Ten Years of Lone Sword and Vast Sea Alliance [Complete] - 12

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

Chapter Twelve: The Reclusive Hero of Poyang Lake, A Solitary Journey of a Thousand Miles, Upholding Righteousness; The Beggar Clan of Qingliang Mountain , Amidst Anxiety; Brothers

Divided, East and West. Now, let's talk about Bianjing (Kaifeng), a scenic spot. The lake waters on both sides of the Longting Dam shimmer and stretch as far as the eye can see. East of the dam is commonly known as Poyang Lake, and west is Yang Lake. Legend has it that this is the former residence of Pan Mei and Yang Ye from the Northern Song Dynasty. Xiaoyan Temple on the west side of the lake is part of the former Yang residence. Pan and Yang, one loyal and one treacherous, are contrasted. Even the waters of Ming Lake are clearly different: Poyang Lake is murky and filthy, while Yang Lake is clear and green, with fish clearly visible. Such coincidences are common in the world.

On this day, a small boat was moored among the reeds on Yanghu Lake. Inside sat two figures, an old man and a young man. The old man, imposing and dignified, wore a dark blue fox fur coat, his long beard flowing. The young man, with long arms and a slender waist, possessed a refined and handsome air, and was whispering to the old man. The two were none other than Bai Yu, the Iron-Finger Immortal Ape, the Great Hero of Yan Yun, and Xie Yunyue, the Strange-Handed Scholar.

All that could be heard was the Iron-Finger Immortal Ape Bai Yu stroking his beard and laughing, “Your father and I are bosom friends. My nephew’s great grudge must be settled eventually. However, a gentleman’s revenge is never too late, especially since the assassins who attacked your father were from both righteous and evil factions. To stir up a great upheaval in the martial world for a personal grudge would be unwise. It is more appropriate to handle urgent matters slowly. I will certainly fulfill my nephew’s wishes.”

He paused for a moment, then laughed again, “Now, many of the older generation who were hiding deep in the mountains are returning to the martial world. This is probably related to two things. One is the ‘Bodhi Palm Leaf Zen Sutra’ that is causing a stir in the martial world. The other is that the Qing court’s treacherous minister He Shen and Prince Jia are now at odds with each other, vying to recruit extraordinary people from the countryside to weaken each other. Therefore, Brother Cang Xi and Lei Xiaotian asked me to ask my nephew to go to the capital alone, disguise himself, and eliminate the evil fool. This would be much more effective than my nephew traveling thousands of miles alone.”

Xie Yunyue thought to himself, "Brother Cang's idea is good. Of course, since Prime Minister He Kun and Prince Jia are already at odds, the people he has recruited are among the best in the world, many of whom were the ones who assassinated my father years ago. Anyway, I am good at disguise. I can use the trouble in Jiangdong to make them kill each other. What's wrong with that?" He nodded and smiled, "I obey your command." Iron

Finger Immortal Ape Bai Yu said again, "Why is Brother Nine-Finger Divine Beggar Cang Xi so eager for my nephew to return to the capital? It is because the Beggar Clan is on the verge of splitting into two branches, north and south. I don't know the details. Brother Cang Xi's vague words must be very troublesome. We urgently need to rely on my nephew to turn the tide."

Xie Yunyue couldn't help but think of the snake monster beggar in Gaojiagouzi and hurriedly said, "Is there some major change in the Beggar Clan? I will head north today." "

Iron-Finger Immortal Ape Bai Yu laughed, "Of course, the sooner we set off, the better. I've also discussed this with Canglao's son, Lei Xiaotian, and others, and we believe you should get married soon. Of the three unfilial acts, the greatest is having no offspring. Even your father in heaven is very concerned about this matter."

Xie Yunyue blushed and murmured, "I've also thought about this. I'll decide after I get to the capital… Uncle, how many more days do you have to stay in Bianjing?"

Iron-Finger Immortal Ape Bai Yu shook his head and smiled, "I also need to return to the capital, but I won't travel with you, as it would attract attention."

Xie Yunyue pondered for a moment and said, "Then, I humbly request something from you, Uncle. Would you be so kind as to grant my request?"

Bai Yu chuckled, "Isn't your matter the same as mine? What is it?" Xie Yunyue then recounted the events surrounding the incident involving Miss Gu Yanwen .

He explained that he wanted to temporarily send the mother and daughter to Gong Tiandan at Huanbi Manor in Changbai Mountain, as it would be an excellent environment for Gu's mother to recuperate. After his treatment with acupuncture and medicine, Gu's limbs should be able to move without problems; she just urgently needed to regenerate muscle and improve blood circulation, and quiet rest and recuperation. After much consideration, he concluded that Huanbi Manor was the most ideal place, and therefore earnestly requested the Iron-Finger Immortal Ape Bai Yu to arrange the journey. Bai Yu blinked his old eyes and nodded in agreement, and Xie Yunyue smiled awkwardly.

Suddenly, a soft splashing sound reached his ears, and Xie Yunyue exclaimed in surprise, "Oh no!" "With a light touch of the gunwale, he leaped into the air, landing on the tips of the reeds. His foot touched the leaves, and he shot forward again, swirling like lightning, incredibly fast. Such agility was unparalleled in the world. Xie Hongyue, with his keen senses, followed the sound of splashing water. The 'swish, swish' sounds from the reeds grew louder and louder. He guessed that the person had realized his momentary lapse in attention had been heard by the two, the Strange-Handed Scholar and the other, and was panicking, his movements becoming chaotic.

When Xie Hongyue was splashing water on the reeds, he had already seen that it was a fat monk darting away in a small boat, zigzagging. He sneered, twisted his body sharply, and used the 'Angry Dragon Coiling the River' move from the Eight Forms of Dragon Style. His two dragon claws flashed and grabbed at the monk's shoulders. The monk suddenly felt a strong gust of wind shooting at his head and knew something was wrong, but it was too late to dodge. Xie Hongyue caught him squarely, and the monk gritted his teeth and groaned in pain."

At this moment, the Iron-Finger Immortal Ape Bai Yu also arrived by boat, clapping his hands and laughing, "This old man guessed correctly. As long as my nephew lends a hand, there's nothing he can't do."

Xie Yunyue grabbed the big-headed monk like a chicken and hissed, "Who sent you here? What are you doing here? Speak quickly."

The fat monk looked up and grinned maliciously, "I wander aimlessly, making the world my home. I enjoy visiting scenic spots. Today I'm boating around, what's it to you? Pan Yang Lake isn't your private property. You can visit it, but I can't? That's outrageous!" His tone was quite arrogant.

Xie Yunyue was speechless with amusement, but judging from the monk's fierce and evil appearance, he was definitely not a monk practicing asceticism. Still not believing that such a clever method existed, he asked in a deep voice, "Then why did you run away?"

The monk rolled his eyes and said, "I never ran away. When boating on the lake, I naturally take the boat. I invite you to go wherever you feel like. It's just that you're suspicious."

The Iron Finger Immortal Ape, Bai Yu, stroked his beard and smiled without speaking. Xie Yunyue laughed and said, "Your explanation is quite good, but in my practice, I would rather kill by mistake than let go easily. If you don't tell the truth, I'll let you taste the 'Seven-Day Soul-Searching Technique'." The ascetic's face changed color upon hearing this, but he still couldn't believe the young man possessed such extraordinary skill. He closed his eyes and remained silent with arrogance.

Xie Yunyue smiled, swiftly pointing a finger at nine acupoints on the ascetic's body. He stood with his hands behind his back, shoulder to shoulder with Bai Yu, a smile on his face. The ascetic only felt Xie Yunyue's fingers lightly touching his body, without feeling any discomfort. Opening his eyes, he saw Xie Yunyue and Bai Yu smiling before him, and thought, "If I don't leave now, when will I?" He was suddenly overcome with the urge to escape. With a thought, he took a deep breath of true energy, stamped his feet, and was about to leap away to skim the water and escape.

But as soon as he tried to gather his energy, he felt numb and weak all over, losing all his strength. His leaping momentum turned into paralysis, like a limp snake lying in the cabin. Xie Yunyue smiled and said, "Say your purpose now, it's not too late, and you'll suffer less."

The ascetic remained defiant, sneering, "As long as I live, you will never have a peaceful night's rest." Xie

Yunyue merely chuckled, "Not necessarily." His gaze fixed
intently on the ascetic's face. In an instant, the ascetic felt as if needles were pricking all his acupoints, followed by a thousand sharp needles piercing his bones, then extreme soreness and numbness, his veins writhing and his heart itching unbearably. His eyes widened, sweat poured down his face, and finally he let out a mournful howl. The sound was exceptionally unpleasant; it was impossible to tell if he was laughing, crying, screaming, or calling out. Though the ascetic was defiant, he could no longer bear it and pleaded, "Great...hero...I...please...release...the...acupoints......"

Xie Yunyue sneered, "I thought you were made of steel, but even you couldn't withstand it." "Saying this, he pressed the acupoint on the monk's lower back.

The monk felt the pain stop immediately, swallowed twice, and said, "This humble monk was ordered by the two heroes of the palace to search for the whereabouts of the strange-handed scholar Yu Yun. I have been in Bianjing for two days without finding anything. This morning, at the first light of dawn, I was sitting idly on the stone bench in Longting when I unexpectedly saw this..." He pointed at the Iron-Finger Immortal Ape Bai Yu and continued, "He steered a small boat into the reeds. Out of curiosity, I also rented a speedboat and hid in the reeds on the other side. After waiting for a while, I saw this steered boat emerge from the reeds to greet you, sir. Hearing that you were the person the two heroes of the palace were looking for, he was overjoyed. He accidentally touched the oar, making a very faint splashing sound. Knowing that you have sharp ears, I couldn't help but think of escaping. Now that I have been caught, it is all fate's will."

Xie Yunyue then asked, "Did the two heroes of the palace only send you?" The ascetic replied, "

A total of sixteen people were selected and dispatched to various places in Shanxi and Henan, leaving only this humble monk in Bianjing."

Xie Yunyue was satisfied with his answer and laughed, "He may escape punishment, but he can't escape death." With that, he pressed the monk's "Congmen" acupoint, instantly killing him. He took out a small bottle of yellow powder from his robes, poured a little into the monk's nose, sealed the bottle, and put it back in his robes. He looked up and laughed, "Uncle Bai, let's go."

The Iron-Finger Immortal Ape Bai Yu, who had been observing Xie Yunyue, felt that this young man was indeed a prodigy, though his methods were a bit too ruthless. However, this was the only way to deal with evildoers. He laughed, "Xianren's skills are indeed superb; no wonder Brother Cangxi praised him so highly." Xie Yunyue smiled four times without speaking, and the two docked their boat.

The sun shone brightly, and the air of spring filled the capital. Pedestrians thronged the city, and the two figures disappeared into the crowd.

Although it was the beginning of spring in Beijing in the first month of the lunar calendar, it still felt like the dead of winter. The rivers outside the city were frozen solid, and mules and horses pulled carts across them with a smooth, comfortable ride. Many people were skating on the ice, stretching their long-frozen muscles. Inside the capital, a heavy snowfall a few days earlier had left

the city still pristine, a dazzling white wonderland. On this particular day, the wind wasn't particularly strong, but the sky was overcast and heavy, as if pressing down. However, for Beijing at this time of year, this was exceptionally good weather. Tired of sitting around the stove, people were venturing out for a stroll, so the streets were quite crowded. Near Shichahai, a slender, sprightly old man of about seventy years old emerged from a large courtyard. He wore a gray squirrel fur robe over a blue cloth overcoat. His left hand was tucked inside the robe, while his right palm held a pair of smooth iron balls, which he spun rapidly in his palm with a rustling sound.

When he encountered familiar neighbors on the street, they all stopped and greeted him with smiles: "Good morning, Uncle Chen! Back to the teahouse again?"

The old man smiled and replied, "These days are such fine weather. I'm tired of being cooped up indoors; it's time to get out and stretch my legs, and chat with an old friend." With that, he strode off.

The chill was deep; breath formed clouds. Snow piled up a foot deep in the alley, leaving behind haphazard black footprints. A sprig of winter plum blossom extended from the walls on either side, emitting a delicate fragrance that soothed the soul. The old man, surnamed Chen, wound his way through the alleyways, finally emerging onto the main street. Facing him was the old Zhenghelou Teahouse, its vermilion lacquer almost completely peeled off, revealing a grayish-black wood. This teahouse must have been built a long time ago.

Things in Beijing are valued for their antique charm. Regardless of the type of business, as soon as a customer enters and inquires about goods, the shopkeeper and clerk will give a thumbs up and say, "Our shop is an old brand. Not only are our goods good and reasonably priced, but they are also the most exquisite. You should try them out; I guarantee you'll be satisfied." This shows that Beijingers are very particular about their traditions and admire the old. As soon as

Mr. Chen stepped into the teahouse, about 70% of the seats downstairs were occupied, mostly by acquaintances. He smiled and nodded to each person as he sat down. Once Mr. Chen was seated, the waiter, carrying a hissing kettle, bowed and said, "Good morning, Mr. Chen." He brewed a bowl of good tea and brought out two plates of steamed buns and dumplings.

Old Master Chen, holding his teacup, lifted the lid with one hand, blew away the floating tea leaves, took a sip, and then put it down before picking up a shumai and stuffing it into his mouth. He looked up, his gaze sweeping around, while a pair of gleaming iron tumblers in his right hand twirled incessantly. Suddenly, a young man not yet thirty at the next table laughed, "Old Master Chen, it's been so long! Staying indoors must be so boring. I told you, you haven't been out for a while, so you haven't seen any of the new things in Beijing. Otherwise, why don't you tell us a few things to cheer us up?"

Old Master Chen rolled his eyes and said, "Young man, you really don't know how to talk. Who said I'm stuck at home? Yesterday, I went to Donglaishun for a hot pot of mutton and some fried eight-pieces, soaked in the soup for most of the day, and saw something interesting." After saying that, he stopped talking and stuffed two shumai into his mouth.

The tea drinkers were amused and prepared to listen to the story continue. After a while, Chen Sanye, contrary to his usual behavior, began to speak eloquently and endlessly without being prompted, even when he had something interesting to say. But today, everything about him seemed strange.

Ten years ago, Chen Sanye had worked as a guard in the Third Prince's mansion. Known as Iron Fist Chen Dekui, he practiced external martial arts, which, to be honest, were just fancy moves. He was good at currying favor with people and was quite adept at being a guard. Because of his loyalty, he was highly trusted. He was also straightforward and generous, without any guile, so he was very popular. As he got older, he found that his legs and hands were stiff and clumsy. Being a guard was not easy. When there was trouble, he had to work during the day and patrol at night. Sometimes, he would not sleep for three days and three nights. He had suffered enough and felt wronged, so he resigned. On the first and fifteenth of each month, he would go to the Prince's mansion to pay his respects and observe the occasion. He also enjoyed going to the tea garden and the theater every day.

He remained silent, which made the young man at the next table anxious. He asked impatiently, "Third Master Chen, what's wrong with you today? Are you deliberately trying to keep us in suspense?"

At this point, the young man asked, "Third Master Chen, you were pretty much the same back in the day. I heard you leaped up the towering Forbidden City in your youth. Why are you praising others and belittling your own reputation today?"

Chen Dekui blushed and laughed, "You little monkey, how dare you embarrass our Third Master Chen? I'll skin you alive!" Apparently, Chen Dekui often boasted and exaggerated in the tea garden, and today the young man had exposed his weakness. The young man stuck out his tongue and made a face, which drew laughter from the other tea drinkers.

Chen Dekui continued, "Kuai Jun leaped down from the tree, grabbing handfuls of pine needles in both hands. With a flick of his left hand, the foot-diameter wooden pillar was half-pierced by the needles. How could something so soft pierce so easily? Everyone stared in disbelief! Last night we believed the saying that flying flowers and leaves could injure people. But that's not all! Then, Shan Jun flicked his right hand again, knocking out the embedded needles from the pillar. Isn't that amazing?"

At this moment, a tea drinker said, "I suppose Master Chen is just embellishing his story again. Who in the world has such skill? Stop exaggerating, or people will laugh their heads off." The tea drinkers burst into laughter again.

Just then, a man sitting in the corner slowly rose from his seat. He wore a melon-shaped hat pulled low, almost obscuring half his face. The light was dim, and his face was unclear. The man stepped out, walking through the snow. The sky was overcast, and the north wind howled. The man left the western city, his movements becoming swift as he headed towards Little Qingliang Mountain.

Before him lay a world of crystal, a frigid and icy landscape. He pressed on relentlessly, braving the wind as he raced down the mountain. A heavy snowstorm a few days prior had added several feet of ice to Little Qingliang Mountain, and after several days and nights of fierce north winds, it had frozen into a thick layer of solid ice. Not only could no one walk on it, but even insects and beasts could not crawl across it. Yet, the man shrugged his shoulders, his feet barely touching the ground, allowing no moment's respite, and with the agility of a deer, he zigzagged his way towards the mountaintop.

Xiaoqingliang Mountain, also known as Xishan, is located in the west of Wanping County. The mountain soars into the clouds, majestic and imposing. The area around its summit is extremely cold, and in winter, snowfall easily accumulates and doesn't melt. Looking up from below, it resembles freshly carved jade, pure white and precipitous. It is one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Yanjing (Beijing), known for its "Snow After Rain on Xishan." Its beauty is entirely natural. There is a hermitage on the mountain with a majestic Buddhist statue, and thousands of winter plum trees are planted, creating a beautiful and magnificent scene. Xiaoqingliang Mountain is a famous scenic spot, and except for the cold winter when there are few visitors, it is bustling with tourists in spring, summer, and autumn. The most popular time to visit is spring, when all the flowers are in full bloom, vying for attention with their vibrant colors. The air is filled with the fragrance of blossoms, birdsong echoing through the woods, and the babbling of streams, their sounds like the playing of an ancient zither or the striking of a jade chime. Wandering there, one is always captivated. In early summer, the trees are lush and green, and the fragrance of golden lotus blossoms fills the lotus ponds. In autumn, the mountains are ablaze with red leaves, a breathtaking sight. An ancient poem about West Mountain describes it: "A sloping path flies in from the stone cave, the silhouette of houses is seen on the hillside, ten miles of ridges stretch out in a continuous line, a feast for the eyes with the sight of bellflowers on the cliffs." This illustrates the beauty of Xiaoqingliang Mountain.

At this very moment, Xiaoqingliang Mountain is a place where birds fly swiftly through the mountains, and human tracks vanish from every path, except for that one person who, like a swift slingshot, races through the hills. The figure stopped in a plum grove in front of the Shuiyue Nunnery, where the plum blossoms were in full bloom, their fragrance intoxicating. Suddenly, a figure flashed, and an old man emerged from the plum grove. Upon seeing him, the old man called out, "Second Brother Lei, you've arrived so early." The man was none other than Qiankun Hand Thunder Xiaotian, and the old man was none other than Nine-Fingered Beggar Cangxi.

Qiankun Hand Thunder Xiaotian adjusted his hat brim and laughed, "You've come so early, just to deliver a message." With that, the two walked side by side slowly toward the entrance of the Shuiyue Nunnery.

Qiankun Hand Thunder Xiaotian said, "As expected, the information gathered by Chasing Wind Hedgehog Qian Ning was accurate. Kuai Jun, the leader of your Southern Branch, has already arrived in the capital. I heard he's staying at the Third Prince's residence. I suspect that quite a few members of the Southern Branch Beggar Clan have come."

Nine-Fingered Beggar Cangxi's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he snorted, "He's here. This is going to be quite a show."

Lei Xiaotian said, "It's good that Third Brother has arrived. I wonder if Hero Bai has delivered the message."

Nine-Fingered Beggar Cang Xi pondered for a moment, then said, "I think he has. Iron-Fingered Immortal Ape Bai Yuren is the most clever; Third Brother should arrive within a few days. However, before he arrives, we need to make some arrangements to prevent our disciples from being harmed innocently." Lei Xiaotian nodded.

Suddenly, two old men emerged from the temple, followed by a beggar around fifty years old with graying temples. These two old men were none other than the Second Elder of the Beggar Clan, Xinghe Yueke Lou Yong, and the Third Elder, Bamboo-Walking Old Man Hong Huang. The beggar was Sun Siyuan, the leader of the Beijing gang, Beitian Yiyan. Xinghe Yueke Lou Yong smiled and said, "Teacher Lei, you've arrived early. I suppose you've received some news?" Lei Xiaotian repeated what he had said before.

Lou Yong sneered, "Kuai Huazi is here. He's courting death. He wants to use the power of the Third Prince and He Kun to break free from our sect's constraints and become the leader of the Southern Sect. That's wishful thinking."

Zhuzhi Sou Hong Huang shook his head, saying, "Lou Er underestimates him. Kuai Huazi's skill is only above ours, and he's exceptionally volatile. He might have ulterior motives. That's why yesterday I ordered Sun Siyuan to take the purple copper token and instruct all my disciples in Beijing to go into hiding, before the situation clarifies." "Don't show your face!"

Before he finished speaking, a middle-aged beggar, covered in blood, stumbled in and reported, "Elders, something terrible has happened! In the Da Hong Men Earth Temple, the Southern Branch Leader of our sect, Kuai Jun, along with five others, came looking for us. Li Xiangzhu of the Execution Altar has been captured, and Qian Ning's right arm was broken by Kuai Jun's palm strike. He was captured in the process, and only I managed to escape." As soon as he finished speaking, the old man with the bamboo cane, Hong Huang, changed color drastically. He stomped his feet and suddenly darted towards the plum grove with unparalleled speed.

The Nine-Fingered Beggar also sensed this and, with a slight turn, flew to the left of the plum grove. Upon hearing this, the old man with the bamboo staff realized that the beggar who delivered the message was the least capable of all. He understood that Kuai Jun was using a feigned retreat to lure him in, and that someone was secretly following him. A thought flashed through his mind, and he caught a glimpse of a figure in the plum grove. He leaped to find him; once this person escaped Qingliang Mountain, the situation would be hopeless.

The old man with the bamboo staff, in two leaps, spotted a gray-clad figure only two or three zhang away. He shouted, "Where are you going?" With a flick of his sleeves, he created a gust of wind and swept it behind the figure.

The figure used a "Dry Land Leap" technique, rising rapidly and shouting, "Attack!" Seven black dots shot towards the old man with lightning speed. The old man with the bamboo staff, Hong Huang, brushed aside the incoming projectiles with his sleeves, slowing his movements slightly. The figure had already darted several zhang away.

This man was incredibly fast. The old man with the bamboo staff, Hong Huang, was secretly astonished. Judging from his superior agility, his martial arts must be excellent as well. Why had this man retreated without a fight? He suddenly shifted his body and shot after him, as swift as lightning. The two figures, seven or eight zhang apart, were moving at the speed of

shooting stars, neither too close nor too far. Suddenly, a clear sound rang out from the cliff corner. The Nine-Fingered Beggar had appeared. The man flipped outwards in mid-air. The Nine-Fingered Beggar, Cang Xi, moved like a dragon reaching for its claws, his ten fingers like hooks, pouncing towards the man. The man flipped to the side, his right palm lashing back, creating a shower of blossoms. It turned out that the force of his palm had scattered a plum tree in the wind. The Nine-Fingered Beggar laughed heartily, "Friend, what a magnificent wind-splitting palm strike! This old man wished to witness your esteemed presence, so why not step inside? That would be too petty."

After unleashing his palm strike, the man didn't even turn his head, his figure swiftly disappearing. Hearing this, he merely snorted coldly and passed through the plum grove. Little did he know that the Star River Fisherman Lou Yong stood there, smiling as he blocked his path. The man, caught off guard, was momentarily stunned, his movements slowing slightly. The Nine-Fingered Beggar Cang Xi and the Bamboo Staff Elder Hong Huang had already arrived. The three elders of the Beggar Clan stood according to the Three Powers orientation. Lou Yong smiled and said, "Friend, why are you hiding your face? Are you ashamed to be seen?" It turned out that the man was wearing a veil.

The man suddenly ripped off his mask and sneered, "With just the three of you old men, do you dare to kill an official and resist arrest?"

After recognizing the man, Cang Xi, the Nine Dragons Beggar, immediately gleamed and laughed wildly, "So it's Master Li! I'm honored, I apologize for not welcoming you sooner!" Turning to Lou Yonghong, he said, "Let me introduce you, this is..."

The old man with the bamboo cane, Hong Huang, sneered, "No need. The renowned Chief Constable of the Nine Gates Commandery, Night Hawk Li Zhendong, who doesn't know him? You old man can kill without arson, so why did you utter the words 'kill an official and resist arrest'? You must explain." "Understand this clearly, or don't even think about leaving Xiaoqingliang Mountain."

Li Zhendong of Night Hawk blushed and chuckled coldly, "The three of you are blocking my way, so why can't you say the words 'kill an official'?"
Cang Xi rolled his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Only people like you officials would say such unreasonable things. If you don't show your face, how would anyone know you are Master Li?" Li Zhendong had come with a purpose, but in a moment of distraction, he blurted out the words "kill an official and resist arrest." This was completely unreasonable and only made things worse. Cang Xi seized on this, and in the biting cold air, he even blushed with embarrassment, his cheeks burning, and he muttered something incoherently.

At this moment, Qiankun Shoulei Xiaotian also appeared, laughing loudly, "Master Li, a man of principle doesn't tolerate nonsense. Everyone knows that Master Li braved the cold to climb the mountain, there must be a reason. Just open the window and speak frankly, why did you have to say the words 'resist arrest'? Heh heh... Give it to me."

Night Hawk Li Zhendong found this man very strange. The brim of his hat was pulled low, obscuring his eyes. He didn't know if it was an ominous sign or something else, but he felt a chill run down his spine, his mind reeling. He thought to himself, "What's going on today?" So he straightened his spine, forcing himself to stay alert. When he heard Lei Xiaotian say "give it to me," he was startled, his eyes wide with confusion.

Qiankun Shoulei Xiaotian gave a disdainful sneer and said, "Master Li, produce the arrest warrant." After a pause, Lei Xiaotian pushed up the brim of his hat, revealing his face.

Upon seeing this clearly, Li Zhendong shuddered again. He knew that Lei Xiaotian, the "Heaven and Earth Hand," was a notoriously difficult figure in the martial arts world. Once entangled with him, he would make things incredibly difficult. Although the three elders of the Beggar Clan possessed extremely high martial arts skills, beggars were still under the jurisdiction of the Nine Gates Commander's Office. With a single order, all beggars in the capital would become Russian prisoners, unlike Lei Xiaotian, who was a persistent and relentless ghost.

Lei Xiaotian shouted angrily, "Li Zhendong, don't be shameless! You think you can intimidate anyone just because you're the Chief Constable of the Nine Gates Admiral's Office? I, Lei Xiaotian, won't be fooled. Tell me your purpose, or I'll show you the power of the Lei family. If you manage to get down Xiaoqingliang Mountain today, I, Lei, will be extinct in the martial world!"

Li Zhendong, the Night Hawk Hand, was enraged by his sarcastic remarks. He steeled himself and sneered, "Lei, stop bragging! I don't believe you can do anything to me, Li Zhendong!" With that, he moved swiftly, closing in on Lei Xiaotian, and struck with his palm.

Lei Xiaotian twisted his body and used "Shifting Position" to dodge a few feet. The Night Hawk Hand Li Zhendong's palm strike was incredibly fierce, snapping an ancient green plum tree in half at waist height, sending snowflakes and ice shards flying everywhere. Lei Xiaotian dodged Lei Xiaotian's fierce "Wall-Empty Palm" attack, then pounced forward. His right palm flipped upward, unleashing a powerful strike towards Li Zhendong's crown, while his left palm, like a halberd, moved slightly downward, sweeping from left to right with lightning speed towards Li Zhendong's right leg's "Blood Sea" acupoint. This was none other than the ultimate move "Pointing to the Sky and Drawing the Earth" from the Thirty-Six Hands of the "Heaven and Earth Palm."

Li Zhendong, the Night Hawk, had only heard that Lei Xiaotian's Heaven and Earth Palm possessed unique skill, but he had not expected it to be so exquisite. Not only was his movement incredibly fast, but his "Pointing to the Sky and Drawing the Earth" move also produced a hissing sound as it cut through the air. If he were hit, he would surely die on the spot on Xiaoqingliang Mountain. However, he could not dodge it. He gritted his teeth, crossed his arms, and quickly parried, intending to deflect Lei Xiaotian's two palms.

Lei Xiaotian never dreamed that his opponent would dare to forcefully strike him. He thought, "If I don't teach you a lesson, I'll sell you my Qiankun Hand." With a burst of energy in his wrists, he pressed forward without changing his stance, completely ignoring the incoming palm strike.

With a loud crash, Li Zhendong of Night Hawk was jolted back three steps, his arms burning with pain, and a shallow cut on his right thigh, blood flowing down his dark groin. He was only two points away from the "Blood Sea" acupoint. It turned out that Lei Xiaotian's left palm had used the "Diamond Finger" technique, and this strike had even torn Li Zhendong's waistband, slicing it off along his calf. Lei Xiaotian himself was also thrown back two steps by the force of the blow.

Li Zhendong, who had previously lacked fighting spirit, was now even more disheartened. He had already lost face completely, and couldn't very well fight barefoot. Besides, the cold wind was relentlessly blowing into his stomach, a truly unpleasant sensation. Gritting his teeth, he raised his hand, sending three blue stars shooting out, and with a twist of his body, he leaped into the sky like a "hidden dragon ascending to heaven," vaulting over the treetops. The three elders of the Beggar Clan had already retreated far away, still guarding according to the three directions. They had their reasons; they were certain Li Zhendong hadn't come alone and must be followed by someone. They intentionally let him go, believing that if they continued the pursuit, they could find the prison of Li Xiangzhu of the Execution Altar and Qian Ning, the Wind-Chasing Hedgehog.

Unexpectedly, upon seeing the three blue stars he unleashed, Lei Xiaotian swiftly flipped his palms, unleashing a powerful gust of wind. With three soft popping sounds, the three blue stars, after a brief pause, exploded automatically, releasing a torrent of black rain. The distance was close, and the attack was swift; Lei Xiaotian had no chance to dodge. In a moment of quick thinking, he rolled on the ground, narrowly avoiding being hit.

Lei Xiaotian narrowly escaped, leaped up, and glanced at the snow-covered ground. He was horrified to see that the black rain, hitting the snow, had melted away the thick layer of white snow, revealing a patch of scorched yellow grass beneath—clearly resembling extremely poisonous liquid. This gave Lei Xiaotian a clear understanding of Li Zhendong. Looking around, he saw Li Zhendong had already darted out of the plum grove and onto a snow-covered slope. The three elders of the Beggar Clan were scattered around, but they didn't seem to intend to capture Li Zhendong alive.

Lei Xiaotian, understanding the thoughts of the three elders of the Beggar Clan, sneered inwardly, "If you let the tiger return to the mountain, the Beggar Clan will be doomed. I, Lei, will not let him escape." With that thought,

he swiftly gave chase. Night Hawk Li Zhendong fled, his heart hardening, thinking, "When I return to the capital, I can easily brand him with a bad name. I'm not afraid that you, Qiankun Hand Lei Xiaotian, won't be imprisoned." He was originally from Qionglai, and Hunyuan Finger Kuai Jun was his uncle; how could he not be devoted to him?

Lei Xiaotian pursued relentlessly, while Li Zhendong fled desperately, causing the three elders of the Beggar Clan to drift further and further apart. Xiaoqingliang Mountain, located near the capital, was considered a premier highland. As far as the eye could see, it was a world of jade dragons, with Lei Xiaotian and Li Zhendong flying one after the other like bullets. Li Zhendong, nicknamed Night Hawk, thought to himself, "As long as that Li fellow escapes down Qingliang Mountain, you, Lei Xiaotian, will be a fish in the net." Before he could finish his thought, a young boy suddenly appeared in front of him, wielding two judge's pens

and striking down with great force. Li Zhendong was caught off guard by this unexpected attack and was greatly alarmed. Fortunately, he reacted quickly, his heels planted firmly on the ground, and he sprang back, using the superior "Swallow Skimming the Waves" movement technique, shooting backward three or four zhang. Once he regained his footing, he noticed that Lei Xiaotian was already more than ten zhang away. He thought to himself, "It seems that without a fight to the death, I won't be able to get down the mountain safely." Thinking this, he reversed his hands, and a pair of thirteen-section centipede whips appeared in his hands, making a series of rapid "thuds."

The child roared, "You wicked lackey! What grudge do you hold against my grandfather and sister? How dare you collude with bandits to drug and capture them! I swear I'll tear you to pieces today!"

Lei Xiaotian arrived and shouted, "Qing'er, hurry up and make your move! Don't let him escape! Just find your grandfather and sister on him!" It was Fu Qing who had arrived; we'll discuss her later.

Lei Xiaotian, having given his word, unleashed a powerful attack with both palms, while Fu Qing swiftly moved up and down towards Li Zhendong. Li Zhendong, the Night Hawk, dared not be careless. His thirteen-section centipede whips crossed and clashed with lightning speed, then lashed out again, his wrist strength at its peak, forcing Lei Xiaotian and Fu Qing to retreat five feet. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Li Zhendong leaped out, turned around, and sneered, "Little brat, don't spout nonsense. Master Li doesn't know who your grandfather and sister are, let alone recognize you. If Master Li wants to arrest someone,

he can simply come to my door in a grand manner. Why resort to trickery?" Fu Qing also sneered, "Li Zhendong, don't think I'm still in the dark. One of the bandits you sent is already in my hands. He'll only be tortured to reveal the conspiracy. Can you deny it?"

Li Zhendong's expression changed drastically. He used a series of sneers to cover his embarrassment, then glared at him and said, "Since you insist that Master Li did it, I guess I'll have to grant your wish."

Suddenly, Lei Xiaotian shouted, "You're about to die, yet you still dare to act so arrogantly!" He swung his palms and struck Li Zhendong's "Zhangmen" and "Qihai" acupoints.

With a twist of his wrists, Li Zhendong, the Night Hawk, executed a move called "Parting Clouds and Clearing the Moon," his double whips clanging as they lashed out to entangle Lei Xiaotian's palms. To be honest, Lei Xiaotian dared not let the centipede whips touch his bare hands easily. Li Zhendong's whips were forged from refined steel, their edges sharp and angular like blades, and concealed barbs within the joints that would automatically spring out when unleashed. If they touched an opponent, the skin would surely be torn and flesh ripped apart. Therefore, Lei Xiaotian reacted swiftly, dodging the whip and suddenly flipping over, now wielding a sword in his hand.

Qiankun Hand was renowned for his mastery of both palm and sword, rarely using the sword. Today, however, driven by his deep hatred for Night Hawk Li Zhendong and fearing the opponent's insidious centipede-like steel whips, he realized he had little hope of victory with his bare hands. He had even wielded a bronze sword he rarely used. At this moment, Fu Qing could no longer contain himself. He leaped forward, shouting, "Master Lei, let Qing'er have this thief! Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? Aren't you afraid of soiling your precious sword?"

Night Hawk Li Zhendong, enraged, roared, "You brat, how dare you!" With a twist of his wrists, the centipede whips unleashed a torrent of energy, the whips raining down on Fu Qing's vital points.

Qiankun Hand Lei Xiaotian, having heard Xie Yunyue mention Fu Qing's youth, knew he possessed considerable martial arts skill, though his training was consistently lacking. He stood by, secretly worried for Fu Qing. Fu Qing sneered, took a slight step, and wielded his two pens in a single strike—the "Zhong Kui's Thirty-Six Strikes to Subdue Demons," a style even more refined and ingenious than the original moves of the Wudang master, the Divine Brush Hero Zhong Qi. In a single exchange, all six moves were unleashed simultaneously, the pens emitting two beams of light that struck Li Zhendong's "Mingmen," "Zhitang," "Xinyu," "Jianbing," "Qihai," and "Baihui"

acupoints with lightning speed. Qiankun Shou was astonished, never expecting Fu Qing's Judge's Pen technique to be even more bizarre and fierce than Zhong Qi's. He guessed it must have been taught to him by his sworn brother, Xie Yunyue. Li Zhendong, the Night Hawk, wielded his centipede whip, his signature weapon, honed over years of practice, its power unparalleled. Upon seeing Fu Qing unleash the "Zhong Kui's Thirty-Six Strikes to Subdue Demons," he immediately recognized it, his heart pounding with fear. He cursed his own men for letting this brat slip through.

The sky grew even darker, a fierce north wind howled, and gusts of snow occasionally swept in, bringing a bone-chilling cold. Yet, beads of sweat glistened on the foreheads of both Li Zhendong and Fu Qing; it was truly a life-or-death struggle. A blur of figures danced across the snow. The three elders of the Beggar Clan reappeared, still standing about ten feet away, their Qiankun Hand Thunder roaring, their faces as cold as ice. Fu Qing, caught up in the excitement, moved his hands in a flash, using the "Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Positive and Negative Yin-Yang Steps" technique, shifting his position. This time, the coordination became even more divine.
Li Zhendong grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed. His fierce whip techniques couldn't even restrain Fu Qing's movements; instead, Fu Qing swayed left and right, leaving Li Zhendong dizzy and disoriented – a phenomenon he had never experienced before. Seeing Fu Qing's judge's pen coming at his shoulders, an idea struck him. He channeled his power into his wrists and thrust forward, producing a sharp, resounding clang as his whips straightened, aiming "Sun and Moon Rising Together" directly at Fu Qing's eyes. He thought, "With this move, his pens will inevitably collide, forming a hook like a dragon's whiskers. Then I can pull back, freeing my right hand to capture this brat and threaten him, allowing me to escape the mountain safely."

His plan was quite clever, but Fu Qing was even more cunning. With a swift movement, Fu Qing appeared behind Li Zhendong. Suddenly, Li Zhendong screamed, tumbling into the snow as he charged forward. Fu Qing had taken advantage of his momentary lapse in attention. With a press of the double-tipped spring clip, forty-eight "Heart-Soothing Needles" shot out like a rain of arrows. The distance was too close for Li Zhendong to dodge; they all struck him. Even a man of iron couldn't withstand it. He felt a numbness in his chest, and before he could even close his acupoints and seal his qi, he let out a howl and collapsed into the snow. Qiankun Hand Thunder Xiaotian, fearing he wasn't dead, straightened up and thrust his sword down.

Suddenly, Nine-Finger Beggar Cangxi shouted, "Lei Lao Er, this won't do!" and arrived like a gray crane in the wind. Qiankun Hand Thunder Xiaotian seemed not to hear him. By the time Cangxi arrived, Li Zhendong had been pierced through both chest and back. Cangxi couldn't help but stamp his foot and sigh.

With a backhand swift movement, Lei Xiaotian snatched Li Zhendong's corpse from his grasp, then sneered at the Nine-Fingered Beggar Cang Xi, saying, "Brother Cang, this truly disheartens me. He risked his life for the Beggar Clan, yet you all keep your distance. What are your intentions? From this day forward, I, Lei Xiaotian, will not concern myself with the Beggar Clan's affairs." He then angrily grabbed Fu Qingkuai's hand, saying, "Let's go. Staying here is just getting in the way." With a stomp of his foot, the two of them vanished six or seven zhang away.

Nine-Fingered Beggar Cangxi roared, "Second Brother Lei, don't misunderstand, listen to me..." Lei Xiaotian didn't turn back and rode away.

Nine-Fingered Beggar Cangxi remained silent, while Star River Hooker Lou Yong and Bamboo Staff Shi Honghuang also gathered together. Star River Hooker Lou Yong sighed and said, "Lei Xiaotian's arrival is tantamount to sending the Beggar Clan disciples of the seven northern provinces to a dead end."

Despite his great reputation, Nine-Fingered Beggar Cangxi was also bewildered and distressed for a long time before saying, "The Beggar Clan will suffer another devastating upheaval, the worst in a century. I don't know how many disciples will be sacrificed. Recalling a hundred years ago, before our predecessors underwent their third transformation and took control of the Beggar Clan, a bloody battle wiped out all the essence of the sect, and dozens of unique and profound martial arts techniques were lost forever. Therefore, our sect's martial arts have always remained at a backward stage." Unable to flourish and rival the major sects, the Southern Branch Beggar Clan, thanks to the leniency and appeasement of Senior Zhu, was granted a cold iron staff, allowing them to act as they saw fit. However, the Southern Branch leader is bound by four bronze tokens, and therefore, the other token is with Xie Yunyue. Until he returns, the sect can only wait and see.

Lou Yong, the Star River Fisherman, shook his head and sighed, “Elder Cang, the situation may not be as you expect. Even if all four bronze tokens arrive, Kuai Jun may not necessarily submit.”

Cang Xi, the Nine-Fingered Beggar, frowned and said, “Why haven’t I considered this?” "Since Kuai Jun dared to defy the law, we can also have a legitimate reason to attack. Lei Xiaotian is usually quick-witted and resourceful, but his unusual behavior today is unexpected. We know that Li Zhendong has come for a reason, but he has not revealed his purpose, making it difficult for us to act. It would be better to follow behind him, find out the whereabouts of Li Xiangzhu Qian Ning, and rescue him when the opportunity arises. Once Yun Yue arrives, we can discuss countermeasures. Now that Li Zhendong is dead, a great calamity has been set in motion, forcing us to change course." The old man

with the bamboo cane, Hong Huang, smiled and said, "Old Cang, there's no need to be upset. The arrow is on the bowstring, and we have no choice but to release it ." "The future depends entirely on the silent protection of our ancestral spirit. Our sect's laws are strict and do not allow outsiders to intrude. Lei Xiaotian is not a member of our sect, and his actions are unrelated to our sect. Even if Xie Yunyue comes here, he is a guest and must not overstep his authority or participate in our sect's law enforcement ceremony. Therefore, the future will be fraught with difficulties, and we must do our best. Elder, don't worry about this matter. Let's hurry down the mountain to find out the whereabouts of Qian and Li." The Nine-Fingered Beggar sighed silently, and the three elders of the Beggar Clan flew down Qingliang Mountain towards Beijing.

The sky was dark again, snow was falling heavily, and the biting north wind howled. Every corner of Beijing was deserted, and the streets were unusually quiet. But on the other hand, a life-or-death calamity was brewing in Beijing, and the prelude was about to unfold. It was truly an extraordinary beginning... The gloom was like the sky, and it was unknown when the light would come.

In Bianjing, the weather turned bad again that night, the bright sunshine of spring a stark contrast to the chill of winter, much like the fickle and unpredictable nature of a young girl's heart. Urged on by the beautiful but ruthless Ni Wanlan, the five travelers, including Ai Fang, Shuo Jing, and Fang Yi, set off for Beijing the next morning. Love, for millennia, has worn down the spirits of countless heroes and heroines. Ni Wanlan, her beautiful brows furrowed, sighed repeatedly on horseback. Despite the constant attempts by the chivalrous Geng Changxiu to comfort her, she remained silently grieving, her handsome and spirited face constantly appearing in her mind.

Although Geng Changxiu didn't understand why Ni Wanlan was so troubled, he knew she must have some unresolved issue weighing on her mind. However, he dared not openly inquire, and instead secretly asked Jiang Zongyao and Dongfang Wukun, only to be met with a shake of their heads, saying they knew nothing. Love at first sight—this phrase remains unchanged throughout history. Yu Xiao, a chivalrous swordsman in the Emei Sect, was a handsome and unparalleled man. Many of his fellow disciples were captivated by his charm and tenderness, yet Geng Changxiu, arrogant and aloof, remained unmoved. But upon seeing Miss Lan today, he was instantly captivated, his longing unyielding. Was this fate or destiny? No one knows, but it was certainly a deliberate arrangement by heaven.

Miss Lan, initially unaware of Geng Changxiu's feelings for her and his attentive manner, initially paid no attention—a natural human reaction. Later, however, she noticed the unusual glint in his eyes and the hidden meaning in his every move, causing her to blush deeply. Having been preoccupied with someone else along the way, she hadn't paid much attention to Geng Changxiu. Now, she stole a glance at him and felt that although his appearance was quite handsome, he lacked a certain unique quality that Xie Yunyue possessed. What that quality was, she didn't know. In short, Geng Changxiu, like Dongfang Yukun, was handsome, but lacked something she longed to possess.

The journey was fraught with snow and wind. Even on the official road, travel was difficult. The north wind was strong and fierce that day, sometimes a gust of wind howling in their faces, causing the horses to whinny weakly, heads raised, hooves raised, and unable to move. The distance from Anyang to Handan was only about a hundred li, and after noon, they had only traveled halfway. The sky was as dim as a crescent moon night, and her heart felt heavy and desolate.

The three—Ai Fang, Shuo Jing, Dongfang Yukun, and Jiang Zongyao—remained silent, silently trudging along the road, with only Geng Changxiu's laughter and Lan's nasal moans. The short, wiry Jing Fang, usually quite talkative, fell silent because the strong wind was choking him. Jing Fang glanced at the sky, covered his mouth with his hand, and laughed loudly, "It looks like the wind and snow won't stop for the next day or two, and might even get stronger. People are fine, but the horses might freeze and starve to death. In my opinion, let's stop at an inn along the way for a day or two. Anyway, we might not reach Handan in time. What do you think?" They all knew this was the truth and nodded in agreement. Although Miss Lan was anxious to reach the capital to find Xie Yunyue, she found it difficult to insist on continuing the journey.

People experience sorrow, joy, separation, and reunion; the moon waxes and wanes. The weather is unpredictable, and people's fates are always so bumpy, but one must still live. People all pursue hope, and it is this will that sustains life. But on the way, Miss Lan wandered back and forth, thinking, "What am I living for? Is it for him?" Tears welled up in her eyes, and she sighed silently.

Half an hour later, a row of houses came into view. It was only about a hundred paces away. The five men, full of energy, cracked their whips and headed forward. At the end of the street was an inn run by merchants. The black lacquered plaque was faded and the characters were blurred. Entering through the earthen gate, they found a spacious courtyard with simple reed mat sheds on both sides. More than ten mules and horses were tethered there, huddled together, kicking their legs, probably because it was so cold.

After tying up their horses, the five men entered the inn. The innkeeper led them to their rooms. In this small town in southern Hebei, the inns all had large earthen kang beds in the rooms, burning hot and covered with dried horse dung. As soon as Lan entered the room, she exclaimed, "It's so hot! So hot!" Beads of sweat appeared on her powdered face, and she took out a fragrant handkerchief to wipe them.

The chivalrous Geng Changxiu, overly concerned, blurted out, "Miss Ni, since it's hot, why not take off your clothes?"

Miss Lan glared at Geng Changxiu, who was puzzled, thinking, "I meant well! There's nothing wrong with it. Women, really..."

Dongfang Yukun and Jiang Zongyao smiled, while Dwarf Fang Shuo laughed loudly, "Young man, do you expect an eighteen-year-old girl to undress in public? Even I, an old man, wouldn't agree!" Geng Changxiu immediately understood, his handsome face flushing red. He felt embarrassed and inwardly cursed himself for being foolish.

Just then, a waiter poked his head in, and Dwarf Fang Shuo shouted, "Hey, bring twenty catties of strong liquor, ten catties of stewed flatbread, and two large platters of beef, quick!" The waiter obediently agreed and turned to leave.

Suddenly, they saw figures flashing outside the door, moving with incredible speed. Dwarf Fang Shuo and the others didn't pay attention, assuming it was just customers passing by. The waiter brought the food, and of the five, apart from Miss Lan who had only had a little wine, the other four were all quite tipsy. They became more talkative, chatting about all sorts of things. Short Fang Shuo was the most witty, with many anecdotes to tell, which were sure to make everyone burst into laughter. Miss Lan laughed so hard she was almost breathless.

Seeing the waiter lean in again, looking hesitant, Short Fang Shuo squinted at him. The innkeeper stammered, "Sir, did you all come with horses?"

Dwarf Fang Shuo sensed something amiss and stood up, his eyes wide, "Yes, what happened to the horses?"

The innkeeper cried out, "Oh no, oh no! Several guests who just left took all your horses! I was a little surprised, but I didn't dare ask." Dwarf

Fang Shuo and the others paled. The horses were a minor matter; the audacity of thieves stealing horses from the inn was shocking. These five horses were of average speed and not worth stealing. They deduced that the thieves were seeking revenge and using this as a trap. Dwarf Fang Shuo then asked the innkeeper about the thieves' appearances. Black Moller Jiang Zongyao recognized some of the thieves among them, including the Four Eccentrics of Longmen and Flying Hawk Lou Jingde. Dwarf Fang Shuo chuckled and said, "Young man, this is going to be interesting."
With a swift movement, he leaped out first, followed by the others who filed out of the gate. A careful examination of the hoofprints confirmed they had come from the direction of Handan. It was past noon, the gloomy haze as thick as the previous evening. As far as the eye could see, there was only a hazy gray-white expanse. A fierce wind whipped up a blizzard of snowflakes, and there was not a trace of human presence. At this point, it was impossible to distinguish between roads and fields; even the ponds were covered with a thick layer of snow. The snowfall of half a day and one night had completely transformed the northern land. Braving the wind and snow, the five men, including Ai Fangshuo, followed the faint hoofprints, running for about six or seven miles before the tracks became scattered, branching off in three directions: east, west, and north.

Short Fang Shuo stopped and said, "It seems the thieves intentionally lured us into dispersing our forces, hoping to defeat them one by one. What a brilliant idea!" Lan Girl pouted and said, "Let's go back! Chasing after them in this blizzard, we haven't even seen a single thief. It's truly infuriating. Losing a horse isn't something we can't buy; why make such a fuss?"

Short Fang Shuo grinned and said, "Since this female demon has shown kindness, it would be unreasonable for an old man like me to insist on chasing them. Let's go back." Saying this, he turned to return to the inn. Just as the four of them were about to leap up, they suddenly saw several gray-white figures descend from a large, umbrella-shaped tree by the roadside. They had turned their fur coats inside out.

One of them, an old man with long, bushy beards, grinned, suddenly stretched out his arms, arched his body, and shot out like a "flying eagle seizing a rabbit," landing directly on Lan Girl's shoulder. Normally, such a stealthy attack would create a sharp gust of wind, but today the north wind was too strong, masking it. So, Miss Lan was unaware until the sword was almost on her shoulder. She realized something was wrong, but by the time she turned, it was too late; the old man had stolen the "Autumn Frost" sword from her shoulder.

Miss Lan's face paled instantly. She lashed out with her palm, shouting, "You scoundrel, you're courting death!"

Before her palm could strike, the old man soared into the sky like a crane, laughing loudly, "For the sake of the sword, I'll spare your life, girl."

Dwarf Fang Shuo and the others, who had already taken three or four steps, reacted to the sound and rushed back. The old man was already seven or eight zhang away, standing smiling behind the others. Dwarf Fang Shuo recognized the sword-snatching old man as Flying Hawk Lou Jingde, standing on the snow with the Four Eccentrics of Dragon Gate and several unfamiliar figures from the martial world. Miss Lan's eyes reddened. This "Autumn Frost" sword was the treasure of the Yanshan Divine Nun's temple, passed down to her, and she cherished it more than her own life. Now that it had been stolen by Flying Hawk Lou Jingde, she was filled with rage and anger, and lunged forward like a madwoman.

The Four Eccentrics of Longmen, seeing Miss Lan rushing towards them, did not stop her, but quickly made way for her. The three, including Dwarf Fang Shuo, did not speak, but moved forward in a flash, raising their palms to strike fiercely. As Dongfang Yukun and Jiang Zongyao's twin swords rose, a dazzling blue rainbow swept towards the thief. It turned out that Flying Hawk Lou Jingde had caught sight of Miss Lan chasing after him, chuckled, and retreated to the right. Miss Lan could not bear to let him release his sword, and with a flick of her wrist, she struck Flying Hawk Lou Jingde twice in the back of the chest.

Lou Jingde, the Flying Hawk, was a legendary figure in the martial world, possessing unparalleled skills. He was no match for Miss Lan. With a swift movement, he slipped past her fingertips, his face darkening. "I once said I would spare your life for the sake of your sword," he said. "Since you have pursued me so relentlessly, how can I show weakness?" He flipped his hands, his sleeves billowing upwards in the wind.

Lou Jingde's "Iron Sleeve Skill," renowned throughout the martial world, was indeed astonishingly powerful when unleashed. A gust of wind surged from the ground, causing Miss Lan to stagger backward. At this moment, the Jade Flute Hero Geng Changxiu arrived just in time. With a flick of his jade flute, he swiftly intercepted seven attacks, his fierce and relentless movements saving Miss Lan from the impending disaster. Seeing Geng Changxiu's unpredictable flute moves, Lou Jingde's chest suddenly caved in. His jade flute barely flew past, and he withdrew his sleeves, his body shifting to follow the flute's momentum. Geng Changxiu was startled by Lou Jingde's fierce sleeve strikes, feeling the wind cutting his face. He involuntarily retreated a zhang (approximately 3.3 meters) before leaping forward and launching a mid-air attack with his Nine Flute Techniques. A cloud of red rain descended upon Lou Jingde. It turned out that the five flutes were inlaid with nine red stars, which, with a slight movement, created nine red lines.

Lou Jingde, the Flying Hawk, let out a long laugh, his figure flashing backward, saying, "I am truly busy right now and have no time to fight you. Farewell." With that, his figure rose and fell like lightning, already darting more than ten zhang away, disappearing into the swirling snow. Miss Lan was greatly alarmed and rushed to follow Lou Jingde in pursuit.

Geng Changxiu, deeply infatuated with Miss Lan, was about to follow when suddenly a figure appeared in the boundless snowstorm. Startled, he stopped and carefully examined the newcomer. It was a burly old man, about sixty years old, with a white beard billowing in the wind, a slightly hunched back, and a cross-shaped steel ring fastened to his chest. The old man's eyes fixed on the jade flute in Geng Changxiu's hand, his gaze flickering a few times, before he asked, "Who are you, Golden-Crowned Monk?"

Geng Changxiu, slightly annoyed by the old man's arrogant question, replied, "This is my master. Why are you asking him?"

The old man laughed wildly for a moment, saying, "Indeed, my eyesight is not bad. Just now, when you fought with Brother Lou, I saw that your moves were the Golden-Crowned Monk's signature move, the 'Nine-Tone Red Shadow' flute technique."

Geng Changxiu, the Jade Flute Swordsman, was startled to see that the old man recognized his moves and demanded, "Who are you?" The old man opened his strange eyes and said sternly, "

I will not hide it from you. You are Yuan Kai, the Nine-Child Mother-Chain Ant who was defeated by the Golden-Top Donkey by a single move back then. I am clear about my grudges and I will not hurt you. I will only let you escape ten moves from me. I will let you report to the Golden-Top Donkey that I will personally visit the mountain in half a year to wash away the humiliation of that year." Upon hearing that this

man was the lone bandit of Wangwu Mountain, Geng Changxiu was even more shocked. His master on the mountain had also mentioned this man, whose martial arts were extraordinary. Years ago, he had exchanged over two hundred blows with this jade flute before narrowly defeating Yi Yuankai with a single move, "The Phoenix Arrives." Now, he claimed that he would return to Emei Mountain in six months to seek revenge, and his martial arts would be even more refined. However, to preserve the prestige of his sect, he could not show weakness, so he smiled and said, "So you are Master Yi. Since you wish to offer your guidance, I will gladly oblige."

Yi Yuankai laughed and said, "Alright." He placed his hands in front of his chest, and the cross-shaped steel rings loosened. With a flick of his wrists, two gleaming outer weapons stretched out as straight as pens.

Geng Changxiu was startled. This weapon was extremely unusual. At the tip were two large crescent-shaped steel rings, with protruding steel spikes like rakes inside and outside the rings. The spikes on the outer edge of the left ring were flat, while the inner edge of the right ring was curved like a hook; it could lock and disarm the opponent. Behind the steel rings were nine sections of fine steel chain, shaped like caltrops. The handguard consisted of two rings, each five feet six inches long from end to end. Compared to his own jade flute, it was more than half the length. Forget fighting, the size of the weapon alone put him at a significant disadvantage. As the saying goes, "An inch longer, an inch stronger; an inch shorter, an inch more dangerous." Yi Yuankai already had a significant advantage with his pair of nine-linked chains. Short weapons weren't uncommon, but only those with exceptional martial arts skills could use them.

Geng Changxiu was already considered outstanding among the younger generation of Emei, but to fight Yi Yuankai was clearly overestimating his abilities. The Jade Flute Hero Geng Changxiu took a deep breath, swung his jade flute, and launched a swift, storm-like attack with nine flutes. A red silken flute shadow swept through the swirling snow, striking at Yi Yuankai's vital points in the chest and abdomen with unparalleled ferocity.

Yi Yuankai, witnessing the exquisite skill with which Geng Changxiu used his Nine-Child Mother Linked Rings technique, which was nearly identical to that of his master, the Golden Peak Master, couldn't help but secretly admire him. At this moment, he shifted his body, twisted his wrists, and the Nine-Child Mother Linked Rings technique was withdrawn. He then began to flick his wrists up and down in succession, sending his weapons flying haphazardly in all directions. It was impossible to discern any particular move; it was chaotic and difficult to find any opening in his attack.

Having suffered from the disadvantage of using short weapons, Geng Changxiu unleashed the Nine-Child Chain Technique, which had a force reaching an area of nearly 15-16 feet. No matter how fierce his flute moves were, they were futile if he couldn't get close to Yi Yuankai. On the contrary, he was forced to retreat repeatedly by the Nine-Child Chain Technique. Although Yi Yuankai's moves appeared slow and full of gaps, his internal energy had actually formed a steel wall. Several times, Geng Changxiu tried to pass through the gaps with his jade flute, but he felt a sudden jolt in his wrist, and the jade flute was almost caught in the chain. Only then did he realize how powerful it was. Every time Yi Yuankai flicked his wrist, a metallic clang rang out, demonstrating the strength of his internal energy.

After seven or eight moves, Geng Changxiu was already drenched in sweat. He knew that continuing the fight would only lead to defeat, and he desperately wanted to hold out for ten moves to escape. However, he was also anxious about Lan's safety, and his strength had been greatly diminished. Suddenly, Yi Yuankai grinned maliciously, his moves changing drastically. A pair of nine-linked rings moved with lightning speed, locking onto Geng Changxiu's body. The technique was extremely strange and rarely seen. Such a long pair of nine-linked rings moved like nimble snakes in his hands, sweeping and cutting freely. What was most difficult to withstand was that, just when it seemed to be coming towards his chest, the rings would suddenly swing downwards or to the right halfway through the attack. This terrified Geng Changxiu. He leaped into the air, his jade flute moving swiftly like a meteor towards Yi Yuankai's Baihui acupoint on the top of his head.
Yi Yuankai chuckled coldly, lowered his head, and the two steel rings automatically rose to meet the jade flute. The right ring, halfway through its flight, suddenly coiled around Geng Changxiu's waist and ribs. In mid-air, facing imminent danger, Geng Changxiu flipped his head, slashing downwards with his jade flute, propelling him two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters) backwards like a carp leaping over a dragon gate. Fortunately, the flute struck the rings on the ground, slowing the momentum of the Nine-Child Mother Rings, allowing him to launch himself in time. However, one of his arms was still throbbing with pain.

Yi Yuankai stopped his attack, laughing wildly, "Good lad, you actually escaped Old Ten's moves! You can't go back on your word. Hurry up and run, next time we meet, it won't be so easy to talk." He then burst into another

fit of laughter. Geng Changxiu's face flushed red, and without uttering a word, he used his flute to rush towards the direction where Miss Lan was chasing Lou Jingde. Behind him, the piercing laughter still echoed through the wind and snow. Luckily, no one had seen the exchange, otherwise, where would Geng Changxiu's face have been? Meanwhile, Miss Lan relentlessly pursued Lou Jingde, the Flying Hawk. Both moved with the speed of flowing water, never too close, always about five or six zhang apart.

The Flying Hawk, intending to lure her, would occasionally turn back and sneer. Miss Lan, furious, gritted her teeth and chased him for six or seven li in the blink of an eye. Strangely, Lou Jingde wasn't going in a straight line, but rather zigzagging wildly across the vast snowy field. Miss Lan thought to herself, "At this rate, when will this end? This old scoundrel is deliberately exhausting himself. But I won't let him have his way." With a sharp cry, she unleashed a "Flying Swallow Skimming the Waves" technique, shooting forward with two plum blossom needles that rained down on Lou Jingde like a storm.

Lou Jingde, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, spun around with lightning speed. With a flick of his left sleeve, he swept away the plum blossom needles, snarling, "This girl is so vicious, I won't let you

off!" He continued to swing his left sleeve with force, aiming at Lan, while his left hand shot out with lightning speed, two fingers thrusting towards Lan's left breast. Lan was still agitated at this moment. Lou Jingde, the Flying Hawk, attacked like the wind, and she couldn't dodge in time. Her jade palms unleashed a powerful gust of wind, barely managing to block Lou Jingde's "Iron Sleeve Skill," but she felt a numbness in her right breast, immediately becoming dizzy and falling unconscious. Lou Jingde grinned maliciously, about to bend down to help Lan up.

Just then, a sharp shout rang out from the sky: "How dare you, you scoundrel!" In the swirling snow, a black figure seemed to descend. Lou Jingde felt a sharp gust of wind attack him from behind, suffocating him. Forgetting about losing face, he rolled away, his sleeves flashing.

As Lou Jingde rolled away, he felt a slight tug on his shoulder. When he stood up, he saw that the newcomer was holding a precious sword, the very same one he had just taken from Miss Lan. After carefully examining the man's face, he found him remarkably handsome and young, with incredibly sharp eyes. He couldn't help but recall the young man surnamed Yan that Yi Yuankai had described as being exactly the same as the one he had encountered in Gaojiagou. Lou Jingde shouted sharply, "Hey, are you that Yan brat from Gaojiagou who's causing trouble for the Tianma Escort Agency?"

The young man in black replied in a deep voice, "That's right. You're not mistaken. Since you know my name, get lost.

" After a burst of wild laughter, the hawk said sternly, "I've been looking for you for more than a day. It's fate that we meet today. You surnamed Yan, don't even think about leaving alive."

The black-clad youth said with a gentle expression, "Judging from your tone, you must be the Flying Hawk, Lou Jingde. I have no grudge against you. Why are you looking for me? I didn't expect such a famous person to deceive himself about a weak woman. What kind of hero are you? Isn't it enough that the head of the Tianma Escort Agency has lost face?"

Lou Jingde's face suddenly turned pale. He had been provoked at the head of the Tianma Escort Agency. It turned out to be him. He was terrified. He had a hunch that the man was either an old-fashioned chivalrous hero or a eccentric outlaw, but he was surprised to find him so young. Remembering the humiliation he suffered at the gates of the Tianma Escort Agency, his anger flared, and he cackled, "You, surnamed Yan, have quite the nerve. Since I made my name, I've never seen such an arrogant person. I'd like to see what astonishing skills you possess."

The young man in black looked at the girl lying in the snow, a hint of pity on his face. Hearing this, he frowned and said, "Lou Jingde, I thought you were a leader of the Central Plains outlaws, someone with some backbone. But seeing you bully a weak woman and seize her by force, I know the rumors are false. You still dare to rely on your strength; you're courting death. Don't believe me?" "Let's give it a try."

Despite Lou Jingde's fame and eccentricity, he was still just as timid at this moment. In recent years, the Strange Hand Scholar had caused chaos in the Central Plains, and countless famous masters had fallen to him. According to Yang Bi, the Thunderbolt Hand, this young man was the Strange Hand Scholar's nephew. Yang Bi, who was usually defiant, praised this young man highly, which proved that the young man was exceptionally skilled. The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became. He quickly decided to launch a sneak attack, hoping to escape unscathed if he missed. Without saying another word, he flicked his left sleeve, and a surging gust of wind rushed towards him. His right palm suddenly shot out, slashing diagonally at the black-clad youth's right rib. This sleeve and palm strike were incredibly fast, using all his true strength, and were more fierce and sharp than the north wind.

The young man in black had no intention of wasting time with Lou Jingde. He could tell that Miss Lan was seriously injured; her face was pale and her breathing was rapid. Once a martial artist's true energy dissipates and their blood stagnates, they become no different from an ordinary person. Moreover, in this blizzard, even if she wasn't seriously injured, she would freeze to death. The snowflakes had already covered Miss Lan's body, almost two inches thick. A feeling of pity, more than disgust, welled up within him. He didn't know that Miss Lan had traveled the martial world to find him and express her love. Otherwise, his feelings might have changed, or at least his disgust for her might have lessened. Seeing Lou Jingde using both his sleeve and palm techniques, he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows. With his left palm, he used the "Maitreya Divine Skill" technique to deflect the attack, flicking and deflecting the attack. His right palm, with its five fingers, flashed like lightning, slashing at Lou Jingde's right palm pulse point.

Lou Jingde, the Flying Hawk, suddenly felt his "Iron Sleeve Skill" strike an extremely tough sponge, its power dissipating into nothingness. He immediately realized the danger and was about to withdraw his sleeve's force when suddenly his right wrist went numb, his face changing drastically. He groaned and tumbled back four or five steps, his left hand protecting his right pulse, sweat pouring down his face. It turned out the black-clad youth had used the "Eighteen Discourses of Xuanyuan" Dragon-Subduing Technique with his left palm, a "Five Ding Slaying Dragon" strike hitting Lou Jingde's pulse point.

Lou Jingde felt as if he had been struck by a ten-thousand-pound steel hammer; his true energy scattered, as if ten thousand snakes were attacking his heart, leaving him weak and disoriented. He immediately focused his energy to close his main acupoints, muttering to himself, "So be it, so be it. Lou Jingde was careless for a moment and was outmaneuvered by you. If I don't avenge this, I'll be unworthy of being a gentleman. Next time we meet, it will be either you or me." With that, he turned and retreated swiftly, disappearing into the snowstorm.

The young man in black ignored him and bent down to massage Lan's acupoints. After a while, she still didn't wake up. The young man looked worried. He checked Lan's pulse and breath, and muttered to himself, "Why do girls have to show their faces and compete with others? Isn't this just inviting humiliation?" He hesitated for a moment, then said, "This old thief is ruthless. He must have hit a fatal acupoint. I just don't know where the injury is. Now, saving the injury is the priority. We can't avoid the taboo of men and women." He reached out and unbuttoned Lan's top, then peeled back the tight-fitting inner garment. A snow-white chest was exposed before his eyes. The young man's heart pounded. He quickly calmed himself and slowly lifted the bodice. Two mounds of breasts popped out. The young man almost cried out in surprise.

It turned out that half of Miss Lan's right breast was bruised black, just a hair's breadth away from hitting the "Breast Root Acupoint," one of the nine fatal acupoints on the human body. Otherwise, she would have perished on the spot. Seeing that Miss Lan's breathing was weak, her mouth agape, and she couldn't swallow the pills, this was likely due to the cold temperature, causing sluggish blood flow and resulting in weakness and shallow breathing. However, this also had its advantages, as the bruise spread much more slowly.

The young man in black sighed, pressed his right palm against Miss Lan's right breast, and silently used the healing method recorded in the "Bodhi Palm Leaf Sutra," gathering his true energy to draw out the bruised blood. His palm twitched slightly. This method was extremely taxing on true energy; after the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the young man's forehead was slightly sweaty. He released his hand, and the bruise on the breast completely disappeared, leaving a clump of black blood with an extremely foul odor in his palm.

But Lan's breathing remained weak, her eyes closed and mouth clenched. The young man shook his head, covered Lan's bodice, placed the "Autumn Frost" sword he had taken back in the crook of her elbow, and was about to leave. He hesitated, then turned back, muttering to himself, "If she doesn't regain her composure and wake up within a moment, she will surely freeze to death in this frigid temperature. Isn't that like intentionally sowing evil?" So he took out a small jade bottle, poured out three "Eternal Spring Pills," crushed them, and with his left hand dislocated Lan's jaw, poured the pills into her mouth, then closed her jawbone, waiting for them to dissolve and flow in on their own.

Suddenly, he noticed that Lan's face had become even paler, and he was shocked, thinking, "Her internal injuries have been healed, surely this shouldn't be happening?" In his alarm, he checked Lan's breathing with his hand and found it to be barely perceptible, more exhaling than inhaling. Without further thought, he took a deep breath of his dantian and, leaning against Lan's chest, mouth to mouth, transferred the pills into her mouth. This was a real hardship for the young man in black. He felt a fragrance, like orchids and musk, emanating from the young woman's body, assaulting his nostrils and causing his heart to pound.
Suddenly, the young woman let out a soft moan. The young man in black tried to rise, but a sudden gust of wind struck his chest. He pressed his hands down and dodged the wind like an arrow. It turned out that the Jade Flute Swordsman had arrived. Seeing the young man in black lying on top of the young woman, he guessed what had happened and was instantly consumed by jealousy. He brandished his jade flute and flew forward to strike the young man's "Mingmen" acupoint on his back.

The young man in black dodged and stood up abruptly. Just as he was about to explain the misunderstanding, Geng Changxiu suddenly appeared like a whirlwind, swiftly unleashing seven attacks with his jade flute. Each attack found a vital acupoint, leaving a fan-shaped red line of energy. The black-clad youth's face darkened. With a flick of his right hand, he snatched one of Geng Changxiu's jade flutes, saying, "You acted without regard for right or wrong, resorting to violence without thinking. How can someone like you be considered chivalrous? For the sake of this young lady, I'll spare you this time." With that, he flicked his right hand, sending the jade flute flying towards a large tree ten feet away. With a resounding thud, the flute embedded itself halfway into the tree trunk. He chuckled coldly twice, then turned and sped away.

At this moment, the girl Lan, lying on the ground, leaped up and, as if driven mad, chased after the direction the black-clad youth had gone, crying out, "Brother Xie...stop...Brother Xie..." Her voice was like the mournful cry of a monkey in the Wuxia Gorge, carrying far on the wind, exceptionally sorrowful.

Miss Lan gave chase with all her might, but her body, still recovering from her injuries, was no match for Xie Yunyue's unparalleled lightness skill. Snowflakes danced wildly, like countless jade dragons soaring and swirling, while a raging north wind surged forth. There was no sign of Xie Yunyue. Knowing further pursuit was futile, she felt a pang of sorrow, and tears streamed down her beautiful face like a spring.

The blow to the heart when hope is about to be grasped, only to be suddenly lost, is ten times more devastating than disappointment. Miss Lan was heartbroken and remained silent for a long time before finally dragging her "Autumn Frost" sword back, lost in thought. She hated the Jade Flute Hero Geng Changxiu and wished she could kill him with her own hands.

Because she had gradually recovered while Xie Yunyue was using his Bodhi True Qi to massage her injured breast, her true qi flowed smoothly throughout her body. When Xie Yunyue and Lou Jingde were arguing, she, still hearing, vaguely recognized the voice of her beloved, the one she had been longing for. Overjoyed, she felt weak and listless, her eyelids heavy, unable to rise. But when he massaged her injured breast, she felt a surge of energy, her starry eyes slightly open, and she recognized him—it was none other than her beloved! She was overjoyed. She held her breath, afraid he would leave. It was unexpected that someone as clever as Xie Yunyue would be fooled by her. She

felt him unbutton her bodice and stroke her right breast, a feeling of indescribable comfort washing over her, her meridians flowing smoothly. It was a rare experience, warm and tender—this was indeed how Miss Lan felt. She wished that hand would forever caress her breast. But in an instant, her beautiful dream vanished, and how could she not hate Geng Changxiu to the core? When Miss Lan turned back, she saw Geng Changxiu standing there, stroking Wang Xiao's hair, frozen in place. She spat out a curse: "Foolish thing." Without pausing, she vanished into the raging wind and snow.

When Miss Lan chased Xie Yunyue, the Jade Flute Swordsman Geng Changxiu had already realized that Miss Lan must have been injured by the Flying Hawk Lou Jingde, and that she was fortunate to have been rescued by Xie in time. He had misunderstood that he had been disrespectful to Miss Lan, hence his sneak attack with the flute. But what was wrong with that? He still shook his head and said, "Anyone in this situation might have done the same thing. I meant well. Do you know how much I love you?"

From Miss Lan's almost frantic pursuit of Xie, he deduced that this young man must be the one Miss Lan loved. No wonder Miss Lan had been sighing and lamenting for days. But he didn't love Miss Lan. The world was full of complexities, a tangled web of emotions. The one he loved rejected the one who loved him, while the one who gave love remained steadfastly devoted. This problem tormented him, disturbing his mind… Geng Changxiu was astonished by the young man surnamed Xie's exquisite skills, something he had never seen before, not even comparable to his master, the Golden Peak Master. He pondered the young man's origins, racking his brains. He felt ashamed of his own martial arts skills, so insignificant in comparison; no wonder Miss Lan was so heartless towards him. Miss Lan's figure flashed past his eyes, and he suddenly sensed something, abruptly rushing towards her.

He returned to the spot where Dwarf Fang Shuo and the Four Eccentrics of Longmen had fought, only to find scattered footprints on the snow and no sign of anyone. He rushed back to the inn, only to find everyone gone. He summoned the innkeeper and asked, who replied, "The old man and the others haven't returned. Only the young lady turned back, quickly changed into clean clothes, and headed towards Handan." Geng Changxiu said nothing, casually gave the innkeeper a silver ingot, and immediately left the inn, braving the heavy snowstorm, galloping towards Handan. Truly, a true friend is hard to find in this world, and a devoted heart is met with a faithless one.

The next evening, a strange man riding a donkey arrived at the Changping Film City near Beijing. This man had a sallow complexion, covered in dense, bean-like spots, and looked extremely ugly. By this time, the snowstorm had subsided, and the streets were shrouded in white snow, making it impossible to distinguish between sky and earth. Pedestrians were almost nonexistent, with only a few stray dogs wagging their tails and trudging back and forth in the cold wind and snow. The strange man reined in his donkey in front of a small inn, tied it to the door of a hotel, and then strolled casually down the street.

He headed towards the residence of the so-called "Divine Physician Sai Huatuo," the Wei family. Nearby, several suspicious-looking men were constantly patrolling; it was clear they were martial arts figures. He was startled, thinking to himself, "These thieves must have designs on the Wei and Fu families, otherwise things would have gone wrong. But the letter from the Nine-Fingered Beggar mentioned that the Fu family had moved to a secluded place beforehand, yet it didn't mention that Sai Huatuo Wei had also moved at the same time. My purpose in coming here is to find out where the Fu family has moved to." The strange man couldn't help but follow behind two men in black, head bowed, as they walked away.

The twilight of the snowy day was extremely hazy and desolate; the endless snowflakes were biting, and the ear-splitting north wind howled in gusts. The two men in black ahead were walking along, whispering to each other, when suddenly, as if sensing something, one of them whirled around and shouted, "Hey, you're being unreasonable! With such a strong wind, why are you still out here, following us gentlemen? What are you up to?"

The strange man seemed startled, staggering back a step, his eyes wide with surprise. He then clasped his hands in a respectful bow and said, "Sir, I'm troubled by not having money to buy rice at home. My wife is calling, and my child is crying. It's driving me crazy, so I came out for a walk to clear my head." As he spoke, he deliberately let out a long sigh, as if to make it sound very serious.

The two men in black glared at him, seemingly convinced, then turned and walked away. The strange man dared not approach them too closely. Relying on his sharp ears, he overheard one of the men saying, "Our two lords, He and Zhan, are really something. Since that old thief Wei has run away with his whole family, why are they still sending us to waste this empty house?"

The strange man was Xie Yunyue in disguise. Hearing the two men, He and Zhan, mentioned by the man, he knew they must be the Iron-Armed Vajra He Shenfu and the Fiery Palm Zhan Wanxiong of the Palace Gate. If Wei Pingluo, the "Surpassing Hua Tuo," had run away with his whole family, why were they still sending people here? Just as Xie Yunyue was puzzled, another man chimed in, "How could you be so stupid? Lord Zhan received a tip yesterday morning that the Fu family of three had ended up in an abandoned house outside the Great Red Gate. He secretly used a drug to knock out the old Fu and his granddaughter, but only the young one went missing. Someone saw the young one in Changping County. Lord Zhan guessed that the young one must have sneaked into the Wei residence to hide, but two searches yielded nothing. So he ordered us to keep him occupied. This kid must be starving; he'll eventually run out, right? I heard that he even captured one of our men." Upon

hearing this, Xie Yunyue was filled with shock and anger. He quickly moved, appearing behind the two men and slapping and pinching their shoulders. The two men almost cried out in pain. Xie Yunyue, in a deep voice, shouted, "Don't shout! I only want to ask you, where are that old man and woman surnamed Fu being held now?" The two men turned around and saw the ugly middle-aged man who had been following them earlier.

Their faces contorted in pain as Xie Yunyue gripped their "shoulder-binding acupoints," yet they gritted their teeth and remained silent. Xie Yunyue grew secretly angry and hissed, "If I were to strike your yin acupoints, causing you to suffer seven days and seven nights of excruciating pain, you would regret not speaking up now." With that, he tightened his grip even more.

The two men were in so much pain that tears streamed down their faces, but they dared not cry out. These two were henchmen of the Two Heroes of the Palace Gate, and they were notorious for their wicked deeds. One of them gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice, "Do you dare to oppose the Two Heroes of the Palace Gate?" These two relied on the Two Heroes of the Palace Gate as their protectors, thinking that by invoking their names, they could intimidate this ugly middle-aged man and preserve their own status. However, Xie Yunyue let out a low laugh and said, "With your lowly thief status, you dare to act tough in front of this old man? You only need to ask the Two Heroes of the Palace Gate whether they dare to oppose me, the Strange-Handed Scholar Yu Yun?"

This was like a thunderbolt from the heavens, shaking the earth. A buzzing sound filled their ears, and flashes of light filled their vision. Their resolve crumbled, and they could only plead pitifully, "It's not our fault. We were ordered to do this, and we had no choice. We heard that an old woman and a young woman from the Fu family are imprisoned in the Third Prince's mansion, their aim to lure you into their trap. Only one of us escaped, and he captured one of our men, holding him hostage. Someone secretly reported that he's in Changping County. We are just the visible agents; there are countless hidden agents among us." Xie Yunyue understood the implication in their words: they were trying to scare him into not harming them.
Xie Yunyue smiled slightly, his grip shifting from pinching to pressing. With a slight exertion, the two men fell dead without uttering a sound. Suddenly, a voice shouted from the darkness behind him, "Who goes there?"

Xie Yunyue turned around swiftly to meet the voice. He heard a muffled groan, followed by silence. With his ghostly speed, Xie Yunyue searched the residence of Sai Huatuo and Wei Pingluo, but found no trace of Fu Qing. He knew Fu Qing was clever and wouldn't wait to die in the house; he would have already escaped. His immediate priority was rescuing Fu Liuguan and Fu Wan. Thinking this, he dashed off towards Beijing, not even returning to the inn.

Over the past year, Xie Yunyue's personality had undergone a significant change. He now believed that all evil people could be killed without showing any womanly compassion, lest the pain fester. He preferred the suffering of one family to the suffering of many. He felt the world was corrupt, and the law always sided with the wicked, encouraging arrogance and allowing small sparks to ignite a prairie fire, unstoppable once unleashed. Could this view be considered wrong? In an era of autocracy, injustices were rampant and ubiquitous; the same is true of the state of the world and people's hearts today.

The wind and snow were heavy, relentlessly surging towards Xie Yunyue as he waded across the frozen surface of the Shahe River. Changping was very close to the capital, and he arrived in less than an hour. That night, the capital was unusually lively, much to Xie Yunyue's surprise. It was the Lantern Festival, and the snowstorm couldn't dampen the spirits of Beijing residents. Crowds thronged everywhere, young and old alike, all bundled up against the wind to admire the lanterns. In the streets, dragon and lion dances, the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, dragon palace water demons… all kinds of lanterns were on display. Coupled with the deafening sounds of gongs and drums, firecrackers, and laughter, Beijing was transformed into a city that never sleeps, a stark contrast to the quiet of Changping.

Xie Yunyue thought to himself, "The Lantern Festival is an ancient custom. Perhaps the Changping immigrants have canceled it because of the strong winds and heavy snow tonight." Little did he know that the two heroes of the palace had secretly ordered the Changping magistrate not to participate in the lantern

festival tonight, fearing that Fu Qing might escape in the crowd. This was truly a joke in the officialdom of the autocratic era. Xie Yunyue had no heart to appreciate the lanterns; his mind was entirely on Bo Wan. He figured that since the Third Prince was a member of the Manchu imperial family, there must be many experts in his household. Moreover, they were deliberately trying to lure him in. The two heroes of the palace had already made arrangements, setting up a trap for him to be captured. In the past year of wandering the martial world, apart from suffering a loss at the hands of the demonic monk Bao Tan, he had been extremely successful. However, he dared not be complacent at all. He knew that the world was vast and there was no shortage of extraordinary talents. As the saying goes, "A high reputation attracts jealousy, and a tall tree catches the wind." Thinking of this, he felt uneasy and worried. Therefore, he wanted to find someone from the Beggar Clan and sought the help of the Nine-Fingered Beggar Cang Xi and the Qiankun Hand Thunder Xiaotian.

He walked through two streets without seeing a single beggar, which surprised him. He never expected that the Third Elder of the Beggars' Sect had caused all the beggars in the city to go into hiding. Xie Yunyue thought, "This is strange. Beggars always go out in groups to beg for money during festivals, weddings, and funerals. Today, on the Lantern Festival, they are nowhere to be found." Even someone as intelligent as him can be foolish at times. He then thought, "Tianqiao is not far away. Why don't I go there? It's the place in the capital where the most cunning and cunning people gather. Maybe I can find them there." Thinking this, he headed towards Tianqiao.

Tianqiao was even more bustling than Bianjing and Kaifeng. To the north of Tianqiao was a lotus pond with a central plot of earth where crops could be grown. In April, the pond was surrounded by clear water and planted with lotus flowers. In summer, the lotus flowers stood on the water, filling the air with fragrance. Now, the water was covered with ice, and broken stems were scattered everywhere. Lotus Land covers a vast area, almost like a lake. Where the lake meets the riverbank, stone bridges span the water, allowing boats to pass underneath. Boats can reach the land, where teahouses are located for tea tasting. The most famous are Tianwaitian, Shuixinting, Lvxiangyuan, and Qixie, all elegant and tranquil. The pavilions offer snacks and entertainment, including drumming, storytelling, female singers, and ballad singing. In summer and autumn, the capital city flocks to these places.

To the west and southeast of Tianqiao are theaters and storytelling venues, with taverns and teahouses lining the streets. To the north are five small streets, a concentration of vendors selling medicine, fortune telling, and astrology; from a distance, they appear as numerous as stars, their bustling scene defying description.

Tonight, despite the biting wind and heavy snow, the city is ablaze with lights, and the crowds are as numerous as ants, making the roads congested. Xie Yunyue squeezed through the crowd for an hour or so, but still couldn't find a single beggar. He frowned deeply. He was anxious to rescue Fu Wan and her granddaughter, and had no time to think. He walked out of the crowd to a secluded spot and darted alone into the Third Prince's residence.

The Third Prince's residence was located in the southeast of the inner city. Xie Yunyue flew along Kunming Lake like a wingless bat. At this time, around midnight, the city drums sounded frequently and clearly. Xie Yunyue suddenly saw seven or eight black shadows as fast as shooting stars chasing after a person, coming towards him. He dodged slightly and disappeared into the shadows of the trees. Judging from their movements, both the pursuers and the pursued were clearly martial arts masters. Xie Yunyue noticed that the pursued person was a little weak and unsteady on his feet, probably exhausted. He saw that nine pursuers had overtaken him in two stages and surrounded the pursued person.

Knowing he had nowhere to run, the man simply stood still and sneered, "I, Jin Zhonghan, never dreamed that the Third Prince's mansion would house such a bunch of notorious bandits."

Then a sharp shout rang out, "Friend, you're about to die, yet you still try to be clever! You broke into the Prince's mansion at night; you're either a thief or a criminal, you're no decent person!"

A long, mournful laugh came from the man being chased, who laughed and cursed, "The Third Prince is your benefactor, but to me, he's nothing but a monkey in a crown, a beast! I have a blood feud with the Third Prince, how could I not avenge him? But with you guys protecting him, he's lucky to be alive. As long as I don't die tonight, he won't sleep peacefully."

Then a sinister laugh followed, "We won't let you die!" With that, seven or eight figures brandishing weapons pounced on Jin Zhonghan.

Xie Yunyue noticed that these people were all masters of internal martial arts, their moves and footwork subtly incorporating the principles of mutual restraint and transformation. Jin Zhonghan, on the other hand, wielded a sword with exquisite techniques, its cold light flashing like lightning. However, it seemed that one person's strength was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, and he gradually felt powerless. People always sympathize with the weak, especially since the people from the Third Prince's mansion were also his enemies. He couldn't help but feel a surge of righteous indignation. He leaped out and shouted loudly, "Stop!"

This move had a deterrent effect. Upon hearing the shout, the people on the Third Prince's side immediately stopped attacking and jumped out of the circle. Martial arts practitioners are known for their ability to see clearly in the dark, and in an empty room, light shines through. They all clearly saw a strange-faced middle-aged man emerge from the shadows of the trees. Xie Yunyue's eyes flickered, and he asked in a deep voice, "Why don't you abide by the rules of martial arts combat and gang up on one person? What is your reason?"

This group of skilled fighters from the Third Prince's mansion were all discerning. They witnessed Xie Yunyue's unparalleled speed, covering a distance of seven or eight zhang in a single swift movement. Only those with exceptional lightness skills could achieve such a feat. They were not without fear in their hearts. The leader of this group was named Iron-Backed Eagle Tang Chen. He and his men were known as the Eight Eagles of the Imperial Palace. These eight men were once notorious bandits from Fujian and Guangdong, famous throughout the southern border. However, due to their numerous crimes and offenses against righteous masters, they had to be eliminated. Unable to find refuge, they were recruited by the Third Prince.

Iron-Backed Eagle Tang Chen replied, "You are unaware of the situation and are blaming me without understanding. This is not a matter of江湖恩怨 (jianghu grievances), and besides, this thief was hit by my 'Midnight Heart-Suppressing Needle.' Even if he is released, he won't live much longer. It would be better to capture him and hand him over to us to find out what happened. If he is treated leniently, he can be handed over to the local government and may even save his life. Furthermore, we can report back and clear ourselves of responsibility."

Xie Yunyue sneered, "I, an old man, never listen to such things. I only act according to my own whims. I already dislike it when there are many attacking the few. Now that you say he has been hit by the 'Midnight Heart-Suppressing Needle' and you still attacked him, I, an old man, feel even more compelled to intervene. If you would give me some face and hand over the antidote, wouldn't it be much better if we went our separate ways?"

Iron-Backed Eagle Tang Chen roared, "Who are you? I, Tang, do not believe you can rescue this man from the Eight Eagles." Before Xie

Yunyue could answer, one of the Eight Eagles suddenly let out a long, clear whistle, so loud that even the strong wind couldn't drown it out. Xie Yunyue, with sharp eyes, darted forward and closed in on the man, swiftly seizing his right wrist. The man, also a first-rate expert, wouldn't let Xie Yunyue's wrist be caught. He countered with a lightning-fast left palm strike, his fingertips carrying a sharp, powerful wind. If this "Diamond Finger Sinking" technique had landed, Xie Yunyue's hand would have been severely injured.

An expert's skill is immediately apparent. Although Xie Yunyue didn't take the "Diamond Finger Sinking" technique seriously, he was still slightly alarmed. Beijing was indeed a place where hidden talents roamed, and martial arts masters were recruited by the imperial court. These Eight Eagles were certainly not first-rate fighters, but this incident revealed their true abilities. At this moment, Xie Yunyue's right palm suddenly flipped, appearing on the other side. With lightning speed, he pressed down and grabbed, and the man screamed in agony. Xie Yunyue had already seized the pulse in his left wrist. This move by Xie Yunyue was the "Five Mountains Suppressing Dragon" technique from his unparalleled "Eighteen Discourses of Xuanyuan,"
a technique whose momentum was truly mysterious and unpredictable. Just as Xie Yunyue was attacking the man, Jin Zhonghan, poisoned by the "Midnight Heart-Suppressing Nail," was already on the verge of collapse, swaying precariously, desperately trying to stay upright. Iron-Backed Eagle Tang Chen, cunning as a fox, secretly signaled his accomplices to retreat quickly. He then swiftly moved forward, using both his orthodox and unorthodox methods, and struck Jin Zhonghan's "Dumb" and "Faint" acupoints, grabbing him and fleeing into the shade of the trees. The other six had already slipped away.

The man captured by Xie Yunyue, seeing his companions slip away one by one, leaving him in a desperate situation and refusing to help, felt a pain ten times greater than when Xie Yunyue had restrained his wrist. He also suddenly realized the hypocrisy and horrific nature of his fair-weather friends. He couldn't believe that his sworn brothers of thirty years, with whom he had shared life and death, would treat him this way. His expression changed drastically, and tears welled up in his eyes.

Xie Yunyue also noticed that Iron-Backed Eagle Tang Chen had escaped with Jin Zhonghan. He thought, "This is for the best. Jin Zhonghan has been hit by the 'Midnight Heart-Suppressing Needle.' Anyway, they won't let him die. They need the antidote first. If I rescue him now, it will take a lot of effort. I'll let them go first." Seeing the man's expression, Xie Yunyue laughed and said, "Now you understand, don't you? Is it worth being someone's lackey? Although I don't know the depth of your relationships, I know you're all scheming, opportunistic, and treacherous. Even if I let you go, let's see how you'll face returning to the Third Prince's residence..." Before he finished speaking, Xie Yunyue pulled the man away, disappearing into the bushes.
Amidst the howling wind, four figures suddenly descended, glanced around, and then flew away again. Xie Yunyue recognized them as the Four Elders of Gaoligong Mountain. The captured man was Pang Tai, one of the Eight Eagles, known as the South Sea Eagle. Seeing Xie Yunyue's keen hearing, he was terrified. Xie Yunyue smiled slightly and said, "Now, it would be easy for me to kill you, but considering your remorse, I'll spare your life. Now, tell me where Fu Liuguan and Fu Wan are being held, and I'll let you go."

Pang Tai was even more shocked, his eyes wide open, unable to suppress the astonishment on his face. He said, "So you are the Strange-Handed Scholar Yu Yun? It's no shame for me, Pang Tai, to be defeated by you." Xie

Yunyue smiled and said, "The Strange-Handed Scholar's skill surpasses that of ancient and modern times. How could my meager skills compare to his?"

Pang Tai carefully examined Xie Yunyue's face and found it inconsistent with the description given by the two heroes of the palace. He couldn't help but believe it and immediately said, "The Fu family grandfather and grandson are indeed imprisoned in the Third Prince's mansion, but I don't know where they are being held. The Third Prince has many mansions and villas. When they were captured, I heard they were sent to the Wanzi Tower, but I don't know where they have been moved to now."

Upon hearing this, Xie Yunyue became agitated and asked urgently, "Who in the mansion knows where they are being held? Who exactly devised these conspiracies?" Pang Tai pondered for a moment, then said with a sigh, "

Anyway, I don't want to go back. Let me tell you the truth now. There is only one person in the Third Prince's mansion who knows the truth: the wicked advisor Shen Shangjiu. He comes from the Tianshan Sect and his skills are indeed superb. However, this conspiracy was provided by Abbot Zhikong of Zhenfeng Temple and was orchestrated by Li Zhendong, the chief constable of the Nine Gates Admiral's Office. Li Zhendong has been missing for two days, causing a sensation throughout the Nine Cities. He has probably been poisoned."

Xie Yunyue nodded and said, "Now you can leave." He released his right hand.

Pang Tai's entire arm was numb and weak. At this moment, he was filled with despair, having given up all fame and fortune. He looked up at Xie Yunyue with gratitude in his eyes, bowed deeply, and said, "Pang Tai is destined for a life of virtue. I heard from your tone that you wish to visit the Third Prince's mansion, but the mansion is fraught with danger and danger. I hope you will be careful." "Saying this, he turned and walked towards the pine forest by the lake.

Although the snow had lessened, the northwest wind was much stronger than before, and the wind carried the sound of falling icicles through the pines, creating a deafening din. He could see that the vast expanse of Zhongnan Lake was completely frozen solid. Xie Yunyue stood on the shore of Kunming Lake, thinking about how Fu Wan was being tormented. Given Fu Wan's youthful beauty and the Manchus' lecherous nature, he imagined her like a flower petal ravaged by a storm, pale and haggard, her youthful beauty gone, displayed before him.

His heart..." In a moment of urgency, he rushed straight towards Zhongnanhai. During the Qing dynasty, the Manchu imperial family was fond of leisurely travel and indulged in eccentricities to distinguish themselves from others. Therefore, they kept large numbers of animals, often spending vast sums of money. The Third Prince's residence was divided into two parts. The right side was a zoo for livestock, housing a wide variety of rare and exotic animals, such as sika deer, leopards, spotted horses, crocodiles, white elephants, peacocks, and parrots. Beyond the zoo, the landscape was dominated by plants, especially flowers and trees, with willows and peaches in full bloom, captivating visitors. There were also pavilions, each elegantly furnished. Behind them was a building, and further to the right was "Zizai Manor." Beside the manor was a peony pavilion, particularly beautiful when the peonies were in full bloom. Further on was the Changguan Tower, a magnificent and spacious building, formerly the residence of Empress Dowager Cixi. It had a terrace at the back, offering panoramic views of the garden.

The Third Prince's residence occupied a vast area, with thousands of buildings; it was truly a mansion reaching to the clouds. Before the fourth watch, a swift figure swept into the back garden of the Third Prince's residence. The howling north wind carried the rapid, clear ringing of the copper bells hanging from the eaves, but in this moonless, snowy night, it only evoked a sense of desolation.

The dark figure landed, paused briefly, and was about to pounce on Changguan Tower when suddenly an enormous figure lunged at it with unprecedented speed. The man ducked, extended his palm, and struck out. With a loud thud, the enormous figure was instantly thrown six or eight zhang away, dying with a mournful cry. It turned out to be a Tibetan exotic dog, its claws containing a strange poison. The man was horrified upon seeing it.

This man was none other than the Strange-Handed Scholar Xie Yunyue. Knowing that this loud noise would alert everyone in the residence, he pressed down with both palms and soared into the sky like a crane, uprooting himself from the trunk of a towering ancient tree. Just as he expected, three or four dark figures suddenly sprang up from the eaves of Changguan Tower and pounced on the spot where the Tibetan Mastiff had fallen. Xie Yunyue looked down from the tree, and although he couldn't see clearly, he could tell that all of them were extremely agile, clearly masters of internal martial arts.

The entire mansion was dark, indicating a deliberate arrangement. Of the three who landed below, one examined the Tibetan Mastiff's dead body and exclaimed in surprise, "The attacker's palm strike was so powerful! Its internal organs are spilling out. It seems it was killed with a single blow before even engaging in a fierce fight. Such strength is rare indeed. Tonight's situation is very worrying."

Suddenly, another laughed, "I don't believe he can escape from my Master Shen's hands." Xie Yunyue was startled, remembering Pang Tai's mention of the wicked Master Shen Shangjiu.

At that moment, Shen Shangjiu let out a deep howl, summoning three or four Tibetan Mastiffs. Xie Yunyue realized the danger; Tibetan Mastiffs have a keen sense of smell, and if they could pinpoint his hiding place, escape would be difficult. Then he leaped up again and used the "Golden Dragon Enters the Sea" from the "Eight Forms of Heavenly Dragon". He flipped in the air and suddenly flew away. When his true energy became turbid, he quickly switched to the "Three Spinning of the Azure Eagle" from the Seven Birds Body Technique and slowly descended towards the eaves of Changguan Tower.

Looking at the tree trunk at the corner of the eaves, it was at least twenty zhang tall. Only Xie Yunyue, with his unparalleled lightness skill, could have accomplished such a feat. Suddenly, the Tibetan mastiffs barked wildly at the tree.

Then, Shen Shangjiu sneered, "Friend, aren't you courting death?" Suddenly, he too soared into the sky, his palm striking out with a series of loud cracking sounds. The entire side branch of the tree collapsed from his palm strike, leaves flying and snow falling – the power was truly terrifying.

Xie Yunyue, hiding at the eaves, caught a glimpse of Shen Shangjiu's immense palm power and couldn't help but gasp, thinking, "I wonder if Shen Shangjiu's palm technique is also the 'Maitreya Divine Skill'?" "Because he heard Pang Tai say that Shen Shangjiu was a disciple of the Tianshan Sect, he had this idea.

The wicked advisor landed on the tree, looked around, exclaimed in surprise, and then landed again, saying, "This person is truly skilled, and his sense of smell must be excellent, but he managed to escape in an instant."

Suddenly, an old voice said, "Don't let that fellow fly over the eaves of Changguan Tower."

Shen Shangjiu laughed loudly and said, "Teacher Lü, don't joke. This tree is at least thirty feet away from the eaves of the tower. Even I, Shen Shangjiu, don't have that kind of skill... Let's go, that fellow must have escaped not far." "Saying this, he actually urged the Tibetan mastiff to lead the way.
Xie Yunyue waited until they had gone to another corner of the garden before suddenly spreading his body and floating down. Just as his feet touched the floor, he suddenly saw a very thin figure leap up from the ground. He was startled, thinking that the skilled guards in the mansion had discovered him, and swiftly disappeared into the corner of the building. He saw the figure leap up and press itself against the window. Looking inside, Xie Yunyue recognized it as Fu Qing and secretly admired his courage, but at this moment, he did not call out.

Fu Qing was also extremely lucky. He rushed into the entrance of the garden and met Xie..." Yun Yue was only an arrow's throw away, but the timing was different. Coincidentally, a Tibetan mastiff was hidden where he entered, lured away by Shen Shangjiu's howl; otherwise, Fu Qing wouldn't have been able to enter Changguan Tower so easily. The Third Prince's mansion had dozens of martial arts masters, who were now hidden in each pavilion, all the lights off, waiting for the enemy to take the bait. Only the wicked advisor Shen Shangjiu and his men patrolled back and forth from time to time.

Fu Qing peered through the window and found that it was completely shrouded in darkness, with no detail visible. He thought, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained," and decided to break through the window. You see, although Fu Qing was young, he was really brave. He acted immediately, and with a swift movement, he grabbed a pair of judge's pens.

Xie Yun Yue saw his situation and became anxious. Just as he was about to step in to stop him, he suddenly heard loud laughter from inside the window, saying, "Boy, you've got some guts, you really came." As the sound faded, the window sash flung open, and a dark figure darted out like an arrow.

Fu Qing, alerted by the noise, leaped back four or five zhang (approximately 10-15 meters). Behind the Changguan Tower was a ten-zhang (approximately 33 meters) square, blue-brick terrace. Just as Fu Qing retreated, he saw the figure rushing towards him with incredible speed, unleashing a powerful palm strike that seemed destined to kill Fu Qing. Xie Yunyue, caught off guard by the figure's swift attack, knew it was unwise to reveal himself, yet he couldn't stand idly by. He rushed forward, unleashing both palms, employing the "Maitreya Divine Skill" technique to deflect the force of the palm strike, lifting Fu Qing upwards.

Although he deflected five-tenths of the force, the remaining impact still forced Fu Qing to tumble off the terrace. A scream rang out, and Fu Qing plummeted towards the top of the ten-zhang-high Changguan Tower…

URL 1:https://www.sexlove5.com/htmlBlog/15570.html

URL 2:/Blog.aspx?id=15570&aspx=1

Last access time:

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

Next Page : Ten Years of Lone Sword and Vast Sea Alliance [Complete] - 13

增加

comment Open a new window to view comments

Contact Information

Ten Years of Lone Sword and Vast Sea Alliance [Complete] - 12

comment Open a new window to view comments