[The Heroine's Lament] [The End]

page views:1 Publication date:2023-06-11 19:19:03

A gentle breeze ruffled the soft yellow robes as a figure strolled gracefully along the wide post road. Ancient trees and lush green grass lined the roadside, creating a scene reminiscent of a casually painted ink painting, utterly elegant. Several young pines grew in a hollow beside the road, their green foliage contrasting beautifully with the white poplars, while a clear stream meandered inwards beside them.

The figure was a young man, handsome and refined, with clear, bright eyes, a straight nose, and perfectly proportioned, rosy lips. Tall and elegant, his yellow scholar's robes fluttered in the wind, exuding a carefree air. His slender frame subtly revealed an indescribable air of noble refinement, a slight hint of disdain in his expression, which, combined with his fair and delicate skin, made him appear every inch the son of an official.

At this moment, he slowed his pace, his sharply angled eyebrows relaxing slightly. He strolled along and sat comfortably by the stream, silently gazing at the clear, flowing water. A series of bubbles rose from the stream, floating on the surface and drifting away without a trace.

He sighed, a hint of melancholy and loneliness shimmering on his usually serene face, which only made his handsome features appear more refined and ancient. Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps approached, hurried and chaotic, indicating that the person running was in a state of extreme panic. The

young man looked up and glanced outside. A tall figure staggered closer. This man had a thick beard, dark skin, wide-open eyes, was covered in blood, his hair was disheveled, his face was full of pain and grief, his mouth was open, and white foam was dripping from his saliva. He looked extremely disheveled and miserable.

Suddenly, the big man fell heavily to the ground. He tried to get up in a panic, but with a sharp crack of a whip, he fell down again, revealing clear, crisscrossing, bloody whip marks on his back.

The young man looked behind the burly man and saw a scholar dressed in a pale white robe, standing a few feet away. One hand was behind his back, while his right hand held a nine-foot-long, thin-bladed python whip, lashing the man like a scalding pig. The burly man howled in pain on the ground, struggling to move and try to dodge, but the scholar's handsome face remained expressionless as the whip rained down.

The burly man's clothes fluttered wildly, blood splattering everywhere. His eyes bulged, his teeth dug deep into his lower lip, yet he clenched his teeth, refusing to cry out in agony.

The scholar pursed his lips, gave a soft snort, and with a flick of his wrist, wrapped the python whip around the burly man's thick neck, violently jerking him off the ground before he crashed heavily to the ground.

The burly man lay trembling on the ground, his limbs spasming uncontrollably. His mangled wounds were covered in mud and sand, and his tattered clothes were soaked with blood and sweat. His wide eyes blazed with a burning hatred that could melt anything, staring intently at the scholar.

The scholar looked at him coldly and said, "Rong Hu, no matter how capable you are, you won't escape the grasp of An Ziyu." The burly man convulsed violently a few times, and said in a hoarse voice, "You...you don't have to be so cruel...I, Rong Hu, won't...will beg for mercy..." The scholar, An Ziyu, sneered and said in a sinister tone, "Begging for mercy is useless. Rong Hu, you are also a well-known figure in the martial arts world, and you have more seniority in the Iron Eagle Gang than I do. I never thought you would be so audacious as to have an affair with the gang leader's concubine!

Heh heh, I think you truly deserve to die!" A look of confusion and sorrow flashed in Rong Hu's eyes, and his Adam's apple bobbed rapidly, but he did not utter a single word in his defense. He understood that An Ziyu had long coveted his position as the head of the Iron Eagle Gang's Punishment Hall, and this time he would never let him go. He only regretted that he had exhausted his internal energy while fighting his way out of the Iron Eagle Gang, and that the gang leader had also injured his internal organs. He had finally been caught up by An Ziyu in this place and was thoroughly humiliated by this scoundrel. It seemed that it was truly destined by heaven that he was going to die here.

An Ziyu rubbed the python whip on his cheek, a clear hint of smugness in his voice. "I never thought the first person I'd deal with after taking over the Punishment Hall would be the former Hall Master, hehe!" He then glanced at Rong Hu, who was once so imposing but now so disheveled, and said indifferently, "Considering you're a good man who has done a lot for my gang in the past, I won't make things difficult for you now. When we return to the headquarters, the gang leader's traitorous concubine will be burned alive with you, and then you'll be free." After saying that, his expression darkened, and he shouted, "Now, get up and come back to the gang with me!" Rong Hu gritted his teeth and shakily got up. He had only taken two unsteady steps forward when An Ziyu suddenly lashed him twice without a word. The sound of the whip striking flesh was crisp and piercing. Rong Hu staggered, but didn't fall down again. He walked forward as if drunk, and was already close to where the young man in yellow was sitting.

An Ziyu followed lightly behind, his python whip swirling between his left and right hands, mercilessly lashing the burly man in front of him. His eyes, however, darted warily towards where the young man sat.

Another lash struck Rong Hu's head, and he howled in pain, collapsing to the ground, his body trembling violently. He gnawed at the dirt with his mouth, his fingers spasming as he clawed at the earth. An Ziyu took a step forward, his voice stiff: "Rong Hu, get up!" Rong Hu struggled to rise, but collapsed again as if paralyzed. He tried several times, but still couldn't get up. An Ziyu's face was cold. With a flick of his wrist, the python whip swirled and danced, unleashing more than ten lashes in quick succession, leaving Rong Hu's limbs clenched and his body convulsing.

An angry voice rang out: "That's too much!" An Ziyu suddenly withdrew his hand and leaped back, his sharp gaze fixed on the newcomer. In the depression of the post road, the young man was staring at him intently, his lips slightly pursed. An Ziyu slightly tilted his head back, tilting it upwards, and said coldly, "I suppose you two are from the same lineage. The Iron Eagle Gang is punishing a traitor within the gang. You are a discerning person, so please step aside." The young man glanced at Rong Hu on the ground and said calmly but firmly, "I think you should let him go." An Ziyu's expression changed drastically in an instant. He glared at the other man and laughed wildly, "You actually dare to interfere in other people's affairs? You should know that the Iron Eagle Gang is one of the most powerful gangs in the martial arts world, and they are not to be trifled with!" The arrogant young man glared at An Ziyu, slowly approached, and said disdainfully, "The Iron Eagle Gang? Hmph, to treat someone who can't fight back like this! I'd like to test how formidable you are." An Ziyu felt a sudden chill and took a step back, suppressing his anger, and said sharply, "Stop! Young man, don't act rashly. Consider the consequences!" The young man did not stop upon hearing this and slowly raised his hands from below his waist. An Ziyu gritted his teeth, abruptly turning on the spot, his upper body slightly lowered, the python whip in his hand lashing out like a soaring swan piercing the sky, aiming for his opponent's forehead with a piercing whistle! The

yellow figure danced lightly with the whip, the python whip striking the air with a hissing sound, seemingly trying to catch the yellow shadow but all

its strikes missed. Although An Ziyu had previously sensed from the other's aura that he possessed extraordinary skills, he hadn't expected such superb agility. He secretly lamented that he had inexplicably provoked such a formidable expert, but he had no time to think further. He arched his back and leaped three zhang high, and the moment his figure was airborne, the python whip lashed out like a sudden downpour, cracking repeatedly at his enemy.

The pale yellow body moved mysteriously within the tiny gaps between the whips, light and graceful, yet as fast as lightning flashing across the sky, dodging a volley of whip shadows.

Tumbling and tumbling in the air, An Ziyu's right arm reached under his left ribs, his long whip whipping and swirling wildly as it swept upwards again.

Suddenly, he planted his feet firmly on the ground, slightly shifting his body, and then suddenly pounced like a whirlwind, rushing towards him. An Ziyu swiftly dodged, but the whip in his hand was snatched away by his enemy in a split second. His eyes darted to the side, and he saw a white palm striking towards his left shoulder. Realizing the danger, the palm had already touched his body, and a powerful, mountain-like internal force surged forth, sending him flying several feet away, crashing to the ground!

An Ziyu never expected that his opponent not only possessed superb lightness skills, but also internal strength as continuous as the ocean tide and as heavy as a mountain, a level that a young man in his early twenties could not possibly reach. However, as the head of the Punishment Hall of the Iron Eagle Gang, one of the most powerful martial arts groups besides the four great families, An Ziyu naturally possessed profound and exquisite skills. The moment his body touched the ground, he inhaled deeply and was about to flip over and leap up when a foot wearing a light yellow, exquisite suede boot landed squarely on his back, pressing down on his Yingyang acupoint and forcefully stomping him back to the ground!

A detached voice drifted into his ears: "An Ziyu, go back and tell 'Northern Eagle' that I've taken the man away." An Ziyu turned his face with difficulty, his cheeks covered in mud and sand, no longer the refined man he once was. He roared, "You rat, leave your name!" Suddenly, his back felt light; the foot that had been pressing on him had moved away, and the powerful true energy that had sealed his vital points on his back vanished instantly. A melodious, clear voice drifted from afar: "The evening rain has just fallen on the hundred flowers, ten thousand blossoms are light and delicate, as if about to speak!" An Ziyu's eyes glazed over, and he trembled as he murmured, "The Flower-Loving Young Master of the Three Young Masters of the Martial World... Ding Chaowu of the Ding family of Jiangnan, one of the Four Great Clans... Heavens!" In that instant, the burly man who had suffered so much on the ground had vanished. The yellow figure, like a divine dragon, soared into the sky in a hazy moment, disappearing into the heavy clouds. As twilight descended, the evening mist shrouded the landscape, and the bright moon shone like a painting across a thousand miles of clear water.

Sparse stars twinkled, appearing exceptionally radiant. Here, in a secluded valley, amidst verdant peaks and rustling pines, the wind rustled the pines, and insects chirped and birds sang. A yellow figure darted forward with incredible speed, so fast that he lifted the person he was supporting behind him, holding them slightly in mid-air, as if carried by the wind. They arrived lightly at a precipice. On

the precipice stood a dilapidated iron bridge, its construction date unknown, made of several thin ropes, spanning a babbling brook below and connecting to the opposite mountain peak.

This figure was none other than Ding Chaowu, the Charming Young Master who had rescued Rong Hu, who had betrayed the Iron Eagle Gang, and brought him back to the mountain.

At this moment, Rong Hu was in a semi-conscious state, only able to avoid collapsing thanks to Ding Chaowu's support. Ding Chaowu gazed at the rusty iron chains, which seemed ready to collapse with even the slightest weight, and his brow furrowed slightly. If he were alone, with his unparalleled lightness skill, he could cross this nearly thirty-zhang-long iron chain bridge in at most four leaps. But supporting Rong Hu, who weighed at least two hundred jin, across was no easy feat.

Now, Ding Chaowu regretted his earlier decision to take the shortcut along this steep cliff to quickly return to his mountain retreat to fetch medicine for Rong Hu. He hadn't traveled this route in a long time, never imagining he could use the only iron chain bridge between the two peaks to return to this dilapidated and decaying place.

Now, he didn't know whether to use his lightness skill to fly across or return via the original route. The former would be dangerous, while the latter would inevitably delay Rong Hu's recovery. He was at a loss for what to do.

Just as he hesitated, a rushing stream suddenly appeared, and a small boat seemed to be drifting towards him from afar. Even with Ding Chaowu's keen eyesight, it was blurry. Only when it slowly approached and was not far from the bridge did Ding Chaowu see the object through the thick mountain mist.

He saw a tall, graceful woman dressed as a scholar, sitting with her hands behind her back in a long, narrow bamboo boat, gazing up at the tranquil and serene scenery of the mountains. Facing the night breeze carried by the mountains and water, her light blue robe fluttered in the wind, exuding an air of leisurely elegance. Looking down at the clear stream, she was composed and at ease.

Behind her stood a tall, graceful young woman, a classically styled sword hanging on her back, adding a touch of heroic spirit. But at this moment, Ding Chaowu's mind was completely captivated by the woman from before, and he could not take his eyes off the girl who seemed a few years younger than him. However, judging from her figure and temperament, she was undoubtedly a stunning beauty.

From Ding Chaowu's perspective, the half-moon was perfectly framed in the night sky where the woman's face was, bathing her in its gentle light and highlighting her beautiful, undulating features, as if born from the essence of heaven and earth. Ding

Chaowu, known as the Flower-Pitying Gentleman, had roamed the martial world and was accustomed to seeing beautiful women, but even he was overwhelmed with amazement. Her beauty, however, was unlike that of ordinary beauties; it was a natural, unadorned, and unparalleled innate beauty, like a lotus emerging from clear water, pure and simple.

Like a water goddess suddenly appearing on the shore, her arrival enhanced the surrounding ethereal beauty of the mountains and rain, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that made Ding Chaowu feel as if he were in a dream. He felt that although she had appeared in the mortal world, she should not be in this mundane place unworthy of her status.

The entire world seemed to be enveloped in layers of rich, fragrant celestial mist because of her, making it impossible to leave, and unwilling to depart. This extraordinary, breathtaking beauty was beyond the reach of any ordinary mortal's eye.

Her appearance was like a ray of sunlight breaking through a secluded valley, radiant and light, her beautiful eyes as clear as the sun rising in the morning glow, yet forever maintaining a mysterious and unfathomable calm. Beneath this calm and aloof exterior, her eyes revealed emotions blooming like flowers in the shadows, expressing a passionate love for life and a pursuit beyond the mundane.

The entire forest suddenly fell silent, like a ghostly realm, with only the soft murmur of water lapping against the cliff walls below.

Just as Ding Chaowu's heartstrings trembled, a beautiful woman, as radiant as a lotus flower standing proudly in clear water, gently raised her long, graceful neck, her pretty face looking at Ding Chaowu standing on the cliff, her beautiful eyes sparkling and captivating.

Ding Chaowu finally saw her true face clearly, as if a pebble had been thrown into a still lake, creating countless ripples.

Beneath her long, arched eyebrows, her bright, deep eyes sparkled with captivating beauty. Two dimples, like endless smiles, adorned her jade-like cheeks. Her shoulders were sharply defined, her waist slender and graceful, a figure perfectly proportioned, utterly mesmerizing. Under the moonlight, her skin glowed like jade, making her appear even more ethereal and exquisitely beautiful, otherworldly.

She noticed the young man staring at her, mesmerized, his captivating eyes radiating a sharp, piercing light.

Ding Chaowu was startled, a chill creeping down his spine under her gaze. He felt as if he had offended her, and quickly averted his eyes, unable to meet her gaze. He was secretly astonished that such beauty existed in the world; compared to her, all his previous contemplation seemed like mere dust.

Only after averting his gaze did he awaken as if from a dream, regaining his composure. Suddenly, he realized that the girl behind him seemed quite familiar. He looked down at the bamboo boat again, just as it passed under the iron chain bridge and drifted behind him. For some reason, he didn't dare turn around to look, but in that fleeting glimpse, he had already seen the girl's face clearly.

She stood next to the woman, and although she was completely overshadowed by her, this girl was actually quite beautiful among the many beauties he had ever seen.

She had long, slender eyebrows, a straight nose, thin lips, a round forehead, a pointed chin, and a face as sharp as a sword tip. Her phoenix eyes were long and narrow, with thick eyelashes that flickered with a watery light, like a misty pool, giving her an indescribable, sharp, and icy beauty that was unforgettable.

She was the legitimate heir of the Ding family of Jiangnan, unlike himself who was just a member of a side branch of the Ding family. She was the most outstanding rising star in the martial arts world, known as one of the "Four Beauties, Seven Heroes, and Three Young Masters"—"Purple-Clad Phoenix" Ding Yunfei. Ding Chaowu never expected that she, who had always lived a life of luxury, would appear in this desolate mountain area, which is why he hadn't recognized her earlier.

They were cousins, and although he had left home at a young age to study under the "Qin Jian" Zhuang Qingyin, he had seen her a few times, though not intimately. Aside from a slight smile when she saw him scrutinizing her, why hadn't she greeted him? Did she have some secret purpose in coming here?

Ding Chaowu was puzzled. He recalled how respectfully Ding Yunfei had treated that stunningly beautiful woman. As far as he knew, his proud and arrogant cousin had never treated anyone like that, not even her father—Ding Linchuan, one of the four most respected figures in the martial arts world and the revered head of the Ding family.

Could it be that the woman was her master? Only her master could command such deference and obedience from her. Because her master was no ordinary person, but rather the Ice Soul Divine Consort, a figure almost legendary in the martial arts world, rarely seen in the world. Ding Chaowu was secretly astonished. Although he was audacious, he still harbored some apprehension towards the figures from the nearly thousand-year-old sacred ground of the martial arts world—Lihentian.

Their joint appearance—had something astonishing happened? But he hadn't heard anything about it in the martial arts world! Ding Chaowu gazed at the direction the bamboo boat had disappeared into, shaking his head speechlessly. The night was deep, the autumn wind was whistling, and an indescribable desolation and melancholy permeated the silent night.

This was a small cottage built entirely of pine and bamboo, nestled among surrounding poplars and overlooking a clear stream. Dense clusters of autumn chrysanthemums grew in front of and behind the house, their vibrant colors still faintly visible even at night. A three-arched bamboo bridge spanned the back, further enhancing the cottage's serene and secluded atmosphere.

In the darkness, Ding Chaowu crossed the three-arched bamboo bridge silently and arrived outside the cottage. He turned and helped Rong Hu, the Iron Eagle Gang man he had rescued during the day, and gently knocked on the tightly closed door.

A soft, sweet voice rang out almost as soon as his hand withdrew: "Who is it?" Ding Chaowu smiled and whispered, "It's me." A soft chuckle sounded, its excitement and joy indescribable. The bamboo door creaked open, and a quiet figure stood by the door with a silver lamp. The figure glanced at Ding Chaowu and exclaimed in surprise, "Xiao Wu, you haven't been here for so long. Why did you only just arrive and with someone else? What happened to him? Did you get into trouble again?" Ding Chaowu smiled silently and helped Rong Hu into the house. The flickering light of the silver lamp illuminated the lamp-bearer's exquisitely beautiful face, her beauty extraordinary. Her long, black hair cascaded down her chiseled shoulders like a waterfall, and her elegant attire accentuated her graceful bearing.

Inside, bamboo tables and chairs framed several scrolls of plum blossom paintings on the wall. The air was filled with the gentle fragrance of sandalwood from a small jade cauldron. A pipa hung beside the table, its edge facing a sword. A brocade cushion with gold trim covered the couch, partially obscured by a silk screen. The room appeared pristine, serene, and otherworldly.

The lamplighter set down her lamp and turned to face her, her beautiful eyes deep and unfathomable, like the mellow aroma of fine wine. She gracefully walked to Ding Chaowu's side, watching him help Rong Hu sit on the bamboo chair. Her thick eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she extended her slender, jade-like hand, concealed by her silk robe, pointing lightly with her delicate fingers. She wrinkled her pretty, delicate nose and asked, "Who is this person? Xiao Wu?" Ding Chaowu pursed his lips and said, "His name is Rong Hu. He was originally in charge of the Iron Eagle Gang's punishment hall, but he had an affair with the gang leader's concubine. After being injured by the Northern Eagles, they intended to capture him alive and punish him with burning at the stake. He risked his life to escape for them. When I saw him, he was being beaten bloody by the Iron Eagle Gang's pursuers, almost to the point of death. I couldn't bear it and reached out to save him." She raised an eyebrow and whispered, "He's unconscious, isn't he?" Seeing Ding Chaowu nod in confirmation, she then showed displeasure. "If he were really that kind of person, you shouldn't have saved him at all!" Ding Chaowu sat down in a chair, sighed, and shook his head. "I think there's more to the story. He suffered internal injuries and external wounds. I saved him, cleaned his wounds, and applied medicine, but he fainted before he could even say thank you. Aunt Xin, quickly go and get the Resurrection Pill. His internal injuries are quite severe, so I brought him here without your permission!" Her large, watery eyes gazed at Ding Chaowu, and she said gently, "I will treat Rong Hu's injuries. Xiao Wu, you must be tired too. Let me make you a cup of tea so you can rest..." Ding Chaowu smiled faintly, deliberately teasing, "I'll rest well, you..." "Don't worry, I'll definitely give it my all later..." He thought she would blush and pout as usual, but instead, she wrinkled her delicate, jade-like nose slightly, lowered her thick, slightly curled eyelashes, and shook her head sadly, saying, "These peaceful, warm days away from the world won't last long, Xiao Wu. You're already of marriageable age. Besides, I promised my sister I'd arrange your marriage. You've been wandering the martial arts world for years; you must have met many noble ladies. When your wife enters the house, what will I, as your aunt, be then?" Ding Chaowu gently took that smooth, cool hand and said in a low voice, "Aunt Xin, you understand Xiao Wu's feelings for you..." "What is the state of our relationship? Although you are my mother's sister, you are not much older than me. How can I just abandon you after all these years of loving companionship? Don't worry, Xiao Wu will not betray you. There is always a way to resolve this. Even if the world cannot tolerate our relationship, we can simply hide away like this, somewhere where no one knows us..." She trembled imperceptibly, raised her head, and smiled through her tears, her voice filled with happiness and affection: "Xiao Wu, I'm so glad to hear your words. Really, they comfort me..." She wiped away her tears and said, "Xiao Wu, rest for a while, I'll go make you some tea!" She quickly turned and went inside.

Although there was no watchman's drum to mark the time in this remote mountain area, Ding Chaowu instinctively knew it was already past midnight, and soon the eastern sky would turn white as the sun rose.

He stood up gently. The heavily injured man suddenly shifted in his chair, letting out a faint groan. His eyelids twitched slowly, reminding Ding Chaowu of Rong Hu's bulging, bull-like eyes from earlier that day.

His eyelids felt heavy, as if weighed down by a thousand pounds. Rong Hu struggled to open his eyes, and a handsome, bright, and imposing face came into view. He seemed to have seen it before, yet it felt so distant.

Ding Chaowu stood before him, looked at his face, and smiled, "The redness and haze in your eyes have faded. You certainly had a good beating, friend." Rong Hu shuddered, suddenly remembering what had happened, and exclaimed excitedly, "It was the young hero who saved me! Please accept my bow!" He hurriedly struggled to his feet, intending to prostrate himself on the ground.

Ding Chaowu pressed his hand down to stop him, saying, "It is the duty of chivalrous people like us to help those in need, nothing to boast about." Rong Hu gasped for breath and said gratefully, "Young hero, I can never repay your life-saving grace in this life. I can only repay your great kindness in the next life..." Ding Chaowu's brows furrowed slightly, and he asked in confusion, "What do you mean?" He rubbed his nose with his index finger and said,

"Do you still want to go back to the Iron Eagle Gang? I heard that you have an affair with your gang leader's concubine?" Rong Hu suddenly raised his head, his face contorted, and hissed, "An affair? A year ago, he seduced and forcibly took my wife, and I had to survive every day under his lewd smiles and evil power! I watched helplessly as everything that was originally mine was handed over to someone else. All I could do was remain silent and consider myself a coward. She has now become the gang leader's plaything concubine!" This seemingly dignified and extraordinary man couldn't help but burst into tears at this moment.

Ding Chaowu pulled up a bamboo chair and sat down, resting his chin on his hand, quietly letting the heartbroken man opposite him cry his heart out. After a long while, Rong Hu's sobs subsided, and he was clearly exhausted after releasing the pent-up emotions in his heart. Although the Rejuvenating Pill was incredibly effective, capable of curing all internal and external injuries, Rong Hu's shock injuries were extremely severe. From this, it was clear that the leader of the Iron Eagle Gang, the legendary hero Bei Ying, truly lived up to his reputation and possessed extraordinary skills. Ding Chaowu secretly thought that he himself was slightly inferior to him.

Ding Chaowu silently handed Rong Hu a piece of light yellow silk. Rong Hu took it and wiped his tears, his eyes red with shame. "I'm sorry for my lapse in composure, young hero. I simply couldn't control myself!" Ding Chaowu agreed, sighing, "Love has always been the most tormenting thing! No matter how heroic one is, one cannot escape the bondage of love. Brother Rong, your true nature and feelings are the true colors of a hero. What's so laughable about that!" Rong Hu was deeply grateful upon hearing this, vigorously wiping his eyes with the silk. Ding Chaowu then asked, "How many concubines does your gang leader have?" Rong Hu blurted out angrily, "Seventeen." Ding Chaowu sighed inwardly, thinking, "The Northern Eagle is a ruthless tyrant..." "Yes, but I am also ill! My aunt and I are in the same boat, we can only secretly keep our relationship a secret from our relatives and friends. Alas, my uncle, he..." Rong Hu suddenly glared with his bull-like eyes and said embarrassedly, "I have not yet asked for your name, my benefactor. I am truly impolite. Please forgive my troubled mind, young hero!" Ding Chaowu shook his head slightly and said, "What is there to be ashamed of! I am Ding Chaowu." Rong Hu exclaimed in surprise, "Ding Chaowu? The Flower-Loving Young Master Ding Chaowu?" Seeing the other party's affirmative smile, Rong Hu hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but was unable to speak.

Ding Chaowu asked curiously, "Brother Rong, what's wrong?" Rong Hu hesitated for a moment before cautiously asking, "I heard there's a Miss Rong Lanzhao who used to be quite familiar with you, young hero. Is that true?" Ding Chaowu suddenly felt a pang of disappointment and nodded, saying, "I did have a past relationship with Miss Rong, the Jade-Faced Rakshasa, but that's all long gone. Miss Rong is now married into the 'Huanbi Manor' in the East Village and has become a daughter-in-law of the Gong family. Why did you bring this up again, Brother Rong? Rong... Rong... Could it be that you and Miss Lanzhao..." Rong Hu replied solemnly, "We are siblings! That's why I didn't presume to ask about your private matters just now." Ding Chaowu was suddenly faced with the brother of his former lover, feeling not only somewhat at a loss but also a sense of the vicissitudes of time and the changes in people, and was speechless for a moment.

Seeing that Ding Chaowu had suddenly fallen silent, seemingly lost in uncontrollable memories, Rong Hu hurriedly called out, "Young Hero..." Ding Chaowu was startled and stopped him, saying, "Brother Rong, please don't call me 'Young Hero' anymore. Since you are Lan Zhao's elder brother, you are also my elder brother, Ding Chaowu's elder brother. Let's still address each other as brothers. However, my relationship with your sister is not what it used to be. I hope you won't mind my presumption, elder brother!" Rong Hu quickly replied, "What are you saying? I was afraid I was not worthy of the title of the three famous young masters of the martial arts world! Then I would be presumptuous." "Brother Ding! It's all my fault for not being firm in my heart. Alas, if only I had a brother-in-law like you!" Ding Chaowu looked out the window at the darkness and shook his head sadly. "It's all my fault. I've been a womanizer and left a trail of broken hearts. No wonder Lan Zhao left in anger to marry someone else! Alas, we are not destined to be together!" Rong Hu comforted him, "Just as you said, brother, since ancient times, those who are deeply in love are the most tormented!" Seeing Ding Chaowu's rather depressed mood, he knew that he had not yet completely forgotten his sister Lan Zhao. Changing the subject, Ding Chaowu asked, "Brother, where is this?" He turned and glanced at the inner room where the man had been quietly waiting, then sighed and said, "This is the residence of a friend of mine. Your injuries aren't far from here, so I brought you here.

This person is a close friend of mine, skilled in medicine; she was the one who treated your injuries." Rong Hu quickly stood up and said, "Brother, why didn't you say so sooner? Quickly, take me to pay my respects to her, to express my heartfelt gratitude!" Ding Chaowu... He laughed and said, "Brother, there's no need for such formality. She doesn't know martial arts and has been working hard all night; she's probably already asleep." Rong Hu said helplessly, "In that case, I'll have to apologize for my rudeness!" Ding Chaowu stood up, came over, and put his arm around Rong Hu's shoulder, saying, "It's getting late, and you're injured, brother, you should rest now!" Ding Chaowu settled Rong Hu down to sleep, and saw that he fell asleep as soon as he lay down on the bed. He couldn't help but feel a little strange, but then he thought that he was injured and couldn't be like an ordinary person, so he didn't worry too much.

At this moment, he also felt quite tired, so he turned around and went into the inner room. He saw that Aunt Xin was sleeping soundly on the only large bed in the side bedroom, and he couldn't help but feel disappointed. Aunt Xin had been waiting for him here for many days, and the two of them hadn't made love for a long time. He thought that she must be anxiously waiting for him to come in quickly so that they could make love to each other. But she had already fallen asleep.

It seemed that Rong Hu's earlier ramblings had been true; she really was tired. Given the current situation, he couldn't force her awake for a night of passion, so it seemed he would have to sleep alone tonight.

Both of them had a habit of sleeping naked, and without much thought, he silently removed his clothes and gracefully climbed into bed, lying quietly beside the beauty, about to drift off to sleep. Suddenly, Ding Chaowu smelled a familiar, rich fragrance, followed by a wave of heat. A pair of soft, boneless arms encircled his neck, and then a full, hot body pressed against him, a fragrant kiss sealing his lips, while a soft, smooth tongue swirled within his mouth. Ding Chaowu realized what was happening; Aunt Xin had indeed fallen asleep, and she had been waiting for him.

He felt Aunt Xin pressed against him, her two white, high breasts pressing against his chest, rubbing and swirling incessantly. Her lower body pressed closer to him, teasing him, her appearance incredibly erotic. Ding

Chaowu didn't hold back, sucking on Aunt Xin's smooth, soft tongue as they exchanged tongue blows. His hands naturally rested on her slender waist, the skin smooth and warm to the touch, like solidified cream, seemingly untouched by time.

Aunt Xin wrapped one arm around Ding Chaowu's neck, the other gradually sliding down his chest. Her flawless, smooth fingers, initially caressing, gradually tightened, seemingly trembling slightly with excitement. Sweat beaded on her palm as she slowly explored his private area, leaving a trail of sweat on his fair skin. Her fingers then spread, grasping his erect penis and gently stroking it back and forth. Stimulated by this, the penis held in the woman's hand throbbed with veins, pulsating and trembling, swelling with rage, and standing erect.

After a passionate kiss, they finally parted, panting heavily. Ding Chaowu saw her burning eyes, filled with intense desire, fixed intently on him. Her full breasts, smooth and white, rose and fell with her breath, pressed against his chest. Her slightly moist red lips gleamed, glistening with moisture, especially as she exhaled, the fragrant breath, like musk and orchid, wafted towards Ding Chaowu's face, further fueling his desire, making it uncontrollable.

Suddenly, Ding Chaowu's strong left arm gripped her slender waist like a steel band, pulling her forcefully towards him. She leaned forward, her full, soft body clinging to her young, handsome nephew like an octopus, panting softly, "Little...Little Wu...love...love me..." Ding Chaowu's desire had reached its peak; his penis was hard, hot, and swollen. He immediately wrapped his left arm tightly around Aunt Xin's soft waist, pulling her close, while his right hand reached for her high, firm buttocks, skillfully lifting her long left leg.

With a cry of "Ah!", her leg was abruptly lifted, revealing her wet, glistening vulva, red and glistening as if coated in oil, ready to slip away at the slightest touch. Upon closer inspection, her pubic area was densely covered with layers of soft hair, some parts slightly raised. A milky white line of fluid flowed down from her two tender labia along her fair, jade-like thighs. Her pinkish-brown labia occasionally opened and closed, exhaling hot breath.

At this moment, his stunningly beautiful Aunt Xin had her beautiful eyes closed shyly, her face flushed with embarrassment, her cheeks burning red. His thick, purplish-red penis was inserted between her slightly parted, snow-white legs. The large, round, hot glans gently stroked her soft, smooth vulva, then, without warning, it pushed forward and forcefully thrust inside. Her alluring, hot labia immediately gripped the base of his penis tightly, every inch of it held captive by the soft, smooth labia and the hot, moist mucous membrane within the still dark and deep vulva.

Aunt Xin's eyebrows furrowed slightly, her pearly teeth biting lightly, her delicate face flushed, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. As the thick, hard penis gradually penetrated her flawless, beautiful body, a dizzying, intense pleasure surged through her. The elegant beauty gasped and moaned softly, her cries melodious and sweet.

Ding Chaowu listened to the lewd sounds and enjoyed the alluring beauty of her body, his excitement reaching its peak. He felt a surge of desire coursing through his body, all converging on his throbbing, hot penis. He rolled over, pinning her beneath him, his hands spreading her legs wide, almost forming a perfect line, completely exposing her genitals, every detail clearly visible.

Ding Chaowu's touch revealed Aunt Xin's skin as smooth and supple as jade; the sparse dark hair between her legs glowed faintly with a reddish light, and her secret orifice, containing his penis, opened and closed almost imperceptibly, emitting a strange fragrance. The flowing nectar clung to her hair, moistening her snow-white skin and making it appear glossy and smooth.

He chuckled lewdly and leaned down to her ear, gently licking her lovely, translucent earlobe, saying, "Aunt Xin, Xiaowu isn't around, and Uncle doesn't pay much attention to you. You've been feeling lonely for days, haven't you? Tonight, Xiaowu will comfort you properly, and I won't stop until you're dying and coming back to life, hehe!" She was always elegant and refined, and although she had been in a passionate relationship with her nephew for a long time, upon hearing his teasing words, she was still shy and blushing, her beautiful eyes tightly closed, not daring to open them.

In the silence, she felt him thrusting inside her. With each in-and-out motion of his penis, the two labia majora, like two fleshy brushes, opened and closed. Each insertion scraped against the soft walls, coating his shaft with a glistening fluid. When he withdrew, it was glistening, strong, and even more imposing.

His muscular body moved against her beautiful form, his penis thrusting in and out of her unusually tight, delicate vagina. Beneath him, the woman writhed shyly, her snow-white body writhing, a mixture of resistance and welcome. Her bright red cherry lips parted slightly, emitting soft moans and gasps. Suddenly, he bent down and took her engorged, erect, rosy nipple into his mouth, his tongue gently swirling around it as he sucked wildly. His other hand grasped and kneaded her trembling, soft, snow-white breast.

As Ding Chaowu raped and ravaged her, she couldn't help but writhe and pant in response. Her pair of smooth and slender legs would sometimes lift up and sometimes lie flat, wrapped around his waist, and would tighten and lift slightly in response to each thrust and withdrawal of his penis.

Her beautiful face, more radiant than any flower, flushed crimson like fire. Her cherry lips parted slightly, her soft cries and gasps rising and falling. Her soft, snow-white arms clung tightly to the man's broad shoulders, her delicate, jade-like hands digging into his muscles as she eagerly received Ding Chaowu's caresses.

His fiery, rod-like member moved in and out of her honeyed depths, the heat radiating from her lower body spreading throughout her entire being, painting her dazzlingly beautiful body with layers of blush. Her body trembled involuntarily, her firm, high breasts heaving and undulating like waves, creating a soft, surging display of milk. Beads of fragrant sweat dripped from her body, mingling with the intoxicating, soul-stirring scent of love fluid, amidst her plaintive moans and cries of pleasure.

A man's frenzy and a woman's allure filled the room with a series of rapid, rhythmic slapping sounds, accompanied by gasps and moans. Their bodies swayed even more violently, their sweat splattering and their fragrance permeating the entire space.

She didn't know how much time had passed, but she felt the enormous penis, now fully engorged and swollen in her tight, secret passage, penetrating deeper and deeper into her vaginal walls. After a series of frenzied thrusts, she noticed her lower body becoming increasingly wet and slippery. With each wild and deep thrust, the penis savagely parted her soft, tender labia, its large, round, burning-hot glans roughly forcing its way into her small, tight vaginal opening, separating the tender mucous membranes of her vaginal walls, and piercing deep into that hot, dark, narrow vagina, even penetrating the shyly blooming, delicate clitoris. The tip of the glans pressed against it.

A series of soul-stirring rubbing sensations overwhelmed her; unable to withstand the intense stimulation, she let out a rapid, gasping cry.

Her soft, boneless, delicate body convulsed and spasmed uncontrollably, her vaginal walls clinging tightly to the deeply inserted, thick penis, contracting and clenching involuntarily. The penis

thrust wildly, pumping in and out of her spasming vagina, the glans repeatedly plunging into her tight cervix with the force of each powerful thrust. Soon, her flushed face turned deathly pale, and her cherry-like lips, panting and gasping, emitted rapid, mournful cries that were both arousing and intoxicating.

"Ah!" With a poignant and ecstatic cry, her narrow cervix gripped the large, hot glans tightly, causing her to feel dizzy and her mind to go blank. Her alluring, tender lips let out a soft, seductive cry, finally reaching the pinnacle of ecstasy in their lovemaking.

Ding Chaowu's tightly gripped penis trembled violently, instantly ejaculating a thick, hot stream of semen deep into his mother's womb. She arched her smooth, white abdomen, pressing it tightly against his penis, her entire being enveloped in an intense, ecstatic climax.

After ejaculating, Ding Chaowu's penis didn't immediately shrink. He withdrew most of it, leaving the glans still tightly engorged within the still-tight, delicate opening. Gazing at the beautiful woman beneath him, panting softly and glistening with fragrant sweat, and her naked, smooth, white, delicate body, he couldn't help but chuckle to himself, thinking:

"Uncle Dong Zeba, a ruthless and cunning man, recruits people from all walks of life, including many ruthless underworld figures and treacherous villains. This has already put the righteous sects of the martial arts world on high alert, and Uncle Ding Linchuan dislikes him even more. Currently, the Dong Family Fortress, with its formidable strength and hidden potential, has already secured a position of second to first among the Eastern Village, Western Fortress, Southern Association, and Northern Gang. Yet, he remains unsatisfied. His ambition to join the ranks of the four great powerful families of the time—the Celestial Master's Mansion in Beijing, the Fallen Soul Valley of Gonglai Mountain, the Ding Family of Jiangnan, and the Tianmiao Ridge of Guizhou—is common knowledge. On the surface..." He spends his days strategizing and maneuvering among various martial arts heroes, but I know he is aware that his martial arts are inferior to those of the four great masters of the world, and he secretly practices the Dong family's peerless sword technique, "Red Dust Slash!" Seeing the beautiful woman beneath him still half-open and half-closed, her cheeks flushed with shyness, indicating that she was still immersed in the afterglow of the intense climax of their intercourse, Ding Chaowu lowered his head and whispered in her crystal-clear earlobe, "Aunt Xin, you are so beautiful, truly a beauty that could topple kingdoms! In my opinion, even the 'Three Beauties and Two Flights' who once dominated the martial arts world are not as good as you!" "How could I, Xu Yixin, compare to them? Don't lie to me and make me happy! Ah!" Xu Yixin said softly, her beautiful face flushed again, her heart quite pleased. She coquettishly complained, but before she finished speaking, she let out a pitiful cry. She felt his thick penis suddenly thrust into her body again, and quickly slid into the depths of her flesh cave, which she had been married for twenty years and had a son with, but which was still small and tight. It filled her deep, hot, and soft vagina completely.

Ding Chaowu took a deep breath and disagreed, saying, "That's not necessarily true. My mother is Xu Feihong, one of the 'Ten Thousand Wonders Fairy,' and you are her younger sister. How could you be any different? It's just that you met Dong Zeba and married him less than a month after you entered the martial world. From then on, you stayed in Dongjiabao to be a wife and mother, so you are not considered a member of the martial world. Otherwise, the most beautiful woman in the martial world back then would have been 'Three Beauties, Two Flying Women, and One Delightful Heart'! But I still don't understand why you married her so quickly back then?" After saying that, he put one arm around her slender and soft waist and the other arm around her fragrant shoulder, pulling her soft and weak naked upper body up and pulling her into his arms like a docile and weak little lamb.

Her already swollen and painful vagina was now being penetrated again by a thick, large penis, causing Xu Yixin considerable discomfort. However, the intensely full and tight feeling that made her feel weak in the knees caused a captivating blush to rise on her still-vibrant face. She wore a shy expression that was hard to describe as a mixture of pain and pleasure, and her slender, long legs involuntarily lifted up as his thick penis penetrated deeper into her vagina.

Xu Yixin, her teeth chattering from the pressure, frowned slightly and said, "Didn't you ask your mother about this? She should know better than I do!" Ding Chaowu, hearing the resentment in her tone, asked in confusion, "Does this have anything to do with my mother? I asked her, but she didn't tell me." Xu Yixin shook her head slightly and sighed, "Let bygones be bygones. Anyway, everything is irreversible. Let's avoid hurting our sisterly harmony." Seeing the bewildered look on Ding Chaowu's face, her heart softened, her beautiful eyes sparkling. She continued, "Ever since I married Dong Zeba, he has rarely slept with me. After Hao'er was born, he rarely even entered my room. He only cares about indulging in debauchery and seeking pleasure outside, as if I were a viper or an ominous person. You think I married him when I was seventeen, and for all these years I've been half-dead, pretending to be nonchalant. I'm a person of flesh and blood too!" At this point, she couldn't help but sob sadly.

Ding Chaowu panicked. He cherished this beautiful woman dearly and couldn't bear to see her cry. He didn't know what to do, but then he thought of a way to distract her and make her forget the unpleasant past. So he used his strength, straightened his back, grabbed Xu Yixin's round, white, soft buttocks with one hand, and held her slender, delicate waist with the other, and stood up from the bed.

"Ah!" Xu Yixin let out a charming and melodious cry. With his thrust, the thick penis inside her vaginal cavity suddenly thrust deeper into her tight vagina. This soul-stirring deep thrust immediately made her body weak and her upper body sway. Instinctively, she used her snow-white arms to tightly hug the man who was "uniting" with her.

She understood his good intentions, her eyes filled with tears as she smiled softly, "You've always been very attached to me since we were little. As you grew up, even the slightest change made me feel even closer to you. I felt that in this world, besides your mother, only you were truly good to me. Your mother is a woman, and although you are my nephew, you are still a man. You can give me what I need, and only you understand what I need most! So, to be precise, I have been seducing you, leading you to do this incestuous thing that is unacceptable to the world. I am actually an extremely lewd woman." Tears rolled down her cheeks again, dripping onto the dust.

Ding Chaowu hurriedly protested, "No, that's not it, Aunt Xin. You've always been chaste and virtuous; you've never done anything licentious before. Our love, though against propriety, is the most sincere. Since your marriage wasn't your choice, you can't possibly love your husband. Therefore, your heart is still empty, still waiting for true love, for a real man in your life." His voice was earnest as he said, "And I am that man!" Xu Yixin closed her beautiful eyes tightly and murmured, "Yes, you are the man I've been waiting for in my life, because only you truly understand me. I wish I could die right now, tear open my heart so you can see that my heart, Xu Yixin's heart, is engraved only with the three words 'Ding Chaowu.' Despicable ethics and etiquette, get out of here, Xiao Wu! Let us love each other forever! I am your woman! Yours! Yours alone!" Hearing this heartfelt confession, Ding Chaowu was deeply moved and filled with gratitude for this beautiful woman. He was willing to die for her. His only way to repay her now was to devote himself to her body until his dying breath, letting her experience the true pleasures of being a woman. He embraced this gentle, submissive, and alluring woman, whose body had endured years of emptiness, and stepped off the bed. He walked around the room, his penis thrusting deeper and deeper into her tight vagina with each step.

Xu Yixin let out soft moans and cries, burying her beautiful, aroused head in his shoulder. Her full, firm breasts pressed tightly against his chest, and her long, slender, and beautiful legs wrapped tightly around his waist, as if she would fall if he loosened his grip.

Ding Chaowu held his beloved lover, thrusting his hot, thick penis in and out of her repeatedly. Although Xu Yixin had just vented her pent-up emotions to Ding Chaowu and completely let go of herself, when he carried her to the bedside, her beautiful, half-closed eyes suddenly saw the messy stains left on the pristine white sheets from her intense intercourse with her sister's son, and she still felt extremely embarrassed.

At the same time, she noticed warm, slippery, viscous love fluid flowing from the cleft between her and his penis, running down her smooth, delicate buttocks, becoming cool at the bottom, causing her to blush and her cheeks to turn a deep rosy hue.

The penis thrust in and out of her tight vagina, and Xu Yixin's beautiful eyes were filled with spring, her heart brimming with a mixture of shyness and joy as she cried out softly, responding to each of his lewd thrusts. The room was filled with alluring moans and gasps, a seductive atmosphere permeating the entire inner chamber.

As another climax arrived, Xu Yixin let out a rapid, panting cry, "Ah!" A plaintive, alluring cry echoed from the room, her snow-white, soft body suddenly clinging tightly to Ding Chaowu's, a suffocating spasm and trembling. Her cherry lips parted, her silver teeth biting hard against the muscles of his shoulder.

After their second orgasm, drenched in sweat and panting heavily, Xu Yixin was once again brought to the brink of ecstasy by her nephew's thrusts. The spot where their lower bodies were tightly joined was stained with semen and love fluids, a rather unsightly mess.

Ding Chaowu held Xu Yixin's soft, supple body, still weak from the afterglow of their lovemaking, and rested for a while before slowly lowering her to the ground. His thick, long penis remained firmly inserted deep inside her. Xu Yixin, slowly slid down from the peak of her climax, symbolically pushed him away with her delicate, snow-white hands, saying shyly, "Enough, Xiaowu, Aunt Xin has had enough for today. Come out!" Seeing Ding Chaowu shake his head without withdrawing, she had no choice but to step back, trying to pull the penis still inside her. However, with each step she took, Ding Chaowu, grinning wickedly, followed suit, keeping a large portion of his penis inside her warm, beautiful body. She retreated again and again, and he used his enormous, thick penis to push her naked body against the dressing table until she was completely immobilized.

Xu Yixin knew Ding Chaowu wanted to try a new way of making love with her, but she didn't know what he was going to do. Meanwhile, with his penis still inside her, and the constant in-and-out motion of his large member as he pulled away, her slender, snow-white legs felt weak and powerless, almost unable to stand. As she

swayed precariously, her shapely, snow-white buttocks landed on the dressing table. At that moment, Ding Chaowu quickly grasped one of her beautiful, firm, snow-white breasts with one hand, pinching and kneading the small, adorable, rosy nipple between two fingers. A soft, shy moan escaped her lips, and Xu Yixin felt a tingling sensation in her heart. He then lowered his head and kissed her soft, translucent earlobe, licking and sucking with his tongue, causing Xu Yixin's breathing to quicken again.

Ding Chaowu tightly embraced Tingting's slender, delicate waist with one hand, while the other caressed her rosy nipples. In no time, those nipples became engorged and erect, proudly hardening atop her beautiful, snow-white breasts. He slowly turned Xu Yixin's delicate shoulders, pressing her limp, naked body onto the table. He lifted her slender legs with one hand, and thrust his penis into her lower body, penetrating deeply into her beautiful and alluring body.

Dawn had broken through the darkness, revealing a landscape in the mountains completely different from the night before.

Rong Hu had risen early, examining his severe internal and external injuries from the previous day. After a night, he was almost completely healed, secretly marveling at the miraculous effects of the Rejuvenating Pill, and feeling even more grateful to Ding Chaowu. At this moment, not seeing Ding Chaowu or his friend inside, he assumed they were still asleep and went outside alone.

The house is nestled amidst a towering, majestic mountain that pierces the sky. Twelve waterfalls cascade down its slopes like ribbons of silk, and mist shrouds the mountainside. Above the waterfalls, a lush, verdant cliff juts out from the half-hidden peak.

Wild chrysanthemums, vibrant and beautiful, sway in the autumn breeze, their graceful forms radiant. Beside these chrysanthemums, a small stone pool, like a mirror, lies with a white stone base and rim, while a clear spring flows gently along the mountain wall, its water droplets sparkling like jade.

Beside the pool, a large, wall-like boulder rises, and the small, charming house, built of natural pine wood, sits against this rock face, surrounded by an elegant vermilion railing.

Beyond the stone wall lies a verdant, towering cliff. From Rong Hu's vantage point, a single maple tree grows along the cliff's edge, its leaves ablaze with fiery red. Surrounding it are layers upon layers of wondrous peaks, shrouded in mist, creating an ethereal atmosphere.

In front of the house lies a small valley, where a white stone path, seemingly man-made but actually naturally formed, meanders mysteriously, like a weary python coiled around the mountain dwelling.

Countless trees, some withered, some green, flank this path, a thin mist rising and falling among the trees. The surrounding mountains embrace the vast expanse of sky and earth, while clear mountain springs cascade down, creating a serene and tranquil ambiance.

When Rong Hu arrived last night, he was already in a daze, unaware of anything outside. Now, suddenly seeing this extraordinary mountain scenery in the early morning, he couldn't help but sigh at how the Ding brothers had chosen such a wonderful place to live. Every day, on this refreshing mountain cliff, they would greet the rising sun in the morning, admire the moon in the evening, cleanse their minds and soothe their souls in the cold spring and drifting clouds, and roar proudly amidst the embrace of the mountains. The Flower-Loving Gentleman was indeed a refined scholar; no wonder his sister Lan Zhao loved him so devotedly.

As Rong Hu was admiring the scenery, he suddenly saw two figures slowly walking along the white stone path in the valley. Rong Hu became alert and looked into the distance. Ahead was an old man who looked very haggard, with a sallow complexion, and his disheveled white hair accentuated his wrinkled face. His gray cloth clothes were torn and tattered. He seemed to be ill, panting heavily as he walked, his thick, black, drooping eyebrows trembling incessantly.

When they were a short distance in front of him, Rong Hu suddenly stood up and shouted, "Who are you two, and why have you come to this remote place?" The old man stared at Rong Hu for a long while with his dim and listless eyes, and said in a hoarse voice, "I am Leng Ranqi. I have traveled through mountains and rivers to escape my enemies, and I am exhausted both physically and mentally. I suddenly saw a house here and thought I would rest here for a while. Please forgive my intrusion!" Rong Hu heard the old man's humble and polite tone, and thinking that he and the old man were in the same boat, he felt a sense of empathy and became more wary. Seeing the old man's lips twitching as he spoke, Rong Hu asked with concern, "Are you ill, sir?" The old man's expression darkened, and he said in a low voice, "I was injured by an enemy before, and these past few days have been filled with shock and exhaustion. I've also coughed up blood, so I'm extremely weak right now. I only hope that you, sir, will have the kindness to allow my granddaughter and me to rest in your esteemed home for a while." Rong Hu had previously seen another person behind him, but they were close to the old man,

so he couldn't see their face clearly. Only after hearing the old man's words did he realize that it was a woman, and his granddaughter at that. He turned to look at the woman, and suddenly another slender figure appeared behind him. She was tall, with an oval face, willow-leaf eyebrows, and a pair of large, watery eyes, paired with a small, cherry-like mouth. She wore a plain, light blue dress that, while originally elegant, now looked somewhat dirty. She appeared to be no more than twenty years old.

She stood shyly behind the old man, her face full of fear. When she saw Rong Hu's burning gaze, two red clouds rose on her cheeks, and she timidly lowered her head, her two soft little hands constantly rubbing themselves, looking pitiful and endearing. Rong Hu

withdrew his gaze, pondered for a moment, and said, "Then, old man, are you still a member of the martial arts world?" The old man, Leng Ranqi, hesitated for a moment, then said frankly, "I was originally a镖师 (bodyguard/escort) of the Zhenwei镖局 (bodyguard/escort agency) in Yuzhong. Due to old age, I was dismissed by the chief镖头 (bodyguard/escort officer) Lu Zhongming, 'Sun and Moon Cactus.' Helplessly, I had to return to my ancestral home with my granddaughter, who grew up with me. Unexpectedly, I caught a cold on the way, and then encountered an enemy I had made a grudge against when I was escorting goods before. I was injured by him and fled here." "Rong Huyi said with a righteous expression, "Who is the old man's enemy, taking advantage of his misfortune and kicking him while he's down? And that Lu Zhongming is truly disloyal; how can there be such a person in the martial world!" Leng Ranqi looked troubled, his lips moved but he didn't speak. Rong Hu smiled, knowing that people in the martial world generally

had their secrets and were unwilling to reveal them to outsiders. Leng Ranqi said apologetically, "It's not that I don't trust you and deliberately conceal the truth, but that the enemy himself is highly skilled in martial arts and has a powerful backer, so..." Rong Hu himself was already troubled and had no mood to meddle in other people's business. He had only asked casually. Hearing this, he interrupted, "I am Rong Hu, and I sympathize with the old man's plight. However, I am also a guest here, and this house has another owner. I must ask him before I can decide whether to grant the old man's request!" Leng Ranqi looked grateful and clasped his hands, saying, "Your kindness and compassion are truly appreciated. I only hope that my illness will improve a little..." "I will set off immediately, without delaying you all. Please ask you to convey my request to the homeowner." Rong Hu was about to turn back into the house when Ding Chaowu gracefully emerged, nodding and smiling, "Brother Rong, there's no need to worry. We chivalrous people should naturally lend a helping hand to those in distress!" He turned to Leng Ranqi and his grandson, saying, "Old man, there's no need for such formalities. Please come inside. The right wing room is for you and this young lady. Please feel free to ask me for anything you need. We are all people of the martial world, and everyone has their share of troubles. We should take care of each other." Leng Ranqi bowed twice, thanked him repeatedly, and entered the house with the woman's help.

Ding Chaowu smiled at Rong Hu and said, "Brother Rong, you look radiant. You've been sitting outside so early this morning; have your injuries healed considerably?" Rong Hu, walking alongside Ding Chaowu behind the two uninvited guests, chuckled and said, "It's all thanks to you, brother!" Ding Chaowu seemed to suddenly remember something and said, "Brother Rong, my friend is afraid of strangers and has already left. He has a strange temper; please forgive his rudeness!" Rong Hu said sheepishly, "It was all my fault..." "My arrival has disturbed your peaceful life, and it is I, your brother, who should apologize." As they spoke, they entered the house, a simple guest room filled with the scent of pine. Several pine chairs were carved from the original shape of the wood, their style antique and unique, and soft silk reed cushions were laid on them. A guzheng hung diagonally on the wall, and on a mottled yellow-brown pine bark seat, a small white jade incense burner burned, wisps of smoke drifting lightly in the air. The sandalwood scent entered the nose, cleansing as if cleansing the entire body.

Ding Chaowu turned around and said, "Brother Rong, are you hungry? Please wait a moment, I will go and get breakfast, and we can have a good meal." Rong Hu said embarrassedly, "If you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have been able to say it, but I'm really starving!" Ding Chaowu apologized repeatedly, and without saying anything more, turned and went into the inner room. When he came out, he was carrying several ducks, their heads drooping limply to one side, clearly inanimate.

Rong Hu patted his belly and exclaimed with delight, "Such delicious food! My belly, my belly, you're so lucky to have this!" He couldn't wait to help the impatient Ding Chaowu light a small clay stove, while he busied himself boiling water and plucking the feathers, swallowing hard.

After a while, the aroma of duck meat wafted from the duck on the iron fork over the stove.

Rong Hu took a deep breath, almost groaning, and said, "Ah, so fragrant and delicious! I could eat two in one go now." Ding Chaowu, twirling his fork beside him, laughed and said, "Brother Rong, you suffered so much yesterday, but now you have a good appetite, which means your injuries are almost healed." Rong Hu laughed heartily, "Indeed. It's just that my craving is hard to resist, and I'm sorry to have made you laugh." Ding Chaowu smeared some seasoning on the already golden-brown duck and said, "Why be so formal between brothers? Brother, just eat to your heart's content." Rong Hu reached out and tore off a juicy duck leg, took a big bite, and smacked his lips, "Ah, so delicious! Mmm...so satisfying!" Just then, the door to the right wing opened, and the pitiful girl timidly walked out. She unconsciously wrinkled her nose and sniffed, looking at Ding Chaowu, then at Rong Hu who was devouring the duck meat, her lips moving a few times as if she had something to say.

Rong Hu licked his lips and spoke first, "Miss, please speak." She hesitated for a moment, then said timidly, "My... my grandfather, he's feeling a bit unwell, he's having trouble breathing. I... I was wondering if I could ask you two for some hot soup for him?" Ding Chaowu took a small porcelain pot from the wooden seat and handed it to her, saying gently, "Here, take it. This is freshly boiled water." The girl shyly reached out and took it, but in that instant, she glanced at Ding Chaowu quickly and imperceptibly, her gaze so profound, strange, and shrewish, completely devoid of the charm she had shown just moments before. Ding Chaowu was slightly taken aback by her glance, and before he could catch that fleeting look, the girl had already thanked him softly and turned to leave.

Seeing Ding Chaowu looking at the bright and beautiful young woman with a thoughtful expression, Rong Hu couldn't help but chuckle to himself, thinking of his nickname "The Flower-Pitying Gentleman." He suddenly called out to the girl, put down the duck leg in his hand, and smacked his lips, saying,

"Please wait a moment, young lady, may I ask your name?" The girl was startled, then lowered her head timidly and whispered, "I...I'm called Leng Xiaoshuang..." Rong Hu smiled and glanced at Ding Chaowu, who was lost in thought, nodding and saying, "Not bad, that's a beautiful name." A violent coughing sound came from the right wing. The girl hurriedly took a porcelain pot, nodded to the two of them, and went inside. Rong Hu watched her back and said softly, "This young lady is very kind and filial." Ding Chaowu placed the roasted duck on a porcelain plate, added two more, and focused on spreading seasonings on it, remaining silent.

Rong Hu took another bite of duck meat and asked in surprise, "Brother, what's wrong with you? Why aren't you saying a word? You're known as the 'Flower-Loving Gentleman,' you're much more adept at dealing with women than a roughneck like me." Ding Chaowu smiled faintly, still not answering. Rong Hu suddenly noticed a hint of wariness in Ding Chaowu's eyes and was startled, wondering if the grandfather and grandson were on the wrong path. Ding Chaowu was a renowned figure in the martial arts world, having braved countless dangers and trials, possessing immense experience. If he sensed something, he was certainly right. So he remained silent.

In the silence, the aroma of roasted duck wafted out again. Soon, several wild ducks were roasted, their skin golden and crispy, incredibly tempting.

Ding Chaowu handed one to Rong Hu, keeping one for himself, winked at Rong Hu, and then took another duck on a plate to the right wing. He knocked on the door gently, and after a moment the cedar door opened, revealing the face of the woman who called herself Leng Xiaoshuang, her expression showing a hint of bewilderment.

Ding Chaowu smiled casually and said, "This roast duck is for you and your grandfather." Leng Xiaoshuang was taken aback, then said shyly, "This...this is too much trouble for you, young hero." Ding Chaowu handed over the plate, a slight smile on his lips, and said, "It's fate that we met by chance, young lady, there's no need for you to be so polite!" After saying that, he turned and walked away. Leng Xiaoshuang suddenly called his name softly. Ding Chaowu turned slightly and quietly said, "What are your orders, young lady?" Leng Xiaoshuang blushed slightly and said in a soft voice, "I...I haven't invited you yet..." "May I ask your esteemed name, young hero?" Ding Chaowu rubbed his cheek habitually and said, "My name is Ding Chaowu, a commoner and a wanderer of the martial world." "Oh—" Leng Xiaoshuang drew out her words, unmoved by this dashing name that had captivated the martial world and was secretly admired by countless young ladies, clearly having never heard of him. But she immediately smiled charmingly and said, "So it's you, young hero Ding!" Ding Chaowu flicked his sleeve slightly, said "I dare not," and turned to walk towards his seat. Rong Hu had almost finished eating a roast duck, and the sun had risen high in the sky, it was nearly noon.

Ding Chaowu stretched his limbs slightly, ate a little something, and looked at Rong Hu, saying, "Brother Rong, don't blame me for being nosy, but you didn't explain what happened to my sister-in-law yesterday. What exactly happened? Tell me, and perhaps I can help?" Rong Hu's face suddenly showed deep anger and hatred, and he spoke frankly, "I, Rong Hu, have been wandering the martial world for many years. Ten years ago, I met Bei Ying and was deceived by his tricks. I thought he was a chivalrous and courageous man, highly intelligent and skilled, so I founded the Iron Eagle Gang with him, determined to roam the martial world as a chivalrous hero." Upholding justice and protecting the innocent. Back then, the Iron Eagle Gang was nothing like it is today, a powerful gang outside the four great families, but utterly unknown. We painstakingly built our reputation, but unexpectedly, the gang's principles gradually changed. They resorted to extortion and plunder without regard for morality, committing arson, murder, rape, and robbery without restraint, essentially becoming a criminal organization. I, as the elder brother, was deeply dissatisfied but powerless to change it. I was considering taking my family and fleeing far away when, a year ago, your sister-in-law, that wicked woman, was seduced by that treacherous Northern Eagle, and the two committed adultery. Naturally, I am furious. He immediately sought out Bei Ying to reason with him, but unexpectedly, Bei Ying subdued him in just a few moves. However, Bei Ying didn't kill him and still allowed him to remain in his position as a member of the gang's punishment hall. He just used some strange finger technique to seal most of my power, causing me immense suffering this past year. He also instructed his trusted subordinates to constantly humiliate me. What's especially despicable is that he—" At this point, a deep-seated hatred and shame were revealed, and he choked out, "He actually made love with that harlot right in front of me! He's worse than a beast! If my power hadn't been mostly sealed, I..." "We're going to fight them!" Ding Chaowu nodded and interjected, "That's a kind of technique that seals the vital energy and cuts off the meridians. It's insidious and vicious, extremely difficult to cure, and even if you manage to cure it, it will leave many aftereffects. There aren't many people in the martial arts world who know it. Only a few top experts know it. I didn't expect that Bei Ying would also be proficient in this technique!" Rong Hu pondered in confusion, "Back then, his skills were not much different from mine. Even if he was stronger than me, it was only to a limited extent. In recent years, however, he has learned a strange and wonderful skill from somewhere, and gradually made the Iron Eagle Gang one of the 'East Village, West Fort, South Association, North Gang'." He sighed, trying to calm himself, and continued, "For the past year, I've been trying every possible way to escape and find my sister, who is the daughter-in-law of Dongzhuang, so that she can ask the Gong family to intervene and seek justice. However, Bei Ying is very wary of me, and opportunities are rare. A few days ago, a mysterious guest suddenly arrived in the gang. The usually arrogant Bei Ying was extremely respectful and flattering to him, even being extremely cautious in his every word and action, for fear of offending him. Taking advantage of the chaos in the gang, I managed to escape, but Bei Ying discovered me immediately. Fearing that he would lose face in front of the guest, he only struck me with a palm strike from a distance before sending his men to pursue me. Otherwise, I'm afraid I would have been captured before I even met my brothers!" Ding Chaowu said with a solemn expression, "He only struck me with a palm strike from a distance and he already severely injured my inner body?" Rong Hu said with embarrassment, "Yes, I'm really useless!" Ding Chaowu shook his head, secretly alarmed. If that were really the case, he was no match for Bei Ying. But such divine skill could probably only be achieved by figures like the Four Venerables of the World. Was Bei Ying really that powerful?

Seeing his silence, Rong Hu was also speechless for a moment, and the two remained silent. At this moment, the wooden door of the right wing was pushed open again, and Leng Xiaoshuang came out with the porcelain pot from earlier. Seeing the two of them like this, she blinked blankly and handed the porcelain pot to Ding Chaowu.

"Young Master Ding, thank you." Ding Chaowu took the porcelain pot indifferently, placed it casually on the wooden seat, nodded to her, and stared blankly out the window without saying a word.

Leng Xiaoshuang also stared blankly out the window, the light of the setting sun casting a desolate and lonely glow. There seemed to be something unseen in her eyes, carrying a sense of melancholy and bewilderment.

Rong Hu glanced at her indifferently, breaking the silence, and asked, "Is your grandfather's injury any better?" Leng Xiaoshuang blushed and said shyly, "A little better, thank you for your concern, uncle." Ding Chaowu suddenly snorted and turned around, asking, "Is the century-old suspension bridge with steel cables still standing over the Liushui River next to Zhenwei Escort Agency?" Leng Xiaoshuang paused for a moment, then immediately smiled and said, "Yes, that bridge is still there." Ding Chaowu stared coldly at Leng Xiaoshuang, his gaze sinister and chilling, and said, "The Thousand-Layer Stone by the Liushui River..." "Still unharmed?" Leng Xiaoshuang moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue and slowly said, "Why did you suddenly ask about these things, young hero?" Ding Chaowu smiled, his expression softening, and said, "Your grandfather said he came from Zhenwei Escort Agency. I've been there once, and I have a very deep impression of the suspension bridge and the Thousand-Layer Stone, so I just mentioned it casually. You probably don't usually pay much attention to these things there, do you?" Leng Xiaoshuang glanced at the white porcelain pot on the pine seat with a startled look, then silently entered the room, leaving Rong Hu with a face full of undisguised doubt.

After Leng Xiaoshuang closed the door, Rong Hu hurriedly said, "Brother Ding, just now—" Ding Chaowu quickly winked at him and smiled faintly, "Just now I was just teasing her. She is beautiful and charming, and I was just a gentleman who admires flowers, that's all." Rong Hu shut his mouth. He already realized that something was wrong, but he couldn't say anything. Ding Chaowu pointed to the door of the right wing room, indicating that he should be careful.

The room fell silent. Rong Hu stared nervously at the closed door of the right wing, while Ding Chaowu closed his eyes, feigning sleep, though his eyelashes fluttered almost imperceptibly.

The light inside gradually dimmed; night had fallen outside, and a whistling mountain wind blew in. Looking out the window, all that could be seen was an endless, empty darkness, devoid of stars and moon. Tonight, the night was as black as a spilled pool of ink.

The door to the right wing opened silently, and Leng Xiaoshuang emerged carrying the wooden tray that Ding Chaowu had brought in earlier, on which lay half a roasted duck, charred and burnt.

Rong Hu's voice was a little hoarse as he said, "Um, young lady, is there something you need?" Leng Xiaoshuang seemed startled, clutching her chest and timidly saying, "Oh, it's so quiet outside, I thought you two were both resting! I must have woken you up again, I'm so sorry..." Rong Hu stood up and said, "It's nothing, young lady, please give me this tray." Leng Xiaoshuang glanced sideways at Ding Chaowu's handsome face, which was closed, and said softly, "Is Young Master Ding asleep?" Rong Hu reached out and took the tray, also lowering his voice, "Yes." He put the tray... The bowl was handed over, and Leng Xiaoshuang glanced at the somewhat listless Rong Hu, her expression carrying a hidden meaning: "Uncle, are you injured?" Rong Hu chuckled dryly, mumbling, "Just a superficial injury, nothing serious." Leng Xiaoshuang looked around with her beautiful eyes for a while, as if trying to find a reason to stay a little longer. Rong Hu licked his lips, about to speak, when Leng Xiaoshuang suddenly swayed and stumbled forward. Rong Hu reached out to support her but then abruptly withdrew his hand. Leng Xiaoshuang stretched out her hands as if trying to grab something to support her body, and after swaying for a couple of steps, she finally managed to stand still.

Rong Hu grinned, asking with a puzzled look, "What's wrong, Miss?" Leng Xiaoshuang rubbed her forehead with her slender hand, saying softly, "I'm a little dizzy... I guess I've been too tired these past few days, and my vision is blurry..." Rong Hu smiled and said, "Then Miss, you should go and rest. You don't need to keep running around like this; don't let the old man and the young girl both fall asleep." Leng Xiaoshuang seemed to sense something from Rong Hu's words. Her pretty face tightened and then relaxed. She walked weakly into the room, swaying as if she were very uncomfortable.

Rong Hu suddenly sniffed, glanced around in confusion, then looked at Ding Chaowu, who remained unmoved. He frowned, shook his head, and sighed.

As Ding Chaowu closed his eyes to ponder the strange grandfather and grandson, he suddenly felt the fatigue and dizziness within him growing stronger, as if an invisible demonic hand was tightly gripping his heart. He had closed his eyes to rest precisely because of this, attributing it to exhaustion from his prolonged intimacy with Aunt Xin the previous night, and hadn't given it much thought. But now, as the condition worsened, Ding Chaowu knew something was wrong; he had been poisoned. But where had he been poisoned?

He abruptly stood up, only to feel as if the surroundings were spinning and leaping. A black mist rose before his eyes, and it was as if ten thunderclaps rang in his mind simultaneously. All the strength in his body suddenly vanished, leaving him weak and limp, overwhelmed by endless fatigue. He staggered and reached out his hands to grab onto something for support. He grabbed it—a human body, oh, it was Rong Hu. But how could he suddenly collapse like a mountain toppling over?

In his hazy confusion, a pretty face appeared in the dim black mist at the doorway of the room. Ding Chaowu felt a sense of déjà vu. He shook his head. Ah, right, it was Leng Xiaoshuang. She looked quite innocent, but why was her face, now filled with a vicious expression, smiling sinisterly, like a thousand-year-old witch from a deep mountain cave, draped in black veil and spending her days with bats, snakes, and insects!

Although Ding Chaowu felt increasingly exhausted and dizzy, his mind became clearer. He stumbled back several steps, gripping the wooden chair, and said in a low, hoarse voice, "Miss Leng..." The face moved closer, offering no reply but coldly staring at him, its tone a mixture of harshness and resentment, utterly bitter.

Ding Chaowu shook his head violently, hoarsely crying out, "What...what do you intend to do??" The face, seemingly both distant and close, began to take shape, shrouded in a mist, so familiar yet so strange. A faint, eerie voice seemed to come from the heavens, soft yet chilling: "Ding Chaowu, the net of heaven is vast, yet nothing escapes it. Now your luck has finally run out." Ding Chaowu rubbed his temples, struggling to ask, "Who exactly are you?" The icy voice, filled with deep-seated hatred, said, "You first harmed my sister, then murdered my fiancé! Ding Chaowu, you are a demon with a wolf's heart and a tiger's appearance! Today, you will give me justice!" Ding Chaowu shook his head again. In his dazed state, the face moved closer, revealing a face filled with resentment and venom.

Ding Chaowu tried to gather his inner energy, but his once smooth and flowing inner energy seemed to have withered and become weak. No matter what method he used, he couldn't gather it. Even the thirty percent of the "Myriad Manifestations Returning to Origin Divine Skill" given to him by Ding Linchuan, one of the Four Venerables of the World, was useless. He gritted his teeth, roared with a thunderous fury, and with all his might, his palms, slightly retracted, suddenly shot out like two steel blades—swift, vicious, and ruthless! A scream followed by a roar, and Ding Chaowu's mind went blank, his vision instantly plunging into darkness. He collapsed to the ground… He drifted aimlessly, not knowing how much time had passed, as if floating and sinking in a hazy, dreamlike state, light, empty, and involuntary.

Ding Chaowu weakly struggled to open his eyes, feeling his eyelids heavy and brittle, as if weighed down by a thousand pounds, his bones aching and weak as if they were about to shatter. He slowly closed his eyes, and only opened them again after a long while.

He saw a damp, dark, semi-circular dome, with a dimly lit oil lamp hanging below. In its faint light, he could vaguely make out that it was a square room with four stone walls.

Beneath him lay moldy, blackened straw, the stench of decay filling his nostrils, foul and unbearable. He quickly realized that his hands were bound with heavy steel shackles, his waist was fastened with iron rings as thick as a child's arm, and his feet were shackled. The shackles and iron rings were connected to two thick iron chains, which dragged down to two huge iron rings deeply embedded in the stone wall. Any slight movement of his body would produce a creaking sound.

Ding Chaowu closed his eyes and quietly pondered where he was and how he had gotten here. Biting his lower lip, he gradually deduced that he must have had some kind of grudge against Leng Xiaoshuang and that old man in his early years, and had hurt some of their relatives, which was why they would take revenge by kidnapping him here.

Ding Chaowu licked his lips, which were already cracked and parched, and his throat was incredibly bitter. He struggled to turn his body, feeling extremely thirsty and painful. His limbs and bones were completely powerless, as if he had just recovered from a serious illness, and he couldn't muster any strength at all.

Suddenly, he heard a slight metallic clanging sound. A moment later, part of the room slowly opened. It was the stone door of part of the stone chamber, more than two feet thick. Four burly men were pushing it with great difficulty! There

was a low conversation at the door. A moment later, three figures came in. Ding Chaowu squinted and saw that it was Leng Ranqi and his granddaughter Leng Xiaoshuang. Standing next to them was a person with a somewhat sullen expression.

The three slowly approached him. The old man, Leng Ranqi, kicked him and said coldly, "Ding Chaowu, you should wake up." Ding Chaowu replied hoarsely, "I am awake. Has your injury healed, sir?" Leng Ranqi snorted, "You think this kind of scene is interesting, don't you?" Ding Chaowu smiled indifferently and asked, puzzled, "Old man, when did I ever offend you?" Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly felt a blur before his eyes, and his handsome face was stinging with four slaps. Leng Xiaoshuang's voice was full of hatred, and she choked out, "Ding Chaowu, do you still remember six years ago..." "The woman you met on the Sichuan-Western Road, the one you spent three months with?" Ding Chaowu pondered. "Six years ago, the Sichuan-Western Road? Oh, her name is Leng Xiaoye!" He then exclaimed in surprise, "Your sister?" Leng Xiaoshuang sobbed, "You, surnamed Ding, spend your days indulging in pleasure and wallowing in the company of women. How many girls' purity have you ruined? It's amazing that you can still remember my poor sister." Ding Chaowu's face showed a hint of agitation as he said, "Xiaoye has a sister, why didn't she tell me? In the years since we separated, I've always thought of her. I wonder how she is now!" Leng Xiaoshuang Her voice was laced with unspoken sarcasm and mockery as she sobbed, "My sister is so lucky! To have that charming young master Lianhua so devoted to her! Haha!" Ding Chaowu quickly retorted, "Miss, you misunderstand me. That day, I didn't abandon your sister because I didn't want to toy with her. It was just that a family crisis occurred, and my elders urgently summoned me back. I had no choice; I was extremely reluctant at the time!" Leng Xiaoshuang said coldly, "Ding Chaowu, you are indeed sharp-tongued. No wonder my sister was so deceived by you, so devoted to you until death! Young Master Lianhua..." "Your reputation is truly well-deserved!" Ding Chaowu sensed the sarcasm in her voice and smiled bitterly, "Miss, how much do you know about me and your sister? There must be some misunderstanding! Where is your sister now? Does she know you've done this to me?" Leng Xiaoshuang gritted her teeth and said excitedly, "You dare ask about my sister? You devil! You've ruined her, and now you're still putting on this hypocritical act! You, surnamed Ding, a frivolous and dissolute playboy, how many girls have you deceived with your handsome appearance and sweet words? My poor sister was also seduced by you using the same methods." "Hands!" With a helpless, bitter smile, she continued, "My sister told me everything about you and her. So don't try to deny it! You two met and fell in love at first sight in a restaurant; later, as you spent time together, you gradually realized that you had fallen in love with each other."

The flame deep in Leng Xiaoshuang's eyes softened, as if a dream or mist was floating around them. At this moment, she seemed to have transformed into her sister, lost in sweet memories of the past, saying, "You two were inseparable, inseparable, in the flowers, under the moon, in the secluded forest, by the stream, even..." As they embraced and caressed each other in bed, they made countless vows of eternal love and promises to remain faithful. At that time, my sister was wholeheartedly determined to marry you, revealing everything about herself to you: the members of our Leng family, our unique skills, even the 'Miantian Diagram,' a family heirloom passed down through generations… Her preferences, her ideals—she told you everything without reservation. And you, still not having had your fill of her, blinded by love, reciprocated with equal intensity, repeatedly swearing to marry her and vowing to love her forever.” Leng Xiaoshuang’s expression suddenly turned icy, her eyes momentarily clouded with tenderness. The illusion vanished, replaced by a cold, razor-sharp glint, like the flickering tongues of two venomous snakes. She gritted her teeth and said, "How pitiful, how pathetic, how foolish my sister was back then! What made her so blinded and infatuated? She was so naive, ignorant, and absurd! The inevitable outcome has finally happened—you were together for over three months, but starting in the third month, your attitude gradually changed. First, you barely managed to get along, then you became perfunctory, then indifferent, and later you simply showed your true colors to my sister. At first, she was terrified and confused, not knowing what she had done to offend you." "What did you do to offend your beloved? Your usually proud sister became even more gentle and considerate, serving you with utmost care and devotion, cautious and timid, like a pitiful little wife suffering endless grievances and fearing her husband's divorce decree, always yielding, tolerating, and flattering you. But you, you wicked Ding, have become even more wicked. Besides scolding, mocking, and insulting her, you even physically assaulted her, repeatedly..." Ding Chaowu listened expressionlessly as this extreme young woman recounted these words she had heard from somewhere, remaining silent throughout.

Leng Xiaoshuang gritted her teeth and said hatefully, "You, surnamed Ding, often beat my sister until her hair was disheveled and her skin was torn open. You also often splashed her with dirty water and burned her with candles. You laughed wildly and became more and more proud when my sister begged for mercy in pain. In fact, if our Leng family's hidden weapon technique, the Shadow Needle, were used, even if it didn't kill you, you self-important madman, it would at least seriously injure you. But my sister couldn't bear it... She only knew to grit her teeth and endure the pain and beg for mercy. No matter how you abused and humiliated her, she had no complaints. As long as you didn't abandon her and kick her away, my sister would be willing to be a mistress or a concubine." Taking a breath, Leng Xiaoshuang continued, "Then, on the morning of the third month and eleventh day after we met, my sister braved the north wind and went outside..." "I went to buy him his favorite breakfast and came back, but you were already gone. You left so decisively, without even a note or a word. You kicked her away like a worn-out shoe, without even a glance back..." Ding Chaowu was too lazy to explain further to this stubborn woman who was already prejudiced. He said indifferently, "And then, what happened to your sister?" Seeing Ding Chaowu's indifferent reaction, Leng Xiaoshuang became even more furious. She said angrily, "She actually died for you, you heartless and ungrateful bastard! Are you even more smug now? Haha, Young Master Lianhua has always been good at manipulating women, and now you have added another achievement to your list, ahahaha!" She laughed wildly, her expression terrifying.

Ding Chaowu waited for her laughter to subside before calmly asking, "Who told you all this?" The wretched-looking man suddenly stepped forward and slapped Ding Chaowu repeatedly, leaving his face covered in blood and bruises, his ears ringing like thunder.

Taking advantage of the moment Leng Xiaoshuang was talking incessantly, Ding Chaowu quietly focused his mind, breathing in and out slowly, swallowing each breath and exhaling gently. He tried his best to keep his mind clear and unaffected by her words, ignoring Ding Linchuan's repeated warnings against external interference during his practice. He forcefully used the "Return of All Things to the Origin" technique to gather the extremely weak remaining wisp of true energy, slowly channeling it through the bridge of heaven and earth into his dantian, then exhaling it through the bridge of heaven and earth, contracting his acupoints and meridians as much as possible to enhance the strength of his true energy. All

he needed now was time.

Suddenly, a person approached. This person had a face covered in stubble and stubble, hair like wild grass, short arms and legs, narrow shoulders and a pointed face, looking somewhat rat-like. At this moment, he took a step forward and slapped Ding Chaowu repeatedly with both palms, leaving his face covered in blood and swollen, his ears ringing like thunder.

He laughed wildly, "It's me! So what? Now that you're about to die, you still pretend to be so nonchalant. I'll let you play the hero again, hehe!" Ding Chaowu licked his bleeding lips and asked suspiciously, "What is your esteemed name?" He smiled coldly and said in a deep voice, "I am Chu Xuan Ni, the master of the Kuaiyi Hall!" Ding Chaowu thought for a moment and said, "Thousand-Handed Yama?" Chu Xuan Ni said with a face full of arrogance, "What?" Ding Chaowu said disdainfully, "Nothing much. I just think that the successor of one of the three great hidden weapons of the martial arts world, the 'Shadow Needle,' actually used such despicable and underhanded means to assassinate me! I'm afraid even Old Master Leng wouldn't let you off if he found out." "Thousand-Handed Yama Chu Xuan Ni's eyes snapped open, and he said fiercely, "You surnamed Ding, how did you treat your beloved Junior Sister Xiao Ye back then? Now, no matter how the Leng family deals with you, you heartless bastard, it won't be too much! Trying to provoke me won't work!" Ding Chao Wu said in a deep voice, "So, the things Miss Leng Xiao Shuang said just now were what you told her?" Chu Xuan Ni's lips twitched, and he said sinisterly, "That's right. You surnamed Ding, you abandoned Junior Sister Xiao Ye that day, causing her to be heartbroken and even commit suicide. I happened to be passing through Xichuan and saved her. I originally wanted to seek justice from you, but..." Ding Chao Wu burst into wild laughter, his teeth clenched, and said coldly, "But... but you knew that if you came fair and square, your Shadow-Shooting Needles would definitely be no match for my 'Water Cloud String Qin Sword'! So you could only plot and scheme to ambush me."

"Chu Xuan Ni, you call yourself 'Thousand-Handed Yama,' haha, haha!" Chu Xuan Ni chuckled wickedly, slapping Ding Chao Wu's handsome face repeatedly, sending it reeling from side to side, blood splattering everywhere.

He continued for a while, until even his hands, skilled at throwing hidden weapons, grew tired, before finally stopping amidst his laughter. He roared, "Leaving aside the Shadow Needles, could your prized 'Water Cloud String Qin Sword' possibly save you from this wretched state?

One of the Three Young Masters of the Martial World? Heh heh, and you still got beaten black and blue by me!" Ding Chaowu's upper and lower lips were cracked, and his cheeks were a dark purple. He moved his swollen mouth and said nonchalantly, "This is just the beginning. Chu Xuanni, the Kuaiyi Hall is known for its unparalleled skills in torture. Now that I am in your hands, does Master Chu not want me to experience your hall's unique techniques?" Chu Xuanni smiled coldly and said in a sinister voice, "You're not stupid, Ding. No wonder you're so popular with women!

Our hall's special tortures for martial artists are indeed yet to come. Don't be impatient. In the next few days, you will experience them one by one!" The old man Leng Ranqi stepped forward and said impatiently, "Nephew Chu, no need to waste words with him. Let's begin with the first one." Chu Xuanni nodded in agreement, "Uncle Shangguan, you probably wish you could burn this fellow immediately, don't you?" Leng Ranqi smiled noncommittally, and Ding Chaowu said in a somewhat choked voice, "Old man, you..." "Not surnamed Leng?" Leng Ranqi slowly turned around, staring fiercely at him, and said with each word distinct and deliberate, "I am not surnamed Leng, but Shangguan Ranqi. Xiaoshuang is my niece. Moreover, my disciple Wang Shichong died at your hands three years ago!" Ding Chaowu recalled, "Wang Shichong was your disciple? That time, in order to rob the pearl and jade ring protected by Zhenwei Escort Agency, he killed fourteen people, and then even tried to rape Lu Xiuxiu, the young girl accompanying the chief escort Lu Zhongming. He was truly despicable and deserved to die..." The old man, whose real name was Shangguan Ranqi, stared at Ding Chaowu, and said stiffly, as if each word was squeezed out from between his teeth, "I won't slap your mouth, Ding Chaowu. I will let you try something even more delicious." He nodded to Chu Xuanni, who immediately smiled venomously and shouted, "Guards!" With the shout, two burly men dressed in lake-patterned robes entered from outside the stone gate, each holding a square red lacquered wooden box about a foot in size.

Chu Xuanni blinked, then said wickedly, "Go and serve the famous Young Master Ding. Make sure he's comfortable." The two men bowed slightly to Chu Xuanni, respectfully saying, "We obey the Hall Master's orders," and approached Ding Chaowu expressionlessly. One of them opened his red lacquered wooden box, took out a sharp ox-horn knife, and lightly plucked a hair to test it. The hair was easily severed. He smiled with satisfaction, dipped the ox-horn knife into a bottle of black liquid inside the box, and after a moment, took it out. He then tore open Ding Chaowu's clothes, revealing his smooth, white chest, which had been adorned with countless women.

The man's eyes widened, his nostrils flared cruelly, and he slowly slashed at Ding Chaowu's skin with the ox-horn knife. The blade was so sharp that even a slight touch drew a shallow, inch-long gash.

Ding Chaowu's lips twitched slightly before returning to calm. He lay there with his eyes half-closed, seemingly indifferent.

The knife-wielder continued cutting, one gash after another, until he made the tenth cut before putting the knife down. The moment he laid the knife down, Ding Chaowu felt an unbearable, tingling, and itching sensation at the cuts, growing increasingly intense, like thousands of ants writhing and gnawing at him in excruciating pain.

He gritted his teeth, his face remaining expressionless. After a long while, the knife-wielder, noticing his lack of reaction, glanced, somewhat puzzled, at the bottle of black liquid in the box.

Chu Xuanni said coldly, "No need to look, this medicine won't lose its effect. Young Master Ding, as a great figure in the martial arts world, possesses exceptional endurance. Liu Yidao, give him a little more." Liu Yidao agreed, picked up the bottle, and poured it onto Ding Chaowu's chest. Ding Chaowu immediately felt a burning sensation; the tingling and itching pain suddenly intensified tenfold, as if a needle pierced his flesh, drilling straight to his bone marrow.

Under the watchful eyes of five pairs of people, Ding Chaowu forced himself to endure. He simply couldn't bring himself to wail in front of a beautiful woman, even though she was the culprit behind his current misfortune. He clenched his teeth so tightly they almost broke, but his face remained calm as he focused intently on gathering his inner strength.

Although it wouldn't be possible to fully recover his strength in this short time—it would take at least a day and a night—he knew that without internal energy to protect him, he would definitely not survive this ordeal.

After a while, Chu Xuanni sneered, "Ding, if I can't make you writhe in agony, I'll have failed to live up to my title of the Hall of Joy!" Ding Chaowu cautiously tried to channel the true energy within his dantian, but as soon as he exerted a little effort, the energy crumbled like a loosely clenched snowball.

He couldn't help but smile bitterly and sigh inwardly! Seeing that he was still smiling, Shangguan Ranqi snorted angrily and kicked him in the right cheek. Blood gushed from his toe, and a bloody gash appeared instantly!

Liu Yidao, crouching on the ground, swiftly grabbed a pinch of salt from the wooden box and stuffed it into the wound on Ding Chaowu's face, slapping him across the face as well.

Ding Chaowu lay quietly on his back, seemingly devoid of feeling; having lost his divine power, he was utterly powerless.

Chu Xuanni frowned and gestured to another man standing quietly with his hands at his sides. That man crouched down, opened the wooden box, and took out a five-inch-long wooden stick with a golden handle, about the thickness of a copper coin, with a thick layer of purple glue-like substance at the tip. He forcefully pressed the stick against Ding Chaowu's chest and then suddenly pulled it out! As a result, a piece of skin the size of a copper coin on Ding Chaowu's body was forcibly torn off with the stick!

The man kept pressing down and pulling up, pulling up and pressing down, and soon the skin on Ding Chaowu's arms, chest, and ribs was a bloody mess, with a pitiful blood seeping into the tender red flesh.

Liu Yidao, squatting nearby, grinned, grabbed a handful of salt, and slowly sprinkled it onto the wounds, then vigorously rubbed the salt-soaked wounds.

Ding Chaowu groaned softly, his body trembling involuntarily, his blood-stained face contorting violently.

Chu Xuanni spat forcefully into Ding Chaowu's face, then held out ten steel needles in his hands.

Chu Xuanni slowly squatted down, took Ding Chaowu's slender hands, examined them for a moment, and clicked his tongue, saying, "What a pair of slender, white hands, as delicate as a woman's. Heh, I, Chu, will perform a ritual for him." He took out the steel needles, lightly dipped them in black medicine, and, amidst Ding Chaowu's screams, inserted them into the nail beds, the needles penetrating deep into the finger bones. Gushing,

purplish-red blood flowed from his palms, which trembled violently; the excruciating pain caused his body to shudder uncontrollably.

After a long while, Chu Xuan stood up with satisfaction and shouted, "Liu Yidao, release that box of 'Crimson Blood Poison Ants' and let them taste the blood of a martial arts master." Liu Yidao responded and took out a small jade box, about an inch square, from the wooden box. It was covered with countless tiny, pinprick-sized air holes. He gently opened it, and inside, countless tiny, crimson ants were wriggling, each with sharp, gaping teeth, utterly repulsive. Leng Ranqi glanced at them and couldn't help but shudder, goosebumps rising all over her body.

Liu Yidao tilted the jade box, and the entire box of Crimson Blood Poison Ants poured onto Ding Chaowu. These vile insects, smelling the blood, immediately scrambled to crawl onto the wound, gathering in the bloody mess and frantically gnawing at it. In swarms and clusters, one could almost hear the grating sound of flesh being sucked.

Shangguan Ranqi watched all this with great interest, while Leng Xiaoshuang stared wide-eyed, her nostrils flaring rapidly. Although she hated Ding Chaowu to the core, how could she, who had always been pampered at home, have imagined such cruel torture!

Seeing that Ding Chaowu's breathing was gradually weakening, Chu Xuanni feared that he would not be able to hold on, and stopped him, saying, "Let's stop here for today!

Uncle-Master Shangguan, we can't let this kid die so easily. Let him live, and we can dismember his limbs tomorrow, how about that?" Shangguan Ranqi chuckled dryly, "It's all up to Nephew Chu!" Chu Xuanni stared at Ding Chaowu with a cold face for a while, and said in a sinister tone, "Ding, what you sowed that day, you reap today. Accept your fate!" With a flick of his sleeve, he and the others withdrew, and the heavy stone door slowly closed again.

The stone chamber, now as silent as an ancient tomb, was eerily quiet. The lamplight flickered like will-o'-the-wisps, and a heavy stench of blood hung in the air.

Twilight descended, mist and clouds drifted, and a solitary peak rose faintly into the distance, like a crescent moon hanging obliquely above the treetops, casting a pale glow.

The peak, about four or five hundred feet in circumference, had sheer cliffs as sharp as blades, smooth as mirrors, barren of any vegetation. At a height of several tens of feet, lush pines and firs grew on the cliffs, interspersed with exotic flowers and plants, their rich fragrance permeating the air.

Suddenly, the sound of galloping hooves echoed in the distance, followed by the rapid beat of drums. In the vast twilight, two white horses, their coats as white as snow, galloped towards the peak.

The riders were a young man and woman; the man, barely twenty, had a handsome face and red lips, broad shoulders and a slender waist, and was exceptionally handsome. A long sword inlaid with gold and jade draped over his left shoulder.

The young woman was only twenty-nine years old, with an oval face, eyebrows like distant mountains, a delicate nose, cherry lips, bright eyes, white teeth, a snow-white neck, and incredibly smooth, fair skin. Her skin was so delicate and supple that it blushed in the wind, as if it would burst with moisture at the slightest touch. Her skin shimmered with iridescent light, and under the hazy moonlight, she seemed like a fairy descended to earth. A crescent-shaped, seven-stringed zither, its brownish-yellow color simple and elegant, hung from her right shoulder

. The two leaped off their mounts. The young man glanced down into the shadows below the cliff and laughed loudly, "Is Master Chu of the Kuaiyi Hall here?" Suddenly, three dark figures darted out from the shadows, their movements swift and agile. The leader was an old man with a gray face and an iron beard. He glanced at the two handsome young men and beautiful women, both blessed with the essence of heaven and earth, and asked in a deep voice, "Master Chu is not here. Who are you two, daring to trespass on the important grounds of our branch? What regard do you have for the dignity of the Kuaiyi Hall!" The young man replied, "My sister and I are the sword and zither attendants under the 'Qin Jian' (Sword and Zither) Master of the Dieyi Society. I am the sword attendant Zhu Longyang, and this is the zither attendant Zhu Fengxiang. We were in a hurry and had no time to think it over. Please forgive us if we have offended you!" The old man was shocked and his expression changed drastically. It should be known that the Dieyi Society was a powerful gang in the south, ranking alongside the Huanbi Manor, Dongjiabao, and Tieying Gang, which dominated the martial arts world in the east, west, and north. They were known as the four great sects of the world and were the most powerful combination outside of the four great families.

Zhuang Qingyin, the leader of the Butterfly Robe Society, nicknamed "Qin Jian" (琴剑, literally "Sword and Qin"), was one of the "Three Beauties and Two Flying Qin and Xiao Palms" (三艳双飞琴箫掌, literally "Three Beauties and Two Flying Qin and Xiao Palms"), renowned in the martial arts world thirty years ago. She later retired from the martial arts world for a period. More than ten years ago, she returned to the martial arts world, reorganizing the Butterfly Robe Society, causing a sensation. Not only was she a master

of martial arts, but she was also dashing and unconventional, captivating countless women and incurring numerous romantic entanglements. Even though her former glory has faded, her scandals and anecdotes continue to circulate. This old man was usually quite proud of his skills, relying on the strength of the Kuaiyi Hall to dominate the Lingnan region for many years. However, seeing the two people before him claiming to be Zhuang Qingyin's two disciples, clearly favored and extraordinary, he couldn't help but think that he had to be careful. The Butterfly Robe Society was not one to be easily defeated; he lest he cause trouble for the Kuaiyi Hall, which was also located in the south.

With a beaming smile, he bowed respectfully and said, "So you two are disciples of Master Zhuang, the grandmaster of the Southern Martial Arts World. Truly auspicious creatures, your bearing is extraordinary! May I ask what brings you here?" The young man, Zhu Longyang, returned the bow, saying, "You flatter me, sir. I am truly unworthy of such praise! May I ask your esteemed name?" The gray-faced, iron-bearded old man replied, "My humble name is Wu Xing, and I am in charge of the Lingnan branch of the Kuaiyi Hall. It is a secluded place, and you may not have heard of me, young hero?" Zhu Longyang raised his eyebrows and said, "So you are Senior Wu, the Iron-Bearded Scholar! Your unique 'Iron Beard Skill' is unparalleled among all martial arts schools, and our guild master highly praises it." Upon hearing that the renowned Dieyi Guild Master also knew him, Wu Xing, was quite proud and stroked his beard, saying with a touch of embarrassment:

"I am but a commoner, insignificant among the masses of the martial world. I never expected that the Lord of the Wu Clan would listen to me. I am deeply terrified." Zhu Longyang's handsome face was full of anxiety as he hurriedly said, "Master Wu, my brother and I have come here to ask you something. Please do not hesitate to tell us!" Wu Xing said generously, "Young hero, there is no need for such formalities. Please speak!" Zhu Longyang said, "I have a senior brother. Recently, the Lord summoned him to discuss important matters, but we found that he had suddenly disappeared without a trace. He then ordered my brother and me to find him at all costs, or else he would be severely punished! We have been tracing his usual residence and have discovered that he may have been framed and has lost his freedom. When we arrived here, someone said that they had seen someone who looked exactly like Senior Brother Ding." Wu Xing interjected in surprise, "Could your senior brother be the renowned 'Loving Flower Gentleman' Ding Chaowu?" The young zither player Zhu Fengxiang, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke in a sweet, bell-like voice: "Indeed!" Wu Xingqi said, "Young Master Ding possesses the true teachings of both the Ding family of Jiangnan and the Butterfly Robe Society, making him a rare young talent in this world. Who has the ability to abduct him? You two are not mistaken, are you? Perhaps he is lingering somewhere, reluctant to leave!" Zhu Fengxiang understood that the other party was referring to her senior brother's "pity for flowers" habit. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she said impatiently:

"Why are you so long-winded, old man? Although Senior Brother Ding often roams the martial world, his whereabouts are always unpredictable, but whenever he arrives in a new place, he always contacts all the branches of our organization. If the headquarters loses contact with him, there will be a reply within five days at most. But it has been more than twenty days since we heard from him. If something hadn't happened, why would this be?" At this point, his voice was tinged with tears, and after a slight pause, he continued, "Moreover, all the clues my brother and I have found along the way are bad! We arrived here only to find that we had suddenly lost all traces, and since you are the only martial arts sect here, of course we had to come and inquire! Don't try to deny it, or I won't be polite!" A man standing solemnly behind Wu Xing said. Clearly unaware of the other party's powerful background, they were used to acting arrogantly. Seeing their leader being openly criticized and insulted by outsiders, even though the leader treated them with utmost respect, they were enraged and disregarded their own safety. They shouted, "You little brat, do you think we're hiding your so-called senior brother? He's not a beautiful woman, what use would we brothers have for him? You're just greenhorns, yet you dare to speak so arrogantly..." With a sharp crack, Zhu Fengxiang's wrist flicked, and the riding crop she held lashed the man's right cheek. Before the man could even scream, a sharp pain shot through his eyes, and he cried out, clutching his face, blood seeping from between his fingers.

Zhu Fengxiang roared, "This man is blind and speaks rudely; don't blame me for being ruthless!" Wu Xing, who had been embarrassed and ashamed, was now greatly alarmed and took a step back. Zhu Longyang's handsome face darkened. He glanced at his sister and apologized to Wu Xing, saying, "My sister was anxious about her senior brother's whereabouts and didn't know her own strength. Please forgive her, Master Wu! But if your esteemed hall has truly seen something, I hope you will inform us to avoid further conflict and casualties. Otherwise, Master Wu will have a hard time explaining to Master Chu Xuanni!" Upon hearing the other party's words, which were soft yet firm and contained a strong threat, and seeing that Zhai Kan, a master of his own hall and a good friend of his, had rolled on the ground and died, Wu Xing, being an arrogant person, although he tried his best not to make enemies with the Dieyi Society, could no longer tolerate the other party's overbearing behavior. He shouted, "You two have gone too far! I will fight you to the death!" He raised his head, his long beard fluttering, and was about to step forward to challenge them to a fight.

Zhu Longyang burst into loud laughter, advising, "Master Wu, don't let a moment of impulsive courage cost you your life!" Although Wu Xing was afraid of the opponent's brief display of skill, he was now forced into a corner and could not retreat. Otherwise, how could he face the martial arts world? The brothers hidden in the sect around him would no longer obey him. He immediately adopted a determined expression, but stopped in his tracks, roaring, "Are you sure your brother and sister can win? You should know that this is the Kuaiyi Hall, not the Dieyi Society!" Zhu Longyang's eyes were filled with disdain as he coldly said, "Master Wu probably suddenly remembered that there are still a hundred or so of your sect's disciples hiding at the bottom of this cliff, so your courage suddenly increased. Hmph, in my eyes, these people are nothing but chickens and dogs, how can they be defeated?" As he spoke, he stretched out his wrist and pressed his shoulder. With a dragon's roar, a blue rainbow shot out, and a chilling aura swept through the air.

Wu Xing, with his sharp eyes and extensive knowledge, recognized that the sword in Zhu Longyang's hand was the Heavenly Soul Divine Sword, one of the seven most famous swords in the martial world. His already low spirits deflated further, and he was about to speak up to make peace

when suddenly, Zhu Longyang shot out like lightning, lunging at an old, gnarled pine tree at the foot of the cliff. His right wrist lashed out, as if a thousand swords were unleashed simultaneously, a dazzling blue rainbow descending upon them.

With a muffled thud, seven or eight figures plummeted from the tree like severed threads, crashing to the ground, each one pierced through the chest and abdomen, dead.

Wu Xing saw this with remarkable clarity, his mind reeling. He let out a long howl, and many figures flashed out from the shadows below the cliff, rushing towards them.

Zhu Fengxiang said coquettishly, "Are you relying on your numbers? Brother, step back! Let me test my newly taught 'Zheng Jin Soul-Destroying' technique!" She swiftly removed the seven-stringed zither.

Zhu Longyang responded and quickly retreated, sheathing his sword. He solemnly said, "The zither is a peerless art of soul-destroying power. Little sister, you must carefully follow the leader's instructions and control the intensity, lest you commit further sins and offend Heaven." Zhu Fengxiang's beautiful face was also extremely serious. She nodded and said, "Little sister understands, brother, don't worry." As soon as she finished speaking, her slender fingers gently plucked a zither string. The zither's sound was crisp and clear, spreading with the wind, and was extremely pleasant to the ear. However, when it reached the ears of everyone in the Kuaiyi Hall, it was like thunder and lightning, shaking their true energy to the point of almost dissipating, and their faces changed drastically.

The iron-bearded scholar Wu Xing's face turned ashen, his heart filled with alarm. He thought to himself, "I've long heard that Zhuang Qingyin possesses a sonic killing technique that has been lost to the martial arts world for over five hundred years. Now it seems that her reputation is well-deserved; she can kill without leaving a trace, shaking one's soul! What should I do now?" Just as he was struggling to resist with his internal energy, at a loss for what to do, he saw Zhu Fengxiang's slender jade fingers continuously pluck the zither. The clear, crisp sound was mixed with the sound of killing, and a gust of wind shot out. Suddenly, she changed to pluck the second string, with a loud bang and a continuous buzzing.

The people of Kuaiyi Hall around him screamed in agony, most of them their hearts shattered, blood gushing from their mouths, ears, eyes, and noses as they collapsed to the ground.

At this moment, Zhu Fengxiang, dressed in simple white, had a slight, delicate frown, her expression reflecting the pale spring clouds, as if she couldn't bear to witness the tragic scene of bloodshed around her. Her elegant demeanor was serene, her gaze like autumn water, as she focused intently on plucking the strings of her zither. Her

jade-like face was calm, revealing a hint of white teeth, and she recited along with the music: "The spring scenery is beautiful, butterflies flutter and sink, brocade flowers smile, worth a thousand pieces of gold.

Jade branches clatter, producing wondrous sounds, elegant melodies flow freely across the embankment.

The beautiful hibiscus stirs your heart, stirs your heart, when will you appreciate it?

I wish to be a pair of lovebirds, intertwined branches, one day flying around the peaks of Wushan."

The voice was soft and gentle, like the tender whispers of lovers. But Wu Xing, who was listening so close by, was deathly pale. His long, beautiful beard, which he had mastered with extraordinary skills, flew out of his hand in anger. His upright body swayed precariously, and a trace of blood clung to the corner of his mouth. It was clear that his internal organs had been injured by the true energy contained in the strange music played by Zhu Fengxiang. He could not hold on for long and would soon collapse like the others in the Lingnan Altar of Kuaiyi Hall. Zhu Longyang watched everything with a disdainful smile on his handsome face. He stood upright, his white robes fluttering in the wind.

Suddenly, a high-pitched, resounding cry arose from ten feet away, and someone sang: "Swiftly reach out and seize the flying arrow. Accustomed to the ups and downs of the world, I carry my zither and let out a long cry from the divine land. I intend to boil white stones amidst the mist and clouds, and hear the cry of the red crane on the moonlit azure peak. My youthful beauty and virtuous nature were not always secure, and my flowery face and jade-like countenance have turned to dust. I have wasted spring and autumn in the fragrant thickets, and the joys of the past and present are endless." With this high-pitched cry, a figure swift as a flying horse rushed to Wu Xing's side, supporting the nearly collapsing Wu Xing with his left arm, and with his right arm as fast as lightning, placing it on his back, channeling a life-saving internal energy.

The song that this person sang was all too familiar to the Zhu siblings; it was a poem by a martial arts figure describing their master, "Qin Jian" Zhuang Qingyin, for her unparalleled and extraordinary character, and representing Zhuang Qingyin's prestige in the martial arts world. Now, the person who sang it had come all the way here, and they were all shaken.

Zhu Fengxiang's mind was immediately disturbed. The true energy in his body was drawn by the whistling sound, and it flowed out of the meridians that guided this earth-shattering "Zither Imprint Soul Destroyer". His slender fingers trembled slightly, and he plucked the strings. The composition was already in disarray, and the soul-destroying sound could no longer continue. The lingering zither music gradually dissipated into the empty space!

Zhu Longyang's expression changed slightly. He silently watched the newcomer use his profound skills to heal Wu Xing's injuries, but he did nothing.

After a moment, he exclaimed in astonishment, "Is the newcomer Chu Xuan, the master of the Kuaiyi Hall?" The man let out a long sigh, removed his hand from Wu Xing's back, and nodded upon hearing this, saying, "Young hero, your guess is correct. Your sister's zither playing skills have been truly passed down by Master Zhuang, and are truly astonishing. If it weren't for her, few in the Kuaiyi Hall could withstand her." Zhu Longyang gave the other party a deep look and said solemnly, "My master once said that among the martial arts in the South, Master Chu's skills are at their peak and no weaker than his. He is considered a formidable and ruthless enemy. Now it seems that what my master said is indeed true! Master Chu must have arrived long ago, right? We were completely unaware. We are truly ashamed and have brought great shame upon my master!"

Chu Xuan Ni, his stern face marred by disheveled hair, nodded slightly and said, "The only difference between my arrival and that of your brother and sister was the timing of our arrival." He paused, then questioned, "Your brother and sister, relying on the unique skills taught by your master, injured so many people in our hall. I wonder what explanation you two have for this?" Zhu Long Yang's face darkened, and he said, "It's only because your hall's members had ill intentions that my sister was able to punish them lightly! Hall Master Chu is a grandmaster of his sect, and we hope you can make a clear judgment. If Hall Master Chu is determined to protect his own, my brother and I have nothing to fear! Whether we are friends or enemies is entirely up to Hall Master Chu's discretion." Chu Xuan Ni's expression immediately turned icy. He knew that the Butterfly Robe Society was the overlord of the South and could not be easily provoked. Moreover, he had secretly detained Ding Chao Wu, an important figure of the other side. Once a conflict broke out, it would inevitably be discovered. The Kuaiyi Hall could not afford to offend the Butterfly Robe Society for the time being, and it was best to endure it for now. Suppressing his anger, Chu Xuan Ni slowly ran his hands through his disheveled hair and forced a smile, saying, "I know for certain that the behavior of our men was inappropriate. They have always been arrogant and conceited. Now that your brother and sister are willing to teach them a lesson, I am more than happy to accept it. How could I blame them? You flatter me

, young hero!" Zhu Long looked up with surprise, seemingly unable to believe that the arrogant Chu Xuan Ni would be so agreeable. He praised, "Master Chu is a master of his generation. He is indeed strict in disciplining the rules. No wonder Kuaiyi Hall is thriving and growing stronger under your leadership!" Chu Xuan Ni was pleased, and his hawk-like face could not hide his pride. He said humbly, "You flatter me! You flatter me!" Zhu Feng Xiang had been listening quietly all along. Seeing the two of them talking so incoherently, she was secretly annoyed and couldn't help but give her brother a wink. Knowing his sister's anxiety about Ding Chaowu's safety, Zhu Longyang asked Chu Xuanni, "Does Hall Master Chu know the whereabouts of my senior brother Ding Chaowu? If you could tell us, we would be eternally grateful. In the future, not only my sister and I, but the entire Butterfly Robe Society will surely repay your kindness!" A glint of cunning flashed in Chu Xuanni's eyes, which he quickly concealed, and he shook his head, saying, "I truly do not know the whereabouts of Young Master Ding. What Hall Master Wu of this sect said earlier was true. Please do not take offense!" The Zhu siblings looked utterly disappointed, and Zhu Fengxiang's eyes were misty, tears welling up. Zhu Longyang sighed:

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