as Ren Qigu was about to unleash the nine or eleven black nails in her hands, a dazzling sword light rushed towards her. She cried out in alarm that her left arm had been severed. Xie Yunyue swung his left hand, and with a cracking sound, Ren Qigu's right shoulder bone shattered instantly. With a twitch, she was sent flying more than five zhang away. Blood gushed from the severed part of her left arm, leaving a trail of red blood as she flew away. A severed arm remained on the ground, the black nails still tightly clenched in her palm. This scene terrified the surrounding bandits.

Xie Yunyue glanced at the ashen-faced crowd, chuckled coldly, sheathed his longsword, and sped eastward like lightning. No one dared to stop him. They approached and helped Ren Qigu up, only to find her already dead. Zhu Heng, the Ape Sword Master, stamped his foot and left Yunwu Manor, stirring up the martial arts world and unleashing a bloody massacre. It was somewhat unexpected that Ren Qigu, this arrogant underworld expert, would be so easily defeated by Xie Yunyue. Given her high level of skill, as long as Xie Yunyue didn't use his "Bodhi Palm Force," he wouldn't be able to defeat her immediately. However, Ren Qigu was too arrogant from the start, allowing Xie Yunyue to take the initiative. Then, she was attacked by the Tai'a Divine Sword. Before the sword tip even reached her, it unleashed a tail, severing her left arm at shoulder length. Moreover, Xie Yunyue's movements were incredibly fast, catching her off guard. Besides, how could a flesh-and-blood body contend with an ancient divine weapon?

Meanwhile, Xie Yunyue hurried eastward, stopping frequently to carefully examine for any signs of fighting. He flew swiftly through the mountains, unknowingly covering twenty or thirty miles. The sun was already setting, and the mountain wind was exceptionally strong, whipping against his face. Wisps of white clouds swept by. He stopped on a huge rock, feeling melancholy and saddened. In the distance, he saw the Yellow River, like a ribbon, winding its way up to the horizon, churning and surging.

He thought to himself, "The boy clearly said he was coming from the east, but I haven't seen him at all. How come there's not a trace of him? Could it be that the boy is lying to me?" In fact, the boy hadn't lied to him. The girl, carrying her mother and avoiding the relentless pursuit of the Two Poisons of Mangshan and the Four Monsters of Longmen, had been running east and west, turning completely opposite to the path Xie Yunyue had taken, hence the absence of him.

Xie Yunyue couldn't help but turn around abruptly, then sped back the way he came. Approaching Cloud Mist Manor, he saw only ruins and rubble, people frantically trying to put out the fire. The embers were still burning, and thick smoke filled the air. He glanced at it briefly, then dashed away again. He stopped at the source of the waterfall. In the fading light of the setting sun, the sky was ablaze with color, the roar of the waterfall thundered, and the spray was like pearls and jade—a breathtaking scene. But his beloved was nowhere to be seen. His heart felt as heavy as lead. Humans are emotional beings; after days of intimate moments, they were inseparable. Now, it all seemed like a dream, leaving only an emptiness in his heart, a sense of loss. After a long while, suddenly a sharp glint appeared in his eyes, as if he had gained some insight. He turned and leaped back towards Cloud Mist Manor.

Nearly three-quarters of the manor's buildings were destroyed, except for a row of western wing rooms, which remained unscathed due to their distance from the fire. Now, with the manor recently struck by disaster, defenses were somewhat lax. Xie Yunyue slipped in unimpeded, finding himself perched atop a dense, leafy paulownia tree outside the western wing's window. In the twilight, no one could detect his presence.

The long row of latticed windows in the western wing was completely open, offering a clear view of everyone inside. As soon as Xie Yunyue concealed himself, he glimpsed Ren Long, his right arm and leg tightly wrapped in white cloth, stained with purplish-black blood. He was being helped inside by the other three monsters and sat down. The sun had just set, leaving only a lingering glow. It was clearly visible that all four monsters had swollen, red eyes.

They sat down around a square table made of sandalwood inlaid with white marble. Ren Hu slammed his palm on the table, and with a loud crack, the stone surface shattered into pieces. He opened his eyes and cursed, "I don't believe this young man's swordsmanship is that good. Tomorrow I will search the entire martial world and find him no matter what."

Ren Bao snorted and said, "Second brother, don't make a fool of yourself. Even with Mother's high level of skill, she couldn't withstand a single sword strike. Even if you find him, what can you do to him?" Xie Yunyue knew he was talking about him and chuckled inwardly.

Ren Hu glared angrily and said, "What? The hatred for one's parents is irreconcilable, are you just going to let it go?"

Ren Bao sneered, "Who said you'd let it go? Everything needs a plan, a deliberate strategy before acting. Who has a temper like yours?"

Ren Hu rolled his eyes, about to explode, but Ren Long waved his hand to stop him, saying, "Brother Bao is right. Second brother, you need to change your hot temper. Neither of the two young men who came were easy to deal with. It's just that we were too arrogant, saying that anyone who violates Yunwu Manor must die. For many years, people in the martial world have strictly adhered to this rule, and no one dares to enter the manor without prior notification. Because of this laxity, the two young men easily succeeded."

He paused, sighed, and continued, "Take the young man who carried Xia'er out, for example. He only used one hand, yet he forced the four of us brothers into a corner. If it weren't for the two elders from Mangshan arriving quickly, my life would have been in danger. Do you think it was easy?" These words were clearly directed at Ren Hu.

Ren Bao interjected, "Have the two seniors from Mangshan succeeded yet?"

Ren Long shook his head, saying, "The Mangshan Road is full of tombs, making it easy to hide. Besides, it's getting late, and this young man is incredibly skilled; they might still be locked in a standoff." Upon hearing the words "Mangshan," Xie Yunyue hastily leaped back, causing the branches and leaves to rustle.

Ren Hu immediately became alert, and with a flick of his wrist, five "Black Nails" shot out. A cold laugh rang out, and the "Black Nails" had already retaliated, striking the table and sparking. Ren Hu and Ren Bao leaped out simultaneously to look, only to see a cold wind blowing and branches swaying. They couldn't see anyone; the person had already gone far away. Chasing after them would be futile, so they returned to the room dejectedly. The Mangshan tomb passage looked extremely deep and eerie.

Meanwhile, Xie Yunyue also found Gu Yanwen. The two descended the steps, and Xie Yunyue immediately spotted a woman in black curled up in the tomb passage. The girl rushed forward and called out, "Mother." The woman in black responded, and the girl gently pulled her to sit up against the tombstone.

Only then did Xie Yunyue see clearly that her face was exactly like the girl's, beautiful and pretty, but more than ten years of imprisonment made her look very haggard, with several wrinkles on her forehead. But seeing her starry eyes fixed on his face, he immediately realized that he was still wearing a human skin mask. He exclaimed "Ah!" and reached out to remove it. He noticed that Gu's mother's starry eyes shone brightly, and a smile appeared on her face. Suddenly, she sighed softly and said, "Yanwen, your mother is now useless. What use is it for you to rescue me? But I am at peace knowing that you have someone to rely on for the rest of your life."

"Mother, why say such discouraging things? Even if I'm shattered to pieces, I will find someone to heal you."

Xie Yunyue had already noticed that Gu's mother was limp, as if someone had pressed her acupoints, but he hadn't asked at the time. Now, he asked, "Wen-mei, is Aunt injured?"

Gu Yanwen looked at Xie Yunyue with a resentful expression and said, "When Mother was abducted by that old hag, she forced her to marry Ren Long. Mother firmly refused, and the old hag actually pressed her acupoints, rendering her unable to move her limbs. She declared that she wouldn't undo the pressure until Mother agreed. Can you imagine how Mother could agree? As a result, the tendons in her limbs have atrophied. Fortunately, the old hag still remembers the bond between master and disciple, ensuring she has enough to eat and wear, and she stopped Ren Long from being disrespectful to Mother, otherwise..." At this point, she couldn't help but... Sobbing, she asked again, "Brother Yun, do you think Sai Huatuo and Wei Pingluo can cure my mother?"

Xie Yunyue felt a pang of sympathy and pondered for a moment before saying, "If it was recently acupunctured, she can recover in a couple of days. But it's been a long time, and her main tendons are withered. It won't be effective in a short time. She needs spiritual medicine to regulate her tendons and blood circulation, gradually strengthening her vitality. Sai Huatuo might be able to do it, but the long journey is too much for her. I have some experience in treating acupoints, but men and women..."

Mother Gu suddenly interrupted, "Nephew Xie, there are no taboos in the martial arts world, especially regarding your relationship with Yanwen..." She stopped abruptly. Xie Yunyue, being so clever, understood the implication in Mother Gu's words. Since she was his son, he could treat her acupoints, but he felt a little hesitant.

Under the torchlight, the girl's face was noticeably flushed. She laughed and said, "How come you know medicine, Brother Yun? Aunt Ren's methods are unique and difficult for outsiders to understand. I've never heard you mention this skill before."

The fire was almost extinguished, spitting out a faint flame. Xie Yunyue hurriedly said, "We shouldn't linger here. I stole the leather pouch containing poison weapons that was hanging beside the two poisoners earlier without noticing. With their skill, they must know by now. I'm afraid they'll return here. I'll go up and deal with them first. You can pack up and head to the Kaifeng Tianma Escort Agency with your mother to discuss a treatment plan." As he spoke, he swayed slightly and reached the tomb entrance, moved the tombstone, crawled out, and then sealed it again.

The sky was full of stars, and the crescent moon hung obliquely. Gusts of north wind stirred up dust and sand, creating a yellow mist on the surface of the mountain. The moonlight reflected on the Mangshan cemetery, adding a touch of desolation and eeriness. Xie Yunyue stood at the spot where he had just made his move, hands behind his back, gazing into the distance. A moment later, he heard two long, resonant howls. In the distance, two dark figures rose and fell across the graveyard, appearing and disappearing in the sandstorm, arriving in an instant.

The two poisoners stopped, immediately noticing Xie Yunyue standing on the high mound. They both shouted simultaneously and lunged towards the mound, their movements swift, arriving in the blink of an eye. The two poisoners of Minshan, without a sound, immediately launched a four-palm attack, each strike aimed at vital acupoints. Xie Yunyue gave a slight snort, remaining unmoved. His four palms reached him, and with a swift movement, he grabbed and released the two poisoners' wrists. Amidst a loud laugh, he was already airborne, performing a "Dragon Ascending to Heaven" maneuver, rising five or six feet into the air. He then unleashed a powerful kick, his momentum like lightning, landing on a high mound several dozen feet away in the blink of an eye.

This unparalleled lightness and agility secretly alarmed the two poisoners of Minshan. Just moments ago, the touch on their wrists had caused a tingling sensation throughout their bodies, a feeling of utter powerlessness. However, after the boy released his grip, their inner energy returned. This slight difference was enough to prove that the boy's martial arts were unfathomably profound. The two poisoners couldn't help but exchange bitter smiles. Before them stood Xie Yunyue, hands clasped behind his back, on the high hill, his cold gaze reflecting a faint

, disdainful smile. Although the two poisoners were shocked by the young man's profound skill, they were now in a predicament. So, with a simultaneous roar, they leaped into the air, their speed not much less than Xie Yunyue's. In the pale sunlight, they flew like two night elves carried by the wind, appearing like ghosts hovering over the endless tombs, adding to the terror.

URL 1:https://www.sexlove5.com/htmlBlog/15568.html

URL 2:/Blog.aspx?id=15568&aspx=1

Last access time:

Previous Page : Ten Years of Lone Sword and Vast Sea Alliance [Complete] - 9

Next Page : Ten Years of Lone Sword and Vast Sea Alliance [Complete] - 11

增加

comment Open a new window to view comments

Contact Information

Ten Years of Lone Sword and Vast Sea Alliance [Complete] - 10

comment Open a new window to view comments