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

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Chapter Eleven: Bodhi resides in a single thought; good intentions will ultimately be rewarded. A reckless act of defiance brings only disgrace.

Now, let's talk about the two poisoners of Minshan. They leaped up, striking Xie Yunyue's high vantage point with lightning speed. Their speed was unparalleled; under the pale moonlight, they resembled two night elves soaring through the air, their angry roars adding to the terror of the endless tombs. Xie Yunyue, intending to play a joke on the two poisoners, stood proudly upright. The two poisoners pounced from the east and west, just as they were about to reach him, he suddenly flipped his palms, his mind following his will, unleashing the "Maitreya Divine Skill" sticky technique, his palms drawing and closing in a single motion.

The two Poisons collided like two arrows, their bodies tumbling down the high ground like kites with broken strings, dazed and confused. It took them a while to get up. They thought they had rushed forward too quickly, causing the collision, so they roared in unison, one leaping into the sky like a crane, and both lunged at Xie Yunyue, their attacks swift as the wind, aimed at vital points, incredibly unpredictable. Xie Yunyue chuckled, using the "Mysterious Seven Star Steps" technique, only dodging and not attacking. No matter how fast the two Poisons' moves were, he could slip away the moment he made contact.

The two Poisons grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed. After dozens of exchanges, they instinctively felt that the young man's footwork was incredibly fast, causing them to feel dizzy and disoriented. They realized that he was deliberately letting them win, and that even their earlier collision was a warning. How could they have been so foolish? If it were anyone else, they would have given up long ago. Once they understood, they both leaped out of the circle. After landing and looking around, they saw Xie Yunyue standing three zhang away with his hands behind his back, a smile on his face, his robes fluttering in the moonlight. He appeared refined and otherworldly, with a handsome and elegant demeanor.

It should be known that although the two poisoners of Minshan are listed among the most notorious, they are not actually very bad people and know how to act with discretion. Qi Qing and Qi Chong were both orphans in their childhood and suffered from indifference, discrimination, and hunger. Later, they were taken in by a strange man, but their eccentricities had already taken root. They always felt that there were many hypocrites in the world. The more they claimed to be noble, the more corrupt they were inside. They were not as straightforward and righteous as the lower-class people. After they finished their training and went down the mountain, they liked to associate with the common people and often avoided righteous people. As they grew old, they gradually realized that their prejudices were far from the truth. However, because the righteous people saw their eccentricities, they included the two poisoners among the evil people. In fact, they cherished their reputation and never killed anyone indiscriminately.

It was precisely because they saw that in this vast world, in the fleeting world of mortals, how many people could be truly perfect? More evil than good was true goodness, and more sin than virtue was evil. Therefore, they had this thought: that they could be spared by encountering Xie Yunyue, this wicked star. Who can say there is no justice in the universe? At this moment, seeing Xie Yunyue stop and not pursue, still smiling with his hands behind his back, the two were filled with shame and embarrassment.

Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "I have never met you two before, why would I presume to harm you?"

Upon hearing this, the two poisoners thought to themselves, "He has the right reason. The leather pouch was stolen, but we did not see him do it. Why did we attack without asking? It seems we are in the wrong." So the two poisoners blushed immediately. The eldest poisoner, Tengqing, said, "What you say is true. When we left here just now, someone secretly stole the leather pouch that was hanging under our clothes. When we returned here, we saw you alone and immediately assumed it was you. In our haste, we acted rashly. However..."

Xie Yunyue smiled and interrupted, "The contents of the leather pouch must be rare treasures, but the old hero and you may not have been in such a hurry." As he spoke, he slowly took a few steps forward.

The Great Poison Master Qi Qing laughed, “The bag is mostly filled with worthless poisonous artifacts. It’s not a pity to lose them. However, these things are extremely poisonous and domineering. If someone misuses them, they might use them to run rampant. We, the Two Poison Masters of Minshan, cherish our reputation and cannot afford to lose them unintentionally. Even if we cause a great disaster, there are still dozens of ‘Fire Cloud Pills’ and a valuable book from our sect, ‘Annotations on Combining Poisons,’ in the inner layer of the bag. We absolutely cannot lose them. If you happen to find them, could you please return them to us? We will certainly repay you.” As he spoke, his crystalline eyes fixed on the other party.

Xie Yunyue smiled faintly and said, “Oh, so it’s the Two Elders of Minshan. I have indeed taken the leather bag. If that’s the case, it shows that you two are kind-hearted.” "As he spoke, he took out a leather pouch from under his clothes and threw it to the ground. Erdu caught it with a flick of his wrist. Qichong took out four red pills, as red as gunpowder, from the pouch, placed them in his palm, and walked toward Xie Yunyue, saying, "Years ago, when we were traveling in the East Sea, we unintentionally picked up five 'Fire Essence Jade' on the peak of a small island in the middle of the sea. This item is a pure Yang treasure, so we came to combine it with medicine to refine a batch of 'Fire Cloud Pill', which is very effective in treating muscle and bone atrophy or blood freezing. It is just a small item, not worth mentioning, but it is a small token to repay Brother Leather Pouch for his kindness."

Xie Yunyue's heart stirred upon hearing this. Wasn't the "Fire Cloud Pill" just what he needed to treat Gu's mother? He reached out and took it, saying, "I didn't expect you two to be so magnanimous, not only forgiving me but also giving me such a generous gift. I feel a little guilty, but..." He hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "It's fate that I met you two here. I happen to need four 'Fire Cloud Pills' right now, and I'm grateful for your kindness. However, if you need anything from the Strange Hand Scholar in the future, I will never stand idly by." He was still wearing a human skin mask, so his expression was unreadable, but his tone was extremely sincere. The

two poisoners exclaimed in unison. The Great Poisoner, Xi Qing, was full of surprise and said, "No wonder! You are the Strange Hand Scholar who has shocked the martial world and is famous far and wide. I am completely convinced of your superior skill. In the future, when you join Sichuan, please visit Minshan. We will like to learn from you." "With that, Erdu cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, turned, and darted away, disappearing into the endless tombs in an instant. Occasionally, he would be seen as just two black dots rising and falling in the moonlight... Xie Yunyue stared silently at Erdu's departing figure, lost in thought, thinking to himself, "Life and death are preordained, and fate has its own arrangements. It is indeed a matter of course. Since I started out, I have been ruthless and merciless. Any evil spirits or heretics who encounter me, even if they don't die, will have to return with some injuries. How come they are so lenient tonight..." He shook his head, thinking, "To be honest, I find it hard to believe. If it weren't for this, how would I know about the 'Fire Cloud Pill'? Isn't this destiny..." Thinking of this, he hurriedly turned back and rushed towards the ancient tomb where Gu's mother was hiding.

He moved the tombstone and saw the girl and her mother sitting side by side on the stone steps of the tomb, occasionally whispering to each other, their backs to Xie Yunyue. As soon as she heard the sound of the tombstone being moved, the girl turned around and asked with a smile, "Brother Yun, have you sent Erdu away?" Xie Yunyue laughed, "

I never expected we'd become acquainted through fighting. They've already returned to Minshan. Wenmei, I have some wonderful news for you: Auntie is saved! I guarantee she'll be able to move freely again in less than seven days."

The girl's eyes lit up with surprise. She jumped up and exclaimed, "Really? That's wonderful... But don't try to fool me!"

Gu's mother turned and sighed softly, "Nephew, don't say that the old hag's unique acupuncture technique is difficult to undo. Even with over ten years of paralysis, her blood and energy have withered. How could she possibly recover in seven days? You're afraid I'll lose heart and despair, so you said this, aren't you?" Upon hearing this, the girl's initial surprise turned to utter despair. In the light of the tinderbox, her large eyes welled with tears.

Xie Yunyue, with a solemn expression, said, "I always keep my word. Auntie, please rest assured, she will recover within seven days." "Saying this, he took out two 'Fire Cloud Pills' and instructed the girl to put them into Gu's mother's mouth to swallow.

The girl took the 'Fire Cloud Pills' and fed them to her, then stared intently at Xie Yunyue, seemingly puzzled. Xie Yunyue smiled without speaking. After a moment, his right hand suddenly shot out, using the miraculous technique of releasing acupoints in mid-air from the 'Eighteen Releases of Xuanyuan,' two inches away from Gu's mother, and quickly pointed at the 'Tian Shu,' 'Qi Men,' 'Qi She,' and the important acupoints on her limbs.

After Gu's mother took the 'Fire Cloud Pills,' she felt an intense heat burning in her abdomen, unable to release an unbearable tension that made her teeth clench. Just as she was feeling uncomfortable, she suddenly felt the acupoints loosen, and the burning heat gathered in her abdomen burst outwards, flowing throughout her body, bringing her extreme comfort. However, her limbs were still weak and powerless." At this moment, Xie Yunyue said to Gu Yanwen, "Sister Wen, you can now sit cross-legged facing behind your mother, press your palms firmly against her 'Mingmen' acupoint, and channel your own true energy. Then, I will press my palm against your chest to 'transfer energy through the body.' With the combined strength of both of us, your mother should recover about half of her strength."

Gu's mother was astonished by the young man's exquisite martial arts skills. In this world, such skills are rarely seen in the martial arts world, and can be considered unique. Just considering this technique of releasing acupoints in mid-air, it would be difficult to achieve such mastery without fifty years of internal and external cultivation. Seeing it in this young man was unbelievable if she hadn't seen it with her own eyes. It shows that in the path of martial arts, one must rely on one's innate talent and aptitude to achieve great success. At this moment, the girl sat cross-legged as instructed, pressed her palms against her mother's Mingmen acupoint, and silently channeled her true energy. Just as she was holding her breath and concentrating, the girl was surprised to find that Xie Yunyue's palms were pressing against her chest. Immediately, a strange and powerful yang energy rushed through her, accelerating the flow of her own true energy.

Mother Gu felt a slight soreness and languor, while a surge of heat coursed through her body, reaching her dantian and extending to the twelfth level of her body. Her withered tendons and ligaments began to swell and revive. An hour later, Mother Gu felt that she could move her fingers slightly. She was overjoyed. After being paralyzed for over a decade, she now had the hope of being reborn. Not only Mother Gu, but anyone would feel this way. Mother Gu was so happy that she couldn't help but shout, "Wen'er... look at my fingers and toes... can they move now?"

Xie Yunyue immediately withdrew his hand upon hearing this. The girl held Mother Gu's body and cried out, "Mother, is it true? Quickly, let your daughter see." The girl saw her mother's limbs and toes slowly move, slightly lifting and then falling back down, showing great effort. Although this was the case, it was an extremely good sign. The girl was overjoyed and couldn't help but hug her mother and shake her repeatedly. Both mother and daughter burst into tears, their deep affection for each other reaching its peak.

Xie Yunyue waited a moment, then called out softly, "Wenmei, Aunt's illness has improved; you should be happy. Now, I'll go to Luoyang first to rent a carriage, then come to Mangshan to pick you up. You two can have a good talk." With that, he left the tomb.

The crescent moon hung high in the sky, and the cold wind blew fiercely. A figure leaped and bounded through the Mangshan cemetery, heading towards the eastern gate of Luoyang. Xie Yunyue's thoughts raced along the way. He felt that Gu Yanwen was far happier than him, for she had found her mother. The image of the mother and daughter embracing and weeping with joy was still vivid in his mind—a genuine expression of emotion, deeply moving. Yunyue couldn't help but shed two hot tears.

He was fast on his feet, and in less than half an hour, he had arrived at the outskirts of Luoyang's East Gate. There were over a hundred shops in the outskirts of the East Gate, and in the dead of night, they had all closed their doors. There were still many firecracker debris piled up on the streets, and the air was still filled with the smell of gunpowder and sulfur, along with the occasional barking of dogs. All that was left was his long, thin shadow moving under the moonlight.
He knocked on the door of a mule and horse shop. An elderly man with graying temples came out, carrying a lantern. He looked Xie Yunyue up and down and said, "Sir, do you need to rent mules and horses on the seventh night of the Lunar New Year?"

Xie Yunyue nodded and smiled, "I need to rent four strong mules and a cart. I need them urgently to escort a sick woman to Kaifeng."

The old man hesitated for a while before saying, "The mules and cart are readily available, but today is the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, and the driver had a few too many drinks and is drunk. He's gone home to sleep. They all live in the city, and the city gates don't open until dawn. It's no use if you need a cart so urgently. I suggest you try another shop?"

Xie Yunyue handed over a gold ingot and smiled, "No need to try another shop." "The women are still twenty or thirty li away. I can drive here myself to fetch them. It will be dawn by then. Please trouble you, sir, to inform my elder brother to wait here."

The gold was shiny. Although it was a small ingot, it probably wasn't worth a hundred taels of silver. At that time, the cost of living was low. This ingot of gold was enough for a family of eight for two or three years. Besides, business had come to our door, and we couldn't refuse. So the old man smiled and said, "Since you are so kind, sir, that's wonderful. I'll go get the cart ready. Please come in and have a seat, sir. But... you've paid too much."

Xie Yunyue said, "Consider the rest a tip. Please get the cart ready, sir. I'll sit here for a while." With that, he stepped into the shop and sat on a bench outside to wait.

The old man also hurried to the stable. Before long, the old man had already harnessed a mule cart and personally drove it to the shop. Xie Yunyue took the long whip, jumped onto the yoke, and cracked it repeatedly in the air. The mule cart sped away, kicking up dust. Arriving at the foot of Mang Mountain, it was nearly midnight. Xie Yunyue stopped and slipped into the ancient tombs. The young woman and her mother had been waiting at the tomb for a long time. Now, the young woman carried her mother to the mule cart, placed her inside, and let her lean against it. After they were seated, Xie Yunyue lowered the curtain and rode back.

When the sun was high in the sky, Xie Yunyue and the other two were already on the Bianluo Road. Inside the cart, they could hear the shouts of the two drivers from the shafts. Along the way, the girl recounted how she had rescued her mother from Yunwu Manor, and then laughed, "Brother Yun, the three 'Severing Tendons and Cutting Veins' techniques you taught me are truly extraordinary. Because I was carrying my mother on my back, I couldn't tell which way was which, and I just ran along a hidden path. Before I knew it, I had arrived at the foot of Mangshan Mountain. The Four Monsters were chasing after me relentlessly. Since I couldn't use my sword, I simply sheathed it and used my bare hands to fight back. Sure enough, I forced the Four Monsters of Longmen to the point where they had no strength left to fight back. However, I was exhausted and had no choice but to put my mother down temporarily, draw my long sword, and finally repel the Four Monsters. The eldest monster was even hit by my sword. After they retreated, I carried my mother on my back again and, still disoriented, ran up Mangshan Mountain. At this time, Erdu also arrived. I only managed to hide in the Ancient Tomb by relying on the 'Nine Palaces Positive and Negative Yin-Yang Steps' technique. If I hadn't been afraid of my mother's sick body, the Four Monsters would have been dead long ago." "As he spoke, he was still filled with resentment.

Xie Yunyue laughed and said, "Now we are blessed by Heaven and are finally safe. Why mention him again? Didn't I return to Yunwu Manor and learn of Wenmei's whereabouts from Ren Long? Otherwise, where would I have gone to look for her?"

Tu Shan kept discovering martial arts figures coming and going, but no one realized that the famous "Strange Hand Scholar" was in the mule cart. The Taiyuan case caused a sensation in the martial arts world. Martial arts figures frequently appeared on the Bianluo Road. A few were running around for their own affairs, but most were out scouting for the Strange Hand Scholar. The martial arts world is vast, unpredictable, and ever-changing. Good and evil are everywhere, and the number of people is as numerous as the stars. A rising star in the righteous path becomes a thorn in the side of the underworld, and must be removed. Therefore, the Guanluo Road is densely populated with bandits, but Xie Yunyue was completely unaware of this. The rumble of the carriage mingled with the clatter of hooves .

Xie Yunyue and Gu Yanwen chatted and laughed, finding no loneliness in the process. Gu's mother leaned against the carriage, her eyes closed as if taking a nap. After a long, arduous journey, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, they had arrived at the Tianma Escort Agency in Kaifeng. The Tianma Escort Agency was an old and prestigious establishment in Bianjing (

Kaifeng), its grandeur beyond question. As soon as Xie Yunyue lifted the carriage curtain, his eyes were immediately drawn to the four-horse escort flag fluttering on the flagpole, bright and eye-catching. Upon seeing the mule cart parked outside, the escorts rushed over to inquire. Xie Yunyue cupped his hands and smiled, "Please inform Elder Chief Sima that a man surnamed Yan requests an audience." Upon

hearing this, the escort looked him up and down, then suddenly exclaimed with a smile, "This gentleman, could he be the young hero Yan who helped our agency in Gaojiagouzi?" Xie

Yunyue nodded. The镖伙 (bodyguard/escort) looked delighted and, without saying a word, rushed through the镖局 (escort agency) shouting all the way. A moment later, the old镖头 (head镖师, a kind of bodyguard/escort leader), Sima Zhongming, Lu Kun (the "Sun and Moon Cactus"), and a group of镖师 (bodyguard/escorts) hurried over. Before they even got close, the old镖头 (

head镖师) called out loudly, "Brother Yan, what are you waiting outside? Please come in, please come in!" With that, he stepped outside. Xie Yunyue clasped his hands and smiled, "Greetings, old镖头 (head镖师, a kind of bodyguard/escort leader), greetings, everyone."

At this moment, Lu Kun (the "Sun and Moon Cactus") asked, "Young Hero Yan, is there anything else…?"

Xie Yunyue interrupted, "My wife and my mother-in-law are still in the carriage." "As they spoke, Gu Yanwen had already helped her mother out of the carriage. The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) saw this and knew that Gu's mother was unable to walk, so he quickly called for servants to help her inside.

Gu Yanwen and her mother, accompanied by the old镖头's daughter-in-law, went to the inner courtyard. Xie Yunyue and the old镖头 sat down in the main hall to talk. The old镖头 first asked Xie Yunyue about his trip to Luoyang, how Gu's mother had become paralyzed. Xie Yunyue smiled and said, 'This matter cannot be explained in a few words. Fortunately, I need to stay for six or seven days, so let's talk slowly.'

The old镖头 nodded, then suddenly sighed and said, 'After I returned to Kaifeng, another incident occurred at the镖局 (escort agency) yesterday.'

Xie Yunyue asked in surprise why, and the old镖头 continued, 'It's about the strange scholar Yu Yun from Taiyuan…'

Xie Yunyue asked in astonishment, 'This strange scholar Yu Yun has nothing to do with you, old镖头. Why would the bandits come to the Tianma镖局 (Heavenly Horse Escort Agency)?'" "

Then Lu Kun, the 'Sun and Moon Cactus,' chimed in with a smile, 'That's what I was saying too!'" The whole affair started because of Gaojiagouzi. The Nine Sons Mother, seeing that Xian Liangmeng's origins were suspicious, suspected that Young Hero Yan was the incarnation of the Strange-Handed Scholar Yu Yun. She then informed Flying Hawk Lou Jingde, who yesterday sent a Thunderbolt Hand, Yang Bi, to inquire about Liangmeng's whereabouts. Yang Bi, a treacherous and cunning man who has roamed Guanzhong for decades, is unpredictable and a lone wolf, a major nemesis of our escort agency. It's unclear when he became a disciple of Flying Hawk Lou Jingde's Gangluo sect. When he arrived at the agency, his arrogance was unbearable. The old head镖师 (escort leader) only claimed that he had met Xian Liangmeng by chance on the way, and that he didn't know him beforehand. Since Xian Liangmeng was going to Luoyang, he couldn't help him. Thunderbolt Hand Yang Bi was furious, declaring that the old head镖师 should hand over Xian Liangmeng's whereabouts, or he would ruin the old head镖师's reputation. Yesterday, he almost clashed with the old head镖师, and before leaving, he displayed an astonishing display of internal strength. "Young Hero Yan, look," he said, pointing to the hall door.

Xie Yunyue glanced up and saw a clear handprint on the door. Examining it closely, he saw that the handprint was deeply indented, as if cut by a knife or axe, exceptionally smooth and even, indicating that the internal strength had reached a superior level. He smiled faintly and said, "Thunderbolt Hand Yang Bi is coming again. I'll handle it. It's just that your escort agency has been disturbed, which makes me feel guilty."
The old escort leader, Sima Zhongming, stroked his beard and laughed loudly, "We martial artists value clear distinctions between gratitude and resentment, and uphold righteousness. What is this little matter? Even if you hadn't come today, I wouldn't be afraid of Yang Bi's few words. What can he scare us with? You're too kind." "Don't be so formal."

Xie Yunyue smiled, glanced at the group of镖师 (bodyguards/escorts), and asked, "Have the four镖头 (bodyguards/escorts) recovered from the snake bites at Gaojiagouzi? Why is the young镖头 (bodyguard/escort) nowhere to be seen?"

The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) said sadly, "The four镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) are still paralyzed in bed due to excessive blood loss. It won't be long before they recover. Even if they can move freely, their martial arts skills have weakened considerably. My son contracted tuberculosis half a year ago. He vomits blood and fights constantly. We've consulted all the famous doctors in Bianjing, but they're helpless. Serious diseases are easy to cure, but miraculous medicines are hard to find. It seems... it's just a matter of time before he dies." The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort)'s voice trembled. The father-son bond was strong, and his pain was palpable.

Xie Yunyue laughed loudly and said, "As the saying goes, medicine can't cure all diseases, and Buddha saves those with affinity. Old镖头 (镖头 is a term for a镖师, a kind and benevolent person), how could you suffer such misfortune? I am quite skilled in medicine, how about I examine you, young镖头?"

The old镖头 was overjoyed, but suddenly saw Xie Yunyue reach out and grab a teacup on the table. He squeezed his palm inward, and a series of soft sounds were heard. A fine cloisonné porcelain cup shattered instantly. The old镖头 stared blankly, not knowing what had happened. Xie Yunyue smiled slightly, then suddenly flicked his wrist and threw the cup towards the courtyard outside the hall. Several screams were heard, followed by a series of breaking tiles. Three or four figures rolled down the roof tiles of the courtyard.

The镖师 were initially stunned, then rushed out and grabbed the four bandits by the head, placing them on the hall floor. Upon seeing the faces of the four bandits, everyone was horrified. The porcelain shards Xie Yunyue had thrown were embedded in their faces, creating a dense, blood-like pattern that prevented blood from seeping out. A ring of crimson blood appeared around the edges of the shards, making them look incredibly ugly and terrifying. The four bandits were barely alive, their faces contorted in pain, a color impossible to discern because the porcelain shards had obscured it.

These four were undoubtedly subordinates of Flying Hawk Lou Jingde, accompanying Thunderbolt Hand Yang Bi to investigate the Yaoma Escort Agency. Since Yu Yun had orchestrated several earth-shattering and awe-inspiring feats on the Bingzhou Road, these kinds of underworld experts were all living in fear. Their intuition told them that whether it was Yu Yun, Yan Yue, or Xie Yunyue, as long as such a figure existed, those in the underworld faced imminent danger. Of course, the martial world was vast, and chivalrous figures were as numerous as the stars; those who were nemesis of the underworld were also countless.

Xie Yunyue, though only a year old, had already made a name for himself in the martial arts world, his actions causing a great stir. Underworld figures saw him as a thorn in their side, determined to eliminate him at all costs. However, he was elusive, appearing and disappearing without a trace. Only a few people had seen him during the Yangjiaji incident and at the foot of Mount Wutai. The Taiyuan massacre was based solely on the conjecture of the Gongmen Erjie, suggesting Yu Yunyue was responsible. Such baseless speculation is generally unreliable. Yet, the reason such a master of the underworld became a giant in the martial arts world was due to his unparalleled accuracy in predicting events. Lou Jingde, the chief镖师 (bodyguard/escort) of the Guanzhong Heluo Green Forest Road, possessed even greater strengths. Not only was his martial arts superb, but his innovative strategies were also superior to others. Even Xie Yunyue's father, Xie Wen, the Soul Chaser, was defeated by him in a battle of wits. This demonstrates that Lou Jingde's intelligence and martial arts were exceptional. Therefore, Lou Jingde's ability to hold the position of overlord of the Heluo Green Forest Road for thirty years was a direct result of this.

After retreating from Gaojiagouzi to Wangwu Mountain, Yuan Kai, the Nine-Child Mother Ant, grew increasingly resentful. He then headed north to Taiyuan to seek out the Four Elders of Gaoligong Mountain. However, recalling the two youths he had met in Gaojiagouzi, whose skill and palm techniques were strikingly different and almost identical to those of the legendary "Strange Hand Scholar," he had a sudden inspiration and decided to consult with Lou Jingde, the Flying Pigeon. Lou Jingde

, the Flying Pigeon, nodded and smiled, saying, "Brother Ant's observation is correct. The two youths must be related to the Strange Hand Scholar, Yu Yun. I have already dispatched twelve elite warriors to Luoyang. As long as the two youths remain in Luoyang, I expect to receive news within days." He then immediately ordered his men to inform the experts stationed in Luoyang of the images of Xie Yunyue and Gu Yanwen.

The next day, news arrived: the two youths had destroyed the large ox at Yunwu Manor, Ren Qigu had been brutally killed, the Three Birds of Longxi had looted and burned, and… however, the whereabouts of the two youths remained unknown. When the news arrived, even Flying Hawk was shocked, let alone the others. For example, Ren Qigu was a famous figure in the martial arts world. Although Lou Jingde had not witnessed the fight, he felt a sense of unease at the thought of being spared death.

At this moment, Thunderbolt Hand Yang Bi said, "Old Master, according to my guess, Aunt Ren must have been ambushed. Otherwise, how could that young man have succeeded? It's highly unlikely. I heard from Brother Ant that the two young men are familiar with Sima Zhongming of the Tianma Escort Agency. Why not take action at the Tianma Escort Agency? I am not capable, but I am willing to lead my brothers to Bian. In less than seven days, the truth will be revealed." Flying Hawk Lou Jingde pondered for a while and said, "This is indeed a brilliant idea, but unless absolutely necessary, we must not fight with Sima Zhongming. Once we are certain, we must immediately report to the headquarters."

Thunderbolt Hand Yang Bi laughed loudly, "I am confident that you can handle things calmly. The Thunder Swordsman is just a name without substance. He has his own resources and will not act rashly. Please rest assured, Old Master." Thus, Thunderbolt Hand Yang Bi selected more than ten capable men and went directly to Kaifeng. Upon arriving in Bianjing, they immediately sought out the old head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) of the Da Ma镖局 (escort agency), interrogating Xie Yunyue and Gu Yanwen

about their whereabouts with unparalleled arrogance. Sima Zhongming, the Thunder Sword Master, tolerated them at every turn, but his words were filled with mockery and ridicule, thoroughly humiliating Yang Bi, the Thunderbolt Hand. Yang Bi, seething with anger, left in a huff, displaying his Vajra Hand Seal technique before departing. After leaving, he frequently sent several bandits to monitor the area near the镖局. As soon as Xie Yunyue and his group arrived, they noticed and rushed to the rooftops to spy on them.

Xie Yunyue, upon hearing this, instinctively sensed that Yang Bi must have planted stakes near the镖局. He secretly raised his eyes to survey the area, and as he expected, although the twilight was deep, the bandits' eyes gleamed with a shifty light, like cat's eyes. After Xie Yunyue knocked the roof tiles off the four bandits with a shard of porcelain, Xie Yunyue's face darkened, and he shouted, "You brought this humiliation upon yourselves, causing trouble for no reason and getting involved with the young master. Now I won't make things difficult for you. Quickly go and inform Thunderbolt Hand Yang Bi to come see me. Go!" With a wave of his hand, the four bandits scurried away. Xie Yunyue's display of this skill immediately shocked everyone in the escort agency. The Thunder Swordsman Sima Zhongming couldn't help but scrutinize the young man before him, thinking to himself, "This young man's handsome appearance, superb martial arts, and wit are exactly like my old friend, the Soul Chaser Xie Wen. It seems his martial arts are even superior to Xie Wen's. Although the martial arts world is full of talents now, this young man is the best among them. I wonder where he obtained his extraordinary skills." Thinking this to himself, he naturally couldn't ask aloud, so he instructed his servant Zhang Luobin to send someone to invite Miss Yan, the young escort leader's wife.

At this moment, the hall was brightly lit with candles, filled with cheerful voices and laughter, creating an extremely joyful atmosphere. From behind the screen emerged Gu Yanwen and a middle-aged woman, walking towards Xie Yunyue. Xie Yunyue knew this was the old镖头's daughter-in-law and quickly stood up. The old镖头 approached and said with a smile, "Brother, this is my wife, Chu Mingqi."

Xie Yunyue smiled and observed that Chu Mingqi was now over thirty, without makeup. Her clothes were simple and unadorned, yet she still retained her former charm. Every word and laugh was captivating. She appeared haggard, likely due to worry about the young镖头's serious illness. A thought struck Xie Yunyue, and he smiled at the old镖头, saying, "I've eaten my provisions on the way here in the mule cart, and my stomach is still full. Would it be better if I first attend to the young镖头 and the other镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) before we feast?" For the old镖头, this was an offer he couldn't ask for, and he readily agreed.

Just as the figures were about to step into the inner courtyard, a镖客 (bodyguard/escort) rushed in to report: "Yang Bi, the second-in-command of Xiong'er Mountain, the Thunderbolt Hand, has arrived!"

Xie Yunyue's smile gradually faded, replaced by a frosty expression, his eyes blazing with anger. The Thunder Swordsman Sima Zhongming stepped forward first, a necessary courtesy in the martial arts world. Xie Yunyue, Gu Yanwen, and the young镖头's wife, Chu Mingqi, remained in the main hall, chatting casually.
As they spoke in hushed tones, heavy footsteps sounded outside. Xie Yunyue looked up and saw the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) stride in with a large group of people, led by Yang Bi, including members of the鯰局 (Piaoju). The Thunder Swordsman Sima Zhongming smiled and said to Xie Yunyue, "Brother, who is this…?"

Xie Yunyue stopped him with his hand and laughed, "Well, I know that without you saying it..." His eyes widened immediately as he stared at Yang Bi, the Thunderbolt Hand, and he snapped, "Yang, what do you want with me?" His tone was extremely sharp.

This direct question almost made Yang Bi lose face. He was momentarily stunned, then forced a smile and said, "Young Master Yan, isn't it impolite of you to treat me like this?" He pretended to be nonchalant, but his face was ashen and extremely unnatural.

Xie Yunyue chuckled and said, "Why bother with politeness when dealing with someone like you? Speak your mind, or get lost."

A powerful figure like Yang Bi, the Thunderbolt Hand, accustomed to looking down on his fellow martial artists, had met his match. Those who came with Yang Bi were indignant, much to the delight of the镖局 (bodyguard agency) members. Even the old镖头 (

bodyguard leader) secretly chuckled, thinking, "The young are fearless, after all. We're old; even though we're established figures, we're a bit timid, unlike these young people with their boundless courage." A murderous glint flashed in Yang Bi's eyes as he laughed loudly, "In thirty years, I've never seen anyone dare to be so arrogant in front of me..."

Xie Yunyue snorted and interjected, "Now you see, don't you? Speak your purpose now; I'm tired of wasting time arguing with you."

Yang Bi's face darkened, and he shouted, "Young man..." "You're still so arrogant! Don't you know that all the heroes of the world want you? I've come here to capture you and bring you to justice!"

Xie Yunyue laughed loudly, then suddenly said to the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort), "Old镖头, did you hear that? My current price is quite high!"

Sima Zhongming, fearing things would escalate, seized the opportunity to interject, "Master Yang, it seems there's a misunderstanding. My brother here rarely associates

with the martial world; how could he have committed a crime? Besides, even if he did, it's not your place to take the blame." Thunderbolt Hand Yang Bi's face immediately flushed red. He was originally a notorious bandit, so this statement did sound somewhat plausible to him. He coughed dryly and forced a smile at Sima Zhongming, "Brother Sima, you've only recently met this young man. You don't know he's the eccentric scholar Yu Yun who caused such a stir in Taiyuan." As he spoke, he glanced at everyone, seemingly not making a fuss. Upon

hearing this, everyone's eyes turned to this recently sensational figure in the martial world, more admiration than surprise. Xie Yunyue remained calm and composed, smiling faintly as he said, "Old thief, you've misjudged. You've only seen half of it. The Strange-Handed Scholar is my martial uncle. Shang Wo really is the Strange-Handed Scholar. For someone like you to dare to provoke him, you've got quite the nerve. Do you think you're even close to being one of the Two Heroes of the Palace Gate, or even worthy of being the leader of the Qingfeng Gang, Pu Hong? In any case, you petty thieves are not worthy to see the Strange-Handed Scholar, Uncle Yu. But let me tell you, if you were to see my Uncle Yu right now, you'd be dead for sure." Gu Yanwen chuckled inwardly.

Thunderbolt Hand Yang Bi's eyes flashed with an unfathomable light, his cheeks twitching suddenly. He said in a gloomy tone, "I don't believe that the Strange-Handed Scholar is that powerful. You're right, you say you're the Strange-Handed Scholar's nephew. Then let's start with you." As he spoke, his right arm suddenly swept out, and five strange fingers reached straight for Xie Yunyue's chest.

Suddenly, Yang Bi, the Thunderbolt Hand, staggered back three steps, letting out a muffled groan. It turned out that Miss Gu Yanwen, disapproving of Yang Bi's arrogance, had also attacked him at the same time, using the "Severing Tendons and Cutting Meridians" technique she had learned at the waterfall in Cloud Mist Manor. As Yang Bi reached out to attack Xie Yunyue, he suddenly felt a gust of wind strike his wrist. It was so fast that he couldn't tell who had struck him. Knowing that the technique was unusual, he quickly pulled his left wrist back. In this way, his right elbow was brushed across the "Jingqu" acupoint by Miss Gu's fingertip. He felt a sharp pain and couldn't help but groan, staggering back three steps, his eyes wide open.

Gu Yanwen angrily shouted, "With such meager skills, you dare to embarrass yourself? You truly don't know your place!"

Thunderbolt Hand Yang Bi was now genuinely regretting his impulsive decision to come, but now that things had come to this, he couldn't simply walk away. Hearing this, he immediately flew into a rage, shouting, "Fine, fine, I admit I don't know my place. But I'll see just how much skill you really possess!" Just as he finished speaking, his figure soared forward from the ground. Without any visible movement, he moved with the speed of an arrow, arriving before Gu Yanwen in the blink of an eye. With a whoosh, he struck out with both palms, aiming for Yanwen's shoulders, accompanied by the sound of wind and thunder.

Yang Bi's Thunderclap Hand technique is a top-tier form of external palm strike. The distinction between external and internal martial arts is often blurred; those that follow a forceful, aggressive style are called external, while those that follow a more subtle, feminine style are called internal. External palm techniques are known for their masculine power, capable of splitting mountains and shattering monuments. Yang Bi's Thunderclap Hand technique is beyond the reach of ordinary martial arts masters. Before the palms even arrive, the wind precedes them. Gu Yanwen knew that if Yang Bi's palms touched her even slightly, her bones would be broken.

Gu Yanwen was already a ruthless killer, and after receiving guidance from Xie Yunyue, she became even more formidable. As Yang Bi's palms reached her shoulders, she shifted her body and moved behind him with incredible speed. Even Sima Zhongming couldn't see how she escaped Yang Bi's grasp, and he couldn't help but secretly admire her. Yang Bi's attacks missed, and he immediately realized the danger. Instead of retracting his palms, he slowed his momentum and spun around with unparalleled speed, creating a sharp, whistling sound.

Gu Yanwen seemed hesitant to directly confront the opponent's palm strike. She lightly tapped her heel, her body sliding back two feet, letting out two soft laughs. Yang Bi's spinning attack missed again. He sneered slightly, his body suddenly lengthening, ready to deliver a full-force blow. However, he felt as if two steel hooks had struck his shoulders, a combination of numbness and pain. His arms lost their strength, and he felt a heavy kick to his muscles and bones. He involuntarily tumbled out of the hall, landing with a loud thud on his back on the cobblestones of the courtyard. It took him a while to get up. Yang Bi, the Thunder Hand, was a renowned expert, but today he had been unexpectedly defeated, coming here to invite humiliation—a truly unwise move. Sima Zhongming, the Thunder Swordsman, stood there dumbfounded. He had seen it all since he began learning martial arts, yet today he couldn't even discern the style or school of Xie Yunyue and Gu Yanwen's techniques, let alone how they were executed. If the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) was in such a state, then others were even more likely to be in a similar predicament.

Clearly, Yang Bi, the Thunderbolt Hand, had taken a hard fall. He stood up, still rubbing his groin, and slowly raised his head, his eyes flashing with anger. He laughed, "What kind of hero ambushes and sneak attacks?" This was directed at Xie Yunyue.

Upon hearing this, Xie Yunyue's heroic spirit returned, and he smiled, "Fine, I'll make you admit defeat. However, we can't fight in someone else's escort agency. Let's go to the outskirts." The word "go" had barely left his lips when he was already traversing the rooftops of the courtyard, the moonlight making him appear like a leopard, vanishing in an instant.

Yang Bi smiled bitterly. He knew that such extraordinary lightness skill was something he could never achieve even after twenty more years of practice. Knowing that this journey was fraught with danger, but things had come to this point, he could only gather his inner energy and leap after him. The others followed one after another, leaving only Gu Yanwen and Chu Mingqi behind. As soon as Thunderbolt Hand Yang Bi landed on the rooftop, Xie Yunyue was already twenty or thirty feet away. He vanished like a wisp of smoke, and even with all his strength, Yang Bi couldn't close the distance.
In a short while, the two stood on a mound of graves south of the city. A crescent moon hung low in the sky, stars twinkled, and the cold wind still blew fiercely, causing their robes to flutter and rustle. Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "Yang Bi, I deeply regret your actions in standing up for someone else. Whether I am the Strange-Handed Scholar or not, or what connection I have, it has nothing to do with you, and there is no benefit or harm. My advice is to withdraw and return to Xiong'er Mountain. But you must tell your master, Flying Pigeon Lou Jingde, that the martial world is in turmoil, and he is not someone to be trifled with. Staying put and preserving your reputation is the best course of action."

Thunderbolt Hand Yang Bi's heart stirred upon hearing this. Wasn't Xie Yunyue's statement a clear indication of his connection to the Strange-Handed Scholar? "Is it a big deal? I've heard that the Strange Hand Scholar is incredibly skilled and has never been defeated. The opponent looks young, and the move he just made was unprecedented. He immediately recognized that the Strange Hand Scholar was his junior apprentice, which is probably true. But since he became famous, he has relied on his Thunderbolt Technique, and there are very few people in the martial arts world who can rival him. He once fought with Flying Pigeon Lou Jingde to prove it. After three hours, he was defeated by a single palm strike and lost convincingly. But he still doesn't believe that the other party is much stronger than him. He just won by taking him by surprise with his agile movements."

Although Xie Yunyue's words were extremely sincere, they sounded like sarcasm to him. So he sneered and said, "Friend, you think you can persuade this old man to leave with just a few words? Not so easy. At least consider whether you know that this old man really can't make the decision."

Xie Yunyue's expression changed, and he snorted coldly with great displeasure, "That's strange. If you can't make the decision, who can? You didn't come here with any purpose, so why are you foolishly sticking your neck out?"

Thunderbolt Hand laughed and said, "Friend, you're just putting on an act. Your uncle, Yu Yun, stole three pages of the Bodhi Sutra from Zen Master Baoyue. Every hero in the world would be eager to possess these three pages. My master was also on his way to Jiu'ou Peak with the West Kongtong Sect Leader, but your uncle seized the opportunity to steal them. Such a secret manual is not something a private individual could keep. Therefore, I truly cannot make a decision on this matter."

Xie Yunyue was startled upon hearing this, thinking to himself, "Strange, how did this news leak out? Could it be that the Three Venerable Ones from beyond the heavens are not dead?" He then smiled casually and said, "It's rare that you heard such unsubstantiated rumors and took it so seriously. Who actually witnessed it?" At this moment, the镖头 (bodyguard/escort) and Yang Bi's entourage had all arrived.

Thunderbolt Hand Yang Bi shouted, "Friend, why deceive yourself? The Three Venerables of the Heavens would never lie."

Xie Yunyue stared at Yang Bi for a moment, then coldly said, "There's no need to discuss this further. Consider this: people like you are countless in the martial world. The Bodhi Scripture is not for you. Isn't this just wishful thinking?" This contemptuous tone, spoken in front of everyone, was unbearable for Yang Bi. He flew into a rage, cursing, "You brat!" His voice trailed off as he thrust both palms towards Xie Yunyue's chest with lightning speed and a sharp, piercing wind.

Although Thunderbolt Hand Yang Bi had struck, he knew his opponent was a formidable opponent. He didn't hesitate, using only half his strength, employing a feint within a real attack, ready to swiftly withdraw and change tactics if necessary. To his surprise, when his palm reached less than a foot from the opponent's chest, the opponent neither dodged nor flinched. He was secretly angered and thought, "You're being too arrogant. My Thunder Palm, at its full power, can shatter stone into powder. Even if you have an iron body, you can't withstand it." He shouted, "Strike!" and unleashed his full power, his palms meeting in a flurry.

But in a flash, the opponent vanished. He was startled to feel a chilling wind rushing towards his Fengfu acupoint at the back of his head. The wind was incredibly powerful, causing a slight numbness. Alarmed, he instinctively lunged forward, forcefully pulling himself back with both hands, spinning around. But the chilling wind followed like a shadow, shifting a few inches to strike his Huotui acupoint at the back of his head. Then another chilling wind attacked his Jizhong acupoint. The person in front of him was still nowhere to be seen, making his hair stand on end.

Yang Bi, renowned in the martial arts world for decades for his profound and powerful "Thunderbolt Palm" technique, was unmatched by anyone who dared to challenge him. Yet tonight, he couldn't even touch his opponent's shadow. Not only that, but the opponent's swift movements were clearly visible, leaving Yang Bi utterly astonished. Xie Yunyue intended to cause Yang Bi to collapse in public. With his unparalleled "Eighteen Discourses of Xuanyuan," Yang Bi's power would surely be completely crippled within a few moves. However, Xie Yunyue used what he considered a very ordinary method to conceal his identity and avoid bringing endless trouble to the Thunder Swordsman and the Heavenly Horse Escort Agency.

Yang Bi, with his exceptional experience, used his left palm to circle around, his body spinning in the process. His entire body, spanning 360 degrees, was enveloped by the force of his palm. His right palm extended slightly upward, striking a pose reminiscent of a "golden leopard revealing its claws," thus avoiding an attack from above. His left foot moved inward, his right foot outward, and with a swift spin, his body completed three full rotations. These movements were all completed in an instant, incredibly fast. One would think his opponent would have no chance of escape, but to his surprise, it was the same. He was fast, but his opponent was fast too. Two streaks of cold wind followed him like maggots clinging to bones, lightning-fast shifting their attack points. Every vital acupoint on his chest, including "Sanjiao," "Shenbian," "Xinshu," and "Lingtai," was touched, but the touch was brief, leaving only a slight numbness. It seemed his opponent was intentionally unwilling to harm him. He possessed extraordinary skills, but without finding his opponent, it was all in vain. After a series of leaps, he felt dizzy and was greatly surprised. This was a phenomenon he had never experienced before, and his competitive spirit vanished instantly. He immediately stopped and stood still.

Seeing Yang Bi stop moving, Xie Yunyue did not use his extraordinary "Mysterious Seven Star Steps," but instead gazed at him with a smile. Yang Bi, the Thunderbolt Hand, saw him standing under the moonlight, dignified and composed, his sleeves fluttering, looking like an immortal. He was deeply impressed and sighed inwardly, cupping his hands and saying, "Friend, your skills are indeed superb..." Suddenly, he stopped speaking, a dim light appearing in his eyes. He slightly beckoned to his companions, spread his arms slightly, and his figure suddenly disappeared into the vines and grass of the messy graves on the left. Several other agile figures followed and vanished in a flash.

Xie Yunyue turned to the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) and smiled, "This matter is ultimately unresolved. In the blink of an eye, a catastrophe will befall

the martial world. I truly do not wish to witness this happening at this moment. In three days, I will seek out Uncle Yu to help avert this calamity." The Thunder Swordsman Sima Zhongming stroked his beard and smiled, "Your Uncle Yu is elusive and unpredictable. In recent years, he has caused quite a stir in the martial world, which should be a great relief. In my opinion, your Uncle Yu has already grasped the situation. Brother, there's no need to worry. We only seek peace of mind in our actions. What else is there to say? The night is cold and the dew is heavy; let's return to the镖局 (escort agency) and talk further."

The group returned to the Tianma镖局 (escort agency) and immediately saw the young镖头's wife, Chu Mingqi, and Miss Gu Yanwen talking with an old man in a coarse robe and white beard. Upon seeing Xie Yunyue and the others enter, the old man stood up and smiled, "Is this Young Hero Yan?" He then pulled a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Xie Yunyue.

Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "I wouldn't dare, it is indeed I. May I ask your honorable name and address, sir?" As he took the envelope, he sized up the old man's appearance.

The old man had a handsome face, with long eyebrows reaching his cheeks, a wide mouth and pearly teeth, and piercing eyes that shone brightly. He was extremely tall and slender, with a straight back and hands as white as jade, with fingernails that were two inches long. Just as the old man was about to answer, Gu Yanwen introduced him, saying, "This senior is none other than the great hero of Yan Yun, Iron Finger Immortal Ape Bai Yu."

The Thunder Swordsman Sima Zhongming immediately exclaimed in surprise, "Brother Bai, are you the hero who once cleaved fifteen bandit gangs in half at Thousand Buddha Mountain in Jinan? It's a pleasure to meet you." He then introduced himself and his colleagues from the escort agency one by one.

Xie Yunyue recognized Cang Xi's handwriting on the envelope and quickly retreated to a corner to open it and read it carefully. The letter read: "Third brother, greetings. Farewell at Jinci. It has been almost ten days since then. Xiao Di and I have been traveling north. Although we encountered some difficulties along the way, we were fortunate to resolve them in time and arrived safely in Changping without any hindrance. We arrived in Beijing half a day earlier than the two heroes of the Gongmen. Lord Guo has already arrived in Beijing. With the help of Prince Jia, he has strictly forbidden the two heroes of the Gongmen from using the power of the government to act recklessly on trumped-up charges. If there are any private matters in the martial arts world, they must not be exaggerated or escalated. They must be dealt with peacefully. The two heroes will not appear in public. They are secretly joining forces with the demonic sects of the five northern provinces to launch a harassment against the Zhao family of Cangzhou in Changping and our gang. Fortunately, I had the foresight to move the two families to a hidden place beforehand, and the bandits failed to raid them twice. The massacre at the Li family in Taiyuan is now over. The two heroes' goal is to seize the three pages of the Bodhi Sutra. This matter has already attracted the attention of all sides." Not only have figures from the martial arts world emerged, but even the hidden elders of the mountains have descended to join this vortex of scripture-stealing. Therefore, my esteemed brother, you are currently surrounded by peril. There is no time to lose. I know your skill is superb, sufficient to handle powerful enemies, but you must not be careless and bring endless calamities upon your stay. To harm yourself and others would be unforgivable, even a hundred deaths could not atone for it. In my humble opinion, from now on, it is best for you to travel alone. This time, the great hero Bai Yu, the Iron-Handed Immortal Ape, has business in Heluo and has specially written to convey his regards. He also has matters concerning your

father's past to discuss in person.” Xie Yunyue quickly finished reading, then put his hand in his pocket. The Iron-Handed Immortal Ape Bai Yu rushed to Xie Yunyue's side and whispered, “Three days later, I will meet you at the Dragon Pavilion to discuss matters in person.” After speaking, he gave a slight bow to the crowd and said, “Farewell.” He had already vanished through the rooftops.
Xie Yunyue smiled and said to Sima Zhongming, "Master Bai's sincerity as a friend is truly rare. I just don't know how he knew I was staying at your esteemed escort agency; I forgot to ask earlier..." He paused, then smiled again, "Yang Bi's commotion has delayed the young escort's treatment. Old escort, shall we go now?"

Upon hearing this, the young escort's wife, Chu Mingqi, immediately took Gu Yanwen's arm and hurried into the inner courtyard. The old escort laughed heartily, "If my son can heal the young hero with his miraculous healing, then the young hero will be nothing less than a benefactor to my Sima family." The old escort's family was small, with only this one son, and his wife had no children. Since his son fell ill, the old escort had been constantly worried about continuing the family line, hence his words.

Xie Yunyue followed the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) behind the screen, smiling as he replied, "The benevolent are naturally blessed by Heaven, and your daughter-in-law also shows signs of bearing a son. Next year, the old镖头 will undoubtedly be enjoying the company of a grandson." The old镖头 was overjoyed, chuckling happily.

Upon entering the young镖头's room, Xie Yunyue was immediately hit by a strong, pervasive medicinal smell. He inhaled the aroma and recognized it as being full of ginseng and rehmannia. He shook his head and sighed, "This is truly a case of a quack doctor causing trouble."

Chu Mingqi and Miss Gu had already come to the bedside. Hearing this, Chu Mingqi's expression changed, and she hurriedly asked with concern, "Young hero, do you think there's any cure?"

Xie Yunyue chuckled upon hearing this, "Sister-in-law, don't worry, I haven't even checked your pulse yet."

Chu Mingqi blushed, and Miss Gu pouted, scolding, "Then what nonsense are you spouting? How can a woman not worry about her sick husband?" The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) still retained his magnanimous nature, laughing heartily.

Xie Yunyue went to the bedside, lifted the bed curtain, and saw the young镖头 lying supine under the covers, only his face visible. His face was ashen, his hair disheveled, making him appear even more emaciated. Seeing someone come, he opened his eyes with great difficulty, nodded, and then closed them again. His face was nothing but skin and bones, a withered layer. It was truly a case of "a long illness requires a cure, even a god cannot cure it." Chu Mingqi felt a pang of sorrow, and tears streamed down her face.

Xie Yunyue sat on the edge of the bed, pulled out the young镖头's arm, placed three fingers on it, and carefully checked his pulse. The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) whispered, "When my son was born, the fortune teller predicted he wouldn't live long, so I named him Changshou (Longevity)." He sighed deeply.

Xie Yunyue laughed, "How can you believe the nonsense of those wandering fortune tellers? The ancients said that one's appearance reflects one's heart; the wicked die young, the honest live long. Who can predict a person's entire life from birth? Birth, aging, sickness, and death are inevitable parts of life, and everyone goes through different stages. It's just a matter of luck or misfortune. Like the young镖头, he encountered misfortune." After a long while, he examined the six pulses with both hands and looked at the tongue. He stood up, turned to Chu Mingqi, and smiled, "Sister-in-law, may I have the prescriptions your husband used to take?"

Chu Mingqi nodded and took out a thick stack of prescriptions from a small drawer on the table. Xie Yunyue took them and examined them one by one. Seeing Xie Yunyue's serious expression, the old镖头 frowned with worry. After about the time it takes to eat a meal, Xie Yunyue finished reviewing the thick stack of dozens of prescriptions. With a grave expression, he said to the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort), "The doctor we've invited must be a renowned local physician. Although the prescriptions have slight errors, they shouldn't be causing this young man's serious illness. There must be another reason."

The old镖头 replied, "Indeed, this person is the renowned local physician Lai Chungui, who is eighty years old. His diagnosis is like divine intervention; if the child doesn't recover after three prescriptions, we can only accept our fate."

Xie Yunyue didn't reply, but instead lowered his head in thought. Suddenly, he swiftly spun around, leaped to the bedside, lifted the bed curtains, turned the young镖头 over, tore open his undergarment, and upon a brief examination, exclaimed in surprise, "Ah!" The old镖头 and Chu Mingqi, hearing Xie Yunyue's cry, rushed forward to look. They saw a bruise on the young镖头's chest, two fingers wide and five fingers long.

Xie Yunyue sighed and said, "This must have been an injury caused by a hidden hand. The young镖头 himself was unaware of it. The illness must have occurred during the hottest days of summer. The quack doctor, unaware that the illness originated from internal injury, mistakenly treated it with external medicines, using Guizhi Mahuang Decoction as the main treatment. Later, due to liver and kidney deficiency, he added Rehmannia root, making one mistake after another. In winter, the fever subsided, and the pathogenic heat was trapped in the Taiyang meridian, unable to be released, hence the blood coming from the mouth and nose. This is a fire syndrome. The problem is that the quack doctor focused on tonifying the fire, which is like a lamp on a mountain. When the fire goes out, it doesn't move; when the fire is strong, it moves quickly. He didn't consider that fire shouldn't be moved, because movement causes illness; speed makes it easy to end and cycle; if the fire is too strong, it will be reduced to ashes. A person's energy is limited. If I had arrived ten days later..." "The young general is completely exhausted."

The old镖头 couldn't help but praise, "Hearing your words, young hero, is better than reading for ten years. This is unheard of. Young hero, your learning is as vast as the sea. Your teacher must be a master of both heaven and man. But thanks to your medical skills, how could there be such a huge difference?"

Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "The treatment of a single disease varies from person to person. If all are cured, even a slight difference in treatment can lead to vastly different results. People say that a good doctor is like a good prime minister because he examines the patient carefully before prescribing medicine. Human life is at stake, how can we not be serious?" As he spoke, he took out an exquisite small steel box from his bosom, opened it, and took out twelve gold needles as thin as a hair and about four inches long. He slowly inserted them into twelve acupoints on the young镖头's lower abdomen.

Xie Yunyue asked the old镖头 to quickly send his men to buy seven-year-old mugwort and old ginger, the more the better. Chu Mingqi rushed out and instructed the men to go quickly. About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the young镖头 was already groaning. At this moment, the镖伙 had already purchased the old ginger and mugwort. Xie Yunyue asked the old镖头 (head镖师,

a kind of镖师) and Chu Mingqi to hold the young镖头 (shao diao, a kind of镖师) still, not allowing him to move at all. Then, three slices of ginger were placed on the bruises, and the mugwort was placed on top and lit. After the mugwort was changed three times, the young镖头's head throbbed with pain, his whole body trembled, and he was covered in sweat. He struggled to get up, clearly in excruciating pain, but the old镖头 and Chu Mingqi held him down firmly. The young镖头's eyes were wide open like copper bells, and he could only cry out in pain. After the mugwort was changed nine times, the young镖头 was exhausted and hoarse. Only then did Xie Yunyue say, "Now the internal injuries are all gone, it's alright." The old镖头 and Chu Mingqi let go and stood up. Xie Yunyue gently pulled out twelve gold needles, helped the young镖头 up, and lightly tapped his chest with his palm. The young镖头 made a sound in his throat, bent over, and vomited a pool of blood, the smell of which was so foul that it made people want to vomit.

Xie Yunyue gently helped her lie down, then stood up to take paper and pen. After a moment of contemplation, he slowly wrote down two prescriptions: one for treating vomiting blood, and the other for regulating qi. His brushstrokes were swift and powerful, surpassing even the styles of Chu Suiliang and Zhao Mengfu. The old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) couldn't help but applaud in admiration. After finishing his writing, Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "With these two prescriptions, she will surely recover in seven days." He paused, then picked up his brush again and laughed, "I won't trouble two people with one matter. I might as well be a good person." He dipped his brush in ink and wrote down the secret formula for the "Thousand Gold Seed," then laughed loudly, "Next May, I'll come back to ask for a cup of one-month celebration wine."

Chu Mingqi blushed to her ears, while the old镖头 beamed with joy, repeatedly saying, "Of course, of course." Xie Yunyue then examined the four镖师's conditions with the old镖头 and wrote down the prescriptions.

At midnight, Xie Yunyue administered acupuncture and medicine to Gu's mother, then used his own true energy to open her acupoints. Sure enough, Gu's mother could walk, but she was still clearly unsteady. Xie Yunyue, Miss Gu, and the old镖头 (bodyguard/escort) were having a quiet discussion in the study, their conversation a mystery, as dawn broke. Xie Yunyue, Miss Gu, and the three of them quietly left the镖局 (escort agency), their whereabouts unknown.

At the end of the month, the entrance to the Tianma镖局 (escort agency) was bustling with activity. Because of its proximity to Xiangguo Temple, it was more lively than other areas. Besides the throngs of pedestrians, there were the sounds of children chasing and laughing, vendors hawking their wares, and the sounds of bells, drums, and cymbals from Xiangguo Temple, all contributing to the street's prosperity.

That day, the sun shone brightly, warm yet still carrying a chill of early spring, thanks to a gentle breeze. It was a rare and beautiful day for the New Year. Four horse-drawn escort flags fluttered on the flagpole outside the agency, their red silk threads gleaming brightly in the sunlight. Suddenly, the sound of galloping horses rose in the distance, their hooves clattering on the bluestone pavement as people scattered to the sides.

Lu Gan, the owner of the Sun and Moon Cactus, stood with his hands behind his back at the entrance of the escort agency, gazing at the provincial scenery. His gaze was drawn to the galloping horses; they were all Mongolian yellow steeds, and the riders were all men in long robes. The lead rider was exceptionally nimble. Lu Gan recognized him, and his expression changed slightly, but he remained calm and unmoved. In the blink of an eye, the four sturdy horses reached the flagpole. The riders dismounted with a swift, almost imperceptible motion, all four moving in unison, as if they had leaped off their horses. This demonstrated that not only were their horsemanship skills exceptional, but their agility was also superb.
The four men didn't even glance at Lu Gan, who stood at the entrance. One of them was an old man with a long face, short, spiky hair that revealed his flesh, and prominent eye sockets that made his eyes appear deeper than others, revealing a sharp and piercing light. He glanced at the escort flag, then suddenly snorted coldly and said, "Chen Peng, take it down for me."

A thin man around forty years old responded, a half-smile playing on his lips as he glanced at Lu Gan. His expression was extremely cold and disdainful. Other escort agencies used long ropes to pull their flags up from the axle, but Tianma Escort Agency was different. Every day, a skilled escort would carry the flag and tie it to the top of the pole.

The man named Chen Peng squeezed the flagpole, made of wrought iron. He figured his strength wasn't enough to break the large iron pole, which was as thick as a bowl. He'd have to climb up to take the flag, but he was reluctant to do so, as it seemed beneath his dignity. He observed a birch tree not far from the flagpole, about five zhang tall, its leaves gone, leaving only an ugly, bare trunk and some main branches shivering in the cold wind. This tree was only two-thirds the height of the flagpole, still quite a distance from the flag, but in Chen Peng's eyes, it was the perfect stepping stone. Suddenly,

Chen Peng arched his back and soared into the sky like a crane released from a bow, his movements light and graceful. The old man with the hedgehog beard suddenly laughed and said to his two companions, "Chen Lao Si's lightness skill is getting better and better..." Before he could finish speaking, an unexpected event occurred.

Chen Peng intended to land on a main branch of the birch tree, the closest and highest point to the flagpole—then use the leverage to pull himself up, employing the "Golden Dragon Cutting Plum Blossoms" technique to easily retrieve the Four Horses Dart Flag. That was his plan. However, just as his feet were about to touch the branch, seemingly showing off his skills, a sudden "crack" sounded, and the branch snapped without wind or sun. It happened precisely at the moment Chen Peng's inner energy dispersed and gathered; his footing gave way, and he plummeted to the ground like a broken hammer. Fortunately, he didn't fall flat on his face, only staggering a step before regaining his footing. This incident left Chen Peng blushing deeply.

Passersby and old men chuckled softly. The old man with the hooded beard and sunken eyes knew something was amiss, yet he remained suspicious and uncertain. Who could possess such exquisite Xuanmen Qi to snap that branch? This was too difficult. Five zhang off the ground, the timing and location were so precise; he estimated he didn't possess such skill. He then scanned his surroundings with piercing eyes.

About three zhang away, a short, stout old man stood, his small eyes narrowed. There were two youths: one tall and handsome, the other dark-skinned, with a blue tassel fluttering on the hilt of his sword; and a young, beautiful girl, whose eyes and mouth suggested a mischievous and fierce nature, also with a longsword with a silk tassel on its shoulder. The four stood together, their expressions a mixture of amusement and something else. The old man with the hooded beard and sunken eyes recognized the short, stout old man as the culprit. His eyes widened, and he immediately launched into a tirade.

The short, stout old man spoke up, laughing loudly, "Little brat, did you see that? That was another master using an unparalleled technique to snap the tree branch. That skill is truly amazing! This old man has certainly broadened his horizons today." These words left Chen Peng and the other three utterly speechless, their faces turning pale with rage.

Lu Kun, the "Sun and Moon Cactus" standing at the entrance of the escort agency, also chimed in, "Heh heh, why show off in front of my escort agency when there's no other way?" He too had noticed the trick, that another master was helping him, and thus uttered this witty remark.

Upon hearing this, Chen Peng was filled with rage. He swung his arms and shot out like lightning, covering seven or eight zhang (approximately 33-40 meters) before rushing towards Lu Kun with astonishing speed. Suddenly, a streak of lightning swept from behind Chen Peng's chest. Chen Peng suddenly felt a chill creep up from behind, a sharp pain shooting through his bones. Startled, he reacted quickly, slashing his right foot outwards, forcefully shifting his body three feet to the left. With a hiss, Chen Peng's left shoulder was ripped open, bleeding profusely. He landed on the stone steps, still trembling with fear.

Lu Kun, seeing Chen Peng rushing towards him, raised his fists, ready to fight. Suddenly seeing someone come to his aid, he withdrew his fists, took two steps back, and stood tall with a smile. In his entire life, Chen Peng seemed to have suffered the greatest loss ever. He was furious, his face turning ashen. Turning around, he saw a beautiful young woman, her almond-shaped eyes gleaming with a fierce light, holding a long sword that seemed to flow like autumn water, standing gracefully less than five feet in front of him.

This girl was none other than the notoriously mischievous Lan from Jinhua. In Taiyuan, the strange and extraordinary story of the "Strange Hand Scholar" was all the rage. She intuitively judged that the "Strange Hand Scholar" was none other than Xie Yunyue, but she did not recognize him by his face. By chance, she encountered the three men: Dwarf Fang Shuo, Jing Fang, Dongfang Yukun, and Jiang Zongyao. During the meal, Miss Lan mentioned the eccentric scholar Yu Yun, suspecting it was Xie Yunyue in disguise. This remark dispelled Ai Fangshuo's doubts, and he slapped his thigh, exclaiming, "That's it! It's that kid! He tricked this old man so badly in Yangjiaji! No wonder Longmen Lao Si suddenly collapsed! Yes, it's that lad! Let's go find him!" In

the martial world, word spread quickly. Before even leaving Taiyuan, news of the battle at Gaojiagouzi spread like wildfire. The four hurriedly went there, inquiring about the mule cart's whereabouts, and then rushed to Luoyang. Upon arriving, they learned of the burning of Yunwu Manor and the death of Ren Qigu, who had severed her wrist. They then rushed to Quesai Mountain, only to find the once-grand Yunwu Manor reduced to ruins, deserted. It turned out the four eccentrics of Longmen had disbanded the entire manor and gone elsewhere.

Ai Fangshuo and the others, left with no other choice, thought of the Tianma Escort Agency in Gaojiagouzi and headed towards Kaifeng, where they happened to witness this event. Meanwhile, the old man with the sunken beard and the other two, noticing Chen Peng's injury, snorted and the three of them moved with lightning speed towards Miss Lan. Two more dazzling silver streaks shot down, enveloping the three in mid-air. It turned out to be Dongfang Yukun and Jiang Zongyao, who had both made their move.

The old man with the sunken beard leaped into the air, roared, and with a flick of his wide sleeves, three powerful, boundless energies erupted. With two sharp "thuds," the two swords swept away, and Dongfang Yukun and Jiang Zongyao were thrown back five feet by the force of the attack, both looking on in astonishment.

The short, wiry Fang Shuo laughed loudly, "What a 'Iron Sleeve Divine Skill'! I didn't expect Flying Pigeon to have come back with Bear Ear again! A pleasure to meet you!" The old man with the sunken beard was none other than Lou Jingde, the famous Flying Pigeon of Heluo.
Lou Jingde roared, "Who are you?" "His eyes flashed with a sharp light as he spoke.

Dwarf Fang Shuo chuckled and said mysteriously, "You don't recognize me, but I recognize you. I, this old codger, am none other than Jing Fang, the sworn brother of your mortal enemy, the Soul Chaser Xie Wen." He paused, then laughed again, "I heard my sworn brother is going back to Xiong'er. What are you still doing here? Don't miss your good friend."

You should know that Flying Pigeon Lou Jingde had narrowly defeated the Soul Chaser by one blow years ago, but the victory was not very honorable, and he still couldn't get over it. Hearing of Xie Wen's death, he knew that Xie Wen was extremely intelligent, and he always held a skeptical attitude towards Xie Wen's death. Hearing rumors of Xie Wen's reappearance before the New Year, he was on guard against Xie Wen's return to Xiong'er. Today, hearing Dwarf Fang Shuo's words, he was taken aback, but then laughed heartily, "Xiong'er Mountain will always welcome good friends with the utmost sincerity. I, Lou, will certainly meet you on the mountain. If you, Jing, don't mind the inconvenience, please come along." "

Dwarf Fang Shuo laughed loudly, "This old codger isn't interested in you at all. Having my sworn brother is enough to give you a headache." Upon hearing this, Flying Pigeon Lou Jingde sneered, ignoring Dwarf Fang Shuo, and glared at Sun and Moon Cactus

Lu Han. Before Lou Jingde could speak, Lu Han spoke first, sneering, "Old Master Lou, why make such a fuss? Our escort flag isn't worth much, but taking it won't be that easy. As for the young hero who punished Hall Master Yang yesterday, he left this morning and headed north, leaving a message saying that if you have the guts, you can go to the capital to find him." Lou Jingde, nicknamed "

Flying Pigeon," had originally come to provoke Xie Yunyue, but after the antics of Dwarf Fangshuo and seeing Chen Peng's tree branch inexplicably break, he guessed that someone must have secretly used superior internal martial arts to tamper with it, and his arrogance had long since dissipated. Lu Gan's words provided a convenient excuse, so he smiled sinisterly and said, "This young fellow is quick-witted and has slipped away. Let's see how he escapes my grasp." Lu Gan, nicknamed "Sun and Moon Cactus," secretly laughed at such a renowned figure for uttering such blustering words, but ignored him, his face as cold as still water. Little did he

know that Lou Jingde, nicknamed "Flying Pigeon," was as cunning as a fox, shrewd and calculating, never fighting a battle he wasn't confident of winning. Currently, many reclusive heroes and eccentric geniuses were re-emerging and getting involved in the affairs of the martial world. For example, with the appearance of the "Strange Hand Scholar" in the Central Plains, Lou Jingde had issued numerous invitations to incite some demonic masters to participate in the hunt for Yu Yun. Although his whereabouts were elusive, he couldn't escape the notice of so many experts. Unless he retreated into seclusion, something they all desperately desired, of course, eliminating the eccentric bandit would be even more desirable.

Returning defeated from Thunderbolt Hand Yang Shu, Yang Bi was extremely frustrated and disheartened. He mentioned that his opponent was his junior apprentice, Yu Yun. Considering his junior apprentice's high skill level, he reasoned that Yu Yun must be even more astonishing. Flying Pigeon Lou Jingde was shocked, but still didn't fully believe it, so he led Chen... Peng and his two companions hurried to the Tianma Escort Agency, intending to ascertain the situation. Although they hadn't witnessed anyone, the fact that a tree branch had broken without wind suggested that a top-tier internal martial arts master must be hiding within the agency. A wise man doesn't fight a losing battle; it would be better to turn back, devise a plan, and then decide what to do next.

Meanwhile, after speaking with Lu Kun, Lou Jingde's gaze fell upon Dongfang Yukun, Jiang Zongyao, and Miss Lan, secretly thinking, "Where did these three find such a divine weapon? I've wanted to find one for so many years, but without the opportunity…" …A wicked thought suddenly arose in his mind. He wanted to use the "Iron Sleeve Gale" to strike with all his might, thinking that even the most skilled among them couldn't withstand a single blow from his sleeve. He planned to use his left palm to disarm them while they dodged. Thinking this, his eyes darted around, and he suddenly turned back and said, "Let's go."

Chen Peng and the other two responded and leaped onto their horses. Lou Jingde suddenly spun around, flicked his right arm, and with a flick of his long sleeve, felt a surging current of energy engulf Lan and the others. Caught off guard, Lan and the others were shocked to see a dark, overwhelming force that pushed them back and forth. Jiang Zongyao remained calm in the face of danger, leaping into the air and unleashing a "Soaring Dragon in the Sky" attack, swiftly slashing towards Lou Jingde's left shoulder.

Short Fang Shuo was also taken aback, and was momentarily stunned. Suddenly, he saw Lou Jingde's left hand suddenly reach out and grab Lan's right hand, which was holding a sword. He didn't even care about Jiang Zongyao's sword coming from above. Short Fang Shuo roared and used both palms at the same time, using his unique skill "Five Elements True Power" to save Lan's sword. It should be known that Flying Pigeon was famous in the martial arts world for his unparalleled agility and fierceness. Just as his left hand was about a foot away from Lan, he spun and slid a step to the right, landing exactly at Lan's shoulder. He also escaped Jiang Zongyao's sword and Short Fang Shuo's palms. His movement technique was used perfectly.

In that instant, Lou Jingde's left hand was not idle. With a flick of his middle finger, Lan's right arm went numb at the "Jingliang" acupoint, and she involuntarily dropped her "Autumn Frost" sword. Lou Jingde swiftly bent down and caught it, barely managing to grasp the sword. He felt a strange soreness in his spine. Coincidentally, the "Autumn Frost" sword landed on the stone steps, sparking a burst of sparks with a loud crash.

Even more astonishingly, Lou Jingde felt as if sharp five claws had dug into his chest and back, lifting him up and slinging him about five or six zhang away to a small tree. With a "crash and thud," he crashed into the tree and fell to the ground, sending dust billowing everywhere. Dwarf Fang Shuo only saw a gray figure, which landed and disappeared in a flash. The figure was incredibly fast, appearing and disappearing without a trace. The attack on Lou Jingde was completed in the blink of an eye. It was incredibly fast. Even the short, dwarf Fang Shuo and the others, all top masters in the martial arts world, couldn't make out the features of their helpers, let alone the crowd of onlookers. Lou Jingde, the Flying Pigeon, leaped up, lowered his head, mounted his horse, and rode away.

Chen Peng and the other two, witnessing this from horseback, were horrified. They followed Lou Jingde silently as he rode off, the crowd parting to make way for them, watching with astonished eyes. The four, including Ai Fangshuo, had heard Lu Kun mention that a young hero had left for the north, so they didn't bother to enter the Tianma Escort Agency. Seeing Lu Kun still standing inside, Miss Lan blurted out, "Excuse me... does your agency have a young hero surnamed Xie? He recently arrived from Luoyang."
Lu Kun shook his head and smiled, "To be honest, we don't have anyone surnamed Xie. However... a young hero surnamed Yan arrived, accompanied by his wife and mother-in-law, from Luoyang. But he left this morning for the capital."

Miss Lan was extremely disappointed. She had heard rumors along the way, and based on Ai Fangshuo's guess, the young man surnamed Yan was Xie Yunyue, accompanied by a young woman. However, she wasn't certain it was him. Now, hearing Lu Kun say that he was accompanied by his mother-in-law, her beautiful face fell, and she remained silent for a long time. Seeing this, Dwarf Fang Shuo and Jing Fang couldn't help but feel secretly sorry for her. Over the past few days, he had noticed that Miss Lan was stubborn and competitive, and her words were sharp, but she was kind-hearted and deeply in love with Xie Yunyue. However, love between men and women is a matter between two people, and no one can force it. So he clasped his hands in a fist and smiled at Lu Kun, saying, "I apologize for disturbing you, sir." Turning to Miss Lan, he said, "Miss, let's go to Xiangguo Temple first and then decide what to do." Dwarf Fang Shuo and the other three then squeezed into the crowd. Looking into the distance, they saw thousands of heads surging, and the crowd was like ants. After a while, it was impossible to distinguish one person from another.

Tianma Escort Agency was very close to Xiangguo Temple, which was the only prosperous place in Bianjing (Kaifeng) where people from all walks of life gathered, and it was also a famous scenic spot. Built in the eighth year of the Tianbao era of the Northern and Southern Dynasties (1728), Xiangguo Temple was originally named Jianguo Temple. It was renamed Xiangguo Temple in the second year of the Jingyun era of the Tang Dynasty. It was subsequently rebuilt during the Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. In front of the temple are two archways spanning the street; the east archway is inscribed with "Zhongbang Fudi" (meaning "Blessed Land of the Central Nation"), and the west archway with "Liangyuan Xiangcun" (meaning "Fragrant Village of Liangyuan"). The calligraphy is vigorous and the seal carving is exquisite, inspiring admiration from renowned calligraphers. The main gate is usually closed; access is through the east and west side gates. From the main gate, heading north, one can find the second hall, the main hall, the octagonal hall, and the scripture repository. The winding mountain paths and soaring eaves are a hallmark of Chinese architecture. The octagonal hall is particularly renowned; during festivals, devout men and women flock here to offer incense and worship. The spacious grounds of Xiangguo Temple are a hub for storytelling, singing, magic tricks, divination, and various street vendors, all bustling with people from all walks of life. Locals, fond of ballad singing, and scholars from Tianjin and Shandong come to perform, drawing crowds from all walks of life. Some have likened it to the "Chaoyang" of Beijing. Yes, the court in Jinling, though considered minor, was actually a place for all sorts of people.

Meanwhile, the four men, including Dwarf Fang Shuo, entered the East Gate amidst the bustling crowd. Tourists thronged the area, moving about like a woven tapestry. The four men, as if on a scenic mountain path, were overwhelmed by the sights. Dwarf Fang Shuo, in particular, looked around, laughing and joking incessantly, seemingly quite serious. Only Miss Lan appeared sullen. The faint sounds of bells, drums, and cymbals could still be heard from within the hall, though muffled by the noise.

The four men stopped at a storyteller's stall. The storyteller, around fifty years old, held a black-boned fan and was telling the story of "The Golden Fan." At a crucial moment, his words flew. Dongfang Yukun, the Heavenly Sword, caught a glimpse of two men slowly approaching with the crowd. Because of their exceptional height, they were particularly noticeable. He was secretly surprised and nudged Hei Mole Jiang Zongyao with his elbow, signaling with his eyes. Hei Mole Jiang Zongyao also saw them and was slightly startled.

The two who arrived were the Qin Zhong Twin Monsters, both dressed in brocade robes that shimmered in the sunlight. However, clothes should suit the person, but on them, they looked particularly out of place and glaringly conspicuous. The elder monster had a childlike face with a pockmarked face, while the younger monster was like a leopard, with a long, thin face like a pig's liver. Both were notorious demons, especially known for their "Flying Phoenix Sword Technique," which was considered unparalleled in the martial arts world, profound and unpredictable, reaching the pinnacle of skill.

It was only because Dongfang Yukun and Jiang Zongyao had not been in the martial arts world for long that the two monsters' disciples were injured by Bao Ya. Enraged, the two monsters pursued them, and in less than ten rounds, Dongfang Yukun and Jiang Zongyao were nearly killed if they had not been rescued. The Qin Twin Monsters spotted the two of them and swaggered forward. The elder monster, Tong Xiang, grinned coldly at Dongfang Yukun and Jiang Zongyao, saying, "Youngsters, we've bumped into each other again. What a coincidence!"

Jiang Zongyao retorted, "Indeed, we've met again. What do you want?"

Tong Xiang laughed wildly, "Nothing much, just cut off one of your arms, and we'll turn and leave." Both were extremely tall, a head taller than most, attracting the attention of passersby. Curious onlookers stopped to watch.

Lan, standing nearby, angrily shouted, "Who are you? Such arrogant words!" With that, she swiftly struck Tong Xiang in the chest. Lan, frustrated at not finding Xie Yunyue, vented her anger on them. Had she known they were the Qin Twin Monsters, she wouldn't have acted so rashly.

Just as Miss Lan's palm was about to strike the monster's chest, the monster suddenly slid forward with the fluidity of flowing water. Miss Lan's attack missed, and she abruptly withdrew her hand. The monster, however, countered with a swift, lightning-fast wrist snap, seemingly grabbing Miss Lan's wrist. But instead, the monster's hand seemed to encounter resistance midway, slowing down slightly, allowing Miss Lan to pull back in time. Miss Lan broke out in a cold sweat, all because the monster's fingers had swept across her wrist, the force of the wind causing a sharp, piercing pain.

The monster glanced around and saw a short, square-faced man named Shuo Jingfang standing beside him. The short, slender man, Jing Fang, chuckled slightly and said, "You're truly a persistent ghost. After all these years, you've reappeared here. Old Master Tong, with your prestigious reputation, reaching out to a little girl? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"

The second monster, Ba Shan Diao, sneered, "So you've become the leader of the children. I've heard you fought the Five Monsters of Longmen in Yangjia Village, becoming famous far and wide. We haven't settled our score yet, so now's a good time to settle it and see what's so special about your Five Elements Palm." The short, slender man

laughed loudly, "If you're interested, this old codger wouldn't dare refuse."

The eldest monster, Tong Xiang, chimed in, "Excellent! Let's meet at the foot of the Fan Pagoda." He paused, then looked coldly at Jiang Zongyao and Dongfang Yukun, saying, "You two are included too." With that, the two monsters slowly turned and walked away.

The tourists, who had formed a dense crowd, suddenly saw a figure swiftly dart behind the two monsters. The tourists burst into laughter and pointed. The four men, including Ai Fangshuo, also noticed that Qin Zhongshuang had a piece of yellow paper, about a foot long, pasted on the back of their chests. On it was drawn a human head, remarkably similar to the two monsters' true forms, with the words "Selling Heads with Marks" written below. Ai Fangshuo was astonished by the man's extraordinary skill; someone of Qin Zhongshuang's caliber could remain completely unaware of the paper pasted on their backs—truly astonishing.

Qin Zhongshuang, noticing the tourists' laughter and the astonished glances directed at them from behind, quickly realized something was amiss. They spun around swiftly, glanced at their chests, and then, with lightning speed, peeled off the yellow paper. The two monsters' faces became extremely ugly, especially the second monster, Bashan Diao, whose face turned a purplish-red, his eyes practically spitting fire.

The short, slender man chuckled and said, "You two have met your match! Coming out in front of so many people this time has already caused you to lose face; you'd be much more comfortable hiding in your ghostly lair in Qishan." He then laughed heartily and turned to the three women, including Lan, saying, "Let's hurry to Fanta Tower and wait. After this, I'm afraid the Qin brothers won't dare go." Without even glancing at the brothers' expressions, the four of them disappeared into the surging crowd.

The two brothers stood there, speechless. After exchanging glances for a while, the older brother, Tong Xiang, said, "I think Old Man Jing must have seen something. Let's chase after him and see what happens." The two brothers then vanished into the crowd.

Despite the bright sunshine, the spring chill lingered. Occasionally, a gust of wind would blow, causing visitors to shiver and groan in the cold. However, their enthusiasm remained undiminished. The visitors to Xiangguo Temple were there primarily for enjoyment, and once the excitement subsided, they swarmed off elsewhere. Among them were martial arts practitioners who, seeing another exciting battle unfolding beneath the Fan Pagoda, whispered amongst themselves and hurried off. In the storytelling area, a middle-aged man with a somber face abruptly rose from a row of benches, his hands tucked into his sleeves. He coughed once and paced toward the west side gate.

Bianjing, the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, boasts numerous historical sites and scenic spots. At this time, it was the most prosperous period of the Qing Dynasty, with the country being wealthy and the people living in peace and contentment. Soon after the beginning of spring, the residents of Bianjing went out to enjoy themselves. Logically speaking, Fan Pagoda is also a historical site, so why did the two strange men of Qin choose to have their duel there? It's because Fan Pagoda is located at a particularly high altitude in Bianjing, where the wind is strong, and there is nothing particularly novel or interesting to see. There are many places to enjoy in the city, so why go there to suffer the northwest wind, especially since it is in the suburbs? That's why the two strange men dared to choose that place.

The Fan Pagoda, located about three li southeast of the city, was built in the second year of the Taiping Xingguo era of the Song Dynasty. Originally named Xingci Pagoda, it had nine stories. In the early Ming Dynasty, following geomantic beliefs, six stories were removed, leaving only three. The path leads up through a winding route, with an inner hollow and outer steps only a foot wide. Visitors are often hesitant to climb due to its perceived danger. The top of the pagoda is flat and spacious, higher than the Longting Pavilion and wider than the Iron Pagoda, making it a scenic spot for viewing Kaifeng. It was named after a man surnamed Fan who once lived nearby. The ancient pronunciation of Fan is similar to "po," hence the locals call it "Bo Ta" (meaning "thin pagoda"). To its east is the Wanwang Terrace, over two zhang high and about 120 paces in circumference. It is dedicated to Yu the Great and was originally the ancient Chuitai Terrace, where the ancient music master Shi Kuang played his instruments. It was later expanded by King Xiao of Liang during the Han Dynasty and is also known as the Platform Terrace. In summer, the mulberry trees provide shade, making it a place where one can truly cleanse oneself of worldly cares.

When the four members of the group arrived at the foot of the Fan Pagoda, they found that the Qin Zhong Twins had not yet arrived. Jing Fang solemnly addressed Dongfang Yukun and the other two, saying, "You two also know that the Qin Zhong Twins' swordsmanship is extraordinary, and to be honest, it is. They claim that the Qishan 'Flying Phoenix Sword Technique' is the best in the world, which is an exaggeration, but it is unparalleled in its strangeness and mystery, surpassing all other sword schools. It is said that the Qin Zhong Twins' martial arts originated from an eccentric old man named Lao Yu in Qishan. This strange old man obtained half of the 'Taigong Su Shu' in Qishan." "The 'Flying Phoenix Sword Technique' is contained within the book of Su. Aside from being protective of their own, the two monsters rarely commit evil deeds and usually remain in seclusion. I suspect their recent appearance is largely due to the eccentric scholar's self-proclaimed unparalleled swordsmanship. Therefore, the three of you should join forces and attack together, not seeking merit but avoiding mistakes. To be honest, even I, this old man, dare not provoke him. However, the person behind the two monsters at Xiangguo Temple was exceptionally skilled and must be lurking behind them now; otherwise, I, this old man, might not be so fearless."

Miss Lan brushed a stray strand of hair from her hair, her large, watery eyes widening, and suddenly murmured, "Senior Jing, who posted the note? Did you see him...? It must be him..." She emphasized the word "him," clearly showing her deep concern for Xie Yunyue.

Hearing this, Dwarf Fang Shuo felt deeply saddened. Although he was most likely certain it was him, without witnessing it firsthand, he couldn't draw a conclusion immediately. He shook his head and said, "The martial world is vast, full of extraordinary people; it might not be him." Miss Lan felt a sharp pain in her heart, as if cut by scissors, and she lowered her head, remaining silent.

A strong mountain wind blew, chilling them to the bone, causing their clothes to rustle in the wind. The bright blue sky and warm sun had no effect; the saying "spring sun reflects the mountain's chill" was absolutely true. Looking out, the cityscape of Kaifeng was clearly visible, with rows of buildings and wisps of smoke rising from chimneys, all instantly dispersed by the strong wind. Only the Iron Pagoda stood tall, and the Dragon Pavilion was faintly visible in the distance. Hei Kule Jiang Zongyao exclaimed, "Senior Jing, the two monsters are here! Following them, several groups of people have arrived in the distance, they also seem to be martial artists."

Dwarf Fang Shuo nodded, "They've probably come to watch the show." The Qin Zhong twin monsters flew upwards with incredible speed, their incongruous brocade robes flashing. In a moment, they were in front of the four.

Dwarf Fang Shuo chuckled, "You two have quite the interest." He pointed east, saying, "On the Phoenix Terrace of Ancient Clouds, let's have a sword duel on the Ten Thousand Kings Terrace, a tale to be passed down through the ages, wouldn't that be wonderful?" "Wait!" A thunderous sound erupted from the Great Monster Child's mouth.

"What?" Dwarf Fang Shuo blinked, his expression quite comical.

The Great Monster Child coldly said, "Don't rush into a fight. It's not that I underestimate you, but even if you joined forces, you couldn't withstand ten moves of my 'Flying Phoenix Sword Technique'!" "We, the Twin Monsters of Qin, have come to Bianjing for another reason." They paused, not concealing their names as the Twin Monsters, a style unlike any other.

The elder monster, Tong Xiang, glanced at the four of them and continued, "Did you see the person who tormented us brothers at Xiangguo Temple? Just tell us what he looks like, and we'll forget everything."

The short Fang Shuo smiled and said, "To be honest, I didn't see him clearly either. However, his skill is far superior to yours. Even if you saw him, you couldn't do anything to him, and you might even lose face. My good advice is to give up on that idea."

The younger monster, Ba Shan Diao, roared, "So you must know who did it?"

The short Fang Shuo still smiled and said, "That's right, I have about 80% guesses. You probably have a similar idea."

Upon hearing this, not only were the three girls stunned, but even the two monsters of Qin were taken aback. The second monster, Bashan Diao, with his hair standing on end, roared, "Quickly tell us who it is!" As soon as he finished speaking, his hand moved like the wind, swiftly grabbing Dwarf Fang Shuo's right wrist, slashing in an arc from the inside out—a technique far different from ordinary methods, even more so than the Ghost Child's. Dwarf

Fang Shuo hadn't expected the two monsters' sudden attack. He only became alert when the finger strikes were almost upon his right wrist, and it was too late to dodge. He gritted his teeth, channeling his Five Elements True Qi into his right arm, and took a risky step, meeting the attack head-on. With a resounding "thud," the two monsters met face-to-face, as if gripping iron. Bashan Diao increased the pressure in his five fingers, suddenly adding eighty percent of his true power. Dwarf Fang Shuo, a renowned figure of the older generation, wouldn't let him succeed again. Just as Bashan Diao was about to unleash his true power, he used the "Disarming" technique, his right wrist sinking down, slipping out of the monsters' grasp, and then his body retreated five inches away.

At this time, no fewer than twenty or thirty martial artists from the Three Mountains and Five Peaks had arrived. Qi stopped three zhang away to watch the battle. Of course, there were people from both righteous and evil factions. Among them were some who knew Dongfang Yukun and Jiang Zongyao, and some who had met the Qin Zhong Twins once or twice. However, because of the Qin Zhong Twins, everyone in the martial arts world knew of them and feared them greatly. Although the Twins rarely appeared in public, everyone knew that if you made an enemy of them to their face or discussed right and wrong, the Twins would turn on you and not let you escape unscathed. Therefore, no one dared to provoke them and maintained a wait-and-see attitude.

Meanwhile, Dwarf Fang Shuo escaped from the Five Steel Finger of the Two Monsters, but he was also shocked and broke out in a cold sweat because his right wrist was still sore and numb. Despite this, he still appeared nonchalant on the surface and said with a smile, "If I guessed correctly, you two monsters have been thinking about competing again. I'm afraid this person will steal your title of 'Number One Swordsman Under Heaven,' isn't he?" "However, your title of 'Number One Swordsman Under Heaven' is self-proclaimed, not awarded through a public competition. While your 'Flying Phoenix Sword Technique' is indeed unpredictable, it's unlikely to escape the established patterns of the major sword schools in the Central Plains." The Great Eccentric Child remained unmoved, while the Second Eccentric, Bashan Eagle, gritted his teeth in anger.

After a long pause, the Great Eccentric Child coldly said, "Then the person you're referring to is the Strange-Handed Scholar Yu Yun."

The Dwarf Fang Shuo nodded, "That's right, it's him."

The Great Eccentric Child hesitated, asking, "Then who is the young man surnamed Yan, who is the swordswoman Ren Qigu at Cloud Mist Manor?"

The Dwarf Fang Shuo smiled, "I know this better than you. The young man surnamed Yan is of the same lineage as Yu Yun, hence his audacity to claim the title of Number One Swordsman Under Heaven." The Dwarf Fang Shuo knew that Yu and Yan were two people in one, and one person in another, and was using this to confuse them.

The Great Eccentric Child was completely convinced, his face showing no change, and said, "So, the one who just tricked us was either Yu Yun or the man surnamed Yan." "

The short Fang Shuo laughed loudly, "You're all too arrogant. You think that apart from Yu Yun and the young man surnamed Yan, no one can touch you? Now the martial arts world is in turmoil again, and many reclusive eccentrics have also joined the martial arts world. Who isn't stronger than you? Take the Four Elders of Gaoligong Mountain, for example, you are no match for them. What about others? I heard that Yu and Yan have already gone north to Youyan this morning. The one who just teased you was someone else, but I didn't see clearly, so I can't make a judgment." As he spoke, he muttered to himself, "You dare to call your 'Flying Phoenix Sword Technique' the best in the world?"

The two strange men, Bashan Diao, chuckled coldly, "What are the Four Elders of Gaoligong Mountain? We must have a fight. You surnamed Jing, don't try to intimidate us, the Two Strange Men of Qin, with your big talk. Anyone who doesn't accept the Flying Phoenix Sword Technique has to show their strength." "

Short Fang Shuo glanced at the entire audience, gestured with his lip, and said, 'Look, today, all the heroes gathered below the Fan Pagoda are masters of their time. If they were afraid of you, the Two Stranger of Qin, who would dare to come?' Short Fang Shuo's idea was brilliant. He flattered the onlookers, preventing anyone from openly showing weakness.

Of course, the onlookers understood the hidden meaning in Short Fang Shuo's words. They cursed Jing Fang's cunning in their hearts, but on the surface, they maintained an arrogant demeanor. The Great Strange Child, without considering Jing Fang's meaning, roared, 'That's good! They're all just good-for-nothings, but in your eyes, they've become a group of heroes. Anyone who dares to disagree, come to the Yuwang Terrace!'" "With that, he pulled the two monsters, Bashan Eagles, and together they leaped up, their figures like two wisps of smoke. In the blink of an eye, they landed on the Yuwang Terrace.

This Yuwang Terrace was exceptionally spacious. Except for the Great Yu enshrined in the north corner, the other three sides were unobstructed. The terrace was paved with ancient blue bricks, smooth as a mirror, solid and thick, and when struck, it made a resounding metallic sound. The heroes, squeezed by the short Fang Shuo and the two monsters of Qinzhong, and knowing that the two monsters of Qinzhong were famous throughout the world, could not openly retreat, so they all rushed down from the terrace.

The two monsters, Bashan Eagles, raised their arms and with a clang, a long sword appeared in their hands. Reflected in the sunlight, it shimmered with a cold, bluish aura. Their eyebrows and eyes were both green, indicating that it was an excellent sword. They said, "If you think you are no match for them, retreat down the mountain as soon as possible. Don't bring shame upon yourselves and ruin the reputation of your sect." Half of the assembled heroes

paled in shock, though there were exceptions—those on the side of the Qin Duo. In an instant, three men leaped onto the Yuwang Terrace, all under thirty years old, each wielding a finely forged steel sword. The leader, sword in hand, bowed and said, "We three, known as the Diancang Three Masters, seek instruction from Master Bashan." Bashan Diao smiled smugly and said, "I have also heard of the extraordinary Diancang swordsmanship. Today I will witness it firsthand. But is it in accordance with the rules of our sect that the three of you attack together?"

The leader, named Zhong Xiong, blushed upon hearing this and said, "Our Diancang swordsmanship is but a minor skill. We dare not claim to be the best in the world. Just now, I heard Master Tong tell Master Jing that even a combined attack could not withstand ten moves of the 'Flying Phoenix Swordsmanship.' Therefore, I dare to come and seek instruction based on this statement."

Bashan Diao coldly laughed wildly, "Since that is the case, then you may draw your swords first." Upon hearing Zhong

Xiong and the others call themselves the Three Swords of Diancang, a scene from the training grounds of Jinhua flashed through Lan's mind. Her beloved Xie Yunyue had gripped the tip of the sword of Shi Yuanfang, the master swordsman of Diancang, with his five fingers, and with a flick and a sweep, the longsword snapped in two. One half of the sword transformed into a divine dragon, disappearing into the balustrade of the pavilion. She thought, "How wonderful it would be if Xie Yunyue were here." As this thought crossed her mind, the Three Swords of Diancang stood in the positions of Heaven, Earth, and Man, surrounding the Bashan Eagle in the center. The Great Eccentric Child... They retreated to a corner.

Suddenly, the three swords of Diancang were unleashed simultaneously. The sword light flashed repeatedly, stabbing at different parts of Bashan Diao's body. The speed of their swordplay was unparalleled. The brilliance lay in the seamless coordination of the three, their sword beams crisscrossing like intricate lines, weaving a bizarre pattern. Those present were all discerning; they calculated that no matter where Bashan Diao dodged, one of the three swords would inevitably pierce his "abdominal knot" acupoint. This move of the Diancang Three Swords was the Diancang Sword technique, the "Three Talents Stealing Life" ultimate move.

However, Bashan Diao not only didn't dodge, but with a quick lift and bend of his feet, seemingly without effort, he was in a head-down, feet-up position in the blink of an eye, suspended in mid-air. A cracking sound was heard as the tips of the three swords collided, missing their mark. In that instant, Bashan Diao swiftly swung his single sword downwards in a circle, a cold, blue light flashing, a "Phoenix Soaring and Oriole Dancing" sound, accompanied by a booming, thunderous roar, demonstrating his incredibly powerful internal energy.

Since their senior brother, the Divine Swordsman Shi Yuanliang, had his sword broken by Xie Yunyue, the Three Swords of Diancang had complained to their sect elders. The sect leader severely reprimanded him, blaming him for abandoning the sect's pure swordsmanship and incorporating elements of demonic and unorthodox practices. In short, his style was more bizarre than pure. Despite this, the sect leader became wary of the declining trend of Diancang swordsmanship and tried to revive it. Several masters of Diancang developed a profound sword style and urged their disciples to practice it diligently. As a result, the swordsmanship of the Diancang sect has improved rapidly over the past year. Currently, the sect leader has sent the Three Swords down the mountain to observe the martial arts world. Today, they had heard of the Qin Zhong Twin Monsters' Flying Phoenix Sword Technique, which was famous throughout the world, and they were determined to test its moves to see what made the "Flying Phoenix Sword Technique" so extraordinary.

The Three Swords missed their first attack and immediately became alert. They quickly separated, and with a soft "crack," the tips of their swords were struck by the Second Monster, Ba Shan Diao. "Phoenix Dance and Oriole Soar" cut off the millet-sized opening, causing the three swordsmen of Diancang to gasp in shock. Diancang was indeed a prestigious sect, and the purity of its swordsmanship emphasized seamless coordination. As the second monster, Bashan Diao, stood still, Zhong Xiong suddenly shouted, and the three swords extended, stabbing at the second monster's "Shoulder-to-Shoulder," "Qi Sea," and "Zhangmen" acupoints. At the same time, the left palm hooked out, and the combined strength of the three men transformed into a massive wall of energy that surged forward with lightning speed. The second monster, Bashan Diao, raised his thick eyebrows, tightened his right wrist, and channeled the true energy he had cultivated internally and externally for decades into his right arm. He stepped back with his left foot, and his long sword slanted out to pierce Zhong Xiong's brow. Just as the two forces were about to collide, Bashan Diao's right wrist trembled, transforming into a fan-shaped light screen that circled and slashed towards the three swordsmen. This was the ultimate move of the Flying Phoenix Sword Technique, "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix." At the same time, his left palm met the attack, drawing only a small circle.

With a deafening boom, the three swordsmen of Diancang were sent flying beyond Yuwangtai. Each held a section of their sword hilt in their right hand; the blades had been severed by the two monsters' "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" technique. It was breathtaking; the blades were cut precisely at the rounded hilt, not a fraction off. The two monsters' skill and precision were divine, a feat only achievable through decades of practice. The three swordsmen of Diancang felt a tightness in their chests, gasping for breath, their faces filled with shame and resentment.

The two monsters, Bashan Diao, laughed wildly, saying, "Diancang swordsmanship is nothing special. You were defeated in less than three moves. Today, I will spare your lives and let you pass." The two monsters of Qin had no sideburns or beards, appearing to be no more than forty years old, but in reality, they were over sixty, hence their self-designation as "old men."

Hearing this, the three swordsmen of Diancang glared angrily at the two monsters, Bashan Diao, turned and galloped away, disappearing into the distance below the hillside in the blink of an eye. At this moment, a mountain wind blew fiercely, scattering withered branches and broken stalks across the Yuwang Terrace. Dozens of mulberry and catalpa trees on the north side of the platform swayed intermittently. Despite the spring sunshine, it still felt like the dead of winter. The two monsters, Bashan Diao and Da Guai, stood proudly with their swords at their sides, gazing down at the crowd below, their robes fluttering.

Many of the heroes below were renowned figures, experienced and cunning, who would rashly step onto the platform and risk ruining their lives. Seeing the two monsters' expressions, they seemed to be waiting for them to come up. Suddenly, with a "thud," the two monsters' swords fell from their hands onto the Yuwang Terrace. This action left the crowd bewildered, even the short Fang Shuo was surprised and couldn't figure out what had happened. Bashan Diao showed a look of astonishment, while Da Guai Tong Xiang rushed forward, looking around with raised eyes.

As the Bashan Eagle stood proudly with its sword in hand, a gust of mountain wind swept across their faces, carrying countless grains of dust—a perfectly natural phenomenon. Unexpectedly, when one of the grains of dust touched the sword, its force suddenly intensified, propelling it straight towards the blade. Although the two monsters noticed something amiss, it was too late to tighten their grip. They felt an indescribable force causing their hands to go numb and lose their hold on the sword, causing it to fall to the ground.

Ba Shan Diao knew that this speck of dust couldn't possibly have risen with the wind on its own, causing such a dramatic increase in momentum. Someone else must be pulling the strings behind the scenes. He couldn't guess who among the crowd possessed such extraordinary skill and unparalleled power. If such a person existed, why would they resort to a sneak attack? They wouldn't openly confront him, believing he would be no match. He imagined that if no one was involved, then such a small speck of dust, taking advantage of the moment when the force subsided and the nerves relaxed, would conveniently drop his sword. With decades of martial arts experience, he was no ordinary person; how could this happen? It was truly inconceivable. Therefore, he wore a look of astonishment.

But the changes in nature often defy convention, yet some are perfectly natural. Take meteorites, for example. Entering the Earth's gravitational pull, they hurtle towards the Earth's surface, burning up due to atmospheric friction, usually dissipating midway. But there are exceptions. This is an extremely rare phenomenon. Perhaps the speck of dust that struck Ba Shan Diao was one such meteorite.

The eccentric boy glanced at everyone, finding nothing amiss. He stood far behind the two eccentrics, unsure of what was happening, and couldn't easily confront Bashan Diao about it. In short, he felt the situation was unusual. Bashan Diao quickly regained his composure and bent down to retrieve his sword.

The short, dwarf Fang Shuo grinned and shouted, "Old eccentric boy, I think your sworn brother is suffering from convulsions. The mountain wind is so strong; he's probably caught a chill. It's not worth it to worsen his condition and die on the journey. It would be better to hurry back to your old lair in Qishan to recuperate. At your age, not far from death, you're still vying for fame and fortune. What good does that do? It's even less worthwhile. I see that you two have rarely ventured into the martial world for decades, isn't it because you're afraid someone will steal the half of the 'Taigong Sushu' that you cherish as your lifeblood? Coincidentally, the person who provoked you to come out of the mountains is also the one who wants the 'Taigong Sushu'." "Having said that, he let out a long sigh and a loud laugh, the sound echoing through the mountains and fields. His words hit the mark; the Qin twins' expressions changed, but they quickly regained their composure.

The elder snorted coldly, saying, 'My Qishan Wanxiang Valley is fraught with danger; those who enter will surely die. Who has the audacity to go?'

The Qin twins, from a young age, were adopted by the strange old man of Qishan. He selectively passed on to them half of the profound martial arts contained in the 'Taigong Sushu'. Originally, no one in the martial world knew the origins of the strange old man, because he had never been involved in worldly affairs. After the two had mastered the skills, the old man died soon after, leaving the two feeling lonely. They then ventured out of the mountains with half of the Sushu in their hands, and within three years, they had defeated dozens of swordsmen in the martial world, their fame spreading far and wide. However, as is common among humans, they were fond of flattery and averse to honesty; within three years, they had made many wicked friends."

The martial arts world was eager to find out the origins and lineage of the two monsters. One day, after getting drunk, the two monsters revealed that they were disciples of a strange old man and that they had learned the skills of the "Su Shu" (a martial arts manual). This kind of martial arts manual was coveted by the martial arts world, and they all tried to steal it from the two monsters. Several times, the two monsters almost fell into his trap. Finally, persuaded by a friend, they returned to Qishan to study the Dagong Su Shu again. At the same time, they set up a Star Entanglement Formation in their residence, which was unpredictable and full of killing intent. They named it Wanxiang Valley (Valley of Ten Thousand Elephants). This happened forty years ago.

In the twenty years that followed, countless people who coveted even half of the Grand Duke's Book of Plainness perished in the Valley of Ten Thousand Elephants. Very few managed to escape unscathed. The Grand Duke's array formations were far more sophisticated than sword and fist techniques. Their variations were endless and intricate, encompassing everything from celestial phenomena to geography. They captured the ingenuity of creation, something no martial artist could possibly fathom. Fortunately, the Two Eccentrics of Qin have yet to fully grasp its mysteries and are also drawn to martial arts; otherwise, no one could have surpassed them. Given that they only obtained half of the book, the reason why the Grand Duke left behind the incomplete "Book of Plainness" is speculated to have profound implications.

For forty years, the Twin Eccentrics have only taken in five disciples. Apart from their wives and children, they have no more than sixty servants and henchmen. Their sect is quite strict, but they are extremely protective of their own. The five disciples only dare to commit evil deeds in secret, which the Twin Eccentrics keep in the dark. Outsiders know that the Twin Eccentrics are extremely difficult to deal with, so they adopt a policy of indifference. This time, when they came out of the mountains, Dwarf Fang Shuo said that they were vying for the title of the number one swordsman in the world. He only guessed half of it correctly. The rest will be mentioned later. For now, we will leave it aside.

Now, when the short Fang Shuo heard the eccentric boy boast that no one could enter the Valley of Ten Thousand Elephants, he laughed loudly and said, "You are too arrogant. I, Jing, will definitely visit the Valley of Ten Thousand Elephants within a year. A mere formation is no challenge for me."

The eccentric boy laughed and said, "Good, good, we'll meet again in the Valley of Ten Thousand Elephants. As for the news that the strange-handed scholar left this morning to head north to Youyan, is it true?"

The short Fang Shuo nodded, and the boy said, "Then we will also head north." He then glanced at everyone and smiled, "Now I believe no one dares to say that the 'Flying Phoenix Sword Technique' is not extraordinary." The two monsters smiled and slowly sheathed their swords. Side by side, they arched their backs and leaped over the heads of the crowd, landing with a few bounds.

In the spring sunshine, the colorful tassels on their shoulders shimmered with emerald green and golden yellow in the distance. At this moment, a burly man with thick eyebrows spat at the monsters' retreating figures and cursed, "These two monsters are really fuming! It's not that I don't like making enemies, but I really want to fight them. What the hell is that guy doing, dropping his sword like that?" The crowd smiled at him but did not answer, and left one after another.

Some of them knew Dongfang Yukun and Jiang Zongyao, some admired Ai Fangshuo, and others gathered around, chatting endlessly. Among them was Geng Changxiu, a disciple of the Emei Sect Leader, the Jade Flute Hero. This man was not yet twenty years old, but he was handsome and spirited, and was known as a handsome man. When watching the battle below Yuwang Terrace, he often glanced at Miss Lan, secretly admiring her. Now he also joined in.

Geng Changxiu clasped his hands and bowed deeply, saying, "This junior is Geng Changxiu of Emei. I have often heard my master, the Golden Peak Master, speak of your demeanor, which I deeply admire. It is an honor to meet you today." "

Oh," said Dwarf Fang Shuo with a smile. "I met your master three or four times before he took over Emei. I imagine your Zen skills are even more refined and your health better now?"

Geng Changxiu bowed respectfully and said, "Thanks to your blessing, my master is still the same." As he spoke, he glanced at Miss Lan with lightning speed.

Dwarf Fang Shuo knew the reason and wanted to help them get together, so he smiled and said, "Nephew Geng, are you on a mission this time, sent down the mountain by your master?"

Geng Changxiu shook his head and replied, "I am on a mission, not a specific task."

Dwarf Fang Shuo said, "That's good. We also have no fixed destination. We are going north to find someone. Why don't you come with us, nephew?"

Geng Changxiu was delighted and readily agreed. Dwarf Fang Shuo then said, "Let me introduce you to my three young friends." When introducing Geng Changxiu and Miss Lan, the girl only smiled faintly, and Geng Changxiu's eyes lit up.

The young woman didn't notice the expression in Geng Changxiu's eyes; she was somewhat bewildered. She was extremely confused by the events of the past half-day. Why did the tree branch under Chen Peng's feet break without wind? Who put notes on the chests of the Qin Zhong Twin Monsters? The biggest mystery was why the long sword in Bashan Diao's hand fell to the ground on its own. These were mysteries that no one could solve for the time being. She imagined that someone must have been behind these events. Who? A handsome and familiar face flashed through her mind... Dwarf Fang Shuo complained of hunger and immediately ran towards Kaifeng City. Geng Changxiu silently followed behind the young woman. Dongfang Yukun, Jiang Zongyao, and their acquaintances were in a group. After a while, the spring breeze in front of Yuwang Terrace was strong, but the place remained unusually quiet.

Time flies, and another day passed. As the morning sun rose, a middle-aged scholar of about thirty years old came to the embankment of Longting Road. His face was slightly sallow, and he wore a long white silk robe with a dragon pattern. He had long arms and a slender waist. Facing the morning wind, his robe sleeves fluttered as he walked slowly, appearing elegant and extraordinary. On both sides of the embankment, the waters of Panyang Lake rippled and shimmered, reflecting the glow of the sunset. A flock of water geese chirped and swam on the lake, a testament to the early spring warmth of the river. The willows along the lake were bare, not yet sprouting a single bud. In two months, the scenery would be even more pleasing to the eye.
The middle-aged scholar thoroughly enjoyed the scenery of Longting, finding it ancient, elegant, and serene. Longting, located north of Wuchao Gate and south of Nanxun Gate, was originally the Song Dynasty palace. In the eleventh year of Hongwu (1380), the Zhou Prince's Mansion was built on the site of Longting, with an earthen mound constructed behind the palace as a place for sightseeing and recreation. In the early Qing Dynasty, it was converted into the Imperial Examination Hall. In the ninth year of Yongzheng (1723), the Imperial Examination Hall was moved to the northeast corner of the city. In the twelfth year, the Wanshou Palace was built on top of it, hence the name Longting (Dragon Pavilion). To the south of it is an archway, in front of which stand two stone lions, their stone bases sunk into the earth, with only the lions' bodies exposed. They are about nine feet tall, exquisitely sculpted, and date back to the Northern Song Dynasty. A road was built to the north of the archway, directly connecting to Longting, and is about [length missing]. Two li away, the lake stretches to the horizon on both sides, Pan Lake to the east and Yang Lake to the west. A square platform, about six or seven zhang high, is built beneath the Dragon Pavilion, surrounded by red bricks. A four-tiered hall stands on the platform, its yellow tiles gleaming. The surrounding vermilion pillars resemble swimming dragons. Inside is a five-foot-high stone dragon, said to be the throne of Emperor Taizu of Song, popularly known as the Dragon. One descends from the front of the hall, where the dragon coils in the center. Stone benches flank the platform, totaling sixty-four steps. The Dragon Pavilion, situated on high ground and often windy, is teeming with visitors in summer. From its vantage point, the lake appears like a mirror, making it a truly delightful place for recreation.

Meanwhile, a middle-aged scholar strolled leisurely along the embankment, when suddenly he heard the resounding bell of Xiaoyan Temple on the west side of the lake, echoing across the water. Deeply moved, he stopped to gaze at the sound. Suddenly, a small boat darted out from the reeds in the middle of the lake. An old man, his long beard billowing, stood atop the boat, propelling it swiftly through the water. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of the middle-aged scholar. The old man stroked his beard and

called out, "Brother Xie, why not disembark and have a chat?" The middle-aged scholar, without being told, was Xie Yunyue, the eccentric scholar. Xie Yunyue recognized the old man as none other than the legendary swordsman, Iron-Finger Immortal Ape Bai Yu, whom he had arranged to meet at Longting. Xie Yunyue

smiled, looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then lifted his long robe and laughed heartily, "Brother Bai, your eyesight is excellent. How did you recognize me?"

Bai Yu clapped his hands and laughed loudly, "I learned from the Nine-Finger Beggar Cang Xi that Brother Xie is skilled in disguise, so I memorized your physique. That's why I recognized you at first glance. Let's sail to the reeds in the middle of the lake for a long talk."

The oars creaked softly, the long poles struck the water, and the boat moved like an arrow. In a moment, it entered the reeds, wild birds flew in all directions, and the ancient bell rang clearly.

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