[Wuxia] Wandering Freely in the Tang Dynasty (Complete) - Part 2

Chapter 005 Fame Spreads Throughout the World
Shan Wanjing's boudoir on the Fragrant Ship was closest to Shan Meixian's. Leaving aside their mother-daughter relationship, Shan Wanjing's status as a princess within the Dongming Sect made her a stable "second-in-command."
Yesterday, Shan Wanjing witnessed her mother's brush with death, and with the man she favored completely focused on her mother, she had put in considerable effort to attract his attention. By the end of the day, exhaustion overwhelmed her, and even worse, the various negative emotions weighed heavily on her mind, leaving her mentally drained. Shan Wanjing was a naturally sleepy and innocent young girl. Having enjoyed red wine and delicious hot pot for dinner, she went back to bathe and rest afterward, needing a break both physically and mentally.
Back in her room, she sat dazedly in the fragrant flower-filled wooden tub, her delicate hands idly splashing water to wash herself, her mind filled with the events of the day. The young girl, her mind unsettled during her bath, vaguely heard strange sounds coming from next door. They sounded somewhat decadent, yet sent a chill down her spine. She gently dried herself, threw on a robe, and went out to investigate. She recognized the sounds as coming from her mother, and it seemed to include her elder brother Yuan's heavy breathing.
Shan Wanjing was still a virgin, but even so, she knew a little about matters of the heart. Listening to the intoxicating moans and panting, Shan Wanjing, her body weak with desire, tiptoed to her mother's window. It was nearly midnight, and in the quiet night, the decadent sounds grew even clearer.
The young girl didn't know why, but she inexplicably pushed open her mother's window. It was summer, and Shan Meixian's window was indeed not properly closed. With a gentle push from Shan Wanjing, the window sash opened slightly, and through the crack, she witnessed a scene that made her blood boil.
Resentment, sadness, disappointment, jealousy—a complex mix of negative emotions surged through her. Though her heart ached, a last shred of reason told her: this should be the happiest moment of her mother's life, the culmination of decades of hardship. She absolutely could not disturb her mother, nor did she have the right to interrupt the "good show" unfolding inside. Dragging her seemingly uncontrollable body, she mechanically turned, went back to her room, and lay down. Although exhausted, Shan Wanjing's beautiful eyes remained wide open, staring motionlessly at the ceiling. She tossed and turned, unable to sleep, her mind filled with the scene in her mother's room. Finally, unable to bear the combined physical and mental exhaustion, she fell into a deep sleep.
As the saying goes, what you think about during the day, you dream about at night. Not long after falling asleep, Shan Wanjing dreamt of her mother and Brother Yuan's intoxicating scene again, and immediately awoke with a start. Realizing she was dreaming, she looked up and saw that the sky outside the window was already slightly bright. Still thinking about the "good thing" in her mother's room , Shan Wanjing, driven by some unknown force, decided to go and see for herself: What should she say to them if they woke up? She couldn't panic; she could just pretend she knew nothing.
Having made up her mind, she went to her mother's door, but heard no sound from inside. Listening intently, she heard only long, drawn-out breathing: They weren't awake yet? What should she do? Would it be appropriate to just push the door open like that? She'd peek first.
Without further ado, she went to the window, gently pushed open the shutter, and peered out. She saw a beautiful woman, as lovely as a fairy descended to earth, sleeping peacefully. The scene was so harmonious, so beautiful, that she felt no urge to wake her and disrupt the peaceful moment.
"Who is that woman? Why does she have such a familiar aura? Could she really be a celestial being descended to earth? Why is she sleeping in Mother's bed? Where did Mother go? I clearly heard Mother's voice last night, but... but how could this be?"
Dan Wanjing was distraught and lost, her mind racing with wild guesses.
The little girl pondered these wildly for a long time without finding a clue. Even worse, she couldn't calm down and think things through; otherwise, with her intelligence, she could have guessed the general idea.
The more anxious she became, the more confused she became, her heart growing increasingly turbulent.
In desperation, she peeked through the crack in the window again. The fairy on the bed seemed to have woken up, groping for something with her back to the window.
Overwhelmed by these negative emotions, Dan Wanjing rushed into the room without considering the consequences, demanding to know who the fairy-like woman was.
Upon hearing her mother's familiar voice, Shan Wanjing was about to ask why her mother had changed so much when her gaze shifted and she saw the man she admired sleeping soundly behind her mother. At this sight, everything else vanished; a surge of bitterness and jealousy overwhelmed her. Without a word, she turned and left. At that moment, her heart was filled with only pain: she just wanted to get away from this place and never see them again.
Shan Meixian, who had been happily reminiscing about yesterday's romantic encounter, was startled when her daughter barged in. Just as she was about to scold her, her daughter uttered
the inexplicable question, "Who are you?" Seeing her daughter's resentful outburst upon seeing her husband lying beside her, even Shan Meixian, a woman experienced in all sorts of situations, didn't know how to handle it. She
stood there stunned on the bed for a while before finally snapping out of it and quickly waking her lover.
Yuan Yueze, whose virginity had been taken by Shan Meixian the night before, slept incredibly well, even dreaming of riding on the beauty's body. He was groggily woken, and the drastically changed beauty from the previous night came into view.
"Don't push me away, come on, sleep a little longer,"
Yuan Yueze mumbled, pulling the beauty into his arms again.
Once they had consummated their relationship, their intimacy suddenly intensified, and all shyness vanished.
"Ah!"
Shan Meixian was once again lost in her lover's scent.
The virgin comrade, having finally bid farewell to his former single life, was now craving more, and just as he was about to conquer her again, Shan Meixian, taking advantage of the last vestiges of clarity in her mind, weakly said: "Husband...husband, I can't take it anymore, please stop, listen to me, I'm worried about Wanjing."
"What about Wanjing?"
Yuan Yueze asked, bewildered.
So Shan Meixian recounted what had happened, then added strangely, "Wanjing acted strangely when she barged in this morning; she even asked who I was." Yuan
Yueze looked at the fairy-like beauty before him and laughed heartily. Recalling the changes in Shan Meixian's body after her physique refinement last night, Yuan Yueze, who had witnessed the process firsthand, was utterly astonished; others must have been even more shocked.
"Meixian, look here."
He conjured a mirror out of thin air and held it a few inches in front of Shan Meixian.
"Ah!" "
Shan Meixian gasped in surprise. Her delicate body, which had been lying in Yuan Yueze's arms, abruptly sat up again.
In the glass mirror sat a peerless beauty, completely naked, her skin smoother than a newborn baby's, seemingly ready to drip water at the slightest touch. Her features were exquisitely beautiful, her dignified and holy aura like that of a celestial being descended to earth, making one dare not look up. Her black hair reached her shoulders, her eyes were bright and lively, her nose delicate and graceful, her lips rosy red, her shoulders smooth and white as if carved by a knife, her breasts high and firm, adorned with plum blossoms. Her exquisitely beautiful upper body, embodying the essence of heaven and earth, was exposed to the air.
The woman in the mirror exuded boundless, intoxicating charm." She exuded a beauty that inspired a sense of peace, a beauty so captivating that even death would be willing to endure it, yet her face radiated a holy glow—a celestial charm, a transcendence of worldly concerns. These two seemingly incompatible qualities were perfectly embodied in Shan Meixian.
Gazing at herself in the mirror, even Shan Meixian was mesmerized.
In truth, Shan Meixian's appearance had simply returned to that of twenty years ago, even more perfect than before. She had recaptured the unparalleled beauty of the "Holy Maiden" of the Demonic Sect. The biggest difference was the addition of a youthful allure, a touch of ethereal grace. And it was precisely these two new qualities that were most captivating.
Yuan Yueze and Shan Wanjing were astonished by Shan Meixian's changed appearance and demeanor. This was because neither of them had ever seen Shan Meixian from over twenty years ago. Shan Meixian was initially surprised by her youthful appearance, but was immediately drawn to her unique aura.
Practicing martial arts and relying on profound internal energy to preserve youth was a common practice among many martial arts-practicing women of this era. However, no matter how deep one's internal energy or how skilled one was at preserving youth, one's demeanor would easily betray them. Before yesterday, Shan Meixian did indeed look like a woman in her twenties, but the aura of a young married woman was very obvious. Now, although she was no longer a virgin, she gave off a flawless, youthful feeling. Her body, now that she was married, faintly emitted a girlish fragrance. How could such strange phenomena not shock Shan Meixian!
"Husband…husband, is this me?"
After a long pause, Shan Meixian turned and pointed at the mirror, asking.
"Congratulations, Meixian, on regaining your youth. You're just like me now,"
Yuan Yueze said with a smile. The transition from boy to man had made Yuan Yueze's mentality mature considerably.
Upon hearing this, Shan Meixian could no longer hold back and threw herself into her husband's arms, which gave her an unimaginable feeling, tightly hugging his strong waist. Tears of joy streamed down her face as she murmured words of gratitude.
Knowing that Shan Meixian's emotions were quite volatile, Yuan Yueze held her like that for most of the day until she gradually calmed down.
"What did you say happened to Wanjing?"
Yuan Yueze asked after seeing that the beautiful woman in his arms had calmed down.
"Wanjing suddenly barged in this morning and ran out crying when she saw us like this. That girl is still young and stubborn. I was afraid she would cause trouble if she acted impulsively. Didn't you realize, my husband, that she likes you too? She was jealous of her mother all afternoon yesterday,"
Shan Meixian said shyly, then chuckled softly at the end.
Upon hearing this, Yuan Yueze was stunned. From the beginning, his attention had been entirely focused on Shan Meixian. He had no experience with men and women, and his personality wasn't the type to fall in love with every woman he met. Although he was naive, he had his own principles and, though unmarried, understood the responsibilities of marriage. Therefore, he had never considered anything to do with Shan Wanjing. His impression of her was simply that of a lively and stubborn young girl. Besides, Shan Wanjing was Shan Meixian's daughter!
Undeniably, Yuan Yueze was doing quite well living in ancient times, as his thinking was indeed somewhat conservative.
However, he overlooked one thing: himself. He was truly exceptional, whether in ancient or modern times. Leaving aside his extraordinary nature, just consider his temperament, his gentleness, his thoughtfulness, his strength, and his genuine character. If he also possessed rich life experience, this young man could shine brightly even buried in the ground.
Seeing Yuan Yueze deep in thought, silent, Shan Meixian could only help him get dressed. Shan Meixian herself discarded the elegant attire she had worn for many years, wearing only a simple white dress to cover her breathtakingly graceful figure. At first glance, she looked like a fairy standing on a cloud. Her hair was no longer styled, but casually draped over her shoulders.
Seeing that Yuan Yueze remained silent, Shan Meixian continued, "Husband, I know your heart. Your affection makes Meixian feel like she's in a dream. But do you remember what Master told you about the deep-seated karmic entanglement with other women? If you are truly certain that you have no romantic feelings for Wanjing, then I will simply speak to her for you."
Yes! Master had said I was destined for a deep-seated karmic entanglement with other women, but now my heart only belongs to Meixian. I feel as if I would be guilty if I looked at any other woman. But what should I do? Yuan Yueze's head began to ache again.
“I feel like my heart is completely filled with you, Meixian, and there’s no room for any other woman. I’d feel guilty if I even glanced at another woman. Besides, Wanjing is your own daughter,”
Yuan Yueze, this young 'old-fashioned' man, said honestly.
Feeling her husband’s deep affection, Shan Meixian was overwhelmed with emotion, and tears of happiness streamed down her face again: “Meixian is so deeply loved by her husband, I really dare not ask for anything more. These days, which man with some ability doesn’t have three wives and four concubines, a harem of courtesans? So what if Wanjing is my daughter? We’re no longer mortals now, why should we restrain ourselves by mortal standards? Besides, even if Wanjing becomes Meixian’s best friend, Meixian will feel more at ease. Otherwise, how painful it would be to watch her daughter slowly die a hundred years later! Furthermore, my husband is so amazing, I even fainted last night, I guess my husband wasn’t satisfied either, it would be good for someone to share the burden…”
Shan Meixian became increasingly shy as she spoke, her voice growing softer and softer. But she knew this wasn't the time to be shy. Her little husband needed guidance, and with her more life experience, she felt
it was her responsibility and obligation to help him. Yuan Yueze was still conflicted, hesitant and unsure what to do. Listening to Shan Meixian's advice, he couldn't help but ask, "But Meixian, won't you feel comfortable if you can't have a complete husband in the future?"
"I'm a woman too. Of course I'll be jealous, but my husband isn't an ordinary person. He's given me everything I never dared to dream of. He's kind, loving, and loyal. I know he's not a heartless person, and he won't be fickle, so I felt comfortable saying those things."
Yuan Yueze, of course, didn't know how he would face other women in the future either. He simply pulled Shan Meixian close and said, "I don't know what the future holds, but no matter what happens, if I ever wrong Meixian in the slightest, may I die a horrible death."
Shan Meixian was even more moved by this promise. The two leaned against each other, and time slowly passed.
Finally, Shan Meixian had no choice but to urge Yuan Yueze to talk to Shan Wanjing. Yuan Yueze, feeling uneasy, went out to look for Shan Wanjing, searching the entire ship but finding no trace of her. He asked a few servants, who told him that Shan Wanjing had stormed ashore and left angrily over an hour ago. Seeing her like that, the servants dared not ask any more questions.
Yuan Yueze had no choice but to report to Shan Meixian. Shan Meixian thought for a moment and realized that Shan Wanjing might have run away in a huff. Worried about her daughter, she urged Yuan Yueze to go out and search immediately. Yuan Yueze initially wanted to take Shan Meixian with him. Although Shan Meixian's constitution had drastically changed, she hadn't yet adapted, and her martial arts had been refined away; naturally, Yuan Yueze was worried about leaving her alone. However, after some thought, Shan Meixian still refused. The Dongming Shang faction had already returned to their Ryukyu headquarters for their annual clan meeting, and those remaining in the Central Plains were mostly from the Shan lineage. If Shan Meixian left now, there would be no one to lead the discussion.
Before leaving, Yuan Yueze left the Xuan Tie scroll with Shan Meixian, then set off alone on his flying sword to search for Shan Wanjing.
He flew aimlessly for half a day without finding a single clue, and Yuan Yueze, somewhat discouraged, landed and sat down to ponder. Suppressing his restlessness, Yuan Yueze channeled his true energy, scanning the area within a thousand feet, but found nothing. He had no choice but to continue searching while flying.
Suddenly, he sensed two auras approaching from over seven hundred feet ahead. One was the familiar Shan Wanjing, and the other was clearly a masculine aura. Shan Wanjing's aura was somewhat disordered, as if she had encountered some danger. Yuan Yueze swiftly flew over and landed instantly in front of the two.
The first person he saw was Shan Wanjing, holding a sword in one hand, panting heavily, her delicate body trembling slightly. The ground bore the messy marks of a fight. The clothes on her left shoulder were torn, revealing glimpses of her fair skin.
His gaze shifted again, and he saw a middle-aged man with an unusual appearance standing three zhang in front of Shan Wanjing. He was tall and imposing, with exceptionally broad shoulders, a remarkably slender waist, and long, flowing hair, leaving an unforgettable impression. The wicked look in the man's eyes as he looked at Shan Wanjing instantly enraged Yuan Yueze.
Upon seeing the man from her dreams come to her rescue in her moment of crisis, Shan Wanjing immediately dropped her sword, threw herself into his arms, and began to cry pitifully.
"Wanjing, don't cry. As long as Brother Yuan has a breath left, he won't allow anyone to lay a finger on you!"
Yuan Yueze gently patted Shan Wanjing's shoulder, comforting her.
"Wanjing, what do you think we should do with this beast?"
Yuan Yueze asked, looking down.
"Brother Yuan, you decide. I don't know either. Just don't let him get away with it,"
Shan Wanjing said shyly, nestled against her beloved's chest.
"Killing this kind of beast who only knows how to bully and humiliate weak women is too easy. The best way is to make him wish he were dead,"
Yuan Yueze
said, his expression turning "wicked." He hated men who forced themselves on women, and he especially loathed men who only knew how to rape women.
"What's going on? Why can't I move?"
The strange-looking man opposite him was terrified, cold sweat dripping down his back. A nameless fear filled his heart. He thought to himself, "I'm doomed!"
Just now, Yuan Yueze, worried about Shan Wanjing from a hundred feet away, had used his true energy to completely lock the other man's aura, which was why the man couldn't move.
"Tell me your name, as your last words before you die,"
Yuan Yueze said directly, as always.
"Kill me? You dare touch a hair on my head, Dugu Ba? The Dugu clan's assassins will hunt you down to the ends of the earth, ensuring you never have a moment's peace!"
The strangely-looking man, trying to seize the initiative, immediately revealed his clan name, intending to intimidate the young man who had inexplicably frightened him.
It turned out he had unexpectedly encountered Dugu Ba, the notorious rapist of the Tang Dynasty. Yuan Yueze thought, his already 'evil' heart instantly becoming even more 'evil': Hmm, I need to think of a way to properly torture him.
Seeing the man embracing the beautiful girl, head bowed in deep thought, Dugu Ba assumed he was frightened by the sound of his family's name and became even more defiant: "Boy, I have no interest in wasting my time with you today. Release your sorcery, I'm taking my leave!"
"Ha-ha-ha!" Three long laughs followed. "The Dugu Clan? A mere Dugu family dares to boast and try to intimidate people? Do you know that in this world, only I, Yuan Yueze, disapprove of anything and anyone, and no one has ever been able to threaten me! Dugu Ba, Dugu Ba, you've run into me today, and you even tried to bully my Wanjing. You're just unlucky."
With that, he embraced the beauty with his right hand, his left hand forming a claw, sword energy flashing between his fingers, five beams of energy shooting rapidly towards Dugu Ba. A bloodcurdling scream, like a pig being slaughtered, immediately echoed through the forest.
With all his bones shattered and five powerful streams of true energy surging wildly through his meridians, Dugu Ba gritted his teeth, raised his head, glared at the elegant man, and said hatefully, "If you have the guts, then kill me, you surnamed Yuan. If I don't die, I will repay you a hundredfold for the humiliation you suffered today."
“Kill you? Wouldn’t that be too merciful? For a beast like you, only slow torture, making you wish you were dead, would be enough to atone for the woman you violated,”
Yuan Yueze said. Then he lowered his head and asked the beauty in his arms, “Wanjing, do you have any other methods you want to try on this beast?”
Shan Wanjing had been incredibly shy since he called her “my Wanjing,” and the resentment she felt that morning had long since vanished. Now, hearing him ask her how else she wanted to torture Dugu Ba, she looked over and saw Dugu Ba lying on the ground, howling in agony, truly wishing he were dead. She couldn’t bear to look any longer and shook her head. “Brother Yuan, let’s go. Let this man spend the rest of his life in endless suffering.”
Seeing that the beauty in his arms had calmed down, Yuan Yueze couldn’t think of any better way to torture Dugu Ba, so he didn’t say anything, took Shan Wanjing’s hand, and left side by side.
The two didn't return to the 'Fragrance Ship' immediately, but instead, at Shan Wanjing's request, slowly wandered through nature. Four days passed, and under Shan Wanjing's enthusiastic and proactive influence, Yuan Yueze, this honest and simple-minded simpleton, gradually grew fond of this slightly eccentric, sometimes warm, sometimes cold little girl. The two seemed to wander aimlessly, taking out various snacks and drinks from their storage bracelets when tired, pestering Yuan Yueze to sing to her when annoyed, and simply falling asleep next to him when sleepy.
In these four days, the two did almost everything they could except for the final challenge. They kissed and touched each other. Shan Wanjing was still somewhat worried about her mother's feelings, reminding Yuan Yueze several times when they were lost at the last moment. As soon as Yuan Yueze heard her mention Shan Meixian, his passion immediately vanished. This simpleton Yuan Yueze seemed to have fallen in love at first sight with Shan Meixian, while his relationship with Shan Wanjing felt like a real romance.
Until the afternoon of the fifth day, the two were once again snuggling by the small lake, whispering sweet nothings. Suddenly, Yuan Yueze stiffened, sensing his beloved man's unusual behavior. Shan Wanjing asked curiously, "Brother Yuan, what's wrong?"
"I sense Meixian is in danger. We must go back immediately."
Having been avoiding the thought of seeing Shan Meixian, Shan Wanjing, upon hearing of her mother's danger, disregarded everything else and immediately agreed.
The two immediately rode their flying swords towards the direction of the 'Piaoxiang' ship, which Yuan Yueze sensed.
In less than a quarter of an hour, the 'Piaoxiang' ship was visible in the distance. It was currently anchored on the riverbank, where many people were fighting, and numerous corpses lay on the ground.
"Meixian!"
With a roar, unaware of what was happening ahead, Yuan Yueze, holding Shan Wanjing, descended from the air.
"Stop!"
A low roar imbued with true energy rang out like thunder in the ears of everyone present. Many with insufficient internal energy vomited blood and fainted on the spot. The rest of the crowd, unaware of what had happened, looked towards the purple-clad man who had just descended from the sky and the green-clad woman beside him.
"Husband!"
Shan Meixian exclaimed with joy, rushing into his arms. With the beautiful woman in his embrace, their true energy resonated, and Yuan Yueze, finding her unharmed, was relieved.
"Meixian, what happened?"
No one dared to move, for the man who had just descended from the sky exerted immense pressure on them, as if any slight movement would surely result in them losing limbs.
As Shan Meixian slowly recounted her story, it turned out that after several days, Yuan Yueze and her daughter still hadn't returned. Worried that Yuan Yueze lacked life experience, she ordered her servants to go ashore to gather information. However, when the defenses on the 'Piaoxiang' ship were weak, dozens of mysteriously skilled men in black launched a sneak attack on her cabin. Shan Meixian was reading a martial arts manual called "Tianwai Xiaoyao Lu" (The Record of the Carefree Journey Beyond the Heavens), left to her by Yuan Yueze. When the group of men in black rushed in, she remained calm and exchanged a few words. She discovered that they were after the Dongming Sect's leader's token, the sect's most prized possession—the "Wanhua Jingjin Pestle." Seeing Shan Meixian's ethereal beauty, the men mistook her for a princess of the Dongming Sect, and some of the less refined ones began to hurl insults and abuse at her. Shan Meixian had never suffered such humiliation before. Enraged, she attacked. Although her martial arts were completely neutralized, relying on her strong physique and past martial arts experience, she held her own against more than twenty experts. Unable to subdue Shan Meixian and inquire about the whereabouts of the "Myriad Flower Refined Gold Pestle," the men in black began hurling insults and vandalizing items on the "Fragrance Ship." The battle then spilled from the ship to the shore. The Dongming Sect's members, though not weak, were no match for these incredibly strange men in black. Coincidentally, they encountered Yun Yuzhen, the leader of the "Giant Kun Gang." The two sects had some prior ties, and dozens of Giant Kun Gang experts joined the fray. Both sides suffered casualties, but the men in black suffered relatively fewer losses. Just then, Yuan Yueze returned, his voice silencing everyone present.
After hearing Shan Meixian's account of what had happened, Yuan Yueze sighed in relief: if Shan Meixian had truly been injured, the blow to him would have been immense.
Releasing Shan Meixian and Shan Wanjing, Yuan Yueze slowly raised his eyes and swept them over the crowd. Everyone present, except for the Dongming Sect members, shuddered: that gaze was terrifying; another glance from him could easily cause them to vomit blood and die on the spot. The Giant Kun Gang, originally allied with the Dongming Sect, naturally had some objections to Yuan Yueze's treatment of them, but given his overwhelming strength, they dared not express their dissatisfaction.
Seven more men in black stood in the arena; the others were either unconscious or dead. Staring at one of the men, presumably the leader, Yuan Yueze coldly said, "Tell me who sent you, and I'll spare your lives!"
"Hmph!"
The leader of the men in black feigned composure, scoffing, "It's not difficult for me to tell you. Do you have the ability?"
"In that case, I'll give you a fair chance. I'll strike you head-on with my sword. If you survive, I won't ask any more questions and will let you leave safely."
Arrogant, utterly arrogant, utterly disdainful of everyone!
Enraged, the leader roared, "It's a deal!
Make your move!" Yuan Yueze nodded to Shan Meixian and Shan Wanjing, his left index and middle fingers forming a sword, his true essence transforming into a silver sword beam. "Take this!"
he shouted, thrusting forward from several feet away. The invisible sword energy instantly materialized into a massive, tangible sword, sparking brilliantly as it pierced the air. The air around the sword's path seemed to be sucked dry, and space itself visibly distorted. It swiftly pierced the leader, who was sweating profusely and forcing himself to muster all his strength.
"Ah!"
With a single cry, a crack appeared at the leader's Baihui point, then his brow, philtrum, jaw, scrotum, navel, and groin.
"Crack!" He was completely cleaved in two, collapsing to the sides.
Several people with weaker constitutions were too frightened to watch. Several women in the crowd turned their heads away.
This was Yuan Yueze's first time killing someone, yet he felt no fear. Perhaps it was because his lover had been humiliated. He continued, pointing at the remaining men in black, "Will you talk or not?"
The remaining men in black began to laugh wildly, chanting in unison: "In the beginning, before heaven and earth existed, there was only light and darkness. Darkness encroached upon light, indulging in its desires. Light entered darkness, surrendering itself to the shifting tides. The sacred teachings are thus, even falsehood is taken as truth. Who dares to obey the command and seek liberation? When the teachings are finished, truth and falsehood return to their root. Light returns to the Great Light, and darkness returns to accumulated darkness. The two sects return to their original state, and the two return to each other." After chanting, one by one, they fell, blood trickling from the corners of their mouths. Clearly, they had committed suicide by poison.
Before the last man in black fell, he took out a strange bamboo tube and launched a flare signal into the sky. With black blood flowing from the corner of his mouth, he spoke: "The Holy Venerable One's might shakes the world, granting me eternal life. The Eastern Sea Sect is determined to conquer, and the world will belong to me... "
Before he could finish speaking, he collapsed and died.
Yuan Yueze, having heard the song, realized that these people were from the Great Ming Venerable Sect from beyond the realm. They were after the Eastern Sea Sect, likely needing weapons to build an army.
But who was this "Holy Venerable One" they spoke of? He hadn't encountered such a character in the novels he knew. "
Hmph, I don't care if you're human, ghost, god, or Buddha. You insulted my beloved wife, and I will repay you a hundredfold! "
With that thought, Yuan Yueze roared to the sky. A golden dragon formed from condensed true energy materialized between his brows, seemingly real yet ethereal, baring its fangs and claws, soaring straight into the heavens.
"Holy Venerable One of the Great Ming Venerable Sect, listen carefully! You dared to order someone to attack my beloved wife, Shan Meixian. When we meet again, I, Yuan Yueze, will tear your tendons out, skin you alive, and subject you to a thousand cuts before you die!" Unconsciously
, he once again drew upon the extraordinary power within his mind. Yuan Yueze's voice shook the heavens and resounded throughout the world, as if the entire earth trembled with his words.
Countless martial artists were awestruck by the profound cultivation contained within those words, and various forces began to speculate: Who is Yuan Yueze? Why does he possess such formidable strength?
From this moment on, Yuan Yueze's name resounded throughout the world.

Chapter 006: Amidst Conflicts
The Great Ming Sect's Secret Attack on the Dongming Sect Seven days after the battle.
Uyghur, Gaochang.
A secret room.
The room's furnishings were simple . There were only two people, one seated and one kneeling.
The seated figure was clad in black armor, a black cloak, and a black mask, the patterns on which were grotesque and bizarre.
Even more eerie was his flowing, fiery red hair, as if flames were erupting from his head. His eyes gleamed with a chilling light, and he seemed like a black Grim Reaper reborn, or a demon king descended to earth. His fierce and imposing aura was terrifying, shaking one's very soul! The
kneeling figure below was trembling and dared not utter a sound.
"Kaishan, do you know that the failure of this operation has attracted a formidable enemy that could ruin the grand plan I have meticulously crafted for over thirty years?"
The person seated spoke, their icy voice sending chills down one's spine, causing those kneeling with bowed heads to tremble violently. "
Your Majesty," the speaker continued, "before this operation, I did conduct thorough reconnaissance. We know that Yuan Yueze's origins are unknown. We only know that a few days before our operation, he visited the Dongming Sect, acting like an ordinary person, and seemingly an old friend of Lady Dongming, as he was quite close to her and Princess Dongming. Later, we discovered that Lady Dongming had suffered a qi deviation during her cultivation and was unconscious. Yuan Yueze treated her, and since only Princess Dongming accompanied him into the room, the details remain unknown to our spies." Afterwards, Lady Dongming recovered from her injuries. Since she hadn't displayed any martial arts skills, I assumed she was just a doctor and didn't take her seriously. Later, Princess Dongming ran away for unknown reasons, and Yuan Yueze pursued her. I was initially worried that Yuan Yueze was a reclusive master, so I waited until he left before making my move. However, at the crucial moment, Yuan Yueze descended from the sky, and the Fire Master couldn't even withstand a single blow from him before being killed without a complete corpse. This failure was my fault, and I humbly request Your Majesty to punish me as you see fit.”
The person below said.
“Just who is this Yuan fellow? I believe I know almost everything about the famous masters outside the Central Plains. Why did we run into this jinx this time?” "
The person seated sighed.
Those below were even more shocked: the Holy Venerable's lifespan was nearly a hundred years, his martial arts were arguably the best in the world, and since taking over the sect more than ten years ago, he had been riding high, his power shaking all directions. Yet today he showed weakness.
"Kai Shan, do you think that Yuan fellow is a match for me?"
"This subordinate dares not speculate, but the Holy Venerable's martial arts cultivation has reached the realm of the celestial being, so I suppose that Yuan fellow wouldn't dare to provoke the Holy Venerable."
The person below said insincerely.
Yuan Yueze's earth-shattering roar had already made the people of Da Ming tremble with fear.
"You don't need to flatter me. I know my own strength better than anyone else. I am indeed no match for that Yuan fellow now. I don't even think I can withstand his full-force attack. However..."
"If I obtain the He Shi Bi, then even if that Yuan fellow comes in person, I am confident that I can kill him." "
The person seated sighed, his voice no longer as cold as before.
"Has Cihang Jingzhai sent any new information about the He Shi Bi?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, two days ago, the Abbot sent a secret letter saying that Fan Qinghui is still holding back, but they have held several secret meetings. Only four people participated, and the Abbot was not qualified enough to attend, so the content of the conversation is unknown."
The person seated replied respectfully.
"Oh? So, that old nun Fan Qinghui has also become interested in the Yuan family? Good! It's not too late for us to make our move after Shi Feixuan sends the He Shi Bi to Luoyang."
"Your Majesty" said.
If Fan Qinghui heard this, she would be extremely surprised, because Shi Feixuan had been taken into the sect at a young age and had never left the mountain for more than ten years, while this "Your Majesty" knew everything about Cihang Jingzhai. Their intelligence network was indeed terrifying.
"Have you gathered any other information about the Yuan family?"
"Your Majesty" was clearly very interested in Yuan Yueze.
"Your Majesty, the latest news came from near Jiangdu four days ago. Yuan Yueze is only close to Lady Dongming and Princess Dongming, and has not made any special moves. However, our spies say that he seems to possess sorcery, able to conjure objects out of thin air. Moreover, there is even more bizarre news."
"Oh? Such things exist? What is this even more bizarre news?" "
The spies said that Yuan Yueze called Lady Dongming 'beloved wife' that day, which suggests that he must have some dealings with her. Lady Dongming, for some unknown reason, seems to have undergone a complete transformation, regaining her youthful beauty. It must be due to some sorcery Yuan Yueze used." "
...I understand. The failure this time is not entirely your fault. Go and tell everyone not to provoke that Yuan without cause. Gather your strength and prepare to seize the He Shi Bi first."
"Your Majesty," he said after thinking for a moment.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I take my leave."
The person below bowed his head and withdrew.
"Yuan Yueze? Interesting, interesting! If there were no such person in the world, wouldn't I be lonely? The rivers and mountains will change color for generations, and I'll roam the lakes and seas with a laugh! Hahaha!"
The "Holy Venerable" muttered to himself, full of pride.
※※※※※ In a small village about thirty miles outside Yuhang City, as the sun set, inside an ordinary-looking house,
there were seven people: two men and seven women.
One woman sat at the head of the table, the other six seated on either side.
The woman at the head of the table had a full, voluptuous figure, elegant and simple, her face veiled. It was impossible to see her face beneath the veil. However, just by looking at her bright black eyes set deep beneath her delicate eyebrows, one could deduce what a femme fatale she was! She wore a simple, elegant white dress, revealing her smooth, translucent skin, which stirred endless fantasies. However, her noble bearing immediately made those with such fantasies feel ashamed. Even her graceful and elegant posture was captivating. Her jet-black hair was secured with a jade hairpin, with a few strands hanging down, light, transparent, and ethereal like cicada wings, complementing her unparalleled beauty and revealing a kind of alluring charm never before seen.
The other six women seated below could also be called peerless beauties, but only one woman could rival the woman seated above in beauty, each possessing her own unique charm.
This was the first woman on the right, who was not veiled. Dressed in white and barefoot, every part of her—from her face and skin to her figure and posture—was perfect! That breathtaking, awe-inspiring beauty, so stunning it eclipses the stars and moon, seems to require the combined imagination and reverie of the entire world to create! This beauty is beyond the reach of the mortal realm; it possesses a sinister beauty that invites descent into hell, an irresistible force that compels one to willingly surrender!
This is the secret stronghold of the Yin Gui Sect, one of the six factions within the Demonic Path.
The nine people inside are all high-ranking members of the sect, wielding supreme authority and decision-making power.
Since ancient times, the Demonic Path has been scorned by the world for its unorthodox thoughts and beliefs, and its wicked and extreme actions. The Demonic Path subsequently retreated underground, operating only in secret, rarely making a public appearance.
Among the current female martial arts masters, two are revered: one righteous and one wicked.
The woman seated there is none other than Zhu Yuyan, the current leader of the Yin Gui Sect, the "wicked" one, and the Demonic Path's "Yin Queen."
In her life, "Empress Yin" not only had two prized disciples, Wanwan and Bai Qing'er, but also several other experts who assisted her. Among them were Zhu Yuyan's martial aunt, the most senior member of the Yin Gui Sect, the "Cloud-Rain Dual Cultivator" Bi Shouxuan, her junior brother "Demon Hidden" Bian Bufu, and the "Four Beauties": Wen Caiting, Danmei, Elder Yun, and Elder Xia.
Seated to her right, the most beautiful woman comparable to "Empress Yin" in both appearance and charm was her eldest disciple, Wanwan.
Among the two sects and six paths of the Demonic Sect, unlike the Flower Sect and the Heaven-Mending Path, which only had one successor per generation, the Yin Gui Sect's formidable lineup truly deserved the title of "Number One Sect of the Demonic Sect."
Why were so many high-ranking members of the Yin Gui Sect gathered together?
"Let's each share the important information we've gathered over the past two months,"
"Empress Yin's" voice was melodious and captivating.
After everyone had reported their findings, the focus naturally shifted to the earth-shattering roar from a few days prior. "Wan'er, have you been able to ascertain whether the 'beloved wife' Yuan Yueze spoke of is your Senior Sister Meixian or someone else with the same name?" the
"Empress of the Underworld" inquired.
Bian Bufu, seated to the left, desperately hoped Wanwan's answer would be "someone else." Otherwise, recalling the crimes he had committed against Shan Meixian and the man's terrifying strength, he couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.
Wanwan's beautiful eyes sparkled as she glanced at Bian Bufeng. Her silvery voice rang out, "Reporting to Master, Wan'er has received news that Yuan Yueze arrived at the Dongming Sect about half a month ago. Later, somehow, he ended up with Senior Sister Meixian. On the day of the battle, I heard that the Dongming Sect's ships were ambushed by dozens of highly skilled men in black. Yuan Yueze then descended from the sky and killed the leader of the group of men in black with a single move. Afterward, the remaining men in black committed suicide. Yuan Yueze seemed to be burning with rage, roaring to the sky. From his words, it seemed that the mysterious Great Ming Venerable Sect from beyond the realm had sent people to ambush Senior Sister Meixian, which led to the events that followed."
Upon hearing this, a flash of fear crossed Bian Bufeng's eyes, and cold sweat broke out on his brow. Perhaps he should retreat, but where should he retreat to?
Zhu Yuyan glanced at Bian Bufu and said, "I just don't know what his stance is. If he can be used by our sect, then the time for the revival of our 'Holy Gate' will have come."
"Could our sect send someone to approach him and lure him with women or money?"
Bi Shouxuan asked.
"Grandmaster Uncle, I'm afraid this method won't work. According to our scouts, Yuan Yueze's cultivation is at the Celestial level, and he seems to know some magic. Senior Sister Meixian has already undergone a transformation, regaining her youthful beauty. Moreover, I heard that Senior Sister Meixian's current aura is like that of a fairy in the clouds, a celestial being. It must be some kind of magic used by Yuan Yueze. Ordinary women might not catch his eye."
Wanwan interjected.
"How could the women of our Holy Gate be ordinary beauties? Senior Sister Wanwan's looks and charm are among the best in the world. Why not give it a try?"
Bai Qing'er quickly added, giving Wanwan a sarcastic kick.
A fierce glint flashed in Wanwan's eyes. She didn't answer, only looking at her master.
Zhu Yuyan, on the other hand, was in a dilemma: she had caused her own daughter to be orphaned and destitute years ago. More than ten years had passed since they last met, and her daughter must surely hate her to death. Although the Demonic Sect emphasized ruthlessness and cold-bloodedness, Zhu Yuyan was still human. She could repeat herself, but not a third time. Hearing that voice that echoed throughout the world that day was enough for her to understand that her daughter had finally found a good home. That roaring man dared to defy the world for her daughter's sake. What more could a woman ask for than a husband who cared for her so deeply?
But as the sect leader, the sect's interests came first. What should she do? Should she send someone to ruin her daughter's marriage? Should she sacrifice her daughter again for the Demonic Sect's interests? A trace of regret and hesitation welled up in her heart. Zhu Yuyan remained silent.
Seeing the "Empress of the Underworld" on her high throne change her expression several times, the others below roughly understood Zhu Yuyan's current feelings. "The Evil King" can be considered the biggest weakness of the "Empress of the Underworld," and Shan Meixian can also be considered a weakness of the "
Empress of the Underworld," although she cannot be compared with the "Evil King." "Wan'er hasn't had enough worldly experience. I haven't officially sent you out to hone your skills yet. You should seize the time to consolidate the sixteenth level of the 'Heavenly Demon Great Art' and strive to break through to the seventeenth level within half a year. At that time, I can send you out to officially travel the world,"
Zhu Yuyan said after thinking
for a moment. "As for Yuan Yueze, you should give orders that we must not offend this person or the Dongming Sect. His cultivation is probably such that even all the experts in our sect cannot defeat him. As for how to win him over, I will think about it for a while before deciding. His current enemy should be the Great Ming Venerable Sect."
"Furthermore, after you all return to your posts, please send as many people as possible to gather information about this person. This will help us figure out how to win him over."
After everyone said their goodbyes, they left. Only Zhu Yuyan remained in the room. She
stood up, went to the window, and muttered to herself, "Meixian, are you still blaming me? I'm going to hurt you again this time. I hope you and that man can withstand the test."
After thinking for a while, she wondered: Who was that man who had been appearing in her dreams every night for about half a month? Why had he appeared in her dreams every day for the past two weeks, just quietly smiling at her? That man could be said to have a fatal attraction for any woman, but why did he specifically appear in her dreams? In the past two weeks, her Heavenly Demon Technique had begun to decline. Was it her inner demons causing trouble? After racking her brains
without finding an answer, "Yin Hou" continued to look out the window. Her eyes returned to their usual calm and undisturbed state.
※※※※※ Luoyang, the residence of the Dugu Clan, one of the four great clans, in the reception hall.
The family leaders took their seats in order.
Seated alongside the family head, Dugu Feng, was an elderly woman nearing a hundred years old. Her hair was streaked with white, her eyes half-closed by her eyelids, suggesting blindness. Her face was covered in deep wrinkles, yet she possessed an air of nobility. She wore a black robe over a white silk veil, her forehead prominent, her cheeks sunken, and strangely, her complexion possessed a pinkish hue beyond her years amidst her paleness.
This woman was named You Chuhong.
Among the current female martial arts masters, Zhu Yuyan and Fan Qinghui, one righteous and one wicked, were considered the most respected. However, before their rise to fame, the undisputed number one female martial arts master was You Chuhong of the Dugu family.
If it weren't for the fact that twenty years ago, You Chuhong had suffered a stroke during practice, which developed into a persistent and incurable asthma, causing her skill to stagnate, she could absolutely rival Zhu Yuyan and the current head of the Cihang Jingzhai sect.
You Chuhong was shrewd and ruthless by nature, possessing unparalleled martial arts skills. Although she held no official title as the head of the Dugu clan, she effectively commanded everyone like a patriarch! Among the four great clans of the former Sui Dynasty, her ranking was second only to Song Que, the "Heavenly Blade" of the Song clan.
You Chuhong was undoubtedly the most influential woman in the court and the martial arts world. She relied on the jade staff that symbolized her status and her signature technique, the "Cloak Staff Technique," also known as the "Seven Killings of the Cloak," consisting of seven moves, each incredibly ruthless. The jade staff moved, sending sand and stones flying. Its fierce and ruthless nature instilled fear in all who heard of it. These seven moves were: "A Tall Tree Caught in the Wind," "Snowstorm," "A Rumor from Nowhere," "Lightning Speed," "A Devastating Scene," "Stirring Up Trouble," and "Swift as Thunder." Dugu Feng, on the other hand, was imposing and tall, appearing to be only in his thirties. His dignified appearance and imposing presence, coupled with the piercing light in his eyes, made his gaze as sharp as lightning. But Dugu Feng was far from being as upright as his appearance suggested. He was cunning, scheming, and hypocritical. His martial arts skills ranked second in the entire family; otherwise, how could he have secured his position as clan leader?
You Chuhong sighed first, saying, "I didn't expect Ba'er to have offended such a ruthless figure this time. What are your thoughts?"
"Grandma, what's there to be afraid of? No matter how powerful he is, he's just one person. I don't believe he can defeat a thousand troops!"
Dugu Ce said with disdain.
"You good-for-nothing! How have I taught you? To be calm and composed! Otherwise, you'll die out there one day and no one will even know!"
Dugu Feng scolded his useless son with exasperation.
Dugu Ce could only awkwardly remain silent, but his face still showed an expression of defiance.
“Those five strange auras within Ba’er’s body are something that even the combined strength of all the experts in our clan couldn’t dispel. I never imagined that I underestimated that Yuan fellow!”
“Just from the fact that a single sentence containing internal energy could spread throughout the world, one can guess how terrifying that Yuan fellow must be. Although I am confident in my cultivation, I’m afraid I can’t even come close to him. And what about the three Grandmasters? What face do they have to call themselves ‘Grandmasters’?”
You Chuhong sighed.
“But how can this grudge not be avenged? Ba’er is now like a cripple, barely clinging to life, suffering from those five auras within him every day, a fate worse than death. How can the face of our Dugu clan be so easily erased? How can the people of the Dugu clan hold their heads high if word gets out?”
You Chuhong’s cousin, Dugu Wei, an elder of the Dugu clan, said bitterly.
“Indeed, a gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years. We can plan to start with the women around him. Judging from what that man surnamed Yuan said that day, he dared to defy the world for his wife. Although we can't do anything to him, we can use his women to blackmail him!”
Another elder of the clan, Dugu Gang, chimed in.
“Brother Wei and Brother Gang are quite right, but we need to plan carefully before we act rashly. If we don't act, we won't act; but when we do, it will be spectacular!”
You Chuhong nodded.
※※※※※ Lingnan, Jiashan City.
Mingyue Tower, inside the Sharpening Hall.
There was only one person in the hall, a man, the head of the Song Clan, 'Heavenly Blade' Song Que!
Song Que stood with his back to the door, facing several uniquely shaped precious swords hanging on the wall. Not far in front of him was a huge whetstone, on which more than twenty names were clearly carved, arranged from top to bottom. At the very top of the whetstone was a red line, above which was only one name: Yuan Yueze. Below the red line was another name: Ning Daoqi! The 'San Zhenren', ranked first among the three Grandmasters!
"Father!"
A clear female voice rang out from outside the hall.
Song Que slowly turned around, his handsome face solemn. His fair and ruddy complexion was complemented by exquisitely sculpted features. Tall and slender yet robust, a wisp of black beard flowed across his chest. His eyes shone like stars, his eyebrows sharp as swords. Though he stood with his hands behind his back, exuding a natural and unpretentious majesty, he truly deserved the title of 'Number One Handsome Man in the Central Plains'.
Stepping outside, a woman was already waiting. At first glance, she didn't seem particularly beautiful, perhaps because her features gave her a slightly masculine air. However, her skin was snow-white with a healthy pink hue, her temperament noble and elegant, her legs long and her waist slender, her figure tall and graceful, with bright eyes and white teeth. Her heroic and spirited demeanor was even more captivating. This woman was none other than 'Tian Dao's' youngest daughter, Song Yuzhi.
"Zhizhi, what brings you to the Sharpening Hall?"
Song Que asked gently and affectionately.
"Father, I want to go out with Second Brother and Third Uncle too. I'm so bored staying in this mountain city all day!"
"I haven't seen you so interested in this in recent years. Didn't you say that going out on a ship is very tiring? Why are you in the mood again today?"
Song Que teased his daughter, knowing she must have some ulterior motive.
"I just want to go out and have some fun. I don't have any particular purpose," Song Yuzhi pouted.
"Father was planning to have you go to Jiangyin in a while. Why not wait a little longer? You're in such a hurry to go out with your Third Uncle, you must have some other purpose, right?"
Song Que said with a half-smile.
Feeling flustered by Song Que's gaze, Song Yuzhi lowered her head and said, "I really don't have any purpose. I just want to go out and see the world."
Then she used her trump card, grabbing Song Que's arm and pleading sweetly.
"Alright, alright, then go back and prepare. Remember, you mustn't cause any trouble outside and bring shame to the family. Listen to your third uncle and second brother."
"Okay, daughter understands, thank you, Father."
Jumping up and kissing Song Que, Song Yuzhi happily ran off.
"Could it be that Zhizhi has also developed a strong interest in Yuan Yueze?"
Song Que wondered to himself.
*Whew—I almost gave myself away!* Song Yuzhi sighed deeply, thinking to herself: This time, with my third uncle transporting salt along the Yangtze River, I hope I can finally meet that renowned man who loves his wife so dearly. The scouts reported two days ago that he seemed quite young; I thought he was an old man. Otherwise, how could he possess such profound inner strength? Putting aside everything else, his willingness to fight ten thousand men for his wife alone is enough to make any woman in the world fall for him.
Song Yuzhi's curiosity had been piqued; who knew when she would fall for him?
※※※※※ Taiyuan, Li Clan, Tian Ce Mansion, in a secluded little garden.
A young man of about twenty years old stood with his hands behind his back. He had striking features—sharp eyebrows and bright eyes—a face like jade, imposing and radiant. His proud and domineering aura blended naturally with the composed demeanor of a ruler, and his humble and friendly smile was like a spring breeze, winning hearts and minds. It seemed obvious to everyone that this extraordinary man was destined for greatness and was destined for a spectacular career!
This man was none other than Li Shimin, the second son of Li Yuan, the governor of Taiyuan and the master of the Tian Ce Mansion.
After hearing that angry roar from the sky that day, Li Shimin was also incredibly shocked. Today, he had considered many things: what if this man became his rival in the future? However, if he could win this man over, there would be no rivals left in the world, and even sending Yang Guang to the imperial mausoleum sooner wouldn't be difficult! Suddenly, a voice came from outside: "Second Young Master, the governor requests your presence."
About fifteen minutes later, in Li Yuan's study,
Li Yuan and his three sons and one daughter were present.
“I’ve summoned you all here today to ask your opinions on that Yuan Yueze from a few days ago. I still feel his roar echoing in my ears these past few days; he is extremely dangerous. Fortunately, our Li clan has no enmity with him and is on good terms with the Dongming Sect. Do you have any ideas on how to befriend him?”
Li Yuan asked.
“I also think that man is quite remarkable! If our Li clan can acquire him, our ‘great undertaking’ will surely be accomplished!”
said his eldest son, Li Jiancheng.
“The key is how to win him over. I imagine many forces, large and small, are planning how to approach him. Our Li clan should not lag behind,”
Li Yuan replied.
“In that case, please give the order, Father. I will prepare to go to the Dongming Sect tomorrow and approach him under the pretext of purchasing weapons,”
Li Yuanji eagerly volunteered.
“Third brother, have you figured out how to win over Yuan Yueze after you get close to him?”
Li Jiancheng immediately jumped in, trying to suppress Li Yuanji.
“This…”
Li Yuanji was speechless.
"Father, please give the order. I will personally lead my men to approach the Dongming Sect. We'll offer them money and beautiful women; I believe we can win their allegiance,"
Li Jiancheng said.
"According to our scouts, Yuan Yueze is spending all his time with Aunt Meixian and Sister Wanjing. Surely such a person wouldn't be interested in money. Furthermore, we've heard that Yuan Yueze has used some method to restore Aunt Meixian's youth. Before regaining her youth, Aunt Meixian was already a peerless beauty. Now that she's devoted to Yuan Yueze, how could he possibly be interested in an ordinary woman?"
Li Shimin finally spoke.
Li Yuan gave Li Shimin an appreciative look, gesturing for him to continue.
A flash of jealousy crossed the eyes of Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji. Li Xiuning, however, had remained silent since entering.
At this moment, she probably understood her second brother's strategy: was he using her as a bargaining chip again? For the sake of the family, she was willing to be a bargaining chip! Besides, if he could see the man Aunt Meixian had pledged herself to, it might broaden his horizons.
"Xiuning's beauty and charm are in no way inferior to Aunt Meixian's, and Xiuning is younger. The spies' reports that Aunt Meixian has regained her youthful beauty are hard to believe. How could such a thing happen? I think it's highly improbable. It's just hearsay. Furthermore, Xiuning isn't very satisfied with Chai Shao. If Xiuning and Yuan Yueze could fall in love, it would be a great help to our Li clan, and Xiuning could have a perfect marriage. As for Yuan Yueze, my Xiuning's devotion to him is a sign of respect. If this matter succeeds, it would be a happy ending for everyone. Judging from Yuan Yueze's willingness to defy the world for Aunt Meixian, he is a man of deep affection," Li Shimin
continued.
He spoke with grand pronouncements, all for the sake of the family, all for his sister. Little did anyone know, it was he who had personally betrothed his unwilling sister to Chai Shao. Now that someone even more valuable than Chai Shao has appeared, they immediately use their sister like a commodity to exchange for Yuan Yueze's surrender.
Li Shimin's claim that Shan Meixian could rejuvenate her youthful beauty is likely a fabrication; in reality, the major powers all believe the same. In their eyes, how could there be a magic spell that could restore youth? The main reason is that the information gathered by these powers is not entirely accurate.
"If things are truly as Second Brother says, then what position do we place the Chai family in? Since Xiuning is engaged to Young Master Chai, how can we easily break off the engagement?"
Li Yuanji questioned.
Li Yuan had just heard Li Shimin's plan and found it excellent. His only concern was: how to explain it to the Chai family if the plan succeeded?
"This matter need not trouble Father, Eldest Brother, or Third Brother. If this plan succeeds, I am absolutely certain I can explain things properly to the Chai family without causing any trouble,"
Li Shimin said confidently.
This is a politician—a born politician, an outstanding politician, a politician one in a million.
Li Yuan was completely captivated by his second son's plan: "If Shimin's plan succeeds, it will indeed be a win-win situation. I originally planned to go to the Dongming Sect to purchase weapons nine months later, but this time, due to the plan, I will move it forward. As for how much earlier, we still need to discuss it further. This plan will be handled by Shimin and Xiuning."
Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji, upon hearing that they were not included, flashed a ruthless glint in their eyes.
At the same time, major powers in the Central Plains, Goryeo, the Turks, and the Tiele were all talking about this man named Yuan Yueze. Countless passionate young men in the martial arts world, full of ideals, admired Yuan Yueze immensely, discussing him endlessly. Women also talked about him after meals, feeling that his loving care for his wife was captivating and filled with longing. Some said Yuan Yueze was a handsome young man under twenty. Others said he was an old man over a hundred, an old ox eating young grass. Otherwise, where would he get such profound inner strength? The storytellers in the teahouses went even further, fabricating stories out of thin air. The more they spread, the more chaotic it became, with all sorts of rumors circulating, even reaching some places where people claimed he was Ning Daoqi in disguise. Wouldn't Yuan Yueze be furious if he heard this?
Only the major powers truly had a general idea of what was going on; ordinary people didn't have such a powerful intelligence network.
During the battle, the Giant Kun Gang leader, Yun Yuzhen, and his members were all present. The only ones in the world who knew the true details were Yun Yuzhen and his eyewitness subordinates. But for some reason, when people later inquired about Yuan Yueze at high prices, none of the Giant Kun Gang eyewitnesses answered. They only said it was the gang leader's order, and disobeying it would be punished according to gang rules. Even Yun Yuzhen's lover, Dugu Ce, who went to inquire despite their close relationship, was turned away. Dugu Ce was furious and cursed, but there was nothing he could do. A
storm was brewing in the world; the Central Plains and beyond were driven mad by one person.

Chapter 007 Dongming's Triumph
More than ten days have passed since the Battle of Dongming. The Five Fangs' flagship, the 'Piaoxiang', was severely damaged by the black-clad men of the Great Ming Sect and was unable to sail normally. After discussion, Shan Meixian decided to first stop at shore for repairs and to give a proper burial to the sect's members who lost their lives in the battle, thus appeasing everyone. At the same time, she also expedited the repair of the dilapidated 'Piaoxiang'.
This was already the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, near major cities like Jiangdu, Danyang, and Wujun. Within the sect, some were repairing their weapons, others were recuperating, and still others were busily preparing food and drink, all working in an orderly fashion.
On the flat, wide grassy riverbank, Yuan Yueze, Shan Wanjing, and Shan Ruyin stood silently, gazing several feet ahead.
In the distance, a figure in white, like a fairy in the clouds, could be vaguely seen, her sleeves fluttering, cold as if riding the wind, like a butterfly fluttering uncertainly up and down among the flowers.
Then, the woman's speed increased, and a chilling aura began to emanate from her. Looking closely, the fairy had changed her move; she formed a sword with her fingers, and the sword energy at her fingertips moved at will, surging and zigzagging along a path as powerful as a dragon churning the river. The surrounding air was affected by the thunderous sword energy, creating a spatial distortion. It was difficult to discern the exact path of the sword energy.
Gradually, the figure became indistinct. After a long while, the woman abruptly withdrew her attack, standing motionless. The distorted space slowly returned to normal. While seemingly still, the woman's figure was actually elusive, as if she had merged with heaven and earth.
"Clap, clap."
"Excellent! Meixian, using the Heavenly Demon Great Art as a foundation, supplemented by your own understanding of Taoist principles, this technique is no weaker than the original Heavenly Demon Great Art. Such progress in just over ten days is truly remarkable. Although the results are not yet obvious, as long as you persevere, your future achievements will be limitless."
Yuan Yueze, clapping, walked towards the woman with the two women, sincerely praising her.
The surrounding energy finally dissipated, revealing the true form of the white-clad fairy in the center—the reborn Shan Meixian.
"This is all thanks to my husband's help in refining my body. I thank you, my husband," Shan
Meixian said sweetly.
How could an ordinary person resist such a fairy's coquettishness?
The dazed Yuan Yueze immediately revealed his lustful, lecherous nature.
His companions, Shan Wanjing and Shan Ruyin, should have been jealous of their flirtatious banter. However, Shan Meixian was far superior to them in every way; she was ethereal and graceful, her robes billowing in the wind. The two girls stared at her with boundless admiration.
"Meixian has changed drastically in every way—physically, mentally, and in martial arts. Even those who know you well might not be entirely sure of your identity,"
Yuan Yueze said after a moment of stunned silence.
The two girls beside him nodded eagerly in agreement.
Since consummating her relationship with Yuan Yueze, Shan Meixian had undergone a truly astonishing transformation; even her own daughter wouldn't recognize her at first glance. Of course, Shan Wanjing was also preoccupied with other matters at the time. Even so, one could deduce the extent of Shan Meixian's change. Shan Ruyin was even more so. She had followed Shan Meixian since childhood, for over ten years. Now, seeing her mistress's dramatic transformation, achieving an extraordinary, eternally youthful physique, how could she not be overjoyed? However, the little girl still felt a pang of loss within herself. But what was her status? Young Master Yuan was her mistress's husband; her own status was lowly, and she could only silently love him and secretly watch him.
"Let's go, it's time for dinner. Let's go back and have a good meal to reward our stomachs, as a way of congratulating Meixian on her return to the martial arts hall,"
Yuan Yueze said, stepping forward to embrace Shan Meixian and turning back to the two little girls.
In the past few days, the two had been inseparable, making Shan Wanjing and Shan Ruyin both envious and jealous. Originally, during the few days Yuan Yueze and Shan Wanjing spent alone together, Shan Wanjing had indeed successfully built a relationship with Yuan Yueze through her charm and methods. But alas, once he returned to his mother's side, he ignored her completely. Out of a young woman's reserve, Shan Wanjing didn't dare bring up the matter directly. However, judging by the timeline, the Shang clan's gathering should have already ended, and they would be returning in a few days. At that point, rekindling her romance with Yuan Yueze would be even more difficult. It was best to make their relationship clear as soon as possible.
Shan Wanjing followed behind, lost in thought.
Shan Meixian had been living a blissful life these past few days. Her husband doted on her, treating her like a precious gem. Not only had her body been refined, but her state of mind had also undergone a significant change. She even found that she no longer hated her mother, whom she had resented for many years, but only felt pity for her. The carefree days with Yuan Yueze made Shan Meixian even more ecstatic, feeling as if she were in paradise, completely forgetting that her daughter looked at her and Yuan Yueze with resentful eyes every day.
An hour later, a large table of fragrant dishes was laid out, and the four of them sat down.
Over the past ten days, Shan Ruyin had been repeatedly invited by Yuan Yueze to dine with him, and she knew that Yuan Yueze was gentle and approachable. She also harbored feelings of affection for him. Gradually, Shan Ruyin opened up. Previously, the Madam and the Princess had been very particular about etiquette, but now, the Madam had changed drastically in appearance, temperament, and mindset, becoming as gentle as Yuan Yueze, and even treating Shan Ruyin as an equal to Shan Wanjing, almost as a form of compensation. The Princess, on the other hand, was completely focused on Young Master Yuan and didn't care about Shan Ruyin at all.
Wine was poured, chopsticks were picked, and the four of them began to eat and chat.
Shan Wanjing was troubled, unable to bring herself to reveal their relationship in front of her mother and Yuan Yueze, and worried about what would happen to her when the Shang family returned soon. She kept drowning her sorrows in alcohol. Drinking alone was boring, so she pulled Shan Ruyin to drink with her, and the two women drank until they were completely drunk, causing quite a scene. Finally, they collapsed onto the table, completely drunk.
Yuan Yueze and Shan Meixian were exchanging flirtatious glances, not paying much attention to the two young girls until they both passed out. Seeing that the two women weren't completely drunk, but were just mumbling incoherently, Shan Meixian had no choice but to have someone take them home.
Just as she was about to call for a servant, she heard Shan Wanjing mumble, "Brother Yuan, why can't you treat me like you treat Mother?"
Shan Ruyin, on the other hand, was lying to the side, only murmuring Yuan Yueze's name.
Seeing this, Shan Meixian realized that she had been so infatuated with her husband these past few days that she had neglected her daughters' feelings. And looking at Shan Ruyin, she also seemed deeply in love with Yuan Yueze. It seemed that the two women must have been holding back for a long time, which was why they had revealed their true feelings in their drunken state. It seemed that she had to have a serious talk with her husband about how to treat the two women.
Over the past few days, Yuan Yueze's experience had gradually increased. Looking at the two women before him, he understood their feelings for him, but he was still confused: on one hand, he didn't want to hurt them, and on the other hand, he was afraid of feeling guilty towards Shan Meixian.
He sent servants to take the two women back to their rooms and look after them carefully, while Yuan Yueze and Shan Meixian went for a walk.
The two simply strolled slowly, leaning against
each other, without saying a word. Finally, they arrived at a distant grove of trees, where their passion was ignited, and they decided to have a thrilling outdoor battle. They fought for over an hour, going back and forth several times. After a soft moan, Shan Meixian had no strength left and nestled in Yuan Yueze's arms.
Feeling his still proudly erect 'little Ze' below, Shan Meixian said shyly, "Husband, you haven't had enough, let's do it again. I can still take it."
"No need," Yuan Yueze replied, "Meixian should have reached her limit. What if you hurt yourself? How can I disregard your needs for my own desires?"
Listen to that, his masculinity was becoming increasingly pronounced.
Nestled in her husband's arms like a cute kitten, Shan Meixian lowered her head, gritted her teeth, and said, "Let's talk things out with Wanjing and Ruyin tomorrow!"
"Our affairs?"
With Yuan Yueze in his arms, he had no mind for anyone else.
"Didn't someone say last time that I approve of my husband and Wanjing's relationship? We've neglected Wanjing these past few days, and judging from today's situation, she must be feeling very bitter. As her mother, I feel a little guilty. Besides, Ruyin's behavior today also showed she's hopelessly in love with my husband. Let's just clarify things tomorrow."
Shan Meixian looked up, her face radiating happiness.
"To be honest, I've been confused and conflicted since the beginning. I'm afraid of letting you down, but I also don't want to hurt them. These past few days, I've probably felt like running away,"
Yuan Yueze sighed.
"My husband values me so much, yet I can't satisfy him. I feel anxious and uneasy. Adding some close female friends would help share my responsibilities and create a big family where everyone can be happy. Wouldn't that be perfect? I did have a desire to possess you entirely, but I realized that would be too selfish. You are no ordinary man, and my master has predicted a life of 'peach blossom tribulations.' I should face it honestly. If we're destined to be together, let's cherish it. Even a single day of your love in this life feels like a dream, let alone the countless years we'll spend together!"
Shan Meixian smiled like a snow lotus.
"If we're destined to be together, let's cherish it..."
Yuan Yueze murmured. Yes, wasn't my current behavior an escape? From the moment my master predicted the outcome, my future was sealed. And yet, I was still clinging to the idea of being devoted to only one woman. Although this concept emphasizes loyalty to marriage and one's wife, fate is fickle, especially when one is caught in a 'destiny' that even the gods cannot escape. Moreover, even if he remarries, his love for Shan Meixian will not diminish in the slightest; why not face it naturally?
Looking at the fairy in his arms, he felt an overwhelming surge of affection and understanding. This is understanding, isn't it? Long live understanding!
The knot in their hearts was finally untied, and Shan Meixian, having regained some strength, felt her "fighting spirit" rekindle. She mounted her horse and galloped away again…
An hour later, Yuan Yueze carried the now blissfully asleep Shan Meixian back to their lodgings. Before he even entered the house, he saw Shan Wanjing anxiously waiting at the door, while Shan Ruyin stood behind the princess.
"Brother Yuan, where have you been? I thought something had happened to you and Mother!"
Shan Wanjing immediately asked.
"Ah, well… um… Meixian and I went for a walk. Meixian got tired and fell asleep, so I carried her back,"
Yuan Yueze lied, blushing slightly.
Their gazes fell on their mother in Yuan Yueze's arms, noticing her delicate face, adorned with an ethereal beauty, the blush on her cheeks not yet fully faded. Although Shan Wanjing and Shan Ruyin were inexperienced, they were no strangers to such things. They immediately guessed what the two had done in the wild, and the two girls blushed slightly, muttering under their breath: "What a mess!"
Seeing the two girls blush and lower their heads, Yuan Yueze quickly used his trump card to change the subject: "Um... um, Wanjing, weren't you and Ruyin drunk? How come you woke up so quickly?"
"I don't know what happened. It seems like in my dream, the 'Concentration Technique' that Brother Yuan taught me before vaguely appeared in my mind, and then I woke up without feeling dizzy at all,"
Shan Wanjing said, Shan Ruyin behind her nodding in agreement.
So it was the effect of the 'Concentration Technique'; this thing could even cure a hangover. Yuan Yueze shook his head and chuckled.
"I'll take Meixian home to rest first. You two can go and rest too, if you're free."
Yuan Yueze turned and left.
Shan Wanjing opened her mouth to speak, but didn't know what to say. Just as she was frantically trying to think of an excuse to stop Yuan Yueze, he suddenly turned around: "Oh, right, I have something to tell you tomorrow. Come over tomorrow morning."
With his inner turmoil gone, Yuan Yueze was even more charming and manly, and his speech no longer carried the indecisive tone of before. He turned and left with a carefree and casual air.
The two girls were also a little confused by Yuan Yueze's change in demeanor, but their affection for him only grew stronger. Then they remembered that Yuan Yueze had said he had something to tell them tomorrow, and they couldn't help but think about it.
"Brother Yuan won't make me call him stepfather and just give up on me, will he? What should I do then? But what if he agrees to marry me?"
Shan Wanjing's expression kept changing.
“It’s understandable that the young master wants to speak to the princess, but I’m just a maid. Why are you including me?”
Shan Ruyin only dared to keep her love for Yuan Yueze hidden in her heart; how could she imagine that he would accept such a thing from her!
They returned to their rooms, and the night passed without a word.
The next morning, both women dressed up carefully before knocking on Shan Meixian’s door.
“Come in,”
a melodious voice sounded from inside.
The two women took a deep breath and pushed open the door.
Inside, a couple sat together at a small table.
They beckoned, and the two women nervously approached and sat down.
“Mother and husband discussed things for a long time yesterday and decided to tell you the results. You can speak your opinions if you have any,” Shan Meixian spoke first. The two women thought to themselves: Here it comes! “Wanjing, do you like your husband? Are you willing to marry him?”
Shan Meixian asked Shan Wanjing first. “Ah?” Shan Wanjing was stunned upon hearing this. This question was actually asked of her by her own mother! How embarrassing! Although she secretly harbored feelings for him, Brother Yuan was now of the same generation as her mother, her elder! Shan Ruyin, standing to the side, remained silent, head bowed. Seeing her daughter's hesitation, Shan Meixian continued, "My husband and I discussed this very matter yesterday. He likes you, but these things can't be forced. You should ask him what he truly wants." " But Brother Yuan already has a mother, what use is he to me? Besides, wouldn't that mess up the generations?" The little girl forgot she always called her "stepfather" "brother," and said sourly. "So what? My husband's background is extraordinary, and he will transcend the three realms in the future, unmatched by anyone. He is also loyal and righteous. Even if he were to possess the world, he would be fully qualified!" Shan Meixian said generously. "Is what Mother is saying Brother Yuan's own opinion?" Shan Wanjing insisted on hearing it from her own mouth to feel at ease. “Yes, Wanjing, Meixian and I talked yesterday and we've thought it through. But I can't force you just because I like you, so I need to ask for your opinion first.” Yuan Yueze said naturally. Opening her arms, she said, “If you're willing, then come here…” Tears welled up as Shan Wanjing rushed over, her small fists raining down on Yuan Yueze's chest. “You jerk, you jerk, do you know how long I've waited for you to say that? Do you know how heartbroken I am seeing how good you are to my mother?” “Alright, Wanjing, the good days have finally arrived. Enjoy them slowly.” Yuan Yueze gently stroked Shan Wanjing's trembling shoulders, comforting her. He turned and gestured to Shan Meixian, who wisely embraced Shan Wanjing, smiling lovingly as she stroked her daughter's beautiful hair: she finally had no regrets! Her daughter's future was settled! Yuan Yueze looked at Shan Ruyin, who still dared not raise her head: "Ruyin, why don't you raise your head? I also have something to say to you." Shan Ruyin couldn't imagine what Yuan Yueze would say to her. Was he telling her to stop overthinking? But she couldn't control herself! The more she thought about it, the less she dared to raise her head. "Ruyin, I've watched you grow up since you were little, like Wanjing, you're like my daughter. Are you willing to lower yourself to marry your husband?" Shan Meixian turned to Shan Ruyin and asked. Shan Ruyin's delicate body trembled. Something she had never dared to imagine was actually happening to her. She was a little confused, a little happy, and a little scared. She kept her head down, still not daring to raise it.

"Meixian is right. Ruyin, are you willing to marry me? If not, I can't possibly force you to marry a 'toad' who wants to eat 'swan meat,' can I?"
Yuan Yueze laughed.
Hearing his amusing words, the three women all chuckled, and Yuan Yueze felt as if he had fallen into a garden of a hundred flowers. Shan
Ruyin finally raised her head: "But...but, young master, I...I..."
She stammered, unable to speak. What was her status? This man before her was no ordinary person. He could understand if he liked a lady or a princess, but she was just a lowly maid. She would never dare to aspire to be with him!
"Since Ruyin has no interest in her husband, then let's just forget about it. We can't force you, alas."
Seeing Shan Ruyin's expression, Shan Meixian's mischievous side arose, and she feigned regret to tease her.
"No...no...Madam, this servant is willing, Ruyin is willing..."
Upon hearing Shan Meixian's words, Shan Ruyin immediately panicked, no longer caring about status or hierarchy, and hurriedly looked up to explain. But what she saw when she looked up was Shan Meixian and her daughter, along with Yuan Yueze's mischievous smile. She immediately realized she had been tricked, her delicate neck flushed red with embarrassment, and she lowered her head tightly, daring not to look up again.
Yuan Yueze couldn't bear to see her continue to be embarrassed, so he moved closer and hugged her tightly: "Ruyin, from now on you'll be the same as Meixian and Wanjing. Don't look down on yourself anymore. I'll treat you all the same."
Shan Ruyin leaned shyly against the man's chest, smelling his pleasant scent, as if in a dream: Oh my god, the man I secretly love wants me to marry him, and I've agreed. And he doesn't look down on me at all, saying he'll treat me like a madam or a princess. Am I dreaming? If it's a dream, then please don't let me wake up!
With the two women's affairs completely resolved and him now possessing three wives, Yuan Yueze couldn't help but feel elated.
A mischievous thought crossed his mind, and he lowered his head to Shan Ruyin, who was nestled in his arms, saying, "Ruyin, call me 'husband' so I can hear it."
"Husband...husband..."
After a long pause, Shan Ruyin finally managed a soft, almost inaudible sound, her voice limp as if all her strength had been drained.
"Wanjing , call me
'husband' too," Yuan Yueze said confidently, "and I can hear it too." Shan Wanjing, on the other hand, was very poised and immediately uttered a crisp "husband !" Yuan Yueze laughed heartily,
and Shan Meixian looked at her daughter with satisfaction. Then Yuan Yueze pointed at Shan Meixian and said, "From now on, you two will have to call Meixian 'sister,' so hurry up and say it!"
The three women blushed and spat in unison at his audacious behavior. Although they would be sharing a husband from now on and should indeed call Shan Meixian 'sister,' Shan Wanjing had always called her mother since she could speak, and she simply couldn't bring herself to say "sister." Shan Ruyin had always been a maid, and in her memory, the mistress had always been high and mighty; calling her "sister" was something she could never do.
Seeing the two young maids so embarrassed, Shan Meixian couldn't continue to play along with their antics and changed the subject: "The Shang family will be back soon. Wanjing and Shang Ming are already engaged, but my husband is incredibly capable, and I hope we can peacefully dissolve the engagement."
Upon hearing this, Shan Wanjing also became nervous, forgetting her shyness, her eyes filled with anticipation as she looked at Yuan Yueze. After a moment's thought, Yuan Yueze said
, "Dissolving the engagement isn't difficult; what I'm concerned about is something else." "Something else?" Shan Meixian asked curiously. “Meixian, you should know that my ambition is to live a carefree and unrestrained life. I’ve also thought about taking you all on a journey around the world together sometime, living a free and easy life. This time, I want to resolve the matter of the Dongming Sect once and for all. Would you be willing to come with me?” “Yes, I’m tired these past years. The struggle for fame and fortune, the heavy burden of sect responsibilities. Now that I’ve seen my husband, I’ve seen through everything. If things can be resolved properly, everyone will be happy. But if we leave, what will become of the Dongming Sect? My godmother entrusted the entire Dongming Sect to me back then. I feel that leaving like this would be letting her down. But I also don’t want my husband to get into too much trouble.” Shan Meixian said worriedly. “It’s only natural for Meixian to have such thoughts. She’s clear about her grudges and values relationships. The marriage arrangement is easy to handle, but how to deal with the Dongming Sect and what its future holds is a difficult problem.” “I understand Meixian’s concern for the future of Dongming. But think about it, even if you continue to hold the reins now, what about later? The successor’s talent and virtue can’t possibly be exactly like yours. The Dongming Sect’s main business is the sale of weapons, and it has always maintained ties with various major powers. But because of this, all the powers are very wary of you. In times of chaos, the Dongming Sect’s weapons business will be very prosperous, but once the world is at peace, the Dongming Sect will be the first to be eliminated. Everything in the world is governed by people and determined by people. A hundred years from now, rise and fall, prosperity and decline, are not something that our predecessors could control.” Yuan Yueze said with a slight sigh. “My husband is right. I was too impatient. The Shang family does have their own selfish motives, but if we hand over the entire gang to them, I believe they will manage it carefully. They've been fighting with the Shan faction because they're resentful of being suppressed.” Shan Meixian had come to terms with it. “That's good. Let's just wait for them to return. After we've settled everything, I'll take the three of you out to enjoy life. What's the fun in being cooped up in a gang all day? Look at all the people in the world who are going crazy for power and fame.” With their worries gone, the four of them started laughing and chatting again. In the following two days, Yuan Yueze, under Shan Meixian's arrangement, finally intended to give Shan Wanjing and Shan Ruyin their first time. But Yuan Yueze was too strong. It was Shan Wanjing and Shan Ruyin's first time, and after two rounds, they were too weak to continue. Helpless, they had to call Shan Meixian for help, and at the last moment, he released his essence into the two women. The two women underwent astonishing changes the day after their bodies were refined. Their entire bodies, like Shan Meixian's, exuded charm and ethereal beauty. Impurities were completely eliminated from their bones, meridians, flesh, and skin. With these impurities gone, their appearances became even more perfect. Shan Ruyin, who was originally only of above-average beauty, was now only slightly less attractive than Shan Meixian. The two women, cherished by their beloved men, had their long-cherished wish fulfilled and had refined their bodies, promising longevity even after a hundred years. Overjoyed, they disregarded their shyness and repeatedly offered sweet kisses. Afterwards, both women began to learn Shan Meixian's techniques, but they lacked the perseverance and determination for martial arts, so they slacked off after a few days. In the days that followed, Yuan Yueze slept with the three women every night. Despite their best efforts, the three women were utterly powerless against him. Time flew by, and a month later, Yuan Yueze was having a barbecue with three women in the countryside, enjoying himself, when he heard servants' voices in the distance: "Madam, son-in-law, princess, Master Shang and the others are back. They're waiting for you in the reception hall." "Finally back. Come on, once we've settled things, we can go and enjoy our carefree days!" Yuan Yueze laughed loudly. A moment later, the four of them arrived at the reception hall. Since the day Yuan Yueze arrived, the four guardian fairies of the Dongming Sect had become 'gatekeepers'. Pushing open the door, they saw dozens of men in the hall. Several people who seemed to be in charge were sitting at the table, while the rest stood behind them. These burly men were strong and muscular, with bulging temples and sharp eyes, clearly skilled in martial arts. The four men sitting at the table were led by Shang Gong, the eldest member of the Shang family. Shang Gong was tall and hunched over, showing signs of old age. But his eyes, hidden beneath deep wrinkles, often flashed with a strange purple light, seemingly both divine and unfathomable. Everyone in the hall treated him with utmost respect.

Seated beside Shang Gong was a handsome young man in white. He appeared dignified, but a sinister glint frequently flashed in the depths of his eyes. This was Shang Ming, the 'Young Marshal' of the Dongming Sect.
Beside Shang Ming sat Generals Shang Bang and Shang Kuiyi. As soon as
Yuan Yueze and the three women entered the hall, all eyes were drawn to the four of them. The man was elegant and refined, with a commanding presence; the three women were like fairies descended from heaven. Their movements were captivating, their beautiful eyes sparkling. Yet, they exuded a faint, holy, ethereal charm, inspiring both lust and self-consciousness.
Even a seasoned veteran like Shang Gong was stunned by the sight, his gaze fixed intently; the others were even more captivated.
Shang Ming, upon seeing the dramatically transformed Shan Wanjing, beamed with delight. Turning around, he truly was a dashing young gentleman.
"I have returned with my people, and heard that someone attacked Madam a month ago. Is Madam well?"
Shang Gong asked, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.
"Thank you for your concern, Shang Gong. I am perfectly safe. Your journey has been long and tiring,"
Shan Meixian replied with a slight smile.
Those in the room felt as if her smile was a clear spring in a turbid world, cleansing their souls, like a gentle evening breeze leaving a lingering fragrance.
Shan Meixian had never shown her true face to her subordinates before, always veiled, and for over a decade had maintained a cold and arrogant demeanor. When had she ever shown such a warm expression?
Some of the people in the room couldn't help but swallow hard.
Yuan Yueze was pleased to see his wife's charm, but the way these people stared at her made him jealous.
"Ahem!"
A light cough brought everyone in the room back to their senses. The cough contained a powerful surge of true energy; everyone felt a sweet taste in their throats, a urge to spit out blood that wouldn't come, forcing them to suppress their urges and dare not look again. No one dared guarantee they would leave the reception room alive if they looked any longer.
Shan Meixian, seeing her husband jealous, was secretly delighted but didn't show it. She exchanged greetings with Shang Gong and the others and took her seat. Soon, all the dishes were served, and the group engaged in insincere conversation about trivial matters, eating and drinking.
Shang Gong had been extremely surprised by the dramatic changes in the three women who had entered with Yuan Yueze. Now, seeing the princess's personal maid intimately linking arms with Yuan Yueze as they sat down, while his wife seemed oblivious, he was even more astonished.
Yuan Yueze had no interest or inclination to speak with the Shang family. After taking his seat, he continued eating and drinking, frowning as he remarked that the food wasn't very good.
When Shang Ming first met Yuan Yueze, he was also stunned by his charisma; Yuan Yueze surpassed him in both appearance and temperament. Moreover, he had personally heard Yuan Yueze's thunderous roar in Ryukyu, so he dared not show his dissatisfaction. However, seeing Yuan Yueze not only bring his maid to the table but also act intimately with her, and witnessing his utter lack of manners as he kept serving food to Shan Wanjing, who was also exchanging flirtatious glances with him, Shang Ming's jealousy flared up. He completely forgot his fear!
Feeling Shang Ming's murderous gaze fixed on him, Yuan Yueze completely ignored him, continuing to devour his food and drink, nodding and commenting incessantly. Then, quite naturally, he picked up a piece of beef and offered it to Shan Wanjing's lips, which she naturally opened and slowly chewed.
Seeing this, Shang Ming could no longer contain himself: "Brother Yuan, why have you treated my fiancée with such disrespect?"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you, Brother Shang, Wan Jing is already married to me."
Yuan Yueze still didn't even glance at him.
Seeing this, even the seasoned Shang Gong couldn't suppress his anger. He coldly said, "Oh? I heard Brother Yuan's resounding announcement the other day. Didn't you and your wife tie the knot? The princess is your wife's biological daughter. Aren't you afraid of violating etiquette and becoming a laughingstock?"
"My marriage with Mei Xian and Wan Jing is a matter of mutual consent and affection. What business is it of the world? And what business is it of yours?"
Yuan Yueze had no concept of politeness.
Shang Gong was speechless. What Yuan Yueze said made sense. It was their own marriage; what right did an outsider like him have to interfere?
"I have no right to interfere in your affairs, Madam, but the princess is already engaged to my son. Could you please give us a satisfactory explanation?"
Lord Shang began to reprimand Shan Meixian.
"Tomorrow, the four of us will leave the Dongming Sect. The Dongming Sect will have no further connection with me, Shan Meixian. All affairs within the sect will be handed over to the Shang family. Just swear an oath before the sect members that you will agree to one condition,"
Shan Meixian hurriedly stated the agreement the four had previously reached.
"!"
Now it was the Shang clan members in the hall who were surprised: this man was indeed perfect, yet they had so easily abandoned the vast Dongming Sect for him. Shan Meixian's magnanimity impressed the Shang clan members.
"That depends on what condition you state, Madam. We can't force someone to do something they don't want to do!"
Lord Shang was shrewd and calculating, his emotions hidden.
"My condition is simple: after I leave, you must not make things difficult for the other members of the Shan clan, and you must treat them as you would any other members of the Shang clan,"
Shan Meixian said.
"As long as they observe proper etiquette and refrain from misbehavior, I hereby swear to treat the Shan and Shang families equally from now on; otherwise, may I be struck down by heaven and earth!"
Shang Gong, having understood the condition, readily agreed.
Shang Ming, standing to the side, was furious. He had grown up with Shan Wanjing since childhood and was betrothed to her. Although Shan Wanjing completely ignored him, he truly loved her deeply. He had just heard that Shan Meixian had easily given up her century-old legacy for a man, and while he admired her, he was also puzzled. But hearing that the price was the annulment of his engagement with Shan Wanjing, the anger he had suppressed under Shang Gong's gaze resurfaced.
"I wonder how skilled Brother Yuan is in martial arts? Why not spar a bit to liven things up?"
Shang Ming's reason was completely clouded by jealousy. Ignoring Shang Gong's subtle winks, he recklessly spoke to Yuan Yueze.
"A contest is fine, but my martial arts are unpredictable; once I strike, I'll take a life. Brother Shang, are you prepared for that?"
Yuan Yueze glanced at Shang Ming.
Seeing things escalate to this point, Shang Gong cursed his son inwardly as a fool. Was it worth it for a woman? Seeing his son on the verge of madness, Shang Gong quickly turned to Shan Meixian for help. Shan Meixian, however, smiled at Yuan Yueze, ignoring Shang Gong completely.
"Fine! If I hurt Brother Yuan, don't blame me!"
His beloved woman had been taken, and he was being utterly humiliated. How could he swallow such indignation? If he didn't demand an explanation today, how could he ever hold his head high again?
Shang Ming stood up and drew his sword: "Please!"
Yuan Yueze rose easily and stood a short distance from Shang Ming, then turned back to Shang Gong and asked, "Does Lord Shang have any other sons?"
Shang Gong, flustered and unsure how to stop him, heard this and knew he was in trouble.
"Lord Shang has several illegitimate sons handling affairs in Ryukyu,"
Shan Meixian interjected.
Shang Gong thought to himself: Oh no!
Shang Ming had already drawn his sword before Shang Gong could stop him. The sword light was dazzling, and like a golden snake, it went straight for Yuan Yueze's vital points. The sword wind was howling, and it was quite impressive.
A sword light pierced through Yuan Yueze's body. Shang Ming cursed inwardly, "Good! Let's see if you're still alive this time! "
Turning around, he discovered that Yuan Yueze hadn't even appeared within the two-zhang radius of his golden snake sword light.
"Go in peace, Brother Shang,"
Yuan Yueze's voice rang out behind Shang Ming.
His left palm swiftly pressed down on Shang Ming's shoulder, his inner force surging like a torrent, directly entering Shang Ming's body, impacting his limbs and bones, circling and destroying.
The vast, bottomless abyss of true energy forcefully rushed into his meridians and wreaked havoc. In just two breaths, Comrade Shang Ming died with his eyes wide open, his death gruesome. Yuan Yueze's true energy, like a flood breaking through a dam, had completely destroyed and shattered his internal organs. Shang Ming had only been stunned for a moment before he was gone.
"Young Marshal!"
The members of the Shang clan in the hall could no longer hold back. They drew their swords and blades, glaring murderously at the four people sitting nonchalantly at their seats.
Old Master Shang wept uncontrollably, but his son was gone. The smiling man before him now appeared as a demon to him.
The crowd in the hall was furious, waiting for Old Master Shang's word before they would rush forward to kill the four.
A gentleman's revenge is never too late!
Old Master Shang calmed down, waved for everyone to put away their weapons, and said coldly, "Brother Yuan, what you have done today, I and the Shang family will never forget! Please leave! Farewell."
"Very well, farewell. Remember your promise! Farewell!"
Yuan Yueze took Shan Meixian's arm and they drifted away.
In the following hour, Shan Meixian gathered the Shan clan and explained the situation. Many of her subordinates were reluctant to part, some were confused, and many more worried about who would stand up for them if they were oppressed by the Shang clan.
Yuan Yueze, sensing the worry in everyone's true energy, said, "Don't worry, everyone. I can guarantee that Lord Shang will treat you all equally from now on and will not hold a grudge against you. We will remind Lord Shang again when we leave, so please rest assured."
Lord Shang was currently grieving the death of Shang Ming with the Shang family and had no mind to say goodbye to Shan Meixian and the others. A powerful voice came from outside.
"Lord Shang, remember your promise. If you have a grudge, come to me. But if I find out that you have mistreated the Shan family in the slightest, I will come back and destroy your Shang clan! Brothers and sisters of the Shan family, if you are bullied or insulted by the Shang family, just tell me, and I will definitely seek justice for you. Take care, everyone. Farewell!"
After saying this, the four of them drew swords out of thin air and, under the gaze of the Shan family's servants, rode away on their swords, eliciting gasps of amazement from the surrounding crowd.

Chapter 008 A Trip to Yangzhou
Yangzhou, a shining pearl of ancient Chinese civilization, was a vital hub in terms of economy, culture, and military transportation. From Yangzhou, one could travel east down the Yangtze River to Japan, Ryukyu, and Southeast Asia, making Yangzhou one of the most important transshipment points in the country, busier and more hectic than any other city.
Besides being a transportation hub, Yangzhou was also a renowned red-light district since ancient times. Whether wealthy merchants, self-proclaimed scholars, or chivalrous swordsmen, none could be considered true heroes of the pleasure quarters without a visit. At
this time, Yangzhou was known as Jiangdu.
Historical records indicate that human habitation in Yangzhou began in the 6th century BC. In the fifth year of the Yuanfeng era of the Han Dynasty, parts of Jiangdu and Guangling counties were divided to establish Yu County. After the Liang Dynasty, Jiangdu County was repeatedly abolished and re-established during the Northern Qi, Chen, and Northern Zhou dynasties. When Jiangdu County was re-established during the Northern Qi and Northern Zhou dynasties, it was under the jurisdiction of Jiangyang Commandery. In the early years of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty, Jiangdu County belonged to Wuzhou. In the ninth year of the Kaihuang era, it was directly under Yangzhou. In the first year of the Daye era, it was under the jurisdiction of Jiangdu Commandery.
Jiangdu is located south of the Yangtze River and west of the Grand Canal, rich in resources, producing abundant grains, cotton, mulberry, and hemp. Its riverside location also makes it abundant in various aquatic products. For example, the "Four Delicacies of the Yangtze River"—silverfish, shad, knife fish, and catfish—can all be found in Jiangdu. This has earned Jiangdu the renowned title of "Land of Fish and Rice."
Over nearly a thousand years of development, Jiangdu has become increasingly prosperous, ranking among the top cities in China in terms of culture, politics, and economy.
As the first rays of sunlight fall upon the earth, Yangzhou gradually comes alive. After the city gates open at dawn, merchants and farmers rush in and out. Ships that arrived the day before, their cargo unloaded at the docks, are brought into the city at this time, creating a bustling and noisy scene.
At the south gate of Yangzhou, a man and three women walk in.
From behind, anyone would be drawn to the four. The man was tall and slender, not particularly muscular, yet possessed an air of elegance, walking with a graceful and unrestrained air. The three women were even more striking, with curvaceous figures and boundless allure.
Passersby invariably glanced at the four before continuing on their way, paying them no further attention.
Why, in Yangzhou, a city teeming with brothels and teeming with romantic scholars and libertines, did no one approach them?
The four stopped before a brothel, looking up at the large red plaque bearing the three characters 'Spring Breeze Pavilion'.
"In those days, before war and conflict, brothels sang every night. Flowers bloomed in the cave, spring days were long, the moon shone brightly, and a gentle breeze caressed my clothes. After the King of Huai left, not even chickens or dogs remained; Emperor Yang returned to bury his silken robes. The Twenty-Four Bridges stand desolate, the old official riverbank broken and green willows withered."
The man glanced at the plaque, then turned and sighed.
What fine writing! A passerby overheard
this and couldn't help but sigh inwardly, but still no one approached him. The man who had turned around was incredibly ugly, with cross-eyed eyebrows, a bulbous nose, and thick lips. His features, except for his eyes, were unsettling in every way, completely contradicting the elegant appearance he had just displayed from behind.
"Husband, your poem is wonderful,"
one of the three women praised, her voice melodious and captivating.
Looking at this woman, however, was appalling: uglier than Mo Mu, as plain as Wu Yan. Her forehead protruded, her nose was large and bulbous, and her nostrils turned upwards, like a demon reincarnated, sending chills down one's spine. No matter how one imagines, it's unimaginable that such an ugly woman could possess such a graceful figure and captivating voice.
The other two women beside her were equally plain-looking and incredibly ugly.
Furthermore, the poem they just recited was clearly the work of Wei Zhuang, a Tang Dynasty poet of the Flower School; how could such an ugly man utter it?
If someone knew this man was from the future, there would be no surprise at all.
This group of four was none other than Yuan Yueze, Shan Meixian, Shan Wanjing, and Shan Ruyin, all in disguise.
After finishing all the affairs of the Dongming Sect that day, the four of them soared into the air on their swords, arriving at a picturesque, idyllic valley within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Having no immediate plans for the future, the four decided to settle there and enjoy a carefree life. They watched the sunrise and sunset each day, played music, sang, and danced gracefully. At night, one man would seduce three women, experiencing unparalleled pleasure and ecstasy. The four women, including Naoki, were as carefree and at ease as immortals in a paradise on earth, having long forgotten the outside world.
A month and a half later, one night, Yuan Yueze fought the three women again, and as before, they were utterly defeated, retreating in disarray. Although Shan Wanjing and Shan Ruyin had recently improved their "fighting power," they were still no match for him and had long since fallen into a deep sleep like slumbering mud. Shan Meixian, though more resilient, was still no match for Yuan Yueze. After a long, loud moan, the small cave fell silent. Only heavy breathing and soft, drawn-out breaths could be heard.
"Husband, these past month has truly felt like a dream. Life can be so beautiful, and life can be so carefree,"
Shan Meixian sighed contentedly, nestled softly against her husband's chest.
"I've always loved this kind of unrestrained life since I was little, and meeting you has made it even more perfect."
Yuan Yueze kissed the beautiful woman on the body.
"I just don't know if Lord Shang has kept his promise. I'm still a little worried about the Shan clan."
A slight worry appeared on Shan Meixian's dignified and elegant face.
"Meixian, don't worry. Didn't we intimidate Lord Shang again before we left? Besides, the Shan clan are just subordinates. It won't do us any good to make things difficult for them. Moreover, Lord Shang must have been wary of what I said before I left and wouldn't dare to mess with the Shan clan."
Yuan Yueze comforted the beautiful woman.
"My husband's abilities do indeed make Lord Shang wary, but I have dealt with Lord Shang for many years and know his temperament well. Even if he doesn't dare to provoke us, he can still secretly use some underhanded methods, or he might take his anger out on the Shan clan. The Shan clan doesn't know where we are now. If they are humiliated, how can they come to us to seek justice for them?"
Shan Meixian said after thinking for a moment.
"Oh right, how could I forget about that!"
Yuan Yueze exclaimed, slapping his forehead. "What should we do then?"
"We've been living quite comfortably these past few days. If I could be like this with my husband every day, I would ask for nothing more. But I've noticed that Wanjing and Ruyin seem to be getting restless these days. They're both unstable and lack life experience. This kind of mundane life might have a negative impact on their mental cultivation and character if it continues for too long." "
Then let's go out for a walk. It would be good to combine activity and rest, and complement each other's work and leisure. Actually, even I'm starting to feel restless and want to go out for a walk."
Yuan Yueze thought that he himself seemed to be just like Shan Meixian described—unstable and lacking life experience—but the difference was that his temperament was much more detached than the two young girls'. He spoke up casually.
"But where do we go now?"
"Even if we return to the Dongming Sect to visit the Shan clan, we probably won't get any results. With Shang Gong's ruthlessness and treacherous methods, even if the Shan clan harbors resentment, they won't dare to show it. I'm just worried he might be plotting something."
"Let him fly to the sky, I can easily catch him and crush him to death,"
Yuan Yueze said confidently.
"My husband's abilities are beyond doubt, but think about it, why do we make enemies on all sides? Although they are not our match, it's so annoying to be harassed by them wherever we go."
"We already have three enemies, none of them are easy to deal with: the Dugu Clan, the Great Ming Sect, and the Shang family of Dongming. Although we are not afraid of their strong attacks, if they send reckless assassins to harass us every day, even if we can kill them every time, our lives will change. What was supposed to be a carefree life will become a daily slaughter with countless blood on our hands."
"Having blood on your hands and a sour life is only one aspect. I'm even more worried that they might use tricks to slander and plot against my husband. Most people in the martial world believe rumors without seeing them for themselves. If these three families succeed in their conspiracy, my husband's enemies will become the entire martial world and all the forces, both overt and covert. Although we can wipe out all our enemies, is that really the outcome we want?"
Shan Meixian continued her rational analysis.
Yuan Yueze listened and nodded, his expression becoming serious. He was indeed not afraid of anyone, but he didn't want his hands stained with blood. What freedom would he have then?
"Actually, before we left the Dongming Sect, my husband could have avoided making enemies with the Shang family. Shang Ming was indeed arrogant and conceited, but he certainly didn't deserve to die. He had liked Wan Jing for many years, and although Wan Jing never gave him a kind look, it could be said that it was Shang Ming's unrequited love. However, it's only natural that he felt uncomfortable and even angry when he later learned that Wan Jing was in love with my husband. Furthermore, although he was angry with my husband at the time, he didn't show any sign of insulting him. He just wanted to prove himself through force and regain some face. But my husband killed him. Thinking about it later, I feel it was somewhat rash."
In this era, what woman would dare to criticize or even interfere with her husband's behavior? But Shan Meixian was different. In these three months, she had already learned about Yuan Yueze's character and understood his personality thoroughly: although he was inexperienced, he was a self-aware man who knew how to reflect. He treated his wife as an equal, was reasonable, and could correct his mistakes. Shan Meixian's love for him grew stronger each day, not just romantic love, but also mixed with the affection of a sister for her brother.
"Meixian is right. Looking back, I have no regrets about making enemies with the Dugu Clan and the Great Ming Sect. After all, they provoked us first. However, I was indeed too rash in the matter of Shang Ming. Thinking about it carefully, if I hadn't killed Shang Ming, then after we left, Lord Shang would have had no reason to make things difficult for the Shan Clan members who remained. It seems I've implicated them."
Yuan Yueze said with a slight frown.
"What's done is done, husband, there's no need to blame yourself. We can go out tomorrow, sightseeing and visiting various cities, while also inquiring about the latest news in the martial arts world and seeing if there are any rumors about us. It'll be good to prepare in advance."
Shan Meixian comforted him.
"Then where should we go first?"
Yuan Yueze had no idea.
"The Giant Kun Gang is one of the three major gangs along the southeast coast, specializing in selling intelligence in the martial arts world. We can go there first to gather the latest news. I have some connection with Yun Guangling, the previous leader of the Giant Kun Gang, and the current leader, Yun Yuzhen, is my junior. Moreover, during the last battle on the riverbank, Yun Yuzhen helped me when I was in danger. She was also a beautiful woman who exchanged a few polite words with you later. Don't you remember, husband?"
"Oh, I remember now, but at the time my attention was all on you, and I didn't pay much attention to her. I can't even remember what she looked like."
Yuan Yueze recalled somewhat absentmindedly.
"Hehe, luckily my husband isn't a womanizer, otherwise, with your charm, demeanor, and skills, I wouldn't doubt that you could give Meixian a hundred sisters within half a year."
Shan Meixian giggled.
"It's not as good as you say. Before my master left me, he said I was old-fashioned, dull, and lacking in romance."
"Then let's set off tomorrow or the day after, otherwise these two girls will go crazy from being cooped up."
Shan Meixian said.
"Alright, let's go to the Giant Kun Gang first."
Yuan Yueze nodded.
After exchanging some more sweet words, the two fell into a deep sleep.
The next day, after getting up, he explained his plans to Shan Wanjing and Shan Ruyin, and the two girls jumped up excitedly.
Shan Ruyin was originally a maid, and even though she had submitted to Yuan Yueze, she was still reserved. In the past month or so, Yuan Yueze always felt that she regarded him as inferior, which was not a good sign. He forced her to change that attitude of superiority. Gradually, the little girl really opened up. It turned out that Shan Ruyin, after opening her heart, was just as lively and mischievous as Shan Wanjing.
That afternoon, the four of them took to the air to scout out the Giant Kun Gang's location. Finally, at dusk in Danyang City, they met Yun Yuzhen, the leader of the Giant Kun Gang.
Recently, Yuan Yueze had been the most talked-about figure in the martial arts world. A little over a month ago, explosive news spread throughout the entire martial arts world: Madam Shan Meixian of the Eastern Sea, in order to dissolve the engagement between Princess Shan Wanjing of the Eastern Sea and the young marshal Shang Ming of the Eastern Sea, actually used the entire Eastern Sea Sect as a bargaining chip to get back the marriage contract. Even more astonishing was that Madam Shan Meixian intended to give her daughter to her husband, the "world-renowned" Yuan Yueze! She was willingly having her daughter "share a husband"! The subsequent news was equally shocking: the young marshal of the Eastern Sea was furious at Madam Shan Meixian's actions and challenged Yuan Yueze to a duel. He was killed by Yuan Yueze in a single move! And Shang Gong, the head of the Shang family of the Eastern Sea, actually witnessed his own son's death and then respectfully saw Yuan Yueze and his entourage off!
Madness! Chaos! What on earth is going on! No manners, no rules, no lawlessness!
While people in the martial arts world were discussing Yuan Yueze with great interest, speculating about what it would be like for Lady Dongming and her daughter in bed with a man, another shocking piece of news spread throughout the martial arts world from Lingnan: Yuan Yueze had learned some demonic arts from a demonic Taoist in the deep mountains and even knew how to use some demonic power. That's why he had that roar that could be heard throughout the world. However, after Yuan Yueze and Shan Meixian consummated their relationship, he lost his virginity, resulting in the loss of all his demonic power, and he was no longer as powerful as before. Furthermore, the young marshal of Dongming, Shang Ming, was not dead at all; he was simply not skilled enough to defeat Yuan Yueze and had suffered some injuries. Lord Shang of Dongming had already sent him back to the Ryukyu headquarters to recuperate!
At the same time, there were even more rumors: Yuan Yueze, along with Lady Dongming, Princess Dongming, and their personal maid, had ascended to heaven on swords that day, becoming immortals.
This caused even more chaos. Which version was true? Who first spread the news? No one knew. Those unaware of the situation could only speculate wildly over tea, each with their own version of events.
Several days prior, Yun Yuzhen had arrived at the Danyang branch to handle some business. This evening, a servant reported that four masked men wearing bamboo hats wanted to meet the gang leader, claiming to be his old acquaintances.
Yun Yuzhen was puzzled; why would old acquaintances be masked? Unable to figure it out, she agreed to meet them, though she didn't know their origins. She immediately ordered her men to lie in ambush outside the reception hall, ready to attack if things went wrong.
Yuan Yueze and his group of four, all wearing bamboo hats and masked, entered. Yuan Yueze, with his lawless nature, normally disdained such covert behavior. However, Shan Meixian suggested this plan to avoid being followed and harassed. Yuan Yueze thought Shan Meixian's suggestion made sense and agreed.
With Yuan Yueze's current cultivation level, he sensed the hidden men before even reaching the reception hall door.
Shan Meixian devoted all her time outside of eating and sleeping to practicing martial arts, and her progress was astonishing.
The four, skilled and daring, didn't take the ambush of small fry seriously at all. Led directly by the steward, they entered the reception hall.
Inside, Yun Yuzhen and several leaders of the Giant Kun Gang's Danyang branch were waiting. Yun Yuzhen, though unable to see the faces of the four who entered, felt a sense of familiarity with their figures. She asked, "May I ask who you are, and what brings you here?"
A female voice rang out, "Sister Yuzhen, we have come only to meet you. Please dismiss the others so we can reveal our true identities."
Upon hearing this voice, Yun Yuzhen's delicate body trembled.
Upon hearing the woman's domineering and rude words, the leaders of the Giant Kun Gang in Danyang were furious and about to shout at her when Yun Yuzhen gestured, "You may all leave now. Those outside, please leave as well. They are indeed old friends of mine and will not harm me."
The leaders were still unconvinced, but they had no choice but to obey their leader's orders and retreat outside, ordering their ambushing subordinates to leave.
The group sat down, and the four removed their hats. Yun Yuzhen, seeing the handsome, god-like man with unparalleled martial arts skills, was immediately delighted. Seeing the three women behind her, she smiled gently and said, "The rumors outside that Madam and Young Master Yuan have ascended to immortality are all just rumors."
"We've come to bother Yuzhen today for two reasons: first, to express our gratitude for her help that day; and second, to ask you for a favor,"
Shan Meixian said first.
Yuan Yueze, standing to the side, carefully observed Yun Yuzhen: she appeared to be in her early twenties, draped in a long white cloak against a lake-green warrior's uniform. Her hair was as black and lustrous as a waterfall, her skin as smooth as snow, her eyes bright and almond-shaped, her lips cherry-red, her breasts high and firm, and her waist slender. Sitting there, she was undeniably radiant. Her beauty was comparable to that of the former Shan Wanjing.
However, at this moment, Yun Yuzhen could no longer compare to the three women of the Shan family in any aspect. Even Shan Ruyin, whose beauty had been inferior to hers in the past, now seemed like a fairy descended from heaven.
Yun Yuzhen was twenty-two years old and had been the leader of the Giant Kun Gang for four years. On the day she saw Shan Meixian, who had some connection with her deceased father, in distress on the banks of the Yangtze River, she had immediately offered her assistance. She then witnessed firsthand the ethereal man before her, flying in on his sword, descending from the sky and annihilating the highly skilled man in black with a single move. Her heart trembled inexplicably at that moment.
While Yun Yuzhen wasn't exactly the most beautiful woman in the martial world, she was certainly one in a million. She was usually quite proud of her appearance. However, upon meeting Yuan Yueze, she found him merely nodding politely and offering a few words of thanks before focusing all his attention on Shan Meixian. This made Yun Yuzhen somewhat uncomfortable. At the time, Yun Yuzhen was surprised by Shan Meixian's dramatic transformation and couldn't deny that the changed Shan Meixian could indeed be called "the most beautiful woman in the world."
A little over a month later, when news arrived that Shan Meixian had left Dongming and ascended to immortality with Yuan Yueze, Yun Yuzhen was both surprised and disappointed.
Surprisingly, Shan Meixian so easily entrusted the powerful Dongming Sect to others. It should be noted that this was the beginning of a chaotic era, with various forces secretly strengthening their military, making the Dongming Sect, a gang that made its living selling weapons, extremely sought after.
Disappointingly, she found herself inexplicably wanting to see that mysterious man again.
After the battle by the river, Yun Yuzhen sealed off internal information, forbidding any eyewitnesses from revealing the truth. Even when her former "male lover," Dugu Ce, came to inquire, she simply shooed him out of the room. Yun Yuzhen didn't know why, but she felt that if the truth got out, it might cause trouble for that mysterious man. Although she wasn't worried about him being injured, avoiding trouble was still preferable. Previously, she had seen Dugu Ce as a handsome young man, and she had even had some dealings with him, allowing the Giant Kun Gang to find a powerful backer. Ever since meeting that mysterious man, Yun Yuzhen's mind had become increasingly unsettled. After saying goodbye to him, she never saw Dugu Ce again. In the lonely nights, whenever she couldn't sleep, the image of that mysterious man would vaguely float in her mind, and Yun Yuzhen even felt a slight regret for her past actions.
And today, she finally saw that mysterious man again. Judging from the situation, Shan Wanjing and Shan Ruyin beside him must have also slept with him. Thinking of this, Yun Yuzhen couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. When she looked up and saw that the mysterious man was actually scrutinizing her, she naturally straightened her body, revealing her most beautiful side.
After carefully examining Yun Yuzhen, Yuan Yueze also felt that this girl was indeed very beautiful. Recalling the novels he had read before, he felt that this girl's experience was very pitiful: she lost her father in the prime of her youth and had to shoulder the burden of a large gang with her own two weak shoulders. In order to have a powerful backer, she even had to sell her body to gain assistance. It was truly remarkable for a woman to achieve such things in this era, yet women's status was incredibly low. In later times, Yun Yuzhen would undoubtedly be
considered a successful and powerful woman. She was indeed ruthless, but in this treacherous world of martial arts, she had to support an entire gang; without forcing herself to adapt, she would only decline or even die. The reason for this wasn't her fault. Even regarding her dealings with Dugu Ce, outsiders only saw her as promiscuous and lacking self-respect, but who knew the difficulties and bitterness in her heart?
Thinking about this, Yuan Yueze's gaze softened further, devoid of any lust, filled only with understanding and pity.
Seeing the understanding and pity in this extraordinary man's eyes, Yun Yuzhen's heart trembled. Suddenly, remembering her past, she immediately lowered her head, as if she were no longer worthy to meet the man's gaze.
Upon hearing Shan Meixian speak, Yun Yuzhen also politely replied, "Madam, you are too kind. Madam and my father were old friends, and it is only natural for Yuzhen to lend a helping hand. As for what Madam requests, may I ask what it is?"
"Yuzhen, there's no need to be so polite. If you don't mind, just call me 'elder sister',"
Shan Meixian added.
"Madam and my father are of the same generation, how can Yuzhen be so presumptuous?"
Yun Yuzhen said, flustered.
"Propriety? Yu Zhen should know that the State of Lu during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods was a land of propriety, yet it was still destroyed. Everything is as it may."
Yuan Yueze said with a smile, addressing Yun Yu Zhen with the same familiarity as Shan Meixian.
Hearing him address her so affectionately, Yun Yu Zhen blushed again, her heart pounding like a deer.
Shan Meixian gave Yuan Yueze a reproachful look, as if to say, how could he be so rude? She had just seen the understanding and pity in Yuan Yueze's eyes when he looked at Yun Yu Zhen. Knowing Yun Yu Zhen's actions and reputation since becoming the gang leader, she felt a deep pity for this daughter of an old friend: her frail shoulders bore responsibilities she was powerless to bear, responsibilities that deprived her of the right to pursue the happiness that should belong to a woman. Moreover, Shan Meixian's mindset had changed drastically after she began cultivating her body; she now gave people a warm and welcoming feeling. To outsiders, she now appeared to be only slightly younger than Yun Yu Zhen. Therefore, it wasn't surprising that she suggested addressing each other as sisters.
After calming down for a moment, Yun Yuzhen recounted several recent rumors circulating in the martial arts world. Yuan Yueze and the other three fell silent. The rumors circulating in Lingnan were definitely fabricated. Lingnan was Song Clan territory, and given Song Que's character, he would never stoop to such despicable acts. Moreover, Yuan Yueze and the others had no grudge against Song Que. The rumors were so convincing that Yuan Yueze's prestige would surely crumble, and there would be no shortage of people seeking trouble and revenge. But who could it be? The Dugu Clan? The Great Ming Sect? Or perhaps the treacherous Shang Gong?
The four pondered for a while, unable to figure it out. After a moment of silence, Yuan Yueze raised his head and said, "Thank you, Yuzhen, for keeping my secret last time. Today, you have even given us such detailed information. I have no way to thank you, so I will pass on a martial arts technique to you. From now on, you will no longer need to wrong yourself. Your strength alone will be enough to deter people in the martial world from easily provoking the Giant Kun Gang."
Yun Yuzhen had only seen the four of them bowing their heads in silence, and she hadn't said anything either, just staring at Yuan Yueze, becoming more and more infatuated. Suddenly, when she saw him look up at her, she was immediately embarrassed and at a loss for words. Hearing him say that he would pass on his martial arts technique to her, and seemingly implying that she 'no longer needed to wrong herself,' she felt both sad and regretful. All sorts of bitterness and sorrow erupted in her heart, and she lowered her head, tears streaming down her face, speechless.
Yuan Yueze couldn't bear to see a woman cry, and he was completely stunned, not knowing what he had said wrong again. He turned to Shan Meixian for help. Shan Meixian glared at him reproachfully, then went with Shan Wanjing to gently comfort Yun Yuzhen.
After a moment, Yun Yuzhen finally stopped crying, and Yuan Yueze quickly pulled out a few jokes from later generations, which made Yun Yuzhen laugh again.
Because the four of them didn't want anyone except Yun Yuzhen to know about their arrival, Yun Yuzhen had to abandon her plan to arrange a lavish banquet, looking at Yun Yuzhen with regret. Yuan Yueze said, "What's so difficult about having a good, enjoyable meal without letting outsiders know?"
With that, he moved his divine sense, and the four women felt a blur before their eyes, instantly stunned by the scene before them.
Before them lay an endless expanse of lush green grass, with towering trees faintly visible in the distance. Not far ahead stood a large, luxurious house, its architectural style unlike anything from this dynasty. Various flowers bloomed in front of the house, vying for attention. Beside the flowerbeds, many small animals played freely.
Upon seeing this scene, the four women stared blankly, only snapping out of their daze after a short while. They looked at Yuan Yueze, while Shan Meixian and the other two women remained relatively composed. Yun Yuzhen, however, wore a strange expression.
"Husband, where is this place? Why don't I know such immortal techniques?" Shan Ruyin asked.
"You are actually familiar with this place. Remember the bracelet on my left wrist? We are inside the bracelet now,"
Yuan Yueze replied.
"What? Husband's bracelet is just for storage?"
Shan Wanjing asked in surprise.
"You all, I actually told you all about this from the beginning. Perhaps you were too shocked at the time and missed some things."
"Your husband has two bracelets. The one on the right is for storage, and the one on the left is a space bracelet that allows living beings to live. Do you remember?"
Yuan Yueze asked.
The three women lowered their heads and thought for a while. Shan Ruyin said coquettishly, "I can't remember. Never mind, what are you going to cook for us today, husband?"
"Whatever you want! There's nothing you can't think of that I can't make!"
Yuan Yueze laughed loudly.
Yun Yuzhen was completely dumbfounded: What was going on? Was this inside the bracelet? She had indeed noticed the bracelet on Young Master Yuan's wrist, but how could someone get in? Was Young Master Yuan really a deity? Was she dreaming?
Her mind raced, and Yun Yuzhen pinched her cheek.
"Ouch!"
It was real, not a dream!
Suddenly, she saw the four people in front of her looking at her strangely. Yun Yuzhen was extremely embarrassed, wishing there was a crack in the ground she could disappear into.
"Yuzhen probably doesn't believe it either. Not only you, but Meixian and the others had the same expression when they first learned about these things,"
Yuan Yueze comforted her.
Nodding with a flushed face, Yun Yuzhen looked up again and said, "Is Young Master Yuan really a deity? There are rumors outside that you possess...immortal magic, it turns out it's true!"
Yuan Yueze smiled and nodded, without answering. He led the four women into the room.
It turned out to be incredibly luxurious, filled with modern facilities, furniture, appliances, and leisure and entertainment items. There was even a rather large outdoor swimming pool in the back.
"Why are there electrical appliances? And where's the power supply?"
Yuan Yueze wondered. He checked again and found it was the huge solar panels on the roof.
Back inside, he saw the women looking around like country bumpkins visiting a grand garden, touching and looking at everything. Even Yun Yuzhen forgot her reserve and watched with curiosity.
"I'll put on a movie for you, you can watch it slowly, I'll go cook,"
Yuan Yueze said.
Yun Yuzhen was surprised again: "This amazing man can actually cook? And what's a movie?"
The three women were also confused. Yuan Yueze explained that it was something that didn't exist yet, like a play.
Seeing that the women seemed to understand but not quite, and unable to explain it clearly in a short time, Yuan Yueze simply showed them how to play the videotape themselves. He then turned and walked towards the kitchen.
Yuan Yueze's tastes weren't particularly great; he only liked a few things over and over again, and if the food wasn't cooked well, he absolutely refused to eat it. After transmigrating to this era, he hadn't encountered anyone whose culinary skills could rival his, so he cooked every meal himself. This wasn't a hobby; it was purely to make his taste buds feel better.
Half an hour later, a sumptuous table of dishes was laid out, a perfect balance of meat and vegetables, excellent in color, aroma, and taste. He went to the living room and called the women over to dine. The three women from the Shan family were already used to it, while Yun Yuzhen sighed with admiration: "Just by smelling these dishes, you can tell how exquisite they are. Even the emperor might not have the fortune to enjoy them." Was this amazing man truly omnipotent?
He casually took out some juice, red wine, and white wine, filled the women's glasses, and they began to eat. They ate, drank, and chatted, with Yuan Yueze occasionally throwing in a humorous remark, eliciting bursts of giggles from the women.
After the meal, the group presented their bracelets. Yun Yuzhen arranged several VIP rooms next to her own boudoir for them, but Yuan Yueze said one room was enough. The three women from the Shan family immediately made a big fuss, secretly cursing his shamelessness. How could he be so blatant in front of Yun Yuzhen!
Yun Yuzhen's face also flushed red, but she felt a pang of envy and jealousy towards the three women. After hurriedly taking their leave, the group returned to their rooms to chat.
The three women then took a bath, and halfway through, Yuan Yueze entered and carried them one by one to the bed. What followed was a relentless, intense sexual encounter. The three women of the Shan family moaned incessantly, gritting their teeth and fighting fiercely, but ultimately they were no match for Yuan Yueze's prowess and all eventually drifted off to sleep.
The next day, Yuan Yueze was the first to rise. Looking at the three beauties still fast asleep, he gently kissed them before going out to teach Yun Yuzhen the martial arts technique.
Arriving at the small garden, he found Yun Yuzhen already waiting in the pavilion. Yuan Yueze went over to greet her, but found that Yun Yuzhen dared not look up at him, only keeping her head down.
It turned out that the previous night's "battle" between Yuan Yueze and the three women had been too intense, the sounds disturbing Yun Yuzhen in the nearby room, making her weak and flushed. She couldn't sleep. She was tormented like this for about two hours before Yuan Yueze's side finally quieted down, but Yun Yuzhen was still unable to sleep because of the "demonic sounds," tossing and turning until dawn before finally falling asleep.
"I will first open up all of Yuzhen's meridians. After changing her acupoints and meridians, her progress in martial arts will be more obvious," Yuan Yueze originally intended to teach her the cultivation incantation, but remembering Yun Jizi's instructions, he spoke instead.
Yun Yuzhen, who had just been shy and unable to face Yuan Yueze, was immediately drawn to him and nodded silently.
Yun Yuzhen felt the mysterious man's hands pressing against her back, a hot sensation emanating from them, and her face flushed instantly. Hearing Yuan Yueze's warning to calm her mind, Yun Yuzhen quickly suppressed her lustful thoughts and focused on circulating her true energy throughout her body. This helped her cleanse her marrow and eliminate impurities. Of course, the effect was not as great as that of the three women from the Shan family, but even so, Yun Yuzhen had already undergone a complete transformation. Yuan Yueze was suddenly
puzzled: cleansing the marrow and eliminating impurities was no small matter, so why could he do it with just his true energy? Then he thought that his own energy could even revive the dead, so cleansing the marrow and eliminating impurities was a piece of cake.
In just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Yun Yuzhen opened her beautiful eyes and immediately felt that the world had brightened considerably. Her hearing and vision were sharp, and her breathing was smoother than ever before; even the pores all over her body seemed to be opening and breathing.
Suddenly, a foul stench wafted over again. Looking down, she saw her exposed jade-like arms covered in black dust, and she was startled. She turned to Yuan Yueze, her eyes questioning.
"I just helped Yuzhen cleanse her marrow and remove impurities from her body. Yuzhen has now undergone a complete transformation, and her cultivation will advance by leaps and bounds. You won't have to worry about anyone bullying you anymore,"
Yuan Yueze explained.
"Yuzhen, you can go take a bath first. I'll go check if Meixian and the others have woken up. We can talk later."
Yun Yuzhen was extremely grateful to this man. Everything she had experienced from last night until now felt like a dream. This man had helped her undergo a complete transformation without asking for anything in return—something many martial artists dream of! Although she wanted to spend more time alone with this man, the stench emanating from her body was unbearable, so she reluctantly went back to bathe.
Yuan Yueze returned to his room. The three women of the Shan family were already up and chatting. Seeing him return, they all came over to ask how things had gone. After hearing that Yuan Yueze had successfully cleansed Yun Yuzhen's marrow and genitals, Shan Meixian teased, "Yuzhen should be so grateful that she'll repay you with her body, right?"
"Meixian, don't talk nonsense. I have no romantic feelings for her. I just couldn't bear to see a poor woman end up so tragically,"
Yuan Yueze quickly explained. And indeed, he hadn't thought that way.
"If your husband has no romantic feelings for you, how do you know if Yuzhen has any feelings for you?"
Shan Meixian retorted.
"Haha, I can't argue with you. Anyway, I have no selfish motives. Believe it or not..."
The four of them, wearing straw hats, went out and entered Yun Yuzhen's room. Yun Yuzhen had already bathed and was sitting at the table waiting.
Upon seeing Yun Yuzhen, the four men's eyes lit up. While Yun Yuzhen's appearance hadn't drastically changed, it was still quite remarkable. Her already beautiful face was now even more ethereal and refined, her skin as white and delicate as jade, radiating vitality as if it were breathing. A small, ivory-carved arm was exposed, and her entire being possessed a slightly otherworldly air. At this moment, she was gazing at Yuan Yueze with tender affection, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
"Yuzhen has changed so much! Now she can be called the most beautiful woman in the world! Congratulations!"
Shan Meixian praised.
"Sister, you flatter me. How could my humble appearance compare to even a fraction of yours? All of this is thanks to Young Master Yuan. Yuzhen thanks Young Master Yuan for his kindness in giving her such a blessing,"
Yun Yuzhen glanced at Shan Meixian, then came before Yuan Yueze and bowed gracefully. Yesterday she hadn't dared to call Shan Meixian "sister," but today she addressed her so naturally.
“Yu Zhen, there’s no need for such formalities. I’ll say it again: I simply can’t bear to see a woman unable to enjoy the happiness that should be hers because of a sense of responsibility.”
Yuan Yueze waved his hand, reached out to help her up, and felt the warmth from her smooth, delicate hand, momentarily lost in thought. As soon as Yun Yu Zhen’s hand was held, two blushes instantly rose to her cheeks.
Yuan Yueze only paused for a moment before immediately withdrawing his hands: “We hope Yu Zhen won’t tell anyone about our whereabouts this time. Now that this matter is settled, we must take our leave. Take care.”
Hearing that they were leaving, Yun Yu Zhen felt anxious, wanting to stay but unable to find an excuse. Her expression became unnatural.
With her vast life experience, Shan Meixian knew her husband had likely stirred up another romantic entanglement in his impulsiveness. Instead of being jealous, she smiled slightly at Yun Yuzhen, saying, "Yuzhen, don't be sad. Since we are destined to meet, we will naturally meet again. The martial world is dangerous; you must diligently cultivate your skills and always be careful."
The four of them put on their bamboo hats, bowed, and left.
Yun Yuzhen stared blankly at the tall figure gradually disappearing into the distance, murmuring, "Does the young master truly disdain Yuzhen? Does he look down on Yuzhen? But everything Yuzhen did before was due to unspeakable suffering. Does the young master only pity Yuzhen? In this world, besides the young master, who else can win Yuzhen's heart?"
Yuan Yueze and the other three had a wide range of spiritual senses; even though they were far away, they still heard Yun Yuzhen's soft murmurs. Yuan Yueze was at a loss. Shan Meixian and the other two women looked at him with reproach.
"Husband, it seems someone has taken a liking to you, hehe."
Shan Wanjing giggled.
"..."
Yuan Yueze was speechless.
"Sister Wanjing is right, husband, you are too charming. If you really had the heart, a single glance on the street could attract countless women!"
Shan Ruyin chimed in.
"Don't talk about me, you all look like celestial beings. How many men have drooled over you along the way?"
Yuan Yueze added.
"Wearing a straw hat is too troublesome. Let's just disguise ourselves and see if our husband will still be so charming after we become ugly!"
Shan Meixian said.
"Good idea, but not only will I disguise myself, you all will too. Let's see if any men will still stare at you after you become ugly!"
So the experienced Shan Meixian began to make some temporary masks. Yuan Yueze had his own selfish reasons: he felt uncomfortable seeing other men looking at his wife, so he asked Shan Meixian to make extremely ugly masks for the three women. Under the pressure of the three women, the mask Shan Meixian made for Yuan Yueze was also extremely ugly. Finally, the four masked women looked at each other and burst into laughter.
"Husband, where do we go next? Who's behind these rumors from Lingnan? Should we go and investigate?"
Shan Meixian asked.
"I think something's fishy about this, and I believe 'Heavenly Blade' would never do such a thing,"
Yuan Yueze replied.
"Then where shall we go for some fun next?"
Shan Wanjing asked.
"Yangzhou!"
Yuan Yueze thought of the protagonist of this era, and of Wei Zhenzhen, who died for love and lived a tragic life. He answered.
"Husband, what are we going to Yangzhou for?"
Shan Ruyin was also confused.
"Go and meet those two thugs and a lonely, suffering woman!"

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