【Ten Scenic Spots Satin (Chapter 3)】

page views:1 Publication date:2023-06-14

After bidding farewell to his fellow disciples, Wen Yuan headed south. Having long studied poetry and literature, he deeply admired the scenery of Jiangnan. He traveled south by boat, enjoying the views, composing poems, and playing the zither to soothe his soul—a truly carefree and leisurely journey.
That night, alone in his small boat, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep. In his youth, facing the beautiful lake and moonlit scenery, Wen Yuan was filled with complex emotions, unconsciously thinking of his fellow disciples. They had studied together since childhood, inseparable day and night. Even when his senior brother was away on missions, Hua Xuan was always there. These days, however, he had been traveling alone, inevitably feeling lonely. He could only amuse himself by playing the zither and reciting poems to the moon. As
he finished a piece, he plucked the strings three times, feeling slightly relieved. Suddenly, he heard the sound of plucking the strings. Listening intently, he faintly heard the sound of a pipa drifting from the lake shore. Though not very loud, it was clearly audible in the quiet night, echoing the lake's surface, each sound reaching his ears.
Wen Yuan's heart stirred, and he wondered, "Where did such exquisite music come from?" Stepping out of the cabin, the sound of a pipa drifted from the lake shore through the mist, like weeping and lamenting, like resentment and longing. A piece titled "Autumn Moon over the Han Palace" expressed the endless sorrow in the heart, its melody deeply moving. Wen Yuan listened, completely captivated, thinking to himself, "Although many pipa pieces use the theme of palace lament, and also depict female imagery such as Zhaojun's Lament, Xiangfei's Tears, the woman by the dressing table, and the woman too lazy to paint her eyebrows, the underlying theme throughout the entire piece is 'longing for Han.' The ancient masters imbued these palace poems and farewell songs with the profound sorrow of leaving one's country and the sigh of the fading glory. The pipa's gentleness is the gentleness of 'forged steel becomes soft as silk,' not truly the gentleness of a woman. This piece, however, can be so gentle, so full of resentment and longing; it could only be done by a woman."
Then the pipa music gradually faded, and the piece ended. Wen Yuan returned to his cabin, retrieved his zither, and sat upright at the bow. He began to play, his fingers moving with a series of sweeping strokes, producing a piece titled "High Mountains and Flowing Water," flowing smoothly and elegantly, evoking the joy of Bo Ya meeting his soulmate Zhong Ziqi. As he played with fervor, his inner energy flowed, and the zither strings rang out with a resounding melody, truly conveying the grandeur of towering mountains and surging waves. The sound of a pipa followed, also playing "High Mountains and Flowing Water." The zither music, played by the pipa player, was exquisitely refined, depicting a scene of verdant peaks and murmuring streams. Although it lacked the expansive and expressive quality of Wen Yuan's zither music, it was nonetheless intricate and graceful. The two notes harmonized, and in Wen Yuan's mind, he seemed to be walking hand in hand with a young girl amidst the mountains and rivers, expressing his aspirations while she smiled sweetly beside him... When the music of the zither and pipa ceased, Wen Yuan felt incredibly refreshed, all his gloom swept away. With a sudden inspiration, he played a tune called "Guan Ju," silently contemplating the lyrics: "Guan guan, the ospreys, on the river's islet. A fair maiden, a gentleman's good match. The watercress grows thick and thin, flowing left and right. A fair maiden, he seeks her waking and sleeping..." The melody resonated with the sentiment of longing.
As the "Guanju" melody ended, the sound of the pipa began, taking its melody from the "Zheng Feng" section of the Book of
Songs, specifically the poem "Qian Chang": "If you truly miss me, lift your skirt and wade across the Zhen River. If you don't miss me, are there no other men? You silly boy, how foolish you are!... If you truly miss me, lift your skirt and wade across the Wei River..." The lyrics and music, however, carry a mocking tone, meaning: "If you truly miss me, lift your skirt and wade across the Zhen River. If you don't miss me, are there no other men? You silly boy, how foolish you are!..." The music is light and lively, seemingly both expansive and restrained, extremely beautiful, like a charming young woman standing far away, seemingly close yet distant, smiling sweetly.
Wen Yuan was startled, his heart fluttering. He thought, "What does the Zhen River matter? To see this woman even once is like crossing the desolate northern sea." He immediately abandoned his small boat and tried to swim to the lake shore, but then he thought, "Although this young lady has made such a gesture, if I were to approach her so abruptly in the dead of night, and someone were to see me, wouldn't that damage her reputation? How can I only think of myself and hope for something else?" With that thought, he sat down again and played a tune, "The Reeds": "The reeds are green, the white dew is like frost. The one I long for is on the other side of the water… I trace my steps upstream to find her, but the road is long and difficult. I follow the current downstream to find her, and she seems to be in the middle of the water… The reeds are withered, the white dew has not yet dried…" The melody was ethereal, as if expressing boundless longing to the woman who was both audible and unattainable, wanting to leave but unable to fully express his feelings.
When he finished playing, only the sound of the evening breeze rippling on the lake could be heard; all was silent. Wen Yuan was filled with trepidation, wondering what the girl was thinking. After a long while, the sound of a pipa began, playing a poem from the "Zheng Feng" section titled "Wind and Rain." The melody subtly conveyed the poem's meaning: "The wind and rain are bleak, the roosters crow incessantly. Now that I have seen my beloved, how can I not be at peace? The wind and rain are fierce, the roosters crow incessantly..." The melody described a cold, windy night, with roosters crowing incessantly, a melancholy mood. But having seen his beloved, what could be unpleasant?
The pipa's melody, filled with tender emotions, gradually faded into the distance until it was no longer heard. Wen Yuan stood quietly at the bow of the boat, his heart surging with emotion, the lingering sound seemingly still echoing on the lake.
As dawn broke, Wen Yuan left the lake to the east, still lost in thought about meeting the girl with music the previous night, unable to forget her. He thought, "I never expected to come to Jiangnan and meet such a talented woman. It's such a pity I couldn't meet her! I wonder if I'll have the chance to meet her again someday?"
His mind unsettled, he strolled aimlessly, arriving at the outskirts of Hangzhou that afternoon. Looking around, the bluestone path was bustling with people, mostly tourists visiting West Lake. Wen Yuan thought to himself, "People praise West Lake as 'Mountain scenery and lake views follow you at every step, difficult to describe in poetry or painting throughout history.' Wouldn't it be a pity not to see it for myself?" He immediately put aside his reverie and happily set off to tour the lake.
His first stop was Bai Causeway. Bai Causeway and Su Causeway cross the lake, dividing West Lake into Inner Lake, Outer Lake, Little South Lake, Yue Lake, and West Inner Lake. Bai Causeway is lined with willows and peach trees, a beautiful sight indeed—truly, the willow branches sway green, and the peach trees smile. Wen Yuan strolled leisurely, enjoying the scenery. Feeling refreshed, he exclaimed, "Bai Juyi's poem says, 'A riot of flowers dazzles the eye, shallow grass barely covers the horse's hooves. I love walking along the eastern shore of the lake, where green willows shade the white sandbank.' Truly wonderful! Everyone speaks of the Ten Scenes of West Lake, but the sights here are far more than ten!" Nearby,
under a willow tree, several men and women were chatting and laughing. A scholar-like man, hearing his words, rose and approached him, bowing and smiling, "Young master, are you traveling alone? If you are in the mood, why not join us to enjoy the scenery and chat?" Wen Yuan saw that the man was about forty years old, with a refined appearance and polite manners, and immediately returned the bow, smiling, "I apologize for disturbing you." He then walked with the man to the willow tree.
There were originally three men and three women under the tree, but now Wen Yuan was also present. After Wen Yuan introduced himself, the scholar introduced him to each of them. The two men, both middle-aged scholars, one with a fair complexion and the other tall and thin, were the brothers Zhang Hede and Zhang Hefang from Suzhou, friends of the scholar Song Shangqian. The young woman was Madam Song, and the other two women were maids Ping'er and Cuixiang, brought by the Song couple for their lake excursion. Ping'er was pretty and charming, while Cuixiang was beautiful and delicate. Both were dressed in light, flowing clothes, graceful and charming. A yellow cloth was spread on the ground, upon which were laid many cups, pots, and dishes, quite exquisite and plentiful.
Wen Yuan untied his guqin from his back and placed it aside. Song Shangqian said to those around him, "Cuixiang, why haven't you poured wine for Young Master Wen?" Cuixiang replied, "Yes!" and poured wine, saying sweetly, "Young Master Wen, please!" Wen Yuan smiled and said, "Thank you." He took the wine cup and took a small sip. Song Shangqian said, "Young Master Wen, why don't you drink it all? Isn't the wine delicious?" Wen Yuan smiled and said, "The wine is excellent, but to be honest, I have a very low alcohol tolerance. If I drink every last drop, I'll be drunk and sleep on the Bai Causeway, which would spoil the beautiful scenery." Song Shangqian laughed loudly, "Alright! Since that's the case, fine wine is not enough to entertain guests. Young Master Wen, please drink some tea instead."
Zhang Zhifang said, "Master Wen, you must be very skilled at playing the zither while touring the lake. Why don't you play a piece for us to enjoy?" Zhang Zhide also said, "That's right." Wen Yuan smiled and said, "In that case, I'll make a fool of myself." He sat up and began to play, plucking and strumming the strings. The music was smooth and melodious, like singing, and full of charm. After playing for a while, a man who had been sleeping soundly under a willow tree suddenly sat up and listened intently. When Wen Yuan finished playing, Song Shangqian and the others all cheered, and some of the tourists nearby also expressed their admiration. The man slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Wonderful! Wonderful! Clear, vast, and transcendent, what a beautiful 'Crane Dance in the Grotto'!"
Everyone looked at the man, who appeared to be in his thirties or forties, robust and strong, with a head of unruly hair, thick eyebrows, and a short, prickly stubble covering his cheeks. His features were clearly defined, though a long scar ran across his forehead. He wore a tattered short shirt, hardly presentable, but his eyes were bright and piercing.
Song Shangqian and the Zhang brothers thought to themselves, "What kind of music does this brute know? He's just like Pigsy picking up straw paper, pretending to be cultured." But then they heard the man loudly proclaim, "How many rich kids know good music? It's just like Pigsy picking up straw paper, haha, pretending to be cultured. Young brother, I was so polite earlier, I only smelled a lot of stinking farts. I didn't expect you to actually have some talent. The music is fine, but the melody is truly wonderful; ordinary people couldn't play it."
Wen Yuan, hearing the man's words, was delighted that they perfectly captured the essence of his music and laughed, "You flatter me. Since you are so skilled in music, why not offer your contribution?" Song, Zhang, and the other two were already displeased by the man's insults, and were reluctant to accept Wen Yuan's invitation. Song Shangqian said, "This gentleman..."
The man waved his hand, saying, "This place is full of vulgar people; they can't appreciate my music. Young brother, if you really want to hear my music, come to the Lonely Mountain Platform in an hour." He then stood up, stretched, yawned, and left without looking back. Zhang Zhide was furious, saying, "This boorish man is incredibly rude!" Zhang Zhifang said, "What real knowledge does such a person have, spouting such boastful words?" Wen Yuan smiled slightly, thinking to himself, "Although this gentleman is impolite, his knowledge of the zither is truly remarkable. It would be a pity to miss this appointment at the Lonely Mountain Platform." Song Shangqian laughed and said, "Young Master Wen's music just now was truly excellent! Even that rough man knew how to appreciate beauty; that's what you call pleasing to both the refined and the common. Come, everyone, let's toast Young Master Wen!" "The group discussed poetry, admired the scenery, and sipped tea and wine. After more than half an hour, everyone except Wen Yuan, who was drinking tea and attended to by two maids, was tipsy and their speech was somewhat incoherent. Song Shangqian embraced his wife and joked, while the Zhang brothers recited poems loudly. Suddenly, Zhang Zhifang pulled Cuixiang into his arms, and the two brothers began to behave improperly. Cuixiang giggled and, after being given three cups of wine by Zhang Zhide, her face flushed with drunkenness. She became even more boisterous, rubbing and kneading herself, her clothes quite disheveled.
Wen Yuan, seeing the men and women becoming increasingly frivolous and dissolute, did not want to watch any longer. Gazing at the lakeside scenery of the Broken Bridge in the distance, he picked up the teapot, but there was not a drop of tea left. Ping'er chuckled, 'Young Master Wen, you only drink tea, not wine, yet you've finished all the tea. Ping'er will heat up another pot for you.' Wen Yuan smiled and said, 'That's too much trouble.'" Ping'er reached out to take the teapot, her hand brushing against Wen Yuan's fingers. Her face flushed slightly. "Young Master Wen," she said, "your nails are getting long. It must be inconvenient for you to play the zither." Wen Yuan replied, "It's alright." Ping'er chuckled softly, "Young Master Wen, shall I trim your nails for you? That way you'll play the zither even better." She then brewed a pot of tea and heated it.
Wen Yuan smiled dismissively, saying, "I'm not your master, why bother? You should go and serve your master and mistress." Ping'er sighed. Seeing Wen Yuan's elegant demeanor and refined manner, she had already secretly fallen for him, thinking, "If only I were truly your maid." Suddenly, Cui Xiang's sweet, seductive laughter filled the air. Zhang Zhifang embraced Cui Xiang from behind, his left hand slipping under her skirt, between her legs, kneading and rubbing without restraint. Zhang Zhide splashed cups of wine onto her face and clothes, laughing, "Look, it's all...wet! Hahaha..." Cui Xiang licked the wine from her lips, laughing and panting, her clothes soaked through, clinging to her body and highlighting the curves of her chest. Zhang Zhifang chuckled, "Well, this whole area under your skirt is wet, I wonder if it's from wine." Zhang Zhide wiped his mouth and laughed, "Wouldn't a taste tell us immediately?" "After saying that, he actually lifted her skirt and buried his head inside. Cui Xiang twisted her body, laughing so hard she was shaking, but her laughter was tinged with moans, growing slower and more frivolous.
Ping'er's face flushed, and she couldn't help but tighten her clothes. Wen Yuan said, "Miss Ping'er!" Ping'er's heart suddenly skipped a beat, and she lowered her head and said timidly, "Mr. Wen...you won't...you won't want to...want to..." Wen Yuan smiled calmly, "Want what? The tea is almost boiled dry." Ping'er was startled, and said with a blushing face, "I forgot. Mr. Wen, please don't call me Miss, I'm just a little maid, just call me Ping'er." Saying that, he dealt with the tea set. Wen Yuan smiled, remembering what the man surnamed Ren had said, and not wanting to watch Song Zhang and the others fool around anymore, he took a sip of tea, stood up and said, "Gentlemen, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first. Thank you for your hospitality, I'll take my leave now." Song Shangqian was flirting with Madam Song and had no time for formalities, so he just laughed and said, "Please, please... Young Master Wen, until we meet again... Haha, come, let me kiss you here..." Ping'er blushed and bowed, saying, "Young Master Wen, my master is confused, please don't mind." Wen Yuan picked up his guqin and laughed, "How could I? Miss Ping'er, I'm so sorry I can't finish your tea." Ping'er watched Wen Yuan leave, then looked back at the group of men and women entwined together, a bitter feeling welling up inside her.
Wen Yuan walked briskly, turning left and right, taking three steps at a time, passing through a shady path. Soon, he saw the two large characters "Gushan" (Lonely Mountain) carved on a stone wall in front of him. Upon reaching the platform of Gushan, he saw a small pavilion to the north that read "West Lake's Most Beautiful Scenery," with a bridge, a pond, and artificial hills and rocks, their arrangement both varied and sparse, truly extraordinary. However, a large man sat on the artificial hill, hands on his chest, legs crossed. Upon seeing Wen Yuan, he laughed heartily, "Well done, young brother! You keep your promise, truly remarkable!" With that, he leaped down and landed on solid ground.
Wen Yuan smiled slightly, "Brother Ren, you are quite the hero. How could I dare not keep my promise?" The man said, "Oh, how did you know my surname is Ren?" Wen Yuan said, "You referred to yourself as Ren earlier, so you naturally know." The man laughed, "Yes, I had forgotten." "I heard you and those guys register your name as Wen Yuan. My full name is Ren Jianqing. Come, come, I just broke a zither, could I borrow yours for a moment?" Wen Yuan said, "Please." He handed over the zither.
Ren Jianqing sat down and played the strings, laughing, "Luckily, my thinking was right. There are no tourists here, otherwise they wouldn't be able to stand it." Wen Yuan was puzzled and was about to ask when Ren Jianqing took a breath, and with a "zheng," the zither music soared and rose. Wen Yuan was deeply moved, thinking, "What a magnificent spirit!" Ren Jianqing played with great vigor, his voice growing stronger and stronger, the music surging in all directions, its power immense. Wen Yuan was awestruck, his spirits soaring, his whole body tense.
Suddenly, a series of cracking sounds rang out, and all seven strings of the zither snapped. The zither shattered with a series of cracking sounds, and the piece was finished. Wen Yuan was overjoyed and exclaimed, "Excellent!" "My ambition lies beyond the vast expanse, roaming freely beyond the eight directions, like riding a chariot on a celestial horse, wandering the world, roaming the universe, unburdened!" Brother Ren, what a magnificent "roaming of the eight extremes"! Ren Jianqing laughed loudly, "Young brother, I've destroyed one of your fine zithers, what do you think?" Wen Yuan smiled, "Fine zithers are easy to find, but fine music is rare! If Brother Ren would play ten pieces, I'd buy ten zithers as a gift, what's a little regret!" Ren Jianqing patted the broken zither body and exclaimed happily, "Good lad, you truly understand music! I was right to give you this piece. Ordinary people can't bear to listen to it. Before halfway through, they'd either be stunned or run far away. Only those who understand music can appreciate it, and only martial arts masters can savor it. Young brother, you possess both, rare indeed, how delightful!" Wen Yuan was startled and asked, "Brother Ren, how did you know I know martial arts?" Ren Jianqing laughed, "Your melody resonates with your pulse; those of us who share the same path can naturally discern it. What do you think of my internal strength?" Wen Yuan replied, "Exceptionally sharp, yet imbued with a gentle inner power, like the endless flow of the Yangtze River. Brother Ren's skill surpasses mine." Ren Jianqing laughed, "Your hearing is truly accurate, remarkable!" Seeing Ren Jianqing's straightforward and frank nature, Wen Yuan was delighted and said, "Brother Ren's performance was unrestrained; hearing it today is truly delightful. It's a pity the zither is broken, otherwise I would like to play another piece and ask Brother Ren for guidance." Ren Jianqing laughed, "I've already heard one of your pieces; we're even, isn't that good?" Wen Yuan shook his head, "No, no, when I played 'Crane Dance in the Cave Heaven,' I didn't expect to find someone as skilled in the zither as Brother Ren present, so I didn't play with my full heart; it's not comparable to this 'Eight Extremes Wandering.'" Ren Jianqing was overjoyed and exclaimed, "Excellent! So you still have a hidden talent you haven't shown yet! This is wonderful!" Then, his expression suddenly turned serious. "No, my musical inspiration has run its course today. I can't possibly play another piece for you. I'll have to wait until another day to hear your wonderful music, young brother. How can I be the only one to benefit? Alas, what a pity!" He sighed deeply.
Wen Yuan smiled and said, "Brother Ren, if you're in the mood, I'm always ready to play. Are you a local, Brother Ren?" Ren Jianqing replied, "No! I have no fixed abode. I stay wherever I feel comfortable. I've recently encountered some trouble here, which is why I've stayed a few more days." He laughed heartily and said, "Young brother, I'll have to invite you to enjoy the scenery of West Lake for a few more days, and then we can play a few more pieces." Wen Yuan smiled and said, "Exactly." The two hit it off immediately and found themselves very compatible. When they parted, they agreed to meet again in three days.
It was dusk when Wen Yuan parted ways with Ren Jianqing. Suddenly remembering something, he quickly used his lightness skill and rushed off, traveling six or seven miles before stopping. In the distance, he saw Xizhao Mountain, the sun setting and colorful clouds swirling around it. A pagoda's silhouette atop the mountain was none other than Leifeng Pagoda. Wen Yuan smiled and muttered to himself, "Luckily, I made it in time and didn't miss this 'Leifeng Sunset,' not too early, not too late, just right." He strolled around at his leisure, wandering for a while, until he came to a forest path. He then went to a town to find lodging and rest. Finding an inn, the waiter came out to greet him, but said, "Sir, you want to stay the night? Unfortunately, we're out of rooms upstairs tonight. We just booked the last room for a young lady." Suddenly, a delicate female voice said, "Yes, that's me." Wen Yuan turned around and saw the inn was packed with people. He didn't know who had spoken, so he smiled and said, "Alright, please show me to a seat. I'll have a meal." The waiter found him a seat. Wen Yuan ordered two steamed buns and was eating when a caravan of over fifty men entered the inn. The leader asked the waiter, "Waiter, do you have any rooms?" Wen Yuan swallowed a bite of his bun and said, "No, I couldn't book a room." The leader glanced at him, took out a silver ingot, and said to the waiter, "I'll book the entire first floor for you tonight. The lodging fee is separate." The waiter took the silver and readily agreed. Wen Yuan observed the caravan, which escorted ten carts, their banners embroidered with silver cloud patterns, exuding an imposing aura. The man, around forty or fifty years old, had a square face, a tall and sturdy build, and a rather dignified presence. He called out in a loud voice, "Brother Hong, you take ten brothers and keep watch. The rest of you, come in and rest." One of the caravan members agreed and left.
Wen Yuan finished his steamed bun and got up to leave when he suddenly heard a woman exclaim, "Oops!" followed by the sound of a broken bowl. Wen Yuan turned around and saw a girl pointing at a puddle of soup noodles and broken bowl shards on the ground, saying to one of the caravan members, "What were you doing? Walking without watching where you're going! You knocked over my noodles, what a waste!" Her voice was soft and melodious, the same one he had just heard. The girl appeared to be seventeen or eighteen years old, petite, wearing a pink silk dress with a thin white veil draped over her shoulders. With arched eyebrows and delicate eyes, she was extremely beautiful and charming. Wen Yuan smiled to himself, thinking, "That room is really lucky to have such a young lady staying there, much better than me, a lousy scholar." The bodyguard frowned and said, "The young lady put the bowl out so far out herself, how can you blame me?" The girl pouted, her expression as if she was about to cry, and exclaimed, "How can you say that? Everyone here is the judge! Does that mean that if the bowl is near the edge of the table, it deserves to be knocked off? I've only eaten half of this bowl of noodles..." As she spoke, she really seemed to be on the verge of tears, which amused the onlookers.
The leading man said, "Alright, Brother Yang, just compensate her. Don't argue with the young lady." The镖师 (bodyguard/escort) surnamed Yang said, "Okay." The young lady smiled sweetly and said, "Chief镖师 Hao is so understanding. Thank you!" The man was taken aback and said, "Who are you, young lady? How do you know me..." The young lady tapped the table with her index finger and laughed, "That flag is covered in cloud and mist patterns. Isn't that the Iron Cloud Escort Agency from the capital? Chief镖师 Hao Yigang is incredibly skilled. Who doesn't know? With so many large镖车 (escort wagons) on the road, do you think Master Hao would just sit in the agency drinking tea and send out ordinary people?" She finished speaking with a smile.
The man was indeed Hao Yigang, the chief镖师 of the Iron Cloud Escort Agency. He was highly skilled in martial arts, and everyone in the vicinity of the capital knew him. The Iron Cloud Escort Agency had been established for seventy years and had a great reputation. This time, he was escorting a large shipment of goods to the Zeng family mansion in Shaoxing. He felt a little smug when he saw that even this little girl knew his reputation.
Yang, the bodyguard, said to the waiter, "Waiter, another bowl of clear soup noodles..." The girl smiled and said, "Wait a minute, I only have half a bowl of noodles left, you don't have to pay me for a whole bowl! I'll just find something cheaper, okay?" Seeing her innocent and cute appearance, Yang, the bodyguard, wasn't annoyed and asked, "What would you like, miss?" The girl stood up, pointed to a row of caravans outside the shop, and said with a grin, "Just these ten carts, that should be enough!" Yang, the bodyguard, laughed and said, "Miss, don't joke, these are the goods our escort agency is transporting..." The girl ignored him, put her hands behind her back, walked to the door, and called out, "Hey, hey, hey, all of you move aside! Coachmen, follow the girl!" A hot-tempered porter waved his hand and said, "Little girl, stop fooling around... Ouch!" Before he finished speaking, there was a scream, and the hand flew out halfway through the swing, blood splattering on the doorway. The young girl said nonchalantly, "Fine, you've been so disrespectful to me. Losing just a hand is a good deal for you." This caused the guests in the shop to change color, and many gasped in surprise. The caravan guard, Hong, rushed forward, cursing, "You little bitch, looking for trouble?" He reached out to grab her. The grab was forceful, and unexpectedly, blood splattered everywhere. Somehow, Hong's right wrist was severed, flying to a nearby table and landing in a pot of hot soup. The man screamed, "Oh my god!" and fell backward. Hong cried out in pain, stumbling back four or five steps.
Wen Yuan was taken aback, thinking, "This young lady is quite pretty, but her skills are both swift and ruthless." Hao Yigang was even more shocked and furious. He stepped forward and shouted angrily, "Little girl, what's your background?" The young lady turned around quickly and smiled, "Chief镖头 Hao, are these 600,000 taels of silver all being delivered to the Zeng family mansion in Shaoxing? Shaoxing isn't that far from here, so I think you don't need to go yourself. How about I deliver it for you?" Hao Yigang's anger flared up, and he said, "Little girl, state your name. You injured two of my brothers. Are you determined to make trouble for the Hao family?" The young woman slightly raised her head and said, "So what? Hey, you're someone with some skill in the martial world, you should at least know the names 'Big and Little Murong,' right?" Hao Yigang's heart skipped a beat, and he said, "Big and Little Murong? They're a pair of infamous villains in the martial world today, everyone knows that. How do you address them?" The young woman giggled and said, "You really do know. As for the eldest Murong, I call him Big Brother. As for the little Murong, I'm sorry, my humble name is probably not enough to compare with Big Brother, hehe!" Upon hearing this, everyone from the Iron Cloud Escort Agency was greatly shocked.
"Big and Little Murong" were a brother and sister with the compound surname Murong, both very young, but with strong martial arts skills and strange behavior. The elder brother was especially notorious, ruthless and vicious, his "Great Vertical and Horizontal Sword Technique" was famous throughout the martial world, and he had taken countless lives. The younger sister's martial arts skills were unique, unlike her brother's indiscriminate violence, yet her reputation was also extremely poor. This was because the siblings often acted side by side, sharing the blame for any evil deed, naturally neither receiving a good name. In just three years since their debut, they had already earned the title of "Demons of the Martial World," known as the "Big and Little Murong," though their real names were rarely known.
Hao Yigang had initially assumed she must have had companions; otherwise, it would be utterly inconceivable for a lone young girl to rob a caravan. Unexpectedly, she claimed to be "Little Murong," and seeing her skill in crippling two hands with her strange and ruthless manner, Hao Yigang broke out in a cold sweat, thinking, "Am I, Hao Yigang, going to die here today?" Unable to feign weakness, he said, "So it's Miss Little Murong, but this shipment of silver..." Little Murong raised a pretty eyebrow and said, "You have to give me this shipment of silver, whether you like it or not! Chief镖头 Hao, I know your skills very well; you're no match for me. I'd rather take the shipment than my life, or my life than the shipment! What do you say?" Everyone in the Iron Cloud Escort Agency showed anger. Hao Yigang thought, "There are over fifty of us, and this vixen is all alone. Are we really no match for her? If we lose this shipment, my ancestral Iron Cloud Escort Agency will be ruined. Either way, I'm going to die; I'll fight you to the death today!" He immediately shouted, "Brothers, let's join forces to capture this female demon and rid the martial world of this scourge!" The镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) roared in agreement and drew their weapons.
Suddenly, Little Murong stopped, her eyes brimming with tears, and cried out, "Hey, what is this? Dozens of men bullying a girl like me, I, I..." Before she could finish, she covered her face with her hands and began to sob. The bodyguards were stunned. Seeing her delicate appearance, as if she would collapse at any moment, they couldn't help but think, "Is this little girl really that devilish Little Murong?" Suddenly, Little Murong leaped out, her sword flashing like a crimson cloud streaked with blue and white lightning, moving in and out, darting around. Only screams could be heard, one after another, and in the blink of an eye, seven bodyguards lay dead on the ground. Everyone was shocked, but then they heard Little Murong laugh and say, "It seems more reasonable for a little girl like me to bully a group of men, isn't it?" Hao Yigang was both angry and horrified, and roared as he rushed forward. Little Murong swayed her slender waist and flicked her wrist. A short sword appeared out of nowhere, changing shape unpredictably. She laughed and counted, "Eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, four, five, six, seven, eight..." The count got faster and faster. Before the镖师 (bodyguards) could see clearly, Little Murong stood up and landed on a wooden table. She laughed and said, "I've counted to five fives, twenty-five. Do you want to die or kill someone?" The short sword swung gently, and blood dripped from its tip.
Yang, the bodyguard, charged forward wielding a single-edged sword, cursing, "You witch!" Little Murong gracefully dodged, tripping him with her right foot, and laughed, "I've spoken a few words to you, so you're lucky. You can save yourself for the second-to-last kill, and then kill Hao Yigang last." Hao Yigang was enraged, unleashing a set of Five Elements sword techniques, each strike powerful and relentless, a relentless barrage of attacks. Seeing his skill, Little Murong giggled, "Chief Bodyguard Hao is indeed truly skilled. If all fifty-odd men were this good, I wouldn't be so confident!" As she spoke, she stabbed three bodyguards in the throat, killing them instantly; twenty-eight men were already dead. The customers in the inn rushed out, the innkeeper and waiters cowering against the wall in fear. Only those in the second-floor rooms remained unaware of the carnage below.
Wen Yuan was astonished by Xiao Murong's ghostly swordplay, thinking, "This swordsmanship is ruthless and incredibly powerful. If I were to use my master's swordsmanship to counter it, it seems I would lack agility. Could it be that I am no match for her?" A thought flashed through his mind, and he thought, "If my senior brother were here, his knowledge would be far superior. He could surely find an opening to deflect her short sword with his Nine Thunder Palms." While he was pondering this, Hao Yigang was struck by two swords in the arm, nearly losing it. Thirty-three corpses lay on the ground.
Hao Yigang shouted, "Brothers, get back! Don't come up here to die!" Xiao Murong laughed, "Oh dear, sorry, how can I kill you if they don't die?" Her movements were elusive, focusing on attacking the other镖师 (bodyguards/escorts), leaving Hao Yigang chasing after her while also trying to stop her from killing his own men. Suddenly, an opening appeared. Xiao Murong kicked him in the waist, striking a pressure point. Hao Yigang fell to the ground, his single sword slamming into his seat.
Little Murong held her short sword to the back of his neck, and the镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) dared not move, all panicking. Little Murong laughed, "I've killed enough today, young lady. Hey, all of you, draw your swords and commit suicide. Chief镖师 Hao will follow you in time, and another Iron Cloud Escort Agency will rise in the underworld." Hao Yigang's pressure points were restrained, and he couldn't move. He sighed, "Enough, enough! Miss Murong, please release my brothers and send Hao Yigang on his way!" Little Murong chuckled and said, "If you don't all die cleanly, my elder brother will scold me for being clumsy." She pointed at one of the镖师 with her left hand and laughed, "Why don't you commit suicide? Is it so hard to slit your throat?" The镖师's face turned pale, and his right hand holding the single-edged sword trembled uncontrollably. He lost his grip and the sword fell to the ground with a "clang." "Useless!" Little Murong cursed. With a kick of her left foot, a steel knife flew out from the ground, its momentum so great it was about to pierce the chest of the soldier.
Suddenly, a figure swept in from the side, a flick of the sleeve deflecting the knife back, adding force as it shot straight at Little Murong. Little Murong was startled and parried with her sword, but felt a jolt in her hand, the short sword almost slipping from her grasp. She was secretly alarmed: "This person has such strong true power, who is he?" Looking closely, she saw that the one who had intervened was a young scholar, and Hao Yigang had already been pulled away by him.
This person was Wen Yuan. Wen Yuan had seen Little Murong's merciless attacks and felt sorry for her, but he couldn't grasp the essence of her swordsmanship and felt he couldn't subdue her. Moreover, her attacks were incredibly fast and difficult to counter. When she kicked the steel blade, Wen Yuan could no longer stand idly by. He immediately intervened, deflecting the blade and striking with his palm, knocking Hao Yigang away from her short sword. He then released his pressure points, executing a series of rapid movements. Little Murong was caught off guard and Hao Yigang was rescued.
Seeing his skill, Little Murong dared not underestimate him and smiled sweetly, saying, "This young master has such impressive skills, truly remarkable. May I ask your name?" Wen Yuan bowed and said, "My name is Wen Yuan, and I was just passing through. Miss Murong, you have killed so many people; you are too arrogant. Please stop." Little Murong blinked, seemingly ignoring his words, and laughed, "Alright, your martial arts are quite good. I'll leave the killing to you. I've already killed enough." Wen Yuan said, "How can you do that? As Bai Juyi once wrote in his poem, 'Who says the lives of all living beings are insignificant? They are all of the same flesh and blood, all of the same skin.' Human life is of paramount importance; how can we treat it lightly?" "Little Murong pouted and said, 'Who's arguing with you? Fine, if you won't kill them, I'll kill you! What do you think?' Wen Yuan thought to himself, 'This Master Hao seems no match for Miss Murong. Whether I can win is another matter. Since I've already intervened, I might as well see it through and save their lives.' Having made up his mind, he said, 'If you want to kill them, please do so, but I must resist. How can I easily hand my life over to someone else? So many people from the Iron Cloud Escort Agency have died; it's too tragic. I absolutely cannot let you kill any more…' Before he could finish speaking, a flash of sword light appeared, and Little Murong's sword was already upon him. Wen Yuan was startled; his position suddenly changed, and he swerved to the side, narrowly escaping being beheaded." Wen Yuan, enraged, shouted, "Girl, you didn't even declare your presence beforehand, and you didn't wait for me to finish speaking! Isn't that a sneak attack?" Little Murong retorted, "I like sneak attacks, so what?" Her hands moved swiftly, her short sword flashing like meteors, like a hundred flowers blooming, its cold light scattering across the sky.
Wen Yuan let out a clear whistle, leaping into the air, turning around mid-air, his long sword drawn. Normally, when he didn't draw his sword, others simply thought he was a scholar with a sword, which was quite ordinary. But now, with the sword light flashing, he landed, took a step, and raised his sword according to the incantation, the long sword pointing directly at Little Murong. Instantly, he became calm and composed, as steady as a mountain, the blade unmoving—this was the "Compass Sword," a skill he had practiced since childhood.
He recalled how the Yellow Emperor created the compass chariot to break through Chi You's fog, relying on the wooden figure on the chariot always pointing south, thus knowing how to break through the fog. The essence of this "Guide Sword" technique lies in the word "point," striking where the enemy cannot reach. The swordplay doesn't seek quantity, but precision. Seeing his extraordinary bearing, Xiao Murong dared not be careless. Her smile vanished, and her short sword swirled like a storm, unleashing a series of rapid attacks.
Wen Yuan's longsword remained fixed on his opponent, focusing more on thrusts than slashes, though some were deflections, the tip always pointing within half a foot of his opponent's body. Xiao Murong's attacks grew faster and faster, her heart filled with the same anxiety. Everyone at the Iron Cloud Escort Agency was dumbfounded; Hao Yigang's eyes were blurred, and Wen Yuan was equally astonished. But his swordplay remained unhurried, his inner strength increasing, using simplicity to overcome complexity, becoming increasingly adept. The clanging sounds of their swords clashing were incessant. Eventually, it seemed as if Xiao Murong was solely targeting the longsword, unable to defeat Wen Yuan without breaking it in one strike.
Little Murong grew increasingly uneasy, thinking, "My elder brother's swordsmanship is truly difficult to master. If I don't use my full strength, won't I lose?" Her thoughts wavered slightly as Wen Yuan's sword pierced through the encirclement, striking her wrist squarely. With a clang, a gold bracelet snapped in two. Little Murong cried out in surprise, her short sword flying
from her hand. The members of the Iron Cloud Escort Agency cheered in unison. Wen Yuan was also delighted, thinking, "Master's swordsmanship is truly formidable; it works perfectly." However, he never expected Little Murong's reaction to be so swift. With a flick of her right hand, she used the two broken bracelets as a hidden weapon. Wen Yuan swung his sword to deflect the attack, feeling a slight soreness in his wrist. He realized that even after blocking a flurry of sword strikes, the internal energy of the young Murong had slightly disrupted his qi and blood. He thought to himself, "This girl is truly extraordinary." Taking advantage of this momentary stunt, the young Murong caught the short sword in mid-air and laughed, "Hey, I'm not kidding anymore. Now I'm really going to kill you, take this!" Suddenly, her swordsmanship changed, becoming graceful, delicate, and exquisitely beautiful. Wen Yuan was startled. He saw the young Murong's white veil fluttering, her ribbons dancing lightly, dimples appearing on her pretty face. She moved with light, graceful steps, circling him with increasing power and exquisite skill, a sight that was pleasing to the eye and almost made him forget to defend himself.
Seeing her attack like this, Wen Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and he felt a sharp pain in his right shoulder—he had been struck by a sword. Startled, he quickly rearranged his "Compass Sword" stance, guarding his position and observing intently. He thought, "I almost lost my life. How can this swordplay be so beautiful? It's truly 'the wind blows, fairy sleeves flutter, like a rainbow-colored feathered dress dancing.' Ah!" In a moment of distraction, his short sword slashed across, and if he had been a little slower, his chest would have been severely injured. He dared not think too much, thinking, "I must first observe her moves carefully before counterattacking." Little Murong was delighted to see that his ultimate move had given him the upper hand. He thought, "Indeed, my 'Rainbow Feathered Dress Sword' is more comfortable. I really can't use my elder brother's Great Vertical and Horizontal Sword technique with my internal energy." This "Rainbow Feathered Dress Sword" is incredibly powerful. It looks like a dance, very beautiful, but in fact, every move is full of hidden attacks, soft yet powerful, and full of surprises in its changes. Wen Yuan wielded the Compass Sword, thinking, "No matter how strange your sword techniques are, I will respond to all changes with unchanging moves. I'll use this Compass Sword technique to deal with you."

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