A Thousand Years of Elegance Discussed in Laughter (Complete) - 5

Volume Seven: The Jade Maiden Accompanying Me on the Return Journey, Chapter One: A Lifelong Matter

. "Senior Yi!" The two turned around hastily, both startled.
Yi Tianhan was standing less than three zhang away, yet they hadn't noticed him at all.
"Stop staring at each other. This 'Owl Movement Technique' of mine has been cultivated for at least forty years. Even if it were Meng Fei or Liu Yuxu, they wouldn't be able to detect it, let alone the two of you." Yi Tianhan seemed to have read their minds, laughing confidently.
"Senior's skill is superb; we admire it immensely." Ren Xiaoyao and Xiao Xingchen praised sincerely.
"Haha, stop flattering." Yi Tianhan's eyes flashed sharply as he stared intently at Ren Xiaoyao, slowly saying each word, "Since Nangong Bubai's daughter is in grave danger, and you can't bear to part with Furong, why not take her back with you?"
"This junior originally had that intention, but I'm afraid Senior won't allow it," Ren Xiaoyao bowed.
"What, do you think I'd let my appetite interfere with Furong's marriage?" Yi Tianhan asked solemnly.
Ren Xiaoyao and Xiao Xingchen exchanged a smile. The dishes Furong cooked could only be described as "exquisite delicacies," but Yi Tianhan was a complete gourmand. Even if he could endure the loneliness of life after his disciple's departure, he probably couldn't control his appetite.
"Don't worry, I... I can take care of myself." Yi Tianhan said somewhat embarrassedly, having been seen through by them.
"Thank you for your kindness, Senior." Ren Xiaoyao took a half step forward and bowed.
"Furong has been practicing martial arts with me for thirteen years. It's time for her to go out and gain some experience and broaden her horizons." Yi Tianhan quickly helped him up and said seriously, "You two must protect her well and make sure nothing goes wrong."
"Don't worry, Senior. If anything happens to Furong, I will hold you responsible." Ren Xiaoyao's eyes suddenly shone brightly as he said, enunciating each word clearly. Having said that, he hurriedly took his leave, rushing towards the small house as if flying, seemingly off to "report the good news."
"Young Master Xiao, the journey to Hangzhou is long, and Jue Sha will definitely send men to ambush you in secret," Yi Tianhan said with concern. "With your and Young Master Ren's martial arts skills, you have nothing to fear from a direct, fair interception, but you must be wary of their underhanded tricks such as poisoning, ambushes, and sneak attacks."
"Senior is quite right," Xiao Xingchen said solemnly, a chill running down his spine. "
Young Master Ren is indeed intelligent and experienced in the martial world, but unfortunately, he is too confident and easily taken advantage of by scoundrels; Furong is quick-tempered and prone to tantrums, and will be of little use in crucial moments; only you, calm and composed, can be relied upon. You must constantly remind them."
"This junior will do my utmost and live up to your expectations," Xiao Xingchen nodded slightly, his tiger-like eyes gleaming with confidence.
When Yi Tianhan and Xiao Xingchen returned to their lodgings, Ren Xiaoyao had already told Shui Furong the good news. Shui Furong was overjoyed and couldn't wait to start packing her luggage.
Seeing this, Yi Tianhan laughed heartily, then pretended to be serious and said, "Furong, with Young Hero Ren by your side, don't you need your master anymore?"
"Of course not!" Shui Furong giggled playfully, "I can't bear to leave my master."
"Really? How come you're packing your bags faster than anyone else?" Yi Tianhan said with the wisdom of someone who's been through it all.
"Oh dear—" Shui Furong blushed and said coquettishly, "This is my first time traveling so far, of course... of course I have to pack as soon as possible." "
As the saying goes, 'A daughter is not meant to be kept at home,' I've certainly seen it for myself today." Yi Tianhan laughed heartily.
"Don't worry, Master, Furong will definitely be back in a year or two." Shui Furong showed a girlish expression and said softly.
"What, you want to be gone for so long?" Yi Tianhan asked, feigning surprise.
"Is it a long time?" Shui Furong's eyes sparkled as she smiled. "I think it's been a bit short."
"You, you can't wait to abandon your master and follow Young Hero Ren for life," Yi Tianhan said casually, stroking his white beard.
Shui Furong blushed and glared at her master reproachfully. Her expressive eyes clearly showed "you're right," but she retorted loudly, "Master, how can you say such things? You...you're being too disrespectful to your elders."
Yi Tianhan had no choice but to say in a deep voice, "This trip to Hangzhou will be fraught with danger. You must be extra careful."
"What's there to be afraid of?" Shui Furong revealed a confident and captivating expression, saying proudly, "With the Heaven-Defying Palm technique personally taught by you, Master, who can do anything to me?"
"There are always mountains beyond mountains, and people beyond people. Even your master has opponents he can't defeat, let alone you." Recalling Ren Qiaocui's peerless swordsmanship, Yi Tianhan was filled with emotion.
"Master—" Shui Furong stamped her foot and complained, "Those senior masters wouldn't make things difficult for me. As for ordinary thieves, as soon as they hear I'm the disciple of 'Heaven-Defying Divine Palm' Yi Tianhan, wouldn't they be terrified and flee in a sorry state?"
"Furong, you have such a sweet tongue," Ren Xiaoyao chuckled.
"What I said is true," Shui Furong turned her delicate body away and smiled gently.
"Since Senior Yi is worried about Miss Shui's safety, why not return to the Central Plains with us? The righteous sects of the martial world will be overjoyed to hear of your return and will eagerly await your arrival," Xiao Xingchen suggested.
Ren Xiaoyao echoed, "Yes, the position of leader of the Central Plains Martial Arts Alliance..."
"Stop talking. If I don't see Lan Xin in this lifetime, Yi Tianhan will never set foot in the Song territory," Yi Tianhan interrupted with a wave of his hand.
"Lan Xin? Sounds like a woman. Could it be that Senior Yi is troubled by love, which is why he has secluded himself on this deserted island, living in seclusion overseas?" Ren Xiaoyao's heart stirred, and he was about to ask when Yi Tianhan sighed and turned to leave.
The two of them turned their gazes to Shui Furong, hoping to get an answer from her.
"I... I'm not quite sure either," Shui Furong said blankly.
"Just in case, take the Wind and Fire Lightning Steed with you. It's fast and will make the journey easier," Yi Tianhan's concerned voice drifted back.
"Thank you, Master," Shui Furong replied sweetly.
"What, there are horses on the island?" Xiao Xingchen asked in surprise.
"Yes, you didn't know," Shui Furong said softly. "These days I've been busy taking care of the idiot, and Master has been doing all the work of feeding the horses." Ever since that night, she had changed her address for Ren Xiaoyao from "Brother Xiaoyao" to "idiot." Ren Xiaoyao, having won the favor of a beauty, naturally didn't mind, but it left the clueless Xiao Xingchen completely bewildered.
The three packed their luggage and arrived at a cave in the northern part of Yanxia Island. Shui Furong gestured for Ren Xiaoyao and Xiao Xingchen to wait, then went inside alone and led out the Wind and Fire Lightning Steed.
From afar, the horse was pure white, without a single stray hair. It was ten feet long from head to tail and seven feet tall from back to hooves. Upon closer inspection, its head resembled a rabbit's, its eyes were like copper bells, its ears were small, its hooves were round, its tail was light, and its chest was broad—clearly a rare and exceptional steed.

"

What a magnificent steed!" Xiao Xingchen exclaimed.
"This horse comes from the Western Regions. I wonder where Senior Yi obtained it?" Ren Xiaoyao asked with delight, gently stroking the horse's mane.
“Three years ago, a merchant ship traveling from Bagan (present-day India) to Fusang ran aground near Shuixiu Island. Master, you bravely came to the rescue and saved the merchants on board,” Shui Furong gently leaned against Ren Xiaoyao, recalling the incident. “Before leaving, they told Master that among their cargo was a swift and powerful horse from the Uyghurs, known for its ferocity, immense strength, and tendency to kick and bite wildly; no one could tame it.”
“After hearing this, Senior Yi insisted that they leave the horse behind, wanting to tame it himself,” Ren Xiaoyao guessed.
Shui Furong smiled and nodded, softly saying, “The merchants, to express their gratitude for being saved, naturally agreed, and even provided a fine saddle and bridle as a gift.”
"After Senior Yi trained the Fiery Lightning Steed, it should have been completely obedient," Xiao Xingchen said calmly.
"No way," Shui Furong objected.
"Oh, was there some trouble involved?" Ren Xiaoyao asked.
"Yes, at first, Master didn't take it seriously at all, but as soon as he mounted it, he was thrown off," Shui Furong chuckled. "For this, Master was furious, insisting that he was possessed, otherwise how could he not even control a horse?"
Ren Xiaoyao and Xiao Xingchen exchanged a knowing smile and asked in unison, "And then what happened?"
"Later, Master spent a lot of effort and tried many methods, but the Fiery Lightning Steed just wouldn't listen," Shui Furong recalled, tilting her pretty face up. "After more than half a month, Master still couldn't do anything with it, and in a fit of anger, he almost beat the horse to death."
"Senior Yi is proud and arrogant, and he would never tolerate anyone disrespecting his reputation, let alone... let alone a beast," Ren Xiaoyao pondered.
"That's right, taming horses requires patience. If you're easily angered, it's best not to touch them," Xiao Xingchen said with considerable feeling. In terms of martial arts, Yi Tianhan was undoubtedly a peerless master, but his personality flaws prevented him from becoming a grandmaster like Dugu Yu or Xiao Yusun.
"So, how exactly did the Wind and Fire Lightning Steed become so obedient?" Ren Xiaoyao asked curiously.
"Of course, it's thanks to me, young lady!" Shui Furong's cheeks flushed, her charming and sweet expression incredibly alluring, and she said proudly.
"You... really?" Ren Xiaoyao burst into laughter, saying incredulously, "Even Master is helpless, how could I, your disciple, possibly succeed?" Shui Furong's temper was similar to Yi Tianhan's, but even more mischievous and willful; she probably couldn't handle the Wind and Fire Lightning Steed either.
"Hmph, don't underestimate me," Shui Furong pouted petulantly, angrily saying, "Young Master Xiao, what do you think?"
"I..." Xiao Xingchen was very suspicious, but he couldn't say it outright, and immediately felt extremely embarrassed.
"Alright, I'll show you what I'm made of." Shui Furong put her hands on her hips, revealing a resentful expression that seemed to pity the two for their ignorance. She glanced at Ren Xiaoyao and said casually, "Bao'er, kick him."
Before she finished speaking, the Wind and Fire Lightning Steed suddenly neighed and raised its front leg, kicking at Ren Xiaoyao's abdomen. Ren Xiaoyao was startled and quickly dodged to the side.
"Bao'er, this one." Shui Furong pointed casually, and the horse immediately turned around and started tearing at Xiao Xingchen's clothes.
"Furong, stop fooling around, we believe you, we believe you, okay?" Ren Xiaoyao said sincerely, seeing how "obedient" the Wind and Fire Lightning Steed was.
"How about that, not bad, right?" Shui Furong gestured, and the Wind and Fire Lightning Steed immediately retreated and obediently walked to the side.
"To tell you the truth, Bao'er only obeyed because it ate the dishes I personally cooked." Shui Furong shrugged her fragrant shoulders and explained with a charming expression.
"The Wind...the Windfire Lightning Steed knows how to appreciate fine food?" Ren Xiaoyao asked doubtfully.
"Not only that, it can also drink alcohol." Shui Furong's beautiful eyes sparkled, and she giggled.
"Alright, let's set off quickly, we don't have much time left." Xiao Xingchen said solemnly, afraid of delaying.
"Okay," Ren Xiaoyao agreed, took Shui Furong's hand, and walked straight towards the shore.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Meanwhile, a thousand miles away in Tingyu Pavilion, Nangong Bubai sat anxiously in the main hall of Wuyou Pavilion, waiting for news from all directions.
The search in Haizhou, Chuzhou, Suzhou, Mingzhou and other places had all been in vain, and the bounty of a thousand yi of gold had been increased tenfold, but still no one had shown interest. It seemed that he could only place his hopes on Ren Xiaoyao and Xiao Xingchen, who had traveled to Wenzhou and Taizhou.
"Sect Master, there is news." Nangong Wushang rushed in as if flying, holding a letter.
Nangong Bubai suddenly stood up, snatched the letter, and eagerly tore open the sealing wax.
"To Sect Leader Nangong:
Upon receiving your letter, we dared not delay. We immediately invited the heroes of Wen and Tai, and dispatched all our disciples to search the seventy-two islands of the East Sea and the entire inland region. However, Heaven has not been kind, and our luck has run out. There is still no news. Young heroes Ren and Xiao went out to sea to search, but have not returned for many days.
The clan's request has yielded no results. I am truly terrified and ashamed to face you. I can only do my utmost to search again.
Jiang Heting and Yan Chenghua report this with tears in their eyes."
Nangong Bubai's face was filled with sorrow as he looked up to the sky and sighed, "Alas, is it that Fengyi is destined not to overcome this hurdle?"
"Sect Leader, do not worry. The three-month period is not yet over. Perhaps..." Nangong Wushang comforted him.
“A few days ago, I personally wrote letters requesting Murong Tianfeng, Situ Changkong, and Shangguan Qingyun's full assistance. They should have given me a reply by now,” Nangong Bubai said in a deep voice.
“Sect Master, the three young masters of Yaoyue Tower, Fengming Pavilion, and Shenhuo Hall request an audience.” Just then, Nangong Tiankuo entered the hall and reported.
“Quickly, invite them in,” Nangong Bubai said with a sigh.
“Murong Wu, Shangguan Zhi, and Situ Shangming pay their respects to the Sect Master.” A short while later, three elegantly dressed and handsome young men entered side by side and knelt down.
“Nephew, no need for formalities.” Nangong Bubai quickly helped them up and asked with concern, “Have you all made any discoveries regarding the Jade Blood Pearl?” (

Volume 7, Chapter 3, A Hundred

Years of Longing) “Not yet,” the eldest, Murong Wu, answered first. “However, I assure you on behalf of my father that as long as the Jade Blood Pearl appears in the two provinces of Liangjiang, it will be delivered to the manor within ten days.” (Murong Ruorong is Murong Tianfeng’s younger sister, so Murong Wu naturally addresses Nangong Bubai as his uncle.)
Shangguan Zhi cupped his hands and said, “Fengming Pavilion has already dispatched hundreds of scouts to the five prefectures of Zhengding, Daming, Hejian, Yingtian, and Yingchang, and the seven states of Fen, Jin, Xing, Xiang, Qi, De, and Qing. I believe there will be some results within a few days.”
“The situation in Guangdong, Guangxi, and Fujian is entirely under the control of Shenhuo Hall, so Sect Master can rest assured,” Situ Shangming continued.
“In that case, I will trouble the brothers in your household,” Nangong Bubai said gratefully, suppressing his inner sorrow.
"Sect Master, you flatter me. The four great families are of one blood and should naturally unite and help each other," Murong Wu, Shangguan Zhi, and Situ Shangming said in unison.
"Uncle, how is Sister Fengyi?" Murong Wu stepped forward slightly, anxiously inquiring.
"Alas, she's barely managing," Nangong Bubai said slowly. "
Nephew would like to go see her," Murong Wu said solemnly.
"Fengyi is recuperating in Flower Calyx Valley; I'm afraid she won't be back for a while," Nangong Bubai politely declined.
"It's alright, we'll go over there," Shangguan Zhi and Situ Shangming said eagerly. Nangong Fengyi's reputation for beauty and gentleness was widely known among the four great families, and everyone considered it an honor to see her.
"This..." Nangong Bubai hesitated, looking troubled. "Senior Healer had said that no one except Ruorong and I are allowed to set foot in Hua'e Valley."
Murong Wu, Shangguan Zhi, and Situ Shangming, upon hearing this, looked regretful and took their leave.
"Why did the Sect Master conceal the truth?" Nangong Tiankuo asked, puzzled, watching the three figures leave. Wu Hanyu had never said anything about forbidding outsiders from visiting.
"Since Fengyi has already fallen for Young Hero Ren, why make them wait in vain?" Nangong Bubai slowly shook his head, interrupting.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Hua'e Valley, Nangong Fengyi's residence.
"Sister, the medicine is here."
Nangong Fengzi carefully pushed open the door, carrying a bowl of steaming medicine. Nangong Fengyi quietly leaned against the window, gazing at the distant, towering peaks and rugged mountains. Her bright, clear eyes held a hint of melancholy and longing.
In recent days, she had consumed countless precious medicinal herbs such as ginseng, lingzhi, and deer antler. The poison from the Snow Mountain Shadowless Poison had been temporarily suppressed, but her body had grown increasingly thin, and her once captivating beauty had faded, appearing somewhat pale . Yet, it was precisely this languid and haggard appearance that made her appear even more gentle and beautiful, captivating all who beheld her.
"Sister, are you feeling better today?" Nangong Fengzi asked softly.
"Mmm," Nangong Fengyi replied gently, turning her delicate body away.
"Drink quickly, it'll get cold soon," Nangong Fengzi said, her beautiful eyes filled with concern.
The medicine was bitter and astringent, but even the bitterest medicine could not compare to the deep longing Nangong Fengyi felt for Ren Xiaoyao, the pain of being separated by distance and unable to see him.
"I wonder how Xiaoyao is," Nangong Fengyi murmured, setting down her bowl.
"Don't worry, Brother Xiaoyao will definitely find the Jade Blood Pearl," Nangong Fengzi said with a sweet smile.
“But what if… I mean, what if he can’t make it back in time…” Nangong Fengyi said sadly.
“No, no.” Nangong Fengzi shook her head desperately, sobbing, “If that really happens, I… I’ll die with you.”
“No, Fengzi.” Nangong Fengyi held her younger sister’s hands tightly, her face solemn, “If we both leave, Father and Mother will be heartbroken. Besides, the Tingyuxuan family business can’t be left without an heir.” As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.
“I don’t care. If I lose my sister, what’s the point of living, Fengzi?” Nangong Fengzi sobbed.
“Sister!” “Sister!” The two girls showed their true feelings and embraced each other, weeping.
“Fengzi, come and help pound the medicine.” A moment later, Wu Hanyu called out loudly from the outer room.
“Coming—” Nangong Fengzi slowly stood up, wiped away her tears with her sleeve, and said softly, “Sister, I’ll go out first. You rest well.” After saying that, she hurriedly ran out the door.
Nangong Fengyi's mood gradually calmed down. She walked to the window again and gazed into the distance. In a daze, Ren Xiaoyao's dashing figure and incomparably handsome face kept flashing before her eyes.
Looking at the plum blossoms in the courtyard, Nangong Fengyi was overwhelmed with longing and sadly recited: "Spring colors are fading, the orioles' songs are growing old. Red petals have fallen, and spring plums are small. The painted hall is quiet, shrouded in misty rain, the screen half-hidden, the lingering fragrance lingers. The secret promise is deep, the parting feelings are fading. The mirror is covered with dust, too lazy to look at it. Leaning on the railing, speechless, my soul is about to break, the long sky is dim, and the fragrant grass is dim."
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
On the main road north of Wenzhou, more than twenty burly men of different appearances were hurrying towards the city. They were all bodyguards from Shuangyi Escort Agency. They had been ordered by the chief bodyguard Wu Zhicheng to search for the Jade Blood Pearl in Lucheng and Longwan, but to no avail. They had taken on a heavy escort mission and were traveling day and night to report back.
Leading the way were Liu Peng, the "Soul-Seizing Blade," and Xu Kang, the "Thunderbolt Sword," both among Wu Zhicheng's most astute and capable subordinates, possessing considerable martial arts skills.
"Old Xu, will the chief镖头 (chief镖师, the head镖师, the head镖师) punish us later?" Liu Peng asked with considerable worry.
"Sigh, we deserve a scolding for failing to complete the task assigned by our superiors," Xu Kang sighed. "The problem is, the East Sea Sword Sect, the Flying Fish Gang, and the Iron Fan Sect haven't found the Jade Blood Pearl either. As the saying goes, 'the law doesn't punish the masses,' so I think we'll only get a few scoldings at most."
"That's true, at least we didn't go back empty-handed; at least we got a job," Liu Peng said with a wry smile. "Hopefully, the head镖师 (chief镖师) won't deduct our wages for the sake of the business."
"To be honest, this escort mission won't be easy," Xu Kang glanced at the镖车 (escort wagon) behind him, looking uneasy. "Ten thousand taels of silver! That'll attract a lot of underworld experts. If we get robbed, we'll all be in deep trouble."
"Yes, we need to be more careful," Liu Peng said, his voice suddenly lowering, "There are people ahead!" Upon
hearing this, the镖师 immediately formed a protective circle around the镖车, drew their weapons, and stood ready for battle.
"Giddy up—giddy up—" Before long, a beautiful young woman riding a white horse appeared on the left side of the road. It was a magnificent steed, one in a million, strong and sturdy, with long legs and a streamlined arch along its back. Its snow-white mane fluttered in the wind like silk.

Even more striking was the young woman herself. Like a lotus emerging from clear water, naturally beautiful without artifice. Her beauty was purely a masterpiece of nature; her eyebrows were delicate and arched, her cheeks rosy, her skin smooth and fair, her figure graceful and elegant. Her eyes were like two deep, unfathomable pools, giving her a refined and serene air. Every expression and movement revealed a captivating beauty, coupled with her enchanting and charming temperament, truly a beauty of unparalleled grace and allure. "What a magnificent horse, what a beautiful woman!" Liu Peng exclaimed in disbelief. The other镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) were also stunned by her beauty, standing there dumbfounded. "What time is it? Hurry up and get going!" The nearly fifty-year-old Xu Kang finally snapped out of his daze and shouted. "If we don't find the Crimson Pearl, we'll have a hard time explaining ourselves when we get back!" Upon hearing the words "Crimson Pearl," the young woman suddenly tightened the reins and spurred her horse to a stop. Liu Peng, oblivious, said to himself, "Don't worry, a few glances now and then won't cause any problems." Xu Kang said sternly, "You, don't think that just because the goods are safely delivered, we can rest easy." The words "escort silver" couldn't be uttered carelessly in front of strangers of unknown origin. Liu Peng chuckled, "What, are you afraid the Blood Pearl is hidden in Lucheng or Longwan, but we haven't found it?" Xu Kang replied irritably, "If that's the case, we might as well quit our jobs in the Nine Counties of the East Sea and just pack up and go home to retire." Liu Peng shook his head firmly, joking, "If I knew who had the Blood Pearl, I would definitely snatch it. As for the credit... haha, we'd split it equally, brothers." "Liu is right," the group of镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) echoed. "Are you also looking for the Blood Pearl?" the young girl suddenly asked. "Of course," Liu Peng replied casually, not taking her seriously. The Tingyu Pavilion's hefty reward for the Blood Pearl had already caused quite a stir in the martial arts world, so it wasn't surprising to hear it from a young girl. "If someone has the Blood Pearl but refuses to hand it over, would you really dare to snatch it?" the girl asked with a seductive smile. "Snatch it, why wouldn't we?" Liu Peng's heart fluttered, and he wasn't about to back down, so he said shamelessly. "Miss, why are you asking this?" Xu Kang sensed something amiss and asked in a deep voice. "Hmph, I knew I hadn't picked the wrong person." The girl's phoenix eyes flashed coldly as she said, "So it really is you who covet the Crimson Pearl." "Miss, you misunderstand, we just..." Before Xu Kang could finish speaking, the girl shouted, "I have the Crimson Pearl. If you want it, take it if you can!" With that, she let out a sharp cry and leaped from her horse, raising her palm to sweep towards Xu Kang's chest. Xu Kang was about to explain, but the girl's movements were too fast. Before he could speak, the swift and fierce palm wind had already whistled towards him. In a hurry, he could only roll on the ground to barely avoid it, but his cheek was still stinging from the force of the wind. "Brothers, kill!" Liu Peng, being impulsive, thought the girl was deliberately picking a fight and trying to rob the caravan. He drew his long sword and rushed forward first. "Very well, your intentions are indeed cunning." The girl spoke, her palms moving without pause, unleashing three attacks in the blink of an eye, each aimed at Liu Peng's vital points. Had he not witnessed it with his own eyes, Liu Peng would never have believed that such dense, powerful, and indestructible palm force could be wielded so freely by such a delicate young girl. Shocked, he could only barely withstand a few blows before collapsing. Seeing this, the other bodyguards immediately shouted and surrounded the girl, trapping her in the center. "Outnumbered? This young lady is not afraid!" The girl's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she launched a fierce attack.

Xu Kang and Liu Peng had been friends for many years, their swordsmanship and saber coordination was exquisite. The other镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) were also skilled, but even they dared not directly confront the girl's palm strike, which possessed the power to shatter mountains and shatter rocks.
The girl darted through the air, her feet barely touching the ground as she approached Xu Kang, pushing forward with both palms, unleashing a torrent of energy that surged forth like a tidal wave.
Liu Peng panicked and swung his sword to defend, while Xu Kang retreated diagonally to the right, parrying with his saber.
The girl's move was incredibly swift; she twisted her body and shifted her stance, avoiding the sword's attack, while simultaneously raising her left palm and slamming it heavily against the back of the blade.
"Boom!" The clash of blade and palm energy produced a deep, muffled thunderous sound.
Xu Kang groaned, forced back three steps by the impact.
"How about that? Now you know how powerful I am," the girl giggled, covering her mouth as she launched a straight, sweeping attack at Liu Peng without any fancy moves.
Liu Peng was taken aback. He felt that the girl's plan had turned the impossible into the possible. Her seemingly clumsy yet skillful palm technique was like a massive, unstoppable charge on the battlefield, impossible to defend against or dodge.
"Old Liu—be careful!" Xu Kang's shout hadn't even stopped when Liu Peng felt as if he had been struck by a heavy iron hammer. His entire arm went numb and weak, and his sword fell to the ground.
The girl's fierce attack didn't stop.
In a short while, the other镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) had either lost their weapons or were covered in wounds, all of them completely incapacitated.
"Stop! They're all on our side." Just as everyone closed their eyes and awaited their death, a familiar voice suddenly rang in their ears.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
"Young Master Ren, Young Master Xiao." Xu Kang and Liu Peng exclaimed in unison.
"Fool, you know them?" the girl asked in astonishment.
When they left Yanxia Island, Ren Xiaoyao and Xiao Xingchen opened the blue brocade pouch left by Zhuge Wenjie. On it were only eight words: "Return quickly with the pearl, conceal your whereabouts."
Following instructions, they abandoned their plan to go to the East Sea Sword Sect and inform Jiang Heting, Zhang Qingfeng, and others about finding the Jade Blood Pearl. Instead, they
headed directly to Hangzhou via Ruian and Yueqing. Shui Furong, traveling far for the first time, was very curious about many things. Coupled with the incredible speed of her Wind and Fire Lightning Steed, she quickly left Ren Xiaoyao and Xiao Xingchen behind; otherwise, this misunderstanding with Xu Kang, Liu Peng, and the other镖师 (bodyguards) wouldn't have occurred.
Ren Xiaoyao, with his sharp eyes, immediately guessed what had happened from their expressions and quickly said, "Head镖师 Xu, Head镖师 Liu, this Miss Shui is my friend. Please forgive any offense she may have caused." They had attended several previous negotiations with the East Sea Sword Sect, so they recognized her.

Volume Seven: The Jade Maiden Accompanying Me on the Return Journey, Chapter Five: Misunderstanding Clears Up

. "Young Master Ren, what are you saying?" Xu Kang hurriedly cupped his hands, "If anyone's to blame, it's Old Liu for talking nonsense and being so careless, offending Miss Shui."
"Fool, they came to steal the Azure Blood Pearl!" Shui Furong was still puzzled. "You...how could you..." Ren Xiaoyao,
upon hearing this, was both amused and exasperated.
Liu Peng, his face flushed with experience, explained, "Miss Shui, we are镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) from the Shuangyi镖局 (Second Righteousness Escort Agency ). We were ordered by the head镖师 to search for the Azure Blood Pearl, not to be highway robbers."
"But...but why did you use the word 'rob'?" Shui Furong was slightly taken aback, scrutinizing him intently, and questioned him.
"Oh dear, I was just being stubborn and talking nonsense." Liu Peng was extremely embarrassed, scratching his head.
"Fool, are they really good people?" Shui Furong was still doubtful, tugging at Ren Xiaoyao's sleeve and asking in a low voice.
"Of course they are! Hurry up and apologize to them." Ren Xiaoyao gestured.
Shui Furong, who always listened to him, immediately smiled faintly, revealing a pitiful and charming expression, and said softly, "Head镖师 Liu, Head镖师 Xu, and all the镖师 brothers, I was wrong just now, I'm so sorry."
Looking at her sweet and charming smile, Liu Peng completely forgot about the soreness in his arm and said with a forced smile, "Miss Shui, it's not your fault, I should be the one apologizing."
"I heard from Miss Shui that the Jade Blood Pearl has been found, I really must congratulate you two young heroes." Xu Kang clasped his hands and said.
Ren Xiaoyao's heart skipped a beat, thinking to himself: Furong is too reckless, how could she let it slip. On the surface, however, he remained calm and cupped his hands and said, "Thanks to the good fortune of Sect Master Nangong, we finally made a discovery on Yanxia Island the other day. We originally wanted to return to the East Sea Sect immediately to inform Sect Leader Jiang, but time was tight, so..." As he spoke, he secretly winked at Xiao Xingchen.
Xiao Xingchen immediately understood and added, "It's fortunate to have met you all here. Please convey our gratitude to Sect Leader Jiang, Chief Yan, Chief Escort Wu, and the heroes of the East Sea for their immense kindness and virtue." "Don't
worry, Young Hero Xiao." Xu Kang and Liu Peng nodded in agreement, tidied up the caravan, and hurriedly took their leave.
"Hahaha...hahaha..." After the caravan members had gone far away, Ren Xiaoyao and Xiao Xingchen burst into laughter in unison.
"Fool, Brother Xiao, what...what are you laughing at?" Shui Furong looked extremely embarrassed and said coquettishly.
"Furong, you're really something, just...just left Yanxia Island and you already think the caravan members are bandits." Ren Xiaoyao laughed breathlessly.
"Yes...yes, and they were even having a good time fighting." Xiao Xingchen, who was usually dignified, couldn't help but tease him.
"Don't laugh, don't laugh!" Shui Furong was so ashamed that she stamped her foot and said angrily.
The more she talked, the more enthusiastically Ren Xiaoyao and Xiao Xingchen laughed.
"If you keep doing this, I...I'm leaving!" Shui Furong pouted, feigning reproach and grievance. Before leaving, Yi Tianhan had repeatedly warned her to be careful and thoughtful in all matters. Even if Zhuge Wenjie were here, he probably wouldn't have guessed that Shui Furong would cause trouble so soon after her master finished speaking.
"Leave? Go ahead and leave. At worst, you'll just wrong a few more innocent people." Ren Xiaoyao teased leisurely.
"Waaah...you're bullying me...waaah..." Shui Furong's eyes suddenly swelled up, and two crystal tears welled up in the corners of her eyes as she cried out in sorrow.
Xiao Xingchen was startled and at a loss for what to do, but Ren Xiaoyao didn't care. He pretended to be surprised and said, "Strange, why do Furong's big eyes become more beautiful the more she cries?"
"Waaah...waaah..." Shui Furong seemed not to hear him. She neither wiped nor cleaned her eyes, letting the tears flow freely.
Seeing this, Ren Xiaoyao knew she was truly angry and said softly, "Furong, don't cry, okay? Brother Xiaoyao apologizes to you."
"Fool, who wants your apology?" Shui Furong turned her back and sobbed.
"Oh dear, it's my fault, it's all my fault, please stop crying." Ren Xiaoyao raised his sleeve to wipe away Shui Furong's tears, but she pushed him away.
"Don't touch me, or I'll falsely accuse you."
"Furong..." Ren Xiaoyao tried everything, from deception to coaxing, but Shui Furong wouldn't stop crying.
Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he blinked at Xiao Xingchen, saying, "Actually, Furong is a very nice girl, isn't she, Brother Xiao?"
"Hmm...hmm..." Xiao Xingchen, not understanding, could only nod in agreement.
"She's lively and beautiful, and graceful, but she has a small flaw, which is a slight imperfection." Ren Xiaoyao deliberately drew out the word "flaw."
Sure enough, Shui Furong's crying gradually subsided, and she seemed to be listening intently.
"What flaws?" Xiao Xingchen asked without missing a beat.
"Well, hehe, I can't tell you," Ren Xiaoyao said mysteriously.
"Why?" Xiao Xingchen asked, puzzled.
"Think about it, even with her flaws, Furong can still make me infatuated. If she changed them, how many men in the world would fall in love with her at first sight?" Ren Xiaoyao said arrogantly, feigning a smug tone. "I, Ren Xiaoyao, am not stupid. I don't need to create a large number of rivals for her affections."
"That makes sense." Xiao Xingchen gradually understood his meaning and echoed.
Shui Furong's sobs had almost stopped, but her delicate hands still covered her face.
Ren Xiaoyao continued his act, his voice trembling, "Thinking about how Furong will be surrounded by suitors in the future, even if you kill me, I can't tell this secret."
"Fool—" Shui Furong called softly, her beautiful eyes fixed on Ren Xiaoyao. Her tear-stained face showed a mixture of joy, shyness, and exasperation. She said softly, "Am I really as good as you say?"
"Of course." Ren Xiaoyao pulled her into his arms and said seriously.
Shui Furong buried her face in his clothes shyly and said in a barely audible voice, "What...what are my shortcomings?"
Ren Xiaoyao remained silent.
"Fool, tell me quickly." Shui Furong's cheeks flushed red, and she urged impatiently.
"The downside is that she's been taken by the charming rogue, and no one in the world dares to compete with Ren Xiaoyao for her woman."
"You..."

Volume Seven, Jade Maiden Accompanying the Return Journey, Chapter Six: A Plan Within a Plan.

Traveling day and night, the three of them, carrying the Jade Blood Pearl, rushed towards Hangzhou without stopping.
As the saying goes, concern makes one confused. Thinking of Nangong Fengyi's critical condition, Ren Xiaoyao completely lost his usual wit and composure, even suggesting that they return to Hua'e Valley as quickly as possible without stopping. On the contrary, the steady and capable Xiao Xingchen believed that they should rest more along the way to avoid panic when faced with a deadly attack.
The two held their own opinions and argued endlessly. Fortunately, Shui Furong was away from Yanxia Island for the first time and couldn't bear the hardships of the journey. Every night, she insisted on finding a place to rest and eat. Ren Xiaoyao couldn't refuse her and had to agree.
At this moment, the three of them were sitting in a small restaurant.
"Oh dear, traveling from morning till night, I'm exhausted!" Shui Furong complained, shaking her aching arms.
"Indeed, we've covered over 700 li in just a few days," Ren Xiaoyao said cheerfully. "Hangzhou is getting closer, I believe we'll be back in Hua'e Valley in less than ten days."
Xiao Xingchen said seriously, "The closer we get, the more careful we need to be."
Ren Xiaoyao frowned, "That's right, I've spotted at least nineteen groups of people spying on us along the way, including bandits, underworld experts, and even government constables."
Xiao Xingchen said solemnly, "Sect Leader Nangong has raised the bounty to two million taels of gold. Tell me, who in the world wouldn't want to exchange the Jade Blood Pearl for that fortune?"
"The problem is that Absolute Killer hasn't appeared yet, and those guys, whether intimidated by our reputations or for some other reason, haven't made a move yet," Ren Xiaoyao said in a deep voice.
"Perfect Killer's spies might be hidden among these nineteen groups," Xiao Xingchen whispered.
“Very likely,” Ren Xiaoyao agreed. “Given the status of Jueyue, Duohun, and the others, they would naturally disdain following us, but they would inevitably try to seize it.”
“It’s all my fault. If they hadn’t let it slip that day…” Shui Furong sighed softly.
“No, even without the misunderstanding between you and the two镖头 (bodyguards) Xu and Liu, I would have told them the truth,” Ren Xiaoyao immediately interrupted. “Thousands of heroes in the East Sea are working tirelessly for the Jade Blood Pearl. Who can bear to see them continue to search day and night for something that is impossible to find?”
In fact, from his own perspective, he would not reveal the matter until he had given the Jade Blood Pearl to Nangong Fengyi. Therefore, he spoke these righteous words in front of Shui Furong entirely to prevent her from blaming herself too much, while also subtly expressing his determination to take on everything for her.
As expected, Shui Furong's heart fluttered. She glanced at Ren Xiaoyao with deep affection and said tenderly, "Silly boy, you...you're so good to me."
In the past, Ren Xiaoyao would have definitely pulled her into his arms and showered her with affection, but there were too many people in the restaurant, so he had to give up for now.
"Sir, your wine is here!" The waiter called out, carrying a pot of Daughter's Red wine to the table. His face was rather dull, and he walked with a swaying gait, which displeased Shui Furong.
"Furong, let's drink and chat," Ren Xiaoyao said, unconcerned, and poured wine for Shui Furong with a smile.
"Mm," Shui Furong gracefully rose and raised her cup in response.
As they drew closer, Ren Xiaoyao deliberately used the wine pot to cover his face and whispered a few words. Shui Furong was slightly startled, but quickly regained her composure and said with a smile, "Silly boy, let's drink!" She then downed her drink in one gulp.
Ren Xiaoyao and Xiao Xingchen also raised their cups simultaneously.
"Good wine!" Ren Xiaoyao praised loudly. Before he finished speaking, Shui Furong collapsed with a "thud.
" "Furong, what's wrong?" Ren Xiaoyao was shocked and was about to help her up when he suddenly felt dizzy and stammered, "Brother Xiao, the wine... the wine is poisoned." With that, he fainted.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xingchen immediately circulated his qi to protect his heart meridian, but it was too late. His vision went black and he instantly lost consciousness.
"Hahaha, what a romantic thief, what a swordsman, the Four Heroes of the Martial World are nothing more than this!" After a while, a middle-aged scholar at the next table suddenly stood up and laughed loudly. He looked to be only about thirty years old, of medium build, tall and thin with a long face, and didn't look like a bad person at all.
"Master Li's Seven-Step Heart-Dispelling Powder is indeed powerful."
"No need for seven steps, just one swallow and they're unconscious."
"Master Li's strategy is brilliant, I admire you, I admire you."
The diners in the restaurant all stood up, vying to flatter him.
"Stop hiding, come out!" Master Li said loudly.
The kitchen door suddenly opened, and several "chefs," "waiters," and "managers" rushed forward with delighted faces. It seemed that this restaurant was not a place to rest and feast, but a carefully set trap.
"Man proposes, God disposes. Who would have thought that Ren Xiaoyao, who once roamed the martial world and dominated the scene, would have such a day?" Master Li seemed carried away with pride, sneering.
"It's all thanks to the leader's ability to recognize and utilize talent, and Master Li's well-thought-out plan, otherwise how could we have subdued them so easily?" the crowd flattered.
"Hmph, I deliberately kept a low profile the other day to lull Ren Xiaoyao into a false sense of security, so I could capture him in one fell swoop," Chief Li said smugly.
"Boss, what should we do with them?" one of the "men" asked.
"Take Ren Xiaoyao and Xiao Xingchen back to the branch first," Chief Li said, glancing at the unconscious Shui Furong, and lowering his voice, "As for her, hehe, I'll keep her for myself to enjoy first, and then I'll give her to the brothers after I've trained her."
"Hahaha," everyone laughed lewdly.
"Chief, won't something go wrong on the way?" the "manager" asked with concern.
"Yes, it's said that Ren Xiaoyao has formidable internal strength, what if..."
"Don't worry, over the past ten years, countless martial arts masters have fallen victim to my Seven-Step Heart-Stealing Powder. Let alone a mere rogue thief, even if it were Dugu Yu, he wouldn't wake up for at least three days," Chief Li boasted loudly.
"You've really never failed?" someone asked.
“Nonsense, look at the three of them…” Leader Li was halfway through his sentence when he suddenly realized something was wrong. Looking closely, he saw that Ren Xiaoyao, Xiao Xingchen, and Shui Furong, who had been unconscious, had somehow stood up and were staring intently at him.

“

You…you weren’t poisoned?” Leader Li exclaimed in disbelief.
“Of course not. A mere Seven-Step Heart-Stealing Powder wouldn’t do anything to me,” Ren Xiaoyao sneered. Clearly, it was he who had just mocked Leader Li.
"This is probably the first time in your life you've ever failed," Xiao Xingchen said calmly with a smile.
"No... impossible, I... my Seven Steps..." Chief Li stammered.
"Your Seven Steps Mind-Dispelling Powder is quite good," Ren Xiaoyao chuckled, interrupting, "The problem is the guy who delivered the wine was too careless." "
How... how could this be? He... wasn't he already disguised as a waiter?" Chief Li questioned.
"Since Hentian intends to recruit me into the Absolute Assassination Army, he should be well aware that the dashing thief's fame throughout the Nine Cities isn't just due to his lightness skill and palm techniques, but also his unparalleled skill in disguise." Ren Xiaoyao's eyes gleamed brightly as he met Li's dim gaze, and he said arrogantly, "You were afraid your act wouldn't be complete, so you specially had your men disguised as waiters to serve us wine, little did you know I saw right through you."
"Hehe, thank goodness that idiot reminded me when he was pouring the wine, otherwise I would have really fallen for it." Shui Furong wiped the blush from her pretty face, her beautiful eyes still clear as water, and said softly.
"Then... what about you?" Li looked at Xiao Xingchen, bewildered.
“Although I don’t understand disguise, I could tell from the bartender’s gait that he deliberately pretended to stagger, but in reality, his steps were steady and his martial arts were not weak,” Xiao Xingchen said with a smile. “Would I dare drink wine served by someone like that?”
Upon hearing this, Chief Li looked dejected and slowly said, “Since you have seen through me, I…” Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly flicked his sleeve, and “whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!” Several cold stars flew out, whistling as they struck Shui Furong’s chest.
Shui Furong remained fearless and raised her palm to meet the attack.
Ren Xiaoyao, fearing that the hidden weapons might be poisoned, suddenly overturned the table, blocking them all.
“Boom!” Where Shui Furong’s palm struck, the round table shattered into pieces, and the unabated force of the attack even shattered all the surrounding windows, terrifying Chief Li and his followers.
Xiao Xingchen and Ren Xiaoyao flanked from both sides, launching a swift and relentless attack with their swords. While the martial arts of Li's men were all formidable, the Purple Lightning, Azure Frost, and Ice Soul Frost swords were all peerless divine weapons, their sharpness cutting through iron like mud. In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, only Li himself remained in the entire restaurant besides them.
"I...I'll fight you to the death!" Li grabbed a ghost-head saber and charged at Shui Furong with a strange
howl. Xiao Xingchen flew to her rescue, preparing a diagonal slash with "Sunrise in the East," but Ren Xiaoyao grabbed him.
A smug smile appeared on Shui Furong's beautiful cherry lips. Her palms clasped together instantly, unleashing a torrent of swift and fierce energy that surged towards her opponent.
"Boom!" The air currents collided, forming a vortex that rippled outwards from Shui Furong. Nearby tables and chairs were swept away and shattered like fallen leaves. Chief Li felt a sweet taste in his throat, then coughed up blood and collapsed.
In a one-on-one head-on confrontation, how could he be a match for Yi Tianhan's direct disciple? Ren Xiaoyao, knowing the inside story, intentionally gave Shui Furong a chance to demonstrate her skills.
"How about it, still want to train this young lady?" Shui Furong's beautiful eyes shone brightly as she said smugly. She was young and inexperienced in love, how could she know the meaning of "training"?
"Grandma, spare me! Grandma, spare me!" Chief Li begged, bowing his head. If he had known that Shui Furong was Yi Tianhan's successor, he would never have dared to utter such vulgarities.
"Tell me, how many more ambushes are there on the way to Hangzhou?" Ren Xiaoyao pulled up a chair and sat down in front of him, asking leisurely. The methods of the roguish thief to extract confessions were well-known in the martial arts world. Since Chief Li had been captured after missing his chance, he probably wouldn't dare to hide anything.
"I...I can't say," Chief Li shook his head.
"What do you mean?" Xiao Xingchen asked in a low voice.
"The three of you...the three of you are unaware that since Tang Yunhe led his men to wipe out the organization's twenty-four branches sixteen years ago, the leader has stripped the five assassins of their command over their subordinates," Chief Li explained. "Since then, there has been no contact between the branches. Unless you have a letter written in the leader's own hand, no one has the right to mobilize us."
"So you have no way of knowing about the actions of the other branches?" Xiao Xingchen asked in a deep voice.
"Yes, not only me, but I'm afraid Fen Ri and Jue Yue are also unaware," Chief Li said with a wry smile.
Ren Xiaoyao asked seriously, "What, the message wasn't sent to you by the five assassins?" Intercepting the Jade Blood Pearl was of great importance. Logically speaking, Hentian should have dispatched all its elite troops and there was no need to preserve its strength.
"Of course," Leader Li said with a wry smile. "Burning Sun has gone to the Western Regions, Absolute Moon and Soul-Stealing are stuck in Hangzhou, and Chasing Life..." Before he could finish speaking, Water Lotus scolded him, "That's contradictory! You clearly said there's no longer any contact between the branches, how do you know their whereabouts?"
"Oh dear, my lady, the missions of the five assassins were assigned in detail by the leader in front of the entire organization. Everyone in Absolute Assassination knew it perfectly well," Leader Li said with a forced smile.
"Oh, I see," Ren Xiaoyao said, slowly raising his right hand.
"Ren... Young Hero Ren, what are you going to do?" Leader Li asked in horror.
"Since I can't get anything of value from you, I might as well send you to heaven and be done with it," Ren Xiaoyao said calmly. He had already noticed the flicker in Leader Li's eyes when he spoke, that he was definitely hiding something from him, so he used intimidation, hoping to force him to comply and obediently reveal the truth.
"Young Master Ren, Young Master Xiao, please spare me! I have an eighty-year-old mother and a three-year-old child to support," Chief Li pleaded, tears streaming down his face.
"Hahaha, do you think I, Ren Xiaoyao, am new to this world?" Ren Xiaoyao, seeing him stubbornly clinging on, finally lost his temper and said coldly, "Confess everything honestly, or don't blame me for being ruthless."
"I..." Chief Li's forehead began to sweat; clearly, Ren Xiaoyao had hit the nail on the head.
"The rules of the Absolute Kill are strict; failure will result in severe punishment. Besides, you've lost almost all your men. Tell me, how will Hentian deal with you?" Ren Xiaoyao glanced at the corpses around the hall and said calmly.
Chief Li trembled violently at the question.
"Think it over. Will you speak or not?" Ren Xiaoyao suddenly raised his voice eight octaves and sneered, "If you don't speak, you're doomed. If you do, there might be a sliver of hope."
"Alright, I'll speak," Chief Li hesitated for a long time before finally giving in.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
To coincide with the ranking push, tonight's update will be at midnight. Thank you for your support! !! !!

Volume Seven: Jade Maiden Accompanying on the Return Journey Chapter Eight: A Plan to Turn the Tables After

speaking, he slowly stood up, holding the half-broken ghost-head knife, and stabbed the few remaining men beside him who were still clinging to life to death.
"You... what are you doing?" Shui Furong asked in surprise.
"Since I have betrayed the organization, I cannot leave any survivors. Otherwise, if this matter gets out, even if I escape to the ends of the earth, I will not have a good end." Chief Li gave a bitter smile and said solemnly.
"Now you can speak, right?" Xiao Xingchen steeled his heart and asked in a deep voice.
"No, you still have to agree to one condition." Chief Li hesitated for a moment and lowered his voice.
"Say it or don't, who has time to bargain with you?" Shui Furong pouted and said impatiently.
"What condition? Just say it." Ren Xiaoyao gestured for Shui Furong not to be impatient and said calmly. Since Chief Li was willing to negotiate, it meant he genuinely wanted to leave Juesha, and it wasn't just a last resort.
"After...after today, you'll be as if you've never met me, and you can't mention me to anyone in the future," Chief Li said cautiously, looking ahead.
"Alright, I, Ren Xiaoyao, swear to heaven that as long as you tell me everything about Juesha, we'll have nothing to do with each other anymore," Ren Xiaoyao stood up, his words ringing with conviction. "
The dashing thief keeps his word, and Iron Sword Autumn Frost is guaranteed by the century-old reputation of the Mount Tai Sect. But this young lady..." Chief Li glanced at Shui Furong, somewhat embarrassed.
"She's my woman. If I don't tell her, she naturally won't," Ren Xiaoyao said confidently with a smile. It was best not to reveal Shui Furong's identity unless absolutely necessary, lest someone come to Yanxia Island and disturb Yi Tianhan's cultivation.
Shui Furong immediately blushed, glared at him reproachfully, and lightly spat, "Who...who is your woman?" Her temperament was very different from the Nangong sisters, who came from prestigious families. She was free to laugh and cry, and dared to love and hate. Since falling for Ren Xiaoyao, she had never shied away from talking about it. Hearing his response today, although she appeared annoyed, she was secretly overjoyed.
"In that case, I'll speak frankly," Chief Li sighed deeply, his expression grave. "Three days ago, the leader...no, Hentian sent a secret letter, ordering me to lead my men to ambush you here, preparing to capture you all in one fell swoop."
"And then?" Xiao Xingchen asked.
Li, the leader of the guild, blushed slightly and said somewhat embarrassedly, "I know that even if I were to launch a sneak attack, I would be no match for the two young heroes, so I had no choice but to... I had no choice but to drug the wine, but who would
have thought that I would still be seen through." "You think you can outsmart a fool? You're just dreaming." Shui Furong laughed charmingly
. "If I'm not mistaken, Hentian has definitely made
an agreement with you on how to hand over the items after the deed is done." Ren Xiaoyao's handsome eyes shone brightly as he said decisively. "Young hero Ren is wise. The letter did indeed instruct me to bring you and the Jade Blood Pearl back to the main altar. Someone will come to collect them in person with Hentian's token soon." Li said sincerely.
"What, he still wants to spare my life?" Ren Xiaoyao asked with a smile.
"This... this, I don't know." Li replied honestly.
"Where is the Absolute Killing Branch?" Ren Xiaoyao smiled mysteriously.
"Yonghe Manor in the south of the city." Li replied.
"Brother Ren, could it be that you intend to..." Xiao Xingchen asked in surprise.
“Only by capturing this person can we grasp the next move of the assassination, which is our key to returning safely to Flower Calyx Valley,” Ren Xiaoyao said casually.
“Young Master Ren, this…this won’t do,” Chief Li pleaded. “Once you enter Yonghe Manor, my betrayal of the organization will be exposed.”
“I have a way to solve this once and for all,” Ren Xiaoyao said with a mysterious smile. “Would you like me to teach you?”
“Yes! Yes! Please teach me, Young Master Ren!” Chief Li said eagerly, his face beaming with joy.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Half an hour later, the back window of the restaurant quietly opened, and a figure darted out, instantly disappearing into the dense forest on both sides of the road.
“Whoosh—” A rocket shot into the air, and soon after, two gray-robed riders drove a luxuriously decorated carriage at high speed.
“Chief, did you succeed?” The carriage stopped at the entrance of the restaurant, and the older rider rushed inside first.
Dishes and cups were scattered everywhere, corpses littered the ground; the scene inside the building was horrific.
"You've come," said Li, the leader, covered in blood, leaning against the window frame, panting heavily.
"Leader...Leader, how could this happen?" the charioteer stammered.
"Zhang Peng was delivering food when...that bastard Ren Xiaoyao saw through our plan, and a fight broke out. The brothers couldn't withstand the attack, and they were all..." Li stammered, still shaken. "Luckily...luckily they had already been poisoned by my Seven-Step Mind-Dispelling Powder, otherwise...today's operation would have been a complete...complete failure."
"Wait a minute, there's only one man and one woman. Where's Ren Xiaoyao?" the charioteer asked, looking around in confusion. Xiao Xingchen, dressed in Taoist attire, naturally wouldn't be mistaken for Ren Xiaoyao.
"He's escaped!" Chief Li stamped his foot. "His lightness skill is truly remarkable. He flashed outside the door in the blink of an eye. We couldn't stop him
even if we tried." The charioteer looked fearful upon hearing this. Since they hadn't been able to capture Ren Xiaoyao, he would surely come to rescue his companion in the future, inevitably leading to another fierce battle. How could the Juesha branch alone handle such a dashing thief, whom even Jueyue and Duohun couldn't subdue?
"Don't worry, Ren Xiaoyao has also been poisoned. It's fortunate that he escaped." Chief Li said with a rather arrogant glare at the Ice Soul Frost Sword on the table, and said proudly, "Besides, his sword is in our hands. How can he cause any trouble?"
"That's true, but it's still best to hand these two over to the organization as soon as possible." The charioteer said in a deep voice.
"Yes, you and Xiao San put them in the carriage and take them to Yonghe Manor immediately." Chief Li gestured.
"What about you, Chief?" the charioteer asked in a low voice.
"I... my injuries are quite severe, I can't stay even if I wanted to," Chief Li muttered, wiping the blood from his face. "That damned Ren Xiaoyao, he even delivered a final blow before leaving. If I catch him one day, I'll make sure he never has a moment's peace." (

Chapter 9 of Volume 7, "Jade Maiden Accompanying Me on the Return Journey

") Yonghe Manor is located on Ziyu Slope, seven miles south of the city. Nestled against the mountain and beside the water, surrounded by lush trees, it exudes a sense of peace and harmony. Chief Li sat leisurely in the carriage, quietly observing everything around him through the side windows, secretly amused.
This Chief Li was not the real Chief Li, but Ren Xiaoyao in disguise. His purpose, of course, was to use his identity to lure out the assassin's messenger and thoroughly uncover the opponent's conspiracy. As for the real Chief Li, he had already vanished into the woods and disappeared long before the carriage arrived.
After spending most of the hour inside the building, Ren Xiaoyao had thoroughly investigated the situation at Yonghe Manor. The manor's lord, Zhou Yi, was a wealthy local merchant with a martial arts enthusiast. Six years ago, he suffered a crushing defeat in a business war with Tingyuxuan, and in resentment, joined Juesha to seek revenge. Although nominally just an ordinary follower, he controlled the entire branch's finances, thus holding a high position within Juesha. This operation was to be carried out by Li Ding (the branch leader's original name), while Zhou Yi would oversee the branch. To successfully meet the messenger under a false identity, they would first have to get past him.
Xiao Xingchen strongly opposed Ren Xiaoyao's plan. In his view, since they had seen through Juesha's trap, they could simply leave. There was no need to be greedy and reckless, attempting to resolve all the crises on the return journey in one fell swoop. Moreover, it was uncertain whether Li Ding was truly loyal; if even a single word he said was untrue, the three of them entering Yonghe Manor would be tantamount to suicide.
Ren Xiaoyao, however, adhered to the principle of "nothing ventured, nothing gained." Since leaving Coconut Island after bidding farewell to the Four Saints of Music, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting, he had always managed to easily resolve any crisis he encountered while venturing into the martial world, building unparalleled confidence over time, as if nothing could faze him.
Shui Furong also had her own plans. She had heard much about the past misdeeds of the assassins who had wreaked havoc on the martial world from Yi Tianhan, knowing it was an extremely secretive, jealous, and cunning assassin organization. If she could use this opportunity to severely damage them, she could not only bring honor to her master but also enhance her own reputation—why not? Although the operation might be dangerous, with her martial arts skills, even if she couldn't kill the enemy, she should be more than capable of self-defense.
Two against one, Xiao Xingchen was speechless and had no choice but to obediently agree.
The carriage sped forward, with checkpoints and hidden stakes visible everywhere. It seemed that Yonghe Manor's defenses were indeed extremely tight and not to be underestimated. Ren Xiaoyao winked at Xiao Xingchen and Shui Furong, signaling them to continue feigning unconsciousness, while weakly urging, "Hurry, hurry, my injuries can't hold on any longer."
He tried his best to imitate Chief Li's tone, with only minor differences, but anyone's tone inevitably changes after being injured, so the driver couldn't tell the difference.
Five or six figures appeared outside the manor gate, hurrying towards the carriage. The leader, a man in his forties, tall and slender, with a composed demeanor, was none other than Zhou Yi.
"Brother Li, you've returned victorious, congratulations!" Zhou Yi said with a fist and a fist salute.
"Congratulations my ass! Not only are all those monkeys dead, but Ren Xiaoyao has also escaped! How are we going to explain this to the leader?" Ren Xiaoyao cursed angrily. These words were taught to him by Chief Li, the purpose of which was naturally to make Zhou Yi completely trust Ren Xiaoyao's disguised identity.
"Haha, that's just how Brother Li is, meticulous in everything he does." Zhou Yi leaned closer and whispered in his ear, "To be honest, the lives of these guys are none of our business. As long as we complete the mission assigned by our superiors, losing a few dozen more men is fine."
Ren Xiaoyao was secretly alarmed, thinking: The people of the Absolute Killing Sect are indeed ruthless, showing no mercy to their subordinates to achieve their goals. On the surface, however, he remained calm and pondered, "The Seven-Step Heart-Stealing Powder can only hold Ren Xiaoyao off for three days. After three days, once the effects wear off, I'm afraid he won't be able to stay at Yonghe Manor."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi's face showed fear, and he murmured, "Then I'll immediately notify the leader and have him send a messenger to retrieve him."
"Hmm, by the way, arrange a quiet room for me." Ren Xiaoyao staggered down from the carriage and ordered.
"Brother Li, should I also send Qingyan from Cuiwei Pavilion to you?" Zhou Yi smiled knowingly.
“I need to recuperate during the day, but at night…” Ren Xiaoyao stared at Shui Furong in the carriage, his lustful expression revealing an impatient look, and said in a hoarse voice, “Hehe, naturally I have to taste her.”
“The women around Ren Xiaoyao are indeed all beautiful.” Zhou Yi leaned into the carriage, feasted his eyes on her beauty, and lewdly chuckled.
That night, in the VIP room of Yonghe Villa, Ren Xiaoyao sat upright, savoring the fragrant tea brought by his servants. Two hours earlier, Zhou Yi had some urgent business to attend to and hurriedly returned to the city. The head steward, Zhou Tai, was completely obedient to Ren Xiaoyao, who was disguised as Li Ding, and not only arranged for him to have a fragrant bath but also prepared a sumptuous dinner for him to enjoy alone.
Taking advantage of the break while “recovering” in the quiet room, Ren Xiaoyao carefully concealed his disguise, so that even if he changed into clean clothes, it would be difficult for others to notice anything amiss.
"Excellent tea! The first sip is sweet and mild, without any bitterness; upon closer tasting, it becomes smooth and mellow, with a subtle fragrance reminiscent of orchids; a second sip leaves the lips and teeth fragrant and refreshed, truly authentic pre-rain Longjing tea." Ren Xiaoyao exclaimed, holding a cloisonné porcelain teacup. Before leaving, Chief Li had mentioned that Yonghe Manor had a batch of excellent pre-rain Longjing tea, but Zhou Yi had always been reluctant to let him taste it. Now that the mission to seize the Azure Pearl was basically accomplished, he should be generous.
"Your reputation is illustrious, Chief Li." Amidst a loud laugh, Zhou Tai, his face full of flattery, entered the room and complimented him.
"Hehe, so it's the head steward. What brings you here?" Ren Xiaoyao asked casually. Ever since he heard Nangong Fengyi describe the Longjing tea ceremony at the Lakeside Pavilion, he had gained a considerable understanding of West Lake Longjing. In the following months, he had accompanied Nangong Wushang and Nangong Tiankuo to drink many fine teas, so he could easily tell whether it was pre-rain Longjing tea.
Zhou Tai bowed and scraped, offering no reply. Two pretty maids emerged from behind, supporting the seemingly unconscious Shui Furong as she gracefully approached.
Ren Xiaoyao immediately understood, realizing Zhou Yi had sent her ahead of time to curry favor with him. He gave an approving smile and waved, saying, "Alright, all of you, leave. This master wants to..." He then stood up.
Zhou Tai immediately dismissed the maids, hastily closing the door behind him. Before leaving, he cautiously asked, "Master, would you like me to keep watch for you?"
Ren Xiaoyao was both amused and annoyed. Such flattery! His face immediately turned cold, and he sneered, "What, afraid I can't handle this little vixen?"
"This subordinate wouldn't dare...this subordinate wouldn't dare..." Zhou Tai retreated sheepishly.

Volume Seven: The Jade Maiden Accompanying Me on the Return Journey, Chapter Ten: Hibiscus's Virginity Breaks

. After everyone had gone far away, Ren Xiaoyao tiptoed into the bedroom, suddenly yanking back the bed curtains and shouting, "Little beauty, I'm here!"
Before he finished speaking, Shui Furong's two small fists suddenly punched at his chest. Ren Xiaoyao had anticipated this, and with a quick "pushing the window to gaze at the moon" move, he deflected the force and pulled Shui Furong into his arms.
"Silly boy, you scared me to death!" Shui Furong, her skin pressed against his, didn't push him away but instead hugged him even tighter, playfully scolding him.
"What, afraid I'll leave you behind?" Ren Xiaoyao enjoyed her supple body, speaking softly.
"No way!" Shui Furong made a face, her breath sweet as orchids, "I'm worried your disguise will be exposed, and I won't be able to wait for the messenger..." Her cherry lips were covered before she finished speaking.
"Don't worry, I never do anything I'm not sure of," Ren Xiaoyao said casually.
"Why did you bring me here? And you said...and you said you wanted..." Shui Furong nestled shyly in Ren Xiaoyao's arms, her pretty face flushed. Her starry eyes were half-open, revealing a captivating and alluring charm that took one's breath away. Her exquisite body, smooth and delicate skin, stirred the most primal desires deep within Ren Xiaoyao's heart.
Ren Xiaoyao couldn't help but begin to caress Shui Furong's skin, his ten fingers slowly tracing her exquisite curves, passing over her slender, white neck, her high, rounded breasts, finally resting on her slender waist.
"No...don't...don't do this..." Shui Furong moaned, lost in passion, her beautiful face flushed a delicate, luscious red.
Ren Xiaoyao removed Shui Furong's long dress and caressed her wantonly through her undergarments. He felt that her abdomen was completely free of any excess fat, soft and smooth to the touch. He rhythmically squeezed and pinched it, feeling the youthful charm and elasticity of her flesh.
Ren Xiaoyao lowered his head and kissed Shui Furong's cherry lips. After a symbolic struggle of feigned resistance, Shui Furong quickly let him suckle. Their tongues intertwined and teased each other in Shui Furong's mouth, and their passion quickly ignited.
The long, passionate kiss extinguished the last trace of clarity in Ren Xiaoyao's mind, and Shui Furong's reserved defenses quickly crumbled. She breathed softly and raised her pretty face, her beautiful eyes shimmering with desire. Her delicate nose and long, dark eyelashes began to tremble slightly, and a faint, pleasant fragrance of virginity permeated Ren Xiaoyao's lungs, giving him a unique and sensual stimulation from the bottom of his heart.
Unbeknownst to him, Shui Furong's bodice had been untied, and in the dim candlelight, the two crimson nipples on her breasts appeared even more vibrant.
With gentle licks and caresses, and under Ren Xiaoyao's passionate teasing, Shui Furong involuntarily squeezed her legs together, letting out rapid, shy moans. Her beautiful eyes occasionally opened slightly, as if stealing a glimpse of Ren Xiaoyao's strong, muscular, and incredibly energetic physique.
Ren Xiaoyao kissed Shui Furong's burning cherry lips, his extremely excited body pressing against hers without reservation, the intoxicating heat and moisture instantly enveloping him.
"Ah—" Shui Furong instinctively wrapped her arms around Ren Xiaoyao's shoulders, her head tilting back as her lower abdomen thrust forward, forming a beautiful and alluring curve.
A tingling, itchy sensation surged through Shui Furong, who was quickly and completely captivated by this unprecedentedly wonderful feeling. Her delicate body desperately responded, emitting plaintive, alluring moans that mingled with Ren Xiaoyao's increasingly rapid breathing, creating a breathtaking symphony…
The candlelight flickered, the lingering echoes faded, and Shui Furong, exhausted from the passion, lay limp on the bed, her limbs almost convulsing.
Ren Xiaoyao held her tightly, filled with tenderness, their deep love rising and spreading between them.
Waking up in the morning, seeing the scattered bloodstains on the white sheets, Shui Furong's pretty face flushed with a rosy glow, her beautiful eyes shimmering with happiness and contentment. She gently bit her
lip and playfully scolded, "Silly boy, you're so naughty." Ren Xiaoyao gently stroked her smooth, silky back and whispered, "It's all because you, you little vixen, seduced me.
" Shui Furong gave him a shy glare and murmured, "How could you even think of that, in the lair of the Absolute Killer..." Her voice trailed off.
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled softly, "Hahaha, shouldn't we thank Hentian properly then?"
Shui Furong buried her head in Ren Xiaoyao's arms, her expression tender and loving, and said sweetly, "I've given you everything, so... you can't let me down in the future." "
The feeling of deep affection for her surged into his heart. Ren Xiaoyao gently kissed her jade-like face, revealing an unprecedentedly solemn expression, and said solemnly, "Ren Xiaoyao swears to the heavens today that if I ever abandon her after starting something, I will..." He stopped there.
"Must...must what? Just tell me!" Shui Furong cried out anxiously.
"Silence! Someone's coming." Ren Xiaoyao covered her mouth and nose, his expression stern.
"Brother Li, last night's spring night was quite enjoyable." Zhou Yi's familiar voice rang out from outside.
Ren Xiaoyao gestured for Shui Furong to lie down and pretend to be asleep. He leisurely dressed himself before reluctantly running to open the door.
"How was it? That girl was quite a treat, wasn't she?" Zhou Yi asked impatiently as soon as they met.
"What do you think?" Ren Xiaoyao said coldly, his face displeased.
Zhou Yi didn't care about his expression and hurriedly stepped into the inner room, clicking his tongue and saying, "Ren Xiaoyao's woman, I suppose..." Before he could finish, he suddenly caught sight of the bedsheet stained with blood and froze on the spot.
"She...she...she's a virgin?" Zhou Yi trembled all over, his voice shaking.
"Alas, Brother Zhou, I didn't know at first either." Ren Xiaoyao sighed, his face contorted with grief.
"It's over...it's over...you've defiled Ren Xiaoyao's woman, how will you survive?" Zhou Yi pounded his chest and sighed.
Ren Xiaoyao was a charming and philandering man, known to everyone in the martial arts world. Sleeping with his woman for one night might not be a big deal, after all, he would naturally forget about it after a while when he found a new lover. The problem was that Li Ding had unwittingly taken Shui Furong's virginity. Such a disgrace was probably unbearable for any man in the world, let alone a dashing young hero whose reputation resounded throughout the nine cities.
Zhou Yi was a shrewd businessman, how could he not know that when Ren Xiaoyao settled accounts later, he, as the master of Yonghe Manor, would definitely be implicated? Therefore, he was terrified and trembling with fear.
"No, we have to send her away immediately, otherwise the consequences will be unimaginable." After a long while, Zhou Yi suddenly grabbed Ren Xiaoyao and said in a deep voice.
"Send her away? Send her where?" Ren Xiaoyao asked irritably.
"Of course, I'll hand her over to the organization," Zhou Yi said awkwardly. "I'll immediately send a message by carrier pigeon, asking the messenger to come as soon as possible. You...you remember, you mustn't touch this woman again." With that, he hurriedly turned and left.
Watching his terrified and trembling back, Ren Xiaoyao secretly laughed. He hadn't expected that his passionate encounter with Shui Furong last night would have such a miraculous effect. Zhou Yi was so frightened that he immediately ran to contact Hentian, greatly shortening their waiting time at Yonghe Manor.

Volume Seven: Jade Maiden Accompanying the Return Journey Chapter Eleven: The Star-Picking Anomaly

The next day, at the end of Shen and the beginning of You, Ren Xiaoyao, Zhou Yi, and Zhou Tai escorted Xiao Xingchen and Shui Furong to the Star-Picking Pavilion in the northwest corner of the manor. This was a two-story building built against the mountain, entirely constructed of cedar wood. Several iron chains hung high from the eaves of the top floor, connecting to the four mountain peaks, with banners embroidered with the words "Yonghe" standing on them, quite imposing.
Upon entering the building, the first thing that caught the eye was the gilded plaque in the center of the lobby that read "Harmony Brings Wealth ." The brushstrokes were skillful, dense, and vigorous. Ren Xiaoyao was about to praise it when he suddenly remembered that Li Ding was just a martial artist and couldn't possibly discern the quality of calligraphy, so he had to refrain from doing so for the time being.
"Brother Li, please have a seat. The messenger will be here soon," Zhou Yi reminded him.
Ren Xiaoyao nodded and glanced casually ahead, his heart skipping a beat. There was a carved armchair in front of the two rows of seats on either side. Where should he sit?
As the branch leader, he should be seated in the seat of honor, but the messenger was representing Hentian. Should he be made to sit in the lower seat? Wouldn't that be blatant disrespect for the leader's authority? Since that's the case, then not touching the seat won't work either. The people of the Assassins often act contrary to worldly customs and etiquette. Perhaps the messenger's only task is to deliver messages, and his position in the organization is far inferior to mine. If I leave the seat vacant, wouldn't they immediately see through my imposter act?
While he hesitated, a sudden inspiration struck Ren Xiaoyao.
"Ouch—" After taking only two steps, his legs gave way, and he cried out in pain, collapsing to the ground.
"Brother Li, what's wrong?" Zhou Yi hurriedly stepped forward and asked in a deep voice.
"It's...it's nothing. It's just that the injury from Ren Xiaoyao's palm strike hasn't fully healed, and I was up all night the other night, so my steps are a little weak," Ren Xiaoyao replied weakly, feigning exhaustion.
"Come, come, sit down, sit down." Zhou Yi helped him to the main seat, smiling obsequiously. "Brother Li, you're a hero of the organization. If anything happens to you, I can't afford to stay here alone."
"Brother Zhou, what are you saying?" Ren Xiaoyao said smugly, sitting down casually.
"You villains, what do you want with me here?" Shui Furong's pretty face turned cold as she angrily rebuked him. Although she was bound hand and foot by Zhou Tai, Ren Xiaoyao had secretly released her pressure points, and she could easily break the ropes with a little force. As for Xiao Xingchen, he was still "unconscious," but secretly began to gather his inner energy, preparing to attack at any moment.
"What do we want? Hmph, you'll find out soon enough." Zhou Tai sneered.
"You wait, the idiot... the idiot will come to save me." Shui Furong said, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Who is this idiot she's talking about?" Zhou Yi asked in a low voice.
Ren Xiaoyao, secretly praising Shui Furong's superb acting skills, replied in a deep voice, "Who else could it be but Ren Xiaoyao?"
Zhou Yi, upon hearing this, showed a look of fear, but still forced a smile, saying, "Little pump girl, you're no longer a virgin, I'm afraid Ren Xiaoyao won't want you anymore." "
Waaah...waaah..." Shui Furong burst into tears, her beautiful eyes fixed on Ren Xiaoyao. To Zhou Yi and Zhou Tai, this was naturally resentment towards "Li Ding's" brutality the night before, but in Ren Xiaoyao's eyes, it was clearly a tender affection that would last forever.
"What a beautiful girl, what a pity," Ren Xiaoyao sighed regretfully. He had perfectly portrayed Li Ding's lecherous nature.
"Brother Li, after we've successfully completed our mission, I'll have Zhou Tai accompany you to Yangzhou, to experience the girls there," Zhou Yi said with a knowing smile.
"Brother Zhou understands me best," Ren Xiaoyao laughed heartily, but inwardly he thought: Zhou Yi is truly wicked. He's afraid Ren Xiaoyao will come knocking on his door in a few days, so he's trying to find ways to get Li Ding away so he can wash his hands of the matter.
Not long after, footsteps sounded from outside the door.
"The messenger has arrived!" Zhou Yi looked overjoyed and rose to greet him.
Ren Xiaoyao secretly winked at Shui Furong, signaling her to place the Purple Lightning and Azure Frost swords behind the main seat, instructing her to tell Xiao Xingchen to retrieve them immediately if a fight broke out. He then followed Zhou Yi and Zhou Tai out.
The newcomer was seven feet tall, wearing a short-sleeved inner garment and a brocade robe on top. He was tall and straight, with a ferocious bronze mask on his forehead. Although his full face couldn't be seen, his sharp eyes revealed an indescribable, eerie quality.
"The messenger has come from afar, thank you for your hard work," Ren Xiaoyao said, clasping his hands in greeting.
"Not at all, not at all. Chief Li has rendered a great service to the organization. I wish I could sprout wings and rush to Yonghe Manor to personally offer my congratulations," the messenger said, bowing.
After a few pleasantries, the four entered side by side.
The messenger sat down on the left and said happily, "After receiving Boss Zhou's message by carrier pigeon, the leader was overjoyed and praised Chief Li highly in public, saying that you are reliable, resourceful, and truly a pillar of the organization."
"It's all thanks to the leader's proper command and Brother Zhou's support from the rear. I dare not take credit," Ren Xiaoyao said modestly. It was clear that Zhou Yi and Li Ding had a very good relationship, so praising him now was only natural. Sure enough,
Zhou Yi immediately gave him a grateful look. Compared to his previous attempt to trick Li Ding into going to Suzhou to shirk responsibility for Yonghe Manor, Ren Xiaoyao's actions clearly had a sense of repaying evil with kindness.
"Alas, it's all my fault for being careless and letting Ren Xiaoyao escape. I'm afraid... I'm afraid it will cause trouble for the organization." Ren Xiaoyao pretended to be regretful and murmured.
"Chief Li, there's no need to blame yourself," the messenger said casually. "Firstly, the main objective of the operation is the Jade Blood Pearl; once we get it, the mission is accomplished. Secondly, Ren Xiaoyao's feud with the organization began in Hangzhou. Unless
he willingly submits, otherwise..." He abruptly stopped, his eyes flashing with a fierce light, implying that even if Ren Xiaoyao didn't come to settle scores with Jue Sha, Jue Sha wouldn't let it go easily.
"With the messenger's words, we can rest assured," Ren Xiaoyao and Zhou Yi said happily.
"Where is the Jade Blood Pearl now?" the messenger asked calmly.
"Zhou Tai, bring it here." Zhou Yi nodded slightly, and Zhou Tai immediately brought a sandalwood brocade box and respectfully walked to the messenger.
Ren Xiaoyao focused his energy, waiting for the messenger to open the box so he could launch an attack, but to his surprise, the messenger didn't even look at it and casually took it.
Zhou Yi and Zhou Tai both showed expressions of surprise, clearly astonished.
"Chief Li is quite at ease with the organization; there's no need to inspect the Azure Blood Pearl," the messenger laughed heartily. He clapped his hands, and immediately a man entered, carrying a wooden box wrapped in red silk.
"This is…" Ren Xiaoyao asked curiously, dispelling his inner energy.
"This is a gift the chief entrusted me to deliver to the Chief," the messenger interrupted.
"Your rank is lowly; how could I dare, how could I dare," Ren Xiaoyao said, bowing with a flattered expression. He vaguely sensed something was amiss, but couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"Brother Li has rendered great service to the organization and deserves commendation," Zhou Yi said, patting Ren Xiaoyao's shoulder with envy.
"Chief, let's open it and see what it's like, let everyone have a look," Zhou Tai suggested, unable to contain his excitement.
"Hmm," Ren Xiaoyao couldn't refuse and stood up, slowly walking to the wooden box.
The messenger, Zhou Yi, and Zhou Tai all peered in, seemingly impatient.
"Excellent! Their attention is all focused on the gift. I'll make my move as soon as they open the box." Thinking this, Ren Xiaoyao abruptly lifted the lid.
A head! A bloody head!! The box contained none other than the bloody head of Li Ding!!!

Volume 8, Thousands of Perils, Swordsman's Struggle, Chapter 1: The

Mantis Stalks the Cicada, unaware of the oriole behind!
Today, Ren Xiaoyao finally understood the meaning of this proverb.
His plan had long been seen through by Jue Sha. The so-called welcoming of the messenger was nothing but a trap, a flawless trap.
First, Zhou Tai was made to curry favor with Ren Xiaoyao, making him believe they truly considered him Li Ding; then, the meeting place was set at the Zhaixing Pavilion, far from the main residence, to lower his guard; next, the inspection of the Jade Blood Pearl was abandoned, depriving Ren Xiaoyao of the best opportunity to strike; finally, the real Li Ding's head was disguised as a gift bestowed by Hentian, causing him to lose his composure the moment he opened the box, creating a perfect opportunity for a sneak attack.
Zhou Tai lunged forward, his five fingers curved like tiger claws, aiming straight for the back of Ren Xiaoyao's head. At first glance, it seemed chaotic, but in reality, it revealed a hidden order, clearly demonstrating the mastery of simplifying complexity.
Zhou Yi roared to the sky, his hands conjuring hundreds of palm shadows, attacking Ren Xiaoyao's back with overwhelming force, unstoppable and devastating power. Undoubtedly, his martial arts far surpassed Li Ding's.
The greatest threat came from the messenger closest to Ren Xiaoyao. This man's punches were slow, but his inner energy accumulated extremely quickly. Almost as soon as he formed his stance, a powerful fist wind permeated the surroundings. Even more strangely, the energy initially dispersed rapidly but gradually converged, finally gathering into an incomparably powerful fist wind, like an invisible yet substantial iron pillar thrusting towards Ren Xiaoyao's chest.
In shock and haste, facing the combined attack of three top masters, could the dashing thief withstand it?
Purely in terms of martial arts skill, Ren Xiaoyao, caught off guard, could at most handle the deadly attack of one person. However, as Meng Fei's direct disciple, his mastery of the "Flying Immortal Transformation" technique and his ability to adapt to danger were not to be underestimated. In the nick of time, Ren Xiaoyao lightly touched the ground with his toes, perfectly positioned himself in a blind spot beyond Zhou Tai's reach, and then spun around with lightning speed, using graceful and elegant footwork to avoid Zhou Yi's subsequent attack.
However, the messenger's powerful iron fist was less than half a foot away from Ren Xiaoyao's chest.
"Fool, watch out!" Shui Furong's exclamation echoed through the building.
What a Ren Xiaoyao! Calm and composed, unfazed by the change, he used the "Turning Clouds and Overturning Rain" technique to leap three feet backward, his clothes billowing and fluttering, left hand in front, right hand behind, flipping out like a butterfly flitting among flowers.
Knowing the enemy's power, the messenger swiftly retracted his fists, channeling his inner energy into his sleeves, and launched a powerful attack towards Ren Xiaoyao. Unexpectedly, halfway through the attack, Ren Xiaoyao's right palm suddenly sank, striking diagonally from below his left elbow, aiming directly at the "Zhongwan" acupoint
, four inches above the messenger's navel. This move, called "Only I Am Free and Unfettered," was used by Meng Fei during the ancient battle between good and evil at Wuyun Mountain, killing countless Asura Cult masters; its power was evident. The messenger dared not be careless. He froze in the instant, hastily shifting to the right. Ren Xiaoyao leaped into the air, his palms flashing out like butterflies, simultaneously attacking Zhou Yi and Zhou Tai. Truly swift as a ghost, cunning as a monkey, his seemingly simple move contained countless variations, including cunning and deceptive tactics, making him unpredictable.
Faced with the swirling, powerful attacks from all directions, Zhou Yi and Zhou Tai dared not presume to intercept them. They exchanged a glance and leaped backward.
Xiao Xingchen swiftly reached the main seat, drawing his Purple Lightning and Azure Frost swords, and charged forward with a whoosh. Shui Furong also broke free of her ropes and attacked with her palm. Ren Xiaoyao was overjoyed. His opponents had failed to seize the fleeting opportunity and had been driven back by him. Now, with Xiao Xingchen and Shui Furong's assistance, he was confident he could reverse the tide and gain the upper hand.
However, the three of them didn't stop their retreat and headed straight for the gate.
Ren Xiaoyao knew something was wrong. Suddenly, he heard several loud crashes overhead, and the entire roof collapsed!
Beams, pillars, broken bricks, and tiles rained down on him. Xiao Xingchen remained calm, dodging and weaving through the gaps, while Shui Furong was in a panic, completely bewildered.
With his unparalleled lightness skill, Ren Xiaoyao had a chance to catch up with the messenger and the others, but he was worried about Shui Furong's safety. He pulled her into his arms with his left hand and kept brushing away the flying debris with his right.
Xiao Xingchen unleashed the Three Heavenly Annihilation Techniques, launching a surprise attack. Just as he was less than five zhang from the gate, a dark object suddenly fell. Xiao Xingchen, unwilling to miss such a golden opportunity, hesitated to use his Purple Lightning sword, and tried to parry with his Azure Frost sword, but the falling object felt incredibly heavy, far beyond human resistance. Left with no other choice, he withdrew his sword and turned to defend himself.
A deafening roar followed, plunging the hall into utter darkness, obliterating all light!
"Hahaha." The messenger's arrogant laughter echoed from outside. "Ren Xiaoyao, you've been clever all your life, but today I've outsmarted you."
"Hmph, don't wait for me to come out, or I'll make sure you die a horrible death," Ren Xiaoyao sneered.
"Do you think you still have a chance to leave the Star-Picking Tower?" Zhou Tai asked with a sneer.
"What a joke! You think a mere trap can hold you back..." Shui Furong was only halfway through her sentence when Zhou Yi interrupted her loudly, "Little Pump Girl, let me tell you the truth: the iron gates of the Star-Picking Pavilion are half a foot thick, and the joints are seamless. Unless the mechanisms outside the hall are activated, you won't be able to open them even in a hundred years."
"Don't forget, we still have three precious swords that can cut through gold and jade," Ren Xiaoyao said calmly. To prevent any unforeseen events, he had placed the Ice Soul Frost Sword behind him, and it was now proving useful.
"Why don't you give it a try, Chief Li?" the messenger sneered. He still addressed him as Chief, clearly mocking Ren Xiaoyao for falling into the deadly trap earlier, unaware of his own ignorance.
Ren Xiaoyao, with his magnanimity, would not stoop to his level. He remained calm and composed, slowly raising the Ice Soul Frost Sword and unleashing a powerful strike, "Green Mountains Hidden, Waters Far Away," as it cleaved towards the iron gates. This move is the culmination of his life's skills. Not to mention with an unparalleled divine weapon, even a bamboo sword in his hand is enough to cut through gold and jade and shatter stones into powder!
With a clang, sparks flew, but the iron gate remained unmoved, only a six-inch deep gash appeared.
Ren Xiaoyao, gripping his sword hilt, stood frozen in place. Through the azure light emanating from the Ice Soul Frost Sword, Shui Furong clearly saw cold sweat beading on his forehead.
"How about it, dashing thief, out of options now?" Zhou Yi laughed loudly. "The four gates are all made of refined iron, over a foot thick. Even if you had Gan Jiang and Mo Xie swords, it would be a waste of your energy." Judging from his confident words, he had likely already tested it.
"Brother Ren..." Xiao Xingchen walked to Ren Xiaoyao's side, his face showing inquiry.
"When I touched the iron gate, I felt I had plenty of strength left, and I was absolutely confident I could cleave it open. But once I entered six inches, my sword force was exhausted, and I couldn't budge it an inch further," Ren Xiaoyao murmured.
"No... wasn't it only four inches left? A few more moves and you might succeed," Shui Furong said in surprise.
"At first, I only used a little bit of my strength for the first three inches, but then I used seven-tenths for the next three inches. This shows that the further down you go, the more difficult it becomes. With my current cultivation level, I'm afraid... I'm afraid I won't be able to penetrate the iron gate," Ren Xiaoyao explained in a low voice.
"Brother Xiao, then you give it a try!" Shui Furong said urgently
, facing Xiao Xingchen. Xiao Xingchen slowly shook his head and said seriously, "Brother Ren's internal energy swordsmanship is on par with mine. Since he has no solution, I suppose I can't either."
"Idiot, think of something quickly!" Shui Furong said in a low voice, tugging at Ren Xiaoyao's clothes with a look of dejection.
"I've got it!" Ren Xiaoyao's tiger eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he blurted out.

Volume 8, Chapter 2, "A Wrong Move,"

Ren Xiaoyao took out a tinderbox from his pocket, and with the blue light of the Ice Soul Frost Sword, picked up a few candlesticks and lit them casually, instantly illuminating the entire hall.
All around were broken wood and bricks, a scene of utter devastation. The iron gate, towering over ten feet high, was sealed off even at the top, a dark and terrifying sight.
Shui Furong was still in shock when she saw Ren Xiaoyao stride to the edge of the iron gate and begin digging. She immediately realized: the idiot was trying to dig a tunnel directly to the outside.
"Ding—" A crisp knocking sound rang out.
"Damn, the ground is also made of iron plates," Ren Xiaoyao said dejectedly.
Xiao Xingchen, still unwilling to give up, carefully felt around the corner for a while, then exclaimed, "Good heavens, it's all sealed off tightly. It looks like we're really trapped here."
"Sigh..." Ren Xiaoyao sighed deeply, nodding helplessly. He was an expert in construction and, after a moment's thought, knew that Zhou Yi must have first hoisted the four iron gates onto the roof and then joined them together to form a massive iron shield. The long ropes connecting the eaves to the four mountain peaks were meant to distribute the weight of the main beam; otherwise, if tens of thousands of pounds of weight were to fall all at once, the Star-Picking Pavilion would surely collapse. It was thanks to this that the roof didn't completely crack; otherwise, even with their extraordinary abilities, the three of them would have perished on the spot.
"I refuse to believe it!" Shui Furong retorted, raising both hands high, fingers outstretched, unleashing her full power with the Heaven-Defying Palm technique.
"Boom!" The iron shield trembled violently, and everyone's ears rang for a long time before subsiding. Looking closely, they saw that where Shui Furong had struck, not a single mark remained; clearly, her previously indestructible force had no effect here.
Ren Xiaoyao ran his fingers along the iron shield, muttering, "The edges of the four iron gates are inlaid, the tenons fitting together seamlessly, forming a single unit. With just the three of us, I'm afraid..." He stopped there, deep in thought.
"If we could lift the iron shield, that would be wonderful," Shui Furong said softly.
"It's too difficult. The iron gate's surface is smooth with no leverage. Even with the strength to uproot mountains, there's no way to get a foothold. The top is also sealed off. Even if Brother Ren used his gecko-like wall-climbing skills to get to the top, his body was suspended in mid-air, making it difficult to exert force, so he still couldn't do anything," Xiao Xingchen analyzed. "Don't underestimate the iron barrier's bulkiness; it's truly effective. Now the hall has become a tightly sealed box, trapping us inside."
After a while, Xiao Xingchen added, "The iron barrier descended from the sky, and the interface with the floor should be an iron channel, without any locking mechanisms. If we can destroy it, there might still be a glimmer of hope."
Ren Xiaoyao shook his head and smiled bitterly. Xiao Xingchen's reasoning was correct, but the interface was completely blocked by tens of thousands of pounds of cast iron, making it impossible to reach.
"Ren Xiaoyao, Xiao Xingchen, you two admit defeat this time," Zhou Yi's arrogant voice rang out at the opportune moment.
"Zhou Yi, what do you want?" Ren Xiaoyao shouted.
"Actually, your identity was already exposed by the master the night before last," Zhou Tai said smugly. "The reason we've dragged this out until now is entirely..."
"How exactly did you see through my disguise?" Ren Xiaoyao asked loudly before he could finish.
"The disguise skills of the dashing thief are indeed well-deserved. Not only is Li Ding's appearance perfect, but even his tone of voice and demeanor are imitated flawlessly." Zhou Yi first praised him, then sighed softly, "What a pity, what a pity. You planned everything, but you didn't expect your grand scheme to be ruined by a woman."
"A woman? Which woman?" Ren Xiaoyao asked blankly.
"Hahaha, of course, it's that little pump-girl beside you." Zhou Yi laughed loudly.
"Furong? How could that be!" Ren Xiaoyao was shocked.
"When you two were passionately entwined in the room, I heard 'idiot, idiot's' moans clearly." Zhou Yi laughed heartily.
Ren Xiaoyao suddenly realized that once the pain of losing her virginity that night subsided, Shui Furong quickly immersed herself in wave after wave of desire. Watching her, so beautiful and alluring, transform into a submissive, moaning woman under his deliberate thrusts, he had long forgotten the perilous situation at Yonghe Manor, throwing himself entirely into the intoxicating pleasure. One wrong move, and the whole game was ruined; his flawless plan had crumbled due to his own carelessness in his ecstasy.
Shui Furong lowered her head in embarrassment, a delicate blush rising on each of her jade-like cheeks.
"If that's the case, why didn't you act immediately? Why did you have to wait until today?" Ren Xiaoyao asked, puzzled.
Zhou Yi replied, “First, with the strength of Yonghe Manor, even if they suddenly attack, they are absolutely confident they can capture you alive; second, the leader has already said that no matter what means are used, he will make you willingly join the organization.”
“So you designed this ingenious scheme, not to kill me, but to put me in a dilemma, a dead end,” Ren Xiaoyao said in a deep voice.
“That’s right,” Zhou Yi said arrogantly, “Now that you are trapped in the iron cage, you have no choice but to agree to the leader’s persuasion to surrender.”
“What if I don’t agree?” Ren Xiaoyao frowned.
“Then there is only death!” the messenger sneered.
“Hehe, I think you must have brought a message for Hentian.” Ren Xiaoyao said indifferently.
“You… how did you know?” the messenger was secretly surprised.
“Hmph, last time the conditions I proposed were not even approved by Jueyue and Duohun, how could Hentian expect the two of you?” Ren Xiaoyao said disdainfully, “Tell me, what benefits does he plan to give me this time?” Now, every moment counts.
The messenger said solemnly, "The leader told me to tell you that as long as you join the organization, not only will you be able to return to Tingyu Pavilion safely with the Jade Blood Pearl, but from now on, everyone in the organization except the five top assassins will obey you."
"Is this true?" Ren Xiaoyao asked
, seemingly moved. "I don't want to say anything more. Do you agree or not?" The messenger seemed to see through his intention and pressed on.
"If I agree, can I leave?" Ren Xiaoyao countered.
"Of course." Zhou Yi answered without hesitation, "At that time, as long as you give the order, I will not only remove the iron shield, but even dismantle Yonghe Manor, I will do it willingly." It seemed that he already regarded Ren Xiaoyao as a confidant of Hentian.
"So, Brother Xiao and Furong's lives are in my hands?" Ren Xiaoyao chuckled.
"Exactly," the messenger replied solemnly.
"Very well, go back and tell Hentian about the matter of persuading them to surrender..." Ren Xiaoyao pondered for a moment, then drawled out each word, "...not...at all." "Ren Xiaoyao, you...you're too ungrateful!" the messenger roared angrily.

After much arguing

, Ren Xiaoyao still wouldn't agree, wasting the three men's attempts at coercion and persuasion.
"Since that's the case, you can stay inside," Zhou Yi sneered. "
Hahaha, hahaha." Ren Xiaoyao suddenly had a flash of inspiration and burst into laughter.
"What are you laughing at?" the messenger asked in a deep voice.
"I'm laughing at you, that you're facing imminent disaster and still don't realize it," Ren Xiaoyao shouted.
"Hmph, it's clearly you who's facing disaster," the messenger sneered.
"What does Boss Zhou think?" Ren Xiaoyao said calmly. Although it was a bluff, the same words coming from his mouth carried a chilling power.
"You dare to speak so arrogantly, like a turtle in a jar?" Zhou Yi retorted in a low voice. He tried to appear calm, but his tone betrayed a hint of tension and worry; clearly, Ren Xiaoyao's empty threats were beginning to take effect.
"'Defying Heaven's Lone Warrior' Yi Tianhan!" Ren Xiaoyao shouted.
"You… what did you say?" Zhou Yi asked sternly. At this moment, Ren Xiaoyao's sudden utterance of those seven words was truly perplexing.
"Before I came to Yonghe Manor, I left a letter for Senior Yi, asking him to help me for… for Furong's sake," Ren Xiaoyao winked at Shui Furong, gathering his strength, "I'm afraid it won't be long before Yonghe Manor…" The situation was critical, so he had no choice but to invoke Yi Tianhan to intimidate the other party's arrogance.
"Shut up!" the messenger interrupted abruptly. "Who would believe your nonsense?"
"Think about it, besides Yi Tianhan's direct disciple, who else could unleash such a fierce and unparalleled palm strike?" Ren Xiaoyao said coldly. The messenger's original point of contention was whether Yi Tianhan would come, but he cleverly shifted the focus to whether Shui Furong was Yi Tianhan's disciple.
"She, she, she..." Recalling the terrifying force Shui Furong had displayed when she struck the iron shield, Zhou Yi shuddered.
"Ren Xiaoyao, you're lying!" the messenger shouted, seeing the situation turning against him. "Yi Tianhan has been living in seclusion overseas for over ten years; how could he return to the Central Plains so quietly?"
"What, are you afraid I'm bluffing?" Ren Xiaoyao scoffed. "Hmph, once Elder Yi arrives in person, you'll know I'm telling the truth."
"Yes, Master will arrive tomorrow," Shui Furong chimed in sweetly.
Zhou Yi and Zhou Tai were horrified. They had no idea that the seemingly innocent and quirky Shui Furong was no less clever than Ren Xiaoyao.
"You should know very well that the dashing thief never does anything without a plan. Since I've decided to venture into the lion's den, why wouldn't I have a backup plan?" Ren Xiaoyao sneered. Pretending to be something he was always was one of his greatest strengths.
"Brother Ren, stop talking, lest they become wary," Xiao Xingchen said in a low voice, deliberately making sure the other heard.
"It's alright. I predict the five assassins won't arrive at Yonghe Manor within three days. How could they possibly do anything to Senior Yi?" Ren Xiaoyao said confidently.
"Master, what...what should we do?" Zhou Tai stammered. Yi Tianhan was a master of martial arts, and hated evil. If they ran into him, Zhou Tai would surely die.
"You're asking me? Who should I ask?" Zhou Yi retorted angrily. He had initially been skeptical, but seeing Zhou Tai's trembling body, he naturally became nervous as well.
"Hahaha, to be honest, I really have to thank the three of you." Ren Xiaoyao said smugly. "The iron shield is airtight, it's really safe. Even if they wanted to take us hostage, they probably wouldn't be able to..."
"They probably wouldn't be able to do anything, right?" the messenger coldly interrupted.
"That's right.
" Ren Xiaoyao was quite pleased with himself. "It seems I have no choice but to strike first." The messenger's sinister laughter faintly drifted over.
"If you're so capable, then come in." Shui Furong giggled. If the other party dared to open the iron shield, it would be tantamount to courting death. If they didn't open it, how could they strike first?
"Messenger, why don't we discuss it with Ren Xiaoyao and have everyone compromise?" Zhou Yi said in a low voice.
"Yes...yes, Yi Tianhan is not easy to deal with." Zhou Tai echoed.
Although their voices were soft, Ren Xiaoyao, Xiao Xingchen, and Shui Furong all had profound internal strength and heard them clearly.
"Fool, it seems we have a chance." Shui Furong whispered in his ear.
Ren Xiaoyao smiled slightly and did not reply. He knew perfectly well that while Zhou Yi and Zhou Tai were easy to fool, the messenger was extremely shrewd. Unless he could be deceived as well, escape from this predicament was still a long way off.
"Brother Xiao, I remember you should have someone to meet you, right?" Shui Furong asked knowingly.
"Alas, to my shame, my two senior uncles, Yu Ling and Yu Kong, were afraid I would lose the Purple Lightning and Azure Frost swords, so they have been secretly protecting me. If they find out that you and I haven't come out for several days after entering Yonghe Manor, they will definitely be very anxious." With his life at stake, Xiao Xingchen had no choice but to deceive his opponents.
"It seems the three of you want to force me to kill you to silence you." The messenger let out a sinister laugh and said slowly.
"How dare I, how dare I, I still want to keep this little life to send Hentian to his death." Ren Xiaoyao laughed loudly. Right now, the only way to find a glimmer of hope was to force the other side to make peace or to forcefully attack.
"Zhou Tai, have someone prepare firewood!" The messenger pondered for a while before giving the order.
"What is he trying to do?" Shui Furong exclaimed in shock.
"This...this bastard is actually using fire!" Xiao Xingchen realized and stamped his foot.
"Yes, I'm going to burn you all to death," the messenger said smugly.
"Alas, today I finally understand what it means to overreach myself," Ren Xiaoyao slumped down and sighed to the heavens. If he had known the other side had this trick up their sleeve, he would never have boasted so recklessly.
Yonghe Manor was indeed well-trained; in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, fires had already blazed all around. Rolling waves of heat instantly filled the hall. Fortunately, the iron shield was quite wide, so the three of them standing in the center didn't feel the heat for a moment, but the surrounding air had become unbearably suffocating.
"Originally, I wanted to leave you with a complete corpse, but now even that delicate little pump girl has been reduced to charred bones," the messenger sneered. "Fortunately, the Ice Soul Frost Sword, Purple Lightning, and Azure Frost are not afraid of the raging fire, otherwise it would be a pity if all three divine weapons were destroyed."
"Ren Xiaoyao, if you surrender now, you still have a chance," Zhou Yi still didn't give up.
"You want me to join Juesha? Dream on!" Ren Xiaoyao cursed.
"Firm in your stance, fearless in the face of death, truly worthy of the title of dashing thief," the messenger feigned praise. "Guards, add more fire! I want to see if your bones are harder than your life." (

Volume 8, Chapter 4: Heroes Break Through the Enemy's Barrier)

Not long after, the thick iron gate began to turn red, and the heat inside the hall intensified.
Shui Fu, still recovering from her recent sexual encounter, was the first to vomit.
Ren Xiaoyao watched, his heart breaking.
Zhou Yi ordered his servants to bring two tiger-skin chairs and respectfully invited the messenger to sit down, enjoying the sight of the Star-Picking Pavilion's ruins engulfed in flames. Just imagine, taking down two young masters, Ren Xiaoyao and Xiao Xingchen, plus Shui Furong, Yi Tianhan's direct disciple—this achievement would be enough for him to boast about within the organization.
Just as he was feeling smug, two loud crashes suddenly shook the mountains and fields. The iron cage tilted violently, seemingly about to topple over. But how could a human being move a weight of tens of thousands of pounds? The iron cage paused briefly, then fell back down.
"Excellent swordsmanship! The Three Forms of Heavenly Annihilation truly live up to their reputation." The messenger, certain that Xiao Xingchen had
used both swords simultaneously in a desperate, near-death attack, mocked, "It's a pity that after today, the Mount Tai Sect will be without a successor." Zhou Tai beside him was extremely excited, thinking to himself: "If I hadn't used a clever plan to lure the three of them into the trap, how could I have trapped the dashing thief, Iron Sword Autumn Frost, with his divine weapon and superb martial arts?" Thinking of this, he laughed heartily and declared, "Ren Xiaoyao, where has your former domineering and invincible aura gone? You wouldn't have been defeated by a dog..."
Before he could finish speaking, the iron shield shook violently again, dust flew everywhere, and smoke billowed. Although the angle of tilt was greater than before, it was still far from flipping over.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!" Several loud bangs startled Zhou Yi and Zhou Tai, turning their faces pale. The messenger, however, remained relatively calm, staring intently at the foundation ten feet away. He coldly said, "No need to worry. Look, the iron shield's tilt is gradually weakening. Ren Xiaoyao and the others will soon be exhausted."
"The messenger is right. A spent arrow... is not a threat," Zhou Yi echoed.
Zhou Tai, all smiles, was about to offer some flattery when suddenly a large patch of firewood burst forth from the northwest corner of the iron shield. Sparks flew, thick smoke billowed, and several servants, unable to dodge in time, were set ablaze. They fled in terror,
screaming in agony. "Mere flames, what's there to fear!" Zhou Yi roared, standing up.
Just then, a sudden change occurred. A swift and unparalleled figure leaped out from the dust, darting towards them like lightning.
"Ren...Ren Xiaoyao..." Before the word "Yao" could even leave his lips, Zhou Tai's head had already fallen to the ground. How could someone in such terrified state withstand the awe-inspiring power of the Ice Soul Frost Sword that traversed the universe?
Zhou Yi, seven feet away, reacted with lightning speed, shouting and unleashing a double punch through the air, his true energy flowing through his sleeves, aimed directly at Ren Xiaoyao's back—a desperate stance meant to die with his enemy.
Ren Xiaoyao, eager to rescue Xiao Xingchen and Shui Furong, would not linger with him. With his left hand, he used the "Universal Perfection" technique to deflect the punch's force, while with his right hand... The "Flower Blossoms" sword struck down, and Zhou Yi cried out in agony, instantly falling from his tent.
Looking back at the messenger, he saw him already several dozen feet away. It turned out that Ren Xiaoyao, having just escaped the iron cage, had immediately turned and fled, showing no concern for the lives of Zhou Yi, Zhou Tai, and the others.
Fearing that Shui Furong might be suffering from the scorching heat, Ren Xiaoyao didn't give chase, but roared, "Stop the fire and save them!"
The servants, intimidated by his imposing manner, dared not disobey. After much struggle, they finally pried open the iron cage. Ren Xiaoyao rushed inside, carefully helping Shui Furong up, gently kissing her forehead, and softly asked, "Are you alright?"
"Hmph, I...I still hurt down there," Shui Furong gave Ren Xiaoyao a flirtatious look, then shyly buried her face in his chest, pouting.
"Hahaha, my poor darling Furong," Ren Xiaoyao chuckled, lovingly stroking Shui Furong's soft hands. Thinking about why Zhou Yi had seen through their disguise, both of them felt a surge of warmth.
"Brother Ren, thanks to your composure in the face of danger, we were able to see the light of day again," Xiao Xingchen said, greedily taking a few breaths
of fresh air, his spirits lifted. It turned out that Meng Lei's "Heavenly Secrets Manual" also recorded the properties of metals such as copper and iron. When the messenger mocked Xiao Xingchen, Ren Xiaoyao suddenly remembered that pig iron would expand when heated, and soon the joints around the iron shield would be deformed. At that time, he could use his strength to slash and perhaps break through. So he raised the Ice Soul Frost Sword and focused on attacking the seams, hoping to find a glimmer of hope.
Perhaps it was his fate to survive, or perhaps it was the protection of Ren Xiaoyao's spirit, but the iron shield continued to expand under the raging flames, while the iron plate buried underground was not heated. With this expansion and contraction, the grooves gradually loosened. In addition, Ren Xiaoyao used several ruthless moves in succession, barely managing to make the iron shield tilt to the side, revealing a few gaps.
At this moment, Ren Xiaoyao suddenly caught sight of Shui Furong's loving and hopeful gaze. Instantly, he grasped the thirteenth move of the Lingxiao Sword Technique, "Meeting is difficult, parting is even more difficult," and forcefully cleaved open the groove in the northwest corner of the iron shield, revealing a crack large enough for one person to pass through. His movements were incredibly swift; before the iron shield could fall and block him, he leaped out, killing Zhou Yi and Zhou Tai with lightning speed, defeating the messenger, and successfully helping everyone escape danger.
"I'll kick you to death, I'll kick you to death!" Shui Furong, still shaken, walked to the now-cooled iron shield and kicked it several times, refusing to let it go.
"Alright, stop taking your anger out on inanimate objects," Ren Xiaoyao said, leaning closer and whispering in her ear, "If we really want to hold someone accountable, then..."
"Hmph, it's all your fault, you made me lose control," Shui Furong retorted, looking extremely embarrassed.
"Brother Ren, what should we do with them?" Xiao Xingchen pointed at the group of guards and asked seriously.
"Forgive and forget," Ren Xiaoyao said calmly.
"Thank you for sparing our lives, young hero," the servants bowed, their gratitude overflowing.
"Rise, everyone. I know most of you were forced into this situation, not willingly submitting to Zhou Yi, Zhou Tai, and the others," Ren Xiaoyao said loudly, rising to a higher position. "Yonghe Manor is now defunct in name only. Leave as soon as possible and find your own way to survive."
"If you continue to aid and abet evil, you will be executed without mercy," Shui Furong said coquettishly, leaning against her lover.
The servants gradually dispersed. Xiao Xingchen looked up at the sky and murmured, "Although we've resolved the immediate crisis, who knows how many more thorns and obstacles await us on our way to Hangzhou?"
"Brother Xiao, are you afraid?" Ren Xiaoyao teased, patting his shoulder.
"I'm more afraid of certain death!" Xiao Xingchen's eyes burned with unwavering confidence.
"Hahaha!"
"Hahaha!"

Volume 8, Chapter 5: Springtime Splendor

. From then on, the three deliberately slowed their journey, exercising extra caution and utmost care, repeatedly avoiding the traps meticulously designed by Jue Sha.
The famous Jiangnan city of Yuezhou stood before them, its walls sturdy and majestic, its gates magnificent—truly a place where King Goujian of Yue endured hardship and humiliation to strengthen his state.
Ren Xiaoyao and Shui Furong rode their swift and powerful steeds, ready to enter the city, when a sharp whistle suddenly pierced the air from a forest about three or four miles away, its mournful sound incessant.
Xiao Xingchen's expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed, "Oh no! It's a distress signal from my Taishan Sect disciples!"
Ren Xiaoyao said solemnly, "Brother Xiao, are you sure you didn't mishear?"
Xiao Xingchen immediately nodded.
"There's no time to lose, let's go help them right away," Shui Furong said impatiently. Since leaving Yonghe Manor, she had fought countless battles with members of the Absolute Assassins along the way, but Ren Xiaoyao, fearing for her safety, always stayed by her side. No matter how skilled Shui Furong's palm techniques were, they couldn't match the speed of the Ice Soul Frost Sword. She possessed great martial arts but rarely found an opportunity to use them, and the frustration in her heart was indescribable. Now that her junior brother Xiao Xingchen was in danger, she finally saw hope of displaying her skills.
"Wait," Ren Xiaoyao stopped her, saying with concern, "If the Absolute Assassins deliberately used the whistle as bait to lure us there, only to set up an ambush, wouldn't we be walking into a trap?"
"What Brother Ren says is possible, but if it really is our sect's disciple in danger..." Xiao Xingchen's expression turned serious as he pondered.
"If only there were a way to have the best of both worlds," Shui Furong murmured.
“By the way, Brother Ren and Miss Shui, please go into the city first. I will go alone.” Xiao Xingchen suddenly slapped his forehead and said casually, “Even if it is Juesha who is plotting something, I, Ziran, think I can escape easily on my own.”
“But…” Shui Furong hesitated.
“Brother Xiao is right. Let’s do it that way.” Ren Xiaoyao nodded slowly and said solemnly. Going with everyone would be too risky and far less convenient than going alone. With Xiao Xingchen’s cultivation of the Three Styles of Heavenly Annihilation, unless Hentian himself came, no one in Juesha should be able to stop him.
Shui Furong couldn’t object after hearing this, so she could only pout and lean against her horse’s back, looking “dejected.”
Ren Xiaoyao smiled slightly and whispered in her ear, "When we get to the inn, stay in your room and wait for me. While Brother Xiao is away, we..."
Shui Furong immediately blushed and scolded, "Who...who wants to wait for you?" Her beautiful eyes, however, sparkled with desire. She was in the prime of her youth, with a free and unrestrained nature. Ever since she and Ren Xiaoyao had tasted the joys of love, she had indulged in passionate intimacy. But in recent days, the situation had become increasingly tense. To prevent any unforeseen events, Ren Xiaoyao and Xiao Xingchen had to take turns keeping watch at night, leaving them no time for intimacy. Now, hearing her lover's whispered hint, she naturally blushed with shyness.
After agreeing on their contact methods, Xiao Xingchen hurriedly took his leave.
Yuezhou was the second largest city in the Jiangzhe region after Hangzhou. Its streets were extremely wide, wide enough for ten horses to ride abreast. The houses along the streets all had arched eaves and verandas, standing side by side, one after another.
As soon as Ren Xiaoyao and Shui Furong entered the city, they attracted countless admiring glances. Leaving aside their striking good looks and youthful beauty—one handsome and dashing, the other graceful and radiant—they were a perfect couple. Even their magnificent steed, the Swift Wind and Lightning, was exceptionally handsome and rare.
The two found a quiet, secluded inn to stay in. After dinner, Ren Xiaoyao told Shui Furong to go back to her room and rest, while he went out to patrol. After confirming several times that there were no hidden sentries nearby, he returned.
"Silly boy, why are you so late?" Shui Furong's slightly reproachful voice reached his ears as he pushed open the door.
Ren Xiaoyao didn't answer, casually closing the door latch. He turned and pulled Shui Furong into his arms, kissing her luscious lips forcefully. His restless left hand slipped under her skirt, caressing her alluring buttocks.
Under Ren Xiaoyao's wanton caresses, Shui Furong's delicate body began to tremble. Her supple legs clamped tightly around his large hands as she gasped, "No...don't touch me anymore." Despite her words, she extended her soft, fragrant tongue into Ren Xiaoyao's mouth, letting him suck and tease it.
Shui Furong's flawless face flushed crimson under Ren Xiaoyao's skillful teasing, her beautiful eyes misty and alluring, filled with a mixture of shyness and longing. A strong possessive desire rose within Ren Xiaoyao. He deftly unbuttoned her undergarment, lifting Shui Furong's flower-like body...
"Ah—" With a soft, lingering cry from Shui Furong, Ren Xiaoyao began his full-force thrusts. Waves of pleasure spread through his body like the rising tide. Shui Furong's soft, delicate legs tightly wrapped around her lover's strong waist, passionately welcoming his ever-deepening male dominance.
Because there were still guests in the next room, Shui Furong dared not moan loudly, forcibly suppressing gasps of pleasure from her throat. Ren Xiaoyao reveled in her soft, boneless, exquisitely curvaceous, snow-white body, while Shui Furong yielded and responded with unwavering devotion, submitting to whatever he did with shy obedience. The
dim light in the room gradually faded, and with a cry of extreme pleasure from Shui Furong, Ren Xiaoyao's passion erupted within her. Their limbs intertwined almost convulsively, remaining entangled for a long, long time before finally separating.
Shui Furong, panting softly and glistening with sweat, nestled against Ren Xiaoyao's chest like a cat, and whispered, "Silly boy...you, you're like a wild wolf."
Ren Xiaoyao gently pinched her two rosy nipples and smiled, "How was it? Did you like it?"
"Mmm, I...I almost couldn't take it anymore." Shui Furong nodded shyly, her starry eyes half-closed, her naked body flushed with the afterglow of her climax, adding to her allure.
"Does it hurt?" Ren Xiaoyao asked with concern, afraid that his frenzy might have hurt her.
Shui Furong, her beautiful eyes brimming with spring,
shook her head and whispered, as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "In this life and the next, Shui Furong will always be your woman. No matter how you treat me, I will accept it willingly." Ren Xiaoyao's surging desire was reignited by her heartfelt confession. In the warm, fragrant tent, amidst the gentle warmth of spring, accompanied by Shui Furong's alluring cries, the two were once again lost in a world of intoxicating passion…

Volume 8, Chapter 6: A Thousand Hardships and Perils, A Sword's Edge, A Failure

at the Last Moment. When Ren Xiaoyao awoke that morning, Shui Furong was still fast asleep. Reluctantly leaving her alluring jade-like buttocks, he donned his outer robe and went straight to the guest room he had prepared for Xiao Xingchen.
The room was empty; the bedding and pillowcases showed no signs of being moved.
"It seems Brother Xiao hasn't returned all night." Ren Xiaoyao's heart tightened, and he muttered, "Could something have gone wrong?"
Just then, the waiter carrying a teapot approached, bowing and scraping, "Sir, are you waiting for the guest in room number nine of the Heavenly Pavilion?"
"Yes," Ren Xiaoyao replied casually.
"He came last night," the waiter said in a low voice after glancing around to make sure no one was watching.
"Really?" Ren Xiaoyao asked, quite suspiciously.
"How could I dare lie to you, sir?" the waiter said with a forced smile.
"Then where is he?" Ren Xiaoyao asked hastily.
"He...he left," the waiter replied.
"Left? When did that happen?" Ren Xiaoyao blurted out, greatly puzzled. Xiao Xingchen was known for his calm and reliable nature; it was impossible for him to leave without even a word.
"He came at 5 PM and left alone after 9 PM," the waiter said truthfully.
Ren Xiaoyao suddenly realized that he and Shui Furong had been making love in bed at that moment, so how could Xiao Xingchen have dared to disturb them? The question was, what could have made him put aside the heavy responsibility of returning the Jade Blood Pearl to Tingyu Pavilion, and not even wait until this morning?
Just then, the waiter took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to him.
"What is this?" Ren Xiaoyao asked.
"It's...it's left for you by that guest," the waiter replied respectfully. "Last night, he waited at your door for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, but he didn't knock. I was curious, so I asked him if he had something to discuss with you. The guest didn't answer, but just asked for paper and pen, wrote this letter, and specifically instructed that it be delivered to you as soon as you woke up."
Ren Xiaoyao opened the seal with some skepticism, and after reading it carefully, he was immediately quite surprised.
It turned out that Hentian was furious with Xiao Xingchen for assisting Tingyu Pavilion and had openly sent someone to deliver a message, threatening to make the Taishan Sect pay a heavy price. The Taishan Sect and the Absolute Killers harbored a deep-seated hatred, and Liu Yuxu constantly sought revenge for his senior brother. Upon learning of the Absolute Killers' resurgence, he immediately led Qin Weiliang, Feng Jianxiong, and Ge Hongzhou to Jiangzhe. His mission was twofold: first, to recall disciples who were out training to prevent them from falling victim to the Absolute Killers' ambush; and second, to secretly protect Xiao Xingchen and ensure Nangong Fengyi's safe rescue.
However, while passing through Yuezhou, the group encountered a large group of Absolute Killers' experts in a bamboo forest outside the city. In the ensuing chaos, Ge Hongzhou sent a signal, prompting Xiao Xingchen to rush to their aid. After a fierce battle, the enemy was almost completely wiped out, with only their leader, Zhui Ming, escaping in a sorry state. Liu Yuxu, knowing he was the mastermind behind Xiao Yusun's assassination attempt years ago, was unwilling to let him go and relentlessly pursued him. Xiao Xingchen wanted to help, but Qin Weiliang, Feng Jianxiong, and Ge Hongzhou were all wounded, so he had to escort them back to the city first. After waiting for several hours without Liu Yuxu's return, the four began to grow anxious. Xiao Xingchen, concerned for his master's safety, hurriedly returned to the inn to bid farewell to Ren Xiaoyao, intending to leave the city with his junior brother to search for him. However, they unexpectedly stumbled upon Ren Xiaoyao and Shui Furong in a tender embrace. Unable to speak, he
could only leave a letter and hastily depart. Ren Xiaoyao smiled bitterly to himself. His decisive move was indeed cunning; he had clearly used a diversionary tactic, yet Xiao Xingchen had been forced into it. Fortunately, Hangzhou was only a day's journey away, and he figured even he and Shui Furong could arrive safely.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
At dusk, the Beiguan Night Market outside Wulin Gate was bustling with activity, teeming with tourists.
Undoubtedly, Ren Xiaoyao and Shui Furong were among the throng.
To ensure everything went smoothly, before leaving Yuezhou, Ren Xiaoyao used his final trump card—disguise. He dressed Shui Furong as an elderly woman over sixty, while he himself added a mustache and dyed his skin black, appearing as an honest, simple farmer. The two pretended to be mother and son, claiming they were going to Hangzhou for medical treatment. Not only did they fail to be detected by the assassins, but they also fooled the soldiers guarding the city gate. One of the soldiers, a kind-hearted sergeant, kept introducing them to doctors, which amused Shui Furong so much that she almost gave herself away.
Ren Xiaoyao thought to himself: If he took Shui Furong back to Tingyu Pavilion directly, with Zhuge Wenjie's sharp eyes, he would probably see through their relationship before they even entered Wangyou Pavilion, which would be quite embarrassing—after all, the two young ladies had been waiting for him day and night, while he was out "flirting with three men" and bringing back a little vixen (Shui Furong was arrogant and unconventional, having completely inherited Yi Tianhan's domineering temperament, plus her passionate and unrestrained nature, naturally alluring, it would be strange if she weren't seen as a fox spirit), if this got back to Fengyi's ears, what would become of her?
Thinking of this, he considered finding a place to settle Shui Furong down first, and then slowly explaining to Nangong Fengyi after the Snow Mountain Shadowless Poison had dissipated. But another problem arose. No matter where Shui Furong stayed, he had to make time to be with her. However, most of the businesses in Hangzhou belonged to Tingyuxuan. What if Nangong Tiankuo and Nangong Lin caught them in the act? How could he explain it? After much deliberation, he had no choice but to settle Shui Furong at Ningxiangzhai in the south of the city.
Sima Ziyu, the owner of Ningxiangzhai, was one of Nangong Bubai's few business rivals. In the entire city of Hangzhou, apart from Huibinlou, which was run by Tingyuxuan, his inn had the best environment and the most attentive service.
In front of the beauty, Ren Xiaoyao was naturally generous. Upon entering, he presented a five-hundred-tael silver note and booked the most luxurious room on the top floor. As soon as the waiter who brought water left, Shui Furong gazed at Ren Xiaoyao affectionately and began to flirt. Ren Xiaoyao dared not delay. He suppressed his desires, politely declined the beauty's offer, and hurried to Tingyuxuan with the Jade Pearl in his pocket.
After a short while, the magnificent gate of Tingyu Pavilion appeared ten zhang away. The previously posted reward notice had long since been torn down, and countless lanterns hung along the walls, illuminating the interior and exterior as if it were daytime. Clearly, they knew the Jade Blood Pearl had been found and were awaiting the hero's triumphant return.
Ren Xiaoyao stroked his beard (to avoid revealing Shui Furong's residence, he still presented himself as a "farmer"), and was about to step inside when he suddenly heard Jueyue's all-too-familiar voice: "Boy, if you want Shui Furong to live, you'd better not go in." (

Volume 8, Thousands of Perils, Sword and Sword, Chapter 7: The Loss of the Pearl)

Upon hearing this, Ren Xiaoyao's face showed a look of surprise and uncertainty.
"Ningxiangzhai has long been controlled by the organization. If you step even half a step into Tingyuxuan, hehe..."
Before he could finish speaking, Ren Xiaoyao turned and left. This wasn't because he was heartless or valued Shui Furong over Nangong Fengyi; it was simply that as a man, if he couldn't protect the woman he loved, he had no face to live in this world. There were still ten days until the three-month deadline, and curing the Snow Mountain Shadowless Poison wasn't urgent. He should find a way to rescue Shui Furong first before returning to Tingyuxuan.
After navigating several alleys, Ren Xiaoyao finally met Jueyue. Dressed in white robes, Jueyue grinned coldly and said, "You're curious why Shui Furong ended up in our hands, aren't you?"
"No one in Juesha can see through my disguise," Ren Xiaoyao said in a deep voice. The implication was that he truly couldn't understand why his whereabouts had been leaked.
"Hahaha, the dashing thief can transform into countless forms, so naturally there's no way he could make a mistake in his disguise, but..." Jueyue deliberately kept him in suspense, waiting for Ren Xiaoyao's sword-like eyebrows to furrow before laughing loudly, "Your two swift steeds are quite easy to spot."
Upon hearing this, Ren Xiaoyao immediately felt annoyed. He had calculated everything, but he had overlooked this crucial point, leading to his failure at the last moment.
"I'm not afraid to tell you, in Hangzhou, there are hundreds of taverns and inns, big and small. Which one doesn't have members of the organization? The moment you and Shui Furong entered Ningxiangzhai, the news reached me." Jueyue said smugly, "That little pump girl's vigilance is really too poor. She drank the tea that had been drugged without hesitation."
"What did you do to Furong?" Ren Xiaoyao asked resentfully.
"I was in a hurry to catch up with you, so I didn't look carefully, but Zhuiming and Shepo are both here, so they must have taken her away successfully." Jueyue said leisurely. It was clear he wasn't bluffing or exaggerating.
"The Absolute Kill's actions were indeed swift," Ren Xiaoyao remarked sarcastically.
"Young Master Ren, you flatter me," Jueyue said with a smile. "Hehe, I forgot to tell you, Qin Shang also participated in the operation. I can't guarantee..."
"Hmph, just because of the name 'Yi Tianhan,' does Qin Shang dare to touch a single hair on Furong's head?" Ren Xiaoyao's thoughts shifted slightly, and he sneered.
Jueyue had intended to intimidate him, but unexpectedly, he was seen through by Ren Xiaoyao's words, and could only manage a few dry laughs.
"What will it take for you to release Furong?" Ren Xiaoyao asked coldly.
"It's simple, exchange her for the Jade Blood Pearl," Jueyue blurted out.
"Oh, so you're not going to talk to me about joining?" Ren Xiaoyao quickly regained his composure and said casually.
"You wouldn't yield even when your life was at stake, let alone for a woman," Jueyue said with a wry smile. As the leader of the Absolute Kill, he naturally knew everything that had happened at Yonghe Manor.
"So, when will the exchange take place?" Ren Xiaoyao asked solemnly without hesitation.
Jueyue was completely baffled. In terms of appearance, Nangong Fengyi and Shui Furong were equally beautiful and charming; in terms of status, the former seemed to have a slight edge. Why would Ren Xiaoyao abandon Nangong Fengyi and keep Shui Furong without hesitation? Was there some hidden reason?
Ren Xiaoyao saw the doubt in his eyes and smiled meaningfully, "Women, of course, I prefer those who are alluring and seductive. Fengyi is too reserved in bed; it's a pity she's so beautiful yet so unlucky." He was determined to get Shui Furong back first, and then go after the Jade Blood Pearl. Therefore, he deliberately said some suggestive things to gain Jueyue's trust.
Upon hearing this, Jueyue laughed heartily, "'The dashing rogue' truly lives up to his name. Without years of experience in the world of women, how could he possibly grasp such insight?" In his heart, he thought: What talk of "a young hero, his chivalrous name resounding throughout the nine cities"? He's still just a mortal. Even if he can transcend the constraints of life and death, he can't escape the drive of love and desire.
Ren Xiaoyao said calmly, "As the saying goes, 'A man who isn't a bit of a rogue in his youth is wasting his life.' Rather than letting others benefit, I'd rather enjoy it myself." He then revealed an impatient expression, seemingly eager for an answer.
Jueyue, a seasoned veteran, wouldn't fall for his trick easily. She asked suspiciously, "How will you explain the loss of the Jade Blood Pearl to Nangong Bubai?"
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes flashed sharply as he met Jueyue's probing gaze, coldly replying, "That's none of your concern." He was well-versed in the art of negotiation; the more transparent he was, the less suspicious the other party would be. If he were completely honest, it would only give the impression of deception and cunning.
Jueyue thought to herself, "You're quite tight-lipped, kid." She shrugged indifferently and slowly said, "Young Master Ren, if you have the guts, how about you come with me to Jiuxi now?"
"Jiuxi?" Ren Xiaoyao frowned. "You wouldn't have set a trap for me, would you?" Months ago, it was at this very place that he had cleverly tricked Jueyue and Duohun, buying time to rescue Nangong Fengyi. Now, they were openly still going to make a deal there, which seemed somewhat like revenge.
"Young Master Ren, how many men do you think you need to ensure you don't escape?" Jueyue's expression changed again, and she said in a deep voice.
"Don't even think about having more." Ren Xiaoyao let out a laugh that seemed to have the power to shatter clouds and split rocks, his composure unfathomable.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Same location, same opponent, different purpose, different time.
Bathed in the moonlight, the two arrived at the Nine Streams and Eighteen Ravines.
The streams were winding and secluded, the water flowing gently, and beside a beautiful, enchanting spring, Duohun stood with his sword drawn.
"Where's Furong?" Ren Xiaoyao abruptly stopped and asked loudly.
Duohun chuckled sinisterly, "Ren Xiaoyao, so you've finally admitted defeat to your face."
"Enough nonsense, where's Furong?" Ren Xiaoyao shouted, his eyes flashing with deep resentment.
"What's the rush? Once I get the item, I'll release her naturally," Duohun declared.
Without hesitation, Ren Xiaoyao reached into his robes, took out the Jade Blood Pearl, and tossed it over.
Duohun caught it and sneered, "Aren't you afraid I'll go back on my word?"
Ren Xiaoyao met Duohun's gaze, staring intently at him, and declared with boundless pride, "If you want Juesha to never have a peaceful day again, feel free to try." This was no exaggeration. Whether it was himself or Yi Tianhan, once they were determined to be enemies of Juesha, they would cause them endless trouble. No matter how bold Duohun was, he wouldn't dare to bring such trouble upon the organization.
"Hmph!" Duohun, displeased that he'd hit a nerve, said, "You've got guts, managing to seduce Yi Tianhan's beautiful disciple." With that, he lightly clapped his hands, and two black-clad assassins immediately emerged from the woods behind him, flanking the unconscious Shui Furong and placing her before Ren Xiaoyao.

Volume 8, Chapter 9, "A Little Trick":

"Reporting to the leader, Qin Shang has arrived." Through the wooden door, the humble voice of Liu Yiping, the head manager of Hengyuan Cloth Shop, quietly came.
"Let him in," Hentian ordered. Qin Shang was originally in charge of reconnaissance near Hua'e Valley. After Ren Xiaoyao handed over the Jade Blood Pearl, Jueyue sent a message by carrier pigeon ordering him to return to the branch headquarters to await orders.
"Strange, he should have arrived half an hour ago, why has it taken so long?" Duohun muttered.
"Hmph, is that even a question? Lust is a double-edged sword," Jueyue chuckled. Qin Shang probably picked some flowers on his way back, otherwise, how could he have been delayed until now?
"Huff...huff..." Just then, Qin Shang pushed open the door, panting heavily. Everyone burst into laughter at his disheveled clothes and messy hair.
"Qin Shang, you've come just in time," Hentian said with a smile. He was in a great mood and even joked with his subordinates.
"Chief...Chief, please understand, I've been staying in Flower Calyx Valley for too long these past few days, I'm really...really bored," Qin Shang explained, his face flushed with experience. "I just met a village girl on the road, and I wanted to play around with her, but..."
"Did she refuse?" Duohun teased.
“Nonsense, if that village girl were willing, he wouldn’t touch her.” Jueyue slowly shook her head and said, “Women are plentiful in brothels, but our ‘Master Qin’ just likes to force himself on her, saying that’s what makes it exciting, right?”
“Hey… well, that’s right, this is about love between men and women…” Qin Shang immediately perked up and was about to launch into a long speech when Hentian immediately gestured to stop him, and said seriously, “How is the situation around Flower Calyx Valley?”
“Everything is normal, except that Nangong Bubai and Murong Ruorong have been going there more often.” Qin Shang casually wiped the blood off his face and said in a deep voice.
Jueyue and Duohun exchanged a smile, thinking to themselves, “You flower-picking devil, you’ve got blood on your face, no wonder the girl is going to get played to death.
” “Starting tomorrow, withdraw the scouts from Flower Calyx Valley.” Hentian pondered for a moment and said solemnly.
"Yes, sir." Qin Shang nodded in agreement and was about to leave when the door was suddenly kicked open. Liu Yiping, looking panicked, rushed into the room, panting, "Chief...Chief, it's terrible! Nangong Bubai has surrounded the cloth shop with his men..."
"Qin Shang!" Jueyue shouted angrily, "Did you leak our whereabouts?"
"Impossible." Hentian appeared extremely calm and said in a deep voice, "Even if Tingyuxuan sent experts to follow us, they couldn't gather a large force in such a short time."
"Could it be that they planned this all along?" Jueyue murmured.
"Yes." Hentian nodded, "Hangzhou is Tingyuxuan's territory after all. It was only a matter of time before the branch was exposed."
"Why now of all times?" Qin Shang muttered.
"Chief, let's find a way to escape." Liu Yiping said in horror. His martial arts were far inferior to Hentian, Jueyue, and the others. If they
really fought, he would definitely be in grave danger.
"What's the panic?" Hentian scolded in a low voice. " Let alone the mere Tingyu Pavilion, even if all four great families came together, he might not take them seriously.
" "Nangong Bubai has mobilized such a large force simply to seize the Jade Blood Pearl. Why doesn't the leader destroy it right before their eyes?" Qin Shang suggested, a terrifying smile filled with hatred spreading across his lips. "Seeing their hopes dashed, they might just retreat."
"Yes, given Nangong Bubai's character, he would never let his retainers die in vain," Liu Yiping hurriedly echoed.
"Get out. You have no right to speak here," Duohun coldly snorted. Liu Yiping was the deputy leader of the Hangzhou branch he had recommended, yet he was now cowardly and disorganized, truly a loss of face.
Liu Yiping dared not disobey, and could only retreat sheepishly.
After he walked away, Duohun lowered his voice and said, "Brother Qin, you may not know this, but the Azure Blood Pearl is helpful for the leader's cultivation of the Heavenly Demon Heart Sutra. How can it be destroyed so easily?"
Qin Shang showed a look of sudden realization, then smiled mysteriously, "In that case, why not..."
"Brilliant plan!" Jueyue and Duohun exclaimed in admiration.
"Gather the troops and come with me to welcome our distinguished guests." Hentian finally took a liking to it and said decisively.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Outside Hengyuan Cloth Shop, the place was bustling with noise and brightly lit.
Nangong Bubai, Murong Ruorong, Nangong Wushang, Nangong Tiankuo, Nangong Lin, Liu Xianzong, and almost all the experts of Tingyuxuan were gathered. The hundreds of guests who came with them surrounded the entire courtyard wall under Zhuge Wenjie's meticulous arrangement.
Jueyue, Duohun, and Qin Shang escorted Hentian as they leisurely walked out of the hall.
Upon seeing the main figure appear, Nangong Bubai calmly ascended the white stone steps and declared loudly, "Hentian, hand over the Azure Blood Pearl, or I will make sure you die a horrible death!"
"Die a horrible death!" the retainers shouted in unison, their imposing aura terrifying.
Hentian's eyes shone brightly, yet his tone remained surprisingly calm as he said indifferently, "Does the Sect Master think you can frighten me?"
Nangong Bubai shrugged slightly, smiling nonchalantly, but his gaze swept over Liu Yiping and the nineteen black-clad assassins trembling behind Jueyue.
"Useless!" Duohun was furious and rebuked.
In truth, the Hangzhou branch of Juesha had a considerable number of men, but most were scattered throughout the city, making it impossible to mobilize them all at once.
"How did the Sect Master find Hengyuan Cloth Shop?" Hentian asked, staring intently at Nangong Bubai with a thoughtful expression.
"With it," Nangong Bubai said, stroking his beard and smiling as he pointed to the howling hunting dogs at Liu Xianzong's feet.
Hentian's expression changed slightly upon hearing this. The Azure Blood Pearl did indeed carry a faint, orchid-like fragrance. Could
it be that someone had tampered with it before the exchange? "Hahaha." Amidst a long laugh, Ren Xiaoyao slowly stepped forward, standing proudly upright like a towering pavilion, and said with his head held high, "People say how secretive the Absolute Killing Branch is, but wasn't it exposed by my little trick?"
"Well, Ren Xiaoyao, you cheated." Jueyue retorted angrily.
"Hmph, likewise." Ren Xiaoyao's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he retorted sarcastically, "If you hadn't kidnapped Furong with despicable means first, why would I have resorted to such a tactic?" Upon hearing this, Jueyue was

immediately

speechless.
Hentian looked around, his tiger eyes flashing with murderous intent, and said calmly to the point of being almost cold, "Sect Master actually mobilized hundreds of his subordinates for a mere Azure Blood Pearl. Truly, father and daughter are deeply in love."
"Enough nonsense, are you going to hand it over or not?" Nangong Wushang shouted.
Hentian raised his head and sneered, his voice shaking the courtyard and chilling the soul. He said disdainfully, "Who do you think you are, daring to yell at me like that?"
Nangong Wushang felt a chill run down his spine. Although he was the most skilled martial artist in Tingyuxuan besides the sect leader, and although the situation had completely turned in his favor, he still felt a surge of inexplicable horror as Hentian's fierce and sharp gaze swept over him.
"As long as we get the Azure Blood Pearl, I guarantee, with Tingyuxuan's century-old reputation as my guarantee, that all the forces deployed in Hangzhou by Juesha will be able to leave safely." Nangong Bubai stood tall and straight, exuding a firm and powerful aura, and declared loudly.
Duohun said nonchalantly, "What a joke, you think you can dig out..."
Zhuge Wenjie chuckled and interrupted, "Zhao Xuan, the third commander of the Tingyuxuan inner guard team, Sun Jinghang, the cook of Huibinlou, Zheng Sihai, the manager of Wangjianglou..."
Upon hearing this, Duohun gasped. These were all top-notch spies in the organization, their identities and positions extremely secretive. Who would have thought they would be exposed? It seemed the rest of his subordinates were also in grave danger.
Liu Xianzong stepped forward and announced loudly, "Over the past few months, Mr. Zhuge has cleverly devised a plan to uncover 379 suspicious individuals. After secret verification by Dianjingge (an intelligence organization established by Tingyuxuan, led by Liu Xianzong), 143 of them have been confirmed as Juesha Zhaya."
"Bring them here." With a sharp shout from Nangong Tiankuo, a large number of Juesha spies, their hands tied behind their backs and heads hanging low, were pushed to the entrance of Hengyuan Cloth Shop and knelt in a row around the courtyard wall.
"So I didn't get a single tip-off. Turns out you'd already caught all those good-for-nothings before the operation even started," Hentian said coldly, suddenly realizing.
"I wouldn't let my men die in vain without absolute certainty," Nangong Bubai said calmly. Tonight's operation was entirely planned by Zhuge Wenjie. First, they swiftly wiped out the scattered henchmen, then concentrated their forces to surround Hengyuan Cloth Shop, forcing Hentian to hand over the Jade Blood Pearl in exchange for the safety of the assassins and himself.
"Does the Sect Master truly believe it's foolproof?" Hentian's face turned incredibly cold as he spoke slowly, word by word.
"Does Your Excellency possess the power to turn the tide?" Nangong Bubai countered calmly.
"Hahaha, hahaha." Hentian stood tall like a mountain, his eyes flashing with a sharp light as he laughed wildly, "I don't care about the lives of these good-for-nothings at all.
As for the Jade Blood Pearl..." He paused, then raised his voice, "I can destroy it without hesitation."
"You dare!" Murong Ruorong shouted fiercely.
"Hmph, a mere Tingyu Pavilion is no threat to this old man," Hentian said coldly. He raised his right hand, slowly opening it, and the dazzling light of the Azure Blood Pearl instantly enveloped the surroundings.
"You... what are you going to do?" Nangong Wushang exclaimed in horror.
"I'll make you suffer excruciating pain!" Hentian chuckled sinisterly. With that, he tossed the Azure Blood Pearl into the air, channeling his energy into his fingertips with his left hand, unleashing a powerful thrust.
If struck by this force, the Azure Blood Pearl would be reduced to ashes; even if Hua Tuo were reincarnated or Bian Que were reborn, they wouldn't be able to save Nangong Fengyi's life.
Nangong Bubai, Murong Ruorong, Nangong Wushang, and Nangong Tiankuo—the four masters of Tingyu Pavilion—attacked simultaneously, their goal singular—to retrieve the Azure Blood Pearl before the Ghost Netherworld God!
Jueyue and Duohun exchanged a knowing smile, flanking from both sides and sealing off the entrance. Except for Nangong Bubai, who escaped their blockade due to his proximity, the rest were trapped outside, unable to advance an inch.
"Not good, a trap!" Zhuge Wenjie exclaimed in shock, his face drained of all color.
Hentian used the Azure Blood Pearl as bait to lure Nangong Bubai inside alone. By overwhelming him with sheer numbers, they could capture him alive, forcing Tingyuxuan to retreat and instantly reversing their defeat.
In truth, the cunning Nangong Bubai was well aware of their scheme, but for Nangong Fengyi, for his daughter, he had no other choice…
Hentian revealed a sinister smile, suddenly withdrawing his finger strike and meeting Nangong Bubai's attack with astonishing speed, unleashing a chilling and sharp palm wind aimed directly at his opponent's waist and abdomen.
He didn't need to worry about the Azure Blood Pearl, as Qin Shang behind him would catch it securely.
With a death wish, Nangong Bubai gripped a sword in each hand, channeling all his power to sweep it towards Hentian, hoping the concentrated, relentless, and unstoppable cold and heat waves could hold him back for a moment.
"Boom!" Swords clashed, and Nangong Bubai was thrown backward like a kite with a broken string.
The combined power of his two swords, which had once caused countless villains and heretics to meet their demise, ultimately could not withstand the overwhelming might of the Heavenly Demon Heart Sutra.
Blood dripped from Nangong Bubai's lips, clearly indicating his serious injury, but Hentian was also affected by the sword energy, unable to move an inch for a short time.
At this moment, a figure suddenly swept past, traversing a distance of several feet, attacking Nangong Bubai like a shadow.
Swift and agile movements, ever-changing palm strikes—who else could it be but Qin Shang?
Hentian smiled smugly. Nangong Bubai was at his limit, while Qin Shang was at full strength. It seemed that the battle would be decided in just a few moves.
Murong Ruorong, Nangong Wushang, and the others launched a fierce attack, but Jueyue and Duohun held the gate firmly.
Zhuge Wenjie, despite his abundant wisdom, was equally helpless and at a loss.
"Bang—" Qin Shang struck Nangong Bubai heavily in the back with both palms.
Everyone in Tingyuxuan closed their eyes, seemingly unable to bear witnessing the impending change.
However, something unexpected happened. Nangong Bubai was not only unharmed, but also used the force of the palm strike to leap over the high wall with Qin Shang, landing steadily outside the gate.
"You are not Qin Shang!" Hentian was stunned at first, then his eyes flashed with a fierce light, and he said in a deep voice.
"Hahaha, it seems a little late to realize it now." "Qin Shang" laughed loudly, and then took out the Jade Blood Pearl and respectfully handed it to Nangong Bubai.
"You...who exactly are you?" Jueyue asked in a deep voice, completely bewildered.
"Qin Shang" calmly took half a step forward, smiling as he removed his disguise. "It's you! This...how is this possible!" Hentian, Jueyue, and Duohun
exclaimed in unison. The handsome and spirited young man standing beside Nangong Bubai, with his composed smile, was none other than Ren Xiaoyao! "He...he...then who is he..." Duohun pointed at "Ren Xiaoyao," who was still standing ten feet away, and said in a trembling voice. "You villain, you don't even recognize me?" "Ren Xiaoyao" suddenly pointed and shouted, her voice like a nightingale's song, clearly a woman's. "Shui...Shui Furong!" Duohun exclaimed, having led the kidnapping operation at Ningxiangzhai, he was naturally very familiar with Shui Furong's voice. “But… but his tone just now was clearly… clearly exactly the same as Ren Xiaoyao’s.” Jueyue stared at Shui Furong, who was dressed as a man, and said in disbelief. “Sometimes what the eyes see may not be the truth, let alone what the ears hear?” Hentian’s voice rang out, but it did not come from beside him, but from a blue-robed man holding a torch to Ren Xiaoyao’s left. Jueyue, Duohun, and even Hentian himself were all dumbfounded. They never expected that this refined middle-aged disciple could imitate someone’s tone so perfectly that it was almost indistinguishable from the real thing. “The sect leader loves ‘talent’ as much as life itself and welcomes disciples from all over the world. How could he be without me, Zhou Jianhui?” the blue-robed man said with a grin. “So it’s the ‘King of Ventriloquism in the Central Plains.’ No wonder he could fool us.” Hentian turned around like a whirlwind and said coldly. “Where is Qin Shang?” Jueyue stared at Ren Xiaoyao and asked in a hateful voice. “I sent him to the Western Paradise half an hour ago.” Ren Xiaoyao said indifferently.

"Weren't you at Huibinlou with Shui Furong back then..." Jueyue's face was gloomy as she said in a deep voice. "The first half is true, but the rest... well, it was all an act." Ren Xiaoyao smiled mischievously and said spiritedly, "Initially, I notified Sect Leader Nangong to surround Hengyuan Cloth Shop, intending to take advantage of the chaos to sneak in and forcibly seize the Azure Blood Pearl. Who knew I'd run into Qin Shang at the end of the alley? It's your fate
, Juesha. This guy revealed the whole situation at the branch in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea." "You dared to go in alone based on the little information he revealed?" Hentian asked with an admiring expression. He was indeed a master-level evil sect expert; even surrounded, he remained calm and composed, completely disregarding the hundreds of people around him.
"Since the Jade Blood Pearl was lost from my possession, it's only right that I retrieve it myself." Ren Xiaoyao's fierce eyes pierced Hentian as he raised his voice, "Besides, Qin Shang once impersonated me to deceive Fengyi. An eye for an eye isn't unreasonable, is it?"
"Do you know the consequences of your identity being exposed?" Hentian asked coldly.
"At worst, the title 'Romantic Thief' will simply disappear from the martial world." Ren Xiaoyao said casually, "But for Fengyi's life, I have no regrets." His tone suddenly turned serious. Nangong Bubai stroked his beard and smiled. It seemed Ren Xiaoyao was not only intelligent and brave but also loyal and righteous—truly the perfect choice for his daughter to entrust her life to.
"Nangong Bubai, how about we make a deal?" Hentian looked up at the stars and moon, his deep eyes gleaming, and spoke slowly, word by word.
"You're already trapped like turtles in a jar, what more do you want?" Nangong Bubai was about to call upon his retainers to launch a full-scale attack, sparing no effort to annihilate them, when he heard this and his heart stirred, he shouted.
"Does the Sect Master want the true antidote for the Snow Mountain Shadowless Poison?" Hentian chuckled.
"Hmph, with the Azure Blood Pearl, what need is there for the antidote?" Nangong Wushang retorted angrily.
Upon hearing this, Nangong Bubai and Murong Ruorong's expressions changed drastically. Several months ago, Wu Hanyu had secretly told them that although the Azure Blood Pearl could neutralize the Snow Mountain Shadowless Poison, the combination of cold and heat would inevitably cause damage to the internal organs, and might even affect their future fertility. Hentian's timing in proposing to exchange the antidote for everyone's safety was perfectly timed, clearly targeting their weakness, leaving them no choice but to agree.
Nangong Bubai thought to himself, Jueyue's martial arts are formidable. Leaving aside the difficulty of capturing her alive, even if he did, she might not be willing to give him the antidote. He could only nod and say, "How would I know if the antidote is real or fake?"
Nangong Wushang, Nangong Tiankuo, and Nangong Lin exchanged bewildered glances. They were about to wipe them out in one fell swoop, ridding the Central Plains martial arts world of a great scourge. Why had their sect leader suddenly given up? Only Zhuge Wenjie understood the situation, gently waving his feather fan, smiling silently.
"Let Ren Xiaoyao take the antidote back to Hua'e Valley first. We can leave after Nangong Fengyi's remaining poison has subsided," Hentian said solemnly, his eyes fixed intently on Nangong Bubai.
"Alright, let's do it that way," Nangong Bubai said decisively.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Half an hour later, Hua'e Valley.
"Whoosh—" A rocket shot into the sky, the signal Ren Xiaoyao had agreed upon with Nangong Bubai before leaving Hengyuan Cloth Shop, signifying that the antidote was genuine and the Snow Mountain Shadowless Poison had been successfully neutralized.
Inside the room, on the embroidered couch, Nangong Fengyi's face gradually regained its color, leaning tenderly against Ren Xiaoyao's chest.
"Sister, sister, it's alright now," Nangong Fengyi said, tears of joy streaming down her face.
"Good lad, not only did you find the Jade Blood Pearl, but you even got your hands on the real antidote. You've got some good points," Wu Hanyu patted Ren Xiaoyao's shoulder, praising him highly. "
Senior, you flatter me. If it weren't for Mr. Zhuge's brilliant strategy, even if I dared to venture into the tiger's den, it would have been in vain," Ren Xiaoyao said solemnly.
"Xiaoyao, thank you," Nangong Fengyi turned away, her beautiful and refined face filled with gratitude, her voice soft and sweet.
“Silly girl, why are you saying ‘thank you’ to me?” Ren Xiaoyao gazed lovingly into her clear, bright eyes and whispered, “That night I promised you that for all eternity…”
“Oh, don’t say that!” Recalling their passionate night at the bottom of Yunwu Peak, Nangong Fengyi lowered her head shyly and said with a slight reproach.
“Young Master Ren, since the Jade Blood Pearl hasn’t been used yet, you should keep it safe.” Wu Hanyu groaned for a while, then said seriously, “With its extremely yang and intense nature, it will surely be of great benefit to your internal energy cultivation.”
“Thank you for your guidance, Senior.” Ren Xiaoyao cupped his hands in thanks.
“Alright, little girl, go back to your room and sleep.” Wu Hanyu pulled Nangong Fengyi back and said calmly, “Your sister is poisoned by Fang Qing and needs to rest well.”
“Yes, I have to go home tomorrow.” Nangong Fengyi gracefully got up, pushed open the door, and left.
“I’m leaving too.” Wu Hanyu lowered his voice and said mysteriously to Ren Xiaoyao, “You stay here and have a heart-to-heart talk with Miss Fengyi.”
“Thank you for your kindness, Senior.” Ren Xiaoyao smiled knowingly.

Volume 8, Chapter 12,

“I hate you…” After Wu Hanyu had gone far away, Nangong Fengyi gave him a charming and alluring glance and said coquettishly.
“Hate me for what?” Ren Xiaoyao felt a surge of pity, gently put his arm around Nangong Fengyi’s fragrant shoulder, pulled her into his arms, and asked softly.
“I hate that you’ve been gone for so long, without even sending a message.” Nangong Fengyi said softly and pitifully.
Ren Xiaoyao kissed her crystal-clear earlobe and said dreamily, “Actually, how could I not hate you too?”
Nangong Fengyi was slightly taken aback, and her beautiful eyes showed a confused look.
"You've made me yearn for you, you've made me lose my appetite, you've made me sleepless all night, you're..." Before Ren Xiaoyao could finish speaking, Nangong Fengyi closed her beautiful eyes, and two streams of clear tears suddenly flowed down her jade-like cheeks.
"Fengyi..." Ren Xiaoyao gently kissed her soft, moist cherry lips. Nangong Fengyi symbolically flinched a few times, but her fragrant tongue was immediately captured by him.
As the passionate kiss intensified, Nangong Fengyi's breathing became rapid. Ren Xiaoyao lifted her long skirt and began to caress her slender, straight jade legs.
Two blushes rose on Nangong Fengyi's stunningly beautiful face, and her body trembled under his movements. The alluring moans in her throat became more excited and higher-pitched.
Ren Xiaoyao couldn't help but remove Nangong Fengyi's silk robe and reached out to untie her thin, gossamer-like undergarment.
"My poison has just been neutralized, and you..." Nangong Fengyi's pretty face, still wet with tears of joy, flushed red. Her alluring demeanor was captivating. She lowered her head and lightly spat.
"Didn't Senior Wu ask me to pour out my heart to you?" Ren Xiaoyao continued to explore the inside of Nangong Fengyi's slender legs with his right hand, grinning as he spoke.
Nangong Fengyi's delicate face showed a mixture of joy, shyness, and expectant exasperation. She softly said, "Then... then be gentle, I've been waiting for so long..." Before she could finish speaking, her cherry lips were sealed again.
Ren Xiaoyao's hands slipped inside her undergarments, unfastening her bodice, gently kneading her flawless skin, finally resting on her incredibly elastic breasts. Nangong Fengyi's flowing hair cascaded over the headboard, adding to her languid and noble air.
Unbeknownst to her, the trousers slipped down to the headboard, instantly revealing Nangong Fengyi's alabaster-white lower body. Her head was tilted back, creating an alluring curve with her flat, smooth abdomen and rounded, delicate ankles.
Nangong Fengyi's desire was fully aroused; her beautiful eyes shimmered with a seductive, spring-like gaze. Ren Xiaoyao seized the opportunity to conquer her narrow, moist, mysterious sanctuary.
"Ah—" Nangong Fengyi instinctively pulled Ren Xiaoyao closer, her legs wrapping around his muscular waist like vines, her plump buttocks leaning forward, making their bodies even more intimately intertwined. Her expression was extremely complex, seven parts joy mixed with three parts shyness. Ren Xiaoyao pressed her tightly onto the bed, fully enjoying her soft, boneless, and exquisitely beautiful body.
They were making love inside the room when, unexpectedly, Nangong Fengzi secretly slipped back and peeked through the door.
Although the scene inside wasn't clear through the crack in the door, the sounds of their lovemaking were distinct. Nangong Fengyi's breathing became increasingly rapid, and Nangong Fengzi's heart pounded louder. She was filled with shame and didn't know what to do. She wanted to leave, but she couldn't muster any strength.
On the bed, Ren Xiaoyao's arousal had reached its peak. As his blood surged, he thrust forward, and his desire burst forth like a stampede of horses, releasing itself violently into her body.
"Ah... ahhh!" Nangong Fengyi suddenly trembled, as if thrown into the void by a raging wave, momentarily losing her senses.
After a brief moment of intense cries, Nangong Fengyi slumped to the side, panting heavily, her body heaving like waves, still lingering with the afterglow of passion.
Upon seeing this, Nangong Fengzi's legs went weak, and her whole body felt powerless. She had loved such things since childhood, but the act of love between men and women was something she had never witnessed firsthand. Now, seeing Ren Xiaoyao and Nangong Fengyi's
passionate encounter, she felt dizzy and disoriented, almost unable to stand. "Is it really...so comfortable?" Nangong Fengzi's heart pounded, her cheeks burned, and her mind was in turmoil as she murmured to herself. In her daze, she reached down to touch her lower abdomen, only to find her palm cool and damp, clearly indicating a prolonged state of arousal.
"Squeak—" Nangong Fengzi's legs gave way, and she suddenly flung open the door.
Ren Xiaoyao and Nangong Fengzi, who were embracing each other, were both startled.
"Brother Xiaoyao, I...I..." Nangong Fengzi's face flushed crimson, and she involuntarily moved closer to the headboard.
"Sister, why don't you try it too?" Still immersed in the afterglow of her climax, Nangong Fengzi, abandoning her usual reserve, giggled without restraint.
Nangong Fengzi remained shy and hesitant, but Ren Xiaoyao pulled her close and kissed her forcefully without hesitation.
Nangong Fengzi's body trembled violently, her lips parted shyly and awkwardly, quickly losing herself in Ren Xiaoyao's passionate kiss. In the dim candlelight, her pretty face flushed crimson, her long, dark eyelashes trembling slightly, seemingly filled with anticipation and longing for her first time.
Ren Xiaoyao removed Nangong Fengzi's outer garment, revealing her shapely breasts heaving rapidly. The pink bodice, rather than concealing her, only served to arouse her desire; the thin fabric, while covering her full, glistening breasts, outlined an even more alluring curve. With
Nangong Fengzi blushing and half-heartedly resisting, Ren Xiaoyao successfully took her virginity, which she had guarded for sixteen years.
"Ah!" Nangong Fengzi cried out in pain, almost convulsing as she held him tightly. The pain quickly subsided, and her ten fingers began to relax one by one. Her tense and stiff body gradually softened, and under Ren Xiaoyao's wanton caresses, her breathing became increasingly rapid. Finally, unable to suppress the pleasure in her body, she cried out in surprise,
"Brother Xiaoyao, I... I can't take it anymore." Nangong Fengzi, after all, was a novice in lovemaking, and how could she withstand Ren Xiaoyao's repeated onslaught? Before long, she pleaded for mercy in a pitiful and intoxicated voice.
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled and released her, then pounced on Nangong Fengyi...
The moon shyly hid behind the clouds, and a beautiful melody played softly in the Flower Calyx Valley.

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