[Wuxia] The Soul of a Great Hero (Complete) - 11

【Chapter Thirteen】The Peach and

Plum Blossoms Compete for Spring: A Romantic Tribulation
These people arrived without a sound, and even Xiao Chou and You Shi seemed to have suddenly improved their lightness skills. Hua Yunlong glanced at them, a chill running down his spine. He couldn't help but wonder, "Who are these old men? Judging from their tone, they seem to know the inside story of the massacre, and they seem to harbor a deep hatred for our Hua family. Could it be... could they really be here for our Hua family?"
Before he could finish his thought, Cai Changyi leaped over, his face cold. "You are all elderly people, why are you speaking so rudely? Kid, kid, who is the kid? I called you old men. How do you feel about that? Humph, outrageous!"
These words were sharp and cutting, like arrows. The four old men were all taken aback. One of the thin old men's faces darkened, and he shouted sharply, "You wretched brat, what's your name?"
Cai Changyi remained fearless, raising his head and saying, "Cai Changyi, one of the 'Five Young Masters of Jinling,' so what?" His arrogant demeanor enraged the thin old man, who immediately glared at him, ready to lash out.
Just then, a hunchbacked old man in the center raised his arm to stop him, saying, "Brother Fan, wait! This is just a young boy, barely weaned. Why should we stoop to his level?"
At this moment, Hua Yunlong was extremely nervous. He observed the expressions and knew that the old men before him were undoubtedly connected to the murder of his master, Sima Xu. If he could seize this opportunity, it wouldn't be difficult to uncover the details of the case. However, if a conflict broke out, he wouldn't be able to calmly investigate further. Therefore, as soon as the hunchbacked old man finished speaking, he quickly stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "I am Hua Yunlong. May I ask how I should address you, sir?" "
He spoke with neither arrogance nor servility, displaying an imposing air, unlike a mere youth, but rather a seasoned middle-aged man who had roamed the martial world for many years. Upon hearing this, the old man with the poisonous face was first taken aback, then raised his white eyebrows and coldly said, 'Have you ever heard of the Nine Yin Sect?'
Hua Yunlong's heart tightened, but he still smiled calmly and said, 'I have heard of it. I've heard that the Nine Yin Sect suffered repeated defeats, and back then…'
Before he could finish speaking, the old man with the poisonous face coldly snorted and said, 'They migrated south twice back then, and now they've returned once more, to compete with your Hua family for supremacy in the martial world.'
Hua Yunlong was greatly surprised and secretly exclaimed, 'So they really are after our Hua family. They really are remnants of the Nine Yin Sect. This old man speaks frankly; he must have something to rely on. The so-called great changes in the martial world seem to be no exaggeration.'" He was filled with suspicion, but outwardly remained calm. He suddenly smiled and said, "Old man, you flatter me. Our Hua family has always been strict with ourselves and lenient with others since our ancestors. Now we are in the third generation. After three generations, although we dare not boast of benevolence and righteousness, we have no intention of competing with others. This... this is unnecessary to say. May I ask who you are, old man..." He paused midway through his sentence, his tone suddenly changing. He smiled and waited quietly for the other party's reply.
Although his tone was gentle, his words were solemn. The old man with the stern face couldn't help but focus his gaze. He carefully examined Hua Yunlong's face for a while, and after a long while, he laughed loudly and said, "Good, very good. The Hua family's disciples are indeed different from others." He paused slightly, then continued, "My name is Li Jiuyi, the head of the Punishment Hall of the Nine Yin Sect. Twenty years ago, I also received a palm strike from your father."
Suddenly, Cai Changyi shouted, "Well, so you've come to collect a debt after receiving a slap?" Hua
Yunlong was anxious and quickly turned his head to look at him, saying, "Brother Changyi, calm down. We can't be impolite."
Cai Changyi's eyes widened, "Politeness? Be polite to them? Do you know what they've come for?"
Hua Yunlong said, "I know, but..."
Cai Changyi said, "Good that you know. Let's finish this quickly and decisively, without dragging it out."
Hua Yunlong was both amused and exasperated, and could only ignore him. He turned his face to the Hall Master of the Criminal Affairs Department and said, "Brother Cai is right. Hall Master Li seems to be here to avenge my father's slap, and he also has ambitions to conquer the martial world. Whether for public or private reasons, I am the first to bear the brunt of the attack and have no choice but to fight him. A battle is inevitable." Before he could finish speaking, the tall, thin old man chuckled sinisterly and said, "
Young man, you have quite the nerve. 'For public or private matters, there is no shirking responsibility,' you say? Do you intend to take sole responsibility and obstruct the sect's actions?"
Hua Yunlong's gaze shifted, focusing on the tall, thin old man, and he asked, "What is your esteemed name, sir? What is your position in the Nine Yin Sect?" The tall, thin old man
proudly replied, "I am Fan Tong, the head of the Nine Yin Sect's Propagation Hall."
Hua Yunlong's expression turned serious, and he suddenly said solemnly, "Very well, Hall Master Fan, may I ask about this father's debt?" The gaunt old man who called himself "Fan Tong "
was taken aback and said, "The son pays for the father's debts, why ask so many questions?"
Hua Yunlong nodded and said, "That's right, the son pays for the father's debts. My father and Palace Master Li have a blood feud. As his son, can't I bear the responsibility for that feud?"
Fan Tong was startled. Hua Yunlong continued, "Palace Master Fan, let me tell you something else. The people of Luoxia Manor in Yunzhong Mountain have always prioritized the safety of the martial world. No matter who it is, if they cause trouble in the martial world, the Hua family will fight them to the end. The Nine Yin Sect is no exception. Your arrogance is useless."
It turned out that he had gone around in circles, but his purpose was still to make his stance clear. Upon hearing this, Fan Tong was speechless with anger. He was stunned for a long time before he finally laughed and said, "You've got guts, kid. You've got guts." "With these words, he pressed forward step by step, his expression showing he could no longer contain himself and was about to fight.
Cai Changyi was overjoyed, clapping his hands and shouting, "Great! Great! Brother, I'll go and meet him!" He took a step forward to meet Fan Tong. Unexpectedly, he was grabbed by Hua Yunlong before he could take another step.
Hua Yunlong said, "Wait, Brother Changyi, I have something to say."
Fan Tong slowly approached, his steps unwavering, and replied sternly, "No need for words, let's settle this with what we have to say."
Fearing that Cai Changyi would lose his temper, Hua Yunlong stepped aside, blocking his way, and said in a deep voice, "Hall Master Fan, please make this clear. If it really comes to fighting, I have nothing to fear. I have something to ask you, are you afraid to answer?" Fan Tong glanced around, gave a cold snort, and said, "
The eldest understands very well. Kill the young one, and the old one will naturally..."
Before he could finish speaking, an elderly woman's voice coldly interrupted, "Fan Tong, come back. You are too arrogant."
Fan Tong's body trembled, and he quickly turned around, bowing his head and saying, "Yes, Fan Tong greets the leader."
In an instant, the sound of "Greetings to the leader" rang out. The three old men, including Li Jiuyi, bowed their heads and stepped aside. Xiao Chou and You Shi also bent their knees and knelt down. Hua Yunlong was startled and quickly looked up. He saw an elderly woman with a full moon-shaped face standing on the south side of the grassland, with a slender girl with flowing hair at her side.
The old woman, with a face as round as a full moon, was tall and wore a wide black robe. Her silver hair flowed freely over her shoulders, and she held a black steel staff in her right hand. The staff was carved with nine female ghost heads, each with disheveled hair, protruding fangs, and extremely ferocious expressions. The top ghost head bore a striking resemblance to the old woman, but while the old woman was pale and bloodless, with murderous eyes that inspired fear, she wasn't particularly malevolent.
Hua Yunlong thought to himself, "Is this the Nine Yin Sect Master? Good, then, saves me the trouble of searching in the Southern Wilderness." Suddenly, his gaze sharpened, fixed intently on the young girl with flowing hair, lost in thought. The girl was incredibly beautiful, breathtakingly so. Even if Wang Zhaojun were reborn, or Xi Shi were resurrected, she would be no more beautiful than her.
She was a beautiful young woman with an oval face, arched eyebrows, bright eyes, a full nose, and cherry lips. Her slender shoulders, full breasts, slim waist, and delicate hips were all accentuated by her snow-white dress, making her appear even more exquisite and graceful, a beauty beyond compare. It was hard to find another like her in the world. Hua Yunlong, a man of amorous nature, couldn't resist beautiful women. This woman before him was an absolute beauty. At first glance, he didn't notice her, but the more he looked, the more beautiful she became, and the more his heart was captivated. For a moment, he was speechless with astonishment, completely forgetting himself.
For a moment, the arena fell silent. The two Qiu Huas and their men huddled together, while Xue Niang and her servant stood side by side behind Hua Yunlong. All eyes were fixed on the Nine Yin Sect Leader and the stunningly beautiful young woman. A moment later, the Nine Yin Sect Leader's eyes flashed with cold light, sweeping across the surrounding crowd before he waved his left hand and shouted, "No need for formalities."
The four old men bowed in unison, straightening their postures. Xiao Chou and You Shi bowed deeply before rising and stepping aside. Hua Yunlong, startled by the sound, blushed slightly, his gaze shifting to the Nine Yin Sect Leader. The Nine Yin Sect Master tapped his ghost-headed staff lightly and continued, "Hall Master Fan, do you know your mistake?"
Fan Tong bowed and stammered, "Your subordinate... your subordinate..."
The Nine Yin Sect Master coldly snorted and said, "What did I instruct you to do? That Hua Tianhong was a hero of his generation; even I admired him greatly back then. You are impetuous and lack manners, actually arguing with a descendant of the Hua family for a moment's pride. Doesn't that disappoint me?"
Fan Tong respectfully said, "That Hua family brat is arrogant and conceited, with a sharp tongue..." "They boasted that they would fight this sect to the bitter end, therefore your subordinates..."
The Nine Yin Sect Leader waved his hand and said, "No need to say anything, that's their Hua family's family precept." He then sighed softly and continued, "Strictly speaking, based on their Hua family's martial arts achievements, they are indeed qualified to say that."
Upon hearing this, Fan Tong was unimpressed and said, "Your subordinates don't believe it."
The Nine Yin Sect Leader's eyes flashed with imposing power again, and he shouted in a deep voice, "Shut up! Do you not believe in the Hua family's martial arts achievements, or do you not believe what I said? " "?"
Fan Tong bowed respectfully, saying, "This subordinate dares not. This subordinate is utterly loyal and will obey only the orders of the sect leader."
His expression was one of extreme fear and utmost respect. The Nine Bright Sect Leader stared at him coldly for a moment, then suddenly sighed and said, "This is understandable. You have lived beyond the Great Wall for a long time and rarely ventured into the Central Plains. Fifteen years ago, you were fortunate enough to be accepted into our sect and assist me in expanding our affairs. Only then did you begin to understand the general outline of the martial arts world in the Central Plains. Without witnessing it firsthand or experiencing it personally, it is understandable that you do not believe it."
Before he could finish speaking ... After finishing, Fan Tong bowed respectfully and said, "Yes, Master, you are wise."
The Nine Yin Sect Master waved his hand lightly and said, "I have many reliances on you, so you need not take offense. In short, as a member of our sect, I hope you will prioritize the sect's rules. At the same time, Hua Tianhong is indeed a hero of his generation, upright and honorable, filial and righteous. Even though he is an enemy of our sect, we should not lightly insult
him. I hope you will keep this in mind." Having said this, Fan Tong, though resentful, could only obediently agree. At this moment, Hua Yunlong's eyes were fixed on the Nine Yin Sect Master's expression, listening carefully to their conversation. His first impression of the Nine Yin Sect Master was that he was wise and profound, an extremely difficult person to deal with. The Nine Yin Sect Master was flattering his father, and he, being no fool, became especially wary. He thought to himself, "What kind of logic is this? Fan Tong is both a hall master and a guest of the Nine Yin Sect, yet the Nine Yin Sect Master said in front of outsiders that he 'relies on many things.' What exactly does he rely on?" Just then, he heard the Nine Yin Sect Master call out, "Young Master Hua, please come here for a moment."
At this moment, the Nine Yin Sect Master's tone was extremely kind, and Hua Yunlong was slightly taken aback. He opened his mouth, but hesitated, momentarily losing his composure. Then he heard Cai Changyi shout loudly, "I'm not coming!"
The Nine Yin Sect Master smiled and said, "I didn't call you."
Cai Changyi protested, "This...this is the same. Why should we listen to you?"
The Nine Yin Sect Master laughed and said, "You're being unreasonable. I'm an old woman, and I have something to say. Do you expect me to move aside and ask for your instruction? " "
Yes, there are elders and juniors, people of different ranks. Leaving aside rank, it's impolite to ask an elder to move aside and teach." Cai Changyi stared blankly, speechless. He heard Hua Yunlong say softly, "She makes sense. Let's go." He strode off and walked away calmly. Cai Changyi had no choice but to follow closely behind in silence.
Suddenly, the girl in black cried out in alarm, "Young Master Hua, be careful! She's smiling while hiding a knife; she's definitely up to no good."
The Nine Yin Sect Leader laughed and said, "Little girl, you seem quite concerned about Young Master Hua."
The girl in black blushed and stammered, "I...I..."
Xue Niang coldly interjected, "Don't pay attention to her. We don't care about anyone."
The Nine Yin Sect Leader laughed loudly, about to speak, when Hua Yunlong had already walked up to her, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, and said, "Hua Yunlong greets the Sect Leader. If the Sect Leader has something to say, please speak freely. They are outsiders, completely unrelated to me. Such verbal sparring would be beneath the Sect Leader's dignity." The
Nine Yin Sect Leader's expression then turned serious, and she looked at him intently, smiling, "You do have quite the air of your father."
Hua Yunlong replied solemnly, "Although I am young, I dare not belittle myself."
The Nine Yin Sect Leader nodded slightly and said, "Hmm, ambitious. Are you the third son of the Hua family? Are you born to Bai Junyi?"
Hua Yunlong's face showed displeasure at being addressed by his mother's name. He frowned and said, "The Sect Leader has come with a purpose, and I have no need to hide anything. However, to address one's esteemed parent by their name in front of their son is beneath the Sect Leader's dignity."
The Nine Yin Sect Leader laughed heartily, saying, "Young people should be more cheerful and relaxed. Being so old-fashioned is unappealing." Hua
Yunlong said calmly, "I have no intention of flattering
you, Sect Leader." The Nine Yin Sect Leader said, "Of course, I am an enemy of your Hua family." She paused slightly, then continued, "However, let me tell you, I am extremely fond of your mother, and I even intended to take her as my disciple and pass on my mantle, only because your mother was infatuated with you..."
The conversation naturally went on to discuss "your father," and Hua Yunlong, greatly puzzled and impatient, interrupted, "No need to dwell on the past, get to the point."
The Nine Yin Sect Leader smiled slightly and said, "Very well, how is your grandmother?"
Hua Yunlong, annoyed, coldly replied, "Thank you." As soon as he spoke, he suddenly realized something was amiss. The Nine Yin Sect Leader had promised to "get to the point," yet she kept asking about his elders' well-being—wasn't that contradictory? He became wary, his eyes fixed intently on the Nine Yin Sect Leader.
The Nine Yin Sect Leader smiled faintly and said, "Since you Hua family members settled in seclusion, you have rarely ventured into the martial world. I have tried several times to visit your mother, but I have never dared to act rashly. Alas! It seems that our so-called fate can only end here."
Hua Yunlong thought to himself, "This sect leader sighs and repeats the same trivial matters over and over again. What is his true intention? Hmph, I have no patience to waste on your nonsense." With that thought, he immediately raised his head and said, "In the Central Plains martial world, there is a Nine Lives Swordsman. Do you know him, Sect Leader?" The Nine
Yin Sect Leader's gaze sharpened. "You know, he's passed away, isn't he?"
Hua Yunlong gritted his teeth, nodded, and said, "Yes, he's passed away, as is my great-aunt. It's said that my great-aunt was once the Netherworld Palace Master under the sect leader. Is that true?"
The Nine Yin Sect Leader nodded frankly and said, "That's right. She secretly loved Sima Changqing and actually betrayed the sect, marrying your Uncle Sima and fleeing to Luoyang. This is one of the two most heartbreaking things for me in the past twenty years. The other is that 'Jade Cauldron Lady' Gu Luanyin secretly loved your father."
Hua Yunlong coldly said, "Rumors in the martial world say that my Uncle Sima and his wife were killed by the sect leader. What is your explanation, sect leader?"
The Nine Yin Sect Leader said indifferently, "Is that what they say? There's nothing wrong with that. Ke Yifen was a traitor to the sect. I sent someone to take her life. This is to rectify the sect's rules. What's wrong with that?" Hua Yunlong paused slightly, then said sternly, "
Hmph, is this your reason? But let me ask you, is the Nine Lives Swordsman a subordinate of the sect leader?"
The Nine Yin Sect Leader smiled slightly and said, "The Nine Lives Swordsman seduced a woman, causing our sect to lose a hall master and suffer a great loss of strength. If we are to talk about the culprit, he is the one who caused the trouble. Without him, why would Ke Yifen have betrayed our sect?"
Hua Yunlong was speechless with anger. He took a deep breath and said sternly, "If you want to
condemn someone, you can always find a pretext. I ask you, who is the murderer, You Shi?" Suddenly, the beautiful girl coldly snorted and said, "The so-called murderer is just someone who carries out the orders. Why do you ask him?" This girl was as beautiful as a peach blossom and as cold as ice. Since she appeared, she had not spoken or moved, nor had she shown a smile. Now, she suddenly spoke, and her voice was like the cold ice of a harsh winter. Although her voice was like a silver bell, it sounded like a bone-chilling cold wind to the ears of others, piercing their hearts and lungs, and making them shudder.
Hua Yunlong's heart skipped a beat. He turned his gaze, unable to believe that the voice actually came from the cherry lips of a young girl. After a long pause, he suddenly asked, "May I ask who you are, young lady...?"
The girl coldly replied, "Mei Suruo, the Lord of the Netherworld Palace."
Hua Yunlong was secretly startled, thinking, "What? She's actually the Lord of the Netherworld Palace?" It should be known that in the past, the Nine Yin Sect, from the sect leader down, was divided into two main halls: the Netherworld Palace and the Hall of Punishments, and three side halls: the Hall of Propagation, the Hall of Introductions, and the Hall of Judicial Review. While the hall masters and hall masters of these two main halls and three side halls were all high-ranking generals under the sect leader, in terms of status and martial arts prowess, the Lord of the Netherworld Palace was undoubtedly the most powerful person after the sect leader.
Hua Yunlong naturally knew a little about these historical events. This girl was only sixteen or seventeen years old, yet she claimed to be the Lord of the Netherworld Palace of the Nine Yin Sect; no wonder he was secretly astonished. Surprise and doubt are one thing, but a naturally flirtatious nature is another. The Netherworld Regret Master Mei Suruo is indeed too beautiful. Hua Yunlong stared blankly at her for a moment, then became dazed, his mind filled with dazzling fantasies, wanting to kiss her, hold her slender waist, and taste the lipstick on her lips.
Suddenly, the Nine Yin Sect Leader chuckled sinisterly and said, "Young Master Hua, isn't this Netherworld Palace Master quite beautiful?"
Hua Yunlong was mesmerized, nodding repeatedly in a daze, saying, "Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful..."
Just then, Cai Changyi shouted loudly, "Beautiful my ass! I'm emptying my sister's chamber pot, and my sister still complains about her..."
The girl in black robes in the distance chimed in, "That's called being vain, huh? Knowing she can't defeat the Hua family's martial arts, she's using a beauty trap first."
Before the two of them could finish speaking, the Nine Yin Sect Leader burst into laughter, saying, "Little girl, you're quite jealous, aren't you?"
Xue Niang shouted sharply, "Nonsense! We're all focused on taking Hua boy's life, who's jealous of you?" Everyone chattered and argued incessantly, but the Netherworld Palace Master, Mei Suruo, seemed oblivious, still maintaining an icy demeanor, as if she were born without emotions. Even as people argued for her, she remained unmoved.
Hua Yunlong was startled awake by Cai Changyi's roar. A thought flashed through his mind, and he forced a smile, bowing politely to Mei Suruo, the Lord of the Netherworld Palace, saying, "So it's Lord Mei. I greet you."
Mei Suruo suddenly said, "Speak your mind, stop with the pretense."
Hua Yunlong, unperturbed, smiled and said, "There's a saying in the martial world, 'A blood debt must be repaid with blood.' Have you heard of it, Miss Mei?"
Mei Suruo didn't answer but instead asked coldly, "You want the murderer to pay with his life?"
Hua Yunlong chuckled and said, "Paying with one's life is an act of revenge; I don't need to concern myself with that. I'm merely acting on my father's orders to investigate the events of the massacre. Who was the mastermind? Who was the main culprit? Who aided and abetted the crime? What were the causes and effects? These are all things I must find out. If you could enlighten me, I would be eternally grateful."
Mei Suru said, "Hmph, you certainly have a lot to ask." Hua
Yunlong smiled slightly and said, "Neither wrong nor lenient, this is the Hua family's principle. A lack of attention to detail can lead to a major mistake, therefore..."
Before he could finish, Mei Suru coldly snorted and said disdainfully, "Your words are all about righteousness, but unfortunately, your Hua family has sent the wrong person."
Hua Yunlong, not one to act rashly, smiled and said, "In Miss Mei's opinion, who should have been sent?"
Mei Suru said, "Your father should personally investigate."
Hua Yunlong's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly thought, "That's it! These people speak in circles, hesitant to speak, could they be trying to find out Father's whereabouts? They don't know Father has passed away, haha, why don't I lie to them?" "He was an unrestrained person, acting on impulse. He smiled slightly and said, 'Miss Mei is mistaken. My Uncle Sima was my ancestor's only sworn brother. His sudden and tragic death angered my grandmother, who dispatched the Hua family to investigate. How could my father be an exception? Haha, perhaps he has already arrived in Jinling.' These words were fabricated without any flaws, but the more he spoke, the more fluently he became, and finally he burst into laughter. The crowd, unable to discern the truth, was stunned. After
a moment of silence, the man in brocade robes, Qiu Hua, whispered, 'Third brother, let's go.' Before Qiu Hua could answer, he waved his hand and led his men in purple robes down the mountain like lightning.
At the same time, Xue Niang tugged at the sleeve of the girl in black robes and whispered, 'Miss, there's no point in staying here. Let's go too.'"
The girl in black stubbornly shook her head, saying, "No, let's wait a little longer." Upon
seeing this, Cai Changyi suddenly burst into laughter, saying, "Good! I heard that as soon as Uncle Hua arrives, all the clowns are in chaos!"
The Nine Yin Sect Leader's expression changed upon hearing this, but as the leader of a sect, her insight and composure were exceptional. She quickly regained her composure. At this moment, she smiled slightly and said, "Young Master Hua, you're quite the deceiver, aren't you?"
Hua Yunlong replied ambiguously, "Believe it or not, it's up to you, Sect Leader. I have no intention of frightening you."
Mei Suruo coldly said, "Hmph, Hua Tianhong is only human; he can't frighten anyone."
Hua Yunlong said loudly, "Yes, my father isn't a god. Whether he arrives or not is irrelevant to my mission. Young lady, you are as beautiful as a fairy, with a heart more compassionate than a god. I hope you can tell me if the murderer is You Shi?" "Upon seeing my father, I can report back and complete my mission." These words neither tarnished his father's reputation nor failed to remind Mei Suru that she was also human. He cleverly concealed his flattering and ingratiating intentions beneath a seemingly straightforward "request," subtly implying that if Mei Suru understood the true meaning, she would be embarrassed.
Mei Suru's eyes flashed with anger, then paused before turning cold: "Only investigating the murderer, not the mastermind? How will you report back? Humph, 'flattering and obsequious, despicable and treacherous.'"
These eight words mercilessly exposed Hua Yunlong's intentions and revealed her own attitude. The Nine Yin Sect Leader laughed heartily, saying, "Good! Your teacher, Ruoxin, can finally hold her head high!"
Mei Suru remained unmoved, saying, "Ruo'er dares not forget your expectations." "So this Mei Suruo is the disciple of the Nine Yin Sect Master. So her icy demeanor wasn't innate."
Hua Yunlong's mind raced. He thought to himself, "The so-called 'triumphant' refers to my aunt's betrayal of 'Lady Yuding.' Haha, triumphant, huh? I, Hua, will make you lose face and be utterly disappointed." "He was a philanderer, cunning and shrewd. He had initially only found Mei Suruo attractive and was inclined to get close, but now, intent on embarrassing the Nine Yin Sect Leader, he wouldn't let it go easily. His thoughts shifted, and
he suddenly burst into laughter, saying, 'Miss Mei, you flatter me. While I may be unrestrained, I am not a fickle person. Frankly, though you are beautiful, you are not enough to move my heart, especially since in my heart I already…' Before he could finish, Mei Suruo shouted, 'Shut up! Don't criticize me!'
Hua Yunlong feigned surprise, saying, 'Who did I criticize? I meant… oh, never mind! Let's get back to the point.' He paused slightly, then changed the subject seriously, continuing, 'Just now, you criticized me for 'not asking the mastermind how I would report back.' On that point, you were wrong again.'" "His tone changed so quickly that Mei Suruo couldn't keep up and stared at him in disbelief."
Hua Yunlong smiled slightly and continued, "There are two masterminds: one is your master, and the other is the leader of the 'Xuanming Sect.' The reason is that they are jealous of our Hua family's achievements. They used the pretext of rectifying the sect's rules and hunting down traitors to create a bloodbath, forcing our family to reappear in the martial world. That's all. Miss Mei, am I right?" After he finished speaking, he raised his head, staring with his starry eyes, waiting for Mei Suruo's reply.
At this moment, Mei Suruo returned to her original indifference. She lifted her delicate nose slightly and said disdainfully, "Hmph, self-righteous. You think you're right?"
Hua Yunlong smiled calmly and said, "Whether I'm right or wrong is my business, but please tell me, who is the murderer?"
Mei Suruo asked again, "Do you think the murderer is You Yun?"
Hua Yunlong asked in surprise, "Isn't it her?"
Mei Suruo said coldly, "To tell you the truth, the murderer is someone else. The mastermind is Gu Luanyin." Hua Yunlong laughed heartily and said, "
Miss, don't be so rude. That 'Jade Cauldron Lady' is long dead."
Mei Suruo suddenly said, "Believe it or not is up to you. I'm not forcing you to believe."
Hua Yunlong paused for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll just believe it for now. So, who is the murderer?"
Mei Suruo said, "You seem to think too highly of yourself. Why don't you investigate yourself?"
Hua Yunlong said, "Fine, fine, I'll investigate myself." He turned around, waved to the girl in black, and called out, "Miss, let's go."
Before his voice had even faded, Mei Suruo's delicate body flashed, and she called out sharply, "Stop!" "
Most of the Nine Yin Sect disciples' lightness skills and the 'Chaotic Five Elements Immortal Escape Technique' were taught by Ge Tiandu, the head of the Sili Hall. However, Mei Suruo's lightness skills were personally taught by the Nine Yin Sect Master. Her movements were so swift and elusive that they seemed even more wondrous than the 'Chaotic Five Elements Immortal Escape Technique.' Before anyone could see her make a move, she had already widened her almond-shaped eyes and stood in front of Hua Yunlong.
Hua Yunlong was secretly startled, but on the surface, he smiled and said, 'Well? Does Miss Mei have any further guidance?' He could see that Mei Suruo's eyes were burning with anger, seemingly to the point of intolerance. Even someone as clever and astute as him couldn't figure out the reason for it for a moment."
Mei Suruo coldly shouted, "You must die." Hua Yunlong was taken aback, thinking to himself, "What kind of logic is this? I have no grudge against her, why does she hate me so much? Even if the Nine Yin Sect Leader is against our Hua family, even if she was born without feelings, she shouldn't... she shouldn't have changed so quickly."
Mei Suruo paused, then suddenly snorted coldly, saying, "People of the Hua family, relying on your handsome looks to seduce women, I will at least ruin your appearance. Do it, what are you daydreaming about?"
Hua Yunlong suddenly realized, and said: "Oh, so you're here to defend your elders? You're mistaken! The Book of Songs says, 'A fair maiden is sought after by a gentleman.' The ancients also said, 'People love beauty.' The attraction between men and women is innate and natural. The key is mutual virtue and shared interests—what we call 'mutual affection.' As for their charm and elegance, those are merely the starting point for each other. Besides..."
He launched into a spiel, becoming increasingly fluent, until Mei Suruo grew impatient and snapped, "Are you done yet?"
Hua Yunlong smiled slightly and said, "You're defending your elders, but your thinking is too extreme. If I didn't know, fine, but since I do, I must explain it to you as I know it."
Mei Suruo coldly retorted, "Who's listening to you? Draw your sword." With a shout, he took a step forward.
Hua Yunlong took a step back and said with a sneer, "Why is the young lady in such a hurry? If the Nine Yin Sect doesn't restrain itself, I will draw my sword sooner or later. I have a bone stuck in my throat, and I must speak now, even if I have to act now." Without waiting for Mei Suruo to respond, he continued, "As far as I know, your sect's 'Jade Cauldron Lady' admires my father's character, and the two of them have a brother-sister relationship, which is not inappropriate at all." Later, in order to seize the sword manual, the master inflicted the cruel torture of "Yin Fire Refining the Soul" on "Lady Yuding," attempting to force my father to submit. Upon hearing the news, my father and Master Ciyun rushed to Caozhou to rescue her. However, when "Lady Yuding" saw my father, she said she would rather die from torture than suffer any injustice, and instructed him not to exchange the sword manual for her. Witnessing the brutality of the torture, my father was heartbroken and enraged, almost wanting to kill all of your sect's subordinates to vent his anger.
He paused slightly, then continued, "Young lady, you may not know, but my father has always been magnanimous. He never gets angry easily, much less harm the innocent. Please think deeply: the reason my father was so enraged, and the reason 'Lady Yuding' would rather die from torture, is such a respectable sentiment." "For people to care for each other so much, even disregarding their own safety, is something even saints and sages would likely fall short of. Your extreme opinion, young lady, is an insult to 'Lady Yuding.'"
At this point, Mei Fengruo seemed oblivious, coldly saying, "Finished? If you're done, you can draw your sword."
Hua Yunlong was greatly shocked, wondering, "What? Didn't she hear a word? What kind of person is she? Is her blood cold?"
Suddenly, the girl in black shouted, "Draw your sword! What's so great about you? Young Master Hua, draw your sword!"
Mei Suru's face turned, her starry eyes flashing with cold light as she swept her gaze towards the girl in black, coldly shouting, "You must die too, preferably together!" The girl in black snorted coldly, about to leap forward, but before she could take a step, Xue Niang grabbed her.
Xue Niang said urgently, "Miss, what are we doing here? Don't meddle in other people's business. "
Cai Changyi remained silent for a while, then suddenly burst into laughter, saying, "I understand, I understand, she's jealous." Hua
Yunlong asked in surprise, "Who's jealous?"
Cai Changyi pointed at Mei Suruo, the Lord of the Netherworld Palace, and laughed heartily, saying, "Her? That Miss Mei, the Lord of the Netherworld Palace."
Before he could finish speaking, Mei Suruo swayed and pounced over, snarling, "You're courting death!" "With a swift movement, a palm strike landed on Cai Changyi's back.
Mei Suru's movements were like a ghost, swift as lightning. In the blink of an eye, she was within arm's reach. Her jade-like hand was already brimming with true power. If this palm strike landed, Cai Changyi would be severely injured, if not killed. Cai Changyi was speaking when he suddenly heard a shout. He was startled, and the powerful palm wind had already attacked his back. There was no way to avoid it in time. He hurriedly rolled on the ground, rolling more than ten feet away. Mei Suru missed her first strike, but she rose again and chased after him. Her jade arm swept horizontally, and she struck again.
Hua Yunlong was shocked and shouted, "Miss Mei, please have mercy!" He rose up and intercepted the attack. He swung his left arm and used the "Struggle of a Trapped Beast" move to meet Mei Suru's palm strike." Their palms clashed, producing a soft, tearing sound like ripping silk. The figures snapped together and then separated, both falling to the ground. Cai Changyi lightly pressed his palm against the ground, springing up and taking three steps back.
Mei Suruo's jade-like face was frosty, her beautiful eyes blazing with murderous intent. She coldly shouted, "What mercy are you showing? You all must die!" With her shout, a crisp "clang" rang out, and a thin, silver, gleaming soft sword appeared in her right palm.
It was a weapon called a "sword pellet," about an inch wide, with a blade four feet wide, double-edged and extremely sharp. It was forged from the finest Burmese iron and steel ore. When not in use, it would curl up like a ball, hidden within a layer of retractable steel sheet, only half the size of a fist. When used, a light press of a button would release the sharp soft sword, and the steel sheet storing the blade would simultaneously become the hilt and guard, making it incredibly convenient.
This type of soft sword is rare in the martial arts world. Firstly, it's difficult to manufacture; secondly, it's even harder to use than the Burmese iron soft sword. If the swordsman lacks internal strength, is unfamiliar with the techniques, or faces an opponent far superior in skill, there's a constant risk of self-inflicted injury when returning the sword, making it virtually impossible to defend against. At this moment, Mei Suruo held the soft sword. Without any apparent effort from her, the thin, cicada-wing-like blade stood upright like a pen, demonstrating the purity and depth of her internal strength. Hua Yunlong was startled upon seeing this, and Cai Changyi, who had been filled with rage, dared not act rashly upon seeing this.
Mei Suruo flicked her wrist, pointing her sword forward, and snarled again, "If you don't draw your sword, I'll still kill you. Don't regret it!"
At this moment, Hua Yunlong vaguely sensed that this stunningly beautiful woman, seemingly cold as ice, also harbored rich emotions like everyone else. Cai Changyi's claim that she was jealous seemed to have some merit; otherwise, she wouldn't have suddenly changed her tune. He was impulsive and didn't want to delve too deeply, but now, pressured by Mei Suruo's aura, his masculine pride suddenly rose. So he drew his short sword, flicked his wrist, and the sword emitted a buzzing sound. Then he said smugly, "Miss Mei, you're too arrogant. I won't kill you, but I'll definitely give you a good spanking to teach you a lesson." Mei Suruo's face turned pale with anger, her teeth clenched, and with a muffled groan, she flicked her wrist and swung the sword.
Just as Hua Yunlong was about to raise his sword to parry, a dark shadow flashed by, shouting sharply, "Wait!" The shadow was the leader of the Nine Yin Sect. At this moment, the leader's eyes were filled with murderous intent, his aura fierce and imposing. His white hair moved without wind, as if he were extremely angry. Hearing the shout, Hua Yunlong instinctively took
a step back. Mei Suruo hurriedly sheathed her soft sword and stepped aside to stand guard. The leader's gaze swept over the two of them like lightning, then he suddenly said in a sinister voice, "Ruo'er, is this young hero Hua handsome?"
Mei Suruo blinked, surprised, and asked, "What? Did Ruo'er do something wrong?"
The leader's gaze sharpened, and he shouted sharply, "Answer me! Quickly, is he handsome?"
Mei Suruo glanced at Hua Yunlong involuntarily and said, "No… handsome…"
The leader said sternly, "No more thinking, no ambiguity, give a definite answer, quickly!"
Mei Suruo suddenly shouted... “Whether he’s handsome or not is none of Ruo’er’s business, why are you…”
The Nine Yin Sect Leader paused with her steel staff, interrupting her with a shout: “Don’t ask, answer immediately.”
Mei Suru was taken aback at first, then hersed: “Handsome, handsome, handsome…” The Nine Yin Sect Leader seemed satisfied. She let out a long breath, smiled slightly, and nodded gently: “Hmm, you didn’t lie to me, you lied to me. I was just worrying for nothing.” Her unpredictable mood swings and her pressing for trivial matters left Hua Yunlong completely bewildered, and he stared in disbelief.
Mei Suruo, equally puzzled by her master's meaning, frowned slightly and said, "Why would Ruoruo lie to you? Why are you so worried about me?"
The Nine Yin Sect Master raised his head and smiled, "There's no need to ask about the past. Just remember my admonition."
Mei Suruo nodded and respectfully said, "Yes, Ruoruo remembers. There are no good men in the world, the more handsome they are, the worse they are." She reverted to her original indifference, her voice icy and devoid of any emotion. The Nine Yin Sect Master was even more pleased and burst into laughter.
At this point, Hua Yunlong finally understood that Mei Suruo's cold demeanor was not innate, but rather shaped by her upbringing. Therefore, Hua Yunlong secretly thought, "What terrible upbringing! This woman is naturally beautiful and young; she should be a lively, innocent, and pure girl, but the Ninth Sect Leader has molded her into a soulless jade Guanyin. No wonder her thoughts are so extreme; no wonder she wanted to kill me."
Little did he know that his thinking was also wrong. While a person's words and actions are certainly related to their upbringing, upbringing cannot extinguish humanity. Mei Suruo's sudden murderous intent had nothing to do with her cold appearance. He shouldn't have hurt Mei Suruo's self-esteem; he shouldn't have said, "Although you are beautiful, you are not enough to move my heart." His subsequent actions seemed to be closely related to the girl in black. The girl in black was not as beautiful as Mei Suruo; how could Mei Suruo tolerate this?
It is well known that "humans are naturally attracted to beauty," a shared instinct between men and women. Furthermore, eight or nine out of ten beautiful young women in the world are quite self-assured. Hua Yunlong, with his dashing appearance, handsome as Pan An, and unparalleled character, was a man of exceptional beauty. Even though Mei Suruo grew up in a biased and eccentric upbringing, and despite her icy demeanor, upon first meeting him, her naturally attracted nature was immediately apparent, leaving an indelible impression on her heart. His words wounded Mei Suruo's pride, and coupled with her upbringing, it was tantamount to proving that the more handsome a man is, the more wicked he is. Thus
, Mei Suruo suddenly harbored murderous intent. Hua Yunlong hadn't anticipated this, but the Nine Yin Sect Leader had. Therefore, he interrogated Mei Suruo vehemently, until she screamed and revealed her true feelings, regaining her cold demeanor. Only then was he satisfied and relieved. A moment of silence fell over the room, broken only by the Nine Yin Sect Leader's smug laughter. Amidst laughter, the Nine Yin Sect Master slowly stepped forward, approvingly patting Mei Suruo's slender shoulder, and softly asked, "Ruo'er, do you hate him?"
Mei Suruo coldly replied, "I don't know, but I despise him."
The Nine Yin Sect Master nodded, saying, "Hmm, Ruo'er, be good. I could have let you kill him, but I have a use for him. Go and capture him." Mei Suruo responded with a "Yes," and with a swish, she sheathed her soft sword, coldly and steadily approaching Hua Yunlong.
The Nine Yin Sect Master turned around, watching her back, and smiled smugly, continuing, "Be careful, the Hua family's martial arts are extraordinary. Don't tarnish my reputation."
Suddenly, Cai Changyi pounced, hissing, "Fine, tarnish your reputation? Let's see what you, old monster, can do!" He slashed out with a palm strike aimed directly at Mei Suruo's chest.
This palm strike was incredibly powerful, swift as lightning, fierce and ruthless, its momentum terrifying. Before the words were even finished, the whistling force of the palm strike had already swept towards Mei Suru's chest like a tidal wave. Mei Suru was indeed formidable; she slightly shifted her body, instantly dodging the palm strike. With a cold snort, her right hand reached out to grab Cai Changyi's pulse point, her left hand's fingers, like knives, slashed at his elbow, and her right leg kicked directly at his "dantian" acupoint. Three moves in one strike, light and elusive yet ruthless and sharp, were strangely powerful.
Hua Yunlong, usually very composed, felt a chill run down his spine upon seeing this. Cai Changyi's martial arts were quite similar to his personality, following a path of fierce and domineering power. When he attacked, he was fearless and reckless. He lowered his palm, twisted his body abruptly, and delivered an elbow strike aimed at Mei Suruo's vital point. Immediately afterward, his left hand reached forward, grabbing at her shoulder. His every move was aggressive, completely disregarding his own safety.
The Nine Yin Sect Leader exclaimed, "Such powerful techniques! Whose school are you from?"
Cai Changyi coldly replied, "My own school." With that, his movements were lightning-fast, his fists and palms flying, unleashing three punches and seven palm strikes in one breath. He meant to speak of "family martial arts," but due to his impatient nature and the intensity of his attack, his offhand response sounded like an impatient refusal.
The leader of the Nine Yin Sect snorted coldly and suddenly raised his voice, "Hall Master Shen, come and take care of this young man."
A short, elderly man with a goatee stepped forward and shouted, "I am Shen Shengsan, take a few of my moves!" He flashed into the fight, raising his palm to strike Cai Changyi's left chest.
Mei Suruo gracefully retreated and said in a deep voice, "Capture him, I want him alive." She turned around, her slender hand pointing at Hua Yunlong, and coldly replied, "Hua, the leader has ordered that I will not kill you. You can make your move."
Hua Yunlong said smugly, "I said I would spank your butt..."
Before he could finish speaking, the girl in black rushed over and said, "Young Master Hua, you should leave. There are too many of them, it's not good to fight fiercely."
Mei Suruo was furious and shouted sharply, "Hall Master Ge, capture this woman!" With a sharp shout, she moved swiftly, as agile as a cat, dodging the girl in black and rushing straight towards Hua Yunlong.
At the same time, a tall, slightly balding old man appeared and blocked the path of the girl in black. Upon seeing him, Xue Niang, fearing for her master's safety, hurriedly leaped over and hissed, "Damn it, we have nothing to do with that Hua fellow! Make way, we're leaving!" Xue Niang was blindly loyal to her master. She did not want to associate with Hua Yunlong, much less have her master fight with the Nine Yin Sect. However, due to her fierce nature, before she could finish speaking, she suddenly swung her right palm and pushed it towards Master Ge's chest.
The hall master surnamed Ge was named Ge Tiandu, a former subordinate of the previous leader of the Nine Yin Sect. Currently in charge of the Hall of Justice, a high-ranking official of two generations, his martial arts skills were naturally extraordinary. He spun around, his tall figure appearing behind Xue Niangji, and with a swift movement, struck her vital point, "Lingtai," shouting in a deep voice, "You're courting death!"
The girl in black was startled, lunging forward and screaming, "Xue Niang, be careful!" She raised a single palm to meet Ge Tiandu's attack, attempting to block it.
With a soft "bang," the two palms collided. The girl in black stumbled, retreating eight steps before regaining her footing. Ge Tiandu's movements were erratic, his palm strike deflected by her. Xue Niangji, hearing the warning, leaped forward, avoiding the danger of the blow. This all happened in an instant. The moment Hua Yunlong and Mei Suruo clashed, the girl in black was clearly outmatched. He was greatly alarmed, and with renewed vigor, forced Mei Suruo back with a single palm strike. He then flung his short sword, urgently calling out, "Miss, catch!"
A sharp whistle rang out, and a streak of silver light flashed past. Just then, Ge Tiandu shifted his body, lunging at the girl in black a second time. The short sword's trajectory was aimed directly at Ge Tiandu's back. Hearing the sharp whistle, Ge Tiandu was terrified and ducked. The short sword grazed his head and then headed for the girl's chest. Seeing the short sword's deafening force and lightning speed, the girl in black dared not catch it. She could only step aside, dodging the sword and letting it fall to the ground. Xue Niang grabbed the short sword and rushed forward, shouting sharply, "Miss, run! I'll hold off that old ghost for a bit!" Suddenly, she thrust her sword fiercely at Ge Tiandu.
Mei Suruo roared, "Kill her! Kill that woman!" She seemed enraged, her eyes blazing with cold fire. Her sword flashed, her fingers flying, her palms striking Hua Yunlong's vital points. Even with Hua Yunlong unleashing his ultimate techniques, he couldn't withstand her onslaught and fell into a disadvantageous position. In a battle between
masters, composure and focus are crucial. When Hua Yunlong noticed the girl in black was in danger and realized she was no match for Ge Tiandu, he threw back his short sword, hoping she could use her weapon to fight back. Unbeknownst to him, this momentary lapse in attention cost him the initiative, and for a time, he was powerless to reverse the disadvantage. Although Mei Suruo was young, her martial arts skills were remarkably proficient. Her jade-like face was frosty, her dark brows furrowed in anger, as if she had forgotten the Nine Yin Sect Leader's instruction to capture her alive
. Her white robes billowed, appearing suddenly to the left and then to the right, every move a deadly strike, a sight to behold. Although Hua Yunlong was at a disadvantage, he remained calm. At this moment, he sought not merit but to avoid mistakes. For a short while, Mei Suruo could not injure him. The two exchanged blows, their fingers and palms flying, the wind howling, and they had fought for more than twenty rounds. Although there were advantages and disadvantages, the situation remained evenly matched. Hua Yunlong thought to himself, "What's the logic? The Nine Yin Sect Leader clearly wanted to capture me alive, so why is she now plotting to kill me? If she's plotting to kill, why doesn't she just use her sword?"
A slender, delicate jade hand suddenly reached for his chest, forcing him to quickly abandon his doubts, lower his body, and raise his hand to strike, his five fingers like hooks. He aimed for the pulse point on the jade palm. Mei Suruo took a quick step, dodging his "Golden Dragon Claw," and her palm suddenly sank, slashing towards his shoulder well. Her left hand, with its fingers like a halberd, suddenly thrust towards his "Abdominal Knot Acupoint." The "Abdominal Knot Acupoint" is where the body's blood and qi intersect. If it is struck, the blood and qi will disintegrate, and there will be immediate danger to life. This finger strike came with lightning speed and a rapid surge of energy. Hua Yunlong's heart trembled violently, and he hurriedly turned his body to avoid it.
Suddenly, Cai Changyi shouted sharply, "Old ghost Shen, whether you want to kill me or torture me, I, Cai, will not flinch. But if you treat me like this, I will have to curse you!"
Then, Shen Shengsan, the head of the Introducing Hall, chuckled sinisterly, "The Master ordered me to take a few moves from you, young friend. I am acting under orders and have no choice in the matter. You can curse me if you want, but I dare not kill you."
It turned out that Cai Changyi was impatient and launched a fierce attack as soon as he engaged in combat. Although his fierce and powerful martial arts were indeed remarkable, they were extremely exhausting. He was still young and his internal energy was very limited. After several dozen moves, his power was greatly reduced.
Shen Shengsan, as the head of a hall, was naturally skilled in martial arts. He was old and experienced, and also cunning and treacherous. Upon engaging, he initially used hit-and-run tactics, relentlessly depleting Cai Changyi's internal energy. Now, he made seemingly casual gestures, appearing to be toying with Cai, but in reality, he was waiting for the right moment to strike. This was because Cai Changyi was fearless and possessed unique martial arts skills, making him a formidable opponent. However, Cai Changyi's internal energy was waning, his mind was agitated, and he was red-faced, roaring like thunder, unable to hold his temper.
Hua Yunlong watched in shock, shouting, "Calm down, Brother Changyi, take your time!"
Mei Suruo, like a shadow, pounced over, coldly shouting, "You worry about yourself!" Suddenly, she struck him on the top of the head with a vicious palm strike, as if a mountain were pressing down. Startled, Hua Yunlong glanced around, then, alerted by the sound, realized it was too late. He whirled back
to see the slender, jade-like palm, its power still contained, already less than a foot from his head. At this critical moment, the Nine Yin Sect Leader suddenly shouted, "I want a live victim!" His voice was both angry and forceful. Mei Suruo was startled, her palm strike pausing. Taking advantage of this pause, Hua Yunlong leaped back eight feet, avoiding the danger of the blow.
Hua Yunlong was different from ordinary people. An ordinary person in such a perilous situation, having just escaped a blow, would certainly be enraged, if not terrified. But he remained calm, his tiger-like eyes scanning the battlefield, first assessing the situation on both sides, then gathering his energy in his dantian, he shouted in a deep voice, "Stop!"
This deep shout, delivered with concentrated energy, was like a sudden thunderclap, causing one's blood to surge. Ears throbbed with pain; Cai Changyi was at a disadvantage. Leaving that aside, Xue Niang and her servant were fighting Ge Tiandu together. It was a losing battle, but everyone was suddenly startled by the shout, and they all stopped fighting immediately. The Nine Yin Sect Leader's expression changed; she thought to herself, "This kid's cultivation is no less than Hua Tianhong's back then. I can't be too careless." While thinking this, she asked, "What? Do you have something to say?"
Hua Yunlong ignored her, waving his hand at the ferocious-looking Xue Niang, saying, "Please accompany your young lady to leave first."
Xue Niang was slightly taken aback, paused, and suddenly shouted, "What right do you have to order me around?"
Hua Yunlong said, "This matter has nothing to do with you; you don't need to get involved." His intention was clear: he was determined to fight and wanted to get rid of those who were not involved.
Unexpectedly, the girl in black resolutely said, "No, if we're leaving, we're all leaving."
Hua Yunlong said, "Don't worry, young lady, I've said my mind. I won't stand idly by regarding your father's matter. After this is over, I will find you to discuss things further."
Xue Niang said in a hoarse voice, "That sounds nice, but what if you die?"
The girl in black's face turned cold, and she scolded, "Nonsense! You always have to interrupt. Stand aside."
Xue Niang said loudly, "I'm telling the truth! If he's killed by the Nine Yin Sect Master, wouldn't we be left empty-handed?" The relationship between them was very delicate. The girl in black undoubtedly had a deep affection for Hua Yunlong, but she was also worried about her father's fate. Therefore, she was torn between the two sides, and her words were ambiguous. Xue Niang was blindly loyal to her master. She cared about her master's safety, but she also feared that her young master would fall in love. Therefore, she tried to distance herself from him at every turn, and constantly made things difficult for Hua Yunlong. Her stance was extremely firm.
Hua Yunlong, however, remained unperturbed, smiling calmly as he waved his hand, saying, "Let's go, let's go. I'm more than capable of protecting myself, and I won't cause any trouble."
But those with ulterior motives reacted differently. Mei Suruo pursed her lips and gave a cold snort. Xiao Chou, who hadn't spoken for a while, also smiled sinisterly and raised his voice, "Leave? I'm afraid it's not that simple."
Hua Yunlong shifted his gaze and smiled, "Brother Xiao is actually a subordinate of the Nine Yin Sect; that's quite unexpected."
Xiao Chou harbored deep hatred for Hua Yunlong because of Ruan Hongyu's affair. Hearing this, he looked around... He then said, "Hmph, you've been flirting with other
women, getting involved with my junior sister..." His voice suddenly stopped as he bowed to the Nine Yin Sect Leader, saying, "Your subordinate requests permission." The Nine Yin Sect Leader asked in bewilderment, "Are you going to fight Hua Xiaoxia?"
Xiao Chou respectfully replied, "Your subordinate requests permission to keep that woman."
Hua Yunlong suddenly said sternly, "What is this?"
Xiao Chou raised his head and said, "An eye for an eye. You stole someone's beloved, so I'll kill your beloved and let you taste the bitterness of it all."
Hua Yunlong was both amused and exasperated, but he suppressed his rising anger. Too lazy to explain, he coldly snorted and said, "Very well, you have guts, why not fight me?"
Mei Suruo coldly retorted, "You're mine, what are you babbling about? Let's fight." With a flick of her slender hand, a sharp palm wind suddenly surged forth.
Hua Yunlong dodged the palm wind by the side and shouted sharply, "Wait!" He paused, his imposing gaze suddenly turning to the Nine Yin Sect Leader, and continued, "I declare first, if anyone tries to make things difficult for Xue Niang and her servant, Sect Leader, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Suddenly, the girl in black shouted, "No one can make me leave, otherwise... um..." It turned out that Xue Niang had silently struck her pressure point with a finger, grabbed her under her arm, and with a leap, she had already rushed down the mountain.
Xiao Chou moved to give chase, but the Nine Yin Sect Leader called out, "Come back, let them go." Xiao Chou dared not disobey, so he stopped and glared fiercely at Hua Yunlong.
Hua Yunlong acted as if he hadn't seen him, turning to Cai Changyi and saying, "Brother Changyi, you should also leave."
Cai Changyi's thick eyebrows shot up, and he glared, saying, "What? Do you think I'm afraid of death?"
Hua Yunlong smiled slightly and said, "Not at all. The Nine Yin Sect Leader wants to take me under his wing. Regardless of his purpose, how can I surrender? I'm going to fight him!"
Cai Changyi swung his arm and shouted, "Fight! Even if we die, we'll be heroes again in eighteen years!"
Hua Yunlong said, "Brother Changyi's boldness..." "Admirable, but..."
Cai Changyi hissed, "Never mind, let's do it!"
Hua Yunlong said, "Please listen to me. If I die fighting, there will be one less person to avenge me. Besides, I'm not afraid of Changyi's wrath, but your martial arts are inferior to mine. If you were here, it would distract me and prevent me from focusing solely on the enemy."
He spoke frankly and without reservation. If it were anyone else, they would have to consider it at least a little. Unfortunately, Cai Changyi was a man who only cared about righteousness and didn't care about anything else. These words had no effect on him. He glared at him and said angrily, "What? You only care about your family's reputation and don't care about others? Abandoning your friends and running away, what have I, Cai Changyi, become?"
Hua Yunlong said anxiously, "We can't act rashly. The current situation..."
Before he could finish speaking, Cai Changyi suddenly shouted, "I won't listen anymore!" He leaped up and landed in front of Shen Shengsan, swung his arm, and shoved him away. After resting for a while, his internal energy returned to normal. Shen Shengsan dodged the surging, powerful palm strike, stepped forward, and launched an attack. The two moved swiftly, their fists and palms clashing, locked in a fierce and evenly matched battle.
Since they had already clashed, further discussion was pointless. Hua Yunlong sighed helplessly, thinking to himself, "He truly deserves the title of righteous and chivalrous." Filled with admiration, he turned to the Nine Yin Sect Leader and coldly said, "I shall tell you a story. Would you like to hear it, Sect Leader?"
The Nine Yin Sect Leader was surprised: "At such a time, you have the heart to tell a story?"
Hua Yunlong replied, "The story is short and won't take much time."
The Nine Yin Sect Leader smiled slightly and said, "If you are interested, then please tell it. I am all ears."
Hua Yunlong said, "In the past, when Xiang Yu was defeated at Wujiang, Emperor Gaozu of Han, a man of great talent and strategy, had no intention of forcing him to commit suicide. In his heart, he only wished to..." "Why force him into a corner, make him surrender, and then take him under your control?"
The Nine Yin Sect Leader laughed loudly, saying, "You're turning black into white. Liu Bang suffered several defeats at the hands of Xiang Yu, wishing he could tear him apart and eat his flesh. How could there be any talk of taking him under your control? Besides, Xiang Yu's defeat at Gaixia and his suicide after parting from his concubine are historical facts, not just stories."
Hua Yunlong said, "History only records the outcome. Xiang Yu was incredibly strong, a great general. Emperor Gaozu needed men to build his empire and expand his territory. How can you say that the Sect Leader didn't have this intention?"
The Nine Yin Sect Leader said, "Liu Bang had no capacity for tolerance. With Xiang Yu dead, the situation was settled. Why would he need to have the thought of taking him under his control again?" She suddenly seemed to understand. "Understanding," the leader said, his gaze shifting, before he suddenly asked, "What do you mean? Have you decided to fight me to the death?"
Hua Yunlong smiled slightly and said, "The leader finally understands." His expression hardened, and he solemnly added, "The Hua family only has decapitated descendants, not captured ones. Even if I am at my wit's end, I would rather die fighting than be captured and humiliated. Since the leader understands, that's for the best. But I declare beforehand that if there are any casualties, the leader will be responsible. Once we engage, I will show no mercy."
The Nine Yin Sect Leader was taken aback at first, then smiled and said, "It's not that serious. I am not Liu Bang, you..." "I am not Xiang Yu of Western Chu, nor am I in a desperate situation."
Hua Yunlong interrupted sternly, "These are all nonsense. For the blood feud of my Uncle Sima, and for your Nine Yin Sect's attempt to dominate the martial world, creating bloodshed is something I cannot tolerate. However, due to my upbringing, I dare not act rashly and have brought this upon myself. I have no choice but to make a clean retreat. Since the Sect Leader wants to capture me, killing me is easy, but capturing me will be extremely difficult."
The Nine Yin Sect Leader said, "What if I do it myself?"
Hua Yunlong coldly replied, "The same goes for you." He spoke with absolute certainty, and the Nine Yin Sect Leader laughed coldly, his face changing color.
It should be known that the Nine Yin Sect Leader was of an extreme temperament and held a deep grudge. Her previous amiable demeanor was partly due to her advancing age, which had naturally softened her personality, and partly because she had genuinely held a liking for Hua Yunlong's parents—a respect for Hua Tianhong and affection for Bai Junyi. Hua Yunlong resembled his parents and was a junior, not the target she intended to deal with this time. To maintain the dignity of an elder, she had tried her best to suppress her volatile temper. Now, Hua Yunlong's composed demeanor and icy tone had wounded her pride. She was not a magnanimous person, no wonder she changed color suddenly and laughed in anger. Hua Yunlong remained unmoved, quietly focusing his attention on guard against a sudden attack from the Nine Yin Sect Leader.
Suddenly, a melodious voice called out, "Here it is! Here it is! Mother, hurry!" The voice came from the mountaintop to the right. Hua Tianlong unconsciously turned his gaze and saw a red figure gracefully descending from the sky. Behind the red figure was a middle-aged woman in green.
Hua Tianlong's eyesight was exceptionally sharp. The mountaintop was sixty or seventy feet away from where he stood. In a single glance, he could clearly see that the middle-aged woman was exceptionally beautiful and had a graceful demeanor. She appeared to be in her early forties, while the red-clad figure was a bright and beautiful young girl in her prime. The girl was comparable in beauty to Mei Suruo, but she was full of youthful vitality, completely different from Mei Suruo's icy demeanor.
At this moment, Hua Tianlong had no mood to admire the newcomer's stunning appearance. He was stunned by the graceful way the newcomer descended from the sky. The newcomer descended gracefully in the cold, her movements unhurried and serene, truly like a celestial maiden descending to earth, light and beautiful beyond compare. This indicated that her cultivation had reached the highest realm of transcendence and sainthood. The middle-aged woman was irrelevant; the bright young girl was only sixteen or seventeen years old. Who could believe that someone so young possessed such astonishing skill? Hua Yunlong was stunned, inwardly exclaiming, "Whose child is this? Is there a cultivation method in the martial world that surpasses our Hua family's unique methods?"
The girl, still descending at a constant speed, spoke again, saying, "Look, Mother, my brother can't even beat an old geezer. He's a disgrace to us. You must punish him by making him kneel for three days, and no one will eat."
Cai Changyi shouted loudly, "I punish you by making you kneel before the ancestral tablet for thirty days, and you won't be allowed to eat!"
The bright young girl giggled, saying, "Who told you to stay out all night and come here with people... " "Fighting, making me search all over the place! If you're going to fight, at least win! But
you can't beat them, and you're not even practicing properly!" The two landed gracefully and walked slowly towards them. The middle-aged woman said, "Wei'er, don't talk nonsense. We practice to strengthen our bodies, to uphold our family's reputation, and to avoid competing with others." She paused, then suddenly added, "Yi'er, stop fighting and come back with me."
Cai Changyi, unaware of the hidden true power, was already back to his previous awkward state. Now, he was helpless, covered in sweat, and even speaking a single sentence was a struggle. Therefore, he stopped speaking, focusing solely on parrying and countering each move, wholeheartedly fighting his opponent. Hua Yunlong could hardly believe his eyes, staring blankly at the newcomers, secretly marveling, "Heavens! Is this Brother Changyi's mother? Brother Changyi's sister? There are truly people more powerful than you, and heavens beyond heavens!"
The Nine Yin Sect Leader was even more shocked, hurriedly thinking, "Is this the mother of that brat surnamed Cai? It seems my wish won't come true today. I must think of a way." She was shrewd and calculating, never giving up until she achieved her goal. She knew the newcomer's skill was extremely high, far beyond her ability to defeat, and that the newcomer was Cai Changyi's daughter. Cai Changyi was a chivalrous young man with a close relationship with Hua Yunlong. To capture Hua Yunlong, she would have to fight the Cai mother and daughter. She had no certainty of victory, yet she could
n't shake off the thought. It was clear that although she appeared gentler, her stubborn and arrogant nature remained unchanged. A moment later, she made a gesture unknown to outsiders, and the Nine Yin Sect's subordinates immediately gathered their strength, preparing to retreat. At this time, Hua Yunlong was still unaware, and Cai Changyi remained focused on his enemy. The middle-aged woman seemed to be growing impatient. She glanced at her daughter and said, "Wei'er, go and take your brother's place. Don't hurt anyone." The bright young girl called "Wei'er" responded with a "Yes" and gracefully walked towards the arena.
Just then, the Nine Yin Sect Leader flashed forward, unexpectedly striking Hua Yunlong's left "Breast Root" acupoint with a single finger. Hua Yunlong's body went limp, and she had him pinned under her arm, unconscious. Having planned this all along, and with her sneak attack successful, she immediately shouted "Go!" and with a tap of her steel staff on the ground, she leaped into the dense forest to the left like a ghost, disappearing in the blink of an eye. The Nine Yin Sect followers roared and also rushed into the dense forest.

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