[Wuxia] Embroidered Robes and Cloud-like Hair (Complete) - 26

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Chapter Thirty-One: Courtesy of Wudang

Just then, Little Li Guang entered the hall and said, "I saw quite a show today."

Everyone's eyes lit up, and they all asked with concern, "How was it?"

Little Li Guang said somewhat embarrassedly, "Master Jin is truly a menace. Now, things are in complete chaos at Chief Fu's place. The guard girls are busy going to the outhouse, and the big and small leaders are squatting in the fields, unable to stand up..." As he spoke, he sat down in the empty seat prepared for him.

Jiang Tiantao, Ma Yunshan, and the others frowned upon hearing this. Jin Jianying smiled faintly and said, "Don't worry about others. Think about it, if things hadn't been like this, the person squatting in the wilderness right now wouldn't be them, but most likely Brother Zhong."

Little Li Guang laughed and said, "Although I have little experience, I still wouldn't dare drink the cold water from Qingyuan Temple to strengthen my body and replenish my kidneys!"

Jin Jianying said seriously, "At least Miss Zhu drank a sip." He paused, noticing that Zhu Caidie's face was turning red and then pale, and quickly changed his words, "Moreover, since their plan failed this time, in their frustration, they might come up with even more vicious schemes waiting for us in the future..."

Before he finished speaking, Ma Yunshan and Ning Daotong nodded repeatedly, their expressions solemn, and said, "Brother Jin is right!"

Jiang Tiantao, with his kind heart, couldn't help but frown and said, "But those brothers and female incense masters are innocent..."

Jin Jianying stroked his short beard and said, "Young Master, you don't need to worry about that. Fu girl has probably already ordered that brat Du Jingyun to fetch the antidote."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Liguang immediately nodded and smiled, "That's right. I just heard that Chief Fu was furious. Du Jingyun knew things were bad, so he's already taken a horse and quietly gone to get it."

Jin Jianying asked, puzzled, "What? Didn't that brat Du Jingyun get a stomachache?"

Xiao Liguang chuckled humorously, "He took the lead and drank more than anyone else; you can imagine what happened." He paused, then suddenly shook his head and sighed, "Many of the guard girls and the big bosses are complaining that if you old hands didn't drink, they certainly wouldn't dare drink so much."

Everyone was both amused and exasperated. Just then, a knocking sound came from outside the courtyard gate. Jin Jianying's eyes lit up, and he smiled at Deng Lizhu, saying, "Since you haven't drunk the spring water, you'll have to do the trouble of answering the door."

Deng Lizhu was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly understood. She laughed sweetly, readily agreed, and hurriedly got up, heading straight for the courtyard gate. Jiang Tiantao and the others all stopped drinking and quietly watched Deng Lizhu walk towards the gate. As Deng Lizhu walked, she had already thought of a plan. Reaching the gate, she reached out and gently opened it a crack, about four or five inches wide. Looking out, she saw a young girl in a tight-fitting outfit carrying a sword.

Upon seeing Deng Lizhu, the sword-wielding girl immediately clasped her hands in a respectful greeting and asked, "May I ask if Young Master Jiang is here?"

Deng Lizhu's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she nodded, saying, "Young Master Jiang is resting. What can I do for you?"

The sword-wielding girl replied respectfully, "I've been ordered by the Chief to come and see if there's anything I can do for you."

Deng Lizhu feigned hesitation, and finally, deliberately shook her head, saying, "Nothing much. Please convey Young Master Jiang's thanks to the Chief!"

Seeing Deng Lizhu's expression, the sword-wielding girl seemed to understand what was going on. She immediately bowed in agreement, glanced at Deng Lizhu again, and turned to leave. Deng Lizhu chuckled inwardly. Only after the sword-wielding girl's figure disappeared around the corner of the house did she bolt the courtyard gate and return to the small hall.

Upon seeing Deng Lizhu, Jiang Tiantao couldn't help but ask, "Who is it?"

Deng Lizhu chuckled, "A female guard, probably here to sound her out."

Jin Jianying twirled a strand of hair and smiled, "One of the three girls will definitely come in a moment."

Zhu Caidie asked, puzzled, "Why?"

Jin Jianying immediately replied humorously, "To see how many of us are always squatting in the outhouse..." Before he finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter. Before the laughter subsided, a green shadow suddenly appeared on the courtyard wall.

Everyone stopped laughing and looked; it was none other than "Rainbow Dragon Girl" Xiao Xiangzhen. Jin Jianying pointed at the Rainbow Dragon Girl, who was standing frozen on the wall, and said with a smile, "Well, she's here."

Wang Yanling, Xue Danfeng, Zhu Caidie, and Deng Lizhu had already risen to greet her in the hall, and Jiang Tiantao and the others also stood up from their chairs. The Rainbow Dragon Girl floated down, looking bewildered, and walked towards the front hall.

Wang Yanling smiled and said, "Sister Zhen, please come and sit in the hall."

Rainbow Dragon Girl, still puzzled, asked, "Sister Zhu and the three seniors, why are you still sitting in the hall drinking?"

Jin Jianying immediately laughed loudly, "Little Xiao, have you forgotten that we have a miraculous doctor here?" He pointed at Jiang Tiantao. Everyone understood that Jin Jianying was subtly implying Jiang Tiantao's swift journey to the mountain to diagnose Xiao Xiangzhen, and they all laughed heartily.

Rainbow Dragon Girl, being so clever, easily understood the implication in Jin Jianying's words. She blushed deeply and could only suppress her laughter, saying, "Hmph, this matter is probably related to Senior Jin, because I haven't seen you in the quiet room of Qingyuan Temple."

Upon hearing this, Jin Jianying immediately smiled and said, "You're indeed clever, little girl. I was worried I wouldn't be able to hide it from you." As they spoke, Zhu

Caidie had already moved a seat for Rainbow Dragon Girl, and Ma Yunshan recounted the whole story to her. After listening, Rainbow Dragon Girl looked at Jin Jianying and said in a coquettish tone, "If those female guards and incense masters with diarrhea knew that this was Senior Jin's doing, they would definitely come and make a scene." Upon

hearing this, Jin Jianying immediately laughed, acting like a seasoned elder, and said, "That's why you have to keep this a secret."

Rainbow Dragon Girl said helplessly, "It seems I'll have to rest tomorrow. " On the third day

, the morning sky was overcast, with a light drizzle falling. With the meeting date fast approaching, Jiang Tiantao and Fu Liying had no choice but to lead their large group westward in a grand procession.

Fu Liying's brows were furrowed, a hint of annoyance in her expression. Du Jingyun and Yuan Zijian hung their heads, silent and dejected, seemingly still recovering from diarrhea. Among the sword-wielding girls and the leaders, many also appeared listless, as if recovering from a serious illness. Jiang Tiantao, Ma Yunshan, and the others never mentioned the "spiritual water," and no one dared ask these experienced veterans if they too had suffered from diarrhea all day. Rainbow Dragon Girl, Wang Yanling, Xue Danfeng, Deng Lizhu, and Zhu Caidie all understood the unspoken agreement.

Entering the border region between southern Shaanxi and northern Sichuan, the rivers were numerous, the winds strong, and the roads rugged, making the movement of such a large group particularly difficult. Sometimes, the journey stretched for two or three miles from beginning to end! In cities and towns along the way, in restaurants and teahouses, the "Dragon Head Assembly" at Xingzi Mountain was a hot topic of conversation; it was common knowledge, even among women and children. Among the martial arts heroes who had participated in the "Martial Arts Friendship" at Dahong Mountain, Jiang Tiantao had become a legendary figure, unparalleled in skill and power. Many speculated that Jiugongbao would undoubtedly rise to the top of the martial arts world at this Dragon Head Assembly, and that the young and valiant Jiang

, the young master of Jiugongbao, would be the martial arts overlord for the next five years. Xue Danfeng, Wang Yanling, Zhu Caidie, and Deng Lizhu were delighted to hear these vivid tales. Rainbow Dragon Girl Xiao Xiangzhen was secretly grateful to these unpaid promoters, for Jiang Tiantao's fame had already spread far and wide even before he participated in the Dragon Head Assembly. Huangfu Xiang, hearing these dazzling tales, couldn't help but lament her ill fate; the title of "Young Mistress" of Jiugongbao was now out of reach for her.

Fu Liying sincerely admired Jiang Tiantao for becoming a renowned young talent who shocked the martial arts world in just three months, and congratulated him. However, Jiang Tiantao, who was the focus of everyone's attention, never relaxed his two slanted eyebrows that flew into his temples again, and Ma Yunshan, Jin Jianying, and Ning Daotong also became solemn and worried.

For Jiang Tiantao, who had just taken control of Jiugong Fort and had not yet been ranked at the Dragon Head Assembly, the saying "a tall tree catches the wind, and a great name attracts jealousy" was not a blessing. He was likely to face even more challenges, obstruction, and covert attacks. Upon entering Lan'gao County, the number of travelers on the official road surged, all heroes heading to Xingzi Mountain to witness the grandest martial arts gathering, the Dragon Head Assembly. Many martial arts figures along the way had come from Dahong Mountain, and upon seeing Jiang Tiantao at the head of the procession, they immediately cheered and spread the news. The crowd, admiring the old fort master Jiang and eager to see the young master's demeanor, swarmed over, some offering flattery, some shouting, and some introducing themselves, leaving Jiang Tiantao dizzy and unsure how to handle the commotion.

After crossing the Ren River, they were still 150 li from Xingzi Mountain, with only two days left until the assembly. Ma Yunshan, Jin Jianying, and Ning Daotong were all deeply worried and anxious. Because there were still many elaborate rituals and matters to be handled, which had to be completed before sunset the next day. Otherwise, they would lose their eligibility to join the sect. In particular, Xingzi Mountain spanned nearly a hundred miles, and it was still unknown which residential area the Shaolin Sect had assigned them.

Gradually, the official road became crowded with pedestrians, all martial arts heroes gathering from all directions. Although they were all heading in the same direction, their horses could no longer gallop. Jiang Tiantao, Fu Liying, Ma Yunshan, and the others panicked upon seeing this situation and finally decided to travel through the night, galloping across the road. After a night of rapid travel, exhausted men and horses, they finally arrived at a large town on the eastern foothills of Xingzi Mountain in the hazy dawn of the east.

Just then, two people suddenly leaped out from the roadside at the town entrance, a few dozen feet away. One of them waved his arm and shouted, "Is that the sect leader coming from ahead?" Amidst the shouts, they rushed forward like lightning.

Upon seeing him, the three women's phoenix eyes lit up simultaneously. Huangfu Xiang exclaimed joyfully, "Sister Ying, it must be Chief Rong of the Ziyang branch!"

Fu Liying excitedly replied, "Oh!" and immediately quickened her pace. Jiang Tiantao looked closely and saw a tall, slender, and piercing-eyed middle-aged man in blue robes, who appeared extremely capable. He was presumably Chief Rong of the Ziyang branch. Following behind Chief Rong was a man in gray, close-fitting clothes, presumably a branch leader or steward. As they

observed each other, the middle-aged man in blue and the burly man in gray had already galloped close. Jiang Tiantao, Fu Liying, and the others simultaneously reined in their horses and stopped. The two men in front of the horse immediately clasped their hands and bowed, saying loudly, "Rong Daoguang, the branch leader of Ziyang, and Cui Xiaoliang, the steward, pay their respects to the leader, the commander, and the chief inspector."

Fu Liying immediately bowed and said in a gentle voice, "Branch Leader Rong, you've worked hard.

Come and greet Young Master Jiang of Jiugong Fortress." Rong Daoguang and Cui Xiaoliang, upon hearing that the handsome young man in blue robes on the green horse was the well-known Young Master Jiang, couldn't help but glance at him a few more times as they bowed. As soon as the greetings were finished, Fu Liying immediately asked with concern, "Which district have we been assigned to?"

Rong Daoguang bowed and said, "District Three of the Wilderness!"

Ma Yunshan hurriedly urged his horse forward, clasped his hands, and asked humbly, "May I ask, Branch Leader Rong, do you know which district our fortress has been assigned to?"

Branch Leader Rong glanced at Ma Yunshan, hurriedly returned the greeting, and said, "Your fortress is responsible for liaising with the 'Flying Dragon' Hero Deng..."

Before he finished speaking, Deng Lizhu on horseback couldn't help but exclaim happily, "My father has already arrived!"

Rong Daoguang glanced at the beautiful Deng Lizhu and continued, "Your fort is in the first district of the 'New' category, located on the southern slope, accessible from Zhengji Town." Ma

Yunshan was stunned upon hearing this. It was at least several dozen miles from the eastern slope to the southern slope, and they would arrive by noon at the earliest. Rainbow Dragon Girl, having participated in the Dragon Head Assembly, said with concern, "Brother Tao, you must hurry to your designated accommodation area and report your arrival to the Shaolin Sect, the organizer of the assembly."

Jiang Tiantao appeared calm, but was extremely anxious inside. He had already realized the seriousness of the situation. After a night of rapid travel, they still had to cover several dozen miles; the exhaustion of the men and horses was unimaginable. Urged by Rainbow Dragon Girl, he bowed to Fu Liying and said calmly with a smile, "Thank you for your kindness along the way, Chief. I will thank you again later."

Fu Liying smiled modestly and said, "Young Master is too modest. I am truly grateful to you. Please take good care of me at the grand gathering tomorrow." Jiang

Tiantao laughed heartily and said, "Likewise, likewise. See you tomorrow."

As they spoke, Xue Danfeng, Wang Yanling, Zhu Caidie, Deng Lizhu, and the others had already spurred their horses, shouting "See you again!" and galloped towards the southern foothills. The foothills were rocky and not suitable for galloping, while the flat, grassy areas were filled with tents and horses tied up by heroes from all over the country. Jiang Tiantao felt a growing anxiety, while Ma Yunshan, Jin Jianying, and Ning Daotong were sweating profusely.

Zhu Caidie, Deng Lizhu, and Xiao Liguang were only... They silently followed the galloping horse. Of the nine riders' horses, only Jiang Tiantao's Xiao Qing and Deng Lizhu's Xiao Hong were slightly sweaty; the other seven were completely soaked.

Around noon, the seven finally reached the southeastern foothills. Since the conference was tomorrow, all the sects and gangs participating in the Dragon Head Assembly had already entered their designated accommodations, so they didn't encounter any other sect leaders or experts. After rounding a hill, a large town came into view. Ma Yunshan couldn't help but exclaim hopefully, "I hope that's Zhengji Town ahead!" Hearing this, everyone's eyes turned eagerly to the town's entrance.

Suddenly, Deng Lizhu's almond-shaped eyes lit up, and she cried out in unison, "Father, Father, we're here!" Amid cheers, they spurred their horses forward!

Although no one could see Deng Zhengtong, everyone unconsciously whipped their horses, following closely behind Deng Lizhu. A furious shout rang out from the town, and three figures sped towards them from a camp. Leading the group was a bald man with a gleaming bald head and silver beard, dressed in simple clothes—the Flying Dragon Deng Zhengtong. To his left was Chen Zhenduo, and to his right was "Surpassing Bian Que" Xie Ganen. Flying Dragon Deng Zhengtong was covered in sweat, his face flushed, and his piercing eyes glared like two copper bells; he seemed to be on the verge of madness.

Upon seeing Deng Zhengtong rushing towards them, Ma Yunshan could no longer contain his excitement and shouted, "Brother Deng! Brother Xie..." With these shouts, the two sides were already quite close.

Deng Zhengtong stopped abruptly, pointed at Ma Yunshan, and shouted angrily, "Old crook Ma, you really are an old crook Ma! You've been crooked for nineteen days to get here from Neifang Mountain..." Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Tiantao and the others had already arrived.

Ma Yunshan knew their mood, especially since they had something important to discuss, so he laughed without paying any attention to Deng Zhengtong's complaints and anger. Deng Zhengtong glared at him angrily and said, "Brother, you still have the energy to laugh? I'm so anxious I don't even have the strength to cry!" At this, everyone couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Jiang Tiantao leaped off his horse, took two quick steps, and bowed respectfully to Deng Zhengtong and the other two, saying, "This junior has been delayed and has kept the three seniors waiting."

Upon seeing Jiang Tiantao, Deng Zhengtong seemed to suddenly remember something. Without returning the bow, he hurriedly turned around, waved to Chen Zhenduo, and urged, "Old Chen, quick, quickly send the red invitation card to the Shaolin camp on horseback, saying that my young master has arrived."

Chen Zhenduo, covered in sweat, responded with a "Yes, sir," and turned to gallop towards the camp. Fearing her father's angry words would hurt her, Deng Lizhu quickly chided, "Father, you're waiting anxiously, but we're even more anxious. You have no idea we almost died in Jiudao Mountain..."

Upon hearing this, Deng Zhengtong and Xie Ganen's expressions changed drastically. They exclaimed in surprise, their eyes widening as they asked in unison, "What? Someone really dared to obstruct the young master of Jiugong Fortress from attending the meeting?"

Ma Yunshan and Jin Jianying smiled and said, "It's a long story. Once we enter the residential area, I'll report back to you clearly!"

After greeting Deng Zhengtong and Xie Ganen, Wang Yanling, Xue Danfeng, and Zhu Caidie mounted their horses and arrived at the camp. Once Deng and Xie had found their horses, they bypassed Zhengji Town and galloped towards a mountain pass. At this time, the sun was high in the sky. Xingzi Mountain was lush and green, with ancient trees and countless towering peaks reaching into the clouds, standing majestically. Before even reaching the mountain pass, one can see on the left side of the pass, on a huge rock, several large white characters are written: "New First District "Jiugongbao".

Upon seeing the marker stone, Xie Ganen immediately explained to Jiang Tiantao, "When the old fortress master attended the conference in the past, he always stayed in Zone 3 of the Heavenly Character. Because the young fortress master is the new young fortress master of Jiugong Fortress, he was assigned to Zone 1 of the Heavenly Character."

Jiang Tiantao asked in confusion, "Which sects stayed in Zones 2 and 1 of the Heavenly Character?"

Xie Ganen replied, "Zone 1 of the Heavenly Character is occupied by the 'Shaolin Sect,' which is hosting this conference. Zone 2 of the Heavenly Character is occupied by the 'Wudang Sect,' famous for its swordsmanship..." Upon hearing the words "famous for its swordsmanship," Jiang Tiantao let out a soft "Oh," and his two sword-like eyebrows immediately furrowed together.

Seeing this, Deng Zhengtong immediately shook his bald head and urged, "Kid, if you want to stand out this time and shock everyone, you have to listen to me, Baldy. Don't be like your father, who swallowed his pride and sat in the third golden chair..." Upon hearing this, the expressions of Ma Yunshan and the others, who were looking around at the scenery inside the mountain pass, immediately changed.

Jiang Tiantao, being young, had a cold glint in his starry eyes and said in a deep voice, "What Senior Deng means is..."

Deng Zhengtong raised his eyebrows and immediately said forcefully, "Pull down the old Taoist 'Hongchen' and you, kid, sit in it..."

Upon hearing this, Ma Yunshan and the others panicked and cried out in unison, "Young Master, you can't!"

Deng Zhengtong glared at Ma Yunshan, Ning Daotong, and the others and asked in a deep voice, "Why?"

Ning Daotong, the golden-headed giant, said first with a serious expression, "The reason why the old Master of Wudang was unwilling to compete for the second Golden Red Chair was not because his swordsmanship was inferior, but because he respected the previous leader of Wudang, the mentor of the Taoist 'Hongchen,' 'Master Xuanling,' who dedicated his life to benefiting the martial arts world..."

Deng Zhengtong suddenly interrupted Ning Daotong and said in a deep voice, "But the Taoist 'Hongchen' of the Wudang Sect doesn't say that..."

Zhu Caidie also felt that with Brother Tao's current martial arts skills and reputation, he should at least sit in the second Golden Red Chair, if not the first one, so she asked with concern, "Senior Deng, what did the Taoist 'Hongchen' say?"

Deng Zhengtong glanced at the sword hilt on Zhu Caidie's shoulder and said angrily, "That old bastard not only doesn't appreciate Brother Jiang's humility, but he also boasts that the 'Lixing Sword Technique,' which is unparalleled in the martial arts world, is not as profound as their Wudang Sect's 'Zhenshan Sword Technique'..." Jiang Tiantao's anger flared up, and his handsome face changed instantly .

Ma Yunshan and the others hurriedly explained, "Young Master, we haven't heard these legends yet..."

Deng Zhengtong also said seriously, "That brat..."

Deng Lizhu, seeing her father calling him "brat" repeatedly, immediately scolded, "Father, how can you call Brother Tao like that? What if you accidentally say it at the grand meeting tomorrow, in front of all the heroes of the world? What kind of decorum would that be?" Deng Zhengtong

immediately gave in, helplessly saying, "Alright, alright, I'll call you Young Master too. I, the bald man, will also call myself 'this humble servant'..." Jiang Tiantao was preoccupied with the boasts of the Wudang Sect Leader, "Red Dust Daoist," and didn't notice Deng Zhengtong's change in address at all.

Wang Yanling suddenly interjected, asking, "Senior Deng, where is their 'Heavenly' rank's accommodation located?"

Deng Zhengtong pointed deep into the valley and said, "Their 'Heavenly' rank's accommodation is right in the area of the conference." Following his direction, everyone looked and saw a range of peaks shrouded in mist. Deng Zhengtong

continued, "It's at the bottom of the cliff between the third and fourth peaks. Enter the narrow valley between those two peaks, and you'll find the conference venue."

Jin Jianying noticed Zhu Caidie's keen attention to the area and warned her meaningfully, "The conference venue is heavily guarded. No one dares to sneak in and spy. If anyone is discovered by the master guards presiding over the conference, their sect will be immediately expelled from the event and forbidden from participating in the grand ceremony." Upon hearing this, Zhu Caidie's face changed, and a look of melancholy immediately appeared between her eyebrows.

At this moment, the group had traversed the rugged mountain pass and continued deeper into the valley along a sloping mountain path. Upon reaching the top of the sloping ridge, the view suddenly opened up. Xie Ganen pointed to several low peaks to the west and said, "Young Master, please look. West of the second low peak are Qiongxia, Diancang, and the Great Flood Mountain."

Zhu Caidie's almond-shaped eyes lit up, and she exclaimed, "Is that my senior brother Zhang Shitou?"

Deng Zhengtong immediately said, acting like an old man, "That kid is a bit dim-witted, and he's already come twice with seven or eight altar masters and incense masters..."

Jiang Tiantao asked excitedly, "Senior Deng, which district does Brother Shitou live in?"

Deng Zhengtong deliberately bowed on his horse and said humbly, "Reporting to the Young Master, that kid lives in the fourth district of the New Character."

Jiang Tiantao was confused about Deng Zhengtong's intentions and was stunned. Ma Yunshan and the others couldn't help but laugh when they saw this.

Deng Lizhu chuckled, "Brother Tao, from now on my father will address you as Young Master."

Jiang Tiantao frowned, gave a wry smile, and said, "Senior Deng, why bother with such trivial matters..."

Before he finished speaking, Deng Zhengtong bowed again, saying respectfully, "This humble servant's mind is made up; please, Young Master, do not refuse any further." Upon hearing this, Ma Yunshan and the others laughed even louder and more heartily.

They had now reached the top of Xieling Ridge, below which lay a small green valley. Jiang Tiantao looked around and saw that the valley was not large, about forty or fifty acres. In the center of the valley was a grove of pine trees, with eight or nine tall tents already erected. In the middle of the valley was a bamboo archway with three large golden characters "Jiugongbao" on it, and twenty or thirty guards in blue robes and carrying swords were already standing respectfully at the gate. The group descended the ridge along the newly built path and arrived at the gate. They dismounted simultaneously, and a dozen or so fort guards immediately rushed over to take their horses.

Surrounded by Ma Yunshan and Deng Zhengtong, Jiang Tiantao frequently smiled and nodded to the bowing guards, then headed towards the tents in the sparse woods. As he walked, he noticed nine tents, each about fifteen feet high, made of oilcloth and bearing the insignia of Jiugongbao. Entering the largest central tent, the council tent, he found a table already set with food and drink, and four servants and four maids standing inside.

Jiang Tiantao and his companions, having traveled all night, were both hungry and exhausted. Since they needed to attend the meeting at noon the next day, they quickly finished their meal and returned to their tents to rest. Jiang Tiantao's tent was behind the council tent, containing a tiger-skin soft bed with embroidered quilts and a sandalwood table in front of it, and a large lacquered chair behind it. Two maids served Jiang Tiantao, while four maids served Xue Danfeng, Wang Yanling, Zhu Caidie, and Deng Lizhu.

The valley was utterly silent, completely isolated from the chaotic clamor of the outside world. Before dawn the next day, no heroes from any faction attending the grand assembly were permitted to enter the mountains. Jiang Tiantao dismissed the maids and immediately lay down on his soft bed. However, his weary mind was preoccupied with the question of whether he should challenge the Wudang Sect Leader, "Master Hongchen," at the assembly the following day. He thought about the future prestige of "Nine Palaces Fortress" in the martial arts world, and also about his father, "Land Dragon" Jiang Haohai's magnanimity and tolerant virtue! However, Master Hongchen's boast that the "Lixing Sword Technique" was absolutely no match for Wudang's "Mountain-Suppressing Sword Technique" kept him awake. He racked his brains, trying to figure out how to let the Wudang Sect know the profound and wondrous nature of the "Lixing Sword Technique" without going against his father's original intentions. Finally, he devised a solution that satisfied both sides before finally falling asleep.

When he awoke, three oil candles were already lit on the table. Jiang Tiantao was startled and leaped out of bed, hastily drawing his sword while wondering: What time is it? In a flash, he rushed to the tent entrance, a chilly mountain wind blowing against his face. Looking up at the night sky, he saw a sky full of stars; it was just past midnight, the perfect time.

Without further hesitation, Jiang Tiantao slipped out. He saw that the meeting tent ahead was brightly lit, and the loud, hearty laughter of Ma Yunshan, Deng Zhengtong, and others could be heard. He pretended to inspect the camp's layout, carefully avoiding the guards' attention, and quietly slipped out of the sparse forest. Reaching the valley, he looked back at the camp in the forest and found that the guards outside seemed unnoticed. Then, with a long body, he soared into the air and flew up the cliff behind the valley. He used his lightness skill and sped away as fast as lightning, heading straight for the precipice deep inside. At this time, the night sky was deep and the stars were full. A strong mountain wind blew and chilled him to the bone.

Jiang Tiantao sped along a wide, sloping ridge, his figure as swift as a wisp of smoke, heading straight for the "Tian" (Heaven) camp deep within, beneath a precipice. As he advanced, his gaze swept across the landscape, revealing a vast expanse of tents and lights, as numerous as stars, all belonging to the leaders of various sects attending the "Dragon Head Assembly."

Jiang Tiantao knew that besides the major orthodox sects, there were many powerful gang leaders in the martial arts world, but he hadn't expected so many. After a rapid ascent, he unknowingly reached the top of a low peak. The pines on the peak seemed to rustle in the wind, the chill intensifying. Looking around, he realized that the deeper he went, the fewer lights he saw in the camps. Especially the assembly area, surrounded by peaks, was completely dark, without a single light in sight.

He had heard from Ma Yunshan and Jin Jianying that the assembly area was heavily guarded, and no one was allowed to enter or spy before the ceremony began. However, once the venue opened, it was brightly lit again at night, with lights burning all night long. This was because most of the heroes from all over the world who came to witness the Dragon Head Assembly would be sleeping on the venue during the three days of the assembly.

Jiang Tiantao already knew that the camps with the character "Tian" were mostly close to the assembly site, so he concluded that the innermost few large camps were the ones. Thus, he sped along a rugged ridge, avoiding the camps of other sects as much as possible, heading straight for the innermost camps. Based on common sense, since this assembly was hosted by Shaolin, they would need many people, and therefore their camps would be large. The largest camp, the one closest to the assembly site and brightly lit, must belong to Shaolin. Next was number one in the center, and number two must be on the left. The camp located deep below the cliff must undoubtedly belong to Wudang.

With his mind made up, he flew along a long, narrow valley, heading straight for the cliff. Reaching the end of the narrow valley, he abruptly stopped. On a large rock to the right of the exit, several large characters were clearly written: "Second District of Heaven, Wudang Sect!" Jiang Tiantao hadn't expected such a coincidence! He straightened his clothes, tightened his sword, and strode confidently towards the exit.

Stepping out of the valley, his eyes suddenly lit up. Beyond the valley entrance lay a vast expanse of cobblestones, resembling a dried-up riverbed. In the center of this expanse stood a brightly lit camp. The camp was enormous, all tents a deep yellow, their number impossible to count. A bamboo archway, identical in style to the one at the entrance of Jiugongbao Valley, also bore three large golden characters: "Wudang Sect."

At that moment, the sounds of playing the sheng (a type of reed pipe instrument) and chanting scriptures emanated from the massive tent in the center. Upon hearing this, Jiang Tiantao's brows furrowed immediately. The Wudang Daoists were in the middle of their evening prayers, so he had to stop. Shortly after he stopped, the chanting in the camp suddenly ceased. Without further hesitation, Jiang Tiantao strode towards the Green Bamboo Archway. He hadn't gone more than three zhang when six gray-robed Daoists emerged from the archway, all staring intently at him.

Jiang Tiantao suddenly understood. The riverbed was flat and empty, except for a few weak saplings and grayish-white pebbles. A figure standing a dozen zhang away was a very conspicuous target. He concluded that he had been spotted by the old Daoists guarding the Wudang gate as soon as he emerged from the narrow valley. Of course, the sudden cessation of the chanting from the large tent was perhaps due to a report from the guards, and the cessation was indeed alarming, given that someone was approaching the camp on the eve of the Dragon Head Assembly.

In the blink of an eye, he was less than ten zhang from the Green Bamboo Archway. Suddenly, one of the six old Taoists asked loudly, "Who are you from? This is the Wudang camp. Did you not see the sign at the valley entrance when you arrived?"

Jiang Tiantao continued forward without stopping, and said loudly, "I have come to your camp specifically to see your sect leader on important matters."

The six old Taoists seemed surprised upon hearing this, exchanged glances, and then hurriedly discussed a few words among themselves. It was the same old Taoist who had spoken earlier who said in a deep voice, "The conference has clear regulations that before the opening ceremony, disciples of any sect are strictly prohibited from discussing matters or visiting friends of other sects. Are you unaware of this, sir?"

Jiang Tiantao could now see the old Taoist clearly. He was about thirty years old, wearing a gray Taoist robe, and was slightly thin, but his eyes were bright and piercing. As he was being sized up, he answered loudly, "Of course I know of this rule, but because this matter is of great importance, and is crucial to your sect's long-term success and the future reputation of our fortress in the martial arts world, I had no choice but to come."

Upon hearing this tone, the six old Taoists trembled involuntarily, and at the same time, they saw the true face of Jiang Tiantao, who was dressed in blue and carried a sword, with an elegant and refined demeanor. The middle-aged, thin old Taoist deliberately scrutinized Jiang Tiantao for a while with his piercing eyes. As soon as Jiang Tiantao stopped five zhang away, he immediately raised one palm to his chest and said in a deep voice, "Judging from your tone, you must be from the 'Nine Palaces Fortress' of Mount Mufu?"

Jiang Tiantao also returned the greeting with a cupped hand and said humbly, "That's right, I am indeed from the Nine Palaces Fortress. Please inform your sect leader that Jiang Tiantao, the young master of the Nine Palaces Fortress, has come to pay a visit." Upon hearing this

, the six old Taoists' expressions changed drastically, and they were all stunned. After a long while, the middle-aged, thin Taoist hurriedly bowed and said in a trembling voice, "Young Master, as a newly appointed leader of the assembly, you must be familiar with the assembly's rules..."

Before the other party could finish speaking, Jiang Tiantao immediately explained, "I have come to pay my respects to your esteemed sect leader, not to visit a friend, nor to discuss any business. Please inform your

sect leader immediately, so as not to delay important matters." Seeing that Jiang Tiantao was serious, the middle-aged, thin Taoist could only whisper a few words with the other five, and then respectfully said to Jiang Tiantao, "Please wait a moment, Young Master, I will immediately go inside to inform our sect leader." "Having said that, he turned and hurriedly went into the bamboo gate. The other five immediately split up to the left and right of the bamboo gate.

Jiang Tiantao took the opportunity to survey the terrain of the river. He saw that a hundred feet behind the Wudang Sect's camp was the steep cliff, with a gap in the middle that seemed to lead directly into the depths of the peaks. A few arrows' length to the left of the camp, at the end of the cliff, only a corner of the brightly lit camp was visible, which was probably the Shaolin Temple's camp. As for the camp about a mile to the east, it was unknown which sect it belonged to.

Before he finished surveying, the thin old Taoist who had just gone in to report came rushing out of the camp in a panic. The thin old Taoist came to the bamboo gate and bowed to Jiang Tiantao, saying, "Our sect leader and master lead the troops to welcome the young master!"

Jiang Tiantao cupped his hands and said humbly, "Thank you for reporting on my behalf, Taoist!" "

As soon as the words were spoken, a melodious and pleasant sound of sheng and flute music filled the camp. Then, two groups of gray-robed old Taoists, playing various instruments, emerged from the camp. Jiang Tiantao, upon seeing them, also stood solemnly and respectfully. Following the band were four columns of gray-robed Taoists, each with a solemn expression, all holding one hand on their chest, numbering in the dozens. Finally, there were three old Taoists with frost-white hair, carrying long swords on their backs.

The central Taoist, dressed in a purple Taoist robe, possessed an otherworldly air, his sleeves fluttering, holding a golden whisk, exuding a transcendent aura. The two Taoists on either side, both dressed in gray robes, were vigorous and sharp-eyed, their ruddy faces bearing a slight air of arrogance, presumably martial artists." The two junior disciples of the sect leader were Xuan Chen and Di Chen, while the person in the center was naturally Hong Chen, the sect leader of Wudang. Behind Master Hong Chen was a middle-aged Taoist in a green robe, and four middle-aged men in plain yellow robes. The middle-aged Taoist in the center, wearing a green silk robe, had grown a five-pronged black beard, with neat eyebrows and long eyes, and a dignified appearance, with a purple-tasseled longsword on his back. The other four middle-aged men in yellow robes all had fierce expressions, and each had a longsword on their back, with an air of arrogance on their faces.

Jiang Tiantao knew that the middle Taoist in the green robe was Song He, the only disciple and heir of Master Hong Chen, the sect leader of Wudang. The other four middle-aged men in yellow robes with swords on their backs were the famous "Four Swordsmen of Wudang," all disciples of Master Di Chen, each with superb swordsmanship and a self-important attitude.

As Jiang Tiantao surveyed the scene, he saw the band members already positioned on either side, with the remaining dozens of Daoists standing on either side. The Wudang Sanchen stood in formation, followed by Songhe and the Four Swordsmen in a line behind them. Daoist Hongchen raised his palms in a deep bow, loudly proclaiming "Amitabha!" The clear, melodious music ceased, and he immediately announced, "We are honored to hear of Young Master Jiang's arrival. Our sect, young and old, is deeply grateful. We are currently encamped in the countryside, and our entourage is incomplete. We apologize for any inconvenience caused!"

Jiang Tiantao quickly returned the bow, humbly saying, "I apologize for my unauthorized visit, Daoist, for your rudeness!"

Daoist Hongchen laughed heartily and immediately got to the point, saying, "Not at all, not at all. Young Master, you have traveled a long way and have come to our camp. What can we do for you?"

Jiang Tiantao smiled calmly and got straight to the point: "I have long admired your sect's 'Mountain-Suppressing Sword Technique,' unparalleled in the martial world. I have come specifically to seek your guidance, Daoist Master, so that I may witness your extraordinary skills!" Upon hearing this, everyone below Daoist Hongchen paled. All eyes were fixed on Jiang Tiantao's handsome face, especially the "Four Swordsmen of Wudang," whose eight eyes blazed with cold light.

Daoist Hongchen had already concluded that Jiang Tiantao's visit was not without reason, but he hadn't expected such a public challenge. He furrowed his brows, stroked his silver beard, and stared intently at Jiang Tiantao. He felt that regardless of the skill level of their swordsmanship, Jiang Tiantao's courage and boldness alone were enough to earn his admiration. So, Ji Xu nodded slightly, about to say something, when suddenly the impatient "Dust-Cleansing" old Taoist raised his eyebrows and said loudly, "Young benefactor, you've just taken charge of the Nine Palaces Fortress, and haven't even entered the Dragon Head Assembly yet, yet you dare to dream of vying for a high position? You should know that in this assembly, you've already done a commendable job of maintaining your father's existing rank. Yet you still dare to come here to provoke us, violating the assembly rules. You've really lacked foresight!"

Jiang Tiantao smiled calmly and said, "Before I came here, I..." "I've already thought this through carefully."

Upon hearing this, Old Daoist Dichun grew even more furious. His brows furrowed, and he angrily said, "Since you sincerely wish to compete for a seat in our sect, you may openly challenge me at the grand assembly the day after tomorrow

. My unwarranted visit tonight is not worth it!" Jiang Tiantao laughed heartily upon hearing this, then cupped his hands and said arrogantly, "I apologize for disturbing your enjoyment tonight. Since you are so stingy with your skills, I will have to ask for your guidance the day after tomorrow." With that, he turned and strode away.

Although Old Daoist Hongchen had never sparred with Old Master Jiang of Jiugongbao, the reputation of the "Lixing Sword Technique" in the martial arts world was indeed higher than that of Wudang's sword techniques. As the saying goes, "Those who come are not to be feared, and those who are feared will not come." Since Jiang Tiantao dared to come alone with his sword, he must have something to rely on. It would be better to take this opportunity to test his Lixing Sword Technique and prepare for the battle the day after tomorrow to protect his position. Having made up his mind, he blurted out, "Young Master Jiang, please wait!"

Jiang Tiantao turned around upon hearing this and said humbly, "What is it

, Daoist Master?" Daoist Hongchen frowned, puzzled, and asked, "The grand gathering will begin tomorrow. Why does the Young Master insist on coming tonight to challenge us to a sword duel?"

Jiang Tiantao smiled faintly and said humbly, "Because I have no intention of challenging your sect, nor do I intend to strive for a higher rank..."

Upon hearing this, Daoist Dichen, before Daoist Hongchen could reply, first laughed angrily, then said arrogantly, "If you are confident in your abilities, our sect does not mind!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Tiantao was immediately enraged. His sword-like eyebrows shot up, and he said angrily, "Very well, I have long admired Daoist Master, who often praises your sect's swordsmanship as far superior to our sect's 'Lixing Swordsmanship.' I would like to ask Daoist Dichen to teach me a few of his secret techniques." Although Daoist

Dichun was already sixty years old, his temper remained as fiery as ever. Upon hearing Jiang Tiantao's challenge, he became even more enraged, letting out a loud, arrogant laugh: "Very well, tonight I'll show you what true, authentic swordsmanship is!" As he spoke, he flashed forward, facing Daoist Hongchen, and solemnly requested, "I respectfully request that my senior brother, the sect leader, grant me permission to fight Benefactor Jiang!"

Hongchen had called out to Jiang Tiantao, intending to secretly observe the sword techniques of the "Lixing Swordplay" at Jiugong Fortress, but unexpectedly, he had clashed with Dichun. As an elder of Wudang, Dichun was highly respected. If he were to make a mistake, to salvage the reputation of the Wudang Sect, Hongchen would inevitably be forced to personally intervene. If Hongchen were also defeated, wouldn't Wudang's reputation be utterly ruined?

Hongchen's mind raced. He waved a reassuring gesture to Dichen, then turned to Jiang Tiantao and said humbly, "In the martial world, rumors and slander abound, often leading to discord and even armed conflict, resulting in mutual destruction and the realization that one has been tricked!" He paused, stroked his beard, and smiled, "Your esteemed fortress's Lixing Sword Technique and my sect's Zhenshan Sword Technique are both profound and mysterious arts, each with its own strengths, making it difficult to determine which is superior. Tonight, the young fortress master has come to exchange skills, stopping short of a full exchange. I have specially dispatched my sect's outstanding disciple, Hou Ruping, to humbly accompany the young fortress master for a few moves!" After saying this, he turned to the four middle-aged men in yellow robes and said in a deep voice, "Hou Ruping, you go and humbly accompany the young fortress master for a few moves!"

Among the "Four Swordsmen of Wudang," a middle-aged man in his thirties, with thick eyebrows, bright eyes, and a fair complexion, standing beside Songhe, immediately bowed and replied, "Disciple obeys!"

Hongchen nodded slowly, then said meaningfully, "Young Master Jiang has just taken over Jiugong Fortress; you must be careful."

Hou Ruping, the "Number One Swordsman of Wudang," although dissatisfied, dared not show any arrogance on the surface. He respectfully replied twice, then bypassed the Three Dusts of Wudang and walked directly into the arena. Jiang Tiantao's aim was to let the Wudang Sect know the profound mystery of the "Lixing Sword Technique," which was no less than the Wudang sword technique. As for who he fought, he didn't care.

At this moment, seeing Hou Ruping, the number one swordsman of Wudang, striding towards them, Jiang Tiantao sneered, his face full of disdain. Knowing that the other party was arrogant, he decided to deflate his arrogance by facing Di Chen with a gentle smile and saying, "In a fight, the eagerness to win inevitably leads to mistakes and injuries. Since you said to stop when we've reached a point, let's exchange a few blows with the 'Soft Branch' technique." After saying this, he turned around, and there happened to be a small tree with a soft branch a few feet away. He quickly went over, broke off a branch more than three feet long, and turned back to look at the three Chens of Wudang. Their expressions had already changed drastically, and the number one swordsman of Wudang, standing a foot away, was also stunned.

Jiang Tiantao pretended not to see, flicked the soft branch to the left and right, and the green leaves fell casually. Then, facing Hou Ruping, he cupped his hands and said, "Please, Hero Hou, try your moves!" As soon as he uttered the word "please," his right arm swung diagonally, and the soft branch in his hand immediately formed a circle of oily green light.

Seeing Jiang Tiantao's natural and nonchalant expression, and without any apparent effort in composing his techniques, yet his true power already flowed through his supple branches, Wudang Sanchen

and the others realized that Jiang Tiantao's skill was far beyond Hou Ruping's. Jiang Tiantao, observing this, smiled faintly and said, "If Master Hou is not accustomed to using supple branches, please continue with your longsword." Upon hearing this, Wudang Sanchen, Songhe, and the others blushed simultaneously. Hou Ruping, upon hearing this, was immediately enraged and shouted, "I'll comply! I'll use my sword to exchange a few blows with the young master!" With a shout, he raised his arm, flipped his wrist, and with a clang, a flash of cold light appeared as his longsword was drawn. He then leaped to Jiang Tiantao's side. Immediately following, with a move called "Dingshan Pigua," his longsword flashed like a silver ribbon, slashing fiercely at Jiang Tiantao's shoulder with a sharp whistling sound.

Jiang Tiantao chuckled, shouted "Good!" and spun around, his supple branch whistling as he dodged the opponent's sword, the tip already at Hou Ruping's right wrist. Hou Ruping was startled and hastily withdrew his sword, attempting to sweep Jiang Tiantao's lower body. Jiang Tiantao, intent on curbing the arrogance of the Four Swordsmen of Wudang, wouldn't allow them to change tactics. He followed with a "Going with the Flow" move, his supple branch swift as lightning, aiming directly for Hou Ruping's "Breast Root" acupoint. Hou Ruping was greatly surprised, letting out a cry of alarm, and with a powerful push, his body flew backward at

an angle. Jiang Tiantao remained silent, his movements as fast as a shadow, similarly pursuing him at an angle. Upon seeing this, the Red Dust Daoist's expression changed drastically, and he cried out urgently, "Young Master, show mercy!"

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