A Thousand Years of Elegance Discussed in Laughter (Complete) - Part 2

Volume Two: The Prodigal Son's Passionate Encounters Two Beauties, Chapter One: Overwhelmed with Praise

. "Could it be stolen from somewhere?" Nangong Fengzi interjected with a grin.
"Even if I had the audacity of the heavens, I wouldn't dare offer 'stolen goods' as a gift," Ren Xiaoyao said solemnly, his expression unusually grave. "The *Cultivation Secrets* was originally passed down by my master, and as for the *High Mountains and Flowing Water* musical score, it was entrusted to me by a senior master to bring to the Central Plains."
"Since it was entrusted to you, how could you so easily give it to me?" Nangong Fengzi's beautiful eyes dimmed, and she lowered her head, speaking softly.
"The senior who entrusted me with the score is advanced in years and knows his life is nearing its end. To prevent 'High Mountains and Flowing Water' from being lost, he specifically asked me to bring it to the Central Plains and give it to a connoisseur who is well-versed in music theory." Ren Xiaoyao emphasized the word "connoisseur." "Sister Fengyi is exceptionally intelligent and kind-hearted, proficient in all six arts, and her zither playing is superb. She is the best candidate to inherit the score."
"Thank you, Young Master Ren." Nangong Fengyi, realizing the depth of Ren Xiaoyao's intentions, bowed gracefully, her eyes sparkling with captivating light.
"Sister, sister, don't be too happy." Nangong Fengzi clapped her hands and giggled. "Brother Xiaoyao has taken advantage of you quite a bit."
"Not at all—" Nangong Fengyi retorted slightly.
"Hmph, of course I have." Nangong Fengzi clearly wanted to put on a stern face, but then couldn't help laughing so hard she was shaking. She gasped, "Since last night, I've called you 'Sister Fengyi,' 'Sister Fengyi,' dozens of times, but you've still been calling me 'Young Master Ren,' 'Young Master Ren.' Aren't you suffering a great loss?"
"Oh dear, don't say that." Nangong Fengyi's face quickly flushed red as she scolded.
"Good sister, hurry up and call me 'Brother Xiaoyao' a few times, and get your advantage back." Nangong Fengzi made a playful expression as if she were exclaiming "Oh my god," and said with a coquettish laugh. Ren Xiaoyao also seized the opportunity, gazing deeply at Nangong Fengyi's incomparably beautiful face.
"Brother Ren... Brother Ren." Nangong Fengyi's cheeks were burning red, and she lowered her head shyly. After a long while, she finally managed to squeeze out three words as soft as a mosquito's buzz. Although this form of address was not as ambiguous as "Brother Xiaoyao," it was much more intimate than the original "Young Master Ren."
Nangong Fengzi smiled sweetly, her beauty captivating, and said happily, "Brother Xiaoyao, my sister has never addressed any other man like that before."
Ren Xiaoyao looked flattered and said with feeling, "I am truly blessed to receive such kindness from Sister Fengyi."
"Brother Ren, let me play a piece of 'High Mountains and Flowing Water' for you," Nangong Fengyi said softly and joyfully.
"That's exactly what I was thinking," Ren Xiaoyao said with great interest.
"Okay, sister, it's been a few days since I've heard you play the zither," Nangong Fengzi said with a coquettish smile.
"I'll go get the zither, please wait a moment," Nangong Fengyi said with a gentle smile, turning to leave.
"Sister Fengzi, where are your and Sister Fengyi's maids?" Ren Xiaoyao asked quietly. There were at least several hundred maids and servants in Tingyu Pavilion, but he hadn't seen a single one even after visiting Shenxian Youzhu twice, which made him quite curious.
“My sister said she was afraid of being tainted by their vulgarity, so she insisted on not being served. As for me…” Nangong Fengzi said, a sly look appearing on her face, and she chuckled, “Hehe, they’re nearly killed by my traps and mechanisms every day. They’re scared and go home before 7 PM.”
“Aren’t they afraid of your father’s punishment?” Ren Xiaoyao chuckled.
“No way!” Nangong Fengzi lightly stamped her foot and pouted, “Father wishes these people would ignore me.”
“Why?” Ren Xiaoyao asked, puzzled.
“Father said I’m too naughty. If the servants are with me all the time, I won’t be able to shake my willful and playful habits, and I won’t be able to get married.” Nangong Fengzi was innocent and naive, completely without guile, even telling Ren Xiaoyao such a private matter.
“No, I think you’re quite cute. There’s no need to change.” Ren Xiaoyao said softly.
“Really?” Nangong Fengzi opened her beautiful eyes wide and said happily.
“Of course, why would I lie to you?” Ren Xiaoyao said sincerely.
“Then… then do you like it?” Nangong Fengyi closed her beautiful eyes and murmured softly as if in a dream.
“This…” Ren Xiaoyao never expected her to be so direct, and was momentarily stunned, not knowing how to answer.
“What are you talking about?” Just as things were getting awkward, Nangong Fengyi strolled into the room carrying a zither with a scorched tail.
“We were talking about you.” Ren Xiaoyao answered quickly.
“Me?” Nangong Fengyi sat comfortably in a corner, a joyful smile on her face.
“Yes, we were talking about why you’ve been gone for so long and haven’t come back yet.” Ren Xiaoyao chuckled.
“They’ve gone to exchange their zithers. ‘High Mountains and Flowing Water’ is a masterpiece, and an ordinary zither cannot play it.” Nangong Fengyi turned her gaze to the zither in her arms and said solemnly, “This ‘Wen Guang San Zhao’ zither was passed down from the late Sui and early Tang dynasties. Although it is not as precious as the ‘Yang Xue Ning Shuang’ zither, it is still no ordinary piece. I think it can be used.”
Before she finished speaking, a series of pearl-like sounds rang out. Nangong Fengyi’s starry eyes were half-closed, and her ten fingers each performed their function. Her jade-like hands, like spring onions, moved back and forth, and faint, dreamlike music gradually emanated from the seven strings, forming a supreme melody that then blended into the surroundings. Ren Xiaoyao felt completely comfortable and warm, as if bathed in a spring breeze, as if he were in a deep valley, his body and mind cleansed.
The melody gradually intensified, the notes swirling and rising and falling like a dragon soaring through the heavens, traversing mountains and peaks, vanishing in an instant, yet the echoing sound lingered.
Suddenly, the dragon reappeared, swooping down from the sky, stirring up clouds, the melody rising with it, surging and shifting, each note higher than the last. At its climax, a thunderous crash resounded—clang—the string snapped, all sound fading away.
"Wh...what happened, sister?" Nangong Fengzi asked, utterly shocked, like a bird falling from the sky, her voice utterly lost.
“Strange, this sheet music is really strange.” Nangong Fengyi frowned and sighed softly. “Although ‘High Mountains and Flowing Water’ has its own unique style and rhythm, I should be able to play it with my skill. But… but just now, when the melody rose, I don’t know why my mind became so agitated that I couldn’t control myself and accidentally broke a string.”
“That doesn’t make sense. When that senior gave me the sheet music, he didn’t mention this part.” Ren Xiaoyao tried hard to recall the situation when he left Coconut Island and muttered to himself.
“Music comes from the mind, and the zither is the voice of the heart.” Nangong Fengyi returned to her usual calm demeanor and said solemnly, “I have never had an experience similar to Yu Boya’s, so not only can I not understand the profound meaning of ‘To have a true friend in life, what more could one ask for?’ in the sheet music, I am instead controlled by the sound of the zither.”
“So it’s impossible to hear the whole ‘High Mountains and Flowing Water’?” Ren Xiaoyao scrutinized her for a long time and said with regret.
"It's possible, it's impossible; it's impossible, it's possible." Nangong Fengyi shrugged her fragrant shoulders, her charming demeanor unintentionally becoming even more alluring, and smiled faintly.
"What do you mean?" Ren Xiaoyao asked, his brows furrowed.
"The Listening Rain Treasure, Yangxue Ning Shuang." A sly smile played on Nangong Fengyi's lips as she gave him a reproachful look, as if to say, "I knew you'd ask this," and sighed softly.
"Yangxue Ning Shuang Qin! Yes!" Nangong Fengyi's beautiful eyes brightened, and she exclaimed joyfully.
"The base of this zither is made of thousand-year-old cold jade, which is icy cold and refreshing, and has the effect of calming the mind and dispelling evil thoughts. The strings are made of the finest Tianshan snow silkworm silk, which is extremely tough and difficult to break with normal force. It is most suitable for playing 'High Mountains and Flowing Water', but..." At this point, Nangong Fengyi glanced at Ren Xiaoyao with her captivating eyes, slightly reproachful, and said reproachfully, "Father knew that you would come to Tingyuxuan to steal the treasure, so he took the zither from me a few days ago. I don't know where he hid it. It is probably impossible to get it back."
"Brother Xiaoyao, it's all your fault!" Nangong Fengzi said with a disgruntled expression, "The Yangxue Ningshuang Qin is my sister's favorite thing, but you insisted on stealing it! I won't stand for it—I won't stand for it—!" With that, she lightly pounded Ren Xiaoyao's chest with her two small fists.
Having seen the Nangong sisters, Ren Xiaoyao had long forgotten about the theft. Hearing this, he laughed loudly, "Okay, okay, okay, brother promises you, I will never touch the Yangxue Ningshuang Qin again."
"Really? You can't lie to me!" Nangong Fengzi pouted, her voice sweet and pouty.
Ren Xiaoyao tried to pull his gaze away from her soft, delicate body and said loudly, "A man's word is his bond..."
"A promise is a promise!" Nangong Fengzi interrupted with a sweet, innocent smile.
"Sister Fengyi, don't worry." Ren Xiaoyao looked directly at Nangong Fengyi, his eyes filled with remorse, and said softly, "I will definitely find a way to persuade Sect Leader Nangong to return the Yangxue Ningshuang Qin." After saying that, he stood up, flew out, and instantly disappeared into the hazy night.
"Sister, guess what method Brother Xiaoyao will use?" Nangong Fengzi asked casually.
"I can't say for sure, but..." Nangong Fengyi stared intently at Ren Xiaoyao's blurry figure outside the window, her eyes filled with a complex and unfathomable expression, and murmured to herself, "But I believe Brother Ren will definitely succeed."

Volume Two: The Prodigal Son Moves Two Beauties Chapter Two: A Beautiful Guest Arrives

The next day at dawn, the two sisters had just finished their breakfast when a series of urgent knocks sounded at the door.
"Who is it? It's so noisy, come in." Nangong Fengzi frowned slightly and scolded in a low voice.
"Young Miss, Second Miss, Master wants you to go to the main hall of the Forget-Worry Pavilion." A maid in green entered and said respectfully.
"Zhilan, does Master want to see us?" Nangong Fengyi asked softly, slightly surprised.
"This servant...this servant doesn't know." Zhilan answered timidly.
"Father really wants us to go to the main hall?" Nangong Fengzi questioned, "If you dare to report this carelessly, see how I deal with you." Nangong Bubai doted on his daughters, and even if there was something important, he would usually go to the Immortal's Abode himself, rarely sending someone to invite them. "
Sister, don't frighten her." Nangong Fengyi gave her younger sister a look to stop her and whispered, "Zhilan, have we had guests?" "
Zhilan is Nangong Fengzi's personal maid. She's timid and weak-willed, often teased and tormented by her master in various ways. Seeing Nangong Fengzi's displeasure, she trembled with fear. Only thanks to Nangong Fengyi's gentle comforting words did she cautiously reply, 'Hmm, it seems...it seems so.'
'Perhaps Father wants us to go out and meet guests,' Nangong Fengyi said thoughtfully.
'No, Father knows you prefer peace and quiet. He wouldn't allow outsiders to bother you so easily. It's more likely he'd call me alone—Zhilan, you didn't hear wrong, did you?' Nangong Fengzi pondered for a moment, then asked doubtfully.
'Zhilan wouldn't dare. The head steward personally instructed me, and I even repeated it to his face,' Zhilan said honestly.
'Uncle Wushang is always reliable; he wouldn't misunderstand Father's intentions. We should still go,' Nangong Fengyi said quietly.
'Well then, let's go.'" "Nangong Fengzi stood up and said.
"Wait, Second Miss." Zhilan quickly said, "Master said you should dress up nicely before going."
"I know, go back and tell Father we'll be there soon." Nangong Fengzi waved her hand impatiently, signaling Zhilan to leave.
"Yes." Zhilan dared not disobey and quickly left.
"It seems the guests are quite important." Nangong Fengyi stretched lazily and smiled.
"Could they be people from Yaoyue Tower, Fengming Pavilion, or Shenhuo Hall coming to propose marriage?" Nangong Fengzi guessed. The four great families have a tradition of intermarriage, firstly to ensure social standing, and secondly to strengthen their ties and consolidate their power. Murong Ruorong, the wife of Nangong Bubai and the mother of the two sisters, is the younger sister of Murong Tianfeng, the owner of Yaoyue Tower.
"We can't really say who they are, let's see when we get there." "Nangong Fengyi chuckled.
So, the two sisters went back to their rooms, dressed themselves up in their finest attire, adorned with jewels, and walked out the door hand in hand.
Along the way, Nangong Fengzi skipped and hopped, laughing and chatting, seemingly oblivious to the matter, but a hint of worry flickered in Nangong Fengyi's eyes. Marriage was a matter of parental consent and matchmaker's word; if her father made a mistake and gave her to someone else, how could she face the "him" in her heart ?
"Eldest Miss, Second Miss, you've arrived." Before they even reached the hall, Zhuge Wenjie, dressed in a scholar's robe and fan, greeted them with a smile.
"Uncle Zhuge, have we had guests?" Nangong Fengyi inquired with concern.
"Yes, they just arrived this morning," Zhuge Wenjie replied casually.
"How many people?" Nangong Fengyi asked again.
"Just one," Zhuge Wenjie said indifferently.
"Then why did Father send us here..." Nangong Fengyi pressed.
"That person wants to see you." "Zhuge Wenjie said slowly, word by word.
"Sister, let's go in." Nangong Fengzi pouted, becoming somewhat impatient.
"Don't rush, ask clearly first." Nangong Fengyi took a half step forward, took Zhuge Wenjie's arm, and whispered, "Uncle Zhuge, is he from one of the four great families?"
"Hahaha, don't worry, the sect leader can't bear to see you marry." Zhuge Wenjie was incredibly clever and immediately saw through her thoughts, chuckling.
"Is he a close friend?" The weight on Nangong Fengyi's heart finally lifted, and she asked again.
"No." Zhuge Wenjie smiled mysteriously.
"Then who is it?" Nangong Fengyi was completely confused and asked impatiently. She really couldn't guess who had such influence that her father would invite her and her sister out to meet him.
"He is a renowned young hero in the martial arts world." "Zhuge Wenjie was in high spirits and laughed heartily, "Second Miss, she must have wanted to see him for a long time. As for Eldest Miss... hehe, I dare not guess."
"A stranger? I won't see him. It's better to go back." Nangong Fengyi's eyes shone with indifference as she muttered to herself.
"Fengyi, Fengzi, come in! The guests are getting impatient." She turned to leave, but Nangong Bubai's voice rang in her ears.
"Sister, let's go." Nangong Fengzi grabbed Nangong Fengyi and pulled her towards the hall without saying a word.
"It's...it's you." Before even stepping across the threshold, Nangong Fengyi heard her younger sister's shout, a mixture of joy, surprise, and excitement. Then, a handsome, imposing face came into view—none other than the chivalrous thief Ren Xiaoyao she had been longing to see.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
After leaving Tingyu Pavilion, Ren Xiaoyao kept thinking about Nangong Fengyi, wondering how to get Nangong Bubai to return the Yangxue Ningshuang Qin to his daughter. But no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't find a good method.
"Sect Leader Nangong took the qin simply to prevent me from stealing the treasure. If I send him a note saying I'm giving up the challenge to Tingyu Pavilion…"
"No, Zhuge Wenjie is too shrewd. He'll definitely think I'm using a feigned retreat to try and find out the treasure's location."
"Or maybe I could try exchanging the qin for something like the Nine Dragons Contending for the Cauldron Cup or Crimson Jade Blood Coral?" “
Absolutely not! Like ginger and cinnamon, which only become spicier with age, how could Nangong Bubai, as the head of one of the four great families, risk ruining his reputation to make such a deal with me?”
“Or perhaps reveal Master’s name…”
“That won’t work either. If Senior Sister finds out, she’ll tear me apart.”
"What to do... what to do..."
In his moment of despair, a sudden inspiration struck him: "I've got it! I might as well do a favor and return the items from Yaoyue Tower, Fengming Pavilion, and Shenhuo Hall to Tingyu Pavilion."
"Yes, Nangong Bubai will be overjoyed to have retrieved the treasures so easily. He'll have no choice but to hand over the Yangxue Ningshuang Qin."
"Yes, yes, yes, that's the way to do it. I don't want to make enemies with the four great families for life."
The next day, Ren Xiaoyao, dressed in military attire, headed straight for Tingyu Pavilion with three rare treasures.

Volume Two: The Prodigal Son's Affection Moves Two Beauties Chapter Three: Three Visits to Tingyu

Pavilion "May I ask, brother, what brings you to Tingyu Pavilion?" Several guards called out loudly as they reached the gate. Unlike the arrogance of ordinary wealthy families, their words and actions were extremely humble.
Ren Xiaoyao smiled slightly, cupped his hands, and said, "Please inform Sect Leader Nangong that I have important matters to discuss with him in person."
The guards exchanged glances; Nangong Bubai, the richest man in the land, was not someone easily met.
Ren Xiaoyao seemed to have anticipated their response, deliberately feigning mystery, and leaned closer, saying, "This matter is of utmost importance and cannot be delayed in the slightest."
The guards smiled at each other, and a long-bearded man who appeared to be the captain stepped forward, pulled Ren Xiaoyao to his side, and whispered, "To be honest, brother, the thief Ren Xiaoyao has his eye on our Tingyu Pavilion and will be coming to steal our treasure in a few days. We must put aside all other matters and focus all our efforts on dealing with him."
"I have come today precisely for this matter," Ren Xiaoyao laughed.
"Oh!" The long-bearded man was greatly surprised and exclaimed, "May I ask your name, brother?"
"Hehe, my humble name is not worth mentioning. Please inform him for me," Ren Xiaoyao said seriously.
“I’ll give it a try, please wait a moment.” Hearing that the matter involved the chivalrous thief, the long-bearded man dared not delay. After a moment’s thought, he turned and went inside. A short while later, a man followed him out. Ren Xiaoyao stared intently, then inwardly cried out in dismay—it was Zhuge Wenjie!
“Hahaha, so it’s ‘Reincarnated Zhuge Liang,’ Mr. Zhuge! I’ve heard so much about you.” Ren Xiaoyao knew he was a master strategist, full of brilliant ideas, so he had no choice but to speak first.
Zhuge Wenjie was also startled when the other man recognized him so quickly. Although he was renowned in the martial world, few knew his appearance. It was truly remarkable that this young man, only seventeen or eighteen, could recognize him at a glance. So he
clasped his hands and said, "Young hero, you have a good eye. I admire you. May I ask your name?" Ren Xiaoyao dared not let him ask any questions, fearing that he would be exposed before he could answer. He hurriedly said, "I am just an unknown nobody in the martial world. As for my name... let's not mention it."
Zhuge Wenjie smiled calmly and stared at him, saying, "I heard that you came to Tingyu Pavilion because of a major matter concerning Ren Xiaoyao. I wonder if you could tell me about it so I can pass it on to you."
"If this matter only concerns the thief, then telling you is fine, sir. However..." Ren Xiaoyao's eyes shone brightly, and he said with each word firm and powerful, "However, the reputation and prestige of the three families, Yaoyue Tower, Fengming Pavilion, and Shenhuo Hall, as well as Tingyu Pavilion's leadership position among the four great families, are all closely related to this. I must personally present it to Sect Leader Nangong." The implication was that even if Zhuge Wenjie heard it
, he would not be able to make a decision. "Is what you say true, young hero?" Zhuge Wenjie asked solemnly with a serious expression.
“Even if I had the audacity of the heavens, I wouldn’t dare to dabble in Tingyu Pavilion,” Ren Xiaoyao said in a low voice with a smile.
“In that case, young hero, please—” Zhuge Wenjie said decisively, seeing that he was composed and not feigning.
On his previous two visits to the manor, Ren Xiaoyao had walked through Xunyou and Cuiwei Gardens, but this time Zhuge Wenjie led the way, heading directly from Yanxia Garden to the inner residence. Compared to the tranquil East Garden and the rich and secluded South Garden, the North Garden had a unique atmosphere of interplay between reality and illusion, and a majestic and imposing presence. The ingenuity of Husong Pavilion, the openness of Shuxiao Pavilion, and the beauty of Yunqi Tower were all breathtaking.
After a short while, the two finally arrived at Wangyou Pavilion. Zhuge Wenjie gestured for Ren Xiaoyao to wait outside while he went into the hall to announce their arrival. Taking advantage of this brief respite, Ren Xiaoyao glanced around, noticing that even in daylight, the security nearby was extremely tight. The guards were serious, each performing their duties without the slightest slackening, their movements and positions orderly and disciplined. He couldn't help but secretly admire Zhuge Wenjie's effective management.
"Young hero, the sect leader invites you in." Just then, Nangong Tiankuo came out of the hall and beckoned him inside.
Ren Xiaoyao gave a slight bow and stepped into the Forget-Worry Pavilion. Sure enough, he saw Nangong Bubai, his face serious, sitting in the main seat, while Zhuge Wenjie stood by, gently waving his feather fan, a smile still on his face.
"This junior greets Sect Leader Nangong," Ren Xiaoyao said with a deep bow, neither humble nor arrogant.
"Young hero, there's no need for such formality. Please sit," Nangong Bubai nodded.
Ren Xiaoyao took his seat as instructed, and was about to speak when Nangong Bubai said, "I've heard that you've come here with a matter of great importance concerning the rise and fall of the four great families. Could you elaborate?" "
Indeed." A confident smile appeared on Ren Xiaoyao's lips as he said loudly, "If the sect leader is willing, I can not only help Tingyuxuan protect the Yangxue Ningshuang Qin, but I can even retrieve the other three treasures." "
Really?" Nangong Bubai asked, moved. Protecting their own treasures was certainly within Tingyuxuan's capabilities, but even Zhuge Wenjie was helpless in retrieving the Nine Dragons Contending for the Cauldron Cup, the Crimson Jade Coral, and the Azure Night Hairpin.
"Absolutely true!" Ren Xiaoyao said decisively.
"I would like to hear the details." Nangong Bubai stood tall and imposing, his tiger-like eyes gleaming, staring intently at Ren Xiaoyao, and said solemnly.
"Hehe, Sect Master is the most shrewd businessman in the world, naturally he knows that you can't afford to lose money in business." Ren Xiaoyao suddenly sat up straight, cupped his hands and smiled, "Since the 'goods' in my hands are up for sale, please..."
"If you want them, just say so." Nangong Bubai said with interest.
"As long as Sect Master agrees to my three conditions, I will immediately present the whole matter to you." Ren Xiaoyao said in a firm and proud tone.
"What conditions?" Nangong Bubai regained his composure and said in a deep voice.
"Sect Master, please agree first, then I can talk." Ren Xiaoyao smiled slightly and bargained.
"Outrageous! What do you think Tingyu Pavilion is, that you would..." Nangong Tiankuo scolded.
"Tiankuo, shut up." Nangong Bubai waved his hand, met Ren Xiaoyao's confident gaze, and asked directly, "If I agree, will the Nine Dragons Contending for the Cauldron Cup, the Crimson Jade Blood Coral and the Azure Night Hairpin be found?"
"Yes!" Ren Xiaoyao answered without hesitation and solemnly.
"Alright, I agree." Nangong Bubai let out a long sigh, as if he had made a great decision, and said in a deep voice.
"The first thing..." Ren Xiaoyao took a sip of fragrant tea and said slowly.
"Wait!" Zhuge Wenjie interrupted.
"What advice do you have for me, sir?" Ren Xiaoyao stopped talking and said with a wry smile. The pressure increased dramatically as soon as Zhuge Wenjie spoke, and his original confidence immediately wavered.
"Since you've made a offer, young hero, you should allow us to negotiate back a little." Zhuge Wenjie showed a tempted look and sighed, "When you say you can find the treasure, do you mean you'll tell us how to find it, or will you help us find it?"
"Is there a difference?" Ren Xiaoyao said calmly, without showing any emotion.
"Yes, of course." Zhuge Wenjie stared intently at Ren Xiaoyao, his gaze sharp and intimidating. He said in a deep voice, "If you only agree to 'tell' us how to get it, we can simply say 'capture Ren Xiaoyao' and that will be it. But if you agree to help us find it, it will only count once the treasure is handed over to the sect leader."
"Haha, Mr. Zhuge, rest assured, as long as Sect Leader Nangong nods, I will present the treasure with both hands within half an hour." Ren Xiaoyao secretly praised Zhuge Wenjie's sharp words and said solemnly.
"Young hero, are you really confident?" Nangong Bubai still had doubts and questioned.
"Sect Leader, rest assured, I dare not cause trouble at Tingyu Pavilion." Ren Xiaoyao pretended to hesitate.
"Ren Xiaoyao's whereabouts are mysterious, he comes and goes without a trace, I'm afraid..." Zhuge Wenjie deliberately tried to get information out of him, and stopped halfway through his sentence.
"Mr. Zhuge, rest assured, I know very well about the thief's affairs." Ren Xiaoyao said, but thought to himself: Anyway, I'm revealing my identity, it doesn't matter if you guess it.
"Young hero, are you a friend of Ren Xiaoyao?" Zhuge Wenjie's eyes flickered, and he asked seriously.
"No." Ren Xiaoyao said calmly.
"Then... is he his enemy?" Zhuge Wenjie showed a cunning and hateful smile and continued to speculate.
"Not at all." Ren Xiaoyao replied with a smile.
"Neither friend nor foe, yet he knows him so well—it can only be Ren Xiaoyao himself," Zhuge Wenjie said confidently, his voice ringing out. "Am I right, the Thief?" "Mr. Zhuge

is indeed remarkable

; I admire him greatly," Ren Xiaoyao exclaimed. "
Likewise," the two exchanged a knowing smile, feeling a sense of regret for not having met sooner.
"Hahaha, hahaha!" Nangong Bubai laughed heartily, "I never imagined that the Thief Ren Xiaoyao, who has rendered the Inviting Moon Pavilion, Phoenix Cry Pavilion, and Divine Fire Hall helpless, is actually a young hero like yourself, not yet twenty. New talents emerge in every generation, replacing the old—good! good! good!" Facing an "opponent" whom his entire family had been on guard against day and night, he remained calm and composed, chatting and laughing—Nangong Bubai truly possessed the magnanimity of a regional overlord.
Ren Xiaoyao strode forward, bowed again, and said, "This junior is new to the world and ignorant of the immensity of the world. I have recklessly offended the four great families. I hope Sect Leader Nangong will forgive me." He was impressed by Nangong Bubai's composed demeanor and elegant manner, so different from Murong Tianfeng, Situ Changkong, and the others.
"Young hero, please rise quickly. This old man dares not accept such praise." Nangong Bubai rose from his seat and helped Ren Xiaoyao up.
"Young hero, what is the purpose of your trip? Please tell me." Zhuge Wenjie chuckled.
"I have no other intention than to take this opportunity to make peace with the four great families." Ren Xiaoyao explained frankly.
"But you refuse to return the treasure directly, so you concealed your identity and asked the sect leader to grant you three conditions, is that right?" Zhuge Wenjie said in a deep voice.
"That's right. If I had said I was Ren Xiaoyao from the beginning, I'm afraid I would have been thrown out before I even entered the door." Ren Xiaoyao chuckled.
"May I ask, Young Hero Ren, where are the Nine Dragons Contending for the Cauldron Cup, the Crimson Jade Coral, and the Azure Night Hairpin?" Nangong Bubai asked with a smile.
"Far away, yet right before your eyes." Ren Xiaoyao replied calmly, untying the cloth bag from his shoulder and slowly opening it, revealing three large red brocade boxes.
"Indeed, these are the family heirlooms of the Inviting Moon Pavilion, the Phoenix Cry Pavilion, and the Divine Fire Hall." Nangong Bubai examined them briefly, his expression solemn.
"Sect Leader Nangong, now you should believe me, right?" Ren Xiaoyao said with a smile.
"Of course...of course..." Nangong Bubai suppressed his excitement, his eyes gleaming, and replied happily. Now that Ren Xiaoyao had returned the treasures, he could finally give his old friends a satisfactory answer, lest he delay any longer and damage the reputation of Tingyuxuan, the head of the four great families.
"Young Hero Ren, our Sect Leader is a man of his word. You may speak freely about your requests, but..." Zhuge Wenjie paused intentionally, his eyes glancing at Nangong Bubai.
"Everything is up to Mr. Zhuge," Nangong Bubai nodded decisively, showing absolute trust in his "chief strategist."
"Please speak, Mr. Zhuge," Ren Xiaoyao said calmly.
"These three requirements: first, nothing immoral; second, nothing against the code of the martial world; third, no exorbitant prices. What do you think, young hero?" Zhuge Wenjie stroked his long beard, his tone surprisingly calm as he spoke slowly.
"No problem," Ren Xiaoyao nodded.
"In that case, young hero, please speak. Whatever is within the power of Tingyu Pavilion, I will grant," Nangong Bubai said, his eyes sharpening, his expression extremely serious.
"Sect Master is indeed straightforward." Ren Xiaoyao leaned back in his chair proudly and said loudly, "First, I would like to ask Tingyuxuan to step in and resolve the long-standing grudges between me and Yaoyuelou, Fengmingge, and Shenhuotang, and at the same time, to apologize to the three Sect Masters, Murong Tianfeng and Shangguan Qingyun, on my behalf."
Seeing his humility, not only returning the treasure but also trying to ask him to mediate, Nangong Bubai felt his blood boil and said, "Young Hero Ren, you can rest assured. As the Sect Master of Tingyuxuan, the head of the four great families, I assure you: from now on, we will let bygones be bygones, and the theft of the treasure will be wiped clean."
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes shone brightly, and then he said, "Second, hehe, among the treasures of the four great families, I have not seen the Yangxue Ningshuang Qin, which your family calls a 'rare treasure in the world.' I wonder if the Sect Master could send someone to retrieve it so that I can broaden my horizons?"
"No!" Before Nangong Bubai could answer, Nangong Tiankuo said sternly.
Ren Xiaoyao smiled slightly, seemingly seeing through everyone's concerns, and declared, "Just bring it to the center of the hall, and I'll just take a look. I won't touch it."
"Sir, thank you for your trouble," Nangong Bubai said, looking at Zhuge Wenjie. Since it was in the Forget-Worry Pavilion anyway, it wouldn't hurt to let Ren Xiaoyao admire it. Did he think he'd forcefully take it and escape with the zither?
"Yes," Zhuge Wenjie nodded in agreement, walking straight to the center of the hall. He bent down, lifted a marble slab at the foot of the floor, and took out a four-foot-long brocade box, casually placing it on the table.
"What a 'reincarnation of Zhuge Liang'! Hiding such a treasure in such a prominent place is truly unexpected," Ren Xiaoyao thought to himself, secretly praising.
"Young Master Ren, this is the Yangxue Ningshuang Zither," Nangong Bubai announced loudly, his expression as calm as if Mount Tai had collapsed before him.
The brocade box slowly opened, and a seven-colored, dazzling light shot into the sky, revealing the Yangxue Ningshuang Qin (Sun Snow Frost Zither) in its unique and magnificent form before Ren Xiaoyao. The jade base was crystal clear and exquisitely beautiful, emanating a cool, refreshing aura. The seven strings—Gong, Shang, Jiao, Zhi, Yu, Bianzhi, and Biangong—were arranged in a dignified order from bottom to top, seemingly embodying the grandeur, solemnity, and righteous spirit of heaven and earth.
Ren Xiaoyao composed himself, cupped his hands, and praised, "A fine zither, a fine zither! It surpasses even the Nine Dragons Contending for the Cauldron Cup, the Crimson Jade Blood Coral, and the Azure Night Hairpin Fruit."
Nangong Bubai laughed heartily and tentatively asked, "Young Master Ren, if you are interested, why not take it back and play with it for a few days?"
"Such rare treasures belong only to the virtuous; how could a junior dare to presume to possess them?" Ren Xiaoyao smiled slightly and said calmly. On the surface, it appeared to be self-deprecation, but in reality, he was secretly praising Nangong Bubai's generosity, magnanimity, and trustworthiness.
"Young Master Ren, this third condition... hehe, let's finish it today to avoid future troubles," Zhuge Wenjie laughed.
Ren Xiaoyao remained silent for a while, then suddenly raised his handsome head and said seriously, "Tingyu Pavilion is incredibly wealthy, richer than a country, as everyone in the world knows..." He paused deliberately.
"Hehe, if the thief wants silver to help the poor, he might as well speak frankly. Tingyu Pavilion can afford a hundred thousand or two hundred thousand," Nangong Bubai said calmly. He changed his nickname to Ren Xiaoyao, clearly with a deeper meaning.
"Sect Master misunderstands, that's not what I meant," Ren Xiaoyao chuckled, then continued, "It's rumored in the martial world that Tingyu Pavilion's most precious possession is not the Yangxue Ningshuang Qin, nor the million gold in its treasury, but the Sect Master's two daughters, who are as beautiful as fish and geese, and have the beauty of a queen." "
Young Master Ren means..." Zhuge Wenjie's sharp eyes shone with unfathomable wisdom as he asked with a smile.
"A fair maiden is the object of a gentleman's affection. This junior wishes to invite the two young ladies to meet me, to fulfill my long-cherished wish." Ren Xiaoyao's handsome face revealed a longing expression as he bowed deeply. "
A hero in his prime, his chivalrous name resounds throughout the nine cities, his sword roams the four seas, his elegance is known throughout the world. Good! Good!! Good!!!" Nangong Bubai laughed heartily, unexpectedly blurting out without thinking, "Tiankuo, let Wushang invite the two young ladies." Seeing Ren Xiaoyao's handsome face and dashing spirit, he was truly a handsome young man one in a thousand, and his heart was filled with joy rather than anger, almost losing his composure.
"Sect Master, this..." Nangong Tiankuo hesitated. Nangong Fengyi and Nangong Fengzi were the apples of their family's eye, cherished and protected, how could they allow outsiders to meet them so easily? Moreover, whether Ren Xiaoyao was friend or foe was still unclear. If something went wrong later, wouldn't the Sect Master and Madam regret it for the rest of their lives?
"Go," Zhuge Wenjie nodded slightly, indicating. His sharp eyes and keen insight had long since revealed Nangong Bubai's intention to have Ren Xiaoyao marry into his family; otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed so readily.
"Yes," Nangong Tiankuo replied, though puzzled. Seeing that the usually composed Zhuge Wenjie didn't object, he had no choice but to comply.
It was important to understand that Nangong Bubai had no children. The husbands of Nangong Fengyi and Nangong Fengzi were highly likely to become the owners of Tingyuxuan, inheriting their immense wealth. While Yaoyuelou, Fengmingge, and Shenhuotang certainly had many talented young men, none could compare to the exceptionally skilled, virtuous, well-educated, and humble thief Ren Xiaoyao.
For years, Nangong Bubai had painstakingly searched for a suitable son-in-law, and today he had finally found Ren Xiaoyao. Before his joy had even subsided, Ren Xiaoyao had offered himself up—truly a son-in-law delivered to his doorstep; he couldn't refuse.
"Wait!" Before Nangong Tiankuo could even leave, Nangong Bubai called out to him again, adding loudly, "Remember, have Fengyi and Fengzi get ready before they come."
"Yes." Half an hour

passed in the blink of an eye

, and the two sisters still hadn't appeared. Nangong Bubai seemed a little embarrassed, but Ren Xiaoyao wasn't in a hurry. Fengyi and Fengzi were in their prime; they would definitely get ready quickly—a woman's grooming time always increased with age.
As Ren Xiaoyao expected, the two didn't spend much time changing and dressing, and it only took them the time it takes to drink a cup of tea to get to the main hall. However, Nangong Wushang didn't understand Nangong Bubai's intention and only sent a maid to invite the young ladies. When Nangong Fengyi and Nangong Fengzi inquired, it naturally delayed them considerably.
Soon, light footsteps sounded outside the hall. Nangong Bubai winked at Zhuge Wenjie and said casually, "Sir, please greet the young ladies." He was afraid that after his daughters met Ren Xiaoyao, Fengzi would chatter incessantly, asking all sorts of questions, while Fengyi would remain cold and silent, creating an awkward situation. So he went ahead to greet them.
Zhuge Wenjie was worried about this, and upon hearing this, he quickly got up and went out. After a while, estimating that he had finished his instructions, Nangong Bubai called out, "Fengyi, Fengzi, come in! The guests are getting impatient."
"It's...it's you." As soon as she entered, Nangong Fengzi exclaimed in surprise.
"Brother Ren!" Nangong Fengyi, who followed closely behind, was also taken aback. Although the sisters' voices were not loud, Nangong Bubai's inner strength was profound, and Zhuge Wenjie was very close, so they both heard clearly.
"What, they already know each other?" Nangong Bubai was secretly alarmed.
"That's not right. The two young ladies haven't gone out for months. This..." Zhuge Wenjie was also completely baffled.
Seeing the strange expressions on their faces, Ren Xiaoyao quickly stood up, bowed deeply, and confessed, "This junior has met the two young ladies several times, but I was too rushed to inform them just now. I hope the sect leader will forgive me."
Nangong Bubai was not offended. Instead, he smiled slightly, then turned to the side, looked intently at his two daughters, and asked softly, "Fengyi, Fengzi, when did you two become acquainted with Young Hero Ren? Why didn't you tell your father?"
Nangong Fengyi lowered her head shyly, and a blush quickly rose on her two fair cheeks. She stammered, "Father... I..." Before she could finish speaking, her voice was already barely audible.
Nangong Fengzi revealed a playful and charming little girl expression, rolled her beautiful eyes at Ren Xiaoyao's alluring gaze, and said in a coquettish voice, "Daddy, it's these next two days."
"Which days exactly?" Nangong Bubai's body trembled slightly as he pressed for an answer. Nangong Fengyi had never blushed before, and Nangong Fengzi had never gazed at a man like this since she was old enough to understand.
"Yesterday and the day before yesterday, in the evening." Two blushes rose on Nangong Fengzi's delicate cheeks, making her even more beautiful, and she stamped her foot in annoyance.
"Fengyi, is it true?" Nangong Bubai still couldn't believe it and asked again.
"Um...Daddy." Nangong Fengyi lowered her head even further, and after a long while, she answered softly.
"Hahaha, hahaha." Just when Ren Xiaoyao thought Nangong Bubai was about to fly into a rage, this tycoon of the business world unexpectedly laughed wildly, sighing, "What a Ren Xiaoyao! He doesn't touch anything else, but he's stolen the hearts of my two precious daughters. Tingyu Pavilion has really lost big this time."
"Young Master Ren... no, he should be called the dashing thief. I admire him, I admire him." Zhuge Wenjie exclaimed sincerely. His words were a double entendre, both pointing out Ren Xiaoyao's superb lightness skill, which allowed him to sneak into the Immortal Pavilion amidst heavy guards; and subtly praising his dashing and charming demeanor, his skill in seducing women, which had won the hearts of the Nangong sisters in just two days.
"Father... you... you won't blame me, will you?" Nangong Fengzi stood quietly, somewhat embarrassed to speak. Normally, a young lady who had not yet married should absolutely not meet with outsiders easily, let alone "meet in her chambers or have a secret rendezvous at midnight." Although their father, a powerful figure in the martial arts world, didn't care much about worldly rules, Tingyuxuan was still the head of the four great families. His every word and action was a model for prestigious clans. For him to secretly meet with Brother Ren behind their parents' backs was truly… truly damaging to Tingyuxuan's reputation.
"Of course not, alas, daughters grow up and leave home," Nangong Bubai sighed with an air of pride and composure. He already considered Ren Xiaoyao his future son-in-law and desperately wanted Fengyi and Fengzi to be with him. He was overjoyed to hear that the three were already "dating," so how could he be angry?
"Father!" The Nangong sisters exclaimed in unison, even making the usually thick-skinned Ren Xiaoyao a little embarrassed.
"Young Master Ren—" Zhuge Wenjie interjected promptly, breaking the awkward silence, "You've circled around several places, surely not just to catch a glimpse of the Yangxue Ningshuang Qin or to see the two young ladies?"
"Qin!?" Nangong Fengzi finally had a moment to turn her gaze to the table in the center of the hall, her beautiful eyes sparkling with excitement, she exclaimed, "Sister, look, it's the Yangxue Ningshuang Qin!"
"Mm," Nangong Fengyi's delicate body trembled slightly, then blossomed into a genuine and joyful smile—Brother Ren hadn't lied after all, he really had Father bring out the qin.
"Actually..." Ren Xiaoyao dared not conceal the truth and recounted the events of the two nights to Nangong Bubai in detail, finally adding, "Sister Fengyi longs to personally play the ethereal melody of 'High Mountains and Flowing Water,' but because of Xiaoyao, she cannot use the Yangxue Ningshuang Qin. Therefore, I dared to make this request, hoping to fulfill her wish."
"Fengyi, you should thank Young Hero Ren." Nangong Bubai sighed with emotion, "She was willing to exchange the Nine Dragons Contending for the Cauldron Cup, the Crimson Jade Coral, and the Jade Night Hairpin for you."
"Yes, Young Hero Ren's only condition for reconciling with the four great families is that the sect leader bring out the Yangxue Ningshuang Qin; he asks for nothing else." Zhuge Wenjie added opportunely. Although this was somewhat exaggerated, it was extremely reasonable. The so-called three conditions were ultimately just asking Nangong Fengyi to come to the hall and retrieve the qin.
“Brother Ren…” Nangong Fengyi’s breathing suddenly became rapid and heavy, her exquisite and curvaceous breasts rising and falling, extremely alluring. At this moment, she finally realized the depth of Ren Xiaoyao’s feelings, and her long-dormant sense of relief rippled in waves.
"Sister, why don't you play a tune in the Worry-Free Pavilion?" Nangong Fengzi suggested, tilting her beautiful face upwards .
"Mm," Nangong Fengyi replied softly, regaining her usual elegance and poise.
"Tinkling and tinkling," the zither music rang out in succession. Nangong Fengyi sat gracefully on the embroidered couch, displaying an unprecedented frankness and tenderness, and once again played the timeless masterpiece, "High Mountains and Flowing Water." The music flowed forth like a spring, the soft notes on the strings like thousands of birds flitting through a lush forest, one bird flying by in an instant, another appearing in a flash. Nangong Bubai, Zhuge Wenjie, Nangong Fengzi, and Ren Xiaoyao couldn't discern which part was the most exquisite or the most wonderful; they only felt that the gentle, elegant, and melodious tune seemed to carry a subtle fragrance, wandering tenderly in a tranquil and profound atmosphere, leaving them feeling completely relaxed and refreshed. Before long, they reached the spot where the string had broken the night before. The melody rose, becoming increasingly soaring. Nangong Fengyi's delicate brows furrowed slightly, all her worries gone. Her snow-white, slender fingers pressed, plucked, and strummed on the seven strings, skillfully guiding the flow. Sure enough, the melody, seemingly overcoming a predicament, was smoothly passed. Ren Xiaoyao was both surprised and delighted, secretly praising Yang Xue Ning Shuang's masterful playing. The tune gradually became melancholic, like an evening breeze rustling bamboo, or fine rain pattering on duckweed, yet each beat remained clearly audible, like gossamer threads drifting in the air, sometimes broken, sometimes continuous, like pearls leaping, rising and falling. Nangong Fengyi turned the pegs and plucked the strings, following the principles of music. The ethereal sound of the zither, like willows sipping from a lake, danced gracefully, spreading outwards in circles, gently rippling into the hearts of everyone present. A moment later, the melody changed again, first like birdsong in an empty mountain, a cascading waterfall, then like a riot of colors, a hundred flowers blooming, even the roar of tigers and the cry of dragons could not mask its elegance, and the chirping of phoenixes and luan birds could not describe its beauty. At the climax, Zhuge Wenjie was deeply moved and almost exclaimed in praise, but quickly restrained himself. It wasn't that this piece shouldn't be praised, but rather that the timing was wrong; if he spoke, he would surely disrupt this rare and exquisite melody. The "High Mountains and Flowing Water" melody eventually came to an end. Nangong Fengyi turned her hand in an arc, and the lingering sound drifted out, fading away. Though the music ended, its charm and melody still resonated, captivating everyone who listened, almost forgetting where they were. For a long time… a long time… “What a beautiful piece of music, truly a masterpiece.” “Wonderful, wonderful! I’ve roamed the martial world my whole life, and I never imagined I’d have such good fortune in my old age.” “The Yangxue Ningshuang Qin is indispensable, but without Brother Xiaoyao’s gift of the score, and Sister’s superb qin skills, where would we have gotten such luck?” Zhuge Wenjie was the first to recover, exclaiming in amazement; Nangong Bubai and Nangong Fengzi also slowly came to their senses, praising the piece; Nangong Fengyi and Ren Xiaoyao were even more mesmerized, staring intently at the score, refusing to move an inch. “High mountains and flowing water, true friends are hard to find, the four sages are of one heart, inseparable.” After a while, the two recited in unison. It turned out that at the moment the melody ended, they both simultaneously realized the true meaning of 'to have one true friend in life, what more could one ask for?' "Brother Xiaoyao, what are your plans for the future?" Nangong Fengzi asked sweetly, her expression radiating a girlish shyness and innocence that stirred Ren Xiaoyao's heart. "This..." Ren Xiaoyao sighed softly, hesitant. His master had instructed him not to stay in one place for too long, otherwise how could he travel the world and broaden his horizons? But the Nangong sisters' gentleness, thoughtfulness, and charming beauty had firmly bound his ambition; could he really bear to leave like this? "Young Master Ren, you generously returned the treasure and gifted us with such a precious musical score. The entire Tingyu Pavilion is deeply grateful," Nangong Bubai said, patting Ren Xiaoyao's shoulder with a hearty laugh. "After much deliberation, I have no way to repay you, so I can only offer to be your host for a few days, to fulfill my duty as a good host." If Ren Xiaoyao were willing to stay, with his superb skills in recruiting talent, plus his two beautiful daughters, he would surely fall deeply in love and willingly marry into Tingyu Pavilion. "Great! With Brother Xiaoyao staying at home, I won't have to worry about having no one to play with!" Nangong Fengzi exclaimed excitedly, her face flushed. " If Young Master Ren wishes to go out and gain experience, the Qunying Hall has many extraordinary people and heroes from all over. Spending time with them will surely benefit you greatly, and you'll learn just as much as you would in the martial world," Zhuge Wenjie said with a smile. “Yes, Young Master Ren, please stay. I… I have so much to say to you.” Nangong Fengyi’s fragrant lips parted slightly, her voice soft as she gently urged him to stay, her beautiful eyes glancing at him again. That sideways glance was truly captivating, alluring, especially the allure in her eyes, which held a mesmerizing charm that made Ren Xiaoyao’s heart flutter, almost stealing his soul. “In that case, this junior will humbly accept your offer.” Ren Xiaoyao could no longer refuse and replied with a sigh. "Mr. Zhuge, have Wushang take some men to clean up the 'Haotian Pavilion' in Cuiwei Garden and arrange for Young Hero Ren to stay there." Nangong Bubai stood up and ordered, "Also, transfer a few maids from Madam's side, and make sure our distinguished guest is not neglected." "Haotian Pavilion?!" Nangong Fengzi jumped up happily upon hearing this, clapping her hands and saying, "Sister, Brother Xiaoyao's place is so close to us!" Little did she know that her father had intentionally arranged it this way so that his daughters could get closer to Ren Xiaoyao. ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ At noon, Nangong Bubai held a family banquet, welcoming Ren Xiaoyao to Tingyu Pavilion with an extremely grand ceremony. Inside the Forget-Worry Pavilion, at the head table, the leaders of Tingyu Pavilion, including Nangong Bubai, Murong Ruorong, Zhuge Wenjie, Nangong Wushang, Nangong Lin, and Nangong Tiankuo, were seated in order. Nangong Fengyi and Nangong Fengzi flanked Ren Xiaoyao, placing him in the center, giving him a strange feeling of being the center of attention and feeling flattered. After introductions, Murong Ruorong smiled and spoke first: "The rumors in the martial arts world are absolutely true. Ren Xiaoyao is indeed handsome and dashing, worthy of being called the 'Romantic Thief,' famous throughout the nine cities and roaming the four seas." Although she was over thirty, she still had a graceful figure and beautiful features, giving a kind and approachable impression. Ever since Zhuge Wenjie added the word "romantic" before "thief," everyone in Tingyu Pavilion had followed suit. Upon hearing this, Nangong Bubai was overjoyed. The main purpose of the family banquet was to have his wife evaluate his chosen "future son-in-law" and see if she was satisfied. Now, seeing Murong Ruorong praising Ren Xiaoyao so highly, he knew she agreed with his idea, which naturally made him very gratified. "Madam, you flatter me. I dare not accept the title of 'romantic'," Ren Xiaoyao said, glancing at Murong Ruorong who was staring intently at him. He suddenly felt a strange sensation, like a mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law and liking him more and more. He spoke with difficulty. "Young Master Ren, there's no need for modesty," Nangong Wushang said, raising his cup. "Now, in the whole of Hangzhou, who doesn't know about your... that... romance with the two ladies? The title of 'romantic thief' is truly well-deserved." He had originally wanted to exaggerate and say that "a child was secretly conceived, and they were engaged for life," but fortunately, Zhuge Wenjie gave him a wink, so he changed his words in time. Recently, Ren Xiaoyao's theft of treasures has caused quite a stir among the four great families. After Yaoyue Tower, Fengming Pavilion, and Shenhuo Hall were all implicated, everyone at Tingyu Pavilion was filled with anxiety, fearing that the loss of Yangxue Ningshuang Qin would cause irreparable damage to their reputation and prestige. No one expected that Ren Xiaoyao would resolutely abandon the theft for the sake of the eldest and second young ladies, even returning the Nine Dragons Contending for the Cauldron Cup, the Crimson Jade Coral, and the Jade Night Hairpin, thus actively reconciling with the four great families. This relieved everyone of constant tension and tireless work, and further solidified Tingyu Pavilion's extraordinary position in the martial arts world. Therefore, from Murong Ruorong to Nangong Tiankuo, everyone was extremely friendly towards him. Even the usually calm and composed Nangong Wushang joked around. "Wushang is right! Come, everyone, let's drink to Young Hero Ren!" Nangong Bubai laughed heartily and announced loudly. After several rounds of drinks, Zhuge Wenjie began to subtly inquire about Ren Xiaoyao's background. Although Meng Fei had given strict orders not to reveal his sect, Ren Xiaoyao had long admired the "reincarnation of Zhuge Liang" and, seeing that everyone present was a renowned figure in the martial arts world, he figured he wouldn't worry about leaking the information even if he knew. Therefore, he reluctantly revealed the truth.

"No wonder Young Master Ren has such cultivation at such a young age; he is the beloved disciple of 'Silver Wing Iron Palm'." Nangong Tiankuo put down his chopsticks, moved.
"Brother Xiaoyao, you must teach me lightness skill in the future! Oh, and I also want to see Hero Meng sometime." Nangong Fengzi's beautiful smile was like a blooming flower, dazzlingly bright like the sunrise over the eastern mountains. The eight great masters of the Central Plains martial arts world twenty years ago had long become an indelible legend in the hearts of their generation.
"New talents emerge in every generation, and one day the martial arts world will belong to you." Nangong Bubai said leisurely, filled with emotion.

Volume Two: The Prodigal Son Moves Two Beauties Chapter Seven: Token of Love

Night...
Ren Xiaoyao strolled alone along the seemingly blocked but actually open path outside Haotian Pavilion. The night was quiet, with frogs croaking and insects chirping. Gazing at the sky studded with dazzling stars, his heart was filled with turbulent waves and surging thoughts. Unbeknownst to him, half a year had passed since he left Coconut Island. How were his master and mistress? Were the four seniors bickering again? Would his mischievous senior sister also come to the Central Plains? Uncle Xiao, Uncle Xi, Uncle Ao…
A gentle breeze brushed past his ears, and an elegant, lingering melody of a flute seemed to rise from beyond the heavens, like a bright moon hanging in the clouds, or a babbling brook. The lonely, desolate summer night before him instantly became radiant and full of life.
Ren Xiaoyao rushed towards the source of the sound like a treasure hunter, only to find the roadside filled with exotic flowers and rare herbs, and secluded bushes, exuding a refreshing fragrance. Strangely enough, if he walked slowly, the flute music would quicken slightly, as if urging him to speed up; but if he walked a few steps faster, the music would slow down again. He didn't know if the flute music followed the rhythm of his steps, or if he himself had been drawn into the music.
Ren Xiaoyao followed the sound involuntarily, wandering through the lush and secluded Cuiwei Garden, its intricate network of flower-lined corridors. At first, the sound of the flute grew clearer as he went, but later it gradually faded into the background, occasionally punctuated by whispers in the wind or the gentle murmur of a mountain stream, tenderly stirring the deepest emotions within him.
He walked further and further away, but still could not find the flute player. Gradually, the surroundings became increasingly tranquil, the chirping of insects and birds ceased, only the exquisite, melodious sound of the flute still whispering in his ears. Fame and fortune, worldly worries—all were fleeting clouds, easily dispelled, why should they be etched in his heart?
Crossing a meadow, the breathtakingly beautiful figure of Nangong Fengyi appeared atop a small hill not far away. Her long, slender, white neck and delicate waist were like a fairy from a dream, breathtakingly beautiful.
Ren Xiaoyao walked to within three zhang of her, gazing intently at her beautiful, unseen eyebrows, like spring mountains and autumn waves. The flute music abruptly stopped, and Nangong Fengyi, her eyes sparkling with affection, looked at him.
Their eyes met, their hearts intertwined, everything unspoken…
“Brother Ren!” After a long while, Nangong Fengyi called out softly, her expression filled with utter resentment. She lowered her head weakly, then turned away. When she returned, she held a jade pendant in her hand. She took a half-step forward and placed it in his hand, murmuring tenderly, “This…this is for you.” With that, she turned and left hastily, returning to the Immortal Abode.
“A…a token of love?” Ren Xiaoyao clutched the still-warm jade pendant tightly, a feeling of intoxication and bewilderment washing over him. There were no vows of eternal love, no sweet nothings, but he clearly felt Nangong Fengyi's undying, unwavering love for him.
That night, he couldn't sleep a wink…
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
As dawn broke, a series of knocks came from outside Haotian Pavilion. Luckily, Ren Xiaoyao was in his prime, full of energy; otherwise, having not slept a wink all night, he wouldn't be able to get up now. "Who is it?" Ren Xiaoyao asked while getting dressed.
"It's me, Brother Xiaoyao, open the door quickly." The voice was melodious, sweet, and captivating; who else could it be but Nangong Fengzi?
"What brings you here so early?" Ren Xiaoyao quickly finished washing up and opened the door.
"Hehe, I want you to play with me." A sleepy-eyed Nangong Fengzi suddenly rushed in, already fully dressed, which must have been a hardship for the maids.
"Play? I haven't even had breakfast, how can I have the energy?" Ren Xiaoyao feigned pitifulness.
"Oh dear, let's play and eat at the same time." Nangong Fengzi giggled, revealing her lovely, white teeth, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. She said softly, "Hurry up, I'm getting impatient."
"Hmm... it's not even dawn yet, where should we go?" Ren Xiaoyao pressed his advantage, frowning.
"To my place, I have something for you." Nangong Fengzi, her fragrance wafting through the air, leaned closer, casually taking Ren Xiaoyao's arm, and giggled.
"Really?!" Ren Xiaoyao felt a surge of inexplicable absurdity. He had just received Nangong Fengyi's jade pendant last night, and today...
"Let's go—" Nangong Fengzi, without further ado, "forcibly" dragged him out of Haotian Pavilion.
Along the way, Ren Xiaoyao's heart was in turmoil, his thoughts swirling. Sister, younger sister—which one did he truly love?
Speaking of appearance, Nangong Fengyi was naturally beautiful, with unparalleled charm, while Nangong Fengzi was captivating and pure. In terms of temperament and character, Nangong Fengyi was quiet and elegant, dignified and reserved, her icy demeanor concealing a passionate desire; Nangong Fengzi was innocent and naive, charming and willful, her allure tinged with a touch of childishness. Comparing the two sisters, they were both like spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, each with their own strengths, making it truly difficult for him to decide.
"Brother Xiaoyao, why aren't you saying anything?" Nangong Fengzi leaned closer, her breath warm against his ear.
"Hmm… Brother is thinking about what you'll give me," Ren Xiaoyao replied, snapping out of his reverie.
"Hehe, you'll find out soon enough," Nangong Fengzi shrugged slightly, her rosy face displaying a charmingly innocent expression that could bewitch any man, speaking softly. Entering the Immortal's Abode, Nangong Fengzi suddenly turned her pretty face away, making a "shh" gesture. Just as Ren Xiaoyao was wondering what was going on, a sweet voice, barely audible, whispered in his ear: "My sister didn't sleep a wink last night. Let's not disturb her. Let's go inside and talk."
"What? She also…" Ren Xiaoyao's body stiffened, and in that instant, he felt a surge of tender affection for her.
"Come in, come in quickly." Urged by her charming voice, Ren Xiaoyao once again stepped into Nangong Fengzi's boudoir. Unlike the night before when he had entered through the window, this time he came openly and without any qualms.
"Sit down." Nangong Fengzi smiled sweetly and gracefully went into the inner room. A short while later, she came out, swaying slightly, carrying a large camphor wood chest.
"Is my thing inside?" Ren Xiaoyao asked with interest.
"Mmm, mmm, mmm." Nangong Fengzi nodded hurriedly, then added softly, "But you still have to do me a little favor."
"Sure, no problem." As soon as Ren Xiaoyao finished speaking, Nangong Fengzi twisted the lock, and a large box full of dazzling and strange little gadgets appeared before him.
"What's this?" Ren Xiaoyao pointed to a pair of exquisitely crafted steel claws and asked curiously.
"'Flying Divine Escape,' you see, it has a long, flexible ice silkworm silk attached to the back, perfect for climbing over walls." Nangong Fengzi explained.
"Oh, you use the steel claws to climb over the wall, and then pull the ice silkworm silk to fly into the air. Not bad, not bad, it's definitely a treasure." Ren Xiaoyao said with realization.
"What, you don't even recognize it?" Nangong Fengyi was slightly taken aback and exclaimed. The Flying Divine Escape was derived from the chain hook, which was a basic tool for night travelers to enter houses.
"Sigh, Master said that relying too much on gadgets will prevent you from making any progress in martial arts. Although they may seem convenient at first, they ultimately do more harm than good. So, from childhood to adulthood, I've never even touched one of these things," Ren Xiaoyao sighed.
"That's true. I used to be so used to using my flying escape technique to scale walls and go out to play. Now, no one else's lightness skill can compare to yours, sister," Nangong Fengzi pouted and muttered to herself.

Volume Two: The Prodigal Son's Passionate Love Affair with Two Beauties, Chapter Eight: The Thousand-Mile Divine Mirror

. "Eh, you collect things for men too?" Ren Xiaoyao asked slowly, playing with a crystal-clear porcelain wine pot beside him.
"Hehe, this is a Yin-Yang Bottle, it's so fun!" Nangong Fengzi giggled, covering her mouth.
"Yin-Yang Bottle?" Ren Xiaoyao looked at her with puzzled eyes.
"Oh dear, it's the 'treasure' that emperors used to execute ministers in ancient times, look—" Nangong Fengzi said, lifting the cap with her jade-like hand.
Ren Xiaoyao stared intently, noticing the wine pot had two layers, one on the outside and one on the inside, separated by a piece of jade. He immediately understood and said with a smile, "Is it because you add poison to the wine in the inner layer? The emperor drinks the inner one at banquets, while the poisoned wine is poured for the ministers."
"Yes, I used to use it to trick people too," Nangong Fengzi chuckled. "Once, Uncle Wushang was a bit of a drinker and accidentally drank the laxative I put in him, and he had diarrhea for half a day." "
Is that so? Hehe—" Ren Xiaoyao couldn't help but laugh heartily at the thought that even the experienced and composed Nangong Wushang could fall for it.
Amidst their unrestrained laughter, the morning quickly passed. Nangong Fengzi certainly had quite a few treasures. Besides various pranks like itching powder, mute potion, and mind-altering powder, she also had many practical tools, such as firefly sticks that glowed in the dark and color-changing silk garments. In short, no matter where it was from, whether it was from the north or south, Song, Liao, or Lixia, as long as it was fun and interesting, she had it all.
Just before lunch, Nangong Fengzi took out a brocade box wrapped in red cloth from her trunk and carefully handed it to Ren Xiaoyao. Her cherry lips parted slightly as she softly said, "Brother Xiaoyao, this is a telescope from the West, and... and it's a gift from me to you..." Her voice trailed off at the end.
Ren Xiaoyao had been playing and laughing with her for several hours, having long forgotten about the gift. He paused slightly, then showed surprise and emotion, accepting it with great care. The second volume of the *Tianji Pu* contains a detailed description of the telescope: "It allows one to see a thousand miles away as if it were right before their eyes, to see distant city buildings, towers, and courtyards, as if they were several tables in a row, and to see the majestic peaks of Tianping, Lingyan, and Qionglong, their verdant forms all clearly visible." Therefore, even without testing it, he knew it was a rare and precious treasure.
"My lovely sister, thank you so much." Ren Xiaoyao gratefully examined her charmingly shy demeanor, a strong longing stirring within him: If one day he could ride side-by-side with the Nangong sisters across the vast, boundless grasslands, admiring the lush green mountains and grazing cattle and sheep through binoculars, enjoying their own private musical pleasures—how carefree, how delightful! What more could a man ask for than to experience such a moment?
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Nangong Bubai, as expected, was adept at winning people's hearts. At lunchtime, citing her busy schedule and Wuxie's presence, she offered to have one of her daughters accompany Ren Xiaoyao boating on West Lake, fulfilling her duty as host.
Ren Xiaoyao, revealing his dashing nature, laughed and said, "Today the sky is high and the clouds are light, the wind is refreshing, it's the perfect time for an outing, and with my two sisters accompanying me, it's truly a joyous occasion."
"Yay! Finally, we can go out and play—" Before she could finish speaking, Nangong Fengzi fluttered over like a butterfly, tugging at Ren Xiaoyao's sleeve, and said sweetly, "Brother Xiaoyao, I'll take you to the lakeside pavilion to see the fish, to Yunxi Dock to watch the birds, to Xiaoyingzhou..."
"You, all you ever think about is playing." Nangong Fengyi frowned slightly, and said with a hint of reproach.
"Aren't you happy to be with 'Brother Ren'?" Nangong Fengzi made a face and giggled.
"Fengzi..." Nangong Fengyi's face immediately turned bright red, and she lowered her head shyly, and said dismissively. For seventeen years, she had never left the house alone with her sister, let alone accompanied the man she admired as "the mistress."
"My two sisters, when shall we depart?" Ren Xiaoyao, eager for a chance to spend time alone with the Nangong sisters, asked with delight.
"Right now! I can't wait!" Nangong Fengzi jumped up impatiently, pulling Nangong Fengyi with her left hand and Ren Xiaoyao with her right, urging them with an innocent expression.
The three of them passed through the Flower Lane Garden and arrived at the east bank of West Lake. As soon as they stopped, Ren Xiaoyao was immediately struck by the picturesque scenery and exclaimed, "People often say 'Above is heaven, below are Suzhou and Hangzhou,' but in my opinion, even the most beautiful scenery in heaven can't compare to this."
"Come on, let's get on the boat." Nangong Fengzi was the first to jump onto the dragon boat, revealing a sweet smile as she called out.
Ren Xiaoyao lightly touched the ground with his toes, standing steadily at the bow, and then extended his hands, giving Nangong Fengyi a very elegant wink that said, "Be careful, I'll help you."
Nangong Fengyi was taken aback at first, then glanced at him with a smile, like a submissive little wife eagerly offering her jade hand. Ren Xiaoyao gently pulled her, and Nangong Fengyi's fragrant body immediately fell into his strong arms. Her snow-white, spring-green arms wrapped tightly around her lover's neck, her beautiful eyes half-open, her exquisite, voluptuous breasts rising and falling, her red lips parted slightly as she breathed softly, "Thank you."
Ren Xiaoyao was enjoying her intimate caresses when he suddenly came to his senses, quickly taking a half step back, and said awkwardly, "Swimming...swimming on the lake...ah..."
"Sister, look, it's so beautiful!" Unbeknownst to them, the dragon boat had already sailed quite a distance. Nangong Fengzi, panting softly, nestled close to Nangong Fengyi like a little bird, pointing excitedly at the shimmering lake surface where fish could be seen swimming.
"Is this the famous Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake?" "Ren Xiaoyao asked with delight.
"Yes, if one were to leisurely cruise here on an autumn night with a bright moon, one could see the vast expanse of lake water, its clear light cascading down, its misty waves stretching endlessly, a sight to behold. Hence the beautiful line, 'The lake stretches for ten thousand miles, as smooth as a mirror; the moon shines brightest in autumn.'" Nangong Fengyi slowly walked to the edge of the cabin, gazing up at the horizon of the lake, and sighed softly.
Ren Xiaoyao casually took out his telescope and looked into the distance. He saw that the surrounding mountains were verdant and lush with flowers and trees. Among the peaks, rocks, caves, and ravines, springs, pools, streams, and brooks were interspersed. Pavilions, kiosks, pagodas, and grottoes were dotted among the green and blue vegetation. Willows drooped on the white embankment, and swallows danced and orioles sang. It was truly a scene of lakes and mountains bathed in sunlight, like entering a fairyland.
"Oh, Fengzi, why did you even bring the birthday present your father gave you last year?" "Nangong Fengyi's beautiful eyes sparkled as she stared at the telescope, smiling as she asked.
"Looking...looking at the scenery, of course...of course it's indispensable." Nangong Fengzi blinked her beautiful eyes, stammering. She didn't want her sister to find out that she had secretly given a gift to Brother Xiaoyao.

Volume Two: The Prodigal Son's Affection Moves Two Beauties Chapter Nine: The Way of Longjing Tea

"By the way, sister, don't you like to write poetry? Why not praise the beautiful scenery before us?" Nangong Fengyi was about to ask further when Nangong Fengzi immediately changed the subject.
"A beautiful scene in all four seasons, the best is autumn light, let alone the moon; quietly observing all things, one can find peace in the world as if there were a lake." Before she finished speaking, Ren Xiaoyao couldn't help but recite it.
"Wow—what a well-crafted couplet with embedded names!" Nangong Fengzi showed a playful and mischievous expression, clapping her hands.
"How about this one?" "Nangong Fengyi tilted her head back, closed her beautiful eyes, and revealed an alluring expression of intoxication. She gracefully recited, 'Fish play on the calm lake, drifting through distant peaks; wild geese cry under the autumn moon, painting the vast sky.'"
"Impressive, truly impressive." Ren Xiaoyao's tiger-like eyes lit up, and he exclaimed from the bottom of his heart, "Sister Fengyi, not only did you, like me, break down the four characters 'calm lake and autumn moon' and embed them into the two couplets, but the rhyme and parallelism of the verses are even more exquisite. You truly deserve to be called a master of poetry, lyrics, and prose, proficient in all six arts." His literary talent, honed by the masters of chess and calligraphy, was far beyond the reach of ordinary people, but he was still a notch below Nangong Fengyi.
"Brother Ren, you are skilled in both literature and martial arts, possessing both virtue and talent. You are a rare young hero in the martial world. How can I, your younger sister, compare?" Nangong Fengyi suddenly looked up, a slight blush rising on her beautiful cheeks, making her even more radiant. She had long heard of Ren Xiaoyao's high level of martial arts and superb lightness skills, but she hadn't expected his literary talent to be so outstanding as well. Thinking of this, her admiration for him naturally grew even stronger.
"Oh dear, stop praising each other," Nangong Fengyi said, revealing her girlish side, giving the two of them a fierce glare, and then added in a sweet voice, "Let's go to the lakeside pavilion by Lonely Hill and sample some authentic West Lake Longjing tea."
"‘A solitary paradise on earth, where plum blossoms bloom, a perfect spot to lean on the railing.’ It's a pity it's the height of summer now, so we can't enjoy such a sight," Ren Xiaoyao sighed regretfully. "
'Yunqi Bamboo Path,' 'Tiger Spring Dream,' 'Nine Streams Misty Trees,' 'Ruan Dun Surrounded by Greenery,' there will be more for you to admire later," Nangong Fengyi murmured, a look of mixed delight and reproach.
While the pavilion in the middle of the lake is said to be an island, it's actually just a circular embankment enclosing a small inner lake, with an even smaller island in the center—truly a lake within a lake, an island within an island, dazzling the eye. Between the lakes and islands, numerous pavilions and towers, varying in height and shape, stand in exquisite detail, a testament to ingenious craftsmanship.
The three strolled off the dragon boat and arrived at a tea pavilion. Though not luxurious, the pavilion possessed a refined elegance, inscribed with the words "Xianle Pavilion." A couplet hung on either side: "Looking up to the traces of immortals, Bai Juyi was an immortal, Li Bai was an immortal, Du Fu was an immortal; now I drink my fill in the lakeside mountains, even without immortality
, I am an immortal; seize the day, spring is joyful, summer is joyful, autumn is joyful; in winter, I seek poetry in the wind and snow, even without joy, I am joyful." Ren Xiaoyao exclaimed, "What a poetic and unique couplet! In just fifty characters, it subtly praises the bright and beautiful West Lake, its shimmering beauty in all four seasons. Especially the six repetitions of 'immortal' and 'joyful,' which not only don't feel redundant but also possess a unique, lingering charm." "
The names 'Bai,' 'Li,' and 'Du' refer to the famous Tang Dynasty poets Bai Juyi, Li Bai, and Du Fu. Although their styles differ, they share a common hobby—traveling through mountains and rivers, drinking wine, and composing poetry." Nangong Fengyi turned her delicate body away, gazing at the shimmering lake, her beautiful eyes veiled in mist, and said softly, "With these three great poets as comparisons, the phrase 'fairyland' as a prelude, and the surrounding breathtakingly beautiful scenery, who could resist generously opening their wallets and indulging in a good drink?"
"No need for wine," she said, "let's enjoy some fragrant tea instead." "Nangong Fengzi smiled sweetly.
Just then, the waiter in the tea pavilion came over enthusiastically to greet them. The three of them found a table and sat down by the railing. Before long, steaming hot tea was served.
In the exquisite teacup, the buds and leaves unfurled, tender and even, intertwined and lifelike. After a short sip, a refreshing fragrance wafted over, making one's lips and teeth fragrant and one's heart and soul comfortable.
"The ancients said that West Lake Longjing tea has four perfections: green color, fragrant aroma, mellow taste, and beautiful shape. Before coming to Hangzhou, I did not fully believe it, but after tasting it today, I know that the legend is true." Ren Xiaoyao said with great emotion, praising it endlessly.
"Brother Ren, have you ever heard of the 'Longjing Tea Ceremony'?" Nangong Fengyi asked softly.
"Please enlighten me, Sister Fengyi." "Ren Xiaoyao said happily.
"There are nine steps to tasting West Lake Longjing tea. First, to appreciate its beauty; second, to appreciate the sweet dew; third, to prepare the utensils with a calm mind; fourth, to carefully place the tea; fifth, to moisten the tea buds; sixth, to pour the tea from a high position; seventh, to offer
the sweet dew to the guests; eighth, to discern the aroma and flavor; and ninth, to understand the language of tea." Nangong Fengyi revealed a charming and sweet smile, her five fingers gently cupping the teacup, and said leisurely. "I would like to hear more." Ren Xiaoyao listened with great interest and continued,
"Longjing tea is divided into five grades according to its place of origin: Lion, Dragon, Cloud, Tiger, and Plum. According to the season, it is divided into 'Pre-Qingming Tea,' 'Pre-Rain Tea,' and 'Post-Grain Tea,' among which the Pre-Qingming Tea of the Dragon grade is the best. Longjing tea must be brewed with Tiger Spring water, so that the tea and water can blend together perfectly." "It's also best to pair it with a fine blue-and-white porcelain cup so that you can better appreciate the graceful movements of the tea leaves as they dance and tumble in the water, admire the emerald green color of the tea liquor, the delicate downy hairs, and savor the refreshing aroma," Nangong Fengyi explained happily. "When brewing tea, the ratio of tea to water must be just right so that the tea retains its character and fully showcases its unique features." First, pour a small amount of water into the cup using the 'swirling pouring method' to moisten the tea buds, allowing them to absorb water and unfurl, laying a good foundation for the upcoming brewing. Next, raise the kettle high, letting the water pour straight down. Then, using the strength of your wrist, lift and pull the water up and down three times, allowing the tea leaves to tumble in the water. This brewing technique is elegantly called "Phoenix Three Nods," symbolizing a bow to the guest as a sign of respect. Next comes 'Serving Tea to Guests,' a traditional custom in China and a tea precept followed by generations of tea connoisseurs. Sharing carefully brewed tea with new and old friends is a unique pleasure. As a guest, one must learn to appreciate the color, shape, aroma, and taste of the tea. To judge the quality of a cup of tea, one must first taste it. West Lake Longjing tea is clear and green, its shape resembling a flag and a spear, intertwined and rising and falling. When picking tea leaves, only the tender buds are picked, called "lotus heart". One bud and one leaf, with the leaf resembling a flag and the bud resembling a spear, is called "flag and spear". One bud and two leaves, with the leaf curled and shaped like a sparrow's tongue, are called "sparrow tongue". Its aroma is fresh and mellow, without being strong. When sipped slowly, one can experience the lingering fragrance on the teeth and cheeks, and the sweet and soothing feeling in the throat. Truly good tea can be brewed three times, with the second brew being the best in color, aroma and taste. Longjing tea may seem slightly light at first taste, but one must carefully experience and slowly comprehend it to truly appreciate its flavor. This is the key to "re-understanding the language of tea". Ren Xiaoyao truly benefited greatly from her words. After a few cups of tea, he nodded and praised, "
Longjing tea is sweet and fragrant without being overpowering. It tastes bland at first sip, seemingly tasteless, but after drinking it, one feels a harmonious energy permeating the mouth. This tasteless taste is the ultimate taste. It is so beneficial to people that it can cure diseases. It is as precious as a treasure and cannot be obtained in many ways." His words, spoken in a mix of classical and vernacular Chinese, were indeed from the bottom of his heart. "
Brother Ren is truly a master. He has such an epiphany after only one sip of Longjing tea." A sweet and charming smile escaped Nangong Fengyi's lips, making her flawless face even more alluring. (

Volume Two: The Prodigal Son's Amorous Encounters Two Beauties, Chapter Ten: Ten Scenes of West Lake)

At this moment, several plates of pastries were delivered. Ren Xiaoyao put down his teacup, glanced sideways, and suddenly noticed a tall, thin, long-faced, gloomy-looking middle-aged scholar with half-awake eyes, seemingly refined, staring intently at the Nangong sisters beside a stall outside the tea pavilion. Seeing that he had noticed, the man abruptly turned and walked away nonchalantly. Ren Xiaoyao assumed he was just a lecherous rogue with the desire but not the courage, and didn't pay much attention.
"Mmm, delicious." Nangong Fengzi unceremoniously grabbed a piece of cake, placed it on her full, fragrant lips, and first took a delicate, shallow bite before chewing it with gusto.
In contrast, Nangong Fengyi was much more refined. She carefully picked up a piece of pastry, savoring it with her perfectly aligned, pearly white teeth that complemented her complexion. Her eating manner and expression were exquisitely beautiful.
Ren Xiaoyao watched intently as Nangong Fengyi's cheeks barely moved, and he saw her suddenly reveal a smile as bright as the moon breaking through the clouds before quickly taking a bite. She took a large bite, chewing somewhat shyly, her eyes like two pools of autumn water, radiating a captivating and alluring charm that instantly mesmerized, making one almost forget where they were.
A moment later, the West Lake lotus root starch was served. The jade-white paste was interspersed with many osmanthus petals; the small cup was fragrant and refreshing, whetting Ren Xiaoyao's appetite, and he couldn't help but join the diners.
More and more tourists gathered at the lakeside pavilion. Several wealthy-looking merchants at the next table seemed to recognize Nangong Fengzi and began whispering among themselves.
"Hey, isn't that the second young lady of Tingyu Pavilion?"
"That's right, I saw her once at 'Xinglong Cloth Shop' last time. She's truly stunningly beautiful, like a celestial being."
"By the way, do you know who the man and woman sitting next to her are?"
"I don't recognize them." "
Look at that girl's beauty, she must be the eldest daughter of Tingyu Pavilion. Oh my, the phrase 'beauty that could make fish sink and geese fall from the sky, and the moon hide its face in shame' perfectly describes her."
"Old Zhang, are you sure you're not seeing things?"
"Of course not! Look, see that dragon boat over there? Even the deck is made of fine carved sandalwood. In Hangzhou, besides the two daughters of Sect Leader Nangong, who else has such a grand display?"
"But I've heard that Miss Nangong is always secluded and rarely leaves her home. Could it be that she suddenly felt like going boating on the lake today?"
"Old Li, do you know that young man in white on the east side of the table?"
"Never seen him before, he shouldn't be a local."
"Hey, I say, could it be that the two young ladies went out of their way to..."
"Impossible. Who in the martial world has such influence that they could have the two daughters of Tingyu Pavilion accompany them?"
"Hmm, Old Hu is right."
"Actually, we don't need to care who this kid is. When we get back, we can just casually mention it, and those gossipy blabbermouths won't be able to find out his background."
"Right, right, right, in less than half a day, Hangzhou will be in an uproar."
Although their tone wasn't loud, all three of them had considerable internal strength and heard each other clearly, not missing a single word. Ren Xiaoyao was magnanimous and just smiled, not caring; Nangong Fengyi, however, thought of the scene of giving the jade under the moon last night, and her cheeks turned red with embarrassment; Nangong Fengyi couldn't hold back and stood up abruptly.
"You ignorant brat, daring to joke about me, you deserve a beating!" Nangong Fengyi scolded angrily, her face tense.
Everyone in the Jiangnan region knew that the second young lady of Tingyuxuan was spoiled, willful, and prone to violence; angering her was worse than offending the King of Hell. The merchants who had been gossiping earlier, upon seeing her 'furious and furious,' immediately fled in terror, not even bothering to pay for their tea.
"Stop! Don't go!" Nangong Fengyi shouted without hesitation, immediately chasing after her.
"Sister..." Nangong Fengyi tried to stop her, but was a beat too late.
In a flash, Ren Xiaoyao appeared, blocking the tea pavilion entrance. Nangong Fengzi, unable to stop in time, collided with him with a loud 'thud.' Of course, with Ren Xiaoyao's Flying Immortal Transformation and the power-borrowing technique in his Limitless Palm, avoiding the collision would have been easy. However, the tea pavilion's outer perimeter had a nearly two-foot drop in steps. Given Nangong Fengzi's reckless and impatient nature, stepping over it would likely result in a nasty fall, injuring herself and damaging the reputation of Tingyu Pavilion.
"Xiao...Brother Xiaoyao, are you alright?" Nangong Fengzi knew she had exerted considerable force in her charge, and fearing Ren Xiaoyao might not be able to handle it, her beautiful eyes dimmed, and she stammered like a child who had made a mistake.
"Don't worry, it's nothing." The moment their bodies touched, Ren Xiaoyao felt a warm, soft embrace, an indescribable tenderness, and he even forgot to use his Xiaoyao Wuji Palm to deflect the force.
"Sister, don't take it to heart." Nangong Fengyi gracefully stood up, took Nangong Fengzi's hand, and said softly.
"Yes, it's not worth ruining the mood." Ren Xiaoyao comforted her. "Forget it
, let's go somewhere else. Anyway, we've finished the tea and seen the fish, there's not much point in staying any longer." Nangong Fengzi smiled.
In just two hours, the three visited several scenic spots, including "Nine Miles of Cloud Pines," "Evening Bell at Nanping," "Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds," and "Spirit Stone Woodcutter's Song." As for "Osmanthus Rain at Manlong," "Smoke and Trees at Jiuxi," "Snow After Clearing at Gushan," "Autumn Waves of Zhejiang," and "Sunrise at Geling," they couldn't see them in their entirety due to the timing of the season or the distance.
As the sun set, at Nangong Fengzi's suggestion, they arrived at the famous "Seven Treasures Pavilion" in the north of the city. No one knew that she had already made up her mind: after dinner, she would drag her sister and Xiaoyao brother to the "North Gate Night Market," and wouldn't return home until midnight.
The owner of Seven Treasures Pavilion was none other than Nangong Tiankuo. Upon seeing the eldest and second young ladies arrive, the manager immediately ordered the chef to prepare a six-course, six-bowl, double-soup Qianjiang Feast, plus a jar of twenty-year-old Qibao Laojiao liquor. The six dishes were Jade Lotus Root, Drunken Crab of Baidi, Braised Pork Knuckle with Rock Sugar, Frozen Chicken of West Lake, Honey-Glazed Golden Wings, and Crispy-Bone Crucian Carp; the six bowls were Steamed Geoduck, Braised Duck with Brocade Sauce, Eel Segments with Ginger Juice, Eight Treasures Tofu, Bird's Nest with Rock Sugar, and Assorted Fruit Platter; the two soups were Snow Lotus Stewed Bear Paw and Bamboo Fungus Stewed Pigeon.
A beautiful time, a beautiful view, fine wine, and delicious food—Ren Xiaoyao's heart was intoxicated, drunk at the feet of a beautiful woman, drunk before an amber wine vessel.
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Outside Wulin Gate, on the north bank of the Grand Canal.
After dusk, the streets here suddenly became bustling, with residents and tourists from all directions flocking here
. Along the willow-lined avenues, brightly lit buildings stood tall, with brothels, inns, silk shops, general stores, wool shops, cotton shops, and fresh fruit shops vying for attention, reaching their peak of prosperity.
The streets were bustling with pedestrians and vehicles. Vendors sold baked flatbreads, fried dough twists, fried rice cakes, and grilled meat skewers—a wide variety of snacks were available.
Ren Xiaoyao, following the Nangong sisters, happily wandered among the stalls. Suddenly, a clay figurine vendor caught their attention. The two turned and walked towards him, when three young men suddenly appeared in formation and rushed towards Ren Xiaoyao.
Ren Xiaoyao, unwilling to reveal his martial arts skills, twisted his body and dodged. Suddenly, one of them reached for his waist. Ren Xiaoyao was overjoyed, thinking, "You dare steal my 'Romantic Thief's' silver pouch? It's like wielding an axe in front of Lu Ban—purely asking for trouble!" He then used the acupoint-snatching technique taught by Meng Fei, grabbing the man's pulse point.
The man was startled and desperately tried to break free. Ren Xiaoyao delivered a burst of "Finger Flick Flame" true energy, instantly making him feel hot all over and dizzy.
Seeing that their scheme had been foiled, the two companions hurriedly fled. Ren Xiaoyao, not wanting to spoil Nangong Fengzi's enjoyment, didn't give chase. Upon closer inspection, he realized he had caught a boy of about thirteen or fourteen, with delicate features and not resembling a bandit. His heart softened immediately, and he quickly took out a silver note, stuffed it into the boy's hand, and whispered, "Don't do petty theft again. If someone catches you, they won't let you off."
"Brother Xiaoyao, keep up!" Nangong Fengzi urged from ahead.
Ren Xiaoyao patted his shoulder and then walked away. The boy stood there, dumbfounded, a look of immense gratitude on his face.
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Note: The Ten Scenes of West Lake that people are familiar with today were only "completed" in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. During the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Northern Song Dynasty, there were another ten scenes, namely, Nine-Mile Cloud Pine, Autumn Moon over Calm Lake, Woodcutter's Song at Lingshi, Monkey Howl at Cold Spring, Morning Sun over Ge Ridge, Snow After Clearing on Gushan Mountain, Night Market at Beiguan, Autumn Waves of Zhejiang, Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds, and Evening Bell at Nanping. These were historically known as the Ten Scenes of Qiantang. Of these, only Autumn Moon over Calm Lake, Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds, and Evening Bell at Nanping were included in the later Ten Scenes of West Lake.

Volume 3: The Four Heroes of the Martial World Appear in Succession Chapter 1: The First Disciple of Mount Tai Mount Tai, Sunrise Peak, Zixiao Hall. "Dong—Dong—Dong—" The bell rang straight to the sky, resounding through the clouds. This was the highest command for the Mount Tai Sect to summon its disciples. All disciples on the mountain, regardless of their martial arts skills or seniority, who did not arrive at the main hall before the seven bells stopped would be punished for violating the sect rules and betraying their master and ancestors. The bell tolled and then stopped. All 294 members of the Taishan Sect, spanning three generations, gathered, each forming their own rows and lines. Despite the large number, the only sound was the synchronized footsteps. Seated in the center was an elderly Taoist priest, over fifty years old, standing proudly with a solemn expression, exuding the dignified air of a master. This was none other than Liu Yuxu, the current head of the Taishan Sect, known in the martial world as the "Jade Emperor Sword Master." On either side, seated in nanmu chairs, sat the four elders of the Taishan Sect: Yu Kong, Yu Ling, Yu Feng, and Yu Xuan. During the great battle between good and evil at Five Clouds Mountain, these four had formed a sword formation and fought fiercely against Tian Jue and Di Mie for a long time, holding their own without being at a disadvantage, demonstrating their exceptional martial arts skills. The other disciples of the second and third generations stood with their heads bowed, quietly awaiting the sect leader's words. Liu Yuxu, his face solemn and his expression grave, said, "Everyone, today is an important moment for the disciples of the Taishan Sect to go out of the mountain for training. I have a few words I would like to say to you all." The Taishan Sect has a strict rule: disciples under the age of eighteen are not allowed to leave the sect or roam the martial world without permission, lest they disgrace the sect if their skills are not yet proficient. Only after the Mid-Autumn Festival on the sixteenth day of the eighth lunar month each year will the sect leader give eligible disciples the opportunity to go down the mountain for training, assigning them tasks such as apprehending bandits and suppressing mountain thieves. After they complete these tasks, the four elders will make corresponding judgments based on their individual performance, deciding whether the disciple has completed their training and can leave the mountain to roam the martial world as a Taishan Sect disciple.

Liu Yuxu took a deep breath and continued in a reminiscent tone, "Our sect has existed for over two hundred years since its founding by our patriarch, Master Chenxin. During this time, countless chivalrous figures and heroes have emerged. Leaving aside the heroic deeds of our predecessors, our former sect leader, Senior Brother Xiao Yusun, was a true hero, a man of great stature! Twenty years ago, atop Mount Hua, Senior Brother Xiao used our sect's signature technique—'The Three Forms of Heavenly Annihilation'—to defeat Xiong Lei, the former leader of the Beggars' Sect, and Master Xiaochen, the head of the Arhat Hall of Shaolin Temple, among others. He only lost by half a move because his internal strength was slightly lacking." "This was bestowed upon the esteemed Grandmaster Dugu Yu, who ranked second among the eight greatest martial arts masters of the Central Plains. The illustrious name of the 'Eastern Peak Sword Saint' spread throughout the land, and our Mount Tai Sect's prestige and status reached their zenith at this moment. In the battle of Wuyun Mountain, my senior brother even used all his life's strength to severely injure Hentian, making an indelible and illustrious contribution to the great victory of the Central Plains Martial Arts Alliance!"
All the members of the Mount Tai Sect, who stood silently in solemn silence, revealed expressions of admiration and respect. For a long time, this former sect leader with extraordinary martial arts skills had been an ever-present guardian in everyone's hearts.
"It's a pity that fate is jealous of talent. Two years later, my senior brother was assassinated in Yongzhou, Hunan, and died from his wounds. The pillar of the martial arts world collapsed." Liu Yuxu sighed, then continued, "I am incompetent. I have been the sect leader for over ten years, not only unable to find the murderer and avenge my senior brother, but also causing the reputation of the Taishan Sect in the martial arts world to decline day by day, unable to regain its former glory. I am truly... truly unworthy of the trust placed in me, and I have no face to face the sages."
"Xingchen, Weiliang, Jianxiong, Hongzhou, step forward." After a moment of silence, Liu Yuxu said solemnly.
The four people standing in the front row immediately stepped forward side by side, walked slowly to the center of the hall, and respectfully bowed to the sect leader and elders. The young man in the lead was only in his early twenties. He had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and was dashing and heroic. He was calm and composed, yet possessed a spirited and dignified air. Although he was dressed as a Taoist priest, he was still extraordinary and imposing, which was quite different from the other three men who were strong, capable, honest and loyal.
Liu Yuxu's clear, resonant voice rang out again: "You are the four strongest disciples among the seventeenth generation of disciples of my Taishan Sect. You bear the heavy responsibility of carrying on the legacy of your predecessors and bringing glory to our sect. At the same time, you are also role models for your fellow disciples and nephews to emulate in their conduct."
"Wei Liang—" Liu Yuxu turned to his second disciple, Qin Weiliang, and said in a deep voice, "Among the four disciples, you are the oldest and the most composed. Ten years ago, when you first entered the martial world, you immediately killed the two evil scoundrels of Yunzhong who were committing crimes in the Jibei area. Afterwards, you led seven fellow disciples to wipe out Qingfeng Village in Sichuan and the Great Sword Society in northern Guangdong. Your contributions are truly remarkable."
"These are all things that a disciple should do," Qin Weiliang replied, cupping his hands in greeting.
“Jianxiong—” Liu Yuxu looked at his third disciple, Feng Jianxiong, and said casually, “Although you are named after ‘sword,’ your true skill lies in palm techniques. Back when you were suppressing bandits in Dongting Lake, you defeated Zheng Xinzhong’s ‘Great Stele-Shattering Hand’ with palm strikes, ridding the people of the two lakes of a scourge. Now, in our sect, besides myself and your two senior uncles, Yufeng and Yuxuan, your Dongyue Sword Palm is the most refined.”
“Master, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise,” Feng Jianxiong said modestly.
“Hongzhou—” Liu Yuxu smiled at his fourth disciple, Ge Hongzhou, and said with pleasure, “Although your martial arts are not as good as your three senior brothers, you are meticulous and resourceful, and you are a talent that I value highly. From today onwards, please give more guidance to anyone in the Taishan Sect who acts improperly.”
“I will obey your orders,” Ge Hongzhou said spiritedly.
“Alright, you may leave,” Liu Yuxu waved his hand and said indifferently.
"Xingchen, come here." After the three returned to the queue, Liu Yuxu slowly stood up and called out loudly.
The handsome young man responded and strode forward, drawing the attention of everyone in the hall.
"It's been eighteen years since you became my disciple at the age of four, hasn't it?" Liu Yuxu patted the young man's shoulder, hugged him tightly, and said heartily.
"Master, it's seventeen years and eight months," the young man answered loudly.
"Good, it's impressive that you remember so clearly," Liu Yuxu said, moved.
"Father's death anniversary is in three months, how could I forget?" A sharp glint flashed in the young man's eyes, then disappeared, and he said bitterly.
"Xingchen, although you are young, you joined the sect the earliest, so you are the leader of the four disciples. But do you know why the other disciples could leave the mountain at eighteen, while you had to wait until today?"
"This disciple does not know," the young man answered honestly.
Liu Yuxu sighed deeply and said solemnly, word by word, "Because you are the biological son of 'Eastern Mountain Sword Saint' Xiao Yusun, the chief disciple of the Mount Tai Sect, and the future successor to the sect leader!"

Volume Three: The Four Martial Arts Prodigies Emerge in Succession, Chapter Two: Purple Lightning and Azure Frost

. This young man was named Xiao Xingchen, the only surviving blood relative of Xiao Yusun. He was exceptionally intelligent and talented. After his father's death, he became a disciple of Liu Yuxu, becoming the chief disciple of the Mount Tai Sect.
To quell the massacre and avenge his father's murder, he practiced diligently day and night, mastering all the martial arts of the Mount Tai Sect in just over a decade, his cultivation far surpassing that of his peers. The four elders, remembering Xiao Yusun's past kindness and achievements, showed him great care and concern. Three years ago, they even strongly advocated that Liu Yuxu publicly "appoint" him as the successor to the sect leader and teach him the Three Heavenly Annihilation Techniques.
Xiao Xingchen's comprehension was reminiscent of his father's, and with the guidance of a renowned master, he had achieved considerable success in just a few years. Only then did Liu Yuxu agree to let him descend the mountain to gain experience in the martial world.
"What task does Master have for me?" Xiao Xingchen asked respectfully.
Liu Yuxu smiled slightly and said leisurely, "After mastering the 'Three Heavenly Severing Techniques,' your martial arts will be first-rate. Ordinary thieves are no match for you. As for mundane tasks like delivering messages or acting as a bodyguard, they would only tarnish your title as the chief disciple of the Mount Tai Sect. Therefore, you have only one purpose for descending the mountain this time."
"Master, please speak. Whatever it is, I will do my utmost," Xiao Xingchen said solemnly.
"Are you aware of two newly risen, renowned young heroes in the martial world?" Liu Yuxu's expression was extremely grave as he slowly spoke.
"Are they Xiong Xiaotian, the leader of the Beggars' Sect, and Ren Xiaoyao, the Thief?" Xiao Xingchen asked.
"Indeed, Xiong Xiaotian is the only son of Xiong Lei, the former leader of the Beggars' Clan. He is upright and honest, and distinguishes between public and private matters. Legend has it that he is exceptionally talented, possessing a photographic memory. He learned the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms at the age of fifteen and mastered them by the age of twenty. In the same year, he succeeded his deceased father as the leader of the Beggars' Clan. After a hundred days, he mastered the essence of the Dog-Beating Staff Technique. Therefore, the heroes of the Central Plains unanimously recognized him as the greatest all-rounder in both literature and martial arts in the hundreds of years since the Beggars' Clan was founded. Ren Xiaoyao's background and origins have always been a mystery. The only thing known to people in the martial arts world is that within a few months of his debut, he returned more than a million taels of jewels and valuables stolen from corrupt officials and unscrupulous merchants to the people. Without his righteous help during the severe drought in Hongzhou and the floods in Tanzhou, the people of the city would have starved to death long ago. The two cases of corruption involving Zuo Jinwu Deng Bin and Luzhou Textile Commissioner Yuan Genqi were also successfully solved thanks to him."
"Disciple does not understand Master's meaning," Xiao Xingchen said with a wry smile.
"I'll give you half a year to travel the world and meet those two, to learn how they made their names," Liu Yuxu said with a meaningful smile.
"Xiong Xiaotian, as the leader of the Beggars' Sect, is naturally at the headquarters on Junshan Mountain, but Ren Xiaoyao's whereabouts are always mysterious and unpredictable, I'm afraid..." Xiao Xingchen murmured.
"Ren Xiaoyao is currently a guest at Tingyuxuan in Hangzhou and won't be leaving anytime soon," Liu Yuxu said softly, gazing at Xiao Xingchen with concern. "Although you are clever and resourceful, and cautious in your actions, you are still new to the martial world and have no experience. You must be extremely careful on your journey and avoid falling into the traps of treacherous people."
"I will be careful, Master, please don't worry," Xiao Xingchen said proudly.
Liu Yuxu pondered for a moment, then said, "To guard against unforeseen circumstances, you should still take the Purple Lightning and Azure Frost swords with you."
Xiao Xingchen's breathing quickened, and he exclaimed, "The Purple Lightning and Azure Frost are the sect's most treasured weapons, and only the sect leader has ever been allowed to use them. How dare this disciple..." At this point, his knees buckled and he knelt down.
The Purple Lightning and Azure Frost swords are ancient divine weapons, renowned for over a thousand years. Legend has it that they were forged by Feng Hu Zi, a renowned swordsmith from the Yue Kingdom during the Spring and Autumn Period, using the finest metals and refined over countless trials. Their sharpness was unparalleled, capable of cutting through iron like mud. At the end of the Sui Dynasty, Prince Qin, Li Shimin, acquired the two swords and bestowed them upon his general, Li Jing. Li Jing, wielding the swords' power, campaigned against Fu Gong in the east, pacified the Tuyuhun in the west, attacked Xiao Xian in the south, and subdued the Turks in the north, making countless contributions to the Tang Dynasty. After Li Jing's death, the swords changed hands several times, eventually falling into the possession of General Wang Dun. The famous "Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng" records, "Purple Lightning and
Azure Frost, the arsenal of General Wang." Soon after, Empress Wu Zetian usurped the throne, Wang Dun was poisoned, and the swords were lost again, scattered among the common people. At the end of the Tang Dynasty, a martial arts prodigy named Zhao Hongguang, by chance, found the legendary indestructible and unbreakable Purple Lightning and Azure Frost, and secluded himself in the mountains for ten years. Just as the martial arts world had almost forgotten about the incident, a lame old Taoist priest with extraordinary swordsmanship suddenly appeared in the martial arts world. His swords were none other than Purple Lightning and Azure Frost. After the news spread, dozens of masters came to his door to challenge him, hoping to seize the swords by force. However, none of them could withstand three moves from the old Taoist's sword. This lame old Taoist was none other than Master Chenxin, the founder of the Mount Tai Sect, also known as the martial arts prodigy Zhao Hongguang. The three sword moves he used were named the Three Heavenly Annihilation Forms, becoming the Mount Tai Sect's signature technique.
Liu Yuxu stroked his long beard and laughed loudly, "The position of sect leader will be yours sooner or later. It doesn't matter when you get the two precious swords passed down by our patriarch, why worry about the timing?" After saying this, he carefully took the two swords from his back and handed them to Xiao Xingchen.
Xiao Xingchen dared not refuse. He respectfully accepted the sword with both hands outstretched and declared loudly, "Xiao Xingchen, the seventeenth-generation disciple of the Taishan Sect, has today been bestowed the Purple Lightning and Azure Frost swords by my master. I will certainly abide by the ancestral teachings, be strict with myself, be kind to others, uphold justice, serve the country and the people, and uphold the unparalleled might of the Taishan Sect!"
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Three days later, at Beihuimaling, Tai'an County.
Not far away, eight or nine镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) along with more than twenty 趟子手 (traitors/attendants) were escorting five镖车 (carts/vehicles), moving slowly forward. Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, the two leaders raised their voices and shouted a command. According to
the rules of the martial arts world, whenever镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) passed through areas where bandits had established their operations, they had to announce their names. If their镖行 (bodyguard/escort agency) had extensive connections and many capable people, the other party would not dare to provoke them and would obediently let them pass; otherwise, they would have to settle things with martial arts. Over time, whenever the escort team passed through steep mountains and dangerous terrain, or famous mountains and rivers, they would symbolically shout a few words, partly to bolster their prestige and partly as a precaution.
The escort team heading back to Huimaling belonged to the "Longteng Escort Agency," one of the three major escort agencies in Shandong. Longteng's chief escort, Long Lingfeng, was a lay disciple of Shaolin, and his Luohan Fuhu Fist was already at 80% proficient. The deputy chief escort, Ye Zongyu, was of the same generation as Zheng Guanshou, the current head of the Songshan Sect, and had a solid foundation in the Songyang Sword Technique. Outlaws, intimidated by the prestige of Shaolin Temple and the Songshan Sect, rarely dared to provoke them. Therefore, Longteng Escort Agency had been thriving for five years, with numerous customers.
The goods they were escorting this time were a batch of jewels, worth approximately 800,000, being transported to Hebei by Liang Shaonan, the richest man in Shandong—a considerable sum indeed. According to the custom of taking a cut of every hundred goods entrusted, as long as the goods were delivered successfully, eight hundred taels of silver would immediately be deposited into the account, equivalent to three months' income for the Longteng Escort Agency. To ensure that nothing went wrong, Long Lingfeng and Ye Zongyu not only personally went but also mobilized all the best guards in the agency.

Volume 3 The Four Heroes of the Martial World Appear in Succession Chapter 3 The Eight Fiends of Xichuan

"Chief...Chief Escort, the mountain roads around here are very difficult to travel." One of the guards said breathlessly.
"That's right, my shoes are almost worn out." Another guard said with a wry smile.
"Old Fang, Little Hu, you two are from Shaanxi, of course you don't know." Long Lingfeng patted the two on the shoulders and said in a long voice, "The valley we are traveling through is called 'Huima Ridge'. The mountain is steep and the road is winding. Ordinary horses can't even go up it."
"Old Fang, to be honest, most of us brothers have never traveled this road. Only the chief guard and the deputy chief guard have escorted goods through this place." Another guard interjected.
"Chief镖头 (Chief Escort), there are at least five or six routes to Hebei, why did we choose Huimaling?" Old Fang asked, puzzled.
"Sigh, what can we do? This route is faster, and Boss Liang is in a hurry to deliver the goods. If we took another route, it would definitely cause a delay," Ye Zongyu sighed.
"Huimaling is a treacherous mountain, what if we encounter..." Xiao Hu said anxiously.
"What are you afraid of?" Long Lingfeng waved his hand and said, "Chief镖头, I've been escorting goods for most of my life, and I really don't know what it feels like to lose a shipment."
After crossing a mountain pass, the view suddenly opened up, with towering peaks all around, majestic mountains, and steep ridges, as if carved by an axe, truly exuding an aura of one man guarding a pass against ten thousand.
Suddenly, warhorses neighed and dust billowed from a bend not far away, and eight riders galloped out, instantly surrounding the镖队 (escort team) before anyone could react.
"Which route are you from, friends?" Long Lingfeng, as expected of an old hand, showed no panic and cupped his hands in greeting.
"Easy," the tall, thin man with a sinister face said loudly. "We are the eight brothers known in the martial arts world as the 'Eight Fiends of Xichuan.'"
Everyone was shocked. The Eight Fiends of Xichuan were notorious bandits in Sichuan. The eldest was "Mountain-Turning Tiger" Yu Qing, the second was "Iron-Armed Ape" Zhou Zheng, the third was "Poisonous Claw Bear" Zhuo Zongnan, the fourth was "Black-Faced Tiger" He Hongtai, the fifth was "Golden-Eyed Eagle" Hu Jin, the sixth was "Death-Taking Snake" He Muyang, the seventh was "Flying Fox" Geng Pengfei, and the eighth was "Sky-Drilling Rat" Li Ruhao. All of them were well-known figures in the underworld for many years, each ruthless and skilled in martial arts.
"What brings you all here today?" Ye Zongyu asked with proper etiquette.
"Intercepting a shipment!" Zhou Zheng laughed and coldly uttered two words.
"You have always committed crimes in Sichuan. I wonder how you have offended our Longteng Escort Agency today," Ye Zongyu said in a deep voice. The bandits each had their own territory. If someone committed a crime on someone else's land without permission, not only would they have to return all the stolen goods, but they would also have to personally go and apologize. He said this simply to remind the Eight Fiends of Xichuan that Huimaling was not "your" territory. If things escalated and aroused the public anger of the bandits, neither side would benefit.
"Hahaha, to tell you the truth, we were driven out of Xichuan a long time ago. We have nowhere to go. We're just waiting to finish this job today, and then we'll retire from this life of crime and never do it again," Yu Qing laughed wildly. Long Lingfeng
was very puzzled. The Eight Fiends of Xichuan all had amazing skills, and they were even more formidable when they joined forces. Unless Tang Jue, the leader of the Tang Clan, personally intervened, who could possibly drive them away from Xichuan, which had been rooted there for more than ten years?
"So, Chief Escort Ye, are you going to leave the caravan and walk obediently, or are you going to fight to the death?" Zhuo Zongnan was getting impatient.
Ye Zongyu's heart skipped a beat. In terms of martial arts, he was no less skilled than Yu Qing, and Long Lingfeng was even superior to Zhou Zheng. However, he knew the other镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) would be no
match for Zhuo Zongnan, He Hongtai, and the others. If a real fight broke out, he feared he would lose more often than he would win. "Brother Yu, we're both in trouble today
. Why don't we each take a step back? I have some silver on hand. Take it first. If it's not enough..." Ye Zongyu pondered for a moment, then spoke in a consultative tone. "No need. Once you're all dead, everything will be ours anyway," Yu Qing sneered, then shouted, "Brothers, charge!"
"Take this—" Zhou Zheng leaped off his horse, swinging his sword straight at Ye Zongyu.
Ye Zongyu was wielding a thick-backed longsword. Seeing the opponent's fierce attack, he dared not be careless. He made a sword gesture and "whoosh" deflected the broadsword, then straightened his back and thrust it swiftly towards Ye Zongyu's chest.
Zhou Zheng parried with his sword, immediately feeling a tingling numbness in his hand. Ye Zongyu, seizing the opportunity, turned his sword and, like lightning, aimed straight for Zhou Zheng's abdomen. Zhuo Zongnan and Hu Jin, seeing this, quickly rushed forward, one wielding an iron claw and the other a long spear, instantly surrounding Ye Zongyu.
Seeing the situation was dire, Long Lingfeng gave a whistle, and the caravan immediately scattered. Except for the two caravan leaders and four porters protecting the caravan, the rest of the caravan members all drew their weapons, forming groups of three or five, and charged towards He Muyang and his men.
Long Lingfeng blocked Yu Qing's path, mounted his horse, and thrust his fists forward, delivering a powerful punch to the chest—the "Black Tiger Throws into the Heart" move from the "Arhat Fist." This seemingly simple move was incredibly powerful, and combined with Long Lingfeng's three or four decades of immersion in Shaolin boxing, it was truly thunderous and unstoppable.
Yu Qing, worthy of being the leader of the Eight Fiends of Xichuan, unleashed three consecutive palm strikes, deflecting the opponent's force. Simultaneously, he stepped forward, his ten fingers outstretched, creating countless palm shadows, aiming straight for Long Lingfeng's armpit. The two exchanged blows, exchanging over thirty moves in an instant. Long Lingfeng's Arhat Fist was simple and unadorned, profound and pure; Yu Qing's Pushing Mountain Palm was fierce and powerful, swift and forceful. It seemed that it would take over a hundred moves to determine a winner.
Ye Zongyu moved swiftly, his sword as fast as the wind, barely managing to hold his own against Zhou Zheng, Zhuo Zongnan, and Hu Jin. However, the rest of the Longteng Escort Agency members were struggling to withstand the fierce attacks of He Hongtai, He Muyang, Geng Pengfei, and Li Ruhao. Li Ruhao, in particular, though ranked last among the Eight Fiends of Xichuan, possessed extremely agile footwork and a ruthless mastery of hidden weapons. In a short time, he had defeated all those attacking him and turned to rush towards the caravan.
"You villain, don't run!" Seeing this, the two escorts roared, feinting a few moves to force back their opponents before lunging at Li Ruhao.
Li Ruhao chuckled, suddenly turning around, and with a flick of his sleeve, over a dozen hidden weapons flew out. The two escorts were startled and quickly dodged, but they were too close together. Although they weren't hit in vital areas, two iron lotus seeds and a gold dart struck their calves.
These two men, Guo Jingsong and Zhao Dahai, were the most skilled martial artists in the Longteng Escort Agency besides Long Lingfeng and Ye Zongyu. Now, both injured and unable to move, the situation immediately tilted in the favor of the Eight Fiends of Xichuan. In a short while, several more escorts fell to the ground, dying on the spot. (

Volume 3: The Four Martial Arts Masters Appear in Succession; Chapter 4: Murder to Silence

) Long Lingfeng sensed something was wrong, took a deep breath, and charged forward, his fists moving in rapid succession, striking repeatedly, using the Arhat Subduing Tiger Fist, one of the Seventy-Two Arts of Shaolin Temple.
Shaolin disciples, upon entering the sect, first learn Shaolin Long Fist. After several years and achieving some proficiency, they can then learn advanced fist techniques. There are two sets of advanced fist techniques: Arhat Fist and Tiger Subduing Fist. Arhat Fist is known for its stability and is suitable for Buddhist disciples who cultivate their character; Tiger Subduing Fist is known for its power and ferocity, and those who master it are mostly lay disciples. The Luohan Subduing Tiger Fist combines elements of Luohan Fist and Subduing Tiger Fist, exhibiting both stability and agility, power and finesse, making it exceptionally formidable.
Yu Qing was no ordinary opponent; noticing Long Lingfeng's sudden change in palm technique, he immediately altered his stance, swiftly moving to his opponent's left side and unleashing a powerful slash with a force so fierce it seemed an army would be forced to retreat, an unstoppable force.
Ye Zongyu, fighting three opponents simultaneously, was already somewhat overwhelmed after a hundred moves. In the heat of battle, he deflected a spear thrust from Hu Jin with his sword, but a gaping wound appeared in his back. Zhou Zheng saw an opportunity and unleashed a powerful "Splitting Mount Hua" strike aimed directly at his opponent's vital point. Ye Zongyu roared, leaping back several feet, barely dodging Zhou Zheng's thunderous blow. Undeterred, Zhou Zheng first swung his broadsword to the left, then suddenly accelerated, sweeping it across Ye Zongyu's lower body from an extremely tricky angle. This was a deadly move in his swordsmanship called "Severing Chaos Slash," confident that his opponent, attacked from both sides, would have no chance of evading it.
Little did he know that Ye Zongyu had deliberately feigned an opening to lure Zhou Zheng into a trap. Seeing Zhou Zheng charging forward recklessly, he fell right into Ye Zongyu's trap. Amidst the barrage of sword shadows, Ye Zongyu leaped high like a hawk, his positioning and angles perfectly timed, instantly dodging the attacks. Simultaneously, he launched several attacks, each strike seemingly feinted but actually powerful, carrying immense weight. With his diagonal thrusts and horizontal slashes, he had completely blocked Zhou Zheng's escape routes in all directions.
Zhou Zheng panicked, his hands and feet flailing wildly. Seeing that he couldn't hold out much longer, Hu Jin quickly thrust his spear horizontally, leaping to his rescue. Unexpectedly, Ye Zongyu suddenly turned around and unleashed four moves in succession: "Golden Needle Through Tribulation," "Dragon's Peak Seizing the Pearl," "Bird Flying to the Forest," and "Raising Fire to the Sky." These moves slashed at Hu Jin
's shoulders, pierced his abdomen, swept his knees, and struck his face. Swift as the wind and sharp as lightning, they attacked Hu Jin directly, leaving him weak in the knees and trembling with fear. As soon as the fourth move, "Raising Fire to the Sky," was finished, Hu Jin's spear fell to the ground. Ye Zongyu let out a soft whistle, withdrew his sword, and with a burst of power, struck Hu Jin squarely in the chest from both sides. This move, "Reaching the Pinnacle of Heaven," was Da Songyang's trump card. Hu Jin felt a sweet taste in his throat, then coughed up blood and collapsed to the ground.
Seeing the deputy chief镖头 (chief镖师) succeed, everyone's morale soared. Long Lingfeng unleashed two powerful punches, forcing Yu Qing to sweat profusely and retreat repeatedly. Seeing his boss struggling, He Muhua had no choice but to abandon his opponent and rush to help, and the situation began to favor Longteng Escort Agency again.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Ye Zongyu forced Zhou Zheng back again, and unleashed a move called "Songgao Junji" towards Zhuo Zongnan. This was another signature move of the Songyang Palm technique; while not as powerful and forceful as "Junji Yutian," it was still more steady and agile. Zhuo Zongnan had nowhere to retreat or dodge, and could only grit his teeth and raise his hand to meet the attack.
With a "bang," their palms collided. Ye Zongyu remained calm, as if nothing had happened, while Zhuo Zongnan's blood surged, and he staggered back several steps.
Ye Zongyu gathered his energy in his dantian, ready to pounce, when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his right palm. Looking down, he saw a small hole in the web of his hand, from which dark blood was oozing out. He suspected that Zhuo Zongnan had concealed a poisoned needle during the exchange of blows.
"Despicable villain—" Ye Zongyu roared, tapping his right shoulder several times with his left hand to stop the poison from rising. He thought to himself, "Now that I'm poisoned, I won't last long in a prolonged fight. Only a quick victory will save me." With that thought, he immediately gathered all his strength, unleashing the Great Songyang Palm with his left hand and the Songyang Sword Technique with his right, launching a fierce attack on the Eight Fiends of Xichuan.
The Great Songyang Palm was powerful and unpretentious; the Songyang Sword Technique was imposing and majestic. The two complemented each other, creating unparalleled power, leaving Zhou Zheng, Hu Jin, and Zhuo Zongnan in a sorry state.
"Second brother, fifth brother, he's been hit by my Plum Blossom Needle. He won't last long. Let's fight it out," Zhuo Zongnan said smugly, dodging Ye Zongyu's sword.
The three immediately changed their strategy, striking out once and then immediately dodging to the side, their bodies shifting and frequently changing positions, rendering Ye Zongyu's all-out sword and palm attack useless.
Ye Zongyu launched a fierce attack for dozens of moves, but couldn't even touch the hem of his opponent's clothes. In his anxiety, he suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed to the ground with a thud. It was clear that the poison had affected his heart, rendering him unable to fight any longer.
"Sixth brother, keep an eye on him—Second brother, let's go help the eldest brother!" Zhuo Zongnan roared, abandoning Ye Zongyu, and together with Zhou Zheng, they attacked Long Lingfeng from the left and right.
Long Lingfeng's internal energy was abundant, and his spirit grew stronger with each battle. Even when surrounded by four people, he still defended effectively, maintaining a good balance of offense and defense. Yu Qing knew that he couldn't defeat him in a short time, so he gave his brothers a look and withdrew his attacks.
"Chief镖头 Long, don't move, or I'll kill this Ye bastard." Hu Jin picked up a nine-ringed broadsword, held it to Ye Zongyu's neck, and grinned maliciously.
"Chief镖头, don't worry about me." Ye Zongyu shouted hoarsely. Hu Jin swung his hand and knocked him unconscious.
"Enough, enough. I, Long Lingfeng, have spent half my life as a镖师 (bodyguard/escort), and today I've fallen at the hands of you rats." Long Lingfeng sighed, lowering his arms. He knew that even if they didn't surrender, continuing the fight would be futile, only costing Ye Zongyu his life. So he simply gave up resistance, avoiding a hopeless struggle. Seeing their chief镖师's attitude, the others also dropped their weapons and surrendered.
"Brother, what do we do now?" He Muyang asked.
"Kill them all, leave no one alive." Yu Qing coldly snorted.
"Boss Yu, you're too unethical." Long Lingfeng hissed, "According to the rules of the outlaw world, you can take the goods, but to kill even... even the镖师, what kind of code is this?"
"Chief镖师 Long, to be honest, today is the last job we brothers will do. If we don't kill them to silence them, we'll never have peace in the future." Yu Qing smiled coldly, pointing his halberd and shouting.

Volume 3: The Four Heroes of the Martial World Appear in Succession, Chapter 5: The White-Clad Youth.

"You..." Long Lingfeng, seething with anger, was about to pounce on Yu Qing to fight to the death when He Muyang silently struck him from behind, instantly knocking him down.
"Die—" Zhou Zheng raised his sword and slashed down.
Before the words were even finished, a clear whistle suddenly rang out from all around: "The Eight Fiends of Western Sichuan, I already spared your lives back in Shu. What, you want to cause trouble again today?" The voice initially came from the west, then a moment later from the east. The distance between east and west was considerable, as if one person had shouted and the second had quickly followed, but the tone was clearly from the same person, and it flowed continuously from west to east, demonstrating his incredible speed.
The镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) were overjoyed, thinking that a senior expert had arrived, and they all looked intently.
It was a flawless, handsome face, with bright, piercing eyes that were perfectly set in a pair of tiger-like eyes. He had a tall, straight, and perfect physique, a leisurely and gentle smile, and wore a light blue, wide-sleeved robe. He possessed an aloof and unparalleled, intimidating, and indescribable aura. What was particularly eye-catching was the sheathless sword at his waist, its design ancient and its surface as clear as autumn water. Even from a distance of several dozen feet, the tip of the sword could still be clearly seen gleaming with a bluish light.
Long Lingfeng gasped, thinking to himself that this young man was only in his early twenties; how could he possibly be a match for the Eight Fiends of Xichuan? Unexpectedly, the moment Yu Qing and the others saw him appear, they all trembled, their faces filled with fear.
"Young Master Ye... Young Master Ye, you... you... you..." Zhou Zheng hadn't finished speaking when, with a "thud," his broadsword fell to the ground.
The young man smiled slightly, not answering, but slowly walking towards Yu Qing. As he took a step forward, Zhuo Zongnan, He Muyang, and the others took a step back, even Long Lingfeng and Ye Zongyu were no longer a concern.
Yu Qing, covered in sweat, stood frozen in place, his legs trembling uncontrollably, a far cry from the arrogant and domineering spirit he had displayed when he shouted "kill to silence" just moments before.
The young man strolled over to Ye Zongyu, examined his injuries, then picked up Zhou Zheng's thick-backed broadsword and said coldly, "What a fine ghost-headed sword, it's just a pity you followed the wrong master." "
Young Master Ye, spare us! Young Master Ye, spare us!" Zhou Zheng's knees buckled, and he knelt on the ground. Zhuo Zongnan, He Hongtai, Hu Jin, He Muyang, Geng Pengfei, and Li Ruhao also dropped their weapons and kowtowed, begging for mercy.
The young man looked helpless and sighed, "To be honest, I feel a little guilty for driving you all out of Xichuan, but..."
"Young Master Ye, yes...we should leave, no...it's not your fault," He Hongtai said with a forced smile.
"Yes...yes, we should leave, I...we should leave." The assailants' horror was palpable.
The young man in white chuckled and continued, "Fine, since that's what you think, then I have nothing more to say. But—humph, have you all forgotten the promises you made when I let you go that day?" He suddenly raised his voice, frightening Zhou Zheng and the others so much that they dared not utter a sound.
After a long while, Yu Qing finally stammered, "Young Master Ye, you know, we brothers are always extravagant spenders. We ran out of money a few days ago, so…so…"
"Hmm, for people in your line of work, you really can't survive without robbing some valuables. The problem is, have you followed the 'three robberies, three no-touch' rule of the outlaws?"
The crowd looked at each other, not daring to answer. Long Lingfeng, standing to the side, was both surprised and delighted. He was surprised that the Eight Fiends of Xichuan, who were usually as fierce as wolves and committed all sorts of evil deeds, were so submissive to the young man. He was delighted that ninety percent of the jewelry worth eight hundred thousand taels of silver in the caravan could be saved.
"We don't rob honest merchants, we don't rob poor people, we don't rob openly owned goods; we only rob corrupt officials, we only rob the rich and heartless, we only rob secretly owned goods. The promise that Elder Yang Wenhao, the leader of the Thirteen Provinces Green Forest Alliance, personally made to the court has been completely ignored by you." The young man's eyes flashed with a cold light, revealing unfathomable skill, and he sneered.
"I...we...know...know our mistake," Yu Qing stammered.
The young man looked around, and said irritably, "Of the thirty-six members of the Dragon Soaring Escort Agency, nine are dead and eighteen are wounded, plus one is poisoned. Do you think they'll agree to a mere 'know our mistake'?" He paused intentionally when he said "poisoned," staring intently at Zhuo Zongnan.
"Chief Escort Ye, I, Zhuo Zongnan, am...I'm sorry. This...this is the antidote. Take it quickly, or it will be too late." Zhuo Zongnan scrambled to Ye Zongyu's side, desperately shaking him awake, and handed him a white porcelain bottle.
Ye Zongyu was bewildered, but knowing Zhuo Zongnan wouldn't dare to trick him, he quickly uncorked the bottle, poured out a few pills, and swallowed them. Soon after, a cool sensation surged through his right arm, clearly the antidote was taking effect.
"Thank you for saving my life, Young Hero Ye." While he was taking the medicine, Long Lingfeng briefly explained the whole situation to him. Upon hearing this, Ye Zongyu immediately clasped his hands in gratitude and bowed to the young man.
The young man smiled slightly and nodded in acknowledgment. Then he turned to face the Eight Fiends of Xichuan and said solemnly, "Your actions just now were far too ruthless. I should have killed you all with one sword each. But I will spare you this time, considering that 'Poison Claw Bear' voluntarily handed over the antidote. Remember, this is a one-time exception. Get lost!"
The Eight Fiends of Xichuan were stunned at first, then their faces lit up with joy. Yu Qing gestured to his brothers, and the eight of them walked up to the young man and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Young Hero Ye, for sparing our lives..."
Before they could finish their "gratitude," six short arrows suddenly shot out from behind Li Ruhao, heading straight for the young man's chest. Yu Qing and He Hongtai shouted and simultaneously struck out with their palms, flanking him from both sides. The others also attacked at the same time, determined to kill their opponent on the spot.
Long Lingfeng and Ye Zongyu were horrified. The short arrows were incredibly fast and accurate, each aimed directly at the boy's vital points in the chest. Yu Qing and He Hongtai's palm strikes, imbued with the sound of wind and thunder, were overwhelming. Combined with the full force of the other five Fiends, they had formed a pincer movement.
It turned out that although Yu Qing and the others feared the boy, they were unwilling to retire from the martial world. Thinking of the miserable life of hiding and running in the future, they were driven by a ruthless nature and decided to fight to the death. The hand gestures they made were to coordinate a sneak attack with their brothers.
"Young hero, be careful—" Long Lingfeng cried out in alarm, rushing out with his sword, but unfortunately, the distance was too great, and he was powerless to stop them.

In the sixth chapter of Volume 3, "The Four Heroes of the Martial World Appear in Succession

," at the moment of life and death, the boy suddenly sprang up, spun around, and his sword flashed like a bolt of lightning. There was a sound of metal cutting through jade, sparks flew everywhere, and the six short arrows either flew or broke, all missing their mark.
With shouts, Yu Qing and He Hongtai arrived simultaneously. The young man yelled "Good!" and his eyes blazed with purple light as he unleashed dozens of sword shadows, hurling them at the two. The air crackled with the whistling of swords, showcasing his extraordinary skill.
Such divine skill! Even with Yu Qing and He Hongtai's combined martial arts experience exceeding sixty years, they were greatly surprised, their confidence shattered. They could only retreat a few steps, their four palms striking out simultaneously, weaving a tight palm wind, seeking not to gain advantage but to avoid failure, once again trapped in a defensive posture.
The young man's movements were swift and agile, like a ghost, seemingly an intangible force, capable of launching overwhelming attacks from any unexpected direction. The carefully constructed "encirclement" by the Eight Fiends of Xichuan crumbled instantly, throwing them into disarray.
"What incredible swordsmanship!" Long Lingfeng exclaimed in amazement. "While it appears graceful and agile on the surface, each strike actually contains extremely profound power. Moreover, the moves are unpredictable and uniquely crafted, flowing like clouds and water, unrestrained and imaginative, making them unfathomable."
"How... how does it compare to Sect Leader Zheng?" Ye Zongyu asked murmured, dazzled by the sight.
"No... no comparison... no comparison," Long Lingfeng said, utterly impressed and astonished.
Before ten moves had passed, He Muyang and Geng Pengfei cried out in agony, struck by swords and falling to the ground, blood splattering from their chests, clearly beyond saving. Hu Jin was extremely anxious, his spear technique slowing down by half a beat. The young man seized the opportunity, attacking from the gap, piercing through his chest with a single sword strike.
Three of the Eight Fiends of Xichuan had fallen, and the remaining five were even more unable to resist. In the thirteenth and fourteenth moves, He Hongtai and Li Ruhao also perished one after another.
"I'll fight you to the death—" Zhou Zheng knew he was doomed, so he channeled his inner energy into his blade, unleashing a surge of true power as he slashed down from the sky.
"A cornered beast's struggle, what's the point?" The white-robed youth sneered, his sword transforming into countless points of light, shooting into Zhou Zheng's net of blades with unparalleled speed like lightning. Though it was only a single move, it was composed of more than ten continuous bursts of energy, converging into a sharp sword aura capable of shattering mountains and splitting rocks, condensed and unyielding, its power boundless.
"Bang!" At a speed imperceptible to the naked eye, the swords clashed, emitting a sound like the roar of a dragon from the abyss. Zhou Zheng's ghost-headed saber snapped instantly in two, while the sword's momentum remained undiminished, cleaving him in two as easily as cutting melons and vegetables.
"Kill!" Yu Qing and He Muyang roared hoarsely, but behind their backs, they simultaneously mounted their horses, one heading east and the other west, fleeing in panic.
"Want to leave? Not so easy." The young man roared, and a chilling killing intent, as cold as ice and as sharp as snow, immediately enveloped the surroundings. Even Long Lingfeng and Ye Zongyu, who were far away, felt a terrifying fear creep into their hearts.
A gleaming sword sliced through the sky, instantly transforming into a dazzling azure light, swift and agile to the extreme, like a dragon soaring through the heavens or a roc traversing the deep sea. It forcefully cleaved a clear path through the rugged mountain trails, striking Yu Qing directly in the back with overwhelming force.
Yu Qing's horse was a fine Ferghana steed, truly agile and swift, but with "Returning Horse Ridge" on this mountain, how could he run far? After only a few steps, the horse was blocked by the cliff, and its speed gradually decreased.
At the same time, the young man, his robes fluttering, arrived with his sword drawn, like the first rays of dawn breaking through the mist, slaying the notorious bandit leader who had plagued Sichuan for thirty years.
"Alas, the mortal world blinds the eyes; good and evil will ultimately be rewarded," the young man sighed, slowly walking back.
"Young Master Ye, He Muyang…" Ye Zongyu called out, gazing at the dust billowing to the west. The path there was flatter, and He Muyang had quickly disappeared into the distance.
"Don't worry, he can't escape," the young man said with a smug smile.
He Muyang, his horse galloping, was already twenty or thirty paces away. Confident that the young man's martial arts skills were superb, he couldn't possibly catch him, and he breathed a sigh of relief. But just as he thought he was safe, his steed neighed loudly and suddenly stumbled forward. Caught
off guard, He Muyang fell headfirst, feeling dizzy and his whole body wracked with pain. He gritted his teeth, forced himself to his feet, and pulled hard on the reins, intending to mount again. But upon closer inspection, he saw that all four hooves were covered in blood!
"So be it—" He Muyang dropped his weapon and sighed deeply. His mount was in such a state that the young man must have tampered with it. He knew he couldn't escape now. Since all seven of his brothers were dead, there was little point in him living alone. Rather than suffer humiliation, he'd rather die quickly. With that thought, he suddenly raised his right hand and slammed it hard on the top of his head. His head lolled to the side, and he died instantly.
The other镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) were all bewildered: why had the horse stopped running halfway through its journey?
The young man, observing this, gleamed with a sharp light. He straightened his back, shoulders relaxed, and flashed a confident smile. He calmly explained, "Just now, when I got up to chase after Yu Qing, I casually picked up a few pebbles and threw them at He Muyang's horse's legs, cutting several wounds. The faster the horse ran, the more blood it lost, and naturally, it couldn't hold on any longer." He spoke casually, but everyone knew how difficult it was to execute. Not only did he have to hit the target accurately while it was moving rapidly, but the fact that none of the镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) saw the pebbles being thrown was a testament to his exceptional skill.
"He Muyang committed many evils and deserved his fate. It's just a pity about such a fine horse," the young man lamented.
Long Lingfeng, Ye Zongyu, and a group of镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) walked side by side to the young man, cupping their hands in thanks, saying, "Thanks to your righteous intervention, young hero, otherwise our Longteng镖局 (escort agency) would have suffered a terrible fate today."
"It was nothing, nothing to mention," the young man smiled slightly and said happily, "It is you all who were willing to risk your lives to protect the goods, I truly admire you."
"May we know your honorable name, young hero, so that we may repay your kindness in the future," Long Lingfeng said loudly.
"Residing in the imperial court, one can appreciate the warmth of a bamboo leaf in the breeze; following the Jianghu (martial arts world), one can remain unaware of autumn amidst the red snow and cold mountains." With these words, the young man gracefully departed, disappearing into the misty mountains in the blink of an eye.

Volume 3: The Four Heroes of the Martial World Appear in Succession, Chapter 7: The Green Forest Storm

. One month later, at Tingyu Pavilion.
"Hehe, how interesting." Laughter echoed from within the secluded immortal pavilion. Early in the morning, Ren Xiaoyao was dragged over by Nangong Fengzi. The two of them had been tinkering with hidden weapons and mechanisms in her boudoir for several hours, and were having a great time.
"Fengzi, you're pestering Young Hero Ren to play with you again." The door suddenly opened, and Nangong Bubai strolled into the room with a smile, saying casually.
"Father, I was just working on something—why are you here?" Nangong Fengzi smiled brightly, like a blooming flower, and said coquettishly.
"Hehe, I have some things I'd like to discuss with Young Hero Ren." Nangong Bubai said seriously.
Ren Xiaoyao was startled, thinking to himself: Could it be about marrying into the family? Ever since he moved into Haotian Pavilion, Nangong Bubai's attitude towards him was definitely not the enthusiasm and respect shown merely for "recruiting talent." Not only did he hold small banquets every three days and large banquets every five days, but he even specially arranged for his daughter to accompany him to Wushan to admire the moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Ren Xiaoyao was a clever man, and naturally he vaguely guessed Nangong Bubai's intentions. Coupled with Zhuge Wenjie's occasional subtle hints, how could he not know that Nangong Bubai wanted him to marry into her family? Originally, this was a great thing; after all, he and the Nangong sisters were deeply in love, and what was wrong with two women sharing one husband and enjoying the pleasures of having multiple wives? The problem was that Ren Xiaoyao had lofty ambitions and great aspirations. From a young age, he had been instilled with ideas like "a great man should prioritize achievements" and "establish a career before starting a family" by the four masters of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Moreover, he knew that once he married Nangong Fengyi, he would likely spend most of his life in Tingyuxuan, and could no longer talk about chivalry and venturing into the martial world.
Indeed, inheriting Nangong Bubai's immense wealth was an irresistible temptation, but compared to the glory of being "the saint of heroes, the supreme ruler of the martial world," and the ambition to "make all barbarians submit, all nations pay homage, and no one under heaven dare to covet the Song Dynasty or spy on the Central Plains," what was a mere Tingyu Pavilion?
Therefore, these past few days, he had deliberately maintained a proper distance from Nangong Fengyi and Nangong Fengzi. Even when their actions were intimate, it was only a hug or a kiss; there was absolutely no transgression of propriety.
Nangong Fengzi giggled, "Just say it here, I'd like to hear it too."
"It's better if you know less about the ways of the martial world," Nangong Bubai said gently with a fatherly smile. Ren Xiaoyao breathed a sigh of relief; as long as it wasn't related to "marrying into the family," anything was fine.
"No—no—I'll say it here." Nangong Fengzi feigned a pitiful and charming expression, stamping her foot in annoyance.
"Sigh, I really can't do anything with you." Nangong Bubai couldn't resist his little daughter's insistence, so he could only shake his head and move a chair over to sit down.
"Sect Master, has something happened in the martial world again?" Ren Xiaoyao asked with concern.
"No trouble." Nangong Bubai smiled, "It's just that recently, two young heroes have risen in the martial world, their fame almost on par with yours and Xiong Xiaotian's."
"One of them is Xiao Xingchen, the first disciple and successor of the Taishan Sect, right?" Ren Xiaoyao revealed his signature charming smile and said leisurely.
"Indeed." Nangong Bubai said solemnly, "This person has only been out of the mountains for a little over a month, yet he has done dozens of chivalrous deeds in the three provinces of Shandong, Henan, and Hebei. People in the martial world praise him highly. Hey, how did you know..."
"Sect Master, do you think that Xiaoyao stays at Tingyu Pavilion all day just to play with the two young ladies?" Ren Xiaoyao laughed loudly.
Nangong Bubai revealed an approving expression, glanced at him meaningfully, and continued, "Xiao Xingchen's background is extraordinary. His father is Xiao Yusun, the second-ranked of the eight great masters of the Central Plains martial arts world, known as the 'Eastern Mountain Sword Saint'. His mentor is Liu Yuxu, the current head of the Taishan Sect, known as the 'Jade Emperor Sword Master'."
"Like father, like son; a great teacher produces a great student," Ren Xiaoyao said in a deep voice, his tiger-like eyes shining. He was unaware that this saying also applied to him.
"Father, who is the other young hero?" Nangong Fengzi asked impatiently.
"Young Master Ren, do you know that on the 28th of last month, the heroes of the Green Forest from the seven southern provinces and sixty-three northern provinces held a Green Forest Conference at Jinji Ridge in northern Guizhou?" Nangong Bubai asked, gazing at Ren Xiaoyao with a leisurely air.
"Yes, every five years, they elect a highly skilled and respected leader at the conference to command the Green Forest," Ren Xiaoyao replied solemnly.
"Guess who the newly appointed leader of the Green Forest from the seven southern provinces and sixty-three northern provinces is?" Nangong Bubai asked with a smile.
"Senior Yang Wenhao of Yandang Mountain hasn't stepped down from his position as the chief leader for twenty years. He should have been the best candidate, but unfortunately, he's too old and probably can't handle the responsibility anymore," Ren Xiaoyao pondered for a while before analyzing the situation step by step.
"Hmm, go on," Nangong Bubai said encouragingly, listening attentively.
"Chen Bashan, the chief of Jinji Ridge, is young and strong, with superb martial arts skills and a united group of brothers. Plus, the conference is being held on his territory, so..." Ren Xiaoyao said confidently.
"Hahaha, wrong, wrong," Nangong Bubai chuckled before Ren Xiaoyao could finish. "I thought the same thing as you before, but we were both wrong."
"Or it could be 'Northwest Knife King' Zhang Donghua," Ren Xiaoyao pondered for a moment before adding, "It's said that he has superb swordsmanship and is incredibly righteous. The heroes of the outlaw world in Hebei, Hubei, Shanxi, and Shaanxi provinces all follow his lead."
"No," Nangong Bubai smiled slightly and shook his head.
"Next in the rankings, it can only be Yang Weicai, the powerful figure from eastern Sichuan, but his personality is rather extreme, and I'm afraid
he might not be well-received," Ren Xiaoyao said frankly. "Hey, who's even in his league?" Nangong Bubai sat up straight, casually rejecting the idea again.
"Really? Besides these three, who else is qualified?" Ren Xiaoyao asked incredulously.
"This question isn't just about you and me; even Abbot Xiaoming of Shaolin Temple, Master Long of the Tianji Sect, and the leaders of the five major sword sects couldn't guess it correctly," Nangong Bubai laughed.
"Really?!" Ren Xiaoyao's body trembled, almost unable to believe his ears.
"Of course, to tell you the truth, the new leader of the Green Forest Alliance in the seven southern and sixty-three northern provinces is a young man named Ye Zhi Qiu," Nangong Bubai said slowly.
"Could it be... could it be that he's the second young hero you mentioned earlier, Father?" Nangong Fengzi's beautiful eyes flickered, and she asked softly.
"That's right!" Nangong Bubai said solemnly.
"Ye Zhi Qiu, a young man, is the leader of the Thirteen Provinces Green Forest Alliance." Ren Xiaoyao muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming. "This man is only in his early twenties, yet his swordsmanship is terrifyingly high," Nangong Bubai added. "Two months ago, he debuted and killed the three tyrants of Lulong in Hebei; on the seventh day

of

last month, he drove out the Eight Fiends of Xichuan, who had dominated Sichuan for decades. In short, he has killed at least seventy or eighty outnumbered Green Forest scoundrels and treacherous villains."
"Oh, so Ye Zhi Qiu's personality suits my taste quite well. I must get to know him sometime," Ren Xiaoyao said happily. "
Strange, how did he become the leader at such a young age?" Nangong Fengzi frowned, a thoughtful expression on her face, and asked in a sweet voice. The Thirteen Provinces Green Forest Alliance holds a position in the martial arts world second only to the Four Great Families. Ye Zhi Qiu's meteoric rise to become its leader must have many little-known "insider stories."
Nangong Bubai stroked his beard and smiled, saying softly, "It is said that on the day of the conference, Chen Bashan, Zhang Donghua, Yang Weicai, and Yang Wenhao's eldest son, Yang Letian, all intended to compete for the position of leader. The four sides vied for power, arguing endlessly, until finally Yang Wenhao made the final decision: to decide the future of the Thirteen Provinces Green Forest Alliance through a martial arts competition."
"In other words, whoever has the highest martial arts skill will be the leader," Nangong Fengzi chuckled.
"Yes, before Chen Bashan and the others even made a move, Ye Zhi Qiu suddenly appeared," Nangong Bubai said with admiration, "Truly a newborn calf unafraid of tigers! None of the four great masters of the Green Forest could withstand a hundred moves from him.
" "Although Ye Zhi Qiu's martial arts are high, he is still young and inexperienced. Will the heroes of the Thirteen Provinces Green Forest truly submit to him?" Ren Xiaoyao asked doubtfully. "
Indeed, as soon as Ye Zhi Qiu received the command flag from Yang Wenhao, more than twenty families prepared to take their positions, and the rest were mostly just there to watch the show." Who would have thought that Ye Zhi Qiu, unperturbed, casually uttered a few words that completely subdued everyone present.
"What did he say?" Nangong Fengzi asked anxiously.
"He said—" Nangong Bubai deliberately dragged out his words, keeping her in suspense, and only when his daughter stomped her foot, almost pinching his arm, did he say: "Although the Song Dynasty is vast and its people numerous, it is beset by the Liao Dynasty to the north, the Dali Kingdom to the south, and the Western Xia and Tubo Kingdoms to the west. These four barbarian tribes are eyeing us covetously, plotting to invade the Central Plains and seize our Song Dynasty's beautiful land. Upholding the nation and protecting our homeland is the inescapable duty of every member of the Green Forest. Twenty years ago, the Shura, allied with the Absolute Killing Sect, launched a massive invasion, attempting to annihilate the martial arts world of the Central Plains. Heroes from all directions united to resist the invaders, gathering the strength of Shaolin, the Beggars' Sect, the Heavenly Extreme Sect, the Four Great Families, and the Five Great Sword Sects to fight them at Five Cloud Mountain." Upon hearing this news, Elder Yang immediately issued the "Yandang Order," commanding the heroes of the thirteen provinces to come to their aid. Everyone who received the news mobilized their forces and rushed to their aid from afar. At that time, how loyal and devoted we were, how we shared both glory and shame!" Tingyuxuan's spies were scattered throughout the land, so obtaining Ye Zhiqiu's exact words was not difficult.
Nangong Bubai paused slightly, took a sip of tea, and mimicked Ye Zhiqiu's tone, continuing, "Countless heroes and righteous men of the martial world risked their lives, one after another, finally bringing peace to the martial world. But who could have imagined that twenty years later, the heroes of the thirteen provinces would be acting independently, becoming increasingly disorganized, losing their former loyalty and righteousness, their former heroic spirit."
"Well done, Ye Zhiqiu! He gives them a taste of success before punishing them. Even if Chen Bashan and the others have something to say, it's inconvenient for them to interrupt now. " "Ren Xiaoyao chuckled.
"Then he continued: 'The principles of our outlaws should be "robbing the rich to help the poor, and acting on behalf of Heaven." However, in recent years, many brothers have not only refrained from targeting corrupt officials, local tyrants, and powerful figures, but have instead set their sights on the poor, the elderly, women, and children. Am I wrong?'" Nangong Bubai continued to relay.
"That makes perfect sense. I wonder what everyone's response is?" Ren Xiaoyao asked with interest.
"Alas, they were all rendered speechless by the question. Only Chen Bashan stubbornly argued: 'What Young Hero Ye said is indeed true, but what does that have to do with our election of the chief leader today?'" Nangong Bubai laughed.
"Hehe, when you can't win an argument, you change the subject. Chen Bashan is shameless." "Nangong Fengzi chuckled. "
As soon as Chen Bashan finished speaking, Ye Zhi Qiu retorted righteously: 'The purpose of convening the Green Forest Conference and electing a chief leader is to find a hero whose martial arts, character, conduct, and virtue are sufficient to command respect and lead the Green Forest of thirteen provinces. But in my opinion, what you are fighting for today is merely an empty title.'"
"An empty title? Ye Zhi Qiu has quite the nerve," Ren Xiaoyao said, moved.
"Yes," everyone was furious upon hearing this, but Ye Zhi Qiu calmly continued: 'Gentlemen, isn't what I'm saying the truth?'" "Senior Yang Wenhao served as the chief leader for twenty years, during which time he issued thirty-seven orders. Of the more than two hundred mountain strongholds present, less than a third could fulfill ten of them, and only a dozen or so could fulfill half. As for his repeated orders of 'Three Robberies and Three Don'ts,' you've all long since forgotten them. What else can you call the title of 'Chief Leader of the Thirteen Provinces Green Forest Alliance' but an empty name?"
"What sharp words!" Ren Xiaoyao exclaimed in surprise. "Now he should explain his purpose in vying for the chief leader position."
"Intelligent," Nangong Bubai praised. "Ye Zhiqiu then said, 'Today, the reason I stepped onto this stage to compete is not to gain fame and power in the martial arts world, but simply to unite you heroes, guide you back to the righteous path, and do my part to maintain justice in the martial arts world and ensure stability. Shaolin, the Beggars' Sect, and the Heavenly Pole Sect can be renowned throughout the world for their loyalty and righteousness; why can't the Green Forest Alliance of the Thirteen Provinces do the same?'"
"In that case, they should be convinced, right?" Ren Xiaoyao clapped his hands and laughed.
"They are convinced, but there are still some older elders who are unwilling to let Ye Zhiqiu become the leader," Nangong Bubai stroked his beard.
"Why is that?" Ren Xiaoyao asked, puzzled.
“Sigh, firstly, we worry that although Ye Zhi Qiu’s martial arts are excellent, he lacks experience and won’t be able to handle the complex interpersonal relationships within the Thirteen Provinces Green Forest Alliance; secondly, we’re afraid people in the martial arts world will laugh at them for willingly serving a twenty-year-old as their leader.” Nangong Bubai said, both amused and annoyed.
“What a joke!” Ren Xiaoyao sneered. “Gan Luo became a high-ranking official at twelve, Li Ji could slay snakes at a young age, and even the current Beggar Clan leader, Xiong Xiaotian, was only twenty when he inherited the position . How could Ye Zhi Qiu not be qualified to be the leader of the Thirteen Provinces Green Forest Alliance?”
“That’s true, but those old guard still have some reservations, so Ye Zhi Qiu gave them some instructions before successfully taking over.” Nangong Bubai chimed in.
“Did he make some promise?” Ren Xiaoyao asked, his eyes burning.
"Yes, Ye Zhi Qiu swore on the spot that he would transform the appearance of the bandits in the thirteen provinces within three years, ensuring they could be self-sufficient without harming the innocent, and earn the respect of all martial artists. Otherwise, he would commit suicide to atone for his sins." Nangong Bubai's eyes flashed with a sharp light, then he quickly suppressed it and sighed.
Ren Xiaoyao remarked with feeling, "Young and promising, with lofty ambitions, Ye Zhi Qiu is no ordinary person."

Volume 3, Chapter 9,

"The Four Heroes of the Martial World," Nangong Bubai said with a sudden surge of pride. "Indeed, you few have become the future hope of the Central Plains martial world."
"The few of us?" Ren Xiaoyao's eyes lit up.
"Yes, the Four Heroes of the Martial World: 'The Beggar of the Nine Provinces' Xiong Xiaotian, 'The Romantic Thief' Ren Xiaoyao, 'Iron Sword Autumn Frost' Xiao Xingchen, and 'Proud Snow Cold Sword' Ye Zhi Qiu." Nangong Bubai said solemnly.
"The Beggars' Sect disciples are scattered throughout the Nine Provinces, and Chief Xiong truly deserves the title; as for me... hehe, I mostly rely on a casual remark made by Master Zhuge back then." Ren Xiaoyao, upon hearing that he was listed as one of the "Four Heroes of the Martial World," did not show any arrogance or complacency, but merely smiled faintly, and then asked, "I wonder what the Iron Sword Autumn Frost and the Proud Snow Cold Sword refer to?" "
When Xiao Xingchen emerged from seclusion, although Sect Leader Liu gifted him the Purple Lightning and Azure Frost, to this day, neither of these divine weapons has ever been drawn. Whether in sparring or in actual combat, he only uses an ordinary iron sword, but his swordsmanship is superb, and his stance is impeccable, as chilling as autumn frost, hence the name 'Iron Sword Autumn Frost,'" Nangong Bubai explained with satisfaction.
"Ye Zhi Qiu's weapon has a very beautiful name, 'Mo Lian Feng,' said to be forged from meteorite iron from outer space. Its sword aura is chilling, and its sharpness is unparalleled," Nangong Bubai continued. "Unlike Xiao Xing Chen, when it's time to strike, he will never hesitate to use his sword."
"Mo Lian Feng, Mo Lian Feng, naturally, it should not conceal its sharpness," Ren Xiaoyao chuckled.
"Ye Zhi Qiu is gentle and refined, knowledgeable and reasonable, but deep down he exudes a hint of arrogance. It's not surprising that he's nicknamed 'Proud Snow Cold Sword,'" Nangong Bubai nodded.
"Sigh..." As he spoke, Ren Xiaoyao couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
"Brother Xiaoyao, what's wrong?" Nangong Fengzi turned her fragrant body away, her beautiful eyes showing concern, and asked softly.
"N-nothing... I just want to go out for some fresh air," Ren Xiaoyao stood up, shaking his head against his will.
"Young Master Ren must be feeling bored. Why don't I accompany you to Yanxia Garden for some sightseeing?" Nangong Bubai said, pulling Ren Xiaoyao along and turning to leave. By the time the bewildered Nangong Fengzi realized what was happening, the two were already far away.
Strolling along the secluded and quiet forest path, Ren Xiaoyao felt no joy or satisfaction. Ever since moving into Tingyu Pavilion, he had felt as if something was missing. Although he had two stunning beauties, Nangong Fengyi and Nangong Fengzi, by his side, their captivating charm and gentle affection, enough to make any hero swoon, could not melt his ambition to roam the martial world and conquer all. Despite enjoying delicacies and sleeping on a sandalwood bed in Haotian Pavilion—luxuries unattainable for most—the desire to travel and uphold justice was still slowly building within him. Now, Nangong Bubai's words acted like a fuse, completely igniting Ren Xiaoyao's desire to return to the martial world. Torn between his deep affection for his beloved and his unfulfilled ambitions, it's no wonder the usually optimistic man sighed.
"If I'm not mistaken, Young Hero Ren probably wants to leave our humble abode to meet Xiao Xingchen, Ye Zhi Qiu, and the others," Nangong Bubai said slowly, his gaze gleaming as he scrutinized Ren Xiaoyao, giving him a firm pat on the shoulder.
A pang of guilt suddenly welled up in Ren Xiaoyao's heart. Nangong Bubai had treated him better than a son; to just leave like this would truly betray all his hard work. So he tried to smooth things over, saying, "Sect Master, my master once said..."
"No need to explain, I understand your feelings," Nangong Bubai chuckled, interrupting. "I too have had my youthful and impetuous days. I know that young men like that can't stay still anywhere. Especially you—the ambitious 'Romantic Thief,' you certainly can't spend your whole life holed up in Tingyu Pavilion, living a mediocre life."
"Sect Master agreed?" Ren Xiaoyao's eyes lit up, looking at Nangong Bubai in disbelief. He hadn't expected this powerful business tycoon to be so open-minded. There wasn't a trace of blame or anger in his words; instead, they were filled with his heartfelt praise and encouragement.
"Even if I didn't agree, would the martial world disagree? Would the martial arts world disagree?" Nangong Bubai laughed heartily, his voice ringing out.
"This junior has a request, I hope the Sect Master..." Ren Xiaoyao steeled his resolve and bowed deeply.
"You want to take Fengyi and Fengzi away, don't you?" Nangong Bubai interrupted before Ren Xiaoyao could finish.
"Exactly." Ren Xiaoyao adopted an unprecedentedly solemn expression, speaking slowly and deliberately.
"I disagree." Nangong Bubai's answer was decisive and straightforward.
"Why?" Ren Xiaoyao had anticipated his reluctance to part with his daughters and asked calmly.
"You must be thinking that I cherish Fengyi and Fengzi like precious jewels, and I certainly wouldn't want to part with them, right?" Nangong Bubai stroked his beard and smiled, speaking in a deep voice.
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes shone with sincere admiration, and he exclaimed, "Sect Master's insight is truly remarkable, I admire you greatly."
"Hehe, don't flatter me." Nangong Bubai shook his head and smiled wryly, "You're a smart man, you should know that I intend to betroth my two daughters to you, right?"
"Two?!" Ren Xiaoyao was startled, almost jumping up in excitement. In his mind, a prestigious family like Tingyuxuan would never tolerate two young ladies sharing one husband. That's why he was trying so hard to choose between Nangong Fengyi and Nangong Fengzi. Unexpectedly, Nangong Bubai's casual remark completely dispelled his long-standing concerns. "Fengyi and Fengzi have long been enamored with you. If only one of them could marry you, wouldn't that cause chaos?" Nangong Bubai saw through his thoughts and chuckled.
Just as Ren Xiaoyao was overjoyed, Nangong Bubai continued, "As a responsible father, I should let them accompany you on your adventures. After all, Nangong Bubai's daughters need some experience traveling around, otherwise how will they be good wives and mothers, and how will they manage the family business in the future? But as the head of Tingyuxuan, I absolutely cannot agree to this."
"What are your concerns, Sect Master?" Ren Xiaoyao asked directly.
Nangong Bubai stared intently at Ren Xiaoyao, and solemnly said, "First, you must understand: First, I am not afraid that Fengyi and Fengzi cannot withstand the hardships of venturing into the martial world; second, I am not worried that my skills as a dashing thief will be insufficient to protect them in their youth and ignorance; third, I am not concerned that Fengyi and Fengzi might secretly pledge their lives to you, conceive a child, and commit an absurd act that would dishonor the sect." "
Could it be... could it be that the sect leader has some unspeakable reason?" Ren Xiaoyao pressed on relentlessly. Nangong Bubai instantly rejected all three reasons he had imagined, leaving him speechless.

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