[Wuxia] A Carefree Journey Through the Tang Dynasty (Complete) - 6

Chapter 018 The Game Without a Game
The next day, the sun was high in the sky.
After waking up, Yuan Yueze and the other girls tasted Wei Zhenzhen's cooking and praised it highly. Until Fu Junzhuo came to find them in person.
"Junzhuo, did you talk all night? Come and eat something first!"
Shan Meixian pulled Fu Junzhuo aside and said, "What
did Master Fu think after hearing it?" "Master and the two junior sisters were very surprised. Master then asked me about the incantation of the 'Sword Control Divine Technique.' After I told him, Master closed his eyes and didn't say anything more. Is something wrong?"
Fu Junzhuo looked at Yuan Yueze with some concern.
"This should be a martial artist's exploration and pursuit of the martial arts. It should be fine!"
Yuan Yueze replied casually.
After the meal, Fu Junzhuo took Yuan Yueze to the "Sword Control Pavilion" to visit Fu Cailin.
Under the "instigation" of Shan Wanjing and Song Yuzhi, the other girls decided to disguise themselves and go out to have a good look around Pyongyang. Only the quiet Shan Meixian and Wei Zhenzhen remained by Yuan Yueze's side.
Upon re-entering the pavilion, Fu Cailin sat with his two disciples. Their faces were pale, but their eyes showed no signs of fatigue.
"You've arrived! Sit down,"
Fu Cailin said, his voice weak.
Yuan Yueze couldn't understand how Fu Cailin, with his cultivation level, could be like this after several days and nights without rest. His pale complexion was clearly a result of disordered breathing. He immediately flashed behind him, channeling his vital energy into Fu Cailin to help him calm down. Shan Meixian and Wei Zhenzhen, meanwhile, helped the other two women restore their true energy.
"Should I call you a human or a god?"
Fu Cailin asked with a half-smile.
"Master Fu, feel free to call me whatever you like. Even calling me a 'ghost' is fine. It's just a title; there's no need to be so concerned. Besides, I'm practically a monster now,"
Yuan Yueze laughed.
“Under normal circumstances, I would never agree to give Junzhuo to you, because you are Han Chinese. But things are different now; you are no longer mortals. I will give Junzhuo all the freedom to choose, and she is willing to…”
Fu Cailin chuckled at Yuan Yueze’s amusing words, but he didn’t finish his sentence. Everyone present understood what he meant.
“Master!”
Fu Junzhuo had extraordinary respect for Fu Cailin. Hearing Fu Cailin’s promise, she was so happy that she threw herself into his arms and sobbed.
Shan Meixian and Wei Zhenzhen quickly comforted her. Fu Junyu and Fu Junqiang looked at Fu Junzhuo with envy, occasionally stealing glances at Yuan Yueze.
After regaining her composure, Fu Junzhuo hurriedly pulled Yuan Yueze to bow to Fu Cailin. Yuan Yueze didn’t understand these ancient etiquettes at all, but since he was Fu Junzhuo’s elder, he followed her lead.
Just as Yuan Yueze was about to kneel, Fu Cailin, who had remained seated without moving since yesterday, suddenly appeared and helped Yuan Yueze up before he could kneel: "It's enough that you have the intention; whether you bow or not doesn't matter."
He helped Yuan Yueze and Fu Junzhuo up, and the two returned to their seats. Fu Cailin sighed, cold sweat beading on his brow as he thought to himself, "If I were to accept a bow from this future god, I don't know how many years I would lose!
" "'Heavenly Blade' has ever received your bow?"
Fu Cailin asked with a smile after sitting down.
"No, Father-in-law Song was about the same age as Master Fu at the time; when I was about to kneel, he helped me up instead,"
Yuan Yueze said with some curiosity. Fu Cailin thought to
himself, "Just as I thought!
" "Master Fu, you both look pale and your breathing is unsteady,"
Shan Meixian asked.
"It was because of the 'Divine Sword Technique' that Jun Zhuo talked about last night. Jun Yu, Jun Qiang, and I were inevitably drawn to the incantation and started practicing it on our own, almost suffering a qi deviation and exploding into death,"
Fu Cailin said, still somewhat shaken.
"It's normal for martial artists to be interested in profound martial arts and be attracted to them. Master Fu, with your profound knowledge, shouldn't have suffered a qi deviation,"
Yuan Yueze said, also somewhat puzzled.
"Since we're family now, I won't stand on ceremony. I'll call you 'Xiao Ze,' 'Mei Xian,' and 'Zhen Zhen,' what do you think?"
Fu Cailin said.
Yuan Yueze and the others smiled and nodded.
“It seems you don’t quite understand. Martial arts cultivation isn’t just about intellectual contemplation and integration. It requires the simultaneous cultivation of body, mind, and technique. I quickly grasped the first level, ‘Controlling the Sword with Qi,’ but I’m nearing the limit of my physical body! As for the next level, ‘Controlling the Sword with the Mind,’ I’ve only scratched the surface. Going any deeper would surely cause my body to explode into essence and blood. I imagine Junyu and Junqiang are in the same boat
, right? Your bodies are extraordinary, like a bottomless pool. Long-term practice will only continuously increase your vital energy; there’s no need to worry about overflowing.” After explaining, Fu Cailin looked at Fu Junyu and Fu Junqiang, who both nodded.
Yuan Yueze, thinking of his own technique for absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, nodded after a moment of realization.
Shan Meixian and the other women did the same.
“Where are your other wives? Why is only Meixian and Zhenzhen here today?”
Fu Cailin asked again.
Yuan Yueze then offered a few explanations.
"How does Xiaoze view the Han Chinese of the Central Plains and the surrounding ethnic groups?"
Fu Cailin's question came suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere.
"To be honest, I've never divided 'ethnicity' as clearly as you do. My philosophy is simply that 'every race has good people and bad people,' so in my mind, there's only the distinction between 'good people' and 'bad people,' not ethnicity,"
Yuan Yueze laughed.
"According to Junzhuo, what kind of era is the one you live in, more than a thousand years later? Is 'ethnic division' severe? Or have they already merged together?"
Fu Cailin asked.
"Although I was born in a later era, strictly speaking, my contact with that era is limited to various books and intelligence. According to the books, the various ethnic groups are still fighting fiercely, but it's much more stable than this era. This is because people in this era personally experienced war, personally felt the pain of being separated from their wives and children, and losing their homes, which accumulated into 'ethnic hatred.' This hatred is much stronger than in later generations, because later generations are not as turbulent as this era."
"This is due to human desires! It won't change much even a thousand years later. As long as there are people, the struggle will continue. Ozawa's idea is good, but it's very unrealistic in the face of 'human desires,'"
Fu Cailin sighed.
"Master Fu's idea is also somewhat unrealistic,"
Yuan Yueze interjected.
"Oh?"
Fu Cailin smiled, looking at Yuan Yueze curiously.
"Master Fu should understand that anyone, no matter how great their achievements or how high their status, can only be a ripple in the long river of history. Even the largest ripple cannot change the course of the river, nor can it alter its fate of merging into the sea. The law of survival for all living things in the mortal world remains unchanged for millennia: 'survival of the fittest.'"
Yuan Yueze could only offer the knowledge he had gleaned from various books.
"Are you saying that everything I'm doing now is in vain?"
Fu Cailin narrowed his eyes, staring at Yuan Yueze as he asked.
"Master Fu's efforts are for you to judge for yourself whether they are worthwhile or not. Whether they are futile or not should be determined by the results a hundred years from now, and is not a topic for us to discuss now."
After Yuan Yueze finished speaking, he closed his eyes and searched for the bracelet on his right wrist. After a moment, he opened his eyes again, and with a flick of his wrist, a thick book, "On the Origin of Species," appeared in his hand. He handed it to Fu Cailin and said, "This book was written by a 'genius' in the West more than a thousand years later. Although Master Fu may not be able to fully understand this book, he will certainly be able to grasp its general meaning. Please study it slowly later."
Upon hearing the words "survival of the fittest," Fu Cailin's brows furrowed, but then slowly relaxed. His eyes became somewhat vacant as he silently gazed out the window.
"Xiaoze is no ordinary person. Why doesn't he save the people from their suffering and bring peace to the world?"
Fu Cailin asked.
“I roughly understand Master Fu’s thoughts, but Master Fu should know that my ambitions lie elsewhere, and I lack the ability to govern the world. I also don’t particularly want to concern myself with the complexities of human affairs; these can be guided by the laws of nature.”
“Master Fu’s cultivation could actually break through, but he is bound by too many worldly matters and so-called ‘missions.’ Although he is a genius, having created the ‘Nine Profound Great Law’ which deeply understands the Way of Nature and the ‘Chess Sword Technique’ which allows him to anticipate the enemy’s moves, he has not used the Way of Nature to comprehend it, which prevents his cultivation from reaching the Great Perfection. Moreover, Master Fu’s lifelong pursuit of the ultimate and perfection has itself added an invisible constraint to himself. One must know that there is no absolute perfection in the world; beauty is always present and omnipresent.”
Yuan Yueze pointed to the simple teacup on the table and smiled.
“The Way of Nature… an invisible constraint…”
These words seemed to keep echoing in Fu Cailin’s ears, but Fu Cailin still stared blankly out the window.
Suddenly, a brilliant light shone in Fu Cailin’s eyes, revealing his sharp brilliance. A few breaths later, his eyes became empty and lifeless again. His essence, energy, and spirit seemed to have detached from his body, and his mental state seemed to have entered a mysterious realm that others could not reach. Yuan Yueze and the women present simultaneously felt that everything around them had disappeared. There was nothing else in the world, only the few of them remained.
After a moment, Fu Cailin slowly closed his eyes, then opened them again. His aura changed again, just like the Heavenly Blade who had comprehended the 'forgetting of self and blade' that day. Clearly, Fu Cailin had also reached the state of returning to simplicity.
"Congratulations, Master Fu, on your breakthrough again,"
Shan Meixian said.
"It's strange, but I feel that everything I've done over the past sixty years has been against the way of nature. Yet no one has reminded me like Xiaoze did today. And just now, in a single instant, you successfully merged the 'Nine Profound Great Law' and the 'Chess Sword Technique,' which you've been trying to integrate for many years!"
Fu Cailin smiled at Shan Meixian and said.
"This is instant enlightenment, a sudden awakening! This is the true Master Fu at this moment,"
Yuan Yueze praised sincerely.
"Then what realm has Master reached now?"
Fu Junqiang asked curiously from the side.
"If the 'Heavenly Blade' after the breakthrough is 'gaining the blade but forgetting the blade, the blade without a blade,' then my current realm is 'gaining the game but forgetting the game, the game without a game!'"
Fu Cailin looked at Fu Junqiang with a loving expression.
"Indeed, why should swordsmanship be confined to a small, limited chessboard? Why can't it be placed within the infinite 'grand chessboard' of the entire natural world?"
Yuan Yueze also chimed in.
Immediately, Yuan Yueze took out a pill that radiated golden light, instantly filling the room with a refreshing fragrance. He handed it to Fu Cailin, saying, "This is a pill given to me by my master. It can help restore youth and increase lifespan by ninety-nine eight hundred and ten years. Today, seeing that you have comprehended the Way of Nature, I present this pill to you. From now on, you can roam freely between heaven and earth."
Fu Cailin, Fu Junyu, and Fu Junqiang's expressions turned solemn. This was something even the emperor dreamed of! How could Fu Cailin not be moved by Yuan Yueze's easy gift?
After Fu Cailin had just comprehended the Way of Nature from Yuan Yueze's words, he decided to travel throughout the Central Plains and the Western Regions, indulging in the pleasures of nature. Now, having received this elixir, even with his high level of spiritual cultivation, his hands trembled.
Fu Junzhuo smiled contentedly. Meeting Yuan Yueze had brought about the greatest change in her life. She was satisfied with everything, but she couldn't let go of her master who had raised her for so many years. Now that Yuan Yueze has given his master the elixir, his master can enjoy life even more in the future. How could Fu Junzhuo not be moved! Tears welled up in Fu Junzhuo's beautiful eyes, her gaze filled with boundless love and gratitude as she looked at Yuan Yueze.
Fu Cailin hesitated slightly, not accepting the pills, and sighed, "Such a generous gift is truly unacceptable to this old man. I originally only had a few years of lifespan left, but after comprehending the Great Dao, I can live for more than ten years longer, which is enough for me to enjoy in the future."
The three Fu sisters, Fu Junzhuo and Fu Junzhuo, were all anxious. Yuan Yueze also insisted on handing over the pills and said with a smile, "I have 'snatched' Junzhuo, whom the master has carefully nurtured for many years. Consider these pills as a betrothal gift. Master Fu, you won't think this betrothal gift is too small and disdain to accept it, will you?"
Upon hearing this, a cunning glint flashed in Fu Cailin's eyes. He generously reached out and accepted the pills, saying, "Since it is a betrothal gift, this old man will not be polite. However, since Xiaoze's betrothal gift is too heavy, this old man will give Junyu and Junqiang to you instead!"
"Pfft!"
Yuan Yueze spat out a mouthful of tea directly at Fu Cailin opposite him. Fu Cailin had no aura, but the tea bounced off three inches in front of him.
"Master! What nonsense are you talking about!"
Fu Junyu gave Yuan Yueze a coquettish look, then lowered her head in embarrassment. Fu Junqiang, however, looked expectant.
Coughing for a long time after being choked, Yuan Yueze also looked awkwardly at Shan Meixian and the other women around him who were trying to suppress their laughter.
"Master Fu, this...this...you're being too hasty..."
Yuan Yueze stammered, unsure how to explain.
"Alas, it seems that I, Xiaoze, don't think much of Junyu and Junqiang. There's a difference between humans and gods!"
Fu Cailin feigned regret, glancing at Yuan Yueze.
"No...no...Master Fu, you misunderstand. I've never considered myself a 'god,' nor did I mean to look down on my two junior sisters. It's just...it's just too sudden...and as you can see, I already have several wives..."
Yuan Yueze stammered, his words incoherent.
Seeing Yuan Yueze's awkward and helpless expression, Shan Meixian smiled and said, "In that case, thank you very much, Master Fu, for acting as matchmaker. My husband can be quite reserved at times, especially when it comes to women. I, Meixian, will agree to the marriage proposal on his behalf, but we still need to ask for your opinions, ladies. My husband never forces anyone, especially women."
After she finished speaking, everyone's gaze focused on Fu Junyu and Fu Junqiang. Yuan Yueze, annoyed that Shan Meixian had agreed too hastily, and seeing that she was deliberately ignoring him, had no choice but to turn his attention to the two women.
Fu Junyu and Fu Junqiang blushed under everyone's gaze. Regardless of whether Yuan Yueze was a god or not, his appearance, speech, and demeanor were undeniably charming. Fu Junqiang was slightly younger and didn't understand much about matters of the heart. But Fu Junyu was only five years younger than Fu Junzhuo, and although she hadn't experienced love herself, she understood it far more than Fu Junqiang. At their first meeting, Yuan Yueze's handsome appearance and elegant demeanor were enough to captivate Fu Junyu's heart. Yesterday, after seeing Yuan Yueze enter with several ethereal women, including her senior sister Fu Junzhuo, the astute Fu Junyu guessed that this man had come for her. She had been curious at the time about why her senior sister had changed so much, and why she was sharing a husband with other women. However, after hearing Yuan Yueze's name and listening to her senior sister's words about him throughout the night, Fu Junyu's previous doubts vanished.
Although Yuan Yueze's status was enough to drive any woman crazy, a woman in love obviously wouldn't care about such things. Fu Junyu, hearing Fu Junzhuo say that Yuan Yueze doted on each of his wives, couldn't help but envy her senior sister's discerning eye. Then, remembering the vow she and her senior sister had made to "marry the same man," Fu Junyu's feelings for Yuan Yueze began to blossom into love. Today, seeing Fu Cailin attain enlightenment and receiving the elixir, Fu Junyu was happy for her master. Hearing that her master had promised both her and her junior sister to this extraordinary man, Fu Junyu felt a mixture of shyness and joy, even a little fear that Yuan Yueze's wives wouldn't accept her and her junior sister.
When Shan Meixian personally accepted them, Fu Junyu was overjoyed. Although still shy, she mustered her courage and raised her head, blushing, saying, "You sisters are all like fairies, while I, a humble girl, am afraid I am not worthy of Young Master Yuan's attention."
Her words carried a hint of bitterness and uncertainty.
Yuan Yueze had just thought Fu Cailin was hasty because he sought a relationship based on mutual affection, but hearing Fu Junyu's bitter words, he understood the implication. He then said, "In that case, I won't beat around the bush. If Junyu and Junqiang feel that I, Yuan Yueze, am someone they can rely on for life, and don't mind that I already have a family, then I welcome you to join our family. I will make sure you are happier than any other woman in the world!"
Hearing Yuan Yueze's promise, Fu Junyu and Fu Junqiang were overjoyed, lowering their heads with a mixture of shyness and happiness. Fu Cailin, stroking his beard, laughed heartily. He would travel the world in the future, and of course, he didn't want his two beloved disciples to be lonely and destitute. Fu Junzhuo was overjoyed that her two junior sisters had become her "best friends." Shan Meixian and Wei Zhenzhen were also happy to see their husbands find love again.
"Master will be able to go into seclusion to fuse the elixirs in a few days. I wonder if Master plans to stay at the Yijian Pavilion for a long time, or go out and travel?"
Yuan Yueze asked.
"I have decided to travel to the Central Plains, Persia, and the Western Regions in the future, and then explore further west. Now that the three sisters Junzhuo no longer need my concern, I just want to enjoy life!"
Fu Cailin replied.
"I have discussed it with my father-in-law Song. When he comes out of seclusion in two years, he will hold a grand wedding for us in Song Family Mountain City. Although I don't care about such formalities, a formal wedding is something every woman longs for in her life. If Master can attend in person, I believe the three sisters Junzhuo will be very happy."
Fu Cailin nodded.
“However, judging by the timeline, Father-in-law Song has been in seclusion for over a month now. Master, you should also go into seclusion as soon as possible,”
Yuan Yueze added. Fu
Cailin, still brimming with excitement, nodded slightly.
It was already afternoon, and none of them had eaten yet, so Wei Zhenzhen got up to prepare something. Yuan Yueze grabbed Wei Zhenzhen's soft hand and said, “Please sit down, I'll go get some food.”
Seeing how much Yuan Yueze cared for her, Wei Zhenzhen blushed and nodded, sitting down.
Afterwards, Shang Xiuxun, Song Yuzhi, Shan Wanjing, and Shan Ruyin, who had gone out, returned, chattering excitedly. After the food was prepared, everyone enjoyed Yuan Yueze's fusion of Eastern and Western cuisine and wine.
After the meal, sipping fragrant tea, Yuan Yueze said, "Master, shall we spar a bit? You've broken through again, I really can't resist!"
Fu Cailin laughed, "You little rascal, you're not going to let this old man off the hook, are you? Fine, it's been too many years since I've fought. Today's a good opportunity to test the power of your swordsmanship after your breakthrough!"
Yuan Yueze chuckled dryly, "Actually, I'd rather steal some sword intent from you, Master."
Fu Cailin laughed heartily and led the group out of the 'Yijian Pavilion' in a grand procession, heading towards the open space beside the pavilion.
The two stood about two zhang apart. Yuan Yueze held the transparent longsword in reverse, his movements calm and composed. Fu Cailin held the elegant and ancient-looking longsword with a faint blue light in his left hand. This sword was none other than the world-renowned "Yijian." Both men's essence, energy, and spirit were all restrained, and outwardly they looked like people who knew no martial arts. However, the women present, whose cultivation was higher, could sense the heavy atmosphere between them. It was as if a unique spatial force field had formed, or as if it had transcended the world and become an independent existence.
Fu Cailin moved first!
His movements were exceptionally fast, yet appeared incredibly slow to others, a strangely eerie sight. The moment the "Yi Jian" trembled, Yuan Yueze and the women watching once again felt the atmosphere of the surroundings transforming into boundless void. Fu Cailin, who had been several feet away and whose feet hadn't moved, seemed to shrink to only a foot the moment the "Yi Jian" trembled.
Of course, everything around them didn't disappear into thin air; it was simply that, drawn by Fu Cailin's spiritual power and swordsmanship, everyone's attention was focused entirely on the sword.
The "Yi Jian" drew a beautiful cyan arc from bottom to top, simply and directly slashing at Yuan Yueze's head!
The instant Fu Cailin made his move, Yuan Yueze, who had re-established a subtle connection with heaven and earth, instantly entered a state of profound and divine subtlety. Originally under the pressure of Fu Cailin's powerful spiritual energy, Yuan Yueze's mind, following the movement of Fu Cailin's sword, indirectly reconstructed the objective reality between the two of them within his mind, after communicating with heaven and earth, and the void vanished instantly. This was also proof that he had escaped the oppressive aura of Fu Cailin in a unique way.
Yuan Yueze followed suit, touching the hilt of his sword in the same way. The longsword in its sheath emitted a clear sound like the roar of a dragon and the howl of a tiger, seemingly a curse from the eighteenth level of hell, or celestial music from beyond the nine heavens. The sword's white light burst forth, simply and unadorned, meeting the attack.
Fu Cailin's cultivation was definitely no less than Song Que's. Yuan Yueze's attack was somewhat of a subconscious action; his heart could not be completely certain of the origin of this seemingly simple sword strike.
With a deafening roar, Fu Cailin's swordplay shifted, the Yi Sword gleaming with a strange, azure light, tracing breathtaking lines of beauty beyond compare, imbued with the ultimate principles of heaven and earth. The surrounding air currents seemed drawn to the sword's tip, instantly condensing into a beautiful ball of energy. The sword's edge transformed into a point of azure light, hurtling towards Yuan Yueze's throat like a shooting star. This point of azure light possessed a captivating, soul-snatching magic; if Yuan Yueze's mind showed even the slightest weakness, it would suppress his soul, allowing it to take hold.
Beautiful to the extreme, and terrifying to the extreme!
Facing the unparalleled Yi Sword technique firsthand, Yuan Yueze couldn't help but marvel at how swordsmanship had truly reached its pinnacle.
Fu Cailin's Yi Sword technique was sensual; its subtlety lay in his merging of his entire being with the sword, the external sensations illusory, the inner sensations tangible. This realm was entirely different from Song Que's saber style, yet each possessed its own unique charm.
Yuan Yueze's incomplete sword intent, gleaned from Song Que, finally succumbed to the true master swordsmanship.
However, he was not one to easily admit defeat. His longsword moved in a continuous, flowing motion, suddenly transforming into a white streak, its blade tracing an indescribable arc to parry the attack.
"Clang!"
The cluster of azure light dissipated, but the pressure on Yuan Yueze only intensified!
A vast expanse of azure light enveloped him, each point seemingly attacking him, yet each point remained eternally still, like the stars in the sky, possessing an unchanging constancy amidst change.
With Yuan Yueze's learning ability, he could have imitated Fu Cailin's first sword intent, but he was powerless against this overwhelming net of swords.
He simply closed his eyes, relying on his vast true energy and the strange, wondrous connection with heaven and earth, and swung his longsword left and right to meet Fu Cailin's attack.
The clanging sounds were incessant. To an ordinary person, it sounded like the two swords had only clashed once, but that was not the case. Shan Meixian, who was watching the battle, clearly sensed that the two had clashed at least thirty times! This showed how terrifying and extraordinary their speed was.
From the start of the battle, Fu Cailin had maintained the initiative, while Yuan Yueze had been forced to fight back. Most critically, Fu Cailin's twenty-seven sword strikes, varying in intensity, had all locked down Yuan Yueze's energy and attack space, preventing him from regrouping his offensive and leaving him only able to passively defend and retaliate. Yuan Yueze could even clearly sense through their spiritual bond that Fu Cailin had seen through all his moves, rendering any attempt to regroup futile.
In that moment of mental disarray, Yuan Yueze's state of mind, once one with heaven and earth, completely crumbled!
In a flash, Fu Cailin spun around, his sword tracing a beautiful arc, first striking Yuan Yueze's right waist, then returning, but the attack point remained the same. To the onlookers, this seemed utterly unbelievable, as it was like adding legs to a snake—a waste of his own energy and advantage, posing no threat whatsoever to Yuan Yueze.
Yuan Yueze smiled bitterly to himself. Only as someone involved could he perceive the profound mystery and subtlety of Fu Cailin's sword strike.
His next move was already in motion—a sideways attack on Fu Cailin's left shoulder. However, the instant his intention was made, the sword generated a powerful suction force, which intensified with the thrust, increasing the pressure. His right-hand sword, already poised for a thrust, not only lost its aim but was also pulled to the right by Fu Cailin like iron drawn to a magnet. This made it impossible for him to execute his move, and even more difficult to retract it, leaving him in an extremely awkward situation. Yet, he had no choice but to focus all his energy on dealing with the sword aimed at his right waist. Such swordsmanship was truly terrifying.
Yuan Yueze's blood surged, and despite his frantic efforts, he couldn't withstand the exquisite swordplay. His mind, surprisingly, resisted the immense pressure and regained its focus.
A
crisp clang rang out, and a hint of surprise flashed in Fu Cailin's eyes. Forced into a corner, Yuan Yueze had actually used the end of his sword hilt to horizontally deflect Fu Cailin's attack, a move Fu Cailin was confident would end the fight. In
such a duel, a single lapse in concentration could be fatal. Yuan Yueze's first proactive attack forcefully combined Fu Cailin's first sword strike with Song Que's first saber strike, a seemingly clumsy but actually powerful slash that instantly distorted and warped the surrounding space.
This strike, from bottom to top, was not a preparation but rather an attack. Fu Cailin understood this perfectly. He slightly turned his sword, its tip pointing towards the path of Yuan Yueze's advancing blade. However, Yuan Yueze seemed to sense Fu Cailin's intention, not continuing to raise his sword, but instead shifting to a slashing motion halfway through the arc, striking Fu Cailin's chest at a very small angle.
Integrating saber intent into sword strike wasn't a perfect choice, especially for someone like Yuan Yueze whose understanding was somewhat limited, but it created an unexpected effect. Both Song Que and Fu Cailin were somewhat at a loss when they first encountered this move. It wasn't that Yuan Yueze was particularly powerful, but rather that their preconceived notions about their respective fields were deeply ingrained. For example, in their eyes, the sword represented agility, while the saber could only be powerful and ruthless. But how could a Grandmaster be arbitrarily titled? By the second time Song Que faced Yuan Yueze, he was already immune to his strange moves.
Seeing that Yuan Yueze's moves, though varied, possessed an unchanging essence, Fu Cailin instantly understood that the essence of Yuan Yueze's move must have originated from Song Que. After a low cheer, his eyes shone brightly, and his sword flicked and trembled, bursting forth with countless strands of azure light, spreading like clouds, swirling backwards towards Yuan Yueze's longsword.
Two sword shadows, one azure and one white, flashed through the air, magnificent and dazzling, strangely beautiful, yet without a single sound of impact!
Because both sides were attacking head-on, mutually blocking each other, they were actually changing their moves before each strike could even land!
The fight grew faster and faster, and Fu Cailin was already somewhat alarmed. Yuan Yueze's energy seemed inexhaustible, his vitality boundless. No matter how ingenious, unrestrained, and free Fu Cailin's swordsmanship was, she still couldn't truly break through Yuan Yueze's offensive before exhausting her strength!
"Clang!"
Finally, their weapons clashed, emitting a piercing screech. The sound alone caused the weaker women watching to feel their blood rush to their heads.
Fu Cailin inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Yuan Yueze's physique was abnormal, but his techniques were still imperfect, so he had to stop his attacks after a while.
"Buzz!"
In an instant, Fu Cailin regained the initiative. In the blink of an eye, her energy had recovered, and she launched a perfectly natural preemptive strike! His expression turned solemn as he thrust his sword horizontally, transforming it into two sword shadows. The sword tips trembled, forming two graceful circular cyan energy balls that enveloped Yuan Yueze.
Yuan Yueze, with a calm and collected mind, seemed like an outsider to the battle, observing the duel from a detached perspective. He noticed every change in Fu Cailin's swordplay. The sword circles were gradually expanding at an extremely slow pace, the sword energy subtly increasing with each ring. Suddenly, a brilliant cyan light erupted. Guided by the energy, Fu Cailin's sword light surged, the slow sword movement transforming into a thunderous roar. The sword strung together rings of energy, growing larger and larger, and as the sword moved forward, like two dragons spitting pearls, it sent these rings towards Yuan Yueze. Yuan Yueze could clearly feel the terrifying power brewing within these rings!
Fu Cailin seemed to have poured all his energy and spirit into the sword, embodying both endless variations and the unchanging essence, a game without strategy. This sword strike could be considered the pinnacle of Fu Cailin's swordsmanship!
This sword move, which seemed to seize the very essence of heaven and earth, was flawless and invincible!
"Master's sword strike has transcended the realm of 'using man to play against sword, using sword to play against enemy,' could this be the realm of 'playing without playing'?"
Fu Junzhuo murmured, looking at the strange scene before her.
To outsiders, there was only one way to break this: forget about life and death, directly attack Fu Cailin's center, and the final result would be mutual destruction or forcing Fu Cailin to sheathe his sword to protect himself.
Absolute perfection never exists, and Yuan Yueze had his own way of breaking it. He held
the long sword horizontally across his chest with his right hand, and pushed the sword upwards with his left palm, gathering all his energy, forcefully meeting the sword strike head-on!
A brilliant light shone!
"Clang!"
After a muffled yet explosive resounding crash, the arena returned to calm.
The women, gradually calming down, looked over and saw Yuan Yueze and Fu Cailin standing in place as if their battle had begun. The difference was that Yuan Yueze's clothes were tattered, while Fu Cailin's face remained unchanged, but her breathing showed signs of disorder.
However, it was clear that neither of them was using their full strength; otherwise, the outcome would have been as tragic as it had been in Songjia Mountain City.
Fu Cailin laughed heartily, "Your move was truly brilliant!"
Yuan Yueze chuckled dryly, "Heh, the difference in intent is too great; I can only rely on other advantages to break it."
The two walked towards the group of women watching, and Fu Cailin added, "But your cultivation of body and spirit far surpasses that of us old folks."
Yuan Yueze understood his meaning perfectly and immediately replied, "I gained a great deal from Master's sword intent today; I need to carefully comprehend it." Fu Cailin
nodded, "With your temperament, it wouldn't be difficult for you to comprehend some skills. I'm afraid that in a few years, even I won't be your match!"
Fu Cailin wasn't being modest; with his experience, how could he not see through Yuan Yueze, who seemed like a blank sheet of paper?
"I sensed that your fighting spirit isn't high,"
Fu Cailin said with a strange expression.
"Because Master also lacks fighting spirit, I'm affected as well,"
Yuan Yueze said with a helpless smile.
Among the world's top masters, each person's martial arts fall into a different domain. Ning Daoqi, for example, revered nature and sought tranquility through non-action. Fu Cailin, on the other hand, dedicated his life to the pursuit of perfection and the meaning of life. While both possessed high levels of martial arts skill, their fighting spirit was lacking. For someone like Yuan Yueze, who reveled in the exhilarating feeling of competition, neither Ning Daoqi nor Fu Cailin were truly 'worthy' opponents.
Song Que, however, was different. Song Que's martial arts lay in the battlefield, so he always possessed an incredibly strong fighting spirit.
Perhaps the fighting spirit of 'Evil King' Shi Zhixuan and 'Martial Venerable' Bi Xuan was also strong enough to give Yuan Yueze that exhilarating feeling.
"Haha!"
Fu Cailin laughed loudly: "Xiao Ze is quite right, I'm afraid I can't let you enjoy that wonderful feeling you want!"
"However, I still experienced the power of the 'Chess Sword Technique' after breaking through to 'Chess of No Chess'!"
Yuan Yueze walked to Fu Junyu, who was still in a daze, and flicked her small, delicate nose, laughing.
With a "yelp," Fu Junyu came back to her senses, her cheeks instantly turning pink, and she shyly ran behind Fu Junzhuo to hide.
Everyone laughed and walked into the pavilion.
※※※※※ After bidding farewell to Yuan Yueze, Fu Junzhuo, and the Song Clan members that day, Shuanglong traveled along the river, stopping frequently. Because Fu Junzhuo had given them a hundred taels of silver, the two shed their previous decadent ways and dressed like wealthy young men. Half a month later, they arrived at Cuishan, a large town south of Xin'an County at the western end of the Zhejiang River. With over two thousand households, located east of Poyang Lake, it was a thriving town with numerous stone bridges and tiled houses, a prosperous Jiangnan water town. Although only a quarter the size of Danyang and lacking high walls and city gates, the two immediately felt a desire to stay.
What attracted them most was the town... The women were dressed exquisitely, their clothing and embroidery showcasing the delicate beauty and ingenuity of the water town girls.
What pleased them even more was that they all wore embroidered sleeveless tops and embroidered shoes, their waists cinched in pleated skirts, making them appear even more charming and graceful. They paraded through the streets in groups, their eyes tingling with desire.
Especially now that they had a few coins in their pockets, unlike their former impoverished selves, their mood was completely different, their chests held high.
As the old saying goes, "When people are well-fed and warm, they think of lust," especially for Shuanglong, who had endured so much poverty. The rich folk customs and local sentiments of Cuishan Town captivated the two young men's still-immature hearts. They even felt... Living here for a lifetime, marrying and having children—what could be more blissful?
But Kou Zhong, unable to resist temptation, dragged Xu Ziling to the town's most famous brothel, "Liuchun Courtyard," that very night, ending their childhood.
The next morning, they discovered they had given the madam and the young women too much silver in their drunken stupor; they had less than two taels left.
Reluctantly, they returned to their old life as petty thugs. By chance, they ended up as cooks at "Old Zhang's Restaurant." However, Old Zhang's unworthy son, seeing the two dragons' striking appearance and imposing presence, began to plot against them. They schemed against the two. Old Zhang's son had some martial arts skills. The Twin Dragons' understanding of the "Nine Profound Great Technique" was mediocre, and they couldn't easily cripple Old Zhang's son. Afterwards, Old Zhang's son brought in the town's yamen runners to continue bullying the Twin Dragons. Humiliated, the Twin Dragons remembered what Fu Junzhuo and Yuan Yueze had said. They couldn't help but curse themselves for their weakness. They endured the humiliation and continued practicing the "Nine Profound Great Technique" at night while also beginning to comprehend the "Longevity Formula." Seven days later, they finally grasped the basics of the "Longevity Formula" and secretly ran away from "Old Zhang's Restaurant" to focus on cultivating it.
The Twin Dragons, once again by chance, embarked on the path they had previously "must" take.
Time flies, and a year and three months have passed in the blink of an eye!
Winter has arrived again.
A few days after Yuan Yueze arrived in Pyongyang, Fu Cailin announced that he would betroth his three most beloved female disciples to Yuan Yueze, and would personally attend their weddings at the Lingnan Song family in the Central Plains. Afterwards, Fu Cailin went into seclusion.
The news spread, and discussions arose again in Korea, the Central Plains, and even the Turks and the Western Regions. The topics were all about Yuan Yueze and his wives. Since many in the Lingnan Song clan had already personally seen Yuan Yueze and his wives, the news spread: Yuan Yueze was handsome and dashing, with superb martial arts skills. His wives were all beautiful and noble. These topics became the subject of much discussion among those in the martial arts world and those with ulterior motives. This was a topic frequently discussed by various factions.
During this time, Yuan Yueze secluded himself for a year, refining his vital energy while diligently studying the essence of "body and mind" in the "Swordplay Technique" and "Heavenly Blade Technique." Upon emerging, his vital energy was more than twice as strong as before. While his "mind" cultivation hadn't improved much, his "skill" had made significant progress. After
several sparring matches with the more skilled women—Shan Meixian, Wei Zhenzhen, and Fu Junzhuo—Yuan Yueze realized his progress was still too small. The "sword intent" he had gleaned from his battles with Song Que and Fu Cailin began to blur afterward, causing him considerable frustration. Fortunately, the women comforted him, saying there was plenty of time; otherwise, Yuan Yueze would have become fixated on this, which would have been extremely detrimental to his future mental cultivation.
Afterward, he began to live a carefree life ... While traveling through Goryeo with his wives, Yuan Yueze experienced various customs and traditions. He witnessed firsthand the increasing poverty and the growing number of families torn apart and homeless due to the war. This made him increasingly question his own approach to life. All he could do was try his best to help those in need with his money. Yuan
Yueze originally planned to first "date" Fu Junyu and Fu Junqiang, spending time with them. However, the two women were already head over heels for him; his so-called "romance" was merely wishful thinking on his part.
In the end, whether it was Yuan Yueze who couldn't resist or Fu Junyu and Fu Junqiang who couldn't bear their loneliness, they ended up having sex ahead of schedule. The two women, having improved their bodies, were incredibly excited and showered with Yuan Yueze's affection, feeling extremely happy. Afterwards, the two women studied with Fu Junzhuo... Fu Junqiang, a martial arts prodigy, possessed unparalleled talent in the art of "Sword Control Technique." Within days, she had reached the highest level of "Controlling the Sword with Qi," thanks to her powerful physique. However, "Controlling the Sword with the Mind" seemed extremely difficult to master, and the highest level, "Controlling the Sword with the Spirit," remained a mere legend.
Even with Fu Junqiang's talent, she couldn't comprehend any further for the time being. Although exceptionally intelligent, Fu Junqiang wasn't a martial arts fanatic. At only seventeen, she was a carefree and innocent young woman. Lively and adorable, she, along with Shan Wanjing and Shan Ruyin, spent her days mischievously playing pranks.
That night, after several rounds of intense pleasure, the exhausted girls had fallen into a deep sleep. Only the powerful Shan Meixian, Song Yuzhi, and Fu Junzhuo remained awake. Yuan Yueze then spoke tenderly to them, exchanging loving words.
"Husband, shouldn't we return to the Central Plains? So much time has passed; I wonder what changes have occurred there!" "
Song Yuzhi spoke up.
"Zhizhi is right, let's first find out some news about the Central Plains these past few days."
Shan Meixian thought that she hadn't originally planned to stay in Goryeo for so long, but because Yuan Yueze suddenly wanted to go into seclusion to comprehend 'sword intent,' she had settled down. Seeing Yuan Yueze nod, Shan Meixian said,
"The Central Plains is vast and rich in resources, I'm going to have a good time exploring it this time!"
Fu Junzhuo also chimed in.
"Speaking of finding out news, I just remembered someone, that person must be thinking about our husband day and night, unable to eat or drink!"
Shan Meixian said with a coquettish smile.
"Meixian, don't talk nonsense, my relationship with Yuzhen is very pure!"
Upon hearing Shan Meixian's words, Yuan Yueze suddenly thought of the woman in the white cloak and green clothes.
"Oh! She hasn't even said who it is yet, why is my husband already thinking about Yuzhen!" "
Shan Meixian teased, though she suppressed a smile on her pretty face.
"There are women who can maintain a 'pure' relationship with their husbands? That's truly a wonder of the world!"
Song Yuzhi also rolled her eyes at Yuan Yueze, emphasizing the word 'pure'.
Fu Junzhuo, standing nearby, had already understood the implication in their words and giggled.
"I'll let you laugh at me! Tonight, I'll make sure you can't get out of bed for three days!"
Yuan Yueze said with a 'fierce' look.
In an instant, the waves of passion rose again! Boundless spring!

Chapter 019 Reunion with Yu Zhen
In the depths of winter, the weather in the Yangtze River basin remained warm with a slight chill.
Outside the south gate of Yangzhou, a man and two women emerged. It was Yuan Yueze, Shan Meixian, and Fu Junyu.
“Husband, how about the three of us split up to gather information, and then agree on a place to meet again?”
Fu Junyu said somewhat helplessly.
“Junyu, that’s a good suggestion. Instead of going together, we should split into three directions. That way, the chances of finding out the Giant Kun Gang’s exact whereabouts will be greater. Besides, we don’t know how Yu Zhen is doing now; it’s a bit worrying.”
Shan Meixian said, looking at the hesitant Yuan Yueze.
“Alright, then when and where should we meet?”
Yuan Yueze asked reluctantly.
Although he had been in the world for over two years, his experience was pitifully limited; he hadn’t even experienced the joys and sorrows of ordinary people’s gatherings and separations.
“Then let’s meet at dusk ten days from now, right where we are now,”
Shan Meixian said after a moment’s thought.
“Sister, should we call the other sisters out? It’ll be easier to gather information with more people,”
Fu Junyu suggested again.
“No, among us sisters, only Junzhuo, Junyu, and you have more experience traveling the world. If we call Wanjing and the others out, it’s easy to cause trouble and waste time.”
“How about this, husband, take Junzhuo out too, and the four of us will split up and go in four directions. Husband, you don’t have much experience traveling the world alone, so it’s better to have Yuzhi accompany you. With our current abilities, we won’t encounter any trouble,”
Shan Meixian said again, seeing Yuan Yueze’s reluctant expression.
So Yuan Yueze had no choice but to forcibly pull out Fu Junzhuo and Song Yuzhi, who were still studying, from the bracelet, and suppress the eager Shang Xiuxun, Shan Wanjing, and the other girls. After a brief exchange, Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi headed south, Shan Meixian west, Fu Junyu north, and Fu Junzhuo east, each to begin their respective searches. Before their departure, to prevent Feng Cai from attracting unwanted attention, Shan Meixian specifically instructed the women to cover their faces with heavy veils.
Having spent over a year in Goryeo, Yuan Yueze and his family returned to the Central Plains at Song Yuzhi's suggestion, their first priority being to gather information. Upon entering the Central Plains, the group settled in Shangdang and Pengcheng. Song Yuzhi contacted the local Song clan, but only managed to glean some local news, some of which might not even be accurate. Originally, the Song clan members, seeing the clan leader's daughter and son-in-law arrive, wanted to curry favor with Yuan Yueze and continue providing him with intelligence. However, Yuan Yueze and the other women were elusive, making it extremely difficult for the Song clan members to contact him. In this era, neither fast horses nor carrier pigeons were ever slow enough. After much deliberation, Shan Meixian decided that contacting the Giant Kun Gang was the best option, as their information was certainly reliable.
The news from the Pengcheng Song Clan's hideout only stated that two months ago, the Giant Kun Gang and the Hai Sha Gang had a fierce battle near Taihu Lake. The result was that the Giant Kun Gang leader, Yun Yuzhen, used a superb swordsmanship to kill the Hai Sha Gang leader, "Dragon King" Han Gaitian, and his trusted subordinate, "Mermaid" You Qiufeng. Only Han Gaitian's other trusted subordinate, "Fat Assassin" You Gui, escaped with serious injuries. The most recent news the Song Clan received about the Giant Kun Gang was that about half a month ago, when the Giant Kun Gang was recovering the remaining members of the Hai Sha Gang in the Yu Hang area, their leader, Yun Yuzhen, was ambushed by an unknown assassin. The specific details and outcome were unknown to outsiders. After the Giant Kun Gang's swift and decisive victory in the Yu Hang area, they remained largely silent.
After hearing the Song Clan members recount the matter, Yuan Yueze wasn't particularly worried about Yun Yuzhen. He believed that after the marrow cleansing and body tempering, Yun Yuzhen's strength, if she diligently cultivated, would certainly surpass that of ordinary martial arts masters.
However, Shan Meixian, with her keen intuition, quickly realized something was amiss: having been separated for almost two years, Yuan Yueze and the other women had no idea what Yun Yuzhen's cultivation level was. Moreover, Yun Yuzhen might be preoccupied with gang affairs, unable to focus on her martial arts training. Thinking further, if Yun Yuzhen was truly unharmed, why hadn't any news been released? Even a fool could guess that the unknown assassin was sent by the 'Fat Assassin' You Gui to avenge Han Gaitian.
Having understood this, Shan Meixian immediately suggested they stop waiting for news from the Song Clan spies in Pengcheng. The group decided to go out and investigate themselves.
※※※※※ Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi sped south. As they were nearing the major city of Danyang, Yuan Yueze carried Song Yuzhi and raced on. The closer they got to the Yangtze River, the clearer their thoughts became. Unconsciously, he recalled the night Fu Junzhuo was ambushed on the banks of the Danyang River by several masked men of unknown origin, possessing sinister skills.
As he gradually integrated into this era, Yuan Yueze also realized that the so-called original Tang Dynasty story was not entirely the same as his current timeline; there seemed to be many terrifying forces lurking in the darkness.
Suddenly, Yuan Yueze stopped. His eyes focused his inner energy, gazing into the distance.
"Has something happened ahead?"
Song Yuzhi asked, looking at Yuan Yueze with curiosity.
"Several hundred men are rushing towards us at high speed. They are dressed in various styles, look fierce, and exude a strong aura of killing intent. They have green cloths wrapped around their arms, and the ranks are marked by the banner of 'Du.'"
"Within this range, they should be the rebel army under Du Fuwei, the overlord of Jianghuai, known as 'The Universe in His Sleeve'!"
Song Yuzhi said.
Du Fuwei was from Xiangongzhuang Town, Zhangqiu, Qizhou. In his youth, he was unruly and did not engage in production. He was intelligent, resourceful, and chivalrous from a young age, and had a sworn brotherhood with Fu Gongshi of Linji.
During the later years of Emperor Yang Guang's reign in the Sui Dynasty, the government was corrupt, the people suffered, peasant uprisings broke out one after another, warlords carved up the land, and society was in turmoil. In
the seventh and ninth years of the Daye era, peasant uprisings led by Wang Bo, Dou Jiande, Zhang Jincheng, Meng Haigong, Meng Rang, Guo Fangyu, Hao Xiaode, and others broke out in Shandong. In December of the ninth year of the Daye era of the Sui Dynasty, Du Fuwei and his friend Fu Gongshi, influenced by numerous peasant uprisings, turned against the rebellion and joined the rebel army of Zuo Caixiang and Zuo Junxing in Changbai Mountain. In December of the tenth year of the Daye era, Du Fuwei arrived in Huaibei. Relying on strategy and force, he annexed the rebel army in Xiapi and marched into Huainan. He then merged the rebel army in Hailing in one fell swoop. From then on, the Jianghuai rebel army grew stronger day by day. In the eleventh year of the Daye era, Li Zitong, another rebel army that persisted in the struggle in Changbai Mountain, also moved to Huainan and formed an alliance with Du Fuwei, greatly increasing his
prestige. Du Fuwei was later known as the "Underworld Overlord." In addition to his military strategy, his martial arts skills were among the best in the martial arts world, and he was also known as "The Universe in His Sleeves," making people in the martial arts world tremble with fear.
"This Du Fuwei is quite a figure!"
Yuan Yueze praised.
"Du Fuwei's reputation in the Jianghuai region is indeed unmatched, but he's definitely not cut out for greatness. He indulges his subordinates, and the Jianghuai army's discipline is lax. Every time they conquer a city, they forcibly conscript strong men, incurring the wrath of both heaven and man. Moreover, he's short-sighted; at best, he's only fit to be a regional hegemon!"
Hearing Yuan Yueze's praise, Song Yuzhi wrinkled her nose and said disdainfully.
"Oh dear, it seems our Zhizhi could be a female politician; her words and assessments are quite sharp!"
Yuan Yueze teased Song Yuzhi in his arms.
"No way! I just grew up in a powerful family, and in that environment, naturally..."
Before Song Yuzhi could finish, Yuan Yueze pulled her up and slipped into the nearby woods.
"That group of people is passing by; we mustn't let them spot us,"
Yuan Yueze explained, looking at Song Yuzhi's strange expression.
Sure enough, in less than half an incense stick's time, the dust kicked up by the sound of horses' hooves ahead was already faintly visible. Yuan Yueze and his companion spread their hearing and carefully observed the group of people.
The group numbered around three hundred, all robust and muscular. Some were relatively well-dressed, while a smaller group wore only ordinary peasant clothes. These were likely the farm boys they had forcibly recruited into the Jianghuai Army.
"Boss, Li Jing is ungrateful! He's repeatedly defied you, and the brothers couldn't stand it anymore!"
one of the three at the front of the group said.
"Damn it, that Li guy won't get away with this! We did a good job on this mission. After we catch the next village, we'll go back to the city and teach that Li guy a lesson!"
the middle man said, glancing back at the back of the group. This man had a face full of flesh, short sideburns, and a ferocious expression, like a demon.
His two companions quickly flattered him.
Hearing the name "Li Jing," Yuan Yueze immediately became interested. Judging from the actions of the leading man, Li Jing must be at the back of the group. The group sped past, and a burly man at the back caught Yuan Yueze's attention. The man wasn't exactly handsome, but he had a straight nose, a broad face, and bright, intelligent eyes.
The sound of hooves faded into the distance as Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi emerged from the woods and continued their gallop.
Yuan Yueze had only felt a slight admiration for Li Jing's appearance earlier, but then he suddenly thought of Susu, wondering where she was now.
"Husband, there seems to be a faint presence in the woods to the right, like that of a feminine woman,"
Song Yuzhi said, seeing Yuan Yueze deep in thought as they ran.
Although Song Yuzhi didn't practice martial arts, her senses were exceptionally sharp, even surpassing those of Yuan Yueze, Shan Meixian, and Fu Junqiang.
Hearing this, Yuan Yueze focused his attention and indeed detected a faint presence in the woods to the right. The two exchanged a glance and then sped off in that direction.
With just a few leaps, the presence drew closer.
"Ah!"
Song Yuzhi exclaimed, her eyes fixed on the woman who came into view.
Three zhang away, in an open space, a young woman dressed in simple white and blue floral clothes, slightly soiled, was resting on a large rock. She was voluptuous, her hands resting on a branch she had picked up from somewhere. Her left leg, simply bandaged, clearly showed a severe injury. The woman's head was bowed, so Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi could only discern her gender by her breath and somewhat disheveled hair.
Hearing a gasp, the seated woman looked up in the direction of the sound. She saw a man in purple and a woman in yellow approaching. Rubbing her eyes, she widened them in surprise. The man and woman seemed like celestial beings, their robes flowing. The woman was like a fairy from a painting, incomparably beautiful, with a noble and pure air. She easily evoked feelings of inferiority in others. The man was incredibly handsome, and his gentle smile gave off an inexplicable sense of warmth. His dark, slightly blue eyes, in particular, brought a sense of tranquility.
Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi approached and, seeing the woman still staring blankly at them, asked, "Is this young lady injured? Would you feel comfortable allowing me to treat her?"
The woman, startled by Yuan Yueze's voice, blushed and replied, "I bruised my leg and have difficulty walking. I've been stuck in the woods for days. I'm so sorry to trouble you, young master!"
After saying this, the woman was somewhat surprised: she had trusted these two men, whose identities she didn't know, to treat her on their first meeting.
"Perhaps their appearance and demeanor don't suggest they're bad people," she thought to herself
.
Yuan Yueze placed his hand on the back of the slightly shy woman, channeling his vast inner energy into her body, nourishing her parched meridians and wound.
Then, Song Yuzhi took out some medicine and personally bandaged her wound.
Following Yuan Yueze's instructions, the woman closed her eyes for a while. When she opened them again, she felt incredibly comfortable all over, and the pain in her injured calf was greatly reduced after treatment. Her bright eyes were filled with gratitude. She stepped down from the rock and knelt gracefully, saying, "This servant thanks you, young master and madam, for saving my life."
Song Yuzhi stepped forward to help the woman up, about to speak, when
a soft "gulp" was heard. The woman lowered her head shyly, not daring to raise it again.
"Sister must be starving. Let my husband make something to eat first, and you can wash up while you're at it,"
Song Yuzhi said, pointing to the woman's face, which was covered in dust and mud.
After dividing the tasks, Yuan Yueze started a fire and began preparing the food. Song Yuzhi then took the woman to a nearby stream to wash.
In less than a quarter of an hour, several dishes were cooked and laid out, waiting for the two women to return.
A short while later, Song Yuzhi and the woman arrived. Yuan Yueze turned to look at the woman he hadn't paid much attention to before: she was tall and slender, around twenty years old, with a beautiful face, bright, clear black eyes, and smooth, supple skin. Her long, flowing black hair cascaded over her shoulders. After washing away the dust and changing into a pale yellow palace dress, her temperament gained an added touch of tranquility, exuding a refined and delicate charm—truly a rare beauty.
Seeing that both women's hair was wet, they must have bathed in the stream. They were now hand in hand, laughing and chatting as they walked towards Yuan Yueze.
The fragrance wafted from afar, and Song Yuzhi pulled the woman along, running to the table. She then pulled the woman, who was still somewhat shy and dared not look directly at Yuan Yueze, to sit down.
The woman sat down and then stood up again, bowing to Yuan Yueze once more before saying, "Thank you both for your kind assistance; I am deeply grateful."
"Please don't be so polite, young lady. Eat something first, and we can talk later,"
Yuan Yueze gestured for her to sit.
The woman was also curious: where did they get the ingredients to cook in this desolate wilderness? Although she hadn't touched her chopsticks yet, just by the taste, she was certain the dishes on the table were extraordinary. Were these two benefactors truly divine beings descended from heaven?
"Please eat with peace of mind, young lady. We have absolutely no intention of harming you,"
Yuan Yueze said, seeing the woman's changing expression and assuming she was worried about poison, so he took a bite and reassured her.
"Yes, yes! Sister, eat quickly; you're starving!"
Song Yuzhi didn't care about anything else and rushed over to start eating voraciously. Her eating manners were quite unrefined.
"Young master, you misunderstand! This servant has no other intentions; I'm just a little curious,"
the woman quickly explained, seeing Yuan Yueze reassuring her.
Afterwards, under the warm hospitality of Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi, they began to enjoy the meal. They
ate and slept in silence.
After the meal, the woman's complexion became much rosier.
Yuan Yueze then sat down with the two women to rest and chat.
"Why were you injured in this desolate wilderness, young lady?"
Yuan Yueze asked.
"My name is Fang Susu. I was separated from my master and ended up in a village. I lived there for several months. A few days ago, a large band of rebels forcibly conscripted men. The leader had designs on me, so I tried to escape alone. However, I slipped and fell down a hillside into this forest, injuring my leg and making walking difficult. I thought I was going to die, but you and my wife saved me,"
the woman said.
"What!"
Yuan Yueze was stunned when he heard Susu's name.
"How could Susu have ended up like this? Didn't Li Jing save her? No! What about Shuanglong?"
Yuan Yueze wondered.
"Does the young master recognize me?"
Su Su asked, somewhat surprised.
"I've heard of Miss Su Su, but this is the first time I've met you,"
Yuan Yueze explained.
Su Su was even more curious: how could this handsome man know her? She was just a lowly maid.
"I am Yuan Yueze, and this is my wife, Song Yuzhi. May I ask what Miss Su Su's plans are?"
Yuan Yueze introduced himself.
Upon hearing Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi's names, Su Su was immediately stunned. She covered her mouth with her delicate white hand, staring at Yuan Yueze in disbelief. Clearly, she had heard some of Yuan Yueze's exploits.
"He's Yuan Yueze? The one who's all the rage in the martial arts world? And two years ago, I heard his earth-shattering roar, and then a series of anecdotes… This man actually saved me? That fairy-like lady is the daughter of the Song clan leader? Heavens!"
Su Su thought, feeling dizzy. Everything was too unbelievable!
Surprised for a long time, Su Su finally calmed down. Seeing Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi smiling at her, two red clouds involuntarily rose to her cheeks. She lowered her head and whispered, "So it was the world-renowned Young Master Yuan and Miss Song who saved me."
"Sister, you must have nowhere to go now, why don't you come with us for a while? If you're alone out there, you're bound to encounter a lot of trouble,"
Song Yuzhi generously invited.
"How dare I accept the title 'sister' from Miss Song? Miss Song, just call me 'Su Su.' I won't bother Young Master Yuan and Miss Song any longer," Su Su
said, not daring to accept Song Yuzhi's invitation because of her lowly status.
Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi had to make a big effort to invite her warmly, and finally Su Su agreed. She dared not look up at Yuan Yueze again.
Afterwards, he listened to Su Su recount in detail how she had been separated from Zhai Jiao. Yuan Yueze was very happy: he had actually saved the pitiful and lonely Su Su this time; perhaps this was fate.
Because they needed to continue searching for the Giant Kun Gang's whereabouts, Song Yuzhi and the incredibly shocked Susu entered the bracelet to rest. Since Susu was too shy, Song Yuzhi didn't want to leave her with the crazy girls like Shan Wanjing, so she stayed inside the bracelet to personally explain things to Susu and chat with her. Yuan Yueze acted alone.
Traveling south, Yuan Yueze used his profound and pure internal energy and lightness skill to traverse the Taihu Lake region, Xuancheng, Xin'an, Yuhang, Kuaiji, and even reached Yongjia, but still found no useful clues.
The appointed time quickly passed, and a weary Yuan Yueze had no choice but to return to Yangzhou to meet the three women, Shan Meixian and her two companions, as agreed.
At dusk, he finally met the three women who had been waiting. The three women all had happy expressions on their faces, indicating that they had found something.
Each person explained their situation in turn: Fu Junyu traveled north through Zhongli, Donghai, Langya, and even along the coast to Gaomi, but still found no reliable information. Fu Junzhuo, on the other hand, headed east; Yangzhou was already close to the mouth of the Yangtze River, and further east lay the sea. Fu Junzhuo meticulously searched for information in the two major cities of Piling and Wujun. Ultimately, she found nothing, and in her frustration, she encountered several lecherous men who tried to take advantage of her. In a fit of rage, Fu Junzhuo killed them all. Yuan Yueze and the other girls found Fu Junzhuo's story amusing, with her pouting lips.
Shan Meixian, meanwhile, traveled west, along Lujiang, Tong'an, and Ruyin, finally obtaining reliable information from the rebel army in Yiyang. The Giant Kun Gang had recently secretly entered the Yiyang villa, accompanied by many skilled members. Shan Meixian sensed that something had happened to Yun Yuzhen, but there was no time to investigate further, so she rushed back to Yangzhou to meet up with the others, preparing to head to Yiyang immediately.
Yuan Yueze, after hearing Shan Meixian's explanation, also felt that the Giant Kun Gang seemed to have encountered some difficulties, and they decided to rest for the night and then head to Yiyang the next day.
The group saw the somewhat frightened Susu and, upon learning of her ordeal, chatted warmly with her. That night, Song Yuzhi, worried that Susu might not be comfortable, even went to stay with her, deeply moving Susu.
The next day, Yuan Yueze and Shan Meixian set off for Yiyang.
In the first year of the Huangchu era of Emperor Wen of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period, Yiyang Prefecture was established by dividing the lands of Runan and Jiangxia prefectures, with its capital at Yiyang County, governing four counties: Yiyang, Qisi, Dai, and Xiyang, under the jurisdiction of Yuzhou. In the third year of the Yongchu era of Emperor Wu of Song during the Southern Dynasties, Yiyang Prefecture governed three counties: Yiyang, Qisi, and Anfeng, under the jurisdiction of Southern Yuzhou. In the first year of Emperor Gao of Qi's reign (1041), Yiyang Commandery governed five counties: Yiyang, Qisi, Nanxinxi, Shangcai, and Pingyu. In the thirteenth year of Emperor Wu of Sui's reign (1074), Yiyang Commandery belonged to the Northern Wei Dynasty and only governed one county: Yiyang. In the eleventh year of Emperor Xuan of Chen's reign (1075), the Northern Zhou Dynasty renamed Yiyang Commandery as Huainan Commandery. In the first year of Emperor Wen of Sui's reign (1076),
Huainan Commandery was abolished, and Yiyang Commandery was restored, governing six counties: Dingcheng, Guangshan, Yincheng, Gushi, Qi'en, and Le'an, under the jurisdiction of Yangzhou. Yiyang Commandery was too vast, and the information gathered by Shan Meixian was not particularly detailed, so the two of them had no choice but to first
try to find the Yiyang Villa, only to discover that there was no trace of the Giant Kun Gang members. At this point, the two of them were like headless flies, and finally mobilized all the women except Susu and Song Yuzhi to search together. After searching for several days, Shan Ruyin finally found a clue in a hidden valley outside Yincheng near Dasu Mountain. After resting for a night, the group went to the valley the next day, and Yuan Yueze and Shan Meixian sneaked in.
A cluster of houses stretched through the valley, seemingly newly built, and guarded by numerous men.
The two concealed their presence, landing like ghosts before the houses. They addressed the guard, "Friend, please pass on a message: an old friend requests an audience with Chief Yun."
The guard turned around, startled, wondering where these two had come from!
"What Chief Yun? There's no such person!"
the guard stammered, bewildered.
Seeing the guard's suspicion, Yuan Yueze ignored him and announced, "Yu Zhen, I've arrived."
His voice, propelled by powerful internal energy, echoed throughout the valley.
Moments later, hundreds of people surrounded them, their faces wary.
"Everyone, please step back. This young master is an old friend of mine." "
From the other end of the corridor came Yun Yuzhen's long-lost voice, slightly weak.
Hearing Yun Yuzhen speak herself, the gang members stepped back, still wondering who this man and woman were and how they had entered such a mysterious place!
After a while, Yuan Yueze and his companion, led by guards, entered a room at the end of the corridor. There were four people inside, presumably high-ranking members of the Giant Kun Gang.
Yun Yuzhen's aura was even more ethereal than a year ago, but her face was pale and she had lost a lot of weight. She stood in the center of the room, and as Yuan Yueze's long-awaited figure approached, her delicate body began to tremble violently. Her eyes were misty with tears. When Yuan Yueze reached a short distance in front of her, Yun Yuzhen could no longer hold back. Ignoring the three high-ranking members of the gang still around, she rushed into Yuan Yueze's arms like a little bird, crying out in a hoarse voice.
The three high-ranking members exchanged bewildered glances: "Who is this handsome young man? And who is that fairy beside him? How could the gang leader be so distraught?" Yuan
Yueze felt somewhat awkward. Seeing Yun Yuzhen rush into his arms, he didn't know what to say, assuming she must have missed him terribly or suffered some great injustice. Shan Meixian had anticipated this, so she gave Yuan Yueze a wink. Yuan Yueze had no choice but to place his hands on Yun Yuzhen's shoulders and gently stroke them.
Yun Yuzhen cried uncontrollably for a quarter of an hour before calming down. Then, realizing that everyone around her was watching, she blushed and gently left Yuan Yueze's embrace, pulling Shan Meixian to sit down.
"Yuzhen, what happened? How did you get hurt?"
Yuan Yueze immediately asked.
"When did you and my sister return to the Central Plains?" Yun
Yuzhen asked in return.
Before Yuan Yueze could speak, Shan Meixian began to recount all her experiences over the past year.
The other three high-ranking members of the Giant Kun Gang immediately understood: the man before them was none other than Yuan Yueze, the man whose name was the talk of the martial arts world, and the woman beside him was none other than the former Lady Dongming. The three couldn't help but secretly admire them; they truly were a match made in heaven. Yun Yuzhen,
listening to Shan Meixian recount the stories of one woman after another entering Yuan Yueze's home, felt increasingly bitter, her eyes growing more and more resentful. She spoke sourly, "Then Yuzhen must congratulate Young Master Yuan!"
The sourness in her tone was palpable even to those inexperienced in love.
The three high-ranking members of the Giant Kun Gang were dumbfounded: since their leader had completely severed ties with the Dugu family a year ago, he had devoted himself to martial arts training, making rapid progress, and had never shown any interest in any man since. Why was he suddenly so jealous in front of someone else's wife?
Shan Meixian, being perceptive, understood Yun Yuzhen's bitterness and pulled her aside, saying, "Yuzhen, from now on, don't call your husband 'Young Master Yuan' anymore. Why don't you just call him 'husband' like your sister?"
Yun Yuzhen understood from Shan Meixian's words that she accepted her. However, she was still unsure of Yuan Yueze's feelings. She immediately felt anxious and shy, her expression shifting rapidly.
Yuan Yueze, of course, understood Yun Yuzhen's feelings and immediately smiled, "If Yuzhen doesn't mind me, then I welcome you to my family."
Looking at the blushing Yun Yuzhen, who dared not speak, the three high-ranking members of the Giant Kun Gang were completely bewildered, wondering, "What's going on? Did Young Master Yuan come to our secret base just to say some sweet nothings?"
"I am Chen Laomou, welcome Young Master Yuan and his wife. May I ask what brings you here?"
Yuan Yueze, who was staring at Yun Yuzhen who was too shy to look up, raised his head upon hearing the voice and replied, "I originally just wanted to gather some information about the latest happenings in the martial world. Later, I heard that Yuzhen had been ambushed, and since we couldn't find her, Meixian thought something had happened to her, so we came looking for her."
Seeing the delighted expressions on the faces of Chen Laomou and the other two, Yuan Yueze grabbed Yun Yuzhen's soft hand and said, "Yuzhen, tell me in detail what happened. Don't worry, whoever dares to hurt you, I will repay them a hundredfold!"
Yun Yuzhen had just seen Yuan Yueze, whom she had missed day and night, and couldn't control her emotions, which led to her earlier outburst. Little did she know that her outburst would yield even greater results. Yuan Yueze expressed his willingness to accept her, and Shan Meixian, as the eldest of Yuan Yueze's many wives, also personally said she was willing to accept her. How could she not be overjoyed? She immediately recalled her past, and a wave of bitterness washed over her, making her feel unworthy of Yuan Yueze's affection. She then began to wallow in self-pity, her mind elsewhere.
"Yuzhen, why aren't you saying anything!"
Shan Meixian, seeing Yun Yuzhen's ever-changing expression, felt a headache coming on.
"Ah?"
Yun Yuzhen was finally jolted awake: "Yuan...Young Master Yuan, what did you just say?"
"Didn't I tell you to call me husband..."
Shan Meixian teased.
Chen Laomou and the other two were once again dumbfounded: this Young Master Yuan must be extremely outstanding; his wife actually took the initiative to accept another woman! Although there were many rumors about this Young Master Yuan, none were as accurate as the information from the Giant Kun Gang, who made a living selling intelligence. The Giant Kun Gang members didn't know much about Yuan Yueze. Only a small group of members who had witnessed his actions by the river two years ago knew a little bit, but under the gang leader's orders, that small group dared not utter a single word about Yuan Yueze.
"Sister, don't laugh...don't laugh at Yuzhen. Yuzhen...is unworthy..." Yun Yuzhen's face was filled with resentment and pitifulness. She turned her head away, her voice growing softer and softer.
"Alright! Let's not talk about that now. We can talk about that later. Tell me what happened!"
Yuan Yueze knew it wasn't appropriate to discuss matters of the heart in front of outsiders. He quickly changed the subject. He was also eager to know who could have hurt Yun Yuzhen.
Yun Yuzhen knew this wasn't the time to talk about feelings, so she was about to begin her story.
Shan Meixian suddenly remembered the other women inside the bracelet and quickly pulled Yun Yuzhen aside, wanting Yuan Yueze to call the other women out so they could hear the major news that had happened in the martial arts world in recent months.
To the astonishment of Chen Laomou and the other two, the women inside the bracelet emerged. They started as small as mung beans, grew larger and larger, and finally returned to normal. Among the women, Shang Xiuxun was the most charming. Although all the women except Susu were extraordinary, at this moment, they all became, to some extent, mere foils to Shang Xiuxun.
Feeling Chen Laomou and the other two staring intently at Shang Xiuxun, their breathing becoming increasingly rapid, Yuan Yueze coughed lightly. The three snapped out of their daze and quickly turned their heads away, not daring to look again. They secretly exclaimed, "My goodness! I've finally seen a fairy with my own eyes!"
Yun Yuzhen saw that of the nine women who emerged from the bracelet, only one was relatively ordinary; the other eight were all no less beautiful than Shan Meixian. Among them was a woman even more beautiful than Shan Meixian, and Yun Yuzhen, being a woman herself, couldn't help but stare in disbelief. After a moment, she calmed down, and Yuan Yueze introduced the women to them one by one. Yun Yuzhen gave Yuan Yueze a resentful look and began to recount the experiences of the Giant Kun Gang and the events of the past few months in the martial world.
It turned out that after Yuan Yueze and the others parted ways with Yun Yuzhen about a year ago, Yun Yuzhen was indeed affected by the affairs of the gang. Although her martial arts hadn't improved dramatically, she had still raised her strength several notches. Combined with her family's swordsmanship, Yun Yuzhen led the Giant Kun Gang to become a veritable overlord in the southeastern coastal region.
As the Giant Kun Gang grew increasingly powerful, it gradually clashed with the Sea Sand Gang, one of the three major gangs along the southeast coast. The Sea Sand Gang's original stronghold was in the Yuhang area. Both sides suffered losses due to the conflict. Then, the Sea Sand Gang's "Dragon King," Han Gaitian, sent assassins to launch a night raid on the boat carrying Yun Yuzhen and several high-ranking gang members. Enraged, Yun Yuzhen gave chase, pursuing them all the way from the Yangtze River to the Taihu Lake area. Unable to contain his pent-up anger, "Dragon King" Han Gaitian mobilized his gang's best fighters, engaging in a massive battle with Yun Yuzhen and the Giant Kun Gang's elite forces. "Dragon King" Han Gaitian assumed that Yun Yuzhen, no matter how powerful, was just a young woman in her early twenties. However, Yun Yuzhen fought valiantly against Han Gaitian, You Qiufeng, and You Gui, successfully killing Han Gaitian and You Qiufeng. You Gui, cunning and treacherous, escaped through a trick.
With this incident resolved, the Sea Sand Gang was leaderless, and the Giant Kun Gang smoothly took over the former Sea Sand Gang's territory and members. Just over a month after the Hai Sha Gang was wiped out, one night while Yun Yuzhen was handling gang affairs in the Yu Hang area, eleven masked men clad in black gold armor launched a sneak attack. Each of these eleven men possessed incredibly ruthless and sinister martial arts skills. Yun Yuzhen fought them alone, initially managing to hold his own. However, after several moves, the eleven men formed a malevolent array, seemingly containing thousands of ghosts. Even the formidable Yun Yuzhen was defeated in less than fifty moves. Fortunately, the gang guards heard the fighting and summoned their members to surround and attack the eleven men. The eleven men managed to kill over four hundred members of the Giant Kun Gang and escape successfully.
Afterwards, Yun Yuzhen had to go into seclusion to recover from his injuries. However, the eleven assassins in black gold armor exerted immense pressure on the Giant Kun Gang members, ultimately forcing them, under the secret planning of several high-ranking members, to come to the Giant Kun Gang's former secret hideout. As a result, after Yun Yuzhen went into seclusion, she discovered that the sinister and malevolent energy had seeped into her internal organs, seemingly capable of eroding her flesh and blood, making it extremely difficult to eradicate. Worried that the helpers You Gui had brought would cause trouble for the Giant Kun Gang's members outside, she dared not immediately go into seclusion. That day, while discussing this matter with three high-ranking members, Yuan Yueze and his group arrived.
Yuan Yueze and the women listened quietly to Yun Yuzhen's account, falling into deep thought.
Suddenly, Yuan Yueze thought of those who had ambushed Fu Junzhuo by the Danyang River. Those people weren't particularly strong, but what was their background?
The situation was already out of control, and Yuan Yueze felt a headache coming on.

Chapter 020 The Sword-Wielding Fairy
Hearing Yun Yuzhen recount the events, Yuan Yueze and Shan Meixian both fell into deep thought.
Seeing this, the others at the table also remained silent.
Yuan Yueze racked his brains but couldn't find any clues. He found Yun Yuzhen's assassination too unbelievable and was filled with rage. His entire body erupted with vital energy, as if he wanted to roar to the sky!
Yuan Yueze, who had been diligently absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to refine his own, was now exceptionally powerful. If he released all his true energy, his roar would likely carry throughout the entire Yiyang. Seeing this, Wei Zhenzhen hurriedly covered Yuan Yueze's mouth, but the true energy had already been activated, and it could only erupt silently.
"Boom!"
The room where they were discussing matters, along with many wooden houses around it, were all affected by the powerful true energy, collapsing and shattering as if struck by a tornado. The soldiers near those houses were also affected, suffering injuries of varying degrees.
"Husband, don't be angry, let Zhenzhen explain,"
Wei Zhenzhen said quickly, seeing Yuan Yueze's confused expression.
"Everyone, step back. It was an accident, don't worry."
Yun Yuzhen, seeing the loud explosion attracting the Giant Kun Gang members who were guarding further away, rushed over with their weapons, and spoke first to calm them down.
"Zhenzhen, we'll talk later. First, treat the more seriously injured ones nearby."
Shan Meixian, hearing the cries of pain from many people around her, also spoke up.
After speaking, Shan Meixian and the other women moved together. A quarter of an hour later, the injured gang members had been bandaged, but they just stared blankly at the several ethereal women around them.
At Yun Yuzhen's reprimand, the nearby gang members quickly withdrew their dazed gazes and retreated further away.
The women returned to their seats, and Wei Zhenzhen, at Yuan Yueze's prompting, spoke up: "Husband, were you just about to warn those who attacked Sister Junzhuo and Sister Yuzhen again?"
Wei Zhenzhen asked.
“Although with my husband’s current strength, he can only spread his voice throughout Yiyang City, Zhenzhen feels that’s not appropriate. Those people don’t know his background, and even if they know my husband’s abilities, there’s no guarantee they won’t continue to use underhanded tactics. Besides, only our family knows my husband’s true abilities! What outsiders know is mostly rumors about my husband, so Zhenzhen believes that those who plot against us will definitely underestimate my husband’s abilities.”
Wei Zhenzhen said, looking at Yuan Yueze who nodded.
“Now my husband is no longer alone; we are connected to several forces. Those who underestimated him will surely target those connected to us, openly or secretly, once they truly witness his power. For example, Xiuxun’s family, ‘Flying Horse Ranch,’ Zhi’s family, ‘Song Family Mountain City,’ and even Master Fu’s ‘Yijian Pavilion.’”
“Furthermore, even if those people realize that my husband is someone they can’t afford to offend and secretly hide away, wouldn’t all their previous actions against Junzhuo and Yuzhen have been in vain? Doesn’t my husband often say, ‘I will not offend others unless they offend me; if they offend me, I will repay them a hundredfold’? Once those people hide their whereabouts, how can we repay them a hundredfold?”
Wei Zhenzhen spoke eloquently.
“Zhenzhen is absolutely right. We are currently in the open while the enemy is in the shadows. Moreover, I have a vague feeling that these forces are not simple, and there may be an even bigger conspiracy behind the scenes! As the saying goes, ‘It’s easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark.’ We understand that my husband is angry because Yuzhen was bullied, but his actions are not appropriate,”
Shan Meixian interjected, advising him.
Yuan Yueze listened quietly and nodded silently.
The expressions on the faces of Chen Laomou and the other two were incredibly complex: this young master Yuan was terrifyingly strong; he had just casually suppressed his anger and unleashed such a powerful aura over such a wide area. And his wives were even more formidable, daring to criticize Yuan Yueze’s behavior to his face. In this era, this was truly like something out of a fantasy!
Yuan Yueze, however, did not find anything wrong with Wei Zhenzhen and Shan Meixian’s actions. He also understood that in the year or so since he came to this time and space, although he was said to have entered the world, he had actually been living a carefree life. His life experience had not improved much since he was at the top of Tianshan Mountain. Moreover, everything Wei Zhenzhen and Shan Meixian said made perfect sense. What reason did he have not to listen?
"Meixian has a plan, but I don't know if I should say it,"
Shan Meixian said, glancing at Chen Laomou and the other two a few times after seeing that Yuan Yueze still couldn't come up with a feasible solution.
Chen Laomou, being an experienced old man, knew what to do in this situation. He and the other two stood up and bowed, saying, "Young master and ladies, please speak with the gang leader first. We will go and prepare some places for you to rest tonight."
After receiving Yun Yuzhen's nod of agreement, Chen Laomou and the other two withdrew to do their respective tasks.
“I think we should marry Yuzhen now. After her husband helps her refine her body, she can go out and handle the gang's affairs normally. Those who attacked her will surely not give up the opportunity to kill her again. We should prepare in advance, and if they come again, we can capture them all in one fell swoop. There are many ways to extract confessions. Even if they stubbornly refuse to talk, we can still kill them and avenge Yuzhen.”
Shan Meixian smiled and glanced at Yun Yuzhen, whose expression was complicated.
Yun Yuzhen was both shy and happy to hear Shan Meixian personally propose to accept her again. Then, she remembered her past, and her face became bitter and complicated.
“Sister, I appreciate your kindness, but I cannot agree to your proposal… to the young master…”
Yun Yuzhen said bitterly, her tone full of stubbornness.
If she agreed to Shan Meixian's proposal, her life would be completely changed. She would have someone to care for her, a warm family, and great power. But Yun Yuzhen refused outright. It was clear how deep her feelings for Yuan Yueze were! When deeply in love, every woman wants to offer her best self to the man she loves. Yun Yuzhen, just like Shan Meixian a year ago, couldn't help but feel inferior when standing before Yuan Yueze. It was a heartache, a knot in her heart.
Seeing Yun Yuzhen like this, Shan Meixian naturally felt the same way. A heartache requires a heart remedy. But the sooner she could improve her physical condition, the better she could go out and plan the operation. Yuan Yueze roughly understood Yun Yuzhen's thoughts and didn't force her. After resting with the women, he pulled Wei Zhenzhen to the makeshift kitchen to get busy.
Half an hour later, several large pots of food were ready. Yuan Yueze instructed Chen Laomou and several other high-ranking members to take them out and distribute them to the busy members.
Yuan Yueze's action was purely unintentional, but Chen Laomou and the others were incredibly grateful: this son-in-law of the Song clan personally cooked for the Giant Kun Gang members, and just by smelling the food, they knew how delicious it was. And looking at their leader, it seemed he had a special fondness for Young Master Yuan. "It will be a blessing for the gang leader to marry this Young Master Yuan! No subordinate likes a leader who only relies on intimidation; true talent lies in winning hearts and minds!"
After the meal, Shan Meixian left Yuan Yueze and Yun Yuzhen behind, pulling the other women into the bracelet to rest.
After helping Yun Yuzhen expel the evil energy from her body, Yuan Yueze led the shy Yun Yuzhen to a hilltop on the outskirts of the valley, gazing at the distant scenery.
Both remained silent.
"Yuzhen, can you tell me why you rejected me? Is it because I have many wives and cannot give you a complete husband?"
Yuan Yueze recalled the various books he had read, especially those on psychology, and then asked.
Yun Yuzhen didn't speak, only shaking her head with a sorrowful expression.
"Yuzhen, do you want to hear about my background?"
Yuan Yueze asked again.
Yun Yuzhen's bitterness finally lessened slightly; she clearly wanted to know everything about Yuan Yueze. She had kept this question in her heart for almost a year.
Yuan Yueze then slowly began to tell his story, from entering Tianshan at the age of four to entering the Tang Dynasty at the age of twenty. He then focused on telling Yun Yuzhen about his love affair with Shan Meixian, with the aim of helping her resolve her inner conflict.
Yun Yuzhen grew increasingly shocked as she listened, until her mind could no longer process what was happening.
Yuan Yueze didn't interrupt her, but gently pulled her into his arms.
After a long while, Yun Yuzhen seemed to calm down and said, "So that's how it is. After thinking about what happened to you, Young Master, I can finally understand." "
Actually, as Meixian said, I can be quite foolish sometimes, especially when it comes to women. Yuzhen, let me ask you one more time: 'Would you like to marry me?'" Yuan Yueze said. Yun
Yuzhen's feelings were no longer simply conflicted, but rather tormented by a complex web of conflicting thoughts.
"Young Master, please don't pressure me anymore. I understand your feelings, but I cannot... nor am I worthy..."
Yun Yuzhen lowered her head, tears streaming down her face again.
"At first, I did pity Yuzhen, but I didn't look down on her in the slightest. If Yuzhen truly wanted to submit to Dugu Ce back then, I would certainly bless you both. But I know that Yuzhen just wanted to find a powerful backer; otherwise, with your frail shoulders, you could never have shouldered such a large gang! Yuzhen must have rejected me because of her past with Dugu Ce, but I want to tell you, I don't care about such things. What matters is your heart. Do you know that during my time in Goryeo, when I thought of the Central Plains, the first person that came to mind was you, wearing a white cloak and green clothes? Your image has remained vividly clear in my mind for the past year, without the slightest blur."
Yuan Yueze said, gazing into the distance.
Having said this so bluntly, Yun Yuzhen was already weeping uncontrollably.
"The past is the past. As the saying goes, 'When you're in the martial world, you're not in control of your own destiny.' Yu Zhen's actions weren't wrong. The mistake was entering the martial world as the leader of a gang. From now on, Yu Zhen won't have to do anything against her conscience, and no one will be able to wrong you!"
Yuan Yueze added.
Looking down at the beauty whose tears had almost dried, Yuan Yueze pressed his lips directly against her small, red lips. Yun Yu Zhen felt a surge of heat in her head, forgetting everything around her, only knowing to entwine her fragrant tongue with Yuan Yueze's.
The two kissed all the way for the time it takes to burn an incense stick. When they separated, Yun Yu Zhen was already limp in Yuan Yueze's arms, her face as red as a ripe apple, pressed tightly against Yuan Yueze's warm, broad chest, unwilling to leave even for a moment.
Feeling Yuan Yueze's boundless affection and comforting words, Yun Yuzhen gritted her teeth: "Yuzhen is deeply loved by Young Master and Sister Meixian, and is willing to follow Young Master. I only hope that the other sisters will not despise Yuzhen."
Although her voice was low, her tone was full of determination.
"No one will despise you. Meixian also knows your inner turmoil, which is why she asked me to comfort you. If Yuzhen truly had no feelings for me, why would she hold onto the past so much? Besides..."
Yuan Yueze smiled.
"Besides, we all heard what Yuzhen said to herself after seeing me and the other three off a year ago."
"Ah?"
Yun Yuzhen clearly remembered those words she had murmured a year ago. Her face immediately flushed red again. She was too shy to speak.
Yuan Yueze didn't say anything more, just gently held her, looking at the scenery in the distance.
"Tonight I'll help Yuzhen refine her body, and tomorrow we'll practice some martial arts so those who harmed you can be punished sooner. What do you think, Yuzhen?"
After a long pause, Yuan Yueze finally spoke.
Yun Yuzhen nestled in Yuan Yueze's arms like a delicate kitten. Hearing his words, she understood what was going to happen tonight, and her face flushed again. She softly murmured an "Mmm."
After snuggling for a while longer, it was already afternoon, and Yuan Yueze pulled Yun Yuzhen into the bracelet. Seeing Yun Yuzhen's current state, the women knew that Yun Yuzhen's inner conflict had been resolved, and they were happy for her. Shan Meixian whispered a few words in Yuan Yueze's ear, then giggled and led the other women to see the scenery elsewhere. Yuan Yueze also smiled slightly and pulled Yun Yuzhen into the house.
Although Yun Yuzhen didn't hear Shan Meixian's words, she understood what was about to happen. She followed Yuan Yueze with her head down, her other hand tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, her delicate hand pale and bloodless from the force.
Entering the room, Yuan Yueze sat down and pulled Yun Yuzhen into his arms. Feeling her trembling slightly, he smiled and asked, "Yuzhen, are you nervous or scared?"
Yun Yuzhen, still with her head lowered, shook her head.
Logically, this wasn't Yun Yuzhen's first time; she shouldn't be so nervous. But this time was different. Before, it was merely a physical transaction. But now, it was the fulfilling feeling of finding complete belonging in her heart.
Gently lifting Yun Yuzhen's chin, looking at the beauty with her flushed face and eyes filled with spring water and happiness, Yuan Yueze was filled with emotion. He kissed her deeply and passionately. His hands were also busy, slowly moving over the beauty's exquisite body.
Yun Yuzhen felt a surge of unprecedented fullness and security. She cradled Yuan Yueze's head in her arms, her breath growing heavier and her body warmer. As Yuan Yueze's "strange hands" moved back and forth over her sensitive areas, Yun Yuzhen involuntarily let out soft moans.
Their lips parted again, and Yuan Yueze looked at the panting Yun Yuzhen in his arms, her eyes misty with desire, and said softly, "Yuzhen, entrust everything to your husband. Let our family share everything for you."
Feeling the robust "little Ze" beneath her fragrant buttocks, Yun Yuzhen whispered with both happiness and shyness, "Yuzhen is blessed by her husband; I have no regrets in this life. Please cherish Yuzhen, husband."
Removing all her clothes, her exquisite body was revealed before him. Her smooth, jade-like skin was flushed with shyness, as if radiating a halo of light. Her breasts, round and smooth, trembled slightly with nervousness, making her two bright red nipples even more striking. Her abdomen was flat and smooth, and the contours of her waist were breathtakingly defined. Her shapely, firm legs, paired with that alluring, mysterious area, were gently caressed by Yuan Yueze.
If the former Yun Yuzhen had encountered such a scene, she would have displayed a seductive charm, throwing alluring glances and striking alluring poses. But at this moment, she was like a virgin, overwhelmed by a mixture of nervousness, anticipation, and excitement.
Feeling Yuan Yueze's warm, large hand, Yun Yuzhen couldn't help but let out a soft moan. Stealing a glance, she saw Yuan Yueze's strong, upright body, full of power and beauty, like a perfectly sculpted statue.
Yun Yuzhen could only stare at Yuan Yueze's breathtaking physique, her cheeks flushed even more, her gaze unable to look away. As Yuan Yueze's body drew closer, Yun Yuzhen took a deep breath, half-closing her starry eyes and panting softly.
"Ah!"
A sharp cry escaped her lips as Yun Yuzhen finally experienced the impatient power of "Little Ze." Two streams of tears, a mixture of pain and pleasure, involuntarily flowed down her cheeks, and she sobbed, her body stiffening.
Yuan Yueze was also puzzled. This wasn't Yun Yuzhen's first time; why was she still acting like a virgin? Was Dugu Ce's "endowment" too pitiful?
Seeing the slightly pained expression on the beautiful woman's face, Yuan Yueze quickly used various techniques to soothe her.
Feeling Yuan Yueze's gentleness, Yun Yuzhen's pain gradually subsided.
She opened her eyes and said shyly, "Husband, love me..." Then she closed her eyes tightly again, enjoying the sensation.
A few moments later, intoxicating moans and heavy breathing echoed from the room.
More than an hour later, after reaching the blissful state once again, Yun Yuzhen finally managed to make Yuan Yueze hand over his life essence through her own efforts. As she fell into a deep sleep, she began to undergo the refining of her body.
Yuan Yueze sat to the side watching her.
"Come in," Yuan Yueze said with a smile, pointing to the closed door. Shan Meixian
's slender figure appeared as the door opened.
"I didn't come on purpose, I just wanted to help! Who knew Yuzhen was so amazing!"
Shan Meixian said coquettishly.
Yuan Yueze didn't say anything, but simply smiled and put his arm around Shan Meixian, sitting on the edge of the bed waiting for Yun Yuzhen.
The refining process was very short, only a little over half an hour. This was probably because the impurities on the surface of Yun Yuzhen's body had already been removed, and this time only deeper impurities were being eliminated.
Yun Yuzhen had a naturally excellent physique and woke up after only a short rest. Looking at Yuan Yueze and Shan Meixian beside her, Yun Yuzhen's eyes were filled with deep love and gratitude. Shan Meixian noticed that Yuan Yueze seemed to have something to say but was hesitant to speak, so she pressed him for an answer. Yuan Yueze then stammered out his question about why Yun Yuzhen's body was still like a virgin's.
Upon hearing this, Yun Yuzhen's eyes welled up with tears again. Deep down, she still harbored an indelible sorrow.
Shan Meixian quickly comforted her, saying, "Yuzhen is no longer a mortal. You should know how deep your husband's love for you is. If you are unhappy, your husband will be even more distressed than you are."
Shan Meixian's words were straightforward, but Yun Yuzhen understood from them how much the two cared for and loved her. Having understood all this, Yun Yuzhen wiped away her tears with her delicate hands, smiled radiantly, and offered a sweet kiss before beginning her story: "When I was seventeen, I met Dugu Ce. Just as I was beginning to understand love, I was naturally attracted to his appearance. Later, he gradually tried to win me over, and my father, wanting to climb the social ladder through the Dugu clan, intentionally or unintentionally tried to bring us together. When I was eighteen, my father died in a gang war. I felt like I had lost everything. Then Dugu Ce reappeared, saying that if I married him, he would guarantee the Giant Kun Gang's century-old foundation. I was too young then and didn't understand these things at all. I was also afraid that the gang my father entrusted to me would be destroyed in my hands, so I agreed to marry Dugu Ce. But who knew…" After he took Yu Zhen's body, he only knew how to play with her. Yu Zhen, burdened with the responsibilities of the gang leader and no longer a virgin, understood that the happiness a woman should have no longer belonged to her, and thus became indifferent. However, in the following years, Dugu Ce never contacted Yu Zhen again, seemingly having found a new woman. It wasn't until last year, when he came to inquire about her husband, that he came to see her again, only to be driven away. At that time, Yu Zhen felt that the only person in the world she could truly love was her husband, but she understood her own status and had no right to pursue love. Therefore, from that moment on, she resolved to sever ties with the Dugu clan, vowing never to demean herself again, whether she lived or died.
Yun Yu Zhen spoke decisively, without beating around the bush. When she spoke of Dugu Ce, it was as if she were talking about a stranger. This was the moment she truly resolved her inner conflict. If she still hated Dugu Ce, it meant that she still harbored some feelings for him. Because without love, where would the hatred come from?
Hearing all this, Yuan Yueze felt an intense hatred for Dugu Ce, and thinking of Dugu Ba, he thought to himself: "Indeed, few members of the Dugu family are normal; they're all perverts!"
Feeling Yun Yuzhen's complete openness, Yuan Yueze was overjoyed. He embraced Yun Yuzhen, and the three of them quietly savored the warmth of their moment.
Later that evening, Wei Zhenzhen came to call the three of them out for dinner. The women were all amazed when they first saw Yun Yuzhen after her body had been refined. It wasn't that Yun Yuzhen was significantly taller than the women, but rather that such a dramatic change in just a few hours was astonishing to anyone. Yun Yuzhen's appearance had now returned to that of an eighteen or nineteen-year-old, delicate and charming, radiant with beauty. Her demeanor was also like that of the other women. Amidst the women's congratulations, Yun Yuzhen generously addressed them as "sisters."
After the meal, Yuan Yueze, Shan Meixian, Song Yuzhi, Yun Yuzhen, Wei Zhenzhen, Fu Junzhuo, and Fu Junyu discussed their next move. The other women, due to their personalities and lack of experience in the martial arts world, were unsuitable for such discussions.
After half an hour of deliberation, they decided that Yun Yuzhen should first train intensively in martial arts for a few days before reappearing in the martial arts world to lure the assassins back.
Yun Yuzhen also suggested handing over the gang to a few high-ranking members; she only wanted to travel with Yuan Yueze and her sisters, living a carefree and unrestrained life. Shan Meixian considered this briefly and found Yun Yuzhen's idea feasible. She suggested that several trustworthy elders undergo a purification ritual, and that several martial arts techniques be passed on to the members of the Giant Kun Gang. This would give Yun Yuzhen peace of mind.
Yuan Yueze also thought this method was good, so Yun Yuzhen summoned several trusted high-ranking members, such as Chen Laomou, Bu Tianzhi, and six others, to explain the plan. Upon hearing this, Chen Laomou and the others immediately knelt down and swore a solemn oath. They were excited about being able to undergo the marrow cleansing and body tempering process, and also happy that Yun Yuzhen had found such a good match. These high-ranking members were all comrades-in-arms who had followed Yun Guangling in his campaigns, and they had immense affection for their niece, Yun Yuzhen.
Over the next five days, Yuan Yueze and his family once again used the extraordinary power in their minds to personally perform the marrow cleansing and body tempering process for the seven high-ranking members, and also taught them two martial arts techniques. The subordinates were extremely grateful to receive such profound martial arts skills and immediately expressed their loyalty, which made Yuan Yueze laugh.
Yun Yuzhen then publicly announced that she would pass the position of gang leader to Bu Tianzhi, and the other six would become elders. To show his respect and loyalty to the Giant Kun Gang, Bu Tianzhi also announced that from now on, the entire Giant Kun Gang would obey Yun Yuzhen's every word.
Wei Zhenzhen passed on the Plain Maiden Sword Technique to Yun Yuzhen. After eight days and nights of tireless practice in the small valley, Yun Yuzhen's martial arts skills finally began to take shape.
On the morning of the ninth day, Yuan Yueze, wearing a mask, hid among the gang members. Led by Yun Yuzhen, the group traveled day and night for three days and three nights, finally arriving at the Giant Kun Gang's headquarters in Yuhang. After greeting the Giant Kun Gang members still stationed there, the group entered the council hall.
"Our current whereabouts will surely be noticed by those with ulterior motives. With so many of us here, those assassins might be hesitant, making it difficult to capture them,"
Song Yuzhi said first after everyone was seated.
"Zhizhi is right. We should devise a trap to make them walk into it,"
Yun Yuzhen echoed.
“This isn’t difficult. We just need to deliberately appear weak. Tomorrow, a few of us will leave to warn people in Lingnan, the ranch, and Goryeo to be wary of attacks. This will make Yuhang’s forces appear weak, and if those assassins aren’t giving up, they will definitely try to ambush us again,”
Shan Meixian said.
Everyone agreed.
The final division of labor was as follows: Song Yuzhi and Shan Ruyin would return to Lingnan to deliver the message, Shang Xiuxun and Shan Wanjing would return to the Feima Ranch to deliver the message, and Fu Junzhuo would return
to Pyongyang alone to deliver the message. Shan Meixian, Wei Zhenzhen, and Fu Junqiang would hide beside Yun Yuzhen, who was still pretending to be injured, and could also keep Susu company. Yuan Yueze and Fu Junyu would travel to Huaiyang, Pengcheng, Dongping, Wu’an, and other major Song clan strongholds in the north of the Yangtze River to deliver messages. This would let outsiders know that Yuan Yueze had left Yuhang, and would also quickly inform the Song clan’s various northern strongholds of the latest news. The Song clan held sway in the south, making their various footholds in the north extremely important.
Not worried about Yun Yuzhen and Shan Meixian from Yuhang, Yuan Yueze and Fu Junyu traveled at a leisurely pace, enjoying their journey.
Ten days later, the two returned to Yuhang and entered Danyang.
Since arriving in this timeline, Yuan Yueze seemed to have a special connection with Danyang, passing through it several times. Entering the city, walking along the bustling main street, feeling a sense of familiarity amidst the lively atmosphere, Yuan Yueze recounted his past with Fu Junzhuo to Fu Junyu, who listened with envy.
As Yuan Yueze chatted and laughed with Fu Junyu, the deafening sound of horses' hooves suddenly erupted ahead, startling pedestrians on the wide street who scrambled to the sides. Yuan Yueze and his companion stopped and looked ahead. They saw hundreds of men marching imposingly ahead, with several fierce-looking burly men in front constantly driving away pedestrians blocking the road, shouting and cursing. The surrounding people, of course, dared not provoke them and scrambled to get out of their way.
Seeing this, Yuan Yueze was displeased. He frowned and was about to walk towards the group of people ahead. Fu Junyu, noticing his expression, quickly stopped him and shook her head.
Yuan Yueze knew Fu Junyu was worried about him making enemies everywhere, so he remained silent, sighed, and stood by the roadside.
In the center of the approaching group were two men. The one on the left was burly and tall, around forty or fifty years old, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, a mustache, a hooked nose, and a broad forehead, giving him an imposing appearance. His aura of battle suggested he had experienced countless battles.
The one on the right wore simple warrior attire, a large black cloak draped over his shoulders. This man was about forty years old, with an iron-like build, tall and strong as a mountain, with a bronze complexion and an extraordinary presence. A ferocious blue dragon was tattooed on his forehead, its claws outstretched, complementing his cruelly cold eyes and making him appear even more unfathomable. The powerful aura emanating from him mirrored that of the man on his left, sending chills down one's spine.
The two on horseback didn't speak much, only occasionally uttering a few words. Behind them, a hundred or so men, dressed exactly like the Jianghuai army Yuan Yueze had encountered on the road some time ago, protected them. Instantly, Yuan Yueze confirmed their identities. He was just puzzled as to why the two were in Danyang City, and so brazenly at that!
The group of several hundred men escorted the two, chatting and laughing as they passed by. The man on the right looked around, scrutinizing every pretty woman who passed by. Suddenly, his gaze shifted to Yuan Yueze on his right, his eyes unexpectedly sweeping over Fu Junyu, whose face was veiled. He froze on his horse, clearly captivated by Fu Junyu's charm.
Although Fu Junyu's stunningly beautiful face was veiled by a light gauze, her figure and temperament were undeniable, as were her expressive, captivating eyes, enough to make any man fall for her. Many people glanced at her along the way, but seeing the sword in her left hand, most dared not provoke her. They could only cast envious glances at Yuan Yueze beside her.
The man on horseback to her right stared intently at Fu Junyu. Fu Junyu seemed to sense his gaze, looked up, and her heart instantly turned cold, her beautiful eyes flashing with murderous intent. The man on horseback, however, seemed completely oblivious to Fu Junyu's murderous aura, his eyes scanning her exquisite figure.
Yuan Yueze, sensing the murderous aura emanating from Fu Junyu, asked why. Fu Junyu gave a coquettish laugh, offering no answer, and instead took his arm, walking in the opposite direction.
Before they had gone far, a voice called from behind, "Please wait, gentlemen! My master invites you for a chat."
Yuan Yueze turned around and saw it was the man in tight-fitting clothes from the escort team. He ignored him and was about to refuse when Fu Junyu spoke up coldly, "Who is your master?"
The burly man replied arrogantly, "My master is the leader of the Iron Cavalry Society, known in the martial arts world as 'Azure Dragon,' Ren Shaoming, the leader of the Society!"
"What Ren Shaoming? Ren Shao? We don't know him. Farewell!"
Fu Junyu said.
"Insolence! You woman dare to insult my leader!"
Hearing his master insult him, the burly man could no longer bear it and drew his sword to strike at Fu Junyu. But a flash of cold light appeared before his eyes, and his body seemed to fall uncontrollably. Fu Junyu's sword was still in his hand, as if it had never been drawn at all.
"Thump!" The burly man fell to the ground, lifeless.
Yuan Yueze looked at the corpse on the ground, shaking his head with a bitter smile: "Why didn't you cherish your life? Getting involved with us is like reporting to the King of Hell ahead of time!"
Amidst the horrified gazes of the onlookers in the distance, Fu Junyu continued to hold Yuan Yueze's arm, turning and walking forward.
They had only gone ten paces when they heard the deafening sound of horses' hooves behind them. The two stopped and turned to look.
It turned out that the entire troop of men had returned, forming an encirclement around them.
"Are you all tired of living?"
Yuan Yueze spoke calmly, his tone devoid of any imposing force, as ethereal as a voice from the heavens.
The man with the blue dragon tattoo on his face dismounted, took a few steps, and spoke in a booming voice: "I am Ren Shaoming. Greetings, gentlemen. Why did you kill my men in the street?"
"Because your men insulted my beloved wife,"
Yuan Yueze replied calmly, as if the hundreds of soldiers around him were simply dead men.
"I am Du Fuwei from Jianghuai. May I ask your name?"
The man on the left, who had already dismounted, interjected.
"My husband's name is not something you can just ask as you please,"
Fu Junyu coldly retorted.
"Killing someone in the street? Do you two really think we are weaklings?"
Du Fuwei was enraged by Fu Junyu's words and shouted angrily.
"So what if I am!"
Fu Junyu replied.
"Then please have this fairy accompany me! A life is at stake; how can I let you kill someone just like that?"
Ren Shaoming still stared intently at Fu Junyu.
"Then let's settle this! You scoundrel have harbored lustful thoughts towards my wife; how can I let you leave unscathed!"
Yuan Yueze's voice was no longer calm but filled with anger.
"Hmph!"
Ren Shaoming and Du Fuwei snorted coldly at the same time, and the burly men around them immediately drew their weapons, preparing to attack.
The common people who had been watching the commotion nearby fled at the sight of this scene; who knew if they would lose their lives for watching the spectacle?
"Are you all coming at me at once, or one at a time?"
Fu Junyu asked before Yuan Yueze could speak. She had only sparred with Yuan Yueze and his group after mastering the *Sword Control Divine Technique*, and hadn't truly practiced it in actual combat. Today was the perfect opportunity to test the results of her months of hard work and also to vent her anger at being lewdly stared at.
"Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? Master, please allow me to fight!"
A melodious, bell-like laugh came from behind Ren Shaoming. Then, a figure flashed out from behind Ren Shaoming—a bald beauty, none other than Yan Ni Chang Zhen, one of Ren Shaoming's two top generals.
Her captivating eyes were dark and bright, her delicate face flushed with a healthy blush, her thin eyebrows slanted upwards, her cheekbones were high and her nose straight, her pink lips adorned with perfectly white teeth, her dazzling beauty radiating like the sun. At this moment, he was glaring angrily at Fu Junyu, clearly jealous of her beauty and charm.
"Then let me teach this pretty boy a lesson!"
Another loud voice rang out from behind Ren Shaoming, and a figure appeared.
It turned out to be a burly, tall, fierce-looking bald monk in a red robe, wearing a steel band on his forehead and holding a staff weighing over a hundred pounds in his right hand. This man was another of Ren Shaoming's generals, the lover of the nun Chang Zhen, a wicked monk known as the 'evil monk' for his murders, arson, robberies, and all sorts of evil deeds.
"Hehe..."
Fu Junyu's melodious laughter rang out, her right hand covering her veil as if she had heard something very amusing. "You? You want to see my husband's skills? If you can withstand two of my moves, then you can fight my husband!"
Chang Zhen and Fanan were enraged by Fu Junyu's contempt and attacked together.
"The Enchanting Colorful Robe" is Chang Zhen's unique weapon. At this moment, it is like a cloud unfolding, indistinguishable from reality, its light and color changing, dazzling the eyes and leaving one wondering what attack Chang Zhen will launch next.
Fa Nan, on the other hand, wields his Zen staff, which weighs over a hundred pounds, and attacks Fu Junyu with a domineering and fierce momentum. The staff's force is heavy and domineering, aiming straight for Fu Junyu's lower ribs.
Seeing the approaching attack, Fu Junyu didn't draw the 'Lingxu Sword' in her left hand; instead, a flash of silver light intertwined with the 'Soul-Stealing Robe'. Her right hand formed a sword shape with her fingers, aiming at the crescent-shaped tip of Fanan's staff.
With a single strike, Fanan couldn't withstand Fu Junyu's powerful sword energy, staggering back several steps before stopping. Startled, he abandoned his underestimation and mustered all his strength to attack again.
The 'Soul-Stealing Robe,' woven from some unknown material, became incredibly soft the moment it touched the 'Lingxu Sword.' The sword energy carried by Fu Junyu's sword vanished like mud into the sea. The robe unfurled, covering Fu Junyu's entire body, while behind it, Chang Zhen's right hand, imbued with full power, aimed directly at Fu Junyu's neck. This created a pincer attack with Fanan, who was lunging forward again.
Fu Junyu's beautiful eyes widened, and a chilling sword energy emanated from the 'Lingxu Sword'.
"Clang!"
A burst of silver light flashed, blinding everyone in the arena. When they opened their eyes again, they found Chang Zhen and Fanan lying dead on the ground. The 'Soul-Stealing Robe' and Fanan's staff were shattered and lay beside their bodies.
Fu Junyu, however, remained standing there, seemingly unmoved. Her arms were clasped in front of her chest, and the 'Spirit Void Sword,' still sheathed, seemed to possess a life of its own, flitting about within a foot of her, its speed increasing rapidly, leaving behind dazzling sword shadows.
Everyone around was stunned by Fu Junyu's display, and Du Fuwei was speechless. Seeing his two most capable assistants fall dead in just a couple of moves against this frail woman, Ren Shaoming could no longer contain his rage. Ignoring the swordplay that danced before Fu Junyu, he roared, "Who are you two? Why did you kill my men like this? Do you think I'm afraid of you?!"
"My wife and I were just walking peacefully when your men insulted us first, and now these two of your men are courting death by trying to capture us. Tell me, who provoked whom?"
Fu Junyu reached for her sword and smiled slightly.
Ren Shaoming was not one to let anger cloud his judgment. He recognized Fu Junyu's incredibly skillful swordsmanship, her ability to wield the sword with such absolute control using only her inner energy. He dared not underestimate her. He looked up at Du Fuwei and said, "Steward Du, let's join forces and take this woman's life!"
Du Fuwei, a veteran of the martial world for decades, also recognized the incredible skill and mastery of Fu Junyu's swordsmanship.
Everything was going well. Arrangements had been made with the informant in Danyang, and they had joined forces with Ren Shaoming, the powerful warlord of Jiujiang. The plan was to seize Danyang, a crucial town, in a few days, then take Qichun, connecting with Jiujiang, and subsequently have a greater advantage in taking Jiangdu, the "Southern Capital."
However, Ren Shaoming suddenly became infatuated with another man's wife, and now two of his capable subordinates had died. Giving up was impossible; otherwise, where would their pride be? Du Fuwei was now in a dilemma, caught between a rock and a hard place. He was even more worried about Yuan Yueze, who stood behind Fu Junyu with his hands behind his back. The powerful internal energy emanating from Yuan Yueze instilled a strange sense of dread in Du Fuwei.
In an instant, various thoughts flashed through Du Fuwei's mind. Calming down, she whispered a few words in Ren Shaoming's ear, only to see him erupt in fury, shouting, "Chief Steward Du, how can this matter end like this? If word gets out, how will I, Ren Shaoming, ever hold my head high again? I'd rather die than lose face like this! If I leave now, which of my men will respect me in the future!"
With that, Ren Shaoming's hands formed claws, drawing his signature weapons, the "Wind and Rain Meteor Hammers," from his back with lightning speed. He roared, "You little wench, if I capture you, I'll make you groan in agony beneath me!"
Before his words even finished, he flashed towards Fu Junyu like lightning, his hammers spread wide, creating a whirlwind of energy within a ten-foot radius, like a venomous dragon emerging from the abyss, as if he wouldn't rest until he shattered the woman before him.
His rage, already burning to a fever pitch, meant that Ren Shaoming's attack was already at its peak. The hammer shadows, numerous and unpredictable, crashed down.
Seeing Ren Shaoming's powerful attack, the onlookers of the Iron Cavalry cheered.
"The leader has finally made a move! That little wench is about to be captured!"
"Wow, finally we get to witness the leader's divine might!"
Ren Shaoming's attack was fierce, but Fu Junyu's expression remained unchanged, her posture as immovable as a mountain. Combined with her ethereal and graceful figure, even the Jianghuai soldiers watching wondered if there was a man in the world who could be so ruthless towards such a celestial beauty.
Hearing Ren Shaoming's insulting words, Fu Junyu already harbored the intention to kill him. Seeing the opponent's fierce attack, Fu Junyu pointed her sword, controlling it with her qi. The "Lingxu Sword" hummed, as if excited to have met a worthy opponent. Then, the sword qi surged, the blade spinning rapidly, converging into a solid, iron-bucket-like wall of qi.
The clanging sounds were incessant as the 'Lingxu Sword' and 'Wind and Rain Meteor Hammer' clashed more than a dozen times in the blink of an eye, sparks flying and a series of crisp sounds exploding.
After one exchange, Ren Shaoming, having failed to gain any advantage, landed back on the ground. Looking at Fu Junyu in front of him, he returned to his arms-crossed posture. The 'Lingxu Sword' stood motionless in front of her, its blade trembling slightly, seemingly mocking Ren Shaoming's lack of strength.
Yuan Yueze had to admire Fu Junyu's skillful use of psychological tactics. In truth, this method was extremely taxing on Fu Junyu; if she couldn't defeat Ren Shaoming quickly, she would undoubtedly lose.
"Roar!"
Ren Shaoming closed his eyes briefly to calm his burning anger. After regaining his composure, he roared and launched a two-pronged attack, his two hammers striking Fu Junyu again, one in front and one behind.
The hammer shadows flashed, seemingly endless, rushing towards them. Fu Junyu's lips curled slightly as he used his sword to directly block the hammer's path with the "Lingxu Sword." Ren Shaoming's move was a perfect blend of offense and defense. The hammerhead followed an incredibly strange trajectory along the chain of hammers. The first hammer clashed with the "Lingxu Sword," while the second hammer drew a beautiful arc, aiming straight for Fu Junyu's head.
Seeing that Fu Junyu was about to become a victim of the hammer, Ren Shaoming felt a surge of pride. But then, the situation suddenly changed.
"Whoosh!"
The "Lingxu Sword," which had been locked in a fierce battle with the first hammer, suddenly appeared out of its sheath. The hilt flew like lightning in front of the second hammer, blocking Ren Shaoming's strike, which was infused with twelve percent of its power.
To Ren Shaoming's surprise, the unsheathed "Lingxu Sword," as if controlled by someone's own hand, slowly slashed at his neck.
Yuan Yueze clearly saw this move. What appeared slow to outsiders was actually lightning fast, and Ren Shaoming was likely to die by this sword.
Ren Shaoming's mind went blank; he didn't even have time to let out a final roar before the 'Lingxu Sword' swept his thick neck horizontally.
The once invincible, domineering King of Jiujiang's underworld, who had only ever been defeated by 'Heavenly Blade' Song Que, ended his blood-soaked life, dying with his eyes wide open in disbelief. Even in death, he couldn't believe he couldn't last three moves against a woman. And he didn't even know the name of his killer.
"Master!"
Ren Shaoming, who had always been seen as invincible by the Iron Cavalry members, died in just two moves. The members around the Iron Cavalry were stunned, their souls seemingly scattered, staring blankly at Fu Junyu. Du Fuwei, standing nearby, was even more horrified.
The 'Lingxu Sword' returned to Fu Junyu's hand simultaneously with its scabbard, without a drop of blood on its blade.
"Steward Du, would you like to make a move? If you are interested, I will gladly oblige!"
Yuan Yueze walked to Fu Junyu's side, took her trembling hand, secretly transferred his true energy to her, and then smiled at Du Fuwei, who was still in shock.
Du Fuwei didn't dare to breathe. He wasn't confident he could defeat Ren Shaoming within a hundred moves, given Ren's strength. Yet this woman had killed him so easily. Du Fuwei felt like he was in a nightmare. He dared not think again, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and said in a weak voice, "Your wife's swordsmanship is superb; I imagine you, young master, are also a master. How could I, with my meager skills, presume to presume to teach you? Farewell!"
After saying this, Du Fuwei remained motionless. He understood that the lives of everyone in their group were now in the hands of this young couple. He dared not move until they released him.
"Steward Du seems to have some dealings with Ren Shaoming. Today, Steward Du had no intention of harming my wife and me, and I do not wish to incur further bloodshed. If Steward Du wishes to seek revenge in the future, please come to us! Please!"
Yuan Yueze said with a smile.
Du Fuwei didn't dare utter another word and hurriedly led his men in a hasty retreat. He thought to himself, "Seeking revenge on you? I'm grateful you didn't bother me."
Glancing at the ashen-faced Iron Cavalry members around him, Yuan Yueze sighed, pulled the gradually calming Fu Junyu, and headed out of the city.

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